Autoimmunity is a bit more complex than you might think. If you�re reading this you probably already have at least a little bit of an idea of what an autoimmune disease is: It�s when your body attacks itself. Unfortunately, that�s drastically oversimplifying the problem. There are little-known underlying causes of autoimmunity and much more complicated descriptions of what it really is.
Now � I�m not going to make it as complicated as it could be because it could be really complicated to explain. I�ll do my best to describe the things that you want to hear about autoimmunity in a way that you want to hear it. Let�s get started with the basics:
What is an autoimmune disease?
What causes autoimmune diseases?
What can you do to reduce autoimmunity?
Contents
What is autoimmunity, really?
As early as the beginning of the 20th-century scientists and doctors had such little knowledge about autoimmunity that they firmly believed that it either, 1. Did not exist, or 2. Could not develop to the point of becoming a full-on disease. Surprisingly, the modern understanding of autoimmune diseases did not become widely-spread until the 1950’s.
Understanding Autoimmune Disease
Like we�ve said before, in the simplest terms, autoimmunity is when your body�s cells attack friendly cells that shouldn�t be attacked. Your body is failing to recognize it�s own cells properly and identifies them as �intruders� that must be destroyed. To some degree, immune systems appear in every complex life form. In order for the immune system to function properly, though, it needs to be able to know which cells to destroy and which to let live.
One of the main components of the immune system in humans is the antibody. Antibodies are very specialized cell-killers; each antibody has but one purpose � to mark a single type of intruder to be killed by another white blood cell. For example, when you get a cold, your body produces antibodies which are specialized to kill only the bacteria that cause that cold. You would probably never get sick again from that same cold because now your body has defenders against it. However, once the bacteria that caused your cold mutates into a new disease, your old antibodies aren�t programmed to kill the new disease � and are therefore useless.
When autoimmunity starts in your body, your body is failing to determine which cell it should destroy, and it starts to develop antibodies which are directed to kill �self� cells. These antibodies are called autoantibodies.
Autoimmune diseases affect some 50 million Americans and there are over 80 different diseases that involve some level of autoimmunity. Some examples of autoimmune related diseases are as follows:
Celiac disease
AIDS
Diabetes (Type 1)
Hashimoto�s thyroiditis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Graves Disease
Psoriasis
Reactive Arthritis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Alright, so now we know what autoimmunity is (hopefully), so let�s get to our next topic.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
A Leaky Gut
Many of these diseases, like diabetes, arthritis, and thyroiditis, are closely associated with inflammation. This might seem like I�m going off topic, but I assure you I am not. Many new studies have been done linking autoimmunity to inflammation. Just where does this inflammation come from? Your gut.
An unhealthy gut leads to a scarcely spoken condition called leaky gut. Leaky gut is when toxins from your intestines that should have stayed in your intestines � start to leak into your bloodstream. When there is such a high volume of toxins and bacteria leaking into your bloodstream, your body throws the immune system into hyper overdrive. Essentially you start to form antibodies to kill too many things to try and defend yourself against what�s actually harmful.
It might be surprising for you to know that about 80% of your immune system is housed in your gut. If you really think about it, though, it makes sense � right? Your intestines are where all the nasty bacteria and toxins are.
A leaky gut is finally becoming recognized in studies to not just be related to a healthy gut in some mysterious way, but it is being proven that if you have an autoimmune disease your gut is already leaky.
Toxins and Infections
Beyond the toxins that your leaky gut is already pouring into your bloodstream if you have autoimmunity, other outside toxins may also be to blame. Unfortunately, we are almost surely being exposed to some level of toxins every day just from the meat we buy at a local grocery store. One main culprit of dangerous toxins that lead to autoimmunity is fish. Fish can contain mercury which is involved in many cases of autoimmunity and it is toxic (and can even deadly) to humans.
If your house or apartment has problems with mold, don�t treat it like it�s no big deal. Certain household molds produce mycotoxins which set out to mess up your immune system, sometimes causing it to attack itself. On the other hand, getting infections from bacteria or viruses such as herpes, mono, and E. Coli can also contribute to autoimmunity.
Stress
Stress is a natural response to things like injury, infections, and emotional trauma. In the case of physical injury, stress increases inflammation in the area in question and actually can provide help to the healing process. However, chronic stress is the kind of stress we are dealing with today. Work, family, and physical pressures keep our body in a constant state of stress. This type of stress maintains a level of inflammation in the body that is unnatural. The related inflammation damages the immune system and can actually contribute to autoimmunity.
Gluten
If you don�t already know you are �gluten intolerant� you might not think of gluten as anything diabolical or dangerous. Unfortunately, gluten signals the release of zonulin, which controls the tight junctions in your intestines and signals them to �open wide� and let the junctions in your gut to release the toxins into your bloodstream. It sounds a little unbelievable that something as simple as bread Can cause autoimmunity and an unhealthy gut, but if you don�t believe me, take a look at this scientific journal concerning zonulin.
Genetics and Gender
Here are some more unbelievable stats when it comes to autoimmunity:
About 75% of people who suffer from autoimmunity are women
The incidence of Hashimoto�s Thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease) for women to men, is 10 to 1
The incidence of Graves disease is 7 to 1 for women against men
The incidence for systemic lupus is 9 to 1
Rheumatoid arthritis is 5 to 2
These stats are pretty striking when it comes to women and autoimmune disease, but if you take into consideration genetics, you can understand why. Some studies are starting to uncover that certain autoimmune diseases could be the result of a malfunction in the X chromosome. Since men have only one X chromosome and women have two, it makes sense why they are suffering through more autoimmunity than men.
If you�re suffering from autoimmunity, then you might think all this information is interesting but is it really helpful? Probably not. So let�s move on to the question that you really want to be answered.
What can you do to help reduce autoimmunity?
There are a lot of voices out there saying they have a way to reduce autoimmunity. So let us organize these voices into an understandable condensed version.
Traditional Treatments
Traditional treatments for autoimmunity include immune system suppressors, anti-inflammatory medicines, or palliative treatments (which means basically they just focus on removing the pain without focusing on the condition).
