Back Surgery and Neck Surgery

Source:
Spine-Health Original article

By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD


Spine surgery introduction
The primary purpose of back surgery or neck surgery is to correct an anatomical lesion in individuals who fail to show improvement with conservative treatment. For those patients who have pain, but no anatomical lesion can be identified that accounts for their pain, surgery is not an option. Surgery is useful only to change a patient’s anatomy (e.g. remove a disc herniation). There is almost never any reason to consider exploratory surgery to “look” for a cause of pain.
Advancements in spine surgery
Modern spine surgery has made major advancements in both technique and spinal instrumentation/implants over the past couple of decades, but by far the most significant advancement in spine surgery has been better preoperative imaging techniques. Specifically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) has revolutionized spine surgery. It is most often the best test to identify an anatomical lesion responsible for the patient’s problem. The most important factor in the determination of the success in spine surgery is proper preoperative diagnosis. Without an accurate preoperative diagnosis, even the most technically successful surgery has little chance for a successful outcome.
Article continues below
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Although spine surgery is performed by either orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons, it is increasingly becoming a field unto itself. Many surgeons are doing additional specialized training in the field after their residency training (fellowship training). Given the precision required for these more demanding surgical techniques, many orthopaedic or neurosurgeons with fellowship training are choosing to focus more of their practice on spine surgery. Some believe that the increased level of specialty training and focus on the spine has contributed to enhancements in surgical technique, which in turn has led to overall improved success rates and reduced morbidity (e.g. reduced post-operative discomfort) with many types of spine surgery.

Reasons for spine surgery
Top Back Surgery Topics:
Microdiscectomy
Lumbar Laminectomy
Cervical Spine Surgery
Lumbar Spinal Fusion
Spine surgery is typically an “elective” undertaking, meaning that it is considered as a possible approach to enhance a patient’s ability to function and decrease pain. Just because it is elective does not mean it is not covered by insurance. Elective surgery can be medically necessary. It just means that surgery of the spine is rarely an absolute necessity. Only in rare instances, such as for patients who have a progressive neurological loss of function or sudden onset of bowel or bladder incontinence, is spinal surgery actually necessary on an emergency basis.
Spine surgery can basically accomplish three tasks:
It can decompress a nerve root or the spinal cord.
It can stabilize an unstable or painful segment with fusion surgery.
It can reduce a deformity (e.g. scoliosis surgery in the thoracic spine).
Spine surgery is not done for exploration. The cause of a patient’s pain is not readily apparent with opening and exploring the spine. The preoperative evaluation and imaging results are what identify the problem and guide the design of the procedure.

Back Pain Health Center

Source: here is the original article

What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. Branches of the sciatic nerve extend through the buttocks and down the back of each leg to the ankle and foot.
What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury. In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttocks and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.
Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse.
Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as shoulder lifts) may relieve symptoms.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
Sciatica is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. And your doctor may be able to tell just by asking you these questions that you have sciatica, but X-rays and tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are sometimes done to help find the cause of the sciatica.
How is it treated?
In many cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment usually focuses on medicines and exercises to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by:
Avoiding sitting (unless it is more comfortable than standing).
Alternating lying down with short walks. Increase your walking distance as you are able to without pain.
Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).
Using a heating pad on a low or medium setting, or a warm shower, for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help you.
Additional treatment for sciatica depends on what is causing the nerve irritation. If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may suggest physical therapy, injections of medicines such as steroids, or even surgery for severe cases.

Chisoft Neck Traction

ChiSoft Neck Traction - Relieve Neck Pain

In recent years, there has been an increase in occupational related neck pain resulting from higher productivity demands and increased stress in the workplace. There is growing interest in our neck traction devices because these devices can be used to relieve neck pain anytime at home, work, or during travel.

What's so Special about the Chisoft Neck Traction Device?

The Chisoft Neck Traction Device is an easy to use neck traction device made of comfortable latex. It gives you the power to stretch soft tissues and separate joint surfaces to relieve neck pain and muscle spasms.

Millions of people suffer from chronic neck pain as a result of physical stress, poor posture, whiplash, or computer work. With the Chisoft neck traction device, it is usually possible to start treatment of neck pain at home.

How does the Chisoft Neck Traction Help Your Neck?

As you squeeze the air pump, the traction force gradually increases to gently stretch your neck and your head will be slightly lifted upward. This relieves pressure from irritated joints and compressed discs so most people will feel a reduction in neck pain or elimination of neck pain when the neck traction device is used regularly.

The Chisoft Cervical Traction device is specially designed for:

• Compressed disc
• Degenerative arthritis
• Neck spasm
• Pinched nerve

ChiSoft II Neck Traction with Magnet $80.00 MORE INFO

ChiSoft Neck Traction Pro II $110.00 MORE INFO

ChiSoft Neck Traction $58.00 MORE INFO

Neck pain

Source: Original Article

Mayo Clinic

Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain can be acute, meaning it lasts a few hours to a few weeks, or it can be chronic. Neck pain that lasts several weeks or longer is considered chronic neck pain.

Most causes of neck pain aren't serious. Poor posture at work, such as leaning into your computer, and during hobbies, such as hunching over your workbench, are common causes of neck pain.

But sometimes neck pain can signify something more serious. If your neck pain is so severe that you can't touch your chin to your chest despite a few days of self-care, seek immediate medical attention.

