10/10/2016 0 Comments Whiplash and Chiropractic Care Each year more than 3 million Americans are treated for whiplash injuries and many more suffer from symptoms that go untreated because they are mistaken for general neck pain. Due to weaker neck muscles, and possibly an increased willingness to report, women are more likely to suffer from whiplash than men are. Moreover, anyone currently experiencing degenerative disc disease symptoms or neck pain, in general, is more likely to be affected by whiplash during their lifetime. Whiplash is an umbrella term for any damage done to the ligaments, muscles, discs, nerves, or vertebrae as a result of a sudden forceful movement of the neck; first the neck moves slightly backwards at impact before jolting forward and quickly slamming backwards. This forceful movement can cause a cervical injury, or mild to severe trauma to the vertebrae and surrounding matter. Whiplash is most often associated with car accidents but can also be found in contact sports, amusement parks, and even when someone slips and falls. Following a sports injury, or especially a car accident, one should consider being evaluated for whiplash given the risk factor and the long term consequences of going untreated. Symptoms vary depending upon the severity of the trauma but most commonly felt symptoms include a stiff or painful neck, pain in arms and hands, muscle spasms, headaches, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, ringing ears, disturbed sleep, a numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, and even low back pain. If left untreated whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain, a decrease in mobility, permanent damage to the vertebrae and nervous system, as well as accelerated degeneration of the cervical spine. It is imperative that you seek treatment for any sort of neck and head trauma as they can lead to a spinal cord injury and subsequently damage to the nervous system. Furthermore, it is recommended that a chiropractor be involved in your rehabilitation process as they can assess the neck and spinal column to ensure that they remain properly aligned and at the peak of performance. Neck stiffness and pain alone are enough without the unnecessary addition of dizziness, ringing ears, and numbness of an entire limb. Your chiropractor can help you create a multi-faceted treatment plan that suits your needs. Treatment plans often include, but are not limited to, ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy, massage, trigger point therapy, and stretching/resistance exercises. The combination of treatments will help treat the various aspects that contribute to whiplash pain by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, stimulating muscles, alleviating muscle tension and spasm, and restoring motion. In conclusion, whiplash, although a mundane injury and often described as if it were harmless, should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible as it can be excruciatingly painful for many weeks and has the potential to become a chronic cause of pain later in life. Sources http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/whiplash/chiropractic-care-whiplash http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-treatments-whiplash http://www.satterwhitechiropractic.com/data/uploads/Stats%20and%20Risk%20Factors.pdf (image) http://www.elitesportandspinewi.com/auto-accident-injuries/ Katie LaBarge St. Lawrence University '16 Chiropractic Assistant
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8/17/2016 0 Comments Plantar FasciitisOver 30 million people in America have been impacted by plantar fasciitis at some point during their lifetime. The condition can be found in persons of all ages but is most common among people between the ages of 40 and 60. Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which pain is found in the heel and can radiate down the arch and into the ball of the foot. The plantar fascia ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that connects the heel of the foot to the toes. Commonly, pain and discomfort from plantar fasciitis is worse after sitting for long periods of time and during those first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning. Plantar fasciitis pain results from flexion of the ligament past its normal range of motion and feels like you're over-stretching your foot simply by stepping on it. It can also be felt as pain under the heel of the foot, as if you have a lump in your socks or rocks in your shoes, which at first is merely irritating but can grow to be debilitating if left untreated. Over time the plantar fascia can wear out from everyday wear and tear causing it to become inflamed and painful. Other factors that increase your odds of suffering from plantar fasciitis include being overweight, spending long hours on your feet, walking barefoot in the sand for long distances, low or high arches, tight calf and ankle muscles, improper shoes, and running. Landing improperly on the heel while running can create a force of 7 times your body weight on the roughly two square inches that is your heel, which is obviously more than it was made to absorb. Although both men and women are affected by this condition women are twice as likely to suffer