|
|
Health & Wellness Strategies: April 2009
|
Happy Earth Month!
On April 22, 1970, 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. It was a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually around the globe. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and people like you, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment.
|
 |
|
Sciatica:
Exploring Cutting Edge Treatments and Addressing Misconceptions
 A shocking 80 % of all Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their life. Its epidemic status continues to grow and sufferers seek the most cutting edge approaches to not only ensuring relief but also restoring function. Quite often individuals may also develop associated thigh or lower leg pain termed sciatica. The clinical term sciatica requires clarification. Sciatica simply means "pain in the leg". It does not mean that the sciatic nerve has been "pinched". In fact, the sciatic nerve is not involved in most cases of thigh or gluteal pain because it does not supply sensation from this area.
What Is The Cause Of Sciatica?
Sciatica can be caused by irritation or trauma to nerve roots within the spinal canal or to peripheral nerves outside of the canal anywhere from the pelvis to the lower leg. Space occupying lesions within the spinal canal such as a bone spur, disc herniation, congenitally narrow canal, infection, metastasis, or mass can be the causative agent. Outside of the canal we find the instigators to be a femur head fracture, incorrectly placed intra-muscular injection, fixation of the sacroiliac joint, and primary bone cancer of the pelvis.
The two most common and least diagnosed causes are facet joint syndrome and piriformis contracture. Facet joints help to guide motion of the spine letting us bend forward and back and side to side. They also relieve some of the weight bearing burden of the rest of the spine. Quite often they are irritated due to an injury, arthritis, or misalignment. This irritation produces referred pain into the gluteal region and back of the thigh.
Piriformis contracture occurs when the piriformis muscle tightens and shortens for a prolonged period of time compressing peripheral nerves that provide sensation from the gluteal region and thigh. The tightening can occur due to repetitive use such as is seen in runners and tennis players, injury, and misalignment of the pelvis. The pain pattern is typically represented as severe buttock pain and mild thigh pain.
How Is It Diagnosed?
A comprehensive neurological and orthopedic examination should be performed checking reflexes, strength, sensation, posture, gait, muscle tone, and evaluating pain production from different positions. X-rays help to narrow down the diagnosis. Further imaging studies such as MRI and CT should only be necessary after a lack of improvement from conservative treatment or a progression of symptoms.
Cutting Edge, Conservative Treatments
The treatment of sciatica is aimed at removing the cause and restoring proper function to the area. Cutting edge maneuvers such as eccentric fast stretching and cross cord inhibition focus on reducing tension in tightened and shortened muscle and joint capsules. Chiropractic manipulations focus on removing the irritation and restoring proper motion in the facet joints. Flexion-distraction therapy helps to reposition some of the herniated material and increase the overall health of the disc. Neurophysiologic rehabilitation of the part of the brain that directly controls the tone of the deep spinal muscles helps to create stability in the spine. Lastly, a proper nutritional assessment should be made to promote an anti-inflammatory diet. |
|
|
Supplement of the Month:
 Kaprex AI: Healthy Immune Balance
- Modulates kinase signaling in cells associated with a healthy immune response
- Replenishes healthy levels of selenium and zinc-minerals shown to modulate key immune pathways
- Provides vitamin D3-a bioactive form of vitamin D-to modulate immune balance
- High level of predicted safety suggested by clinical testing
|
|
Question of the Month:
What is Chiropractic Neurology?
Chiropractic Neurology is a three year post-doctorate specialty that focuses on optimizing the function of the nervous system using conservative, non-pharmaceutical based methods.
Subtle changes in the function of the nervous system will affect things such as muscle tone, joint alignment in the spine and the extremities, flexibility, balance & coordination. This dysfunction may result in chronic pain (fibromyalgia), vertigo, headaches, neck-back pain, sciatica, scoliosis, carpal tunnel, and other symptoms. In some cases, these changes may lead to difficulty with focus and attention, decline in academic performance, and cognitive processing disorders. The chiropractic neurologist marries traditional chiropractic care with cutting-edge, functional neurological rehabilitation protocols to promote a faster transition from pain and neurological dysfunction to wellness.
Many people assume that if they don't have a classical nervous system disorder (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's), then their nervous system is healthy. This is not always a correct assumption. Chiropractic neurology is a safe and effective way to evaluate and treat the functional state of your nervous system and the symptomatic manifestations that result from dysfunction. Neurological homeostasis is essential for the prevention of more serious degenerative disorders and for tapping the ultimate potential of your brain and body.
|
|
Recipe of the Month:
Triple-Berry Crisps with Meringue Streusel
The baked meringue on top of this mouth-watering blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry crisp gives the dessert a sweet crunch. Serve in individual ramekins for an elegant-looking dessert that's both rich and light. . This fresh berry dessert uses a baked meringue that's crumbled and stirred into the streusel. The filling uses crystallized ginger and orange rind for a decidedly tart flavor that contrasts with the sweet topping. Because the meringue needs to sit in the oven at least 12 hours, make it a day before serving. Or make the same-day Almond Streusel variation. You can also make a single crisp in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. For a real treat, serve with ice cream.
Click on the Picture for the Recipe! |
|
Brain Teaser of the Month:
Question:
It's Prttey fnuny how we can raed tihs einrte snetnece wtih all tehse ltters all out of palce, and we can cnotniue to keep raednig and sitll mekas snece of waht we are raeding. No mttar how mnay tmies you raed tihs oevr and oevr you can sitll mkae snece of it.
How is taht pssoible?
Click Here for the Answer! | |
Contact Us:
Dr. John Conde is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist. He holds diplomate status through the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. His office is located at the Atlantic Grove in Delray Beach, Florida. For more information, or to make an appointment, please contact 561-330-6096 or info@thecondecenter.com. |
I hope you've enjoyed the additions to this month's newsletter! If you have any questions, you can reach the clinic at the phone number above or at our website: www.thecondecenter.com.
Sincerely,
John Conde
The Conde Center for Chiropractic Neurology |
|
|
