WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE

Courtesy of:
Advanced Wellness
(732) 719-8148
www.advanced-wellness.net

Follow Dr. Cilea's Blog for Updated Insight on Current Health Issues

Mental Attitude: Massage, Physiological State and Chronic Headaches. Researchers have shown the psychological and physiological state of patients with tension headaches improves within 24 hours after receiving a 30-minute massage on trigger points in the neck.
Journal of Manipulative Physiological and Therapeutics, September 2009

Health Alert: Antifungal Properties Of Vitamin B3! Infections by the yeast Candida albicans represent a public health problem and a common complication in immunodeficient individuals such as AIDS patients, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and recipients of organ transplants. C. albicans enzyme, (Hst3), is essential to the growth and survival of the yeast. Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, strongly reduced C. albicans virulence.
Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, July 2010

Diet: Worst Foods in Your Fridge - Hot Dogs and Sausage.  "Processed meats" like hot dogs and sausage are a staple in many homes. Hot dogs and sausage tend to contain lots of sodium (520-680 milligrams per 2-ounce serving) and fat (up to 23 grams total fat and 7 grams saturated fat per serving). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most Americans take in more than double the recommended amount of sodium. Substitute with lower-fat and lower-sodium meats (roasted poultry, pork tenderloin, roast beef and shrimp) or grilled vegetables (portabella mushrooms, eggplant, or roasted red pepper). Or, try lower-fat options like "light" franks, turkey kielbasa, or soy-based sausage substitutes.
Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

Exercise: Reduce Heart Disease Risk! In the US, 81.1 million adults (one out of every three) have a heart or blood vessel disease. A combination of counseling, extended follow-up with a healthcare provider and self-monitoring of diet and exercise is the most effective way to help embrace lifestyle changes that can lower your risk for heart and cardiovascular diseases.
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, July 2010

Chiropractic: The Amazing Human Body! Your body wards off sickness and heals itself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is why taking good care of it is so important (especially, before you get sick). Periodic chiropractic check-ups and adjustments can keep your body healthy, fit and feeling good.

Wellness/Prevention: Symptoms Are Not An Indicator Of Health. If you are symptom free, are you perfectly healthy? Consider the healthy looking person who suddenly dies of a heart attack. Obviously they were not healthy.

Quote: "It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision." ~ Helen Keller

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE

Courtesy of:
Advanced Wellness Marlboro, New Jersey
(732) 719-8148

Mental Attitude: Anxiety Increases Risk Of Complications For Heart Disease Patients. Patients with heart disease who also suffer from an anxiety disorder have a 74% higher risk of having a heart attack, heart failure or stroke.
Archives of General Psychiatry, July 2010.

Health Alert: Chance Of Surviving Once-Deadly Cancers Doubled Since 1970s. People diagnosed with breast, bowel and ovarian cancers, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, are twice as likely to survive at least 10 years after diagnosis than people diagnosed in the early 1970s. 77% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are likely to live for at least another 10 years compared with less than 40% in the 1970s; for bowel cancer, the figure has gone from 23% to 50%, and for ovarian cancer it has risen from 18 to 35%. 51% diagnosed today with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are likely to live at least another 10 years compared to 22% forty years ago; and the 10-year survival rate for Hodgkin's lymphoma is predicted to go up from under 50% to 80%.
Cancer Research UK

Diet: Worst Foods In Your Fridge - Soda and Other Sweet Drinks. Sweetened beverages are simply "empty calories." Soda, sweet tea and fruit drinks contribute no nutrients, but lots of calories. We don't compensate by eating less when we drink sweet drinks, so these are truly "extra" calories. Plain water is best for hydrating and should be your primary beverage. Green and black teas hydrate and contribute healthy antioxidants. Skim or 1% milk also has key nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, B-12, potassium and magnesium.
Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

Exercise: Physical Activity Lowers Risk of Dementia, Especially in Men. People who performed moderate to heavy levels of physical activity have about a 40% lower risk of developing any type of dementia. People who reported the lowest levels of physical activity are 45% more likely to develop any type of dementia, compared to those who reported higher levels of activity.
Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010


Chiropractic: Another Analogy! Chiropractors are like orthodontis; correcting subluxations (misaligned or chronically fixed joints of the spine) is similar to straightening teeth. Since both teeth and bones are held in place by strong ligaments, they simply take time to change.

