Sacramento Chiropractor: Golf Injuries Can Be Prevented

Posted by admin on Jan 7, 2010

Sacramento Chiropractor

With any sort of sport, injuries are not uncommon. The smart thing to do is to determine what injury is apt to occur in a particular sport and then to do whatever it takes to avoid it. Unfortunately, sports injuries can’t always be avoided. Consequently, it’s advantageous to be physically fit to make injury less probable, or less traumatic.   The most important thing that you can do is to be certain that you have a suitable fitness level before beginning to play a sport, such as golf. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, making sure your joints are mobile and your muscles are limber, warming and stretching your body prior to activity, using proper form and good postures during activity, and giving yourself sufficient cool down and relaxation time, you just might keep your body safe from injury.

It isn’t only amateur golfers who experience injuries. It has been approximated that close to a third of pro golfers playing at any given time are playing with injury. The good news is that general good health and fitness can reduce how many injuries you may experience and may actually preclude them completely.

Good body strength in the muscle regions most employed while playing golf is vital. However, it’s prudent to determine that your spine is in proper alignment and that it has good mobility before you set out to build muscle strength. A proficient golf swing relies on your spine’s capacity to efficiently rotate adequately. Back injuries are the most common sort of injuries sustained by golfers. Your Sacramento chiropractor will establish that your spine is in appropriate alignment and that there is good movement of the vertebrae. Chiropractic treatment can make a big difference in helping you to prevent back injury.

It’s time to strengthen once you’re “straightened.” A safe, injury-free day on the green is dependent upon your being prepared for your golf game. Golf stretching and flexibility exercises will warm up your muscles and make straining them less likely. Flexibility in all parts of the body can be escalated relatively fast as the result of full body range of motion (ROM) exercises. In addition, elastic band conditioning can provide functional golf range of motion advantages and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Because elastic band training supplies the dynamic resistance that general weight lifting does not, sports professionals, like your chiropractor, are making them a part of their golf conditioning programs.

Quite a few golfers have painful “Golfer’s Elbow” along with back injuries. Despite the fact that golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are nearly the same injuries, there is a minor difference between them. Whereas the outside of the upper arm is disturbed in tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow impinges the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be a reaction to a single extreme action, such as (in golf) thrusting down on the mat at the driving range or striking a hard fairway surface. Although, it most often is produced by repetitive stress from smaller shocks. In addition, it can come upon those who suddenly begin to play too much golf. As a case in point, if players that ordinarily play golf once or twice a month choose to enter into a tournament, they are potentially at risk for incurring the injury.

Golf makes exclusive requests of the body. Fatigue can be a problem because the game usually lasts longer than the majority of other sports. Whenever the body is fatigued, poor posture and decreased coordination often follow. Together, these two components can cause a number of injuries. In addition, as a result of the continuous swinging of the golf clubs, the shoulder muscles are prone to injury. Just as great care should be taken to make certain that your muscles are stretched and warmed up prior to starting your golf game, be sure to rest your body suitable between games.

An unexpected injury occasionally associated with golf is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. But, this injury can be the result of a large number of games of golf played over a number of months repetitively since it is a problem that occurs due to repetitive stress Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a serious injury creating incapacitation and sometimes necessitating surgery. However, chiropractic treatment and, frequently the use of a brace will relieve the problem if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, detects it at an early stage.

Injuries are assumed to be inevitable part of life for a good majority golfers. But, a healthy, mobile spine, good preparation, specific exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and maintaining a a suitable fitness level, and prudent rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to make injuries far less a part of your golfing experience.

Dr. Yong Kim is a Sacramento chiropractor with over thirteen years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1707 Professional Drive, Sacramento, CA 95825. He has special training in the area of sports injuries. Dr Kim is himself an avid health enthusiast. For more information go to his website at http://www.sacramentochiropractor.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yong_J_Kim

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San Jose Chiropractor: Chiropractic Care Can Take the Pain Out of Growing Older

Posted by admin on Dec 22, 2009

Let’s face it, there’s just no getting around the fact that as we age our body doesn’t feel or respond the same way as it did when we were younger. It just doesn’t seem fair that our body seems to become less “cooperative,” while our mind appears to improve and become more “inventive.” We’re stiff when we get out of bed; certain activities during the day make us sore at night; and, if we’re not truly careful, even a movement as simple as turning too quickly or reaching down to pick up a dropped object, can send our back or some other muscle group into spasm. Fortunately, there is help available that is not only beneficial in slowing down the aging process of the body, but can aid us in avoiding some of those problems completely.

Take arthritis for instance. Most of us would agree that, barring pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine doesn’t attend to this age-related affliction. Why? It is because most medical professionals treat the symptoms of arthritis. Chiropractic management, on the other hand, not only relieves the pain of arthritis, naturally, without drugs, but it addresses the origin of the affliction and eliminates it.  For over one hundred years, chiropractors, like your San Jose Chiropractor, have been helping individuals suffering from back pain and other problems produced by arthritic changes in the musculoskeletal system.

