By. Dr. Amir Mahmud
With the Tour de California coming to town (Final stage in Westlake half a mile from our Westlake office) we were recently asked to give a lecture at Conejo Valley Cycling (CVC) club on the topics of proper hydration, nutrition, warming up, stretching and cooling down. Since most of the members were very interested on the warm up, stretching, cooling down part of the lecture I decided to dedicate this blog on how to properly warm up, stretch and cool down in order to avoid sports related injuries.
So, why should we warm up and stretch prior to exercising? Did you know that a proper warm up and stretching routine can improve an athlete’s performance by as much as 15%?
Here are some guidelines to follow in order to take full advantage of your body and maximize your workout experience.
• Always warm up prior to stretching &/or exercising
o Warming up increases the blood flow to your muscles, ligaments and tendons
o At least 3 to 5 min of mild cardiovascular training is recommended to warm up sufficiently
Examples of a good warm up prior to ride include:
• Getting on your trainer and ride for 20 min prior to your race
• Jump rope for 10-15 min
• Fast walk to the point of sweating
• Slow bike ride to the point of sweating
• Slow jog to the point of sweating
Once you have warmed up you can begin your stretch routine. Remember in order to increase your performance by 15% you have to make stretching part of your daily routine. Proper stretching includes 3 different aspects. Frequency, Intensity, and duration.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these topics.
• Frequency refers to how often you do your stretches. It is recommended to stretch at least 1-2 times daily.
• Intensity refers to how hard you stretch. For example when you are doing a set of 10 repetitions of hamstring stretch you want to ease your way into the stretch. The first 2-4 repetitions should be held at the initial phase of muscle contraction. The next few repetitions push the muscle a bit farther into the stretch. By the 8-10 repetition you can push the muscle farther and farther. Make sure you breathe in order to have proper oxygen supply for the muscles. It is very important to remember to avoid the “No pain, No gain” theory. This can actually lead to injuries.
• Duration refers to how long you hold each stretch. It is recommended to hold each stretch a minimum of 10 seconds and in order to get the full benefits of the stretch, hold for 60 seconds
Once you have finished your ride/exercise it is important to cool down properly. When you cool down properly you can decrease sports specific injuries, cut down on lactic acid build up in your muscles, reduce overuse, and prevent post race stiffness. A proper cool down will allow the heart rate and respiration rates to decrease gradually, placing less stress on body systems than if the activity is abruptly stopped.
The biggest complaint I hear is "I don't have time to do all of this, or, I never use to do all of this". The answer to the first, is you don't have time NOT too, and the answer to the second is, your getting older, you body has gotten away with mistakes for years and it won't last much longer. To properly take care of your body you have always had to do all of this, remember, just because you haven't, does not mean you shouldn't.
I hope these general guidelines help you get the most out of your ride. If you have any questions or want to know specific stretches feel free to contact me and I will gladly go over them with you. Till next time, have a fun and safe ride. Dr. Amir can be reached at CSI Westlake, 2277 Townsgate Road, ste 101, Westlake Village, Ca 91361. 805.371.0737 or visit us on the web at www.gotcsi.com
Dr. Amir Mahmud is one of the Sports Chiropractors at Chiropractic Sports Institute in Westlake Village. He has been a treating Doctor on the sidelines of many sports and as successfully treated many Professional and top amateur athletes for years. Dr. Terry Weyman, the CEO of CSI, has been named the Medical Director of the final stage of the Tour de California.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Time to get ready for SUMMER!
By: Dr. Ed Green
We here in California are lucky because we are able to play sports year round out doors. With summer approaching quickly and the days getting much longer we all need to prepare our bodies for some intense out door fun.
As for my self, my Highland games season is now in full swing. I am playing softball 2 to 3 nights a week and I have been coaching some youngins how to throw the shot put for youth track. With the level of activity increasing, we all need to get in a habit of daily stretching. Daily stretching will help prevent those nagging injuries that will keep us from playing.
I recommend the following several stretches to be done pre play and then some to be done post play. Before sports that require fast twitch muscle I would not recommend doing static stretching. You should more do stretches that mimic the sport that you are about to play.
