May
Posted by shawn ·
3 Comments
Filed under Get Hope , Wellness , Workshops
Tagged with Arthritis, Health, The Specific, Wellness
Take Control Of Your Arthritis
Take Control of Your Arthritis
It’s starts with stiffness in your fingers and eventually leads to discomfort in your knees and elbows. Your grandparents had it. Your parents had it. And now, you figure, it was just a matter of time before you, too, developed arthritis.
Well, you think, this is it. So much for my days of care-free movement.
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disorder that affects roughly 350 million people around the world. Men, women, children and adults all suffer from arthritis. Because so many people develop arthritis, most people just assume it is a sign of aging and do nothing about it, but, in fact, early diagnosis and management is important to help prevent irreversible damage or permanent disability.
The disorder is often accompanied by a pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness and warmth in the joint area. There are many different causes that lead to the disorder, but there are two different types of joint pain which are classified as arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is caused by injury or through an inherited protein defect, and it causes the cartilage at the ends of the bones to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, which develops because the immune system believes the membrane between the bones is a foreign substance and inflammation occurs as a result. This damages the cartilage in and around the joint.
Knowing this, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of developing arthritis with two key things: a proper diet and low-impact, consistent exercise.
A balanced, healthy diet provides your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to build and maintain tissues and the fluid around joints. Prostaglandins, which help reduce inflammation, are generated through the absorption of essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
Exercise helps joint mobility, prevents loss of lean muscle tissue, helps maintain muscle strength and reduces pain and stiffness. When exercising, it is important that the full body is engaged in movement. This means that only taking a leisurely evening stroll is not enough. To properly control pain and inflammation, do an assortment of low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming and lifting weights, and make sure all joints go through a full range of motion at least once a day.
Though taking care of your body with a proper diet and workout regimen are the keys to managing arthritis, there are treatment options available as well. Treatment depends on the type of arthritis present, but medications, splinting, cold pack application and physical therapy are all relevant options for controlling the disorder.
This month at The Specific Chiropractic Center, we’ll be providing further information on how you can cope with arthritis. Join us Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. for our monthly health and wellness lecture that puts you back in control of your body.
REFERENCES:
Aschan, Stefan. Managing Arthritis with Diet and Exercise. ABCNews.Go.Com. (April 15, 2008) Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/story?id=4650107&page=1.
Stoppler, Melissa Conrad, M.D. Arthritis. MedicineNet.com. (September 10, 2008) Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://www.medicinenet.com/arthritis/article.htm.
Complimentary Nervous System Consultation
Visit one of our clinics for a personalized meeting with one of the doctors to find out how the latest technology may be the key to getting you well.
The Specific Chiropractic Center is a focused office providing specialized technology and treatment to help care for a variety of chronic ailments and health problems to find true resolution.
CALL NOW to schedule your free 15 minute consultation 1.888.722.4467
Dublin, CA • Chico, CA • Daly City, CA • Oakland, CA • Elk Grove, CA • Livermore, CA Draper, UT • Scarborough, ME
www.thespecific.com • 1.888.SCC.4HOPE
May
Posted by shawn ·
3 Comments
Filed under Get Well
Tagged with Exercise, Health, Posture, Straight, The Specific, Wellness
Importance of Good Posture
Importance of Good Posture:
Even if they didn’t realize it at the time, all those years of our parents telling us to sit up straight and not slouch not only helped us look poised as we were growing up, but they also had a positive effect on our posture.
Posture refers to how the body is aligned and positioned in conjunction with the force of gravity acting upon it. Regardless of whether we are sitting, standing or lying down, there is always a gravitational force that applies pressure on our ligaments, joints and muscles.
In ideal conditions, the back view of the spine should have no lateral curve and the legs should be symmetrical. From the side, the spine should form an S-shaped curve. An imaginary line should drop from the apex of the head through the center of gravity in the body and pass through the tip of the shoulder, the center of the hip joint, the center of the ankle joint and slightly behind the knee joint. This proper posture is a sign that we’ve evenly distributed gravity’s force throughout our body so that no one part is fatigued or overstressed.
