Sadi Kayıran

Throughout history, complementary and traditional treatment methods have been used for various purposes. Cupping, also known as hijama, is a commonly used traditional therapy. It is a therapeutic technique that uses vacuum pressure created under a small vessel applied to the skin's surface. Cupping has various benefits, such as alleviating back, neck, and headache pain, as well as other medical issues. Cups made of various materials are placed on the problematic area for several minutes, creating a suction effect by specialists. There are two methods of cupping: dry and wet cupping, depending on the application procedures.

Trigger finger syndrome is a medical condition that affects the complex structure of our hands and fingers. This condition, particularly affecting the thumb and ring finger, is characterized by thickening of the tendons, making it difficult for the fingers to bend and straighten properly when flexing or extending. It is also known as "trigger finger syndrome," which impairs the normal movement of the fingers. During a contraction or locking event, returning the finger to its original position can lead to a painful process. Symptoms of trigger finger include clicking, pain, and stiffness. Treatment usually involves methods such as resting the fingers, using splints, and performing trigger finger exercises.

Practices referred to as traditional, complementary, or alternative medicine are medical systems and therapies used to maintain, promote, sustain health, alleviate discomfort, and heal physical and mental illnesses. One of these methods, homeopathy, operates on the principle of "like cures like." It supports the body’s natural healing process. Today, there are ongoing debates regarding how scientific the homeopathic method truly is, and discussions among philosophers of science about whether this discipline qualifies as a science continue.

The elbow joint, responsible for the movements of the forearm, is a very important joint that determines the position of the hand in relation to the body. This joint, located at the connection point of the bones forming the arm, contains many muscles and tendons. Elbow pain occurring in this joint can reduce the quality of life by preventing the individual from performing even the simplest daily movements. Generally, it manifests as pain that prevents the hand from grasping and lifting any object, particularly pain in the outer side of the elbow.

Numbness in the body occurs as a result of excessive stimulation or damage to nerve cells. The sensation of numbness is commonly experienced in the hands, feet, legs, arms, and other areas of the body. The intensity of numbness is more important than the area affected. In the numb region, there may be a sensation of it being absent. It can be felt as tingling, or as burning or stabbing pains that cause discomfort. When numbness occurs in the brain, it affects either the right or left side of the body. Numbness in the hands and feet is often associated with pain and a burning sensation. This type of numbness, considered neuropathic pain, is commonly caused by diabetes.

Scoliosis is the curvature of the spine to the right or left. Although it is often associated with developmental disorders, the exact cause is not fully understood. It is usually diagnosed during childhood. The first signs include asymmetry in the shoulders and hips, and a bulge in the patient's back. Sometimes, the condition is detected incidentally during a chest X-ray. Scoliosis can also cause displacement in the hips, shoulder blades, and rib cage. Scoliosis is more common in girls.

Rheumatoid arthritis, commonly known as inflammatory rheumatism, is one of the significant chronic inflammatory diseases that directly affects a person's quality of life. It is typically seen in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. Although factors such as smoking, stress, infection, hormonal changes, and gender are known to be associated with the disease, genetic factors are primarily responsible for its onset. Early diagnosis directly influences the course of the disease and the patient's response to treatment. Therefore, having accurate knowledge about rheumatoid arthritis and being able to recognize the symptoms and signs at an early stage is extremely important. You can find detailed information in the continuation of our article.

Paraplegia, also known as spinal cord paralysis, is a condition characterized by the loss of movement and sensation in both legs and generally in the lower extremities, including the abdomen and lower back. A similar condition to spinal cord paralysis is paraparesis, where both legs are partially paralyzed. In paraplegia, there is still movement in the feet, but due to muscle weakness, the patient cannot walk independently.

Osteoporosis, the most common metabolic bone disease in the population, has become a significant public health issue due to its ability to shorten life expectancy. The disease usually occurs in women after the age of 45, with a prevalence of 50-55% in women aged 50-60, 70-80% in women aged 60-70, and 85-90% in those over 70. The prevalence of osteoporosis in men over 50 is 13%. Women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis due to their lower bone density compared to men.

Bones regenerate over time, but as age increases, this regeneration slows down. If the reduction in regeneration occurs faster than normal, it indicates the presence of osteoporosis. Poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle starting in childhood play a role in the development of various bone disorders later in life. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that affects bone density and puts health at risk. The symptoms of osteoporosis are often noticed after a fall, which is why it is called a "silent" disease. Painful bones and issues like a hunched back are other symptoms of osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes can help prevent osteoporosis or support treatment.

Shoulder pain is one of the most common joint pains. It is a widespread issue, especially among individuals who use their arms frequently for work, and it can negatively impact the quality of life.

Clinical Pilates, which has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, has made a significant impact in the treatment of various health conditions through its adaptation by healthcare professionals. Prof. Dr. Semih Akı, a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist and Chiropractor at Anadolu Medical Center, along with Physiotherapist Rabia Fındık, explained that clinical pilates is widely used in treating conditions such as lower back pain, neck and back pain, posture disorders, orthopedic injuries, neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s, rheumatological diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, joint diseases, spinal deformities, and even during pregnancy. Here are the details they shared about this topic...

The carpal tunnel is a channel structure in the wrist, surrounded by bones and various other connective tissue elements. The median nerve, responsible for functions related to the movement and sensation of the hand, passes through this tunnel.

The hip is a body part that contains three major muscle groups. The quadriceps muscle group located in the lower part of the leg helps in straightening and extending the leg, while the hamstring group in the back of the hip helps stretch the leg backward. The muscle group located on the inner part of the hip helps move the hip forward and backward.

