East Texas Headaches

Chiropractic Care for a Healthy Pregnancy

2010-05-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

Many pregnant women should consider including chiropractic care as a part of their pre and post birth care. In addition, chiropractic care can help with strain pregnancy and help with the children after birth. There are a lot of pressures placed on a woman’s body when pregnant. Chiropractic care can make sure that all of the systems are working right in the body. As well as, the treatment will make sure that the ovaries and uterus is working properly.

Nerve interference can have a negative impact on a woman’s reproductive system. In addition, this can cause problems for the developing fetus. The threats can be eliminated by an examination of the spinal column. This will reveal if there is a spinal distortion. The spinal distortion can be corrected with a spinal adjustment. There are different uses for chiropractic adjustment that can help pregnant women. For example, an adjustment will make the hips, pelvis and spine more balanced and flexible. Also, adjustments will alleviate any nerve stress.

Chiropractic care is able to treat the condition without using any medications. A pregnant mother will not have to worry about any side effects from the medications or worry about any risks to their unborn baby. Many prescription medications and over the counter medications can result into a miscarriage or fetal damage. Seeing a chiropractor while pregnant is providing the unborn baby an advantage over other children. Many chiropractors are offering prenatal care to women. This is one of the ways to have a healthy baby.

Chiropractic Care: Symptoms and Treatments for a Pinched Nerve

2010-05-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Many times people will experience pain, weakness and tingling in the arm, hand or shoulder. The indirect cause of the pain could be from a pinched nerve. Most people will dismiss this diagnosis because the pain is not in the neck. Usually, a pinched nerve will develop from pressure on the nerve. The pressure comes from a muscle tear, damaged disc, inflammation, arthritis, injury or disease. Spinal discs and vertebrae can easily become damage. It’s important to take care of the spinal column. As well as, proper posture plays a big role in spinal health.

Many people are unaware of the symptoms of a pinched nerve. The symptoms are numbness, pain, weakness in the extremities and tingling. In addition, nerves are located between the vertebra and travel down to the shoulder, arms and hands. If any pressures are enforced to the nerve roots then the shoulder, hand and arm may experience tingling, pain and weakness. The pain can be alleviated by getting rid of the pressure on the nerve.

Chiropractic adjustments are one of the methods for realigning the vertebra. Also, this method can relax the muscles around herniated or bulging discs. As well as, the pain related to spinal degeneration can be eased with chiropractic adjustments. Activities like yoga, stretching and physical therapy are good for improving posture and tight muscles. The activities should be performed while trying to strengthening the spinal column.

Many people visit a chiropractor to relieve symptoms of a pinched nerve. Some of the chiropractic treatments could involve regular spinal manipulation and adjustments. This will make the area more moveable, improve the function and relieve pain. There is a variety of chiropractic treatments involved for treating a pinched. A consultation with the chiropractor will help in finding the best treatment.

Chiropractic Treatment – An Alternative for Blood Pressure

2010-05-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

In fact, one out of every three Americans is affected by high blood pressure. This is a common condition that affects millions. Many people use medication to control their blood pressure. Some people are taking a different approach by using chiropractic care. On a daily basis, Americans are put in stressful situations that will cause their blood pressure to rise.

Most people start their day by getting their kids off to school. If you are late for any reason then you will be in a rush to make it out the house. Also, there is the commute to school and work. Traffic can be slow because everyone is rushing to make the daily commute. As well as, work is another stressful environment that involves meeting deadlines and securing clients. This is enough to increase anyone’s blood pressure.

Eventually, the stress will start to take its toll and cause high blood pressure to be treated by a physician. Now, you have to deal with daily life and remember to take medication in order to control blood pressure. On the other hand, some people don’t like to be dependent on a medication and may choose to see a chiropractor. Some chiropractors use an adjustment to the neck in order to bring down blood pressure. There could be something interrupting the heart from functioning properly. For example, the bone could be out of alignment and putting pressure on the nerve. This can be corrected with chiropractic care.

After a few visits to a chiropractor, there is a possibility that the blood pressure could return to normal.

How the Breathing Pattern affects the Body?

2010-05-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

Chronic neck pain is a very common condition but can be painful at the same time. For example, you should stand in front of a mirror and take a deep breath. Pay attention to the shoulders when breathing in and out. People who experience neck pain tend to hoist their shoulders when deep breathing. It’s like a lurching motion. This process is referred to being a movement pattern dysfunction. . This will put major pressure on the joints and muscles in the neck.

A person with an abnormal breathing pattern tends to overwork the joints and muscles in the neck. The end result is pain, inflammation and tension. The pattern has to be fixed in order to cure shoulder pain and severe neck pain. You need to use the diaphragm as the prime initiator when doing a breathing exercise. The shoulders and neck should not be used at the prime initiator in a breathing exercise because this is troublesome for the body. This can lead to severe pain and inflammation. As well as, this could lead to deeper and other underlying problems for the body.

If the shoulders and neck are the initiator in a breathing pattern then this can lead to shallow breathing. The exchange of air will only occur at the top of the lungs. The surface area location in the lungs has an exchange for carbon dioxide/oxygen located in the lower lungs. The levels of oxygen are stifling in the body. This lead to fertile ground so that chronic diseases can develop like cancer and heart disease. The breathing pattern has a major affect on the body. Correcting the breathing pattern can lead to improving body and neck pain.

Chiropractic Care and Infertility

2010-05-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Chiropractic care treat patient based on the theory that the body is able to heal itself. Most chiropractors don’t use medication instead clear the path to the nervous system. Eventually, this process will heal the body. During treatment, the chiropractic care will focus on 24 bones in the spine that’s attached to the nerves. The bones will affect different body functions in the body. In short, making the spine straight will help the nerves to function and perform its duties.

Many people are unaware that nerves attached to the spine have an affect on the reproductive system. The nervous system has control over when the eggs are dropped from the ovaries into the fallopian tubes. In addition, the nerves will become out of position when the spine is out of position. This will make it impossible for the nerves to do their job. Also, this will result into infertility.

There was a study conducted by Dr. Madeline Behrendt on fertility and chiropractic care. In addition, the study was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research in the May 2003 issue. The study revealed that 14 out of 15 women were able to become pregnant after going through 2 to 24 months of chiropractic care. There was woman in the study who was told by doctors that she had only a 5% of conceiving a baby. It didn’t matter if the woman used invasive procedures or fertility drugs. Those methods wouldn’t increase the woman chances of having a baby. The woman didn’t have a menstrual cycle for 12 years. In addition, the woman went through two months of chiropractic care and she started back with her period. In 4 months, the woman was able to conceive and had a healthy baby within 9 months. The doctor said her pregnancy was “impossible”.

The power of chiropractic care is amazing and has changed so many lives. If you are trying to conceive then chiropractic care could be that next step to becoming pregnant.

How to Do Household Chores without Injury?

2010-05-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

It can be a pain in the sacroiliac when doing household chores. Regular chores around the house like talking on the phone, washing dishes and vacuuming can lead to a strained back and damage to the sacroiliac (near tailbone). The pain can be unbearable after hurting the body from doing regular household chores. There are ways to do chores without hurting the back. The back has to be protected when doing activities that require lifting and bending down.

Lifting without Causing Injury

It really doesn’t matter what you are lifting. For example, you could be lifting a bucket or a child. Lifting has to be done in a way that doesn’t cause injury to the body. How can you left without causing damage? You should bend from the knees instead of the waist when lifting. The item needs to be held close to the body. If you have to make a turn to put the item down then you should step in the direction of where the bucket should be placed. This will prevent any twisting of the body and straining of the spine.

Most people try to walk around the home and do other things while talking on the phone. The phone should not be cradle between the neck and shoulder. This will put strain on the neck. The phone should be held in the hand or instead use a speakerphone. In addition, some people like to lean or lay their head on the sofa arm while watching TV. The sofa arm should not be used as a pillow because the angle is too sharp for the neck.

Most chiropractic doctors are very knowledgeable about spinal health. Chiropractic care can treat the problem and find the root cause of the problem. In short, prevention is the best method to avoiding pain and causing the body not to function normally.

Chiropractic Care and Allergies

2010-05-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

Many people visit the Chiropractic clinic and complain about problems with allergies. It’s important to pay attention to the body. The body will send signs of allergic reactions. Some of the common symptoms are running nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, sinus congestion, heartburn, asthma, skin rashes, acne, weight gain, itching and fluid retention.

Some people blame chemicals, the family pet and spicy food for their allergies acting up. There is something going on in the body causing the allergies to react. Most people are able to conform to allergens because of the nervous system. There is a relationship between people with allergies and spinal subluxation. Spinal subluxation will prevent the body from conforming to the surroundings.

The spine is maneuver to align the problems properly. This will lead to patient getting relief for any aches and pains. In addition, the patient is not given any medication when going through chiropractic care for allergies. As well as, surgery will not be used as a treatment while going through this treatment method. The patient will go through spinal manipulation and other natural treatment methods.
The nervous system will function properly when the spine is in proper alignment. There is a relationship between a weak spine, weak immune system and poor health. These parts of the body are essential to having good health. In addition, chiropractic care can be helpful to people who suffer from back pain, sinus problems, allergies and scoliosis. Furthermore, spinal manipulation can be effective in improving the nervous system and other parts of the body.

Tips to Better Posture to Improve Back Pain

2010-05-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

Good posture can be beneficial to improving health, protecting the bones, protect the muscles and promote fluid movement. Also, it sends a positive message to walk around with good posture. Poor posture can lead to strains, backaches and makes the body appear feeble. It’s important to practice having good posture in order for it to be a natural reaction. You should stand tall with the chest forward and stomach slightly pushed in. The ears and neck should line up with the shoulders. The head should not be tilted to far to one side. This can led to more strain being put on the neck and causing neck aches.

Here are some tips for protecting the back.

Many people spend sit for long hours in front of a computer. You should sit correctly when performing this activity. The shoulders should be back and with the bottom against the back of the chair. The knees should be lined up with the hips. The legs should not be cross. This will put strain on the hips and back. You can purchase a chair with excellent lumber support. Another option is using a cushion or rolled up towel behind the back.

The way a person sleep can be bad for the posture and have an effect on the body. There is a way to sleep in order to decrease strain on the neck, back and shoulders. It is not a good idea to sleep lying on the back because this puts strains on the back. The shoulders and head should be in a straight line and supported by a pillow. If you sleep on the side then you should have the needs bent. Being comfortable is an important factor when sleeping in positions that promote good posture.

Chiropractic Care – Different Types of Headaches

2010-05-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

Headaches are painful rather the headache occurs on a regular basis or infrequent. Also, headaches can disruptive to daily activities like migraines. Most people want relief from their headache but the focus should be on the cause of the headache. In addition, pain pills are a temporary relief for headaches. The medication will make the pain go away for the moment but the cause of the headache still needs to be treated.

It is important to understand the types of headaches and what triggers a headache. The way a headache is classified will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. The headache could be classified as secondary or primary. Primary headaches are categorized as tension headaches, cluster headache, migraines and cervicogenic. Most headaches are associated with being primary. In addition, primary headaches are trigger by stress, insomnia, bad posture or lack of exercise.

Secondary headaches make up 5 to 10% of reported headache cases. The causes of primary headaches are related to underlying medical conditions like weight or pressure on the brain. The pressure is caused by infection, head injury or tumors. Many chiropractors believe that there is a correlation between lifestyle and health. It is important to keep the body well hydrated by drinking water. Also, it helps to be active and introduce some type of daily exercise. The best way to deal with the headache is to prevent the headache from occurring. In short, a healthy lifestyle and chiropractic care is the key to improving an individual’s health.

Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis and Curvature

2010-05-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Most children will not complain or experience back pain before the age of ten. If the child does complain about back pain then the problem will persist for a day or two. Usually, the child moves on and don’t mention anything about back problems. In addition, a vertebra can get out of alignment and the child’s flexible spine will adapt to the condition. A spinal misalignment in a child can develop into a curvature which will lead to spinal problems in adulthood.

Here is the process involved for scoliosis development.

The spine will not develop normal back to front arches. This can lead to weight being carried on the spinal discs. Certain discs will shift to one side and the vertebra will tip to the other side. This type of misalignment is called a subluxation. The subluxtion will cause the spine to tip to the side. To make up for the bend, the spine will tip the other side in a different direction. This will result in scoliosis.

Chiropractic treatment has been one of the most effective treatments for this condition. It is important to catch the condition early in small children. If the condition is caught early then the spine can be straightened. Regular chiropractic visits can detect spinal subluxtions. Misalignments can develop or become worse from regular activities. For example, walkers, sit ups and bad falls can encourage curvatures in the spine or make the condition worse. In short, chiropractic adjustments can improve the condition and put the spine back in the proper place.

How to Find Mid Back Pain Relief?

2010-05-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

It can be frustrating and painful when dealing with mid back pain. There can be a number of reasons for a person to suffer from mid back pain. Also, the cause of the pain will depend on the individual. The cause of mid back pain depends on what the person was doing when the pain occurred. For example, people can develop back pain from poor posture, improper lifting, emotional stress, standing too long and sleeping on the wrong mattress. If you start to experience severe or constant pain then it’s time to see a physician. You can use the consultation to determine the best treatment methods for relief and curing the condition.

Many cases of back pains are caused by bad posture and overexertion. Also, these cases can be treated at home. Sometimes, the body can be healed by relaxing and getting rest. Also, you could apply cream, sprays and ointments to the area in pain. If the pain escalates or the condition continues to get worse then it’s time to visit a chiropractor.

Here are a few tips for obtaining fast relief from mid back pain.

• You should take the recommended amount of calcium supplements each day.
• Take the recommended amount of folic acid each day.
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to keep the body hydrated.
• Practice having good posture.
• It would help to practice breathing exercises when in pain
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
• See a chiropractor for treatment options.
• Watch daily carbohydrate and sugar intake.

3 Tips for Fast Back Pain Relief

2010-05-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Are you dealing with back pain? Back pain can overcome a person at any time. For example, you can be at work and start to feel intense pain in the back area. On the other hand, you could be at home watching TV and start to have severe back pains. Most people want to stop the pain as soon as possible. Also, you may not be able to get a quick doctor appointment. Here are some tips for fast back pain relief.

Take a mild over the counter pain pill.

Pain pills are a common treatment method that most people reach for when in pain. In addition, pain pills that contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen are known to relieve pain. You should use any medication with caution. Also, pain pills will temporary relieve back pain and will not treat the underlying cause of the pain.

Use a hot and cold pack.

It would help to apply a hot and cold pack to area in pain. For example, you should apply the hot pack to the area for 20 minutes. Next, you can apply the cold pack for ten minutes. You should alternate the packs back and forth. Also, you should finish off this treatment method with the cold pack.

Drink Plenty of Water.

Many people underestimate the healing properties of drinking water. If you drink enough water then the body can become dehydrated. You should drink at least 8 cup of water each day. Also, drink water will keep the discs in the spine and muscles hydrated.

These are some of the tips that can be used for fast relief from pain. If you continue to experience back pain then you should make an appointment with a chiropractor.

Chiropractic Care and Dealing with Stress

2010-05-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Stress can have a major effect on a person mental and physical health. Most patients are diagnosed with diseases that are related to stress. In fact, 75% of major illnesses in the United States are related to stressful lifestyles. For example, diabetes, obesity and heart disease are indirectly related to lifestyle or stress. Overtime, the stress can build up and cause problems with the nervous system. As well as, this can lead to problems with physical ailments like back pain, poor posture and neck pain.
Chiropractic care can treat ailments that affect the nervous system by fixing misalignments involving the spine. This can lead to alleviating pain for the patient. Many people are unaware of the different uses of chiropractic care. How does chiropractic care help with relieving stress? Here are the following ways chiropractic treatment can reduce stress.
Chiropractors can determine different areas in the nervous system that are negatively impacted by stress. This can be done by the misalignment of the vertebrae of the spine. In addition, chiropractor doctors are trained professionals with the ability to locate misalignments and fixate on specific ailments that affect the nervous system.
When the misalignments are determine, the spine will be adjusted by manual adjustments. Also, a mechanical device could be used to get rid of any hindrance to the nervous system. As well as, the adjustments can be done over time to help prevent any issues that affects the nervous system from functioning on a normal basis.
Once the chiropractor is able to adjust the nervous system, the body will begin to self heal any other ailments. Many patients have seen an improvement in other physical ailments after having adjustments. Also, this will allow the body to function normally. Chiropractic care has lead to regular bowel movements, alleviation of pain and improvement in hearing.
Many patients who are dealing with stress are having physical and emotional problems. It helps to solve the physical problems so the patient can work on the emotional problems. If you allow the stress to prolong and build up over time then the stress will become a physical problem. The physical ailments of the stress can outweigh the emotional aspects of the stress. This will lead to continuing to be in a stressful situation. In short, it helps to treat the physical ailments so you can work on having a stress free lifestyle.
Most people will deal with some type of stress in their daily lifestyle. In addition, you should find ways to deal with stress and not allow the stress to affect your body. Furthermore, chiropractic care is one of the methods for treating physical ailments bought on by a stressful lifestyle.

Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain in Children

2010-05-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

At one point, it was thought that low back pain affects only adults or elderly people. More children are starting to be diagnosed with the condition. In addition, low back pain was considered a rare condition for children. Many pediatric professionals are becoming concern about how the condition is affecting children.

The skeletal structure in children continues to develop until late adolescence. Cases of children with low back pain are rising because of sports activities and contact sports. In addition, a study revealed that 23% of school absents were related to low back pain. Also, 29% of students were absent from school because of sports injuries. As well as, researchers discovered that 75% of cases involving children with low back pain were associated with the conditions triggering psychological and depression problems. In short, this is enough information to command the attention of health care providers and parents.

There are certain heath issues that cause low back pain in children and adults. Some of the health issues are misalignment of vertebrae, poor posture, trauma, sports injuries and emotional stress. Also, many school age children carry heavy backpacks. Usually, the backpack weighs 10 to 20% of the child’s body weight. This can cause back problems and long term health problems.

Adolescents experience a lot of mood swings and emotional stress can cause lower back pain. Many teenagers go through an emotional roller coaster when dealing with puberty. The mood swings can be exhilarating, terrifying and filled with excitement. Next, the teenager emotions will spiral downward. Some studies have suggested that the rollercoaster emotions are related to lower back pain. A study was done in England that suggests that children with high levels of social and psychological difficulties would be more likely to suffer from low back pain.

Vertebral subluxation is the misalignment of the spinal vertebrae. This is a condition that can be found in children and adults. It can be frightening for a parent or child to hear a doctor diagnose the child with vertebral subluxation. If the condition is left untreated then it can lead to headaches, earaches, and carpel tunnel syndrome and neck pain. However, a professional chiropractor can treat the condition with success and possibly cure the child of low back pain.

Lowering Blood Pressure with Chiropractic Treatments

2010-05-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

In fact, 1 and 4 adults in the United States have some form of high blood pressure. In addition, high blood pressure is a common condition that affects million of people. Also, the condition can be deadly if the condition is left untreated. Many patients that are diagnosed with high blood pressure have to take some type of medication to treat the illness. On the other hand, some patients have decided to take a different route by receiving chiropractic treatments for the condition.

Patients who decided to take the chiropractic approach have seen a decrease in their blood pressure numbers. This has been done without using any drugs. Many people have careers or family issues that will cause the person to see drugs as the only way to control their high blood pressure. For example, work deadlines can be difficult and stressful for the average person. It is really amazing that a patient can lower their blood pressure without any medication. Many doctors will say that blood pressure can not be lower without some type of medication. In short, chiropractors are proving that this is possible without any medication.

Treatments for high blood pressure will consist of an adjustment. The adjustment will remove pressure from brain stem and brain. The pressure comes from the top vertebra located in the neck. In addition, the top bone will not apply pressure when pointing at a 31 degree angle. Many medical doctors will prescribe prescription drugs to patients with severe high blood pressure. There is a possibility that the medication can be cut in half with a few visits to a chiropractor.

Studies have been done to see what results would yield from using chiropractic adjustments on high blood pressure patients. In addition, the studies revealed a big change in the patient blood pressure levels after treatments. The results were amazing and caught the attention of the federal government. Now, money is being spent to research the connection between chiropractic treatments and high blood pressure. There isn’t a drug on the market that had the same affect on patients with high blood pressure as chiropractic care. Also, this method doesn’t require the patient to go through any side effects. If you would like to see a chiropractor for high blood pressure then you should get a recommendation from a medical doctor.

Source: Lower Blood Pressure with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic Care to Ease Neck Pain

2010-05-07T16:38:00.000-07:00

Many people suffer from some kind of neck pain. In addition, chiropractic care can be used as a treatment for curing neck pain. Chiropractors are able to determine the reason for the pain and able to recommend a treatment for the pain. Many of the treatments used to heal the spine are gentle. This is an alternative for patients that want to avoid surgery and prescription drugs. As well as, a few sessions with a chiropractor can cut down on appointments with medical doctors and money spent on prescription.

Neck pain is a common condition but the cause can be underlying issues. Some of the causes of neck pain are poor posture or holding the body at an uncomfortable position. Also, an injury to the neck could have caused the neck pain. Some other possible causes are herniated or slip disks. It really doesn’t matter the cause because the problem will be discovered by a chiropractor. Many chiropractors will examine the entire spine to determine the actual cause of the neck pain.
Chiropractic care involves a variety of method to decrease neck pain. In addition, gentle manipulation is one of the common chiropractic methods used during sessions. Gentle manipulation is a medicinal massage that uses pressure to relax the spine and muscle. This technique can correct the position of a pinched nerve and help muscle tension. Ultrasound technology uses stimulation to relax muscles and to provide pain relief.
The cause of the pain could be an alignment problem. Many people think that neck pain comes from illness, injury or accident. This is not always true. On the other hand, poor alignment can be one of the common causes of neck pain. Poor alignment can come from having poor posture. The back has to be aligned properly in order to function. Most people daily activities can cause neck pain. For example, a person who is slouching when walking and sitting for long hours with a phone. The way a person sleep in their bed can cause neck pain.
Many chiropractors can offer affordable treatments that don’t involve surgery. Patients are able to save with chiropractic care because most sessions result in healing the problem. In short, you can continue to follow up with the chiropractor from time to time.

Back Pain Relief with Chiropractic Care

2010-05-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

Many people suffer from severe back pain. Back pain is a problem for insurance companies and people who actually suffer from the condition. In addition, treating this condition can be painful depending on how long the person has to be treated. For this reason, people are looking for an alternative and affordable treatment for back pain relief. As well as, some people have chosen to seek chiropractic care so that the condition will not return.

Many patients are choosing chiropractic care for back pain instead of going to a traditional medical doctor. Also, some patients have notice an improvement in their condition after a couple of visits with a chiropractor. In addition, a chiropractor will show the patient ways to use the proper function of their nervous system and musculoskeletal. Chiropractors promote achieving a healthy lifestyle and show the patient how to deal with pain. Treatments with a chiropractor will not be non invasive and will not use any drugs. Most chiropractic treatments will be done in an office with a holistic approach.

Most chiropractors will examine a patient’s lifestyle and body before deciding on a treatment. In addition, the main goal is to find and treat the problem. Some lifestyle factors or physical limitations can have an affect in a patient developing a back problem. As well as, the doctor will cover techniques to improve diet, exercise routine and posture. Also, the chiropractor can treat the current condition and prevent any further injury. Many chiropractors use three main treatments.

Manipulation and adjustment are some of the common methods used to treat patients. This is when the chiropractor uses pressure on different parts of the joint or spine that may be creating pain for the patient. This can help with alleviating stress on the joints and help the joints to return back to normal function. Ice and heat therapy is another treatment used to treat different conditions. Also, this method can help with controlling pain and reducing swelling. As well as, the method can help with relaxing the muscles and increasing circulation in the body. Some other chiropractic methods are therapeutic exercises, strength training, rehabilitation, and ultrasound and muscle stimulation.

The type of treatment will depend on the condition of the problem. Chronic back pain can be the cause of different problems. In short, it’s important to get the right treatment so the condition will not return.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Women

2010-05-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Today’s woman is knowledgeable about nutrition, diet, weight loss, sports, exercising and how to maintain a healthy body. In addition, chiropractors are experts in these areas and would like to share helpful information on these subjects. Many of the chiropractic wellness programs are designed for pregnant women, women experiencing weight problems, new mothers, women dealing with stress and women who need to strengthen and protect their nerves, joints, bones, muscles and health. Many women enjoy the treatments with chiropractors because of the development of the relationship. The experience is positive because the doctor seems to care and want to help improve the health problem.

Most chiropractors are well trained and an expert in spinal adjustments, nutritional guidance, exercise and lifestyle counseling. There are different health challenges that affect women compared to men. Also, some problems can develop for women because of the ability to bear children. The menstrual cycle and pregnancy are very important conditions for most women. Women want to know more information on getting pregnant, being pregnant and recovering from pregnancy.

There are several issues that women deal with that involves the menstrual cycle. For example, some women can experience pain during the menstrual cycle because of premenstrual syndrome and chronic pelvic pain. The conditions can be uncomfortable and disrupts everyday activities. In addition, women are affected by headaches during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy and under other circumstances. Women are more likely to seek help for a headache because of the severity of the pain. In short, pain pills cover up the symptoms of a headache but don’t prevent headaches from returning.

