Fibromyalgia is a whole-body pain syndrome that is believed to be closely related to arthritis. Many sufferers have benefited from chiropractic techniques to ease their discomfort and get a good night's sleep.
Other types of treatments involving various medications, vitamins, supplements, even gentle exercise, all address specific symptoms. However, they might include untested substances, cause side effects or even run afoul of the law, such as the use of controlled substances for fibromyalgia pain management. None of them address the patient as a whole person the way that chiropracty does.
Sometimes confused with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia is a distinct collection of symptoms resulting from muscles that clench around joints, resulting in chronic pain. Over time, this pain then causes sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, even a state of confusion sometimes referred to as "fibo fog." Chiropractic, which means "done by hand," is a practice that involves more than "cracking" bones. Its practitioners examine their patients' chemical, mental and structural health from a holistic point of view; thus addressing the entire syndrome, not just one symptom at a time.
A key byword in chiropracty is balance. The skilled practitioner will strive to achieve overall balanced energy flow through total body alignment, or spinal adjustment. The goal is to achieve unimpeded blood and energy flow and to insure that all parts are working in harmony. This also helps loosen the muscles' tight grip on joints. A helpful metaphor to understand this process is to think of getting your car's frame aligned for smooth driving and equal tire wear.
Another technique is ischemic compression to relieve trigger points of pain. A thumb or finger is pressed firmly on a sore spot. This causes a temporary blood blockage, which when it is relieved, causes increased circulation to wash away waste products and supply more oxygen for tissue healing. This could be likened to closing and opening the gates on a dam to regulate water flow.
Another treatment is applied kinesiology. Its supporters use muscle testing techniques that they say let's them hear what the body needs at that moment and then provide it. Since fibromyalgia impairs the smooth functioning of the body, mind and spirit, this focused listening leads to suggestions for nutritional, physical and spiritual remedies.
Chiropractic techniques are not quick fixes, except for an immediate feeling of relief as the patient's tight muscles are relaxed. Research has shown that after a course of treatment over a couple of months there is meaningful lessening of pain and fatigue, and much better sleep. One caution is that older individuals may not respond as well.
Theories about the causes of fibromyalgia all seem to indicate that there is a malfunction in the way that a sufferer's body processes pain signals. Whatever the underlying cause, a visit to the chiropractor can help.
Stephen Daniels is an acclaimed http://netbiz.com researcher. If you are looking for a chiropractor in the Chicago area, he recommends http://www.chiropracticcareltd.com. Their practitioners are experienced working with fibromyalgia patients through chiropracty, acupuncture and massage.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Migraine Symptoms: It Could Be Down to a Simple Food Intolerance!
Doctors know very little about migraine headaches except that they run in families, and may be caused by many conditions ranging from nervous excitement, disturbed sleep patterns, stress and reactions to certain foods, such as cheese or chocolate. These headaches can last hours, sometimes days, and often come with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, and, perhaps most strangely of all, distorted sensory perception, especially vision. If you add together the range of different symptoms and so many different potential triggers, it is no surprise that researchers are perplexed about the science behind these headaches, or that sufferers seem to find treatments so hit-and-miss.
An estimated 12.5% of people in the UK suffer with migraines meaning that roughly 7 million people in just the UK alone. It is estimated that migraine costs businesses an estimated 1bn pounds every year as a result of lost productivity with the average migraineur missing between 1.5 and 4.5 days from work annually.
In many people migraines are triggered by reactions to foods. Clinical studies have shown that management of the diet can reduce the severity and, or, frequency of headaches or even stop them. The problem with attempting any dietary modification is that first you need to know what to change. Currently the best accepted method for confirming food sensitivities is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no reduction in the frequency or intensity of the attacks during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not the problem and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is very time consuming, and because it is impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems, it is a very ineffective process.
Thankfully, help is at hand with a simple testing service that identifies the trigger foods responsible for food intolerances. This scientific approach, which can be used to identify the different food types involved for each individual, is a blood test that measures food-specific IgG antibodies. Your body is unique and doesn't lie, either you have antibody reactions to certain food combinations or you don't, and the best way to find out is by carrying out a test. You then get an accurate reading of exactly what foods your body is reacting against so that you know what to avoid.
The test is backed by hard evidence; new findings from York University and York Test, who surveyed 514 migraine and headache sufferers, showed that 81% benefited in terms of the frequency and severity of their attacks if they removed the foods from their diet that showed a positive reaction. The fact that people saw a return of their migraine and, or, headache symptoms on reintroduction of the foods identified by the food-specific IgG test supports the fact that this is an active and specific approach. The test used in the study is the York Test foodSCAN, it only requires a few drops of blood from a finger prick that can be collected in the comfort of your own home.
These latest findings are further confirmation of the direct link between certain health complaints and diet. The test that was used for the survey is the only one of its kind endorsed by the charity Allergy UK and York Test has 25 years of experience in the food intolerance testing market. So for those suffering from headaches and migraines, fortunately there's new food for thought in your quest to rid yourself of this burden!
Dr. Gillian Hart is a Scientific Director for York Test Laboratories Ltd. York Test specialist in allergy and food intolerance testing. For more information visit http://www.yorktest.com or call 0800 074 6185.
