Immediate Improvements in Sleep with Chiropractic Care

Sleep is vital to our overall health.  During sleep, our bodies are at work recovering from the day and restoring function to all systems.  Poor quality sleep or interrupted sleep cycles can result in numerous dysfunction throughout the body.  In infants and children, poor quality sleep can lead to social, emotional, physical, and cognitive developmental issues.  In adults, poor sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, mood issues, high blood pressure, weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, low sex drive, memory issues, and over time increases your risk for diabetes.  In my office, the number one thing patients state improves after their first adjustment is sleep quality.  Especially in pediatric populations, by adjusting the spine sleep is immediately improved.
A 2019 case report following a 7-month old infant who was only sleeping for 2-3 hour increments at night.  Her parents sought out chiropractic care to see if it could improve her sleep schedule.  Gentle, specific adjustments improved the baby's sleep to 8-9 hour increments and mom reported improvement in the baby's mood and energy during the day after just the second visit! With short-term continued care, the sleep disorder was completely resolved and the child also became a better eater and bowel movements were more regular as well.
Adults also see quick improvements in their sleep cycles immediately after starting chiropractic care.  According to the CDC, over 50 million people suffer with sleep disturbances, and the drug Ambien alone was prescribed 38 million times over the last 4 years.  Chiropractic care offers a drug-free approach for sleep issues.  By removing interference to the nervous system, the body is allowed to heal properly and restore itself during the sleep cycle.  No side effects, no drowsiness, no invasive procedures needed to improve your quality of sleep when you try chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Porter, M., & Alcantara, J., (2019). Resolution of Sleep Disorder in an infant undergoing Chiropractic Care: Case Report & Review of the Literature. J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, 87-90.

Can Chiropractic Care Help High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is a condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems.  Some of these health problems include stroke, heart disease, heart failure, sexual dysfunction, vision loss, heart attack, and kidney disease.  It is estimated that 1 out of every 3 adults in America have high blood pressure!  With staggering numbers of upwards of 75 million people who suffer from high blood pressure, often times these patients are put on anti-hyptertensive medications such as lisinopril, HCTZ, diltiazem, lorsartan, and benazepril.  Monitoring blood pressure is vital for our health.   It can tell us how our circulatory system is functioning.  Once issues are identified, it is common for physicians to prescribe these medications to attempt to regulate these issues with our blood pressure.  However, research shows that 70% of patients need at least 2, if not more blood pressure medications to regulate their blood pressure.  More medications mean more side effects.  What if there is another way to help our body regulate itself without medications and their side effects?
An 8-week study of blood pressure patients followed 50 people to determine if there was a difference in blood pressure numbers after specific chiropractic care was utilized.  The patients were put into 2 groups.  One group was given "sham adjustments" meaning not distinguishable from real adjustments, and the other were given specific upper cervical adjustments to the atlas bone in the neck.  Results showed that the "real" adjustment group saw a drop in their blood pressure without the use of medication.  By restoring the alignment of the spine by removing subluxations in the neck, the body is allowed to function properly and regulatory functions are free from interference.  By visiting a chiropractor, and specifically an upper cervical chiropractor, lowering blood pressure is just one of the many benefits of chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Bakris, G., Dickholtz, M., Meyer, P., M., Kravitz, G., Avery, E., Miller, M., ...Bell, B. (2007). Atlas vertebra realignment and achievement of arterial pressure goal in hypertensive patients:A pilot study. Journal of Human Hypertension, 21(5), 347-352. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1002133

Chiropractic Care for Disc Herniations...Less Risk and More Effective than Surgery!

