Chiropractor

Adjusting kids

in Chiropractor  by July 3, 2015 0 comments

Here at Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area I get asked a lot by my patients if adjusting a child is possible.  There are many studies indicating that it is fine to adjust children and there is a fair amount of research also pointing towards the benefits of having your child adjusted.  I generally tell my patients that if your child is complaining of back pain which can be associated with heavy back packs, posture while playing video games or reading and over use of the computer then definitely bring them in for an exam.  Adults complain of pain while dealing with repetitive stress or posture issues but hardly ever think of it happening to their kids.  Here are some studies and information about the benefits of having your child adjusted.

According to Dr. David Sackett, the father of evidence-based medicine, there are three prongs to the evidence-based decision: clinical expertise, scientific research and patient preference. While chiropractic has more than 100 years of clinical expertise from which to draw, our profession is still quite young when it comes to its base of scientific research—a state that is even more so for one of our youngest subspecialties, chiropractic pediatrics. Dedicated researchers are working hard to fill in these gaps.  Recent studies are beginning to confirm what our century of clinical experience has already shown—that chiropractic care for children is not only safe, but also effective for a variety of pediatric conditions.


Dr. Joyce Miller and her colleagues at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in the U.K. have contributed much to our knowledge of chiropractic pediatrics in the past few years. Here is a brief summary of some of their latest studies:

Safety study: Miller et al. examined 781 pediatric patients under three years of age (73.5 percent of whom were under 13 weeks) who received a total of 5,242 chiropractic treatments at a chiropractic teaching clinic in England between 2002 and 2004.¹ There were no serious adverse effects (reaction lasting >24 hours or needing hospital care) over the three-year study period. There were seven reported minor adverse effects, such as transient crying or interrupted sleep.

Nursing study: Miller et al. also performed a clinical case series of chiropractic care for 114 infants with hospital- or lactation-consultant-diagnosed nursing dysfunction.² The average age at first visit was three weeks. All infants in the study showed some improvement, with 78 percent able to exclusively breastfeed after two to five treatments within a two-week period.

Colic: Browning et al. performed a single-blinded randomized comparison trial of the effects of spinal manipulative therapy and occipito-sacral decompression therapy on infants with colic.³ Forty-three infants younger than eight weeks of age received two weeks of chiropractic care. Two weeks and four weeks after beginning treatment, the infants in both treatment groups cried significantly less and slept significantly more than prior to receiving chiropractic care.

Long-term sequelae of colic: Research has shown that children who were colicky as infants suffer from poor behavior and disturbed sleep as toddlers. Miller et al. performed a survey of parents of 117 such toddlers who had received chiropractic care as infants vs. 111 who had not received chiropractic care.4 They found the treated toddlers were twice as likely not to experience long-term sequelae of infantile colic, such as temper tantrums and frequent nocturnal waking. In other words, colicky infants who had received chiropractic care were twice as likely to sleep well and to experience fewer temper tantrums in their toddler years.

That is just a sampling of some of the great work that is being done by the dedicated and hard-working researchers focusing on chiropractic pediatrics.

References:

  1. Miller JE, Benfield K. Adverse effects of spinal manipulation therapy in children younger than 3 years: a retrospective study in a chiropractic teaching clinic. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2008;31(6):419-422.
  2. Miller JE, Miller L, et al. Contribution of chiropractic therapy to resolving suboptimal breastfeeding: A case series of 114 infants. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32(8):670-674.
  3. Browning M, Miller JE. Comparison of the short-term effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation and occipito-sacral decompression in the treatment of infant colic: A single-blinded, randomised, comparison trial. Clinical Chiropractic 2008;11(3):122-129.
  4. Miller JE, Phillips HL. Long-term effects of infant colic: a survey comparison of chiropractic treatment and non-treatment groups. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32(8):635-638.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Shooting pain into your arm

in Chiropractor  by June 26, 2015 0 comments

Pain shooting into your arm doesn’t have to mean surgery.  We see toms of patients with this symptom and most of them get better with conservative care.  Of course I have to ask why they waited so long and most say it started out as neck pain and gradually became this.  Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area is a good place to start when this pain begins.

