joints Archives - Damron Chiropractic & Wellness

What Does Healthy Really Mean?

June 29, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

What does healthy really mean? Think about it for a minute. When you take the time to determine what it means to be healthy, what do you think of? Some of us may think being skinny means healthy. Others may equate well-defined muscles as a sign of healthy. Still others may think it’s living a long life. While all of these might be true, it still doesn’t answer the question of what being healthy means, especially to ourselves. We are each unique individuals, all traveling a separate path in life. While we may walk together, our journeys are vastly different. Not only that, but our body’s are also uniquely different as well. This is definitely not new information for you. However, what is likely new is the fact that healthy is a unique experience for each and every person.

Perhaps the best way to help you determine what healthy means to you is to do a self-assessment. An inventory of you, where you are at in your life, where you want to go from here. It’s probably safe to say that many of us are just too busy getting through each day to really focus on ourselves. Many of us are probably a little scared to even think about it. Not because something is terribly wrong, but because we don’t know where we are going to find the time to help ourselves get to where we want to be. Time to re-prioritize.

So, if you would be able to see the future, would you want to? What about two different futures? One where you routinely did a self-assessment on your health and changed what needed changing, the other where you continually chose to ignore yourself. If only we had the ability to see ahead of time the impact of our decisions before we made them. Would that alter how we live our lives today?

For the sake of reality, let’s take that self-assessment to determine what healthy really means to you.

Are you tired right now? Do you always feel tired? If you could sneak a nap in right now, would you take it? When was the last time you woke up feeling refreshed?
How do your joints feel right now?
What is the scale telling you about your weight? Do you feel comfortable and confident in your clothes?
How does your skin look?
Are you eating healthy foods? If so, how much?
Do you feel stressed during the day?
When was the last time you took care of you?

Take your time and answer these questions with honesty. The next blog post will address the issue of what it means to really be healthy.

Gout and Chiropractic Care

May 2, 2017 By Pam Rezai 1 Comment

When cells die, which happens at a rate of millions per second, they release substances called purines. Purines are broken down into uric acid which is then removed by the kidneys. Sometimes there is more uric acid than the kidneys can eliminate. When this happens, the uric acid content in the body steadily increases. This condition, called hyperuricemia, can lead to the development of crystals in the joints and tissues. It is these crystals that cause the pain and inflammation associated with gout.

It is common for the pain to register at a 9 or 10 by those who suffer from this condition. This pain can last for several days, too. In addition to pain, other symptoms of gout include:

stiffness
swelling
redness
tenderness

The occurrence of gout has been documented for over 4,000 years. It was once considered a king’s disease due to the foods that triggers its onset, which are all high in purine as well:

alcohol
red meat
shellfish
organ meats

Gout is a form of arthritis that typically manifests itself in the joint of the big toe. Other areas include the joints of the knees, feet, and ankles. The first common sign is pain and swelling of the big toe, with men over the age of 45 more likely to suffer from this condition. However, other health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney disease are present first. But gout does not discriminate. Both young and old, male and female can develop it.

Chiropractic care is an often overlooked treatment option for gout sufferers to alleviate pain with adjustments, therapeutic medical massage, and dietary supplements. Unfortunately, many of the medications prescribed to treat this condition come with serious side effects. These include stomach pain, headache, nausea, diarrhea, rash, elevated blood pressure, and decreased kidney function.

A chiropractor can help a gout sufferer manage their symptoms holistically and without side-effects. Including help with diet and exercise. The ultimate goal is improving quality of life, minimizing or eliminating pain, and improving mobility.

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt

April 18, 2017 By Pam Rezai Leave a Comment

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt.

Remember when you were young and seeing a particular food for the first time. Or, what about your child, the first time you introduced them to a new vegetable. Any new food, especially one that does not present itself well on a plate or smell particularly appetizing, can be a big turn-off. Likewise, trying something new like parasailing, or snorkeling, or even zip-lining can be daunting. We may even be afraid. However, our fears and uncertainty should never be a deciding factor in whether or not we try something for the first time.

