For individuals practicing a low-carbohydrate eating style or want to try an alternative flour, can incorporating almond flour help in their wellness journey?
Almond Flour
Almond flour and almond meal are gluten-free alternatives to wheat products in certain recipes. They are made by grinding almonds and can be bought prepared or made at home with a food processor or grinder. The flour is higher in protein and lower in starch than other gluten-free flour.
Almond Flour and Almond Meal
The flour is made with blanched almonds, meaning the skin has been removed. Almond meal is made with whole or blanched almonds. The consistency for both is more like corn meal than wheat flour. They can usually be used interchangeably, although using the blanched flour will produce a more refined, less grainy result. Superfine almond flour is great for baking cakes but is difficult to make at home. It can be found at grocery stores or ordered online.
Carbohydrates and Calories
A half cup of commercially prepared flour contains about:
The glycemic index of almond flour is less than 1, which means it should have little effect on raising blood glucose levels.
The high glycemic index of whole wheat flour is 71, and rice flour is 98.
Using Almond Flour
It is recommended for making gluten-free quick bread recipes, such as gluten-free:
Muffins
Pumpkin bread
Pancakes
Some cake recipes
Individuals are recommended to start with a recipe already adapted for almond flour and then make their own. A cup of wheat flour weighs around 3 ounces, while a cup of almond flour weighs almost 4 ounces. This will make a significant difference in baked goods. The flour is beneficial for adding nutrients to foods.
Almond Meal
Almond meal can be cooked as polenta or grits such as shrimp and grits.
Cookies can be made gluten-free with almond meal.
Almond meal biscuits can be made, but pay attention to the recipe.
Almond meal can be used to bread fish and other fried foods, but it must be taken care of so as not to burn.
Almond meal is not recommended for breads that require true dough with a developed gluten structure, like wheat flour.
More eggs are needed when baking with almond meal to provide the structure gluten in flour creates.
Adapting recipes to substitute almond meal for wheat flour can be a challenge that requires plenty of trial and error.
Sensitivities
Almonds are a tree nut, one of the eight most common food allergies. (Anaphylaxis UK. 2023) While peanuts are not tree nuts, many with peanut allergies can also have an almond allergy.
Making Your Own
It can be made in a blender or food processor.
Care must be taken not to grind it too long, or it will become almond butter, which can also be used.
Add a little at a time and pulse until it is ground into meal.
Store unused flour immediately in the refrigerator or freezer because it will go rancid quickly if left out.
Almonds are shelf-stable, and almond flour is not, so it is recommended that you grind only what is needed for the recipe.
Store Bought
Most health food stores sell almond flour, and more supermarkets are stocking it as it has become a popular gluten-free product. Packaged flour and meal will also go rancid after opening and should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer after opening.
Anaphylaxis UK. (2023). Allergy Factsheets (Anaphylaxis UK A brighter future for people with serious allergies, Issue. www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/factsheets/
Atkinson, F. S., Brand-Miller, J. C., Foster-Powell, K., Buyken, A. E., & Goletzke, J. (2021). International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 114(5), 1625–1632. doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqab233
When back pain presents for a prolonged period, the back muscles reduce in mass but increase fat content, resulting in more stiffness. This leads to chronic muscle fatigue and results in chronic pain symptoms. Adding resistance to a workout routine in weight machines, free weights, and/or resistance bands helps reduce back pain. Studies have shown that specific therapeutic back muscle weight training is safe and can help relieve pain. A sports chiropractic specialist can recommend appropriate exercises for individuals and their specific condition/s to safely participate in strength training.
Back muscles development
With time, back pain and increased fatigue can lead to a fear of moving the body and engaging in physical activity. This results in spinal deconditioning and instability. Weight training works on incrementally/progressively increasing the load that the back muscles can tolerate. This technique gradually improves the body’s ability and strength to perform regular daily activities without strain and in optimal fashion. Weight training improves whole-body health because:
Back muscles and core muscles increase in function and performance.
Muscles are strengthened.
Lean muscle mass increases.
The range of motion of the spine increases.
Body fat decreases.
