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It probably goes without saying that as we age our body doesn’t feel or respond the same way as it used to when we were younger. It hardly seems right that as our mind appears to improve and become more “inventive,”  our body seems to become less “cooperative.” We’re stiff in the morning; many of the activities we do during the day make us sore at night; and, if we’re not cautious, even a motion as simple as turning too hastily or reaching down to pick up a dropped piece of paper, can cause our back or some other muscle group to go into spasm. The good news is that there is natural treatment accessible that can not only slow down the aging process of the body, but help us to avoid some of those problems altogether.

For instance, arthritis. In point of fact, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, allopathic medicine fails to address this age-related affliction. What is the reason? The answer is that most medical practitioners are only concerned with the symptoms of arthritis. The chiropractic procedure is to look for the cause of the problem and relieve the pain at its source.  For over one hundred years, chiropractors, like your Santa Clara Chiropractor, have been treating men and women suffering from back pain and other conditions produced by arthritic changes in the musculoskeletal system.

Arthritic changes happen as your body ages because, over time, wear of various joints takes place as a consequence of repetitive stresses, and years of incorrect gait, improper posture, and insufficient movement. Chiropractic treatment restores motion back into your joints and reduces pain, and it readjusts any vertebral misalignment that may be causing irritation and restriction. In addition to causing arthritic changes in the spine and increasing pain, did you know that misaligned vertebra can also reduce your resistance and immunity? It’s true, and this could be one of the reasons why it may seem to you that as you get older you experience more health problems and that it frequently takes longer for you to feel better again. According to studies done on older individuals, those who received regular chiropractic care stayed healthier. To put it another way, as you get older, chiropractic care is good for what ails you!

When it comes to the health of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are highly knowledgeable whether it’s the small, growing frame of an infant or the full-grown body of a mature adult.  Your chiropractor is experienced in working with the aging process  of the body and has singular observational and diagnostic skills that help in locating spinal misalignments and joint degeneration. A chiropractic examination can, in fact, frequently reveal certain age-related conditions before they’ve begun to create noticeable pain. In addition, your Santa Clara Chiropractor can assess your posture and check your gait to ascertain if there are any faulty patterns that might cause further arthritic changes.

So, if feeling your age has become a painful experience, make an appointment with your Santa Clara Chiropractor today!

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Oxnard Chiropractor

Your Chiropractor in Oxnard, Donald Bolt, DC, understands that allergic reactions can make your everyday life  miserable. A stroll in the park, a yarn ball toss with Fluffy, a shellfish pasta, or merely something as minute as a nut has the capability to result in such uncomfortable symptoms as itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, or a skin rash.

Then again, many times a sufferer’s allergic reactions can go from simply uncomfortable to acute and life-threatening as the air passageway begins to shut and breathing becomes labored. Such acceleration of difficulties can typically bring about a state of acute anxiety and as a result a trip to the emergency room.

Allergic reactions can, indeed, develop into quite a difficult upheaval and make you feel sidelined and not able to participate in everyday activities. Actually, should you be one of the numerous sufferers who have allergies, it may perhaps seem to you that, every so often, your surroundings are a extremely antagonistic space and that natural environment around you is, virtually, out to get you!

You might ask yourself why it is that other human beings seem to be so invulnerable to the identical environmental stresses that send your body into overwhelm. Other people seem to be either unaware of or plainly`totally unresponsive to the would-be irritants that lie in wait at just about every turn, while your system reacts, or rather overreacts, to them. Why you? A valid question. The fact is that a lot of men and women, just like yourself, have a hyperactive immune system that basically “goes crazy” whenever you are exposed to typical substances like pollen, dander, shellfish, or nuts.

Can your Chiropractor in Oxnard assist you in finally getting a lasting reduction in your allergy symptoms? Happily, the answer is a unquestionable “Yes,” and the reason possibly will surprise you. Numerous chiropractic patients have noticed that they experience freedom from their allergy symptoms after a chiropractic adjustment, although chiropractic care does not essentially treat allergies, per se. The scientific explanation for the abatement of allergy symptoms is because chiropractic treatment impacts the complete nervous system, which includes your autoimmune system, which is the cause of your hypersensitive responses. Whenever there is a dysfunction within the nervous system, in conjunction with other problems, the autoimmune system, whose duty it is to help you to adjust and react in a healthy way to your environment, can become under-active or overactive. When it comes to your allergies, the breakdown is the latter (it becomes overactive).