The purpose of immune system suppressors is to limit the amount of damage your immune system will cause to your body; there is an extreme risk, though, alongside this type of treatment. When you suppress your entire immune system to defend it against itself, you leave your body open to other dangerous illnesses. In a short-sighted way, suppressing your immune system will alleviate your systems.
Dealing with inflammation is a very important aspect of truly treating (and even curing) your autoimmune disease. However, using medications to temporarily reduce inflammation is kind of like slapping a soggy band-aid over a wound. Maybe it helps to lessen the bleeding for a little while, but it doesn�t help in the long run. Treating inflammation as a symptom helps in the short run; however, it�s more important to treat the cause of your inflammation.
Palliative treatment may be necessary for many painful cases of autoimmune disease. It can be very painful to endure some treatments and diseases and pain management is an important part of recovery. On the other hand, if you heavily rely on pain management to the point that you are no longer bothered by your pain, it may lull you into apathy concerning your condition. I have seen this many times in my practice, patients with severe knee pain will be very good about caring for their joints until they are high on pain medications. Once they feel no more pain you would find them being far more active in activities that are unhealthy for their joints.
To review: It is very important to use palliative treatment in conjunction with other treatments that are focused on the source of the problem.
Nutrition
Improving your nutrition is one of the best ways to deal with autoimmunity. This seems like it�s hard to believe, but like I said earlier, good health starts with your gut. For this reason, the foods and supplements that we take into our body (and therefore intestines) are directly correlated with our autoimmune health. There are many foods you can take to reduce autoimmune response. Some things you can do are:
Pay Attention to Vitamin Intake
Important vitamins for autoimmune health are vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin B. Vitamin D is a huge immune system regulator. It contributes to a healthy immune system, and with proper intake, you will see a marked improvement in autoimmunity. In order to increase your vitamin D levels you should make sure you get a good amount of sun exposure daily. Alternatively, you can find a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement.
If you want to increase your magnesium and B vitamin levels you can consume dark leafy greens or broccoli. You can also find supplements that have both vitamin B and magnesium.
Vitamin C is good for immune health for a different reason: It encourages bowel movements. Why is this important? Moving your bowels consistently when you are tackling an autoimmune disease can flush out toxins that would have otherwise leaked into your bloodstream from your leaky gut and caused inflammation, which, in turn, would have increased an autoimmune response.
Consume Probiotic Foods
Consuming foods with probiotics regulate your gut flora and encourage healthy bacteria to colonize your gut and assist in the destruction of bad bacteria before it causes an autoimmune response and inflammation. For someone with an unhealthy gut (which means anyone with an autoimmune disease), introducing probiotics into your gut is an important part of recovery. This is because your gut is probably overrun with bad bacteria that are perpetually damaging your digestive tract. As you take medications, make bowel movements, or disturb your gut in any other way, you should constantly be reintroducing good bacteria through probiotic foods.
Some foods you can eat that have probiotic properties are dark leafy-greens, kimchi, certain yogurts, miso soup, and sauerkraut. You can find more information on probiotic foods here.
Consume Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Since the gut houses so much of your immune system, and inflammation is at the root of autoimmune disease, it�s important to avoid foods that cause inflammation and consume foods that reduce it. Some foods that reduce inflammation are olive oil, leafy greens (again), almonds, walnuts, healthy fats (like you find in fish), tomatoes, and some fruits like blueberries strawberries and cherries. Find more information on fighting inflammation through food here.
Take the Right Supplements
Supplements can be beneficial for you if you are suffering from autoimmunity. Like we already mentioned, some vitamin supplements can be helpful in different ways � like vitamin C moving your bowels. Also, you can take probiotic supplements to improve your gut flora.
Treat Toxins and Diseases
Earlier, we mentioned that certain toxins like that of molds can contribute to your autoimmunity. Carefully remove any toxins from your living space and diet. One good way to do this is to avoid fish that are known to have mercury such as shark and some tuna. You should also avoid red meat injected with chemicals and hormones.
Manage Your Stress
Since stress is something that can dampen your immune system, increase inflammation, and encourage autoimmunity, it�s important to remove any extra stress from your life. Practice deep relaxation, breathing techniques, get a massage, anything that can relieve stress. Another thing you can do is make a concerted effort to get good sleep every night. A proper amount of sleep during the night can do a lot to alleviate persistent stress.
In Conclusion
Autoimmune disease affects millions of Americans. It�s important to know exactly what autoimmunity is, what causes it, and how you can stop it completely. Obviously, it might not be possible to completely cure every case of serious autoimmune diseases, but by following the recommendations above, you can at least manage it more efficiently.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Many people with diabetes are extremely conscious about their health, for this reason, they are continuously looking for ways to handle their diabetes more efficiently. However,how can they make a difference if they do not even understand the disease they are currently suffering from? Some factors are thought to cause this and make it even worse.
Leaky gut is one of those ailments; some also theorize that without a leaky gut, you can’t actually have type 2 diabetes. Not only could it cause diabetes, but it may perpetually make it even worse.
Contents
What is Leaky Gut?
Leaky gut can be called “intestinal hyperpermeability”. In simpler terms, it means that toxins on your gut may pass through the intestines and also leak in your entire body. As can be anticipated, this causes lots of medical problems.
Basically, leaky gut occurs when your digestive tract is weak in the poor diet, among other factors. The intestines worn and are currently thinning down. The “good bacteria” which assist you in breaking down your food and eliminating toxins are not flourishing. Leaky gut allows toxins to reside in the body which should have been expelled quite quickly, causing symptoms such as these:
Inflammation (sometimes severe)
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn and ulcerative colitis)
Irritable bowel syndrome
Food allergies
Chronic fatigue
Hepatitis
Pancreatitis
Arthritis
Diarrhea
Joint pain
Skin rash
Diabetes
AIDS
With such a lengthy list of conditions related to your leaky gut, you might begin to think it is a super-disease or something. Do not worry, it is not. Though it contributes to or causes some messed up stuff inside your body, it’s avoidable and even reversible. Some professionals even believe you could reverse severe and chronic disease (such as diabetes) by preventing that leaky gut.
You won’t discover much about leaky gut from mainstream physicians. Most doctors do not even test this yet. It is really somewhat of a mystery to most medical professionals. Linda A. Lee, MD, a gastroenterologist in John Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center says “We do not understand a good deal, but we know that it exists.” She proceeds. “In the absence of evidence, we do not know… what treatments may directly address it.”
