Finding ways to manage chronic pain is a priority. Chiropractic testing and treatment could be an option that is effective and affordable. Various chiropractic care can help manage chronic pain caused by a condition like herniated disc/s. Chiropractic testing involves diagnosing the root cause/origin of the pain. Getting a proper diagnosis usually involves:
X-rays
CT scan
MRI
DNA
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Chiropractic testing
The correct diagnosis is essential to creating an optimal treatment plan. It is a complicated disorder that can be difficult to treat because it can present with no apparent cause. But, researchers are working to find answers to many of the questions surrounding chronic pain. When treating spine-related pain other tests can include:
Discography
Bone scans
Nerve studies
Electromyography
Nerve conduction study
Myelography
A pain specialist might consult with and refer the individual to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon to determine if the pain requires surgery. This is because untreated and not fully treated chronic pain is one of the leading causes of limited mobility and flexibility. Other associated issues are:
There are some experts that believe tests like MRIs are overused. There is a fear that too many tests could expose individuals to unnecessary radiation and increase medical expenses. However, determining the cause/s holds the key to a successful treatment plan. Therefore, choosing the right diagnostic strategy will help in:
Creating the most effective and optimal treatment plan
Quality of life improvement
Prevent potential complications
Reduce the cost of diagnosis
Reduce the cost of treatment
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Chiropractic Management
Chronic pain does not respond to typical pain management techniques. Chiropractic management deals with chronic pain inflammation and muscle tension. Chiropractors use a variety of non-surgical techniques like:
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Soft Tissue
Manual release therapy stretches the muscle/s while pressure is applied
Trigger point therapy applies pressure on the area of the tensest muscle/s
Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy uses a tool/s to apply gentle pressure.
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Manual Therapy
When the joints are not moving correctly, a chiropractor may utilize this technique to regain a full range of joint motion. This is accomplished through joint mobilization which is slow, gentle stretches of the affected joint and manipulation, which are quick but gentle movement/thrusts that stretch the joint.
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Exercise Therapy combined with Self-care
A chiropractor will provide simple therapeutic exercises and stretches that can be done at home to help with the pain and to help with prevention. Also provided:
Safe lifting techniques
Posture exercises/tips
Dietary strategies to manage pain and prevent re-injury
Once diagnosed with a pain condition, a chiropractor will develop a unique customized treatment plan. Don’t be afraid to talk with your chiropractor. The more they know the better the treatment plan. Once the pain is fully addressed, patients will be able to gradually increase daily activities.
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Piriformis Syndrome Chiropractic Treatment
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Q: I’m experiencing back pain more so now.�My question is, is this back pain from my baby is it normal or is it something else? I’m a 30-year-old woman in the second trimester with our first child. I would have back pain before I was pregnant but nothing serious, just normal work and a little soreness at the end of the day. There was never back soreness or pain that I thought warranted a visit to the doctor. My doctor says that it is normal from the weight of the baby and there is nothing amiss, but to discuss this with a chiropractor, as there could be some treatment/therapies/exercises to help.
El Paso, TX.
A: Having low back pain before you were pregnant concerns me, as what you are saying sounds like a possible herniated disc bulging or slipped disc. However, I cannot give you an official diagnosis unless I see you as a patient and can’t say if it is something else.
But low back pain can be caused by a combination of things. This includes your pregnancy along with:
Herniated disc
Disc degeneration
Age
Muscle spasm/s
Daily wear and tear
Injuries
Unknown injuries
Added Weight
These are just a few of the things that could be causing your low back pain. Add pregnancy to this list and low back pain can become unbearable. Your pain can be made worse by a variety of factors.
For example, let’s say you were lifting a few pieces of light furniture before you became pregnant, and that slight soreness you felt and thought was nothing could actually be a strain, muscle spasm, or over-stretch that did not cause an injury but is the beginning of an injury waiting to happen.
During pregnancy, a growing belly can put place more pressure on the:
Intervertebral discs
Joints
Muscles
Ligaments
Hormones that are released during pregnancy can also exacerbate your back pain. The hormone relaxin causes the pelvis and the ligaments of the lower back to gain flexibility. This is in preparation for the delivery and can cause low back pain because of the added flexibility you are more prone to injury, which is why doctors say to take it easy. It could all be a combination of these factors but I would have to examine you, go over your medical history to get a proper diagnosis to create a personalized treatment plan during pregnancy and after if the need is there.
Treatment During Pregnancy
There are several treatment options for back pain. During pregnancy is not the time to experiment with medications or back pain treatments that could cause a negative response or something else to your health. The goal�during pregnancy is safety.