Pain into the arm or shoulder area with associated neck pain may not be the dreaded disk injury everyone is afraid of.  It could be an injury called thoracic outlet syndrome.  It sounds scary but it is quite common and can be fixed with the proper non-surgical treatments.  At Doroski Chiropractic Neurology we can quickly and properly diagnose this injury

The thoracic outlet is a passageway for the nerves and blood vessels into your arm.  It is located in the upper chest area.  It is made of a boney and muscular opening.  So anything that causes anyone of those structures to become enlarged can compromise the opening.  The most common and most treatable is a muscle spasm that caused the muscle to swell.

If this is the case most patients complain of the neck and upper arm pain but they also have a very sharp at the top medial corner of their shoulder blade.  This is the attachement of the Levator Scapulae muscle.  This muscle also passes behind the thoracic outlet area and it can swell pushing into the opening and compressing a nerve.


Since we are not hollow creatures everything is touching everything.  So a spasm of the neck support musculature can push the tissue forward which then pushes in to the opening.  This spasm is most notable by neck pain and upper shoulder blade pain.  It can be associated with pain in the neck and arm when turning the head towards the side of the pain.  Sometimes turning away from the painful side can actually decrease the neck pain and the referral.

A chiropractor can diagnose this injury from a disk injury and apply the proper treatment.  The treatment usually involves heat, electrical stimulation, stretching and trigger point therapy.  Once the muscle is relaxed manipulation of the spine can also help.

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Preventing Neck Pain

in Chiropractor  by June 19, 2015 0 comments

These tips are given by Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area.  Dr Doroski is the only Chiropractor in Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia with a diplomate in Chiropractic Neurology.

Easy preventive measures

Proper neck posture, a simple matter of good body mechanics, can offer you protection from neck pain. Here are suggestions from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and other experts that can help prevent the misuse or overuse of your neck:

Don’t sit in 1 place for a long time. If you’re stuck at your desk, place items around your office so that you are forced to get up or stretch to retrieve them.

Maintain good posture for your neck. Adjust your desk chair so your hips are slightly higher than your knees. Your head and neck will then naturally assume the correct position. When traveling, place a small pillow or rolled up towel between your neck and the headrest.

Don’t sleep with too many pillows or with a pillow that’s too thick.

When talking on the phone, don’t cradle the phone between head and shoulder. If you’re on the phone often, switch to a headset or speakerphone.

If you are reading or typing from other materials, raise the pages to eye level.

If you have corrected vision, keep your prescription current so you don’t have to crane your neck forward to see clearly.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Nutrition tips

in Chiropractor  by June 11, 2015 0 comments

Nutrition can be very difficult to figure out.  That fact seems to cause people to just not care or do their best without knowing what their best could be.  Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area wants to help make nutrition a little easier.

There is no better way to rejuvenate your health than by eating more nutritiously. In fact, even a few simple changes in your diet and lifestyle can have a positive impact on your health-and can also prevent a variety of health problems in the future.

The traditional coffee and doughnuts for breakfast; a hamburger for lunch-or no lunch; candy, cookies, and a soft drink for a snack; followed by a huge dinner with more protein than a person needs-are unhealthy dietary choices. As a result, younger people are starting to suffer from heart disease-not only because of poor diet, but also because of an epidemic of inactivity.


To reverse the alarming trend, many doctors of chiropractic urge patients to stop smoking, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and augment their balanced diet with appropriate nutritional supplements.

What Can You Do?

The ACA offers the following prevention and wellness advice:

Lifestyle Changes

Exercise at least 20 to 30 minutes three or four days a week.

Eat out more sparingly. Food preparation methods in restaurants often involve high amounts-and the wrong types-of fat and sugar.

Brown-bag your lunch to control your fat and sugar content while adding nutritious fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Limit your intake of alcohol and quit smoking. Drinking alcohol excessively and/or smoking hinder your body’s ability to absorb nutrients from your food.

Dietary Changes

Eat more raw foods. Cooking and canning destroys much of the nutrition in foods. With the exception of canned tomatoes, which can help prevent prostate cancer,1 fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables always have more natural vitamins and minerals.

Select organically grown foods when possible, because they have lower amounts of toxic elements, such as pesticides and heavy metals.

Consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. High-fiber diets can help prevent digestive disorders, heart disease, and colon cancer.

Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol are dehydrators. Don’t substitute them for water.

Vegetarian Diets

Research shows that a good vegetarian diet as part of a comprehensive health program can help prevent heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.2,3 However, fried foods, hydrogenated fats, and commercial meat substitutes may contain more sugar and fat than a meat-eater would consume.

