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USA Today
7 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
This ancient therapy relieves lower back pain, research says
Most of us have heard of acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga and even sound baths because they are all ancient practices that have made their way into modern wellness routines. But fewer people are familiar with acupressure, a therapy rooted in the same principles as acupuncture, but without the needles. While it's 'believed to have been practiced in the East for 5,000 years or longer,' says Debbie Elam, a licensed acupuncturist at Mayo Clinic, who also specializes in acupressure, the practice remains relatively new in the West. That's beginning to change as new approaches to wellness, handheld self-massage tools and spiky mats keep getting promoted on social media. Through it all, acupressure is gaining popularity as a way to ease everything from chronic pain to anxiety. But does it actually work? And is it safe to try at home? Here's what to know about acupressure's potential benefits, limitations and risks. What is acupressure? Acupressure is a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that involves applying physical pressure to specific points on the body, known as acupoints, explains Susan Murphy, a professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical School. These points lie along pathways called meridians, which, per TCM, are channels through which flow vital energy known as 'qi," (pronounced chee). When this energy is blocked or unbalanced, TCM proponents believe it can lead to physical or emotional distress. By stimulating these targeted acupoints, Elam says, acupressure practitioners aim to restore balance and promote healing. And unlike acupuncture, which uses fine needles that need to be inserted by a trained professional, 'acupressure can be self-applied,' says Murphy. Doing so often involves manual techniques such as finger pressure, kneading or tapping; plus sometimes use of small tools or lying across a spiky acupressure mat to stimulate multiple pressure points at a time. 'All sorts of mats and tools can be used, but they are not required,' says Elam. Professional sessions are also an option. In either case, because acupressure doesn't involve needles and is more affordable, it's considered more widely available – including to those who are needle-averse. 'Acupressure is low-cost, easy to administer and accessible to most everyone,' Murphy says. Is acupressure good for you? Growing evidence also suggests that acupressure offers at least some benefits to certain groups of people. 'There are thousands of research articles evaluating its efficacy for things like cancer pain, labor pain and sleep quality,' says Elam. In one such example, a 2017 study found that acupressure helps relieve a range of pain conditions, including labor and lower back pain. More recent meta-analysis also shows that acupressure may improve sleep quality, particularly for people with insomnia. There are other areas of potential benefit including ranging studies on how the practice may reduce nausea, digestive issues, headache, stress and anxiety. While the results of such research "are generally favorable for acupressure," says Elam, "the studies are often small and limited and larger and more comprehensive studies are needed.' In case you missed: Acupuncture is ancient Chinese medicine. But does it hurt? Is acupressure safe? For most people, acupressure is considered low risk. But safety and effectiveness can depend on the tools you use or the technique you employ since improper application might reduce benefits or cause side effects such as redness, soreness or skin irritation. 'The biggest concerns would be working around large blood vessels, such as on the front of the neck or thigh,' Elam says. 'And for people with advanced illness or certain conditions, avoidance or at least caution should be considered.' This includes anyone dealing with a recent fracture, a bleeding disorder, osteoporosis or a recent surgery. Acupressure should also not be applied "to areas with injuries like bruises, scars or open wounds," says Murphy. Pregnant women should be especially careful as some acupoints can cause uterine contractions and should only be stimulated under professional supervision. It's also worth noting that, because acupressure isn't tightly regulated in most places, 'anyone can claim to be a practitioner,' Murphy warns. That means consumers need to do their homework when selecting a provider. And while less expensive than acupuncture, cost can also be a barrier. A single acupressure session with a certified provider may cost between $75 and $150. At-home mats and personal devices are cheaper, but 'effectiveness is less clear,' says Murphy. What are the benefits of yoga? From balancing the nervous system to boosting heart health How to start acupressure It's important to know that acupressure isn't a quick fix. 'It typically needs to be done repeatedly over time to feel the effects,' says Murphy. That may mean multiple visits with a practitioner or consistent self-treatment. Fortunately, numerous resources are available for beginners. 'There are many ways to learn about acupressure, including books and online videos,' says Elam. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, for instance, has detailed step-by-step at-home instructions. A free app called "MeTime" that the University of Michigan developed includes acupressure tutorial videos and guided sessions for pain relief among its sections. No matter where you decide to start with the practice, "begin slowly and more superficially, then work your way up to deeper stimulation," advises Murphy. "It's always important to listen to your body.'