Women have a 200 percent chance compared to men of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis compared to men. Also, many women are diagnosed with osteoarthritis. The nervous system controls the different functions of the body. If there is a disruption in the nerve system then the body will begin to function abnormally. Chiropractors can restore normal communication and nerve function to the body. This will help the body to function naturally.

Receiving chiropractic treatments can lead to a decrease in inflammation and pain. Also, chiropractors can teach patients how to maintain the body and to avoid deterioration. Furthermore, regular chiropractic treatments can help with overall improvement of one’s health.

Chiropractic Care – Finding Relief after a Car Accident

2010-05-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

When an accident is occurring, the body will tense up and prepare the body for the impact. The reaction of the body and the impact of the car accident are not good for the body. People who are drinking will not be hurt as bad in an accident. The body is slower to react and not as tense. Also, this will lower the chance of the person under the influence getting hurt. After the car accident, the body will need some assistance in healing the damage to the body. Furthermore, chiropractic care is a way to find relief for the body after a car accident.

Most people will be treated with muscle relaxers and pain killers after going through an accident. This will help with getting through the pain but the next step is rehabilitating the body. Many people think the body can heal itself over time without help. This can work in some cases. If not, you will want to schedule a visit with a chiropractor. Some people can be scared upon their first visit to the chiropractor. Most people are use to going to a traditional medical doctor. Patients don’t know what to really expect and wonder about chiropractics treatment methods.

Most people are worried about pain and having to receive treatments without any medication. In addition, chiropractors are license doctors and trained to be knowledge in the human body structure and the internal workings of the body. Also, they are trained about the muscles and on how to heal the body as quickly as possible. Some of the first visits with a chiropractor will involve x-rays and examinations. After this is done a treatment plan will be establish to help with treating the body.

Many people will experience whiplash from a car accident or sports injury. A patient with whiplash could not have any symptoms until years later. Some of the symptoms of this condition are blurred vision, fatigue, neck pain, headache and nausea. Furthermore, a chiropractor is very effective in working with patients that suffer from these conditions.

Are Painkillers the Best Treatment for Headaches?

2010-05-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

Stress is one of the major causes of headaches. Most people live hectic and stressful lives. Overtime, the stress can build and become unbearable. In addition, stress can come from our job, health and family. This could be the reason why some people medicine cabinets are filled with painkillers. Most people are busy and looking for something that will quickly stop their headache. The quickest approach to relieve pain is drugs. This is a temporary treatment for headaches and the headache will return.
If you don’t have frequent headaches then this could be the remedy in dealing with the pain. You should use painkillers at a minimum because painkillers can have some unpleasant side effects. In addition, headaches can be caused by the overuse of pain medication. This is called rebound headaches and a common condition. Around two –thirds of severe headaches are caused or can become worse from the pain medication created to treat the condition. Also, the body can grow a tolerance for the medication. For example, many people who are suffering for a headache will take a couple of pain pills. After taking the pills, the pain will eventually go away. There is no need to take the pills after the headache symptom leaves. On the other hand, the headache will return after the effects of the painkillers wear off. This is a terrible cycle caused by using too much pain pills.
Many people think that a rebound headache can only happen with prescription pain medication. This is not true. People can experience side effects from prescription and over the counter medication. Every pain medication will have some kind of side effects. Also, the side effects from the drugs can be more severe than the initial headache. In addition, pain medication is created to relieve pain but the drugs can cause pain as well. This can be stop by not taking pain medication or not overusing the drugs.
Some users have experience side effects after discontinuing the use of painkillers. The side effects can cause the headache to intensify for the next couple of days or a week. In some cases, you will have to take a different medication to deal with the side effects. The worse case scenario is being hospitalized because of the side effects. The withdrawal symptoms from pain medication can be very unpleasant. Furthermore, another approach is finding safe and natural cures to help treat headaches.

Back Pain Injury – Myths about Chiropractic Care

2010-04-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

Many people are afraid to try something new because it’s a different experience. The person doesn’t really know the outcome because they were never in that situation. In addition, many people suffer from back pain injury for different reasons. Medical care is not always effective in curing back pain. Many back pain sufferers will look for different options to treat the condition. Many people are wary of chiropractic care because it uses a different approach to treating medical conditions. This article will dispel the myths about Chiropractic care.

Myth # 1 – Chiropractic Treatments are Painful

The common myth is that chiropractic treatments are painful. This is not true. The treatments are not painful. Some people have even said the treatments were like getting a massage. There is a possibility that people who are having frequent pain in the back and neck that the treatments could feel uncomfortable. With time, the treatments will become soothing and comfortable.

Many adults have a positive experience with chiropractic care. At first, it can be a little scary for small children and infants. On the other hand, the child will not be hurt or any pain associated with the treatment. Also, it doesn’t take long for each treatment session. It will take around thirty minutes to an hour. It really depends on the condition being treated and what part of the body. Some people can feel pain or discomfort based on the severity of the problem and pain tolerance.

Myth #2 – Chiropractic Care is Dangerous

Some people think that having chiropractic care for back pain injury or any condition can be dangerous. This is not true. The treatments will not damage your body or make the condition worse. Actually, chiropractic care is one of the safer treatments for neck pains, back pains and other conditions. There can be a low risk of getting a spine adjusted. Most doctors will recommend spinal manipulation before recommending surgery for the condition. In many cases, chiropractic care will be recommended before prescribing steroids and antidepressants.

Myth # 3 – Chiropractic Care is Expensive

Another common myth is that chiropractic care is expensive and will not be cover by insurance. The treatments are effective and reasonable. Many medical costs include treatments, continuous cycle of prescription drugs and possibly surgery. Chiropractic treatments can be cheaper compared to health care treatments.

If you are cautious about trying chiropractic care then the best way to get over this fear is by have a consultation with a chiropractor. Furthermore, you can receive firsthand information and a treatment program on back pain injury and other condition by making an appointment.

Low Back Pain Exercises – Chiropractic Exercises to Relieve Pain

2010-04-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Are you experiencing back pain? Here are three quick and effective exercises to help alleviate upper and middle back pain. Also, the exercises can be done at home and takes a few minutes. If you are experiencing severe back pain then you should go to the doctor before doing any low back pain exercises.

Most people will experience back pain at some point in life. Constantly twisting and bending can lead to hurting or causing injury to the back. If you have to bend or twist then take the necessary steps to do it properly. There are different chiropractic exercises that can be done to get rid of back pain. After doing the exercise, your body will begin to feel better quickly.

Low Back Pain Exercises – Hamstring Stretch

Believe it or not, hamstring stretches can be effective in improving upper or middle back pain. The different organs in the body are connected to another organ. If one part of the body is not functioning then this will affect other parts of the body. Having tight hamstrings means having a tight back. A tight back can lead to back pain.

1. Start by stretching your hamstrings by standing up.
2. Slightly bend the knees and bend over to touch your toes.
The first time doing the exercise you will be unable to bend all the way down and touch the toes. Each time the exercise is performed, you will get further each time.

Cat Stretch Exercise

The “cat stretch” is an exercise for middle back pain. The exercise will stretch the back.
1. You will need to get down on the floor on all fours.
2. The hands should be position like someone getting ready to crawl.
3. The knees and hand should be in place. The next step is leaning back.

If you have a cat or dog then take note of how the dog/cat stretch. This is the way the cat stretch should look when trying the exercise for stretching the back muscles. The exercise will cause the back to release any tension and alleviate any pain.

These are a couple of exercises that can add some comfort for someone dealing with back pain. In addition, a chiropractor will be able to develop a complete treatment plan for someone with back pain. Furthermore, a chiropractor can design a low back pain exercises program to have improve or cure back pain.

Sciatica Chiropractic Treatments – Using Chiropractic Care for Treating Sciatica

2010-04-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sciatica is a common condition that affects a variety of people. In addition, sciatica applies pressure to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is made up of two nerves which are the common peroneal nerve and the tibial. The nerves are bound together by a sheath of connective tissue. The origin of the nerves comes from the L4-S3.Injury to the sciatic nerve will result in sciatica. The pain will start in the buttocks and travel down through the back, sides of the legs and foot. In short, sciatica chiropractic treatments are one of the ways of healing the condition.

The first step of healing sciatica is finding the cause of the pain. A variety of tests can be done to help with diagnosing the condition. For example, you can take orthopedic exams, MRI’s and neurological testing. These tests will be able to determine if the condition was cause by a herniated disk or another reason. One of the common causes of Sciatica is Piriformis Syndrome. The Piriformis muscles are a triangular muscle located in the buttocks.

The exact location of the Piriformis depends on the person body shape. The sciatic nerve will pass through or underneath this muscle. The Piriformis muscle can become irritated with chronic spasms. This will lead to pressure on the Sciatic nerve. On the other hand, sciatica chiropractic care can be use for determining the reason for the sciatic pain. There is a possibility that the pain is caused by Piriformis Syndrome. Chiropractic treatments can be used to relax the muscle and decrease the nerve root irritation.

Sciatica is a condition that can improve or heal quickly with the correction of the piriformis muscle. On the other hand, the cause of the pain could be related to the L4-S3.
The malposition of the vertebrae is located in the lower spine can cause nerve root and impingement on nerves that’s made up of the Sciatic Nerve. This is called a subluxation. The subluxation can be determined with chiropractic exams and x-rays. The next step is restoring the proper alignment to the vertebrae that’s causing the irritation to the nerve.

Sciatica is a set of symptoms that can cause pain to the leg, foot or lower back pain. To cure the condition, you will have to determine the origin of the pain. Furthermore, Sciatica chiropractic treatments are one of the ways to alleviate the pain and discomfort of the condition.

Using Chiropractic Care for a Natural Asthma Cure

2010-04-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

Asthma is a serious medical condition that affects adults and children. Millions of people are suffering from asthma and looking for ways to relieve the symptoms. This condition is a chronic lung disease which is in control of the irritation and narrowing of airways. Some common symptoms of children with asthma are tightness of the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing. The inability to breath can be scary for a parent or child. There are tons of prescription and over the counter drugs available to treat the condition. On the other hand, some people want to take a more natural approach to treating asthma. Visiting a chiropractor is a natural asthma cure and drug free approach to treating asthma.

The expenses of treating a person with asthma can be costly for a family. Medical treatments for the condition can involve steroids, inhalers, nebulizers and any other medications. Many families have health insurance but the treatments can still be very expensive. Also, you will continue to spend money because the treatments will not cure asthma. Some people can have problems with asthma for a lifetime. Another thing to consider is the side effects for the medication. Continuous use of steroids and other medications can have negative side effects on children.

Many people want a natural asthma cure for their children as to not affect the child’s development. Some of the side effects of asthma medication are hyperactivity and sleep disruption. There can be several reasons for person to have problems with asthma. The reason for the condition could be a subluxation. In addition, a subluxation is a misalignment of bones located in the spine. The misalignment can lead to irritating the nerves.

The diaphragm and lungs are in control of the breathing. The function of the diaphragm and lungs are controlled by the nervous system. If there is interference in the nervous system then the lungs will not function properly. Also, chiropractic adjustments can relieve any stress on the nervous system. When the pressure is released off the nervous system, the lungs will function properly and the asthma will be reduced. There is a possibility that chiropractic care can eliminate the condition.

Chiropractic care will cause the nervous system to be more responsive and give a boost to the immune system. With treatment, a child or adult will have consistent good health. Furthermore, chiropractic treatment is a natural asthma cure for a safe and effective way to treat asthma in children.

Chiropractic for Neck Pain and Body Aches

2010-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Many people have experience neck pain at some point in their life. It is a common condition and can be treated with a variety of methods. Women are the higher suffers of chronic neck pain. In addition, most people reach for pain medication when treating neck pain. Pain medication is a temporary treatment for pain in the neck. Eventually, the pain will return. Also, there are side effects that come with taking any drugs. In short, chiropractic for neck pain is another alternative for treating neck pain.

Most chiropractic treatments don’t involve any side effects. Some of the chiropractic treatments for neck pain are spinal adjustments, spinal manipulation, ultrasound, and non invasive and drug free therapy. These treatments are not painful but can be uncomfortable for a first time patient. Many chiropractors will ask you to come to a consultation before doing any treatments. This is like a question and answer session for the patient and doctor. For example, the chiropractor will ask about the intensity of the neck pain. This will give the doctor clues about the severity of the condition and what treatment method to use with the condition.

Chiropractic treatment for neck pain involves diagnosing the condition, prescribing a treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders involving the spine. In addition, moderate neck pain is a caused by carelessness with daily activities or improper posture. Severe pain is usually caused by a recent accident, scoliosis and wear and tear with age. Many chiropractors use the same criteria as medical doctors when treating pain. Spinal adjustments are one of the treatment methods that a chiropractor will recommend for neck pain.

Subluxations will occur when a vertebrae moves into another position. This will create irritation and pressure on the spinal nerves. The chiropractor will use his hands which is a drug free method to treat the subluxations. In addition, spinal manipulations can fix the subluxations. This method will reduce pain in soft tissues, stimulate the nervous system and boost circulation.

Many chiropractors will suggest a healthy diet, lifestyle and becoming active to prevent any relapse. In addition, chiropractors are trained practitioners and an expert on the spine. Furthermore, chiropractic for neck pain is the solution to pain relief and having better health.

Can Chiropractors Treat Scoliosis?

2010-04-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

Many parents are unsure about which treatment method to use with treating a child that’s diagnosed with scoliosis. In addition, scoliosis has been a challenge for many professionals in the medical field. Orthopedists are the main doctors that administer treatment for this condition in the health care field. Many parents have found out from their school that their child was diagnosed with scoliosis. This can be shocking and leave the parent paralyzed about taking the next steps.

In fact, 85% of scoliosis cases are unknown when determining how the person contracted the illness. In short, many health care providers tend to diagnosis the illness as being idiopathic. This diagnosis will make it impossible to treat the condition. There is a possibility that chiropractic care will not improve scoliosis. The effectiveness of chiropractic care will depend on the individual and the severeness of the condition. If you have exhausted all options then the next step could be surgery options or a full brace.

Most chiropractors have experience with improving and making changes to patients’ spinal curves. In addition, chiropractic care is effective for patients of all ages, sizes and shapes. After a chiropractic treatment, the patient has seen an improvement in their x-ray. Also, the spine is much closer after receiving treatments. Many chiropractors don’t specialize in treating patients with scoliosis. It is important to visit a chiropractor that specializes in this condition.

A chiropractor that specializes in scoliosis will be able to recommend treatments and show proof of their progress of dealing with this disease. Scoliosis is a condition that is still being researched because a lot is unknown about the condition. A chiropractor or medical provider cannot guarantee results when treating scoliosis. On the other hand, the patient could be dealing with a spinal misalignment instead of true scoliosis. A chiropractor will be able to diagnose and treat this condition.

The first step is scheduling a consultation with a chiropractor. It will not make the condition any worse by receiving chiropractic care. Furthermore, take action and see results with a chiropractic visit to improve scoliosis.

Chiropractic Centers – Treat a Variety of Medical Conditions

2010-04-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Many chiropractic centers promote overall health. Medical doctors put an emphasis on illness but chiropractors have a different outlook. For example, there is an emphasis on alternative remedies, preventive care and promotes wellness. Many chiropractic centers help the patient with enhancing their wellness and health.

The belief of experts in the chiropractic field is that illnesses are associated with the misalignment of the spine. This condition can restrict the flow of energy and blood. Many chiropractic techniques can be used to treat ADD, asthma, ear infections, back pain and fibromyalgia, the immune system and problems with the digestive system. The chiropractor will introduce the patient techniques on how to improve body posture, proper nutrition education and relaxation techniques.

Many chiropractic centers support science of ergonomics and promotes healthy devices that will improve posture in the workplace. Some people will not visit a chiropractor because of being afraid of having to keep up the chiropractic treatments. This is not true. If the required adjustments has corrected the nervous and skeletal system then the treatments can be discontinue. Another concern of patients is that adjustment hurt or will do damage. This procedure can be uncomfortable for first time patients but it isn’t painful.

Nowadays, chiropractic treatments are being cover by insurance companies. Insurance companies are seeing the effectiveness in prevention of medical conditions. Also, this is a natural method for treating an illness. Some insurance companies may require the patient to pay for treatments up front and the company will later reimburse the patient. A few insurance companies can require that the patient get a physician’s referral before receiving any treatments. You should contact your insurance company before making any appointments.

If you want to improve your health or alleviate any pain then you should schedule an appointment at Bratcher Chiropractic clinic in Tyler, TX. Furthermore, scheduling an appointment is the first step in having a healthier life.

Chiropractic Massage – An Alternative Method to Healing

2010-04-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

Many people would rather try natural methods to treat aches and pains instead of taking drugs. Chiropractic massage is an alternative of healing a physical ailment without relying solely on prescription or over the counter drugs. Many patients can benefit from chiropractic treatments and massages. Furthermore, a good massage can pinpoint a variety of medical problems that occur in the body.

A good massage is a healing method good for treating chronic back pain. The reason some people suffer from back pain is because of overstressing, hereditary, pulling a muscle, or having weak muscle tone. Massage techniques can encourage the blood flow and realigned the spine. In addition, a skilled chiropractor can alleviate or get rid of never ending back pain problems. It could take several massage sessions to completely minimize or eliminate the problem. As well as, it’s common to have occasional flare ups after going through a successful chiropractic treatment.

A chiropractic massage can be used to address different areas of the back and shoulders. If you are having problems with migraines and headaches then this condition can be treated with therapeutic massages. People can have problems with headaches for different reasons. Some of the reasons headaches occur are sinus problems, muscle problems located in the neck region and nerve problems located in the neck region. Adjustment techniques and massages can invigorate weak muscles and loosen tension in the neck. It is possible that continued therapy will reduce the amount and severity of the headaches.

Many people have problems with arthritis and the condition can be treated with therapeutic massage. This condition will attack the joints and very common in the elderly. Arthritis is a very painful condition and it can be hard to perform simple tasks. Some of the treatments recommended by doctors for arthritis are painful and expensive surgeries or a variety of drugs. You should look at all options before taking extreme measures. A chiropractor can possibly help the patient to be naturally relieved of the pain.

A massage will readjust joints to the proper position. This will decrease the pain and increase mobility in the patient. It is important to have good posture. Poor posture can lead to sleeping problems, physical pain, scoliosis and misalignment of the spine. Most people have a great deal of success through chiropractic massage and realignment.

Chiropractic Care – Use Preventative Care to Treat Medical Conditions Early

2010-04-20T06:55:00.000-07:00

Most professional chiropractors are skilled and can bring enormous relief to anyone suffering from back pain. This is one of the most common roles associated with chiropractors. On the other hand, chiropractic treatment involves a variety of different functions and services. Many professional Doctors of Chiropractic provides preventative care which promotes better overall health and keeps the pain under control.

Most people visit a medical doctor to treat the symptoms or pain from a physical problem. Visiting a chiropractor is an alternative for receiving relief from pain without using drugs. Many highly trained chiropractors use a variety of techniques to improve neurological and structural conditions of the body. Chiropractic doctors are able to perform effective, comfortable and safe spinal adjustments. Also, some patients have problems with pain in the neck, hips or back. A patient will see an improvement in their health by using preventative care and natural treatment.

Most chiropractors will diagnose joint dysfunction in the early stages of the doctor and patient relationship. The early diagnosis will prevent pain and severe injury from happening. A misaligned spine can cause a number of health problems from extreme pain to fatigue. Most people will experience a misaligned spine at some point in their lifetime. It can take time before the person will start to experience pain from a misaligned spine. Many chiropractors will encourage patients to have regular prevented care appointments. This will help to treat and detect the spinal problems in the early stages.

Many chiropractors offer coaching and lifestyle advice to their patients. This will help the patient to accomplish better short and long term health. Also, the doctor will recommend eliminating certain activities to prevent aggravating old injuries. For example, an office worker can experience pain from sitting at a computer for long hours. A chiropractor will recommend a treatment that consists of doing an exercise throughout the day. As well as, showing the patient how to position their body to alleviate pain is another method to prevent injury to the body.

It is important to take care of one’s body through diet, exercise and nutritional supplements. In addition, chiropractic doctors receive in depth training in rehabilitation, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, public health and pathology. Furthermore, a chiropractor is highly trained to provide preventative care for a variety of conditions.

Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy

2010-04-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

Many women will experience structural changes during their pregnancy. Also, it is possible for pregnant women to experience complications during the pregnancy. Chiropractic care can improve the pregnancy experience with a few treatments.

A woman’s body changes because the body has to make room for the development and growth of the baby. This leads to stress on the joints, muscles, spine ligaments and pelvis ligaments. The stress of the pregnancy on the body will lead to strain muscles, misaligned joints and stretch ligaments. This is the reason for complications during pregnancy. Also, the body changes can cause spinal problems or irritate the spine. There are four problems that can rise because of spinal dysfunction which are extreme curving of the lower back, pelvis unable to open for delivery, gland dysfunction and hindrance of the somatic nerve flow.

Chiropractic care is able to improve nerve irritation involving the pelvis or spine and joint misalignment. The treatment will prevent a woman from having complications during a pregnancy. Many women are not aware of the symptoms that are affecting their pregnancy. For example, some of the symptoms that lead to pregnancy complications are numbness, joint aches, lower back pain, muscle spasms, sharp pain, headaches and baby unable to move in the womb. If you are having these symptoms then it’s time for a visit to a chiropractic doctor.

Many chiropractors will help a woman have a healthy pregnancy by helping the woman to understand the problems associated with being pregnant. In addition, the mother will have a quicker and effortlessly delivery. Chiropractic treatments will help relieve some of the pain from the stress on the joints, back, neck and pelvis. Also, the treatments can prevent vaginal tearing from delivering the baby. Most women want to have a natural birth but complications can lead to a cesarean section. Chiropractic care can help with avoiding a C-section.

The main goal for a pregnant woman is to have a smooth pregnancy and a healthy baby. In addition you should choose a chiropractor that is experience with prenatal care for women. Furthermore, it’s important to make a smooth transition from being pregnant to motherhood.

Pain Control for Headaches with Chiropractic Treatment

2010-04-16T15:04:00.000-07:00

Headaches are a very common condition and a natural part of some people everyday lives. Many people will minimize the severity of the headache and use an over the counter medication for pain control. On the other hand, some people will wait for the pain to go away. This condition can be treated with an understanding of the condition and the different methods available to treat the condition.

Many people are not aware that headaches are a symptom to a condition or disease. In addition, headaches can be described as a pain in the eyes, forehead, temples, jaws, scalp, eyes, neck or skull. This condition can fit in over 150 different headache categories. For this reason, it can be hard to treat and diagnose the different types of headaches. This condition can be caused from caffeine withdrawals, tension, cervicogenic, sinus and migraines. The two types of headaches are secondary and primary.

The pain of a headache can be unbearable and leave the person looking for some type of pain control of the condition. Chiropractic care is one of the most overlooked treatment methods for this condition. Many headaches will fall in the primary category and primary make of 94% of headache cases. As well as, 78% of headaches are stress related and 16% are actually migraines. In addition, secondary headaches can be caused by brain tumors or other serious conditions.

Chiropractic care isn’t the first treatment that a person that suffers from frequent migraines turn to but this treatment has shown to be effective in treating headaches. A case study published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics on June 1997 revealed that chiropractic treatment reduced patients’ headache hours by 69%. Many headaches are related to problems with the neck. Neck problems can be corrected with chiropractic care. Chiropractors will use a variety of leg length checks and muscle testing to determine the location of the problem in the neck. Knowing the reason for a migraine can assist with finding the right methods to treat the condition.

It is important to examine the history of the headaches. For example, you should evaluate any patterns and how often the condition occurs. As well as, you should watch how effective each medication or treatment was in reducing the headaches. Chiropractic care involves a variety of methods to help with getting rid of headaches. Furthermore, chiropractic care is a natural treatment for regulating pain control from intense headaches.

The Technology Age - Cause of Spine Damage?

2010-04-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

There are a high number of cases of people having neck problems as a result of playing video games and sitting in front of the computer. In addition, many people use bad posture to text, play video games and surf the internet. Bad posture can lead to a person developing “Forward Neck Position” and “Straight Neck Syndrome”.

Cyndi Cossota is a patient that was experiencing pain in her neck for years. At times, Cossota was unable to move her neck because the pain was so unbearable. The root of the problem was revealed after a visit to a chiropractor. The chiropractor took an X-ray and the X-ray revealed that Cossota had a straight neck.

It was determined that Cossota was diagnosed with the condition “Straight Neck Syndrome”. This is known in the medical condition as Forward Head position. Also, Cossota’s career had a lot to do with her having bad posture. She is an art director and has spent a lot of time looking down at the computer.

Mike Hembree is a chiropractor doctor that gave some insight on this condition. Hembree says a normal neck will have a C-shaped curve. Forward Head Position is when the neck is out of alignment. Also, Hembree says the “forward position” can lead to a number of medical problems. For example, it can cause migraines and headaches. It can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by affecting the nerves that lead to the hands and arms.