Stretches to be done PRE-GAME
1) Karaokes. For about 20yds
2) Bounding for about 20 yds
3) Butt kickers for about 20 yds
4) Quick Feet drills for about 20yds
5) Double leg high jumps standing in place 3 sets 6 reps
6) Moving lunges at least 10 per leg.
Stretches to be done POST-play( Each stretch hold 15-20 sec)
1) Hamstring stretches standing and seated
2) Quadricep stretches stand and side lying
3) Figure 4 Gluteal stretches
4) Calves standing and on all fours.
5) Chest stretches for pectoralis major and minor
6) Neck stretches
These simple yet useful stretches if done pre and post all events will help the body maintain its flexibility and prevent those nagging little injuries that keep us in doors and not out enjoying our beautiful area.
I strive to teach all my patients these stretches because I have seen how beneficial they are to ones recovery and to maintaining an injury free season. I hope these help all of you and allow you play to best of your ability and injury FREE.
Ed Green D.C. C.C.S.P
CSI Moorpark
805-531-1188
We here in California are lucky because we are able to play sports year round out doors. With summer approaching quickly and the days getting much longer we all need to prepare our bodies for some intense out door fun.
As for my self, my Highland games season is now in full swing. I am playing softball 2 to 3 nights a week and I have been coaching some youngins how to throw the shot put for youth track. With the level of activity increasing, we all need to get in a habit of daily stretching. Daily stretching will help prevent those nagging injuries that will keep us from playing.
I recommend the following several stretches to be done pre play and then some to be done post play. Before sports that require fast twitch muscle I would not recommend doing static stretching. You should more do stretches that mimic the sport that you are about to play.
Stretches to be done PRE-GAME
1) Karaokes. For about 20yds
2) Bounding for about 20 yds
3) Butt kickers for about 20 yds
4) Quick Feet drills for about 20yds
5) Double leg high jumps standing in place 3 sets 6 reps
6) Moving lunges at least 10 per leg.
Stretches to be done POST-play( Each stretch hold 15-20 sec)
1) Hamstring stretches standing and seated
2) Quadricep stretches stand and side lying
3) Figure 4 Gluteal stretches
4) Calves standing and on all fours.
5) Chest stretches for pectoralis major and minor
6) Neck stretches
These simple yet useful stretches if done pre and post all events will help the body maintain its flexibility and prevent those nagging little injuries that keep us in doors and not out enjoying our beautiful area.
I strive to teach all my patients these stretches because I have seen how beneficial they are to ones recovery and to maintaining an injury free season. I hope these help all of you and allow you play to best of your ability and injury FREE.
Ed Green D.C. C.C.S.P
CSI Moorpark
805-531-1188
Monday, March 22, 2010
Creating SUPER FEET!
By: Dr. Terry Weyman
After seeing a few good injuries to several athletes feet in the past few months, I started thinking about ways to strengthen their feet to combat these injuries. If your feet are stronger, they can withstand more forces before having any complications. With muscle thickness you gain added strength and a secondary structural barrier to absorb and disperse impacting forces. When athletes train, walk, ride and run in shoes/boots, the musculature in their feet isn’t being adequately trained. By exercising your feet, not only will you reduce injuries but you will improve upon your balance and overall mobility.
One of the best ways to strengthen your feet is by running in sand, such as a beach or even the soft desert sand, barefoot. By running in the soft sand barefoot, your toes and feet are required to flex and extend more than when your feet are confined to footware. Also, since the ground is soft, your arch is protected since the ground will support all anatomical angles of the foot. If you don’t have access to a beach or soft sand try these basic exercises. You will be surprised how much more challenging basic movements are, when performed barefoot. Even simple lunges will become challenging since you are not use to having your feet activate, grip and stabilize. When starting out, keep your barefoot movements basic and perform on a soft mat to aid in biomechanical support to your feet. A typical warm-up might include the forward lunge, backward lunge, and even a simple heel-toe walk, making your foot strike the heel first and then roll up on the ball of the foot. Once this is done easily, add a simple carioca or shuffle forward and back then side to side.
By adding barefoot work to your weekly routine, you will build up those little guys that carry you around all day and in return, you just might even get some happy feet! If you REALLY want to make them happy, get them some compression socks to wear after your workouts.