Considering that chiropractic adjustments are meant to reduce or even totally get rid of disturbances in the nervous system and recreate symmetry and relaxation to the entire body, in conjunction with a number of other corrections, the adjustments generate homeostasis to the autoimmune system also. A healthy immune system reacts properly to so-called allergens within the environment.

So, as stated previously, your Oxnard Chiropractor doesn’t literally apply treatment to allergies, then again that doesn’t imply your allergies won’t improve or disappear for good. On the other hand, one could point out, instead, that relief from your allergies is simply the “side-effect” of your well-adjusted nervous system. If you would like to get back into a happy relationship with your surroundings as soon as you can, call Dr. Bolt, your Chiropractor in Oxnard, today. He will help you get your life back!

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yong_J_Kim

Technorati Tags: back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, chiropractic, chiropractor, Golfer's Elbow, shoulder pain

“Missing the mark” isn’t exactly a phrase we connect in our mind with achievement. In fact, very few things in life, it seems, count much at all if you don’t “hit a bull’s eye.”  Well, it would seem that this may not be an absolute when it comes to longevity. As a chiropractor who has many older patients and who is also fully dedicated to encouraging my patients to exercise at every age level, I was very curious about the following study.

Researchers found that of the “least-fit” versus the “slightly more fit” in a recent study of nearly 4,400 healthy U.S. adults, roughly 20 percent with the lowest physical fitness levels were twice as likely to die over the nine years of the study as the 20 percent with the next-lowest fitness levels. (In other words, those 20 percent who were nearly at the lowest fitness levels.) This is the familiar “bad news/good news” situation. It is obviously bad news if you are a resolute sofa spud. However, it is definitely good news for those who haven’t quite hit rock bottom in the sedentary lifestyle department but are not, by any stretch of the imagination, energetic. Apparently, those men and women who remain even moderately fit as they grow older may have greater longevity than those who are totally out-of-shape, the study suggests.

Between 1986 and 2006, researchers evaluated the fitness levels of 4,384 middle-aged and senior men and women during exercise treatmill tests. The researchers then followed the study groups progress for approximately nine years. Such factors as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure were taken into consideration in the study. This, in and of itself, accentuates the value of physical fitness itself. In an email to Reuters Health, Dr. Sandra Mandic, of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, and lead researcher of the study wrote: “Our findings suggest that a sedentary lifestyle, rather than differences in cardiovascular risk factors or age, may explain the two-fold higher mortality rates in the least-fit versus slightly more fit individuals.”

Nearly two-thirds of the participants at the least-fit level failed to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, five or more days a week, which was the minimum recommended amount of exercise. “These results emphasize the importance of improving and maintaining high fitness levels by engaging in regular physical activity,” Mandic said, “particularly in poorly-fit individuals.”

Classifying the participants into five groups based on fitness levels, the researchers determined that 25 percent of the least-fit individuals had died during the study period, versus 13 percent of those who were in slightly better shape. Only 6 percent of the most-fit group (i.e., the ones who “hit a bull’s eye,” so to speak) had died during the follow-up period.

The five fitness-level groups presented little dissimilarity, overall, in their reported exercise habits during most of their adult lives, but notably, they varied in activity levels only in recent years. “Since it is recent physical activity that offers protection,” Mandic said, “it is important to maintain regular physical activity throughout life.”

Since fitness is linked to longevity (and, in this case, despite weight and health conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol), And, naturally, imagine the health benefits we could all derive if we sought to achieve the higher levels of fitness.

SOURCE: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, August 2009.