Here are four safe therapies for managing back pain while pregnant:
Gentle exercise/s like walking and yoga helps alleviate back pain and can also generate an overall feeling of wellness.
Physical therapy can decrease your back pain by strengthening the muscles. A physical therapist that has experience working with pregnant women is the best option.
Prenatal massage relaxes tense back muscles and reduces stress. Look for a massage therapist that specializes in prenatal massage.
Prenatal yoga classes are great for decompressing/destressing during pregnancy.
Discuss all of this with your doctor and all treatment options. It’s not a good idea to start a new exercise program when you’re pregnant. If there was a regular exercise routine before you were pregnant, you can continue, but you may have to make some adjustments as your body prepares for the delivery. Once the baby is born, you and your doctor can re-evaluate your treatment plan. But regardless of your treatment plan, you should still continue to maintain a proper healthy weight by eating right and exercising regularly to prevent back pain from worsening.
Low Back Pain Treatment While Pregnant
NCBI Resources
Chiropractic a preferred treatment for pregnancy low back pain. The chiropractor may perform a spinal subluxation to bring the spine back into alignment and the body back into proper balance. Regular chiropractic care and following the doctor�s instructions can help greatly decrease back pain so that she can better enjoy the excitement and joy of her pregnancy.
Many healthcare professionals believe that peripheral neuropathy, which affects the peripheral nerves or the nerves which connect from the brain and spinal cord to the upper and lower extremities, can be permanent or irreversible. However, healthcare professionals like Dr. John Coppola and Dr. Valerie Monteiro have demonstrated that peripheral neuropathy can be treated through the utilization of a variety of treatment methods and techniques.
Dr. Coppola and Dr. Monteiro describe that because peripheral neuropathy can manifest due to a variety of health issues, such as diabetes, treating the underlying cause of a patient’s peripheral neuropathy can help treat their symptoms. The 5 critical keys for defeating peripheral neuropathy are ultimately described to help promote overall health and wellness. Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, Tx, can help ease symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Alex Jimenez is the non-surgical choice for peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Relief & Treatment | El Paso, TX (2019)
Neuropathy is a medical term used to describe a collection of general diseases or malfunctions which affect the nerves. The causes of neuropathy, or nerve damage, can vary greatly among each individual and these may be caused by a number of different diseases, injuries, infections, and even vitamin deficiency states. However, neuropathy can most commonly affect the nerves that control the motor and sensory nerves. Because the human body is composed of many different kinds of nerves which perform different functions, nerve damage is classified into several types.
Neuropathy can also be classified according to the location of the nerves being affected and according to the disease-causing it. For instance, neuropathy caused by diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, depending on which nerves are affected will depend on the symptoms that will manifest as a result. Below we will discuss several specific types of neuropathies clinically treated by chiropractors, physical therapists and physical medicine doctors alike, as well as briefly describing their causes and their symptoms.
Peripheral neuropathy, which is often simply referred to as �neuropathy,� is a state that happens when your nerves become damaged or injured, oftentimes simply disrupted. It�s estimated that neuropathy affects roughly 2.4 percent of the general populace and approximately 8 percent of people older than age 55. However, this quote doesn�t include people affected by neuropathy caused by physical trauma to the nerves.
Types
Neuropathy can affect any of the three types of peripheral nerves:
Sensory nerves, which transmit messages from the sensory organs, eyes, nose to the brain
Motor nerves, which track the conscious movement of the muscles
Autonomic nerves, which regulate the involuntary functions of the body
Sometimes, neuropathy will only impact one nerve. This is medically referred to as mononeuropathy and instances of it include:
Ulnar neuropathy, which affects the elbow
Radial neuropathy, which affects the arms
Peroneal neuropathy, which affects the knees
Femoral neuropathy, which affects the thighs
Cervical neuropathy, which affects the neck
Sometimes, two or more isolated nerves in separate regions of the body can become damaged, injured or disrupted, resulting in mono neuritis multiplex neuropathy. Most often, however, multiple peripheral nerves malfunction at the same time, a condition called polyneuropathy. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or the NINDS, there are over 100 kinds of peripheral neuropathies.
Causes
Neuropathies are often inherited from birth or they develop later in life. The most frequent inherited neuropathy is the neurological disease Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which affects 1 in 2,500 people in the USA. Although healthcare professionals are sometimes not able to pinpoint the exact reason for an acquired neuropathy, medically referred to as idiopathic neuropathy, there are many known causes for them, including systemic diseases, physical trauma, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
A systemic disease is one which affects the whole body. The most frequent systemic cause behind peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, which can lead to chronically high blood glucose levels that harm nerves.
