It has been a concern for us for sometime now that we are not getting the readership from our blog site that we used to. Most of the comments that we receive are spam from outside or third party sources. So we are questioning whether or not to continue updating this site. If there is an actual human being out there that reads this blog site, please reply to this thread and we will determine what the fate of this site will be. We will wait for two weeks and if we do not receive an actual reply from an actual reader, then we will shut this site down. Thank you to those of you who may actually read this, but we will see what happens. Thank you.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Monday, November 4, 2013
Topic of the Week: Chiropractic: A Manual Therapy for Chronic Asthma
What is the role of chiropractic care in treating chronic or long-term, asthma? An article published on the Dynamic Chiropractic website describes a case study in which one young patient with asthma experienced a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks with chiropractic care - a clinical outcome reported by many chiropractors and chiropractic patients.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
As mentioned above, asthma is an abnormal constriction of the lung’s airways. To understand how chiropractic care - spinal adjustments, specifically - may help treat asthma, it is important to understand why the lung’s airways constrict. Airway constriction may be caused by many different factors, including a communication problem between the nerves and the bronchial muscles (i.e., the bands of muscle that surround your airways). It is thought by some in the chiropractic community that physical pressure on a spinal nerve (in the upper thoracic spine, or mid-back) may affect the nerve signal that controls bronchial muscle tone.
The idea is that by adjusting the spine and restoring normal spinal joint motion, any nerve interference that may be causing bronchial constriction can be resolved and lung function restored. This is one theory in the chiropractic community of why spinal adjustments may help relieve asthma symptoms in chronic asthma sufferers.
What the Evidence Says
Research evidence into the effects of chiropractic care on chronic asthma are mixed. Some studies show favorable effects while others fail to draw any significant conclusions about the benefits of chiropractic care for this health problem. One study, published in 2008 in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia, reports that a multi-modal chiropractic treatment approach may help reduce asthmaassociated symptoms in selected cases. A review article, published in 2013 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, notes that the use of manual techniques (e.g., chiropractic care, osteopathic medicine, and massage) on children with respiratory diseases (including asthma) appears to be beneficial. Another review article published in 2012 in the journal Clinical Chiropractic, states that chiropractic care may be a viable alternative care method for asthma sufferers. Still, there is some research evidence that fails to show significant benefits of chiropractic care for asthma. Many of these studies conclude that larger randomized controlled studies are required to examine the effects of chiropractic care and other manual therapies on asthma.
Other Helpful Natural Treatments
Chiropractic care is just one part of a comprehensive natural treatment approach to chronic asthma. According to the American Chiropractic Association, other helpful measures include using air filters to improve the air quality in your home, avoiding sulfites and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in foods, eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., fish or fish oil), supplementing your diet with vitamin C, covering your bedding (e.g., mattresses and pillows) with dust covers and using hypoallergenic bed linens to minimize your exposure to dust mites.
Exercise-induced asthma - coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath during or after exercise - is another form of the condition that may respond well to natural treatment approaches. If you suffer from this problem, your chiropractor can prescribe for you an individualized exercise plan that will reduce the likelihood of asthma symptoms during physical activity.
Your chiropractor will also explain to you how this exercise plan fits in with your overall asthma treatment plan.
Conclusion
Your chiropractor can further counsel you on the possible merits of chiropractic care for chronic asthma. Some research evidence does indeed show that chiropractic spinal adjustments may be helpful for this health problem - a conclusion that many chiropractors have already drawn from their clinical experience. Ask your chiropractor about a natural, comprehensive, and individualized approach to treating your asthma.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - Wellness ExpressTM
Monday, October 28, 2013
Topic of the Week: Zap Your Zits Using Natural Methods
Acne is an often distressing and persistent health problem, especially among teens. Acne lesions most commonly appear on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders, and can cause significant emotional distress and skin scarring.
Conventional approaches to acne treatment vary considerably from more natural methods. In this edition of the Wellness Express, we will examine the factors that lead to acne and discuss several powerful natural methods of resolving this health problem. Ask your chiropractor about his or her thoughts on this health topic before making any treatment decisions about your - or your child’s - acne.