Other specialists, such as Donald Kirby, MD, refer to a leaky gut as a “very grey area”. Itself is a diagnosis of a disorder, it means that more research needs to be done, and an individualized diagnosis has to be made. What exactly does that mean? It usually means that the root of leaky gut can be any number of items, so you want to discover the cause. On this note, let’s take a look at some of these triggers.
What Causes Leaky Gut?
To reiterate, there isn’t any one conclusive cause due to the shortage of research done. However, there are a number of items upon this could give rise to your intestines getting weak, ineffective, and leaky agreed. These include:
Excessive alcohol usage (which can irritate the intestinal wall)
Enzyme deficiency (like having lactose-intolerance)
Toxic metals
Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
Your gut has a great deal of difficult work to do. Not only does it need to digest and break it down into nutrients to nourish your body, in addition, it has to guard you from toxins which would otherwise put in your bloodstream and of the waste products. This heavy responsibility warrants that we take care of our bowels. Unfortunately, the greater bulk of people today don’t even give a second thought.
Your typical American diet is filled with sugary soft drinks, white flour, and otherwise high tech, low-fiber foods. This leads to an unhealthy gut in which germs are useless and weak while bacteria flourish and harm your intestines. The walls of your intestines begin to neglect when the damage is too severe. They become permeable and start to permit the toxins and waste, so which was intended to remain right into your bloodstream.
Some of those other items on the above list, such as alcohol and some prescription and over-the-counter medications, also have a negative effect on the internal flora of your intestines. You have a harder time fighting the things that pass through it and digesting your food if the good bacteria is killed off in your gut. Your gut can begin to leak and becomes unhealthy as the good bacteria make way for bacteria.
How Exactly is Leaky Gut Connected to Diabetes?
To provide you the most shocking news first: new study suggests that you can have each of the genetic predispositions to diabetes in the world, however you’ll never really contract diabetes unless you’ve got a leaky gut also. This means (if this study is correct) for those who have diabetes, then you already have a leaky gut.
The largest link between migraines, leaky gut and diabetes is inflammation. Inflammation is involved with developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, many disorders are associated with inflammation such as:
Periodontal disease
Stroke
Heart disease
Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
When toxins leak from your intestines and in your bloodstream, this causes an immune response from the human body. The modest cells that your body sends out do their best to remove toxins and the bacteria from inducing damage than inflammation could ever cause. Unfortunately, that’s just what happens. The war against germs waged by your immune system induces a whole lot of inflammation.
Continuous abnormal inflammation (like that caused by a leaky gut) changes your natural insulin levels and actions, contributing to diabetes. You eventually form, once your body starts to become insensitive to insulin. You are able to see the cycle here. The more inflammation. The more inflammation, the insulin resistance. If you add that on top of a continuously leaky gut isn’t far off.
Inflammation causing insulin resistance has been observed by Mario Kratz, Ph.D., in experiments involving mice also. Some of the mice were fat, which caused a constant inflammation. Insulin resistance was developed by the mice with this inflammation. This left the question: was it that the inflammation, or Was the fat causing the insulin resistance? To answer this question, scientists bred mice that lacked the ability to generate certain immune responses that cause inflammation. Then they proceeded to feed. What was the result? These mice didn’t have insulin resistance. What does this mean? It usually means that the insulin resistance came in the inflammation, not the fat cells themselves. This supports researcher’s claims that diabetes is contributed to by inflammation caused by a leaky gut.
Another experiment conducted on mice in 2012 took a different approach. The mice were given a drug called Tamoxifen to simulate bad gut feature, ruin their inner ecology and kill healthy bacteria. The researchers found similarities between the bowels of mice with mice and diabetes whose guts were ruined with Tamoxifen. The two groups of mice enhanced, when given insulin. To the scientists, this demonstrated that diabetes is strongly associated with gut health.
To outline, scientists do not know everything about leaky gut and how it results in diabetes, but they are starting to learn more. There is certainly more research but it is apparent that an unhealthy gut doesn’t only have an effect on digestion, but can have side effects for the health of the body.
How Would I Know if I Have a Leaky Gut?
The very first thing you might do is refer back to the indicators of a leaky gut which we already laid out for you (things such as skin rashes, joint pain, nausea, chronic fatigue, and IBS), but that might not help you as much as you’d believe. The potential symptoms includes side effects of another list of distinct ailments that have nothing to do with a leaky gut.
Some other things you can look at would be things such as:
Food Sensitivity
When radicals are continuously leaking into your blood due to a leaky gut, your body is overproducing trigger-happy antibodies, and those antibodies start to attack things which they would not normally. This causes food sensitivity, particularly to milk and gluten.
Malabsorption
As you can imagine, people with a degenerative digestive tract that’s leaking, also have difficulty absorbing nutrients. This can become evident through side-effects like fatigue.
Thyroid Issues
Leaky gut can directly contribute to chronic thyroiditis. This also leads to slow metabolism, constipation, chronic fatigue, and depression.
Tests To Identify & Diagnose Leaky Gut
It is difficult to link some other symptom straight with leaky gut due to the fact that the symptoms might be the result of almost anything else. There are a few tests that you could do in order to see whether you’ve got it. Here are some tests which could be done to identify leaky gut:
Lactulose/Mannitol test
This test involves drinking a sugary solution. A urine sample tested and is removed. If lactulose and mannitol are present, it could suggest a leaky gut.
Stool Evaluation
An expensive test that assesses for bacteria and yeast to see if your gut is infected. This evaluation isn’t likely to be covered by your insurance.
What Can I do to Prevent or Cure Leaky Gut?
We have to keep in mind the germs that reside inside your body make up a very important ecosystem that keeps your digestive tract healthy. So let us start thinking about how we could make that job easier, or at least enjoyable your intestines have a job.
Since we have mentioned several times by now, leaky gut has a lot to do with your internal germs or intestine flora. Minimize bacteria and you want to maximize the amount of bacteria that are good. This may be done through diet and exercise. It sounds simple, but there is more to it in this circumstance.
What sort of diet do you really require?