Many doctors thought that “Forward Head Position” was caused by traumatic injuries. New cases of this condition are coming from people that use iPhone, play video games and use the computer. Using these devices for a long period of time can cause the neck to change.

The condition can be corrected with improved posture and using a computerized adjusting instrument. Also, the condition has to be caught in the early stages in order to improve the condition. As well as, the condition can lead to arthritis and degeneration.

Source: Tech savvy society may cause spine damage

Chiropractic for Bedwetting

2010-04-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Many people around the world are affected by bedwetting. This is a common problem for pre-teens, older adults and children. The clinical term for this condition is nocturnal enuresis. In addition, bedwetting can be annoying and embarrassing for someone that suffers from this condition. Most people will try a variety of methods to stop this problem before finding a treatment that actually cures bedwetting. Natural care is one of the ways of dealing with this condition. Many children that suffer from this condition can benefit from seeing a chiropractor for spinal manipulations.

Why are children wetting the bed?

Phrenic reflex is behind the process that causes a child to wet the bed. This is what happens while the body is sleeping. When a person is sleeping, the breathing will slow down. This will cause the carbon dioxide levels in the body to rise. The levels will rise so high that will it will cause a sudden shudder. The shudder is known as a phrenic reflex. As well as, spinal reflex is another name for phrenic reflex. Next, the person will take a deep breath and start to breath normal.
On the other hand, if the phrenic reflex is not functioning properly then the high carbon dioxide levels will cause the smooth muscles to relax. The smooth muscles have a valve at the bottom of the urinary bladder. If any fluid is in the bladder then fluid will be released. This leads to a person wetting the bed.

How can Chiropractors help with this Condition?

The phrenic reflex can be underdeveloped or not completely matured. In other cases, the reflex is completely developed and could be blocked by a vertebral misalignment. This is known as a subluxation. In addition, the blocked vertebrae will apply pressure to the spine and have an affect on a normal sleeping pattern. Chiropractic natural care can ascertain if a person has a misalignment and can lead to the root cause of bedwetting. Chiropractic treatments can help with maneuvering the spine back into the correct position.

Does Chiropractic Treatment really work for this condition?

There have been several case studies on chiropractic treatments and bedwetting. According to the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 171 children were involved in the case study that had problems with wetting the bed every night on a regular basis. In addition, the children were given chiropractic care to improve any problems with the spine. Twenty five percent of the participants showed a fifty percent reduction in wetting the bed. Fifteen people were cured of the problem after receiving the treatment. All and all, Chiropractic natural care for treating bedwetting shows a decrease in the condition after receiving treatments.

Miss Whiplash with Locking Headrest, Study Suggests

2010-04-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Whiplash neck injuries among drivers and their passengers who have been shunted from behind are a major cause of long-term health problems and, in extreme cases, death. A report in International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing describes a new type of vehicle headrest that can both improve safety and comfort.

The new headrest being developed by Italian engineers can be easily positioned so that it is always at the optimum passenger head distance to avoid whiplash injuries during a rear vehicle collision. However, the headrest almost instantaneously locks in position during a crash and provides the best protection for driver and passengers.

Federico Giorgetta, Massimiliano Gobbi, and Giampiero Mastinu of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, at the Technical University in Milan worked with Renato Ravicino of Italian headrest manufacturer Gestind MB S.p.A., based in Bruzolo, to develop the new system.

Gobbi and colleagues explain their motivation: "Whiplash injuries constitute a growing health problem and economic burden in westernised and motorised nations," and suggest that, "Without significant efforts in crash prevention and improvements in vehicle safety design, especially with more effective seat back and head restraint systems, the ever increasing traffic density will show a rise in this negative trend."

Part of the problem is the drivers and their passengers are unaware of the personal harm a whiplash injury can do and usually fail to adjust their headrest to the optimum height. Moreover, common headrests are often difficult to adjust and are pressed downwards by the head in a collision and so do nothing to save the person from injury. A headrest that can be adjusted without fuss to the optimum safety and comfort level is needed, the team says. The team has studied the biomechanics of whiplash injury, so named because of the way the head moves when involved in a rear-end collision.

They explain that whiplash is an issue of rapid "acceleration-deceleration" with energy transferred to the neck in rear-end or side-impact collisions. A whiplash can cause bone and soft-tissue injuries that may or may not be treated effectively. Such injuries are preventable with better headrest design the team believes.

They have developed full-scale tests and a scaled test-rig for research and development of the new headrest prototype. The new headrest has an automatic locking system that is activated only in a collision, locking the headrest within milliseconds. At other times, the headrest is unrestrained and can be adjusted without difficult manoeuvres involving the depression of various locking buttons.

source: ScienceDaily

Aerobic Exercise No Big Stretch For Older Adults But Helps Elasticity Of Arteries

2010-04-08T14:11:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily

Just three months of physical activity reaps heart health benefits for older adults with type 2 diabetes by improving the elasticity in their arteries -- reducing risk of heart disease and stroke, Dr. Kenneth Madden told the 2009 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Dr. Madden studied adults between the ages of 65 to 83 with controlled Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol to see how increased activity might affect stiffness of the arteries.

"The theory is that aerobic activity makes your arteries less stiff and makes artery walls more elastic," says Dr. Madden, a geriatric specialist at the University of British Columbia.

An improvement was seen in the elasticity of the arteries of the group that performed the activity compared to those who didn't exercise. "There was an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise. In that time we saw a 15 to 20 per cent reduction."

The subjects were divided into two groups to either receive three months of vigorous physical activity (one hour, three times per week) or to get no aerobic exercise at all. Subjects were classified as sedentary at the beginning of the study but gradually increased their fitness levels until they were working at 70 per cent of their maximum heart rate, using treadmills and cycling machines. They were supervised by a certified exercise trainer.

Dr. Beth Abramson, spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, stresses the importance of lifestyle factors on heart health, especially with our aging population. "Almost everyone can benefit from active living," she says. "The Foundation recommends that, like adults of any age, older adults -- with the consent of their physicians − need 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week."

Dr. Madden says that the exercise requirements may be viewed as controversial because of the age of the participants but the exercise level was safe and well tolerated. "There seems to be a knee-jerk reluctance to getting these older adults to exercise yet we used a vigorous level of activity and didn't have any trouble keeping participants in our study. They enjoyed the activity," Dr. Madden says. "People always underestimate what older adults can do."

Dr. Madden notes that realistically, seniors need someone to help them get started. "We need to learn how to do it effectively and how to do it safely," he says. "It could mean visiting your family doctor to find out about provincially funded programs, or joining programs for seniors that are offered at many local community centres."

Dr. Abramson recommends that seniors choose activities they enjoy, such as walking, gardening, golfing, dancing, or joining a yoga or tai chi class. If weather is a barrier, she suggests climbing stairs at home, joining a mall-walking group, or strolling the halls of their apartment building or retirement residence.

In his next project, Dr. Madden wants to find out if there is a less expensive but equally effective way to reduce the stiffness of arteries in older adults. "Our first step was to prove that it was at all possible for older adults to have reduced narrowing in their arteries due to exercise," he says. "Now we want to find out just how rigorous the levels of activity need to be to demonstrate the same results. The next step is to try studying a home-based walking program using pedometers. This is something easy for doctors to prescribe and cheap and easy for participants."

The HeartWalk Workout, a special activity program developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to help people with cardiovascular problems get regular, healthy physical activity is available online at heartandstroke.ca. It helps people slowly build up exercise tolerance until they can walk at least 30 minutes, five times a week.

Chiropractic Care - its types

2010-04-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

by Dr. Greg C. Molis

Chiropractic treatment is not just restricted to improving back and the neck pain. Chiropractic care has many different forms. This treatment is concerned with the general well being of the whole body. As a result you can visit a chiropractor as often as you like to keep up your health.

Chiropractic care deals with subluxations (misalignments of vertebrae causing nerve irritation) anywhere along the spinal column, not just in the lower back. Sometimes the vertebrae of the spine become misaligned or lose their range of motion for one reason or another. This misalignment puts pressure on nerves leading to and from the brain. A chiropractor helps put them back in place by using gentle and highly skilled adjustments.

While some chiropractors generally referred to as ~mixers~, also like to indulge in other forms of treatment such as physiotherapy, diet and nutrition while treating their patients. There are those ~straight~ ones who can be considered to be purists and deal only in chiropractic treatment concentrating on location and removal of subluxations. They believe in the ideology that once the subluxation heals, so will the rest of the body. Thus, gradually bringing about, complete rejuvenation of the individual.

You will have to undergo a full medical examination by the chiropractor initially and then a complete analysis of your condition. After which the chiropractor will take in the full case history, information about any other disease that you have and then only will he decide on your line of treatment. Chiropractic care has three basic forms:

Chiropractic Care- Relief
This chiropractic care method is followed to give immediate relief when the patient is in lot of pain and discomfort. The number and frequency of visits may depend on the extent of damage that needs to be corrected.

Corrective Chiropractic Care
As compared to Relief Chiropractic Care the Corrective Chiropractic Care is more of a long term treatment in which the results appear only after a period of time. This kind of treatment is mainly taken for those patients who are suffering from spinal problems that have taken place over a long time. Very often, the patient going for long time without medical attention.

Maintenance Chiropractic Care
This kind of chiropractic care is needed for patients with permanent spinal weakness and need constant check ups. Other patients who have had relief from earlier ailments, but see the chiropractor for regular check ups to ensure their future health and comfort. Usually this kind of treatment requires a visit every 2 to 6 weeks.

Chiropractic care involves the whole health of the body. Treatments involve using the internal healing systems in the body to relieve the spinal problems that can interfere with the nerves and cells. Therefore, receiving chiropractic treatments is a way of ensuring that every part of body is functioning as it should.

Chiropractic care is the most recommended form of alternative medicine. It is based on the belief that certain conditions are caused by impairment of your nervous system due to problems in your joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. While chiropractors do not use drugs or surgery, they sometimes do refer patients for medical care when they believe it is necessary.

Chiropractic care is safe and natural helping the body to draw upon its own restorative capabilities to heal. It teaches patients how to take control of their own health and avoid chronic pain. It also can help prevent problems before they start or get worse.

Building Better Health by Adapting Your Body

2010-04-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Ben Lerner

Your body will adapt or un-adapt to whatever stresses you do or don't impose on it. Consider these opposing forces.

Law of Adaption

If you run long distances, your muscles, joints, lungs and heart will adapt in a way that allows you to go the distance. This is a good thing, and the reason a marathon runner actually looks like one. And, if you're a sprinter, your body adapts for short distances. That's why sprinters look like and or train like body builders.

So if you want to improve stamina and cardio functioning, you run for a long time and your body adapts in a way to support that. If you want to increase strength and power, you do short sprints and you adapt for that.

If you want big, strong round muscles, you lift really heavy weights over a short period of time -- like a power lifter. If you want a more athletic build -- like a gymnast -- you lift weights or perform activities that create more sustained pressure.

Law of Un-Adaption

So what about the opposite action?

Whatever you're training for, you also "un-train" for. So a marathon runner doesn't make a great sprinter. Their lungs, heart, muscles and tendons are adapted for a completely different type of event. And, sprinters can't typically run a marathon. It would be like trying to ride a bull across country.

Your heart, lungs, circulatory system immune system, muscles and joints adapt to exercise by increasing their efficiency. So your muscles firm up, your joints lube up, the bones get stronger and thicker, your immune system gets cranking, your heartbeat strengthens, and your lungs and circulatory system dramatically improve their ability to take in, store and circulate oxygen.

On the other hand, if you do not exercise, your body un-adapts. Muscles get flabby, bones get soft and brittle, joints get dry, the heartbeat weakens and speeds up and you become oxygen deprived.

Exercise and Reversed Aging

People as old as 100 can dramatically increase their strength, improve their balance, restore bone density, moderate diabetes and diminish joint pain in just a few weeks of weight training. The minute you start sweating and your heart begins pounding, your arteries get more flexible and your blood pressure drops. This lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke too.

For hours after exercise, your body is more sensitive to insulin, keeping your sugar levels in check and reducing your risk of diabetes too.

Being in shape causes your heart and blood vessels to work only a fraction as hard as they do if you are out of shape. A conditioned person will have a heart rate of approximately 60 beats/minute. Someone who is out of shape will have a heart rate of approximately 80 beats/minute. This means if you are out of shape, your heart will have to beat approximately 30,000 more times per day than if you were in shape.

Dying Lighter

The purpose of weight loss is not only to weigh less, but to be healthier. Weight-reduction plans that use unhealthy foods, diet products, weird devices, drugs, supplements or even herbal "speed" to help you lose weight may make you lighter, but not healthier. When people ask me what I think about these plans I always say the same thing: "Sure, you might lose weight. You will die 10 years earlier, but at least you will be lighter."

The reality is, about the only positive thing about losing weight the wrong way is that you will make it easier on your pallbearers.

The fact is, better health does not necessarily come by simply losing weight. To improve the function of the Body By God operating system, there must be less weight and fat. It is not only how much you weigh that causes you to develop disease: It is how much body fat you have compared to how much muscle you have.

The point of exercise is to increase the amount of real muscle and decrease the amount of loosely packed muscle, or what we call "fat." Having too little lean muscle mass compared to body fat contributes to all sorts of conditions and diseases. High body-fat/muscle ratios negatively affect organ function, hormone balances, immune control, brain activity, blood chemistry and generally make you more sensitive to potentially hazardous food elements like sugar and cholesterol.

Diet alone cannot increase muscle mass and decrease fat mass. Only diet combined with exercise will increase your muscle/body-fat ratios. Through the law of adaption, the way the body adapts to exercise is by increasing your muscle-to-fat ratio. This will not only cause you to weigh less, it will cause you to have better health. Again, this will still make it easier on your pallbearers, but they will also have to wait a while before being called into action!

While many people rely on cardio activities alone and some on weights alone, to really get healthy you need both. You need to get your heart and lungs adapting in a healthy way through a regular cardio program and your lean muscle mass up by working out with weights or some kind of resistance.

Massage: It's real medicine

2010-04-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

By Kristyn Kusek Lewis
Health.com

Having your honey rub your back is sweet, but it's tough to compete with the hands of a pro. A good massage therapist can make you feel like a new person. And now research suggests massage can ease insomnia, boost immunity, prevent PMS, and more. Maybe that's why hospitals are making it a standard therapy.

"All of our surgery patients are offered the treatment -- I call it 'service with a smile' -- and it's a mandatory weekly prescription I give myself," says Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., director of the Cardiovascular Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital--Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and a member of the board at LLuminari, a health-education company.

Our advice: Enjoy your hands-on time with your sweetie, but set aside some time for a real massage, too. Here are some feel-good reasons:

Goodbye, pain

It sounds like a no-brainer, but rubdowns are especially effective for aches like low-back pain. Researchers at the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle, Washington, found that massage works better than common treatments including chiropractic therapy and acupuncture. It's not clear why, but several studies show massage reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol while boosting the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine. Those changes slow your heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and block your nervous system's pain receptors. Massage also increases blood flow to the muscles, which may help them heal.

A bonus: Massage also seems to ease distress from migraine, labor pain, and even cancer, as well as the body tenderness seen with fibromyalgia, says Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Plus, the benefits may last as long as a year after just a few treatments, says Partap Khalsa, Ph.D., a chiropractor and a program officer at the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the agency funding many major studies on massage.

Hello, dreams

Fluctuations in several types of brain waves either relax you or wake you up. Massage increases delta waves -- those linked with deep sleep -- according to a study at the Touch Research Institute. That's why it's easy to drift off on the massage table, Field says.

Nice to have you back, brain power

The Touch Research Institute study that connected massage to sleep also found that a 15-minute chair massage boosted alertness. "Subjects reported that it felt like a runner's high," Field says. Tests also show that brain-wave activity stimulated by massage is linked to improved attention.

Take that, colds

Massage helps ward off bugs by boosting your "natural killer cells," the immune system's first line of defense against invading illness. "We know that cortisol destroys natural killer cells," Field says. "Therefore, since massage decreases cortisol, your immune cells get a boost." Massage even seems to boost immunity in those people with severely compromised immune systems, such as breast-cancer patients.

Blues, be gone

Less cortisol and more serotonin and dopamine in your system may also mean less stress, anxiety, and depression. "We know that the right side of the frontal lobe of the brain is more active when we're sad, and the left side's activated when we're happy," Field says. "Our studies have observed that massage decreases activity in the right lobe and increases functioning in the left." The well-being people feel after a massage is a big reason why some hospitals offer it to anxious patients preparing for surgery and cancer patients going through chemo.

Shove off, PMS

A small study of 24 women with severe PMS found that massage reduced symptoms such as pain, water retention, and mood swings. Try it with proven remedies such as exercise (and who-cares-if-they-work solutions like a little dark chocolate).

Still looking for headache relief?

2010-04-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

Before looking for a headache remedy, one should understand the origin of the headache. Spinal manipulations have shown to decrease the severity and frequency of headaches, because they usually are due to a misaligned spine. Poor posture or injury can force your vertebrae out of place and pressure the nerves. These nerves can send painful signals to the muscles surrounding the neck and cause a headache. The spinal manipulations straighten your spine and relax the muscles.

There are several types of headaches; including tension, migraine and cervicogenic. Most people experience the tension headache, which includes moderate pain on both sides of the head. It is often described as a pressure that is squeezing your head causing the pain. Migraines are more severe and are usually described as a throbbing pain. Sometimes a migraine can cause nausea, loss of appetite, and in some cases vision difficulties. If you get migraine headaches regularly, keep a record of the foods you eat. You might notice that your headaches are caused by specific foods. The cervicogenic headache is related to the spine and causes most tension type headaches.

Not all headaches are cause by spinal misalignments but you should consult your chiropractor before you begin any treatments. Sometimes caffeine, lack of nutrients, stress, allergies, menstruation, or poor sleep habits can cause headaches. In some cases of reoccurring headaches the location of the pain can clue you into a more severe problem. A headache located above the right eye may indicate a liver problem. Pain at the top of your head could indicate a kidney problem or high blood pressure. If you experience pain at the back of the neck, high stress levels probably cause the headache.

Your chiropractor will conduct physical, orthopedic and neurological tests to reveal the condition of your spine. A palpation test can check for irregularities in the spine that may be the cause of your headaches. Sometimes and x-ray is necessary. Your chiropractor may consult with other medical specialists if the test results dictate further exams.

Looking for a Headache Remedy?

Chiropractors do not prescribe medications or recommend surgery (rarely a treatment for headaches), but instead have had success relieving the pain associated with headaches. Taking aspirin every day as a headache remedy can lead to increased doses and even more severe headaches in the long run. The medicine taken for today's headache may give you one tomorrow or the days after. Chiropractic has been extremely successful in dealing with cervicogenic headaches. A chiropractor's ability to adjust spinal abnormalities lessens the forces contributing to headache pain. Other manual techniques such as massage and heat therapy can be a useful headache remedy.

(as posted at ChiroCommunity)

Back pain: Will chiropractic treatment help?

2010-04-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Chiropractic's Role in Treating Headaches

2010-03-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

Cervicogenic Headache Model Gives Credence to Chiropractic

Until recently, the medical understanding of headaches has not taken into account the chiropractic model. The concept that headache pain can emanate from cervical dysfunction is still completely foreign to most of the medical profession.

Noted researcher Nikolai Bogduk, MD, PhD, professor of anatomy at Newcastle, Australia, commented:

"The people in control of the headache field seemingly have not, cannot, or will not, recognize this paradox ... that the model for cervicogenic headache is not only the best evolved of all headaches but is testable in vivo, in patients with headache complaints. No other form of headache has that facility."

Several years ago, a Canadian anesthesiologist, Peter Rothbart, MD, FRCPC, came to the same conclusions about cervicogenic headache. Dr. Rothbart made many observations in his own pain management practice which subsequently led to an article in the Toronto Star, the most widely read newspaper in Canada. The Toronto Star article, "A Pain in the Neck," was subtitled: "Chiropractors were right.

Many headaches are caused by damaged structures in the neck -- and scientific evidence proves it." The article explained that years ago, French medical professor Robert Maigne "came to believe that many headaches originated with a structural problem in the neck." He was "thought to be a lunatic," said Dr. Rothbart. But others took up Dr. Maigne's work, including Dr. Nik Bogduk.

In 1995, a team of MDs at Syracuse University established neck problems as the cause of many headaches "with scientific, anatomical proof." Dr. Rothbart termed the Syracuse results "a minor miracle." In the Toronto Star article, Dr. Rothbart made several insightful comments:

"Some brilliant people have put their hearts, souls and minds to this (headache) problem and haven't come up with anything. All we've been able to do is treat people with an array of medicines, one after the other, and hope the side effects won't be too bad."

"We couldn't believe it at first. We've been able to put together a scientific explanation for how neck structure causes headaches -- not all headaches, but a significant number of them."

"It's true that chiropractors have been saying this for years. Unfortunately, many (medical) doctors tend to have a jaundiced view of chiropractors, but they were right about headaches."

Dr. Rothbart's clinical experience and findings have led him to become a founder and president of the North American Cervicogenic Headache Society (NACHS). The NACHS is dedicated to establishing the place of cervicogenic headache in the minds and practices of those health care provider who treat headaches. At the first North American Cervicogenic Headache Conference, held last year, Dr. Rothbart remarked:

"So far as the International Headache Society and the American Association for the Study of Headaches have defined this entity (cervicogenic headache) -- it simply doesn't exist. I'm pleased to say that thanks to the works of Drs. Merskey and Bogduk, cervicogenic headache is recognized in the IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain) taxonomy. This situation creates an enormous problem in addressing the diagnosis and treatment of headaches. Since most of the physicians and headachologists are unfamiliar with the IASP taxonomy, they are unaware of this entity, so diagnosis of cervicogenic headache is rarely made. Thus, there are a large number of chronic headache sufferers who go through life with the wrong diagnosis and hence the wrong treatment for their headache. It was the ongoing ignorance about this clinical entity that motivated the founders of this society to establish a formal organization. One of our goals is for this entity to be accepted into the general headache classification, and until this happens, large numbers of patients will continue to suffer unnecessarily."

The development of the concept of cervicogenic headache has opened a new door for chiropractic. As this concept is developed and adopted, it is expected that a large percentage of headache sufferers will fall into this category. Chiropractic has much to offer as the first line care for cervicogenic headache.

source:chiroweb.com

Think you can't be helped by a Chiropractor?

2010-03-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

People seek care for four main reasons:
1. Treatment of a specific symptom.
2. Preventing the symptom from returning.
3. Part of a total approach to optimum physical and mental health.
4. To improve their family's health.

The types of people who seek Chiropractic care can be found below.
1. People involved in auto accidents.
2. People injured on the job.
3. People who slip and fall.
4. People who have sports-related injuries.
5. People who have stress.
6. People who don't exercise as they should.
7. People who are overweight.
8. People who have various aches and pains from normal everyday activities.
The common denominator of the people in the above list is that they have either suffered mishaps that caused injury to their bodies, or they have body types that are more prone to having injuries while performing normal, everyday activities.

These categories can further be broken down into the following:
1. Very young children/infants.
2. Young adolescents.
3. Young adults/teenagers
4. People in their 20's to 30's
5. People in their 40's to 60's
6. People over 70

People in each age category have very specific types of conditions that they are more likely to confront. Chiropractic offers a unique treatment method to combat the various health issues that arise.

For example, the very young children and infants are more likely to have postural difficulties due to the various falls taken while learning to walk, run, ride bicycles, etc. They also tend to have more earaches as well due to the early weakness of the neck and muscles surrounding that area. Many of our patients have found that using chiropractic care for children offers another aspect of care that should be used in addition to the standard medical pediatric care already being received.

Younger adolescents and teenagers should be checked for scoliosis by a chiropractic physician. Chiropractic is the only profession that offers conservative treatment of scoliosis at the time of earliest onset.

To use a botanical analogy: It makes more sense to help a sapling grow straight rather than attempt to change a tree that was allowed to grow crooked over many years.

Chiropractic offers a gentle approach to help your child have the best chance of avoiding more severe treatment methods that may become necessary in later years.

It is very common for adolescent age children to have various symptoms that adults deal with as well. In my experience the difference is that many adults tend to contribute these symptoms to growing pains . And, because the children are younger, with optimal recuperative powers, they tend to respond much quicker than adults with the same symptoms. These same mild spinal conditions can become more serious if left unattended, especially for those children who develop into athletes or very active young adults.

As the age groups get older, the conditions become more obvious ones. Lower back problems, neck pain, and headaches are all very common maladies. They can be caused by poor posture, poor lifting and bending procedures, the stress of our jobs, auto accidents, etc. These conditions must be taken seriously because if not, they create more life-long problems. This is very evident when examining the 40-60 and older categories. After reviewing patient histories taken over many years in practice, it is obvious that the majority of these conditions were caused by not fully correcting spinal problems that occurred many years in the past. Perhaps this may have been due to the fact that prior to the 1990's, Chiropractic did not get the acclaim it has gotten recently in helping these structural conditions.

source: chiroweb.com

When you are ready to stop hurting, stop by and see us! BRATCHER CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic & Treatment of Arthritis

2010-03-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

One of the most widely misunderstood conditions among patients is arthritis. When some people hear this word they envisage a future with crippled and twisted joints. However "arthritis" is a very general word that encompasses many different conditions from the benign to the severe. For our purposes we will limit the discussion to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis

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

The most common areas of the body that develop degenerative joints are in the spine particularly in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, the hips and the fingers. Everyone will experience DJD at one point in their lives though things such as previous trauma, ones occupation, activities, weight, diet, and heredity influence the degree of the condition and its onset.

