Welcome To The Accident & Injury Chiropractic Blog!
On behalf of all the doctors and staff here at Accident & Injury Chiropractic – Welcome to our Blog. Our team here at A&IC set up this forum with our patients and followers in mind. This is where we share health and therapy information that helps you better understand the topics we discuss together on your visits.
Please leave your comments and questions in the area provided at the end of each blog post so we can respond directly to your comments. We are excited about our blog format and forum. It helps us get to know you better and share additional information with you beyond what we can do during your office visits. We look forward to hearing from you and hope you find our blog posts and videos helpful.
With over 30,000 patients and a combined 100 + years of doctor experience we feel confident that we have unlimited health related information to share with you to help with a full spectrum of topics related to healthy pain free living.
For all those visitors who are not yet patients, we invite you to come in for a free consultation and complete orthopedic, neurologic and chiropractic exam to help you understand your problems. It’s time to get you on track to healing and a better quality of life.
You deserve the competence, friendliness and affordability that have become the hallmarks for care at Accident and Injury Chiropractic.
All of us at A&IC look forward to hearing from you.
Can Stress Be Good?
Whenever we think of “stress” we usually think “anxiety.” But is there such a thing as “good” stress?
Stress is the result of a sudden release of hormones which are activated by our body’s natural “fight or flight” response. This response is triggered when we are about to have a car accident or when we perceive some type of immediate (or imagined) danger. Your adrenaline starts pumping, your heart starts to race, your blood pressure elevates and all your senses are put on alert. The “rush” that you feel helps you to avoid potential danger.
It can also sharpen your skills.
Do you know anyone who always waits until the last minute to do things? They say things like, “I function better under stress.” What do they mean when they say that? They enjoy the burst of energy they experience when a deadline is fast approaching. They find that same release of hormones to be stimulating when it is put to useful purpose – such as delivering a quality work report on time.
Consider some of the recent research that points to the “positive” influence of stress on the body:
- Short bursts of stress hormones can strengthen the immune system and may protect against diseases associated with aging, such as Alzheimer’s
- Elevated stress levels prior to surgery increase the chances that a patient will have a better recovery
- Stress reduces estrogen production in the body, which may help to prevent breast cancer
- A research study done at Johns Hopkins concluded that children of mothers who had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol during pregnancy were developmentally ahead of children born to women with lower levels of this hormone
Careful! Long-term stress is debilitating to the body and weakens the immune system. A person who has experienced a loss, such as the death of a spouse or child, a divorce or the loss of their job may suffer from chronic long-term stress that wears them down.
If you are experiencing long-term stress, you’ll want to eat right, get enough sleep, exercise and keep to your regular chiropractic care schedule. Chiropractic adjustments have been credited with stimulating endorphin and serotonin release which are the body’s ‘feel good’ hormones. Chiropractic helps your body cope with some of the negative effects of stress – to keep you healthy and functioning at your best. So…when you’re stressed out – remember to drop in!
Enzymes and Your Diet
Enzymes are substances that perform two specific functions–they can either start chemical processes or they make them perform more quickly. Every cell in living plants and animals contains enzymes that are responsible for the very functions that keep them alive.
If enzymes are so important to keeping us alive, how come so few people know about them or how they function? Consider this fact: Enzymes are required to perform every single chemical reaction that occurs in your body. If it weren’t for enzymes, none of the vitamins, minerals, or hormones in your body could work properly. Seems then there is quite a bit we ought to know about them and what they need to work well!
Let’s look at digestion for instance. Digestion couldn’t take place without enzymes. From the time food enters your mouth, enzymes both in the food and in your body are working to break it down into smaller particles so they can be absorbed properly. Raw foods contain lots of enzymes that are necessary for digestion; these are released when these foods are chewed.
Unfortunately, many if the enzymes in food are destroyed by the ways in which the foods are prepared and processed. Enzymes are destroyed in temperatures higher than 118° F (48° C) and some are destroyed in temperatures as low as 105° F (41° C), so most can’t even survive light steaming – a way of preparing food that most people erroneously believe fully preserves the nutritional value of food!
What happens when the enzymes in food are destroyed and the only enzymes at work in your body are those that are made there? Digestive disorders, compromised immunity, allergic reactions, skin problems and mood swings can occur. Eating enzyme-deficient foods also taxes your pancreas and other organs, overworking and ultimately wearing them out. Since your body needs both kinds of enzymes, when only one kind is present, it suffers.
One way to address this problem is through juicing. In fact, juicing is one of the best ways to ingest raw foods as part of your diet. In a world where “fast food” has taken a firm hold on our eating habits, juicing vegetables provides a great way to obtain the enzymes you need to ward off diseases that can rob you of your health and energy.
Understanding that enzymes can also help to heal chronic health problems which often seem to defy medical solutions is important as well! Regular chiropractic examinations and adjustments are also an important way to keep your immune system functioning properly as part of living a healthy lifestyle. When we work together to give our bodies the food and care needed to stay healthy – we all benefit!