Technorati Tags: exercise, longevity, middle age, physical fitness

Scoliosis an Introduction

A normal spine appears straight, without much disparity from one side to the other, when the body is looked at from behind.Scoliosis is a condition that is often associated with a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine.The affliction shouldn’t be confused with poor posture, even though it often gives the appearance that the patient is leaning to one side. Defined by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this troublesome deformity often produces a distinctive “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is caused by the vertebrae in the region of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior thereby causing the distinctive rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. The pulmonary and cardiac functions can be obstructed if the thoracic curve and rib rotation is greater than 70 degrees. This amount of curve and consequential cardiac and pulmonary changes are frequently seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, quite frequently, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

If you were to look at the trunk from a side view, the spine would disclose four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. In the lower spine there is a natural “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest area has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe increased swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Alterations from normal that are visible from a side view regularly accompany scoliosis changes. Occasionally round back deformities are simply due to poor posture and can often be corrected with postural exercises. A small portion of patients with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are associated with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much harder to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Even a nonprofessional can help to identify a child or fully-grown individual with scoliosis simply by observing the person in a standing position, preferably bare-chested and in boxers, and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be raised than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be raised or more conspicuous than the other.

• With the arms hanging freely at the sides, there may be more area between the arm and the body on one side.

• One hip may appear to be raised or more pronounced than the other.

• The head is not in plumb with the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears more elevated than the other when the individual is observed from the rear and asked to lean forward until the the spine is horizontal.

The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further diagnosis once scoliosis is detected. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are a variety of causes and many kinds of scoliosis, nevertheless the most common, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for nearly 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is seen with equal prevalence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This affliction can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent categories, depending upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis often runs in families and may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences. For reasons yet to be found, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. The most general time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are ending the last major growth spurt. Unfortunately, at this age young people are disinclined to permit their body to be viewed by parents and other adults, so it is smart to have this age group viewed on a regular basis.

It is very important that if a scoliotic curve is discovered in a growing adolescent, the curves be monitored for any change by a periodic examination and from time to time standing x-rays. In ninety percent of cases, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, however increases in spinal deformity require evaluation to decide if a brace or other management is required. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be necessary.~Surgery may be required for a small number of individuals.

Brace treatment (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is observed, or when new symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are diagnosed. There are quite a few styles of braces, all created to prevent curves from increasing by acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Bracing is effective in halting curve progression in an impressive portion of skeletally-immature adolescents. But, braces will not usually make the spine perfectly straight, and cannot always keep a curve from progressing.

There is no simple resolution for scoliosis. The majority of cases, even though frequently monitored, are not actively treated. Severe symptoms are infrequently treated surgically, but the standard medical treatment for moderate cases is a brace. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments are among the complementary therapies offered in addition to bracing. It looks as if the most beneficial results have been sustained with a multi-faceted approach to the care of this affliction.

There are chiropractors, that have excellent success assisting with scoliosis conditions.

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Our pillow, bed, or sleep position is not always responsible for our stiff and painful neck when we get up in the morning. We also attempt to figure out what is happening when we move our neck suddenly and feel a sharp pain that feels as if something has suddenly slipped out of position or is pinching a “nerve.” It is important to understand that most neck problems are seldom caused by a single incident, but usually by the cumulative effects of unsuitable sitting posture, poor work and living habits, lack of suitable exercise and flexibility, and other lifestyle-related factors. Of course, some neck problems are due to traumatic events such as a whiplash accident, a fall, or a sports injury.

To understand neck pain, it is necessary to be aware of the anatomy of the spine. The movement of the spine is piloted by neck vertebrae that are composed of posterior joints, called facets, that attach vertebrae to one another. The inter-vertebral discs connect the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of strong cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal positioned between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. Spinal nerves exit the spine between the vertebrae and supply energy to muscles and organs of the body. Additionally, they carry sensory impulses, including pain information, from the body to the brain.  The nerves that exit from the neck are in charge of the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The natural forward curve of the neck balances the weight of the head and decreases stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