If you are considering a vegetarian diet, keep the following tips in mind:

Don’t rely on fruits and vegetables at the expense of grains and legumes. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to consume a wide range of nutrients.

Tiredness, malaise, and anemia can be signs of deficiencies. Have your B12 and iron levels checked at least once a year.

Consume fortified foods or take supplements to obtain the nutrients you no longer get from animal-based products, such as vitamin B12.

Before eliminating animal products from the diet, learn to do it right. Children, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and people recovering from illness should consult their health care practitioners.

Supplements According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, dietary supplements are not substitutes for foods, nor can a person sustain good health by just taking vitamin and mineral supplements.4 When taken properly, however, supplements can play an important role in achieving maximum health. If you are considering nutritional supplements, keep the following tips in mind:

Remember to consume dark green vegetables, oils, nuts, and seeds, which are sources of magnesium, fatty acids, and many other vitamins and minerals.

Don’t “self-prescribe.” Consult a health care practitioner, such as a doctor of chiropractic, to determine what supplements are best for you. If you have symptoms such as headaches, chronic fatigue, or cardiac problems, seek professional advice from a health care provider who specializes in nutrition.

References

Pohar KS, Gong MC, Bahnson R, Miller EC, Clinton SK. Tomatoes, lycopene and prostate cancer: a clinician’s guide for counseling those at risk for prostate cancer. World J Urol. 2003 May;21(1):9-14. Epub 2003 Mar 22.

Beilin LJ. Vegetarian and other complex diets, fats, fiber, and hypertension. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;59(suppl):1130-1135.

Dwyer JT. Health aspects of vegetarian diets. Am J Clin Nutr. 1988;48(suppl):712-738.

Economic Characterization of the Dietary Supplement Industry: Final Report. In “U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition” March 1999.

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Stretching

in Chiropractor  by June 5, 2015 0 comments

Exercise is very important we all know that!  But one key component of exercise is stretching.  If the muscles are too tight you damage them or at the very least not get as good of a workout!  So if you plan on exercising here are some tips from Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area that will help you get the most of it.

Most Americans understand that cardio exercises such as running, swimming or biking and weight lifting exercises such as the shoulder press, bicep curl and squat are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Flexibility training and stretching, however, are often neglected. Flexibility is essential to protecting your body from injury, especially if you spend most of the day sitting in front of a computer.

Flexibility not only reduces stiffness in the body, but it also helps your body to pump blood to your muscles and nerves, helps alleviate the possibility of aggravating or reinjuring yourself if you have any musculoskeletal problems and helps maintain good range of motion of your joints.

Poor flexibility has been linked to general stiffness in the body and low-back pain in particular.


Dynamic Warm-Up

It’s important to warm up before attempting a walk, run or exercise program. To avoid injury caused by exerting cold muscles, try the following dynamic warm-up to increase your core temperature, muscle flexibility and heart rate.

Toe-touch. Standing straight up, hold your arms out directly in front of you and walk forward, kicking your legs up and trying to touch your toes to your hands without lowering your arms. Repeat 10-20 times for each leg. It’s OK if you can’t reach your hands when you first start out—just kick your leg up as high as it will go.

Inverted toe-touch. Standing straight up, lean forward and reach your arms down to the ground while you lift your right leg behind you. Keep your back straight and return to start. Repeat 10-20 times on each leg. Again, if you can’t reach all the way down to the ground, simply go as far as you can without losing your balance.

Knee hug. Standing up straight, bring your right knee to your chest and squeeze with your arms. Repeat 10-20 on each leg.

Lunge. Step forward with your left leg, bending your right knee until it touches the ground. Be sure that your left knee stays in line with your ankle. Repeat 10-20 times on each leg.

Groiner. Start off with a lunge with your left leg forward. Bring your left elbow down to meet your knee and then your ankle, sliding along the inside of your leg. Repeat 10-20 times on each leg. If you can’t get your elbow to touch your ankle just yet, that’s OK. You can start with simply bringing your elbow down to your knee and gradually progress to your ankle as you continue to incorporate these stretches into your everyday routine.

Stretches for Your Back

If you’re experiencing back pain or if you have a back injury, try these stretches to help facilitate movement in the affected muscle or joint. Stretches should be held for 15 to 30 seconds.

Hamstring stretch. Lie on your back with one leg straight out and one leg bent at the knee. Lift your straight leg up in the air. If you want, you can loop a towel or exercise band around your foot and gently pull the band toward your chest. Repeat three times on each leg.

