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Capsicum Cream / Patch
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| Capsicum cream has been shown to be effective in temporary relief of minor aches and
pains of muscles and joints associated with simple backache, arthritis, strains and sprains. Capsaicin also comes in
an adhesive patch that can provide heat for many hours; adhesion to the skin is not advisable. Seek professional
guidance.
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Correct Shoes for Avoiding Back Pain
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| The shoes you choose to stroll in may just be the difference between hurting your back and
helping to keep it strong and loose. High heel shoes put your spine in extension, which can impact the joints further
when the vertebrae are already in a compressed state. Lack of shock absorption will further impact the joints with
every step you take. Shoes that contain proper arch support can help take the pressure off and add to
increase overall shock absorption. Shoes with pressurized air or other cushioning chambers are helpful in protecting
the spine during daily activities.
(For more information about footwear go to Girdles and Footwear)
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Hot Water Bottle
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| A hot water bottle Is useful for increasing circulation and thereby loosening up the muscle
tissue but is not a good idea on swollen or inflamed joints. The better option for this is to apply ice.
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Hydrotherapy back |
| Hydrotherapy is a form of treatment or exercise instructed by a Aquatic
Physiotherapist or qualified Instructor, conducted in a heated pool. Hydrotherapy is used to treat musculoskeletal
disorders to help improve fitness and joint mobility.
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Medications
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Medications can also be used to manage
chronic pain. There are varying approaches to
drug treatment. One way is to try to treat the symptom of pain with either paracetamol or, if that fails, with stronger
drugs. There are also drugs that target the sensitisation of the pain pathways. These include drugs developed to treat
depression.
Medication Management for Pain
While drug therapies differ for each person, the most common are the following:
Adjuvant pain medications, including: antidepressants, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxors.
Opiates or "pain killers" used to treat acute pain, and often prescribed for chronic pain.
Anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain by reducing swelling and irritation.
There are alternative delivery methods for medications. Common methods used at the office are oral
medications, topical creams, sublingual medicines, nasal sprays, injections and patches. Firstly, always
speak to your Healthcare Provider about any type of medication or herbal remedy you might be considering
to take whilst pregnant or breastfeeding.
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| Prolotherapy back |
| Is an injection treatment to strengthen weakened ligaments and muscular
attachment points. It is a technique which has practiced by medical osteopaths and musculoskeletal physicians
since the 1930's. A saline solution is injected into the area to be treated. This leads to local
inflammation, increased circulation, and an eventual firming of the joint tissues. It often takes months
to begin working.
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Support Group back |
| Whether the support group is orientated towards pelvic girdle pain or a pregnancy
support group; it's all about not feeling isolated and alone. People can offer help and support.
Go
to links to view various support groups.
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| Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
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| A TENS machine is a small device that sends electrical impulses to certain
parts of the body to block pain signals. Two electrodes are placed on the body where you are experiencing
pain. The electrical current that is produced is very mild, but it can prevent pain messages from being
transmitted to the brain. This is accomplished though blocking the same pain receptors that cause the
nerves to be irritated. Micro-current is a specific type of electric stimulation which has been shown
to stimulate healing to the injured tissue. They can be purchased or rented from hospital supply or
surgical supply houses; however, a prescription is necessary for insurance reimbursement.
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| Wheat Pack
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| Simple to use moist heat pack which contains beads that activate upon
being heated up in a microwave to give off moist steam without adding water. When heating in
a microwave it is a good idea to add a glass on water during the heating stage to prolong the beads.
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| Massage back |
| Massage can be a light, slow, circular motion with the fingertips or a deep, kneading
motion. Massage relieves pain, relaxes stiff muscles, and smoothes out muscle knots by increasing the
blood supply to the affected area and warming it. Massage can also include gentle pressure over the
affected areas or hard pressure over trigger points in muscle knots. Other benefits of massage depend
on the type of massage being given.
There are many types of massages such as Ayurvedic, deep tissue, remedial, myofascial, medical, neuromuscular,
sports and soft tissue to name a few.
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| Acupressure back |
| Is direct pressure applied to areas that trigger pain. This technique can
be self-administered after training with an instructor.
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| Acupuncture back |
| Is the use of special needles that are inserted into the body at certain points.
Stimulation from the needle puncture triggers natural pain relieving chemicals from the brain, a reduction
in inflammation to the area through an increase in circulation, and a relaxation response to the musculature.
