This is explained very well in an article on about.com from 12/31/11 called: “Illness Clusters: The Reason Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ‘Bring Friends.’”  Adrienne Dellwo explains central sensitisation:

“Usually when we hear about sensitization or sensitivity, it has to do with an allergy. In an allergy, the body becomes sensitive to a particular substance and thereafter reacts inappropriately to it.

The central part of CS refers to the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal column. The central nervous system, in these conditions, because sensitized to “noxious stimuli,” which is basically any input that’s unpleasant – pain, bright light, certain noises, etc. As with an allergy, the body begins to react inappropriately to that input.

As a result, what should be mild discomfort becomes pain, an obnoxious noise may trigger pain or anxiety, and light pressure from a waistband may cause a burning feeling on the skin and a deep ache in the muscles and connective tissues.

Yunus says evidence supports the theory that CS is a causal factor in these illnesses and the reason that they so often occur together. (Causal factor means that it is one of many causes that come together and not the sole cause.) Having one CSS predisposes you to the others.”

The goal of chiropractic is to remove interference and irritation to the nervous system which is commonly caused by subluxations.  If we can break the cycle noxious stimuli (the subluxation) we can usually help fibromyalgia pain.

Please call us at 804-559-1100 if you have any questions.

It is also well known that a way to decrease cost for medical care is to actually spend a little money on prevention and wellness to avoid costly medications and surgeries. It is refreshing to hear folks from all over the spectrum talk like this. The following article is about this very issue.  The stats are very eye opening and Mr. Keeley is on the right track.  The only place I disagree or might add a caution is he thinks more primary care doctors are needed to provide the wellness and preventive care the public needs.  It seems to the average PCP is very pharmiceutically minded (symptom supression and disease care) because that is how they are trained.  It will not do much good for the health of patients toincreased the number of medical doctors in thefield unless they get trained differentl.  Legislators and policy makers should look more closely at physicians who by design focus more on prevention and healthcare, not just disease care and end-stage pathology.  For example, chiropractors, naturopaths, and some forward thinkers that specialize within western medicine.  So enough of my commentary, here’s the article.

Primary Care and Wellness Programs Are Must Haves For Healthy Future

BY BRIAN E. KEELEY    baptisthealth.net

The most important mission of hospitals and healthcare providers in today’s world must be to promote wellness, primary care and preventive medicine, not simply take care of the sick after the fact. This seeming oxymoron is at the core of cutting-edge thinking in healthcare: Invest in primary care programs, primary care physicians (or PCPs), wellness initiatives and healthy lifestyles.  Today’s medical practices have led to medical inflation in the United States at twice the average for the rest of the developed world. We have the highest per capita healthcare costs and highest portion of any country’s Gross Domestic Product devoted to healthcare, and 30 percent of our local population is now uninsured. Primary care, with its emphasis on prevention and early intervention, can save millions of dollars by avoiding costly (and unnecessary) emergency room visits and hospital admissions. It also is the very best approach to treating the uninsured and less fortunate.

We need more primary care physicians and free clinics in underserved areas. Few primary care physicians sign up for Medicaid due to low reimbursement; therefore, we also need to recruit nurse practitioners to fill this void.  Healthcare in America today is fragmented, uncoordinated and costly, due to a number of structural reasons. One key factor is the national shortage of primary care doctors. For a variety of reasons — financial, quality of life, prestige — more doctors in training seek to become specialists while the number of primary care physicians continues to dwindle. Many people in South Florida do not have a personal physician; rather, they have four or five specialists they visit with little time for coordination among them. Recognizing this, Baptist Health South Florida established an academic affiliation between our new West Kendall Baptist Hospital and Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. This new teaching hospital is a training ground for primary care physicians, with the goal of educating — and keeping — more state-of-the-art skilled PCPs in South Florida.While this affiliation is new, Baptist Health’s commitment to prevention and wellness has a long and productive history.