Medscape
10 hours ago
- Health
- Medscape
How to Make Urology Care More Comfortable for Women
Anne Pelletier Cameron, MD When her patient insisted on receiving Botox bladder injections in the operating room (OR), Anne Pelletier Cameron, MD, asked her why. The patient acknowledged her last time receiving the injections at a different practice had been negative. She explained that six people had been in the room with her. A few were men and one was a representative from the Botox provider. 'No one talked to her,' said Cameron, the James Montie legacy professor of urology at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 'She remembers [the experience] being very painful because she was scared to death. It was almost like a sexual trauma.' Unfortunately, urology care can be inherently uncomfortable for female patients. Pain and fear of pain can hinder women from accessing the care they need for urinary incontinence or other urological problems. But the medical field is starting to notice and address this issue. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) introduced guidance on pain management for in-office gynecologic procedures. Central to their recommendations is providing comprehensive pain management counseling so patients are aware of their options and can choose for themselves. 'As urologists, we are working in the same vicinity [of the body], and it is really important to acknowledge and help manage patient pain,' said Cameron. Here's how. Reducing Physical Discomfort Felicia Lane, MD 'Doing the minimum number of invasive things to get your diagnosis is key,' said Felicia Lane, MD, a board-certified urogynecologist at UCI Health. In fact, a randomized controlled trial published this year found that urodynamics testing — which is invasive and often uncomfortable — is no more effective than a questionnaire, physical exam, bladder diary, and cough test in assessing female stress urinary incontinence. This was an extension of a trial whose results were published in 2009, said Lane. That trial found 'no value in urodynamics' for patients with stress urinary incontinence, she said. 'We have moved to doing less invasive testing to diagnose our patients with these conditions.' Raveen Syan, MD If possible, avoid routine catheterization, said Raveen Syan, MD, urologist and assistant professor of clinical urology, University of Miami Health System. Women have complained to her about urologists putting in a catheter during their first appointment. 'This is unnecessary and uncomfortable, and patients are bothered. They remember, and don't come back,' she said. Pelvic exams can also be problematic. 'No one likes a pelvic exam,' said Syan, who 'tries to spare patients.' When possible, she conducts them while her patients are under anesthesia for another procedure, like a biopsy or cyst removal. Syan teaches her trainees to use a small speculum and to lock it only when swabbing or conducting a cervical biopsy. 'If it's just an assessment of the pelvic floor, locking [the speculum] is unnecessary.' For pain mitigation during cystoscopies, Syan uses a flexible rather than a rigid camera. When it comes to video urodynamics procedures, she places the catheter into the vagina, not the rectum. 'Some urologists don't realize they can do this, since with men, they need to place it in the rectum,' she said. She starts with a low bladder fill rate of 30 mL/min because 'a patient with an overactive bladder can have spasms and not tolerate the procedure,' she said. With treatments, try to prioritize painless approaches. Lane often recommends vaginal estrogen cream for frequent urinary tract infections and pelvic floor physical therapy for urinary stress or urgency incontinence. For Botox injections in the bladder, 'there is growing evidence five to 10 injection points can be as effective as the traditional template of 12-15 injection points,' said Syan, referencing a recent literature search she co-authored. 'I cut down my injection points to five with 100 units or 10 with 200 units.' Be generous with lubricants and pain relievers, like lidocaine jelly. Allow several minutes for lidocaine to take effect before performing a procedure, like a pessary insertion, catheterization, or Botox injections. What you should not do is minimize pain. 'The least effective instruction you can give someone is to 'just relax,'' said Cameron. 'Don't tell them it won't hurt — and then hurt them. Say 'this will feel like a strong pinch' or 'like a burn and a poke.'' Easing Emotional Discomfort Try to assuage any possible shame or embarrassment about the urologic condition. Syan tells patients that about 16% of all women and 30% of women in their 60s experience urinary continence. 'It is common and not shameful,' she said. 'As the provider, my job is to put someone at ease' Cameron said. 