Your Chiropractor in Oxnard Offers A Surprising Solution to Your Allergy Discomfort

September 10th, 2010

Oxnard Chiropractor

Donald Bolt, DC, your Oxnard Chiropractor, knows that allergies can make your day-to-day activities  miserable. A stroll in the park, a play date with Fluffy, a shrimp repast, or merely something as minute as a nut might generate such uncomfortable discomforts as itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, or a skin rash.

But then, occasionally an individual’s allergic reactions can increase from simply irritating to serious and even life-threatening as the air passageway begins to constrict and breathing becomes strenuous. Such a development of difficulties can frequently result in a state of acute anxiety as well as a trip to the ER.

Allergies can, without a doubt, turn into an exceedingly serious disburbance and make you feel incapable of participating in life. In fact, if you are one of those unfortunate men and women who have allergy symptoms, it might even appear to you that, on occasion, your environment is a extremely antagonistic place and that the planet around you is, virtually, out to get you!

Perhaps you ask yourself how it is that other people seem to be so unsusceptible to the very same environmental stresses that send your system into overwhelm. Other people appear either unaware of or completely unresponsive to the potential irritants that lie in wait at each and every turn, while your body reacts, or rather overreacts, to them. Why you? A good question. The answer is that quite a few people, like you, have a hyperactive immune system that virtually “goes wild” when you come across common substances such as pollen, dander, shellfish, or nuts.

Can your Oxnard Chiropractor help you in gaining a lasting reduction in your allergy symptoms? Fortunately , the answer is a booming “Yes,” and the solution may possibly surprise you. A great number of chiropractic patients have realized that they experience freedom from their allergy symptoms after a chiropractic treatment, despite the fact that chiropractic care does not really treat allergies, per se. The explanation for the disappearance of allergy symptoms is due to the fact that chiropractic treatment has an effect on your whole nervous system, including the autoimmune system, and that is at the root of your allergic responses. Every time there’s a dysfunction within the nervous system, along with other challenges, the autoimmune system, whose job it is to allow you to adapt and react properly to your environment, can easily become under-active or overactive. Where your allergies are concerned, the dysfunction is the latter (it becomes overactive).

In view of the fact that chiropractic adjustments are meant to decrease or even entirely remove disturbances in the nervous system and bring back stability and harmony to the complete body, in conjunction with a number of other corrections, the adjustments include homeostasis to the autoimmune system also. A vibrant immune system reacts in a healthy way to so-called allergens in the natural world.

So, as pointed out previously, your Chiropractor in Oxnard doesn’t actually target any particular allergy, then again that doesn’t suggest your allergies won’t get better or disappear for good. On the other hand, one could point out, instead, that relief from your allergies is simply the by-product of your well-adjusted nervous system. If you want to get back into harmony with your natural environment as soon as you can, contact Dr. Bolt, your Chiropractor in Oxnard, today. He can help you to start living your life again!


Helpful Practices That May Help You Avoid Hip Fractures From Falls

May 8th, 2010

It isn’t news to anyone that elderly people are more prone to bone fractures, especially of the hip. Fortunately, there are a number of preventative measures that older adults can take to help avoid bone fractures, especially from falls. As a chiropractor, I recommend a number of preventative measures to my older patients, not the least of which is for them to have regular chiropractic treatment to help to improve and maintain balance and to keep their body in good alignment. As far as I’m concerned, in addition to balance challenges and poor muscle strength, an aging body that is out of alignment is a hip condition waiting to fracture.

According to a new study by Dr. Marian Hannan, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical school and co-director of the Musculoskeletal Research Program at the Institute for Aging Research, elderly people who eat more protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures. Why? Because consuming proteins such as meat, eggs, fish or cheese helps to build stronger muscles in the legs, which, in turn can reduce an older individual’s chances of falling.  In addition to helping to build stronger muscles, other studies have shown that protein intake can increase bone density.

For more on protein study go to: dailymail.co.uk

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Not All Carbohydrates Are Equal

May 1st, 2010

As a chiropractor who works with athletes, both young and old, and one who preaches a healthy diet in addition to regular chiropractic care, I am often asked by my more active patients about “fuel foods,” especially before a big high school football game or prior to a weekend warrior event. The most frequently asked question is: Are carbohydrates the best source to “fuel my sport”? And, my answer is “yes and no.” If you play sports, it’s important for you to know that even though carbohydrates burn off quickly, and are generally the best source of energy (and I recommend them highly), other factors come into play when the body is under the “stress” of the game. And, while pasta, energy bars, fruits, breads, yogurt, potatoes, cereals, and milk may all be great energy foods to eat before your sport, you should also include high sources of protein, including meat and peanut butter. Why? Because even though carbohydrates give you energy, proteins rebuild your cells and help you to maintain your muscle mass. 

Another important thing to remember is that not all carbohydrates are equal. And while healthy fats can be an excellent source of energy during your sport, it isn’t wise before the game to eat fats that digest too slowly, like the fats contained in potato chips, fried foods, doughnuts, candy bars, and other sugary foods. Not only can hard-to-digest fats cause stomach cramping, but these types of fats are hard on the body systems for many reasons.