The symptoms of DJD always involve some degree of pain and or stiffness in the body part involved. If the weight bearing joints such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected especially in the more advanced stages of the condition. In some cases if the joint is sufficiently worn and the person can no longer walk without severe pain, the joints are surgically replaced with synthetic devices. Of course, one should attempt to manage their condition early on in one's life to avoid the need for surgery.

The best management of DJD is of course prevention and involves taking care of one's joints at an early age :

One should always make sure that even when young all injuries to joints are properly managed to insure proper healing to avoid future disability

People involved in occupations that require standing or walking should wear proper shoes that provide good support and shock absorption

Excess body weight can cause increase stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body

Avoid kneeling on hard surfaces to do housework as this can put strain on the sensitive structures of the knee

Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they contain natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are essential for the health of the joints as well as the rest of the body

Recently there has been some studies that show that the nutritional supplement Glucosamine can help with DJD and can possible help rebuild joint cartilage. However it must be used over a long-term period and does not work in all conditions.

Chiropractic adjustments are a safe & effective treatment for spondylosis and can help restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Other treatments such as joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, hot and cold and electrotherapy modalities are also helpful in the care of painful and stiff joints. Sometimes a brace is required to help stabilize the joint in order to alleviate pain. Exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities is also helpful to maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

An increased level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints cause gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists and the condition and is often characterized by acute pain in swelling. Most people who develop gout are heretically predisposed though episodes are usually brought on by binge eating of the wrong foods, during dehydration or fasting or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided contain a natural substance called Purines are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot properly metabolize uric acid thus the buildup in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems The foods most associated with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meet, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including avoiding alcohol though a complete list is available at your doctor. Besides dietary considerations, gout is usually managed with medication that helps lower the uric acid in one's bloodstream.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The direct cause is not known but it is thought to be due to a problem with the immune system. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees and shoulder though other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is usually associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Often people complain of general malaise and fatigue and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. There are specific blood tests to help identify Rheumatoid arthritis that can be easily run by your doctor. Management includes medication, vitamin and diet therapy. Chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electrotherapy and massage can also help with the pain and stiffness associated the condition.

source: chiropractic.com

How Chiropractors Diagnose Neck Pain: Patient History

2010-03-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

by: Arn Strasser, D.C.

History taking is the first step in diagnosing the cervical spine. Because chiropractors so often treat conditions that are "functional" in nature -- that is conditions in which there are not a frank medical disease, and in which signs and symptoms are often important clues to diagnosis -- chiropractors emphasize in-depth history taking.

Initially the chiropractor will want to know if there has been an accident or injury. A patient who has sustained a neck fracture will present with an abnormally stiff and painful neck. The chiropractor will want to know if there has been trauma to the neck from a fall or other traumatic incident. If there is suspicion of a neck fracture from such an incident, or secondary to an organic disease, the chiropractor will call for a spinal x-ray or imaging study prior to any further examination of the neck.

Chiropractic patient history taking is the same as in a typical medical office with some important differences. The "what, when, and how" of an injury, and the location and nature of the neck pain is supplemented with information on possible episodes of middle and lower back pain, as well as muscle and extremity joint pain. Even when neck pain is the primary presenting complaint, chiropractic always considers the whole spine, of which the neck is one part of an integrated biomechanical system.

Chiropractic views mechanical problems, such as neck pain or extremity injuries to the knee or the shoulder, in the context of the whole body, and the "whole person". All presenting complaints are seen in the context of the totality of work, family, habits, diet, exercise, and most importantly -- the life stresses that may be impacting the patient.

In diagnosing neck pain, the chiropractor will want to know if there has been shoulder or arm pain accompanying the neck symptoms and whether there has been numbness or loss of strength in the arms. Whether headaches accompany the neck pain or there has been a sudden onset of a severe headache, are important issues discussed during the chiropractic interview.

Can Sitting at a Computer be Causing Your Migraine Headaches?

2010-03-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

By: Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.

Has it ever occurred to you that while you are happily typing away on your computer for hours on end you are actually creating a problem in your neck that can lead to chronic migraine headaches or tension headaches? If you suffer from migraine headaches or tension headaches it may be something you should investigate.

When a person with migraine headaches or tension headaches visits a chiropractor for their pain what does the chiropractor typically do for that patient? The usual treatment for most headache patients is to manipulate, or adjust, the neck. Chiropractors teach us that most headaches come from neck problems, and that by adjusting or manipulating the neck tension and migraine headaches can be relieved or cured.

Over 80% of headache patients that receive chiropractic treatment show improvement that ranges from slight improvement up to complete elimination of their headache pain. If this is the case then it seems logical that the majority of migraine headaches or tension headaches originate from spinal (neck) problems. It also seems logical that if we knew what was causing these neck problems, and eliminated what was causing them, we could also eliminate the headaches, both migraine and tension.

As a chiropractor for 25 years I have treated many patients with migraine headaches and tension headaches. After examining thousands of patients I discovered that as many as 95% who were experiencing headaches had one thing in common, a reversed cervical (neck) curve. From the side view a normal neck should have a slight curve in it. But in my experience as a chiropractor I estimate that approximately 95% of my patients with headaches had either a lessening of that curve, no curve at all, or a curve that was completely reversed. When these "poor neck curvatures" were treated with chiropractic adjustments most showed great improvement.

Chiropractors know that headaches can be caused by "poor neck posture," so the next question becomes "can sitting at a computer cause poor neck posture?" If the answer is yes, then it's very obvious that sitting at a computer can and does cause headaches.
People usually develop poor neck curvatures because of poor posture habits. Anything a person does that places their head in a position forward to their body will lessen or reverse their normal neck curve. And poor neck curvatures DO cause headaches. Chiropractors have been teaching this for decades.

The types of activities that can lead to poor neck posture include sitting at a computer for extended periods of time, reading with the head bent forward, sitting while slouching in a chair or on a couch, sleeping with the head or neck in odd positions, or any other activity that places the head in a position forward to the body. So, to answer our original question, yes, headaches can be caused by sitting at a computer. Sitting at a computer can cause an abnormal neck curvature to develop which can cause headaches.

Good posture can surely prevent the development of poor neck posture, which would seem to be the best remedy, but what can be done if the lessening or reversal of the neck curve has already been developed? Obviously, chiropractic treatment is an option that could be considered. But there are many other alternative treatments for tension or migraine headaches.
Most people just take a pain pill. But are pain pills the best approach? They surely are in some cases, but there are many other headache treatment options that don't require the use of potentially harmful drugs. All drugs have side effects, some of which can end up being worse than the headaches themselves. Before treating your health problems with drugs it is wise to seek the advice of a health professional.

There are many natural remedies for migraine headaches or tension headaches. These include stress and tension reduction, ice therapy (used at the base of the skull), eliminating food triggers, getting the proper amount of rest, biofeedback, headache pillows or cushions, exercise and many others. Some of these may help relieve headaches, both migraine and tension, and could be investigated further.

Alternative Treatments for ADD and ADHD

2010-03-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

By Melanie Beingessner

If you or your child have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), there are many alternatives to Ritalin or other mind-altering drugs for you and your family to choose. Mind-altering drugs should always be the last resort, as our children's brains and nervous systems are growing and the negative influence of these drugs on brain and nervous system development are significant.

Symptoms of ADD and ADHD are: short attention spans, poor inhibitory control, restlessness, learning disabilities, disruptive behavior, hyperactivity, excessive and often inappropriate motor activity, high levels of distractibility and impulsive behavior, to name a few. The problem with ADD and ADHD are that the symptoms of these conditions can be caused by many different environmental allergies, essential fatty acid deficiencies or imbalances, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, low blood sugar or excess sugar consumption can cause the behaviors that indicate ADD or ADHD.

The simplest way to cure ADD and ADHD naturally is to look at improving the function of the nervous system and the digestive system.

Improving Nervous System Function

Chiropractic Care Makes A Big Difference

Chiropractors find that when children with ADD or ADHD are adjusted regularly, many of their symptoms will reduce in frequency and severity. Chiropractic adjustments help to optimize the function of the nervous system and allow the brain and body to be better able to communicate with each other. Children literally calm down and are able to sit and focus at the task on hand.

The reason why chiropractic care makes such a difference is that the brain is the master control of our bodies. Everything that we do is initiated by the brain, which sends nerve impulses to the body through our nerves. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and allow movement, but they can become fixed (the chiropractic term is subluxated). These subluxated vertebrae can put pressure on the nerves as they exit the spine. This added pressure on the nerves can reduce the body's ability to function. Chiropractic adjustments improve the movement of the vertebrae and help to take the pressure off the nerves as they exit from the spine. The brain is then able to communicate with the body more efficiently and the body functions with more precision.

Chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective treatment to help the joints of the spine move in a normal pattern of motion and improve nervous system function. Adjustments help children to grow with healthy, straight spines.

Brain Gym Helps Tremendously

If you were to ask a child with ADD or ADHD to place his (or her) right hand on his (or her) left knee, and then change hands and knees in an alternating pattern, chances are that he or she wouldn't be able to do it easily. Children with ADD or ADHD typically have problems with cross patterning movements, as they do not feel comfortable crossing the midline of their bodies. This problem with crossing the body's midline of the body is because the left and right sides of the brain do not fire in synchronicity and they do not communicate well with each other.

Brain Gym is a simple, yet effective way to help a child's brain function as it should, coordinating the left and right sides of the brain. Brain Gym uses physical movements to help with right brain/left brain patterning. It helps the parts of the brain that aren't firing properly to function as a whole, rather than as disorganized parts. Brain Gym makes a huge difference to children experiencing ADD or ADHD-like symptoms.

Improving Digestive System Function

Nutrition Plays A Big Role

When anyone eats, food is processed by the stomach, the pancreas and the liver to break down into food particles. These small particles of food cross the lining of the small intestine and enter the blood stream. It is thought that children with ADD and ADHD-like symptoms have a leaky gut, which means that the cells that line the intestines have spaces between them instead of being packed together tightly like healthy cells should. People with a leaky gut are letting bigger particles of food than are normally absorbed to pass through the spaces between the cells in the small intestines and into the blood stream. The result is that larger food particles are getting through into the blood stream and the body treats these food particles as foreign substances, which results in allergic reactions to the foods that the child is eating. The most common allergies for children with ADD and ADHD are dairy products, wheat, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, egg, chocolate and peanuts. Many children have difficulties with food colorings and additives to processes and packaged foods.

We find people experiencing ADD/ADHD are able to help heal the leaky gut by taking nutritional supplements designed especially for that purpose. If they also take digestive enzymes to help break down food particles into smaller bits, they heal more quickly.

It would also be important to look at the foods that the person is eating. Excessive sugar consumption, allergies or intolerance to foods such as dairy or corn can cause ADD or ADHD symptoms. It is prudent to eliminate these foods from the diet slowly to see if they make a difference.

Putting It All Together

Healing a condition like ADD or ADHD takes time. The nervous system needs time to learn to communicate in an improved way. It takes time to be able to eliminate foods that trigger allergic reactions and to grow healthy cells to line the digestive system. You can find a chiropractor who is comfortable treating children. You can find a brain gym instructor close to you by visiting braingym.org. You can find supplements to heal a leaky gut and slowly eliminate trigger foods from the diet.

Water Therapy is beneficial for Your Headache

2010-03-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

Nowadays due to more and more stressful work scenario and less time for other activities, people are suffering from a lot of diseases including headache. If you are one among them, water therapy can be considered as a solution to your problem. Let us find out the reasons of headache and how it can be cured with the help of water therapy.

The two types of headaches are most common amongst the victims and these are tension headache and vascular headache. Both of these headaches are caused due to some underlying disorders. This headache could come as a symptom of alcohol or dietary recklessness. However, a headache could also be due to some serious problem that needs a proper diagnosis. For the two mentioned types, you can go for the water therapy.

In the tension headache, the stress tightens the muscles in the neck and the shoulder parts and that is why a person suffering from this headache is unable to find comfort in any posture. If you are suffering from tension headache due to sleepless night, you can take bath of lukewarm water for 15 minutes. This will help you get proper sleep and hence a relief from stress and headache. But in case you are suffering from tension headache due to constipation, then you can try water therapy. Consume a lot of water daily and you can get rid of this trouble.

Vascular headache causes a throbbing pain to the sufferer and the person feels a great pressure inside the head. But instead of taking pain killers to cure this headache, the doctors suggest to make use of the water therapy. All you have to do is sit in a comfortable posture and put your feet in a large container filled with hot water. The water should reach up to the knees and after this, you have to apply cold packs on the back of the neck as well as on the forehead then have a hot shower.

source: headacheupdates.com

Can Meditation Bring You Relief From Headache?

2010-03-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

The relation between headaches and meditation is very easy to understand through an example. It is as simple as tying and untying a knot. Through meditation, the positive thoughts get recharged and slowly the negative thought find their way out one by one.

Over the counter medications accept my salutations! You have done enough of service in your own way, to the best of your ability and judgment. You have done everything, but my headache stands intact....Perhaps you don't understand the root cause of headache.

Take a lesson in meditation so that you get an opportunity to analyze the reasons for your failures.

Meditation is trying to reach the level of absolute concentration. You try to reach a level whereupon you are in a position to understand and direct your consciousness.

...But before that, well understand the nature of your headache.

Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. Negative thoughts and positive thoughts! When the weight and pressure of the negative thoughts is more than the positive thoughts, you have stress. As a result, you have headache.

Through meditation, the positive thoughts get recharged and slowly the negative thoughts find their way out one by one.

The relation between headache and meditation is very easy to understand through an example. It is as simple as tying and untying a knot. Stress was not dropped on your mind from the heaven. You have achieved it by your wrong living. Try to understand for yourself what made you have this experience of stress. Try to analyze it point by point. Think upon it. Try to workout the possible solutions. In fact, the process of meditation has already commenced within you, when you make such efforts. Your sincere pursuit is bound to take you to the path of confronting your headache in a positive way. Your physical body and the mind work in tandem. Feelings of stress and anxiety direct the nervous system to initiate the response, positive or negative. Stress or no stress situation, headache is the direct outcome of such a situation.

When you are in the process of meditation, you begin to feel that your muscles are relaxed. The flood of stress chemicals in the body, such as endorphins, begins to subside. The pain-killing medications, which have been playing their dubious role on your mind, with a false sense of cure, stand exposed. Meditation sharpens the quality of discrimination, and when once you are able to recognize what is good and what is bad in every aspect of life, you are nearer to your goal of achieving peace.

Initially, meditation looks like a long term treatment, but when you pursue your avowed goal, the results achieved will be permanent.

Therefore in many countries, prominently in Australia, meditation has been accepted as a prominent tool to control headache. The researchers and the scientists are beginning to realize the truth that the solution for headache lies in understanding the mind, not ruthlessly subverting it, by painkiller medications and injections. The approach of force, will not work well.

source: headacheupdates.com

Look Out To Get Relief For Tension Headache

2010-03-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

At least once in our whole life, we experience stress which leads to tension. It's not good at all and can lead to tension headache. The tension at times becomes unbearable and you might suffer from severe headache. The vast majority of headaches, so-called primary headache include migraine, cluster headache and vascular headache. It's not compulsory to have the pain in the head due to stress in general. Rather, it can be due to health problems like sinus and hypertension which can lead to sinus headache and hypertension headache.

When you are suffering from tension headache, you can experience some problems like insomnia, fatigue, irritability and loss of appetite. To search for the ways that can provide relief for tension headache, it's necessary that you should know the causes of headache for its cure. To know more about headache relief, read Are You Suffering From Tension Headache?

You can opt for aromatherapy, where the soothing massage with perfumed oils can help you in relaxing your muscles. Whenever you feel stressed, take deep breath and try to relax yourself. Practice yoga and meditation that will improve your concentration and relax your mind and body.

Try out some herbs like passion flower, Piper methysticum, Hepataplex that will make your mind relax and make you sleep well. Simple changes made in your diet and lifestyle will really help you a lot. These ways to get natural relief for tension headache are really wonderful and effective as well. So, don't wait and waste your time thinking, go for the best option that suits you.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

A Three Step Guide To Cure Tension Headache Without Medicines

2010-03-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Headaches can be of various types- migraines, sinus, barometric and the like. However, it is tension headaches that are the most common. Most people make use of medicines to cure tension headaches. However, you can cure tension headaches without medicines too and that too in three simple steps.

Though there are several factors that can attribute to tension headaches, it is stress that is considered to be the most common culprit. You can ward off the stress and the headache that follows in three simple steps- relax, breathe and stop stressing.

Relax
The first and the foremost thing that you need to do to ward off tension headaches is relax. Of course, it is not easy to relax when you are stressed, but putting in a little effort will not harm. One of the easiest ways to calm yourself down is to think about things that make you happy. You could feel happy by watching your favorite television program or simply by going out for a walk. Finding a quiet spot to think of some happy memories is also a good idea to relax. Take time out for yourself and simply think and do the things that make you feel relaxed and happy.

Breathe
Breathing when coupled with relaxation can work wonders in fighting off tension headaches. Many would argue that breathing is automatic and we breathe even when we are stressed. Yes, we do breathe at all times but controlling your breathing can work wonders to ward off tension headaches. Controlled breathing helps you gain access to your subconscious mind and control your thoughts. Besides, controlled breathing ensures that there is more oxygen reaching the brain. This helps combat the pain and helps you deal with headaches. Practice deep breathing for a few minutes as you try to relax. This will help you unwind and deal with the headache.

Stop Stressing
Prevention is better than cure. It is always better to be prepared for stressful situations then to look for ways to deal with stressful situations later on. Simply plan for stressful situations that you can anticipate. You could take a walk or practice deep breathing before you enter a meeting that is going to be tough. Prioritize things that you need to do and keep checking your to do list in the order of priorities. Also, try to change the way you respond to situations. Change your attitude into a positive one. So, the next time you are battled with a stressful situation, you can deal with it without being too stressed.

Follow these three simple steps and you will be able to ward off tension headaches and keep them at bay.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Dehydration Headaches: Replenish Yourself with Water

2010-03-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Three out of four Americans don't drink enough water, and it is a major cause of headaches. The human body consists of 65% water. When the body loses water and not enough is replenished, it causes headaches. Dehydration, the process of loss of water from the body, also removes essential electrolytes that are needed for maintaining normal pH levels. That is why sports drinks are so widely used for replenishing the body.

Dehydration can trigger migraines; hence it is advisable to take precautions against it. It does not necessarily happen only in warmer climates and thirst is not the only reason you need to drink plenty of water. Most of us just don't like the taste of water and tend to drink other liquids that do nothing but further accentuate thirst. This needs to change.

How much water should we drink?

On an average, both adults as well as children need to drink 64 to 80 ounces of water a day - that is about 8 to 10 glasses a day. Those who perspire more or urinate often need to drink more. Factors that increase dehydration are:

* Warmer climates
* High altitudes
* High level of physical activity
* Diabetes or kidney disease
* Heavy drinking
* Certain medications

The symptoms of dehydration are:

* Thirstiness
* Fatigue
* Headache
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Increased heart rate
* Dry skin
* Cramps
* Dark urine

Headache caused by dehydration can be lessened using some simple techniques:

* Drink enough water. It is the quickest and safest way to ease symptoms of dehydration. If you cannot drink much at a go, sip it from time to time.
* Take sports drinks to re-hydrate. These provide essential electrolytes in addition to water.
* Take a couple of pain relieving pills if it is too much to bear. Drink a glassful of water.
* Look out of symptoms of dehydration and take preventive measures as soon as they appear.
* Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol as they cause dehydration.

Extreme dehydration needs immediate medical attention. Intravenous fluids and hospital treatment may be required.

Dehydration headaches in children:

Dehydration causes headaches not just in adults but children as well. In fact, infants and toddlers face bigger risks of dehydration headaches than adults. In some cases dehydration could lead to fatal consequences. Apart from headaches and extreme thirst, dehydration can cause constipation, kidney stones and infections in the urinary tract of children. Kids should be taught at a younger age to drink plenty of water, even if they are not thirsty. The habit will augur well for their adulthood.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Headache Treatment: Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Hot And Cold Packs

2010-03-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy
A treatment gaining wide popularity worldwide, aromatherapy is found to be quite effective in treating headache. It believes that certain oils and their fragrances have the desired calming effect on the body, thus curing headache. They are known to relieve emotional stress, tension and consequently headaches. The oils seep deep into the nervous system and ease the pain. In fact, they can also be used as a preventive measure.

Since there are certain essential guidelines to be followed while mixing these concoctions, it is essential to take the supervision of a certified aroma therapist. The ingredients and their quantities have to be in the right proportion, if you want to these concoctions to benefit you in any way.

Aromatherapy claims to cure headaches related to negative emotions and muscular and nervous tensions. Lavender, Roman chamomile, sweet marjoram, peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus are the oils generally used in preparing treatment oils for headache relief. And inhalation, application, bath and massage are some of the techniques adopted to use or apply these oils.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of treatment working on the Taoist philosophy. It involves the use of needles to cure many disorders. It does not use any drugs to treat any pain related disorders.

Although acupuncture lacks scientific validity, yet it has been found to be effective in providing headache relief. It is believed that the body has a number of meridians, applying pressure on which, literally dissolves the pain.

It is also believed that acupuncture works because it leads to the release of certain neurotransmitters in the body. One such neurotransmitter is endorphins, the release of which, cures the pain. It also incorporates a variety of movements, techniques and applications, one of the most common one being moxibustion.

Hot and cold packs
Heat and cold may be used to provide relief to a headache sufferer. Some patients may prefer heat treatment while others may prefer ice packs. It is usually seen that migraine sufferers prefer cold packs whereas, those who have tension-type or muscle contraction headaches prefer cold packs. Packs or showers, both have the same effect.

As in the case of high fevers, cold packs can be applied to the forehead and the temples whereas hot packs can be applied to the neck and the posterior parts of the head. One has to be extremely careful while using hot packs as these might cause muscle spasms or even burning if, they are too hot.

Both these treatments are quite safe and can be used in addition to other normal medications.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

EEG Helps You Diagnose Headache

2010-03-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

An EEG stands for an Electroencephalogram. Difficult to pronounce and still not considered particularly valuable for the diagnosis of headaches, except for distinguishing complicated migraines from complex partial seizures. It can be used to find out if there is actually some kind of a malfunction in the brain.

An EEG measures the electrical signals of the brain by using a set of electrodes placed on the scalp. These signals are then transmitted to a machine called the polygraph which records these signals.

It is important that any medications that you are taking prior to an EEG should be discussed with your doctor. Also since, the electrodes will be placed on the head, it is essential to wash your hair a day prior to the test. And then do not use any hair cream, spray or oil.

During the test, about 20 electrodes are placed on the scalp. Anti-convulsant medications can be started soon after the EEG is over. Though the EEG does not pinpoint the exact problem in adults, it can, however, be used to find out cerebral abnormalities in children.

You have to understand that in order to treat the problem of headache completely you have to make sure that you take all the steps to diagnose it properly and EEG works as a major step in the same process.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Frequent Headaches: What To Do And What Not To Do

2010-03-12T14:17:00.000-08:00

Headache really annoys you. Sometimes, it becomes very difficult to avoid headache. In case of occasional headaches, you take pain relievers. Sometimes, you take them well in advance. You start taking pain relievers on a daily basis. This is not a good habit. This is, indeed, a matter of worry. In case of occasional headaches, pain relievers give immediate relief. But then this is not a complete solution.

Do not take more pain relievers. Do not cross the limit. This will invite negative reaction. This will create a cycle called frequent headaches. Frequent headaches come due to medication overdose. In case you take medication, which is more than the subscription of the doctor, you will have frequent headaches. Frequent headache also comes if you take medication as against the instruction of the label. This headache is of much higher intensity.

In frequent headaches, there is a dull and achy type of pain. Sometimes, the pain is called throbbing or pounding pain. In this pain, you feel nausea, anxiety, irritation, memory problems, and depression. You also have sleeping trouble in frequent headaches. These problems hamper your progress in work. You cannot do the daily tasks in a proper manner.

It is very important to take frequent headaches seriously. You need to see the doctor if you have three to four headaches per week. Avoid pain relievers on a daily basis. It will make matters worse.

Frequent headaches can be avoided in case you take good care of yourself. If you have frequent headaches, select the foods you eat. Sometimes, frequent headaches are related to the food. Have a nice sleep. Do not skip the meals. Do regular exercise. This is important for your body. This will reduce the stress. Yoga and some eastern meditation exercises are another good options to cure self of frequent headaches.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Got a Headache? Painkillers get you nowhere!