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Neck pain takes many forms. Signs and symptoms of neck pain may include:

• Pain in your neck that may feel sharp or dull
• Stiffness in your neck
• Difficulty going about your daily tasks because of pain or stiffness in your neck
• Shoulder pain in addition to neck pain, in some cases
• Back pain in addition to neck pain, in some cases

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Neck pain

Neck pain can result from several causes, including:

• Muscle strains. Overuse, such as too much time spent hunched over a steering wheel, often triggers muscle strains. Neck muscles, particularly those in the back of your neck, become fatigued and eventually strained. When you overuse your neck muscles repeatedly, chronic pain can develop. Even such minor things as reading in bed or gritting your teeth can strain neck muscles.
• Worn joints. Like the other joints in your body, your neck joints experience wear and tear with age, which can cause osteoarthritis in your neck. Neck (cervical) osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness in your neck.
• Disk disorders. As you age, the cushioning disks between your vertebrae become dry and stiff, narrowing the spaces in your spinal column where the nerves come out. The disks in your neck also can herniate. This means the inner gelatinous cartilage material of a disk protrudes through the disk's tougher cartilage covering. Neck pain may occur or nearby nerves can be irritated. Other tissues and bony growths (spurs) also can press on your nerves as they exit your spinal cord, causing pain.
• Injuries. Rear-end collisions often result in whiplash injuries, which occur when the head is jerked forward and back, stretching the soft tissues of the neck beyond their limits

Chi Neck Pain Relief Traction Device - Pro II

Recommended by Chiropractors

Click to enlarge image(s)

This neck traction device is Excellent for relieving neck pain by gently stretching the muscles and joints. Most cases of neck pain originate from strain and can be treated non-surgically.

This ChiSoft cervical Neck Pain Relief traction device is indicated for and to help relieve:

- Tight, Stiff muscles
- Pinched nerves
- Neck pain,
- Tension headaches
- Osteoarthritis
- Swollen discs
- Degenerative discs or joints
- Prevention of bad posture

The Neck Pain Relief Traction Device uses air which is slowly introduced by an inflation bulb into the neck collar. As a result, pressure in the neck is built up in a vertical direction to ease and stretch tight muscles and relieve joint pressure in the neck.

Neck Traction Device is portable and can be used almost anywhere.

Works especially well for: People who spend prolonged periods of time on the computer; Office workers; People suffering from pressure build up in the neck & shoulders

ChiSoft Neck Traction Pro II

The ChiSoft Neck Traction Pro II offers more comfortable stretch at the front of the neck. It may be the traction device of choice for certain conditions, such as whiplash. This portable unit can be used at home while watching TV or at the office to counteract the motion of looking down a lot at the desk.

The ChiSoft Neck Traction Pro II Features:
• Home cervical traction unit
• Portable
• Ergonomically designed
• Easy to use
• Exerts force gently and uniformly
• Supports the head and neck
• More comfortable stretch at the front of the neck


How Do I Use the ChiSoft Neck Traction Pro II?


The use of this neck traction device is simple.

First wrap the ChiSoft II neck traction device around your neck like a collar. Secure it with the Velcro strap. Next squeeze the inflate pump several times. Feel the three layers of the collar starting to inflate and the lift of your head and neck. Sit quietly for 5 to 10 minutes. Deflate the collar. Don't do any strenuous head or neck movements afterwards. That's all there is to it!

ChiSoft II Neck Traction Pro II Specifications
• Made from soft velour
• Diameter: inner – 12 cm, outer – 27 cm
• Weight: 250 grams
• Magnets included
• Fits neck size 11 to 19 inches
• 3 inflatable layers
• Height not adjustable (max height: 8.3 inches)


ChiSoft II Neck Traction Pro II Safety and Precautions
• Do not use while sleeping
• Do not use as a neck brace
• Do not use with acute (sudden) neck sprains and strains

Major Benefits of the ChiSoft Neck Traction Device

Original Post:

1. Relief for a Sore and Stiff Neck

The ChiSoft neck traction device brings instant relief for sore and stiff necks by stretching those painful neck muscles, decompressing the discs in your vertebrae and helping your body to naturally and non-invasive re-align muscles and nerves. Simply place the neck traction device around your neck and use the inflation pump to increase the pressure to a comfortable stretch. The air cushion of the neck traction device relaxes muscles and reduces pressure in the joints and nerves.

2. Pain Relief and Treatment

Your head weighs anywhere from 8-12 lbs and gravity takes it's toll on the muscles, nerves, vertebrae and discs in your neck. In combination with bad posture or chronic diseases this can lead to a high amount of pain. Main purpose of the neck traction device is to allow your neck and neck muscles to relax. Using the hand pump you can inflate the device until you experience comfort and relief from the pain. You can use the neck traction device up to three times a day, between 10-20 minutes, perfect for office breaks or watching a movie. In combination with neck exercises, a neck/back friendly posture and a back friendly matress, considerable pain relief and restoration of the natural neck functions can be achieved.

3. Prevent Bad Posture

After the ChiSoft Neck Traction is inflated, it will lift your head up and help you to straighten your neck. While sitting with the Chi Soft Neck Traction it will help you to become more aware of your posture. Regular use of the ChiSoft Neck Traction will also help to train your spine to become straighter.

