There’s a lot of reasons for the disorder of Vertigo. An inner ear ailment, known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, can occasionally occur as the outcome of a sustained head injury or very bad cold. Quite often this particular vertigo is caused by the aging process. The root cause, often times though, fairly often is not known. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is a wordy diagnosis, but it characterizes perfectly this non- progressive condition that is attributable to, as its name connotes, a sudden change in head posture. The symptoms are inherently unpredicted and varied.

It can be advantageous to look at the functionality of the inner ear in an effort grasp what causes the ofttimes crippling discomforts of this kind of vertigo. The brain senses motion and maintains balance employing the fluid found in the inner ear. Also in the inner ear are minute calcium carbonate crystals, generally known as otoconia. The crystals are inclined float in the inner ear fluid if dislodged. As the crystals strike against the sensitive nerve endings in the inner ear, they stimulate the disorder of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV.

The good news is that chiropractic treatment can relieve the discomforts of BPPV very quickly and effectively using a technique that is known as the Epley maneuver. Through the use of this treatment, a chiropractor turns the head of a BPPV sufferer into a number of different positions, letting gravity move the calcium carbonate crystals into a local of the inner ear that is away from the nerve endings where they will result in no further dizziness.

Your chiropractor has helped hundreds of persons for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo employing the Epley Maneuver technique. Usually, with just one treatment many patients no longer suffer from dizziness.  Call Oakland Chiropractic to make an appointment today!

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Knee X-ray

People 65 years and older with knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, enhance their physical capability and experience less pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis that produces an erosion of joint cartilage. Chiropractors provide therapy for quite a few people who have developed OA in a number of areas of the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace conditions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal abnormalities. In fact, an astounding 4.3 million individuals in the U.S. over age 60 have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it conjectures that by age 85, half of the people in America may incur symptoms of OA. Knee OA causes pain, immobility, functional disabilities, and a decreased quality of life.

Are you wondering why so many men and women develop OA? As with the majority of the musculoskeletal problems that we develop as we get older, undue stress to a joint day after day is a major factor. That is why as people get older they are more likely to develop OA in their knees, as well as other joints. Improper function of the knee, improper gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and overuse of the knee joint all create excessive stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint take place. In addition to chiropractic treatment, chiropractors wholeheartedly support natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can decrease knee pain. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that produce peace of mind, as well as improved balance, an increase in strength, and improved flexibility.

Though in good health otherwise, the 40 men and women with confirmed OA that were selected for the Tufts study were on an average 65 years of age and overweight. Participants were randomly chosen to take part in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.

Tai Chi involves many of the current exercise suggestions for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. As an added benefit, researchers found that the “mental component” of Tai Chi stimulated a sense of well-being, life enjoyments, and personal concepts of health that helped the participants to deal differently with chronic pain. Significantly, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a considerable decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, knee OA, knee pain, osteoarthritis, Tai Chi, Tufts University School of Medicine

Knee X-ray

New research coming out of Tufts University School of Medicine had concluded that patients 65 years of age and over who suffer from knee osteoarthritis (OA), and who practice Tai Chi, increased their physical capability and experienced less pain. Osteoarthritis is a general form of arthritis that causes a wearing away of joint cartilage. Chiropractors help a large number men and women who have developed OA in a number of regions of the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most widespread conditions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal abnormalities. In fact, an astounding 4.3 million US adults over 60 years of age have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it conjectures that half of the people in America may suffer from symptoms of OA in at least one knee by age 85. Knee OA causes pain, immobility, functional disabilities, and a diminished quality of life.

Are you wondering why so many adults develop OA? As with nearly all of the musculoskeletal conditions that we develop as we get older, undue stress to a joint over the years is a major determinant. Therefore, as people age they are more at risk for developing OA in their knees, as well as other joints. Improper function of the knee, improper gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and repetitive use of the knee joint all produce undue stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint develop. Most chiropractors advocate such natural, drug-free practices as Tai Chi, in addition to their chiropractic management. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that produce mental relaxation, as well as an enhancement of balance, an augmentation of strength, and enhanced flexibility.

Though in good health otherwise, the 40 men and women with confirmed OA that were chosen for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age and overweight. Participants were selected at random to participate in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.