2010-03-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

A lot of people are suffering from headache and they just go for the pain killers as the best option. As you know that the self medication is always bad, people just end up making things more complicated for themselves. You might have come across the people who find it convenient to take a pain killer every time they have a headache and they are so ignorant of the side effects of these pain killers that they do not realize that these pain killers are so risky for their health.

The pain killers that people take on regular basis to cure their headache have a working strategy. They just block the pain receptors of the sufferer’s brain and this leads to the stoppage of the signals of the pain not being sent to the brain from the cells. This means that the pain killers do not kill the pain but they just make your brain insensible to the pain. Since the brain does not get the signals, the victim does not feel the pain.

As a matter of fact, the pain killers do not cure the problem and rather work on the symptoms. Moreover, people do not treat problems like headache as a disease and they just take it lightly and find it easy to take over-the-counter drugs that are famous as the pain killers. The two known names are Advil and Tylenol which might be harmful for the person in case they are misused.

The statistics reveal that people know the proper dose and yet exceed the recommended dosage. Moreover, according to a study almost 16% of people do not even care to read the instructions on the label. These pain killers takes a person to a vicious circle where popping these pills frequently leads to more frequent headaches. Additionally, if a person keeps on taking a pain killer for a long span of time, the body gets addicted to it and the medicine does not work which may result in the person getting a more severe headache.

So, the conclusion is that if you have headache more than two times a day, you must admit that you have got a problem. Instead of the painkillers try out some natural remedies like aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy, acupressure, yoga, and massage etc. and say goodbye to these pain killers forever!

source: www.headacheupdates.com

5 Secrets That Save You from Upper Back Pain Headaches

2010-03-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Upper back pain headache is very common but could be devastating. This pain can have an adverse effect on concentration, the enthusiasm and mood of a person. A person with upper back pain headache will reveal a horrible tale when asked about it. To eliminate upper back pain, just follow the following tips---

1] Dehydration is a common cause of general headaches. Since water is a must for a person with any type of headache, it is advisable to have 3 to 4glasses in a single day. This can prove a big remedy for any type of headache.

2] Upper back headache is caused by stress. As the old saying goes - stress rides on your shoulders. This saying comes true in this case where stress has great effect on muscles of upper back and neck area. These muscles have link up with head and it leads to upper back pain headache. People think that it is very difficult to do away with stress which, however, is not as tough as made out to be.

3] It would be a wise decision to stretch upper back and neck. Since the muscles in these parts are linked to head, the muscles will feel relaxed. This will remove the upper back pain headache. However, you need to keep in mind one important thing which is the entire spine should be thoroughly checked.

4] Do not sit for prolonged durations as this will make tight the upper joints and muscles thereby increasing the problem. To remove postural stress, change it regularly. Postural stress is the root cause of back pain headache. So, better check the height and position of the chair. Exercise is an important remedy for such a pain.

5] You should take rest on alternate basis and try to lie more often. This will give rest to your spine and muscles. However, if you lie down for more time, you can stop gravitational effects and poor postures. This will make muscles tension-free and you will have great relief.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

What are Cough Headaches? An Overview

2010-03-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

Coughing hard can sometimes lead to a headache. Although cough headache is a rare type of headache, about one in a hundred people experience this kind of a headache sometime in life.

Headaches occurring as a result of coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, straining yourself during excretion or simply bending down are termed as cough headaches. While some of these could occur due to serious intracranial diseases, most of them are not malignant. There are two types of cough headaches - primary and secondary.

Primary cough headaches:
These are benign headaches triggered by strain like coughing and sneezing or Valsalva maneuvers, and are not associated with intracranial disorders. The cause of primary cough headaches is not known, although increased intracranial pressure is generally thought to be the primary reason.

Characteristics of primary cough headaches:
* Sudden onset
* Sharp, piercing pain for duration between one second to 30 minutes
* Dull pain thereafter, possibly lasting for hours
* Usually on both sides of the skull, sometimes at the back
* Not associated with nausea, vomiting, increased light or sound sensitivity, conjunctival injection, rhinorrhea, or lacrimation.

Primary cough headaches occur at an average age of 55 years. They usually alleviate on their own, but preventive treatment can be sought.

Preventive treatment of primary cough headaches:
* Indomethacin (anti-inflammatory)
* Acetazolamide (diuretic to decrease fluid pressure)
* Topiramate (anti-seizure)
* Spinal tap procedure (lumbar puncture through which cerebrospinal fluid is removed in a small quantity to help reduce intracranial pressure)

Spinal tap is rarely needed and doctors will most probably put you on simple daily medications that help reduce pressure in the skull.

Secondary cough headaches:

These are serious, caused by intracranial disorders like:

* Irregular shape of the skull
* Brain protruding through the base of the skull
* Chiari type 1 malformations
* Carotid or vertebrobasilar disease
* cerebral aneurysms

Characteristics of secondary cough headaches:

* Pain precipitated by head or postural changes
* Both sides of the brain
* Can occur at any age.

Diagnosis:

Diagnostic neuro-imaging can differentiate secondary cough headaches from primary ones. An MRI of the brain can determine whether malformations in the skull are behind the headache. Careful evaluation to find out the underlying cause is crucial for these uncommon types of headache.

Treatment of secondary cough headaches:

Preventive treatments are of no use in secondary cough headaches. The only option usually available to doctors is surgery.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Self Care to Control Headache- A Few Tips

2010-03-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Almost everyone has suffered from headaches at some point of time or the other. Occasional headaches are, then, natural. However, a recurring pattern of headaches can wreck havoc on your life. And though you can counter them with the help of medication, prolonged use of medication can make you dependent. Hence, it is best that you take some steps on your own to eliminate headaches from your life.

Opt For a Healthy Lifestyle

In order to rid your self of tension headaches, it is essential that you lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes the following.

* Eat nutritious and balanced meals on designated intervals. Sufficient calories and other vital nutrients are essential for the body to work properly.

* In order to stay mentally sharp, it is essential that you engage in a daily routine of exercise. This would help you stay fit. It would also keep your body cholesterol low and your energy levels high.

* Take rest for a minimum of six hours a day. Your body needs to recuperate and rejuvenate itself from the hard-work and wear and tear that it has seen through-out the day. Without this rest, body parts and functions may lose their synchronous movement.

* Despite its ability to help curb headaches, do not consume too much caffeine. Too much caffeine can increase the headache and make you feel irritated.

Don't Put Yourself under Too Much Stress

* Instead of doing too many things at the same time, it is best that you concentrate your attention only a selected things of utmost importance. This would help your mind to relax.

* Instead of postponing the work in the future, it is better that you finish it today itself. Also, better time management is something which is important. An updated to-do list both at office and home can help in this regard.

* It is best that you pamper yourself with a break when you think you have overshot your work limit. This would help you recharge your batteries and come back rejuvenated.

* Reflect a positive attitude towards the things around you.

Keep a Positive Body Attitude

* It is better that you always keep a positive body attitude. Walk, sit and move properly. Do not get into awkward positions.

* Keep your muscles relaxed. If you feel your body muscles slipping into a tensed state, treat them with either a hot water treatment or an ice pack.

* Go for a body massage when you feel that different parts of your body are becoming tensed.

* Practice deep breathing regularly. Try to hold your breath for two-three minutes. Concentrate your thoughts in the meanwhile.

* If possible, practice yoga.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Acute vs. Chronic

2010-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Acute conditions are conditions that are new. Perhaps they were caused by a trauma like a slip and fall, or an auto accident. Perhaps a youngster fell off his bike or skate board. Perhaps your body just wasn't ready for spring cleaning this year. These types of conditions normally need frequent treatments, especially in the initial stages. During the beginning of these conditions, there is typically swelling and pain, with difficulty in the performing of normal everyday activities. While the length of time acute conditions take to respond, varies depending on the severity of the complaint. The more thorough the treatment, the better the chance that the condition is resolved. This will help prevent the condition from turning into a chronic situation.

Chronic conditions are health situations that have been present for longer periods of time. In many cases an injury or illness that occurred many years ago is still present. Sometimes it is simply the nature of the condition. A diabetic situation is a good example. However, in many cases the chronicity of the condition was caused by not treating the original condition to the degree that was needed. In our chiropractic office, we see this all the time. A typical case would have a patient having lower back or neck pain. The patient is treated correctly and is recovering nicely. However, before full correction can be attained, the lack of pain leads the patient to stop treatment. Of course, the patient will continue with his normal everyday activities because he feels well. What the patient fails to realize is that these normal activities are usually the activities that, over time, brought on the original condition. It would be easy to see from this example how a condition would go on and on over time. At some point the condition becomes incurable, and has to be managed instead. This is the typical scenario of a patient who needs lifetime chiropractic care. Just like the diabetic needs insulin for the rest of his life, the chronic back patient needs chiropractic support to not only help his pain level, but to slow down the progression of the condition.

Source: www.chiroweb.com

What is Chiropractic?

2010-03-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic is a philosophy of health care that concentrates on helping the body function the way it was designed. What do I mean by that? Consider how many times in your life you had to REMIND your body to breathe, pump blood, or digest food. These functions of life happen automatically. Quite frankly, when the body works well, it works VERY well!

However, the realities of life give us certain circumstances that interfere with the normal functioning of our bodies. Since the brain and nervous system control body functions, Chiropractic focuses on maintaining the health of your nerves, organs, and connective tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) so that the body can continue to operate normally. Emphasis is given to the body's ability to heal itself.

From the Chiropractic perspective, a poorly functioning spinal column is the cause of many different ailments. Any type of situation, whether it be a traumatic injury, wear and tear over many years, or any other stress, can cause the nervous system to stop working at its ultimate capacity. That can breed pain or discomfort and can affect how the organs of your body function. I'm sure you can see how this would affect your overall health and lifestyle. Treatment in a Chiropractic office consists of gently adjusting or manipulating the spine, as well as exercise recommendations, physical therapy, and rehabilitative activities. Chiropractic physicians will answer your questions on nutrition and any other health-related question. Chiropractors refer to other health care providers when the condition warrants additional medical intervention.

While many patients visit Chiropractors when they are in pain, there is great benefit in addressing your overall health from a preventative point of view. For example, to use an old analogy, what would be easier and more beneficial? To attempt to straighten a curved Oak tree, or make sure the sapling grows straight to begin with? While this may not do justice to the human condition, in reality this analogy is very accurate. Prevention is ALWAYS easier than helping an injury or health issue. Another benefit of prevention is to allow the person to have an optimal health level. This helps the patient enjoy the lifestyle they choose rather than having their health conditions make that choice for them!

source: www.chiroweb.com

Health Conditions Not Normally Associated With Chiropractic Care.

2010-03-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

This section has been written to address a commonly misunderstood aspect of chiropractic treatment. Many people understand that chiropractic helps conditions such as headaches, neck pain, back pain, and auto injuries to name a few. The list goes on and on. However, mention allergies, asthma, menstrual problems, stomach pains or any other organic symptom, and most people would cringe and say, "No way!"

It is true that many of these symptoms can indicate more serious problems and should be evaluated by your team of health care providers to be sure of the cause of these symptoms. However, the real reason why many folks don't understand that in some cases, chiropractic can help the above-mentioned conditions, is that some of our earliest colleagues never explained how it might be possible. I will attempt to do so in the next few paragraphs.

Let's start by stating a few facts. The brain controls and coordinates all bodily functions. Since approximately 95% of this information must travel though the spinal cord before reaching the appropriate organs and tissues, the spine must be working properly for that transfer to occur. If there is restriction of this nerve information it would be easy to understand that some type of malfunction could occur.

Your chiropractor evaluates the areas of the spine that would be associated with the major symptoms reported. If there was significant difficulty in that particular region of the spine, it would follow that the chiropractor would have a potential opportunity to help the particular condition. If, however, the spine associated with the particular symptoms was functioning properly, the chiropractor would not be able to accept the patient for treatment.

Chiropractic is most well known for helping neuromuscular/structural types of conditions. This article was written to help you understand that there are times when organic symptoms are caused by structural problems in the spine. Utilize your team of physicians to enjoy the best level of health.

source: www.chiroweb.com

Chiropractic and Senior Citizens

2010-03-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic treatment is available for senior citizens and offers a variety of different health care strategies, depending on the severity of the condition, as well as the general health of the patient. For those seniors who are in good physical health and lead an active physical lifestyle, chiropractic can offer significant help in many cases. These patients are treated with pain relief and stabilization in mind so that they can return to the active lifestyle that they enjoy.

Occasionally, some seniors enter our office with significant additional health problems. Sometimes these additional health problems can slow down the progress that may be expected under chiropractic care. While there can still be wonderful benefits for these types of cases, the ultimate goals must be tempered so as to be realistic for the particular patient.

Goals that can be expected.

Complete pain relief with return to active lifestyle.
Partial pain relief with return to most activities.
Partial pain relief with return to only specific activities.
Slowing down the progression of the condition in advanced degenerative situations.

If you notice in the goals listed above, there is quite a difference between goal 1 and goal 4. This is usually due to the health history of the patient, with goal 4 patients having significant degeneration already present, inactive lifestyle, or perhaps significant other health issues already in place. Even in goal 4 patients there can significant help attained because these patients typically appreciate the opportunity to slow down the rate at which their conditions become worse.

Upon examination and consultation, the goals that can be expected will be explained to you. Please remember that those patients in this category need to be more patient with treatment as they typically respond slower to care than patients who are younger. While this fact may seem obvious, it needs to be stated so that patients can have proper expectations.

In many cases there are no unrealistic goals, just an unrealistic time frame.
-- unknown author

Source: www.chiroweb.com

Headaches

2010-03-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Headaches can be caused by a number of factors. Many headaches can be traced to neck or cranial bone misalignments. Fortunately, chiropractic has a number of answers for these types of headaches. To start, be careful of naming a headache. The majority of patients who have come to my office with a specific name for their headaches ended up NOT having the type of headache that was originally stated. By definition, migraines are one-sided headaches. This is just one of many examples of a label being incorrect.

The bottom line is this: As a chiropractor I can have an excellent chance of helping the headache if the examination or xrays indicate some type of malposition of the neck region or cranial bones. For example, if a patient enters my office with headaches, and upon examination and xray, his neck and cranial bones are in excellent condition, I will not accept that patient for treatment. The areas that I would treat are already working properly in this example; therefore, there must be a different cause for his headaches. By the same token, a patient may enter my office noting that he has been told nothing could be done for his headaches, or that he has to live with them. If, upon examination and xray I find the neck or cranial bones misaligned, there is a good chance that chiropractic treatment can be helpful.

Many headaches can be related to auto injuries, sinus difficulties, or any other neck-related symptom. While there are other causes of headaches, these are the types of headaches that chiropractic works best with. The nerves of the neck, when irritated can lead to head pain that travels from the neck to the top of the skull and around the ears. Sometimes the pain can radiate into the face or eyes. These headaches can make it difficult to think clearly. Whatever the type of pain you have, a thorough chiropractic evaluation will help lead you in the right direction. If at any time we feel that your headaches are caused by something that chiropractic cannot help, you will be referred to the appropriate specialist.

source: www.chiroweb.com

Some Doable Tips For Headache Relief

2010-02-26T13:55:00.000-08:00

A headache, when it strikes, is not a very pleasant situation to contend with. It may strike you on a daily basis, when you get up or it might be sudden and/or severe. For example, imagine a situation where you have taken your kid outside with plans of a full-fledged picnic just for the two of you. The plan, along with the overjoyed child, may get spoilt because your headache strikes you just as you are ready to leave.

There can be innumerable such situations when your headache can disrupt your daily life. The best solution in this condition would be to avoid it in the first place. It can be done by following a few simple steps:

Maintaining a headache diary:
Maintain a headache diary and see what trigger your headache. In some people noise might be the causative factor while in others it may be an excess of caffeine. So observe what triggers your headache and then avoid that.

Avoiding tobacco or any kind of smoke:
Avoid tobacco or anything to do with it. Smoking is not only injurious to health but it may trigger off very bad headaches in those susceptible to smoke.
Taking proper meals:
Have your proper meals at regular intervals of time. Do not skip meals.

Sleeping right:
Go to bed at a proper time each night and try to secure at least 8 hours of sleep. But don't overdo it as oversleeping is also bad. It is sometimes oversleeping, which may lead to a headache.

Avoiding the sun:
Too much of sun can also give you a headache. So try and avoid going out in very harsh sun.

Keeping hydrated at all times:
Keep yourself hydrated at all times by having plenty of water and fluids, especially when you are in the sun. Dehydration can also lead to a very bad headache.

Taking alcohol in moderation:
Alcohol causes headaches in several people. So, try and avoid alcohol in the first place.

Avoiding too tight hairstyles:
Women, beware!! Do not wear your hair too tightly in ponytails as that may lead to a tension-type headache.

Keeping your feet warm:
Keep your feet warm, especially during the winters. You can do this by keeping your feet covered. There is no harm in even wearing your socks to bed.
Applying hot and cold packs:
You can use heat and cold to your advantage. With some people, it is the application of a cold pack which gives them relief whereas with others, hot showers and massages. See what works for you and use it.

Letting in enough natural air:
The excess of artificial lighting can trigger a headache in susceptible individuals. See if you are letting in enough natural air and sunshine. Do not subject yourself to stuffy atmospheres and conditions

Going for regular checkups:
Be under the regular supervision of a doctor and avoid taking medicines on your own. A regular check up will help you identify a problem at its onset and you could then arrest it effectively.

Leading a healthy lifestyle:
Try and lead an active an healthy lifestyle.

Avoiding Stress:
Although stress is a part and parcel of every day modern living, do try to minimize it.

These steps would help you arrest your headaches even before they begin. So follow these steps and take good care of yourself.

source: http://www.headacheupdates.com

Symptoms That Migraine Is About To Rear Its Ugly Head

2010-02-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is quite important because you often confuse symptoms of a sinus headache and a tension-type headache with migraine. Awareness of the signs and symptoms accompanying migraine will help you in treating migraine the way it should be treated.

Symptoms are different for different people but usually the most common symptom is pain, usually on one side of the head. But about 30-40% of the sufferers may have it on both sides of the head. The pain is pulsating or throbbing in nature. Though this pain may range from being moderate to severe, it does interfere with the daily activities of the migraneur.

Additionally, sensitivity to light or sound is also very common (photophobic or photophonic). This phase can last between 4-72 hours. This can be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. There may be changes in moods or sensations. Some people might also experience fatigue and muscle tension.

Migraneurs also experience visual disturbances or auras, which can be quite agitating. In fact, this is one of the most common features of migraine, so common that migraines have actually been classified as with and without auras.

The other visual disturbances may include blind spots, seeing geometric patterns, and vision only on one side. Auditory hallucinations, though uncommon, are also heard of. Tingling of arms and face or difficulty while speaking may also occur. Sometimes, the pain goes away if the patient sleeps. The migraine attack also has a postdrome phase when the migraneur may feel tired or fatigued even after the attack is over. In fact, the person is so fatigued that even eating becomes a major chore.
A number of factors have been identified as causing migraine. These can range from change in climate or weather to change in altitude or barometric pressure. Even high winds, traveling or a change in routine may trigger a migraine attack. Then other factors giving rise to a migraine may be bright, flickering lights, extreme heat and/or sound, strong smells or vapors, dry and dusty atmosphere, smoking and overexertion. In fact, a toothache may also result in a migraine.

Hence, it is very essential that full knowledge be obtained about the symptoms of migraine so that proper treatment can be administered for it in the right away.

source: http://www.headacheupdates.com

Feeling like you could use some Massage Therapy?

2010-02-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

Bratcher Chiropractic is now offering massage therapy to our health care team to better serve you. Our Massage Therapist specializes in Swedish Massage (gentle) and Deep Tissue Massage.

Massage Therapy charges are:
Half Hour Massage:	$35.00
1 Hour Massage:	$60.00
1.5 Hour Massage:	$90.00



(Tips are appreciated)

Most insurance companies do not cover massage therapy, so payment at time of service will be necessary.

Alita Adair is our Massage Therapist, she is certified and licensed by the Texas Department of State health Services. She has been part of our health care team since December 2007.

Her Hours are:

Monday	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday	By Appointment Only
Please call our office at 903-561-6676 to schedule an appointment.
Gift Certificates are available for Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Holidays or any Special Occasion!

Headache Diary: An Important Tool For Self-Diagnosis

2010-02-23T13:43:00.000-08:00

With the help of a headache diary, you can analyze what are the triggers that provoke your headache. This diary can also serve as a big help for your physician. The purpose of a diary is to jot down as much information as possible, so that, you can pinpoint the exact cause of your headache. Even if you are unable to do so, the headache doctor might find it easier to find out the reason for your headache. As in a news report, it is essential that your headache diary contain the 5W's and 1H so that as much information as possible can be gleaned.

What do you mean by the 5W’s and 1H.

Who?

It might seem strange but the cause of your headache might be a person who might irritate you. This person could have made you angry or upset you in some manner. In such a case, the person is the cause of your headache.

What?

What were you doing at the time and what medications did you take to treat the headache? What other relief measures did you take? What were the symptoms like and What do you think could have triggered your headache? What was the pain like? Throbbing or a constant steady pain? These are some questions that you need to answer under the subhead of ‘what’.

Where?

Where were you when the headache started? Were you indoors or outdoors? Also where exactly are the headaches located? Are they located in the front or the back of the head? Answer these questions and you will be able to complete the ‘where’ subhead. When?
When does the pain start? At night or during the day? When was the last period that you had? When are you going to have the next period? And similar questions. Jot down as much information as possible under this head.

Why?

Why do you think your headache started? Did you consume something, particularly Chinese food? Did you exercise too hard? Or anything else that you feel could have triggered your headache.

How?

How did you manage the pain? With the help of medications, therapies or treatments?

If you answer all these questions, you would be able to compile a comprehensive diary. All these facts, if compiled together, can help the doctor as well as you to gain a deeper knowledge about the factors that trigger your headache. These factors can thus be avoided in the future.

source: http://www.headacheupdates.com

Wondering what we offer?

2010-02-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

If you have been thinking of visiting our office, but have talked yourself out of it, because you think we can't help you, let me tell you what we have to offer as far as Chiropractic services.

We Specialize in the treatment of:

Neck pain
Shoulder pain and Arm pain
Headaches (Tension and Migraines)
Dizziness
Mid back pain and rib pain
Lower back pain
Sciatica (Leg pain, numbness, and tingling)
Hip and Knee pain
Ankle and Foot pain
Disc Herniation/Bulging/Degenerating
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Sports Injuries
Auto Accidents
Personal Injuries
Workers Compensation/On the job injuries
Sports Injuries
Nutritional Counseling
Weight Loss Programs
Acupuncture
Cold Laser Therapy
Complete Rehabilitation Center
Maintenance/Wellness Care
Diversified Treatments- Hands on treatment
Activator Treatments-Gentle Technique
Massage Therapy
Spinal Decompression- Coming Soon
On Site X-Ray’s and Diagnostic Nerve Testing

At Bratcher Chiropractic We Always Welcome New Patients and Emergencies

Visit us online at Bratcher Chiropractic and schedule your appointment today!

Why It Is Important To Know About Neck Pain

2010-02-19T13:41:00.000-08:00

Many people walk around everyday with neck pain that can interfere with their quality of life. This pain can often be explained by a number of reasons. Muscle tension and accidents are just some of the reasons that most endure the pain. In a serious accident that has caused injury to the neck area, it may not be simple to fix.

Be sure to discuss the painful condition to your doctor. Neck and jaw pain can often mean there is a more serious condition that needs to be diagnosed. For example, jaw and neck pressure and pain can often mean heart problems in some women. These pains are not necessary a sure sign of heart problems, but it is a significant sign that should be reported to a doctor immediately.

When the neck is injured in a vehicle accident, medical attention is required immediately. This can be a sign of the painful condition known as whip lash and is the most common injury to those that have been hit from behind. The violent and sudden jolt causing the neck muscles and bones to be jarred, causing them to become very sore for sometimes weeks on end.

In some accidents, the neck injuries are so severe; the patient may never recover from the spinal damage. This often leaves the patient paralyzed because of the damage to the spinal column or broken bones in the vertebrae in the neck area. Many that have severe damage may never be able to walk or talk again. Some are very aware of their surroundings but are unable to verbally communicate with others.

Arthritis causes the bones in the neck to rub against one another when the person moves their head. This is one of the most common causes of neck and other joint pains. The joints that are used the most, such as hands, neck and knees are an easy target for arthritis. For relief of pain, it is necessary to talk to a doctor.

Stress is often the main reason many people have pains in the neck and lower head area. Stress causes the muscles to tense, often causing pain in the neck that eventually causes a headache in most patients. A prescription can be written by your doctor for a medication that combines acetaminophen and a mild muscle relaxer to help with medical situations such as that.

To find more on how to find out the sources of neck pain and how to treat them, consult your doctor. For more information that can be found for yourself, do a little research on the internet.

source: chiroblog.com

Can Chiropractic Help Tension Headaches?

2010-02-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Noel Lloyd

The most common pain in America is headache. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on several dozen over the counter remedies, each one promising quick relief. But do they deliver? What actually causes headache pain and is there a cure for the cause? Let’s see why our heads hurt.

