Healthy News for Healthy Nation

Are you a sex addict?

According to the National Association of Sexual Addiction Problems, about 14 million adults are. That’s 1 out of 17 adult Americans. In assessing your addiction status, consider just some of the following questions posed to potential “sexaholics” by Sex Addicts Anonymous (SA):

Do you …

— Look at sexually arousing materials in the media?

— Feel guilt and shame after having sex?

— Find yourself in need of a variety of sexual activities in realizing sexual excitement and relief?

— Risk the chance of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection when intimate?

— Feel shame about your body or sexuality to the point you avoid intimacy?

Do you find yourself answering, “Well, yes, that does describe me?!”? If it’s any comfort, that makes most of us. Yet, according to SA, you could be a sex addict. All of us could be.

There’s just one problem with this. It’s a crock.

While you may not see anything wrong with your sex life, other people do. Medical and counseling professionals and members of the clergy — with no background in sexuality — are being aggressively trained to identify and deal with a supposed issue cleverly labeled “sex addiction.”

Their goal: to make a disease of your sex life. Moralistic and misinformed, they’re out to judge you. They’re telling you what should be sexually acceptable for you. After all, in their book, sex is dangerous. If you don’t fit their vision of sexual “wholesomeness,” then you’ve got a problem.

According to this movement, a sex addict is typically someone who is frequently fantasizing or doing sexual things, even despite a dislike for such. This person’s sexual behaviors are considered out of control … . for example, masturbating more than once a day. A sex addict is also one whose sexual behaviors fail to mirror his or her highest possible self.

Besides being absolutely ridiculous, there are a number of reasons why the concept of sex addiction is nothing more than a fabrication.

First, a basic issue with sex addiction is the term itself. The word “addiction” is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). This handbook for mental health professionals uses the term “dependence” instead.

Second, an addiction, such as to alcohol or tobacco, is a physiological dependence. Deprived of a fix, an addict has physiological reactions, like increased heart rate or the sweats. Physiological changes take place — changes that a “sex addict” does not experience when denied sex. Thus, the addiction label is quite deceptive.

Third, who has the right to set the standards as far as what’s “frequent” or “out of control”? We’re all sexually unique when it comes to what we do and how often. Yet this movement seems to think that we can put a fixed number on our sexual activity. Unbelievably, they also see it as their right to enforce cookie-cutter criteria when it comes to sexual pursuits.

Lastly, another major issue with sex addiction is that it denies the “dark” side of healthy sexuality. This includes the major desire components of sex, such as:

— The “bad” fantasies people have;

— The ability to enjoy sex without being in love;

— The lust for power during sexual exchanges;

— The wanton sexual expectations people have from time to time.

What’s infuriating is that there is nothing wrong with these components of healthy sexuality, as long as the interaction between two lovers is informed and consensual.

But, despite being hogwash, sex addiction is catching on, thanks to its evangelists’ Jerry Springer-worthy stories.

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Often in recovery themselves, self-proclaimed addictionologists love generalizing their own problems to all. Playing upon one’s sexual ignorance, they dish out the sordid details of how sex hijacked their lives, making them steal, do drugs and visit prostitutes. Engrossed and mortified, the public buys it — even though there’s no data supporting that this can happen to just anyone.

Falling victim to the movement are those with the greatest shame around sex. In distancing themselves from their sex guilt, they embrace their sex addiction “diagnosis.” They’re not at fault for their sexual impulses and desires. Something else is – their addiction! The safety of this powerlessness becomes their crutch. Now they can say, “That’s my addiction talking.” You know what I’m talking about. We’ve seen this happen too many times with major public figures.

The thing is, humans do have the ability to control how they express their sexual impulses, including not doing so. Being out of control isn’t the issue for most “sex addicts.” It’s being in control that’s causing pain.

The ultimate price of this sex addiction ploy is that a person’s true “dilemma” with his or her sexuality and sex life fails to be properly assessed. In trivializing one’s sexual desires, the need for real therapy becomes a tragically missed opportunity.

