Highland Chiropractor

It will probably come as no surprise to you that humans require air and water, in that order, for survival. And, the odds are pretty good that you, along with most other adults, haven’t tried to hold your breath to see how long you could go without breathing (or in order to see if mom or dad would give in and give you what you wanted) since you were a child. But, how often do you forgo the other necessity of life…drinking water? And, not just drinking water, but drinking enough water. In order for the human body to function optimally, it needs water (and plenty of it!) Every cell, tissue, organ and system in your body relies on the water you drink. Would it surprise you to know that your saliva, and the fluids around your joints, are essentially water? It’s true, and in addition to creating dry mouth, dehydration often causes make your joints ache. Moreover, your temperature and metabolism, as well as your blood circulation, are moderated by water. And, there are many more wonderful reasons to drink sufficient water, such as the improvement of nutrient absorption and toxin removal, and the reduction of heartburn, hypertension, exhaustion, headaches. Even back pain has been attributed to staying well-hydrated. As a Highland Chiropractor it is my practice to ask my patients with back pain and joint pain if they are drinking sufficient water each day, and I advise all of my patients to drink plenty of water on a daily basis.

When it comes to staying well-hydrated, “water on the brain” is a very good thing! Drinking enough water is fundamental for complete health in all the ways described above one day researchers may find even more. Now, none of us would be foolish enough to try to go through the day without breathing, yet all too often many of us go through our day either not drinking water at all or not drinking a sufficient amount. Every human body requires proper hydration no matter what physical activity an individual may engage in throughout the day. When it comes to functional challenges caused by dehydration, athletes (and you’d think they’d be far more cognizant of the importance of hydration than non-athletes!) are markedly at risk. Researcher, Susan Yeargin, assistant professor of athletic training in Indiana State’s College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services, said of athletes,”Physiologically, their core body temperature could be higher than it should have been if they were hydrated. Their heart rate will be higher, and they’re going to perceive that they’re working harder than they actually are.”

Wondering how much water is enough water? Chiropractors like me, your chiropractor in Highland, agree with most health care professionals in advising at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day for the majority of our patients. However, for our patients who are athletes, or for patients who carry around excess weight or exercise or work where it’s hot, we advise even more! So, how can you tell if you’re drinking “enough” water? It’s simple! The answer is in the color of your urine. If you’re well-hydrated, your urine will be a light, pale yellow!

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When it comes to problems generated by dehydration, athletes are distinctly at risk. “Physiologically, their core body temperature could be higher than it should have been if they were hydrated. Their heart rate will be higher, and they’re going to perceive that they’re working harder than they actually are,” said Susan Yeargin, assistant professor of athletic training in Indiana State’s College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services.  A high percentage of collegiate and professional athletes begin the season dehydrated, putting their health at risk even before they begin strenuous workouts, according to researchers at Indiana State University. In fact, 80 percent of football players displayed symptoms of dehydration during pre-season physical examinations.

Wondering how much water is enough water? Chiropractors, like most health care professionals, recommend a minimum of eight, 8-ounce glasses of water daily for most patients, however for our athletic patients, or for individuals who are overweight or exercise or work where it’s hot, we advise even more. How can you tell if you, personally, are drinking a sufficient amount of water? The color of your urine is a good indicator. You’re well-hydrated if it comes out a light, pale yellow!

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Tension headaches: Let’s face it, life can be a pain, now and then, and end up as a tension headache. The majority of people have experienced more than one. If you are someone who has had a tension headache, then you probably experience it as a dull, aching head pain that is frequently accompanied by a feeling of tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head. Sometimes, you might feel a tenderness of your scalp, neck and shoulder muscles, and at times you may experience a loss of appetite.

Tension headaches are commonly characterized as mild to moderately intense. The severity of the pain varies from one individual to another, and from one headache to another in the same person. Tension headaches can occur infrequently or you may have them quite frequently. If your headaches occur fifteen or more days a month for a minimum of three months, they’re diagnosed as chronic. If tension headaches are interrupting your life, chiropractic management may be the remedy. Get in touch with your chiropractor today.

Migraine Headaches: Migraine headaches are different from the typical tension-related headache. According to the National Headache Foundation, migraines often develop on one side of the head only. They throb or pulsate and are accompanied by nausea or vomiting. One-fifth of migraine sufferers have auras, visual manifestions an hour before a migraine attack, and distrubances like pulsating light, lines or dots.

