Where Does Back Pain Come From?

www.DrLewisMeltzBlog.com

Correcting the spine can alleviate stress, pain and discomfort.  In other words, what life does to your body... WE UNDO.  Without drugs or surgery.  Regardless of age. Naturally.  Even non-spine related health problems can show improvement.

https://chiro-trust.org/back-pain/where-does-back-pain-come-from/

How Can Chiropractic Care Help My Headache?

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How Can Chiropractic Care Help My Headache? 

There are over 200 causes of headache. In today’s culture reaching for a drug, is often considered the first line of defense against headache pain.  The problem?  Many of these drugs have a proven history of ineffectiveness and other undesirable side effects.  All natural alternatives however, like the expert chiropractic care and treatment we provide offers safe and effective ways to end your headache pain and the many reasons for it. 

Migraine and tension-type headaches are often present in people who report chronic neck pain, according to researchers in Australia, (Cephalalgia Cephalgia 2007;27:793-802). 

When neck muscles get tight, stiffen-up and contract, then a chain of events occur sparked by poor posture or stress, and the result is a tug-of-war between muscles and spinal bones.  This situation plays out leading to the development of spinal restrictions.

Fortunately, many of these causes can be relieved with chiropractic care.  To begin care, we will review your history and conduct a thorough examination to determine the possible causes of the headache and how chiropractic care can help you. Sometimes spinal x-rays or additional laboratory tests are necessary to complete this evaluation. Because the treatments vary with the types of headache, we’ll also determine which treatment is best in your case and will discuss it with you. Often, low risk, natural methods are the best way to treat common headaches. Chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, and ultrasound are common simple methods we use use to relieve the source of headache pain.

Remember: a headache is an alarm signaling a problem in your body.  Rather than masking the symptom with medication, we will treat your pain by exposing its underlying causes, and encourage you to replace the bad habits that may be contributing to your headache with positive health behaviors to ward off future problems. It is essential that you play an active role in your recovery by communicating honestly, participating fully, and cooperating totally in your treatment plan. In this way, you will get the best results from our skill and expertise.

Bless and Be Blessed Always,

Lewis Meltz

Headaches - The Great Productivity Killer

Headaches - The Great Productivity Killer

Headaches are one of the greatest productivity killers around. When you're trying to get something done, and a headache comes on, it's game over. Even if you try to make it through, you're not going to be nearly as productive and you're likely going to be more miserable than ever. While it's no fun, there are some natural and simple methods to cure your headache!

The Hidden Causes

In today’s pill-popping culture, drugs are often considered the first line of defense against headache pain. The problem? These drugs have a proven history of ineffectiveness. In addition, they’re loaded with potentially life threatening side effects.  All-natural alternatives, however —such as the type of chiropractic care we offer is safe, and an effective way to end many different types of headache pain.

As a provider of holistic health, we believe it’s important for patients and doctors to work together as a team. Because of our belief, today’s topic is on hidden headache triggers, and what our practice members can do to stop head pain in its tracks... all on your own.

1. Vertebral Subluxation

When spinal bones (vertebrae) are misaligned, the result is a common condition known as vertebral subluxation. This causes a restriction in movement affecting irritation of nerves and muscles to overwork: an underlying cause of headache complaints.   With safe, gentle manual maneuvers known as chiropractic adjustments the spine becomes balanced normalizing alignment and movement.

2. Neck Tension

Migraine and tension-type headaches are often present in patients reporting neck pain, according to researchers in Australia (Cephalalgia 2007;27:793- 802).

When neck muscles stiffen and contract —a chain of events frequently sparks poor posture the result is a tug-of-war with spinal bones: a scenario that often leads to the development of vertebral subluxations in the neck, mid back, and lower back.  That’s why medications often fail to alleviate headaches; they focus on symptoms sometimes without addressing the underlying root cause.

Chiropractic care, on the other hand, gets to the mechanical source of the matter if there is one. Numerous studies illustrate that chiropractic care successfully relieves neck pain and related muscle tension.  For instance, in one study of 119 patients, neck pain was reduced by a 54 percent after four weeks of chiropractic care, (approximately 12 visits). All without drugs, (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:307).

 3. Jaw Problems 

Headache is commonly associated with temporomandibular disorder, (TMD).  This can be a possible trigger or perpetuating factor of headache complaints, (Dent Clin North Am 2007;51:129-44).  

