Clinic News and Updates Archives | Page 3 of 8 | Strelcheck Chiropractic Clinic

Natural Relief for TMJ With Chiropractic

November 13, 2015

Do you hear clicking when you chew? Are you experiencing ringing in the ears or get frequent headaches? If so, you may be suffering from TMJ Disorder. More than 35 million people in the U.S. struggle with this disorder. TMJ refers to the chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull. There are two matching temporomandibular joints, one on each side of your head, located just in front of your ears. The abbreviation “TMJ” literally refers to the jaw joint but is often used to mean any disorders or symptoms of this region. It is surrounded by 68 pairs of muscles in front of the ear on each side of the head. They allow you to chew, yawn, speak and swallow and are in constant use. Symptoms TMJ Disorder can start with a variety of symptoms that stem from prolonged physical stress on the structures around the jaw joint. Typical symptoms include: • Pain while talking, chewing or yawning • Pain in front of the ear that may radiate to the face or skull • Headaches or migraines • Ear pain, ringing in the ears or hearing loss • Clicking, grating or popping sounds as the joints move • Swelling of the face and mouth on the affected side • Limited jaw mobility • Misaligned bite • Difficulty swallowing Causes A wide variety of stressors on the muscles, tendons and joints of the head and neck include teeth grinding, a misaligned bite and sleep positions as well as the use of smart phones, laptops and other devices that require the user to tilt the head down repeatedly or for extended periods. Other possible causes of TMJ-related symptoms include fractures, trauma from a fall or auto accident, dislocations, arthritis or wearing away the surrounding cartilage, and structural problems present since birth. Diagnosis and Treatment Because the disorder involves the teeth, the jaw joint, cervical spine and associated structures, you may need to consult with more than one medical specialist. This may include your primary care provider, dentist and chiropractor depending on your symptoms. The tests that you can expect include: • A dental examination of the bite alignment • Dental X-rays • Palpation of the joint and muscles for inflammation or tenderness • Pressing around the head to locate areas that are sensitive or painful • Examination of the jaw open and shut • X-rays or MRI of the jaw Each discipline offers treatment options based upon their philosophy. The range of possible treatments ranges from conservative to surgical, including chiropractic adjustment of the jaw and/or the associated structures, physical therapy, botox injections, dental appliances, sinus drainage, removal of the wisdom teeth and others. You may be wondering, “How can a chiropractor help a problem with my jaw?” The answer is simple — as a chiropractor, I am trained to correct conditions caused by musculoskeletal disorders, which can affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. I approach TMJ symptoms by starting out with a complete exam and palpation of the affected areas, a posture evaluation and a discussion about medical and family history, lifestyle habits and daily routines. At that point, we may take X-rays. Collectively, this data gives me a greater understanding of the severity of the disorder, the amount of mobility and possible causes. From there, a chiropractic treatment plan is set in motion with one goal in mind: to eliminate the physical stress on the jaw. By doing so, we eliminate the spasms and symptoms and gain range of motion by returning the jaw into its normal position. Individually tailored plans vary, but generally speaking, that process may include gentle adjustments, exercises or stress-relieving therapies along with massage or the application of ice and ultrasound, as needed.

