Chiropractic and Headaches

Headaches are common pain events for many people, and they are often recurring. A variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications may control headache pain, but they only mask the pain without addressing the cause. Headache medications may also have side effects, especially with long use. Hoping to find a more natural and holistic solution to chronic headaches, many people turn to chiropractic.

What is a Headache?

A headache may arise from muscular tension, vascular changes, sinus congestion, eyestrain and many other underlying causes. They can start over the eyes, in the back of the head, on the sides or top of the head, or feel centered behind the eyes. The one thing all these headaches have in common is that they hurt, and sometimes they hurt a great deal. The amount of pain associated with a headache may range from a mild ache to a throbbing, nauseating, relentless pain.

It is a common misconception that some types of headaches hurt more than others. It is often said that, for example, migraine headaches are more painful than other headaches. It is also common to call any kind of severe headache a "migraine." In fact, almost any kind of headache can cause a great deal of pain. Three types of headaches are commonly seen in chiropractic offices: tension headaches, migraine headaches, and cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches are caused by pain referred to the head from the bony or soft tissues of the neck.

Headaches can be either primary, those that start independently, or secondary, those that begin as a side effect of another disease process. Headaches arising from muscular tension (generally arising from stress) and migraine headaches (vascular headaches) are two of the most common types of headache; both of these headache types are considered primary headaches. A large body of research suggests that chiropractic can effectively treat primary headaches, and many patients have found lasting relief from headache pain through chiropractic care.

Chiropractic and Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are caused by muscular tension and contraction involving the muscles of the shoulders, neck and head. Often this tension is a result of emotional stress, though injuries can also set a pattern of muscle contraction into play. It is normal for muscles to contract when we are threatened, irritated or angry, a reaction known as the fight or flight response. Over time, though, if work or home life creates a constant source of stress from which we can neither fight nor flee, the muscular tension can become chronic. This, in turn, leads to uneven stresses on the skeletal structure of the body, and changes in normal posture and movement to compensate. These misalignments lead to more muscular tension and contraction. This can become a vicious cycle that eventually results in pain, often as headache pain.

Chiropractic adjustments, combined with other therapies such as trigger point therapy and massage, can release muscular tension and realign the skeleton to break the cycle of pain. Often patients with chronic headaches will find relief through chiropractic in just a few treatments, as muscles relax and nerve irritation is reduced.

Chiropractic and Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are vascular headaches, arising from sudden dilation of the blood vessels of the head. No one knows exactly what causes migraine headaches, though the basic mechanism, involving both the nervous and vascular systems, is well studied. Migraines can be triggered by hormonal changes, foods, smells, weather changes, stress, and many other triggers. The headaches often begin with symptoms other than pain, such as visual auras, nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. The headache that follows can vary in intensity, but is often severe. Many migraine sufferers have found over-the-counter pain medications to be ineffective, and resign themselves to wait out the migraine event in a dark, quiet room. A variety of pharmaceutical drugs have been developed to treat migraines, but none of them work for everyone, and many have unwanted side effects.

Chiropractic can play an important role in treating migraines. Clinical studies, though still preliminary, suggest that chiropractic may have a measurable role in the prevention of migraines. Through manipulation and adjustments of the spine and neck, migraines can often be reduced or prevented. Nerves control vascular system tension, and chiropractic adjustments reduce irritation of the nervous system beginning with its roots in the spine, also improving vascular flow.

How Will a Doctor of Chiropractic Treat Headaches?

The fundamental technique of chiropractic, spinal manipulation, is used improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, relax muscle tension and improve vascular flow. Trigger point therapy, massage and other adjunct therapies may also be employed to broaden the treatment plan. Finally, the chiropractor will often recommend exercise, stretching and changes in posture, or teach relaxation techniques.

Forpreventive care, most chiropractors will also provide advice on nutritionalsupplements, vitamins, herbs, and diet toward the development of a long-termwellness plan to prevent future headaches.

Chiropractic care can provide a holistic, comprehensive treatment plan for chronic headaches, giving patients an opportunity to put an end to what can be a very stubborn type of pain and a considerable improvement in quality of life.

(as posted on altmed.com)

A Drug-free Way to Ease Pain Associated with Chronic Headaches

by Maryellen Cicione

"I wish I had seen a chiropractor sooner." The declaration comes unsolicited from Brett Cimino, a plumber who, for 10 years, has suffered from headaches nearly every day and debilitating migraines two to four times a month. "As soon as I began getting adjusted, I noticed a difference. A year later, I am on a maintenance plan now and to say I have had six headaches (of any kind) in the last year would be an overstatement."

According to Dr. Jeffrey Robitaille of Robitaille Family Chiropractic in Rhode Island, 1 in 6 Americans suffers from chronic headaches. But like Cimino, many people overlook seeing a chiropractor for headache pain. "I waited more than a year before I made an appointment with a chiropractor. I guess I had some misconceptions about what a chiropractor does," says Cimino. "But after seeing the results, I don't know why I waited so long."

Every day, chiropractors hear similar stories from hundreds of people like Cimino who have been suffering for years with pain and are at their wits end because the only thing offered to them by their physicians and specialists are more drugs. As Dr. Robitaille explains, many people think headaches are normal and take over-the-counter or prescription drugs to relieve the pain. "But these drugs only dull the pain," he says, "they don't treat the cause, which is why the headache returns."

In addition to chronic headaches, chiropractic care is also effective in treating tension headaches. A recent study released by the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research finds that individuals undergoing chiropractic therapy showed sustained reduction in headache frequency and severity compared with patients who took the drug amitriptyline, a commonly prescribed medication for tension headaches.

"The conclusion of the study shows that chiropractic is not actually a therapy or treatment, but rather gets to the cause of the problem, thus allowing the body to effect a correction that lasts beyond actual care," says Dr. Robitaille.

While many people associate chiropractic care as a treatment for bad backs, there is growing documentation that chiropractic is also effective in the treatment of cervicogenic headaches, migraines and cluster headaches. In fact, the American Chiropractic Association reports that 14 percent of the public who see chiropractors presently go for headaches.

However, much of the general public continues to use the traditional medical practitioner route for headache treatment, with little success. The problem, says Dr. Robitaille, rests in the six misconceptions about headache relief. They are listed below, followed by his explanation:

1. Over-The-Counter Medication Treat The Cause Of Your Headache.
"Drugs only numb the pain. If these drugs treated the real cause, your headaches would go away permanently. None of us were born with too few Advil in our blood. A lack of drugs is not the cause."

2. Headache Medication Can't Harm You.
"On the contrary, drugs can cause side effects that can be far worse than the headache pain you're trying to relieve."

3. Stress Causes Headaches.
"Although stress is a part of life, it is not the cause of headaches. Rather, it's how your body adapts to stress that affects your health. Chiropractic care can provide ways to help you increase your body's ability to adapt to stress of any kind."

4. Headaches Go Away On Their Own.
"Without treating the cause, or root of the problem, they won't."

5. All Doctors Know How To Treat Headaches.
"If this were true, no one would suffer from headaches. Chiropractors offer natural alternatives that do not involve drugs or invasive treatments."

6. Your Problem Is Always Where Your Pain Is.
"In fact, not all headaches originate in the head. For instance, a person who suffered a neck injury at some point in their life, whether from a car accident, playing sports, or a fall as a child, could suffer head pain later on. These are called cervicogenic headaches because they result from tension of the neck and head muscles."

Can Cayenne Peppers Really Cure a Headache?