It may come as no surprise that many misconceptions exist about what a chiropractor does. Perhaps the most common one is that chiropractic adjustments hurt. The movements the chiropractor make are quick and somewhat forceful. The doctor is also in very close proximity to the patient, too. Much of this is so foreign to people that they think it must hurt, otherwise why aren’t more people doing it?

If you ask anyone who has had an adjustment done, they will tell you that it does not hurt. In fact, what they will tell you that once they get up from the table they feel great. It’s like their body was similar to a pressure cooker and they didn’t know how much pressure until they were adjusted. The relief is felt throughout the body, from the joints, to the muscles, and tendons.

One other thing that may startle new converts to chiropractic care is the popping sound one might hear during an adjustment. This popping sound is simply the joint gasses in the joint fluid releasing. It isn’t harmful. It isn’t painful. Actually, it is just like cracking your knuckles. If it was painful, kids wouldn’t do it so much, would they?

Inflammation Diagnostic Testing

August 11, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

“Into Flame”

The Latin translation of the word inflammation literally means not only flame, but to become a flame. When we think of inflammation, the immediate image that comes to mind is skin that is red, swollen, and painful. It is visible. Yet there is another type of inflammation that may not be visible or even painful, but just as much a cause of concern, if not more so. This type is hidden beneath the surface and is gradual in its manifestation. It begins slowly and does not cause the immediate reaction of red, swollen, and painful skin like acute inflammation does. This is termed chronic inflammation and diagnostic testing, in addition to mindfulness, can help identify if this culprit resides within us.

Inflammation is a natural process by which the body attempts to protect itself from harmful stimuli and begin the process to heal itself. However, unlike acute inflammation where the body’s effort is rewarded and the body is healed (like a cut or a bruise), with chronic inflammation there is no reward. The reason? The harmful stimuli is continually present in the body. The healing is attempted but is thwarted by the constant onslaught of the problem. Here are a few examples:

smoking
eating a diet of highly processed foods
alcohol consumption
lack of exercise
poor sleep habits
excess weight

Imagine trying to build a sand castle as the tide is rolling in. No matter how fast you move that sand to protect the castle, the waves continue to advance. With each wave, what ever progress you made is washed away leaving you where you started. Inevitably, the water begins to win and you are left with a destroyed sand castle.

Our bodies react in much the same way. The harmful stimuli is the tide. The sand castle is our body. If we continually choose to eat a diet that is high in processed foods and fat, then each meal represents another wave. Over time, our body can’t keep up with repairing the damaged caused by our poor nutrition choices. This chronic inflammation can eventually cause several diseases, including some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and periodontitis.

The key is to recognize the signs of inflammation before the disease shows up. Knowing what to look for can help you change the way you live and avoid a health scare as so many do. The symptoms that may indicate your body is suffering from chronic inflammation include:

ongoing, irritating pain in your joints or muscles
worsening asthma or allergies
high blood pressure or blood sugar
ulcers or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
constant lethargy or exhaustion
skin problems

If you suspect there might be a problem you can also have inflammation diagnostic testing performed. A simple test can help uncovered the truth. If you listen, your body will tell you what it needs.

What do you hear?

Benefits of Stretching

April 8, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

Most of us stretch our bodies at various times during the day – when we wake up in the morning, have been sitting in the same position for a while, before we head out for a run – but did you know that stretching can, and should, do much more than that? That it has the ability to help our body function more optimally? Let’s start with what happens to our bodies when we don’t stretch.

As we age the muscles in our body naturally begin to tighten. This tightening causes problems with the range of motion in our joints. This limitation can hamper our life because normal routines become more difficult to accomplish, remaining active becomes more difficult, and our susceptibility to injury increases. Stretching can reverse this situation and keep our muscles loose and limber. Here are some of the benefits to incorporating stretching into our daily lives:

Reduced muscle tension.
Increased flexibility and range of motion in the joints.
Enhanced muscular coordination.
Increased blood circulation.
Increased energy levels.
Helps ensure correct posture.
Reduces muscle soreness.
Helps speed recovery from muscle and joint injuries.
Reduced stress.

