Ventura Acupuncture

Dr. Jamie Phillips

Just the other day I read an article on sciencedaily.com how caffeine reversed memory loss in aged mice bred to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The article lead with the angle that “Coffee drinkers may have another reason to pour that extra cup.”  It went on to report on coterminous studies published online July 6 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that demonstrated that caffeine significantly decreased abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, both in the brains and in the blood of mice that had developed symptoms of the disease.

But, before you opt to add an extra cup of coffee to your morning routine, let me, Dr. Jamie Phillips add that under “Related Stories” on the website were at least two articles reporting on studies that professed to prove the not-so-healthy effects of caffeine, “Morning Jolt of Caffeine May Mask Serious Sleep Problems,” and “Coffee Consumption Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack For Persons With Certain Gene Variation.”

In my experience, I’ve noticed that there are more than likely studies that will confirm, or at least bolster, any angle of thought, in particular when it is about health and longevity. The “good/bad” studies related to caffeine certainly aren’t, by any means, the only ones. Nonetheless, it did get me to thinking about the likelihood that there will not ever be simply “one thing” that will absolutely assist we, humans, in living longer, healthier lives. We are dynamic, biological creatures. We aren’t raised in unnatural confinement We are free to engage in life. And, moreover, though Alzheimer’s disease apparently is on the rise, obviously none of us has been “singled out to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” therefore caffeine isn’t going to be the “one thing” that is going to reverse or prevent it.

Our body is an elegant, complex system that is based on homeostasis (balance). Consequently good health is cultivated by a healthy, balanced way of living, as opposed to our being briefly convinced by the latest health study and “doing” or “overdoing” one specific thing fooling ourselves into believing that it will reverse all of the other immoderate and unwholesome things we do to our bodies.

I believe, as a doctor of chiropractic in Santa Barbara, that every single day we have an opportunity to make healthy choices for our body, to decide what will help us to live longer, healthier lives. When it comes to what is good for our body, we know what truly “feels” right and what doesn’t. So, the if you reach for that extra cup of coffee or that second glass of red wine, I hope that you’ll keep this in mind. Neither one of those things is the “one thing” that will do “everything” for your age-related health issues.

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If you are experiencing back pain looking to a traditional healing technique may not automatically be the solution for you.  As a matter of fact, some natural methods will often be able to assist you in overcoming the pain, even when medical science is unable to do so.  One of the reasons why is because natural approaches tend to look for a cure for the actual cause of the problem while medical techniques treat just the symptoms.  If you’re curious about natural techniques that have been confirmed to be potent in relieving back pain and quite a few other afflictions, you don’t need to look any further than chiropractic and acupuncture.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been performed in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.  It is acquiring popularity many places around the world and for a splendid reason: Many sufferers have experienced relief from their back pain and quite a few other afflictions by visiting an acupuncturist on a regular basis.  In keeping with traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy, small needles are introduced into the body at distinct points that are said to affect multifarious areas of the body.  In traditional therapy, only the needles are used, though on occasion and in particular these days, small electrical currents are directed through the needles into the body.  Even though it may seem like it would hurt, it hardly ever does and, actually, most people experience relaxation and pleasurable sensations while undergoing acupuncture treatments.

Chiropractic

For over one hundred years, chiropractors, such as a Honolulu chiropractor, (also called doctors of chiropractic) have been treating men, women, and even children experiencing back pain and other health problems. A chiropractor cares for individuals who are suffering from musculoskeletal and nervous system challenges. Chiropractic medicine attends to the deviations of the vertebral column that impede the function of the nervous system. These misaligned vertebra can lessen resistance and immunity, therefore causing new health problems. A proficient chiropractor has superior observational and diagnostic skills that assist in detecting physical anomalies and joint complications. Many chiropractors complete neurological tests and orthopedic tests. Some will analyze the posture of an individual as a means of identifying postural irregularities, and may also observe a person’s gait to determine faulty movement patterns. Chiropractic management non-invasive, drug-free treatment as well as advice and education about the advantages of individual lifestyle changes, such as in exercise and nutrition.

So, if you are experiencing back pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, balance challenges, or arthritis, and you’ve tried a number of other things and they haven’t worked, it could be time for you to try chiropractic and acupuncture.  One way to find out  for sure is to make an appointment with a good chiropractor or acupuncturist, and to permit them to explain to you precisely what they can do for you.  More than likely you will experience some relief from your problem even after only one visit.  With subsequent visits, you will make more advancements and improvements, and you might just find that these natural treatments work best for your back pain.

