At 89, Donald Tenbrunsel is a bit of a phenomenon. He surfs the internet with ease, happily converses on a broad range of timely topics, volunteers and reads regularly.
Known as a “SuperAger,” Tenbrunsel was part of a study that helped researchers discover what factors might set these super-sharp seniors apart from their peers.
The secret? Brain scans showed they experience brain aging twice as slowly as average folks their age.
“This suggests the SuperAgers are on a different trajectory of aging,” said senior researcher Emily Rogalski. She is director of neuroimaging for Northwestern University’s Cognitive Neurology & Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “They’re losing their brain volume at a much slower rate than average agers.”
For the study, Rogalski and her colleagues measured brain aging by examining the thickness of each person’s cortex — the outer layer of folded gray matter in the brain.
The cortex is where consciousness lies, and where all of the neurons that fire thoughts and movements are located. It is a critical part of the brain for higher-level thinking, memory, planning and problem-solving, Rogalski said.
Another neurologist explained it this way:
“That is essentially our brain,” said Dr. Paul Wright, chair of neurology at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. “Brain shrinkage occurs in the natural progression over time, and when you lose brain volume, you lose function.”
Rogalski noted that previous research has shown that the cortexes of SuperAgers look less worn than their average 80-year-old peers, and about the same as people in their 50s or 60s.
But a question remained — were the SuperAgers born with brains that have more volume, and thus could better withstand the travails of aging? Or are their brains the same size as everyone else’s, and simply aging less rapidly?
To answer that question, the researchers tracked changes in cortex thickness for a year and a half in 24 SuperAgers and 12 average elderly people.
Both groups lost a significant amount of brain volume to aging, but average elderly people experienced a loss more than twice that of the SuperAgers — over 2.2 percent versus 1.1 percent.
“Part of the reason why they may have different brain volumes is because over the decades they’ve been losing their brain volume at a different rate,” Rogalski said.
The findings were published April 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Ezriel Kornel, a neurologist with Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, said that at least part of the brain advantage of SuperAgers is genetic, with some people simply gifted at birth.
But there are likely to be environmental influences that also contribute to healthier brain aging, particularly in the womb and in early childhood, Kornel added. For example, research has shown that children raised in poverty tend to have smaller brains.
“There are so many factors involved,” Kornel said. “It could be that even external stressors in childhood can influence how the brain develops.”
Rogalski said that future research will focus on genetic factors that influence brain aging, which hopefully will provide researchers with anti-aging “targets” that could be manipulated with medications or other therapies.
While there’s currently no proven method to preserve cortex volume, research has shown specific lifestyle changes that seniors can perform to help keep themselves sharp as they age, Kornel and Wright said. These include:
Regular physical exercise, including strength training.
A healthy and balanced diet.
Brain workouts that involve challenging puzzles or tasks.
An active social life.
“Everyone understands they’re going to die, but people don’t want to feel they’re losing their ability to think and be who they are,” Kornel said. “This is the next big frontier in science, to figure out how we can prevent overall deterioration of the brain.”
Pain in the upper and/or mid back is not as common than lower back or neck pain. The upper back is called the thoracic spinal column, and it is the most secure part of the spine. The reach of movement in the upper back is limited because of the backbone�s attachments to the ribs (rib cage).
Upper back pain is generally caused by soft tissue injuries, like sprains or strains, muscle tension caused by bad posture, or looking downward for long time spans (eg, texting, mobile phone use).
Pain
Tightness
Stiffness
Muscle spasm
Tenderness to touch
Headache
What causes or leads to upper back pain?
An episode of upper back pain can be actuated by distinct moves and actions, including:
Twisting
Excessive bending
Whiplash or alternative neck injury
Lifting improperly
Poor muscle tone
Persistent movements, overuse
Contact sports
Carrying a load that is heavy
Smoking
Being overweight
Poor posture�working at the computer for�a long time without taking a break to walk around and extend, or in general can promote upper back pain. Both muscle fatigue and muscle pull, which often result from poor posture, can trigger the pain.
So what can I do about it?
Usually, upper back pain is not a cause for worry; however, it can be uncomfortable, painful, and inconvenient. Also, if pain develops suddenly and is serious�such as from an injury (eg, fall)�and, certainly if pain and symptoms (eg, weakness) progressively worsen you should seek medical attention.
Generally, the next home treatments can help relieve back pain that is upper.
Short term rest
Mild�Stretches
Over the counter medicine, for example ibuprofen, (Motrin�), naproxen sodium (Aleve�), or acetaminophen (Tylenol�). Take with food, and don’t take more than the recommended dose.