Most headaches are separated into one of several categories. For the purposes of this article we will consider the most common and most expensive: tension headache.

You already have a good idea how this one works: it’s a hectic day with too many things to do, deadlines to meet and what may feel like too many unreasonable demands – before you know it, you have a headache. For some it’s a mild ache at the base of the skull or forehead, but for others it can be blinding and debilitating pain. What’s actually gone wrong?

Let’s start with your head: it weighs 10 to 12 pounds and sits on top of a column spinal bones called vertebrae, muscles, ligaments, discs, blood vessels, nerves and other tissues covered with skin that form the neck. So far so good, but when under pressure we can tense up and tighten the muscles at the base of the skull, neck and shoulders. This causes poor biomechanics, restricted movement, the neck vertebrae are squeezed tighter together and pain ensues.

But why does your co-worker, who’s under twice the pressure you are, never get a headache? Tension alone won’t cause headache: the difference lies in what those tense muscles are attached to and cover. If the neck bones, called vertebrae, are even slightly misaligned, muscle tension can create painful nerve pressure.

Now we have emotional tension from the stress, tight muscles that restrict normal fluid motion of the neck bones, impaired movement and nerve pressure. It’s a perfect recipe for a tension headache.

If the vertebrae in the neck are aligned well, you can experience quite a lot of tension and not have it cause you any pain at all. You may be irritated and stressed out, but not in physical pain. Well that’s good for your pain-free co-worker, but how about you. You would like to quit living on what are for many, dangerous over the counter or prescription medication and take care of the cause of your headache. Then see your chiropractor.

Your chiropractor will take a health history, do an examination of the nerves that most commonly cause tension headache and examine your spine to see if those nerves are impinged by misaligned vertebrae. When indicated, spinal x-rays will be taken to see exactly where the spinal bones are misaligned and how to re-align the spine to correct the problem.

Chiropractic adjustments can correct the cause by re-aligning the vertebrae to their normal position with gentle exercises to strengthen to new and proper positioning. If you would like to leave the pain and the drugs behind, chiropractic offers a promising solution by dealing with the cause of tension headache.

The Growing Epidemic Of Low Back Pain In Children

2010-02-17T13:34:00.000-08:00

By Brenda Slovin

More and more children are suffering from back pain. What’s causing this, and is it such a grand idea to keep our children on so much medication to better handle their pain?

In years past, low back pain was thought to be a malady afflicting only the elderly. Well, it’s not just your granddad’s disorder any longer. Once considered a rare pediatric condition, low back pain in children has become a growing concern among many in the medical community.

Children’s skeletal structures are in a continual growth state until late adolescence. Combined with the stress of sports activities including contact sports, the incidence of low back pain in children is skyrocketing. In a recent study, it was determined that low back pain was responsible for approximately 23% of most school absenteeism, and when sports injuries were thrown into the mix, that number jumped to 29%. Even more surprising, researchers discovered that in 75% of reported cases, childhood low back pain triggered depression and other psychological problems. This constitutes a serious concern that demands the attention of parents and health care providers alike.

What Causes Low Back Pain In Children?

It seems that many of the same health issues that initiate low back pain in adults, such as poor posture, misalignment of vertebrae, trauma, emotional stress and sports injuries, have the same affect on children. Add to these issues the fact that most school-age children carry backpacks that weigh 10-20% of their body weight, and you have a recipe for life-long health concerns and back pain.

Emotional stress is also an important factor to consider. Adolescents are subject to wildly varying emotions sometimes compared to a rollercoaster ride. It can be terrifying and exhilarating at the same time; filled with soaring, sky-high excitement only to suddenly plummet into a downward spiral. Interestingly, these rollercoaster emotions have been associated with lower back pain. Research in England involving children between the ages of 11 and 14 revealed that children with higher levels of psychological and social difficulties are much more likely to experience low back pain than their peers.

The Good News Is That Chiropractic Can Help

When spinal vertebrae become misaligned, whether in an adult or in a child, the diagnosis is called vertebral subluxation. This may sound like a frightening medical condition, but it is one that a professional chiropractic doctor can address with great success. However, when left untreated, vertebral subluxation can lead to frequent earaches, headaches, infant colic, neck pain and carpel tunnel syndrome.

Chiropractic care also addresses the nervous system which, among a myriad of other miraculous functions, governs the way in which our bodies react physically to stress. Chiropractic adjustments actually help your body release pent-up stress, relieving tight muscles, tendons and ligaments, and helping to prevent low back pain.

Chiropractic treatment is a wonderful, highly effective way to enjoy natural relief of back pain. Your child’s chiropractor will painlessly adjust the vertebral column in order to correct any vertebral misalignment, without potentially harmful drugs or invasive surgery. There is no recovery time; instead, your child will most likely experience an immediate relief from pain and restoration of movement. Additionally, your chiropractor can recommend exercises to relieve low back pain.

What Are The Three D’s, And Is Your Child At Risk?

DDD, or degenerative disc disease, is actually a form of arthritis and has been proven to be a common cause of lower back and leg pain in children. Surprisingly, DDD has even been diagnosed in infants. And yet, degenerative disc disease is not typically identified by traditional medical practitioners. Rather, highly-skilled and well-trained chiropractic doctors are leading the way into this new medical frontier.

Degenerative disc disease sounds like a progressive, very frightening disease that could certainly alarm any parent, so here is a brief explanation of DDD. Changes in the water and protein content of the body’s cartilage results in weaker, more fragile and thin cartilage. This more typically occurs as we get older. Now, because both the discs and the joints that stack the vertebrae are partly composed of cartilage, these areas are, unfortunately, subject to degenerative changes. The deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as degenerative disc disease, and makes the disc tissue more susceptible to herniation.

Natural Remedies For Degenerative Disc Disease Are Available

The important thing to remember is that chiropractic care offers you and your child gentle, effective treatment of degenerative disc disease. Early detection and treatment is key to optimum recovery, however. Research at St. Louis University led by Francis W. Smith, MD revealed that degenerative changes in the spines of pediatric study participants occurred much earlier than previously suspected, creating a predisposition to muscle and muscle and ligament sprains and strains, as well as arthritis of the spinal joints.

DDD is not always accompanied by lower back or leg pain, so the wisest course of action is to seek preventative chiropractic care for you and your children. Further, Dr. Smith advises that degenerative disc disease preventative care should begin prior to puberty.

Be sure to ask your chiropractic doctor about symptoms of degenerative disc disease and what treatments are available.

Be Proactive - Protect Your Child’s Health

A wealth of scientific research confirms that chiropractic care provides safe, effective, and drug-free relief from back and neck pain … regardless of the cause. So if your child complains of low back pain, if you notice a difference in the way he walks, stands or sits, if your child appears overly clumsy or if you suspect a sport-related trauma, do not ignore these symptoms. Protect your child’s physical and emotional health by contacting a chiropractic care professional today.

Chiropractic Brings Better Birth Outcomes

2010-02-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic during pregnancy is an important part of prenatal care. Unfortunately, not enough women know of the benefits of chiropractic care both for themselves and their unborn baby. A woman's body undergoes an amazing amount of changes during pregnancy. As her baby grows her musculoskeletal system must adjust accordingly to accommodate the growing uterus and prepare for delivery. Chiropractic care helps her body to stay aligned as these changes occur and also helps to keep the nervous system functioning at its optimal level.

Many pregnant women experience low back pain, hip pain, and pubic symphysis. These discomforts are the result of the stresses put on the body by the rapid growth of the baby and the changes the body must undergo to accommodate those adjustments. As her belly gets bigger, the woman's center of gravity changes. The growth is so quick that it is often difficult for the low back and pelvis to adjust to this change. This causes stress in those areas, resulting in misalignments, (or subluxations as they are called by chiropractors) which then causes pain and dysfunction. If a woman's low back and pelvis was out of alignment before her pregnancy it is even harder for her back and pelvis to adjust. When the pelvis is subluxated (misaligned) it affects the uterus and the position of the growing baby.

The uterus is connected to the pelvis by ligaments: the broad ligament, the uterosacral ligaments, and the round ligaments. Like a hot air balloon tethered to the ground, these ligaments work to keep the uterus in the proper place in the pelvis and allow support as the uterus grows to accommodate the growing baby. If the pelvis is subluxated, these ligaments can become torqued. When the ligaments are affected, they directly affect the position of the uterus which can result in the baby not being in an optimal position. This type of situation may result in a breech baby or a transverse (sideways) baby.

The goal of the chiropractor is to correct the subluxations in the pelvis to help balance the uterus and allow the baby to get into a better position. Chiropractic adjustments for a pregnant woman are specific, gentle, and safe. Some chiropractors are certified in the Webster Technique which is a technique that is used to relieve intrauterine constraint caused by imbalance in the pelvis and the pelvic ligaments. Webster certified chiropractors adjust the pelvis and also feel for and relieve tension in the round ligaments.

Besides increasing a pregnant woman's comfort level, an aligned pelvis can result in a quicker, safer, and easier birth. When a baby is in breech or transverse position a cesarean section is almost always performed. Because they are so common many people forget that a c-section is a major abdominal surgery and can be risky. Helping the baby to get into a proper head-down position by balancing the pelvis and ligaments helps to avoid c-sections due to baby positioning. Other variations in baby position such as a tilted head or a "sunny side up" baby (face up during delivery) can also be caused by pelvic imbalance and may result in a more difficult, painful, and longer labor and delivery.

source: naturalnews.com

Chiropractic Care Naturally Treats Colic

2010-02-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

Colic is defined as inconsolable crying in an infant for as least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks. A colicky baby typically presents with a loud piercing cry, flexed legs, tensed abdominal muscles, and clenched fingers. It typically starts around three weeks of age and lasts until around three months but sometimes lasts for as long as six months. Approximately 10-20% of babies are affected by colic. Doctors diagnose colic based on the previously mentioned "Rule of 3" and after ruling out diseases that may make a baby cry uncontrollably. Parents of infants with colic report significantly higher stress levels than parents whose babies don't have colic. The stress and frustration of trying to soothe a colicky baby may interfere with mother-baby bonding and can increase the risk of postpartum depression. In addition, colicky babies are more likely to be victims of child abuse and shaken baby syndrome. Despite the research done on colic there is no known cause, which can make treatment difficult. Chiropractic care has shown some of the best results, with 94% of colicky babies demonstrating improvement with chiropractic adjustments.

Research on chiropractic care and colic has shown significant benefits over other treatments such as dietary changes, medication, and infant positioning. A randomized clinical trial published in 1999 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that "Spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic". For this study the researchers randomly assigned infants diagnosed with colic into two groups. One group received chiropractic care for two weeks and the other group was given the anti-gas medication dimethicone for two weeks. The babies in the chiropractic group showed a 67% decrease in crying while the babies on medication showed a 38% decrease in crying.

Another study with 316 children also showed significant improvement in colic in response to chiropractic care. This prospective study used diaries from mothers of colicky babies to track the amount of crying. The three month long study showed a "satisfactory result of spinal manipulative therapy in 94% of the cases". The improvements occurred after an average of only three adjustments within two weeks.

Chiropractic care is a conservative, gentle, and very successful option for treating infants with colic. Chiropractic adjustments for infants are specific, gentle, and safe. The International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association has a database of chiropractors who work with babies and children. To locate a chiropractor visit www.icpa4kids.org/locator.

source: naturalnews.com

2010-02-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Why Sleep Is Important When You Have Chronic Back Pain

The inability to get a good night's sleep hurts -- literally. Chronic back pain prevents you from getting a good night's sleep. You wake up hurting even more.

Pain interferes with the normal cycles of light and deep sleep you need in order to wake up refreshed. The disruption is called "alpha delta sleep disorder." When back pain prevents you from getting adequate deep, or delta, sleep, you awaken in the morning tired and hurting.

Causes of Sleep Problems

Of course, the chronic back pain itself may cause a sleep problem. Here are some other causes:

Anxiety and depression can result in the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep which will aggravate pain. Anxiety and depression increase a person’s sensitivity and awareness of pain and the lack of proper sleep only serves to aggravate both the pain and any depression with anxiety.

Breathing-related sleep disorders associated with obesity -- such as obstructive sleep apnea -- can further aggravate pain by causing you to wake frequently throughout the night and interfering with normal sleep patterns.

Limb movement disorders -- such as restless leg syndrome -- may further disrupt the normal sleep pattern. These conditions may be related to anxiety and depression as well as stress.

Self-medicating with alcohol may help you fall asleep, but you'll probably wake up tired, cranky, and hurting.

Some prescription medications can impair the quality of your sleep.

Medications That Improve Sleep and Reduce Chronic Back Pain

Some medications can help you get sleep while helping with your chronic back pain.However, some of these drugs have side effects and the potential for addiction. They should be used as part of a more comprehensive and widespread program of pain management.

Newer sedatives, including zolpidem tartrate ( Ambien) do not have a negative effect on your sleep.

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen ( Tylenol or Tylenol PM), or ibuprofen ( Aleve or Motrin), can be effective for short-term use. Use them only as directed and let your doctor know what you are taking.

Prescription drugs for severe back pain include antidepressants, such as doxepin ( Sinequan), or a combination antidepressant and pain reliever, such as amitriptylene ( Elavil), or a muscle relaxant, such as cyclobenzepine HCL (Flexoril).

Medication should not be used longer than two to three months except in rare cases. Long-term use can result in dependence on the drug. The goal of medication should be to help you develop a more normal sleep pattern.

Lifestyle Changes for Chronic Back Pain and Sleep Problems

Here are some tips for getting a good night's sleep with chronic back pain:

Avoid stress. Stress is the major cause of insomnia. It is also associated with chronic back pain.

Limit or eliminate caffeine. Even moderate caffeine use can cause insomnia and sleep disturbances.

Avoid eating heavily before bedtime. A heavy meal can cause acid reflux ( heartburn) and keep you awake. And although there are no studies to show that warm milk can induce sleep, go ahead and have a glass if it comforts you. The placebo effect can be very powerful.

Don't self-medicate with alcohol. It's worth restating that alcohol impairs the quality of sleep.

Do some soothing exercises. Do these three exercises for several minutes while lying in bed unless it hurts to do them:

Bring both knees toward your chest (as if doing a cannonball).
Alternate bringing first one knee, then the other, toward your chest (as if doing a jackknife).
Bring both knees to your chest and twist from one side to the other.

Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on a mattress. Studies show that a medium-firm mattress is best for most people. The key is to use whatever is comfortable for you. If your mattress is too firm, you can add an egg crate mattress pad. Pillows come in all shapes and sizes. Find the one that's right for you.

Sleep in a comfortable position. Do not sleep on your stomach, as it causes you to arch your back, and bending backwards often worsens chronic back pain. To break the habit, wear a sleep shirt with a pocket in front and put a tennis ball in it. For most people, the best position is to lie on your side in a fetal position with a pillow between your legs. If you prefer to lie on your back, put a pillow under your knees.

Establish a bedtime routine. Try to go to bed at the same time each night. Follow a routine, such as setting the alarm, putting on your pajamas, and brushing your teeth, etc. Do not read, work, or watch TV in bed.

Get Rid of Chronic Back Pain

While the best way to get a good night's sleep is to get rid of chronic back pain, this is not always possible. Other factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression that affect sleep and pain may need attention and treatment. Many people put up with pain, when in fact most back pain can be helped and treated successfully -- usually without surgery. Don't give up on finding a treatment that can work for you.

(webmd medical reference)

We can help you overcome chronic back pain: Bratcher Chiropractic

Duke study: Acupuncture offers headache relief

2010-02-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

In a recent study published by Duke University, it was found that Acupuncture does indeed help with the relief of headache pain.

When you are ready to try acupuncture to help with your headache pain, do not hesitate to call us! BRATCHER CHIROPRACTIC

10 Important Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Back Pain

2010-02-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

Back pain is common. If you or a loved one is suffering from back pain you may want to ask your doctor these questions.

1.	What is causing my back pain?
2.	What can I do to prevent my back pain from getting worse?
3.	Why is my back vulnerable to pain and injury?
4.	Could stress be a contributing factor, and what can I do about it?
5.	What are my treatment options?
6.	If surgery is recommended, is it really necessary and what are the risks?
7.	What are the potential risks and benefits of other available treatments?
8.	What lifestyle changes do I need to make to keep my back healthy?
9.	How can I be sure that my work does not negatively affect my back?
10.	What are the chances that my back pain will result in permanent disability?

source: webmd.com

When you have back pain, come in to see us! Bratcher Chiropractic

Bouncing Back From Low Back Pain

2010-02-09T13:56:00.000-08:00

By Miranda Hitti

Got a new case of low back pain? There's a good chance you'll recover completely within a year, a new study shows.

That study, published online in BMJ, included 973 people in Sydney, Australia who sought care for a new case of low back pain.

The patients were interviewed by phone nine months and one year after seeking help for their back pain. In those interviews, they were asked how much back pain they still had and whether their back pain was interfering with their work (including housework).

Nearly a third of the patients -- 35% -- had recovered completely at nine months; 42% had recovered completely within a year after their back pain began.

Low back pain became chronic -- meaning it lasted for at least three months -- for 259 of the patients. Almost half of them -- 47% -- had recovered completely within a year.

"Contrary to the view that recovery from an episode of chronic low back pain is unlikely, we found that an important proportion of patients recovered within one year," write the researchers, who included Luciola da Menezes Costa, a graduate student at Australia's University of Sydney.

Costa's team concludes that patients have a "good chance of recovery."

Patients who didn't recover from their back pain within a year were more likely to have taken sick leave for back pain in the past, to have had higher levels of disability or intense back pain when their back pain began, to have lower levels of education, to consider themselves at high risk of persistent pain, and to be from another country.

The study wasn't about the back pain treatments that helped them recover; the patients had gone to any of three clinics in Sydney and saw general practitioners, physiotherapists, or chiropractors.

An editorial published with the study states that patients need to be followed for longer than a year, and "the challenge remains for researchers to translate these findings into ... studies that tackle what patients want to know -- given my symptoms, which treatment will work best for me now and in the future?"

Can You Prevent Back Pain?

2010-02-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

Prevention

The prevention of back pain is, itself, somewhat controversial. It has long been thought that exercise and an all-around healthy lifestyle would prevent back pain. This is not necessarily true. In fact, several studies have found that the wrong type of exercise such as high-impact activities may increase the chance of suffering back pain. Nonetheless, exercise is important for overall health and should not be avoided. Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, and bicycling can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.

Specific exercises: Talk to your doctor about how to perform these exercises.
- Abdominal crunches, when performed properly, strengthen abdominal muscles and may decrease tendency to suffer back pain.
- Although not useful to treat back pain, stretching exercises are helpful in alleviating tight back muscles.
- The pelvic tilt also helps alleviate tight back muscles.
Lumbar support belts: Workers who frequently perform heavy lifting are often required to wear these belts. There is no proof that these belts prevent back injury. One study even indicated that these belts increased the likelihood of injury.
Standing: While standing, keep your head up and stomach pulled in. If you are required to stand for long periods of time, you should have a small stool on which to rest one foot at a time. Do not wear high heels.
Sitting: Chairs of appropriate height for the task at hand with good lumbar support are preferable. To avoid putting stress on the back, chairs should swivel. Automobile seats should also have adequate low-back support. If not, a small pillow or rolled towel behind the lumbar area will provide adequate support.
Sleeping: Individual tastes vary. If the mattress is too soft, many people will experience backaches. The same is true for sleeping on a hard mattress. Trial and error may be required. A piece of plywood between the box spring and mattress will stiffen a soft bed. A thick mattress pad will help soften a mattress that is too hard.
Lifting: Don't lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you attempt to lift something, keep your back straight up and down, head up, and lift with your knees. Keep the object close to you, don't stoop over to lift. Tighten your stomach muscles to keep your back in balance.

source: webmd.com

Treat Headache Naturally During Pregnancy

2010-02-05T14:11:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy is one of the most important phases in a woman's life. A pregnant woman has to be careful about everything she takes including medicines. Since taking unnecessary medications during pregnancy can harm the fetus, it is only advisable to look for natural treatments. Here are some simple natural treatment options for headache during pregnancy.

* A warm compress is a great option to treat headaches during pregnancy. This is particularly helpful if you are suffering from sinus. Apply the compress around the eyes and the nose. This will open up dilated blood vessels and provide relief.
* If you have a tension headache, then you could use a cold compress. Simply pack some ice cubes in a towel and apply it near the base of your skull and neck. This will help ease out tensed muscles.
* Switch off the lights and ensure that no light enters the room. Sleep in this dark room for a while. It works if you have a mild headache.
* Take a cup of hot tea. Drinking a cup of hot tea relaxes the body and provides relief. But, make sure that you do not overdo this one.
* Soak yourself in a bath tub filled with warm water. A warm shower or bath relaxes the body and helps deal with a headache effectively.
* Practice deep breathing exercise. Deep breathing allows more oxygen to reach the body and helps treat headaches.
* Try aromatherapy. This always works for pregnant women. There are some fragrances that every woman enjoys. Simply smelling the fragrance of your choice can ease the headache. You could use either soaps or oils for this purpose. Sandalwood, lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint are the best fragrances that work for this purpose.
* Get a good massage. Nothing works better than this one. You could use lukewarm oil for this purpose. Have some one to massage your head, neck and even shoulders.
* An apple a day can keep headaches away. Eating an apple everyday along with some salt on an empty stomach can help treat the problem.
* Take the upper crust of lemon. Now crush this with a mortar to form a fine paste. Apply this over both the temples. You will notice relief in some time.
* Add few drops of fresh lemon juice to a cup of tea. Drinking this will also help deal with a headache successfully.
* Go out in the open. Many a times, breathing fresh air alone can help you get rid of a headache.

You do not really need medications to treat headaches. Just try these simple and effective natural tips and you will be able to treat the problem safely.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Treat Your Hair Loss and Headaches with Acupuncture to the Scalp?

2010-02-04T14:06:00.000-08:00

People suffer from various ailments from time to time and consequently they leave no stone unturned for their remedy. When some particular medicines do not work for them, they turn to alternative medicines as alternative medicines are not harmful at all and you do not get pain with these types of medicines. Research reveals that Chinese medicines can cure majority of illnesses. Acupuncture treatment came into existence in ancient China 3000 years ago and is thoroughly being practiced in almost all parts of the world since then.

Since alternative medicines are without side effects, more and more people are opting for them. One of the most popular alternative medicines is acupuncture to scalp. This cures chronic headaches and prevents loss of hair in both men and women. Acupuncture also increases the flow of blood in the head and this increase in blood flow in the head repairs the damaged cells in head and scalp. This process also makes new cells grow increasing the chances of new hair growth on the scalp.

In acupuncture, needles are inserted on vital points in the skin in order to rectify the flow of life force in the body. When life force flows in correct manner, it heals many other ailments in the body. In western form of treatment, acupuncture stimulates endings of nerves in the areas where needles are injected.

With the insertion of needles in acupuncture treatment, the circulation of blood improves making the nutrients to come in the particular area. This increases the healing as the damaged cells get reconstructed.

Acupuncture has become very popular amongst people, of late. There are still some people who do not like insertion of needles in the skin as they are frightened of these long needles. However, the truth is that the needles are painless and you hardly feel pain on their insertion. Acupuncture treatment varies from patient to patient and should be adopted without any fear.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Know All About New Daily Persistent Headaches

2010-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

New Daily Persistent Headache is yet another type of primary headache syndrome. This is a type of chronic daily headache that begins abruptly. People suffering from this form of headache suffer from pain for at least 15 days in a month.

Symptoms

* Pain on both sides of the head
* Extreme pressure on the head
* Feeling of tightness
* Sensitivity to light and sound
* Nausea

Diagnosis
There are several conditions that mimic this type of headache. Thus, it becomes important to identify the problem before you begin with a suitable treatment. The International Headache Society has specified a list of criterion that is used to diagnose new persistent daily headache.

One of the most important symptoms that indicate the presence of this type of headache is that the symptoms develop rapidly over a period of three days. Other symptoms such as a bilateral location of the pain and tightening of muscles are also used to diagnose the problem. Persistent daily headaches are not aggravated by any kind of physical activity. These headaches are also characterized by absence of moderate or severe nausea and vomiting. However, mild nausea may be present.

Another thing to make note is that people who have a history of chronic headache or migraine headache cannot be a victim of persistent daily headaches. These criterions are evaluated and are used to diagnose the problem.

During diagnosis, it is also recommended that tests such as MRI with and without enhancement and MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) be conducted. This will help rule out conditions such as spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis that may mimic the problem.

Treatment
Treating this problem can be a little difficult as there is no preventive medication for this type of headache. Traditionally, doctors may advise over the counter or prescription medication to deal with NDPH. In some cases, using the medication for a couple of months can help resolve the problem permanently. However, before you opt for a given treatment, make sure that you discuss other treatment options as well with the health care provider.

Besides using medications to treat these headaches, you may also consider various alternative therapies along side treatment. Massage, acupressure, heat and cold therapy, exercise, relaxation techniques etc are some alternative therapies that can help you deal with new daily persistent headaches successfully.

NDPH is a chronic headache type that can hamper the day to day functioning of an individual. So, living with them may be a little frustrating. But, with a little patience and the right approach, you can deal with the problem successfully.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Headache Relief – To be on the safe side, go for natural remedies!