Important Factors to Consider
When it comes to acne and its underlying causes, there are 3 important factors to consider: bacteria, sebum, and terrain. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors:
• Bacteria: Bacteria, specifically Propionibacterium acnes, is linked to the skin condition acne. In people with acne, this bacteria generates byproducts that weaken the cell walls of follicles and cause inflammation.
• Sebum: Sebum is the oily and waxy product of sebaceous glands, which are primarily located on the scalp and face. Sebum helps lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. P. acnes proliferates in sebum, altering the skin and forming plugs, called comedones. The sebum produced in people with acne is of poor quality, and P. acnes bacteria living off this poor quality sebum generate further acne-inducing byproducts.
• Terrain: Terrain refers to the skin itself, specifically the health of the skin and the factors that influence the development of skin diseases. Improper diet (more on this later) can start a cascade of events that narrow the sebum canal and pores leading to acne.
What Are Conventional Therapies?
The conventional medical treatment of acne attempts to inhibit sebum production, kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and boost skin cell turnover, notes the Mayo Clinic. Some of the most common conventional acne therapies include the following: over-the-counter topical treatments, prescription topical treatments, antibiotics, oral contraceptives (in women) and other prescription medications. Listed below are several of the most potent natural treatment methods. Natural approaches are designed to encourage healthy bacteria (in both the skin and colon), promote healthy sebum production and reduce inflammation.
Natural Method #1: Fasting
Fasting can be an extremely helpful natural approach to acne. A fast presents an opportunity to reduce dependence on addictive substances (sugar, caffeine, nicotine) and step away from foods that can aggravate or worsen acne, such as chocolate, cola, coffee, nuts, milk products and greasy or salty foods. Dairy products and carbohydrate-rich foods (bread, bagels, chips), notes the Mayo Clinic, may be particularly likely to trigger acne. Therapeutic fasting plays an important role in decreasing the burden of acne-inducing foods on your body and optimizing wellness, and it can be helpful for treating and preventing acne, especially when it is combined with a well-rounded treatment plan that targets acne’s fundamental cause. Fasting can also be an excellent way to identify food sensitivities.
Natural Method #2: Eliminating Refined Sugar From Your Diet
If you change only one aspect of your diet to help treat your acne, let it be the elimination of refined sugar. According to a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a low glycemic-load diet improved acne lesions in young males.5 Another study, published in 2008 in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, states that diets with a high glycemic load may aggravate some of the factors (such as sex hormones and insulin growth factors) associated with acne development.6 A further study, still, published in 2009 in the International Journal of Dermatology, reports that the hormonal effects of certain dietary components, including glycemic index levels, can control the effect of diet on acne risk.
Botanical Medicines
Botanical medicines have long been used to help control or eliminate acne. Botanical medicines can have strong effects on the body and should always be used with caution (and only under the supervision of your chiropractor or other healthcare professional). Botanical medicines that have historically been used topically to help treat acne include tea tree oil, azelaic acid and Calendula succus. Botanical medicines that have historically been used internally to help treat acne include chastetree (for hormone imbalances), gugulipid, Oregon grape, usnea, and gumweed.
Considerations
Speak with your chiropractor before using any therapeutic approach to help treat your acne. Your chiropractor can instruct you on the safest and most effective way to use natural approaches to help resolve your acne, as well as suggest other treatment approaches that may be more appropriate for your specific health circumstances.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - Wellness Express NewsYM
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Topic of the Week: The Role of Chiropractic in Treating Childhood Bedwetting
Types & Causes of Bedwetting
The two principle types of bedwetting are primary and secondary nocturnal enuresis. Primary nocturnal enuresis, the most common form of bedwetting, is diagnosed when a child has reached the age where he or she should stay dry through the night but continues to wet the bed 2 nights per week on average, with no long periods of dryness.