Arthritic changes happen as your body ages because, over time, degeneration of various joints takes place as the result of repetitive stresses, as well as years of incorrect gait, improper posture, and insufficient movement. Chiropractic treatment reestablishes motion in your joints and decreases pain, and it readjusts any vertebral misalignment that may be causing irritation and restriction. In addition, did you know that misaligned vertebra, along with causing arthritic changes in the spine and escalating pain, can also reduce your resistance and immunity? It’s an authoritative fact, and this may be one of the reasons why it may seem that as you age you develop more health issues and that it often takes longer for you to feel better again. Studies have shown that older individuals who are under chiropractic care stay healthier. In fact, you could say that, as you get older, chiropractic adjustments are good for what ails you!

When it comes to the health of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are experts whether it’s the small, growing frame of an infant or the full-grown body of a mature adult.  Your chiropractor is well aware of the body’s aging process and has exceptional observational and diagnostic skills that assist in finding spinal misalignments and joint problems. In fact, a chiropractic examination can often reveal some age-related conditions before they’ve begun to create noticeable pain. In addition, your San Jose Chiropractor can assess your posture and observe your gait to ascertain if there are any faulty patterns that might cause more arthritic changes in the future.

So, if you have been feeling your age lately, but you’d like to feel a whole lot better, see your San Jose Chiropractor today!

Dr. David Hoewisch is a chiropractor in San Jose with over 25 years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1221 Lafayette St., Santa Clara, CA, 95050. Dr. Hoewisch has traveled around the world and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and learned sign language at an early age. He treats many deaf patients in his clinic. For more information go to his website at http://www.mysanjosechiropractor.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hoewisch

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Seattle Chiropractor: Why Is Foot Pain So Common?

Posted by admin on Nov 1, 2009

It’s not surprising that Chiropractic Seattle Style has treated hundreds of people suffering from foot pain, and knows all too well how commonplace painful foot problems are these days. Here’s why: We’ve all heard that movement is good for every part of body, right? In fact, our overall good health is determined by our getting regular physical exercise. If that’s true, why do so many individuals suffer from aches and pains in their feet? After all, aren’t our feet made for walking? Yes, but they aren’t designed for abuse.

The ordinary, healthy human takes 3,000-5,000 steps each day, not counting activities such as running and aerobic exercise. However, many times those steps are made by individuals walking improperly, with poorly aligned gait patterns and inappropriate posture.

Moreover, a significant number of individuals wear badly-designed, poorly-fitting shoes. Walking and exercising on feet that are kept from performing correctly cannot help but to create aches and pains not only in a variety of places in the feet, but in other parts of the body, as well.  For example, if an individual over-pronates (walks like a duck) in a pair of poorly-made or unevenly-worn shoes, or in any pair of high heels, that individual will not only develop foot and ankle problems, but will feasibly experience aches and pains in the back, knees and legs.

One of the most recognized foot problems is Plantar Fascitis (heel pain), which is most frequently caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is an extraordinary, multi-tasking band of connective tissue that encircles the muscles on the bottom of the foot, connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot, sustains the arch, protects the foot, and absorbs shock. As you can see, the healthy function of the plantar fascia is vital for pain-free walking and exercise.

There are many elements that can be considered reasons for the development of Plantar Fascitis. Short and tight calf muscles are one factor. Undue stress on the smaller and weaker plantar muscles and fascia occurs when calf muscles get short and tight, exerting a strong pull on the back of the heel bone. How do calf muscles get short and tight? Besides aerobics, volleyball, running, basketball, tennis, and similar activities that involve running and jumping, the wearing of high heels can cause the condition.

Other factors that contribute to Plantar Fascitis include sudden strenuous activity after a period of prolonged inactivity, aberrant gait patterns (such as over-pronation), improper footwear, walking on hard or uneven surfaces (especially barefooted), and obesity.

Once an individual develops Plantar Fascitis, the condition is often not easy to manage and can become exceedingly painful and constant. Without proper treatment, Plantar Fascitis will only get worse.

If you are suffering from heel pain, your chiropractor will be able to determine the cause of your problem and what chiropractic therapies would be best suited. Such care might include ultrasound therapy, laser, joint manipulation, Graston technique, muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, kinesio taping and, in some cases, orthotics.