Use a cold pack that is commercially available or fill a plastic bag with ice and seal it wrap it. Apply to the painful area for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 2 to 3 days.
Heat (after the very first 72 hours). After using moist heat, gently stretch the muscles to enhance mobility and alleviate stiffness.
Your physician may prescribe drugs, like a muscle relaxant or perform trigger point injections to greatly help break up muscle spasms. He or she may also recommend physical therapy to increase flexibility, mobility and alleviate pain. Other treatments your doctor may suggest include acupuncture and chiropractic care.
Most cases of upper back pain resolve in 1 to 2 weeks without additional treatment. When you’re able to perform them without pain restart your regular activities slowly. Don�t rush matters, however: you could interfere with your healing and risk reinjury.
As always, abrupt or severe pain ought to be dealt with promptly.
Many people frequently seek medical attention to treat symptoms of back pain. Approximately three in four adults will experience some sort of back pain throughout their lifetime. Back pain is identified as a painful symptom which originates along the spine.
From acute back pain to chronic back pain, the symptoms can often vary. Acute back pain is characterized as a severe but temporary pain. Chronic back pain generally occurs on a daily basis and can go on for an extended period of time. Some individuals may experience severe symptoms while others may experience mild, deep, achy, burning or electric-like symptoms. These symptoms are typically manifested in conditions such as lumbar radiculopathy.
Back Pain and Other Symptoms
Back pain can also be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, including tingling sensations, numbness, stiffness, achiness and weakness. Some physical activities may also aggravate back pain. Sitting, walking, standing, bending oveer and twisting at the waist are several types of movements which can worsen symptoms of back pain. Depending on the region of the spine affected and the diagnosis or cause, the symptoms may vary.
Many healthcare professionals specializing in back pain who can help diagnose the source of the individual’s symptoms. The spine is divided into several regions, the thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral or sacrum. The symptoms of back pain may differ depending on which area of the spine is affected.
The thoracic spine is the upper and mid areas of the back, where the ribs attach to the spinal column.
The lumbar spine refers to the low back.
The lumbosacral is the low back, sacrum, and the tailbone, also known as the coccyx.
The sacrum refers to the part of the spine that located at the back of the pelvis.
The spine is a complex structure consisting of approximately 17 vertebral bones, extending between the upper back and tailbone, joints, the sacrum and tailbone. The spine is also surrounded by fibrous and muscular supporting structures, intervertebral discs, the spinal cord and nerve roots, and blood vessels. An injury such as a back sprain or strain caused by improperly lifting and twisting simultaneously, can often be a cause for back pain.
However, not all forms of back pain are caused by trauma or injury. Many back issues are congenital, meaning they occur at birth, degenerative, age-related, disease-related and they may also be associated with improper posture, obesity or unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking. In some instances, the symptoms of back pain may be worse than the actual injury or condition. More over, when should you seek medical attention for back pain?
If you cannot stand upright.
Fever accompanies pain.
There is loss of bladder or bowel function or control
Leg pain and/or weakness progressively worsens.
And the pain is relentless or worsens.
Many patients with back pain have described feeling afraid and anxious, which is often also a normal symptom that can generally manifest with complications. Most people who experience upper, low or lower back pain, even down into one or both legs, will know when it�s time to seek medical care.
What to Expect from a Healthcare Specialist
Whether your back pain is mild or severe, temporary or chronic, and whether the symptoms require urgent medical core or not, make sure to seek medical attention to receive a proper diagnosis for your back pain. Once you’ve visited your healthcare provider, below is what you can expect from them.
A review of your medical history, including the medical history of immediate family members to determine if they’ve also had back issues. Some back problems, such as scoliosis and osteoporosis, may develop genetically.
Full discussion of when back pain started, what you were doing when pain began, current pain severity and characteristics, how pain may have changed since it began, and other similar questions. Your doctor wants to learn as much about your pain and symptoms before he examines you.
Physical examination evaluates your vital signs, such as your heart rate. It is not unusual for your blood pressure to be elevated as a result of pain. The doctor examines your spine, feeling for abnormalities and areas of tenderness.
Neurological examination will involve assessing sensation and function. The doctor may employ the pin prick test to determine if feeling is the same on both sides of the body. Function, flexibility and range of motion are also evaluated while you walk, bend forward and backward and during other movements. The doctor may also test your reflexes as well.