Secondary nocturnal enuresis is diagnosed when a child (who has wet the bed in the past) begins wetting the bed again after a dry period of 6 months or longer. In many cases, secondary nocturnal enuresis is associated with other medical or psychological health concerns. According to the Mayo Clinic the true underlying cause of bedwetting is still a mystery but a number of factors may play a role, including small bladder size, inability to recognize a full bladder, a hormone imbalance, stress, urinary tract infection, sleep apnea, diabetes, chronic constipation and structural problems in the urinary tract or nervous system.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
To those who are unfamiliar with chiropractic care, it might not be immediately apparent that chiropractors treat childhood bedwetting or that chiropractic adjustments and care may be helpful for non-spinal conditions. However, many young patients who suffer from bedwetting have been helped with chiropractic care. Some research studies (along with the clinical experience of many chiropractors) suggest that chiropractic care is indeed helpful for this health problem. According to a 2009 case series published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractic care was responsible for a 67 percent resolution rate of primary nocturnal enuresis in children and teenagers with this condition. Another study, published in the same journal, draws a similar conclusion: chiropractic treatment for primary nocturnal enuresis appeared to be an effective therapy in 46 children with this condition.
A case study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics states that lumbar spine manipulation was successful in resolving an 8-year-old boy’s primary nocturnal enuresis, and that the resolution of his condition happened in a way that was independent of time or placebo effect. Another case study, published in 2010 in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia, notes that chiropractic car (spinal and cranial adjustments, specifically) helped eliminate bedwetting, asthma, and allergy symptoms in a 4-year-old boy.
A Holistic Approach to Bedwetting
A holistic, or comprehensive, approach to bedwetting involves first ruling out any major medical causes. Your child’s environment, psychological well-being, toileting skills, medication and supplements are all factors that his or her chiropractor will take into consideration before developing a treatment plan to address the bedwetting. Other natural treatment and prevention approaches (besides chiropractic care), notes Dr. Ray Sahelian, a medical doctor and author, include restricting fluid intake before bed, using an alarm device that sounds when your child wets the bed and having your child assist with clean up in a non-punitive manner.
Considerations
Bedwetting can cause your child considerable embarrassment. This health problem may lead to fear avoidance behavior, such as skipping sleep-overs, camping trips and other group activities because they are concerned about the possibility of bedwetting in a vulnerable situation.
Your chiropractor can counsel you further on the merits of natural approaches to bedwetting for your child.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - Wellness Express NewsTM
Monday, October 14, 2013
Topic of the Week: 4 Reasons to Take a Break from Your Computer Screen
In this edition of the Wellness Express, we will take a closer look at how reducing your computer screen time can benefit your health. Your chiropractor can expand upon these health benefits to give you a more comprehensive picture of the merits of this important health habit.
Reason #1: It Can Save
Your Spine & Joints Reducing your screen time can have a hugely beneficial effect on your spine and joints. Sitting for prolonged periods in front of a computer screen can (in the absence of perfect posture) place a significant amount of strain on your spine and its supporting structures. The Spine Health website states that the leading contributor to neck pain is forward head and shoulder posture - a posture that computer users commonly adopt when working at a computer for hours on end. Sitting in front of a computer can also place a tremendous amount of stress and strain on your mid and lower back joints and tissues and may lead to chronic back pain. Spending more time away from your computer screen can reduce the burden on your spine and improve the health of your spinal joints.
Reason #2: It Can Ease the Burden on Your Eyes
Staring at a computer screen for hours at a time places a large burden on your eyes and may lead to a problem called Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS. According to the American Optometric Association, CVS may cause eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes, and it is most commonly caused by poor lighting, computer screen glare, improper viewing distances, poor posture, uncorrected vision problems or any combination of these factors. A review article published in 2005 in the journal Survey of Ophthalmology states that proper lighting, anti-glare filters, ergonomic positioning of your computer monitor, and frequent breaks from your computer screen may help boost your visual comfort, or ease the burden on your eyes.
Reason #3: It Can Help You Keep Your Weight in Check
Limiting screen time can be an effective anti-obesity tool. Devoting some or all of the time to physical activity that you would have otherwise used to compute can have a profoundly beneficial effect on your weight. The Harvard School of Public Health notes that sedentary activities, including using computers, burn very few calories, replace more active pursuits and promote obesity by changing what and how people eat. It is this unfavorable alteration in diet that may be most significant for weight gain, even more so than the reduction in physical activity, states the School.