2010-02-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

With stiff working conditions and being stressed out at workplace, a lot of people, lately, are suffering from headache. Natural headache may be put in to two categories. The first one is primary and the second one is secondary. Migraine, cluster and tension headaches come in the list of primary headaches while brain tumor, injury and infection are the root cause of secondary headaches. Tension headaches are the most common and they affect both males and females alike.

Headaches are generally caused by negative emotions and stress. Apart from these, environmental, chemical and food factors may also be responsible for headaches. When it comes to the remedies of these headaches, you can get lot of pain relief medications of headache over the counter. However, these medications do not cure headaches completely and just give the timely relief. There are numerous side effects with these medications and if you use these medications in a frequent manner and for a longer period of time, they will lose their necessary effect.

To be on the safe side, there are many natural alternatives for pain relief which are quite effective. All you need to know is the cause of the headache. However, natural remedies can not prove much helpful in case of migraine or cluster.

Some common remedies for natural headache relief are -

1] You need to have hot bath which releases muscles from contraction. Your whole body will feel relaxed. This is the best thing for tension headaches.

2] Since stress causes headaches, the exercise can provide relief from such types of headaches. You should jog, swim and take brisk walk. This will make improvement in your blood circulation and will release you from tension. Thus your body will be relaxed.

3] Dehydration may also cause some headaches. Since this is the prime cause for muscle contraction, you need to drink at least eight glasses of water to solve this problem. Drinking plenty of water not only gives relief from headache but also maintains your body.

4] In case you have sinus and caffeine headache, you can use hot or cold compress to relieve energy.

5] It is good to use oils like lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint to remove tension headaches.

6] Acupressure or acupuncture is done for the relief of stress related headache.

7] To give relaxation to muscles, you need massage. You need to have massage therapy on head, neck and shoulders. Massage is a great weapon to relieve stress.

8] There should be required amount of sleep on daily basis. Excess or less sleep can cause headaches.

9] Do not do work in the wrong posture as it will put stress on neck, shoulders etc and may result in headache. Too much bright light can also cause headache. So, avoid it. Some foods may also cause headache, so, avoid them. Nuts, chocolate, red wine and cheese should be taken moderately.

10] Reduction of caffeine is very important to reduce headache.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Headache Treatment And Therapies: Look The Alternative Way

2010-02-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

Alternative treatments and therapies like chiropractic, acupuncture, biofeedback, aromatherapy and meditation have managed to make a niche for themselves in today's modern, busy and hectic lifestyles. Many doctors these days are also prescribing these complementary therapies along with the regular course of treatment.

You can therefore take your pick and choose the one which suits you the most:

Chiropractic:
Chiropractic is the most famous alternative therapy

This therapy is used to treat post-traumatic, tension-type, and sometimes migraine headaches. It believes that headaches are caused due to abnormal motion and irritation in the neck muscles, nerves and other tissues. It works towards alleviating the pain with the help of manipulation, exercise and forms of physical therapy.

Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is the traditional Chinese art to treat headaches by placing small needles in special acupuncture points present all over the body. Acupuncture is used to treat migraines. Scientifically, it has been found that acupuncture needles stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain reliever, thereby curing headache.

Biofeedback:
Biofeedback can help reduce some types of headache pain, other than migraine. A biofeedback incorporates a range of relaxation therapies, like breathing exercises, meditation and guided imagery. These can help you control your body's response to stress.

Aromatherapy:
Aromatherapy utilizes certain essential oils to treat headaches. It claims to treat headaches and migraines and other conditions that might lead to headaches. Such conditions include depression, anxiety, and the other conditions linked with the two. However, it is to be remembered that these essential oils are not to be applied to the skin directly. Instead, they are first mixed with a carrier oil and then used.

Meditation:
Meditation is used to treat all those headaches that are caused due to tension and stress. More and more people are turning to meditation to relieve the day's tension and relieve themselves of headaches resulting due to these tensions. Deep breathing exercises, which relieve tension, form an essential part of the meditation technique.

Apart from these therapies, you can also opt for acupressure, osteopathic, massage, stretching, hydrotherapy, homeopathic, herbalistic and various other stress reduction therapies.

All these treatments and therapies are considered to be holistic treatments giving you the best of both the worlds. Though they can be performed easily, still, a bit of caution is required. If you are planning to use any of these alternative methods, be sure that you do so under the trained eye of an instructor.

source: Headache updates

Treating Headache With Acupressure

2010-01-29T13:34:00.000-08:00

If you wish to treat headache naturally then acupressure is one of the best options that you have. Using acupressure to cope with headaches provides you with an effective and easy solution to headache. This natural therapy focuses on massaging certain points, known as pressure points, which alleviates the pain.

When the pressure points are massaged, the blocked energy inside the body is released. This released energy combats various ailments in the body. Also, acupressure improves the blood circulation, easing the contracted blood vessels. It also releases the blood beta endorphin, which is the body's natural pain killing material. This helps provide pain relief.

In addition to treating your headache, acupressure also helps release stiffness in the joints. Though, this natural therapy works for all headache types, it is best suited for tension headaches. It relieves the stress and helps you get rid of headache.

If used in the right manner, acupressure can target the exact cause of your headache. It helps you overcome a weak immune system, which is one of the primary causes of headache. It also deals with an unstable muscle system and accumulation of excessive toxins in the body. Each of these factors contributes to the development of a headache.

Acupressure involves massaging with the fingertips in round circular motions. A combination of several massage techniques is used to provide headache relief. While some acupressure sessions focus more on rubbing, there are others that make more use of vibration.

These days, acupressure is being used in addition with several other add-ons such as soft music, agreeable lighting system, vibrating massage chairs and the like. The combined result of acupressure and these add-ons is complete headache relief.

Treat headache on your own
You do not have to go to an acupressure therapist to treat headache. You can practice acupressure on your own too. Follow the below mentioned steps and treat headache on your own.

* Apply pressure under your eye sockets near the nose using your index fingers.
* Now apply pressure at the top of your sockets.
* Bring your fingers outside the eye. Apply pressure again.
* Place your fingers ¼ inch above your eyebrows and apply pressure.
* Move your fingers 1 inch further from the eyebrows and apply pressure again.
* Keep on moving your fingers towards your forehead, applying pressure after every inch.
* After you reach the forehead, bring your fingers to the back of your neck. Massage your neck at one inch points till the time you reach the shoulders.

Go ahead and use acupressure to get rid of headache naturally.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Headache Treatment : The Role Of Chiropractors

2010-01-28T14:23:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic is a philosophy of health care that believes in restoring the body to function in the way it was originally designed to function. The emphasis is on the body's ability to heal itself. There are also exercise recommendations, physical therapy and rehabilitative activities. It is also considered to be useful from the prevention point of view.

It is postulated that headaches are caused by poor neck posture which may be caused by sitting in front of a computer for a long duration of time, bending your neck forward while reading, or by slouching in a chair or couch. Hence, it is imperative that a proper neck as well as overall body posture should be maintained to avoid any such problems.

Chiropractic, since concerned with the affairs of the nerves and connective tissues, has been found to be particularly effective in the treatment of headaches. But what is first essential is to first ascertain the kind of headache the patient is suffering from. This treatment is most helpful in conditions where there has been found to be a misalignment of the neck or the cranial region.

Chiropractic is most effective in treating headaches which are caused due to auto injuries, sinus difficulties or any neck-related symptoms. About 80% of the people receiving chiropractic treatment report a slight to complete improvement in their headache.

Though a well implemented treatment, chiropractic has to be done under the supervision of an expert, to avoid any further misalignment of the spine.

source: www.headacheupdates.com

Tips on Choosing a Chiropractor

2010-01-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

Dr. Homola

If you decide to consult a chiropractor, try to find one whose practice is limited to conservative treatment of musculoskeletal problems. Ask your family doctor for the names of chiropractors who fit this description and who appear to be competent and trustworthy. If your doctor cannot provide a name, ask other people and, if they recommend one, be sure to ask what conditions the chiropractor treats. If the chiropractor claims to treat infections or a wide range of other diseases, look elsewhere. But don't depend upon the Yellow Pages. You should avoid chiropractors who make extravagant claims or who advertise extensively.

When you have selected a chiropractor, go for a consultation or conduct a telephone interview to find out how he or she practices. If the chiropractor treats infants, offers spinal adjustments as a treatment for visceral disease or infection or as a method of preventing ill health, requires that every patient be x-rayed, or requires payments in advance for a long course of treatments, call another chiropractor.

Remember that diagnosis is critical to the establishment of proper treatment. Some chiropractors are competent in diagnosis, and some are not. For example, "straight" chiropractors who examine only the spine and who believe that "subluxated" vertebrae are the primary cause of illness may "analyze" the spine rather than offer a diagnosis. Such chiropractors may be unable to determine when chiropractic treatment should not be used. Since evaluating some chiropractors may be difficult, it might be wise to look for one who is willing to work with your family physician by exchanging office notes. This would offer the additional safeguard of assuring a second opinion.

Once you have found a rational chiropractor, you may find effective relief for some types of back and neck pain as well as for various other musculoskeletal problems. You may also benefit from the comforting effect of a hands-on treatment that provides a pleasurable way of relieving the aches and pains of everyday stress and strain. Physical therapists, osteopaths, and a few physicians also offer manipulative therapy. Chiropractors can sometimes be found working with these practitioners in back-pain clinics. As the benefits of spinal manipulation become better known as a result of scientific research, such treatment will become more available from physical therapists and other practitioners, as well as well as from properly limited chiropractors.

Acupuncture Found Effective for Back Pain

2010-01-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

Study finds it superior to usual care.

By Tina Beychok

There seems to be no question that Americans spend a great deal of money dealing with back pain. According to research, we spend at least $37 billion annually on medical care for back pain. Furthermore, the economy suffers another $19.8 billion in lost worker productivity due to back pain.

Daniel C. Cherkin, PhD, and colleagues examined a group of 638 patients suffering from back pain to determine not only if acupuncture is superior to usual care for treating back pain, but to see if needle insertion at individualized points is the mechanism of action by which acupuncture works best. A total of 10 acupuncture treatments was provided over the course of eight weeks.

Study Design

The researchers started by dividing the patients into four groups:

Individualized acupuncture: This treatment was prescribed by the diagnostician at the beginning of each visit. There were no constraints on number of needles, depth of insertion or needle manipulation. Needles were retained for 18 minutes. Seventy-four distinct points were used.

Standardized acupuncture: This protocol used a standardized acupuncture prescription considered effective for chronic low back pain, including Du 3, Bladder 23 on either side, low back Ashi point, Bladder 40 on ether side and Kidney 3 on either side. All points were needled for 20 minutes, with needle stimulation at 10 minutes and again just prior to removal.

Simulated acupuncture: This technique used a toothpick in a needle guide tube. All acupuncture points were stimulated with toothpicks at 10 minutes and again at 20 minutes, just before they were "removed." The acupuncturists simulated insertion and removal of needles at the eight acupuncture points used in the standardized treatment.

Usual care: Participants in this group only received the care, if any, they and their physicians chose. This was mainly mostly medications, and primary care, and physical therapy visits. All participants received a self-care book with information on managing flare-ups, exercises and lifestyle modifications.

Results

At 8-week follow up, all groups of patients showed improvement. However, the "usual care" group only improved by 2.1 points (scored on a disability questionnaire), as opposed to the individualized, standardized and simulated acupuncture groups, which improved by 4.4, 4.5 and 4.4 points, respectively. The greater improvement for the acupuncture groups over usual care continued all the way to 52 weeks, at the end of the study. Of those patients receiving real acupuncture, only 11 reported any side effects.

Interestingly, at the end of the study, there was little difference between the four acupuncture treatment groups in terms of effectiveness. The researchers speculated that this may mean that acupuncture's actual mechanism of action may not be clear and that further research is warranted.

Nevertheless, they concluded, "Compared with usual care, individualized acupuncture, standardized acupuncture and simulated acupuncture had beneficial and persisting effects on chronic back pain. These treatments resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in function. ... For clinicians and patients seeking a relatively safe and effective treatment for a condition for which conventional treatments are often ineffective, various methods of acupuncture point stimulation appear to be reasonable options, even though the mechanism of action remains unclear.

According to Josephine P. Briggs, MD, director of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "The findings of this research show that acupuncture-like treatments, including simulated acupuncture, can elicit positive responses. This adds to the growing body of evidence that there is something meaningful taking place during acupuncture treatments outside of actual needling. Future research is needed to delve deeper into what is evoking these responses."

source: acupuncture today

Why Bright Light Worsens Migraine Headache Pain

2010-01-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

When a migraine hits, many sufferers hide out in a dark room, away from the painful light. Now scientists think they know why light makes migraines worse.

New research on humans and rats has revealed a visual pathway in the brain that underlies this light sensitivity during migraines in blind individuals and in individuals with normal eyesight.

"Clinically, this research sets the stage for identifying ways to block the pathway so that migraine patients can endure light without pain," said Rami Burstein, a professor of anesthesia and critical care medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass.

However, the pathway was specifically identified in rat experiments. And studies done on rodents do not always translate to useful human therapies, so more research would be needed.

More than 30 million people in the United States are affected by migraine headaches, which are often described as throbbing pain in one area of the head and accompanied by nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.

In addition, for reasons that were unknown, nearly 85 percent of migraine patients are also extremely sensitive to light, a condition known as photophobia. Even some blind individuals with a history of migraines showed photophobia. And so the researchers hypothesized that signals transmitted from the retina along the optic nerve were somehow triggering the intensification of pain.

The scientists examined two groups of blind human patients who suffered migraine headaches: patients who were totally blind and were unable to see images or sense light; and a group considered legally blind due to retinal degenerative diseases who couldn't perceive images but could detect light.

The patients in the first group, who couldn't sense light, showed no worsening of their headaches when exposed to light. Those in the second group described increased pain in light.

"This suggested to us that the mechanism of photophobia must involve the optic nerve, because in totally blind individuals, the optic nerve does not carry light signals to the brain," Burstein said.

The scientists knew that the second group of blind individuals didn't maintain normal sleep-wake cycles, which are dictated by light, while the other group did. So perhaps, they thought, retinal cells that control biological functions like sleep and wakefulness are involved in this light-headache phenomenon. These retinal cells contain melanopsin.

They tested out these ideas in a lab, by injecting dyes into the eyes of rats with migraine headaches. By following the dyes, the researchers traced the path of the melanopsin retinal cells through the optic nerve to the brain, where they found a group of brain cells that became electrically active during migraines.

"When small electrodes were inserted into these 'migraine neurons,' we discovered that light was triggering a flow of electrical signals that was converging on these very cells," Burstein said. "This increased their activity within seconds."

And even when the light was removed, Burstein said, these neurons remained activated. "This helps explain why patients say that their headache intensifies within seconds after exposure to light, and improves 20 to 30 minutes after being in the dark."

source: www.livescience.com

General Wellness and Chiropractic

2010-01-22T13:17:00.001-08:00

Wellness is not simply a lack of illness, but a more general and optimistic term referring to a balance of mind, body and spirit. The term was first used, in the healthcare sense, by Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. in the 1950's. In the 1970's and 1980's, wellness became a widely used term for a desirable state of physical and mental health, often connected to longevity and a high quality of life.

Dunn defined wellness as "an integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable. It requires that the individual maintain a continuum of balance and purposeful direction within the environment where he is functioning."

While the term wellness may be relatively new, it encompasses older concepts from medicine, including the medical term "homeostasis." Homeostasis refers to balanced and efficient function in biological systems, a natural state to which a body tends toward. The concept of wellness has been adopted in many areas since its early definition: workplace wellness promotion programs, for example, employ the ideas of wellness in the context of exercise and health education programs for employees.

The Role Chiropractic in Wellness Promotion

For as long as there has been the term "wellness," chiropractic has been an important ingredient for many in the pursuit of health and balance. Chiropractic theory holds that a healthy spine is crucial to health and wellness. By reducing nerve irritations, normalizing nervous system response, and helping to improve blood circulation, chiropractic adjustments can set the foundation upon which wellness is built.

Why is the spine so important to wellness? The spine is made up of 24 movable bones, called vertebrae. These are stacked, one on top of the other, with the head balanced on top. Between each vertebra are shock-absorbing cushions called discs, and ligaments that hold the vertebrae in place. Passing through a central hole in the vertebrae is the spinal cord that carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. Misalignments of the bones of the spine, called subluxations, affect the entire body from the feet to the head. These create pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves, stretch ligaments, and compress the intervertebral disks. This interferes with the brain's ability to communicate effectively with the muscles and organs, leading to pain, dysfunction and illness. Chiropractic adjustments work to resolve these conditions, restoring the normal geometry and functions of the spine.

Posture and Ergonomics

Chiropractors have also long been outspoken advocates for correct posture and ergonomics. Correct posture is the key to avoiding injuries and subluxations of the spine. Posture is so important to overall health that entire fields of health-care practice have developed around it, including Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique. Chiropractors are experts at analyzing posture and movement, in addition to their training in diagnosing spinal problems. Corrections to poor posture, such as slouching, can often resolve chronic pain and patterns of ill health.

Posture and movement are all part of body mechanics, the engineering perspective on the body as a collection of parts that must move in proper order and harmony to achieve efficiency. Efficiency in body mechanics leads to health. Some essential ingredients of good body mechanics are:

Using proper posture, lifting and carrying techniques, both at home and at work.
Awareness of your body position throughout the day. Through awareness, poor body mechanics are discovered.
Practice of posture and good body mechanics as a way of life.
Good ergonomics at home and work to adapt your environment to your body's needs.

Ergonomics is another important area of analysis. Ergonomics is the study of how changes in work or home environment can encourage good body mechanics. No matter how many chiropractic adjustments you may have, if your work or home environment doesn't work with your body, health problems will eventually result. This is another area in which chiropractors receive extensive training. Relatively simple changes in workspace height, or a work chair, can have a significant impact on body posture, health and wellness.

Nutrition

Finally, just as good nutrition is important to wellness, chiropractors work with their patients to find the right balance of diet and supplements for each individual. This may include calculating an ideal weight, making dietary adjustments or starting entirely new diet plans, that may include taking supplements to correct health problems or enhance energy and well being.

Many chiropractors have also studied meditation, stress reduction techniques, hypnosis, and other tools that can help patients achieve greater peace of mind. Such tools give your chiropractor the ability to design complete, comprehensive wellness programs that help each patient achieve much more than simply a lack of illness.

With a holistic approach to wellness, encompassing posture, movement, environment and nutrition, chiropractors can serve an important role in the search for balance of mind, body and spirit.

source:www.altmed.com

Chiropractic for Physical Injury

2010-01-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Chiropractic is one of the more widely used and accepted practices within alternative medicine. Its level of acceptance in the United States has increased in recent years, as partially evidenced by widespread health insurance coverage for chiropractic care. Chiropractic can be the answer for patients seeking relief after enduring injuries, and it has been successfully employed as a treatment for a variety physical injuries. In fact, physical injury is one of the most common reasons people consult chiropractors.

How Does a Chiropractor Treat an Injury?

Chiropractors have many “tools” at their disposal in the form of treatments that can be used to help heal various injuries. They often take x-rays to gather further information regarding the state of the spine. The protocol and treatment plan can be customized to the patient’s needs. Typically, the treatment includes spinal manipulations, which the chiropractor performs either with his or her hands or with an assisting, noninvasive device. Different chiropractors use different techniques, based on their training and expertise and based on the nature of the physical injury being treated. In general, though, a spinal manipulation involves applying controlled pressure to a joint. By performing manipulation, the chiropractor aims to increase range and quality of motion and to decrease pain and discomfort.

For injuries, chiropractors might also advise rest, exercise, hot/cold therapy, massage, or other alternative medicine treatments. The chiropractor can advise the patient on what therapies are best for his or her circumstances and injury.

What Different Therapies Do Chiropracters Use for Injuries?

Chiropractic uses a variety of therapies to correct physical imbalances, most often occurring in the spine and affecting the nervous system.

Some of these therapies are:

Adjustments: When a chiropractor performs an adjustment, he or she applies pressure with the hands or a chiropractic tool to vertebrae that are misaligned. Also called spinal manipulation, this therapy can help people with injuries that cause misalignment of the spine.

TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS, uses electrical stimulation of certain nerves to relieve pain and increase mobility. The treatment may also increase endorphin production. TENS can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from acute or chronic pain.

Trigger Point Therapy: Points on the body that can cause pain in other areas on the body when touched are called trigger points. When manipulated in a certain way, a trigger point can also relieve pain. During this therapy, a chiropractor applies pressure to a trigger point to release the tension in the point. Patients who do not respond to a manual pressure on trigger points, may respond to injections in the trigger point. Trigger point therapy can help those who have chronically tense muscles or spasmodic muscles.

Hot/Cold Therapy: Heat increases blood circulation in body tissues, which brings oxygen to the tissue and takes away cell waste. Applying heat can provide relief from tense muscles, muscle spasms, and decrease pain. When cold is applied, it slows circulation and relieves inflammation. Hot/Cold therapy is frequently used for injuries, especially sports injuries, such as sprains and strains. Cold is used as an initial treatment for many injuries that cause inflammation or swelling, and combination Hot/Cold therapy can also be used for injuries that cause persistent or recurring pain.

Sometimes, chiropractic is used in conjunction with traditional medicine and in partnership with allopathic practitioners.

What Injuries Can Chiropractic Help?

In general, chiropractic can be beneficial in treating various injuries, including sprains, pulled muscles, and problems with joints in just about any area of the body. Chiropractic can help with recovery from a broad range of injuries, including the following:

Auto Accidents: Auto accident injuries include problems such as whiplash to disruptions in spinal alignment in the lower back. The aftermath of an auto accident is a common time for patients to consult chiropractic clinics for the first time, and many people seek chiropractic care as a way to help with treatment of auto accident-related injuries.

Sports injuries: In recent years, chiropractic has become increasingly common as a treatment for sports injuries. The profession is now involved with many professional and collegiate sports, such as golf, hockey, and football. A person doesn’t have to be a professional athlete to suffer a sports injury. Any individual can be injured during exercise, such as while running, playing tennis, or lifting weights. A significant number of sports injuries involve the neck and back, and can benefit from chiropractic care.

Injuries at work: Work related injuries include injuries while lifting heavy items, as well as problems that result from office work, such as sitting at a computer for long periods of time.

Everyday Injuries: Injuries during the course of everyday living can also be helped by chiropractic care. Examples include lifting items that are too heavy, improper lifting, or even strain from shoveling snow.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is based in the theory that health and body function depend on the alignment of the spine. It focuses on establishing and maintaining the correct structure of the spine using several therapies, some of which are described above. A common chiropractic therapy, called spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation, is used to correct misalignments in the spine. According to chiropractic theory, these misalignments affect the body’s ability to function and can lead to health problems. Chiropractors also believe that the nerves affect the flow of energy throughout the entire body, and an unobstructed flow of energy in the body is an important aspect of health.

Chiropractors may also treat other areas of the body that might affect or be affected by the body’s alignment, such as the legs or hips. Chiropractic can be used to treat many health conditions, including many types of physical injury. Patients who seek chiropractic care in the aftermath of injuries do so because it is not nearly as invasive as some allopathic treatments, which often rely on prescription medication (including those for pain). While chiropractic may not be a substitute for surgery in serious medical cases, chiropractic therapies may be able to prevent an injury from progressing so far as to require surgery.

Spinal misalignments are often caused by accidents that result in symptoms such as pain and immobility. Correcting misalignments can help the patient return to a normally functioning state of health.

What Is the Nature of the Healing Process?

Some patients report experiencing pain in the area that was treated after seeing a chiropractor, but that pain generally recedes and the patient feels better than before the treatment over a short period of time. Patients experience a better range of motion, more flexibility, and less pain after treating an injury with chiropractic. While there are some risks involved with chiropractic adjustments, the therapy has been shown to be generally safe for most people. Patients should check with their physician and chiropractor if they are concerned about medical conditions that may increase risk in a chiropractic session.

Chiropractic is generally noninvasive, and thus has fewer unpleasant side effects than prescription drugs or surgery. Chiropractic therapies can be used in conjunction with allopathic treatments. It is important to notify both physician and chiropractor about all treatments the patient undertakes. The frequency of chiropractic treatment needed, amount of time needed for healing, and prognosis after injuries can vary, based on such factors as the nature and severity of the injury, the age and overall health of the patient, and simultaneous use of other therapies. To lessen risk and ensure safety, it is crucial that the patient only be seen by a reputable chiropractor who has all of the necessary credentials and training.

source: www.altmd.com

The Uses of Chiropractic

2010-01-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

A chiropractor's office is a busy place, and most will treat hundreds of patients in any given year. The popularity of the therapy has grown steadily over the last century. What brings this growing flow of patients to a chiropractor? Patients come to the chiropractor for the treatment of many ailments, both chronic and acute, and some simply for advice on healthy and holistic living.

Not surprisingly, pain and back problems bring more patients to chiropractors than any other health issue. In one study, back problems leading to pain comprised 70% of all chiropractic treatments; back problems without pain and pain without back problems accounted for just 15% of visits. The types of pain create by spinal misalignment can vary from low back pain to neck pain, headaches to chest pain.