'If they need to hold the nurse's hand, let's make that happen. If they want their partner, let's bring them in. Meet patients where they are. And if you can't help them through a procedure, you can bring them to the OR.' Then walk them through procedures, said Cameron. The procedure will go better if the patient is at ease and knows what to expect, like how long it will last, she said. Distraction in the form of what Cameron calls 'verbal anesthesia' can also help. 'If you are calm enough to have a conversation while doing a procedure, patients will know you have got this,' she said. 'I usually have a conversational talking point while I am doing a procedure, like if someone has beautiful earrings I will ask about them. By the time the patient has answered my questions, they are done.' As the ACOG guidance emphasizes, offering patients agency is critical. For instance, with video urodynamics procedures, Syan informs her patients a third person (the x-ray technician) will be in the room. Since this can cause discomfort, Syan offers them the option of skipping the video component. Above all, treat patients with respect and try to read their cues. Make sure they are draped, maintain eye contact, and tune in to their body language, said Lane. 'When a patient rolls their toes, I can tell they are uncomfortable and I will ask if they need a break.' Apply the Golden Rule When treating female urology patients, 'it's critical to listen to your patients,' said Lane. 'Listening allows you to establish a relationship and really understand what provokes their embarrassment and anxiety.' Then try to put yourself in their shoes, offer them options, and prioritize less invasive, effective approaches. Cameron had no conflicts of interest; Lane is a researcher/consultant for Axonics, Inc; Syan is a board member of the Interstitial Cystitis Association, site primary investigator for Axonics MOAB study, and board member for Sumitomo.
UPI
23-07-2025
- Health
- UPI
Study: Urgent care often prescribes inappropriate medications
Urgent care clinics are handing out fistfuls of antibiotics, steroids and opioids for conditions these drugs won't help, a new study says. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Urgent care clinics are handing out fistfuls of antibiotics, steroids and opioids for conditions these drugs won't help, a new study says. "Previous studies had shown that patients continue to receive antibiotics for diagnoses where they may not be indicated, such as for a viral respiratory infection, especially in urgent care settings," said co-lead researcher Dr. Shirley Cohen-Mekelburg, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. "Our findings reveal that this trend of inappropriate prescribing includes other classes of drugs -- including glucocorticoids -- and a variety of conditions," Cohen-Mekelburg added in a news release. For the study, published Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed health care data for more than 22.4 million urgent care visits that occurred between 2018 and 2022. More than 12% of those visits resulted in a prescription for antibiotics, 9% in a steroid prescription and 1% in a scrip for opioids. The research team then looked to see how many prescriptions were handed out for health conditions the drugs aren't meant to treat. Among the inappropriate prescriptions, researchers found: Antibiotics prescribed for more than 30% of patients with ear infections, nearly 46% of patients with urinary symptoms and 15% of patients with bronchitis. Steroids prescribed for nearly 24% of patients with a sinus infection, 41% of patients with bronchitis and 12% of patients with upper respiratory infections. Opioids prescribed for nearly 5% of patients with muscle pain, more than 6% of patients with abdominal pain or GI symptoms and 4% of patients with sprains or strains. These results jibe with recent studies showing that urgent care is the most common type of health care visit to result in inappropriate prescriptions for antibiotics to treat viral respiratory infections, researchers said. The drugs are likely being handed out because the urgent care staff doesn't know better, patients are demanding specific meds and no one is providing back-up support for decisions about prescribing, researchers said. The consequences may be far-reaching: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA have become a growing threat to health, due to the overuse of antibiotics. Likewise, America's opioid crisis has been fueled by too many painkiller prescriptions doled out for dicey reasons. Researchers concluded that drug stewardship programs are needed to make sure urgent care clinics are handing out the right drugs for the right conditions. "Reducing inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics, glucocorticoids and opioids will require a multifaceted approach," Cohen-Mekelburg said. "Providers at urgent centers would benefit from greater support and feedback in making these decisions." More information The Mayo Clinic has more on urgent care. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is chronic venous insufficiency? Everything to know about Trump's diagnosis