Until next time, Dr. Terry
www.gotcsi.com
After seeing a few good injuries to several athletes feet in the past few months, I started thinking about ways to strengthen their feet to combat these injuries. If your feet are stronger, they can withstand more forces before having any complications. With muscle thickness you gain added strength and a secondary structural barrier to absorb and disperse impacting forces. When athletes train, walk, ride and run in shoes/boots, the musculature in their feet isn’t being adequately trained. By exercising your feet, not only will you reduce injuries but you will improve upon your balance and overall mobility.
One of the best ways to strengthen your feet is by running in sand, such as a beach or even the soft desert sand, barefoot. By running in the soft sand barefoot, your toes and feet are required to flex and extend more than when your feet are confined to footware. Also, since the ground is soft, your arch is protected since the ground will support all anatomical angles of the foot. If you don’t have access to a beach or soft sand try these basic exercises. You will be surprised how much more challenging basic movements are, when performed barefoot. Even simple lunges will become challenging since you are not use to having your feet activate, grip and stabilize. When starting out, keep your barefoot movements basic and perform on a soft mat to aid in biomechanical support to your feet. A typical warm-up might include the forward lunge, backward lunge, and even a simple heel-toe walk, making your foot strike the heel first and then roll up on the ball of the foot. Once this is done easily, add a simple carioca or shuffle forward and back then side to side.
By adding barefoot work to your weekly routine, you will build up those little guys that carry you around all day and in return, you just might even get some happy feet! If you REALLY want to make them happy, get them some compression socks to wear after your workouts.
Until next time, Dr. Terry
www.gotcsi.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Shoulder injuries, not just an adult issue!
By: Dr. Terry Weyman
I have been seeing a lot more shoulder injuries in these past few months than I have seen in the past few years. One significant change I notice is the age of the athlete with these injuries. They are getting younger and younger. When researching patterns, I notice these younger athletes are playing their sports longer. In addition to regular practices, athletes have longer seasons (regular ball, fall ball, All-stars, club teams and travel teams) some even hiring private trainers in the off season. Kids are coming to the office with injuries not usually seen until college or professional level. We can use this knowledge for several purposes, recovery and avoidence. We can refocus our efforts for the long haul instead of the short gain, realizing that our kids have an entire life ahead and being the best NOW is just that, its NOW. BUT repetitive stress injuries are FOREVER.
With repetitive activities muscles will adapt and change. Patterns will be developed which can lead to injuries. Asymmetric (not even with the other shoulder) passive (non muscle use) shoulder (scapular) motion has been linked in ‘throwing’ athletes and may be a predisposing factor to injury. What does this mean? With the athletes shirt off grab his/her elbow and lift their arm out to the side and then again forward. Does their shoulder blade move the same on each side? With their arms at their side and forearms in front of them at 90 degrees, rotate their hands toward their belly and away (internal and external rotation). Do they move the same? Conditions such as labral and rotator cuff injuries have been linked with decreases in glenohumeral internal-rotation and increases in external-rotation motion. Also, decreased glenohumeral internal rotation is strongly associated with scapular dysfunction. The younger the athlete, the more ROM (range of motion) they should have, since younger athletes have more ligament laxity. IF they are showing tightness or restricted ROM, they are heading for an injury. Just as if one shoulder is much looser, this can also lead to injury.
If you notice that your athlete is showing restriction or excessive elasticity, stop their activity and get them on a scapular stability program to even them out before continuing. By working the scapula (shoulder blade), the shoulder will respond faster and be more stable. Once the Range of motions is equal, build the athlete back to competitive level. By keeping an eye on these structures you can decrease the risks that lead to shoulder injuries. I am always amazed that people will check, pre check and over check their vehicles looking for wear and tear to avoid costly repairs, but they do not do this with their bodies or their children’s bodies. In some sports I will see the parents spending hours and thousands of dollars on getting their equipment just right or perfectly balanced, yet their child walks around with a limp or has one shoulder higher than the other. It makes no sense at all! Machines can be replaced and bought; you only get one body- take good care of it!
