Albert Harrison Chiropractic Blog

 

There are certain problems which are unique for different types of people with disproportionate short stature. However, there exist general problems for all little people, whatever their bone condition may be.

The use of breathing tubes

Since little people have smaller tubes than average sized persons, tubes inserted for breathing problems must be those for kids or pediatric sized tubes.

Smaller doses of medications

Even adult little people require medication appropriate for their stature. Thus, they require a smaller dose of anesthesia, for instance, when they undergo certain procedures. Doctors must take notice of these doses for administering a higher amount than what their bodies can take may be fatal for them.

Extra care in training

When a little person wants to undergo a weight training program, although this is not advisable as it puts too much strain on their joints and bones, the training instructor must make sure that the program will not put the person on a greater risk squashing the nerves and bones. This is especially true for people with a condition called condrodystrophies.

Special care during surgery

For persons with condrodystrophies or those with softer and less developed neck bone, special care must be given to support the neck during a surgery or any other types of procedure where he or she is unconscious. Moreover, since this condition also affects bone structure which means that they are not properly straightened out, caution must be employed so as not to put pressure or stress on these bones especially when sleeping or if otherwise unconscious. Do not attempt to straighten the bones because they usually brittle and may lead to complications especially in walking, standing or sitting.

Sleeping disorders

Clefts palates are also common among those with condrodystrophies.  Thus, be wary of sleeping disorders or other conditions which may lead to partial or total blockage of passage ways.

Risks in nerve problems

Another problem associated with condrodystrophies is that these people lack some bone formations or structures, such as odontoid. The lack of such structures will greatly increase friction between joints and bones, thus, there is the constant danger of squashing the nerves.

Brittle bones

When you have the condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, this means that your bones are brittle. Thus, anesthesiologists must take extra care in administering chemicals. The right temperature is necessary so that an adverse reaction to anesthesia will not occur.

Some chemicals should not be introduced into the system of those with achondroplasia. A good example is spinal anesthesia. In this type of situation, a better alternative is general anesthesia.

Short people have conditions that we may not fully know and understand. The best thing to do is always give them the respect, care, and love that they deserve.

Feeling and looking vital is a byproduct of your attitude and your good health, which, as we all know, are both dependent on what you put into your body. What you eat determines not just how you feel today, but how you will feel in the future.

Following these tips will help you improve your energy level and how you feel mentally and physically, plus you may be well on your way to weight loss or maintenance, fighting disease, and feeling healthier and happier in your life.

Eat eight fruits and vegetables a day.

Your daily need for several vitamins (vitamin C, folic acid, and beta carotene, the building block of vitamin B) can be satisfied almost exclusively with the coordination of citrus fruits and dark green leafy and dark orange vegetables. Eight daily servings of vegetables and fruits also supply about 27grams of life (the ideal is 25-35 grams) and is associated with a desirable body weight and lows incidences of chronic diseases.

Drink at least eight glasses of water per day.

Most women lose 2-3 quarts of water per day, and even more if they exercise or live in a hot climate. To replace water loss, you need to take in about a gallon of water per day. Thirst is a poor indication of fluid need so don’t wait for you to get thirsty to drink water. Drink eight glasses of water daily or one cup water for every 20 pounds of body weight. Drink twice as much water to quench your thirst. Exercisers should drink 3-4 ounces every 20 minutes during a workout and 16 ounces after.

Consume enough calcium for your body.

Consume three glasses of nonfat milk or three cups nonfat yogurt a day. Calcium and vitamin B. Women need at least 1,200-1,500 milligram of calcium per day and 200-400 IU of vitamin D daily.

Eat beans at least five times a week.

Replacing nuts with soy products, beans, peas, and lentils may increase life expectancy and prevent cancer. Toss kidney, garbanzos, or black beans into salads, casseroles and sauces.

Eat tofu.

Like lean meat, tofu supplies plenty amount of vitamin B, zinc, and protein, but tofu has 3 times more iron, magnesium, manganese, and folic acid for about half the calories and fat. Plus, like the soybean products, tofu contains phtogesterone, which may prevent breast cancer, use soy milk in eating cereal, in coffee, and smoothies, or try frozen soy-based products.

Eat little meat and sank.

Research shows that people who eat small, frequent meals may be more likely to maintain and reduce their risk for heart disease and other health related problems.

Enjoy foods.

Pleasure, health, and vitamins are inseparable. And eating is just one of the life’s pleasures. Food brings us together with our loved ones.

Additionally, coupling your pleasurable eating habits with healthy daily routines such as getting enough sleep, exercising, meditating, and even engaging in chiropractic care can boost the function of your mind and body.

Feel good now. Make those lifestyle changes today!

Chiropractors are healthcare specialists who employ manipulation techniques to treat musculoskeletal and nervous system conditions. They adhere to the chiropractic principles that a healthy nervous system can bring about proper functions in the entire body and will result to the general well being of the person.

The chiropractors’ key responsibilities include:

• conducting patient examinations
• taking patients’ medical history, taking note of the effects of the hereditary, dietary and environmental factors in the patients’ health
• conducting diagnostic and medical tests including x-ray analysis and direct observation and using chiropractic principles in diagnosing ailments
• performing neuromusculoskeletal treatments like adjustments to the spine and limbs and other therapies
• making medical referrals to other professional practitioners, when needed
• providing patient advice on lifestyle and other health issues, which may include changes in nutrition, exercise, and rest habits to address these issues.

How to Become a Chiropractor

What goes with chiropractic’s phenomenal growth as a healthcare option is the popularity of the chiropractic profession as well. Data from the National Bureau of Labor Statistics  show that in 2012, there were 44,400 practicing chiropractors in the U.S. What does one who aspires to be a chiropractic doctor have to do to be among them? There are five steps:

1. Earn a High School diploma. You can prepare for your future chiropractic studies with high school courses in science, mathematics, English and social studies. Your knowledge of physics, chemistry, and biology will be useful in providing the foundation for advanced science knowledge. Your communication and research skills will be developed by taking courses in English and social studies.

2. Earn an undergraduate degree. The undergraduate degree required is either a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree. To qualify for a chiropractic doctoral program, however, you should have earned at least 90 units in general education and completed courses in biology, physics and organic and inorganic chemistry.

3. Earn a doctorate in chiropractic. Most programs for Doctor of Chiropractic last four years.        Some schools though, offer a five-year doctorate program for chiropractic while others offer a six-year program combining three years of bachelor’s degree with three years for the doctorate degree. You wil need to complete 4,200 hours or more of clinical classroom and lab study to earn the doctorate of chiropractic degree. The first two years in a four-year program focus on anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and public health courses. The final two years emphasize more lab work time and clinical experiences in manipulations and spinal adjustments. You will also undergo training in other areas of study such as nutrition, physical diagnosis, neurology and orthopedics.

4. Obtain a license. License is required in all US states for you to be able to practice your profession. You have to complete two years or more of postsecondary education and four years of chiropractic education and training from an accredited school to be eligible to take the licensure exam. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners offers the licensure examinations.

5. Practice your chiropractic profession. Most of the practicing chiropractic professionals have solo practice. You can also seek employment at a hospital, college or chiropractic research institution.

The outlook for the chiropractic profession is very bright. Employment of chiropractors is projected to grow 15 percent in a ten-year period starting 2012. The general increased interest in non-invasive healthcare services is the primary driver for the projected growth in chiropractors.

The morning sickness is one of the painful events that pregnant women suffer from. Learn how to ease the pain brought by morning sickness by following these guidelines for preggy moms and moms-to-be.

While there is much joy in being pregnant and in anticipating a newborn baby, women may also be in for some discomfort. The nine-month journey of pregnancy includes a roller coaster of hormones and emotions that correspond to the many bodily changes a woman experiences.

The perception of morning sickness is one such change that pregnant women experience. While a few moms-to-be hardly face the challenge, it is generally an early pregnancy symptom that most women experience. Morning sickness is said to be the feeling of nausea and vomiting, and 50 to 95% of women experience this (ThePregnancyZone.com). Experts commonly attribute this condition to the bodily changes in pregnancy, as well as the increased sensitivity of a woman to odors and other factors.

While morning sickness may be unavoidable, its symptoms could be managed with some changes in a woman’s lifestyle. These are some ways to manage morning sickness, and partners are encouraged to contribute their support, whether in adjusting to the temporary change in lifestyle or in providing affirmation.

Easing the Pain of Morning Sickness

Below are simple, everyday guidelines that you ought to follow to ease those pains brought by morning sickness:

1. When getting out of bed, do it in slow, cautious movements. Rapid actions of the body could worsen the feeling of morning sickness.
2. Eat small meals to stabilize blood sugar levels and keep your stomach full.
3. Eat easy-to-digest food, such as toast, potatoes, pasta, and fruits.
4. Avoid cold food like ice creams. These may only upset your system and prompt vomiting.
5. Also, avoid eating spicy food, for the same reason mentioned above.
6. Refrain from eating food such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions and fried food.
7. Keep the kitchen well ventilated by turning on the exhaust fan or by just opening up the windows. This would remove lingering cooking odors that may worsen morning sickness.
8. Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration of the body.
9. Exercise regularly. Working out and moving your body once in a while would aid in getting better sleep and relieving stress brought by pregnancy.
10. Increase fiber and fluid intake. This would help your digestion and make it easy for you to manage your bowel movement.

Getting pregnant is one of life’s most joyous moments. Prepare yourself and embrace the changes. As long as you know how to handle your morning sickness, nothing can go wrong.

 

Frozen shoulder got its name from the worst effect this condition presents, that is, the shoulder being completely unable to move, or frozen. It is sometimes called by the term adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. In most cases, it causes the shoulder to become painful and stiff and the movements to become reduced.

About 3 percent of adults will have frozen shoulder some time in their lives. People mostly affected are those aged 40 to 65 years. More women are affected by it. It is also observed that there are more people who have conditions like diabetes and overactive thyroid disease who become affected by frozen shoulder than average people.

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder

The severity of the symptoms of frozen shoulder varies per individual. The more severe conditions can interfere with your daily tasks such as wearing clothes, driving and sleeping. Scratching your back and reaching for your rear pocket may be impossible at times. The length of time of the symptoms varies also. On average, symptoms of frozen shoulder usually go away after two to three years even without treatment. It is much less than this in some cases and a few more years in a minority of cases.

Either the left or right shoulder can be affected but it is observed that it is more commonly the non-dominant shoulder that gets affected. In about 20 percent of the cases, the symptom also develops in the other shoulder at some point.

Causes of Frozen Shoulder

It has been confirmed that frozen shoulder is not a form of arthritis or inflammation of the joints, nor does it affect other joints. What causes frozen shoulder then?

Though there is no clear cause, it is believed that scar-like tissue forming in the shoulder capsule is the culprit. The capsule is a thin tissue covering the shoulder joint. It is thought that the scar tissue may cause the capsule to thicken and limit the shoulder movement. Why the scar tissue forms in the first place is also not known.

Treatment Options

There are various treatment methods available to ease the pain and bring the range of movement of the affected shoulder to its best possible level. These treatment methods are solutions while waiting for the condition to clear:

• Over-the-counter painkillers – Paracetamol may be tried first to control the pain or a stronger painkiller, when necessary.
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers – Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac are common examples. They ease the pain and reduce inflammation in your shoulder.
• Exercises for the shoulder – Shoulder exercises are done to keep the shoulder from stiffening and maximize the shoulder’s range of movement.
• Physiotherapy – Advise on the best exercises for the condition may come from a physiotherapist, who may also try other non-exercise pain-relieving techniques.
• Steroid injection – A steroid shot into the shoulder can relieve the pain and reduce inflammation for a longer time than oral medications. The relief can last a few week in some cases.
• Surgery – When other treatment options do not help, surgery may be turned to. Surgery may have a good rate of success but it is not a guaranteed solution for all cases.
• Chiropractic care – Relief from the condition after a course of chiropractic adjustments have been reported. The treatments concentrated on manipulating the frozen shoulder joint and the surrounding areas, including the base of the neck.

Frozen shoulder may take a long time to heal, but people with the condition welcome good relief of symptoms for a period of time and consider any improvement a significant enhancement to their quality of life.

 

One of the top reasons for doctor visits is back pain. Statistics show that eight out of ten people will suffer from this condition at some point in their lives. About 59 million Americans, in fact, have had a recent episode of back pain.

Causes of Back Pain

Back pain can be the result of back muscle strain from sudden movement, lifting heavy loads or poor posture. Conditions of the spine, such as lumbar herniated disc and slipped disc are mostly likely to cause pain in the lower back. Arthritis, certain types of cancer, and diseases of the kidney, such as kidney infections and kidney stones, bone loss and blood clots can all cause back pain.

The risk of having back pain is increased by the following factors:

• Aging – Back pain becomes more common as you get older. The highest occurrence of back pain is in the 40 to 60 age group. Lumbar degenerative disc diseases, spine joints degeneration, osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are some of the common conditions associated with getting old.
• Poor physical condition – Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit.
• Being overweight – Gaining extra weight puts stress on your back, can cause pain.
• Heredity – An arthritis condition, ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the spine has a genetic component.

How Long Does the Pain Last?

The very minor, every day type of back pain usually heals within a day or two. Some back pain persists for longer periods of time. Researchers suspect that stress and mood changes may be the reasons for this.

For a long time, it was believed that back pain will ease and heal on its own. This belief has been rebuked lately. In a recent study, it was found that back pain when left untreated, may disappear temporarily, but is most likely to return. The study showed that in more than a third of the people who experienced low back pain, the pain lasted for more than a month. 91 percent of these people who had low back pain for more than a month were with back pain still, five years later.

In another study that examined all available research on the history of low back pain, it was determined that when ignored, back pain does not go away by itself. The study revealed that low-back pain continues to torment people much longer after it is first felt.

Anyone can have back pain, for one reason or another. There is a great chance that will be among the great majority who have had episodes of back pain, some time. The best approach is to treat and prevent back pain and not ignore it. Several treatment options are available. Selecting the best approach to treat back pain will let you be pain-free soon and enjoying your normal active life.

The holidays are approaching. It is the season for gift shopping, family gatherings, dinners, parties and travel time on top of your regular daily activities. Extra energy is required from you in these events and they also put you in stressful situations. There are two potential sources of back pain and neck pain in these holiday situations. One is from the rigors of the physical activities. The other is from  being stressed out and tensed. Tensed muscles can cause pain.

Avoiding Back and Neck Pain During the Holiday Season

Do not allow back and neck pain to stand in the way of your fully enjoying this holiday season by following these tips:

1. Plan all your activities like shopping, decorating, food preparation and dinner ahead. Allow for extra time on your schedule. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable tasks. Then, prioritize the smaller tasks according to their importance. Anticipate situations that may cause you stress. Doing this, you may reduce the adverse effects of stress like chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain in your body, including the back and neck.

2. During the putting up of the decorations, watch your posture. Use proper lifting techniques when you take out and move boxes of decorations. Squat down to pick up boxes and heavy objects from the floor. Keep your back straight. Hold the object very close to your body. Use your legs, not your back to do the lifting work. Also when turning, be sure to turn your whole body and not twist at the waist.

3. When decorating an area lower than you can comfortably reach while standing, use a stool or chair and sit on it to avoid bending too much. If on the other hand you are trying to reach a high surface to decorate, use a step ladder so you can comfortably reach the surface without straining your muscles.

4. Make cleaning and decorating the house a family activity. This way, you can avoid having you bear all the stress on yourself, and on your back and neck.

5. Do not wrap gift packages while sitting on the floor. This is bad for your posture.

6. In all the activities leading to and on the event itself, keep your muscles and body hydrated by drinking water frequently throughout the day. Avoid coffee. It contains caffeine, which tend to dehydrate you and stress you even more.

7. Do stretching exercise before and after a long day of preparation and festivities. When you are stressed, your muscles tend to be less flexible than usual.

8. Take frequent breaks in your shopping and holiday preparation activities. At least once every 45 minutes is recommended.

9. Take time to rest. Have enough rest and sleep to give your body time to recuperate and repair itself. Lack of sleep can worsen your stress and your back pain.

Do not allow the stress of the holiday season affect you physically. By being conscious of your health in all the activities you do in keeping with the spirit of the season, you can prevent back pain and neck pain to ruin your holiday.

Most of us will suffer from back problem at least once in our life. Statistics show that 80% of Americans will experience this condition in their lifetime. Back problem affects all age groups although studies have determined that there is significantly higher incidence of back problems with those in the 30 to 60 years age group.

 

Back pain is troubling, it is a common cause for employees to be absent from work. It brings discomfort although it usually does not require urgent hospital treatment, except in a few cases. Below are the common causes of back pain.

 

Back Muscle Strain

 

Discounting the major medical conditions that cause back pain, strain on the back muscle is most common. Normally, an aching or severe pain is felt at the back, resulting after an activity, lifting heavy object or sudden movement. Bad posture is a major culprit for back muscle sprain.

 

Awkward position like bending for a long period of time is another.  Your lower back bears the weight of your upper torso when you bend. Also take note of this when lifting heavy objects. Do not lift a heavy object from the floor up in a bent position but make sure that you start with both knees fully bent before lifting the object so that your legs, not your back, will carry the weight.

 

Back pain may be caused or aggravated by being overweight. When you are overweight, there is too much weight in your upper back that will cause unnecessary strain in your lower back.

 

Lumbar Herniated Disc or Sciatica

 

When a nerve root in the lower spine is strongly compressed, pain and numbness that moves along the sciatic nerve is likely to result. This large nerve serves the buttocks, legs and feet.

 

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

 

This disease causes the breakdown of the lumbar disc between the vertebrae causing inflammation in the lower back, resulting in chronic lower back pain, muscle spasms, and sometimes sciatica. Patients as young as 20 can be affected by this disease.

 

Slipped Disc

 

This is the slipping forward of a vertebra in the low back on the disc space below it. The fracture usually occurs in childhood, and does not normally bring about a lot of pain until a patient’s young adulthood.

 

Spine Joints Degeneration

 

Individuals over 60 are most likely to have this condition and the resulting back pain. Osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are two of the most common causes of back pain in older adults.

 

Degenerative Arthritis or Osteoarthritis of the Spine

 

The breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the spine causes this condition, which develops over time.

 

While most back problems do not need urgent and prolonged hospital treatments, a few conditions associated with having a back pain do require medical emergencies, such as in the case involving any type of spinal infection, tumor or fracture.

 

Obviously, there are many conditions that are within your control if you want to have a strong back and healthy existence as you enjoy the productive times of your life.

 

 

 

 

One of the most common reasons for employees to be absent from work is back pain. Researches say that 80% of all Americans will suffer from back pain at least once in their lives. Although back pain affects people of any age, it is more common in adults in the age group between 35 and 55. According to experts, back pain is the result of how the bones, muscles, and ligaments in our backs interact. Back pain may be disturbing and uncomfortable, especially when painful, although it is seldom serious. In some people, back pain may persist in a few weeks or months, while others may deal with it longer-term, and the back pain may be recurring.

 

Avoiding Back Pain

 

As back pain is usually caused by bad posture, bending awkwardly, lifting incorrectly, and improper exercise, we can do a few things to avoid back pain.

• Maintain good posture when you stand, sit or move about.
• Lift correctly. When lifting especially heavy objects, make sure that you start from a sitting position with both knees fully bent then lift the object so that your legs will carry the weight.
• Lose weight. The lower back is strained by too much upper body weight.
• Wear flat shoes, especially with cushioned soles to help reduce the pressure and strain on your back.
• Avoid sudden body movements which can cause muscle strain.
• Stay active.

 

Exercise Prevents Back Pain

 

Regular and proper exercise, such as walking and swimming, is an excellent way of preventing back pain. They strengthen the muscles that support your back. These exercises also do not put too much strain on your back or subject it to sudden jolt.

 

Pilates and yoga exercises can make your back supple and improve the flexibility and the strength of your back muscles.

 

Here are three more simple exercises you can do at home to help prevent back pain:

 

1. Knee Rolls

Starting position: Lie on your back. Place a flat object like a book or small cushion under your head. Keep you knees bent and together.

Step 1: Roll knees to the left side while keeping both your shoulders on the floor. Hold this position for one deep breath before returning to the starting position.

Step 2: Roll knees to the right side while keeping both your shoulders on the floor. Hold this position for one deep breath before returning to the starting position.

Repeat the steps for 8 to 10 times, alternating sides.

 

2. Bottom to heels stretch 

Starting Position: Kneel on all fours. Your knees should be under hips and your hands under shoulders.

Step 1: Slowly take your bottom backwards. Maintain the natural curve in the spine while doing this. Hold this stretch position for one deep breath before returning to the starting position.

Repeat the steps for 8 to 10 times.

 

1. Back extensions

Starting Position: Lie on your stomach. Prop yourself on your elbows.

Step 1: Arch your back up by pushing down on your hands. Breathe deeply and hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds before returning to the starting position.

Repeat the steps 8 to 10 times.

 

Research shows that moving or exercising can be the best way to prevent back pain. Keeping your back strong and supple through exercises is the best way to avoid having back pain.