Piriformis stretch. This can be completed either lying down or standing straight up. With one leg straight, pull the other knee into the chest toward the opposite shoulder. Repeat three times on each leg.

Cobra. Lying on your stomach, gently push your upper body off the floor, hold and then return to start. Repeat this stretch three times.

Consult your chiropractic physician prior to attempting any of these exercises or stretches and before starting any new exercise program. He or she can help you develop an individualized program and provide instruction on proper technique.

Quick Tips:

Never stretch a cold muscle (minimum of five minutes light jogging, biking, dancing, etc. before stretching)

Good form is extremely important when it comes to stretching – do not bounce!

Do not limit yourself to the exercises that you enjoy or that you are good at—make sure you are stretching all of your major muscle groups.

Your stretch point is the point at which you feel the stretch, but not pain.

Flexibility is unique to each individual. Do not try to mimic another person’s stretch point.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Bone Density

in Chiropractor  by May 29, 2015 0 comments

Bone density is one of those things we hear a lot about but not sure how to help it.  Maintaining dense bones as we age seems simple and fairly passive but there are things we can all do to help maintain dense bones.  Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia wants to provide you with some information that should help.

Osteoporosis has become an epidemic in the United States. About 10 million people, mostly women, suffer from this chronic condition, which leads to debilitating and life-threatening fractures. What’s worse, while 34 million people now have low bone mass, by 2010, the number is expected to climb to 52 million.

Research points to lifestyle and diet as the reasons for the increase. The bony structure is built in childhood—and weight-bearing physical activity and proper nutrition are essential. Today’s children, however, spend most of their time sitting in front of TV sets or computer monitors and drink calcium-robbing sodas, predisposing themselves to osteoporosis. Talk to your patients about osteoporosis prevention.


Osteoporosis Screening

  • Because osteoporosis is painless until a fracture actually occurs, bone density screening should be done every two years to help diagnose the disease early on.
  • Bone loss is irreversible and can only be stabilized, not improved, unless one uses a medication, such as Fosamax. Medications, however, usually come with various side effects.
  • Your doctor of chiropractic can help you prevent the development or progression of osteoporosis naturally—through diet, supplementation, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

Exercise

  • Exercise for at least 20 minutes three times a week. Exercise puts stress on the bone and helps it strengthen and remodel.
  • Tai chi, a form of martial arts, and other weight-bearing activities, such as jogging, walking, stair climbing, playing racquet sports, aerobics and dancing, can also be beneficial. These exercises improve flexibility and balance, reducing the risk of falling and fractures.
  • Resistance activities that increase muscle mass and strengthen bones, such as weightlifting, are generally recommended. However, if you have had a fracture, fall frequently or have osteoporosis, consult with your healthcare provider before starting the exercise program.
  • Spend time outdoors. Exposure to sunlight increases your level of vitamin D—a necessary element for calcium absorption of calcium, which prevents osteoporosis development.

Nutrition and Supplementation

  • Decrease consumption of foods high in phosphorus, such as soda, potato chips, hot dogs, bacon, beer, biscuits, crackers, white rice, liver, bologna, and peanuts. Too much phosphorus decreases absorption of calcium and other minerals and weakens the bone.
  • Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, kale, spinach and rhubarb. Use highly absorbable calcium supplements, such as microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC), or one of the malates, fumarates, succinates, glutarates or citrates. But don’t overdo it. Excess calcium may cause kidney stones, so ask your healthcare provider about your individual supplement amount.
  • Check with your healthcare provider to determine whether you are getting enough vitamin D (at least 800 IU per day).
  • Adding zinc (15 mg/day), copper (2 mg/day), manganese (5 mg/day), and magnesium (250-600 mg/day) has also helped prevent bone loss.
  • Fat-soluble vitamin K (1,000 mcg a day) may also be essential for optimal preservation of bone mass and for fracture prevention.
  • Consuming soy isoflavones from soy foods, soy protein products and/or soy isoflavone supplements may also be of benefit.

Safety Precautions

  • Be careful when bending and lifting heavy objects, including children. When lifting, bend from the knees, not the waist, and try to avoid hunching over while sitting or standing.
  • Remove throw rugs, electrical cords and other objects you may trip on from the areas where you walk.
  • Several medications can affect bone health, so consult a drug reference database or a local pharmacist to identify problem medications in time to find bone-mass-friendly alternatives.
  • Get screened for health conditions that increase risk of bone loss, such as celiac disease and thyroid disease.
  • Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol use, high salt and high animal protein intake, and other unhealthful lifestyle and dietary choices.