Guidelines while using weights
When weight training, it is important to understand safety guidelines to help relieve back pain and not worsen or cause further injury. Weighted treatment exercises are for individuals that have been cleared by their physician or chiropractor and are specific to their injury and /or condition. Depending on the underlying pain source, weight training may not be suitable for individuals that have:
Severe pain.
Back pain that originates from:
Previous spinal surgery
Tumor
Nerve root compression
Neurological symptoms
Sciatica
Spinal fracture/s
Spinal infection/s
Medical professionals and chiropractors can accurately diagnose and determine if weight training is safe and which specific exercises to perform. Guidance from a trained therapist or therapeutic trainer is recommended for optimal results.
Weight training techniques to alleviate back pain are different from regular weight or resistance exercises.
Trained physical/occupational therapists and sports chiropractors can educate an individual on:
Correct techniques
Frequency
Type of training that will help an individual’s condition.
Therapeutic training can significantly reduce the risk of further injury and damage to the spine.
After initial training, individuals are encouraged to exercise to maintain back muscles and total body health.
Smaller weights build strength progressively
Effective ways to strengthen the spine.
Begin with small/light weights and exercise slowly.
Fast rapid movements or incorrect lifting and pulling techniques can cause additional damage to the tissues.
It is recommended to start with:
Low-load motor control exercises without weights activate and stretch the muscles and improve balance.
Simple stretches
Exercise machines can be recommended instead of free weights.
Exercise machines can provide safe, effective, and progressive resistance to the exercises.
The machines can help reduce/prevent injury compared to free weights.
The machines can maintain proper support on the back and spine.
It is recommended to combine regular walking activity with a weight training program.
Low impact aerobic exercises increase blood circulation along with essential nutrients to the muscles and soft tissues.
This promotes healing and reduces stiffness.
Training program and benefits
Gaining the most benefits from strength training, tips to keep in mind:
Warm up for a few minutes using heat therapy and simple stretches.
Try for 2 or 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
Focus on building strength in the core muscles – back, abdominals, obliques, buttocks, and pelvic leg muscles.
There is no need to join a gym or buy expensive equipment.
Work out at home with small hand weights, resistance bands, and body weight.
The therapist or chiropractor will inform the individual on which exercises to avoid, which require extreme or quick moves.
Slow, steady resistance training takes advantage of muscle lengthening exercises and muscle shortening exercises for strengthening.
If back pain presents with a sustained increase, take time off or modify the strength training exercises.
Some soreness is to be expected, but sharp pain is not. If any sharp, sudden pain presents while exercising, stop immediately.
Ice therapy can be beneficial after exercising to decrease inflammation and alleviate pain.
Record the amount of weight when beginning the training and note when progressing to a heavier weight. Consistent improvements in pain, flexibility, strength, and function will help maintain motivation. Consult with a professional sports injury chiropractor today to see if weight training is a suitable and safe treatment.
Body Composition
Carbohydrates and Muscle Growth
Simple carbs are a quick, periodic source of energy. Complex carbs are a recommended source of steady energy. Complex carbs are not as readily available for immediate energy as simple carbs are but are more efficient and healthier. Complex carbs offer sustainable energy, meaning the energy is constant with no crash like simple carbs. Because complex carbs have slow-release properties, they should be the largest component of daily energy consumption.
Carbs prevent muscle weakness.
Some glycogen is stored in the muscles. When those muscles are used during exercise, the body taps into the glycogen stores in that specific muscle. Lifting weights with the arms, for example, access the glycogen in the biceps. Athletes take advantage of glycogen by loading up on carbs by consuming a day or more before a workout. This maximizes the muscle glycogen stores. This delays muscle fatigue, making for a better workout and stronger muscles, and can improve athletic performance.
Carbs help muscles recover after exercise.
Recovery goes back to the glycogen stores. Right after exercising, the body needs to replenish its glycogen stores to prevent glycogen depletion. Glycogen depletion, when the stores run out, causes gluconeogenesis. What happens is the body forms glucose from new sources. This is to compensate for the lack of glucose from carbohydrates. This is when the body turns to sources like fat and protein to fill the need. Protein is the last line of defense when energy is required, meaning that energy is running low. When the body breaks down protein for glucose production, it takes what it needs from the muscle/s, causing them to shrink and break down.
