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8/11/2015 0 Comments Yoga and Back Pain http://media4.popsugar-assets.com/files/ 2015/03/10/994/n/1922398/875f6188_ quadruped_2.xxxlarge_2x.jpg It 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
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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 |
AuthorMalorie Gardner, D.C. Archives
October 2016
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