Blogs and Articles | Unify Chiropractic St Petersburg Fl

The Causes of Neck Pain: How a Chiropractor Can Help

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 11:42:38 GMT

Chiropractors treat about 25 million Americans every year (10% of the population). In fact, about 11 to 40% of American adults live with chronic pain in the US. As a result, about one million chiropractic adjustments are performed every year.

If you're struggling with chronic neck pain, don't hesitate to visit a chiropractor. They can determine which causes of neck pain are relevant to your situation. Then, they can develop a customized treatment plan based on your needs.

What neck pain treatment options are available? Read on to find out!

Common Causes

Scheduling a consultation appointment with your St. Petersburg chiropractor will allow them to assess your current health. They can pinpoint what's causing your neck pain to determine the best treatment options. Here are a few common causes of neck pain they might mention during your appointment.

Muscle Tension or Strain

Muscle tension can develop due to bad posture over time. For example, perhaps you tilt your head down to stare at your phone throughout the day. Perhaps your computer screen at work is at an odd angle.

Maintaining this position could cause muscle tension and chronic neck pain.

A few lifestyle changes could help. For example, consider using ergonomic furniture at work to minimize tension on your neck. If you sit at a desk for long hours, take breaks or adjust your position.

Using a standing desk and adjusting your monitors can help as well.

Exercising could cause muscle tension or strains, too. Try to avoid jerking your neck when you exercise.

Even your sleep position can have an impact. You might want to consider changing your pillow to avoid sleeping in bad neck positions.

Seeing a chiropractor can help you determine what lifestyle choices are causing your neck pain.

Heart Attack

In some cases, sudden neck pain is also a symptom of a heart attack. Other symptoms include:

Sweating
Shortness of breath
Arm or jaw pain
Nausea
Vomiting

Call 911 or visit an emergency room as soon as possible if you begin experiencing these symptoms.

Injury

Neck pain affects about 30 to 50% of adults every year. About 50 to 85% never experience complete resolution of their symptoms. One of the common causes of neck pain is an accidental injury.

For example, perhaps you were recently in a car crash. If your vehicle was hit from behind, you could sustain a whiplash injury. These injuries occur when your neck jerks forward, then back in a sudden motion.

A sporting accident could leave you with a neck injury as well.

During these situations, your ligaments and muscles could move beyond their normal range. If you were recently in an accident, consider seeing a chiropractor.

They can assess your neck and spine for injuries.

Disease

A chronic condition could cause neck pain as well. For example, neck pain is a symptom of:

Rheumatoid arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Spinal stenosis
Spondylosis
Meningitis

These conditions can cause chronic inflammation, which could contribute to your symptoms. Consider visiting a doctor to determine the underlying cause of your neck pain before symptoms worsen.

When to Schedule an Appointment

Don't shrug off your neck pain. If you begin experiencing symptoms, consider seeing a chiropractor right away. They can complete an assessment to help you better understand your condition.

For example, you should see a chiropractor if you experience chronic neck pain that lasts for a few days. Otherwise, chronic pain can impact your physical, social, and psychological well-being.

You might also experience headaches along with neck pain. Headaches indicate muscle tension and joint irritation. Your chiropractor can determine if a pinched nerve is contributing to your symptoms.

You could notice a change in your range of motion, too. For example, you might struggle to check your blind spot while driving.

If these symptoms sound familiar, visit a chiropractor right away.

How a Chiropractor Can Help

How exactly can a chiropractor help treat the different types of neck pain? First, your chiropractor will determine the root cause of your symptoms. Then, they can help you review the neck pain treatment options available to ensure a customized treatment plan.

Here are a few treatment options they might recommend.

Manual Manipulation

Many chiropractors will recommend manual manipulation as part of your treatment plan.

Manual manipulation involves using the hands or a tool to add careful force to the neck and spine. This process will ensure your spine is in proper alignment. Keeping your spine in alignment can keep pressure off your neck.

Ensuring this alignment will also allow blood to travel throughout your body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to injured areas, allowing these areas to heal naturally.

Without proper blood flow, inflammation can occur, which could make your symptoms worse.

Ultrasound

Your chiropractor might also recommend ultrasound therapy as part of your treatment plan. This treatment option can improve blood circulation throughout your body. Improved circulation could promote natural healing.

Massage Therapy

Ask your St. Petersburg chiropractor if they also provide massage therapy treatments. Massage therapy can help loosen tense muscles in the neck and back.

Routine sessions can help promote blood flow. It can also help you relax, which can further ease the tension you're experiencing.

Lifestyle Changes

Your chiropractor can also help you determine what lifestyle factors are causing the different types of neck pain you're experiencing. Otherwise, you'll continue developing muscle strains and spasms, even with treatment.

For example, your chiropractor might notice you have poor posture. They could recommend a standing desk or other ergonomic changes.

You can also talk to your chiropractor about your exercise routine and sleeping position.

Adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet could help minimize pain and inflammation as well.

The Causes of Neck Pain: Visit Your St. Petersburg Chiropractor Today

You don't have to let chronic neck pain slow you down. Seeing a chiropractor can help ease your pain, improving your quality of life. If these common causes of neck pain sound familiar, schedule an appointment right away.

Ease the pain away today.

Ready for your first appointment? We can't wait to see you.

Get in touch with our team to get started.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care For Sports Injury Recovery

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 09:25:08 GMT

Sports and recreational injuries decreased by 27% in 2020. Even so, one seemingly minor sports injury could have a lasting impact on your quality of life. It could impact your range of motion, mobility, and ability to play in the future.

As you recover from sports injuries, consider seeking chiropractic care. A chiropractor could enhance our sports injury recovery plan.

How can chiropractic care in St. Petersburg, FL benefit a sports injury? Read on to find out!

Minimize Pain

Chiropractic care can help ease the inflammation you experience after a sports injury. Otherwise, inflammation can cause stiffness, pain, and restricted movement. Chronic inflammation can also cause:

Fatigue
Weight loss or gain
Persistent infections
Depression or anxiety
Body pain

Chronic inflammation can also increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions.

Easing inflammation throughout the body can ease your pain symptoms while reducing your risk of developing other health problems down the road. In fact, chiropractic care can also trigger the production of endorphins. Endorphins can help naturally ease the pain you're experiencing.

You could begin experiencing pain symptoms due to subluxations or tight muscles that begin pressing on nerves. Your chiropractor can develop a customized treatment plan based on your injury and needs. With their help, you can recover from sports injuries with treatments like:

Spinal manipulation
Physical therapy/stretched
Flexion-distraction
Massage

These treatments can help ease pressure on your spinal nerves and discs. They could also decrease bludging if you've developed a herniated disc.

Treatment could reduce any tingling or numbness you're experiencing in the arms, legs, buttocks, or back as well. Tingling and numbness can occur due to pressure on your nerves. Chiropractic therapies can help reduce these symptoms.

Faster Recovery

One of the top benefits of chiropractic care for a sports injury is its ability to increase your recovery time.

A chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL can help if you've developed tendonitis, pulled a hamstring, or sprained an ankle. They can develop a customized treatment plan based on your specific injury. Then, you can avoid exacerbating the problem while ensuring you receive the help you need.

If you try to heal on your own, however, you could unintentionally make the problem worse.

Ask your chiropractor for tips for sports injury recovery. They can help you determine what tips and exercises you can use at home. Using their recovery tips can further speed up your recovery time.

Ensuring your musculoskeletal system is in proper alignment can help blood and nutrients flow throughout your body. These nutrients can help injured areas heal faster. Improving blood flow means faster recovery times as well.

Reduced Risk of Injury

Choosing sports injury recovery with chiropractic care could reduce your risk of a future injury. You could avoid reinjuring the same area, too.

Chiropractic care can help reduce your risk of strains, sprains, and other sports injuries. It could improve your athletic performance over time as well. Improving your joint health and range of motion could help you avoid landing funny or injuring a limb.

Reducing your risk of injury can help you boost your current fitness level and overall health. Meanwhile, you can avoid missing out on the season due to a long-term injury or disability.

Improved Performance

Regardless of your skillset or current abilities, you're likely hoping to improve your abilities over time. Your muscles and bones need to function at their best for you to improve your performance. If your joints aren't properly aligned, you could experience dysfunction or restricted movements.

Talk to your chiropractor about managing a sports injury. They can help maximize your musculoskeletal system's overall functionality over time.

Chiropractic care can also improve pulmonary function, which means more oxygen in your blood. Your energy levels should increase, which could improve your performance.

Improved lung function can help you avoid shortness of breath during games, too.

If you've developed issues or dysfunctions, your chiropractor can assess and remedy the source of the problem.

They can determine what's causing restrictions and limitations, too.

Then, you can start to get more out of every training session and game. You should find it easier to build muscular strength as well. Your joints will stretch with greater flexibility, too.

Better Coordination

To become an accomplished athlete, you need both body control and spatial awareness. Proprioceptors are nerve endings throughout your central nervous system. They're key to controlling every part of your body.

Choosing to recover from sports injuries through chiropractic care can improve the function and condition of your proprioceptors. You should feel balanced and coordinated as a result.

Relief Without Medication

Choosing chiropractic care for sports injury recovery can also help you avoid addictive painkillers. Instead, you can heal and experience relief with a drug-free treatment option.

In fact, visiting a chiropractor regularly could reduce pharmaceutical costs by 85% . Chiropractic care can also reduce your number of hospital visits by 60%.

Chiropractic techniques are 40% more effective than medical care for treating lower back pain. They also have a lower injury rate than general primary care.

You could even avoid costly surgery that might leave you on the bench for the season.

Better Range of Motion

Chiropractic care can help loosen your muscles and joints, which in turn can improve your range of motion.

For example, your chiropractor might recommend soft tissue mobilization or massage therapy. These treatment options can help break up scar tissue or adhesions that are impacting your range of motion.

Stretching can help increase your flexibility while protecting you from the effects of tight muscles. A chiropractor can also help correct misalignments that are causing tension in your back and neck. You can experience better comfort and begin moving without pain or resistance.

Meanwhile, your chiropractor can also help you discover new ways to improve your stability.

For example, a sprain can cause ligaments to stretch and tear. Your recovery could take longer if the joint isn't in proper alignment. An adjustment can help you avoid instability in the future.

Again, your risk of a reinjury could decline as a result.

Choose Chiropractic Care in St. Petersburg FL to Heal From Your Sports Injury

Don't try to heal from a sports injury alone. Instead, consider the benefits of chiropractic care on sports injury recovery. With help from an experienced chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL, you can heal and improve your athletic performance.

Experience these benefits firsthand today.

Eager to get started? We can't wait to help.

Chiropractic Care for Modern Allergy Management

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 15 May 2022 09:21:28 GMT

Did you know that approximately 60 million people in the United States have allergy symptoms annually? The most common symptoms are runny nose, sneezing, and congestion.

Nearly half of all healthcare costs related to pollen allergies are prescription medications.

Unfortunately, medications are the gold standard treatment when it comes to allergies.

Are you wondering if there are other modern allergy management techniques out there? The short answer is - yes! Chiropractic care can do more than handle old sports injuries or bad backs.

Luckily, we have put together a complete guide on what allergies are and how a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you, so keep reading for more information!

What Are Allergies?

If you find yourself sneezing non-stop once spring comes around, you aren't alone. Some of the worst places for seasonal allergies are:

Pennsylvania
Kansas
Texas
Virginia
Oklahoma

Many parts of Utah and California are better suited for those prone to allergies. But what exactly are allergies, and why do they cause you to feel like you are constantly battling a cold?

Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to pollen or other substances. Many people think of springtime flowers and trees causing most allergies. Yet, people can also experience allergic reactions to medications, substances, and even bee venom.

In the case of common allergies, your body reacts to stimuli it believes to be harmful. Your immune system will attack the foreign invader and release allergens.

These allergens trigger chemical reactions. One of these chemicals is histamine, which is one of the causes of some of the side effects you may have noticed, such as:

Congestion
Itchy eyes
Runny nose
Swollen eyes
Coughing

In rarer cases, a person may have a severe allergic response that results in anaphylactic shock. This is a medical emergency since it affects your respiratory system and can cause loss of consciousness and changes in heart rate.

Modern Allergy Management

Typically, allergy management starts with testing. These tests can include checking your skin or blood to determine exactly what you are allergic to. The best - and most obvious - treatment is to avoid whatever causes the allergen.

This halts your overactive immune system and leaves you without negative symptoms. For seasonal allergy sufferers, this is not always feasible.

The next step is medication management . Unfortunately, most treatment options default to medication, with options such as:

Antihistamines
Corticosteroids
Decongestants
Immunotherapy

Medications have side effects and can be cumbersome with daily use. Frequent trips to the doctor's office for immunotherapy treatments can quickly add up in costs. Instead, chiropractic care can do more than just realign your spine - it can also help manage allergies.

Chiropractic Care For Allergy Management

Your nervous and immune systems work hand-in-hand for keeping homeostasis and managing stress. More specifically, your immune system also helps protect against external threats. Current research shows that the nervous system plays a critical role in allergy management .

Mast cells - which play a critical role in the immune system response - are closely intertwined with nerve fibers and tissues. As mast cells communicate to neurons, they help regulate many neurophysiological effects. These can include sensory information, stress, and anxiety responses.

Chiropractic care helps improve immune system function. Misaligned spines , which occur in a vast majority of the population, impact your nervous system.

When your nervous system is out of whack (so to speak), it negatively affects the neurophysiological pathways. Immense stress can also be a key indicator you need a spinal adjustment to help protect your immune and nervous system.

Promoting Health and Wellness

The first step to managing your allergies will be consistent and regular spinal adjustments. Yet, the benefit of seeking chiropractic treatment is that you also receive access to whole-body wellness. Chiropractors are trained medical professionals that use research-based evidence for your health, including:

Providing lifestyle and health education
Using whole food supplements
Weight loss consultation
Prenatal care
Exercises
And more

The ultimate goal of a chiropractic session for allergy management is to reduce debilitating symptoms. It can also prevent flare-ups and promote long-term health.

You may receive advice on diet, supplements, exercises, stretches, and more. Implementing these health guidelines can help you reduce stress and cortisol levels.

Before you roll your eyes over mental health and allergies, research has shown that stress can increase or trigger nasal allergies . During allergic reactions, researchers found that the corticotropin-releasing stress hormone was elevated.

Corticotropin-releasing stress hormones release cortisol, which pushes the body into a fight-or-flight mode. They found that increased stress results in worse allergic reactions and vice versa.

What Do the Studies Show?

Current studies have looked at how rats responded to chiropractic adjustments and allergic airway inflammation. What have experts found? People with allergic airway inflammation have lower diversity and density of gut microbiota.

After chiropractic adjustments, the participants had increased density and diversity. In return, there was a decrease in allergic airway inflammation markers.

In China, chiropractic care for children with asthma is widely accepted. As more research comes out, it will hopefully spur further changes along the allergy management front.

How To See a Chiropractor

Have you wondered what types of modern allergy management techniques are out there? Chiropractic care is a natural way you can start remedying your allergy symptoms.

You don't want to deal with medication side effects and costly prescriptions. Instead, you can find a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, Florida today!

They can help with spinal adjustments, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations. All these tools can make a difference in how you respond to spring allergies. Ready to get started?

Chiropractor vs. Doctor: Which Professional Should You See?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 18:35:28 GMT

Chronic pain affects around 50 million adults in the United States. It can affect every aspect of life, from work to sleep and even cognitive processes. Access to relief from chronic pain is seen as a basic human right.

If you're a St. Pete resident suffering from long-term pain, no doubt you've been to many doctors looking for relief. Many also turn to physical therapists and massage to help them manage their symptoms. But could a chiropractor be the answer?

Let's compare a chiropractor vs. a doctor to see which one is right for you.

When to See a Chiropractor vs. a Doctor

Chiropractors and doctors offer different but usually complementary forms of medical care.

A primary care doctor is often your first port of call for everything from stomach issues to sore backs. They are able to refer you to specialists, such as physical therapists for chronic pain treatment. Plus, they can prescribe medications and can even recommend surgeries in severe cases.

A chiropractor takes a different approach. He or she will use the body's natural systems to empower the body to heal itself and function at its optimal potential. This treatment aims to identify the root cause of illnesses rather than simply treating symptoms.

Their training specializes in the manipulation of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They are able to work on the spine and joints, treating conditions such as backache, joint pain, and headaches.

A chiropractor can also help if you:

Have been in a car accident
Experience migraines
Are trying to lose weight
Are an expectant mother
Are looking to improve athletic performance

You do not need a referral from a doctor to see a chiropractor. However, you may want to talk to your doctor first depending on your current state of health.

The Difference Between a Chiropractor and a Doctor

Both medical doctors and chiropractors are highly skilled and well-educated medical professionals. The differences between doctors (MDs) and chiropractors (DCs) begin with their education

Qualifying as a Chiropractor (DC)

Chiropractors complete three to four years of undergraduate study first. This is usually in a science-related subject, such as chemistry, biology, or physics. After this, they move on to a chiropractic college .

There they study a minimum three-year degree course to obtain their Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree. After qualifying, chiropractors have to obtain a license in the state in which they wish to practice. This involves passing a certification exam.

Only after they have completed all of this training and education are they ready to begin practicing as chiropractors. After this, all chiropractors complete continuing education to keep abreast of advances in their field. Some may go on to specialize in areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and athletic performance.

Qualifying as a Medical Doctor (MD)

Becoming a doctor involves a similar route. First, you complete four years of pre-med undergraduate study. You will then need to pass the MCAT test to be able to apply to medical school.

You will complete four years in medical school before qualifying as a doctor. You will then spend a further three to seven years completing a hospital residency. Only after this can they sit the Medical Licensing Examination and be able to practice on their own.

Which Professional is Right For You?

Both chiropractors and doctors have your best interests at heart and want to see you achieve the best level of health. Many people prefer to see treatment from a chiropractor because they do not use medications or surgery. Some feel that this is a more natural and therefore preferable form of treatment.

When to See a Chiropractor

A chiropractor is a pain specialist. If you've been in a car accident and have whiplash or other musculoskeletal injuries, they can provide treatments. This can potentially reduce your pain considerably.

They can also treat headaches through spinal manipulation. This can improve the alignment of the neck and spine and improve blood flow. They may also recommend adjustments to your diet to improve your symptoms.

Have you noticed that you are not as flexible as you used to be? If your range of motion has become more limited, it's good to see a chiropractor. They can help to bring your body back into correct alignment and help it to function at its full potential.

There is no need to wait until you're in chronic pain to see a chiropractor. They also practice preventative medicine. They can help you to maintain good alignment and optimal nutrition, which can help you to avoid many health problems in the future.

When Not to See a Chiropractor

The best person to tell you when not to see a chiropractor is the chiropractor!

In your initial consultation with a chiropractor, it's important to be open about your medical conditions and history. If you have the following conditions, they may recommend that you consult a doctor first:

Arthritis
Herniated or slipped disc/s
Osteoporosis
Cancer of the spine
History of strokes or increased risk of strokes

But don't let this list put you off booking a consultation with a chiropractor. He or she will advise you whether they can help or not based on your individual needs.

How a Chiropractor Helps

During a session, a chiropractor will use their hands and small instruments. They'll apply controlled pressure to joints and stretch your limbs.

You may hear a cracking noise during some adjustments. This is safe and normal and is simply pressure being released from between the joints.

Your chiropractor will give you further work to do at home. This could include stretches, exercise, ice or heat therapy, and advice on diet and nutrition. This whole-person approach can make a big difference to your well-being.

Making the Decision: Chiropractor vs. Doctor

It can be hard to know when to see a chiropractor vs. a doctor. Often you do not have to choose one over the other. Both types of medicine can make a difference to your overall wellbeing.

But if you prefer a more natural, whole-person approach to treatment, a chiropractor may be the right choice. Their treatments and advice won't just focus on the symptom. They'll look to treat the underlying causes and help you to achieve optimal health.

Head over to Unify Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, FL. Dr. Shay Ridge is here to help you manage chronic pain or make a real improvement in your overall wellbeing.

Call us at 727-440-0404 or request an appointment online today!

5 Tips for Finding a Chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:52:32 GMT

About 3 in 4 adults aren't getting as much physical activity as they should.

One of the problems many adults run into is that once they start working out, they start experiencing all sorts of aches and pains. What's the solution? Committing to a long-term chiropractic plan.

Whether you're looking to get in shape, heal from an injury, or simply want to feel better, this article is for you. We'll go over the best tips for choosing a chiropractor in St Petersburg FL, so you don't waste any of your time or money.

What do you need to know before picking a chiropractor? Read on to find out.

1. Check for Reviews and References

The first place to get references for a chiropractor in St Petersburg FL, is your friends and family. Find out what their past experiences with chiropractors in the area have been like, and see who they recommend seeing.

Was the chiropractor effective at treating their back pain? Were they courteous and professional?

What was the wait time like for the appointment? These are all the types of questions you should be asking when you're getting recommendations. You can also start calling local chiropractor offices and talking to them about their experience.

Make sure that you speak to someone in the St Petersburg area to not have to travel too far for your appointments. You can even check online reviews to get an idea of what former patients have to say about their experiences.

Find out if the patient reviews match what you've been hearing about the chiropractor. Pay close attention to any repeat comments.

A couple of negative reviews aren't anything to be alarmed about; repeat complaints are usually a red flag. If customers consistently have long wait times, it might be a sign that that chiropractor office has time management issues. On the other hand, if you see repeat praises, it's a sure sign that you're on the right track!

2. Consider Their Experience

Finding a chiropractor in St Petersburg , FL, with fantastic reviews it's just a start. You'll also need to find out what their experience and credentials look like.

You'll need a chiropractor with the right type of experience to give you the results you need. You can ask the chiropractor's office how many patients they've had with your specific kind of condition. If you're going to them for a particular procedure, find out how many times they've performed that procedure before.

Get a clear picture of what the complication rates look like. Then ask whether there were any complications with past patients.

Once you've verified they have the correct type of experience, you can double-check their skills and training. State websites will help you check the chiropractor's certifications while also ensuring they don't have any malpractice cases.

3. Do a Quick Interview

Once you think you have found the right chiropractor, ask them to join you on the phone for a quick interview. It might seem silly at first interviewing someone when you're not trying to hire them for a job, but trust us, it's worth your time.

You can ask the chiropractor about their experience; you could also find out why they got into the field. The answers they provide are essential, but so is the way they offer them.

Is the chiropractor-patient and courteous as they're speaking to you on the phone? Are they fully answering your questions or rushing through? You should only take your business to a chiropractor's office who makes you feel heard and wanted.

Free Consultation

Did you want to go over some of your physical symptoms and ask the chiropractor about potential treatment plans? Then you're going to want to take your phone interview into the office.

If they're a walk-in chiropractor, you won't need an appointment. However, it's always wise to set one up anyway. Ask the chiropractor to set up a free consultation to discuss your conditions and the treatments they offer. When you arrive, you can use this customer service checklist to see if the office is on the up and up.

4. Explore Treatments at a Chiropractor Near Me

When you're searching for a chiropractor near me, pay attention to the treatments available. The best chiropractors will be able to treat various conditions, so you can have a comprehensive care plan.

For instance, were you recently in a car accident ? Finding a chiropractor specializing in auto accident injury recovery would be in your best interest.

Other services you can look for include pediatric or prenatal chiropractic care. Carrying a baby for 9 months means that a mother's body will go through all sorts of changes.

Having the right chiropractic care plan means alleviating all back pain. Plus, the newborn's baby needs uninterrupted communication from the mother's brain, all the way down the spinal cord. A chiropractor can help make sure that happens.

Another service to look into is weight loss chiropractic treatments. When the body has an efficient metabolism set up, it'll be easy to burn the calories it needs throughout the day.

Finally, you can also look into sports chiropractor services. These are great services for athletes looking to maintain peak fitness.

5. What Equipment Do They Have?

Along with finding out what services the chiropractor offers, find out what equipment they have in the office. For instance, will they be able to provide you with wobble chairs? Wobble chairs are an excellent chiropractor treatment that gives you improved lumbar strength.

Many reputable chiropractor offices will also offer some type of electrical nerve stimulation, like a tens unit. Using special electrodes, the chiropractor will stimulate nerves for therapeutic results.

Other equipment you should ask about includes inversion tables, clickers, and activator guns. There isn't a one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding the right chiropractic tools.

Instead, what you should be looking for in an office that's willing to use a wide range of tools to treat all sorts of conditions. The best and most modern offices will be able to offer you top-of-the-line solutions, with the best equipment around.

Find the Best Chiropractor in St Petersburg FL

Now that you know the top tips for finding a great chiropractor in St Petersburg FL, it's time to book an appointment. Here at Unified Chiropractic, we want to help you live a pain-free life.

If you're local to the Northeast Saint Pete area, you're more than welcome to come in to meet us face-to-face. We'd love to discuss your healthcare goals with you!

If you can't come into the office in person, no worries. Just complete this short form , and we'll be in touch with you right away.

How to Choose a Chiropractor for Back Pain in St. Petersburg

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:23:54 GMT

Are you tired of dealing with chronic back pain? Maybe you're dealing with pain from an old injury from high school? Or maybe your pain and discomfort are new developments from an auto accident?

Regardless of why you're experiencing pain, take comfort in knowing that there is a solution to your problem. You don't have to continue living in a constant state of pain or discomfort. By working with a chiropractor for back pain, you can alleviate your symptoms and find long-term relief.

The only question is, how do you find the right professional with the best back pain treatments?

We can help you there. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to search through your options for chiropractors in St. Petersburg Florida.

Ask for Recommendations

Nearly 8% of Americans struggle with constant, recurring, or persistent back pain. In other words, it's likely that you know someone personally who's experiencing the same pain and discomfort you have.

We recommend talking to the people you know to find out what experience they have working with the local chiropractors. This includes your friends, family, and co-workers. Do they have a recommendation for a chiropractor for back pain in St. Petersburg FL?

Alternatively, log onto your Facebook page where you can join a community page for St. Petersburg. Here you can ask the community at large for recommendations and suggestions.

Find a Qualified Chiropractor With Experience

It's important to consider chiropractic care experience when looking for a chiropractor for your pain. Before signing on with a new chiropractor, learn more about their education. They need to have the right credentials , schooling, and continuing education certifications.

Additionally, find out how long they've been serving the community? How many years have they been practicing chiropractic care?

Ask About Their Areas of Expertise

When looking at your options for chiropractors, look for professionals who specialize in the appropriate fields of expertise. For example, if you're looking for back pain treatments for injuries related to an auto accident, you need a chiropractor with the right training.

The same applies to:

Sports-related injuries
Pain and recovery from surgical procedures
Prenatal or pediatric chiropractic care
And more

You can usually find this information on the chiropractor's website and social media pages. Otherwise, contact them directly to ask questions and address any concerns you might have.

Look at Patient Reviews Online

It's difficult to place your health, comfort, and well-being in the hands of someone else. As such, it's only natural to feel ambivalent about handing yourself over to a chiropractor for back pain.

To gain peace of mind, go online to find patient references and reviews. Through the chiropractor's website, you should be able to find a list of testimonials written by their previous patients. This will tell you all you need to know about the chiropractor's services, professionalism, care, and more.

For example, do their patients have good things to say about how they were treated? Was the chiropractor able to relieve their pain, discomfort, stiffness, and any other symptoms? What about the chiropractor's rapport with their patients?

To learn more about the experiences of our patients, feel free to check out our testimonials .

Consider Your Insurance Compatability

Insurance compatibility can be a limiting factor when it comes to hiring a chiropractor for back pain. First, you need to figure out what your health insurance policy does and doesn't cover.

If you were injured on the job, it will likely be covered through your worker's compensation claim. If you aren't sure, contact your insurance company to learn about any limitations that exist in your policy.

For example, your insurance provider might only work with specific chiropractors in your area. Conversely, some chiropractic clinics only work with specific insurance companies. If you're paying for your back pain treatments via insurance, verify their compatibility before hiring a chiropractor.

Find Out About Availability

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to see a chiropractor for back pain several times a week. Whether you're recovering from a car accident or have chronic back pain, you need a chiropractor who can accommodate your needs. Do they have room in their schedule to give you the treatment you need for optimum relief and recovery?

Just as importantly, can they work with you to ensure your treatments are at a convenient time? For example, can they treat you during your lunch break or after work? Most people don't have the luxury of taking time off whenever they want to see a chiropractor.

Learn More About Their Treatment Programs

In St. Petersburg, your options for chiropractors will vary greatly. However, you can narrow your field of search by looking more closely at the types of treatments they offer.

At Unify Chiropractic, we offer a myriad of services, such as:

Back pain treatments
Prenatal and pediatric care
Weight loss
Functional blood reports
Whole food supplements
Chiropractic BioPhysics Mirror Image
And more

When choosing a healthcare practitioner, you need to know you're in qualified hands that can treat you as a whole, rather than focusing on individual symptoms. Take an in-depth look at our services to learn more.

Ask About Their Prices and Fees

Finally, let's talk about comparing chiropractor costs. Even if you're working with a chiropractor for back pain through your insurance company, you still need to consider the pricing and fees of the clinic. This is even more important if you're paying for everything out of your own pocket.

How much will each treatment cost? Does the chiropractor offer financing programs?

Search for a clinic that offers competitive prices. However, don't exchange quality services for affordability. It might be nice to save money, but not if you're getting sub-par treatments that won't benefit your health and well-being in the long run.

Looking for a Chiropractor for Back Pain in St. Petersburg FL?

As you can see, you should put a decent amount of thought into who you hire to be your chiropractor. Don't make any decisions without doing your due diligence. Follow our guide to find the best chiropractor for back pain in St. Petersburg FL.

We believe we are the clinic for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you live a better life with less pain and discomfort. We are more than happy to answer any questions or address any concerns.

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ: The Facts You Need to Know

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 17:14:22 GMT

About 12% of people living in the United States have TMJ at some point in their lifetime. The symptoms that come with this disorder can be life-altering. And, it can seem like there won't be an end to the pain that you're facing.

However, there is one way to tackle the symptoms of TMJ: chiropractic treatments.

Getting chiropractic treatment for TMJ is one of the best ways that you can take control of your pain and find relief from your symptoms.

If you're looking for TMJ pain relief, keep reading. We're going to talk all about what TMJ is and how a chiropractor can help you get the TMJ treatment you need.

What Is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular disorder. Although the technical acronym is TMD, the condition is popularly referred to as TMJ.

TMJ is a blanket term. This means that it represents/stands for multiple conditions that have somewhat similar symptoms.

Patients with any kind of acute or chronic inflammation of their temporomandibular joint may have the diagnosis of TMJ .

(Note: The temporomandibular joint is what connects your mandible/jaw bone to your skull. This joint is what allows your jaw to open and close.)

Due to the inflammation that comes with TMJ, many people cannot slide their jaw easily. This leads to a popping sensation in their jaw while trying to open and close their mouth.

How Do People Get TMJ?

The first thing to know is that TMJ is extremely common. It can occur due to a variety of reasons, including the following:

Nail-biting
Teeth grinding
Joint damage/degeneration
Jaw injuries

If you have a condition that causes joint or bone breakdown, you could experience TMJ as well.

If you do start experiencing the popping feeling that comes along with TMJ, you should talk to your physician about seeing a chiropractor. It may not be your first thought when it comes to TMJ pain relief, but chiropractic practice has been shown to help with the symptoms that come with TMJ.

Can a Chiropractor Help With TMJ?

The short answer is yes! Consistent chiropractic care can help with TMJ pain relief.

Chiropractors can get to the bottom of your TMJ pain. Rather than helping you cover up the pain, your chiropractor can help you solve the source of the pain.

And, one of the most common sources is the spine.

How Does the Spine Affect TMJ?

To understand this, you have to think about the structure of your body. Your back is made up of blocks that are called vertebrae. They stack on top of one another and run all the way from your pelvis to the base of your skull.

Between these vertebrae, there are discs that are supposed to keep these blocks in a line.

These vertebrae and discs are what are holding your skull up. In turn, it's also balancing your jaw.

If your spine isn't aligned correctly, this can cause problems with your skull and jaw. Over time, this malalignment can wear down your jaw and cause problems.

The jaw imbalance can put stress on the temporomandibular joint that helps your jaw move smoothly. In turn, the muscles in this area may tense up. Over time, this will fatigue your muscles.

After learning about this relationship between the spine and the jaw, it's easy to see how chiropractic treatment can be beneficial. Chiropractors have the education and experience necessary to get to the bottom of the most common TMJ problem: spinal malalignment.

What Does a Chiropractor Do to Relieve TMJ Pain?

As we discussed, the chiropractor is going to get to the bottom of your TMJ pain. In most cases, TMJ pain comes down to two possibilities:

The spine that's holding the jaw up
The muscles that surround the jaw

Once the chiropractor figures out which one of these options is causing your pain, he/she can work to correct the problem naturally. The goal is to get you the relief you need without having to rely on medication, oral appliances, or surgical procedures.

Using biology, anatomy, physiology, physics, and geometry, your chiropractor can determine the best way to physically manipulate your body in an attempt to relieve your TMJ pain.

It may not seem like a lot is happening when a chiropractor twists your spine, but each and every move they make is calculated. And, each licensed chiropractor is highly trained.

They know what they're doing. You just have to trust them to care for your TMJ pain.

What Happens When You See a Chiropractor for the First Time?

Your first appointment will be all about determining your current state of health. After assessing you and asking many questions about your current symptoms and conditions, your chiropractor will work to create a treatment plan that's right for you.

Some people may need chiropractic treatments multiple times a week while others may benefit from monthly maintenance. And, that timeline can change over time depending on how your body responds to the first few treatments.

You may or may not have your first chiropractic treatment during your first visit. This will depend on the amount of time that you have for the appointment and whether or not the chiropractor knows what kinds of movements would benefit you. They may want to do some research or consider different treatments before they decide on the regimen for you.

When you come in to see the chiropractor, make sure that you're knowledgeable about your symptoms and conditions. The more you know about your current state of health, the easier it will be for your chiropractor to give you the treatment that you need to get relief from TMJ pain.

Get Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ Pain

Seeing a chiropractor for TMJ pain is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. Chiropractic treatment for TMJ is commonly skipped in TMJ treatment, but it's one of the most beneficial treatments out there for the condition.

If you're interested in meeting with a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, Florida, get in touch with our team at Unify Chiropractic today.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Whiplash Pain?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 09:30:04 GMT

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that is caused by a sudden movement of the head, which puts the cervical spine through quick motions and extreme stress. It frequently occurs during vehicle accidents, physical abuse, or sports injuries. Without treatment, whiplash can have a major impact on quality of life and cause long-term discomfort.

Research tells us that more than two million people in the United States suffer from whiplash every year. If you recently suffered an accident and are experiencing whiplash pain, it's important to get proper and effective treatment. A chiropractor is your No. 1 option for the treatment of whiplash.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at whiplash, how it occurs, its symptoms, and how a chiropractor can help.

What Exactly Is Whiplash?

Whiplash, as noted, is a common type of neck injury. It occurs when a person's head moves backward and then forward with force. The most common cause of whiplash is during vehicle accidents, specifically during a rear-end collision.

Muscles and ligaments in the neck can be damaged when the neck is extended outside of its normal range of motion. The symptoms of whiplash do not always appear immediately and may take some time to become apparent.

Common causes of whiplash include:

Vehicle accidents
Contact sports
Cycling accidents
Physical abuse
Falls
Horseback riding
Blows to the head

Each of these incidents can cause muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck to be damaged.

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

When it comes to whiplash, the symptoms can be divided into two categories: common and less common. Firstly, here is a list of common whiplash symptoms

Neck stiffness and pain
Headaches
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Constant weariness

Some of the less common symptoms of whiplash include:

Ringing in the ear
Problems with memory and concentration
Irritability
Inability to sleep well
Chronic pain in head, shoulders, and/or neck

As you can imagine, both the common and less common symptoms of whiplash can drastically reduce an individual's quality of life and ability to personal everyday, normal tasks.

This is where a chiropractor can help. Let's take a look at how a chiropractic clinic can help with whiplash pain.

How Can a Chiropractor Help With Whiplash Pain?

Before we answer this question directly, it's important to understand what a chiropractor is and what their aim is. A chiropractor is a licensed health professional who uses noninvasive and nonsurgical treatments to treat patients experiencing pain.

Chiropractors are best placed to treat the following complaints and injuries:

Neck pain
Lower back pain
Headaches
Repetitive Strains
Vehicle accident injuries
Sports injuries
Arthritic pain

During a session, the chiropractor will evaluate your spine as a whole even if your pain is limited to a specific area. This is because other regions may also be affected. Areas of restricted joint motion, ligament injury, disc injury, and muscle spasms will be identified during this evaluation.

The first phase of whiplash treatment may focus on reducing neck inflammation. This can be performed using different therapy modalities as well as manual therapy and gentle stretching.

At this early stage, it may also help to ice the affected area to bring now swelling. You may also take pain medication for whiplash to ease pain and discomfort.

Common Whiplash Treatment Techniques

Every case of whiplash is different and chiropractic treatment will be fully personalized for the patient depending on the severity of the injury. The most common treatment technique for whiplash is known as spinal manipulation .

A spinal manipulation helps to:

Relieve pressure on joints
Improve nerve function
Reduce inflammation

There are different spinal manipulation techniques that can be used to treat whiplash. Let's consider 3 of them here.

Flexion-Distraction Technique

This is a gentle form of hands-on treatment that is effective at treating whiplash. This technique is especially effective if your injury has aggravated a herniated or bulging discs. Rather than direct force to the spine, it utilizes a slow pumping action on the disc.

Specific Spinal Manipulation

With this technique, the chiropractor will identify spinal joints that show subluxations or are restricted. The aim of specific spinal manipulation is to restore joint motion. It involves a gentle thrusting technique that stimulates the nervous system and stretches soft tissue.

Instrument-Assisted Manipulation

This technique used a hand-held instrument that is applying non-thrusting force to the spine. It is often used on older patients with degenerative joint syndromes.

Manual therapy can also be used as an accompaniment to spinal manipulation when it comes to treating whiplash . This may include therapeutic massage, trigger point therapy, and manual joint stretching.

Depending on the severity of the injury, whiplash can take between a few weeks to upwards of six months to recover from.

Choose a Chiropractor to Treat Whiplash Pain

Whiplash can lead to serious and negative health implications for people involved in accidents. This includes long-term pain, which can affect quality of life and the ability to perform normal tasks. It may also impact a person's ability to perform their favorite activities, such as playing sport or dancing.

Thankfully, with proper treatment, whiplash pain can be resolved. The best way to effectively treatment whiplash is to visit a qualified and experienced chiropractor for customized treatment.

Here at Unify Chiropractic, we specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of ailments, rather than simply treating the symptoms. We offer same-day appointments at our chiropractic clinic in St. Petersburg, Florida.

If you are seeking whiplash pain relief, contact our friendly team today to learn more get started.

Managing Your Pain: The Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor for Sciatica

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 17:44:51 GMT

Each year around the United States, chiropractors help around 35 million people . They're also 40% more effective than medical care when it comes to helping to treat lower back pain.

Are you considering seeing a chiropractor for sciatica but aren't sure if they're right for you? While you might have your reservations and you might feel overwhelmed deciding whether or not to see a chiropractor, you're in luck. Read this article on how a chiropractor can relieve your sciatica and help you gain relief today!

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is about manual therapies including spinal manipulation. These are used to treat different conditions that you might be experiencing, along with the relief of pain.

It's important to understand that sciatica can extend from the back and reach other locations. A chiropractor can help you receive relief before it becomes worse.

Chiropractic care is considered holistic. This means that it's about healing your whole body instead of just a specific area of concern. Your chiropractor will ask about your health history and about your pain in order to create a specialized treatment plan.

X-rays might be taken in order for them to see what could be causing your pain. Some might offer you wellness education or nutrition to help relieve your symptoms.

Should You See a Chiropractor for Sciatica?

Chiropractors receive special training in the manipulation of the spine and back in order to treat or manage back pain. They're a great option for non-surgical treatment.

Chiropractic Exercises

While certain movements can hurt sciatica, your St. Petersburg chiropractor can offer you sciatica pain relief through recommended exercises. Your chiropractor will try to get to the root of the problem in order to provide you with relief.

Not only could these exercises provide you with relief, but they'll help you avoid sciatic nerve aggravation. This will help to release the pressure that you might be experiencing.

Spinal Decompression

Chiropractic treatment for sciatica might include spinal decompression. At times, the discs within your spine can become thinner and dry out.

Your chiropractor might use spinal decompression to relieve the compression of the nerves. These can include enhancing the space between the vertebrae or lengthening the spine.

Reduce Your Need for Medication

Today, there are about 1.27 million Americans who are receiving medication assisted treatment. Opioids are ruining lives, and chiropractic care can help you reduce the need for medication.

The benefits of seeing a chiropractor for sciatica include the fact that you can learn about acupuncture, massage, manipulation, and heat. There are also muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory pain relievers to help with any pain that you might be experiencing.

Fewer Side Effects

Pain medication can cause serious side effects such as being expensive, hard to receive a prescription for, and dangerous lifestyle consequences. The good part about chiropractic care is that there are fewer side effects to worry about.

Less Stress

You can enjoy the soothing system of chiropractic care. It can be a similar experience to yoga or meditation.

You might also receive an improvement in circulation and reduced muscle tension. Chiropractors can also help you receive relief from stress.

Reduced Symptoms

While you might be experiencing weakness, numbness, stiffness of the back, etc. a chiropractor can help you find relief. It could also be more effective than surgery and medication as well.

Identify the Root of the Problem

Your St. Petersburg chiropractor will work hard to identify what's causing the pain that you're experiencing, and how to fix it. First, they might use an ultrasound or other therapy to help.

This is because ultrasound waves can penetrate deep into the tissues. In order to speed up the healing process, an ultrasound can help improve your body's circulation.

Another option could be low-level laser therapy. This is where irritation, edema, pain, or swelling are reduced. Low-level laser therapy can also give you a quicker healing process.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation units are battery-powered nerve stimulation devices. Endorphins will be increased in your body, and muscle spasms will be released.

Realign the Spine

When a chiropractor realigns your spine, they're taking the pressure and pain off of your sciatica nerve. Outside of chiropractic care, that'll be impossible to find this beneficial treatment.

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is one of the main causes of pain with sciatica. As the pressure is removed through manipulation, you can start to feel much better. Speak with your chiropractor about the right care options for you since it's not a one-size-fits-all.

Lifestyle Changes

Chiropractic treatment for sciatic nerves might also include lifestyle changes. Chiropractors might recommend a different way for you to lift, sit, sleep, and stand.

Follow what the chiropractor says in order to strengthen your back muscles. This will be beneficial in order to avoid the sciatic nerve becoming compressed again. Chiropractors are looking to provide their patients with both long-term and short-term results.

Understanding How a Chiropractor for Sciatica Can Help

After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of why many choose a chiropractor for sciatica pain. Meet with a qualified chiropractor to decide what your treatment options are.

Are you in St. Petersburg, FL and are dreaming of saying goodbye to the intense pain from sciatica? Do you dream of relief and getting back to what you love?

Have questions? We're to help and answer your questions along the way!

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care Services After a Car Accident

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 06:00:03 GMT

Are you looking for ways to relieve yourself of pain after a serious car accident? Have you been dealing with whiplash for far too long? If so, then you need to unlock the benefits of chiropractic care services for your health.

Doing so will unlock a chain of benefits for you and any other family members dealing with pain. It can give you results without medication or invasive treatments.

If you're a St. Petersburg FL resident, then there's no reason to deny yourself the benefits any longer. See below for an in-depth list of perks you can look forward to when you hire a St Petersburg chiropractor.

1. Treatments for a Variety of Injuries

If you've ever consulted a general physician for your car accident injuries, then you know how frustrating it can be to get the help that you need.

For example, if you're dealing with knee pain, they'll send you to a knee specialist. But if you're dealing with chronic headaches, they'll send you to a neck specialist.

Heaven forbid if you were to suffer multiple injuries, you'd have to schedule appointments with countless specialists over that span

But consider a chiropractor as your one-stop-shop for all of your car accident injuries.

Chiropractors are experienced and trained to treat a variety of injuries, such as back pain, joint issues, neck pain, muscle strains, and more.

For example, if you're dealing with a spinal cord injury , then a chiropractor can help you correct the issue and relieve you of the pain.

Fixing the spinal cord issue, such as a bulging disc (a common injury from car crashes) can help you relieve the headaches that may have been caused from your misaligned spine.

Many spine and neck injuries have a trickle-down effect for the rest of your body. By correcting the central hub, you can alleviate a lot of chronic pain down the line.

2. Long-Term Results

You don't just want to get your hands on short-term solutions. What good does that do you if your car accident injuries aren't corrected? They can still lead to long-term disability down the line.

Instead, make sure that you get your hands on long-term results.

By scheduling frequent appointments with the best chiropractor in St Pete , you'll be able to correct the injury and get back into the best shape of your life.

If your car accident was a while ago, then you've undoubtedly noticed a regression in your health. It's harder to get out of bed in the morning, you're dealing with constant pain, and your headaches are getting worse.

Don't let those injuries worsen any more. If you let them persist, they can develop into chronic injuries that you'll battle for the rest of your life.

At your very first appointment, you and your chiropractor will develop a long-term plan.

This plan won't just be directed and healing your injuries, but promoting optimal health for you and your family.

If you've dealt with a car accident injury, then make sure you hire a chiropractor that has experience with resolving such injuries. These differ from normal back and neck injuries, as they tend to be more severe.

3. Transparent Care

Some of you might be frustrated with how quick your doctor is to prescribe medication. Others of you might be looking for ways to avoid surgery for your car accident injuries.

If so, then chiropractic care services are your clear course of action.

Chiropractors pride themselves on providing natural, long-term care for their clients. They correct the body as needed, then allow it to naturally heal itself. You'd be surprised at what the human body is capable of .

You'll find our chiropractic services to be refreshingly honest. If we feel that your injury is too severe to treat through natural means, we'll let you know.

However, in most cases, we find that long-term chiropractic care can solve the issue. Even better, you'll start to notice health benefits that were indirectly caused by the car accident (such as your high levels of stress).

4. No Medication Required

If you've been taking prescriptions, then you might've become frustrated with the lack of improvement with your injuries.

Medication isn't meant to solve the issue. It's just used as a way to delay the pain. Even then, it might only reduce the pain to a tolerable level.

A chiropractor will focus solely on treating your injuries, not giving you short-term relief.

Simply come in and get adjustments at the frequency that your chiropractor advises. They'll never prescribe you medication, and you'll feel much better after every appointment. It's a win-win!

5. No Surgeries Needed

What if we told you that long-term chiropractic care could prevent you from requiring surgery?

Believe it or not, that's the truth! By dedicating yourself to our long-term chiropractic plan, you'll be able to treat those car accident injuries without going under.

All of the treatments that we offer are non-invasive. You won't have to compensate for recovery time or risk experiencing any potential setbacks in the process.

Instead, you can look forward to progressive improvement in your health, for your car accident injuries, posture, and so forth.

Invest in the Best Chiropractic Care Services in St Pete

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on the many benefits of chiropractic care services, be sure to invest in it for your needs.

Take the time to read this article for more information on where to go for chiropractor services in St Petersburg.

For more inquiries, please be sure to give us a call at 727-440-0404 and we'll help you schedule your first appointment.

Hopefully, you aren’t suffering from any of the things that we looked at, but the chances are you have or will. Advanced chiropractic care can make a world of difference for people wanting to experience less pain and heal their bodies.

If you have any questions or want to set up your first appointment, contact us .

6 Things That Can Be Treated by Advanced Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 06:00:03 GMT

There are currently over 34,000 chiropractors who work in the United States.

These practitioners serve to bring pain relief and healing to millions of people every year. It might surprise you to discover what advanced chiropractic care can do for any conditions you have and for your quality of life.

It is no mystery that advanced chiropractic relief is possible for a variety of conditions and ailments. Most of us think of the back when we think of what chiropractors do. However, there is so much more to it than that.

1. Headaches

Headaches are frustrating, painful, and annoying. Having a headache can ruin your entire day, and throw any plans you made into complete confusion. Did you know that in the United States, around 50% of adults suffer from some kind of headache condition?

That’s a lot of headaches happening every day, but there’s some good news. Headaches can occur from a lot of different things, from tension to pinched nerves. The good news is that one of the benefits of chiropractic care is that a single visit can sometimes remove or reduce the pain.

Even if a single visit cannot repair the root cause, don’t suffer through it or fill your body with pills. Let a chiropractor assist you in finding some relief from the pain. You will find that over time chiropractic care can have a great impact on the headaches that you are suffering from, both in severity and frequency.

2. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes constant pain to those it afflicts. The cause is unknown, and there is no cure for this condition. However, chiropractic care is able to help patients experience less pain and deal with the pain they do experience better.

Chiropractic care often involves manipulating regions of the body, allowing for better blood flow and nerve conduction. This combination seems to be of key importance to treating fibromyalgia pain, so don’t hesitate if you are suffering from this horrible disease to seek help immediately.

There are also specific treatments your chiropractor may know of. If this is the case, they will be able to provide you with relief and consultation about other possible methods of assistance. A chiropractor's primary goal is to make sure you suffer less.

3. Scoliosis

Scoliosis occurs when your spine isn’t straight but instead twisted. While chiropractic care can’t straighten the twist, it can treat the symptoms and help to relieve the effects of Scoliosis. Treatment consists of spinal manipulations as well as strengthening work and physical therapy.

This is a great example of how chiropractic relief can come through a variety of means all working together. An advanced chiropractic center can help to combine all of these treatments into a single visit to help bring relief to those who need it most. Don’t wait for your condition to worsen before you seek assistance.

4. Disc Pain

The discs in your back act like tiny shock absorbers for the vertebrae of your spine. They are like gel discs that rest in between each vertebra and ensure proper motion and nerve function. When these discs begin to break down from a chronic condition or injury, pain can be unbearable and not just limited to your back.

Chiropractors have experience dealing with these injuries because they are common. You are not alone, and your chiropractor can help to relieve the pain that you are experiencing. Even if you are seeing a surgeon about potential options in that regard, don’t forget to let your chiropractor help you.

5. Plantar Fasciitis

While it can be caused by a host of factors, you can seek relief from Plantar Fasciitis pain with advanced family chiropractic. This condition occurs when inflammation or irritation starts in the thin tissue of your foot. You may begin to experience pain in your heel, it could even swell and cause numbness.

For many of us, this condition can be devastating, sometimes even requiring time off of work. Don’t let Plantar Fasciitis get the better of you, let your chiropractor help adjust you so that the pain is soothed and you can continue to function properly.

6. Shoulder Pain

While many of us think of back pain, shoulders hurt almost as often. The shoulder is a complicated joint that has many working parts. Tendons, ligaments, muscles, and nerves all run through the shoulder, making it a hotspot of discomfort and pain.

An experienced chiropractor will be able to help you seek relief. They can manipulate the joint and its connections to the spine and the rest of your body. This almost always brings immediate relief, but in severe cases, they can work over time to make sure that your shoulder starts to feel better.

Find a Chiropractor

If you’re in St. Petersburg, FL, there’s no need to go search for chiropractic care near me. We have you covered, and can help you manage pain and heal from injuries. Unify chiropractic and Dr. Shay brings together a wealth of knowledge and expertise to make sure that patients are put first and taken care of.

No matter where you are, don’t overlook the benefits of chiropractic treatment. It can make the difference between suffering and being able to enjoy your life once again. Even if your problem can’t be fixed, your symptoms can be treated and your pain lessened.

Advanced Chiropractic Care And You

If you have any questions or want to set up your first appointment, contact us .

Where to Go for Chiropractor Services in St. Petersburg, FL

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 21:02:27 GMT

Are aches and pains slowing you down or impacting your quality of life? If you're experiencing back pain, it's important to seek chiropractic help right away. Otherwise, the pain could only get worse.

There are now nearly 35,000 chiropractors across the US. You'll need a way to narrow down your options. Otherwise, you could make the mistake of choosing an inexperienced chiropractor.

Here are seven tips that can help you find the best chiropractor in St. Petersburg. With these tips, you can receive high-quality chiropractor services. You can ease your pain and finally get back to your life.

Meanwhile, you'll have peace of mind knowing your chiropractor is a qualified professional. Their training could make all the difference in easing your pain.

Start your search using these seven tips today.

1. Talk to Friends

First, talk to friends, family, and coworkers in St. Petersburg. Ask if they've received chiropractic help in the past year. If they have, ask about their experience.

For example, you can ask:

Was the chiropractor easy to talk to
Did the listen to your concerns
Were they easy to understand
Did they provide preventative tips
What services did you request
Were you satisfied with the services you received
Would you visit them again

If your inner circle can't point you in the right direction, that's okay. Instead, talk to your primary care physician. They might know a chiropractor in St. Petersburg they can refer you to.

Otherwise, head online. Google "chiropractor help near me" and make a list of options. Then, you can use the rest of these tips to narrow down your choices.

As you research each option, consider calling the chiropractor's offices. Ask about their current availability.

If the chiropractor is overbooked for the next few months, consider scratching them off your list. You could save valuable time with your search. Instead, choose someone you can visit for immediate chiropractic help.

Without immediate treatment, your condition might only get worse.

2. Check Their Credentials

Once you have a list of options to research further, take the time to learn more about each chiropractor's credentials. You'll want to find a professional, licensed chiropractor.

First, make sure their license is up-to-date. Their license can indicate they've completed their training. Trained professionals are more likely to offer high-quality services.

Someone who lacks the necessary training and licensing might do more harm than good. They could even cause a disability.

Then, check their record. Make sure the chiropractor doesn't have any disciplinary actions filed against them. Make sure they weren't involved in a malpractice suit, either.

While you're online, learn more about each chiropractor's professional history. For example, you can determine where they attended medical school. Make sure it was an accredited institution.

Determine which training hospital they attended, too.

Then, determine if the chiropractors on your list have any specialized training or certifications. Choosing a chiropractor with additional certifications can give you peace of mind. They're more likely to offer the highest standard of care.

3. Look for Experienced Professionals

One millio n chiropractic adjustments are performed in the US each day. In fact, chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans a year. Chances are, the chiropractors on your list have some amount of experience.

Determine how long each chiropractor has worked in the industry. Determine how long they've offered chiropractor services at their own practice, too.

Try to find someone with years of hands-on experience. You can feel more confident in their ability to treat your condition.

Consider your specific situation, too. For example, were you recently in a car crash or sporting accident? Maybe your back pain is the result of repetitive motions or age.

Choose a chiropractor with experience helping patients who were once in your shoes.

Consider asking how many patients the chiropractor is currently treating, too. If they only have a handful of patients, look elsewhere. If they're handling too many patients, you might struggle to schedule appointments.

Instead, find someone who falls in the middle.

4. Consider the Location

Google "chiropractor in Florida near me" and pull up Google Maps. Consider where each chiropractor is located. You might want to find someone near your home, work, or school.

Make sure the chiropractor is located nearby. If you're in a lot of pain, you'll want to schedule an appointment right away. You won't want to sit in the car for an hour before your appointment.

You'll have peace of mind knowing your chiropractor is close.

While you're at it, check their hours as well. Make sure their hours suit your schedule. If they only offer limited hours, scratch them off your list.

Instead, choose a chiropractor in St. Petersburg who can suit your needs.

5. Read Reviews

You can learn more about each chiropractor on your list by reading reviews. Check the chiropractor's Google My Business and BBB listings. Make sure they don't have any complaints filed against them.

You can check their website for testimonials , too.

Instead, look for a chiropractor with a strong professional reputation. They'll strive to maintain that reputation by offering the best chiropractor services.

6. Schedule a Consultation

Consider scheduling a consultation appointment with one or two chiropractors on your list. Let them know about the symptoms you're experiencing. Then, ask how they plan to help.

Make sure the chiropractor will build a customized treatment plan based on your goals and needs.

Scheduling a consultation will help you determine if you're comfortable around them, too. Pay attention to their demeanor. Are they friendly yet professional?

Make sure they're easy to speak to as well.

If you're not comfortable around that chiropractor, scratch them off your list.

7. Consult Your Insurance

Before making your final choice, consult your insurance network. Does the chiropractor fall within your network? If not, that's okay.

Instead, ask if they offer any payment plans or deals.

Don't make your choice based on price alone. Instead, choose a chiropractor you feel confident can help.

Start Searching: 7 Tips for Finding the Best Chiropractor Services in St. Petersburg, FL

You don't have to live life in pain! Instead, use these seven tips to find the best chiropractor services in St. Petersburg. With these tips, you can feel confident before your first appointment.

An experienced chiropractor can ease your pain, improving your quality of life in the long run.

Ready to schedule your first appointment? Get in touch.

Can A Chiropractic Adjustment Truly Improve Health Beyond Pain Relief?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 05:22:25 GMT

Some people believe that the primary benefits of chiropractic adjustments mostly involve pain relief. Witnessing a chiropractor make an adjustment even appears to some people as simply applying back and neck pressure to relieve discomfort. A common inquiry among many chiropractic patients involves the honest question about an adjustment’s influence on areas of the body outside the spine.

Truly comprehending the value of an adjustment requires an understanding of more than meets the eye. The subtle movements of the hands and the sometimes-audible cracks that occur work in union with the body to unlock so much more than pain relief.

Understanding the importance of a healthy spine provides the simplest path to comprehending the power of a chiropractic adjustment. The spine has a purpose far beyond helping a person stand up straight. The bones of the spine accomplish so much more than simply protecting the vital life source found in the spinal cord. The spine also supplies a significant amount of the vital nutrition to the brain.

Electrical feedback takes place through movement. The better the movement, the better the brain and nervous system function. When the nervous system functions better, all aspects of health and human performance improve. Scientific research continues to prove the significant value of a healthy spine.

Several articles and research studies expand the growing library of evidence that prove chiropractic adjustments provide broad range health and healing. A few of the many research studies listed below demonstrate the scope of chiropractic influence on whole body health:

Improved Blood Pressure after Atlas Adjustment (2007)
Improved Immune Function and Reduced Allergies with Improved Spinal Health (2004)
Improved Hormone Balance Following Spinal Adjustment (2015)
Poor Health Outcomes in Measured Categories as Posture Deviation Increased (2005)
Improved Brain Function following Spinal Adjustment (2016)
Improved Heart Rate, Breathing, and Autonomic Function in Infants After Upper Neck Adjustment (2002)

Much of the medical community remains unaware of the massive amounts of research that provides better health options and opportunities to families. Improved spinal alignment and movement offer health solutions in place of dangerous drugs and surgeries in many cases.

Families around the world continue to experience benefits of chiropractic care that extend far beyond the back and neck pain. Science and research combined with over 125 years of proven results continue to explain why everyone with a spine and nervous system can benefit from regular chiropractic checkups and adjustments. The chiropractic approach to life and health continues to gain awareness and popularity for adults, children, and families who value a drugless and non-invasive approach to healthcare.

Abnormal Posture And Spinal Misalignment Increases Degeneration

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 09:23:37 GMT

Proper alignment of every axle on an automobile prevents abnormal wear and tear on the tires. The human spine operates very similarly. The pads located between each spinal bone consist of soft tissue. Abnormal alignment breaks down the soft tissue. The pads are called intervertebral discs and consist of cartilage and water. Seventy percent of the discs in between each spinal bone are made of water. This composition creates greater mobility and cushion. The softer tissue and water in the disc require proper alignment to sustain durability and longevity.

Research shows that abnormal postural and spinal alignment increase the risk and progression of spinal degeneration. A study from 2017 showed that asymmetrical distribution of loads on the spine caused greater rates of joint and disc degeneration.

Chiropractic adjustments improve the alignment and movement of the spine and decrease the risk and progression of spinal joint and disc degeneration. The spine’s intimate connection with the central nervous system means that each healthy adjustment improves the brain’s ability to receive and send appropriate messages to all organs, cells, and tissues. People of all ages experience pain relief, greater mobility, and the prevention of spinal joint degeneration with regular spinal care. Chiropractic adjustments improve the alignment and movement in the spine to unlock increased levels of health and wellness throughout the body.

Low back pain will affect more than eighty percent of people at some point in their lives. More than fifty percent of adults over the age of 55 exhibit disc degeneration. Many have no signs or symptoms of advanced degeneration. By the time pain signals begin to announce the presence of disc problems, the body will no longer be able to reverse advanced damage. The benefits of chiropractic extend far beyond pain relief. Proactive maintenance of the essential tissues in the spine allows healthy and pain free living for aging adults.

Research continues to prove the positive influence of just one single session of chiropractic on overall health, strength and function. Improving spinal mobility, maximizing nervous system health, and lowering the risk of spinal degeneration represent just a few of the benefits driving more parents and families to chiropractors every week. Doctors and health practitioners also continue to recommend chiropractic due to research, results, and an overall desire for a non-invasive drugless approach to better living. Taking care of the body now means the body can take care of the person later in life. More and more people continue to pursue proactive health care with chiropractic.

Asian Journal of Neurosurgery April-June 2017
“ Neglected knowledge: Asymmetric features of lumbar disc disease .” Ayhan Kanat, Ugur Yazar, Bulent Ozdemir, Hizir Kazadal, and Mehmet Sabri Balik

Study Reveals Spinal Surgery Does Not Prove Effective

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 02:39:12 GMT

Vehicle alignment depends largely on the durability of tires working in tandem with the structure and function of the axle. Unbalanced alignment contributes to an eventual breakdown due to the asymmetrical stress load eroding at the structure. The rate and symmetry of breakdown depends on alignment. This same principle occurs with the human spine.

The spine consists of 24 hard bones called vertebrae. 23 of these bones maintain space from one another through the presence of intervertebral discs. Intervertebral discs are specifically designed to separate the bones and protect the elements that exist between each bone. These essential elements include spinal nerves and blood vessels. Spinal nerves extend off the spinal cord at each level of the spine and transverse through a disc-sized hole created by the space between each bone. The spinal nerve relays life-giving information from the brain to the entire body to keep a person alive and well.

The intervertebral discs serve an essential purpose. These buffers are comprised of 70% water and 30% soft tissue and provide shock absorption that cushion stress created in the spine from moving, jumping, and bending. Better alignment means better protection and function.

Abnormal movement or alignment of a spinal vertebra leads to minor asymmetries in the spine that increase rates of disc degeneration and arthritis. Small spinal misalignments, known as subluxations, also increase tension and interference in the nervous system. Interference in the nervous system puts the body into a state of dysfunction, eventually leading to a deterioration of health and the increased risk of symptoms and disease.

Studies show that small asymmetries in the spine and discs create health problems that lead to pain and disease. Research determined that asymmetric distribution of herniated discs attributed to altered mechanical load. Patients with herniated lumbar discs often underwent surgery at the recommendation of their physician. Continued research determined an unfortunate correlation that many people with disc problems fail to experience health improvement following spinal surgeries. Even surgeries deemed successful that go as planned do not remedy persistent pain and health problems.

Well-known athletes and coaches often have access to the finest health professionals and surgeons in the world. The world champion head coach of the Golden State Warriors experienced a spinal surgery that rendered him completely unable to function for months due to the pain and disability experienced following spinal surgeries to address disc problems. Steve Kerr publicly advised all listeners to avoid back surgery at all costs.

The healthiest long-term approach to treating spinal asymmetry problems begins with improving movement and strength. Chiropractors address spinal asymmetries and help those with chronic spinal pain through gentle, corrective adjustments and specific lifestyle care recommendations. No vehicle has more value than the one each person lives in. Optimal maintenance comes from chiropractic.

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Asian Journal of Neurosurgery
April-June 2017
“ Neglected knowledge: Asymmetric features of lumbar disc disease. ”
Ayhan Kanat, Ugur Yazar, Bulent Ozdemir, Hizir Kazdal, and Mehmet Sabri Balik

The Central Nervous System: The Source For All Chiropractic Results

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:24:49 GMT

The current medical model of healthcare in most developed nations unintentionally fails to address a large component of health that plays a vital role in human function and performance. Failing to address the importance of human structure and its relationship to gravity proves costly. Chiropractors comprise a uniquely educated and scientifically trained profession focused on addressing spinal structure and biomechanics. These processes achieve extraordinary results extending far beyond pain relief by helping patients achieve optimal brain and nervous system function.

Science and research continually prove the extensive benefits of chiropractic. Many understand the positive influence of chiropractic on painful symptoms in the neck and back, but some people are surprised to learn that the list of overall health benefits from nervous system care produces a lengthy list of positive outcomes. Some notable influences of regular spinal care include better hormonal and organ function, prevention of bone and nerve degeneration, increased range of motion, and injury prevention. A study published in 2011 evaluated the data from all previous scientific literature and concluded that the best benefits achieved through chiropractic occur from proactive care over a period of time. Improving the health and function of the spine positively influences the brain, organs, nerves, bones, and soft tissue.

Utilizing chiropractic adjustments to optimize health and performance continues to expand in popularity and public awareness. Millions of patients understand that proactive health care represents the most effective and cost-efficient form of maintenance and wellness care available. People around the globe continue to learn that true health care does not originate from addressing pain and symptoms after they occur. Research concludes that genuine health comes from a proactive approach and specifically notes that, “chiropractic maintenance care optimizes levels of function and provides a process for achieving the best possible function and health.”

Unhealthy spinal joint motion produces negative short and long-term challenges. Immobilized or misaligned spinal joints experience degeneration within two to four weeks. Lack of spinal joint motion accompanies degeneration, neuroplastic changes, neural and muscle atrophy, and muscle weakness in that same window of time. People need to understand the importance of spinal care as a foundational aspect of overall health. A person choosing to indulge in an unhealthy diet or abstain from exercise for a few weeks or months can usually refocus and recommit to addressing those issues without permanently damaging their long-term health. Misaligned or immobilized vertebra begin producing long-term nerve, bone, and muscle degeneration within two to four weeks – even if pain and symptoms are not immediately present.

Regular and consistent chiropractic adjustments prove necessary for optimal health and wellness regardless of abnormal health symptoms. Infants, children, and adults benefit from chiropractic care to assess and address postural and structural spinal health. A healthy sign of the public conscience pursuing improved wellness comes from the growing number of families utilizing chiropractic care as a proactive approach to maximized performance and function. Genuine health care does not simply originate with a plan to address degeneration or pain after it begins. The proactive approach to long-term health for children and adults builds upon optimizing health within the brain, spine, and nervous system through chiropractic care.

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Medical Hypotheses October 14 2015
“ Measurable changes in the neuro-endocrinal mechanism following spinal manipulation .”
Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Ramakrishnan Mani, James David Cotter, Steve Tumilty

Research Shows The Benefits Of Chiropractic Extend Far Beyond Pain Relief

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 06:47:52 GMT

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Journal of Chiropractic Humanities December 6 2011
“ A theoretical basis for maintenance spinal manipulative therapy for the chiropractic profession .” David N. Taylor

Ever Wondered About The Source Of The Cracking Sound During An Adjustment?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:04:46 GMT

Chiropractic adjustments often accompany a popping or cracking sound. This natural and harmless cause and effect creates occasional moments of anxiety for people unaccustomed to experiencing the benefits of an adjustment. People sometimes think the sound originates from bones popping or cracking or rubbing together. The actual source of the sounds associated with healthy adjustments comes from pressure being released from a joint. These joints accumulate pressure where two parts of the human skeleton fit together. Most joints exist to move by their natural design. Chiropractors assess and adjust misaligned and locked up spinal vertebrae to help the spine move freely and promote improved nervous system function.

Research from 2015 helped explain the mechanism for how a chiropractic adjustment reduces stress through a quick gentle force. The adjustment slightly separates the joint by overcoming the protective muscle reflexes and reducing adhesive scar tissue formation while improving motion. This process occurs without injury to any of the tissues involved. The popping or cracking noise simply comes from gas being released from the joint when the gapping occurs. Some adjustments take place without any noise heard or felt by the patient while other adjustments release enough pressure on a joint to produce an audible sound.

The spine consists of over 24 moveable bones called vertebrae. Chiropractors assess the alignment and movement of the vertebrae to locate any joints that become immobile or misaligned. These partially dislocated joints, called subluxations, represent a vitally influential aspect of human health due to the spine’s intimate connection with the nervous system. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord and nerves, providing openings to the spinal nerve roots that exit through each vertebra. Experts refer to the spine as a “neuro-spinal organ” because of the large amounts of tiny neurons located in and around the bones and joints of each vertebra. The health of the spine allows tiny neurons to give uninterrupted feedback to the brain so that appropriate messages can be delivered to and from all organs on a regular basis. The relationship between the spine and all organs of the body proves vital to overall health and function and details why a properly aligned spine represents an essential and proactive part of every family’s health plan.

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PLoS One 2015
“ Real-Time Visualization of Joint Cavitation .”
Gregory N. Kawchuk, Jerome Fryer, Jacob L. Jaremko, Hongbo Zeng, Lindsay Rowe, and Richard Thompson

7 Common Signs You Need To Seek Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:29:34 GMT

7 Signs You Need To Consider Chiropractic Care

Almost 70 million adults in the United States experience some kind of chronic pain. Lower back pain is the second most common reason for Americans to see a chiropractor.

Many people are seeking alternatives to medication for pain relief. Chiropractic care is a potential option for pain management, especially when it comes to back or neck pain.

In this article, we will explain the 7 most common signs for receiving chiropractic treatment.

7 Most Common Signs To Seek Out Chiropractic Care

Would you like to know what they are? Here are the 7 most common signs for you to seek out a chiropractic care.

1. Constant Headaches

We are accustomed to experiencing a few headaches in our lifetime. However, living with frequent and consistent headaches shouldn't be something we get accustomed to living with.

The reason behind regular headaches is dehydration, lack of oxygen, malnutrition, and misalignment of the spine or neck. A visit to the chiropractic practice can relieve the symptoms of a headache and improve the blood flow to the brain, crucial to the increase of blood to the head.

2. A Limited Range of Motion

Getting less flexible over time can often be accepted as just a consequence of age. But it doesn't have to be this way. Whether young or old, if you begin to notice that you are becoming more inflexible, especially if you cannot turn your neck in one direction, it's time to find a chiropractor near you.

A chiropractor will be able to perform realignment of your bones and joints, giving you back that all-important flexibility. We'd prefer not to have dull aches when we exert ourselves, so get on the phone for some chiropractic care.

3. Joint and Muscle Pain

Another issue that we tend to live with is pains in our joints and muscles. The reasons can be various, but one thing is sure, it is extremely common. The WHO estimates that up to 70% of industrialized countries will suffer just from lower back pain.

When you also consider the multitude of people suffering in silence with common issues such as neck, knee, and shoulder pain, it is fair to say that most people could do with chiropractic care.

A visit to the chiropractor can leave you right as rain in no time, depending on the severity of your issues. Through spinal manipulations and other techniques, they can ease the pressure off your joints, leaving you feeling like a new person.

4. Sitting for Long Periods

We have just undergone the most sedentary year on record as a result of the pandemic. With more and more of us working from home, in an effort for us to get comfortable, the biggest victim of our actions is usually our posture.

Bad posture can have many consequences, such as spinal dysfunction, rounded shoulders, joining degeneration, a potbelly, and back pain. This is because sitting for an extended period puts a lot of uneven pressure on our neck, shoulders, and upper back.

Therefore, many of us would benefit from visiting the chiropractor's office where they can align our spin to ensure that we avoid herniated and slipped discs.

5. You Notice Uneven Wear in Your Shoes

The body is made up of many parts, yet it is often amazing how much one area can affect a separate part in a largely unnoticed way.

One example is our back and our shoes. Have you noticed that your shoes tend to wear out on one foot more than another? It could be the result of a misaligned spine. Our footwear can often cause these subluxations.

As well as correcting these issues in your spine, a chiropractor can offer advice and guidance on the best type of footwear to use to avoid having ongoing problems.

6. Shooting Pains in Your Legs

Sciatica, a debilitating condition, is often characterized by sharp shooting pains down from the hips to the legs. But this painful symptom of sciatica isn't the only leg issue that warrants chiropractic care.

A tingling sensation in the legs and weakness can indicate a pinched nerve or slipped disc.

Your chiropractor, upon assessment, can isolate the source of your discomfort and relieve the pressure on your spine through a spinal adjustment.

7. You Live an Active Lifestyle or Plan to Do So

Many of us make the mistake of thinking that the only time to see a healthcare professional is when something goes wrong. But very often, when we seem fighting fit, a visit to the chiropractor can do us a world of good.

Participating in sports or exercising regularly means you are straining your body regularly. This is why professional athletes are prone to injuries over time.

It is important that we see a chiropractor regularly when leading an active lifestyle, since this will help to ensure that our spines are in good alignment. You will then avoid the expected consequences that your back can experience when people try to keep healthy.

Lastly, chiropractic care is a wise choice when we have decided to bite the bullet and get into shape. They can knock out any underlying problems before you put your body under any strain and give you nutrition advice and even exercise routines that will help you reach your goals.

The True Merit of Chiropractic Care

The value of a healthy body doesn't have a price. For this reason, taking action to resolve any issues you have by seeking chiropractic care is always a wise choice.

If you live in St Petersburg, Florida, and are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this post, take action today by booking an appointment with us today. We at Unify Chiropractic are dedicated to empowering the body to reach its full potential and would love to help you get yours.

Research Shows The Impacts Of Spinal Adjustment On Heart Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 06:16:58 GMT

Chiropractors have been helping men and women suffering from heart problems for over 125 years. Although chiropractic targets dysfunction in the spine and nervous system, the impact of positive spinal health radiates throughout the body and improves heart health.

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system, the command center that controls the entire body. Breathing, digestion, heart health and circulation represent a few of the millions of functions directed by the nervous system. The nervous system operates and resides in and around the spine. Chiropractic adjustments directly influence all of the organs controlled by the nervous system. A healthier spine leads to healthy organ systems. Chiropractors help people with symptoms and conditions seemingly unrelated to the spine by focusing on the health and optimal function of the nervous system. Improved hearth health represents one of the many residual benefits of a healthy spine.

The heart is a vital, complex muscle that sits in the upper left chest cavity and pumps blood filled with oxygen to every part of the body. The heart represents the most important muscle in the body and serves as the motor that delivers life-saving chemicals to every cell and tissue in the body. This amazing organ beats around 101,000 times a day! A heart will beat about 3 billion times during a person’s lifetime and pump roughly one million barrels of blood throughout the body. Energy output of the heart in a 24-hour period is enough to raise three fully loaded greyhound buses up into the air. The amazing heart receives direction from the nervous system. The spine’s intimate relationship with the nervous system means that the health of the spine directly influences the heart’s function.

A study published in 2017 showed that patients receiving spinal adjustments after undergoing heart surgery experienced significantly improved outcomes compared to those who did not receive spinal adjustive care. The study determined that those who received spinal adjustments within a few short days after heart surgery experienced improved function and reductions in hospital stays, drug consumption, and overall pain. These benefits resulted from a spinal adjustment delivered within hours to days after surgery. The study supports mountains of evidence encouraging people to proactively pursue nervous system care through chiropractic adjustments. From healthy children to adults undergoing operative intervention for heart problems, pursuing spinal adjustive care should be part of every family’s health care plan. Improve the health of the spine, nervous system, and organ function with chiropractic.

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World Journal of Gastroenterology May 14 2007 “ A preliminary study of neck-stomach syndrome. ” Xing-Hua Song, Xiao-Xiong Xu, Li-Wen Ding, Li Cao, Alken Sadel, and Hao Wen

The Benefits Of Chiropractic On Anti-Aging

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 08:19:50 GMT

Chiropractic adjustments influence the same blood chemistry known to prevent the progression of aging. One of the many unique and profound benefits that accompany an adjustment involves slowing the stress and aging process. Most chiropractic patients begin care because of back or neck problem. Yet the benefits of adjustments extend well beyond pain relief. Anti-aging serves as an evidence-based benefit of chiropractic because of its influence on blood chemistry.

Almost $300 million is spent each year on anti-aging products and solutions. That amount represents over a 300% increase from just ten years ago. Many naturally oriented healthcare solutions targeted their products and services towards anti-aging because of a growing interest by consumers. Many of these consumers spend massive amounts of money on products geared toward an outcome that occurs naturally from regular chiropractic adjustments.

A study from 2005 proved that a component in the blood called thiols dictates the speed and type of aging a person will go through. Increased thiol levels in the blood quicken aging and increase the risk of encountering disease goes up. Decreased blood thiol levels reduce the risk of active disease and rapid aging. These findings continue to help shape the future of healthcare.

Combining effects of aging with the presence of disease dramatically increases the burden of physical and financial costs for both individuals and their families. A landmark study completed in 2005 proved that chiropractic adjustments increase serum thiol levels. Thiol levels reduce the effects of aging on all parts of the body. Minimizing the effects of aging positively impacts individuals and families and serves as one of the many valuable outcomes of proactive health care using chiropractic. Chiropractors have been working diligently over the past 125 years to educate the public on the full scope of benefits that go hand in hand with nervous system care through chiropractic adjustments.

Treating people with pills, potions, lotions, or surgery will never be as effective at improving healthcare and minimizing aging and disease as simply caring for the structure of the body. Non-invasive solutions like chiropractic care combine with lifestyle choices that include proper sleep, exercise, good nutrition and meditation are proven to reduce stress loads and decrease the aging process. Improving spinal alignment and movement also represents an evidence-based approach to halting the aging process by reducing stress in the central nervous system. All families need to understand and access regular chiropractic care to experience benefits that positively impact health, function, performance, and the pursuit of feeling vibrant and young!

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The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, Vol. 2005 February 18, 2005
“ Surrogate Indication of DNA Repair in Serum After Long-Term Chiropractic Intervention – A Retrospective Study .” Clayton J. Campbell, Christopher Kent, Arthur Banne, Amir Amiri, and Ronald W. Pero

6 Surprising Things Your Chiropractic Specialist can Help With

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:47:15 GMT

Are you a St Petersburg resident that's looking for physical or mental stress relief? Are you experiencing several setbacks in your day that you feel is attached to your back pain? If so, then you need to visit a chiropractic specialist right away.

The spine plays a much larger role in your body than just correcting your posture. It serves as the main protection for your nerves and all of your body's organs. As such, receiving treatment from a chiropractic specialist can help you in many different ways, some of which might surprise you.

See below for an in-depth list of surprising things that your chiropractic specialist can help you with.

1. Treating Headaches

Unfortunately, headaches are something that we all deal with from time to time. However, many people are surprised to find out that headaches—more often than not—can be traced to the spine or some other nagging joint pain.

One of the number one causes of headaches is chronic neck pain. The more stress that you have built up in your neck, and its supporting muscle groups, the more consistently you'll experience headaches.

Did you know that there are different types of headaches ? Some of the types include:

Tension headaches
Hypertension headaches
Migraines
Cluster headaches
Rebound headaches
Post-traumatic headaches (such as after a car crash)
Secondary headaches
Primary headaches & more

What's even more surprising is that your chiropractic specialist in St Petersburg FL can help alleviate them all. Be sure to schedule an initial appointment to learn about the different ways we can help you find relief from your frequent headaches.

2. Strengthening Your Immune System

As we said in the introduction, you'd be shocked at the features in your body that can be traced to the spine—the primary focal point of any strong chiropractic practice.

If you're experiencing a misaligned spine (as most untreated patients are), then the nervous system in your brain can experience several dysfunctions. Since the nervous system and immune system are closely connected, your immune system won't have a proper reaction to the different illnesses and diseases that make their way into your system.

That's why stress can cause you to become sick . If your brain and body are dealing with an immense amount of stress but is dysfunctioning due to your misaligned spine, it can cause your entire system to go off the rails.

By receiving consistent treatment from a chiropractic specialist, your spine will always remain in prime condition, protecting your nervous system and allowing it to send alerts to your immune system to fight off disease faster.

3. Treating Animals

This might be the most surprising treatment of all. Many patients are shocked to find out that animals can receive chiropractic treatment, and even more shocked that chiropractors tend to them.

It isn't uncommon for chiropractors to give pets an adjustment if they're experiencing noticeable back pain or neck pain. In fact, some of the top trainers in the world actively seek out proactive chiropractic treatment for their horses.

That said, we recommend that you take your animals to their veterinarian first. Sometimes vets will recommend that you seek out chiropractic treatment for your pet if they're experiencing joint pain, muscle pain, etc.

4. Boosting Your Mental Health

For most people, psychologists and therapists are the primary source of care for treating high amounts of stress and anxiety, and rightly so! But you might be surprised to learn that improved mental health is a byproduct of receiving treatment from a chiropractic specialist.

Frequent adjustments have been proven to give you higher levels of energy, as well as improve brain function and the production of hormones such as endorphins (the feel-good hormone) inside your brain.

The result is an improved mood, as well as more protection from the stress and anxiety you face. With regular visits to your chiropractic specialist, you'll be mentally and physically prepared to fight off any stress or depression that comes your way.

5. Improves Flexibility

It's no coincidence that people start to feel less and less flexible as they age. The regression of your flexibility is a natural result of the wear and tear that your body has gone through.

The good news is that a chiropractic specialist can help you right the ship! Through consistent treatment, they'll help improve your range of motion and get you back into pique physical condition. This isn't just important for those that play sports or work out religiously; everyone needs the flexibility to go about their day.

For those of you that think flexibility isn't important, think again. The more you neglect your range of motion, the more disability that you'll battle later in life. Reach out to a chiropractic specialist in St Petersburg today.

6. Athletic Injuries

It doesn't matter if you play a sport once a week, professionally, or are a student-athlete, all athletes go through wear and tear. Sometimes, you even sustain a severe injury.

A chiropractic specialist can help in two ways. First, they can provide treatment for joint and muscle injuries, helping you find relief from the chronic pain related to the injury you've sustained.

Second, they can provide preventative treatments to strengthen the flexibility of your body, thus drastically reducing the likelihood of you sustaining an injury in the first place.

Invest in a Chiropractic Specialist for Your Needs

Now that you have seen the wide variety of things that can be treated by an experienced chiropractic specialist, be sure to find the right St Petersburg treatment for your needs.

Take the time to read this article as well for more information on how chiropractic can offer help and hope , even when your stress levels are through the roof.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out to us via phone at 727-440-0404 and we will be happy to assist you further.

The Benefits Of Chiropractic For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sufferers

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:38:04 GMT

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) devastates the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Experts estimate that approximately 15-20% of the world’s population suffers from some form of IBS. Many conditions and names describe the different types of IBS that manifest through various characteristics in each individual. The number of people suffering from IBS continues to rise and plague both ordinary citizens and the doctors and experts who pursue a resolution.

Most healthcare professionals overlook the healing potential that exists within the unique relationship between spinal health, nervous system communication, and gut function. Most experts spend countless hours researching nutrients and foods as the primary cause of IBS. Other health professionals evaluate the relationship between emotional health and the gut. Chiropractors continue to focus on the source relationship between the spine and all organ systems, including the digestive system.

Research from 2007 proved a significant link between the alignment and mobility of the neck to the health of the gastro-intestinal system. The science showed that small misalignments of the cervical (neck) vertebrae interfere with the nervous system by creating sympathetic irritability. The heightened nervous system stress leads to many of the unwanted symptoms people suffer from today. Researchers concluded that digestive dysfunction and discomfort serve as a direct result of sympathetic irritability due to altered spinal health. The nervous system operates optimally in an absence of stress, allowing efficient absorption and removal of waste.

Chiropractors witness tremendous results in patients suffering from digestive complaints dating all the way back to 1895. Specific chiropractic adjustments to key areas of the spine influence digestion by reducing interference from the nervous system. This 2007 study helped explain why patients pursuing spinal health experienced relief from IBS. A chiropractic adjustment does not focus on treating a specific complaint. Chiropractic focuses on creating an environment within the body that promotes health, healing, and maximum performance by removing stress and promoting internal communication. The purpose of the adjustment lies in removing interference from the nervous system so the body can heal as it was designed to do.

Reliance on medicines, surgeries, and pills prevents much of the public from experiencing genuine healing and relief. IBS sufferers experience tremendous health advantages when pursuing chiropractic care and proactive resolution to digestive concerns. Scientific research continues to prove the significance of spinal health and the importance of chiropractic care. Evidence-based research promotes a clear pathway to better overall health for the entire family through the addition of chiropractic adjustments.

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World Journal of Gastroenterology May 14 2007 “ A preliminary study of neck-stomach syndrome. ” Xing-Hua Song, Xiao-Xiong Xu, Li-Wen Ding, Li Cao, Alken Sadel, and Hao Wen

Chiropractic Helps Concussion Patient Heal & Recover More Quickly

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 03:14:53 GMT

Very few conditions warrant more attention and notoriety in today’s culture than concussions. Concussions plague more people of all ages than ever before. Real solutions can only be achieved through proper education and awareness. Evidence proves that Chiropractic provides unique health benefits and answers to people suffering from this horrible condition.

Recent concussion statistics include:

3.8 million concussions occurred in 2012, double the number reported in 2002.
Nearly 500,000 children suffer from concussions.
33% of athletic-related concussions occur at practice.
1/5 of high school athletes experience a concussion during their sports season.
33% of high school students who have had a concussion report two or more in the same year.
Between 4-5 million concussions occur annually in the U.S.
70% of athletes with concussions played despite their symptoms, and 40% reported that their coaches did not know of the injury.
Female team sports account for 6 of the top 10 sports that produce concussion.
The majority of concussions happen to people who did not black out or lose consciousness.

Most parents and adults do not fully understand the magnitude of the concussion topic. Concussion treatments designed to achieve the greatest results rely on early recognition of symptoms. One of the most significant problems exists in the circumstance that most concussions go undetected, undiagnosed, and unaddressed because the effects are not felt immediately.

Chiropractic plays a unique and important role in caring for people with concussions for two major reasons. Chiropractors undergo scientific training designed to detect a problem with the brain, nervous system, and spine before any symptoms arise. Chiropractic care also improves the function and integrity of the spine, brain, and nervous system, which happens to be the most important aspect of improving the lives of those suffering with concussions.

