Top Chiropractor in San Leandro, CA

San Leandro Chiropractor

Your Health, Sponge, Vacuum, Pillow, Meat, Windows and TV

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houseThere is a saying: “Nothing is Like a Home.”  This home could also be a collector of colds and food born illnesses that people contract. Short and long term health outcome depends on the things we do around the house. Below is the list of six activities that might be making you and your children sick.

1. Your Sponge is a Jungle of Microorganisms which are Bad for Your Health

The only place in the house that never gets 100% cleaned up is the kitchen. Cleaning fish, preparing raw meet on our countertops and throwing waste in a sink will cause a breading backyard for all sorts of microorganisms. To name a few: E. Coli, salmonella and variety of viruses and bacteria.

Sponge is the most frequently used tool for cleaning kitchen’s countertop. Sponge can contain E. Coli and Fecal Bacteria and many other microbes. The second dirtiest item in your kitchen is dishrag.

The more frequently one uses the sponge the more one spreads the germs all over the countertop’s surface. One will also contaminate other appliances in the kitchen if the same sponge is applied for cleaning purposes.

How to Solve This Problem: Mixture of a bleach and water is a great solution for sterilizing a sponge. Air-drying will kill most of the germs in a sponge. Using microwave every week or even couple of times a week will keep your sponge germ free as well.

2. Vacuum Cleaning

Many vacuum cleaners do not do a good job at picking up small particles of dust. Most of these tiny dust particles escape through porous vacuum bags. They are the cause of the allergies that people get. A good alternative to a conventional vacuum cleaner would be a Rainbow vacuum cleaner. This unit has water reservoir instead of paper or plastic bag.

Small dust particles contain the highest amount  of heavy metals, lead, pesticides, and other chemicals. The everyday habit of cleaning with a conventional vacuum cleaner results in a burst of particles in the air and then they settle back down over the course of hours.

3. Sleeping With Pillows and a Mattress

Human body sheds about 1.5 million skin cells per hour and perspires one quart every day. These skin cells accumulate in our mattresses and pillows and provide and breeding farm for dust mites to grow and settle. Every ten years the mass of the mattress doubles due to the accumulation of insect parts, dust mites, fibers, lint, dust, chemicals, bacteria, spores, fungal mold, dander, animal hair, bodily secretions, human hair, and dust mites feces. After five years, ten percent of the pillow’s weight is dust mites. This is what we inhaling while sleeping.

Solution: Cover your mattress, box springs, and pillows with impervious outer covers.

Allergy-proof coverings seal the mattress and pillow, preventing anything from getting in or out, which protects you. Wash your sheets weekly in hot water. Make sure the temperature range of the water is between 130 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit

4. Grilling Meat

Reduce barbecuing frequency during nice summer days. BBQ meat creates cancer-causing compunds polycyclic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs).

Solution: Try to use tin foil when BBQ your meat. This will prevent fat to drip off, and will help to reduce the amount of fat that hits the flames and sticks on your BBQ meat. Microwaving your meat first will help to reduce the amount of fat.

5. Opening Your House Windows

The amount of seasonal allergies and poor air quality in metropolitan areas of the USA will not do you any good. More than 50% of the US population breathes unhealthy air. Also the pollution inside of our home is much worse than outside. Poor indoor air quality is the fourth largest environmental threat in our country.

Solution: Use Air-conditioning system in your house. The filters will eliminate the exposure to bacteria, molds, mildew, tobacco smoke, viruses, animals dander, house dust mites and pollen.

home6. Prolonged Sitting in Front of the TV

Millions turn into couch potatoes in the USA. Watching TV is one of the leading causes of obesity in this country. Obesity and overweight is the leading cause for heart disease, arthritis, and many other health related problems.

Solution: Go for a walk or a bike ride. Hide the remote control so it won’t be tempting to turn the TV on.

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Chronic Lower Back Pain and 6 Natural Ways to Fix It

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low back painMillions of people suffer from excruciating and immobilizing lower back pain form all over the world. It almost seems like world wide epidemic. A large percentage of these people have to go to work every day and concentrate on their tasks with agonizing and boring back ache. There are many different treatments available for lower back pain varying from modern medicine to great alternative therapies.

Chronic lower back pain causes:

Cancer, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Fibromyalgia, Biomechanical Misalignments, Unbalanced Musculature are the main reasons for lower back pain. Work or sport related injuries or automobile accidents could be the serious cause of lower back pain through out people lives. It can debilitate them for a very prolonged period of time. Sometimes even minor postural abnormalities, sudden jerks or movements, improper exercises and minor falls can be the result of chronic lower back pain

Natural Ways to Counter Severe Chronic Lower Back Pain:

Change Your Posture:

The spine, same as our feet, gets the hardest job in our body as it is used in practically every movement we make and it takes pressure from other body parts such as from the neck, shoulders, head and our arms. As we walk, stand, sit, carry a heavy object or dance, our spine takes the pressure to keep our body erect but at the same time it also has to have the flexibility to make other kinds of movements while keeping our balance.One of the following can be noticed when one has a bad posture: high shoulder, a forward stooping head, a rotated trunk (torso), a hunch back, a high hip, and a side-bent neck and one of the feet will be externally or internally rotated.  Abnormal  posture can result from trauma (like a car accident or fall), repetitive movements (turning your neck towards the monitor), and certain bad postural habits  (sleeping on your stomach). READ MORE …

Get a Good Mattress:

Many patients have been asking my professional advice on which mattress they should buy. There is not a definite answer for every patient. Every single one is going to need a different one in order to get a good night sleep for years to come. Below are some tips and tricks that you can use when buying a new mattress.A mattress should provide uniform support from head to toe. If there are gaps between your body and your mattress (such as at the waist), you’re not getting the necessary support that your body requires. READ AND WATCH MORE …

Get Good Pillows:

When we expect a good night sleep, the majority of us consider mattress characteristic and features, room temperature, room illumination, and noise. Hardly ever we will think about our pillows. There are a lot of options available nowadays. It is important to know that our cervical spine alignment is an important feature of our general well being. Selecting a head support which is equally comfortable to sleep with as well as be able to improve the quality of good night sleep, has to be a necessary foundation for a good nigh sleep. READ AND WATCH MORE …

Use Legs Not Back:

Normally when we lift a weight we put great pressure on our back. Instead, keep your lower back in arched position and lift the load. Bend the knees and put the pressure on your leg muscles. An upright torso while lifting weights can always avoid the risk of chronic lower back pain. READ MORE …

Exercise Routines:

Inclusion of a strict exercise regime for 30 minutes to one hour, everyday can alleviate chronic pain and prevent the occurrence of the same. If you are suffering from chronic lower back and hip pain, it is imperative that you take the advice of a fitness expert. Only a fitness expert can help you with an exercise routine, according to your body condition and physical ability. Body alignment exercises, Bowen therapy and exclusive exercises for the lower back can strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. MORE ABOUT EXERECISES …

Choose Comfort Over Style:

Ladies today choose stylish footwear that are high-heeled like stilettos. They can definitely accentuate your presence but they can damage your back, irreparably. A sturdy shoe and flat footwear can definitely look good on you and save you from many an endless chronic lower back pain treatment. You can stop chronic lower back pain by being cautious and rational.  READ MORE …

Pillow Advice From Your Chiropractor

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PillowWhen we expect a good night sleep, the majority of us consider mattress characteristic and features, room temperature, room illumination, and noise. Hardly ever we will think about our pillows. There are a lot of options available nowadays. It is important to know that our cervical spine alignment is an important feature of our general well being. Selecting a head support which is equally comfortable to sleep with as well as be able to improve the quality of good night sleep, has to be a necessary foundation for a good nigh sleep.

What is the frequency of pillow replacement?

 

Six months to two years is life span of a pillow. A great deal of the time frame will depend upon the pillow you have bought. A folding method would be a good test to measure the replacement status of your pillow. Just fold your head support in half. A brand new pillow will spring right back after you release the pressure, however, an old beaten up one will stay folded. This test is like check engine light in your car. If you wait too long the problem will cost you literally: “Pain in Your Neck.”

How Do You Sleep?

Prior to the first possible pillow you see in the store, consider your sleeping patterns. Your goal is always to keep the head, neck, and spine aligned as straight as possible during sleeping hours. The simple answer to what position you sleep in can tell you a lot about which pillow to purchase. For instance, if you predominantly sleep face up, a flatter head support will do a better job for your neck and will help to keep it aligned as straight as possible with your back. If you sleep on your side, one has to compensate for the depth of their shoulder, so a firmer pillow that has more depth to its filling should be considered. Stomach sleepers also need to consider how they sleep in regards to their arms. Are your arms usually tucked beneath your head or at your sides? Your main goal is to keep your head, neck, and spine as straight and aligned as possible.

 

Additional Tips

  1. When choosing a pillow, be selective. When lying on your side, your head and neck should remain level with your mid and lower spine. When lying on your back, your head and neck should remain level with your upper back and spine. In other words, your pillow should not be so thick that it causes your head and neck to be propped up or angled sharply away from your body.
  2. Be wary of pillows that are made out of mushy foam materials. The weight of your head can displace this kind of foam, leaving little support. Choose firmer foam and materials that press back and support the head.
  3. If you find yourself sleeping on your side with one hand propped under your pillow, that’s a clue that you’re not getting the support you need from that pillow.
  4. There is no such thing as a universal fit when it comes to pillows. Find one that is consistent with the shape and size of your body.

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Mattress Advice From Your Chiropractor

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MATRESSMany patients have been asking my professional advice on which mattress they should buy. There is not a definite answer for  every patient. Every single one is going to need a different one in order to get a good night sleep for years to come. Below are some tips and tricks that you can use when buying a new mattress.
  • A mattress should provide uniform support from head to toe. If there are gaps between your body and your mattress (such as at the waist), you’re not getting the necessary support that your body requires.
  • If you do have back pain and your mattress is too soft, you might want to firm up the support of your mattress by placing a board underneath it. But do this just until the pain goes away; such firmness is not good for “routine” sleeping.
  • Every few months, turn your mattress clockwise, or upside down, so that body indentations are kept to a minimum. It’s also good to rotate the mattress frame every so often to reduce wear and tear.
  • If you’re waking up uncomfortable, it may be time for a new mattress. There is no standard life span for a mattress. It all depends on the kind of usage it gets.
  • Be aware that changes in your life can signal the need for a new mattress. For example, if you’ve lost or gained a lot of weight, if a medical condition has changed the way you sleep, or even if you have changed partners, it could mean that it’s time to find a new mattress that will accommodate those changes and help you sleep more soundly.
  • If you’re not in the market for a new mattress, and your current mattress is too firm, you can soften it up by putting a 1- to 2-inch-thick padding on top of it – usually available at mattress and bedding stores

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