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So far Vital Life Chiropractic has created 24 blog entries.

Whiplash

Long term damage to the spine and head is especially common in auto accidents. Doctors of chiropractic have for years recognized the need for neuro-structural integrity in these areas and that most victims of automobile injuries do not fully recover under medical care; they may continue to have problems for years after the accident. This is especially the case of those who have whiplash and concussion injuries. This of course underscores the need for chiropractic care for accident victims. New medical terms acknowledging the chronicity and incomplete healing of accident victims have recently arisen. The terms used are: Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS), Whiplash Syndrome (WS), Post Whiplash Syndrome (PWS), Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBI), and mild head injury (MHI).

The chiropractic profession owes a debt to Arthur Croft, DC of San Diego, California who taught of, and researched the need for the caring of patients who had the above conditions years before these conditions were acknowledged in the medical literature.

The detection and management of pediatric whiplash injuries. Ben Eliyahhu, DJ Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic & Pediatrics, Oct. 1993, Palm Springs, CA, November 1993, Palm Beach, Florida.

This paper presents case studies on the detection and management of pediatric whiplash injuries.

Case study one.

A six-year-old female was involved in a rear end collision while sitting in the front seat. She and her mother were taken to the hospital where the mother was examined, x-rayed, collared and released. The child was briefly examined, the mother was told that the child was okay and was discharged. The child complained to the mother of headaches and neck stiffness, was taken to the pediatrician who said the child was fine. The complaints persisted and the mother brought the child to the chiropractor. Infrared thermography scans disclosed abnormalities of the head, neck and upper extremities. Radiographs revealed […]

Wellness Research

Wellness Research

Many turn to chiropractic for backaches and neck pain, but the benefits of chiropractic care extend far beyond simply alleviating pain. When a sickness or ailment occurs, many people don’t seek treatment until the symptoms manifest themselves in the form of pain. However, prevention before symptoms arise can lessen the illness time or even prevent sickness from occurring in the first place. Chiropractic care is not just for specific aches and pains, but rather a way to manage the overall health and wellness of the body.

Chiropractic Is Corrective

First and foremost, chiropractic care can help alleviate pain in the body. Pain is usually a sign that something is wrong, but there is an issue within the body long before pain arises. The first several visits to a chiropractor include corrective care, which focuses on treating pain and correcting any major issues. Because chiropractic focuses on the whole body, chiropractic care looks at the central nervous system and seeks to remove spinal misalignments that block nerve communication to other systems of the body. These nerve interruptions are often the root cause of pain or dysfunction, whether it be digestion issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, earaches in children, or numbness and tingling in the extremities. Correcting spinal misalignments will restore proper nerve communication of the central nervous system, ensuring each system in the body can function as it should.

Chiropractic Care Promotes Wellness

After symptoms of pain have been alleviated, the second phase of chiropractic care is wellness care, in which the main goal is to promote health and wellness of the overall body. The health of the spine is extremely important in that one vertebra out of place can affect your health drastically. This is why regular visits to a chiropractor […]

Subluxation

WHAT IS SUBLUXATION?

Often described in practice as a partial dislocation, a subluxation is when the vertebrae move slightly out of alignment causing pressure or irritation to the nerves. The spine loses normal motion and/or position and can have an affect on the nerves involved and vertebrae around the subluxated area. As the vertebrae are not functioning properly this can cause wear and tear on the discs and associated ligaments, muscles and other spinal tissue. This nerve interference results in the body operating at a reduced rate. Pain, inflammation and tenderness often follow. Once the nervous system has been impaired via a subluxation, the overall health and wellbeing of the person is at reduced.

Chiropractors locate Subluxations which cause interference to the nervous system. They then correct the interference through gentle movements of the spine. This is usually done with the hands, which relieves the pressure to the nerves therefore assisting in correction and improving the health of the nerves.

WHAT CAUSES SUBLUXATIONS?

Subluxations are caused through varying ways. They can be responses to physical, emotional, chemical or genetic factors.

Physical

Birth process, slips, falls, car accident, poor sleeping habits, repetitive motions, sports injuries, bad postural habits etc.

Emotional

Stressful conditions such as family problems, divorce, death in family, work stresses, life problems and not being able to manage stressful situations.

