How to Reduce Stress in the New Year

Bottom Line: Are you overwhelmed by stress? Well, you’re not alone. Studies show over 54% of people are concerned with the amount of stress in their daily life. Many of us carry this stress in our shoulders and neck. Muscle tension in our shoulders can contribute to headaches, neck and back pain. Chronic stress can lower your energy levels resulting in irritability, illness, and even depression. But, there is good news! A few simple changes to your daily routine can help you dramatically decrease your stress level, boost your energy, and ultimately live a healthier and happier life. Keep reading to learn how.

Why it Matters: One of the best ways you can increase your energy levels and reduce stress is with motion! Our bodies are built to move. Improving spinal motion, or segmental motion is one the ways that chiropractic adjustments help you move and feel better. Research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce muscle tension in the shoulders, helping reduce pain, improve range of motion, and decrease stress!

“…cervical muscle tension was significantly reduced bilaterally after (an adjustment).”
“…we observed metabolic changes in the brain and skeletal muscles, as well as reductions in subjective pain, muscle tension… (after a chiropractic adjustment)”

Next Steps: If you know someone who gets sick around the holidays it is likely due to stress. Show them you care and share this research with them. These simple tips for reducing stress will help them have a happier and healthier holiday season!

Science Source:
Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2017. Article ID 4345703
Central Motor Excitability Changes After Spinal Manipulation: A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Study
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 25. Number 1. January 2002
Stress in America Survey. American Psychological Association. 2010

Chiropractic Adjustments and Tinnitus

Chiropractic adjustments are popular and successful management options for reversible functional disorders of the neck (cervical spine) and other areas of the spine. Some studies have demonstrated that such adjustments can relieve tinnitus.3236

Alcantara et al.34 described how chiropractic adjustments could reduce tinnitus, vertigo and hearing loss in a patient with cervical subluxation and temporomandibular disorder. Symptoms eventually ceased after nine sessions. Kessinger et al.32 documented clinical changes after chiropractic sessions in a geriatric patient with tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss and cervical alterations from C3 to C7. Throughout the sessions, the patient’s symptoms were alleviated and structural/functional improvements were also evident through radiographic examination.

In contrast to classical chiropractic adjustment, Arlen’s atlas adjustment  is performed without traction, rotation or extension of the cervical spine.37 By means of irritation and tension of the posterior cervical muscle, one might increase the afferent input to the vestibular nuclei in the brain stem, which might give rise to tinnitus.37 Thus, reduction of the tension via atlas therapy seems to lower the proprioception and nociception output, leading to normalization of the flow of information to the brain stem, and, as a consequence, tinnitus improvement.

It seems that some somatosensory tinnitus could be alleviated by correcting the misalignment of the cervical spine through chiropractic adjustment, especially in the upper cervical region. Such alignment might allow the entire spine to reposition itself and possibly correct the input of the region through the somatosensory pathway on the auditory system.

According to Kaute,37 many other methods are used to relax the neck muscles, with some success in treating tinnitus: the Alexander method, autogenous training, the Brügger method, craniosacral adjustment and Feldenkrais. All act on the same point – the posterior neck muscle.

Nevertheless, as much as this topic has been receiving more attention in the current literature, it still needs further clarification.

32. Kessinger RC, Boneva DV. Vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss in the geriatric patient. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000;23:352–62. [PubMed]

33. Kessinger RC, Boneva DV. Case study: acceleration/deceleration injury with angular kyphosis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000;23:279–87. 10.1016/S0161-4754(00)90175-1 [PubMed]

34. Alcantara J, Plaugher G, Klemp DD, Salem C. Chiropractic care of a patient with temporomandibular disorder and atlas subluxation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002;25:63–70.10.1067/mmt.2002.120415 [PubMed]

35. Leboeuf-Yde C, Pedersen EN, Bryner P, Cosman D, Hayek R, Meeker WC, et al. Self-reported nonmusculoskeletal responses to chiropractic intervention: a multination survey. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005;28:294–302. 10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.04.010 [PubMed]

36. DeVocht JW, Schaeffer W, Lawrence DJ. Chiropractic adjustment of temporomandibular disorders using the activator adjusting instrument and protocol. Altern Ther Health Med. 2005;11:70–3.[PubMed]

Asthma & Allergies Unlocked

Over the past 10 years, there has been a 6.0% increase in hospital admissions with asthma and allergies. The majority of these patients are either young males or older females (post puberty).

What is Asthma?

– According to Wikipedia  “Asthma (from the Greek ἅσθμα, ásthma, “panting”) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm.[2] Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.”

But that doesn’t tell us – Why?

Why do the tubes in the lungs swell and constrict? – Genes – It is possible that some 100 genes are linked to asthma – 25 of which have been associated with separate populations as of 2005. Genes linked to asthma also play roles in managing the immune system and inflammation. There have not been consistent results from genetic studies across populations.

Since Genes have not been directly linked across all populations, what is causing these cells to over react to substances that most people do not over react to? Why does the body perceive common pollen as dangerous, like anthrax or chemical poisons? Could it be a mis-communication?

As you can see Anthrax has a different size, shape – oval to spherical, texture – smooth to spiked, and color – green to orange of pollen. These are things our kids learn in kindergarten.

Why doesn’t the smartest thing in the world, the human body with over 1,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the 14th power) neural connections, able to adapt and over come a simple exercise as recognizing pollen?

Researchers in Japan may have unlocked an answer

In a study of over 900 patients with bronchial asthma, it was concluded that:  “According to the results of this study the possibility may be considered that chronic nerve compression secondary to vertebral deformity in the thoracic region had a significant effect on the immune function of atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma patients. The adrenal cortex functions of these allergy patients may be in the chronic decline condition with this chronic nerve compression. A sure treatment effect cannot be obtained without considering the nature and the function of the autonomous nerves.”

Plain english – by adjusting the misplaced vertebra in the lower mid back,  opening the space of the pinched nerve allows the brain to communicate with the tissues, so normal function was recorded, asthma relief was felt by a majority of the study participants.

Please read the entire study at The Internet Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 2004 Volume 2 Number 1. DOI: 10.5580/13ab

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is the science and art of finding and correcting vertebra that are misplaced and causing neurological dysfunction. By moving the vertebra back to its normal position and allowing the command and control system of the body (nervous system) to function at optimum performance, your body is free to function as it should. Call today to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.

Our office in Richmond Hill GA

Palmer Chiropractic

11400 Ford Ave

Richmond Hill, GA  31324
912-756-3433