Exercise of the Week

Glute Stretch

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
(Consult your chiropractor before doing this or any other exercise.)

Start: Seated on a chair.

Exercise: Place one ankle on opposite knee. Then, bend forward until you feel a good stretch in hip. Also relax lower back in this position. Hold for 30-60 seconds, and then return to starting position. Switch sides, and repeat 2X per side.

Joint Supplements: The Healthy Alternative to Drugs

In our past posts, we looked at arthritis and how
chiropractic may help some sufferers of this debilitating condition. In this issue we focus on natural substances that
help reduce joint pain, especially discomfort caused by arthritis.

We also introduced you to one of the supplements we recommend for healthy joints.  Univera.  Ask us about it the next time you visit.

Natural Eggshell Membrane

There’s promising joint health research on natural eggshell membrane (NEM), which consists of proteins and
glycosaminoglycans – a family of carbohydrates that also includes joint supporting chondroitin sulfate.

In a 2009 study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, patients suffering from joint and connective tissues
(JCT) disorders received 500 milligrams daily of NEM for four weeks. The results were very encouraging.

In the study conclusion, the research authors noted “Natural eggshell membrane is a possible new effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of pain and inflexibility associated with joint and connective tissue (JCT) disorders. Supplementation  with NEM, 500 mg taken once daily, significantly reduced pain, both rapidly (seven days) and continuously (30 days).

It also showed clinically meaningful results from a brief responder analysis, demonstrating that significant proportions of treated patients may be helped considerably from NEM supplementation.”

While this is only one study, the effectiveness of NEM in quickly
alleviating joint pain and stiffness shows a potentially powerful natural alternative to joint medications.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is the most widely used supplement for relieving joint pain. It also serves as a building block or the development of cartilage molecules. Glucosamine comes in several different forms, but the most commercially available type is glucosamine sulfate. It is often combined with chondroitin (see below).

Glucosamine is well tolerated by most people. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, talk to your chiropractor before using glucosamine - it can sometime have a negative impact on these health conditions. Some forms of glucosamine are
derived from shellfish. If you have an allergy to shellfish, avoid using glucosamine derived from this
source.

While it does not provide pain relief for everyone with joint problems, glucosamine has research supporting its therapeutic effects. In an article published in Arthritis Research and Therapy, researchers at the University of Queensland (Australia) found that
a combination of glucosamine supplementation and walking three to five times a week improved symptoms in osteoarthritis patients.

Chondroitin

Like glucosamine, chondroitin is an important substance for healthy joint function. As well as providing pain relief, it helps develop cartilage, assists in retaining water, and distributes cartilage nutrients. There’s also evidence chondroitin may lower
cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries. Although it’s available as a single supplement, chondroitin is often combined with glucosamine to provide a more robust effect on joint
pain. In a study of patients with osteoarthritis in the knee, researchers evaluated the potency of glucosamine, chondroitin and a popular prescription pain drug. The results revealed those
who had severe osteoarthritis had a significant improvement in pain symptoms when they took a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. In fact, the combination was more effective than the prescription pain medication or taking glucosamine or
chondroitin separately.

MSM

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural substance that also plays an important role in maintaining joint health.

Hyaluronic Acid

This natural occurring substance is found in many tissues of your body. When it comes to joints, hyaluronic acid (HA) is located in the synovial fluid, a natural lubricant that helps prevent cartilage friction when your body moves. Because blood is not found in cartilage, hyaluronic acid serves the role of transporting nutrients into the joints and taking waste out. As you age, your levels of HA decrease. This can cause problems, especially in
the knee.
If you suffer from severe knee-based osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid injections may help slash pain and inflammation. Although effective, this type of therapy is expensive and needs to be
repeated every few months.
Scientists investigated whether less expensive oral supplementation of hyaluronic acid was possible. The biggest obstacle to an oral version is that HA has a large molecular size. But several years ago, Japanese scientists developed a way to lower HA’s molecular weight without reducing effectiveness. This opened the door to production of hyaluronic acid in supplement form.

Again, it’s important to talk to us before using supplements, as they may affect other health conditions.

Join our Facebook!

Have you joined our FaceBook “LIKE” page?

Mention being a member of our Facebook “like” page and receive $10 off your next massage.

Just click on the image to join.

Ear Infections

 

Ear Infections or Otitis media is an inner ear infection generally caused from a blockage of the Eustachian tubes.  The Eustachian Tube allows equalized pressure on the eardrum and allows fluid to drain away from the inner ear.  When the Eustachian tube is blocked, fluid builds up and causes an infection.  The transverse process, bones sticking out from the sides of a vertebrae, run next to the Eustachian tubes at C1, the first Cervical vertebrae.  When a vertebra is misaligned or subluxated, swollen tissue will result causing the Eustachian tubes to block.  By removing the subluxations at C1 and C2 you can reduce the tissue swelling around the Eustachian Tubes and allow the inner ear to drain, clearing the infection within a couple days in many cases.

SYMPTOMS

• EAR ACHES OR TUGGING AT THE EAR
• EAR AND NASAL DRAINAGE
• FEVER
• POOR SLEEP
• IRRITABILITY AND CRYING
• DECREASED APPETITE

Come see us today if you or your child is experiencing ear pain or reoccurring infection.

Low Back Pain

 

The majority of back pain patients have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cause of most back pain is the cumulative affect of improper sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of proper exercise and other lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors cause stress and imbalances on the spine and eventually pain. This is why people often injure their back by just bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already compromised and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the problem. When this occurs, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back.
In the US, low back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives.Thirty-one million Americans have low back pain at any given time. One half of all working Americans admit to having back symptoms each year. One third of all Americans over age 18 had a back problem in the past five years severe enough for them to seekprofessional help. And the cost of this care is estimated to be a staggering $50 Billion yearly--and that's just for the more easily identified costs!
SYMPTOMS

1. TENDERNESS, PAIN, AND STIFFNESS IN THE LOWER BACK
2. PAIN THAT RADIATES INTO THE BUTTOCKS OR LEGS
3. DIFFICULTY STANDING ERECT OR STANDING IN ONE POSITION FOR A LONG TIME
4. WEAKNESS AND LEG FATIGUE WHILE WALKING
5. DISCOMFORT WHILE SITTING

Come see us for exercises and stretches you can do at home. 

Sciatica

 

Sciatica is defined as pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks and down the back of one or both legs, caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerves, the largest nerves of the body.  It usually begins as an acute pain in the lower back and then radiates down the back of either or both legs.
There are 5 pairs of nerves that exit the spine in the lower back.  These nerves make up what we know as the sciatic nerves.  If the vertebrae or bones in the lower back are misaligned or out of place; or the disc between the vertebrae are swollen, bulged or herniated, the result is pressure on those nearby nerves.  This can cause tremendous pain and normal daily activities becomealmost impossible.  
Chiropractic care works on correcting misaligned or out of place vertebrae and can remove the pressure placed on the sciatic nerve, reducing pain and improving flexibility and function. Let us know if we can help you. 
SYMPTOMS

• SENSATION CHANGES ON THE BACK OF THE CALF OR THE SOLE OF THE FOOT
• NUMBNESS, TINGLING, BURNING, PAIN IN BACK OF CALF OR THE SOLE OF THE FOOT
• WEAKNESS OF THE KNEE OR FOOT
• DIFFICULTY WALKING
• INABILITY TO MOVE THE FOOT (in severe cases)
• INABILITY TO BEND THE KNEE (in severe cases)

Come in a see us. We have a few exercises that can help.