Tag Archive for "chiropractic" - Barger Chiropractic Of Folsom

Posts Tagged ‘chiropractic’

Look Who Else Uses Chiropractic Care: Beach Volleyball Players

Posted on: October 19th, 2014

Folsom Chiropractic-Beach Volleyball

For a sport with a relatively short history (it began in Southern California in the 1930s), beach volleyball has become immensely popular in the U.S. and around the world. So much so that the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was founded in 1983 to promote the sport and its athletes, and it became an official sport of the Olympic Games in 1996.

The AVP has always recognized that playing on an uneven surface puts a great deal of strain on the bodies of even well-conditioned athletes. So in order to help reduce the risk of injury and prolong players’ careers, the AVP hired a chiropractor named Tim Brown as its first Director of Sports Medicine. Another chiropractic physician named G. Douglas Andersen took over this role a couple of years later. It has become standard practice for a team chiropractor, along with all the necessary adjusting equipment, to accompany the team across the country to each competition on the AVP tour.

Chiropractor Allen M. Manison regularly works with beach volleyball players. He says, “When one considers volleyball injuries, usually the shoulder is the region that gets blamed most. This makes sense as we usually envision volleyball players ‘spiking’ the ball. The rotator cuff and other structures of the shoulder take a beating from the high force and movement that is required of the shoulder.” However, other parts of the body are prone to injury as well. Manison says “I have seen more neck, knee, hip, low back, toe, foot, ankle, and elbow injuries than I would’ve ever imagined! Shoulder injuries are actually about half of the way down on the list of injuries.”

Dr. Manison continued, “The beach volleyball game involves tremendous stresses on the body. First, it’s two people per each side of the net, so each athlete has to cover large areas in very short periods of time. Second, the athletes are throwing their bodies around in sand, which certainly does not help with movement. Third, although the sand gives way, the athletes are barefoot and are not getting lots of support for the aggressive maneuvers they are making while they play. Fourth, there is sometimes very little rest as winning teams need to keep playing, and without enough rest and recovery, the risk for injury is increased.”

April Ross, a US Olympic Team beach volleyball player, appreciated the benefits of growing up with chiropractic in her home. She said, “I’ve worked with a lot of chiropractors in my career as a professional beach volleyball player and I grew up having one as my dad, so I think my standards are pretty high! … It’s always pleasant going in for an adjustment. I get a lot of whiplash diving around in the sand and as long as I get in regularly to see [her chiropractor] Dr. Callotta I’m able to deal with it so that I can continue to compete. I don’t know what I would do without her. Now that I am heading to the Olympics I’m counting on her to keep me healthy and ready to win the gold!” (Editor’s note: She did win a silver medal!)

Lisa Rutledge, a professional beach volleyball player had this to say about her chiropractor: “I see Dr. J for chiropractic work about 2 to 3 times a week, and honestly, if I could go more, I would. I play beach volleyball and it takes a serious toll on your body. I’m traveling all over the world – I’m going to Moscow, to Rome, to Korea – and 20-hour flights are not fun. So when I get back my body is just out of alignment, it feels weird, it just doesn’t feel right. So as soon as I get off the plane I book my appointment with Dr. J and I get my adjustment and I feel 100 times better. It really does wonders for your body.”

For additional information on how chiropractic can improve your athletic performance, call Barger Chiropractic of Folsom at 916-984-9999. Dr. Barger is a certified chiropractic sports practitioner and receives referrals from dozens of area medical doctors and satisfied patients. Serving Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Fair Oaks, Granite Bay, Orangevale, Rancho Cordova residents for over 20 years. Located at 231 Blue Ravine Rd, Suite 200, Folsom, CA 95630.

Genetics and Back Pain: Is There a Family Connection?

Posted on: October 12th, 2014

Back pain affects a majority of people at some point in their lives. Why is that? There’s little doubt among researchers and clinicians that much of the back pain we experience is related to our modern lifestyle. However, recent research suggests that low back pain may also have a genetic component.

While it’s too early to know for sure, this discovery might one day have implications for how healthcare providers identify at-risk individuals and help them through both prevention and treatment.
Researchers from King’s College in London performed a study that was published in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases that showed a specific gene was associated with a condition referred to as lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). LDD is one of the most common causes of low back pain, and it is usually related to the aging process, particularly among women. More than a third of all women aged 30 to 50 have at least one degenerated disc in their spine. It is estimated that as many as 80% of LDD cases are inherited.