Dr.Terry Weyman
www.gotcsi.com
I have been seeing a lot more shoulder injuries in these past few months than I have seen in the past few years. One significant change I notice is the age of the athlete with these injuries. They are getting younger and younger. When researching patterns, I notice these younger athletes are playing their sports longer. In addition to regular practices, athletes have longer seasons (regular ball, fall ball, All-stars, club teams and travel teams) some even hiring private trainers in the off season. Kids are coming to the office with injuries not usually seen until college or professional level. We can use this knowledge for several purposes, recovery and avoidence. We can refocus our efforts for the long haul instead of the short gain, realizing that our kids have an entire life ahead and being the best NOW is just that, its NOW. BUT repetitive stress injuries are FOREVER.
With repetitive activities muscles will adapt and change. Patterns will be developed which can lead to injuries. Asymmetric (not even with the other shoulder) passive (non muscle use) shoulder (scapular) motion has been linked in ‘throwing’ athletes and may be a predisposing factor to injury. What does this mean? With the athletes shirt off grab his/her elbow and lift their arm out to the side and then again forward. Does their shoulder blade move the same on each side? With their arms at their side and forearms in front of them at 90 degrees, rotate their hands toward their belly and away (internal and external rotation). Do they move the same? Conditions such as labral and rotator cuff injuries have been linked with decreases in glenohumeral internal-rotation and increases in external-rotation motion. Also, decreased glenohumeral internal rotation is strongly associated with scapular dysfunction. The younger the athlete, the more ROM (range of motion) they should have, since younger athletes have more ligament laxity. IF they are showing tightness or restricted ROM, they are heading for an injury. Just as if one shoulder is much looser, this can also lead to injury.
If you notice that your athlete is showing restriction or excessive elasticity, stop their activity and get them on a scapular stability program to even them out before continuing. By working the scapula (shoulder blade), the shoulder will respond faster and be more stable. Once the Range of motions is equal, build the athlete back to competitive level. By keeping an eye on these structures you can decrease the risks that lead to shoulder injuries. I am always amazed that people will check, pre check and over check their vehicles looking for wear and tear to avoid costly repairs, but they do not do this with their bodies or their children’s bodies. In some sports I will see the parents spending hours and thousands of dollars on getting their equipment just right or perfectly balanced, yet their child walks around with a limp or has one shoulder higher than the other. It makes no sense at all! Machines can be replaced and bought; you only get one body- take good care of it!
Dr.Terry Weyman
www.gotcsi.com
Monday, February 1, 2010
It’s a BIRD it’s a PLANE its TRAUMEEL?????
By: Dr. Ed Green
It’s a BIRD, it’s a PLANE, its… TRAUMEEL?????
What is Traumeel you ask? Traumeel is anti-inflammatory, homeopathy, supplement that helps the body regulate the inflammatory process post injury. Many of us immediately put ice on the area, elevate the area if needed and take some over the counter NSAIDs(Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug). Today, I am here to tell you that TRAUMEEL will help decrease your pain level quicker. For the past several years, I have been using TRAUMEEL in place of NSAIDs and I have seen some impressive quick improvements. Unlike NSAIDS or prescription drugs, there are no side effects or complications. Many of my patients use TRAUMEEL on a dialy basis to help ease arthritis pain, swollen joints, bruises and the run of the mill muscle aches.
The following link is to the HEEL website that gives a short but informative video on the biological process of TRAUMEEL and why it works.
http://www.heelusa.com/Misc/heel_mode_movie_player.htm
The website www.Heel.com has many other links to articles and information on why TRAUMEEL is so effective. As a Sports Chiropractor, I cannot prescribe medication, so having a HOMEOPATHIC Anti-inflammatory supplement as effective as TRAUMEEL enables me to get my patients feeling better quicker. We all want to return to our daily activites as soon as we can and not be in pain. So with the addition of TRAUMEEL to your regular Chiropractic care, you will see a large improvement in your daily life.
The following is an exerpt from the FDA and TRAUMEEL on the safty risks of NSAIDs.
The FDA, www.fda.gov, announced that NSAIDs will have to revise their labeling to include warnings about potential safety risks such as internal bleeding and liver damage. Traumeel® has none of these side effects. Furthermore, the makers of Traumeel®, Heel USA, state on their Website, www.heelusa.com, that there is no risk of overdosing, and it has no adverse renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal or central nervous system (CNS) side effects. Listed in the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), Traumeel® is available in multi-dosage forms including: an Rx injection solution and over-the-counter petroleum-free gel, tablets, ointment, oral vials and oral drops. Traumeel® is regulated by the FDA as well as all Heel products.
