Athletes
Sports Spine Specialist Chiropractic Team: Athletes strive to achieve their body’s maximum performance by participating in numerous training regimens consisting of strenuous exercises and physical activity and ensuring they meet all of their body’s nutritional requirements. Through proper fitness and nutrition, many individuals can condition themselves to excel in their specific sport. Our training programs are designed for athletes that look to gain a competitive edge in their sport.
We provide sport-specific services to help increase an athlete’s performance through mobility, strength, and endurance. Occasionally, however, the excess workouts can lead many to suffer injuries or develop underlying conditions. Dr. Alex Jimenez’s chronicle of articles for athletes displays in detail the many forms of complications affecting these professionals while focusing on the possible solutions and treatments to follow to achieve overall well-being.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Athletes, Chiropractic, Sports Injuries
Chiropractic in the Superbowl
By Beau Pierce
This Sunday over 111 million people will tune into watch the SuperBowl. Behind the scenes both teams and coaches have been fine tuning their game plans as they prepare for the biggest game of their lives. As part of the players preparation there have been a few lucky individuals with direct access to care for these athletes. �Referred to as the �magic workers� by some players these men are the team Chiropractors who serve both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
For the last 12 years, Dr. Gerry Ramogida and Dr. Jim Kurtz have had front-row seats to the spectacle of NFL games as chiropractic consultants for the Seattle Seahawks. Attending every game, �Dr. Ramogida was supposed to stay with the team for just a couple of years so
he could show the trainers how to use some of his soft-tissue techniques. But as players got used to getting adjusted by him on�game days, a temporary job turned into a permanent one.
�There�s so much behind the scenes that you don�t get a sense for when you�re watching a game. It�s a massive effort. I am just happy to be a part of the preparation as these guys get ready to go out and do what they do best, compete.�
In a interview with Global News�Dr. Ramogida stated, �Over the period of that first season and into the next year, things very quickly became integrated. It�s been a great experience,� he says.
In recent news, The Professional Football Chiropractic Society (PFCS) has taken pride in announcing that all 32 teams in the National Football League offer their players and personnel chiropractic physician services as part of the triage in managing and preventing injuries. According to the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, this distinction is a benchmark for the profession and documents the important role that chiropractic care plays in optimizing athletic performance.
�The robust need for chiropractic care in the NFL has been deeply driven by the players� desire for peak physical conditioning and not simply for injuries,� states Spencer Baron, D.C., �From the earliest years of full contact football, their bodies are subject to structural stress that doctor of Chiroprctic (DCs) are specially trained to care for. �
Attending this weekend to the New England Patriots is Dr. Mike Miller. �Over twenty five years ago he became the official chiropractor of the New England Patriots. Since that time, he�s treated hundreds of players, watched ownership of the team change hands three times, and seen the Patriots go from one of the worst franchises in the National Football League to a team readying themselves to play in the Superbowl this weekend.
In a interview with Dynamic Chiropractic Dr. Miller states that his position with the Patriots involves him being present during mini-camps, training camp, preseason games, regular-season games (both home and away), and postseason games.
During the games, I see an average of at least 40 players, coaches, and other personnel who are affiliated with the team. I would say just about 90 percent get chiropractic services, because the present coaching staff of the Patriots has almost mandated chiropractic care with the players. The coaches speak about it at team meetings, as the new players and rookies come into the team in the preseason. During mini-camps, they explain the significance of chiropractic, and that we have a chiropractor who has had phenomenal results in dealing with injuries and preventing them from occurring, and that they would like the players to proactively be treated [by] me and begin a chiropractic course of care.
During the season, if there are any injuries, they (the medical staff) will generally send the player to my office to be evaluated. By game time, just about everyone on the roster is adjusted, and you start to learn the idiosyncrasies of each player, because each one wants certain things checked on them. Some are very firm with extremity adjusting; others enjoy use of a specialized technique that we use, called Graston Technique. Basically, it takes me about four hours before the game to go through the entire roster.
The NFL has just released a statement advocating for�all NFL teams as now employing a Chiropractor as part of their medical staff.
