A chiropractor doctor is a medical professional who deals with disorder and dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Because the profession has doctors practicing with many different styles of treatment and differing opinions on patient care, confusion remains among the general public and potential patients as to what they can expect at a chiropractic visit. Chiropractic is a conservative form of health treatment that translates into “done by hand”. The profession began back in 1895, founded by a D.D. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. For the past 115 years, there have been many advances in research of the benefits of chiropractic care. There have also been splits between physicians within the field of chiropractic, many still embracing the original teachings and many who have become more entwined with mainstream medicine. Since the beginnings of the profession, the intentions of a chiropractic physician have been to treat illness without the aid of medication. However, recently in New Mexico, a new bill has now been passed to allow chiropractors a small scope of medication prescription rights. This new additional treatment tool may, in the future, be extended to other states as well. Because of the separation of chiropractic beliefs between chiropractic physicians, some oppose this bill, not agreeing with the addition of certain medication rights, while others welcome the change and acknowledgement of being more closely tied to mainstream medicine.

Health Professionals

A chiropractic doctor may practice in many different locations. Many are self-employed, working in and running their own clinic within a community. Other chiropractic physicians work as associates within a clinic, treating patients along with the chiropractor who owns the clinic. Some chiropractors work in multi-disciplinary settings, working along with physical therapists, medical doctors and other health professionals. Many hospitals throughout the country now employ chiropractic physicians and a number of military hospitals offer chiropractic employment as well. There are even chiropractic physicians among the medical staff for olympic athletes. Aside from chiropractic manipulation, many chiropractors offer diagnostic imaging in their clinics, modalities such as massage therapy, traction, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, nutritional counseling, heat and ice therapy, physical therapy rehab and decompression treatments. Many can offer their patients orthopedic and neurologic testing for a more accurate diagnosis when necessary. Many medical doctors will refer their patients to a chiropractic physician when conservative care is warranted. This referral system is important for the chiropractic profession as it creates relationships and stronger connections between providers while also benefiting and improving patient care.

References Cited in this Article

www.nih.gov

www.acatoday.org

There are several online chiropractor directory websites that are helpful for people who are trying to locate or research chiropractic physicians in their areas. These directories list current chiropractors state by state and their purpose is to create an easy to find database for current and prospective chiropractic patients. Chiropractic associations, such as the ACA, have websites that not only provide a directory of chiropractic physicians but also provide current chiropractic health information for both practitioners as well as for patients. A person can search these directories by entering a specific doctor, clinic, location, city, state or zip code. Some directories may also provide detailed maps and directions to the chiropractic clinics as well. A chiropractic directory can also include a detailed list of chiropractic associations, past and current chiropractic articles, alternative health care news, blogs by various chiropractic physicians and past and current research news and updates. Patients may also view chiropractic physician reviews through a directory, giving them a better idea as to the kind of experience and care other patients have received from certain doctors. Some directory websites may also provide information about specific health conditions and disorders that chiropractic physicians can possibly help to treat in their clinics. These listings can help by allowing a search for specific treatment options such as acupuncture, massage therapy, sports therapy, decompression treatment, nutritional counseling and traction.

Chiropractic Physicians and Chiropractic Students

Chiropractic physicians can use chiropractic directories to advertise their clinics. These directories help them to get the public more aware of their services and specialties. Both chiropractic physicians and chiropractic students can search directories for continuing education courses, employment postings, available equipment listings, reviews for chiropractic products, professional practices that are for sale and lists of chiropractic schools. Chiropractic directories are useful for both physicians and patients as they connect one to the other. They can help prospective patients learn more about the profession, read about specific doctors, what to expect at a visit and how to choose a chiropractor that fits well with their individual health care needs. Health insurance companies also provide a directory of chiropractic physicians that are networked with their company. These directories are useful in helping a patient to find what chiropractic offices will accept their health insurance plan. Because of these online search tools, no matter where a patient lives, they will be able to search and locate a chiropractic physician that is able to meet their health care needs.