TMD is an acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects the lower jaw to the skull.  A study of 1,940 children illustrated the TMD/headache link when it revealed that “the most common symptom of TMD was headache.” (J Oral Rehabil 2003;30:1200.)

 4. Eye Strain

Another well-known culprit of headache is eyestrain. Glaring computer monitors and vision difficulties (due to lack of corrective glasses or lenses) are two of the most common causes of eyestrain. Flickering fluorescent lights can also be a catalyst causing eye strain and headaches.  In the case of uncorrected hyperopia, (far-sightedness) and astigmatism, (irregularly shaped corneas), the eye’s muscles are forced to work harder to keep an image in clear focus —leading to tired or aching eyes, poor concentration, headaches and blurring of vision —especially with close-up work.

 5. Dehydration 

Dehydration —is another common cause of mid-day headaches, and is also one of the most simple to remedy.  To demonstrate this, researchers in the Netherlands enrolled 18 patients in a pilot study. All of the individuals suffered from migraine headache. In addition, two also had tension-type headache. Patients received either placebo, (fake) medication or the advice to drink 1.5 times more water than they typically consumed every day for 12 weeks.  There was no reported change in the placebo group.

However, those who increased their water intake “reduced the total hours of headache in two weeks time by 21 hours.”  Headache intensity also plummeted (Eur JNeurol 2005;12:715-8).

 6. Stress 

Emotional anxiety is one of the most common headache troublemakers.  Fortunately, you can diffuse this time bomb before it explodes.  To ward off a headache, practice at least one stress-busting technique on a daily basis. Winning techniques include:

Yoga, T’ai Chi or Pilates, Breathing Exercises, Meditation, 
Prayer, Hiking and Nature Walks, Laughter
, and Dancing.

 7. Obesity

Obesity is linked to an increased risk of severe headaches, according to research presented at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. The study indicated that “chronic daily headaches were more prevalent in obese and morbidly obese people than in those with normal body weight.” (Nutr Today 2005:40:118.)

Obese people also reported severe pain more often than the other groups. Those with morbid obesity reported that the pain was usually severe 40.2 percent of the time.  If you’re overweight, shedding a few pounds may do wonders to alleviate headaches. Healthy weight-reduction strategies, such as daily exercise and a nutritious diet, are also independent headache-prevention factors.

 8. Medication Overuse

The continual use of headache and pain medications, 
prescriptive or over-the-counter (OTC) —particularly those containing barbiturates and caffeine, amplifies the odds of developing what’s known as medication overuse headache (MOH).  According to scientists, “Medication overuse headache is a clinically important entity and it is now well documented.” (JHeadache Pain 2005;6:199.)

 Pain relieving medications also tend to lower blood levels of serotonin: the “feel good” chemical affecting emotion, behavior and cognitive processing. “The principal approach to management of MOH is built around cessation of overused medication,” note researchers. “Without discontinuation of the offending medication, improvement is almost impossible to attain.” (JHeadache Pain 2005;6:199.)

This is particularly true in the case of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs because of their ease of accessibility.  It’s estimated that six out of every 10 patients with migraine treat their headaches exclusively with OTC products: ranging from acetaminophen and aspirin to ibuprofen and aspirin-acetaminophen-caffeine combinations.  This excessive reliance “contributes to preventable morbidity [ill health] and drug-induced headaches.” (Pharmacotherapy 2003;23:494-505.)

When it comes to OTC options, non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may pose the greatest threat. In addition to contributing to MOH, these drugs increase the risk and likelihood of stomach ulcers, and double the risk of developing heart failure (Arch Intern Med 2000;160:777-84).

 9. Hormones

According to a study published earlier this year, migraine headache is three times more common in women than men, “occurring in 18.2 percent of women and 6.5 percent of men. The prevalence significantly increases during the peak reproductive years of women (aged 20-50 years), which represents a period of cyclic fluctuations in ovarian hormones as a result of the menstrual cycle.” (J Fam Pract 2007;56:13.)

 The researchers noted how pregnancy and menopause can also alter the frequency and disability of preexisting migraine attacks “or may lead to the new onset of migraine in some women.” Instead of resorting to drugs —many of which have potentially serious side effects —talk about adding a good magnesium supplement to your diet.  In a study of 20 patients with menstrual migraine, sufferers received magnesium (360 mg daily) or placebo beginning on the 15th day of their menstrual cycle and continuing until the next menses for two months. “The patients who received magnesium had a significant reduction in pain scores, number of days with headache, and other menstrual complaints.” (J Fam Pract 2007;56:13.)