  One significant cause for back and neck pain can be a herniated disc.  Between your vertebrae are flat, round cushioning pads called discs.  These discs act similarly to a shock absorption system found in your shoes.  Each disc has a gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus that is encapsulated by a tough, fibrous outer layer called the annulus.  A herniated disc (also known as a slipped or ruptured disc) can happen when pressure from the vertebrae above or below force a part or the entire nucleus through a weakened or torn part of the annulus. The herniated nucleus pulposus can press on the nerves near the disc.  Pain, numbness or tingling are often the effects felt from the pressure on the nerves coming out of the vertebrae and spine.  Herniated discs also cause surrounding inflammation in other areas of the neck and spine.  Current research is highlighting the role of this inflammation and the most effective way to remove that inflammation so that the disc is allowed to heal.  Invasive surgical procedures not only run a large risk they often have low success rates to remove pain from the area and lead to more surgeries for the same issue.
Chiropractic care can stretch the spine and isolate the herniated area with non-invasive adjustments of the neck and spine.  By moving vertebrae, the herniated disc is then moved away from the nerve, reducing pressure off of the nerve root which relieves pain.  Also, chiropractic adjustments allow the nervous system to release an anti-inflammatory substance, which removes inflammation and further relieves pain.
Even surgeons are recommending less invasive, gentle approaches for herniated disc treatment.  It is being discovered that chiropractic care is bringing better long-term results for discs with little to no complications or side-effects.  Improving structure of the spine reduces inflammation which allows the body to heal.  While options for drugs and surgery will always be there, they should be utilized only in emergency situations or as a last resort.  We see incredible results in patients with herniated discs every single day in our office!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Cunha, C., Silva, A., J., Pereira, P., Vaz, R., Goncalves, R. M., & Barosa, M.A. (2018). The inflammatory response in the regression of lumbar disc herniation.  Arthritis Research and Therapy, 1-9.
 

Relief from Torticollis (Neck Pain) in All Ages

Anatomy of the Sternocleidomastoid and Trapezius involved in Torticollis

Have you ever woken up and not been able to turn your neck to one side?  Having significant pain in one side of the neck can be caused by a condition caused torticollis.  Torticollis results from a fixed posture or position of the head and neck.  Tilting, rotation and flexion of the head and neck is impaired.  Spasms of the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius and other neck muscles are typically involved and is more prominent on one side than the others.  This can cause someone to tip their head to side or to have great pain when turning the head to one side or the other.  We can also see torticollis in infants particularly right after birth.  Often times infants will have difficulty breastfeeding (especially on one side over the other), irritability, sleeping difficulties, and can lead to cranial distortion.  Having interventions such as forceps or vacuum during delivery increases an infants likelihood of developing torticollis and flat head as they grow and develop.
Chiropractic care utilizes cervical and spinal adjustments by addressing subluxations in the patients' spine, which are commonly associated with the condition. A subluxation is a partial dislocation of one of the vertebrae in the spine.  The dislocation of the vertebrae can interfere with nerve signaling throughout the body, which can interfere with healthy development — even outside the musculoskeletal system. 
By supporting more efficient, effective communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body, chiropractic care can prevent problems that might otherwise arise from irritation to the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Relief from torticollis is often found in just a few visits.  In infant and pediatric patients, torticollis can even be relieved in just one visit!  Next time you wake up with a stiff neck, look to a chiropractic professional to help relieve your pain quickly with gentle, specific chiropractic care!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

TEXT NECK-How it's Damaging our Nervous System

The average American spends a minimum of 4 hours each day looking at a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen.  The neck becomes unsupported when we look down and puts heavy strain and stress on our bodies.  For each degree of tilt, the neck feels added pounds of force as seen in the above diagram.  Added force on the neck is damaging and leads to musculoskeletal disorders of the head, neck and spine.  We have seen such a large increase in these disorders, especially in the pediatric population with the introduction of smartphones and tablets to our youth.  Before, we thought that these disorders were mostly related to whiplash injuries, however "text neck" is proving to show the same damaging results as those injuries.
Some symptoms of text neck can be headaches, shoulder pain, decreased lung capacity (shortness of breath), numbness and tingling down the arms to the hands, irritability, decreased reaction times, decreased attention spans, and neck pain.  When the natural curve of the neck is diminished or even reversed, a whole new group of problems can occur such as low back pain, difficulty with digestion and elimination, herniated or bulging discs in the spine among many others.  Even worse, when the lungs have a diminished capacity to fully expand and circulate oxygen to the body, this causes added stress to the heart and makes it work harder to pump the blood through the body.  Increased stress on the heart has life-long damaging effects to the entire body.
Things you can do to avoid text neck include raising your phone or tablet to your face, instead of face to the phone.  Take breaks often.  Raise up the computer screen on a desk or table by placing a stand underneath so that it is at eye level.  Take several deep breaths while taking a break from electronics use.  And most importantly is to limit use all together of these devices.  Use headphones when possible to avoid having to look down or even now most devices have voice recognition so you don't even have to look at your phone or tablet.  Go out and live your life instead of watching someone else live theirs!  Health cannot be sustained without movement.  Get regular chiropractic adjustments to maintain movement in the head, neck, and spine to remain free from nervous system interference.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Had Spinal Surgery?