References Cited in this Article

www.chirodirectory.com

www.chiropractor-pages.com

www.chiropracticdirectories.org                    www.chirohub.com

The term inflammatory bowel disease is used to describe conditions that cause inflammation within the digestive tract. Both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease are conditions that fall into the category of inflammatory bowel disease and both can cause symptoms of fever, abdominal cramping and diarrhea that contains blood. A person who suffers from these conditions may also experience weight loss. There are some differences between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. When ulcerative colitis is present in the intestines, the sections affected are the innermost lining of the colon (the large intestine) as well as the rectum. The inflammation from ulcerative colitis stretches throughout a continuous section of the colon whereas Crohn’s disease can occur in sporadic patches throughout the digestive tract and can penetrate deep into the tissues. While the location of these conditions is different, both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can cause debilitation and may cause serious life-threatening complications.

UC Symptoms

Ulcerative colitis can vary in severity and location and because of this the diagnosis will be specific to each individual. It can be specified as pancolitis (affecting the entire colon), left-sided colitis (inflammation from the rectum up the left side of the colon through the sigmoid and descending portion), ulcerative proctitis (inflammation of the rectum), proctosigmoiditis (inflammation present in the rectum and sigmoid colon) and the most life-threatening form of ulcerative colitis, fulminant colitis, which affects the entire colon but can lead to a rupture of the colon and severe distention which can lead to toxic megacolon. In general, ulcerative colitis is not dangerous and people will go through periods of symptoms and then a remission of symptoms. In mild cases, such as proctitis, the symptoms will not worsen. It is not completely known what triggers the onset of ulcerative colitis but it is thought that an immune response as well as genetics may be contributing factors. Some medications may also encourage ulcerative colitis or make current UC symptoms even worse.

Alternative Treatment Options

Crohn’s disease is a condition that causes inflammation within the digestive tract and there is no known cure. While this disease affects the digestive tract in different areas compared to ulcerative colitis, the symptoms and the treatment plan are similar. The common treatment for these forms of inflammatory bowel disease is anti-inflammatory medications and immune suppressants. Some people may also try other forms of care if these medications produce little or no relief or if side effects are bothersome. Alternative treatment options for both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease include acupuncture, probiotics and prebiotics, supplements that include fish oil and dietary modification.

References Cited in this Article            www.webmd.com                    www.mayoclinic.com

Many individuals wonder, “How can I adjust my work station to fit my body?”  Well here’s your chance to learn just that.  Let’s first begin by understanding what the work ergonomics means?  “Ergo” means to work, and “nomics” means rules or laws.  This means the laws of work figuratively speaking.  OSHA defines ergonomics as, “the science of designing the job to fit the worker, instead of forcing the worker to fit the job.”  Ergonomics helps to make the job safe as well as decrease the strain on the human body.  This will help with being healthy and happy as well.  This saves the company much more money in both the short and long term. 

Two Categories of Ergonomic Factors

 There are two ergonomic factors, they are physical and environmental.  Environmental problems include but are not limited to the following: excessive noise levels, inadequate lightening, and fluctuations in temperature.  Physical factors can put pressure on the joints, ligaments, and muscles of the human body therefore causing pain, irritability, and absenteeism.  These are sometimes referred to as Cumulative Trauma Disorders or Repetitive Strain Injuries.  These may include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Epicondylitis, Tenosynovitis, and Bursitis.  Most of these injuries would not happen if only performed once but thousands of repetitions later it begins to become a physical problem.  Such factors include: thousands of strikes typing, clicking the mouse over and over, and hours of filling, stocking, and lifting.  Awkward positions can also cause a physical problem such as: having an anterior head carriage and rounded shoulders at the computer desk, reaching to the mouse, an abnormal angle while typing, lifting items above shoulders or below the waist, twisting to look at the computer monitor, and bringing the ear to the shoulder while on the telephone.  These can all put unnecessary strain on the shoulders, back and neck creating pressure; therefore, pain.  Too much more on the keyboard, improper grip, and stamping are all types of pressure that can cause repetitive stress injuries as well.  When seated, your elbows should remain hanging at the sides of your shoulders and they should be as relaxed as possible.  In addition, you should use a back rest, keep your feet planted on the floor, and decrease the need to lean forward.  Next, keep your wrists in a neutral and comfortable position and be sure to not bend them up and down or side to side too much.  These are all simple tips that should be practice for Office Ergonomics and also at home too!