If you are interested in learning more about how to be an NFL Chiropractor you can connect with the Professional Football Chiropractic Association�on their website or on their Facebook page.
No matter what the outcome of this weekends game may be, rest assured that both teams will have been well adjusted and their nervous systems tuned on and ready to perform on the biggest stage of all.
Sourced through�www.dralexjimenez.com/chiropractic-in-the-superbowl-circle-of-docs/
Behind the bright lights of the stadium, there is another team that keeps these players and their performance at their optimal level. The healers�if you will, that audiences don’t see, but should know about. These are the Chiropractors!
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Athletes, Chiropractic, Sports Injuries
Super Bowl 50 showcased the leading players in the NFL along with Joshua Kollmann, DC and Brad Wiest, DC � chiropractors for the Carolina Panthers � and Shawn Caldwell, DC for the Denver Broncos. These doctors of chiropractic helped the players achieve optimal performance.
The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, points out that all 32 NFL teams include the professional services of a doctor of chiropractic (DC) as part of their integrated health care team approach.
Marking their fifth year with the Carolina Panthers, Drs. Kollmann (pic. left) and Wiest (pic. right) highlight the integrative role of chiropractic care: �We are in the stadium training room twice a week � and more often during play-offs � addressing specific sports injuries or providing preventive, 
maintenance care that the athletes want in order to achieve peak performance. Every player is individually assessed and the treatment plan is communicated and discussed with the training staff. Since the physical nature of the sport really impacts body structure, many players look forward to their pre- and post-game spinal and extremity adjustments as well as other advanced approaches.�
Shawn Caldwell, DC, who has served the Denver Broncos since 2004 and is now preparing for his second Super Bowl, says, �I work hand-in-hand with the athletic trainers and focus on performing chiropractic spine and extremity adjustments that restore joint function. The goal is to enable players to perform optimally or heal from injuries. I am at the facility two-three times weekly or more if necessary. Some players get an adjustment every time I am in the training room, while others when they are symptomatic so they can return to the playing field.�
According to Kyle Prusso, DC, team chiropractor for the Oakland Raiders since 2005 and president of Pro Football Chiropractic Society, an organization of chiropractors who provide the highest quality chiropractic health care to the elite athletes of professional Football: �It�s great to see chiropractic care integrated in all facets of health care, especially in professional and amateur sports. One of the reasons is that athletes are asking for us, with increased player requests driving utilization of chiropractic across all sports. Athletes are very in tune with their bodies and recognize that chiropractic care can boost optimal performance levels.�
All doctors are passionate about their roles as team chiropractors to an NFL Super Bowl contender, as Dr. Kollmann says, �I am humbled by this position and want the world to know that this is a great time to be a chiropractor. It means the world to me to ignite and advance our profession � especially for those who are pursuing a chiropractic education as well as veteran professionals. We are igniting the profession and honor those DCs who pioneered the opportunities that have helped us to become a part of the NFL teams.�
Dr. Caldwell, who is also the chiropractor for the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team, sums it up, �Chiropractors are playing an important role in the health care and performance of professional athletes. This is a fantastic experience for us and for the players.�
Doctors of chiropractic receive a minimum of seven years of higher level education, and are qualified to diagnose, treat and manage a broad spectrum of health conditions. They are the primary care professionals for spinal health and well-being. For athletes, chiropractic care helps to reduce the risk of injuries, and improve health and performance through enhancements in range of motion, flexibility, balance, muscle strength and other key factors.
If you are interested in learning more about how to be an NFL Chiropractor you can connect with the Professional Football Chiropractic Association on their website or on their Facebook page.
No matter what the outcome of this weekends game may be, rest assured that both teams will have been well adjusted and their nervous systems tuned on and ready to perform on the biggest stage of all.
Sourced through�www.dralexjimenez.com/super-bowl-50-and-the-chiropractors-serving-each-team/
Chiropractors swarm the field! Ready for some adjustments to help these players perform their best. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care share the fact that all 32 NFL teams utilize doctors of chiropractic (DC), as part of their health care programs.
