Chiropractic Works

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Chiropractors, like me, agree that “motion is life.” We, humans, were designed to walk, to run, to dance, and to move all the muscles of our body for our entire lifespan. So, naturally, it follows that we either “move it or lose it!” Our aging “Baby Boomer” population is discovering just how true this cautionary advice is when it comes to energy, vitality, mobility, and good health in later years. With every year of our life, we have much to gain from being physically active…and plenty to lose by living an immobile or sedentary lifestyle.

As our age-related risks of chronic disease increase, regular physical activity can actually slow down the trend. In addition, research has shown that people who have already developed coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Type 2 diabetes, and other age-related chronic diseases can benefit substantially by increasing their physical activity and, therefore, often can manage their chronic illness with fewer medicines.

Furthermore, some studies suggest that the cardiovascular benefits an individual gets from physical activity may also help the brain stay healthy. “Physical activity influences the frontal region of the brain,” says Dr. Bradley Hatfield, professor of Sports Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. So, if you’ve been wondering what the best thing is that you can do to keep your brain young, the answer may be for you to take a long walk. A key factor is that exercise thickens the brain tissue and builds more synapses in the brain.  The brain has 10 billion nerve cells, called neurons, and on average, neurons are connected to each other through 10,000 synapses.  Every time we exercise, more synapses form and the active brain gets stronger.

On a regular basis, being physically active increases the quality of life (period). Some of the benefits include improved energy levels, mental sharpness, balance, strength, flexibility, and weight control. Moreover, regular aerobic exericise has been shown to help in the management of depression, anxiety, and stress.

So, even though the facts point conclusively to the validity of the “move it or lose it!” warning, they also confirm that it is never to late for you to “move it” and regain your health!

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Are chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy Well, first off, yes it is highly advisable to get your spine checked while you are pregnant. As is clear to anyone with a set of eyes, your body is going through quite a lot of changes, and these alterations will continue as the pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. this easing gives the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.

This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. As the pregnancy advances, more elastin is released, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. Add to that the gradual increase in the size of the baby and uterus, and you have the ingredients for severe low back pain. As an chiropractor, I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but usually it is for their low back pain.

A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.

In answer to the second question above, by all means chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. Not only can chiropractic help you with your low back pain and other associated symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, swelling, etc., but it is safe to both you and your baby. In addition, should the need arise, a trained chiropractor can assist a mother who has a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force manipulation of the uterus that helps to get the baby into the appropriate position for birth. Additional information on the Webster Technique can easily be found online.

In summation, not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant women out there reading this, please go to see your local chiropractor, or if you live or work in the area, look up your chiropractor. We can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and we can even make the labor process easier.

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There are many men and women today struggling with weight loss on a regular basis, notably extra weight around the middle. But, the necessity to lose weight is, most often, more than merely a cosmetic issue.  In actuality, if people are carrying around too much weight in the front of their body, their back is going to be adversely affected as a result.

Many individuals who are overweight encounter moderate to severe back pain. The reason for this is because the spine was not intended to carry something that is heavier than the body is at its naturally healthy weight.  As a human being puts on added weight, the spine starts to negatively change and to compress, producing a lot of pain and discomfort.  The pelvis can also be affected and become tilted forward causing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a major reason why those who are overweight tend to have challenges with their lower back. The affliction is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If you are suffering from this challenge, unmistakeably the thing to do is to eliminate extra weight that you are carrying around, and your spine will begin to regulate and go back into its regular position.  Unfortunately, losing those pounds is hard and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. However, on a positive note you don’t have to endure back pain as you lose the weight. A chiropractor can offer the pain relief you’ll need as you shed the extra pounds.

Even so, you will still need to lose the additional poundage, and being free of back pain will genuinely help you do it. Two things that are simple (but not necessarily easy), but will be highly beneficial to you in losing the extra weight naturally are being sure to get some sort of exercise, even if it’s simply a small amount per day, and modifying your diet so that you are taking in less calories than you use throughout the day. Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. But, now that you’re aware your back is depending on you, it’s the perfect time to get truly inspired.

Start exercising slowly, especially if you’re having problems with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to see a chiropractor so that you don’t make the mistake that many people do, which is to exercise into the pain. That will definitely make your condition worse. Exercise, though sometimes uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why it’s essential to see a chiropractor if you’re suffering from back pain.