After a thorough examination, the healthcare professional may be able to determine the source of your back pain and other symptoms. To obtain more information about your specific back issue and to help confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may order an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Sometimes lab tests are ordered too. Keep in mind that an accurate diagnosis is essential to a well-developed treatment plan.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is an well-known, alternative treatment option utilized to prevent, diagnose and treat a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the spine, primarily subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractic focuses on restoring and maintaining the overall health and wellness of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, can carefully re-align the spine, improving a patient�s strength, mobility and flexibility.
If you are here, I am sure you want to find a long lasting, effective, and natural treatment for scoliosis.
This spinal deformity can be best treated by exercising regularly and staying active. Believe it or not, that constant backache will disappear like magic in few days!
So, here are the top 10 best exercises for treating scoliosis that will correct your posture and of course, bring a big smile on your face.
Why Exercises for Scoliosis?
Exercise is the best way to strengthen and straighten the physical posture and will avoid curvature on one side. But when it comes to scoliosis you have to be a little more mindful about the exercises you choose to do. So, let me first tell you about the common scoliosis treatments that are not very fruitful.
Breathing exercise like taking deep breaths can give you temporary relief but is not effective remedy. Yoga, which does help to make the posture strong and give the muscles some balance, is not the go-to solution in case of scoliosis. Finally, scoliosis bracing is also a temporary solution, as the spinal curve can reappear when you stop wearing the brace.
Good news is, there are non-surgical treatments available for scoliosis. These tested exercises will help rectify your spinal deformity. You can do these exercises either lying down or standing up with the support of a wall. Orthopedic surgeons often advise patients to do these exercises regularly to benefit the most.
The best of all are the Pilates which create a major impact on balancing the muscular structure which helps in directing focus towards the joint stability and mobility, and free movement. The form is specifically designed for the scoliosis related problem and helps in increasing strength within the core muscles. Exercise gives a great relief and is known as the best way to attain good results and a non surgical form of remedy to Scoliosis.
Top 10 Scoliosis exercises are:
1. Bird Dog Stretching:
It�s a form of scolosis exercise which needs a gym ball as a support. It is a very beneficial exercise for beginners as its hurts less and helps attain the perfect posture. It requires one to stretch one�s left arm and right leg, while supporting the body on the other leg; and the hand showing the upper body as a bird and the lower as a dog. To maintain the balance, the ball is absolutely necessary.
2. Pilates � Conforming to the wall:
It�s the starting point of the Scoliosis exercise regime. This can be done lying down and also standing with support of the wall. It helps in building strength and posture. This gives a boost to the resistance power of the patient.
3. Triceps Raise or Row:
Best known as a row raise, but in colloquial language a tricep raise, it helps to work the muscle and maintains a support for the trunk. Free weights are best suited to perform this exercise but if needed, an additional assistance, the machine forms a better mode. During this course, the best way to choose your form will depend on the challenges you face while initially undergoing treatment, as then one can determine which mode will help attain successful results.Take a stretchable string or a pulley and facing the same, pull it in the upper direction. As this challenges the core muscles, the exercise becomes difficult but has proven results.
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4. Hip Roll & Bridge:
Hip Roll and Bridge as an exercise inclines one�s pelvis area � raising your vertebrae to form a full circle; and gives movements to the hip which is a must during Scoliosis. As the circular position is maintained in the opposite direction, the problem gets good outcome after a fully fledged warm up session.[ Read: Height Increasing Exercises ]
5. Plank:
There are several ways of performing planks as it helps strengthen core muscles. However, the recommended one for beginners is the form which requires one�s forearms and toes to face the plank.
6. Spine Release:
This is a position which can be performed either on a bed or floor. Raise your knees to form a T shape and then move it in the either directions. Keep your shoulders flat on the mat as you might be tempted to raise them, and only lower your knees till a comfortable point.[ Read: Aerobic Exercise at Home for Stomach ]
7. Yoga:
Yoga has been one of the oldest practices to cure any ailment and it helps in enhancing overall physical strength. It maintains a balance for the body in case of Scoliosis.
8. Breathing Exercise:
Breathing in the right posture helps blood circulation to develop muscles that fluctuate in the right motion and also a cordial motion with the heart beats.[ Read: Exercise for Biceps ]
9. Stretch Up:
Stretching helps in formation and pulling of muscles which then help in straightening and loosening the core nerves.
10. Schroth Method:
The Schroth Method is one of the best innovations from Germany and has helped many as cure from this dreadful condition.Image source: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Caveat: Please consult your doctor before practicing these exercises. Only certain types of curves can be cured by these exercises while others require different procedures.