4. Use Anywhere and Comfortably

The neck traction device is small and handy, fast to de- and inflate and can be stored easily in a small bag or drawer. It is light weight and feels nice to the touch. Use it at home or at the office, in a regular manner and especially when you experience pain spikes during a long stressful day.

5. Recommended by Chiropracters and Physiotherapists

Not only do we at Beauty Health Source vouch for this product and stand 100% behind it, but we also talked to several chiropracters and physiotherapists who sell the ChiSoft neck traction device at their medical practises. If you are in doubt about this product, why don't you ask your chiropracter if he knows it or what he thinks of it. Additionally, as with all our products, we offer a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee.

Who can Benefit from the ChiSoft Neck Traction Devices?

	People with stiff and sore neck muscles
	People with neck and back pain
	People with tight neck muscles, pinched nerves, tension- and neck related headaches
	People with degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis and irrritated joints.
	People with a bad posture
	People working a lot with computers and office workers

Get Rid of Neck Pain in the Comfort of Your Own Home With No Exercise or Pills to Take!

Source:

Neck pain is almost as common as
back pain in the United States!

The number of neck pain sufferers is staggering and appears to be rising. Between 38 and 50 percent of adults have sore neck at some point.

Pain in the neck can be triggered by a pinched nerve, neck spasm, stress, trauma, injury, prolonged bad posture, etc. The pain can range from very mild discomfort to severe, burning pain.

Previously, if you wanted to get help for your pain, you had to go to an orthopaedist who's first line of thought is possible surgery, or maybe you'd just get sent to expensive clinical therapy, or get a prescription for drugs with possible side effects.

Fortunately for us, we live in an era where medical breakthroughs are as common as the cold. And, with the advanced technology of today, it's possible for every day folks to enjoy these marvels of technology from their own homes without paying a fortune.

I'm very excited to announce that Naturecast Products is now making available the revolutionary, ChiSoft Neck Stretcher!

This is How the ChiSoft Neck Stretcher
Helps Your Neck…

For decades, neck traction has been applied widely for relief of neck muscle spasm or nerve root compression. Previously, the only way to get this therapy was at a medical facility.

But, now there's the Chisoft Neck Stretcher. This Neck Traction Device uses air which is slowly introduced by an inflation bulb into the neck collar. As a result, pressure in the neck is built up in a vertical direction to ease and stretch tight muscles and relieve joint pressure in the neck.

The intra-vertebral disc pressure is relieved by the elongating action of the neck traction device. A few minutes of treatment will produce amazing relief!

Different Neck Injuries Helped by the Chi-Soft Neck Traction

Whiplash - Whiplash is a neck injury that most often happens to drivers who are hit unexpectedly from behind by another car. Most of these injuries recover fast, but 10% of this whiplash suffers will have lasting pain. The pain can be so severe that sufferer can not work anymore or enjoy a normal lifestyle.

Disc Degeneration - Disc degeneration is a common cause of neck pain and most likely appears by middle aged people. As we age, the degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints of the cervical spine cause neck pain, usually felt as a stiff neck. Due to many years of wear and tear, the discs become thinner and this causes the spaces between the vertebrae to become narrower. If the nerves in the cervical area are becoming irritated or pinched, this may lead to numbness or tingling in the neck and shoulders.

Stress and Tension - People who sit for long periods bending their head build up stress in the cervical spine causing neck pain. The muscles at the back of your neck must always be tensed to avoid your head falling forwards when you are sitting. A common example is a computer job.

• Prevents neck problems byIncreasing blood supply to neck
  muscles.
• Gently massages your stiff neck muscles relieving tension
• Easy to use
• Efficiently supports neck and head, so you're totally comfortable
• Relieves joint and nerve pressure
• Light and easy to carry so you can use it almost anywhere.
• Keep working while you're receiving the therapy, so you don't lose valuable work time
• Saves you a fortune by avoiding costly physical therapy sessions
• Helps realign each vertabrae to a more natural pressure-free position.

ChiSoft Neck Traction Delux

Original Article:

Recommended by Therapists

Click to enlarge image(s)

The ChiSoft Cervical Neck Traction unit is a new way to stretch your stiff and tight neck muscles. This comfortable Neck Traction device is portable and can be taken anywhere, anytime to massage your neck. For home use or even at the office, the simplicity of this design makes it an ideal product for relieving discomfort. You do not have to wait until you get home to seek relief, or lie on the floor to use another product. It can be used while you are watching TV.

Relieving Sore and Stiff Neck

Most cases of neck pain originate from strain and can be treated non-surgically. This cervical traction unit is excellent in relieving tight neck muscles by gently stretching the muscles and joints. It is portable and can be used almost anywhere.

Who can Benefit from ChiSoft Neck Traction Device?

• People who have stiff and sore neck muscles
• People who spend prolonged periods of time on the computer
• Office workers
• People suffering from pressure build up in the neck and shoulders

For decades, neck traction has been applied widely for relief of neck muscle spasm or nerve root compression.

Millions of people suffer from persistent neck pain each year as a result of poor posture, whiplash, physical stress and computer work. It is usually possible to start treatment of neck pain at home. One of the most helpful neck massage is the cervical traction with the Neck Traction device. This air neck traction device gently and safely massages your stiff neck muscles.

