Custom Vs Prefabricated TLSOs - A Comparison of Two Approaches To Back Support

Custom and Prefabricated TLSOs

Definition of a "T.L.S.O."

A T.L.S.O. is an acronym that stands for, thoracic, lumbar, sacral orthosis. Orthosis in this context is a fancy word for brace. - Essentially, this kind of brace helps to support your spine from just under your clavicle down to where your legs meet your body when you sit. There are different versions of this kind of brace, such as a low profile, mid profile and high profile design.

Prefabricated Designs

When someone gets a prefabricated TLSO they will be getting a brace that will help to support their spine. The benefits of a prefabricated TLSO is that can be delivered shortly after an order is placed for the brace. This usually means that the brace will be delivered within 24 hours, if not much sooner. Sometimes, time is such a critical part of the equation that a prefabricated orthosis might be the only option for the patient. These braces can be very helpful for people, under these circumstances, if you do not have time to get a custom made brace. This might be the biggest plus of getting one of these kinds of supports. - These braces actually can provide patients with support and that is also why they are used extensively by medical professionals today that do not have the capacity to make the custom orthoses themselves.

Custom Made TLSOs

It is hard to beat the support that a custom made TLSO can provide. Many people have contours that a prefabricated brace will try to address. Many times it may address a person's body type well, but it is really hard to beat the support levels of a custom made brace. With some prefabricated models, shear forces and rotational issues that are extremely important, may be lacking with a prefabricated design. This is at the center of the debate for medical professionals, including orthotists. - Custom made TLSOs are made from measurements and a cast of a person's body and in this way, an orthotist believes that they can help to control the areas that a prefabricated brace might miss on occasion. Better control of rotation and shear forces are some of the benefits of these kinds of orthoses (braces).

Where to Get a Custom or Prefabricated TLSO

When you need to get a back brace it is best to work with a local, licensed orthotist. If the individual is licensed, then individuals they have provided orthoses (braces) for at least one years time, passed rigorous tests and have studied the subject of orthotics for an extensive period of time. These individuals do not just show up, there is a lot of training that is involved and with experience comes an eye for detail that others might miss.

Disc Decompression Therapy: Improving My Results

Here is the picture: You were minding your own business, carrying on about your everyday duties (lifting, bending, and stooping) or having fun and playing hard in recreational sports. Then it happened! You experienced pain in lower back and now it is radiating down into your leg. Or maybe you have been in a car accident and now suffer neck and/or arm pain. Your have tried a long list of treatments including: prescription drugs from your family practitioner, specific exercises from your physical therapist, chiropractic adjustments, and epidural spinal steroid injections for the herniated disc in the lower back or neck. Still there is no lasting relief of your pain.

Now your list of possible treatment options has narrowed. Doctors say you need spinal surgery, but that is scary and that will be your last resort. Disc decompression therapy, more commonly known as Spinal Decompression (non-surgical), is the best non-surgical treatment option left. Here is what you know: disc decompression therapy is 1) extremely safe, 2) likely effective to give you relief of lower back and leg pain or neck and arm pain, 3) FDA cleared, 4) affordable, and 5) and is your last non-surgical approach to resolve the problem and get back to the life you have been missing. So how can I improve my results with Spinal Decompression?

The most common and detrimental mistake patients make during Spinal Decompression treatment is continuing with compressive activities of the neck and especially the lower back. Spinal Decompression applies a negative pressure to the disc and an intermittent pumping effect of Spinal decompression causes the dehydrated and brittle disc to re-hydrate with nutrient rich fluid allowing the disc to repair and enliven again. The intermittent traction stimulates disc cells, called fibroblasts, to rebuild the cartilage of the disc which is necessary to hold the thick and sticky liquid of the nucleus in place. When being treated with Spinal Decompression think about the tiny cartilage cells growing and trying to knit together. Placing the disc under more pressure can allow the new tissue to tear repeatedly postponing repair and treatment success.

It is best to AVOID COMPRESSIVE activities: 1. Sitting for long periods - driving long distances, long airline flights, or enjoying a movie without getting up. 2. Standing for long periods - especially on concrete or other hard surfaces. 3. Carrying heavy or awkward items. 4. Avoid lifting, but if you must use proper lifting technique. 5. Put recreational activities on hold except for walking short distances that do not cause pain. Especially avoid weight lifting and high impact exercises of any type.

Know your positional preference. If you are treated face up more than likely extension (bending backwards) will make you worse. If you are treated face down then bending forward will probably aggravate your condition. Be patient and alert to any activity that causes your pain to worsen. If and when you return to exercises make sure you use proper form and do not exercise in a direction that opposes your treatment's positional preference.

Remember the disc can rebuild and repair quickly with proper treatment. Spinal decompression treat does not last forever. So be patient, avoid compressive activities, and return to exercise only by your doctors direction and guidance. Otherwise, you have a great recipe for treatment failure, increased cost, greater levels of pain, and make yourself more susceptible to more invasive and costly treatments.

Cervical Pain Reduction Using Cervical Pillows by 78%

Understand The Power of Neck Pillows

Do you have cervical pain, but never thought about using a neck pillow before? This could make improvements depending on your pain tolerance. Using a regular pillow that does not support your neck together with unhealthy sleeping position can create a lot of strain inside the neck.

