October is National Chiropractic Month

National Chiropractic Month is a nationwide campaign held each October.  This year’s activities will focus on headache treatment.  Nine out of ten Americans suffer from headaches.  Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing and some cause debilitating pain and nausea.  Chiropractic has been proven to be an effective treatment for several types of headaches including tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck.

A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.

“The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck,” says Dr. Jerry Dreessen, DC, from Back To Action.  “Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture.  This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache.”

What You Can Do?

1)  If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break every 30 minutes to one hour.  The stretches should take your head and neck through comfortable range of motion.

2)  Low-impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches.  However, if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, avoid heavy exercise.  Engage in such activities as walking and low-impact aerobics.

3)  Avoid teeth clenching.  The upper teeth should never touch the lowers, except when swallowing.  The results in stress at the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) – the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull – leading to TMJ irritation and a form of tension headaches.

4)  Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which lead to headaches.

What Can a Doctor Of Chiropractic Do?

Dr. Jerry Dreessen and Dr. Jason Gilmore of Back To Action can do one or more of the following if you suffer from a primary headache:

- Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.

-  Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.

-  Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques.  This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.

Doctors of chiropractic are trained and licensed to examine and treat the entire body with specific emphasis on the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.  They can also help people lead healthier lives focusing on wellness and prevention.  Feel free to talk or schedule an appointment with the Doctors of Back To Action today.

Sports injury prevention tips

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, the goal is the same: You undoubtedly want to lower your chances of incurring an injury while participating in your favorite sport; like hockey. Fortunately, there are some general rules for injury prevention that all apply to all sports, which is important because sports scientists suggest injury rates could be reduced by 25 percent if athletes too appropriate preventative action.

Here are some injury prevention tips you can use to stay healthy:

1. Avoid training when you are tired; you should be strong and ready to exercise.

2. Increase the amount of carbohydrates you consume during heavy training.

3. Match increases in training intensity or frequency with increases in resting. (Rest is how the body regenerates.)

4. Precede any increase in training load with an increase in strengthening.

5. Treat even seemingly minor injuries very carefully to prevent them from becoming a big problem. This is where chiropractic can become key.

6. If you experience pain when training, stop your training session immediately.

7. Never train hard if you are stiff from the previous training session.

8. Pay attention to hydration and nutrition (water before exercise, electrolyte drink during exercise and water after exercise).

9. Use appropriate training surfaces.

10. Check the training and competition areas are clear of hazards.

Chiropractic care is not only exceptional in the treatment of acute and chronic injuries, but is equally successful in preventing future injuries when regular care is received. Simply, chiropractic focuses on the cause of the deficiency or injury and not just the symptoms.

For a free chiropractic consultation with Dr. Gilmore, either call (425) 670-2600 or schedule here.

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month

Cholesterol—you hear the word all the time! But what does it really mean, and why should you care? Well, it is National Cholesterol Education Month for one (and no, I didn’t almost forget because cholesterol is boring). If that’s not a good enough reason, then maybe you should care because HIGH CHOLESTEROL CAN KILL YOU. (Read it again, but pretend Darth Vader is saying it!)
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the bloodstream and in cells throughout the body. Cholesterol is not inherently “bad,” and plays a critical role in the formation of cell membranes and hormones. But you only need a small amount of cholesterol to carry out these functions, so when too much cholesterol is present in your body, it becomes a health risk.
To understand this more fully, let’s look at how cholesterol works. Cholesterol doesn’t dissolve in the blood stream. Instead, it is transported in and out of cells by carriers called low-density lipoproteins, or LDL, and high-density lipoproteins, or HDL. When the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream increases, the body needs to create additional lipoproteins to transport them.
LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol, because too much of it results in plaque build-up on the arterial walls. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, hardens and clogs the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. HDL, on the other hand, has been dubbed “good cholesterol,” because it aids in removing cholesterol from the body.
Determining your cholesterol level can be done with a simple blood test. The “normal level” of cholesterol for any individual varies depending upon their age, weight, and sex. Typically, though, an LDL level above 160 is considered high. Similarly an HDL level below 40 is usually too low. Both high LDL levels and low HDL levels can put you at risk for plaque buildup.
About 75 percent of the cholesterol in the blood is made by your liver and other cells in your body. The other 25 percent comes from the food you eat. Cholesterol is found in animal products like meat, eggs, poultry, and liver, which is a particularly high source. This is why eating less saturated fat from animals is a good first step toward lowering your cholesterol to a healthy level. Because high cholesterol can be a big risk factor for both heart disease and stroke, managing your levels is important.
Dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil and certain plant/nut oils. Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), while some nuts (e.g., English walnuts) and vegetable oils (e.g., canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, and olive oil) contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Evidence from several studies has suggested that amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of fish or fish oil supplements lowers triglycerides, slows the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques (“hardening of the arteries”), lowers blood pressure slightly, as well as reduces the risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes in people with known heart disease. However, high doses may have harmful effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding. Allar benefits are proposed for alpha-linolenic acibenefits are proposed for alpha-linolenic acid, scientific evidence is less compelling, and beneficial effects may be less pronounced.