Do basic stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles assisting in relieving back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to offer exercises that are best for you, individually. Within just a week or two of dedication to losing the weight that is producing your back pain and perhaps other health issues as well, you should begin to notice a significant difference in the way that you feel.

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Earache is the most prevalent purpose for office visits to pediatricians. More than 70 percent of children will have had at least one earache by the age of three, and nearly one-third will have had three or more earache episodes. What you might not expect, however, is that earache is also the most general occurrence for children under the age of five years to be taken to the chiropractor’s office.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Earache and Ear Infections

A pediatrician who determines that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will generally prescribe antibiotics as a standard course of treatment. New study, however, has determined that such practices are often misguided. The reason for the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, frequently there will be no positive result. The reason for this is that numerous cases of middle ear infection can be produced by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may account for why children develop chronic ear infections.

One of a number of assessments that a chiropractor can make is whether the earache or ear infection is produced by inflamation of the small nerves in the spine, called free nerve endings.

An abnormal tension in the small muscles of the neck is created when these nerve endings are irritated. This muscle tension can place pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus keeping the body from its ability to naturally correct the problem. In addition, balance can also be affected.

Inadequate drainage of lymphatic ducts can be diagnosed by a chiropractor if there is more tension in the neck and paraspinal muscles on the side with the earache. In addition, the chiropractor will palpate to see which spinal vertebrae are either marginally out of alignment or not moving within their normal range. There are a variety of reasons for such aproblem as the consequence of the many bangs, jolts, and falls the majority of children experience growing up. Restoration of normal lymph drainage is most often accomplished with a short series of treatments that include spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles. If your child is experiencing the pain of an earache or an ear infection, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Advanced Research and Guidelines

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ear infection, the most frequent childhood sickness after the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits every year. What’s more, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are extraneously prescribed for the problem.Not too long ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and expressly recommended a period of “watchful waiting” since, in many cases, infections clear up on their own, without medication.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) endorses the AAP on the guidelines and emphasizes that chiropractic management is a “good first option” for treating ear infection conservatively. “Doctors of chiropractic have been treating children for decades with great success – helping them to avoid painful ear infections, antibiotic overuse and resistance, and ear tube surgery,” said ACA President Donald Krippendorf, DC. “Particularly when dealing with young children, drugs and surgery should be an absolute last resort.”

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Regulating and preserving body position while remaining still orin motion is the principal function of good balance. Good balance helps an individual to walk without faltering, arise from a sitting position without falling, and to climb stairs without stumbling.

Balance problems are often disclosed by 9 percent of adults, aged 65 and older. Good balance is vital in assisting an older person to stay independent, and perform daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and challenges with balance are suffered by a large majority individuals as they age.

The label, vertigo, relates to the experience that some people have that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will have an incidence of dizziness that is consequential enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of extreme injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Challenges

There are many types of balance disorders. Three customary types are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most widespread. Its symptoms include a brief, intense sensation of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for something on a high shelf. This condition is more likely to occur in individuals 60 and older, but it can also occur in younger adults.

The basis for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are diverse. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can produce the condition. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can fix the problem, though it can be connected with other disease processes. Your chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iirritation of the inner ear that creates dizziness and loss of balance. It affects adults of any age and the cause is uncertain.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that creates vertigo, hearing loss irregular, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Even though people who are older are more likely to experience balance disorders, age is not the only reason these problems occur. Depending on the cause of the balance disorder, care will vary. Many times, there’s a simple solution to balance disorders, such as simple exercises for vestibular rehab. A chiropractor is well-educated in diagnosing and treating most of balance problems. Consult a health care professional, such as your chiropractor, if you have encountered, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other challenges with balance.

While some balance disorders are caused by challenges in the inner ear, other disorders may be associated with another region of the body, such as the brain or the heart. Other components, besides aging and ear infection, may include head injury, certain medicines, problems with blood circulation, upper respiratory infections, viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease.

Balance disorders created by high blood pressure can usually be managed by less sodium intake,cultivating a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less intense, frequently eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the number one cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is extremely important to have a suspected balance disorder analysed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions listed below, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

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Today’s parents are more disturbed than ever about the negative effects drugs have on their children. Parents are frequently asking, when given a prescription for a child’s periodic problem, “Is this really all I can do for my child? Isn’t there a safer alternative?”

Many children’s prescription and non-prescription drugs often not only mask a child’s symptoms, but can cause negative side effects. Today, moms and dads are finding health care opportunities for their children that encourage and sustain their child’s inherent ability to be healthy.

