Posts by Scorca
Oxygen is the Energy Molecule: Improving Athletic Performance Through Better Circulation
Why blood flow is important for athletes
Exercise is surely important for improving circulation, but how is circulation important for improving exercise? The more active you are, the more energy your body requires; as you move, the body’s metabolic rate increases and muscles demand more oxygen. More energy is needed to continue exercising without fatigue, and the body responds by producing more of the energy-storing molecule ATP. ATP is fuel for your muscles, and it is produced by a process in which oxygen breaks down glucose. Proper oxygenation of the musclesshould therefore be a priority for any athlete.
Rethink the Way you Read in Bed
What is more relaxing than reading in bed?
Reading in bed with good posture! Unfortunately, there is no correct nor ideal posture for reading in bed, and most spinal care specialists would recommend not doing it! But that’s not human nature and, acknowledging that the allure of recreating in bed is strong, we must do what we can to mitigate the damage to our spines when undertaking activities such as reading or using a laptop in bed.
Snore No More: Focus on Sleep Hygiene
Conservative remedies for combating snoring
Snoring may make you the target of family jokes, or incur you the ire of a disgruntled bed partner, but studies show that there is a darker side to snoring. Of those who snore, 75% are thought to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. It’s no wonder that once people become aware of snoring’s role in their lives, they seek to do something about it. But it doesn’t have to be drastic action, at least at first. Most experts agree that conservative methods can help remedy your snoring before trying more aggressive treatments including medication and surgery.
Supporting Your Spinal Curves with Sitting Posture
Your spine has four essential curves
These are, from top to bottom:
- The cervical curve: 7 vertebrae, concave curve
- Thoracic curve: 12 vertebrae, convex curve
- Lumbar curve: 5 large vertebrae, concave curve
- Sacral curve: 5 fused vertebrae which connect to the 4 fused vertebrae of the coccyx, convex curve.
Describing this spring-loaded, S-shape, helps us understand how the curves compress and expand throughout the day to perform shock absorbing and stabilizing duties that keep us upright and injury free. However, compressive forces, including the excessive pressure that comes with poor posture, can work over time to actually change our spinal curvature and leave us worse off.
It’s Never Too Early to Talk About Spinal Longevity
What does spinal longevity mean to you?
To us, it means an old age free of back pain; furthermore, it means an old age with independence of mobility. And while there will be many intangible factors that contribute to your spinal health, it is important to exercise control over the factors which you can in the here and now. These factors include diet, exercise, posture, and sleep. Making sure you pay attention to posture and movement while focusing on getting the right kind of food gives you the best possible chance of staying upright and independent in your old age.
Degenerative Disc Disease Does Not Mean Doom
Degenerative Disc Disease is a misnomer
Degenerative disc disease is a common diagnosis, even among people in their 30s. Many people become scared at the idea they could have degenerative disc disease at such a young age- “How much worse will it be when I am in my 60s,” is a common refrain. But the term is poorly coined- degenerative disc disease is not a progressively worsening condition and evidence indicates that it may be just the opposite; the degenerative cascade theory suggests that the condition will actually improve over time. How can this be so?
Why We Care About Circulation
Stagnation is the norm
How familiar is this weekday schedule:
- 1 hour of commuting
- 6-8 hours sitting at the office
- 2-4 hours sitting at home recreating or in front of screens
Let’s apply the scope of circulation to this scenario: when you sit for this long each day, your blood circulation becomes stagnant. When your blood doesn’t flow, nutrients and oxygen can’t reach the cells in need, while excess cell waste and lymphatic material is left to accumulate because it can’t be carried away. What does this mean for you:
- Low oxygenation in the brain leads to headaches and anxiety
- Swelling and pain in the extremities
- Loss of range of motion
- Muscle degeneration
Excessive sitting can even go so far as to damage blood vessels and many experts are debating not over whether or not it takes years off your life, but how many! So what is the answer to this circulation stagnation? Movement. Movement of any kind, whether it’s standing up, walking and bending over to take a drink from the water fountain or something more exhaustive, helps get your blood flowing.
Self-care is Effective Back Pain Management
Self-care for your back pain
Most cases of non-specific back pain will see the body heal itself in a matter of weeks; conventional wisdom states that if the pain hangs around for longer than four weeks, you should seek the help of a qualified health professional. But one month is plenty of time for you to institute a regime of self-care that will not only heal the existing injury but also strengthen your back to prevent injury moving forward. It all comes down to being proactive.
Pregnancy Pro Tip: Chiropractic for Easier Labor
What mother wouldn’t say no to a shorter, easier labor in hindsight?
Much of the so-called typical pains of pregnancy are caused by instability at the base of the spine, onset by pelvic misalignment. This misalignment is caused by hormonal and physical changes that loosen ligaments in the pelvis to make way for the passage of the child. Misalignment in this region is linked to:
- Lower back pain
- Sciatica
- Breech presentation
- Complications during labor and delivery
Intrauterine restraint refers to the condition where, due to pelvic misalignment, the amount of room available for the baby to grow is reduced. So, you can see the reasons why maintaining proper alignment of the pelvis is important. But let us give you one further reason why chiropractic can help optimize your pregnancy: shortening labor times.
A shorter labor thanks to chiropractic
By aligning the pelvis, providing plenty of room for the baby to grow and addressing breech presentation with the Webster Technique, chiropractic is a dynamic force for maintaining the well-being of your pregnancy. The US National Library of Medicine National Institute National Institutes of Health released a comparative study that, “Chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy may be considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients.” Further comparative studies have shown that chiropractic can actually reduce labor times in both first-time pregnancies and the successive pregnancies that follow.
Chiropractic is a pregnancies best friend
By using natural, hands-on techniques, we ensure that your body is in the optimal state for delivery when the due date approaches. We place a premium on relaxing techniques that reduce pain for the mother and ensure an all-around nurturing environment within which the child can grow. If you are interested in using our services to facilitate an easier pregnancy and a shorter labor, give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today.
How to Engage your Core Effectively
The mechanics of the core
Using your core properly is one of the most powerful ways you can influence the health of your spine and maintain its integrity long into life. Unfortunately, fewer people than ever even know what their core is, let alone how to use it properly. Understanding your core is a key insight into understanding your body and how it experiences pain.