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced on Thursday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a letter from Trump's physician in a news conference, which said Trump was examined after he noticed "mild" swelling in his legs. Leavitt said the physician described the condition as "benign" and "common," particularly among adults above age 70. MORE: Gal Gadot reveals she had 'massive blood clot' in brain while pregnant Leavitt added that the president is in "excellent health" and that the doctor's full letter would be released soon. Here's what you need to know about the condition, what symptoms it causes and how it's treated. What is chronic venous insufficiency? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a circulatory condition in which the veins in the leg have difficulty returning blood back to the heart due to damaged valves. "Unlike the arteries, the veins have valves that help return blood to the heart," Dr. Andrea Obi, vascular surgeon at University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center and associate professor of vascular surgery at University of Michigan Medical School, told ABC News. She explained that there are larger veins, called deep veins, which return the bulk of blood to the heart, and there are superficial veins, which are just under the skin surface. "When the valves fail, meaning they don't adequately return blood to the heart, the blood can back up into the leg, and that's essentially what venous insufficiency is," Obi said. This can cause blood to pool in the legs and lead to leg swelling. MORE: Tori Kelly hospitalized: What you need to know about blood clots CVI is fairly common, affecting up to 40% of the U.S. population, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. Obi said this figure may be an underestimation because CVI is not detected on any routine screening test, and patients often require a duplex ultrasound -- a non-invasive imaging technique to assess blood flow and blood vessel structure -- for diagnosis. What are the symptoms? Obi said most CVI patients have mild symptoms and the most common manifestation is varicose veins, which occur when the blood pools into the superficial veins just under the skin. The veins become swollen, which can be heavy, uncomfortable or painful for patients. If patients have CVI in the deeper veins, they may experience leg swelling around the ankle area and it can extend up towards the knee, Obi said. In more severe cases, darkening of the skin can occur and an open sore or ulcer could develop. "When the blood pools down near the ankle level, you'll get discoloration, and it's a brown discoloration … and that brown discoloration is the result of the iron from the red blood cells that sort of pools there and gets picked up by your immune cells," Obi said. Over time, this can make the skin thick and unable to heal from minor trauma, which is when ulcers form, she said. How is it treated? Treatments are typically nonsurgical and are mainly to prevent swelling and ulcers from forming, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. Obi said if a patient is found to have CVI incidentally and they don't have symptoms, there is no need for treatment unless symptoms arise. First-line treatment can include compression, such as wearing compression stockings or an elastic wrap. There are also supplements patients can take to relieve symptoms, Obi said. MORE: Singer Tori Kelly being treated for multiple blood clots after collapsing "Compression is the very first thing that you prescribe and then, generally, if a patient desires surgical intervention or something like that, you would try compression first to see if they get relief," she said. "If they're still symptomatic or not able to live their daily life, then you might proceed down the pathway of doing an intervention to try and help them improve their quality of life." If superficial veins are affected, patients may receive vein ablation, which is a minimally invasive procedure to close the veins off, and removal of the varicose veins. If deep veins are affected, some patients may require an angioplasty to widen the narrow or blocked veins, or stenting to restore blood flow. Obi said even if someone's vein valves are prone to failing due to genetics or aging, walking can help overcome this. "Your calf muscle will substitute for your valves, and your calf muscle will actually push the blood back up to your heart," she said. "We tell all our patients, 'You should do some sort of walking program to keep that calf pump strong. The worst thing you can do is stand on your feet for long periods of time and allow the blood to pool."
