Archive for low back pain
As a Ventura chiropractor I treat many pregnant women not only for common low back pain associated with pregnancy, but for other pregnancy symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and swelling due to water retention or joint stress. A healthy pregnancy is crucial for both mother and baby. And although regular chiropractic care during pregnancy is very important, there are many other influences that can affect a woman’s health during her pregnancy. Some of these influences are well-known, but others are not. In fact, I just ran across a new study released in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives that discusses the effects of high levels of common flame-retardant chemicals on the thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women. It is the first large study to investigate levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their effects on the highly sensitive thyroid hormone in pregnant women. “Normal maternal thyroid hormone levels are essential for normal fetal growth and brain development,” stated Jonathan Chevrier, one of the study’s authors and a researcher in epidemiology and in environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley, “so our findings could have significant public health implications.”
Where are PBDEs found? Just about everywhere, such as in carpets, textiles, foam furnishings, electronics and plastics. PBDEs can leach out into the environment and accumulate in human fat cells. Is it any wonder then that PBDEs can be found in the blood of most American residents? And, if you live in California the situation is even more criticaul because of the state’s rigorous flammability laws. Concentrations of the chemicals in blood and breast milk have increased dramatically in the last three decades.
Though it is not currently known just how the chemicals interfere with thyroid function, researchers believe that PBDEs could bind to thyroid receptors and alter how the hormone is released. The bottom line, however, is that these chemicals are dangerous, especially for pregnant women. “Our results suggest that exposure to PBDE flame retardants may have unanticipated human health risks,” said Brenda Eskenazi, a professor of epidemiology and of maternal and child health at UC Berkeley.
Let’s face it, there’s just nothing good to say about belly fat. In fact, when you look at all the studies that have come out recently about the adverse effects of excess weight around the midsection, even Santa Clause doesn’t look all that jolly anymore. As your Ventura chiropractor, I’ve explained to my overweight patients who are experiencing low back pain that too much weight in the middle is likely the culprit. The spine wasn’t designed to haul around excess weight on a regular basis. As an individual puts on extra fat in the belly, the spine starts to distort and compress, which creates pain and discomfort. Belly fat can also cause the pelvis to tilt forward and pinch the sciatic nerve. But, if low back pain and sciatica aren’t enough to get you to change your eating and exercise habits, how about this: A new preliminary study suggests that excess fat in the abdomen during middle age can actually boost the risk of dementia later in life!
It is estimated 24.3 million people worldwide suffer from dementia. In the new study, researchers at Boston University School of Medicine examined the medical records of 733 people with an average age of 60 years. (Note: Nearly 70 percent were women.) The study found that increasing levels of body-mass index in middle-aged individuals corresponded with lower brain volumes when they are older, i.e., lost mental capacity, especially when the excess fat was in the middle.
So, there you have it. You have one more good reason to get rid of those extra pounds, especially around your midsection. Lose the weight, lose your back pain, and avoid losing your mind!
Ventura Chiropractor: If You Suffer From Low Back Pain, You’re Not Alone
Posted by: | CommentsYour Ventura Chiropractor wants you to know that you’re not alone if you’re experiencing low back pain. Low back pain affects a large majority of people, an amazing 80% in fact, making it second only to the common cold in its extent. Although, unlike the common cold, waiting for your back pain to “run its course,” and taking prescription or over-the-counter remedies while you wait, is not the cure. The majority of back pain won’t go away by itself. Many time, if your pain eases, it is usually the result of your body’s compensating for the problem, and unfortunately producing new conditions. Low back pain is nothing to sneeze at! If you want to get rid of your back pain for good (and who wouldn’t?), you need to see a back pain expert, like your chiropractor.
In many instances back pain is a mystery to many of the people who experience it, and chiropractors are proficient at solving the puzzle. These individuals want to know why it is that they have not experienced any trauma, accidents, or major injuries before the onset of their condition? The answer is that the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related determinants cause most back pain. These factors eventually add up and create stresses and imbalances on the spine producing subluxations that can lead to serious back conditions. The process is similar to the front end of your car being out of alignment. When you persist in driving anyway, there is uneven wear and tear on your tires. If you don’t get the problem fixed, the situation could worsen until a tire “blows.” When the spine is misaligned, the health of the spine is put at risk. It’s not only a problem waiting to happen, so to speak, it’s a problem waiting to get worse. And then, something as simple as bending over to pick up a piece of paper can be the “final factor” that generates back injury. When this takes place, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to stabilize the stressed or injured tissues of the back.
When it comes to conditions of the spine, chiropractors have more education, training, and experience than medical doctors. They provide expert diagnosis and experienced treatment for all muscular-skeletal problems. In addition to giving welcomed relief to those suffering from back pain, but they are knowledgeable about what will help you to avoid further back pain. Your chiropractor not only will provide you with effectual adjustments and other productive chiropractic therapies but, in addition, will design a personal exercise plan and suggest other beneficial lifestyle changes that will help to keep you well-adjust and pain-free in the future.
Ventura Chiroprator is An Expert When It Comes to Back Pain
Posted by: | CommentsYour Ventura Chiropractor is an spine expert and knows what it takes to get rid of your back pain. If you’re experiencing low back pain, you’re not alone. Low back pain affects many people, an amazing 80% in fact, making it second only to the common cold in its prevalence. However, contrary to the common cold, waiting for your back pain to “run its course,” and taking prescription or over-the-counter remedies while you wait, is not the remedy. The majority of back pain won’t go away by itself. Frequently, if your pain decreases, it is most likely the result of your body’s compensating for the problem and, consequently causing new challenges. Low back pain is nothing to sneeze at! You need to see a back pain expert, like your chiropractor, if you’d like to eliminate your back pain for good!
Back pain is commonly a mystery to most people who are afflicted by it, and chiropractors are proficient at solving that mystery. Sufferers ask: Why is it that I have not experienced any trauma, accidents, or major injuries prior to the onset of their pain? The answer is that the cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, poor work habits, improper lifting, lack of routine exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related determinants create most back pain.
These factors eventually add up and create stresses and imbalances on the spine creating subluxations that can lead to serious back conditions. The process is similar to the front end of your car being out of alignment. When you insist upon driving anyway, there is disproportionate wear and tear on your tires. If you didn’t get the problem fixed, the situation would, no doubt, get worse until you “blew” a tire. The health of the spine is threatened when your spine is misaligned. In other words, it’s not only a problem waiting to happen, it’s a problem waiting to get worse. And then, something as easy as bending over to pick up a piece of paper can be the “final factor” that generates back injury. When this takes place, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm in order to stabilize the stressed or injured tissues of the back.
Chiropractors have more education, training, and experience than medical doctors regarding dysfunctions of the spine. They provide highly qualified diagnosis and effective treatment for all muscular-skeletal problems. They not only provide welcomed relief if you are suffering from back pain, but they know what will help you to avoid further back pain. Your chiropractor will not only provide you with effectual adjustments and other productive chiropractic therapies but, additionally, will offer a personalized exercise strategy and give advice about other beneficial lifestyle changes that will help to keep you well-adjusted and pain-free in the future.