from plantar fasciitis due to their footwear. Women are more likely to wear flats, with little to no arch support, and high heels which are not only inflexible but also place the foot in a state of constant plantar flexion which shortens both the plantar fascia and the calf muscles, causing them to tighten. Therefore, if you are putting your feet through any of these common stressors, on a regular basis, you should be taking precautionary measures and if you already experience these symptoms the following conservative treatments will help alleviate, or even heal, pain as well. Stretches to help prevent and relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms include toe extension techniques, rolling over a tennis ball or frozen water bottle, and the calf/heel stretch on stairs/against the wall. Furthermore, people suffering from plantar fasciitis can try custom-fit orthotics or sleeping aides such as the Strassburg sock which keeps tension on the foot, and plantar fascia, so that it can heal in that stretched position at night. Strengthening exercises, massage therapy, and chiropractic care can also be part of the regime. How can chiropractic care help with the pain in your foot? Once you have been evaluated, your chiropractor may use a combination of techniques including, but not limited to, myofascial release, soft tissue mobilization, and the Graston technique on both the calf and foot. Myofascial release therapy will help release the shortness and tightness in the muscles and tendons. Soft tissue mobilization aides in detoxification of the body, improves range of motion, breaks up scar tissue, and promotes good blood circulation, which in turn promotes healing. Finally, the Graston technique is a form of soft tissue mobilization that uses stainless steel instruments to treat the plantar fascia, as well as numerous other areas. Patients often feel some relief after the first visit but will need to continue seeing the chiropractor, for at least several more sessions, to ensure that the plantar fascia heals and to prevent the pain from returning or worsening. Sources: American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society: http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/conditions/ailments-of-the-heel/pages/plantar-fasciitis.aspx Houston Methodist: http://www.houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics/where-does-it-hurt/foot/plantar-fasciitis/ WomenTalk: http://community.healthywomen.org/profiles/blogs/plantar-fasciitis-one-big-pain-in-the-foot Medscape: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/86143-overview#a6 Katie LaBarge St. Lawrence University '16 Chiropractic Assistant 7/11/2016 0 Comments Degenerative Disc DiseaseMore than 65 million Americans a year suffer from lower back pain and by the age of 50 over 85% of the population will show some evidence of disc degeneration. However, the majority of these people, showing disc degeneration, will be asymptomatic. Your spine contains 33 vertebrae, or bones, and separating the vertebrae are 23 soft, compressible, discs that are meant to aid in shock absorption, increase your range of motion, and prevent bone from grinding on bone. These discs are tough on the outside and gel-like on the inside allowing for water loss throughout the day. In one day we can lose almost 3/4 of an inch in height due to said water loss in these discs but, as we sleep most of the water is restored. Notice that only most of the water comes back, not all of it, because over time the everyday wear and tear that we put on our bodies will lead to an overall reduction of fluid (in the discs). As a result many middle-aged and older adults experience back pain of varying degrees associated with a condition known as Degenerative Disc Disease, or DDD. DDD, although not truly a “disease”, is a condition in which the discs of the spine begin to degenerate, or deteriorate, and become increasingly thinner, stiffer and more brittle. Disc degeneration is quite common and is a normal part of the aging process of the spine. Pain from DDD ranges from excruciatingly painful to no pain at all depending upon the individual and the severity of degeneration. Degenerative Disc Disease is diagnosed after x-rays and other forms of imaging have been reviewed by your doctor. Common symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease, if any are experienced at all, include pain that is related to activity, bending, twisting, or lifting, and sometimes the specific way the body is positioned. For instance, if the degeneration is in the lower back then sitting will be more painful as it places a lot of pressure on that region. Further symptoms can include chronic back pain, severe episodes of neck and back pain that last days or even months, and seemingly inexplicable pain in various parts of the body (due to nerve impingement). Disc degeneration can lead to a number of other issues including numbness, tingling, stiffness, bone spurs, nerve impingement, and sciatica. So what can you do? Unfortunately, disc degeneration cannot be reversed but there are ways to manage the pain. Conservative care options include exercise, physical therapy, medications, and, of course, chiropractic care. The chiropractor’s goal for treatment of DDD is to return