Spending time with friends is fun, but it may also yield a multitude of long-term physical and emotional health benefits. Studies show that healthy relationships make aging more enjoyable, lessen grief, and provide camaraderie to help you reach personal goals, among other things. Maintaining positive relationships should rank up there with healthy eating and exercise as a necessary investment in your health
The adductor muscle and tendon run along the inner thigh. An adductor strain (also known as a groin strain) is a common problem among many individuals who are physically active, especially in competitive sports. However, a groin strain can occur in non-athletes while performing day-today activities.
Adductor injuries occur most commonly when there is a forced push-off to the side. High forces are generated in the adductor (groin) tendons while people are attempting to shift direction suddenly into the opposite direction. As a result, the adductor (groin) muscles contract rapidly which frequently leads to an injury.
Adductor/groin strains range from Grade 1 to Grade 3 and are classified as follows:
The majority of adductor/groin strains are Grade 2, although patients that are less physically fit can sustain a Grade 3 injury from a seemingly minor activity.
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A current literature review indicates that those who have sustained a previous adductor (groin) injury are at the greatest risk for future injuries of this type. Of the eleven risk factors cited in this study, patients of older age and weak adductor (groin) muscles were the next most frequent predisposing factors after previous injury (British Journal of Sports Medicine).
Among the list of contributing factors to the development of an adductor strain are:
As these are all clinical conditions that are regularly assessed and managed effectively by chiropractors, most professional teams and athletes employ chiropractic consultants as part of their specialist injury management team.
Adductor (groin) strains are a relatively common injury in both the athletic and non-athletic patient populations. Most chiropractors regularly see these injuries in clinical practice.
Anyone who complains of inner thigh or groin pain should make the chiropractor their first call. Advanced knowledge and expertise in assessing posture, flexibility and skeletal movement patterns makes your chiropractor the perfect choice for the initial evaluation of this injury.
The hips are another common problem area for people with arthritis.
Get on your hands and knees on a mat or comfortable carpet.When it comes to specific foods you should eat, an anti-inflammatory diet involves avoiding foods that make inflammation worse and eating plenty of foods that reduce inflammation.B These foods all help to reduce some aspect of inflammation include:
Omega-3 fatty acids Salmon, herring, mackerel (not king), sardines, anchovies, rainbow trout, oysters, eggs, flaxseed (ground & oil) and walnuts.
Extra-virgin olive oil Use olive oil when cooking.
Antioxidants May help prevent arthritis, slow its progression & relieve pain.
Vitamin C Guava, sweet peppers, oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, pineapple, lemons, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, kidney beans, cauliflower, red cabbage, mangos.
Selenium Brazil nuts, tuna, crab, oysters, pasta (whole-wheat), lean beef, cod, whole grains, turkey & wheat germ.
Carotenes Sweet potato, carrots, kale, butternut squash, turnip greens, pumpkin, mustard greens, red pepper, apricots and spinach.
March is Arthritis Awareness Month.
Arthritis is often referred to as a single disease. In fact, it is an umbrella term for more than 100 medical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, specifically the joints where two or more bones meet.
Arthritis-related problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tissue that covers the ends of bones, enabling them to move against each another freely without undue wear and tear). This can result in joint weakness, instability and deformities that can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, driving a car or preparing a meal.
According to Arthritis Australia, arthritis is the major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, with 3.85 million Australians affected at a cost to our economy of more than $23.9 billion each year in both medical care and indirect costs such as loss of earnings and lost production in the workforce.
As our population ages, the number of people with arthritis continues to grow. According to leading researcher Access Economics, the current trends suggest that by the year 2050, there will be approximately 7 million Australians suffering from some form of arthritis.
There is a widely held belief that arthritis is simply a consequence of age and should be considered b the pain of growing oldb . But it is not a natural part of ageing. In fact, 2.4 million of all Australians suffering from the disease are of working age.
While there are about 100 forms of arthritis, the three most significant – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout – account for more than 95 per cent of all cases in Australia. Both rheumatoid arthritis and gout are inflammatory disease conditions, while osteoarthritis is degenerative in nature and has been shown to respond favourably to chiropractic treatment.
According to Arthritis Australia, research suggests that early intervention can delay the onset of the disease, and possibly reduce the number of cases of osteoarthritis by about 500,000 within 15 years. Regular chiropractic care should be included in any early intervention strategy.
Arthritis is not yet curable. While the condition is usually manageable, it invariably impacts on a patient’s family and their quality of life. Symptoms include varying degrees of discomfort and pain. Chiropractic is a safe, scientific and non-invasive approach to managing osteoarthritis.
If you or anyone you know suffers from osteoarthritis, consulting a registered chiropractor would be an excellent start to an effective management strategy. Please feel free to discuss this with your chiropractor at your earliest convenience.
Life can bring activities and sports that can result in some common injuries involving the shoulder. Sports such as tennis, golf, swimming, soccer, wake-boarding or water skiing, even home maintenance work can all cause shoulder problems.
The rotator cuff is comprised of a group of muscles and tendons that cross the top and back of the shoulder and attach onto the bone at the top of the shoulder joint, most commonly the supraspinatus tendon is affected. The biceps tendon crosses the front of the shoulder to attach to the joint. Any activity that uses repetitive overhead motions or sustained postures can result in inflammation of these tendons and shoulder pain due to tendinitis.
The most common shoulder problems include:
Impingement Syndrome – When the rotator cuff tendons become pinched in the joint due to narrowing of the joint space; this is commonly due to either inflammation or arthritic changes.
Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sacs) around the shoulder that normally are present to provide cushioning.
Muscle Strain – Can occur in the upper shoulder muscles such as the upper trapezius or in the deltoid muscle at the side of the shoulder.
If you notice pain or soreness in your shoulder following any repetitive activities or sports it is important to use a cold pack for 10 minutes 3-5 times per day to help decrease inflammation.
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Treatment Options for Shoulder Injuries
Chiropractors are skilled in performing orthopaedic and biomechanical assessments of the shoulder, frequently identifying those at greater risk of a shoulder injury. The type of Chiropractic treatments that you will receive depends on the specific condition that you have and whether youb ve undergone surgery or not. In addition, your Chiropractor will likely ask about your goals for rehabilitation.
Chiropractic treatments for shoulder injuries may be composed of a combination of any of the following:
Cold therapy (ice pack application/ice massage)
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As a specialist in movement patterns, your family chiropractor is ideally positioned to detect underlying weaknesses in your shoulder, neck and upper back that may pre-dispose your friends and family members to a shoulder injury. Please speak to your chiropractor if you have any questions or concerns about rotator cuff tears.
To release shoulder and neck tension, follow the steps below;
What can help you feel more energized during the day, improve your mood and even help you lose weight? Sleep! The body repairs and regenerates during sleep. Even calcium is added to bones while you slumber. Getting adequate sleep is the best way to help your mind and body function at its best. Just as a cut may heal while we sleep, so can our mind.
We all know that getting to bed earlier is easier said than done, try avoiding food two hours before bedtime, thisB can ensure that your digestive system doesnb t keep you awake, and eliminating all light in your bedroom, yes even a night light can promote sounder, more sustained sleep.