Will raising the body temperature really melt disc calcification?
Understanding how calcium buildup happens can help you believe that natural healing is possible. Calcium buildup is when inflammation and waste products collect in joints and tendons, hardening like stones. Even if you have surgery to remove it, if your body is still prone to inflammation and can’t remove waste through the blood, the pain will keep coming back. The key is that calcium buildup can be naturally healed by your body. When your body temperature rises, the calcium will begin to dissolve on its own, and toxins will be washed out through the blood, helping cells regenerate. Grounding, or connecting with the earth, plays an important role in preventing chronic inflammation. It helps stop new inflammation from forming and neutralizes the (+) charge that causes pain, which helps reduce the pain. It’s important to create a healthy environment in your body. When toxins are removed, your body temperature rises, and your blood becomes clearer, inflammation and pain will go away too.
Calcium buildup is when calcium salts collect in soft tissues of the body, and this can cause problems like kidney stones, arthritis, and heart disease. Luckily, there are natural ways to reverse calcium buildup and restore balance to your body. One way is to eat foods rich in magnesium, which helps prevent calcium from building up in the soft tissues. Foods like leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are great sources of magnesium and can help reverse calcium buildup. Another way is to drink lots of water throughout the day. Water helps flush out toxins from the body and prevents calcium salts from accumulating. In addition to changes in diet, regular exercise can also help reverse calcium buildup. Exercise improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping to remove calcium deposits in the soft tissues. Including anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, ginger, and garlic in your diet can also help reduce inflammation in the body and prevent further calcium buildup. Managing stress is also important. Practices like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can lower stress levels, which in turn can help reverse calcium buildup. Chronic stress causes inflammation in the body and can make calcium buildup worse, so managing stress is key. By making these natural lifestyle changes, you can effectively reverse calcium buildup and improve your overall health and well-being.
The removal of the ligament flavum causes the lower back to become unstable and wobble.
The ligament flavum in the lower back is an important structure in the spine that plays a key role in our body's stability and movement.
The ligament flavum is located at the back of the spine and connects the discs (intervertebral discs) and vertebrae (spinal bones). It connects the vertebrae of the upper and lower parts of the spine, helping to maintain the stability of the lower back. The ligament flavum is made of thick elastin fibers, which make it very flexible and strong. These elastin fibers allow the ligament flavum to stretch, supporting the spine's natural curves. In other words, when the spine bends, the ligament flavum stretches, and it helps the spine return to its original position.
1. Main Functions of the Ligament flavum
1.1 Providing Stability to the Spine
The ligament flavum is one of the key structures of the spine and helps maintain its stability. It prevents the spine from bending too far backward or moving excessively, helping to keep the spine aligned. This function is especially important in the lower back and neck.
1.2 Limiting Spine Movement
The ligament flavum also prevents the spine from moving too much. By maintaining the right strength and flexibility, the ligament limits excessive bending or straightening of the spine, preventing injury caused by too much movement.
1.3 Restoring the Spine’s Natural Position
The ligament flavum helps the spine return to its natural position after it has been bent. When the spine bends too much, this ligament flavum provides the force needed to return the spine to its original state. This process helps maintain the spine's natural curves and supports the body's center of gravity.
1.4 Absorbing Shock
The ligament flavum helps absorb external shocks and pressure on the spine. It protects the spine by spreading out excessive pressure on the vertebrae and discs. If the ligament flavum is not healthy or gets damaged, it can’t absorb these shocks properly, which could lead to disc problems or nerve compression.
2. Location of the Ligament flavum
As shown in the diagram below, the ligament flavum is located at the back of the spine, connecting the discs (intervertebral discs) and vertebrae. The diagram shows a view from behind the body. The ligament flavum is inside the vertebrae, and the second diagram shows a cross-sectional view. The ligament flavum is located very close to the discs. Therefore, if surgery is needed for a disc rupture, a cut is made at the back, part of the vertebrae is removed, and the ligament flavum is taken out. Then the nerves become visible, and the surgeon can reach the disc. So, in order to remove a ruptured disc, all obstacles along the way need to be cleared.