as much of the lost flexibility to the spine as possible by reducing inflammation, relieving pressure on surrounding nerves, and improving spinal motion. Because chiropractors treat the whole person, treatment plans can include thrusting and non-thrusting adjustments, depending on the severity of degeneration, trigger-point therapy to reduce muscle tension, soft tissue therapy using Graston technique, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, nutritional counseling, stress management strategies, and therapeutic exercises amongst other things. All aforementioned aspects of treatment will reduce the symptoms associated with DDD. Furthermore, regular visits to your chiropractor can reduce the progression of Degenerative Disc Disease and even, in rare instances, aide in the regeneration of such discs. Sources: SpineUniverse:http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/degenerative-disc/chiropractic-care-degenerative-disc- The Joint Chiropractic: http://www.thejoint.com/california/lake-forest/lake-forest-31004/can-chiropractic-care-help-disc-degeneration?umrids=931 Spine-health:http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/common-symptoms-degenerative-disc-disease http://www.setonbrainandspine.com/treatment/spine/degenerative-disc-disease Katie LaBarge St. Lawrence University '16 Chiropractic Assistant 10/20/2015 0 Comments Chiropractic Treatment for HeadachesHeadaches are a very common affliction in the world today. Part of the reason that so many people suffer from occasional to chronic headaches is the multitude of ‘triggers’ that exist. Headache triggers differ from person to person. For some, eating certain types of food may result in pain. Environmental stimuli such as loud noises, bright or dim lighting or high stress levels are known to cause headaches. They can also be a result of certain behaviors as well. Getting too much or too little sleep, exercising excessively, and having changes in blood sugar levels can induce headaches. The most common types of headaches, referred to as ‘primary headaches’, include tension, cluster and migraine headaches. Because tension headaches are often a result of muscle tension in the upper back or subluxations in the cervical spine, they can be treated effectively by chiropractors. Due to technological advances, we are spending more time sedentary than ever before. When sedentary, and especially when hunched over a computer, the muscles of the upper back and neck spend more time a in a fixed position leading to muscle tension. Tense muscles can pull vertebrae out of proper alignment resulting in a subluxation. When this occurs, the nerves, muscles and the blood supply to the head are all affected. The misalignment can irritate nerve roots in the cervical spine and minor constriction of blood vessels supplying oxygenated blood to the brain leading to headaches. To treat this, chiropractors perform spinal manipulation to help improve spinal function and alleviate stress on the system. Spinal restrictions can cause damage to nerves, tissue inflammation and cause muscles to tighten and knot. Chiropractors can also perform soft tissue work on the upper back and neck to relieve tension in the muscles. Relief from headache pain can be immediate following a chiropractic appointment. Chiropractic care provides a drug free solution to headaches. Taking drugs that numb your nervous system and block pain may provide relief during a headache, but they can have cumulative adverse effects to the kidneys and liver. They also do not treat the underlying causes of the headache, they only provide temporary relief. If you can not visit a chiropractor, there are several ways to prevent headache onset. If you are sitting for a long period of time, it is suggested that you stretch your head and neck through a reasonable range of motion at least every hour. Walking and other low impact activities can help to prevent and ease headache pain. Drinking a lot of water to avoid dehydration is also suggested. One of the most important prevention measures is to maintain good posture while sitting and standing. This prevents excess tension on the muscles and helps keep the spine in its proper alignment. While sleeping, it is important that the head is supported so that it is level with your spine. The neck can also be supported with a cervical pillow. Resources American Chiropractic Association: https://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=2186 Sauganash Wellness: http://www.sauganashwellness.com/headache.html Try Chiropractic First: http://www.trychiropracticfirst.com/headaches.php Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University '15 Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern 8/11/2015 0 Comments Yoga and Back PainIt has been estimated that ten to twenty percent of adults suffer from chronic or persistent neck pain. This pain can be due to trauma or poor postural habits. Trauma induced pain is often a result of sports injuries or accidents that involve a sudden acceleration or deceleration of force, resulting in whiplash. Pain from poor posture is often due to more a sedentary, computer driven lifestyle that results in the head to be pushed forward. This creates a misalignment between the head and the shoulders in