Posts Tagged ‘chiropractic’
Chiropractic and the Health of Your Child
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.
Chiropractic Care Can Ease the Pain of Sports Injuries
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.
Balance, Inner Ear Problems, and the Advantages of Chiropractic Care
Controlling and preserving body position while staying still or moving is the essential function of good balance. Good balance helps someone to walk without wobbling, arise from a sitting position without slipping, and to climb stairs without slipping.
Balance difficulties are often reported 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 difficulties with balance are experienced by a large majority people as they age.
The term, vertigo, refers to the experience that some people have that they, themselves, or the things around them are spinning. About 40 percent of people nationwide will experience dizziness that is serious enough to go seek medical assistance. And, among older adults, falls are the most widespread cause of extreme injury and deaths.
Balance and Inner Ear Conditions
Three types of balance disorders that are most prevalent are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease, but there are quite a few other types of balance disorders. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most prevalent. Its symptoms include a brief, intense experience 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 an object on a high shelf. This affliction is more disposed in people 60 and older, but it can also happen in younger individuals.
The reasons for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are varied. It may be created by an inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can fix the condition, although it can be connected with other disease processes. Your Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.
Labyrinthitis is an infection or iagitation of the inner ear that produces dizziness and loss of balance. It affects people|individuals of any age and the cause is unknown.
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.
Though people who are older are more likely to experience balance disorders, age is not the only cause for why these problems occur. Therapy for balance disorders varies based upon the reason. A chiropractor is well-educated in assessing and treating many of the causes. Not infrequently, even simple exercises for vestibular rehab can be the answer to balance challenges. Call a health care professional, such as your Chiropractor, if you have experienced, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other abnormalities with balance.
Not every balance disorders are produced by complications in the inner ear. A few may include other areas of the body like the brain or heart. Head injury, stroke, certain medicines, circulation challenges, upper respiratory infections and other viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use, high or low blood pressure, and heart disease are all factors that, in addition to aging and ear infection, may create balance disorders.
Balance disorders produced by high blood pressure can normally be managed by less sodium intake,maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less intense, most often eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.
Balance disorders are serious. It is the primary cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is crucial 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.
Acupuncture Techniques and Chiropractic Treatment Can Ease Your Back Pain
It isn’t always fundemental for you to find a traditional healing technique if you are experiencing back pain. As a matter of fact, often when medical science is ineffectual in helping a person overcome pain, some natural methods have been discovered to be highly effective. Medical techniques, by their nature, are disposed to treat the symptoms of a problem, not the source. Whereas, natural methods seek out the fundemental cause of the symptoms. If you’re interested in experiencing natural techniques that have been shown to be effective in helping back pain and quite a few other problems, you need look no further than chiropractic and acupuncture.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been performed for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. It is earning popularity in a number of other areas of the world and for an excellent reason: A vast number of people have felt relief from their back pain and quite a few other afflictions by visiting an acupuncturist on a systematic basis. According to traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy, small needles are put into the body at specific points that are said to affect various areas of the body. In traditional therapy, only the needles are used, however at times and particularly today, minute electrical currents are directed through the needles into the body. Even though it may seem though it would be painful, it seldom ever is and, actually, many people experience relaxation and pleasurable sensations while undergoing acupuncture treatments.
Chiropractic
For over one hundred years, chiropractors, such as a chiropractor, (also called doctors of chiropractic) have been assisting men, women, and even children experiencing back pain and other health problems. A chiropractor treats those who are in pain due to musculoskeletal and nervous system challenges. Chiropractic medicine treats the deviations of the vertebral column that impede the function of the nervous system. These misaligned vertebra can reduce resistance and immunity, thus creating new health challenges. An effectual chiropractor has excellent observational and diagnostic skills that help in discovering physical abnormalities and joint conditions. Many chiropractors complete neurological tests and orthopedic examinations. Some will analyze the posture of someone as a tool for identifying postural anomalies, and additionally may analyze someone’s gait to identify faulty movement patterns. Chiropractic management non-invasive, drug-free treatment as well as advice and education concerning the advantages of individual lifestyle changes, such as in exercise and nutrition.
So, if you are experiencing back pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, balance challenges, or arthritis, and you’ve tried a number of other things and and you’re still suffering, chiropractic and acupuncture may be able to help. One way to find out for sure is to visit a good chiropractor or acupuncturist, and to let them to explain to you precisely what they are able to do for you. It’s very possible that you will experience some relief from your pain even after only one visit. With subsequent visits, you will make more advancements and improvements, and you might just determine that these natural treatments work best for your back pain.
Chiropractor says, Taking Off Extra Pounds Can Decrease Your Arthritis Pain
Do you have back pain due to arthritis? Do you also have a difficult time with your weight? If you do, you are probably having back pain not only because of arthritis, but also as a consequence of the burden your weight is putting on your spine. The body was not designed to carry around extraneous weight in the form of body fat. If you are carrying around only an additional 20 or 30 pounds on a regular basis, your spine, which supports the body, is being put under a tremendous amount of strain. This sort of burden can cause aberrations of the vertebral column. These misaligned vertebra can generate arthritic changes in the spine and continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have already taken place. Furthermore, your body may counteract in other ways, like your hips moving forward or tilting to accommodate the additional poundage. This can restrict the sciatic nerve, which is extremely painful.