 10. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning  

Although rare, one of the most preventable, and deadly causes of headache is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.  According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, “Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by all internal combustion engines including diesel and propane-powered engines.  It’s also produced by burning wood, paper or plastic products and from welding when carbon dioxide shielding gas is used.”  Fortunately, specially designed detectors can monitor your home’s air for the presence of this deadly gas.  If you don’t already own a CO detector make sure to pick one up today.  Other common fumes and odorless gasses may also cause headaches.

 Rely on All-Natural Relief

Periodic chiropractic care is the key to preventing pain and illness. The focus of the chiropractic approach is warding off health complaints before they occur.  However, if headache does strike, don’t just reach for drugs… because the 5- most dangerous words are: Maybe. It. Will. Go. Away.  Instead, consider the all-natural relief options that we offer below. 

The Quick and Natural Way to Cure Headaches

The idea behind relieving a headache is to do it naturally and quickly. There are plenty of over-the-counter medications, but they have their own side effects that just create a new problem. If taken too frequently, headache medicines may even lose their effectiveness. Here are some natural headache remedies that you can use to quickly eliminate your headache:

If you're at home, take a warm bath. Many headaches are caused by contracted muscles and a hot bath will relax those muscles. This is especially great for tension headaches.

If it is a stress headache, exercising can relieve it. Taking a walk to increase blood circulation can help dramatically.

If the headache is caused by dehydration, drinking water can help, but it may take several glasses until the problem is solved.

To relieve a tension headache, massage the shoulders and neck can.  This is because the tightened muscles causing the headache are loosened.

For a caffeine, sinus, or allergy headache, a cold or hot compress can make the headache go away.

Too little or too much sleep can cause headaches. Try to sleep the same hours every night. You also want to try to keep a consistent bedtime.

Try not to sit, stand, or work in the same position for long periods of time. This can put strain on your back, shoulders, and neck. This strain can lead to a tension headache, so change position frequently to keep this from occurring.

If bright lights make your head hurt, avoid them. If you already have a headache, try to sit in a room with minimal light. People with migraines tend to benefit from this technique.

Reduce your intake of caffeine in order to avoid caffeine headaches. This can be one of the worst types of headaches. Unfortunately, there are many people who attempt to solve this headache by taking in more caffeine. The problem is that this type of headache tends to be caused by caffeine withdrawal, so it's a catch 22.

Avoid foods that trigger headaches. If you notice a pattern that your head hurts after eating a certain food, that is your sign to avoid it. Try eating organic fruits and vegetables because of their nutritional value and health benefits. 
Since everyone is different, different remedies will work for different people. You may need to experiment to find out which one is going to work best for you. Once you find your remedy, stick to it. 


So there you have it.  Ten things that cause headaches, and tens ways to get rid of them.  
You can prevent headaches by controlling your stress levels, exercising, eating balanced meals and getting adjusted periodically. All of these go hand-in-hand because stress can be relieved by more than exercising and eating healthy foods. It may require a lifestyle change as well, but you'll not only feel better but you'll relieve the majority of your headaches in the process! 
By implementing these changes and eliminating your headaches, you'll boost your quality of life and get more done more productively.

 Bless and Be Blessed... ALWAYS

 

Lewis Meltz

Going barefoot is GOOD for your health

Bare Foot Walking in El Dorado Hills

Walking Barefoot Might Be Crucial for Your Good Health… So go ahead… kick your shoes off.

New research revisits a practice called earthing or just another word for walking around barefoot.  You can also achieve similar results simply by putting yourself in direct contact with the ground with something called a “tether” that will connect you electrically to the earth’s natural electric field while reading, watching a movie, or sleeping.  Sort of like a leash that grounds you to the earth’s circuitry.    

Ask yourself, when was the last time you enjoyed the feeling of the green grass, or sand in between your toes?  Been awhile I’m sure. 

It could seem hard to believe, but going bare-foot, or in simple terms, “getting grounded” physically with the earth could possibly offer your health a much-needed boost.  People who work on delicate electronic components often ground themselves to their workbench with a conductive leash, in order to not short out the equipment they’re working on.  This is a great example of how industry applies this concept to the workplace… but how about your sleeping place?    

