The U.S. Preventive Services, which made the recommendation Monday, reported finding evidence that the benefits of treatment based on routine screening of this age group “are small to none.” However, treatment often causes “moderate-to-substantial harms,” including erectile dysfunction and bladder control and bowel problems, the task force said.

The new guidance is the first update by the task force on prostate cancer screening since 2002. Its last report concluded there was insufficient evidence to recommend prostate screening for men of all ages.

In recent years, there has been a growing debate about the value of the somewhat imprecise PSA blood test to detect cancer, as well as the value of treating most prostate cancers. A positive result from the test must be confirmed by a biopsy. And even then, there is no foolproof method of identifying aggressive tumors from slow-growing ones. A number of experts contend patients are being over treated.

“The issue of screening for is frankly an area of medicine that remains somewhat unsettled,” said Dr. Durado Brooks, a prostate cancer specialist for the American Cancer Society. “While it’s clear there is benefit to a significant number of men, it’s equally clear that many men end up being diagnosed and treated for cancers that would likely not have caused them any significant harm.”

Most major U.S. medical groups recommend doctors discuss the potential benefits and known harms of prostate screening with their patients and make individual decisions. And most agree such testing shouldn’t occur before age 50.

The federal task force, which sets the nation’s primary care standards, reviewed past research in reaching its conclusion and “could not find adequate proof that early detection leads to fewer men dying of the disease,” task force chairman Dr. Ned Calonge of Denver said in a statement.

The cancer society’s advice for screening differs from the task force’s because it doesn’t set a fixed age to stop screening, Brooks said. It suggests that men shouldn’t be offered screening if they aren’t expected to live another 10 years.

“That’s because every 75-year-old is not created equal,” said Brooks.

While some have health problems and aren’t likely to live long, others are “very active, very vigorous and have minimal health issues, and many of those men are going to live into their late 80s or 90s,” Brooks said.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men — about 220,000 cases will be diagnosed this year. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. But most tumors grow so slowly they never threaten lives.

Earlier this year, a study found that older men who already had early-stage prostate cancer were not taking a big risk by not treating it right away. The vast majority were alive 10 years later without significantly worrying symptoms or had died of other causes.

Prostate cancer treatments are tough, especially on older men. Some doctors instead recommend “watchful waiting” to monitor signs of the disease and treat only if they worsen, but smaller studies give conflicting views of the safety of that approach.

The new guidelines from the Preventive Services were published in this month’s Annals of Internal Medicine.

http://www.annals.org/content/vol149/issue3/

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A whole different world of treatment opportunities to vast to cover in a single post. Start with this link for information on Ayurvedic Medicine

TCM Traditional Chinese

Another system of Medicine that has been around for thousands of years, but today typically falls into the realm of “Alternative Medicine” in the eyes of westerners. I would encourage you to at least investigate the basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

I have been to a Chinese Medicine Doctor for acupuncture, and I have taken some Chinese Herbs, but beyond that I know little about the practice.

You may find treatmentd in either or both practices that work effectively for your pain problems.

Most people do not realize that oral vitamin consumption may only deliver as little as 5 to 15% of the vitamin to your system. People who are ill generally absorb even less! You’re intestinal tract is your “Second Brain” full of nerves and needs the care an attention the rest of your spine receive. Opportunistic pathogens in one area of the body may prevent another area of the body from receiving the healing attention it needs. The body is a whole!

This is a complex topic whose use extends from Mainstream to Alternative Therapies. The whole point is to bypass the digestive tract and deliver Nutrition/Drugs directly to the bloodstream.

Visit this link to learn more about Intravenous Therapy

Kinesiology, also known as Human Kinetics, is the science of human movement. It focuses on how the body functions and moves. A kinesiological approach applies scientific and evidence based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement in all settings and populations. Kinesiologists work in research, the fitness industry, clinically, and in industrial environments. It is not to be confused with Applied Kinesiology, an alternative medicine technique.

Applied Kinesiology

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a practice of using manual muscle-strength testing for medical diagnosis and a subsequent determination of prescribed therapy. It purportedly gives feedback on the functional status of the body.

AK is a practice within the realm of alternative medicine and is therefore different from “kinesiology,” which is the scientific study of human movement. AK has been criticized on theoretical and empirical grounds, and characterized as pseudoscience. With only anecdotal accounts providing positive evidence for the efficacy of the practice, a review of peer-reviewed studies concluded that the “evidence to date does not support the use of [AK] for the diagnosis of organic disease or pre/subclinical conditions.”

