Research Reveals the Key for Relieving Neck Pain
posted at 01/23/2012 at 02:38PM
Your neck is stiff, sore and locked up. Sleeping comfortably is a major feat and it takes an hour just to get moving in the morning. Should you call your doctor for a prescription, or maybe try a new pillow? In your case, a Chiropractor may hold the right key.
In addition to supporting the body's innate healing processes, a bonus effect of Chiropractic adjustments is the alleviation of neck pain. A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine verified that after 12 weeks patients who used a Chiropractor and exercise were more than twice as likely to be pain free compared to those who relied on medicine… and no side effects!
You wouldn't use chemicals to burn down your front door if you had the right key to open it in the first place, so why do that to your body? When it comes to unlocking a stubborn, painful neck it's best to seek the care of a master locksmith (a Chiropractor) whose care is precise and backed by research. In the long run you'll save time, money and frustration using the right key for the job.
Your Last Diet
posted at 09/06/2011 at 06:10PM
THE KNOWLEDGE TO KEEP THOSE POUNDS OFF FOREVER!
Ever heard of a diet that not only promotes fat loss but at the same time enhances muscle tone? While some high protein diets, often high in saturated fats, can tax the liver and the kidneys, the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method provides just the right amount of the highest quality protein needed to protect and improve muscle mass and vital organs.
The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is a medically designed protocol that results in fat loss while sparing muscle mass. The protocol was developed in France over 20 years ago by Dr. Tran Tien Chanh, MD PhD, who focused his career and research on nutrition with a particular emphasis on the treatment of obesity and obesity related issues.
The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is a 4-phase protocol which helps stabilize the pancreas and blood sugar levels while burning fat and maintaining muscle and other lean tissue. This protocol is also an excellent support for cellulite reduction and has been used in well over one thousand Medi-spas and aesthetical clinics in North America over the last eight years with great success.
Obesity in Today’s Society
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention labels obesity as public enemy number one. Obesity is a serious health issue that affects nearly 30% of the population in North America. Obese individuals have a higher-than-normal rate of hypertension, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, gallbladder diseases, osteoarthritis, strokes, respiratory diseases and even some types of cancers. Government studies predict that one in three people born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime. According to the US Surgeon General, the number of overweight children has doubled and the number of overweight adolescents has tripled since 1980 in the USA.
We are one of the richest countries in the world with the largest obesity rate per capita and some of the largest healthcare costs per person. How did we get here? Increased consumption of more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods with high levels of sugar and saturated fats, combined with reduced physical activity and stress, all have contributed to where we are today, a state that the World Health Organization has no qualms labeling as an “obesity epidemic.”
Syndrome X
The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method targets the issues surrounding Syndrome X, also called the “metabolic syndrome.” To qualify as part of this epidemic that is steamrolling North America, adults or children need only suffer from 2 of the 4 components of the metabolic syndrome:
1) Obesity
2) Blood sugar issues (Diabetes)
3) Cholesterol problems
4) High blood pressure
What is the Source of Most Weight Issues?
According to Dr. Tran, “The cause of most weight issues in a modern society is insulin dysfunction. A diet grossly disproportionate in its share of saturated fats and sugars, such as in breads, cereals, muffins, cakes, pastries, pasta, pizza, rice, corn – very much like the North American diet – causes the pancreas to produce an overabundance of insulin, which stays in the system and puts the blood sugar level in a negative balance.”
An overproduction of insulin also leads to hypoglycemia or low glycemia, which in turn induces constant sugar cravings and weight gain. Insulin’s primary function is to regulate blood sugar levels however it is also the hormone that facilitates the transport of fat (triglycerides) into the fat cells. Even worse, it “locks” the fat in the fat cell, preventing it to be used as a source of energy. Now, because the blood sugar has dropped (and we can’t access the fat as a fuel source) it creates “sugar cravings’ and the vicious cycle begins again. In other words, an over abundance of insulin causes weight gain.
The Ideal Protein protocol will transform the body’s ability to digest sugars properly by regulating insulin levels. How? By giving the pancreas a well-deserved break and by cutting out simple and complex carbs until the weight loss goal is achieved.
Want to learn more? SouthCoast Chiropractic is now an authorized Ideal Protein office. Call SouthCoast Chiropractic @ 508-991-8400 to schedule your consultation.
How Does Kinesiotape Work?
posted at 09/06/2011 at 06:07PM
The tape, made with hypoallergenic acrylic glue, is manufactured to be the same weight, thickness and elasticity as the skin and is therefore able to integrate with the body’s sensory system naturally. There are 3 possible categories of effect which have been identified depending on the method of application and the therapeutic outcome desired.
