Why Do More Women Than Men Have Chronic Pain

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

Pain is rarely welcomed, but it does have a purpose. Pain protects the body from injury by sending a signal that reminds us to care for it, especially when it’s already injured. Pain also aids in repairing injuries.

There are two types of pain:

Acute pain develops suddenly and tends to be sharp. It is relieved when the underlying cause has been treated.
Chronic pain lasts longer than three months. It can be dull and aching and may come and go.

Common sites of chronic pain include the back, head, joints and nerves, leading to tense muscles, limited mobility and low energy levels. Chronic pain can also affect a person’s mental health, causing anxiety, depression, anger and fear regarding re-injury.

While people of all ages and genders experience pain, women are generally more likely to experience chronic pain than men. This can be due to:

Fluctuating hormones
Increased number of nerves in the female body
Loss of bone strength and density as one ages
Increased sensitivity to the emotional toll of pain

Treating chronic pain

There are minimally invasive treatments specifically designed to block the transmission of pain signals or permanently correct the problem causing pain, while also reducing or eliminating the need for surgery or a reliance on pain medications. These include:

Medications and injections
Physical therapy
Nerve blocks
Acupuncture
Platelet rich plasma injections
Treatment of contributing conditions

Efforts to manage stress, exercise, and maintain a healthy diet and weight are also important. Exercise releases endorphins, which help to block pain signals; reduces inflammation; and increases mobility and the flow of blood and oxygen to inflamed muscle. Low-impact exercises, such as tai chi and aqua-aerobics, also improve balance and function when performed on a regular, consistent basis.

The VEBA Resource Center offers Low Back Care and Pain Prevention Classes, focusing on exercises that are designed to strengthen your core, improve your posture and help you stay pain free. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.

Can Acupuncture Help You Sleep?

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

Millions of American adults struggle to fall and stay asleep. While being poked by needles may not be what you had in mind when you think about improving your sleep, studies show that acupuncture can help.

Manual, electro and auricular (ear) acupuncture can be effective in treating insomnia. Identifying the underlying causes of insomnia can be the key to treatment.

Three common causes of sleeplessness include:

Stress and anxiety. Acupuncture can help quiet the mind, increase relaxation and decrease stress to promote sleep. The treatment can also help increase the release of natural melatonin in the body to help improve sleep.
Chronic pain. Sometimes pain can keep you from getting comfortable and drifting off to sleep. Resolving or lessening the pain with acupuncture may help in getting a good night’s rest.
Sleep apnea. By helping a person lose weight, even by as little as 10%, sleep apnea may be reduced. Acupuncture has been shown to help with weight loss and improve energy.

We all function better after a good night’s sleep. If you have sleepless nights, you may want to give acupuncture a try.

The VEBA Resource Center offers Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture. The ear’s complete microsystem, close proximity to the brain, and rich supply of blood vessels make it powerful for treating human illness. Come on in for a 30-minute group session, where you’ll relax in a massage recliner while our acupuncturist inserts the needles. Then sit back and enjoy a 20-minute guided meditation. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming session.

¿Puede la acupuntura ayudarlo a dormir?

Por Sharp Health News, una publicación de Sharp HealthCare

Millones de adultos estadounidenses batallan para conciliar el sueño y permanecer dormidos. Si bien ser pinchado con agujas puede no ser lo que tenía en mente cuando pensó en mejorar su sueño, los estudios demuestran que la acupuntura puede ayudar.

La acupuntura manual, eléctrica y auricular (oído) puede ser eficaz en el tratamiento del insomnio. Identificar las causas profundas del insomnio puede ser la clave del tratamiento.

Tres causas comunes del insomnio incluyen:

Estrés y ansiedad. La acupuntura puede ayudar a aquietar la mente, aumentar la relajación y disminuir el estrés para promover el sueño. El tratamiento también puede ayudar a aumentar la liberación de melatonina natural en el cuerpo para ayudar a mejorar el sueño.
Dolor crónico. A veces, el dolor puede impedir que se sienta cómodo y se quede dormido. Resolver o disminuir el dolor con acupuntura puede ayudar a descansar bien por la noche.
Apnea del sueño. Al ayudar a una persona a perder peso, incluso en un 10%, se puede reducir la apnea del sueño. Se ha demostrado que la acupuntura ayuda con la pérdida de peso y mejora la energía.

Todos funcionamos mejor después de una buena noche de sueño. Si tiene noches de insomnio, es posible que desee probar la acupuntura.

VEBA Resource Center ofrece Acupuntura Auricular (Oído). El microsistema completo del oído, la proximidad al cerebro y el rico suministro de vasos sanguíneos lo hacen poderoso para tratar enfermedades humanas. Venga a una sesión grupal de 30 minutos, donde se relajará en un sillón reclinable mientras nuestro acupunturista inserta las agujas. Luego siéntese y disfrute de una meditación de 20 minutos. Consulte nuestro calendario para inscribirse en la próxima sesión.

Reduce Back Pain With Safe Lifting Techniques

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

If you have back pain, you’re not alone. Roughly 80% of adults have experienced low back pain at some point in their lives.

While certain risk factors such as age, occupation, fitness level and weight can play a role in back pain, poor lifting techniques increase the risk of injury for everyone, regardless of age or physical condition.

Try these tips to reduce your risk:

Do not lift more weight than you are able.
Keep the object you are lifting close to your body.
Avoid stooping with the low back — keep your back upright and lift with your knees.
Avoid twisting and turning while lifting.
Avoid extensive repetitive lifting.
Wear appropriate non-slip shoes to avoid slips and falls while lifting.

Everyone — young or old — is wise to pay careful attention to their body mechanics whenever they are lifting.

The VEBA Resource Center offers Low Back Care and Pain Prevention Classes. This class will focus on exercises that are designed to strengthen your core, improve your posture and help you stay pain free. Perfect for all levels. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.

Reduzca el dolor de espalda con técnicas seguras de levantamiento.

Por parte de Sharp Health News, una publicación de Sharp HealthCare

Si tiene dolor de espalda, no está solo. Aproximadamente el 80% de los adultos han experimentado dolor lumbar en algún momento de su vida.

Si bien ciertos factores de riesgo como la edad, la ocupación, el nivel de condición física y el peso pueden influir en el dolor de espalda, las técnicas de levantamiento deficientes aumentan el riesgo de lesiones para todos, independientemente de la edad o la condición física.

Pruebe estos consejos para reducir su riesgo:

No levante más peso del que pueda.
Mantenga el objeto que está levantando cerca de su cuerpo.
Evite agacharse con la espalda baja: mantenga la espalda erguida y levántese con las rodillas.
Evite torcerse y girar mientras levanta.
Evite el levantamiento repetitivo extenso.
Use zapatos antideslizantes adecuados para evitar resbalones y caídas al levantar objetos.

Todas las personas, jóvenes o mayores, deben prestar mucha atención a la mecánica de su cuerpo siempre que estén levantando pesas.

VEBA Resource Center ofrece clases la Espalda Baja y la Prevención. Esta clase se enfocará en ejercicios diseñados para fortalecer su núcleo, mejorar su postura y ayudarlo a mantenerse libre de dolor. Perfecto para todos los niveles. Consulte nuestro calendario para inscribirse a una clase.