Reason #4: It Can Help You Recharge Your Batteries
One of the most important (and least discussed) reasons to step away from your computer screen from time to time is the restorative effect this action can have on your energy levels and sense of well-being. It is easy to fall into a pattern of checking email dozens of times every day, communicating with your friends or contacts via Facebook and Twitter in near real-time and watching movies or playing games in your free time. But this may not be the most beneficial habit, both in terms of time management or its effects on your physical, mental and social health.
Excessive screen time can be isolating, in some cases, drawing you away from activities or events where real human contact (not to mention natural light!) could enrich your life and improve your health.
Conclusion
Computers are an extremely important tool that have reshaped how we live and operate in the world. Computers allow us to enjoy many benefits that were previously unavailable in the pre computer era and have become nearly indispensable to our way of life. However, like many things in life, moderation may be the key. Here is one simple exercise you may consider trying: pick one day every week and go screen-free for a full 24 hours. After a few weeks of doing this, you may notice a boost in your energy levels and quality of life. Ask your chiropractor for other ideas about how to step away from your computer screen for improved health and well-being.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - Wellness Express NewsTM
Monday, September 30, 2013
Topic of the Week: Chiropractic Approach to Rib Cage Injuries
What is the Rib Cage?
The rib cage is an arrangement of bones in the upper body that surrounds the thoracic cavity and is made up of 24 ribs, 12 thoracic vertebrae, the sternum (breast plate) and xiphoid process (the small, palpable bone directly below the sternum). Cartilage, fascia, ligament, and muscle are other tissues that help form the rib cage and allow it to perform its main functions: protecting the heart and lungs from trauma, assisting respiration, and providing an attachment point for numerous muscles.
According to a 2006 study published in the journal Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, subtle differences exist in the rib cages of men and women, most notably that rib cage volume is about 10 percent smaller in females than in males who are the same height, and that in females the ribs grow longer in relation to the spine and sternum than in males.
Most Common Rib Cage Injuries
Certain rib cage injuries occur with greater frequency than others. The following is a list of three of the most common rib cage injuries:
• Intercostal Muscle Strain: Strains or microtears of the intercostal muscles - groups of muscles that run between the ribs - are one of the most common rib cage injuries or problems. Any activity that involves aggressive torso twisting or arm swinging (e.g., golf and tennis) may cause intercostal muscles strains.2
• Rib Fracture: One of the most common rib cage injuries, rib fractures occur when force exerted on a rib bone overwhelms the rib’s ability to withstand it. According to the Mayo Clinic, the leading cause of rib fractures is chest trauma, which may occur during a fall, motor vehicle accident, or contact sports injury.
• Costovertebral Subluxation: Irritation and discomfort can occur at the point where a rib attaches to the thoracic spine, at a location known as the costovertebral joint. Dysfunction at this joint, notes the Spine Health website, may cause upper back pain. Chiropractors are trained to look for costovertebral joint problems first when assessing possible causes of rib cage and upper back pain.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Conventional medical treat of rib cage problems typically involves rest, prescription strength painkilling medication, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, icepacks, and activity avoidance. This treatment approach may be used for anything from rib fractures to bruised ribs. Chiropractic care takes a different approach however, using natural, conservative methods to speed recovery time and reduce pain The following is a list of possible treatment approaches your chiropractor may use to help heal your rib problem:
• Chiropractic Adjustments: Costovertebral joint adjustments involving the hands or a tool to help restore normal joint movement and reduce discomfort in the affected joint(s).
• Cold Laser (Low-Level Light Therapy): A painless treatment modality that works at the cellular level to help heal injured tissues and relieve pain or discomfort.
• Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization: A manual medicine technique that uses specialized tools to help reduce scar tissue and promote healing of damaged tissues.
• Taping Procedures: The use of elasticized tape to help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in and around the injured area.
• Trigger Point Therapy: A type of soft tissue therapy that helps eliminate tight and painful nodules within a muscle.
• Stretching Exercises: Key rehabilitative exercises that help restore normal tissue tone in the muscles that act on or support the rib cage.