You’re truly an electric person, every sensation, movement, thought or memory is an electric exchange across billions of nerves and synapses from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.  The Earth's Surface is naturally charged with negative electrons, and on a regular basis your body produces opposite positive charges that can pre-maturely age you, and cause harm when the build up becomes excessive.  Because the Earth’s Surface is conductive, it has an abundant supply of free negative electrons to share neutralizing the damaging effects of positive electrons.  You just need a simple and easy way to encourage the exchange…and that’s where going barefoot comes in.  

Walking barefoot outside is an easy way to complete the circuit between you and the earth.  How many minutes of the day are you completely insulated?  Whether you’re awake, or whether you’re asleep?  Think about it.  Rubber soled shoes or sandals, carpeted or wood floors, plastic floor mats at work with insulated plastic casters… even driving in a car, you’re insulated.  Unless you’re walking barefoot on concrete at home or sleeping bareback on the lawn… you’re still fairly well insulated from the Earth’s healing negative electric field. 

As reported in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health:

"It’s a fact, Earth's surface area has an unlimited supply of freely mobile electrons.”

Evidence suggests the Earth's negatively charged potential can create a steady inner bioelectrical environment normalizing the way all body systems function. More than anything else, the subtle oscillations in the intensity of the Earth’s potential may be essential for setting biological clocks, which control diurnal rhythems, such as restful sleep cycles, and cortisol secretion influencing the way your body responds to stress and recovers from intense physical exertion.

There’s an ever expansive amount of information revealing the subtle connection to the planet's surface, and the way it plays an essential part in vitality, avoiding fatigue, and having more resilience when it comes to immunity and other diseases. 

Troubling indeed, while it’s true humans have in times past spent a lot of their time with their bare skin in direct contact with the earth’s surface… today this vital connection has been all but lost.   Our modern lifestyle has increasingly separated people from the elemental flow of Earth's electrons.

Just What Occurs When You Soak Up Electrons from the Earth?

The scientific theory behind the health and wellness advantages seen from this easy technique, is this.  The Earth has a greater negative charge compared to your body, and you wind up taking in electrons from it. This is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants we understand, and might have a dual purpose of anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits. 

To put it simply, it's believed that the free-flow of negatively and positively charged electrons through your body coming from the Earth’s surface will help complete the circuit, and help neutralize the damaging effects of free-radicals produced by the consumption of oxygen, and the exhaust cells produce from burning calories.  This invariably helps to reduce acute and chronic inflammation, known to be the root of many health conditions and the pre-mature acceleration of aging.

 

Earthing Research Reveals Significant Conveniences.

Earthing research reveals a remarkable effect on an assortment of health conditions, and was discovered to offer improvements in the following disorders:

Sleep disturbances, including rest apnea.

Persistent muscular tissue and joint pain, and various other sorts of discomfort.

Asthmatic and breathing conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

Irritation.

PMS.

Hypertension.

Fatigue,

Stress.

Immune system activity and feedback.

Heart rate variability,

Weakening of bones.

Fasting blood sugar levels among individuals with diabetic issues.

Another vital perk is this:  When your body is grounded, "its electrical potential matches the Earth's electrical potential through a transfer of electrons from the Earth directly into the physical body."  This, then, supplies an "umbrella of protection,” against the electro-magnetic fields that are now common in our environment.

Earthing Prescribed.

The effects of grounding seem so great that researchers recommend health and wellness experts advise outdoor "barefoot sessions.”  This is as basic as it gets -- you kick-off your shoes or sandals and walk barefoot on the yard whenever you can, and wherever you can. 

Just 30-80 minutes of barefoot time a day is enough to enjoy the benefits of pain relief, stress reduction, and slowing the effects of aging… naturally.  

Bless and be blessed ALWAYS

Lewis Meltz

Tips on Reducing Stress to Prevent Anxiety During the Holidays

These days it's popular to obsess about our faults and insecurities and limits, of course it is, but it does nothing to move you forward.  And if you happen to stall there, that’s the feeling of “being stuck,” and unable to move forward.  That alone causes added stress and anxiety.  Your limited beliefs will always be there. The question is: do they win, or do you?  Do you rise to the calling of your greatness and service in your heart, or do you routinely shrink back to the thought of what limits you?  Magic resides within you. So live it.

 Do you rise to the calling of greatness in your heart, or do you routinely shrink back to the thought of what limits you?

The temptation to become disappointed, disenchanted and discouraged is real. The remedy to stress is clear: don’t give up on you!