Yes, there are a handful of cases where someone does have a problem – when their sexual activities are deemed more important than their relationships, work, finances, etc. But these situations are rare. And the issue isn’t sex; it’s something else.

In the Know Sex News …

— Lack of STI detection amongst MSM population. Health officials are expressing concern over the many cases of sexually transmitted infections not being detected in the U.S. amongst men who have sex with men (MSM). This population is not being tested annually as advised, with some healthcare workers failing to follow screening recommendations. Up to one-fourth of gonorrheal throat infections, for example, are being missed.

— Diminished sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women not clearly associated with cardiovascular disease. A study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, which followed sexually active women ages 50-79 for 8-12 years, found that there was no association between sexual dissatisfaction and the development of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack or stroke.

— Major HIV prevention strategy being overlooked. As reported by the Guttmacher Institute, contraceptive services make for fewer unplanned births and HIV-infected infants. Yet the prevention of unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive women is failing to get the attention it deserves. With women of reproductive age comprising over half of the worldwide 33 million individuals living with HIV, public health experts are recommending that HIV-related services integrate voluntary contraceptive services into programs in an effort to combat AIDS.

Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source, Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hand Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”

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Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. Back pain represents the second most frequent reason patients go to their physician, the fifth most frequent reason for hospitalization, and the third most frequent reason for surgery. The prevalence of back pain is estimated to occur in as much as 80% of the population, meaning that most people will suffer from a back pain episode at some point in their life.

With the exception of a specific traumatic event or identifiable medical condition, the exact cause of back pain has been poorly understood. Most back pain sufferers do not require surgery, yet 85% of these individuals will experience intermittent attacks of severe back pain every three months to three years. Recent research has also shown that even patients requiring surgery are no better off 2 years after surgical intervention. What, then, is the answer for patients suffering from back pain?

Because of the poor understanding of most back pain conditions, hundreds of different back pain treatment approaches have been tried over the centuries. With all of the different treatments for back pain available, it’s nearly impossible for a person to research and verify which treatments are the most effective. The startling truth is that the majority of the available treatment options have been shown to be INEFFECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a review of the most effective treatment approaches for back pain.

Regardless of the type of treatment you may be considering for your back pain (chiropractic, physical therapy, or any of the popularly advertised approaches), the number one question you should ask is, ‘Is the treatment based on scientifically validated treatment protocols and documented medical research?’. Secondly, documentation of long term treatment outcomes specific to the protocol should be available to substantiate the claims of any health care provider.

Volumes of published medical research and years of clinical experience have led to the development of a comprehensive back pain treatment program that incorporates the following components: active muscle re-education, spinal decompression therapy, external bracing and supports, and patient education.

Active Rehabilitation

For years, the underlying cause of some of the more common back problems (sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritic changes, and muscular spasm) was poorly understood. The only for sure treatment remedy was time, as most back pain would resolve itself within a short time by doing nothing at all. Unfortunately, the symptoms would return at some point, and the older the patient got, the more frequent and intense the symptoms became.

In 1991, a team of European physicians and medical researchers began to investigate the underlying cause of back pain. The research identified the deep muscles of the spine as being highly susceptible to atrophy or shrinkage. As a result, the dynamic stability of the spine became affected, resulting in an acceleration of the degenerative or aging process. This decline in spinal muscle performance seems to be the catalyst for such conditions as degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis.

By isolating and targeting these muscle tissues with highly specific exercises, we are now able to interrupt this degenerative process, thereby, reducing the chances of reocurrence of back pain. Because the muscle re-education protocols are research based and utilize the best available methods for the treatment of the spine, the clinical results have been excellent, posting a greater than 93% success rate.

These specific muscle re-education protocols have been used extensively around the world and the results have been validated by research published in the most reputable medical journals. This back pain exercise works well for people who have had prior surgeries or who have had no success with other types of treatment.

