Back Pain Injury – Myths about Chiropractic Care

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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?

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.