Top Chiropractor in San Leandro, CA

San Leandro Chiropractor

Cycling – Lower Back and Neck Pain

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Cycling
My Race @ Folsom Cyclebration 2010

Your body contacts the bicycle in three areas; your hands, your seat, and your feet. The relative positions of feet, seat and hands determine your comfort and efficiency on the bike. There are several variables that determine these positions; crank length, distance from crank center or bottom bracket to saddle, saddle angle, seat tube angle and saddle offset, distance from saddle to handlebar, relative height of saddle and handlebar width, and handlebar drop on road style handlebars. When these measurements are not taken seriously into consideration, pain and fatigue is inevitable during the ride.

Lumbar and Cervical spine pain is experienced very frequently by cyclists, and it can have  numerous different causes. The most common cause of any type of biking ache is owing to an improper bike fit. After having your bike professionally fit which can be completed at professional bike shops and some chiropractic offices, use the following guidelines to create any essential adjustments:

1.Moving your saddle backwards could aid to reduce lumbar spine and knee pain but might increase neck and shoulder tension.

2.Handlebar height reduction could improve lower back and hamstring muscle stress nevertheless may trigger increased neck and shoulder stress, and hand numbness.

3.When the saddle is set too high, cyclist becomes unstable and the hips might rock slightly from side to side, placing a strain on the muscles that stabilize rider’s lower back. A leg length difference could produce a comparable kind of dilemma, which can be detected during a chiropractic exam.

Another cause of  lower back pain is the tension placed on your spinal discs, joints, and muscles because of the continuous forward Position of cyclist. To neutralize these postural stressors, appropriate stretching prior, throughout, and following riding is very important. Standing up during prolonged riding, as well as alternately bending forward and arching backwards, will help to relieve lower back stress. Tilting your head from side to side will aid to stretch out your neck muscles while riding, but keep your eyes on the road at all times!

The 3rd major cause of neck and lower back pain in cycling is due to the “Multiple Micro Whiplash” syndrome  trigerred by the ROAD SHOCK of the constant jarring forces experienced during riding. The following recommendations will assist to reduce these potentially injurious forces:

•Increase your cycling work out slowly to appropriately condition your body.

•Use a wider tire with less of inflation to decrease road shock.

•Change your hand positions regularly and unlock your elbows.

•Use padded gloves and a light helmet.

Question: Was this review helpful?

Nervous System, Spine And Its Relationship To Organs

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nervous system

Nervous System, Spine And Its Relationship To Organs

Dr. Henry Windsor, who was a Medical Doctor from the University of  Pennsylvania, has performed a medical experiment in 1921. In his clinical research he wanted to proof the existence of diseased organs and its interconnection to the curvatures of the spine (improper posture and misaligned vertebrae). In this study he made experiments on 50 cadavers from the pathology department. Dr. Windsor dissected the bodies and looked at the diseased organs. Out of 50 bodies he found 139 organs that were in a different degree of disease. He found diseased kidneys, livers, pancreases, hearts, , gall bladders, lungs etc, etc. Dr. Windsor traced the nerve root of each diseased organ back to the spine and found out that 128 diseased organs from 50 cadavers had a relationship with the curve of the vertebrae or postural disturbances. These nervous system roots belonged to the same sympathetic segments as the diseased organs 128 times. 11 other diseased organs had different origin of a disease.

My previous posts: 96 Tips For a Perfect Posture and 11 Symptoms as a Sign of Warning That Your Spine is in Trouble are good prerequisite reading materials. Both of these articles go in depth about DOs and DONT’s on keeping your Posture in Check and what will happen to a spine if one will not take a good care of it.

Without the right signals from our brains, our organs cannot function at their optimum level. When a subluxation is present, musculoskeletal factors around one or more vertebrae interfere with the normal function of the nerves, affecting the nerves ability to transmit information from the brain to the rest of the body and vice-versa. Below is a list of 26 nerve roots that provide neurological supply to the vital organs and musculoskeletal system and the symptoms that associated with these nerve roots. Each vertebral Level will have a hyperlink to a 3D view of the relationship of the nervous system and spine to organs for a better visual understanding.

 

C1  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY: Blood supply to the head, the pituitary gland, the scalp, bones of the face, the brain itself, the  middle and inner ear, the sympathetic nervous system

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Headaches, nervousness, insomnia, head colds, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, nervous breakdown, amnesia, chronic tiredness, dizziness or vertigo.

C2  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Eyes, optic nerve, auditory nerve, sinuses, mastoid bones, tongue, forehead

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Sinus trouble, allergies, crossed eyes, deafness, eye trouble, earache, fainting spells, certain causes of  blindness.