Disc degeneration involves a reduction in the height of the vertebral discs through the loss of disc fluid, which makes then thinner, bringing the vertebrae closer together. Adding to this is the formation of small cracks or tears in the covering of the disc, which allows the jellylike cushioning substance to leak out, further compressing the vertebrae. Occasionally the vertebrae will then form bony spurs (osteophytes) that can put pressure on nerves and cause pain.

In the study, researchers analyzed the MRI spinal scans of 4,600 people who had had their genes mapped. When the researchers compared the scans with the genetic mapping, they found a strong association between a variant of the PARK2 gene and disc degeneration. It appears that the gene has been switched off in those who suffer from LDD. Scientists believe that the gene may become switched off due to environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle, which trigger changes to the genes.

A Senior Lecturer from the King’s College Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, Dr. Frances Williams, said “We have performed, using data collected from around the world, the biggest genome-wide association analysis of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). We know that people whose discs wear out are at increased risk of episodes of lower back pain, but normal human discs are hard to get hold of to study so until now our knowledge of normal human biology was incomplete.”

Although Williams feels that this study provides a good basis for research into the cause of LDD, more research is necessary. She says, “Further work by disc researchers to define the role of this gene will, we hope, shed light on one of most important causes of lower back pain. It is feasible that if we can build on this finding and improve our knowledge of the condition, we may one day be able to develop new, more effective treatments for back pain caused by this common condition.”

In the mean time, check out the flexion-distraction section on docbarger.com. This is an excellent therapy for lumbar disc degeneration patients. Many patients with LDD have gotten excellent low-back pain relief through this safe, effective chiropractic treatment. Call now at 916-984-9999 and/or stop by at 231 Blue Ravine Rd #200, Folsom, CA 95630.

Improving Your Energy Levels

Posted on: October 5th, 2014

Sometimes it seems that even the simplest everyday tasks are hard to accomplish, even after we get a decent night’s sleep. Our busy lives leave little time to stop and recharge our batteries, so sometimes it can feel as though we’re operating on a chronic energy deficit. However, there are ways of gaining that energy back. It all starts with recognizing the little places where it is likely to leak away. Here we provide some tips on how to improve energy levels.

Do not skip meals – Studies published in the journal Nutritional Health found that those who skipped any meal during the day had greater feelings of fatigue overall than those who ate regular meals. Breakfast is particularly important, as it jump-starts your system to prepare you for the day. Just avoid eating sugary breakfast foods, as it will only lead to an energy crash mid-morning. Eggs, oatmeal and smoothies are all good choices to provide you with energy that will last throughout the morning.

Drink more water – A lack of sufficient water can leave you feeling sluggish, even if you are only slightly dehydrated. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who were only 1% dehydrated reported feeling fatigued and depressed, in comparison with the participants who were optimally hydrated. You don’t need to drink 8 glasses a day, but if you find yourself feeling tired, drink a glass of water and it may boost your energy.

Get more magnesium – This mineral is responsible for over 300 of the body’s biochemical functions, including creating energy from the breakdown of glucose. According to the USDA, almost 60% of the American population is deficient in magnesium. When levels are even just a little low, your energy can drop. Increase your intake of magnesium-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, whole grains and dark chocolate.

Get some exercise – Contrary to what you may think, exercise actually increases energy levels. Walking is particularly good for giving you more get-up-and-go. The results of a California State experiment found that subjects taking a brisk, 10-minute walk reported increased energy levels for the following two hours.

Reduce stress – Of course this is easier said than done, but there are stress reduction techniques you can learn to lower levels of energy-zapping stress in your life. Yoga, deep breathing and meditation are good ways to handle stress. Slow, deep breathing through the abdomen has been practiced by eastern cultures for centuries as a way of increasing energy. Even things as simple as listening to music or reading a book can help you to relax.

Chiropractic is a great way to reduce several forms of physical stress. For additional information, feels free to call Barger Chiropractic of Folsom (916) 984-9999 or stop by at 231 Blue Ravine Rd, #200, Folsom, CA 95630.

Autoimmune Arthritis Causes and Treatment Options

Posted on: September 21st, 2014

Autoimmune arthritis refers to any of a group of joint diseases that involve autoimmunity. Essentially, it is a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own joints and soft tissue. It is different than the degenerative forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, which is primarily due to aging and physical wear and tear on the joints.

According to the International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement (IAAM), among the specific diseases classified as autoimmune arthritis are:
* Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
* Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
* Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome (SS)
* Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE)
* Still’s Disease
* Juvenile Arthritis (JA)
* Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)
* Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease/Undifferentiated

Spondyloarthropathy (UCTD/USpA)
Autoimmune arthritis tends to be genetically caused. If one member of a family has one of the diseases listed above, it is very common for another family member to have the same condition or one of the other listed conditions.