Research from 2015 found that every patient who experienced a concussion also experienced a whiplash-type injury to the neck. Outstanding results accompanied the utilization of Chiropractic care to help patients suffering from concussions. Traditional Chiropractic care for post-concussive syndrome patients resulted in rapid and sustained improvement in all signs and symptoms, allowing the tested athletes to return to full competition.

A Chiropractic evaluation and adjustments amplify health and recovery for all concussion sufferers. A spine and nervous system evaluation can provide critical relief for conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Scanning the brain, spine, and nervous system using MRI, CT, or even X-rays usually prove to be unremarkable because concussions typically manifest in neuronal dysfunction, not structural damage of the involved neurons. Advanced imaging misses the main objective.

Chiropractors evaluate and test for signs and symptoms specific to concussion-type injuries. Chiropractic care also plays a unique role in helping concussion sufferers recover through a healthy, drug-free environment not delivered by any other health professional. Concussion awareness continues to promote education throughout athletics and activities. Optimal recovery and long-term health through the hands of a Chiropractor need to accompany that awareness.

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The Physician and Sports medicine Jul 2015, Vol. 43: 274-284 “ The role of the cervical spine in post-concussion syndrome ” Cameron M. Marshall,Howard Vernon,John J. Leddy, Bradley A. Baldwin

Chiropractic Offers Help And Hope As Stress Levels Soar

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:08:02 GMT

2020 concluded as one of the most stressful years in history. Statistics reflect the damage and fallout from
lives lived in a sea of stress. A Gallup poll determined that 79% of people experienced stress sometimes or
frequently throughout their day. That poll was taken before the pandemic even began! Now cities are
experiencing massive increases in stress data that reflect a tragic suicide increase of over 40% from 2019 to People conducting their daily routines amidst feelings of fear, anxiety, and worry needs to be addressed with a healthy and hope-filled solution.

Stress kills people. Reports estimate that two-thirds of doctor visits connect to a stress causing issues. Stress also contributes to deadly chronic diseases like heart disease and heart attacks. Stress presents a significant health challenge that every person must consider. A smart, proactive health decision includes seeking a lifestyle that regularly builds resilience to better adapt to stress.

Many proven lifestyle modifications help the body adapt and cope with stress. Rhythmic breathing, consistent exercise, and good nutrition provide excellent choices to help counteract the impact of stress. One of the best and most effective stress relieving interventions available comes from regular spinal adjustments. The spine engages in a unique and intimate relationship with the central nervous system. The central nervous system filters various stressors for harm effects. Individuals react to stress differently. One person might withstand high amounts of stress yet not experience any significant health challenges or symptoms. Another person may encounter lower amounts of stressors but exhibit greater levels of pain, dysfunction, or disease. The brain and nervous system provide the filter that screens all stress. The intimate connection between the spine and central nervous system means that optimal function of the spine provides tremendous potential for stress relief and better overall health.

If the spine becomes slightly altered in its alignment and movement, the function of the nervous system becomes compromised. This creates less ability for the body to safely filter out the effects of stress. Chiropractic does not avoid or reduce stress. Chiropractic focuses on helping a person better adapt by making the body more resilient. Research from 2014 proved a direct link between a spinal adjustment and a reduction in stress hormones. Chiropractic reduces unwanted stress built up in the spine and nervous system and balances hormones by restoring proper function to the entire body. Chiropractic does not resolve the presence of stress in a person’s life but does provide a drug-free solution that strengthens the body’s resilience. Make 2021 a year of vitality and peace by making chiropractic part of every family’s proactive health plan.

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The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy July 2015
“ Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception and stress response after spinal manipulation. ”
Gustavo Plaza-Manzano 1, Francisco Molina-Ortega, Rafael Lomas-Vega, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Alexander Achalandabaso, Fidel Hita-Contreras

Chiropractic Recommended For All Car Accident Above 5 MPH

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 07:41:55 GMT

Research Finds Whiplash In Low-Speed Collisions

Motor vehicle accidents occur every day. Even accidents occurring at low speeds create moderate to severe spinal injury and damage. A study from 2006 evaluated the risk of low speed and low impact collisions. A crash at speeds of just 5.97 MPH resulted in symptoms of strains and headaches. The results encouraged doctors and health professionals to call attention to a better understanding of how to care for those who experience any type of motor vehicle accident.

Pain typically surfaces as the last part of the injury process, usually after the problem has been present in the body for days or months. Pain usually tends to be the first thing to resolve after a treatment is rendered. The presence or absence of pain does not represent a good indication that an underlying problem exists or is resolved. Understanding the quality, duration, and cause of pain represents one of the biggest challenges facing doctors today. Most people believe that an absence of pain equates to an absence of health problems. The truth remains that many conditions initially present in the body with no signs or symptoms of pain or discomfort. A few examples include high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and cavities. Spinal injuries and tissue damage can also occur without the immediate onset of pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care provides the best approach to treating injuries after a car accident or as a proactive measure against unhealthy conditions that culminate over time.

Sports injuries, playground falls, and birth trauma directly influence current and future spine and nervous system health in children and adults. No accident should be ignored when proactive actions can ensure better health and healing. All children and adults’ benefit from seeking practitioners who can administer proper post-accident evaluations to ensure that the appropriate diagnosis and treatment occurs. Chiropractors educate about the need to be proactive about body health to combat silent problems that often go overlooked until late stages of disease. These problems cannot be resolved effectively if only addressed when the final stages of pain begin to surface. Chiropractors do not rely on pain or symptoms to determine the need or course of care. Chiropractors focus on achieving optimal and maximized function within the body every moment of every day.

Most children and adults experience a variety of physical trauma or collisions that occur naturally, but still injure and damage the structure and function of the spine. Spinal problems influence so many other aspects of health and function in the body because the spine intimately influences the brain and central nervous system. Low impact accidents represent a classification of trauma often considered menial and unimportant. The research disagrees. Even the most minor or low speed accidents produce significant short- and long-term consequences. Children and adults’ benefit from ongoing regular chiropractic checkups and appropriate adjustments throughout life. Proactive care offers the best long-term plan on the market!

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Personal Injury Law Journal September 2006 “ Putting the 5 MPH Injury Threshold to the Test .” Henderson, Brian

Chiropractic Is Like Wine… Research Proves Long-Term Benefits

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 May 2021 08:38:29 GMT

Research determined that people who received long-term Chiropractic care never reached a maximum level of improvement. Those under Chiropractic care for over a year bore no sign of reaching a plateau in their health status. Even patients under care for more than 3 years showed no signs of approaching a health limiting ceiling.

One of the largest Chiropractic studies ever published showed a significant improvement in overall health and well-being for patients receiving Chiropractic adjustments. After evaluating over 2,800 patients in 156 clinics, a strong connection formed between persons receiving Chiropractic care and reported improvements in health, wellness, and quality-of-life. 95% of patients reported that this health care surpassed expectations and 99% of participants wished to continue care and adjustments.

Research and clinical studies strengthen the ideology that every human deserves to experience the benefits of long-term Chiropractic care. Chiropractic care benefits all ages and increases the health potential of all people regardless of gender, condition, or symptoms.

Chiropractors do not seek to treat or cure conditions. Chiropractors work with the innate (inborn) intelligence inside the body to allow for a better expression of health. Chiropractors achieve these benefits by removing interference from the central nervous system due to alterations in spinal movement and alignment. The autonomic nervous system controls and coordinates all automatic functions in the body, including heart rate, breathing, digestion, and fertility. Chiropractic expertise locates stress in the spine, called subluxation, and adjusts misalignments and restricted movements of the vertebrae. Subluxations in the spine do not always produce immediate pain and symptoms. Proactive Chiropractic care maintains optimal system function that directly opposes a health care system that waits for sickness and symptoms to attack the body. Adjustments reduce stress in the body and gently remove interference to the autonomic system, helping the body restore function through better brain balance. A proactive approach to health care drastically reduces the need for drugs and surgeries that plague people of all ages when reactive symptoms surface and damage quality of life.

The human brain operates with intelligence exponentially more sophisticated than the most powerful computers in the world. That amazing organ works to automatically control all balance and function connected to every system within the body. Chiropractic supports the self-evident truth that incredible intelligence exists in both the world and in each person. The intelligence inside the body consistently strives to keep our bodies in health and balance. Chiropractic honors the innate intelligence inside the body by finding and reducing any interference in the central nervous system through regular check-ups and adjustments when necessary.

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Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research “A retrospective assessment of Network care using a survey of self-related health, wellness and quality of life.” Blanks RHI, Schuster TL, Dobson M

Chiropractic Provides An Answer To Migraines

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 21 May 2021 09:49:41 GMT

Thousands of migraine headache sufferers find relief with chiropractic. Most medical practitioners do not understand or remain uneducated about the benefits of recommending chiropractic care to patients suffering with migraines. Chiropractors and researchers continue to see results and trends that other healthcare providers need to understand in order to effectively bring relief to hurting people. Research confirms that chiropractic spinal adjustments help relieve tension and reduce stress in the nervous system, giving migraine sufferers a unique advantage to tackling such a disabling condition.

Migraine headaches diagnose as being a severe, painful headache lasting for hours or days, often accompanied by flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines leave over 90% of sufferers unable to work or function normally during an episode.

Many factors contribute to the cause of a migraine headache. The plight of a migraine sufferer typically becomes agonizing and hopeless. The pain of a migraine represents one of the worst types of pain a person can endure. The pressure builds up from the base of the skull through the back of the eyes and makes the most menial tasks seem impossible. Migraine sufferers often succumb to any hope of relief prescribed by a medical doctor. The relentless pain usually leads to the consumption of powerful pharmaceutical drugs that bring a few hours relief but never solve the cause of the problem. The pain returns and the drugs often bring damaging side effects that prove just as damaging and harmful as the migraine pain.

Studies continue to produce priceless new recommendations, strategies, clinics, and procedures that provide relief and genuine healing. Chiropractic spinal adjustments provide relief to millions of migraine sufferers by releasing pressuring and stress from the spine and nervous system. Research shows that those who receive chiropractic spinal adjustments experienced less frequency, duration, disability and medication use stemming from migraines. Twenty percent of the subjects in the study actually experienced a 90% reduction in migraine symptoms from just two months of nervous system care.

Chiropractors assess and address specific areas of function in the nervous system through appropriate care of the spine. Every adjustment improves communication between the brain and body, reducing stress from the central nervous system. All migraine sufferers deserve to know about and experience the benefits achieved through chiropractic adjustments. Offer these five lifestyle implementations to anyone suffering from migraines.

5 health tips that address the cause of migraine headaches:

Check and correct spinal alignment by a chiropractor (specifically in the upper neck)
Remove neurotoxins from the diet (artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives)
Increase daily water intake
Get more quality sleep
Move the body regularly (exercise to regularly increase heart rate)

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Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2000
“ A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine .” PJ Tuchin, H Pollard, R Bonello

The Dangerous Epidemic Of “Text Neck”

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 14 May 2021 08:57:20 GMT

A recent study shows that nearly 80% of the population between ages 18 to 44 keep cell phones with them almost every waking minute. Most estimates showing only having two hours a day without their phone in or near their hands. The stress of constantly looking down at a phone or device creates a dangerous condition known as “tech neck”. Body and spinal design do not come equipped with enduring the constant and sustained neck pressure. The need for chiropractic care continually grows as more people of all ages realize the imperative need to preserve the health and quality of life for both themselves and the next generation.

According to a 2017 study titled “Text Neck” published in the Spine Journal, spine surgeons noted a significant rise in the number of patients complaining of neck and upper back pain. Many of the patients were children. The research showed that “text neck” added extreme amounts of pressure and tension on the spine as the head position extended forward and downward to look at an electronic device. The average head weight on the neck amounts to between 10 to 12 pounds when resting in a neutral position. Any forward head flexion will add weight and pressure to the spine at varying degrees. Every 15 degrees of forward neck flexion adds between 9 and pounds of pressure on the spine. 60 degrees of forward flexion creates an extra 60 pounds of pressure on the spine. Neck flexion varies between 45 and 60 degrees when texting. A new diagnosis code called “text neck” has been established to categorize and address the damage incurred by common daily activities like using electronic devices.

A study of over 7000 young adults showed that persistent neck and upper back pain directly associates with time spent text messaging. Accelerated neck and mid-back spinal degeneration becomes a likely side effect of the forward head flexion often experienced through texting. The increase in disc pressure during flexion contributes to disc degeneration, disc herniations, and abnormal neck curve alignment.

Chiropractic remains one of the most important and effective proactive interventions needed to minimize and reverse the negative effects of texting. The spine’s intimate relationship with the central nervous system details why having text neck poses such a serious threat to the health of current and future generations. The nervous system becomes imbalanced when the spine changes from an optimal position and normal mobility. Stress and imbalance in the nervous system leads to a myriad of unwanted symptoms involving immunity, digestion, attention, energy, breathing, headaches, and heart problems. Chiropractors detect and correct spinal misalignments to remove stress from the nervous system and allow the spine and body to function like it should.

5 Simple Strategies to Prevent or Minimize the Effects of “Text Neck”

Hold and view cell phones and all electronic devices at eye level.
Text with two hands. Using both hands creates more symmetry and minimizes spinal imbalances.
Take frequent breaks from phones and computers throughout the day to move.
Utilize 20 second stretches – Pull arms and shoulders back while tilting head up to look up every hour.
See a Chiropractor regularly.

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The Spine Journal: Official Journal of the North American Spine Society June 2017
“’ Text neck’: an epidemic of the modern era of cell phones . Jason M Cuellar, Todd H Lanman

Back Pain Connected To Increased Mortality

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 07 May 2021 09:47:20 GMT

The Importance Of Chiropractic Continues To Rise

The debilitating effects of back pain torments millions of people worldwide. Approximately 700 million people suffer from back pain. Studies estimate that nearly 85% of the population will experience some form of back pain in their lifetime. Researchers warn that those experiencing low back pain experience a 13% increased risk of early death. Proactively eliminating the source of the low back pain before facing a permanent problem represents one of the most important health pursuits any individual can make.

Low back pain often falls into the category of being a nagging inconvenience that comes and goes. A 2017 medical study speaks to low back pain being symptomatic of something much more threatening. The research determined that subjects enduring back pain experienced an astonishing 13% higher risk of dying early compared to those who had no pain.

“This is a significant finding as many people think that back pain is not life-threatening,” said Paulo Ferreira, Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and contributor to the research.

The quantity of people exposed to the devastating effects of low back pain has become the most concerning aspect of this research. Statistics show that five out of every six people will suffer from back pain at some point in their life. People benefit from understanding that the reality of these episodes involves consequences beyond simply relieving the temporary pain. Pursuing proactive prevention and treatment of lower back pain proves paramount for long-term health.

Chiropractors help men, women, and children of all ages reduce and eliminate back pain. Research confirms that the benefits of chiropractic adjustments extend far beyond pain relief. Some links between low back pain and increased risk of early death can be explained with neuroscience. Subluxations, defined as small subtle shifts and altered movement in spinal vertebrae, interfere with the nervous system. Left undetected and uncorrected, a subluxation negatively influences the vital autonomic functions of the body.

Chiropractors specialize in the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations. Proactive health care does not simply focus on alleviating or preventing back pain. Nervous system care pursues maximized performance and function of the entire body. Optimal health means avoiding pain, suffering, and other challenges that otherwise manifest into significant issues later in life. Back pain will continue to pose major problems for average citizens and the healthcare system. Chiropractors possess a proven track record of helping men and women of all ages overcome and prevent the onset of back pain without the use of drugs or surgery. Research continues to compile indisputable of evidence that chiropractic care combats the devastating effects of pain. Proactive health care begins with chiropractic.

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European Journal of Pain (London, England) 2017 “Is this back pain killing me? All-cause and cardiovascular-specific mortality in older Danish twins with spinal pain”
M Fernandez 1 , E Boyle 2 3 , J Hartvigsen 2 4 , M L Ferreira 5 6 , K M Refshauge 1 , C G Maher 5 , K Christensen 7 , J L Hopper 8 , P H Ferreira 1

Autism & Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:02:29 GMT

Science and research behind the neurological influence of a chiropractic adjustment explains why and how children and adults with autism benefit from nervous system care. Chiropractors seek to remove interference from the central nervous system by improving the alignment, movement, and health of the spine. The purpose of a chiropractic adjustment focuses on improving function of the entire system through better communication between the brain and body. Parents, pediatricians, and doctors often wonder how chiropractic influences children and patience living on the autism spectrum.

The neurological benefits of chiropractic adjustments occur because of the intimate relationship between the spine and the nervous system. The spine-to-brain connection reveals why children and adults with autism spectrum disorder receive significant benefits from nervous system-focused chiropractic.

Recent statistics reveal that one out of every sixty-eight children live with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD presents as a complex developmental disorder that impacts thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to others. This neurological disorder affects the function of the brain. The effects of autism and the severity of symptoms differ in each person, but significantly alter the lifestyle of each person. Harvard researchers estimate that added costs of autism-related healthcare and education average more than $17,000 per child every year in the United States.

Interventions for children or adults with autism spectrum disorder involve behavioral treatments, medicine, or both. Most people with autism endure additional medical conditions such as sleep disturbances, seizures, and gastrointestinal distress. Addressing these conditions residually improves attention span, learning, and other related issues. The unfortunate approach to autism conditions usually involves powerful pharmaceutical drugs. Chiropractors help children overcome symptoms and challenges related to autism and help individuals move closer to living a more normal life. A biological explanation for the results achieved through chiropractic adjustments exists within the nervous system.

Research published in 2013 showed a correlation between autonomic nervous system dysfunction and autism sufferers. Results proved a significant increase in nervous system fight or flight stress in those suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Chiropractic specializes in balancing nervous system function and reducing fight or flight stress by improving the alignment and mobility of the spine. Specific balancing of the nervous system through chiropractic adjustments influences the negative neurological patterns found in those suffering from autism. Most parents and conventional medical professionals remain unaware of the new evidence showing the connection between the spine, nervous system, and autism. Chiropractors focus on educating patients and the public to help bridge the gap between autism sufferers and natural solutions without the use of pharmaceutical drugs.

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PloS One April 5th, 2013 “Investigating the autonomic nervous system response to anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorders.”

Azadeh Kushki 1 , Ellen Drumm , Michele Pla Mobarak , Nadia Tanel , Annie Dupuis , Tom Chau , Evdokia Anagnostou

MYTH BUSTER: “Cracking” Joints And Arthritis

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 07:40:08 GMT

An old belief still exists that cracking knuckle joints leads to arthritis. Research put this theory to the test. Studies performed in the mid 1970’s and again in 2011 proved that no connection exists between cracking knuckles and arthritis. Dr. Donald Unger, a medical doctor, earned a Nobel Prize in 2009 for his sixty-year study proving that knuckle cracking did not contribute to arthritis. Not only was no correlation found between knuckle cracking and arthritis, but the research also showed a completely opposite effect. People who regularly cracked the knuckle joints in their hand experienced less arthritis than those who did not. These findings help further clarify the benefits and unique value of long-term chiropractic adjustments on the spine.

Knuckle joints in the hand share nearly identical characteristics to many of the joints that connect vertebrae in the spine. A myth once existed amongst people who believed regular chiropractic visits weakened the spine. Unfounded fears also led some people to believe that consistent chiropractic care from birth through adulthood contributes to the development of arthritis. These myths and fears never withstood the rigor of science and research. The evidence found among millions of chiropractic patients around the world, both current and in the past, attest to the fact that regular chiropractic adjustments both improve and prevent many forms of arthritis.

Science explains how regular and frequent chiropractic check-ups and adjustments improve the integrity of the spine and function of the nervous system. Research and clinical outcomes suggest the best way to utilize chiropractic comes through consistent and frequent adjustments over the course of a lifetime. Regular attention given to the spine helps increase strength, durability, and movement while balancing function of the autonomic nervous system. Many disease processes directly result from an imbalanced autonomic nervous system. Heart disease, immune deficiencies, attention problems, breathing troubles, and many more autonomic-related dysfunctions originate with an unhealthy and imbalanced nervous system. Resolution and prevention of many symptoms and conditions can occur by balancing the nervous system through regular and frequent chiropractic adjustments.

Movement plays a critical role in preventing degeneration of any joint in the body including the small knuckle joints in the hand or bigger spinal joints surrounded by muscles. The spine uniquely connects to the nervous system and increasing movement in spinal joints helps the brain and nervous system function at optimal levels. Chiropractic influences the brain and prevents arthritis and degeneration by improving movement and spinal alignment in all ages from infants to adults.

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Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: JABFM Mar-Apr 2011 “Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis.” Kevin Deweber 1 , Mariusz Olszewski , Rebecca Ortolano

The Western Journal of Medicine May 1975 “The consequences of habitual knuckle cracking.” R L Swezey, S E Swezey

Babies Born Via C-Section At Higher Risk Of Chronic Disease How Chiropractic Can Help

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:39:15 GMT

Millions of mothers prepare to give birth every year. Childbirth represents one of the most amazing moments and gifts experienced by any parent. Even in times of crises or during global pandemics, bringing a child into the world is one of the most amazing events and important moments in the life of a parent. A healthy delivery is more valued than any of the other variables such as the sex of the baby or finding a name.

A 2015 study evaluated two million full term children born via cesarean(C-section). The research analyzed chronic immune disease records over a 30-year period. The study concluded that children delivered via cesarean(C-section) experienced significantly higher risks of asthma, systemic connective tissue disorders, juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune deficiencies, and leukemia compared to non-cesarean delivered infants.

Two primary mechanisms help explain why chronic disease and C-section birth may have a direct relationship. The first pertains to mechanical stress placed on the upper cervical spine of the baby during the birth. This type of stress has the ability to interfere with central nervous system function by creating small and subtle misalignments of the vertebrae in the upper neck. The second component of a C-section birth contributing to poor health outcomes involves disruption of the digestive system. A major aspect of immune health is directly connected to the balance of bacteria and living organisms in the gut. A baby born vaginally consumes an important number of bacteria utilized in the beginning moments of life outside the womb. The bacteria create a specific layer of digestive chemicals and enzymes critical to brain and immune health for the baby over a lifetime.

Both of these challenges must be assessed and addressed in children born via C-section to minimize or avoid preventable illness. Proper gut assessment and nutritional recommendations for a nursing mother can improve gut health in a baby. Pediatric-trained chiropractors use skillful processes to improve mechanical spine-related abnormalities that influence the nervous system. Spinal health plays a significant role in human health because of an intimate connection between the brain and central nervous system. Most healthcare professionals underestimate the influence of spinal health and alignment to overall body health and function, especially in newborns and infants. Chiropractors specialize in improving function of the nervous system by detecting and correcting vertebral misalignments and mobility problems in adults, children, and infants. The 30-year study linking chronic disease and C-section delivery proves a need for all newborns to have a spinal evaluation soon after birth. Parents value a healthy birth above all else during those tense moments in the delivery room. Chiropractors work with other healthcare providers to play a significant role in reversing the effects of delivery stress. Chiropractic care helps unlock the health potential for children of any age through regular check-ups and gentle adjustments when necessary.

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American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
April 2013
“Cesarean section and development of the immune system in the offspring.”
Clara E Cho 1 , Mikael Norman

What is a Chiropractor? Plus 7 Signs You Need One

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 22:09:50 GMT

Do you suffer from chronic pain? If so, you're not alone. The sad reality is that nearly 70 million Americans struggle with chronic pain every day, many of whom live in St. Petersburg, FL.

Medication alone doesn't work for everyone, and many people are looking for alternative treatments.

Chiropractic care is an excellent alternative pain treatment choice, especially if you're dealing with back pain, neck pain, or joint pain.

What is a chiropractor? Read below to learn more about chiropractic care and the seven signs you may need to visit a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL.

What is a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic physicians are trained to treat disorders of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. They can work with people of all ages, including children, pregnant women, and senior citizens.

Chiropractors assist their patients with spinal issues, pain relief, and posture improvement using non-invasive treatments.

Chiropractic treatments focus on healing the body as a whole rather than only treating the symptoms. Chiropractors focus heavily on the spine but also work on other areas of the body. They use everything from manual manipulation to exercise and nutrition in a combination designed specifically for you.

What Should I Expect When Visiting a Chiropractor?

A visit with a chiropractor is comparable to other doctor appointments.

When you first visit Unify Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, you will be greeted warmly by our friendly front office staff, who will ask you to fill out a brief medical questionnaire so we can learn your medical history.

You will then speak with a doctor of chiropractic who will ask you about your pain and symptoms, and perform a physical exam, and may want to give you some diagnostic tests with your permission, such as x-rays or blood tests.

After a diagnosis is made, your St. Pteterburg chiropractor will recommend a custom treatment plan to address your pain or other issues.

How Much is a Chiropractor?

When it comes to chiropractor cost, most chiropractors take health insurance. If your insurance doesn't cover chiropractic care, you can work out a pricing agreement with your chiropractic office that works with your treatment plan.

Do I Need a Chiropractor?

Contrary to what people may think, chiropractic care can treat much more than just back pain. If you have any of the following conditions, you should consider visiting your chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL.

#1 Back Pain

In the United States, back pain alone accounted for more than 264 million lost workdays in one year. It is the most common reason people seek treatment from a chiropractor, meaning chiropractic care helps ease back pain.

If you suffer from back pain due to an injury or other conditions, chiropractic treatment may help reduce your pain and restore your range of motion.

What Does a Chiropractor do to Help With Back Pain?

Chiropractic adjustments can align your spine and posture naturally, leading to improved blood circulation. Without a good circulation of blood, your nerves will not function properly, which is one of the primary reasons for back pain.

#2 Neck Pain

Chiropractors treat neck pain with a process that involves the manipulation of the spine. In many situations, neck adjustments may work better for neck pain than pain medicines.

Spinal adjustments can remove pressure off of your nerves and allow the entire body to function better. As a result, neck pain tends to dissipate or even disappear when the tension is released.

#3 Headaches and Migraines

Bad posture and stress can both cause headaches. A chiropractor may be able to ease your headaches by adjusting your neck and giving you some stretching exercises.

Chiropractic spinal manipulations have been shown to reduce pain, lower migraine frequency, and decrease the need for medicine. Your chiropractor can also advise you on ways to decrease stress and suggest changes you can make to your diet that may help treat migraines and other types of headaches.

#4 Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident can affect the alignment of the spine, particularly in the neck. These fast changes in force can strain the tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the neck, contributing to whiplash and other injuries.

Chiropractic care offers many advantages over medications after an accident. Chiropractic treatments are an effective, safer, and more natural way to recover from car accident injuries.

When dealing with whiplash pain, you need someone who recognizes the problem and can provide effective treatment. Dr. Shay Ridge at Unify Chiropractic has been helping many St. Petersburg car accident victims recover from their injuries, and he may be able to help you too. Get in touch with us to speak with a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL, today.

#5 Shoulder Pain

If you have lost some range of motion in your shoulder and can't reach behind your back, up above your head, or avoid using your shoulder due to a lingering injury, chiropractic care may be able to help you get back to feeling better.

A Chiropractor may be able to relieve symptoms of inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms in your shoulder. Through a particular manipulation of the upper neck and back, the spinal muscles, bones, and nerves can be restored to their proper places.

#6 Pregnancy

Moms-to-be have been finding relief at Unify Chiropractic for all sorts of common side effects during pregnancy. Ailments such as back pain, circulation problems, and heartburn can all be treated with chiropractic care.

In addition to other benefits, patients who see chiropractors have been shown to have less painful and shorter deliveries! This makes for happy mothers, particularly moms who choose natural childbirth.

#7 Knee Pain

Wear and tear on the knee joint can often cause osteoarthritis. This is caused by the breakdown of the cartilage and joint surface. It may start with a minor injury or occur with overuse over time.

Chiropractic care is very effective for treating knee pain due to wear and tear of the knee joint.

Visit a Chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL

Make an appointment with a top-rated chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL at Unify Chiropractic, and wonder, "what is a chiropractor" no more. Let us help you get rid of your pain so you can get back to living your life.

Give us a call at 727-440-0404, or contact us online to schedule your appointment today.

Chiropractic Influences Blood Pressure And Heart Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 09:51:49 GMT

Chiropractic continues to gain increased popularity across all ages and genders for one primary reason: results! Patient outcomes represent the single largest reason for millions of people adopting regular chiropractic care as part of their weekly or monthly health plan.

Tom Brady, arguably the best quarterback to ever play professional football, played in the Super Bowl at age 43, and visits his chiropractor on a regular basis. People pursuing optimal health and performance trust evidence that proves chiropractic emphasizes optimal health more than pain relief. Nearly every college, professional, and Olympic athlete utilizes the performance-enhancing benefits of regular Chiropractic adjustments. Pregnant mothers, working fathers, growing children, and even babies comprise groups who visit a chiropractor regularly in pursuit of proactive health.

Men and women from all over the world utilize chiropractic for health and wellness measures to safeguard the health of their spine and maximize function of the brain and nervous system. Many patients begin chiropractic care to alleviate pain or symptoms, but most quickly experience benefits far beyond the spine or back. Research based evidence proves that the heart and cardiovascular system experiences a remarkable influence from chiropractic adjustments. The spine directly influences heart health and blood vessel function through the autonomic nervous system. Science continues to discover the profound influence the spine has on the heart, blood vessels, and blood pressure.

A study completed in 2007 selected a random group of individuals who had never experienced any back or neck pain. The subjects were split into two groups. One group received a real chiropractic adjustment, and the other group received a placebo, or fake adjustment. Study subjects were not aware of which group they were in. The group that received a real adjustment experienced an average reduction in blood pressure of 27 points (17 systolic and 10 diastolic). The study conclusion showed the benefits achieved by those receiving a chiropractic adjustment mirrored a reduction in blood pressure that would normally require two blood pressure medications.

The natural outcome of the adjustments worked as if the subjects were taking two blood pressure medications given in combination. The natural power within the body unlocked better health and performance without the need for dangerous medications. The most important piece of this study was that those receiving adjustments had misalignments in the upper neck but experienced no preliminary back or neck pain. The body usually expresses pain as a final symptom of disease. Proactive health care offers millions of people an opportunity to improve blood pressure problems by simply caring for the spine and nervous system.

Proactive health care means pursuing optimal performance before problems occur. Science and research continues to prove the amazing benefits of chiropractic on heart and organ health. February is heart month and a great time to educate the world on the benefits of chiropractic adjustments for people pursuing better heart and blood pressure health.

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Journal of Human Hypertension May 2007
“Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients: a pilot study.” G Bakris , M Dickholtz Sr , P M Meyer , G Kravitz , E Avery , M Miller , J Brown , C Woodfield , B Bell

Adjustments Positively Influence Mood And Emotions

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 02:29:03 GMT

Stress levels rank at an all-time high and the effects of the pandemic continue to challenge the human race like few other events in this lifetime. People in every country continue to share in the fear and challenges of the last 12 months and experience the global stress on a local day to day level. Fear, isolation, and loss become far too common. Loss of jobs, loss of time with friends and family, fear of a virus, and isolation only add to the worry and anxiety. The culmination of such negative emotions and hormones increases the long-term risk of health challenges and symptoms.

Very few natural interventions raise the body’s ability to cope with stress like a chiropractic adjustment. An adjustment impacts the spine and central nervous system, causing a chain reaction that positively impacts function of the entire body. Research conducted over the past few years proves that an adjustment directly influences the cerebellum, a part of the brain responsible for motor control, thoughts, emotion, and cognition. That evidence explains exactly how an adjustment affects thoughts, emotions, mood, and behavior.

A study published in 2010 showed the importance of proper spinal movement on brain health. The spine directly affects many areas of the brain, but few more significant than the cerebellum. The cerebellum pronounced “ser-a-bell-um,” sits at the base of the skull and behind the ears. Adjustments gently increase movement in the spine, reducing interference in the brain and central nervous system. Less interference within the cerebellum translates into more emotional and mental capability within the body.

One in every four Americans experience a diagnosis involving mental and emotional health. Tending the health of the body remains the most paramount physical issue in a person’s day to day life. The majority of people suffering from health conditions seek solutions from pills and medications meant to regulate the happenings inside the body. Chiropractors do not pursue or treat specific mental disorders, emotional stress, or depression. Chiropractors focus on allowing the nervous system to create an environment of healthy performance, function, and regulation within the body. Adjustments improve the function of the brain and naturally influence mental and emotional health.

Serotonin, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine comprise hormones related to stress. Chiropractic adjustments influence stress hormones in a positive manor, different and unique to other forms of brain-improving strategies. Chiropractic adjustments provide safe and drugless influence on many aspects of function and healing, including mental and emotional health. Chiropractic patients report improvements in stress levels and mental health dating back over one hundred years! The pandemic will pass but stress tends to be a more permanent part of life. Understanding and experiencing the benefits of chiropractic adjustments opens the doorway to a healthier and brighter tomorrow.

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Neuropsychology Review September 2010
“The role of the cerebellum in cognition and emotion: personal reflections since 1982 on the dysmetria of thought hypothesis, and its historical evolution from theory to therapy.” Jeremy D Schmahmann

6 Benefits of Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 12:16:17 GMT

The benefits of chiropractic care range from specific benefits for seniors, to successfully treating and eliminating chronic pain.

Chiropractors see about 35 million patients per year.

But what exactly does a chiropractor do, and how do they differ from a medical doctor? What are the benefits of chiropractic care, and do you need to see one?

In this article, you'll learn why you can benefit from seeing a chiropractor and how it's easier than you think!

What Is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a type of medical professional who specializes in the manipulation of the spine and the nervous system and endures several years of graduate-level education.

C hiropractors believe that many medical problems can be alleviated by adjusting the spine to align the entire body. When the body is out of alignment, the possibility for medical issues to erupt or worsen is likely.

Most chiropractors focus on natural healing methods such as exercises or spinal manipulation or changes in lifestyle habits. Rarely do they prescribe any medications.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment offers many benefits to the patient. If you're wondering whether or not to schedule a chiropractic appointment, here are some of the benefits of seeing a chiropractor.

1. Relief From Pain

O ne of the biggest benefits of chiropractic care is relief from pain in the back, neck, and other parts of the body.

This is especially true with whiplash injuries that occur from car accidents. Whiplash causes pain and tenderness in the neck and back, limiting movement and putting a strain on your daily activities. Seeing a chiropractor gets to the root of the problem and helps heal the injuries.

Other soreness related to muscle strains or injury especially in the lower back, maybe helped through chiropractic care.

2. Pregnancy

While pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman's life, it's often occupied by aches and pains. Changes like movement and growth can have a painful impact on the body such as the lower back and hips.

A visit to the chiropractor may help ease some of these discomforts that arise from pregnancy and post-pregnancy. For example, adjustments in the pelvic area provide ample space for birthing.

Seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy is generally considered safe, but talk to your OB/GYN if you're high risk.

3. Children

Not only do adults benefit from seeing a chiropractor, but children can as well.

Ear infections are one of the most common medical conditions from which children suffer. While it's easily treatable with antibiotics, chronic ear infections may indicate a deeper problem.

Many parents bring their children to the chiropractor for relief from ear infections, especially if they're susceptible to them. Other childhood medical issues that chiropractors see are acid reflux and colic.

4. Headaches

Headaches happen to everyone at some point, but migraines and tension headaches can harm your quality of life. Taking over-the-counter medications to manage the pain might work for a while, but over time it could take a toll on your health.

Chiropractors believe that the cause of some headaches is due to spinal misalignment. They work to relieve the muscle tension that's in your body and provide relief from headaches.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a condition in which the pressure of the blood flow is too strong on your artery walls. About 68 million adults have high blood pressure, even though it shows no symptoms.

Chiropractic care may help lower high blood pressure. Getting adjustments may offer the same effect as taking blood pressure medications, but without all the side effects. Regular trips to your chiropractor may be the key to getting your high blood pressure under control.

6. Immunity

Your immune system is your body's first defense against viruses and bacteria. When your immune system is functioning efficiently, you fight illness more quickly or become sick less often.

A chiropractic adjustment may boost your immune system and improve your overall health. This is because the nervous system is "in charge" of your immune system, which may lead to better functionality.

Is Chiropractic Care for Everyone?

Despite the amazing benefits of chiropractic care, there are some cases in which it may not be beneficial, useful, or safe. Though these reasons are often rare, they may include:

People with asthma
Broken bones
Severe spinal injuries, or those with a herniated or slipped disc
People with osteoporosis

I f you're unsure about whether or not you should visit a chiropractor, talk to your doctor, or schedule a consultation with your local chiropractor to discuss the current symptoms you want to alleviate.

Scheduling a Visit

Scheduling a visit with a chiropractor is easier than you think! In most cases, you don't need to bring anything with you and the staff works with a time that works well for you.

You may need to discuss your health history with your chiropractor so they know a general overview of your condition and what you want to treat.

Your treatment will vary on a case-by-case basis. For some people, monthly visits may be needed, while for others, visits only a few times per year are enough. Each person's needs are evaluated for an individualized treatment plan.

Visiting a Chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL

The benefits of chiropractic care are notable and should be considered as an alternative to traditional medicine. In several cases, a chiropractor may be able to help you without the need for medication and expensive medical treatments.

Are you looking for a chiropractor in the St. Petersburg area? We care about your entire well-being and strive to help you reach your full potential. Contact us about scheduling a consultation today!

Don’t Wait… Choose Proactive Health Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 07:02:39 GMT

An old adage instructs that good things come to those who wait. Waiting to make health care choices proves to be a major exception to the time-honored virtue of patience. Dental checkups, mammograms, prostate exams and physicals help detect problems early or address them before they turn into a larger problem. New research proves the value of early intervention to address back and sciatica pain.

Human beings tend to treat problems reactively rather than visualize problems on the horizon. Preventative care and proactive of health decisions represent some of the smartest and most cost-effective approaches for the whole family. The brain tends to address issues of immediate concern. The brain usually waits (reactively) until pain presents before calling attention to a health issue. Too often the problem existed for a previous time and could have been addressed to a healthier end.

Compelling research published in October 2020 showed that early intervention proved to be an essential ingredient in achieving long-term health satisfaction. Improvements in functional disability, pain intensity, and overall satisfaction resulted for people who sought early therapy and manual care intervention compared to people who waited or elected to use drug-therapy. The standard medical process for people with back pain and sciatica usually involves drug therapy to mask the pain while waiting to see if the problem progresses. This reactive approach risks greater long-term expenditure and the dangers of regular use of powerful pharmaceuticals. The wait and see approach combined with pain medication acknowledges a problem exists but does nothing to repair, fix, or heal the issue but rather allows the condition to persist.

Chiropractic care and physical therapy interventions help address problems before they become bigger and more permanent. Chiropractors use objective and specialized testing to determine the location and extent of a problem that needs to be addressed. America prescribes more prescription drugs than any country in the world. That reality contrasts with parents and families making a conscious decision to raise children and pursue health choices that do not involve dependency or need for medications. Chiropractic and physical therapeutic healthcare continue to gain momentum and popularity because of research that reveals the benefits of working with the body and honoring its ability to heal itself. When it comes to health care, good things come to those who don’t wait.

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Annals of Internal Medicine January 2021 “ Physical Therapy Referral From Primary Care for Acute Back Pain With Sciatica : A Randomized Controlled Trial .” Julie M Fritz, Elizabeth Lane, Molly McFadden, Gerard Brennan, John S Magel, Anne Thackeray, Kate Minick, Whitney Meier, Tom Greene

How Chiropractic And Good Choices Can Influence Immunity

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 06:20:01 GMT

The calendar welcomes the time of the year when coughs, fevers, stuffy noses, and tummy aches become the norm for both kids and adults. Some people wonder why certain individuals remain unscathed and seemingly untouched by the microbes that cause sickness, even among family members living under the same roof.

Some people get labeled as simply having a stronger immune system than others. The powerful truth actually shows that every person’s body design comes equipped with an amazing immune system comprised of little soldiers with a specific purpose to be on constant lookout for foreign invaders. The location of an invader causes a set of hormones to signal a need for more specific white blood cell fighters to crash the scene and get to work destroying and eliminating the culprits. This process occurs without the conscious awareness of the host/person. The protective procedure occurs automatically under the control of a part of the brain and spinal cord called the autonomic nervous system.

Chiropractic adjustments improve the function of the autonomic nervous system through gentle adjustments that increase movement in the spine. Better alignment and movement in the spine creates better pathways of communication between the nervous system and immune system. The adjustment balances the autonomic processes by reducing stress in the nervous system. Improved nervous system function leads to better hormone balance needed guide optimal immune function. Improved immunity results.

Research conducted in 2010 showed that patients who received chiropractic adjustments increased a specific signaling molecule in the body called Interleukin-2. This molecule regulates the activities of white blood cells responsible for immunity. Interleukin-2 represents part of the body’s natural response to microbial infection and helps the body recognize and create specific responses that neutralize foreign invaders. Evidence of this protein molecule shows to be present in higher quantity in people who received a chiropractic spinal adjustment compared to people who did not.

The primary focus of a chiropractic adjustment does not focus on increasing immunity or treating a symptom or condition. The increased body function from an adjustment serves as an example of a healthy outcome resulting from removing interference from the nervous system. While other professions focus more on changing the environment to minimize microbes in and around the body, chiropractic focuses on strengthening the body from the inside-out.

Four ways to improve immunity:

Stay on track with chiropractic adjustments to keep the autonomic nervous system balanced.
Get adequate amounts of Vitamin D (a major immune booster).
Go to bed 30-60 minutes earlier (inadequate sleep weakens immunity).
Substitute water and healthy snacks in place of sugary foods/drinks (sugar drains the immune system).

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Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2010
“Interleukin 2-regulated in vitro antibody production following a single spinal manipulative treatment in normal subjects.” Julita A Teodorczyk-Injeyan , Marion McGregor , Richard Ruegg ,and H Stephen Injeyan

7 Things Parents Need to Know About Infant Chiropractic Care

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 21:50:58 GMT

More than 35 million people across the country see a chiropractor each year, which shows just how popular these treatments are. Seeing a chiropractor can often be a game-changer in pain management and overall health and wellness for many patients.

Even with these clear benefits, some parents don't consider infant chiropractic care for their children.

Many people only associate chiropractic care only with popping joints and easing back pain, which children don't often suffer from. But there are so many other things these healthcare providers can help with.

We've created a list of the top 7 benefits of chiropractic care for infants in St Petersburg, FL to help you see if it's right for your child!

1. Alignment Post Birth

Let's face it, birth is traumatic for everyone involved. Most of the time we focus on the damage done to the mother's body throughout the labor and delivery process. But, occasionally, there are some issues the baby may run into as well.

Beyond all of the pressure that's put on the baby's neck and back during labor, they've also spent the last nine months cramped and out of alignment. While some babies get right into the proper alignment on their own, some may need a little help to avoid further pain or problems.

The chiropractor can gently and safely make sure everything is lined up how it's supposed to so that the body can function the way it's supposed to.

2. Reduce Risk for Chronic Illness

Taking care of an infant or child is a difficult job just on its own under normal circumstances. Add in that they can't tell you if something doesn't feel right or if there's any pain and the job becomes even more difficult!

That difficulty is why preventative care is so critical for overall health and wellness.

Some chiropractic therapies can help the nervous and digestive systems function properly to eliminate problems stemming from those areas. Many practitioners use chiropractic care for ear infections in infants. All of these treatments are aimed at getting the body to be in sync and working right.

3. Minimize Colic Symptoms

One of those terrible conditions where an infant can't tell you what's wrong comes from colic. This ailment causes babies to be unhappy for hours at a time, every single time. It's truly miserable for everyone involved.

Unfortunately, there's no specific cure for colic that has worked for every child. But some treatments have made a difference in symptoms and brought some relief, both for the child and the parents. Chiropractic treatments have been one of those solutions.

Getting the body back into alignment can relieve gas in the child, which when trapped is extremely painful. Once the gas is released and the digestive system has the room to do its job, the child should be much more content.

4. Manage Pain

The main reason that most adults decide to get seen by a chiropractor is that they are in some kind of pain and need relief. Their pain is likely interrupting their daily activities and making it uncomfortable to move around.

Children and infants aren't immune from this type of pain and discomfort, even if it's much less common.

If you notice your child seems to be in pain, whether they wince or have abnormal movement patterns, it's a good idea to have them seen by a chiropractor. They can get to the root of the problem and fix any alignment issues causing the pain.

5. Improve Sleep

When you have an infant or a young child, there's nothing more valuable than a good night's sleep. How much rest everyone is getting has the biggest impact on how well everything else goes throughout the day. Poor sleep wears on the whole family and can lead to other major health problems.

Finding the source of poor sleep can be difficult (sometimes impossible!) but trying a variety of treatments can sometimes get you the relief you're looking for.

One of the benefits of chiropractic care for infants is that it often leads to better sleep. The child is experiencing less pain and will find it easier to get comfortable for that deep, restful sleep.

6. Straighten Posture

Proper posture, the way we carry and hold ourselves, is absolutely crucial to overall health and wellness. Especially for children.

As the child continues to develop, they'll likely start to experience growing pains. These discomforts are normal and nothing to worry about but standing incorrectly can make them significantly worse. If a child can learn to have correct posture, their growing pains are likely to be less intense.

Straight posture can also help ensure that everything develops properly within the body. There won't be anything cramped or running out of space because the body is aligned exactly how it's supposed to be.

7. Boost Immune System

No parent wants their child to be susceptible to regular illness but, instead, wants them to have a strong immune system to protect them.

Good chiropractic care can do wonders for boosting the immune system and give you added protection from common illnesses. Chiropractics often focus on correcting problems with the nervous system, which is a major part of the immune system. When the body doesn't have to spend extra effort on this system, it can better fight off germs and infections.

Even a few adjustments can make a big difference in how well your body functions in all circumstances.

Key Information About Infant Chiropractic Care

Every parent is always looking to get their child the best care for the most healthy and comfortable life possible. Sometimes that takes a little outside of the box thinking beyond their pediatrician.

Infant chiropractic care offers your child a new way to improve their health and wellness that might be the missing puzzle piece. These treatments and services work with other aspects of the body and can solve problems without adding extra medications to the body.

If you're interested in learning more about specific treatments or scheduling an appointment in St Petersburg, Florida, contact us today!

Why Athletes And The Elderly Benefit From The Same Chiropractic Adjustments

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:52:20 GMT

Every athlete looks for and works towards an advantage that will improve performance. Chiropractic care offers a tremendous edge. The same reasons that chiropractic adjustments help athletes perform better also serve to improve life quality for people of advanced age. Recent research shows that chiropractic adjustments improve strength, endurance, and balance while reducing pain in the body.

Athletes train hard to perform better in competition. Research published in 2020 revealed that those under chiropractic care exhibited improved strength and endurance as well as reduced low back pain intensity and disability compared with those not receiving adjustments. This data builds upon over a hundred years of evidence that proves what chiropractors see and hear on a regular basis. Findings like these also explain why almost all elite level Olympic and professional athletes utilize chiropractic as part of their training and rehab regiment.

Elderly individuals represent another group of people who deserve to experience greater strength, endurance, and balance. Approximately 300,000 Americans are hospitalized every year after fracturing hips during a fall. A broken hip suffered by someone of advanced age rarely heals properly and most find that life does not easily return to normal. Many experience health that declines to the point of being disabled. Statistics show that 87-96% of people who suffer from hip fractures are over 65 years of age. Those injuries often lead to hip surgery and a significant decline in independence.

Chiropractic adjustments gently increase mobility and alignment of spinal vertebrae. The brain receives important signals from the spine that keep the body healthy and strong. Proper alignment and mobility of spinal bones allows the brain to communicate with muscles, organs and tissues in a more harmonious way. The spine plays a role in all body health and functions because of an intimate relationship between the brain and central nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments help so many aspects of health and human performance. A properly aligned body unlocks tremendous power to heal and restore a variety of symptoms, conditions and performance.

Athletes and weekend warriors mirror the hopes those advancing in age. All want to live their best life and experience freedom and vitality. Chiropractic care plays an important role in maximizing strength, endurance, and balance while reducing pain. That outcome occurs without the use of drugs or surgery. Make chiropractic part of every health care plan in 2021.

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Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine June 2020
“ Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial .”
Robert Vining, Cynthia R Long, Amy Minkalis, M Ram Gudavalli, Ting Xia, Joan Walter, Ian Coulter, Christine M Goertz

Chiropractic Will Help Maximize Health & Fitness Goals In 2021

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 04:52:20 GMT

The top resolutions for 2021 include weight loss, improved physical fitness, smoking cessation, increasing financial revenue, minimizing stress, and simply enjoying life more. A new year brings new challenges and opportunities. The majority of adults approach a new year with fleeting commitments to look better, feel better, accomplish more and merge onto a more fulfilling path. Chiropractic offers a lifestyle change bearing tremendous power to positively impact a variety of resolutions.

A year of lockdowns, the pandemic, and working from home created more challenges and stress than any year over the last five decades. Millions of people enter 2021 needing an intervention that reduces stress without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic care does not simply alleviate pain and improve movement. The benefits of an adjustment extend far beyond the alleviation of pain and symptoms. The intimate relationship between the spine and central nervous system means that every adjustment helps open neural pathways that contribute to creating a stronger and more efficient body. Greater efficiency requires less energy to operate normal daily systems in the body and the body experiences less stress.

Chiropractors spend years studying scientifically based methods of improving natural function and healing. Research confirms that a specific hormone called norepinephrine increases when the body experiences stress. Norepinephrine enters the blood when the brain perceives that a stressful event occurred or will soon take place. According to studies, diseases linked directly to an increase in stress hormones include cancer, bipolar disorder, excessive body weight, hypertension, type 1 autoimmune diabetes, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and immune system function.

The observation of those conditions proves just how delicate and significant stress hormone levels are to health, function, and the accomplishment of any life improvement goal. Chiropractic adjustments improve many aspects of human health and performance. Research done using expensive PET scan technology proves that gentle chiropractic adjustments help reduce stress hormone levels by removing stress from the central nervous system.

Starting a new weight loss strategy, exercise program, or dietary plan should utilize chiropractic to maximize overall health improvement. A body functioning in harmony naturally uses energy to accomplish intended purposes that include better fitness, weight loss, or any number of health outcomes. Start the New Year by opening the communication pathway between the brain and body with evidence based spinal adjustments. Chiropractic continues to be the most safe and effective choice for optimal health performance in 2021 and beyond.

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Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine January 2017
“Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy: A [ 18 F]FDG PET Study.”
Akie Inami , Takeshi Ogura , Shoichi Watanuki , Md Mehedi Masud , Katsuhiko Shibuya , Masayasu Miyake , Rin Matsuda , Kotaro Hiraoka , Masatoshi Itoh , Arlan W Fuhr , Kazuhiko Yanai , Manabu Tashiro

How To Reduce Lower Back Pain At Night?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 22:21:17 GMT

Back pain ranges from mild to severe and can be short-termed or persistent. When acute, it might be debilitating and affects almost all aspects of daily life, including sleep. Pain and sleep have a complex relationship. Pain can disturb sleep, and lack of sleep can cause a person to experience more pain. Furthermore, a sleeping position or mattress that does not support the lumbar spine can trigger or worsen lower back pain.

Understanding the link between sleep and lower back pain offers new ways to find relief. Quality sleep can help relieve or prevent back pain. Knowing how to sleep with back pain can also help manage it and contribute to healing and recovery.

How to Manage Sleep with Lower Back Pain?

Getting a night of sound sleep is an imperative part of recovery from back pain, but good sleep can seem an arduous task when your back hurts. Some practical tips can help with this, such as:

Find A Supportive Sleeping Position: Ideally, you can sleep on your side, but regardless of sleeping position, ensure that your spine is aligned correctly. If necessary, use extra pillows to support the body.
Become a Black Sleeper: The best sleeping position is lying on your back when suffering from backache. You can make this position even more comfortable by placing a pillow under your knees to reduce pressure on your back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it can worsen back pain and put pressure on the spine.
Try a New Pillow: Get rid of your old pillows and try using some comfortable ones to improve your sleep. It is best to use a pillow that keeps the cervical spine in a neutral position, making sure the back is aligned and supported.
Update Your Mattress: To get your spine just aligned while sleeping, use a suitable mattress. That hints at something different for everyone, but a medium-firm mattress is usually a good choice.
Try Relaxation Techniques: Finding relaxation measures can put you in a sleep-friendly mood with less focus on the pain.
Hit the Gym: Regular physical activities like gentle stretching and yoga can also help reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve sleep quality.
Use of Heating Pads: Heat helps relax stiff muscles and can also lessen pain. Take a hot shower or use a heating pad to loosen stiff, aching muscles before bed.
Reducing Potential Sleep Disturbances: If you wake up at night inadvertently, the pain can make it difficult to get back to sleep. Try to eradicate excess sound and light from your bedroom or block it with a sleep mask or earplugs. Set your bedroom to a comfortable temperature overnight.
Develop Effective Sleep Hygiene Habits: Good sleep habits, such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine, turning off digital screens, and sleeping on time, can help relieve back pain.

When to See A Chiropractor?

Pain is debilitating
Pain radiates to the legs or other parts of the body
Pain persists for more than a few days or gets worse
You feel weakness or numbness in your lower body
There are signs of infection like redness, swelling, or fever

Why Consider Chiropractic Treatment?

According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractors treat several health issues, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, ligament disorders, and injuries. Chiropractors undergo extensive training to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal problems.

The Takeaway

Do not accept back pain as the norm. If your chronic pain continuously affects your sleep, talk to a chiropractor about other options, such as enrolling in a pain management clinic to seek complementary therapies like physical therapy or dry needling massage.

The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care Include Balancing Weight Optimization Hormones

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 06:29:09 GMT

The benefits of chiropractic go far beyond simply alleviating back and neck pain. Research, medical science, and 120 years of chiropractic testimonies combine to produce millions of elated patients across the globe. While chiropractic continues to evolve into one of the top five health professions in the world, many medical doctors and mainstream medical instruction remain unaware of the research and science behind all the momentum. The short- and long-term benefits that chiropractic adjustments provide for people of all ages continues to be proven with growing archives of evidence and outcomes.

Important nutrients triggered by the brain through proper alignment and movement of the spine help explain the vast array of benefits experienced by chiropractic patients. A study published in 2011 explained that a specialized group of hormones play a significant role in why chiropractic adjustments achieve such significant health results. Hormones serve as chemical messengers that release directly into the blood and travel to organs and tissues to direct function and performance. Any intervention that influences hormones will powerfully and directly influence all bodily functions ranging from sleep and fertility to digestion and metabolism. Optimal health and performance only occurs when hormones maintain balance and coordination.

Research published in 2009 from Johns Hopkins University listed a group of conditions linked directly to the increase of a specific hormone called noradrenaline. The list included: cancer, bipolar disorder, excessive body weight, hypertension, type 1 autoimmune diabetes, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and immune system function. One of the more notable symptoms linked to increased noradrenaline levels came in the form of excessive weight gain.

Conversely, many patients of both genders experienced some form of weight loss after starting chiropractic care. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments help restore hormonal balance and produce favorable health changes ranging from weight loss to improved overall body function. Chiropractic delivers much more than relief from back or neck pain. Balanced hormones through the power of an adjustment helps maximize every lifestyle and health change adopted by a patient.

Chiropractic helps balance a person’s hormones by reducing central nervous system dysfunction that exists due to subtle misaligned vertebral stress points in the spine. Science and research indicate that chiropractic adjustments lower stress hormones while helping coordinate and balance other chemical messengers through improved brain and organ function. Chiropractors remain intent on educating the world about the dangerous health conditions that begin forming by improper spinal mechanics and bad posture. Adjustments help maximize body function and can be utilized to improve health and performance for family members of all ages. A healthier tomorrow begins with chiropractic.

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Autonomic and Autacoid Pharmacology October 2009 “Is elevated noradrenaline an aetiological factor in a number of diseases? PJ Fitzgerald
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine Nov-Dec 2011 “Cerebral metabolic changes in men after chiropractic spinal manipulation for neck pain.”
Takeshi Ogura 1 , Manabu Tashiro , Mehedi Masud , Shoichi Watanuki , Katsuhiko Shibuya , Keiichiro Yamaguchi , Masatoshi Itoh , Hiroshi Fukuda , Kazuhiko Yanai

How Can A Chiropractor Help a Bed-Wetting Child?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 09:32:03 GMT

Approximately five to seven million children in the U.S. wet the bed 10-15% of children wet the bed until age six. Bed-wetting often leaves parents scratching their heads and digging into their wallets in search of solutions. Many of the children experiencing enuresis, the official diagnosis given to the inability to control urination, live with embarrassment and hopelessness when many forms of intervention do not provide a solution. Chiropractic offers hope and delivers unique results to many children suffering from consistent bed-wetting.

The struggle of bed-wetting brings embarrassment and frustration to parents and children alike. A mental and emotional burden adds to the extra laundry and impacts both relationships and a child’s self-esteem. Nocturnal enuresis does not classify as a major health concern but certainly influences the way children view themselves. Studies show that just one bout of bedwetting per month causes a child’s self-esteem to be significantly influenced.

One of the most important aspects of all urinary function stems from open and clear lines of communication in the nervous system. Nerve receptors in the bladder recognize and trigger a warning when the bladder needs to be emptied. But urinary control involves much more than just brain and bladder nerve receptors. Alignment and mobility in the spinal vertebrae influence communication between the brain, bladder, and other important organs. Miscommunication between the brain and bladder alter the body’s ability to know when to urinate and when to contract muscles that allow a person to control urination.

Most bed-wetting during the night occurs because children do not recognize their need to urinate. The nervous system triggers recognition of the body’s alert system. Chiropractic care keeps lines of communication open and helps struggling children overcome bed wetting issues. Improving movement and alignment in the spine ensures that the bladder can properly send alarm signals to the brain and help kids contract muscles and wake up before losing bladder control.

Chiropractic focuses on the cause of functional issues in the body. Long term benefits occur for those suffering from enuresis and other ailments because chiropractic helps to heal and improve performance within the body. The top medical interventions for bed wetting involve setting alarms and taking medications that reduce the amount of urine production. Some interventions even involve taking anti-depressants. Chiropractors do not focus on the bladder. Nervous system care improves communication between the brain and body by restoring proper spinal alignment and motion. Research done on children suffering with bed-wetting showed that those receiving chiropractic adjustments significantly reduced the number of wet nights with many transitioning out of the bed wetting stage soon after.

Spinal misalignments often interfere with nervous system function without any presence of pain. Cavities, high blood pressure, and spinal misalignments usually become debilitating before making their presence known. Proactive health care ensures that the body performs optimally.

Evaluating a child’s nervous system for interference begins with a trip to the chiropractor. Removing interference and promoting proactive care in children offers a permanent solution to bed-wetting and countless other childhood ailments. Remove anxiety and embarrassment from the home by removing stress on every child’s spine. Chiropractic works.

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Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy Nov-Dec 1994
“ Chiropractic management of primary nocturnal enuresis .” WR Reed, S Beavers, SK Reddy, G Kern

Chiropractic and Migraines: How Regular Treatment Can Help With Pain Relief

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 19:03:41 GMT

It is thought that migraine headaches afflict over 35 million Americans . That's 43% of women and 18% of men. Women tend to suffer from migraines more than men due to the constant hormonal fluctuations in their systems.

Migraines are the third most prevalent illness globally. That's a lot of people suffering from this pain. The extra stress caused by the pandemic has caused an even higher rate of people now suffering from migraines .

You may not have considered the link between the use of chiropractic and migraines. This article will delve into why chiropractic treatment can be a lifesaver for those suffering from regular migraines.

What Are Migraines?

Migraines are more than just a headache. Migraines are typically a sharp pain in one part of the head. Some migraines will include aura, where the sufferer sees flashing lights before the migraine develops. There are many other symptoms that sufferers endure. These include:

Dizzyness
Severe pain
Pulsing in part of the head
Blurred vision
Extreme sensitivity to light and sound
Numbness in the limbs
Nausea

What Is The Cause of Migraines?

The route cause of migraines is still pretty much unknown by the medical community. It is thought that tension in the head and neck could be a contributor to the migraine. For many, this is triggered by stress.

Chemical changes in the brain can cause the brain's tissues to become swollen, affecting its nerve signals. This will, in turn, cause the pain that is typically felt in the head as part of a migraine.

These changes in the brain's chemistry can be brought on by a multitude of factors, which include:

Poor diet - this can include regular consumption of food items that contain caffeine, chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing the additive tyramine.
Stress - if you are under pressure, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol.
Lack of sleep - little or low quality sleep can enhance stress levels and disrupt the body’s hormonal balance.
Hormonal - changes in the hormones can cause people to suffer migraines.
Depression/anxiety
Poor posture - bad posture leads to tightness in the muscles around the neck, shoulders, and spine.
Jet lag
Low blood sugar
Alcohol
Dehydration

Which Treatments Are Best for Migraines?

The severity of migraines can be reduced with various long-term lifestyle changes. This includes gentle stretching, trying to reduce stress in your life, eating well, a better sleep regime, and taking part in relaxing exercises such as yoga and meditation.

If you work in front of a screen, make sure you have a working setup where you do not always look down at the screen and place tension on your neck, spine, and shoulders. Ensure you have a comfortable chair that supports your back and allows your feet to remain on the floor. Good posture is a great start to having a work set up, which causes the least amount of strain on the body.

Short term fixes such as an ice pack or taking prescribed medication can be simple solutions to healing a migraine, depending on the severity of the pain.

Have you ever thought about headache and migraine chiropractic treatment? Did you know, one of the most common reasons people visit their chiropractor is to receive treatment for migraines.

What Is Chiropractic Treatment?

Chiropractic treatment is a non-invasive, non-addictive way to adjust the alignment of your spine. The chiropractic adjustment is when your chiropractor makes hands-on adjustments to the vertebra’s position in your spine. This can help release tension and inflammation from the body and improve the nervous system's overall function.

Recent chiropractic and migraines research shows evidence that suggests chiropractic care can be an effective way to not only combat migraines but reduce the frequency at which they occur. Spinal adjustments by a trained chiropractor can even help to reduce the stress hormone .

The Link Between Chiropractic and Migraines

Many people visit their chiropractor to treat back pain , sciatica, arthritis, sports injuries, and neck pain. The connection between migraine and chiropractic treatment is often not considered. But if migraines are known to be caused by tension in the back and neck, it makes sense that having a spinal adjustment will reduce your susceptibility to migraines.

When a chiropractor adjusts somebody, it creates a mechanical change in the body. The way your chiropractor is moving you is done according to your joints' range of motion. A chiropractic visit can move your joints in a way that massage or stretching cannot. The spinal adjustment stimulates the brain and tells the muscles to relax. For this reason, you will leave the chiropractor’s office feeling much more relaxed than when you went in.

If you visit a headache and migraine chiropractor, you are likely to notice the following benefits:

Increased mobility
Improvement in your physical function
Reduced inflammation
Increased muscle strength
Reduced pain
Less tension and tightness in the body

Discuss Your Health Goals With Us

Migraine headaches and chiropractic care are intrinsically linked. Many studies now show that there is a positive correlation between regular chiropractor visits and reduced migraine frequency. Remember, everything in the body is connected. If you suffer from neck and back pain or tension, it may stimulate the onset of migraines.

Regular visits to the chiropractor can help reduce pain from migraines, both in the short and long term. If you aren't sure about how chiropractic care and spinal adjustment will help your health, speak to a qualified expert about your health concerns and goals.

If you are in St. Petersburg, Fl, and want to know more about how chiropractic care could improve your life, contact us for a consultation.

5 Surprising Tips To Improve Sleep That You Will NOT Learn From The News

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 08:29:11 GMT

Sleep delivers vital necessities needed for quality life and health. Many biological processes occur during sleep. The brain stores new information and gets rid of toxic waste. Nerve cells communicate and reorganize and support healthy brain function. The body repairs cells, restores energy, and releases molecules like hormones and proteins. During sleep, hormones flood the body to aid in healing and repair. The stress component of the nervous system relaxes during sleep while the growth and repair component of the nervous system goes into overdrive.

Stress hormone levels lower, muscles paralyse, and an anti-diuretic hormone helps to reduce the need or urge to urinate. The immune system releases inflammation fighting cytokines to take advantage of healing without needing any movement or eating. Sleep consists of so much more than a daily task needed to keep people from being sleepy. The body requires sleep to stay alive and function optimally. Many negative conditions and symptoms occur as a direct result of sleep deprivation. Taking the time for sleep represents a precious and profound lifestyle change that adds years to life and life to years.

More than 70 million Americans (almost 22%) suffer from some form of sleep problem or wakefulness. 60% of those have a chronic sleep disorder with no cure. Drugs represent the usual treatment of choice. Nearly nine million Americans take powerful drugs to aid in sleeping each night. Not only do these sleep drugs associate with dangerous side effects, but they also do not target the cause of the sleep problem. Users tend to migrate into a pattern of long-term medication use.

Research published in 2015 linked spinal adjustments to improved neuro-endocrine function. Data showed that the hormones and chemical messengers that contribute to sleep can be changed and improved through spinal adjustments. Millions of chiropractic patients around the world report a side effect of deeper sleep or less wakefulness after beginning chiropractic care. Scientific literature explains this phenomenon.

5 Surprising Tips to Improve Sleep

Chiropractic adjustments – Regulate sleep hormones naturally.
Black out all lights when sleeping – research showed better sleep in blacked out rooms.
Lower room temperature to 68 degrees Fahrenheit – lowering body temperature by one degree increases sleep quality and quantity.
Lavender and Epsom Salt Bath before bed – Relax the body.
No screen use before bed unless using blue light blocking glasses – Screen time around bedtime increases the cortisol hormone and lowers sleep quality.

All sleep problems originate from some form of hormone shift or imbalance. Chiropractic spinal adjustments improve the production, release, and balance of hormones. Additional lifestyle modifications mentioned above also help the body experience better rest through deeper sleep.

A chiropractic adjustment does not treat or cure sleep problems. Chiropractic removes interference from the nervous system through specific spinal adjustments. Those people struggling with wakefulness or poor sleep quality can take the first step towards better rest by contacting our office.

Medical Hypotheses December 2015
“ Measureable changes in the neuro-endocrinal mechanism following spinal manipulation .” Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Ramakrishnan Mani, James David Cotter, Steve Tumilty

Follow These 8 Great Tips To Cure Back Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 19:43:09 GMT

Back pain is one of the most common health ailments. The majority of Americans experience back pain every day. Muscles, ligaments, discs, or bones in the back can be a source of back pain. Many people deal with back pain attacks themselves (except in severe cases) - by staying active and using simple pain relievers or hot packs to alleviate their pain.

Here Are 8 Top Tips For Relieving Lower Back Pain:

Keep Moving: Continue your daily activities if the pain is not severe. Organize the house, walk the dog, and go to work. Once your back is in better condition, regular aerobic exercise such as swimming, walking, and cycling can keep you and your back more active. However, remember not to overdo it.
Stay Strong: Once your back pain diminishes, you can prevent the recurrence of back pain by exercising the muscles that support your back, including the core muscles and back extensors. They will help you maintain the correct posture and alignment of your spine. Strong hip, pelvic and abdominal muscles also give you extra support for the back.
Stretch: Stretching is essential for those who work in the office and sit in an office chair all day. The important thing is that remind yourself to get up every 20 minutes and stretch in the other direction. If you think about it, most of us spend a lot of time leaning forward in our jobs; it is important to get up and stretch back during the day.
Put Cold Pack: An ice pack is best during the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury, as it reduces inflammation. Although applying a hot pack to the affected area is comforting because it covers the pain and helps relax the muscles. In fact, the heat inflames the inflammatory processes. After the 48-hour period, you can switch to heating if desired.
Think Ergonomically: Design your work area so that you do not have to constantly lean forward to look at your computer screen or use your mouse. Use an office chair that supports the lower back and allows you to keep your feet flat on the ground.
Watch Your Posture: Sagging makes it harder for your back to bear your weight. Pay particular attention to your posture while lifting heavy objects. Never bend over from your waist. Rather, bend and straighten up from your heel.
Maintain Your Weight: Eat a well-balanced diet and perform exercise to keep your weight in a healthy range for your height. Remember that extra pounds, mainly in your midsection, can worsen back pain by changing your center of gravity and exerting strain on your lower back. Staying within 10 pounds of your ideal weight can prevent back pain.
Try To Give Up The Habit: Regular smoking can increase the risk of developing spinal osteoporosis and other bone problems. Osteoporosis, on the other hand, can lead to compression fractures of the spine. Recent research has found that smokers are more likely to suffer from lower back pain than non-smokers.

The Takeaway

If your back pain does not stop by following the simplified self-care options listed above, it may help schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. If other body ailments accompany your back pain, you should immediately visit a doctor.

Proactive Health Care DOES NOT Wait For Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 09:56:13 GMT

The presence of pain does not represent a strong indicator of a person’s overall health status. In other words, health cannot be accurately measured by the presence or absence of pain. Incredible amounts of research indicates that pain does not usually represent the root of a problem but alerts an individual to a greater problem that advanced far beyond the body’s ability to cope or manage. Pain usually represents a final symptom rather than a root cause. Acheiving optimal health and healing means addressing the causes of health conditions rather than simply masking pain.

Many care providers agree that pain speaks loudest and stays longest. A problem existed long before the pain and demands attention before the pain will subside. Long term health and improvement without drugs or surgery require intervention that gets to the source. As a chiropractor I focus on finding and addressing the structural cause of painful problems rather than simply treating the symptoms or the effects of the cause.

Many parts, functions, and processes in the body cannot be felt. Cavities in teeth, plaque build-up in blood vessels, high cholesterol, and even cancer represent some of the many examples of silent problems that speak up loudly and painfully in the late stages of sickness. Consistent check-ups and teeth cleaning at the dentist, health physicals with the family physician, stress tests with the cardiologist, and cancer screenings serve as examples of health care providers understanding the immense value in proactive health care in advance of signs or symptoms. Regular spinal check-ups and adjustments with the chiropractor offer one of the most powerful forms of proactive health care available to men, women, and children.

The benefits of a chiropractic adjustment go far beyond pain relief, and the benefits begin to manifest in many ways that prevent pain from ever occurring. Research from 2015 looked at spinal MRI scans of a large population of people who experienced no pain or symptoms. Over twenty percent of those studied were found to have disc degeneration, disc herniations, or protrusions in the spine with no symptoms. These ailments would eventually lead to chronic low back pain and the likelihood of needing to use powerful pharmaceuticals or invasive surgery. This example represents one of many ways in which a silent and unhealthy condition exists without pain until the condition becomes extremely advanced and nearly irreparable.

The benefit of chiropractic has no prerequisite of pain. Kids, adults, and even infants of all ages experience the benefits of chiropractic without ever experiencing conditions in need of pain resolution. Chiropractic benefits everyone. Doctors of Chiropractic undergo extensive training and education that enables them to assess, diagnose, and begin the process of allowing the body to heal proactively. The proactive path to optimal health begins with chiropractic.

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American Journal of Neuroradiology September 2015
“ MRI Findings of Disc Degeneration are More Prevalent in Adults with Low Back Pain than in Asymptomatic Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis .”
W Brinjikji, F E Diehn, J G Jarvik, C M Carr, D F Kallmes, M H Murad, P H Luetmer

Christmas Day Produces More Heart Attacks Than Any Other Day

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 08:05:55 GMT

This Great Offense Beats The Best Defense

Chronic stress links to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. More than 75 percent of all physician office visits come from stress-related ailments and complaints. The dangers of stress make the holiday season a time for concern for those weighed down by health concerns. The global pandemic compounds holiday stress in 2020. Chiropractors play one of the most important roles in modern healthcare by providing advice, care, and recommendations that mitigate risk factors for stress-related disorders.

A worrisome relationship occurs between the holiday season and heart attacks for both men and women. According to a study from the Journal of Circulation, “The number of cardiac deaths is higher on December 25 than on any other day of the year, second highest on December 26, and third highest on January 1.” The reasoning makes sense.

December brings about increased stress levels in many people. An increased risk of heart attacks stems from the added pressure of buying gifts, financial strains, and increased consumption of sugar, salt, and alcohol. Isolation and lockdowns add to the list of concerns. Of course most people do not suffer heart attacks during the holidays, yet research simply shows that stress levels increase in December and early January compared to any other part of the year.

The best plan involves a great offense. Being on the offense includes adding health strategies that limit the impact of stress over time. Limiting alcohol consumption and moderating sugar intake is always smart, while still allowing an occasional time and place to indulge. The key to not allowing the stress to take over involves improving the body’s resilience.

Chiropractors take a unique approach to health, disease, and stress. Other professions advocate for changing the environment to suit a weakened body. Chiropractic focuses on strengthening the body to suit the environment.

Three simple ways to increase the body’s resilience to stress include:

Chiropractic – Chiropractic adjustments enable the body’s ability to deal with stress. Good posture results from chiropractic care. Head position remains vital to minimizing stress on heart health. A 2004 study showed that those with forward head posture experienced a 44% greater risk of mortality due to coronary heart disease. Chiropractic reduces the stress related to poor posture.
Sleep – Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Sleep proves vital to off-setting the effects of stress.
Water – Thirst often feels like hunger. People tend to assume hunger first when a stomach growls. Start with a glass of water before eating and drink your bodyweight in ounces of water each day.

The best defense for stress starts with a great offense. Chiropractic care provides a cornerstone for reducing stress and enjoying the season throughout the holidays.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
October 2004
“ Hyperkyphotic posture predicts mortality in older community-dwelling men and women: a prospective study . ”
Deborah M Kado, Mei-Hua Huang, Arun S Karlamangla, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Gail A Greendale

Pandemic Protocols Triggering More Migraine

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 07:05:42 GMT

Pain Research On Natural Solutions For Sufferers…

The coronavirus pandemic continues to create headaches. Literally. Neurologists around the country report seeing more patients complaining about intense migraines over the course of the last six months. Stress usually gets blamed for headache issues, but other factors play a significant role.

Changing routines and the environment also represent key factors for increased migraine severity. Migraine sufferers tend to be wired with brains that like things to be stable and regular. But with the pandemic, things have been anything but regular. Sleep schedules, work environments, stress levels, exercise routines, and school represent just a few of the major deviations from normal.

Increased screen time during confinement also serves as a major migraine trigger. Being on a phone or laptop all day causes increased muscle tension in the neck and shoulders resulting in tension headaches that trigger migraines. Working from home increases many risk factors that trigger migraine headaches. So many variables come into consideration for migraine sufferers attempting to avoid an attack or reduce the severity or longevity of pain.

Migraines comprise the third most prevalent illness in the world, affecting 12% of the US population. Nearly 40 million Americans and a billion people worldwide suffer from migraines. That equates to one in seven people living with regular migraines. Migraines rank as the second-most-debilitating disease on the planet, second only to back pain. Greater than 20% of chronic migraine sufferers classify as disabled and the likelihood of disability increases with the number of associated conditions.

Research published in 2015 determined that proper spinal health care produced better migraine relief than people relying only migraine medications. Medical doctors usually prescribe drugs for migraine sufferers without awareness or exploration of the published research revealing other safer and effective solutions. A false assumption occurs when people begin to associate relief with pharmaceutical drugs. The 2015 study showed that patients who received upper cervical, manual adjustive care reduced their drug consumption by 80%, decreased their days of migraines per month by 97%, and improved pain and functional disability associated with migraines by 100%.

Migraine sufferers represent some of the toughest people on the planet because they have learned to deal with an excruciating form of pain. Small improvements deliver big payoffs for those who have suffered for many years. Chiropractic care provides a unique natural strategy for helping migraine sufferers address the cause of their problem without dangerous side effects from medications or surgery. Stress serves as a major contributor to the exacerbation of migraine headaches. Chiropractic care helps migraine sufferers better cope with the stress of the pandemic through regular, gentle adjustments that engage the nervous system to better adapt to the stressors that trigger headaches. People seeking relief from migraines know that chiropractic works.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine January 2015
“ Clinical effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in chronic migraine: 3-Armed randomize controlled trial .” Francesco Cerritelli, Liana Ginevri, Gabriella Messi, Emanuele Caprari, Marcello Di Vincenzo, Cinzia Renzetti, Vincenzo Cozzolino, Gina Barlafante, Nicoletta Foschi, Leandro Provinciali

Chiropractic Care VS Physical Therapy

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 02:45:36 GMT

A Research-Based Solution To Back Pain

Low back pain represents a consistent and costly musculoskeletal condition. Patients with low back pain endure surgery, injections, and expensive visits to emergency departments. Over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs usually serve as the first choice of relief for back pain sufferers. These NSAID drugs carry a large list of unwanted and dangerous side effects with. They also never address the structural cause of the problem. Thousands of people continue to investigate various alternatives to invasive treatments used to alleviate back pain.

Low back pain will affect over 80% of people at some point in their life and comprises the number one reason for disability in North America. Back pain signals impingement in the spine’s ability to move, bend, or twist. Low back pain immediately deteriorates quality of life and leads people to look for a quick and easy solution, misunderstanding that taking pills masks the pain but ultimately leaves the body in a worse condition. Proactive health care services like chiropractic and physical therapy offer an alternative opportunity to pursue pain reduction and healing at a much lower cost and without the risk of drugs or surgery. A new study published in 2020 evaluated the effectiveness of chiropractic care compared to outcomes experienced by those who chose physical therapy to combat back pain.

The study determined that patients treated by chiropractors reported a higher level of satisfaction than those receiving treatment from orthopedic surgeons. People also reported more significant benefits (clinically and statistically) compared to those only pursuing medical care. One of the most notable statistics involved a difference in cost between pursuing physical therapy verses chiropractic care. Chiropractic patients reported an average cost of approximately $49 less. Patients experiencing at least three weeks of back pain in the previous six months found chiropractic care to be a cost-effective health care alternative.

Both chiropractic and physical therapy represent better options to resolving long-term back pain than medical interventions. Proactive health care remains the best choice for patients experiencing health care concerns. Chiropractic leads the way in non-invasive treatments. Lower cost and better results make chiropractic the best option for anyone seeking relief from back pain.

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Healthcare (Basel) March 2020
“ Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain: A Comparison of Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Manipulation .” Nima Khodakarami

The Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:49:22 GMT

Find relief and comfort during your pregnancy with prenatal chiropractic care. Learn about the several benefits for both you and your baby today.

Did you know that 50% of pregnant women suffer from low back pain at some point during their pregnancy? For many women, pregnancy is an exciting and life-changing experience.

However, as excited as one can be, it also comes with various aches and pains. More so on the spine, muscles, soft tissues, lower back, and the pelvis.

A growing belly naturally introduces extra stress on the spine and the nervous system. As you progress through the pregnancy, you'll experience various changes. Getting prenatal chiropractic care may help you maintain healthy functions for both the spine and the nervous system.

Importance of Prenatal Chiropractic Care

You see, when you maintain a proper spinal and pelvic alignment, you'll reap major benefits. Apart from a comfortable and pain-free pregnancy, you'll have a healthy delivery as well.

These are not the only benefits you stand to gain by visiting a professional chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL. In this post, we'll discuss all the advantages of getting prenatal chiropractic care and why you should consider it.

How Safe Is Chiropractic Care For Pregnant Women?

What makes chiropractic prenatal care for most women is that it's non-invasive. It doesn't involve drugs or surgery, making it safe for pregnant women.

Depending on your condition, chiropractic care may not be safe. For instance, it may not be safe for women experiencing toxemia, placenta abruption, or vaginal bleeding.

A professional chiropractor will ask all the right questions to make sure that you are fit for prenatal chiropractic care. Professional chiropractors are trained to advise and treat pregnant women safely.

If you're worried, relax because your St. Petersburg, FL chiropractor has your back. So, what chiropractic alignment benefits will you get from chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Nausea Control

Whether this is your first pregnancy or not, you know very well the kind of nausea that comes with morning sickness. When it kicks in, most pregnant women can't imagine how they'll live with the symptom for at least the first trimester. During this time, some women experience dehydration, weight loss, stress, and even depression.

Even worse, hunching over to vomit almost always leads to lower back pain. This is another major problem for most pregnant women. Getting chiropractic prenatal care can minimize or eliminate this problem altogether.

The chiropractor will realign your spine and improve the functions of the nervous system. This will result in a healthier hormonal balance and eliminate the possibility of morning sickness.

Your morning sickness could be triggered by constipation and heartburn. The chiropractor will also help you improve any digestive issues, which will also reduce the chances of feeling nauseous.

Back Pain Relief

Back pain is extremely common in pregnant women and can be caused by several issues. To begin with, most women curve their backs as their bellies become larger and heavier. This throws off the spine out of alignment and, in turn, triggers back pain.

Additionally, as the body prepares for delivery and labor, it produces relaxin. This is a hormone meant to loosen and relax the joints and ligaments in the pelvic area. As a result, these relaxed joints experience instability.

As they become looser and more fragile, pregnant women experience pain in their spine. A professional chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you relieve back pain. With regular spinal adjustments and body alignment, your pregnancy will be easier.

Optimal Body Positioning

When a baby is not in the right position during delivery, it could be in a position known as the breech position. It can be highly complicated. Some of these complications could be a cord prolapse, and you may have a hard time with vaginal delivery and ultimately go for C-section delivery.

Chiropractor prenatal care can prevent this from happening. By maintaining a healthy pelvic balance, the baby has enough room to move head-first in the correct position during delivery.

Pregnant women should have regular chiropractic adjustments during their last trimester. It'll help them avoid a breech position and get optimal positioning for safe and faster delivery.

Shorter Labor Times

This is arguably one of the most significant chiropractic alignment benefits. If you're afraid of long labor times, get chiropractor prenatal care from an expert chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL.

By getting spinal alignment, your body is prepared for giving birth. When your posture is corrected, it establishes a nervous system link between you and the baby. This facilitates a smooth birth transit.

Pregnant women that undergo chiropractic prenatal care throughout their pregnancy experience 31% shorter labor times compared to those who don't. This can be a relief, especially for first-time mothers that are worried about delivery.

Improves Postpartum Recovery

Chiropractic alignment benefits go way beyond pregnancy in the postpartum recovery period. Having a well-aligned body during pregnancy will help your body recover a lot faster after delivery.

A Healthier Overall Pregnancy

This is the primary goal of seeing an experienced and competent chiropractor in Saint Petersburg, FL. Prenatal chiropractic care is to address your overall health during pregnancy.

One of the benefits of chiropractic alignment is addressing and removing nerve obstruction. It could prevent your organs from functioning properly.

You need a healthy and strong immune system during pregnancy. In turn, your baby will have a healthy and strong immune system will be by the time you give birth. Prenatal chiropractic care can significantly improve both you and your baby's overall health.

What To Expect During Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Once you book an appointment, the chiropractor will ask you all the necessary questions.

They'll examine you to understand the full extent of your condition and utilize the best chiropractic care practices. This will help you improve your pregnancy experience, take the pain away, and help you get ready for smooth delivery.

Get Your Prenatal Chiropractic Care Appointment Today

Would you like to enjoy all these benefits of prenatal chiropractic care? You should contact Unify Chiropractic Care as early as now. We have highly trained, experienced, and caring chiropractic professionals. They will make your pregnancy easier and as happy as you imagine it.

We've served the communities in St Petersburg, FL, diligently and continue to do so. Please get in touch with us today and let us help you make your pregnancy a pleasant journey.

The Impact Of Chronic Stress And How To Fix It

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 21:38:20 GMT

Short-lived feelings of stress are part of everyday life. When these feelings become long-lasting or chronic, they can severely affect your health and well-being.

WHAT IS CHRONIC STRESS?

Stress is a biological response to difficult situations. It makes the body release hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol and help prepare the body to take action.

Many factors can trigger the stress response, including dangerous circumstances and psychological distress such as exams, work deadlines, or sporting events.

Usually, the physical effects of stress are not long-lasting. However, some people find themselves almost in a state of heightened alertness. This is chronic stress.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF CHRONIC STRESS?

Chronic stress affects your whole body. There can be many psychological or physical symptoms that make daily functioning difficult. The severity and type of symptoms significantly vary in different persons.

Signs and symptoms of chronic stress include:

Headache
Fatigue
Sleeplessness
Changes in Appetite
Digestive Problems
Difficulty Concentrating
Feeling Helpless
A Perceived Loss of Control
Irritability, which can be Extreme
Frequent Infections or Illnesses

Studies have shown that chronic stress affects both your mind and body in different ways. Recognizing its presence early on is a meaningful way to maintain your health.

Health Consequences:

If persisting longer, chronic stress can lead to various psychological or physical disorders, which includes:

Depression
Insomnia
Obesity
Diabetes
Heart Diseases
High Blood Pressure
Anxiety Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

HOW TO FIX CHRONIC STRESS?

Chronic stress can seem overwhelming, and you might feel unable to regain control of your life. However, several strategies can help reduce stress levels and improve your health. The following chiropractic adjustments can help you reduce stress, including:

Understand Signs & Symptoms: These indications may vary, but if you can recognize your stress signals, you will be better manage them.
Talk to Family & Friends: They can give you emotional support and the motivation to take action.
Identify The Triggers: It is not always possible to avoid stress triggers. However, being aware of specific triggers can help you develop coping and managing tactics, including minimizing exposure.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity increases the production of endorphins in the body, which improves mood and reduces stress levels. Exercise can include walking, running, cycling, sports, or any outdoor activity.
Try Mindfulness: This type of meditation involves thinking and breathing techniques to create awareness of your body and surroundings. The research proposes that mindfulness can have a positive effect on depression, stress, and anxiety.
Improve Your Sleep: Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can contribute to stress. Try to sleep at least for 7 hours each night, and schedule regular bedtime and wake-up time. Avoid eating, caffeine, or intense physical activity just before your bedtime.

The Takeaway

Stress is a regular part of everyday life. Short-lived stress is usually harmless, but when it persists and becomes chronic, it causes many symptoms. It can also lead to the development of psychological and physical disorders.

Stress management techniques include identifying triggers, developing coping and avoidance tactics, or practicing mindfulness. If these methods don't work, or the stress becomes overwhelming, you should talk to a health care professional.

