Pain Relief Chiropractic

There is NOTHING quite so troubling to a young couple as a crying baby who can’t be settled down, especially if the infant is their first child! One of the leading causes of a distressed baby is colic—at least, this is probably the condition blamed the most for cranky baby behavior!

WHAT IS COLIC? By definition, the term “colic” applies to any healthy, well-nourished baby who cries more than three hours a day, three days a week, for more than three weeks. Colic remains a bit of a mystery. (Perhaps if a baby could speak, he or she might tell us their stomach hurts, they’re constipated, or something else.)

Colic usually starts when an infant is about two weeks old if the child was carried to full-term; however, for a premature baby, colic may manifest later on. Colic often self-limits or resolves on its own by month three or four. Whether or not a child is breast fed doesn’t appear to have any effect on colic, and there are no identifiable difference in older kids who had vs. didn’t have colic when they were babies.

WHAT CAUSES COLIC? As stated above, the exact cause is not well understood, which according to WEB-MD is why there is “no clear way to help it”. Here are some “theories” on causation: a growing digestive system, gas, hormone changes, noise or other sensory oversensitivity or overstimulation, a “moody” baby, and/or an immature or still developing nervous system.

RULE OUT OTHER ISSUES: Make sure there is no infection (check the baby’s temperature), acid reflux or stomach conditions, brain or nervous system pressure, eye problems, irregular heartbeat, or injury to muscles, bones, or to the extremities. Observe your baby for irritability, rubbing eyes, pulling on ears, and look for redness, rash, or other skin changes.

IS THERE A TREATMENT? Common attempts or methods a parent can try at home include using a pacifier, changing the baby’s formula, alternate between breast feeding and formula, minimize air swallowing when feeding (try a bottle nipple with a smaller hole), soothing background music, singing to the baby,  white noise or another type of sound machine, the sound and perhaps vibration of a clothes dryer or washer (but DON’T put the baby directly on the machine!), a vacuum cleaner sound, rocking the baby, a baby carrier that holds the baby over your chest, a baby swing, a musical mobile over the crib, switch off holding the baby when you feel stressed out, and when all else fails, place the baby in your car and drive around – as long as you’re not so tired that you risk falling asleep at the wheel!

Had enough? Bring the baby to a chiropractor! Gentle techniques work great for most babies with colic! One technique described in research studies has to do with gentle manipulation of the mid-thoracic region, as that region of the spine includes the nerves that innervate the stomach area. In MOST cases, only a few treatments are needed before parents observe improvement in their child’s symptoms. If possible, both parents should observe the procedure as it frequently “gets lost in translation” when trying to explain to the other spouse what took place. Infrequently, if results fall short of satisfying, the TEAM approach between your MD and DC may be best for everyone involved!

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend, or family member requires care, we would be honored to render our services.

In general, exercise is good for everyone. In fact, exercise seems to benefit EVERY system of the body, AND it’s one of the BEST ways to relieve stress. So back to the question, should you include pushups in your exercise program?

The short answer is yes…and no! To best answer this question, we must FIRST assess what shape you’re in BEFORE jumping into any exercise, and pushups are no exception.

Pushups are likely one of the oldest forms of a strengthening exercise on record. The beauty of pushups is that they can be done anywhere and don’t require any special equipment. However, if an individual is not strong enough to perform a pushup, then injury to the shoulders, elbow, wrist, neck, and low back can occur. So, how does one determine where and how to start?

One typically does NOT enter a gym and throw as many plates on a barbell as they can find and start doing bench presses! Nor should one assume he or she can get on the floor and start doing traditional pushups. You must “wean” into the exercise in order to determine your ability.

FIRST, start in a standing position and lean against a wall with your feet one to two feet (.3 – .6 meters) away from the wall. Pretty easy, isn’t it? In fact, it’s probably too easy, so move your feet further away from the wall and try different distances until you feel a good resistance in your chest, arm, and back muscles.

Gradually increase the load by leaning against a counter top, chair seat, and eventually, the floor. Start with the knees bent and resting on the ground—the socalled “girl pushup” (no offense ladies)! Notice the increased load on your wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, and back?

Once you’re comfortable with your progress, move to the more traditional “on your toes” pushup. You can also increase the challenge by moving your hands inward and keeping your elbows more tucked into your sides. This is now becoming quite challenging, isn’t it?

But what if you feel pain somewhere? MODIFY the pushup by reducing the load as noted above. You may find it necessary to NOT go all the way down to the floor with your chest but maybe half way or three-quarters down if you have shoulder problems, for example.

A pushup also strengthens the core, as it’s essentially a front plank. Side planks from the knees first and then feet can be added for additional core strengthening. A “pushup with a plus” is another modification particularly good for the scapular stabilizing muscles. Here, you push up beyond the normal “up” position as high as possible until you feel your shoulder blades (scapulae) spread apart.

