In the last few years, the health benefits of including soy in your diet have been studied more and more. Vegetarians have been eating soy for decades, but now it is being researched not just as a substitute for those who do not wish to eat meat, but also as part of a healthy diet for patients with high cholesterol levels. Check with your physician before adding soy to your diet, but remember this option if you’ve recently been diagnosed with high cholesterol.

Most physicians recommend replacing meat and other protein options with soy for about 25 grams of the daily nutritional amount of protein you need. At this rate, daily, soy has been proven to lower cholesterol. This was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a valid option for reducing the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol clogs veins and arteries with a fatty substance that hardens to produce plaque; too much plaque in the arteries can close them completely, causing a heart attack. Eating soy reduces the amount of cholesterol in your blood stream, thus reducing the risk of plaque build-up and heart attack. Lowering the amount of cholesterol by eating more soy can also reduce your risk for having a stroke.

The health benefits of soy do not stop at lowering cholesterol, however. Soy is also very beneficial for menopausal women, since it increases estrogen levels, which, in turn, reduces the effects of menopause such as night sweats and hot flushes. Because it has been known to raise estrogen levels in the body, eating soy can also be very beneficial for men trying to treat prostate cancer. Studies are still being done, but many claim that soy boosts metabolism, shrinks fat cells, stabilizes levels of insulin in the body, helps people lose weight, and decreases sugar cravings.

Soy is a healthy food product, whether you are looking to help curb symptoms of menopause, hoping to lower cholesterol levels in the blood stream, or generally attempting to eat a healthier diet. Your physician can tell you about many more health benefits of this product, and you should consult him or her when significantly adding soy to your diet to replace other sources of protein. Soy can work wonders for those who also eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and grains, so it should be an option you consider to help pave the way to a longer and healthier life.

The most commonly used type of medications used as an answer to high cholesterol are called statin drugs. Because they are so popular, numerous studies have been performed to ensure the safety and validity of these drugs, and it has been found that not only do they lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, but they also raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels in many cases. Statin drugs have little or no side effects associated with their long-term use, and taking them can reduce the risk of both heart attack and stroke. Consider talking to your physician about the use of statin drugs if you have been diagnosed with poor cholesterol levels.

There are six statin drugs now on the market. Each of the major drug companies in the United States produces forms of these drugs. Statin drugs you can take by prescription from your physician are rosuvastatin, fluvastatin sodium, atorvastatin calcium, lovastatin, pravastatin sodium, and simvastatin. Common names for these types of drugs that you might recognize include Zocor, Lipitor, and Lescol. Do not take any statin drugs before checking with your physician because he/she can recommend the exact medication that is right for you.

In general, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin calcium are used for intensely lowering cholesterol, and may be taking in conjunction with other medications. Pravastatin sodium is safest to use in small doses if you suffer from liver disease. It is also important to abstain from drinking alcohol as well.  Atorvastatin calcium and fluvastatin sodium are especially useful if you have kidney problems. Lovastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin sodium are all proven to help reduce the risk of heart attacks, with pravastatin also helping to reduce the risk of strokes.

Statins all work by blocking the enzyme in the liver that causes your body to produce cholesterol.  If you have excess cholesterol in your body, this actively prevents you from making more. You should not need to take statins to maintain already healthy cholesterol levels—this can be controlled through diet and exercise.

Statins may cause a rare but serious disease called rhabdomyolysis, which damages muscles, so you should only use these drugs if you need them and they are prescribed by a doctor.  If you already take statins and experience muscle weakness, consult your physician—this is the number one sign of rhabdomyolysis and may progress to kidney failure and cause untimely death.

By keeping a close check on your own health, you can report any abnormalities to your physician.  Statin drugs are great tools to use if you need to lower your LDL cholesterol and raise your HDL cholesterol, but, as with most kinds of prescription drugs, they work best if you live a generally healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, no smoking, and plenty of exercise every day.

Many people pursue alternative health treatments when traditional medical procedures are not being as effective as they are needed to be. Some, such as rolfing, acupuncture, and chiropractic procedures should only be done with a professional in the field. However, other kinds of alternative medical practices can be discussed with your doctor and then practiced in your own home. One such alternative type of therapy that you can do without the help of a medical professional for daily or weekly treatments is the detox diet.

Traditionally, the detox diet is used for those who are struggling to quit drug or alcohol abuse. There are now many other known ways in which this can help a person’s health as well. Detox diets include more than simply removing addictive substances from your menu—and the diet itself is quiet complicated if you do not first research and understand the food that you should be avoiding in your daily diet. Your doctor can help you plan your detox diet so that you are eating the most beneficial foods possible. Be sure to discuss this treatment with him or her before you begin, so that you can be sure it is a healthy diet for your specific medical condition.