Committing time every day to stretching the muscles in your body that give you the mobility you love is essential. The good news is that the time commitment is small. 10-15 minutes is all it takes to give your muscles what they need. But where do you begin?

Stretching should be done when your muscles are warm. Begin by doing some low-impact cardio like walking, jogging, or biking for a few minutes to get the blood pumping.
You don’t need to stretch the entire body to see and feel the benefits. Start with the areas that feel the most tight. Focus your stretching efforts there first and gradually add other areas to your routine.
Try to hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds and up to 60 seconds depending on how tight the muscle feels.
Don’t bounce as you stretch as it may cause small tearing in your muscles.
Stretching should not cause pain. If you feel pain you have pushed it too far.
Breathe deeply while stretching.
Be sure to stretch BOTH sides of your body.
It’s always best to stretch both before and after your physical activity to keep the muscles healthy.

Stretching is one of the best ways you can take care of the body you have. Don’t let another day slip by without making stretching a priority in your daily routine.

Water and Health

April 2, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

Up to 60% of our body is comprised of water. 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. All living organisms need water to survive. Fresh water is a modern day convenience that allows us to wash clothes, operate dishwashers, water our lawns, flush our toilets, boil water, and make ice cubes. Yet, despite all this availability, the average person in the U.S. consumes only 3.9 cups per day (USDA, 2011). If asked, we could easily articulate that without water we would become dehydrated, that we need it to survive, but why then do we consume far less than we should? Why do we opt for sugary colas or other beverages if given a choice? Do we really know and understand what the amazing benefits of this life-sustaining liquid really are?

Let’s break the benefits of water down into bite-size pieces of helpful facts:

Fluid Balance – With 60% of our bodies comprises of water, drinking sufficient water will help maintain that delicate balance. Sweating, breathing, urinating, and bowel movements cause us to lose some of that 60%, so replenishing for those very reasons is important.
Calorie Control – Drinking water helps us to feel full, reducing our desire to eat too much during meals or snacking.
Clearer Skin – Water flushes the toxins out of our body which causes skin inflammation, clogged pores, and acne.
Kidney Function – Consuming enough water helps our kidneys do their job of eliminating toxins via urine and waste. Amazingly, our kidneys process 200 quarts of blood daily. That’s a lot of fluid.
Fatigue Lifter – One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. Drinking water helps to keep you more awake.
Pain Reliever – After every work out it’s important to drink plenty of water to help prevent sore muscles and achy joints, especially if the body is dehydrated to begin with.
Alleviates Migraines and Headaches – Again, dehydration is a major cause for both of these ailments.
Constipation Aid – Drinking water helps to keep things moving – literally. If the body needs more it will pull it from the colon, resulting in constipation.
Metabolism Boost – Sufficient intake helps the body to break down food more efficiently with a higher metabolism.
Keeps Temperature Regulated – Water has the ability through sweat evaporation to release heat from the body. This process helps to keep the body’s temperature regulated properly.
Moisture Protection – Having an optimal level of moisture in our body helps to protect our tissues, spinal cord, and joints with proper lubrication and cushion.
Disease Prevention – Drinking more than the minimum amount of daily water has been linked to a lower chance of developing kidney stones, urinary cancer, colon cancer, and heart attacks.

So, to ensure that we enjoy the benefits of water, how much do we need to drink? A popular piece of advice many of us have heard is “Drink 8 8-ounce glasses of water per day,” or the eight-by-eight rule, which dates back to 1945. But according to the Institute of Medicine, an adequate intake of fluid for men is approximately 13 cups and women 9 cups. Interestingly, it states fluid rather than specifically water. Given the vast benefits of water, wouldn’t it be better for us if we chose to make those 9-13 cups of fluid strictly water? Imagine the reaction from your body and how good you will feel!