This portable neck stretcher is easy to use and efficiently supports the neck and head. Neck Traction is a technique in which a force is applied to a part of the body to reduce para vertebral muscle spasms by stretching soft tissues.

How can ChiSoft Neck Traction Device Help Your Neck

The Neck traction Device uses air which is slowly introduced by an inflation bulb into the neck collar. As a result pressure in the neck is applied in a vertical direction to ease and stretch tight muscles and relieve joint pressure in the neck.

The intra-vertebral disc pressure is relieved by the elongating action of the neck traction device. A few minutes of treatment will produce amazing relief. Regular use of the Neck Traction Device helps to prevent neck problems by increasing blood supply to the neck muscles.

ChiSoft Neck Traction Equipment ~ Deluxe

ChiSoft Neck Traction device is a brand new neck massager. Improved model with a easy to use air pump. Relief your stiff neck muscle with ChiSoft Neck Traction Device NOW!

• Portable device for neck pain relief
• Efficiently supports neck and head
• Anatomically designed
• Revolutionizes home cervical traction
• User friendly
• Think and light weight
• Exerts force evenly and gently

VAs are the new PAs

Original Article

LONDON TODAY
Liz Hoggard
26.10.09

Another is Martin the hedge fund manager, and there's Keith, the analyst. Their offices are in central London, yours is in your Surrey living room.

You're wearing jeans, they're wearing suits. At least, you think they might be. You've never met them.

This is the life of the virtual assistant. They are the real-life fem-bots, who run the lives of some 30 individual business people simultaneously from their own homes - on a paid-for-by-the-hour basis.

They will take a call from one client who needs a holiday booking while doing another person's filing at the same time.

They can draft letters, attend webinars, manage online diaries and keep in touch with several people at once (with no face-to-face contact) yet still seem as devoted as the old-fashioned "personal" assistant. Even booking doctor's appointments, finding nannies or sending reminders about a niece's birthday are no trouble.

"Clients don't really want to know that you're working for anyone else," says Sarah-Jane Adler, a VA who works through the virtual assistant service Buy:Time (www.buy-time.co.uk).

"They just want to be able to give you a piece of work or make a request and know it will be done. The beauty of it is that they only have to pay for the hours worked."

"One of my clients is a gynaecologist," says another VA, Justine Curtis, "and I've never ever met him. Everything takes place online or via email. I've only ever spoken to him once."

And so VAs have become the recession-friendly answer to the PA - exactly what the self-employed and small businesses need as the economy contracts again and full-time assistants prove too expensive.

They come with their own desk, laptop and iPhone and don't require annual salaries. And yet they work around the client's needs - either on a regular ongoing basis or for one-off half days or weeks.

Founder of Buy:Time Claire Brynteson first set up the business when, working in a blue-chip bank, she realised her own need for an assistant.

When the recession hit, she feared it might wipe away her market, but the past 18 months have been more profitable than ever.

"Most of our client base is working twice as hard as they used to. And more new businesses are starting than ever before, with a lot of people going it alone.

"He or she will be used to having the structure of PA support in a company, and now all of a sudden they are in a home office or working out of a members' club such as 1 Alfred Place, but still won't know how to get their BlackBerry synchronised or IT systems working."

For each client, a VA will have an individual work email address through which to communicate with a client's business contacts.

"I am their PA/assistant/whatever, giving the image of a larger business," says one VA discreetly. Some clients have virtual London receptions, giving VA's a London dialling code even if they are based outside the M25.

And, it's not just for the rich and highest-flying. These days many frazzled Londoners need to outsource work - from freelance journalists to entrepreneurs. When you hire a VA you get all the benefits of outsourcing.

No employer liabilities, tax and benefits issues - your VA is self-employed. Plus you can justify paying for extra help in terms of your own improved efficiency.

Brynteson charges £29 an hour, whether it's high-end work such as accountancy or mere typing. "OK, you're paying someone £29 to stand in a queue at the post office to send off your visa. But it makes sense - hopefully you can earn more than that in your own job," she says.

The clients are not the only ones who benefit. The flexible lifestyle of a VA makes it an attractive career move for former City workers. They can work from home on their own timetable, away from the nine to five.

Jacqueline Long runs her own VA business, Whatever Whenever (www.wwva.co.uk). She took voluntary redundancy from the City last year after 17 years working alongside high-profile executives at companies including Hiscox, Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising and the London Stock Exchange.

But actually she's loving her new autonomy. "My business has gone from strength to strength. My clients range from a business writer to a photographer to a hairdresser and an image consultant."

The funniest moment came when she was sourcing fancy dress outfits for a launch. "There I was trying out a SpongeBob SquarePants costume in my kitchen."

Of course there are challenges for the new super-temp. There are no colleagues to chat to over the printer. It's goodbye to the drunken office party.

"You can miss the interaction," says Curtis. "You don't see too many faces each day."

But you could argue there's a new equality. VAs don't really have bosses - they have customers. And you don't have the boring routine every day.

"One minute you might be at a business meeting or doing some research that is quite cerebral," says Brynteson.

"The next you're putting on a pair of jeans and going shopping or cleaning out a cellar or doing some photo albums or loading an iPod. It's never dull."

