What is Spinal Fluid Flow (SFF) and it’s Role in Pain Management?

What is Spinal Fluid?

Spinal fluid is also known as Cerebrospinal fluid is a colorless liquid that is found in the brain and the spinal cord. It is produced in the ventricles of the brain. The fluid prevents the wear and tear in the brain by providing a cushion to the brain inside the skull. It is also present in the spinal cord and provides the buffer in its case.

It is present along the whole length of the spinal cord. The movement of the fluid is bidirectional, and it pulsates through the inner ear where it is formed, through the brain and along the spinal cord to the sacrum. The liquid flows in the same rhythm as the blood is pumped through the vessels.

Though there is a conflict of opinion amongst the researchers about the direction of the flow of the liquid, it is a fact that the liquid flows in both directions. The contents of the fluid are all derived from the blood plasma. The fluid has the same sodium levels, but different electrolyte levels and comparably higher chloride levels than the blood plasma. The fluid does not contain any red blood cells and has a fixed amount of white blood cells. The quantity of which should not be exceeded otherwise it counts as a medical condition.

The Spinal Fluid and Pain Management:

The fluid is said to contain a high amount of nutrients and it releases these nutrients when it travels along the length of the brain and spinal cord. The exit point of the fluid is the brain but how it moves back up to the brain to be reabsorbed and a newer and fresher supply of the fluid released, this mechanism is still unclear. There is a belief that the fluid's flow may be promoted through proper breathing.

To understand the role of Spinal fluid in pain management, it is important to have an understanding of the benefits that a healthy Spinal fluid has for the body.

•    The Spinal Fluid provides crucial strengthening nutrients to the spinal cord and the nerves nodes at the end of the spinal cord.

•    It provides a buffer and helps friction and wear and tear amongst the nerves in the spinal cord. It acts as a cushion for the spinal cord.

•    The spinal fluid also helps in carrying away the waste material resulting from neuro-inflammation and the harmful substances from the spinal cord to be discharged from the body. The accumulation might prove to be poisonous and leave the body impaired of movement.

•    It also helps in carrying the therapeutic drugs to the right points hence increasing the healing of the body.

Spinal Fluid management can help many people with chronic back, and leg pains and the flow of the fluid can be increased with the support of age-old techniques of cycling, walking, and yoga. There is a very famous measure that was advised to John F. Kennedy to help ease his fluid's flow, and that was a rocking chair.

For more information schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. Tom Macek and start alleviating chronic pain naturally.  

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4 Ways to Fight Chronic Pain and Win

Inflammation is a natural process which the body goes through when it is at war with an infection or some kind of damage. Chronic inflammation on the other hand can be more harmful than helpful because the immune system begins attacking healthy cells.

Apart from clinical medicine there are other options available for treating arthritic pain. Many medical professionals promote massaging, herbal supplements and acupuncture as helpful alternative treatments.

However for any treatment to work, a complete lifestyle change is required to manage chronic pain. The right doctor can help with the treatment and recommend healthy changes that will reduce inflammation, pain and increase overall mobility of patients suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Listed below are 4 ways to holistically fight chronic pain.

1. Sleep Well

Getting an adequate amount of sleep is essential for bodies that are fighting pain, inflammation and disease. A study published in the Sleep medical journal reported that people who slept for fewer than six hours or experienced disturbed sleep had more C-reactive protein in their body which is responsible for inflammation.

Sleeping for the recommended 7 to 8 hours every night can help the body heal. It makes a person feel healthier and stronger when they have had a good night’s sleep.

2. Meditate

Many researches show there are several health benefits associated with meditation. It not only reduces the blood pressure but also reduces pain response, inflammation and relieves stress by managing the hormone levels. Meditation is also said to improve sleep and increase concentration capacities. It is also said to regulate pain through emotional and cognitive channels.

Managing stress levels is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. If stress levels go unchecked then inflammation can also flare up. Ohio University showed through research that people who were under stress more often or focused on stressful moments produced more C-reactive proteins in their bodies. Meditation can keep that under control and it does not require any special equipment or services.

3. Keep a Balanced Diet

People say ‘you are what you eat’ which is true because the food you intake affects you physically. The Psychosomatic Medicine published a study which said women with diets comprising of desserts, sweets, processed red meat and refined grains had higher C-reactive protein levels compared to those who only ate fruit, vegetables, legumes, fish and poultry.

4. Get Therapy

Another major part of chronic pain treatment is the psychological aspect. The brain is affected by everything that happens in the human body. Pain also affects a person emotionally. It can affect anxiety levels, depression levels, pain levels and mood levels.

All this in turn multiplies the pain. Usually it helps to deal with the psychological part of a disease with the help of a trained professional. Family and friends cannot relate and are not able to understand a person’s emotional state. This is why therapists are recommended to help patients cope with their symptoms and manage their pain.