4 Reasons to Sleep With a Leg Pillow

Leg pillows are often the unsung heroes of the support world. Despite all they can do and how much comfort they have to provide, they still don't get the respect they deserve. Today we set aside that oversight and look toward leg pillows and what all they can provide.

Perks like:

1. Reducing Back Pain

This is perhaps the best leg pillow pro that there is. Because the pillow isn't used directly for the back, we tend to forget how it can still reduce back pain. However, by propping up the lower legs and removing weight, then readjusting how the body rests at night, aches can be greatly reduced for the following day … and every day this method is used.

2. Promoting Muscle Health

When muscles aren't stressed from aches and pains, you're able to better utilize them to the fullest of their capabilities. That means it's easier to work out (or even just to function throughout the day). Additionally, blood and oxygen flow can be increased, allowing for further health.

3. Convenience/Cost Effective

Adding a leg pillow is a simple way to step-up your sleeping space. If you're traveling and need a little more comfort, leg pillows are an easy way to go. If your back is sore, use of these models to help your cause without expensive treatments. And when used on an ongoing basis, you're likely to gain even more relief out of your comfort method. 

4. Pressure Relief

Though it's not pain directly, pressure is another area of stress within the back and other body muscles. A leg pillow can help reduce this excess stress, even if you aren't aware it's developed. 

To reduce stress, pain, and increase body health, a leg pillow is a great addition to your sleeping routine. Consider adding one today and browse at ContourLiving.com. 

Continue Reading

Wedges and Elevations for Different Conditions: High-Level Inclines

In the past two weeks, we've discussed different types of wedges and what they can be used to treat. It's a step that's helped us define our products, highlight some of their best features, and share important healing information with readers. Now we take this series one step further by talking about high-level wedges – what they can do and what conditions they're best outfitted to prevent.  

Those suffering from all-over back pains can gain ongoing relief with the steepest of wedges. Because they offer the most support and weight displacement of any style of wedge, these cushions can help relieve the most pains. Especially when a patient is suffering from aches throughout different areas in the back, like upper and lower, mid and upper, and so on. Such wedges are also great for dealing with throat and lung conditions, including surgery or treatment recovery. 

Because few sleep on high wedges (due to the angle), they're most often used to provide back alignment. This can include anything from resting sore muscles, helping bones settle in their proper place, reducing weight tension, and more. When paired with a full body support, high wedges can also be ideal for relieving all over aches. Such as reducing knee swelling or pains and gaining support in the legs. Or, simply use these full-body wedges to relax. When angled properly (for instance, with the BackMax Plus), patients can reduce the gravity's pull on their back, legs, and joints. Seeing as these generally cause the most pain, high wedges can also offer much needed relief. Whether after an especially achy day, or as a preventative measure. 

Whether you're nursing an injury or are just looking for some added comfort, a steep wedge can offer help with all of the above. Start browsing today and learn more from our product page. 

Continue Reading

Wedges and Elevations for Different Conditions: Mid-Level Inclines

Last week we talked about the wedge and how sleeping or just resting on an incline can better your health. Today we take that same concept a step further and focus our attention on mid-level wedges. Slightly taller or steeper than their shorter friends, there's plenty that the mid-level wedge can do. Just like its lower counterpart, it offers pain relief, circulation increases, and all-around comfort.

But just who should use it? And what conditions are best to take on with a mid-level wedge? 

According to medical research and scientific designs, it's best for reaching the middle of the back. Pains, misalignments, as well as ongoing injuries can all be reached with this size of wedge. Its efforts then trickle down into the lower back, hips, and knees, as well as up into the shoulders and neck. Mid-height wedges are also great for surgery recovery, allowing you to elevate the chest, or to prop legs and increase circulation. Just like in the hospital, but in the comfort of your own home. 

Or, if you suffer from heartburn or GERD, mid-sized wedges can help more severe cases. Because there's more height, the wedge lets gravity do the work, keeping stomach acid suppressed by forcing a steeper climb. 

Many of our mid-height wedges come as part of an adjustable set, allowing the user to choose just how propped they'd like to be. This can be an ideal way to switch between sleeping and watching TV, as well as a supportive position for the couch. With versatility and healing all in one, you can gain multiple perks with a single incredible product.

Of course, you can always talk with your doctor about treatment options regarding your wedge pillow. Experiment to see what positions provide the best relief, and gain their medical advice to find the best outcome possible. 

Continue Reading

What's the Difference Between an Adjustable and Standard Wedge?