References
Dreisinger TE. Exercise in the management of chronic back pain. Ochsner J. 2014;14(1):101–107.
Lee JS, Kang SJ. Strength exercise and walking effects on lumbar function, pain level, and body composition in chronic back pain patients. J Exerc Rehabil. 2016;12(5):463–470. Published 2016 Oct 31. doi:10.12965/jer.1632650.325
Michaelson P, Holmberg D, Aasa B, Aasa U. High load lifting exercise and low load motor control exercises as interventions for patients with mechanical low back pain: A randomized controlled trial with 24-month follow-up. J Rehabil Med. 2016;48(5):456-63.
Welch N, Moran K, Antony J, et al. The effects of a free-weight-based resistance training intervention on pain, squat biomechanics, and MRI-defined lumbar fat infiltration and functional cross-sectional area in those with chronic low back. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2015;1(1):e000050. Published 2015 Nov 9. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000050
Fact: Chiropractors are known for treating back pain. But they do so much more than that. They are licensed in all fifty states, and there are more than 60,000 practicing chiropractors in America.
Chiropractic treatment is gaining wider acceptance by the medical, legal, and patient communities because of its�beneficial record of positive results and medication-free care.
There have been several studies documenting the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic treatment/care.
Here are some facts and stats about chiropractic medicine.
Chiropractor doing pushing motion to adjust spine of a male patient
Chiropractic Facts
Around 35-40% of chiropractic patients’ reason for treatment involves upper or low back pain.
Chiropractors perform 95.5% of adjustments in the world.
However, people also go to chiropractors for:
Neck pain
Headaches
Vehicle accident injuries
Whiplash
Repetitive motion injuries
Strains
Sports injuries
Chiropractic care helps with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or any type of arthritis.
Treatments provided by chiropractors include:
Spinal manipulation/adjustment
Physical therapy
Exercises
Stretches
Massage
Nutrition
Health Coaching
Weight loss
These chiropractic treatments are performed around 1 million times every day.
A chiropractor can be your primary health provider. As they must:
Complete 3 to 4 years of undergraduate education
A 4-year chiropractic college program
Must be licensed by the state they practice in.
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), recognized by the United States Office of Education, is responsible for the accreditation programs and institutions that offer a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree.
Chiropractors do not prescribe medications as part of a treatment plan.
Doctors and physicians can provide referrals or co-workers, friends and family are also positive resources to find the right chiropractor.
Safe Adjustment Facts
A chiropractic adjustment is much safer than taking medications or undergoing surgery. A chiropractic adjustment involves some:
Prep Massage
Stretching
Breathing
Expert help in body realignment
Any type of complication from a chiropractic adjustment is extremely rare.
Does it hurt
Chiropractic adjustments are relatively painless, but new�patients can involuntarily stiffen or resist the adjustment and feel slight discomfort. A qualified chiropractor will know this and wait until the patient relaxes, before continuing the adjustment.
If the patient has recently been involved in some type of trauma, like whiplash from an accident, work, sports, personal injury then there will be pain from the injury. An experienced chiropractor will know how to minimize the pain, as they perform the treatment.
And once it’s over patients feel:
Relief
Improved mobility
Calmness
A sense of well being/euphoria
Can other health professionals also perform these adjustments?
Yes, some osteopaths or DO’s can perform these treatment techniques, but make sure they are state-licensed.
Our team has taken great pride in bringing our families, and injured patients only clinically proved treatment protocols. �By teaching holistic wellness as a lifestyle, we change not only our patient�s lives but their families as well.� We do this so that we may reach as many El Pasoans who need us, no matter the affordability issues.
Sciatica Treatment | El Paso, Tx.
Sciatica is a collection of symptoms characterized by pain which extends down the length of the legs from the lower back.
Approximately 90 percent of sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, develops when a spinal disc herniation compresses a spinal nerve along the lumbar spine.
Piriformis syndrome and pregnancy are other common causes of sciatica.