Maintaining an active lifestyle is important to overall health. But, doing it right and not overdoing it will make a big difference in how well you perform.

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If You’re a Woman, Take a Walk!

April 21st, 2010
As a chiropractor, I recommend daily exercise to all of my patients.Regular moderate exercise improves the health of every system in the human body, including the musculoskeletal system, my specialty. Exercise helps to keep joints mobile, reduces the symptoms of arthritis, increases bone health, and improves muscle performance. In other words, exercise is essential to good health. And, because I know that most of my patients are very busy people, I always suggest that they make exercise as much a necessary part of their day as brushing their teeth or having a nutritious meal, which is to say that they don't need to put on special clothing and head for the gym to get a beneficial workout. That's why I was very interested in an article I just read in the health page of msnbc.com that described the results of a study done on women that linked a moderate activity like walking to a substantial decrease in stroke risk. In addition to walking, the study looked at vigorous activities like running, swimming and biking, but didn't find a link between those activities and the 37 percent reduction in stroke risk that walking provided.

So ladies, take a walk! Do it for your health's sake! For more information on this interesting story, click the link provided above.

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Conservative Chiropractic Treatment Can Relieve Severe Bakc Pain Caused by Spinal Stenosis

April 9th, 2010

As a chiropractor who treats many senior patients suffering from painful back problems, I was very concerned when I read about a new study published this month in The Journal of the American Medical Association that found that the percentage of older adults undergoing a complicated fusion procedure for the painful lower-back condition called spinal stenosis has increased sharply– rising fifteenfold from 2002 to 2007.

This type of fusion procedure is not only complicated, but costly. And worse, it carries three times the rate of life-threatening complications than alternative procedures such as decompression (removal of part of the bone pressing on the nerve) or simple fusion (in which two or three vertebrae are fused and only the front or back of the vertebrae, rather than front and back).  And, the bottom line is that earlier studies haven’t found that the complex surgery leads to better results or greater pain relief.

Gentle, non-invasive chiropractic treatment can often relieve the severe back pain caused by spinal stenosis. I fully recommend a short conservative trial of chiropractic care prior to considering most surgeries involving the musculoskeletal system. Any type of surgery carries risks and such risks increase exponentially as we age. But, when a study reveals that a costly, life-threatening surgery does little to relieve pain or improve an individual’s quality of life, in my opinion such a surgery should not even be considered.

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Conservative Chiropractic Treatment Can Relieve Severe Bakc Pain Caused by Spinal Stenosis

April 9th, 2010

As a chiropractor who treats many senior patients suffering from painful back problems, I was very concerned when I read about a new study published this month in The Journal of the American Medical Association that found that the percentage of older adults undergoing a complicated fusion procedure for the painful lower-back condition called spinal stenosis has increased sharply– rising fifteenfold from 2002 to 2007.

This type of fusion procedure is not only complicated, but costly. And worse, it carries three times the rate of life-threatening complications than alternative procedures such as decompression (removal of part of the bone pressing on the nerve) or simple fusion (in which two or three vertebrae are fused and only the front or back of the vertebrae, rather than front and back).  And, the bottom line is that earlier studies haven’t found that the complex surgery leads to better results or greater pain relief.

Gentle, non-invasive chiropractic treatment can often relieve the severe back pain caused by spinal stenosis. I fully recommend a short conservative trial of chiropractic care prior to considering most surgeries involving the musculoskeletal system. Any type of surgery carries risks and such risks increase exponentially as we age. But, when a study reveals that a costly, life-threatening surgery does little to relieve pain or improve an individual’s quality of life, in my opinion such a surgery should not even be considered.

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Drugs…Just in Case?

March 26th, 2010

As a chiropractor who believes in the human body’s ability to heal itself, often with the aid of natural, non-invasive, drug-free treatment, I am always dismayed, but never surprised, at some of the pernicious claims and tenacious effrontery of drug companies when it comes to pain killers, in general, and the “treatment” of a number of conditions that don’t get any better with drugs or are made worse by them. And, as a chiropractor  who has helped hundreds of headache sufferers not only get temporary, but permanent relief, when I read about a drug study for yet another pain med that will likely keep headache sufferers numbed to their pain, but in the process numb to the rest of their life as well, I feel like shouting from the rooftops: “Try chiropractic first!” But, today, when I read about a study, sponsored by Merck (who also makes the product), I really felt compelled to say that this particular study is shamefully playing to the fears of migraine sufferers when, in fact, the drug itself only offers “less severity” at best when it comes to a migraine headache.

The study, conducted by Dr. X. Henry Hu of Merck & Co.and colleagues, found that one in five migraine sufferers had “avoided” a work-related commitment because they were afraid of getting a migraine, while 27 percent reported canceling a work commitment for this reason, and round 28 percent said they had avoided or canceled social commitments due to fear of migraines.