Chemical

External pollutants in the environment, smoking, drugs, car fumes, alcohol, poor diet.

Genetics

Many health problems can run in families.

Muscle weakness or imbalance from stress, obesity or lack of exercise are all contributing factors to Subluxations

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLUXATIONS?

Most patients actually wait until they have a symptom such as pain until they seek chiropractic help. They can have a range of symptoms including:

Inflammation & swelling
Neck pain
Back pain
Low energy
Tenderness
Reduction or loss of mobility
Muscle spasms
Tingling sensations
Loss of sensation
Weakness, dizziness

[…]

Stress Research

You’ve always been told to “reduce the stress in your life” because it can be detrimental to your health to sustain high levels of stress on a consistent basis. According to a study done by the AADA, “Compared to the low-stress group, both the moderate and the high-stress groups showed excess mortality …” Stress is not only unpleasant to deal with on a regular basis but is also important for a healthy life.

Stress and the Nervous System

The nervous system is responsible for all of the vital functions in the body and one of those vital functions is the management of stress. More precisely, the nervous system produces testosterone during its fight-or-flight response. Arousal from an experience or within mental thought patterns can cause the adrenal glands to release the cortisol hormone, which is released when you’re stressed.

The nervous system has two primary forms of operation: the sympathetic nervous response (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic response (rest and digest).

When the body activates the parasympathetic mode of the nervous system, the body calms down and has an improved capacity to heal the body. When the nervous system is in a sympathetic state, it has to shut down other systems in the body in order to allocate more resources to deal with the “fight or flight” situation it has been presented with.

When exposed to stress continuously, the “stress hormone” known as cortisol, continues to enter the system, which causes adrenal fatigue and other internal organs begin to deplete resources and progressively weaken in functionality. It also causes the body to store more fat, which leads to more health concerns.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Reduce Stress

A Lithia Springs chiropractor has the ability to beneficially affect almost every part of the body. Dr. Ronnie Bolar, when helping practice members at Vital Life Chiropractic, […]

Sciatica

Non-operative treatments for sciatica: a pilot study for a randomized clinical trial. Bronfort G, Evans RL, Anderson AV et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics October 2000, Vol. 23 No. 8.

This is a prospective, observer-blinded, pilot randomized clinical trial of 20 patients aged 20-65 with low back-related leg pain. Patients were divided into three groups. One group was given medical care, one group chiropractic care and one group steroid injections. All groups showed substantial improvement at the end of the 12 week study.

Lack of effectiveness of bed rest for sciatica. Patrick CAJ, Vroomen MD, Marc CTFM, et al. The New England Journal of Medicine. 1999;340:418-423.

Many medical doctors prescribe bed rest for sciatica, yet according to the authors: “For low back pain, bed rest has traditionally been considered effective, although there is little objective data to support this view. In recent years evidence of the ineffectiveness of bed rest for low back pain has accumulated, but bed rest continues to still be widely used for treatment of sciatica.”

From the conclusion: “Among patients with symptoms and signs of a lumbosacral radicular syndrome, bed rest is not a more effective therapy than watchful waiting.”

From Mobilization of the Spine (1984) by Grieve GP Churchill Livingston, London/New York, 4th edition, 22-23.

“All those experienced in manipulation can report numerous examples of migrainous headaches, disequilibrium (vertigo), subjective visual disturbances, feelings of retro-orbital pressure, dysphagia, dysphonia, heaviness of a limb, extra segmental paraesthesia, restriction of respiratory excursion, abdominal nausea and the cold sciatic leg being relieved by manual or mechanical treatment of the vertebral column.”

Low force chiropractic care of two patients with sciatic neuropathy and lumbar disc herniation. Richards GL et al. Am J Chiro Med Mar 1990;3(1):25-32.

From the abstract:

Two patients with sciatic neuropathy and confirmed disc herniation were treated with low force treatment regimen consisting of […]

Pregnancy

CHIROPRACTIC STUDIES

It is a common observation that birthing seems to be more comfortable for women who were under chiropractic care during pregnancy. The following studies mention how common spinal problems are resolved during pregnancy (up to 90%) and best of all how Chiropractic is safe, effective and most of all a drug free approach which is ideally suited for the health and well being of both mother and child.