Chiropractic care is that option because it assists a child’s nervous system in functioning optimally. When the nervous system is fully functioning, the immune system, which is controlled by the nervous system, is able to do what it’s meant to do, which is keep your child healthy.  As the adage goes, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to a huge variety of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be unfeasible to immunize them against them all. Your chiropractor is very familiar with colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they grow up.

The goal of a chiropractor is to help keep your child healthy and strong so that the ailments that appear to be an inevitable part of childhood, either will not affect your child as fiercely or won’t affect them at all. Chiropractic adjustments aids in removing interferences to the inherent healing power that runs through your child’s body. When that power is unleashed, the healing results that take place many times appear to be profound.

Furthermore, a child is lesslikely to be injured at play or in sports when his or her spine is in alignment. In addition, children who receive regular chiropactic care don’t seem to experience as many “growing pains” as other children.

Each day at your chiropractor we are happy to see that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to give attention to the questions and concerns they have about their children’s health. All children are have the right to manifest their entire potentiality. Chiropractic treatment for children at your chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.

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Introduction

The average person takes between 3,000 and 5,000 steps everyday. Not to mention, many of us participate in activities, such as running and aerobic exercise, that add many more steps, as well as stress to our poor, overworked feet. It is no wonder that many people have aches and pains in this part of the body. Components such as flat feet or over-pronated feet, individual walking and running style, and the type of shoe a person wears can determine if a person will experience foot and ankle pain. Also these factors can also affect the health of a person’s back, knees and legs. Listed below are several of the most prevalent conditions that affect the feet and ankle.

Hallux Valgus and Bunions

Hallux Valgus, a slow-developing condition, is apparent when the big toe or hallux angles off towards the outside of the foot, frequently practically overlapping or bumping into the adjacent toe. Furthermore, a bump, called a bunion, frequently is generated on the inside of the big toe. Hallux Valgus pain is normally felt during weight-bearing activities such as walking or prolonged standing, although if a bunion has developed, a “numbing” or “burning” pain in the big toes can be felt at rest.

The joint between the big toe and the first metatarsal (the first metatarsal-phalangeal) is the true difficulty, and not the bone, itself. It is the injury to this joint that causes the pain and deformity associated with Hallux Valgus. Over-pronation that creates abnormal pressure on the big toe and first metatarsal during walking causes the prolonged wear and tear that often results in Hallux Valgus. Inflammatory arthritis that damages the joint and causes degenerative changes is another cause. But, one of the most prevalent causes of the condition is the high-heeled and pointed shoes that women commonly wear. These shoes not only put added stress on the joint, but also aid in pushing the big toe to the outside.

If you have symptoms of Hallux Valgus, your chiropractor can examine your foot to determine which factors are contributing to your challenge, and then use a variety of chiropractic techniques and modalities to decrease pain and improve the function of your foot.

Plantar Fascitis ( Heel Pain )

One of the most well known foot problems is heel pain, and the cause is generally aggravation of the plantar fascia or Plantar Fascitis. The plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that encases the muscles on the bottom of the foot, attaches the heel bone to the ball of the foot. It supports the arch, protects the foot, and absorbs shock.

Those with Plantar Fascitis many times complain of pain in the morning after first standing when they get out of bed and also when they stand up after having sat for a while. The pain begins just in front of the heel bone, but can advance over the entire bottom of the foot.

Eventually, aggravation associated with the ailment can lead to the development of scar tissue, calcium deposits and eventually heel spurs. These spurs are a bony growth on the front part of the calcaneus of the heel bone where the plantar fascia adheres and can create a sharp stabbing pain with walking

Individuals with other foot conditions, especially Pes Planus (flat feet) and/or over-pronation, are most susceptible to Plantar Fascitis, however other factors often partly responsible as well. Muscle imbalances between the calf muscles and the muscles on the bottom of the foot are a crucial contributing factor. Many times the calf muscles get short and tight exerting a strong pull upon the back of the calcaneus. This creates too much stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and its fascia that adhere to the other side of the calcaneus. Wearing high heels will cause a shorting and tightening of the calf muscles, as will running and jumping activities. Sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, aberrant walking patterns (such as over-pronation), inappropriate footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity all stress the plantar fascia.

People who are constantly on their feet, such as nurses, teachers and waiters, are more susceptible to Plantar Fascitis, as are athletes who participate in foot-stressing activities such as aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, and tennis.

