Neck pain that is not caused by whiplash or other trauma has a postural component as part of the underlying problem. Sitting atop the body, the health of the neck is subject to the �curvature of the spine below and the position of the head above.
See Chronic Neck Pain: What Condition Is Causing My Neck Pain?
The neck muscle pain can be caused by the following neck muscles becoming tight:Scalene muscles (three pairs of muscles that help rotate the neck)
Suboccipital muscles (four pairs of muscles used to rotate the head)
Pectoralis minor muscles (a pair of thin triangular muscles at the upper part of the chest)
Subscapularis muscles (a pair of large triangular muscles near each shoulder joint)
Levator scapulae muscles (a pair of muscles located at the back and side of the neck).
If the alignment of the head and spine is not optimal, the neck can be predisposed to injury and/or the degenerative effects of wear and tear over time.
The most common condition that contributes to neck pain is forward head and shoulder posture.
Forward head posture is when the neck slants forward placing the head in front of the shoulders.
This head position leads to several problems:
The forward pull of the weight of the head puts undue stress on the vertebrae of the lower �neck, contributing to degenerative disc disease and other degenerative neck problems.
Similarly, this posture causes the muscles of the upper back to continually overwork to counterbalance the pull of gravity on the forward head.
This position is often accompanied by forward shoulders and a rounded upper back, which not only feeds into the neck problem but can also cause shoulder pain.
The more time spent with a forward head posture, �the more likely it is that one will develop neck and shoulder problems.
Poor Posture Effects On the Lower Cervical Vertebrae
The part of the neck that is particularly vulnerable to forward head posture is the lower part of the neck, just above the shoulders.
See Cervical Spine Anatomy and Neck Pain
The lower cervical vertebrae (C5 and C6) may slightly slide or shear forward relative to one another as a result of the persistent pull of gravity on a forward head. This shear force can be a problem for patients with jobs that require them to look down or forward all day, such as pharmacists who spend many hours counting pills or data entry workers who look at a computer screen.
Prolonged shearing of the vertebrae from forward head posture eventually irritates the small facet joints in the neck as well as the ligaments and soft tissues.
This irritation can result in neck pain that radiates down to the shoulder blades and upper back, potentially causing a variety of conditions, including:
Trigger points in the muscles, which are points of exquisite tenderness that are painful to touch, along with limited range of motion
Disc degeneration problems, which may potentially lead to cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical osteoarthritis, or a cervical herniated disc.
BRAIN BASED POSTURAL CORRECTION
The neurologic system controls and coordinates all other systems of the body? What system provides the physical framework for all other systems of the body to resist gravity and function within our environment? The Posture System. These intricate systems work together to control and coordinate all experiences and actions throughout our lives.
Postural Neurology is defined as the network of neural impulses to support proper functional alignment of the Posture System. The purpose of Postural Neurology is to develop plasticity of proper structural alignment through brain based treatment protocols.
Why implement Postural Neurology into your practice? Quite simply, every musculoskeletal problem is at some level a neurologic problem. Neurology dictates movement, structure, and the function of your Posture System, overseeing and refining every single movement that you do on a daily basis.
It is an outdated system of healthcare to look at one part of the body, the site of injury or pain, and make assumptions about that person�s health and ability to function.
Identifying the area of injured tissue, then creating a rehabilitation plan around that injuryis less than adequate. The new system is all about function and whole posture patterns.
Segmental Rehabilitation & Brain Based Postural Correction
If the patient says �I hurt here,� or you test a weak muscle �here.� It does not mean that the problem lives �here.� This is simply information telling us that there is pain or dysfunction that is being expressed in that end organ. There is absolutely no indication that the problem is in that tissue. The noxious stimulus being interpreted by the brain is nothing more than a sensory input. The weak muscular output is nothing more than an insufficient motor plan.
This is the difference between segmental and brain based thinking. Segmental healthcare professionals do not see beyond the �hurt� or �weak� segment, oblivious to compensation patterns that are dampening function in the rest of the body.
Compartmentalized thinking is not adequate for a system as dynamically developed and as functionally managed as the human body. It simply won�t cut it.
This guide introduces you to the Neurology of the Posture System, so you can understand the functional output of the brain and how it contributes to upright postural design.
Motor Cortex:�
The primary motor cortex is located in the frontal lobe of the brain.
The frontal lobe is the center of human development including executive decision-making, language, and problem-solving.
Located within the Motor cortex is the Motor Homonculus. The Motor Homonculus is a map of motor output for each part of your human anatomy. Within this map, the amount of cortex devoted to any given body region is proportional to how richly innervated that region is, not to the body region�s physical size. Areas of the body with greater or more complex sensory or motor connections
are represented as larger in the homunculus such as the hands, lips, and the face.
The primary motor cortex receives signals from the pre-motor cortex to make a movement.
The primary motor cortex then sends the information to make that movement from the cortex down the spinal cord to the skeletal muscle of that body region.
Motor movement occurs contralaterally, meaning that your left motor cortex controls movement on the right side of your body. Your right motor cortex controls movement on the left side of your body. Every action occurs in this fashion, in response to a descending signal from the brain to the body.
Is the Motor Cortex important to Posture?
The motor cortex controls motor function. The Posture System is never actually �static,� we are dynamic beings who are always in motion. The motor cortex is constantly making small movements (even minute movements) necessary to prevent falling over, and to interact within our environment. Optimal dynamic posture begins in the motor cortex and is regulated by the cerebellum.