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Sports injuries

in Chiropractor  by May 22, 2015 0 comments

Here we go again weekend warriors!  Yes you played baseball in high school; surely recreation softball has to be easy!  Well it would be if you were still 18!  Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area wants to alert you to some common sports injuries.

Participation in sports or exercise is an important step in maintaining your health. Exercise strengthens your heart, bones, and joints and reduces stress, among many other benefits. Unfortunately, injuries during participation in sports are all too common. Often, these injuries occur in someone who is just taking up sports as a form of activity, doesn’t use proper safety equipment, or becomes overzealous about the exercise regimen.

The more commonly injured areas of the body are the ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, and spine. Remember that you should discuss any exercise program with your doctor of chiropractic before undertaking such activities.


Strains and Sprains

Although bones can sometimes be fractured with acute sports injuries, the most commonly injured structures are the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Tendons attach muscles to bones, and ligaments attach one bone to another.

An acute twisting or overextension of a joint can lead to tears of muscles and tendons, called “strains,” and tears of ligaments result in “sprains.” These tears range from mild to severe. In mild injuries, just a few fibers are torn or stretched. Severe injuries, where there is a tear through the full thickness of the structure, are most often considered unstable injuries and frequently require surgical intervention. The intervertebral disc, a ligament between the vertebrae of the spine that works as a shock absorber, can also be torn, resulting in a disc bulge and/or herniation.

Ankle sprains most often involve tears of one or more of the ligaments along the outside of the ankle. Knee ligaments, including the larger external supportive ligaments and the smaller internal stabilizing ligaments, can also be torn. The cartilage on the back of the patella (knee-cap) can also become eroded from overuse, leading to a condition termed chondromalacia patella.

Tendinosis

In those who are training too much, overuse of a particular joint or joints in the body can result in pain and dysfunction. These injuries are called “overuse syndromes.” A common overuse injury is tendinosis, also called tendinitis. In this condition, the tendon becomes inflamed from repetitive use. In the shoulder, the rotator cuff (a complex of muscles that stabilizes and moves the shoulder) becomes inflamed, resulting in rotator cuff tendinitis. Tennis elbow is another form of tendinitis that occurs along the outside of the elbow, most commonly in tennis players. In golfer’s elbow, the tendons on the inside of the elbow are affected.

Stress Fractures

Some athletes may experience a stress fracture, also called a fatigue fracture. This type of fracture occurs when an abnormal amount of stress is placed on a normal bone. This might occur in a runner who rapidly increases the amount of mileage while training for a race. Stress fractures also occur in people who begin running as a form of exercise but overdo it from the start, rather than gradually progress to longer distances.

One final common injury is worth mentioning, and that is shin splints. This overuse injury is caused by microfractures on the front surface of the tibia (shin bone). This is most often seen in runners, although other athletes can also be affected.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Sports injuries are most often diagnosed from the history of the activity that brought on the pain, along with a physical examination. In some cases, x-rays are necessary to rule out a fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diagnostic ultrasound are also used in finding soft-tissue injuries, like tendinitis and sprains.

Fractures require the application of some stabilizing device, such as a cast, after the bone is put back into position. Rarely, surgical intervention is required. There is a relatively standard treatment protocol for most of the other overuse types of injuries. This protocol involves the following:

Rest

Generally no more than 48 hours of rest and/or immobilization is needed, depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, the sooner the person becomes active after an injury, the more rapid is the recovery. In fact, long-term immobilization can sometimes be harmful to recovery. Your doctor of chiropractic will guide this process, as too early a return to activity, choosing the wrong type of activity, or excessive activity can be detrimental.

Ice or heat

Ice or heat can be helpful with pain reduction and tissue healing.

Compression

Compression of the area may reduce the amount of swelling from the injury. Your doctor of chiropractic will determine if this will be beneficial in your case.

Elevation

Elevation of the injured arm or leg above the level of the heart is thought to be helpful in reducing swelling.

Pain relievers

Recent research has demonstrated that some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may actually slow the healing process by restricting the body’s natural healing mechanisms, so they should be used sparingly.

Joint manipulation

Recent research has shown us that, in some cases, joint manipulation can be helpful with pain reduction and more rapid recovery. Your doctor of chiropractic will determine if this procedure will be helpful in your case.