Whether you’re trying to get in shape after a long winter or after pregnancy, the benefits of pushups is you can do them anywhere and at anytime. Your pushup options are almost endless! The KEY to a happy life is being healthy, and exercise is KEY to a happy, healthy life!

Often referred to as a “sinful indulgence,” chocolate is usually not thought of as a healthy food choice. However, in the last 20-30 years, there has been growing evidence that there are indeed health benefits associated with chocolate consumption! Let’s take a closer look!

Chocolate is made from tropical Theobroma cacao tree seeds. The earliest use of chocolate dates back to the Olmec civilization in Mesoamerica (1200 – 400 B.C.E.), the precursor to the Mayan and Aztec cultures (currently the states of Veracruz and Tabasco). Following the 15th/16th centuries, chocolate became extremely popular in Europe. Today, millions indulge daily on this unique, rich, and sweet-tasting food with the average American consuming around 4.5 kg (close to 10 pounds) per year!

So what is it in chocolate that makes it so good? The answer includes its richness in flavonoids and flavanols (such as anthocyanidin and epicatechins). In general, the darker the chocolate, the greater the amount of flavonoids and flavanols. These substances are thought to have antioxidant properties, which help neutralize free radicals—nasty things that can damage cells all over the body. Inflammation as well as pollution, UV exposure, and cigarette smoke all increase free radical production. This leads to oxidative stress, which is closely associated with heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, immune deficiency, and more!

Studies have shown that chocolate can reduce both blood pressure and the chance for stroke! Cocoa flavanols are reportedly helpful in reducing inflammation and relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure, lowers total cholesterol, and increases the “good guy blood fat” or high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). All of this adds up to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke!

A study published in 2012 looked at the association between chocolate consumption and the risk of stroke in a population of over 30,000 men in Sweden over a ten-year time frame. They found that moderate consumption of chocolate may lower the risk of stroke—“moderate” meaning about 63 grams/week (there are about 43 grams of chocolate in an average chocolate bar). Another study found that fruits and vegetables also lower the risk of stroke as did drinking four cups of black tea per day.

Getting back to chocolate, there may also be a link between eating chocolate and improved cognitive (brain) function. So not only is it smart to eat chocolate, but it may also MAKE YOU SMARTER! This correlates well with an association between dementia prevention and chocolate consumption. Harvard Medical School scientists suggest that two cups of hot chocolate a day may keep the brain healthy and prevent memory decline in older people. Another active ingredient in chocolate is lavado, in which a 2014 study found may reduce or block damage to nerve pathways found in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Of course, there are “down sides” to eating chocolate. One is the sugar and calorie issue with the negative side effects of obesity, tooth decay, and diabetes. Another is an increased risk of forming calcium oxalate kidney stones, as chocolate / cocoa are high in oxalate. To gain the benefits of cocoa without the worry of sugar and calories, you can purchase cocoa-rich powders and supplements that can be added to beverages. So ENJOY your chocolate, but remember moderation, like in so many other things in life, is “KEY!”

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care, we would be honored to render our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE!  FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

Chiropractic is the most widely accepted and most frequently used type of “alternative” healthcare in the United States. This is largely due to the fact that it works, and because of that, there has been a steady increase in acceptance by the public, third-party payers, and the Federal government. Since the mid-1990s, a number of outside (non-chiropractic) observers have suggested that chiropractic has now entered mainstream healthcare.

One can position chiropractic as being BOTH alternative and mainstream. It is “alternative” since it approaches healthcare from an entirely different direction compared to the primary care medical profession. Chiropractic is non-surgical and promotes diet and nutritional approaches vs. drugs and surgery. Chiropractic is also arguably “mainstream” as it has evolved into a strongly utilized form of primary care through popular acceptance and utilization by the public.

So, what role does chiropractic play in today’s health delivery system? This question is still being debated, but there appears to be three camps: 1) Specialist—limited to musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints on an interdisciplinary primary healthcare team; 2) Primary healthcare “gatekeepers” that focus on ambulatory MSK complaints; 3) Generalist primary healthcare provider of “alternative or complementary” medicine that manage and/or co-manage both MSK AND non-MSK conditions.

Looking at this from the patient or “consumer” perspective, chiropractic already plays an important role in the healthcare delivery for many patients. In 1993, a report claimed 7% of American adults had received chiropractic care during the prior year. According to a 2015 Gallup poll (that included 5,442 adults, aged 18+, surveyed between 2/16/15 and 5/6/15) entitled, Majority in U.S. Say Chiropractic Works for Neck, Back Pain, “Chiropractic care has a positive reputation among many US adults for effective treatment of neck and back pain, with about six in 10 adults either strongly agreeing (23%) or agreeing somewhat (38%) that chiropractors are effective at treating these types of pain.”