• Hot/Cold Therapy: The use of hot or cold compresses (used in isolation or sequentially) to encourage the healing of injured rib tissues.
Note: The type of treatment your chiropractor uses to treat your rib problem will depend on the nature of your problem and what therapies you will best tolerate, based on your pain levels.
Considerations
In some (rarer) cases rib pain may indicate a more serious underlying health problem that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional promptly to help prevent a worsening of your health. Talk with your chiropractor as soon as possible if you develop rib cage pain or discomfort.
Disclaimer: Information contained in Wellness Express NewsTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - Wellness Express NewsTM
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Topic of the Week: Noise Pollution: How it Can Affect Your Health
The possible underlying causes of these wide-ranging health problems, notes a 2005 article published in the journal Environmental health Perspectives, include booming population growth, loss of rural land to urban sprawl, inadequate anti-noise regulations, the electronic nature of our lives, busier airports and an increasing number of vehicles on the road.
Talking with your chiropractor is one of the best ways to better understand how noise pollution affects your health. Your chiropractor can counsel you on how best to avoid the negative health affects of noise pollution, including simple strategies you can employ in your daily life, both at work and at home.
Increased Stress Levels
Community noise exposure – from industry, transportation and neighbors - may cause increased stress levels in people of all ages. According to a 2001 study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, children may be particularly susceptible to increased stress levels from noise pollution. In this study, researchers discovered that children living in noisier areas experienced higher levels of overnight urinary cortisol (a stress marker), showed elevated heart rate reactivity to a stressor and rated themselves higher in perceived stress symptoms than children who lived in quieter areas.
Another study, published in 2001 in the International Journal of Epidemiology, notes that chronic aircraft noise exposure is associated with greater levels of annoyance and perceived stress in children, along with poorer reading comprehension and ability to maintain focus or attention.
For adults, excessive workplace noise is a major influencer of stress levels and other health considerations. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, industrial workers who are exposed to chronic noise experience higher cortisol levels at the end of the workday and higher levels of accumulated fatigue and post-work irritability compared to industrial workers who are not exposed to chronic and excessive noise.
Cardiovascular Problems
The two major cardiovascular problems that appear to be associated with chronic noise exposure are hypertension (i.e., high blood pressure) and ischemic heart disease (i.e., reduced blood supply to the heart). One study, published in 2009 in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, found an association between residential road traffic noise and hypertension in men. Another study, published in 2007 in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, states that exposure to road traffic noise may be linked to high blood pressure in individuals between the ages of 45 and 55, and that associations appear to be stronger with higher noise levels.
Noise, especially traffic noise, is a major psychosocial stressor and some research studies indicate that chronic noise-related stress is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease. According to a study published in 2003 in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine, annoyance and disturbance caused by road traffic noise is associated with a greater incidence of ischemic heart disease.
Sleep Disruption
Sleep disruption is a major problem associated with noise pollution. A 2007 review article published in the Southern Medical Journal reports that the potential health effects of noise pollution are “numerous, pervasive, persistent and medically and socially significant,” Noise may interfere with sleep, concentration, communication, and recreation. Another study, published in 2004 in the journal Noise & Health, states that noise from airplanes or vehicles experienced during sleep may be perceived by your brain as danger signals and cause the release of stress hormones.
Conclusion
Noise pollution is a growing problem that continues to be overlooked by mainstream health care. Contemporary society ignores the negative health effects of noise pollution in much the same way that the use of tobacco products was ignored in the 1950s. Chiropractic care is a complementary alternative approach to health care that considers all possible contributors to poor health. Ask your chiropractor about strategies you can use to protect yourself from noise pollution and its many negative health effects.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - The Wellness ExpressTM
Monday, September 2, 2013
Topic of the Week: Chiropractic: A Non-surgical Approach to Scoliosis
According to a 2001 article published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, most chiropractors use similar methods to treat scoliosis, including specific functional exercises and joint manipulation, as well as similar treatment frequency and duration. Your chiropractor is a musculoskeletal health expert who understands how to treat scoliosis using natural, non-surgical means.
What is Scoliosis?