Structurally:
- Dynamically supports better postural positions.
- Prevent harmful ranges of motion without a hard end feel.
- Reduce strain on affected muscle.
Neurologically
- Enhanced sensory stimulation leading to decreased perception of pain.
- Restoration of normal muscle activation and function.
- Reinforces the restoration of functional stability.
- Promotes peripheral neuroplasticity.
- Stimulation of the skin’s endogenous analgesic system.
Microcirculatory
- Improved lymphatic flow.
- Improved superficial microcirculatory flow.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
posted at 09/06/2011 at 06:03PM
The iliotibial band or “IT band” is a long, flat band that runs down the outside of the thigh. It connects the tensor faciae latae muscle or “TFL”, located in the pelvis, to the front of the lower leg just below the knee. This muscle is unusual in that most muscles are made up primarily of muscle fiber with a smaller portion of tendon attachments. The TFL/IT band is a very small muscle and a much longer fibrous tendon.
It is this specific anomaly that creates the friction problem in the knee area that can contribute to a painful knee problem. When the IT band becomes tight it can rub and snap across the outer portion of the knee as the joint is flexed and extended. This becomes worse in activities that are weightbearing such as running, cycling and jumping.
There are a number of factors that can predispose athletes to iliotibial band syndrome including the following:
Excessive pronation of the feet – this means that the athlete’s foot or feet roll inwards toward each other when he/she walks or runs. This abnormal foot position will translate upwards into the knee and places an additional strain on the IT band. This problem can be easily corrected. Proper running shoes with built in support to alter the foot position is a great first step. If the pronation is more severe, a good pair of orthotics placed in the shoes will help correct the foot position.
Training errors including excessive distance in a single run, increasing mileage too quickly, inadequate warm-up, and running on unlevel surfaces – these factors are easy to correct. Including a sufficient and gradual warm-up prior to intense activity, paying attention to the running surfaces, and following a proper training schedule will help keep training errors from exposing athletes to this condition.
Improper Stretching – one of the most effective ways to prevent iliotibial band syndrome is to keep the IT band stretched and loose. This can be done using a foam roller.
The foam roll should be placed on a carpeted surface perpendicular to the athlete. The body weight of the athlete provides the force to stretch the IT band. The athlete lies down on the side of the injured leg placing the foam roll at the level of the knee. The athlete then slowly pushes his/her body weight across the foam roll until the roll is at the level of his/her hip. Then the athlete reverses directions and slowly rolls back across the foam roll until the foam roll is back at the knee.
The athlete should know that this can be an uncomfortable exercise because of the pain experienced when the tight IT band rolls on the foam roll. If it is too uncomfortable, then the athlete can take off some of his/her body weight off of the roll by moving the top leg back or by lifting the upper body up a bit with the arms thereby reducing the amount of weight on the foam roll.
Impingement Syndrome of the Rotator Cuff
posted at 09/06/2011 at 06:00PM
Impingement syndrome of the rotator cuff is a common overuse injury seen in athletes who participate in sports that require repetitive overhead activities. However, if not carefully diagnosed, this injury can be misdiagnosed as a torn rotator cuff. The problem of misdiagnosis is that the treatment and rehabilitation for each follows a very different protocol.
A basic understanding of shoulder anatomy is necessary to understand what impingement syndrome is. Four muscles make up the rotator cuff muscle group including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. Each muscle has a specific function because of its location.
Impingement syndrome is inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon as it runs underneath the acromion process and through the subacromial space. When the athlete lifts his/her arm, the inflamed tendon becomes impinged between the acromion process and the head of the humerus causing pain with any movements in which the arm is raised.
Impingement syndrome is classified into three stages depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Stage one is usually seen in athletes age 25 and younger and is characterized by a dull ache at the top of the shoulder initially just after activities but then progressing to pain during activities. Tenderness may be felt at the top of the shoulder at the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon.
Stage two is typically seen in athletes between the ages of 25 and 40. Because the condition has deteriorated over time, the structures involved may experience permanent physiological changes including:
• Thickening of the subacromial bursa
• Fibrotic changes to supraspinatus tendon
• Fibrotic changes to biceps tendon
The athlete may experience limited range of motion in abduction and external rotation with significant pain through the painful arc. Because of the amount of pain, the athlete may begin to alter his/her mechanics during sport and during functional activities (reaching overhead into a cabinet, washing hair).
