American College of Physicians New Guideline For Back Pain

Clinicians and patients should select non-pharmacologic treatment with superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation ( A.K.A. Chiropractic Care). It may be a big change for many doctors, who often turn to medications first for patients who are in pain. The American College of Physicians recommends non-drug therapy first, the organization says in the new guidelines, published in the Annals of Internal medicine.

Drink More Water To Improve Your Health

Most people are in the low range of fluid consumption and are not hydrating properly. Everyone generally drinks at mealtime, but in between meals many people do not drink anything. You need to consistently drink water throughout the day. There are many formulas for how much to drink, but don’t worry about the details just drink! When you get up in the morning one of the first things to do is drink a glass of water. Here are a few reasons to drink more water:

• Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids: Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

• Water Helps Energize Muscles: Cells that don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. When muscle cells don’t have adequate fluids, they don’t work as well.

• Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good: Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss.

• Water Helps Your Kidneys: Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate.

• Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function: Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation.

Gardening

The weather is warming up and many people will spend more time outside working in their yard and gardening. Your body may not be ready for all the bending, twisting, reaching and pulling! Remember you haven’t done those motions in months. It’s not a matter of fitness, but of using muscles differently. It’s very similar to when you change your exercise program. It feels great to be outside, but everyone tends to over do it initially. What you can do comfortably in July is different than what you can do in March. Begin in moderation, take breaks, and make sure you stretch and loosen up. Work into longer periods of time as your body gets used to working in the yard again.

“ You’re never wrong to do the right thing” – Mark Twain