AK draws together many similar therapies. It attempts an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to health care. George J. Goodheart, a chiropractor, originated AK in 1964.  Subsequently, its use spread to other chiropractors, and a few physical therapists, dentists, and medical doctors. In 1976, the International College of Applied Kinesiology was founded.

Applied kinesiology is a system that evaluates structural, chemical, and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing alongside conventional diagnostic methods. The essential premise of applied kinesiology that is not shared by mainstream medical theory is that every organ dysfunction is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle, the viscerosomatic relationship. Treatment modalities relied upon by practitioners include joint manipulation and mobilization, myofascial, cranial and meridian therapies, clinical nutrition, and dietary counseling.

A manual muscle test in AK is conducted by having the patient resist using the target muscle or muscle group while the practitioner applies a force. A smooth response is sometimes referred to as ‘a strong muscle’ and a response that was not appropriate is sometimes called ‘a weak response’. This is not a raw test of strength, but rather a subjective evaluation of tension in the muscle and smoothness of response, taken to be indicative of stresses and imbalances in the body. A weak muscle test is equated to dysfunction and chemical or structural imbalance or mental stress, indicative of a body dissatisfied with suboptimal functioning. The most common test is the arm-pull-down test, or “Delta test,” where the patient resists as the practitioner exerts a downward force on an extended arm. Proper positioning is paramount to ensure that the muscle in question is the prime mover, minimizing interference from adjacent muscle groups

Hydro Therapy is simply the use of warm water to help us relax or exercise or both. Hot Tubs, Swimming Pools, Therapy Pools, and even your Home Bathtub can serve as appropriate vehicles for this purpose. Today’s “Hot Tub” contains dozens of jets that can feel wonderful and allow us to release muscle tension and relax. You may have a high end “Whirlpool Tub” or built in Home Spa. Larger bodies of warm water allow us to move from relaxation into exercise, stretching and strengthening. So while passive relaxation has it’s benefit, if you can, try and find a warm water pool large enough to exercise in. Ideally the pool will be no deeper than mid chest level to the bottom of your neck (48″ to 52″) is just about right.

If a pool is too deep it can be dangerous should you become ill. If a pool is too shallow you won’t receive the full benefits of flotation and buoyancy. Water allows us to exercise without stressing the joints. As muscles relax and the forces of gravity are lessened we can enjoy stretching that would not otherwise be possible. An ideal temperature for exercise is 84 to 90 degrees. Much warmer and you’ll become uncomfortable with your movements and begin to sweat a lot. For just relaxation 100 to 102 degrees is wonderful. When the water temperature drops below body temperature and we are not moving it becomes uncomfortable, and water over 104 degrees is very dangerous to our bodies. In fact if your water temperature is above body temperature you should limit your sessions to 20 minutes. Water 104 degrees and higher for periods longer than 20 minutes can damage your internal organs.

Warm water can really help to reduce your stress levels. Often Hydro Therapy is combined with aroma therapy and music to complete the relaxation. It’s hard not to just relax when the pressure is taken off your injury. It’s like an anti-gravity experience where we become weightless.

Some Spas contain special “Neck jets” or “Lumbar jets” that just melt (at least temporarily) away your pain. The warm water dilates the blood vessels promoting healing, and a 20 minute session will help you fall asleep faster

Caveats: You’re skin is an organ and will absorb chemicals in water so ask your dealer about the least chemical solution to keeping the water pure and clean. Tubs will make you sweat and release toxins in the water so be sure to keep your Spa’s water clean. Do not exceed 20 minutes in water over 104 degrees (The limit at which you can set the Spa’s) as your internal proteins will start to cook! If the water feels too hot turn it down, anything over body temperature will make you sweat. Ask your Physician about Hydro Therapy for your condition. Hydro Therapy will not “cure” your condition, but it can go a long ways to making your pain more tolerable and will aid in your recovery most of the time. If prescribed by your Physician you may be able to deduct the expense of a Hydro Therapy Solution from your personal taxes.

Note: Not everyone is comfortable in water. Some people never learn to swim as youngsters, this is okay. That’s why we recommend to find a pool that is not too deep. Find a partner to go with you. Swimming and splashing is fun! Enjoy yourself.

