Migraines

A migraine is a severe, painful headache that is often preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound. The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. Migraine headaches result from a combination of blood vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around these blood vessels.

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When migraine strikes, because of severe pain, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, sufferers are effectively disabled for up to 72 hours. Since they are forced to stop what they are doing until the pain and other symptoms subside, migraine causes a significant loss in productivity at work and the personal lives of those affected.

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Its time to discuss that unwanted and common visitor, arthritis. The word is derived from arthros or joint and itis or inflammation. Arthritis is inflammation of joints and the most prevalent form of joint disease. It involves a steady loss of joint cartilage and reactive changes of joint (erosion and degeneration.) It is estimated that 33% to 90% of people over the age of 65 years are affected in the U.S., or approximately 60 million patients at any one time; and is the leading cause of disability in those over the age of 65.

Signs and symptoms include slowly developing joint pain and stiffness, especially in the morning and after sitting long periods. Medical treatment includes a regimen of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc., culminating in the widely distributed Vioxx and Celebrex. These drugs have a pain killing effect but, can cause severe stomach irritation leading to ulcers as well as kidney and liver function impairment.

I attended a research symposium in Chicago covered all the major studies conducted concerning my profession; some interesting data came through that I would like to share with you.

One study, conducted at the Institute of Pathology and the Dept. of Radiology at Case Western Reserve University, induced mice with arthritis in specific joints with collagen injections. After four weeks the mice developed crippling arthritis, similar to rheumatoid arthritis. The mice were assigned to one of four groups and were treated with different methods for each group for two weeks. One group received no treatment (the control group, or the group on which the others were gauged against), another group received saline, another received a popular anti-inflammatory, and the last group received a nutritional product called proteolytic enzymes (inflammation eating proteins that cause NO SIDE EFFECTS). The results were dramatic. While the enzymes and anti-inflammatory drugs equally reduced swelling and pain, the enzyme actually spared the destruction of the cartilage within the joint!

The conclusion from the researchers in the article from the Journal of Rheumatology, 2001, Sept; 29(9):2049-59, protease (the enzymes) appear to offer potential as a disease modifying therapy, and are clearly better than NSAID in this respect joints from mice treated with enzymes showed much better preservation of cartilage.

This is exciting news for arthritis sufferers who eventually can become quite disabled from joint destruction and other complications. Several companies I operate with have carried these products for years. Why didnt you know about it? Good question.

The FDA cannot patent a natural substance for distribution as a pharmaceutical; no money, no endorsement, no distribution through your family M.D. Ask him/her, they will tell you the same thing.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge -Hosea 4:6

Along with the excitement and joy of pregnancy comes some unwelcome difficulties as well.

Low Back Pain and Sciatica topping the list next to morning sickness and carpal tunnel.

My approach is quite unique than most chiropractors. (There are over 250 different approaches to treating the spine.) Particular emphasis is placed upon relaxing the muscles of the spine and pelvis and can use an instrument to gently reposition the bones of the spine removing the pressure of pinched nerves.

I like spending time relaxing the muscles of the spine and pelvis and can use an instrument to gently maneuver the bones of the spine removing the pressure of fixated joints. This tool is highly effective and doesnt require that I use my hands to manually move you (i.e. no twisting or popping).

This method has been proven a safe and effective treatment for many common problems.

There are over 500 studies on chiropractic in the treatment of low back pain alone.

Along with the excitement and joy of pregnancy comes some unwelcome difficulties as well.

Backache is probably the most common and second most annoying problem (but, I think vomiting every day would be worse).

I get loads of mommies through my clinic. My approach is quite different than most chiropractors. (There are over 250 different approaches to adjusting the spine.)

I like spending time relaxing the muscles of the spine and pelvis and can use an instrument to gently maneuver the bones of the spine removing the pressure of fixated joints. This tool is highly effective and doesnt require that I use my hands to manually move you (i.e. no twisting or popping).

Chiropractic has been proven a safe and treatment for many common conditions.

I realize clothes dont make the man, but I never could take a naked guy seriously. -Mark Twain.

Awhile back, a client who suffered migraines wrote to me. She explained that in addition to the painful headaches, she had also gained a great deal of weight over the past couple of years.

Putting on that much weight in that amount of time is rather considerable and worth exploring any connections. I also felt it important to understand if she had been suffering from any other health concerns or using medications.

She explained that during that two year timeframe, she had been prescribed several different medications. She also continued to gain weight.

Given that gaining weight is a rather popular (or actually unpopular) side effect of most migraine medicines, this was not too surprising. In addition to many other side effects, weight gain tends to accompany a numer of drugs for various conditions such as depression and hypertension.

Headaches are also included as a possible side effect. Even migrane drugs can bring about rebound headaches.

Those who suffer from migraines also often avoid activities that would help to maintain a healthy weight. Sensitivity to light and noise can lead to staying indoors resting rather than going out and walking.

This dilemma also calls into question which problem created the other. Certain medications may contribute to weight gain. However, obesity is also known to contribute to migraines and headaches.

Although I am an advocate of all natural solutions, I do need to reiterate that immediately discontinuing medications can have very serious health consequences. Therefore, I advise against stopping a medication without consulting your health professional.

I do recommend my Migraine and Headache Relief Program as well as my Weight Loss Breeze Program. They, like all of my programs are all natural. Results can be felt right away and can even provide a great alternative to medications.

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Yet another straightforward article featuring the usual brilliance and wit you’ve come to expect. That’s right, your friendly neighborhood chiropractor strikes again .