Spinal Disc Decompression

Disc degeneration and subsequent herniation are a major source of chronic back pain. The disc has no blood supply in the adult population and, therefore, must get its nutrition by drawing fluid from the bony body above and below it. This type of nutrient transport makes the discs in your back some of the slowest healing tissues in your body, taking between 300 to 500 days for disc fibers to heal. Most people do damage to their discs faster than the body can repair them, leading to the onset of further disc degeneration.

Spinal disc decompression, formerly referred to as spinal traction, has evolved significantly over the past 20 years. The current technology allows the treating clinician to target the affected disc and generate a distractive force that creates a negative pressure within the disc. This negative pressure acts like a vacuum, drawing in nutrient rich fluids to assist in the healing process and helping to reduce disc bulges. M.R.I. follow up studies show significant reduction in disc bulges along with an increase in the transfer of fluid into the disc as a result of decompression treatment. Although no long term studies on the effectiveness of disc decompression are available, short term results cite pain reduction effectiveness as high as 85%.

External Bracing

You have probably heard that you shouldn’t wear a back brace because it will weaken your muscles. This is not true. The most current research on back supports indicates that they have no adverse effects on the muscles of your back.

Back braces serve several important functions, and their effectiveness as part of a treatment program is well documented. A back or neck brace must be of the right size, type, and material to be effective. Bracing helps to stabilize a weak area. Most back problems also include muscle imbalances and mechanical problems. The back brace keeps the spine in a good posture and helps prevent motions that could re-injure the affected area.

Bracing also serves as a reminder that your back is still recovering. Most people tend to increase their activity ten fold when they feel about ten percent better. Lack of pain does not mean that your problem is resolved, and the back brace helps to serve as a reminder and a protection.

Education

Studies show that nearly 40% of all back pain patients will have a relapse of their condition within 18 months. The most important key to long-term prevention is education. Learning scientifically verifiable methods of protecting your back and preventing re-injury is a cornerstone of any comprehensive spine rehab program.

Bad science, “old wives’ tales,” and gimmicks are common in the care of back and neck injuries. As with many areas of human performance, information on the “best” methods of treatment can be conflicting. Although your friend may have benefited from a particular exercise or brace, that doesn’t mean you will benefit. In fact, what helped someone else may be harmful to you. It is important that you be provided with not only general care information, but with specific information related to your particular problem. In this way, you can be assured that you are receiving the most accurate information for your particular condition.

Conclusion

Taken independently, these methods of treatment are not a panacea for the treatment of back pain, but are an integral part of a comprehensive spinal rehabilitation program. The combination of these treatment approaches represents the latest research based technologies for the treatment of the spine.
Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc is a clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy and has been treating patients with back pain for over 25 years. He is the author of the Erase Your Back Pain program, Taking Care of Your Back, Back & Neck Advice, & The Living Longer, Looking Better Healthy Lifestyle Program.

For more information on back pain or if you or someone you know has back pain and needs immediate relief, click here No More Back Pain!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Malton_A._Schexneider

If you are one of those thousands of individuals losing your confidence due to stretch marks and untimely wrinkles StriVectin is the answer. Those suffering from these unsightly marks on the skin know how it feels to move around with them. However, since the arrival of StriVectin in 2002 stretch marks and wrinkles seem to have a difficult time. In the beginning, StriVectin was mainly for stretch marks but it has also proven effective in removing the ugly wrinkles found amongst young individuals. Users bought the cream in order to remove their stretch marks but the cream’s additional benefit came to be known accidentally as users reported the cream helped them to reduce the wrinkles in their skins.

As the popularity of StriVectin grew, it was made available to the users in different forms such as StriVectin eye cream, StriVectin neck cream, StriVectin facial Anti-Oxidant, and StriVectin Specialized Hand Care.

The Secret of StriVectin

The unique formula of StriVectin is developed mainly to remove wrinkles. The thermophyllic formula of the cream concentrates on the dermal epidermal junction of the skin and ultimately results in reducing the growth of the wrinkles of the skin. The main culprit behind giving one wrinkles on the skin is the dermal epidermal junction in the skin and clinical investigations have proved this fact beyond doubt. As humans grow older, the DEJ widens and the connection that joins dermis and the epidermis weakens and produces wrinkles. The StriVectin cream works on strengthening the weakened bonds between these two layers of the skin and rids one of the unwanted wrinkles. The cream penetrates to the bottom of the wrinkles, firms the joint, and thus treats the wrinkles. In order to have best results from the cream one has to apply it to the affected area at least two times in a day and rub it in a circular way so that the cream penetrates to the bottom of the wrinkles.