Wellness/Prevention: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late! Do you have a plan for health? Often, people wait until they are sick or injured to take care of themselves. A balanced diet, moderate exercise, proper sleep, a positive mental attitude (decreasing stress), and chiropractic care can be part of an excellent plan to increase your chances of staying healthy and decreasing your risk of illness.


Quote: "That we are not much sicker and much madder than we are is due exclusively to that most blessed and blessing of all natural graces, sleep."
~ Aldous Huxley

Health Update: Headaches

Headaches: Causes and Treatment

       Few conditions leave their victims as miserable and agitated as headaches.  There are many causes of headaches including stress, odors, bright lights, noise, fatigue, certain foods, hormonal shifts, allergies, as well as genetic predisposition.  With all the possible causes of headaches, it’s not surprising many people seek help from many different approaches such as conventional medical therapies like pharmaceuticals and injections.  Others prefer a non-drug treatment approach such as chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, and nutritional counseling.

Usually, there is not one specific cause of headaches so treatment can focus on various areas.  For example, muscles that attach to the base of the skull in the neck and upper back are often very short and tight, resulting in pressure or a squeezing effect on the surrounding nerves and blood vessels -- resulting in headaches.  Chiropractic treatment includes methods aimed at reducing the tightness found in the joints and muscles. One of these approaches is called spinal manipulation or “adjustments” where the joints in the neck are moved to restore motion and reduce joint fixations. By relaxing the muscles and tension between the joints, the nerves in the neck are less pressured which, in turn, can reduce headaches.  The top three nerves that exit the upper neck travel into the head and are often the culprit behind the onset of headaches.  The second nerve from the top is the one responsible for causing radiating pain over the top of the skull which communicates with other nerves sometimes causing the pain behind the eye.

Another chiropractic approach in the management of headaches includes soft tissue therapy where trigger points found in tight muscles are addressed through various forms of massage and mobilization methods.  Manual traction of the head and neck can also be highly effective in reducing the tension found in headache sufferers.  Exercises are often taught to the headache patient with significant benefits reported.  Some of these, such as range of motion exercises with and without resistance (example: pushing your head into your hand during neck movements) and posture re-training (chin tucks – reducing the forward head position), help address the limited motion problems of the neck. Cervical (neck) traction performed by placing a rolled up towel placed behind the neck while lying on the back so that the head can hang off the side of the bed can also be very helpful.  Another neck traction approach is the use of a unit that hangs off a door where water is placed in a plastic bag calibrated for weight for 15 minutes at a maximum tolerated weight. This can be of great benefit as it can be performed at home at your convenience multiple times a day or, as needed.

Other treatment approaches that chiropractic utilizes include stress management (such as biofeedback, relaxation instructions, meditation, visualization and others), diet modifications (as certain foods can trigger headaches), nutritional supplementation (such as fish oil, Vit. D, feverfew and others), and sleep restoration.

If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service.  We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR HEADACHES!
FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL (732)984-9597

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE: Dr. Joseph Cilea

Courtesy of:
Advanced Wellness in Marlboro, New Jersey
(732)984-9597

Mental Attitude: Multivitamins Can Add Sparkle. Non-elderly adults who took multivitamins and minerals had significantly improved mental health, reduced subjective stress and increased 'vigor', with a strong trend towards an overall improvement in mood. According to David Kennedy, PhD of Northumbria University, "There is a wealth of evidence that suggests a relationship between micro-nutrients and psychological functioning. Vitamin C, for example, is the brain's most prevalent antioxidant and is found at its greatest concentrations in neuron-rich areas."
Northumbria University, May 2010

Health Alert: Got Health Insurance? Many non-elderly adults in the US lack health insurance. 20% of men ages 18-64 (21.2 million) are uninsured, compared with 17.2 million women in the same age group. Those most likely to lack health insurance are younger, unmarried men. Men are less likely to have health insurance than women at every age range. Married men lack health insurance in greater numbers than married women before the age of 65, with 18.4% of married men from the age of 26-34 lacking insurance.
Center for Economic and Policy Research, Institute for Women's Policy Research, June 2010

Diet: Cheese Found To Improve The Immune Response Of The Elderly. Cheese can help preserve and enhance the immune system of the elderly persons by acting as a carrier of probiotic bacteria. Daily intake of probiotic cheese can slow the age-related deterioration of the immune system known as immunosenescene. This deterioration means the body is unable to kill tumor cells and reduces the immune response to infections. Infectious diseases, chronic inflammation disorders and cancer are hallmarks of immunosenescene.
FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology, May 2010


Exercise: Stretching Exercises At Your Desk For The Shoulders And Upper Back. Extend one arm out straight in front of you. Grab the elbow of the outstretched arm and pull it across your chest, stretching your shoulder and upper back muscles. Hold. Release. Stretch out the other arm in front of you -- repeat.