Figure 1: ligament flavum
Figure 2: MRI Section
Figure 3: Location of the Ligament flavum in an MRI Image
3. Problems Caused by Removing the Ligament flavum
The ligament flavum plays an important role in connecting each vertebra (spinal bone) to the vertebrae above and below it, providing stability to the lower back.
As shown in the picture below (4), the ligament flavum is made up of strong elastin fibers.
Once the ligament flavum is removed through surgery, it cannot heal or grow back. This means that the stability it provides to the lower back will be lost. Without the ligament flavum, the back becomes unstable and can sway back and forth. Standing still becomes very wobbly and unsafe, and in severe cases, the back can bend too much forward or backward.
Figure 4: The Ligament flavum Made of Strong Elastin Fibers
4. Conclusion
If the ligament flavum is removed due to a herniated disc, life can become very difficult.
Let's do hamstring exercises easily and consistently at home.
The main cause of herniated discs is excessive strain on the lower back. Everyday activities such as bending, lifting heavy objects, or sitting for long periods can trigger a herniated disc. After surgery for a herniated disc, it’s important to avoid bending the back to prevent recurrence. Generally, it’s recommended to rest in bed and engage in walking exercises for several months following surgery. However, if you maintain a fixed posture without bending your back for an extended period, your body may adapt to this posture, leading to muscle stiffness and imbalances. While walking exercises are beneficial, they may not be enough to release tight muscles. Moreover, excessive exercise can increase the risk of recurrence, so it’s important to start with caution. Among the various exercises to relieve muscle stiffness, let's focus on hamstring exercises that can be easily done at home.
What is Hamstring Exercise?
The hamstrings refer to the group of muscles located at the back of the thigh. They are made up of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, and primarily function to bend the knee and extend the hip. Properly stretching the hamstrings helps balance the back and legs and is effective in relieving muscle stiffness. How to Perform Hamstring Exercise.
1. Place Your Foot Up Prepare a high object (e.g., a box or window sill) where you can rest your foot on a flat surface. Place your foot comfortably on the object and straighten your knee naturally.
2. Bend and Straighten Your Knee Slowly bend and straighten your knee to stretch the hamstrings. When you straighten your knee, if you feel a pull at the back of your thigh, it means the exercise is working well.
3. Exercise Effect This exercise allows you to stretch the hamstrings without bending your back, making it safe to perform after a herniated disc surgery. As the muscles loosen up, stiffness is relieved, and flexibility in the back and legs can improve. 4. Repeat Perform 10-15 repetitions of bending and straightening the knee in one set. You can gradually increase the number of repetitions or time as you adjust.
Benefits of the Exercise
Back Protection: Since the back is not bent, there is no pressure on the disc, making it safe to do even after herniated disc surgery.
Self-directed Exercise: You can do this exercise alone at home, making it convenient at any time.
Muscle Stiffness Relief: Properly stretching the hamstrings helps relieve stiffness in the back and legs.
Precautions
Proceed Slowly: Avoid sudden movements and perform the stretches slowly and gently.
Check for Pain: If you feel discomfort or pain during the exercise, stop immediately and consult a professional.
Rest After Exercise: After exercising, take enough rest, and if you feel fatigued, take a break.
This exercise is a very safe and effective method to relieve muscle tension while protecting the back, even after herniated disc surgery. By practicing regularly, you will significantly improve flexibility in your back and legs and help relieve muscle stiffness!
Lying down for a long time makes the muscles very at risk.
If someone is confined to bed for six months, what various negative changes can occur in the muscles? There are individuals who, due to necessity, must remain in bed for a long time after undergoing herniated disc surgery. The changes that occur due to prolonged bed rest and restricted physical activity can have serious impacts on physical, mental, and overall health. Let’s explore this in detail.