which the head protrudes in front of the shoulders in stead of on top of them. In addition, the upper back rounds, furthering the misalignment. This type of poor posture has adverse affects on the muscles of the neck, upper back, shoulders and chest. Muscles in the neck and back become elongated and weak while the muscles in the neck and chest become tight and short. Yoga can help correct and prevent this type of posture by teaching new sitting habits and strengthening the back muscles while loosening the neck and chest muscles, creating a balance that keeps the head properly aligned. Yoga can help augment the affect of chiropractic care as well. Yoga exercises can help loosen muscles and prevent guarding and compensation for other muscles. This can help a chiropractor adjust more easily. Once the spine is properly aligned after receiving chiropractic care, yoga can help to strengthen muscles through a series of poses that help to keep the spine in proper alignment. Folding poses can help calm the central nervous system and allows the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions of the spine to stretch and decompress. Bridge poses increase the range of motion of the spine by moving it in the opposite direction. Eagle poses help to open the cervical spine and shoulders, reducing muscle tension in the upper back. These poses can help to strengthen muscles and improve posture, potentially leading to a reduction in back pain. The physical benefits of yoga include increased strength, flexibility, endurance and balance. It also provides a natural option for lowering blood pressure and reducing ones stress and anxiety levels. Yoga is not a quick fix for back and neck pain. It takes time to strengthen the muscles in the back and core to be able to hold these poses. Pain relief is gradual as these muscles become stronger. Once pain relief does occur, maintaining yoga practices is crucial to ensure that the spine is properly aligned. References: American Chiropractic Association: https://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=2526 ChiropractorPhoenix:http://chiropractorphoenix-thejoint.com/videos/chiropractic-care-and-yoga-are-a-winning-combination/ Yoga International: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/heal-your-neck-shoulder-pain Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University '15 Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern 8/4/2015 0 Comments Chiropractic Care and ChildrenChiropractic care has been found to be a safe drug and pain free treatment for children aged 17 and under. Since 1991 the percentage of patients of that age group seeking chiropractic treatment has increased 8.5 percent. Chiropractic care is especially effective when it is complimented by pediatric care. Chiropractors are not supposed to replace the role of the pediatrician, they should be utilized for preventative wellness care and to help maintain the child’s spinal alignment and be checked and treated for vertebral subluxations, which can potentially alter the physiology of a child. Vertebral subluxations occur when one or more vertebrae move out of position and can cause pain and nerve disfunction. In children whose spines are still developing, it is paramount that any vertebral subluxations are corrected.
Chiropractic care is even safe for newborns. It is estimated that 90 percent of newborns suffer some amount of birth trauma and strain through the neck and cranial areas. If it is left uncorrected, the trauma can impact the spine growth and development of an infant, possibly resulting in health challenges later in life. If spine growth is left uncorrected, it can also have an adverse impact on the nervous system, compromising the brains ability to communicate with the peripheral body correctly. When being treated, newborns experience only minimal pressure during a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic treatment can also help Infants who have colic experience relief. As infants begin to go through the first major milestones of life: holding their head up, sitting up, crawling and walking, it is suggested that they visit a chiropractor. During these stages, the major curves in their spine are developing and it is important that no interference with the nervous system occurs due to a misalignment. Additionally, as the child continues to grow, more stress is placed on the spine. Normal childhood activities such as carrying a backpack, riding a bike, rough play, running and jumping can add cumulative stress to children despite them not showing any symptoms. Parents are often advised that infants should visit a chiropractor every 3 months for the first year of life. It is then suggested that children see a chiropractor 6 to 12 per year to maintain correct alignment. Children can experience relief from many ailments using chiropractic treatments. Otitis media, an inflammation in the middle ear and is very common in children, asthma, allergies and common back and neck pain can be effectively treated via chiropractic intervention. Children with more serious conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, ADHD and Tourette syndrome can benefit from chiropractic care. Conditions are mainly treated by the chiropractor detecting and correcting vertebral