Posts Tagged ‘stress’

How To Choose The Right Chiropractor

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

A lot of people don’t realize that chiropractic care can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal problems far beyond basic back pain. This homeopathic form of treatment continues to grow in popularity as it gains more and more recognition from the medical community as a means of treating many chronic health issues, as well as providing safe and effective pain management. Different practitioners have different styles, however, so here are some tips to help you choose the right chiropractor for you.

People have different goals they hope to accomplish through chiropractic care. Some are dealing with an acute injury, while others are simply looking to achieve or maintain an overall sense of health and wellness. Some other things to consider when determining are your lifestyle and daily routine. A person who spends a lot of time sitting at their job requires a different approach to chiropractic treatment than someone who is very active. These are important evaluations, as sports injuries, for example, are dealt with in an entirely different manner than chronic conditions caused by the repetitive motions many people employ in the workplace.

If you have health insurance, make sure the practitioner you are considering accepts your insurance plan. It’s also a good idea the check with your insurance company prior to your first visit to ensure you are aware of any limitations or referral requirements which must be satisfied in order to receive coverage. If you don’t have insurance, or if your health plan provider does not cover chiropractic care, simply talk to your chiropractor to see if a workable financial arrangement can be agreed upon.

Flexible scheduling is important, as many people require evening or weekend appointments in order to fit chiropractic care into the business of day to day life. Make sure the practitioner you are considering has office hours that can be worked into your schedule.

Different people require different types of chiropractic treatment, and the ultimate decision in choosing a chiropractor should be your own. But if you happen to know anyone who sees a chiropractor, this is a great place to begin your search. Ask them directly about their experience with that practitioner. Sometimes personal referrals are the most effective way to find the best services in your area.

Distance can also be a determining factor. Consider how far you are willing to travel. It’s important to keep in mind that several visits may be required to achieve the desired results from your chiropractic treatment. That could mean quite a bit of travelling if your practitioner is far away.

Your ability to follow instructions is a factor in chiropractic care. A big part of the success of chiropractic treatments is dependent upon the willingness and dedication of the patient to follow up at home with the prescribed exercises and activities.

By evaluating these points honestly, you will find the right chiropractor for your specific needs. No matter what your health issue happens to be, chiropractic consultation is a great way to get started on the road to pain relief and an overall sense of well being.

Go back to enjoying your life and the activities you love most by visiting a Toronto chiropractor for your back pain. Yorkville Chiropractic And Wellness Centre 94 Asquith Avenue, Toronto, ON M4W 1J8 (416) 928-0003

Choosing A Career As A Chiropractor

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

People who choose a chiropractor career are interested in curing problems in the human body using natural methods. As health care professionals, they are the second largest in the United States, with over 50,000 practitioners. They receive an education that earns them the title of ‘doctor’, the same as dentists (DDS), Medical doctors (MD) and Osteopathy doctors (DO).

In order to become a Doctor of Chiropractic they must undergo a strenuous training program. In addition to taking pre-chiropractic courses at a regular college they must also spend 5 academic years of concentrated chiropractic studies. The last year of their training is spent in a clinical internship working with patients. Their education stresses body manipulation, natural drug alternatives and nutrition, while a medical doctor emphasizes prescription drugs, surgery and other procedures.

In chiropractic education studies are concentrated on anatomy, neurology, nutrition, physiology and biomechanics more than training of a medical doctor. How a person’s aches and pains relate to muscles, bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments and other body parts is emphasized. Special classes are provided regarding the relation of exercise and the right diet to a person’s health problems and how it can be incorporated with other methods of solving a person’s distress.

A chiropractor does not prescribe prescription drugs. If some sort of medication is indicated natural herbs are used as it has been discovered that this is what is best for the body. They do not have the adverse effects that prescription drugs. This fact is well documented with research studies.

A great deal of chiropractic treatment is connected with manipulative therapy which works on the theory that the vertebrae can be trained to maintain proper alignment and movement. Chronic sports injuries, headaches, pinched nerves, back aches and many other common complaints can be traced to bones in the back, or other locations, being out of alignment. Other techniques are also commonly used.