As South Florida’s largest private employer, we recognized long ago our duty to lead the way. In 2001 we created our Wellness Advantage program for employees as part of our goal to have the healthiest workforce in America. This has grown over the years into a major community health initiative, with hundreds of free educational programs on healthy lifestyles, health screenings and health advisers. The wellness initiative was designed to empower people to take charge of their lifestyle for the prevention and early detection of disease. Providing primary care alternatives and outpatient diagnostic centers that are accessible to the population helps keep down emergency room visits and other healthcare costs.  As part of our not-for-profit and faith-based mission, Baptist Health provides more than $200 million annually for charity care and community benefit, including millions to support seven free clinics devoted to primary care, millions more in free diagnostic services and millions in screenings, educational programs and wellness initiatives. These clinics allow patients to be treated in the most cost-effective and appropriate fashion and provide relief to all local hospitals, private and public, by caring for these patients before their conditions become acute, thus avoiding expensive hospitalizations.

As the demographic tsunami approaches and more baby boomers turn 65, we should all embrace wellness and primary care initiatives and the need for primary care physicians to care for all of us, especially those who are approaching their senior years.With ever more sophisticated diagnostic, treatment and surgical techniques and medical specializations, we seem to have lost sight of the basics: eating well, exercising, not smoking and maintaining our weight.  Wellness and primary care programs focus on these essentials and help prevent such chronic diseases as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

One of the key tenets of the healthcare reform movement is to change our dysfunctional system by establishing “medical homes” staffed by primary care physicians. Augmented by a support staff of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nutritionists, as well as electronic medical records, these primary care centers of the future will be the citadels of collaboration and, more importantly, coordination. Studies show that 20 to 30 percent of acute hospital admissions can be avoided by such an approach. The key element is primary care physicians who are trained in the most advanced methods of prevention, wellness and early intervention, with a holistic or patient-centered view of care. Increasingly and appropriately, our health and our future will be in their hands.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/31/2567323/primary-care-wellness-programs.html#storylink=cp

Yoga“>Yoga video

Mechanicsville, Virginia — Subluxations Impact health in many ways. Posture is one of the most obvious changes that can be seen if a subluxation has been present for more than a couple of years. In particular “head forward posture” is common. Common does not mean benign. Check out these extra-chiropractic references that shed light on the problems it causes.

DID YOU KNOW? 

The effects of long term forward neck posture leads to “long term muscle strain, disc herniations and pinched nerves.” Mayo Clinic Health Letter Vol. 18, #3 March 2000



It was noted in regard to Respiratory Dysfunction in Chronic Neck Pain Patients; …”the study demonstrated a strong association between an increased forward head posture and decreased respiratory muscle strength in neck patients.” – The journal Cephalalgia, 2009 Feb 2



“For every inch of forward head posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” – Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol 3. 



Forward head posture (FHP) can add up to thirty (30) pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine. This can pull the entire spine out of alignment. –Rene Cailliet, M.D., Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California 



FHP has been shown to flatten the normal neck curve, resulting in disc compression, damage, and early arthritis. – Gore DR, Sepic SB, Gardner GM.

Roentgenographic findings of the cervical spine in asymptomatic people. Spine 1986; 6:591-694 

FHP results in loss of vital capacity of the lungs by as much as 30%. This shortness of breath can lead to heart and blood vascular disease. –Rene Cailliet, M.D., Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California 



The entire gastrointestinal system is affected; particularly the large intestine. Loss of good bowel peristaltic function and evacuation is a common effect of FHP. –Rene Cailliet, M.D, Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California



“Dear Dr. Miller:

My neighbor takes her baby to a chiropractor. She says that this has improved his health to the point that he is a much happier boy. I thought that chiropractors were only for people suffering from back pain. I don’t understand this.