The Importance of Muscle
1. Decreased Strength
Muscle atrophy leads to a decrease in strength. If muscles are used very little for six months, their power can significantly diminish, making it difficult to perform even daily activities. For example, getting up, climbing stairs, and even sitting can become challenging. Often, when elderly individuals are hospitalized in nursing homes, they may find that once they lie in bed, they may never walk again. This is due to muscle loss. Decreased strength can cause other diseases, and complications such as pain from herniated discs and cervical discs can arise. Therefore, to avoid muscle loss, it is very important to walk and move, even if it is painful, to maintain muscle through appropriate physical activity.
2. Muscle Atrophy
One of the most noticeable changes is muscle atrophy. Generally, muscles decrease in size and strength when not used. Due to bed rest, specific muscles, especially those in the legs and hips, weaken and atrophy. For example, the quadriceps (the muscles on the front of the thigh) and the hamstrings (the muscles on the back of the thigh) are used during everyday activities like walking or standing, so these muscles are hardly used while lying in bed. In such a state, if one attempts to move excessively, muscle cramps may occur. Therefore, muscle relaxants are essential for patients who are on bed rest after herniated disc surgery. Muscle relaxants are very effective in relieving muscle tension and alleviating cramps or stiffness. They also help in reducing pain.
For those who have not used their muscles for a long time, it is important to gradually increase the intensity of exercise by doing light stretching rather than engaging in strenuous activity after taking muscle relaxants.
3. Joint Stiffness
Prolonged lying in bed can lead to stiffness and rigidity in the joints. This issue primarily occurs in major joints such as the knees, hips, and ankles, hindering everyday movements. When joint flexibility decreases, the range of motion is limited, increasing the risk of injury during the rehabilitation process. This stiffness can be further exacerbated by muscle atrophy.
Rigidity refers to a state where the muscles are abnormally tense, leading to pain, discomfort, and limited range of motion. Therefore, it is advisable to take muscle relaxants to relieve muscle tension and alleviate pain caused by cramps or stiffness. Along with this, it is beneficial to start stretching slowly. Beginning with smaller muscles and gradually moving to larger muscles can significantly help in restoring flexibility and reducing pain. Consistent stretching and proper management can alleviate stiffness in the joints and muscles.
4. Reduced Blood Circulation
When physical activity decreases, blood circulation also declines. This can lead to swelling in the legs, and in the long term, serious problems such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may arise. If blood circulation is not smooth, oxygen and nutrients cannot be properly supplied to the tissues that need them, making recovery even more difficult. In severe cases, this can lead to the worst outcome of amputation.
Ways to promote good blood circulation include warm showers, strength training, walking, stretching, elevating the legs, and massage. In particular, walking not only promotes blood circulation but is also beneficial for strength training and helps relieve stiff muscles. If there is tingling in the hands, it may be a circulation issue, but it could also be the result of cervical disc problems caused by prolonged bed rest.
To ensure good blood circulation, it is important to maintain consistent physical activity and engage in appropriate stretching.
5. Metabolic Changes
Muscles play an important role in metabolism. When the amount of unused muscle decreases, the metabolic rate declines, leading to potential weight gain. This negatively impacts overall health and increases the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Prolonged bed rest can easily lead to digestive issues, and gradually, the amount of food consumed may decrease. A reduced food intake means that our bodies may not receive sufficient nutrients, which can lead to the onset of other diseases. One of these is constipation.
Our bodies function properly through adequate exercise, which helps expel sweat and ensures sufficient nutrient supply. However, when bed rest continues, the biological rhythm is disrupted, leading to the accumulation of waste in the body and a deterioration of metabolism. This can result in weakened immunity and various complications. Therefore, appropriate physical activity and balanced nutritional intake are very important.
6. Mental Impact
Lying in bed for an extended period negatively impacts mental health as well. The lack of activity can increase feelings of depression and anxiety, which can adversely affect physical recovery. Physical limitations can trigger psychological stress, and this stress can further exacerbate pain.