The role of chiropractic in pregnancy. Vallone S. Int’l Chiropractic Assn. Review Summer 2002. p 47-51.

“By encouraging regular chiropractic and maternal self care (which includes good nutrition, regular stretching and exercise and stress management) we can improve our patient’s probability of a successful natural delivery.”

Complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: a survey of North Carolina certified nurse-midwives. Allaire AD, Moos WK, Wells SR. Obstet Gynecol 2000;95(1):19-23.

In this survey of 82 certified nurse-midwives, 93.9% reported that they recommended patients to alternative health care providers. 57.3% said they referred women to chiropractors.

Follow-up of patients with low back pain during pregnancy. Brynhildsen J, Hansson A, Persson A, Hammar M. In: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feb 1998; 91(2): 182-6.

Women with severe low back pain during pregnancy have an extremely high risk for experiencing a new episode of more severe low back pain during future pregnancies and when not pregnant.

Note: According to revised guidelines from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vaginal delivery should be routine in women who previously underwent cesarean section birth, Journal Of The American Osteopathic Association, Feb.1989, Vol.89 No.2, p.164.

An effective drug-free approach to premature contractions. Phillips C. ICA Review Oct. 1998.

Dr. Carol Phillips has done an amazing job of integrating chiropractic with CranioSacral T therapy to develop a number of techniques to help women in labor and pregnancy. Using simple procedures, she teaches healthcare providers unique methods of helping […]

Neck Pain

CHIROPRACTIC STUDIES

Cervical mobilization: concurrent effects on pain, sympathetic nervous system activity and motor activity. Sterling M, Jull G, Wright A. Man Ther (Manual Medicine) 2001;6(2):72-81.

In this paper, 30 patients with middle or lower neck (cervical) pain had “spinal manipulative therapy” (SMT) and their pain reduced after care.

Spinal care was found to have a pain fighting effect (“a hypoalgesic effect) as pain thresholds increased. It was also found that the sympathetic nervous system, which affects the functions of the internal organs, was affected: The authors wrote: “The treatment technique also produced a sympathoexcitatory effect with an increase in skin conductance and a decrease in skin temperature.”

Chiropractic treatment of post surgical neck syndrome utilizing mechanical force manually assisted short-lever spinal adjustments. Polkinghorn B and Colloca CJ Manipulative Physiol Ther November/December 2001. Vol 24 No. 9. This is the case of a 35-year-old female who, after having neck surgery two separate times (a discectomy at C3/4 and a fusion at C5/6) suffered from chronic neck pain for over 5 years.

She had originally undergone the surgeries to resolve neck pain. Her surgeon suggested a third surgery but she decided on chiropractic care. Within 30 days of chiropractic care all her chronic pain and muscle spasm resolved. A follow-up two years later revealed no recurrences of her previous chronic problem. Chronic spinal pain syndromes: a clinical pilot trial comparing acupuncture, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and spinal manipulation. Giles LG, Muller R. J Manipulative Physiol Ther July/August 1999:22(6), pp.376-81.

Seventy seven patients were divided into three groups. One group received needle acupuncture, one group an NSAID and one group chiropractic care. They were followed up after 30 days. Spinal care was the only intervention to achieve a statistically significant improvement. Patients receiving chiropractic care demonstrated a 30.7% reduction in Oswestry scores and a 25% reduction in neck disability […]

Menstrual Health Research

Menstrual cycles do not just cause discomfort, but may also cause back pain, lethargy, bloating, or severe cramps. The nerve bundles that control your endocrine (hormonal) and reproductive systems are protected by the spine. Because they work in conjunction with one another, problems such as spinal misalignments (or subluxations) may cause more severe menstrual symptoms during a cycle. Chiropractic adjustments can relieve symptoms of menstrual cycles, as well as regulate the frequency of menstrual cycles. Chiropractic care is also a natural, drug-free way to relieve bladder and bowel pain caused by PMS. Women who experience infertility issues may also benefit from regular chiropractic care as the reproductive system is so closely associated with the spine.