NCBI Resources
Fortunately, self-management and time can be the best treatment. Allowing the body to heal itself is the way to go. But if rest is not enough then chiropractic treatment may be just what is needed to kick in the body�s self-healing function. If you decide to give chiropractic treatment a try, don�t be nervous, as a�chiropractor will monitor progress throughout the treatment.
In any case,�chiropractors are qualified to discuss the benefits and risks of other treatments, depending on the condition.
Hopefully, this article has given you the basics of�chiropractic medicine and how it works so you can make the best choice.
Chiropractic along with Other? Natural Treatments Can Help Reduce the Opioid Epidemic
As of now, there are over 2 million Americans dependent on opioids. For most of these individuals, the addiction comes from seeking pain management for an injury or chronic condition. The opioid crisis has become a national emergency causing overdose remedies to be sold over-the-counter.
Seeking chiropractic care can provide patients with relief, and aid in reducing any negative effects of the opioid epidemic.
The most commonly abused opioids are:
Fentanyl
Oxycodone
Tramadol
Opioids are often given to people battling cancer but are also prescribed following surgery and for people with chronic pain.
Taking opioids over a long period of time is the most dangerous because the effects can trick your brain to thinking the drugs are necessary to live.
Opioids are a convenient and fast remedy for pain, but only provide pain relief, and do not treat the actual issues.
That is why opioids should be a last resort.
A chiropractor can assess your body from head to toe and provide pain relief through:
Adjustments
Massage
Acupuncture
Electromagnetic therapy
Chiropractic is a drug-free approach to pain relief and pain management.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends the use of non-invasive, drug-free treatments such as Chiropractic care, first for chronic and acute lower back pain.
Lower back pain is one of the primary causes of opioid dependency.
Lower back pain can be difficult to treat, due to identifying and the cause.
Many doctors prescribe pain killers to provide comfort, while the actual problem goes untreated.
Chiropractors can identify the root cause of the pain.
Lower back pain can be caused by issues with the feet, ankles, knees, or hips.
Chronic back pain is due to some form of musculoskeletal weakness or imbalance.
An imbalance in one or both of the feet can cause problems throughout the entire body, especially placing stress on the lower back. Chiropractors are trained to examine the feet when a patient complains of back pain. Once the cause is identified, they can treat an individual without any prescription drugs.
Treatments for chronic pain typically include:
Chiropractic adjustments
Custom orthotics to help maintain the effectiveness of the adjustments
You can be examined for custom orthotics in less than five minutes and have them sent directly to you or pick them up.
Custom orthotics help us stand for extended periods, and with walking/working out.
Custom orthotics help you function without pain, and prescription-free.
�Treat pain without the use of surgery and addictive drugs.
Control *FOOT MOTION & POSTURE* with Functional Foot Orthotics | El Paso, Tx (2019)
If you have low back pain�or have had it, you are not alone. Experts estimate that around�80% of people�will experience some type of back problem at some point in their lives.�The Global Burden of Disease 2010 lists low back pain as the number one cause of disability worldwide. The good news is the majority of back pain is mechanical in origin or is not organic. This means that infection, cancer, fracture, inflammatory arthritis, and other serious conditions are not the cause. In fact, you may benefit by looking to your feet, knees,�and hips as the culprits.
What’s Afoot
When there are problems with the feet, it can cause problems through the legs and all the way to the spine. This can cause the ankle to pronate, meaning it rolls inward. This alters the way the�bones of the foot�line up which extends through the tibia, or shin bone.
NCBI Resources
The most commonly prescribed opioids are hydrocodone products. They are used to treat pain from injuries, dental work, and typically moderate pain. Milder pain is often treated with codeine but it is also used to treat coughing as well as severe diarrhea. Overall, opioids are used to treat everything from cancer pain to post-op pain to osteoarthritis.
There are plenty of people who say that chiropractic made a significant difference in their lives, relieving pain and increasing mobility. Still, some skeptics want scientific proof that it helps with managing pain and, in many cases, eliminating it altogether. While chiropractic patient testimonies are great, included here is a collection of cold, hard, facts � scientific studies on chiropractic care and its effectiveness in treating pain.
