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Disc replacement surgery is one of the options for some patients who are facing the prospect of continued pain from a compressed nerve injury. A vertebrae disc or cushion is a gel like cushion with a fibrous outer shell that allows the bones of the spine to float as movements occur. An injury or aging can either create a cushion that bulges and may compress a nerve in the spine, or the cushion may deteriorate and turn into an oatmeal like consistency that also can compress a nerve. In some cases, the cushion may actually have to be removed. Bulging discs can often respond to physical therapy and the pain may subside to a livable degree. In some cases the surgeon may remove the oatmeal like cushion altogether and leave the space open, but much of this depends on where on the spine the anomaly has developed and how the surgeon views the long term implications for the patient. Often the surgeon may choose to do a fusion of vertebrae bones so that the area without a cushion moves with a bone that has cushion protection.

A physician treating someone who has a degenerative disc condition will always attempt first to treat the pain and the condition with anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy and epidural steroid injections. But often those conservative procedures don't bring the kind of relief that the patient needs for a normal lifestyle. In that case, the options facing the patient and his surgeon may be limited to bone fusion or if possible, disc replacement surgery. The fusing of vertebrae bones has long been the standard operating procedure (no pun intended) for surgeons following the removal of a damaged cushion. If the surgeon recommends fusion, a bone will be grafted to the empty space on either side of the vertebrae and the bones will eventually grow together. The goal is to stop any abnormal movement that the empty space might be subject to without the disc in place. The bone will either come from the patient or from a graft from a bone bank.

The problem with fusion is the issue of range of motion that may be quite limited by the fusion operation. This may be particularly true if the disc is in the cervical area of the spine. That is the area near the shoulder and neck area. There are a number of risks that are associated with fusion surgery such as the two segments not fusing together. Additionally, there is the possibility that the vertebrae nearest the fusion location will develop problems, usually years later. The surgeon performing the disc replacement surgery will no doubt talk about the possibility of blood loss and infection with the fusion surgery as well as the risk of damage to the spinal cord in rare cases. Because of all these risks there has been an intense push by major medical prosthetic companies to develop artificial discs to replace those that have failed in one way or another and these artificial substitutes for the real thing have made disc replacement surgery a viable option.

Disc replacement surgery is possible because of state of the art prosthetics that have been approved by the FDA. One design of these discs is made of plastic and cobalt and has a middle core which slides back and forth giving the disc the opportunity to move when the patient's spine moves. The ends have teeth that secure them to the bones above and below the disc space. Since these same materials that make up a modern prosthetic replacement are used in other places in the body such as a replacement knee prosthetic, there is less chance that the body will reject the piece. Because there are risks inherent in replacement surgery, there will always be some fear and some anxiety about the decision to have the operation. Christians facing this operation can pray like David: "Be merciful to me O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." (Psalm 57:1)

Depending on the type of replacement that is used, entry to the spine is either through the front or the back. If entrance is gained through the front, the organs of the patient are gently moved aside so the surgeon gets a good look directly at the area in which the disc replacement surgery will take place. This kind of surgery may mean that there will be the possibility of a number of possible side effects from this operation. Some of these include spinal cord damage, bleeding, bladder problems and infection. Disc replacement surgery patients are usually in the hospital for between one and four days and rehabilitation will begin during that time.

Because there are more patients who have disc replacement surgery for lower back issues than cervical issues, there is less information on its benefits for cervical spine issues. In many ways, the information on replacement surgery for cervical anomalies is still somewhat sketchy, although there are smaller prosthetics designed for the neck spinal area. The decision to have such surgery, either for lumbar or cervical cushion replacement should not be taken lightly. The patient should do as much reading as possible and not rely solely on the physician's recommendations. If need be, seek a second or third opinion on the recommendation until one is comfortable with the final decision, whatever that might be. Be it fusion surgery or replacement surgery, there is help on the way for that chronic spinal pain.

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A typical day for a person who suffers from FMS will usually include stiffness in the morning and fatigue making it very difficult to get out of bed. There may be some burning in the muscles and jaw pain. In addition, headaches are an early symptom of fibromyalgia and can be reoccurring. A person with the syndrome may wake up in the morning feeling as if they hadn't slept. Moving slow and doing stretches before getting out of bed are helpful. Start the day with prayer and trust God one day at a time. "As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all them that trust in Him." (2 Samuel 22:31)

To combat the symptoms of FMS a physician will usually prescribe lifestyle changes especially for those who are overweight. Fibromyalgia symptom treatment includes exercise and eating healthy. Exercise is important but shouldn't be overdone so find a low-impact activity that is not hard on the body and then do it in moderation everyday. Eating healthy will provide health benefits to help combat the fatigue and pain that a person generally feels with FMS. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, foods high in fiber, non-fat dairy products, and foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and food high in antioxidants.

Digestive problems often plague patients with FMS. Irritable bladder or bowel is an early symptom of fibromyalgia. A person may also experience heartburn and acid reflux. Some patients have periodic bouts of constipation or diarrhea that worsen during times of stress. Frequent urination can interrupt sleep patterns and further aggravate symptoms. Finding a way to get a good night sleep may well be the most important objective with treating fibromyalgia since it is common for someone who has the syndrome to experience non-restorative sleep. Sometimes a physician will recommend a sleep study be done to see if the patient has a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea that may be contributing to sleep problems.

