Controlling and preserving body position while staying still orin motion is the essential function of good balance. Good balance helps an individual to walk without faltering, arise from a sitting position without tottering, and to climb stairs without slipping.

Approximately 9 percent of adults, age 65 and older, describe having problems with balance. Good balance is vital in aiding an older person to stay independent, and to carry out daily chores and activities. Dizziness, “wooziness,” and challenges with balance are encountered by many individuals as they age.

The sensation by some people that they, themselves, or their environment is spinning is called “vertigo.” About 40 percent of individuals in the U.S. will experience dizziness that is consequential enough to go seek out a health professional. And, among older adults, falls are the prevailing cause of serious injury and deaths.

Balance and Inner Ear Problems

Three types of balance disorders that are most familiar are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s disease, though there are quite a few other classes of balance disorders. Of these three, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most widespread. Its symptoms include a brief, intense experience of vertigo with a change in head position, when rolling over to the left or right in bed or when getting out of bed, or when looking up for something on a high shelf. This problem is more likely to occur in adults 60 and older, although it can also take place in younger adults.

The basis for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are varied. Inner ear infection, head injury, or simply aging can cause the problem. Many times times a simple Epleys procedure can correct the affliction, though it can be associated with other disease processes. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has many years of experience in this procedure.

Labyrinthitis is an infection or iirritation of the inner ear that cause dizziness and loss of balance. It affects people|individuals of any age and the cause is currently undiscovered.

Ménière’s disease is a balance disorder that creates vertigo, hearing loss inconsistent, tinnitus (ringing or roaring in the ears), and a “full feeling” in the ear.

Age is not the only explanation for why these conditions occur, but older persons are more likely to experience balance disorders. Depending on the reason for the balance disorder, therapy will vary. Occasionally, there’s a simple answer to balance problems, such as simple exercises for vestibular rehab. A chiropractor is well-educated in assessing and treating most of balance dysfunctions. Consult a health care professional, such as your Santa Barbara Chiropractor, if you have undergone, or are currently experiencing, dizziness, vertigo, or other problems with balance.

Not every balance disorders are created by problems in the inner ear. Some may involve other regions of the body like the brain or heart. Head injury, stroke, certain medicines, circulation challenges, upper respiratory infections and other viral infections, stress, fatigue, smoking, alcohol use,  high or low blood pressure, and heart disease are all influences that, along with aging and ear infection, may create balance disorders.

Balance disorders caused by high blood pressure can usually be managed by less sodium intake,maintaining a healthy weight, and exercise. To assist in making the symptoms of dizziness less intense, generally eating low-salt or salt-free foods, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, will help.

Balance disorders are dangerous. It is the primary cause of falls and fall-related injuries in older people. It is extremely important to have a possible balance disorder diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions, you should discuss the symptom(s) with your chiropractor:

• Do you have the feeling of being “unsteady?”

• Does the room seem to spin around you?

• Is there ever a time when you feel as if you are moving when you know you are standing still?

• Do you lose your balance and/or fall?

• Do you feel as if you are falling?

• Does your vision ever become “blurred?”

• Do you ever feel disoriented, or lose a sense of time, place or identify?

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call your chiropractor today.

Technorati Tags: balance, chiropractic, chiropractor, dizziness, falls, vertigo

Today’s parents are more concerned than ever about the detrimental effects drugs have on their children. Moms and dads want to know if there is more that they can do for their child than to give them medication.

Parents are disinclined to simply mask symptoms with drugs, and they are worried about side effects. Today, moms and dads are finding health care alternatives for their children that aid and maintain their child’s natural ability to be healthy.

Chiropractic care is that option. All children function better with 100% nerve function. The immune system is directed by the nervous system. When it is working at its peak, children stay healthier.  As the adage goes, “the best offense is a good defense.” Everyday, children are exposed to massive amounts of airborn, food-born, and contact bacteria. So many bacteria, in fact, that it would be unfeasible to immunize them against them all. Your Camarillo Chiropractor is very familiar with colds, sore throats, ear infections, fevers, colic, asthma, tonsillitis, allergies, bed-wetting, infections, pains, falls, stomach-aches, and the hundred and one little (and big) things children go through as they in their childhood years.