An estimated 12.5% of people in the UK suffer with migraines meaning that roughly 7 million people in just the UK alone. It is estimated that migraine costs businesses an estimated 1bn pounds every year as a result of lost productivity with the average migraineur missing between 1.5 and 4.5 days from work annually.
In many people migraines are triggered by reactions to foods. Clinical studies have shown that management of the diet can reduce the severity and, or, frequency of headaches or even stop them. The problem with attempting any dietary modification is that first you need to know what to change. Currently the best accepted method for confirming food sensitivities is by elimination diet. This involves eating a restricted diet for several weeks. If there is no reduction in the frequency or intensity of the attacks during this time, it is assumed that the food type that has been restricted is not the problem and the process is repeated with another food type. This method is very time consuming, and because it is impossible to test all the different combinations of food types that may be causing the problems, it is a very ineffective process.
Thankfully, help is at hand with a simple testing service that identifies the trigger foods responsible for food intolerances. This scientific approach, which can be used to identify the different food types involved for each individual, is a blood test that measures food-specific IgG antibodies. Your body is unique and doesn't lie, either you have antibody reactions to certain food combinations or you don't, and the best way to find out is by carrying out a test. You then get an accurate reading of exactly what foods your body is reacting against so that you know what to avoid.
The test is backed by hard evidence; new findings from York University and York Test, who surveyed 514 migraine and headache sufferers, showed that 81% benefited in terms of the frequency and severity of their attacks if they removed the foods from their diet that showed a positive reaction. The fact that people saw a return of their migraine and, or, headache symptoms on reintroduction of the foods identified by the food-specific IgG test supports the fact that this is an active and specific approach. The test used in the study is the York Test foodSCAN, it only requires a few drops of blood from a finger prick that can be collected in the comfort of your own home.
These latest findings are further confirmation of the direct link between certain health complaints and diet. The test that was used for the survey is the only one of its kind endorsed by the charity Allergy UK and York Test has 25 years of experience in the food intolerance testing market. So for those suffering from headaches and migraines, fortunately there's new food for thought in your quest to rid yourself of this burden!
Dr. Gillian Hart is a Scientific Director for York Test Laboratories Ltd. York Test specialist in allergy and food intolerance testing. For more information visit http://www.yorktest.com or call 0800 074 6185.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Antioxidants Help Arteries Stay Healthy in People at Risk for Heart Disease
In a new study from Israel it was shown that the increased ingestion of "antioxidant" supplements on a long term basis helped multiple cardiovascular ailments. This is great news but what are antioxidants and what exactly do they do?
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce "free radicals" which in turn can start chain reactions which can damage cells. It is thought that these damaged cells could become cancerous or lead to coronary heart disease among other ailments. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions helping to keep cell healthy and possibly preventing serious health issues.
This study, which was conducted by a team from Wolfson Medical Center, used 70 high blood pressure patients and divided them into 2 groups. Study was conducted over 6 months with testing done at the beginning, at 3 months and then at 6 months. The first groups was given placebo's and the second was given of regimen of vitamin C (1000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 i.u/day), coenzyme Q10 (120 mg/day) and selenium (200 mcg/day) on a daily basis. The patients in the antioxidant group had marked improvement in their cardiovascular health including more elastic arteries, better blood sugar levels, "cholesterol profiles were healthier with a significant increase in HDL".
In a statement to the media "the findings of the present study justify investigating the overall clinical impact of antioxidant treatment in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors". In fact the results were so encouraging the researchers concluded "antioxidant supplements have the potential to alleviate atherosclerotic damage.." While far from being absolutely conclusion this study shows what many alternative health professionals have known for a long time, that antioxidants are excellent for cardiovascular health and wonderful healing properties. We need more studies like this so we have a body of work to help convince the masses that this is real.
Patrick Hayes is the owner of Kelatox Products. He has been an outspoken advocate of proper nutrition, detoxification and exercise for a long time.For more information about Kelatox and chelation therapy, visit us at www.ChelationHealthProducts.com
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce "free radicals" which in turn can start chain reactions which can damage cells. It is thought that these damaged cells could become cancerous or lead to coronary heart disease among other ailments. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions helping to keep cell healthy and possibly preventing serious health issues.
This study, which was conducted by a team from Wolfson Medical Center, used 70 high blood pressure patients and divided them into 2 groups. Study was conducted over 6 months with testing done at the beginning, at 3 months and then at 6 months. The first groups was given placebo's and the second was given of regimen of vitamin C (1000 mg/day), vitamin E (400 i.u/day), coenzyme Q10 (120 mg/day) and selenium (200 mcg/day) on a daily basis. The patients in the antioxidant group had marked improvement in their cardiovascular health including more elastic arteries, better blood sugar levels, "cholesterol profiles were healthier with a significant increase in HDL".
In a statement to the media "the findings of the present study justify investigating the overall clinical impact of antioxidant treatment in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors". In fact the results were so encouraging the researchers concluded "antioxidant supplements have the potential to alleviate atherosclerotic damage.." While far from being absolutely conclusion this study shows what many alternative health professionals have known for a long time, that antioxidants are excellent for cardiovascular health and wonderful healing properties. We need more studies like this so we have a body of work to help convince the masses that this is real.
Patrick Hayes is the owner of Kelatox Products. He has been an outspoken advocate of proper nutrition, detoxification and exercise for a long time.For more information about Kelatox and chelation therapy, visit us at www.ChelationHealthProducts.com
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