Back To School Adds New Stress To A Child’s Spine & Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 06:00:39 GMT

Going back to school usually coincides with annual checkups and physical health measurements. One of those check-ups usually includes a yearly physical exam from a pediatrician or family doctor. Doctors will advise on issues like diet, exercise, and vision in addition to monitoring the heart, blood pressure, and testing for diabetes. Student-athletes also undergo yearly physicals as a mandatory step in being cleared to practice and play in most states.

Taking a child in for a yearly physical serves as a very similar reason that health conscious parents take their children to a chiropractor for a back to school spine and nervous system evaluation. Some parents do not yet understand the lifelong value of a spinal exam for a child or teen. The importance of spinal care for long term health cannot be measured and chiropractors pursue the mission of educating all people about proactive long-term health care.

A new shift towards preventative care encourages many parents to visit chiropractic offices for family checkups. The health of the spine intimately connects to the function of the brain and nervous system. Science and research continue to discover and unpack the importance of spinal alignment and movement on overall health, growth, focus and development for all ages. Misaligned or immovable sections of the spine negatively influence the central nervous system, setting off a cascade of hormones that lead to unwanted symptoms and conditions.

Research done by medical doctors and published in peer-reviewed literature continues to reveal the influence of posture on overall health and well-being. One well known study evaluated posture using x-rays and plumb-line measurements. Every patient in the study listed specific symptoms or ailments they were suffering from that correlated with increased deviations in their spine and posture. Abnormal measures of blood pressure, pulse, and respiration were recorded. Research determined that every recorded aspect of health got worse as the posture deviations (shifts in posture) increased.

Abnormal spinal posture, misalignments and altered vertebral movement occur like tooth cavities without back or neck pain-type symptoms. The relationship between the spine and nervous system result in spinal abnormalities that alter the entire health function of a child or adult. The host of unhealthy outcomes and symptoms include less focus, less concentration, less energy, interference with immunity and digestion, and more. The spine intimately connects to the nervous system and interference limits health potential.

Annual health checkups and physicals serve a purpose of protecting and providing support for children engaged in periods of tremendous growth physically, mentally, and emotionally. Every child deserves an opportunity to experience optimized health and function. A return to school marks an annual rite of passage to a new year of growth. Let this year be a year of proactive health by scheduling a nervous system check-up with the family chiropractor.

Spine (Philadelphia PA 1976) September 15th 2005

“ The impact of positive sagittal balance in adult apinal deformity .” Steven D Glassman, Keith Bridwell, John R Dimar, William Horton, Sigurd Berven, Frank Schwab

More Mothers Turning To Chiropractic For Their Children’s Health Important Facts Explain Why…

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 10:52:17 GMT

An old adage states that, “The times they are a’changing.” More and more people continue to turn to natural and less invasive methods of healthcare, especially for families and children. Parents and caregivers want a way to raise their families naturally and without excessive reliance on drugs and medicines.

This shift in perspective and health care planning created a wave of new populations seeking and utilizing chiropractic care as part of their health routines. New families pursue natural health care causing neighboring families to ask great questions about how and why chiropractic benefits children.

Chiropractors easily discover small neck and spine misalignments in children caused by falls, sports injuries, and automobile accidents and help the body repair and heal. Many people do not know that the most predominant type of injury to a child’s neck or spine comes as a result of childbirth. Pregnancy, labor, and delivery factors play into the risk and severity of neck problems in babies. These babies grow into toddlers, school children, and teenagers with a host of health challenges. Small spinal misalignments interfere with the nervous system causing many of the unwanted symptoms and sicknesses that children suffer with today.

A 2015 study found a variety of factors that led to higher risk of injury during birth. Those factors include maternal pelvic mobility (the mother’s pelvic alignment and movement), type of labor, number of births for mother, fetal head delivery, labor augmentation, caesarean delivery, and duration of labor. The most educational finding from the study correlated the duration of labor to an increased risk of spinal dysfunction in newborns. A longer labor and delivery caused more damage to areas of the spine. The upper neck represents the most commonly compromised area from birth trauma. Even normal labor and deliveries result in neck problems in newborns.

Chiropractors specialize in the detection and correction of subtle, yet significant birth trauma injuries. Most birth trauma problems go undiscovered and unaddressed by pediatricians because babies cannot express a source of pain, irritation, or discomfort. Sometimes the neck problems existing in infants do not manifest as pain but altered nerve function results as the body adapts to spinal stress. Health challenges like ear infections, colic, or nursing difficulty end up occurring. The study concluded that the identification and treatment of altered spinal and neurological dysfunction lead to improved health in newborns.

Overall health and well-being of children continues to decrease annually. This reflection of current society shows an inverse relationship between advancements in health care and a reduction in actual health. More children currently suffer from chronic health conditions than ever before. Many of these children continue to seek health care advice from conventional medical personnel who often use prescription drugs as a means of producing artificial or temporary wellness. Chiropractors play an integral role in helping children and families experience genuine health and well-being by ensuring that the body functions and operates as intended. Thousands of people and families continue to seek proactive health care that empowers the body to combat sickness and disease naturally. Chiropractic works.

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association November 2015

“ Incidence of Somatic Dysfunction in Healthy Newborns .” Erica L Waddington, Karen T Snider, Michael D Lockwood, Vanessa K Pazdernik

Disc Herniations Stink

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 10:16:02 GMT

New Research Sheds Light On A Painful Topic

Disc herniations plague millions of people every year. The most common route taken by most seeking pain relief comes from strong medication, cortisone shots, and back surgery. Back pain can be so severe that many suffering from such stabbing and burning pain resort to anything that produces even the slightest bit of comfort. Sleep becomes a chore and evening rest tends to be the worst for those suffering from the pain of a disc herniation. No amount of positioning provides enough pain relief to sleep as the minutes dwindle by before the start of another pain-filled workday. Solutions outside of drugs and surgery exist that reduce pain and promote healing for those suffering from disc herniations.

Sometimes people call a herniation a slipped disc. That image proves inaccurate because the discs within the spine cannot slip. The discs in the spine look somewhat like two dinner plates stacked with a water balloon in between them. The plates represent the bones, and the water balloon represents the gel comprising an intervertebral disc. Injuries, degeneration, continuous wear and tear, or a combination of all these factors cause a part of the water balloon to tear. The tear forces the gel-like substance to protrude outside the balloon. This resembles the mechanism of what happens with a herniated disc.

The cartilage material on the outside of the disc tears, and a gel-like substance protrudes out into the spinal canal. Discomfort and pressure on the nerves produce burning and stabbing pain along the path of the nerve. Disc herniations can heal without surgery and many therapies have been proven to help people suffering from disc herniations. Disc decompression, nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and natural therapies represent some pathways to success.

Research from 2014 studied a group of adults living with back pain, leg pain, and disc herniations (confirmed by an MRI). The patients receiving low back adjustments from a chiropractor achieved extraordinary results. The percentage of patients in this study reporting substantial improvement after one month of care was close to 80%. Approximately 90% of patients with back pain, leg pain, and disc herniations reported significant benefits from spinal adjustments after six months.

Unaddressed spinal subluxations also represent a cause of disc herniations. Proactive chiropractic care serves as a method of prevention evident in the research study. Chiropractors do not specifically target herniated discs or other symptoms related to the spine. A chiropractic adjustment improves spinal mobility and alignment and reduces interference in the nervous system to allow the body to better heal itself. Chiropractic represents a front-line option for those suffering from back pain, sciatica, or disc related issues. Options exist for those faced with a decision regarding whether or not to pursue invasive care like spinal surgery or the risk of powerful and addicting pharmaceuticals. Pain relief exists with chiropractic care.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics March-April 2014

“Outcomes of acute and chronic patients with magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations receiving high-velocity, low-amplitude, spinal manipulative therapy: a prospective observational cohort study with one-year follow-up.” Serafin Leemann, Cynthia K Peterson, Christof Schmid, Bernard Anklin, Kim Humphreys

Chiropractic Adjustments Reduce Stress Hormones

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 08:41:33 GMT

Chiropractic adjustments began producing a litany of evidence-based outcomes that benefit males and females of all ages dating back over 100 years. People do not often think of chiropractic being an essential part of proactive health for both adult and adolescent development, but research proves that a healthy and well-regulated nervous system sets the stage for a lifetime of optimal health.

One of the most important and often overlooked benefits of chiropractic care comes in the form of a positive impact on stress relief. Those children and adults yet to experience the benefits of chiropractic carry a stress load that could otherwise be uniquely reduced by simply initiating care for the spine and nervous system. The brain and nervous system direct hormones in the body. Hormones turn specific functions in the body on and off. Certain hormones produce peace, ease, and growth. Other hormones create heightened levels anxiety, stress, and inattentiveness.

Stress hormones regulate feelings commonly known as fight or flight responses. Stress hormones serve a great purpose when under specific circumstances such as being chased by a bear or trying to save a child from danger. These same hormones produce stress and anxiety when activated during normal, peaceful times of day during work, school, or at home with family.

Studies show that stress hormones increase when the spine rests in a misaligned or immovable position. Chiropractors expertly assess and correct spinal misalignments to reduce stress in the nervous system and body. Research from 2014 showed that a chiropractic adjustment reduced stress hormones in the blood, an indication of reduced overall stress load in the body.

Many people believe current issues and stressors exist at an all-time high. Individuals and families face anxiety over a pandemic, fears of sickness, political divisiveness, financial security, and other tensions that cause a surge in worry and fear. Chiropractors help people of all ages reduce stress loads so that their body becomes free to experience relief and calm in moments of fear and challenges. Spinal misalignments and nervous system interference usually occur without the presence of physical pain. The body attempts to adapt to adverse spinal positioning but does so at the expense of heightened stress loads and increased stress hormones. People may not physically feel a misaligned vertebra, but most people feel the physical presence of elevated stress and tension. Chiropractic offers the natural health alternative of a well-functioning body rather than pills and pharmaceutical drugs offered by other medical providers. A nervous system operating and healing at optimal levels offers a unique stress-relieving option for long term harmony and health building. Experience a more peaceful tomorrow with chiropractic.

The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy April 2014 “ Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception and stress response after spinal manipulation .” Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Francisco Molina-Ortega, Rafael Lomas-Vega, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Alexander Achalandabaso, Fidel Hita-Contreras

How to Deal with Back Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 19:56:26 GMT

Back pain is considered chronic if it lasts for three months or more. It can come and go, and usually brings temporary relief and then depression. Coping with chronic back pain can be significantly difficult if you don't know the cause.

Back pain rehabilitation experts provide insights on the common causes of chronic back pain with non-surgical treatment options and advise not to lose hope.

Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is usually related to age, but it can also be caused by previous injuries. The most common causes are:

Spinal arthritis: a progressive thinning of the cartilage within the spine.
Disc problems: such as protruding or herniated discs.
Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal canal that can lead to nerve pain.
Myofascial pain disorder: inexplicable muscle pain and tenderness.

If the source of your pain is unknown or cannot be treated, the best option is to work with your doctor to reduce flares and make the pain manageable through non-surgical treatments.

Non-Surgical Treatments of Chronic Back Pain

1. Physical Therapy

Exercise is the basis for the treatment of chronic back pain. This is one of the first treatments that you should try with the guidance of a spinal physiotherapist and physician. However, the same set of exercises does not apply to everyone. Exercises must be tailored to your specific condition and symptoms. Maintaining a daily exercise routine at home is also an important part of success.

Physical therapy for chronic back pain can include:

Aerobic exercise
Core strengthening
Retraining your posture
Stretching and flexibility exercises
Testing pain tolerance limits

2. Lifestyle Modifications

When you suffer from chronic pain, it is important to accept your limitations and adapt. Listen to your body and learn to discipline yourself. Take a break while mowing the lawn, or take a few trips while carrying groceries. Notice the activities that aggravate the pain and avoid them if possible. This not only helps to improve your backache but can also prevent the progression of the underlying condition. Another important lifestyle change to try is quitting smoking. Scientifically, nicotine is known to increase pain and delay healing.

3. Mindfulness and Meditation

Chronic back pain leads to physical and emotional stress. To manage frustration, depression, irritability, and other psychological aspects of treating chronic pain, you should visit a rehabilitative psychiatrist - if necessary. This specialist can recommend yoga, meditation, tai chi, and other relaxation and cognitive strategies to prevent your mind from focusing on pain.

4. Alternative Therapies

Massage, acupuncture, laser therapy, biofeedback therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and other non-surgical spinal treatments can also make a difference in chronic back pain. Ask your spine specialist about alternative treatments that might benefit you.

5. Pharmacological Treatments

Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications can be used to control chronic back pain. However, most have unwanted side effects and are not intended for long-term use.

The Takeaway

Lower back pain might be a debilitating and chronic condition. Daily small activities can either help or worsen your symptoms. By taking steps to "stretch, strengthen, and protect the back", you can ideally prevent or relieve pain.

However, severe cases of back pain cannot always be resolved with lifestyle changes. If your back pain is hindering your ability to perform routine activities, visit your doctor.

Chiropractic Gives Athletes A Unique Advantage Over Competition

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:27:00 GMT

The human spine consists of 24 moveable vertebrae with padded-like discs positioned in between. The vertebrae attach to each other with ligaments but allow for movements in all direction. Each vertebra comprises part of a kinetic chain with three primary purposes. The first purpose holds a person up straight and forms the foundation for good posture. The second purpose allows for movement and the absorption of compressive forces. The third purpose protects and directs nerve function.

The spinal cord and nerves run through the spinal canal and have tentacle-like extensions in between each vertebra. Proper alignment of the spine allows each spinal nerve to exit the spinal canal with no tension or pressure. Tiny muscles and ligaments loaded with neurons surround the spinal vertebrae and rely on movement to send proper signals to the brain for proper function and control. When a spinal vertebra becomes even slightly misaligned or immobile, the nerve feedback to and from the brain becomes altered. This leads to a host of problems, minimizing the ability for a person to reach maximum health potential and movement. Chiropractors assess and test the spine for any such misalignment or movement deficits and apply specific adjustment techniques to correct them. Improved function and mobility occur as a result.

People coping with stress, misalignment, or lack of mobility in the spine will benefit from better function through chiropractic adjustments. Athletes represent a unique population that benefits from the unique advantages offered by chiropractic care. Simple research of the world’s elite athletes reflects a training staff consisting of a variety of specialists, including a chiropractor. Word continues to spread as testimony of this cutting-edge approach to better performance.

One of many specific examples comes from research completed in 2015 that showed athletes adjusted by Chiropractors experiencing an increase in their vertical jump height. Athletes exhibited an average increase in vertical jump height of 3.6 centimeters for following a series of alignment adjustments to the pelvis.

Chiropractic adjustments provide a unique edge and advantage both elite athletes and regular folks competing at life each and every day. Chiropractors assess and correct stress and misalignments in the spine through specific and gentle adjustments. Chiropractic certainly provides relief from pain and discomfort, yet the best approach to health care begins with being proactive. Allow chiropractic to help prevent injuries and maximize performance before the onset of pain or physical symptoms that call attention to damage within the body. The chiropractic advantage offers optimal performance and potential by ensuring each person experiences maximized function from the inside out.

The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy April 2014 “ Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception and stress response after spinal manipulation .”

Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Francisco Molina-Ortega, Rafael Lomas-Vega, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Alexander Achalandabaso, Fidel Hita-Contreras

Adjustments Improve Heart Function And Heart Surgery Outcomes

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 10:42:54 GMT

A recent study evaluated the impact of spinal adjustments on people undergoing heart surgery. The study concluded that spinal adjustments facilitate recovery after coronary artery bypass surgery and improved cardiac function. The study reported that spinal adjustive care dramatically decreases the level of pain, reduces the amount of drugs needed, substantially improves the functional capacity of lung inspiration volumes, and reduces hospitalization by an average of more than two days. Authors concluded that adding spinal adjustments to traditional care programs one week after surgery provides benefits that should be recommended to all post operation heart patients.

Chiropractors began helping men and women which experience heart problems in 1895. Those locally connected to the early science and research of chiropractic understood and taught that the benefits of chiropractic adjustments go beyond back pain. Chiropractors address the nervous system. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, which predominantly exists in and around the spine. The nervous system directs function of all organs and tissues in the body, including the heart. Chiropractic care of the spine and nerves helps restore and improve health to many patients with symptoms and conditions seemingly unrelated to the spine.

The heart serves as one of the most vital organs in the body. This complex muscle sits in the upper left chest cavity and pumps blood filled with oxygen to every part to the body. The heart represents the most important muscle in a person’s life and essentially serves as the motor to deliver life-giving nutrients to every cell and tissue in the body. This amazing organ beats around 101,000 times a day. The heart will beat about 3 billion times in a person’s life and pump roughly one million barrels of blood throughout the body. The 24-hour energy output of the heart produces enough force to raise three fully loaded greyhound buses up into the air. This fascinating component of human life falls under the direction of the nervous system. The intimate relationship between the spine and nervous system means that the health of the spine directly influences the health and performance of heart function.

The study referenced above was published in 2017 and showed that patients receiving spinal adjustments within a few short days after heart surgery experienced improvements in function and recovery while limiting the need for drugs and pain medications. The study supports the evidence that advocates for spinal care to be included in a health care plan – even when someone undergoes a major operative intervention. A deeper study and understanding of chiropractic reveals that regular spinal care for the nervous system improves the health of the spine, nervous system, and organ function and offers a proactive pathway to greater long-term health and vitality.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery July 2017

“ Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Improves Heart Surgery Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial .” Vittorio Racca, Bruno Bordoni, Paolo Castiglioni, Maddalena Modica, Maurizio Ferratini

A Chiropractor’s Concern of Technology Use On Posture And Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:14:13 GMT

Research Reveals Shocking Effects Of Poor Posture On Overall Health

Startling research shows that increased usage of phones and computers bring about a variety of health challenges that compound over time. Surveys conclude that billions of people spend extensive time on cell phones every single day. Chiropractors face concern that cell phone usage occurs with the spine and neck in a flexed, forward position. Prolonged use of a cell phone with the head in a state of forward flexion creates a variety of unwanted health challenges. This health epidemic continues to create new conditions and diagnoses specifically to address forward head posture. Likewise, new strategies develop to counteract the stressors that occur from text neck and computer posture.

Time spent on cell phones continues to increase all over the world. A study performed in 2014 evaluated the effects of forward head posture stemming from the stresses of using cell phones and other devices. The findings clearly showed that computer screens, tablets, and cell phone use create forward head posture and add significant stress to the spine resulting in early spinal degeneration. Loss of the natural curve in the neck leads to incrementally increased stress on the cervical (neck) spine. The stresses accelerate early wear, tear, degeneration, and the increased possibility of surgery.

Poor posture occurs when the head and shoulders tilt forward and the mid back becomes rounded. The average person spends between two to four hours a day with their head flexed forward for reading and texting on their smart phones. This amounts to 700-1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. Research shows the average high school student spends even more time on their phone accounting for an extra 5000 hours in poor posture per year.

Good upper spine and body posture defines as the ears being aligned with the shoulders and the scapula retracted. Proper alignment diminishes spinal stress. Not only does good posture create less wear and tear on the spine and discs, it also associates with elevated levels of testosterone, increases in serotonin, decreases in cortisol, and more feelings of confidence. Poor posture associates with reductions in testosterone levels, reduced serotonin, increased cortisol, and reduced feelings of confidence. Regular chiropractic adjustments working together with good posture habits help reduce the stressors of text neck and computer posture while increasing hormones associated with confidence, joy and self-esteem. Take the necessary action steps to avoid this preventable epidemic while still enjoying the benefits that technology affords.

4 Tips to Eliminate Postural Stress from Cell Phones

Stay on track with your Chiropractic Adjustment Plan – adjustments reduce wear and tear in the joints and discs, lower tension in the muscles, and improve function of the nervous system.

Utilize Good Posture Habits and tools to support spinal curves and posture, especially when sitting.

Drink More Water – water forces movement to the bathroom every 60-90 minutes.

Stretch the head, neck, shoulders, lower back, and legs 2x per day.

Surgical Technology International November 2014 “ Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head .” Kenneth K Hansraj

NEW RESEARCH: Chiropractic Care Lowers Health Costs and Reduces Drug Risks

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 10:37:31 GMT

Chiropractors began helping men, women, and children of all ages get and stay well without the use of drugs and surgery in 1895. The Chiropractic profession stands the test of time through patient-centered care and results. Research continues to show the value of Chiropractic care through evidence that shows a reduction in the need for drugs, surgery, and expensive forms of healthcare.

Current research evaluated the cost effectiveness of Chiropractor care compared to standard medical care. The research reveals that people with insurance coverage that includes a Chiropractors care experienced lower annual healthcare costs. A blue cross and blue shield insurance study documented that those who first sought Chiropractic-guided treatment saved an average of 40% on annual healthcare cost. Seeking Chiropractic treatment actually reduced overall medical spending.

Chiropractic treatment also led to a 60% decrease in spinal surgeries and produced more favorable outcomes. People who seek relief for lower back pain through the medical care model usually end up taking addictive painkillers that often lead to negative outcomes. Patients who visit Chiropractors not only discover relief from neck and lower back pain at a lower annual cost, but also report long-term outcomes that produce more effective long term wellness.

Over a dozen states in the US embrace alternative therapy options like Chiropractic care to combat the cost of the opioid abuse epidemic. The Missouri health division committee estimated that such savings would exceed $25 million by 2019. Another dynamic model estimated savings of up to $42 million. A large portion of that savings (up to $6.4 million) directly attributed to using Chiropractic care for treatment, including reduced costs from of spinal surgery. The largest source of savings in this model stemmed from how much money would be saved if people chose Chiropractic to manage pain and seek healing rather than devolve into an abyss of dangerous opioids. Savings in this category ranged from $11.2 million to $42 million.

Research shows that Chiropractic care provides better outcomes at lower cost for people in pain. Chiropractic leads to a reduction in the cost of spinal surgery while producing significant savings from reduced use and abuse of opioid prescription drugs. Studies continue to show the value of Chiropractic care for individuals as well as the whole of society. Chiropractic will continue to be a key healthcare profession utilized to lower costs, improve outcomes, reduce drug abuse, and help improve quality of life for all ages.

Journal of Chiropractic Humanities December 2019

“ Cost-Efficiency and Effectiveness of Including Doctors of Chiropractic to Offer Treatment Under Medicaid: A Critical Appraisal of Missouri Inclusion of Chiropractic Under Missouri Medicaid .”

John R McGowan, Leonard Suiter

How to deal with Herniated Disc

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 18:34:39 GMT

A herniated disc can cause sharp or burning pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttocks to the legs (sciatica). Pain relief will be different for everyone, and the benefits can be seen through different trials and errors.

Here are some well-known tips that can help relieve pain and make you feel better:

1. Hot & Cold Therapy to Relieve Muscle Tension & Pain

Applying heat or cold therapy on the lower back can reduce muscle tension common in lumbar disc herniation. Heat treatment helps to release muscle tension that causes cramps, increases blood flow, and improves connective tissue elasticity. Cold lowers the local tissue temperature leading to an anti-inflammatory and numbing effect, which reduces pain.

In the morning or before stretching/exercising, apply heat to your back to reduce muscle tension.
Place a hot compress or heating pad on your lower back regularly throughout the day.
The same method can be used with cold compresses after training, stretching, or massaging for pain relief.
Other methods of conducting heat include a hot bath or shower and adhesive heat wrap at the end of the day.

2. Moderate Physical Activity to Enhance Resorption Process

As the body continues its restoring process, there are things you can do if the body recovers. While rest is important for healing, but activity is also encouraged. Inactivity will lead to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and lower down immunity. Any of these used alone or in combination will slow the disc resorption process. To maintain your health without overdoing it, low-impact workouts are best. Try the following:

Hiking
Walking
Swimming
Riding a stationary bicycle

3. Certain Sleeping Positions Help to Reduce Strain

The pain of lumbar disc herniation may get worse at night. You may find that a soothing state of sleep can reduce stress on your spine. Some good options are:

Try using a pillow under the knees to reduce tension in the lower back
Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees to keep your hips balanced and spine straight

4. A Healthy Diet to Strengthen Your Body

A strong immune system is also essential for the resorption process. If you eat the right foods, exercise regularly, and drink plenty of water, it can work well.

Nutrition alone cannot cure a herniated disc, but ensuring that you learn to maintain a healthy spine can help prevent further injuries. When it comes to protein sources, higher-quality meat is recommended.

5. A Visit a Physiotherapist For Proper Treatment

In most cases, visiting a physiotherapist will reduce the pain associated with a herniated disc and train your body to prevent future back and neck pain. When visiting a doctor for disk problems, it’s important to ensure that he works in conjunction with physiotherapists so that you can achieve the fastest possible recovery.

The Takeaway

Disc herniation can be treated naturally and comfortably at home through proper nutrition, therapy, and exercise. Prevention is the best medicine. Also, make sure you learn to sit, bend, and lift your body correctly. It will effectively prevent new overuse or misuse injuries that can lead to further disk herniation.

These tips may not be suitable for everyone, and it may take some time to find the best way to relieve lumbar disc herniation.

Chiropractic Ensures Spinal Health and Optimal Function within The Body

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 06:08:27 GMT

Humans receive one spine. Spine replacements or transplants do not exist. Every spine needs proper care and to be maintained throughout life. Research shows that regular and consistent Chiropractic care proves essential in making a spine function better, move freely, and last longer.

An old adage states that a person who has their health experiences thousands of goals, dreams, and aspirations. A person who is absent of health dreams of one thing only. The expression speaks to the devastating impact of living a life of ailments or disease.

Good health represents one of the most treasured and under-appreciated gifts in life, especially when considering those dreams for kids and families. The loss of a person’s health accompanies frustration that good health ever went unnoticed. Chiropractic focuses on ensuring long-term health by encouraging all people to plan proactively to ensure maximum health for the entire family. Paying for health care which improves health, prevents degeneration, and promotes an overall improvement of function and well-being continues to be one of the greatest investments any person or family can make.

Most health insurances focus on sick care rather than genuine health care. Sick care occurs only after a sickness, symptom, or disease arrives. Health care focuses on proactively taking care of the body so that problems, symptoms, or diseases never arrive. Chiropractic falls into both categories yet maintains a unique ability to proactively improve the body’s health and function while preventing degeneration by restoring spinal alignment, movement, and nervous system function.

Automobiles, a home, and the human body require general maintenance to maximize function and prevent unnecessary and unknown problems and damage from occurring. Studies continue to demonstrate that those who engage with Chiropractic care through on-going checkups and adjustments experience better health than those who do not. The results of a study published in 2018 proved that patients who receive consistent weekly or monthly Chiropractic care after an initial treatment plan experienced greater relief, reported lower pain scores, and continued a reduction in the risk of disability months after beginning care. Those who utilize Chiropractic in an on-going basis experience greater overall health, better mobility, less pain, and the ability to live independently while handling all of their daily activities.

Chiropractic does not pursue a quick fix to alleviate pain. The best way to experience the benefits of Chiropractic begins with maximizing function, improving mobility, and reducing the risks of future pain and degeneration by engaging in regular lifetime wellness care. The spine serves as a connection between the structure and function in the body. Chiropractic adjustments improve the health of the spine to ensure better function in all parts of the body. Chiropractic care offers the best proactive relationship between the body and a future of optimal health and performance.

PLoS One September 2018

“ The Nordic Maintenance Care program: Effectiveness of chiropractic maintenance care versus symptom-guided treatment for recurrent and persistent low back pain-A pragmatic randomized controlled trial .” Andreas Eklund, Irene Jensen, Malin Lohela-Karlsson, Jan Hagberg, Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde, Alice Kongsted, Lennart Bodin, Iben Axén

ADHD And The Chiropractic Difference

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 08:07:54 GMT

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD represents one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Children diagnosed with ADHD experience trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, and harnessing an excess of energy.

The CDC estimates that 11% of American children (ages 4-17) struggle with an attention disorder. Boys are almost twice as likely to be affected than girls. Doctors also claim numbers currently sit at a 42% increase in cases over the last 12 years. Children afflicted from this diagnosis typically act before they think, have trouble focusing, and struggle to sit still. A child’s ability to focus, concentrate, learn and retain information becomes more challenging than other kids their age. This results in lowered performance in school and the inability to perform normal tasks both in school and at home. Most parents of ADHD children constantly research and seek minimally invasive solutions to help their child live, learn, and grow like other kids. Fear and guilt consistently invade the minds of parents with children suffering from ADHD. Chiropractic offers a proven strategy where others have failed.

Research published in 2010 observed a clear connection between a Chiropractic adjustment and brain function. The adjustment led to improved brain and body coordination. This study serves as one of many studies linking a Chiropractic adjustment to improved brain function in children and adults. A Chiropractic adjustment restores balance to the nervous system. Children and adults experience more control and calmness, a greater ability to focus on tasks, and increased mastery of normal function.

The powerful capacity of the brain controls all performance. Chiropractic adjustments increase movement within specific misaligned areas of the spine, stimulating the brain for calmness and pain reduction. Chiropractic care offers a life-changing solution for many parents of children with ADHD. Chiropractic adjustments deliver results for many people suffering from attention disorders when other solutions fail to address the underlying causes. Adjustments target overall system health which improves function. Behavior modifications and lifestyle changes prove more effective as a result.

The science and research behind a Chiropractic adjustment’s ability to improve brain function continues to grow in evidence. Enhancing the capacity and function of the brain and nervous system empowers the body to operate at optimum performance. That goal inevitably resolves and heals symptoms that range from an inability to focus to poor physical health. People of all ages deserve to experience unlocked potential through the power of Chiropractic.

Journal of Manipulative Physiology Therapies March-April 2010

“ Altered central integration of dual somatosensory input after cervical spine manipulation .” Heidi Haavik Taylor, Bernadette Murphy

Pregnant Women Deserve To Experience The Amazing Benefits Of Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 09:53:14 GMT

The number of home births continues to increase due to the current public health challenges plaguing the world. Drugless health measures become more commonly practiced in order to achieve greater function, strength and resilience within the body. Pregnant women deserve recognition more than ever before during this health crisis. Women across the world continue to develop a deeper understanding of the incredible health benefits for both mom and baby during labor and delivery.

The singular health practice of Chiropractic care produces research-based evidence such as:

Decreased duration of delivery

Decreased use of forceps

Decreased likelihood of having a pre-term delivery

Decreased fluid overload

Decreased blood pressure

Decreased low back pain

Decreased carpal tunnel

Decreased sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Decreased risk of having meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Research from 2012 showed that women achieved these outcomes as a result of having spinal adjustive care throughout pregnancy. Something as simple as mobilizing and re-aligning the spine creates significant changes and health improvements in pregnant women.

The research showed that spinal adjustments improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns. A female’s body undergoes various structural changes during pregnancy that accommodate a growing fetus. These changes produce profound effects on the daily function of the expecting mother as pregnancy progresses.

The addition of spinal adjustments improves quality of life as the woman’s body adapts to the new stressors. The purpose of a Chiropractic adjustment focuses on keeping the alignment and movement of the spine as healthy as possible to ensure appropriate nervous system function. This proves especially important as ligaments stretch and soft tissue becomes more hydrated, a normal process during pregnancy. As the spine becomes more aligned and less restricted, the entire nervous system becomes better balanced and more connected. A balanced spine and nervous system improve the odds of a healthier, shorter, and more successful labor.

Almost 75% of women experience some form of back pain during their pregnancy. Tylenol tends to be the medication most recommended and used by pregnant women, despite an association with abnormal fetal development. Research from 2016 showed that Tylenol use by expecting mothers raised the risk for their emotional symptoms (29%) and hyperactivity symptoms (31%) in newborns. The evidence also showed a significant risk of increased childhood health concerns in newborns whose mothers used Tylenol.

Chiropractic helps these babies before birth by alleviating the pregnant mother of pain through spine and nervous system care. Adjustments help facilitate the body’s ability to mitigate pain, allowing women to stay active throughout their entire pregnancy. Chiropractic provides a powerful evidence-based health practice that benefits new mothers, new babies, and every stage of life in between.

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association June 2012 “ Osteopathic manipulative treatment in pregnant women. ” John M. Lavelle

Chiropractic Care Delivers SUPERIOR Results At 1/3 The Cost

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 08:26:39 GMT

Spinal pain represents the greatest single cause of disability in the world today. Low back pain also represents the most common type of spinal pain. Research estimates that over 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Agonizing back pain influences every aspect of life from walking and sleeping to simply sitting still and thinking with clarity. No wonder so many backpain sufferers’ resort to taking powerful medications for relief.

Over-the-counter pain drugs usually serve as a first resort. Disappointment in those results eventually lead to doctor visits and more powerful prescription drugs, including the most harmful form of pain medication available: opioids. The physical and financial cost to treat low back pain increases while the results become worse because conventional pharmaceuticals and medicine do not fix the source of the pain. Chiropractic offers a better plan that costs less and pursues a permanent outcome which heals the body.

Research from 2015 compared outcomes for patients with low back pain. The results compared significant differences in patients treated by Chiropractic care verses those who sought relief through other methods. Subjects receiving care from a Chiropractor spent an average cost of $712 compared to $1992 for those choosing treatment from a different provider. Indirect costs of choosing conventional drug therapy also increase because of the dangerous side effects associated with medications. The amount of money saved by choosing Chiropractic care provides justification for why every backpain sufferer deserves to know that long-term healing and relief do exist.

Research continues to prove that Chiropractic usually represents the best approach to permanently resolving back pain. The most cost-effective and longest-lasting results do not come from a bottle of pills but from the immense healing power within the body. Chiropractic tends to be thought of simply as a method for treating back and neck pain. Evidence-based research continues to prove that outcome represents only a fraction of the healing potential found within the body when the nervous system aligns and operates to full potential.

The health and condition of the spine links directly to the health and function of the entire body through the brain and central nervous system. Misalignments in the spine create altered spinal mobility, leading to stress in the nervous system. Chiropractors improve mobility and increase the lines of nerve communication through gentle and precise adjustments. Back pain comprises a large number of patients who quickly realize that a natural, non-invasive approach to health care provides greater health and performance than a bottomless pit of pills and doctor bills. Chiropractic pursues optimal health. Experience greater levels of pain relief and overall vitality through Chiropractic care.

BMC Health Serv Res 15 June 2012

“ A systematic review comparing the costs of chiropractic care to other interventions for spine pain in the United States. ” Dagenais, S., Brady, O., Haldeman, S

Back Pain During Pregnancy

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 18:38:00 GMT

Pregnancy-related back pain is not an inconsiderable matter for pregnant women. If this problem is not addressed, pregnancy could have a negative effect on your daily life. It might reduce working hours and make childbirth difficult.

Back pain during pregnancy can lead to problems that will last long after birth.

Addressing Back Pain During Pregnancy

Although quite common, back pain during pregnancy should not be considered as part of the procedure. To make your pregnancy comfortable and facilitate delivery, back pain should always be managed and treated throughout pregnancy.

Lower back pain during pregnancy that persists longer (several weeks or months) is an indication of postpartum back pain - pain after childbirth. Therefore, pregnant women are encouraged to pursue proper treatment for pregnancy-related backache.

Similarly, any postpartum pain that persists longer than six to eight weeks must be treated to avoid chronic back pain or recurrent back problems after pregnancy.

Types of Pregnancy-Related Back Pain

The given below are the 2 common types of back pain in pregnancy:

1. Lumbar or Lower Back Pain:

Lumbar pain in pregnancy usually occurs in the center of the back and above the waist. This pregnancy-related back pain may or may not be accompanied by pain radiating to your leg or foot.

2. Posterior Pelvic Pain:

During pregnancy, posterior pelvic pain (in the back of the pelvis) is four times more common than lumbar pain. It is a deep pain that is felt down and on the side at the midline and/or below the midline on either side over the tailbone. This pelvic pregnancy pain can occur on one or both sides.

Causes of Back Pain During Pregnancy

Common changes during pregnancy that lead to back pain include:

Weight Gain: Pregnancy can cause you to gain a quarter of your weight which puts more strain on your spine and other support structures.
Center of Gravity Change: In addition to weight gain, weight is usually carried anterior (front) as well as posterior (back). This change in your center of gravity creates:
Muscular imbalance
Muscle fatigue faster than usual
Hormonal Fluctuations (estrogen & relaxin): Pregnancy-related hormones can create problems by causing laxity in joints, especially in the pelvis. These hormonal fluctuations, along with weight gain and center of gravity change, all lead to reduced joint support.

Treatments for Pregnancy-Related Back Pain

Maintaining optimal functioning levels and reducing discomfort throughout the pregnancy are the main goals of treating pregnancy-related back pain.

The healthcare professional may use several treatments for pregnancy-related backache, including the following instructions:

Maintain proper posture during pregnancy
Self-help techniques for mobilization and pain management throughout the pregnancy
A home workout plan that is suitable for your stage of pregnancy
Specific body mechanics for daily activities – like job, housework, sleeping
Hands-on-treatment such as gentle mobilization, stabilization workout, and soft tissue work - determined by the doctor's evaluation.

Chiropractic And Irritable Bowel Syndrome

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 05:41:46 GMT

Many adults and children suffering from digestive disorders use daily medications to alleviate the symptoms. Others find relief though dietary, supplement, and exercise changes. Few healthcare providers offer spinal care recommendations to those dealing with digestive complaints even though studies prove a direct link between the spine and digestion.

Research from 2007 revealed a connection between the structure and function of the neck and the health of the digestive system. Science backing this study shows that irritation of the cervical (neck) vertebrae creates interference in the nervous system. The increased irritability in the nervous system leads to many unwanted digestive complaints. Pain, problems, and abnormal function persists leading many sufferers to eventually get tested and labeled with having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manifests as a devastating condition suffered by hundreds of millions of people across the globe. Experts estimate that approximately 15-20% of the world’s population suffers with some form of IBS. Characteristics of IBS display differently in each individual. The number of people suffering from IBS continues to increase while the causes continue to plague conventional doctors and experts.

The spinal aspect goes unaddressed by most conventional healthcare professionals. Most conventional health providers and digestion experts spend time researching nutrients and foods suspected to be the IBS causing culprit. Few medical health professionals understand or look to the evidence-based spine-gut relationship.

Chiropractors see tremendous results with patients suffering from digestive complaints through the influence of spinal adjustments on whole body function. Chiropractic adjustments do not focus on healing any specific condition. The purpose of the adjustment intends to remove interference from the nervous system so the body can heal and function as designed.

Many people go through life without experiencing or understanding the full range of benefits experienced through Chiropractic care. Scientific research helps explain the significance of spinal health and why every family deserves to have their spine and nervous system health evaluated by a Chiropractor on a regular basis. Few health practices focus on proactive health with the same passion as Chiropractic care. Chiropractors use a safe, drugless approach to help kids and families of all ages experience optimal health and performance. IBS sufferers fall into a category of people who realize that drugs simply mask or temporarily alleviate symptoms of an unwanted condition. Chiropractors focus on true healing for those suffering from digestive concerns and countless other maladies. People deserve more than pills, side effects, and surgery to live life to the fullest. Maximized health begins with Chiropractic.

World Journal of Gastroenterology May 14, 2007 “A preliminary study of neck-stomach syndrome.” Xing-Hua Song , Xiao-Xiong Xu , Li-Wen Ding , Li Cao , Alken Sadel , and Hao Wen

“Normal” Headaches Are NOT Normal… Chiropractic Delivers PROVEN Results

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:22:12 GMT

Headaches are not normal. The body was not designed to regularly suffer from headaches. Yet, many headache sufferers believe that headaches arrive as a normal part of being dealt a bad hand of genes or luck. Headaches occur commonly but never as a normal part of life.

The common occurrence of an event does not equate to normalcy. Flat tires and car accidents happen commonly but people do not deserve to experience them as a normal part of the day. The frequency and regularity of headaches directs affected people to believe their condition poses a common problem with a common solution – the regular consumption of drugs and pills. Chiropractic provides an alternative solution.

Research from a recent study noted that nervous system care positively affected symptoms that included headaches and other health challenges by simply empowering the body to function in a state of maximum efficiency.

Research from June of 2018 showed that Chiropractic adjustments helped people suffering from frequent headaches for more than two years by reducing stress in the autonomic nervous system. Additional benefits included a reduction in feelings of sadness and bouts of extreme low moods. Even thoughts of death and suicide lowered during the study. Physical therapy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese therapy, and six months of various drug treatments represented other forms of care utilized by headache sufferers. None compared to the effectiveness of Chiropractic care. Six months of chiropractic spinal care resulted in the alleviation of headache pain, depressive symptoms, and the need for medications.

Chiropractic does not pursue the treatment or cure for symptoms and conditions, including those experienced during headaches. The benefits of Chiropractic originate from removing interference from the nervous system through gentle and precise adjustments to the spine. The immense intelligence contained in the body always strives for health, adaptation, and balance. Symptoms occur largely due to interference in the body’s communication system. A predominant form of interference in the nervous system comes from misaligned spinal bones and limited mobility.

An estimated 80-90% of the population suffer from headaches at some point in their life, with over 15% of people experiencing headaches during a given moment in the day. Drug therapy tends to be the short-term form of treatment sought by people experiencing headaches. Research shows that long term benefits in both physical and mental health result from the healing and restoration stemming from scientifically proven spinal adjustments administered by Chiropractors. People deserve to know, understand, and experience the benefits of Chiropractic care. A healthier normal begins with Chiropractic care.

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care May-June 2018

“ Long-term relief from tension-type headache and major depression following chiropractic treatment .” Eric Chun Pu Chu and Michelle Ng

A Deaf Janitor, Ghandi, And Airline Pilots

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 10:58:15 GMT

Nervous System Improvements Distinguish Chiropractic From Other Health Disciplines

Chiropractic practice began 125 years ago with the administration of the first adjustment to a hearing-impaired janitor in Davenport, Iowa. That moment unlocked incredible results and restoration for people of all ages experiencing a variety of health challenges. Some people misunderstand Chiropractic as it pertains to the function of the entire body. Chiropractors focus on the health and optimization of the spine because all bodily systems answer to the powerful nervous system housed and protected by the spine. Chiropractors focus on so much more than back and neck pain.

Scientific evidence shows the spine’s connection to all areas of the body through an intimate relationship between spinal health and central nervous system function. Research published in a prestigious medical journal called Spine in 2019 reported on the influence of an adjustment on musculoskeletal and autonomic nervous system health. Tests showed that a chiropractic adjustment improved heart rate variability, skin conductance, oxygen saturation, and electrocardiogram measures. In other words, the research revealed that a manual Chiropractic spinal adjustment influences the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nervous system. An adjustment’s influence on the central nervous system explains why so many adults, children and infants achieve benefits which extend to challenges or problems seemingly unrelated to the spine.

Chiropractors regularly witness positive outcomes involving breathing, digestion, immunity, heart health, fertility, and much more. Popular examples of recovery and restoration document prestigious journals and health records spanning over 125 years of Chiropractic practice dating back to the sounds first heard by a hearing-impaired custodian. Another example occurred in the early 1940s when Mahatma Gandhi reported receiving regular Chiropractic care over a series of months resulting in a reduction in blood pressure problems.

Another more general example of Chiropractic benefits achieving outcomes beyond pain relief involves professional airline pilots. An airline pilot must pass annual health assessments to maintain status to pilot large aircrafts. Recommendations spread through the pilot circles that Chiropractic adjustments improved eye function and empowered pilots to better prepare for the vision acuity test. These pilots understood that improving the health of their spine and nervous system resulted in optimal function of eyesight as a means of preparing for ocular exams.

These examples serve as simple reminders that Chiropractic originated as a means of unlocking power within the body to function, restore, and heal at optimal levels when the nervous system operates without interference. Chiropractors pursue the education of local and national audiences with an evidence-based message offering hope through a proactive health care approach designed to naturally empower the body to excel at the highest level.

Spine (Philadelphia PA 1976) August 1, 2019

“ Neurophysiological Effects of High Velocity and Low Amplitude Spinal Manipulation in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Humans: A Systematic Literature Review .”

Brigitte Wirth, Antonia Gassner, Eling D de Bruin, Iben Axén, Jaap Swanenburg, Barry Kim Humphreys, Petra Schweinhardt

A PHD Neurophysiologist Proves The Benefits Of Spinal Adjustments

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:53:23 GMT

Some people believe the benefits of Chiropractic remain limited to relieving neck and back pain. Science continues to provide evidence and outcomes which speak to a much broader potential for healing and health care.

A PhD Neurophysiologist named Irvin Korr evaluated and proved the influence of an unhealthy and immobile spine on musculoskeletal and organ health. He titled this popular study, “The spinal cord as the organizer of disease processes.” His work concluded that an unhealthy spine would increase the likelihood of autonomic organ health function.

Dr. Korr spent five decades of his life studying the spine’s direct influence on the nervous system. He published a series of papers in 1979 with many references pointing to the fact that a misalignment in a segment of the spine will directly influence the whole nervous system in a negative way. His work originated with a unique story which led to a perspective changing study of spinal adjustive care and associated benefits on human health.

Dr. Korr shared a fascinating personal story from his 40’s after he received his first spinal adjustment. Dr. Korr went for a walk following the adjustment and experienced an irresistible urge to break into a jog for the first time in years. Fatigue from the run promoted Dr. Korr to prop himself up against a tree and take a deep breath. His lungs opened up as he inhaled and fully expanded his rib cage, literally tearing several small adhesions. That moment prompted life transformation which included Dr. Korr receiving regular spinal adjustments.

Dr. Korr noticed many things change in his life and health. Improved eyesight allowed him to throw away his prescription sunglasses. Years of life became filled with living well into his 90’s. Dr. Korr attributed his long life and prolonged intellectual activity to having consistently cared for his spine and nervous system.

Thousands of Chiropractic patients experience the same benefits described by Dr. Korr. He wanted to understand why spinal adjustments so dramatically changed his life. He also wondered why medical professionals do not pursue a better understanding of nervous system maintenance. Korr publicized a reinforcement of previously determined facts that spinal adjustments provide benefits extending far beyond pain relief.

Based on Dr. Korr’s work and the work of so many others, Chiropractic adjustments prove to be effective in improving visceral and systemic health along with providing relief to back and neck pain. The spine’s intimate relationship with the brain and central nervous system unlock amazing health potential. The body possesses an innate desire to heal and perform at a high level. People like Dr. Korr simply need to start by visiting a scientifically trained Chiropractor.

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association December 1979

“ The Spinal Cord as Organizer of Disease Processes: III. Hyperactivity of Sympathetic Innervation as a Common Factor in Disease .” I. M. Korr

Top 10 worst jobs for back pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 15:32:28 GMT

Back pain is very common these days and one of its causes is the person's profession. Most employees are at high risk of back injuries. Back pain is not necessarily caused by lifting heavyweight objects only. A person sitting in front of the computer or on a desk for a longer period may also suffer from back pain. So, tough jobs aren't the only ones that cause back pain. Besides, several employees are unaware of the impact of their work on their spine. They tend to disregard their minor backache, which can become severe in no time.

Given below are the jobs that cause back pain:

10 Risky Professions That Lead To Back Pain

Nurses / Medical Professionals: Medical professionals and nurses have to carry debilitated patients to their rooms and beds several times a day. Being on your feet all day and straining yourself can cause long-term injuries.
Retail Workers: Retail workers, especially checkout staff, are prone to back pain because of standing in one place for longer. Plus, lifting and bagging potentially heavy objects can exert pressure on your back all day long.
Construction Workers: Construction workers must flexibly deal with the workload of lifting, bending, pulling, and handling. Repetitive movements strain muscles, joints, and tendons, thus leading to backache and overuse injuries.
Warehouse Workers: Warehouse workers are similar to construction workers because they involve a lot of heavy work. Besides, driving machinery and equipment exposes you to long-term and repetitive vibrations, which may contribute to soreness and backache.
Emergency Responders: Police officers, firefighters, and medic workers perform some of the most hectic jobs. Changeable situations may include heavy lifting (people & objects) and the stressful or traumatic nature of their profession.
Housekeepers: This job involves cleaning the house by bending down, picking up things, scrubbing, washing, and moving items from one place to another for several hours.
Childcare Professionals: Their main job is to take care of young children, for which they need to carry them. Picking up babies and toys throughout the day can cause serious back pain.
Farmers / Landscapers / Gardeners: They suffer from common backache due to daily and harsh physical conditions. Their work mainly involves stooping and bending over, causing chronic back pain.
Auto Mechanics: Their job is to lie on their back or stand under the cars to work with arms raised most of the time.
Cab & Truck Drivers: Drivers spend a lot of their time behind the wheel which may result in intense soreness, stiffness, and aches. Unlike sitting on a desk or in an office chair, there are few and far opportunities to get up and stretch while driving.

Preventing Back Pain at Work

You can take some steps to prevent and avoid back pain and injury at work. For example:

Pay attention to your posture: To promote a good sitting posture, take a chair that can support the curvature of your spine. While standing, balance your weight equally on your feet. Don't slouch.
Listen to your body: If you experience excessive back or neck pain, examine why it hurts more and try not to repeat that particular posture or activity. If you have to sit for a long time, change your posture frequently. Gently stretch your muscles and intermittently walk around to relieve stress.
Modify repetitive tasks: Use lifting equipment (if available) to support you while lifting loads. Try to substitute physically challenging tasks with less demanding ones. Avoid excessive or unnecessary twisting, bending, and gripping.
Lift properly: When carrying and lifting heavy objects, tighten your core muscles, and lift with your legs. Keep the object adjacent to your body. Maintain the natural curve of your spine and don’t twist while lifting. If something is too heavy to be lifted safely, ask someone to help you.
Visit a doctor: Visit a doctor for the best recommendations for the symptoms you are suffering.

The Takeaway:

Back pain can burden your workdays and your free time. But don't stick with it. Check your work environment and resolve situations that may worsen your back. Even simple steps towards back pain relief are the right steps.

MYTH: Once You Start Going To A Chiropractor, You Must Keep Going!

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 07:07:24 GMT

The Research Says…

A popular myth once deterred people receiving the countless benefits of Chiropractic care. The myth involved the assertion that once a person engaged with Chiropractic care, they became forever bound to continue or risk a detrimental outcome. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Americans champion their freedom. Health care represents one of the many ways in which people embrace freedom of choice in the form of doctors, treatments, diets, and supplements. Even people with specific insurance plans maintain the freedom to pursue health outside the limits and bounds of insurance offerings. Chiropractic care also offers the freedom to pursue short term or long-term care.

The misconception regarding Chiropractic revolved ironically around the reality of positive results within the nervous system. Meditation, exercise, and vitamins all represent health choices which become increasingly beneficial through regularity. Lifestyle choices impact health. A person choosing Chiropractic care or other form of lifestyle choice intended for long term health improvement noticed results over a period of time and consistency. Those benefits naturally revert and deteriorate when someone chooses to step away from that lifestyle choice, whether it be exercise, a healthy diet, or Chiropractic care.

Groundbreaking research published in one of the world’s most prestigious medical journals showed the value and benefits of regular Chiropractic adjustments. The study randomly divided a group of sixty patients with back pain. The first group received placebo adjustments throughout the trial. The second group received three real adjustments per week for four weeks with no follow up care. The third group received three real adjustments per week for four weeks with one additional adjustment every two weeks for the following nine months.

Results declared what most Chiropractors witness on a regular basis. The groups receiving real adjustments reported significant relief and improved function compared to the group receiving placebo adjustments. Further evidence revealed that participants who received on-going adjustments every two weeks achieved the highest level of function, comfort, mobility, and life quality. The group who received positive initial results with real adjustments before reverting to a previous lifestyle experienced diminished results over time. The reality of the study reflects in other arenas of health care. People maintain the freedom to make lifestyle choices which produce positive outcomes over a period of consistency and regularity. People also lose progress when they revert to a previous, less healthy lifestyle.

Chiropractic care provides maintenance and healing within the body. Evidence-based research proved long ago that adjustments create improved health and function within the body. Someone acclimated to better health will experience a deterioration of their health when they choose to no longer care for their nervous system. A similar outcome would occur in someone who exercises and maintains a healthy diet but chooses to become sedentary and eat foods high in fat.

A consistent approach to proactive health care empowers entire families to better function and life quality. Chiropractic patients experience genuine improvement in health and performance by unlocking potential within the body. Regular adjustments ensure that optimal health for the entire family remains a never-ending pursuit.

Spine (Phila PA 1976) August 2011

“ Does Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Result in Better Long-Term Outcome? ” Mohammed K Senna, Shereen A Machaly

Patients With Vertigo And Dizziness Helped With Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 11:42:53 GMT

Science defines vertigo as a sudden internal or external spinning sensation, often triggered by moving the head too quickly. The words vertigo and dizziness often interchange to describe the feeling of spinning while a person sits or stands still. Episodes of dizziness and vertigo account for over 10 million visits to the doctor each year. These symptoms incapacitate the strongest and most able-bodied people. An equilibrium problem devastates the quality of life for anyone affected. The primary medical options to address vertigo consists of medication.

Conventional medical professionals typically recommend brain and nervous system imaging for vertigo sufferers to rule out possible abnormal tissue growth. Negative images usually prompt a round of drug therapy. Drugs used to treat dizziness and vertigo come with the price of unwanted nervous system side effects. The list of side effects associated with vertigo tends to be lengthy due to the chemistry involved in medications that impact the nervous system. People suffering from vertigo often endure these uncomfortable effects out of desperation to bring dizzy spells under control. A solution exists outside the realm of drugs and surgery.

Research published in 1998 and again in 2016 linked the alignment and function of the upper neck as a major factor in the presence or absence of dizziness. Nerves in and around the bones and tissue in the upper neck and skull branch directly to parts of the brain that coordinate balance and equilibrium. Studies showed that 62% of patients suffering from vertigo experienced misalignments and dysfunction in the three bones of the upper neck. 77% of those patients reported a significant alleviation of symptoms after experiencing a correction in spinal alignment.

Over 10 million doctor visits take place each year to seek relief for vertigo related symptoms. The research determined that more than three out of every four people suffering from dizziness received permanent healing and restoration from seeking pain-free Chiropractic intervention rather than consuming a cycle of medications. A non-invasive health care option focuses on health and healing rather than the consumption and toil of drugs and side effects.

Chiropractors do not seek to treat symptoms or conditions like vertigo. Spinal care focuses on removing interference from the brain and central nervous system. The direct and intimate relationship between the spine and central nervous system explains how and why vertigo patients experience relief from dizzy spells. Chiropractors spend years in advanced education to learn how to assess the health of the spine with precision and correct any areas of interference and stress on the nervous system.

Many factors contribute to dizziness and vertigo, but none more consistently than upper neck misalignments. Science coined the term “cervical vertigo” back in 1955 to describe the cause of many unwanted dizziness and vertigo symptoms. Cervical bones comprise the spinal bones in the neck. Chiropractors continue to bring healing and restoration to the same causes which existed over 60 years ago when professionals traced the causes of vertigo to issues in the neck. Chiropractic care offers a drug free alternative that pursues permanent healing in the body. 10 million annual visits to the doctor proves the need for a better alternative. Chiropractic works.

European Spine Journal: Official Publication of The European Spine Society, The European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society 1998

“Vertigo in Patients with Cervical Spine Dysfunction.” R Galm , M Rittmeister , E Schmitt

Hypertension & The Influence Of Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 10:15:11 GMT

Blood pressure represents one indication of heart health. A doctor or nurse assesses blood pressure through the measured expression of two numbers. The top number is called the systolic pressure and the bottom is defined as the diastolic number. The total blood pressure number reads like a fraction such as 120/80.

Blood pressure readings are expressed in millimeters of mercury, indicative of pressure, expressed as mm Hg. A standard reading of normal blood pressure in an adult is below 140/80 mm Hg and above 90/60 mm Hg. Normal consists of a range due to the reality that all individuals consist of some unique measures. Variations from normal prove acceptable if they stay in the range of normal.

The top systolic number refers to the amount of pressure in the arteries during a heart muscle contraction. The bottom diastolic number refers to the blood pressure between heart beats. Both numbers remain important in determining the state of heart health. Numbers greater than the ideal range indicate that the heart works too hard to pump blood to the rest of the body. This puts stress on both the blood vessels and the heart, leading to unwanted health consequences and higher risk of disease and illness.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, negatively influences many aspects of health and function in addition to impacting the heart. Hypertension presents as comorbidity in millions of people in American culture, placing them more at risk of severe health challenges. Comorbidity means two or more disorders or illnesses occurring in the same person. They can occur at the same time or one after the other. Comorbidity implies interactions between the illnesses that worsen or compromise the health potential of the body.

Science explains an interesting and important connection between the spine, nervous system, and blood pressure. A random group of selected individuals split into two groups with one group receiving a Chiropractic upper neck adjustment and the other group received a placebo, or fake adjustment. Subjects did not know which group they were in.

The remarkable results determined that the group who received real adjustments experienced an average reduction in blood pressure of 27 points (17 systolic and 10 diastolic). An important additional piece of the study determined that those receiving adjustments were found to have misalignment in the upper neck, but never experienced any previous back or neck pain. Millions of people experience blood pressure problems related to their spine and nervous system yet live life unaware of growing danger simply because the body does not express an outward sign of pain. Many stories of heart related illness and disease begin with family members believing someone was in perfect health. Science and research continue to prove the amazing benefits of Chiropractic on health challenges beyond pain. The power comes from proactive care and keeping the body operating at optimal health in advance of deteriorating conditions which produce sickness and disease. Blood pressure operates like healthy teeth. They tend to demand attention when their conditions are almost irreparable without major intervention. Prepare for long term health for tomorrow by visiting a Chiropractor today.

Journal of Human Hypertension 2007

“Atlas Vertebra Realignment and Achievement of Arterial Pressure Goal in Hypertensive Patients: A Pilot Study.” G Bakris, M Dickholtz Sr, P M Meyer, G Kravitz, E Avery, M Miller, J Brown, C Woodfield, B Bell

Poor Posture Linked To More Than Just Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 10:54:21 GMT

Home Tech Usage at All-Time Highs

People continue to spend record-setting amounts of time in seated positions on technological devices. People spend unprecedented amounts of time on desktops, laptops, tablets and phones. Tech usage while positioned in lounge chairs, sofas, and living rooms paints a picture of the norm. The increased device usage creates added stress on postural and spinal health and leads to dangerous long-term outcomes.

The average postural position during smartphone usage consists of slumped shoulders and forty-five degrees of downward neck flexion. This position adds over forty pounds of stress and pressure on the spine and neck. Imagine a 40-pound weight resting on the back of the head and the strain being absorbed by small, delicate vertebrae and discs.

The additional stress on the spine and posture leads to a greater risk of postural health abnormalities. Researchers determined that seated posture massively impacts overall health and function. Sitting posture consists of hunched shoulders, forward head position, a rounded mid-back, and a forward-tilting pelvis. Poor posture causes more long-term damage than back aches.

Spine and postural health influence many aspects of overall well-being. Research reveals a crucial relationship between posture and heart and lung function. A ground-breaking study published in 2004 proved a relational connection between bad posture, atherosclerosis, and pulmonary disease. The study found a 44% higher risk of death in people categorized as the poorest level of posture. Most medical doctors remain unaware of this data and the significant role posture plays in the health and well-being of all ages of people.

Chiropractors passionately pursue educating the community to better understand the influence of regular Chiropractic adjustments on whole-body health. The issue of sedentary positioning mixed with poor posture began permeating school and work culture years ago yet takes on new emphasis during times when more people work and stay at home using technological devices. Chiropractors help infants, children, and parents achieve optimal health and function through better spinal and postural health. Science continues to build evidence-based research which proves healthy posture directly impacts healthy function.

Chiropractors focus on helping the public better understand the need to intentionally pursue ideal spinal hygiene and care. Adults and children alike benefit from a maximized defense against health-threatening posture problems. The entire family unlocks improved capacity for optimal performance and function by getting adjusted regularly to combat the ill effects of poor posture and extended technology use. People currently spend more time at home, but no limitations exist in the pursuit of elite health care.

Journal of American Geriatrics Society 2004

“ Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Community-Dwelling Men and Women: A Prospective Study. ”

Deborah M Kado, Mei-Hua Huang, Arun S Karlamangla, Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Gail A Greendale

Chiropractic Care And Whiplash

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 18:59:17 GMT

Whiplash. No one wants to deal with this common injury to the muscles in the neck that can occur when the head is rapidly moved backward or forward and then quickly “whipped” in the opposite direction. Whiplash causes short-term or acute neck pain and restricted movement and even long term chronic pain.

An impact, collision, or injury are all capable of causing the head to suddenly jerk back and forth beyond its normal limits. It takes mere moments for the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine to be overstretched as well as discs between the vertebrae to possibly bulge, tear, or rupture.

Chiropractic Care And Whiplash

Muscle Stimulation / Relaxation. One of the primary whiplash treatments used by chiropractors for related muscle dysfunction is muscle stimulation and/or relaxation. This includes gentle stretches to the muscles that are experiencing excessive tension and repeated contractions of the muscle that is restricted. If the muscles are too tight, the chiropractor applies a more vigorous stretch. Gentle finger pressure technics may be applied to ease the pain related to tight muscles.
Lifestyle Changes To Improve Ergonomics. Your chiropractor will address factors in an individual’s work, home, or recreational activities that perpetuate the dysfunctions that result from the whiplash accident. Recommendations and suggestions will help to perform everyday activities with minimal strain on the body.
Chiropractic Adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments with spinal manipulation require determining the area in the neck that is misaligned and repositioning them back into their proper place. A chiropractor may apply swift but gentle thrust in the desired direction as well as slow mobilizing movements to achieve this. Since a whiplash injury could have also aggravated a herniated or bulging disc, chiropractors may also choose a flexion-distraction technique. This is a hands-on, gentle, non-thrusting spinal manipulation to ease the herniated discs. By placing your neck into proper alignment, relief can be obtained and the body will be able to function and repair itself better.
Diet And Supplements . It may not be your first thought, however, diet often holds the key to reducing the inflammation caused by whiplash. Diet will emphasize the importance of fruits, vegetables, nuts, healthy fats, and lean protein, all of which are known to help reduce inflammation and help the body heal faster and reducing the associated pain and discomfort. Avoid sugar, refined grains, most desserts, and processed snack foods, as they can exacerbate inflammation.

10 Common Symptoms Of Whiplash

Neck pain and stiffness.
Pain in the arms, upper back, and shoulders.
Tingling or numbness in the arms.
Blurred vision.
Headaches particularly the back of the head.
Difficulty concentrating.
Extreme fatigue.
Vertigo or dizziness.
Sleep difficulty.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

The Takeaway

Chiropractic care focuses on the spine, therefore, it is a great way to find relief from the painful symptoms of whiplash. It can shorten recovery time from the injury, increase range of motion, reduce muscle tension and pain, and improve blood flow.

If you have experienced whiplash, regardless of how severe the symptoms are at the moment, it is important to have your chiropractor evaluate you. The benefits of chiropractic care can be to provide relief from pain but also hope to avoid long term complications.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Research Shows: Chiropractic Care Relieves Leg Pain, Sciatica & Disc Herniations

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 08:50:22 GMT

Many turn to Chiropractic care in search of relief from their neck or back pain. Too many other adults still follow a process of taking dangerous drugs or consulting with surgeons under the assumption that these options best serve their desire to live life free from pain. Few medical doctors understand the benefits of Chiropractic for disc herniations, sciatica, or radiating arm or leg pain.

Research from 2014 showed startling results involving a group of adults living with back pain, leg pain, and disc herniations (confirmed by an MRI). Patients who received low back adjustments by a Chiropractor achieved extraordinary results . It showed 80% of patients reported substantial improvement after one month of care. After 6 months of care, 90% of patients with back pain, leg pain, and disc herniations reported significant benefits from spinal adjustments.

Millions pf people suffering with chronic pain begin using opioid drugs every week. Many thousands begin this process due to back pain. Chiropractic accomplishes so much more than simply providing an alternative remedy for back pain. Chiropractors assess alignment and movement of the spine while looking for problem areas which interfere with the delicate nervous system. Areas of misalignment and stiffness receive immediate attention through specific and gentle adjustments designed to improve biomechanics and communication within the nervous system. Pain relief represents one of many side effects of spinal adjustments.

Chiropractors do not treat herniated discs or other symptoms related to spinal conditions involving back pain, arm pain, or leg pain. Chiropractic adjustments improve spinal mobility and alignment and reduce interference from the nervous system to allow the body to better heal itself. Chiropractic represents a proactive first resort for those suffering from back pain, sciatica, or disc related issues. Evidence based results provide a health care alternative that renders invasive care as a last resort.

Science, research, and evidence substantiate the need for the type of care Chiropractic delivers. Chiropractic represents one of the world’s largest drugless healing professions and continues to gain notoriety and popularity in a world searching for alternatives to a health system that offers reactive care filled with dangerous drugs and invasive surgeries. Most problems in the spine occur without pain, symptoms or are left unaddressed until symptoms form. Subluxations form like cavities and occur slowly over durations of time. Chiropractors focus on educating as many people as possible . Education empowers individuals and families with a choice to experience the blessings and benefits that Chiropractic care provides.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2014

“ Outcomes of Acute and Chronic Patients With Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniations Receiving High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude, Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study With One-Year Follow-Up ” Serafin Leemann, Cynthia K Peterson, Christof Schmid, Bernard Anklin, Kim Humphreys

Self-Esteem Effects Of Good Posture Through Chiropractic Care And Postural Excercise

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 05:20:44 GMT

Chiropractic adjustments help the body create better posture by reducing nervous system stress, increasing mobility, and allowing greater balance and spatial awareness. Improved posture proves to have lasting effects on many aspects of function beyond just musculoskeletal health. Science links improved posture to better breathing, sleep, hormone control, and brain health.

Parents often ask healthcare providers about the effects of bad posture and slouching on their children’s health. A study published in 2019 explained the effects of postural health on fourth grade children. One of the primary objectives of the study meant to find out if bad posture influenced the self-esteem of fourth graders.

The study involved 108 students. Facilitators assigned each student a randomized variable of assuming either a ‘high power’ pose or a ‘low power’ pose. Each student held the posture for one minute. The children were then evaluated using a standard self-esteem assessment.

High power posing consists of the non-verbal expression of power through expansive, open body postures. This stance becomes known as power posing. High power posing links to hormonal and behavioral changes. High power posing affects psychological processes, including feelings of empowerment and other emotional benefits. Students in high power posing showed a higher self-esteem, better mood, and more positive feelings regarding the student-teacher relationship. The findings show consistency with postural intervention effects in children and self-esteem elevation. This study revealed that good posture produced a large-scale effect on school related self-esteem.

The study involved asymptomatic fourth grade children. Improving posture for just one minute resulted in meaningful improvements in mood, emotions and self-esteem. The findings proved consistent with those seen in patients of all ages in Chiropractic clinics all over the world. Improvement of postural distortions through Chiropractic adjustments and postural exercises produce a variety of benefits for patients. This study supports Chiropractic care as a primary source of proactive health care for adults and children. Evidence based research continues to provide a litany of benefits experienced by people who proactively care for their spine, posture, and nervous system. Improving postural distortions represent one of many ways in which overall health improves in patients not experiencing immediate suffering from pain or musculoskeletal complaints.

The outcome traces back to the old adage which speaks to an ounce of prevention being worth more than a pound of cure. Providing the spine and nervous system with regular maintenance radiates improved health and vitality throughout the entire health structure of the body.

Joint Conference of the Sections Developmental Psychology & Educational Psychology September 2019

“Powerful and self-confident children through expansive body postures? A preregistered study in fourth graders.” Robert Korner, Hannes Kohler, Astrid Schuetz

Stress Relief: A Welcome Side-Effect Of Chiropractic Adjustments

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 11:41:03 GMT

Stress ranks at an all-time high in the United States and throughout the world. A lack of confidence breeds uncertainty and worry. Emotional stress and depression comprise two of the worst conditions on earth, resulting in a foundation for the most doctor visits and drug prescriptions annually. Stress represents the single biggest contributor to all disease .

Some people experience high levels of stress yet feel few effects. The difference exists in the body’s ability to manage or cope with the stress. And the ability to cope with stress is not entirely voluntary. The body comes equipped with internal systems managed by an autonomic nervous system which influences a person’s adaptability to stress.

The Covid-19 chapter represents one of the most unique and stressful events in human history. The real hardships of anxiety and sickness combine with economic uncertainty and fear. Employment and financial challenges now plague millions of people as domestic disturbances and calls to suicide hotlines recently showed an exponential increase.

The year 2020 will be remembered amongst the most stressful years in history . Many people will persevere while experiencing minimal effects because the body adapted and effectively coped with stress. The brain and central nervous system process all stress both internally and externally. A key aspect in managing the stress of uncertainty and life’s variables comes from the management and care of the body’s regulatory system. Chiropractic adjustments help hit the reset button on the central nervous system and reduce stress hormones. A strong nervous system helps alleviate the burden of mental and physical stress. Research published in 2014 showed that a Chiropractic adjustment reduced specific hormones in the body which carried stress while allowing the subjects who received an adjustment to circulate more calming chemistry throughout the blood stream.

Some researchers compare receiving a spinal adjustment to hitting ‘control-alt-delete’ on a computer. People commonly recognize the key pattern designed to trigger the resetting mechanism in the computer’s software. The same analogy applies to a spinal adjustment. The intimate connection between the spine and the central nervous system translates into a reset of the autonomic nervous system when healing adjustments occur. The outcome produces a calming effect throughout the body .

Many people only associate Chiropractic with pain relief. Chiropractic adjustments produce healing in the body and side effects of healing usually arrive in the form of positive outcomes as stress and pain both dissipate. The body contains an incredible ability to heal and demonstrate resiliency. Chiropractic allows the body to operate at maximum capacity, reducing stress hormones that rob life and vitality. A reduction in physical and mental stress translates into increased levels of calming chemicals in the brain. Change the course and pursue a healthier 2020. Now is the time for Chiropractic .

Utilize these three stress-reducing strategies in partnership with Chiropractic adjustments to reduce stress in the body:

Move the body - Any movement is good movement
Breathe deeply - Practice deep breathing 2-3x/day for 10 breaths at a time
Fun in the sun – Do little things that increase daily exposure to sunl ight

The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 2014

“ Changes in Biochemical Markers of Pain Perception and Stress Response After Spinal Manipulation ”

Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Francisco Molina-Ortega, Rafael Lomas-Vega, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Alexander Achalandabaso, Fidel Hita-Contreras

The Spine As A Kinetic Chain: Every Vertebra Influences The Whole

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 07:14:29 GMT

A kinetic chain entails a process in which each joint or segment in the chain effects every other segment during movement. Energy and movement in one segment creates a chain of events which affects neighboring joints and segments. A tangible example involves using playing cards or dominos to create a chain reaction beginning with movement in a single part which impacts the whole.

The spine makes up a kinetic chain. Chiropractors understand that a holistic approach provides the best method of ensuring total body care when assessing and addressing symptoms of disease. The existence of a problem in one area of the spine radiates effects onto other parts of the spine and body . Pain tends to be the last sign that a problem exists. A proactive approach ensures the body be kept in the best position possible to prevent pain and disease from occurring. Chiropractors and other spinal health professionals understand and approach the spine as a powerful kinetic chain which influences the health of the entire body.

A leading spine expert Dr. John Bland accurately stated:

“We tend to divide the examination of the spine into regions: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine clinical studies. This is a mistake. The three units are closely interrelated structurally and functionally. A whole person with a whole spine. The cervical spine (neck) may be symptomatic (painful) because of a thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (low back) spine abnormality, and vice versa. Sometimes treating the lumbar spine will relieve a cervical spine syndrome, or proper management of the cervical spine will relieve a low back ache.”

- Disorders of the Cervical Spine

The spine consists of twenty-four moveable bones stacked on top of each other with a shock absorber in between each segment. The shock absorber is called an intervertebral disc. Chiropractors focus on the health and functionality of the entire spine to ensure proper alignment and movement within each vertebra and disc.

The spine also intimately connects with the brain and central nervous system. Movement makes up a key ingredient in proper brain and nervous system function. Proper movement means the brain and body communicate to the fullest potential. Every adjustment helps unlock any stiffness or lack of mobility to ensure the process of maximum health and healing. As the spine gets healthier and more well-adjusted, the body gets healthier through better nervous system function. Proactively detecting and addressing all areas of the spine within the kinetic chain remains the ultimate goal. Chiropractors take pride in helping their practice members achieve healthier, more active without drugs or surgery. Stay connected to better help with Chiropractic.

University of Vermont College of medicine 1994

“Disorders of the Cervical Spine.” John Bland, MD. Professor of medicine

6 Great Benefits Of A Strong Core

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 12:54:19 GMT

In our mind, many of us associate a strong core with a flat stomach or visible six-pack abs. While this can certainly be motivating, there are so many more benefits that come from building a strong core than simply how flat or visible your abs are. Some of these benefits include but are not limited to improved posture, balance, reduced back pain, and easier breathing.

6 Great Benefits Of A Strong Core

Improves Posture. Performing core exercises allows you to work all of the muscles of your torso from top to bottom and front to back, which helps you to stand tall with your limbs in alignment. Through improving your posture, the risk of disc herniation and vertebrae degeneration is reduced. Another benefit to better posture is better breathing. The balance that helps you stand up tall and straight also opens your airway, making inhalations and exhalations easier.
Back Pain Relief . Back pain is oftentimes a common problem that can be the result of a weak core. Research has shown that people who have weak core muscles also have an increased risk of backache and injury. Your core supports your spine, and having strong abdominal muscles will take the pressure off of your back all while helping to align your spine. Increasing core strength will allow you to take your workouts to the next level, all while helping to reduce any back pain or prevent further back injury.
It Improves Balance And Stability. By doing core exercises, you are training the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips, and abdomen to work in sync. This harmony leads to better balance and stability that benefits you whether you are an athlete or simply participate in daily activities. In fact, many sports and other physical activities, in general, depend on strong and stable core muscles.
Reduced Risk Of Injury. As you build core strength, you will actively improve your balance and build overall stability. As a result, you will be less likely to injure yourself. You will be able to perform the same daily routines you do every day with a lower risk of both acute injury and repetitive injury when you increase core strength. You will not only be able to keep up with your daily activities better, but you will also reduce any downtime, making it easier to accomplish your everyday tasks.
Job-Related Tasks Made Easier. Jobs that obviously involve twisting, bending, lifting, and standing all rely on your core muscles. However, less obvious tasks, such as sitting at your desk for hours, engage your core as well. Whether it is taking phone calls, typing, computer use, and other similar tasks can make back muscles unnecessarily stiff and sore, especially if your core muscles are not strong enough to maintain good posture and you aren’t taking enough breaks.
Reach Fitness Goals Faster . A strong core provides tons of benefits, no matter what age you are. Whether you want to increase your strength, improve overall stability and balance, or improve sports performance, building your core strength will help you reach your goals faster and more effectively.

The Takeaway

Once you begin consistently strengthening your core, you will notice an improvement in not only the way you look physically but how you feel and move throughout your daily routine. Benefits include better posture, pain relief and reducing your risk of injury.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Chiropractic & The Nervous System

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 09:18:20 GMT

The nervous system represents the most sophisticated system in the body. There is no other system in the body which possesses the ability to function properly without the assistance of this central supercomputer. The nervous system consists of a series of highly complex processes that coordinate actions and sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different parts of the body. From breathing and digestion to movement and immunity, the nervous system controls all cells, organs, and tissues. All health and human performance connect directly to the effectiveness of the nervous system.

Embryological science explains that the brain and spinal cord, initially referred to as the neural tube, forms just one month after conception. All other organs become connected to the neural tube to get specific signaling to grow and develop. The brain and spinal cord eventually become encased in bone for protection. The skull surrounds the brain and the spinal vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord and nerve roots. No other organ in the body becomes protected by hard bones like the brain and spinal cord, indicating the natural importance and sensitivity attributed to the nervous system.

Chiropractic plays a significant role in nervous system function because of the spine’s intimate relationship with the brain and central nervous system. Science shows that movement and alignment of the spine directly influence function of the brain and central nervous system . Chiropractors assess movement and alignment of each spinal vertebra to ensure a healthy relationship between the spine and central nervous system. A misaligned or immobile vertebra alters function throughout the nervous system. Chiropractors re-establish proper alignment and movement of the spine through gentle adjustments and spinal care to improve nervous system function. These corrections create a domino effect where unwanted pain, symptoms, and conditions make progress towards long-term relief and healing. Chiropractors pursue natural healing and improved health through optimal nervous system function.

The body possesses an incredible ability to heal itself . Research began over 100 years ago and continues to be validated today noting significant changes to the nervous system for people receiving Chiropractic adjustments. Patients under regular Chiropractic care show a shift from a more stress-focused function to less stress and a nervous system more focused on health, growth, development, and restoration.

Millions of Chiropractic patients all over the world validate the amazing benefits originating with spinal care. Chiropractic adjustments improve many aspects of health and healing because of the versatility of the nervous system and the spine’s innate ability to respond to corrective care. Every active grandparent, adult, and child deserve to experience the benefits of Chiropractic care .

The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine - September 2008

“ Sympathetic and parasympathetic responses to specific diversified adjustments to chiropractic vertebral subluxations of the cervical and thoracic spine .” Arlene Welch and Ralph Boone

10 Unexpected Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 14:28:25 GMT

Seeing a chiropractor has physical and mental benefits, and some may surprise you. Here are 10 unexpected chiropractic adjustment benefits to consider.

Are you experiencing numbness, shooting pains, or persistent aches that won't go away? You're not the only one. In fact, about 65 million Americans report episodes of back pain, with 16 million reporting chronic back pain.

Living with pain every day of your life will have a strong impact on your health and happiness. In addition to impacting your mobility and comfort, back pain could also lead to weight gain and disability!

Don't live in pain. Instead, keep reading to discover the top 10 chiropractic adjustment benefits. The benefits of seeing a chiropractor might even surprise you!

Straighten out your pain and improve your quality of life with these benefits of going to a chiropractor today !

1. Ease Joint and Muscle Pain

At the first sight of joint or muscle pain, you probably reach for the painkillers in your medicine cabinet. Over time, however, your body can build a tolerance to over-the-counter painkillers. Many of these medications have side effects, too.

One study found that 56% of patients who saw a doctor experienced a 30% reduction in low back pain. In the same study, 94% of patients who received chiropractic treatment experienced a 30% reduction in low back pain.

According to another study, 40% of Americans will approach a chiropractor before a doctor for their back pain.

Instead, consider the benefits of seeing a chiropractor the next time you're in pain.

A musculoskeletal misalignment could contribute to or even cause joint and muscle pain. When your spine isn't alone, it affects nerve conductivity to joints and muscles. Your blood might not flow properly, which restricts nutrients those areas need for proper healing.

Chiropractors understand how the body is meant to move and function. They can realign your spine to improve blood flow and relieve your pain. Spinal manipulation could help you get back to working out, on the field, or relaxing at home pain-free.

2. Boost Immunity

A chiropractic adjustment won't just ease aches and pains away. In fact, a chiropractic adjustment benefits your immune system, too.

Remember, when your spine is aligned, your blood can move more freely. That ensures your white blood cells can travel throughout your body to fight off intruders like bacteria. As a result, your immune system will strengthen, making it easier for you to fight off illness.

Your central nervous system and spine are more connected than you might think. In order to maintain a healthy nervous system, your need to keep your spine in alignment. Otherwise, your cells, organs, and tissues won't function properly.

Don't leave your immune system in a weakened state. Instead, consider the benefits of a chiropractor appointment and boost your immunity.

3. Take a Deep Breath

Does it feel like you're not taking in as much air as usual? Your lower and middle back need to remain properly aligned. Otherwise, it could impact your lung function.

As you explore the benefits of seeing a chiropractor, take a deep breath. Your body needs that air for proper nerve function. When your spine is misaligned, however, it can cause lung inflammation, making it difficult for you to breathe.

One of the benefits of going to a chiropractor is improved lung function, which can help your mind and body.

4. Easier Pregnancies

As strange as it might sound, the benefits of seeing a chiropractor impact pregnant mothers, too.

A woman's body goes through changes during pregnancy. For example, the increased weight could add pressure to her spine. Meanwhile, pelvic ligaments begin to loosen. These changes can both impact the mother's nervous system.

A chiropractic adjustment benefits a pregnant mom by relieving pressure from her spine. Treatment can help throughout her pregnancy and even make delivering the baby easier.

5. Sleep Soundly

Are you having a difficult time falling asleep at night? There's a chance the pain and tension from your misaligned spine are to blame.

Without the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, you could put your mental and physical health at risk. Inadequate sleep can weaken your immune system and cause other health problems, including difficulty concentrating and mood swings.

You could also increase your chances of weight gain, heart attack, diabetes, or stroke.

A spinal adjustment can ease the pain and tension to help you sleep.

6. Alleviate Headaches

Many of us experience headaches from time to time and shrug it off as dehydration. However, oxygen deprivation can also cause chronic headaches. This often occurs due to a spinal misalignment.

One of the benefits of seeing a chiropractor is that they can relieve chronic headaches. Once your spine is aligned, your blood flow will improve. The amount of oxygen that travels to your brain will increase as well.

By improving your spinal alignment and posture, you can relieve your headaches (making day-to-day life a little easier).

7. Improve Mobility and Range of Motion

Do you notice your neck doesn't turn as far as it used to when you check your blind spot? A neck or back misalignment could impact your range of motion. You might find that chronic pain impacts your mobility, too.

Visiting a chiropractor can help improve your flexibility, mobility, and range of motion.

8. Increase Energy

Are you feeling sluggish after a long day? While exhaustion is normal, chronic back pain can make it worse. A misaligned spine could put pressure on your organs, impacting their function, and reducing your energy.

Visiting a chiropractor will relieve this pressure to keep your body functioning properly. Then, you'll have enough energy to take on a new day!

9. Improve Your Digestion

Misaligned vertebrae could impact the nerves in your lower spine and keep them from functioning properly. This could leave your nerves unable to signal for acid production, which could cause:

Gas
Acid reflux
Heartburn
Other stomach issues

By visiting a chiropractor, you can improve overall bodily function to reduce these symptoms.

10. Support Your Lifestyle

A sedentary lifestyle can cause neck pain, back pain, and bad posture. If you're active, however, you might put more wear and tear on your spine. Either can cause a misalignment.

One of the best chiropractic adjustment benefits is they can help regardless of your lifestyle. A chiropractor can even help if you were in a car accident or slip and fall. They'll ensure your body is functioning at its best, improving your daily performance.

Mind and Body: 10 Chiropractic Adjustment Benefits You Don't Want to Live Without

Bring your mind and body into alignment! These chiropractic adjustment benefits are just the start. By visiting a chiropractor, you can ease your pain and improve your overall functionality.

Eager to get started? Contact us today to schedule your first appointment!

Chiropractic Prevents Long-Term Damage From Low Speed Whiplash

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 10:58:27 GMT

Many people assume that injuries and spinal problems originate from accidents or collisions which occur at high speeds or with extreme force. Research says otherwise . A collision produced by speeds as low as 5 mph inside a motor vehicle creates enough force to result in moderate to severe long-term spinal injury or damage. A study from 2006 evaluated the risk of low speed and low impact collisions. This study determined that a crash at speeds of just 5.97 MPH resulted in symptoms of strains and headaches. This information reconstructed the way doctors and researchers understand the influence of the most minor accidents or low impact collisions.

Chiropractors educate the public on the importance of preventative and proactive care. Some draw comparisons to dentistry where routine maintenance provides the best defense from cavities and painful surgeries. Chiropractic offers the same opportunity for long-term wellness through the maintenance of the spine. Pain often arrives as the last indicator that shows something is wrong in the body (or the teeth). Regular checkups address the early stages of problems before the pain or symptoms arise. Research dictates that anyone involved in low speed collisions risks long term damage from whiplash if undetected tissue damage goes undetected . Chiropractic offers a healthy alternative.

The body maintains an ability to manage the presence of decay and early stages of disease or degeneration without expressing any pain or symptoms. Examples of this management include high blood pressure, cavities, and even small to moderate sized tumors. All can be present in different areas of the body without exhibiting feelings of pain or alarm. The same applies to the effects of whiplash. Low speed and low force accidents create tissue damage to the head, neck, and spine without eliciting pain or discomfort. Many people involved in low speed collisions assume they were unaffected in the aftermath of the impact, yet science and clinical evidence suggests otherwise.

The absence of pain does not serve as a good indicator of an underlying problem. Pain usually presents as the final stage of a more advanced condition. Abnormal positioning or immobile vertebrae, called subluxations, mimic high blood pressure and cholesterol because they exist silently for extended periods of time. Ligaments, soft tissues, and small muscles also endure damage silently for a period of time. The body tends to manage discomfort until an issue deteriorates to the point of discomfort and a need for more comprehensive corrections which result in surgery or the consumption of harmful medications. Proactive care ensures that the body does not continue on a negative path following an accident, sports injury, or physical collision (or fall).

Chiropractors utilize neurological and objective testing while also assessing global and segmental range of motion to indicate the presence of spinal injury or soft tissue damage. Chiropractic care helps address the underlying cause of problems and allows the body to achieve long-term healing without drugs or surgery. Whiplash can occur in collisions at speeds of as a low as 5 mph. Grownups and children alike endure similar impacts from work and play on a regular basis without much thought to long-term damage. Chiropractors offer the freedom to live life with maximum function by ensuring the spine stays proactively cared for throughout life’s bumps and thumps. Adding Chiropractic to the family health care plan provides confidence in the face of any unexpected surprises that might be down the road.

Engineering - 2012

“ A retrospective study in understanding 'low speed change' vehicle collisions, occupant movement and likelihood of injury .” Brian J. Henderson

Maintaining A Healthy Future Through Regular Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 03:10:18 GMT

Research Reveals The Relevance

Fruitful gardens, well-functioning cars, strong relationships, and healthy spines all share something in common: Maintenance. Consistent care represents a key aspect in producing a worthwhile return in any relationship. The spine represents one of the most valuable investments available . Some believe the spine exists for the simple sake of movement and posture. Nothing could be further from the truth. The health and maintenance of the spine impacts the very well-being of the entire body and all its essential organs.