Stress is a legitimate mental condition that can have serious debilitating effects by manifesting in many ways, some physical and others not so recognizable.  High levels of stress are indeed measurable, and the end result?  Self sabotage or worse, pre-mature aging.  Once and for all take an active stand against allowing stress into your life in the first place, and put the advice in this article to work for you in your efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle with greater peace of mind so you can relax and truly enjoy this time of year.

First of all, figure out the main cause of your stress, and see if you can find ways to reduce or eliminate it.  One of the best ways is simply by saying “no” especially to other people’s demands for your time and attention.  Eliminating over commitment is one of the easiest ways to minimize stress and improve performance.  For example, if you've got a friend or co-worker who creates stressful situations for you with demands on your time and attention, segment the amount time you allow for them in advance if you can.  You may even want to distance yourself from them, or stay far away from that person all together.  Who cares what other people might think?  Getting rid of all the large sources of stress in your life will improve your overall attitude, your outlook on life, and your health.  

Simply say no...

Any time you feel stress welling up, you should think about what makes you happy, what fulfills you, and what you want to get done… not what others want you to do for them. Positive and ambitious thoughts can create the proper balance of chemicals in your body so that you can improve your mood on demand.  Too much of a good thing can be just as harmful as well.  Exercise; although it’s a great way to reduce stress can also be used as a way to avoid what causes your stress in the first place.  So keep that in perspective.   

TIP! You may need to see a doctor because anxiety can be too much to deal with on your own. You may want to consider seeking assistance from a professional.

Try minimizing stress by managing your time better.  There is truth in the saying, “Early to bed and early to rise.”  When you are always rushing to get things done, multi-tasking, your body is under constant physiological stress, and believe it or not, the body pushes back just as hard in ways that are hard to understand.  Ease this burden by sharpening your ability to complete tasks in an efficient manner.  Getting things done promptly and systematically will stop everything from piling up, which causes even more stress.  My advice?  The very first thing you do at the start of your day is to get one thing done completely, and do it everyday.  This ritual alone will keep procrastination at bay, which is just another source of stress for most people.

Put an end to procrastination

Secondly, your friends and family will not want to hear about your problems all the time, so pick a time and place that is appropriate. There are times that talking about your problems is necessary. Friends will always be there to listen, so it is vital to use this option to help relieve your stress and anxiety.  Remember, you cannot say the wrong thing to the right person, but on the flip side, you cannot say the right thing to the wrong person.  It’s best to err on the side of caution, state the facts, avoid embellishing the situation, and resist ruminating (repeating yourself) to make your point, and avoid confrontation.  
 
Third, make sure you take some time for yourself every day, no matter how busy you are. You can have a quiet cup of coffee as you read something new, get up early to jump rope, or take a walk during a mid-day break.  These special, quiet times during your day can reduce your stress levels and allow you some time to relax.  If you’ve learned something during that time be sure to teach someone what it is, because it only reinforces it better for you.  That’s why the people you admire seem to have-it-together, and have a certain order to their lives and a level of control most would covet.  So teach someone something new everyday.

TIP! Avoid relying on drugs or alcohol to treat your anxiety, as this will only lead to other problems. Severe and chronic anxiety should be treated professionally, or dealt with in a manner conducive to your well being.

Stress is a major factor in loss of productivity and focus in almost all areas of your life.  Our brains are hardwired to address all human drives, and learning how to harness some of those base drives is the solution to minimize stress and anxiety.  Those base drives include:

• Discipline, 
• Proficiency, 
• Consistency, 
• Thoughtfulness and 
• Association.   

Many people who become stressed are unable to motivate themselves out of their situation.  Amplifying what is great within you will certainly accelerate your life faster than fixing what you “think” limits you.  Most authorities agree how dietary deficiencies can cause widespread health problems just as a deficiency in the base drives above can cause the first signs of stress and anxiety, which left alone or ignored only get worse.

 Amplifying what is great within you will accelerate your life faster than fixing what you “think” is limiting you.

You must become your own change agent.  Recognize the fact you are a product of what you read, what you watch on television, the music you listen to, and the people with whom you spend the most time.  In order to break the chains of stress and anxiety say yes to how you change your environment in what ever way you can.  Get out of your own way, make a connection with someone each day, teach someone something new, care about that person, and grow your list. Listen for unfulfilled needs and desires — and listen for values. After awhile, instead of finding ways to cope with daily stress and anxiety, you’ll need to only schedule time for it once and awhile.  

 

Lewis Meltz