 I have treated many patients who told me how much they’d “feared” the onset of a migraine and limited their activities in life because of that fear, so I do understand how devastating the fear migraines can be. And, yet, the only “solution” this study offered?

This study is “important,” said Dr. Hu, the unpredictability of migraines could contribute to people’s anxiety and fear about them and early treatment with migraine drugs called triptans can help reduce headache severity. “Because of the lack of predictability of future migraine attacks, migraine sufferers may benefit from increased education on the importance of keeping medications available at all times,” they concluded.

My conclusion? If you suffer from migraines, give your chiropractor a call today!

SOURCE: Headache, published online March 25, 2010.

 

 

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Drugs…Just in Case?

March 26th, 2010

As a chiropractor who believes in the human body’s ability to heal itself, often with the aid of natural, non-invasive, drug-free treatment, I am always dismayed, but never surprised, at some of the pernicious claims and tenacious effrontery of drug companies when it comes to pain killers, in general, and the “treatment” of a number of conditions that don’t get any better with drugs or are made worse by them. And, as a chiropractor  who has helped hundreds of headache sufferers not only get temporary, but permanent relief, when I read about a drug study for yet another pain med that will likely keep headache sufferers numbed to their pain, but in the process numb to the rest of their life as well, I feel like shouting from the rooftops: “Try chiropractic first!” But, today, when I read about a study, sponsored by Merck (who also makes the product), I really felt compelled to say that this particular study is shamefully playing to the fears of migraine sufferers when, in fact, the drug itself only offers “less severity” at best when it comes to a migraine headache.

The study, conducted by Dr. X. Henry Hu of Merck & Co.and colleagues, found that one in five migraine sufferers had “avoided” a work-related commitment because they were afraid of getting a migraine, while 27 percent reported canceling a work commitment for this reason, and round 28 percent said they had avoided or canceled social commitments due to fear of migraines.

 I have treated many patients who told me how much they’d “feared” the onset of a migraine and limited their activities in life because of that fear, so I do understand how devastating the fear migraines can be. And, yet, the only “solution” this study offered?

This study is “important,” said Dr. Hu, the unpredictability of migraines could contribute to people’s anxiety and fear about them and early treatment with migraine drugs called triptans can help reduce headache severity. “Because of the lack of predictability of future migraine attacks, migraine sufferers may benefit from increased education on the importance of keeping medications available at all times,” they concluded.

My conclusion? If you suffer from migraines, give your chiropractor a call today!

SOURCE: Headache, published online March 25, 2010.

 

 

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San Diego Chiropractor Asks: Did You Know That Just a Few Extra Pounds Can Put Your Joints on Overload?

March 21st, 2010

San Diego Chiropractor

As a San Diego Chiropractor, I counsel many individuals who come to my clinic who want to lose weight. I know how hard it can be, and I also know how important it is to lose those extra pounds. What’s a few extra pounds? Over time, those pounds can add up to a substantial number of health problems from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back problems and joint degeneration. Extra pounds put harmful stress on organs, like the heart, and on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. A shocking 62% of American adults are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is an extremely compelling percentage and an enormous dilemma (no pun intended).

It is likely no surprise to you to learn that the human body was not intended to carry around overplus poundage in the form of body fat. Just 20 or 30 extra pounds can literally overload and even overwhelm the musculoskeletal system. Excess weight in the tummy, for instance, requires that the body compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. This angle creates compression in the joints of the low back. Painful inflammation results as this joint compression restricts nerve activity. Nearly all individuals who are overweightfeel substantial pain in their low back caused by  a compressed sciatic nerve or misalignments of the spinal column that impinge nerves due to weight-bearing stresses. If not addresses, misaligned vertebra not only persist in irritating the degenerative changes that have already taken place, but can produce new arthritic changes in the spine in the future.

Are you wondering how chiropractic can help? First of all, to be clear, a healthy body weight is required in order for the musculoskeletal system to perform in the way it is built to. That said, in addition, chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve impingements in the spine and help to get movement back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, such as in the low back, hips, and knees. And, certainly exercise and physical activity will be a lot easier, and healthier for the body, when the spine is in alignment and the joints have good motion. Not only will exercise help with weight reduction, but it can actually delay degenerative changes as the body ages.

Healthcare professionals, like your chiropractor, can advise you regarding your diet and exercise alternatives. In addition to helping men and women suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors can provide expert advice on the particular lifestyle modifications that can help an individual to stay healthier, more vital, and more active through the years. Arthritis and immobility due to aging don’t have to be inevitable. The human body was intended for a lifetime of pain-free movement.

So, if those extra pounds have been sneaking up on you, and they’ve turned into a surprising load of pain, as your San Diego chiropractor and someone who understands, I can help. Make an appointment today!

Chiropractic Masters Blog Talk Radio

March 16th, 2010
Chiropractic News:  Chiropractic Marketing internet radio show, Chiropractic Masters on Blog Talk Radio, interviews expert chiropractors around the country. The first episode featured Ventura Chiropractor, Dr. Steven Alff. Dr. Alff talked about spinal decompression and how it benefits his patients.

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