The most common symptoms suffered by those with autoimmune arthritis include joint pain, joint inflammation, inflammation of the connective tissues or soft tissues, flu-like symptoms, brain fog, fatigue and low grade fever.

Research has shown that diagnosing the disease within 6 months of the initial onset of symptoms offers the greatest hope for remission. Unfortunately, the average time to diagnosis is 1 to 3 years, as symptoms can be attributed to other conditions and they do not tend to be severe at the beginning of the disease.

Some of the early onset symptoms include the following:
* Costochondritis (an inflammation of the connective tissue between the ribs)
* Joint pain on one or both sides
* Unexplained injury in which the person feels they have injured themselves or gotten a sprain, but with no injury having occurred
* Feeling stiff after periods of inactivity
* Pain that comes and goes from one day to another, moving to different parts of the body with no apparent cause
* Skin problems, such as flaking and rashes
* Unusual fatigue that can sometimes be mistaken for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Locking of the joints, causing frequent clumsiness
* Loss of appetite and/or nausea

Although degenerative arthritis can often be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs or joint replacement surgery, the only conventional treatment for autoimmune arthritis is a class of drugs that works by suppressing the immune system, called “disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs” (DMARDS). However, while these may help to control the symptoms, the suppression of the immune system leads to other problems such as liver disease and an increased susceptibility to infections. There is currently no cure for autoimmune arthritis, though symptoms can be controlled to varying degrees with medication, diet, natural remedies and holistic therapies such as chiropractic and massage therapy.

For further information on how we can help you, call Barger Chiropractic of Folsom at 916-984-9999 and/or stop by at 231 Blue Ravine Rd, #200, Folsom, Ca 95630.

Can Yoga Really Relieve Lower Back Pain?

Posted on: July 29th, 2014

As the leading cause of disability in Americans under 45 years of age, lower back pain is the second most common reason why people visit their doctor. An estimated 60% to 80% of the adult population suffers from low back pain at some point in life, and traditional medical treatments are usually not effective in the long-term.

However, there are alternative ways of dealing with lower back pain that have been proven to be more successful and that do not involve drugs or invasive surgery. These include chiropractic care, massage therapy and—interestingly enough—yoga.

A study performed by researchers from Manchester and York Universities and published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that those who participated in weekly yoga sessions showed significant improvement when performing everyday physical tasks such as walking, bending and getting dressed.

Lead author of the study, Professor David Torgelson, who is the director of the York Trial Unit at the University of York, said, “In the past when you had back pain, you were told to lie down until it passed.These days the main advice is to keep your back active. It seems yoga has more beneficial effects than usual care including other forms of exercise, although we have not carried out a direct comparison.”

A total of 156 patients with chronic lower back pain took one 75-minute yoga class once a week for 12 weeks in addition to seeing their regular physician, while 157 patients saw their physician only. Even nine months later, those who had taken the yoga classes were better able to perform everyday tasks than the group who had only had conventional medical treatment.

Another study of 228 people that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (a different journal than the one above) also found that regular yoga sessions improved function and reduced pain better than conventional medical care.

In both studies, the patients who were approved to participate all had non-specific back pain, which means that their pain was not diagnosed as being caused by a specific underlying condition such as a slipped disc, spinal stenosis, sciatica, etc.

There are a few reasons why yoga may be beneficial for lower back pain. First of all, yoga is a practice that both strengthens and stretches the muscles. A qualified yoga teacher will know which are the most beneficial poses for you to practice based on your body’s condition and ability. For instance, tight hamstrings can tilt your pelvis to an angle that does not provide sufficient support to your back.

Gentle yoga stretches in this area can help to realign the pelvis, taking pressure off your lower back. At the same time, certain yoga poses strengthen the core muscles of the trunk, which are the most important in giving proper support and flexibility to the upper body as it moves, again taking pressure off the back.

Before beginning any yoga class to treat your lower back pain, be sure to consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying problems that may be causing your pain. You should also let your yoga instructor know about your back pain so that he or she can choose the appropriate poses for you and adapt any poses so that they do not exacerbate the problem. As these studies have shown, engaging in yoga practice on a regular basis can help to relieve back pain and get you moving again.

Dr. Jim Barger has over 25 years experience treating thousands of Folsom area residents with safe, effective chiropractic care. Call now at 916-984-9999 or stop by to visit our office at 231 Blue Ravine Road, Suite 200, Folsom, CA today!

Barger Chiropractic of Folsom