Little black suit vs jimjams and flip flops

Old-style PA
Wardrobe: little black suit, Jimmy Choos
Office environment: blue chip bank
Lunch: Coq d'Argent
Attitude: borderline hostile
Most likely to say: “Sorry, but I leave that to the temps”
Least likely to say: “Of course I'll cancel the hairdresser”

New-look VA
Wardrobe: pyjamas, flip-flops
Office environment: your own home or members' club such as 1 Alfred Place
Lunch: beans on toast
Attitude: flexible
Most likely to say: “I've just uploaded the annual report to your iPhone”
Least likely to say: “I'm leaving early with a hangover”

How To Increase Traffic To Your Website With A Virtual Assistant

Original Article:

Published on October 26, 2009 by Lawrence Perry (OfficialWire) LONDON, ENGLAND

There is so much information available online on how important a company website is to a business. A website represents a company online. People usually check the company website when considering purchasing a product or availing of a service from a company. People who do not intend to buy may still stumble upon a company website and find interest in patronizing the products and services of the company. With hundreds of millions of internet users, you never know who might find your company website and buy from you. There are even lucky encounters on the internet wherein an influential person or someone important can change the course of your business just by stumbling upon your website. If you want your website to represent you well and to attract good traffic to help your business, there are certain tasks that you can do to help get more traffic to your site. You do not even have to do all these tasks yourself; you can hire a virtual assistant to help you. Write articles promoting your website and your products. Article marketing can be a very cheap way to market your business. There are plenty of article directories that publish articles for free or for a small fee. They are very useful in getting the word about your business out there and also in spreading links to your website online. Getting links that direct traffic to your website is important in two ways: the more backlinks there are out there the more likely people will stumble on your website and the more backlinks out there you have, the better for your website’s search ranking. Search sites like Google and Yahoo use algorithms that compute the ranking of websites based on keywords used. Backlinks count in the computation of the search ranking. You can have a virtual assistant write articles for you as well as post the articles online. read more

Get Help Online!

If you're tired of spending your evenings and weekends going through your email, preparing call reports, tweaking presentations, sending out literature, and standing in line at Kinkos, then it's time to take action!

Visit my website!

Your On Call Virtual Assistant

Although I specialize in Research Assistance, I have over many years of office experience - , I can help, whatever your business is.

Whether you need a website made or updated, presentation materials, logos, flyers or feature sheets, spreadsheets, or anything else that can be done over the internet, I can help you achieve the results you are looking for.

Visit
my website

Source:

What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor who provides professional quality administrative services (including word processing, data processing, business plans, marketing support, human resource support, research) and other specialized services (like web design, bookkeeping, real estate support) to businesses and individuals. Tasks or Projects are communicated to the virtual assistant via the internet, phone, fax or courier and sometimes for local clients onsite.

Who Uses Virtual Assistants?

• Professional Speakers
• Business or Personal Coaches
• Authors
• Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
• Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Brokers
• Businesses who can't or don't want to hire a "full-time employee"
• Businesses who have occasional projects needing a professional
• People who want to have more time to concentrate on the parts of the business they enjoy.
• Progressive Businesses who want to make smart choices. touch

What are the benefits of using a Virtual Assistant ?

• You pay only for “time on task” or by project - there is no payroll expenses, no paid vacation time, no benefits, no bonuses etc..
• Your VA will help you stay focused and on schedule - freeing up your time to concentrate on building your business
• Your VA can handle your seasonal or periodic projects and is very convenient when your current staff gets overloaded or during holidays.
• No need to purchase additional office equipment, furniture or computers.
• You are not limited to the usual 9-5 hours— most virtual assistants keep very flexible schedules.
• Your VA will work with no supervision -you can depend on having your tasks completed on time every time.
• Your VA is available to handle a wide variety of tasks from web design to event planning.

Cervical Traction for Pain Relief of the Neck How a neck stretcher and other cervical supports can help your neck pain and stiff neck

Original article:

Are you not able to get comfortable at night because of neck pain or stiffness? At Arc4life we specialize in neck pain relief products including cervical traction systems, traction products and neck cushions.

What is Traction? Traction involves the application of a continuous force that elongates or stretches spine. This pulling force is used for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. It may be applied to the arms, legs, neck, back or pelvis for treatment of fractures, dislocations, muscle spasms and other muscular disorders. Traction uses weights, counterweights and pulleys to provide a force that gradually stretches the spine to a normal position. Before doing traction, it is important to consult a doctor because certain factors such as age, weight and medical history make a difference.

What Studies have been done using traction?- Many scientific studies have shown the benefit of using traction for natural pain relief.