A Word about Prevention

In many cases, sports injuries can be prevented. Proper conditioning and warm-up and cool-down procedures, as well as appropriate safety equipment, can substantially reduce injuries. Understanding proper techniques can also go a long way toward preventing injuries.

Sufficient water intake is also an important preventive measure.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Healthy Back

in Chiropractor  by May 14, 2015 0 comments

When we see people with back pain the first thing they are concerned with is getting better!  Just get me out of pain…  Then once they start feeling better they become very concerned with keeping the pain away.  At Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area we  promote overall health, but here are some back oriented tips.

A healthy spine is an often overlooked and essential part of a healthy lifestyle. People who suffer from back pain, particularly if it is long-term, are generally less healthy than those who do not. In fact, back pain costs are staggering not only financially, but also in terms of lost time from work and because of psychosocial problems that arise during the healing process associated with long-term back pain.

Unfortunately, approximately 80-90% of the population suffers from spinal pain at some point. People who are overweight or obese, and who smoke, lift heavy objects, or had a previous episode of back pain, are more likely to experience back pain.


Because so many people suffer from spine pain, it’s important for you to try to keep your spine as healthy as possible. Following simple posture, lifting, and healthy lifestyle guidelines can help you keep your back in good shape.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends the following spinal health tips:

Standing

When standing, keep one foot slightly in front of the other, with your knees slightly bent. This position helps to take the pressure off your low back.

Do not stand bent forward at the waist for prolonged periods of time. The muscles in your low back become deconditioned in this position, which may lead to pain.

Lifting

At all times, avoid twisting while lifting. Twisting is one of the most dangerous movements for your spine, especially while lifting.

If the item is too heavy to lift, pushing it is easier on your back than pulling it. Whenever possible, use your legs, not your back or upper body, to push the item.

If you must lift a heavy item, get someone to help you.

Sitting

Keep your knees slightly higher than your hips, with your head up and back straight.

Avoid rolling your shoulders forward (slouching).

Try to maintain the natural curve in your low back.

Reaching and Bending

When reaching for something above shoulder level, stand on a stool. Straining to reach such objects may not only hurt your mid-back and neck, but it can also bring on shoulder problems.

Do NOT bend over at the waist to pick up items from the floor or a table.

Instead, kneel down on one knee, as close as possible to the item you are lifting, with the other foot flat on the floor and pick the item up.

Or bend at the knees, keep the item close to your body, and lift with your legs, not your back.

Carrying

When carrying objects, particularly if they are heavy, keep them as close to your body as possible.

Carrying two small objects—one in each hand—is often easier to handle than one large one.

Healthy Diet and Exercise

While the proverbial jury is still out, we suspect that extra weight puts undue strain on your spine. Keep within 10 lbs. of your ideal weight for a healthier back.

“Beer belly” is likely the worst culprit, as it puts unwanted pressure on the muscles, ligaments and tendons in your low back.

The most efficient and effective way to reduce weight is by eating a sensible diet and exercising regularly.

Consult with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, particularly if you have a health condition.

Sleeping

Sleeping on your back puts approximately 50 pounds of pressure on your spine. Other positions may be better.

Placing a pillow under your knees while lying on your back cuts the pressure on your spine roughly in half.

Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees may also reduce the pressure on your back.

Never sleep in a position that causes a portion of your spine to hurt. Most often, your body will tell you what position is best.

Quit Smoking

Smokers have more spine pain than nonsmokers, and they also heal more slowly when they have an episode of back pain because the chemicals in tobacco smoke restrict the flow of blood to the tissues in and around your spine.

While following these instructions is no guarantee that you’ll be free from back pain for your entire life, it can certainly reduce your risk of developing it. These simple steps will help you keep your spine in good shape, making you a healthier, happier person.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Food Allergies

in Chiropractor  by May 8, 2015 0 comments

This time of year with the pollen three inches thick on my car got me thinking about allergies.  Most of my patients complain of food allergies more than seasonal allergies.   Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area wants to give an outline on food allergies.

Food allergies and intolerances are often misunderstood. Although many people have adverse reactions to certain foods, true food allergy—a reaction triggered by the immune system—is uncommon. Talk to your patients about food allergies and intolerances.


What is a food allergy?

Food allergies occur when the patient’s immune system has an abnormal response to an otherwise harmless food or food component. Once the immune system mistakenly decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it.

