If you are experiencing any of these situations, then there might be some dysfunction in your body�s system, including the immune system. Why not try the Chinese herb, astragalus to help alleviate the symptoms.
Astragalus
In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb astragalus has been used for thousands of years and has been known to strengthen chi or qi life force in the body. This herb has been known to be typically employed in conditions that are related to general weakness in the body like fatigue, anemia, a poor appetite, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions that can weaken the body. Surprisingly though, astragalus can be used to optimize kidney health and, with the combination of ginseng and echinacea, can boost up the body’s immune system. There is a variety of astragalus that are native to Northeast Asia, and its roots need to be dried and powdered to be transformed to be consumed as a capsule or as a tea.
Astragalus Beneficial Properties
Studies have found that astragalus�s beneficial pharmacological effects might contain phytochemical components, which include a host of saponins polysaccharides and flavonoids that the body’s immune system needs to function correctly. Another study found that astragalus contains about twenty trace minerals that are highly important for the body. With astragalus extract, it has immune-modulating properties in vivo and in vitro in both animals and humans, and research shows that the herb stimulates and influences on the immune response cytokines while also leaving the inflammatory cytokines unaffected.
Some of the beneficial properties that astragalus can have on the body are still being researched; however, this Chinese herb can help the body to function correctly and are effective.
Improving the Immune System
Studies have shown that astragalus contains some beneficial plant compounds that may enhance the body’s immune system. Studies show that the primary role for the immune system is that it helps protect the body from foreign pathogens like harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause a person to be ill. Research has found out that there is some evidence that astragalus can increase the body�s production of white blood cells, which will help prevent illnesses from entering the body. In other research studies, it has been found that astragalus root has been known to help the body kill bacteria and viruses caused by infections. Even though the research may be limited, there are still studies that show that astragalus can fight off viral infections like the common cold and liver infections in the human body.
Improving the Heart Function
Research shows that astragalus may be able to improve heart function by widening the blood vessels and increasing the amount of blood that is being pumped from the heart. In a clinical research study, it showed that patients were given at least 2.25 grams of astragalus for two weeks and have experienced a more significant improvement in their heart function. In another study, it shows that astragalus may help reduce the symptoms of myocarditis, which is an inflammatory condition in the heart.
Improving Kidney Function
Astragalus can help support kidney health in the body by improving the blood flow to the kidneys and measuring the protein in the urine. A study has shown that proteinuria is a condition where there is an abnormal amount of protein that is found in urine, and it can be a sign that the kidneys are not functioning normally or may be damaged. Surprisingly, there was another study that showed that astragalus could improve proteinuria symptoms in individuals that have kidney disease. Studies have even found that astragalus may also help prevent infections for anyone who has a reduce kidney function and reducing the risk of a kidney disorder known as nephrotic syndrome.
Conclusion
Astragalus is a unique herb that can help the body’s immune system to function correctly. Even though there is a limited amount of research on this herb, but the beneficial properties it provides in the body are truly amazing. Astragalus can be consumed by capsules or even be brewed as a tea, so that way, people can enjoy the beneficial properties and that their body is performing excellently in health and wellness. Some products offer support to the body’s immune system and help target the amino acids that are intended to support the intestines while offering more support to the metabolic system.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Block, Keith I, and Mark N Mead. �Immune System Effects of Echinacea, Ginseng, and Astragalus: a Review.� Integrative Cancer Therapies, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15035888.
Fu, Juan, et al. �Review of the Botanical Characteristics, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of Astragalus Membranaceus (Huangqi).� Phytotherapy Research: PTR, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25087616.
Gao, Xing-hua, et al. �Saponin Fraction from Astragalus Membranaceus Roots Protects Mice against Polymicrobial Sepsis Induced by Cecal Ligation and Puncture by Inhibiting Inflammation and Upregulating Protein C Pathway.� Journal of Natural Medicines, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19548065.
Meixner, Makayla. �Astragalus: An Ancient Root With Health Benefits.� Healthline, 31 Oct. 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/astragalus.
Nalbantsoy, Ay?e, et al. �Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Properties in Mice and in Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cycloartane Type Saponins from Astragalus Species.� Journal of Ethnopharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 31 Jan. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22155389.
Peng, T Q, et al. �Effect and Mechanism of Astragalus Membranaceus on Coxsackie B3 Virus RNA in Mice.� Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi Jiehe Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 1994, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7703635.
Piao, Yuan-lin, and Xiao-chun Liang. �Astragalus Membranaceus Injection Combined with Conventional Treatment for Viral Myocarditis: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.� Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25098261.
Team, DFH. �Astragalus: Funny Name Serious Results.� Designs for Health, 9 Oct. 2018, blog.designsforhealth.com/astragalus-funny-name-serious-results.
Team, NCBI. �Astragalus Membranaceus. Monograph.� Alternative Medicine Review: a Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12611564.
Wang, Deqing, et al. �Study of the Effects of Total Flavonoids of Astragalus on Atherosclerosis Formation and Potential Mechanisms.� Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306992/.
Wu, Hong Mei, et al. �Interventions for Preventing Infection in Nephrotic Syndrome.� The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 18 Apr. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22513919.
Yang, Qing-you, et al. �Effects of Astragalus on Cardiac Function and Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Level in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.� Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi Jiehe Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20929124.
