Posts Tagged ‘chiropractor’
On occasion, it can seem exhausting trying to keep up with a five-year-old. If you’ve been around an active child of this age, or if you have one of your own, you may have found yourself hoping that the kid would just “veg out” for a moment. However, recent research is affirming the long-term health benefits of this whirlwind of activity.
In fact, instead of trying to slow these little ones down, five-year-olds should be aided in being as active as possible, according to a new University of Iowa study. Why? “Because it pays off as they grow older,” said Kathleen Janz, lead author of the study and professor of health and sport studies in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Even if kids don’t remain as active later in childhood, being active at age five helps them to stay lean as they get older. “We call this effect ‘banking’ because the kids benefit later on, similar to having a savings account at a bank. The protective effect is independent of what happens in between,” Janz went on to say.
The UI team tested the body fat and activity level of 333 kids at ages five, eight and eleven using a special scanner that accurately measures bone, fat and muscle tissue, and an accelerometer that measures movement every minute. Rather than counting on kids or parents to track minutes of exercise, the kids wore accelerometers to record their activity level for up to five days.
The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, indicates that kids who are active at age five end up with less fat at age eight and eleven, even when controlling for their accumulated level of activity. The average five-year-old in the study got thirty minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. For every ten minutes on top of that, kids had one-third of a pound less fat tissue at ages eight and eleven.
Although further research is necessary to discover what happens to the bodies of the active kids that keeps them in better shape down the road, Janz said that it may be possible that the active 5-year-olds didn’t develop as many fat cells, improved their insulin response, or that something occurred metabolically that supplied some protection even as they became less active.
However, as exciting as this study is, weight moderation is not the only benefit of early exercise. As a Costa Mesa chiropractor I have noticed over the years that active kids have fewer of the usual childhood health problems, like catching colds and the flu. Chiropractic care is, naturally, particularly beneficial in helping kids to stay healthier. But, in addition, the stimulation to the brain that occurs during activities, especially those that necessitate “cross pattern” motor movements of the larger muscles, i.e., right hand/left leg and left hand/right leg, such as crawling, running, climbing, and skipping, also boosts the autoimmune system and keeps kids healthier.
Too many children today are overweight and unhealthy. Though part of the problem is an inappropriate diet, inactivity is also a major contributing factor. If you have a five-year-old who chooses to watch television or play video games rather than to participate in more active play, help your child to get up and get moving into healthier activities. Moderate to vigorous activity will not only benefit your child now, but will help to build a healthier future. You can bank on it!
Injuries are not unusual with any type of sport. So, it’s a good idea to find out what injury is likely to happen in a particular sport and then to do what it takes to avoid it. The truth is, though, that sports injuries can’t always be avoided. Therefore, it’s important to take excellent care of your body to make incurring injury less probable, or less traumatic. Before beginning a sport, such as golf, the most important thing you can do is to be certain that you have a suitable fitness level. You just might keep your body safe from injury if you stick to these general guidelines: Perpetuate a healthy lifestyle; keep your joints mobile and your muscles limber; prepare your body before to activity; use proper form and good postures during activity; allow yourself sufficient cool down and relaxation time.
Golf injuries don’t simply happen to amateurs. Approximately, one-third of pro golfers playing at any given time are playing injured. On the positive side, overall good health and fitness can reduce how many injuries you may incur and might possibly prevent them altogether.
It is crucial for you to have effectual body strength in the muscle regions most used when golfing. But, it’s essential to make sure your spine is in healthy alignment and that it has good mobility before you set out to build muscle strength. A successful golf swing relies on your spine’s ability to effectually move in a rotational action. Back injuries are the most widespread type of injuries sustained by golfers. Your Sacramento chiropractor will take care that your spine is in proper alignment and that there is effectual movement of the vertebrae. Chiropractic management can go a long way in helping you to avoid back injury.
It’s time to strengthen once you’re “straightened.” A safe, injury-free day on the green depends upon your being prepared for your golf game. You can warm up your muscles and make muscle strain less likely by doing golf stretching and flexibility exercises. Full body range of motion (ROM) exercises will enhance flexibility, often rather quickly, in all regions of the body. Furthermore, elastic band conditioning affords functional golf range of motion benefits and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Because elastic band training provides the dynamic resistance that general weight lifting does not, sports professionals, such as your chiropractor, are adding them to their golf conditioning programs.