Source: OSHA

The golf swing is the most stressful motion on the lower back.  The start is static and then you propel and rotate your spine as far as it will go forcefully while keeping the lower body stable.  If you have low rotational abilities, you are at high risk for low back injuries.  You will not have the strength to generate any power to impact; therefore your drive will be inadequate.  Muscles of the lower back are usually tight and weak.  You are swinging a three foot club one hundred miles per hour.  Torque in the low back is not beneficial to your spine because this is not a natural movement that your spine usually does. 

Stretching and Strengthening exercises

The lower back should be stretched daily to decrease pain and stiffness.  Strengthening exercises can be done three times a week.  These particular muscles include the buttocks, lower back, hamstrings, and abdominals.  Golf cancause back pain in those individuals who don’t exercise and stretch before playing.  Some tips to prevent lower back pain include but are not limited to: rotating the shoulder and hip about the same amount during the back swing, and keeping the spine vertical during the follow-through while avoiding hyper-extension of the spinal column.  It’s very important to stretch before and after you golf.  Warm up with five minutes of walking, hold for ten seconds and repeat three times, and perform one set per day.  Start by stretching the Quadriceps, place back against a chair and cross arms, one foot rests on the chair behind you while you tighten your buttocks and rotate side-to-side.  You can stretch your lower back by holding onto the chair and keeping your spine straight.  Then move your body down and away from your hands until you feel a stretch in your armpits.  You can stretch your hips by doing hip flexor stretches to stretch the psoas muscle.  Then, lean until you feel a pulling sensation.  Add rotation by pulling the knee to the opposite shoulder.  To stretch the hip flexors, kneel on the knee holding the golf club with the adjacent hand.  Lean forward by allowing your body weight to go to the front.  You should feel this in the hip and thigh muscles.  Golf and Low Back Pain may go hand-in-hand but prevention and stretching is the key to survival and reduced injury.

To lose weight effectively and also feel better avoid the bad fats.  The ones to avoid include: trans-fatty acids, and oxidized fats.  Remember that fast food comes from hydrogenated oils.  Drink spring water.  On average you should consume half your body weight of water in ounces per day; not the recommended 6-8 glasses.  Every individual has a different body type so this measure is not the ideal.  According to published reports, the US has 10x the antibiotics than some comparable country’s water supply.  What does this mean?  Don’t drink the tap water!  There are 3 Secrets to Preventing and Reducing Type II Diabetes. 

Secret number one:

Eliminate drugs that aren’t needed.  Every single medication has side effects; the pain-relieving drugs are typically the worst.  These medications can lead to permanent irreversible damage to the liver and/or kidneys; even OTC pain relievers.  Doctors understand that NSAIDs patients get gastric disorders more than individuals who don’t consume these drugs.  Metabolism is totally dependent on whether the body works properly or not. 

Secret number two:

Get out there and move!  The more physical activity you endure the more calories you burn.  Those individuals who exercise regularly have a lower death rate.  Brisk walking of thirty minutes per day can lower the risk of breast cancer by 70 % or more.  Begin by establishing what activity you do and what may prevent you from exercising.  The most common barrier to exercising is pain.  If we can overcome this barrier, you should have no excuse not to exercise. 

Secret number three:

Get out of pain naturally.  The United States spends about $470 billion per year on chronic pain costs.  Most Americans would like to seek an alternative healthcare approach than just being placed on chronic pain reliever drugs.  Chiropractors are experts at getting individuals out of pain.  They work to stabilize the most important system in the human body, the nervous system!  The nervous system controls and coordinates every organ and body part in the entire human body.  Chiropractor’s exam for areas of mis-alignments of the spine, known as subluxations.  Subluxations will cause the nerve flow to that particular organ or body part to not function at an optimal level.  This can in turn cause disease.  They will remove this interference to the nervous system allowing the body to heal itself from within. 

Sleep refreshes unlike anything else.  Sleep is almost always refreshing but more importantly it is absolutely necessary for our survival.  On average, most Americans will spend a third of their lives asleep.  Most of us are unaware of how important this is until were unable to perform this simple task.  For millions of people, poor sleep leads to higher stress, difficulty concentrating, and ultimately health problems.  So just how many of us are losing sleep?  Over one-third of Americans are losing sleep at least one night per week, 65% report that they regularly lose sleep due to stress, and a staggering only 3% say they never lose sleep. 

