Archive for low back pain
Camarillo Chiropractor Warns About Harmful PBDEs Effects On Thyroid of Pregnant Women
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As a Camarillo 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.
As a Chiropractor, I know that you may be wondering if chiropractic adjustments are safe during pregnancy. Well, the answer is “Most definitely!” In fact, it’s a very smart idea to get adjusted while you are pregnant.
You’ve probably noticed that your body is going through quite a few changes, and these alterations will continue as your pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in your pelvis. This relaxation allows your pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering your baby easier.
This process, though wonderful in assisting during labor, can produce much discomfort in the months leading up to the birth. As your pregnancy advances, more elastin is released, which allows your pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. Add to that the gradual increase in the size of your baby and uterus, and you have the recipe for severe low back pain. As a Chiropractor who treats many different musculoskeletal challenges, I find that many pregnant women come into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy but, as a rule, the main complaint is low back pain.
One side benefit of having your spine and pelvis checked by a chiropractor regularly during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why? Simply put, if your pelvis is aligned properly, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient because they don’t have to fight past misaligned joints.
chiropractic adjustments are not only safe and beneficial in relieving the low back pain associated with pregnancy, but other symptoms like heartburn, nausea, swelling, and so on. And, if needed, a well-trained chiropractor can also help with 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 position for delivery. (A simple Google search on the Webster Technique can give you much more information.)
If you are pregnant, you can feel confident in seeing your chiropractor. And, of course, I’d be more than happy to assist you. Chiropractic care can not only make you a lot more comfortable in the months of your pregnancy, but it can make your labor process easier as well!
Your Camarillo Chiropractor Warns: Low Back Pain is Nothing to Sneeze At!
Posted by: | CommentsIf you’re experiencing low back pain, your Chiropractor wants you to know that 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 frequency. 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 answer. The majority of back pain won’t go away by itself. More often than not, if your pain lessens, it is usually due to the fact that your body has compensated for the problem and, unfortunately, is generating new conditions. Obviously, low back pain is nothing to sneeze at! If you’d like to eliminate your back pain for good (and who wouldn’t?), it is important for you to see a back pain expert, like your Chiropractor.
Back pain is often a mystery to most people who are suffering from it, and chiropractors are skilled in solving their confusion. Most individuals ask: “Why is it that I have not experienced any trauma, accidents, or major injuries before the onset of my pain?” The answer is that the cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, bad work habits, improper lifting, lack of routine exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors create most back pain.
These elements add up over time and produce stresses and imbalances on the spine causing subluxations that can turn into 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 irregular wear and tear on your tires. If you didn’t get the problem fixed, the situation would worsen until a tire “blew.” When the spine is misaligned, the function of the spine is put at risk. In other words, it’s not only a problem waiting to happen, it’s a problem waiting to get worse. And then, something as seemingly benign as reaching down to pick up a piece of paper can be the “final factor” that generates back injury. When this occurs, 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 when it comes to knowledge and treatment of the spine. They offer state-of-the-art diagnosis and experienced treatment for all musculoskeletal abnormalities. They not only provide welcomed relief if you are suffering from back pain, but they are knowledgeable about what will assist you in avoiding further back pain. As an adjunct to effective adjustments and other productive chiropractic therapies, your Chiropractor will give you an individual exercise plan and recommend other healthy lifestyle changes that will keep you well-adjusted and pain-free in the future.
Camarillo Chiropractic: Expert Mangement For Your Low Back Pain
Posted by: | CommentsYou’re not alone if you’re suffering from low back pain. Low back pain affects numerous people, a surprising 80% in fact, making it second only to the common cold in its frequency. However, 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 leave on its own. Frequently, if your pain lets up, it is often because your body has compensated for the problem, therefore creating new conditions. Low back pain is nothing to sneeze at! It is necessary for you to seek the advice of a back pain authority, like your chiropractor, if you’d like to defeat your back pain permanently!
Many times back pain is a mystery to many of the people who are afflicted by it, and chiropractors are proficient at solving their puzzlement. They want to know why it is that they have not had any trauma, accidents, or major injuries before the onset of their pain? The answer is that the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work habits, improper lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors cause most back pain. These factors add up over time and produce stresses and imbalances on the spine producing subluxations that can lead to serious back problems. The process is not unlike the front end of your car being out of alignment. As you continue to drive, there is irregular wear and tear on your tires. If you ignore the problem, the situation could worsen until a tire “blows.” When the spine is misaligned, the function of the spine is put at risk. 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 reaching down to pick up a piece of paper can be the “final factor” that causes back injury. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back.
Chiropractors have more education, training, and experience than medical doctors when it comes to dysfunctions of the spine. They offer state-of-the-art diagnosis and experienced treatment for all muscular-skeletal dysfunctions. In addition to providing welcomed relief to individuals suffering from back pain, but they know what will assist you in avoiding further back pain. In addition to effectual adjustments and other productive chiropractic therapies, your chiropractor will offer to you a personal exercise strategy and suggest additional healthy lifestyle changes that will keep you well-adjusted and pain-free in the future.
Pregnancy and Chiropractic Camarillo Style
Posted by: | CommentsAre chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy To begin with, yes it is highly advisable to get adjusted while you are pregnant. Obviously, your body is going through a variety of changes, and these changes will continue as the pregnancy progresses. One change that goes basically unnoticed is your body’s increased production of the hormone elastin. This hormone is designed to relax the tendons in the pelvis. This relaxation allows the pelvis more flexibility during the birthing process to make delivering the baby easier.
This process, despite the fact that its function is to assist the mother during labor, can create a lot of back pain in the months leading up to the birth. The elastin is being released in greater amounts as the months go on, which allows the pelvis to become increasingly more unstable. Add to that the gradual increase in the size of the baby and uterus, and you have the formula for severe low back pain. As an Camarillo Chiropractor, I currently have several pregnant patients coming into my office for symptoms associated with their pregnancy, but generally it is for their low back pain.
A bonus to seeing a chiropractor routinely during your pregnancy is that there is proof that it can actually decrease labor time. Why do chiropractic adjustments help? Simply put, if the pelvis is where it needs to be, the muscles contracting during the labor process are more efficient and won’t have to strain against misaligned joints.
To answer the second question from the introductory paragraph, by all means chiropractic care during your pregnancy is safe. 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 to both you and your baby. 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, it is also very beneficial in helping with the symptoms associated with their pregnancy. To any pregnant women out there reading this, please go to see your local chiropractor, or if you live or work in the area, look up your Camarillo Chiropractor. We can make you feel a lot more comfortable during your pregnancy, and we can even make the labor process easier.
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