When a person in pain appears at the doctor’s office their medical history is recorded, an x-ray taken and an examination done to obtain a clear picture of what is causing the pain. When the cause is determined a plan of action is made. In addition to manipulation, techniques that might be used are heat and ice, massage therapy, ultrasound, stretches and other things necessary to get a person back to good health.

In their studies of all parts of the body and their relation to each other, when a patient complains of back pain, for example, there can be many causes. It may be a pinched nerve, herniated disc, sciatica, arthritis, an injury or something else that causes the discomfort. Because of their training, a chiropractor can determine the exact cause and proceed with the right method to bring relief.

A chiropractor in today’s world is recognized as having an important part in the profession of health care. He or she concentrates on the idea that the human body will heal itself when given the right opportunity. They work to uncover the cause of a patient’s health problem and promote wellness care encompassing emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of allover health.

Back pain or low back pain does not have to be something you have to live with. An experienced Toronto chiropractor can help you restore your health and alleviate your lower back pain for good. Visit a chiropractic center today!

Good Reasons To Choose Chiropractic Care

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

For many patients, chiropractic care is the best medical care that they have found. The services are effective as well as safe. They find the chiropractor to be a primary health care provider that provides a portal to the full medical services that are available to patients. The services that are provided are comparable to those provided by an MD or DO.

Chiropractors provide their patients with affordable medical services. Many patients pay with cash for the services. Since the chiropractor does not prescribe medication, the patients are able to save even more costs. In addition, studies show that the chiropractor’s conservative care for back pain is just as effective as many other treatment types, while being much less expensive. With patients facing unemployment and loss of insurance, this option becomes even more attractive.

Chiropractors are expected to survive an extensive training course to be licensed. They follow the same undergraduate courses that most other medical practitioners follow. In order to enter graduate school most must have completed the BS or BA degree. Once the undergraduate degree is completed, the DC must complete four years of graduate school and an internship. The internship allows the new chiropractor to put into practice the things he has learned in school into practice under the observant eye of an experienced chiropractor.

There is a high demand for chiropractors today, an indicator of the effectiveness. There will be over thirty million patients this year. Visits may be related to any number of health care concerns. Patients see the doctor after accidents, injuries and when experiencing pain.

Everywhere a DC works requires that he or she be licensed. These locations may have different rules regarding the license. In most places the requirements have stood the test of time.

Many health insurance carriers have recognized the help and value of chiropractors. These carriers now include coverage for visits to the chiropractor in the clients health care package. Additionally, the government has recognized the doctor’s value so that programs like Medicaid and Medicare provide coverage to those they serve. The armed forces commissions chiropractors as health care providers as well.

The principles that guide the work of the chiropractor are based on science. The human spine carries signals to and from the brain and the rest of the body. If the spine is not balanced, nerves can be hindered in their tasks. The result can be pain that lowers the patient’s quality of life or leads to disability. With good care from a chiropractor the quality of life may be restored and the patient may no longer need to deal with pain.

The chiropractor offers preventative medicine to patients. They can help to lead patients toward wellness. They help with stress management as well as workplace safety as well as helping people in pain. Wellness care can affect the patient’s entire lifestyle.

Chiropractic care is often the best solution for one’s health needs. This holistic approach to medicine can help patients to experience wellness and live life to its fullest. With the help offered, the body is able to begin the healing process.

Back pain or low back pain does not have to be something you have to live with. Our experienced Toronto chiropractor will help you restore your back health and also offer custom orthotics. Visit us today and lead a pain free and active life!

Know The Different Chiropractor Methods

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

A visit to a chiropractor can potentially resolve a variety of ailments. It can help address issues like stiff joints, chronic headaches, and back pain. Chiropractic techniques are also often helpful to manage pain as a result of an accident or injury.

Since chiropractors have a range of techniques they can use, they can often assist with pain wherever its located in your body. The foundational approach is that relief can be found through manipulation of your spine. The belief is that once the spine is properly aligned, then the resulting pains and problems will go away. Because there are many different techniques, it can be helpful for you to know about some of them a practitioner might use.