Have you heard about seat or bed wedges? But maybe didn't know what they were all about? If so you're not alone. Though the wedge is one of our favorite products, not everyone has experienced just how wonderful it can be. But that's not all, even those who have experienced an inclined pillow don't understand the difference between standard and adjustable versions.

So just what is a wedge? And what are the perks that come with versatile models? 

A wedge is a piece of cushion or foam that's made of an inclined shape. Whether made to sit on, sleep against, or lounge upon, it helps support the body while allowing plenty of comfort on the process. They're used to add comfort while, as well as a healing prop to any number of medical conditions. Wedges help ease snoring, increase oxygen and blood flow, decrease symptoms of heartburn, GERD, etc. They can also help with pregnancy and post-surgery recovery. 

Standard Vs. Custom

With a standard wedge, the user is given a static shape and angle to use throughout the length of their cushion's usage. While pillows can be added, they won't always stay put and will offer a different texture that can become lumpy or lopsided over time. 

With a custom wedge, however, the texture is much of the same, as well as the design. However, it also comes with additional features. The pillow can be folded or moved into different shapes or positions. With some versions, pieces even zip apart or together to maximize your functions. Adjustable wedges can be switched up for size – allowing users to create a travel model, or go full-out when lounging at home. Choose one that's inflatable, memory foam that forms to your body over time, or stick with static support.

Adjustable wedges offer users more options than their standard counterparts. Head to our wedge page to check out models, or live-chat an expert on our home page to learn more today.

Continue Reading

The Perks Behind a Travel-Friendly Seat Cushion

Sitting in a vehicle for hours at a time is no chore. No matter what type of health situation(s) you've got going on. Those with neck cramps will certainly see their pains magnified. While those who are in perfect health will simply become uncomfortable. Our bodies were made to stand, stretch, and walk, not stay plopped in the same position for hours on end. Yet when traveling, especially around the holiday season, said long-term sitting is often a necessity. 

For those end-of-the-year travel sessions, consider giving your seat an upgrade. It's a simple change (and inexpensive), but will give your rear a whole new life for the entirety of the trip. Back pain will be out the window, and your car ride will fly by faster than ever before.

Travel seat cushions work to keep the rear cushioned and supported, this often eliminates pain associated with displaced weight, especially when sitting for hours on end. They also align the spine, which leaves your lower and upper back steadily in place, often eliminating discomfort all on its own. Additional features, such as coccyx cutouts relief pressure (great for anyone with an aching tailbone). Foam or memory cushions will shape to your body over time, creating an even more comfortable surface. 

Sitting atop one of these specialized cushions can also increase blood flow to the rear. This means circulation throughout the entire body will be improved, even though you're seated for long periods at a time. All of the above can make for a more enjoyable road trip, and one that goes much quicker.

To stock up on all your travel rear/back related needs, head to Contour Living's product page. Here you can learn more about each cushion, and find the one that will best suit your sitting needs. 

Continue Reading

Are These Underrated Behaviors Causing You Back Pain?

Throughout the course of a lifetime, almost everyone will experience back pain. Oftentimes it's minimal and for a very short amount of time, but others aren't so lucky. Their back pain is chronic, and quite possibly severe. What's even worse, however, are cases that can't be strictly diagnosed. Rather living with ongoing pain and attempting to solve what can't be pinpointed. 

To avoid ongoing back pain, or to diagnose current intermittent aches and their potential causes, take note of these common habits. Everyday activities such as:

Laying on the Couch

Every once an a while, this is a welcome treat, but being too much of a couch potato can mess up your entire back alignment. If you can't limit your time on the sofa, look to special cushions or wedges that will help hold everything in place. And that help to keep it pain free. 

Smoking

We all know smoking is unhealthy, but few of us know that it can cause back pain in addition to other health risks. Nicotine can affect blood flow, cutting off circulation throughout the body. Over time, this can cause pain and inflammation throughout the body, while often focusing on the back.

Too Much Exercise

Yes, there can be too much. Overdoing it with the weights, having poor foot insulations, etc. can all affect the back and cause pain. As well as robbing the body of too many calories.

If you're suffering from back pain,or minor aches and pains, the culprit might just be one of the above. Whether it's affecting the body all on its own, or adding to a previous condition, these underrated and often sneaky factors can cause far more harm than we realize. Look to adjusting simple steps, or work toward a daily routine that is not only healthier, but that works to reduce back pain. And eliminates your ongoing triggers.