Can I check for weakness of the Motor Cortex?�
You can check for weakness�of motor output by performing muscle tests. If a muscle on the left side is weak,
this is information to do further muscle tests to confirm for weakness of the right motor cortex.
�Sensory Cortex:
The somatosensory cortex of the parietal lobe is the center for
sensation. This is where you perceive your world and how you process all of the tactile and
proprioceptive information received from your external environment.
Just as the motor cortex is a map whose arrangement gives preference to the highly innervated parts of the body, so does the sensory homunculus. The sensory homunculus is the primary mechanism of cortical processing for sensoryinformation originating at body surfaces and other tissues.
Is the Sensory Cortex important to Posture?
The sensory cortex is very important for posture because the sensory cortex lights up with activation from novel stimuli such as proprioceptive signals and mechanoreceptor feedback
from complex movements. Lack of movement is the worst thing for your sensory cortex. In fact, with lack of stimulation to an area of the sensory cortex, the sensory map �blurs� together with less representation of that body part in the brain.
For example, when patients present an injured knee and they have worn a brace that limits their range of motion. This limited motor output of the knee results in less tactile and proprioceptive
feedback from the knee, the brain then thinks that the knee is �less important� and blurring of the cortical representation of the hip and ankle will begin to occur over the knee.
Less awareness of our body leads to poor activation and neglect of that area. To keep your patients healthy, keep them moving and activating all joints of the body.
Can I check for weakness of the Sensory Cortex?
You can check for dysfunction of the sensory cortex by performing sensory tests such as light touch,
vibration, temperature, painful stimuli, and joint position. If the patient presents with decreased sensory recognition, the contralateral sensory cortex is weak.
Meaning, that if the left side of the body cannot detect tactile sensation, this is a weakness of the right sensory cortex.
Cerebellum:
The cerebellum works in conjunction with the contralateral motor
cortex to coordinate fine movements. The cerebellum is an �inhibitor,� it reduces any extra or unnecessary motor movements to perform the desired action as accurately as possible.
The cerebellum receives input from sensory systems of the spinal cord and from other parts of the brain, and integrates these inputs to fine-tune motor activity, providing feedback to the motor cortex of how movements can be smoother and more precise. When patients have deficits of the cerebellum
they have excess movement, such as a tremor or a wide stance because they can�t balance with their feet together. Their equilibrium and ability to perform controlled motor movements is compromised.
Is the Cerebellum important to Posture?�
The cerebellum coordinates all movement, to more
precisely regulate fine movements. Proper cerebellar output means that the patient can perform their intended movement without recruiting other muscles. They are on target and on point with coordinated functions of the Posture System. Cerebellar deficits on the other hand affect the patient�s posture, they have compromised postural stability and uncoordinated dynamic postures.
Can I check for weakness of the Cerebellum?
You can check for cerebellar weakness by performing a Romberg�s test. Have the patient stand with their feet together, close their eyes, and see if they sway to one side. The patient will sway toward the side of cerebellar dysfunction.
Brainstem:
The brainstem is the center of postural control. The brainstem is made up of the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla and is the house of the nuclei of 10 of 12 of Cranial Nerves.
Each of the cranial nerves provides important sensory and motor functions for the body. Of particular importance to the Posture System are the visual and vestibular nuclei that reside in the brainstem.
The visual system controls your orientation in space, literally how you see the world. Visual fibers descend to the cervical spine controlling head posture. Visual deficits result in forward head posture, lateral head tilt, and head rotation.
The vestibular system controls balance and extension. Flexor dominant posture is weak posture; upright extended posture is healthy and optimal for better function. This system is of utmost importance for upright postural stabilization and balance.
The brainstem also controls involuntary systems of your autonomicnervous system that regulate life-sustaining processes such as breathing, heart rate, sexual function, and digestion. Plus, the brainstem modulates postural tone, and inhibits flexion toward gravity.
Is the Brainstem important to Posture?
This is the primary control center of postural stabilization! The brainstem inhibits flexion, and in conjunction with the vestibular system activates extension. Descending fibers from the cranial nerve nuclei of the eyes control your head posture, and the ability to keep your eyes parallel to the horizon during dynamic movement.
Understanding the brainstem is an important connection for all posture professionals. Your posture depends upon the functional output of the brainstem.
Can I check for weakness of the Brainstem?
Checking posture provides valuable insight into the function of the brainstem. Noted flexion of the Posture System or head posture distortion patterns indicates that there is weakness of the brainstem.
The Cranial Nerves also provide valuable insight of the function of the brainstem. Dysfunction of the cranial nerves means that there is ipsilateral weakness of the brainstem.
Spinal Pathways:�
The spinal chord and its pathways are the communication system to and from the brain and the body. The descending motor pathways stimulate movement and postural control. The ascending sensory pathways carry information of sensation to be processed and �understood� in the brain.
The brain and the body are in constant communication to perform efficient movements, to stabilize without falling, and to detect signals from the environment that require a response. Sensorimotor integration happens in your spine, this is the communication highway of the nervous system.
Are the Spinal Pathways important to Posture?
The pathways are invaluable to your postural design. Pathways from the motor cortex send information to create dynamic movements,�and pathways from the brainstem descend to stabilize your postural tone. Ascending pathways from the body to the brain ignite the sensory homunculus for perception, and carry information from the primary sensors of your body for proprioception, vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, etc.