When it comes to diet, it takes more than a simple “eat healthier!” Recommendation to fight an already leaky gut. You have to imagine that your bacteria is entirely dead. To counteract your useless gut flora, you ought to think about “re-seeding” it using healthy bacteria from your diet plan. You can accomplish so by eating probiotic foods like “lassi” (a noodle drink), fermented vegetables like kimchi, or other probiotic foods such as sauerkraut, miso, or kombucha (locate a listing of probiotic foods here).
One more thing you can do is eat naturally anti-inflammatory foods to counteract the side-effects of leaky gut. Some of those foods are things like avocados, walnuts, healthy fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids), and olive oil (find out more about anti-inflammatory foods here).
Once you get started ingesting foods which will combat a leaky gut such as those mentioned previously, it is time to stop eating foods that give rise to inflammation. These foods are things such as red meat, fried foods (such as french fries — sorry!) , refined carbs (think white bread), margarine, cheese (as well as other calcium-rich dairies). These foods aren’t easy in your gut flora and tend to increase inflammation in the body.
It would also be a good idea to avoid any trans fats, and sugary foods altogether. Refined sugar contributes. In light of diabetes, anything to help improve insulin levels and a leaky gut ought to be considered.
As a review, you should replace as many processed foods as possible with organic possibilities, re-seed your gut with good bacteria by eating fermented foods, and avoid foods that give rise to inflammation or insulin resistance.
What about supplements and medications?
There are particular things that may be taken orally that affect your gut flora at a positive or a negative manner that isn’t necessarily considered a portion of your diet. So let’s talk about drugs and nutritional supplements.
You will find nutritional supplements you may take in the kind of probiotics. This certainly can help improve your digestive tract function by maintaining a healthy gut flora. Probiotics give a large dose of one type of bacteria to you for your intestines that promote good digestion, absorption, and inflammation.
On the other hand, there are lots of drugs that harm your gut flora. Taking antibiotics may be necessary when you’re sick, but don’t overuse them in pill form or perhaps in antibacterial soap. Over just bacteria are killed by antibiotics, they kill the bacteria that are good as well.
Other substances you might encounter that you may not think about are things like chlorinated water, agricultural chemicals located on non-toxic vegetables and fruits, and traces of antibiotics located in factory-farmed meat might also harm your internal flora.
In Overview: Key Takeaway
Leaky gut definitely results in, and potentially causes diabetes alongside any number of different illnesses. Thankfully, it is avoidable and curable; thus look after your intestines. If you eat healthy, exercise, and maintain your inner flora, you will be thanked by your gut personally, and you can potentially get an upper hand or even avoid it altogether.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
The Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is a diagnostic and treatment system used by some chiropractors to treat several kinds of back pain, neck pain, and headaches (both chronic and migraine).
Contents
What is the activator method chiropractic technique?
The Activator Method uses a small instrument known as the Activator Adjusting Instrument to deliver an impulse force with the goal of restoring motion to joint or the spinal vertebra to the spine. It’s an alternative to the classic manual kind of spinal manipulation, known as the high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) thrust.
Next into the diversified procedure, the Activator Adjusting Instrument is reported to be the most common intervention utilized by chiropractors. According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, more than half of chiropractors report using the Activator Method within their clinics, also commonly utilized in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
How the Activator Method is Believed to Work
The Activator Method Chiropractic Technique is a Kind of manipulation described as follows: a�spring-loaded mechanical device called the Activator Adjusting Instrument provides a quick, low-force impulse at specific points.
There are two benefits of an Activator Adjusting Instrument-assisted treatment. The first is based on the rate of this device. The tool is so quick that the muscles of the body are less likely to become stressed in reaction to and withstand the treatment. The therapy effectiveness may be facilitated by the shortage of muscle resistance. The second is that the applied force is localized and doesn’t add bending motion or any extra torque to the joint.
An evaluation of apparent leg length might be performed. This evaluation is based upon the concept that differences in leg length may signal where vertebral misalignments in the spine exist. This form of test is controversial and there’s a lack of evidence to support this aspect of the procedure.
Activator Method practitioners might or might not utilize the test method. Some chiropractors choose to use the Activator Adjustment Instrument based on their physical exam findings independently.
Activator Method Development
The Activator Strategy was initially developed in 1967 by Dr. Arlan Fuhr. The first Activator Adjusting Instrument was patented in 1978 by Activator Methods International, Inc.. Currently, you will find 4 Activator tools available on the market: 1 beginner tool (Activator I), 2 innovative spring-loaded tools (Activators II, IV), and 1 mechanical, cordless instrument (Activator V). Most research was done with the Activator IV tool.
About Activator Method Practitioners
Approximately 50,000 chiropractors report using the Activator Adjusting Instrument in their clinic. Frequently, chiropractors use a range of 8 to 10 different manipulation techniques in their practice. The choice of which technique to use will be based on a combination of patient preference, the individual’s illness, and the chiropractor’s expertise.
The Activator Method is normally just one of a number of techniques a chiropractor may use; chiropractic practices that just use the Activator Method Chiropractic Technique (or any single technique) aren’t the norm. Any healthcare professional can be approved to use the Activator Adjusting Instrument, but it’s commonly used by chiropractors.
Provider Training
The Activator Method Basic Proficiency course is taught as an elective course at chiropractic colleges in the United States. There are two levels of coaching certification:
Basic Proficiency: Requires completion of 12 hours of training, followed by a practical and written exam or a written and practical exam at the school level. This path introduces the simple body scan protocol, for example leg length analysis.
Advanced Proficiency: Requires completion of 24 hours of post-graduate training, followed by a practical and written exam or a written and practical exam at the college level. This track provides instruction about the best way to correct patients utilizing the Activator instrument.
Both the Basic and Advanced Proficiency classes are taught throughout the world at scheduled seminars. Approximately 2,000 chiropractors are reported to keeping their proficiency by attending yearly seminars that offer new material and information. Chiropractors may utilize the Activator Adjusting Instrument as an alternative to spinal adjustments and manual manipulation within their clinic with or with no level of training.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility and strength in your body. In this article we will go over some standing poses to use in your practice.
Contents
YOGA: MOUNTAIN POSE (TADASANA)
The mountain pose is the foundation of all standing poses. It might not look like much but the mountain pose is an important starting position, resting pose and tool to improve posture which leads to many other standing poses in yoga.