Continue Reading

Save Your Back! Halloween Costumes to Avoid

One of the holiday greats will soon be upon us, and that means candy and costumes for miles around. As well as some serious pumpkin carving. Events that, like many others, suggest a magical time of year. However, if suffering from back pain (and even if you aren't), there are certain things you should avoid. For instance, heavy lifting, sleeping on a non-supportive mattress, and so on. One more thing to add to that list – which is not considered as often – is wearing the wrong type of Halloween costume. 

As unimportant as that might sound, how you dress for All Hallows Eve can greatly affect your back health. This upcoming October 31^st (and for every showing after), remember to avoid these specific types of costumes.

Anything heavy, obviously. When possible, don't dress up as any character who has a large backpack or important gear that might weigh a little too much. The same goes for wearing anything heavy, such as a thick full-body costume or transformation of sorts. It's likely uncomfortable and won't be doing your back any favors, either.

Blinders – as in a mask that takes away your peripheral vision. Who wants to be spinning on their heels all night? Rotating your entire body is likely to strain your neck, back, as well as your eyes. Choose a costume that has a more open range of motion instead. 

Uncomfortable shoes – something about Halloween almost compels folks to wear the most painful shoes around. Whether high heels, hard platforms, wooden or plastic versions – chances are they aren't going to make your feet feel good. But beware, a lack of support or weight displacement could also take the pain further up and into the spine.  

Anything too tight – this, too, might sound arbitrary, but cutting off circulation (or slowing it down) in any portion of the body will have negative effects. Rather than suffering through pain, go up a size and enlist the help of comfort. 

Continue Reading

How Posture Can Help you Age Gracefully

Like so many others agree, a majority of the population remembers being told to "sit up straight." Whether sitting at the dinner table or working at their school desk, adults of all levels of stature were constantly reminding kids that they were tired of their slouching ways. A fact those kids wouldn't soon forget. No matter how dramatic our childhood selves might remember those interactions, however, it was actually for our own good. Posture, much like eating vegetables and getting enough sleep, is an aspect of healthy body behavior. One that kids are rarely keen to follow, and one that, when not used, can create terrible habits into adulthood. 

Being told to sit up straight wasn't a punishment, it was a way for adults to show kids they cared about their future health.

After all, good posture grows into habit over time. After reminding yourself to keep your back straight and flat so many times, the body remembers to do so all on its own. It's a step that allows for easy muscle memory. 

Good posture will also help create stronger back muscles, keeping one ready for all scenarios and growth. As well as keeping the spine in place and the back aligned. A step that can keep pains at bay, while also improving overall back health. But most importantly, it can help keep you healthy as you age. With the onset of osteoporosis or a decline in bone density, ensuring your posture is solid can lessen those side effects. Keeping you upright and with smaller chances at needing a back doctor. 

There are plenty of lifestyle changes that can help keep your body healthy, especially as it grows older. And though posture is one that's often overlooked, it can offer profound health strides to the back, and to the rest of the body. 

Continue Reading

Did you Know? Sleep Position Affects Quality

Everyone has a favorite way they love to sleep. Positions they find more comfortable than others, and that allow them to rest more easily. This might be due to routine – the body knows when it sits a certain way, it’s time to get serious about sleep. However, recent research also shows that sleep position itself effects how well we’re able to sleep. Not only on an individual basis, but by evaluating the alignment of the body on the inside and out. 

What makes finding the perfect spot tricky, is that said alignment might change for each person. We will all find something slightly different a little more comfortable – whether due to preference, body type, or some additional factor. In this instance, it can help to adjust and see what works best. Try sleeping on your side a few nights (not necessarily in a row) and then see how deeply you rest. Do the same for your back and stomach for an overall comprehensive understanding of what allows you to sleep your best. 

However, there are a few instances that can help make this research process easier. Such as those with sleep apnea, who should never lay on their back – it only increases snoring and reduces the lungs ability to deeply breathe. Additionally, pregnant women shouldn’t sleep on their stomach (unless recommended by a doctor), and those with back or neck problems should compensate rather than leaving the body to fend for itself. This can mean leg pillows or other supportive features that work to enhance resting abilities. Side sleeping might be your favorite, but without help, ongoing pains can still occur. No matter how deeply you sleep. 

To gain access to better sleep, remember that positions can make all the difference. Adjust as needed and find what works for your body to achieve the best sleeping pattern possible. 

Continue Reading

4 Tips to Get Through Winter with Acid Reflux

Suffering from sleep apnea is never a welcome event. But when triggers are upped, those side effects can become increasingly worse. Especially when factors can’t be controlled, such as with winter allergens, or spices you didn’t know would keep you from getting quality sleep. No matter the cause however, or even if you might know what the cause may be, there are plenty of simple adjustments to help get you through the winter months.