Tips on Purchasing a Hot Tub

There are so many brands available and Hot Tub dealers come and go. Find a local dealer that has been in business a long time with an established track record. The tub is important, but even more important is the warranty and service for that warranty. Tubs require maintenance, you’ll need a source for chemicals. Pumps break, control panels break. Just like purchasing an automobile – think about the “Total Cost of Ownership” not just the up front cost. Be sure to “Wet Test” the tub before you buy! Wet testing is essential, because the tubs feel completely different with and without water. Wet testing means taking your swimsuit to the dealer and sitting in the tub for 10 or 15 minutes. Make sure you can control the jets, make sure the jets are not so powerful that they blow you out of your seat. Try all the seat positions to be sure they are comfortable to your body.

Different Types of Massage Treatments

• Deep Tissue – Targets deep layers of muscles and connective tissue
• Rolfing - A specific form of deep tissue work
• Trigger Point Therapy – Addresses Adhesions in the muscles
• Swedish – most common, long smooth strokes and kneading, circular motions
• Shiatsu – Finger pressure on acupuncture meridians
• Thai
• Many many more

My point in this post is not to cover every single variation of massage, but to point out there are treatments that may address your specific problem areas.

Therapies like Deep Tissue Massage are designed for relieving muscle contraction and reducing pain. Not all massage therapists are alike, some do not understand how to do this properly – this is a form of medical massage, as opposed to just a relaxing massage to reduce stress. All massage work has benefits. Try several different modalities and see what works best for you. Be careful of the oils the therapist uses – I like grapeseed oil.- as some oils contain fragrances and are toxic to the chemically sensitive. You’re skin will absorb these chemicals.

The only downside to massage treatments is cost. I would go everyday if I could afford the expense, or better yet I’d have the therapist stop by my home. Give massage a try, it’s great!

Video About Massage Treatments

My Experience with Acupuncture

Works for some to help with pain. I tried Acupuncture with electrical therapy (At a Chiropractors Office” and it did nothing for me, but he person doing the work may not have been fully schooled as to the proper treatment.

I then found a true Oriental Acupuncture Specialist, and it made me realize the Chiropractor was clueless. The Doctor I saw for Acupuncture was born in China, Trained in China, and was actually a retired Orthopedic Surgeon in China. The number of needles he placed, the location of placement and the effects on my muscles were completely different from the “treatment” (Money bilking) I received from the Chiropractor. In my defense the Chiropractor came highly recommended by the Naturopathic Physician I was seeing at the time. But I should have been smart enough to know that they Guy had no clue what he was doing. Now I do. The benefits of hindsight.

In short, make sure your Acupuncturist is fully trained and licensed (Yes they have schools for Acupuncture).

I received some pain reduction and additional range of motion from my treatments (A series of 10 every couple of days). Unfortunately for me the treatments did not solve my chronic problems and due to the expense ($60 per treatment) vs. benefit I was forced to abandon further treatment.

Similar Modalities Like Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a healing technique used in Asia by practitioners of Traditional Medicine, in both the clinical setting and in homes, but little known in the West. It involves palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured, in strokes, by a round-edged instrument; that results in the appearance of small red petechiae called ‘sha’, that will fade in 2 to 3 days.

Raising Sha removes blood stagnation considered pathogenic, promoting normal circulation and metabolic processes.The patient experiences immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, nausea, and so on. Gua Sha is valuable in the prevention and treatment of acute infectious illness, upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many other acute or chronic disorders.

Gua Sha Video

Gentle manipulation for some who are also correcting their muscle imbalances and coupled with Myofascial Release may be of benefit at some point. I have not had success with this modality as I have yet to find a Chiropractor who will listen to my complaints and symptoms. I tell them my condition and they just do whatever the hell they want. So I’m through with this pseduo-science.

Maybe you will have better luck. Cons: The problem arises if you have an unrecognized neurologic deficit and the chiropractor does not do any radiological studies to determine if there is any compromise of the nerves or the spinal cord. If this happens then the practice of aggressive chiropractic manipulation can be detrimental or even deadly.

My take on Chiropractic is this… Discs do not just pop out of place (Outside of Trauma) on their own. Structural forces are pulling ligaments, muscles, and soft tissues. Think of a Tent and the ropes and poles that hold everything in correct position. What happens if one rope breaks or is to short or pulled off to the side? The tent falls or is crooked. The muscles and ligaments and soft tissues that support your spine must be corrected BEFORE you can hope to just pop something back into place. If the supporting structures are not in proper alignment everything will just pop out of place again. I suppose there are some in the Chiropractic Profession (70,000+ in the USA) that understand this, but I have not yet met one.