Archive for April 2014

The American Psychology Association observed in a recent study that 54% of Americans are concerned about stress in their everyday lives. With all the pressures of modern life, stress and frustration have been a large commonality among American people. Whether you experience physical or mental stress, chiropractic can help you relax your body and mind.

Stress releases a hormone called the adrenocorticotropic hormone. These stress hormones can cause a series of physiological changes in the body that can increase your blood pressure, increase your blood pressure, or even shut down your digestive system, resulting in an alteration of your immune system. The body does not return to normal until the perceived threat is gone. When stressful moments pile up and become chronic, the functionality of the immune system can be greatly dampened, making he body more susceptible to infections or other sickness.

Stress also commonly causes:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Back pain
• Constipation
• Stiff neck
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Depression
• Weight gain or loss

Many people manage their stress through various activities, such as:

• Relaxed breathing
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Listening to soothing sounds
• Exercise

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person’s spine is curved from side to side. It can be caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth, caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth, various other syndromes, or the cause can sometimes simply be unknown. According to recent studies, the most common form of scolioses, late-onset idiopathic scoliosis, is physiologically harmless even without treatment, though rare forms pose risks and complications.

Scoliosis is defined as a spinal curvature of more than 10 degrees to the right or left as the examiner faces the patient. Patients who initially present with scoliosis are examined to determine whether the deformity has an underlying cause. During a physical examination, the following are assessed to exclude the possibility of underlying condition more serious than simple scoliosis.

An orthopedic brace can be used to prevent the spine from curving into a rose position. Pain can also be alleviated with moist heat. Surgery may be required in severe cases.

Regular visits to a chiropractor and observation of the progression of scolioses are important to be sure proper treatment is being given and to insure a long and happy life.

A woman’s center of gravity is shifted to the front of her pelvis during pregnancy. This causes stress on pelvic joints and the lower back. As the baby grows inside, this added weight causes curvature to the lower back and places stress on fragile facet joints. This also brings out or worsens any pain that could attributed to any preexisting problems in the woman’s spine. All of this lead to pain and difficulty in the performance of everyday activities.

According to studies, around half of all expectant mothers experience low back pain during their pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Receiving chiropractic care throughout pregnancy prevents much pain and discomfort as well as allows for a much safer delivery. many women have been able avoid the use of any pain medications during their pregnancy when receiving regular chiropractic care.

Sleeping in the side with a pillow between the legs is a good way for pregnant women to take pressure off their lower back. It is also recommended to eat many small meals throughout the day as opposed to normal three large meals. Taking prenatal vitamins with anywhere from 400-800 micrograms of folic acid a day has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of the development of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Be sure to check with your doctor to make sure any vitamin or supplement you take with be safe for your baby and yourself.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs in women during the days before their monthly period. it is characterized by mood swings, food cravings, irritability, headaches, swollen abdomen, and/or depression. The severity of the symptoms can range greatly and last anywhere from a couple days to a few weeks.

An estimated three out of every four menstruating women experience some form of PMS. it is most likely to trouble women in their late 20s through early 40s. Between 10-20% of women suffering these symptoms have a sever or disabling experience from the PMS.

The menstrual cycle causes hormonal cycles which many believe to be the cause of PMS, which is worsened with stress.

Chiropractic cannot fix PMS, but it can decrease many of the symptoms and help regulate nerve tissues in the lower abdomen, alleviating pressure or irritation.

Ear infections can become a chronic problem for many children. They are commonly caused by bacterial or viral infections after an illness such as a cold. Repeated chronic ear infections can lead to hearing damage and well as problems with speech and development.

Ear infections commonly occur when the lymph system in the neck experiences improper drainage or when the muscles that keep bacteria and viruses from entering the tubes in the back of the throat that lead to the inner ear aren’t functioning correctly.

These problems are more likely to occur in children than adults. Adults have larger tubes that allow for better drainage as well spend more of their time upright, encouraging better drainage.

Most doctors prescribe antibiotics to help kill the infection. Many of these antibiotics are proven to be no more effective than the body’s own nervous system. On top f this, use of these antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria. Another common practice to treat ear infections is the use of tubes in the ears to increase drainage. Neither of these treatments treat the underlying causes of the infection.

It is important that a parent talk to a chiropractor if their child suffers from recurrent ear infections. Doctors of chiropractic can diagnose the problem and provide treatment that restores function to tissues in the neck which significantly reduces , of not completely eliminates, ear infections without medicinal or surgical help.

Not all of the causes of bedwetting are fully understood. It is most common in children under four years old.

Some children have underdeveloped bladders for their age and have trouble recognizing that tier bladder is full. If a child hasn’t wet the bed for a long period of time then suddenly starts wetting again, this could be a sign of stress in the child’s life. Often this occurs in baby’s in a new home, moving to a new neighborhood, or divorce. Other causes include sexual abuse or could be caused by some sort of disease process. It mat be important for the child to see a doctor is they resume wetting the bed after having not in the past.

Irritated nerves that control bladder function could be a source of the problem. These nerves exit an area of the spine called the Sacrum. In adults, this is one large fused bone, but in children is consists of five individual segments. If these segments become misaligned, that can compromise the nerves responsible for normal bladder function. While chiropractic is not normally an avenue for bedwetting prevention, it has helped many children with the problem.

Asthma is often caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system and/or respiratory system. which both depend on normal communication between the brain and spinal chord.

With this information, it becomes apparent that if thence is misaligned it could be causing an imbalance in the function of the nervous system. Misalignment could occur through various traumas such as falls, head injuries, or auto accidents. This misalignment can exaggerate the symptoms of asthma. Chiropractors can perform an upper cervical examination on asthma patients to determine whether or not they can help reduce asthmatic symptoms and reactions.