Other systemic issues can cause neuropathy, including:
Kidney disorders, which permit high levels of nerve-damaging toxic chemicals to flow in the blood
Toxins from exposure to heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and thallium
Certain drugs and/or medications, including anti-cancer medications, anticonvulsants, antivirals, and antibiotics
Chemical imbalances because of liver ailments
Hormonal diseases, including hyperthyroidism, which disturbs metabolic processes, potentially inducing cells and body parts to exert pressure on the nerves
Deficiencies in vitamins, such as E, B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), B12, and niacin, that can be vital for healthy nerves
Alcohol abuse, which induces vitamin deficiencies and might also directly harm nerves
Cancers and tumors that exert damaging pressure on nerve fibers and pathways
Chronic inflammation, which can damage protective tissues around nerves, which makes them more vulnerable to compression or vulnerable to getting inflamed and swollen
Blood diseases and blood vessel damage, which may damage or injure nerve tissue by decreasing the available oxygen supply
Signs and Symptoms
Depending on the reason and unique to each patient, signs, and symptoms of neuropathy can include:
Such signs and symptoms are dependent on whether autonomic, sensory, or motor nerves, as well as a combination of them, are ultimately affected. Autonomic nerve damage can influence physiological functions like blood pressure or create gastrointestinal problems and issues. Damage or dysfunction in the sensory nerves may impact sensations and sense of equilibrium or balance, while harm to motor nerves may affect movement and reflexes. When both sensory and motor nerves are involved, the condition is known as sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
Complications
Peripheral�neuropathy�may result in several complications, as a result of disease or its symptoms. Numbness from the ailment can allow you to be less vulnerable to temperatures and pain, making you more likely to suffer from burns and serious wounds. The lack of sensations in the feet, for instance, can make you more prone to developing infections from minor traumatic accidents, particularly for diabetics, who heal more slowly than other people, including foot ulcers and gangrene.
Furthermore, muscle atrophy may cause you to develop particular physical disfigurements, such as pes cavus, a condition marked by an abnormally high foot arch, and claw-like deformities in the feet and palms.
Neuropathy Treatment
The first step in neuropathy treatment should be finding the root cause that’s causing the neuropathy.
Treatment of diseases such as:
Diabetes
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sarcoidosis
Other underlying diseases
Prevents continued nerve damage and in some cases heals the damaged nerves.
If you are unaware of any underlying disease that is causing the peripheral neuropathy, make sure to let your doctor know of abnormal symptoms you may be experiencing.
Medication
Peripheral neuropathy can be treated with various medications.
The first type used to treat mild symptoms are:
Over-the-counter pain medications
In more severe cases:
Opiates
Narcotic medications
Anti-seizure medications
A doctor may prescribe a lidocaine patch or anti-depressants, as well to relieve symptoms.
Patients should thoroughly discuss medication for neuropathy treatment with a doctor before proceeding.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can benefit symptoms in neuropathy treatment.
A therapist will teach the patient exercises and stretches to help improve symptoms and increase muscle strength/control.
A therapist may also recommend braces or splints to improve mobility.
Patient’s should attend all physical therapy sessions to gain the maximum benefits.
Acids
Supplements like:
Essential acids called ALA (alpha-Lipoic acid)
GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and omega-3 fatty acids
These can have a beneficial effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is a substance that the body makes and stores in the:
Liver
Brain
There have been reports that certain diabetics with neuropathy symptoms could regain regular sensation in the limbs when they increased their consumption of carnitine called acetyl-L-carnitine.
Red meat
Peanut butter
Dairy products
Are good dietary sources of this nutrient.
Supplements are also available at health food stores and pharmacies and health/wellness clinics.
Vitamins/Minerals
Vitamin deficiencies can result in peripheral neuropathy in some people.
Therefore there needs to be a replenishing of vitamins:
B
B12
E
Can help to decrease symptoms.
Recommended dosages are 300mg daily of vitamin E.
Doses of the different B vitamins differ, but one option for patients is to take a daily B-complex supplement.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal remedies are an alternative to explore.
St. John’s Wort, is a herbal supplement that can be taken orally and can reduce the pain.
Topical creams that have capsaicin, which is an anti-inflammatory found in chili peppers, can reduce the burning sensation.
Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM
Acupuncture can be an effective way to manage peripheral neuropathy.
Acupuncture uses pressure points throughout the body to realign the body’s energy, called the qi or chi.
Also, movement therapy is a way to manage the condition.