• In 2006 Dr. Graham and other researchers carried out randomized controlled trials to assess whether mechanical traction, either alone or in combination with other treatments, improves pain, function/disability, patient satisfaction and global perceived effect in adults with mechanical neck disorders.10 trials were included in this review. Of the ten, it was noted that one study was of high quality. The review revealed low-quality trials for mechanical neck disorders, and demonstrated that it is beneficial to have intermittent traction specifically for pain reductions. Regarding continuous traction, the review indicated no significant difference for defined outcomes. (Graham, et al., 2006)
• In 1999, Dr. Swezey and other researcheres studied 58 outpatients for the purpose of determining if home cervical traction was beneficial. It was noted that a brief, over-the-door home cervical traction modality provided symptomatic relief in 85% of the patients with mild to moderately severe neck pain.
• In 2002 Dr.Constantoyannis and other researchers conducted a case series of four patients with neck pain who were treated with intermittent over-the-door cervical traction. It was noted that there was complete symptom resolution for each patient within three weeks

Home Cervical Traction Units Being able to treat you neck pain at home can make the healing process faster. Home Cervical Traction is a non invasive way that can give you long term pain relief. Home traction stretch sthe soft tissues of the neck and to separate the spinal joint structures in order to relieve neck pain. Constant traction results in tiring of the muscles, allowing the strain to rest on the joints. Traction results in a widening of the joint spaces, promoting pain relief because pressure is taken of the cervical nerves. There are few different types of traction that are available including a free weight and pulley system or a mechanical motorized device, often involving a head or chin sling to allow pull in a cephalad upward direction. Mechanical motorized devices are easily applied but require patient attendance and, therefore, are most often used in an outpatient clinic setting. These include the cervical posture pump 1000 and the Pronex pneumatic traction unit. You can acheive 20-50 pounds of pressure (PSI). Cervical traction may be used in a home setting as an alternative to or in addition to outpatient rehabilitation.

Doing Traction at Home Doing traction directly in your own home can help a patient to heal comfortably and continually. Proper instructions must always be followed when doing traction at home because this is a medical device. It should be applied in the position of maximal pain relief and should not result in discomfort or more pain. There are different home traction devices availabe today including traditional over-the-door devices (applied in a sitting position) and more advanced technologies (applied in a lying down position), such as the Cervical Posture Pump 1000 and Pronex® Pneumatic Traction Unit. With the traditional over-the-door traction device, one can get up to 20 pounds of pressure or less of traction. One must be careful with overhead traction is that it can put a lot of pressure on the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and cause irritation and pain. It is important to do the traction for a specified amount of time and fit the head gear properly. The head halter fits under the chin. As force is transmitted through the chin strap to the teeth, the TMJ becomes a weight-bearing structure, which may potentially cause the joint to deteriorate.

Devices that are used in the home can allow greater traction force such as the Pronex Pneumatic cervical traction device. The Pronex is a patient-controlled, pneumatic traction device that is used in a supine (lying on your back) position. The neck traction device cradles a reclining patient’s head and neck between two soft foam cushions. The Pronex Cervical Traction Unit maintains the normal cervical lordosis, resulting in uniform traction posteriorly and anteriorly across the vertebral disc, in comparison to other devices, which occlude the anterior disc space for temporary relief posteriorly. This neck stretcher can be used to deliver a traction force that avoids TMJ force and allows patients control of their own comfort level. Furthermore, with this traction unit, you can easily induce a small amount of flexion (bringing your chin to the chest) for a greater pain relief. Finally, the Pronex comes in three different sizes allowing the patient to have the best fit possible. To learn more about the Pronex traction unit on Arc 4 Life.

Treatment Protocol For Traction Treatment plans will vary for home traction depending on your particular neck pain condition. For an acute pain episode treatment is usually short-term (less than eight weeks in duration) with treatments 2–3 times per week. Once this eight week time line has passed patients do one of two things:

1. Some use the cervical traction unit at home on an as needed basis. When they have neck pain, they do home traction.
2. Some patients use cervical traction reguarly 1-2 times per week just like they would do their regular exercise.

This is beneficial when one does not have the proper cervical curvature or a loss of cervical lordosis. This is often determined by a lateral cervical x-ray which shows the neck from the side. No curve or a "military neck" benefits from traction in thelong term. With traction patients will see pain relief, increase in cervical range of motion and return to activities of daily living. Typically, traction is used as part of an ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation treatment program to improve activities of daily living, range of motion and mobility, and overall function. It is important to have other therapy including ice, electrical muscle stimulation, and chiropractic for optimal pain relief. Arc 4 Life has written a comprehensive article on how to end neck pain by doing a cervical traction program at home.

Cervical Supports There are many cervical support cushions that one can use during the day for stretching of the neck and gentle traction. At Arc4life.com we offer the Soothe-A-Ciser neck support cushion. Patients can also use supportive products at night such as the cervical traction neck pillow - which provides gentle traction to the cervical spine while sleeping. Our neck pillows support your head and neck in their most natural, neutral position. A proper sleeping posture can give you relief from and help prevent nerve pressure and airway blockage (usually a major cause of snoring), and assist in recovery from whiplash (usually from a motor vehicle accident), and other neck injuries. These neck pillows are so comfortable, you may never sleep on a regular neck pillow again.

Mechanical traction for neck pain with or without radiculopathy

Orginal Post:

The Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Reviews

Graham N, Gross A, Goldsmith CH, Klaber Moffett J, Haines T, Burnie SJ, Peloso PMJ

Abstract

Background

Neck pain is a frequently reported complaint of the musculoskeletal system which can be disabling and costly to society. Mechanical traction is often used as an adjunct therapy in outpatient rehabilitation.

Objectives

To assess the effects of mechanical traction for neck disorders.

Search strategy

A research librarian searched computerized bibliographic databases without language restrictions up to March 2008 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the medical, chiropractic, and allied health literature.

Selection criteria

The RCTs we selected examined adults with neck disorders who received mechanical traction alone or in combination with other treatments compared to a placebo or another treatment. Our outcomes of interest were pain, function, disability, global perceived effect, patient satisfaction, and quality of life measures.