Cayenne pepper, also known as chili pepper, is definitely one of your more multi-functional spices, so if you’re a lover of hot and spicy food, that’s great news. Some of the research into the health benefits of capsaicin (its active ingredient) has found that it may:

• Reverse Type 1 diabetes in mice, when injected into the pancreas
• Relieve stomach aches, and gas
• Help fight cancer, by binding to proteins in cancer cell mitochondria, triggering cellular death without harming healthy cells

When it comes down to it, all this research into the benefits of food products really points out the importance that your diet plays in your overall health – even though they are narrow-mindedly focusing on picking out the active ingredients to be able to patent it and put it in a pill.

Other Natural Treatment Options for Your Headaches

Headaches can generally be divided into two types, tension and migraine. Migraine can be extremely debilitating, and many of the drugs used to treat migraines are effective in relieving this severe pain, offering welcome relief. Unfortunately, they do absolutely nothing to treat the cause and in fact actually contribute to your problem as after a short while they might cause rebound headaches themselves.

Fortunately, many natural treatment options exist that can help treat migraines. These should always be considered first, as drugs to treat migraines can make your problem worse, and often come with other serious side effects.

Natural Solutions Are Your BEST Option

Following my eating plan, which is designed to take your personal biochemistry into account, so that you’re eating the right foods for your nutritional type, seems to reduce headaches and migraines by about 80 percent.

Avoiding wheat, grains, sugar, artificial preservatives, and all fluids but water seem to be particularly effective.

However, your customized eating plan does take some time to work. In the past, I have used intravenous magnesium to relieve the headache pain, but now I find that the Emotional Freedom Technique is incredibly effective. Oftentimes it can remove your pain in as little as a few minutes.

I am sure it won’t work for everyone, but I have yet to find that person. I have found it to be truly amazing. And, as time goes on, more and more people (including some more open-minded medical professionals) will begin to accept the truth about energy medicine, as the facts about the “New Biology” becomes more widespread.

The New Biology is based on the science of epigenetics, which literally means that your mind is in control over your genes – nothing in your medical history is preordained. In essence, your mind is in total control over your physical body, and the ailments you develop. This is not a very popular truth as of yet, as most people are not willing to accept that they carry the responsibility for their health.

But, it may very well explain why energy psychology tools, such as EFT, are so effective, and can be used for such a wide variety of ailments. EFT can also be used to eliminate food cravings, which can help you stick to your eating plan.

One final, simple tip to free yourself from migraine pain -- start an exercise program. This will help to improve your response to stress along with the underlying inflammatory conditions that can trigger migraines.

Remember, your pain typically serves a very useful purpose, signaling that something is not right -- prompting you to resolve your problem at its root level.

Unfortunately, most are brainwashed and resort to a drug model to cover the problem up. So I take the position of embracing and loving pain for the important warning signal it can provide. Once you understand what is causing your pain you can start using natural therapies to address the underlying cause.

as posted on Dr. Mercola

Alternative Treatments for Headaches That Really Work

By Dr. Leila Marsha Peterson

A headache, like a fever or cold hands or feet is one of the many ways that your body is letting you know that something is wrong with it.

Let's imagine for a moment that your body is a house with a smoke detector. Upon sign of smoke it sounds an alarm giving you a chance to do something before you are engulfed in a full-blown fire.

Removing the batteries from a smoke detector because it alarms when what you are cooking starts to burn is like taking a pain reliever for your headache. It is similar to putting a band-aid on the headache and is not solving the cause of the problem. In time, the causes of the problem get worse and so does the headache.

Headaches may be a result of stress from a chemical, environmental, emotional or physical source or any combination thereof. For instance, headaches that may be due to hormonal fluctuations and changes could be checked out with a saliva test.

A shortage of oxygen or blood to the head, which can be due to poor vertebral alignment, could possibly be another reason and a visit to a chiropractor that had special training in Applied Kinesiology and Cranio-Sacral Therapy may be the answer to your prayers.

Another probable but unlikely cause that needs to be ruled out is a head tumor or any growth inside the head.

One very common reason for headache is tired eyes. "Exercising" your eye muscles by squeezing your eyelids tightly closed for a few seconds, or doing some quick, soft blinks every so often will help relax -stressed-out eyelids according to Jacob Liberman, O.D., Ph.D. author of "Take Off Your Glasses And See". An annual check-up with your eye doctor would also be a wise thing to do.

Some of the possibilities that we need to explore are:

• When does the headache come?
• Does it coincide with your monthly menstrual cycle?
• Or is it always at a regular set time during the day or night?
• Do you need to wear dark glasses every time you go out in the sun or else your head would start throbbing?
• Could your jaw muscles be the cause of your headaches?
• Does eating certain foods like chocolate, red wine, citrus fruits, or monosodium glutamate (MSG) elicit your headache?

Pinpointing the location, character and duration of the headache could offer some insight to the organ system or emotion involved. To check if the jaw muscles are involved, put your little finger inside each ear. Now open and close your mouth slowly.

Next, observe or feel if your jaw (that ends by your ear) both open and closes at the same time, and do so without any clicking or popping sound. Myofascial release combined with polarity therapy might be able to release those tight muscles. It is also a good idea to have your dentist check your "bite" and while you're there, make sure that you do not have amalgam (mercury) fillings.

Did you know that the cells in your body could be in an acidic environment and that could be a playing a huge role in how you feel? Adding Green Plus from Alternative Care Products or alkaline ash producing foods and thoughts may help maintain alkalinity inside your body.

It is also helpful to know your saliva and urine ph. before and after a "threat" to your body. Gargling frequently with warm salt water and massaging your gums and tongue gently with fine sea salt using your fingertips would boost the circulation and change acidity in your mouth according to the Book of Wellbeing published by the Bulfinch Press. (I modify this tip a bit by combining Himalayan sea salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda with a twist of lemon.)

Sometimes, the very candles that we use for meditation and relaxation may trigger a headache. Therefore, it is advisable to use lead free wicks and candles that are made of either soy or bees wax only.

Dr. Cox, an occupational physician suggest that many people using mobile phones have symptoms which may include dizziness, disorientation, nausea, headaches, and transient confusion. These symptoms may be due to the unilateral stimulation of the portion of the nervous system that assists in balance and coordination.

The best thing to do is limit the use of your mobile phones to times of emergency. I can hear you laughing but this is not a joking matter. If you are like me who uses the mobile phone for convenience, then at least use a RF 4 headset and keep the actual phone as far from your head as possible.

Another factor to consider is if the sufferer is "rewarded" for the headache? For example, the "reward" could be any possibilities like being able to get out of a job or responsibility, or getting extra or special attention. Self-hypnosis or hypnotherapy with lights and sounds might be able to help create harmony from within and release the healing powers of the mind. Hypnotherapy is usually very beneficial in "rewarded" cases because it is known to encourage rather than compel change.

According to some metaphysical beliefs, suffering from a headache might indicate an inability to express or receive unconditional love and acceptance, or their opposite, which are hate, anger and rejection. However, Daniel R. Condron, author of Permanent Healing suggests that headaches or migraines could be that the sufferer is feeling pressured by factors that seem out of her control or that there is a pressure on one's self between "right" or "wrong".

Dr. Earl Mindell author of several nutritional and herb "bibles" recommends a cup of peppermint tea or feverfew to ward off a headache. Including digestive enzymes with your meals (if you need them) is often a surprisingly effective antidote for a headache. Squeezing the web between the thumb and the index finger with the thumb and index finger of the other hand to bring instant headache relief for some is an ancient acupressure maneuver.

Another way to ward off an incoming headache is to press the philtrum, (the indented area between the bottom of your nose and your up per lip) with the knuckle of your index finger tenderly and stop when you feel a sense of warmth, perspiration, or clamminess in any part of your body which means that you have "restarted" the energy flow in your body.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), headaches are one of the many conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture. Doing slow, deep-breathing exercises may help liberate the emotion, physical condition, or resistance associated with some tension headaches.

