Methods of Spinal Decompression

By Claudine Balsells

Spinal traction can be accomplished in a number of different ways. Let us walk through different methods of spinal traction including massage chairs. Traction or stretching requires a force. This can be a bending force or a pulling force. The purpose of traction is to stretch out the soft tissues between joint surfaces. When looking at spinal traction, the key is to exert a force which stretches the soft tissues.

Most people relate to traction as a pulling force. They picture themselves lying on their back with arms being pulled on one end and their legs being on the other. In essence, the pulling force is exerted on the entire spine. Spinal decompression machines have been used with patients lying on their backs. They are attached to the machine and then an extension force is used to stretch both ends of their spine simultaneously.

When using a pulling force across the length of the spine, a spinal decompression machine must stretch each soft tissue area between all the cervical discs simultaneously. Do the soft tissue areas between the cervical discs get stretched equally? The force to affect this traction comes from pulling both ends of the spine.

Another way to decompress the spine is inversion therapy. Inversion therapy uses the weight of your body to exert a force along the length of the spine. This is accomplished by suspending the individual upside down. Suspension can happen either with an inversion bed or with inversion boots. The boots require a little more acrobatics to get to the inverted position.

Inversion therapy uses gravity to affect the force. The patient's own weight is used to help stretch out the spine. Since the feet are held in place, the force is applied by both the angle of tilt and the patient's own weight.

Another method for mechanical traction is with a roller table. Roller tables work by passing a roller underneath the patient's spine. A patient is laid flat on a roller bad. Next, the roller is activated to apply traction across the length of the spine.

When using a roller table, a mechanical force is applied with the use of a roller. The roller causes a bending of the soft tissues. This occurs when the roller passes and causes the cervical disc to deflect. This deflection stretches and elongates the soft tissues.

When a massage chair applies traction to the spine, it is also passing a roller. The roller is activated to go up and down the individuals spine. As the roller moves across the spine it will deflect the cervical discs. This mechanical bending force is used to stretch the soft tissues.

Mechanical traction for the spine with a massage chair uses a roller. The roller is activated to go up and down the spine of the patient. The roller passes along each cervical disc. It deflects the cervical disc which elongate the soft tissues between them.

Massage chairs are very versatile in a health care environment. They provide a variety of treatments for patients. They contain many different massage techniques. These chairs can be targeted for specific areas. Additional treatments include lower body stretching systems, heating elements throughout the chair and an MP3 player for music relaxation.

A variety of different treatments are provided with a massage chair. Massage chairs have many different massage techniques. These massage techniques can be to target specific muscle groups. They can also be adjusted in intensity. Massage chairs provide consistent massage therapy to patients. Massage also provides patients with other treatments including lower body stretching, heating and music therapy.

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What You Need To Know About ACL Knee Injuries

By Florentina Ryan

(ACL) The anterior cruciate ligament connects the tibia to the femur. It serves to avoid or prevent the tibia (leg) from moving forward relative to the femur (thigh). The ACL is in the middle of the knee. It crosses the PCL, hence the name, cruciate

The role of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament is to prevent forward movement of the Tibia from under the femur. The Posterior Cruciate Ligament prevents movement of the Tibia in a backwards direction. These two ligaments together are considerably important to the steadiness of the knee joint, mainly in contact sports and those that engage speedy changes in direction and twisting and pivoting actions. A worn out ACL has serious implications for the strength and function of the knee joint

This ligament is repetitively injured in contact sports such as football and pivoting sports like soccer and skiing, though there are many incidents for injury to this ligament Typically the patient winch of a unexpected injury to the knee and the incapability to walk following the occurrence of the accident. Often, there is a significant amount of inflammation that occurs rapidly after the injury. In contact sports (e.g., football) the injury normally happens when one player impacts the side of the knee. Non-contact ACL injuries are common in women, such as a female soccer player who rapidly changes direction and feels a explode in her knee.

What are the symptoms of an ACL injury? May be an audible pop sound at the time of injury. A feeling of initial instability, exceptionally tender, immediately after the injury. Inflammation of the knee, Movement is restricted and inability to fully straighten the leg . The medial side of the joint is tender which may be a sign of cartilage injury

What happens after the ACL injury? It depends how severe the injury and whether there are other associated injuries, such as a medial collateral ligament tear or a meniscal tear. Usually the swelling or inflammation resolves after a week or two. Some patients will be able to function without any problems after they get over the original injury, especially if the damage is only a partial tear. The majority, will notice "instability"; the feeling that their lower leg is shifting forward on their thigh bone. For some, this will be a bit of annoyance and for others, it will be a considerable disability.

What can the athlete do during injury? Immediately stop play or competition. Apply RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the knee without delay.Ask for medical attention immediately.