About 80% of patients visiting a chiropractor receive some type of spinal manipulation, while chiropractors offer a number of treatments for musculoskeletal conditions. Spinal manipulation is a distinctive type of hands on treatment (manual therapy) that’s different from several other kinds of manual therapy such as massage and mobilization. While chiropractors sometimes consult with spinal manipulation as an “alteration” or a part of an adjustment, the term spinal manipulation is simpler to define, more accurate, and more widely used global.
What’s Spinal Manipulation?
Spinal manipulation is the use of a force (a rapid, shallow push) to spinal joints that moves the goal joint or nearby joints slightly beyond their normal range of movement. Spinal manipulation is often accompanied by an audible “pop”. This can be considered to be dissolved gas discharged from joint fluids with a quick drop in pressure. This gas abruptly joins into little bubbles, making a popping sound. Studies have demonstrated that it is not always essential to hear the audible pop for a spinal manipulation to work.
Chiropractors perform the majority of spinal manipulations in the US, followed by osteopathic physicians, physical therapists, and medical doctors.
What is the Aim of Spinal Manipulation?
Restore function to mechanical disorders of the spinal column and the aim of spinal manipulation is to reduce pain in.
Your chiropractor is trained in this highly-specialized form of manual therapy and may discover if your condition is suitable for this type of treatment. Spinal manipulation continues to be demonstrated to be most successful when coupled with lifestyle adjustments, as well as active treatments, such as stretching and exercise.
What Conditions Does Spinal Manipulation Treat?
While the precise mechanism through which spinal manipulation works is doubtful as of this time, numerous theories are being studied, including stretching tight muscles, stimulating the nervous system, unlocking trapped spinal joints and freeing entrapped joint folds.
Spinal manipulation was proven to be safe and effective for specific types of recent start neck and back malady, along with for more lasting or recurring musculoskeletal ailments. Your chiropractor is trained to identify any serious underlying conditions that might preclude spinal manipulation or perhaps manual treatment in virtually any form. She or he would then refer you to the appropriate medical specialist.
In conclusion, your chiropractor is extraordinarily trained to determine if you are a candidate for spinal manipulation and can also offer alternative kinds of manual therapy, together with active self-treatment recommendations.
Back pain may be common, but it is not normal. It is so common that half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. That means there are potentially 150,000 people who suffer from back pain in the city of St. Louis alone. Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide per the Global Burden of Disease 2010 and it is also one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor�s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
Imaging will show all my back problems
Imaging may not reveal everything. Back pain is often a complex and multi-factorial issue, meaning that a spinal diagnosis isn�t always straightforward. To uncover what�s causing your back pain and what�s necessary for recovery requires a full clinical diagnostic process. This typically requires three steps. First you need a review of your medical history. To get to the root of your back pain, your physician should spend time asking you a series of questions about your symptoms, history, activities, positions, treatments, and more. After that is explored you will need a physical examination. A competent physician should check your spine to determine function, strength, discomfort in certain positions, and more. Lastly, you will go through diagnostic testing. Only after a physician has reviewed your medical history and given you a physical examination is imaging appropriate. Everything from an X-ray to CT scans and MRI scans can be appropriate to assess certain conditions.
Back pain that comes and goes isn�t a problem
Our bodies are incredible at adapting. However, what we know is that in nature nothing stays the same.� When someone tells me that their problem comes and goes it concerns me because it due to something that they are doing or not doing that�s causing them to either notice the problem or not notice the problem. Either way the underlying problem is still there and needs to be corrected. When the pain comes and goes, it�s usually the lead up to your back �going out� without warning. The reality for many individuals is that back pain is a result of a cumulative effect from simple movements.�� There�s always a cause for back pain and seeing a physician is your best chance for appropriate diagnosis and recovery
In fact if you find yourself saying, �back pain runs in my family� or �I just learned to live with it,� those are concerning statements because it means that the current approach you�re taking to correct the problem isn�t working, and you should make a change in order to actually correct the problem.
Drugs and Surgery are the only way to correct your back pain
In 2013 The Journal of the American Medical Association suggested chiropractic care as an option for people suffering from low back pain and noted that surgery is usually not needed and should only be tried if other therapies fail. In fact, after an extensive study of all available care for low back problems, the federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recommended that low back pain sufferers choose the most conservative care first. They also recommended spinal manipulation as the only safe and effective, drugless form of initial professional treatment for acute low back problems in adults
�Back pain is a normal part of aging
While we see back pain in older populations we also see it in younger populations as well.� We are seeing more and more people starting to have more back pain and arthritis at younger ages.� There are even times where I hear patients ask if arthritis in their spine is normal at their age. Again this may be common, but it is not normal.� If it were normal it would likely be seen in the entire spine not just in specific segments of the spine.