Therapeutic essential oils from Young Living like Idaho Tansy, Roman Chamomile may help enhance the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and oxygen infusion into the cell according to the Essential Oils Desk Reference as compiled by Essential Science Publishing. In the homeopathic world, headaches from over exposure to the sun may perhaps be helped with Belladonna, while headaches with constipation might be relieved with Bryonia.

There are anecdotal stories that assert that Energy Work like the Hawaiian Healing Technique or Reiki is excellent for migraine.

Remember that maintaining balance and restoring harmony to the body, mind and spirit is the main goal. There are a lot of gentle remedies and time-tested strategies that are available to you.

You are a unique individual. Your fingerprints are yours alone. Wouldn't it make sense to see someone who will treat you as such?

Have you thought of acupuncture to treat your headaches?

Tension Headaches Cut In Half With Acupuncture

by: Dr. Mercola

A study in the British Medical Journal showed that acupuncture is an effective technique for treating tension headaches. What’s more, “minimal” acupuncture techniques -- needles inserted superficially into the skin at nontraditional points -- work almost as well as the full, traditional version used in China.

Eight-Week Trial

Researchers in Germany divided 270 patients with similar symptoms into three groups for a randomized, controlled trial. Over an eight-week period, one group was treated with full traditional acupuncture, one with minimal acupuncture, and one with neither method.

Headache Rates Cut In Half

Headache rates dropped by almost half among those in the “traditional acupuncture” group. On average, they experienced 7 fewer days of headaches in the four weeks following the trial than they did in the four weeks preceding it.

Those in the “minimal acupuncture group” fared almost as well, with an average drop of 6.6 days with headaches. The third group only saw an average drop of 1.5 days -- just a tenth less than what they had experienced prior to the study.

The researchers concluded that acupuncture works as well or better for tension headaches than treatments already accepted.

Sounds During Sleep Can Boost Your Memory

by: Dr. Mercola

A new study about a different kind of audio approach during sleep gives insight into how the sleeping brain works, and may eventually come in handy to people studying a language, cramming for a test or memorizing lines in a play.

Scientists at Northwestern University reported that playing specific sounds while people slept helped them remember more of what they had learned before they fell sleep, to the point where memories of individual facts were enhanced.

Researchers taught people to move 50 pictures to their correct locations on a computer screen. Each picture was accompanied by a related sound, like a meow for a cat and whirring for a helicopter.

Then, 12 subjects took a nap, during which 25 of the sounds were played along with white noise. When they awoke, none realized that the sounds had been played or could guess which ones had been used. Yet almost all remembered more precisely the computer locations of the pictures associated with the 25 sounds that had been played while they slept, doing less well placing the other 25 pictures.

The study adds a dimension to a theory that sleep allows the brain to process and consolidate memories.

What are you putting in your body?

The true test of an arthritis pain relief formula goes beyond pain relief.

If it's to be a health formula worth taking, it will also assist the body in repairing the damage to joints and bone and also to providing nutrients the body can use to maintain healthy joint function and protect against further cartilage degeneration.

So, don't settle for temporary pain relief when you can utilize this special combination of ingredients to help your body repair. Learn about natural arthritis treatments that have research behind them.

12 Ingredients That Can End Your Arthritis Pain and Joint Pain

Glucosamine is a natural sugar produced by the body and found in certain foods. It plays an important role in the production, maintenance, and repair of cartilage. It stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, two essential building blocks of cartilage.

Shark Cartilage is a source of Chondroitin Sulfate. It drives the Glucosamine and provide maximum absorption. Also, in many trials it has reduced the possibility of developing cancer. Bovine Trachea can also be used as a source of Chondroitin, however, there is a risk of BSE (Mad Cow Disease).

Chondroitin Sulfate reduces inflammation and assists the Glucosamine in protecting against future cartilage degeneration.

Bromelaine cleans away the debris in the joints restores proper fluid balance. In addition, it helps to inhibit inflammatory compounds and reduces pain and swelling.

Ascorbate (Manganese and ascorbic acid) assists your body with processing the glucosamine. This is a very important ingredient and one that is missing in nearly every glucosamine product on the market today.

Yucca has a long history in treating arthritis and rheumatism. The root is rich in sponins that elevate your body's ability to produce cortisone naturally.

The Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docasahexaenoic acid) are constituents of fish oils that act as anti-inflammatory agents. Usually, these products are sold separately in health food stores as salmon or fish oil.

Boswellin has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine to maintain healthy joints. Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. At least one study has indicated that they may open up collateral blood circulation to provide adequate blood supply to the joints. Boswellin has been known to reduce joint swelling, maintain blood supply to inflamed joints and mobility as well as reduce pain due to stiffness in the joints.

Vitamin A (Beta carotene) is essential for growth and repair of body tissues and it aids in bone formation.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) produces a mobilization of your body's self-defense mechanisms, which assists your immune system to overcome disease.

And finally, Vitamin E (Tocopheral) is an antioxidant, which acts to protect red blood cells and unsaturated fatty acids from oxidation damage. It also assists your body in maintaining healthy membrane tissue.

Vitamin A, C, and E all promote general health and protect against the harmful effect of free radicals.

Source:healthynewage.com

Afraid that Chiropractic medicine isn't safe?

Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects.

The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which helps relieve pressure and tension.
Neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure. While some reports have associated upper high-velocity neck manipulation with a certain kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection, there is not yet a clear understanding of the connection. The occurrence appears to be very rare—1 in 5.85 million manipulations— based on the clinical reports and scientific studies to date. If you are visiting your doctor of chiropractic with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your doctor of chiropractic offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.

source: American Chiropractic Association website

Autism and Chiropractic medicine.

by Dr. Ashley Ochsner

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL CONNECTION OF CHIROPRACTIC AND AUTISM

Many people in search of help with a neurodevelopmental disorder find themselves here in this group. In order to get the help you need and deserve, it’s important to understand the processes and procedures involved in seeking treatment.

Phase I: Structural Spinal Neurological Evaluation

This is the starting point for all of our Autistic patients. Why? Because the central nerve system is the controller of all function and healing in the body. This pathway (the spine) must be checked first and foremost. Testing should include digital thermographic imaging, digital posture analysis, as

well as digital structural x-rays (if necessary). If there’s a problem detected, it must be corrected or reduced. Correcting the spine is not a simple procedure. It also isn’t something every chiropractor is qualified to do. Only chiropractors specializing in corrective care can truly correct the spine. Depending upon the age of the patient, their condition, and past similar cases, an appropriate course of care will be recommended. This process must be implemented successfully before moving to Phase II.

Phase II: Nutrient and Toxicity Evaluation (Biomedical Evaluation)

This is the step many of you are very familiar with and can’t wait to get started moving. It is a very important part of the recovery process. It’s vital that this be done AFTER the nerve system is functioning at it’s best from the work done in Phase II. This assures the best results every time. Most of the Chiropractors in this group network are trained and integrate the Defeat Autism Now! approaches. If they don't do this in their offices, they will refer you to the proper professional for help in this phase. A detailed history is always taken as our first step. Once the history is complete, appropriate lab testing will be ordered. Testing options include but aren’t limited to:

• Urine Organic Acids
• Lyme Disease Testing
• Biotoxic Illness
• Toxic Metals Testing
• Vitamin Panel (Metabolic Profile)
• Essential Fatty Acids Test
• Food Allergy Panel
• Thyroid Study
• And many others…

Treatment for each patient is extremely individual and unique, based upon the case. However, one of the foundational parts of this phase of care is diet. Most, if not all patients, will be given dietary guidelines and a program that goes way beyond just gluten and casein free. It is customized for the individual.