Chiropractic adjustments have been effective in treating issues such as amenorrhea (abnormal lack of a period during reproductive years), premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea (painful abdominal cramps during a period). While it is normal to not have a period during pregnancy or when breastfeeding, the lack of a menstrual cycle at any other time can be a sign of more significant health issues. Studies have shown that spinal health affects overall health. Lithia Springs chiropractic care is a solution for achieving optimal menstrual health.

Menstrual Health and Chiropractic Care

Many women suffer from different types of menstrual health issues. Primary amenorrhea occurs when a woman’s cycle does not start during puberty on its own. Often times, birth control or other medicines are used to achieve menses. Secondary amenorrhea occurs when women who have previously had regular menstrual cycles stop having a cycle. A visit to a Lithia Spring chiropractor can correct both primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. A 25-year-old woman experienced primary amenorrhea and tension headaches. At 18 years of age, her doctor prescribed progesterone to synthetically initiate a cycle. Due to side effects of medication, the woman […]

Leg Length

Purpose:

To determine if there is an association between a test commonly used by chiropractors as a sign of subluxation/joint dysfunction – supine leg length alignment (LLA) asymmetry – and health-related quality of life as measured by the SF-12 questionnaire, in a non-clinical population.

Design:

Volunteers answered the SF-12 and background questionnaires and were then examined for supine LLA by a chiropractor blinded to their answers.

Setting:

Gatherings of people in the general population.

Participants:

Fifty-five unscreened volunteers.

Examiner:

Chiropractor with approximately 20 years of clinical experience.

Main Outcome Measures:

The association of supine LLA asymmetry with general health based on the two summary scores – physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) – of the SF-12.

Results:

There were 27 volunteers with LLA asymmetry, they had a mean PCS of 49.6 and a mean MCS of 47.9. In the no – LLA asymmetry group (n=23) the mean PCS was 50.8, and mean MCS of 54.0. A multiple regression analysis found that of the variables gender, age, back pain (current/former) and LLA asymmetry, the only factor to approach significance with the SF-12 MCS/PCS was the presence of LLA asymmetry. A t-test found there was a significant difference (p=0.017) in the MCS between the supine LLA asymmetry and no-LLA asymmetry groups.

Conclusion:

This pilot study suggests that in this group of volunteers (n=50) from the non-clinical general population, those who demonstrated a commonly used sign of subluxation/joint dysfunction – supine leg length alignment asymmetry – had a significantly (P=0.017) lower measure of general health as determined by the SF-12 survey than those volunteers without such asymmetry. Further investigation to clarify this relationship and to establish whether there is a connection between the putative entity of chiropractic subluxation and unloaded leg length alignment asymmetry is recommended.

Leg Length Inequality (Short/Long Leg)

The supine leg check as a determinant of physiological/postural leg length inequality: a case study and analysis leg length inequality […]

Infertility Research

Infertility Research

Infertility is a significant problem that many women face today. Approximately 7.4 million women struggle with getting pregnant and staying pregnant. Not being able to get pregnant not only affects women physically but can also be emotionally taxing as women desire to start a family and are unable to. Doctors are unable to diagnose and address problems of infertility until one full year of unprotected sex has passed.

Causes for infertility can vary, and in some cases, the cause is unknown. For women, fibroids, hormone imbalance, stress, damaged ovaries, diet, ovulation issues, heavy menstrual cycles, or any other number of concerns could be causes of infertility. In men, there are only three things that can cause this issue: a sperm transport disorder, a gonad disorder, or a hypothalamic disorder. To address infertility, you must first address the root cause. While it may not be widely known, chiropractic care can treat root causes to treat the whole body and increase fertility.

Infertility Treatments

When first faced with not being able to conceive, most couples turn to hormone therapy, in vitro fertilization, or even invasive surgeries to correct problems. But not all of these methods of treatment are effective. Additionally, they can come with unwanted side effects or cost an exorbitant amount of money. Hormone therapy can cause even more hormone problems down the road, leaving you dealing with hormonal issues for years to come. In vitro fertilization only has a success rate of 30% and can cost over 10 thousand dollars per cycle. If traditional treatments are out of your budget or seem like a lot on your body, then consider chiropractic care. Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie Bolar has helped many women improve their fertility without costly expenses or risky side effects.

Chiropractic for Infertility

Chiropractic […]