Can I check for weakness of the Spinal Pathways?
There are many different pathways. When you understand the function of that pathway you can design a test for it. For example, the corticospinal tract descends from the motor cortex to the spine
to create motor output. Dysfunction of this pathway would present as weakness on muscle tests.
The spinothalamic tract is an ascending tract from the spine to the thalamus that recognizes stimuli associated with pain and temperature. To test this tract you would test sensory integration of hot, cold, and painful stimuli.
Neck pain that is not caused by whiplash or other trauma has a postural component as part of the underlying problem. Sitting atop the body, the health of the neck is subject to the �curvature of the spine below and the position of the head above.�For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at�915-850-0900
Peripheral neuropathy most commonly develops in patients who’ve been previously diagnosed with pre-diabetes. According to researchers from the University of Utah, early interventions can allow people to maintain their overall health and wellness. Further research studies have revealed that peripheral nerve damage begins with pre-diabetes and obesity.
Approximately more than one in three adults in the United States, about 86 million people, have pre-diabetes. Without the proper body weight and moderate physical activity, 15 to 30 percent of these individuals could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
“We now know a lot more than we did 3 to 5 years ago about neuropathic pain in patients with pre-diabetes. Neuropathy affects patients with pre-diabetes in a continuum,” stated Dr. Rob Singleton, MD, and professor of neurology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. “We think obesity and the dysfunction of lips or fats are what’s actually causing the issues.”
During another research study conducted and published by researchers from the University of Michigan in JAMA Neurology, peripheral neuropathy was also commonly diagnosed in patients with obesity, regardless if they had normal blood sugar levels when compared with lean, control patient participants. This same study additionally confirmed that the rate of neuropathy increased in individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes, leading the researchers to conclude that pre-diabetes, diabetes and obesity are possible metabolic drivers of peripheral neuropathy.
Dr. Singleton and his team of researchers have been studying peripheral neuropathy associated with pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome as well as which forms of treatment may work best for the condition. Metabolic syndrome is characterized as the group of risk factors which increases the chance of experiencing heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Risk factors include: high blood pressure; elevated blood glucose, high cholesterol and abdominal fat. Throughout their research, they discovered that many patients with metabolic syndrome had pre-diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.
�We have demonstrated that in pre-diabetics with neuropathic pain, exercise can reduce neuropathic pain and can increase the intradermal nerve fibers in the thigh and ankle. We are in the process now of replicating that study,� Dr. Rob Singleton explained in an interview with an endocrinology advisor. �You need to improve lipid, or cholesterol, function and glucose levels. Lifestyle issues have to be addressed.�
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The Relation Between Pre-Diabetes & Peripheral Neuropathy
New research studies have evaluated the relationship between pre-diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. In a study published in Diabetes Care, Dr. Christine Lee, PhD, of the University of Toronto, determined that pre-diabetes created similar risks towards nerve damage and dysfunction, which often lead to the development of peripheral neuropathy, as those caused by diabetes.
Evidence suggests that peripheral neuropathy begins in the early stages of the diabetes pathogenesis. Dr. Lee and other researchers evaluated 467 individuals. The researchers found that peripheral neuropathy was common in 29 percent of adults with normal glucose levels as compared to 49 percent in adults diagnosed with pre-diabetes and 50 percent in adults diagnosed with diabetes. The researchers also established that pre-diabetes, or a progression of elevated glucose levels in the course of 3 years concluded an increased risk of developing peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage or dysfunction.
“Early interventions such as lifestyle changes involving proper diet and exercise, could be ultimately essential towards preventing severe nerve complications,” stated Dr. Christine Lee. Another study published in Diabetes Care by Dr. Rob Singleton in 2006, supported this statement. Dr. Singleton and other researchers concluded that dietary changes and physical activity can result in cutaneous reinnervation as well as improved symptoms in patients with pre-diabetes.
Peripheral Nerve Damage Before Diabetes
Its fundamental to acknowledge that the nerve injury which occurs with peripheral neuropathy can occur before diabetes develops. As a matter of fact, current research studies have shown that obesity, even with normal blood sugar levels, has been associated with causing peripheral neuropathy as well as pre-diabetes.
Fortunately, more and more research studies and evidence on the issue has been published to help enlighten doctors and the public. Although it is essential to maintain fasting glucose levels between 70 to 80 mg/dL, it is equally important to manage a healthy weight, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. All of this can be achieved without the use of medication or bariatric procedures. Natural treatments and holistic care options are also available to help control the symptoms of the disease.
Nerve dysfunction, characterized by symptoms of pain, tingling sensations and numbness are common among individuals with diabetes. However, new research studies have found that nerve injuries can also occur as a result of obesity, where patients are diagnosed with pre-diabetes.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
Neck pain is characterized as the most prevalent symptom after being involved in an automobile accident. During an auto collision, the body is exposed to a sheer amount of force due to the high speed impact, causing the head and neck to jolt abruptly back-and-forth as the rest of the body remains in place. This often results in the damage or injury of the cervical spine and its surrounding tissues, leading to neck pain and other common symptoms associated with whiplash-related disorders.
Waving white pom poms in the air, dozens of grey-haired cheerleaders in matching red and white uniforms hop and skip to K-pop music that fills the practice room.
Halfway into their two-hour practice session, most of the elderly dancers are panting and sweating, but do not let their bad knees or back pain stop them from what they say is keeping them healthy and youthful.