C3 AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY :Cheeks, outer  ear, face bones, teeth, face bones, teeth, trifacial nerve

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Neuralgia, neuritis, acne or pimples, eczema

 

C4  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Nose, lips, mouth, eustachian tube

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Hat fever, catarrh, hard of hearing, adenoids, runny nose

 

C5  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Vocal cords, neck, glands, pharynx

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Laryngitis, hoarseness, throat conditions like a sore throat or quinsy

 

C6  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Neck Muscles, shoulders, tonsils

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Laryngitis, hoarseness, throat conditions like a sore throat, stiff neck, pain in upper arm, tonsilitis, chronic cough, croup

 

C7  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Thyroid gland, bursae in the shoulders and elbows

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Laryngitis, hoarseness, throat conditions like a sore throat, bursitis, colds, thyroid conditions

 

T1  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Arms from the elbow down, including the hands, wrists, fingers, also the esophagus and trachea.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Asthma, cough, difficult breathing, shortness of breath, pain in lower arms and hands.

 

T2  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Heart, including its valves and covering, coronary arteries.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Functional heart conditions and certain chest conditions.

 

T3  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Lungs, bronchial tubes, pleura, chest, breast

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, congestion, influenza.

 

T4  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Gallbladder, common duct.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Gallbladder conditions, jaundice, shingles.

 

T5  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Liver, solar plexus, circulation (general)

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Liver conditions, fevers, blood pressure  problems, poor circulation, arthritis.

 

T6  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Stomach.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Stomach trouble including: nervous stomach, indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia.

 

T7  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Pancreas, duodenum

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Ulcers, gastritis.

 

T8  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Spleen, diaphragm

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Lowered resistance, hiccoughs

 

T9  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Adrenal and suprarenal glands.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Allergies, hives

 

T10  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Kidneys.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Kidney troubles, hardening of the arteries, chronic tiredness, nephritis, pyelitis.

 

T11  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Kidneys, ureters

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Skin conditions such as acne, pimples, eczema, boils.

 

T12  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Small intestine, lymph circulation

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Rheumatism, gas pains, certain types of sterility

 

L1  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Large intestines, inguinal rings

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Constipation, colitis, dysentery, diarrhea, some ruptures or hernia

 

L2  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY: Appendix, abdomen, upper leg.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Cramps, difficult breathing, minor varicose veins.

 

L3  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Sex organs, uterus, bladder, knees.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Bladder troubles, menstrual troubles such as painful or irregular periods, miscarriages, bed wetting, impotency, change of  life symptoms, many knee pains.

 

L4  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY: Prostate  gland, muscles of the lower back, sciatic nerve

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Sciatica, lumbago, difficult and painful or too frequent urination, backaches.

 

L5  AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Lower legs, ankles, feet

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Poor circulation in the legs, swollen ankles, weak ankles and arches, cold feet, weakness in the legs, leg cramps.

 

Sacrum AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Hip bones, buttocks.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Sacroiliac conditions, spinal curvatures.

 

Coccyx AREAS & PARTS OF  BODY : Rectum, anus.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS: Hemorrhoids (piles), pruritus (itching), pain at end of spine on sitting

 

Below is the summary in a SlideShare Presentation that I have created when I was in Chiropractic School. This Presentation has some additional useful information.

Questions:  Have You Had Any of the Above Mentioned Symptoms and Medications Were Not Helpful at All? Has Your Doctor Referred You to Other  Health Care Practitioners in Order to Improve Your Health? Have You Checked Your Posture Lately?

 

96 Tips For a Perfect Posture

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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).

The human body is often in a state of strain which causes a loss of proper balance between parts of the body and gravity. Such imbalance of posture distortion usually indicates internal body changes before  any  body functions appear disturbed.

All parts of the body are situated so this so this that they can interact efficiently with one another as well as with gravity. The body is able to repair itself and adjust to the many forces to which it is subjected, both internally and externally. This relationship produces a feeling of youth, energy and vitality.

By having correct posture, we are keeping our spinal vertebrae from being misaligned or subluxated.  Our spine is not only reliant on the strength of our back muscles but it also relies on its two arches (lumbar and cervical lordosis) which is why correct posture is vital. If we have poor posture, these natural arches would disappear and there’s going to be nothing left  that can absorb shock in our back. Once this happens, a person will experience pain in the neck and lower back. This paves the way for vertebral osteoarthritis, herniated disc and excessive pressure on the peripheral nerve. Osteoarthritis and herniated disc caused by uneven weight distribution on the vertebral bodies of the spine. Poor posture can lead to difficulty breathing by interfering with proper ribcage expansion, muscle soreness along the back of your neck, shoulders and upper back, as well as lower back pain.

