A form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering mind, mood, cognitive function, or physical health. Aromatherapy does not cure conditions, but helps the body to find a natural way to cure itself and improve immune response.
When we think about plants we understand they have their own physiology, their own immune response, their own defense against invaders. These are the plants essential oils. They are ‘essential’ for the plants survival and function in its environment.
When we use steam or fat to extract those ‘essential’ properties we are getting a concentrated volatile compound. The volatility of essential oils makes them easily evaporate at room temperature. They disperse or diffuse into the air and are inhaled.
This is where the ‘Aroma’ part of Aromatherapy came in. Due to the fact that these volatile oils are often aromatic (carrying an aroma) means that we smell the compounds as they enter our nostrils. This also means that those chemical compounds have a direct connection to the brain through the olfactory bulb. Every smell we experience affects all of the systems in the body through the large olfactory bulb and it’s close communication with the brain and gut.
Through this direct connection to the brain and gut Aromatherapy can help the brain and body function more effectively through nourishment and support. The chemical compounds in essential oils are all natural, not man-made or synthesized, meaning they are readily utilized by the body because they are so similar to our own chemical compounds. Thus they are easily utilized in healing and maintaining health.
Instead of doing something for the body, interrupting normal functions, or forcing unnatural reactions, like pharmaceuticals, Aromatherapy provides nutrients not found in a multivitamin or even a balanced diet. Many aromatic plants are not edible so the only way to obtain their beneficial properties is through Aromatherapeutic application.
Aromatherapeutic Applications
In the Air – by spraying an Everclear alcohol based blend or diffusing undiluted oils. You can achieve the same benefits of an over-the-counter medication with simple and safe aromatic diffusion. Alcohol based sprays emulsify the oils for complete dispersion into the air and onto the body or surface.
On Surfaces – an Everclear alcohol based blend can be used to clean and sanitize surfaces without poisonous man-made chemicals. Using aromatherapy sprays to clean hard surfaces, mirrors, and windows reduces your exposure to the toxic chemicals found in commercial cleansers. Using a natural cleaner on pet cages and toys also improves your pets health.
On the Skin – dilution into a carrier oil and applying to the skin or soaking in the bath. The skin is an amazing organ that processes everything it absorbs. When essential oils are applied to the skin they are readily absorbed and rapidly transported to the blood stream and through the body to directly affect all organs and systems naturally through nourishment.
In the Mouth – dilution with Everclear alcohol, vegetable oil or powder and brushing and/or rinsing. Using an alcohol emulsifier like Everclear, completely disperses the essential oil molecules. When the oil molecules are safely broken down or emulsified and then diluted with water you can then rise your mouth without risking an acid type burn on the mucous membranes of the mouth. The nutrients in essential oils are great for healing and disinfecting our teeth, gums, and tongue.
Never for internal use! No matter what any rep of any company tells you! No matter how organic or ‘pure’ the products are, essential oils can damage delicate mucous membranes when taken internally. Herbal teas are much safer for internal treatments.
Aroma Spray – 8oz Spray
Water based sprays with 5% essential oils for personal Aromatherapy.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and not to mention expensive. So why waste them by using them undiluted? Why risk your health by using them undiluted? Of course diffusion is the exception, simply because the air dilutes the essential oils. See the dilution chart below to safely blend your own products.
Afraid to blend your own? Don’t have the time? Don’t want to purchase all the necessary supplies? Well no problem! Let Mother Jai do it for you! Shop our products or send an email below for a custom blend.
Essential Oils Provide Nutrients to the Scalp and Hair Follicles
Diluting these essential oils in an oil base (carrier) like coconut or sunflower makes them safe to apply directly to the scalp. A 5 to 10% dilution is recommended.
Cedarwood: Cedarwood is used to help stimulate the hair follicles by increasing circulation to the scalp. It can promote hair growth and slow hair loss; it can also treat thinning hair and various types of alopecia. Cedarwood can be applied topically to the scalp and hair. It mixes well with gentle oils like lavender and carrier oils like coconut oil. You can also add 2–3 drops of cedarwood oil to your homemade conditioner.
Chamomile: it adds shine and softness to your hair while soothing your scalp. Did you know that chamomile essential oil can be used to lighten your hair naturally? Combine 5 drops of chamomile essential oil with a tablespoon of sea salt and one-third cup of baking soda. Use warm water to create a paste and apply the mixture to your hair. Massage it into your scalp and at the base of your hair, then allow it to sit for about half an hour before rinsing it out. If you want a bolder affect, keep the paste on as you sit in the sun.