Zhang, Hong Wei, et al. �Astragalus (a Traditional Chinese Medicine) for Treating Chronic Kidney Disease.� The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Oct. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25335553.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
Knee pain chiropractic: Around 40 percent of running injuries are knee injuries. They fall under a general term of runner�s knee. This includes chondromalacia patellae also referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFMS). Other knee injuries include iliotibial band syndrome and plica syndrome.
Rest and ice are common therapies, but when that doesn�t work or when pain and mobility issues comeback, chiropractic is a tried and true treatment option. Structural issues that affect the knees are often very responsive to chiropractic treatment.
In the case of chondromalacia patellae and other knee problems, it has proven to reduce pain and help improve the condition significantly, providing increased mobility and flexibility.
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Anatomy
The knee is constructed to take the impact of the body�s weight when bending and moving. Under the knee is a layer of cartilage that is a natural shock absorber. Injury/s, overuse, aging, and other conditions can cause damage to the cartilage. The condition causes pain and impaired mobility, especially when walking up or downstairs. The pain can be reduced with rest and ice, but sometimes it’s not enough.
Common treatments include:
Chiropractic
Physical therapy
Medications
Surgery
Symptoms
Common symptoms include pain at the front of the knee. It can be described as a dull ache deep in the knee.
This pain can be made worse when:
Sitting with the knee bent for a long time
Squatting
Kneeling
Walking up and downstairs
The more the knee is in use the worse it is. Rest and ice work fairly quickly to help relieve the pain. But if the pain persists even with rest and ice, more aggressive treatment is the next step. Traditional doctors prescribe medication and surgery. But now more individuals are gravitating to a drug-free, less invasive treatment, like chiropractic.
Causes
The exact cause of chondromalacia patellae is still unknown. The condition has been linked to several factors.
Overuse and repetitive stress placed on the joint. This is seen in sports and physical activities that involve jumping and running.
Poor muscle control when the muscles that surround the knee and hip don�t operate properly making the tracking of the kneecap off balance.
Trauma such as a fracture or dislocation.
Figure 106. Patellar tendonitis (jumper�s knee).
Risks
A person�s risk of developing chondromalacia patellae can increase based on certain criteria.
Young adults and adolescents can acquire the injury as they’re still growing.
Older individuals with knee pain and possible arthritis are more susceptible to injury.
Gender is a risk factor, as women are twice as likely to develop the condition compared to men. Doctors theorize this is due to the skeletal structure of a woman as the pelvis is wider increasing the angle where the bones of the knee joint meet.
Those that participate in sports that involve a lot of jumping and running have a higher risk. Particularly if the individual increases their level of training.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatment for chondromalacia patellae includes nutritional intervention as well as adjustments, stretches and exercises. The treatment is focused on stretching shortened hamstrings and adjusting the sacroiliac joint.
The aim is to improve the tracking of the kneecap and increase motor control. Soft tissue work can help individuals with knee pain. The whole-body approach that chiropractic provides goes beyond relief from knee pain but curing or reducing the condition completely.
The Cost-effectiveness
Why see a chiropractor?
There are plenty of reasons why. From:
General health
Aches
Pains
Injury
Increased movement
Strength
Optimal health
Millions are now turning to chiropractic for natural healing, relief, and whole-body wellness. Some may think the price could hinder their decision to seek chiropractic. Lack of insurance and the number of treatments are two of the common reasons patients think it’s too expensive.
However, individuals need to understand the cost of other treatment options like medications and surgery that end up costing more than dollars with all the negative side-effects. Here are three reasons to visit a chiropractor, and the savings that come with it.
Prevention
Chiropractic promotes optimal health through prevention that is increasingly attracting those striving to remain younger, longer. It promotes whole-body healing through spinal adjustments/joint manipulations to increase mobility and optimize the body’s performance. It decreases blood pressure and reduces the chance of headaches.
Avoiding these health issues saves tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Seeing a professional chiropractor enables a person to stay healthy and enjoy a more active lifestyle because their back, bones, and joints are in optimal condition.
Re-Injured
Millions of bodies are injured from a variety of mishaps and accidents.
Sports injuries
Car accidents
Work injuries
Slips
Falls
Our backs, knees, ankles, hips, and feet take a beating. Chiropractic for injury/s is a wise choice as it promotes healing, decreases dependence on medications, and minimizes the chance of a recurrence. It also strengthens the other parts of the surrounding area of the body and not just the injured area. Treating injuries through chiropractic decreases money spent on expensive medicine and reduces time off work.
Chronic
Many types of medical conditions are ongoing, with no cure in sight. Daily pain, loss of strength and mobility are conditions that individuals power through and learn to live with when they don’t want to continually take medication and feel horrible. This is where chiropractic medicine can shine, as it’s all-natural. The aim is to get the body to react the way it is supposed to and heal itself.
An experienced chiropractor can treat these medical conditions by building a customized treatment plan to manage the symptoms with drug-free pain management. Adjustments to the afflicted area, proper anti-inflammation diet, and at-home exercises reduce pain symptoms and increases mobility. Chiropractic is a productive treatment for various injuries and medical conditions, combined with preventative therapy to maintain and prolong wellness.
If there is one thing we are learning more and more about, it is that everything can be related back to inflammation and what we put inside our bodies. Point blank. The food you consume affects your genetics and your inflammatory response in the body. Headaches, achy joints, and overall fatigue have been directly linked to inflammation.