Tai Chi practice incorporates the kind of range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout that is consistent with contemporary exercise protocols for osteoarthritis. Furthermore, researchers found that the “mental aspect” of Tai Chi encouraged a sense of well-being, life satisfaction, and perceptions of health that assisted the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Compared with the control group, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a considerable decrease in knee pain.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, knee OA, knee pain, osteoarthritis, Tai Chi, Tufts University School of Medicine

Researchers found that of the “least-fit” versus the “slightly more fit” in a recent study of nearly 4,400 healthy U.S. adults, roughly 20 percent with the lowest physical fitness levels were twice as likely to die over the nine years of the study as the 20 percent with the next-lowest fitness levels. (That is to say, those 20 percent who were close to the lowest fitness levels.) This is the time-honored “bad news/good news” type of result. It is undoubtedly bad news if you are a confirmed sofa spud. However, it is genuinely good news for those who haven’t quite hit rock bottom in the sedentary lifestyle department but are not, by any stretch of the imagination, “exertive.” Apparently, those people who continue to be just moderately fit as they grow older may live longer than those who are completely out-of-shape, the study suggests.

The study included 4,384 middle-aged and senior men and women whose fitness levels were determined during exercise treadmill tests sometime between 1986 and 2006. For approximately nine years thereafter, the researchers pursued the study groups progress. Such factors as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure were considered in the study. This, in and of itself, accentuates the importance of physical fitness itself. In an email to Reuters Health, Dr. Sandra Mandic, of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, and lead researcher of the study wrote: “Our findings suggest that a sedentary lifestyle, rather than differences in cardiovascular risk factors or age, may explain the two-fold higher mortality rates in the least-fit versus slightly more fit individuals.”

Nearly two-thirds of the least-fit study participants were not getting the minimum recommended amount of exercise, which is at least 30 minutes of moderate activity (like brisk walking) five or more days a week. “These results emphasize the importance of improving and maintaining high fitness levels by engaging in regular physical activity,” Mandic said, “particularly in poorly-fit individuals.”

After separating the study group participants by fitness levels, the researchers found that 13 percent of those who were in slightly better shape had died during the study period. But, 25 percent of the least-fit participants had died during the same period. Among adults in the most-fit group (the ones who “hit bull’s eyes and grand slams,” so to speak) only 6 percent died during the follow-up period.

The notable finding was that overall, the five fitness-level groups showed little difference in their reported exercise practices over their adult lives, but where they contrasted was their activity levels in recent years. “Since it is recent physical activity that offers protection,” Mandic said, “it is important to maintain regular physical activity throughout life.”

In this particular study, irrespective of weight and other health issues such as those mentioned above, fitness is undeniably linked to longevity. Therefore, exercise is essential to the extension of our lifespan. And, of course, just think of the health advantages we could all experience if we worked our way up into the higher levels of fitness.

SOURCE: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, August 2009.

Technorati Tags: exercise, longevity, middle age, physical fitness

Researchers found that of the “least-fit” versus the “slightly more fit” of the nearly 4,400 healthy Americans in their recent study, roughly 20 percent with the lowest physical fitness levels doubled the risk of dying over the next nine years as the 20 percent with the next-lowest fitness levels. (To put it another way, those 20 percent who were almost at the lowest fitness levels.) This is the proverbial “bad news/good news” type of result. It is certainly bad news if you are a dyed-in-the-wool spectator in life. However, it is definitely good news for those who haven’t entirely embraced a sedentary lifestyle but are not, by definition, very active. Apparently, those men and women who remain only moderately fit as they age may have greater longevity than those who are completely out-of-shape, the study suggests.

Between 1986 and 2006, researchers assessed the fitness levels of 4,384 middle-aged and senior men and women during exercise treatmill tests. For approximately nine years thereafter, the researchers followed the study groups progress. The study considered such factors like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. This, in and of itself, highlights the importance of physical fitness itself. In an email to Reuters Health, Dr. Sandra Mandic, of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, and lead researcher of the study noted: “Our findings suggest that a sedentary lifestyle, rather than differences in cardiovascular risk factors or age, may explain the two-fold higher mortality rates in the least-fit versus slightly more fit individuals.”

Nearly two-thirds of the participants at the least-fit level failed to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity, five or more days a week, which was the minimum recommended amount of exercise. “These results emphasize the importance of improving and maintaining high fitness levels by engaging in regular physical activity,” Mandic said, “particularly in poorly-fit individuals.”