As mentioned above, scoliosis is a sideways curving of the spine and it occurs most commonly in girls during the growth spurt immediately before puberty. The Scoliosis Association states that about 10 percent of all teens have some degree of scoliosis. Though scoliosis is found in both boys and girls; the condition is more likely to progress in girls. Scoliosis can be classified as either idiopathic (i.e., arising spontaneously from an unknown cause) or congenital (i.e., existing from birth). The majority of scoliosis cases – greater than 80 percent, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) - are idiopathic. In some cases, contributing factors to scoliosis may include postural problems, muscles spasms and leg-length discrepancies. Not everybody who has scoliosis experiences pain or discomfort but scoliosis can cause pain, reduce lung and heart function and lower quality of life (due to a limiting of activity). The ACA notes that about 4 out of 5 people with scoliosis have curves less than 20 degrees - a situation in which scoliosis tends not to progress or cause serious problems.
Who Develops Scoliosis?
Scoliosis is a common health problem, affecting about 2 to 3 percent of people in the United States, notes the National Scoliosis Foundation. Scoliosis can occur at any age, but it most commonly develops in boys and girls - mostly girls - between the ages of 10 and 15. Scoliosis can be inherited, and it is common for adolescents whose parents and siblings are affected to develop scoliosis as well. Adults may also develop abnormal spinal curves, though it is less common than in adolescents. According to the Scoliosis Research Society, possible factors leading to scoliosis in adults include wear and tear changes in the spine, deformities that appear later in life, osteoporosis, old fractures, slipped vertebrae and infections.
The Chiropractic Perspective
Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach to the management of scoliosis. Many chiropractors use specific joints adjustments, soft tissue work and functional exercises to help relieve scoliosis-related symptoms and prevent a progression of the condition. New research indicates that a well-rounded chiropractic treatment approach may have lasting health benefits for individuals with scoliosis. According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 28 scoliosis patients receiving chiropractic rehabilitation treatment approach may have lasting health benefits for individuals with scoliosis. According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 28 scoliosis patients receiving chiropractic rehabilitation treatment experienced reductions in pain and disability (as well as beneficial changes in spinal curves) up to 24 months after treatment.
Chiropractors try to identify early changes in spinal curvature to help halt potential progression and symptoms in susceptible individuals. Early intervention is extremely important in chiropractic scoliosis treatment. In mainstream health care, scoliosis is often left unaddressed until significant cosmetic and structural changes have occurred, which makes it difficult to control the condition without aggressive and invasive treatments (such as bracing or surgery).
Some of the most common approaches used by chiropractors to help treat or prevent a worsening of scoliosis include gentle, focused spinal adjustments, physical therapy modalities (such as electrical muscle stimulation), specific home stretching and strengthening exercises, exercises to improve posture, breathing exercises and foot care (to ensure a stable base of support for the spine).
Conclusion
Your chiropractor understands the intricacies of scoliosis and how best to care for your spine. If you are concerned about scoliosis, or if other family members have been diagnosed with this health problem, consider visiting your chiropractor for a full and thorough spinal examination. Your chiropractor can give you the care you need and the exercises that will keep your scoliosis from progressing.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - The Wellness ExpressTM
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Topic of the Week: The Top 5 Daily Habits for Lifelong Health
Eat a Whole Foods Diet
The food you put into your body (or don’t put into your body) is one of the most important daily health decisions you make. It is true that there are an overwhelming number of dietary ideologies but if you are not sure what to do - if you are not sure what dietary strategies are most appropriate for you and your health goals - talk with your chiropractor. Your chiropractor has the nutrition background to make relevant and helpful dietary recommendations. In the meantime, consider eating whole foods (i.e., food that is not packaged, processed, polished or refined) as often as possible.
Whole foods contain fiber, antioxidants and many other phytochemicals that can improve your health. According to a 2000 study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, a diet abundant in whole and unrefined foods may help protect you from chronic disease, improve your cholesterol profile and enable optimal colon function. Examples of nutrient-dense whole foods include dark green-, yellow-, and orange-fleshed fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains.