�
�
STANDING FORWARD BEND (UTTANASANA)
Standing forward bend is a smooth transition from mountain pose and you will find a deep stretch in the entire back body.
�
WARRIOR I POSE (VIRABHADRASANA I)
There are three variations of the warrior pose of which this is number I.
�
�
WARRIOR II (VIRABHADRASANA II)
Warrior II stretches and strengthens the body in the one movement, allowing you to feel like a strong warrior. This pose will build strength your ankles, legs, glutes, core, back and shoulders.
�
REVERSE WARRIOR (VIPARITA VIRABHADRASANA)
Reverse Warrior is a variation of the warrior II pose that provide a great stretch in the side body.
Chronic inflammation remains a confusing subject for many. One reason for this is that chronic inflammation does not resemble acute inflammation and is not associated with conditions that are normally treated with medications, spinal manipulation or surgery.
Contents
Chronic Inflammation Needs To Be Understood
DD Palmer wrote a chapter in 1914 entitled Inflammation, stating that, “inflammation is present in most, if not all diseases, in the acute if not chronic.” 100 years later, all chronic diseases are inflammatory conditions within local tissues . Chronic systemic inflammation and related pathophysiological changes involve structures and functions that are silent.
Chronic inflammatory condition alters the structure and function of a given tissue and is identified by symptoms and laboratory tests. This enables the application of a name, which describes the chronic state, such as osteoarthritis, fatty liver, tendinosis, diabetes, widespread pain, depression, osteoporosis, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.
Lifestyle Choices That Promote Chronic Inflammation
Loss of sleep, sedentary living, stress and diet all encourage inflammation.
Dietary interventions may appear confusing and complicated. The first step is to assess inflammatory markers during the examination, which will offer insight for a lifestyle change and management.
Markers For Chronic Inflammation
Laboratory tests are the best approach to spot chronic inflammation. High levels of glucose, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c protein along with reduced levels of vitamin D and HDL cholesterol are the most reliable in identifying chronic inflammation.
Patients can also fill out a Health Survey Questionnaire (HSQ-12), which identifies health status, which directly correlates to chronic inflammation.�Without doing a lab test,� chronic inflammation can be indirectly measured.
Nutrition For Chronic Inflammation
Diet is a problem for most people with over two-thirds of the population being overweight. Obesity is known to be a chronic inflammatory state associated with chronic pain and degenerative diseases.
Do no focus on the food for a dietary change and instead focus on the inflammatory markers aforementioned. Food can be emotional, with the markers being objective. Avoiding emotion and stress is a way to deal with nutrition effectively, along with weight loss.
The most essential element in reducing inflammation is caloric restriction. Becoming overweight comes from eating too many calories, whether they comes from fat, flour or sugar. Americans, on average, acquire 60 percent of their calories from flour, sugar and oils. The solution is to replace the refined calories with vegetation calories that allow for greater food consumption with lower calories.
Dietary options that can help:
Vegan
Omnivore
Ketogenic
The important thing is to avoid extra salt, flour, refined oils and refined sugar.
Overview
One does not need to understand the chemistry of chronic inflammation to employ an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. It is crucial to understand that inflammation is the underlying cause of disease and most chronic pain.
Fibromyalgia Can Mask Chronic Inflammatory Disease
Now that nearly 40 percent of American adults swear by some sort of complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, from nutrition and mental comfort to acupuncture, magnet therapy, and international healing systems like traditional Chinese medicine and Indian ayurveda, a growing number of medical schools have embraced functional medicine.
Contents
What’s the benefit of CAM education in Medicine Schools?
“Interest in teaching alternative strategies has exploded, especially this past year,” states Laurie Hofmann, executive director of the Institute for Functional Medicine, which will be based in Gig Harbor, Wash. The nonprofit institute educates healthcare specialists to look for underlying systemic imbalances as a cause of illness rather than focus on treating symptoms and, when possible, to correct with lifestyle changes and mind-body techniques.
The Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine, which encourages the spread of CAM education, was founded in an initiative by eight academic medical centers; it now boasts 46 medical school members.
Traditional and CAM Medicine Education
Traditional studies of surgery and drugs or medications, naturally, still dwarfs class discussion of complementary and alternative medicine. However, students want to add complementary, integrative and functional medicine methods because they “know their potential patients will be using them,” says Shelly Adler, director of integrative medicine education at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, which has a history of teaching the subject.
“I could already see the limits of Western medicine, particularly when treating recurrent pain or other chronic problems. I thought other healing traditions could fill in some gaps,” says Carson Brown, a first year resident at San Mateo Medical Center in California. Spurred in part by the relief which acupuncture had provided her to get hip pain she took a two-week elective last year offered to UCSF students which covered topics from acupuncture to mind-body medicine.
A similar optional was started last spring in the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California; the faculty is likely a second, more in-depth option on functional medicine for chronic conditions. An approach to handling, even reversing, diabetes, as an instance, highlights exercise and also a diet rich in foods that are whole, together with medication as a last resort, to provide overall health and wellness to future patients.
Effects of CAM Education in Colleges
The colleges insist that they approach the subject with an eye toward the signs, advocating only approaches that have withstood scientific scrutiny even as they examine some methods patients frequently use. But critics charge that this is not necessarily the case. A 2009 review in the journal Academic Medicine of a couple of course curricula discovered a bias “in favor of CAM,” noting recommendations of acupuncture for ailments like asthma in which there’s “no credible evidence” and instances of ignoring research, for instance, studies linking chiropractic manipulation with stroke.
At the University of Arizona, where bestselling CAM guru Andrew Weil is a part of the school, a program overhaul five years ago expanded the discussion beyond the scope of an elective or two. Based on the growing body of research supporting a few holistic remedies, especially nutrition, and of smaller-scale studies on other treatments with limited risks, such as journaling to help rheumatoid arthritis, “it made sense to integrate these ideas into a variety of courses,” says Victoria Maizes, executive director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine in the medical school.
As before, fourth-year students have the choice of a four-week elective on the subject. All students, in courses across the curriculum, recognized and now gain an understanding of the use of nourishment remedies in healing and prevention and of the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Members that have gone through the center’s full-fledged, two-year fellowship in medicine give pupils a window on how they could incorporate CAM into their practice.