subluxations. Children who are involved in sports can also benefit greatly from chiropractic care as well. As children age, sports tend to get more and more physical, which leads to greater instances of injury. Chiropractors can help to treat and prevent injury through a realignment of the spine. Chiropractors help to improve the bodies natural performance by aiding the body to perform at its peak level. Vertebral subluxations can interfere with the bodies natural ability to heal itself when the subluxations themselves partially block the spinal nerves, preventing the bodies immune system from functioning normally. Even if a child does not feel any symptoms, their bodies may not be functioning at its optimum levels. Regular chiropractic appointments can help to correct and prevent detrimental vertebral subluxations. References: American Chiropractic Association: https://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=3247 Cole Bradburn: http://colebradburn.com/2013/04/08/chiropractic-for-newborns/ Cooper Chiropractic: https://www.cooper-chiro.com/benefits-child-chiropractic-care/ Science Based Medicine: https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/pediatric-chiropractic-care-scientifically-indefensible/ Total Balance Chiropractic: http://www.totalbalancechiro.com/NPN-Winter09_tbarticle.pdf Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University 15' Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern The skeletal and muscular systems are closely intertwined, with almost every bone in the body having at least one skeletal muscle attachment. Problems can arise when muscles are too tense, causing strain and pulling the bones out of alignment, or too loose, not providing enough tension to keep them in position. Soft tissue work can help to correct these imbalances by restoring the proper tension in the muscle fibers and relieving pain and excess stress on the bones and joints. Maintaining the balance in tension between muscle and bone in the spine is especially important in order to control the movement and flexibility of the spinal column. Tight or overstretched muscles can prolong spinal problems and increase treatment time if they are not properly treated. Heat, electrical stimulation, Graston and massage are several ways to perform soft tissue work on a patient.
Massage is a very effective tool to use on soft tissues. The massage stimulates peripheral receptors that help to relax muscles and dilate the blood vessels around the manipulated area. This eases tension and helps to promote blood flow leading to increased oxygen levels and improved tissue mobility. Massages can be very beneficial prior to receiving an adjustment. The reduced muscle tension prevents the joints from being pulled back out of alignment after being readjusted. Having the proper amount of tension in the muscles helps the chiropractor preform a more effective adjustment as well. Chiropractors can perform the soft tissue work themselves prior to or after the adjustment, or they may recommend that you receive a professional massage either pre or post treatment. A massage either before or after chiropractic treatment may be recommended according to the patients symptoms. If the patient has spastic and tight muscles around the joint that is going to be adjusted, it is more beneficial to receive soft tissue work prior to the chiropractic visit. Tight muscles near the joint that are to be adjusted may interfere with the adjustment process. Though rare, muscle tightness can cause pain during an adjustment. Having a massage prior to seeing a chiropractor can prevent pain and help increase mobility. A massage after an adjustment can help patients who require frequent chiropractic care. Once the joints are placed in proper position, soft tissue work can reduce muscle tension and prevent tight muscles from pulling the joints out of place. A massage after an adjustment can potentially increase the amount of time that the joint remains in alignment. Resources: Body in Balance: http://www.bodyinbalance.com.au/the-benefits-of-combining-massage-therapy-with-chiropractic-care/ Logan University: http://www.logan.edu/mm/files/lrc/senior-research/2010-apr-22.pdf Yeg Fitness: http://yegfitness.ca/get-massage-chiropractic-adjustment/ Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University '15 Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern Chiropractic and physical therapy treatments are two well established options geared towards rehabilitation and maintenance of pain and injury through spine and joint manipulation or mobilization. Generally, chiropractors diagnose, treat or prevent mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, mainly along the spinal column. Their goal is to restore the function and stability of the spine by realigning the vertebrae via spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulations involve a passive, high velocity, low amplitude thrusts are applied to different regions of the spine. Joints can also be manipulated in this fashion. Doing so releases tension in the spine and relaxes the muscles surrounding afflicted areas. Manipulations can also relieve pressure along the nervous system, allowing for more efficient communication between the brain and the body.