The “highlights” from this Gallup poll include: 1) Two-thirds say chiropractic is effective for neck and back pain. 2) Many adults say chiropractors think of the patient’s best interest. 3) More than 33 million adults in the United States (US) saw a chiropractor in the twelve months before the survey was conducted. That means roughly 14% of U.S. adults saw a chiropractor in the 12 months prior to the survey (vs. 7% in 1993). An additional 12% who responded to the Gallup pollsters saw a chiropractor in the last five years but not in the last 12 months. Overall, 51% of those polled had previously seen a chiropractor.

Whether or not you have personally utilized chiropractic, the educational process, licensing requirements, public interest, third-party payer systems, and interprofessional cooperation ALL support firm ground for which you can comfortably and confidently seek chiropractic care for your complaints.

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care, we would be honored to render our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE!

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888

There are four main arteries that bring blood to the brain: two in the front of the neck called the carotid arteries and two in the back of the neck called the vertebral arteries. The carotid arteries supply the front and middle portions of the brain with blood while the vertebral arteries join together to form the basilar artery that supplies blood to the back portion of the brain and the brain stem.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted and oxygen can’t get to the brain tissue, which causes damage. Each area of the brain is programmed to run different bodily functions, so symptoms associated with stroke can be mild to severe depending on the amount of area involved. Stroke victims commonly have problems with speech, behavior, thought processing, motor skills, and memory.

There are basically two ways a stroke can occur: 1) Blockage in one of the many arteries (called Ischemic stroke, which is associated with about 83% of cases), or 2) A tear, leak, or rupture in a blood vessel (called hemorrhagic stroke, which is associated with about 17% of cases). Again, symptoms are directly related to where the blockage or bleed occurs and the area deprived of oxygen. Mini-strokes (called TIAs or Trans-Ischemic Attacks) can precede a larger stroke and last a few minutes to several hours. These are caused by a temporary disruption in blood flow and SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED, as these are important warning signs of a potential larger impending stroke!

Studies have shown that the symptoms associated with stroke are similar to those that drive people to either their family doctor and/or chiropractor—most notably, neck pain and headache.

So, what is the difference between the symptoms of a “normal” neck pain/headache vs. one associated with stroke? In some cases, not much! However, a stroke-related headache is often SUDDEN, SEVERE, and UNUSUAL for that person. The tension-type “normal” headache may be part of the patient’s long-term history, not severe or unusual, and NOT typically accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness.

A 2008 study found that the incidence rate of stroke occurring in the clinics of an MD vs. a DC were IDENTICAL. In other words, it’s not the treatment performed by either type of doctor that caused the stroke but rather the stroke had already occurred and the symptoms drove the person to see either their MD and/or DC. In recent case reports, two different patients presented to their chiropractors with these headache/neck pain symptoms. In both cases, their doctor properly identified they were at risk for a subsequent stroke and referred them to the appropriate healthcare professionals BEFORE any treatment was administered.

Classic stroke symptoms include: 1) Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, usually on one side of the body; 2) Difficulty in speaking or understanding language; 3) Altered vision (poor acuity or blurriness); 4) Sudden severe headache; 5) Unexplained balance loss or dizziness. If any these occur, call 911! Time IS of the essence for minimizing brain damage!

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care, we would be honored to render our services.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE!

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL717-697-1888

Some of you may have heard about how a modified form of boxing is helping patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). If you haven’t, it’s been observed that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who engage in this boxing-like exercise routine can enhance their quality of life and even build impressive gains in posture, strength, flexibility, and speed. Proponents of the program report that regardless the degree of severity of PD, participants have a happier, healthier, and higher quality of life.

But must it be boxing? Maybe not. A report presented at the International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders in San Diego in June 2015 found that patients with Parkinson’s disease who began regular exercise early into the PD process had a much slower decline in their quality of life when compared with those who started exercising later. The researchers found just 2.5 hours per week of exercise is needed to improve quality of life scores. According to the report, it didn’t matter what exercise the participants did — simply getting up and moving for a total of 2.5 hours/week was reportedly enough (that’s only 20-25 minutes / day)!

Looking beyond Parkinson’s, other chronic conditions also benefit from adding exercise into a person’s lifestyle. Studies show that regular exercise as simple as walking helps reduce one’s risk for memory loss, and it slows down functional decline in the elderly. Incorporating aerobic exercise into one’s lifestyle can also improve reaction time in people at ALL AGES. Exercise has also been shown to improve both physical and emotional well-being in those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease with as little as 60 minutes/week of moderate exercise! Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have also reported less stiffness and less muscle wasting when using exercise machines, aquatic exercise, and/or walking.

Research has shown just 30 minutes of brisk exercise three times a week can help reduce depressive symptoms in patients with mild-to-moderate depression. In a study involving teenagers, those who engaged in sports reported a greater level of well-being than their sedentary peers, and the more vigorous the exercise, the better their emotion health! In kids 8-12 years old, physical inactivity is strongly linked to depression. Even anxiety, stress, and depression associated with menopause are less severe in those who exercise! So LET’S ALL GET OUT THERE AND EXERCISE!!!

We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care, we would be honored to render our services.

 YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 717-697-1888