Nervous, Endocrine and Immune System Connection - Chiropractor Billings

Did you know that there is an intricate interconnection between the nervous system, the endocrine system (the one that controls hormones) and the immune system? It’s called the NEI Supersystem. Imbalances in any one of these systems will directly affect the others, and optimal health is only possible when these systems are in balance. Imbalances can occur as a result of physical or psychological stress. Some examples of physical stress include poor diet, toxins such as tobacco, and microbial challenges, such as pesticide influences. Psychological stress can be mental or emotional tension. All three of these systems are affected irrespective of the specific offender because the primary system targeted will activate the others. If this activation persists, imbalances occur, resulting in symptoms such as depression, concentration issues and fatigue. If you’re experiencing low mood, headache, or just plain lack of energy, talk to your health care provider. There may be more to it than you thought! Have a comment? Join the conversation.

'Shoulder Pain' Chiropractor Billings Montana

The shoulder is made up of 3 bones, 2 joints and an intricate arrangement of muscles, tendons and ligaments. It is the most flexible joint in your body and its function is to position your hand in space. It’s considered a ‘ball and socket’ joint, however unlike the hip, also a ball and socket joint, the shoulder has far less stability. This is due to the fact that the ball of the hip is surrounded by the acetabulum, or socket of the pelvis. Conversely, the head of the humerus, or upper arm bone, sits in a very shallow socket, much like a golf ball on a tee. While this anatomy allows for a great deal of movement, it also predisposes the shoulder to inherent vulnerability and injury. The shoulder is susceptible to many consequences, including impingement, instability, tearing, dislocation and even fracture. Perhaps one of the most familiar pathologies involves injury to the rotator cuff muscles. Rotator cuff injury is the most common source of shoulder pain in the aging population and results in decreased ability of tissue to heal in response to everyday use and microtrauma. Depending on the phase of injury, most rotator cuff pathology can be managed nonoperatively with the use of modalities including ice, interferential current, ultrasound, transverse friction massage and gentle range of motion exercises. If the injury is chronic, injection therapies including Regenerative Injection Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy or even Steroid Injections may be helpful. If surgical intervention is required, today’s procedures can generally manage complete repair. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, suffer no more. Help is available! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Stress and You! - Chiropractor Billings, Montana

Stress. We all know it, most of us are ‘under’ it, and we all want to get rid of it. Stress can result from many things, such as deadlines at work, pain, emotional upsets, illness, postural burden and even genetics. Left unattended, you may begin to notice increased heart rate, loss of sleep, and even anxiety. As the body is subjected to prolonged stress, systems can begin to breakdown and malfunction. Your energy becomes depleted, you become fatigued and depressed. Protracted exposure to stress can increase blood pressure, disrupt digestion, instigate skin reactions, as well as affect weight gain or loss. Stress can disrupt the nervous system, causing neurotransmitter imbalances. This can lead to feelings of sadness, headaches and memory interruption or loss. If you’re experiencing stress in your life, there are positive ways to deal with it. Remember to eat healthy food regularly, preferably organic, as no amount of supplementation replaces a healthy diet. Drink lots of water to help flush toxins through your body and help reduce the risk of disease and infection. Exercise and stretch, as movement enhances blood flow to the brain, promotes the flow of body fluids and improves metabolism. And whatever form of ‘calming’ you choose, whether you meditate, pray, or sing, remember to plug that ingredient in. Stress is often invariable in today’s world, but it can be managed. Have thoughts on the subject? Post a comment and join the conversation!

Canine Hip Dysplasia - Animal Chiropractor Billings Montana

Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, usually beginning with a subluxation of the femoral head in the acetabular cavity. This leads to premature wear and tear of the joint, and left unattended, can evolve to progressive degenerative joint disease. This condition can cause hip and leg pain, stiffness, lameness, reluctance to rise, abnormal gait, ‘bunny hopping’, and muscle atrophy. Secondary symptoms may include Sciatic neuralgia, sacroiliac joint pain, facet syndrome and spinal subluxations. Though predominantly found in larger breeds, hip dysplasia can be seen in any breed at any age. The standard diagnostic technique is x-ray, which is critical for visualizing osseous wear and tear. The causes of this condition may include genetic, environmental and/or nutritional components. Treatment may include weight control and gentle exercise such as long walks, to stimulate cartilage growth and help prevent muscle atrophy. Depending on the severity of this condition, medication may be indicated to control pain and reduce inflammation, and in some cases, surgical intervention is an option to modify, repair or replace the joint. Remember that these pups may often benefit from chiropractic management in the neighboring joints and spine to stimulate the nervous system and boost immunity! Have a comment? Join the conversation!

Our Posture Chiropractor Billings Montana

If you’ve experienced back pain, neck pain or headache pain recently, one of the causes may surprise you. Your posture. Poor posture can contribute to everything from injury to fatigue. Posture is more than ‘standing up straight’. Our posture affects the way we stand, sit, walk and move through life. Appropriate posture begins very early. Moshe Feldenkrais said ‘Through the first years of life, we organize our entire system in a direction which will forever after guide us in that direction’. However, it would appear that good posture faces challenges from every direction: overloaded backpacks, cell phones, texting, computers, heavy luggage. Additionally, as we age our tissue loses its elasticity, causing it to stiffen and tighten, limiting range of motion in joints, which can ultimately lead to decreased circulation. Become aware of your posture, and identify behaviors that need adjusting. It’s never too late to learn proper posture, so here are a few tips:

1.      Become aware of how you sit and stand.

2.      Avoid ‘slouching’ or hunching over’ at the computer or when watching television.

3.      If you’re on the phone a lot, use a headset to avoid ‘cradling’ the phone between your head and shoulder.

4.      Exercise and stretch to maintain strong and flexible tissue.

Remember, your environment may also be in need of change. This could mean changing the chair you sit in, raising or lowering counter height, or adjusting the weight of your handbag, backpack or tool belt. Adjusting posture can be as simple as becoming aware of yourself, and good posture is a simple and effective means of maintaining healthy tissue and avoiding pain and injury! Post a comment or two, and let me know your thoughts!