Some statistics indicate that the survival rate of prostate cancer can be as high as 98 percent if the disease is caught in its early stages. But, how can one go about ensuring their prostate cancer gets diagnosed in time? Even with regular prostate screenings, the tumors have to be big enough to be noticeable. Well, you might not be able to catch prostate cancer at Stage 1, but if you pay attention to your body and let your doctor aware of anything unusual during your check-ups, you increase your chances of catching it as it goes into Stage 2. To appropriately do this, you need to be aware of the 5 early symptoms of prostate cancer. They are explained in greater detail below.

1. Urinary Difficulties

The first symptoms of prostate cancer are urinary difficulties. You may be wondering why urinary difficulties in this list of prostate cancer symptoms if the bladder is not the prostate gland? It’s simple; as the tumors grow they press up against the organ, which is still very close to the prostate. When this happens a man will experience incontinence, trouble urinating at all, (despite incontinence) and a very low urine flow.

2. The Presence of Blood

Symptom 2 s even more alarming than urinary incontinence. It involves the presence of blood in a man’s urine and/or semen.

3. Erectile Dysfunction

Of the symptoms listed in the here, erectile dysfunction makes the most sense, since the prostate gland is a sexual organ. However, erectile dysfunction is such a common problem among older men, they may not even suspect prostate cancer. They may think they are experiencing a psychological problem, or perhaps that they just need a dose of Viagra. Either way, it’s not worth the risk. If you are experiencing erectile dysfunction, discuss it with your doctor to make sure prostate cancer can be fully ruled out. (more…)

Therapeutic massage does more than relax and eliminate stress from the body. It is another option to achieving relief from pain. Many people are surprised to learn the effectiveness of massage therapy when the right techniques have been used. People who never thought of massage as a healing therapy are now sold on the idea.

Chronic pain in the muscles usually indicates muscles tightness. Trauma, injury, repetitive use of the same muscles, or even stress can develop into a chronic condition if left untreated. When muscles tighten, the fibers within the muscle decrease in length, resulting in a shortened muscle. This shortened muscle, along with the connective tissue coverings called fascia, can begin to adhere to surrounding structures in the body, decreasing range of motion in the joints and placing pressure on nerves. Tight muscles also can lead to reduced circulation, allowing waste products to accumulate. These waste products can also irritate nerves causing pain to develop throughout the affected area. This pain cycle can be corrected by increasing circulation, softening and lengthening tight muscles and fascia, and breaking down any scar tissue or adhesions that have formed between tissue layers. All of the above can be remedied by therapeutic massage.

Massage therapy is more than a relaxation and stress relief tool. It is a natural, safe, and non-invasive therapy for the prevention and rehabilitative treatment for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, low back pain, sciatica, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, frozen shoulder, whiplash, sports injuries, shin splints, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, and golfers elbow. (more…)