Tai chi and yoga can also help:
Align the body
Mind
Encourage relaxation
Distract from the pain
Even if the neuropathy treatment is only temporary, it can still help.
We are blessed to present to you�El Paso�s Premier Wellness & Injury Care Clinic.
Neuropathy can be caused by a variety of injuries and/or aggravated conditions, often manifesting into a plethora of associated signs and symptoms. While every type of neuropathy, such as diabetic neuropathy or autoimmune disease-associated neuropathy, develops its own unique group of signs and symptoms, many patients will often report common complaints. Individuals with neuropathy generally describe their pain as stabbing, burning or tingling in character.
If you experience unusual or abnormal tingling or burning sensations, weakness and/or pain in your hands and feet, it�s essential to seek immediate medical attention in order to receive a proper diagnosis of the cause of your specific signs and symptoms. Early diagnosis may help prevent further nerve injury. Visit http://www.neuropathycure.org�for more details.
Ah� the bathroom, nature�s thinking room. The one place where we create many thoughts that turn into ideas, a place to read, and the place where we want peace and quiet. Known as many different names,� the bathroom is the one place where we flush out our systems after consuming quantities of food. However, did you know that the bile inside your body plays a huge important role in our system?
Bile is a vital body fluid that absorbs nutrients in our small intestines and flushes the toxins out of the liver. Bile continuously is being produced in the liver and then stored in the gallbladder. It also works as a signal molecule for both inside and outside the liver as well. When the liver and bile is disruptive, it can cause many problems for the body.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) stated that the liver is known as the �master organ� and it is the causative factor in many of the body�s ailments. When there are major imbalances on our bodies, it causes liver dysfunction. In TCM, the liver actually helps with detoxification; enzyme, hormone, and bile production, immune cell activation and stores vitamins and iron.
How Does the Liver Work?
The liver�s main job is to get rid of bile in our internal system. Not only that but the liver plays an important role by distributing nutrients by converting those nutrients into metabolizing energy. As well as storing vitamins and minerals for later use.
However, in today�s fast-paced society, the liver can�t perform right as we don�t give the liver it�s essential nutrients that it needs to function. Which causes blockage in the gallbladder, diseases, and digestive issues.
The Importance of Bile
As stated, bile has many functions that play an important part in the liver. Bile actually lubricates our small intestines and stool for easy disposal. But when there is less lubrication in our small intestines and stool, it can lead to constipation and too much lubrication can lead to diarrhea.
There is also a chance of blockage in bile where it can increase the accumulation of toxins in our body which creates oxidative stress and back up our waste matter. When we eat too much food and it�s still in our intestines, it will ferment and causes a leaky gut as toxic gasses penetrate the intestinal lining.
Another function is that the bile salts break down and processes fats that are essential for weight loss. Bile can also transport toxins out of our liver to feces while keeping everything free-flowing. When there isn�t enough bile being produced, cholesterol stones are forming.
Vitamins like, vitamin A, D, E and K can break down the excess fat in the body if there is an adequate amount of bile. But if patients had gallbladder surgery must be taken to account that they don�t have a bile storage system, and must manage their bile production.
Liver Functions for Hormonal Balance
Did you know that the liver and thyroid have a synergistic relationship? That�s because the T4 is converted to T3 for the liver. It turns out that the T3 is more potent in the thyroid hormone and is metabolized from iodine. When a patient has a thyroid problem, it could actually be the result of a bile or liver malfunction.
When our mood and mental state is imbalanced, it can be the results of a sick or fatty liver. Due to the fact that the liver influencing on our hormones. Because our mental state and our moods correlate to our hormones, it is important to keep the liver healthy but also finding a good place in our state of mind to make sure that we keep our liver healthy as well.
Signs of Liver Imbalance
There are many symptoms that can cause the liver to be imbalanced and can contribute to a low bile count:
Now that we understand what symptoms that causes our liver to be imbalanced, here are 5 ways to make sure that you are protecting your liver and producing a healthy amount of bile.
Removing Causative Factors
The first and foremost factor in protecting your liver is to get rid of the causative factors that are harming your liver. Things like an excessive amount of lactate in coffee, sugars, alcohol, and processed foods can disrupt your liver�s health. It�s ok to enjoy those things sparsely but, if you are trying to maintain a healthy liver, it�s best to ease up on the consumption of those lactate factors as much as possible.
Eating Liver Supportive Foods
There are many foods that actually help support the liver. Grapefruit, blueberries, cranberries, prickly pears, and bitter greens are just some of the foods that can actually help your liver and bile production. We here at Injury Medical Clinic, always inform our patients the importance of whole nutritious food to heal and repair what ailments in our patient�s bodies.