A chiropractor is committed to helping keep your child healthy and strong so that the illnesses that seem to be an inescapable part of childhood, either will not affect your child as fiercely or will not affect them at all. Chiropractic adjustments aids in removing interferences to the innate healing power that runs through your child’s body. When that power is freed, the changes that take place quite frequently are profound.

Furthermore, a child is lesslikely to be injured at play or in sports when his or her spine is in alignment. In addition, children who are brought in regularly for chiropractic care don’t appear to experience as many “growing pains” as other children.

Each day at your Camarillo Chiropractor we are happy to see that more and more parents are bringing their children to our clinic to help to take care of the questions and concerns they have regarding their children’s health. All children are entitled to express their entire potentiality. Chiropractic adjustments for children at your Camarillo Chiropractor is safe, gentle and effective.

Technorati Tags: children's health, chiropractic, chiropractor

Knee pain and disability is prevalent, second only to spinal conditions within the musculoskeletal system. Conditions concerning the knee can be separated into several categories including unsatisfactory of the knee and reduced foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, frequent overuse of the knee joint,  inflammation due to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from events such as sports and falls.

Non-trauma knee problems: The most prevalent cause of non-traumatic pain is deficient mechanics of the knee joint and the corresponding stress on the soft tissues of the knee. Generally, the part of the knee affected is the patella or knee-cap. Many times the patella does not move smoothly or does not move adequately on the femur during bending of the knee causing abnormal stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This distinct condition is normally called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This dysfunction is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that attach to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles having to do with knee movement commonly begin from lower back dysfunction, especially in the sacroiliac joint. Pain and dysfunction can also be produced by imbalances in the muscle groups that connect to the knee. For example, the muscles on the inside of the thigh, when strained and tight, can cause pain on the medial or inside of the knee.   Mechanical knee pain is also caused by gait deviations such as pronation.

The associated pain from overuse is most generally noticeable during activity, particularly stair climbing, running, jumping, and after standing after prolonged sitting. Many women appear to be predisposed to painful overuse problems for anatomical reasons, but such ailments are often caused by wearing high heels on a regular basis.

The main treatment for mechanical or overuse injuries to the knee is to re-establish proper balance of the muscles, restore proper movement to the patella and other joints of the knee, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot.  In some cases, a brace is adopted to help with the adjustment of the patella or to support the joint. Chiropractors, such as your San Jose chiropractor, are ideally trained to render knowledgeable analysis and treatment of these ailments.

Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries often take place during physical exertion that involves running and jumping, especially. When the knee is stretched or bent beyond the capability of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can occur producing a sprain. The muscles that give motion to the knee can also be torn during injury creating a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a minor injury that necessitates little care to a extreme injury needing surgery. In addition the two special knee “cartilages” located between the tibia and femur (called the menisci), which facilitate fluid movement and cushioning, may also be torn during traumatic injury. This serious injury frequently needs surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.

Traumatic knee injuries can create severe pain and swelling and require immediate diagnosis and attention. In most instances an experienced chiropractor, such as your San Jose Chiropractor, can manage these conditions, however there are some injuries that do need the dexterity of an orthopedic surgeon. Nevertheless, it is very important to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to use ice on the hurt area, if possible, until the injury can be examined.

Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be eliminated at an early stage. Otherwise, the tissues of the knee joint, especially the cartilage, will eventually erode. If tissue and cartilage deteriorate, the bones will rub together unprotected and changes such as bone spurs can occur. This painful problem, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, frequently advances with age. Usual treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Fortunately, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are highly effectual such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely valuable in relieving the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is will gladly discuss anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, people can frequently assist themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, knee injury, knee pain