Indications of poor posture include a slouching of the shoulders or forward leaning of the head. Poor posture impedes lymphatic drainage in the neck and causes strain on the posterior neck muscles. The extra weight on the discs can lead to premature arthritis of the neck. Poor posture can also include a forward tilt of the pelvis. This causes weight to shift in the body and can increase the curvature of the spine, which is associated with muscle weakness. Posture of this sort can lead to chronic lower back pain, muscle pain, weakness in the legs and premature spinal arthritis of the joints and discs.
Poor posture can result from car accidents, sports injuries, loss of bone density and sitting or standing improperly. Many people today have posture problems due to the way they sit. When we drive or use a computer, we frequently have the tendency to lean the head and neck forward, which causes the spine to round forward too. The weight of the head and upper body becomes heavy, and we must exert muscular energy and strain on the spinal ligaments to hold ourselves in this leaning position.
The first step to correcting poor posture is being aware of what causes it and what we can do to correct it. We need to be conscious of how we sit when we drive or work at our desks. Take frequent breaks to do neck exercises and stretch shoulder muscles. Use ergonomic gear to create a work environment that puts less stress on the spine. Invest in a neck pillow for sleeping.
If we’re unsure of what steps we should take for our particular posture problems—or if we feel pain in the neck and shoulders—an upper cervical chiropractor may be able to help with the issue. Upper cervical chiropractors are trained in proper body alignment and can provide us with suggestions and solutions for maintaining healthy posture throughout our daily lives.
References:
Correcting Neck Posture: A Key To Pain Relief. NeckSolutions.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://www.necksolutions.com/neck-posture.html.
O’Hara, Dennis. Chiropractic and Posture. PosturePage.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://posturepage.com/chiropractic/index.html.
D’Ambrosio, Frank J. Posture is Important. SCOI.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://www.scoi.com/posture.htm.
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The Specific Chiropractic Center is a focused office providing specialized technology and treatment to help care for a variety of chronic ailments and health problems to find true resolution.
CALL NOW to schedule your free 15 minute consultation 1.888.722.4467
Dublin, CA • Chico, CA • Daly City, CA • Oakland, CA • Elk Grove, CA • Livermore, CA Draper, UT • Scarborough, ME
www.thespecific.com • 1.888.SCC.4HOPE
May
Posted by shawn ·
2 Comments
Filed under Get Well , Wellness , Workshops
Tagged with cardio, Exercise, Health, heart, Outdoors, Wellness
Get Fit, Get Healthy, Get Outside
Get Fit, Get Healthy, Get Outside
Now that the gray days of winter have passed for another year, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather of spring and summer. And while kicking back by the barbecue and lounging on the beach are both legitimate nice-weather activities, it can’t hurt to get active every now and again.
Outdoor exercise really has two advantages: First, sunshine is a good source of vitamin D and generally makes us feel better. Secondly, cardiovascular workouts are good for our heart and lungs, help lower our blood pressure and burn excess calories.
If you’ve been stuck on the treadmill or you can’t seem to escape the confines of your step aerobics class, here are six outdoor activities you might want to try this summer that will get your heart pumping:
- Walking is probably the most popular outdoor activity and is a great exercise for beginners. Because it is a low-impact and relatively stress-free activity, many people can walk for long durations at time. If you’d like a more intense or harder cardiovascular workout, you should walk faster or up hills.
- Running and jogging are high-impact activities, so you’ll want to slowly work up to your desired speed and distance, but your body will likely fall into a natural rhythm after some practice. To keep yourself motivated, consider finding a running partner or joining a running club.
- Cycling is not only a great way to get your legs in shape and your heart working hard, but once you are comfortable on a bicycle, it is also an ideal alternative to traditional transportation. Though the initial investment to begin cycling can be more expensive, the health and environmental benefits are a huge pay-off in the end.
- Kayaking is a fun way to get off the beach and onto the water. The forward paddling required in kayaking is a low-impact, full-range exercise that tones the upper body, increases flexibility and improves circulation. Brisk kayaking can also help you burn a significant number of calories.
- Inline skating has died off as a popular trend but it’s still a cardio workout that is guaranteed to burn calories. In fact, an hour of inline skating can burn more than 800 calories, and it does a fine job of toning the leg and core muscles as well.