Move Your Body & Joints
Some amount of physical activity every day is extremely important in keeping you healthy and pain-free. It is important to understand that you do not have to run a marathon to get the many health benefits exercise offers; any exercise that gets your heart pumping and your muscles working can yield important health gains, including improved cardiovascular fitness, improved weight control and enhanced mood and energy levels. Introducing variety into your daily exercise routine is also important for strengthening your heart, toning your muscles and preserving your joints’ range of motion. Consider mixing in some strength training, endurance training and movement-based activities (e.g., yoga, tai chi, Pilates, gyrotonics, etc.) to experience the full array of health benefits possible through physical activity. Your chiropractor can counsel you on the finer details of an exercise plan that will be both sustainable and enjoyable for you.
Drink a Sufficient Amount of Good Water
Drinking plenty of good water is an important health action you can take every day to achieve and maintain optimal health. Every system in your body relies on water. Water helps flush toxins from your organs, transports nutrients to your cells, and keeps sensitive environments (e.g., ear, nose, throat) moist. Without sufficient water, you may become dehydrated – a condition in which your body struggles to perform normal functions, and which causes fatigue.
So, just how much water should you drink each day? The answer depends on climatic conditions, activity level and gender, but hard numbers for total daily water intake do exist for average, healthy adults living in temperate climates. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3 liters (about 13 cups) of water for men and 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of water for women is an adequate daily intake to prevent the harmful effects of dehydration.3
Remember to Breathe!
It is important to take time out of your day - even just a few minutes each day - to focus on your breathing. Breathing awareness (also known as full conscious breathing) is a potent stress neutralizer and an effective restorative health technique. A study published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing states that relaxed breathing is a basic technique to control or manage stress. Slow diaphragmatic breathing, breath meditation, nasal breathing and yogic abdominal breathing are all unique breathing techniques that can help keep your stress levels in check.
Build Your Community
Building and maintaining healthy, positive relationships with family and friends is an important habit you can work on almost every day. Strong and consistent social bonds may help you live longer by encouraging good health behaviors, improving your cognition and providing you with a sense of place or belonging in the world - a fundamental human need.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - The Wellness ExpressTM
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Food Combining for Good Health
What's going on? Why be concerned? These conditions do not exist by themselves. Both contribute to additional severe health issues. Obesity is the leading cause of pediatric high blood pressure and increases the risk of coronary heart disease. Uncontrolled diabetes, over time, can lead to kidney disease, heart disease, disorders of the nerve system, and blindness.
In the face of these life-threatening epidemics it's important to look for any good news. The good news is that both obesity and diabetes can be addressed with lifestyle-related changes. A suboptimal diet and lack of exercise are causes of both conditions. This is well-known. It is also well-known that maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise prevents obesity and prevents or delays the most common type diabetes (type 2 diabetes).
A healthy diet consists of regularly consuming food from all major food groups and consistently eating only that amount of food necessary for your daily energy requirements. If you're interested in losing weight and then maintaining the best weight for your body, a daily calorie intake between 1800 and 2100 calories is good for most men, and a daily calorie intake between 1700 and 1800 calories is good for most women.3 There is a third component of healthy eating that regulates how your body uses the food you eat. This additional component is known as food combining.
Food combining involves combining protein and complex carbohydrates at each meal. This important step is the key to a healthy, optimally functioning metabolism. When your metabolic processes are working efficiently, you’re burning carbohydrates for energy. Your blood insulin levels are steady throughout the day. In contrast, without food combining, your digestive processes send unregulated amounts of glucose into the blood stream every time you eat a meal. The result is frequent swings in insulin levels and storage of these glucose molecules (broken-down carbohydrates) as fat. Long-term, over months and years, such eating patterns can lead to being overweight, obesity, and diabetes.
Putting the dietary principle of food combining into practice is easy. All that's required is paying attention to meal planning. The result of this simple series of steps is better health for you and your family, now and in the future.