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

April 2, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

Why would stimulating the muscle with an electric current be a good thing? While it may sound like something from an old Frankenstein movie, Electrical Muscle Stimulation is actually a painless therapy given when pain is a problem.

There are times when our muscles become inflamed or strained either due to injury or overuse. When this occurs, the use of electrical muscle stimulation therapy can be utilized with the purpose of reducing muscle spasms, tightness, and pain through the use of a mild electrical current. This in turn relaxes the muscle so that healing can truly begin.

We have over 600 voluntary muscles in our body that work together to control even the simplest of movements. These muscles work in conjunction with both the joints and bones to provide motion. If there is a misalignment within this network then a problem occurs in the form of a muscle spasm the nerve and the muscle have been disrupted. If this condition is left untreated, chronic pain can become permanent. Fortunately, a Doctor of Chiropractic is trained on the use of electrical muscle stimulation to address this condition.

There are two types of this therapy, one that is performed within the office and the other that is portable, and both produce a mild heat. The former is used to prevent or reduce muscle atrophy, which is the weakening or loss of muscle tone usually experienced after surgery or injury. It also helps by

increasing blood flow to the muscles,
increasing muscle strength,
enhancing muscle endurance,
increasing range of motion, and
relieving muscle pain.

The portable treatment is given through a device called a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation unit, or TENS. This option allows the patient to administer pain relief at home through small electrical pulses across the skin and along the nerve strands. These pulses help prevent pain signals from reaching the brain because it stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers. The patient simply attaches the small pads on the affected area and turns the TENS on to the prescribed level.

In both cases the prescribed treatment is typically a 10-15 minute session, the length of time depending on how acute the injury is. Many times a single treatment has a significant impact on lowering or eliminating the pain. From that point on treatment is only as needed, meaning if a patient brings a TENS unit home they have the ability to administer the stimulation if the pain returns.

The foundation to your wellness as you age is understanding that you have options. Knowing what they are helps you to get back to high quality living sooner versus later. Keep yourself informed.

Arthritis

March 18, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

Arthritis use to be a word associated with the elderly. We knew it was painful because of the reaction the person made when moving. Unfortunately, arthritis is one of those health problems that can affect all ages. In fact, according to the CDC, an estimated 52.5 million adults suffer from arthritis and 1 in 250 children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed. But what is arthritis? What causes it? And what can be done to minimize symptoms so one can live an active, pain-free life?

Another word for arthritis is inflammation, specifically joint inflammation. The knee is the most common spot for arthritis to develop but it can also occur is other parts of the body as well:

Spine
Neck
Back
Shoulders
Elbows
Wrists
Hands
Fingers
Hips
Ankles
Heels
Toes

In order to identify the causes, it’s important to understand the two main forms of arthritis – Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid. Osteoarthritis is caused by the inflammation, breakdown, and the loss of cartilage in the joints. It is the most common type of arthritis that progresses over time and is said by many – “has no cure.” However, preventative steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of its occurrence, or if you already suffer from it, steps can be taken to halt its progression. Typically it affects people over the age of 40, especially women, but it can also develop in younger people, too, which is known as juvenile arthritis. The causes can be linked to poor diet, obesity, a prior injury or joint condition, muscular imbalance over time, family history, age, and your sex.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different in that it is an autoimmune disease which means the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint, also known as synovial membrane, causing it to become inflamed and swollen. As the disease progresses it can cause painful deformity and immobility in an individual. According to the Arthritis Foundation, “nearly three times as many women have the disease as men.” The risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis include a family history, age, and being a woman. The reason it affects more women is due to a lower percentage of muscle mass, which continues to decline later in life, especially during and after childbirth and menopause.

The symptoms of both types of arthritis include stiffness, pain, redness, swelling, and decreased range of motion which can significantly affect quality of life. And while there is no known cure, there are many steps a person can take to minimize symptoms:

Strength training
Weight loss
Exercise
Heating pads or ice packs
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Yoga or Tai Chi
Massage therapy

Life may throw us many curve balls. We simply course-correct and continue on our journey living our best life – today.