Data collection and analysis

Two review authors with different backgrounds in medicine, physiotherapy, massage therapy and chiropractics independently conducted study selection, risk of bias assessment and data abstraction using pre-piloted forms. We resolved disagreement through consensus.

Main results

Of the seven selected RCTs (total participants = 958), only one (N = 100) had a low risk of bias. It found no statistically significant difference (SMD -0.16: 95%CI: -0.59 to 0.27) between continuous traction and placebo traction in reducing pain or improving function for chronic neck disorders with radicular symptoms. Our review found no evidence from RCTs with a low potential for bias that clearly supports or refutes the use of either continuous or intermittent traction for neck disorders.

Authors' conclusions

The current literature does not support or refute the efficacy or effectiveness of continuous or intermittent traction for pain reduction, improved function or global perceived effect when compared to placebo traction, tablet or heat or other conservative treatments in patients with chronic neck disorders. Large, well conducted RCTs are needed to first determine the efficacy of traction, then the effectiveness, for individuals with neck disorders with radicular symptoms.

Mechanical traction for neck pain with or without radiculopathy

Orginal Post:

The Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Reviews
Graham N, Gross A, Goldsmith CH, Klaber Moffett J, Haines T, Burnie SJ, Peloso PMJ

Abstract
Background
Neck pain is a frequently reported complaint of the musculoskeletal system which can be disabling and costly to society. Mechanical traction is often used as an adjunct therapy in outpatient rehabilitation.

Objectives
To assess the effects of mechanical traction for neck disorders.

Search strategy
A research librarian searched computerized bibliographic databases without language restrictions up to March 2008 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the medical, chiropractic, and allied health literature.

Selection criteria
The RCTs we selected examined adults with neck disorders who received mechanical traction alone or in combination with other treatments compared to a placebo or another treatment. Our outcomes of interest were pain, function, disability, global perceived effect, patient satisfaction, and quality of life measures.

Data collection and analysis
Two review authors with different backgrounds in medicine, physiotherapy, massage therapy and chiropractics independently conducted study selection, risk of bias assessment and data abstraction using pre-piloted forms. We resolved disagreement through consensus.

Main results
Of the seven selected RCTs (total participants = 958), only one (N = 100) had a low risk of bias. It found no statistically significant difference (SMD -0.16: 95%CI: -0.59 to 0.27) between continuous traction and placebo traction in reducing pain or improving function for chronic neck disorders with radicular symptoms. Our review found no evidence from RCTs with a low potential for bias that clearly supports or refutes the use of either continuous or intermittent traction for neck disorders.

Authors' conclusions
The current literature does not support or refute the efficacy or effectiveness of continuous or intermittent traction for pain reduction, improved function or global perceived effect when compared to placebo traction, tablet or heat or other conservative treatments in patients with chronic neck disorders. Large, well conducted RCTs are needed to first determine the efficacy of traction, then the effectiveness, for individuals with neck disorders with radicular symptoms.

Cervical Traction Device On SALE - Neck Traction Device

How can ChiSoft Neck Traction Device Help your Neck?

The Neck Traction Device uses air which is slowly introduced by an inflation bulb into the neck collar. As a result, pressure in the neck is built up in a vertical direction to ease and stretch tight muscles and relieve joint pressure in the neck.

The intra-vertebral disc pressure is relieved by the elongating action of the neck traction device. A few minutes of treatment will produce amazing relief. Regular use of the Neck Traction Device helps to prevent neck problems by increasing blood supply to neck muscles.

Cervical Traction Device On SALE - Neck Traction Device

How can ChiSoft Neck Traction Device Help your Neck?

The Neck Traction Device uses air which is slowly introduced by an inflation bulb into the neck collar. As a result, pressure in the neck is built up in a vertical direction to ease and stretch tight muscles and relieve joint pressure in the neck.

The intra-vertebral disc pressure is relieved by the elongating action of the neck traction device. A few minutes of treatment will produce amazing relief. Regular use of the Neck Traction Device helps to prevent neck problems by increasing blood supply to neck muscles.

Chi Soft Neck Traction Can Reduce Doctor Visits

Neck traction is commonly utilized to help relieve muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, and to help relieve the pain of pinched nerves in the neck. girijasintimates.com offers a cost effective way to relieve neck pain. An increasing number of neck pain sufferers are using the Chi Soft neck traction device to get relief.

Original Article:


Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease) October 29, 2008 - Proven neck pain relief at a reasonable price.

Chiactivate offers a cost effective solution to relieve neck pain. An increasing number of neck pain sufferers, physical therapists, and chiropractors are using the Chi Soft Neck Traction device to enhance their therapy programs.

“We have a lot of positive testimonials from physical therapists”, says Mark, product manager at Chiactivate. Nowadays, people are looking for a cost effective and convenient neck pain solution that can be used at home, work, or during travel so the neck traction device is a very ideal product. The device is easy to use; simply wrap the neck traction device around your neck and secure it with the Velcro strap. Squeeze the hand held pump to inflate the device and the neck traction begins.

For a lot of people, neck pain originates from stress and strain and can be treated non-surgically. The Chi Soft neck traction device can reduce neck pain by stretching the neck muscles and joints. In a lot of cases, the neck traction device is most effective when used in combination with a physical therapy program. You should always consult a medical professional before using the Chi Soft neck traction device.