Practicing Deep Breathing Exercise
Practicing deep breathing exercises have been known to lower stress and diaphragmatic breathing exercises is no exception. Since the liver is positioned below the diaphragm, when we do any deep breathing exercises; these motions actually massages our liver and stimulate bile production. Hence why singers do these exercises when they are getting ready to perform. They are massaging their liver without even knowing it.
Intermittent Fasting
Since we now know that bile is continuously being produced in the liver and being stored into the gallbladder when we are not eating, intermittent fasting is a good way to increase the bile production in the gallbladder. Plus it has been known for weight loss and beneficial for the body to heal while getting rid of the junk in our cells.
Stress Less
Stress is one of the huge factors that can either cause our body to improve our immune system or causes the body to chronic illness. Emotional stress is known to cause a huge burden to our organs because it is tied to our hormones. When we get emotionally stressed, our liver cannot get rid of the excess toxins and hormones.� So we have to find ways to de-stressed ourselves so we won�t hurt our organs, especially the liver.
Conclusion
So when it comes to our liver, we must make sure that the bile that we are producing is turning into energy all the way to feces. So, when we have to go to the bathroom we can let out the toxins naturally without any complications. If we can lower the factors that are causing us to have an inadequate bowel movements, then we can improve our body�s ability to detoxify.
NCBI Resources
Western diets, high in sugar and fat, cause liver inflammation, especially in males, according to a new animal study in�The American Journal of Pathology. Inflammation was most pronounced in males that lacked farnesoid x receptor (FXR), a bile acid receptor.
Ever wondered why you feel sluggish from a long day? Or feel sick to the stomach when you ate something bad or overindulged on your favorite food? Could it be that your gut is showing signs of stress and discomfort due to certain habits that you may encounter and didn�t even know about it?
In our previous article, we talked about the six types of food that our gut needs to be healthy. Since our gut contains trillions of microbiomes, both good and bad, these microbiomes play an important role in our overall health. A healthy microbiome improves our gut health, heart health, brain health, controls our weight and regulates our blood sugar. With the good bacteria in our gut, the bacteria benefit us with a good digestive system and destroys the harmful bacteria. But certain lifestyles and diet choices can actually increase the bad bacteria and lower the good bacteria and overall health.
Here are five surprisingly lifestyle choices that are hurting your gut:
Not Eating a Wide Range of Foods
Our gut plays an important role in our overall health. When we eat good whole foods, our gut is happier; we have more energy to complete any task that is thrown at us and we are getting nutrients for our gut flora. However, during the past couple of decades, we have been leaning more into processed foods due to the economic pressures of increased food productions. FOA stated that �75 percent of the world�s food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species� and that is very bad to our gut flora.
Here at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, we inform our patients about the importance of eating nutritious, whole foods to promote not only a healthy gut but a healthy mind. When the body gets introduced to a wide variety of whole foods (with a high fiber content), our gut starts to repair the damage of processed food that we may have consumed internally.
However, when you disregard prebiotics to your diet, you are harming your digestive health. Without prebiotics, our digestive system slows down the development and diversity for our gut flora. So in order to have a healthy microbiome development, you need to incorporate foods filled with both digestible and indigestible fibers to your diet. Some foods included in this category are oats, nuts, onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, bananas, pears, chickpeas, and beans.
Sticking to a high fiber diet maybe challenging however, there is the option of taking prebiotic supplements. If you have a food allergen or food sensitivity to any high enriched fiber foods, taking prebiotic supplements can actually help grow Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium in your gut and be beneficial to your health without the discomfort.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Every adult enjoys alcohol once in a while. Yes, it�s one of those beverages that help you relax a bit after a long day, however, too much of it can lead to alcohol abuse and addiction. So, did you know that consuming that much alcohol is bad for your heart, liver, and brain; thus hurting your gut health and giving you dysbiosis?
One study stated, that the alcoholics with dysbiosis had a lower median abundance of Bacteroidetes and a high abundance of Proteobacteria. The ones that weren�t alcoholics were not affected by the study.
However; there is some good news on limiting yourself to alcoholism and that it can be beneficial to your gut bacteria. If you moderately consumed red wine responsibly, the polyphenols in the wine can help benefit your gut flora. So, enjoy a glass of wine once in a while as a small treat that should not be taken for granted.
Inadequate Sleep
In one of the previous articles, we talked about how to achieve a good night sleep through herbs. When we get little to no sleep through our hectic lives, it affects us through various health problems, including heart disease and obesity. In a 2016 study, researchers discovered the effect of short-term sleep deprivation on the gut microbiota after two days.