There are some medications that have been shown to help minimize symptoms associated with FMS. Fibromyalgia symptom treatment includes medications such as anti-depressants, sleep aids, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatories. Another medication that has recently been approved to treat the syndrome is a drug that works on treating the neuropathic pain by modifying the release of neurotransmitters so nerve cells can't communicate with one another. Anti-depressants may help with low serotonin levels that are typical for FMS patients. Research has shown that anti-depressants may help with pain as well. Sleep aids and muscle relaxants are not normally prescribed for long-term use but a patient with the syndrome may need to take it on a continual basis.

Peace and quiet are two things that most patients with FMS seem to need. Noise sensitivity in an early symptom of fibromyalgia and can aggravate a person's pain level. When a patient is in pain with the syndrome they may feel like the pain is more related to the nerves than the muscles and soft tissues because becoming nervous or anxious makes the pain worse. People with FMS are very sensitive to light and noise.

FMS patients need to understand that part of their therapy is to reduce worry and anxiety. Anxiety has a negative effect on the body no matter who it is but for someone who has the syndrome reducing anxiety is the difference between less pain and more pain. Fibromyalgia symptom treatment includes stress reduction for a better quality of life. Stress can wear the body down over time and can lead to other health problems that make FMS symptoms much worse.

Alternative therapies for FMS have been shown to be helpful with symptoms. Massage is helpful with reducing pain through relaxation and relieving pressure points. Some massage therapists have been trained to understand the needs of patients with fibromyalgia, the tender points on the body and the necessity of gentleness. To find a good massage therapist a person could do a search on the Internet or talk to their doctor or to a Chiropractor. Chiropractors often employ massage therapist that work on patients with health concerns.

Future research with fibromyalgia is concentrated on finding the cause of the syndrome. Some of the research being done is looking at viruses as a possible cause. Some of the important findings have shown that patients with the syndrome may have low serotonin levels in the brain and the inability to go into a deep sleep. Sleep studies do bear out that when patients with FMS starts to go into level 4 sleep they are aroused keeping them from getting restorative sleep. Without level 4 sleep the body can not heal and refresh itself. Fibromyalgia symptom treatment includes the importance of obtaining restorative sleep.

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Alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis may exist to help individuals deal with the pain that comes with this condition including dietary changes, exercise, medications for inflammation, and a variety of other treatment options. While these options may help some individuals, arthritis alternative medicine may be useful as a treatment or a supplement to one of these conventional forms of treatment. Acupressure is one of the most unique and sometimes criticized alternative therapies. It uses the pressure points of the body to reduce or relieve pain. Herbal remedies also exist in many forms as an medicine. One of the most interesting and empowering forms of treatment may come through spiritual healing or prayer. Rheumatoid arthritis can be very painful leading many individuals to try various alternatives to alleviate the painful symptoms.

Acupressure is a very unique form of treatment that individuals may seek as an alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis traditional treatments. Many individuals often use acupressure paired with an alternative medicine to relieve symptoms. Acupressure by itself can be a successful treatment. Depending on the actual center of the pain, various pressure points on the body can be used to soothe pain. The pressure point that exists between the thumb and forefinger is often a helpful point of relief. Individuals that suffer from rheumatoid or any form of this debilitating disease often have pain in the hands, fingers, elbows, and neck. These areas can be affected by applying pressure to this point between the thumb and forefinger. Other points that are affective in acupressure include the point right below the knee, one between the big and second toes, and another point that can be found between the fourth and last toes. These points are more helpful in alleviating pain in the legs and feet. Alternative therapies like acupressure, help individuals cope with the pain when arthritis alternative medicine or other treatments may not be enough.

Many natural or herbal substances can help soothe pain and some contain properties that may act as an anti-inflammatory remedies. Herbs can be very successful as alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. One such herb that has been used to relieve inflammation from arthritis and other conditions is feverfew. It has been commonly used by arthritis sufferers over the years, along with individuals that suffer from severe headaches or migraines. Blueberries are a fruit that may be helpful as an arthritis alternative medicine to relieve inflammation. They are common antioxidants and have also been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Many other herbs are known for their abilities to relieve pain. St. Johns wort oil is often combined with other natural herbs to create lotions, creams, or ointments to aid in pain relief for arthritis or other conditions.

Spiritual healing may not seem to be as common as other treatments, but it can be a very empowering and rejuvenating experience. Being a Christian, having faith in God, and trusting in his ability to heal can be the best form of arthritis alternative medicine that an individual suffering from this disease or affliction can find. The most important part of spiritual healing lies in praying to God. For a Christian, the individual must pray cleansing prayers for forgiveness followed by thoroughly thanking God for all that has been given and all that is to come. It is very important to understand that God can provide spiritual healing and thank Him for that healing before it is even accomplished. As a non-Christian, the individual seeking spiritual healing must first make peace with God through salvation. When the person truly believes that God is God, Jesus is the Son of God, and that sin brings death, the individual must seek forgiveness for sins. This is the most important step in healing because no matter how physically sick the individual is, the spirit must be healed before physical healing can occur. Prayer and spiritual healing is one of the most important alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis that an individual can find.

Seeking therapies can often be helpful in finding relief from pain and suffering. Acupressure is sometimes a source of help or hope for individuals living with this painful condition. As alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis go, this treatment can be done anywhere, anytime, and with little effort. When conventional options for treatment fail or are not enough, herbs are often considered to be a good form of medicine. They can provide many options for pain relief and care. Christians can seek help and healing from a much higher power and authority. Belief in God and His ability to heal can be the most affective form of arthritis alternative medicine. "Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed...and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass: he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24)

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