Back Pack Safety and Chiropractic

“Bad weather plus your child’s back pack… equal neck, back or shoulder pains in our little ones!”

How big of a problem is Back Pack pain in our little ones? Well, get this. Your child’s backpack might be causing harm. The potential dangers of heavy backpacks used by children are greater than most parents realize.

According to national guidelines, students should carry backpacks that weigh… no more than 10-15% of their body weight. Yet did you know that…

“55% of students are carrying backpacks that weigh much more than the recommended weight?” (Simmons College, April, 2001)

Why is this such an “invisible” health concern? Hey, we realize we’re starting to sound like overprotective parents here, but consider this. Over the years the average weight associated with a children’s backpack has increased 120% since the 1970’s! Today in addition to school books, kids are also cramming their karate outfits in their backpacks… along with iPods, Game Boys, extra gym clothes for their after school sports leagues, baseball gloves, lunch pails, etc. Children today are “overscheduled” and thus carry much more “weight” into their backpacks to accommodate their extra-busy lifestyles.

Carrying too much weight really can cause permanent damage to a child’s back and spine. This is a serious health concern. As chiropractors, we are seeing more and more children complaining about back pain and it is often because of the weight they’re carrying on their backs to and from school every day.

A survey conducted by AIRPACKS in 2000 revealed that 66% of school nurses reported seeing students with pain or injury caused by backpacks. Here are a few quick tips:

1. Wear backpack straps on both shoulders, not just one

2. Put heavier books closest to the back, which can reduce the awkward strain

3. Teach your child to bend at the knees while lifting backpacks

4. Try to reduce the load! Only carry what is necessary each day.

If you would like to have your child examined or have concerns about their health, please give us a call at (425) 670-2600 or schedule here.  We’re here to help! Drs. Dreessen and Gilmore.

Chronic Pain and Chiropractic

The month of August is a period to focus our awareness on a condition that affects
individuals, their families and society in general.  Chronic pain is considered to be the most costly health
problem in the United States. Increased medical expenses, lost income, lost productivity, compensation
payments, and legal charges are some of the negative economic consequences of chronic pain. Along with
financial ramifications, chronic pain impacts one’s emotional state and relationships.

Pain is an unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pain has both physical and emotional components. The physical part of pain results from nerve stimulation. Pain may be contained to a discrete area, as in an injury, or it can be more diffuse, as in disorders like fibromyalgia.  Pain is mediated by specific nerve fibers that carry the pain impulses to the brain where their conscious appreciation may be modified by many factors.
The word “pain” comes from the Latin “poena” meaning a fine, a penalty.

Chiropractic and Integrative Pain Management
Integrative pain medicine is said to be more comprehensive than traditional medicine, because it emphasizes wellness and the healing of the whole person above and beyond the treatment of any specific symptom or disease. It involves the use of safe and effective approaches that are designed to facilitate healing, empowering patients to participate in their own healing process. Integrative medicine acknowledges the complexity of health and illness by identifying numerous causes of disease and multiple interventions based on the physical, biochemical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of health and disease.
Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs and surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.”

Because of this intimate relationship, biomechanical and structural problems in the spinal column can irritate parts of the enclosed nervous system. This irritation can result from noxious inflammatory biochemicals released during tissue injury or may result from direct mechanical pressure. In either case, the functioning of the nervous system is negatively influenced as is the functioning of the cells, tissues and organs which are supplied by the affected nerve(s).
In short, because the body’s innate recuperative powers are affected by and integrated through the nervous system, correcting spinal abnormalities which irritate the nervous system can lead to a number of favorable results in patients suffering from various, seemingly non-spinal health conditions.

Staying Fit For Life, The Healthy Way

At Back To Action we believe there is great benefit in doing three things at once:

(1) Chiropractic spinal manipulations

(2) Combined with the commencement of a fitness / exercise program (even an easy one to begin with!)

