Do You Have Enough Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is one of the most interesting vitamins in this world. It is essential for the human body to function properly but at the same time, it is only found in salmon, mackerel, tuna, and foods that are “fortified” like dairy products or juices. So if vitamin D is not found regularly in the foods we eat, how do we acquire it?
It is estimated that approximately 10% of the population will suffer from heel pain at some point in their lives. Most often the pain comes from an irritation of the soft tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the bottom side of the toes called the plantar fascia. The fascia can become irritated from any number of things from standing, running, poor shoes, obesity, too large arches, or too small arches. When the fascia becomes irritated it is called plantar fasciitis, Plantar fasciopathy, or Joggers heel. In most cases, this condition is treatable with non-surgical means. Chiropractors often treat this condition with a combination of stretches, ice, exercises, bracing, orthotic shoe inserts, ultrasound, and orders to rest. In more severe cases injections or even surgery may be necessary.
Sometimes after the first couple of adjustments, a patient may experience increased soreness. I liken it to starting a new workout program when someone is out of shape, initially, it causes a whole lot of soreness, pain, and discomfort. Does this discomfort mean that the workout is bad for you? No. In fact it is very much the opposite. I tell all of my patients that this is part of the initial change process, it is very common, and it will pass. In the meantime, I recommend ice for twenty minutes on and forty minutes off. Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, it pushes out inflammation and numbs the area providing pain relief. Ice is typically necessary between one and five days after a car accident and after the first couple of adjustments.
When most people think of or hear the word whiplash they immediately think of injury associated with a car accident. According to Merriam-Webster, it is:
An injury resulting from a sudden sharp whipping movement of the neck and head (as of a person in a vehicle that is struck in the rear by another vehicle)
While the definition is simplistic in and of itself, it does not explain what happens as a result of the whiplash injury.
Many people get into car accidents, become sore, and simply tough it out instead of going to the doctor, especially men. I usually only see men in the office when they either can’t do, or can’t enjoy the things important to them like work, golf, or sex. Often the pain and soreness from the accident subsides so the person thinks they have healed.
One of the most common problems I see in the office is upper cross syndrome due to auto accidents or work postures. Upper cross syndrome, sometimes referred to as forward head carriage, occurs when muscles become imbalanced as a result of car accidents or jobs that require the person to constantly have their arms out in from of them. Some of these jobs include mechanics, hairdressers, cooks, dishwashers, students, and anybody spending significant time in front of a computer. The neck muscles in the back of the neck contract (shorten) and the neck muscles in the front of the neck lengthen and become weak. The chest muscles contract and the muscles in between the shoulder blades lengthen and become weak. Upper Cross Syndrome causes imbalance, and pain, often resulting in future Arthritis.
According to the American Psychological Association, forty seven percent of all Americans are stressed. The Adrenal glands play a major role in this as they release hormones in response to stress in our lives. One of the main stress hormones excreted by the stress glands is cortisol. Cortisol is essential to humans but very detrimental to your health. Cortisol regulates glucose, blood pressure, and inflammation in the body. Too much Cortisol from too much stress for too long and a person finds themselves with a multitude of problems including regulating blood sugar which in turn can lead to diabetes, weight problems, heart problems, and again, diabetes. Too much cortisol over an extended period of time lowers a person’s immunity and can also cause digestive problems, infertility, thyroid suppression, and depression.
There are 30 million golfers currently in the United States and 24 million of them will experience back pain at some point. The back pain can be upper, middle, low, or any combination of the three in varying degrees of severity. Most will “play through it” only to have it return in the future with a vengeance. Others will take medication, either over the counter or prescription to mask the pain. Some will cut back on playing, and some will discontinue the game altogether. However, there is good news for the majority of golfers. Their back pain comes from physical problems stemming from the mechanics of the musculoskeletal system. These problems need a physical type of treatment to not only to eliminate the pain, but to correct the problem so it doesn’t re-surface. This is why treating a physical back problem with medication is not practical, you cannot treat a physical problem with chemicals.
Posture and balance are terms that go hand in hand when it comes to human beings. One must have “good posture” in order to have “good balance.” Posture relates to the position of a person’s body in the seated or standing position. A well-balanced body front to back, left to right, is said to have good posture. Posture and balance are not only physically and mentally important, but especially important as to how others perceive an individual.