Do you suffer from migraines? If you do, you know the disruptive, incapacitating effects that this sort of challenge can have on your life. Unfortunately, you probably know by now that typical over-the-counter medications are ineffective, and prescription drugs generally have harmful side effects. Even so, the pain of a migraine can sideline you for hours, days, even a lifetime. It’s time to eliminate the pain and get your life back! Chiropractic management has proved to be highly effective in relieving and eliminating migraine headaches. Make an appointment with your chiropractor today!

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Let’s face it. There are going to be consequences when your body is compelled to stop suddenly and unexpectedly. You might be given a clean bill of health by an emergency room attendant if you haven’t sustained any broken bones, and you might be given a prescription for drugs to relax the muscle spasms that you are undoubtedly experiencing due to the structural changes in your neck or lower back that you encountered from the impact. But, your problem could go from bad to much, much worse unless you’re treated for the injuries you’ve received. In fact, quite a few individuals undergo problems years after a car accident because they didn’t get the help they needed in the first place.

Your Chicago Chiropractor absolutely understands what your body goes through during a car accident. Chiropractic techniques include treatment for soft tissue injuries and spinal bio-mechanics impairment. And when it comes to rehabilitation strategies, your chiropractor is an expert

If you’ve experienced a minor auto accident, even if your car may not require much repair, more than like you do. Neck and back injuries are not only painful in the places in which they take place, but they can also generate pain, tingling, and numbness in your arms and hands and cause headaches days, weeks, even months after an accident occurs.

Chiropractic care offers a drug-free, natural road back to feeling good again.  It will assist in putting the trauma of your accident where it belongs – behind you. Furthermore, because your chiropractor has experience working with insurance companies and lawyers, not only will you experience less physical stress, but less emotional stress, as well!

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Anatomy

To understand neck pain, it is necessary to have knowledge of the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the neck consist of posterior joints, called facets, that connect vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, composed of strong cartilage, join the “bodies” of the vertebrae. This tough cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. In a canal positioned between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae and supply the energy to make the muscles and other organs of the body function. They also carry impulses from the body to the brain concerning pain, touch, position, temperature, as well as other senses.  The nerves that exit from the neck are assigned to the entire upper extremity including the shoulder, elbow and hand, as well as structures of the head and neck. The natural forward curve of the neck balances the weight of the head and alleviates stress on neck vertebrae. For more information please feel free to visit your Chicago chiropractor.

Risk Factors: Neck Pain and Computer Use

Computer use has risen dramatically over the years, at home and in the workplace. Nowadays, many people spend eight to ten hours a day, or more, bent over a keyboard and staring at a monitor. Sitting with the head in a forward bent position (the posture most computer users take on), puts immense strain on neck ligaments and muscles. In addition, the normal forward curve of the neck becomes reversed causing more stress upon all the surrounding tissues of the neck. Improper posture and repetitive stress can create spinal problems including disc herniation and subluxations, which are the primary causes of spinal nerve inflammation. Besides general pain, spinal nerve inflammation in the neck can produce symptoms such as headaches, eye problems, giddiness, arm and hand pain (and paraesthesia), as well as shoulder pain.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches or migraines are frequently associated with disorders of the cervical spine. When the cervical vertebrae lose their natural position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels that are related to structures in the head are stretched or irritated thus producing symptoms from a dull ache to throbbing pain. In many cases the tight knots in the muscles of the neck, called trigger points, can also refer pain to the head.  Of course there are other factors related to headaches including toxic fumes, certain foods, additives such as MSG, alcohol, caffeine, and stress. Still one must always look at the tissues and alignment of the neck when considering the origin of headaches and migraines. Chiropractic care has been shown to exceptionally helpful in the treatment of headaches. Your Chicago chiropractot can give you further information regarding treatment and pain relief.

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Unfortunately, many people are involved in car accidents. Almost certainly the most common auto accident is when one car collides into the rear-end of another car. During such a collision, the head of the passenger in the front vehicle is powerfully jerked back, and then forward, causing injury to the structure of both the front and back of the neck. This sort of injury is often called a whiplash. Even at low speeds, the amount of force arising from such an accident is very powerful and can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, facet joints, discs, and spinal nerves. Besides neck pain and immobility, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vertigo, arm and shoulder pain, tingling in the hands and fingers and weakness of the arm and hand are coincidental with whiplash injury. Immediate evaluation and x-rays are crucial in order to rule out a fracture. However in many cases, the injuries are primarily to the soft tissues and joints. Proper management is crucial in rehabilitation from the pain and symptoms of whiplash, and also to prevent future disability. your Chicago chiropractor is extremely knowledgeable in the area of whiplash injury, and is more than capable of managing the case from beginning to end.

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