Lifelong Health

October 23, 2015

You’ve just had your first baby. All 10 fingers and 10 toes joyfully counted. Becoming a parent is a life-changing event and perhaps the single greatest responsibility you might ever have. By design, this triggers one of the most powerful human instincts — the overwhelming desire to protect your child. Through the years, I’ve learned family health care choices are often driven by cost and further influenced by the experiences of those around us and our belief systems. Simply put, if you believe “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” then you might take the wellness route for your family. Whereas if the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage suits you better, you’ll only be making doctor visits when you can no longer cope with symptoms. Whichever you choose, health care and wellness options for children run the gamut. Consider the upsurge in both pediatric medical specialties and health information resources during the last two decades. While helpful, they also have created some confusion about what is best, dangerous or optional. One aspect of health care that hasn’t changed is the need to establish two of your child’s primary health care professionals, starting at birth. Ideally, those relationships will be long-term, so ask around, do your homework and trust your instincts. A general pediatrician is central to your child’s health from 0 to 18 years of age. General pediatricians manage children with chronic conditions such as asthma, perform annual school physicals, oversee childhood immunizations, conduct developmental screenings and administer acute care. A chiropractor is the other primary health care professional to establish for your child early on in life. In fact, a growing number of mothers receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to help maintain energy and reduce a variety of discomforts. While your child’s health care will transition from a pediatrician to a general practitioner after age 18, some people have the same chiropractor throughout their lifetime. The chiropractic approach to health centers on the detection and correction of misalignments of the spinal column, which is made up of bony vertebral segments that are stacked on top of each other, forming the spine. If there is any doubt about the correlation between the nervous system, spinal column and optimal health, consider what happens if any segment of the spine is damaged or injured. From the point of injury and below, the spinal cord nerves cannot send messages between the brain and parts of the body like they did before the injury, resulting in functional disorders of organs, limbs and major systems. Start Early Children are unique creatures, with ever-changing physiology. What was a health issue last year is no longer on the radar screen, as it is replaced by something new. Each stage of their life offers unique opportunities to keep them healthy with chiropractic care, starting at birth. During the delivery process, any twisting, pushing or pulling on the baby’s head, neck, shoulders or hips can cause subluxations or trauma to any segment of the spinal column. That increases the chance for damage to the infant’s spine and nervous system. Many of those traumas go undetected until symptoms and conditions occur later on such as colic, ear infections, eating and digestion. An infant’s spine will grow 50 percent in length during the first year of life, a rate unmatched at any other phase in a child’s growth and development. Checking a child’s spine is vital to ensure small, easily reversible subluxations are corrected before they present health issues down the road. By age 6, all motor and sensory functions we use as adults are already fully developed. Therefore, damage at any stage prior to the preliminary development of those functions will inhibit optimal capability for the rest of a child’s life. When a doctor really knows your child — not just his or her complete medical history, but his or her temperament, personality, how he or she reacts to pain and even what your child is like at school and at home — it helps the doctor pinpoint health problems. The advantages of establishing your child’s primary health care professionals early on are ones that are built through many years of seeing a pediatric and trust.

Lower the Pressure Naturally

October 16, 2015

Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Blood pressure is the amount of pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries as it is pumped from the heart throughout the circulatory system. If your blood pressure is chronically too high, it is called hypertension. Continual high blood pressure will irreversibly damage the heart and arteries. While some people with high blood pressure might experience frequent lightheadedness, dizziness or pounding in the head or chest, most will go years without knowing they have the condition known as “the silent killer.” If you have high blood pressure and are taking medication to control it, you might want to explore alternatives. Decades of research have shown natural alternatives, as well as dietary and lifestyle changes, can help your medications work better and reduce or eliminate your need for them. Causes: Hypertension is not caused by tension or stress, even though some would say it is. If you already have hypertension, your blood pressure will go up during times of stress — but it is not the cause of it. Known causes of hypertension include obesity, smoking and heredity. Diagnosis: Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year. Although there are at-home devices and pharmacies that have blood pressure machines, those machines might not give you a correct reading. A visit to your primary care physician is the only way to find out whether you have high blood pressure. Blood pressure readings measure the two parts of blood pressure, systolic and diastolic. The systolic pressure is the force of blood flow through an artery when the heart beats. Diastolic pressure is the force of blood flow within blood vessels when the heart rests between beats. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is possible with small changes on your part, if you are already at a healthy weight and do not smoke. If not, there are simple strategies you can incorporate now while you’re on the road to achieving those loftier goals. Measurable decreases in blood pressure, even small reductions in systolic pressure, are beneficial. Take Control Maintain a healthy weight. Sure, it isn’t easy, but it gets the most bang for your buck. It is estimated every 20 pounds you lose could lower your blood pressure by five to 20 points. Limit your sodium to 2,400 milligrams a day. Cut the “caf.” Caffeine raises blood pressure by tightening blood vessels and by magnifying the effects of stress. Exercise five days a week for 30 minutes. Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprivation is known to contribute to hypertension. Eating a diet rich in potassium, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C is proven to help. Following the DASH diet covers all four. Butt out. Smoking decreases oxygen supplies to the heart, increases blood pressure and increases blood clotting. Cut out carbonated drinks. They deplete potassium, an essential mineral for healthy blood vessels. Consider chiropractic treatment. According to a controlled study, special chiropractic adjustments can significantly lower high blood pressure. That study was highlighted in mainstream and medical media in 2005 and again in 2007. “This procedure has the affect of not one, but two blood pressure medications given in combination,” says study leader George Bakris, MD director of the University of Chicago hypertension center. Eight weeks after undergoing the special chiropractic adjustment, 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure saw an average 14-point drop in systolic blood pressure compared to 25 similar patients who underwent a mock chiropractic adjustment. X-rays showed the procedure realigned the atlas vertebra — the doughnut-like bone at the very top of the spine. The procedure calls for adjustment of the C-1 vertebra. It’s called the atlas vertebra because it holds up the head, just as the Titan Atlas holds up the world in Greek mythology. Marshall Dickholtz Sr., DC, of the Chiropractic Health Center in Chicago, performed all the procedures in the study. The subtle adjustment is practiced by the very small subgroup of chiropractors certified in Upper Cervical Chiropractic techniques. Dash Diet The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH diet, is recommended by the American Heart Association for individuals diagnosed with hypertension. DASH daily intake guidelines consist of: • Seven to eight servings of grain • Four to five servings each of fruits and vegetables • Two to three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk • Two or less servings of meat, poultry and fish • One serving of nuts, seeds or beans “Eliminating caffeine and salt didn’t help lower my blood pressure. Losing weight helped a bit, but not enough to avoid medication. Later on, I got hurt in a car accident and went to Dr. Norton for care. He did my exam, took X-rays and history, noting my hypertension. As I was treated, he checked my blood pressure, and to my surprise, my blood pressure was going down. Now I’m able to take half of my dose!” — Melissa, 22, Strelcheck Chiropractic patient