Clary Sage: works as a natural remedy for rashes, and it works as an antibacterial agent. But maybe most importantly, clary sage can be used to help you relieve stress and balance hormones. Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: telogen effluvium, trichotillomania (hair pulling) and alopecia areata. Because clary sage can be used to help relieve stress and reduce cortisol levels in the body, it works as a natural remedy for stress-induced hair loss. Clary sage works well with jojoba oil; the two can help to regulate oil production on the skin, helping you to avoid scaly or flaky patches that lead to dandruff. To ease stress, which is associated with hair loss, you can diffuse clary sage oil at home or apply a few drops to your wrists, temples and bottoms of your feet.
Lavender: has antimicrobial properties, and it can be used to combat bacterial and fungal disorders. Some other lavender oil benefits are its ability to soothe the scalp and heal dry skin and hair. Plus, because emotional stress is a factor that can contribute to thinning hair, lavender oil can be used to create a tranquil and stress-free environment.
Lemongrass: has healing properties, and it works as an effective cleanser and deodorizer. It can strengthen your hair follicles and soothe an itchy and irritated scalp. Some bonus benefits of lemongrass oil include its ability to work as a natural bug repellant, relieve stress (which is associated with hair loss) and treat headaches. You can add 10 drops of lemongrass oil to your bottle of shampoo or conditioner, or you can massage 2–3 drops into your scalp along with your conditioner daily. Lemongrass oil can also be diffused at home to reduce stress and detoxify the space.
Peppermint: helps to stimulate the scalp, and it can treat dandruff and even lice due to its powerful antiseptic properties. Research shows that peppermint oil promotes hair growth, too. In a 2014 animal study, topical application of peppermint oil for four weeks showed prominent hair growth effects, increasing dermal thickness, follicle number and follicle depth. Add 2–3 drops of peppermint to your shampoo or conditioner for a quick wake-me-up during your morning shower.
Rosemary: used to increase cellular metabolism, which stimulates hair growth and promotes healing. Research even shows that rosemary oil appears to work as well as minoxidil, a conventional topical hair loss treatment. When it comes to boosting your hair health, the benefits of rosemary oil also include preventing baldness, slowing the graying process and treating dandruff and dry scalp. To use rosemary oil for your hair, take 3–5 drops and mix it with equal parts olive oil, and then massage the mixture into your scalp for about two minutes. Leave it in your hair for 3 to 4 hours, and then wash your hair as usual.
Tea Tree: has powerful cleansing, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. When used topically, it can help unplug hair follicles and increase hair growth. You can mix 10 drops of tea tree oil into your shampoo or conditioner and use it daily, or mix 3 drops with 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
Thyme: help promote hair growth by both stimulating the scalp and actively preventing hair loss. Like cedarwood oil, thyme oil was also found to be helpful in treating alopecia areata. Thyme is particularly strong, even among essential oils. Put only 2 small drops in 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil before applying it to your scalp. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and wash it out.
Ylang Ylang: While those with oily hair and skin would want to skip this one, ylang-ylang oil is ideal for those with dry scalps, as it can stimulate sebum production. As lack of enough oil and sebum causes hair to become dry and brittle, ylang-ylang can improve hair texture and reduce hair breakage. Mix 5 drops of ylang-ylang oil with 2 tablespoons of warm oil. Massage it into your scalp and wrap your head with a warm towel. Leave it in for 30 minutes before washing it out.
DIY recipes that will also help to boost the health of your hair:
Thicken your hair: To help thicken your hair naturally, use this natural hair thickener that’s made with a combination of rosemary, cedarwood and sage essential oils. These oils will stimulate your hair follicles by increasing circulation to the scalp and helping to balance your hormones.
Isn’t it amazing that in this age of scientific and technological advancement people would still believe that the term holistic has to do with witchcraft? I am amazed by the lack of knowledge on holistic health and wellness. There is more to us than an ailing body and confused mind and we must understand the connection in order to be healthy. In this article, I will clarify what holistic health and wellness is and why Holistic Medicine should be the norm.
Holistic Medicine – the practice of treating illness and disease according to every aspect of an individual – mind, body, and soul. The purpose of the treatments and therapies are to restore balance to all systems and thus bring vitality to the individual.
Uses all forms of healthcare – conventional, complementary, and alternative therapies for the best possible outcome. Providing medications and surgical interventions when alternative therapies and herbal remedies have failed and, of course, in life saving situations.
Healing takes a partnership or team approach – patient and doctor(s) working together to achieve wellness goals. You know what’s going on with you because you take the time to understand your body and understand what the test results say, all while intelligently conversing with your doctor about your symptoms and actions.
Patients take responsibility for their health – patient involvement in treatments and lifestyle modifications provides for personal well-being and long-term success. No one can fix your health for you; pills and surgeries are often temporary solutions. If you want to feel good and be healthy you must do the things that are healthy.
Understands that every person has their own, innate, healing powers – practitioners work to educate individuals on their innate abilities, how to tap in to them, and how to utilize them for complete wellness.