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In Addition to Massage, A Balanced Lifestyle Is The Key to Good Health and Longevity

Posted by admin on Sep 28, 2009

Dr. Jamie Phillips

Last week I read an article on sciencedaily.com regarding a study performed on aged mice raised to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and the boost that caffeine gave to improving memory loss. The article started with the suggestion that “Coffee drinkers may have another reason to pour that extra cup.”  It went on to discuss coterminous studies published online July 6 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease that showed that caffeine significantly decreased abnormal levels of the protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, both in the brains and in the blood of mice exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

However, before you make a decision to add an extra cuppa to your daily intake, let me, Dr. Jamie Phillips elaborate by saying that under “Related Stories” on the website were a couple of articles about studies that professed to prove the not-so-healthy effects of caffeine, “Morning Jolt of Caffeine May Mask Serious Sleep Problems,” and “Coffee Consumption Linked To Increased Risk Of Heart Attack For Persons With Certain Gene Variation.”

Almost every viewpoint, it seems to me, especially when it comes to health and longevity, can be confirmed, or at least bolstered, by other related studies. The “yin-yang” of caffeine benefits-deficits naturally aren’t, of course, the only ones. Nonetheless, it did get me to considering about the reasonableness that there will never be any “one thing” that will irrefutably assist we, humans, in living longer, healthier lives. Humans are dynamic, biological beings. We aren’t raised in unnatural confinement We are free to engage in life. And, furthermore, though Alzheimer’s disease apparently is on the rise, obviously we, cage-free humans, have not been “artificially induced to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” so caffeine isn’t absolutely the “one thing” that is going to prevent or reverse it.

Our body is an exquisite, complex system that is based on homeostasis, that is to say, balance. It makes sense, then, that good health is about a healthy, balanced approach to living, as opposed to our jumping on the bandwagon of the latest health study and “doing” or “overdoing” one particular thing fooling ourselves into believing that it will reverse all of the other excessive and unwholesome things we have done to our bodies.

I believe, as a chiropractor in Santa Barbara, that every moment of the day we have an opportunity to make decisions that will assist us to live longer, healthier lives, healthy choices for our body and mind. We know what actually “feels” beneficial and what doesn’t when it comes to what is good for our body. So, I just wanted to pass along some thoughts for you to keep in mind the next time you consider having that extra cup of coffee or second glass of red wine. Neither one of those things is the “one thing” that will do “everything” for your age-related health issues.

Dr. Jamie Phillips
601 E. Arrellaga St. #201
Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
http://www.santabarbarachiropractic.org

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Massage Chairs For Home Relief

Posted by admin on Jan 23, 2009

Chiropractic Oxnard Style presents:

Have you ever sat on your couch or favorite recliner after a long, difficult day’s work, and wished you could be doing something about your aching neck, back, legs? Massage chairs were designed specifically for this reason. In fact, you can purchase a massage chair for your living room, and say goodbye to daily stress by reclining back and letting the chair’s specially constructed massage heads melt away your tensions.

Massage chairs are said to have many benefits, which are similar to the benefits realized by visiting a masseuse. Chairs that offer a variety of types of massage techniques, from kneading to tapping to rolling and vibrating, and even including some specialized techniques for muscle and tissue relaxation, like Swedish, Shiatsu, and Hawaiian, can be purchased for use in the comfort of your home. Massage chairs that are for basic relief, chairs with more advanced massaging capabilities, and chairs that are state-of-the-art that offer masseuse-like touch from your head to your feet-there are so many to choose from.

When it comes to picking your massage chair, you may want to get some advice from your chiropractor. The following are some things to think about. Think first about why you need this piece of well-crafted furniture. Do you want to have a wide range of massaging options? Look, then, for a chair that has multiple settings. Some chairs will offer just one or two modes, while the top of the line massage chairs will have eight or more from which to choose. Do you want to create a simple spot where your back and neck can be gently relieved of kinks and tension? Or are you looking for a chair that offers leg and foot support, as well? It is important to know what you need, because the options are mind blowing.

Some of these massage chairs will give you the opportunity to have your legs gently massaged, letting the calves release their tension and cramps. This is a particularly good choice for the elderly, who often times have poor circulation in the legs. A massage chair with leg features can, in fact, temporarily improve the circulation, ridding you of the pain associated with decreased blood flow to areas of your body. What about swelling? Massage chairs are particularly good at momentarily releasing built-up fluids, especially in the legs. When fluids accumulate in an area of the body, the stimulation provided by a massage chair helps aid in the body’s absorption of these pent up fluids, which reduces the swelling.

Beyond those selling points, there is also the choice of purchasing a massage chair that stimulates specific points on the body; these are the same points that are targeted in acupuncture. By tailoring your massage to your acu-points, you’ll have increased blood flow to stimulate energy. That’s right-a massage chair can relax your body, while at the same time reinvigorate you after a long day. Or perhaps your thighs and hips are stiff and uncooperative? A massage chair equipped with a stretching feature will use air to manipulate the legs in gentle stretches, raising and lowering your legs in varying intervals.

All in all, massage chairs, which incidentally range in price from several hundred dollars into the several thousands, are available for in home use. After a long, tiresome day, a massage chair in your living room can be the perfect way to unwind.

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