5/28/2018 1 Comment Text Neck - or iPhone SyndromeText Neck is a syndrome of over usage and a repetitive stress injuring the neck by holding your head in a forward and downward position for extended periods of time. This kind of excessive tension over long periods of time creates acute and chronic pain deep in the muscles of your neck and across the shoulders. Chronic headaches have also been linked to this condition. With upright posture, the ears should align with the center of your shoulders. With good posture, the weight of the head is balanced on top of the spine. The average human head weighs approximately 10-12 pounds (think bowling ball). When your head is moved forward by 1 inch away from neutral position, the force pulling on the neck and shoulder muscles increases 6 times - In other words, your traps and other muscles are holding up 60 pounds! Prolonged and frequent "Text Neck" can lead to inflammation of the neck ligaments, nerve irritation and changes in the natural curves of the spine. Do I have symptoms of "Text Neck"?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it would be wise to see a chiropractor to examine your posture and neck alignment. Call today for an appointment, (843) 321-8119
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4/9/2018 5 Comments Sea Buckthorn Oil: Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-cancer - Protects Heart, Brain, Liver, Kidney, SkinRecent animal studies have demonstrate remarkable beneficial benefits of Sea buckthorn oil made from the plants berries and seeds. Use of Sea Buckthorn is by no means new. It's medicinal use was noted in ancient Tibetan healing texts since the Tang Dynasty (617–907) and has been called “the Holy Fruit of the Himalayas.” Its use has been recorded in early Ayurvedic medicine. Sea Buckthorn berries, together with the juices, jams, and oils made from them, have a range of beneficial antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects (1). Sea Buckthorne oil has been shown to stimulate the immune system, improve kidney and liver function (1). In cancer patients it kills cancer cell as well as slow their reproduction (1). Sea Buckthorne oil has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. It protects the cardiovascular as well as the cerebrovascular systems (3, 4). The oil has also been shown to help reduce depression in mice under chronic stress (2,5). When used topically, Sea Buckthorne oil is a great natural cleanser and exfoliater. It can also help heal burns, cuts, wounds, sunburn, rashes, and other types of skin damage. Sea-buckthorn oil improves blood circulation, facilitates oxygenation of the skin, removes excess toxins from the body and easily penetrates through the skin (2). Sea-buckthorn oil protects against infections, prevents allergies, eliminates inflammation and inhibits the aging process in skin (2). Sea Buckthorne oil is an excellent source of two important unsaturated fatty acids palmitoleic acid (omega-7) and gamma-linolenic acid (omega-6) as well as vitamins A and E (2,3) and phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol (1, 2, 3, 4). The optimal dosage for Sea Buckthorn oil is to yet to be determined through human studies. A guideline is to look for a supplement made from both pulp and seed. Take enough to get about about 300-400 mg of palmitoleic (Omega 7) per day. (1) "The Anticancer Activity of Sea Buckthorn" - Front Pharmacol. 2018 Mar 15 (2) "Abundance of active ingredients in Sea Buckthorn" - Lipids in Health and Disease 2017 May (3) "The beneficial health aspects of sea buckthorn Research" - J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Mar (4) "Beneficial effects of β-sitosterol on type 1 cholecystokinin receptor dysfunction induced by elevated membrane cholesterol" - Clin Nutr. 2016 Dec (5) "Anti-depressive effect of polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acid from pomegranate peel and flax seed in mice exposed to chronic mild stress." - Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2013 Nov Sea Buckthorn Supplement on Amazon Your body is designed for regular movement, but many of us spend the bulk of our day sitting. On average, a US adult spends 9 to 10 hours each day sitting. When you've been sitting for a long period of time and then get up, a number of molecular cascades occur. For example, within 90 seconds of standing up, the muscular and cellular systems that process blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol—are activated. All of these molecular effects are activated simply by carrying your own body weight. These cellular mechanisms are also responsible for pushing fuel into your cells and, if done regularly, will radically decrease your risk of diabetes and obesity.