Physical therapists are generally known to evaluate, diagnose and treat a patient in order to develop, maintain and restore maximum joint function and movement. They often provide treatment when movement and function are compromised by age, injury or disease. Physical therapists mainly focus on treatments that help to develop strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance, posture, coordination and mobility. Physical therapists often rely on mobilization treatments in which small amplitude high velocity passive movements are applied to joints to achieve this goal. Pain relief and recovery via physical therapy may not occur as quickly as a chiropractic adjustment. This is because physical therapy focuses on gradual recovery and long term maintenance of the results. Chiropractic care, however, tends to be more of a short term option for pain relief, often requiring followup visits to maintain the results of the treatment. Though they may perform one more than the other, chiropractors and physical therapists are not limited to either treatment, as both types of medical professionals are known to perform manipulations and mobilization on their patients. Both chiropractic and physical therapy care have proven to be effective when used on their own. However, the combination of treatments can enhance patient recovery when both modes of treatment are properly integrated. A scoliosis patient, for example, can benefit greatly from an integrated treatment. Upon the scoliosis patient visiting a chiropractor, a spine manipulation would be performed, realigning the spine and loosening the muscles. The chiropractor may also provide exercises to the patient in order to strengthen these muscles to help keep the spine in alignment. A physical therapist would then show the patient how to properly perform the exercises while also helping them improve their mobility, strengthen and tone their muscles and reduce inflammation in the afflicted area. Receiving a spinal manipulation prior to visiting a physical therapist for back pain or injury can help prevent muscle guarding, the tensing of the muscles near an afflicted area. This is especially important as muscle guarding can prolong recovery time and lead to the recruitment of other muscles during exercise, which can lead to a possibly detrimental muscle imbalance over time. References Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/article/chiropractors-and-physical-therapists-combining-forces Spinesport: http://www.spinesport.org/physical-therapist-chiropractor-physician-whats-difference/ Physio-pedia: http://www.physio-pedia.com/Manual_Therapy Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University '15 Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern 7/15/2015 0 Comments Overtraining in AthletesTraining is typically described as the additive effects of work and rest periods. The body improves greatly during the resting stage, when the inflammation caused by the stress of training recedes and new muscle mass is created. Without proper rest after exercise, overtraining can easily occur and cause psychological, physiological and hormonal changes to the body. Overtraining can effect athletes of all ages and adversely impact their performance, physical and mental health, and even the desire to compete. Becoming burnt out, a loss of desire to perform, is a common response to overtraining. Continued overtraining can have long lasting effects that are detrimental to performance. Overtraining Syndrome is a disorder characterized by prolonged overtraining that occurs in three stages in athletes. The first stage, Functional Overtraining, usually involves subtle problems that are not noticeable to the athlete.This stage is typically characterized by a minor plateau or regression in the performance of the athlete. During functional overtraining, an imbalance between the aerobic and anaerobic systems occurs. During prolonged exercise, the athlete should be using the aerobic, fat burning system that normally occurs during low intensity, long lasting exercise. However, with Overtraining Syndrome, they are relying more on the sugar burning, anaerobic system which is usually present during high intensity, short term exercise. This leads to an underutilized aerobic system and an over reliance on the anaerobic system. The second stage, Sympathetic Overtraining, occurs when the imbalance between aerobic and anaerobic exercise is increased due to continued overtraining. In response, the bodies sympathetic nervous system becomes overactive leading to an increased resting heart rate and hormone disfunction, causing cortisol levels in the body to rise to abnormal levels. The increased cortisol has a negative effect on performance by decreasing awareness and adversely effecting hand-eye coordination. The final stage of overtraining, Parasympathetic Overtraining, occurs when the sympathetic nervous system becomes exhausted, resulting in low hormone levels, an abnormally low resting heart rate and a prolonged heart rate recovery following competition. It is common in this stage for athletes to burn out and lose the drive to compete. Recovery from overtraining is dictated by diet and exercise modifications. Athletes should begin with decreasing overall training time by fifty to seventy percent and they should stop all anaerobic activity. Additionally, the athlete should begin to work on their aerobic training prevent an imbalance from occurring in the future. The athlete