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Acai Berries - The miracle Fruit

By Dana Hawkes

This grape-like fruit from the Amazon with a large seed which covers about 80% of the fruit is a very nutritious fruit with numerous health benefits ranging from detoxification to eradicating cancer forming cells. One advantage of this fruit is there are no side effects.

This unique fruit is a fabulous source of various Vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C and E and electrolytes which are all present in plenty. Every 100gms of the fruit has over 1000 times more content of vitamin A than in that of blueberry. It also has a large chunk of minerals which help to alienate cardio vascular problems. Also this fruit was pulped by the tribes of the Amazon to make wine that was very rich in minerals. Also a good source of omega oils which help in burning unwanted cholesterol.

Acai berries are high fibrous fruits which help in the bowel movement and metabolism. It helps in strengthening the immune system and makes the digestive system more efficient in its working. Photo sterol which is present in this fruit strengthens your digestive track, and absorbs nutrients more efficiently.

As these fruits have high nutritional content, it is being used as a regular diet component and recommended by dieticians. Acai berry has various health related benefits. The people who are really troubled with health related problems should be aware of this.

In all, acai berry is a compact capsule that simply lets you stay in the pink of health and free from any disease whatsoever. Happy eating delicious berries! Wish you all health in life!

About the Author:

Dana Hawkes lost over 45 pounds by following the Acai Berry Diet, and you can do it, too! Visit her site now for more information about Acai Berry supplements, the Acai Berry Diet, and even get a free trial!

Exercises Guaranteed To Get Rid Of Man Boobs

By Paul Turner Katie Turner Paul E Turner

Here are some effective man boobs exercises you can use to reduce your man boobs. The biggest man boobs cannot defy these exercises because we are going to get rid of what they are made of - fat! We do this by looking at man boobs exercises to burn fat, which are cardiovascular type exercises.

Fatty deposits under the best cause man boobs, and therefore man boobs exercises need to reduce the fat in one way or another. Gynecomastia can be caused by a few things but it stands to reason that if you reduce fat you reduce the man boobs.

Some people turn to pills to cure their Gynecomastia (the correct name for man boobs) and is certainly is an option, but there are cheaper ways to reduce man boos that are all natural and safe - I wonder about the claims made by some of these drugs too.

So what specific man boobs exercises should you do? Well, to hide your man boobs we should look at push ups. These are good for the chest area but they also build your arms and shoulders. Make these bigger and the chest area looks smaller, so push ups are one of the all time great man boobs exercises.

Push ups don't really burn loads of fat though, and so in conjunction with them you should also look at a real fat burning exercise. An excellent idea is to increase your metabolism - there is a great ebook called "Burn The Fat" which is a best seller for a good reason - the tips work!

Running is perhaps one of the best man boobs exercises, also cycling and rowing are good too. They burn calories and you can do them for sustained periods. You can always listen to music or watch TV while you do them too.

To burn general body fat then jogging is a great exercises to start with. Don't go too fast, just pace yourself and run for as long as you can manage (you should probably see a doctor before starting exercise to reduce man boobs). Cycling is another great fat burner that you can do as well as / instead of jogging.

If you are not up to jogging, cycling or swimming then just start with walking - it's a good way to start and you can build up. You need to start with at least 20 mins at a time, and the more you do it the better as your heart rate will stay elevated for a while after you stop. Ideally go for a one hour walk at least once per day, twice if you can spare the time. Any of these man boobs exercises will reduce man boobs.

About the Author:

Are you aware that man boobs exercises alone may not get rid of your man boobs and it's not your fault - find out more about the causes of man boobs and the easy way to get rid of them here - The Chest Coach System

Designing Your Own Inground Lap Pool: Great Home Exercise

By Ryan McCall

Installing an inground lap pool at home can be a great way to invest in the future of both your health and your finances. Youll be able to work out at home instead of in the greasy air and teeny-bopper soundtrack noise of the health club, and youll probably improve the long-term resaleability of your home - there are few things more attractive to prospective buyers than a pool suitable for both exercise and play.

The main question when it comes to lap pool designs is whether you have enough space to fit one in your backyard. The absolute minimum lap pool length is forty feet. A lap pool should also be at least eight feet wide and at least three and a half feet deep. Aside from this, everythings rosy - lap pools need much less water than your average recreational pool, and the linear, elegant look of lap pool design is much less likely to conflict with the style of your existing home.

One possibility of which you may not even yet be aware (if youre not a big infomercial watcher) is that of the endless pool, created by the eponymous Endless Pools Inc., the company thats been installing them for over a decade. People have called endless pools the treadmill for swimmers and thats a fairly accurate description, although the endless pool can simulate swift swimming far better than a treadmill can the action of hard running. In fact, a well-installed Endless Pool can help you improve your endurance power in swimming to levels you never dreamed of. For those who already have a pool, the companys Fastlane unit can bring all the benefits of an endless pool to just about any pool. So long as your hot tub is long enough for you to stretch arms and legs out in, you can have the best of both worlds.