Detox stands for detoxification, and generally these diets are ones that remove harmful environmental toxins from your body by eliminating the source—poor food choices. First, you should minimize and eventually stop eating foods that contain harmful additive chemicals. Organic food is substituted instead. Next, add foods to your diet that promote healthy detoxification by providing the nutrients your body needs. Lastly, foods that are high in fiber and water are very important so that toxins can be drawn out of your body quickly and regularly.

Detox diets can be used to help with skin problems, digestive diseases, addiction, and other health concerns. It is important to be sure that you are eating in a way that is healthy for your body, so if you have other conditions, such as an eating disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, heart disease, ulcers, or low blood pressure, check with your doctor before beginning this new type of diet. It is also not suggested for those who are pregnant or nursing.

Important: You MUST talk to your physician before starting any kind of diet.

When beginning a detox diet, you may experience headaches or be tired. This is normal, but if it does not improve, see your physician immediately.

If you have an adverse side effect, such as diarrhea, stomach pains, or drastic weight loss, talk to you physician.

Many people use herbs in their cooking for added flavor, but did you know that herbs can also be used in a medicinal way? Herbs have long been used as an alternative from of treatment. Patients taking various medications can benefit by using herbs that can achieve the same effects. If you are looking for a different kind of way to treat some of your medical conditions, ask your doctor for more information about how herbal supplements can work for you.

Pharmaceutical drugs can have a harsh effect on the body. Herbal supplements, on the other hand, provide gentle care and side effects are less common. You can also get most herbal supplements without a prescription, making it easier and more cost effective for those who do not have health insurance. Many herbal remedies are made by a number of companies and not all products are of the same quality. Your doctor should be able to provide you with a list of the best herbal drugs as well as ones to avoid. Check the labels to be sure that there are not chemical additives or diluting agents in your herbal supplements so that you are getting what you pay for.

The Chinese have especially worked at developing herbal medications for use in the place of more traditional medications for a pharmacy. Herbal teas, powders, and pills are commonly used in conjunction with other traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, such as acupuncture. A variety of herbs are used here, and you may drink tea or take a supplemental pill before, during, or after your procedure to best benefit your body. You can also purchase specialized herbal mixtures from many TCM professionals, which are mixed directly in the practitioner’s office. Be sure you only purchase herbs from licensed professionals.

Herbs can be as dangerous as prescription medications if you use them incorrectly. It is most important to follow your doctor’s instructions, as overdosing can cause adverse side effects. Also be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications or herbal supplements you are currently taking, since herbs can react with one another in various ways. It is best to always be safe and talk to a professional about herbal care rather than purchasing the supplements on your own. A doctor can do a better job at regulating your doses and combining the many herbs available in the most productive way for your body. Herbs are a great way to feel healthier and relieve pain, but only if used in the correct way.

by Charles Kassotis

Do you experience frequent back pain? If so, is it mild, moderate, or severe? If you dont get back pain on a regular basis, have you ever suffered from acute discomfort in your neck, upper back, or lower back? Perhaps you lifted something that was too heavy or yanked open a door the wrong way. In any case, you understand how painful a sore back can be, and its effect on daily activities involved with your job or your family. Simple actions like getting into a car or climbing steps can become excruciatingly difficult when your back has been injured in a significant way.

After experiencing an injury, fall, or other event that may precipitate back pain, make an appointment to see your doctor for a physical exam and any diagnostic tests that need to be done. Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and establish an impression of your condition, along with a plan of care for treating it. Often a back injury will require plenty of rest. But the doctor also may prescribe medication like painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine that can help to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may advise bed rest or restricted activities to give any strains or tears a chance to heal. In some cases, you may need to take physical or occupational therapy to learn how to reuse some muscles or bones in your back if they have been injured or have had to recuperate.

At home on your own, you can take several important steps to help your condition improve. The most important thing you can do is to follow the doctors orders. Dont try to second-guess a medical expert. Just do as youre told unless you have a serious concern that the doctors advice is way off base. Then you can seek a second opinion from a qualified medical expert to see whether it confirms or contradicts the first experts opinion. Another thing you can do is report any negative change in your symptoms to the doctor. He or she may need to reevaluate your condition and perhaps change the treatment plan. If you experience an allergic reaction or side effect to the medication, the doctor will want to know about it and provide alternative medicine.

No one enjoys a back injury. It can cause you to lose work, be unable to enjoy leisure activities, and make life more difficult in many ways. Thats why you should take advantage of any at-home rest therapy that is ordered and dont try to rush things on your own.

by Stephen ODwyer

A Holistic View Points Toward Skeletal Muscles

It is often stated in conventional literature that the cause of lower back pain cannot be precisely identified. This perspective derives from a mechanistic, non-integrated view of the body which has been our legacy since the scientific revolution. When the body is viewed as a collection of isolated parts rather than an elegant, integrated whole, the causes of lower back pain become a bewildering thing.