Phase III: Referral for Specialized Therapies

If at any time a referral to another professional is indicated, you can be assured that we will get you to the right professional. The Chiropractors in this group work with dozens of professionals in the arena of neurodevelopmental disorders.

How does aging work?

The human body goes through a variety of changes as it gets older. In general, muscles, blood vessels and other tissues lose their elasticity. The heart becomes less efficient, bones become weaker and the metabolism slows down. Aging affects every part of the body -- check out the Mayo Clinic's summary of how aging affects each of the body's organ systems here.

In spite of the changes to the rest of the body, a lot of people focus primarily on changes to their appearance as they age. Americans spend billions of dollars per year on products to treat the external signs of aging. These include:

• Wrinkles: Fibers in the skin called collagen and elastin break down and lose strength as a person gets older. Sun exposure throughout life contributes to this process. Without these fibers, the skin cannot hold its shape as well. Older skin retains less fat, making it look less supple. The pull of gravity also causes the skin to sag.
• Dry skin: Older people produce less sweat and oil, causing their skin to be drier. Excessively dry skin can emphasize the appearance of wrinkles.
• Age spots: Dark spots on the skin, particularly the arms, hands, face and feet, stem from cumulative exposure to the sun. Most people call these marks liver spots, but they are unrelated to liver function. They actually stem from overproduction of the pigment melanin in areas of the skin that have experienced the most exposure to the sun.

Dermatologists stress that some factors that contribute to aging skin are preventable, including:

• Sun exposure: Scientists have proven that ultraviolet light from the sun contributes to skin cancer and cataracts. It also plays a role in the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. In addition to using sunscreens, people can reduce their exposure to the sun by:
  • Wearing a hat with a wide brim
  • Wearing sunglasses with lenses that block ultraviolet light
  • Avoiding sun exposure in the middle of the day, when the sun is strongest
  • Avoiding deliberate sun exposure
• Smoking: Smokers generally experience more wrinkles than nonsmokers. Doctors and scientists have not yet determined exactly how smoking contributes to wrinkles. They believe it may accelerate the natural aging process of collagen and elastin.

source:health.howstuffworks.com

Chiropractor - Doctor Of Chiropractic (DC)

Chiropractic care (derived from the Greek, meaning "done by hand") dates back to the 1895. The discipline was developed by Daniel David Palmer, a self-taught healer in Davenport, Iowa. Palmer's objective was to find a cure for disease and illness that did not use drugs. Palmer studied the structure of the spine and the ancient art of manipulation.

Palmer first treated a local janitor who complained of deafness after performing heavy labor in a stooped position. Upon examination, Palmer noted a lump on the janitor's back that he attributed to a displaced vertebra. Shortly after Palmer's manipulation of the janitor's back, his hearing was restored. Later Palmer claimed to successfully treat a man's heart condition using spinal manipulation. Based upon his success with these two cases, Palmer concluded that disease can be the result of spinal misalignment.

As more people began to seek Palmer's care, he refined his theory to state that many ailments were caused by the vertebrae impinging on spinal nerves. Palmer called such interference with normal nerve transmission "subluxations." He believed that after manipulations or adjustments to correct the proper vertebral alignment, normal brain and nerve transmission are restored and the body is able to resume its innate ability to recover from illness.

Today, the majority of practicing providers mix spinal adjustments with other therapies, such as hot or cold treatments, nutrition counseling, and exercise recommendations. They also frequently use new technologies to locate and eliminate subluxations.

Chiropractors take a medical history in the same manner as other health care providers. They then perform an examination focused on detecting muscle strength versus weakness, the range of motion of the complete spine, any structural abnormalities, and the posture assumed by the patient in a variety of positions. Lab values may also be ordered. X-rays and other images may be taken to help make a diagnosis.

The chiropractor's principal method of treatment is through adjustments (spinal manipulations). Two common techniques used are the recoil thrust and the rotational thrust. The recoil thrust requires the patient to lie face down on a special table that moves slightly downward as thrusts are made by the practitioner to accomplish adjustments. The rotational thrust requires the patient to lie with the upper body twisted counter to the pelvis. The chiropractor then applies short, fast thrusts to the spine.

REGULATION OF THE PROFESSION

To become a chiropractor in the U.S., the student typically begins with several years of undergraduate studies focused on biology and science. They then complete a 4-5 year program at a chiropractic college. Some states require that you have a bachelor's degree and a chiropractor degree to practice. Chiropractic colleges are accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

The curriculum at chiropractic colleges includes anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, orthopaedics, neurology, radiology, physical and lab diagnosis, general chiropractic analysis, and adjusting techniques. Students are expected to complete an internship at an outpatient clinic owned and run by the chiropractic college.

Chiropractors are regulated at two different levels:

• Board certification is conducted by the National Board of Chiropractor Examiners, thereby creating national standards for chiropractic care.
• Licensure takes place at the state level in accordance with specific state laws. Licensure may differ significantly from state to state. Most states require successful completion of the National Chiropractic Board examination prior to licensure. Some states also require passing a practical examination. All states recognize training from chiropractic schools accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE).

Most states have requirements for a certain number of continuing education hours to be completed every year, in order to maintain licensure.

source: health.howstuffworks.com

Alternative Medicines for Sinusitis

by the Editors of Consumer Guide

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the sinus cavities (located around the nose). What causes it? An infection (resulting from a common cold, tooth abscess, or other ailment), allergies such as hay fever, or an injury to the nose. Once someone has the sinus disorder, it may go away only to return the next time a cold hits.

Unlike conventional medicine, many alternative therapies believe that the symptoms and infectious organisms related to sinusitis are not the primary concern. Instead, these treatments try to uncover the causes of the sinus disorder.

Chiropractic Medicine for Sinusitis

Chiropractic medicine holds a great deal of promise for people with sinusitis. Its treatments can target the bones and mucous membrane that surround the air-filled sinus cavities, as well as the joints and muscles of other parts of the body. Patients of chiropractic have reported improvements in their breathing, their postnasal drainage, their ability to sleep, and their sense of smell, as well as fewer headaches. Several treatment methods may be appropriate:

• Chiropractic manipulative therapy -- adjusting joints beyond their normal limitations to correct a misalignment -- allows the body to return to proper function and heal itself.

• Nasal-specific technique -- inserting small balloon-like tools into the nasal cavity and gently inflating them -- can expand the sinus openings. (This technique is often practiced by naturopathic physicians.)

• Trigger point therapy -- applying pressure to a "trigger point" on the body (somewhere other than the sinus area) -- can eliminate the sinus pain.

• Light-force cranial manipulation -- involving adjustments of the skull bones and surrounding fluid -- may also provide relief.
  

A typical chiropractic treatment for sinusitis may require 15 visits spread out over two months. Only a trained practitioner is qualified to perform spinal manipulation. Chiropractors specialize in treating the spine and other joints. Osteopaths and naturopathic physicians may also employ these techniques, while physical therapists and massage therapists often incorporate elements such as trigger point therapy into their work.

Herbal Medicine for Sinusitis

Herbs can be used to stimulate the immune system and to reduce the production of mucus, dry out the sinuses, and reduce inflammation of the membranes. Both echinacea (also called purple coneflower) and goldenseal may strengthen the immune system, making it harder for future infections to trigger an attack of sinusitis. Goldenseal is also considered an effective reliever of sinusitis symptoms. The herb's root can be taken in capsule or tincture form or diluted with warm water and used as a nasal rinse. Teas made from elderflower, ginger, chamomile, ground ivy, or peppermint can clear out mucus. Other herbs that offer relief of sinusitis include eyebright, goldenrod, and marshmallow.