Your loved one has come home from a month long stay at rehabilitation facility. You may feel unsure of how to act or what to do now that they are sober and back home. Do you help them with their schedules i.e. work, alcoholic support group meetings, therapist appointments etc.? Do you leave them alone, if so, when is good time to leave them alone and when is it not? You want to help them stay sober and you will do anything to make sure they stay sober. But what do you do?

One misconception about the newly sobered alcoholic or drug addict is that they need to still be taken care of and can’t fend for themselves. Maybe it’s been years since they have been able to take care of themselves and be self sufficient. This introduces a dilemma not only to your loved one, who is trying to stay sober, but for you too.

Over the years, you may have both developed a dependence upon each other and probably not a healthy one. They have depended on you for emotional, financial and at times possibly physical support and possibly you have become dependent on their dependence. They have leaned on you for years and you have taken up the slack for both yourself and them. Now that they are sober, you may feel a sense of abandonment. The relationship has changed completely.

Now for some of you, this may be an immense relief. For others, it may be a change that will require some getting used to. Your loved one will need you just as much now as they did when they were drinking and drugging but in a completely different way. They have been reawakened into a new life without drugs or alcohol and are able now to make decisions on their own. In a sense, they have grown up over night. They went away a mess and have come back healthy, happy and ready to live life.

You may find yourself feeling various emotions that your loved one is better now but has done it without your help. It is normal to feel this way. You have probably tried with every ounce of strength to help them, spending your time, your patience and your love, and now they come back home the way you wanted all this time. You may be saying to yourself, Where did I go wrong? What did they do that I didn’t? Wasn’t my love enough?

Actually, if you think about it, if it wasn’t for you more than likely your loved one would be homeless, in jail or dead. You did what you knew to do and you did it the best way you could. You helped where no one else could. And now, your loved one is around people who can help them stay sober. This doesn’t mean that you are no longer needed. Now that they are sober and continuing aftercare, you both can now look each other in the eye and be on equal terms. It is different and will take some getting used to but in the long run, it will be the best thing that has ever happened to your relationship.

Some things you can expect to happen once they come home is a mixture of things. They will still be experiencing the new life of sobriety and may not know exactly how to handle some situations or issues. It is best if you don’t pressure them into trying to solve everything overnight. It will take time and yes, more of your patience and love. You may feel anxious to have some old issues resolved now that your loved one is cleared eyed and aware. You may feel that now is best time to make your approach but that may or may not be the case. Depending on your situation, you should think through whether or not your loved one will feel overwhelmed. Remember, they are still getting acquainted with their emotions and surroundings. Everything is still new to them so when approaching them try to keep these things in mind.

There is no need for you to feel that you should skirt issues, baby them or protect them from getting hurt emotionally. Doing this will deny them any opportunity to learn and grow in sobriety which will be a detriment to them later on. They will make mistakes but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to relapse. They may get irritable, angry, depressed but as long as they are continuing their aftercare, they will pull through and stay sober. Allow them space if they need it even though you may still feel the need to take care of them. It may be a struggle for you to relearn your relationship with them but it will be better in the long run.

As is has been suggested to them, you can take it one day at a time also. In the beginning, every other day in recovery may be different for them. One day they’re up, the next they’re down. Over time this will level out. Help where you can if you are willing to. Overall, enjoy the newfound life the both of you have found in recovery.

If you would like more information on alcohol and drug addiction, you can find it here: Alcohol Rehab.

Patrick McLemore is a recovering alcoholic and addict. Patrick has worked with the Manor House Recovery Center for the last two years providing guidance to numerous recovering alcoholics and addicts.