The benefits of Chiropractic extend well beyond back and neck pain relief. Many symptoms seemingly unrelated to the spine improve through Chiropractic care because of the spine’s intimate relationship with the central nervous system. The essential piece of Chiropractic exists in the relational interaction between a healthy spine and the long-term healing of pain and symptoms.

A 2019 study showed that patients who used Chiropractic care on a regular basis following an intensive initial care plan experienced fewer days with pain and disability compared to those who only utilized Chiropractic during periods of pain. The study further proves what other research and millions of Chiropractic patients understand from over five decades of data collection. A relationship between Chiropractic and the nervous system provides a foundational basis for achieving greater levels of long-term whole-body health.

The benefits of Chiropractic care begin with maximizing the mobility and functionality of the spine. When optimum performance becomes established in the nervous system, the body experiences both a reduction in joint degeneration and an environment of healing and restoration. The body maintains a tremendous capacity for healing and recovery. The hindrance tends to be a lack of communication between the body and brain. The spine serves as the bottle neck for both structure and function in the body. Chiropractic adjustments improve the health of the spine to ensure better overall function regardless of the presence of symptoms and pain . The overall goal always focuses on healing and long-term freedom from pain.

Most Chiropractic patients begin receiving adjustments without being in a state of pain or discomfort. They understand that the body works in relationship with the structure and systems which produce health and longevity. Waiting until pain arises mirrors waiting until cavities form or a car breaks down. Maintenance proactively preserves most valuable relationships . Caring for the spine through regular checkups and adjustments provides a greater quality of life. Chiropractors offer a pain free avenue of health care that ensures a brighter future and vibrant health for all men, women, and children.

Chiropractic and Manual Therapies – 2019 “ Chiropractic Maintenance Care - What's New ? A Systematic Review of the Literature” Axén Iben, Hestbaek Lise, Leboeuf-Yde Charlotte

Sciatica Sufferers Receive Relief Without Drugs or Surgery

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 29 May 2020 09:04:58 GMT

Millions of adults suffer from sciatica. The symptoms associated with sciatica range across a broad spectrum. Some sufferers experience only slight annoyances while others endure debilitating and radiating leg pain and weakness. Most sciatica sufferers tend to rely on potent prescription pain medications in order to achieve some semblance of relief. Many of those medications risk dangerous side effects. Some sciatica sufferers even describe the pain-relieving benefits of the medications as not being worth the consequences of the side effects. Imagine someone willingly choosing physical pain rather than cope with the side effects of relief.

Sciatica presents as uncomfortable symptoms and sensations beginning in the low back and radiating down the large sciatic nerve in the back of either leg. The radiating sensation that travels down the leg may be described as a pain, ache, tingling, numbness, or pins and needles-type feeling. The aptly named condition originated because the pain travels down the large nerve in the back of the leg called the sciatic nerve.

The cause of sciatica varies from person to person. Many underlying factors contribute to the presence of sciatic-type symptoms ranging from herniated discs, muscle strains and scar tissue to inflammation of tissues, bone fractures, and many more. Adults over the age of 55 also experience degenerative changes in the spine, stenosis in the lower back, and other conditions known to complicate or exacerbate sciatic pain. The causes may vary but the location and type of discomfort takes on similar patterns.

Research shows that the benefits of a specific Chiropractic adjustment to the low back resulted in complete resolution of sciatic symptoms in over 55% of the study group receiving adjustments. Those suffering from low back pain sufferers experienced a five-fold greater response following an adjustment than those who went untreated.

The science and research will paint a picture of relief and optimism for sciatic sufferers. Chiropractors continue to pursue the education of all people when it comes to options available for those seeking a minimally invasive form of health carefree from the harmful side effects of prescription drugs. Too often medical doctors, neurologists, and orthopedists withhold transparent options for patients seeking relief. Many people remain unaware that relief exists outside of drugs and surgery.

Evidence based research and data shows that natural Chiropractic care represents one of the best noninvasive options available to children, adults, and senior citizens suffering from any painful condition, including sciatica. Chiropractic offers a primary intervention focused on a long-term outcome that cannot be found from drugs or surgery – healing and restoration. Let Chiropractic help create a tomorrow free from pain.

The Spine Journal - 2006

“ Chiropractic Manipulation in the Treatment of Acute Back Pain and Sciatica With Disc Protrusion: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Active and Simulated Spinal Manipulations ”

Valter Santilli, Ettore Beghi, Stefano Finucci

Spring Cleanup Without Injury And Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 28 May 2020 13:52:21 GMT

It’s that time of year, time to clean up from winter and prepare for the fun times of summer. Besides warmer weather, for many of us, major clean up projects come with the arrival of spring and summer. It’s always a good feeling to attack these projects head-on, especially after the cooler winter months. However, it’s important that you don’t hurt yourself in the process. Utilize these tips to help you tackle and accomplish your springtime clean up tasks without causing injury and pain!

5 Helpful Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Injury With Spring Cleaning

Stretch First . This is more important then you may give it credit for. The muscles in your body are remarkable, especially your neck and back muscles. The amount of stress they can tolerate is mind-boggling! However, not stretching properly before using them could bring trouble. Before jumping from an inactive state right into an active state, the muscles in your body need to move gradually. All muscles need to warm up first, and your back is no different. Before you start any of your spring clean-up projects, stretch the muscles encompassing your spine, working your way down from head to toe. Begin with your neck, then move on to your shoulders, and finally your back and legs — yes, your spine is connected to all of that! Remember to stretch gently and move more slowly with each motion than you think you should.
Use Proper Lifting Techniques . Improperly lifting objects is a common cause of back pain as well as back injury, so it is important that you take some time beforehand to learn how to lift properly. First, bend at the knees instead of at your waist, and always keep your back straight. Lift with your legs, not your back. Hold heavier items close to your body rather than far away, and keep your back straight. Avoid twisting your back while holding a heavy item, if you need to place an object to the side always turn your entire body to the side.
Listen to Your Body. However large or small your springtime goals are, make sure you prioritize your health is at the top of the list. It’s normal to have some soreness, especially after you’ve worked for a while. However, if you have sudden pain or sharp pain, stop immediately as this could be a sign of an acute injury. The pain responses in our bodies serve to protect us. Having routine chiropractic care will keep your body healthy and ready for whatever job you attempt this spring.
Avoid Reaching and Bending Too Much . Do your best to do as much as possible while standing upright with good posture. When you limit the amount of reaching and bending you do while working on your projects, you reduce the risk of straining or pulling any of the muscles in your back.
Bring Your Friend. Accomplishing tasks can always be more enjoyable with the company of a friend! A majority of the tasks we do during our spring cleaning projects really should be done with a partner nearby. Lifting is one example. However, what about all those tasks you do on a ladder? Having someone to spot you is much safer than going about it alone, a fall from even a few feet can do serious damage to your spine. Besides, the work goes by a lot faster when you have a friend to talk to!

The Takeaway

By following the tips listed above and being aware of the little details, such as lifting heavy objects with the proper form, you can enjoy your freshly cleaned house and groomed yard without any injury or pain!

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Forward Head Posture is Worse than Once Believed Tech Neck and the Role of Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 22 May 2020 09:06:13 GMT

A new report by a nonprofit company that promotes safe technology and media for children determined that teens spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes on their phones per day. Children ages 8 to 12 follow close behind at four hours and 44 minutes each day. Independent research found that 86% of U.S. workers spend their workdays seated . The economy and technology continue to evolve and improve aspects of a transformed world while also relegating many professionals to largely sedentary positions behind computers, phones, and screens.

One of the most significant health challenges existing today involves the spine, posture, and nervous system. A condition largely related to increased sitting on the job and technology use involves forward head posture. Forward head posture represents one of the most common causes of many symptoms and conditions suffered by children and adults. Neck pain, headaches, migraines, muscle stress, shoulder pain, TMJ pain, and back complaints serve as a few of the many challenges traced back to forward head syndrome.

Various research links forward head posture to symptoms and conditions related to problems within the autonomic nervous system. Health concerns within the nervous system manifest as problems with immunity, breathing, digestion, fertility, hormone control, and heart function. The science shows that forward head posture negatively influences the central nervous system, explaining why autonomic organ problems follow suit.

One of the biggest effects of forward head posture arrives in the form of head and neck pain. The overall prevalence of neck pain in the population reaches as high as 86 percent. Neck pain represents a common complaint in a society attached to electronic devices. Head and neck pain make a considerable impact on individuals and their families, communities, and businesses. Neck pain achieves recognition as the most persistent musculoskeletal pain syndrome. Increased time spent texting and using computers produce detrimental long-term impacts on neck bones and muscles traced back to prolonged periods of unhealthy neck flexion.

The neck functions as a resting place for the skull, so the skull stays atop the apex of the spine. An exponential amount of stress becomes absorbed by the neck when the head moves or rests in a forward position. Neck flexion adds substantial amount (pounds) of pressure onto the spine. The extra load becomes absorbed by spinal ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Regular periods of time spent in forward head flexion causes progressive and permanent changes in head posture. New research from December of 2019 showed that adults with neck pain usually go through their day with significantly more forward head posture than adults without symptoms. The study proved a significant correlation between forward head posture and neck pain intensity . Neck pain of this magnitude often leads to cases of disability – a tremendous fear when it comes to a young generation of children spending so much time staring downward.

Chiropractic provides a drug-free approach to improving pain and function by minimizing forward head posture. Regular Chiropractic care helps reduce the negative influence of technology on forward head posture. Taking proactive and preventative steps to minimize the negative effects of forward head posture represents one of the most beneficial health strategies available to every family member. Proactive nervous system care pursues a healthier tomorrow.

Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine December 2019

“ The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis .”

NF Mahmoud, KA Hassan, SF Abdelmajeed, IM Moustafa, AG Silva

New Research: Chiropractic Provides Relief to Opioid Crisis

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 15 May 2020 09:53:41 GMT

The benefits of Chiropractic care extend well beyond pain relief. The spine intimately connects to the central nervous system and explains why so many people of all ages experience a wide variety of health benefits when the spine operates optimally. Chiropractic was developed based on musculoskeletal and neurological science that connects structure to function. Better breathing, improved sleep, immunity, energy, and even digestive health represent a few of the many benefits which stem from a properly operating nervous system.

Evidence based research dating back over 100 years explains the connection between nervous system health and overall wellness. Recent studies investigated the need for Chiropractic care when combating the opioid crisis. Opioid-related deaths skyrocketed to nearly 50,000 cases in 2017, up almost 10% from the previous year. Millions of new people every year turn to dangerous opioid drugs to deal with pain and suffering and the outcome proves devastating. Chiropractic can help.

New research published in March 2020 revealed several studies which link Chiropractic care to a lower risk of needing opioid prescriptions. Every study showed that patients under Chiropractic care experienced a lower rate and risk of taking opioids.

Among U.S. adults prescribed opioids, 59% reported experiencing back pain.
A retrospective study of 165,569 adults diagnosed with low back pain found that utilizing Chiropractic services associated with a reduced risk of opioid use.
In a cohort of 1,702 patients who experienced a new episode of neck pain, patients who received Chiropractic care experienced a 46% decrease in opioid prescriptions within one year of their first visit.
In a study of 14,025 veterans, the percentage of patients receiving opioid prescriptions lowered after veterans began receiving Chiropractic care for low back pain.
A study of health insurance claims for the treatment of low back pain found a 55% reduction in the likelihood of opioid prescriptions being filled amongst recipients of Chiropractic care.
A systematic review of studies examining the association between Chiropractic care and opioid use found that opioid prescriptions were significantly lower among Chiropractic patients.
The risk of filling a prescription for an opioid analgesic over a six-year period reduced by half for recipients of Chiropractic care.
Patients engaged with Chiropractor care within 30 days of a diagnosed spinal injury experienced greater reduction in opioid risk.
The long-term protective effect of Chiropractic care sustained beyond 1,200-1,500 days, indicating that Chiropractic treatment provides sustainable result driven outcomes beyond the reach of pills and pharmaceuticals.

Opioids cause more suffering than relief when viewed as a long-term solution to pain. The loss of life and financial burden create a growing epidemic which becomes greater in magnitude each year. Research continues to show that Chiropractors provide a safe and effective approach to help relieve pain and dependency on opioids. Nervous system care offers a proactive solution that offers health and healing. Start with Chiropractic.

Pain Medicine (Malden, Mass)

March 6, 2020

“ Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain. ”

JM Whedon, AWJ Toler, LA Kazal, S Bezdijian, JM Goehl, J Greenstein

CORONAVIRUS: The Facts, the Factors, and the Role of the Nervous System

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 08 May 2020 09:36:39 GMT

The coronavirus claims daily headlines across the nation and world. The sensational reports tend to focus on tragedies and the ultimate reality that sicknesses can be deadly. Other positive realities and facts exist as well. The coronavirus is a common virus that causes an infection in the nose, sinuses, or upper throat . Most coronaviruses do not accompany the deadly outcomes catching media headlines.

People infected with the coronavirus report coughs, fever, and respiratory issues. Some extreme cases involve pneumonia. Antibiotics do not work against this viral attack on the immune system. Recovery primarily involves the strength of the immune system. The best weapon for the coronavirus and the flu begins with building a strong, proactive immune system.

One drop of blood contains five million red blood cells, seven thousand white blood cells, and thousands of platelets. These cells work feverishly to heal and defend the body against foreign invaders. The most amazing element of the process comes from the fact that the body adapts and responds naturally and without a conscious decision to do so. The entire process of adaptation and response operates under the direction of the central nervous system .

Scientists discovered the unique connection between the central nervous system and the immune system and continue to compile research and evidence about the process. Chiropractic plays a key role because of the spine’s relationship with immunity. Research shows that when the spine remains immobile of misaligned, the body operates in a heightened state of stress equivalent to being in battle. Operating in a heightened state of stress weakens rest, immunity, and growth within the nervous system. Gentle Chiropractic adjustments improve immunity by allowing the nervous system to function at maximum capacity for healing and repair. Chiropractic adjustments increase movement and improve alignment while reducing stress. Evidence shows that people who receive regular adjustments report stronger immunity after beginning Chiropractic care .

Research from 2010 determined that patients who received Chiropractic adjustments showed increased levels of a specific signaling molecule in the body called Interleukin-2. Interleukin-2 regulates the activities of white blood cells which are responsible for immunity. The molecule impacts the body's natural response to microbial infection and helps the body recognize and create specific responses that neutralize foreign invaders. This protein molecule was found to be higher in those who received Chiropractic spinal adjustments when compared to those who did not .

The primary focus of a Chiropractic adjustment does not center on treating a specific symptom or condition. The increased health and function from an adjustment represents an outcome which originates when interference is removed from the nervous system. While other professions focus on changing the environment to suit a weakened body, Chiropractic pursues strengthening the body to suit the environment .

Four Keys to Improving Immunity:

Stay on track with adjustments to keep the autonomic nervous system in balance.
Consume adequate amounts of Vitamin D, a major immune booster.
Add 30-60 minutes of extra sleep to the daily routine. Inadequate sleep depletes immunity.
Drink water and remove sugary drinks and snacks from the diet. Sugar drains immunity.
Move the body. Exercise increases lymphatic flow and provides significant immune benefits.

Chiropractic & OsteopathySeptember 2010

“ Interleukin 2-regulated in vitro antibody production following a single spinal manipulative treatment in normal subjects .”

JA Teodorczyk-Injeyan, M McGregor, R Ruegg, HS Injeyan

Staying Positive During Difficult Times

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 06 May 2020 20:58:55 GMT

It is easier to feel positive when everything is going well, but true positive thinking is revealed when you can maintain it difficult times. After all, it is then that you need it most.

It is safe to say that the barrage of constant news updates about the coronavirus can be depressing, unsettling, even destabilizing. Now more than ever, it's important to prioritize self-care and take the necessary steps to maintain mental, emotional, and physical health and remain attached to a sense of community.

Thankfully, there are ways to combat the feeling that you have lost control and are feeling gloomy. While times are unlike anything we have experienced before and options are limited, there are still some ways to keep positive mental health even while you're social distancing.

Staying Positive During Difficult Times

Start The Day Strong. When you feel overwhelmed it is easy to press the snooze button and try to avoid getting out of bed. It is important to start your day with the right frame of mine to successfully tackle what is ahead. Spend a few minutes meditating, read an uplifting passage, or turn on your favorite song. Find something that reminds you that you are positive and happy and let it carry you through the day.
Exercise. It's a proven fact that physical activity has a huge impact on your psychological well-being. Even better to take the activity outdoors when possible. Exercise happens to release chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. Getting some fresh air and letting your body absorb some sunlight and make vitamin D is also a great way to lift your spirits!
Avoid Prolonged Exposure To The Media. It is crucial to stay informed on the ever-changing updates and regulations regarding this pandemic, however, too much exposure can be detrimental to your mental health. Choose to keep track of only reliable sources that you trust and limit the time you spend viewing the information. Emotional and mental health will only suffer from extended exposure to the broadcast of trauma triggering feelings of anxiety, restlessness, helplessness, stress.
Stay Connected. It's crucial to remain in close contact with your family and loved ones outside your home and thankfully we have the technology these days to make that happen. Embrace what is available and email, text, call, and video-chat those that mean the most to you. This will help you avoid feeling isolated and disconnected especially if you take the time to discuss other topics besides the pandemic. The key is to stay positive and to lift each other up as best as possible during these difficult times and your mental well-being depends on it.
Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle. If you took the new fears and stress we are experiencing out of the equation, proper sleep, good nutrition, and exercise have all been important cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. This is more important than ever during these trying times! Keep your body strong and healthy by choosing to get enough sleep, eat a balanced healthy diet, and practice a regular exercise routine daily.
Practice Gratitude. Studies have shown that by taking the time to count your blessings, as opposed to your burdens, you can receive a 25% boost in happiness. Just a few moments to write in a journal or share with someone else all that you are grateful for will make you more focused on positive things. As a bonus, you may find more self-esteem and even improved sleep!

The Takeaway

Take time for yourself during these difficult and uncertain times in order to keep your mental health a top priority. These proactive measures will help you avoid falling into despair and depression.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. C ontact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Chiropractic, the Sympathetic Nervous System & the Immunity Influence

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 01 May 2020 09:47:27 GMT

No bodily system operates with more complexity than the immune system . A litany of cells and organs play significant roles in contributing to the body’s ability to adapt and be resilient under stress. Most of these functions involuntarily through the guidance of the central nervous system.

The immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens represent substances (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. The immune system recognizes and destroys substances which contain antigens.

The immune system recognizes when certain foreign invaders appear dangerous. Humans possess three types of immunity: innate, adaptive, and passive . Innate (naturally occurring) immunity comes programmed into babies at birth. Innate immunity provides a general type of protection. An example involves the skin acting as a barrier to block germs from entering the body. Adaptive (active) immunity develops throughout a person’s life. Adaptive immunity builds through exposure to diseases. Passive (borrowed) immunity involves temporarily borrowing protection from another source such as when an infant borrows from a mother through the consumption of breast milk.

Many cells and organs work together to protect the body. The primary organs involved in immunity include the thymus gland, spleen, adenoids, tonsils, lymphatic system, and bone marrow . The immune system ramps up whenever antigens and foreign substances trigger a defense warning. The immune system and dependent organs attack germs and helps keep people healthy.

Science and research demonstrate that all primary and secondary immune organs receive a substantial nerve supply from a specific part of the nervous system called the sympathetic nerves. The primary pathway for the neural regulation of immune function is provided by the sympathetic nervous system and its main neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system inhibits the activity of cells associated with the innate immune response.

All of this information becomes important to patients under Chiropractic care because spinal adjustments are shown to de-activate the sympathetic nervous system through the activation of the parasympathetic nerves. Chiropractic adjustments positively influence immunity by reducing the tone of the sympathetic nervous system. Chiropractic patients of all ages and gender experienced immunity benefits through adjustments. Over 100 years of evidence testifies to better health when the nervous system functions optimally . Chiropractors pursue a health care mission that provides life changing adjustments which influence numerous aspects of wellness and performance. Millions of people take a proactive stance on health care by seeking natural solutions and emphasizing maximum immunity with as few side effects as possible. A reactive approach to sickness invites fear and uncertainty. Chiropractors help their practice members be more prepared for the uncertainties by leading them to proactively build immunity and maximize health and performance.

The Journal of Neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience August 2007

“ The neurochemically diverse intermedius nucleus of the medulla as a source of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic input to the nucleus tractus solitarii .”

IJ Edwards, ML Dallas, SL Poole, CJ Milligan, Y Yanagawa, G Szabo, F Erdelyi, SA Deuchars, J Deuchars

$3 Million P.E.T. Scan Shows Significant Brain Changes after Chiropractic Adjustment

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 10:34:59 GMT

The benefits of Chiropractic adjustments extend far beyond neck and back pain relief.

Chiropractic adjustments improve healing to areas of the body seemingly unrelated to the spine. Science explains the connection. The spine intimately connects to the central nervous system. Alignment and movement of the spine provides necessary nutrients to the brain through tiny neurons that surround the joints and small tissue around the spine. Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress from the nervous system by improving the alignment and movement of spinal segments .

Scientific research proves a link between Chiropractic adjustments and improved sleep, better digestion, changes in fertility, stronger immunity, better breathing, improved attention and concentration, and so much more. Millions of Chiropractic patients experience a variety of benefits with regular adjustments. Chiropractors do not pursue the treatment of one specific ailment. Adjustments remove interference from the brain and central nervous system to allow the body to function as intended. Healing benefits manifest as an outcome.

Skeptics often ask for evidence-based trials and research when discussing the benefits of Chiropractic care. Over 120 years of healthy patients testify to healing which originated within the central nervous system. The last twenty years produced overwhelming amounts of clinical understanding that explain the mechanisms involved in the brain’s immense power to influence the body following an adjustment.

Research from 2017 provided insight into the profound effects a Chiropractic adjustment can have on the brain, nervous system function, and whole-body health. Using a $3 million P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) scan, researchers measured brain and nervous system activity before and after an adjustment. Every aspect of measured brain function improved in the participating subjects. Changes in specific biomarkers were also found, indicating improvements in autonomic nervous system health. Autonomic health includes functions which occur in the body automatically without conscious direction. Functions include heart rate, breathing, hormone balance, blood pressure, fertility, sleep, immunity, and so on. Chiropractic influences the brain and central nervous system and directly affects autonomic controls .

Building Chiropractic evidence already exists in a contemporary world in which conventional medical research and care looks for ways to improve nervous system function. Electroceuticals represent a new category of therapeutic agents that act by targeting the neural circuits of organs. The therapy involves mapping the neural circuitry and delivering neural impulses to these specific targets. The impulse occurs through an implantable device.

Advanced medical care will continue to involve nervous system health. The irony exists that modern medicine fervently pursues a means to improve health potential that already exists within the body. Chiropractors paved this avenue over 120 years ago. The body contains tremendous potential to perform, heal, and operate if given freedom and access to optimal communication. The medical community sees a future involving electronic devices and invasive procedures. Chiropractors continue to use the latest science to help people experience health and healing through safe, effective nervous system care .

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2017

“ Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy: A[18F]FDG PET Study. ”

A Inami, T Orgura, S Watanuki, MM Masud, K Shibuya, M Miyake, R Matsuda, K Hiraoka, M Itoh, AW Fuhr, K Yanai, M Tashiro

Bed-Wetting Helped by Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 09:59:43 GMT

Research Evaluated Chiropractic for Kids

Millions of children wake up in the morning with wet pajamas and wet sheets from undeveloped bladder control. Bed-wetting, officially known as enuresis, presents as a condition in a child age 5 or older who wet the bed at least one time each week. Most cases involve children who continue to wet the bed after infancy, but some do involve children who appeared to develop bladder control but regress back to regular wetting. Children do not generally wet the bed on purpose and a few sources and causes prove to be the general culprit. Chaotic emotions contribute to bed wetting at times, but most cases involve issues with the nervous system and sensory control of bladder function .

Children learn bladder control at different ages. Toddlers under the age of four often wet the beds or clothing because they cannot yet control their bladder. These control issues tend to resolve by age five or six and allow children to stay dry through the night. A healthy brain to body communication system provides a child with the best opportunity to control and coordinate proper bladder control. Chiropractic spinal adjustments empower children to improve and overcome enuresis. The spine and nervous system maintain responsibility for alerting a person when the bladder reaches capacity. Without this advanced warning within the body’s communication system, children find themselves compromised in repeated cases of bed wetting.

Numerous studies prove the influence of Chiropractic care on bed-wetting in children. Research published in 1994 and again in 2012 proved a significant link between bed-wetting and nervous system function. Children receiving regular Chiropractic adjustments to correct areas of spinal subluxation experienced a substantially higher rate of overcoming enuresis than children who did not get adjusted. A subluxation represents an alteration in the alignment and movement of a spinal vertebra . Subluxation creates imbalances in autonomic nervous system function, leading to interference between the brain and nervous system. One outcome of interference in a child’s communication system manifests in an inability to fully control the bladder. The autonomic nervous system directs all involuntary vital functions such as breathing, immunity, impulse control, and digestion.

An imbalance in the autonomic nervous system leads to altered physiology. This leads to a wide variety of symptoms and conditions, including bed-wetting. Science and research clearly prove that most babies and children risk acquiring subluxations through natural physical stressors like birth trauma, falls, and accidents. Children suffering from bed-wetting often feel ashamed or embarrassed. These emotions tend to lead to further mental and emotional problems as they develop. Parental frustration may even match that of the child. The solution begins with getting to the root cause of a condition like bed-wetting. A child needs to be empowered to control their body before they take ownership of resolving the issue . Chiropractic provides unique solutions backed by evidence-based research. Before seeking drug therapy or medicinal interventions, families and children deserve the chance to conquer bed wetting naturally by empowering the body’s natural ability to heal and overcome at the source. Chiropractic works.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

Nov-Dec 1994 “ Chiropractic Management of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis .

WR Reed, S Beavers, SK Reddy, G Kern

MRI Scans Show Adjustments Reduce Pain and Improve Brain Chemistry

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 07:40:02 GMT

A 2019 study showed that low back pain sufferers who engaged in Chiropractic adjustments experienced a significant reduction in pain. MRI findings also revealed that the same subjects experienced improved brain chemistry levels. Researchers split a group of low back pain sufferers in half and evaluated the benefits of Chiropractic adjustments compared to a placebo adjustment. The control group experienced a placebo (fake) adjustment to ensure that the control and variable groups remained unaware of who belonged to each group. The placebo adjustment group ultimately experienced no significant changes.

Back pain comprises the single leading cause of disability worldwide, preventing many people from engaging in work and other everyday activities. Back pain also represents one of the most common reasons for missed work. Half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain affects people of all ages from adolescents to the elderly . Low back pain results in the third most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, behind skin disorders and osteoarthritis.

Care for back pain comes at a tremendous cost. Back pain costs Americans at least $50 billion in health care expenses each year. Calculating lost wages and decreased productivity raises that figure to more than $100 billion. These significant statistics require a solution that addresses both root causes and methodology that produces proper healing. The most common medicinal method for addressing low back pain involves the consumption of NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and opioid drugs. These medications never address the root cause of low back pain and come bearing dangerous side effects. Opioid addiction ravages families and currently represents one of America’s most detrimental epidemics.

Chiropractic spinal adjustments produce healing results. Chiropractic adjustments accompany evidence-based research highlighting functional improvements in the body far beyond simple back pain relief. The spine and nervous system regulate healing and performance. A properly operating nervous system improves brain function and many other aspects of health. The 2019 study proved that the benefits of Chiropractic may have produced low back pain relief but extended far beyond pain relief and range of motion .

Results of the research also showed significant improvements in brain metabolites for the group who received a Chiropractic adjustment. The results of the study determined that patients suffering from chronic low back pain who engaged in consecutive weeks of Chiropractic adjustments experienced significant relief from pain and functional disability. Science and research continue to broadcast what Chiropractors have witnessed in patients for over 100 years. Spinal care provides healing outcomes at the source of pain and injury. Back pain represents one of the many symptoms that encounter relief and healing through the natural care available through Chiropractic care .

Irish Journal of Medical Science November 2019

“ The effect of spinal manipulation on brain neurometabolites in chronic nonspecific low back pain patients: a randomized clinical trial .”

D Didehdar, F Kamali, AK Yoosefinejad, M Lotfi

Should I Go to a Chiropractor After a Car Accident in St. Pete, FL?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 13:14:02 GMT

Have you been asking yourself, “Should I go to a chiropractor after a car accident in St. Pete, FL?” Here are 11 smart reasons why the answer is definitely yes!

If you've been in a recent car accident, it's understandable to have some questions. You might be curious whether you need to visit a chiropractor after car accident injuries.

Well, the good news is you've come to the right place by reading this article. Detailed below are eleven key reasons you should visit a chiropractor after the accident.

After all, there's a reason so many people trust chiropractor services in the first place. Consider the following fact about chiropractors throughout the United States. It states that in the year 2019, the industry made $16 billion in revenue .

A proper chiropractor treatment can be great for you in many ways. This is true for both your personal health and your potential legal case regarding the accident.

Make sure you're giving yourself the best chance of healing after the wreck. Keep reading to see how a trip to the chiropractor could benefit.

1. Your Chiropractor Will Document Any Accident-Related Injuries

If you're expecting a legal battle as the result of a car accident, you need to see a chiropractor. He or she will be able to record official documentation of any accident-related injuries.

This is of particular importance if you are the victim of a car accident and are seeking a settlement. Your chiropractor's potential diagnosis will be of real value at that time.

2. Take Responsibility For Your Own Healing

There's a more meaningful reason to visit the chiropractor after a car accident, too. Doing so indicates that you care about your personal health and wellness.

Take charge of your own healing process and listen to your chiropractor's advice, as well. With that dedication to getting better, you'll be back to normal in no time.

3. A Diagnosis Is Worth The Visit

As mentioned above, a professional diagnosis of any accident-related injury can be of great value in court. In addition, that diagnosis could help you move through your healing process more efficiently. Your chiropractor's expertise will be able to guide you to make the most of your continued treatment.

4. Prevent Long-Term Injuries Due To The Car Accident

Often, car accidents have the potential to cause chronic, long-term pain for victims. In order to avoid this, it's worthwhile to visit the chiropractor on a regular basis. He or she will be able to start treating any accident-related symptoms before they become a more severe problem for you.

5. Chiropractic Treatment Is Non-Invasive And Drug-Free

One of the most convenient benefits of chiropractic treatment is that of avoiding surgery. This non-invasive and drug-free healing process attracts many holistic patients. If that's something you're interested in for treating your car accident injuries, contact your local chiropractor today.

6. It's Successful In Treating Body Pain

Of course, it's hard to overestimate the value of living without pain. After a car accident, you'll do whatever it takes to get rid of any associated pain.

That's why so many people seek a chiropractor's touch after an accident. Even medical experts suggest that proper chiropractor treatment can ease lower back pain , for instance.

7. Plan A Visit After An Accident Even If You Don't Seem Injured

Perhaps you're not even feeling associated pain from a car accident. Well, it's still in your best interest to schedule a chiropractor appointment.

Not all accident-related injuries can be apparent to an untrained eye. Your chiropractor might find an internal injury that needs treatment. Either way, it's worth getting checked out once you've been in a bad wreck.

8. His Or Her Expertise Will Be Invaluable To Your Peace Of Mind

At the end of the day, you deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing your body is healed or healing after a big wreck. Plus, being able to talk to someone professional after the car accident never hurts your personal sense of security.

That's why during your visit to the chiropractor, make sure you ask plenty of questions. You and your chiropractor should be on the same page as far as your diagnosis and treatment plan. The more you understand, the more you can help your own healing process along.

9. You Can Find A Reliable Chiropractor In St. Petersburg, Florida

The fortunate thing about chiropractor services is that you can find well-trained and dedicated experts near you. Take the time to research chiropractors in your local area.

Also, check out any potential online reviews or testimonials from previous clients . Doing so could give you insight as to whether you can expect a positive experience from that chiropractor, too.

10. Chiropractic Treatment Can Increase Your Range of Motion

Many people choose to go to their chiropractor on a regular basis. One reason to do so is to maximize your personal range of motion.

A chiropractic treatment targets the inner-workings of your body's muscles and joints. As these areas get this attention, they become more flexible and able to move around. This is invaluable when it comes to an active lifestyle.

11. Continue Seeing The Chiropractor Even After Your Accident

Another thing to consider is whether you should go to the chiropractor even after you've healed from the accident. Well, the short answer is, "Yes!".

Develop a long-term relationship with your dedicated St. Petersburg chiropractor, in fact. That way, you can have a medical professional stay in tune with your body's needs and strengths throughout the future.

Visit A Chiropractor After Car Accident Injuries

At this point in the article, you have a thorough understanding of why visiting a chiropractor is beneficial. It's even more important to see a chiropractor after car accident injuries.

Doing so will not only help your back and core heal after the jarring car wreck. In addition, it's worthwhile to have a medical professional check out your condition. That way, you can have potential injuries on record as evidence in your upcoming court case.

So, visit your local chiropractor in St. Petersburg, Florida, sooner rather than later. In fact, that's where we can come into play. We prioritize bringing patients like you the most reliable chiropractor services on the market.

For that reason, we encourage you to browse through the rest of our website today. To start, check out more details about our chiropractor services available to you after a car accident.

Have any questions? Want to schedule an appointment? We'd love to hear from you, so get in touch today!

Research Reveals That Adjustments Minimize Migraine Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 10:43:55 GMT

Recent health related news examined the idea that the medical community does not currently offer migraine headache sufferers the attention and care they deserve. Critics believe that migraine care receives little attention because the disease simply defeats the current medical community. The complex cause of migraine headaches evades medical research. Treatments tend to involve pain relief rather than healing an underlying cause. Chiropractic care offers a proven approach that produces a more beneficial long-term outcome than medical care.

Migraines comprise the third most prevalent illness in the world, affecting 12% of the US population. Nearly 40 million Americans and a billion people worldwide suffer from migraines. Those numbers equate to one in every seven people living with regular migraines . Migraines also rank as the second most-debilitating disease on the planet after back pain. More than 20% of chronic migraine sufferers classify as disabled and the likelihood of becoming disabled increases as more associated conditions grow.

Migraines most commonly occur between the ages of 18-44 years and affect men, women, and children. Only 6% of men experience migraines compared to 18% percent of women, amounting to about 28 million women in the United States. Approximately 10% of children suffer from migraines.

A migraine classifies as a recurrent, throbbing headaches which include moderate to severe pain which can last up to three days. Migraine sufferers also report symptoms that include photophobia (light sensitivity), phonophobia (anxiety disorder/fear of loud sounds), and nausea.

Most migraine sufferers experience the condition as a chronic disease that significantly decreases their quality of life. Migraines date back for thousands of years. Historical treatments over centuries include wrapping the patient's head with ground-up earthworms to bloodletting. Contemporary treatment usually involves the consumption of powerful and dangerous pharmaceutical drugs. Overuse of medication represents the most common reason episodic migraines turn chronic.

Research published in 2015 focused on a superior solution. Spinal adjustments provided better long-term health compared to the use of migraine medications . The medical community tends to quickly prescribe the latest drugs to migraine sufferers without researching and exploring recently published findings that detail other safer and more effective solutions. The 2015 research showed that patients who received upper cervical manual care reduced their drug consumption by 80%, days of migraines per month by 97%, and pain and functional disability associated with migraines by 100%.

Migraine headache sufferers experience some of the worst pain imaginable. The pain and agony experienced by migraine sufferers extends far beyond a mild stress headache. Migraines literally shut a person to the point where numbing consciousness with harsh pharmaceuticals seems the only escape. Some of the most potent drugs on the market advertise themselves as solutions to migraine headaches. A solution seems to imply healing, but no healing comes from taking pills. Chiropractors offer a different approach focused on addressing underlying causes and the link between the spine and central nervous system function. Migraine sufferers deserve to understand and experience a healing solution focused on a future free from pain and suffering. The benefits start with Chiropractic .

Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2015

“ Clinical Effectiveness of Osteopathic Treatment in Chronic Migraine: 3-Armed randomized Controlled Trial .”

F Cerritelli, L Ginevri, G Messi, E Caprari, M Di Vincenzo, C Renzetti, V Cozzolino, G Barlafante, N Foshci, L Provinciali

The Power Of Positive Thinking

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:19:43 GMT

Whether it's from our TV screens phones, or our social media feeds, it can seem that negativity is everywhere we look. Sometimes, negativity begins with the thoughts we generate in our heads, creating a negative outlook on everything. Regardless of where it comes from, negativity can feel unavoidable, leaving you feeling uncertain and miserable. However, feeling this way is unnecessary when you can reap the benefits of positive thinking.

4 Benefits Of Positive Thinking

Stronger Immune System. It's proven that your mind affects your body, whether it is in a positive way or a negative way. In one study, researchers found that when negative emotions are activated in different areas in the brain, a weaker immune response to a flu vaccine was the result. It was also found that people who thought positively about a specific part of their lives, such as how well they were performing in a certain sport, were able to enjoy the benefits of a stronger immune response than a person who typically has a negative outlook on specific parts of their lives.
Stress Relief . Those who think more positively are able to cope with stressful situations more effectively than those who think negatively. In one study, researchers found that when optimistic thinkers encounter disappointment in either their professional or personal life, they are more likely to focus on finding a solution. However, pessimistic thinkers most likely assume that there is no solution, leading them to do nothing to change it.
Lower Cholesterol. Unfortunately, high cholesterol is an issue for a large portion of Americans. It's true that diet and exercise are a great way to lower your cholesterol, but did you know that by simply being optimistic, you can lower your cholesterol? It's true and so simple everyone can benefit.
Healthy Relationships. Those who think more optimistically and keep an open mind are able to make a better first impression on others, making them capable of not just having a lot of friends but friends that play a positive role in their life. Naturally, people usually are attracted to optimistic thinkers as their happiness is often times contagious, leading them to acquire a very active social life.

Ways to Achieve a Positive Mindset

Avoid Talking Negatively About Yourself. Self-talk involves what you are mentally telling yourself. This is the voice inside your mind that closely analyzes everything you do, from how well or how poorly you perform in a certain situation to how you interact with your environment and with others. If that voice is only focused on negative thoughts, you will develop a negative self-image. However, this unhealthy pattern can, thankfully, be broken. One way to break the pattern is to pay close attention to when negative thoughts creep up on you and then take the initiative to create more positive thoughts. Paying attention to your inner voice and how you talk to yourself is a big step toward thinking more positively, as it allows you to start making healthy changes in your thought patterns and gain a more optimistic view of your own behaviors, thus breaking the pattern.
Chose To Let Failures Be Lessons Learned. Nobody is perfect, so you shouldn't expect yourself to be. You will inevitably make mistakes and have shortcomings, just like everyone else, whether they want to admit it or not. When shortcomings occur, turn your focus from how you failed on to how you can do better next time you face a similar situation. In other words, learn from your failures as you can use those lessons throughout the rest of your life. This skill will surely set you up for future successes.
Surround Yourself With Positive People. When you surround yourself with positive people their positivity will rub off on you, and vice versa. Think of this as a chain reaction. The positive outlooks that others possess will affect your thinking in a positive way, leading your outlook to similarly contribute to others that have a place in your life. If you do what you can to think positively and let your happiness rub off on others, their positivity will affect you in the same way. Simply put, when you practice positivity, there are great benefits to reap in return.
Practice Gratitude . There is always a ton of things to be upset about, especially when we are in a search for things to be angry about. Sometimes, when we get ourselves in an unhappy funk, it can be hard to get ourselves out of it. However, it is entirely up to us what we want to focus on. Practicing gratitude is one way to train your brain to focus on the positive things in life. Gratitude allows us to feel and express how thankful we are for the positive aspects of our lives, such as people, successes, and experiences. When we practice gratitude for even the little things in our day-to-day lives, we are able to find purpose and satisfaction in our lives.

The Takeaway

There are plenty of health and personal benefits that come with having a positive outlook, however, it is the way you go about achieving this mindset that you should consider. It's normal to be sad sometimes, it's inevitable. But, adopting a positive mindset is critical for opening your mind to appreciate the big and little things in life.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Flu Cases Abnormally High This Year

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 04:03:30 GMT

Keys To Minimizing Your Risk

Experts warn that an extremely severe flu season waits on the horizon. Winter just began yet medical experts anticipate a potentially record setting flu season. Medical scientists and doctors suggest that the main cause of the increase in flu cases attributes to the strain of influenza B present in communities. The strain tends to be very unusual during this time of year.

Doctors and researchers categorize the typical flu season as starting in October and running through March. The season commonly starts with cases of influenza A with cases of influenza B surfacing later on . Both share similar symptoms, but influenza B occurs less frequently, and people have fewer stores of antibodies to fight that specific strain. Influenza B also serves as the culprit for rising reports of pediatric flu.

People tend to associate flu with the winter season, but flu viruses transmit through the population all year round. Cold temperatures in winter usually lead to dryer air and dehydrated mucous membranes. The body weakens and becomes less effective at defending against respiratory sinus infections. Other factors contribute as well. Sunlight, food choices, and active movement all factor into the body’s defense and immune systems. These fall under the category of lifestyle choices .

Less exposure to the sun occurs in winter and reduces Vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D serves as a critical component in the fight against disease . Winter naturally limits exposure to sunlight. The same winter conditions often limit movement and outdoor exercise and regular movement. A stagnant lifestyle immobilizes blood and lymph tissue. Stagnant fluids create a breeding ground for disease and viruses. Consuming sugar also increases inflammation and lowers immune capacity. Holiday eating creates long periods of bad habits and contributes to the perfect storm of lowering defenses while increasing the presence of disease. The formula makes December and January the hotbed for flu cases .

A key component in increasing immune capacity comes from movement and the spine. The alignment and mobility of the bones in the spine maintain an intimate connection with the brain, central nervous system, and immune system . This connection means that spinal movement and adjustments directly influence immunity. Research confirms this positive impact. A study in 2010 confirmed that one single spinal adjustment increased specific immune-fighting antibodies that help fight off or prevent infections. Interleukin-2, a protein that regulates the activities of immune-fighting white blood cells, showed immediate increases following a Chiropractic spinal adjustment. The research supports evidence that Chiropractic patients report fewer sick days after starting Chiropractic care.

The keys to improving immunity in the winter months include getting adequate amounts of vitamin D, increasing water consumption, limiting sugar intake, maintain regular exercise and movement sessions, and staying on track with regular Chiropractic adjustments. The flu comes knocking during wintertime more than any time of year. The best defense begins with proactive preparation that ensures optimal opportunities for a healthy season.

Chiropractic & Osteopathy September 2010
“ Interlukin 2-regulated in vitro antibody production following a single spinal manipulative treatment in normal subjects .”

JA Teodorczyk-Injeyan, M McGregor, R Ruegg, HS Injeyan

More People Choosing Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 03:38:11 GMT

Numbers and Research Reveal Advantages for Those Under Chiropractic Care

Henry Ford played a significant role in bringing the automobile to the world. Bill Gates helped make the computer more user-friendly and took technology use to another level through the creation of Microsoft. Steve Jobs advanced functional capacity of the phone and revolutionized the way most people communicate, send, and receive information. The majority of advances in the world originated with the inspiration and work of a single person . This fact speaks to the amazing ability of the human mind to conceive and cultivate ideas that turn into products and practices which make the world a better place.

Healthcare also experienced significant shifts and progress over the last 150 years. Technological advances, better research, and a greater understanding of how the body works helped create healthcare strategies never before seen or experienced. One of the largest healthcare professions making a major societal impact over the last 100 years comes from the science of Chiropractic . Utilizing Chiropractic care began accelerating as more and more people searched for natural health solutions outside of drugs and surgery.

Chiropractic represents the third largest primary healthcare profession in the United States, following only physicians and dentists. Chiropractic care serves as the largest, most regulated, and best recognized of the complementary and alternative healthcare professions . A major component that triggered an increased investment in Chiropractic came directly from science and research involving patient outcomes. Many patients initiate a relationship with a Chiropractor due to head, back, and neck pain. Caring for the nervous system and spine produced compelling evidence that nervous system care actually impacts symptoms and problems seemingly unrelated to the spine. Continued research showed that this evidence existed dating as far back as 1895. Chiropractic started when a deaf man experienced hearing restoration after receiving a series of Chiropractic adjustments. The overwhelming evidence began to advocate that all people of all ages should make nervous system care a priority.

Recent research shows that 67% of patients who utilized Chiropractic care report an improvement in overall health accompanied by feeling better. Improvements in sleep, stress reduction, greater sense of physiological control, emotional balance, and increased performance represent some of the many benefits reported after beginning Chiropractic. 62% of people who engage in regular nervous system maintenance reported that their main reason for seeing a Chiropractor began from a desire to find causal solutions to health problems rather than treatment for symptoms. Every health problem begins with a root cause. Chiropractic empowers the body to pursue healing and wellness .

Documented research spanning the last ten years helps explain why Chiropractic patients achieve such great results. Science reveals an intimate connection existing between spinal health and brain function. Chiropractors assess the spine for areas of nervous system stress and deliver adjustments to improve the communication from the brain to the body. Health and human performance improve when the brain optimally regulates bodily function. Chiropractic continues to gain momentum as a primary health care option for children and adults as the desire for drugless wellness solutions increases.

Spine (Philadelphia PA 1976) December 1, 2017

“ The Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors of Chiropractic Use Among US Adults: Results from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey .”

J Adams, W Peng, H Cramer, T Sundberg, C Moore, L Amorin-Woods, D Sibbritt, R Lauche

Poor Posture Negatively Influences Autonomic Function

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:18:57 GMT

Posture influences so many aspects of life, health and performance. Research even shows that proper posture uniquely and positively influences the effectiveness of communication . Some experts believe that people equate good posture with confidence and the ability to protect. The company and presence of such people breeds trust and credibility.

Texting, smartphone usage, computer focused jobs, and sitting at a desk represent a few of the stressors that negatively influence posture. Sedentary living, sitting at work, and technology use infect society more now than at any time in history . Estimates show that some teenagers spend up to 5000 hours on a smartphone or device every year. The damaging combination of sitting and technology produce dramatic consequences.

New research from 2020 shows that poor posture negatively influences sensory motor and autonomic functions. This means that poor posture between the head and shoulders interrupts proper muscle control and autonomic nervous system functions. Heart rate, pulse, respiration, digestion, reproduction, and immunity comprise a few examples of autonomic nervous system functions. Posture directly influences autonomic function and interferes with the body’s ability to maintain appropriate muscle and motor balance. The medical community tends to address the effects of pain and dysfunction created by poor posture through medications or surgery. The bigger issue remains the need for correction rather than sedation of pain.

Chiropractors help improve the health of the spine and posture for people of all ages and walks of life. The value and importance of Chiropractic care began skyrocketing with the invention of smartphones and a reliance on computers in both the workplace and home . New research from 2020 evaluated the relationship between head and shoulder positioning and their effect on human health. Findings revealed that forward head posture negatively affects neck sensorimotor control and autonomic nervous system function. The simple assessment determined that a head resting in any forward position dramatically damages body function. The results of the study point out the significance of posture as it relates to organ health and control.

Chiropractic care focuses on improving the structure and function of the spine through improved posture. The single most significant influence of poor posture on function stems from head position on the spine. Forward head position in 15-degree intervals creates exponential long-term damage. As the head extends forward, the spine loses proper position, neck joints degenerate more rapidly, and autonomic organ function deteriorates .

One of the most important recommendations for anyone working a desk job or spending large amounts of time on a computer or phone involves regular and consistent Chiropractic care. The purpose of a Chiropractic adjustment does not involve the specific treatment of isolated pain. Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress in the spine and removing interference from the nervous system. Whole body health improves through optimized autonomic nervous system function. Proper posture allows the body to maximize innate potential . Chiropractic care will continue to become more and more popular as studies reveal the value of adjustments far beyond pain relief. Technology advances society yet damages the priceless possession of health. Chiropractic provides the solution to a healthier tomorrow free from drugs and surgery.

Gait & Posture - March 2020

“ Is forward head posture relevant to autonomic nervous system function and cervical sensorimotor control? Cross Sectional Study .”

I M Moustafa, A Youssef, A Ahbouch, M Tamim, D E Harrison

Study Links Babies Born Via C-Section to Chronic Diseases – Can Chiropractic Help?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 06:59:50 GMT

Millions of mothers prepare to give birth every year. Childbirth represents one of the most amazing moments and gifts experienced by any parent. Expecting mothers and fathers usually respond to questions about a preferred baby gender with greater hopes that the baby comes out healthy and with all fingers and toes accounted for. Parents tend to value a healthy delivery over all other variables.

A recent study evaluated two million full term children born via cesarean (C-Section). The study analyzed chronic immune disease records over a 30-year period. The study concluded that children delivered via C-section experienced significantly increased risk of asthma, systemic connective tissue disorders, juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune deficiencies, and leukemia compared to non-cesarean delivered infants.

Two primary mechanisms help explain why chronic disease and C-section birth have a direct relationship. The first pertains to mechanical stress placed on the upper cervical spine of the baby during the birth. This type of stress has proven to interfere with central nervous system function through vertebral subluxation in the upper neck. The second component of a C-section birth contributing to poor health outcomes involves disruption of the digestive system. A major aspect of immune health directly connects to the balance of bacteria and living organisms in the lining of the gut. A baby born vaginally consumes an all-important number of bacteria utilized in the beginning moments of life outside the womb. The bacteria create a specific layer of digestive chemicals and enzymes critical to brain and immune health.

Both issues must be assessed and addressed in children born via C-section in order to minimize or avoid preventable illness. Proper gut assessment and nutritional recommendations for a nursing mother improve gut health in a baby. Scientifically trained Chiropractors use skillful processes to improve mechanical spine-related abnormalities which influence the nervous system. Spinal health plays a significant role in human health because of an intimate connection between the brain and central nervous system. Most healthcare professionals misunderstand the power existing within the structure, function, and overall health of the spine. These components directly relate to all aspects of human health for all ages, especially during the formational days and years of a newborn.

Chiropractors specialize in improving function of the nervous system by detecting and correcting vertebral subluxation in adults, children, and infants. This 30-year study linking chronic disease and C-sections proves a need for all newborns to have a life changing Chiropractic spinal evaluation soon after birth. Parents value a healthy birth above all else during those tense moments in the delivery room. Research proves that a healthy birthday need only be the first of many days full of vibrant life for a every child of the next generation. Chiropractic care works alongside healthy lifestyle recommendations to play a significant role in reversing the effects of delivery stress. Unlock unlimited health potential for children of any age by partnering with Chiropractic care.

Pediatrics January 2015

“ Cesarean section and chronic immune disorders .” A Sevelsted, J Stokholm, K Bonnelykke, H Bisgaard

Chiropractic Proves More Effective Than Medical Care For Spinal, Hip and Shoulder Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 06:37:50 GMT

The benefits of Chiropractic spinal adjustments extend far beyond the relief of pain. Evidence exists for over 100 years that shows infants, children, and adults of all ages experience life-changing benefits from Chiropractic care. Improvements in sleep, digestion, fertility, breathing, immunity, and heart health represent just a few of the many benefits achieved through the achievement of proper spinal alignment and function.

Doctors and scientists provide extension research and explanation for why many Chiropractic patients experience health benefits that people do not normally attribute to the spine. Every organ in the body operates under the control of the central nervous system. Spinal alignment directly influences the health of the autonomic nervous system because of the spine’s intimate relationship with the brain . The far-ranging benefits of Chiropractic care provide a health care option that continues to rise in numbers as people seek an alternative to medical treatments involving drugs and surgery.

Most initial visits to a Chiropractor relate to a musculoskeletal complaint. Spinal pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, and hip pain tend to be the reason for a first visit. A study published in 2015 followed 403 patients with spinal pain, hip pain, or shoulder pain. These patients visited a medical doctor while a separate group of 316 people suffering similar ailments chose a Chiropractor as an initial health care provider.

The outcomes proved compelling from both a remedy and cost efficiency perspective . The patients who initially consulted a medical doctor experienced less reduction in their pain and reported less satisfied with the care received compared to those who saw Chiropractors. The average cost per patient over four months of care also ended up being $368 less for patients consulting Chiropractors.

Education and understanding continue to grow amongst a growing population of people who become exposed to the life changing benefits of Chiropractic care. Many people still remain unaware that nervous system care provides a healthy and safe alternative to surgeries and dangerous drugs. Chiropractors take pride in providing care that improves patient outcomes by honoring the internal wisdom of the body. Millions of satisfied patients trust their health to one of the top health strategies available in most every community.

Seeking Chiropractic care for spinal, hip, or shoulder pain achieves better results for less cost than trips to a medical doctor. Chiropractic care also offers a safer pathway to health with fewer risks of side effects. Many patients choose to turn their initial Chiropractic visit into a long-term relationship focused on optimal overall health. The health benefits of nervous system care combine with a cost-effective approach that benefits entire families . Chiropractors certainly come to the aid of those suffering from pain, but the Chiropractic profession will always remain focused on unlocking optimal long-term health and performance.

Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapies September 2015

“ First-Contact care with a medical vs chiropractic provider after consultation with a swiss telemedicine provider: comparison of outcomes, patient satisfaction, and health care costs in spinal, hip, and shoulder pain patients .” TA Houweling, AV Braga, T Hausheer, M Vogelsang, C Peterson, BK Humphreys

How to Find the Best Chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 22:50:33 GMT

Are the aches and pains throughout your body starting to slow you down? That tension could impact your overall quality of life.

There are over 34,740 chiropractic offices in the country available to assess, treat, and care for patients who are in pain. By scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor St. Petersburg, FL residents trust, you can ease your pain and get back to your life. Otherwise, your chronic pain could lead to more severe problems in the future.

Not sure how to find a St. Petersburg chiropractor?

Keep reading this guide to learn how to choose a chiropractor and receive the best care possible!

1. Get Referrals

When looking for a chiropractor St. Petersburg, FL residents already trust, ask around! Speak with family, friends, or even your primary care doctor for recommendations. Their previous experience can help you start building a list.

Speak with your friends and family members about the chiropractors they visited.

Were they kind and professional? Were they easy to understand? Do they tend to rush their patients out the door?

The more you understand about someone else's experience, the more likely you can picture your own.

As you begin narrowing down your list, make sure to call each chiropractor's office. Then, check and see if the chiropractor is accepting new patients. If they're not, cross them off your list.

If they are accepting new patients, consider scheduling an appointment to meet and interview the chiropractor.

You don't have to schedule an adjustment at this time. Instead, ask if you can speak with the chiropractor about your needs. That way, you can get a better feel for who they are.

2. Research Their Credentials

During this research stage, you'll want to check the chiropractor's credentials. After all, you want to find a professional, trusted chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL.

When you're choosing between chiropractors, look for their licensure. This indicates they've completed the necessary training to provide top-notch service. Otherwise, you need to keep looking for a chiropractor with the necessary skill and experience.

Confirm the chiropractor has a clean record, too. You can check online to see if they have a history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.

State websites usually include each chiropractor's:

Medical school

Training hospital

Certifications

Malpractice and disciplinary history

You can use Healthgrades.com to research the chiropractor's credentials and experience.

The more you know about their credentials, the more likely you've have peace of mind.

3. Search for Experience

Chiropractors treat about 27 million Americans every year. In fact, a chiropractic adjustment is performed about one million times every business day in the country.

Literal hands-on experience is important when choosing a chiropractor. Without proper experience, their spinal manipulations might do you more harm than good. The more experience they have with your condition and specific procedures, the better their results.

When you speak with the chiropractor, ask them how many patients they've treated. How many had your specific condition? If you require a certain procedure, ask how often the chiropractor has performed that procedure on their own.

Make sure to learn about complication rates as well to ensure you understand the risks.

4. Consider Your Comfort

When you visit a chiropractor St. Petersburg, FL residents trust, it's important you trust them, too.

Make sure you're comfortable discussing your personal information with the chiropractor. You should also feel comfortable allowing them to trust you. Otherwise, they won't be able to perform the necessary spinal manipulations for your treatment.

Some chiropractors have specialties, such as prenatal chiropractic care. Ask the chiropractor about their training and if they have experience related to your condition or a certain specialty.

5. Love the Location

Once you start narrowing down the list of chiropractors, make sure they're located in an area that's convenient for you. After all, you won't want to drive across town for regular treatments. Instead, make sure they're located in an area you feel comfortable traveling to for appointments.

6. Consider Communication

When you first speak with the chiropractor, make a note of their communication skills. Did they listen to the problems you're experiencing? Did they answer your questions clearly?

You'll want to find a chiropractor in St. Petersburg, Fl who takes the time to know you. That way, they'll understand your comfort level and treatment preferences.

You also want a chiropractor who will respect your decisions regarding your treatment.

7. Review the Reviews

Feel free to check online for testimonials from other patients .

Reading what other patients have to say about a chiropractor can give you further insight into how they operate. Try to learn as much as you can about the:

Wait times

Office environment

Office staff's friendliness

Chiropractor's experience

These reviews will indicate how much the patients trust their chiropractor. If you have any questions, consider replying to the reviews to learn more from these patients.

8. Know What Your Insurance Covers

Your insurance coverage is an important consideration when you choose a chiropractor as well. Try to choose a chiropractor who participates in your plan to receive the most insurance benefits. That way, you'll have to pay the least out-of-pocket amount possible for the care you receive.

9. Interview Them Yourself

If you don't want to request an in-office consultation, see if you can interview the chiropractor over the phone. During this time, consider asking about the chiropractor, their clinic, and the techniques they use for treatment.

If you can't speak with the chiropractor, use the phone call as a chance to speak with their staff. Here are a few questions you can ask during the interview:

Does the chiropractor have a specific undergraduate or postgraduate specialty
How many years has the doctor practiced as a chiropractor?
Do patients feel comfortable talking with the chiropractor?
Is the chiropractor friendly
Does the chiropractor fully answer questions?

You can also ask about availability, office hours, insurance coverage, and about any other concerns you have.

9 Tips for Finding a Chiropractor St. Petersburg, FL

When searching for a chiropractor St. Petersburg, FL residents already love and trust, review this guide. These tips can help you find a St. Petersburg chiropractor who is qualified to meet your needs. Once you make an appointment, you can say goodbye to your chronic pain and hello to healthier living!

Ready to meet your chiropractor? Get in touch with us today!

Prenatal Pain: 7 Ways Chiropractic Care Can Help During Pregnancy

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 13:30:16 GMT

If you have ever been pregnant — or if you have ever lived with a pregnant woman — you know all too well that it can cause a whole host of aches, pains, complaints, and cravings. Particularly in the last trimester, a pregnant woman may find it difficult to move around or find a comfortable position, whether sitting or lying down. Her bones, joints, and muscles are taking a beating thanks to the increased pressure of the growing fetus.

There are many ways to combat this discomfort and pain. Having their partner provide a massage, or having a professional massage therapist tend to them, is very beneficial to pregnant women. So is floating in the water; the weightlessness eases the pressure on her body and allows her to relax. There's also chiropractic care during pregnancy. You might be surprised to hear of the benefits that a chiropractic adjustment can provide during this exciting time. Let's take a closer look!

Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes! According to the American Pregnancy Association , there are no contraindications for chiropractic treatment during any of a woman's trimesters. In fact, it's often recommended as an alternative to pain-relief medications that could potentially harm the unborn baby.

It's a good idea to seek out a chiropractor who specializes in pre- and post-natal care. They will have special equipment designed for the treatment of pregnant women. Of course, they'll have plenty of valuable experience, as well. A good chiropractor also understands that this type of care is a partnership. Therefore, they'll recommend exercises and stretches for the pregnant patient to do at home, between adjustments.

1. Relief from Back Pain

Those who have experienced pregnancy first- or second-hand know how badly a woman's back can ache during this time. In fact, back pain is so commonplace that all forms of media routinely portray moms-to-be as holding their lower back as they walk -- or waddle, as the case may be.

Back pain in pregnant women is due to increased pressure on the lumbar spine. This is exactly the type of issue that chiropractic can successfully treat. By helping the body achieve proper spinal and skeletal alignment, chiropractic can be a godsend when it comes to relieving pregnancy pain.

2. Easing Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatica is a specific type of back pain, caused by irritation of the nerves in the lower back. This can cause a sharp pain, a constant ache, or some combination of the two. Since the affected nerves run all the way down to the feet, the pain often extended into the leg. Chiropractic treatment for sciatica is similar to that for general back pain, but may also address the bones of the leg in addition to the spinal subluxation.

3. Strengthening the Immune System

People who aren't familiar with chiropractic care are often surprised to hear that it has such wide-ranging benefits to the entire body, not just the spine and bones. Misalignments in the skeletal system contribute directly to issues in the nervous system. This, in turn, prevents the nerves and the body to communicate with one another.

By addressing the misaligned spine and joints, chiropractic care can give patients a boost in their immune system . It's all part of the holistic healing from the inside out that can happen with this treatment.

4. Nausea Is Kept in Check

Similarly, having regular chiropractic adjustments can help reduce nausea and so-called "morning sickness" (which pregnant women are well aware can occur at any time of the day). A healthy, strong nervous system is one that will be less susceptible to nausea and vomiting.

5. Reposition a Breech Baby

The optimal position for a baby in the womb is head-down. This makes for a much easier birth for everyone involved. However, some babies don't get into the position, while others may be head-down as birth nears but then move so that they are bottom-down. This is called a breech presentation.

How can chiropractic care help with breech babies? It's all about the pelvis. Over the course of the pregnancy, the bones in that part of the body move and shift in response to the growing fetus. The result can be a narrow or constricting pelvic region that isn't spacious enough for the baby to turn itself. A chiropractic adjustment will gently re-align the bones that have shifted out of place. This creates more space in the pelvis that allows the baby to move into a head-down position before birth.

6. Help with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

"Symphysis pubis dysfunction" refers to a group of symptoms in the pelvis that occur as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. A hormone called "relaxin" causes the ligaments attached to the pelvic joint to, well, relax. The joints are therefore looser and more mobile. This a boon during childbirth, but painful beforehand.

Chiropractic adjustments can help by temporarily realigning the pelvic joints. The ligaments will remain more malleable than normal. It won't affect your ability to give birth, but it will ease your pain in the meantime.

7. Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Is Relaxing!

Last but certainly not least, many women find chiropractic care very relaxing. Carrying around a growing fetus inside your body is hard work! Although some of the discomforts of pregnancy are simply unavoidable, others can be alleviated by bodywork.

Some pregnant women like to schedule a massage either directly before or after their chiropractic treatment for a double dose of pampering and relief!

Interested in Trying Chiropractic Care for Yourself?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can be a real lifesaver. But of course, the benefits of chiropractic adjustments are not limited to women who are with child. Almost everyone can benefit from the gentle manipulation that chiropractors employ, including babies. Whether you have back pain, a stiff or sore neck, a pinched nerve in your shoulders, a chronic condition such as arthritis, or issues with your immune system, give chiropractic a try.

Have any questions? Want to schedule an appointment? We'd love to hear from you, so get in touch today!

How Safe is Chiropractor

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 06:52:21 GMT

Insurance companies complete the best liability studies to evaluate risk assessment and determine potential for accident or injury. Malpractice insurance premiums for healthcare providers originate based on the risk or opportunity for risk of accidents, injuries, or damage. The safety of Chiropractic undergoes scrutiny by the most non-biased criteria and from insurers with a great deal of investment at stake. The potential for risk maintains a direct relationship with the cost of premiums insurance companies deem customary for healthcare practitioners.

Chiropractors routinely incur the lowest health insurance premiums when compared to any other healthcare provider. Some people believe that Chiropractic adjustments qualify as invasive treatment, but the actual safety and effectiveness of Chiropractic care stands on over 120 years of safe and effective results. Chiropractic thrived from the very inception of nervous system care. The past three decades provided scientifically backed research proving results rooted in evidence.

Almost every top-level athlete and team employ a Chiropractor. The internet projects countless videos of the best athletes in the world receiving Chiropractic adjustments before, during, and after practice or competition. Research and endless testimonies prove the benefits of chiropractic adjustments for athletes, children, and adults. Every man, woman, and child deserve to hear about the research upon which the safety and effectiveness of Chiropractic confidently stands. People subject to dangerous drugs and their side effects need to know that safe alternative exists.

A new study published in May of 2019 did the heavy lifting for anyone uncertain about the safety of Chiropractic. The study measured cerebral blood flow, vertebral artery blood flow, and arterial blood velocity in patients undergoing spinal adjustment care to the neck. No significant changes were found in the blood vessel or blood flow through the artery when compared with a resting state or when the neck was rotated to maximum rotation. In other words, the stress that a Chiropractic adjustment puts on the blood vessel or blood flow into the brain proves equivalent to simply turning the head. The study also verified the power of an adjustment with results showing significant increases in function and connection between the posterior brain and cerebellum following a spinal adjustment.

These conclusive results maintain previous evidence that supports over 100 years of literature and clinical evidence. Chiropractic provides one of the safest forms of healthcare available today. Alternative treatments involving dangerous drugs and surgeries present incredible challenges and risks. Chiropractic offers a safe, noninvasive approach to proactive health care.

BMJ Open 2019

“ Effect of cervical manipulation on vertebral artery and cerebral haemodynamics in patients with chronic neck pain: a crossover randomized controlled trial .”

N Moser, S Mior, M Noseworthy, P Cote, G Wells, M Behr, J Triano

Don't Forget The Importance Of Flexibility, Here Is Why

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 20:14:17 GMT

Flexibility is one of those terms that many associates with athletes, gymnasts or dancers. Often people focus fully on their cardio or endurance health but flexibility is overlooked.

Flexibility is defined as the range of motion in a joint or group of joints or the ability to move joints effectively through a complete range of motion. Flexibility is contributed to by a person's age, genetics, gender, body shape and level of physical activity. As people grow older, they often lose flexibility as a result of inactivity and the aging process itself.

The Difference Between Stretching And Flexibility

Flexibility refers to the range of motion for a given joint. The degree of flexibility that a person has is influenced by muscles and connective tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
Stretching is a form of exercise that can result in an increase in flexibility.

5 Ways Flexibility Impacts Overall Health

Reduce Stress . We all have heard that stress has a negative impact on our bodies, but we aren’t always sure how to release that stress. Spending a few minutes doing simple, relaxing stretches before bed can be a great way to release tension and give your body a little extra love for all its hard work throughout the day. Taking this time to stretch and improve flexibility will reduce the amount of stress you’re carrying in your body, not to mention reducing the instinct to be negative and instead stretch your mind toward a more optimistic outlook.
Heal And Prevent Back Pain. Having tight muscles can lead to a decrease in your range of motion increase the likelihood of straining the muscles in your back. Stretching can help to heal an existing back injury by stretching the muscles. Overly tight muscles tend to hold your body in a restricted position so joints become less mobile which can trigger the pain cycle.
Reduce Injuries. When developing strength and flexibility in your body you’ll be able to withstand more physical stress as flexibility allows the body to move properly, reducing the overall chance of being injured. In short, expanding your muscle fibers will increase your flexibility and assist muscles in being more fluid, pliable and less prone to injury.
Improve Posture. A typical day for so many people includes hours of being hunched over a desk or laptop so it’s no wonder our natural posture has become increasingly curved, slumped, and sore. Simply put, our bodies will adapt to the postures we spend the most time in, over time, causing shortened muscles that can cause more health problems. While we may not immediately recognize the damage our posture is doing, our body sure does. Poor posture can impact a wide range of things from how our blood circulates, produces hormones, all the way to how we feel in our bodies and how we’ll be able to move as we age.
Better Athletic Performance. Stretching and improving flexibility can improve circulation, muscle flexibility, range of motion, thus, help athletes perform better in workouts and in competition. Stretching leads muscles to lengthen and relax, resulting in the ability to maximize muscle engagement in the next workout. Stretching also boosts the body’s circulation by increasing blood flow throughout the body helping it to heal and restore faster.

The Takeaway

It is easy to get caught up in a busy day or stick to the basic fitness program you are used to doing daily. If your interested in reducing injury, improving posture, and reducing pain then maybe it's time to take the time for more flexibility training in order to improve your overall health and wellness.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

The Bio-Hacking Plan Against Dangerous Holiday Stress

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:31:03 GMT

Science shows that stress kills. Which means the holiday season becomes one of the most dangerous times of the year. Times meant for joy too often take a turn for many who end up in the hospital or worse due to health problems. An unfortunate correlation occurs between the holiday season and the frequency of heart attacks experienced by both men and women. According to a study from the Journal of Circulation, “The number of cardiac deaths is higher on December 25 than on any other day of the year, second highest on December 26, and third highest on January 1.” The reasoning seems to be quite logical.

People tend to associate December as a period of elevated stress. Risk of heart attacks also increase stemming from the added pressures of buying gifts, financial strains, and increased consumption of sugar, salt, and alcohol. Most people will not suffer heart attacks this holiday season, but amplified stress levels will surface more in December and early January compared to any other months. Those already at risk for a cardiac episode become even more susceptible during the most festive time of the year.

Rather than approaching stress with a defensive plan, take steps to go on the offensive. The best plan starts with adding health strategies which limit the impacts of stress on the body . A proactive approach begins with limiting alcohol consumption and sugar overload throughout the duration of the holidays. Take time to indulge but be selective in frequency. Do not allow stress to take over by maximizing the body's ability to cope.

Chiropractors take a unique approach to health, disease, and stress. Some health professions focus on changing the environment to suit the weakened body. Chiropractic proactively strengthens the body to suit the environment. Take time to act upon these three simple and effective ways to increase the body’s ability to deal with and mitigate effects of stress:

Utilize Chiropractic - Science proves that Chiropractic adjustments enable the body’s ability to deal with stress. An increase in heart rate variability proves to be a key indicator to lowering stress while improving health and longevity. A Chiropractic adjustment, particularly in the upper neck, has been shown to improve heart rate variability according to a 2013 study from the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine .
Sleep - Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night proves vital to off-setting the effects of stress. Go to bed on time. Make a commitment to be in bed at a certain time and stick to it. Proper sleep combined with Chiropractic adjustments help balance the nervous system and improve the body’s adaptation to stress.
Drink Water - Thirst often manifests as a feeling of hunger. Mitigate excessive eating by drinking a big glass of water at the onset of hunger. A person will inevitably consume less sugar and limit an increase to the waistline. The body will also remain in a position to better heal and adapt without the presence of excessive sugar and calories.

Offense proves to be the best defense against holiday stress. Chiropractic care presents a cornerstone for reducing stress in December through the New Year. Allow the family to enjoy holiday cheer by focusing on proactive approaches to a healthy holiday experience .

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 2013

“ Suboccipital decompression enhances heart rate variability indices of cardiac control in healthy subjects .” PD Giles, KL Hensel, CF Pacchia, ML Smith

Spinal Adjustments Linked To Amazing Pregnancy & Delivery Benefits

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 05:33:48 GMT

Few interventions affect the success and ease of pregnancy and delivery more than Chiropractic care. And few areas of healthcare need more attention and improvement than infant and maternal health. Infant mortality continues to be a significant concern in even the most industrialized and modernized nations like the United States. Statistics show that 6.26 out of every 1,000 American born babies die within the first month of life, ranking the United States 188th out of 224 countries in infant mortality .

Strategies implemented prior to becoming pregnant as well as during pregnancy can set the stage for a healthier and more successful birth for both mom and baby. The science of Chiropractic focuses on foundational aspects of health and development. The foundation, structure, and framework of the body determines its health potential and long-term functional ability. Spinal structure, mobility, and posture dramatically impact the overall wellness of the body .

The spine intimately connects to the function of the entire body through the brain and nervous system. Good posture affects every aspect of health from breathing to hormone production. Posture determines the capacity level to which the nervous system performs. A pregnant mother represents a crucial season of life when health and function mean everything. Spinal adjustments improve a woman’s whole-body health through the performance of a more balanced and coordinated nervous system. Results of a 2012 study proves the effectiveness of spinal adjustive care for women engaged in pregnancy, labor, and delivery .

Women receiving spinal adjustive care showed a decrease in labor duration compared with women not engaged with Chiropractic care.
One study highlighting women experiencing their first pregnancy determined that women receiving spinal adjustments averaged 11 fewer hours of labor time while another study exhibited 5.5 fewer hours of labor time.
Women under spinal adjustive care averaged over 5 fewer hours of labor time in their
second and subsequent pregnancies.
The study also indicated a viscero-somatic feedback occurred that affected uterine contractions, indicating that spinal adjustments could help jumpstart the labor process and reduce the necessity of drugs.

Research determined with overwhelming positivity that women receiving spinal adjustments during pregnancy experienced: decreased likelihood of having a preterm baby, decreased use of forceps during delivery, decreased probability of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, decreased fluid overload, decreased low back pain, decreased carpal tunnel syndrome, and decreased duration of labor. Chiropractic care helps women of all ages experience healthier pregnancy, labor, and delivery. The evidence-based research provides education and beneficial results to mothers and babies alike. For optimal health and performance, healthy mothers and babies alike know that Chiropractic delivers .

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association June 2012

“ Osteopathic manipulative treatment in pregnant women .” JM Lavelle

Get Adjusted To Stop Degeneration Where It Starts

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 08:38:13 GMT

A spinal segment which is not aligned or moving appropriately will degenerate. A study published in 2007 evaluated the spines of mice when metal links were implanted onto a series of spinal bones to prevent specific vertebral movement. The results were more remarkable than the researchers had anticipated. Immobility in the spine produced significant decay and degeneration. After 1-4 weeks of decreased movement in a spinal vertebra, surfaces of the bone and discs began to degenerate. After 4-8 weeks of reduced spinal bone mobility, bone spurs began to form at the edges of the immobile vertebrae. The most important finding of this research revealed that if movement was not restored in the first 1-4 week time frame, irreversible degeneration occurred.

The same applies to humans. When a spinal vertebra loses its mobility, the degenerative process sets in. Many scientists often refer to this process as a negative glitch in the body’s programming. Yet that is simply not true. The degenerative process is a protective mechanism . Bone spurs are much like callouses which grow on the surface of the hand or feet from repeated stress. They occur to protect that part or area.

The way to reduce or prevent the degenerative process is to keep the spine aligned and moving. Chiropractors are trained to detect misaligned or poorly moving vertebrae. If found, a Chiropractor will adjust them to restore alignment and movement. The adjustment process not only improves brain and neurological function, but it reverses and prevents the deterioration of discs, joints, and vertebrae.

As the spine degenerates, the health and function of an individual will deteriorate as well. Chiropractors are devoted to stopping this degenerative process from progressing . Poor posture and abnormal spinal health have been linked directly to increased risk of disease, disability, and pain. Many of these problems can be avoided by correcting and maintaining the health and condition of the spine.

A small and silent (non-pain producing) misalignment in the spine can create significant long-term health consequences. Nothing improves spinal health better than regular Chiropractic evaluations and adjustments for adults and children of all ages. Chiropractic is safe and effective for all.

Research will continue to prove the necessity of Chiropractic for the purpose of staying mobile, healthy, and drug-free for as long as possible. Living independently with a great quality of life is a goal many can relate with. Chiropractors are dedicated to help families achieve such goals through regular and specific chiropractic care .

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics March 2007

“ Introducing the External Link Model for Studying Spine Fixation and Misalignment, Part 1- Need, Rationale, and Applications .”

C Henderson, G Cramer, Q Zhang, J DeVocht, J Fournier,

Let Babies Crawl

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:36:20 GMT

Crawling Helps Develop a Healthy Spine & Nervous System

Crawling provides an essential component of child development which leads to many positive neurological and structural benefits. An old adage states that a person needs to learn to crawl before they can walk. Much truth rests within that important instruction. Science concludes that one of the most important aspects of proper health and development originates with a well-aligned and mobile spine. The spine houses the spinal cord and nerve roots as well as a densely populated number of neurons that help provide proper nutrition to the brain through movement. The spine serves as the motor for the brain .

A side view of a normal, healthy spine contains three proper curves. A frontal view of the spine shows a perfectly vertical collection of vertebrae. Babies come into the world without all three curves. They develop in the first four years of life. A necessary component for acquiring normal spinal curvature comes from crawling. Parents should celebrate and encourage crawling with their developing infants and toddlers before they begin to walk. Crawling helps form appropriate curvature and develops strong brain growth and connections with stimulating cross-crawl patterns when a toddler learns to move their arms and legs in tandem motion across the floor .

Research published in 2007 showed that abnormal curvature in the neck led to stretching of the spinal cord, diminished blood supply in and around the head and neck, and cervical disc disease. One of the most significant health advantages stemming from healthy spinal curvature and movement manifests in optimal autonomic nerve system function. Well-documented evidence shows that poor spinal health affects many different aspects of human performance from immunity to brain function because of the direct relationship with the nervous system .

Crawling represents an important developmental strategy which sets the tone for better function through nervous system balance. Infants, toddlers, children, and adults also need regular access to the benefits of Chiropractic for similar reasons . Chiropractors assess and correct vertebral misalignments or spinal segment mobility deficits known as subluxations. The biggest concern with the presence of a subluxation comes from the fact that they predominantly occur with no associated symptoms, especially in babies and children.

Chiropractors assess the spine for subluxations by evaluating the alignment, mobility, and range of motion in each spinal segment. Millions of babies, children, and adults experience better spinal alignment and curvature through regular Chiropractic adjustments and spinal hygiene. Spinal health begins with healthy movement from those early days of crawling . Consistent nervous system health involves the regular care and adjustment of the spine. Lifelong health and performance go hand in hand with Chiropractic.

Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques February 2007

“ Kyphosis one level above the cervical disc disease: is the kyphosis cause or effect ?”

E Ozer, K Yucesoy, C Yurtsever, M Secil

A New Year And A Healthier You

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:28:05 GMT

It always seems that the New Year is a time that offers us all a fresh new outlook and the perfect opportunity to start the year with optimism and hope to improve our lives.

Health and wellness is a journey that requires dedication and commitment but a healthy lifestyle is extremely important to control the risk of poor health conditions.

Tips For A Healthier You

Chiropractic Care. Because the nervous system controls the functions of cells, organs and tissues of the body, a misalignment can reduce the ability of the immune system. Chiropractic care can realign the spine, freeing up the immune system to fight off unwanted intruders.
Reduce Stress . The busy lifestyle followed by so many people these days can give you a lot of stress and, unfortunately, increased stress can take a toll on your health and increase the risk of serious health issues. Find ways that can help you fight stress naturally such as daily exercising or adding meditation to your daily routine.
Daily Exercise . Research has shown that daily exercise brings enormous benefits to your health including lowering the risk for several diseases, maintain a healthy weight, and adding to your life span. Try to choose exercises you enjoy, but change up the routine to keep it interesting. The simple fact is, the more active you are, the better you will feel and healthier you will be.
Sleep. For improved mental and physical health you need sleep. Proper sleep will ensure that you make your day more productive. Lack of sleep can also contribute to fatigue, weight gain, and stress. It is important that you make necessary adjustments in your routine to ensure better sleep as studies have shown that adequate sleep reduces stress hormones and will help with weight loss and overall health.
Schedule Time To Relax. When planning your week, make it a priority to schedule in time for doing your favorite activities as well as spending time with friends and family. Adding quality time and activities with the people who care most about will help you recharge.
Try To Laugh More. The benefits of laughing more are plentiful and include lowering your blood pressure, easing stress, and strengthening your immune system. Sharing a laugh brings people together and gives you an instant boost to your happiness.
Eat Healthy And Fresh. Healthy eating habits are a way to feel your best, increase your energy levels, and stabilize moods. To set yourself for success, start out by making small changes to your diet such as adding new items while eliminating processed food one at a time. Bright colored fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants that give a boost to your health by removing free radicals that damage your cells. These nutrition-rich superfoods are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber while being low in calories. Make a habit to eat a veggie or fruit at every meal. Pick up a fruit or veggie that you have never tried the next time you shop to add variety and keep eating interesting.
Hydrate . When the body is dehydrated, it doesn’t run efficiently. Drinking water has plenty of benefits including increasing energy, keep joints lubricated, flushing out toxins, improving skin complexion and boosting immunity. Not to mention improving sleep quality, cognition, and improving mood. If you don’t enjoy drinking plain water, consider infusing it or drinking a non-GMO, herbal tea.

The Takeaway

It is all too easy to get the desire to get healthier in the new year only to find that it is overridden by the need for sleep, food, TV, and drinks out with friends. The good news that you can succeed and we have discussed many reasons why it is so worth it! These small changes will get you to your goal!

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

New Research Highlights: Chiropractic Adjustments Benefit Migraine Sufferers

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 07:03:05 GMT

A migraine manifests as a unique and excruciating headache which often accompanies nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Migraines often last from 4 hours to 3 days with some lasting even longer. The American Migraine Foundation estimates that more than 36 million Americans suffer from migraines . With women experiencing episodes 3 times more often than men. Most people start having migraine headaches between the ages of 10 and 40.

Migraines leave more than 90% of sufferers unable to work or function normally during an episode. Symptoms of a migraine headache cause a person to feel massive head pressure, sensitivity to light, and even the inability to eat or keep food down. The current standard of care for those affected involves powerful pharmaceutical drugs which neither resolve the root cause nor initiate a plan to prevent future episodes.

Doctors do not know the exact cause of migraine headaches, although root causes appear related to changes in the brain. For many years scientists believed migraines resulted specifically from changes in blood flow which occurs in the brain. Current research indicates that migraines originate from neurological interference . Properly prescribed migraine medications potentially increase the risk of medication overuse headaches, sensitivity to pain, and a dependence on the drugs. The limitations to current pharmacological therapies highlight the need to explore alternative or integrative treatments for migraines. Chiropractors provide an alternate solution and hope for the future .

One non-pharmacological approach to help migraine sufferers begins with Chiropractic spinal adjustments. Approximately 15.4% of individuals with migraines used Chiropractic care in the past 12 months. New research reveals the value of Chiropractic adjustments for those suffering from migraine headaches. The analysis of six major studies indicated that spinal adjustments made a greater impact on reducing the number of migraine days compared to all control solutions. This large study of subjects receiving spinal adjustments accompanied significant reductions in migraine days, pain intensity, and disability compared to those in control groups.

The science speaks clearly. The spine intimately connects to the central nervous system . Movement and alignment of the spine prove necessary for appropriate brain to body communication. Stress alters spinal position and movement. The interference restricts the brain’s ability to control and regulate blood vessels in the head, stress hormones, and other key factors which contribute to the onset of a migraine. Chiropractors provide solutions for migraine headaches yet much of the public remains unaware of the potential for relief that awaits at a local Chiropractor. Better life quality and hope for a pain free future begins when Chiropractic adjustments which will unlock the health potential within everyone.

Headache April 2019

“ The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Migraine Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis .”

PM Rist, A Hernandez, C Bernstein, M Kowalski, K Osypiuk, R Vining, CR Long, C Goertz, R Song, PM Wayne

Research Reveals Chiropractic Benefits For Arthritis Sufferers

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 09:11:55 GMT

Millions Suffering… Chiropractic Provides Drugless Solution

Arthritis represents a common condition not commonly understood by those afflicted. Arthritis does not actually represent a single disease, but rather a term used informally to referring to joint pain or joint inflammation. The root word “arthros” means joint and “itis” refers to inflammation. So the word arthritis refers broadly to joint inflammation. More than 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions exist under the same umbrella. People of all ages, sexes and races experience this leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children suffer from some type of arthritis. The affliction most commonly impacts women and older populations.

Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms often come and go in intensities ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms also vary in consistency. Some people experience the same level of pain while others suffer more as time gradually passes. Severe arthritis results in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities, and difficulty accomplishing simple tasks like walking or climbing stairs. Permanent joint changes also accompany some cases of arthritis.

Conservative estimates determine that roughly 54 million adults endure doctor-diagnosed arthritis. The most common type of arthritis comes in the form of osteoarthritis, affecting an estimated 31 million Americans. Osteoarthritis defines as degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, most commonly beginning in middle age. This form causes pain and stiffness, especially in the hip, knee, spine and thumb joints. Arthritis levels exacerbate among people who have other chronic conditions.

49 percent of adults with heart disease experience arthritis.
47 percent of adults with diabetes experience arthritis.
31 percent of adults with obesity experience arthritis.

Arthritis and other joint disorders not caused by specific traumatic accidents rank among the five most costly conditions among adults aged 18 and older. The number of people expected to experience doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2040 climbs to more than 78 million. As these staggering numbers continue to grow, the need for long-lasting, non-invasive and drugless relief for arthritis sufferers becomes very appealing and relevant. Chiropractic care provides a solution.

Research published in a prestigious medical journal showed that arthritis patients experienced greater results and relief through Chiropractic care more than any other utilized intervention. The arthritis group which received Chiropractic care engaged in two visits per week for six consecutive weeks, a small representation of life changing benefits originating from a simple non-invasive plan to improve overall health. Chiropractic does not specifically offer a treatment or cure for arthritis or any other condition. Chiropractors assess and correct structural joint problems to improve mobility, alignment, and nervous system function. The powerful capacity within the body begins to optimize function and performance . One of many resulting benefits of Chiropractic care manifests in the form of a reduced pain and inflammation. Arthritis sufferers represent one of many groups who benefit from learning about and experiencing the benefits of nervous system care. Chiropractic works.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage October 2013

“ Patient education with or without manual therapy compared to a control group in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. A proof-of-principle three-arm parallel group randomized clinical trial .” E Poulsen, J Hartvigsen, HW Christensen, EM Roos, W Vach, S Overgaard

Chiropractic Care Enhances Sleep Quality And Depth For Millions

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 09:53:54 GMT

New patients commonly report that an increased depth and duration of restful sleep goes hand in hand with starting Chiropractic care. Parents of children and infants who begin receiving adjustments also often report a significant change in their child’s sleep and restfulness. Science and research continually explain exactly why sleep benefits often result as a welcome side effect of Chiropractic care.