Quite a few golfers have painful “Golfer’s Elbow” in addition to back injuries. There is a minute difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow though they are nearly the same. Tennis elbow impinges the outside of the upper arm whereas golfer’s elbow affects the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can result from a single intense action, such as (in golf) thrusting down on the mat at the driving range or hitting a hard fairway surface. But, it most often results from repetitive stress from smaller shocks. In addition, it can happen to those who all of a sudden begin to play too much golf. For instance, if individuals that generally play golf once or twice a month choose to play in a tournament, they are conceivably at risk for developing the injury.
Golf makes exclusive requests of our body. The game is generally longer than most other sports and that can result in fatigue. Bad posture and lack of coordination are often the consequences of a fatigued body. Together, these two components can cause an assortment of injuries. In addition, the shoulder muscles are liable to injury as a result of the continuous swinging of the golf clubs. Just as great care should be taken to make certain that your muscles are stretched and warmed up before starting your golf game, be sure to rest your body appropriately between games.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, perhaps, a surprising injury related to golf. But, as it a problem that happens due to repetitive stress, a numerous amount of games of golf played over several months constantly may create this injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a serious injury creating disability and occasionally necessitating surgery. However, chiropractic management and, sometimes the use of a brace will help the condition if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, diagnoses it at an early stage.
Many golfers seem to assume that injuries are simply an inevitable part of a golfer’s life. Nonetheless, a healthy, mobile spine, judicious preparation, specific exercise and muscle conditioning, reaching and maintaining a an appropriate fitness level, and reasonable rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to make injuries a good deal less a part of your golfing experience.
If you experience the pain caused by fibromyalgia, you don’t need anyone to tell you the difficult symptoms of the condition. The deeply intense aching that radiates, shoots, stings, and even gnaws within your body can be extensive, affecting areas above and below the waist, and often involving both sides of the body.
As if the markedly painful symptoms of fibromyalgia weren’t enough, a surprising ninety percent of fibromyalgia sufferers also have chronic fatigue syndrome, and you might be one of them. It is this “double whammy” that can consequently cause you to not only suffer from pain and fatigue, but also malaise, headaches, numbness and tingling, dizziness, sleep disturbance, swollen feeling in tissues, stiffness, sensitivity to noise and stress, and cognitive impairment.
If you are experiencing the distressing symptoms of one, or both, of these two devastating conditions, you may find it extremely hard to participate in even the simplest activities in life, and you might even be experiencing depression and feeling defeated. But, don’t give up hope because your chiropractor can assist you. Chiropractic treatment has been proven to be highly beneficial in reversing trauma-induced injuries by decreasing irritation to the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that can cause pain, neuromuscular dysfunction, and fatigue.
At this point you may be wondering what “trauma-induced injuries” have to do with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. You may find the connection surprising
While the precise cause of these syndromes is unknown, recent research has pinpointed traumatic neck injuries, such as whiplash and concussion, as risk factors for the onset of both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. And, here’s the thing: though the pain and fatigue produced by spinal injuries can be triggered immediately, frequently it can take months or even years to develop. By the time fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms become apparent, such injuries may be long-forgotten.
your Chicago chiropractor is an expert when it comes to knowledge and treatment of the spine. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be highly effective in reversing trauma-induced spinal injury. If you’ve been experiencing the pain and discomfort produced by fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, see your chiropractor today to discover if chiropractic management can help to eliminate your suffering.
Recently I read an article on sciencedaily.com how caffeine decreased memory loss in aged mice bred to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The article began with the angle that “Coffee drinkers may have another reason to pour that extra cup.” It continued by reporting on a sequence of studies published online July 6 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that demonstrated that caffeine considerably decreased abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, both in the brains and in the blood of mice displaying symptoms of the disease.
However, before you opt to add another cuppa to your daily routine, let me, Dr. Jamie Phillips add that also on the website, under “Related Stories,” were at least two articles regarding studies that professed to prove the negative effects of caffeine, “Morning Jolt of Caffeine May Mask Serious Sleep Problems,” and “Coffee Consumption Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack For Persons With Certain Gene Variation.”
Nearly any angle of thought, it seems to me, especially when it has to do with health and longevity, can be corroborated, or at least given credence, by a number of specific studies. The “good/bad” studies related to caffeine certainly aren’t, by any means, the only ones. Nonetheless, it did get me to thinking about the probability that there will not ever be just “one thing” that will irrefutably help we, humans, to live longer, healthier lives. Humans are dynamic, biological beings. We aren’t raised in a cage! We are actively engaged in life. And, let’s face it, though Alzheimer’s disease may be on the rise, obviously none of us has been “singled out to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” so caffeine isn’t entirely the “one thing” that is going to prevent or reverse it.