The guiding focus is the state of your neuromusculoskeletal system. Some of the more traditional methods work primarily through spinal adjustment. However, there are other techniques that mostly involve cranial manipulation.

The most general and widely used technique is called the diversified technique. This therapy is characterized by low level, yet high velocity thrusts into your spine. These thrusts can look as though they’re painful, even dangerous. In reality, the diversification technique has been taught and practiced by reputable chiropractors for a long time.

Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) is one of the techniques that places great emphasis on the skull, as well as the spine. The underlying principle of CST is that it is the spinal cord fluid and fluid in the skull that must be in balance to achieve well being. A variety of alternative health practitioners use the technique to alleviate chronic muscle pain. It is also often used to treat pain in the head area, such as jaw pain, headaches, or mental stress.

There are a variety of chiropractic methodologies that are characterized by the tools they use either to diagnose or treat illness. Arlan Fuhr created a spring-locked tool that sends a small thrust onto a part of your spine. He called this device an Activator and is used as part of the Activator treatment. Clarence Gonstead developed the use of an electronic tool called a neurocalometer (NCM) as a diagnostic device, creating the Gondstead method.

A more controversial method is called applied kinesiology (AK). George Goodheart developed this diagnostic therapy in the 1960s. It uses manual muscle testing to identify where in the internal body is the source of disease. AK relies on the scientifically questioned belief that any disease in an organ will present itself as a weakness in a related muscle. According to AK practitioners, if they can find which muscles are compromised, they can use that information to conclude which organs need treatment.

The chiropractor you visit will likely be trained in more than one methodology. The field has almost 100 different techniques. Therefore, you might find it helpful to your treatment to understand what therapy is being used and how it works.

Back pain or low back pain does not have to be something you have to live with. An experienced chiropractor in Toronto can help you restore your health and alleviate your lower back pain for good.

Growing Your Own Medical Marijuana – The Basics

Monday, September 12th, 2011

Patients that have a valid medical marijuana ID may grow their own marijuana to utilize for their debilitating condition. Sixteen states have legalized medical marijuana – each one has varying allowable amounts.

Cannabis has the same growth needs, whether it’s grown outdoors or indoors. Basically, the plants need air, water, nutrients, light, heat, and some sort of growing medium. If it’s grown indoors, the light needs spectrum and intensity and the air needs to be rich and warm in carbon dioxide.

Usually marijuana is grown annually and has multiple growth stages. They are distinct and termed germination, seedling growth, vegetative growth, pre flowering, and flowering.

Germination involves activation of hormones in the outer durable coating of the seed. The embryo inside the seed expands and the seed’s coating splits. This allows rootlets to grown downward and a sprout with seed leaves pushes upwards looking for light. This process takes 3-7 days.

During seedling growth, the single root grows downward and creates branches. These tiny branches pull in water and nutrients. The roots anchor the plant in the growing medium. Lots of light is needed during seedling growth, about 18 hours per day.

The vegetative growth phase continues with a requisite 14-24 hours of light daily. The roots mature and develop a water transport system, and they also store food. The parts of the roots that actually absorb the water and nutrients are the single-celled root hairs, and they are very delicate and easily damaged by air, light, and careless hands if moved or exposed.

The stem also elongates, producing new buds with the lateral buds turning into branches or leaves. The central bud carries growth upwards. The stem carries the water and nutrients from the delicate root hairs to the buds, leaves, and flowers. The stem should not be bound too tightly with strings or tie downs.

The plant stem also gives support, and if the plant is exposed outside to elements like rain and wind the stem is stiffened by increasing cellulose. Indoor plants are not exposed to the elements, so the stiffening does not happen and it may be necessary to provide a supporting stake.

The leaves undergo photosynthesis as they expand, which is how plants make food.

After week four of vegetative growth, pre-flowering happens. The pre-flowers grow between the fourth and sixth node from the bottom of the plant and end up either male or female. Unfortunately male plants have much less cannabinoid, so growers often destroy them.

