Tuesday, August 24, 2010

To Adjust, or Not to Adjust

Chiropractic is a scientifically proven treatment used to decrease pain, increase function and improve healing for a number of illnesses and ailments. This is mainly due to the fact that the removal of spinal subluxations has a positive influence on the nervous system - this maximizes brain-body communication.

Even though the safety record of chiropractic is well-established, there are certain cases where the chiropractic adjustment is not recommended. Many conditions treatable with chiropractic care can mimic other conditions that don’t warrant a chiropractic adjustment.
How does a chiropractor know the difference? Through excellent training and education, your chiropractor will be able to tell in most cases, but at other times he or she will need your
help.

The main reason to avoid an adjustment to any area is joint instability. Many different conditions can create this problem. Below is a list of these conditions. If you think you might have any of the following, let your chiropractor know. In some cases, less treatment can be more beneficial for you long term.

1. Joint issues: where there is likely to be instability of the joint because of ligamentous laxity

Some chronic inflammatory conditions may create joint instability by creating ligamentous laxity (loose ligaments). The most common example
of this is rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
This is an arthritic condition that affects both sides of the body symmetrically, and when a person is having an acute attack, the joints become red, swollen and warm.
Although RA usually affects the smaller joints of the hands and feet, it can also affect one of the ligaments of the neck, making upper cervical adjustments unsuitable. In the early stages, this condition mimics a number of joint problems. But in later stages,
RA symptoms are quite easy to diagnose.

Another more obvious joint condition that should preclude a chiropractic adjustment is acute trauma where a suspected bone fracture or joint sprain
is likely. Tell your chiropractor about any acute sprains or strains you have suffered.

2. Bone issues: conditions where there is weakening of the bone,making an adjustment more likely to create additional damage, or possibly causing the spread of infection or malignancy


Any condition that causes a decreased bone density may pose an
increased risk for fracture when your chiropractor attempts to move the joint associated with that bone. Some conditions that cause decreased bone density include osteoporosis, bone cancer or infection.
Another condition that often affects the bone, causing instability of a spinal segment, is spondylolisthesis. This can be caused by a fracture of a vertebra or degeneration of the vertebra caused by mechanical stress. When either of these things occurs, one vertebra will slip forward relative to the one below,
causing the joints at this level to be prone to instability.

If your chiropractor feels you are at risk for any of these conditions, you may be referred for special imaging studies before receiving your first adjustment.

3. Neurological symptoms – most often a chiropractic adjustment is exactly what you need to decrease your pain and nerve irritation.

However, there are certain neurological conditions where an adjustment could aggravate or exacerbate a pre-existing condition.


One of the most serious of these conditions is called cauda equina
syndrome. This problem is often caused by a large herniated disc in your lower lumbar spine – one which can impinge on the nerves connected to the bladder and bowel. If you experience this condition, you may not be able to sense the need to urinate or defecate. This could lead to a life-threatening rupture of the bladder or bowel. Always mention to your doctor when a
case of low back pain or sciatica includes these symptoms, or if you have general numbness in the gluteal region.

4. Circulatory issues: where adjusting the neck could precipitate a cerebrovascular event, or adjustments to thoracic or lumbar areas may potentially affect an existing abdominal aneurysm


Although the risk of stroke with a chiropractic adjustment is rare, there are pre-existing conditions that make it prudent for your chiropractor to avoid adjusting your neck. The most obvious of these factors is when a person has already experienced a stroke. Other factors, when combined, increase the risk of stroke significantly. These include: family history of stroke, obesity, cigarette smoking, or taking oral birth control.

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As mentioned previously, the benefits of chiropractic far outweigh the risks. However, you must tell your chiropractor everything you know about your health so you can work together to maximize the benefits of chiropractic.

Disclaimer: Information contained in this Wellness Express newsletter is for educational and general purposes only and is designed to assist you in making informed decisions about your health. Any information contained herein is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or other healthcare professional.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Exercise of the week.


Hamstring Stretch


Difficulty: Easy
(Consult your chiropractor before starting this or any other exercise.)