Our body is a splendid, intricate system that is based on homeostasis, i.e, balance. It makes sense, then, that good health has more to do with a healthy, balanced attitude towards living, instead of our being blindly convinced by the latest health study and “doing” or “overdoing” one specific thing under the illusion that it will reverse all of the other over-indulgent and harmful things we have done to our bodies.
I believe, as a doctor of chiropractic in Santa Barbara, that every moment of the day we have an opportunity to make decisions that will help us to live longer, healthier lives, healthy choices for our body and mind. We know what actually “feels” beneficial and what doesn’t when it comes to what is good for us. So, the if you reach for that extra cup of coffee or that second glass of red wine, I hope that you’ll think about this. Neither one of those things is the “one thing” that will do “everything” for your age-related health issues.
There are many individuals today battling to lose weight, particularly excess weight around the middle. But, the imperative to lose weight is, more often than not, more than just a cosmetic issue. The fact of the matter is, if people are carrying around too much weight in their stomach area, their back is going to suffer as a result.
The majority of people who are overweight suffer from moderate to severe back pain. This occurs because the spine was not designed to move anything that is heavier than the body is at its normally healthy weight. As a person puts on additional poundage, the spine begins to distort and to compress, creating a lot of pain and discomfort. The pelvis can also be affected and become tilted forward forcing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a major reason why those who are overweight tend to have difficulties with their lower back. The suffering is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.
If this condition sounds sorely familiar, and you’d like to get out pain, certainly the thing to do is to take off the extra weight that you are toting around, and your spine will begin to ease up and reestablish its regular position. But, losing those pounds isn’t easy and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. However, on a positive note you don’t have to continue to experience back pain as you lose the weight. A Costa Mesa chiropractor can offer the pain relief you’ll need as you shed the extra pounds.
But, you will still need to lose the extra pounds, and being free of back pain will genuinely assist you in doing it. Two things that are simple (but not necessarily easy), but will be unquestionably beneficial to you in losing the extra weight naturally are getting some sort of exercise, even if it’s just a little bit per day, and changing your diet so that you are taking in less calories than you use throughout the day. Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. However, now that you know your back is depending on you, it’s the perfect time to get truly galvanized for success.
Start exercising slowly, especially if you’re having problems with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to seek out Costa Mesa chiropractic care so that you don’t make the mistake that many people do, which is to exercise into the pain. That will only make your problem worse. Exercise, though sometimes uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why seeing a chiropractor is beneficial if you’re having difficulties with back pain.
Do basic stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles help to ease back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to give you exercises that are best for you, individually. After a very short period of dedication to shedding the pounds that are creating your back pain and conceivably other health issues as well, you should begin to notice an enormous difference in the way that you feel.
Tennis Elbow, the familiar name for elbow pain originating on the outside, or lateral side, of the elbow occurs when one or more tendons of the forearm muscles become irritated or inflamed. These tendons join to the bony protuberance close to the elbow joint, referred to the lateral epicondyle, hence the medical name, “lateral epicondylitis,” signifying inflammation of the epicondyle. If the affliction is located on the inside, or medial side, of the elbow it is generally called Golfer’s Elbow or medial epicondylitis. This, however, is not as commonplace as lateral epicondylitis.
There are quite a few whys and wherefores for epicondylitis – not just tennis and golf – as any activity or sport that requires repetitive gripping of objects can result in this problem. Inappropriate wrist and arm posture while carrying heavy bags, knitting, chopping food, and/or using a computer can also produce “tennis” or “golfer’s” elbow. Using inappropriate techniques when beginning any sport, trying out new rackets or clubs, or adding to the intensity or duration of an activity or exercise can also cause the affliction.
Some cases involving epicondylitis can be attributed to problems farther up the arm or even in the neck. The nerves that give movement to the forearm muscles may become inflamed because of a disc problem or spinal subluxation, thereby making the muscles tense and placing undue strain on the tendon attachment(s). If this occurs, it predisposes a person to elbow pain from any of the above-mentioned causes. If no treatment is given, joints of the elbow can become subluxated further, and even arthritis can be a difficulty with the condition. Assessment and treatment by a qualified chiropractor, such as your Mount Laurel Chiropractor can fix the condition and eliminate future complications.