Acupuncture for Sinusitis

According to acupuncture therapy, sinusitis can have several origins. It may result from a weakness in energy, or qi, in the lungs, which can leave the respiratory system in an unhealthy state. The disorder may also follow a disturbance in the intestines.

In assessing a patient with sinusitis, the acupuncturist looks beyond the symptoms to understand the health of the entire body. The acupuncturist may do a complete physical exam or make a pulse or tongue diagnosis and ask for your personal history. As needed, tiny needles are inserted in certain points on the body to replenish or disperse the energy, bringing it back to its ideal level. These points can also be stimulated with needles, electrical current, pressure, or heat. Herbal remedies and dietary alterations may also be prescribed.

An acupuncturist, a traditional Chinese physician, or a naturopathic physician can perform acupuncture. For your first visit to the practitioner, be prepared to discuss in detail your sinusitis symptoms, as well as your general health, diet, and lifestyle.

Other Sinusitis Therapies

• Aromatherapy for Sinusitis -- The essential oils of eucalyptus, pine, or rosemary can be added to a steam inhalation treatment.

• Homeopathy for Sinusitis -- Common remedies include allium cepa, kali bichromicum, and sulphur.

• Hydrotherapy for Sinusitis -- Alternating hot and cold baths or compresses can be beneficial.

• Nutritional Therapy for Sinusitis -- Recommendations include taking vitamins B6 and C and avoiding dairy products and food allergens.

• Yoga for Sinusitis -- Poses and breathing exercises can improve breathing, reduce tension and stress, and support the immune system.

Microdermabrasion Effects

Whether done with a product at home or in a professional setting with a specialized tool, the principle of microdermabrasion is the same. The idea is that if you remove or break up the stratum corneum, the body interprets that as a mild injury and rushes to replace the lost skin cells with new and healthy ones. In the first hour after treatment, this causes mild edema (swelling) and erythema (redness). Depending on the individual, these side effects can last anywhere from an hour to two days.

This process has a few beneficial effects. With the stratum corneum gone, the skin's surface is improved. The healing process brings with it newer skin cells that look and feel smoother. Some of the skin's visible imperfections, like sun damage, blemishes and fine lines, are removed. Also, without the stratum corneum acting as a barrier, medicinal creams and lotions are more effective because more of their active ingredients and moisture can find their way down to the lower layers of skin. As microdermabrasion temporarily removes some moisture from the skin, it is always followed by the application of moisturizing creams.

Early studies suggest that repeated microdermabrasion treatment at regular intervals may influence the way the lower layers of skin grow, as well, removing deeper blemishes over time. Some evidence seems to indicate that the rapid loss of skin moisture may be what triggers the lower skin layers to work overtime in speeding healthy cells up to the surface.

source: health.howstuffworks.com

How Microdermabrasion Works

Microdermabrasion is one of the more recent skin-care techniques to have crossed over from Hollywood to the mainstream. It's being advanced as an "instant facelift" -- an effective alternative to costlier and more invasive procedures like plastic surgery, chemical peels and Botox injections. Recently, more and more men are trying it, instead of pursuing cosmetic surgery.

So what exactly is microdermabrasion, what does it promise and what effect does it actually have on your face? Do you need a doctor, or is it something you can do yourself? In this article, we'll look at the science behind microdermabrasion, see what a treatment is like and find out what it does to your skin.

The Basics
Microdermabrasion is a general term for the application of tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin. Many different products and treatments use this method, including medical procedures, salon treatments and creams and scrubs that you apply yourself at home. It's usually done to the face, chest, neck, arms or hands. Before we can understand how microdermabrasion does what it does, it's important to understand how skin works.

Your skin is made up of two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the layer closest to the outside world. It's a set of dead skin cells on top of another layer of cells that are in the process of maturing. The topmost layer is called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum mostly acts as a barrier between the outside world and the lower skin layers. It keeps all but the smallest molecules from getting through.

When you put lotions or creams on your skin, some of the moisture passes through the stratum corneum, but not all of it. This layer is home to many minor skin imperfections like fine wrinkle lines and blemishes.

All of the action in microdermabrasion takes place at the level of the stratum corneum. Since it only really targets the epidermis (and not the dermis), it is more accurate to call it micro-epi-dermabrasion. Affecting deeper layers of skin would be painful and harmful, and it would risk permanently embedding the tiny grains into the skin.

source: health.howstuffworks.com

Innate Intelligence

You started out as two cells – one from your father, and one from your mother. Those two cells came together and formed the beginning of your life, and over a period of about nine months, you went from one cell to (depending on whom you ask) somewhere between 10 and 100 trillion.

The amazing part, though, is not the simple fact that we multiplied from one cell into trillions, but that they all went off in different directions to do different jobs. Some became part of our kneecaps, some formed a heart, some built an immune system, and so on. In other words, it’s like 100 trillion separate little workers heading off to participate in thousands of complex functions, all conceived, orchestrated and conducted into the most beautiful symphony ever written, and directed by an unseen intelligence.

But here’s the important part: once that Innate Intelligence forms a new baby, it doesn’t go off and make another one – it stays inside of us, and runs every aspect of our lives, every second of every day. If we cut ourselves, if we break a bone, if we have a cold or the flu or any other symptom or disease, it’s our own Innate Intelligence that does the healing. It just knows how to do it.

Medical doctors don’t heal. Medications don’t heal. Operations don’t heal. Chiropractic adjustments don’t heal. All any doctor or pill or procedure or adjustment can do is seek to remove the interference to healing, so that the body’s own innate potential can be expressed. Healing always flows from above down, and from the inside out.

How does the spine effect Innate Intelligence?

The chiropractic principle is almost too simple, which is partly why it’s taking so long for it to be understood and accepted. “What do the bones have to do with Innate Intelligence?” you might reasonably wonder.

As it turns out, our Innate Intelligence expresses itself largely through the nervous system, and that system is stretched over the body’s frame (the bones) like a spider web, or like the strings of a musical instrument.

Science has now confirmed that any distortion or restriction of our human frame can interfere with the nerves by disturbing their “tone” or “vibration,” in much the same way that the notes produced by plucking a guitar string are changed by altering its tension. Too much or too little, and we won’t be happy with the result.

The nervous system controls all of the organs and glands of the body, including the immune system, which determines how well we deal with colds, flu and other infections. Nerve root compression alters gene expression, which affects how likely we are to actually develop the conditions or diseases of our parents. In other words, we aren’t necessarily “doomed” to have the same problems they had – much of our future can be influenced by the choices we make in our own lives, including how we choose to care for our spines.

source: www.yourspine.com

Dermabrasion

Mechanical resurfacing of the skin has been in use for about 50 years and involves the use of abrasive tools to remove the outer layers of the skin to produce an improved appearance. Dermabrasion has been used for the treatment of photoaging (from sun damage), wrinkles, scarring, acne, precancerous lesions, and perform discoloration (called dyschromia). Superficial and deep techniques are available. There are two layers of the skin; the outer layer is called the epidermis and the inner layer, the dermis. Superficial dermabrasion removes portions of the epidermis and deep dermabrasion removes all of the epidermis and portions of the dermis. Deep methods are the preferred method for treatment of scarring (i.e. from acne or trauma) and other less common skin conditions (i.e. epidermal nevi, rhinophyma, and benign tumors). It has also been used for removal of resistant tattoos. Deep methods are more effective but generally require healing time and carry a higher risk of complications.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion, also referred to as the “lunch time” procedure, is a popular procedure which is classified as light, or very superficial dermabrasion. This method employs aluminum oxide crystals that are propelled at the skin and immediately sucked up. Although not scientifically proven to improve the appearance of skin, many patients report that their skin feels smoother. It is used to treat acne, dyschromias, and general “rejuvenation”. It is also popular because it is painless and there is no recovery time after the procedure. Newer devices now are crystal-less.

