Allergies

It's only March, but you may be already experiencing the all to familiar sneezing and nasal congestion symptoms that tell you your seasonal allergies are back. In previous years, you may not have had this problem for another 6 weeks, but with Spring's early arrival, the pollen levels are much higher than typical. Lately, I am seeing more patients who have been caught off guard  by the early warm up and are suffering from the worst allergy symptoms they have ever had.

Allergies are nothing to sneeze at (pardon the pun) and can be very disruptive to your daily life. Other than the typical symptoms we think of, seasonal allergies cause fatigue, skin disorders and breathing difficulties.  Studies have found that allergies result in 3.5 million lost workdays and 2 million lost schooldays each year. Besides for lost productivity, allergy suffers spend 2 times more on medications and doctor visits.

To treat allergies, you can either seal yourself in a plastic bubble (probably not a good idea) or try one of the multiple remedies that are available by prescription or over the counter. Besides the typical medications that are used, there are many other options that allergy suffers can benefit from.


Nasal Rinses
Nasal rinses have been used for centuries in India as a discipline of yoga. Today, physicians often recommend this practice for the treatment of allergies, upper respiratory illnesses and sinus infections. The theory behind the use of nasal rinses is that allergens and pollutants are removed from the nasal cavity along with mucous allowing for less inflamation and improved air flow. There are a variety of products available to perform nasal rinses, however I typical encourage my patients to use a neti pot or irrigation bottles. Neti pots are the more traditional product used in yoga and look like a lamp that a geni may pop out of. Many patients are hesitant to pour saline into their nose, but after trying it, they can quickly appreciate the benefits.

HEPA Filters
Since it's not feasible to seal yourself in a plastic bubble, the alternative is to remove allergans from the air. High efficiency particle air filters (HEPA) are the effective means to limit the allergans in the house. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HEPA filters in helping control allergy symptoms. Not only is pollen removed, but also indoor allergans from dust mites and animal dander. Individuals suffering from asthma have also been shown to have better control of their asthma symptoms when using a HEPA filter.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons that patients visit their primary care provider. In fact, 8 out of 10 people suffer from low back pain sometime in their life. A majority of patients who suffer from low back pain will recover on their own after a few weeks, but some individuals will go on to develop chronic pain. Whether you are suffering from acute low back pain or long-term pain, most physicians will prescribe medications and allow time to do the rest.

The treatment of acute LBP and chronic LBP, however, differ significantly. Reviewing the medical literature and using my own experience, I recommend several treatments available for low back pain as well as treatments to stay away from in order to allow you to get the best chance of getting back your back.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (T.E.N.S.) - Since the days of the Roman Empire, electrical stimulation of nerves has been used to treat pain. In fact, it is reported that Benjamin Franklin was a big proponent of this type of therapy. However, not until recently has it been feasible for patients to use a portable device to delivery the necessary electrical current. Typically, TENS units are about the size of a small cellphone with electrodes that are placed around the area of pain.

It is believed that TENS works by encouraging the body to activate naturally occuring pain-relief receptors in the central nervous system. Although the scientific evidence is mixed on the effectiveness of TENS, I have found it to be a useful tool when treating both acute and chronic back pain. Research has demonstrated that, when used along with an exercise program, the benefits of TENS is increased.

Dual Channel TENS Unit - TENS-7000 5 Mode plus Accessory Kit


Low Level Laser Therapy -Treatments with lasers may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, however lasers have been used to care for a variety of medical conditions for years. Skin rejuvenation, complex surguries and numerous eye procedures are just some of the applications for lasers. The concept is based on how lasers are able to direct various levels of energy into a very exact location.

There continues to be mixed reports on the effectiveness of laser treatment of low back pain, however there are several research trials that do support it's use. One study found that after 12 weeks, pain scores and range of motion improved when using laser therapy with exercise, when compared to exercise alone. At this time, more research needs to confirm the benefits of lasers for back pain, however, on a personal note, I have worked with two patients who found laser therapy very effective. Personal low level laser devices are available without prescription and are a safe option for the treatment of pain.


Yoga - The ancient practice of yoga is believed to have originated in India over 5000 years ago. The word "yoga" translates to join or unite. Yoga comprises many different pathways on the journey to unite the mind, body and spirit, however the best known version of yoga used in the U.S. is called Hatha yoga. This form of yoga uses poses and breathing in an attempt to cleanse and repair the body.

For many years, yoga has been used for a variety of medical ailments, but only recently has research shown the true benefits for individuals suffering from back pain. Several studies have confirmed that yoga an effective treatment for chronic low back pain. A randomized trial recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine demonstrated that after 12 weeks, individuals suffering from low back pain recorded better functional status when compared to those treated with typical therapies.

The great thing about yoga is that you can do it anywhere. If you don't have time to attend a local yoga class, you can learn yoga from books, videos or gaming systems like Wii and Xbox.