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Arthritis is generally confusing to most suffers.Often the word, “arthritis,” inspires images of a future that includes crippled and twisted joints.  But, many conditions from benign to severe are listed under the term, arthritis. For our purposes we will limit this analysis to the most common forms of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic Care

The most common form of arthritis has many names: osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and spondylosis if it is in the spine. This form of arthritis is not limited to humans, but occurs in all mammals, and is due to the breakdown of the cartilage that covers the joint surfaces. Degenerative changes in the joint occurs when joint cartilage is harmed and causes stress to the sensitive bone tissue that is ordinarily guarded by the cartilage. Sometimes the bone around the joint will proliferate and make osteophytes, or what are often called bone spurs. These spurs can create painful irritation to other tissues around the joint, in this way complicating the already painful condition.

Degenerative joints most often occur in the lower neck and lower back, the knees, hips, and fingers. Previous trauma, certain occupations and activities, weight, diet, and heredity all appear to affect both the onset and severity of DJD.

Pain and/or stiffness in the affected joints are primary indicators of DJD. If the weight-bearing joints, such as the hips or knees are involved, ones mobility can be affected notably in the more advanced stages of the condition.  As a last resort joints can be surgically replaced with synthetic devices. This should be done only in severe cases where the joint is appreciably worn and movement is unattainable without severe pain.

Prevention is unquestionably the best option, beginning at an early age.

* Making sure that all injuries to joints are appropriately treated will help to avoid future problems.
* Shoes with proper support and shock absorption should be worn by those whose jobs require extended periods of standing or walking.
* Excess body weight can create increased stress upon the weight bearing joints of the body.

* Care should be taken to guard knees from pain aad strain when kneeling on hard surfaces.

* Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables as they have natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are crucial for the health of the joints, as well as the rest of the body.

Recently there have been some studies that offer proof that the nutritional supplement, Glucosamine, can help with DJD and can possibly help rebuild joint cartilage. However, it must be used over a long-term period and does not work in all conditions.

Chiropractic adjustments help to restore proper mobility and function to the spinal joints. Chiropractic care is not only safe, but extremely effective in relieving the debilitating pain of arthritis. Your Chicago chiropractor is highly trained when it comes to arthritic pain relief. Other forms of chiropractic care may include joint mobilization, massage, ultrasound, cold laser, or electro-therapy, all of which may be helpful in the relief of painful and stiff joints. Occasionally, a brace is required to stabilize the joint and relieve pain. A chiropractor may suggest exercises such as stretching, yoga, tai chi and other gentle mobilizing activities to help maintain arthritic joints.

Gout

An elevated level of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints produce gouty arthritis. The most common joints are the big toes, the knees, ankles and wrists, and is often characterized by excruciating pain and swelling. Most people who develop gout are predisposed through heredity, though episodes are generally brought on by binge eating of the wrong foods, when dehydrated or fasting, or after a major surgery or illness. Foods that must be avoided include a natural substance called Purines that are metabolized in the liver to form uric acid. People with this condition cannot effectively metabolize uric acid, thus the proliferation in the bloodstream and the subsequent joint problems. The foods most associated with high purine content are: red meat especially organ meat, certain seafood, legumes, mushrooms and other foods as well. There are other dietary restrictions that must be followed including refraining from drinking alcohol.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of systemic origin. The principal cause is not known, but it is thought to be due to a problem with the immune system. The most common joints affected are the small joints of the hands and fingers, the feet, knees, and shoulder, though other areas of the body can be affected as well. The condition is most often associated with morning stiffness that is aggravated by motion. Often people complain of general malaise and fatigue, and the disease in its more advanced forms can affect many of the other body systems. Rheumatoid arthritis can be easily identified through specific blood tests. Though, currently, there is no cure, in addition to medication and vitamin and diet therapy, treatment should include chiropractic adjustments to mobilize joints and help to relieve the pain and stiffness prevalent in this disease. Additional modalities such as ultrasound, heat, electro-therapy, and massage may also be helpful. Your Chicago chiropractor is dedicated to assisting people in getting relief from the pain and suffering associated with arthritis.

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I use aromatherapy in my chiropractic office.

When you drop by natural health and aromatherapy stores, you are faced with choosing among the many ingredients you may employ to achieve a holistic treatment. Some of the items you may encounter include aromatherapy bath oil, aromatherapy beads, essential oils, carrier oils, fragrance oils and infused oils. Already confused? Read on to differentiate one from the other, and get to know each one’s uses.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Surprisingly, aromatherapy essential oils don’t feel oily at all. Usually they are clear and colorless, but some, like orange or lemon grass essential oils, may be yellowish or amber in color.

Essential oils are distilled, usually by steam or water, from various parts of the source plant such as leaves, stems, petals, roots and other parts. They are highly concentrated and contain no artificial fragrances. You can derive many physical and psychological benefits from these oils.

They are often sold in small bottles and can greatly vary in price, depending on the rarity of the plant, the amount of oil produced by the plant and other standards. Because they are in pure form, essential oils are often diluted with carrier oils prior to usage.