An Apple a Day!
Is it true that, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
Numerous studies have concluded that it has a ring of truth for many reasons, particularly because of the fiber content in the apple peel (don’t remove it!) and the high antioxidant properties present in apples that fight damage to your body’s cells.
Adding an apple to your daily diet is beneficial because:
Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet helps lower cholesterol, aids in weight reduction, reduces abnormal sugar (insulin) level surges, reduces your risk of heart disease and colon cancer and makes you feel fuller so you don’t overeat.
Eating apples may protect you from getting serious lung disease. In fact, a University of Nottingham, England study, conducted over nine years, found that the lungs of those who ate more apples were three years younger than their counterparts who did not eat apples and other fruits.
Similar research conducted in Finland concluded that the more apples you eat, the more you reduce your risk of disease.
The antioxidants in apples help prevent diabetes, asthma, heart disease and cancer, particularly lung cancer. Anything you can do to reduce your risk of serious illness is something worth doing, particularly when it concerns your diet.
A healthy diet, regular exercise, and chiropractic adjustments increase your ability to ward off disease and help to maintain peak functioning of your central nervous system functioning. For life!
Organs Controlled by the Lumbar Spine
The lumbar region of the spine, more commonly referred to as the “lower back,” is often the source of many health problems we see. This area of the spine serves as the distribution center for your brain’s control and regulation of many important organs and tissues. And while the nervous system is very complex and every organ or tissue has multiple nerve supplies, here’s a new way of thinking about many common health complaints.
If a patient suffers from constipation or diarrhea, we’ll be especially vigilant in our examination of the area of L1, since this is the source of many nerve communications that control the large intestines.
Do you suffer from varicose veins, cramps or poor bladder control? The nerves that exit the spine in the vicinity of L2 control the appendix, abdomen, bladder and upper leg.
Irregular/painful periods, impotency, miscarriages, knee pain? L3 nerves control the bladder, sexual organs, uterus and knees.
How about sciatica, painful/frequent urination or backaches? L4 could be involved since the nerves there control the prostate gland and lower back muscles.
And if you experience leg cramps, cold feet, or swollen/weak ankles or legs, some of the nerves exiting at L5 could be the culprits. L5 controls the lower legs, ankles and feet.
So it’s clear that the lumbar spine and its associated nerves effect numerous parts of the body. Many of the sensations you feel in your feet, legs, pelvis, lower abdomen and lower back travel through the nerves of the lumbar spine to higher regions of the spine on their way to your brain.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned here, or know someone who is, please urge them to visit our office for a thorough examination.
Is Crying Healthy?
Biochemist William Frey has spent 15 years as head of a research team studying tears. The team found out that, although tear production organs were once thought to be no longer necessary for survival, tears actually have numerous critical functions.
Crying is a way to relieve stress and is considerably healthier than bottling up your feelings and suppressing your inner feelings—regardless of your gender.
Emotional tears are a response which only humans have, for only people can weep. All animals that live in air produce tears to lubricate their eyes. But only people possess the marvelous system that produces tears.
One of the most obvious functions of tears is to lubricate your eye and eyelid, but they also prevent dehydration of various mucous membranes—and anyone with the “dry eye” problem knows how painful this can be. A severe lack of this lubrication produces a condition requiring immediate intervention to save the patient’s eyesight.
Another important function of tears is that they bathe your eyes in lysozyme, one of the most effective antibacterial and antiviral agents known. Lysozyme, from lysos, to split, and enzyme (it is an enzyme which chemically splits certain compounds) is the major source of the antigerm traits of tears. Amazingly, lysozyme inactivates 90 to 95 per cent of all bacteria in a mere five to 10 minutes. Without it, eye infections would be far more common.
Not being able to secrete tears produces burning and redness, and light itself becomes bothersome. The eyes itch and have a gritty feeling. One sufferer described the condition as similar to having sand in their eye. In time, ulcers develop on the cornea and loss of its transparency often occurs.
Nerves that exit in the neck go to the eyes and the tear ducts, controlling and regulating their function. Interference with those nerves could in fact be one of the causes of “dry eye.”
Bottom line? Crying is a healthy, normal, and a healing reaction for irritated eyes. When you suppress your tears, you can affect your overall physical condition. Crying can be good for you!
The Facts About Varicose Veins
They are unsightly and painful and one out of every two adults over 50 suffers from them. Varicose veins are enlarged veins, often dark blue and purple in color, that appear to be swollen and twisted, very close to the surface of the skin. Although they usually appear on the calves and the inside of the legs, they may affect any area of the body.