 

Surgical procedures are often not a simple, in and out occurence when it comes to our health.  Not only are there pre-surgical preparations, but there can be post-surgical complications and recovery that we often don't think about.  Even when the surgery goes exactly according to the doctor's plan, there is no guarantee that the surgery will fix the underlying problem.  Any time that you alter the original state of the body, no matter the reason, there will be changes that can cascade in other areas of the body post-surgery.   Most spinal fusion surgical patients often believe that once they have had a fusion done, chiropractic care is no longer an option for them.  However, the goal of chiropractic is to restore function back to the body, no matter how small the change may be.  

Last year, a case study was published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science following a 56-year old female patient who sought chiropractic care 6 years after spinal fusion surgery.  This patient had still suffered from chronic neck pain after her surgery, and was relying on pain medications daily for those 6 years!  The chiropractic examination revealed distortions or subluxations in the head and neck.  Often, postural changes like hers can lead to headaches, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, neck pain, shoulder pain, numbness or tingling down the arms and hands, and difficulty concentrating.  Her pain ranged from a 3 out of 10 on a "good" day, and got to as bad as a 9 out of 10 on a "bad" day.  Her average pain scale rating on a daily basis was a 6 out of 10!  Not only was she on pain medications, she also was taking an anti-migraine medication, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-nausea medicines and muscle relaxers.  She was seeking help also because of her concern for addictive tendencies with her narcotic pain medications.  After 11 days of chiropractic treatment, this woman experiences a 50% improvement in her posture, and her pain level went to a 2/10 on her "bad" days and a 0 out of 10 on her "good" days.  This case study followed up with her at 7.5years after initial chiropractic treatment, as well as 11.5 years, and 14 years post chiropractic care.  She reported virtually no pain and was able to be removed from ALL medications entirely related to her neck pain!  

Even post-spinal surgical pain can be reduced or possibly eliminated when the body is returned to proper alignment with gentle, specific, chiropractic adjustments.  While I don't hope for surgery as an early option or treatment for spinal discomfort or disorders, I do believe that chiropractic can help everyone, no matter their age or health history. 

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV

Oakley, P. A., & Harrison, D. E. (2018). Alleviation of pain and disability in a post-surgical C4-C7 total fusion patient after reducing a lateral head translation (side shift) posture: A CBP case report with a 14 year follow-up.  Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 30(7), 952-957. doi:10.1589/jpts.30.952

How Chiropractic Can Help With Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is a sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of one side of the face.  It can also include headaches, drooping of the eyelid or inability to close one eye completely.  Also, facial drooping including a corner of the mouth as well as changes in saliva and tears production can be symptoms.  It is estimated that over 40,000 people each year have a new onset of Bell's palsy.  Repeat attacks are common as well once you've been affected by this disorder.  Bell's palsy is extremely scary, especially because the symptoms can mimic a stroke.  It is important to note that a stroke should be ruled out first and foremost if these symptoms suddenly arise.  The good news is that with Bell's Palsy, although frightening actually has a simple, single reason behind it and there can be relief with chiropractic care.  The facial nerve, or 7th cranial nerve, becomes damaged or irritated during this disorder.  The facial nerve travels through a narrow canal called the Fallopian canal in the skull, underneath the ear to the muscles that control the side of the face.  These muscles affected are those in charge of controlling eye blinking, eye closing, smiling and frowning. Also, the 7th nerve is in charge of sending messages to the tear and saliva glands which becomes greatly affected with the nerve has experienced trauma such as inflammation or subluxation.  This means that the structure of the skull and spine have a direct effect on the treatment of Bell's Palsy.
A recent case study in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research followed a 68-year old man suffering from Bell's Palsy who had previously tried steroids, eye drops, and anti-inflammatory prescription medications without relief.  He sought chiropractic care and after a short time with regular chiropractic adjustments his facial paralysis was completely resolved!  No need for continued medications with costly side-effects.  While chiropractic adjustments do not treat specific symptoms, the brain and nervous system were allowed to function freely without interference or disruption and therefore his facial nerve was restored to send proper messages to the face.  
Significant relief is found when the spine is aligned and free from interference to function at optimal levels!

Yours in Health,


Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

"If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special." JV


Preece, S., D.C., & Alcanta, J., D.C. (2019).  Resolution of Bell's Palsy in a 68-year old Man Following Correction of Upper Cervical Subluxation:A Case Report & Review. J. Upper Cervical Chiropractic Reasearch, 28-35.