These needles stimulate nerve endings and cause the brain to release endorphins. It may take several acupuncture
sessions before the pain is relieved. Acupuncture has been used for centuries in China and other parts of Asia
to treat many types of pain. Acupuncture has a positive impact on treating pelvic girdle pain.(4)
(24)
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| Chiropractic Care back |
| There are different schools of chiropractic technique. Some adjust with quick
sudden movements, while others adjust only with gentle, almost imperceptible movement with the aim to re-align
the pelvis, the back, and all affected areas through the use these manual adjustments. It is important to find a
chiropractor that is well-trained in the treatment of pregnant women.
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| Isometric Exercises
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| By definition, isometric exercises are those in which a force is applied to
a resistant object. A typical example is pushing against a brick wall. There is no actual movement here,
but tension builds up in the muscles.
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| Kegel Exercise [Pelvic Floor Exercises]
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| Exercising the pelvic floor muscles help to increase the stiffness
of the pelvic ring. A variety modalities such as ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, and
thermal therapy relieve muscular spasms. Manual tissue joint mobilizing types can be used flexibility.
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| Naturopath back
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| Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a system of medicine based on
the healing power of nature. Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that naturopathic doctors (N.D's)
strive to find the cause of disease by understanding the patient as a totality of body, mind, and spirit.
Most N.D's use a wide variety of therapies and techniques (such as nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy,
and acupuncture). They use aromatic plant, flower, leaf, seed, bark and fruit essential oils to aid healing.
The essential oils are usually extracted by a steam distillation process, and tend to be used
holistically, where the oils are used (often with massage) to treat emotional and physical complaints.
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| Osteopathic Care
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| Osteopaths work with realigning the bones, ligaments, and soft tissues
of the body; the overall musculoskeletal system the body. Osteopathic manual treatment of the
musculoskeletal system employs a diverse array of techniques. These are normally employed together
with dietary, postural, and occupational advice, as well as counselling in an attempt to help
patients recover from illness and injury, in an attempt to minimise or manage pain and disease.
Osteopaths are trained in traditional medicine as well as the musculoskeletal system;
they tend to place more emphasis on preventive medicine, in looking at the body as an
interconnected system, and often use osteopathic manipulation and other 'non-traditional' therapies.
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| Pilates back
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| This exercise is low impact. Your own body weight is used as resistance,
while moving through a range of motions progressively. The Pilates method emphasizes the balanced
development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient
movement. Pilates exercises do not include a lot of repetitions for each move. An individualized
treatment approach with specific stabilizing exercises is shown to be effective for women with pelvic girdle pain.
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| General Practitioner back |
| The general practitioner has an important role to play in counselling patients
who are pregnant, and have pelvic pain. They must recognize the need to understand the emotional content of the
request by a woman. Write a list of questions to ask. Discuss about places and people that can help you during the
difficult times Talk about medications or referrals. This is also the time to decide what help you will need and to ask
friends and family members to be prepared to take on certain roles.
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| Physiotherapy back |
| Physical Therapy can be passive or active. Passive therapies such as massage
and applying heat and cold are typically effective for pain only in the first two to four weeks after an injury.
You usually do active physical therapy such as exercise and posture/gait correction for up to 12 weeks.
Exercises should be supervised, individualized concerning choice of exercises, order and dosage and pain avoidance.
These treatments help with chronic pain by building or reconditioning muscles so they can move more normally.
Pelvic support belts should only be used as a back-up to these exercises. You may need mobilization (
a gentler form of manipulation) of your hip, back or pelvis to correct any underlying movement
dysfunction. The rehabilitation process is different for everyone. Rehabilitation programs should be
individualized, catering to each person's unique needs as no two people are exactly alike.
Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a great form of exercise for pregnant woman. Water temperature and the speed at which the
water moves can help relax tense muscles and relieve swelling (inflammation) and pain. Gentle water
exercises using the resistance of the water can also help build strength and flexibility. Be careful not
to overdo stretching exercises since a ligament, once stretched will not regain its former length and
this could lead to joint instability.
Physiotherapy and Pelvic Floor
Pelvic floor muscles have the capacity to increase stiffness of the pelvic ring.
Women with pelvic instability increased activity of these pelvic floor muscles might help
compensate for loss of pelvic stability by
stiffening the pelvic ring and restoring proper load transfer through the lumbopelvic region.
Physiotherapy and Taping
Taping techniques can be used for a variety of pelvic dysfunctions, including joint instability,
pain and inflammation and muscular weakness or tightness. A physiotherapist knows
how to stretch and manoeuvre the joints. If the joint does slip back out of position, the physiotherapist
may need to reposition one or both again. If the joint will not hold where it belongs,
external support in the form of tight corset or a pelvic belt can be very helpful. If the joint can
remain in position it is likely that the internal ligaments will become tight enough to stabilize the joint.