When the temperature drops, gain better sleep by:

4. Eating Lighter … or Earlier

Winter is often cause for heartier and heavier meals. Which, unfortunately, can trigger some serious acid reflux. Go light on the second helping, or eat at earlier dinner and give the body more time to digest your favorite winter dishes. 

3. Layer an Extra Blanket

Keep the thermostat down a degree or two, then add an extra blanket to your bed in order to stay warm. This simple change will help you sleep deeper, while also providing for better digestion practices. This will work to keep stomach acid where it belongs: in the stomach. 

2. Go to Bed Early

It’s dark early anyway – why not gain a few extra Zs? Set your bedtime 30 minutes or so earlier than normal (or even more if you’re feeling especially efficient) to gain more sleep. This will allow the body to “set” its time to drift off, which naturally allows you to ease into a deeper layer of rest. 

1. Cool Down the Shower

Showering right before bed might be a great way to relax from the cold, especially when there’s plenty of steam involved. But it’s also a practice that can raise your core body temp, making it more difficult to fall or stay asleep. Take showers earlier in the evening or cool down the temp to avoid this side effect.

Stick to these simple tips to gain better, more restful sleep all winter long. 

Continue Reading

5 Ways to Stick to your Workout Routine

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is that of getting in shape. With it, though, comes one of the least-made goals: staying in shape. Though folks of all ages and sizes vow to start eating better and going to the gym, it’s often an empty promise. Months later, the majority will be back to their old habits and eating (and acting) just as unhealthy as ever.

To avoid the odds in 2015, check out these tips to help yourself make better routines. And to stick to your resolution for the entire year.

5. Create Manageable Goals

Don’t try and start out too lofty or you’ll never stay on board. Look to a diet that encompasses nutrition, but doesn’t cut out everything you love. While it might sound like a compromise, it’s a way to ensure you’re eating better, but won’t eliminate so much that you’re unhappy (and therefore more likely to “cheat”).

4. Mark Milestones

Write your achievements down. Then, write down achievements you want to make happen. Whatever form helps you keep track of what progress has been made, and what’s on the way, do it. It works as a measurable way to look at real-time progress. 

3. Tell Friends

Whether they’re joining you or just acting as encouragement, telling others what you wish to do is a great way to stay on track. Others can help hold you accountable and remind you when you’re doing a good job. 

2. Eliminate Temptation

Throw out the junk food, remind yourself couch lounging is not an option (at least for too long at a time), and more. By getting rid of the habits you don’t want, you can help reduce them once and for all. 

1. Reward Yourself

After all that hard work, you’re going to need some continual motivation. Take yourself shopping, buy that new car accessory, or have a cheat day (just one!) and eat something you’ve been craving.

Just by giving yourself a little slack, you’re far more likely to stay healthy for the long haul, increasing your chances at staying on task throughout 2015.

Continue Reading

What’s your Ideal Sitting Surface?

How often do you sit? As in really sit – where your weight is down and you’re off your feet. Is it most of the day? In between work sessions? Hardly at all? No matter the frequency, sitting offers a way to rest the legs and readjust one’s weight pattern. 

But did you know how you sit – and what you sit upon – can also affect your habits? While it might not seem like a big change, the more one sits, the bigger adjustment these types of variables will have. For instance, sitting on a too-plush surface, which can cause back alignment issues. Or perching on something hard, such as a wooden bench, which can keep you alert, but at the cost of an uncomfortable rear.

When weighing all the options, however, what’s the best surface on which to sit? Personal comfort preferences aside, some materials have far more health benefits than others. Such as foams or sturdy cushions which cradle the rear without allowing it to sink and settle. Not only are these surfaces comfortable, they keep the spine straight. An aspect that increases back health, especially when used on a consistent basis. (And if your regular seat doesn’t offer these perks, opt for a portable cushion.)

In contrast, seats that are too firm can also jar bones and muscles. Creating excess or displaced weight, bringing on further back and rear problems. 

For the best health results possible, choose an in-between. A surface that’s not too hard, but not too soft. It’s the best way to ensure you’re seated in a way that will properly displace weight, while still being comfortable. You can also talk to your doctor about which materials offer the best options for any specific back issues, including pain.