Manual dermasanding abrades the skin with silicone carbide sandpaper. This method is usually considered to be a medium depth procedure and is sometimes used in combination with other methods, such as chemical peels, carbon dioxide lasers, and motorized dermabrasion.

Motorized dermabrasion is a medium-deep or deep procedure and employs the use of a motorized brush or diamond cylinder. These tools are used to remove the outer layers of the skin in a controlled setting. Local anesthesia is used for pain control during the procedure. Dressings usually need to be worn after the procedure and temporary facial swelling and pain are normal. Within 7-10 days, the skin has healed but is often very red. Complete healing may take up to one month and collagen remodeling may continue for months after the procedure. Dermabrasion has been proven to improve the cosmetic appearance of the skin, especially in the treatment of scarring.

Not everyone is a good candidate for dermabrasion. Those with active acne, infections, and other scarring skin conditions may need treatment before undergoing dermabrasion. You and your physician need to decide if dermabrasion is the right procedure for you.

source: www.dermanetwork.org

VelaShape Facts

VelaShape is a novel FDA approved method of reducing the circumference of the thighs and also helps reduce cellulite. The VelaShape therapy has been reported to contour the body by removing cellulite and improves the aesthetic image of the thighs.

Because cellulite is a common occurrence in more than 80% of females, it is believed that this novel non-surgical procedure will help reduce the thigh and abdominal circumference as well as reduce the cellulite.

VelaShape therapy combines both radiofrequency waves and a mechanically assisted vacuum massage therapy in reducing the body cellulite. Its major effects are on the deeper tissues of the body.

The treatment is non invasive and has no downtime. The treatment is performed as an outpatient in a physicians' office.

The vendors of the therapy claim that most individuals can obtain significant results after as few as 4 sessions.

European studies indicate that the treatment is safe and painless.

There are claims that the treatment can reduce the thigh circumference by at least 2-4 cms in most individuals.

The VelaShape device comes into two sizes. The larger size applicator can be used to treat the thighs and buttocks and the smaller applicator can be used to treat the arms and the hard to reach areas of the body.

VelaShape can be used to:

- reduce the circumference of the thigh and abdomen

- reduce cellulite from any part of the body

- recontour or reshape the body

- in combination with liposuction

- remove the excess fat and cellulite that commonly occurs after a pregnancy

Other related benefits of VelaShape include:

- improved circulation of the blood

- decrease in the muscle aches

- decreased joint pains

- firmer and tighter skin

- improved tone of the body tissues

- better image and enhanced self confidence

VelaShape can be used to reshape and improve the following areas of the body:

- Abdomen

- Thigh

- Waist line (Love handles)

- Buttocks

source: www.dermanetwork.org

VelaShape

An Overview

VelaShape™ is a body shaping and firming treatment that incorporates advanced elos technology. Elos technology uses a state-of-the-art combination of radio frequency energy and infrared light to stimulate your body’s metabolism. Suction skin rollers are added to smooth skin and help provide for an even dispersal of energy. The effect of VelaShape is like combining the best aspects of inch loss and firming and skin tightening techniques. VelaShape can help contour and shape your body, while providing smoother, tighter skin.

VelaShape treatments are non-invasive, no needles or cutting required. VelaSmooth also works by increasing your body’s natural metabolism to shrink and reduce unwanted fat chambers. VelaShape is FDA approved to help shape your abdomen, love handles, thighs, and buttocks.


How Long Does this Procedure Take?
VelaShape usually takes between 30 and 40 minutes.

VelaShape™ Side Effects:
No major side effects with VelaShape. Mild redness is sometimes reported.

VelaShape™ Recovery Time:
There is no downtime with VelaShape treatments. You can continue your daily activities immediately following treatment.

Typical Minimum Cost:
$200 - $400

Typical Maximum Cost:
$800 - $2000


Can Insurance Cover VelaShape™?
Because of the cosmetic nature of VelaShape, it is not usually covered by insurance.


Will I feel pain or discomfort after treatment?
Some patients describe VelaShape treatments as a mild pinching, but most find it to be relaxing. The VelaShape experience is comparable to a deep tissue massage.

source: www.healthyskinportal.com

Microdermabrasion Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Microdermabrasion Help Even Out Red Marks?

A: By removing the top layer of the skin, microdermabration diminishes or even removes superficial red marks. Deeper red marks require a more invasive procedure, like a deep chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing.

Q: Does Micro Derma Abrasion Help Young Women?

A: Micro derma abrasion is safe for young women (and men) of all skin types but most doctors recommend it for girls aged 14 and older, mainly because they want to make sure that all major hormonal changes are over and the results of the procedure are as good as they can be.

Q: How Can Microderma Make Stretch Marks Improve?

A: Stretch marks appear on your skin as uneven skin tone and texture. By exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin, microdermibration kit evens out skin tone and texture, thus reducing or totally removing stretchmarks.

Q: Can Microbrasion Cause Age Spots?

A: No, microabrasions cannot cause age spots.

Q: Micro Dermabration Is It Good On The Eye Lids?

A: Home microderma tools should not be used on your eye-lids even if it's especially formulated as a face microdermabrasia cream. Using a face microabrasion cream on your eye lids may result in irritation or scarring (the lids are too thin and can easily be damaged). Surgeon-performed microabrasion is not suitable for use on eye lids either.

Q: Does Microdermabasion Make Skin Complexion Less Visible?

A: This procedure exfoliates the top layer of skin which consists of dead skin cells. Microdermabasion set stimulates collagen production, essential to healthy skin and also removes blotchy skin texture and tone.

Q: Who Is The Right Candidate For Microdermbrasion?

A: The right candidate for microdermabrasian is anyone over 14 who wants to get rid of superficial acne scars, blotchy skin, large pores, age or sun spots, fine wrinkles or uneven skin tone and texture. All skin types and colors can be treated with microdermabrasions. But if you are pregnant, nursing or suffering from a chronic skin disease, or have been on Accutane or had laser surgery recently, consult with a specialist before having this treatment.

Q: How Can Microdermal Abrasion Make Hyperpigmentation Fade?

A: Microdermabasion kit works on hyperpigmentation. The micro-crystal flow abrades the top layer of the skin where unevenly pigmented skin cells are stuck. Several office microderm abrasions are required to even out skin tone and get rid of hyperpigmentation.

Q: Is Microdermabration Good?

A: According to thousands of online testimonials, clinic microderm is good on superficial skin imperfections. But like with most non-surgical procedures, the results depend on your medical condition, your body's ability to recover and on who performs the procedure on you. Most patients who have tried micro derma abrasion say the procedure was effective in reducing fine lines, age spots, enlarged pores, acne scars, red marks, stretch marks and dull skin More severe skin imperfections cannot be improved with this non-invasive technique, because it only sandblasts the top layer of the skin, not being able to reach deeper layers of skin.

Q: Does Micro Derm Abrasion Work For Pimple Scars?

A: By removing the top layer of skin, micro abrasion evens out skin texture and helps improve superficial pimple scars. Deeper pimple scarring needs more invasive non-surgical techniques, like deep chemical peeling or laser facial resurfacing.

source: www.skinabrasion.net

Why Choose Microabrasion?

Why did I choose microderm abrasion? Well, it has no downtime (it's called the "lunchtime procedure"), is similar to a facial massage (so not too aggressive) and the advertised results were good. So, 7 months and $1,200 later, here are the results:

Results After The First Treatment (first year)

After the first professional microdermabrasion treatment (12 abrasions scheduled 2 weeks apart) I noticed an overall improvement in skin complexion while the red spots and scars from my acne were definitely diminished. I followed with a maintenance abrasion 2 months afterwards.