Tips to Prevent Back Pain
�Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
�Remain active�under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
�Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
�Warm up or stretch before exercising or physical activities, such as gardening.
�Maintain proper posture.
�Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
�Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
� Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
�Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen & nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
�Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your
Dr. Vidan�is�a private practice Chiropractor in St. Louis. He�is very passionate about helping athletes from peewee�s to pro�s get back on the field after an injury and stay on the field. This allows athletes to enjoy the most out of their sporting experience. Dr. Vidan provided chiropractic care for the St. Louis Cardinals players and staff during the 2011 World Championship season, and continues to enjoy the opportunity to help athletes and organizations at the highest levels.
Sciatica is a disabling condition characterised by pain in the leg along the distribution of the sciatic nerve. It can be accompanied by back pain, tingling, numbness, reduced strength and reflex changes in the leg.
Sciatica is most commonly caused by irritation of the nerve roots emerging from the lower spine. For this reason it is often considered a type of nerve pain.
It is estimated that around 5 to 10% of people with low back pain have sciatica, equating to around 200,000 to 400,000 Australians. It is notoriously difficult to treat sciatica with over-the-counter medications and complementary therapies.
Our study released today examines the commonly prescribed nerve pain treatment pregabalin for acute and chronic sciatica. The results show that pregabalin does not improve pain symptoms or function, but is associated with unwanted side effects such as dizziness when compared to a placebo.
Huge Uptake Of New Drug
Medicines that have shown to be effective for treating nerve pain were considered to be an exciting new treatment option for sciatica.
Pregabalin became subsidised by the Australian government for nerve pain in 2013 and quickly became widely prescribed for conditions such as sciatica. In its first year of listing, nearly 1.4 million prescriptions were written and in its second year, this figure increased to 2.4 million. This was 32% more than the government predicted.
Since its first approval in 2004 pregabalin has become the most widely prescribed medicine for nerve pain globally, with worldwide sales of between US$3-5 billion annually. The astonishing growth is likely to be a consequence of many factors but may partly be a reflection of the lack of effective treatments for sciatica.
But while pregabalin has been shown to be effective for other types of nerve pain, there was little evidence it helped patients with sciatica. There were also emerging concerns of increased harmful effects, including risk of suicidality and misuse.
We designed our study to examine whether pregabalin is effective and has tolerable side effects in patients with sciatica.
Pregabalin Does Not Work For Sciatica
The research compared the effects of pregabalin against placebo (identical inactive capsules) in 207 patients with sciatica.
Patients were randomly assigned to take up to eight weeks of pregabalin or placebo, prescribed and monitored by a general practitioner or a medical specialist. To keep the results as unbiased as possible, patients, doctors and study staff were kept blinded to who was treated with pregabalin and who received placebo capsules.
This study found after eight weeks there was no difference in the severity of leg pain between those who took pregabalin and those who took placebo capsules. The same result was seen at one year. There were also no differences in other relevant outcomes, such as back pain severity and function, at either eight weeks or one year.
However, people who took pregabalin reported more adverse effects. The most common adverse effect reported in the trial was dizziness.
The study shows that taking pregabalin does not improve your sciatic symptoms when compared with placebo, but you are more likely to have adverse effects when taking pregabalin.
Treatment Options For Sciatica
Few alternative treatment options exist for people suffering from sciatica.
There is limited data describing the effects of nonsurgical treatments such as exercise, spinal manipulation or acupuncture on sciatica.
There is also no convincing evidence to show medicines such as anti-inflammatory drugs, oral corticosteroids or opioid analgesic medicines are effective. Epidural corticosteroid injections have been shown to have a small benefit in the short-term only.
Surgery confers a short-term effect in selected patients with sciatica, but after a year people with sciatica who have not had surgery do just as well as people who�ve had the procedure.
The good news is that sciatica does get better with time. It�s important to stay as active as possible and to avoid prolonged bed rest (as this can delay recovery).
If you�re currently taking pregabalin, speak to a doctor about your condition, and mention any improvement or adverse effects you�ve experienced since starting pregabalin. It�s important not to stop pregabalin abruptly � usually doses should be reduced slowly over a few weeks. Abruptly stopping pregabalin can have some ill effects and should be done with care, close monitoring and advice from a doctor.
It�s unfortunate, but we do not currently have a lot of effective treatment options for people with sciatica. Speak to your doctor or treating clinician (such as a physiotherapist) about what may be appropriate for you, including specific advice on how you can stay as active as possible.
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