One cardiovascular surgeon, for example, supplies surgical patients using pre-operative guided vision (shown in a lot of studies to decrease stress and aid healing), provides comprehensive nutrition guidance for heart health, and is researching the effectiveness of Reiki, an energy healing method that relies on touch, on surgical recovery.
There’s a fourth-year optional, too, that highlights the value of caring for the mind, body, and spirit of their physician in addition to the patients. Students not only learn about yoga and tai chi but they also practice these themselves to de-stress, Chiaramonte says. “Students recognize that, to be good healers, they need to facilitate their own wellness, that [it’s] is a part of healing a patient,” she says, a practice which can prove beneficial to them.
In Conclusion
For medical schools which can’t locate the tools or the space in their packed curricula to include CAM, a current Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) survey suggested that time, not lack of interest, is the prime impediment for the addition of such programs in their schools, where often an online education can fill the gap. The University of Arizona will establish a holistic course on wellness and prevention, open to medical students from different schools.
The IFM will debut Web-based modules on gastrointestinal health, the principles of functional medicine, and nutrition. (Time limitations are no doubt the reason a recent study in Academic Medicine found that only 27 percent of healthcare schools currently meet the minimum goal, set by the National Academy of Sciences, of 25 hours for course time.)
Whether or not pupils who know about alternative approaches ever include herbs or acupuncture in their own practices, believers say, they stand to gain from viewing medicine in a more holistic manner.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
There are well over 100 types of adjustment techniques used by chiropractors throughout the world. Typically, chiropractors will concentrate on and use 8 to 10 distinct approaches in their practice.
Contents
What are the most common chiropractic adjustment techniques?
The goal of most chiropractic techniques is to revive or to enhance joint function, together with all the aims of reducing pain and resolving swelling. Some procedures use some force, such as spinal manipulation, while others are somewhat more gentle, such as spinal mobilization.
The original chiropractic adjustment approach is usually referred to as spinal manipulation, and might also be called the diversified technique or the high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust. New chiropractic adjustment approaches typically evolve as a variation from an existing technique and are often named after the chiropractor who developed it.
Chiropractic Manipulation Approaches
Chiropractors adapt therapy plans to satisfy the particular needs of each individual. Typically, chiropractic treatment plans involve some forceful and less forceful spinal adjustment techniques during exactly the same trip or over the course of therapy, approximately 6 to 10 visits for a typical individual.
The most often used chiropractic technique, spinal manipulation, is the traditional high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust. The manipulation frequently results in an audible “pop,” as chiropractors use their hands to apply a controlled sudden force to a joint while the body is placed in a particular way.
Spinal Mobilization (Low-Force or moderate Techniques)
Some conditions (for example, osteoporosis), pathology, the patient’s size, patient comfort, or individual preference, may demand a milder approach generally referred to as spinal mobilization. Additionally, mild mobilization techniques which don’t involve twisting of even a thrust or the body are preferred by some patients or clinicians.
Along with manipulation, many chiropractors will use adjunctive therapy, such as ice or heat or physical therapy modalities (for instance, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, etc.), as part of an overall treatment program. Patients need to discuss their symptoms and tastes with their healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan.
Chiropractors are not the only health care providers who use spinal manipulation for back pain treatment. Many osteopathic physicians will provide a variety of types of adjustments, like spinal mobilization and spinal manipulation . Other kinds such as physicians or physical therapists, will be trained in supplying these techniques as well.
The goal of spinal mobilization is the same as HVLA spinal manipulation, to reestablish or to enhance joint work. But, unlike HVLA, spinal manipulation motion, usually into a firm endpoint of movement, is used to mobilize the joint.
Chiropractors may choose spinal mobilization for certain individuals for a variety of reasons, for example:
Patient preference: specific patients prefer spinal mobilization over spinal manipulation
Patients with sensitive nervous systems can benefit from gentle chiropractic Methods to keep the entire body from overreacting and causing reactive muscle spasms
Patients with a few conditions can be redeemed for spinal manipulation, such as maybe patients with advanced osteoporosis, bone pathology, some forms of deformity, and certain Kinds of inflammatory arthritis
Chiropractors can choose spinal mobilization for patients when they are in the acute phase of their illness and in severe pain
Obesity can make the positioning of the individual and the manipulation procedures difficult for both the supplier in addition to the patient, which might favor a low force technique.
Spinal Mobilization Methods
There’s a vast array of spinal mobilization approaches and techniques. Several of the more common gentle spinal mobilization methods include:
Activator method: The Activator is a handheld, spring-loaded, manual tool which offers a low-force urge. With the patient lying face down the nurse evaluates leg length, performs muscle testing, also adjusts the spine or extremity joints using the Activator tool.
Cox Flexion-distraction: This technique involves a gentle adjustment that is designed to adjust vertebrae by employing a gentle stretch to the lower spine, typically at a set of repetitive slow movements similar to a rocking motion.
Toggle Drop: Using crossed hands one on top of the other, the nurse presses down quickly and firmly on a particular area of the spine while a section of this fall table falls, using gravity to use the adjustment. The table has different sections that dropped and can be increased in accordance with the localization of the spinal adjustment.
McKenzie Technique: This strategy uses a patient favorite position to facilitate pain loss.
Release work: Applying gentle pressure using the fingertips, the chiropractor divides the misaligned vertebrae with the objective of restoring them back to their natural positions.
Sacro-Occipital Strategy (SOT): This method involves placing wedges or cubes under the pelvis, allowing gravity – with a few inclusion low induce assistance by the supplier – to realign the anus.
As well as the aforementioned, other kinds of mobilization are commonly used, such as massage therapy, Applied Kinesiology, Receptor-Tonus Technique, Cranio-sacral, NUCCA , and a lot more.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Occlusion training involves restricting the flow of blood to a muscle group while training. That is why it is also commonly called �blood flow restriction training.�
Basically you take a wrap or band and apply it to the top of your limb.
The aim of this�isn�t�to completely cut off circulation to the area as that is dangerous and painful.
This means that you aren�t restricting arterial flow to the area, but you are restricting the venous return from the muscles.