1WHO Fact Sheet No. 311 (March 2013): http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/
2Danaei G, et al: National, regional, and global trends in fasting plasma glucose and diabetes prevalence since 1980. Systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 370 country-years and 2.7 million participants. Lancet 378(9785):31–40. 2011
3Campbell KL, et al: J Clin Oncol Reduced-Calorie Dietary Weight Loss, Exercise, and Sex Hormones in Postmenopausal Women: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol 30(19):2314-2326, 2012
Chiropractic Care and a Healthy Diet
Consuming a healthy diet on a regular basis is an important lifestyle choice. Such a diet, in combination with regular vigorous exercise and a sufficient amount of rest, will help you and your family achieve good health in the short-term and in the years to come. Chiropractic care is an additional lifestyle choice that helps you and your loved ones get the most benefit out of all your other healthful activities.
By helping ensure that your body's master system, your nerve system, is functioning at its best, regular chiropractic care helps your digestive system, cardiovascular system, and musculoskeletal system do their jobs properly. As a result, the food you eat is put to the best possible use, the exercise you do builds stronger muscles and bones, and the rest you're getting provides maximum relaxation. Regular chiropractic care makes all the difference in achieving your goals of long-term, vibrant good health.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Topic of the Week: Cranial Bones & Chiropractic Care: A Connected Approach
Your skull is a bony structure composed of two distinct parts: your cranium and your mandible (i.e., your jaw). Your cranium is made up of eight separate bones that lock together like puzzle pieces to create a protective shell for your brain. The proper alignment of your cranial bones may be important for optimal health. Even very small changes in cranial bone alignment or function may cause significant health problems, such as vertigo, notes a 2009 study published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine.
Your chiropractor is trained to care for the health of all your joints, including the joints that connect your cranial bones. Numerous techniques have been developed by chiropractors around the world to help treat cranial joint dysfunction. Your chiropractor can counsel you on how he or she will approach your cranial bone problem and what you can expect from this (often extremely gentle) kind of care.
Cranial Bone Anatomy & Function
A common misconception about the cranium is that it is one solid structure.
In fact, your cranium is composed of eight separate bones, including the following: one frontal bone, two parietal bones, two temporal bones, one occipital bone, one sphenoid bone and one ethmoid bone. The joints that connect your cranial bones are known as “suture” joints - a type of fibrous joint found only in your cranium.
Your chiropractor, using various techniques, may be able to feel a small but perceptible degree of movement in the joints that connect your cranial bones. A 2002 study published in the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice states that cranial bone movement can indeed be measured and documented on x-ray. This is an important finding that helps validate the work chiropractors have done in treating cranial joint problems throughout the years.
Your cranial bones have several important functions, including protecting your brain from traumatic injury, protecting your organs of sight, hearing and balance, and providing a base for various muscles to attach to. Some practitioners also believe that your cranial bones play an important role in the rhythm and movement of your cerebrospinal fluid - a clear, colorless fluid that helps protect your brain from injury, among other functions.
What Can Cause Cranial Bone Problems?
Cranial bone problems may arise for a variety of reasons. Trauma associated with falls, workplace accidents and sports are a common cause. According to a 2010 study published in the journal Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of at least one type of cranial bone - temporal bone - trauma.
Some practitioners believe that cranial bone problems, including cranial join restrictions and misaligned skull bones, may be caused by bumps experienced during childhood or even as a result of a difficult birth involving forceps, suction or vacuum extractors.
Chiropractic Care for Cranial Bones
Chiropractors have long devoted significant attention to the proper movement and function of cranial bones and joints. Chiropractic care for cranial bones usually involves subtle and gentle adjustive and mobilization techniques to help remove any restrictions between these bones and restore proper joint alignment. The beneficial health effects of cranial work - as it is most commonly performed by chiropractor - appear to be many and varied. According to a 2007 study published in Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, a specific type of cranial work may be a helpful adjunct therapy in the care of adults with asthma. Another study, published in 2009 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, reports that gentle cranial work may be helpful in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and boosting quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients. Still another study, published in 2011 in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation, found that gentle cranial work helped significantly reduce pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
Considerations
Every chiropractor has a unique approach to treating cranial joint dysfunction. Your chiropractor can explain in greater detail how he or she can help restore optimal function in your cranial joints. Ask your chiropractor about the beneficial health effects of cranial adjustments and mobilization to learn more.
Disclaimer: Information contained in The Wellness ExpressTM newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional. Copyright © - The Wellness ExpressTM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)