7. The Necessity of Rehabilitation
After six months of bed rest, active rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy are essential. Exercises are needed to strengthen muscles and joints and to restore flexibility, and it is important to seek professional assistance. Initially, it is best to start with light stretching or movement and gradually expand to strength training. A good exercise to begin with is walking slowly on flat ground. Next, you can progress to walking quickly on flat ground, then walking slowly uphill, followed by climbing stairs, doing squats, and eventually engaging in high-intensity exercises.
8. Recovery Process
The recovery process varies depending on an individual's fitness, age, and underlying conditions, but it generally can take several weeks to months. During this process, consistent exercise and proper nutrition are very important. Protein intake is essential for muscle recovery, and sufficient hydration and a balanced diet are also crucial. Additionally, regular intake of muscle relaxants and using hot massages to relieve tense muscles can be beneficial.
Conclusion
Six months of bed rest has serious effects on muscles.
Several issues arise, including decreased strength and muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, reduced blood circulation, metabolic changes, and mental impacts.
Additionally, a person gradually loses muscle after the age of 40.
You need to move, even a little, right now to live healthily for a long time!
Recommended 'Pelvic' Exercise for Those Who Cannot Do Planks
For those who struggle with planks, the pelvic tilting exercise is a great alternative. This exercise effectively strengthens the core while minimizing strain on the back. For individuals who frequently experience lower back pain or have weak backs, the plank position can indeed exacerbate pain or increase the risk of injury. However, since the lower back is a crucial part of the body's core, it’s essential to strengthen the core muscles without straining the back. It’s advisable to focus on core-strengthening exercises that are gentle on the back.
For those with weak back muscles or lower back pain, the pelvic tilting exercise is a great alternative to planks or crunches. This exercise can be performed at a slow pace, minimizing strain on the back while effectively strengthening the core. Additionally, it's easy to do at home without worrying about disturbing neighbors.
To perform the pelvic tilting exercise, lie on a thin blanket or mat with your knees bent at shoulder width. Press your tailbone into the floor, creating a slight lift in your lower back to create space. This lying position is called the "neutral position," where you should have enough space for one hand between your lower back and the floor. Make sure your shoulders and shoulder blades stay in contact with the floor, and keep your chin tucked in.
Once you’ve established the "neutral position," place your hands on your pelvis to feel the movement. Gently press down to create space between your lower back and the floor, using the strength from your lower abdomen.
The key to the pelvic tilting exercise is to pull your pelvis down using your lower abdominal muscles, applying pressure as you lower it. Focus on this controlled descent, breathing out as you lower the pelvis and inhaling as you lift it back to the starting position. Aim to move slowly, taking about 10 seconds for each full cycle, and repeat for 10 to 20 repetitions per set.
Although this movement seems simple, it's important to ensure that your lower abdomen is engaged as you press down. Keep a steady tension in your pelvis and lower back, lowering it in a controlled manner, as if each vertebra is touching the floor one at a time.
Engaging your pelvic muscles can also benefit your glute muscles, so be mindful not to let your thighs splay out during the exercise.
When lifting back up, just as when lowering, start from your tailbone and engage each vertebra sequentially to avoid straining your lower back.
The pelvic tilting exercise is recommended for individuals with lower back issues, such as herniated discs. It allows for strengthening the surrounding muscles of the lower back and abdominal area without putting excess strain on the spine. By distributing the load away from the lumbar region, this exercise can help alleviate lower back pain effectively.
Health,MRI, regarding the importance of contrast agents.
MRI contrast agents play a crucial role
in enhancing the clarity of tissue boundaries and distinguishing lesions
during MRI scans. By using contrast agents, it is possible to obtain a
more accurate representation of the structural characteristics of blood
vessels, organs, and tumors.
Key benefits of MRI contrast agents include:
Improved Resolution: Contrast agents enhance the signal of
specific tissues, leading to higher image resolution. Additionally, MRI
scans performed at 3.0 Tesla provide significantly improved resolution.