To see this neck traction device, please visit http://www.ChiActivate.com

About ChiActivate.com
Chi Activate specializes in beauty and wellness products. ChiActivate.com was founded to provide the newest innovative products that aren't available in retail store stores.

What is a spinal traction

Source or original article: backandneck.about.com

Answer:

Traction is a modality (treatment activity) sometimes given by physical therapists, chiropractors and other spine specialists to their patients. The purpose of traction is to apply a force that draws two adjacent bones apart from each other in order to increase their shared joint space. Traction also stretches the soft tissue that surrounds the joint. Traction may be given manually, by means of a device or via positioning.

In the spine, the elongation provided by traction allows facet joints to slide, increases circulation and relieves pressure on the spinal cord, its blood vessels and nerve roots.

Traction is sometimes given to people with spinal stenosis, as it helps to make space around the compressed spinal cord. In any case, the improved circulation has an added, indirect benefit of decreasing chemicals in damaged tissues brought about by inflammation. The movement at the joints may also contribute to the decrease of nervous excitability, which is another source of pain.

Traction may be given continuously for up to 10 minutes at a time or intermittently for up to 15 minutes. When weights are used in providing the force, the practitioner will start light and, over time, move up to 15 pounds. This experience is meant to provide relaxation to the patient, rather than more tension.

Although many people can attest to the fact that traction on the spine feels good, a 2005 review of medical literature by the Cochrane Back Group found that, by itself, traction really isn't effective for lower back pain. After looking at 25 high-quality studies, which investigated a total of more than 1,000 traction patients, researchers concluded that if you are using traction as the only treatment, there's really no difference in results between it and placebo. For certain types of neck problems, though, the use of traction is alive and well in clinical settings, as a complement to other treatment measures.

_{Sources:
Kendall, F.P., McCreary, E., Provance, P.G, Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain. 4th Edition. Williams & Wilkins. 1993. Baltimore, MD.
Kinser, C., Colby, L.A., Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques. 4th Edition. F.A. Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA. 2002.
Clarke, J.A., van Tulder, M.W., Blomberg, S.E.I., deVet, H.C.W., van der Heijden, G.J.M.G., Bronfort, G., Bouter, L.M., Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1. Art No: CD003010. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003010.pub4.
Braddock E, Greenlee J, Hammer RE, Johnson SF, Martello MJ, O'Connell MR, Rinzler R, Snider M, Swanson MR, Tain L, Walsh G. Manual medicine guidelines for musculoskeletal injuries. California: Academy for Chiropractic Education; 2007 Apr}

Christmas shopping complete early

Another good article:
source: Articles base

Waiting until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping

can be just downright stressful. Additionally, it can make it incredibly hard to find the perfect gift for each person on your shopping list. Furthermore those who wait until the last minute to finish their Christmas shopping are often faced with the potential for a looming credit card debt for the start of the following year because they did the bulk of their Christmas shopping in December of the previous year. For all of the reasons above it makes a great deal of sense to get your Christmas shopping done early.

Those who complete their Christmas shopping early gain a great deal of benefits. First of all they do not have to deal with crowded shopping areas as hordes of other shoppers are also trying to complete their last minute Christmas shopping. Shoppers who complete their Christmas shopping early also have more time to relax and focus on other activities such as decorating, wrapping presents, baking cookies or just spending some quite time with family. Finally, those who complete their Christmas shopping early also gain financial benefits. They can take advantage of sales which occur year round if they spread out their shopping plus they do not have to worry about paying for all of their purchases at one time.

Now that you understand all the benefits of getting your Christmas Shopping done early, you may still wonder how you can achieve this goal. One way to do this is to think of Christmas shopping as a year long event. Sit down shortly after the Christmas season to make a list of each person you plan to purchase gifts for in the following Christmas season. You can also jot down a few gift ideas for each of these people as well. Creating a list at this time gives you a whole year to spend time searching for gifts for each member on your list. For example you may wish to purchase a particular CD for your sister. If it is a difficult CD to find, you have plenty of time to begin tracking down this time. If it is a CD that is easy to find, you can plan on waiting until it goes on sale and may find you are able to save quite a bit of money by doing this.

If you plan on getting your Christmas shopping done early by shopping year round for friends or relatives, you should always keep your shopping list handy. Your wallet is a good place to keep it so it is always available when you are out shopping. Not only should you always carry your list with you but you should keep it up to date. As you purchase a gift for each person on your list, cross off their name and write down the actual gift you selected if it was different from the gift idea you had written down originally. This important because it will help to prevent you from purchasing multiple gifts for those on your list because you forgot you had already purchased their gift.

While getting your Christmas shopping done early does have some distinct advantages, there are also pitfalls to this type of shopping. Those who do their shopping throughout the year are often not as budget conscious as those who shop at the last minute. This is because those who shop at the last minute understand the bills for all of their Christmas gifts will be arriving at approximately the same time. However, those who shop early often lose track of how much they are spending on Christmas gifts because the bills blend in with regular monthly expenses. To avoid this problem, those who plan to shop throughout the year should set a budget for Christmas presents. They should determine ahead of time how much they wish to spend on each person on their list and should try not to exceed this amount.