In case you missed it, here is Bel Marra Health’s weekly health news roundup, featuring information on lower back pain, sacroiliac joint pain, Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and thumb arthritis.
Yoga may reduce chronic lower back pain
Back pain lasting for three or more months is considered chronic, and as constant pain is a disruption to daily activity, researchers set out to examine the effectiveness of yoga in treating this condition. The research was conducted by the Cochrane Complementary Medicine at the Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland, and was published in the Cochrane Review. Led by Susan Wieland, the team examined the results of 12 trials completed by approximately 1,080 participants from the United States, UK, and India who were between the ages of 34 and 48. Volunteers were randomly assigned to a study, seven of which compared the effects of yoga versus completing no exercise, three observed the differences between yoga and back-focused exercises or added yoga to a back-focused exercise regimen, and two compared yoga with two separate control groups that either completed no exercise or followed a self-help book. Continue reading…
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain dysfunction: Causes of lower back, buttock, and hip pain
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SI joint pain, or pain in the sacroiliac joints found between the pelvis and the base of the spine, can be felt in the lower back and buttocks and occurs for a variety of reasons. Continue reading to find out which symptoms to look out for and how SI joint pain is diagnosed and treated.
SI joint pain most often begins in the lower back and buttocks and is typically only on one side of the body. The pain can reach up to the lower hip, groin, and upper thigh as well. Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected leg are also symptoms associated with SI joint pain. These symptoms can worsen when sitting, sleeping, walking, or using stairs. Those with SI joint pain may also find it painful to ride in a car. Continue reading…
Can mushrooms prevent Alzheimer’s?
New research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food has shown that the bioactive components of certain edible and medicinal mushrooms may aid in the prevention and delay of dementia. Researchers from the University of Malaya have suggested that the activity of the bioactive compounds in certain mushrooms may aid in the growth of nerves within the brain, and even help to protect it from neurotoxic stimuli like inflammation. Inflammation is known to be a contributor to the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s, so the potential for mushrooms to help reduce inflammation within the brain could mean that scientists are getting closer to preventing and delaying these cognitive issues. Continue reading…
Thumb arthritis & pain: Causes and treatments
Thumb arthritis can cause pain in the thumb joint and is the most common form of osteoarthritis that affects the hands. This pain may occur in the basal joint, where the fleshy part of your thumb meets your wrist and can make everyday tasks difficult. Find out more about the symptoms and causes of thumb joint arthritis, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated, by reading below. Some of the most common symptoms of thumb arthritis are decreased grip strength, decreased range of motion, and swelling and pain that radiates throughout the hand and not just around the thumb. These symptoms can be especially irritating as they interfere with your ability to perform simple tasks like turning door knobs and opening jars. Continue reading…
Meditation and music may reverse early memory loss
New research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease has shown that following either a simple meditation or music listening regimen may help to reverse early memory loss in older adults. The study was conducted by West Virginia University and helmed by Dr. Kim Innes. It aimed to examine the effects of either completing basic meditation or following a music listening program 12 minutes a day for 12 weeks.
The participant group was made up of 60 older adults with subjective cognitive decline, and each was randomly assigned to either the meditation group or the music listening group. Subjective cognitive decline is a condition thought to be linked with a preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s and affects subjective memory function along with objective cognitive performance. Continue reading…