- Be a kid again and start a pick-up game of basketball, soccer, volleyball or tennis. Any activities that involve faster-than-average movements over an extended period of time are good for your cardiovascular health. Many of these activities also tone your muscles and improve coordination as well.
So what are you waiting for? The sun is out and there’s no time like today to begin a new cardiovascular workout. If you need further incentive, stop by The Specific Chiropractic Center on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. for more ideas on how you can enjoy the outdoors while improving your health and well-being.
REFERENCES:
Bliss on the Water. Alive.com. (August 2007) Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.alive.com/6224a15a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=94.
Cardiovascular Activities. FitStep.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.fitstep.com/Library/Info/Cardio_activities2.htm.
Flynn, Sarah Wassner. Skate Yourself Fit and Trim. SheKnows.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.sheknows.com/articles/803427/inline-skating-gets-you-fit-fast-rollerblading-for-fitness.
What is Cardiovascular Exercise? IdeasforWomen.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.ideasforwomen.com/health/fit-5sp-cardio-1.php.
Complimentary Nervous System Consultation
Visit one of our clinics for a personalized meeting with one of the doctors to find out how the latest technology may be the key to getting you well.
The Specific Chiropractic Center is a focused office providing specialized technology and treatment to help care for a variety of chronic ailments and health problems to find true resolution.
CALL NOW to schedule your free 15 minute consultation 1.888.722.4467
Dublin, CA • Chico, CA • Daly City, CA • Oakland, CA • Elk Grove, CA • Livermore, CA Draper, UT • Scarborough, ME
www.thespecific.com • 1.888.SCC.4HOPE
May
Posted by shawn ·
1 Comment
Filed under Get Well , Wellness
Tagged with Health, Scoliosis, Screening, The Specific, Wellness
Straighten Up with a Scoliosis Screening
Straighten Up with a Scoliosis Screening
The human spine has a natural curve that can be seen when looking at it from the side. Sometimes, however, the spine develops an unnatural curve in which it is bent forward, backward or to the side which results in an “S” or “C” shape.
This unnatural curvature is known as scoliosis, and it often develops in children. In fact, three out of 100 people develop the condition. Irregular curvature of the spine may be a result of problems somewhere else in the body or when bones in the spine fail to form completely or separate from each other.
In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown; this type is known as idiopathic scoliosis and early diagnosis in children can often be managed and treated before it becomes a lifelong, debilitating problem. Managing scoliosis includes observation, bracing and surgery. Because the spine is such an integral part of a well-functioning human body, it is important to address scoliosis as soon as it is discovered.
Scoliosis is more common in girls than boys and is often first noticed by a family member who is familiar with the way a child’s body looks and moves. The head may appear off-center or one hip or shoulder might look higher than the other. In more severe cases of scoliosis, a person may have shortness of breath and chest pain. For the most part, however, scoliosis is not painful and can be easily detected with the help of a medical practitioner or chiropractor.
Early diagnosis in children is important because as they continue to grow, there is a chance that scoliosis may worsen over time. For children with idiopathic scoliosis, treatment depends on the age when it develops. If scoliosis develops in children under three years old, in most cases, the condition will improve without any treatment.
For children who develop the condition between the ages of three and ten, there is a higher risk that it may get worse because these children are in their prime years for growth. During this time period, the goal is to keep the curvature in the spine from getting worse until the child stops growing.
The most common type of scoliosis develops in children after the age of ten. Treatment for scoliosis at this stage of life depends on the severity of curve. Braces are effective to keep any spine curvature from getting worse and don’t actually treat scoliosis. Only once a child has stopped growing will it be possible to tell if his or her scoliosis can be managed as is or needs to be treated with surgery.
Don’t wait to have your children checked for scoliosis. May is National Correct Posture Month, and in celebration, The Specific Chiropractic Center is offering free scoliosis screenings throughout the entire month. Stop in to have your children screened today.
REFERENCES:
Eck, Jason C., DO, MS. Scoliosis. MedicineNet.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.medicinenet.com/scoliosis/article.htm.
What is Scoliosis? KidsHealth.org. (June 2009) Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bone/scolio.html#.
Complimentary Nervous System Consultation
Visit one of our clinics for a personalized meeting with one of the doctors to find out how the latest technology may be the key to getting you well.