Flowering is triggered in most commercial cannabis varieties by 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness every 24 hours. Flowers form during the last growth stage and if the females flowers are not pollenated, they develop without seeds – called “sinsemilla”. If pollenated by a male, female flower buds develop seeds.

If the plant doesn’t get pollenated for a few weeks, THC production peaks in the female unfertilized sinsemilla. With fertilizing, the female matures its seeds, which then either fall off or get collected for subsequent planting.

Want to find out more about getting anArizona Medical Marijuana Card, then visit Arizona MMC’s site on how to choose the best AZ Medical Marijuana Doctor for your needs.

Is Medical Marijuana a Gateway Drug?

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

A gateway theory exists with marijuana which previously was called the stepping stone theory. This theorizes that marijuana is not a very dangerous drug by itself, but that using it will be a gateway to more dangerous drugs. This theory has been postulated over the years with marijuana leading to Heroin, Cocaine, or LSD. Is there any truth to marijuana actually being a gateway drug?

The theory, in reality, doesn’t stand up. In fact, cocaine users are in fact likely to have smoked marijuana, which is far more used than cocaine. Medical marijuana, in reality, does not lead people to use heroin, cocaine, or LSD.

A great analogy is motorcycle riding versus bicycle riding. Compared to motorcycle riding (in this example this is cocaine use), many more people have ridden a bicycle (in this case smoking marijuana). The amount of people who ride a motorcycle (use cocaine) that have also ridden a bicycle previously (smoked marijuana) is very high. Bicycle riding does not cause motorcycle riding, however, and increases in bicycle riding will not lead to a higher incidence of motorcycle riding. The analogy spreads to an increase in medical marijuana usage will not lead to an increase in the use of cocaine or other harder drugs.

All the analogy describes is a typical sequence in which events occur, not a causation. Just as riding a bicycle does not lead to motorcycle usage, medical marijuana usage does not lead to cocaine – it’s simply a typical sequence based on a high prevalence activity (smoking marijuana) versus a low prevalence activity (heroin, cocaine, or lsd use).

There have also been some studies in animals looking at an association between THC and the increase of dopamine availability. Researchers have said marijuana is “priming” the brain for heroin and cocaine use. However, no studies have ever shown that “priming” animals with THC injections increases their desire to self-administer cocaine or heroin. The theory has no basis in reality.

Studies from the National Institute on Drug Abuse have shown that of the 72 million Americans who have used marijuana (probably more like 100 million since the studies were done), only 17% used cocaine more than one hundred times. This means that for every 100 marijuana users, only one currently uses cocaine.

Marijuana is by far the most commonly used illegal drug in the US today. People who have used less popular illicit drugs, like heroin, cocaine, or LSD, are likely to have also utilized marijuana. The vast majority of marijuana users never use any other illegal drug and marijuana is typically an end drug, not a gateway drug.

Want to find out more about Medical Marijuana in Arizona , then visit Arizona MMC’s site on how to obtain your Arizona Medical Marijuana Card for your needs.

The Basics of Medical Marijuana for Crohns Disease?

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Medical marijuana turned into an excellent treatment for painful gastrointestional disorders involving cramping and bowel inflammation. These diseases include Crohn’s disease, Colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome. Patients with these diseases can suffer from chronic pain, inflammation, diarrhea, weight loss, and cramping. Medical marijuana may work very well to reduce symptoms.

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune bowel disorder that inolves chronic inflammation. It causes severe, intense pain and has an unknown cause. The disease is destructive to one’s intestines. Over half a million people in the US are afflicted with Crohn’s. In most states approved for medical marijuana, Crohn’s is an acceptable qualification.

Traditional medications utilized for the disease include immunosuppressive ones such as Imuran, methotrexate, 6 MP, steroids, Mesalamine, and Remicade. These medications may cause the same symptoms as the disease including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Steroids have some side effects that may include adrenal dysfunction, bone thinning, ulcers, and glucose intolerance.