Results After 3 Years

Over the following 2 years I had 2 micro dermabrasion treatments (10 sessions each) with maintenance, followed by 2 long breaks (5 months each) during which I used home microderm abrasion kits weekly for maintenance. In 2007, my microdermabrasion results include:

• No more age spots on the face, neck, decolette and arms
• Less visible lines around the mouth
• Red spots and acne scars on my cheeks, chin and forehead gone (I still have 2-3 deeper scars on my cheeks which are still visible but fading nicely)
• No more blemishes
• Stretch marks from my pregnancies diminished
• I look 5 years younger (or so I'm told)

Basically, microdermabrasion results can do any or all of the following: revitalizes dull skin, reduces enlarged pores, erases fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars, treats hyperpigmentation (mild pigment irregularities), stretch marks and age spots.

Judging from personal experience, thousands of online reviews, discussions with dermatologists and tens of written articles and TV shows, cosmetic microderm abrasion is popular because it's:

• The least invasive dermatological procedure
• More affordable than surgical skin care treatments
• Painless
• Available as home micro dermabrasion systems and kits
• Has no side effects
• Effective on all skin types and colors (including sensitive skin and black skin)
• Does not need anesthesia when performed at a beauty salon or physician's office (unlike micro laser peel and dermabrasion)
• Gives the skin a healthy-looking glow

source: www.skinabrasion.net

Depression & Bipolar Disorder

The two key symptoms of depression are a depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed. Besides these two key symptoms, a few other depression symptoms include restlessness and irritability, thoughts of death or suicide, and feelings of hopelessness and pessimism. It is important to keep in mind that people suffering from depression cannot simply "pull themselves together." Symptoms of depression can last for weeks, months, or years.

In certain cases, patients can alternate between periods of depression and mania, also known as bipolar disorder or manic depression. Depression (and the fluctuation between depression and mania) is thought to be caused by alterations in serotonin levels in the brain.
How Chiropractic Care Relates to Depression & Bipolar Disorder

While medical science has not determined the exact cause of altered serotonin levels that are suspected to produce depression and bipolar disorder, recent research has pointed towards a likely trauma-induced origin for certain cases of mood disorders. Evidence supports that trauma (in particular mild concussive injury to the head, neck or upper back) increases the risk of onset of depression. Following the trauma, mood disorders can be triggered immediately or can take months or years to develop.

Chiropractic care may reverse the trauma-induced injury; thereby reducing irritation to the injured nerves in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Numerous research studies have documented improvement in depression and related symptoms as a result of chiropractic adjustments which reduce pressure on the brain stem and spinal cord caused by misaligned vertebrae.

source: yourspine.com

Different Than Medical Care

If you’re considering visiting a chiropractor for the first time, you’re probably wondering what type of results you can expect. Having realistic expectations is important.

Your chiropractor’s explanation of chiropractic and why it’s being recommended can play an important role in your satisfaction with the care you receive. Your experience will be enhanced by a thorough understanding of the service itself.

Don’t mistake chiropractic care for medical treatment. Chiropractors are not intended to replace medical physicians.

Medicine treats sickness. Chiropractic promotes health.
At first glance, it may seem trivial… but there’s a stark contrast between the two.

The medical objective is: “We don’t want you to be sick.”

The Chiropractic objective is: “We want you to be healthy.”

Not being sick is very different than actually being healthy. The intent behind your chiropractic care is to enhance your health, not simply treat sickness.

What is a Subluxation?
Spinal misalignments or subluxations are typically caused by stress that overwhelms the body's resilience and coping ability. Physical stress can occur as the result of a car accident or slipping on an icy sidewalk, improper posture, occupational trauma, or birth trauma. Emotional stress can be the result of significant emotional trauma or the inability to adapt to a stressful situation. Chemical trauma can result from the misuse of prescription or illicit drugs, inadequate nutrition, or environmental toxins. By interfering with the nervous system, these misalignments interfere with normal function, reducing your body's ability to self-regulate, adapt, and heal.

Chiropractors detect and correct the cause of this interference, allowing your body to properly self-regulate, adapt and heal. The care and maintenance of the spine and nervous system is a necessary component of any natural approach to healthcare.

If you begin chiropractic care with this understanding, you’ll appreciate the experience much more.

source: yourspine.com

Travel Aches and Strains Can Be a Pain In Your Back

Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on business or on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a car or an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore.

"Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) Council on Occupational Health. "Even if you travel in the most comfortable car or opt to fly first class, certain pressures and forces from awkward positions can result in restricted blood flow. One of the biggest insults to your system from prolonged sitting is the buildup of pressure in the blood vessels in your lower legs. Contracting and relaxing the muscles helps the blood flow properly."

Dr. Bautch and the ACA suggest the following tips and advice to fight the pains and strains of travel before they occur.

Warm Up, Cool Down
Treat travel as an athletic event. Warm up before settling into a car or plane, and cool down once you reach your destination. Take a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.

In the Car:

• Adjust the seat so you are as close to the steering wheel as comfortably possible. Your knees should be slightly higher than your hips. Place four fingers behind the back of your thigh closest to your knee. If you cannot easily slide your fingers in and out of that space, you need to re-adjust your seat.
• Consider a back support. Using a support behind your back may reduce the risk of low-back strain, pain or injury. The widest part of the support should be between the bottom of your rib cage and your waistline.
• Exercise your legs while driving to reduce the risk of any swelling, fatigue or discomfort. Open your toes as wide as you can, and count to 10. Count to five while you tighten your calf muscles, then your thigh muscles, then your gluteal muscles. Roll your shoulders forward and back, making sure to keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road.
• To minimize arm and hand tension while driving, hold the steering wheel at approximately 3 o'clock and 7 o'clock, periodically switching to 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock.
• Do not grip the steering wheel. Instead, tighten and loosen your grip to improve hand circulation and decrease muscle fatigue in the arms, wrists and hands.
• While always being careful to keep your eyes on the road, vary your focal point while driving to reduce the risk of eye fatigue and tension headaches.
• Take rest breaks. Never underestimate the potential consequences of fatigue to yourself, your passengers and other drivers.

In an Airplane:

• Stand up straight and feel the normal "S" curve of your spine. Then use rolled-up pillows or blankets to maintain that curve when you sit in your seat. Tuck a pillow behind your back and just above the beltline and lay another pillow across the gap between your neck and the headrest. If the seat is hollowed from wear, use folded blankets to raise your buttocks a little.
• Check all bags heavier than 5-10 percent of your body weight. Overhead lifting of any significant amount of weight should be avoided to reduce the risk of pain in the lower back or neck. While lifting your bags, stand right in front of the overhead compartment so the spine is not rotated. Do not lift your bags over your head, or turn or twist your head and neck in the process.
• When stowing belongings under the seat, do not force the object with an awkward motion using your legs, feet or arms. This may cause muscle strain or spasms in the upper thighs and lower back muscles. Instead, sit in your seat first, and using your hands and feet, gently guide your bags under the seat directly in front of you.
• While seated, vary your position occasionally to improve circulation and avoid leg cramps. Massage legs and calves. Bring your legs in, and move your knees up and down. Prop your legs up on a book or a bag under your seat.
• Do not sit directly under the air controls. The draft can increase tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.