More and more people are now employed to sit at a desk in front of a computer. The use of computers has risen dramatically, and many individuals spend eight to ten hours a day slumped over the keyboard and staring at the monitor. When we sit with our head in a forward bent position-the posture that most desk workers adopt-the ligaments that hold the facets together and the muscles in the neck are put under tremendous strain. Furthermore, the normal forward curve of the neck may become reversed and create more stress on the surrounding tissue of the neck. All of this can lead to spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the primary causes of spinal nerve irritation. In addition to general pain, spinal nerve irritation in the neck can generate symptoms including headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with disorders of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their essential position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are connected with structures in the head are stretched or agitated thus creating symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. In many instances the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head.  Many other factors are related to headaches such as toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Nevertheless one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when contemplating the basis for headaches and migraines. Chiropractic manipulation and management have proved to be very effective in the treatment of headaches. Ask your Chiropractor about the benefits of Chiropractic care.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Unfortunately, many people are involved in car accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common. During such an accident, the passenger in the front automobile gets his or her head forcefully jerked backward and then forward causing injury to the structures of the back and front of the neck. This kind of injury is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force generated by such an accident is very intense and can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Whiplash injury includes neck pain and immobility, and other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and should pain, tingling in the hands and fingers, and weakness of the arms and hand. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. Usually in many cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper care is essential in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. Your Chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from start to finish.

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Are chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy To begin with, yes it is a wise decision to get adjusted while you are pregnant. As is obvious to anyone with a set of eyes, your body is going through a variety of changes, and these changes 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 relaxation allows 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 create a lot of back pain in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in greater amounts as the months go on, 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 recipe for severe low back pain. As an Oxnard Chiropractor I see many pregnant women in my practice in my clinic for a variety of symptoms, but as a rule it is for their low back pain.

A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that it has been shown to 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 because they don’t have to fight past misaligned joints.

To answer the second question from the introductory paragraph, most assuredly chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. Chiropractic is not only safe and beneficial in relieving the low back pain associated with pregnancy, but other symptoms like heartburn, nausea, swelling, and so on. Certain trained chiropractors can also help mothers who have a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information.

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 Oxnard 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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Along with spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most frequent ailments of the musculoskeletal system. Insufficient mechanics of the knee, as well as faulty foot mechanics as compensation for foot pain often produce painful knee complaints. Additional causes most often include overuse of the knee joint, ailments as the result of arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from sports and falls.

Non-trauma knee problems: The most prevailing cause of non-traumatic pain is poor mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee. The patella or knee-cap is normally the area affected because frequently the patella does not move adequately on the femur during bending of the knee causing unusual stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is often called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This problem is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that connect to and move the patella. Lower back problems, especially in the sacroiliac joints, are one of the foremost reasons for imbalances in the muscles associated with knee movement, and resultant knee problems. Pain and dysfunction can also be caused by imbalances in the muscle groups that attach to the knee. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can cause pain on the medial or inside of the knee.   Insufficient foot mechanics that produce gait abnormalities such as pronation, are one more cause of mechanical knee pain.

The correspondent pain from overuse is most generally noticeable during activity, especially stair climbing, running, jumping, and following standing after prolonged sitting. Many women are likely to be predisposed to painful overuse ailments for anatomical reasons, although such conditions are often 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 specific cases, a brace is used to help with the alignment of the patella or to secure the joint. Chiropractors, such as your chiropractor, are highly experienced in administering the correct diagnosis and care of these problems.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries commonly happen during activities that involve running and jumping, particularly. When the knee is pulled or twisted beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can occur creating a sprain. The muscles that give motion to the knee can also be torn during injury causing a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a mild injury that needs little treatment to a extreme injury needing surgery. The knee also is comprised of two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that provide for smooth motion and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and often necessitate surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can cause severe pain and swelling and require urgent examination and treatment. In most instances a competent chiropractor, such as your Chiropractor, can treat these problems, but there are some injuries that require the dexterity of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is crucial to stabilize the injured joint immediately and to use ice on the hurt area, if possible, until the injury can be evaluated.

If poor mechanics, overuse problems, or traumatic injuries are not fixed at an early stage, the tissues of the knee joint, expressly the cartilage, will begin to wear out sooner or later. If tissue and cartilage erode, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can take place. This painful affliction, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, often increases with age. Common treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that produce excellent results such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely helpful in alleviating the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will gladly discuss anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can frequently aid themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

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Today’s moms and dads are more disturbed than ever about the detrimental effects pharmaceuticals have on their children. Moms and dads are increasingly asking, when handed a prescription for a child’s recurrent 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 generate serious side effects. Their intent to maintain a state of true health for their children has encouraged parents to find health care alternatives that support their child’s own inherent ability to be healthy.