Lesion Identification: When there are abnormal changes, such
as tumors or inflammation, contrast agents help highlight those areas,
making them easier to identify. For instance, in post-surgical recovery,
when tissue fills in, MRI scans with contrast will not show those areas
as black, facilitating lesion identification. In contrast, without the
use of contrast agents, the filled areas and surrounding organs may all
appear black, making it much more difficult to identify lesions.
Assessment of Blood Flow: Contrast agents allow for the
evaluation of the condition of blood vessels and blood flow, which is
particularly useful in diagnosing cardiovascular diseases.
Tissue Characterization: Depending on the characteristics of
the contrast agent, various tissue components and properties can be
analyzed, aiding in diagnosis.
Reactions to Contrast Agents: As injectable medications,
different types of contrast agents may cause sensations of warmth or
burning in the body. However, some agents may not cause any noticeable
effects at all.
Left: Without contrast medium, Right: With contrast medium
Types of contrast agents that do not cause the body to burn
Developing healthy habits and maintaining proper posture are crucial for preventing herniated discs. Given that we spend a lot of time sleeping and sitting, it's vital to practice good posture during these activities. There are numerous factors to consider for spinal health and back pain prevention, including driving, household tasks, and lifting objects. Let’s look at what actions to take and what to avoid in everyday life to help prevent herniated discs.
Disc pressure according to various postures
Lifting Objects
When picking up objects from the floor, start by squatting down, bending your knees while keeping your back and upper body as straight as possible. As you rise, use the strength in your legs to straighten your knees, avoiding any bending at the waist. This approach is crucial for protecting your spine and preventing back strain.
Sitting Posture
It's best to avoid sitting at the edge of your chair with your hips pushed back or crossing your legs. Slouching or leaning forward should also be avoided. Instead, aim to sit in a chair that provides back support, and if you can, choose one with armrests for added comfort and stability.
Driving Posture
Adjust the driver's seat backrest to tilt approximately 10 degrees backward and ensure that your lower back and hips are pressed firmly against the seat. While it's best to keep your upper body at a 90-degree angle, you should lean back against the seat for a more comfortable position, which reduces strain on your back. Avoid leaning forward or sitting at the edge of the seat while driving.
Sleeping Posture
Sleeping on your back or side is typically fine, but it's advisable to avoid sleeping on your stomach whenever you can.
Sitting on the Floor
Sitting on the floor often causes the back to lean forward, which can lead to spinal strain. Therefore, if you can, it’s advisable to avoid sitting directly on the floor.
Brushing Posture
When brushing your teeth, avoid bending at the
waist and use a cup for rinsing. Spit into the cup, then rinse your
mouth with water from the cup after cleaning it.
Head Washing Posture at the Sink
Do not bend your head down to wash your hair at the sink. Instead, wash your hair while standing in the shower.
Face Washing Posture at the Sink
Avoid leaning over the sink when washing your face. It’s better to wash your face while showering.
Household Chores
When performing daily chores such as cleaning or washing dishes, it’s important to maintain proper posture. Instead of squatting to sweep or mop, opt for a vacuum cleaner or a mop with an adjustable handle. Make sure to set the handle length to match your height, keeping your back straight and your body upright. Avoid bending at the waist while standing, as this can strain your back.
Footwear
Wearing high heels or flat shoes with less than 1 cm thickness can be detrimental to back health. It's better to choose shoes with a flat sole and a heel height of approximately 2-3 cm that offer some shock absorption while walking. Additionally, height-increasing insoles are not ideal for your back.
Chair and Bed Habits
It’s better to sleep in a bed and sit in a
chair rather than sleeping on the floor or sitting on the floor. When
sleeping in a bed, avoid mattresses that are too hard or too soft.