When you already have poor posture, you can start practicing the correct posture by keeping yourself aware of the correct positions to maintain a good posture. There is a correct sitting position where you sit while keeping your back straight and your buttocks should be touching the back of the chair. When you want to lift a heavy object, you have to maintain your back straight and bend your knees & hips to lift the object up. You can start doing your research as to the correct positions to maintain a healthy spine. Also, muscle strengthening exercise is a must for a spine, for a better support of the spine.  Improper posture weakens muscles of the spine because they are not being used. By providing musculature the strength it needs, one can achieve a better maintenance of a good posture.

Also remember that this is not going to be a quick solution as it will take time especially with muscle strengthening. You may want to correct your posture now but won’t take it to heart and practice it daily then you won’t see real results. There should be a lifestyle change so that your body will get used to the correct posture that eventually you don’t even have to think about it.

You are probably wondering by now where  is the part about 96 tips for a perfect Posture. Below are the 5 links that  brings up total to 96 tips. Without further ado:

  1. 10 Tips for improving Posture and Ergonomics, by Dr. Kelly Andrews, D.C.
  2. 13 Tips on Getting a Good Posture, by  Celestine Chua
  3. 20 Tips from Yoga to Go, by Nancy Wile, Ed. D
  4. 32 Tips on how to Improve your Posture, by Savialeigh, Ben Rubenstein, Krystle C and many others
  5. 21 Tips on How to Maintain Good Posture, by ACA

To help you out, try finding ways to get yourself reminded of keeping a good posture. Perhaps you can put post-it notes on places that you would see on a regular basis. Like on your computer, put a small post-it note that says “stop slouching” or other reminders. You can also use an alarm that is set every 30 minutes or so to keep yourself aware and maintain a good posture.  I phone or any other smart phone has a build in calendar that can be set up as whatever time frequency you desire. I think it is one of the best ways to remind yourself about good posture habits. No one ever leaves a house without a cell phone in our days. These are simple solutions that really work as you exert an effort to inculcate the correct posture into your lifestyle.

Question: Have You Checked Your Posture Lately?  Do You Have Any Tips on How to Keep a Good Posture?

Soft Tissue Injury and San Leandro Chiropractic Rehabilitation Process

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SOFT TISSUE HEALINGA Soft Tissue Injury (STI)happens when your muscles, tendons and ligaments get damaged because of a sprain or strain. It happens when one overuses or put too much stress on a particular joint. As a result the pain accompanied by bruising or swelling. STI is a very common problem and it can easily be remedied as long as the pain that accompanies it is not severe.

When STI occurrs, an immediate response applying the principle of “PRICE” would make a big difference. PRICE means Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. After an injury, the patient should be prevented from making any movements as it allows to prevent further damage.  If the patient feels the pain, when he/she bends or walks then he/she should avoid these movements. If absolutely necessary, crutches may be used. Icing minimizes the pain and the swelling especially during the first 3 days after the injury has occurred. Ice is placed on the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time every waking hour. Take a note that if you have diabetes or poor blood circulation, you must consult your doctor first before applying a cold pack.  Pressure is applied to compress the injured area to control bleeding and swelling. Elevation of the affected area also minimizes the bleeding and swelling. Raise the affected area above the heart level for the first 72 hours or until the swelling would subside.

The “PRICE” management is effective but other treatments may be necessary if the patient experiences extreme pain that lasts for more than 24 hours. A health care professional would be able to make a diagnosis and recommend treatments. Treatments include chiropractic, physical therapy and massage therapy. If a patient suffers from severe pain, prescription medications might be necessary along with a rehabilitation program.

Chiropractic rehabilitation helps to rapidly solve the problem of injuried muscles, tendons and ligaments. One of the chiropractic specialties for such treatments is called ART or Active Release Techniques. Patient would be amazed at how fast your recovery would be if you go for a chiropractic adjustment, ART and Physical Therapy Modalities. It is a hands-on approach that locates then eliminates the scar tissues. The Graston Technique is a treatment using different stainless steel tools and it can be even more effective than ART. The Graston Technique uses instruments to treat the affected areas suffering from chronic inflammation or fibrosis of the soft tissues. SASTM is another chiropractic tool used that is made of acrylic instead of stainless steel as used on the Graston Technique. But, in some cases, in order to get the best result in treatment, both set of tools may be used on the patient as well as different modalities.

Question: What Kind of Therapy Have You Had For Your Soft Tissiue Injury?  What was an outcome like?