Dividing the participants into five groups based on fitness levels, the researchers found that 25 percent of the least-fit individuals had died during the study period, as opposed to 13 percent of those who were in slightly better shape. Among adults in the most-fit group (the ones who “hit the bull’s eyes,” so to speak) only 6 percent died during the follow-up period.

The five fitness-level groups reported little dissimilarity, overall, in their reported exercise habits during most of their adult lives, but notably, they differed in activity levels only in recent years. “Since it is recent physical activity that offers protection,” Mandic said, “it is important to maintain regular physical activity throughout life.”

In this particular study, despite weight and other health issues such as those mentioned above, fitness is clearly linked to longevity. As such, exercise is crucial to the extension of our lifespan. And, perhaps it goes without saying, imagine the health advantages we could all obtain if we worked towards the higher levels of fitness.

SOURCE: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, August 2009.

Technorati Tags: exercise, longevity, middle age, physical fitness

Why is it a good idea to get adjusted? You’ve probably noticed that your body is going through a variety of changes, and these adjustments will continue as the pregnancy progresses. A subtle change is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This easing gives the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.

This process, although designed to help the mother during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in increased amounts as the months go on, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. In combination with the increased size of the baby and uterus, and you have the recipe for severe low back pain. As a chiropractor, I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but most commonly it is for their low back pain.

A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that it has been shown to actually decrease labor time. Why is that you ask? Simply put, if the pelvis is aligned properly, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient because they don’t have to fight past misaligned joints.

Not only can chiropractic help you with your low back pain and other associated symptoms, such as heartburn, nausea, swelling, etc., but it is safe for both you and your baby. And, if needed, certain trained chiropractors can also help mothers who have a breached baby. This is done by using the Webster Technique, a low force technique to manipulate the uterus and get the baby into the proper presentation for delivery. Additional information on the Webster Technique can easily be found online.

In summation: Not only is chiropractic safe for pregnant women and their baby, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant woman reading this, I advise you to please go to see your chiropractor. Chiropractic care can make you quite a bit more comfortable in the months of your pregnancy, and make your labor process easier.

Technorati Tags: breached baby, chiropractic adjustment, chiropractor, heartburn, nausea, pregnancy, swelling, Webster Technique

As if the acutely painful symptoms of fibromyalgia weren’t enough, a surprising ninety percent of fibromyalgia sufferers also experience chronic fatigue syndrome, perhaps you might be one of them. This “double whammy” can consequently cause you to not only suffer from pain and fatigue, but also melancholy, headaches, numbness and tingling, dizziness, sleep disturbance, swollen feeling in tissues, stiffness, sensitivity to noise and stress, and cognitive impairment.

If you are someone who experiences the distressing symptoms of one, or both, of these two pernicious conditions, you may find it extremely hard to take part in even the simplest activities in life, and you might even be feeling depressed and defeated. Fortunately, your chiropractor can assist you. Chiropractic treatment has been found to be highly beneficial in reversing trauma-induced injuries by decreasing irritation to the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that can trigger pain, neuromuscular dysfunction, and fatigue.

What do “trauma-induced injuries” have to do with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? The answer may surprise you.

While the exact cause of these syndromes is unknown, recent research has pinpointed traumatic neck injuries, like whiplash and concussion, for example, 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 begin immediately, often it can take quite a long time, perhaps months or years to develop. By the time fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms appear, such injuries may be long-forgotten.

your chiropractor is an expert when it comes to knowledge and treatment of the spine. Chiropractic management has been shown to be extraordinarily effective in reversing trauma-induced spinal injury. See your chiropractor today to see if chiropractic eliminate the pain and suffering you’ve been experiencing from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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Though hip pain and related problems can generally be traced to age-related degenerative conditions, particularly osteoarthritis of the hip joint, osteoarthritis isn’t always the culprit. In fact, rather than being the original source of the problem, osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be the ultimate result of damage to your hips earlier.

Gait changes as the result of biomechanical issues such as an ankle sprain or knee strain, can generate hip pain. Furthermore, your gait may shift to compensate for new body demands such as a job change, an alteration in the way you sit, a new sport or activity, or if you start driving for long periods of time on a regular basis..

In addition, gait asymmetries can occur from leg length discrepancies, foot pronation problems, even carrying a baby or small child on your hip. The point is, anything that creates an asymmetry or imbalance when you are moving can develop into painful hip problems.

