When I started my spinal decompression, the doctor asked me not take pain relievers. Of course this makes total sense if you are trying to gauge the pain levels. As well, pain meds allow you to make movements that you shouldn’t be doing, risking injury or just slowing down the healing process.
But I found a great 1 page write-up from the team at Spinal Relief USA. Feel free to pass it on.
Back pain is often the result of a deficiency in body fluid levels. The discs in our backs are in reality little hydraulic shock absorbers. These discs are made up of an outer shell filled with fluid, primarily water. If properly hydrated, the disc creates a cushion that absorbs the shock of physical activity and supports the weight of the upper body. These discs are self-hydrating as long as there is adquate fluid levels and regular movement. Movement that compresses and releases pressure on the disc creates a suction that allows water to be pulled inside the disc keeping it fully hydrated.
When a disc if fully hydrated, the shell of the disc supports 25% of the weight load and the fluid supports 75%.
When the discs become dehydrated, then the shell has to support a larger portion of the load, causing pain, swelling and soreness. Without sufficient fluid levels, the pressure on the disc increases and results in paind and stiffness.
Our brain is over 75% water and when it detects a shortage of available fluids, it implements a water rationing process by producing histamines, causing pain and fatigue.
This natural process is meant to slow us down and conserve water. Histamines are released as a warning that something is wrong. When we take antihistamines or analgesic medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, we simply turn off the signal and often allow the problem to progress.
NOTE FROM RAY: Next time you take an aspirin when you’re in pain or fatugue, take it with a full glass of water. The water might be even more effective than the pills!
indeed!!! Wish you could’ve mentioned something about cracking your back… good or bad. Bad now that I have read. Stretching I am sure can be good… but “popping” and cracking your back doesnt sound like the good thing to do.
more water
One must be very careful with Aspirin. A friend of mine was taking it under Dr’s orders and she ended up damaging her liver. She died because of the aspirin she took. Another woman I know took too many aspirin and she was bleeding out of every where. Her blood got to thin. She almost died but fortunately they could save her. She eventually died from taking to many phama drugs they caused liver cancer. Like alcohol phama drugs can also do a great deal of damage to your liver among other things.