“Because I come here, I don’t need to take any medicine,” said 82-year-old Oh Geum-Nyu. “Although I’m ageing on the outside, this keeps me young at heart.”
Oh is one of the oldest members of Cheer Mommy, a 30-member cheerleading squad with an average age of 75, based in Samcheok, on South Korea’s east coast.
Life expectancy in Asia’s fourth-largest economy is accelerating rapidly, and for women born in 2030 it could stretch to nine decades on average, the longest in the world, according to research published in The Lancet medical journal.
The study by researchers at Imperial College London noted improved nutrition and broader access to health care as some of the reasons behind the phenomenon.
Some South Korean experts also point to social factors behind longevity.
“Their love for informal gatherings and forging new personal bonds can be a source of energy,” said Chung Soon-Dool, a social welfare professor at Ewha Women’s University in Seoul.
Most South Korean women in their 60s and older spent much of the lives in a strongly patriarchal society where women were expected to stay at home and raise the children.
Some are now embracing pursuits of their own choosing for the first time after retiring as the “caretaker”.
“I was done raising my seven grandchildren when my friend told me about this place,” said Cheer Mommy member Ahn Young-Ja, 65.
Lee Pal-Soon, 82, who also takes singing classes when she is not cheerleading, said she was enjoying the “second chapter” of her life after marrying off her five children.
Some are choosing to keep their brains active by going back to school, such as 88-year-old Kim Soon-Sil, who is among some 370 students aged 60 and up studying at Ilsung Women’s School in Seoul.
Kim, who grew up under Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea, had to leave school at 13 and it was not until seven decades later that she could fulfill her longing to continue her studies in history and English.
“I can feel small changes to my health every day, but if my health permits, I want to enroll in university,” said Kim.
South Korea’s government has rolled out various welfare programmes to accommodate its rising senior population — its men are also set to become the world’s longest-lived, according to the Imperial College study — including opening more community centres and organising leisure activities for the elderly.
But experts say the cost could become crippling in the face of a looming demographic crisis in the country with the world’s lowest birthrate.
Around 6.5 million out of the country’s 50 million population were 65 years or older in 2015, and in the next 10 years, one out of five South Koreans will be retired, according to a Statistics Korea report in December.
The country’s working age population started declining last year, it said, and by 2065 it will be overtaken by the number of retirees.
“It’s the question of who will cover the increase in social security cost,” said Professor Chung. “It wouldn’t be a problem if the number of young people were also rising, but that’s not the case.”
Authorities need to consider raising the retirement age, said Ha Jung-Hwa, social welfare professor at Seoul National University.
“It’s important the government introduces new policies to keep healthy and skilled senior citizens longer in the job market,” she said.
Cheer Mommy started out as a local authority leisure programme, but the elderly squad now regularly travels across the country to compete in national tournaments against rivals decades their juniors.
With the youngest member aged 63, the choreography lacks dynamic stunts like back flips or somersaults. It takes them twice as long to remember the routines, and instructor Yoon Bok-Ja said: “They are slow like turtles but they don’t give up until they are perfect.”
The bubbly grannies quickly changed into their next uniform — graffiti-printed jerseys, white tracksuit bottoms and black baseball caps — for a number set to Gangnam Style star Psy’s latest hit Daddy, chanting: “Hip hop! Youth! To 100 years!”
Your diet plays a crucial role in your mental well being and physical health, as they are intricately connected. Have you ever thought about everyday spices
Consider adding these 10 spices below to your current diet, or better yet cook with them to improve overall brain health, and help prevent, or at the very least stave off future cognitive decline. These top spices have been studied extensively by world renowned psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen, and is widely discussed in many of his journal publications and books, including one of his latest Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. He recommends the 10 spices below to be incorporated into your every diet to have a happier and healthier brain.
Used in your morning cup of coffee or tea, added into pastries, cakes and cookies, even sprinkled over your breakfast cereal and oatmeal, sugar is that sweet, short-chain, soluble carbohydrate which is most commonly found in most of the foods we consume today. Sugar is also hidden in many of the favorite treats we eat on a daily basis, such as fruit juices, sodas, candies, ice cream and almost all processed foods, including popular condiments like ketchup.
Although it’s common for people to regularly ingest sugar in every meal, how much sugar is acceptable to consume? More importantly, can excessive sugar cause negative side effects to your health? What is the exact function of sugar in the body? These are only several of the fundamental questions we must ask ourselves before we continue to eat foods with high amounts of sugar.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
On average, people consume sugar from their favorite snacks and foods on a daily basis, however, processed foods and beverages can have an excessive amount of sugar which may affect the body’s overall health and wellness. The human body is not designed to handle the excess sugar and its regular consumption can lead to a variety of complications, including diabetes. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
Used in your morning cup of coffee or tea, added into pastries, cakes and cookies, even sprinkled over your breakfast cereal and oatmeal, sugar is that sweet, short-chain, soluble carbohydrate which is most commonly found in most of the foods we consume today. Sugar is also hidden in many of the favorite treats we eat on a daily basis, such as fruit juices, sodas, candies, ice cream and almost all processed foods, including popular condiments like ketchup.
Although it’s common for people to regularly ingest sugar in every meal, how much sugar is acceptable to consume? More importantly, can excessive sugar cause negative side effects to your health? What is the exact function of sugar in the body? These are only several of the fundamental questions we must ask ourselves before we continue to eat foods with high amounts of sugar.