Endless pools are also hydraulically powered, which keeps their consumption of electricity down so low youll scarcely notice the drain. While theres nothing that beats the freedom of a full-length lap pool design, this option is both a space saver and a great showpiece sure to fascinate guests and reignite your familys interest in physical fitness.

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Check out these links for more interesting articles on Lap Pool Design at the BestSwimmingPoolShop.com Website.

Benefits of Acai berry Diet

By Dana Hawkes

The Acai Berry, pronounced as ah-sigh-EE, is mostly regarded as a super food as it offers dense nutritional characteristics and health benefits that are almost too numerous to count. But what exactly are Acai berries, and what is the Acai berry diet all about?

The Acai fruit can only be found growing at the top of a special plant that can be found in South America's Amazon basin. For centuries the locals have been aware of this unique berry and its legendary benefits and properties, and it has been known for possessing healing powers beyond much of what conventional medicine is able to. Only recently has the remainder of the world finally wised up to the incredible power of the Acai berry and the Acai berry diet.

Although you may get mixed information when reading an Acai berry diet review, the truth about the Acai berry diet information that is out there is that the people saying bad things about Acai are unwilling to believe that it is as incredible as it is in boosting the immune system, fighting the signs of aging, boosting over all health and aiding in natural, healthy weight loss.

But what every good Acai berry diet review will tell you is this: If you try it for yourself, the results will astonish you. There is no way to deny the incredible results that the Acai berry diet is capable of achieving once they actually happen to you. If there is any doubt in your mind that the Acai berry diet will produce incredible results, simply try it for yourself and then you will see for yourself what this "super food" really can do for your health and well being.

About the Author:

Dana Hawkes lost over 45 pounds by following the Acai Berry Diet, and you can do it, too! Visit her site now for more information about Acai Berry supplements, the Acai Berry Diet, and even get a free trial!

Need Strong Bones??? Lift Weights.

By USGSF Staff

A normal side effect of aging is the general weakening of muscle tissue and bones throughout the body. A sure way to reduce the stress on our weakening bones is to increase our muscle mass through strength training. EVERYONE can get a benefit from strength training no matter what age or physical condition. (and yes...you can start lifting weights at 90 years of age)

Strength training is a safe and effective method of reversing muscle loss in the elderly. This muscle loss is called sarcopenia. This condition actually begins around forty five years of age. At that time, the average person's muscle mass begins to decline at the rate of about one percent per year.

Due to the natural deterioration of the body. Strength training is a important aspect of senior physical exercise routines. Strength training helps prevent the breakdown of healthy muscle, tissue and bones. Strength training also strengthens connective tissues(ligaments) around the muscles and joints. When you add in the benefits of doing some sort of exercise in general, it can add years of vitality to your life.

The stronger a person's body is. The less chance of an injury occurring from an accident. A stronger body will be more resistant to virus related illnesses. You recover faster...and of course have the added spring in your step.

Recent findings show that positive impacts of a twelve week strength training program. In a group of volunteers with the joint disease osteoarthritis. Muscle strength increase by 14 percent and balanced improve fifty five percent after the 12 week program.

Another group of volunteers with chronic kidney disease using the same twelve week program also had some profound results. These volunteers on low protein diets, still increased their muscle fiber by thirty two percent and muscle strength by thirty percent after training. This was in contrast to those who did not train. This group about nine pounds or three percent of their body weight.

When it comes to strength training there are generally two types that are taught. These are body sculpting and body building. Body sculpting is the best form of trailing for seniors. This form seems to fill their needs. Body sculpting theory generally speaks to the ability of women to add about five pounds of muscle mass. Men will ad about ten pounds of muscle mass. this form of training is not about getting "bulked up". It is more focused on increasing the muscles you use on a daily basis in your everyday life. Makes walking easier, increases muscle endurance for lifting everyday objects..etc.

The best part is you don't have to used heavy weights...and in some cases no weights at all. (I know of a 88 year old man who trains using two large cans of beans from the grocery store.)

Weight training should be done in very short sessions. Not only does excess work out time reduces the body building aspects of the work out. To start no more the two exercises or 15 minutes if your new to working out or are over the age of 75 when you start.

Work outs should be done in very short sessions for the best results. When weight training seeks to workout twice per week with two days rest among each session.

About the Author:

Kettlebells are a great way to achieve over all fitness. This 200 year old russian method of fitness can whip anyone in to shape..no matter what your age.