Chiropractic: How Important Is An Adjustment? “90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine” 
~ Dr. Roger Sperry (Nobel Prize, Brain Research, 1981)

Wellness/Prevention: The Fear Of Falling. One in four people over age 70 suffer from gait disturbance. Gait disturbance is defined as unsteadiness during walking that is worse than the normal slowing of old age. Fear is often a precipitating or aggravating factor. A vicious cycle often arises in which fear of falling leads to avoidance of movement. This can result in reduced fitness, lower confidence in one's own balance, increased fear, and increased danger of a fall. Depression and a markedly impaired quality of life can result.
Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, May 2010


Quote: "No Illness which can be treated by diet should be treated by any other means."
~ Moses Maimonides (1135-1204)

WEEKLY HEALTH UPDATE

Courtesy of:
Advanced Wellness in Marlboro, New Jersey
(732)984-9597

Mental Attitude: Exercise May Ward Off Anger. Before and after 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling, male participants viewed a slideshow known to evoke anger mixed with images designed to induce fear, pleasantness or no emotions. After exercising, watching the pictures didn't make the men more angry, while after rest, the pictures did so. An exercise class or weight lifting can take your mind off things. The distraction offered by exercise can have a calming effect, as well.
Michael R. Bracko, EdD

Health Alert: Are School Wellness Policies Implemented? The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires all school districts have a Wellness Policy if they participate in federally funded school meal programs. Part of the Wellness Policy should include nutrition education activities. 58% of the teachers thought they did not have adequate classroom time to include nutrition competencies. 64% thought they had the skills to incorporate the wellness policy, but only 30% are including nutrition competencies into their lesson plans.
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, July/August 2010

Diet: Special Delivery. Eating high-fiber foods ensures timely digestion and elimination of wastes (whereas overconsumption of animal fats and low-fiber foods leads to colonic inactivity and constipation). Foods high in saturated fat also can contribute to plaque buildup in the arteries, reducing the ability of blood to move through the body and potentially causing a blockage - leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Peter W. Crownfield, To Your Health

Exercise:  Stretching Exercises At Your Desk For Your Back And Shoulders (The "Leg Hug"). Sit on the edge of your chair. Put your feet together, flat on the floor. Lean over, chest to knees, letting your arms dangle loosely to the floor. Release your neck. Now bring your hands behind your legs, right hand grasping left wrist, forearm, left hand grasping the right. Feel the stretch in your back, shoulders and neck. Hold. Release your hands to the floor again. Repeat three times or as often as it feels good.

Chiropractic:  Brain Energy Output. 90% of the energy output of the brain is used in relating the physical body to gravity. Only 10% has to do with thinking, metabolism and healing, so when you have forward head posture your brain will rob energy from your thinking, metabolism and immune function to deal with abnormal gravity/posture relationships and processing.
Dr. Roger Sperry (Nobel Prize, Brain Research, 1981)

Wellness/Prevention: Keep Breathing! How important is oxygen and lung capacity? The surface area of a human lung is equal to a tennis court. Unfortunately, without exercising your lungs (slow deep breathing -- 5 to 10 deep breaths every hour and exercise), your lung capacity will shrink as you age.

Quote: “Oh, the powers of nature! She knows what we need.” ~ Benvenuto Cellini

Health Update: Neck Pain

How Can I Get Rid of This Neck Pain?

“I’ve been having this pain in my neck for a long time and it just won’t go away!  It’s getting to a point where I have to do something and I’m not sure which route to go.  Some of my friends have suggested chiropractic but I’m just not sure.  Can you give me any advice?”

Neck pain is a very common complaint that chiropractors treat on a regular basis.  Most people will experience neck pain during their lifetime requiring professional care and the choice between chiropractic or some other form of health care certainly exists.  Chiropractic is a non-drug, non-surgical option many find appealing because of the many side effects of medications and no one wants to consider surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary and everything else has been tried first.

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders published some good, sound statements about neck pain of which a few include:

In most cases, don't expect anyone to find a single "cause" for your neck pain. 
Stay as active as you can; simple exercises and reducing mental stress can help. 
A combination of therapies, including chiropractic care, may be needed. 