Dear Reader:

Many people think chiropractic is only for people experiencing back pain but this is a mistake. Chiropractic actually deals with subluxations. Chirotips.com defines subluxations as “areas of interference to the nervous system caused by pressure or irritation from spinal bones.” A chiropractor can correct these subluxations.

How could a baby end up with subluxations? Birth is a stressful experience for a baby and his or her body can become misaligned as it is being pushed through the birth canal. This can leave the body out of alignment and may lead to other problems such as being fussy, some feeding problems, colic or even other problem areas.

In baby world, the reader is asked to imagine the baby is beyond fussy and is actually miserable and there is nothing that seems to sooth the infant. The suggestion is made that the unhappiness of the baby could be caused by bay’s birth experience and that there is a solution to this problem. In this article the reader is asked to consider whether or not there are any symptoms of birth trauma, to investigate how the birth process could affect a baby’s spine and to find out if chiropractic treatment can help.

In chirotips.com Traumatic Birth Syndrome is discussed. During the second stage of labor the mother is pushing, which puts a lot of pressure on the baby’s spine. As a baby makes the way through the birth canal, its body must flex and rotate and damage can occur to the nervous system in its neck during the trauma involved with the birth process. This damage can range from mild subluxations in the neck to more serious ones that can include central nervous system problems.

With careful adjustments, a chiropractor can relieve the physical discomfort that a baby experiences due to birth trauma. Adjustments on newborns and older infants involve a lot of massage and trigger point therapy and are safe and gentle. Many parents have found that these treatments have made a dramatic and positive improvement in the health and happiness of their babies. This, in turn, creates a huge improvement in the harmony of their homes.

When you take your baby to a chiropractor, it is important to find a chiropractor that has experience with babies. Make sure your chiropractor lets you touch your baby or be near as the adjustment is done. Bring along a favorite blanket or toy to help baby feel more at home.

Consult only licensed chiropractors and don’t be shy about interviewing as many of these professionals as you need to in order to find one that you are comfortable with.

For nearly 100 years, doctors of chiropractic have been treating babies and children with care that is both safe and effective. Their techniques are both gentle and beneficial. All parents want only the best for their children and one of the most important goals is that they be health. When the baby is healthy and happy the benefits are obvious.

When a baby is comfortably settled in his or her home, the happiness of the entire family is improved. Chiropractic can help.”

Mechanicsville, Virginia — Ah, the Golden Years:  time to enjoy life, with a healthy body and plenty of leisure time.  Sounds wonderful, yes?  Unfortunately, fewer and fewer of us live such care-free lives. Each of our life goals takes planning, knowledge, focus, and perhaps good fortune;  but what can you do to make “successful ageing” more likely — whether you’re a child, working age, winding down, or already retired?  Here are some facts and tips, courtesy of Stover Chiropractic, P.C.

A healthy body helps ensure both ability to work and play.  Did you know that in the U.S. and Europe, the top 2 reasons we miss work are either the common cold, or musculoskeletal injuries?(1)  Did you know that among athletes, the injury rate (“injury” is defined as a disorder that disallows training, playing, or competition for 1 or more days) rises towards 100% as we move from recreational to competitive to professional sport?  Whether you’re seeking to build your nest egg and provide for your family, or to play with the grandkids or participate in sport, staying healthy is critical.  There are many ways you can protect yourself from the common cold, from hand washing, to a healthy night’s sleep, to a diet rich in raw vitamin-rich food, to chiropractic care [yes, chiropractic care may have beneficial effects on the immune system](2).  Ask your doctor of chiropractic to learn more.

When it comes to musculoskeletal injuries—or NEUROmusculoskeletal disorders (injuries and illnesses involving not just lifeless body parts, but instead directed by the nervous system and its control of those parts)—chiropractic care is a safe, proven, and cost-effective option.(3,4)  But it’s not just the wonderful things that chiropractors do with their hands that can and do boost patient health—it’s also the information they provide, and the example they set, that benefit our health.  “Modeling” positive health behaviors affects a doctor’s patients;  and when you engage in it, research shows you’ll also affect those around you, as well as inspire positive health behaviors of your family including your children.(5,6,7,8)  Remember, your taking steps to improve your well-being, health, and safety has benefits for everyone in your life;  so don’t consider any time or resources your pour into your health “selfish.”