Once an individual develops plantar fascitis, it is often not easy to manage and can become intensely painful and persistent. Chiropractors are experts in not only determining the cause of your pain, but in recommending appropriate therapy, such as joint manipulation, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, special taping, ultrasound therapy and, in some cases, orthotics.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis is a painful, and often, debilitating irritation of the Achilles tendon, also called the “heel cord.” This large tendon is a continuance of the two biggest calf muscles and runs down the back of the lower leg attaching to the heel bone or calcaneus. Damage to this valuable tendon can make it challenging or even impossible to walk. The challenge may be caused by a sudden single incident, such as jumping, but more frequently it results from an accumulation of smaller stresses that create small tears in the tendon over time. Usually, the appearance of symptoms is gradual. The irritation may be relatively minor at first, but slowly worsens if the sufferer tries to “work through” the pain. Many Achilles tendonitis sufferers ascribe their initial discomfort to the aches and pains that go along with age or fatigue. In severe cases, a total rupture of the tendon can occur, resulting in traumatic harm and excruciating pain that makes walking virtually impossible and may even require corrective surgery.

Athletes and performers, such as dancers, whose activities contain not only running and jumping, but sudden starts and stops, are especially vulnerable to Achilles tendonitis. In addition, women who regularly wear high-heeled shoes are also at risk, particularly if they switch to sport shoes for exercise. In these cases, the Achilles tendon and muscles gradually habituate to the shortened position created by wearing high-heels, as the heel does not have to stretch all the way to the ground. When this happens, the change to exercise or flat shoes forces the Achilles tendon to stretch further than it is used to, thereby producing stress and irritation. This is why, high-heels should not be worn everyday. If they are unavoidable, stretching should be done every morning and night to keep the Achilles tendon lengthened.

As mentioned above, Achilles tendonitis is often age-related, especially in men who are athletes. As a person ages, the arch tends to flatten producing over-pronation and increased stress on the Achilles tendon, as well as the calf and foot muscles. Achilles tendon pain is also common in those who exercise infrequently, such as the “weekend warrior” and in those who are just novices at exercise. In both cases, muscles and tendons have little flexility due to inactivity. Therefore, people who are just beginning to exercise after a long layoff should stretch properly, start slowly, and increase gradually.

Regardless of how it happened, if you are experiencing Achilles tendonitis symptoms, it is crucial for you to see a qualified professional. Your chiropractor is a highly-skilled professional who can help you to manage the condition before it becomes severe.

Pes Planus ( Flat Feet )

It is estimated that nearly one quarter of people have Pes Planus, more commonly known as flat feet. Every baby has flat feet, but somewhere between the ages 3-10 we develop an arch. However in certain people this development never takes place. There are a number of factors, in addition to genetic disposion that can cause flat feet, or predispose a person to the affliction. On occasion people develop arches only to have them collapse later in their life. This many times depends upon lifestyle, job, and level of activity. Age and weight also play a role in the development of the problem. Middle-aged individuals who have been working on their feet for years often experience flat feet, as do overweight individuals who are placing added stress on their feet and legs.

Some individuals have flat feet and never feel any distress, while others experience pain in the feet and knees, and occasionally in the hips and lower back as well. If you have flat feet and are experiencing pain, your chiropractor can develop a treatment plan to not only help with pain reflief, but assist in preventing further problems from developing. Chiropractic therapy includes joint adjustments to correct foot function and resolve painful symptoms. Your chiropractor may also prescribe arch-supporting insoles, called orthotics, for additional support and stability.

Metatarsalgia ( Pain in the ball of the foot )

Metatarsalgia, sometimes called “ball-of-foot pain,” is a pain in the bottom of the foot just behind the toes where the foot bends during walking. The pain is caused by a problem in one or more of the five metatarsal bones that extend from about halfway up the foot to the toes.

The feeling of pain can be limited to where the metatarsal bones connect the toe bones or it can extend along the entire length of the metatarsals, and possibly between them. Problems vary from stiffness upon movement to a burning or stinging sensation. The amount of pain depends upon whether the condition is due to a dysfunction in the joints or an inflammation to the nerves as they travel along the metatarsals.

The reason for the condition can be either structural or functional. An example of a structural cause is when the metacarpal bones are either too long or too short causing abnormal mechanics in the feet and too much stress upon this area. Flat feet or extreme arch can also alter the stresses on the metatarsals causing similar symptoms.