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Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
The goal of rehabilitation is to help people regain the most independent level of functioning possible.
Rehabilitation channels the body's natural healing abilities so an individual may recover as quickly
and efficiently as possible.
The rehabilitation is based on several goals:
Allowing the tissue to heal.
Regaining your range of motion.
Regaining strength.
Return to normal daily activities.
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| Yoga back |
| Is focused on muscular endurance and flexibility of the skeletal alignment,
with static poses and props to help correct the alignment.
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| Ultrasound back |
| Ultrasound technology has been used by healthcare professionals since
the 1940’s so its benefits and healing properties have been well documented. Ultrasound can produce many effects
other than just the potential heating effect. It has been shown to cause increases in tissue relaxation, local blood flow,
and scar tissue breakdown. The effect of the increase in local blood flow can be used to help reduce local
swelling and chronic inflammation, and, according to some studies, promote bone fracture healing. The intensity or
power density of the ultrasound can be adjusted depending on the desired effect.
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| Psychologist
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| Psychosocial Concerns
Pelvic Girdle Pain in pregnancy seriously interferes with many participations in society and activities of daily
living such as housekeeping, walking, sexual life and working (average sick leave due to posterior pelvic pain
during pregnancy is 7 to 12 weeks (55) ). In some cases women with Pelvic Girdle Pain may also experience
emotional problems such as anxiety over cause of pain,
depression, resentment, anger, lack of self-esteem
and frustration. Often there is the feeling that no one believes them, and that no one cares, leaving the
woman feeling alone and frightened and often scared because of her inability to care for baby properly
due to her condition. There are many benefits for a woman and/or partner to help deal with emotional
issues arising during the pregnancy or after the birth whilst dealing with pelvic instability and pain.
Psychologist Can Help With
People facing difficult changes at significant times in their lives.
Couples faced with challenges to their relationship.
Trying to adjust to new surroundings or changes in health.
People suffering from anxiety, stress and depression.
Offer cognitive-behavioural therapy to help alter attitudes to pain.
Post Natal Depression
Some women continue to have pain after the birth and in
the following weeks limiting and restricting their mobility and
energy levels. Feelings of isolation, worry, and responsibility about the new baby
could become a sign of depression.
An episode of major depression may have
detrimental consequences for the family, erode already difficult
marital relationships and reduce confidence in parenting. For
more information about Post Natal Depression include assessment
tools go to Caring for baby
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| Therapeutic Nerve Blocks back |
| Therapeutic Nerve Blocks are a local anaesthetic and/or steroid injection
administered at the site of pain. This injection is directed to the area where you are feeling pain.
Nerve blocks typically achieve temporary pain relief. Some people may benefit from a single nerve block.
Other people with more complex pain conditions may require more blocks. If your pain is not managed within
four to six months, your doctor often considers other pain treatments.
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| Pain and Disability Scale Test's back |
| There are various tests' that can evaluate the degree of pain and disability.
Such test's as the Roland-Morris and Quebec Questionnaires have been used to screen the degree of pain and
disability for pelvic pain (to view pain scale test go to chronic pain).
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| Types of Meditations
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| Imagery and Distraction
Involves concentrating on mental pictures of pleasant scenes or events or mentally repeating positive words
or phrases to reduce pain. Tapes are also available to help you learn visual imagery skills. Meditation back
The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. This can be
accomplished by practicing a simple breathing meditation. We choose a quiet place to meditate and sit in a
comfortable position. The most important thing is to keep our back straight to prevent our mind from becoming
sluggish or sleepy. Sit with your eyes partially closed and turn our attention to our breathing. Breathe naturally,
preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control our breath, and try to become aware of the sensation
of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils.
Relaxation Training
Involves concentration and slow, deep breathing to release tension from muscles and relieve pain. Learning to
relax takes practice, but relaxation training can focus attention away from pain and release tension from all
muscles. Relaxation tapes are widely available to help you learn these skills.
Listed here are two other types of meditations that are more spiritual.
Transforming Meditation
Focuses on your body and the transformation, speak silently to your baby, and extend your
love hope dreams and happiness towards the birth of your child.
Loving Kindness Meditation
Whilst closing your eyes and breathing contemplate all that you have,
family, friends, husband, freedom, safety, repeat inspiring quotations or favourite prayers.
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