More than 70 million Americans (almost 22%) suffer from some form of sleep problem or wakefulness . 60% of those endure a chronic sleep disorder with no cure. Drugs tend to become the treatment of choice for those people. Nearly nine million Americans take sleep drugs to aid in sleeping each night. These pharmaceuticals often come attached to dangerous side effects and never target or address the actually cause of the sleep issue. Millions of Americans inevitably become embroiled in long term dependence on medications for the sake of experiencing any sort of restful sleep.

Many factors contribute to restless nights and insomnia. One factor often overlooked during a medical diagnosis traces to the health of the spine. Chiropractic adjustments address the overall health of the nervous system, spine, and organs. Studies on spinal adjustments prove that improving spinal and nervous system health triggers hormones which influence sleep quality.

Research published in 2015 linked spinal adjustments to improved neuro-endocrine function. The neuro-endocrine systems control the production and release of chemicals targeted by sleep drugs in their attempt to improve sleep quality. Women experience sleep deprivation issues twice as often as men. Women also experience more hormonal changes than men in a typical week . Science proves the specific hormones and chemical messengers can be changed and improved through spinal adjustments. These assertions prove accurate as millions of Chiropractic patients around the world report a side effect of deeper sleep or less wakefulness after beginning Chiropractic care. Scientific literature continues to record and document these findings.

Research concludes that sleep problems result from some sort of hormonal shift or imbalance. Chiropractic spinal adjustments improve the production, release, and balance of hormones . A Chiropractic adjustment does not specifically treat or cure sleep problems or any other diseases or symptoms. Chiropractic care pursues the removal of interference within the nervous system through specific spinal adjustments which move and align the spine at optimal positioning. Improved function and communication in the nervous system naturally relieves and improves many unwanted conditions like sleeplessness. Chiropractic began the pursuit of better health and function over 120 years ago. Millions of people of all ages experience deeper sleep, better rest, and improved overall health through proactive attention to a healthy spine and nervous system. Science continues to validate the countless benefits and outcomes attributed to Chiropractic care. Nothing beats a great night of sleep. People who need high quality rest and recovery know that Chiropractic works .

Medical Hypotheses December 2015

“ Measurable changes in the neuro-endocrinal mechanism following spinal manipulation .” K Kovanur Sampath, R Mani, JD Cotter, S Tumilty

Back To School, Bedtimes, Schedules, and Health - Spinal Care Offers Big Advantages

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 09:10:05 GMT

The annual arrival of fall accompanies children returning to school. Many families choose this time to reestablish and recommit to basic daily routines. Bedtimes, wakeup times, and activity schedules produce a set of norms for families and children. Detailed attention to health also requires a routine in order to flourish.

Summertime tends to have its own set of norms and routines ranging from nutrition to quantities and qualities of sleep patterns. A return to school produces the perfect time to invest in some healthy habits for every member of the family. Parents tend to stay cognizant of getting annual physicals and dental checkups on the calendar, but spinal hygiene may very well be the most important health concern of all. A basic scoliosis screening by a school nurse represents a tiny fraction of investment into a physical area deserving of so much more attention. Studies prove that a direct link exists between spinal asymmetries and whole-body health. A return to school accompanies new activities, new back packs, new periods of seated learning, and a long list of reasons to ensure that every child’s spinal health empowers them to have a great year full of abundant health .

The purpose of the spine goes well beyond the structure. Research explains that when a spinal vertebra moves incorrectly or becomes misaligned, a cascade of pathways trigger adversely in the spinal cord and nervous system. The alteration in the spine and nerve pathways, known as vertebral subluxation, predisposes a child or adult to several organic health problems as well as the progressive condition called scoliosis. Scoliosis identifies as a condition where the spine becomes increasingly curved and deformed. Scoliosis comes in all degrees but can be very progressive in young children .

A 2000 study showed that even subtle changes to the health of the spine puts stress on the nervous system and sets the stage for scoliotic curves to form. The biggest factor in preventing or treating scoliosis comes from early detection. Scoliosis progresses with an absence of symptoms . Much like high blood pressure and cavities, the presentation of symptoms comes long after a detrimental condition exists.

Understanding the development of scoliosis empowers parents with purpose. Chiropractic care provides an opportunity to proactively attend to a young person’s overall health in both the spine and organs. Spinal health plays a tremendous role in longevity and quality living and tends to be frequently overlooked by medical professionals until a severe condition like scoliosis begins showing symptoms. The return to school serves as an annual reminder to get children back into healthy routines and norms. Regular spinal checkups sit atop the pyramid of a proactive healthy routine. Children, infants, and adults all receive an active benefit to long term health through preventative care provided by proactive maintenance of the body. Chiropractic care positively impacts healthy, growth, and long-term quality of life. Make Chiropractic part of the back to school routine.

Spine Journal. The State of the Art Reviews
May 2000. Volume 14, Number 2, Pages 299-520

“ Etiology of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Current Trends and Relevance to New Treatment Approaches ”

RG Burwell, PH Dangerfield, TG Lowe, JY Margulies

Chiropractic Care Shown To Lower The Necessity Of Surgery

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 08:13:06 GMT

Research determined that people suffering from back pain who did not utilize Chiropractic care experienced a 41% greater risk of surgery than those engaged with regular spinal care and treatment. All procedures assume both risk and potential benefit. Few interventions come with more risk than a surgical operation involving the spine. The spine represents a complex structure with many moving joints and unique parts. Many experts and some surgeons argue that the benefits of doing spinal surgery often does not outweigh the risks. Yet people face thousands of spinal surgeries recommendations every day. Chiropractic represents the most accessible, low-risk, proven solution to anyone suffering from back pain. Utilizing Chiropractic care provides hope and opportunity for a better future to anyone considering spinal surgery .

Too often patients suffering from back pain do not receive a comprehensive education on the options available to them. Every patient deserves options and the opportunity to make a rational and deliberate choice about their own health. The medical system standard largely involves the use of drugs and surgery, but the digital information age provides new options. New and available research challenges old dogmatic one-size-fits-all approaches to the delicate topic of health care.

Achieving the greatest results with the least invasive mode of intervention depends on which provider a patient seeks first. A 2013 study published in the reputable Spine Journal showed that workers with musculoskeletal pain (pain relating to the bones or muscles) experienced a greater risk of surgery if the first healthcare provider seen was a surgeon instead of a Chiropractor. Approximately 43 percent of workers who visited a surgeon underwent surgery within three years. Only 1.5% of patients who visited a Chiropractor needed surgery . These findings prove significant to the patients and the providers.

Most people readily choose the least invasive, least expensive, and the least harmful approach with the smallest risk of side effects when making health-based decisions. Evidence clearly determines that a Chiropractor represents the best research-based option for any and all musculoskeletal problems.

The influence of a Chiropractic adjustment impacts much more than musculoskeletal problems and proves to be one of the most important health decisions a person can make for their overall health and well-being. An intimate relationship exists between the spine and nervous system. The nervous system impacts the overall health of every organ in the body. A more aligned and mobile spine allows the body to experience the optimal benefits of a healthier body, mind, and life .

Chiropractic adjustments influence the function of the central nervous system. Better brain to body communication also decreases the amount of stress hormones in the bloodstream. These welcome improvements to bodily health also comes without the use of drugs while still reducing pain and increasing mobility. Chiropractic adjustments continue to build a litany of evidence-based research proving that healthier nervous systems improve immunity, digestion, breathing, and energy. Chiropractic benefits the entire family and continues to be a revolutionary approach to achieving greater health and well-being for all ages .

Spine 2013

“ Early predictors of lumbar spine surgery after occupational back injury: results from a prospective study of workers in Washington State .”

BJ Keeney, D Fulton-Kehoe, JA Turner, TM Wickizer, KC Chan, GM Franklin

5 Factors That Affect Our Immune System And How Chiropractic Care Helps

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 21:43:24 GMT

As we barrel toward the end of the year, you may have heard on a daily basis, that cold and flu season is here in full force. Undoubtedly, it makes you wish that you could just protect yourself and your loved ones by living in a bubble to prevent unwanted germs. What if you could do something to shield yourself from illness, one that can boost your immunity naturally and effectively?

The primary role of our immune system is to protect and fight against infectious organisms, and block them from entering our bodies.

Factors That Can Affect Our Immune System

Lack of sleep . If you are a night owl and assume that you can get by on little sleep, beware! Studies have shown that people who don't get the proper amount of sleep or poor sleep quality are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as a common cold virus. To make things worse, it can also affect how fast you recover if you do get sick.
C ortisol levels. A big challenge that plagues our immune system is a familiar foe to many of us. That challenge is STRESS. Busy work schedules and considerable daily responsibilities can leave us exhausted. Increased levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, makes it difficult for the immune system to function properly.
Improper nutrition. To be a warrior with a good immune system you need good and regular nourishment. Eating healthy, antioxidant-rich foods which include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein is an important part of maintaining good immune system health that can help ward off infection and illness. Nourishment is not only to gain energy but also to enhance resistance against ailments.
Stress. Stress can, at times, be a motivator that helps you rise to the occasion. However, when it is chronic, it can take a toll on your immune system.
Insufficient exercise. We know exercise is good for immune function and research has shown that people who exercise have better-functioning white blood cells. Exercise is also known to release endorphins which are natural hormones that affect the brain in positive ways. When we are feeling more positive and relaxed with positive wellbeing then we sleep better and handle stress better. This, in turn, can help your immune system stay strong

Chiropractic Care And The Immune System

C hiropractic care can easily be considered if your neck and back are in pain, but it also aids in overall health, including aiding in our immune system. Our spine is part of the central nervous system and the immune system is directly connected to our spine. It makes perfect sense that keeping the spine in proper alignment allows all systems in the body to function more efficiently.

The perfect way to have optimal health is to have a balance between the nervous and immune functions of the body. Chiropractic removes any nerve interference between the spine and the brain so that your brain can properly communicate with the rest of your body. By removing spinal misalignments, through Chiropractic adjustments, your central nervous system, including your immune system, can then perform the necessary functions to fight illnesses, such as increasing white blood cell production or releasing antibodies without interference.

The Takeaway

By reducing stress, getting quality sleep, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and ideal nourishment you can maximize your overall immunity to the illnesses around us. Chiropractic care can help your body function at its best for optimal health.

If you are routinely getting sick and want to prevent illnesses, or simply want an overall better quality of life, it may be time to look into Chiropractic care as part of your health and wellness journey.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Chiropractic Celebrates A September Birthday Transforming Lives For 124 Years!

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 03:13:55 GMT

Chiropractic turns 124 years old on September 18th. The first Chiropractic adjustment took place in Davenport, Iowa, back in 1895. That first adjustment resulted in hearing restoration . A deaf janitor received adjustments by the founder of chiropractic and eventually experienced a life changing outcome. Chiropractors across the world built upon that early foundation to develop science and research designed to help men, women, and children from all walks of life get and stay well.

Proper alignment and movement of the spine influences the entire body because an intimate relationship between the brain and central nervous system. New technology and specific testing drives greater understanding of the value of a Chiropractic adjustment. Spinal care serves as a proactive form of health care designed to maintain and boost health in advance of pain or adverse symptoms. Autonomic functions of the entire body improve through better alignment and adjustments to the spine. All Chiropractic patients experience autonomic nervous system benefits from an adjustment . Examples of symptom changes directly tied to chiropractic include improved heart rate, sleep, breathing, digestion, immunity, fertility, and many others.

Research published in August of 2019 in the reputable Spine Medical Journal explained the neurophysiological effects of an adjustment for not only pain relief but also for people without pain or symptoms. The study showed that those who were adjusted experienced significant autonomic nervous system improvements which affects both visceral organs as well as endocrine hormones. Many people remain unaware of the incredible benefits available through a proactive investment in musculoskeletal care. Waiting for symptoms of pain and disease equates to waiting for cavities to form before brushing. People deserve a better form of health care .

Chiropractors began transforming lives 124 years ago. Every Doctor of Chiropractic holds a patent to the life changing benefits stored in the influence of an adjustment. Less than 100,000 Doctors of Chiropractic possess the knowledge, skill, and capability to deliver a precise adjustment which unlocks health and function to a society of millions of people badly in need of healthcare practices with low risks and high rewards. Chiropractic remains as revolutionary today as those first days in 1895. Chiropractors look forward to honoring and observing each passing year with a steadfast commitment to teach and inspire all people to seek optimal health delivered through a partnership with Chiropractic care .

Spine

August 2019 “ Neurophysiological Effects of High Velocity and Low Amplitude Spinal Manipulation in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Humans: A Systematic Literature Review .”

B Wirth, A Gassner, Ed de Bruin, I Axen, J Swanenburg, BK Humphreys, P Schwinhardt

Chiropractic and the Flu Pandemic A Relationship that will Open Your Mind

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 03:30:12 GMT

Flu season quickly approaches. Most parents look for ways to prevent the flu from spreading into their household and making the rounds with family members. A key element to empower the endeavor to combat the flu rests in understanding that the body possesses more than ample ability to fight off the influenza bacteria before it triggers a symptom. Think about why flu will sometimes impact one family member but not others in the same house. The same flu bugs exist for all people, yet some people equip their bodies to better adapt and fight the disease . A number of factors contribute to overall health, including stress, lifestyle, and overall body function.

Many lifestyle choices influence the body’s ability to adapt and fight off foreign invaders. Foods like sugar, dairy, grains, and processed foods contain ingredients which lower the body’s ability to adapt to invading germs. A lack of regular movement and exercise also contributes to a weakened state of function. Studies also determine that a mind under excessive stress also inhibits a strong defense against invaders. Chiropractic care impacts every aspect of nervous system health and resiliency by radically improving the immune system.

Spinal alignment and mobility maintain an intimate relationship and connection with the central nervous system. Research shows that altered spinal movement triggers the brain and central nervous system to release increased amounts of stress hormones into the blood. This immunosuppressive response constricts the immune system and the body’s resiliency to foreign invaders . Mood and mental health influence the body’s defense system. Reduced stress gives an opportunity to focus on positive thoughts and grateful feelings. The immune system responds positive. Chiropractic also allows for increased movement in bones and muscles. Free movement also empowers the immune system to operate with radically improved nervous system function

A historical event reveals the significance of this science. A flu pandemic in 1918 killed 20 million people worldwide, inducing over 500,000 Americans. Chiropractic developed in Davenport, Iowa, and was just 23 years old at the time. Small pockets of people began engaging with this new form of natural, proactive health care which utilized the health capacity of the body. 50 medical Doctors treated 4,953 cases of the flu with 274 deaths in Davenport. At the same time and in the same city, 150 Chiropractors and Chiropractic students treated 1,635 cases of flu. Only one person died .

Statistics and records from 1918 document that people engaged with spinal adjustive care experienced 1/40th the death rate of those engaged in other forms of care. Evidence and teaching quickly spread detailing how Chiropractic helped both prevent flu and assist in healing and recovery for those experiencing flu. The pandemic of 1918 marked a massively influential moment in the history of Chiropractic awareness. The new healing profession earned accolades for detailing and teaching about the powerful influence of the nervous system on immunity and overall health.

Evidence based studies now overwhelmingly link spinal adjustive care with improved immunity. A 2011 publication found a 139% increase in an immune-fighting protein after a person receives a spinal adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments combined with stress-reducing lifestyle choices comprise the key ingredients to increasing immune strength this season. No vaccine or technology prevents the existence of flu bugs or their presence in daily encounters for adults, children, and the elderly. The best option for enhanced health remains an empowered immune system ready to combat sickness in any form .

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association March 2011

“ Impact of osteopathic manipulative treatment on secretory immunoglobulin a levels in a stressed population .”

G Saggio, S Docimo, J Pilc, J Norton, W Gilliar

A Stress Dissolving Strategy

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 02:04:05 GMT

‘Tis the season for fun, family, friends…and stress . November and December go hand in hand in with increased amounts of sugar, financial obligations, parties, extended family time, alcohol, vacations, and carbohydrates. Even the things meant for fun and enjoyment tend to bring a certain level of stress. Each and every spike of stress stands toe to toe with the body’s most powerful asset in the war on peace: the central nervous system.

Too often the body’s stress defense system enters the holiday season ill equipped for the barrage of concerns that come knocking. The nervous system filters and processes stress and hormone related spikes. An improperly functioning central nervous system tends to become compromised by sickness, fatigue, and general disrepair. The solution starts now .

A proactive approach to health care beats any sort of medicinal reaction after unwanted symptoms descend on the holidays. The key to managing health begins with preparing the body with optimal defense. More people get sick around the holidays than at any other time of the year. Cold weather, poor eating habits, sugar, and stress wipe out even the healthiest and strongest men and women in the room. Yet many people living in those same homes and eating the same foods remain healthy. The reasoning starts at the source of all health: the nervous system.

The brain and central nervous system direct immunity within the body. Immune capacity originates from a group of organs which coordinate and direct specific blood cells to monitor, fight, and clean up areas of concern. The cleaner the body, the lesser the stress on immune fighters . The flip side mirrors a dirty trash dumpster filled with flies and other parasites hunting for a free meal. Toxins weaken the body and sap energy. The key to staying well involves keeping the body clean, strong, and full of energy.

Lifestyle plays a significant role in keeping the body clean and immunity strong. Eating well, exercising, taking good supplements, and working on mental and emotional health prove to be key ingredients in creating a healthy and resilient body. Yet the most pivotal area which directly influences stress levels remains the hub of all bodily health. The benefits of improved spinal health through Chiropractic spinal adjustments provide the essential key to overall empowerment .

Research from 2014 demonstrated a link between Chiropractic spinal adjustments and stress. The study showed that one adjustment improved blood plasma biomarkers linked to stress response. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after, and two hours after the intervention. Remarkable results showed how Chiropractic spinal adjustments improved hormones linked to reducing stress and pain in the body. The landmark study helped explain why so many Chiropractic patients experience benefits far beyond back and neck pain relief. Chiropractic reduces stress in the nervous system and subsequently opens a doorway for better sleep, energy, healing, and function.

According to the American Institute of Stress, 44% of Americans feel more stressed than they did just five years ago. Stress presents a significant challenge to men and women of all ages, especially around the holiday season. Chiropractic provides a proactive, stress-dissolving strategy that begins with more people understanding the power within the body. ‘Tis the season for vibrant joy, laughter, and memories. Welcome the season by empowering the whole family with Chiropractic .

The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy April 2014

“ Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception and stress response after spinal manipulation .”

G Plaza-Manzano, F Molina-Ortega, R Lomas-Vega, A Martinze-Amat, A Achalandabaso, F Hita-Conteras

Decreased Spinal Curvature Doubles Risk of Disc Herniations

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 01:06:40 GMT

Corrective Chiropractic care improves movement in the spine, alignment of vertebra, and function of the central nervous system. The process helps the spine becomes stronger and more able to cope with stress. Brand new research reveals the consequences of abnormal spinal alignment on the health and integrity of the spine. Alteration of spinal curvature and alignment increases the amount and degree of spinal degeneration and presence of disc herniation.

A disc herniation defines as a protrusion of the nucleus pulposus or anulus fibrosus of the disk, which may impinge on nerve roots. A simpler definition states that disc herniation takes place when a small tear occurs to the disc and a jelly-like material partially squeezes out. Sometimes the protrusion will impinge a nerve root and cause significant pain. Many herniations develop like cavities in teeth. Little to no pain and discomfort present until the advanced stages of existence. Disc herniations always lead to instability in the spinal segment and further the degenerative process if the alignment and function remain uncorrected. Chiropractic care improves and reduces disc herniations by increasing motion and alignment of the spinal curvature .

Spinal alignment plays an important role in the health and longevity of the spine and intervertebral discs. A spinal disc consists of cartilage and water and serves as protection and padding between two spinal vertebrae. Proper spinal alignment makes the spine stronger and more durable, capable of withstanding pressure and stress. The neck curvature, also known as the cervical lordosis, also serves a vital role. The neck curve proves essential for maintaining balance and motor function and helps maintain the stability of the spine . The neck curve cushions the vertebra by allowing appropriate room for each disc to move without stress. The essential load bearing function makes the neck curvature a predominant area for disc degeneration and herniations.

Abnormal neck curvature represents an early manifestation of degenerative changes in the spine. Lifestyles of the younger demographic have become increasingly sedentary while added stress and pressure on the spine and neck curvature due to repetitive and poor postural habits. Increase use of texting, smart phones, tablets, and computer work have added significant weight-bearing stress to the alignment, movement, and function of the spine.

Research shows a specific correlation between loss of cervical curvature and increased spinal degeneration and subsequent disc herniations. A decreased degree of disc herniations took place in those with improved or normal neck curvatures. A cervical spine with no curve essentially faces double the risk of disc herniations. One of the primary goals of corrective Chiropractic care focuses on improving movement of the vertebra, alignment and curvature of the spine, and function of the nervous system . Chiropractic care reduces the degenerative process and decreases the risk of disc herniations. Every child and adult benefits from regular spinal check-ups that ensure proper alignment and function.

Medicine August 2019

“ Correlation between cervical lordosis and cervical disc herniation in young patients with neck pain .” K Gao, J Zhang, J Lai, W Liu, H Lyu, Y Wu, Z Lin, Y Cao

Great Superfood Options To Add To Your Diet Today

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 23:58:26 GMT

Most of us have heard the term "Superfood", but what exactly is it? A Superfood is a term that is popular in the media to describe foods that can have health-promoting properties such as reducing one's risk of disease or that improves any form of physical or emotional health.

These superfoods may have an unusually high content of vitamins, proteins, enzymes, antioxidants, or other important nutrients. The term “superfood” is a non-medical term and not scientifically defined and many health-benefit studies are still being done.

Why You Should Add These Superfoods To Your Diet Today

Beets . One cup cooked is full of fat-soluble vitamins A and K, potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, potassium, and fiber. So if you’re on team “they taste like dirt,” it’s time to try beets pickled, roasted, or other new ways so you can reap the benefits.
Avocados. Avocados are very nutrient-rich, high-fiber fruits that may assist in reducing inflammation and chronic diseases. Avocados happen to contain nearly 20 vitamins and minerals including potassium, vitamin E, vitamin C, B vitamins, folic acid as well as heart-healthy fats. Other health benefits include increased healthy circulation and lower blood pressure and reduced risk for hypertension.
Nuts And Seeds. Nuts and seeds are packed full of fiber and heart-healthy fats. They may also reduce your risk of heart disease and support weight loss. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds or flaxseeds are all great options to add into your healthy diet.
Blueberries. This little fruit is loaded with antioxidants and is also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them a great choice to eat regularly in your diet. They are anti-inflammatory, can lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.
Spinach. Similar to broccoli and kale, spinach is loaded with wonderful properties that boost overall health. Spinach contains many flavonoids that are beneficial in fighting cancer and inflammation in the body. Not to mention it can protect against eye disease, strengthen your bones and improve brain health with its Omega-3 fatty acids.
Tomatoes. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that fuels disease fighting capability, including battling cancerous elements. Tomatoes account for around 80 percent of lycopene consumption. Other benefits of tomatoes include a high level of potassium that improves heart health, reduces bad cholesterol, and can improve memory and sleep quality.
Wild Caught Salmon. Salmon happens to have a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fuel for brain function. Salmon also has anti-inflammatory properties, improves cognition and decreases the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack. It is recommended adults eat two four-ounce portions of omega-3-rich fish, such as salmon, each week.
Garlic. Garlic consumption may reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Other benefits include: preventing the common cold, reduces acne and can help with weight control.
Ginger. Ginger is a widely-used spice that can fight infections, give your immune system a boost, and protect against cancer. Ginger has been used throughout history as a treatment for nausea, digestive problems, and has also been known to reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar.
Quinoa. This very-tiny, grain-like seed is filled with some serious nutritional power. Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor and a texture that is similar to rice and quinoa is one of the only grains or seeds that provides all nine essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce themselves. To top it off it is filled with protein, a fill eight grams of protein per one-cup serving.

The Takeaway

Achieving optimal health through food and nutrition is truly more than focusing on just one or two of the latest food trends but rather is best supported by eating a variety of nutritious foods each and every day. Be mindful of what you nourishing your body with and add any of the powerful superfood foods listed above to your diet to help keep you "super" healthy!

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Neck and Spinal Health Linked to Digestive Problems

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 02:55:25 GMT

Neck and Spinal Health Linked to Digestive Problems

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Helped Through Spinal Care

15% of the world’s population copes with a devastating condition called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bloating, gas, loose stools, constipation, abdominal pain, and severe fatigue comprise some of the devastating symptoms associated with IBS. Embarrassment, shame, anger, and frustration represent psychological pains associated with a condition so significant, uncomfortable, and consuming.

Irritable bowel disorder consists of abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits (chronic or recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or both). IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States alone. Females make up almost 2 in every 3 IBS sufferers. IBS affects people of all ages, including children. IBS represents the seventh most common diagnosis made by physicians and by far the most common diagnosis made by gastroenterologists.

IBS often leads to more progressive chronic inflammatory digestive conditions such as Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis. Conventional treatment of IBS varies based on a person’s medical provider. Dietary changes, medications, supplements, psychological therapies, and other lifestyle modifications represent some of the treatment recommendations used to treat IBS. More potent medications or even surgical procedures come into play in severe cases of irritable bowel diseases.

One aspect of IBS often overlooked by almost all healthcare professionals begins with the relationship between spinal health, nervous system communication, and gut health. Most experts spend time researching offending chemicals and foods that contribute to inflammation and discomfort. Very few health scientists and medical professionals study the spinal-gut relationship.

Research from 2007 proved that a significant link exists between the structure and function of the neck and the health of the gastro-intestinal system. Science backing this study shows that small and subtle misalignments or altered movement of neck bones interfere with the nervous system. This creates increased irritability in the central nervous system leading to many unwanted symptoms people suffer from today. Uncomfortable digestive health represents one of the consequences of altered nervous system function due to the spine’s influence on digestion.

Chiropractors see tremendous results with patients suffering from digestive complaints by removing interference to the nervous system with specific gentle spinal adjustments and lifestyle recommendations. Digestive relief and improvements often take place following a Chiropractic adjustment due to the power and influence of overall nervous system care on organs and systems within the body. Adjustments reduce stress within the nervous system so the body can heal as designed.

Incredible health care opportunities come from experiencing the benefits of Chiropractic. Scientific research continues to explain and educate the public about the significant improvements made to whole body health, including digestive and IBS benefits which stem from optimizing the nervous system’s capacity to heal and improve performance. Chiropractic care combines with appropriate lifestyle modifications to offer a non-invasive opportunity to heal the body free from drugs and surgery. The future of health care begins with Chiropractic.

World Journal of Gastroenterology May 2007

“ A Preliminary Study of Neck-Stomach Syndrome. ” S Xing-Hua, X Xiao-Xiong, D Li-Wen, C Li, S Alken W Hao

Benefits Of Corrective Exercises

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 21:09:11 GMT

Regardless of if you are struggling with acute pain, chronic pain, or if you are hoping to maintain an active and pain-free lifestyle, exercise should be an important and regular part of your daily life. However, all exercise is not created equal.

There are times that our exercise routines can actually be harmful to us. One reason for this may be an imbalance in the way our muscles are firing or working, and to continue exercising with this imbalance will hinder you to move forward on the path to health. When your goal is to simply to move forward, this is where corrective exercise comes in.

What Are Corrective Exercises?

Corrective exercise is essentially an exercise technique that is different from other regular exercise programs. Typically developing corrective exercises begins with a detailed analysis of the physical arrangement of the body. This analysis will help to determine any imbalances or deficits that could be affecting an individual's performance and quality of life.

After this analysis is concluded, a very specific corrective exercise and flexibility program are then developed to help correct the body's structure and bring it back to its normal state. Corrective exercises are constructed to make positive changes in the way a body moves and by focusing on the underlying cause of the pain. After all, the best way to eliminate pain is by eliminating the root cause.

Benefits Of Corrective Exercises

Correct or improve improper posture. Corrective exercises can be used to aid improved neuromuscular control and movement patterns.
Increased strength, flexibility, and endurance. Corrective exercises and stretches will also help develop and strengthen key muscles in the body as well as help with flexibility and endurance issues.
Improved feeling of overall wellbeing. Exercise can even have a positive impact on the individuals, perceiving a positive sense of wellness and well-being.
Facilitates increased blood flow and circulation. Better circulation will promote tissue healing, reduced swelling, and reduced pain

Positive Aspects Of Corrective Exercises

Injury prevention. Corrective exercises not only improve the outcome of the injury but will also minimize the possibility of recurrence.
Increase your self-reliance . Corrective exercises can ensure that you play an active role in your care and improve your ability to perform daily life activities.
Flexible and convenient . Once you understand and learn the moves, you can perform them whenever and wherever it is convenient for you.
Help reduce pain . When executed on a regular basis and especially combined with proper chiropractic care and acupuncture, corrective exercises can provide relief for numerous types of pain, such as sciatica, joint, and neck pain. Although the results may not always be permanent, relief can be immediate and reproduced by doing them routinely.
Long-term benefit . Spinal manipulation and/or mobilization combined with exercise can provide a long-term benefit for pain relief and functional improvement.

The Takeaway

In Summary, Corrective Exercises can decrease pain, improve posture, decrease susceptibility to other injuries, reduce stress, and improve daily living. The main objective of corrective exercises is to restore balance in the body.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

How Your Sleep Quality Can Benefit From Sunlight

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 19:27:01 GMT

If you are one of the many people that have trouble sleeping, the solution might be in a place you did not expect, the morning sun. Morning sunlight, how much, and when you get it, actually has a significant impact on your sleep quality.

In fact, the first hour in the morning can make or break whether you sleep soundly at the end of the day. For a good night's sleep, you should decrease your light exposure in the evening. However, in the morning you want to aim to do the opposite and ensure you get into a brightly lit environment.

4 Tips For Getting More Light Exposure

Be exposed to bright sunlight in the morning. It is recommended that you expose yourself to sunlight shortly after waking. For example, enjoy your coffee outside, or eat breakfast by a sunny window. The natural light on your face will help you wake up.
Allow as much natural light into your home or workspace as possible. Choose to keep curtains and blinds open during the day, and if working move your desk closer to the window.
Spend more time outside during daylight . Consider taking your work breaks outside in sunlight, exercise outside, or walk your dog during the day.
If necessary, use a light therapy box. This simulates sunshine and can be especially useful during short winter days.

How Sunshine Can Improve Sleep Quality

Kickstart Your Day. Cortisol and melatonin work in opposites, when one is high, the other is low. Cortisol and melatonin play a huge part in determining your circadian rhythms and the quality of sleep in general. Their roles are entirely different. Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland in the brain, melatonin helps control sleep-wake cycles. Cortisol is popularly known as a stress hormone and though too-high levels of cortisol can be dangerous, in healthy amounts cortisol is good for you as it is the activating hormone energizes your body and prepares you to meet the day.
Daylight Suppresses Melatonin . Melatonin is a good thing at night when we want to sleep, but when the alarm goes off in the morning, melatonin is not the thing we want coursing through our bodies. Even though we typically think of the sun as yellow, the light it emits is full-spectrum light. It incorporates those same bright blue wavelengths of light your technical devices have, but in a more powerful form. By exposing your eyes to this bright light in the morning, you signal to your brain that it’s time to suppress melatonin production. In response to this light exposure, your brain will increase cortisol production.
Soak Up The Warmth. Another great reason to up and into the sunshine in the morning is to soak up those warming infrared rays to help signal to the body that day has come. Equally as important as light cycles are for our sleep, temperature cycles are just as powerful. As your body prepares you to wake up, cortisol gets released, energizing your body and warming up your core body temperature. Your temperature usually reaches its highest point during the day before it begins to fall again in the evening, thus signaling to your brain that it’s time to start falling asleep.
Sunshine And Serotonin . If you were to expose your body, face, and eyes to sunlight your body will increase its production of Serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates everything from mood to sleep. Serotonin is also a precursor to Melatonin. Melatonin is needed for deep restorative sleep. By getting some sun in the morning, it will ramp up production of Serotonin. In turn, after 12 hours or so, this serotonin is then converted into melatonin which helps us sleep later that night.

The Takeaway

If you struggle to sleep well at night, try regularly exposing yourself to morning sunlight. You may find that your sleep and daytime function improve significantly, and that can have a big positive impact on your life.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Great Tips To Stay Fit This Fall

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:52:20 GMT

We all know what happens... We surface from winter hibernation and get tossed into the season of TV ads, bathing suit sales and local gyms. All of these serve to remind us to get in shape before warmer weather arrives.

We spend all spring and summer working out and motivated by more sun and fun only for fall to arrive and the summer motivation plummets.

4 Tips To Stay Fitness Motivated This Fall

Set A Goal. Leading up to summer, the main priority for many of us is to ensure that we working towards achieving and maintaining our beach-ready body. Autumn can provide a great time to focus on other areas of improvement. Maybe you would like to improve your endurance or flexibility, take this change of season to also change your fitness goals.
Find Someone To Be Accountable To. Motivating yourself to work out can be challenging when the seasons are changing and the weather is unpredictable. By finding a work out buddy you will have a reason to be accountable, regardless of the weather. Workout partners can push you harder, and encourage you to try new things as we each have our own individual strengths to share. As a bonus, it is always more fun to spend time with a friend rather than being alone.
Treat Yourself To The Seasons New Gear. It is a challenge to motivate yourself to exercise as the temperatures begin to drop. Taking the time to make sure you have all the necessary gear and will be exercising in comfort can be a great motivator! Lightweight jackets are great for running, layering options and comfortable pants not to mention a new hat. Updating your style and being prepared for the changing weather will get you out and moving without fear.
Learn To Embrace The Darkness. Darkness can indeed be a barrier simply because it isn’t appealing. When you have your alarm set for 6 or 7 AM, look and, and see that it is still pitch black, it can be easy to roll over and go back to sleep. If you will be outside for your workout then it is important to be prepared and be visible. Remember that reflective gear and flashing lights are necessary for those also outside to see you. Plan ahead and see when sunrise and sun fall will be so you don't get caught unprepared. If you are concerned about the dangers of working out early in the morning or at night, the best thing is to do so in a group.

The Takeaway

Summer is coming to an end and can be viewed in two different ways. On one side, there are great seasonal caffeinated beverages available and sweater weather to enjoy. On the other side, we have those who find the thought of giving up happy hour margaritas, sunshine, and pool time just plain depressing. Either way, you can use these motivational tips to make the best of it and continue with your fitness goals.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Avoiding Injury For Golfers With These Warm-Up And Cool Down Tips

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 18:16:58 GMT

As all golfers know, there’s much more to the sport than just standing around and intermittently whacking a small ball with a club. It actually takes an incredible amount of power and athleticism to drive that ball clear across the lush green lawn toward the tiniest, barely-visible target. To meet the demands of the underestimated sport, you need to be strong, flexible, and well-balanced.

It's not hard to fathom why 80% of golf players have back torment since it winds up being a great deal of one-directional redundancy when you include the swings you take during your round as well as all the practice swings.

Warm-Up Tips

Walk briskly for a few minutes until your heart rate has raised.
Warm-up your neck and upper back by lowering your chin to your chest and gently rolling your head from side to side in slow half-circles.
Warm-up your shoulders. Hold a golf club horizontal to the ground, keeping your hands approximately shoulder-width apart. Slowly raise the club overhead, hold for a few moments and then lower. Hold the golf club in a similar way, but this time behind your back. Raise as high as you can, hold for a few moments, then lower.
Warm-up your torso with side bends. Slide your hand down your leg to support the weight of your torso.
Twist through the waist. Gently and slowly turn from one side to the other.
Go through the motions of swinging the club but don't actually hit the ball. Begin with gentle half swings and gently work up to full swings over the course of a few minutes.

Cool Down Tips

Simply do all of the warm-up exercises in reverse.

Risk Factors For Golf Injuries

Total time spent playing . In general, the more often you play, the higher your risk of injury. Golfers who spend more than six hours per week in competitive play are at increased risk of overuse injuries, as are professional golfers.
Unsupervised children . Injuries to children under the age of 10 years are unfortunately the result of inadequate adult supervision. If you are with small children it is imperative to watch them closely.
Incorrect technique . Examples can include poor swing style or hitting the ground instead of the ball. Incorrect technique greatly increases the risk of injury. Golfers who perform with the correct technique are less likely to injure themselves.
Failure to warm up and cool down . Warming up and cooling down is extremely important to reduce the risk of muscle and joint injuries.
Previous injury . Golf can potentially aggravate existing injuries.

Extra Precautions For Your Back

Consider using a golf cart to transport your clubs, or if you carry clubs the consider using a supportive carry brace.
Have a routine strength and fitness program that includes weight training or aerobic activities, such as walking or jogging, to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and endurance.
Strengthen abdominal muscles to support your lower back. A Canadian study found that golfers with strong side abdominal muscles also referred to as obliques, have a reduced incidence of back pain.
Consider taking lessons with a qualified coach to help improve your technique to prevent injury and improve performance.

The Takeaway

The golf swing is a solid, athletic movement and injury is possible without the necessary precautions. Take the time to properly warm-up and cool-down as muscle strains and sprains are more likely to occur if you fail to warm up properly before play.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Tendons, Ligaments And Their Common Injuries

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:54:48 GMT

There are thousands of tendons and ligaments throughout the body. While both tendons and ligaments are both made of connective tissue and both can be torn or overstretched, but they differ in function.

What Are Ligaments And Tendons?

Ligaments help in stabilizing joints and attaching bones with other bones. For instance, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilizes the knee joint and attaches the shinbone to the thighbone.
Tendons are present at the end of every muscle and attach muscles to bones. These are present all over the body, from the feet to the head and neck. The largest tendon in the body is the Achilles tendon. It helps in attaching the heel bone to the calf muscle. The shoulder rotates forward and backward due to the help of the rotator cuff tendons.

How Do Ligaments and Tendons Work?

Ligaments can be considered as a rope which has a series of tough, intertwined cords used for binding bones. Ligaments also contain some elastic fibers which help the joint in movement. However, it doesn't allow the joint to move beyond capacity.

There are four ligaments in the knee joint, two ligaments run diagonally across the back and front of the kneecap and one ligament on each side of the knee. The knee is stabilized by these ligaments and it is restrained from moving too far in any direction.

Tendons can be considered as tough cords but they are a little more flexible than ligaments. When a muscle contracts, the attached tendon pulls the bone into movement. When you bend your elbow, your bicep is affected as well. When muscles spring into action, tendons absorb some of the impacts as well.

What injuries are commonly seen in ligaments?

When a ligament is torn or overstretched, it may result in a sprain. Many sprains can happen suddenly and simultaneously from a fall, blow, or an unfavorable movement.

Sprains usually happen in the wrist, ankle, or knee. For instance, a misstep can cause you to twist your ankle in an unfavorable way, this may lead to snap a ligament or cause your ankle to be wobbly or unstable. You may feel a tear or hear a pop when the injury takes place. A wrist often sprains when you use your hand to break a fall; this hyperextends the back. The hyperextension can overstretch the ligament.

Usually, the symptoms of a sprained ligament are swelling, severe pain, and bruising in the affected area. The joint may feel weak or loose and won't be able to bear any weight. The nature of your symptoms will be different if your ligament is torn or overextended.

Sprains can be mild which includes a slight stretching of the ligament or they might be severe which includes a complete tear of the ligament and this might make the joint unstable.

What injuries are commonly seen in tendons?

When a tendon is torn or over-stretches then it is called a strain. Strains usually take place in the foot, leg, or back. Strains often occur due to athletics or habitual movements. Athletes who overwork their bodies without resting for muscle repair are most vulnerable to strains. The usual symptoms of a sprain are swelling and pain. You may also experience weakness and muscle cramping.

The Takeaway

Tendons attach a muscle to a bone, while ligaments attach one bone to another, and both are essential to proper body mechanics. Recognizing ligament and tendon problems before they become major injuries is key to enjoying an active and pain-free life.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Can This Reduce Medical Costs and Disability?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 09:49:18 GMT

Low back pain represents the single leading cause of disability in the world. Over 80% of people experience low back pain at some point in their life. Total costs relating to low back pain estimate at greater than $100 billion annually. Two-thirds of that $100 billion comes from decreased wages and productivity in the workplace. Back pain disrupts life, work, and overall performance.

25% of the U.S. population between the ages of 18 to 44 experience back pain. 20% of Americans in that same demographic also experience headaches on a regular basis. The direct costs tied to back and neck pain escalated over the previous twenty years. Back problems account for tens of billions in lost wages every year. These statistics speak to the importance of Chiropractic for every working American.

A medical study conducted in 2011 evaluated the effectiveness of three different solutions intended to help patients suffering with low back pain in the workplace. The study tracked 894 cases and evaluated the long-term effectiveness of each solution. Chiropractors, medical doctors, and physical therapists represented three different care providers tasked with relieving low back pain. Each practitioner provided their unique care based on specific patient findings and needs. The results determined that Chiropractic patients accrued less expensive medical services and a shorter initial period of disability than cases treated by the other providers. Chiropractic patients also experienced fewer surgeries and used fewer opiate drugs.

The findings support Chiropractic care as costing less while producing greater results. An additional outcome showed that even when a Chiropractic patient experienced a relapse of back pain, the occurrence took place an average of 29 days later than subjects treated by a physical therapist or medical doctor.

Study results clearly dictate that Chiropractic represents the first and best option for anyone with low back pain. Patients who begin Chiropractic care for low back pain usually experience improvement in overall health and function. The reasoning traces to the spines intimate connection with the brain and central nervous system. An adjustment influences countless aspects of health and performance from blood pressure to organ function. Chiropractic began changing lives for the better nearly 125 years ago. People of all ages share testimonies which speak to the power of regular Chiropractic adjustments. Better heart function, improved immunity, enhanced breathing and digestion, and miraculous changes in reproductive health represent a few of the many areas of restoration empowered by Chiropractic. On the job or at home with the family, Chiropractic works.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine April 2011

“ Health maintenance care in work-related low back pain and its association with disability recurrence .” M Cifuentes, J Willetts, R Wasiak

Are You Texting With A Bowling Ball On Your Neck?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 23:48:45 GMT

Ground-breaking research helps explain the negative effects of consistently looking down at a smartphone. Computers and cell phones play a significant role in every industrialized nation. A survey from 2015 revealed that 53% of people listed their cell phone as the most valuable item they would save during a house fire. The current state of cell phone usage comes with a new set of disease risks to the user.

Extended use of a cell phone with the head in forward flexion creates a variety of unwanted health challenges. Doctors have even created terminology for new conditions and diagnoses specific to this growing epidemic, particularly in younger populations.

A study published in 2014 explained that the average person spends 2-4 hours a day with their head tilted forward, reading and texting on smart phones. Forward head angle adds up to between 700-1400 hours of excess abnormal cervical spine stress per year. High school students spend as much as 5000 additional hours per year. Research also highlights the amount of stress and pressure placed on the neck when users consistently placed their head in forward flexion at varying angles to look down at a device.

An extra 27 pounds of pressure rests on the bones, muscles, joints, and discs of the neck beginning at 15 degrees of forward head flexion. Every 15 degrees of additional forward head flexion amounts to even more stress on the spine. Measurements revealed that sixty extra pounds of pressure become absorbed by the neck occurs at 60 degrees of forward head flexion. The average head position when looking at a smart phone registers at 60 degrees. The trauma amounts to putting four heavy bowling balls worth of pressure on the neck and spine with each minute of looking down at a cell phone. Forward flexion of the head and neck produces wear and tear on the joints and discs which leads to abnormal spinal posture and increased degeneration. Poor posture due to computer and cell phone use also links directly to abnormal hormone release and balance.

Chiropractors devote time, study, and expertise to naturally relieving and restoring the body from conditions of pain and discomfort attributed to several maladies, including repetitive flexion from the overuse of electronic devices. Chiropractors also understand the significance of abnormal spine and posture on the nervous system and hormones. The study proved that abnormal posture leads to lowered testosterone, lowered serotonin, increased cortisol and reduced feelings of power. Good posture associates with better balance within the nervous system and hormones. Chiropractors improve posture with every adjustment administered to the neck and spine.

The presence and demand for technology to infuse in nearly every aspect of life coincides with an even greater need for regular Chiropractic care for every member of the family. Proper alignment and movement of the spine directly influences the health of the brain and central nervous system. Chiropractors help offset the negative influence of poor posture due to cell phone and computer use. Proper care for the spine and neck prove essential to overall health.

Three key action steps to minimizing the risk of spine and neck abnormalities from technology use include:

A Chiropractic Adjustment Plan - adjustments reduce wear and tear in the joints and discs, lower tension in muscles, and improve function of the nervous system
Good Posture Habits - utilize tools that support spinal curves and posture when sitting
Head Positioning - keep devices elevated when texting or viewing to keep the head in a neutral position

Surgical Technology International November 2014
“ Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head .” KK Hansraj

Shoulder Pain And Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 20:06:13 GMT

Many people commonly think of chiropractic care if you are seeking relief from neck or back pain. It's important to know that Chiropractors are not limited to only care of the spine.

Most chiropractors are trained to adjust and treat extremities including knees, smaller joints, as well as the shoulders. In fact, shoulder pain is a very common complaint in chiropractic practice, affecting almost half of us at some point in our lives, as there are many causes of shoulder pain.

Common Causes Of Shoulder Pain

The majority of shoulder problems fall into four major categories:

Shoulder instability. Shoulder instability occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. This can happen as a result of a sudden injury or from overuse.
Tendon inflammation or a tendon tear. Overuse of the shoulder can lead to inflammation and swelling of the bursa between the rotator cuff and part of the shoulder blade known as the acromion. The result is a condition known as subacromial bursitis. A tendon is a cord that connects muscle to bone and most tendinitis is a result of inflammation in the tendon. The tearing of tendons may result from acute injury or degenerative changes in the tendons due to advancing age, long-term overuse and wear and tear, or a sudden injury.
Arthritis in the shoulder. There are different forms and causes of arthritis but they sometimes lead to a tightening or stiffening of the soft tissue parts of the joint, resulting in a painful restriction of motion.
Fracture. Fractures are broken bones. Shoulder fractures commonly and often can involve the clavicle (collarbone), humerus (upper arm bone), and scapula (shoulder blade).

Chiropractic care for shoulder pain

Chiropractic care can be a very beneficial treatment for the patient with a shoulder injury or shoulder pain. It can help to reduce or relieve pain, increase flexibility, improve range of motion, and restore function to the joint. Different chiropractic techniques can be performed depending on the type of injury or condition.
The patient will be assessed initially by the Chiropractor at the first visit and the doctor will determine a treatment plan. As is often the case, pain in one part of the body can actually cause pain in other areas. Chiropractic care addresses all areas of the body to relieve pain without medication and gets the patient on the road to healing faster!

The Takeaway

The shoulder goes through a lot of movement in a day and the shoulder happens to be the most flexible joint in the human body as well as one of the most unstable. Regardless of what causes shoulder pain, it's important that you discover the initial cause of the shoulder pain so that it can be treated correctly. Your chiropractor will determine where the shoulder is so that it can be corrected properly.

Chiropractic treatment offers a great solution to help decrease the pain in your shoulders in a natural way. What do you have to lose!

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Nutrition And Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 21:00:54 GMT

Nutrition is an important part of our health. Our health status and the ability of our body to perform different activities is dependent on our food intake. Food is not only fuel for our body but also a source for important nutrients which keep our bodies moving, our brains operating, and our organs functioning.

Nutrition And Chiropractic Care

For encouraging musculoskeletal health, it is important to have proper nutrition. Nutrition becomes even more important if you are seeking chiropractic care to maintain musculoskeletal health or recovering from an injury. Chiropractic care and nutrition are interwoven to the point where even the slightest nutritional mishap can take away from all the good work you have done with your chiropractor.
Nutrition and chiropractic care go hand in hand. Without proper nutrition, chiropractic care cannot do much. It is important to pay attention to both aspects of your health and ensure that nutrition is not only a complement to chiropractic care, but that it is working together to bring about the best outcomes possible.
When a person is being treated by a chiropractor, they can maximize the effect of the treatments that they receive by adopting a good self-care routine. The routine should include regular chiropractic treatments, optimal nutrition, proper hydration, a reasonable amount of exercise and plenty of rest.
If you are unsure about what kind of foods you should be eating, speak to your chiropractor who can probably give you some good information on what to eat. When in doubt, consider consuming raw foods dense in nutrients, especially vegetables.

The Role Of Protein, Calories, And Calcium

Role of protein. Seeking chiropractic care can also be carried out resulting from an injury to the muscles. Whether it is a strain, a separation, a tear, or any other type of muscle injury, chiropractic care can help patients reduce the potential for these injuries to do significant damage. When looking at your diet, increased protein intake can assist in the recovery process for these muscle injuries. The body thrives on protein to both build and repair muscle and sticking to high-protein diets while recovering can be a big plus.
Role of calorie intake. You need to be mindful of your calorie intake when seeking chiropractic care. For instance, if a patient is recovering from a spinal injury, an increased calorie count combined with low levels of activity can lead to weight gain. An excessive strain is put on the spine via increased weight and it can hinder your recovery process.
Importance of calcium. If you are seeking chiropractic care, there might be some sort of weakness in the bone which may cause problems with alignment. Calcium is an important vitamin which must be considered throughout the process as it gives you additional muscle strength.

The Takeaway

Nutrition and chiropractic care essentially go hand in hand. It is crucial to pay attention to both aspects of your health, ensuring that nutrition is not only a complement to chiropractic care, but that it is working together to bring about the best outcomes possible.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Chiropractic for Athletes

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 20:50:49 GMT

The difference between winning and losing in competitive sports is often measured in microseconds. Athletes need every little bit of speed, flexibility, and strength they can muster.

That is why many athletes turn to chiropractic care when injuries happen. Often, they avoid more invasive options for relieving pain. Prescription drugs carry the risk of addiction and they can dull reaction times. On the other hand, surgery might leave an athlete on the bench for months or even years. However, a certified chiropractic sports physician is able to relieve pain without using surgery or drugs. All while keeping the body flexible, at optimal performance, and balanced.

What are some of the most common sports injuries?

The common injuries suffered in many sports can knock the spine out of alignment, causing stress on its pain-sensitive muscles, discs, ligaments, joints, and nerves. Research studies show that chiropractic care is more efficient at restoring normal function and reducing pain.
Chiropractors help with pain-relieving from a wide range of common sports injuries, from recurrent shoulder instability in hockey players to groin pain in soccer players, from elbow pain in tennis players to wrist pain in baseball players.

Chiropractic care also helps with;

Back and shoulder pain.
Headaches from head and neck injuries.
Ankle and knee injuries.

Other Benefits Of Chiropractic Care

Improved performance. A misaligned spine may interfere with other body systems and their functions might be hindered. This can lead to a decline in athletic performance. The spine can keep working smoothly by regular adjustments which can boost the overall performance of your body. Research studies indicate a 6.12% improvement in performance after receiving chiropractic treatment. Also, a 30% increase in eye-hand coordination was observed 12 weeks of chiropractic care.
More effective training. Many athletes have stated that they can train more effectively after seeking chiropractic care. More than 75% of athletic trainers refer their players to a certified chiropractor. While all of them report that some of their clients seek chiropractic treatment on their own. Research shows that athletes can run more miles before running out of stamina.
Fewer injuries. Unnecessary stress is exerted on the body due to alignment issues and that can often result in injury. A certified chiropractic sports physician keeps the musculoskeletal system humming along smoothly so the body is less prone to injury. For instance, chiropractors help golfers in correcting postural imbalances in their swing which can help in preventing possible injuries.
Reduced recovery times. Chiropractic treatment helps minimize the healing time required from injuries by relieving the irritation between misaligned vertebrae. Research studies show that chiropractic care helps athletes recover much quicker. Sports chiropractors use several techniques for promoting rapid recovery, these include,

Stainless steel tools used to break down scar tissue.
Massage and stretching, combined with range-of-motion movement.
Electrical muscle stimulation to release tension near the surface.
Functional dry needling to release deep muscle tension.

The Takeaway

Athletes at all levels achieve optimal performance by seeking help from chiropractors. That is why professional trainers of top sports teams recommend and coaches of high school player strongly recommend them to see a chiropractor regularly.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Is Neck Tension A Product of Anxiety?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 16:55:13 GMT

Identifying the exact source of neck pain can be a challenge. There are many potential and common causes of neck pain, and while you try to determine the source through all the possibilities, the ongoing pain can be aggravating. In many cases, people are surprised to find that the source of neck pain is not physical, but instead can be caused by stress and anxiety.

Symptoms of neck tension

Your neck will feel tight, sore, painful, tense, and stiff. Most people have described this to be an unrelenting and persistent tension in the back of the neck. Most people tend to roll their necks around hoping that it would relieve the soreness, stiffness, and tension. This tension can also appear in the shoulders, back of the head, and the neck. This can happen periodically, occur frequently, or persist indefinitely. For instance, you may have neck tension once in a while and not that often, or you may feel it all the time.

Causes for anxiety-related neck tension

The stress response is activated if you behave in an anxious manner. This stress response is designed for bringing about specific emotional, physiological, and psychological changes which enhance the ability of the body to deal with danger; to either flee from it or fight with it. That is why we often refer to stress response as the fight or flight response.

This stress response leads to the muscles of the body to tighten in an attempt to protect the body from any potential harm. This is because tighter muscles prove to be more resilient to the damage. This effect of muscle tightening can impact any muscle group or individual muscle in the body. This includes the muscle in the back of the head, neck, and shoulders.

Ways of eliminating anxiety caused neck tension

When this feeling is caused by stress response changes and the accompanying apprehensive behavior, you should calm yourself down as it will eliminate the stress response and consequent changes. You should return to normal and this feeling should subside as your body recovers from the active stress response. You should remember that it may take up to 20 minutes for your body to recover from a major stress response. However, it shouldn’t be a cause for concern as it is normal. When this feeling is caused by persistent stress, you should eliminate the overly stressed state of your body. This will allow you to eliminate the symptoms related to muscle tension which includes neck tension. When your body will be calm and fully recovered, the neck tension will be eliminated. Hence, it shouldn't worry you too much.

You should consider speeding up the recovery process. You can do this by reducing stress, breathing in a relaxed manner, increasing your rest and not worrying about this feeling. Neck tension can be very troublesome and unsettling. But when your body will fully recover from the stress response the neck tension along with other symptoms will be eliminated.

Short-term remedies

There are some short-term remedies as well. Anything which reduces the stress on your body and relaxes you while relieving muscle tension can be of huge help. Some of the remedies are,

Doing a deep relaxation technique, such as meditation.
Doing mild stretching exercises.
Mild to moderate exercise (exercise is an effective stress reducer).
Having a massage.
Having a warm bath.
A heating pad on the back of the neck (heat reduces muscle tension).
Sore muscle ointment.
Using pain relievers.

The Takeaway

While reducing anxiety can be somewhat difficult, managing the associated neck pain can be a bit easier. Proactive measures can range from lifestyle changes to the use of simple heating pads. Before we can manage the pain, we must first understand the cause of the pain.

We specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom. Contact us today to see how we can be a part of your health and wellness journey.

Can Breathing Deficiencies and Neck Imbalances Be From This?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 23:56:25 GMT

The head and neck design allow for flexion and regular forward leaning. The challenge and consequences begin to occur when they maintain flexed or forward head posture positions for long, consistent periods of time. Cell phones, computers, desk jobs, and more sedentary living contribute to the growing number of people suffering from forward head posture syndromes and other detrimental health consequences.

The average person spends 2 to 4 hours a day with their head tilted forward for reading and texting on their smart phones. This amounts to 700-1400 hours of excess, abnormal cervical spine stress per year. 86% of American workers sit all day at their job in addition to time spent sitting on the couch after work watching television, reading, playing games or surfing the internet. Sedentary seating adds up to approximately 13 hours per day for the average person.

Sitting for long periods of time takes a toll on the body. Head posture in comparison to the neck and shoulders influences so many other aspects of health and performance. Forward head flexion for long periods of time negatively impacts whole body function. A study published in 2017 showed that forward head posture caused changes in the lungs, respiratory function, and neck muscles due to the strain placed on delicate structures in the head and neck. Significant correlations were found between forward head posture, lung volume, forced expiration, and neck muscle balance. As forward head deviation got worse, the lung and neck muscle findings and measurements also got worse. Authors concluded that forward head posture lowered respiratory functions and concluded with the need for maintenance of correct head posture to prevent restrictions and long-term health degeneration.

Chiropractic care represents one of the most utilized healthcare interventions to help patients improve their posture, head position, and spinal health. Three proactive tips to improve posture, reduce the risk of forward head flexion, and improve overall health and well-being include:

Pursue regular Chiropractic care.
Utilize proper sitting ergonomics to ensure technology and office tasks be done with the head and neck at eye level.
Take regular breaks every hour to keep the spine and body moving.

Chiropractors take pride in educating their patients on the dangers of prolonged sitting and forward head syndrome while providing unique care which minimizes the risk of poor spinal and postural health . The best health care plan involves a proactive approach to prevent disease and damage which hinders the body’s function and performance. Choose Chiropractic.

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation August 2017

“ Correlation between forward head posture, respiratory functions, and respiratory accessory muscles in young adults .” MS Kim, YJ Cha, JD Choi

Improving Brain Health With Exercise

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 22:59:22 GMT

You may have heard before how the brain is “like a muscle” and just like any of our other muscles, we need to exercise it regularly. Use it or lose it, but how does one do that? We can’t exactly flex our brain like we flex our muscles. The truth is that exercising the body’s muscles can help your brain in so many different ways. Let's discuss the ways that physical activity can impact our brain health.

Improving Brain Health With Exercise

Improves Mood. Exercise releases endorphins, these are known as nature's feel-good mood elevator. Exercise also releases serotonin, which improves mood and alleviates symptoms of depression. There is research that shows that routine exercise can be as effective as antidepressants. Exercise promotes many changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that encourage feelings of calm and well-being.
Reduce Stress. When the body is under stress, our muscles may be tense, this is true especially in your face, neck, and shoulders, and often can leave you with back or neck pain, and even headaches. Exercising is a useful way to break this cycle. By releasing endorphins in the brain, exercise will help to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. The body and mind are closely linked so when your body feels better so will your mind.
Memory Improvement. Simply put, your brain remembers more when your body is active. The same endorphins that are released and make you feel better also help you concentrate and feel mentally sharper. Exercise also can stimulate the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline.
Improves Sleep. Even just quick bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate your sleep patterns. If you routinely exercise in the evening, relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching can help promote sleep.
Sharpens Concentration. Exercise can also improve your ability to concentrate because of the new neural connections that are made as a result of physical activity. The more you use these connections, the stronger the connections actually get. The great thing is that achieving this cognitive improvement does not have to be a difficult task. Simply doing exercises that target coordination skills, you can improve your concentration. For example, playing catch with your kids or a game of tennis can improve coordination.

The Takeaway

When many of us think of the health perks of exercise, we often think of how it affects our body. Being active can do more than changing the way your body looks, it can strongly affect your mind as well.

There a plethora of surprising ways that exercise can affect your brain, and once you understand how important physical activity is for your brain and mental health, you will likely never looking at going to the gym the same way again. With that said, its time to get moving and keep our brain as healthy as possible.

Contact us today, we specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom.

Mounting Evidence Proves This Is Priceless Investment

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 14:01:32 GMT

Evidence proves that Chiropractic benefits long term wellness. Research shows that regular Chiropractic care improves the health and longevity of the spine, diminishes the risk of joint degeneration, increases mobility, and boosts overall function of the body by reducing stress from the brain and central nervous system. Conventional thinking typically paints the benefits of Chiropractic into the corner of pain relief . Alleviating pain does manifest as a side effect of Chiropractic care but only as a subsidiary product of focusing on health, function, and performance within the spine and nervous system.

Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress from the central nervous system by improving mobility and alignment in the spine. The spine’s intimate relationship with the nervous system connects many aspects of health, function, and performance. Chiropractors specifically test for misaligned or abnormally moving segments of the spine . These areas of concern experience harmful alterations or impingements through physical, chemical, or emotional stress.

Many people describe the physical sensation of stress as a weight resting at the base of the neck, between the shoulders, or in the low back. These examples represent how emotional stress influences the muscles and bones of the spine. Physically stressful events such as sleeping wrong, poor posture, or sports injuries also assault the body’s spine and nervous system. Chiropractors address the cause of the problem instead of simply masking the symptoms.

Chiropractors focus not only on physical correction within the body through a series of adjustments and possible lifestyle modifications and rehab, but also on long term maintenance and wellness. The dual emphasis on correction and sustained health makes Chiropractic a successful and unique alternative to pharmaceutical interventions which focus only on masking (but not fixing) physical problems. Maintenance Chiropractic care provides an essential and empowering part of the wellness process. People pursuing long term performance and functionality know they possess the power to proactively pursue optimal health rather than act reactively to physical eventualities. Research shows that a lack of alignment and mobility in the spine leads to a more rapid progression of spinal degeneration, muscle weakness, atrophy, and fatty deposition in specific muscle groups.

Wellness chiropractic care mirrors changing oil in a car, brushing teeth, exercising, weeding the garden, updating a computer, or improving car axel alignment. The quality and quantity of life for a car, computer, human body, garden, or tires directly depends on proactive treatment and maintenance. The spine operates no differently. Chiropractors recommend monthly check ups and adjustments to maximize performance and health. Research proves that Chiropractic benefits the health, well-being, and longevity of the spine, nervous system and body. Every parent, child, and family member deserve to function at a greater capacity through regular Chiropractic care .

Journal of Chiropractic Humanity, 2011 “ A theoretical basis for maintenance spinal manipulative therapy for the chiropractic profession .” D Taylor

Can This Unlock The Power Of Your Brain?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 21:02:39 GMT

Dr. D.D. Palmer administered the first Chiropractic adjustment to a deaf janitor in Davenport, Iowa, leading to the restoration of his hearing. A flu pandemic occurred in 1918 which killed millions of people all over the world in a short period of time. Over a half million Americans died from the flu during that three-year time period. Statistics reveal that those who received spinal adjustive care during the flu pandemic experienced 1/40th the death rate compared to those who did not receive spinal adjustments.

A judge from North Dakota evaluated and witnessed a group of institutionalized adults in 1935 before and after they had received Chiropractic care. Judge Ponath of North Dakota determined that a specific group of men were clinically insane and ordered them to be institutionalized. After undergoing long term Chiropractic care, they were ordered to be re-evaluated by the same judge. Ponath determined that every single man no longer met the threshold for institutionalization as determined by the same standards initially leading to their incarceration.

Mahatma Gandhi suffered from high blood pressure in 1942. The wise people of his village advised that a Chiropractor come live with him for three months. Gandhi experienced regular checkups and adjustments over those three months. Professionals determined that he no longer suffered from blood pressure problems at the end of the regimen.

These historically notable testimonies highlight a tiny fraction of power and influence of Chiropractic on millions of people in world history. Millions more people enter Chiropractic clinics all over the world today. Most of these people get their spine adjusted and begin to experience health benefits seemingly unrelated to the spine. Yet science explains the connection between the results in these historical stories and the adjustments that promote long term health in the spine and nervous system. The answer begins in the brain .

Update research once again validates the assertion that Chiropractic adjustments influence the brain and central nervous system. A 2019 study involved adjusting a group of people to measure the influence triggered on the muscles and soft tissues around the elbow. The targeted muscle groups achieved greater strength and electrical drive into the muscle in the subjects receiving adjustments compared to the subjects who did not. These results compound additional research over the last twelve years indicating that adjustments to the spine impact the influence of the brain throughout the entire body. Better technology allows for more scientific data to be collected which simply supports result-based evidence that began with D.D. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa, over 125 years ago. The spine houses the world’s most sophisticated super-computer . When freed from impingement and immobility, evidence, science, data, and research prove that the brain possesses the power to heal, restore, and maximize functional capacity within the body. Every man, woman, and child deserve to experience the power of Chiropractic.

Brain Science 2019 “ Increased Voluntary Activation of the Elbow Flexors Following a Single Session of Spinal Manipulation in a Subclinical Neck Pain Population .”

M Kingett, K Holt, I Khan Niazi, R Wiberg Nedergaard, M Lee, H Haavik

Tips To Stay Motivated With Healthier Eating Habits

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 03 Aug 2019 19:11:02 GMT

How many times have you told yourself that this time will be different? If that sounds remotely familiar then this could be the day you discover the motivational secret you need for success.

The truth is, getting motivated is somewhat easy. It is staying motivated that even under the best circumstances is difficult. When we set new goals things usually begin strong. You resist the urge to buy foods that are unhealthy, you begin to be more active and your mindset is positive. Then life happens and in a series of events you end up procrastinating day after day.

Tips For Stay Motivated With Healthier Eating Habits

Focus On How Different Foods Make You Feel . By focusing on how you feel after eating certain foods you will develop and sustain healthy habits. The healthier the food that you choose to eat, the better you’ll likely feel after a meal. The more unhealthy you eat, the more likely you are to feel uncomfortable, drained of energy or even nausea.
Find Foods You Enjoy. Explore and find real food that actually tastes really good to you. Not everyone likes the same things and it may take time to experiment and find what you enjoy. When you choose healthy foods that are delicious to you then and you’ll never want to stop eating them. Keep an eye out for new healthy recipes online, in cookbooks or magazines so you don’t ever feel bored with eating healthy.
Set Specific Goals And Write Them Down . Research has shown that people who wrote down their goals accomplished notably more than those who did not. Also, the more specific they were with their goals, the more likely they were to accomplish them. Since motivation isn’t something that we feel every moment, try to keep your specific goals with near you each day so that you can reach out for a reminder when you have moments that make you struggle.
Meal Preparation. Meal prep is planning, preparing, and packaging your meals as well as snacks in advance. Many get in the habit of preparing for the upcoming week, and preparing with the intention of clean eating and portion control can be a great key to success for healthy eating goals. Use your calendar to time block and prioritize this time. This sets the intention to meal prep while also creating the time it will realistically take you. Play music, talk with a friend on speakerphone and learn to enjoy this time of preparation.
Keep It Interesting . Breaking up your routine of the same old recipes with new and fun recipes will keep your healthy eating plan interesting. When you find yourself bored it can be easy to return to old habits. Try buying new cooking items as, with anything new, you are likely excited to try it out!

The Takeaway

Having healthy eating goals and habits are so important to our overall health. Eating a healthy diet is far from simple because humans are very complex beings and we can tend to make choices about food often for enjoyment rather than giving our body the proper fuel. Be patient with yourself and make sure to take time to celebrate each day's journey.

How Therapeutic Massage Can Be Beneficial

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 18:33:57 GMT

More then ever people are recognizing that therapeutic massage has a wide range of benefits. Massage can help to relieve pain, detoxify your body, help you sleep better and even help you look younger. Let's discuss some of the reasons that people choose to get a massage and reap the health benefits!

How Therapeutic Massage Can Be Beneficial

Reduce Post Exercise Pain . There is evidence that massage therapy is able to provide relief from inflammation, and this is often the culprit behind post-workout aches and pains. When inflammation is reduced then the pain is as well, working similarly to how anti-inflammatory medication helps to bring swelling go down.
Detoxifies The Body . Routine therapeutic massage practices can yield some very positive biological and restorative results. Therapeutic massage remains a key step in the elimination of unnecessary acids in the body. However, stress is a constant enemy and produces more acid than the body needs or can manage or eliminate, that's where therapeutic massage can assist the body.
Better Sleep . Millions of people have longed for a decent night’s sleep on a restless night. Adequate sleep is how the human body recharges its internal battery, both physically and mentally. Regular massage therapy can help to reduce tension and positively impacts the functions of the muscular, circulatory, nervous and even immune systems all at once and as a result sleep quality is improved.
Better Healing From Injury . A large number of people have experienced a surgical procedure or injury, at some point in their life, that requires rehabilitation and can understand how a skilled professional in massage therapy can play a dramatic role in the recovery process. Therapeutic massage can help to repair damaged soft tissue in or around an incision, break up any scar tissue that may have formed and can even deter the formation of that scar tissue in the first place before it compromises muscle functions. Massage can provide improved circulation and nourishment to injured muscles and the results can be dramatic.
Improved Body Mechanics. Therapeutic massage aids the improvement of range of motion, as well as increase joint flexibility. When joints are more fluid, they are much less prone to injury. When the range of motion is improved, there is less joint and muscle stress. Not to mention that when blood flow is stimulated then long-time aches and pains start to dissipate. Muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons will suddenly feel better, and with less pain then the body has renewed flexibility as well.
Improved Overall Wellness . Many people combine massage therapy into their regular health and wellness plan and often find that it improves their overall health and well-being. The majority of people feel rejuvenated post-massage and enjoy both the physical and emotional benefits that massage can bring.
Can Help You Appear More Youthful . Massages stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage, both of which can plump skin and add vitality to your complexion. Many people call it the natural facelift since massage can reduce puffiness, creates a brighter skin tone and will also increase collagen production, which prevents the formation of wrinkles.

The Takeaway

Not all massage is created equal, but expert therapeutic massage is beneficial for every lifestyle and focuses on maintaining and improving the working order of both the mind and body.

Contact us today, we specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom.

Is Your Child Growing Horns On The Back Of Their Head?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 01:35:02 GMT

The title sounds like a tag line for a new movie or piece of artwork. New research states that permanent bone structure changes take place at the back of the skull as a result of extended amounts of time in a forward head posture position. Authors of the study attribute the cause of the increased amount of forward head posture to increased time on technology devices such as phones and computers.

The research evaluated x-ray findings of 1200 subjects ranging from ages 18 to 86 years old. Evaluators call the small bump on the back of the skull an External Occipital Protuberance (EOP). A ligament and muscle attach to the EOP. Researchers found that an extra small bony growth was found at higher incidence in younger adults who had greater degrees of forward head posture. The small horn-like growth appeared to be caused by increased amounts of stress on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in that area due to forward head posture. As stress loads increase in ligaments, muscles, and tendons for long periods of time, bony deposits form within the body as a protection mechanism.

An increasingly sedentary lifestyle accompanies massive amounts of time spent looking forward and down at devices. An adaptive process takes place within the body to alleviate the added weight and pressure being placed on the back of the head and neck. An incredible amount of strain prompts bone to infiltrate the tendon as muscles at the back of the skull work to prevent the head from falling down to the chest.

Weight added to the spine dramatically increases when forward head flexion increases at varying intervals. A 0° interval produces a measurable head weight on the neck of 10 to 12 pounds. A 15° interval of forward head posture increases weight on the neck by 27 pounds. A 30° interval increases weight on the neck by 40 pounds. A 45° interval increases the weight on the neck by 49 pounds. A 60° interval increases the weight on the neck by 60 pounds.

The extra stress from forward head posture on the neck and skull produce significant effects. Commentary focuses on the shocking presence of the bone spur but the protrusion registers as the smallest of concerns. The process involved in the bone spur formation indicates a danger and concern far greater than anything superficial. Improper head and neck configuration signify abnormalities in the nervous system and dangerous long-term outcomes for a person’s overall health, function, and performance.

These bone spur formations take a long time to develop. Individuals who suffer from EOP spurs began applying stress and strain to the head and neck area during the early stages of childhood. The length of time needed to form a bone spur suggests that sustained improvement in posture and head positioning prevent accompanying effects and allows for correction and healing. Chiropractic care plays a vital role in helping reduce stress and abnormal spinal positioning which promote disease, discomfort, and long-term health concerns. Research continues to alert people to the dangers of overusing technological devices as they pertain to deteriorating effects on the head, neck, and spine. Chiropractic helps relieve the damaging effects of forward head posture while providing education and care plans for the sustained health and function of the neck, spine, and nervous system.

Scientific Reports 2018

“ Prominent exostosis projecting from the occipital squama more substantial and prevalent in young adult than older age groups .” D Shahar, M G.L. Sayers

Can Dangerous Conditions Exist Without Pain?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 01:14:05 GMT

Heart attacks often occur without advanced warning. The attack arrives and people remark how they never saw it coming. Cancer and other tumors often exist for years inside a living body without any known signs or symptoms. High blood pressure, cavities, and blood vessel plaques also form without warning signs or pain, especially in the early stages of development. The examples represent the very real existence of dangerous conditions which exist without the presence of pain. In fact, most of these conditions do not manifest with pain until the problem becomes advanced in stages of concern . Too often those manifestations meet the administration of pain resolving drugs as an initial treatment although the drugs never address the underlying cause of the problem.

Problems in the spine share similar characteristics. One group of researchers evaluated spinal health in young adults. The results showed that pathological changes of the cervical spine in a 24 to 27-year-old population were equally common in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.

In the group with no current or previous back or neck pain, the findings noted:

Disc Protrusion - present in 87% of subjects
Disc Degeneration - present in 73% of subjects
Disc Annular Tear - present in 63% of subjects
Disc Herniation - present in 0% of subjects

In the group with recurrent or persistent neck and/or shoulder pain, the findings noted:

Disc Protrusion - present in 69% of subjects
Disc Degeneration - present in 56% of subjects
Disc Annular Tear - present in 50% of subjects
Disc Herniation - present in 25% of subjects

The research acknowledged the underlying damage which often occurs with no symptoms present. So much of physical health involves proactive care. People understand that consistent check-ups and teeth cleaning at the dentist, health physicals with the family physician, and stress tests with a cardiologist remain logical methods of maintaining prolonged health. People also pursue regular cancer screenings to ensure early detection of any adverse conditions before signs and symptoms occur. The same philosophy applies to regular spinal check-ups and adjustments with a Chiropractor. The benefits of a Chiropractic adjustment go well beyond pain relief, impacting overall organ health and function in addition to spinal care. The presence of pain represents advanced stages of spinal concern. The most impactful benefits of Chiropractic care belong to those who experience proactive care to maintain optimal nervous system function.

Chiropractic adjustments improve the function of the entire body through better alignment and mobility in the spine. The spine intimately connects to the brain and central nervous system. Improving the health of the spine and function of the nervous system begins with the onset of a Chiropractic wellness plan. Adjustments benefit the human body with or without the presence of pain, but proactive care allows the body to maintain maximum performance in advance of many deteriorating conditions. Wellness Chiropractic care focuses on improving and maintaining the health of the spine, nervous system, and the entire body through regular checkups and adjustments. Many Chiropractic patients choose wellness care guided by an understanding that proactive health care empowers people to know their body exists in a state of maximized well-being. Wellness care ensures better mobility, alignment, function, and strength for all ages. People deserve a better model of health care than waiting until the body begins to break down through pain and symptoms of advanced degenerative conditions. Chiropractic provides advanced healthcare for all generations.

European Spine Journal August 2002 “MRI changes of cervical spine in asymptomatic and symptomatic young adults. ”

SM Siivola, S Levoska, O Tervonen, E Ilkko, H Vanharanta, S Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi

Simple Safety Tips For Starting To Exercise As A Diabetic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sat, 20 Jul 2019 19:10:20 GMT

We all are aware that exercise is good for our overall health , but when you have Diabetes it is even more important. Routine exercise will keep your muscles flexible, the blood circulation properly through your body, and keep your blood glucose levels stable as you go through your day.

Let's discuss a few useful tips and information for safely exercising with diabetes. It is also recommended to make an appointment to see your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Simple Safety Tips For Exercising With Diabetes

Notify And Be In Contact With Your Doctor. If your exercise regime will involve more than a daily brisk walk, it is a good idea to check in first with your healthcare professional. Depending on your medications and health status, there are some types of activity may not be recommended. When your muscles are working harder, the insulin or medications that you take will work faster, putting you at an increased risk for low blood sugar. Be sure to discuss with your doctor regarding when is best to take your insulin and/or medications before you exercise.
Test Your Blood Sugar . It is imperative to test your blood sugar levels before, during, and after a workout. If you find that your blood sugar levels are below 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l) before you even begin to exercise, it is recommended to have a snack that contains 15 grams of carbohydrate and test again in 15 minutes.
Keep Something Sweet With You While Exercising . Keep a source of fast-acting carbohydrates (e.g., glucose gel or tablets, a sports drink or juice box) nearby you while exercising for the possibility of low blood sugar emergencies. It is also a good idea to carry energy or protein bars with you in your gym bag.
Invest in Proper Footwear . Choosing proper footwear is important for diabetics as it is possible to have altered sensation of the feet as well as slow-healing with any injuries. Keep your feet dry and check them regularly for blisters. Wearing socks made of polyester or a blend of cotton and polyester may be useful to prevent blisters. It is also important to wear athletic shoes that are in good shape and are the right type for your activity.
Exercise With A Friend. Working out with friends can be an important motivator, a source of accountability and a safety precaution as well. Be sure to let your workout buddy know that you have diabetes and how to take action if your blood sugar gets to low. It is also recommended to wear a medical identification tag or bracelet when working out so that others will know best how to help you in an emergency.
Stay Hydrated. When you exercise, you lose water and that alone can upset your blood sugar levels. Be sure to drink water before, during, and after exercise to make up for what you lose. This is especially important if have diabetic nerve damage. Blood sugar monitoring when exercising is important and proper hydration is essential for accurate blood sugar monitoring results. Water is the best choice for hydration purposes and will not affect blood sugar. However, if your blood sugar drops due to your activity, then the better choice may be to consume a regular sports drink to meet your fluid needs and raise your blood sugar.

The Takeaway

Exercise is an amazing way to take charge of your diabetes. Regular exercise will help to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in healthy ranges. Always take the above-listed precautions to avoid emergencies while exercising with diabetes.

Contact us today, we specialize in finding and eliminating the root cause of your ailment, not just treating the symptom.

Ways That Sleep Can Impact Our Overall Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 18:57:07 GMT

It's amazing to stop and think that we spend approximately a third of our lives sleeping. With that said it's clear that sleep is important to our bodies! Our bodies need sleep in order to function during waking hours. In spite of sleep being one of our basic daily needs, more than 60 percent of adults say their sleep needs are not being fully met.

Sleep is much like nutrition and physical activity, it is critical to our health. We need to sleep in order to stay alert, boost memory and can affect our brain and heart health. When we don’t get adequate amounts of sleep then we sacrifice in other areas of our life.

Ways That Sleep Can Impact Our Overall Health

Your Mood. Another thing that your brain does while you sleep is processing your emotions. Your brain needs this time of rest and recovery in order to recognize and react to things correctly. When you cut that short, you will find that tend to have more negative emotional reactions and fewer positive ones.
Your Heart. While you are sleeping, your blood pressure decreases and it gives your heart and blood vessels a much-needed break. The more you reduce sleep time, the longer your blood pressure stays up during a 24-hour cycle. Lack of sleep has been associated with worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Clearly, getting the proper amount of sleep can have long-term payoffs.
The Brain. The bottom line is brain function is critical, and without adequate sleep, the brain simply can’t regenerate properly. The obvious signs that you may become aware of when getting less than 6 hours of sleep is you that you feel tired, forgetful, irritable, and just not your best. When considering the long term, it can be clear to others by affecting job performance, mood swings, depression, and you can quickly become the person that no one really enjoys to be around.
Your Weight. Your body undoubtedly needs the energy to stay alert and to keep going. It seems to be clear that the longer you are awake then the hungrier you are likely to be in order to attain the necessary energy. Being sleep-deprived also alters the hormones in your brain that control your appetite.
Improves Memory. While you are sleeping, your body may be resting, but your brain is active and processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings, and memories. Therefore, sleep is a very critical time for your brain to make memories and links, and getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Sleep requirements vary from person to person. How much sleep you need is dependent on your age, lifestyle, and overall health. While sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person, most healthy adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. Children and teens actually need even more.

T he Takeaway

Adequate sleep can easily make you feel better, but its importance goes far beyond just boosting your mood or reducing under-eye circles. Adequate sleep is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your heart, weight, mind, and much more.

Most of us need around 7-9 hours of good-quality sleep a night to function properly and while some may need more or less than that, sleep should not be considered a luxury, but rather a necessity for optimal functioning.

Does Chiropractic Care Reduce Opioid Addiction?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:52:07 GMT

Does Chiropractic Care Reduce Opioid Addiction?

A common question we receive is “If opioids aren’t the answer for chronic pain as the medical establishment claim, then what is?” In this blog, we will answer that question and show that Chiropractic care will reduce opioid consumption by 55%!

Opioids are prescribed for chronic pain for millions who throughout the world. Many other medical treatments are the answer for part, but not all of those needing treatment, and frequently the reason a treatment is not the answer is because of a problem with the kidneys or liver whereas with opioids it is the brain which makes the treatment wrong for some patients.

Many chronic pain patients use narcotics when their pain is unbearable and then limit their consumption when their condition improves again. Addicts continue to increase their consumption and will continue taking medication even when they don’t need it.

The Opioid Stats

One in every three Americans take opioid drugs and 1.9 million of those users find themselves addicted to dangerous pain-relieving medications on a daily basis.

Over 115 people die every day from opioid drugs and medications. The medical community began releasing opioids into mainstream healthcare with good intentions but now the pharmaceutical venture seems to cause more harm than actual help.

Medicare recipients spent well over a billion dollars on opioid drugs in 2016, which is equivalent to nearly $4,000 per Medicare recipient. The results of this type of health care produce major addictions and death on a daily basis across the world.

Other Pain Treatments

Research conducted in 2018 focused on the benefits of Chiropractic care amidst the opioid epidemic. The study focused on administering Chiropractic care to individuals who used or had access to opioids for the treatment of pain. Regular Chiropractic care served as a primary health solution in place of the dead-end cycle of dangerous drugs.

Patients who engage with Chiropractic care on a consistent basis started filling their prescriptions at a lower rate of 55% compared to those who didn’t receive any other medical care. Chiropractic adjustments provide safe and effective pain relief that helped cure the root of the symptoms instead of just masking the pain.

Continued research shows the evidence that long-term health care directly relates to the condition of your spine and body. Did you know a healthy spine will minimize and reduces your physical pain all while providing long-term and drug-free solutions?

Use Chiropractic Care For These Symptoms

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or pain you can turn to a chiropractic professional to help treat without needing opioids. Chiropractors treat a range of symptoms related to the spine. These symptoms can be found in most areas of the body.

Upper, Mid or Low Back Pain
Neck Pain & Stiffness
Shoulder Pain
Numbness/Tingling
Chest Pain
Extremity Pain (Arm & Leg)
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Ankle/Foot Pain
Headaches
Post car injury
And much more…

If you’re looking to fix the root of your pain and want to fix whatever symptoms you’re experiencing then chiropractic care is the best option.

The Key Takeaway:

Modern age medicine has contributed to early diagnosis and positive results to major symptoms and injuries but there is also higher percentages who were involved with side effects of these treatments like addiction to opioids.

Rehabilitation time, post-operation side effects and many disorders are there which are connected with the modern western medicinal way of treatment.

But new modern alternative methods are getting high respect these days and chiropractic care is certainly one part of the modern innovation that has positive results throughout the world.

If you or someone you know is experiencing pain, opioid addiction because of pain or you just need to find someone who will fix the root of your symptoms then reach out to us directly on the form below. We’re here to help and find a solution to any symptoms you’re experiencing.

Why It’s Important To See Your Chiropractor This Holiday Season

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:52:04 GMT

Why It’s Important To See Your Chiropractor This Holiday Season

With the holiday season in full-force, more people than ever are facing the stresses that often come with this time of year. While you may be running around shopping, baking and preparing to travel, it is important that you are also taking the time to care for yourself.

There is a reason so many people get sick during this time of year. It is not because cold weather magically brings colds, it is because so many people are stressed and not caring for themselves, which leaves our bodies at a greater risk of getting sick.

Seeing a Chiropractor during the holiday season can help reduce stress, heal and prevent winter injuries, and boost your mood.

Why It’s Important To See Your Chiropractor This Holiday Season

Stress . The holiday season can be stressful when considering the mounting number of items that get piled on the to-do list, the extra expenses, and even stressful family encounters this time of year. The body deals with stress physically by tensing up; especially in the neck, shoulders, low back and jaw. Chiropractic is a powerful tool in dealing with the negative impact of stress and how it affects the body.
Travel . Unless you’re staying at home for the holidays, odds are you’ll be feeling some type of travel pain come January. Whether you’re flying, driving, or stuck on a pullout sofa, the holiday travel can leave you in some pretty uncomfortable positions.
Headaches . This time of year with stress, increase tension in the body, cold weather can increase headaches. Other triggers could be the lack of water, increase alcohol content, and many foods especially sugars and wine can increase headaches. Prevent these headaches, help decrease symptoms and rule out a more serious condition by visiting the chiropractor.
Immune System. Chiropractic care can help balance the nervous system and help you stay active during the colder months, which improves your immune system and helps fight off the cold & flu.
Seasonal injuries . It may not be so obvious, but the holidays bring their own types of injuries, including strains from hanging decorations and pulled muscles from lifting heavy boxes, shopping bags or shoveling snow.
Winter Blues . Roughly 15% of Americans are challenged by the change of the seasons when it comes to depression and extreme fatigue. Posture is a key way we express ourselves. Good posture and spinal health can help you feel more energetic, happier, and confident.
Digestion. For many people, one of the best parts about the holiday season is all of the candies and cookies that they get to enjoy during this time of the year. However, all of these sweets can really take their toll on your digestive system and leave you feeling bloated, lethargic and uncomfortable. Combat these common pains by getting adjusted regularly. By visiting your chiropractor you can make sure your nervous system is functioning as it should be, meaning your whole body will start working better and your brain and your digestive system can communicate more effectively.

The Takeaway

The holidays can be a fast and furious season that too many becomes a blur of shopping, decorating, entertaining and cleaning up. We are around many friends and family and often jump from party to party without really allowing our bodies the chance to digest everything that is going on or relax.

Although we have many obligations this time of the year this can also be the best time to stop and think about our own health. Chiropractic care has become essential to keeping up with all the busy holiday season demands.

What Are Some Common Chiropractic Modalities

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:52:02 GMT

What Are Some Common Chiropractic Modalities

Although their main method of treatment is spinal manipulation, many chiropractors also use other therapies to treat their patients. Some of the most common treatments chiropractic doctors recommend includes therapeutic exercise and stretching, spinal traction, manual soft tissue therapy, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound, and others.