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Scoop.it, Seniors, Spinal Hygiene, Spine Care
As our bodies age, it becomes more and more important to stay healthy and active. While bones and muscles may weaken, it is still possible to be out and about and doing the things we love. Many senior citizens face chronic pain or other issues related to the body deteriorating over time. Luckily, chiropractic care has been to shown to have multiple benefits for the elderly, from increased mobility to decreased risk of falls and other injuries.
Some seniors may be concerned about receiving spinal manipulation due to the delicate nature of their bodies. However, chiropractic doctors have been specially trained to treat the sensitive needs of the elderly in a safe and effective way. The first step is to examine the spine in order to find any vertebrae that are out of place. These subluxations can lead to many problems, from pain due to the misalignment to immune systems because of nerve blockage.
For seniors who are struggling with decreased mobility, chiropractic care has been show to help restore this deficit. Results will vary due to the nature of the patient�s individual needs. Some seniors may find themselves able to bend over again and play with grand-kids or garden. Others who enjoy golf may find an increase in their drive distance. These small improvements can lead to a large increase in overall quality of life for all patients. People with more severe mobility issues may be able to regain strength through a mix of chiropractic and physical therapy.
Many seniors also suffer from balance and coordination issues. These problems are often caused by previous injuries or degenerative changes in the cervical spine (the neck area). Studies have shown that chiropractic care can help to restore decreased coordination by stimulating joint receptors in the neck. This stimulation helps normalize joint receptor functioning, which controls balance and coordination.
In addition to the above issues, seniors also see chiropractors to find relief from chronic pain, decreased energy, and to avoid the need for additional cares. A recent study found that seniors who received chiropractic care were far more likely to remain in their homes versus seniors that did not receive care. Chiropractic can be a safe and effective way for seniors to stay healthy, active, and independent. Speak to your primary care doctor about how chiropractic can help you today!
Chiropractic Care for Seniors
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.thejoint.com
When a proper nutrition and physical activity has ensured a healthy aging process, the development of degeneration complications may still occur, however, chiropractic care can help. Chiropractic is an alternative, treatment option which can be utilized by seniors to maintain a healthy body and overall wellness.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Chiropractic, Scoop.it, Seniors, Spinal Hygiene, Spine Care
The aging process can cause a variety of conditions and health issues that mostly occur to the elderly. From chronic pain, arthritis, loss of mobility, and other issues, as a person get older, many health complications can affect individuals, however, senior citizens have found that chiropractic provides some great benefits for the older demographic.
Improved Range of Motion
Regular chiropractic care has been shown to increase spinal range of motion as well as in the extremities. Limited range of motion can occur due to age or inactivity, sometimes a combination of the two.
An improved range of motion can allow elderly patients to actively engage with their environment. Increased range of motion is one of the most common and necessary benefits of chiropractic treatment.
Preventing Joint Degeneration
When there’s a spinal subluxation, or misalingment, it can cause other areas of the body to also become misaligned and compensation of movement can create further issues for these individuals. Additionally, this can result in an abnormal wearing down of the joints. Over time, the joints can degenerate, becoming painful, causing difficulty in mobility and flexibility.
Chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for decreasing the degeneration of the spine and even other joints. When the body is in proper alignment it no longer has to adapt through postural compensation. This reduces stress on the spine and joints while relieving pain and restoring mobility.
Symptoms Relief
Chiropractic has long been recognized for its effectiveness in providing drug-free pain relief for back pain to headaches and arthritis. While pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs only temporarily relieve the symptoms, chiropractic can treat the complication at the source and relieve the pain for good.
Spinal alignments and other chiropractic techniques help to relieve pain for a variety of issues, not just back and neck pain. What�s more, chiropractic does not have the undesirable, sometimes dangerous side effects that drugs can.
Increased Balance and Coordination
The aging process can have a significant impact on a person�s balance and coordination. This can have a variety of causes including degenerative changes to the spine, typically in the neck area. Injury to this area is another culprit.
There are special receptors that reside along the cervical spine in the rear of the joints. These receptors work to send vital messages to the brain regarding coordination and balance. When the spine and especially the neck are out of alignment, it can hinder how these receptors send and receive messages to the brain. The result is a condition called loss of proprioception, or sense of body awareness.