Too busy to sleep

The question remains, are Americans becoming too busy to sleep?  In 1910, Americans averaged about 9 hours of sleep per night compared to 6.5 in 2011.  Sleep is imperative for our nervous system to function properly.  During sleep our brains are extremely active.  This activity is described as neuron function.  Individuals that suffer from sleep loss deplete their neurons with energy and allow their brain to be polluted with byproducts of normal cellular activity. 

Five stages

There are five stages of sleep.  During the first stage, muscle activity slows down and there is occasional muscle twitching being performed.  The second stage is the largest of all five stages and causes breathing to become shallower and the heart rate to decrease slightly.  The third stage is the deep sleep stage and delta waves become evident.  The fourth stage is even deeper yet generating more delta waves and rhythmic breathing.  Dreaming occurs in the fifth stage and rapid eye movement is present. 

Sleep pattern

So how much sleep do we actually need?  The Harvard Women’s Health Watch states there are six reasons to get enough sleep and include: mood, memory, cardiovascular health, sickness, disease, and safety.  It is crucial to maintain a specific sleeping cycle.  This may be especially challenging to individuals who work in emergency services such as firemen, policemen, military personnel, and medical personnel.  Their sleep schedules are constantly being interrupted by swing shifts and emergency situations.  Our sleep cycle is regulated by circadian patterns located in our brain.  A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help initiate sleep onset at night.  Establishing a set time for sleep and a pattern is key whether this be reading or watching television before bedtime.  It’s important to create a sleeping environment that is tranquil and calm to prepare your mind and body for Power of Sleep. 

Sleeping tips

Some important sleeping tips include: not eating 2-3 hours before bedtime, and regular exercise to stimulate the body to release chemicals in the brain, sleep on a comfortable mattress since you sleep a third of your life, receive regular Chiropractic care to clear energy blockage throughout the body. 

Running is a sport of passion; why else would runners push their bodies to the limit.  Running injuries are unfortunate but a very common occurrence.  Fast and proper identification of running injuries is the key to receiving effective treatment.  Chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage therapy can help to keep you on the trails!  If you are a long time runner or just starting out, ask your chiropractor about common running injuries to watch out for.  Some very common injuries include but are not limited to the following: ITB Syndrome (Iliotibial Band), Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs and stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, Patellar tracking disorder, pelvic imbalance, and a spinal subluxation.  It is crucial to work yourself up to a large run; this is a gradual process that should involve training, adequate stretching, and of course chiropractic care.  Running into Problems while you’re on a run is not ideal!  Injuries to athletes of all ages can have long term effect on the overall health and fitness of the individual.  In many cases, sports injuries can be due to overuse of a particular area of the body.  Don’t let sports injuries prevent you from doing what you love; don’t let surgery be your first choice or your last option.  Discuss conservative treatment options with your Chiropractor before your condition requires surgical intervention.  Chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists have extensive experience rehabilitating a number of conditions. 

Chiropractic care

Chiropractic works to restore balance to the most important body system in the human body-the nervous system.  The nervous system controls and coordinates every organ and body part.  Chiropractors eliminate interference to the nervous system by eliminating subluxations, or mis-alignments to the spine.  Their goal is to allow the nervous system to function at optimal level or in the top 10% of health.  If there is interference to that particular nerve, the organ that corresponds to that nerve may not function properly and disease may ensue.  Chiropractors deliver a HVLA (high velocity low amplitude) thrust to correct the subluxation allowing the body to function properly.  This will in turn alleviate muscle tension and fixation of immobile joints.  In addition to regular adjustments, your Chiropractor may incorporate corrective rehabilitation such as mechanical traction to re-shape the curves in your spinal column.  These may be abnormal from a car accident, trauma, or repetitive stress injury.  They may also provide passive modalities such as electrical muscle stimulation and ultrasound, massage therapy, acupuncture, and assisted resisted technique type of stretching. 