Safe Travel For Children:

• Always use a car seat in a car when traveling with children below the age of 4 and weighing less than 40 pounds.
• Ask the airline for their policy on child car seat safety. Car seats for infants and toddlers provide added resistance to turbulent skies, and are safer than the lap of a parent in the event of an unfortunate accident.
• Make sure the car seat is appropriate for the age and size of the child. A newborn infant requires a different seat than a 3-year-old toddler.
• Car seats for infants should always face the rear. In this position, the forces and impact of a crash will be spread more evenly along the back and shoulders, providing more protection for the neck.
• Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the car-ideally in the center. This is especially important in cars equipped with air bags. If an air bag becomes deployed, the force could seriously injure or kill a child or infant placed in the front seat.
• Make sure the car seat is properly secured to the seat of the vehicle and is placed at a 45-degree angle to support the head of the infant or child.

Chiropractic Care Can Help...
"If you follow these simple tips, you can enjoy pain-free, safe travel," says Dr. Bautch. "If you do experience pain and stress on your back, doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat problems of the spine and nervous system."

source: www.acatoday.org

Back pain — How well does chiropractic care stack up against more conventional treatments?

By Mayo Clinic staff

For many people, low back pain follows a fairly predictable course. Nagging back pain lasts a few weeks — maybe letting up temporarily when you take a pain reliever — and then it goes away.

So where does chiropractic care fit into the picture? That's up to you to decide.

What the research says

Clinical trials indicate that chiropractic care is as safe and effective as conventional treatments — which may include pain medication, rest or exercise. But that may not be saying much. Low back pain typically improves within a matter of weeks, even for people who seek no treatment at all.

Low back pain is often caused by injuries or strains, and there's no magic cure. It simply takes time for your back to heal. But treatment of some type — either chiropractic or conventional — might make you more comfortable as you wait for this healing to occur.

What does a chiropractor do?

Chiropractic treatment is based on the concept that restricted movement in the spine may lead to pain and reduced function. Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy chiropractors use to treat restricted spinal mobility. The goal is to restore spinal movement and, as a result, improve function and decrease back pain.

During an adjustment, chiropractors use their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint — pushing it beyond its normal range of motion. The joint's movement may be accompanied by a popping or cracking sound.

Chiropractors may also use massage and stretching to relax muscles that are shortened or in spasm. Many use additional treatments as well, such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and exercises.

Is it safe for everyone?

Chiropractic care is generally considered safe, but it's not appropriate for everyone.

• Don't seek chiropractic adjustment if you have osteoporosis or signs or symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness, tingling or loss of strength in an arm or leg.
• If you have a history of spinal surgery, check with your surgeon before consulting a chiropractor.
• Manipulation of the neck has been associated with having a stroke in rare cases.
• If you have back pain accompanied by fever, chills, sweats or unintentional weight loss, see a medical doctor to rule out the possibility of an infection or tumor.

If you're considering chiropractic care

If you'd like to try chiropractic care to treat your low back pain, a little preparation can help you get the most from your treatment.

• Consult your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the type of specialist best able to treat your back pain. In addition to chiropractors, many osteopathic physicians and some physical therapists have training in spinal manipulation.
• Make it a team approach. As with any medical specialist, select a chiropractor who's willing to work with the other members of your health care team.
• Arrange a consultation. Before you make a treatment appointment, arrange a consultation with the practitioner — either in person or by phone — to find out how he or she might address your back pain. Make sure you're comfortable with the recommendations, including how many sessions you'll need. For acute low back pain, four to six sessions are typically enough.
• Understand the risks. When limited to the low back, chiropractic adjustment has few risks. However, manipulation of the neck has been associated with injury to the blood vessels supplying the brain. Rarely, neck manipulation may cause a stroke.

Think prevention

A little care and attention can help you keep back pain at bay. Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Sit up straight. When you lift something heavy, let your legs do the work. Avoid activities that involve repetitive bending or twisting. If you sit or stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to walk around.

Chiropractors and Public Health: Measuring Success One Patient at a Time

By Scott Darragh, DC

I was watching one of those crazy legal shows the other night, and when the witness put their hand on the Bible and stated they were "going to tell the truth, so help me God," I had a thought.

What if people really knew the truth about the potential impact spinal adjustments have on neurological function and how chiropractic care can help so many people with so many different health concerns?

How many of us have been in conversations with people at a social gathering and thought to ourselves, If they only came in for care, or I wish I could adjust their child in that wheelchair, or I wonder what their upper cervical X-rays look like? or Do you really think taking Oxycontin every day is the answer? I think chiropractors by nature suffer a lot of compassion fatigue (I know I do). I think because of our caring nature we always want to help.

One of the reasons I joined the Chiropractic Health Care section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) was that this organization looks globally. It takes the big view. It seeks to take chiropractic health care to the next level and promotes our conservative care to people of all walks of life. When I walked around this past year's convention in Philadelphia and visited all of the vendors, I took my time to see what aspects of chiropractic care could be applicable and tried to educate and make contacts, but many people looked at me with glazed stares. You can adjust a child? Chiropractors care for pregnant women? What does chiropractic have to do with arthritis? We in the profession know the impact we can have on our population's health, but I believe few DCs would argue that our care is helping all the people who really need it. The majority of the public is still unaware and misinformed, and hardly anyone is educating them.

Whether at a maternal and child health forum, a neuromusculoskeletal organization meeting, or a public health curriculum at a local university, I always try to educate them on what chiropractic does and what it focuses on, as opposed to just limiting our scope of disorders to the lumbagos. If it is true that only 5 percent to 9 percent of the population actually uses our care, then we need to drastically enhance our educational, public-relations and public-health efforts in our own communities. The reports and all the research are pointing in the same positive direction; we need to use it to our advantage to promote and make more people aware of our valuable service. We all know it goes way beyond caring for someone with a bad back.

In my office, vernacular is extremely important. When someone asks me, "Hey Doc, can you crack my neck?" I politely diffuse them by asking, "If your sick child could benefit from our care, would you take them to a doctor who would 'crack' your child?" Of course not! So pay attention to what you are saying to your patients, even when you are just kidding around; it could impact whether the parent brings that child in for care.

Another word I use heavily in conversation is underutilization. When you look at the number of people who rely on pain medication and other things just to get through the day, no one should think twice about how we can positively contribute to the world. Chiropractic health care on a local, national, and global level is so underutilized, to the point that we desperately need to have greater access and improved public perception. If you look at the definition of medical underutilization, it is defined as the failure to provide a health care service that would have produced a favorable outcome and increased potential. Have you ever seen someone suffering needlessly from chiropractic underutilization?

We all know we work hard in our practices. We don't have large advertising and marketing campaigns advocating for our profession like Big Pharma and the hospitals do. Why is it that the majority of practices are not filled with people? Is it because of a relative dearth of DCs? No, it's most likely due to perception. People are either afraid, lack understanding, or no one ever told them so they are not looking to you as the solution or as part of their health care team.

As a Massachusetts state-association board director in charge of public information and education, one of my goals is to build better relationships with third-party payers, get involved in grassroots efforts, and enhance and promote our profession with integrity by telling people the truth about what it is that we do. What does this have to do with public health? Lots. When I get on the phone with a nurse case manager and she asks me why I am caring for a 5-year-old who concomitantly suffers with asthma, I can say that by adjusting this child, I am allowing their body to function better and that as a result, use of a steroid nebulizer was almost eliminated by the first re-exam. That is a public health win, no doubt about it.

So, how do you determine public health successes in chiropractic? We do it every day. We don't have enough time to measure all the successes and translate them into research, although we really need to strive for evidence-based practices. Every person whose health improves, can go about their job a little easier, or doesn't have to rely on pain medication every day - those are truly public health victories. Despite the importance of the CDC tracking the prevalence rates of H1N1, it's when little Jimmy is having trouble breathing, and you adjust his thoracic subluxation to allow his body to function better and then he can breathe easier - that's when public health really matters most. And that is the truth, so help me God.