How's Your Bed?

  An old mattress or a mattress that is not designed to suit your particular needs can cause an array of issues. According to the American Chiropractic Association, if you're waking up sore or not sleeping well, it may be time to invest in a new mattress for your bed. Though the association says there is no standard life span for a mattress, The Sleep Better Council recommends replacing your mattress every five to seven years. 

            Pain

o    Pain is a common symptom for those who sleep on bad mattresses. Many old or inexpensive mattresses lack proper body support because they have uneven surfaces. Sleeping on lumpy or sagging mattresses can cause back pain and muscle aches because, according to "The Chiropractor's Self-Help Back and Body Book," they allow your spine to bend, which strains your muscles, joints and ligaments. Improper  support with a mattress can place tremendous amount of pressure on your neck, mid back, and lower back. 

Insomnia and Poor Sleep Patterns

o    Sleeping on a bad mattress can cause insomnia and poor sleep patterns in some people. "The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy" says that you may not realize that your old mattress is keeping you from falling asleep and snoozing soundly. Many people may toss and turn for the better part of the night as they try to find a comfortable position on the mattress. Sometimes, purchasing a 1- to 2-inch-thick mattress pad can help with this issue. 

Fatigue

o    Poor sleep patterns and insomnia can lead to daytime fatigue. "The 150 Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy" recommends that if you're feeling low-energy during the day, you investigate the role your mattress may play in that matter. If you are sleeping so restlessly that you feel physically and mentally fatigued during the day, it is time to explore trading in your bad mattress for a newer model. 

Asthma and Allergies

o    An old mattress can trigger asthma symptoms and allergic reactions in those with these conditions. "Asthma: The at Your Fingertips Guide" says that bad mattresses often contain dust mites and materials that can trigger allergic reactions. This can be particularly true of older mattresses, which are less likely to be made from hypoallergenic material. Purchasing a new mattress and covering it with a special mattress cover can cut back on these reactions and keep the bed from becoming infested with dust mites. 

Useful mattress facts...

• A mattress should provide uniform support from head to toe. If there are gaps between your body and your mattress (such as at the waist), you're not getting the full support that you need.
• If you do have back pain and your mattress is too soft, you might want to firm up the support of your mattress by placing a board underneath it. But do this just until the pain goes away; such firmness is not good for "routine" sleeping.
• Every few months, turn your mattress clockwise, or upside down, so that body indentations are kept to a minimum. It's also good to rotate the mattress frame every so often to reduce wear and tear.
• If you're waking up uncomfortable, it may be time for a new mattress. There is no standard life span for a mattress; it all depends on the kind of usage it gets.
• Be aware that changes in your life can signal the need for a new mattress. For example, if you've lost or gained a lot of weight, if a medical condition has changed the way you sleep, or even if you have changed partners, it could mean that it's time to find a new mattress that will accommodate those changes and help you sleep more soundly.
• If you're not in the market for a new mattress, and your current mattress is too firm, you can soften it up by putting a 1- to 2-inch-thick padding on top of it - usually available at mattress and bedding stores. 

* Information obtained from the American Chiropractic Association (acatoday.org

Welcome To Our Office

Magna Chiropractic

165 Natchez Trace, Suite 201

Bowling Green, KY 42103

Located inside Western Kentucky Orthopaedics and Neurosurgical Associates Building

Entrance

Adjustment Rooms

 Decompression Tables

 Modality Room

 Rehab

 

Manage Your Headaches

Having Headaches? 

If you have a headache, you're not alone. 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing, and some cause debilitating pain and nausea.

What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your teeth and carry on? Lie down? Pop a pill and hope the pain goes away? There is a better alternative. 

  

Research

Research shows that spinal manipulation - the primary form of care provided by doctors of chiropractic - may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck.

A report released in 2001 by researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for those headaches that originate in the neck, and had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headache than a commonly prescribed medication.

  

Also, a 1995 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches and that those who ceased chiropractic treatment after four weeks experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in contrast with those patients who received a commonly prescribed medication.

  

Triggers

Headaches have many causes, or "triggers." These may include foods, environmental stimuli (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). About 5 percent of all headaches are warning signals caused by physical problems.

Ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease. The headache itself is the primary concern.

"The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck," says Dr. George B. McClelland, a doctor of chiropractic from Christiansburg, VA. "Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache

What Can You Do?

  

· If you spend a large amount of time in one fixed position, such as in front of a computer, on a sewing machine, typing or reading, take a break and stretch every 30 minutes to one hour. The stretches should take your head and neck through a comfortable range of motion.

· Low-impact exercise may help relieve the pain associated with primary headaches. However, if you are prone to dull, throbbing headaches, avoid heavy exercise. Engage in such activities as walking and low-impact aerobics.