Chiropractic care is that option because it aids a child’s nervous system in functioning optimally. When the nervous system is optimally functioning, the immune system, which is directed by the nervous system, is able to do what it’s intended to do, which is keep your child healthy.  As the adage goes, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to massive amounts of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be impossible to immunize them against them all. Your Chiropractor well-informed and has years of expertise when it comes to 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.

One of the functions of a chiroractor is to keep your child healthy and strong so that the complaints that seem to be an unavoidable part of childhood, either won’t affect your child as fiercely or will not affect them at all. The objective of chiropractic manipulation is to eliminate interferences to the inherent healing power running through the body. When that power is freed, the changes that take place many times appear to be profound.

Furthermore, when a child’s spine is in alignment, he or she is far less vulnerable to sports and play injuries. In addition, children who receive regular chiropactic care more often than not don’t experience as many “growing pains” as other children.

Each day at your Camarillo Chiropractor we are happy to see that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to address the questions and concerns they have regarding their children’s health. Every child is have the right to express their entire potential. Chiropractic treatment for children at your chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.

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Sports injuries, these days are not just limited to professional athletes or boys who participate in school sports programs. Now, more than ever, men and women of all ages are committed to regular sports and fitness activities. A large percentage of people are involved in sports like golf and tennis, and/or other healthy activities like running, aerobic classes, and weight training. Regardless of the activity,though, there is constantly the risk of injury.

Nearly all of injuries can be put into two groups: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.

Traumatic Injuries

These injuries produce the debilitating difficulties often associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most frequent, although the trauma of fractures and dislocations often occurs in contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while trauma to a muscle or its tendon is a strain.  Sprains and strains often occur in the ankles, knees, and shoulders, and less generally in the low back and neck. Because the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves can be affected, injury to the neck and low back can be very serious.

Traumatic injuries can vary from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem necessitating surgery. The enormity of the injury depends upon several factors, such as the degree of tearing of the tissues, the location of the injury, and the age of the person. Some degree of swelling occurs with most sprains and strains. However, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. Strains and sprains need proper attention, especially during the initial stages of an injury, to assure correct healing and avoid future disability. Therapy from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly advisable.

If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until aid is accessible, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P    Protect injury to avoid further damage
R    Rest the damaged body region
I     Ice injury to decrease swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specialized support or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, particularly when dealing with ankles and knees

Naturally it is important to get the injury appropriately examined by a chiropractor, or other competent health professional, to ascertain the amount of damage. When appropriate management is provided during the various stages of healing, most individuals who have suffered sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not cared for attentively, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A chiropractor that is experienced in the treatment of sports injuries can deliver the proper advice and management you’ll require to insure that your injury will recoverl in the best possible way. Call your chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries

Sports such as golf, tennis, and bowling, as well as any other activity that demands the same motions over and over are prevalent reasons for repetitive stress injuries. An action as natural and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.

Repetitious activity can frequently create a very slight strain to tissues, expressly tendons and muscles. But, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that produces the more serious problem.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common types of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue develops changes that no longer permit it to function correctly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two kinds of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems:  1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can generally be changed or controlled by the sufferer.

Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostwell-established intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. Some people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, ultimately, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning properly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

Extrinsic factors are abundant.  An improper grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all instances of deficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Incorrect technique in any sport, such as an unsuitable golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen All sports activities demand a bit of pre-conditioning, which is why people who aren’t in shape who continue to prolong the duration of an activity without building up slowly, as well as those who lack flexibility, are injured more frequently. Warming up is essential prior to sports activities and not warming up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a widespread cause of injury.  And, lastly, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible as the result of stress are too tight and, therefore, unprepared for most sports activities.

There are many factors that are extrinsic and, therefore, within a person’s control. But, most people must have evaluation by a qualified health care professional to establish their overall body health, the nature of an injury, and the solution to the problem. If left untreated, sports injuries can considerably affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is frequently needed to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

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