Appropriate treatment is essential because epicondylitis seldom, if ever, resolves on its own. A qualified professional such as a chiropractor can determine the exact cause of the problem and initiate the proper care and treatment. This might include modalities such as ultrasound, electro-therapy, massage, hot and cold therapies, bracing, and home stretching and exercises. Mount Laurel Chiropractic management has proved, again and again, to be extremely beneficial in the overall management of this problem.
Scoliosis: An Introduction
A normal spine appears straight, without much change from one side to the other, when the body is seen from behind. However, if the spine is viewed to have a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature, the patient might have a condition called scoliosis.This affliction frequently gives the appearance of the person leaning to one side but it should not be confused with unsatisfactory posture. Expressed by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this complicated deformity oftentimes creates a symptomatic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is produced by the vertebrae in the zone of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior thus creating the characteristic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. If the thoracic curve and rib rotation are severe, more than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be obstructed. This degree of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are oftentimes seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, more often than not, present a threat to life.
Anatomy
The spine discloses four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are apparent from a side view of the trunk. In the lower spine there is a healthy “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest vicinity has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe increased swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Scoliosis changes generally accompany alterations from normal on a side view. Some round back deformities are simply due to bad posture and can often be resolved with postural exercises. A small portion of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are seen in conjunction with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much harder to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.
Even a layman can help to identify a child or grownup with scoliosis just by viewing the person in a standing position, preferably with no shirt and in shorts, and observing the following:
- One shoulder may be more elevated than the other.
- One scapula (shoulder blade) may be raised or more conspicuous than the other.
- With the arms hanging loosely at the sides, there may be more room between the arm and the body on one side.
- One hip may seem to be higher or more pronounced than the other.
- The head is not in plumb with the pelvis.
- One side of the back appears more elevated than the other when the individual is viewed from the rear and asked to bend forward until the the spine is horizontal.
The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further diagnosis once scoliosis is identified. your chiropractor would be happy to help.
The most common class of scoliosis is, by far, Idiopathic, and though there are many different roots and many kinds, Idiopathic Scoliosis accounts for approximately 85% of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is witnessed with equal occurrence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. Depending on the age of onset, this disorder can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent categories. Idiopathic Scoliosis frequently runs in families and may be caused by genetic or hereditary influences. Though it is unknown why, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves grow in size and require treatment. As the term “Idiopathic Scoliosis” implies, this class of scoliosis more often than not occurs when children are completing their last major growth spurt. It is a good idea to have this age group viewed by a professional on a regular basis because young people are hesitant to let their body to be viewed by parents or other adults.
It is crucial that if a scoliotic curve is discovered in a growing adolescent, the curves be monitored for any change by a periodic examination and on occasion standing x-rays. In ninety percent of instances, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, however increases in spinal deformity require evaluation to decide if a brace or other management is necessary. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be necessary.~Surgery may be necessary for a small number of people.
Brace therapy (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is identified, or when new cases of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are found. There are quite a few styles of braces, all made to prevent curves from increasing through the process of acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces will not usually make the spine completely straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. However, bracing is successful in preventing curve progression in an impressive percentage of skeletally-immature adolescents.
There is no simple solution for scoliosis. The majority of cases, even though regularly monitored, are not actively treated. Severe symptoms are sometimes treated surgically, but the general medical treatment for moderate symptoms is a brace. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.
Besides bracing, many other methods have been used successfully such as specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments. It appears that the best results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this affliction.
There are chiropractors, that have excellent success managing scoliosis conditions.
San Diego Chiropractor: Chiropractic and Arthritis
Do you suffer from painful arthritis? Do you also have a problem with your weight? If you’ve answered yes to both questions, it’s conceivable that you’re having back pain not only due to arthritis, but also because of the burden your weight is putting on your spine. The body was not constructed to carry around additional weight in the form of body fat. If you are carrying around even an additional 20 or 30 pounds on a regular basis, your spine, which supports the body, is being put under a tremendous amount of strain. This sort of strain can produce aberrations of the vertebral column. These misaligned vertebra can cause arthritic changes in the spine and persist in causing inflammation to the degenerative changes that have begun. In addition, your body may offset in other ways, such as by your hips moving forward or tilting to support the excess pounds. This can pinch the sciatic nerve, which is intensely painful.
A current survey by the NPD Group, a leading market research company based in Rosemont, Ill., reveals that approximately 62% of adults and 34% of children are overweight or obese. The prevalence of arthritis escalates with growing weight. Research indicates that sustaining a healthy weight lessens the risk of developing arthritis in the first place and may decrease degenerative progression. A weight decrease of just 11 pounds can reduce the occurrence (incidence) of new knee osteoarthritis and would be highly effective in relieving back pain as well.