should also change their diets, consuming smaller, more frequent meals to help to control blood sugar and cortisol levels. Stimulants such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate should also be avoided. For those suffering Overtraining Syndrome, recovery times vary according to the stage the athlete is in. If an athlete is suffering from Functional or Sympathetic Overtraining, recovery can occur within several weeks provided the athlete makes the suggested changes their diet and exercise plan. If an athlete is Parasympathetically Overtrained, it may take six months or greater in order to return to effective competition performance levels. In this stage, athlete has relied on their anaerobic system for so long that it takes a long time to build up their aerobic base. Overtraining can occur constantly in youth athletes due to the athlete not knowing their limits and coaches and parents pushing the athlete too hard. The athlete must listen to the warning signs that their body provides. Dehydration, cramps, soreness and fatigue are indications that an athlete of any level should stop and treat their symptoms before they damage their bodies. For youth athletes, it is best to rest after the season is over and ensure that their is an actual offseason between sports. Jumping immediately into the next season does not give the body enough time to recover. Early sport specialization can cause a youth athlete to overtrain by only performing sport-specific exercises and neglecting training their entire body. It is important for coaches and parents to ensure that the athletes are not overworked and to spot the symptoms of overtraining. References: ChildrensColorado:http://orthopedics.childrenscolorado.org/new-and-featured-articles/for-parents/overtraining-and-burnout-in-young-athletes Dr. Maffetone: http://philmaffetone.com/the-overtraining-syndrome/ Rice University: http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/overtraining.html Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University '15 Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern Kinesiology tape was developed in the 1970’s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor who wanted to maximize the effectiveness of his treatments between patient treatments. He designed the tape to have almost identical thickness and elasticity of the upper layer of the skin, allowing it to move with your body without slipping. The tape lifts the skin away from swollen tissue, creating a vacuum in the sub-dermal layer of skin that increases circulation and neural communication by relieving pressure on veins, lymphatic system and nerves. The increased circulation aids in the bodies natural healing process helping to shorten the duration of injury. Kinesiology tape also provides benefits on a sensorineural level. When the dermis is pulled away from the swollen tissue, it lessens the pressure on nerves, allowing for normal communication to happen between the area of injury. This can often lead to an increased level of proprioception, the bodies ability to sense the position, location, orientation and movement of the injured area. For athletes, this is especially important as it may help them to perform at higher levels. Kinesiology tape remained relatively unknown prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics when it exploded onto the scene with the help of United States women's volleyball player Kerri Walsh, who used the tape extensively while recovering from a rotator cuff injury. Using kinesiology tape can aid in rehabilitation, maintaining joint and muscle alignment, pain relief and athletic performance. The benefits tape is not limited to athletes, as it can also be used to alleviate pain and swelling on the job site or even during pregnancy. The tape is applied differently according to the injury. For muscles that are injured or overused, the tape applied without tension. The tape begins at the tendons that hold the muscle to bone and is extended toward the origin of the muscle. If there is a chronically injured or weakened muscle, the tape is applied with light tension. The tape begins at the origin of the muscle and extends toward the tendon. By altering the tension and location of the taping, kinesiology tape can treat many conditions effectively. The key to the versatility of kinesiology tape is in its design. The tape is waterproof, meaning that the adhesive used to anchor it to the skin will not deteriorate while sweating or even in a pool or shower. Kinesiology tape is designed to stay anchored for up to five days and comes off without leaving any residue from the adhesive. The tape is also latex and drug free, offering a healthy option for pain relief. It is made 100% cotton, making the tape hypoallergenic and breathable. Mirror Lake Chiropractic carries SpiderTech brand kinesiology tape. SpiderTech offers a variety of products that are pre-cut to fit a certain injury or body part and it also comes in rolls that are then cut and applied. SpiderTechs' website, spidertech.com, offers videos detailing the proper application of their products. References: Physioworks: http://physioworks.com.au/Injuries-Conditions/Treatments/Kinesiology_Taping How Stuff Works: http://science.howstuffworks.com/kinesiology-tape.htm SpiderTech: http://spidertech.com Tim Bryan St. Lawrence University '15 Mirror Lake Chiropractic Intern |
AuthorMalorie Gardner, D.C. Archives
October 2016
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