Pain Relief

The truth about epidurals

Monica Beyer — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:00:00 -0700

Epidurals are often hailed as the golden standard of childbirth pain relief, and generally go off without a hitch, but there are real risks involved. How likely is it that you will experience a side effect?

Cryotherapy: Healing sports injuries with ice

Linda Melone, CSCS — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:01:00 -0700

You whirl it into smoothies and use it to cool down drinks on a hot summer day, but did you know ice can also boost metabolism, relieve pain and tighten your skin? If you've ever applied an ice pack to a sprained ankle and felt the relief, imagine cooling down your entire body the same way. Only instead of an ice pack, you're put into a chamber with nitrogen, which brings temps down to a chilly minus 270 degrees Fahrenheit. Who knew frozen water could do so much?

Natural remedies for pain relief

Dr. Holly Lucille. N.D., R.N. — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:15:00 -0700

If you’re active, or would like to be, exercise-induced pain can really limit your fitness plans. Plus,if you take over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers to mitigate the aches, you could be putting your heart, liver, and stomach at risk. Instead of staying sidelined due to pain or risking the side effects of medication, try a combination of pain-fighting natural remedies.

Pain relief in labor

Louise Wheeler — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:50:00 -0700

Labor and birth is always an unpredictable and unique experience for every woman. It is impossible to judge how the process will feel for you until it begins. While some women find that they are able to give birth without the aid of medication, others prefer to request an epidural as soon as they arrive at the hospital. To help you understand your options during your baby’s birth, here are the main methods of pain relief in labor.

Focus on fibromyalgia

Jessica Padykula — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:16:00 -0700

May is National Women’s Health Month! Even if you make your health a top priority every day, use this month as incentive to take even more positive steps towards improving your physical and mental health. May is also National Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, intended to educate people about this oft-misunderstood condition. For some more insight into fibromyalgia we turned to Dr. Beth Hodges to find out what it is, who it affects and what can be done about it.

Foods that fight pain

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700

The meaning of comfort food for the 50 million Americans suffering from chronic pain is food that can ease the daily aching. Charles Friedman, D.O., pain management specialist for Pain Relief Centers in Pinellas Park, Florida, says, "Fill your plate with the following foods that fight pain."

5 Exercises to a perfect posture

Michele Borboa, MS — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:24:00 -0800

You don’t have to accept that burning pain in your neck and shoulders, ache in your low back and throbbing headaches as a daily norm. Pain isn’t normal and can often be remedied just by improving your posture. Dr. Beverly Marr, creator of The Soar Method for Perfect Posture, says proper posture will not only help ease your pain, but it can also improve your energy level and even your digestion. Here are five of Dr. Marr’s stretching and strengthening exercises for better posture.

Culinary expert Ellie Krieger: Eat for rheumatoid arthritis relief

Stephanie Taylor Christensen — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 07:33:00 -0800

If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, your lifestyle, including regular exercise, a healthy weight and a nutritious diet, can go far in alleviating painful rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Here are a few joint-friendly recipes from Ellie Krieger, who has teamed with New Way RA.

10 Unique health benefits of sex

Tristan Coopersmith — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:21:00 -0800

So we all know that we like sex. That it can be fun and adventurous, make us feel more closely connected to our partner, bring out a wild side we didn't know existed and so on, but get this: It's physically healthy for you.

Why pregnancy headaches need special attention

Dr. Joseph Rotella, MD, DC — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 07:12:00 -0800

Headaches are a common complaint among pregnant women, and any woman who is suffering from them, whether they began before or during pregnancy, requires special attention, as there are different concerns for the mother and the growing fetus. Both primary headaches, such as migraine and tension-type headaches, and other secondary headaches that mimic them are often reported among pregnant women.