When our body doesn�t receive the recommended 8 hours of sleep, our gut takes a huge toll as we feel sluggish and exhausted. So, to make sure that our gut microbiome will be taken care of, we recommended to turn off your electronical devices at least 30 minutes before you get ready to settle down for the night. Turn off all the lights, and don�t drink any liquids at least two hours before bed, close your eyes and take a deep breath in a meditative state, and relax as you drift off into slumber town.
Inadequate Exercise
Through our fast-paced lifestyle and stressful jobs, it�s hard to find time to exercise. But when we actually do find time to exercise, not only do our minds feel good; but our body and gut feel good as well. However, things always come up when we are in an exercise routine and we have to skip exercising altogether. It happens to all of us and it�s hard to pick up where we left off when we tried to exercise.
When we don�t exercise at least a couple of times out of the week, our bodies take a huge toll on us as we gained weight, our stress is way too high, and we have a higher chance of getting a chronic disease. When this happens our gut flora is a huge disadvantage. Here at the clinic, we strive to inform our patients about the importance of exercising and that it not only changes their lives but also changes their mood entirely.
However, don�t just go into a hard exercise routine where you will injure yourself. Start off with a low-intensity workout then build it up as you go because your gut flora will thank you for it.
As a final say, we here at Injury Medical want to keep you informed on nutrition and ways to help you improve your ailments with these 5 surprises. But to also educate you on what may be hurting your gut. With these surprises and slight changes to your daily life, your gut will be thanking you for the long haul.
NCBI Resources
According to evidence from a 2016 research study, the gut�s immune system is fundamental towards preventing a variety of diseases and it may often contribute to metabolic disorders. However, it might also help provide a treatment goal when observing systemic inflammation in insulin resistance. Moreover, modified gut immunity has been linked with changes to the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier function, gut-residing immune cells, and resistance to antigens which enter the gastrointestinal, or GI, system. Although this has been previously believed to raise the danger of esophageal ailments including, pathogenic infections and chronic inflammation, which may ultimately lead to chronic health issues.
The most important thing about summer is the food. Hotdogs and burgers on the grill and the seasonal fruits and vegetables that are ripe for the picking.� As much as we love the summer sun, it is still dangerous and can be harmful to our skin. We still put on sun cream, wear hats, and wear sun-protective clothing, but, did you know that certain foods can help heal your skin from sun damage and when possible can be eaten raw.
In the previous article, we talked about the 9 nutrients your skin needs to be protected from the harmful sun�s rays. Here is the top 9 food that will protect you from the sun and perfect for the summer.
Guava:
When we think of vitamin C, our minds think of any citrus fruit like oranges, lemon, limes, and grapefruit. But did you know that guava contains vitamin C as well? In fact, guava contains about 5 times more of vitamin C as much as any citrus fruit.
Guava contains about 228.3 mg of vitamin C and has antioxidants that attack free radicals and helps boost your immune system. Vitamin C has been known to battle scurvy. Plus guava can help improve your skin. By eating the fruit or using the guava leaves, your skin will be toned and the antioxidants from the fruit can keep your skin glowing, fight wrinkles and reduce signs of premature aging.
Sweet Potato:
Who doesn�t love potatoes? We eat them as fries, baked, saut�ed, mashed and use them as filling for pies. The sweet potato is no exception. There are many variations of sweet potatoes as they come in orange, white, and purple, depending on where you get them from and which region.
The sweet potatoes we are familiar with have an orange hue due to the carotenoids; which gives us that lovely orange color and has antioxidants to protect our skin from sun damage. Not only that but; sweet potatoes are very high in vitamin A, which is very good when they are cooked. Some people say that potatoes are known to be very starchy and can be used to soothe a sunburn by drawing out the heat from the skin.
Strawberries and Blueberries:
Both of these berries are great on their own but together, they are the dynamic duo to help our bodies combat the sun. Blueberries are richly filled with antioxidants as they combat the free radicals in our systems and can reduce the chances of cancer showing up.
Strawberries are really great as they are called �nature�s natural sunblock.� They contained about 108% of vitamin C as well as ellagic acid, which cleans up the free radicals and reduce sun-damaged pigmentation.� The Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry stated that strawberries have anthocyanins, which gives the fruit its lovely red color to protect our cells.
Green Tea:
Who doesn�t love green tea? Not only it contains L-theanine, but it has many astounding health benefits that are wonderful and protects our body. Green tea can be consumed or used as a topical cream to soothe and hydrate your skin from the harsh sun rays. Green tea is jammed packed with vitamins B2 and E, as well as large amounts of polyphenol including, EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate).