The Specific Chiropractic Center is a focused office providing specialized technology and treatment to help care for a variety of chronic ailments and health problems to find true resolution.
CALL NOW to schedule your free 15 minute consultation 1.888.722.4467
Dublin, CA • Chico, CA • Daly City, CA • Oakland, CA • Elk Grove, CA • Livermore, CA Draper, UT • Scarborough, ME
www.thespecific.com • 1.888.SCC.4HOPE
May
Posted by shawn ·
2 Comments
Filed under Live Life , Promotions
Tagged with Health, Mother's Day, The Specific, Wellness
7 Reasons to Thank Your Mother for Good Health
7 Reasons to Thank Your Mother for Good Health
As children, we think we know best when we want to eat three meals of chocolate cake and apple pie. We’re positive there is nothing wrong about staying up all night and skipping soccer practice because we’re tired. And surely it would have been perfectly fine to stay inside and watch television instead of scraping our knees at the playground.
Luckily we had our mothers, though, to point us on the road to good health. This Mother’s Day (which is May 9), take a moment to thank yours for these seven things that she did, which gave you a head start on a happy and healthy life.
- She made you go to bed at a decent hour. A full eight hours of sleep each night is necessary for maintaining optimal concentration and response time. Lack of sleep causes people to feel irritable and damages our ability to perform at our peak in physical activities.
- She made you get dirty. Your mother didn’t mind you making mud pies or exploring the bugs that lived in the backyard. When kids are given the opportunity to be kids, their skin heals faster and their immunity to germs is strengthened.
- She made you wash your hands. Despite letting you play in the mud, your mother’s insistence that you keep your fingernails clean had less to do with you getting dirt on her tablecloth and more to do with keeping you from getting sick. Frequently washing your hands ensured you kept bacteria and viruses at bay.
- She made you eat your peas. Green peas are packed with eight vitamins, seven minerals, fiber and protein—all essential components for maintaining good bone health. Peas also support cardiovascular health and the energy-producing cells and systems in the human body.
- She made you exercise. You may not have realized it at the time, but those hours of tossing around a basketball with your friends and the races up and down the street on your bike weren’t just to get you out of the house. Your mother knew that regular physical activity helped control your weight, reduced your blood pressure, kept your cholesterol level in check, reduced your risk of diabetes and improved your psychological well-being.
- She made you laugh. Whether you two caught the occasional laugh-at-loud film or she just had a way of making you smile when you were feeling out of sorts, your mother managed to get you to laugh every once in awhile. Little did you know at the time that laughing helped keep your stress in check and actually burned a few calories too.
- She made you use your imagination. Instead of constant stimulation from television or video games, your mother encouraged you to draw, read and play. All of these activities encouraged you to use your imagination, which helped you define who you are and fostered problem solving skills that you still use today as an adult.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, The Specific Chiropractic Center is offering all mothers an initial exam and any necessary x-rays for just $79. This offer runs from May 3 through May 8.
REFERENCES
Dirt Can Be Good for Children, Say Scientists. News.BBC.co.uk. (November 23, 2009) Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8373690.stm.
Green Peas. WHFoods.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=55.
Mandell, Sherri Lederman. Nurturing Imagination. WholeFamily.com. Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://www.wholefamily.com/aboutyourkids/imagination/nurturing.html.
The First Line of Defense Against Germs. KidsHealth.org. (October 2008) Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/health_basics/handwashing.html.
Why Aren’t Teens Getting Enough Sleep? KidsHealth.org. (May 2009) Retrieved May 2, 2010 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/take_care/how_much_sleep.html#.
Complimentary Nervous System Consultation
Visit one of our clinics for a personalized meeting with one of the doctors to find out how the latest technology may be the key to getting you well.
The Specific Chiropractic Center is a focused office providing specialized technology and treatment to help care for a variety of chronic ailments and health problems to find true resolution.
CALL NOW to schedule your free 15 minute consultation 1.888.722.4467
Dublin, CA • Chico, CA • Daly City, CA • Oakland, CA • Elk Grove, CA • Livermore, CA Draper, UT • Scarborough, ME
www.thespecific.com • 1.888.SCC.4HOPE