This just shows the high effectiveness of TRAUMEEL with no issues of overdose. To me, it is the perfect supplement to aid in pain reduction.
At the Moorpark office we have several forms of TRAUMEEL ranging from oral tablets to topical cream. We also carry other HEEL products such as: SPASCAPREEL which helps decrease muscle spasm along with menstral cramps and HEADACHE II which has been extrememly effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of headaches and migraines.
I highly recommend TRAUMEEL to all my patients who want a more natural way of reducing pain and inflammation. When I see effective products such as these, I love to let everyone know about it. Please contact our office for details, or stop by for a free sample, 805-531-1188.
Dr.Ed Green is the clinic Director of CSI Moorpark, 301 Science Drive, ste 100, Moorpark California.
It’s a BIRD, it’s a PLANE, its… TRAUMEEL?????
What is Traumeel you ask? Traumeel is anti-inflammatory, homeopathy, supplement that helps the body regulate the inflammatory process post injury. Many of us immediately put ice on the area, elevate the area if needed and take some over the counter NSAIDs(Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug). Today, I am here to tell you that TRAUMEEL will help decrease your pain level quicker. For the past several years, I have been using TRAUMEEL in place of NSAIDs and I have seen some impressive quick improvements. Unlike NSAIDS or prescription drugs, there are no side effects or complications. Many of my patients use TRAUMEEL on a dialy basis to help ease arthritis pain, swollen joints, bruises and the run of the mill muscle aches.
The following link is to the HEEL website that gives a short but informative video on the biological process of TRAUMEEL and why it works.
http://www.heelusa.com/Misc/heel_mode_movie_player.htm
The website www.Heel.com has many other links to articles and information on why TRAUMEEL is so effective. As a Sports Chiropractor, I cannot prescribe medication, so having a HOMEOPATHIC Anti-inflammatory supplement as effective as TRAUMEEL enables me to get my patients feeling better quicker. We all want to return to our daily activites as soon as we can and not be in pain. So with the addition of TRAUMEEL to your regular Chiropractic care, you will see a large improvement in your daily life.
The following is an exerpt from the FDA and TRAUMEEL on the safty risks of NSAIDs.
The FDA, www.fda.gov, announced that NSAIDs will have to revise their labeling to include warnings about potential safety risks such as internal bleeding and liver damage. Traumeel® has none of these side effects. Furthermore, the makers of Traumeel®, Heel USA, state on their Website, www.heelusa.com, that there is no risk of overdosing, and it has no adverse renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal or central nervous system (CNS) side effects. Listed in the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR), Traumeel® is available in multi-dosage forms including: an Rx injection solution and over-the-counter petroleum-free gel, tablets, ointment, oral vials and oral drops. Traumeel® is regulated by the FDA as well as all Heel products.
This just shows the high effectiveness of TRAUMEEL with no issues of overdose. To me, it is the perfect supplement to aid in pain reduction.
At the Moorpark office we have several forms of TRAUMEEL ranging from oral tablets to topical cream. We also carry other HEEL products such as: SPASCAPREEL which helps decrease muscle spasm along with menstral cramps and HEADACHE II which has been extrememly effective in reducing the intensity and frequency of headaches and migraines.
I highly recommend TRAUMEEL to all my patients who want a more natural way of reducing pain and inflammation. When I see effective products such as these, I love to let everyone know about it. Please contact our office for details, or stop by for a free sample, 805-531-1188.
Dr.Ed Green is the clinic Director of CSI Moorpark, 301 Science Drive, ste 100, Moorpark California.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Does your child get ear infections?
By Dr. Amir Mahmud
Does your child suffer from chronic ear infections? If so, did you know that chiropractic care is one of the best ways to help children suffering from ear infections? Let’s take a look at what an “ear infection” is, some common causes of middle ear infection, why it is common in children, and traditional treatment vs. alternative treatments.
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) is the inflammation and/or infection of the middle ear, the area just behind the ear drum. It happens when the Eustachian tube(auditory tube), which connect the middle ear to the nose, become blocked with fluid. With the infection, mucus, pus, and bacteria can also pool behind the eardrum, causing pressure and pain. Some factors that make otitis media more prevalent in children than adults include bacterial colonization in the absence of antibody, frequent upper respiratory infections, exposure to parental cigarette smoke and change in Eustachian tube function/anatomy. Let’s take a closer look at each scenario and see how it can contribute to ear infections in children.