Using a cervical pillow you can reduce the chance of getting neck issues. A good cervical pillow help ease your discomfort, and prevent the chances of reoccurring muscle spasms.

Different cervical pillows explained

? Japanese Cervical Pillow
This neck pillow will help your neck with support while traveling as well as when sleeping. It's generally prescribed by an orthopedic doctor for those who are suffering from neck pain. A Japanese neck pillow is packed with rice that you can heat up. It calms your neck strain by using warm soothing heat.

? Form To Mold Neck Pillow
This is an orthopedic pillow, mainly because it molds to the shape of a person's neck region. Made with memory foam it molds into the perfect curvaceous shape keeping the neck from any kind of intersecting stress because of motion.

Only a memory foam neck pillow can support a person's unstable neck. Acquiring a strong support as you sleep is going to fasten your rehabilitation from neck pain.

Why Cervical Pain Needs A Special Neck Pillow

A lot of cervical pillows (in particular the Japanese rice pillow) provide support to all your tensed muscle groups. This kind of pillow may be used with neck injuries, especially for cervical pain.

A Japanese pillow can be warmed up anytime and positioned around the neck as long as you desire. If you choose to alternate and use both pillows, they can be setup easily in just about any sleeping position in order to help in the best sleeping support. In virtually any injury either of these pillows will assist you to get plenty of well-deserved sleep.

So What Cervical Pillow Is Going to Be Right For Me?

The initial step in obtaining the perfect pillow meant for your personal injury is to consult with your doctor or maybe orthopedic practitioner about which sort of pillow is correct for you. Using a cervical pillow nightly can even prevent you from snoring all night long.

Benefits Of Arch Support Shoes

We all know that regularly walking, jogging, and running can have a positive impact on health and well-being. The problem is that spending prolonged periods wearing footwear can also lead to specific medical problems developing. Arch support shoes can be worn that help to reduce the pain from conditions caused by ill fitting footwear, they can be custom made to ensure the maximum comfort.

If you have recently visited a health care professional, and been diagnosed with a condition such as arthritis, or planter fasciitis, you may initially feel worried. In such a situation you may find that your health insurance policy can be used to help cover the cost of special footwear supports that reduce the severity of the symptoms.

It may be worthwhile to experiment with a few different pairs of arch support shoes until you find an option that is comfortable. The supports themselves are usually manufactured from plastic and foam. You can get hold of rigid designs that can last for many years, the softer options would need replacing quicker but can be used in most footwear without too much effort.

Do not rush into choosing which type to use. If you choose an ill fitting piece you may end up causing yourself a greater amount of damage and pain. Whenever possible, opt for a custom design put together by a professional with many years experience of helping people overcome foot related medical problems.

Human feet were not designed to be wrapped up in footwear, or to walk constantly on hard surfaces such as cement and asphalt. Because of this, it is not a surprise to discover that millions of people suffer problems due to ill fitting footwear. After a short time using arch support shoes, you should find that any pains that were felt in the feet and legs decrease, and eventually disappear altogether.

Are You Living in Pain?

How often does your back hurt? Do you find yourself grimacing as you try to stretch in your office chair? Do you feel like doing nothing but laying down after an afternoon working in the yard?

Back pain is the second leading cause of doctor visits in the United States, following upper respiratory infections. In fact, around 31 million Americans are suffering from back pain at any given time, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. That's a little over 10 percent of the population. All the time. And the amount of money spent on back pain is staggering- over 50 million dollars every year.

The good news is that most cases of back pain are not caused by debilitating, degenerative conditions and can be improved and often corrected. The vast majority of cases are related to injuries caused by over exertion, improper posture, or poor lifting techniques. Often, our lifestyles and jobs are to blame, as sitting all day in front of a computer tends to invite slouching and lower back pain. In fact, sitting for prolonged periods is one of the worst things you can do for your back. Being overweight, especially to the point of obesity, puts a lot of strain on your skeletal system and your back especially.

So, now you're thinking, Great, I'm not alone and you're telling me my pain can likely be resolved. How?
Chiropractic care is an excellent way of resolving and preventing not just back pain, but headaches, neck pain and extremity pain. Chiropractic is the third largest doctored profession in the U.S., and is the most popular alternative medicine in the country. I've treated patients with screws in their back who had resolved themselves to living in pain experience a massive turnaround in only a few weeks. I've seen a painter with carpal tunnel pain in his wrist, afraid he would not be able to work anymore. Now he is pain free. Victims of car accidents, falls, home accidents and a long list of other unfortunate incidents have all walked through the doors of my office and found relief with no prescriptions or surgery.

The standard American approach typically involves reaching for a bottle of painkillers. While I understand their use, popping pills does nothing to resolve the underlying issue causing your pain. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can both be hard on your stomach and liver, and most people are unaware of the maximum allowable dosages and the potential for liver damage- especially if alcohol is consumed while taking the medication. Under a physician's care the max dose of ibuprofen is 3.2 grams per day. The max dose for acetaminophen is 4 grams per day. With over the counter pills that run up to 500 and 800 mg per pill, it is easier to overdose on those medicines than you might think.