· Avoid teeth clenching. The upper teeth should never touch the lowers, except when swallowing. This results in stress at the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) - the two joints that connect your jaw to your skull - leading to TMJ irritation and a form of tension headaches.

· Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to help avoid dehydration, which can lead to headaches

  

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

· Perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system.

 · Provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.

· Offer advice on posture, ergonomics (work postures), exercises and relaxation techniques. This advice should help to relieve the recurring joint irritation and tension in the muscles of the neck and upper back.

The ACA (American Chiropractic Association) notes the following quote: "Doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive training to help their patients in many ways - not just back pain," says Dr. McClelland. "They know how tension in the spine relates to problems in other parts of the body, and they can take steps to relieve those problems."

* Information obtained from the American Chiropractic Association (acatoday.org)

Fibromyalgia: What Does It Mean For You?

If you or your loved ones have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you may be wondering what the disorder means for you. The condition still remains a mystery, although an estimated 3 to 6 percent of Americans, predominantly women, have fibromyalgia syndrome. Even diagnosing the condition can be complex: according to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it can take a patient up to 4 years to be accurately diagnosed.

  

Fibromyalgia is typically diagnosed in patients with:

•   in all 4 quadrants of the body for a minimum of 3 months; and
• Tenderness or pain in at least 11 tender points when pressure is applied. These tender points cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee, and elbow regions.

Some fibromyalgia experts say, however, that many people may still have fibromyalgia with fewer than 11 tender points if they have widespread pain and several other common symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Chronic headaches
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Cognitive or memory impairment
• Malaise and muscle pain after exertion
• Jaw pain
• Morning stiffness
• Menstrual cramping
• Irritable bowels
• Numbness and tingling sensations
• Skin and chemical sensitivities

Correct Diagnosis Is Key

Correct diagnosis of fibromyalgia is very elusive, so if you are diagnosed with the disorder-or suspect that you have it-seek the opinion of more than 1 health care provider. Other conditions may create fibromyalgia-like pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Ruling other conditions out first is very important.

  

In addition to clinical evaluation that will assess possible causes of your pain, your doctor may need to order blood work to determine if you have:

• Anemia
• Hypothyroidism
• Lyme disease
• Other rheumatic diseases

• Hormonal imbalances

• Allergies and nutritional deficiencies

Disorders that cause pain, fatigue, and other fibromyalgia-like symptoms.

If the tests show that you have 1 of these conditions, treatment will focus on addressing that problem first. If your pain is caused by a muscle or joint condition, chiropractic care may help relieve it more effectively than other therapies.

  

Treatment Alternatives

If no underlying cause for your symptoms can be identified, you may have classic fibromyalgia. The traditional allopathic approach includes a prescription of prednisone, anti-inflammatory agents, antidepressants, sleep medications, and muscle relaxants. These temporarily relieve the symptoms, but they do produce side effects. If you prefer a natural approach, the following suggestions may be helpful:

• Studies have shown that a combination of 300 to 600 mg of magnesium per day, along with malic acid, may significantly reduce may significantly reduce the number of tender points and the pain felt at those that remain. B vitamins may also be helpful.
   

• Eating more omega-3 fatty acids and fewer saturated fats has shown promise in fibromyalgia patients. Limit red meat and saturated fats and increase the amounts of omega-3 fatty acids by including fish, flax, and walnut oils in your diet. Fatty acid deficiencies can interfere with the nervous system and brain function, resulting in depression and poor memory and concentration.  
  • Improving the quality of sleep can help reduce fatigue. Watch your caffeine intake, especially before going to bed. Reduce TV and computer time. If you watch TV in the evening, choose relaxing, funny programs instead of programs with violent or disturbing content. Ask your doctor of chiropractic for other natural ways to help you sleep better.
  • Stress-managing strategies can also help address anxiety or depression issues. Cognitive therapy has been shown helpful in relieving fibromyalgia patients' negative emotions and depression by changing their perception of themselves and attitudes toward others.

  • A traditional gym-based or aerobic exercise program may exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms and is not recommended. Instead, yoga, Pilates, or tai chi-which offer mild stretching, relaxation, and breathing techniques-may work better than vigorous exercise.

  • Chiropractic care has consistently ranked as one of the therapeutic approaches that offer the most relief for the fibromyalgia patient. Your doctor of chiropractic can also include massage therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation in the treatment program, which may help relieve stress, pain, and other symptoms.

  Your doctor of chiropractic has the knowledge, training, and expertise to help you understand your problem and, in many cases, to manage it successfully. Remember, however, that the treatment program can be successful only with your active participation. If your doctor of chiropractic feels that he or she cannot help you, you will be directed to another health care provider.
  
  
  * Information provided by the ACA (American Chiropractic Assocation.