Lets talk carpal tunnel, one of my favorite things to iron out. So, what is it? It is a condition involving the compression / entrapment of the median nerve of the wrist and hand. Classical thinking believes that he place in which this nerve gets squashed is at the wrist. This thinking is outdated says Hunter, 1991, Journal of Hand Clinics . He staged 700 tendon surgeries, in which he placed 4 stainless rods in the carpal tunnel (at the wrist) and he did NOT produce any signs or symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. These symptoms would include: tingling sensations in three and a half fingers, burning pain or numbness at night, and later a wasting away of some of the hand muscles. Interesting, yet the surgical protocol is to cut the wrist and relive pressure there.

In 1992 another idea flashed on the scene with a great article written by Leahy and Mock, Vol. 6, #4, JCSM which looked at 90 cases of “CTS” and postulated that the cause was actually fibrous fixation (scarring) of the nerve, and these cases were ALL successfully treated in 3-10 visits! What doctor, no matter what kind, can guarantee that? This sparked my curiosity, so I looked further and found the right people and learned about this treatment.

So if you are waking up rubbing and shaking your hands to relieve this, you need to see me! Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common cause of peripheral nerve entrapment. Even if you’ve had surgery already. We can still treat it.

“Most people think a balance meal is a hamburger in each hand.” -Pastor John Hagee

A friend I don’t get to see often was relaying her struggle with a sinus infection. Not unusual, until I realized this is the same infection she had complained to me about a few months ago.

The continuing symptoms were fever, sweating, post-nasal drip, nasal congestion and headache. Her physician put her on an antibiotic which alleviated the side effects except for headache and nasal congestion.

I encouraged her to visit with her doctor again to rule out a constant infection. What she found is that she was actually suffering from sinus congestion, rather than a sinus infection.

The sinuses are the cavities in the forehead, behind the nose and cheekbones. Normally, these cavities create a thin mucus which exits through the nose.

When sinuses are inflamed from an infection or allergies, the mucus is blocked from draining.

This buildup creates pain, in the cheekbones and around the forehead.

Other problems that can occur are nasal discharge, problems hearing and swelling in the face. Certain movements can intensify the headache.

My friend’s headache would start on one side, then spread to the other side of the brain. She also started feeling nauseated and experienced an aura sensation. She resorted to lying down for hours at a time until the feeling would pass.

Sound familiar? It certainly did to me. This sounded like migraine and her doctor agreed. He confirmed that constant sinus congestion can end up as migraines.

She agreed to take the medications prescribed but suffered side effects including dizziness. Her doctor recommended oxygen therapy when the headaches would occur.

Other factors to mention in my friend’s situation are certain personal habits. She likes to keep a cool house in the winter to prevent energy waste and of course save on utility bills. When she slept, she would pull the covers over her head. This meant that she was then breathing in carbon dioxide she had just exhaled.

She would also find that headaches would come on rather suddenly after performing cardiovascular activity.

When working, she would kind of bend forward in the chair which would put her head out of alignment with her neck.

All of these factors were resulting in reducing her oxygen intake.

The two constants I’ve found in my years of research are that lack of oxygen and incorrect body position lead to headaches.

Adjusting her sleeping habits and body position while sitting at her desk were not enough to fix the problem. I then asked her to try my Migraine and Headache Relief program.

By introducing the all natural breathing and body position exercises, she finally rid herself of the pain she had been experiencing for so long. In short, we need oxygen. Just breathing in and out isnt always sufficient for everyone.

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Many patients who suffer from migraines avoid taking aerobic exercise because they are afraid that the physical activity may bring on a serious migraine attack. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have now developed an exercise programme that can improve fitness among migraine sufferers without aggravating this painful condition.

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When considering going to a chiropractor about your neck pain, it is first important to keep a few things in mind. The chiropractic practice began with the intent of only working with spine and back related problems, and while many instances of neck pain may be related to back misalignment, many others are not.

While low in its risk, a chiropractic neck manipulation may carry some additional risks if done improperly. A chiropractor should perform a thorough physical examination that can range from pinching or severing of the major blood vessels in the area or even stroke.

Chiropractors clearly understand the risks involved in performing any spinal manipulation, especially to the neck, and only perform this procedure when it is the right treatment for the patient. The doctor of chiropractic will learn the patient’s case history and perform a physical, orthopedic, and neurological examination before performing any treatment. When spinal manipulation goes wrong, it’s often the result of an untrained, non-chiropractor attempting to perform the treatment.

Neck pain, headaches, and tingling or numbness in the upper extremities can be directly linked back to cervical vertebrae misalignment. The benefits of receiving a specific spinal adjustment to the neck can mean an end to a lifetime of a chronic condition. Many chiropractic patients only sought out treatment after all other more “traditional” treatments have been tried and failed.

Chiropractic care can be just the thing to help neck pain. Many times this neck pain may be caused by muscle tension or postural issues which can be fixed in one or two visits with a highly skilled practitioner, even if the problem has been chronic. Because chiropractic can reset or change the way a person carries their body, this can also fix how the person deals with tension or how they carry around their pressure and how it translates itself into the neck or back.

When deciding whether chiropractic is the right answer for your neck pain, the best thing to do is to check in with your general practitioner first if you have any specific concerns about your past history. He or she can help figure out if chiropractic is appropriate to your specific situation or if it would be unsafe. If you do decide to go with the chiropractic option, look for someone who specializes in skeletal, muscular and spinal problems.

The doctor of chiropractic may do an x-ray examination of your neck (and maybe your entire spine) and then may suggest a regiment of chiropractic care that may include massage, heat, cold therapy, electric stimulation, or ultrasound in addition to chiropractic adjustments. These additional therapies are complementary to problems dealing with muscles and the spine.