Addresses all aspects of an individual’s life – social, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical for the best possible lifestyle modification. Mental illness affects physical health as much as physical illness affects mental health. We are complete beings not separate systems.
All treatments are done for the purpose of fixing the cause of the disease – whether it be mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional – not just for alleviating symptoms. Holistic medicine looks to reverse disease by changing the individual’s cause of it; everyone is different. One person will smoke and die of cancer, another will smoke the same amount and will die of old age. Our practitioners must consider us this way or many treatments will fail.
Holistic physicians encourage patients to evoke the healing power of love, hope, humor and enthusiasm, and to release the toxic consequences of hostility, shame, greed, depression, and prolonged fear, anger, and grief.
Unconditional love is life’s most powerful medicine. Physicians strive to adopt an attitude of unconditional love for patients, themselves, and other practitioners.
Optimal health is much more than the absence of sickness. It is the conscious pursuit of the highest qualities of the physical, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social aspects of the human experience.
Holistic Health: a system of preventive care that takes into account the whole individual, one’s own responsibility for one’s well-being, and the total influences—social, psychological, environmental—that affect health, including nutrition, exercise, and mental relaxation.
Concept that concern for health requires perception of the individual as an integrated system instead of one or more separate parts.
A health attitude that an individual’s mental state and life experiences form the basis for his or her state of overall health.
Your overall state of wellness on all levels of your being: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It encompasses the health of your entire being and extends to everyone and everything that affects you in any way. That includes your resources, your environment, and your relationships.
World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely an absence of disease or infirmity.
Health and well-being as a continuum. What you think, how and when you eat, sleep, exercise and relate to others moves you either further on the continuum toward good health or away from it.
So, as you see, by implementing a holistic mindset in your life and in your health care you can obtain optimal health and wellness with minimal discomfort or cost. By taking steps to be in control of your health and in charge of your life you become empowered to live to the fullest. No, it’s not easy, but it’s so worth it!
Since Vaseline is the most common commercially produced lotion on the market we will break it down and show you what’s in it and why it really should not go on your skin.
We’ll review the directions, warnings, ingredients, and storage. After this review please reconsider applying any of these chemicals to your skin. Try Mother Jai’s lotion, simply made of organic soy wax, organic coconut and sunflower oils.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: White Petrolatum USP (100%)……….…Skin Protectant
Carbomer: class of chemicals made from acrylic acid. They are thickening agents that help control the viscosity and flow of cosmetic products. They are also solvents, helping formulas to stay well mixed. You’ll find them in styling gels, facial moisturizers, sunscreen, shampoo, anti-aging treatments, cleansers, and scrubs. Though generally considered safe, they can sometimes contain “neutralizing agents” TEA or EDTA. It is a known allergen that causes eye irritation. These can carry contaminants that can be potentially carcinogenic.
Cedrol: is a sesquiterpene alcohol found in the essential oil of conifers (cedar oil), especially in the genera Cupressus (cypress) and Juniperus (juniper). It has also been identified in Origanum onites, a plant related to oregano. Cedrol has toxic and possibly carcinogenic properties.
Cetearyl Alcohol: fatty alcohol that’s either produced from the end products of the petroleum industry or derived from plants (palm oil-palmityl alcohol). It comes in the form of a white, waxy solid. It’s no longer derived from sperm whale oil (where it was originally discovered) seeing how whales are now an endangered species.
Cetearyl alcohol is also a surfactant that boosts a products foaming capacity. This property is important in bath soaps, hand soaps, shampoos, conditioners and many other personal care products.
Cetearyl alcohol is also a main ingredient in cosmetics such as foundations, concealers, liquid lipsticks and mascaras to stabilize a solution and to prevent the separation of emulsions.
Small amounts of alcohol applied to skin cells in lab settings (about 3% alcohol, but keep in mind skin-care products contain amounts ranging from 5% to 60% or more) over the course of two days increased cell death by 26%. It also destroyed the substances in cells that reduce inflammation and defend against free radicals.
Exposure to alcohol causes skin cells to literally self-destruct and the longer the exposure to alcohol continues, the worse it gets for your skin cells. The same study found that only two days of exposure was dramatically more harmful than one day of exposure, and that was using an alcohol concentration of less than 10%, which is much lower than what’s in many alcohol-based skin-care products.
This research clearly demonstrates the connection between free-radical damage to skin cells and alcohol exposure. Interestingly, this is exceptionally similar to the free-radical damage that results from excessive consumption of alcohol in the short and long term.
Dimethicone: it’s a silicon oil, man-made in the laboratory and used in personal care products as an anti-foaming agent, skin protectant, and skin and hair conditioner. Manufacturers like it because it makes products easily spreadable, so you get that feeling of the lotion or cream gliding over your skin. Dimethicone also helps form a protective barrier on the skin, and can fill in the fine lines and wrinkles on the face, which is why it’s often used in makeup primers.