There are other factors that can affect these bones that are frequently in the control of the individual. These include excess body weight, tight or high-heeled shoes, and excessive or poor running or athletic training. Excess weight and the wearing high-heeled shoes both augment stress upon the metatarsal, which leads to joint pain and nerve inflammation. Repetitive foot activities, like running, directly stress the metatarsals by exposing them to constant trauma.

A chiropractor is able to expertly treat metatarsalgia, no matter what the cause may be. After diagnosing the underlying factors, you will be offered a number of non-invasive therapies, inluding orthotics when necessary, and you will be advised on how you can avoid future pain.

See your chiropractor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the foot problems mentioned above.

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Along with spinal conditions, knee pain and disability is one of the most frequent ailments of the musculoskeletal system. Poor mechanics of the knee, as well as reduced foot mechanics due to foot pain often create painful knee conditions. Additional causes normally include overuse of the knee joint, inflammation as the result of arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.

Non-trauma knee problems: The most widespread cause of non-traumatic pain is insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the related stress on the soft tissues of the knee. The patella or knee-cap is the most common area affected because frequently the patella does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee producing undue stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This distinct condition is normally called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). The problem generally starts when there are imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that attach to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles associated with knee movement frequently start from lower back dysfunction, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Imbalances in muscle groups that connect to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, pain on the medial or inside of the knee occurs when the muscles on the insides of the thigh are stretched and tight.   Faulty foot mechanics that create gait deviations such as pronation, are an additional cause of mechanical knee pain.

The associated pain from overuse is most frequently experienced during activity, in particular stair climbing, running, jumping, and after rising after prolonged sitting. A number of women appear to be predisposed to painful overuse problems for anatomical reasons, but such problems are frequently related to wearing high heels on a regular basis.

The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot.  In certain cases, a brace is used to aid with the alignment of the patella or to support the joint. Chiropractors, such as your chiropractor, are highly experienced in providing the proper diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries often occur during activities that involve running and jumping, such as football, basketball, and skiing. Sprains happen when tissue is torn by virtue of the knee being pulled or bent beyond the facility of the ligaments that hold the joint together. Strains to muscles that give motion to the knee can take place when the muscles are torn during injury. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can vary from a mild injury that requires little treatment to a extreme injury necessitating surgery. The knee also has two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that facilitate frictionless mobility and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and commonly need surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can cause serious pain and swelling and necessitate urgent examination and care. Almost always an experienced chiropractor, such as your chiropractor, can manage these problems, but there are some injuries that do need the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is very important to stabilize the injured joint right away and to ice the injured area, if possible, until the injury can be evaluated.

Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be fixed at an early stage. If not, the tissues of the knee joint, expressly the cartilage, will eventually erode. As a result the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can eventuate. This painful condition, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is commonly progressive with age. Usual treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are very effective such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely beneficial in reducing the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will gladly discuss anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, sufferers can often aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

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Are you suffering from back pain due to arthritis? Do you also have a challenge with your weight?  If so, it’s conceivable that you’re having back pain not only as the result of arthritis, but also because of the burden your weight is putting on your spine.  The body was not intended to carry around additional weight in the form of body fat.  Your spine, which supports your body, is being put under a great deal of strain even if you are only carrying a surplus 20 or 30 pounds all the time. This kind of stress can cause irregularities of the vertebral column. These misaligned vertebra can produce arthritic changes in the spine and persist in aggravating the degenerative changes that have begun. Furthermore, your body may compensate in other ways, like your hips moving forward or tilting to support the excess poundage.  This can pinch the sciatic nerve, which is extremely painful.

A current survey by the NPD Group, a leading market research firm based in Rosemont, Ill., reveals that approximately 62% of men and women and 34% of adolescents are overweight or obese. The pervasiveness of arthritis amplifies with accumulating weight. Research implies that cultivating a healthy weight lessens the risk of developing arthritis in the first place and may slow degenerative progression. A reduction of just 11 pounds can decrease the occurrence (incidence) of new knee osteoarthritis and would do a great deal to relieve back pain as well.

A healthy diet and routine exercise is definitely necessary for a person who wants to overcome their back pain, knee pain, and joint pain in other places in the body.  Although this counsel presumably doesn’t seem like anything new, it truly is the only action for you to take in order to get out of pain and regain your life. 