Exercises Beneficial for the Back
To help prevent herniated discs, exercises like walking, cycling, swimming, and yoga are recommended. Biking can enhance the strength of your hip and lower body muscles, which support your back. However, steer clear of bikes that force you to bend excessively at the waist, and be mindful of riding on rough terrain. An indoor bike with back support is a better option.
Swimming is very effective for preventing herniated discs, especially if you’re in good health and fitness. However, be mindful of using strokes such as the butterfly or breaststroke. Additionally, stretching and core-strengthening exercises like yoga and Pilates are excellent for maintaining back health.
Importance of Lumbar Lordosis Posture
Lumbar lordosis describes the natural curve of the lumbar spine (lower back). When lifting objects from the ground or staying in a hunched position, pressure can build up on the intervertebral discs, resulting in back pain. In these scenarios, preserving lumbar lordosis can help reduce discomfort.
When you maintain a lumbar lordosis posture, the torn inner fibers of the intervertebral discs can make contact, which aids in healing. Additionally, keeping the natural curve of the lower back allows the discs to bear over ten times the load compared to a flat back, helping to protect against disc injury. Conversely, if you adopt a forward-leaning posture, the muscles in your lower back may weaken and revert to their original position.
One of the toughest things about living alone is getting sick.
It’s especially hard when i so much pain that i can’t even move.
I need to buy groceries and cook, but I can’t go out to mart.
In South Korea, there's a unique service known as "early morning delivery."
This service allows customers to place orders late at night and have their items delivered right to their doorstep in the early hours of the morning, often before they wake up.
I can cook with fresh ingredients, even when I'm not feeling well.
Unfortunately, not all areas have access to Rocket Fresh, and it’s a bit disappointing that mountainous regions can’t use this service.
If you sign up for Coupang WOW membership, shipping is free. Your purchases are delivered in a suitcase-style container all at once in the early morning.
The suitcase is reusable, and they come to pick it up around 8 AM every day.
Luckily, in Korea, theft isn’t much of a concern, so you can leave it outside, and it will be picked up without any issues.
You can also choose between the suitcase and a disposable paper box for your deliveries. Before using the Coupang Rocket Fresh service, I used to go to the supermarket to buy groceries myself. Carrying heavy groceries home was very difficult.
Many people might not be familiar with this service.
Using Rocket Fresh has made my life so much happier!
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Tag: Korea, Food, Korean rice, rice, Coupang Rocket Fresh service, WOW, South Korea, service, delivery
The taste of hospital food in Korea is different at each hospital.
I was sick and had to stay in many hospitals for a few months. The hardest part was the food. The picture below shows the meal I had when I was in a university hospital. It just looks bad and doesn’t seem tasty at all! But I thought lunch would be different. However, there wasn't much of a change.
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The picture below shows the food I had while staying at a small hospital. After I got out of the university hospital, I was admitted to a small hospital near my home. I was really curious about how the food would be here. Oh, surprisingly, it was pretty good! The food was really tasty because they used a lot of seasoning, but it was hard to eat for a long time to me.
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The food looks really good, and it tastes good too when you try it. But there are too many seasonings, so it was really hard to eat. I hope I get better soon!
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This is my second time in the hospital since I was born. I still don’t like hospitals. I hope I never get sick again. People usually get sick as they get older. To be ready for that, I need to study. I should learn about what kinds of illnesses might come my way in the future.
Damaged fibrous rings take a long time to recover.
However, even after a long time, they do not recover completely.
lumbar disc herniation
.
The image below is an MRI taken after a contrast agent injection following a disc rupture.
When a contrast agent is injected for imaging, you can see the disc annulus being filled in, as indicated by the arrow below.
However, this MRI can be seen as an image showing the healing process of a disc rupture, giving us an idea of the extent of the annulus tear. Doctors say that even after five years, the annulus cannot fully recover from damage caused by a rupture. This is likely why patients who have suffered annulus injuries can easily experience another disc rupture, even if they seem to have healed. The annulus doesn’t regenerate with its original fibrous material; instead, it fills in with more of a gelatinous substance. It’s truly unfortunate
