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When It’s More Than “Just Muscle”

When It's Not "Just Muscle"

Being a chiropractor, one of the most common things I hear when people find out my profession is the list of aches and pains of the people in a group, and I’m happy to help and provide insight into the problem whenever this situation arises. Although I’ve noticed that a common thread runs through their descriptions of their health issues, and it goes something like this: “Oh, my back has been killing me for years… but I’m sure it’s just muscle.“

I have an idea as to what they are really saying, and it’s typically that they’re just not interested in making the time and financial investment that goes along with addressing and correcting the problem. But, lets go ahead and address the inherent problem with this statement, and go over some strategies to help identify some common problems and how to handle them on your own.

The Problem of being “Just Muscle”

Muscles are not tissues that operate in a vacuum of space and time. Our muscles are covered in fat, connective tissue (called fascia), connected to blood supply, and studded with nerve supply. In addition, muscles have multiple connections to various bone structures. The fascia wrapping around the muscles sometimes connected multiple muscles together across various joints.

The sheer number of pain generating tissues that are intimately related to our muscles is more complex than we could have imagined. Take these examples: A pain in your back can easily be traced to a muscle at the front of your leg. A pain in your shoulder can be a nerve traced from your neck. A pain in the calf can easily be a problem with an artery in the leg.

In essence, telling a chiropractor that you’ve had a pain in your spine for years and saying it’s “just muscle” is like telling a Medical Physician that you’ve had a cough for years, and telling them that it’s probably “just a bug”. The truth is, there is likely something more complex going on, and it should probably be addressed before it becomes a more problematic and chronic issue. Continue reading “When It’s More Than “Just Muscle””

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What You May Not Know About Chiropractic

What You Don't Know About Chiropractic

When most people think of chiropractic care, they think of traditional chiropractors who focus on decreasing muscular spasm, increasing range of motion, and reducing pain. This is how most chiropractors practice, and most of them are great at what they do. This falls under the umbrella category of symptom relief/symptom management. Now, what you may not know about chiropractic care is that symptoms are the secondary condition of an underlying cause.

In our office we focus on structural correction. You see, once the spine shifts and disrupts the spinal nerves and spinal cord, it can create many different secondary conditions or symptoms. The reason these are called secondary conditions is because they are a result of the primary structural shift, or the underlying cause. Once found, a specific adjustment of only those segments of the spine that are actually shifted is needed. With care for not disturbing those vertebrae that are in proper alignment, the chiropractic adjustment respects the spine for good reason – your spine protects the nervous system which controls everything in your body.

The location of the structural shift and where the nerves are being disrupted will give us an idea about your secondary conditions. Most people are unaware of the many ways chiropractic can help these conditions; here are just a few examples: Continue reading “What You May Not Know About Chiropractic”

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Omega 3 For Athletic Performance

Omega 3 For Athletic Peformance

Essential fats are required fats we cannot make and therefore must consume from an outside source. One category of these fats found in fish oil – Omega 3 fats – are a must when it comes to optimal athletic performance. Here are some of the ways they can help you maximize your performance and get results.

Faster recovery: Omega-3 fatty acids are renowned for their anti-inflammatory properties.  After a tough workout, you may feel sore or stiff, or you might experience swelling, redness or tenderness in certain areas. This is called inflammation, and it’s the body’s way of protecting itself. It can also slow down the body’s recovery process and tissue repair.  Look for a supplement high in EPA, which is the essential fatty acid with the most anti-inflammatory properties.

Less soreness: Omega-3 assists blood flow to muscles during exercise, and some studies show supplementation decreases muscle soreness by 35%. As well, athletes with a high omega-3 intake experience less swelling and an increased range of motion after a workout.

Increased fat burning and metabolism: Studies show that omega-3 supplementation combined with exercise leads to increased fat burning in muscles and inhibits fat storage.

Increased mental focus and concentration: Omega-3 has been linked with an increase in clarity, memory, and concentration and can actually help you stay focused and alert.

