Backpacks and Back Pain

More and more children are suffering from neck and back pain. One contributing factor is overweight backpacks.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, excessive weight and certain bag styles can cause nerve pressure around the neck and low back that could lead to muscle spasms, neck and shoulder pain, and low back strains.

For more information visit, www.acatoday.org.

Things You Can Do To Help Your Child

-Backpack weight is no more than 10% of child’s body weight

-Backpack length is no longer than 4 inches below the waist line

-Backpack has wide, padded straps to be worn of both shoulders

The BEST think you can do for your child, is chiropractic adjustments.  This helps with neck pain, back pain, and overall health of your child.

Make your child’s FREE scoliosis and backpack safety check now until the end of August!

Call 605-338-5511

  

A Surprise to the Medical Community

            Since the 1960s, it has been taught that the disc has no nerve supplies, meaning that it produces no pain. Recent research has shown that this is not accurate. There are two known ways the disc can produce pain.

          Disc pain has shown to be the source of many cases of common low back and extremity pain.Some of the most intense extremity pain is due to chemical changes in and around the disc. The disc can spill various substances into the areas around the disc. This produces irritation of the nerves in that specific area. Because the nerves are so intertwined, there may be arm or leg nerves in the region of the fluid leakage. The arm and leg nerves can then become inflamed producing excruciating pain down the arms and legs.

            Mechanical degeneration, overuse, can cause a change in the nerve supply. As the disc becomes thin, the number of sympathetic nerves increases. These nerves are more sensitive to pain generators like twisting and bending. Therefore, it takes less and less motion to cause more and more pain. This is why it is common to hear people say things like, “My back went out when I was picking up the kids’ legos off the floor.” It wasn’t that the object being lifted was heavy, it was an issue with disc degeneration and pain signals in the disc.

            Chiropractic care can help in both chemical and mechanical back pain. To help mechanical pain, chiropractic removes pressure from the nerves. The disc tissue and tissue of the surrounding area can begin to regenerate and heal. For chemical issues, the release of pressure from the nerves can promote fluid turnover within the disc creating a change in the previous, painful patterns that were producing irritation. 

For more information, read:

1. Gjerstad J. Genetic susceptiblity and development of chronic non-malignant back pain. Rev Neurosci. 2007;18(1):83-91.

2. Moon HJ, et al. Annulus fibrosus cells interact with neuron-like cells to modulate production of growth factors and cytokines in symptomatic disc degeneration. 2012 Jan. Spine 37(11):2-9.

3. Stefanakis M, et al. Annulus fissures are mechanically adn chemically conducive to the ingrowth of nerves and blood vessels. 2012 Oct. Spine 37(22):1883-1891.

4. Chou et al. The interventional theray, surgery, and interdiscplinary rehabilitation for low back pain, an evidence-based clinicla practice guideline from the American Pain Society.  Spine. 2009 Man 1;34(10):1066-77.

Sioux Falls Chiropractic

Sleep! The Importance and What Chiropractic can do to Help

Think you do just fine on five or six hours of shut-eye? Chances are, you are among the many millions who unwittingly shortchange themselves on sleep.

Research shows that most people require seven or eight hours of sleep to function optimally. From infancy to old age, the effects of inadequate sleep can profoundly affect memory, learning, creativity, productivity and emotional stability, as well as your physical health.

According to sleep specialists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, among others, a number of bodily systems are negatively affected by inadequate sleep: the heart, lungs and kidneys; appetite, metabolism and weight control; immune function and disease resistance; sensitivity to pain; reaction time; mood; and brain function.

It should come as no surprise that myriad bodily systems can be harmed by chronically shortened nights. “Sleep affects almost every tissue in our bodies,” said Dr. Michael J. Twery, a sleep specialist at the National Institutes of Health.

In addition, metabolism slows when one’s circadian rhythm and sleep are disrupted; if not counteracted by increased exercise or reduced caloric intake, this slowdown could add up to 10 extra pounds in a year.

To learn how lack of sleep can increase the development of heart disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, read more: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/17/cheating-ourselves-of-sleep/?ref=health

If you ARE having trouble sleeping, talk to your chiropractor. Here are some techniques that can help with sleep problems: chiropractic adjustments, massage, exercise, acupuncture, or a combination of treatments may help. These may help improve the function of the chest muscles and increase blood flow. Stretching and strengthening exercises for your neck are beneficial too. 

Little League Elbow

A Great Advancement in the Medical Community:

JAMA Suggests Chiropractic for Low Back Pain

Chiropractic Physicians Provide Natural Alternatives for Pain Treatment, Injury Prevention

Arlington, Va.-An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests patients try chiropractic services for the treatment of low back pain. According to the article, surgery is not usually needed and should only be considered if more conservative therapies fail. The information in JAMA reinforces the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA) position that conservative care options should serve as a first line of defense against pain.

The article, part of JAMA's Patient Page public education series, explains that the back is made up of bones, nerves, muscles and other soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons that support posture and give the body flexibility. Back pain can be caused by problems with any of the structures in the back.

As neuromusculoskeletal experts, chiropractic physicians are particularly well suited to manage and help prevent low back pain.

"We are encouraged to see JAMA suggest patients try chiropractic and other more conservative types of treatment for their back pain. In many cases pain can be alleviated without the use of unnecessary drugs or surgery, so it makes sense to exhaust conservative options first," said ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

"Research confirms that the services provided by chiropractic physicians are not only clinically effective but also cost-effective, so taking a more conservative approach at the onset of low back pain can also potentially save both patients and the health care system money down the line," he added.

For those who are currently pain-free, the exercise tips, posture recommendations and guidance on injury prevention routinely provided by chiropractic physicians can help people maintain a healthy back throughout their lives. To learn more, visit www.siouxfallschiro.com  

In Case Winter Decides to Continue

As I was deciding on a a topic to inform everyone about, I came across the symptoms for joint disease. After refreshing my memory on the symptoms, I thought it was a very appropriate subject for all of the current events. One of the symptoms is JOINT PAIN IN RAINY WEATHER. I think joint pain in wintery mix is applicable too. In addition to the prolonged winter weather, we've also had a lot of environmental damage around the area. The clean up of the damage can also cause joint pain.

Joint disease is one of the oldest, and most common types of arthritis.  It is characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage.  Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of bones.  Cartilage breakdown causes bones to rub against each other, causing pain and loss of movement. We can help relieve some of the pain in these areas.

Other Symptoms Include:

GRADUAL AND SUBTLE ONSET OF DEEP ACHING JOINT PAIN

WORSE AFTER EXERCISE OR WEIGHT BEARING

OFTEN RELIEVED BY REST

JOINT SWELLING

LIMITED MOVEMENT

MORNING STIFFNESS

GRATING OF THE JOINT WITH MOTION

If you've been experiencing any of these symptoms, please contatct our clinic to make your appointment. Don't put it off any longer. The number is 605-338-5511.