I get tired of reading in body building forums about Isometric training and how they, these “internet experts” believe it doesn’t work. They never offer up an facts or proof, just their opinion. Which they proudly pronounce it as if it were GOD’s word!

Well folks, here are the facts read em and weep OR get excited!

I would like you to take a moment to read this entire article, this is not some rehash of the same subject. In this article I will break it down for you and give you all the facts.

Here’s a short snip from an article published by NASA-

Isometric Training In Space

“Strength training, says Fitts, involves two different types of resistance exercises: high-intensity isotonics, which shortens and lengthens muscles (for example, lifting and lowering a dumbbell), and isometrics, which fully contracts muscles without movement (for example, pushing against a doorway). Both types of exercise could potentially reduce muscle atrophy in microgravity. Fitts’ experiments with rats, however, suggest that isometrics may protect slow fibers better than isotonics because slow fibers develop very little force during relatively fast isotonic motions.”

Hmm, sounds to me as the boys in space are using what workds to build strength.

Isometric Training On Earth

Oh wait here’s another one for the ladies, just in case you thought Isometric training was just for men. This a small part of an interview with Jane Seymour the actress regarding how she stays in incredible shape.

“Lifetime: What is your exercise of choice these days?

Seymour: Isometrics. I used to throw my back out often. A couple of years ago, it got so bad that I couldn’t move. It turned out I had a herniated disc. That’s the kind of injury you expect to see in a linebacker in the Super Bowl, not in a woman who weighs 115 pounds.

I had to have surgery. My doctor recommended isometrics to help my recovery, so I’ve been doing it for two years.” With isometrics, you have to focus on your body’s alignment and engaging the muscles. I get more out of isometrics than crunches.

It has given me really strong stomach muscles, and I have a longer, leaner look than before. I really wasn’t concentrating on looking good with isometrics that was just a by-product. The main thing is that it has helped with my back pain. I don’t need a chiropractor or a masseuse.”

I guess Isometric training is being used for rehabilitation. But, then what do doctors know!

In Part 2 I will reveal what Olympic Teams thru out the world think about Isometric Training

Frank Sherrill
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/isometric-training-fact-or-muscle-building-hoax-part-1-74763.html

Lower back pain is an all-too-common condition that many of us will experience at some point in our lives. Although many of us may be able to control this pain through over-the-counter painkillers or perhaps some light physical therapy and bed rest, there are going to be some of us that have back pain to the extent where we need to seek medical attention.

A common type of back pain or pinched nerve pain is a result of a slipped or herniated disc. These discs are gel filled material that exist between the vertebrae of our spine and allow the vertebrae to move independently of each other and also protect it from damage. Should these happen to crack or slip out of place, the pain that we experience can be extremely severe. Back pain sufferers have many choices of treatment. Options include physical therapy, bed rest, traction, spinal decompression, painkillers, surgery and natural forms of treatment.

There may be times, however, whenever an epidural steroid injection is prescribed. What exactly is an epidural steroid injection, how is it administered and what can it do for you?

An epidural generally refers to an injection which goes into the epidural space in the spinal column. The epidural space is in the outermost part of the spinal canal and it lies outside of the dura matter which encases the spinal column. The injected steroids mimic cortisone and hydrocortisone which can reduce the inflammation that surround the affected nerves. This can give almost immediate relief to the pain that is experienced in this area and can help to keep the inflammation down for a considerable amount of time in order to allow for more effective pain management.

Unfortunately, relief from epidural steroid injections is usually temporary. Also, the steroids that are injected can have side effects which may include weakened muscles, a decrease in bone density, and possible lowering of the steroids that your body produces naturally.

Be sure to discuss with your personal physician the pros and cons of epidural steroid injections for providing back pain and pinched nerve pain relief.

Dan Raymond
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/can-epidural-steroid-injections-help-my-lower-back-pain-611854.html

The long-term objectives when it comes to Physical Therapy is basically to teach people how to manage and/or assuage the current symptoms and how to prevent future episodes of pain from returning. Other functional objectives are made based on the patient’s precise complaints, those complaints can be anywhere from inability to sleep through the night without pain, stand/walk for daily activities or exercise, sit for an extended period of time, or turn the head adequately for driving. Certain goals can increase the strength or flexibility of specific sources of pain is then made to facilitate the functional goals of Physical Therapy.