Why Dimethicone is Bad for Your Skin? That artificial coating on the outside of skin causes several issues:
It traps everything under it—including bacteria, sebum, and impurities—which could lead to increased breakouts and blackheads
The coating action actually prevents the skin from performing its normal activities—like sweating, temperature regulating, sloughing off dead skin cells, etc.
Prolonged exposure to dimethicone can actually increase skin irritation, due to the coating property and because dimethicone is listed as a possible skin and eye irritant
Those with sensitive or reactive skin are at risk of an allergic reaction to dimethicone
On top of all this, dimethicone is a non-biodegradable chemical—bad for the environment
You’re creating a dependency on the coating product, disrupting the skin’s own hydrating processes, which in the end increases dryness, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable
The coating properties may increase breakouts, particularly if you’re susceptible to acne, which will lead to scars and older-looking skin
You’re doing nothing to boost the health and vitality of the skin, thus letting aging take its toll
Dihydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: This raw material is a captive molecule of Unilever, trademarked as “Glycerol Quat™”. Glycerol Quat is basically a moisturizing / hydrating agent. Developed by DOW chemical.
Disodium EDTA: primarily used as a preservative and stabilizer, this ingredient is essentially used to prevent products from deteriorating and from smelling rancid. This can usually be found in most skin care products.
Glycerine: (also known as glycerol) has enjoyed a long career as a key moisturizing ingredient, and while it can be obtained from both vegetable or animal fats and oils, it is most commonly derived from biodiesel waste courtesy of the saponification of oil and fat. The non-toxic and eco-friendly substance certainly seals moisture into skin, but it does so while also triggering subdermal skin layers to dry out, creating a chronically chapped sensation.
Glyceryl Stearate: Is chemically used to reduce the greasiness of an oil and to stabilize the product.
Glycol Stearate: produced by chemically reacting stearic acid and ethylene glycol; Like many other long chain oil derived ingredients glycol stearate is used as a skin conditioning agent (emollient), but according to the cosmetic database it is also used as a surfactant, opacifying agent and an emulsifier, find most use in shampoos, body washes and moisturizers (US Department of Health and Human Services).
Hydroxyethyl Urea: this ingredient is derived from the urine and other bodily fluids of animals. Used as a humectant and skin conditioning.
Isopropyl Isostearate: the ester of isopropyl alcohol and isostearic acid, is used as a skin conditioning agent-emollient in cosmetic products.
Magnesium Aluminium Silicate: is a naturally occurring mineral derived from refined and purified clay that is used primarily as a thickener. Although the molecules are too large to be absorbed into skin, there is always concern about the use of aluminum.
Methylparaben: is a chemical preservative used as a fungicide in skin care products that is readily absorbed through the skin. There is controversy over the safety of this ingredient.
Petrolatum: another term for petroleum jelly. Petrolatum is mineral oil jelly (i.e. petroleum jelly). It is used as a barrier to lock moisture in the skin in a variety of moisturizers and also in hair care products to make your hair shine.
A petroleum product, petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies suggest that exposure to PAHs — including skin contact over extended periods of time — is associated with cancer. On this basis, the European Union classifies petrolatum a carcinogen ii and restricts its use in cosmetics. PAHs in petrolatum can also cause skin irritation and allergies.
In the European Union, petrolatum can only be used in cosmetics “if the full refining history is known and it can be shown that the substance from which it is produced is not a carcinogen.” There is no parallel restriction in Canada. Petrolatum has been flagged for future assessment under the government’s Chemicals Management Plan.
Mineral oil and petroleum distillates are related petroleum by-products used in cosmetics. Like petrolatum, these ingredients may be contaminated with PAHs.
Phenoxyethanol: is a glycol ether that has a commercial, laboratory-produced synthetic counterpart. In its pure chemical form, it is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor, commonly used in perfumes and cosmetics. Other uses for phenoxyethanol are insect repellents, antiseptics, solvents, anesthetics, soaps, cellulose acetate solvents, dyes, stamp pads, ballpoints, inks, and preservatives used for human specimen dissection.
Phenoxyethanol has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and germicidal properties, and is used for preserving pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and lubricants. While it may have those benefits, it also has toxicologic properties when inhaled, ingested, or contacted on the skin in large, or concentrated amounts.
Severe eye and skin irritation and damage, including eczema, hives.
Brain cell damage, central nervous system (CNS) depression which includes decreased breathing rate, decreased heart rate, loss of consciousness leading to coma or death due to inhibition of the brain’s activity.
Repeated, long-term exposure causes organ damage, including peritonitis, serositis, and renal injury.
Nipple cream used by lactating mothers can cause severe CNS problems and other digestive disorders in infants.
Exposure to small amounts of phenoxyethanol may cause dermal, ocular, and lung irritation.