Sitting for an extended period of time affects many bodily functions like your digestion, body posture and alignment, brain functions slow down when you enter a sedentary state and circulation becomes poor. All which can be improved simply by moving around. So how do you re-train your body and routine? Start with setting ACHIEVABLE goals- consider a stand up desk in the office, park a little further away in the parking lot, take the stairs rather than the elevator, make a commitment within your community for accountability like yoga or Qi gong. Below are two local sources I often recommend to my patients for movement. Remember to always listen to your body! Island Yoga - Hilton Head Island: 1012 William Hilton Pkwy Unit 1 | Phone (843) 816-5734 Jiva Yoga -Hilton Head: 1032 Wm Hilton Pkwy | Bluffton: 3 Godfrey Place | Phone (843)247-4549 Free Qi Gong Community Group- Jarvis Creek Park at 9 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays, Veterans Memorial Park at 11 a.m. Saturdays 2/21/2018 2 Comments Natural Allergy Remedies:Prime allergy season is upon us and the pine pollen is coating all surfaces, including our nasal passages! A proper diet and overall health can make a big difference for allergy suffers. Here are some remedies to try as we get through this vibrant spring season: 1.) Homeopathy - Homeopathy is widely-used and well-accepted in Europe and there is considerable research to prove it's effectiveness. As an allergy sufferer, homeopathy is my go-to. The premise of homeopathy is to use extremely dilute solutions of the substance to which you are sensitive (i.e. pollen). Putting several drops of the solution under your tongue spurs your immune system to correct it's response. If you would like a referral to a homeopath in the Low Country, please call our office. 2.) Raw, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar- ACV with "The Mother" contains a colony of beneficial bacteria, which is important for gut health. Also, vinegar naturally aids in mucous reduction and lymphatic health. Mixing a teaspoon 2-3x a day into a glass of water or diluted apple juice is a great way to internally supply relief. 3.) Neti Pot and Saline Rinse- The Neti Pot is filled with distilled water and sterile saline to create a solution that will flush the sinus cavities. The mucous buildup and bits of allergens that we inhale throughout the day are removed gently from the sinuses. ** It's important to use a sterile saline solution made for a Neti Pot and clean distilled water. Saline sold over the counter has a preservative which you might be sensitive to. So better to make your own. NeilMed makes measured packets to mix with your Neti Pot, which is convenient. 4.) Quercitin and Bromelain - Quercetin is a plant pigment that is found in many plants and foods, such as red wine, onions, green tea, apples, berries. It is a natural bioflavonoid that helps prevent the release of histamine. It is also a potent antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple juice and in the pineapple stem. Bromelain is used for reducing inflammation, especially of the nose and sinuses even after surgery. Taking Quercitin plus Bromelain works well if implemented prior to allergy season and used throughout the irritating allergen months. The close relationship between the nervous system and immune system is good news for chiropractic patients! By improving the communication between the brain and spinal cord, chiropractic care can help regulate and coordinate the body’s reaction to allergens. For more information, contact us today to schedule an appointment, (843) 321-8119. 2/6/2018 1 Comment Detox TherapyProfessional guidance for detoxification is wise as the detox process can create free radicals that can damage tissue. Sources of toxins include pollution, food additives, pesticides, cleaning supplies, medication, etc. You may have considered detoxification, but with so many detox methods, how do you know what is right for you? To find a detox that's effective for your specific needs, it's important to work with an experienced healthcare professional. For more information request a complementary consultation. The Activator protocol can be used to diagnose misalignment of the bones of the foot, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and hand. The foot bone is connected to the knee bone ...the entire kinetic chain from the foot to the head is changed if one joint is misaligned. This leads to compensation patterns with pain distant from the original site of injury. For more information, please request a complimentary consultation. The Activator protocol can also be used to diagnose neck and skull misalignment, a frequent the source of headaches. Tension headaches typically originate from the neck and radiate to the back of head and even around to the eye. Migraines are associated with tension of the very small muscles just under the back of the skull. Adjusting the neck "resets" the tone of muscles, releases tension and normalizes blood flow through vessels that pass through muscles or bones. Relief can last for a week or longer. More frequent visits are required during times of intense stress. For more information, please request a complimentary consultation. TMJ pain can manifest as jaw, mouth, head, neck, eye or throat pain. The Activator protocol can be used to diagnose very specifically, which part of the jaw is misaligned. The TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) consist of the temporal bone (lateral skull) and the mandible (bottom jaw bone) so it's important to address both top, bottom, left and right joints. Misalignment can be caused by trauma, teeth grinding, stress or dental work - due to prolonged period with the mouth open. For more information, please request a complimentary consultation. At the top of the stomach is a valve called the esophageal sphincter. If the valve doesn't function properly it allows stomach acid into the esophagus/throat causing burning. The valve can be adjusted mechanically, from the exterior using a very gentle, quick force placed just under the breast bone. This often brings quick and long-lasting relief so patients can reduce or eliminate medication. This adjustment is contraindicated for those diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus due to chronic acid exposure. For more information, please request a complimentary consultation.
1/24/2018 3 Comments Best Pillow for Neck PainMany of my patients wonder if their neck pain is due to a poor pillow. Your pillow helps to support healthy sleep posture. What does that posture look like? A body in alignment - not twisted - from the knees and hips, through the spine to the upper back, shoulders, neck and head. The neck should be in a relatively neutral position. In other words if you are on your back, your head can be slightly elevated or flat, but the neck should not be too flexed. If you sleep on your side, the pillow should take up the space from the mattress to your ear so that the spine is aligned from upper back to neck. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst sleeping position because it forces you to rotate your head for long periods of time. When should you buy a new pillow? About every 18 months. Memory foam pillows typically last longer, up to three years. If you’re using a pillow that’s five or six years old, you’re not getting the support you need—and you’re not sleeping as comfortably as you could. The firmness of the pillow is totally an individual choice. But keep in mind that a soft pillow, like down, might provide support for a few hours then flatten overnight, leaving your head and neck in an awkward position. An orthopedic pillow, which has a space for your head is great...but only if you find it comfortable, which many people don't. If you purchase an expensive pillow make sure there is a trial period so you can return it for full refund if it doesn't work for you. If you are a light sleeper and toss and turn, you may want to have several pillows which you can switch out during the night, for example a thicker pillow for when you are on your side and a flatter pillow for when you are on your back. A word about the "My Pillow" infomercials - I bought two (insert sad emoji). They are stuffed with one inch size pieces of irregular shredded foam. Very lumpy. Not good. Look elsewhere. |
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