Back Pain - Muscle Problem Or Nerve Damage?

Back pain can be a minor ache caused by a weekend of throwing a baseball with your kids or it can be serious requiring MRIs, physical therapy, drugs and even surgery. Most people when they experience back pain wonder if it's a muscle problem or nerve damage. Is there a difference between muscle and nerves causing the pain in your back?

Let us first look at muscle problems and back pain. There are four major muscles in the back starting with the Sternocleidmastoid running down the neck, to the Trapezius in the upper back, the Latissmus dorsal running down the back to the buttocks or Gluteus Maximus. Any of these muscles can be damaged by overwork, quick jerking movement like in a accident, or by over extension. When and where muscles are weak or out of balance and injury can occur causing back muscle pain. Usually rest, a little ice and an over the counter pain killer will do the trick. Once the pain has gone away an exercise program specifically designed to strengthen the back muscles will go a long way to prevent back problems in the future.

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Nerve damage can signal a more severe back problems. Nerve damage can be caused by an accident or a herniated disc or a damaged muscle pressing against a nerve root. In the lower back nerve problems usually means the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body running from the lower back and down both legs. When a disc, or bone or muscle presses against the nerve pain can radiate down a leg or both legs right to the feet. Nerve damage will often involve your doctor, physical therapy and possibly surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Back Pain - Muscle Problem Or Nerve Damage?

Whether it's muscle damage or nerve damage back pain should not be taken lightly. If the pain continues for more than a couple of days it is time to see your doctor to determine what type of back Ian problem you have. Once this is known the doctor can decide on a program designed to treat the muscles or nerve. This treatment can range from anyway from taking a pain pill an a couple days of rest to surgery. I believe it is important to know and understand what is causing your back pain and take an aggressive approach to stopping the pain and strengthen the muscles. Nobody likes back pain and yet so many people ignore their bodies through lack of exercise and/or weight and then wonder way they are suffering from an aching back.

Back Pain - Muscle Problem Or Nerve Damage?

The Pain Stops Here! You deserve relief from your aching back and to live pain free. There are alternatives to suffering and surgery. As someone who has suffered with debilitating back pain, I believe you owe it to yourself to know all the facts. For more FREE information, reports and videos take the first step and Click Here

Foods to Gain Weight and Build Muscle

While many people are concerned about losing weight, there are also people who are looking for ways to gain weight naturally and in a healthy way. Healthy weight gain may help increase energy levels and endurance. It may also help you build muscle and strength. For some people, healthy weight gain may help make them look more attractive. There are certain foods that you can eat to gain weight in a healthy and natural way without building up excess body fat.

When choosing foods for weight gain, avoid eating high-fat and high-sugar foods. Using this type of food to gain weight can lead to increased blood cholesterol. High cholesterol levels have been known to lead to heart disease. Using weight gain supplements as food to gain weight is also not a good idea because such supplements do not build muscle. They also tend to be very expensive.

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The best way to gain weight is to eat foods that promote a healthy diet and to also engage in regular strength training to build muscle. Most health professionals recommend that you aim to gain about one pound each week. Slow weight gain is recommended in order to avoid too much body fat. Another point to remember is that the amount of weight you gain will depend on your calorie intake. If being thin runs in your family, you may find it harder to gain weight. Make fats, carbohydrates and protein an important part of your weight gain diet. Fats provide the energy and the vitamins that you need while carbohydrates are the main source of energy that your body needs during exercise. The best sources of carbohydrates are whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Proteins are important for building and repairing muscle, producing hormones, replacing blood cells and boosting your immune system.

Foods to Gain Weight and Build Muscle

Some healthy foods that are higher in calories include bread, cereals, fruits, starchy vegetables, meats, beans and legumes.

1. Foods to gain weight - Cereals

Add whole grain cereals to your diet. Whole grains are a very good source of fiber and nutrients. The USDA recommends that you regularly eat between six and eleven servings of foods from the bread and cereal group.

2. Foods to gain weight - Fruits

Bananas, pineapple, mangos, raisins, dates, watermelon, grapefruit, apples, and peaches. Note that dried fruit have more calories per serving than fresh watery fruits, so use dried fruits or fruit juices as snacks.

3. Foods to gain weight - Vegetables

Eat starchy vegetables more often. Corn, carrots, peas, green beans, broccoli, summer squash.

4. Foods to gain weight - Beans and legumes

Lentils, lima beans, chili beans, bean burritos. These are a good source of carbohydrates and protein.

5. Foods to gain weight - Meats

Chicken, beef andlamb are excellent sources of protein. For red meats, choose leaner cuts. Fish is also an excellent source of protein.

Foods to gain weight - Variety is Key

For a healthy weight gain diet, eat a variety of foods and make sure that you eat regularly. This should be in addition to an exercise program that includes strength training. Consult a dietician or nutritionist who will be able to tell you how many servings you need from each food group. If you are recovering from an illness speak to your doctor about your daily calorie need. To gain weight, you need to start consuming more calories than you're currently taking.

Foods to Gain Weight and Build Muscle

Click Here to find out more about Weight Gain and what you need to eat and do to gain weight the natural way without supplements or drugs: http://www.abouthealthtips.com/weightgain/. Visit the main site to subscribe to our Health Tips newsletter. Copyright © 2007 Katie Johnson.