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Inflammation
Inflammation was once thought to just be something that occurs when the body has an infection or we hurt ourselves as the body’s natural response. That fact is still true to this day. However, we now know more. Now, we are able to recognize inflammation occurring inside our organs and down to the cellular level.
Just as you roll your ankle and it becomes inflamed, if you eat the wrong foods your gut becomes inflamed. This can then be traced back to leaky gut and in some cases, autoimmune diseases.
So what can we do about it? What is actually happening in our bodies?
The human body is an amazing machine that we are still finding more about each and every day. Let’s first take a look at where this inflammation is coming from. Inflammation can enter the gut barrier as a toxin, protein, pathogen, LPS, or alcohol.
If our body is continuously exposed to these triggers, it can result in our immune system becoming dysregulated. Now that our body has these triggers, things like allergies, asthma, autoimmunity, and poor immune tolerance and regulation become our bodies new regular.
Amplifying Loop
These triggers then signal something called cytokines. Cytokines are tiny and dance around inside of the cell. These cytokines increase NF-kB activity.
NF-kB is then used to transcribe DNA and express an inflammatory state!
Now, our bodies are promoting inflammation, all because we let the toxins in. What we put into our mouth and our bodies matter. The foods we eat have the ability to provide nutrients to our cells, rather than facilitating in this ongoing inflammatory response chain.
How Do I Regain Control?
Nrf2 is a key protein in the body that has the function of regulating the genome. This helps the body balance gene expressions and the regulation of our genes. Another thing Nrf2 does is upregulate genes that encode antioxidant enzymes and antiinflammatory genes.
Essentially, Nrf2 helps to fight off inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. Nrf2 activity is part of the detoxification system our bodies naturally have. It helps us to not get sick from every single bacteria we come into contact with. However, Nrf2 is a pathway, not a supplement. So now the question becomes, How do we active Nrf2?
From The Kitchen to The Genes
As mentioned earlier, everything can be traced back to the kitchen and what we put into our mouth to nourish our body. A great way to ensure you are feeding your body what it needs is to make a smoothie in the morning. Smoothies can contain so many nutrient-dense foods to aid in Nfr2 activation.
First, start off with flaxseed in the blender. Blend it up so the flax seeds get broken up and open. Next, add in blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, acai berry powder, broccoli sprouts, and almond milk!
By providing your body and your cells with the nourishment they need, they will flourish. In addition to a smoothie, there are supplements that can aid in Nrf2 activation as well. These supplements include curcumin, fish oil, wormwood, and CoQ10.
It’s clear that the “American Diet” has been causing problems for us. The world is so busy and fast-paced that we are not taking the time or giving our bodies the consideration to shop and make nutritious home-cooked meals. We need to increase our vegetables, fruits, fibers, whole grains and decrease the carbs. Everyone has some degree of inflammation in their body, and many of us do not even realize it! I challenge us to give up fast food for an entire month, cut the soda, increase the lemon water and eat at least one salad a day during this month. By increasing our vegetables and creating plates that are more colorful, our bodies will thank us! – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach�
References:
Gordon, Jacob. �Recipes for NRF2 – MyBioHack: Unlock Your Maximum Potential.� MyBioHack, MyBioHack | Unlock Your Maximum Potential, 7 Nov. 2017, mybiohack.com/blog/recipes-for-nrf2.
Gordon, Jacob. �Why NRF2 Activation Can Make You More Sick – MyBioHack: Unlock Your Maximum Potential.� MyBioHack, MyBioHack | Unlock Your Maximum Potential, 2 Feb. 2020, mybiohack.com/blog/nrf2-cirs-sensitivities.
Lawrence, T. �The Nuclear Factor NF-�B Pathway in Inflammation.� Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, vol. 1, no. 6, 2009, doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a001651.
Ma, Qiang. �Role of Nrf2 in Oxidative Stress and Toxicity.� Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, vol. 53, no. 1, 2013, pp. 401�426., doi:10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-011112-140320.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal,and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at915-850-0900.
The most�common type of arthritis in children and adolescents is Juvenile idiopathic arthritis aka (JIA) a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects kids 16 years and younger. It is a rare condition, that affects around 1 in every 1,000 children. It can cause�joint�pain and stiffness throughout the body, especially the facet joints/spinal joints.
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Types of Arthritis that Fall Under JIA
Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis was known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not a child/teenage version of adult rheumatoid arthritis. Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis falls into a group of several types of arthritis. When a doctor diagnoses JIA, they will determine the type.
To better understand how this arthritis affects the spine, it helps to know some of the terminology.
Enthesitis: Inflammation of the entheses is the area where tendons and ligaments connect to bone/s.
Spondyloarthritis: Arthritis that attacks the entheses of the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis is an example of spondyloarthritis.
The neck joints are the most common to be attacked by JIA. Whereas, spondyloarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the low back.
Typical Symptoms
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis happens in children aged 16 years and younger. Symptoms include:
Joint pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Tenderness
Mild heat or a warmness that has been present for at least 6 weeks.
Other symptoms can include muscles and soft tissues becoming tight, erosion of the bone,�joint misalignment, and abnormal growth patterns.
Diagnosis Can Be A Challenge
Diagnosis is not always straightforward, and there are criteria for diagnosing juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The doctor will perform a physical exam and order tests. They will monitor the child�s symptoms for at least 6 weeks initially, and then for 6 months after the onset of the disease. During this time, figuring the number of joints involved helps determine the diagnosis. As joint involvement can vary by the type of arthritis, and symptoms can and do change regularly.