A Systematic review of evaluations of chiropractic care for pain management.
This review, published in August 2016, examined six randomized controlled trials and three full economic evaluations to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic care as compared to exercise therapy, physical therapy, and medical care. Chiropractic care was found to be comparable to or better than all three of these, particularly when managing pain.
They found �moderate evidence� that showed chiropractic care helps just as much as, physical therapy. The evidence in the other areas was limited, but still gave chiropractic high marks.
Spinal manipulation for treating low back pain is as effective as more traditional treatments.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health studied several clinical trials and reviews regarding chiropractic care. Time and again, chiropractic was found to be at least as effective as other pain-reducing interventions.
Chiropractic patients can have more days of being pain-free while avoiding surgery, invasive medical procedures, and medications that have harmful side effects. In one study, they found that chiropractic care is as effective as or better than more conventional medical care for as many as 18 months.
Chiropractic patients are less likely to use prescription pain-killers like opioids.
James �Jim� Whedon, DC, MS, is a researcher at the Southern California University of Health Sciences�and is co-chair of the Research Working Group of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health. He examined the records of 33,000 adults in the New Hampshire All-Payer Claims Database who registered as experiencing lower back pain. A little more than a third of those received chiropractic care. Of that group, only 38 percent had one or more prescriptions for an opioid, but that number jumped to 61 percent in the group who did not receive chiropractic care.
Upon examination of the related circumstances, Whedon concluded that the chiropractic patients were 57 percent less likely to fill an opioid prescription. This is a testament to the effectiveness of using chiropractic for pain relief.
Overwhelming research shows that chiropractic care is usually the best option when treating pain.
The American Chiropractic Association summarizes a number of studies and research findings that support the use of chiropractic care for pain. These studies recommended chiropractic as a safer, effective alternative to pharmaceuticals.
Others advocate incorporating chiropractic care with physical therapy and exercise for optimal results. One study (Goertz et al. (2013), Spine) asserts that using chiropractic manipulative therapy along with standard medical care provides a �significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical function…� Others show that it reduced the chances of the patient having to undergo surgery and could manage their pain without drugs.
The evidence is overwhelming. Yes, regular chiropractic care can really help a person to live pain-free. It also helps to follow the chiropractor�s recommendations regarding lifestyle changes and diet as well as taking any supplements that he or she advises.
While spinal manipulation is a big part of chiropractic care, it isn�t the only part. The chiropractor may recommend special stretches to do in between sessions or special supplements that can help the body to heal. That is what makes chiropractic so effective; it treats the entire body, not just the symptoms.
Gluten Free: During a visit to my orthopedist I made a confession: �I stopped eating gluten and�this might sound a little crazy, but�a lot of my joint pain disappeared.
She smiled broadly and said, �You�re not the first person to say that.�
I stopped eating gluten because couple of friends suggested it might relieve some unexplained symptoms I was experiencing, like fatigue and mild joint pain. I had strong doubts, but my primary care doctor and I had run out of ideas (I was waiting to see a specialist), so I figured I had nothing to lose.
More recently, medical experts have begun to acknowledge the connection between gluten and joint pain described as non-pathologic (unrelated to disease).
Both my orthopedist and primary care provider agree that my gluten-free diet is probably keeping my joint pain and other
Before you throw away your pasta and cereal in search of joint pain relief, consider these factors:
Going gluten free isn�t for everyone.�
Whole grains are a recommended part of a healthy diet. No research suggests everyone should start eating a gluten free diet. But for people experiencing painful joint inflammation, eliminating gluten and other �pro-inflammatory� foods may be one treatment approach to consider.
Food products labeled �gluten free� aren�t necessarily healthy.�
It�s almost always better to eat whole foods as opposed to processed foods that are gluten-free, but still full of sugar or saturated fats. For example, skip the gluten-free sugar cereal and make yourself a bowl of gluten-free oatmeal or a fruit smoothie for breakfast.
Eating a gluten-free diet isn�t a magic bullet.�
Adopting other healthy habits, such as making time for exercise, is essential to eliminating joint pain.