Excessive and long-term exposure to phenoxyethanol can cause severe damage to internal organs.
Small amounts of the chemical compound can be largely found in cosmetics and should be avoided according to the European Commission on Cosmetic Ingredients (CosIng).
Phenoxyethanol is toxic to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.
Propylparaben: used as an anti-fungal preservative, it occurs as a natural substance found in many plants, although it is manufactured synthetically for use in cosmetics. Use of parabens is quite controversial.
Stearic Acid: is a saturated long-chain fatty acid with an 18-carbon backbone. Stearic acid is found in various animal and plant fats, and is a major component of cocoa butter and shea butter. Stearic acid, also called octadecanoic acid, is one of the useful types of saturated fatty acids that comes from many animal and vegetable fats and oils.
It is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)16COOH. Its name comes from the Greek word stear, which means tallow. Its IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. — Wikipedia.
Stearic acid is a white, waxy natural acid that can be found in animal and vegetable fats. It is used as an emulsifier and emollient.
Stearic acid can cause skin irritations with symptoms of severe itching, redness, and swelling, and rash-like symptoms similar to tiny red spots.
Stearic acid can also make the skin sensitive to substances and direct exposure to the sun.
Stearic acid cause hive-like spots in the skin which often lead to blisters that can damage the skin.
Stearic acid can be harmful to the environment, particularly the aquatic environment.
Stearic acid can be hazardous to the digestive, immune, integumentary, ocular, and respiratory systems.
Stearamide AMP: it is an organic compound derived from a reaction involving ethylenediamine and stearic acid. It is used as a foam booster and viscosity increasing agent. It is thought to be of low toxicity, however very little information was available.
Triethanolamine:also known as TEA, is a reactionary byproduct of two toxic substances: ethylene oxide and ammonia. Triethanolamine is used for several purposes in a variety of cosmetics and personal care items. Its main purpose is to balance the pH level of products, but it also helps to emulsify ingredients that usually do not blend well. This ensures they spread smoothly on skin and hair and prolongs shelf-life. Additionally, Triethanolamine is a sometimes a foaming agent and adds fragrance to products.
The problem then rests in the hands of the consumer, who may be absorbing small amounts Triethanolamine into their skin via many common products used daily. The accumulation of small doses of this toxic substance then becomes a large dose. Continual daily exposure over long periods of time may be extremely unhealthy.
Triethanolamine can cause skin, hair and eye irritation and inflammation on a short term and long-term basis. Its immediate effects include itchy, watery eyes, dry and brittle hair and itchy skin. Over time, Triethanolamine use can cause chemical damage to skin such as blisters, a hot, burning sensation, hives and flakiness.
In clinical trials done on animals, high doses of Triethanolamine caused liver, bladder and testicular cancer. Similar animal studies showed Triethanolamine can have negative effects on organs, even in low doses, especially when applied around the lips, mouth and eyes. Triethanolamine has also proven to be an immune system and respiratory toxicant, as well as a skin and full body allergen. It may cause genetic mutations in vitro as well.
Additionally, Triethanolamine can be carcinogenic when combined in products with N-nitrosating agents as these may react to form nitrosamines.
DRUGS.COM – Information on Topical Emollients
What is Vaseline Intensive Care?
Emollients are substances that moisten and soften your skin.
Topical (for the skin) emollients are used to treat or prevent dry skin. Vaseline Intensive Care are sometimes contained in products that also treat acne, chapped lips, diaper rash, cold sores, or other minor skin irritation.
Important Information
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use a topical emollient if you are allergic to it. Vaseline Intensive Care will not treat or prevent a skin infection.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use Vaseline Intensive Care if you have: deep wounds or open sores; swelling, warmth, redness, oozing, or bleeding; large areas of skin irritation; any type of allergy; or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
How should I use Vaseline Intensive Care?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Clean the skin where you will apply the topical emollient. It may help to apply this product when your skin is wet or damp. Follow directions on the product label.
Apply a small amount of topical emollient to the affected area and rub in gently.
If you are using a stick, pad, or soap form of topical emollient, follow directions for use on the product label.
Do not use this product over large area of skin. Do not apply a topical emollient to a deep puncture wound or severe burn without medical advice.
If your skin appears white or gray and feels soggy, you may be applying too much topical emollient or using it too often.
Some forms of topical emollient may be flammable and should not be used near high heat or open flame, or applied while you are smoking.
Store as directed away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle, tube, or other container tightly closed when not in use.
What should I avoid while taking Vaseline Intensive Care?
Avoid getting Vaseline Intensive Care in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Some Vaseline Intensive Care can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or UV rays.
Vaseline Intensive Care side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using the topical emollient and call your doctor if you have severe burning, stinging, redness, or irritation where the product was applied.