Elderly patients affected by this can be prone to falling, and such, can cause further issues for the individual.
Injuries from falling are one of the most common reasons elderly people visit emergency departments each year. Chiropractic can help realign the neck and spine, allowing the messages to move much easier, thus restoring balance and coordination.
Overall Health and Wellness
Proper spinal alignment can greatly benefit a person�s health, wellbeing, and even their mood. It allows them to become more active so they get exercise. They sleep better and have more energy.
An aligned spine also lets them more fully engage with their family, friends, and the world. They can get out and do things they were once unable to do and when they are active and happier the entire body benefits.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.sceniccitychiro.com
Insight
With age come a variety of natural, wear-and-tear conditions and unfortunately sometimes injuries which can cause difficulties for older adults. However, chiropractic has been demonstrated to benefit elderly patients, helping to increase their range of motion, decreasing the degeneration of joints and relieving painful symptoms. among other benefits.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Physical Rehabilitation, Scoop.it, Seniors
According to Dr. Alex Jimenez, chiropractor, participating in physical activities is important for an individual’s overall health and when we start to age, remaining physically active becomes more important than ever. The body undergoes a natural process of degeneration over time, however, exercise and a balanced nutrition can help slow down this process and make it smoother for the individual, avoiding the development of conditions or injuries resulting from these. But, once an older adult has suffered an injury or aggravated a condition, physical therapy can be the best choice to restore the individual’s quality of life.
Physical therapy can help seniors retain their independence, whether they are managing a long-term illness or just want to improve their general health and mobility. The goal of physical therapy is to help restore and improve functionality, reduce pain and increase mobility for better strength and balance.
Falls are the major reason seniors require physical therapy.
As people age, they tend to lose flexibility, strength and often their balance, so maintaining the desired level of fitness becomes increasingly challenging. �Loss of these functions could lead to a fall that could cause serious injury. Physical therapy helps improve these functions.
Osteoporosis, which is a progressive bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density, can lead to an increased risk for fractures.� It is often the cause of many falls. Physical therapy and a regular exercise program help control the effects of this condition.
Strength training and exercise provided in physical therapy can also help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. �People with arthritis can benefit from physical therapy because it provides exercises to help preserve the strength and use of the joints.� �Physical therapy also teaches therapeutic methods to relieve discomfort through both physical techniques and activity modifications.
Physical therapy is prescribed in many cases following a hospital stay.� Skipping on post hospitalization therapy can cause serious repercussions.
Consequences of Skipping Physical Therapy
- Falls � After a hospital stay, many are weak and more prone to falling. Failing to have therapy after hospitalization could potentially lead to a re-hospitalization due to an injury from a fall.
- Infections- Without active movement because of weakness that could have been improved with physical therapy, there is an increased risk for pneumonia. There is also increased potential for skin problems, such as ulcers, which may develop because of lack of movement.
- Reduced Long Term Strength and Endurance- During recovery, physical therapy can influence your strength and endurance level that you will have long after you finished your sessions.This can also cause increased blood pressure and heart rate and decreased oxygen saturation levels, which can lead to stroke, blood clots and heart attacks.
- Reduced Education- Education through physical therapy shows ways to complete activities of daily living in a more efficient way to help improve physical and mental well being and quality of life.
- Increased Pain- If you�re not moving because you are not taking physical therapy, joints tends to get stiff. Decreased mobility leads to more pain.
Physical therapy for seniors has a variety of benefits which can include not only gaining strength and balance, but also providing a renewed sense of confidence.� Physical therapy can give seniors back their independence and make daily tasks easier.