Stage three is the most severe stage characterized by pathological changes of involved tissues. This individual may complain of a long history of chronic shoulder pain with a gradual deterioration and decline in functional abilities.
Impingement syndrome is seen in older athletes (40 years or older) who compete in repetitive overhead activities such as swimming, baseball, softball, and tennis. If the athlete is young, the athlete might actually have multidirectional shoulder instability (looseness within the joint in all directions) with impingement syndrome of the rotator cuff as a secondary diagnosis.
Because the risk factors of impingement syndrome focus on tightness and weakness of the rotator cuff muscles combined with overusing the shoulder, preventing impingement of the supraspinatus muscle should focus on stretching and strengthening all of the muscles of the rotator cuff.
A shoulder stability and stretching program for the rotator cuff muscles should include stretches for the back of the shoulder along with exercises that stretch both the internal and external rotation muscles as well as exercises that will stabilize the shoulder joint.
Because this injury can deteriorate over time to the point of irreversible structural damage, it is important that the athlete not try to play through shoulder pain. The athlete should only attempt to return to sports when he/she has been released to participate by a qualified sports medicine professional and is pain-free in all motions of the shoulder.
Stretching and strengthening the rotator cuff can help protect the rotator cuff from injury. However, care must also be taken to not overuse the shoulder during sport or exercise. If pain is felt during or after activity, the amount of activity should be modified. An ice pack can also be applied daily to the shoulder for twenty minutes after in athletes who participate in overhead activities to reduce inflammation.
The Full Impact of Concussions
posted at 09/06/2011 at 05:56PM
If you have been watching football lately, you probably saw or heard about either devastating head injuries, or dangerous hits. Among them were the penalized shot at the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson, and Rutgers’ Eric LeGrand sustaining an injury that left him with no movement below his neck.
In general, sports have seen an alarming rise in concussions in recent weeks. For example, already 35 football players have been on the NFL Injury Report with a head or concussion injury, an increase of 14 from last year.
This dangerous injury is raising concern and initiatives for increased awareness and proper management are needed in today’s sports.
One of the risks following a concussion is that of a condition called “Second Impact Syndrome”. Second impact syndrome occurs when an athlete returns to sport too early after suffering from an initial concussion. If the athlete suffers a second impact, something as seemingly benign as a minor hit to the head or chest can cause the brain to ricochet inside the skull a serious set of events is put into motion. The brain’s ability to self-regulate the amount of blood volume to the brain is damaged resulting in increased cerebral blood volume which can result in brainstem herniation and death.
The pressure to the brain increases rapidly causing brain death in as little as three to five minutes. Because brain death is so rapid, second impact syndrome has a high fatality rate in young athletes.
The key to preventing SIS is to ensure that athletes do not return to sport with any post-concussion symptoms. Symptoms can include the following:
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Visual disturbances
• Memory loss
• Poor attention/concentration
• Sleep disturbances
• Dizziness/loss of balance
• Irritability/moodiness
• Feelings of depression
• Seizures
If a brain injury is suspected, an immediate computed tomography (CT) of the head should be ordered. A CT scan is more sensitive than an MRI to detect acute intracranial bleeding. A thorough medical history specifically regarding mechanism of injury and history of head injury should be obtained from the patient if the patient is conscious or from an eyewitness if the athlete is rendered unconscious.
For more information about Second Impact Syndrome …
http://www.sportsmd.com/Articles/id/38/n/second_impact_syndrome.aspx?utm_campaign=NL10_20_2010&utm_source=NL10_20_2010&utm_medium=NL10_20_2010
Treating injuries using the P.R.I.C.E principle
posted at 09/06/2011 at 05:53PM
Most athletes, at some point, will deal with the inevitable injury. Whether it’s a sprain/strain injury, a torn ligament, or a fracture… dealing with injury is part of being an athlete.
So, what is the best approach to treating an acute injury? Most can be treated safely at home using the P.R.I.C.E principle. This stands for PROTECTION, REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION.
If there are signs or symptoms of serious injury the athlete should be fully evaluated by a medical professional to rule out any conditions that need immediate care. If no serious injuries are found and it is determined that the injury can be treated safely and effectively at home, the athlete should be instructed on using the P.R.I.C.E. principle. This should be used for the first 2-3 days to control pain and swelling. Following that time a proper rehabilitation program should be followed to insure that the injured area is fully healed.
For more information on the P.R.I.C.E. principle, CLICK HERE