This arthritis attacks the joints of the spine, specifically in the neck. However, with certain types of spondyloarthropathy, the lower back can become the target.
Diagnosing arthritis involves a complete and thorough examination. If a chiropractor has been brought in to help with the case, a medical work-up by a rheumatologist could be recommended. This includes radiology/X-rays or an MRI, urine, blood analysis and physical examinations.
Treatment
A doctor may recommend a multi-disciplinary approach to treat JIA. They may prescribe various types of therapies/treatments focused on stopping the disease’s progression. The treatment plan will include teaching healthy habits to prevent future back pain.
Medication/s
Treatment usually starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory’s. A doctor can also prescribe a corticosteroid to control the inflammation. Most respond well to anti-inflammatory medication, however, these medicines do not treat the underlying disease or the root cause.
Inflammatory arthritis and its progression can be controlled with certain medications. There are disease-modifying antirheumatic medications that can slow the disease�s progression. There are also TNF-blocking medications that can help block a specific protein known as tumor necrosis factor that causes inflammation. Etanercept known on the market as Enbrel and adalimumab aka Humira are examples of TNF-blockers that can prevent the disease from progressing.
Chiropractic
Understand that chiropractic medicine cannot cure arthritis, but it can help alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression. They will use spinal adjustments in conjunction with other treatments. These can include:
Hot and cold treatments
Ultrasound
Massage
Electronic muscle stimulation
Magnet therapy
Physical rehabilitation
Physical Therapy Exercise
Focuses on:
Proper posture
Joint mobility
Deep breathing
Exercises
Healthy lifestyle education
Patients can develop a forward posture that can lead to a hunched back and neck pain. Postural training and back extension exercises are helpful. Stretching and range of motion exercises keep the facet and rib joints functioning and mobile. Deep breathing expands the chest which expands the rib joints and aids lung function. Depending on the type and severity, a doctor might try other approaches like spine surgery.
Optimal Results
If you or someone has been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the spine,�learn as much as possible about the disease and the ways to combat it. Being informed about this or any disease encourages empowerment and engagement throughout the treatment process.
The best results are achieved by attacking it from all angles. Working with a chiropractor and rheumatologist in combination. A chiropractor will train the individual on how to maintain a healthy diet and maintain an active exercise program to help with movement. This is geared toward a healthy outcome.
Yoga has gained popularity because of its ability to reduce back pain, relax tight muscles, relieve stress and exercise in a safe calm environment. Developed thousands of years ago, the practice of breathing, posing and stretching offers a variety of important health benefits. As a chiropractor, I�m often asked about the practice of yoga. Those with back pain or have undergone spine surgery want to know if yoga can help them improve their physical and psychological health.
Reduced stress
Improved blood pressure
Increased flexibility
Increased stamina
Greater balance
Improved breathing techniques
In addition to the normal exercise benefits yoga offers, the practice serves as therapy for a variety of injuries and health conditions. Yoga embodies the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, and touches upon other forms of traditional exercise. The concept that yoga heals the body in its entirety mirrors chiropractic care. These foundations offer enormous benefits to those dealing with a variety of injuries and conditions. By incorporating yoga, individuals are able to reap amazing rewards.
A regular exercise plan needs to include a little cardio as there are huge benefits from pumping the heart rate up. Minimal loading exercises, like biking, and swimming are great. Pain can be managed by participating in cardiovascular exercises, however, yoga�s gentleness can complement the healing process.
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Here are a few reasons:
Prepares the body for healing
Practicing yoga stretches and elongates the body’s muscles, releasing tension and stress. It can serve to warm up the body and clear the mind, so a chiropractor can get to the root problem. Yoga complements chiropractic treatment by preparing the body to heal itself.
Strengthens joints and ligaments
Dealing with a health condition or injury is frustrating and can seem like it takes forever to heal. Implementing yoga into a recovery plan helps strengthen joints and ligaments, which aids in promoting healing and cutting down the time it takes to get better. Yoga works on the body as a whole and promotes greater well-being from head to toe. A stronger body offers more productivity than one that is stiff, sore, and unhealthy.
Increases range of motion
Depending on the individual’s specific condition, individuals may need a few visits to prepare their bodies before the main issue can be addressed. Yoga sessions increase a body’s flexibility and help with the range of motion in the neck, back, hips, and other joints.
Prevents injury/s
Yoga provides a continual way for individuals dealing with chronic conditions to manage and reduce pain, inflammation, and other symptoms. Yoga combined with chiropractic keeps the body aligned, balanced, muscles stretched, de-stressed, and the joints working properly.
Both also serve to keep posture correct, and ligaments strong. All of this creates a body that is less susceptible to future injury, illness, and stress. Individuals enjoy increased mobility for a lot longer without changing lifestyle.
The Best Way to Start
There are many different types of yoga. Most sessions usually last an hour and include breathing exercises, meditation and holding poses/postures that stretch and tone muscle groups.
To help visualize how yoga can help the spine, here’s an analogy:
Think of the spine like a cookie ice cream sandwich with the ice cream in-between and a gummy band wrapped around. The cookies represent the vertebrae, the ice cream is the disc cushion in between and the gummy band represents the ligament and muscles surrounding the area.