• Bacterial Colonization:
o “Colonization with Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, or Moraxella catarrhalis increases the risk of otitis media, whereas colonization with the normal flora such as the viridians streptococci may prevent otitis episodes by inhibiting the growth of these pathogens” [1]. Taking that into consideration, it is a good idea to stay away from antibiotics for as long as possible in treating children with ear infections.
From et al reported on the results of a study involving 3,660 children in nine countries. The authors concluded, "Antibiotic treatment did not improve the rate of recovery of patients in this study." In fact, they stated, "Patients who did not take antibiotics had a higher rate of recovery than those who did..." [2]
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infection (URI):
o Viral infections can impair auditory canal function by increasing swelling and edema in the tube which can lead to increased pressure and pain.
• Smoke exposure:
o Exposing children to second hand smoke increases the susceptibility and duration of ear infections by enhancing colonization, prolonging the inflammatory response and impeding drainage through the auditory canal. [2]
• Change in Eustachian Tube anatomy:
o Children below the age of seven years are much more prone to ear infections since the Eustachian tube is shorter and at more of a horizontal angle than in the adult ear. As we age the auditory canal becomes more vertical and as a result it is less susceptible to fluid accumulation and bacterial colonization.
So you might ask. How can chiropractic care help my sick kid?
• The chiropractic model and philosophy is based on realigning the spine, opening up nerve pathways, restoring muscular tone and increasing nervous system communication to increase overall health. In children with chronic ear infections the lymphatic drainage is significantly reduced in the middle ear. This is due to the fact that the drainage of middle ear runs by way of the cervical lymph system and depends significantly for its flow on adequate muscle activity. When there is a misalignment in one of the vertebrae in the neck, the irritation caused by that problem can be sufficient to cause the neck muscles to develop a state of increased tension or spasm. The resulting muscle contraction, especially in the area of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), can be the cause of restricted lymph drainage from the ear. With the disruption in the normal lymphatic activity your body’s immunity is lowered and therefore you are more prone to viral and bacterial invaders. By having the cervical spine adjusted we can open up the lymphatic block and increase the body’s immunity. In addition to adjustments, we also utilize the Erchonia Low level laser to decrease inflammation, reset muscle tone, and boost the body’s immunity.
I hope this article has been informative. If you have any question feel free to send us an email or stop by the office and have your young ones adjusted. Till next time…
Dr. Amir
1. Hay W, Levin M, Sondheimer J, Deterding R. “Current diagnosis and treatment in pediatrics” 8th edition: 459-475
2. Froom J, Culpepper L, Grob P, et al: "Diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media: a report from the International Primary Care Network." BMJ (1990) 300(6724):582.
Does your child suffer from chronic ear infections? If so, did you know that chiropractic care is one of the best ways to help children suffering from ear infections? Let’s take a look at what an “ear infection” is, some common causes of middle ear infection, why it is common in children, and traditional treatment vs. alternative treatments.
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection) is the inflammation and/or infection of the middle ear, the area just behind the ear drum. It happens when the Eustachian tube(auditory tube), which connect the middle ear to the nose, become blocked with fluid. With the infection, mucus, pus, and bacteria can also pool behind the eardrum, causing pressure and pain. Some factors that make otitis media more prevalent in children than adults include bacterial colonization in the absence of antibody, frequent upper respiratory infections, exposure to parental cigarette smoke and change in Eustachian tube function/anatomy. Let’s take a closer look at each scenario and see how it can contribute to ear infections in children.
• Bacterial Colonization:
o “Colonization with Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, or Moraxella catarrhalis increases the risk of otitis media, whereas colonization with the normal flora such as the viridians streptococci may prevent otitis episodes by inhibiting the growth of these pathogens” [1]. Taking that into consideration, it is a good idea to stay away from antibiotics for as long as possible in treating children with ear infections.