Surgery usually comes in after pain medication is ineffective, and the risks of being put under sedation and having irreversible changes made to the muscle and bones in your back are obvious.
Still, very few people consider the natural, drug and surgery free methods of managing back pain. Lifestyle changes lead the way, obviously. Sleeping on your back, quitting smoking, increasing you water intake, stretching before heavy activity, losing weight and addressing posture issues at work and home will all help. Wearing a sensible pair of shoes, with adequate support and cushioning will also help. Generally that means no heels higher than two inches and no shoes with flat insoles.

Diet is also a huge component of relieving pain. There are several foods that most people eat on a regular basis that actually cause inflammation in the body. Pasteurized dairy products, many grains, refined sugar and some sweeteners, and gluten can all cause an increased level of inflammation in the body, aggravating arthritis and injuries.

Isn't it worth it to try something that isn't going involve additional health risks and chemicals to resolve your pain? Wouldn't it be nice to know you are addressing the problem and not covering the symptoms? As the New Year approaches it is important to realize that living in pain accomplishes nothing more than keeping you from being your best. If you are planning on making lifestyle changes for the New Year, start a wellness and chiropractic lifestyle plan through doctors willing to walk the path with you. Consultations are free, and you have nothing to lose but your pain.

Can Disc Decompression Therapy Guarantee Results?

The answer is no. Due to complexity of the human body medical treatment can never guarantee a 100% result. Whether you have surgery, epidural injections, exercises, chiropractic adjustments, or disc decompression therapy (more commonly called spinal decompression), all treatments have successes and all treatments have failures. Disc decompression is "likely effective" to reduce lower back pain and/or leg pain and neck and/or arm pain and increase your activities of daily living without spinal injections, drugs, or surgery.

Spinal decompression therapy is designed to help the disc rehydrate, regain function, and restore the function of the herniated disc. Disc decompression therapy can help injured disc to build new cartilage, rehydrate, and help you regain function of injured disc.

The best way to assure a good result with spinal decompression is:

1. Find a doctor who is knowledgeable, experienced, and certified in spinal decompression.
2. Proper patient selection and exclusion of patients who would not respond well to treatment is essential for successful treatment.
3. Some research studies have success levels ranging from 80-90%. However, be aware treatment success can vary from doctor to doctor and the success levels an individual doctor may have can vary from time to time and patient to patient.

You can improve your chances of successful treatment with proper doctor and patient selection. Over all spinal decompression is safe and likely effective to help you resolve your disc injuries and regain the life you have been missing.

Don't suffer with neck pain, arm pain, lower back pain, and leg pain. Disc Decompression therapy is extremely safe, non-surgical, cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), likely effective, and affordable.

Chondromalacia Patella Symptoms - Causing Your Knee Pain And Grinding?

Chondromalacia patella symptoms present as a pain felt in the front of the knee and a grating or grinding sensation when the knee is flexed. Chondromalacia patella is caused by abnormal wear on the cartilage under the kneecap (patella). This condition generally affects teens and young adults. This article will look at the distinguishing characteristics of the disorder so you can form and early medical symptom diagnosis and be better prepared for a consultation with your doctor.

Chondromalacia Patella Symptoms And Causes

Symptoms may include:

Pain that is felt under the kneecap (front of the knee)Knee pain that increases when walking up steps or sitting with the knees bent in a cramped space for long periods ("movie sign")Grating or grinding sensation when the knee is flexed or bentCrunching sound (crepitus) when the knee joint is moved through a normal range of motionSome cases may experience stiffness, swelling, tenderness, or buckling of the knee

Chondromalacia patella occurs most often in teenagers and young adults and is more common in females. The condition may be caused by an abnormal pull of the quadriceps muscles (thigh muscles) on the kneecap which results in the kneecap being pulled out of its normal groove and becoming irritated.

Risk factors that may increase the risk of developing chondromalacia patella include: an abnormal positioning of the kneecap; tightness or weakness of the thigh muscles; overuse from activities such as running, jumping or twisting, skiing or playing soccer; flat feet; previous injury or trauma to the kneecap.

Chondromalacia Diagnosis And Treatment

Diagnosis will be based on the observation of the aforementioned symptoms and an evaluated by a physician. The evaluation should include a physical examination complete with orthopedic tests and possibly x-rays (typically normal) or an arthroscopic examination (visual examination of the knee joint using a scope).

Treatment includes resting the involved knee. Ice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin may be used to relieve pain following activity that stresses the knee.

Physical therapy to balance the quadriceps and hamstring muscles may be helpful. Taping to realign the kneecap or wearing a brace that has an opening over the kneecap may help control the movement of the kneecap and diminish symptoms. Orthotics (specially fitted shoe inserts) may add support especially for those with flat feet.

If the conservative treatment options mentioned above do not relieve the symptoms or there are signs of arthritis developing, surgery may be an option. This may involve arthroscopic surgery (surgery using a camera inserted through a small opening).

The prognosis is good and the condition usually improves with therapy and the use of NSAIDS. If surgery is required, this is often successful.