The tighter the gummy band is, the more it compresses the cookies and applies pressure to the ice cream.When stretching the gummy band, it loosens the pressure on the cookies and reduces the load/compression of the ice cream.
Exercise is crucial for recovery and rehabilitation. Yoga is a gentle way to get you back on your feet. It promotes circulation, relaxation, strength, and flexibility. Pure plane movements meaning moving forward then backward in basic movements are essential until the body becomes more flexible. Move carefully forward, sideways and cautiously backward.
At the beginning no movements combining bending and twisting.
The muscles need to adapt and become comfortable with these movements at first. Therefore, hold poses for at least 30 seconds without bouncing minimizing potential injury.
Certified instructor
Ask your doctor or chiropractor if they can recommend a certified yoga instructor; preferably with 500 hours of instruction. Search for small class sizes and a teacher that closely monitors movements and poses closely. It is important that the instructor be aware and make gentle adjustments or offer modifications to participants as needed.
Restorative Flow
Start off with a type known as Restorative Flow. It restores the flow from one part of the body to another with slow controlled movements/poses that emphasize stretching and correct breathing.
Listen to Your Body
When healing from injury/s, take it slow. Listen to your body and let it guide your movements so that it feels safe and comfortable. Do not push beyond. For most, a beginner or restorative Yoga class is best. Ask about modifying the poses so that the bending and twisting combinations/advanced postures are taken out so as not to overload the joints.
If you are on a budget consider purchasing an instructional DVD. DVD’s offer program variations of 20 to 60 minutes and are highly educational and easy to follow. Stretching pain/soreness is okay, but sharp pain is not.
Yoga could be an answer to many of the body’s issues, whether dealing with current conditions or just want to stay healthy in a new way check out the basics of yoga. Chiropractic coupled with yoga offers great benefits to those dealing with medical conditions or injury. Ask your chiropractor for an evaluation, and if adding yoga to your health program will help.
Today we�re dealing with various forms of stress, and viruses that can compromise our immune systems. Chiropractic medicine focuses on helping individuals overcome these stressors to maintain a healthy and balanced life. Besides chiropractic adjustments, healthy life choices, that include diet are essential to living at an optimal level. Here are three nutritional tips that will help boost the immune system. The immune systems run their best when spinal misalignments are realigned and kept healthy. A proper diet can go a long way. This makes the immune system better equipped to ward off any contaminants/bacteria/germs that try to invade the body during day-to-day activities.
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Vitamin D
Vitamin D� strengthens bones and teeth by helping the body absorb calcium. Those that have too little vitamin D can develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D offers protection against a wide range of illnesses and chronic diseases like cancer for instance. It improves the body’s natural response to bacterial infections and helps increase the production of antimicrobial peptides which are very important in strengthening the immune system.
Calcium is a primary building block for strong, healthy bones, especially the spine. Eating a diet rich in calcium can help prevent serious spinal problems, like spinal fractures and osteoporosis. Calcium supplements can fill the daily recommended amount but are not replacements for calcium-rich foods. If there is enough calcium in your diet, then supplements are not necessary. Everyone’s health situation is different, consult a doctor or chiropractor on how much vitamin D is needed for optimal health. Daily recommendations are different and can be measured by age and sex.
Veggies
Vegetables can be cooked, or eaten raw. Quickly find what foods are in a vegetable group. Vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels all produce chemicals that are known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and boost the body’s immune system. One way to make sure you�re getting all of your vegetables is through juicing or smoothies. New to juicing/smoothies, check out this resource on juicing vegetables.
Alcohol
Maintaining a healthy diet is vital to maintaining a strong powerful immune system. One way to do this is to avoid/reduce alcohol. Research has proven that alcohol can cause immunodeficiencies that can make us more susceptible to tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, and other communicable diseases. Although many people consume alcohol for recreational purposes, however, it is important to realize that alcohol is a drug that can poison and deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals. No alcohol consumption equals a super-strong immune system. Visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholismfacts and statistics.
Chiropractic Wellness
Considering making chiropractic rehabilitation part of your lifestyle, well then you are definitely on the right track. What you can expect are many unbelievable health benefits that go beyond pain care.�Chiropractic isn�t just for injury/s, it helps those that are healthy as well by keeping their body’s balanced! Think of it as a medical enhancement that should be included in regular healthcare maintenance. Take a look at these benefits.
Sleep
Sleep is a huge problem, as people are not getting enough. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 adults do not get enough sleep. Chiropractic can help bring restful, restorative sleep. It is highly effective for insomnia. It helps relieve pain, relax, and improve overall wellness, thus allowing you to rest.
Energy
When your body is functioning at an optimal level, you feel better and have more energy. When the spine is misaligned, it impacts the entire body. When the body’s organs do not function properly, there can be soreness, stiffness and getting tired more easily. Regular chiropractic can turn it all around and increase the body’s energy levels.
Illness Resistance
Regular chiropractic can help you build a strong immune system. Those that get chiropractic regularly are more resistant to illnesses than people who don�t. One study shows regular chiropractic treatments help to build a strong immune system. Just one more reason to book an appointment and set up a treatment schedule with your chiropractor. To find out more about nutrition to help build a stronger immune system talk to your chiropractor. They can set up a custom treatment/health/exercise plan. If you�ve never been to one, give us a call. We will help guide you toward a healthy lifestyle through safe chiropractic wellness.
