Diet: Mediterranean Diet Could Lower CVD Risk.

The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods—such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts—while low in red meats and unhealthy fats. A new study suggests the Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Researchers analyzed survey data from 23,902 healthy adults in the United Kingdom and found that participants with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 6-16% less likely to develop CVD than those with low adherence to the diet. The team estimates that if healthy individuals in their country followed a Mediterranean-style diet, about 3.9% of new-onset CVD cases and 12.5% of CVD deaths could be prevented.

BMC Medicine, September 2016 http://ow.ly/i/xAjYG

Health Alert: Secondhand Smoke May Be More Dangerous Than Thought.

Nonsmokers can be exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke without realizing it, placing them at a higher risk for lung cancer and heart disease. In a new study, researchers found that blood tests of individuals with no history of smoking or regular secondhand smoke exposure may still indicate the presence of cotinine—a byproduct of nicotine. Lead researcher Dr. Raja Flores writes, “A crucial finding of this study is that nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke without even realizing it.”

Carcinogenesis, September 2016 http://ow.ly/i/xAjJi

Can Chiropractic help my neck pain?

Like back pain, neck pain affects almost all of us at some point with severity ranging from mild stiffness to complete 10/10 all encompassing pain.

Chiropractic care offers a non-drug, non-surgical method of treatment that MANY neck pain sufferers utilize and benefit from. http://ow.ly/i/xxRQl

Your cubital tunnel is the groove on the inside of your elbow, also called the “funny bone.” The funny part about the funny bone is that it is not actually a bone but rather a nerve, called the ulnar nerve. Your ulnar nerve begins in your neck and passes through the cubital tunnel on its way to your hand.

When you flex your elbow, the ulnar nerve is required to both stretch and slide through your cubital tunnel. If your ulnar nerve is “stuck” in the tunnel and does not glide when you flex your elbow, this leads to traction and irritation of the nerve. This is called “cubital tunnel syndrome.” The nerve may also be irritated from direct compression, like leaning your elbow on the edge of a desk or from arthritic spurs. Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression problem in the arm, behind carpal tunnel syndrome.

Irritation of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel causes pain, numbness or tingling that radiates from your elbow into your fourth and fifth fingers. Your symptoms can vary from a vague increased sensitivity to pain. The symptoms are common at night and are often progressive over time. In severe cases, you may begin to lose grip strength and fine muscle control.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is commonly seen in baseball, tennis and racquetball players. Workers who keep their elbows flexed such as holding a tool or telephone, or those who press the ulnar nerve against a hard surface like a desk, are at an increased risk for this disorder. Cubital tunnel syndrome affects men three to eight times as often as women and is more common in those who have diabetes or are overweight.

You should try to avoid prolonged elbow flexion or direct pressure over your elbow. Our office may prescribe a nighttime elbow splint that limits flexion. http://ow.ly/i/uGTCM

Low back pain during #pregnancy is quite common. In fact, between 50-75% of all #pregnant women will experience low back pain. The pain is usually caused from rapid changes in weight, posture, gait and hormones.

Pregnancy-related low back pain typically starts between the fifth and seventh month of pregnancy, although a significant portion of women experience pain sooner. Symptoms often begin at the base of your spine and may radiate into your buttock or thigh. Discomfort is often aggravated by prolonged standing, sitting, coughing, or sneezing. Your #symptoms may increase throughout the day, and some patients report nighttime pain that disturbs their sleep. The extremes of activity seem to contribute to pregnancy-related low back pain – with increased risk for both “sedentary” and “physically demanding” #lifestyles. Patients who have suffered with back pain prior to pregnancy are more than twice as likely to re-develop back pain during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, pregnancy related low back pain occurs at a time when your medical treatment options are limited. Not surprisingly, over 90% of prenatal health care providers would recommend drug-free treatment, including the type of alternative therapy provided in this office. Studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation provides significant relief of pregnancy-related low back pain. Almost 75% of women undergoing #chiropractic care report significant pain reduction with improved ability to function.

Most patients will also benefit from continuing aerobic exercise throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women may begin or continue moderate intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Women should not begin “vigorous” exercise during pregnancy, but those who were preconditioned to vigorous exercise may continue. Be sure to check with your doctor prior to initiating or increasing any exercise program while you are pregnant.

Sleeping with a pillow between the knees in a side lying posture may help you to rest more comfortably. In some cases, your chiropractor may recommend a sacroiliac belt or pelvic support belt to help relieve your pregnancy-related low back pain. http://ow.ly/i/x3dsP

There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen. http://ow.ly/i/xiu42

Don’t just stop at the calorie listing on a nutritional label. Calories are important (as are the other macro and micro nutrients), but you should always take a closer look at the ingredients to know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

Ingredients are listed by quantity, from highest to lowest. Try looking for products that list whole foods as the first three ingredients, and be skeptical of foods with long lists of ingredients. Also know that sugar and sodium have many different terms, so educate yourself on those if you are trying to limit them from your diet.

#Health
#Prevention
#Chiropractic
#Winnipeg http://ow.ly/i/x3frD

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a term used to describe a group problems that cause pain in the temporomandibular joint, also called the TMJ. These problems can arise from the muscles around the joint, the disc within the joint or the bony portion of the joint itself. Imbalances between the muscles that open and close your jaw are the most common culprit.

Up to 25% of the population will suffer with TMD symptoms. Most patients are 20-50 years old and the condition is 2-3 times more common in females. Typical symptoms include: jaw clicking, limited mouth opening, possible jaw locking and pain. Chewing and eating usually make your symptoms more noticeable. TMD pain is generally described as an “ache” located in front of your ear canal but may also refer to other areas of your face, head, neck and shoulders. TMD patients often suffer from headaches.

TMD is more common in people who clench their jaw or grind their teeth, especially at night. Bad posture and emotional stress are contributors to this problem. You are three times more likely to suffer with TMD if you have been involved in a “whiplash” accident.

Conservative treatments, like those provided by our office, have been shown to be as effective as any surgery for most patients with TMD. Treatment is simple, focusing on “massaging” tightness out of the jaw muscles, restoring movement to any restricted joints (including your neck and upper back), and prescribing exercises to improve flexibility.

You should avoid aggravating activities like chewing gum or eating “rubbery” foods. Limit excessive talking. A custom fitted mouth guard may be prescribed to help minimize grinding & clenching and promote relaxation of your jaw muscles at night. Patients with night-time symptoms should avoid stressful activity before bedtime and try to sleep in a “neutral” position. In some cases, stress management techniques, like biofeedback, can assist you in learning how to relax your jaw muscles. http://ow.ly/i/uShGp

The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. http://ow.ly/i/xig73

Referrals are the best compliment we can receive! Thanks to our patients for continuously putting in a good word for us!

#ThankYou
#Chiropractic
#Winnipeg http://ow.ly/i/x3fGp