The next time you eat that food, the immune system releases neutralizing chemicals, including histamine, to protect the body.

These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin and/or cardiovascular system.

Food allergy patterns in adults often differ from those in children.

The most common foods to cause allergies in adults are shrimp, lobster, crab and other shellfish; peanuts; walnuts and other tree nuts; fish; and eggs.

In children, eggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat are the main culprits. Children typically outgrow these allergies. Unlike children, adults usually do not lose their allergies.

According to the National Institutes of Health, you’re more likely to develop food allergies if several members of your family have allergies.

What are symptoms of food allergies?

Symptoms of a food allergy can include:

coughing

tingling in the mouth

swelling in the tongue and throat

skin reactions like hives, eczema or itching

abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Some foods can cause severe illness and, in some cases, a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can constrict airways in the lungs, severely lower blood pressure and cause suffocation by the swelling of the tongue or throat. People with asthma are particularly at risk for anaphylactic reactions.

What is a food intolerance?

A food intolerance is a digestive system response—not an immune system response. It occurs when something in a food irritates a person’s digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or break down the food—often due to a lack of a specific enzyme.

Intolerance to lactose, found in milk and other dairy products, is a very common food intolerance.

If you have a food allergy, eating even the smallest amount of the food may trigger a serious allergic reaction. But if you have a food intolerance, you can often eat small amounts of the food without a reaction.

How are food allergies managed?

The best way to manage a food allergy is to avoid the foods that trigger the reaction.

Read the detailed ingredient lists on each food you consider eating.

Many allergy-producing foods, such as peanuts, eggs and milk, appear in foods one normally would not associate them with.

Peanuts and milk, for example, may be used in a variety of foods, such as candy, caramel sauces, baked goods and cereals.

Eggs are used in some salad dressings, marshmallows, mayonnaise and sauces.

Avoid restaurant-prepared foods that might contain ingredients to which you are allergic.

If you suffer from severe allergies with a high possibility of anaphylaxis, it is often advised to carry a pre-loaded syringe containing epinephrine (adrenaline) for emergency treatment.

Milder allergies can be treated with an antihistamine.

Can a chiropractor help treat my allergies?

Some doctors of chiropractic specialize in the treatment of allergies, such as those who are members of the ACA’s Council on Diagnosis and Internal Disorders or Council on Nutrition.

The doctor of chiropractic may ask the patient to maintain a food diary to record the foods eaten each day and any resulting symptoms.

Specific allergy tests may be recommended to help determine the exact allergen.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Vitamin D

in Chiropractor  by May 1, 2015 0 comments

While looking at x-ray and discussing osteoporosis with patients the next question that comes up is what can be done to help.  Calcium supplements and proper diet is great but you also need Vitamin D.  Doroski Chiropractic Neurology in the Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia area wants to give you information on Vitamin D.


The two main ways to get vitamin D are by exposing your bare skin to sunlight and by taking vitamin D supplements. You can’t get the right amount of vitamin D your body needs from food.

The most natural way to get vitamin D is by exposing your bare skin to sunlight (ultraviolet B rays). This can happen very quickly, particularly in the summer. You don’t need to tan or burn your skin to get vitamin D. You only need to expose your skin for around half the time it takes for your skin to turn pink and begin to burn. How much vitamin D is produced from sunlight depends on the time of day, where you live in the world and the color of your skin. The more skin you expose the more vitamin D is produced.

You can also get vitamin D by taking supplements. This is a good way to get vitamin D if you can’t get enough sunlight, or if you’re worried about exposing your skin. Vitamin D3 is the best kind of supplement to take. It comes in a number of different forms, such as tablets and capsules, but it doesn’t matter what form you take, or what time of the day you take it.

Different organizations recommend different amounts of vitamin D supplement to take each day. The Vitamin D Council recommends taking larger amounts of vitamin D each day than other organizations, because smaller amounts aren’t enough to give you what your body needs. Most people can take vitamin D supplements with no problems. However, if you have certain health problems or take certain medicines, you may need to take extra care.

Your body gets most of the vitamins and minerals it needs from the foods that you eat. However, there are only a few foods that naturally contain any vitamin D. Most foods that contain vitamin D only have small amounts, so it’s almost impossible to get what your body needs just from food.

Because there are only small amounts of vitamin D in food there are only two sure ways to get enough vitamin D:

Exposing your bare skin to sunlight to get ultraviolet B (UVB).

Taking vitamin D supplements.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link