Though pain is the primary reason that patients seek out chiropractic, this therapy may treat much more than simple pain. By adjusting the spine, which influences the nervous system, chiropractors may have an effect on nearly every function of the body. Many studies have been completed on the use of chiropractic for a wide range of diseases and symptoms. According to research, common ailments effectively treated with chiropractic include:

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain may arise from illness, old injuries or old age, such as arthritis. Many conventional treatments attempt to numb or block nerve transmissions to stop chronic pain, with mixed results. Drug therapies may be effective against chronic pain, but often have serious side effects, especially over time. Chiropractic, through adjustments of the skeleton, can be useful in reducing or even eliminating chronic pain, without drugs or surgery.

Accidents and Injuries, Including Whiplash

For many people, this will be the reason for first visiting a chiropractor's office. Accidents and injuries involve both the skeletal structure and soft tissue. A chiropractor will combine adjustments to the skeleton with soft tissue therapies, such as TENS, trigger point therapy or massage. Research indicates that patients recover from accidents faster with such a combination of therapies.

Workplace Injuries, Including Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)

Patients with repetitive stress injuries, back injuries and other workplace accidents often seek out chiropractic. Worker's Compensation and employer reimbursement programs often pay for chiropractic treatments. Why? Several research studies have shown that those injured workers who choose chiropractic are back to their jobs faster and at less cost, therefore saving their employers money.

Chronic Back Problems, Including Scoliosis

This is the classic complaint that started the chiropractic profession. Chiropractors spend much of their education on the structure and function of the spine, and learn to treat many different back problems. For both acute back pain and chronic or inherited conditions such as scoliosis, chiropractic offers a range of effective, low cost solutions.

Headaches

Many headaches, including stress headaches, originate in the neck, shoulders or upper back. Muscle tension and skeletal misalignment lead to nervous system irritation, which can cause headaches. These headaches are effectively treated with chiropractic. Research has shown chiropractic to also be useful with vascular headaches, such as migraines. Chiropractors are also well trained to provide lifestyle and dietary counseling toward preventing future headaches.

Stress and General Wellness

Many patients find chiropractic treatment relaxing. The adjustments release muscle tension, balance the nervous system, and contribute to a sense of calm and wellness. The stresses of modern living are held in muscle tension, generally in the arms, the shoulders, the neck and back. These rigid muscles create stress on the skeleton, pulling the body out of balance. Chiropractic adjustments and other therapies help to reduce muscle tension, and realign skeletal structures.

For these conditions and many others, chiropractic is a well-researched and reasonable therapy to consider. Either alone, or in combination with another therapy, studies have shown that chiropractic will often help you get better faster, and stay healthy longer.

Chiropractors may also be found working in several areas of specialization. Sports Chiropractors work with athletes, both professional and amateur. Several well-known athletes use chiropractic, including Lance Armstrong. Pediatric Chiropractors work with children and give special attention to issues of posture and development toward a healthier adulthood. Chiropractor Radiologists are consultants who specialize in the interpretation of x-rays for chiropractors. Chiropractic Nutrition Specialists have additional training in diet, nutrition and nutritional supplements.

Chiropractic is still a growing profession, with patients and practitioners around the world. As more research is completed, and more clinical experience gathered, the full range of conditions that may be treated with chiropractic will only grow.

source: www.altmd.com

Chiropractic for Tendonitis

2010-01-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

Whether it’s pitcher's shoulder, tennis elbow, or runner’s knee, anyone with tendonitis wants relief from pain. The soreness, aching sensation and chronic discomfort of tendonitis around muscles are caused when a tendon connecting a muscle to a bone is overused, injured or used improperly. More than 4 million Americans see a physician each year for tendonitis symptoms. Once tendonitis has been properly diagnosed, a natural approach to treatment that addresses the underlying cause of the injury can be arranged with a chiropractor. With good chiropractic treatment, tendonitis can heal and the person can prevent reinjuring the affected area.

Using Chiropractic to Treat Tendonitis

The first goal of a chiropractor in treating tendonitis is to make an accurate diagnosis of the problem, ruling out any other possible underlying causes of the pain. This is necessary because the joint pain and stiffness of tendonitis are similar to the experience of bursitis or arthritis. X-rays, CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scans (an x-ray procedure used to create cross-sectional or three-dimensional images) and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) are tools a chiropractor might use to obtain an accurate diagnosis for tendonitis pain.

After the diagnosis, a chiropractor will select a natural treatment plan that addresses the cause of the tendonitis, rather than simply treating symptoms. Initially, the chiropractor may support and protect the injured tendons by bracing those portions of the tendon that were pulled. The tendon needs to be loosened and the inflammation reduced. Treatments that follow might include ultrasound, ice, rest, temporary immobilization, electrical muscle stimulation, manual trigger point therapy (applying firm pressure by hand on a trigger point for several seconds and then stretching the muscle afterward), strengthening exercises, physical therapy, and/or massage. Joint manipulation may also be performed on individuals with diminished joint mobility.

With proper treatment, the pain and inflammation in the tendon should decrease during the first three weeks. Full healing, however, will not be achieved until at least six weeks have passed. During these six weeks, scar tissue is formed, which initially helps bond the tissue back together.

The scar tissue needs to be broken down so the tendon and muscle regain flexibility, which lessens the chance of further injury. At first, a chiropractor may treat scar tissue with ultrasound and massage. Ultrasound involves using sound waves to soften the scar tissue, enabling it to break down. It also helps increase circulation to the tissue. Ultrasound may also be used to assist with moving topical nutrient and pain solutions deeper into the tissues. Mild stretches that do not irritate the tendons can be incorporated. Once the tissues have healed, exercise can help further break down scar tissue. During this period, longer stretches should target only the muscles, not the affected tendons.

How a Chiropractor Treats Chronic Tendonitis

If the tendonitis continues beyond the first six months, the condition is chronic and more difficult to treat. A chiropractor will evaluate the exact point of pain and figure out which muscle or tendon is attached at that site. With chronic problems, treatment away from the site of the problem may be more effective. This is because the point of pain might be the body’s way of compensating for an injury that has occurred elsewhere. Any misaligned joints might directly cause the tendonitis and must be properly realigned. By correcting the core problem, symptoms in other areas of the body disappear. Then the chiropractor must understand the cause for the muscle damage that led to the joint imbalance. The body must be taught how to perform tasks without adding excessive stress on those same joints. The chiropractor will suggest exercises to help keep affected muscles strong and to prevent a recurring injury.

Sometimes, scar tissue will continue forming for up to a year after the initial injury. The scar tissue causes the injured muscle to tighten and shorten, creating increased stress on the muscle. This tightness can pull the bone and joint out of normal alignment, placing even more pressure and irritation on the original injured tendon or on a related tendon. More inflammation, tearing, pain, and swelling may occur. Such a condition requires a realignment of the tissues in the affected area, which can be done by a chiropractor.

Other Chiropractic Treatments for Tendonitis

A friction massage using Graston instruments stops the collagen in the affected tissues from breaking down, breaks the tendonitis cycle, and assists with collagen production. The technique involves six instruments that improve the chiropractor’s ability to palpate fibrous restrictions. The process recreates the inflammatory response, separating the scar tissue from the normal tissue. The final stage involves remodeling the new collagen so it aligns properly. Patients who have clotting disorders or who are on blood thinners should be carefully monitored if they choose this option.

Nutrition might also be used to bolster patients’ bodies against tendonitis. A good nutrient that a chiropractor might suggest for supporting the knees is calcium pangamate (vitamin B15).

What is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is an injury or irritation of the fibrous, thick tendons that connect muscles to bones. Tendonitis is also called tendinosis because little inflammation is present when the tendon is biopsied. During the first stage of tendonitis, patients experience a dull ache after an activity that involves using the tendon. The ache decreases with rest. In stage 2, the patients experience pain during minor movements of the affected area. During the final stage, patients are in constant pain.

What Causes Tendonitis?

Tendonitis can occur through sports participation when certain joints are overused, or when the athlete is undertrained or uses poor technique in sports. In certain occupations, repetitive movement, such as typing, can cause tendons to inflame. Injuries and repeated trauma also can contribute, as can autoimmune disorders (such as diabetes), some inflammatory conditions, and some infections. Tendonitis shows up mostly in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, thumb, hip, knee, and ankle.

Signs of Tendonitis

Pain that worsens when the affected limb is moved
Stiffness and loss of range of motion
Swelling
Tenderness
Warmth and redness
Crackling

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that deals with musculoskeletal system and nervous system disorders and their effects on overall health. Chiropractics use a natural, hands-on approach that involves patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors use a variety of diagnostic tools and may recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises. They also provide counseling on nutrition and lifestyle choices.

source: www.altmd.com

Acupuncture for Treating Tension Headaches

2010-01-18T13:18:00.000-08:00

The Evidence Grows Even Stronger.

Tension headaches, which have been described as a dull pain, almost as if there was a tight band around the head, are one of the most common forms of headaches. Individual studies have shown promising results for the use of acupuncture to treat this type of headache, but a 2001 meta-analysis that combined the results from 26 individual studies, six of which focused on tension headache, found, "The quality and amount of evidence are not fully convincing." The authors of this study added, "There is an urgent need for well-planned, large-scale studies to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions." Now, an updated meta-analysis has found that the evidence for acupuncture in treating tension headaches is indeed convincing.

Linde and colleagues examined the results of 12 randomized trials, with a total of 2,317 participants. They were looking to determine whether acupuncture is more effective than no treatment or just routine care; more effective than sham acupuncture treatment; and as effective as other interventions (physiotherapy, massage or relaxation) in reducing headache frequency.

In those studies that compared acupuncture treatment to no/routine care, 47 percent of patients receiving acupuncture reported a decrease in the number of headache days by at least 50 percent, compared to 16 percent of patients receiving either no or routine care. For those studies comparing true and sham acupuncture, 50 percent of patients receiving true acupuncture reported a decrease of the number of headache days by at least half, compared to 41 percent of patients receiving sham acupuncture.

The researchers concluded, "In the previous version of this review, evidence in support of acupuncture for tension-type headache was considered insufficient. Now, with six additional [tension headache] trials, the authors conclude that acupuncture could be a valuable nonpharmacological tool in patients with frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches."

source: www.acupuncturetoday.com

Headache Relief Through Chiropractic

2010-01-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

According to the American Chiropractic Association 14% of the public who see chiropractors presently go for headaches. For these patients the good news has gotten even better. Researchers at Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Minnesota, compared chiropractic care to certain drug therapies used for tension and migraine headaches.

The study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, followed 218 headache sufferers who were given either chiropractic care or drug therapy or both. Pain was reduced 40 – 50% in all groups initially. However, four weeks after all care was stopped, only the chiropractic group still retained the benefits, while those who received the drug therapy lost about half of their improvement.

source: Chiropractic Research.org

Cancer Patients Quality of Life Improved With Chiropractic

2010-01-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

An article published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics follows two case studies of patients with various types of serious cancer. The article follows the chiropractic care and it’s effect on these patients pain and quality of life.

The first patient was a 57-year-old man with serious terminal pancreatic cancer. This patient received chiropractic care during the later stages of the disease. In the remaining time the patient had before succumbing to the disease it was documented that the patient had significantly less pain and was able to reduce his medications. The journal article summed up this case by stating, “In this case chiropractic care was able to provide significant pain relief, reduce the amount of pain medication being taken (as well as the potential side effects), and temporarily improve the quality of life for a patient with terminal cancer."

The second patient was a 54-year-old man recovering from surgery for lung cancer. This patient was continually suffering from upper back pain and had gotten no relief for over one year. At that point the patient began chiropractic care. In this case the patient received immediate relief and was able to discontinue all pain medication after two chiropractic visits.

The principles of chiropractic make it plain that the focus of chiropractic care is not to directly treat the patient’s pain but rather to assist the body and allow the body’s own healing abilities to work at that person’s maximum potential. These case studies show that ability and the effect on people suffering with serious conditions. The Journal article states it best when it said, “These clinical examples offer 2 specific instances of how chiropractic may improve the quality of a cancer patient’s life.”

source: Chiropractic Research.org

Still looking for a miracle?

2010-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

This is proof positive that Chiropractic miracles do exist!

If you, or someone you know, needs Chiropractic help,
please do not hesitate to contact us!

Bratcher Chiropractic

Chiropractic Helps in Prevention of Recurring Ear Infections

2010-01-12T13:02:00.000-08:00

According to the article, in the Ladies Home Journal, reoccurring ear infections account for over 35% of all pediatrician visits in the United States. Sometimes these infections are due to bacteria and sometimes these are due to a virus. The most common medical care for this situation has been antibiotics, even though antibiotics have no effect on viruses. While the article mentions that the antibiotic may be effective in an acute bacterial infection, they do nothing to stop repeat infections. Research and statistics is now showing that repeated use of antibiotics is contributing to future infections by creating drug-resistant infections. The surgical approach has met with little long term results as the "tubes" placed in children’s ears often come out and usually require a child to be put under general anesthesia to do the surgery.

The article in the Ladies Home Journal states, "Chiropractic care is thought to prevent recurrent infections by correcting misalignments (called subluxations) and allowing normal fluid drainage from the middle ear." What the article took special note of was that 6 months after the chiropractic care was given to the children in the study, 80 percent had not suffered a recurrence of ear infections.

In closing the article did make a profound statement. They made a recommendation to parents on this subject. "If your child is between ear infections and his doctor suggests ear-tube surgery, ask if you can try chiropractic treatment first." While we agree with that sentiment, we suggest you not wait for a period between episodes, and you don’t have to "ask" permission from any other doctor to seek chiropractic care. As the sneaker company said, "just do it!"

(source: Chiropractic Research.org)

The Hidden Benefits of Exercise

2010-01-11T13:41:00.000-08:00

By LAURA LANDRO

As millions of Americans flock to the gym armed with New Year's resolutions to get in shape, medical experts are offering an additional reason to exercise: Regular workouts may help fight off colds and flu, reduce the risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases and slow the process of aging.

Physical activity has long been known to bestow such benefits as helping to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress, not to mention tightening those abs. Now, a growing body of research is showing that regular exercise—as simple as a brisk 30- to 45-minute walk five times a week—can boost the body's immune system, increasing the circulation of natural killer cells that fight off viruses and bacteria. And exercise has been shown to improve the body's response to the influenza vaccine, making it more effective at keeping the virus at bay.

"No pill or nutritional supplement has the power of near-daily moderate activity in lowering the number of sick days people take," says David Nieman, director of Appalachian State University's Human Performance Lab in Kannapolis, N.C. Dr. Nieman has conducted several randomized controlled studies showing that people who walked briskly for 45 minutes, five days a week over 12 to 15 weeks had fewer and less severe upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds and flu. These subjects reduced their number of sick days 25% to 50% compared with sedentary control subjects, he says.

Medical experts say inactivity poses as great a health risk as smoking, contributing to heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, depression, arthritis and osteoporosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 36% of U.S. adults didn't engage in any leisure-time physical activity in 2008.

Even lean men and women who are inactive are at higher risk of death and disease. So while reducing obesity is an important goal, "the better message would be to get everyone to walk 30 minutes a day" says Robert Sallis, co-director of sports medicine at Fontana Medical Center, a Southern California facility owned by managed-care giant Kaiser Permanente. "We need to refocus the national message on physical activity, which can have a bigger impact on health than losing weight."

Regular exercise has been shown to combat the ongoing damage done to cells, tissues and organs that underlies many chronic conditions. Indeed, studies have found exercise can lower blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol, and cut the incidence of Type 2 diabetes.

Building on that earlier research, scientific studies are now suggesting that exercise-induced changes in the body's immune system may protect against some forms of cancer. For example, Harvard Medical School's consumer Web site (hms.harvard.edu/public/consumer) notes that more than 60 studies in recent years taken together suggest that women who exercise regularly can expect a 20% to 30% reduction in the chance of getting breast cancer compared with women who didn't exercise. While researchers are still studying the molecular changes caused by exercise and how they affect cancer, the studies suggest the outcome could be due to exercise's ability to lower estrogen levels.

One study of 3,000 women being treated for breast cancer, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that for those patients with hormone-responsive tumors, walking the equivalent of three to five hours per week at an average pace reduced the risk of dying from the disease by 50% compared with more sedentary women.

Researchers are also investigating whether exercise can influence aging in the body. In particular, they are looking at whether exercise lengthens telomeres, the strands of DNA at the tips of chromosomes. When telomeres get too short, cells no longer can divide and they become inactive, a process associated with aging, cancer and a higher risk of death.

In a study published in November in Circulation, the medical journal of the American Heart Association, German researchers compared two groups of professional athletes (32 of whom were in their early 20s, and 25 who were middle-aged) with two groups (26 young and 21 middle-aged) who were healthy nonsmokers, but not regular exercisers. The athletes had significantly less erosion in telomeres than their more sedentary counterparts. The study concluded that physical activity has an anti-aging effect at the cellular level, suggesting exercise could prevent aging of the cardiovascular system.

Efforts are underway to get sedentary Americans moving. The federal government issued its first national exercise guidelines in 2008. Now it is working with a number of medical and fitness groups to develop a National Physical Activity plan, to be released early this year, to encourage Americans to adhere to the guidelines.

The guidelines, developed by the Department of Health and Human Services and available at health.gov/paguidelines, recommend that adults get at least two hours and 30 minutes weekly of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, or an equivalent combination of both. The guidelines also say that additional health benefits can be had from as much as doubling the minimum recommendation for aerobic exercise. Also recommended: muscle-strengthening activities two or more days a week, which protects against a decline in bone mass, especially that experienced by post-menopausal women.

Kaiser Permanente's Dr. Sallis also is chairman of Exercise is Medicine, a two-year-old program developed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association to encourage doctors to assess and review each patient's physical activity program at every visit. A survey by the ACSM, whose members include physicians and exercise-science professionals, found that only four out of 10 doctors talk to their patients about the importance of exercise, and they don't always offer suggestions on the best ways to be physically active.

Kaiser Permanente's California facilities last year began rolling out exercise counseling to eight million members as part of their regular doctor visits. The company also has set up a toll-free phone line to help members create a personal-fitness plan incorporating favorite activities like gardening. "Exercise can be used like a vaccine to prevent disease and a medication to treat disease," says Dr. Sallis. "If there were a drug with the same benefits as exercise, it would instantly be the standard of care."

While some patients may have risk factors such as heart conditions that could lead to heart attacks and sudden cardiac death with physical exertion, physicians can screen for such risks before prescribing an exercise program. Also, the exerciseismedicine.org Web site includes videos and self-assessment tools for consumers on how to start an exercise program, including how to exercise with diseases such as asthma and heart disease, and exercise following a stroke or heart attack.

Starting an exercise program can have benefits at any age, but is particularly important for those over 40, when physical strength, endurance, flexibility and balance begin to decline, says Pamela Peeke, a Bethesda, Md., physician and fitness expert who is the author of "Fit to Live," an advice book on how to create and stick to a fitness plan.

Naomi Henderson, 66, says Dr. Peeke gave her an exercise prescription several years ago, when she weighed 220 pounds. The plan called for Ms. Henderson, who owns her own market-research company, to start by walking on a treadmill five minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as her fitness level improved. Eventually she was able to walk in a marathon. Ms. Henderson says she has slimmed down to a size 12 from an 18 and says she is rarely ill. "I look at exercise as no different than a drug I have to take to stay healthy," she says.

Lisa Callahan, co-director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery, says her patients are often only partially aware of the benefits of exercise.

They may know that it is helpful in reducing their risk of osteoporosis, for example, but they usually don't know that a combination of strength training, aerobic exercise and balance training is most effective at staving off the disease, says Dr. Callahan, author of "The Fitness Factor," a guide for women.

Dr. Nieman, of Appalachian State University, says that during exercise, two types of immune cells circulate more freely in the blood, neutralizing pathogens. Although the immune system returns to normal within three hours, the effect of the exercise is cumulative, adding up over time to reduce illness rates, he says. He compares the process to "a cleaner who comes in for an hour a day, so by the end of a month, your house looks much better."

But, Dr. Nieman says, high-intensity exercise over long periods, like running a marathon, can "take a good thing too far." Such exertion can induce the release of stress hormones in the body that damp some functions of the immune system temporarily, increasing susceptibility to infection for short periods. He cites a five-year study he conducted on 350 athletes who completed an ultra-marathon 160-kilometer race in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Among the contestants, one out of four reported sickness in the two weeks following the races.

Still, says Robert Mazzeo, a professor in the department of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, although a single bout of intense exercise can suppress the immune system, long-term training in marathoners and other athletes can boost their baseline immunity and ability to respond to the stress of intense exercising. Rather than worrying about super athletes, however, "my concern is the sedentary people who start out pumping the Stairmaster too hard, then get sick and stop working out," says Dr. Mazzeo. "If you've made a New Year's resolution to get in shape, don't try to do it all at once," he says.

Tai Chi Benefits For Arthritis Shown

2010-01-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive analysis of Tai Chi suggest that it produces positive effects for improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers.

The researchers are now embarking on a new trial to establish if similar benefits can be seen among people with chronic low back pain.

"This is the first robust evidence to support the beneficial effects of Tai Chi. Our study proves that Tai Chi relieves pain and disability among people with arthritis and shows a positive trend towards effects for overall physical health. We now want to see if these benefits are the same for people suffering from low back pain", said author Dr Chris Maher at The George Institute.

Musculoskeletal pain, such as that experienced by people with arthritis, places a severe burden on the patient and community and is recognized as an international health priority. Arthritis is the major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, with 3.85million Australians affected. Low back pain is the most prevalent and costly musculoskeletal condition in Australia, estimated to cost up to $1billion per annum with indirect costs exceeding $8billion.

"This research should reassure people with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis to seek exercise to relieve the pain. The fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use this type of intervention for pain conditions", added Ms Amanda Hall, The George Institute.

Tai Chi is a form of exercise that is regularly practiced in China for general health purposes and has gained increasing popularity in North America and Australia and thus a growing body of research aimed at investigating its health benefits has emerged.

Tai Chi is a versatile activity that can be easily incorporated into people's daily activities. Usually preformed in a group, Tai Chi can also be practiced individually, which differs from traditional exercise therapy approaches in clinic.

source: ScienceDaily

New Study Links DHA Type of Omega-3 to Better Nervous-System Function

2010-01-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

The omega-3 essential fatty acids commonly found in fatty fish and algae help animals avoid sensory overload, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. The finding connects low omega-3s to the information-processing problems found in people with schizophrenia; bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders; Huntington's disease; and other afflictions of the nervous system.

The study, reported in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, provides more evidence that fish is brain food. The key finding was that two omega-3 fatty acids -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -- appear to be most useful in the nervous system, maybe by maintaining nerve-cell membranes.

"It is an uphill battle now to reverse the message that 'fats are bad,' and to increase omega-3 fats in our diet," said Norman Salem Jr., PhD, who led this study at the Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The body cannot make these essential nutrients from scratch. It gets them by metabolizing their precursor, α-linolenic acid (LNA), or from foods or dietary supplements with DHA and EPA in a readily usable form. "Humans can convert less than one percent of the precursor into DHA, making DHA an essential nutrient in the human diet," added Irina Fedorova, PhD, one of the paper's co-authors. EPA is already known for its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects, but DHA makes up more than 90 percent of the omega-3s in the brain (which has no EPA), retina and nervous system in general.

In the study, the researchers fed four different diets with no or varying types and amounts of omega-3s to four groups of pregnant mice and then their offspring. They measured how the offspring, once grown, responded to a classic test of nervous-system function in which healthy animals are exposed to a sudden loud noise. Normally, animals flinch. However, when they hear a softer tone in advance, they flinch much less. It appears that normal nervous systems use that gentle warning to prepare instinctively for future stimuli, an adaptive process called sensorimotor gating.

Only the mice raised on DHA and EPA, but not their precursor of LNA, showed normal, adaptive sensorimotor gating by responding in a significantly calmer way to the loud noises that followed soft tones. The mice in all other groups, when warned, were startled nearly as much by the loud sound. When DHA was deficient, the nervous system most obviously did not downshift. That resulted in an abnormal state that could leave animals perpetually startled and easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli.

The authors concluded that not enough DHA in the diet may reduce the ability to handle sensory input. "It only takes a small decrement in brain DHA to produce losses in brain function," said Salem.

In humans, weak sensorimotor gating is a hallmark of many nervous-system disorders such as schizophrenia or ADHD. Given mounting evidence of the role omega-3s play in the nervous system, there is intense interest in their therapeutic potential, perhaps as a supplement to medicines. For example, people with schizophrenia have lower levels of essential fatty acids, possibly from a genetic variation that results in poor metabolism of these nutrients.

More broadly, the typical American diet is much lower in all types of omega-3 than in omega-6 essential fatty acids, according to Salem. High intake of omega-6, or linoleic acid, reduces the body's ability to incorporate omega-3s. As a result, "we have the double whammy of low omega-3 intake and high omega-6 intake," he said.

source: ScienceDaily