Modalities are defined as “Any physical agent applied to produce therapeutic changes to biologic tissues; includes but not limited to thermal, acoustic, light, mechanical, or electric energy.” They can be attended OR non-attended.

Common Chiropractic Modalities

Ultrasound . Therapeutic ultrasound is a form of deep heat therapy created by sound waves. When applied to soft tissues and joints, the sound waves are a form of micro-massage that help reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and decrease pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms.
Massage and Soft Tissue Mobilization . Massage is defined as the rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints by the hands especially to relieve tension. Soft tissue mobilization is a specific assessment, evaluation, and treatment of soft tissues (ligaments, muscles, tendons, and fascia) for the purpose of creating beneficial effects on the nervous, musculoskeletal, lymph, and circulatory systems.
Spinal Traction . Many chiropractors use spinal traction, in which traction devices are applied to distract areas of the spine. This treatment helps to gently separate the vertebrae resulting in disc decompression, reduced nerve root pressure, and less pain.
Heat and cold. Chiropractors may alternate between heat and ice therapy to help patients treat back pain. Ice packs may be used to numb the back for a 10 to 15 minute period and then switched with a heating pad, heat wrap or hot water bottle to restore blood flow to the area and promote faster healing.
Dietary management. Many chiropractors will provide patients with tips on how an improved diet may help with their back pain, and some may recommend dietary supplements after spinal manipulation.
Cold Laser . Unlike standard lasers, the cold laser produces light without heat. That makes it a worthwhile piece of equipment for treating injured areas and encouraging cell function and healing. For some injuries, heat can make the situation worse. That’s not true of cold lasers.
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS ). A TENS unit is a small, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulation machine that can be used at home to help control pain. Variable intensities of electric current are used to control pain. This treatment is recommended to help patients get through periods of severe (acute) pain.
Interferential Current . Interferential current (IFC) is another type of TENS therapy. This mode uses high-frequency electrical impulses to reduce pain deep within a patient’s tissue. For sensitive patients, IFC is a good substitute, since the high frequency meets less skin resistance than a TENs unit.
Therapeutic Exercise. Chiropractors commonly prescribe specific strengthening exercises for their patients with back, neck, and extremity problems. These exercises can help decrease pain, prevent muscle deterioration, promote joint health, increase strength, stability, and range of motion, and protect against new or recurring injuries.
Lifestyle Changes . Good health is much more than the absence of pain or disease. The lifestyle choices you make on a daily basis can greatly affect your long-term health. Your chiropractor can talk to you about your lifestyle choices, help you sort through and identify unhealthy health habits, and give you practical strategies to deal with and manage them

The Takeaway

As you can see, chiropractic medicine is more than just spinal manipulations. Chiropractors use a variety of treatment modalities to help the body to heal itself and return the patient to a pain-free and healthy life.

The Benefit Of Using Chiropractic And Massage Therapy Together

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:52:01 GMT

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Most people know the benefits of chiropractic care, as well as the relaxing effects of massage therapy. Did you know that getting both regular massages and routine chiropractic adjustments can enhance your overall wellness?

Many Chiropractors know how well their treatments work together and use them in tandem regularly.

Chiropractic medicine is based on the idea that your body can help to keep itself healthy if your spine, neck, and head are aligned properly and free from abnormalities that impair the proper flow of energy along your spinal column. The treatment itself is a highly-controlled procedure that uses minimal force and gentle pressure. Patients typically feel relief immediately after an adjustment.

Massage therapy . Focuses on the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. Modalities can also be used such as aromatherapy, hot stones, and reflexology to name a few.

How Chiropractic And Massage Therapy Work Together

Prepares The Muscles And Attachments. Since massage therapy focuses on manipulating the soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments by improving circulation and blood flow that warms these soft tissues, causing them to loosen and relax. When your muscles are warm, you’re going to have more elasticity and function. Massage prior to a chiropractic adjustment prevents the likelihood of spasm post-adjustment because of elongation of the muscles that attach to the spine noted after a message.
Recovery From Pain . Recovery, especially from conditions that cause pain, can be faster and more complete when multiple components of that pain are addressed simultaneously. Spinal alignment is key for diminishing back pain. The chiropractor will work to resolve the structural problems and the massage therapist working to resolve the soft tissue problems. Working together to get you back to a state of health, well-being, and pain-free as quickly as possible.
Positive Influence On Circulatory System . The circulation of the blood, lymph, and interstitial fluids are critical to the natural homeostasis throughout the body, as well as its ability to heal and regenerate. Improvement in circulation has a plethora of benefits involving all body systems.
General Sense Of Wellness . Massage Therapy helps the body relax, decreases stress and reduces anxiety. Chiropractic treatment is aided when the body is relaxed and the patient is calm. Massage therapy and chiropractic together can help to cleanse the body of impurities by breaking down built up toxins, which often has a calming effect on anxious and excessively stressed patients.
Massage Extends The Benefit Of Chiropractic Adjustment . Since there is a decrease in muscle tension, there an increase in flexibility and longer sustained benefits from the adjustment.

The Takeaway

The chiropractor works to relieve the structural problems and the massage therapist works to resolve the soft tissue problems. Most chiropractors who work hand-in-hand with massage therapists collaborate to find the most effective treatment regimen for each patient.

The long-term solution is a commitment to overall wellness. Chiropractic and massage therapy both offer considerable benefits individually, they are better together.

Shining The Light On 6 Common Chiropractic Myths

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:52:00 GMT

Shining The Light On 6 Common Chiropractic Myths

As successful as chiropractic has become, there are still a lot of myths circulating among the general public. The fact is that many people still do not understand what chiropractors do.

As a patient, when you are making any medical decisions about any part of your body it is important that you have all the facts.

6 Common Chiropractic Myths

Myth #1. Medical doctors don’t like Chiropractors.
Truth . In the 1940s, the medical community did have some opposition to Chiropractic. However, now there is little animosity towards chiropractors from the medical community. Chiropractors are now on staff at many major hospitals, the military, working at insurance companies, and work side by side with medical doctors in private clinics. These days, hospitals across the country now have chiropractors on staff, and many chiropractic offices have medical doctors on staff.

Myth #2. Chiropractors are not real doctors.
Truth . Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. While the competition for acceptance in chiropractic school is not as fierce as medical school, the chiropractic and medical school curricula are extremely rigorous and virtually identical.

A chiropractor has equally extensive education in basic human health sciences as any other doctor. The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors is not in their level of education but in their method of treatment.

Myth #3 . Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to keep going for the rest of your life.
Truth . You only have to continue going to the chiropractor as long as you wish to maintain the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system. Although you can enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care even if you receive care for a short time, the real benefits come into play when you make chiropractic care a part of your wellness lifestyle.

Many patients choose to get regular adjustments much like you might get a regular massage or visit the dentist.

Myth #4 People can give themselves an adjustment by “cracking” their neck or back.
Truth . Just as you wouldn’t perform surgery on yourself, it’s always best to leave the adjustments of your back and neck to the professional chiropractor.

While some people can get their neck or back to “pop” this usually only affects the segments that are not the real problem and would be almost impossible to adjust oneself in a way or correct any subluxations

Myth #5 . Chiropractic manipulation is dangerous.
Truth . While it is true that no treatment or intervention is without risk, chiropractic manipulation is safe. Most of the time a spinal adjustment itself will not hurt at all. In fact, a great sense of relief is often experienced by the patient.

An adjustment will correct any misalignments in the spine thus relieving pressure on the joints and spinal nerves, creating space and relieving pain due to the pressure.

Myth #6. Chiropractors only treat back pain.
Truth . Chiropractors are commonly known to help patients with back problems but that is not all they do. During their education, every chiropractor learns how to administer clinical examinations and offer the proper diagnosis of the entire human body.

Chiropractors often diagnose problems unrelated to the spine, offer nutritional advice, and prescribe exercises to patients.

The Takeaway

Even as chiropractic becomes the first choice for preventative care for millions of people, there are still myths that persist.

Never believe everything you hear. Like most things in life, there are a lot of rumors about chiropractic’s that simply are not true. If you are on the fence about chiropractic care, attend a consultation appointment, where you can voice all of your concerns to a licensed chiropractor.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:16 GMT

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

There is no doubt a woman experiences a plethora of changes during pregnancy. The physical and emotional changes that occur are impressive. In fact, the physical changes seem to include every system in the body.

For many pregnant women, aches and pains in the lower back and hips are part of the experience. In fact, approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience back pain at some point before they deliver. As the body goes through the changes during and following pregnancy chiropractic care can help.

Changes In Body Due To Pregnancy

There are many hormonal and physical changes experienced during pregnancy. Some of these will have an impact on posture and comfort. As the baby becomes heavier, the center of gravity shifts and the posture adjusts accordingly.
These physical changes during your pregnancy can lead to a misaligned spine or joints. These changes may include a protruding abdomen resulting in an increased curve of your back, changes to your pelvis as your body begins to prepare for labor, and adaptations to your posture.

How Chiropractic Can Help During Pregnancy

Ease symptoms and pain from pregnancy . Designed to keep your spine in alignment, chiropractic care can help prevent and relieve back pain associated with pregnancy. Chiropractic can help ease pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. It doesn’t work for all women, but chiropractic is one way to try to get some relief from morning sickness. An adjustment will help nausea and vomiting if they are due in part to nerves pinched by out-of-place vertebrae.
Posture . Many women have issues with back pain during pregnancy due to the extra weight they must carry in the front of their body. The protruding abdomen can increase the curve in the back and cause pain and posture issues . Chiropractors can restore proper posture, and prevent the stress of pregnancy on the body from causing long-term pain and posture issues.
Overall health maintenance and position for baby . Chiropractic care ensures a healthy immune system for both mom and baby, whose immune systems are very intimately connected during pregnancy. If moms hips and lower spine are out of place, the baby’s position may not be ideal. Chiropractic adjustments may help get baby in the proper position, by ensuring that there are no vertebrae out of place.
Benefit during labor and childbirth . Chiropractic adjustments can help shorten labor and make the birth process easier. If there is proper alignment in the spine and hips, and if all the nerves to the muscles and organs in her body are free and healthy, then labor and birth can move along more easily and may even take less time than without chiropractic care.

The Chiropractic And Pregnancy Takeaway

Pregnancy is a time of tremendous change for any woman, and chiropractic care can help make these changes easier by relieving pain . Chiropractic care appears to offer many women relief from the back, leg, and pelvic aches and pains common during pregnancy.

Gentle and non-evasive, chiropractic is a safe and effective form of prenatal care that can provide the mother with relief during pregnancy, can help position the baby in utero, and assist the mother with delivery and post-natal pain.

Chiropractic Care For Cluster Headaches

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:15 GMT

Chiropractic Care For Cluster Headaches

Nine out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches, so if you have headaches, you’re not alone. Some get occasional headaches, some frequent, dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea. Unfortunately, cluster headaches are more debilitating than most headache types.

Cluster headaches involve intense and relentless pain in or around one eye on one side of the head. The symptoms can sometimes be confused with a migraine, however, there is one major difference.

This type of a headache occurs in patterns, and it arises in outbursts or “clusters” of frequent attacks. Someone with cluster headaches will experience horrible pain, a brief intermission and then the return of pain.

These bouts of frequent attacks, known as cluster periods, may last from weeks to months, usually followed by long periods of relief (remission). During remission, attacks may stop for months or years.

Common Symptoms Of Cluster Headaches

One-sided pain down the neck and into the upper back.
Medication does not usually treat successfully.
Multiple headaches occur with a brief intermission
Intense, sharp pain behind one eye, often described as an ice pick in your eye.
Pain at the base of the skull, towards one side.
Pain behind the ear.
Eye tearing, nasal congestion, eyelid drooping, constriction of the pupil, and lid swelling of the affected side.

How Chiropractic Helps Cluster Headaches

Your body has an amazing way of clearly telling you in some way that your body isn’t functioning optimally. Spinal misalignment can negatively affect the brainstem and can cause it to send improper signals to the brain.

When this happens chiropractic can facilitate optimal functioning of the entire body by improving brain-body communication. Chiropractic adjustments work to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system. The nervous system can relax and function with greater ease; the cervical spine muscles can decrease in tightness and rigidity that’s often experienced with these headaches.

Other Considerations

Quit Smoking . A significantly higher percentage of people that suffer from cluster headaches are smokers, compared with the rest of the population.
Keep a regular sleep routine . Cluster headaches have been associated with changes in the sleep routine.
Alcohol . Alcohol can trigger cluster headaches in some people. If you drink alcohol, consider avoiding it during a cluster period.
Triggers . Smoke, bright lights, overheating (hot weather, saunas, strenuous activity, hot baths, and showers), foods and altitude can all be triggers. Become aware of these triggers and avoid them.
Daily exercise . Having a consistent workout routine to your schedule might reduce your risk for recurrent cluster headaches.
Deep breathing exercises . Deep breathing exercises can be performed at home when you have a cluster headache as getting extra oxygen into your bloodstream can calm your body and help you manage pain.

The Takeaway

While no headache is pleasant, cluster headaches can be particularly uncomfortable. Sufferers might find help from an upper cervical chiropractic adjustment.

Chiropractic manipulation of the cervical and thoracic spinal areas has been shown to relieve signs and symptoms of cluster headaches. You chiropractor may also prescribe exercises, provide nutritional advise or make suggestions to avoid possible triggers for cluster headaches.

Chiropractic Care And PMS

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:14 GMT

Chiropractic Care And PMS

Do headaches, backache, abdominal bloating, cramping, fatigue and mood swings sound familiar to you? These symptoms can be physical but also emotional in nature, and often improve once menstruation begins. If you are one of the millions of woman who experience these symptoms, you are not alone.

Most women suffer from the symptoms of PMS during their childbearing years, between 10-20% experience severe or disabling symptoms.

What is Premenstrual Syndrome?

PMS stands for Premenstrual Syndrome and is the combination of symptoms that some women suffer from about a week or so before their period. Symptoms appear before your period starts and will usually disappear during your period. Symptoms can affect both your body and your brain, and their intensity can vary a lot from woman to woman. There are 150 identified symptoms of PMS.

Exactly what cause PMS is unknown but factors such as the cyclic changes in hormones and chemical fluctuations in the brain play a role.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS. The symptoms of PMDD are similar to those of PMS but are severe and interfere with work, social activities, and relationships.

Can Chiropractic Care Help PMS?

While most people think chiropractors are back doctors, it surprises many to learn that they’ve been contributing to women’s health with menstrual symptoms and PMS treatment for a very long time.
The spine, especially in the lower back, can impair nerves that direct and oversee the reproductive and hormonal systems.
Your nervous system manages and regulates every cell, organ, tissue, and system of your body. If there is even the slightest conflict with the communications between your brain and a part of your body, that body part won’t work correctly.
These important nerve communications exit your brain, navigate down your spinal cord and then out between each spinal vertebrae to numerous organs and tissues. If the spine loses its proper alignment, nearby nerves can be affected.
This is suggestive that spinal dysfunction could be a factor in PMS and indicate that chiropractic manipulative therapy may offer an alternative therapeutic approach for PMS Suffers. Both patients and chiropractors often report a decline in PMS symptoms including back pain, bloating, cramping, and loss of energy.

4 Other Considerations For Treating PMS

Exercise . Getting out and moving will increase your circulation, elevate your mood, and help you sweat out some of that bloat. A brisk walk, or even a stroll, around the neighborhood can make a big difference.
Meditate . Mood changes are a large and disruptive part of PMS, so it’s worth paying attention to meditation because you can likely affect your monthly mood changes for the better.
Avoid certain fats, sugars, and excess salt . Certain food can be a large source of inflammation which worsens PMS symptoms.
Supplements . B Vitamins have been shown to reduce PMS symptoms. A good supply of magnesium supports our hormones, which affects menstruation and PMS. Research also shows that adding omega-3 fatty acids to your diet reduces many common PMS symptoms.

The Takeaway

MS is related to a variety of physical and psychological symptoms that occur just before your menstrual period. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS. It’s estimated that as many as 3 of every 4 menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome.

If you’re resolved not to give in to menstrual or premenstrual discomfort, and you want a natural solution for PMS that avoids drugs, Chiropractic care should definitely be a consideration.

Common FAQ’S About Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:13 GMT

Common FAQ’S About Chiropractic Care

If you’re new to the world of chiropractic care you may find yourself with a lot of basic questions. Chiropractic is one of those subjects that everyone has an opinion on, even if they don’t always truly know the facts.

For many people, finding the right chiropractor to help with their pain can be a lifesaver. Whether used as a first-line treatment or as a component to a holistic pain management plan, chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be effective for a variety of conditions.

FAQ’s About Chiropractic

Question. How does chiropractic work?

Answer . Chiropractic works by building up your own body’s ability to be healthy. With the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to detect and help eliminate interferences to your natural state of being healthy.

Question. What is an adjustment?

Answer . A chiropractic adjustment, or spinal manipulation, is a procedure where a specially trained Doctor of Chiropractic uses their hands, a small instrument or a specialized table to apply a controlled force to a certain area of the body. Regular adjustments correct spinal alignment and boost your body’s efficiency and proper function.

Question. What is the cracking and popping noise when being adjusted?

Answer . Adjustments do not always produce a sound, however, adjustments or manipulation of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints. This is what makes the popping sound, similar to when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal if any, discomfort involved.

Question. Can you see a Chiropractor if you have had back surgery?

Answer . Yes. It’s a fact that unfortunately more than half of those who had spinal surgery recognize a return of their original symptoms months or years later. Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is used initially, back surgery can often be originally bypassed in the first place.

Question. Can you see a Chiropractor while pregnant?

Answer . Any time is an acceptable time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments help with pregnancy discomforts, like sciatica, improve their pregnancy and can also make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Certain chiropractic techniques can also be used to help properly position the baby for delivery.

Question. How long will I have to go to a Chiropractor?

Answer . Ultimately, how long you see your chiropractor for is entirely up to you. A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care, making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Often during your first consultation with a chiropractor, they will provide you with a proposed treatment plan to outline your care. In order to obtain the best long term results, a series of treatments are typically recommended.

The FAQ’S Takeaway

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self- healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain. spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment technique that helps manage chronic pain and supports the body’s natural healing process.

Whether you are suffering from chronic back pain, struggling to heal after an injury, or searching for an alternative to surgery and medication, Chiropractic care can make a big difference for the overall health of your body.

Vertigo And Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:12 GMT

Vertigo And Chiropractic Care

As children, nothing was more fun than spinning round and round until you were too dizzy to walk straight. Falling to the ground laughing at how much fun the feeling was. Unfortunately, as an adult, that feeling isn’t so amusing.

Numerous people experience issues with balance on a daily or weekly basis. It can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and trouble walking in a straight line. It can be a major problem to manage and also lead to problems at work, driving, and much more.

Vertigo refers to a sense of spinning dizziness. It is a symptom of a range of conditions. It can happen when there is a problem with the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve pathway.

What Is Vertigo

Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. If you have these dizzy spells, you might feel like you are spinning or that the world around you is spinning.
One of the most common causes of inner ear problems (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) occurs when small components, crystals, for lack of a better word, are moving around in the ear as you change position. With that movement, you experience the swaying feeling, nausea, etc.
Meniere’s disease is characterized by vertigo, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and a feeling as though your ear canal is blocked or full of fluid. The exact cause is unknown though it’s thought to have both genetic and environmental factors.
Last among the three most common causes of vertigo is Labyrinthitis, which is a fancy name for an ear infection. There’s inflammation of the inner ear and the vertigo is a symptom of the infection.

Common Symptoms Of Vertigo

A sense of motion sickness.
Balance problems and lightheadedness.
Nausea and vomiting.
Tinnitus.
A feeling of fullness in the ear.
A headache.

2 Ways Chiropractic Can Help Treat Vertigo

The primary way is a chiropractic adjustment, which allows your nervous system, which is the body’s master control system, to function at its most efficient level. By adjusting the spine and facilitating better communication between the brain and the rest of your body, including the ear, lymph and immune system (particularly important if the vertigo is due to an infection), you are positioned for faster healing and with greater ease.
If your problem is inner-ear related, The Epley maneuver (a repositioning technique) may be utilized. It’s simple, easy and performed in the chiropractic office. This maneuver involves several positions that you can move your head to in order to get the crystal back into place. It’s done to facilitate the recalibration of the inner ear and its components.

The Takeaway

Vertigo is a blanket term that describes the feeling that objects are moving around a person.

Vertigo is one of the most common conditions affecting people today. Vertigo is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating and/or difficulties walking. Quite frankly, it’s can be extremely difficult to perform daily tasks and the symptoms can be debilitating.

Chiropractic adjustments and the Epley Maneuver are non-invasive but truly support the body’s ability to heal on its own.

7 Negative Effects Of Poor Posture

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:10 GMT

7 Negative Effects Of Poor Posture

Remember when your parents would scold you to sit or stand up straight? Turns out, like many things in life, they were right! Whether it’s the result of sitting in a static position all day, looking down at a smartphone or just lounging on a couch, poor posture is haunting people of all ages.

Though most of us probably don’t actively think about our posture throughout the day, we definitely should be more aware of it and the negative effects it can have on our health.

7 Negative Effects Of Poor Posture

Shoulder pain . A rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons connecting your upper arm to your shoulder. Muscle tightness or weakness from poor posture can irritate these tendons, causing pain and discomfort. The slouching involved with poor posture can lead to pain in tension in your shoulders and upper back.
Poor circulation. Our body was made to move fluids and gases and when you sit all day with poor posture, you’re preventing your body from getting the necessary circulation it needs. Prolonged sitting, especially with your legs crossed, can cut off the flow, increase pressure and even cause spider veins.
Headaches . There are many types of headaches, but some headaches originate in the neck and can be fixed when working on posture. These headaches tend to start in the base of your neck and radiate up, often from a forward head position which places increased stress on the joints and muscles in your upper neck.
Breathing. Your ability to breathe optimally is boosted when your body is lengthened and in proper alignment. To breathe properly, your diaphragm needs to have enough space in the thoracic cavity to expand and properly release each breath. Good posture is a fantastic way to naturally improve breathing efficiency.
Digestive issues . Slouched posture after a meal can trigger heartburn caused by acid reflux. When one assumes a slouched posture, the organs are compressed in the abdomen, this makes it harder for the body to digest food, and decreases metabolism.
Nerve impingement . As the spine and other bones alter their position due to the long-term effects of poor posture, the skeletal system begins to come into contact with surrounding nerves and “pinch” them. These pinched nerves can cause neck and back pain, but they can also cause pain in what seems to be unrelated areas of the body.
Poor body image and mood . Slouching or hunching your shoulders can give the illusion that you’re in worse shape than you are. If you work towards better posture, you’ll look and feel more confident in your own body. When you are slouched over, your internal organs have nowhere to go but down and out making you appear much heavier. People who sit upright report higher self-esteem, a higher level of alertness, a better mood and less fear than those who slouched.

The Posture Takeaway

Most of us are guilty of slouching, hunching over our computer, or just not sitting or standing up straight. We know it’s not good for us, yet the majority of us don’t take any action to improve it.

Correct posture is a simple but very crucial way to keep the many intricate structures in the back and spine healthy. Sitting and standing with proper postural alignment will allow one to work more efficiently with less fatigue and strain on your body’s ligaments and muscles.

What Is Reiki Healing And How Can It Benefit You?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:08 GMT

What Is Reiki Healing And How Can It Benefit You?

Wouldn’t you love to have the opportunity to heal yourself? Well actually, you have that amazing ability, as we all do. The art of Reiki Healing is about energy and our body’s life force.

With the use of hands, it is a transfer of positive energy to aid someone when physically or emotionally weakened. It is a technique that can help relieve stress and increase relaxation.

What Is Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by the “laying on hands” and is based on the concept that an unseen “ life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive.
If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more prone to get sick or feel stress. When life force energy is high, then we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words. Rei which means “God’s Wisdom or the Higher Power” and Ki which is “life force energy”. So Reiki is actually “spiritually guided life force energy”.
Reiki is a natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Health Benefits Of Reiki

Reiki can help the patient reach a heightened state of relaxation which facilitates the body to better use its own energy to naturally heal itself.
Reiki can help the recipient achieve a state of peace which strengthens their spiritual well-being.
Routine Reiki treatments can help balance the mind and emotions of the patient which allows them to address issues in their life with more clarity and focus.
Reiki works to relieve pain from many chronic conditions such as sciatica, migraines, and arthritis.
Reiki helps the body attain its natural balance and can help reduce side effects from medical treatments or speed healing after surgery.

How Can I Learn Reiki

Reiki is easily learned and practiced as self-care by anyone who is interested, regardless of the person’s age or state of health.
One of the hallmarks of Reiki practice is its simplicity, special background or credentials are not necessary to receive training.
You can only learn Reiki from a qualified Reiki master. One way to find a Reiki master is to ask friends that practice Reiki with whom they studied, check with community posts or your ask your Practitioner. Practitioners often know of other complementary therapy providers.
It is important to note that Reiki is not a standardized practice thus there is no guarantee that anyone using the title “Reiki master” has the training and experience you are seeking. For this reason, it’s important to inquire into any Reiki master’s background, and a credible Reiki master will welcome this inquiry.

3 Degrees Of Reiki

The first degree is usually taught over 8-12 hours. Students practice Reiki self-care and also share Reiki with one another. This class prepares students to give themselves daily Reiki for life. For most people who want to practice on themselves and family, first-degree training is all they need.
The second degree is distance healing. Students learn to replace the hand-to-body contact with a mental connection when needed so that healing can be offered even when touch is impossible or inappropriate. The second degree can bring another dimension of healing and can also be used to enhance hands-on treatment.
The third degree of Reiki enables the student to become a Reiki Master, over a period of time. This degree is often taught in two parts, the first is where the student becomes a Reiki master and the second is where the student learns how to teach Reiki, thereby becoming a Reiki Master Teacher.

The Reiki Takeaway

Many people have reported miraculous outcomes from the laying on of the hands. It works well when used together with other therapeutic approaches to promote the healing of the mind, body, and spirit.

When it is performed it feels as a warm, glowing radiance is flowing through your body. It doesn’t focus on the symptoms of the illness but instead the entire body. A Reiki Healing session can leave you with a sense of tranquility, serenity, and well-being.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you in your health and wellness journey and claim your new patient special offer!

Can Chiropractic Care Help Allergy Sufferers?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:06 GMT

Can Chiropractic Care Help Allergy Sufferers?

Spring is on the way. Flowers will be budding, leaves are forming and growing, the days are getting a little longer. That’s awesome, right?

Unfortunately for many of us, when we hear “spring is in the air,” we can’t help but dread the months of runny noses, itchy eyes, and sneezing. We’re actually more likely to grab a handful of tissues than stop and smell the flowers.

You may be familiar with the fact that Chiropractic adjustments can improve many conditions, but what you may not be aware of is that chiropractic treatment can have a positive impact on allergies and asthma too. If you are a suffer from seasonal allergies Chiropractic care is worth taking a moment to look at when searching for treatment.

What Causes Allergies

Your immune system has a task to recognize and remove harmful substances from your body. Inflammation, sneezing, coughing, and vomiting are methods the immune system often uses to rid itself of any dangerous substance ingested.
However, an allergic response is when your immune system is activated to fight against a substance that is usually considered harmless. Essentially, the allergic reaction is caused not by the substance itself but by how your body interprets that substance considering it potentially harmful.

How Your Body Reacts

When an allergic reaction is initiated, the body activates special immune cells called mast cells. On the surface of their membranes, these mast cells hold receptors that recognize substances considered either harmful or helpful to the body. When adverse substances are detected, the cells then release histamines. These chemicals sensitize the body to react, which then attempts to rid these harmful substances by sneezing, coughing, etc.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic Care can release the nervous system which then allows the immune system to work more efficiently. Both the immune and respiratory systems depend on correct communication between the brain and the spinal cord to control and coordinate their functions. If there is an interruption in the communication system such as misalignment, the immune system may become compromised.
When an immune system is functioning optimally it helps to prevent disease and infection, and also helps you to deal with stress and essentially makes sure the body is healthy overall. It attacks the invasion of foreign substances like pollution, dust, and pollen and heads them off before they can do damage.
Misalignments in the spine can disrupt how the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Through manipulation of the joints and the soft tissue, pathways between the brain and spine can be opened up again and the body’s alignment can be restored.

The Takeaway

Chiropractic adjustments do not treat allergies or the immune system. The adjustments eliminate interference to the nervous system to allow the body to function and fight like as it was designed to.

Chiropractic care helps realigns the spine thus opening the necessary pathways of communication between the brain and the spine, in turn, allowing the body to heal itself. Chiropractic care is an amazing holistic approach to allergy treatment; it basically allows your body to do what it was meant to do.

Chiropractic evidence proves that the solution to most allergy problems already exists within the body.

8 Tips For Preventing Back Pain While Driving

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:05 GMT

8 Tips For Preventing Back Pain While Driving

People who commute to work by car or spend a fair amount of time on the road each day commonly experience pain while driving. This is a fairly typical complaint regardless of if you regularly suffer from back pain or not.

A road trip can mean different things to different people, but when you have back pain, it may mean a difficult and uncomfortable time could be in store for you. Sitting in the car in a static position for long periods of time can trigger back pain.

If you’re a passenger, you may be able to make yourself comfortable, shift around from time to time or take necessary medications for back pain relief. But if you’re the driver, you don’t necessarily have that option. Here are some tips that just may make your journey a bit more comfortable.

Why Driving Can Be Different Then Simply Sitting

When your car isn’t moving, then sitting in a driving seat probably isn’t much different to sitting in a padded chair. This changes however once the vehicle is in motion at that point the body is subject to different forces: to accelerations and decelerations, to lateral swaying from side to side, and to whole-body up and down vibrations.

When driving the feet are actively being used, whether on the gas pedal, the break or even the clutch. When the feet are active they cannot be utilized for supporting and stabilizing the lower body as normally happens when they are placed on the floor during normal sitting in a chair.

Tips For Preventing Back Pain While Driving

Become as comfortable as possible from the start. Take a few moments to get as comfortable as possible when you first get in the car. The slightest irritation can end up causing major back discomfort and pain after a long drive.
Remove things from your pockets . Take your wallet out of your back pocket before you get in the car. A wallet, cell phone or any other miscellaneous things in your pocket immediately places your back out of alignment when you sit on them.
Proper seat adjustment . Tilt your seat to make sure that the bottom of your thighs are evenly supported. Raise or lower the seat so that you have a clear view out the windshield. Adjust the back of the seat so that your shoulders are behind your hips, but not by too much, aim for an angle of approximately 110 degrees. Adjust your legs so they are easily able to reach the pedals without bending significantly. It is helpful to get as close to the steering wheel as you can without becoming uncomfortable. This prevents you from slouching and also keeps you from straining to reach the pedals. When your seat is too far back, you must bend your back to reach the wheel and the controls, straining your back.
Use an extra cushion or lumbar support. There is no single best option, and it may take some effort and trial and error on your part to find what works best for you.
Properly position your mirrors . Be sure your mirrors are adjusted properly so you don’t have to move or twist to see them. Generally, it’s best if you only have to move your eyes to be able to see out of your mirrors. If you adjust your mirrors while sitting up straight, and over time begin to slouch you’ll lose vision in the mirrors, this can act as a reminder to sit up.
Take hot or cold packs with you . A cold pack could simply be an ice pack wrapped in a towel, or you could buy an instant ice pack from your local pharmacy or store which can be kept in the car in a cooler until you need them. Some heat packs can be plugged into the cigarette socket in your car to provide constant heat. Alternatively, if your car has heated seats, use these to keep your muscles warm during the journey. Use them according to what helps your discomfort the most.
Exercise as part of your wellness routine . Try to include movement into your daily routine. Moderate activities such as climbing stairs instead of using the elevator or parking the car in a more distant parking spot and walking to the store or having a routine exercise program that you follow can help immensely.
Regular Chiropractic Care . Using Chiropractic as part of your wellness routine can be extremely beneficial. Maintenance appointments that keep your spine in optimal health can often diffuse potential back issues before they happen. Also, having a strategically planned Chiropractic appointment scheduled for after a long journey can help with back pain that you may incur from a long car ride.

The Takeaway

Back pain during or from long periods of time driving is fairly common complaint regardless of if you regularly suffer from back pain or not.

For anyone who spends a fair amount of time driving each day, whether if its what you do for a living, you have a long commute to work or have a fun-filled road trip planned, there are practical steps you can take to prevent back pain and damage.

5 Natural Treatment Options For Muscle Spasms

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:04 GMT

5 Natural Treatment Options For Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms can be uncomfortable, annoying and can seriously interrupt your life. There are several causes of muscle spasms you need to be aware of, and several ways in which you find relief.

Muscles can become strained due to repetitive movements or habits, such as bad posture, gaming, heavy lifting, swinging a racquet or sitting before a computer. Frequently, when muscles have been strained for some time, all it requires is one sudden movement that we wouldn’t expect to cause trouble to get an already strained muscle to move into spasm.

Here is what you need to know about muscle spasms and you can help to reduce the severity and frequency of your muscle spasms.

Common Reasons For Muscle Spasms

Spasms can affect many different types of muscles in the body, leading to many different symptoms.

At times a spasm will occur due to an injury to the muscle or overuse, other times there is an underlying issue that causes the muscle to seize up. Joint arthritis, inflammation, poor posture, dehydration, repetitive motions, electrolyte imbalance and even diseases such as diabetes can cause the muscles to spasm.

Natural Treatment Options For Muscle Spasms

Ice therapy . For the first 72 hours after the onset of your muscle spasms, wrap an ice pack, cold gel pad or a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin cloth. This helps to avoid frostbite, and apply to the affected area for up to 20 minutes several times a day. Ice therapy will slow the inflammation process and numbs tissue and slows nerve impulses to the injured area. Take care, however, not to ice the area too long, If used too long, cold therapy sessions could potentially cause muscles to tighten even more or tissues to become more inflamed.
Heat Therapy . Applying a heating pad to the affected area can bring soothing pain relief after the initial first few days of onset. Some people find heat is best, some prefer ice, and some find it most helpful to alternate the two therapies. You try a see what works best for you.
Massage. Massage is one of the easiest treatments for muscle spasms and bringing back the normal contractility and function of the muscle. Massage therapy can also help by improving blood and oxygen flow.
Physical Therapy . Physical Therapy can also assist in treating muscle spasms. Different treatments and modalities may include, corrective exercises, proper ergonomics, posture education, soft tissue work, stretches, joint mobilizations and any modalities which are appropriate such as moist heat, cold packs and electrical stimulation to name a few.
Chiropractic Care . Chiropractic care helps to alleviate the cause of muscle spasm once it’s present as well as helping to prevent it from occurring, to begin with. Proper nerve function is necessary for proper muscle function, and chiropractic adjustments locate and correct the regions of the spine where there’s nerve dysfunction. Chiropractic can improve the ability of the muscles and blood flow throughout the body, restoring fluid in the muscles and reducing your symptoms.

The Takeaway

Muscle spasms present as tightness in the muscles and may include pain, which often transpires shortly after an injury. Muscle spasms can often be in response to pain, which occurs as the body takes steps to protect itself. Spasms can also occur from dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or overuse.

Most muscle spasms are harmless, just very uncomfortable. These unwanted spasms can be prevented naturally, and there are natural methods for immediate relief that are totally safe and effective.

Athletes And Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:03 GMT

Athletes And Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care has been around since the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until 1980 that the first chiropractor was added to the United States Olympic medical team. Since then, spinal adjustments have become an important element in sports training and their medical teams. Athletes from many sports are starting to grasp the long-term benefits of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care can benefit any person, regardless of age or ability. Often with competitive sports, the difference between winning and losing can be measured in microseconds. Athletes need every little bit of strength, speed and flexibility they can gather.

How Chiropractic Can Help Athletes

Improve athletic performance . Chiropractors can clear imbalances and alleviate stressors on the body’s nervous system and restore the general health of your body. Apart from housing the nervous system, the spinal column assists in anchoring muscles throughout your whole body. Having good posture, muscle strength, and spinal health are all interconnected. Simply put, whatever impacts your spine also impacts physical performance. A healthy spine can support your body weight and the stressors of daily life, however, if your body, nervous system and spine fall into disrepair, the less trauma and stress it can take.
Improved range of motion. One of the greatest benefits of routine chiropractic treatments for athletes is the improved range of motion. Athletes put so much pressure on their bodies when training and these physically intense activities can create problems with spinal alignment and movement. An athlete can quickly end up with stiffness and pain in their joints. In return, may cause their range of motion to be limited, thereby inhibiting their overall athletic performance.
Pain reduction . The spine is an impressive structure containing numerous tissues that are highly sensitive to pain. Common areas that are notable are the discs, ligaments, joints, and nerves. Any form of abnormal misalignment in the spinal column is capable of placing a varied level of strain and stress on any one of these areas causing pain. The goal of Chiropractic care techniques is to restore or improve joint function while resolving inflammation and reducing pain.
Decreased recovery time . Chiropractic adjustments may help to relax the muscles and correct any vertebrae that may have shifted during injury. As the muscles relax, fluids in the body are stimulated to travel towards the spinal area, when this happens oxygen and other necessary and essential nutrients are delivered to the injured site and promote healing. Adjustments and soft tissue manipulation can help break up scar tissue to increase flexibility, elasticity, and strength throughout recovery.

The Chiropractic And Athletes Takeaway

If you’re an athlete, you understand the numerous demands of participating in a sport such as running, jumping, pushing or pulling. Putting your body through these activities can at times result in injury. Often when injuries can’t be prevented, chiropractic care can help to shorten healing time for a variety of ailments

Conclusively, if you’re an athlete who is interested in maintaining your physical strength and range of motion, or if you need to recover from an injury without the use of prescriptions and invasive treatments, consider seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis.

When Whiplash Strikes

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:02 GMT

When Whiplash Strikes

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then forward suddenly with force. This injury is most common following a vehicle accident, however, it can also result from physical abuse, sports injuries, accidental falls or even amusement park rides.

Whiplash results when the muscles and ligaments in your neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. Your symptoms might not appear for a while, so it’s important to pay attention to any physical changes for days following an accident.

Whiplash is thought of as a relatively mild condition, but it can cause long-term pain and discomfort.

11 Common symptoms related to whiplash:

Neck pain and stiffness.
Difficulty flexing, extending or rotating the head.
Dizziness.
Fatigue.
Headache.
Shoulder and arm pain, stiffness or weakness.
Jaw pain or difficulty chewing.
Arm pain.
Visual disturbances.
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Back pain.

Home Care For Whiplash

Rest . While it is good to stay active if possible it also is wise to take things easier the first few days. If a certain motion or activity intensifies the neck pain, then avoid or limit that movement until the neck has more time to heal. Limit strenuous activities such as sports or heavy lifting.
Ice and/or heat . For the first couple of days following a whiplash injury, applying ice can reduce pain and inflammation in the neck. Then ice or heat can be applied alternately a few days after the injury has occurred.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Some common OTC pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil, Aleve, and Motrin. Acetaminophen can block pain receptors, and NSAIDs reduce inflammation. Use as directed.

Other Treatments For Whiplash

Physical therapy . Treatment from a trained physical therapist or qualified health professional can help improve the neck’s strength and flexibility, which in some cases can relieve stress on the spine and reduce pain.
Massage Therapy . Massage may relieve some of the tension in the neck muscles as well as increase circulation to promote healing.
Acupuncture . Many people report benefits from acupuncture, this involves placing thin needles in various strategic parts of the body depending on the condition being treated. When done by a licensed acupuncturist, the treatment is safe and has little to no pain.
Electronic nerve stimulation . This involves a gentle electric current that may help reduce neck pain.
Chiropractic Care. A chiropractor or other certified medical professional will typically use his or her hands to make manual adjustments to the spine in an effort to increase the range of motion and reduce pain and return the injured area to proper alignment.

The Whiplash Takeaway

It is caused by an abnormal motion or force applied to the neck that causes movement beyond the neck’s normal range of motion. It is usually caused by a flexion-extension motion of the neck that pulls and strains the neck muscles and ligaments.

Whiplash will often get better on its own or after some simple treatment in a few weeks or months, however, it is possible that it can cause severe and troublesome symptoms that last a long time.

We are here to support you on your wellness journey. Contact us to view our services and claim your new patient special offer today!

What Are The Symptoms And Treatment Options For Piriformis Syndrome

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:02 GMT

What Are The Symptoms And Treatment Options For Piriformis Syndrome

Does shooting lower back pains, pain in your hips or buttocks area, or a tingling or numbness that extends down to your feet sound familiar?

Piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttock region, spasms and causes buttock pain. The piriformis muscle can also be a source that can irritate the nearby sciatic nerve and cause pain, numbness and tingling along the back of the leg and into the foot.

The Piriformis Muscle

Starts at the lower spine and connects to the upper surface of each femur, otherwise known as the thighbone.
The piriformis muscle is a flat, band-like muscle which is located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. This muscle is crucial to the lower body movements because it stabilizes the hip joint and lifts and rotates the thigh away from the body.
This allows us to walk, shift our weight from one foot to another, and maintain balance. It is also used greatly in sports that involve lifting and rotating the thighs. Simply put it is used in almost every motion of the hips and legs.
Runs diagonally, with the sciatic nerve typically running vertically directly beneath it.

Symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome

Most commonly, patients will describe acute tenderness in the buttock and sciatica-like pain down the back of the thigh, calf, and foot. Sciatica and piriformis syndrome are closely related and cause many of the same symptoms, although most cases of sciatic nerve pain are not actually due to piriformis syndrome. Typical piriformis syndrome symptoms may include:

A dull ache in the buttock region.
Pain that runs down the back of the thigh, calf, and foot.
An increase in pain after sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Reduced range of motion of the hip joint.
Pain when walking up stairs or at inclines.
Pain in the buttocks and legs that worsens with activity.

Treatment For Piriformis Syndrome

Ice . At the onset of pain, lie down in a comfortable position on the stomach and place an ice pack on the area in pain for approximately 20 minutes. Also, consider combining gentle massage with an ice pack. Repeat as needed every 2 to 4 hours.
Heat . It’s possible to find it helpful to alternate cold with heat. When using a heating pad, lie down on the stomach and place the heating pad on the painful area for up to 20 minutes. Be cautious and avoid falling asleep on a heating pad, as this may lead to skin burns.
Medication . Over-the-counter or prescribed pain medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, or muscle relaxers frequently serve to reduce the pain from piriformis syndrome. A doctor may also inject medicine directly into the piriformis muscle as well to improve the condition.
Physical therapy . Physical Therapy treatment often includes stretching, strengthening and mobilizing the hip joints in various ways, using specific exercises that flex and loosen the appropriate areas. Hip joint mobilization, hamstring stretches, as well as strengthening the quadriceps, lower back and core can all important for preventing future symptoms from returning.
Yoga or stretching . Specific stretches or yoga poses can help to strengthen the core and lower back the hips, and the quads/buttocks while also loosening up and supporting the piriformis muscle.
Chiropractic Care . Chiropractors generally view the body in its entirety, and may often treat other parts of the body, in order to improve the condition of the piriformis muscle. It’s possible to utilize a regimen of pelvic and spinal adjustments along with joint manipulation and stretching in order to loosen up the muscle and help heal the afflicted area.

The Piriformis Takeaway

Piriformis syndrome is typically characterized by pain in the area of the buttock and hip area, although the discomfort can also extend down to the lower leg. It can cause symptoms similar to sciatica.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with your health and wellness journey, to view our services and claim your new patient special offer.

Reviewing Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Therapy And Neck Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:01 GMT

Reviewing Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Therapy And Neck Pain

If you have been afflicted with chronic neck pain, you know how disrupting it can be to your everyday life. Standing upright straight for long periods can be brutal; getting comfortable at night can be impossible, and simple things like unloading groceries can become extremely painful.

Many people experience neck pain or stiffness on occasion. Often, it can be due to poor posture or overuse. Neck pain can also be caused by an injury from a fall or accident, contact sports, or whiplash.

Patients that will benefit most from decompression therapy may be those diagnosed with herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease or facet syndrome.

What Is Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive mechanical procedure used to help relieve neck pain. It involves gently stretching the spine which can take pressure off of the spinal discs, these are the cushions that separate the vertebrae in the spine.

When patients experience pain in the neck area, it is largely due to impinged nerves in the cervical spine in the majority of cases. By relieving this pressure, bulging discs can rescind back into place which will take the pressure off of the nerves in the spine responsible for the pain a patient feels.

This procedure is called nonsurgical decompression therapy, as opposed to surgical spinal decompression, such as laminectomy and microdiscectomy.

Functions Of The Cervical Nerves

There are 31 pairs of nerve roots that run along the spine from the neck to the tailbone. The seven cervical or neck vertebral segments protect eight sets of cervical nerve roots, which are abbreviated C1 to C8.
When degenerative cervical spine conditions, such as degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis, produces an anatomical abnormality such as a herniated disc or bone spur, the C1 to C8 nerve roots can become compressed.
When the nerve becomes compressed it produces the symptoms listed above, and the location of the compressed nerve determines the location in the body where the symptoms arise. Here are the areas of the body associated with each of the eight cervical nerves:

C1 — Breathing and blood supply to the head.
C2 —Breathing, eyesight and head, and neck movement.
C3 — Breathing and facial movement.
C4 —Breathing, heart rate, and facial movement.
C5 — Heart rate, wrist, and elbow movement.
C6 — Heart rate, neck, and shoulder movement.
C7 — Arm, hand, and finger movement.
C8 — Arm, elbow, hand, and finger movement.

The Spinal Decompression Therapy And Neck Pain Takeaway

The spine is comprised of a complex system of vertebrae, discs, joints, and nerves.

Accidents, overuse and poor posture, as well as the natural degeneration of the spine, can all lead to the development of certain cervical conditions, such as a herniated disc or spinal arthritis. When these circumstances occur, the displaced disc material or an arthritic bone spur can put pressure on surrounding spinal nerves, causing pain and other symptoms.

In the past, a patient suffering from this was often was given pain medications, instructed to abstain from physical activities, referred for physical therapy, and if they did not progress they were sent for spinal surgery. Spinal decompression therapy is an alternative therapy designed with the goal of alleviating pain and promoting healing of the intervertebral disc.

Contact us today to claim your new patient special offer and learn how we can assist you with your health and wellness journey!

Pain Occurs In The Brain: Chiropractic Influences The Brain And Minimizes Pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:51:00 GMT

Physical pain does not occur without the brain. Tissue injuries or damage trigger pain in the brain through the nervous system. Nerve cells transmit signals to the brain which eventually manifest as pain when an area of the body becomes damaged or injured. Comprehending such complexity amounts to understanding that pain sensory actually radiates from the brain. Understanding the pain process becomes important for anyone experiencing pain because the best interventions utilized to minimize physical discomfort focus on the central nervous system.

One of the most revolutionary and effective interventions focused on providing pain relief comes from experiencing a Chiropractic adjustment. Vast evidence and research provide an in-depth understanding for how and why the mechanism of spinal adjustments work. A Chiropractic adjustment improves the mobility and alignment of the spine. The spines intimate connected to the central nervous system requires movement for appropriate feeling and function. Chiropractic adjustments improve specific areas of the brain which allow relief to occur.

A normal effect of an adjustment commonly involves pain relief in a part of the body not directly touched or adjusted. The spine influences so many aspects of health and function through the central nervous system that residual healing and restoration occur throughout the body by providing stress relief to the body’s command center. Research published in 2019 showed that Chiropractic spinal adjustments lowered firing in areas of the brain that signal pain.

Patients were assessed using an MRI to monitor and measure the influence of a Chiropractic adjustment on brain activity in relationship to pain. Findings showed that the adjustment inhibits the pain processing regions of the brain. In other words, areas of the brain associated with pain calmed down as a result of the adjustment. Reduced pain intensity and sensitivity occurred.

Many challenges plague the current healthcare system. No issue stands out more than the crisis of pain. Doctors prescribe opioid drugs at alarming and fatal rates due to the amount of people suffering daily from pain. Dangerous side effects and addictions appear to become viewed as acceptable risks in the current health care model. Nearly twenty-five percent of all opioid drugs target low back pain. Spinal pain ranks as the number one cause of disability worldwide . The pain industry generates $600 billion dollars in costs annually. Heart disease ($309 Billion) and cancer ($243 Billion) combined come nowhere near that total.

Chiropractic plays a large and necessary role in healthcare because of the influence adjustments have on brain and nervous system function. Pain relief serves as just one of the many benefits achieved through the influence of a Chiropractic adjustment. The world of conventional medicine churns out pharmaceutical drugs laced with side effects to provide temporary relief in absence of true healing. Chiropractic continues to take center stage as the health care choice of millions of people who desire genuine healing, restoration, and optimal function. Men, women, and children experience better health and less pain through evidence-based results found with Chiropractic care.

What Happens in the Vagus… Does Not Remain in the Vagus!

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:50:59 GMT

What Happens in the Vagus… Does Not Remain in the Vagus!

The benefits of Chiropractic care continue to be evaluated and dissected through new studies and research. Evidence builds with each report detailing the variety of health benefits produced by Chiropractic care which extend far beyond simple pain relief. Chiropractic adjustments have proven to improve the health and well-being of all age groups ranging from infants to advanced age. Those outcomes mark the landscape of the past 120 years and advanced research continues to explain why.

The Chiropractic profession traveled a timeline marked with challenges and obstacles, largely at the hands of other health professionals and political agendas attempting to stifle the spread of a non-medicinal option to improved health. These obstacles temporarily limited the reach and influence which Chiropractic care could have otherwise provided to millions more. The passing of time and mounting research overwhelmed many detractors due to one insurmountable piece of evidence: results . Nothing furthers the Chiropractic movement more than the real results experienced by patients in offices all over the world on a daily basis. Chiropractic care delivers results for men, women, children, and infants of all ages by seeking to address the root cause of problems and disease.

Infants comprise the most uniquely impacted group of people under Chiropractic care. Some people assume nervous system care focuses on adults, but nothing could be further from the truth. The most significant and lasting impact made on the spine and nervous system takes place in the stages of childhood and infancy when the spine undergoes the process of growing and taking shape.

Children currently face some of the most significant health challenges in our world. Reports show that for the first time in history the children of today will not outlive their parents. This means that life expectancy of today’s children ranks lower than that of their parents. Many factors contribute to this issue, but the resolution requires a new and improved approach to health in order to change the current course.

Chiropractic addresses the underlying cause of specific functional problems related to the spine. Research published in 2019 evaluated thousands of children who received Chiropractic adjustments. Statistically significant improvements were reported across all aspects of infant behavior including feeding problems, inconsistent sleep, excessive crying, sleep discomfort, infant pain, and restricted range of motion in the neck. Residual outcomes included improvements in maternal ratings of depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with motherhood. 95% also reported a belief that the nervous system care proved cost-effective, and 90.9% rated their satisfaction as an eight or higher on an eleven-point system. No adverse side effects were reported.

Research not only determined the value of Chiropractic care, but also demonstrates long term effectiveness which transcends temporary pain relief in the back and neck. Nervous system care offers a proven, long term course of optimal health care for infants, children, and adults. Chiropractic care maximizes the health and function of the nervous system by improving the alignment and movement of the spine, allowing the brain and organs to provide long term health and restoration free from a reliance on drugs and medicines. Every person has a spine housing the most important system in the body. The benefits of Chiropractic care await everybody.

RESEARCH: Feeding Problems, Sleep Issues, Excessive Crying, Infant Pain, and Neck Restrictions Improved with Chiropractic Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:50:58 GMT

Let them CRAWL! Research Urges Parents not to Rush Babies to Walk

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:50:56 GMT

Crawling serves a vital role in child development, leading to many positive neurological and structural benefits as an infant becomes a toddler. Parents should not promote walking too soon. Allowing babies time to gradually develop walk skills serves as a healthy long-term purpose. Every infant develops uniquely, even amongst siblings with the same genetics . Some babies possess a desire and capability to begin walking sooner than others. No universal process exists, but advantages exist to holding off on the attempt to fast-track the walking process. An adequate duration of crawling improves many aspects of health and quality of life. Cross-crawl patterns improve neurological circuits and the development of proper spinal curvatures represent two of the main advantages of infant crawling.

A normal healthy spine aligns straight up and down from front to back. The normal shape of the spine from a side view contains three specific curves. A forward curve exists in the neck and low back while a backward curve needs to be present in the mid-back and pelvic bones. The curves make the spine stronger, more durable, and better able to handle heavier loads compared to a spine with reduced curvatures . The physiology of a health spine explains why a baby needs ample crawling time before being encouraged to walk.

Research published in 2007 showed that abnormal curvature in the neck led to stretching of the spinal cord, diminished blood supply in and around the head and neck, and disc disease in the neck. These problems tend to manifest physically with symptoms later in life but often take shape with the formation of abnormal spinal curvature in the first few years of life. Parents should celebrate and encourage crawling with their developing toddlers before they begin to walk. Crawling also helps develop strong brain growth with the stimulating cross-crawl patterns a baby acquires when learning to move its arms and legs in tandem motion.

The spine houses the spinal cord and nerve roots along with loads of neurons which help provide proper nutrition to the brain through movement. The importance of this process causes many specialists to refer to the spine as the motor for the brain. Crawling serves as an easy and important strategy to help develop a normal spine and nervous system in a child. Partnering crawling with a spinal evaluation by a Chiropractor ensures the development of a healthy spine and nervous system hygiene.

Science and research show that trauma during the birth process leads to small shifts in the spine which create stress in the nervous system. Vertebral subluxations represent small vertebral misalignments that create interference in the brain to body communication network. Chiropractors check for subluxations by evaluating the health and structure of the spine. Millions of babies, children, and adults achieve better health, development, and function through improved spinal alignment and curvature with regular Chiropractic care. A regular routine of crawling and Chiropractic give every infant and child an optimal opportunity for the healthiest future possible.

Restoring The Balance Chiropracitc and the Endocrine System

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 02:50:21 GMT

Restoring The Balance Chiropracitc and the Endocrine System

Other organs that produce hormones, but are not part of the endocrine system include the placenta in the pregnant female, glands in the gastro-intestinal tract, structures in the heart and blood vessels, and structures in the kidneys.

Hormones are the body's internal chemical messengers. They carry the information that controls the function of almost all of the body's cells and tissues. Most hormones are themselves are controlled by a mechanism called feedback, which is similar to a thermostat in a central heating system. When a gland is working harder than the body needs it to, the hormone system switches off; when the body needs the gland to speed up, the nervous system turns on the switch again.

The word hormone comes from the Greek work, hormaein, meaning to excite or to urge on. Each hormone is a complex chemical substance produced and secreted into the bloodstream by an endocrine gland, or secreted by specialized cells in other organs, such as parts of the gastro-intestinal tract or the heart.

Hormones reach every part of the body, and the membrane of every cell has receptors for one or more hormones that stimulate or retard a specific body function. The hypothalamus, located at the base of the brain, acts as the mastermind that coordinates hormone production, producing regulatory or releasing hormones; these travel a short distance through special blood vessels and nerve endings to the pituitary gland, which is often referred to as the "master gland".

Hormones are able to influence the activities of the body, but they must first bind with specific tailored protein cells called receptors. There are hundreds of different kinds of receptors, although each one is designed for a specific chemical signal within a cell. There are more than 10,000 different types of receptors, although it takes only a small number to obtain a response. The receptor and its hormone have an intricate and precise fit, like a key and a lock and this hormone receptor complex then binds to specific regions of DNA in the cell nucleus to activate specific gene.

SIGNS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE

HORMONAL IMBALANCES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS

When the body is in a state of homeostasis, the precise amount of hormones are released into the bloodstream and the body functions smoothly; but when the control mechanism malfunctions-either too much or too little of a particular hormone is secreted, or when an organ or tissue does not respond efficiently, the results can be severe and even fatal.

THYROID DISORDERS

Thyroid disorders are classified as either “hypo-thyroid”, meaning too little thyroid activity,or “hyper-thyroid” mean too much thyroid activity.

“15.7 Million Americans have diabetes and it is estimated that 5 million of them are undiagnosed. Each year there are 789,000 new cases of diabetes. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and total direct and indirect costs of diabetes in the U.S is over 100 billion dollars”.

National Diabetes Foundation

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Depression is on pace to be the world's second most disabling disease (after heart disease) by the year 2012; already the World Health Organization ranks it first among women and fourth overall. In the United States, depression afflicts 18 million people at any given time, one in five over the course of a lifetime and costs over 40 billion dollars a year in lost work time and health care.

US News and World Report

TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO HORMONAL HEALTH

"Too many medical remedies get in the way of the body's ability to heal itself."

Hormone Replacement Therapy

andtheThe General Accounting Office, an investigative branch of Congress, released a report in the 1990's stating that more than one-half of the new drugs developed and approved by the FDA, had severe or fatal side effects that were not found or not reported until years after the drug had been in widespread use. The GAO reviewed all drugs (198 in all) released from 1985-1990 discovered that 102 of them had side effects serious enough to warrant either withdraw from market or major re-labeling.

U.S. Statist ical Abstract

“Millions of post-menopause women are currently being treated with drug therapies whose long term effects are virtually unknown”

North American Menopause Society

“The strongest argument for the widespread use of estrogen is that it supposedly delays thedevelopment of osteoporosis. The absence of osteoporosis in elderly women in many other counties is never discussed in the professional meetings on osteoporosis that are subsidized by the pharmaceutical companies"

“Astudy from the University of Tennessee found that indeed there was a link between estrogen therapy and lowered coronary heart disease-but only in women who already had a history of heart disease. In women with normal coronary vessels, estrogen benefits were insignificant”

Archives of Internal Medicine

The Central Nervous System, Hypothalamus and Hormones

The limbic system is the area of the brain that maintains homeostasis and the hypothalamus is perhaps the most important part of the limbic system. It is the "brain" of the brain and is the single most intricate and amazing part of the brain. The hypothalamus controls homeostasis in the brain by way of feedback. The combined neurological and endocrine function of the hypothalamus allows it to play a prominent role is the regulation of numerous body functions.

This input into the hypothalamus allows it to regulate and integrate heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, digestion, emotional responses, behavior, sex drive, body and skin temperature, appetite, thirst and body fluids, sleep cycles, metabolism, and much more.

The effectiveness of the hypothalamus is directly proportional to the functional capability of the nervous system to send and receive nerve messages and especially to maintain the integrity of those nerve messages as they travel along the spinal cord.

SPINAL CORD & NERVE INTERFERENCE

The spinal cord is both a cable and a switchboard. As a cable, it connects the brain with the rest of the nerves in body.

"Studies have shown that more than fifty percent of hyperthyroid patients have damage to the pathways in their nervous system"

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

Research at the Still Institute showed that spinal lesions resulted in pathological changes in the blood, urine, and tissue fluids. Spinal lesions of the atlas and axis (C1& C2) were associated with abnormal function of the pituitary which resulted in abnormal hormone secretions.

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS AND STRESS

Since the 1950’s the word “stress” has changed from an engineering term to a cultural construct. In 2010, Americans spent over eight billion dollars on stress related products.

Stress has been defined as a “distress caused by a demand of the body to all non-specific demands” Although stress is generally associated with negative connotations, it is a double-edged sword. The body would not be able to survive without the acute stress response as in the “fight or flight” phenomena. This type of response gears the body up for action. It provides focused energy to either flee from danger or to stand ground and fend off a crisis.

During an emergency, stress hormones are produced and they are utilized. However, the kind of stress we face on a daily basis is of a completely different kind. Emergency physical responses are rarely needed yet the brain perceives stress as such and prepares the body for fight or flight. As the stress is almost continuous, the stress hormones are not utilized; they remain in the body and cause biological damage.

The work of Hans Seyle, who compiled thousands of studies demonstrated that exposure to stress, can cause “disease of adaptation".

The body can adapt to stress as along as the nervous system and endocrine systems are capable of responding normally. All types of stress can cause vertebral subluxations, but it creates a vicious cycle in which the body can no longer adapt to stress as a result of a compromised nervous system.

CHIROPRACTIC

The purpose of Chiropractic is the detection and correction of vertebral subluxations which is accomplished by physically adjusting the spine. This restores the nervous system pathways to an optimum level of function, which maximizes homeostasis and the body's inherent healing ability.

Chiropractic is not a treatment for disease, nor do Doctors of Chiropractic claim to cure disease. Chiropractors simply remove nerve interference from the spine, and with a restored nervous system, the body is able to restore and maintain its own optimum level of balance.

Research studies as well as tens of thousands of case studies done in Chiropractic clinics have demonstrated that the correction of vertebral subluxations improves neurological function and health and allows the body to recover from a wide variety of health conditions, including many endocrine disorders.

“Chiropractic is effective as a preventive treatment because it relieves nerve pressure as the spine is properly adjusted. The build-up of this pressure is cumulative in its erosion of the health and integrity of specific body organs or regions. If one vertebra is out of relationship to the ones next to it, a state of disharmony is said to exist. This causes loss of normal nerve energy and upsets both local and systemic homeostasis or balance.”

GARY NULL Complete Guide to Healing Your Body

“Eleven women with histories of PMS underwent Chiropractic care and showed improvement of all measured symptoms including variation in sex drive, social impairment and depression”.

Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation

While a routine medical exam to rule out serious pathologies is always a good idea, researchers have suggested that Chiropractic are might be a viable alternative for women suffering from menstrual pain and discomfort.27

Neurological Fitness

“Subluxation alone is a rational reason for Chiropractic care throughout a lifetime from birth”

Dr. Lee Hadley, Syracuse Memorial Hospital

Osteoporosis Prevention Through Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 02:08:15 GMT

Osteoporosis Prevention Through Chiropractic

THE OSTEOPOROSIS EPIDEMIC

Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 28 million Americans, 80% of whom are women. Annual treatment costs for osteoporosis exceed $15 billion.

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a condition that exists when the loss of bone over time has caused a dramatic weakening of the skeleton. Bones are more than just a framework over which the rest of the body is draped — they are living tissue, made from calcium, and are constantly changing.

Researchers have determined that when bone density falls below a certain point, the bones become extremely prone to fracture. This point of impending injury is called the fracture threshold. If the bone density,falls below the fracture threshold, the condition is called osteoporosis.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF OSTEOPOROSIS

There are several factors that contribute to osteoporosis and the majority of osteoporotic cases are caused by multiple factors. There are essentially three areas that contribute to osteoporosis: abnormal biomechanical or structural stress, chemical stress, and neurological stress.

ABNORMAL BIOMECHANICAL / STRUCTURAL STRESS

The optimal spinal structure provides resistance to gravity and other external stress. Any loss of this ideal structure results in loss of resistance to gravity, resulting in spinal degeneration and conditions such as osteoporosis.

CHEMICAL STRESS

CORTICOSTEROIDS : Millions of people take corticosteroids for conditions such as asthma, arthritis, shoulder and back pain, lupus, and inflammatory diseases. Research clearly shows that their use is a contributing factor to osteoporosis.

MD’s UNDERESTIMATE THE RISKS OF OSTEOPOROSIS

One of the most dangerous side effects of corticosteroids is osteoporosis, yet a survey of the American College of Rheumatology shows that many physicians don’t realize it. The drugs are prescribed for people with diseases like lupus or arthritis, but the side effects can sometimes be worse than the disease. Although males and pre-menopausal women are generally considered to be at low risk for developing osteoporosis, long-term steroid use greatly increases their risk over time.

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RHEUMATOLOGY

NERVOUS SYSTEM STRESS

The nervous system is the master control system of the body, controlling and coordinating every single bodily function.

An intact nervous system will lead to optimum functioning of the human body.

DORLAND’S MEDICAL TEXT

The nervous system controls the endocrine glands, which secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body chemistry, including the process of bone remodeling.

“The key to stopping osteoporosis lies in balanced body chemistry and a delicate balance of minerals in order to maintain a calcium homeostasis in the blood.”

DR. NANCY APPLETON

The nervous system is vulnerable to interference at its protecting,structure — the spinal column. The spinal vertebrae are,susceptible to certain stresses and forces which can jar them from their proper position. These minor misalignments of the spine are called “vertebral subluxations.”

The presence of vertebral subluxations can often be detected by examination of a person’s posture. There is ample research which shows the relationship between poor posture and numerous health conditions such as osteoporosis.

POSTURE AND HEALTH

CHIROPRACTIC

Doctors of Chiropractic detect and correct vertebral subluxations by physically adjusting the spine. This restores the nervous system to an optimum level of function, which maximizes the body’s inherent healing ability.

“Chiropractic focuses on the anatomy of the spinal cord and the nerves that branch out from it. Even minor deviations of the spine caused by poor posture can impair the working of a nerve and the body part it supplies.”

MIRIAM STODDARD, MD

Chiropractic adjustments restore and maintain the proper structure of the spine. When the spinal column is brought into balance, normal function is restored, and structural degeneration is prevented

Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because the weakening of the bones often occurs for years before any kind of symptoms may appear. Chiropractic is an excellent method of prevention and routine spinal exams are essential to a person’s neurological and skeletal health.

CONCLUSION

Chiropractic care is an excellent approach to preventing osteoporosis and other health conditions. Chiropractors are experts in spinal structure and body mechanics. Chiropractic adjustments are aimed at maintaining sound structure of the body by correcting spinal and postural distortions and preventing functional and structural health problems.

Occupational Health, Safety and Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 01:34:08 GMT

Occupational Health, Safety and Chiropractic

RISING COST OF HEALTH CARE IN CORPORATE AMERICA

The cost to cover the typical family of four under an employer plan is expected to top $20,000 on health care this year, up more than 7% from last year, according to early projections by independent actuarial and health care consulting firm Milliman Inc. In 2002, the cost was just $9,235, the firm said.

It’s no secret that these mounting costs are eroding profit margins, and in some cases, threatening the survival of U.S. companies.

THE HIDDEN COST OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ISSUES

Health care continues to be expensive for corporate America for a wide variety of reasons including an aging workforce and the rising cost of goods and services used for patient care -- such as workers, equipment and information systems.

Other factors are a rising demand for care, compliance with regulatory requirements and new technologies, such as robotic surgery, are growing rapidly and carry an expensive price tag.

For employers, these common conditions represent fewer direct costs than high-expense diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, but they represent higher indirect costs, because they are so prevalent:

Depression costs U.S. employers more than $35 billion a year in reduced performance at work.
On-the-job pain (including back pain, headaches and arthritis) costs employers nearly $47 billion ayear in productivity loss.

For employers, the hidden costs of presenteeism present a frightening and motivating prospect.

These costs also represent a substantial argument for a consumer-driven approach to health care that engages employees in better managing these lifestyle risks and common chronic conditions.

CHRONIC PAIN-RELATED CONDITIONS

REPETITIVE STRESS CONDITIONS

A report by NIOSH revealed that more than 50% of all food cashiers, (jobs predominantly held by women), suffered some degree of carpal tunnel syndrome and other forms of repetitive strain injuries as a result of the physical demands of scanning products at high speed.

Only 23% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients were able to return to their previous professions following surgery.

Forward Head Posture

The increase use of desktop monitors and mobile communication devices has created a whole new class of problems related to forward head posture.

Head in forward posture can add up to thirty (30) pounds of abnormal leverage on thecervical spine. This can pull the entire spine out of alignment.
Forward head posture results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs. Lung capacity is depletedby as much as 30%. This shortness of breath can then lead to heart and blood vascular disease.These breath related effects happen primarily because the loss of the cervical lordosis blocks theaction of the hyoid muscles, especially the rib lifting action is necessary for complete aeration of thelungs. Loss of the cervical lordosis reduces the patient’s lung and vital capacity up to 30%.
Loss of gastrointestinal function:The entire gastrointestinal system is affected; particularly thelarge intestine. Loss of good bowel peristaltic function and evacuation is a common effect of forwardhead posture.
Forward head posture causes an increase in discomfort and pain because:*Proprioceptivesignals from the first four cervical (upper neck) vertebrae are a major source of the stimuli whichcreate the body`s pain controlling chemicals (endorphins) With inadequate endorphin production,many otherwise non painful sensation are experienced as pain. Forward head posture dramaticallyreduces endorphins production by limiting the range of motion of the cervical spine

Mobile technological devices, such as digital personal assistants (PDAs) and smartphones have made our lives more convenient. We can now send e-mails, access the Internet, manage our schedules, and use spreadsheets and other office software from our phones. While this makes it easier to accomplish tasks without being tethered to an office, it has also increased the amount of time we spend using these devices, which is not without risks.

"Text-Neck is a global epidemic and people all over the world, especially the younger generations, are suffering the effects."

MSNBC TODAYS HEALTH

"Depression results in more days of disability than chronic healthconditions such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes."

National Committee for Quality Assurance

Depression can cause changes in thinking, mood and behavior. These symptoms can flow from personal life into professional life, oftentimes affecting performance at work. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, twenty-seven percent of those with depression reported serious difficulties in their work and home lives.

Impact on Quality of Life

Almost two-thirds (59%) reported an impact on their overall enjoyment of life.
More than three quarters of patients (77%) reported feeling depressed.
70% said they have trouble concentrating.
74% said their energy level is impacted by their pain.
86% reported an inability to sleep well

THE SPINE-NERVOUS SYSTEM STRESS CONNECTION

Workplace Wellness Programs: The Benefits

Workplace wellness program can do the following

Reduce absenteeism:

It has been shown healthier employees spend fewer days away from work due to illness, saving the company thousands, even millions, of dollars on down time and temporary employment. Additionally, because good health typically carries over into better family choices, your employees could possibly miss less work caring for sick family members.

Control Increasing Health Care Costs:

Today, employers have a vested interest in health-related issues and reducing unnecessary medical costs that consume corporate profits and employee paychecks. For many companies, medical costs can consume half of corporate profits…or more!

Improve Presenteeism:

Presenteeism is a new phenomenon occurring when employees are at work but do not feel as productive as usual due to stress, depression, injury or illness.

Reduce Injuries:

Healthy employees with less risk factors are at a lower risk for injury than those unhealthy employees with more risk factors. Classes are a popular means of trying to prevent injury, including spinal health classes, smoking cessation courses, back care programs and stress management lectures.

More examples of workplace wellness programs courses include health education classes, subsidized use of fitness facilities; internal policies that promote healthy behavior and any other activity, policy or environmental change that affect the health of an employee.

Improve Employee Morale and Retention:

Employee turnover is expensive and an employee wellness program is an added benefit to encourage employee retention. Company sponsored workplace wellness programs send a clear message to employees that management values their well-being.

POTENTIAL ACTION STEPS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM

Designating a Workplace Wellness Program Leader.
Conducting an employee interest survey.
Providing an opportunity for health screening.
Administering an annual physical activity campaign.
Holding a healthy eating in-service/lunch & learn program.
Scheduling of Ergonomic and Safety Analysis.
Establishing an in-house workplace wellness program library.
Disseminating a monthly wellness program newsletter.
Implementing healthy policies and procedures.Supporting family and community health efforts.

CHIROPRACTIC

This restores the nervous system to an optimum level of function, which maximizes the body’s inherent healing potential.

Chiropractic adjustments restore normal nerve function; improve spinal biomechanics, range of motion, reflex arcs, and posture, all of which are essential to a properly functioning nervous system.

Doctors of Chiropractic have never claimed that they can “cure” illnesses and other related conditions, and not all health problems can be attributed to vertebral subluxations, but clinical and case study research has demonstrated that correcting subluxation scan lead to an improvement and restoration of health.

Doctors of Chiropractic are experts in spinal structure and body mechanics. Chiropractic adjustments are aimed at restoring and maintaining the structural integrity of the body by correcting spinal and postural distortions. Chiropractors emphasize the importance of posture to overall health, a concept that has been often overlooked in traditional methods of health care..

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PAIN MANAGEMENT

Workers compensation studies in multiple states indicate a 45-55% saving in overall costs when treatments areprovided by a chiropractor instead of a traditionalpractioners.

THE MAGNA REPORT

58% of those using Chiropractic considered it an essential part of their health insurance package.

THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION

Chiropractic patients were three times more satisfied with their care than patients of family practice physicians.

WESTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

The most recent and better designed studies suggest that when Chiropractic is utilized in the workplace, it not only reduces the immediate cost of an episode of care, but reduces the subsequent reoccurrence of chronic conditions.

These chronic conditions are a heavy financial burden on society often requiring expensive tests to pinpoint the diagnosis.Additionally, patients who receive chiropractic often have a far more conservative, less invasive approach which can significantly reduce the overall cost of care.

JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

Inflammation and the Healing Process

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 01:04:26 GMT

The role of inflammation in the process of healing has been misunderstood for many years. Recent neurological and immunological research has shed light on its importance in the human healing process. A clear shift in science is taking inflammation away from being the enemy of health and a condition to be suppressed and or eliminated to one in which its importance and role is allowed to proceed.

“Inflammation is one of the most important mechanisms of host defense since it marshals the attack on the injurious agent and leads to repair of the affected tissue.”

The Cell Biology of Inflammation

Inflammation: Tissue Response to Injury

The inflammatory response is a natural defense mechanism that is triggered whenever body tissues are damaged in any way. Most of the body defense elements are located in the blood and inflammation is the means by which body defense cells and defense chemicals leave the blood and enter the tissue around the injured or infected site. Inflammation occurs in response to physical trauma, intense heat and irritating chemicals, as well as to infection by viruses and bacteria.

These chemicals also increase the permeability of local capillaries. Consequently, exudate, fluid containing proteins such as clotting factors and antibodies, seeps from the bloodstream into the tissue spaces.

This exudate is the cause of the local edema or swelling that in turn, presses on adjacent nerve endings, contributing to a sensation of pain. Pain also results from the release of bacterial toxins, lack of nutrition to the cells in the area, and the sensitizing effects of released prostaglandins and kinins. If the swollen and painful area is a joint, normal movement may be inhibited temporarily in order for proper healing and repair to occur.

Although at first, edema may seem to be detrimental to the body, it isnt. The entry of protein-rich fluids into the tissue spaces

) Helps to dilute harmful substances, which may be present
Brings in large quantities of oxygen and nutrients necessary for the repair process.
Allows the entry of clotting proteins which form a gel like fibrin mesh in the tissue space that effectively isolates the injured area and prevents the spread of bacteria and other harmful agents into the adjacent tissues. It also forms a scaffolding for permanent repair.

I would like to begin my consideration from the homotoxicological viewpoint by pointing out the effectively beneficial aspects of the inflammatory process. As a result of the effects of histamine, and in conjunction with permeability dysfunction's, blood plasma with antigens extravasates from blood vessels. Connecting tissue, which lies between the blood vessels and parenchyma, subsequently produces a tissue gel in response to the following processes which act on it. The enrichment of acids and the diminution of oxygen which occur here, the production of hyaluronidase among the bacteria present, and the presence of toxic products of metabolism (so-called homotoxins). In this phase of inflammation, leukocytic cells are produced in the manner, which has been very impressively demonstrated in the well-known experiment by Busse-Grawitz. Now, at this point, the toxic products of metabolism can, together with the pus formed, be properly eliminated from the organism, in the sense of a biologically effective detoxification reaction. Any measure taken to impede this process of detoxification signifies a corresponding hindrance of the process of healing.

“No one could survive without precise signaling in cells. The body functions properly only because the cells constantly communicate with each other.”

Scientific American

When one considers that in wound healing there is cell and tissue proliferation proceeding at a rate exceeding that seen in malignant tumors, it is humiliating to admit how little we know of the mechanisms involved. It is evident that our knowledge of healing is woefully deficient. We understand neither the signal that starts the process of healing nor the mechanisms that control and maintain it. Failure to identify the mechanism by which normal tissue homeostasis is maintained is particularly disappointing, since any understanding of the major disorders of cell division ( cancer ) must be related to a knowledge of the normal controlling mechanisms of cell growth.

Principles of Disease

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

When you see the letters itis at the end of a word, it means “inflammation of” The first part of the word indicates the part of the body that is involved in the inflammation process. For example, the word dermatitis means inflammation of the skin (derm) and arthritis is the inflammation of a joint in the body. It most cases the term itis at the end of a word denotes a chronic condition.

Chronic inflammation is an inflammatory response of prolonged duration--weeks, months, or even indefinitely, who extended time course is caused by persistence of the causative stimulus to inflammation in the tissue, repetitive use of anti-inflammatory drugs, a weakened immune system, or an improper nerve supply.

Chronic inflammation inevitably causes tissue damage and is accompanied by simultaneous attempts at healing and repair. The exact nature, extent and time course of chronic inflammation is variable and depends on the balance between the causative agent and the attempts of the body to remove it.

FDA probes new worries about acetaminophen

Washington. (AP) Evidence that many Americans may poison their livers by unwittingly taking toxic doses of acetaminophen has the government considering if the consumers need stiffer warnings about the popular painkiller. Data suggests acetaminophen over dosages could be a bigger cause of liver failure than some prescription drugs recently banned for liver poisoning.

“Chronic kidney failure affects about thirteen million Americans. In many patients, this condition eventually becomes end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis and/or kidney transplant. Currently, there are 350,000 Americans undergoing kidney dialysis or having kidney transplant operations. Risk factors include smoking, taking certain drugs, and exposure to chemicals. Among the drug risks is the heavy use of over-the-counter analgesic preparations including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, Advil, Aleve, etc.). Injected or oral illegal drug use may be a previously underestimated and potent risk factor for development of chronic kidney disease.

Dr. William Bennet

Central Nervous System & Inflammation

The Central Nervous System controls and coordinates every single system down to the tiniest microbes in the human body including the entire healing and repair process. The CNS does this by sending and receiving billions of nerve messages every single minute. The health and internal resistance of the body is largely dependent on the communication ability of the nervous system.

Remember, if the nervous system is not functioning like it supposed to—healing will never be optimized or complete. This is one of the most important concepts that must be understood when attempting to resolve health issues.

“The quality of healing is directly proportional to the functional capability of the central nervous system to send and receive nerve messages”

Journal of Neurological Science

The presence of vertebral subluxations can often be detected by an examination of a person’s posture. There is ample research which shows the relationship between poor posture and a improperly functioning nervous system which leads to health problems.

POSTURE & HEALTH

Posture and normal physiology areinterrelated.
Posture affects and moderates everyphysiological function from breathing tohormonal production.
Abnormal posture is evident in patientswith chronic and stress related illnesses.
Homeostasis and nervous systemfunction are ultimately connected withposture.
Despite the considerable evidence thatposture affects physiology and function,the significant influence on posture isnot addressed by most physicians.

American Journal of Pain Management

“The beginning of the disease process starts with postural distortion.”

Dr. Hans Seyle, Nobel Laureate

CONCLUSION

Research continues to demonstrate that the inflammation is a normal, natural and beneficial process to the human body. Treating inflammation with chemicals results in the halting of this natural process and often leads to chronic conditions. No wonder that so many health conditions end in the word “itis”

At all biological levels (molecular, cellular, organ), communication between elements is essential for the proper functioning of system.

This communication process is essential to the homeostasis of the body. The foundation of health begins with a properly functioning nervous system, to the extent that we can equate levels of function and healing capability with the ability of the nervous system to send and receive information.

There is a greater quantity of communication in the human body than all of the combined man-made communication systems in the world and the coordination and precision of neurological and biological communication systems is unparalleled.

The trend in immunological research clearly demonstrates that restoring, balancing, facilitating and maximizing the communication systems of the body is the key to optimal health and immune system function

The inflammatory response:

(1) prevents the spread of damaging agents to nearby tissues

(2) disposes of cell debris and pathogens and

(3) sets the stage for the repair process.

The four cardinal signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling and pain. Many experts consider impairment of function to be the fifth cardinal sign of inflammation.

The inflammatory process begins with chemical “alarms” a series of inflammatory chemicals that are released in the extracelllular fluid. Injured tissue cells, phagocytes, lymphocytes, mast cells and blood proteins are all sources of inflammatory mediators, the most important of which are histamine, kinins, prostaglandins, complement, and lymphokines.

Though some of these mediators have individual inflammatory roles as well, they all promote dilation of the small blood vessels in the vicinity of the injury.

As more blood flows into the area local hyperemia (congestion with blood) occurs which accounts for the redness and the heat of the inflamed area.

Benefits of Inflammation

Inflammation is often associated with the inflammatory response to tissue injury or trauma, but inflammation is at work in the body at a bio-molecular level on a constant, basis without any symptomology. Inflammation helps to maintain homeostasis in the body by coordinating immune function, including T cell mediation to identify and eliminate cancer cells.

T-lymphocytes

T-Lymphocytes or T cells are involved in:

inflammatory reactions.
increasing the numbers of cells for a strong
defense of the body.
the destruction of cancer and infected cells.

T cells are one of the first immune cells to become aware of the presence of foreign cells. When they notice that an infection has occurred, they release different classes of immune cofactors, or biochemical signals that activate B cells to produce antibodies and other immune cells. By using these messages,

T cells recruit additional cells and start an immune reaction. Regulatory T cells defend the body by recruiting other cells. These cells "talk" to one another with immune cofactors, which are small bioactive signals that are produced by cells.

Basic studies shed light on immune function

Immunologists at Oregon State University have recently uncovered some important clues as to how the immune system works at a fundamental level. The key, scientists say, is understanding how some of the T cells, which are sort of the quarterback of the immune system that directs other cells to go do their dirty work, can get stimulated to do their work even better, or tone it down in the case of an autoimmune conditions. One of the things that has intrigued scientists is the apparent correlation between inflammation and a dysfunctional immune response, especially with autoimmune diseases. Steroid treatments, for instance, which have strong anti-inflammatory effects, are often used to treat autoimmune disorders.

“But using a powerful steroid drug, which can have many side effects, to indirectly affect something as delicate as the immune system is like hitting an ant with a sledgehammer”, according to Anthony Vella, an assistant professor of microbiology at OSU. “What we have tried to identify is exactly how the process of inflammation is related to immune function and what cellular processes are involved.” In one recent breakthrough, the OSU research program determined that inflammation in conjunction with the activation of other T cell stimulatory molecules can help T cell growth and increase the number of “fighting” T cells. In experiments, OSU researchers showed that injecting mice with an antigen caused significant death of the antigen-responsive T cells; however, when inflammation was present, it prevented the death of these cells. In cell membranes of certain bacteria, there is a natural bacterial lipid called lippopolysaccharide, or LPS. It appears that LPS can play a role in causing inflammation, and keeping activated T cells alive.

Oregon State University Immunology Research Department

DRUGS & INFLAMMATION

There are more drugs designed to fight inflammation in the human body than any other single category of drugs. NSAIDs are taken regularly by approximately 33 million Americans!

Anti-inflammatories stop or disrupt inflammation by suppressing or altering the chemical signals associated with the inflammatory response. This interrupts the natural healing process and can often lead to conditions of chronic inflammation.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

are often used to stop inflammation, but they may not be strong enough or may have too many side effects. NSAIDs work by inhibiting production of prostaglandins, the chemicals in our bodies that enhance inflammatory effects

Prostaglandins are also important to the normal functioning of a number of other processes including digestion. Because of this, inhibition of prostagladins by NSAIDs can cause indigestion and stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Corticosteroids are immunosuppressive. This means that they reduce the activity of your immune system. A healthy immune system helps defend your body against bacteria, viruses, and cancer.

Use of corticosteroids decreases the body's helpful immune activity, which can increase susceptibility to infection and interfere with the healing process.

“Corticosteroids are commonly used for the treatment of allergies, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions. I consider them dangerous drugs, much misunderstood, abused and over prescribed. Steroids cause allergies and inflammation to disappear as if by magic. In fact, the magic is nothing more than direct suppression of the immune system. Steroids are toxic, cause dependence, suppress, rather than cure disease, and reduce the chance of healing by natural treatment. Moreover, they weaken immunity.”

Andrew Weil, MD

Antibiotics, the very drug prescribed to fight bacterial infections, also impair the body’s immune system. This paradoxical effect was first reported in 1950, but was dismissed because researchers could not confirm their findings. Then, in 1972 researchers at the Baylor school of medicine in Houston rediscovered that antibiotics can prevent white blood cells from attacking and destroying bacteria.

“ Vertebrates achieve internal homeostasis during infection or injury by balancing the activities of pro inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways. Endotoxins, produced by all gram negative bacteria, activates macrophages to release cytokines that are potentially lethal. The central nervous system regulates systemic inflammatory responses to endotoxins through humoral mechanisms. Activation of afferent vagus nerve fibers by endotoxins or cytokines stimulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis responses.”

Nature

There are many factors which can contribute to chronic health conditions. A well documented, yet often overlooked cause is spinal stress, which can cause interference to the nervous system.

The nervous system is most vulnerable to interference at its protecting structure-the spinal column. The spinal vertebrae are susceptible to various stresses and forces which can jar them from their proper position.

These minor misalignments of the spine are called “vertebral subluxations”

Posture is the body’s response to natural forces of gravity and the stresses of daily living, whether standing, sitting, walking or reclining. With normal erect posture, the body is in a state of intrinsic equilibrium, maintained by minimal muscular effort.

Healthy posture is largely determined by three factors: skeletal structure, soft tissue integrity and neurological control. Breakdown in any of these components can result in subluxations, instability, weakness and loss of neurological control

“Up to 90% of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to its gravitational field.”

DR. ROGER SPERRY, Nobel Laureate

“There is an alarming high number of disabling conditions-chronic diseases, most cancers, syndromes and other instances of poor health where western medicine is helpless. There is no root cause, no definite problem that surgery can eradicate or drugs can cure. A large part of the problem has to do with the theoretical framework that modern medicine has taken on, namely that of ignoring the workings of the body itself”

Dr. I. William Lane

“Pressed by patients and advancing technology, health care will soon change its focus from treatment to enhancement, from repair to improvement, from diminishing sickness to increased performance. The transformation has already begun. Accompanying this will be an increased emphasis on psychoneuroimmunology, the science that deals with the brains role in helping the immune system fight disease, which will become a vitally important clinical field—perhaps the most important field of the 21st century.”

Michael Crichton, M.D.

