We all most likely know that the hamstrings have something to do with the backs of our thighs. But what are these muscles, really? Hamstrings are made up of three long muscles: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus, that run on...
The steam room can offer an oasis, away from the rest of the world. In one of the few remaining places where we cannot carry our cell phones, enjoying a steam bath means enjoying a moment of forced quiet. Beside the feeling of calm cultivated in...
There are many types of therapy packs, from those filled with herbs for soothing and relaxing, to those that stop swelling and relieve aches and pains. Therapeutic use of cold and heat packs is very specific and often can be alternated for...
Herbal heating pads are typically small cloth pillows that are filled with a material that holds heat, such as flax seed, rice or corn. Herbs for aromatherapy are added before the heating pad is sewn closed. These pads can then be heated in the...
Athletic trainers and physical therapists sometimes use moist heat for pain relief. A company called Duro-Med Industries manufactures the Therabeads Neck Pain Relief Pack for the home-therapy product market. The company's research and development...
Muscle pain is caused by overexertion, stress, tension and minor injuries. When your muscles are sore after you work out, it is because your efforts have caused small tears in the muscle that will heal stronger than the original tissue. These...
Finding a conventional medical doctor who specializes in TMJ disorders is helpful in getting short-term and long-term relief from symptoms. Consult different practitioners until you get the care that works for you. A dentist experienced in TMJ...
If you suffer from back pain, muscle spasms or arthritis, you probably already know how good heat therapy can feel. If your doctor suggests heat therapy, it is important to understand that there are two different types: the moist heat method...
A quick or forceful stretch to a muscle in spasm can actually cause it to become more severe, increasing pain and tension in the neck. Instead, perform a slow, controlled stretch to the affected areas of the neck following a spasm. If the muscle...
Fish, shellfish and other seafood products contain varying amounts of cholesterol. While your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to build healthy cells, create vitamin D, manufacture hormones and produce digestive enzymes, too much...
Your C5 and C6 vertebrae are located in the cervical portion of your spine, otherwise known as the neck. Physical therapy for C5 & C6 ranges from reducing pain and symptom levels by properly taking care of this region to strengthening and...
Since sinus infections can have their start in airborne mold, fungi or other allergens, improving the air quality in your home can help you prevent or treat sinus infections. Institute a no-smoking policy indoors. Keep windows, sills and other...
If you are prone to toothaches from sinus troubles, do all you can to avoid contact with people with upper-respiratory infections. Don't kiss or shake hands with those who are coughing or sneezing. Don't share food or drinking glasses with them....
The use of hot, moist towels in massage therapy, also known as hydrothermal therapy, can help tight muscles to relax, soothes irritated nerve endings and increases circulation. Therapists can achieve more results during a limited treatment session...
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that approximately 50 million Americans have allergies to airborne substances such as pollen. Allergies take a variety of forms and can be the result of exposure to all kinds of substances,...
A calf strain originates with torn muscle fibers in one or both of the calf muscles on the back of the lower leg, called the gastrocnemius and soleus. Calf-muscle tears occur when the muscles are hyperextended while participating in competitive...
If your back or neck hurts, you're not alone. The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Health Professions reports that 80 percent of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Though some pain requires surgical treatment,...
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are commonly referred to as TMJ. The conditions affect the muscles and bone around the jaw area; the temporomandibular joint is near the ears where the lower jaw bone connects with the skull. Signs and...
Both wet and dry heat can relieve sore muscles, but some people prefer one method over the other. Many experience a greater level of immediate relief from wet heat, but dry heat generally lasts longer and offers more convenience. Oftentimes,...
Everyone responds to direct hot/cold therapy to some degree. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder headaches or migraines can be set off by swelling in blood vessels of the neck, jaw and shoulders. To alleviate this, try alternating or...
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) causes pain and makes it difficult to use your jaw. It can hinder your ability to talk, eat and in some cases breathe as it affects the muscles that control the jaw. In some cases, the pain is temporary and...
Glucosamine is a natural constituent of the cartilage and synovial fluid of joint tissues and is a well-known supplement for joint health support. Numerous research studies on glucosamine have shown not only a reduction in the severity of pain...
Tight hamstrings are more common than not in today's world of sitting in cars, at desks and computers and for most of the day in general. The hamstrings flex the knees, so when you are sitting down and your knees are in a flexed position for a...
Though a pinched nerve can occur anywhere, a pinched nerve in the neck is especially painful and problematic. Symptoms include pain, numbness in the hand or arm, tingling or a "pins and needles" sensation and muscle spasms. Most pinched nerves in...
Whether you have a sudden onset of gout or you have an ongoing gout condition, it's painful and you want it to go away. Actually, gout is a form of arthritis where too much uric acid gets in the body's blood, in the tissues and the urine, causing...
One of the most common causes of facial joint and neck pain is temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ. Craniomandibular dysfunction, or CMD, is another common condition that causes headaches, jaw pain, facial discomfort and migraines, report...
There are numerous conditions that can cause muscle spasms. According to MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health, muscle spasms, also known as charley horses, can occur in any muscle. When a muscle spasms, it contracts involuntarily or...
Occasional temporomandibular joint pain isn't always cause for concern, but recurring episodes may be a sign that you have a disorder affecting these joints. These conditions aren't uncommon; in fact, the National Institute of Dental and...
Muscle pain and stiffness is a condition that many people experience and one that can develop almost anywhere on your body--from your legs and feet, to your arms and hands. The pain can range from mild to severe. By changing the temperature of the...