A health professional can help.It�s always a good idea to tell yourdoctor about lifestyle changes, including achange in diet. A doctor may refer you to a registered dietician who can recommend certain foods, helping ensure you get enough nutrients and fiber in your gluten-free diet.
You might experience gluten withdrawal.Many people report that their inflammatory symptoms initially got worse after starting their gluten free diet. This withdrawal stage can last days or even weeks, so you may not want to go gluten free right before a big event, like a vacation, holiday, or the start of a newjob.
No single treatment or lifestyle habit can eliminate the symptoms of arthritis, but going gluten-free may be an option worth trying as part of your overall treatment plan.
Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez talks about strengthening the body without pain through pilates.
More than 20 years ago in a small walk up studio with hardwood floors that are creaky, several dancers and exercise enthusiasts would join several times for ‘ballet exercise’. In actuality, the motions of Joseph Pilates (Pil-lah-tees) (1880-1967) were in practice. The advantages from his approach removed stress, provided physical and mental balance, and helped to assemble in each individual streamlined and a strong musculature.
Joseph Pilates’ exercise philosophy can help women and men of any age. It’s especially advantageous to individuals who recognize the importance of providing a business support system for the backbone. Its focus is placed by the essence of Pilates on what’s termed the body’s ‘powerhouse.’ Here is the abdominal region, the buttocks, hips and low back – the centre of the body. Pilates works the deep muscles in the body making a powerful centre.
His teachings, “The Art of Contrology” unites mind and body to create a direct connection to the muscles. Each movement that is precise needs mental concentration as well as physical control. The mind and body learn to work together as one harmonious unit. Muscles are stretched and lengthened while building strength through soft, non-impact exercises that, as perfected, are designed to flow in rhythm from one move into the following.
Although, Pilates has been related to odd looking apparatus made up of springs cables and pulleys, or equipment termed the Reformer and also the Cadillac, the foundation is the mat work. Instead of machines and weights, the body uses its own resistance.
The Pilates�Philosophy
The Pilates philosophy incorporates basic principles some of which comprise control and concentration, respiration, and centering.
Concentration and Control includes visualizing the body as movement occurs. Each command that is mental sparks and teaches muscle control that, over time, can become exact. Engram is a medical term used to denote muscle memory, which is stored in the mind ‘s cerebrum. Like learning how to play a musical instrument, diligent practice results in wonderful music. In Pilates, emphasis is positioned on the grade of the motion, not the number of repetitions.
Centering focuses attention on the ‘power station’ – the energy source that flows outward to the extremities of the body. Anatomically, the spinal column is a significant component in the powerhouse. To support the spinal structures, its muscular system (i.e., gluteals, obliques, quadratus, trapezius, scalenes) must be powerful and flexible. Pilates mat work is made to build a strong basis for the entire spinal structure.
Breathing is taking in and expelling air. Breathing properly functions to oxygenate the entire body and cleanse it. Breathing needs complete inhalations and exhalations during the entire length of mat work or exercise when done correctly.
The Advantages Of Pilates
The advantages to be obtained from Pilates are numerous – learn the capability to keep up proper position, which leads to the entire well-being of the body – long, flexible muscles – increased joint range of movement – a flat lean stomach – enhanced circulation and stamina – better dexterity – this and more without pain and soreness often due to conventional forms of exercise.
To realize the numerous benefits Pilates offers does not mean buying clothing or special equipment. All that is needed is a willing disposition to improve the body. The exercises can be performed just about everywhere when completely stretched out the body fits. Many individuals who’ve started Pilates that are in the beginner level state how well they feel after only 8 or 10 sessions.
Check out Brooke Siler’s novel entitled The Pilates Body to find out more about Pilates. This is a superb novel and source for learning the essentials to begin Pilates without attending courses*. The illustrations, photographs and prompts Ms. Siler incorporates make the book easy to use at the mat. The Pilates exercises provided for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced participant are in her novel. Plus, an all-inclusive record of certified Pilates teachers (this is essential!) is provided by the end of her book.
*It is wise to consult with your doctor prior to starting any physical fitness or exercise plan.
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