Understanding chronic pain and its alleviation requires an understanding of the anatomy of the nervous system. The nerves of the body are the carriers for the nervous system, as it sends messages to and from the brain. It is quite a complex system. The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The peripheral nervous system branches off the spinal cord.� Both the central and peripheral nervous systems can be affected by neuropathic pain, a type of chronic pain caused by nerve malfunction.
The peripheral nervous system contains 31 pairs of nerve roots that extend from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. There are the feeling nerves/sensory nerves and moving nerves/motor nerves. The chart shows how many pairs of spinal nerves are at each level of the spine.
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Peripheral nervous system
The somatic nervous system is comprised of nerves that connect to the musculoskeletal system’s:
Bones
Ligaments
Tendons
Muscles
Skin
It’s what helps generate feeling and what generates the feeling of pain.
It makes sure the heart keeps pumping and the digestive system breaks down food correctly without thinking. Damage to any nerves can lead to the development of chronic pain. The nerves are responsible for sending pain messages, and if they get damaged, they can continually send a steady stream of pain messages.
Nociceptorsare another important part of the nerve body. Nociceptors are receptors at the nerve endings, which are activated when something happens and triggers a pain message.
Example: Nociceptors�in the finger turn on and send a pain message through the peripheral nerve to the spinal cord, on to the brain when a finger gets smashed in the car door. Before the finger was smashed, the nociceptors were not on because there was nothing to make them respond.
One possible cause of chronic pain could be malfunctioning nociceptors. Even if there is not a direct or root cause, they could be continually sending pain messages. Using the same example of the finger smashed in the car door. The finger heals after the smashing but pain signals are still being sent. The�finger’s�nociceptor’s nerves could be malfunctioning, which is why they are still sending pain messages. The result is chronic pain.
Chronic pain symptoms
Chronic pain is pain that does not stop for more than 6 months. Pain is a subjective experience, it is different for everyone and takes on many forms. The pain could be:
Aching
Burning
Constant Soreness
Constant Stiffness
Electric
Sharp
Shooting
Throbbing
Tight
Chronic pain can lead to other problems, specifically social, psychological and emotional. It can:
Cause sleeplessness
Drain the body’s energy
Cause depression
Withdraw from activities/friends/family
Weaken the immune system because so much energy is spent dealing with the pain
These added conditions feed off each other. Example: Sleeping is impossible when the pain is active, the next day nothing gets done because of the tiredness. As a result of the inactiveness, a loss of self-esteem begins to set in causing withdrawal from family and social life.
Alleviation
To get the best treatment possible, take note of activities, diet, accidents, injuries, etc before the pain began. Depending on the diagnosis, chiropractic care could help. Research studies have shown that two weeks of regular adjustments/manipulation can bring significant improvement.
Physical therapy combined with stretching and strengthening exercises is part of the treatment for chronic pain. Physical therapy could consist of ice, heat, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound, and myofascial release. A chiropractor and other pain professionals can help bring alleviation, so you can fully live your life.
Stomach pains, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
Digestive problems subside with rest or relaxation?
Indigestion and fullness last 2-4 hours after eating?
Excessive belching, burping, or bloating?
Abdominal distention after certain probiotics or natural supplements?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then it might be due to a decrease in your gut system’s Bifidobacteria.
The body’s microbiome is home to numerous bacterial species that help contribute to their unique health-promoting properties. These bacterial species help the body by making sure that each organ and body system is working like a clock. When the body contains harmful pathogenic bacteria, it can cause the body to dysfunction, and chronic illnesses will start to form and even harm the body.
Research studies have found out that the number of bacteria species that are in the human gut microbiota could probably exceed 104. This means that there are at least ten times more bacterial cells in the human gut than the number of human cells. There are even over 100 times the amount of the genomic microbiome as the human genome. Surprisingly though, there are even more studies that have found that there is an equal ratio of humans to bacteria cells.
Bifidobacteria
Regardless of the number, the gut microbiome still has the most abundant microorganisms in the body. When the gut and the body are well balanced, there are a variety of microbes that can give the body both fortified and strengthen that can support the immune system, fight off the inflammation that has entered the body. The microbes can provide the gut a barrier against pathogens, and help metabolize as well as producing critical nutrients for the body to function. With the numerous amounts of bacteria species in both the gut and the body, there is one of the bacterial species in the body that is highly important for a healthy body. It is known as Bifidobacteria, and these bacterial species play a massive role in the body’s microbiome.
Bifidobacteria is an indigenous genus species that are an abundance of this bacterial species that lie in the gut, and their numbers, as well as their species, can be altered with age. Bifidobacteria is prominently dominated in the intestines. Surprisingly though, the Bifidobacteria species can be found in breastfed infants and are in the intestines. Since the fucosylated oligosaccharides in breast milk help the infant grow, it will substrates for B. longum. With the Bifidobacteria colony in infants have become well-colonized until the species B. catenulatum and B. adolescentis is there in the adult years, and it seems that B. longum remains to be an abundance throughout the human life span.
Bifidobacteria Benefits in Infants
When a woman becomes pregnant, Bifidobacteria becomes the first genus of bacteria that is being transferred. This bacterium ensures that it is being transferred from the mother’s vaginal canal, breast milk, placenta, and amniotic fluid to the infant that is growing in the mother. When this is taking process, it highlights the importance of vaginal birth and breastfeeding to establish a healthy, growing microbiome. Research shows that this establishment of Bifidobacteria in an infant can delay if the mother of the growing child has a polymorphism in the FUT2 (Fucosyltransferase 2) gene. What this gene does is that it encodes enzymes to transfer fucose to glycans in breastmilk, then the glycan is then metabolized by the Bifidobacteria for the body to grow and be healthy.