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Low Back Pain: a common, painful condition affecting the lower portion of the spine. This is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that plagues the population and is said to be the second most common complaint doctors hear from patients.
What can cause lower back pain?
Most acute low back pain is mechanical in nature, meaning that there is a disruption in the way the components of the back (the spine, muscle, intervertebral discs, and nerves) fit together and move. Some examples of mechanical causes of low back pain include:
Congenital Differences:
Skeletal irregularities such as scoliosis (a curvature of the spine), lordosis (an abnormally exaggerated arch in the lower back), kyphosis (excessive outward arch of the spine), and other congenital anomalies of the spine.
Spina bifida which involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord and/or its protective covering and can cause problems involving malformation of vertebrae and abnormal sensations and even paralysis.
Injuries:
Sprains (overstretched or torn ligaments), strains (tears in tendons or muscle), and spasms (sudden contraction of a muscle or group of muscles)
Traumatic Injury such as from playing sports, car accidents, or a fall that can injure tendons, ligaments, or muscle causing the pain, as well as compress the spine and cause discs to rupture or herniate.
Degenerative Problems:
Intervertebral disc degeneration which occurs when the usually rubbery discs wear down as a normal process of aging and lose their cushioning ability.
Spondylosis the general degeneration of the spine associated with normal wear and tear that occurs in the joints, discs, and bones of the spine as people get older.
Arthritis or other inflammatory disease in the spine, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as spondylitis, an inflammation of the vertebrae.
Sciatica (also called radiculopathy), caused by something pressing on the sciatic nerve that travels through the buttocks and extends down the back of the leg. People with sciatica may feel shock-like or burning low back pain combined with pain through the buttocks and down one leg.
Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves
Spondylolisthesis, which happens when a vertebra of the lower spine slips out of place, pinching the nerves exiting the spinal column
Herniated or ruptured discs can occur when the intervertebral discs become compressed and bulge outward
Osteoporosis (a progressive decrease in bone density and strength that can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae)
Non-spine sources:
Kidney infection and stones can cause sharp pain in the lower back, usually on one side
Endometriosis (the buildup of uterine tissue in places outside the uterus)
Fibromyalgia (a chronic pain syndrome involving widespread muscle pain and fatigue)
Tumors that press on or destroy the bony spine or spinal cord and nerves or outside the spine elsewhere in the back
Pregnancy (back symptoms almost always completely go away after giving birth)
What are the symptoms of lower back pain?
Stiffness: It may be tough to move or straighten your back.
Posture problems: Many people with back pain find it hard to stand up straight.
Muscle spasms: After a strain, muscles in the lower back can spasm or contract uncontrollably.
Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. It can begin suddenly because of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age. Getting too little exercise followed by a strenuous workout also can cause back pain.
There are two types of back pain:
Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.
Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Even if pain persists, it does not always mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment.
Alleviating Low Back Pain
In some instances, completely eradicating low back pain may not be feasible, so the focus should be on improving function and reducing pain. It is important to inform your client that pain reduction and improved function may not be immediate and may take several months to become evident.
Avoid the following movements so as not to exacerbate pain in the low back:
Rapid twisting, forward flexion or hyperextension
Unsupported forward flexion
Simultaneously lifting legs while lying prone or supine
Twisting at the waist with feet turned
In physical training:
Be aware of proper posture and alignment
learn how to adopt and maintain a neutral spine
learn to be aware of lumbar spine, abdominal bracing and glute activation
Monitor discomfort and regress or cease exercise, if necessary
Exercises to Strengthen the Core and Alleviate Back Pain
Start with one set and increase to two to three sets as tolerated and as function improves the recommended range for muscular endurance is 12-16 reps depending on your fitness level and low back pain. Start with fewer repetitions when inexperienced until you can work up to the muscular endurance repetition range.
Wall Roll: Improves torsional control and encourages abdominal bracing through co-contraction. Assume plank position with both elbows planted on a wall. Abdominals are braced. While on the balls of the feet, pivot, pulling one elbow off the wall. Avoid any motion at the spine while the movement occurs. Work up to approximately 10 repetitions.
Clamshell Exercise: Retrains the gluteals, which is important for improving back health. Lie on the side, and anchor the thumb on the anterior superior iliac spine. Reach around with the fingertips and position them to land on the gluteus medius. Keeping the heels together, open the knees like a clamshell. The position of the fingertips on the gluteus medius should allow the client to feel glute activation.
Side Bridge: Targets lateral muscles, which are important for optimum spinal stability. On the side of the body, place elbows under the shoulder. Elevate hips and knees off the ground. Perform regression with knees on the ground if this is too much for your client. Hold for 20 seconds
Bird Dog: Safely and effectively develops spinal extensors. Begin on all fours, hands under shoulders and knees under hips. Extend opposite arm and leg (hold position as tolerated by client). Work up to holding extended position for seven to eight seconds on each side.
