Aikido teaches a person to look at the big picture

Many of my patients come into the clinic in such pain that they cannot hear any instruction that I give them. Many times, after a couple of weeks of treatment, I ask them "Do you still have pain?" and they roll they fix their eyes to one side or the other and wiggle their bodies a little bit as if looking for just the right spot, and they say, "Yep, the pain is still there". I often wonder whether or not they are not more remembering the painful feeling rather than experiencing the pain.

I read this in the Toronto Star and it was profound

I first meet Wayland DeLong's fist in a small courtyard behind a toy store in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood.

He parks his giant knuckles just off the tip of my nose so his fist and my fear consume my cosmos. There's nothing else.

Then DeLong directs my attention to the trees, the sound of birds, and the ground beneath my feet. Soon, the fist becomes smaller, less paralyzing, and I can think beyond the fear.

It's an invaluable demonstration of what happens when we fixate on our fears. It costs us perspective – the big picture – and an ability to function effectively

How true.

Modern Surgical techniques

There is a pretty cool video on this site. There wasn't any sound, but the graphics were pretty good. The site's subject is spinal surgery and specically fusion. There is some good information on questions to ask your MD and even how to prepare your home to help with the recovery from the spinal surgery. Click through. You will like it.

Relief for some forms of back pain

Most persons with back pain tend to see a resolution of symptoms over a matter of 4-6 weeks. Some, however, have to deal with chronic pain for years. Many health care providers have tried different approaches using different types of injections but results were mixed.
A physician in Texas uses special scans to help determine which of his patients will benefit from facet joint injections.

But Dr. Spiros Pneumaticos, professor of orthopedic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, found that a bone SPECT imaging scan (single photon emission computed tomography) can identify patients who can benefit from the shots. The scan can also help pinpoint, better than X-ray or MRI, exactly where the shots should be given.

The Dallas Morning News has the story

Good tips for preventing back pain

This is a good website for tips to relieve your back pain

Tips for preventing back strain

* Don't lift by bending over. Lift an object by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object. Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body. Avoid twisting your body while lifting.
* Push rather than pull when you must move heavy objects.
* If you must sit at your desk or at the wheel of a car or truck for long hours, break up the time with stops to stretch.
* Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels (1 inch or lower).
* Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower back pain.

Call your family doctor if:

* Pain goes down your leg below your knee
* Your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb
* You have fever, nausea or vomiting, stomachache, weakness or sweating
* You lose control over going to the bathroom
* Your pain was caused by an injury
* Your pain is so intense you can't move around
* Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better after 2 to 3 weeks

Even horses can have back pain

I found this on 'thehorse.com'.I hadn't even considered this but I guess horses need therapy too. I thought that this short article was good because it outlines the steps I use to discover what's ailing someone. The following paragraph are some of the steps.

A concern when treating horses with back pain is the identification of any musculoskeletal issues that might be creating pain in the hock or stifle. That type of lameness problem will cause a horse to alter its limb movement, placing strain on the back. It is also important to address issues of farrier care. Sometimes shoeing requires a trial-and-error process to work out the best option. Also, with a complaint of back pain, it can be valuable to check or treat for gastric ulcers. The panelists further remarked that some mares demonstrated signs of back pain when they were cycling.

I frequently tell my patients that their back pain compensatory or altered movements may mask or cause even more pain. The same applies to animals.

You can read the rest here

Heath Insurance changes proposed in Arizona

The Arizona state house votes to let insurance carriers offer stripped down insurance to the public, according to a report in the Arizona Daily Star. Its an effort to get more people covered. However, there appears to be only two choices that the legislature appear to want.

"This bill will provide people with the opportunity to choose between a Cadillac and a Yugo," he said. "And most people are going to want something in between.""


Read it here

Heath Insurance changes proposed in Arizona

The Arizona state house votes to let insurance carriers offer stripped down insurance to the public, according to a report in the Arizona Daily Star. Its an effort to get more people covered. However, there appears to be only two choices that the legislature appear to want.

"This bill will provide people with the opportunity to choose between a Cadillac and a Yugo," he said. "And most people are going to want something in between.""


Read it here