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is chronic venous insufficiency? Everything to know about Trump's diagnosis
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced on Thursday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a letter from Trump's physician in a news conference, which said Trump was examined after he noticed "mild" swelling in his legs. Leavitt said the physician described the condition as "benign" and "common," particularly among adults above age 70. MORE: Gal Gadot reveals she had 'massive blood clot' in brain while pregnant Leavitt added that the president is in "excellent health" and that the doctor's full letter would be released soon. Here's what you need to know about the condition, what symptoms it causes and how it's treated. What is chronic venous insufficiency? Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a circulatory condition in which the veins in the leg have difficulty returning blood back to the heart due to damaged valves. "Unlike the arteries, the veins have valves that help return blood to the heart," Dr. Andrea Obi, vascular surgeon at University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center and associate professor of vascular surgery at University of Michigan Medical School, told ABC News. She explained that there are larger veins, called deep veins, which return the bulk of blood to the heart, and there are superficial veins, which are just under the skin surface. "When the valves fail, meaning they don't adequately return blood to the heart, the blood can back up into the leg, and that's essentially what venous insufficiency is," Obi said. This can cause blood to pool in the legs and lead to leg swelling. MORE: Tori Kelly hospitalized: What you need to know about blood clots CVI is fairly common, affecting up to 40% of the U.S. population, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. Obi said this figure may be an underestimation because CVI is not detected on any routine screening test, and patients often require a duplex ultrasound -- a non-invasive imaging technique to assess blood flow and blood vessel structure -- for diagnosis. What are the symptoms? Obi said most CVI patients have mild symptoms and the most common manifestation is varicose veins, which occur when the blood pools into the superficial veins just under the skin. The veins become swollen, which can be heavy, uncomfortable or painful for patients. If patients have CVI in the deeper veins, they may experience leg swelling around the ankle area and it can extend up towards the knee, Obi said. In more severe cases, darkening of the skin can occur and an open sore or ulcer could develop. "When the blood pools down near the ankle level, you'll get discoloration, and it's a brown discoloration … and that brown discoloration is the result of the iron from the red blood cells that sort of pools there and gets picked up by your immune cells," Obi said. Over time, this can make the skin thick and unable to heal from minor trauma, which is when ulcers form, she said. How is it treated? Treatments are typically nonsurgical and are mainly to prevent swelling and ulcers from forming, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. Obi said if a patient is found to have CVI incidentally and they don't have symptoms, there is no need for treatment unless symptoms arise. First-line treatment can include compression, such as wearing compression stockings or an elastic wrap. There are also supplements patients can take to relieve symptoms, Obi said. MORE: Singer Tori Kelly being treated for multiple blood clots after collapsing "Compression is the very first thing that you prescribe and then, generally, if a patient desires surgical intervention or something like that, you would try compression first to see if they get relief," she said. "If they're still symptomatic or not able to live their daily life, then you might proceed down the pathway of doing an intervention to try and help them improve their quality of life." If superficial veins are affected, patients may receive vein ablation, which is a minimally invasive procedure to close the veins off, and removal of the varicose veins. If deep veins are affected, some patients may require an angioplasty to widen the narrow or blocked veins, or stenting to restore blood flow. Obi said even if someone's vein valves are prone to failing due to genetics or aging, walking can help overcome this. "Your calf muscle will substitute for your valves, and your calf muscle will actually push the blood back up to your heart," she said. "We tell all our patients, 'You should do some sort of walking program to keep that calf pump strong. The worst thing you can do is stand on your feet for long periods of time and allow the blood to pool."