Range of Motion

February 25, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

“The range, measured in degrees of a circle, through which a joint can be extended or flexed.”

Everyone has a different range of motion for any given joint. Take for example an Olympic gymnast. Watching this Champion compete leaves you in awe of her extreme flexibility. Someone without that level of training can appear quite limited in comparison with their range of motion. In reality, it is completely within that person’s normal range.

As we age, life circumstances have a tendency to affect our bodies, in ways that can significantly limit our mobility and overall movement. But what exactly are these life circumstances that can affect our range of motion as we age?

Our overall flexibility and motion can be affected by muscle or fat mass. An overabundance of either can limit how far we can extend an arm or leg, or even how far we can bend over to touch our toes.

The pain caused by injury will impact range of motion. When the body experiences pain the muscles surrounding the injury/pain will contract reflexively to prevent further injury. Examples include sprains, bruises, and dislocation.

When our body is afflicted by disease, like arthritis or bursitis, the joints are affected causing pain and, once again, a limited range of motion.

If muscles are not moved or stretched regularly they can become stiff and lack extensibility, which is flexibility and elasticity. That is why it is recommended that you stretch properly before engaging in sports or certain exercises like jogging.

Scar tissue from surgery or injury can limit the movement of joints due to the loss of elasticity in the affected tissue.

Fortunately the body is an amazing machine that, if given the proper care, can rehabilitate itself. While many of us will never be that Olympic gymnast, or any gymnast for that matter, we can achieve the ideal range of motion for our age and body type. We needn’t limit ourselves due to contentment, ignorance, fear, or pain. Working with the right team of healthcare professionals – like a chiropractor, massage therapist, and rehabilitation specialist – will help you work you way back to optimal motion and flexibility, so you can stay there.

Never settle for anything less.

The Sound an Adjustment Makes

February 3, 2015 By Damron Chiropractic

I never like hearing people crack their knuckles, it sounds painful. Ironically, there have been times that I have accidentally cracked my own knuckles. It has always surprised me for two reasons – one, that I can actually crack my own knuckles; and two, that it doesn’t hurt.

When people hear the word “chiropractor” many think of cracking, specifically back cracking. And while the chiropractor uses the spine, or back, as the focal point of treatment, it only scratches the surface of the care that is provided. But why all the cracking? What does it mean? Why does it happen?

Chiropractors use the word “adjustment” to describe their approach to spinal manipulation, to correct joints that have a limited or abnormal range of motion that prevent a person’s body from acting as it should. This abnormality, called a subluxation, directs the chiropractor where to perform the adjustment to correct the situation. During the adjustment, it is very common to hear a “popping” or “cracking” sound – similar to when a person cracks their knuckles, except the sound is coming from joints from another part of the body.

The sound we hear is due to nitrogen gas that is released when the joint is released from a locked position (within its natural range). The gas is created by the fluid that protects the joints called synovial fluid, which is produced by the joints themselves. This gas is created because of excess pressure being placed on the joint. The byproduct of this production are gasses, specifically oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. When the joint is “opened” during an adjustment, the gas is released and the popping or cracking is heard. A sensation of “release” is felt in the area that was treated. Some may call it immediate relief depending on the nature of the problem. Something as non-invasive as an adjustment literally causes the body to react in this positive way. Without pain, without medication, without waiting weeks for an appointment.

Each visit to the chiropractor will involve an adjustment, helping the body to realign itself in the way it was originally designed to be aligned. As the joints are aligned, the muscles surrounding those joints begin to strengthen. They were weakened because other muscles were doing their job. The adjustment gradually brings things back to normal, so that the body can function as it is designed to.

What Does Healthy Really Mean?

Gout and Chiropractic Care

Myth #6: Chiropractic Adjustments Hurt

Inflammation Diagnostic Testing

Benefits of Stretching

Water and Health

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Arthritis

Range of Motion

The Sound an Adjustment Makes

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