From et al reported on the results of a study involving 3,660 children in nine countries. The authors concluded, "Antibiotic treatment did not improve the rate of recovery of patients in this study." In fact, they stated, "Patients who did not take antibiotics had a higher rate of recovery than those who did..." [2]
• Viral Upper Respiratory Infection (URI):
o Viral infections can impair auditory canal function by increasing swelling and edema in the tube which can lead to increased pressure and pain.
• Smoke exposure:
o Exposing children to second hand smoke increases the susceptibility and duration of ear infections by enhancing colonization, prolonging the inflammatory response and impeding drainage through the auditory canal. [2]
• Change in Eustachian Tube anatomy:
o Children below the age of seven years are much more prone to ear infections since the Eustachian tube is shorter and at more of a horizontal angle than in the adult ear. As we age the auditory canal becomes more vertical and as a result it is less susceptible to fluid accumulation and bacterial colonization.
So you might ask. How can chiropractic care help my sick kid?
• The chiropractic model and philosophy is based on realigning the spine, opening up nerve pathways, restoring muscular tone and increasing nervous system communication to increase overall health. In children with chronic ear infections the lymphatic drainage is significantly reduced in the middle ear. This is due to the fact that the drainage of middle ear runs by way of the cervical lymph system and depends significantly for its flow on adequate muscle activity. When there is a misalignment in one of the vertebrae in the neck, the irritation caused by that problem can be sufficient to cause the neck muscles to develop a state of increased tension or spasm. The resulting muscle contraction, especially in the area of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), can be the cause of restricted lymph drainage from the ear. With the disruption in the normal lymphatic activity your body’s immunity is lowered and therefore you are more prone to viral and bacterial invaders. By having the cervical spine adjusted we can open up the lymphatic block and increase the body’s immunity. In addition to adjustments, we also utilize the Erchonia Low level laser to decrease inflammation, reset muscle tone, and boost the body’s immunity.
I hope this article has been informative. If you have any question feel free to send us an email or stop by the office and have your young ones adjusted. Till next time…
Dr. Amir
1. Hay W, Levin M, Sondheimer J, Deterding R. “Current diagnosis and treatment in pediatrics” 8th edition: 459-475
2. Froom J, Culpepper L, Grob P, et al: "Diagnosis and antibiotic treatment of acute otitis media: a report from the International Primary Care Network." BMJ (1990) 300(6724):582.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
To be better, start with the EYES!
By: Dr. Terry Weyman
We often forget to train our eyes for our sport yet they are so instrumental in initiating all quick movements. Your head follows your eyes and consequently, your body follows your head. By training the eyes, quick movements such as; darting through that hole in the defense, finding your receiver quicker, making that quick hockey shot or getting the ball in the elusive corner of the lacrosse net, will become easier. Training the eyes will also help reaction time for sports such as Motocross and Baseball. Do this simple drill for 10-20 seconds two to three times a week and watch YOUR eye reaction speed increase. Have a partner, stand behind you with a red laser pointer. Have them move the pointer on the wall in front of you in quick patterns, all around the wall. Do NOT move your head, just your eyes and follow the dot. Make a game to see if your partner can move the dot faster or in a pattern that you can’t keep up with. Practice this simple drill and watch your performance increase!
Dr. Terry Weyman is the CEO of The Chiropractic Sports Institute in Southern California. You can visit their website at www.gotcsi.com and sign up for their bi-monthly newsletter, TidBits.
We often forget to train our eyes for our sport yet they are so instrumental in initiating all quick movements. Your head follows your eyes and consequently, your body follows your head. By training the eyes, quick movements such as; darting through that hole in the defense, finding your receiver quicker, making that quick hockey shot or getting the ball in the elusive corner of the lacrosse net, will become easier. Training the eyes will also help reaction time for sports such as Motocross and Baseball. Do this simple drill for 10-20 seconds two to three times a week and watch YOUR eye reaction speed increase. Have a partner, stand behind you with a red laser pointer. Have them move the pointer on the wall in front of you in quick patterns, all around the wall. Do NOT move your head, just your eyes and follow the dot. Make a game to see if your partner can move the dot faster or in a pattern that you can’t keep up with. Practice this simple drill and watch your performance increase!
Dr. Terry Weyman is the CEO of The Chiropractic Sports Institute in Southern California. You can visit their website at www.gotcsi.com and sign up for their bi-monthly newsletter, TidBits.
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