In order for a person to eliminate their back pain, knee pain, and pain in the joints in other places in the body, a nutritious diet and regular exercise is mandatory. Although you have likely been hearing this for most of your life, it genuinely is the only way for you to get out of pain and regain your life.
First of all, let’s talk about the topic of dieting. There are many different ways to diet and the majority of them are effective only as a Band-Aid. Just think about it, if you were to lose weight for keeps, the diet industry would lose a regular customer! Eating a healthy diet (as a lifestyle choice and not just a temporary fix) and reducing your calories so that you are using more calories than you are taking in is the only method of losing weight in a healthy, permanent way. Shedding a lot of pounds too rapidly is not only temporary, but dangerous. Losing about 2 pounds every week will take off the weight and improve your health.
Research has proved that exercise and physical activity not only reduces pain and enhances function, but truly delays disability. A minimum of one-half hour of moderate physical activity, no fewer than 3 days a week, has proved to be effective. Even at 10-minute intervals such movement is beneficial.
Chiropractic manipulation is an excellent way to get mobility back in the joints of your spine and other regions of, and can be a good first step prior to starting an exercise program. A spine in alignment makes exercise and physical activity much easier and actually slows down arthritic degenerative changes. The Annals of Internal Medicine released the findings of a survey of 232 people who were under a rheumatologist’s care for their arthritis. Of those people, 63% responded to the survey by stating that they were using some form of “complementary care” as named by the study. Of those people, 31% were trying chiropractic. Likely the most notable statistic was that 73% of those trying chiropractic found it helpful. Indicating why they’d tried the non-medical chiropractic care, people provided a number of reasons: 1) to control pain, 2) they’d been told that it helps, 3) they felt certain that it is safe, 4) it had helped someone they knew, and 5) because their prescription medication wasn’t doing the job.
Chiropractors, also called doctors of chiropractic, have been helping people suffering from back pain due to arthritis in addition to other arthritic conditions for over a hundred years. Your San Diego chiropractor treats misaligned vertebra that, in addition to producing arthritic pain and degenerative changes in the spine, can decrease resistance and immunity, which can lead to new health challenges.
It is always wise to see a health care professional to talk about diet and exercise. Your chiropractor is an excellent resource for advice on the kind of lifestyle changes that you will find necessary to aid you in managing your arthritis. Furthermore, besides correcting any misalignments in your spine, your chiropractor will evaluate any faulty gait patterns or posture irregularities that may be adding to your arthritic pain.
It isn’t always requisite for you to find a traditional healing technique if you are experiencing back pain. As a matter of fact, some natural techniques may actually be able to help you overcome the pain, even when medical science is unable to do so. Medical methods, by their nature, are inclined to treat the symptoms of a problem, not the origin. However, natural approaches seek out the fundamental cause of the discomfort. If you’re interested in experiencing natural techniques that have been confirmed to be potent in relieving back pain and a number of other afflictions, you need look no further than chiropractic and acupuncture.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been performed in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is acquiring popularity in other parts of the world and for an excellent reason: A vast number of individuals have experienced relief from their back pain and a number of other afflictions by visiting an acupuncturist on a regular basis. Pursuant to traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy, small needles are introduced into the body at specific points that are believed to affect multifarious areas of the body. Customarily, only the needles are used, however at times and especially today, small electrical currents are directed through the needles into the body. Although it may seem as if it would hurt, it seldom ever does and, actually, almost all people experience relaxation and pleasurable sensations whenever they are undergoing acupuncture treatments.
Chiropractic
A Honolulu chiropractor, also called a doctor of chiropractic, has been treating individuals suffering from back pain and other problems for over a hundred years. A chiropractor cares for individuals who are experiencing musculoskeletal and nervous system challenges. Chiropractic medicine addresses the misalignments of the vertebral column that impede the operation of the nervous system. These misaligned vertebra can lessen resistance and immunity, thus causing new health challenges. A proficient chiropractor has excellent observational and diagnostic skills that assist in uncovering physical anomalies and joint complications. Many chiropractors employ neurological tests and orthopedic examinations. Some will analyze the posture of an individual as a tool for identifying postural anomalies, and in addition may study someones gait to pinpoint faulty movement patterns. Chiropractic care non-invasive, drug-free treatment and in addition will offer advice and provide education concerning the advantages of individual lifestyle changes, such as in exercise and nutrition.
