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Topic of the Week: Chiropractic Approach to Rib Cage Injuries

Rib cage injuries - any injury that affects your ribs or their supporting tissues - are notoriously painful and difficult to treat using conventional methods. Each breath can be painful with a rib cage injury, which can make this health problem a major source of discomfort for the injured individual. Because the ribs attach to the spine, rib injuries have been a special area of interest for chiropractors since the early days of the profession. Your chiropractor is knowledgeable about the underlying causes of rib cage injuries and is trained to address these health problems using natural, noninvasive and effective treatment approaches. In this edition of the Wellness Express, we delve deeper into rib cage injuries and how chiropractic care can successfully address these problems.
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

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Exercise of the Week: Seated Upper Back Extensions

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Exersie of the Week: Seated Twist

Topic of the Week: Noise Pollution: How it Can Affect Your Health

Noise pollution is any environmental noise - from vehicles, machinery or other noise producers - that is irritating, distracting or physically injurious. It is widely known that listening to high decibel sounds over a prolonged period can cause hearing impairment but the effects of noise pollution on human health are significantly greater than hearing issues alone.

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

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Exercise of the Week: Seated Upper Back Extension

Topic of the Week: Chiropractic: A Non-surgical Approach to Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine, such that the spine resembles either the letter “C” or “S” when viewed from behind. Most people have a completely straight spine from side to side with natural curves in the neck and lower back but individuals with scoliosis have excessive spinal curvature and in unusual directions. Chiropractic care can be helpful in treating this condition and keeping any symptoms or discomfort at bay.


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

Exercise of the Week: Seated Glut Stretch

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