 
Start: Standing in front of a chair.

image
Exercise: Place one foot up on chair, with leg straight. imageSlowly bend forward, reaching toward foot. Stop and hold when you feel a light pull behind leg. image

Hold for 30-60 seconds, relaxing muscles of upper leg. Switch sides, and repeat 2X per side.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Who wants a massage for $50?

We know you’re busy.  That’s why we’re offering $50 massages if you book them at 7pm or 8pm. 

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Call us for availability. 360-882-7733

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Hazards of Weekend Warrior Syndrome

Are you planning to shoot hoops this weekend? clip_image002Spike a volleyball down at the beach? Or wack a tennis ball across the court? clip_image002[4]

If so, is your body prepared for intense physical activity like this?
With time a precious commodity in our busy lives, millions of us cram all exercise and sport activities into the weekend. Referred to as weekend warriors, our philosophy could be “some exercise is better than no exercise.” Sadly, this is the wrong attitude to take.
Your chiropractor wants you to know that saving all your physical activities for the weekend boosts your risk of injury and does little to improve your fitness.

The Damage of Weekend Only Workouts


We often hate to admit that our bodies aren’t as resilient as they were in our teenage years. But as you age your ligaments and tendons get stiffer.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, your cartilage may be worn and weak - exposing you to an even higher chance of damage.
Without preparing your body for exercising, you suffer delayed onset muscle soreness, usually appearing within 36 hours of intense exercise.
You feel pain and stiffness in many parts of your body.
Frequent injuries from weekend warrior syndrome include knee, back and neck pain; ankle sprains; tennis elbow; golfer’s elbow; and rotator cuff problems. While some soreness is normal in frequent exercise (due to lactic acid buildup), there should be minimal effect on joint motion

Better Strategies for Weekend Warriors


Ideal physical conditioning includes flexibility, cardiovascular exercise, and strength training. By including all three
each week, not all do you get the overall benefits associated with physical fitness, but you also reduce the risk
of injury when you participate in weekend sports.
So now that you know the hazards of living the weekend warrior approach to fitness, what should you do to change
things for the better? Examine your weekly routine. Where can you include small amounts of exercise in your weekly activities? Take a brisk fifteen minute walk during your lunch breaks so your muscles, joints and heart get more accustomed to movement and
exercise.

After warming up your muscles with some walking, take five minutes to stretch. While there are many types of stretching styles, the most widely known are static stretching and
dynamic stretching.
Dynamic stretching involves moving your body while doing the techniques, and it’s generally recommended for warming-up before extended physical activity. Try this: As you walk swing
your leg up to your mid section, hold for a second, and then release. Repeat with your other leg.
Static stretches are particularly good for cooling down after exercise.

clip_image002[6]With these stretches, your aim is to stretch the muscle (or group of muscles) to its farthest point without causing pain.
Aim to hold a static stretch for about 30 seconds. If the muscle is particularly stiff, work your way up to 60 seconds.


Strength training not only builds muscle mass but also speeds up your metabolism. This can help drop any extra weight that’s putting stress on your body. Remember, strength training is not just lifting weights. clip_image002[8]If you can’t get to a gym, you can try other techniques that build muscle through tension, such as push ups and pull ups. Ask your chiropractor for advice on strength training exercises to make sure they’re appropriate for your
current state of health.
Another way to increase your conditioning and save time is to
incorporate interval training. This type of a workout involves stepping up your exercise intensity for short bursts, then returning to a more reasonable pace.
You implement these short sprints several times during your exercise routine. It works for almost all types of cardiovascular exercise, including walking. Try a few minutes of strolling,
and then increase your walking speed for 15 to 30 seconds before returning to a regular pace. Alternate between sprint speed and moderate speed throughout your walk. Another advantage of
interval training is it lessens the effects of muscle soreness.
Always use proper equipment for your physical activities. This is especially true of the right footwear – don’t use tennis shoes for your Saturday hike into the mountains! You also want to
vary your exercises so you’re not limiting muscle and joint health in other areas of your body. Try alternating the types of sports in which you engage.
Keep your chiropractor informed on your exercise activities, so he or she can help assess and monitor their effects on your musculoskeletal structure and overall health.