Contents
Excessive Sugar: Is it Bad for Your Health?
According to a research study released in February 2015, the average American today consumes approximately 32 teaspoons, or 126 grams, of sugar per day, amounting to 134 pounds of sugar per year. Moreover, people are ingesting excessive amounts of sugar in the form of fructose or high-fructose corn syrup. While this highly processed form of sugar is cheaper, it is also 20 percent sweeter than regular table sugar, which is why most food and beverage manufacturers utilize the product, allowing them to save more money in the long run.
Knowing these statistics, our concern is that the human body is actually not designed to consume excessive sugar, much less in the form of fructose. As a matter of fact, the body metabolizes fructose differently than sugar. Fructose is actually a hepatotoxin, meaning it is toxic to the liver, and it is metabolized directly into fat, which can result in a variety of issues that can have significant effects to your health.
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The Effects of Consuming Too Much Sugar
Dr. Robert Lustig, a professor of Clinical Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology in the University of California and a pioneer in decoding sugar metabolism, explained that the human body is capable of safely metabolizing at least six teaspoons of added sugar per day. However, because most Americans are consuming over three times that amount, the majority of the excess amounts of sugar in the body are metabolized into body fat, which can lead to other debilitating chronic metabolic diseases.
The following are several side effects which occur due to excessive sugar:
It overloads and damages your liver. Excess sugar or fructose can have similar effects to that of alcohol. All the fructose you eat travels directly to one single organ: the liver. This can severely affect the organ, leading to potential liver overloads and damage.
It tricks the body into gaining weight and affects insulin and leptin signaling. Fructose can fool your metabolism by stopping the body�s appetite-control system. Also, it fails to stimulate insulin, failing to suppress ghrelin, otherwise known as the hunger hormone, that then fails to stimulate leptin, also known as the satiety hormone. This causes you to eat more, developing insulin resistance.
It causes metabolic dysfunction. Eating excess amounts of sugar can cause a variety of symptoms to develop, identified as classic metabolic syndrome. These symptoms include: weight gain; abdominal obesity; decreased HDL and increased LDL; elevated blood sugar; elevated triglycerides; and high blood pressure.
It increases your uric acid levels. Increasingly high levels of uric acid are considered to be a major risk factor for heart and kidney disease as well as the leading cause of Gout. As a matter of fact, the connection between fructose, metabolic syndrome, and uric acid levels in the body has become so clear that an individual’s uric acid levels can be utilized as a marker for fructose toxicity. According to recent research studies, the safest range of uric acid is between 3 to 5.5 milligrams per deciliter. If your uric acid level is higher than this, then it�s clear that you are at risk of experiencing the negative health impacts caused by excess sugar or fructose.
Sugar Increases Your Risk of Disease
One of the most severe effects of eating too much sugar is its potential to damage the liver, leading to a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. The same disease that you can get from excessive alcohol intake can also be caused by excessive sugar or fructose intake. Dr. Lustig described the three similarities between alcohol and fructose:
The liver metabolizes alcohol the same way as sugar, since both serve as substrates for converting dietary carbohydrates into fat. This promotes insulin resistance, fatty liver, and dyslipidemia, or abnormal fat levels in the blood.
Fructose causes superoxide free radicals to form, resulting in inflammation, a condition that can be also caused by acetaldehyde, a metabolite of ethanol.
Fructose can directly and indirectly stimulate the brain�s hedonic pathway, or addiction pathway, creating habituation and dependence, the same way that ethanol does.
While these are some of the most commonly known ways that excess amounts of sugar or fructose can negatively affect the body, there are other ways the body can be affected as well. Evidence from several of America�s most respected institutions now confirms that sugar is a primary dietary factor that drives the development of chronic disease and obesity.
One study found that fructose is readily used by cancer cells to increase their proliferation, in other words, it feeds the cancer cells, promoting cell division and speeding their growth which allow the cancer to spread faster.
Alzheimer�s disease is another deadly illness that can arise from excessive sugar consumption. A growing body of research found a powerful connection between a high-fructose diet and the risk of developing Alzheimer�s disease through the same pathway that causes type 2 diabetes. According to some experts, Alzheimer�s and other brain disorders may be caused by the constant burning of glucose by the brain.
Other diseases that are linked to metabolic syndrome that may potentially develop from excess sugar include:
Type 2 Diabetes
Hypertension
Heart Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Lipid (cholesterol) problems
Dementia (Alzheimer�s disease)
Cancer
How to Manage Your Sugar Consumption
Sugar, in its natural form, is not bad as long as it�s consumed in moderation. This means avoiding all sources of fructose, particularly that found in processed foods and beverages such as soda. Approximately 74 percent of processed foods contain hidden added sugar under more than 60 different names. Ideally, you should consume more whole foods and less processed foods.
Furthermore, it’s recommended to limit the consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as waffles, cereals, bagels, etc. and grains, as these can break down sugar in your body, increasing your insulin levels and causing insulin resistance.
As a general recommendation, its advised for people to keep their total fructose consumption below 25 grams per day, including that from whole fruit. Keep in mind that although fruits are rich in nutrients and antioxidants, they also naturally contain fructose, and if consumed in high amounts, they may actually worsen your insulin sensitivity and raise your uric acid levels.