(3) Combined with the introduction of good diet and/or nutritional supplements and vitamins that speed muscle recovery and aid in good health

Big Benefits!

When we can get patients to do all three simultaneously, they often report incredible health benefits. Things like: sleeping better… less stress and arguing with the spouse… more energy than they have had for years…. More clarity and focus in getting things done… the list goes on and on. It’s the ultimate expression of a fully aligned and vibrant body!

One way to stay fit for life is to consider the following: Once you start experiencing the benefits from making these three changes… don’t dump healthy food and fitness habits! It’s the classic mistake that separates successful “weight losers” from those chronic “weight re-gainers”. People think of dieting as a temporary plan from which they’ll recover and get back to “normal.” Instead, we suggest you focus on a new norm, one that includes the healthy eating choices, spinal adjustments and fitness habits you’ve incorporated. This is one of the secrets to staying healthy for life!

How do you add quality to your life in a very real way?

One excellent way is through nutrition, since 2/3rds of the leading causes of death are directly related to diet. Smart patients know the value of investing in themselves and by that I mean a WELLNESS APPROACH to care. Now is the perfect time to begin!

If you’d like to learn more about  proper nutrition, please call us at (425)670-2600!

Chiropractic spinal manipulation

“Chiropractic spinal manipulation” is another term used for a chiropractic spinal adjustment.

The chiropractic spinal adjustment is a safe, natural, noninvasive procedure used by the chiropractor to restore and improve health. Learning the art of adjusting is a skill that requires years of study and practice. Chiropractic doctors are the only health care professionals trained to deliver the chiropractic adjustment. Spinal adjustments by any other individual or health care professional have been shown to be dangerous and less effective.

Chiropractic spinal adjustment

The chiropractic spinal adjustment is a safe, natural, noninvasive procedure used by the chiropractor to restore and improve health. Learning the art of adjusting is a skill that requires years of study and practice. Chiropractic doctors are the only health care professionals trained to deliver the chiropractic adjustment. Spinal adjustments by any other individual or health care professional have been shown to be dangerous and less effective.

Chiropractic wellness care

“Chiropractic wellness care” is a commonly searched phrase for people who are searching for a safe and effective means of promoting overall body wellness.

You may be wondering… how can the same chiropractic treatment which effectively treats my back pain also optimize my health? The answer can be found by looking into the relationship between the spine and the nervous system.

As you may already know, the nervous system is the master controller of all living cells, tissues and organs; orchestrating and coordinating all cellular functions. The spinal column encases the nervous system (spinal cord and nerve roots) and is responsible for its protection.

Because of this intimate relationship, biomechanical and structural problems in the spinal column can irritate parts of the enclosed nervous system. This irritation can result from noxious inflammatory biochemicals released during tissue injury or may result from direct mechanical pressure. In either case, the functioning of the nervous system is negatively influenced as is the functioning of the cells, tissues and organs which are supplied by the affected nerve(s).

The resulting ailment(s) depends on the cells, tissues and organs affected as well as the extent of nervous system compromise.

In short, because the body’s innate recuperative powers are affected by and integrated through the nervous system, correcting spinal abnormalities which irritate the nervous system can lead to a number of favorable results in patients suffering from various, seemingly non-spinal health conditions.

When evaluating and treating patients, chiropractors take a holistic approach which includes identifying and correcting the cause(s) of the patient’s health ailment. In contrast, the medical approach tends to focus more on the treating the symptoms of a condition rather than focusing primarily on the actual cause(s).

Chiropractors believe that correcting the cause of the problem provides significant long-term benefits over only treating the symptoms.

To schedule your wellness check up, please call (425) 670-2600 or schedule online.

Chiropractic care neck pain

“Chiropractic care neck pain” are a common search for neck pain relief and chiropractic.

Neck pain affects a significant number of individuals. Recent studies have found more than 10% of Americans suffer from neck pain at any given time.

The reason is that the neck region contains many delicate, pain sensitive structures commonly exposed to abuse and abnormal stresses. Incomplete rehabilitation of past injuries, poor posture, prolonged sitting, and lack of periodic spinal alignments are some of the more common factors in the development of neck problems.

Fortunately, most individuals suffering from neck problems will find chiropractic care extremely beneficial. Unlike prescription drugs, most chiropractic procedures address the cause of the majority of neck problems, not simply the symptoms. Best of all, chiropractic care is safe, natural, and noninvasive… no side effects allowed!