Working with a physical therapist will not only reduce pain, but it will also help improve overall strength and ability and reduce the risk for injuries, helping you maintain a higher quality of life.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.ascseniorcare.com
Insight
As mentioned before, when people age, the body can naturally lose flexibility, mobility, strength and even balance. Because of this, staying active is of utmost importance for seniors. Physical therapy can help the elderly improve their general health as well as help rehabilitate those with an injury or condition. As with any other type of therapy, however, the individual should first visit a healthcare professional to receive an appropriate exercise regimen.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Nutrition, Seniors
Eating right and staying fit are important no matter what your age. As we get older our bodies have different needs, so certain nutrients become especially important for good health.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Older adults need more calcium and vitamin D to help maintain bone health. Have three servings of vitamin D-fortified low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt each day. Other calcium-rich foods include fortified cereals and fruit juices, dark green leafy vegetables and canned fish with soft bones. If you take a calcium supplement or multivitamin, choose one that contains vitamin D.
Vitamin B12
Many people older than 50 do not get enough vitamin B12. Fortified cereal, lean meat and some fish and seafood are sources of vitamin B12. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian nutritionist if you need a vitamin B12 supplement.
Fiber
Eat more fiber-rich foods to stay regular. Fiber also can help lower your risk for heart disease, control your weight and prevent Type 2 diabetes. Eat whole-grain breads and cereals, and more beans and peas � along with fruits and vegetables which also provide fiber.
Potassium
Increasing potassium along with reducing sodium (salt) may lower your risk of high blood pressure. Fruits, vegetables and low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt are good sources of potassium. Also, select and prepare foods with little or no added salt.
Know Your Fats
Foods that are low in saturated fats and trans fat help reduce your risk of heart disease. Most of the fats you eat should be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Check the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels for total fat and saturated fat.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.eatright.org
Maintaining a proper nutrition throughout our lives is absolutely essential towards overall health, and many might find this difficult to follow, especially since our dietary needs change as we age. Due to natural wear and tear alterations of the tissues in our body, what we needed mostly as children may not be necessarily beneficial to us as adults. The above list covers several nutritional needs for seniors.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
by Dr Alex Jimenez | Nutrition, Seniors, Supplements
Fish oil is one of the most popular dietary supplements in the U.S. because of the perceived cardiovascular benefits of the omega-3 it contains. However, scientific findings on its effectiveness have been conflicting.
New research in Physiological Reports supports the claims for seniors, reporting that taking omega-3 fish oil supplements every day can improve the cardiovascular health of healthy seniors after 12 weeks of use.
Risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age because the arteries become stiffer. Arterial stiffness affects how blood travels through them and ultimately how strongly the heart needs to pump. The most commonly used measures of arterial stiffness are pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index. When the heart ejects blood into the blood vessels, pressure increases, creating a bulge in the vessel. PWV is the speed at which the bulge ripples through the arteries. When the pressure pulse hits a fork in the arteries, part of the pressure pulse bounces back towards the heart and combines with the new pulse coming out of the heart. How much the reflected pulse enhances the new one is called augmentation index. High PWV and high augmentation index values reflect stiffer arteries.
Reported cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 include reduced arterial stiffness seen through improved PWV and augmentation index. In this new study, researchers at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine examined whether omega-3 supplements could reverse the effects of aging on the blood vessels in healthy older adults and reduce PWV and augmentation index.
Healthy subjects ages 60 to 80 took two omega-3 capsules twice daily for 12 weeks. Each capsule contained 1000 mg of omega-3 (465 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 375 mg docosahexanoic acid). The researchers measured PWV, augmentation index and blood pressure before and after the 12-week regimen. The results were compared to young healthy subjects, ages 21 to 35, who also followed the same omega-3 supplement schedule.
The researchers found that 12 weeks of supplementation significantly decreased PWV in the older subjects, supporting improvement in vascular health, although PWV was still higher than in young subjects. While PWV improved, augmentation index and blood pressure did not. The omega-3 supplements also did not improve either index of arterial stiffness in the young subjects.
According to the researchers, “These findings provide support for the concept that increased omega-3 intake may be an efficacious therapy in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in aging humans through effects on central arterial stiffness.” They also noted that “these effects occurred over a relatively short period of time.”
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.news-medical.net
With age, the body can become more vulnerable to developing certain conditions or even injuries related with aging. Cardiovascular disease is among the most common complication reported among the elderly, due to changes in the arteries. Fortunately, research has determined that omega-3 fish oil supplements can have tremendous benefits for seniors.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