Along with your adjustments, as part of the chiropractic management of your hip problem your chiropractor may determine that you require orthotics. Your chiropractor will also offer applicable progressive rehabilitative exercises that include muscle stretching and strengthening.

Hip pain won’t diminish on its own. Hip pain indicates that something needs to be remedied. Get out of pain, get back in balance, and get your life back now!

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, hip pain, osteoarthritis

The path of sciatic pain is typically from your low back, through the buttock(s), and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of your leg(s). Often, the pain may even travel into your knee. Motion and sitting, alike can generate pain. On occasion lying down will reduce, or perhaps briefly eliminate, the pain. But, sciatica will not be remedied without suitable management.

“Radiculopathy,” the medical term for the clinical diagnosis of sciatica, means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. Such pressure is especially painful.

Additional pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine, can take place as a consequence of extended sitting, specifically in a poor position. Usually, a precise event or definite injury doesn’t create sciatica, but, on the contrary, it tends to come about over time as a consequence of commonplace wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Over time the lower spine loses its capacity to function normally during everyday stresses.

Finally, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, which then lets the soft nucleus extend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it generates the pain that is frequently referred to as a ruptured disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, then sciatica can develop.

Most disc challenges, including sciatica, can be corrected with chiropractic adjustments and management that frequently includes postural exercises. If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it is important for you to seek help from your chiropractor.

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Golf injuries don’t simply happen to amateurs. Close to one-third of pro golfers playing in the same time frame are playing injured. The good news is that general good health and fitness can reduce how many injuries you may incur and might possibly preclude them totally.

Good body strength in the muscle zones most employed when golfing is vital. However, it’s prudent to make sure your spine is in proper alignment and that it has good mobility before you set out to build muscle strength. A successful golf swing is contingent upon your spine’s ability to adequately rotate adequately. Back injuries are the most common sort of injuries experienced by golfers. To get the help you need so that your spine is in healthy alignment and there is efficient movement in the vertebrae, see your chiropractor. Chiropractic care can go a long way in helping you to prevent back injury.

It’s time to strengthen once you’re “straightened.” Safe, injury-free action on the green is dependent upon your being prepared for your golf game. You can warm up your muscles and make straining them less likely by doing golf stretching and flexibility exercises. Full body range of motion (ROM) exercises will increase flexibility, fairly speedily, in all regions of the body. Furthermore, elastic band conditioning offers targeted golf range of motion improvements and can build needed power in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Since elastic band training provides the dynamic resistance that general weight lifting does not, sports professionals, such as your chiropractor, are making them a part of their golf conditioning programs.

Besides back injuries, quite a few golfers have painful “Golfer’s Elbow.” There is a small difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow despite the fact that they are nearly identical injuries. Tennis elbow disturbs the outside of the upper arm whereas golfer’s elbow affects the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be the consequence of a single extreme action, such as (in golf) thrusting down on the mat at the driving range or hitting a hard fairway surface. But, it most often is produced by repetitive stress from smaller shocks. In addition, it can come upon those who suddenly begin to play too much golf. As a case in point, if those that ordinarily play golf once or twice a month elect to enter into a tournament, they are likely at risk for incurring the injury.

Golf makes distinctive requests of our body. Fatigue can be problematic because the game generally lasts longer than most other sports. Bad posture and impeded coordination are often the result of a fatigued body. These two factors combined can cause a number of injuries. In addition, because of the repetitive swinging of the golf clubs, the shoulder muscles are prone to injury. Just as it is vital for you to stretch and warm up prior to starting your golf game, be sure to rest your body properly between games.

An unexpected injury sometimes associated with golf is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. But, this injury can be induced by numerous games of golf played over several months continuously as it is an affliction that occurs due to repetitive stress Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a serious injury creating incapacitation and on occasion necessitating surgery. However, chiropractic management and, sometimes the use of a brace will alleviate the problem if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, diagnoses it at an early stage.

Injuries are assumed to be unavoidable part of life for most golfers. But, a healthy, mobile spine, good preparation, proper exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and sustaining a a suitable fitness level, and sensible rest and recuperation after your game is over, can assisting in making injuries much less a part of your golfing experience.

Technorati Tags: back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chiropractor, golfer's elbow, shoulder pain