Improved cardiovascular function: Omega-3 improves heart parameters during exercise by reducing heart rate and improving oxygen delivery to the heart. Continue reading “Omega 3 For Athletic Performance”

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8 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

8 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy

To help ensure a safe and happy pregnancy for you and your baby, and so that your child has a healthy foundation to grow and meet all the challenges that life brings, I’ve compiled a list of 8 tips for a healthy pregnancy. These lifestyle changes can (and should) begin before you decide to become pregnant, but if you are already pregnant, simply adopt as many of these steps as you can.

1. Stay Active

Exercise is good not only for mothers-to-be, but also for their developing babies. Studies show that women who exercise at the same rate throughout their pregnancies have larger placentas than their more sedentary peers. Why is that important? Well, the volume of the placenta is a general marker of its ability to transport oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Research has also shown that exercising during pregnancy can benefit a mother’s own heart and her developing baby’s heart as well.

If you’re having a normal, healthy pregnancy you can continue to do just about any exercise that you enjoy, as long as you follow the most important principle: listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it (remember: pregnancy is not the time to set any records or run any marathons.)

2. Reduce Toxins

Reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals during your pregnancy is important for the health of you and your little one. Food and Drink: the easiest way to avoid toxins is to eat organic as much as possible. Also, avoid BPA and try to reduce any canned foods. Personal Care Products: avoid using any product that lists “fragrance” or “parfum” as an ingredient. Luckily, there are now many products that are scented with natural essential oils. Cleaning: Use natural cleaning products. These include vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, and castile soap.

3. Eat Whole Foods

In general, choose fresh, organic foods whenever possible. Aim for a well-balanced diet consisting of adequate protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables. Be sure to include plenty of leafy green vegetables, because they are loaded with folate, a B vitamin that studies have shown reduces the chance of your child being born with neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are a type of birth defect that affects the brain and spinal cord,and includes spina bifida. It’s important to note that there is a substantial difference between folic acid (the synthetic form) and folate (the natural form). This article explains the difference in detail. Continue reading “8 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy”
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Top 10 Posts in 2013

lookingback 2013

This website continues to grow well beyond my expectations. The best part is, the growth has occurred entirely from the support of readers like you. A special thanks to each of you for sharing this website and the articles on it. But even more than that, thank you for sharing the life-changing message of natural health and chiropractic care.

Here’s a trip down memory lane of True Health’s top 10 blog posts viewed this year, judged by page views:

1. Is Your Spine In Line?  Ever wonder how to tell if your spine is out of alignment. This post offers a look at 15 warning signs of an unhealthy spine.

2. Breastfeeding Is ‘Health, Not Lifestyle’ Choice  This post includes a graphic that lists the benefits of breastfeeding as well as the role chiropractic care plays in optimal breastfeeding.

3. Sharpen Your Child’s Mind  If your child is having difficulty concentrating at school, often seems lethargic, or is constantly frustrated with trying to learn, the following tips can help you address the cause and offer natural solutions.

4. The TrueHealth Grocery List  This is a list of nutrient dense, fresh, whole (or in some cases minimally processed) foods which promote optimal health. The post includes a printable PDF version to bring with you on your next grocery trip.

5. Alkaline vs. Acidic  Our body has a desired state of slightly alkaline, but most Americans eat a diet full of acid forming foods. Here is a basic list of alkaline and acidic foods as well as a detailed chart.

6. The Core Four  This is an explanation of the four supplements that everyone (men, women, and children) should be taking. These are supplements that will actually improve your health and well-being if taken on a regular basis.

7. I Don’t Believe in Chiropractic  There are many people out there that question the notion that chiropractic is a viable health care tool. This post takes a closer look at what chiropractic is.

8. Are Baby Carriers Good For the Spine?  Many new parents are unsure as to how to carry their newborn, especially when it comes to how it may affect their developing spines. This post explores the best way to carry based on anatomy and neurology of the infant.

9. Lower Blood Pressure Naturally  A chiropractic adjustment of C1 can significantly lower high blood pressure (This adjustment has the effect of not one, but two blood-pressure medications given in combination).

10. How to Beat Seasonal Allergies Naturally  Seasonal allergies are far from normal, and the fact that they are so common means that many do not have an optimally functioning body. Here are some tips for beating allergies this and every spring without relying on pill popping

Whether you’ve been reading True Health for one week, one month, or since we started two years ago – thank you. This blog owes its success to the support of its readers.