Arteries are what takes the blood from your heart to your muscles and it is then returned to your heart through a system of veins.
Restricting the blood flow back to your heart causes a pooling of the blood in the area that you are working.
This is what occlusion training uses to create an�anabolic effect�on your muscles.�
HOW DOES OCCLUSION TRAINING WORK?
The bloodstream is the network that connects the muscles in your body, providing oxygen and nutrients and carrying away waste products
Muscles require a steady flow of blood to operate.
That is why we aren�t cutting off the flow to the muscle, we are only slowing the rate at which the blood releases from it.
When performing any kind of resistance training your body directs more blood to your muscles performing the exercise.
The reason you get a �pump� when working out is that the speed at which your body is pumping blood into your muscles is faster than the amount of blood going out of them.
Your pump reduces when you rest between your sets as more blood is released from your muscle groups.
Blood flow restriction training prolongs and intensifies your pump.
This is done by placing wraps in one of two places during your working sets.
You wrap above your bicep for movements that involve your bicep�s, triceps, forearms, and even chest and back can benefit from this.
While wrapping in this position it makes sense that it would benefit your arms but how does it help your chest and back?
There is no possible way that you can restrict blood flow to your chest and back because of the positions they are located in.
However wrapping your arm allows you to pre-fatigue your arms and as a result chest and back exercises that you perform are going to require more involvement from those muscles rather than your biceps or triceps.
Wrap your upper thigh for movements that involve your quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves.
Building Muscle With Occlusion Training
During training you have two�types of muscle�that are responsible for all muscle growth in the gym.
Fast twitch fibers and slow twitch fibers.
Slow twitch muscle fibers are smaller muscle fibers and generate less power and strength than fast twitch fibers. However slow twitch fibers fatigue slower and can sustain activity for longer.
Fast twitch fibers are larger muscle fibers, generate more power and strength and have the most potential for growth.
Fast twitch fibers are recruited last during contractions and mostly don�t use oxygen. Slow twitch fibers on the other hand use oxygen and are recruited first in the movement.
This means that by restricting the blood flow to a muscle group you are pre-fatiguing the slow twitch fibers and forcing the fast twitch fibers to take control even when you�re using low weights.
Occlusion training seems to�trick your body�into thinking you are lifting heavy weights. This means you can get very�similar benefits�of heavy training by using 20-30% of your 1 rep max.
There are two main factors that lead to muscle growth during training. These are:
Metabolic Stress
Cellular Swelling
Metabolic Stress
When you�re working out your body is burning energy. As your body chews through its fuel stores, metabolic by-product accumulates in your muscles.
Metabolic by-products act as an anabolic signal, telling your body to increase size and strength.
Under normal training most of these by-products would be washed out by blood flow.
Occlusion training keeps them near the muscle helping to increase the anabolic effect that the by-products have on the muscles.�
Cellular Swelling
During resistance training your cells expand and fill with fluid and nutrients. This is known as cellular swelling and has also been shown to be an anabolic�signal for muscle growth.
Occlusion training isn�t a better option than heavy training, but that said it is a nice supplement.
Regularly pushing your muscles to the point of failure or at least close to it (1-2 reps) is an important factor of increasing your strength and muscle mass.
Occlusion training allows you to replicate this without putting anywhere near as much strain on your joints, ligaments and tendons as you would to get the same result from lifting heavy.
This means that you can do more volume without the risk of�overtraining.
Here are a couple of scenarios where this could be really beneficial for you:
If you suffer from joint issues
If you�re travelling and only have access to hotel weights
If you�re injured or have nagging aches and pains.
In short your body might not always feel up to another heavy training day. Occlusion training can be a great way to get a good workout in and help you maintain muscle mass.�
How To Do Blood Flow Restriction Training
As I mentioned earlier you only ever wrap yourself at the top of your biceps and the top of your thighs.
Elastic knee wraps, medical tourniquets and exercise band �are good options to use for your wraps.
Here�s two videos explaining how to wrap your arms and legs
Blood flow restriction training works best when with isolation exercises. If you are going to do compound movements do them at the start of your workout and save the blood flow restricted exercises for the end.
Layne Norton recommends performing lifts at 20%-30% of your 1rm for 20-30 reps of the first set and then the next three sets at 10-15 reps. Have a 30 second rest between sets before going again.
You want to keep the cuffs on your limbs for the entire 4 sets and then release them at the end.
If you�re in pain before the exercise starts that�s a good sign that your wraps are too tight.
Also if you can�t complete the prescribed sets either the wraps are too tight or the weight is too heavy.�
Conclusion
Blood flow restriction training has been getting a lot of hype lately.
While it isn�t better than regular strength training, it is a good supplement for it and can be beneficial when used in conjunction with your regular training.
This is more of an advanced training technique so if you are just starting out lifting it probably won�t give you any more benefits than your normal heavy training.
If you�re an advanced lifter, are injured, or don�t have access to heavier weights than this training technique could benefit you.
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders through the use of adjustments and manipulations of the spine.
Contents
What are a chiropractor’s treatment goals and beliefs?
Chiropractors seek to reduce pain and enhance the performance of patients as well as to instruct them on how they can account for their health via ergonomics, exercise and other therapies to deal with their pain. Chiropractic is usually categorized as alternative medicine or complementary medicine.
Fundamental Chiropractor Beliefs and Goals
Chiropractors focus on the intimate relationship between the nervous system and the spine, to provide overall health and wellness to the human body. They also hold accurate the following beliefs:
Biomechanical and structural derangement of the spine can affect the nervous system
For many conditions, chiropractic treatment may restore the structural integrity of the spine, reduce stress on the sensitive adrenal gland, and thus improve the wellness of the individual.
The treatment concept of chiropractic is to re-establish normal spinal mobility, which in turn alleviates the irritation to the spinal nerve or re-establishes altered folds, to reduce painful symptoms affecting the individual.
Conditions Treated by Chiropractic
Chiropractors use a number of non-surgical treatment modalities to treat patients with certain types of:
Lower back pain and/or leg pain (sciatica)
Neck pain
Repetitive strains
Headaches
Sports injuries
Car accident injuries
Arthritic pain
While primarily focusing on fixing neuromusculoskeletal disorders, chiropractors aren’t exclusively confined to problems with the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. If appropriate, these healthcare professionals will refer patients to medical doctors or other healthcare practitioners for treatment of lower back pain, or other injuries and conditions. Chiropractors have a local referral network or function collectively with other spinal experts.