However, a holistic view of the body can begin to sort out the confusion. By evaluating the relationship between the bodys overall structure in gravity and its function in movement, the causes of lower back pain begin to reveal themselves.

A holistic perspective guides us to one of the most overlooked sources, not only of lower back pain, but chronic pain in general. That source is skeletal muscle.

As Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons made explicitly clear in their exhaustive 2-volume work, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual, a vast proportion of chronic pain in the body is not due to problems with damaged nerves, disrupted bursae, and degenerative joints, but dysfunction in the soft tissue, especially skeletal muscles.

The cause of lower back pain can be broken down into five primary problems which interconnect with one another. The following breakdown is adapted from the St. John Neuromuscular Therapy training, a method of postural analysis and clinical massage therapy focused on musculoskeletal alignment and treating compensatory muscular patterns.

Five Primary Problems

1) Ischemia (pronounced: Iz skeem ee ah)
The first cause of lower back pain is ischemia. "Ischemia" means lack of blood. Without adequate blood to provide nutrients and oxygen, soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia build up lactic and other toxins and become painful. Ischemia occurs when muscles are chronically contracted over a period of time. The most prevalent cause of lower back pain, by far, is muscular strain and spasm due to ischemia.

2) Trigger Points
The second cause of lower back pain is trigger points. A trigger point is an area of the soft tissue which, after chronic contraction and reduced blood flow, becomes an area of high neurological activity. For example, fibers in an ischemic muscle (a muscle with low blood) can become an active trigger point in response to biochemical changes in the tissue. Active trigger points cause referred sensation to other parts of the body. That sensation can be pain, tingling, numbness, thermal sensations (hot or cold), weakness, a general achy quality, or the feeling that "it just doesnt feel right." For example, you might have a trigger point in a muscle of your lower back which refers sensation down into your buttocks, or even down the leg. This is NOT same thing as the referred pain caused by nerve compression and nerve entrapment which will be covered next.

3) Nerve Compression and Nerve Entrapment
The third cause of lower back pain is nerve compression and entrapment. Nerve compression is the pressure put on a nerve by a bone or an intervertebral disc. Nerve compression occurs when the spine becomes misaligned for some reason (faulty movement patterns, injury, chronic muscular tightness) and one of the discs between the vertebrae get squeezed on one side so that it bulges out the other side. If the bulging puts pressure on a spinal nerve, then youve got pain! Nerve entrapment is when a nerve is caught or pinched by the soft tissues. For example, the sciatic nerve (the largest nerve in the body) runs down through the buttocks and can become entrapped by the piriformis muscle when that muscle is very tight. This can result in pain down the back of the leg.

4) Structural Imbalance, aka Postural Distortion
The fourth cause of lower back pain is structural imbalance or postural imbalance. In a sense, this issue is the most significant of all. The reason for that lofty status is due to the fact that structural imbalance is often the root problem responsible for ischemia, trigger points, and nerve compression or entrapment.

If the body is distorted off its center line of gravity, compensating muscular patterns can result. To illustrate the point, put your elbow on the table in front of you with your forearm pointed straight up to the ceiling. Now imagine youve got a bowling ball resting in your palm. If your forearm is completely straight up and down, the weight of the bowling ball will be supported by the bones of your forearm. Theoretically, you could hold that bowling ball there indefinitely.

But if you shifted off that center line, even a tiny bit, then the muscles of your arm would have to engage in order to hold up the bowling ball. Even the strongest human in the world wouldnt be able to hold that ball there for long. This is precisely what can happen with your body. If your alignment is off such that your head is not centered over your shoulders over your hips over you feet, then the core muscles of your body must perpetually engage in order to hold your body up!

5) Dysfunctional Biomechanics
The fifth cause of lower back pain is dysfunctional biomechanics. This is often a secondary result of structural imbalance and is evidenced by faulty movement patterns. For example, if youve got nagging lower back pain you might hold your body in a restricted way, walk differently, or reach for things with limited range of movement. Its logical to do that, and not recommended to fight against your bodys self-imposed limitations. Its trying to protect you from pain. Until the structural imbalance is addressed, and the pain is relieved, theres wisdom in those limits. However, repetitive movements can become patterned into your nervous system such that, even after structural and muscular problems have been eliminated, you still move in a limited, protective way. This can revive structural and muscular imbalances. Thats why even a minimum regime of daily stretches can be vital to full recovery.

Stephen ODwyer, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, is the founder and director of Neuromuscular Therapy of Vermont & the Center for Advanced Bodywork Training. His website, Lower Back Pain Answers http://www.lower-back-pain-answers.com is the result of years of research, and offers revolutionary insight and innovative solutions to relieving lower back pain. Stephen has maintained a private practice in manual therapy since 1990.