Ask the Doctor

True Carpal Tunnel Syndrome deals with interference to the median nerve. This nerve controls the thumb, index finger and parts of the middle, and ring finger. The median nerve actually originates from several nerve roots in the lower neck and the problem may stem from this region.  After a thorough chiropractic exam to determine if chiropractic care may help, specific adjustments that are necessary to the neck, shoulder, elbow and hand may help to normalize the structures and reduce nerve irritation.  With time, the conservative approach of chiropractic care may produce excellent results and help avoid more invasive processes such as medication or surgery.

I have been asked this question many times and the simple answer is YES! The immune system is as complex as our nervous system. It produces a matching antibody for every one of the millions of different infective agents and is able to remember how to produce these antibodies decades later. As a chiropractor, we help the immune function by detecting and correcting subluxation. These minor displacements of the spine place stress on the nerve system which interferes with proper communication and allows the infective agents to attack our immune system. With restoration of the neurological connections (correcting subluxations), the body becomes more efficient and thus allows the immunological functions of the body to respond and adapt to different situations as needed. With restored function comes restored health! Please call us today to see if you have subluxations and how chiropractic can improve your overall health!

A. Our thoughts and attentions manifest the processes by which we respond to a stressor.   For Example, if we think, “I’m not going to be sick,” our attention is given to the sickness or illness.  If on the other hand we give attention to being healthy by saying, “I am healthy and express the full expression of life,” we have accepted health as the normal. According to the study of psychoneuroimmunology our thoughts will produce different chemical responses in our body. Those thoughts which are positive and uplifting will always produce chemicals which encourage healing. Therefore our thoughts become a physical manifestation expressed through our health. Make sure to express gratitude for your life, take an action which helps others and serve without expecting anything in return. These thoughts and actions will help you stay healthy.

 Detoxification means to:

- counteract or destroy the toxic properties of a substance.

- remove the effects of poison from something, such as the blood.

In cleansing your body the liver acts as the main organ in detoxification. It has the potential to process hazardous materials and export them to your waste system. Other bodily systems which also help are the lungs, kidneys, skin, bladder and lymphatic systems. In managing this system there are powerful antioxidants which may assist in this process. Some examples include Glutathione, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamins A, C and E which may be found in a majority of organic fruits and vegetables AND by eating organic you limit your exposure to pesticides. Don’t get too caught up in detoxification programs until you decide to change your lifestyle. Make sure to exercise, rest, think positive thoughts and get adjusted to help and then you will be on a course for success. Visit your local chiropractor and see if he or she can help put you on the right path!!!

Chiropractic care may vary from patient to patient and doctor to doctor. There are several factors involved in the determination of care but ultimately it is dependent on the outcome the individual patient is attempting to achieve. Whether it is just pain relief or continued wellness, most individuals start with a problem that requires an initial intensive phase of care. In this stage there is usually reduction of the symptoms and may range from a few weeks to several months. With reduction of pain the next phase allows for complete healing which addresses the underlying muscle and soft tissue damage. Upon stabilization we enter the phase of wellness and improved health and continue with periodic checkups to help prevent further injury and help optimize your health. Dependent upon the individual, it is important that they educate themselves about health and decide which type of care they are looking for and visit the chiropractor that best fits their needs.       

Many people begin renewal of their health with physical exercise. Our basal metabolic rate increases, which increases your ability to burn fat. Sugar levels begin to stabilize discouraging the onset of diabetes, blood pressure and heart rate normalize which helps us to reduce stress, and there are even studies that show depression may be helped with just thirty minutes of exercise three days a week. So to answer your question the affects and effects of exercise on our bodies is much more than physical. It is important that you take into consideration these changes that occur and decide, “Do I want to become proactive in my health?” OR “Do I wait until there is a problem and react by trying to solve a crisis?” Make sure to review your health choices and ask yourself, “Is this the life I want to lead?” If not the time to change is NOW!!!

S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer, spring or autumn year after year. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), S.A.D. is not a unique mood disorder, but is "a specifier of major depression". There are many different treatments for classic (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder, including light therapy with sunlight or bright lights, cognitive-behavioral therapy, ionized-air administration, and carefully timed supplementation of the hormone melatonin. Little things make a huge difference in dealing with S.A.D. We need to get up and bring some motion into our lives. Get out of the office for a few minutes during the work day and schedule an exercise regimen. Be aware of the foods you eat and make every attempt to eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetable and whole grains. Proper relaxation techniques, restful sleep and being around people that are positive may also be very helpful. Most importantly make sure that the nerves in your body are functioning properly. Get checked today to see if chiropractic can help you in achieving optimization of your health.

What better time of year, than around the holidays to address this subject. As we partake in all the upcoming holiday revelry, we tend to overeat, overspend, become sedentary and get involved in all the planning that goes along with the holidays. This may send noxious or nociceptive input into our bodies which triggers the nerve system to release the chemical stress hormone, cortisol. There is a cascade response traveling from our Hypothalamus to our pituitary gland and then the adrenal gland (HPA Axis), which results in a release of adrenaline. Cholesterol, blood pressure, clotting factors and sugars then increase causing ill health overall. If these habits are continued they may lead to increased incidence of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, strokes or even diabetes. Make sure to watch your intake of foods this year, stay active, spend wisely and do not overextend yourself. Most importantly, get checked by your local chiropractor and learn how to keep your nerve system free of interference and begin your first step towards better health.

In most cases it is the parents’ influence on their children which affects their eating habits.  Although children will be influenced by their peers, it is the consistency of what they see at home that sets precedence on later choices.  One of the challenges we face as parents is the lack of time. Work or children playing sports forces many people to decide to eat fast foods.  This leads to poor eating habits which are associated with higher body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Additional weight can force the pelvis and torso to shift and cause changes in spinal balance, leading to spinal misalignments (known as subluxations) and malfunction in the entire body. Steps you can take to help promote a healthy lifestyle is plan ahead on your grocery list, prepare ahead for your meals, eat together as a family and let the kids help you prepare the food.  In this way you can teach them the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as opposed to sugary snacks and processed foods. Make sure to eat healthy this upcoming holiday season. For any further tips, visit our website or call us at the number below.

That is a great question! As always, I need to stress that chiropractic is a form of health and wellness care that improves an individual’s overall health. This is achieved by removing the interference and disturbance in the nervous system known as subluxation (misalignment of the spine). The adaptive physiology of the body is then better able to respond to its environment. This time of year we are outside more often and we begin fall cleanup; which are possible asthma triggers. How does the body deal with these extra environmental stressors? Having been an asthmatic myself, I truly understand the devastating affect it can have on a person’s life.  Chiropractors approach it from the standpoint of making sure the body has the ability to function at top levels. It all depends on having a clear connection in the nerve system, proper nutrients and the proper motion. More activity means more stress; therefore we need more maintenance and tender loving care. Make sure you eat more fruits and vegetables, drink lots of fresh water and get adjusted regularly. This allows the breathing mechanisms in your body to stay clear and unobstructed.  That means breathing is a bit easier and you can enjoy all the fun activities that come with the fall season.