Chiropractic Examination
In most regards, a chiropractic evaluation is quite much like conventional assessment procedures administered by all health care providers. With that said chiropractors examine function and the arrangement of the spine and then determine chiropractic therapies separates attention.
Chiropractic Exam of Back Pain
A first chiropractic examination for back pain will generally have three parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. Laboratory investigation and X-ray examination may be done if needed.
Consultation. The chiropractor meets with the patient and provides a synopsis of their back pain, such as:
Duration and frequency of symptoms
Description of these symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing)
Areas of pain
What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, extending)
What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting)
Case history. The chiropractor identifies the area(s) of complaint and the nature of the spine pain by asking questions and learning more about different regions of the patient’s background, including:
Family background
Dietary customs
Past background of other therapies (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other)
Occupational history
Psychosocial history
Other places to probe, frequently based on responses to preceding questions
Physical evaluation. A chiropractor may use a variety of methods to determine the spinal sections which require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to, static and motion palpation techniques ascertaining spinal segments which are hypo cellular (restricted in their motion) or fixated. Depending on the results of the evaluation, extra diagnostic tests may be used by a chiropractor, for example:
X-ray to locate subluxations (the altered position of the vertebra)
A device that detects the temperature of their skin in the paraspinal area to identify spinal areas having a substantial temperature variance which needs manipulation.
Many chiropractors use a holistic, biomechanical concept of treating the bipedal structure completely, in an effort to balance the arrangement from the feet upwards.
Chiropractors are usually trained in multiple procedures of evaluating lower back pain, for example:
Evaluation and management solutions. Chiropractors are trained in examining the joints, bones, muscles and tendons of the body with the objective of imagining tenderness any misalignment, asymmetry, defects or other issues.
Neurologic and other common physical examination procedures. Chiropractors are trained to perform a variety of neurologic tests (nerve root compression/tension, engine strength, coordination, deep tendon and pathological reflexes, etc.) and are proficient in doing orthopedic, cardiovascular and several other frequent assessments.
Specialized assessment. Chiropractors are trained to assess range of motion, stability, muscle strength, muscle tone along with other assessments.
Common diagnostic studies. Chiropractors are trained in use of diagnostic tools and studies like radiography (X-rays), laboratory diagnostics and neurodiagnostics.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
Autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million Americans, according to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. Why are so many people affected by these chronic pain conditions? There are a number of factors that may cause the human body to attack its own cells, some of which can be modified.
Contents
What lifestyle modifications can help improve autoimmune diseases?
Unfortunately, conventional treatment options often focus on solely relieving symptoms, in the belief that there are no cures for autoimmune diseases. However, autoimmune diseases still undergo cycles of flare-ups and remission. In accordance with Dr. Dempster, a healthcare professional in alternative treatment, functional medicine looks at your complete health picture by addressing fundamental factors of your biochemical, physical, and emotional well-being.
Why is this important? Your body naturally wants to become healthy and at a state of balance. Nonetheless, things occur to upset that balance. It’s believed that autoimmune disorders can be triggered by numerous factors, such as poor diet, chemical irritants, environmental toxins, pharmaceuticals, and even bacteria or germs, to name a couple. Individuals often undermine their health and that’s why it’s crucial to take a functional medicine approach.
Common Factors Behind Autoimmune Disorders
Diet: A quick glance at today’s supermarket shelves shows that the American diet is packed with highly processed foods, most of which have very little nutrient value, but carry varying amounts of detrimental chemicals and other components. Even so-called wellness foods are lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Functional medicine practitioners are qualified to look into a patient’s diet in order to help determine the proper nutrition they should follow to achieve their desired health and wellness. A balanced diet can naturally improve autoimmune responses.
Chronic stress: Mental health, including stress, depression and anxiety, can have a direct effect on physical health. Today’s world supplies chronic stress than other occasions ever. Other websites and television supply a constant stream of crime violence and risks. Every night, many people don’t get enough sleep and some may suffer from insomnia related to stress. Most are overscheduled, overbooked and overrun, without the time for meditation and rejuvenation. Participating in stress management has been demonstrated to reduce chronic stress symptoms.
Toxins: Pesticides, antibiotic overuse, heavy metals, EMF pollution, pharmaceuticals, GMOs, heavily processed foods, poor water quality, smog and pollution runoff are only a couple of the elements of our daily lives that regularly serve up a load of toxins and impurities in the body. Over time, our bodies become less able to cope and fight off these effects. Research studies have concluded that exposure to harmful toxins can aggravate autoimmune disease symptoms.
Fortunately, functional medicine provides a means to get at the underlying causes of autoimmune disease using a systems-oriented approach, engaging practitioner and patient at a therapeutic partnership. Functional medicine is a much better approach to healthcare in the world of today, allowing chance for patients and healthcare professionals to examine environmental, lifestyle and genetic variables together. In an individualized manner, healthcare demands are addressed this way, acknowledging the special expression of well-being in every patient.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Wellness
Overall health and wellness are essential towards maintaining the proper mental and physical balance in the body. From eating a balanced nutrition as well as exercising and participating in physical activities, to sleeping a healthy amount of time on a regular basis, following the best health and wellness tips can ultimately help maintain overall well-being. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards helping people become healthy.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
DD Palmer wrote a chapter in 1914 entitled Inflammation, stating that, “inflammation is present in most, if not all diseases, in the acute if not chronic.” 100 years later, all chronic diseases are inflammatory conditions within local tissues . Chronic systemic inflammation and related pathophysiological changes involve structures and functions that are silent.
Loss of sleep, sedentary living, stress and diet all encourage inflammation.
Laboratory tests are the best approach to spot chronic inflammation. High levels of glucose, triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c protein along with reduced levels of vitamin D and HDL cholesterol are the most reliable in identifying chronic inflammation.
Diet is a problem for most people with over two-thirds of the population being overweight. Obesity is known to be a chronic inflammatory state associated with chronic pain and degenerative diseases.