Continue Reading

Save Your Back With a Proper Shovel

Winter weather can bring us all types of conditions. Freezing temps and bitter winds that cut through even the thickest of clothing options. It can also bring on inches of snow and ice that work to make everyday life difficult. Especially when you’re in charge of clearing it out of your driveway. A task that can cause the back to cringe just thinking about the ample shoveling ahead. 

However, with the help of a proper shovel – which is to say one that’s made for gripping and better weight placement – homeowners can work to eliminate shoveling-induced pains. These types of shovels should be readily available at your local hardware or outdoor supply store. Though attachments can sometimes be found at pharmacies or the doctor’s office.

When setting out to find the perfect shovel, talk to a salesman (or your doctor beforehand) and which styles offer what types of support. You can even give them a test run right there in the store. There won’t be snow, of course, but you’ll have a better idea as to how the shovel feels in use. Foot stance, grip, type of boots (or inserts for the arch) and more can also work to even out weight displacement

Other Back-Saving Shoveling Tips

When shoveling snow – especially the wet kind – it’s a good idea to take smaller scoops. Though this might take longer overall, it will work your arm and back muscles to a lesser degree. 

Then, once you’re done shoveling, be sure to stretch out the back. Especially if these are muscles you rarely use. Even a few minutes will help reduce ongoing pains that are inevitable for the infrequent shovel-er. Drinking plenty of water and a protein-rich meal can also eliminate soreness. 

Be sure to pick up a back-friendly shovel before the next snow hits your area.

Continue Reading

Dr. Explains Back Pain in YouTube Video

Anymore, there’s a YouTube video for virtually anything and everything. From learning a new skill to simply being entertained, it’s likely that someone has created a video out of it. (Along with tens of other online users.) Including what causes back pain – and how to reduce its symptoms. Whether caused by muscle spams with age or a specific injury, it’s outlined in this comprehensive and free-to-watch video.

Dr. Mike Evans, who is known for his educational, yet easy-to-follow videos, has helped create white board outlines on any number of medical issues. However, one of his latest releases, on back pain, has received widespread acclaim. It was even mentioned on NPR for helping other doctors explain medical ailments to their patients. Including one specific case, where the patient had done her own research but still hadn’t come to terms with the outcome. One YouTube viewing later, and her doctor was able to make a believer out of her in terms of the lower back.

The video goes into the ins and outs of the lower back from a medical standpoint. Including what causes pain, how muscles work in tandem with one another, and more. Especially what happens in the event of an injury, or rather what types of movements cause said injuries. Best of all, there are visual aids to help even the least medically inclined of folks understand just what’s happening beneath the skin. Patients love that it offers an entertaining way to learn about their bodies, while doctors say it’s a great aid for explaining treatment options and symptoms. And in the process, it can help eliminate ongoing pains through user education and participation.

To better understand your own back’s intricacies, or to learn more about the body as a whole, check out Dr. Evans’s back-related video today.   For back support and comfort ideas - click here.

Continue Reading

What Is Your Lawn Chair Doing For Your Health?

When setting out to take in the nice weather, amenities can make all the difference. Bug spray, sunscreen, and additional items are what make outdoor time enjoyable. Especially for those of us who are less outdoorsy than others. Additionally, picnic tables make a great place to plop and eat a snack, blankets can help keep the grass at bay, and chairs, they’re likely the best amenity of them all. Who wants to sit on the ground – near gravel or sand – when you can sit up elevated and with support? Even the most outdoorsy of us all prefer a chair. But it’s also important to consider the quality of said chair. Even more so when dealing with back pain or needing a little extra spinal strength.

Which is why, when purchasing a lawn chair, it’s important to consider how it will affect your back health. “Bag” chairs are easier for travel, but also sink and don’t provide any support for the spine or coccyx areas. In contrast, metal or plastic chairs that are too hard can create a surface that’s painful over time. In either scenario, a seat cushion can help create a softer, more back-friendly surface. Many options are made for easy travel, and can help transform any portable chair into one that will sit upright, not sink and/or deteriorate. 

More expensive chairs will also offer these types of perks on their own. Often heavier, these versions are made to withstand weight without dipping, while still holding up the back into place. Talk to your doctor about what positions you should and should not be sitting in, and ask their recommendation for choosing a proper lawn chair. That way, each time you set out to enjoy Mother Nature, you can be sure that your sitting surface is there to provide extra spinal strength, not aches and pains. 

Continue Reading

How to Lift Heavy Objects Correctly

One of the easiest ways to awaken an old injury is through improper lifting. This can mean lifting something too heavy, or simply standing wrong when grabbing onto something light. Whether it’s back pains from years ago, muscles that simply aren’t ready to work that hard, or a lack of knowledge that triggers something new, picking things up correctly can prevent them all. And considering the difference between poking a resting pain or letting it sit in peace, a little know-how is more than worth the effort. 