Remember that artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose should also be ultimately avoided, since they can develop a completely different set of health complications which may be far worse than the issues sugar or corn syrup can cause.
Avoiding the Cravings
More evidence from recent studies has revealed that obesity, pre-diabetes and diabetes can be driving factors for, not only chronic conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, but also for a diversity of other chronic diseases, including cancer. It�s essential to realize that you don�t have to give up sugar completely but you must reduce it significantly from your diet. Research studies have demonstrated that no one should be consuming more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day, including fruit sugar as well.
In order to become healthy and fight off chronic illness, here are some additional dietary tips to remember:
Increase your consumption of healthy fats, such as omega-3, saturated, and monounsaturated fats. Your body needs health-promoting fats from animal and vegetable sources for optimal functioning. In fact, emerging evidence suggests that healthy fats should make up at least 70 percent of your diet. Some of the best sources include: organic butter from raw milk; virgin olive oil; coconut oil; ghee; raw nuts like pecans and macadamia; free-range eggs; avocado; and wild Alaskan salmon.
Drink pure, clean water. Simply swapping out all the sweetened beverages like sodas and fruit juices for pure water can go a long way towards improving your health. The best way to gauge your water needs is to observe the color of your urine, it should be a light, pale yellow, and the frequency of your bathroom visits, ideally, this is around seven to eight times per day.
Add fermented foods to your meals. The beneficial bacteria in these healthful foods can support your digestion and provide detoxification support which helps lessen the fructose burden on your liver. Some of the best choices include: kimchi; natto; organic yogurt and kefir made from grass-fed milk; and fermented vegetables.
How to Give Up Your Sugar Cravings
Sugar is highly addictive and can often affect dependency centers in the brain and it can have an emotional component as well. In order to suppress sugar cravings, it�s essential to detox. A variety of healthcare professionals can help design appropriate sugar detox programs. Such programs can be great for detoxing the body from unwanted chemicals, eliminating sugar addiction and decreasing inflammation.
The temptation to eat or indulge in sugary foods will always be there, especially with the abundance of processed foods and fast foods everywhere. However, most sugar cravings arise because of an emotional challenge. If this is what causes you to crave sugar, there are solutions such as the Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT, that can help. This technique is a simple and effective strategy to help control your emotional food cravings. Ultimately, seeking medical help or support to decrease your sugar consumption can be the best first step to cleanse your body and improve your overall health and wellness.
On average, people consume sugar from their favorite snacks and foods on a daily basis, however, processed foods and beverages can have an excessive amount of sugar which may affect the body’s overall health and wellness. The human body is not designed to handle the excess sugar and its regular consumption can lead to a variety of complications, including diabetes.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
Neck pain is characterized as the most prevalent symptom after being involved in an automobile accident. During an auto collision, the body is exposed to a sheer amount of force due to the high speed impact, causing the head and neck to jolt abruptly back-and-forth as the rest of the body remains in place. This often results in the damage or injury of the cervical spine and its surrounding tissues, leading to neck pain and other common symptoms associated with whiplash-related disorders.
Over 3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with type I diabetes. This disorder is considered an auto-immune condition where the immune system destroys the insulin producing Beta cells of the pancreas. A new case study showed how chiropractic adjustments dramatically improved a 4 year old child�s ability to manage this disorder.
A large UK study has revealed that type 1 diabetes has increased 5-fold in children less than 5 years of age between the years of 1985 and 2004. During those same years there was a doubling in children under 15 years of age being diagnosed with type I diabetes. Studies in other European countries and the US have shown similar results.
Environmental Risk Factors
The most common risk factors include exposure to environmental toxins and other stressors. The list of toxins includes pesticides, herbicides, and household cleaning agents. Additionally, food allergens such as pasteurized cow�s milk, gluten and processed soy, peanuts, & eggs are thought to be possible triggers. Low maternal and infant vitamin D3 levels and less than 6 months of breast feeding appear to be very serious risk factors as well. Birth trauma affecting the upper cervical spine has been hypothesized as a risk factor by some experts.
A recent case study published in the November 2011 edition of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health documents a case of a 4 year old child, who had terrific results stabilizing her blood sugar through chiropractic care.
The child�s mother described her as being a very healthy baby, who was not vaccinated at all and was breastfed for a full 12 months. She was officially diagnosed with type I diabetes at 2 years of age. The family ate a healthy, whole food based diet and avoided processed foods and other environmental toxins.
Understanding the role of Neuroendoimmunology
The nervous, endocrine and immune system are hardwired and work together to create optimal responses for the body to adapt and heal appropriately. The new study of neuroendoimmunology looks closely at this intimate relationship between bodily systems.
Neural dysfunctions due to spinal subluxations are stressful to the body and cause abnormal changes that lead to a poorly coordinated immune response. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce subluxations and boost the coordinated responses of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.
The patient was diagnosed with spinal subluxations in the upper cervical region. She began chiropractic care and was seen a total of 24 times over a 2 month period. During this 2 month period, she experienced a decrease in hemoglobin A1C from 7.2% to 6.5%. She also decreased the amount of insulin used from 15 units to 11 units per day.
These results are quite remarkable because the literature states that intensive medical treatment of type I diabetes often does not succeed in lowering A1C levels under 7.0%. Chiropractic care works by optimizing the neural connections throughout the body.