The HPV Vaccine What the Research Actually Reveals

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:39:46 GMT

The HPV Vaccine What the Research Actually Reveals

WHAT IS THE HPV VACCINE?

The HPV vaccine claims to protect against some types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Two HPV vaccines are available: HPV4 and HPV2.

The ingredients are proteins of HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18, amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate, yeast protein, sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate, and water for injection.

The Federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice recommends that all girls age 11 thru 12years old should get vaccinated against HPV. Health care providers may also give the vaccine to girls as young as 9 years, and to girls and women aged 13 thru 26 years who haven’t gotten the vaccine yet. One of the HPV vaccines is also licensed for boys and men ages 9 thru 26 years to prevent genital warts.

There are two licensed HPV vaccines, Gardasil®, manufactured by Merck and Cervarix®, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline . Gardasil® was licensed for use in females, age 9-26 years in June 2006 and for males’ age 9-26 years in Oct 2009. Cervarix® was licensed for use in females age 10-25 in October 2009.

HPV has never been scientifically proven to be a pathogen for cervical cancer

The second obstacle to credibility with the HPV vaccine is that the average age for cervical cancer is 50 years. But the plan is to mandate the HPV vaccine to girls as young as 11 years of age and on certain occasions as young as 9 years of age. And the manufacturer is only claiming efficacy for 5 years.

So using their own statistics, this makes the vaccine worthless in the long run, because by the time most females need immunity, it will have worn off long ago.

QUALITY OF THE TEST STUDIES OF HPV

The FDA allowed Merck to use a potentially reactive aluminum containing placebo as a control for most trial participants, rather than a non-reactive saline solution placebo.

Here's what is alarming

Almost 90% of Gardasil recipients and 85% of aluminum placebo recipients followed-up for safety reported one or more adverse events within 15 days of vaccination. In addition, pain and swelling at the injection site occurred in approximately 83% of Gardasil and 73% of aluminum placebo recipients. Sixty percent of those who got Gardasil or the aluminum placebo had systemic adverse events including headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and myalgia.

The point here is that there is too little long term safety and effectiveness data to recommend Gardasil for universal use, especially mandatory use

ADVERSE REACTIONS TO THE HPV VACCINE

As of September 15, 2011, approximately 40 million doses of Gardasil® were distributed in the U.S. and VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) received a total of 20,096 reports of adverse events following Gardasil® vaccination: 19,075 reports among females and 569 reports for males, of which 504 reports were received after the vaccine was licensed for males in October 2009. VAERS received 452 reports of unknown gender.

As of September 15, 2011, there have been a total 71 VAERS reports of death among those who have received Gardasil®. There were 57 reports among females, 3 were among males, and 11 were reports of unknown gender or clustering to the deaths that would suggest that they were caused by the vaccine and some reports indicated a cause of death unrelated to vaccination.

Since licensed in October 2009, uptake of Cervarix® vaccination in the U.S. has been very low. As of September 2011, there have been 52 VAERS reports of adverse events following Cervarix®vaccination in the U.S.

It is important to note historically only a fraction of adverse events involving vaccines ever get reported and the longer the time between the administration of the vaccine and the adverse event occurring, the less likely it will be attributed to the initial administration. This means that the vast majority of damages caused by vaccines like HPV are never reported.

Even the Journal of the American Medical Association, normally a staunch defender of vaccines, has voiced its concern about a mandatory HPV vaccine.

The AMA Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) warns Legislators about mandatory HPV vaccine:

“Merck has demonstrated that they are more than willing to gamble our children’s health on an unproven vaccine in return for immense profits. This magnitude of evil is rare, even for a drug company.”

Dr. Julian Whitaker

Australian Immunization Council

Human Genetic Potential and Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 00:23:44 GMT

Human Genetic Potential and Chiropractic

HUMAN GENETIC POTENTIAL AND CHIROPRACTIC

The 21st century promises to be packed with exciting technical research and innovations and none is more promising than the rapidly growing field of human genetics. The next one hundred years can truly be called the century of human genetic potential.

FOR DNA: A DEFINING MOMENT

For a decade, the double stranded thread of genetic code known as the human genome project has been the object of the biggest and boldest biological enterprise ever launched, costing about two billion dollars and requiring millions of times the computing power used to land a man on the moon. The Human Genome Project, formally begin in 1990 with the goals of identifying the estimated 100,000 genes found in DNA, determining the sequence of the three billion chemical base pairs in DNA and storing information.

FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETICS

Genes: Each gene is a double—stranded DNA that holds the recipes for making a specific molecule—usually a protein. These recipes are spelled out in varying sequences of four chemical bases in DNA. A (Adenine), T (Thymine), G (Guanine) and C (Cytosine). The base pairs form interlocking pairs that can fit together in only one way. “A” pairs with “T” and “C” pairs with: G”.

Proteins: Proteins (Greek for “primary element”) are made up of polypeptide chains that in turn make amino acids, which are the body’s essential components of all organs and chemical activities. Some proteins, called enzymes, control the chemical reactions that occur within living things. The structure of a gene—that is the instructions contained in its DNA—determine which protein it makes and when it makes it

RNA : Ribonucleic acid is a single-stranded molecule located outside the nucleus that can be considered a ‘chemical slave” of DNA. RNA carries out the orders for a protein synthesis issued by DNA. There are three forms of RNA that work together to carry out the instructions of the DNA. They are:

Acquired (orsomatic) mutations occur in the DNA of individual cells at some time during a person’s life. These changes can be caused by environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation from the sun, or can occur if a mistake is made as DNA copies itself during cell division. Acquired mutations in somaticcells (cells other than sperm and eggc ells) cannot be passed on to the next generation.

“X-rays, viruses, toxic chemicals and drugs can increase the likelihood of a change to the DNA, causing mutation that may lead to cancer and other disorders of the body.”

HUMAN GENETICS

Genetic research will lead to enormous potential in the fields of genetic testing and gene replacement therapy. However, the advent of this new technology should not be construed to mean that genetics represent the only factor affecting health. Indeed, emphasis and education on lifestyle, as well as environmental and structural factors will play a tremendous role in 21st century health care.

The environment in which you grow up is as importantasyour DNA in determining the person you ultimately become. You cannot disassociate genes from the environment that turns geneson and off; and you cannot disassociate the effects of genes from the environment in which proteins exert their effects. Certain genes lead to vulnerability, but not inevitability.

NEWSWEEK

For example, when geneticists say they've found a gene for a particular trait, what they mean is that people carrying a certain "allele"-- a variation in a stretch of DNA that normally codes for a certain protein will develop the given trait in a standard environment. The last few words--" in a standard --"environment" --are very important, because what scientists are not saying is that a given allele will necessarily lead to that trait in every environment. Indeed, there is mounting evidence that a particular allele will not produce the same result if the environment changes significantly; that is to say, the environment has a strong influence on whether and how a gene gets"expressed."

THE GENE IS NOT NECESSARILY DOMINANT

Genes are unquestionably the fundamental units by which our bodies are constructed. However, pure genetic determination does not adequately explain the varied capabilities of our biology. A more accurate view of the role of the genome is to see the genes as providing the overall plan for the developmental pathways. The environment to which the individual is exposed will modify the actual pathway”

PETER NATHANIELS, M.D.

“The major function of your genes is to transmit health and the inborn resolve to remember wellness. In the sickness paradigm, we are taught that disease-carrying genes determine our destiny. This is a false view. If we were truly destined to live by our genes, we would suffer from the thousands of diseases experienced by our ancestors for as long as we lived, which would not be very long at all. Disease-carrying genes are not our destiny, because they must answer to our inner compass-our healing force.”

EDWARD A. TAUB, M.D."

America's Wellness Doctor"

Research has revealed that there is no simple link between genes and health conditions. Genetics have something---but not everything—to do with health conditions. Genetics do not necessarily equal fate.

A NEW MODEL OF HEALTH CARE

Research projects around the world are showing great promise for the future of health care, and although these projects have barely scratched the surface, genetics research continues to rapidly change the way we view health care—from a disease and symptom model to one of performance and maximizing the inherent healing potential of the human body.

GREATER EXPECTATIONS:The future of health care lies not in treating illness,but preventing it

To maintain a high level of fitness, we must avoid physical decline—not repair it. Open heart surgery, even at its most effective, will never make the heart as good as new. The most effective preventive measures involve change in lifestyle. In addition, as genetic profiles and other predictive tools improve, the art of prevention will grow more sophisticated. Pressed by patients and advancing technology, health care will soon change its focus from treatment to enhancement, from repair to improvement, from diminished sickness to increased performance.The transformation has already begun. Accompanying this will be an increased emphasis on psychoimmunology, the science that deals with the mind's role in helping the immune system to fight disease, which will become a vitally important clinical field — perhaps the most importantfield in the 21st century.7

Michael Crichton, M.D.

“Health Care is going to change from treatment-based to prevention-based discipline.”

William Haseltine, Chairman Human Genome Science

“There is an alarming high number of disabling conditions-chronic diseases, most cancers, syndromes and other instances of poor health where western medicine is helpless. Thereis no root cause, no definite problem that surgery can eradicate or drugs can cure. A large part of the problem has to do with the theoretical frame work that modern medicine has taken on, namely that of ignoring the workings of the body itself”

Dr.I.William Lane, “Immune Power”

THE BODY’S HEALING SYSTEM

Genetic research, coupled with recent immunology research has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness and efficiency of the body’s healing system.

“The fact that healing is a natural power is a concept that is missing from traditional medicine.This seems to be the greatest defect of modern medicine—a defect that has immense practical significance since it underlies our ability to find cost effective solutions to common health problems.”

Andrew Weil, M.D.

“An automatic self-healing ability is programmed into our body’s genetic blueprint. The wisdom and “know-how” behind the body’s functioning is extremely complex. The body’s innate wisdom is more powerful than all of the accumulated knowledge of the human race. As we respect this by properly meeting the “essentials of health” we can utilize the “self-healing”blueprint that already exists within us.”

Arthur Baker

THE WONDER MACHINE

When cells are damaged, either externally through physical trauma or internally by toxins or parasites, the damaged cells release hundreds of chemical messengers that communicate the occurrence of damage to the central nervous system. The CNS responds by sending nerve messages that begin, coordinate and facilitate the entire healing process. The cardinal signs of inflammation—such as heat, fever, redness and pain are all signs that the healing process is proceeding on schedule.

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM & HEALING

“The nervous system is the most complex system in the body and it is estimated that as many as half of all genes are expressed in the nervous system. The intricate sequence of events leading from the earliest origins of the neural tube to the adult brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system is a complex process of gene expression and regulation.”

DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

The proper development and function of the nervous system is a primary key to maximizing the human genetic potential of health, healing and performance.

Molecular Genetics in Developmental Neurobiology

Molecular genetics in neurobiology has developed rapidly with the introduction of the new and productive methodologies of genetic engineering and cellular manipulation. Particularly in the field of developmental neurobiology, molecular genetics has had impact in research on the molecular mechanism if development and differentiation in the nervous system.

SYMPOISA OF BRAIN SCIENCES

Research has shown that activity that occurs at the molecular levels is controlled and coordinated by the central nervous system.

“The nervous system does much more than transmit sensory information to the brain or control motor functions. It actually controls the peripheral organs, including its biomolecular environment. The Central Nervous System is involved in all disease conditions as the CNS not only processes incoming physical and chemical information from the body, it actually controls organs and cells to maintain health and homeostasis.”

MEDICAL HYPOTHESIS

“We can only conclude that an analog-transmission and control system exists in the body, located in the perineural cells and transmitting information by means of the follow of semi-conducting DC electrical current. This system senses injury and controls repair, and it may serve as the morphogenic field itself. It controls the activity of body cells by producing specific DC electrical environments in their vicinity.”

ROBERT BECKER, M.D.

There is a greater quantity of biological communication in the human body than all of the man-made communication systems in the world combined. Signaling is essential to genetic expression

"No one could survive without precise signaling in cells. The body functions properly only because the cells constantly communicate with each other"

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

“All body systems would be immobilized with the nervous system. It controls and regulates every body activity down the workings of the tiniest cell.”

WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE

Hormones do not damage or alter genes; rather they cause the gene to act in a certain way telling it when to activate or reproduce. It is much like a transmitter sending signals to a cell phone or a radio. If the nervous system is working properly, then the correct chemical message is sent to and received by the genes.

To exert their powerful influence in the body, hormones must first bind with specifically tailored cell proteins called receptors. There are hundreds of different kinds of receptors, each one designed for a specific chemical signal. Within one cell, there are 10,000 or more of one type of receptor, although a small number need to be activated to elicit a response. The receptor and its hormones have an intricate and precise fit, much like a lock and a key, and this hormone receptor then binds to the specific regions of the DNA in the cell nucleus to activate specific genetic sequences.

It would stand to reason that a breakdown in the control and coordination of the nervous system would result in decreased genetic expression.

“Individuals with the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) inherited cancer syndrome exhibit neuronal dysfunction that predominantly affects the CNS resulting in vulnerability to reduced genetic expression.”

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS

“Subluxations of vertebra occur in all parts of the spine and in all degrees. When the dislocation is so slight as to not affect the spinal cord, it will still produce disturbances in the spinal nerves passing off from the foramina.”

Dr. James Woddersee, Neurosurgeon

CHIROPRACTIC AND GENETIC POTENTIAL

In 1975, Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medical Institute and Professor of Medicine in Environmental Health at New York University, began developing scientifically valid ways to estimate individual susceptibility to various chronic diseases. Pero and his colleagues found strong evidence that susceptibility to cancer could be gauged by the activities of various enzymes involved in metabolic and genetic changes from exposure to carcinogenic or “mutagenic” chemicals. An individual’s immune system responsiveness, or “immune competence,” also was directly linked to certain DNA repairing enzymes that provided an objective way to assess disease susceptibility. Lack of those enzymes, Pero said, “definitely limits not only your lifespan, but also your ability to resist serious disease consequences.”

This connection led Pero to consider chiropractic a potential alternative for reducing the risk of immune breakdown and disease. Measuring 107 individuals who had received long term chiropractic care, Pero’s team had surprising findings. All chiropractic patients were `genetically normal,” that is, they had no obvious genetic reasons for increased resistance or susceptibility to disease. Any difference, therefore, had to be accounted for by environmental or therapeutic factors.

Headaches and Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 23:40:25 GMT

Headaches and Chiropractic

The incidence in migraine headaches in children tripled from 1974-1992 and more than half of the people who suffer migraine as adults had their first migraine experience during adolescence.

"A history of migraine headaches may set up children for a lifetime of under-achievement."

Richard Lipton, M.D.

CHILDHOOD HEADACHES & FUTURE HEALTH PROBLEMS

The brain itself is insensitive to pain. Headache pain occurs in the following locations:

TYPES OF HEADACHES

Although the International Headache Society lists 129 different types of headaches, the general categories are tension, cluster and migraine with associate pain being described as sharp, stabbing, dull, throbbing and vice-like. Migraine with or without aura is the most common form of acute recurrent headache in children.

Different types of physical, chemical and emotional stress— including fatigue, worry, noise, fluorescent lights, travel, improper sleep, smoke and food additives such as MSG and nitrates, often trigger headaches.

Although these things may trigger a headache, the actual cause of the headache is often a series of traumatic or repetitive micro-traumatic events— including motor vehicle accidents, contact sports, postural habits, whiplash and occupational tasks.

Headaches and other symptoms may take weeks, months and even years to show up following these events.

“The negative impact of chronic headaches on quality of life, families, and productivity can be significant and is generally underrated by the medical profession.”

University of Maryland Medical Center

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

Lee Kudrow, M.D.

California Center for Headaches

“Though Medical Overuse Headache (MOH) is common in children, adolescents, and adults, it is under-recognized and under-diagnosed. It is the most common cause of daily or near-daily chronic headaches. It is also the most common cause of chronic daily headaches in adult patients presenting to headache specialty clinics in the United States. Failure to address MOH in children could lead to dependence on narcotics or other addictive drugs in adulthood, as patients with MOH may develop tolerance to over-the-counter analgesics.”

NEUROLOGY CLINIC JOURNAL

CHILDHOOD SPINAL PROBLEMS

THE GROWTH YEARS

Birth is just the beginning of growth for children. Babies are constantly moving, falling down and bumping into things as they explore their new world. The typical child will fall an average of twenty-five times each day while learning to walk.

Children fall while learning to walk, fall at the playground and off bicycles, bump their heads, and get into numerous injuries in sports. These early subluxations build up in the body over their lifetime.

FORWARD HEAD POSTURE

Duke Evidence Report

Five children presented with varying types of headaches to a family-based chiropractic practice. In each case, spinal subluxations were present. Following reduction of those subluxations through chiropractic adjustment, the child's chief complaint remised. Adjunctive therapy (education of diet, posture and exercise) was not given until the headaches remised. Thus, it was felt that the headache reduction may have been due to the restoration of nervous system function through the adjustment.

The following table lists just a few of the studies that have been conducted that demonstrate the effectiveness of spinal adjustments on headache conditions.

Fibromyalgia the Chiropractic Approach

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 23:22:28 GMT

Fibromyalgia the Chiropractic Approach

FIBROMYALGIA FACTS

WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic, widespread pain throughout the body with no apparent cause or explanation. Fibromyalgia was first described in medical literature over 150 years ago and has been called fibrositis, myofascial pain syndrome, muscular rheumatism, and many other names. The diagnosis for Fibromyalgia became officially recognized in 1990 by the American College of Rheumatology.

In addition to chronic pain, other symptoms include stiffness, especially in the morning,fatigue, sleep disturbance, migraine and tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and intolerance to cold weather.

It was originally thought that the symptoms of Fibromyalgia were caused by stress and worry, which caused additional muscle tension. Although recent studies of people with Fibromyalgia do not show that stress itself causes Fibromyalgia, stress and anxiety can make your condition worse. In fact, the pain and fatigue of Fibromyalgia often cause stress and worry, which, in turn, can increase the pain and fatigue, thus creating a vicious cycle.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

There is no known medical cure for Fibromyalgia — the only treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms, although most experts agree that medicine has a very limited effectiveness.

“There is little evidence that we can treat Fibromyalgia patients effectively with drugs. A recent study of patients with long-standing Fibromyalgia demonstrates that expensive medical care does not result in symptom improvement or better function.”

Frederick Wolfe, M.D.

“All drugs damage the body if taken over a period of years.”

Coping With Fibromyalgia

responsible for several thousand deaths in the United States each year.13

Regular use of either acetaminophen or aspirin or of both was associated in a dose-dependentmanner with an increased risk of chronic kidney failure.

The regular use of acetaminophen was associated with a 2.5 times greater risk of chronic kidney failure than that for nonusers of acetaminophen. For those who took >500g of acetaminophen per year, the risk was 5.3 times greater than for nonusers.

The regular use of aspirin was associated with a 2.5 times greater risk of chronic kidney failure than as that for nonusers of aspirin. For those who took 500g or more of aspirin per year (over 4 aspirin tablets every day), the risk was 3.3 times greater than for nonusers.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE

WHAT CAUSES FIBROMYALGIA?

In short, there is a lot of muscle trauma involved in most car accidents, particularly rear end collisions associated with whiplash.

Acute flexion-extension injuries, typically seen in auto accidents, can cause whiplash trauma to the cervical spine, even in the absence of bony damage and immediate pain. These injuries are extremely common and often lead to conditions such as chronic headaches and Fibromyalgia.

What causes the nervous system to become overly sensitive? Research indicates that trauma, injuries, and even repetitive “micro-trauma” might be the trigger for Fibromyalgia.

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION RESEARCH

CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CARE

“Fibromyalgia arises as referred pain from neck and back problems, and underlying spinal problems, needs correction to obtain improvement.”

HEALTH NEWS

Chiropractic has proven to be a safe and effective method of resolving neurological conditions such as Fibromyalgia and should be considered as a “first choice” by patients suffering with this condition.

Diabetes and Chiropractic

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 22:56:29 GMT

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of metabolism that results from a deficiency of insulin, a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin is required for the removal of sugar (glucose) from the blood by muscles after a meal and to prevent the over secretion of glucose from the liver during periods of fasting

Insulin transports glucose into the cells for use as energy and storage as glycogen. It also stimulates protein synthesis and free fatty acid storage in the fat deposits. When a person lacks sufficient insulin, body tissues have less access to essential nutrients for fuel.

An inadequate amount or inefficient action of insulin leads to elevated blood levels of glucose, the hallmark of diabetes.

This problem is made more complex by the fact that diabetes mellitus is not a single disease, but occurs in several forms, and has complications that affect virtually every system of the body.

The most common forms are Type 1 (insulin- dependent) diabetes, which usually starts in childhood or adolescence, and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, which typically affects adults and increases dramatically with age and obesity

Other types include gestational diabetes mellitus (gdm), which occurs during pregnancy, and “other specific types” which include people who have diabetes because of a genetic defect, endocrinopathologies or exposure to certain drugs or chemicals.

New Treatments for Diabetes

Sandimmune Therapy aims to prevent the destruction of islet beta- cells. This drugmay prevent circulating islet-cell antibodies in the blood from attacking islet cells. However, the drug can also be harmful to the liver and kidneys.

Pancreas Transplants are an option but because of the high risk of immune rejection,people receiving a pancreas transplant must take drugs that suppress the immune system. Unfortunately, these drugs eventually can cause more problems, including infection and damage to the liver and kidneys. Patients also face a greater health risk of diabetic complications from long- term immune system suppression.

“Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that children who acquire natural infections develop immunity to subsequent infections, with the protective effect increasing with each natural infection.”

Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal

Diabetes and Signaling

Health care is slowly changing its focus from treatment of metabolic disorders with drugs and chemicals to shifting towards procedures that restore and maintain the normal communication and control systems of the human body.

Central Nervous System & Metabolism

Factors such as blood sugar levels, temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure, and body-weight are held to a precise value called the set-point, and though it can migrate from day to day, it usually remains remarkably fixed

To achieve the task of maintaining metabolic balance, the hypothalamus must receive inputs about the state of the body, and must be able to initiate compensatory changes as needed.

The hypothalamus receives millions of nerve messages from complex areas of the rest of the nervous system including the nucleus of the solitary tract, reticular formation, the retinas, circumentular organs, the limbic and olfactory systems, sense organs, neocortex, osmoreceptors, as well as numerous touch receptors through the body.

The effectiveness of the hypothalamus to control metabolism and other functions is directly related to the functional capability of the nervous system to be able to send and receive nerve messages and especially to maintain the integrity of those nerve messages as they travel along the spinal cord.

Subluxations interfere with the normal flow of nerve impulses and can cause an increase or decrease of nerve activity.

Spinal nerve interference has been documented by leading scientific researchers to be a contributing factor of endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes.

“Lesions of the hypothalamic input region may produce a variety of symptoms, including diabetes, obesity, sexual dystrophy, and loss of thermal control.”

Correlative Neuroanatomy & Functional Neurology

“Hyper functional or Hypo functional neurons along a neural chain prevent normal nerve transmission causing disturbances in the homeostasis of the cells, tissue, and organs.”

Dr. T.N Lee, Academy of Pain Research

Chiropractic Health Care

Chiropractic is a health care system that is founded on the premise that a proper functioning nervous system is essential to overall health and function of the human body. Doctors of Chiropractic detect and correct vertebral subluxations by physically adjusting the spine. This restores the nervous system to an optimum level of function, which maximizes the body’s inherent healing potential.

An investigation was undertaken to study the circumstances of life of 115 families with children aged 0-7 years suffering from asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. Their contacts with traditional and alternative health care systems were investigated. In addition, 317 families with healthy children were also investigated. One-third of the sick children had received alternative treatment. The majority had consulted chiropractors. 73% of the parents reported that the treatment had been of benefit to their child.

National Library of Medicine

“Subluxation alone is a rational reason for Chiropractic care throughout a lifetime from birth”

Dr. Lee Hadley, Syracuse Memorial Hospital

Case Study: An 80-year-old man with a history of Diabetic Mellitus complained of low back pain along with burning pains in the lower extremities and poor balance. Joint dysfunction was detected in the mortise and intertarsal joints and myofascial trigger points were found in the quadratus plantae muscles. The patient was treated with chiropractic manipulations 18 times over a period of 4 months. The treatments brought about drastic improvements in both symptoms and clinical signs of nerve function.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

CHIROPRACTIC FACTS

Training to become a Doctor of Chiropractic requires a minimum of six years of college study and clinic internship. Training includes two years of the basic health sciences and the remaining four years focusing on the correction and prevention of spinal and structural problems that affect the nervous system.

CONCLUSION

Nervous System Control Of The Immune System

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 17:58:44 GMT

A NEW APPROACH TO IMMUNITY

"The inability of antibiotics to wipe out disease entirely and the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria and super infections have led many distinguished researchers and physicians to conclude that the answer to disease is not to create stronger medicines. Rather, we say the solution lies in attacking the disease from the inside out by strengthening the body's natural defense network.”

Dr. Robert Roundtree, Immunotics

IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS

Components of the specific system are broken down into 2 categories, humoral and cell mediated.

Humoral : are the B cells, which differentiate into plasma cells, which then produce antibodies. B cells require the assistance of macrophages, T cells, and sometimes complement in order to destroy foreign antigens.

Cell Mediated : does not involve antibodies but rather involves the production of specific T lymphocytes or T cells. Cell mediated is directed primarily against antigens embedded in the membrane of cells. It is most effective in removing virus-infected cells, but it also assists B cells in defending against fungi, intracellular bacteria and protozoan.

Cellular immunity protects the body by causing activation of antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells which destroy body cells displaying epitopes of foreign antigen on their surface; and by stimulating cells to secrete a variety of cytokines which influence the function of other cells involved in the immune and inflammatory process.

When tissue injury occurs, whether caused by bacteria, trauma, chemicals or heat, multiple substances, such as bradykinin, histamine, prostaglandins and seratonin are released which allow the central nervous system to control and cordinate the healing and repair of the affected tissue.

This process is called inflammation and it strongly activates the macrophages system to begin to remove the damaged tissue and antigens. Inflammation is a vital part of the healing process and when it is delayed or inhibited, healing is incomplete.

Thymus and T cell function

Although the thymus has historically been thought to only serve a purpose early in life, a growing body of research is clearly demonstrating that the thymus serves many purposes throughout life.

Nature

Have we underestimated the importance of the thymus in humans?

Recent immunological research has concentrated on the complex and subtle interactions between T cells, B cells and accessory cells. In these studies, little attention has been given to the adult thymus gland.

“Yet few people take a parallel view of the thymus except perhaps those investigating aging and thymic hormones, in both of these areas of research it is obvious that the thymus must be active throughout life for continued health.”

National Library of Medicine

"It has been estimated that complete thymic atrophy would not occur until the age of 120 years and there is evidence to suggest that even in the very old, sufficient thymic function may be retained to allow for native T cell differentiation."

Frontiers in Bioscience

Research has discovered that the thymus gland produces a variety of hormones. Since 1990, several different peptide hormones naturally secreted by the thymus gland have been discovered and clinically tested. These include the Thymosins, a group of 40 related peptides, Thymopotein and Thymulin. Collectively, these thymus gland hormones have been shown to have a broad range of action, well beyond maturing and differentiating T cells, including:

increasing key immune signals called lymphokines or cytokines.
causing greater number of T cells to develop IL-2 receptors more rapidly.
increasing rapid white blood cell proliferation and activation.
preventing tissue wasting that occurs with thymus gland atrophy.
reduces and controls autoimmune reactions.
preventing bone marrow injury and blood cells reduction following cancer treatments.
increasing disease fighting antibodies, yet reducing the level of "allergic antibodies".

These are just some of the many ways that thymus gland hormones have been shown to enhance, balance and restore immune system competence.

Central Nervous System & Immune System

Neuro-endocrino-immunology is a point of intersection in the field of immunology. It is also referred to in scientific literature as psychoneuroimmunology. The emerging concept is that the cells of the immune system and inflammatory systems communicate directly with the peripheral and or central nervous system.

The nervous system affects the immune system both directly and indirectly. The direct effect is via the synapsing of neurons with white blood cells in lymphoid tissues, while the indirect effect is through blood-borne neurotransmitters and hormones, which activate receptors on the white blood cells surface.

“Vertebrates achieve internal homeostasis during infection or injury by balancing the activities of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways. Endotoxins, produced by all gram negative bacteria, activate macrophages to release cytokines that are potentially lethal. The central nervous system regulates systemic inflammatory responses to endotoxin through humoral mechanisms. Activation of afferent vagus nerve fibers by endotoxins or cytokines stimulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses.”

Nature

CNS REGULATION OF T CELL ACTIVITY

Anatomically, all of the lymphoid organs are innervated and there is a regular pattern of close spatial relationships between nerve fibers and T lymphocytes, mast cells and macrophages.

"Collectively, the available data indicates that a complex network of interactions between neurons and T cells is involved in determining the balance between Th1 and Th2 regulating signals, which affects the outcome of the immune response."

IMMUNOLOGY TODAY

Basic studies shed light on immune function

OSU- Immunology Research Dept.

CYTOKINES: chemical messengers

Cytokines, also known as lymphokines, are low-molecular weight proteins that are involved in communication between cells. Their purpose is to induce or regulate various immune or inflammatory responses. Immune system disorders may occur if cytokine production or regulation is impaired.

Guyton's Anatomy and Physiology

Cytokines as bridges that connect the brain and the immune system.

“On the basis of our present knowledge, it can be proposed that at least three main pathways exist connecting the brain and the immune system: humoral, neural, and endocrine. Cytokines, soluble transmitters, once considered specific to the immune system, do act and can be produced by the central nervous system and represents a common chemical language between the two systems.”

Institute of Molecular Biology

MECHANISM OF HORMONE ACTION

"No one could survive without precise signaling in cells. The body functions properly only because the cells constantly communicate with each other."

Scientific American

Researchers Find Textbook-Altering Link Between Brain, Immune System

In a stunning discovery that overturns decades of text book teaching, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have determined that the brain is directly connected to the immune system by vessels previously thought not to exist.

That such vessels could have escaped detection when the lymphatic system has been so thoroughly mapped through out the body is surprising on its own, but the true significance of the discovery lies in the effects it could have on the study and treatment of neurological diseases ranging from autism to Alzheimer’s disease to multiple sclerosis.

IMMUNE SYSTEM DYSFUNCTION

There are some sixty-five million Americans who suffer from a dysfunctioning immune system and the number is growing at a rapid rate.

The cause of autoimmune and immunodeficiency disease has yet to be completely understood, and it is likely that a variety of factors are involved. But a growing number of researchers, including the 1999 Nobel Prize winner in medicine, Dr. Gunter Blobel, are looking at a breakdown in the cell to cell communication of the immune and nervous system to be a leading contributor of immune system dysfunction.

Alteration in cell death pathway sheds light on autoimmune disease.

A cells ability to commit suicide, a process scientists call "apoptosis", is an important feature that the body uses to prevent overgrowth of cells and to get rid of cells that it no longer needs .The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) researchers describe a mutation in immune system cells in patients with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome or ALPS, that interferes with cell death. In ALPS patients, immune cells do not die; instead they remain activated, proliferate continuously, and attack the body resulting in uncontrolled cell growth. Abnormalities in the communication of these interacting cells lead to dysregulation of the immune response.

National Institute of Health

As Th1 and Th2 cytokines can inhibit the secretion of the opposite type of cytokines, the changes in this sensitive Th1/Th2 balance is thought to be critical in the pathogenesis of several immunological disorders. Th1 dominance has been described in several organ specific autoimmune diseases including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohns disease.

"There is now abundant evidence to show that clinical disease including autoimmune disease, infectious disease and allergic disorders are due to abnormal communication and signaling pathways in the human body.”

Harvard School of Public Health

Immune Dysfunction and Stress

Conclusion

At all biological levels (molecular, cellular, organ), communication between elements is essential for the proper functioning of system. This communication process is essential to the homeostasis of the body. The foundation of health begins with a properly function nervous system to the extent that we can equate levels of function and healing capability with the ability of the nervous system to send and receive information. The trend in immunological research clearly demonstrates that restoring, balancing, facilitating and maximizing the communication systems of the body is the key to optimal health and immune function.

Strengthening Your Child Immune System

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 17:20:36 GMT

For the first time in history, U.S children are sicker than the generation before them. They’re not just a little worse off, they are precipitously worse off physically, emotionally, educationally and developmentally.

Judy Converse, MPH, RD, LD

Why Do Pediatricians Deny The Obvious?

Why Emerging Infectious Diseases Are a Threat to America

At least 170,000 Americans die annually from newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, a number that could increase dramatically during a severe flu pandemic or yet-unknown disease outbreak. Factors including globalization, increased antimicrobial (drug) resistance, and climate and weather changes are contributing to the increased threat.

TRUST FOR AMERICA’S HEALTH

Pressed by patients and advancing technology, health care will soon change its focus from treatment to enhancement, from repair to improvement, from diminished sickness to increased performance. The transformation has already begun. Accompanying this will be an increased emphasis on psychoimmunology, the science that deals with the mind's role in helping the immune system to fight disease, which will become a vitally important clinical field, perhaps the most important field in the 21st century.

NEWSWEEK

Strengthening the immune system of the entire family, starting with the children at birth, should be a top priority for all parents.

The immune system consists of the tonsils, adenoids, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, appendix, Peyer's patches, lymph nodes, and circulating white blood cells.

The job of the immune system is to protect and defend the body against infection from disease-producing microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that live in our environment.

Dr. Robert Ader, a psychologist at the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine, performed the key experiments to prove the brain-nervous system immunes system connection. The following summarizes the essential evidence of the connection between the brain, the nervous system, and the immune system:

NERVE ENDINGS ARE FOUND IN THE TISSUES OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM .

The central nervous system is linked to both the bone marrow and thymus, where immune system cells are produced and developed and to the spleen and lymph nodes, where those cells are stored.

CHANGES IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ALTER IMMUNE RESPONSES AND TRIGGERING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE ALTERS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY.

Researchers have found that inducing an immune response causes nerve cells in the hypothalamus to become more active and the brain cell activity peaks at precisely the same time that levels of antibodies are at their highest. The brain monitors

immunological changes closely.

LYMPHOCYTES ARE CHEMICALLY RESPONSIVE TO HORMONES AND NEUROTRANSMITTERS.

Immune system cells have receptor-molecular structures on their surfaces that allow them to receive information from the nervous system and other parts of the immune system.

Nervous and Immune System Disorders Linked in a Variety of Diseases

Recent advances in understanding a variety of diseases reveal complex interactions between the nervous system and the immune system. Neurological complications are associated with a breakdown in normal immune system functioning. According to Edward Goetzl, of the University of California in San Francisco, "there was alway s a sense that the nervous system is involved in disease, so the idea of a link between the nervou s system and the immune system is not new."

SCIENCE

The nervous system controls the entire growth and development of the immune system. An infant's immune system is immature at birth; fortunately, a newborn carries passive immunity from the mother for the first several months of life.

“Through the process of developing and then conquering infection, the child gets rid of acquired toxins and poisons from the body and also gets a generous boost to the immune system.”

HEALING ARTS PRESS

“Whenever the immune system deals successfully with an infection, it emerges from the experience stronger and better able to confront similar threats in the future. Our immune system develops in combat. If, at the first sign of infection, you always jump in with antibiotics, you do not give the immune system a chance to grow stronger.”

ANDREW WEIL, M.D.

Antibiotics have become a popular weapon in the medical arsenal against disease. Although no one would argue with the appropriate use of antibiotics, there is a tremendous amount of research which clearly demonstrates that they have been overused, resulting in weaker immune systems and resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics Overused, Doctor Says

Doctors too often prescribe antibiotics, which can cost a lot of money and cause serious side effects when the medicines won't help. About 60% of people with colds received antibiotics, even though the pills would not kill or even slow the viruses that cause colds. Studies of children in day care showed that 54% of the youngsters with ear infections had a penicillin resistant form of the streptococcus that commonly causes children's ear infections. Sixty percent of children with ear infections had a form of resistance to at least one type of antibiotic.

Infections caused by resistant microorganisms often fail to respond to conventional treatment, resulting in prolonged illness and greater risk of death. About 440,000 new cases ofmultidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) emerge annually, causing at least 150,000 deaths.

But when vertebrae become misaligned, interference to the nerve impulses occurs — which reduces the overall functioning of the nervous system and of the particular organ to which it is assigned. These spinal misalignments are known as "vertebral subluxations."

Most investigators in the past, in pursuing the problem of birth injury of the central nervous system, have been preoccupied with pathological changes in the forebrain. It is evident, however, that for the newborn, elementary biological activity is not dependent on the presence and function of the cerebrum. Survival of the newborn is governed mainly by the integrity and function of the vital centers in the brain stem. Yet, paradoxically, the importance of injury at birth to the brain stem and spinal cord are matters which have generally escaped lasting attention. Regrettably, in many institutions in which autopsies of newborns are performed, examination of the spinal structures is not carried out routinely; spinal injuries are thus often overlooked.

ABRAHAM TOWBIN, M.D.

In a research article in Developmental Childhood Neurology, Dr. Byers stated that the recognized causative factors to injury during the birth process are traction, rotational stresses, and hyperextension of the fetal head. Recognition of these factors is the basis for prevention of this terrible accident.

“The earlier abnormal spinal function could be recognised and corrected in a child’s life, the greater the opportunity that child will have for neurological development.”

Dr. David Heilig

Over sixty percent of all neurological development occurs after birth in the child’s first year of life.This is why it is important for your child to get adjusted during the first year of their life.

“Subluxation alone is a rational reason for Chiropractic care throughout a lifetime from birth.”

LEE HADLEY, M.D.

Studies that have measured the effect of Chiropractic treatment on the immune system have showed that Chiropractic may influence T and B lymphocytes, NK (Natural Killer) cell numbers, antibody levels, phagocytic activity, and plasma beta endorphin levels.

A recent study by Dr. Ron Pero, a leading cancer and genetic research specialist, found that chiropractic patients of all ages had a 200% greater "immune competence" than people who had never received Chiropractic care and a 400% greater immune competence than people with serious diseases.

CONCLUSION

Doctors of Chiropractic have been correcting subluxations in patients for over one hundred years, which has resulted in the recovery of virtually every known health problem. It is important to remember that all healing is ultimately self-healing and that a Chiropractor simply removes the interference (subluxation) from the master control system of the body.

Chiropractor Review in St Petersburg FL

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 15:19:33 GMT

So we got David here go ahead introduce yourself my name is David I'm 57 years old and one of my best friend's is a chiropractor and has been he graduated in 2008 and he's always told me the you know benefits of going to a chiropractor and you know I really you know I listen to him he sends me his newsletter every month I read it but I never really thought that I needed a chiropractor because I wasn't having any pain because this being you know the world we live in we don't do anything unless were hurt then I started my neck started hurting in March and my father died in February so there was a lot of yeah you know I things things come in because we had to you know deal with my father's death you know you know so pretty stressful stressful year very very very stressful this year and I sorted I sort of have gained some of the weight back but one thing that started me burying away from the gym was that my neck was hurting and it started getting to where I couldn't really do anything with my shoulders with my shoulders were really hurting in about I could probably lift my arms about like this it'll maybe go out like this they didn't hurt you know we're seeing I'm working in a map I can go here this leg bends good I can put a clip on the back and all that the end is so I kept that in so my wife kept screaming at me well if your neck is pretty go see a chiropractor but no one had ever showed me that here's your here's your spine right and so I had no idea that it was crooked and not the wage and show you what normal is and what I should look like you spent some time with you going through that to help you understand which I mean you've told me over time that's one of the things that we've done that you've really appreciated that you understand why you're coming you understand what the results should be that it's gonna take some time and that and now everything that you know my buddy has told me over the years it makes a lot of sense when I come in here and they go in there and I wobble when I watch the videos they've all make a lot more sense because the things you and I are doing in it you know hey that's exactly what they were saying it in you know and like I say if it wasn't for you I would probably be back to my giant fat self because I would have I would have given up and said you know okay I just can't stop this pinion so I mean I can't thank you enough if more people came in and just sat down with you and you explained it to him I'm sure that they would you don't feel like I do because like I said when you can only go from here and then you go to here and not have any pain you know you provide the exercising yeah yeah and it's keeping it but I understand one of the major things it's allowing you to do what it is that you want to do with your life but just as we've got you know each other we realize it's important for you and mentally emotionally physically to be in the gym and being able to get your workouts in you know the other thing that I thought was really cool you did bring your wife in initially to meet us and then as a result of that we've got really good results and she started an association she got started does a page here just a couple weeks ago and she she you know she is feeling much better and my wife has very high stress job and you know she she's gonna be the next testimonial yes yes she will definitely would be the next step the next does it's gonna be awesome well we appreciate you man thank you so much for sharing your story yes there's still gonna be and here I can I can't thank you guys enough.

Challenging the Theory of Artificial Immunity

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 15:13:23 GMT

The Economist

It may seem incredulous to challenge the practice of vaccination. After all, it has claimed responsibility for the eradication of many diseases in the past 100 years including polio, smallpox, whooping cough and diphtheria. But these claims are largely based on epidemic studies, rather than on clinical evidence of effectiveness. Europe for example, experienced the same rise and decline of polio cases yet never had the polio vaccine. In addition, many diseases that were once thought to be eradicated simply take on different forms and are given different names. For example, spinal meningitis and polio have almost identical symptoms.

One thing we have learned is that simply altering the natural physiology of the body may temporarily give the appearance of resolution of disease, but may actually create more problems in the end. Virtually all studies of effectiveness of vaccines are based on statistical data and the presence or absence of disease. There have never been any medical studies that have been performed that clearly demonstrate that vaccines increase the immune system competence of the human body, nor has there been any medical study on the long-term effects of vaccines.

It must be understood that vaccine studies are economically influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, which has tremendous influence on the outcome of these studies. Vaccine sales represent a huge profit for these companies and a certain amount of economic bias will always be involved.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, (ACIP) a group of individuals hand-picked by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), recommends which vaccines are administered to American children. Working mainly in secret, ACIP members frequently have financial links to vaccine manufacturers. Dependent on CDC funding, state vaccination programs follow CDC directives by influencing state legislatures to mandate new vaccines. Federal vaccine funds can be denied to states which do not “vigorously enforce” mandatory vaccination laws. Conversely, the CDC offers financial bounties to state health departments for each “fully vaccinated” child.”

The Medical Sentinel

Fundamentals of the Immune System

“The non-specific defense system responds immediately to protect the body from all foreign substances, whatever they are. The non-specific system reduces the workload of the specific defense system, by preventing entry and spread of micro-organisms throughout the entire body.”

Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

“In the 1980’s Paola’s team at the Pasteur Institute in Paris showed that 98% of the immune response triggered at the early stages of infection is non-specific.”

Nature Medicine

Lines of Defense

1st lines of defense are the physical barriers which include the skin, mucosal membrane, tears, ciliary elevator, and urine. Chemical barriers include sebum sweat, stomach acid and lysozymes.

2nd lines of defense are the macrophage system, complement, fever, interferon and inflammation. The macrophage system attacks and consumes pathogens by engulfing them, a process known as phagocytosis.

Complement cooperates with macrophages by attaching to foreign cells and initiating the ingestion of the cells by phagocytosis. Interferons are a class of proteins; activated by fever that prevent viral replication in surrounding cells and also inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Fever is a powerful part of the immune system, as it interferes with pathogen growth, inactivates many pathogen toxins, and facilitates a more intense immune system response. Many physicians now recommend allowing fevers to run their course.

“Fever is a systematic response to infection. It is generally agreed that moderate elevation of body temperature improves the body’s disease fighting capacity.”

Human Physiology

When tissue injury occurs, whether caused by bacteria or viruses, etc, substances such as bradykinins, complement, and histamines are released. This process is called inflammation and it strongly activates the macrophage system to remove damaged cell tissue. Inflammation is a vital part of the healing and repair process of the immune system and when it is delayed or inhibited, healing and repair is incomplete.

Theory and Practice of Vaccines

Vaccines are suspensions of infectious agents used to artificially induce immunity against specific diseases. The aim of vaccination is to mimic the process of naturally occurring infection through artificial means. Theoretically, vaccines produce a mild to moderate episode of infection in the body with only minor side effects. They are said to work by causing the formation of antibodies, which are proteins that defend the body from an invasion by harmful germs.

Vaccines contain chemical preservatives such as mercury, formaldehyde, and aluminum, which prevent contamination. Mercury has been linked to numerous central nervous system and developmental disorders.

Portals of Entry

The human body is designed to be able to defend itself against foreign invaders, much like a castle or a fortress with outer and inner walls and then interior perimeter barriers. The majority of pathogens that enter the body do so via the mouth and nose.

The upper respiratory area is packed with powerful defense mechanisms designed to combat and filter these foreign invaders.

Every possible portal of entry in the human body is lined with mucous membrane, a defense mechanism loaded with powerful secretory IgA.

“IgA is the key defender against viral infections.”

Essentials of Medicine

Natural (and lasting) immunity occurs only after actually recovering from the actual disease. When naturally exposed to pathogens, the organism has to pass through the body’s natural defense systems in the body before it ever reaches the bloodstream. A tremendous amount of biological events are triggered which are essential in developing true immunity long before the pathogen ever comes into contact with the bloodstream.

Cytokines are low-molecular weight proteins that control, coordinate, and regulate various immune or inflammatory responses. The importance of cytokines in the host response to infection cannot be overstated. Full protection against disease requires the involvement of many different systems of the body and it is the cytokines that coordinate them. Vaccines inhibit the normal function of cytokines, and in fact new vaccines specifically target cytokine activity.

“Recently, gene therapy and DNA vaccination has been used to produce memory against a number of cytokines that promote inflammation. Antibodies to the product of each inserted gene were produced. These antibodies were found to prevent the effects of the cytokines.” 13

Immunology

Vaccine and Antibody Production

The clinical evidence for vaccines is their ability to stimulate antibody production in the recipient, a fact that is not disputed. What is not clear, however, is whether such antibody production produces immunity

The most predominant forms of life are viruses, bacteria and fungi, each with countless numbers of varieties and strains. When the weight and number of these organisms are multiplied together, they are the greatest biomass in existence on earth.

“Infection with viruses does not always result in disease. In fact, a great majority of virus infections remain asymptomatic. Even before the introduction of the polio virus vaccination, about 98% of infected humans developed only minor flu-like illness or no illness at all. Of 45,000 U.S. military personnel inoculated in 1942 with a yellow fever vaccine inadvertently contaminated Hep-B virus, only about 900 developed clinical hepatitis and only 33 had severe disease.”

New York University Medical School

Scientific evidence questioning the role of antibodies in disease protection can be found in research performed by Dr. Alec Burton, published in a study by the British Medical Council. The study investigated the relationship between the incidence of diphtheria and the presence of antibodies. The purpose of the research was to determine the existence or nonexistence of antibodies in people who developed diphtheria and in those who did not. The conclusion was that there was no relation whatsoever between antibody count and incidence of disease. The researchers found people who were highly resistant with extremely low antibody counts, and people who developed the disease who had high antibody counts.

Dr. Burton also discovered that children born with a-gamma globulinemia (inability to produce antibodies) develop and recover from measles and other infectious or contagious disease almost as quickly as other children.

There exist a finite number of immune system cells that are able to respond to foreign antigens. Once a specific immune cell responds to a particular antigen it becomes committed to that specific antigen and is unable to respond to any other pathogen. Vaccination results in a greater commitment of specific immune cells that would be utilized in natural exposure, which may actually weaken the repertoire of immune cells.

Cause of Long Term Immunity

Recent research by Dr. Rafi Ahmed and his colleagues has shown that the stable maintenance of total memory cells may be dictated by the principle of homeostasis. Models suggest that the total number of cells in the immune system is constant and the long-term maintenance of cellular immunity may be regulated by competition for space by memory cells. As an individual is exposed to new pathogens, some memory cells may need to make way for new ones. Since the total number of memory cells can be very large, the immune system is normally capable of maintaining immunity to many pathogens at once. The impact of new pathogens could govern the loss of existing memory cells, and might explain the loss of memory to certain viruses.

Emory Vaccine Research Center

Scientists figure out how immune system remembers

Reuters-media: Scientists have figured out how the immune system “remembers” enemies it has encountered in the past. A report in the journal Science shows that so-called memory T cells are extremely slow learners. Scientists knew that one particular type of T cells, known as CD8 cells, could either become vicious attackers that immediately kill invaders, or could become “memory” cells that help to quickly flag invaders if they ever show up again. Scientists at the University of Chicago found that the process by which memory cells are made are excruciatingly slow. They found that several generations of the cells must be exposed to the troublemaker before some of them can become memory T cells specific for it. “This finding suggests that the basic approach to vaccines is not likely to produce the desired result” said Phillip Rickhardt, one of the researchers.

Lasting Immunity

The notion that vaccines create a life-long immunity that is equal or superior to natural immunity is not even claimed in medical literature. They only claim that vaccines reduce the symptoms of diseases.

“One problem with inactivated influenza vaccines is that the immunity generated is only partial. In the presence of a strong adjuvant, antigens can stimulate B cells and induce a good humoral response, however, there is little cell-mediated immunity generated by a killed product. This means that the difference between disease and protection or at least a more rapid recovery from disease. Also, the immunity provided by a killed product is short lived.”

Center for Biologics Laboratory

Over time, the term vaccine has evolved to include all preparations used to generate protective immunity to microbial pathogens or their toxins. More recently, the definition of vaccine has been further expanded to include antigenic materials used to tolerate or turn off antigen-specific immune responses to prevent or treat immune mediated diseases. A variety of approaches are being pursued to induce T cell tolerance. These include blocking the activation of T cells by antigen presenting cells focusing on the interactions of the T cell receptor (TCR) with peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Other strategies target costimulatory pathways in T cells, or the interaction of cell surface adhesion molecules and their counter ligands. Some of these experimental therapies are currently being developed as vaccines.

American Autoimmune Research Association

Could DNA Vaccines Undermine Immunity?

DNA vaccines consist of a bit of DNA containing a gene for a marker from the pathogen. The idea is that when the DNA is injected into the muscle tissue, it works its way into cells where it is incorporated into cellular DNA. The body “learns” to recognize the pathogen and mount a strong defense to it in the future. But research published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, shows that instead of being immunized to the protein encoded by a DNA vaccine, it actually learns to tolerate it. In fact, when later injected with the same protein, no antibodies were developed at all. This finding raises the possibility that a DNA vaccine could convert someone who normally would be able to clear a pathogen-albeit they might get sick first, to someone who would be unable to clear it at all.

Science

The paradigm shift in health care is gradually moving from a symptom based model, to one in which the function, performance and innate healing potential of the human body is maximized. With this change in understanding comes the concept that not only are many diseases normal and natural, they may actually benefit the body by strengthening the immune system.

“Through the process of developing and then conquering infection, the child gets rid of acquired toxins and poisons from the body and receives a boost to the immune system.”

Healing Arts Press

With the rise of vaccines and antibiotics, people in developed countries have experienced fewer childhood diseases than ever before and scientists suspect that an immune system with no serious work to do is likely to become a renegade army, attacking whatever it encounters.

Newsweek

Scoliosis Treatment in St Petersburg FL

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 14:31:15 GMT

Hi there Dr. Shay with Unify Chiropractic coastal chiropractic wanted to reach out and introduce you to one of my favorite patients go ahead and tell them your name hey my Alex has been here for five years been coming to see Dr. Shay chiropractic for five years huh and tell him what what was the first thing that brought you in would your parents bring in for what was the condition do you remember scoliosis yeah so we took some x-rays of Alex determined he had some curvatures that needed work we got together and started working out pretty heavy in the beginning we saw him a couple times a week with the children we like to start at a reduced level and then get them into maintenance so tell them how are you coming right now once a week yeah every once once a week maybe sometimes twice a month it just depends on Drive schedule because they do drive a decent amount of time to get here tell everybody what you like to do what does chiropractic allow you to do without pain what are your hobbies video games mostly musically check out my channel Safari Creek and that's all one that's all I'm like YouTube and yeah right yeah you're begging to sit down and play all the electronics right yeah so you sit a decent amount of time when you're on your electronic but you've noticed things your back doesn't hurt anymore right while you're doing that okay what else what other sports do you like oh my like playing laser X my backyard of my friends including Nick and the does that does that allow you to get away from quicker because your spine straight what do you think yeah I don't know we're working on it what about baseball you play baseball too right where's your Jersey oh yeah you did come on over come on over here I already see the metal right what's it say on it reading Oh lakeside Christian elementary baseball 2017 so you got a medal for that huh we need you to keep this this is yours it's awesome so alright anything else you want to tell about chiropractic what do you like about the treatments that we give you remember we use a lot my favorite is when the bed uhm the traction right when it goes up and down yeah and it stretches out your low back so that curve that's sitting like this actually straightens out all right puts pressure in there and you've been doing a lot better your adjustments are going a lot easier for you now because you're breathing a lot easier and relaxing right so there's not as much tension in your muscles you're awesome yes thanks Alex

The Cervical Curve Structure, Function and Optimal Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 11:56:41 GMT

INTRODUCTION

Mobility : The spine is a dynamic structure; designed for movement in a wide variety of positions, including flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the head. Specialized articulation between the occiput and the atlas (C1) allows for 50% of the flexion and extension of the neck. Specialized articulation between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) allows for 50% of the rotation of the neck.

Protection and Transmission: The spinal cord and nerve roots are encased within the protective structure of the spinal column. Pairs of nerves exit in the intervertebral foramina (IVF). When the spine is in its optimal structure, the spinal cord and nerve roots are protected. Loss of this optimal spinal structure results in the interference of normal nerve transmission.

It is widely recognized that proprioceptive input from muscles, joints and other receptors is necessary for the accurate control of movement and posture. Loss of proprioception results in large systematic errors in multi-joint movements attributed, at least in part, to impaired motor programming.

JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

OPTIMAL STRUCTURE OF THE CERVICAL SPINE

NORMAL BIOMECHANICAL STRESS ON SPINAL FUNCTION

SIDE VIEW OF THE KILLIAN IDEAL SPINE MODEL

“A study in the research journal Neurosurgery, of patients who required surgery for cervical spondylotic myleopathy, revealed that those patients who had a normal cervical lordosis prior to the surgery showed significant post-operative neurological improvement over those surgical patients who did not have a pre-operative cervical curve.”

NEUROSURGERY

THE CERVICAL SPINE AND TRAUMA

WHIPLASH FACTS

Over one million Americans each year suffer a whiplash injury
25% of whiplash victims suffer from chronic pain disabilities;
1/7th of whiplash victims report pain 3 years after initial injury.

U.S. Automobile Accident Statistics

"In speaking of the forces generated in the head and neck as a result of whiplash, the convention is to use the term G. One G is equivalent to the acceleration resulting from the earth's gravity, 32.2 feet/sec. Ewing measured the maximum peak acceleration of the head of human volunteers exposed to nominal 10-G, 250-G/sec runs and found the surprising high force of 47.8 G. Thus, in somecases, the head may accelerate up to 5 times the input acceleration."

CROFT & FOREMAN

LOSS OF OPTIMAL CERVICAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Loss of the optimal cervical spinal structure and its resulting pathologies are known in medical literature by numerous names including spondylosis, spinal stenosis, cervical compression myleopathy, spondylocondrosis, cervical disc herniation, subaxial disc space narrowing, cervical fixation, cervical radiculitis, vertebral subluxation, and many more.

“Neural dysfunction associated with acute or chronic subluxation syndromes basically manifest as abnormalities in sensory interpretation and/or motor activities. These disturbances may be through one of two primary mechanisms, either direct nerve or nerve root disorders of a reflex nature.”

CERVICAL SPINE TRAUMA

NEURO-ORTHOPEDICS

SPINAL DEGENERATION

AVIATION SPACE ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE

Spinal degeneration often goes undetected because of the lack of pain and symptoms during the early phases. During the later phases, pain, loss of mobility, stiffness, and a host of neurological conditions become more common

PHASES OF SPINAL DEGENERATION

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS AND HEALTH CONDITIONS

Vertebral subluxations cause nerve interference which diminishes the inherent healing potential of the human body. Subluxations have been documented to cause a variety of health problems, including headaches, migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, TMJ, sinus infections, ear infections, vertigo, allergies, asthma, thyroid conditions, sinusitis, arm pain, shoulder pain, hormonal imbalance, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and many others

“I have seen pain and illness of the human body caused by subluxations.”

Dr. Louis Casamajor

Professor of Neurology

Cervical spine surgery is often necessary in cases involving major accidents, trauma or other obvious pathologies, but in many cases, the surgery could have been prevented by using a mechanical or corrective approach. Most cervical spine surgeries involve the removal of part of or all of the disc orbone, and then fusing the vertebrae together with a bone graft, either in front of or behind the spine. The bone graft may be one of two types: an autograft (bone taken from another part of the person’s body) or an allograft (bone supplied by a bone bank donor). Often, metal plate screws or wires are also used to further stabilize the spine. Cervical spine surgeries always result in loss of function and mobility in the cervical spine.

CERVICAL SPINE SURGERY STATISTICS

From 1979 through 2009, spinal surgeries increased 137%, while the population on whom almost all of the surgeries are performed rose only 23%.

The rate of cervical spine surgery increased 53% from 1979 to 2009, and the rate of cervical fusion surgery increased more than 70%.

The rate of spinal surgery in the United States is 40% higher than any other country.

Complications of cervical spine surgery include nervous system complications (15 per 1,000) and death (6 per 1,000).

National Center for Vital Statistics

CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CARE

The science of Chiropractic is founded on the premise that a properly functioning nervous system is the foundation of health, and that the structural integrity of the spinal column must be maintained in order to facilitate optimal nervous system transmission and communication.

Virtually all spinal problems are caused by some type of mechanical or structural stress; therefore, it stands to reason that they require a mechanical correction. Drugs can do little more than suppress the symptoms that may be associated with spinal conditions and surgery, even when required, can eliminate some of the more obvious structural effects of subluxations, but neither can correct and restore the optimal structure of the spine.

“Interference to the nervous system results in damage within a short period of time and, therefore, Chiropractic care should begin at birth on a preventive basis. “

Dr. Arpad DeNagy

UPPER CERVICAL MONOGRAPH

“Subluxation alone is a rational reason for Chiropractic care throughout a lifetime from birth.”

Dr. Lee Hadley,

Syracuse Memorial Hospital

“Chiropractors have suspected involvement of the somatoautonomic reflex, and current experimental findings suggest this is a valid assumption. It appears from clinical research that abnormal spinal reflexes can set into motion a wide variety of abnormal pathological and functional processes. The somatoautonomic reflex hypothesis may be the most logical justification for the use of chiropractic adjustments for conditions other than pain.”

Robert A. Leach,

THE CHIROPRACTIC THEORIES

Unify Chiropractic Review

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 11:14:47 GMT

So here we are with one of my favorite patients and I wanted to just give her the opportunity to tell her she's an amazing chiropractic advocate that want give her an opportunity to tell her story so go ahead and introduce yourself I am Carol Ross and I come from Clear water, clear water awesome and go ahead and tell us a little bit about your history with chiropractic when did you start I started when I was 25 years old and I've been going for almost a little over 50 years that's big and I really started with a migraines I had very very severe migraine headaches and lower back pain and stress a lot of stress okay okay and I've had many many chiropractors in the 50 years some good some bad and I met Dr. Shay yeah and tell it about three years ago yeah yeah it has been it's time flies hang out talk to them how often you come in what your schedule currently I been having maintenance and I come every week and so it's every week for two years but by being under chiropractic you're balanced now Dr. Shay started when I started with him he started with an MRI we found out I had stenosis scoliosis because of my age which nobody believes my age and then we found out I had the sciatica which gives me the pain in my legs my Atlas axis rotates because I was born with a broken collarbone and we had what is it you gave me the big troves in the collapse but three times a week that's how I started some stuff to give the inflammation that makes you have the system clear system and then we started with once a week then put you animate this program I got some real results program and the scoliosis stenosis now is balanced I don't have that pain in my legs I don't have the sciatica and my neck there's always balance so that's your adjustment every week that's what you need and tell us tell us - because it sounds like obviously you've been through a lot of different chiropractors right so I'm good some bad you said tell us what would you say what's the what's some of the things that you notice different being underneath my carrier that you have a chance should we have exercises we have stretches we come in we got a wall we have technique with my neck by stretching it so we're the ones that's that's a little movement is you or not like that happens on the table and he stretches you there too so all of your fluids are balanced you're ready for your adjustment yeah so when you leave here you are balanced yeah totally you've got another week of energy which I volunteer every day so I have yeah we love it and tell us how long you gonna keep this up I get that a lot forever I mean I never give this up it's a lifestyle right yes this I'm an advocate for this when I started my best friend was a chiropractor and he passed away a long time ago when I came to Florida so I'm an advocate for you've got to have it Dr. Shay is one of the best of the best well we appreciate it we're so happy to have yet you're awesome everyone thanks so much

Asthma And Chiropractic Research Review

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 11:11:09 GMT

Asthma And Chiropractic Research Review

ANATOMY OF AN ASTHMA ATTACK

An asthma attack is caused by an inflammatory response which causes constriction of the bronchial tubes.

“Several studies have shown that the incidence of asthma and allergies tends to rise in countries where childhood immunization rates are high. This has prompted some researchers to suggest that certain infections may trigger immune changes that protect children from developing asthma and allergies later. Preliminary studies have shown a protective effect of measles and infections with intestinal parasites.”

SCIENCE NEWS

An asthma attack can be triggered by different types of irritants including dust, pollen, ragweed, aspirin, cockroaches, perfume, stress, dust mites, pet hair, food additives, and occupational vapors.

Although these things may trigger an attack, they are not the primary cause of the attack. Research has shown that there are several factors that contribute to asthma, including the recent increased use of antibiotics and vaccines.

“With the rise of vaccine and antibiotics, people in developed countries have experienced fewer serious childhood infections than ever before and scientists suspect that an immune system with no serious work to do is likely to become a renegade army, attacking whatever irritant it encounters.”

NEWSWEEK

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT

SCIENCE NEWS

NEW YORK TIMES

The focus of medical science is beginning to shift away from attempts to contain the symptoms of asthma to exploring the controlling mechanism as a means of solving and preventing asthma and related respiratory conditions.

Vertebral subluxations are devastating to a person’s health and are well documented by leading health authorities.

“Subluxation is very real. We have documented it to the extent that no one can dispute its existence. Vertebral subluxations change the entire health of the body by causing structural dysfunction of the spine and nerve interference. The weight of a dime on a spinal nerve will reduce nerve transmission by as much as sixty percent”

Chang Ha Suh, Ph.D.

University of Colorado

“Hyper functional or Hypo functional neurons along a neural chain prevent normal nerve transmission causing disturbances in the homeostasis of the cells, tissues and organs.”

Dr. T. N. Lee

Academy of Pain Research

“Pathological changes have been observed at the cellular level after experimental compression of neural structures. These include Wallerian degeneration, dystrophic axons and occasional loss of myleniated nerve fibers.”

R. B. DELAMARTER, M.D.

CHIROPRACTIC

“One possible alternative to drug therapy for asthma is Chiropractic care. There is mounting preliminary clinical evidence that it may offer relief to asthma sufferers. It may also be possible to rectify, at least to some extent, the hyper-responsiveness of the lungs through Chiropractic.”

TRUE HEALTH JOURNAL

A study that was published in a Holland Medical Journal reported that out of a group of 115 families with asthmatic children, 73% had utilized Chiropractic care for the asthma and 92% of the families reported that Chiropractic was beneficial for their children.

The correction of vertebral subluxations with Chiropractic adjustments can improve conditions such as asthma because of the restored nerve supply to the pathways of both the respiratory and immune systems. Improvement of immune function is an often overlooked, but well documented benefit of Chiropractic care.

"The quality of healing is directly proportional the functional capability of the nervous system to send and receive nerve messages."

Janson Edwards, M.D. Ph.D.

Recent research by Dr. Patricia Brennan,suggests that spinal adjustments may have a direct effect on certain aspects of immune function. Her group showed that when the thoracic spine (middle of back) was adjusted, the respiratory burst cycle of white blood cells was enhanced.

“By releasing stress on the nervous system, Chiropractic permits the immune system to function more effectively.”

DR. IRVIN KORR

St. Petersburg Chiropractor Review

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 10:44:50 GMT

Dr. Shay Ridge and go ahead introduce yourself. My name is Matthew. All right Matt so tell us a little bit about yourself and what brought you into the office. Well basically to start I was having a lot of lower back pain and some neck pain going on. I'm a heavy athlete, played soccer for fifteen years, and you know love to do mechanics on cars so I'm going to see them grinding gears and busting my elbows. So when I came in here I had a lot of pain , probably about a level eight. After the first visit it was phenomenal. I can move easier and they just felt like there was no restrictions on. You got a really unique story that in the fact that you've been going to a chiropractor before he came in here right? Yeah correct. So number one, tell us how you how are you heard about us. Well I heard about it from my best friend he was going here and after the first time you went here he said he wasn't really having much problems either and I knew he had a pretty bad back. Yeah his whole family comes in so word of mouth referrals is of the biggest thing that we love to see in this office. Well it's definitely a lot more hands-on for sure and it's also you know you're very verbal and you make sure that your clients, and I wouldn't even call it a client it's more like a friendship that's kind of how I feel about the family. You explain things so well and you know your told you know their expectations and what could possibly happen throughout the process of getting fixed . I really like being able to know what was gonna happen before he did. Awesome cool man well we appreciate it.

Chronic Back Pain Treatment in St Petersburg

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 10:42:35 GMT

Hi it's Dr. Shay here Unify Chiropractic. I've got my Superman patient here Chris, tell us a little bit about yourself Chris. Let's see I am a professional bartender which means I'm on my feet a lot, also an avid sub amateur golfer so I'm constantly moving. I've been coming doc for years and years now for preventive maintenance and he's been fantastic and has kept me mobile and upright and healthy most importantly. Man he's all over he's got it all in one one shot. Talk to me about what condition actually first brought you in to the office. Just chronic back pain you know sometimes I'm mobilizing, sometimes not so bad. What doc has taught me is that just routine maintenance, just coming in periodically whether it's once a week whether it's once a month just coming in to kind of stay healthy. So tell us how far you drive to come see us. I live in Temple Terrace, his office down here so rush hour traffic is a bear so I kind of do it during on my days off but about 30 to 45 minutes and it's well worth it. Awesome, and tell us also about the type of treatment the things that you've noticed going on three to four years now, the different types of treatments and things that we offer for you. What I like most about coming here and seeing Shay is that he knows my body, he knows what I need, he knows specifically enough how to help me out so if I find if I go a little bit too long I'll get a little bit creaky and cranky in the back . But as long as I stay on track with routine visits I'm good to go. Last question right we talked about time and distance talk about affordability. It's great, I just paid cash. He's got a number of different plans depending how often you go. He's got plans to basically help everybody out on everybody's budget.

Severe Back Pain Treatment in St Petersburg FL

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 10:39:51 GMT

Hi there Dr. Shay Ridge with Unify Chiropractic. Today I got one of our new patients here that just started out with us about six seven weeks ago. Yes about two six, seven weeks that's correct. Okay and tell us tell us real quick what brought you into the office. What condition were you dealing with before? I've been struggling with some lower back pain and I needed some care. I just moved to the area and wasn't sure where to go so I was in a hunt for a good provider that can assist me with the services that I need and I came across Dr. Shay. How did you find us? I actually Googled it and his reviews were pretty good and it wasn't too far from where I live. I called, and first I must say, I called and Dr. Shay answered me the same day. I think it was the day he got married or something he was on his honeymoon. It was almost 24 hours right, we were close within 24 hours. I got a call late at night and said hey this is Dr. Shay you left a message and he felt so bad because he couldn't get back to me earlier. But I really appreciated that he took the time to call me back and I made an appointment and I came in here and then I meet his receptionist Nadia who was very helpful and they took me to through the entire process of getting the help that I needed. And tell me real quick about you've been to a chiropractor before right? Yeah I've been to a couple chiropractic practices before and I must say this is definitely different from the other chiropractic assistant that I got. When I came in everything we was very welcoming the facilities is really nice is well-maintained. He took me through the process and he managed my expectations so that I don't get all carried away and think that this is a silver bullet and everything is going to heal. He really managed my expectation everything's working out beautifully. Awesome great to hear. So tell me, what would you say would be some of the other things that you've noticed in our office that maybe sets us apart from some of the other chiropractors you've been to. Whether it's the education that we take you through or the types of adjustments. Well first I must say that the time he took to explain everything and I wasn't rushed and I didn't feel as though that it was a marketing deal. He took his time and explained the entire process which was important for me so that I know that you know this guy is not trying to just sell a service and he took the consideration that I'm a human being and I need help and he took the time to explain the process to me, that was the most important thing. Awesome! And tell me one last thing here about your results. Results has been phenomenal I mean when I came in here was in really really bad back pain and he did tell me is gonna take at least 12 visits and I'm at number 11. And I can see there's a big change in my daily routine and so many techniques that he used I've never had it performed on me before so that was pretty impressive and I must say there was a big big improvement in my health and I thank Dr. Shay. You're awesome, we appreciate you man thank you.

Aspirin Helpful or Hazardous?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 10:32:54 GMT

Aspirin, one of the first drugs to come into common usage, is probably the most widely used drug inthe world. Approximately 35,000 metric tons are produced and consumed each year, enough to make over 100 billion standard aspirin tablets. It is estimated that over one trillion aspirin tablets have been consumed in the past 100 years. Each year over 60 billion aspirin tablets are taken worldwide with Americans consuming 34 billion of those tablets. Presently, aspirin is most frequently prescribed for the prevention of heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control, over 50 million Americans take aspirin for the prevention of heart disease. This accounts for about 350 million dollars in annual sales. It is estimated that in the next ten years, medical doctors will recommend that an additional ten million Americans should begin taking aspirin on a daily basis.

Dr. Stephen Cummings

In a review of several studies, flu sufferers who took an anti-fever medication were sick an average of 3.5 days longer than people who did not take drugs. The drugs may make the flu more bearable by relieving aches and pains, but they may make it last longer. On average, flu symptoms lasted 5.3 days in participants who did not take aspirin or acetaminophen, compared with 8.8 days in people who took the anti-fever drugs. One possibility is that reducing fever may interfere with the immune system's response to an infection, the authors note. Dr. Karen Plaisance, lead author and professor of pharmacy at the University of Maryland, noted that similar findings have been reported in studies of chickenpox.

Aspirin temporarily relieves the discomfort of the symptoms, but by doing so, it slows down the healing process, which prolongs the problem rather than correcting it. Additionally, aspirin causes many adverse reactions and side effects.

ASPIRIN’S SIDE EFFECTS

Bides carrying a chemical message, prostaglandins also maintain a protective lining in the stomach. Destruction of prostaglandins by aspirin destroys the stomach lining and inhibits replacement of the mucous lining.

The FDA estimates that NSAID’s, (which includes aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen) account for a reported 200,000 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, 107,000 hospitalizations and as many as 20,000 deaths each year.

Reye’s syndrome is a deadly disease that strikes quickly and can attack any child or adult without warning. All organs are affected with the liver and the brain suffering the most damage. While the cause and cure remain unknown, epidemiologist research has established a link between Reye’s syndrome and the use of aspirin and products that contain aspirin for flu-like symptoms. The United Kingdom, in 1986 had banned the giving of aspirin products to children under the age of 12, and has recently hardened that advice to include children under the age of 16. Though it is not widely publicized, the Surgeon General, FDA and the CDC recommend that aspirin products not be given to children under the age of 19 during episodes of illness that include fever.

ASPIRIN AND BLEEDING

UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIAL CONVENTION

Use of aspirin during the last two weeks of pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during delivery or in the newborn infant. Also, too much use of aspirin during the last three months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy, prolong labor, cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe bleeding in the mother before, during or after the delivery.

IN NORMAL INDIVIDUALS: 1 DOSE OF 2 REGULAR STRENGTH ASPIRIN AFFECTS NORMAL CLOTTING FOR AS LONG AS 7 DAYS.

ASPIRIN AND HEART ATTACKS

A study by the Physicians Health Group concluded that an aspirin a day was an effective preventative treatment against heart attacks. The study was published and carried by leading magazines and newspapers all over the world. The drug industry launched an extensive media campaign promoting this important health discovery.

What the study failed to mention was that it was conducted with buffered aspirin, which contains magnesium. Magnesium is a valuable mineral which has long been associated with the prevention of heart attacks. Follow-up studies revealed that aspirin alone did nothing to prevent heart attacks. Sadly, the results of the follow-up studies received little media attention.

A study in the International Journal of Epidemiology reported that serum magnesium levels are inversely related to the risk of death from ischemic heart disease. Serum magnesium concentration, independent of other risk factors, was inversely associated with death from all causes and from heart disease.

A study in the Lancet reported that magnesium deficiency may also be implicated in coronary heart disease when it was revealed that injections of magnesium sulfate brought about dramatic clinical improvement in patients suffering from heart disease and in many cases the lipoprotein levels were brought back to normal levels.”

Should You Take Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attack?

The majority of physicians in the USA recommend aspirin for prevention of first heart attacks to almost everyone over the age of 50, even though women have not been included in the clinical trials of aspirin. While aspirin does prevent about 1/3 of first heart attacks, its side-effects are so severe as to cause a higher death rate overall than placebo. Non-fatal side-effects, such as internal bleeding and cataracts, are significant after years of aspirin use. The major study on which most recommendations are based did not utilize aspirin alone; therefore, the calcium and magnesium present in the buffered aspirin actually taken may have been responsible for some of the beneficial effects. Supplemental magnesium and vitamin E have been shown to be more effective than aspirin in lowering heart attack rates as well as over all death rates. Aspirin does reduce the incident of second heart attacks by about 1/5 when taken for a few weeks. Supplemental magnesium and coenzyme Q10 have been shown to be more effective than aspirin in treatment of cardio vascular disease.

“Some physicians contend that the evidence of aspirin's efficacy for prevention is over stated and that its risks are underestimated. One vocal critic, John Cleland, MD, said that his interpretation of the data shows that the therapy reduces only the number of diagnosed heart attacks, not attacks overall. In an editorial in the Jan.12,2002, British Medical Journal (BMJ), he explained that aspirin merely masks heart attacks, producing a "cosmetic" blip in epidemiological statistics. How could aspirin hide a heart attack?Dr. Cleland, professor of cardiology at the University of Hullin Great Britain, said that 25% of people who have what later turn out to be a heart attack don't recognize the signs anyway. Because aspirin can be an analgesic, it may further mask those symptoms. In addition, he said, some of the symptoms patients think are dyspepsia caused by aspirin may actually be due to a heart attack.”

NON-ASPIRIN PAIN KILLERS

“An estimated 19.2 million Americans have stage 1, 2, 3 or 4 stage kidney disease."

New England Journal of Medicine

Acetaminophen, sold under brand names such as Tylenol and Anacin 3, is used to relieve pain and fever. It’s use has been associated with digestive disorders & liver disease.

FDA probes new worry about acetaminophen overdose

CONCLUSION

Effective Marketing has given consumers the perception that aspirin and other over-the-counterpain relievers are harmless drugs, but there is much evidence to suggest just the opposite. Medical research nearly always supports drug usage, which is not surprising, since the vast majority of medical research is funded by the drug industry. Many safe and natural alternatives that have proven to be effective, rarely receive positive media exposure and are often downplayed by an industry that has no financial interest in a drug-less health care system

Antibiotics 21st Century Time Bomb

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 10:16:16 GMT

The first antibiotic, penicillin, became widely available in 1940. Antibiotics have since become a popular weapon in the medical arsenal against disease. Over one-third of all hospital patients are given antibiotics and each year in excess of 240 million antibiotic prescriptions are dispensed in the United States. Although no one can dispute that antibiotics have a place and a purpose, especially in emergency and lifesaving situations, a growing number of doctors and medical researchers contend that antibiotics have been grossly overused and abused, and, as a result, produce adverse reactions as well as strains of bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics.

There are patients in hospitals that have bacterial infections against which no antibiotics are effective. This is only fifty years after antibiotics were introduced. Until around 1975, almost every care of gonorrhea was treatable with penicillin. Today, in places like Thailand and the Philippines, 90% of all cases are penicillin-resistant. In the U.S, it is above fifty percent.

Nearly every disease known to medicine has become resistant to at least one antibiotic and several are immune to more than one. One of the MOST alarming things about the cholera epidemic, which has killed as many as 50,000 people in Rwanda, is that it involves a strain of bacterium which cannot be treated with standard antibiotics. Tuberculosis, too, has learned how to outwit doctors. Tuberculosis is an unusually tough microbe. Several strains of TB have emerged in the U.S. that cannot be treated with common antibiotics. Even infections such as staph and strep have become harder to treat as they have acquired resistance to standard antibiotics. One strain of hospital-dwelling staph can now be treated only with a single antibiotic and public health officials have no doubt that it will soon become immune to that one as well. Hospitals could become dangerous places to go and even more so if strep develops universal resistance.

TIME MAGAZINE

THE WAR ON BACTERIA

Bacteria, one of the smallest and most plentiful life forms on Earth, thrive successfully in the most inhospitable places and quickly adapt to new conditions in order to survive. We commonly assume that these tiny animals are evil little beasts out to destroy higher forms of life. In fact, all they are trying to do is survive and reproduce, just as humans do.

Bacterial drug resistance is a matter of natural adaptation. The longer a bacterium is exposed to a given drug, the more likely it is to develop universal resistance. Bacteria pull out all of the stops in order to resist drugs. They may release special enzymes that render a drug impotent or change their outer membrane that a drug cannot gain entrance. They can even alter their internal structures so that they are no longer susceptible to the drug.

ANTIBIOTICS & COLDS

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Antibiotics are still being prescribed widely to treat the common cold, despite evidence that they are completely ineffective against colds and flu viruses. Such indiscriminate use of antibiotics has created a serious problem involving bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

CONSUMERS GUIDE TO MEDICAL TREATMENT

ANTIBIOTICS & ANIMALS

The Informed Consumer’s Pharmacy

When the Best Medication for Kids Is No Medication at All

If you ask long enough for antibiotics for your children's viral infections, chances are your doctor might just prescribe them -- even though the doctor knows antibiotics won't help your child get better. Antibiotics don't work for viruses and may put a child at risk for side effects, but many times children receive the medication anyway. Physicians will prescribe antibiotics for viral infections 62 percent of the time when asked by a patient, and only seven percent of the time when they think a patient does not want it, according to a study published in Pediatrics. Common scenarios where antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed to children include some sinus infections, coughs and some ear infections. Children are more likely to suffer side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal pain from antibiotics. In addition, using antibiotics for ear infections may increase the likelihood of getting another ear infection, according to a recent British Medical Journal study. When antibiotics do become necessary for bacterial infections, the treatment may not work for some children who have used the medication too often. While antibiotics are needed to treat bacterial infections, drug-resistant bacteria are a growing problem worldwide.

ABC NEWS

Antibiotics could mess up infant’s metabolism

“There is no healing force outside of the human body.”

Dr. Isaac Jennings

GREATER EXPECTATIONS: The future of health care lies not in treating illness, but preventing it

To maintain a high level of fitness, we must avoid physical decline—not repair it. Open heart surgery, even at its most effective, will never make the heart as good as new. The most effective preventive measures involve change in lifestyle. In addition, as genetic profiles and other predictive tools improve, the art of prevention will grow more sophisticated. Pressed by patients and advancing technology, health care will soon change its focus from treatment to enhancement, from repair to improvement, from diminished sickness to increased performance. The transformation has already begun. Accompanying this will be an increased emphasis on psychoimmunology, the science that deals with the mind's role in helping the immune system to fight disease, which will become a vitally important clinical field — perhaps the most important field in the 21st century.

Michael Crichton, M.D.

Vertebral Subluxations and Accelerated Aging

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 09:49:39 GMT

Americans are living longer than ever before. The human life expectancy is increasing and barring unforeseen circumstances, we can expect to live to a ripe old age-that is a ripe old calendar age.

Though our life expectancy has increased, the quality of our lives and our health has not. The United States continues to be one of the unhealthiest nations in the developed world.

Most of us do not want to live to be 90 if the last 30 years are filled with illness, disability and dependence of family and nursing homes. We want to be able to play golf, take long walks and enjoy our families. We want those extra years to be quality years. Longer lives do not mean much if they are not active lives. The quality of those years will largely be dictated by the choices we make in the preceding years, choices designed to stave off the aging process.

GENETICS & AGING

Assuming that a person's entire life is "written" in the genes that they are born with has been a major mistake in recent health care philosophy. The more we learn about genetics, our biological inheritance, the more we realize that for the most part, our lifestyle decisions and behaviors have far more impact on longevity and health than does heredity. A person's genes define their basic biology, but

health decisions and habits control the way genes

will affect the body and health in general.

A NEW PARADIGM OF AGING

It used to be thought that aging is the ticking away of some internal clock to a predetermined plan laid down in your genes. Dr. Leonard Hayflick, a noted research scientist, grew human cells in tissue

cultures and showed that they could subdivide to create new cells only a limited number of times.

This fibroblast replicative limit, as it was termed,appeared to show that the human cell has an inbuilt timer that eventually runs down. The evidence looked good and the study was repeated in several laboratories, but numerous scientists could not accept the aging “clock” theory.

One problem with tissue culture experiments is that the life of the cells is dependent upon the adequacy of their nutrition. If there is even the slightest deficiency in the nutrient, medium used to grow the cells or in the air, water or temperature, or any one of a hundred variables, then the cells will accumulate damage.

Every successive cell division is then progressively impaired until the cells no longer replicate and dies. These cell deaths have nothing to do with an internal clock, but are caused by environmental damage.

Osteoporosis is a major health concern for western women; however, women in other cultures around the world do not suffer from osteoporosis and similar degenerative disorders.

TIME IS NOT THE ENEMY

The Human Body is an amazing collection of synergistic entities controlled by what can only be described as innate intelligence. The body is designed to be totally self-functioning and selfhealing.

We tend to think of healing when we suffer a cut on our arm or have broken a bone, but healing is a constant process of replacing old cells with new cells.

For example, red blood cells are replaced at a rate of about 100 billion a day, with one trillion total red blood cells in constant circulation.

The body is constantly analyzing what is happening within the body and what is happening in the environment outside the body and makes adaptive changes as necessary.

Aging can best be defined as the gradual loss of the body's ability to respond to the environment.

Aging, per se, is not just the effects of chronological time, but also the abnormal stress we place on our body, which gradually breaks it down.

This is caused by a number of things by including inactivity, chemical pollution and neurological and postural stress.

Without movement you could not sustain life: blood cells that don't move cannot transport oxygen, lungs that don't move can't breathe, hearts that don't move can't pump blood, and spines that don't move can't create the motion required for proper

joint nutrition, for the activities of daily living, or for the stimulation of the joint-brain pathways required for proper brain and body function.

This enables the brain to coordinate activities such as concentration and learning, emotions, motor control, and organ function. Movement charges your brain's battery and makes you able to think better, feel better, and function better, all of which

are essential to health and longevity.

Proprioception is the term used to describe the ability to sense the position, location, orientation and movement of the body and its parts, all which

are important to movement and brain function.

Spinal proprioception plays a critical role in modulating protective muscular reflexes that prevent injury or facilitate healing. Sensation is the fundamental ingredient that mediates the proprioceptive mechanism.

CHEMICAL POLLUTION

The United States is the most medicated nation in the world. The U.S. consumes 68% of all of the drugs in the world at the rate of 250,000 pills an hour, twenty-four hours a day.

Drugs are foreign to the body. Drugs work by altering the body’s natural biochemistry in order to suppress symptoms. Even with suppressed

symptoms, the true cause of the problem may grow worse with the body’s natural healing mechanism compromised by the drugs. In, fact by interfering with normal cell function, drugs cause cellular malfunction, which is the same as causing disease. In addition to toxicity, drugs also cause severe nutritional deficiencies by depleting the body of essential nutrients.

Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and steroids all damage the human digestive system by impairing the ability of the body to digest food and absorb nutrients. The main side effect of steroids is to increase many of the parameters of aging. This

includes arthritis, degenerative changes of joints, etc. These are all well documented in scientific literature.

Recent research has clearly shown that even activity that occurs at the cellular and molecular levels are controlled and coordinated by the central nervous system.

The central nervous system regulates the aging process and dependent upon healthy stress responses, determines longevity. Proper neurological signaling in the human body is the primary key to psychological, emotional, immune and hormonal health and longevity

“The quality of healing is directly proportional to the functional capability of the central nervous system to send and receive nerve messages.”

Janson Edwards, M.D Ph.D.

There is a greater quantity of communication in the human body than all of the combined manufactured communication systems in the world and the coordination and precision of neurological and biological communication systems is un-paralleled.

The entire body is wired for cell signaling so that the body can repair, restore and coordinate physiological and psychological activities. This enables our bodies to optimally adapt to physical and psychological stressors.

The Role of the Nervous System in Lifespan Determination

Recent studies in diverse organisms have provided evidence that, indeed the brain may control lifespan. Signaling pathways involved in both central nervous system and peripheral stress responses and regulation of energy metabolism may play important roles in lifespan determination.

The brain also controls neuroendocrine systems strongly implicated in aging. The hypothalamicpituitary system has a strong influence on lifespan. A consistent feature of environmental and genetic factors that increase longevity is that they increase cellular resistance to stress. The brain coordinates the responses of the whole body to such stressors on both rapid and long-term time scales by modulating the activities of neuroendocrine pathways (involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland) and the autonomic nervous system.

The responses typically involve a behavioral response (fleeing the mugger or tiger), a vascular response (increased blood pressure and diversion of blood flow from the gut to muscles) and a metabolic response (increased mobilization of glucose). An increased ability of an organism to escape from a potentially lethal stressor will

obviously increase its probability of having a long lifespan, and this is one way the brain can determine average lifespan.

“However, the brain may also control maximum lifespan by its ability to stimulate signaling pathways that increase the resistance of cells to stress.”