Glute Bridge: Improves core stability via glute activation. Lie supine, elevate hips off the ground. Activate glutes as hips are elevated. Hold for three to five seconds.
We’ve all had a day where nothing seems to go right and we just want to complain about it to someone. That moment you feel absolutely powerless about a situation and you feel the need to tell someone about it. Or when that one rude or unkind person hurts your feelings or ego and leaves you talking about it to others the rest of the day, and maybe even the next day. That feeling of anger, hatred, bitterness and wanting retribution builds and builds as you talk about and relive the situation.
We know we all do it, once in a while at least. Yet there are those who do it every day, all day. They usually have something new to complain about with every new activity that they participate in throughout the day. These are the ones that cannot find happiness or satisfaction out of anything in life. Even though they may be blessed with a home and a family, they still find it difficult to be happy, with anything.
When we complain we highlight and enhance the negative feelings we have and increase the negativity that surrounds us. The more power we give to negativity the more power it has over us. The more we are susceptible and exposed to negativity the more it affects our mental and, in turn, our physical health. In other words, negativity breeds negativity. Negativity causes injury.
Now I can’t say why this happens more with some people than others. Everyone reacts completely differently and handles situations using the experience and knowledge they have. In my day to day communication with people I have found a correlation to childhood abuse (physical or mental) or negligence in those who complain or talk negatively more often. They experienced negative beginnings in life and do not know how to escape those cycles of thoughts and feelings. It happens more than anyone really knows.
What does this do to the mind and body over time?
Here are some great articles about it.
How Complaining Rewires Your Brain for Negativity
By Dr. Travis Bradberry
Research shows that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation. Complaining is tempting because it feels good, but like many other things that are enjoyable—such as smoking or eating a pound of bacon for breakfast—complaining isn’t good for you. When you repeat a behavior, such as complaining, your neurons branch out to each other to ease the flow of information. This makes it much easier to repeat that behavior in the future—so easy, in fact, that you might not even realize you’re doing it. Repeated complaining rewires your brain to make future complaining more likely. Over time, you find it’s easier to be negative than to be positive, regardless of what’s happening around you. Complaining becomes your default behavior, which changes how people perceive you.
Complaining Is Also Bad for Your Health
While it’s not an exaggeration to say that complaining leads to brain damage, it doesn’t stop there. When you complain, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol shifts you into fight-or-flight mode, directing oxygen, blood, and energy away from everything but the systems that are essential to immediate survival. One effect of cortisol, for example, is to raise your blood pressure and blood sugar so that you’ll be prepared to either escape or defend yourself. All the extra cortisol released by frequent complaining impairs your immune system and makes you more susceptible to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It even makes the brain more vulnerable to strokes.
The Solution to Complaining
There are two things you can do when you feel the need to complain. One is to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. That is, when you feel like complaining, shift your attention to something that you’re grateful for. Taking time to contemplate what you’re grateful for isn’t merely the right thing to do; it reduces the stress hormone cortisol by 23%. Research conducted at the University of California, Davis, found that people who worked daily to cultivate an attitude of gratitude experienced improved mood and energy and substantially less anxiety due to lower cortisol levels. Any time you experience negative or pessimistic thoughts, use this as a cue to shift gears and to think about something positive. In time, a positive attitude will become a way of life.
Does Complaining Damage Our Mental Health?: How the way we complain impacts our mental health.
We complain today more than ever before in history but few of our complaints get us the results we want. Instead we usually find ourselves repeating the same tale of woe or dissatisfaction to one person after the other in an effort to rid ourselves of our frustration. Of course, even if the person is compassionate enough to validate our emotions we typically find ourselves reliving the aggravation every time we tell the tale. The problem is that today we associate the act of complaining with venting far more than we do with problem solving. As a result, we complain simply to get things off our chest, not to resolve problems or to create change, rendering the vast majority of our complaints completely ineffective. Even when we do address our complaints to the people who can do something about them, we tend to be unsuccessful far more often than not.
How Complaining Ineffectively Harms Our Mental Health
When we have so many dissatisfactions and frustrations, yet believe we’re powerless to do much about them or to get the results we want, we are left feeling helpless, hopeless, victimized, and bad about ourselves. Obviously, one such incident won’t harm our mental health, but we have so many complaints, this scenario happens many times a day. This accumulation of frustration and helplessness can add up over time and impact our mood, our self-esteem, and even our general mental health.
How Complaining Effectively Benefits Our Mental Health
Think back to when you called a customer service hotline and were successful in resolving the matter, or when you voiced a complaint to your spouse and they responded with an apology and a promise to make better efforts in the future. Do you recall how pleased you were with yourself? How happy that made you in that moment? How empowered you felt? Just as ineffective complaining can damage our mental health, complaining effectively and getting results can be incredibly empowering and it can affect our mood and self-esteem for the better. The next time you call a friend to vent about something that frustrated you, ask yourself if it is something you would like to change. If so, consider skipping the whining and taking positive action to complain effectively and get a result. You’ll be doing something positive for your mental health as well.