Rheumatism, which causes pain and inflammation in the joints, muscles, and surrounding soft tissues, is a chronic disease. The disease, which is divided into two types—inflammatory and non-inflammatory—first causes damage to the joints and later leads to serious harm in other tissues of the body. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Behçet's Disease, Gout, and Ankylosing Spondylitis are the most common types of inflammatory rheumatism.

Physiotherapy, or more commonly known as physical therapy, is one of the health-related fields. Physical therapy aims to help patients regain functional movements that they can no longer continue due to injury, illness, trauma, or aging. Physiotherapists apply physical therapy. In physiotherapy, the treatment process continues through the use of electric current, hot or cold applications, various exercises, or movements suitable for the patient's condition. Physiotherapists work alongside specialist doctors during the physical therapy process. Specialist doctors are individuals who have completed medical education and received specialization in the field of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals who have graduated from the relevant department of universities. As a team, physiotherapists apply physical therapy treatments according to the specialist doctor's prescription and take responsibility for managing the treatment process. The goal of physiotherapy is to help patients perform or regain the movements necessary for their daily activities. Before starting treatment, data obtained from laboratories can also be used to determine what the patient should expect from the treatment. In this long and tiring process, the cooperation between the patient and the healthcare team is crucial for achieving the treatment's goals.

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disease characterized by widespread pain throughout the body, affecting the musculoskeletal system. It can occur at all ages, but it is most commonly seen in middle-aged individuals. Women are more likely to be affected by this disease than men. A close examination of the symptoms of the disease, the conditions that may cause it, and its diagnosis and treatment will help us better understand fibromyalgia.

Pain in the hands and wrists, which are among the most used parts of our body, can be a sign of many different diseases. The hand and wrist are composed of a total of 27 bones. As both a sensory and a functional organ, the hands and wrists play an important role in human life and are the most vulnerable to injury and damage.

The knee, one of the largest and most important joints in the body, plays a significant role in carrying the body's weight and enabling movement. Sudden pain in the knee occurs as a result of strain or sudden injury. Since the knee bears the entire body weight, it is also prone to damage during movements that require extra strength, such as jumping or running. For this reason, knee pain is commonly found in people who are overweight. Pain in both knees is generally a sign of joint arthritis. However, if pain occurs in only one knee, different causes may be involved.

One of the features that enhances quality of life and enables a comfortable daily life is having a healthy musculoskeletal system. Problems in the components of our musculoskeletal system, including our bones, joints, and muscles, due to various health issues, can severely affect our daily lives. One of the conditions encountered in this regard is cervical kyphosis.

Back and spine pain occurs due to the strain on soft tissues (such as muscles, ligaments, and joints) caused by improper use of the body and poor posture

The lower back is an important structure that enables the body's movements and transfers the body's weight from the hips to the legs. There are five vertebrae in the lower back. The vertebrae are crucial in protecting the spinal cord and nerve structures. Between these bones, there are discs, joint structures, and soft tissues that allow the back to be flexible and the body to move.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of rheumatic arthritis (joint inflammation) that primarily affects the spine but can also involve various bones, joints, and ligaments in the body. It results from long-term inflammation and is more commonly seen in men than in women.

Neck pain is an uncomfortable condition felt in the area from the top of the head to between the shoulders. Known as cervicalgia in medical terms, neck pain can persist for varying durations, ranging from days to years, depending on the underlying causes. Many different conditions can cause neck pain, including physical strain, poor posture habits, muscle tension due to stress, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and nerve compression. The severity of neck pain can vary from mild discomfort to serious health issues. There are various ways to relieve neck pain. Adopting proper posture habits, engaging in regular exercise, performing movements that strengthen the neck muscles, applying stress-reducing techniques, and opting for ergonomic work environments can be effective in alleviating neck pain.

Back pain is a common type of backache. Individuals may experience painful aching or cramping sensations. This condition often arises after sudden and rapid movements or due to factors like excessive strain and lifting heavy weights. There can be many different causes for this discomfort. For instance, excessive pressure on the lower back due to sudden and incorrect movements can lead to muscle and ligament strain, resulting in spasms. Chronic back issues such as muscle weakness, poor posture habits, obesity, disc herniation, and slipped discs can also contribute to the development of this discomfort. Trauma, stress, muscle injuries, or certain medical conditions may also be among the triggers. Back pain can cause sudden and intense pain and may require emergency medical intervention. Following initial treatment, home remedies such as ice and heat, under the supervision of a doctor, as well as muscle relaxants, massages, stretching exercises, and physical activity can be helpful. This condition can sometimes indicate a serious underlying issue.

Osteoarthritis refers to a degenerative condition of the joints. This condition, often associated with aging, arises from the gradual wear and loss of joint cartilage over time. Osteoarthritis can commonly occur in various parts of the body, including the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Factors such as advancing age, genetic predisposition, obesity, joint injuries, and overall joint health can significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Knee pain is a problem that can occur in individuals of all ages, but in some cases, it can significantly hinder daily life. Initially, there are methods that can be applied at home for knee pain. If knee pain persists for a long time, it is recommended to consult a specialist doctor.

Neck stiffness and pain can negatively affect daily activities. This condition, commonly known as "neck stiffness," may occur due to muscle tension, overuse, or poor posture. Symptoms manifest as stiffness, pain, and limited mobility in the neck area. Although it tends to improve on its own within a few days, it is important to seek professional medical help if symptoms become persistent or worsen.