To determine whether you might be at a greater risk to develop varicose veins, consider the following:
- A family history of varicose veins (genetic predisposition)
- Obesity
- Pregnancy (due to increased pressure on the legs)
- A job that requires long periods of standing
- Frequent heavy lifting
- Sitting for long periods of time with crossed legs
- Eating a low-fiber diet that causes constipation
There are certain things you can do to try to prevent varicose veins, including:
- Exercise on a regular basis; walking in particular increases the strength of the veins in your legs
- Avoid sitting with your legs crossed
- Elevate your legs while sitting or resting
- Get up and walk around every 30-45 minutes if you work in a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time
- Try not to stand for long periods of time. If you must, shift your weight frequently from foot to foot and wear support stockings or socks
- Maintain a healthy weight for your height
- Eat a high fiber diet, including bran, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure regular bowel movements
Most of the time, no treatment is necessary for varicose veins. Chiropractic care, which is known to improve the flow of blood through the body, is a non-invasive alternative that may help relieve and/or control varicose veins. Please call our office to discuss your concerns; we will be happy to meet with you.
Educate Teenagers About Energy Drinks
I believe as parents and physicians our job is to educate our youth about the dangers and offer them safer alternatives to that energy drain, because let’s face it, if we all ate right and got enough sleep and kept stress to a minimum there would not be any need for that energy boost but we are in a fast food, high stress, over achieving world.
Let’s start by first examining what an energy drink mostly consists of.
Most energy drinks contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants like ephedrine, guarana, and ginseng. Energy drinks may contain as much as 200 mg of caffeine. In comparison a cup of coffee is around 80mg of caffeine, and in fact most caffeinated sodas contain around 23 mg of caffeine.
Caffeine is a known diuretics and can cause dehydration if not enough water is consumed. It is also a central nervous system stimulant. Caffeine can also cause anxiety and the jitters.
Energy drinks also contain at least one or more natural stimulants to amplify the caffeine or give that “sugar buzz” the youth is after. For those that are trying not to consume calories the low calorie versions are usually packed with artificial sweeteners which also can affect the nervous system.
In addition to the stimulants most energy drinks are packed with sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup. These drinks are mostly sugar and caffeine and the consumption of one energy drink is like drinking a six pack of soda or three cups of coffee.
We have been researching products that will give our youth that energy kick but not the sugary crash that usually occurs 2-3 hours after consuming an energy drink. What I have found that diet or supplement high in B vitamin complex will help with that slumping energy.
There have been some great products that feature the acai berry and other fruits that are powerful antioxidants which help protect blood vessel walls and prevent plaque and cholesterol buildup. In addition to energy the acai berry has many amino acids for muscle development, high in fiber and low on the glycemic index which will help regulate blood sugar levels.
We have also found that training in organizational skills and time management helps to decrease the anxiety teens face with school deadlines and studying for exams. In the past many students have tried to pull all-nighters with the aid of energy drinks, only to be left jittery and unfocused when it came time to take the test.
So let’s explain to our youth that energy drinks are mostly sugar and caffeine and will end up making them crave more and more and possibly become dehydrated (without proper water consumption). They should only be used in extreme moderation if at all, and not before any athletic events.
How to Catch a Cold
Some people seem to expect a bout with a cold or the flu each year. If you haven’t had your quota yet, here are some things you can do:
Eat a poor diet. If you want to catch a cold, make sure your body lacks the vitamins and minerals it needs. Eat lots of processed foods.
Avoid adequate rest. Deprive yourself of adequate rest. Stay up late and reduce the time you sleep as much as possible. Use tobacco, coffee and other stimulants to fool yourself into thinking you have more than enough energy.
Stop exercising. Unlike the circulatory system, your lymphatic system depends upon exercise and movement to circulate these germ-fighting fluids, so sit on the couch and stare at the TV.
Think negative thoughts. Look for opportunities to imagine having a cold. Pay attention to news reports about outbreaks of the flu and pay close attention to advertising that sells medications for cold sufferers.
Invite stress. Stress yourself physically with extreme temperature and humidity changes. Stress yourself mentally with constant worry.
Become dehydrated. Avoid drinking enough water. Reduce the effectiveness of your natural defense mechanisms by avoiding fluids.
Forget your appointments. Ignore your nervous system, the master control of your immune system. Avoid these preventive strategies and shun our suggestions of periodic chiropractic checkups to help you stay well.
Slipped Disc
A disc can’t slip. But it can wedge, bulge, protrude and herniate. Chiropractic care may help.
Space for Nerves
The disc is a special cartilage between the bones of your spinal column. It attaches to the vertebra above and below it. This creates the separation between spinal bones so pairs of nerves can exit the spine.
Turning and Bending
Each spinal disc has a jelly-like “ball bearing” core that is contained by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs give you flexibility for normal turning and bending. Improper lifting, slips, falls and car accidents can cause the core to shift:
Herniation – disc wedging narrows nerve openings. Obvious symptoms may not be present.
Protrusion – like a blister, the disc bulges where it is the weakest, causing nerve pressure.
Prolapse – with the cushioning and separating compromised by rupture, movement is painful.
Chiropractic First
Chiropractic has been a natural solution helping people with a variety of disc problems. Don’t hesitate to contact us! For our slide presentation visit our website.