What Do Carrier Oils Carry, Anyway

Since essential oils are very much concentrated and may cause severe irritations and other reactions in some people, carrier oils are used to dilute them. Carrier oils are made from the seeds, nuts and kernels, which are the parts that contain the most fat. Sometimes called vegetable oils, each one of them carries different therapeutic benefits, depending on what is being sought.

Carrier oils got scents of their own, although they may not be as strong as those from essential oils. Some of the natural lotions, body creams, massage oils, bath oils and other skin care products are made from carrier or vegetable oils. The choice of carrier oils where essential oils are added to can make a difference in the properties, effects, color, scent and shelf life of the final product.

Fragrance Oils

While essential oils are natural because they are made of the distilled essences of the plants where they came from, fragrance oils, on the other hand, are artificial scents – they contain artificial substances and are diluted with carrier oils. You might have also encountered items like perfume oils or potpourri oils, but they are basically just the same as fragrance oils, considering how they were made.

It is generally felt that fragrance oils do not have the same therapeutic benefits that essential oils have. Most scented cosmetics, candles, lotions and soaps only have fragrance oils, not essential oils. Be sure to read the labels if you want to insure that you are getting only natural ingredients.

Infused Oils

If you infuse carrier oils with desired herbs, you get infused oils. They are especially intended for certain plants that simply do not have much essential oils in them, or when it is virtually impossible to find essential oils extracted from those plants.

The good thing about using infused oils in aromatherapy than just plain carrier oils is that the combined therapeutic benefits of the carrier oils and the herbs infused into them are achieved. Infused oils are generally oily to the touch, depending on the consistency of the carrier oils used.

Don’t forget, infused oils, just like carrier oils, can go rancid, so be sure to keep them stored according to directions.

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Scoliosis: An Introduction

When the body is looked at from behind, a normal spine looks straight without much alteration from side-to-side.Scoliosis is a condition that is often associated with a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine.This condition frequently gives the appearance of the person leaning to one side but it should not be confused with bad posture. Characterized by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this puzzling deformity oftentimes causes a characteristic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is produced by the vertebrae in the zone of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their attached ribs posterior thus creating the characteristic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. If the thoracic curve and rib rotation are severe, more than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be impeded. This intensity of curve and subsequent cardiac and pulmonary changes are frequently seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, as such, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

The spine discloses four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral, all of which are apparent from a side view of the trunk. In the lower spine there is a natural “C-shaped” curve called swayback or lordosis, while the thoracic curve in the chest region has a “reverse C” called a kyphosis. Increased kyphosis in the thoracic area is called hyperkyphosis, while elevated swayback is termed, hyperlordosis. Changes from normal that are visible from a side view regularly accompany scoliosis changes. Postural exercises can eliminate some round back deformities that are simply due to bad posture. A small number of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are seen in conjunction with vertebral deformity. This kind of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much more problematic to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Even a layman can help to identify a child or fully-grown individual with scoliosis just by looking at the person in a standing position, preferably without a shirt and in , and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be higher than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be raised or more pronounced than the other.

• There may be more space between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang loosely at the side.

• One hip may seem to be more elevated or more pronounced than the other.

• The head is not in plumb with the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears more elevated than the other when the individual is analyzed from the rear and asked to lean forward until the the spine is horizontal.

The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further assessment once scoliosis is identified. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

There are various roots and many kinds of scoliosis, but the most prevailing, by far, is Idiopathic Scoliosis, which accounts for about 85 % of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is witnessed with equal prevalence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. This disorder can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent cases, based upon the age of onset. Idiopathic Scoliosis may be due to genetic or hereditary influences as it often runs in families. Though it is unknown why, girls are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves develop in size and require treatment. The most common time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are ending the last major growth spurt. It is smart to have this age group examined by a professional on a regular basis because young people are reluctant to permit their body to be looked at by parents or other adults.

If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is crucial that the curves be monitored for development by periodic examination and from time to time standing X-rays. In ninety percent of instances, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, though| increases in spinal deformity demand evaluation to determine if a brace or other therapy is required. In a small number of individuals, surgical treatment may be needed.~Surgery may be required for a small number of patients.

Brace therapy (orthosis) is recommended for both juvenile and adolescent children when an increase in their scoliosis or kyphosis is identified, or when new symptoms of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis are discovered. There are many kinds of braces, all made to prevent curves from increasing through acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Bracing is effectual in preventing curve progression in a significant number of skeletally-immature adolescents. However, braces normally will not make the spine perfectly straight, and cannot always keep a curve from progressing.

Scoliosis has no simple solution. The majority of cases, even though often monitored, are not actively treated. The usual medical treatment for moderate conditions is a brace, whereas severe cases in some cases are treated surgically. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments are among a number of modalities offered in addition to bracing. It appears that the best results have been supported with a multi-faceted approach to the management of this affliction.

There are chiropractors, that have years of experience treating scoliosis conditions.

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