This enhanced brain-body connection works to better coordinate immunity and hormone function throughout the body. This improvement in type I diabetes management is most likely a result of better cellular communication.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Over 3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with type I diabetes.�A new case study showed how chiropractic adjustments dramatically improved the ability to manage this disorder.�For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900
We are very excited to announce that another Spinal Research Foundation facilitated research has been published in a highly reputable journal [1].�The study, undertaken by Heidi Haavik, Kelly Holt, Bernadette Murphy and others is�published in the�Journal of Neural Plasticity. And the results are very exciting for chiropractic!
The�Journal of Neural Plasticity boasts an impact factor of 3.5 (as a comparison, The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics has an impact factor of 1.5.)
This from Heidi Haavik [2]:
�WE DO KNOW THAT SPINAL FUNCTION DOES AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTION.�THERE�S NOW SOLID EVIDENCE THAT ADJUSTING THE SPINE CHANGES BRAIN FUNCTION. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THAT THE EFFECT OF ADJUSTING THE SPINE HAS ON THE BRAIN HAS BEEN STUDIED. THIS LAST TIME IT WAS STUDIED AND CONFIRMED BY AN INDEPENDENT MEDICAL RESEARCHER.�
This study�was conducted�in an independent medical professor�s lab, where his bioengineer collected and analyzed the data. This is an important�bonus for this study ��that all data was collected and analysed by scientists who had no preconceived ideas about chiropractic.�This greatly�lowers the level of bias.��These were scientists from Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark.
A Vitally Important Implication
More than just confirming once again that adjusting the spine has an effect on the brain, this study indicates that adjustments impact the function of the prefrontal cortex. Haavik is particularly excited about what this implies:
�The latest study suggests that the changes that we do see in the brain when we adjust the spine do occur in the prefrontal�cortex. That part of the brain is like the conductor in the brain.� The research shows that�when we adjust the spine, we significantly increase activity in the prefrontal cortex. �The study showed a change in brain function by almost 20% on average�. The prefrontal cortex is the area in the brain where higher learning and�cognition happens. Haavik explains:
�An effect on the function of the prefrontal cortex could explain many previous research results, such as improvements in sensorimotor function relevant to falls-prevention; better joint-position sense in both the upper limb and the lower limb; improved muscle strength in lower limb muscles; better pelvic floor control; and better ability to carry out mental rotation of objects.� Chiropractors have long observed a wide variety of changes in the people under their care following adjustments. Along the wide spectrum of claims from those under care are those who say they feel better or focus better and those who notice improvements in movement and coordination. This study takes us a little further down the path of understanding why this could be.
These are important control mechanisms run by the prefrontal cortex. For example,�joint position sense is the brain�s ability to know where the arms and legs are in space. And mental rotation is important, because as Haavik explains:
�Being able to accurately perceive the world around you is a vital skill we need all day every day. To recognize some objects you may need to mentally rotate them. For example to recognize the letter p versus b if they were not upright you would need to rotate them in your mind to figure out which letter it was. We all do mentally rotate shapes and objects we see, but we may not often think about that we do it, or how important this is in our daily life.�
Haavik and her team are excited about the evidence regarding the location of changes post-adjustment.
�THIS IS SOLID SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT ADJUSTING THE SPINE CHANGES THE WAY THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX OF THE BRAIN IS PROCESSING INFORMATION FROM THE ARM. IT DEMONSTRATES WE CHANGE THE WAY THE BRAIN WORKS AND SHOWS THAT SPINAL FUNCTION IMPACTS BRAIN FUNCTION. ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE CHANGES WE OBSERVED WAS THAT THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BEHAVIOR, GOAL DIRECTED TASKS, DECISION MAKING, MEMORY AND ATTENTION, INTELLIGENCE, PROCESSING OF PAIN AND EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO IT, AUTONOMIC FUNCTION, MOTOR CONTROL, EYE MOVEMENTS AND SPATIAL AWARENESS.�
If, as this research suggests, adjusting improves prefrontal cortex activity, a part of the brain that is responsible for just so much higher level function, then what does this mean in terms of chiropractic�s impact on things like�behavior, decision making, memory and attention, intelligence, processing of pain and emotional response to it, autonomic function, motor control, eye movements and spatial awareness?
We already know that adjustments cause improvements in sensorimotor function relevant to falls-prevention; better joint-position sense in both the upper limb and the lower limb; improve muscle strength in lower limb muscles; better pelvic floor control; and better ability to carry out mental rotation of objects.
Why This Study Matters
Again, this study not only shows that when we adjust subluxations we change brain function. It changes�activity by 20% just by adjusting.
And this effect may be on the conductor in the brain. This shows us that every time we�re adjusting someone, we�re having a big, positive effect on the brain. And a brain that�s functioning differently and conducting its activities better is sure to have an effect on the body.
Download a Poster
Keen to share�these amazing results with the people under your care in your practice?�Download a Poster�to use in practice.
What�s Next
The project�involved collaboration with researchers from Denmark, Canada and Australia. We are proud to be able to facilitate studies like this one, as they help back our profession with peer-reviewed certainty.
Getting the word out to people in your practice is imperative. Knowledge is powerful, not just for chiropractors but for those whose lives have been touched by the power of chiropractic care. Too often, they know it works but they don�t know why.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Once again research shows adjusting the spine has an effect on the brain. This study indicates that adjustments impact the function of the prefrontal cortex.�For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900
Being overweight or obese is assumed to be the primary factor for people to develop type 2 diabetes. Excess weight is generally associated with insulin resistance and diabetes, however, it�s this insulin resistance, not the excess weight, which can cause the disease to develop.