So, if you suffer with back pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, balance challenges, or arthritis, and you’ve tried a number of other things and and you’re still suffering, chiropractic and acupuncture may be able to help. One way to find out for sure is to make an appointment with a good chiropractor or acupuncturist, and to allow them to explain to you precisely what they can do for you. It’s very possible that you will experience some relief from your suffering even after only one visit. With subsequent visits, you will make more advancements and improvements, and it is likely that you will discover that these natural treatments work best for your back pain.
There was a time when sports injuries were mostly limited to professional athletes, boys participating in school sports programs, and the occasional male “weekend warrior. Today, a large number of people of both sexes and all ages are regularly active in sports and fitness activities. There are women playing traditionally men’s sports such as soccer, basketball, and kick-boxing. Many people of both sexes play golf, tennis, basketball, and/or participate in aerobic activities like running. Despite the activity,though, there is perpetually the risk of injury.
Nearly all of injuries fall into two categories: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.
Traumatic Injuries
As the name implies, this sort of injury creates the kind of incapacitation and debilitation most often associated with trauma. A high percentage of traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, but fractures and dislocations do take place at times, especially with contact sports. A strain is any harm to either a muscle or its tendon, and a sprain is an injury to ligaments. Sprains and strains most frequently occur in the ankles, knees, and shoulders, and not as commonly in the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be quite serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.
Traumatic injuries can range from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem needing surgery. It is contingent upon the amount of tearing of the tissues, the area of the body, and the age of the person. Almost all sprains and strains are identified with some degree of swelling and on occasion with internal bleeding, in particular with injury to the ankles and knees. Strains and sprains demand appropriate attention, particularly during the initial stages of an injury, to assure complete healing and protect against future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly recommended.
The following is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains expressly if no professional help is available: PRICE
P Protect injury to avoid additional damage
R Rest the injured area
I Ice injury to decrease swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E Elevate the injury, especially when dealing with ankles and knees
As formerly mentioned, proper diagnosis and management are crucial to a complete recovery. A chiropractor can determine the degree of your injury and start appropriate recovery treatment. Nearly all of these injuries can recover, although they do require knowledgeable treatment during the various stages of healing. If not carefully monitored and treated, a sprain or strain injury can result in long-lasting joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A chiropractor that is educated in the treatment of sports injuries can offer highly knowledgeable advice and care you’ll require to insure that your injury will heall in the best possible way. Call your Santa Barbara chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.
Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries
Sports such as golf, tennis, and bowling, as well as any other activity that demands the same motions over and over are prevalent reasons for repetitive stress injuries. Even running, particularly on a treadmill, can produce such afflictions.
Essentially, overuse or repetitive stress injuries happen when someone is occupied in a repetitious activity that causes a tiny strain to tissues, especially tendons and muscles, that alone would not generate a problem, but done many times has an accumulative effect. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent types of overuse injuries. The pain, stiffness, and disability concomitant with carpal tunnel problems happens over a period of time as the muscles and other affected tissue establish changes that no longer permit correct function. Specific factors predispose a person to these sorts of injury. Some are “intrinsic,” meaning the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” which means that the factors are external and can frequently be changed or controlled by the person.
Some of the most common intrinsic factors for injury
Age is the mostgeneral intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that person to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. A number of people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, lastly, previous injuries are a factor as they frequently prevent the joints or muscles from functioning normally.
Extrinsic factors for injury
There are many extrinsic injury factors. An inappropriate grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all instances of deficient sports equipment that can create problems. Inept technique in any sport, such as an unsuitable golf grip is, as unfortunately, an injury waiting to happen A further factor is poor conditioning. A number of men and women are injured because they are deconditioned. Elevated frequency or lengthly duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can create the circumstances for injury. Insufficient flexibility can cause injury if someone is too stiff to do an activity correctly. Warming up is vital prior to sports activities and lack of warm-up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a prevalent cause of injury. And, finally, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible because of stress are too tight and, hence, unprepared for most sports activities.
It is encouraging to remember that most factors are extrinsic and, hence, they are factors that can be individually managed. Before beginning a new sport, or as a way to avoid injury in a current sport, it’s smart to get an evaluation of your current body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is vital to seek out a experienced professional, like a chiropractor, to assess the nature of the injury and create a plan of care. If left untreated, an injury will not only prevent someone from participating in a favorite activity, but can significantly affect someone’s life in general. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is a good source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.