The Golden Years can quickly become soured by a fall.  1 in 3 seniors will fall every year.(9)  With your doctor of chiropractic’s guidance, you can limit or avoid these mis-steps and consequences.  Joints in the neck and the base of the spine are especially important in helping you balance;  and your doctor of chiropractic is trained to help them move properly, especially when they’re a bit stiff from the ravages of time.  A chiropractor’s care may also help you stand straighter, helping you not just feel younger, but look younger and more vibrant too!  Evidence-based fall prevention programs can decrease your risk(10), and exercise programs—which are essential to fall prevention—can improve your odds of avoiding a fall even if bone density scans suggest it’s not making a difference.(11)  Don’t believe the hype of the drug industry that touts the benefits of bone-density increasing drugs, and a host of other illusory “wonder drugs,” as your only hope.  If there is a true wonder-drug, it’s the healing power inside of YOU.

Your doctor of chiropractic can help you with your family’s necks, backs, headaches, sports injuries, and more—but don’t’ forget that “doctor” means “teacher.”  Doctors of chiropractic are extensively trained in the human frame and nervous system, and are uniquely qualified to help you feel and FUNCTION at your best—regardless of your age. For more information on ways to help your family live better, please call us at 804-559-1100 for guidance;  or visit http://virginiachiropractic.org to find a highly-qualified chiropractor near you.

Let’s enjoy our aging,

Dr. Tripp Stover, D.C.

References:

1  http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/7807300

2  Brennan et al.  Enhanced neutrophil respiratory burst as a biological marker for manipulation forces: duration of the effect and association with substance P and tumor necrosis factor.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1992 Feb;15(2):83-9. 

3 Liliedahl et al. Cost of Care for Common Back Pain Conditions Initiated With Chiropractic Doctor vs Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy as First Physician: Experience of One Tennessee-Based General Health Insurer. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. November – December 2010;33(9):640-643.

4 New Zealand Report, Report of the Commission of Inquiry. Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand, 1979. 2000;30(12):755-766

5 Patients consider their physicians to be more credible and better equipped to help motivate them to become physically active if the physicians appeared to be practicing healthy life behaviors themselves.  (Hash et al.  Does physician weight affect perception of health advice? Preventative Medicine, 2003, 36, 41-44.

6 Baranowski et al.  How individuals, environments and health behaviors interact.  In K. Glanz, F.M. Lewis, and B.K. Rimmer (eds.), Health behavior and health education: Theory, research and practice (2nd ed., pp 153-178), 1997. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

7 Freedson, P.S. & Evenson, S. [1991].  Familial aggregation in physical activity.  Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 63, 384-389.

8 Moore et al. [1991].  Influence of parents’ physical activity on activity levels of young children.  Journal of Pediatrics, 118, 215-219.

9 Hausdorff et al. Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: a 1-year prospective study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;82:1050-1056.

10 CDC. Trends in hospital utilization: United States, 1988–92. Vital Health Stat 1996;13(124):62-64)

11 M, Itoi E, Wahner H, Wollan P, Gelzcer R, Mullan B, Collins D, Hodgson S. Stronger Back Muscles Reduce the Incidence of Vertebral Fractures: A Prospective 10 Year Follow-up of Postmenopausal Women. Bone. June 2002; 30(6), 836-841

Celebrate Wellness! is provided as a public service by the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association, PO Box 15, Afton, VA 22920, phone 540-932-3100, e-mail vcacentral@hughes.net.  Production and content courtesy of Trusted Voice.  All rights reserved.

If you have any questions please call us at 804-559-1100 or leave a comment.

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