These polyphenols help our inflammatory system repair our DNA from anything harsh in our bodies. Plus green tea has been known to lower the risk of various types of cancers.
Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is one of those foods that we all eat for breakfast. However, did you know that oatmeal can be used to soothe sunburns and exfoliate sun-damaged skin? Not only that but when oatmeal is finely grounded it is known as �colloidal oatmeal.�
You may have seen this type of oatmeal in the health/medical section in your local stores and it may be called, �Aveeno.� �Colloidal oatmeal has been approved by the FDA since 2003 and has been used as a topical ointment for anyone with eczema. Anyone with eczema experiences an abundance of itchiness when they are overly exposed by the sun�s rays or due to the heat of the summer knows this all too well.
With colloidal oatmeal, it helps relieve the symptoms of eczema by being applied with water and gently patting the topical on the source of eczema to lower the inflamed skin, thus calming it down.
Cucumber:
Cucumbers are used for anything that we can think of. In the spa, in our salads, or as a wonderful snack. This green vegetable is packed with vitamins C and K as well as, caffeic acid and potassium. Not only that but cucumbers are made up of 96% of water, which is very refreshing and great for the skin. Since our bodies lose water when we sweat and cucumbers actually replenishes our water intake and�helps cool off our bodies when we are sunburned.
Tomatoes:
Just like strawberries, tomatoes contain lycopene, which gives tomatoes that gorgeous red color and has vitamins C. K1, and B9 and potassium. Tomatoes can be eaten raw and are rich with antioxidants that help balance our bodies pH balance. As well as, protecting our skin from the sun.
Watermelon:
Oh, watermelon� not only you are the most consumed fruit for the 4th of July but you are one of the best summer fruits to be consumed. Watermelons contain not only vitamins A, B6 and C; but they also contained lycopene like tomatoes. Which helps our skin from photoaging from the sun but it�s in the top 30 most hydrating foods, next to cucumbers with 92% of water for excellent hydration properties for our skin.
Carrots:
Carrots are not only good for our eyes but did you know that carrots are jammed pack with beta-carotene, which turns to vitamin A when we eat it. Plus the sun exposure gives carrots vitamin C to help us protect our skin. Carrots have a wonderful source of carotenoids to produce photoprotection for our skin health.
Here at the clinic, we strive to inform our patients about the nutrients that food provides to our bodies. As well as, making our patients feel good with whole, nutritious options. Whether it is by adjustments or leading them to different food options for a healthy life, these top 9 foods not only help protect your skin from the sun but they also taste really good. So enjoy the summer months but remember to eat your photoprotective food.
NCBI Resources
A healthy diet is the cornerstone of good health.�You should maintain a diet�that includes lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. The key is choosing fresh, seasonal foods that are local to your area. Foods grown in their season have certain vitamins and minerals that the body needs for the time of year in which they are ripe and ready.
Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in the treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25607907
Ever wondered why your job is so stressful? Or that you haven�t gotten enough sleep due to partying with your friends, even though you were supposed to finish that essay for that one class you signed up for and now you are typing away to meet the deadline and turning it in. Or even better� the two p.m. slumps.
Well, it might be because your L-theanine is a bit low. However, there are many ways to make sure that you get a boost of energy even though you feel tired and you are probably drinking it right now. Green tea seems to help us when we are overly stressed and when it�s nice and hot, we feel relaxed and whatever stress we hold onto melts away. However, L-theanine can also stimulate the brain and overall make you feel good, as well as blocking out certain neurotransmitters in your brain.
Try Green Tea
If you are wondering about the benefits of green tea, you can look at many Google searches and they will tell you different things about the health benefits of drinking green tea. However, they will say the same thing that is truly effective. That green tea can help your central nervous system function properly. Even though green tea has the same properties as coffee in the caffeine department without the extra �jittery� effect.
Green tea can be effective as it can make you more productive but can also give you more stable energy, while improving your brain to function properly. There is even a study that green tea can protect your brain when you are older. And that it may help lower the chances of getting Parkinson�s disease and Alzheimer�s disease. Both are very common neurodegenerative diseases that can be prevented by the various protective effect by drinking green tea. Not only that but it can also balance out the two neurotransmitters that are a key essential to having a healthy brain activity.
Neurotransmission
There are two types of neurotransmitters in our brains that work together to make sure that we are functioning properly. They are Glutamate and GABA. Both are mostly located in the brain�s neuro system as they are together and bringing a balance to our system. Glutamate’s function is to make our brain fired up and ready to learn new things. As well as being an important part of our brain development.