First of all, let’s tackle the issue of dieting.  Most diets (and there are plenty to choose from) can be temporarily effective.  Obviously, if you were to lose weight for keeps, the diet industry would lose a life-long customer!  Eating a life-enriching diet (as a lifestyle choice and not just a temporary fix) and decreasing your calories so that you are using more calories than you are taking in is the only method of losing weight in a healthy, permanent manner.  Don’t try to lose 20 pounds every week because that is a limited and dangerous fix. Losing about 2 pounds every week will help you to lose the weight permanently and healthfully.

Research has shown that exercise and physical activity not only reduces pain and improves function, but truly delays disability. It is important for you to get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a minimum of 3 days a week. You can get activity in 10-minute intervals.

Chiropractic manipulation is a proved way to get movement back in the joints of your spine and other places in, and can be a smart first step before you begin an exercise program. A well-aligned spine makes exercise and physical activity a good deal easier and will slow down arthritic degenerative changes. The Annals of Internal Medicine released the results of a survey of 232 people who had arthritis and were under a rheumatologist’s care.  Of those people, 63% responded to the survey by stating that they were utilizing some kind of “complementary care” as named by the study.  Of those people, 31% were utilizing chiropractic. Likely the most consequential statistic was that 73% of those utilizing chiropractic found it helpful.  Answering why they’d tried the non-medical chiropractic care, those surveyed gave a number of reasons: 1) to reduce pain, 2) they’d been told that it helps, 3) they felt assured that it is safe, 4) it had assisted someone they knew, and 5) because their prescription medication wasn’t doing the job.

Chiropractors, also called doctors of chiropractic, have been aiding men and women suffering from back pain due to arthritis and other arthritic conditions for over a hundred years. Not only can arthritic pain and degenerative changes in the spine be produced by the misaligned vertebra that your chiropractor will adjust, if left unchanged misalignments can reduce resistance and immunity, which can create new health conditions.

It is always wise to visit a health care professional to discuss diet and exercise. If you want to find highly knowledgeable advice on the type of lifestyle changes that you will required to help you to manage your arthritis, your chiropractor will be very happy to help you. Furthermore, in addition to correcting any misalignments in your spine, your chiropractor will diagnose any faulty gait patterns or posture irregularities that may be adding to the pain you are experiencing.

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Introduction

Arthritis is more often than not confusing to most people.When some people hear this word they contemplate a future with crippled and twisted joints.  However “arthritis” is generic word that comprises many different conditions from the benign to the severe. For our purposes we will limit this discussion to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

The most common form of arthritis has many labels: osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and spondylosis if it is in the spine. Essentially, the condition is due to the wearing out of the cartilage that lines the joint surfaces, and it is found not only in humans, but also in all mammals. When joint cartilage is harmed, the sensitive bone tissue that is usually protected by the cartilage becomes stressed causing degenerative changes in the joint. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are more commonly called bone spurs. These spurs can cause painful irritation to other tissues adjacent to the joint, thus complicating the already distressing condition. 

Degenerative joints principally occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Everyone may experience DJD at one point in their lives, though previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. As the condition continues there can be loss of mobility, particularly when weight-bearing joints such as hips or knees are implicated.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is appreciably worn and movement is intolerable due to severe pain.

Prevention is unquestionably the best option, beginning at an early age.

• Making sure that all injuries to joints are properly treated will help to avoid future problems.
• People involved in occupations that demand standing or walking should wear proper shoes that offer good support and shock absorption.
• Excess body weight can cause increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

• Care should be taken to protect knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.

• The natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in fruits and vegetables are crucial for healthy joints and a healthy body.

Recent studies have shown that long-term use of the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can not only assist with DJD symptoms, but can possibly help to rebuild joint cartilage.

Chiropractic adjustments are not only a smart idea, but an effective treatment for arthritis, and can help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints, thereby giving patients great relief. Your chiropractor has many of years of training in helping people with arthritis pain. In addition, chiropractic modalities such as joint mobilization, ultrasound, cold laser therapy, massage and electro-therapy may be used to aid in the treatment of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is necessary to secure the joint and relieve pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

An increased level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints cause gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by excruciating pain and swelling. A large number of people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are generally brought on by binge eating of inflammatory foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided contain a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. Individuals with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the accumulation in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems. The foods most connected with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including avoiding alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The direct cause is not known, but it is thought to be associated with a problem with the immune system. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, although other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is generally associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Many times people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through specific blood tests. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic manipulations to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness associated with this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be valuable. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting individuals in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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