First, trying to identify the “cause” of your neck pain is often tricky and sometimes impossible to trace.  Don’t worry, that’s “normal” as most patients cannot trace it to one specific cause because it’s multifactorial or, caused by more than one event, often over a period of time.

Second, staying active and performing exercises can greatly help to reduce and sometimes prevent neck pain.  One particular exercise that can be done multiple times per day and even in public places, as it’s not too conspicuous, is called chin tucks. Let’s try it together!  While sitting, look straight ahead and tuck your chin towards your chest or, glide your head backwards.  Hold the tucked position until you feel fatigue, which usually takes 5-15 seconds, and then slowly release the head poking your chin forwards in the opposite direction. Looking at this from the side, it sort of looks like a chicken when they walk!

 Repeat this exercise and emphasize the slow release, as if you’re in “slow motion,” gliding forwards and backwards holding the endpoints for 5-15 seconds per repetition.  Start with 5 reps and over time, gradually increase the reps to 10 and repeat this several times each day.  As a postural retraining process, when you’re sitting in your car, at your desk, watching TV, or in meetings, partially tuck in your chin so that the weight of your head (which is approximately 15 pounds) is centered back over your upper back and not poking forwards.  This will GREATLY reduce the amount of muscle tension that commonly builds up during the day due to the increased muscle activity that is required to hold the weight of the head when it’s too far forward and away from the center of the body.  Constantly remind yourself by maintaining a partial “chin tuck” during the day and perform the gliding exercises periodically, at least 3 times a day.  Be patient as it takes about 3 months for this “new” posture to become automatic and your new “normal” habit.

If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service.  We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR NECK PAIN!  

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 732-984-9597.

Health Update: Carpal Tunnel

Do I Have to Have Surgery For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

“For the last few months, I’ve been waking up at night with numbness and tingling in my hand.  Lately, I’ve been waking up more often, 3-4 times a night and I’m having a hard time falling back to sleep.  When I drive, my hands fall asleep within a few minutes and I have to shake my hand and fingers to wake them up. This has gotten to the point where I have to do something but I really don’t want surgery.  What are my non-surgical options?”

CTS or, carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where a nerve (called the median nerve) that travels down from the neck into the arm and through the wrist becomes pinched and inflamed.  Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, dexterity problems (such as difficulty buttoning shirts), and opening jars due to weakness in grip and pinch strength. Sleep interruptions and loss of many daily activities, including work, occur because of CTS.

There are many non-surgical approaches to the treatment of CTS that should be utilized before surgery is considered, according to the American Academy of Neurology.  In one study, 40% of neurologist polled recommended non-surgical care due to the potential side effects of surgery, some of which being severe, resulting in lengthy work loss post-surgically.  A partial list of non-surgical care options include:

1. Rest – Giving the inflamed CTS time to heal is therapeutic but not always an option.

2. Activity/job modifications – Avoiding certain activities or modifying them by taking breaks during the work day, slowing down the pace of the job, altering the position of the job task, such as propping up a part so that the wrists do not have to bend to the extremes,  or when necessary, complete avoidance of the job task.

3. Wrist Splint – This is a brace that maintains the wrist in a neutral position so it cannot easily bend.  When the wrist flexes or extends, the pressure inside the carpal tunnel (on the palm side of the wrist) increases significantly, placing additional pressure on the already pinched median nerve. Wrist splints are especially useful at night.

4. Nerve Gliding Exercises – These are exercises that stretch the wrist joint and muscle tendons (as well as the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel), with the objective of breaking adhesions that limit the normal glide or movement of the nerve in the forearm and wrist.

5. Manual therapy techniques – These include manipulation of the arm including the forearm, wrist, and hand and sometimes the neck and shoulder, when needed.  The objective is to improve the range of motion of the joints and soft tissues that may be participating in the process of median nerve pinching.

6. Anti-inflammatory medication / nutrients – Medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and similar prescription drugs.  Nutritional options including herbs (such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia), digestive enzymes, and Vitamin B6 may also help.  Ice is also anti-inflammatory and direct, on-the-skin ice massage is quite effective.

Chiropractic is a perfect choice when considering a health care provider for the treatment of CTS as many of the above non-surgical techniques are utilized by our office.  We realize that you have a choice in who you are considering for your health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs.  If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.

 YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME!  FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION 732-984-9597

Health Update: Whiplash

Whiplash – What Can I Do To Help?

Whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked, and is typically associated with car crashes.  The speed at which the neck is forced upon impact is faster than we can contract our muscles in attempt to stop the forceful movement.  This results in muscle, tendon, and/or ligament over-stretching, even tearing.  Symptoms include stiff and painful neck movements, weakness or, the head “feels heavy” making it challenging to “hold up” as well as headache, and sometimes dizziness, ear noises, TMJ or jaw pain, and “mental fog.” What should be done if a whiplash injury occurs?

The amount or degree of damage to the soft tissues – that is, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and disks of the neck -- will be the deciding factors as to how much rest vs. activity should be initially performed.  If there are no fractures, dislocations or other injuries resulting in an unstable cervical spine (neck), studies have shown rest and a soft collar is actually harmful when compared to early return to activity and exercises.  Chiropractic treatment, which essentially exercises the joints of the neck, has been shown to speed recovery when performed sooner rather than later after a whiplash injury.

A handy way to classify the injury includes four categories: 

1) Pain with no significant abnormal clinical findings
2) Pain with mild clinical findings and range of motion loss
3) Pain with neurological injury (resulting in radiating arm pain)
4) Pain associated with fracture and/or dislocation

Those suffering with category 1 or 2 injuries should minimize rest, collar use, proceed with life’s activities and not be afraid to do desired activities.  More aggressive exercise and, utilizing chiropractic adjustments as soon as possible is very effective in the first two categories of injury.  Category 4 (fractures and dislocations) injuries require the use of a rigid collar usually for 4-6 weeks as rest/protection is imperative. Category 3 demands careful monitoring by your chiropractor as neurological problems like arm pain and numbness, muscle strength weakness, must be watched during the healing process.  The use of ice is helpful with all four categories of injury and exercise training is important and can be started sooner in the first two categories of injury.

What can you do if you sustain a whiplash injury?  The first order of self-help is the use of ice.  This is a much better choice over the use of heat as ice reduces swelling and pain while heat can increase swelling because it brings in more blood flow into an already swollen area.  The heat may feel good during its use but most patients report the pain either returns shortly thereafter or feels worse.  Ice and heat can be alternated but ice should be emphasized by using ice for 10 minutes, heat 5 minutes, and repeat the ice / heat / ice approach starting and ending with ice. One session usually equals 40 minutes (ice/heat/ice/heat/ice for 10+5+10+5+10, respectively, = 40 min.), and several sessions can be repeated each day.  The old adage of “ice for 24 hours followed by heat” does NOT apply here as ice or “contrast therapy” of ice/heat/ice/heat/ice can be performed for as long as there is pain or, for several weeks or longer.

The good news is that you will never hurt yourself by using ice but, you can make it hurt worse by using heat too soon so, when in doubt, use ice!  The next, very important, recommendation is to utilize exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck and upper back region. The “general rule” of exercise is slow repetitions staying within “reasonable” boundaries of pain.  That is, a good, stretch type of pain is encouraged while avoiding sharp pain.  We have discussed several very practical neck stretches and strengthening exercises previously and we will again address this in the future. Posture correction of chin tucks, keeping your head back over your shoulders is very helpful as well. We realize that you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, chiropractic care is a logical first choice and we would be honored to offer our services to you.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 
732-984-9597 OR VISIT US AT ADVANCED-WELLNESS.NET

Health Update: Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia & Chiropractic Care

Do you wake up feeling tired, washed out, and dragged down?  Do you have generalized pain throughout your body that doesn’t seem to respond to anything you’ve tried?  Do you wake up multiple times a night and fight getting back to sleep?  These are classic symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM). However, when caught early and treated appropriately, FM can resolve or at least be controlled.  Chiropractic care and management of FM is very effective and is becoming increasingly popular among FM sufferers.  The goal of managing FM is to return you to a productive, enjoyable lifestyle allowing you to function and perform all of your desired activities.

Chiropractic care is the most popular and sought after form of alternative care or complementary medicine as 20% of American men and women utilize chiropractic care at some point in their lives.  Of all the health care options, few have been found to be as satisfying to their patients as chiropractic with 80% of those seeking chiropractic treatment reporting significant pain relief, better functioning and an increased sense of wellbeing.  Still, many ask questions such as, what is the science behind chiropractic and, what exactly does a chiropractor do?

The original hypothesis or theory of chiropractic that led to its founding in 1895 is that skeletal or bone misalignments cause nerve interference resulting in pain, loss of function, and a host of other symptoms related to the nervous system.  The entire body is connected through bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, with their supporting circulatory or blood flow system and nervous system.  When the skeletal structure is in good alignment, the body can handle the many stresses and challenges we all face on a daily basis.  When there is a breakdown in this system, symptoms manifest and when left untreated, these symptoms can develop into chronic pain, including conditions such as fibromyalgia. Chiropractors focus to reduce pain and the many other symptoms by correcting the imbalances in the skeletal system with the objective of reducing nervous system dysfunction.