But when there is too much Glutamate in our brain, we become very hyper-aware of our surroundings, neurological inflammation, and anxiety. But when we add L-theanine to Glutamate, the Glutamate�s neurotoxicity is lowered by the L-theanine supplement. But the only way to counteract Glutamate is with GABA. GABA or Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid is the body�s main neurotransmitter that is responsible for our cells.
Chill Out
It�s basically the �chill pill� for our central nervous system. This neurotransmitter counteracts with Glutamate, which is very hyper; while GABA is very relaxed. Not only GABA calms downs our central nervous system, but it also gives us a much-needed restful sleep when we are exhausted from a long day. And when we are done with exercising, GABA helps our muscle tissue regenerate. GABA seems to know when we need to rest our brains from burning out and crashing hard on the couch after a long stressful day at work or school.
The best way to describe how GABA and Glutamate work together is to imagine your body as a car. Glutamate is the gas where we have to go from one place to the other and GABA is the brakes where we have stop and rest a bit. And when we add L-theanine to the mixture, it�s a sense of an added booster to our body and central nervous system to not only be relaxed but also have a bit of energy to go out on our daily day to day life.
But there is always still going to be stress in our lives if we don�t control it. Stress can be caused by many things that we all go through. Sometimes it can be something small like deadlines on projects that you are preparing for, that one exam that you have to take in class, or trying to find a job.
Those give us minor headaches that we have to step back a bit and take a deep breath. Other times stress can be something major like having too many commitments that we can�t handle, having poor organization skills, or even having a very highly stressed job. These major stressors can cause us to have high blood pressure and heart disease that we have to go to the doctor to get a prescription or even see a therapist so we can calm our mind down.
L-Theanine
Going back to L-theanine, it is proven that L-theanine can help us relax a bit in stressful situations. An animal study showed us what would happen when L-theanine is in the blood system of rats. Those rats that are treated with L-theanine are more relaxed in a stressful situation than those that are not treated.
With L-theanine, it is proven that this supplement has beneficial properties to help us calm down our central nervous system but also makes us feel a bit better in our day to day lives. We all deal with stress differently as there are certain things that help us alleviate it and even help us get better if we continue to do the things we love.
Conclusion
Whether it is taking a walk, writing down in a journal, exercising, seeking some professional help if things get way too hectic or doing a hobby that we love; stress is always going to be there within us, but only we can control it with the right ingredients.
Therefore, whenever you feel overly stressed from working too hard, having way too many plans that you can�t commit, or feeling very low on energy. Remember to stop and breathe a bit as you get into your comfiest clothes, put on a movie or binge-watch a series on Netflix, and make yourself a cup of hot green tea. Then when you are all comfortable on the couch and when you take that first sip, not only your body; but your brain will thank you for that break in your hectic daily life.
Excessive Foot Pronation can Affect *FOOT POSTURE & MOBILITY* | El Paso, TX (2019)
The following video discusses how excessive foot pronation can ultimately have an effect on foot posture and mobility. Several things can impact foot posture and mobility, such as excessive foot pronation. Excessive foot pronation is most widespread among the overall populace, therefore, it’s regarded as one of the most frequent factors for abnormal foot posture and mobility, which can lead to a variety of health issues like overuse injuries. Excessive foot pronation and supination can ultimately impact general health and wellness.
What’s Afoot
Foot Dysfunction can very easily cause a domino effect that extends all the way to the back. The feet are the foundation of the body and when there is a problem with the way they function it can cause the entire body to shift out of alignment. For instance, overpronation of the foot causes a series of internal changes that extend up through the leg. The femur may rotate causing hip pain and inflammation of the sacroiliac joint which leads to back pain. Other misalignments in the body that are caused by foot problems can also lead to chronic lower back pain as well.
NCBI Resources:
Researchers at Japan�s Kyoto University found that drinking green tea could help prevent deadly abdominal aortic aneurysms. They believe that the beneficial compounds in green tea are polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces inflammation. The polyphenols also appear to make arteries stronger and more flexible by regenerating elastin, an essential protein that makes arteries stretchy, yet sturdy. Green and white teas contain large amounts of EGCG, a powerful antioxidant linked to a lower risk of heart disease, Alzheimer�s disease, and numerous types of cancer. A study at Japan�s Okayama University found that senior citizens who drank large amounts of green tea slashed their risk of dying from heart disease by as much as 76 percent, and a Chinese study found that drinking green tea cut the risk of lung cancer by two-thirds.
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