Because of this, many individual�s who maintain a healthy weight may not necessarily be metabolically healthy, which can in turn increase the risk of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, regardless if they�re overweight or obese. According to researchers from the University of Florida, one of the greatest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes is actually inactivity, which can increase the risk or pre-diabetes even if you have a healthy weight.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T�s insight:
Type 2 diabetes is commonly described to develop in overweight or obese individuals, however, recent research studies have demonstrated that slim, healthy people are also at risk of developing the disease. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to be the major factor behind the development of type 2 diabetes in American adults. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
Injuries to the muscles and ligaments around the hip affect both competitive and recreational athletes. These injuries can interfere significantly with sports enjoyment and performance levels, and they occasionally will end participation completely. Excessive pronation and poor shock absorption have been found to be an underlying cause or a contributing factor for many leg injuries.1 Functional orthotics which have been custom-fitted to improve the biomechanics of the feet and reduce the extent of pronation can help to prevent many sport-related leg injuries.
Lower Extremity Problems in Athletes
One study looked at the foot biomechanics of athletes who reported a recent foot or leg injury and compared them to an uninjured control group.2 The researchers determined that those athletes with more foot pronation had a much greater statistical probability of sustaining one of five leg injuries, including iliotibial band syndrome (which is due to excessive tightness of the hip abductor muscles). This study helps us understand how providing appropriate functional foot orthotic support to patients who are involved in sports or recreational activities lowers their likelihood of developing both traumatic and overuse hip injuries.
In this paper, sixty-six injured athletes who ran at least once a week, and who had no history of traumatic or metabolic factors, were the study group. Another control group of 216 athletes were matched who did not have any symptoms of lower extremity injuries. The amount of pronation during standing and while running at �regular speed� was determined by measuring the angles of their footprints.3 The investigators found a significant correlation: Those athletes with more pronation had a much greater likelihood of having sustained one of the overuse athletic injuries.
Hip and Thigh Injuries
Many injuries experienced at the hip develop from poor biomechanics and gait asymmetry, especially when running. Smooth coordination of the muscles that provide balance and support for the pelvis is needed for optimum bipedal sports performance. This includes the hamstring muscles and the hip abductor muscles, especially the tensor fascia lata (the iliotibial band). When there is a biomechanical deficit from the feet and ankles, abnormal motions (such as excessive internal rotation of the entire leg) will predispose to pulls and strains of these important support muscles. The hamstrings (comprised of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles) are a good example.
During running, the hamstrings are most active during the last 25% of the swing phase, and the first 50% of the stance phase.4 This initial 50% of stance phase consists of heel strike and maximum pronation. The hamstring muscles function to control the knee and ankle at heel strike and to help absorb some of the impact. A recent study has shown a significant decrease in electromyographic activity in the hamstrings when wearing orthotics.5 In fact, these investigators found that the biceps femoris (which is the most frequently injured of the three hamstring muscles) had the greatest decrease in activity of all muscles tested, including the tibialis anterior, the medial gastrocnemius, and the medial and lateral vastus muscles. The scientists in this study theorized that the additional support from the orthotics helped the hamstrings to control the position of the calcaneus and knee, so there was much less stress into the hip joint and pelvis.
Excessive Pronation and Hip Injuries
Using functional orthotics to correct excessive pronation and to treat hip problems requires an awareness of the various problems that can develop. The following is a list of the pathologies that are seen in the hip and pelvis secondary to pronation and foot hypermobility:7
Iliotibial band syndrome����������������� Tensor fascia lata strain
Trochanteric bursitis����������������������� Hip flexor muscle strain
Piriformis muscle strain������������������ Hip adductor muscle strain
Hip joint capsulitis��������������������������� Anterior pelvic tilt
These conditions will develop much more easily in athletes, who push their musculoskeletal systems, and who seek more efficient and effective functional performances.
In 2002, researchers at Logan College of Chiropractic recruited a total of 40 male subjects that demonstrated bilateral pes planus or hyperpronation syndrome. Subjects were cast for custom made orthotics; their right and left Q-angles were measured with and without the orthotic in place. Thirty-nine of 40 test subjects showed reduced Q-angle, which was in the direction of correction, suggesting that wearing orthotics can improve stability and levelness of the pelvis, thus protecting the body to some degree from hip injury.8
Conclusion
Excessive pronation and/or poor shock absorption have been shown to be an associated or causative factor in many leg injuries � from the foot itself, up the lower leg to the knee, thigh, and into the hip joint. The good news is that many of these conditions can be prevented with custom-fitted functional orthotics. Evaluation of foot biomechanics is a good idea in all patients, but is especially necessary for those who are recreationally active, or for anyone who has experienced hip problems.
To avoid potentially disabling hip injuries, competitive athletes must have regular evaluations of the alignment and function of their feet. Additional preventive measures include wearing well-designed and solidly-constructed shoes. When athletes are provided with custom-fitted functional orthotics, it can help prevent arch breakdown and biomechanical foot problems, and also treat numerous injuries of the lower extremities, including the hip joints.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Many injuries experienced at the hip develop from poor biomechanics and gait asymmetry, especially when running. Smooth coordination of the muscles that provide balance and support for the pelvis is needed for optimum bipedal sports performance. For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900
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