Before you hurt yourself on an impromptu favor, be sure to check out the ins and outs of picking things up. 

First, know your weight limit. 

Someone small shouldn’t attempt to haul heavy objects alone, no matter how often he or she works out. No amount of trying to impress others can undo a serious lifting injury, so be sure to evaluate just how much something weighs before attempting the lift – whether alone or with others’ help. 

Next, adopt the proper stance. This means feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and feet flat on the ground. As they say, you’ll use your legs, not the back to lift, so setting them up properly is key. 

Added tips: 

• • Keep the back flat
• • Put yourself as close to the object as possible
• • Tighten the abs for extra support
• • Grip the item (firmly) with your entire hands, not just your fingers or palms
• • When moving, keep your body straight. Don’t twist or bend, but move your feet and legs with the object.

Finally, make the lift and move accordingly. Use your entire leg power and push the weight down through your feet as you pick each item up. This tactic is great for building muscle strength, while preventing injury in the process. If needed, perform stretches (as many as needed) after the fact to prevent soreness. Stretching will also keep the body loose, better preparing it for its next lift.

Before picking up your next heavy object, remember to plan your way to proper lifting procedures. 

Continue Reading

Support Group Aims to Help Girls with Curved Spines

For anyone with a “normal,” straight spine, it’s hard to imagine life without it. Your back, without your consent, has performed its duties successfully for the entirety of your life. Without even having to think about it, your back has taken care of itself, and therefore, you. But for those with scoliosis, that isn’t always the case. With a spine that curves in C or S-shaped patterns, these patients suffer from the stigma that comes with a “different” type of skeletal structure.

Which is why there’s a growing support group out to help and connect those with scoliosis, specifically young women. Known as Curvy Girls, the group has gained popularity in the U.S. and is now expanding into Canada – citing its main goals as connecting others with the disease and raising awareness about scoliosis.

First manifesting in kids – the group says most don’t even realize their spine curves because it’s so subtle. Even small curves, however, can still disrupt movement and lead to lifestyle changes.

Other, more severe cases often require surgery or the addition of metal rods to keep the spine from increasing its curves over time. This can decrease back mobility and require frequent doctor visits. No matter the severity or the outcome, the group says each chapter looks to reach out to as many girls as possible. So they can spread the word about scoliosis, and to let others know just how normal a curved spine can feel.

Spine Health in your Area

Since 2006, Curvy Girls has been helping those all across the U.S. learn about scoliosis and deal with the process of having a curved spine. With their new growth into Canada, an entire new country of ladies can gain the support of their peers and work to educate others on spinal health, and just how manageable life with an “abnormal” spine can be.

To learn more about Curvy Girls or to offer your support, head to http://www.curvygirlsscoliosis.com/

Continue Reading

Reduce Back Pain with Proper Kidney Health

Oftentimes it’s hard to determine where pain comes from or how it got started. Because of ongoing injuries or pain that lead to different/more pain, many patients go undiagnosed each year. But when it comes to back pain – especially that of the lower back – patients can not only find a common cause, but work to reverse it. And all without the help of medications.

With the ongoing research on kidneys and the sciatica nerve, however, doctors have been able to determine a very simple fix: take care of your kidneys. Or more simply put, healthy kidneys = a pain-free back. Or at least an in-less-pain back. Just by taking care of yourself – especially in terms of the internal organs – patients can take on a number of natural cures. Pain can be reduced, moods improved, and over time, the body actually begins to heal itself from the inside out.

This connection comes from one of the many factors that can affect the sciatica nerve. Running directly through the lower back (and then down the hip and continuing south), the sciatica nerve can be touches or triggered by a number of organs and bodily functions. Basically, any outside factor affecting the nerve can contribute to pain, which is then felt in the lower back. Picky as the nerve may be, it provides a number of functions and it’s important to keep it in good health. Finicky tendencies and all.

However, that task becomes much easier the better we learn how it works. For instance, avoiding swollen or improperly working kidneys – which can cause direct pain on the sciatica nerve. But by eating better, avoiding alcohol, or taking kidney-healthy vitamins, this stressor can be avoided. (Talk to your doctor about your kidney health and what you can do to keep them in proper working order.)

Directly addressing these issues will help patients of all ailments gain relief, while getting healthier in the process.

Continue Reading