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.  Millions of people experience pain at some point in their day.  The most common condition linked to neck pain and tension is a cervical subluxation.  Chiropractic treatment for the neck improves the mobility of the spine and restores loss of motion.  Physical therapy and massage therapy for the neck will increase flexibility and strengthen weak muscles in the neck and shoulders.  Nerve Impingement Syndrome and Pain can be evident within the lower back.  Unfortunately, 80% of the population will experience some sort of back pain within their lifetime.  Most cases of back pain are mechanical in origin.  Spinal subluxation and muscle weakness are key elements that are linked to chronic lower back pain.  Chiropractic and physical therapy can alleviate many symptoms associated with such low back conditions such as the following: Sciatica, disc herniation, Scoliosis, spinal degeneration, stenosis, pelvic imbalance, and core strengthening.  The primary causes of Nerve Impingement Syndrome and Pain include the following: auto accidents, pregnancy, repetitive stress, poor posture, lack of exercise, and sports injuries. 

Auto accidents

When you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, the extent of the physical injury to your spine can not be linked to the amount of damage to your vehicle.  Whether you are involved in a minor “fender bender” or a rear-end collision, you should have your spine evaluated for subluxation and abnormal curvature of the spinal column. 

Pregnancy

In contrast, pregnancy can be a wonderful blessing in a women’s life; however, this process involves a physical change in a women’s body which may result in long term effects to her spine and pelvis.  The effects of pregnancy can result in the following: exaggerated spinal curves, an irritated sciatic nerve, overstretched and weakened abdominal muscles, and loosened pelvic joints.  Chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are trained in providing safe and comfortable care to women before and after their pregnancy. 

Repetitive stress

Nerve Impingement Syndrome can be caused from repetitive stress.  Whether you’re at work or play, doing the same activity over and over again can produce repetitive stress injuries.  Some symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include: stiffness, pain, weakness, and loss of motion.  Muscles, tendons, and joints that are not properly treated will result in chronic problems. 

Conclusion

Chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists are all skillfully trained in the art and science behind the musculo-skeletal system and can aid in much-needed relief to Nerve Impingement Syndrome.

What is Chiropractic Care?  Chiropractic healthcare is based on the scientific fact that our nervous system controls and coordinates the function of every cell in our human body.  The purpose of the Chiropractic approach is to uncover your health conditions, not merely cover up your systems.  The Chiropractic oath is to help as many people as we can without the use of drugs and/or unnecessary surgery.  Doctors of Chiropractic essentially promote the healing process by minimizing interference to the nervous system.  When the nervous system is free from obstruction, the body can function at its highest level.  Interference to the nervous system, caused by subluxation, will affect how the nervous system relates to the cells to which it travels.

Subluxation

A subluxation is a misalignment of the spine that irritates a nerve which affects normal function.  Nerve impingement syndrome caused by subluxation, occurs when a mis-alignment of one or more of the joints in the spine places pressure on a nerve.  Pressure on the nerve can cause interference, resulting in pain, loss of function, as well as other symptoms.  Nerves communicate from the brain through the spinal cord and nervous system. 

Headaches

Nerve impingement syndrome can result in headaches.  Millions of people suffer with throbbing headaches each and every day.  They can be a distraction that affects your family, friends, job, and your ability to live life to the fullest extent.  The most common type of headache is a tension headache caused by muscle tension attributed to subluxation and nerve impingement syndrome.  What are the six misconceptions about headache relief?  1) over-the-counter medication treats the cause of your headache, 2) headache medications can’t harm you, 3) stress causes headaches, 4) headaches go away on their own, 5) all doctors know how to treat headaches, 6) your problem is always where your pain is. Drugs only mask the pain they don’t treat the headache.  Drugs can cause side effects that are far worse than your headache. 

Chiropractor

Stress is a very common way of life but not the cause of a headache.  How your body adapts to stress is the true indicator of health.  If you don’t treat the cause or the root of the problem the headaches will never go away completely.  Chiropractors offer natural and safe alternatives to treat headaches without the use of unnecessary pharmaceutical drugs.  In addition, not all headaches originate in the head.  Many headaches are associated with neck and upper back tension.  Chiropractic Care and Headache Relief go hand-in-hand; talk to your doctor today about your options.