Various studies have shown promising results for medicinal marijuana alleviating the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s.

A study from 2005 in O’Shaughnessy’s displayed cannabis worked well to reduce Crohn’s symptoms. The study was small and done at the Society of Cannabis Clinicians in about a dozen patients. They described improvement for appetite, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, and depression. There were less exacerbations and less stools daily. Also people reduced the amount of medications for immunosuppression.

A research study in 2001 called Cannabinoids and the Gastrointestinal Tract found that the cannabinoids in marijuana are a potentially excellent option for treating numerous GI disorders – including inflammatory bowel diseases, gastro-esophageal reflux conditions, secretory diarrhea, functional bowel diseases, gastric ulcers, and colon cancer. There are receptors both in the GI system brain and the GI system named CB1 receptors. In animals the study showed that agonists for these receptors delayed gastric emptying and inhibited gastric acid secretion. CB1 receptors are mostly located in the brain.

A 2006 study published in the Journal of Endocrinology Investigation demonstrates that activation of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors exert biological functions on the gastrointestinal tract.

There are CB2 receptors in numerous cells outside of the brain, including in the GI tract lining. Marijuana contains cannabinoids which activate the CB2 receptor – this is thought to decrease inflammation in the GI tract along with reducing pain and swelling. There is another compound in cannabis named beta-caryophyllene which turns on the CB-2 receptors as well.

Want to find out more about Medical Marijuana doctors Arizona, then visit Arizona Medical Marijuana Certifications site on how to sign up for an Medical marijuana Arizona doctors for your needs.

How Does Medical Marijuana Help Spasms With Multiple Sclerosis and Spinal Cord Injuries?

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

Initially, consider the pertinent numbers. Well over two million individuals in this country have MS, and over fifteen million persons have a spinal cord injury. A lot of these patients suffer from aching, stiff, spasming, and cramping muscles. These symptoms may cause limited movement, insomnia, as well as pain. Medical marijuana works well for these symptoms.

Traditional medications for these symptoms often work, but can cause weakness or sedation. Patients using medical marijuana for decreasing spasticity and pain have achieved significant relief.

It is not known exactly how medical marijuana calms spasticity. It has not been tested on a large scale, but all of the smaller scale evaluations have shown really good results.

MS involves an immune system that is malfunctioning, resulting in an inflamed nervous system. Nerve fibers are like insulation around a power cord, and unfortunately MS has a destructive effect on that insulation. Without it, nerves don’t conduct impulses properly. Symptoms then include vertigo, blindness, incontinence, muscle spasticity, fatigue, and depression.

Muscle spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis is really common, ninety percent of people have muscle spasms in addition to cramps, aches, and painful involuntary muscle contractions. These symptoms usually get worse over time and can leave one partially paralyzed.

Conventional medications for muscle spasms with MS include baclofen and tizanadine (Zanaflex). They are sedatives, so they often cause drowsiness along with dry mouth and muscle weakness. In a patient with MS, muscle weakness is already a problem. Exacerbating it is not optimal.

It should be noted that no large scale study exists looking at THC and marijuana for spams. Several smaller studies have excellent outcomes for reducing muscle spasms and pain. Success was not unanimous, however, and there were some unpleasant side effects.

It can be difficult to separate a good result from THC due to placebo versus real muscle spasm decrease. Without a large research study to separate out placebo, which can be higher than 30% with medications, it may be difficult to say definitively. These larger studies are under way in Britain, where medical marijuana is often utilized for MS.

What is it about marijuana that assists individuals with multiple sclerosis? And if it assists with MS does it also work with muscle spasms in individuals with spinal cord injury? Case reports from MS patients report very good results for spasms and pain. Is it due to the broad effects that THC gives, like anti-anxiety, along with reducing spasms? Anxiety may worsen spasms, and THC does relieve that. Also, THC does not weaken muscles. If a person has multiple sclerosis that is a problem anyway, so making it worse is not optimal.

Taking in THC orally may be best since the duration is longer than smoking and without lung problems. Patients with spinal cord injury have persistent muscle spasm symptoms daily so oral intake could be better than for MS, where the symptoms come and go. For those patients, smoking or vaporizing may be best.