As you see, even Doctors know complaining has a direct mental and thus, of course, physical effect on the body. Chronic complaining and negativity leads to mental illness, including depression, and toxin retention that leads to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Negativity affects the entire body, not just the mind.
Where are toxins stored, you ask? In body fat, as you store toxins in the fat layer and the fat cells fill up the body has to make more room to store more toxins. So the body adds fat tissue to increase its toxin carrying capacity. So, in other words, the more toxins you retain through negativity, the more body fat you will retain as well.
Having trouble losing weight? Stop and take a critical look at your thinking, communicating, and actions. The more negative they are the harder it will be to lose body fat.
Developing health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc? Think about how you react to life and find more ways to be grateful. You won’t even notice the fat melting away as you find and develop your own personal happiness.
Sleep Architecture follows a pattern of alternating REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep throughout a typical night in a cycle that repeats itself about every 90 minutes. What role does each state and stage of sleep play?
NREM (75% of night): As we begin to fall asleep, we enter NREM sleep, which is composed of stages 1-4
N1 (formerly “stage 1”): Between being awake and falling asleep; Light sleep
N2 (formerly “stage 2”): Onset of sleep
Becoming disengaged from surroundings
Breathing and heart rate are regular
Body temperature drops (so sleeping in a cool room is helpful)
N3 (formerly “stages 3 and 4”): Deepest and most restorative sleep
Blood pressure drops
Breathing becomes slower
Muscles are relaxed
Blood supply to muscles increases
Tissue growth and repair occurs
Energy is restored
Hormones are released, such as: Growth hormone, essential for growth and development, including muscle development
REM (25% of night): First occurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep and recurs about every 90 minutes, getting longer later in the night
Provides energy to brain and body
Supports daytime performance
Brain is active and dreams occur
Eyes dart back and forth
Body becomes immobile and relaxed, as muscles are turned off
Benefits of Sleep: There are many benefits to getting a good night’s rest on a consistent basis. These are just a few reasons why you need to make sleep a top priority in your life:
Improves learning and memory.
Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory.
Positive impacts on metabolism/weight.
Increases safety and performance.
Strengthens immune system
Reduces stress.
Reduces your risk for injury
Better mood.
Sleep and Wellness
Getting enough and good quality sleep is essential to maintaining wellness in its entirety.
Adequate sleep benefits every single system and/or process occurring within the body.
Inadequate sleep has a wide range of detrimental effects on the health and wellbeing of the entire individual.
Everyone is different, so sleep schedules and lengths of sleep vary greatly from person to person.
The first step to attaining wellness overall is to ensure that the body and mind both get adequate and high quality rest and relaxation.
What happens if we don’t get enough sleep? Just to name a few.
Trouble with thinking and concentration.
Forgetfulness and loss of short term memory.
Difficulty making decisions, poor choices.
Mood changes and mood swings.
Impulsive thoughts and actions.
Accidents occurring with lack of concentration and inability to think clearly.
Immune system dysfunction/malfunction.
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Difficulty focusing or seeing for long periods.
Increased risk of Heart Disease and atherosclerosis.
Increased appetite and decreased metabolism.
Weight gain.
Diabetes.
Hormonal imbalances.
Low libido.
Poor balance.
Poor coordination and motor skills.
Graying of skin and hair.
Decreased collagen and increased wrinkling of skin.
Sleep Deprivation: is the condition of not having enough sleep; it can be either chronic or acute. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight loss or weight gain. It adversely affects the brain and cognitive function. It can also:
prevent your immune system from building up its forces. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body may not be able to fend off invaders. It may also take you longer to recover from illness. Long-term sleep deprivation also increases your risk for chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
negatively affect your mental abilities and emotional state. You may feel more impatient or prone to mood swings. It can also compromise decision-making processes and creativity.
prompt your body to release higher levels of insulin after you eat. Insulin controls your blood sugar level. Higher insulin levels promote fat storage and increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.
affect growth hormone production, especially in children and adolescents. These hormones help build muscle mass and repair cells and tissues. The pituitary gland releases growth hormones continuously, but sleep and exercise also help induce the release of this hormone.
make you experience microsleep in the day. During these episodes, you’ll fall asleep for a few seconds or minutes without realizing it. Microsleep is out of your control and can be extremely dangerous if you’re driving. It can also make you more prone to injury due to trips and falls.
If sleep deprivation continues long enough, you could start having hallucinations—seeing or hearing things that aren’t there. A lack of sleep can also trigger mania in people who have manic depression. Other psychological risks include:
