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Gibsons Chiropractic Blog

December 22, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 12-22-2011

By Dr. Stacey

Postural issues are a big contributor to many different aches and pains and injuries to our bodies. Injuries related to poor posture tend to be overuse injuries, which build up over a period of time. Muscle imbalances and joint dysfunctions associated with poor posture can create areas of too much motion in certain spinal segments causing instability. These areas may then wear out prematurely, while other areas may have too little motion in the spine causing range of motion/mobility dysfunctions; anytime you have a right side – left side imbalance, it is called an asymmetry. If you have an asymmetry in your muscles, you are more susceptible to injury.

Some simple ways to begin to improve your posture include becoming aware of the things that you are doing, even the things that you don’t even know you are doing that are contributing (harming) to your posture. Think of staying in a “tall spine” posture while sitting, standing, during exercise and also taking frequent breaks from sitting and use the Brugger’s postural relief position as one of your style of breaks.

There are also some simple exercises you can do to help you get started on improving your overall posture. Here are a few:

  • Engage in daily use of the foam rollto provide self-myofascial release and self massage. Spend 3-5 minutes rolling out the thoracic spine and shoulders.
  • Perform Chair Decompression: Sit in an upright chair with your arms behind you, slightly bent, hands on the seat of the back of the chair. Push downward, straightening the arms and leaving the buttocks in the chair, unloading the trunk and spine. Keep the arms externally rotated; this moves the upper body into something similar to Brugger’s.
  • Perform Brugger’s relief position: Sit at the edge of a chair; Put your knees apart (wide) and your feet under the knees: Arch your back; Rotate your arms outward so your palms face forward; Separate your fingers and point your thumb backward; Tuck in your chin; Hold this position while taking a deep breath in though your abdomen. Hold the position for 5 seconds, release for 3 seconds, Repeat 3-5 times.
  • Perform Cobra: Laying face down on the floor-in prone position, have arms beside your hips. Activate the core by drawing in your navel towards spine and squeezing the glutes. With your core and glutes activated, lift the chest off the floor, lift arms up and back towards the hips rotating thumbs towards the ceiling. Note: hold for 2-3 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

For more useful tips, talk to your chiropractor about other ways you can improve your posture and avoid injuries.

Horizontal Rule

Concussions are getting much-needed attention in the press, especially given the short- and long-term cognitive loss, early-onset dementia, physical disability and even death resulting from traumatic brain injury. Read about the facts of this type of injury from the experts.

 

When sludging through the daily grind at work, keep in mind that in the long-term the number of hours you spend on the job could impact your health, especially your heart. Read what recent research has to say about the impact that long hours of work has on one of your most vital organs.

 

Every day millions of people drink coffee for an energy jolt that will help them get through the day. Coffee has become one of the most popular beverages of choice, but can it be good for your health? Read what recent research has to say about drinking a cup of joe a day and your health.

Horizontal Rule

Everyone knows that fructose is the sugar found in fruit. If it’s found in fruit it must be safe, right? Wrong. Let’s take a look at the impact of fructose on your body when consumed in large quantities.

 

As women age, a common problem they face is thinning of the bones – also called osteoporosis. Learn how to prevent fracture risk and bone loss through diet and supplements.

Source: www.toyourhealth.com

October 27, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 10-27-2011

By Dr. Stacey

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: WWW.TOYOURHEALTH.COM

Nourish Your Brain

TYH image The aging process takes enough of a toll on the human body without having the mind share the same fate. As we age, the brain is susceptible to various degenerative processes, from simple lapses in memory and concentration to outright cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s. Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep your brain healthy into your golden years. Here are three brain boosters to keep you on your mental toes:

Feed It: Your brain needs sound nutrition to function optimally. The outer membrane of brain cells requires a constant supply of fatty acids. That’s where omega-3s can help. Choline, a B vitamin present in high amounts in eggs, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, wheat germ and tofu, may also be important for brain neurotransmitter function while benefiting mood and mental performance.

Exercise It: Research suggests consistent physical activity can help people maintain memory and cognitive function as they age. According to at least one study, the exercise necessary to achieve brain benefits involved simple activities such as walking, gardening, cooking and cleaning. Another recent study showed that after a year of lifting weights twice a week, elderly women performed significantly better on tests of mental processing compared to women who participated in a balancing and toning program instead.

Challenge It: In a sense, if you don’t challenge your brain, stagnation can set it, leading to all sorts of problems over time. The solution is simple, research suggests: challenge your brain. How? Try crossword puzzles, chess, word problems or other strategies to keep your brain alert and engaged. The moral is simple: Take care of your mind and your mind will do the same for you.

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Nothing Sweet About Artificial Sugar

TYH image With worldwide obesity rates doubling in the past three decades, is it any surprise that artificial sweeteners have been gaining popularity? Beginning with the creation of saccharin, “sugar substitutes” have become the answer to a dieter’s prayer.

Have your cake and eat it, too; it’s a dream come true. Or is it? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular sugars on the market and how they are affecting your health.

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Are You Stretching the Wrong Way? Try The Right Way

TYH image How would you like to increase coordination, reduce muscle tension, increase range of motion, prevent future injury, improve posture, develop body awareness, and enhance proper movement patterns?

The good news is you can, by incorporating active isolated stretching (AIS) techniques and principles into your exercise / wellness routine. Follow these steps to bump up your stretching routine.

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October 14, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 10-15-2011

By Dr. Stacey

[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

Is Fast Food Getting Any Better?

TYH image Back on April 27, 2010, the Santa Clara County (California) Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance banning the use of toys to encourage children to eat unhealthy meals offered by restaurants. This was the first move by a government body to try to address the obesity epidemic that is plaguing America’s children. Then on Nov. 2, 2010, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to require that kids’ meals meet certain nutritional standards before they can be sold with toys. This law sets the bar for healthy children’s meals as those “that have less than 600 calories, contain fruits and vegetables, and include beverages without excessive fat or sugar.”

A year later and apparently feeling the pressure from these and other government regulations, the McDonald’s organization is beginning to make concessions. It recently announced its “Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices.” This announcement included the decision to do the following:

  • By March 2012: provide apples in every Happy Meal (with a smaller serving of French fries)
  • By 2015: “reduce sodium an average of 15 percent overall across its national menu of food choices”
  • By 2020: “reduce added sugars, saturated fat and calories through varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations.”
    “[Increase] customers’ and employees’ access to nutrition information.”

A review of the current McDonald’s kids’ meals menu reveals that of the current 24 meal combinations offered, five still exceed 600 calories; specifically some of the meals with cheeseburgers and a hamburger, fries and low-fat chocolate-milk meal. The nutritional information for the new menu that includes meals with apples and fewer fries is not out yet. But the company seems to be moving in the right direction. One source suggests that the new Happy Meals will have 6 fewer grams of fat and between 110 and 120 fewer calories.

It’s no secret what a healthy meal should include. The high sugar content, lack of whole grains and lack of meaningful vegetables in most kids’ meals are still at issue. As a food source for millions of children, McDonald’s cannot ignore its responsibility to offer healthier meals to children, regardless of what children will eat or parents will buy.

If you or someone you know is overweight, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for help. They can outline a plan for losing the weight that includes sensible nutrition, regular exercise and regular chiropractic adjustments. Your doctor can also provide information on what your family should – and shouldn’t – be eating to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle.

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Keep Fit With Circuit Training

TYH image Circuit training is doing a number of exercises back to back (short exercise bursts with intensity) including a short recovery or break between exercises. This type of exercise is known for numerous health benefits including helping you achieve your fitness goals faster. You can add in cardio exercise including running in place, jumping rope, or using equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical or stair-stepper. It’s a great technique to focus on strength and cardiovascular training to sculpt your own body. You can experiment with a large variety of exercises and equipment at whatever intensity you choose. You compete only with yourself, and you don’t have to be in sync with others. Use these 10 examples to jumpstart your new workout routine.

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The Wonderful World of Yoga

TYH image Originated in ancient India, the practice of yoga helps many achieve spiritual insight and peace from their hectic lives by challenging the body to go beyond its current limitations through a series of poses. Over the years, yoga has evolved to include many different variations, providing a wide range of mental and physical benefits. Regardless of the type of yoga style you choose, expect any yoga class to provide a serious mind/body workout well worth your time. Here are 3 types of yoga classes you can try.

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[PS. my favourite style of yoga is Iyengar - slower, deeper stretches, more emphasis on posture and alignment - perfect for a chiropractor!]


June 22, 2011

To Your Health Newsletter 06-21-2011

By Dr. Stacey

[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

The Sensible Route to Slim

In the long run, repeated episodes of unhealthy weight-loss attempts are more likely to cause damage to our body and outweigh the health benefits of short-term weight loss. That doesn’t mean it’s better to stay at an unhealthy weight. We just have to make sure that we are losing weight in a healthy way and are able to maintain that weight loss.

It takes about a 500-calorie deficit per day to lose about 1 pound per week. If you incorporate exercise that burns an additional 500 calories per day, then you can lose 2 pounds per week. My recommendation would be to aim to lose no more than 2 pounds per week on average. “On average” takes into consideration that the initial weeks may result in greater weight loss because of the loss of retained fluids from exchanging fatty, salty foods for a healthier, more balanced diet. But overall, you should average out to about 2 pounds per week. If you are losing more than that, then you are more likely resorting to less-healthy methods of weight loss, which can hurt your metabolism and health in the long-term.

Believe it or not, people who lose weight at a slow, steady rate tend to keep the weight off longer because they are incorporating new, healthier habits instead of taking drastic measures to get the weight off. When we shift our focus from ‘”dieting” to “creating a healthier lifestyle,” we are more likely to succeed in keeping the weight off for good. Here are a few ways to do just that:

Water: Make it a daily priority to stay hydrated with water and to incorporate vegetables and water into every meal. Portions do not need to be large, but by keeping these two ideas in mind, you will be less likely to become deficient in essential nutrients your body needs to function.

Fibre: Remember to increase fibre in your diet, but at a rate that is slow and gradual. If you increase your fibre intake too quickly, you may bloat and become gaseous. Therefore, start to increase your dietary fibre (soluble and insoluble) gradually to about 20-30 grams per day.

Consider drinking green tea. Green tea flavoring ranges from jasmine to genmaicha (green tea combined with roasted brown rice) to dragon well (hint of sweetness), just to name a few. Green tea has been shown in some clinical studies to have a beneficial impact on many aspects of health, including improvements in cholesterol, weight loss and weight maintenance. The healthy ingredients found in green tea include, but are not limited to, flavonoids, polyphenols and amino acids.

Ultimately, it’s more important that you cross the finish line and achieve a healthy, fit lifestyle you can maintain, rather than losing a lot of weight quickly, but being unable to maintain the healthy weight because you took extreme measures to lose it. We all know that extreme measures cannot be maintained long-term.

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Stretching Your Limits

Stretching is important for several reasons. It improves flexibility, which can come in handy whether you’re reaching down to pick up a pencil from the floor, climbing a ladder to the roof or trying to grab your overeager child before they run into the street. From a sports perspective, flexibility allows you to move more easily and with a greater range of motion while reducing the odds that you’ll pull, strain or overstretch something in the heat of battle. It also can protect against long-term injury, in the sense that flexibility and range-of-motion deficits can cause overcompensation patterns to develop.

Because stretching makes your body more flexible, it also has mental health benefits. First, picture yourself on the couch after a long day’s work or a morning at the racquetball court, sore, stiff and in pain. Now picture yourself on the same couch after the same activities, but well-stretched, blood and oxygen circulating properly, able to achieve a superior range of motion despite your draining day. Now that’s a reason to stretch, isn’t it?

Traditionally, stretching routines have followed the principle of static holding; that means holding a stretch in a single position for 20-30 seconds or more. These types of stretches, known as static stretches, were the only stretches in town for years. Of late, experts in the fitness world increasingly question whether static stretching, particularly before running or performing a sport, has value. In fact, they theorize that static stretching may actually increase injury risk if performed before participating in an activity.

The reason for this concern is because when your muscles are cold, they’re at their most stiff. That makes perfect sense, right? Again, picture yourself heading out for a run – without warming up your body – after spending a sedentary day at your desk at work and another hour in your car coming home. Static stretching could actually overstretch the muscle, straining or tearing it.

The solution, according to more and more experts, is to warm up first, complete your physical activity (say, a run) and then perform static stretches, when your body can handle it. The bottom line is that cold muscles are much easier to injure than warm muscles; applying a prolonged, static stretch before you’re adequately warmed up could do more damage than good.

So, does that mean you shouldn’t stretch before an activity? Of course not. But you might not want to do static stretches. Instead, try dynamic active stretches – things like knee lifts, arm circles, walking lunges, leg swings, torso twists, etc. Think of dynamic stretches as a way to warm up your body in a gentle fashion that prepares you for your activity. Talk to your doctor to learn more.

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Nuts About Almond Butter

More than 3 million people in the U.S. have peanut allergies, among them millions of children. (Allergies among children have doubled in the past two decades, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.) Fortunately, adults and children can snack on almond butter as a sandwich spread or use it as a dip for veggies and know it’s good for them. Here’s why:

  1. It contains less calories and saturated fat and more fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin E and magnesium (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) than peanut butter.
  2. It can protect your heart. It’s high in monounsaturated fats, which are associated with a reduction in heart disease risk.
  3. Almond butter is packed with essential minerals. Some of the highly concentrated minerals found in almond butter include manganese and copper. It’s also rich in calcium, iron and magnesium.
  4. Almond butter is an excellent protein source. Almonds are packed with protein. One quarter-cup of almonds alone contains 7.62 grams of protein – more protein than an egg provides (only 5.54 grams).
  5. It tastes great! With a smooth, grainy texture and creamy, nutty taste, this alternative to peanut butter complements everything from toast to vegetables.

So why not try almond butter today? Your doctor can tell you more about the nutritional value of nuts and how to incorporate them into a balanced, nutritious diet.

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December 22, 2010

To Your Health Newsletter 12-22-2010

By Dr. Stacey

Pain: Putting the Fire Out

Back pain, neck pain, knee pain, foot pain – wherever the pain is, it’s a pretty powerful motivator. In fact, depending on the severity of the pain, you may be willing to do just about anything to get rid of it. That’s why so many people rush to the medicine cabinet and pop a few pills at the first sign of pain. Here’s a much better idea: Ask your chiropractor about these simple exercises that can actually help reduce pain caused by common overuse conditions.

You wake up at night with numbness and tingling in your hands. Sleeping through the night is almost an impossible task. You may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition in which nerves from your neck traveling into your hand can become compressed in the wrist.

What you can do: Extend (straighten) your arm out in front of your body with your palm facing up. Straighten your fingers, keeping them close together. Bend your wrist backward and try to point your fingers toward the floor, and with the opposite hand press down on the palm side of your fingers to bend (extend) your wrist slightly further. Hold this stretch for 2 seconds, return the wrist to a straight position, and then repeat the entire movement for 10 repetitions

Do you feel clicking and popping in your knee? Perhaps walking up and down stairs has become a challenge and taking those after-dinner walks is more and more difficult. Knee pain can be a tricky condition because proper motion depends on the functioning of the hips and ankles.

What you can do: Stand on the edge of a step with the balls of your feet. Make sure you have something to hold on to for balance. Keep a slight bend in your knees and let your heels drift downward towards the floor, so your toes are higher than your heels. Sink the heels downward as far as you can and hold for 5 seconds. You can progress to one foot at a time for increased intensity. Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

If you experience sharp pain on the outside of your elbow when trying to twist open a jar or grasping something with your hand, it may be tendonitis of the forearm muscles. This injury became known as tennis elbow because players would get elbow pain after hitting repetitive backswings in tennis.

What you can do: Stand sideways against a wall. Bend your arm 90 degrees at the elbow with the thumb facing up. Place a tennis ball between the top of the forearm and the wall, with the opposite hand press against the inside of your forearm, putting additional pressure into the ball. Move the forearm back and forth in a circular motion on the tennis ball, searching for tender spots. Spend between 30-60 seconds on each tender spot until the pain begins to fade; then search for other tender areas. Do this three to five times per day.

The most important point to remember is that no exercise should make your pain worse. Soreness and discomfort are acceptable and expected; however, increased pain and dysfunction is not. It takes time for an injury to properly heal. Talk to your doctor for more information about what you can do to keep pain away the natural way.

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How Nutrition Can Help Eczema

There are three main objectives in the treatment of eczema: reducing inflammation, relieving itching of the skin, and moisturizing dry patches. As most alternative health practitioners know, certain dietary practices and various supplements can help to accomplish these objectives in many cases of eczema that seem to be resistant to standard medical treatment. The most evidence-based lifestyle, dietary and supplementation strategies shown to improve cases of eczema are as follows:

Dietary and Lifestyle Considerations: Avoid any known dietary or environmental irritants or allergens. Reduce the build-up of the polyunsaturated fat arachidonic acid within skin cells, as it is the direct building block of inflammatory prostaglandin hormones. To accomplish this, reduce the intake of the following foods: high-fat meat and dairy products; corn oil, sunflower seed oil, safflower seed oil, and mixed vegetable oils; alcohol, hydrogenated fats (e.g., margarine, commercial peanut butter, shortenings).

Replace the above foods with the following: chicken, turkey, fish, Cornish hen, 1 percent milk or yogurt, low-fat cheese (3 percent or less milk fat), olive oil, canola oil, or peanut oil (for salad dressings, to sauté vegetables or stir fry only).

Important Supplements: Omega-3 fats provide the building block for the production of prostaglandin hormones that reduce the inflammatory activity of skin cells. They also reduce the build-up of arachidonic acid in skin cells by blocking the enzyme that converts linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid. Examples of omega-3 fats of importance to skin health include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). EPA is found in fish and fish oils, and ALA is found primarily in flaxseed oil. Clinical trials have shown that omega-3 fats can be effective in the treatment of eczema.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) has also been shown to help in cases of eczema. Studies reveal that many patients with eczema lack the enzyme to convert linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid. As gamma-linolenic acid is the building block of an important anti-inflammatory prostaglandin hormone, supplementation with an oil that is high in gamma-linolenic acid, such as borage, black currant or evening primrose oil, has been shown to favorably affect cases of eczema.

A number of B vitamins (especially B6 and niacin) are necessary co-factors to speed up the enzymes that produce anti-inflammatory prostaglandins in the skin. Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc are also required to support various enzymes within skin cells that promote the formation of prostaglandins, which reduce skin inflammatory conditions, including eczema. I recommend a high-potency multivitamin/mineral supplement that contains a B-50 complex along with boosted levels of antioxidants.

In many cases, once specific allergies have been ruled out, the medical profession is at a loss to provide eczema sufferers with any meaningful treatment options. For this subgroup of patients, specific dietary and supplementation practices outlined in this article can provide significant improvement of their condition in many cases. Your doctor can tell you more about the connection between diet and skin health.

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Lower Sugar, Lower Blood Pressure

Sounds pretty simple, right? Except in a society overwhelmed by processed foods loaded with added sugar, keeping your sugar (or blood pressure) in check can be a major challenge.

But let’s leave the topic of limiting sugar consumption from all sources for another day, and instead focus on sugar from a single source: sugar-sweetened beverages. According to a study published in the June 2010 issue of Circulation (a journal of the American Heart Association), a reduction in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption of one serving per day reduced systolic blood pressure in adults by 1.8 mg Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.1 mg Hg over 18 months. (If your blood pressure is 120-75, for example, your systolic blood pressure is 120 and your diastolic blood pressure is 75.) Diet beverage consumption and caffeine intake did not appear to be associated with blood pressure.

Remember, even a small reduction, particularly if all you have to do is drink less sugar-sweetened beverages, can make a big difference. In fact, it might save your life. Your doctor can tell you more – much more – about the considerable dangers of sugar and high blood pressure.

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[Source: www.toyourhealth.com]

June 19, 2010

Ready for Golf?

By Dr. Stacey

 In honour of Father’s Day this month, I thought I would include a sport’s article in the blog. By following these simple tips from the BC Chiropractic Association,[1] you can improve your golf game and reduce your risk of injury:

 1.         Stretch before and after you do any strengthening exercises. Here are some recommended stretches:

  • Side bending works the muscles on the sides of your back and hips;
  • Hip rotation stretches several muscles in your hip, pelvis and thigh region;
  • The hamstring stretch works the large muscles at the back of your thighs;
  • Back extension helps the muscles that bend your spine backward, while back rotation stretches the muscles that rotate your spine and shoulder muscles; and
  • The shoulder stretch works shoulders and upper arms.

2.         Muscle-strengthening exercises can make your body stronger and more flexible:

  • Wrist strength is very important during the impact phase of a golf game;
  • Strength in rotating the upper arms in either direction is important throughout the golf swing;
  • To improve form and strength in your golf swing, practice good posture by concentrating on using your abdominal and back muscles;
  • Rowing strengthens the muscles of your upper back and shoulders; and
  • Pull-downs also work the shoulder and upper-back muscles.

3.         When taking clubs out of your vehicle, bend your knees, slightly curve your spine, and gently lift the golf bag out of the vehicle.

4.         ‘The clubs before the cart’ – Research shows that after one season of weekly golf games that involved walking the golf course, males over fifty significantly decreased their cholesterol count. [2]

5.         Warm up for your first swing. Make sure you stretch.

6.         Bend your knees and use a golf club for support before stooping for the ball, or when preparing to tee off.

7.         Ensure that you use correct posture and spinal angles when driving and putting.

8.         Stretch to cool down after your game. [3]

For more information on how to improve your golf swing, stretching, and/or reducing injuries, contact Dr. Stacey Rosenberg at Gibsons Chiropractic on (604) 886-7080 or your family chiropractor. 


[1] Source: http://bcchiro.com/bcca/your-spine-your-health/health-tips/golfing-tips.html

[2] Source: October 1990 issue of The Physician and Sports Medicine

[3] For more articles on improving your golf game and spinal health, please visit: http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/search.php?q=golf&site=ToYourHealth&entqr=0&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&client=all_sites&ud=1&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=all_sites&proxyreload=1