Studies have found that in some Bifidobacteria species like B. breve, have antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties that are vital for the life stages of the human body where the immunity may be weak or even compromised. For infants, the Bifidobacteria species are even more valuable, since they help with the development of a new immune system and are not able to transfer antibiotic resistance. This can be concerning for some probiotic species in the body. With the B. breve bacteria species, however, studies have found out that these bacterial species are significant for preventing numerous gastrointestinal conditions for children.
Bifidobacteria Benefits in Adults
When it comes to the Bifidobacteria in adults, their bacterial quantities decrease due to natural aging. However, the Bifidobacteria still provides an equal amount of beneficial properties that exert a numerous amount of biological activities that can prevent some of the most common gastrointestinal conditions. Studies have shown that Bifidobacteria can show promising results in the prevention of colorectal cancer and can be used as an adjunct therapy. The studies even show how Bifidobacteria can display anti-mutagenic activity, protecting DNA from carcinogen-induced damage, and even inhibited the genotoxic effects of carcinogens.
Another study has even shown that Bifidobacteria can prevent and mitigate diarrhea that is caused by Clostridium difficile. The results show that Bifidobacteria therapy can significantly reduce the quantity of Clostridium difficile and dropping the clostridial toxin titres.
Conclusion
Bifidobacteria is a large genus of bacteria that is responsible for maintaining a healthy body and gut system. When the body is dealing with inflammation or having stomach issues, then the bifidobacterial genus will be affected as well. This bacteria is in the human body from infancy to adulthood, and it will decrease naturally through aging. Some products are specialized to help the gastrointestinal system and the gut system by offering hypoallergenic nutrients, enzymatic cofactors, metabolic precursors, and phytonutrients that the body needs.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Arboleya, Silvia, et al. �Gut Bifidobacteria Populations in Human Health and Aging.� Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 19 Aug. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4990546/.
Bozzi Cionci, Nicole, et al. �Therapeutic Microbiology: The Role of Bifidobacterium Breve as Food Supplement for the Prevention/Treatment of Paediatric Diseases.� Nutrients, MDPI, 10 Nov. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6265827/.
O’Callaghan, Amy, and Douwe van Sinderen. �Bifidobacteria and Their Role as Members of the Human Gut Microbiota.� Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 15 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4908950/#!po=8.75000.
Team, DFH. �The Basics of Bifidobacteria.� Designs for Health, 5 Sept. 2019, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1100.
Thursby, Elizabeth, and Nathalie Juge. �Introduction to the Human Gut Microbiota.� The Biochemical Journal, Portland Press Ltd., 16 May 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433529/.
Wei, Yanxia, et al. �Protective Effects of Bifidobacterial Strains Against Toxigenic Clostridium Difficile.� Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 8 May 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5952185/.
The University offers a wide variety of medical professions for functional and integrative medicine. Their goal is to inform individuals who want to make a difference in the functional medical fields with knowledgeable information that they can provide.
A healthy lifestyle combined with�exercise�creates toned muscles that protect the body/spine and improve blood circulation. Chiropractic is designed to bring pain relief, realign the spine, and restore the body to its natural balance through treatment and a strengthening program.
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Spinal Blood Supply
The vascular system’s function is to nourish every cell in the body. This includes the:
Vertebral column
Spinal cord
Neural structures
Muscles
Blood
Blood contains:
Plasma – fluid
Red blood cells – erythrocytes
White blood cells
Platelets
Plasma and Cell Nourishment
Plasma, or the liquid part of blood, total’s to about 90% of blood combined with water, salts, hormones, and proteins. It delivers the proteins, fats, minerals, and lipids to each cell in the body. Cells can’t reproduce or repair any damage or injury to the body without nutrient replenishment.
Red Blood Cells/Oxygen
The primary benefit cells derive from blood is oxygen. Oxygen is needed to burn glucose for energy. This oxygen comes from red blood cells. Oxygenated blood pumps from the heart through the arteries while deoxygenated blood returns to the heart through the veins. The pulmonary artery is an exception, as it carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and is reoxygenated there. The pulmonary vein then takes the oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs.Then the oxygenated blood gets circulated throughout the body.
White Blood Cells/Immunity
White blood cells are the components of the immune system and fight infection/s and bacterial toxins.
There are different types of white blood cells, these include:
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Lymphocytes
Basophils
Monocytes
Each has a different job. These antibodies are transported through the circulatory system.
Platelets/Clotting
Platelets control bleeding from injury/s by creating a clot, through a series of chemical reactions. The spine is served by the body�s system of arteries and veins.
Strengthening
Exercise instructions for specific conditions are given by a physical therapist or chiropractor. The following exercise tips apply to everyone. Remember injury prevention is key for a healthy body.
Warm-Up
Before starting any exercise, it’s important to warm up. A series of dynamic moves can boost your heart rate and warm up the muscles during your work out. Select whole-body movements like leg lunges combined with arm motion or walk in place while raising and lowering your arms. Once you’ve warmed up, you can stretch without risk of injury.