As mentioned before, certain exercises for the neck and back are chosen by the physical therapist based on the person’s ailments and areas of deficit noted on exam. The exercises are also carefully scrutinized to make sure the proper form and technique to facilitate the desired outcome before they are issued for the home program. To make a long story short, not every exercise is right for every neck or back pain.

Physical Therapy exercises for the back usually centers its attention on enhancing the flexibility and strength of the trunk. For instance, lower abdominal strengthening is usually an objective to help better support to the lower back area. This abdominal “bracing” is the groundwork for alternative exercises to assist in stabilizing the lumbar spine. Upon mastering the braces, the exercise can be suitably progressed by the Physical Therapist to include adding resistance with different arm and/or leg lifts while keeping up the taut abdominals and neutral spine in varying positions.

Using exercises to strengthen the back might include lying on the stomach, with or without having a pillow underneath the pelvic area. Depending on the person’s ability, he or she might be directed to place both arms overhead and alternate lifting one arm at a time without shrugging. This might be progressed to lifting on leg (including thigh and all) at a time and then progress to lifting the opposite arm and leg simultaneously. In Physical Therapy stretching exercises might include lying on the stomach and doing a press-up, keeping the hips on the ground. Otherwise depending on the specific pain pattern, the person might be instructed to lie on the back and pull the knees up toward the chest area.

When exercising the neck it is common to often focus not only on basic range of motion, but also on specific neck stretches and strengthening exercises, particularly of the supporting postural muscles. A perfect example of a neck exercise in Physical Therapy is referred to as cervical retraction. Sitting upright, maintaining the level of your chin, gently pulling the chin straight in as if you are hiding against a wall or sideways behind a tree is a good postural correcting exercise to perform during the day, for example while doing computer work. It counters the tendency most people have in sitting to slip into a forward head posture.

For more resources about low back pain or even about herniated disc and especially about damaged discs please review these links.

Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/objectives-of-pysical-therapy-175985.html

With low back pain being the number reason why millions of Americans miss work, you would think hospitals around the country would be more compassionate with people who suffer from chronic low back pain. Being a chronic pain sufferer myself who suffers from low back pain with a herniated disc, I know too well how ER doctors treat patients seeking help for some kind of relief. It seems as soon as you walk in and tell them the reason your here to see the doctor is for back pain, your immediately cast in a different light.

The ironic thing in today’s modern times, hospitals and ER doctors have available, and can look up information on patients that have on record tests such as, MRI’s, CT scans, or any other type of documentation to verify a diagnosis the patient is complaining of. With so many people falsely going to ER rooms complaining of back pain just to get medication, they should actually do a little research before they put you in that category of just seeking medication.

For instance, I waited 2 hours in the waiting room, after I got back to see the ER physician, I waited in the room for an additional hour just to hear the nurse tell me I need to go see my primary care physician about substance abuse. I was in shock. I could not believe they thought I was there seeking medications and not truly suffering from pain. When just recently I had two MRI’s taken at this same hospital showing indeed I do suffer from herniated discs, and other back problems as well. To add insult to injury, I received a bill the following week charging me for the visit. I wonder what did they do for me. What did they charge me for? The only thing they did in all reality is turn me away. So why do they charge me for turning me away in my time of need.

Unless your in a horrible car wreck, or your wheeled in by ambulance on a stretcher, going to the ER room for pain is a waste of time and money. Not only is it a waste of time and money, your humiliated by the whole ordeal. People who suffer from chronic pain are simply not believed. For whatever the reason may be, ER doctors do not want to treat people in pain. Chronic pain sufferers in America are discriminated again tremendously. Everyone who suffers from pain should write their congressman or senators. Something has to be done. Seems doctors are taken the war on drugs against the innocent, against the people who truly suffer from chronic daily pain. There is something wrong with this picture. America has the best healthcare in the world, but yet you cant get treated for something as simple as low back pain. I just pray for the millions of Americans who are in the same situation they that somehow will find a compassionate doctor who truly understands pain. Seems most doctors today are more interested in what’s best for them, and not the patient. Don’t they still take an oath to help the sick and hurting? Sometimes I wonder

Robert Gould
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/think-twice-about-going-to-the-emergency-room-for-back-pain-35107.html