We know from current case studies that medical marijuana assists with muscle spams. Larger research studies will help us learn more and how marijuana fits into patient management.

Want to find out more about Arizona Medical Marijuana, then visit Medical Marijuana Certifications site on how to obtain your Arizona Marijuana Card for treatment of your debilitating condition.

Does Marijuana Affect Memory?

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Even with marijuana being used for medical purposes, people cannot seem to store new information the same as when not under the influence. There is a consistent interference of memory processing. People have a difficult time forming new memories while under the influence, but not a big problem remembering the older memories.

This is akin to individuals with significant exposure of alcohol. They may experience the same situation, with no problem remembering older memories. Such as events from growing up or significant life events. However, forming new memories and short term memory is a significant issue.

Individuals who listen and also read a story while under the influence of marijuana cannot remember the story details well. Are there lasting problems with cognitive ability after smoking marijuana? We know the answer to be yes. Marijuana has effects on both cognitive ability and memory for up to 48 hours after smoking.

Due to this, it would not be a great idea to operate heavy machinery or take an important test during the time frame.

Studies have looked at heavy marijuana users versus light marijuana users. Heavy users smoked a lot over the course of a month and light users smoked on average just once a month.

Impaired memory and decreased mental flexibilty with problem solving was seen in heavy users. This problem persisted even into the next 24 hours.

There have been studies showing that long term chronic marijuana smoking may lead to permanent cognitive deficits. This may or may not be statistically relevant as the study numbers have not been substantial enough to say for sure.

A few reports exist that significant chronic marijuana smoking may end up with serious psychological problems like schizophrenia and delusional behavior. Once again, as with the cognitive deficit theory this has not been proven definitively and will need a large study to substantiate.

Want to find out more about AZ Medical Marijuana, then visit Medical Marijuana Certification’s site on how to qualify for an AZ Medical Marijuana Card with an evaluation by one of our doctors.

An Overview of a Medical Marijuana Vaporizer

Friday, August 26th, 2011

The vaporizer machine’s objective is to heat up cannabis so that the active ingredients are released. The desire is not to burn the marijuana. Typically one just wants to heat up the marijuana for medicinal purposes until the chemicals actively vaporize and boil.

Inside a vaporizer are heating elements along with a fan. The vaporizer will heat up to a set temperature. Cannabinoids typically vaporize between 285 degrees F and 392 degrees F. If heated over that, the medical marijuana simply burns and unnecessary smoke is created.

There is a device called a grinder which can be used to break up the medicinal marijuana. This gives it more surface area. It is then placed on top of the vaporizer into a basket. Then a vaporizer bag is placed over the basket and the fan is then turned on.

The fan pushes the air across the heating element and into the vaporizer bag. Once it is completely filled up, it looks almost like a balloon. The bag is removed from the vaporizer and a mouthpiece is placed on the bag.

Why do people use a vaporizer? The main reason is there’s no smoke. When medical marijuana is smoked, it burns at temperatures up to 2012 degrees F which creates numerous potential carcinogens. The combustion may actually destroy up to 50% of the active ingredients along with releasing tar and carbon monoxide.

With vaporizing the temperatures are much lower so a mist is created and, hence, less carcinogens. Vaporizers minimize potential carcinogens, and also minimizes the potential incidence of respiratory disease, bronchitis, and respiratory infection.

Another benefit is the fact that with a vaporizer there is minimal smell. For numerous concerns, including often social perception, having no smell may be a big bonus.

A 2004 study in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics wrote about the combustible smoke having over 100 chemicals in addition to THC along with the respiratory hazardous substances generated from smoke, not from the cannabinoids.

Another benefit with a vaporizer is that it extracts the medicinal marijuana active chemicals. Along with this, the mist goes into the bloodstream purer and faster than any other method.

Want to find out more about Arizona Medical Marijuana, then visit Medical Marijuana Certifications site on how to obtain your AZ Medical marijuana card.