Appropriate Footwear
When buying tennis shoes, check for stability, flexibility, and comfort. During your test walk, make sure that the shoes feel firm and move through your entire range of motion for a stable gait. Footwear should be flexible enough to give easily at the base of the toe for a smooth gait, and there should be cushioning at all the right places with plenty of room for the toes to move. Shoes that properly fit your feet means that your walk will be more natural and healthy during exercise and in motion.
Keep Posture In Mind
Perhaps the biggest reason that these exercise tips are so important is that strong and flexible muscles will help you have proper posture. Be mindful of the following as you move:
When sitting, the feet should be on the floor, shoulders should be relaxed, and forearms should remain parallel with the ground.
If standing for an extended time, make sure to maintain posture by tucking the stomach muscles in.
When standing for a very long time, shift the weight from one foot to the other and from the heels to the toes and back again.
These simple tips for maintaining proper posture will passively work muscles and result in a healthier spine.
Stretch Muscles
Finally, it is important to target large muscle groups with passive exercises. Use your weight to slowly stretch your hamstrings, piriformis, and entire back. Passive stretching is gentle and relieves stress points that cause back pain. These gentle exercises provide a great deal of relief and are easily adjusted to fit your fitness level.
A chiropractor will work with you to create an exercise program that is optimal for you. Be sure to follow through with the plan and include these tips in your regular work out.
Sit-Ups/Crunches/Planks and the like
We have ligaments that connect bone to bone, and tendons that connect muscles to bones. All of these structures work together to help move and to stay balanced. Strengthening one area of your body, like the spine, should include strengthening the surrounding areas where the spine really takes the weight. And that is the core.
For the back, abdominal strengthening is important because the abs act as a front/forward anchor for the spine. They work as a counterbalance for the back muscles which means that both muscle groups need to be strong to keep the spine properly supported. If the abdominal muscles are weak then the back muscles have to work harder to support the spine.
This can lead to sprains or strains, and back pain. Strengthen, stretch, and stabilize the muscles. These are the keys to keeping the spine healthy. Building up muscle strength, keeping muscles flexible, and working on the core will help stabilize the spine. A physical therapy exercise program includes strengthening, stretching, and stabilization specific to each individual’s condition. Don’t skip the abdominal exercises when dealing with back pain, they will help in the long run!
Today, there can be a lot of confusion when it comes to diet. The information received can be contradicting, confusing, and leave individuals feeling lost. This can often result in giving up on the diet and being left with joint pain, inflammation, discomfort, headaches and more.
The reason why there is more than one diet out there is because the research is always advancing. We have come to realize that everyone’s body reacts to different food sources and diets differently.
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Genetic Code
As more and more research is being done, the more we are realizing how the genetic factor of individual cells directly correlate to a patient’s weight, diet, and changes as they age. For years, as one would get older and start gaining weight, we would attribute it to age. Although age is a factor, what we are finding now is that the genes are actually changing as we age and that is what creates this weight gain.
Sure enough, there are also genes that will tell us if you are susceptible to snacking. These genes can detect if you have a predisposition for heightened snacking or satiety. Satiety is the feeling of fullness after a meal. If you have reduced satiety, you tend to snack more because you do not feel as full after the meals you eat.
Getting your genes tested will allow the treatment plans created to be more personal and more geared to see results! Believe it or not, your genes can tell us if you are genetically prone to obesity,� if you have weight loss resistance when it comes to carbohydrates, and how your body responds to exercise! Using the genes, we can see how many hours per week you will need for weight loss or to maintain your current weight.
Proven Methods
The best option is to know your genes so the diet plan can be geared more towards you directly. However, if that is not a possibility right away, there has been one diet that has been proven time and time again to work for almost everyone. This diet is referred to as the Ketogenic Diet.
In simple terms, the ketogenic diet is a low carb, high-fat diet. This diet works by sending the body into a state of ketosis which burns fat as fuel.
Research shows that those using a ketogenic diet demonstrated a higher percentage of weight loss and kept the weight off longer when compared to those who did a low-fat diet.
Available Resources
Considering the fact that there is misinformation about diets out there, proper education is going to be the key. As someone who has gone through dietary changes myself and figuring out what works best with my body with type 1 diabetes for optimal health, the right team is what made me successful.
Surround yourself with those who are continuously educating themselves and have a system in place. For example, we make sure our patients get one on one time with the doctor and a health coach. From here, the health coach and patient become connected through a virtual database allowing the patient’s food, weight, supplements, hydration, BMI, BIA, and activity to be tracked by the health coach. The health coach can then instant message or video chat the patient throughout the week to ensure they are staying on track, staying motivated, and answer any questions they may have!
Do not be left confused over diets anymore! Remember that your genetic code holds the key to the right diet for you.
The right diet has the ability to make individuals see the results they have been waiting for. It all comes down to the genes. As mentioned, genes change over time but they hold the code. If you are someone who has struggled with diets, feeling good, or are stuck at a certain weight, I highly recommend getting tested! The information you gain from this is so beneficial! I have seen the results first hand, and they are eye-opening. They let you know if you have the genetics that will hold onto fat. This knowledge can help us prevent health issues such as metabolic syndrome! – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach�
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post DisclaimerThe scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
REFERENCES
Bueno, Nassib Bezerra, et al. �Very-Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet v. Low-Fat Diet for Long-Term Weight Loss: a Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.� British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 110, no. 7, 2013, pp. 1178�1187., doi:10.1017/s0007114513000548.
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