M.P. Mattson

Aging Research Reviews

"Abnormalities of central afferent and efferent pathways have been revealed by evoked potential studies in diabetic patients. Central nervous system abnormalities are more frequent in patients with peripheral neuropathy, but evoked potential can be abnormal even in patients without neuropathy.”

Clinical Neuroscience

Dr. James Woddersee, Neurosurgeon

“Hyper-functional or hypo-functional neurons along a neural chain prevent normal nerve transmission causing disturbances in the homeostasis of the cells, tissues and organs.”

Dr. T. N. Lee

POSTURE AND HEALTH

Posture and normal physiology are interrelated.
Posture affects and moderates every physiological function from breathing to hormonal production.
Abnormal posture is evident in patients with chronic and stress related illnesses.
Homeostasis and nervous system function are ultimately connected with posture.
Despite the considerable evidence that posture affects physiology and function, the significant influence of posture on health is not addressed by most physicians.

American Journal of Pain Management

Deviations in the body's center of gravity (read: poor posture)... have resulted in intestinal problems, hemorrhoid, varicose veins, osteoporosis, hip and foot

deformities, POOR HEALTH, DECREASED QUALITY OF LIFE, and a SHORTENED LIFE SPAN.

Journal of the American Medical Association

"The beginning of the disease process begins with postural distortions”

Dr Hans Selye, Nobel Laureate

“Genes are unquestionably the fundamental units by which our bodies are constructed. However, pure genetic determination does not adequately explain the varied capabilities of our biology. A more accurate view of the role of the genome is to see the genes as providing the overall plan for the developmental pathways. The

environment to which the individual is exposed will modify the actual pathway.”

PETER NATHANIEL, M.D.

Life in the Womb

EDWARD A. TAUB

"America's Wellness Doctor"

“The environment in which you grow up is as important as your DNA in determining the person you become.

Certain genes can lead to vulnerability, but not inevitability.”

NEWSWEEK

Chronological age is not biological age. How do we know this? There are two main lines of evidence.

First, though average levels of many physical functions show a progressive decline with age, there is a wide variability within aged groups. Some individuals show no decline at all. That these individuals exist indicates that chronological aging is not an inevitable cause of biological aging.

Often a person will blame a health condition, such as a bad shoulder, a bad knee, etc on their age. But if age were to blame, then it would stand to reason that both shoulders and both knees would be degenerated and not just one limb. These problems are due to cumulative stress and traumas, not to the passage of time.

The second line of evidence that aging is in fact degeneration caused by abnormal stress is the continuing discoveries that aging process

previously considered natural do not occur at all in some human populations. Blood pressure for example, rises with age in the American population, and used to be considered an inevitable part of aging. Science knows now, however, that there are numerous populations, mostly isolated from Western society, in which the

elderly have the same blood pressure as the young. Science has known that rising blood pressure is caused by complex factors in the

environment of Western society.

When members of populations migrate to western society, their blood pressure begins to rise with a few years.

INACTIVITY & DISUSE

The human body is designed to move. The technological age of labor- saving devices and sedentary living often detracts from the biological

necessity for movement.

Disuse is deadly; many degenerative diseases plaguing Americans have a portion of their roots in sedentary, inactive lifestyles. as much as 50 percent of the decline in physiological functioning weak muscles, stiff joints, low energy levels is actually due to disuse and not a normal

consequence of age,"

The human body is designed to move. The technological age of labor- saving devices and sedentary living often detracts from the biological

necessity for movement. Disuse is deadly; many degenerative diseases plaguing Americans have a portion of their roots in sedentary, inactive lifestyles. As much as fifty percent of the decline in physiological functioning--weak muscles, stiff joints, low energy levels is actually due to disuse and not a normal consequence of age.

"More people die of a sedentary lifestyle than from smoking.”

C. Everett Koop, Former Surgeon General of the U.S

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joint nutrition, for the activities of daily living, or for the stimulation of the joint-brain pathways required for proper brain and body function.

The joints of the body act as sensory chambers, which relay proprioceptive information between specific neural pathways and the central nervous system (CNS). These neural pathways also transport the necessary sensory motor information, which modulates muscle function.

The disruption of muscle and joint mechanoreceptors from physical trauma results in partial deafferentation of the joint and surrounding musculature, thus resulting in diminished proprioception and increased nociception. This predisposes the joints to further injury and accelerates the degenerative aging process.

“Mechanoreceptors in cervical facet joints provide major input regarding the position of the head in relation to the body. With aging, mild defects impair mechanoreceptors function. With decreased proprioception, body positioning in space is impeded and the patient becomes reliant on vision to know the location of a limb. To compensate for the loss of proprioception in the legs, the feet are kept wider apart than usual. Steps become irregular and uneven in length. As impairment increases, the patient becomes unable to compensate. With severe loss of proprioception, the patient is unable to get up from a chair or rise after a fall without assistance.”

Caranasos, M.D. Gait Disorders in the Elderly

Research has shown that NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen interfere at the cellular level with the mechanism responsible for rebuilding and repairing cartilage. NSAIDS actually cause degradation of joint cartilage causing further degeneration to the joints. This inhibits normal joint movement, which inhibits normal stimulation to the brain

NEUROLOGICAL STRESS

The human body can respond and adapt to just about anything it encounters provided it is a state of homeostasis, which means that the body is able to

send and receive nerve information. The central nervous system is the master control system of the body and every single function reflects its activity. Nerve impulses travel from the brain, down the spinal cord and out through nerves to all parts of the body. Nerve impulses then return to the brain through return pathways.

There are in excess of 100 billion neurons, or nerve cells in the human central nervous system and the number of possible interconnections between these

cells is greater than the total number of electrons in the known universe.

Cell signaling with growth factors is more fundamental to the body than is breathing. Cell signaling begins before birth and ends just before death. Loss of cell signaling underlies ineffective adaptation. Inability to adapt is the pathway to death.

To stay healthy, as well as repair cell damage during aging, our cells continuously talk to each other to know how to behave in context with the surrounding environment. Cell signaling is fundamental to coping with stress, the underlying

component of functional aging.

“ No one could survive without precise signaling in cells. The body

functions properly only because the cells constantly communicate

with each other. ”

Scientific American

Aging was earlier defined as gradual loss of the body's ability to respond or adapt to its environment. We can take that one-step further and

state that aging is the breakdown of communication between the nervous, immune and hormonal systems of the body.

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATIONS

The vertebra of the spine protects the central nervous system. Because the spinal column is moveable, it is also susceptible to various stresses and forces, which can cause them to lose their proper structural position. These minor misalignments of the spine, known as “vertebral subluxations” inhibit normal spinal movement, which causes nerve interference resulting in decreased nervous system, function, improper healing and accelerated aging

Subluxations also alter the optimal structure of the spine, which weakens it and increases degeneration. Vertebral subluxations are often referred to as the “Silent Killer” because they can be present for long periods without any evidence of

pain or symptoms. This is similar to a cavity eating away at a tooth.

Any force that the human body cannot adapt to can cause a vertebral subluxation. Such examples include auto accidents, work related injuries, stress, sports, and repetitive movements even the birth process.

Vertebral subluxations are devastating to a person’s health and longevity and are well documented by leading health authorities.

Chang Ha Suh, Ph.D.

CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic is a health care system that is founded on the premise that a properly functioning nervous system is essential to overall health and function of the human body.

Doctors of Chiropractic detect and correct vertebral subluxations by physically adjusting the spine. This restores the nervous system to an optimum level of

function, which maximizes the body’s inherent healing potential.

Chiropractic adjustments restore normal nerve function; improve spinal biomechanics, range of motion, reflex arcs, and posture, all of which are

essential to a properly functioning nervous system.

Doctors of Chiropractic are experts in spinal structure and body mechanics. Chiropractic adjustments restore and maintain the structural integrity of the body by correcting spinal subluxations. Chiropractors emphasize the importance of posture to overall health, a concept that has been often overlooked in traditional

methods of health care.

THE CHIROPRACTIC LIFESTYLE

Health care is slowly changing from a symptom, disease based system to a function, and performance based system in which the structure of the human body is restored and maintained. Correction and maintenance of the structure of the

spine is of paramount importance in the pursuit of optimal health and longevity

In his book, "The Wellness Revolution” economist Paul Zane Pilzer predicts that wellness will become the next trillion-dollar industry. According to Pilzer, wellness is "not about a fad or trend, it's about a new and infinite need of infusing itself into the way we eat, exercise, sleep, works, save, age, and almost every other aspect of our lives."

Wellness incorporates all the elements for preventive health care -- nutritious diet, aerobic conditioning, good posture, strength training, rest and periodic spinal adjustments. Wellness really involves all aspects of your life. Although millions of

people have experienced relief from back and neck pain through chiropractic care, the focus and intent of chiropractic is far beyond the elimination of symptoms, but rather is in the correction of subluxations in order to ensure a properly functioning nervous system.

“Subluxation alone is a rational reason for Chiropractic care throughout a lifetime from birth.”

Dr. Lee Hadley, Syracuse Memorial Hospital

Chiropractic Adjustments vs. Acupuncture vs. NSAIDs

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:03:57 GMT

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could assess three common types of treatment for neck and back pain to determine which is the most effective? Here is a look at three studies that compared three popular forms of care for chronic spinal pain to determine the short-term and more importantly, the LONG-TERM benefits of chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like Advil).

The FIRST published study included a pilot group of 77 patients complaining of chronic spinal pain (neck, mid-back, or low-back pain). These patients were separated into one of the three treatment groups and received either NSAIDs, acupuncture, or chiropractic manipulation. Patients received care for four weeks with outcome measures (questionnaires) used to assess changes in pain and disability. After a 30-day time frame, only patients who received chiropractic manipulation (CM) reached a level of statistically significant improvement, supporting CM to offer the best SHORT-TERM BENEFITS for those with chronic back/neck pain.

The SECOND study included 115 patients, again randomized, to receive either one of the same three treatments, but this time the outcome data was gathered two, five, and nine weeks after the start of treatment. Again, those who received chiropractic manipulation (CM) experienced the best overall improvement at nine weeks.

The THIRD study involved follow-up from the same patient group from the SECOND study two years later. Once again, participants completed outcome assessments that measure pain and disability. This time, the results showed that only patients in the chiropractic manipulation group maintained long-term improvements in pain and disability.

There have been other studies looking at the efficacy and benefits of SMT ( spinal manipulative therapy ) both in comparison with other forms of care (as presented here) as well as with different conditions or diagnoses. Perhaps the most exciting results were published in 2008 by the International Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain.

They divided patients into four groups (Group 1: Neck pain with little to no interference with activities of daily living – ADLs; Group 2: Neck pain that limits ADLs; Group 3: Neck pain with radiculopathy or radiating arm pain from a pinched nerve; Group 4: Neck pain with serious pathology such as cancer, fracture, infection, and/or systemic disease.)

The researchers concluded that chiropractic care was highly recommended especially in Grades 1 and 2 (which includes the majority of neck pain sufferers). Interestingly, many multidisciplinary physician groups now incorporate chiropractic care as part of their “team” approach, which also offer pain management in the form of medications, injections, PT, and when necessary, surgery. They have seen the value of spinal manipulation for neck pain and often seek out chiropractic because it’s safe, beneficial, and cost effective.

Balance & Dizziness

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:02:25 GMT

Many people seek chiropractic care for low back, mid-back, neck pain, and pain in the extremities, but what about balance and/or dizziness, as they often go together? Can chiropractic management help people suffering from frequent falls due to balance and/or dizziness problems? Let’s take a look!

When considering treatment for balance, we must talk about the “proprioceptive system.” The way the body “communicates” between all the various body parts is by proprioceptors—which are located in skeletal muscles and joint capsules—that relay information to the brain. This information from the various body parts is then integrated with incoming information from the vestibular system (inner ear). The brain also relies heavily on the cerebellum located in the back of the head, which is largely responsible for coordinating the unconscious (automatic) aspects of proprioception. The ability to maintain balance, such as when standing on one leg (eyes open and closed), is dependent on the ability for the ALL THREE of these systems to work properly, and like any other skill, “…practice makes perfect!” Please try standing on one leg and then shut your eyes. Can you feel your ankle, foot, leg, and the rest of your body struggle to keep you balanced? For those of us under age 60, it’s “normal” to be able to balance on one foot with eyes closed for 25 seconds (or 10 and 4 seconds if you are between 60-69 or, 70-79 years old, respectively)! Scary, isn’t it? But don’t feel bad, as most of us can’t do this at first. With practice and the right exercises, you will be able to do it. Your “kinesthetic sense” CAN BE improved, and your doctor of chiropractic can guide you in the process. So, how does dizziness fit into this picture? Let’s talk about the ear!

Our ears have two jobs: hearing and balance. The outer ear catches sound and funnels it to the eardrum which vibrates and moves three little bones that transmit the information to the cochlea and finally to the brain allowing us to hear sound. Deep inside the ear is the “vestibular apparatus,” which is the organ of equilibrium that assists in balance. Here, three semi-circular canals are filled with fluid and two sac-like structures located at the base called the utricule and saccule. The fluid in the canals flows past little hair-like structures that are connected to nerves that relay information to the brain, telling it where we are in space (horizontal—laying down, vertical—standing) and if we’re moving forwards/accelerating or moving up/down (like in an elevator).

There are little tiny “stones” in these two sacs that move the little hair-like structures but they can dislodge into the canal and alter the flow of fluid (like a rock sticking out of a flowing river creating eddy currents), which alters the direction the little hairs bend, resulting in vertigo or dizziness as the brain is receiving conflicting information from the hairs bending in multiple/different directions. This is called “BPPV” (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), which is brief episodes of vertigo immediately following a change in head position such as rolling over in bed, getting up from sitting or laying, etc. This is the most common cause of vertigo. If you Google “BPPV,” you will find different exercises that can move these little stones back into position (Brandt-Daroff and Epley’s maneuver), both of which work well often within a day or two. This is a good place to start, and if the balance/dizziness (vertigo) doesn’t improve, then you should consider other possibilities such as inner ear inflammation or acute vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraine, acoustic neuroma, blood pressure issues, medication side effects, and more. Your chiropractor can teach you the BPPV exercises and perform cervical adjustments, which can also help significantly.

Neck Pain – Chiropractic and the Older Patient

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:00:45 GMT

People of all ages suffer from neck pain, and many frequently turn to chiropractors for care because it’s been found to be one of the most effective and efficient forms of treatment available, and it carries minimal side effects! It has been projected that by 2030, nearly one in five residents in the United States will be 65 or older. Currently, approximately 14% of the patients treated by chiropractors are 65 or older, making it one of the most frequently utilized forms of complementary and alternative care used by older adults. What kind of care can a senior citizen expect when seeking treatment from a chiropractor? Let’s take a look…

Musculoskeletal pain—pain in the neck, back, arms, and/or legs—drives the majority of elderly patients to chiropractors. While low back and neck pain are the most common complaints, it’s not unusual for patients to also have one or two other conditions (or more) that they did NOT know chiropractic care could help. In fact, common “goals” for managing every patient (not just the elderly) include services related to patient assessment, maintenance of health, and prevention of illness, in addition to treatment of illness or injury. Common chiropractic treatment approaches include spinal manipulation and/or mobilization, nutritional counseling, physical activity/exercise, and (especially important for the elderly population) fall prevention.

We will now focus on neck pain as it relates to the elderly population and the various chiropractic management strategies that might be encountered by an elderly patient. Common reasons patients present regarding the neck include limited movement, stiffness, and pain. Neck pain can also interfere with sleep, as finding a comfortable position in bed can be quite challenging! Lifting, carrying, and playing with grandchildren is a very common issue for either causing a new complaint or irritating an existing one. Neck pain may also interfere with reaching and lifting. Thus, activities like yard or garden work may become more difficult and less enjoyable. Neck pain is often associated with headaches, which can make daily tasks even more challenging.

When an elderly patient visits a chiropractor for the first time or for a new complaint, he/she can expect to fill out some initial paperwork, as well as provide a history of the main complaint and any lesser complaints. This may also include providing a family and medical history. The examination usually includes general observations, palpating or feeling for muscle tightness, tenderness, warm/cool, range of spinal motion (neck, back, extremities), orthopedic tests, neurological tests, and possibly x-rays. Treatment of the neck may include massage or mobilization to loosen up the neck, manipulation to free up restricted joint motion, and even exercise training. The goal of treatment is to improve neck motion, activity tolerance, and quality of life (less pain, improved sleep, etc.). So, whether you are 10, 20, 50, 70, or 90 years old, give chiropractic a chance to help you manage your neck pain.

Is It My Low Back Or My Hip

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:55:12 GMT

When patients present with low back pain, it is not uncommon for pain to arise from areas other than the low back, such as the hip. There are many tissues in the low back and hip region that are susceptible to injury with have overlapping pain pathways that often make it challenging to isolate the truly injured area. Hip pain can present in many different ways.

When considering the anatomy of the low back (lumbar spine) and hip, and the nerves that innervate the hip come from the low back, it’s no wonder that differentiating between the two conditions is often difficult. Complaints may include the inside, outside, front, or back of the thigh, the knee, the buttocks, the sacroiliac joint, or the low back and yet, the hip may truly be the pain generator with any of these presentations. To make diagnosis even more complex, the hip pain patient may present one day with what appears to be sciatic nerve pain (that is, pain shooting down the back of the leg to the knee if mild or to the foot if more severe) but the next visit, with only groin pain.

When pain radiates down a leg, the almost automatic impression by both the patient and their healthcare provider is, “…it’s a pinched nerve.” But again, it could be the hip and NOT a pinched nerve that is creating the leg pain pattern. Throwing yet another wrench in the works is the fact that a patient can have more than one condition at the same time. So, they truly MAY simultaneously have BOTH a low back problem AND a hip problem. In fact, its actually unusual to x-ray the low back of a hip pain patient without seeing some low back condition(s) like degenerative disk disease , osteoarthritis (spurs off the vertebrae), or combination of these. So, how do we differentiate between hip vs. low back pain when it is common for both low back and hip pain to often coincide?

During our history, we often ask the question, “…what activities make your pain worse?” If the patient replies that weight bearing activities like standing, walking, getting up from sitting, etc., provoke the pain (and they point to the front or side of the hip), a hip-related diagnosis is favored but it STILL may be arising from the low back or both! If they say, “…crossing my right leg over the other hurts in my groin,” then that’s getting more hip pain-specific as hip rotation is frequently lost before the forward flexion motion.

When we ask the hip pain patient to point to the area of greatest discomfort, they usually point to the front of the hip or groin, and less often to the inner and/or anterior thigh or knee. Non-weight bearing positions like sitting or lying are almost always immediately pain relieving. When there is arthritis in the hip, motion loss is often reported and may include a shorter walking stride and pain usually gets worse the longer these patients are on their feet. Initiating motion often hurts, sometimes even in bed when rolling over. During the chiropractic examination , with the patient lying on the back with the knee and hip both bent 90°, moving the bent knee outwards or inwards will almost always reproduce hip/groin area pain. Pulling on or applying traction to the affected leg usually, “…feels good.” Knee & ankle reflexes and sensation are normal but muscle strength may be weak due to pain. Bending the low back into different positions does not reproduce pain if the pain is only coming from the hip.

Though sometimes challenging, doctors of chiropractic are well-trained to be able to differentiate between hip and low back pain and will treat both areas when it is appropriate.

If you're tired of struggling with back pain... please give our office a call 727-440-0404 to schedule your back pain consultation and examination today!

What’s This Tingling in My Leg?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:53:22 GMT

When you think of low back pain , you may visualize a person half-bent over with their hand on the sore spot of their back. Since many of us have experienced low back pain during our lifetime, we can usually relate to a personal experience and recall how limited we were during the acute phase of our last LBP episode. However, when the symptoms associated with LBP are different, such as tingling or a shooting pain down one leg, it can be both confusing and worrisome – hence the content of this month’s article!

Let’s look at the anatomy of the low back to better understand where these symptoms originate. In the front of the spine (or the part more inside of the body), we have the big vertebral bodies and shock absorbing disks that support about 80% of our weight. At the back of each vertebrae you’ll find the spinous and transverse processes that connect to the muscles and ligaments in the back to the spine. Between the vertebral body and these processes are the tiny boney pieces called the pedicles. The length of the pedicle partially determines the size of the holes where the nerves exit the spine.

When the pedicles are short (commonly a genetic cause), the exiting nerves can be compressed due to the narrowed opening. This is called foraminal spinal stenosis. This compression usually occurs later in life when osteoarthritis and/or degenerative disk disease further crowds these “foramen” where the nerves exit the spine. Similarly, short pedicles can narrow the “central canal” where the spinal cord travels up and down the spine from the brain. Later in life, the combined effects of the narrow canal plus disk bulging, osteoarthritic spurs, and/or thickening or calcification of ligaments can add up to “central spinal stenosis.”

The symptoms associated with spinal stenosis (whether it’s foraminal or central) include difficulty walking due to a gradual increase in tingling, heavy, crampy, achy and/or sore feeling in one or both legs. The tingling in the legs associated with spinal stenosis is called “neurogenic claudication” and must be differentiated from “vascular claudication”, which feels similar but is caused from lack of blood flow to the leg(s) as opposed to nerve flow.

At a younger age, tingling in the legs can be caused by either a bulging or herniated lumbar disk or it can be referred pain from a joint – usually a facet or sacroiliac joint. The main difference in symptoms between nerve vs. joint leg tingling symptoms is that nerve pinching from a deranged disk is located in a specific area in the leg such as the inside or outside of the foot. In other words, the tingling can be traced fairly specifically in the leg. Tingling from a joint is often described as a deep, “inside the leg,” generalized achy-tingling that can affect the whole leg and/or foot or it may stop at the knee, but it’s more difficult to describe by the patient as it’s less geographic or specific in its location.

Chiropractic management of all these conditions offers a non-invasive, effective form of non-surgical, non-drug care and is the recommended in LBP guidelines as an option when treating these conditions.

Can Pregnant Women Receive Chiropractic Care?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:51:52 GMT

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, and we all want to provide the best environment for both mom and baby. The question of whether or not chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy is frequently raised by the newly-expectant mother as she plans for a healthy pregnancy. Chiropractic care during the nine-month time frame is a common practice, as many moms require professional care for biomechanical complaints (most notably back pain) or they simply want to feel “their best.”

A “normal” pregnancy is defined as “about 40 weeks, ranging between 37 and 42 weeks from the point of fertilization to delivery.” It’s the “norm” NOT to know exactly when fertilization happens, so we typically calculate the expected gestation period from the point of the woman’s last normal menstrual period. During the first trimester (the three-month period starting on the first day of the last menstrual period through the thirteenth week), the fertilized egg implants into the womb. This period of time is usually asymptomatic unless morning sickness occurs. Because the mom is often unaware of being pregnant, medication use and alcohol intake should be carefully watched FROM THE MOMENT SHE STARTS TRYING TO BECOME PREGNANT!

During the second trimester (the fourteenth to the twenty-seventh week), most women feel GREAT! No more morning sickness, increased energy, and by now, fetal movements are a pleasured sensation! Ultrasound during this time will be able to detect any problems, as well as identify the child’s sex.

The third trimester starts at the twenty-eighth week and finishes with the birth of the child. As the baby grows to fill the womb, the mom usually becomes more uncomfortable, especially in the last two to three weeks when the contractions begin that are needed to move the child down into the birth canal in preparation for birth. A vaginal delivery usually occurs within 24 hours of labor, and if labor does not occur by week 42, it may be induced by using medications that purposely initiate labor (such as pitocin).

With this as a foundation, chiropractic offers the pregnant mom many benefits. First regarding safety, a 2009 literature review found 33 references on this subject and concluded the results revealed a favorable outcome regarding the use and safety of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. The authors concluded that chiropractic is a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal complaints that often affect pregnant women. The use of chiropractic includes (but may not be limited to): making the pregnant mom feel more comfortable during her pregnancy, helping to facilitate an uncomplicated labor and delivery process, and to help control low back, mid back, and/or neck pain during the nine-month process. They reported that 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during their pregnancy and 50-75% experience back pain during labor. The study points out that only 21% of pregnant women with back pain consult their medical physician about it. More than seven out of ten expectant mothers in a study who sought chiropractic treatment for back pain benefited from care. There are also special techniques some chiropractors are certified in such as the “Webster Technique” in which pediatricians and midwives will frequently refer the pregnant mother to a certified DC to move the fetus from a breach position to a head down (proper) position.

Back Pain and Posture

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:50:22 GMT

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common ailments that chiropractors treat. That’s probably because MOST of us will suffer from low back pain that requires outside help at some point in our lives! Posture has long been studied as a potential cause of low back pain, and this month’s topic will take a closer look at some recent research discussing this issue.

A December 2014 study looked at low back posture in two groups of LBP patients and its relationship with problems associated with intervertebral disk diseases. Looking at a person from the side, have you noticed that the low back area has an arched or inward curve? This is called the “lumbar lordosis” (or, the “sway back” area), and this can be highly variable in terms of the angle or amount of arch. It normally differs between males and females. Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is a common condition affecting virtually all of us at some point in time. DDD results in narrowing of the disk spaces, which there are five total in the lumbar spine (twelve in the thoracic spine/mid-back, and six in the cervical spine/neck).

One particular study evaluated a group of 50 patients with long-term intractable (chronic) low back pain with intervertebral disk disease and a group of 50 chronic LBP patients without DDD that served as a “control group.” Researchers measured the degrees of lordosis, or amount of curve (lumbar lordosis), by looking at the person from the side using two different methods in the two patient groups and compared the data. The group with degenerative disk disease had an overall reduction in the lumbar lordosis curve (less arched) using both methods of measuring. The authors concluded that the patients with intervertebral disk lesions had a straighter, or more flat curve (less sway back), when compared to those without disk degeneration. What they were unable to determine was which came first, the disk degeneration or the reduction in the lumbar lordosis?

This study points out several important points. When treating patients with low back pain , some patients feel better when placed in a bent forwards position, or they favor a flat low back curve. Others have the opposite response, or their position of preference favors a more curved (arched) lower spine. The reason for this difference is that LBP is generated from different tissues in the low back, and some tissues favor or feel better in one position and typically feels worse in the opposite direction when injured. The intervertebral disks in the spine lie between the vertebral bodies and serve as “shock absorbers” for the spine and trunk. The center, or “nucleus,” of the disk is liquid-like and is usually well contained inside the disk, held by a tough, outer fibrocartilage material (the “annulus”).

The disk is approximately 80% water, and as we age, the water content gradually reduces and the disk spaces narrow, thus limiting the mobility of that part of the spine. More importantly, DDD usually narrows the size of the canals through which the spinal cord and nerve roots travel. When we bend forward, these canals open up wider placing less pressure on the nerves and/or spinal cord.

This is why we often see elderly people leaning on grocery carts when shopping, as it hurts less and they can walk longer / farther. Those with herniated disks tend to be the opposite, as they favor bending backwards as this position shifts the nucleus or liquid center forwards and away from the nerve root thus reducing the pinched nerve resulting in less or complete elimination of radiating leg pain.

How Does Chiropractic Work?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:48:16 GMT

Many people seek chiropractic care when their back goes out or their neck tightens up. But how does this form of care actually work? What are the benefits of receiving chiropractic care for nerve dysfunction compared with other healthcare options? Let’s take a look!

First, let’s discuss how the nervous system “works.” We have three divisions of the nervous system: the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord, and it’s essentially the main processing portion of the nervous system. The spinal cord is like a multi-lane highway that brings information to the brain for processing (sensory division) and returns information back to the toes, feet, legs, and upper extremities from which the information originated (motor division). For example, hiking on a mountain trail or simply walking requires constant input to and from the CNS so we can adjust our balance accordingly and not fall. These “sensory-motor pathways” are essential and allow us to complete our daily tasks in an efficient, safe manner as information is constantly bouncing back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes a similar sensory/motor “two-way street” system relaying information back and forth from our toes/feet/legs and fingers/hands/arms to the spinal cord (CNS). And if this isn’t complicated enough, we also have “reflexes” that, for example, allow us to QUICKLY pull our hand away from a hot stove to minimize burning our fingers.

Reflexes allow the information to “skip” the brain’s processing part so quicker reactions can occur. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions that basically “run” our automatic (organ) functions like breathing, heart rate, digestion, hormonal output, and more. There is constant communication between the ANS, PNS, and CNS that allow us to function in a normal, balanced way… unless something disrupts them.

There are obvious conditions that interfere with this communication process that include (but are not limited to) diabetes (with neuropathy), frost bitten or burned fingers, peripheral nerve damage from conditions like carpal/cubital tunnel syndromes, thoracic outlet syndrome, and/or pinched nerves in the neck, mid-back, low-back spinal regions, as well as conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre Syndrome, after a stroke (spinal cord or brain), and after trauma with resulting fractures where nerve, spinal cord, and/or brain damage can occur. These are “obvious” reasons for delayed or blocked neurotransmission.

There are many other less obvious injuries or conditions that can result in faulty neuromotor patterns and nerve transmission of which chiropractic services can benefit. The “subluxation complex” is a term some chiropractors use to describe the compromised nerve transmission that may occur if a nerve is compressed or irritated due to faulty bone or joint position along the nerve’s course. Reducing such nerve compression typically allows for a restoration of function. A good illustration of this is a patient who suffers from a herniated disk in the neck with numbness and tingling down the arm to the hand. The goal of treatment (for all healthcare professionals) is to remove the pinch of the nerve.

To realize this goal, doctors of chiropractic utilize spinal manipulation and mobilization in addition to other non-surgical, non-drug approaches that may include exercises, nutritional advice, home-care such as a cervical traction unit, and other anti-inflammatory measures (ice, modalities like low level and class IV laser, electric stimulation, pulsed magnetic field, and more). Given the minimal side-effect risks and well-reported benefits, it only makes sense to try chiropractic FIRST and if you’re not satisfied, your doctor will help you find the next level of care.

Balance and Brain Health

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:47:05 GMT

During the course of the history and examination with new patients, it’s quite common to encounter seemingly unrelated complaints that may benefit from chiropractic care . For example, last month we looked at alternative nutritional approaches to treating high cholesterol rather than jumping at the use of statin medications. We’ve also discussed the association between balance and the neck and how important chiropractic adjustments are to the upper cervical spine in managing balance-related complaints such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (or BPPV). This month, let’s investigate the relationship of balance and how it relates to the health of the brain!

A 2014 study published in the journal Stroke found that difficulty balancing on one leg (eyes open) for at least 20 seconds is a possible sign of brain damage in an otherwise healthy person. In other words, there appears to be an association between poor balance and an increased risk for small blood vessel damage and reduced cognitive function (memory, association, the ability to communicate well, stay on task, etc.) in people who appear to be healthy. The authors state, “Our study found that the ability to balance on one leg is an important test for brain health.” In this study, 841 women and 546 men (average age was 67 years old) were asked to stand on one leg for up to 60 seconds with their eyes open. Each participant repeated the exam twice and researchers recorded the best time. Next, each participant had a brain MRI to assess for small vessel disease and completed a computer based-questionnaire to measure cognitive function. Researchers found an association between the presence of small vessel disease and the inability to stand on one leg with their eyes open for more than 20 seconds. More importantly, they found a similar association with subclinical (no symptom expression) blood clots/micro bleeds and cognitive loss with this balance impairment. In a similar study in early 2014, other researchers reported that an association exists between the amount of time 53-year-old men and women are able to stand on one leg and “…all cause mortality rates.” When the small arteries in the brain are damaged and lose their flexibility, blood flow is interrupted to the brain depriving oxygen to the tissue, something that is more likely to happen with advancing age.

In prior articles, we have asked our readers to “test” their balance by standing on one leg with their eyes open for up to 30 seconds and eyes closed for up to 25 seconds (“normal” = 25 seconds for up to age 59; age 60-69 = 10 seconds, and age 70-79 years old = 4 seconds). Don’t forget to repeat this process on the other leg! If a patient’s unable to do this, their doctor may recommend doing “proprioception exercises” followed by re-testing this skill every 15-30 days to track their progress. This is a very common problem, and it usually improves with balance-challenging exercises. These exercises include simply standing on one leg while in the kitchen, watching TV, standing in line… you name it! Take advantage of your standing time and do some balance challenging exercises! Of course, if you’re wobbly and find yourself “windmilling” to maintain your balance, do this in a safe environment—in the corner of a room, for example. To make the exercise even more challenging, try standing on a pillow or a folded up towel and/or shut your eyes to REALLY make your brain work! Your doctor of chiropractic can also train you on the use of a rocker board, wobble board, and gym ball for adding more fun and are very effective ways to improve your proprioceptive skills. He or she can test you to see what your balance skills are and according the latest research. This test may even reveal additional important information.

Neck Function and Balance

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:46:00 GMT

In the nervous system, there are three primary areas that regulate our balance: the cerebellum (located in the back of the brain), the dorsal columns (located in the back of the spinal cord), and the inner ear (the “vestibular” part of our cranial nerve VIII). There are also small, microscopic “proprioceptors” or mechanical receptors located in our joint capsules, muscles, and tendons that relay information to the brain and work hard to keep us upright when we walk, run, and play!

Conditions that can result in balance problems include, but are not limited to, BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal where our spinal cord is located), dorsal column disease, cerebellar lesions, and/or circulation loss into the back of the brain. Other conditions associated with light headedness include low or high blood pressure, hydration, medications, postural or orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, endocrine disorders, hyperventilation, heart conditions, and vasovagal syncope. However, issues with BPPV/inner ear are the most common reported cause of dizziness.

Emergency actions should be exercised when dizziness is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations. If eating helps resolve the dizziness, blood testing for hypoglycemia is appropriate. If confusion, memory lapses, changes in speech, facial droop, weakness on one side of the body, or acute headache occur, these could be signs of a stroke or a brain bleed or tumor and should be quickly evaluated.

If ANY of these signs or symptoms is present, we will refer you to the appropriate specialty for further evaluation.

The upper cervical spine has also been found to affect balance, and it’s a primary area of treatment that we as chiropractors focus on when patients complain about balance dysfunction. Unique to this upper cervical region is the fact that the nucleus of cranial nerve V (the trigeminal nerve) extends down the spinal canal to the C2 level and adjustments in this region can have significant benefits for several other conditions, including trigeminal nerve problems as well as BPPV (inner ear dysfunction such as dizziness) where small crystals dislodge from the ampulla of the semicircular canal and interfere with the flow of fluid inside the canal with resulting dizziness. Adjustments and the BPPV exercises (Epley’s and / or Brandt-Daroff) significantly benefit this cause of dizziness.

You can depend on our evaluation to determine if chiropractic is the right choice in managing your balance disturbance.

What Are Cervicogenic Headaches?

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:44:06 GMT

Headaches are a very common problem that can have multiple causes ranging from stress to trauma. To make matters worse, there are MANY different types of headaches. One such type is the “cervicogenic headache” (others include migraines, cluster headaches, etc.).

The main distinction between the symptoms associated with cervicogenic headaches and those associated with migraine headaches are a lack of nausea, vomiting, aura (a pre-headache warning that a headache is about to strike), light and noise sensitivity, increased tearing with red eyes, one-sided head, neck, shoulder, and/or arm pain, and dizziness. The items listed above are primarily found in migraine headache sufferers. The following is a list of clinical characteristics common in those struggling with cervicogenic headaches:

Unilateral (one-sided) head or face pain (rarely is it on both sides).
Pain is localized or stays in one spot, usually the back of the head, frontal, temporal (side) or orbital (eye) regions.
Moderate to severe pain intensity.
Intermittent attacks of pain that last hours to days.
Pain is usually deep, non-throbbing, unless migraines occur at the same time.
Head pain is triggered by neck movement, sustained awkward head postures, applying deep pressure to the base of the skull or upper neck region, and/or taking a deep breath, cough or sneeze can trigger head pain.
Limited neck motion with stiffness.

Infrequently, the cervicogenic headache sufferer can present with migraines at the same time and have both presentations making it more challenging to diagnose.

The cause of cervicogenic headaches can be obvious such as trauma (sports injury, whiplash, slip and fall), or not so obvious, like poor posture. A forward head posture can increase the relative weight applied to the back of the neck and upper back as much as 2x-4x normal. Last month, we discussed the intimate relationship between the upper two cervical vertebra (C1 & C2) and an anatomical connection to the covering of the spinal cord (the dura) as giving rise to cervicogenic headaches. In summary, the upper three nerves innervate the head and any pressure on those upper nerves can result in a cervicogenic headache. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to examine, identify, and treat these types of potentially debilitating headaches.

Chiropractic: The Key to Performance and Recovery

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:42:12 GMT

The outcome of athletic competition directly relates to the condition of the human body . Equipment certainly plays a role in comfort and performance, but the conditioning, flexibility, and coordination play much larger roles. The impact of human performance makes sports and recreational activities attractive to people as both spectators and active participants. A deeply satisfying element exists within watching and experiencing human beings successfully think, move, and react to adversity and challenge. A well-functioning body serves as the greatest piece of equipment in any playing arena.

Today’s greatest athletes invest massive amounts of time, money, and resources into bodily performance and effective recovery. Chiropractic continues to escalate in importance to both the world’s top athletes and local recreational enthusiasts. Chiropractic empowers novice, amateur, and elite athletes with better healing, performance, and recovery.

Jordan Speith earned a ranking as one of the world’s most elite professional golfers. He thanked his Chiropractor right along with his coach and caddie after he won professional golf’s most prestigious tournament two years ago. Speith’s mention of Chiropractic care on the world’s biggest golf stage brought the spotlight to an asset used by millions of people for over 100 years . Most of the world’s greatest athletes utilize the benefits of Chiropractic. Every NFL team currently keeps a Chiropractor on staff for their players. Most Olympians employ the benefits of regular Chiropractic care to improve performance and speed recovery time. The benefits of Chiropractic adjustments spread from humble beginnings to the global spotlight as performance driven professionals discovered the positive impact of nervous system care. Chiropractic care delivers an edge in professions where fractions of seconds and inches determine the difference between world championships and defeat .

The most important aspect of scientifically engineered Chiropractic care exists in every local community: available to everyone. Chiropractic began as a health care alternative to drugs and surgery for all people, including weekend warriors on the golf course and on-the-go moms taking care of young children. Science and research prove that a Chiropractic adjustment improves mobility, range of motion, muscle strength, coordination, and recovery. These benefits go hand in hand with minimization and prevention of pain.

A recent study showed that athletes who received a Chiropractic adjustment to their pelvis had a 3.6 centimeter improvement in their vertical jump compared to a 0.5 centimeter improvement in those who experienced a regiment of stretching alone. Such a specific study emphasizes the imp act of Chiropractic care in even the smallest movements. Chiropractic adjustments improve mobility and remove stress from the nervous system. The nervous system helps run and regulate all functions in the body. An adjustment begins with the spine and radiates throughout all organs and systems in the body. Golfers on the PGA Tour or at the local golf course can all experience decreased tension and stress in their spine and body through Chiropractic. The same benefit awaits joggers and exercise enthusiasts of all shapes and sizes. Improved performance and recovery time begins with maximization of the spine and nervous system. Human beings love to be active and Chiropractic cannot wait to help.

The Soundtrack of an Adjustment Relieves Tension

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:39:32 GMT

Many current or prospective chiropractic patients ask about the noise radiating from a Chiropractic adjustment. Patients eagerly ask about the popping and cracking sounds that occur with some adjustments. There exists a mix of curiosity and a desire to know that the sound means something beneficial.

Chiropractic adjustments release pressure . Two bones that fit together within the human skeleton meet at an intersection known as a joint. Healthy joints allow for productive, pain-free movement. Research from 2015 showed that safe and effective results were achieved when an adjustment applied the correct force, speed, and depth to a joint. Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress through application of a quick, gentle force. Adjustments slightly separate the joint to override protective muscle reflexes and reduce adhesive scar tissue formation while improving motion. Popping and cracking occur when pressurized gas within the joints release between the gaps. Audible cracking does not need to exist for an adjustment to be successful and the entire process of a stress relieving adjustment happens without injury to the joint or surrounding tissues.

The spine consists of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae. Chiropractors assess the alignment and movement of the vertebrae to locate any misaligned joints called subluxations . A subluxation presents as a partially dislocated joint that does not move as freely as the body intends.

Even the smallest subluxated joints in the spine play a crucial role in overall health . The spine maintains an intimate relationship with the nervous system. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord and nerves while providing openings to the spinal nerve roots exiting through each vertebra. Experts refer to the spine as a neuro-spinal organ because of the large amount of tiny neurons that heavily populate in and around the bones and joints of each vertebra. A healthy spine allows tiny neurons to give uninterrupted feedback to the brain so that appropriate messages can be delivered to all organs on a regular basis. The science behind the spine and a Chiropractic adjustment explains why the spine negatively influences the function of so many systems and organs if not properly aligned. Scientists agree that normal spinal movement provides priceless nutrition to the brain and body.

Subluxations alter communication feedback to and from the brain. Research shows a negative effect on the autonomic nervous system when altered information comes into the central nervous system from a misaligned vertebra. A negatively influenced autonomic nervous system impacts immunity, fertility, digestion, breathing, sleep, blood pressure, heart function, and so much more . The benefits a Chiropractic adjustment goes well beyond simple pain relief. Degenerative conditions in spinal joints occur over time just like cavities forming in teeth. Adults and children usually do not feel areas of restriction, malposition, and nerve interference in their spine until the subluxation begins producing discomfort or disease. Regular trips to the dentist seek to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Regular trips to the Chiropractor create an opportunity for optimal spine and nervous system function that promote vibrant health for the whole family.

Research proves Chiropractic surpasses PT for treatment

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:36:55 GMT

Chiropractic provides a more effective, cost efficient option for whiplash treatment than physical therapy and pain medications. Chiropractic adjustments also produce improved function and relief in less visits and time. Most medical doctors treat whiplash with a combination of drugs and physical therapy. Proper public education begins with readily accessible research and information that empowers people to make well-informed health care decisions.

Whiplash refers to an injury suffered when the head and neck snap forward and backward suddenly , usually through a rear end collision. Research reveals that crashes with a car going as slow as 5-10 miles per hour still generate whiplash . More than three million new cases of whiplash occur each year and often occur in the most minor of car accidents. Whiplash injuries occur during sports, work, or any other activity that may violently snap the head and neck one direction then another.

Whiplash injuries not only increase the chances of chronic neck and shoulder pain but also increase the probability of other unrelated health problems. People struggling with chronic pain from whiplash injuries also have abnormal psychological profiles according to standardized assessment tests. The only way to resolve abnormal psychological profiles caused by chronic pain and headaches is to address the underlying cause. (Pain Journal, 1997)

A whiplash injury directly impacts the structure and stability of the physical frame. Medical personnel usually recommend patients take dangerous pharmaceutical drugs but those substances do not repair the underlying cause of the physical problem. Physical therapy for soft tissues often comes hand in hand with a drug prescription. Physical therapy does produce therapeutic results for whiplash but the use of PT does not address the spinal joints, ligaments, and nervous system function involved in proper healing and recovery.

Chiropractic care proves to be the most effective process used to help whiplash patients address the pain and symptoms that radiate from the root cause of the injury. Chiropractic patients experience reduced pain in a reduced duration of time when compared to whiplash patients using physical therapy and drugs. Chiropractic patients needed approximately ten return visits to restore physical wellness back to normal. Patients using physical therapy reported needing over twenty return visits to PT. Patients under chiropractic care also experienced increased range of motion, improved flexibility, and a 21% greater reduction in pain compared to those receiving physical therapy.

Chiropractic delivers for people suffering from whiplash. Unaddressed whiplash injuries will not only result in chronic pain, but can also influence organ function and emotional health. Whiplash injury patients deserve current information and research when choosing a path to recovery. The most efficient path begins with having the spine and nervous system checked by a Chiropractor as soon after an injury as possible.

Ailing NBA Coach Urges People to Avoid Spinal Surgery

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:34:48 GMT

The Golden State Warriors continue to be one of the hottest teams in the NBA (National Basketball Association). They won more games than any team in NBA history in a single season and earned trips to the last two NBA Finals. Head coach Steve Kerr regrets not only the pain of missing the majority of this memorable run, but also the excruciating pain radiating through his back. Coach Kerr’s pain increased so much over the course of the past few seasons that he cannot even bear the discomfort enough to sit on the bench and watch his team make history. Back pain impacts every aspect of his daily life dating back to Kerr’s choice to undergo invasive back surgery less than two years ago . The terribly poor rate of successful back surgeries impacts NBA stars and regular employees all the same.

Avoiding and preventing spinal surgery proves a necessity when understanding the long-term effects and poor success rates for people who choose spinal surgery to alleviate back pain. The benefits of Chiropractic care still go well beyond alleviating back pain but begin with an understanding that a healthy back and spine directly impact the health of the entire body. Chiropractic maximizes potential by improving the health of the spine and nervous system for those with or without back pain. People want the safest, least invasive, and least expensive approach to healthcare . Facts, statistics, and research continually prove that Chiropractic care provides the best course of action in each of these categories when dealing with musculoskeletal problems.

Chiropractic Provides MORE Affordable Health Care

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 20:31:31 GMT

Questions about healthcare in St. Petersburg continue to escalate amidst the recent changes in political and government leadership throughout the world. People always desire better health care and outcomes for less cost . A study published in 2007 revealed that a different approach to standard medical care delivers the solutions sought by so many families across an array of budgets.

60% Less Hospital Admissions
59% Less Days Spent in the Hospital
62% Less Outpatient Surgeries
85% Less Costs on Pharmaceutical Drugs

Improved quality of life becomes more readily abundant through fewer hospital admissions and surgeries as well as invasive care prevention and reduced out of pocket expenses. Chiropractic care provides the additional benefit of improved health and vitality through a focus on maximizing health and organ function rather than simply treating symptoms or diseases.

The study noted that a difference in health care philosophy drives the difference in results between medical care and Chiropractic care. Chiropractors begin from the premise that every person possesses an innate wiring for health and vitality. Chiropractic recognizes and works with the intelligence inside the body that helped turn two cells into a fully functional and capable human being in less than ten months. Greater healthcare potential exists when applying this concept across a large populace and research continues to prove that proactive Chiropractic care does far more to benefit health than reactive medical care.

Prescription medications alleviate symptoms and warning signs within the body but pharmaceutical answers prove temporary time and again. Every symptom radiates from a source and Chiropractic pursues the purpose and cause of disease. True health care rectifies health concerns without reliance upon medications or surgeries and the side effects that go hand in hand with each.

The Chiropractic option continues to increase in enrollment as the primary health care choice for families tired of the sick care model of medicine. Research and results continue to reveal the health benefits that come from unlocking the power within the body rather than relying on external influences.

Chiropractors take pride in educating patients and the public on the results achieved through this revolutionary approach to health care. Millions of families across the globe seek better healthcare options but do so without understanding the negative implication of using the current medical system . Others feel trapped in a cyclical system of sickness and drugs that promote one another. Chiropractic provides an answer and Chiropractors all over the world pursue changing health care one community at a time through awareness, education, and appropriate spine and nervous system care.

Spinal Adjustments Get to HEART of the Matter

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 08:18:55 GMT

Chiropractors began helping men and women combat heart disease in 1895. Far too many people receive misinformation that limits an understanding of Chiropractic beyond using adjustments for a healthier neck and spine. The true power of Chiropractic radiates through positive functional effects on the entire body.

Chiropractors address the nervous system . The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These organs and masters of the body’s communication system rest in and around the spine. The densely populated nervous system directs function of all organs and tissues in the body, including the heart. Chiropractic adjustments positively impact many symptoms and conditions seemingly unrelated to the spine because the spine houses the functional guidance of all organs.

Get to the heart of the matter. This popular phrase refers to the heart’s role as the most important muscle in the human body . The complex muscle sits in the upper left chest cavity and pumps blood filled with oxygen to every part to the body. The essential function of the heart serves as the delivery mechanism for life-saving chemicals to every cell and tissue in the body. This amazing organ beats around 101,000 times each day . The heart beats about three billion times in an average lifetime and while pumping roughly one million barrels of blood through the body. The daily energy output from the heart creates enough force to in one twenty-four hour period to raise three fully loaded greyhound buses into the air. The amazing heart receives constant direction from the nervous system being housed in the spinal column. The spine’s intimaterelationship with the nervous system explains exactly why a healthy spine translates into healthier heart function.

A study published in 2017 showed that patients receiving spinal adjustments after undergoing heart surgery experienced significantly improved outcomes compared to those who did not receive spinal adjustments. The study detailed that those patients receiving spinal adjustments within a few days after heart surgery experienced improved overall function and a reduction in hospital stays, need for drugs, and pain. The simple variable factor involved paying attention to the health of the spine. Many other studies also advocate for the use of Chiropractic c are for patients undergoing heart interventions and surgery . Further studies advocate even more for implementing nervous system care far in advance of medical conditions in order to improve overall health and take preventative steps that enable the spine, nervous system, and organs to battle disease proactively. An empowered nervous system begins with Chiropractic care.

No Symptoms Necessary

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:31:51 GMT

Patients Under Chiropractic Care Reduced Opioid Use

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:28:25 GMT

Opioid prescriptions skyrocketed from 112 million in 1992 to nearly 249 million in 2015 . Experts refer to this shift as the Opioid Epidemic . Opioid pain-relieving drugs result in over thirty-two thousand deaths every year in the United States. Opioid addictions become a larger health threat as more people than ever seek relief from pain at the expense of quality of life and terminal addiction. Serious side effects of opioid use include sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, and respiratory depression.

Most opioid prescriptions treat a form of muscle or skeletal pain . Military servicemen and women rank among those most plagued with opioid dependency. Training injuries and on-duty traumas account for the most significant reasons most begin opioid drug use. Real and identifiable pain exists without a safe and effective path towards resolution. Any treatment or strategy designed to alleviate pain without the use of dangerous drugs carries the potential to save millions of lives per year. Research proves that Chiropractic works.

A former Dartmouth MD conducted a study that showed patients with back pain who experienced Chiropractic care reduced opioid use by 57% compared to patients who did not utilize spinal adjustive care. This minor study requires further investigation on a larger scale but introduces another avenue of evidence that further proves what Chiropractors see in practices across the country every week. Pain reduction, improved movement, and increased function serve as side effects to the larger process of improving the structure of the spine and nervous system.

Understanding the purpose of Chiropractic helps clarify the outcomes of countless scientific studies. Harvard University described Chiropractic as, “ A health care system that holds that the structure of the body, particularly the spine, affects the function of every part of the body. Chiropractors try to correct the body's alignment to relieve pain and improve function to help the body heal itself .” This definition describes the unique purpose and benefits that Chiropractic delivers, particularly as spinal care relates to helping patients avoid or overcome opioid addictions.

Chiropractic began in 1895 with a mission to help people get and stay well without the use of drugs or surgery . Everyone deserves to live comfortably in their own body. Chiropractic provides relief from pain and pharmaceutical side effects by pursuing the optimal function of the body. Research attached to prestigious names like Harvard and Dartmouth provide a strong starting point when educating the public about Chiropractic. Drugs and surgeries create dependencies and addictions that rob citizens of precious life quality. Chiropractic research and results help provide a catalyst for health care change in every family and local community.

Spinal Health Prevents Disc Degeneration

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:26:24 GMT

Car alignment depends largely on the durability of tires combined with the structure and function of the axle. Unbalanced alignment promotes the breakdown of one side of the car due to an increase in asymmetrical load. The rate and progression of the breakdown of a car or spine depends on the presence of proper alignment.

24 hard vertebral bones make up the spine. 23 of these bones maintain flexibility and comfort through the function of structures called discs that are made up of 70% water and 30% soft tissue. These intervertebral discs live between the bones and provide separation and protection for the elements functioning between the vertebrae. The spinal nerve serves as the most important structure exiting through the disc openings between each bone. Spinal nerves extend off the spinal cord at each level of the spine and transverse through a disc-sized hole created by the space between each bone. The spinal nerve relays life-giving information from the brain to the entire body. The intervertebral discs absorb shock and cushion stress created in the spine from moving, jumping, and bending. Alignment plays an essential role in maintaining spinal protection and allowing the nervous system to function at optimal capacity.

Abnormal movement or alignment of a spinal vertebra leads to minor asymmetries in the spine that increase rates of disc degeneration and arthritis. A much bigger consequence translates from nervous system interference that stems from even minor spinal misalignments. These misalignments (called subluxations) increase tension and disturbance in the most important functional system in the body. Nervous system interference puts the body into a state of dysfunction that eventually leads to deteriorating health and the increased risk of symptoms and disease.

New research shows that small asymmetries in the spine and discs create disc problems that manifest in the form of pain and disc disease . The study stated that asymmetric distribution of herniated discs cause an altered mechanical load. Patients with herniated lumbar discs often undergo unnecessary surgery at the recommendation of medical physicians. The study quickly points out that an enormous percentage of people with low back disc problems fail to improve even after what doctors determine to be successful spine surgeries. A substantial risk of continued pain and problems still exists following a spinal surgery that goes as planned.

Professional athletes make millions of dollars rooted in physical performance. Many well-known individuals warrant consistent media coverage following the deterioration of their skill set due to degenerative spinal health. Tiger Woods projected to be the greatest golfer of all time at one point in his career. Woods endured four spinal surgeries in the past four years but continues to suffer from declining performance and increased scrutiny. Woods recently made the news for an arrest stemming from falling asleep asleep at the wheel of his vehicle while driving under the influence of prescription pain killers used to deal with his back problems. Steve Kerr earned acclaim as a player on several NBA championship teams before earning two world championships as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Kerr missed major portions of the past two seasons due to the aggravating pain radiating through his body following a failed back surgery. Kerr used the media to voice his regret that he did not seek an alternative solution. Both Kerr and Woods face amplified adversity that now includes continued back pain combined with additional challenges resulting from either pain or prescription drug use.

Movement, spinal strength, and conservative care continues to be the most effective form of treatment for problems attributed to spinal asymmetry. Chiropractors correct spinal subluxations through scientifically proven treatments that offer hope and health to every individual.

Chiropractic Adjustments Influence Over 35 Trillion Cells in the Human Body

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:24:11 GMT

One of the most important objectives of Chiropractic involves removing interference from the nervous system in order to facilitate the body’s ability to heal itself. The process involves the specific analysis, detection, and correction of small misalignments in the spine called vertebral subluxations . Chiropractors began transforming health care in 1895 and millions of people embrace their story and those of loved ones who overcame health challenges and began experiencing a new level of vitality through specific scientific spinal adjustments.

Chiropractors passionately study and teach on the amazing healing and recuperative abilities of the human body. An analogy illustrating the body’s healing capabilities occurs with breastfeeding . A nursing mother makes breast milk specifically designed to meet the needs of her baby. Receptors on the skin of the mother’s nipple detect the pH of a baby’s saliva and communicate with her nervous system. The baby’s saliva content relays information that triggers the production of new breast milk that meets the specific requirements for her baby’s next feeding. Research from 2013 explained that the composition of breast milk varies by feeding, over lactation, and by each individual day.

The accompanying photos each depict breast milk pumped from the same nursing mother. The whiter colored milk serves as an example of milk produced during the process of normal feeding while the baby maintained a state of wellness. The yellowish colored milk serves as an example of milk produced when the baby began to experience the onset of cold-like symptoms. The yellow tint represents milk enhanced with an increased amount of leukocytes and other immune-fighting chemistry designed to help the baby heal. The mother did nothing different. The immune-boosting breast milk occurred naturally within her body, triggered only by the messages sent by the baby’s saliva to signal the need for milk enriched with healing nutrition.

The following features occur within the body on a regular basis:

37 trillion cells make up the average human body.
Stomach acid dissolves metal.
The outer layer of skin sheds every 2-4 weeks, amounting to roughly 0.7kg of dead skin each year
The nose can differentiate between 1 trillion different smells.
The heart beats 100,000 times per day, pumping 5.5 liters/minute and about three million liters/year.
Nearly five pounds of bacteria lives in the body. Between 100 million to 1 billion bacteria grow on each tooth and most bacteria serve in roles beneficial to a person’s health.

The comprehensive intelligence of the body emphasizes the importance of Chiropractic care . Scientifically designed adjustments remove interference from the nervous system and allow the brilliant human body to function at optimal levels of performance. Chiropractors witness miraculous results every week when symptoms and conditions seemingly unrelated to the spine begin to improve and heal free from the use of drugs or surgery. The body possesses a powerful super intelligence that cannot be replicated with pills and health care ascends to new heights the more people rely on the innate power of the body.

Dr. B.J. Palmer developed Chiropractic over 120 years ago through tireless research and study of the human body. He boldly stated that, “While other professions are concerned with changing the environment to suit the weakened body, Chiropractic is concerned with strengthening the body to suit the environment.”

Chiropractic focuses on improving the strength, function, and adaptability of an individual to better withstand and combat the stressors of life before they create dis-harmony in the body.

Better health care begins with understanding and experiencing the benefits of Chiropractic care.

Spinal Adjustments Provide a Better Alternative than drugs for irritable bowel

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:21:42 GMT

Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress from the body’s central processing system, better known as the nervous system . The nervous system directs function throughout the entire body meaning Chiropractic influences much more than just the spine. Gentle Chiropractic adjustments to the neck and spine help patients overcome organ system challenges including: digestive problems, fertility issues, immune function difficulties, heart disease, and many other conditions . Eliminating nervous system interference reduces stress and optimizes function in the brain and central nervous system. Research continues to explore and reveal the amazing influences spinal adjustments produce on numerous symptoms and conditions.

Research done in 2012 evaluated the use of drugs to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when compared to the effectiveness of spinal adjustive care. Irritable bowel syndrome manifests as a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, altered stool form or stool passage, and bleeding. Over 15% of the world’s population struggles with IBS and the majority turn to drugs for treatment. The 2012 research randomly divided 210 patients with irritable bowel syndrome into two groups. Half of the patients received spinal adjustments and the other were treated with medication.

Patients receiving spinal adjustments experienced significantly different outcomes compared to those who were given drug therapy. 88% of spinal care patients reported experiencing excellent results, 10% reported experiencing good results, and none reported experiencing poor results . Only 28% of the medicated group reported experiencing excellent results and 21% experienced poor results.

The majority of people suffering with IBS also struggle with abnormal spinal health and back pain. Many IBS sufferers do not understand the relationship between their spinal health and digestion. Chiropractic adjustments do not simply treat back pain or IBS. Proper spinal care focuses on reducing misalignments in that spine that interfere with central nervous system and brain function. Creating an optimal environment of health produces incredible digestive health improvements for those suffering from IBS and many other conditions.

Chiropractors continue to build on over 120 years of research and evidence linking overall health improvement to the condition of the spine. Chiropractic uses the latest science and research to provide evidence for health professionals who seek to provide the highest levels of care to their patients. People suffering from IBS deserve a better option than powerful pharmaceutical drugs that provide temporary relief at the expense of long term side effects. The future of optimal health care begins with awareness and education about the safest and most effective solutions to better function. Chiropractic provides the most effective option for long term healing and recovery.

A Drug Free Solution Exists for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:17:49 GMT

Over 12 million Americans and 6% of the world suffer from fibromyalgia . Women make up over three-quarters of those afflicted by this painful condition. Fibromyalgia consists of chronic, widespread pain and a heightened response to pain and pressure . Associated symptoms include extreme fatigue, sleep problems, and memory troubles in addition to restless legs syndrome, bowel or bladder issues, numbness, tingling, and sensitivity to noise, lights, and temperature. No known cause exists for Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia pain results from processes in the central nervous system and the health care community also attaches the label of "central sensitization syndrome.” No specific diagnostic test exists to confirm a fibromyalgia diagnosis . The current diagnosis process involves ruling out other potential causes and verifying the presence of a set number of other symptoms. Medical doctors treat fibromyalgia with a blend of pain medications.

Chiropractors uniquely help fibromyalgia patients by assessing and addressing the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia sufferers who begin Chiropractic care often share their pursuit of a solution that helps their condition without the addition of more drugs. Those who experience the health and healing of Chiropractic care become quick advocates to those experiencing the initial stages of Fibromyalgia.

Research published in 2014 documented clear evidence proving the positive effects of Chiropractic adjustments on subjects suffering from Fibromyalgia. The study split 120 Fibromyalgia sufferers into two groups. One group went through a 12-week Fibromyalgia education program that included cognitive therapy sessions and a specific exercise program. The second group of sixty patients received the exact same protocol with the addition of a series of Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck. Patients in the second group received a total of 20 adjustments to the upper neck over a 12-week period.

Both groups received benefits from each of their respective interventions . However, the group who received upper neck Chiropractic adjustments achieved more significant, long-term improvements when compared to control group a year later. Chiropractic care proved to not only help fibromyalgia sufferers overcome the pain and symptoms of the diagnosis, but also provided sustainable improvement without the use of prescription medications.

Chiropractic adjustments to the upper neck influence the entire body through their direct impact on the brain. The upper neck plays a crucial role in positively influencing the central nervous system . Misaligned or immobile areas of the spine prevent adequate communication between the brain and the rest of the central nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments help stimulate restoration of proper blood chemistry, hormones, and pain receptors. Fibromyalgia sufferers represent one of many groups of people locked in an uncomfortable cycle of disease that builds dependence on pharmaceutical drugs. Chiropractors help millions of people escape to a world of optimal health and function by unlocking the power within the body.

Chiropractic Provides an Evidenced Based Solution to Seasonal Allergies

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:13:27 GMT

Researchers estimate that fifty million people in the United States suffer from allergies. Other parts of the world report percentages resembling those in America. Allergies represent the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion . Hay fever (Allergic rhinitis) creates a common condition that causes symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy/runny nose, and watery/itchy eyes. Most allergy sufferers experience these allergies seasonally. Symptoms of seasonal allergies occur in spring, summer and/or early fall and usually result from allergic sensitivity to pollens from trees, grasses, weeds, or airborne mold spores.

Year-round allergic rhinitis generally results from sensitivity to house dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, or mold spores. Most allergy sufferers turn to allergy drugs (usually Zyrtec, Allegra, or Claritin) for relief. Pharmaceutical drugs may treat allergy symptoms but do so with a risk of side effects that include: drowsiness, mouth and throat dryness, abnormal heart rhythms, sleep troubles, digestive issues, skin problems, headaches, and nervous system dysfunction .

A medical study published in 2004 linked allergies to tiny misalignments in the spine. When the misalignments were addressed with manual adjustments by a health professional, allergy symptoms improved in more than 70% of patients . Several other recorded results included:

98% of patients with dermatitis, allergies and asthma suffered from vertebral misalignments
Correction of spinal misalignments improved itching symptoms of chronic dermatitis by 88% and skin appearance of dermatitis patients by 72%
Allergy symptoms improved in over 70% of patients who received adjustments
Vertebral misalignment is a common factor in patients with dermatitis and asthma
Dermatitis patients receiving no adjustment experienced no improvement

Chiropractic Adjustments Promote Weight Loss

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:09:32 GMT

Chiropractic adjustments rarely receive recognition for their ability to assist in weight loss . However, a Chiropractic adjustment directly changes body chemistry, a result proven to be a major factor in helping both men and women lose weight. Sound science behind the benefits of an adjustment clearly shows the connection between spinal health and weight loss.

Losing body fat is a challenge that connects with overall body function. Losing body fat while gaining and keeping muscle revolves around proper body chemistry. Balancing body chemistry derives from balancing hormones. A Chiropractic adjustment not only balances body hormones but also creates an overall improved state of wellness . The spine directly interacts with the part of the brain (hypothalamus) that controls all major hormones, including those that deal with the weight loss and muscle gain. Interference occurs within the central nervous system whenever a spinal vertebra misaligns or moves incorrectly, resulting in a vertebral subluxation. The interference triggers an increase in stress hormones and a decrease of growth hormones through a stimulated hypothalamus. This alteration in stress hormones prevents the body’s ability to reduce amino acid breakdown and recycle amino acids from the

The breakdown of muscle and the loss of fat are all mediated by hormones. Chiropractic adjustments help balance good hormones and decrease bad hormones through the spine’s direct relationship with the brain . No amount of protein that can be consumed in the form of food, powders, shakes, or bars can force the body to spare muscle or manipulate fat stores when hormones are out of balance. Multiple lifestyle factors also alter the balance of body chemistry, forcing the loss of muscle and accumulation of fat. Poor spinal health exists as one major example often overlooked by almost every medical doctor, nutritionist, trainer, or weight loss strategist.

Many people who begin receiving Chiropractic adjustments find it easier to lose fat and gain muscle using their previously established regimen of diet and exercise . Chiropractic adjustments facilitate changes in body chemistry which can only be balanced within the nervous system. Creating a subluxation-free environment empowers the body to balance hormones and improve overall wellness from the inside-out.

Chiropractic provides enhanced recovery from CONCUSSIONS

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:06:29 GMT

Stories of former athletes suffering with brain problems directly attributed to head trauma and multiple concussions arise every month. Documentaries and movies paint the vivid picture of exactly how these brain injuries occur and how they affect athletes, their families, and even their quality of life. Researchers who studied the brains of former athletes shared an unwelcome message about the consequences of repetitive head trauma. Scientists insisted that proper recovery protocol be put in place to protect the thoughts, memory, and emotions of individuals who suffer a concussion.

Chiropractic plays a significant role in providing concussion relief and recovery without the use of powerful drugs. Jim McMahon starred as a quarterback in the Chicago Bears in the 1980s and began suffering with severe depression, migraines, fatigue, memory loss, and chronic fatigue after retiring from the NFL. McMahon’s story surfaced on ESPN and documented his dark days confined to a few rooms in his home after no longer being able to deal with most daily activities.

McMahon’s memory began deteriorating while his emotions became uncontrollable amidst constant migraines and extreme fatigue. His desire to live diminished hand in hand with his quality of life. McMahon’s desire for relief finally brought him to the right Chiropractors . He described his first adjustment as feeling like someone flushed the pressure and gunk that had been clogging his brain. McMahon continued receiving adjustments over the next few weeks and months and began to feel a return to normalcy.

Similar outcomes radiate from other brain trauma patients. Professional athletes make up a small percentage of people who deal with concussions. Nearly half a million children endure brain trauma annually and nearly four million people were diagnosed with a concussion in 2012 . The fastest growing rate of concussion diagnosis involves middle school children. A 2014 study stated that all post-concussion patients should undergo a spine and posture exam following a traumatic brain incident. A 2015 study showed that traditional Chiropractic management of post-concussive syndrome patients resulted in rapid and sustained improvement in signs and symptoms that allowed athletes to return to full competition.

Chiropractors receive training to evaluate the health and condition of the spine, posture, and nervous system in patients who have experienced a concussion. Parents and athletes should be aware of some basic statistics linked to concussions:

Women’s sports account for six of the ten sports most likely to generate concussions
High school athletes experience more concussions than collegiate athletes
A third of concussions occur in practice settings
70% of athletes attempt to play with a concussion and almost half do not tell a coach
Concussions directly contribute to muscle and ligament damage in the head and neck

Concussions will continue to be a part of all contact sports and proactive instruction and recovery practices play an essential role in keeping athletics safe for all participants. People deserve a drug free solution that assists in relieving the suffering and progression of post-concussive patients. Chiropractic addresses some of the underlying causes that create post-concussion symptoms. Concussion recovery begins with Chiropractic care .

Chiropractic Delivers!

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:03:50 GMT

Myth: Chiropractic adjustments only help musculoskeletal pain or injuries.

Truth: Chiropractic is proven to help musculoskeletal and organ health while also positively influencing every aspect of human performance.

The benefits of Chiropractic go far beyond simply alleviating back and neck pain. Research, medical science, and 120 years of Chiropractic foundation have resulted in millions of elated patients across the globe every single day. While Chiropractic continues to develop as the second largest health care provider in the world, many medical doctors and mainstream medical instruction remain unaware of the research and science behind the short and long term benefits that Chiropractic adjustments provide for people of all ages.

Important nutrients delivered to the brain through proper alignment and movement of the spine account for why Chiropractic spinal care is so important. A study published in 2011 explained that a specialized group of hormones play a significant role in why Chiropractic adjustments achieve such significant health results . Hormones serve as chemical messengers that secrete directly into the blood and before being carried to organs and tissues to help direct function. Any procedure that influences hormones will powerfully and directly influence all bodily functions. Optimal health and performance only occurs when hormones are balanced and coordinated.

Research published in 2009 from Johns Hopkins University listed a group of symptoms or conditions linked directly to the increase of a specific hormone called noradrenaline. The list includes: cancer, bipolar disorder, excessive body weight, hypertension, type 1 autoimmune diabetes, type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and immune system function. One of the more notable symptoms linked to increased noradrenaline levels is excessive weight gain. Many patients of either gender have experienced some form of weight loss after starting Chiropractic care. Adjustments help restore hormonal balance and produce favorable health changes ranging from weight loss to improved overall function in the body. Chiropractic delivers much more than relief from back or neck pain. Balanced hormones through the power of an adjustment helps maximize every lifestyle and health change adopted by a patient.

Chiropractic helps balance hormones by reducing central nervous system dysfunction that exists due to vertebral subluxation . Science proves that chiropractic adjustments lower stress hormones while helping coordinate and balance other chemical messengers through improved brain and organ function. Chiropractors remain intent on educating the world about the dangerous health conditions that begin forming when influenced by improper spinal mechanics and bad posture. Adjustments help maximize body function and should be utilized to improve health and performance for family members of all ages.

Up to 90% of ALL Doctor Visits Originate From THIS

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:28:53 GMT

Stress kills . Doctors and health professionals agree that chronic stress attacks the body and systematically destroys an otherwise healthy organism. Research published in 2008 showed that up to ninety percent of all primary care doctor visits dealt with stress-related complaints. Millions of people receive medical advice that links stress relief to pharmaceutical drug use. Safe, long-term health care demands that attention be turned to the proper reduction and management of stress using science and research that point to a healthy alternative.

The most harmful effect of stress first occurs in the brain. Strategies and solutions to minimize and cope with the effects of stress must therefore begin with the brain. Scientists conducted a 2017 study on the brain utilizing a $3 million PET (Positive Emission Tomography) scan. A PET scan provides an imagine test that allows doctors to check for diseases and adverse function in the body. The scan injects a special dye with radioactive tracers into a vein in the arm. Organs and tissue absorb the tracers and allow the PET scanner to evaluate function while measuring an array of data ranging from blood flow to oxygen use and much more. Doctors primarily use PET scans to test for cancer and to evaluate the function of the heart, brain, and nervous system.

The 2017 study evaluated the effects of a Chiropractic adjustment using the PET scan technology on 21 different subjects. The PET scan determined that brain function increased and stress levels decreased in every single subject. Measurements also recorded the occurrence of multiple changes in brain activity. Movement, posture, emotions, learning, and memory centers of the brain all improved after the Chiropractic adjustment. Brain processing experienced a reduction in fight or flight activity and led to relaxation in the brain and reduced tension in muscles. Measurements also showed a decreased level of stress induced chemicals in the saliva.

The PET scan concluded that Chiropractic adjustments reduce stress by changing the brain . Regular Chiropractic care amplifies the body’s natural defense against chronic stress and disease. The 2017 study adds another page into an ever growing compilation of evidence-based research proving the positive impact made by regular Chiropractic adjustments on hormones, emotions, cognition, and memory. Chronic stress begins in children and manifests in disease and sickness at all ages. Stress continues to be the single largest reason for doctor-related visits in today’s culture. Chiropractic plays a vital role in helping men and women of all ages overcome the effects of stress without dangerous drugs and chemicals.

Chiropractic & Migraine Headaches

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:25:48 GMT

Headaches pester and annoy tens of millions of people every day. Migraine sufferers experience the most excruciating pain and discomfort imaginable. Millions of these attacks impact people with severe headaches that last for hours or days accompanied by nausea, vomiting, flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, and sensitivity to light and sound. More than 90% of migraine sufferers cannot work or function normally during an episode.

The Migraine Research Foundation details the following statistics:

Migraines create the third most prevalent illness in the world.
Nearly one in four U.S. households includes someone suffering from migraines.
18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines.
85% of migraines impact women
Healthcare and lost productivity costs associated with migraines reach as high as $36 billion/year in the United States.
Healthcare costs 70% more for families with migraines sufferers
Migraines exist in children as young as 18 months. Infant colic was found to be associated with childhood migraine and may even be an early form of migraine.
Migraines tend to be biological. Approximately 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraines. A child with one parent suffering migraines has a 50% chance of inheriting the affliction and a 75% chance if both parents experience migraines.

Drug-free solutions that honor the body prove to be a true remedy for such a powerful ailment. More and more people turn to Chiropractic as a non-medicinal solution with benefits that include focusing on healing the body rather than simply medicating the symptoms. Research published in 2015 revealed that manual care for the spine proved to be a superior solution for migraines compared to treatments only utilizing medication. Medical doctors quickly prescribe drugs for migraine sufferers without awareness or exploration of the published research revealing other safer and more effective solutions.

The 2015 research showed that subjects receiving upper cervical manual care reduced their drug consumption by 80% while migraine days reduced by 97%. Pain and functional disability associated with migraines resolved by nearly 100%. Manual care reduced the quality of migraine pain better than both drugs and other unproven treatments while measurably improving quality of life for migraine sufferers.

Extensive dangers and side effects that accompany migraine medications demand attention and alternate solutions. Adults and children alike deserve a better option than a medicinal solution that creates more problematic conditions. Spinal adjustments given by Chiropractors reduce interference in the nervous system by improving vertebral alignment and movement. Spinal adjustments initiate changes in the brain and nervous system that result in greater function and less stress . Less stress in the nervous system correlates with less migraine episodes and reduced pain severity. The search for drugless solutions to migraines begins with the benefits of Chiropractic care.

If you are tired of dealing with migraines... please give our office a call to schedule your consultation and examination. We have helped others just like you overcome their migraine headaches naturally with chiropractic care. Call Now 727-440-0404 or click the button below to schedule online.

Chiropractic Provides Relief and Solutions for Headaches

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:21:30 GMT

Statistics reveal that more people complain about headaches than any other medical ailment. The most common type, a tension headache, plagues almost one in every six (16%) people on a regular basis . Millions of headache sufferers visit doctors with complaints of head pain each year. The most common therapy tends to be prescriptions for medication.

Powerful drugs do not address the cause of headaches . Medications focus on numbing the pain while inflicting risks of dangerous side effects on the entire body. People who suffer frequent headaches will simply experience another headache soon after the medicinal residue works through the blood stream. More medication enters the body with each headache to provide temporary relief while the long-term impact of the drugs creates stomach and intestinal issues such as ulcers, leaky gut syndrome , and irritable bowels.

Chiropractors provide relief and solutions to the cause of headaches. Chiropractic adjustments safely and effectively address subluxation, one of the most well-known causes of headaches . A subluxation forms from a small, subtle misalignment of one or more spinal vertebrae, creating disturbances in the central nervous system that leave a child or adult vulnerable to headache pain. The commonality of headaches leads millions of people to believe that normalcy exists within the cycle of pills and headaches . True health and healing exists by way of correcting the source of the pain rather than simply settling for regularly numbing the pain.

Headache pain does not originate in the brain. Headache pain stems from blood vessels, muscles, and nerves in the head and neck. Chiropractic gently realigns the vertebrae to improve function of the nervous system, reduce tension in the muscles, and increase blood flow. Chiropractors do not attempt to simply treat the pain in the head. A Chiropractic adjustment gets to the cause of many headaches by improving alignment and movement of the spine.

One of the greatest research experts of the past thirty years explored the anatomy and physiology of a headache in a report printed in a reputable medical journal. Research results linked every headache to an area in the neck. The research helped explained why Chiropractors achieve unique and favorable results for headache sufferers by gently adjusting the spine, especially in the upper neck, to improve function of the nervous system, muscles, and blood vessels. Chiropractic effectively reduces and eliminates headache frequency by addressing the source of headache pain rather than simply masking discomfort with drugs. Chiropractic also functions with a track record of over 120 years of safe and effective results without dangerous side effects. Headaches take a powerful toll on quality of life . Every headache sufferer deserves a spine and nervous system evaluation to determine if a safe and effective solution exists. Painful and frequent headaches are not normal. The solution begins with understanding that Chiropractic provides a healthy and permanent alternative to pain and pharmaceutical drugs.

Poor posture increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 64%

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:17:54 GMT

Termites silently destroy the foundation of thousands of unsuspecting homes every year. Termites accounted for more home damage costs in Florida than all weather-related damages combined. Silent and disastrous termite destruction happens gradually over time and usually unbeknownst to the home owner until after a point of significant damage. The same principle applies to poor posture and spinal health . People tend to equate poor posture to a visually cosmetic problem. Slumped shoulders, hunched backs, and tilted posture end up being viewed as an unflattering external issue. A much more dangerous internal concern lies beneath the surface. Poor posture negatively influences the health of the entire body and causes termite-like destruction that far outweighs cosmetic flaws and back pain.

A study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 followed over four thousand men for 20 years. Researchers assessed and monitored each subject’s posture and evaluated health risks in relationship with poor posture. The men who experienced the greatest posture deviations and height loss over the 20 year period experienced a 64% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. The heart was directly influenced by poor posture because of the relationship between the posture, spine, and nervous system. The evidence strongly suggests that spinal evaluations and regular alignment be part of every family wellness plan .

The shape and condition of the spine directly influences posture. Posture subsequently influences every aspect of human health and performance. Regular Chiropractic care plays a vital role in improving the health of the entire body by bettering spinal and postural health. Every Chiropractic adjustment positively influences posture by improving the alignment and movement of the spine and upgrading brain and nervous system function . Adjustments improve equilibrium, stability, and flexibility while helping people better adapt to the daily stresses of life.

Pain does not serve as a good indicator for whether a child or adult needs a Chiropractor . Waiting for pain to surface usually hinders what would otherwise be a faster healing process. Houses and buildings end up far beyond repair by the time termite infestation manifests into structural damage. Poor posture begins at a very young age when a strong body ably compensates for misalignment in the spine. Parents and health conscious people across the globe understand the importance of regular Chiropractic care for themselves and their children.

The effects of poor posture happen slowly over time, most frequently with few to no outward symptoms. Science proves that extensive damage may not surface until significant damage has taken root. A 64% risk of coronary heart disease in those with poor posture proves just how significantly problems can escalate. Chiropractors specialize in improving posture by addressing the health and condition of the spine and nervous system for people of all ages.

Chiropractic provides a LONG-TERM solution for neck pain

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:13:46 GMT

Science and research regularly proves and strengthens the case that Chiropractic care provides a more safe and effective approach to resolving back and neck pain than medication. A 2005 study proved that Chiropractic care reduced spinal pain five times more effectively than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. A more recent 2015 study addressed the long-term effectiveness of Chiropractic care for patients with neck pain. 545 subjects, all dealing with neck pain, were evaluated. After one year of beginning Chiropractic adjustments to relieve misalignment and tension in the spine, 89% of these patients reported no neck pain. Chiropractic care produced non-invasive, safe, and effective results without the use of drugs or surgery.

Every symptom originates with a cause. No credible physician attributes the origination of pain to an absence of drugs and pain-relieving medications. Many medical doctors advise the use of drugs to alleviate symptoms while never truly addressing a solution to the cause. Standard medical procedures would improve patient driven care if people suffering from back and neck pain were first referred to a Chiropractor before the administration of drugs or surgery.

Many patients show up in Chiropractic offices each week with a spine full of decay and degeneration because they were taught to treat their neck or back pain problems with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Patients trusted their medical doctor’s advice to alleviate symptoms through pain medications only to find that masking the source of the problem allowed the underlying cause to progress.

Scientific research indicates that when a slow-developing problem begins to occur, like a cavity in a tooth, pain ends up being the final symptom . A misguided approach to treatment often manifests in these circumstances and treatment focuses solely on pain regression rather than correcting the source or process that caused the origination of the problem.

The 2015 study noted that the majority of people will seek treatment from a healthcare provider at some point in their life for neck pain. Those who experience an episode of neck pain bad enough to consult medical treatment will experience a much higher risk of another onset within the next one to five years. Chiropractic addresses the source of pain and offers a healthy and lasting alternative rooted in the proper alignment and function of the spine. Nobody wants to experience a pain in the neck , but research indicates that most people will at some point in their life’s journey. Chiropractic delivers long-term solutions without the dangers, side-effects, and ineffectiveness of medications or surgeries.

Boosting Immunity Without Drugs, Potions, Lotions, or Oils

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:10:05 GMT

Approximately 700 million people around the world suffer from back pain . Researchers estimate that nearly 85% of the population will suffer from some form of back pain in their lifetime. Recent research revealed a significant concern for anyone suffering with low back pain. Researchers warn that those experiencing low back pain have a 13% increased risk of early death. One of the most important preventative health care measures awaits through the pursuit of eliminating the source of low back pain before problems become permanent and deadly.

Low back pain historically plagues individuals with the nagging inconvenience of discomfort without much prognosis for resolution other than pills or minimally successful surgery . New studies consistently reveal that pain represents a much greater issue. One particular study found an amplified risk of early death in those experiencing pain verses those without spinal problems.

An Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and contributed to the new research. " This is a significant finding as many people think that back pain is not life-threatening," Paulo Ferreira said.

The pool of people affected by these findings continues to grow. Statistics show that five out of every six people will suffer from back pain at some point in their life. A connection to early death means that the prevention and treatment of lower back pain becomes an issue much greater than daily discomfort. Ridding back pain not only resolves the issue of daily aches but also produces the opportunity for greater longevity .

Chiropractors help men, women, and children of all ages reduce and eliminate back pain. Mounting research confirms that the benefits of Chiropractic adjustments extend far beyond pain relief. The link between the presence of low back pain and increased risk of early death exists in the science of subluxations. Subluxations identify as small, subtle shifts in vertebral alignment and movement. These shifts interfere with the nervous system and the vital autonomic functions of the body. Undetected and uncorrected subluxations negatively impact the control panel of all function in the body.

Chiropractors passionately pursue the detection and correction of vertebral subluxation in men, women, children, and infants. Chiropractic care not only addresses back pain but also targets improved performance and function in the nervous system. The goal of Chiropractic adjustments involves the optimal function of the body and the avoidance of needless pain, suffering, surgery, and early death.

The best time for everyone to get their first adjustment happens just after birth when the nervous system needs to overcome the early subluxations that occur from the birthing process. The next best time to get that first adjustment occurs whenever a person decides they want a lifetime of improved health that cannot be found in bottles of pills and daily therapy for pain and discomfort. Millions of people need spinal care in order to steer their path towards better health care. Longevity and quality of life depend on it .

If you're tired of struggling with back pain... please give our office a call 727-440-0404 to schedule your back pain consultation and examination today!

Back pain steals hours of comfort and years of life

nolan.wagner@oyova.com (Nolan Wagner) — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 14:50:15 GMT

If you're tired of struggling with back pain... please give our office a call 727-440-0404 to schedule your back pain consultation and examination today!

Blogs and Articles | Unify Chiropractic St Petersburg Fl

The Causes of Neck Pain: How a Chiropractor Can Help

Common Causes

Muscle Tension or Strain

Heart Attack

Injury

Disease

When to Schedule an Appointment

How a Chiropractor Can Help

Manual Manipulation

Ultrasound

Massage Therapy

Lifestyle Changes

The Causes of Neck Pain: Visit Your St. Petersburg Chiropractor Today

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Minimize Pain

Faster Recovery

Reduced Risk of Injury

Improved Performance

Better Coordination

Relief Without Medication

Better Range of Motion

Choose Chiropractic Care in St. Petersburg FL to Heal From Your Sports Injury

Chiropractic Care for Modern Allergy Management

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Modern Allergy Management

Chiropractic Care For Allergy Management

Promoting Health and Wellness

What Do the Studies Show?

How To See a Chiropractor

Chiropractor vs. Doctor: Which Professional Should You See?

When to See a Chiropractor vs. a Doctor

The Difference Between a Chiropractor and a Doctor

Qualifying as a Chiropractor (DC)

Qualifying as a Medical Doctor (MD)

Which Professional is Right For You?

When to See a Chiropractor

When Not to See a Chiropractor

How a Chiropractor Helps

Making the Decision: Chiropractor vs. Doctor

5 Tips for Finding a Chiropractor in St. Petersburg, FL

1. Check for Reviews and References

2. Consider Their Experience

3. Do a Quick Interview

Free Consultation

4. Explore Treatments at a Chiropractor Near Me

5. What Equipment Do They Have?

Find the Best Chiropractor in St Petersburg FL

How to Choose a Chiropractor for Back Pain in St. Petersburg

Ask for Recommendations

Find a Qualified Chiropractor With Experience

Ask About Their Areas of Expertise

Look at Patient Reviews Online

Consider Your Insurance Compatability

Find Out About Availability

Learn More About Their Treatment Programs

Ask About Their Prices and Fees

Looking for a Chiropractor for Back Pain in St. Petersburg FL?

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ: The Facts You Need to Know

What Is TMJ?

How Do People Get TMJ?

Can a Chiropractor Help With TMJ?

How Does the Spine Affect TMJ?

What Does a Chiropractor Do to Relieve TMJ Pain?

What Happens When You See a Chiropractor for the First Time?

Get Chiropractic Treatment for TMJ Pain

Can a Chiropractor Help With Whiplash Pain?

What Exactly Is Whiplash?

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

How Can a Chiropractor Help With Whiplash Pain?

Common Whiplash Treatment Techniques

Flexion-Distraction Technique ﻿

Specific Spinal Manipulation ﻿

Instrument-Assisted Manipulation ﻿

Choose a Chiropractor to Treat Whiplash Pain ﻿

Managing Your Pain: The Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor for Sciatica

Understanding Chiropractic Care

Should You See a Chiropractor for Sciatica?

Chiropractic Exercises

Spinal Decompression

Flexion-Distraction Technique

Specific Spinal Manipulation

Instrument-Assisted Manipulation

Choose a Chiropractor to Treat Whiplash Pain

1. Talk to Friends

4. Consider the Location

6. Schedule a Consultation

7 Signs You Need To Consider Chiropractic Care