Many of the techniques utilized in chiropractic care include manipulation of not only the bony structures, but also the muscles, tendons, and ligaments through various forms of manual or hands-on therapy, stretching, posture correction methods, exercise, lifestyle modification recommendations including diet and nutritional management, and activity modifications.  Chiropractic care also includes discussions and instructions for modifying methods of performing tasks including bending, lifting, pulling, pushing in both at work and home activities.  Work station modifications are also thoroughly investigated, especially when symptoms are consistently worse after the work day.

Patients with fibromyalgia classically have generalized pain and tender spots throughout their body and often present with back pain, neck pain, headaches, as well as arm and/or leg pain.  Chiropractic care can effectively reduce the pain associated with FM by reducing bony misalignments, restoring muscle tone, and improving posture.  Proper exercise training has been found to be very important in maintaining long-term control of FM and is included in the management of FM.  Diet and nutritional counseling may also be beneficial.  Research has been very supportive of chiropractic care for patients suffering from FM.


We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment planning and realize you have a choice of providers. If you, a friend or family member requires care for FM, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 
732-984-9597 OR VISIT US AT ADVANCED-WELLNESS.NET

Health Update: Carpal Tunnel

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & Chiropractic

“When I try to thread a needle, button my shirt, or crochet, I can’t seem to feel my finger tips.  I’ve also noticed when unscrewing jars, my grip feels weak.  In fact, I almost dropped a cup of coffee the other day.  I wake up 3-4 times a night and I have to shake my hand and flick my fingers to wake them up.  Gripping the steering wheel is becoming a challenge and I have to change hands frequently while I drive. I’ve had this off and on for the last 5 years but this last year it seems to be getting worse.  I’m really getting concerned.  Can you help me?”

 
If this history sounds familiar, you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS.  It’s a very common disorder affecting millions each year.  Its also one of the biggest problems for certain types of industries such as meat packaging plants, textile manufacturers, and virtually any job that requires fast, repetitive movements commonly used on assembly lines in many lines of work.

CTS is the result of pinching of the Median Nerve as it travels from the neck into the arm, through muscles in the forearm and into the hand through the carpal tunnel.  Pressure on the nerve at any of these locations can create the symptoms of CTS. This tunnel is quite small in size and included inside the tunnel are 9 tendons, blood vessels, and the median nerve. When the muscles of the forearms and hands are overworked, they inflame and swell.  Because the carpal tunnel is normally so tight, the increased swelling inside the tunnel pushes and pinches the median nerve creating the classic pain, numbness, tingling, and sometimes burning sensations often described by people suffering with CTS.

Certain situations make people more vulnerable or prone to develop CTS.  CTS is more common in woman than men by 3 or 4:1.  This is partially because women’s bone structure is smaller and therefore their Carpal Tunnel is smaller too.

Women also experience fluid retention or build up during menstruation leading to symptoms like swollen fingers and swollen and painful breasts. Swelling in the already tight, confined space of the carpal tunnel will increase their susceptibility for developing CTS.  Another hormone related cause or contributing factor is the use of birth control pills (BCPs).  Since there are many different types of BCPs and each woman is unique and different, finding the BCP with the “right balance” of hormones where the swelling side effect is minimized is very important and should be discussed with the doctor who prescribed the BCPs.

Age (>50 years) is also a risk factor and with our aging work force, this is becoming a big issue.  Other conditions like hypothyroid, diabetes, certain types of arthritis, and hypertension / congestive heart failure where an increase in fluid retention occurs can also increase the chance of developing CTS.  Obviously, occupation type plays an important role as previously mentioned.  Many jobs today require the use of computers and we’re finding the position of the monitor, the keyboard and mouse, are very important.

Conservative management of CTS includes wrist, forearm/elbow, shoulder and neck adjustments, corrective exercises, acupuncture and the use of night splints, and an anti-inflammatory diet. Also, correcting the “ergonomic factors” or, job-related causes is of utmost importance.  This is why a physician who treats all of these areas and has the specialized knowledge about CTS is the perfect choice of health care providers. If you, a friend or family member require care for CTS, we would be honored to render our services.


FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL  732-984-9597 
OR VISIT US AT ADVANCED-WELLNESS.NET