Period Relief for Life with Chiropractic Care

October 9, 2015

Nearly all women experience cramping, pain and bloating and other discomforts every month. In fact, most women will cope with about 40 years worth of periods (nearly 500) in their lifetime. Women come to expect a unique series of mild or severe pain and discomforts lasting an average of 8 to 12 days, for which they’ll try just about every imaginable treatment, just to get through another month. To complicate matters, every stage of menses brings its own set of symptoms, conditions and treatment options. Standard comfort measures such as bed rest, heat, over-the-counter analgesics or homespun tips from mothers or friends might produce benefit, but are often not associated with substantial symptom relief. If your symptoms interfere with daily activities or diminish your quality of life, you might want to consider a chiropractic approach as a treatment option. That suggestion might surprise you. I understand a number of women who suffer from menstrual discomforts won’t consider a chiropractor at first because: “If I don’t have a backache, why go to the chiropractor?” Allow me to share some basic facts about the association between the female reproductive system and nerve function so you can understand how chiropractic treatment can help. The Connection: Spine, Nerves and Organs The primary structures that make up the female reproductive system, your ovaries, vagina, uterus, cervix and pituitary gland, all require a healthy nerve supply to function properly. If the nerves to those structures are cut off, their health is compromised. Chiropractic doctors help women maintain the relationship between the female reproductive system and nervous system by maintaining the health of the spinal column. Gentle chiropractic techniques are applied to various segments of the spine to properly align them, eliminating “pinched nerves” and enabling nerve flow. While chiropractic techniques can be used at any age or stage of menses, these conditions seem to spark interest in drug-free symptom relief: Pregnancy As a baby grows, the increase in the lumbar curve (lower back) and forward shift in a woman’s center of gravity cause an uneven weight distribution over the pelvis, resulting in pain in the low back, hips and pelvis. The strain on the lumbar curve triggers compensatory changes in the cervical and thoracic spine, causing other symptoms like migraine headaches and numbness of the arms, shoulders and neck. Chiropractic adjustments performed in a sitting or lying position on an ergonomically designed chiropractic table can deliver significant pain relief, reduce swelling and improve circulation. Dysmenorrhea Or Menorrhagia It is no coincidence the patients I’ve treated who suffer from severe menstrual cramps, known as dysmenorrhea or menorrhagia, prolonged or heaving flow, also suffer from neck or back pain and spinal displacements. Perhaps that is why many of those women who initially came in with neck or back complaints experienced beneficial effects on menstrual cramps, flow and overall comfort. Fibroids Chemicals produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands that are essential for reproduction are broken down by the liver. If the liver isn’t working properly, those chemicals can build up to unhealthy levels and cause fibroid tumors in the uterus, which, although benign, account for at least one-third of all gynecological admissions to hospitals. Menopause When the body no longer produces the hormones necessary for the reproductive cycle to function, a woman is considered to be menopausal. My patients who are in their menopausal phase of life have reduced symptoms of depression, hot flashes, back and joint pain, headaches and fatigue as a result of routine chiropractic treatment. Remember, a healthy spinal column is essential for the health of the female reproductive system. If your period brings you symptoms that make you miserable, or if you suffer from gynecological problems, consult your chiropractor as

Learning Library Blog

Natural Relief for TMJ With Chiropractic

Lifelong Health

Lower the Pressure Naturally

Period Relief for Life with Chiropractic Care

Categories

Categories

Clinic Info

Latest Posts

Healing Sports Injuries with Chiropractic Care

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for ALL Ages

7 Ways Chiropractic Improves Heart Health

7 Tips to Prevent Dry Skin in Winter

Reduce Holiday Stress