A current survey by the NPD Group, a leading market research company based in Rosemont, Ill., indicates that approximately 62% of men and women and 34% of adolescents are overweight or obese. The prevalence of arthritis amplifies with increasing weight. Research indicates that sustaining a healthy weight decreases the risk of developing arthritis in the first place and may slow disease progression. A weight decrease of just 11 pounds can reduce the occurrence (incidence) of new knee osteoarthritis and would be extraordinarily effective in relieving back pain as well.
In order for anyone to eliminate their back pain, knee pain, and pain in the joints in other areas of the body, a nutritious diet and appropriate exercise is definitely required. Although this counsel presumably doesn’t strike you as anything new, it really is the only action for you to take in order to stop suffering and get your life back.
First of all, let’s talk about the topic of dieting. There are a huge number of different ways to diet and most of them work only as a Band-Aid. It may sound cynical, but let’s face it, if you were to lose weight permanently, the diet industry would lose a life-long customer! In order for you to lose weight productively, you are simply going to need to eat a healthy diet and additionally to cut your calories so that you are at a slight calorie deficit. Don’t plan on losing 20 pounds every week because that is a limited and dangerous fix. You should be losing about 2 pounds every week in order to have positive results.
Research has shown that exercise and physical activity not only relieves pain and augments function, but actually delays disability. Be certain to get a minimum of one-half hour of moderate physical activity at least 3 days a week. Even at 10-minute intervals such movement is beneficial.
Besides the good your joints will experience from exercise, chiropractic treatment is an excellent way to get mobility back in the joints of your spine and other places in your body. A well-adjusted spine makes exercise and physical activity a good deal easier and actually slows down arthritic degenerative changes. The Annals of Internal Medicine released the findings of a survey of 232 people who were under a rheumatologist’s care for their arthritis. Of those people, 63% responded to the survey by saying they were utilizing some form of “complementary care” as named by the study. Of those responders, 31% were utilizing chiropractic. Possibly the most consequential statistic was that 73% of those trying chiropractic found it helpful. Indicating why they’d tried the non-medical chiropractic care, the responders gave a number of reasons: 1) to curb pain, 2) they’d been told that it helps, 3) they felt certain that it is safe, 4) it had helped someone they knew, and 5) because their prescription medication wasn’t stopping the pain.
Chiropractors, also called doctors of chiropractic, have been aiding individuals suffering from back pain due to arthritis and other arthritic conditions for over a hundred years. Your chiropractor treats misaligned vertebra that, in addition to creating arthritic pain and degenerative changes in the spine, can decrease resistance and immunity, which can lead to new health challenges.
It is always smart to visit a health care professional to talk about diet and exercise. Your chiropractor is an experienced resource for advice on the sort of lifestyle changes that you will need to assist you in managing your arthritis. Furthermore, in addition to getting your spine in alignment through gentle adjustments, your chiropractor will analyze any faulty gait patterns or posture irregularities that may be compounding your arthritic pain.
How Your Chiropractor Can Relieve Your Child's Earaches and Ear Infections
Earache is the most widespread purpose for office visits to pediatricians. By the age of three years, more than 70 percent of children will have had at least one episode of earache, and about a third will have had three or more occurrences. What you might not expect, however, is that earache is also the most widespread reason for children under the age of five years to be brought to the chiropractor’s office.
How Chiropractic Care Relates to Earache and Ear Infections
A pediatrician who thinks that a child with an earache has a middle ear infection will usually prescribe antibiotics as a customary course of treatment. Advanced study, however, has ascertained that such practices are often misguided. The reason for the child’s middle ear infection may not be due to bacteria, and inasmuch as antibiotics are only effective against bacterial pathogens, quite often there will be no positive reaction. This is because numerous cases of middle ear infection can be caused by a virus, and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. This may account for why children develop chronic ear infections.
One of the intentions of a chiropractor is to establish if the reason for the body’s inability to combat the earache or ear infection is produced by inflamation of the small nerves in the spine (called free nerve endings).
When these nerve endings are irritated, an undue tension is created in the small muscles of the neck. Pressure created on the lymphatic drainage ducts as a result of muscle tension can stop adequate drainage from inside the ear. This condition stops the body from naturally correcting the problem. Furthermore, balance can also be affected.
Inadequate drainage of lymphatic ducts can be discovered 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. This affliction may have been due to any one of the variety of bangs, jolts and falls that most children encounter in the early years of their life. Restoration of normal lymph drainage is usually accomplished with a short regimen of treatments that include spinal adjustments and manipulation of the neck muscles. If your child is struggling with 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 second only to the common cold, accounts for nearly 30 million doctor visits each year. Furthermore, at least 6 million courses of antibiotics are extraneously prescribed for the affliction.Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released new guidelines for treating pediatric ear inflammation, and specifically 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.”