Chronic Fatigue-Tired of Being Tired?

 

Many people are affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  The most common group of individuals affected are between the ages of 20-40. However, it is frustrating to not know a cause of this syndrome that affects a large number of people!  Even worse, treatment for CFS is based on resolving symptoms only, and with medications that have numerous side effects that then cause a cascade of problems and never treat the cause of chronic fatigue.  A lot of patients then get frustrated and feel as if they will never feel their best again.  In the chiropractic world, it has been widely proven that those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome see great results with chiropractic adjustments. 

In 2012, a study was designed to test if chiropractic care could alleviate chronic fatigue symptoms and the results were staggering!  After pre and post testing around chiropractic adjustments, all patients saw improvements and significant improvements in energy levels were seen in some patients. 

Chiropractic adjustments work for chronic fatigue syndrome because it improves body functions by removing interference's in the nervous system.  Abnormal functioning of the nervous system leads to all of the above listed symptoms of CFS.  By removing the subluxations or interference's, the body is allowed to function properly and symptoms are resolved.  The overall increase of energy can be felt in some cases almost immediately!  Specific, upper cervical adjustments are researched and proven to eliminate symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.  Don't suffer for another day!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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

Woodfield, HC, Dickholtz, M. Quality of life improvement in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome following upper cervical chiropractic care. J Upper Cervical Chiropr Res. 2012 Fall;2012(4):Online access only p 92-99. ICLID:22813

How an Adjustment Can Turn Our Genes On

 

Have you ever considered your genes as something that can be improved? A large number of people believe that our genes have predetermined how our health will unfold.  As if it is completely out of our control what will happen to us as related to disease.  Research studies are discovering "epigenetic control" in regards to our DNA genes.  What this means is that although our genes are our written code to our bodies, there have been advances in understanding that there are control factors that turn our genes on and off.  Why do some people in your family have diabetes, heart disease, asthma, psoriasis, or celiac disease while others don't? Or why do some people have certain traits that others in your family don't possess?  Those in your family have the same genetic make-up, but some genes are dominant while others are recessive.  However scientists are uncovering how lifestyle factors play their role in turning these genes on and off.  This is epigenetics (in a nutshell). 

Excluding red blood cells, each of the 100 trillion cells in our body contain our entire DNA sequence. A gene is the section of the DNA that holds the makeup of our various molecules that control such things as muscle build, enzymes, neurotransmitters, nerves, hormones, pain receptors, etc.  Even one fingernail holds enough DNA to run the entire human body! Amazing! 

Epigenetics has been the most influenced by our lifestyle choices.  This includes everything from the food we eat, drinks we drink, exercise regime, physical and emotional stress, and mental relaxation.  Which means that our bodies have the ability to control our outcome of disease by finding the right "code" to keep us healthy.  Every chiropractic adjustment allows the nervous system to remain working properly in order to keep our organs, cells and tissues functioning at its highest level.  Which then allows for our genes to be expressed at their healthiest potential!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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


Alegria-Torres, J. A., Baccarelli, A., & Bollati, V. (2011). Epigenetics and lifestyle. Epigenomis, 3(3), 267-277. 

Concussion, POTS, and Chiropractic

Concussion and whiplash injuries have an effect on every organ, cell, and tissue in the human body.  Current research on concussions is proving the theory that trauma to the neck during concussive injuries plays a role in post-concussive syndrome and therefore delays in healing are evident.  Finally, more attention is being given to these traumatic injuries and bringing forth necessary treatment options after concussions.
One of the side effects of a concussion can be postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).  POTS is an inappropriate response of the cardiovascular system during different postures, causing dramatic increase in heart rate, dramatic drop in blood pressure, which then results in fainting.  A 2016 medical research study followed 34 children who had been diagnosed with post concussive syndrome to determine if POTS was present.  Shockingly they found that 70% of the children showed signs and symptoms of POTS, as well as fainting.
Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate POTS by delivering gentle, specific manipulations to the head and neck, as well as full spinal adjustments.  The structure of the neck allows for nerves to flow through the spine and if injured in a concussive type of injury this misalignments can have negative effects.  A chiropractor specializes in the function of these nerves that cause POTS signs and symptoms to be present.  Who knew that a head injury can cause such changes in the cardiovascular system?!?!  Proving that the brain and spinal cord have control over every function in the human body.  When an injury occurs to the head and neck, it is crucial to restore proper nervous system functioning as soon as possible!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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



Heyer, G.L., Fischer, A., Wilson, J., Macdonald, J., Cribbs, S., Ravindran, R., ...Cuff, S. (2016) Orthostatic Intolerance and Autonomic Dysfunction in Youth With Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 26(1), 40-45. doi:10.1097/jsm.000000000000183

Chiropractic Care After a Stroke...Seriously????

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the 5th leading cause of death in the United States.  During a stroke, an interruption of blood flow to the brain occurs that results in lack of oxygen and brain tissue death.  Those that survive a stroke can have a wide range of symptoms or outcomes because of that stoke.  Some of these deficits include numbness in hands, arms, and feet, trouble with thinking and attention, paralysis on one or both sides of the body, walking difficulties, difficulty controlling emotions, and interruptions of activities of daily living such as brushing teeth, bathing, and getting dressed.
Chiropractic care can help alleviate the severity of a lot of these deficits or possibly relieve them completely.  A 58 year old man who had suffered a stroke at the age of 40 was studied while receiving chiropractic care.  His hand was involuntarily contracted and close to 100% non usability.  He needed assistance to put on his coat, was unable to exercise, and was told that these were permanent changes that he would need to "just live with."
After just 2 months of chiropractic adjustments, he was able to use that hand to turn pages in a book! 6 months after that, he had a noticeable change in his mobility and also had the ability to fully flatten his hand that just 8 months prior had been contracted.  He also was able to rejoin Pilates and was able to dress himself completely!  By allowing the body to function at full capacity, the symptoms of stroke were able to resolved to a certain degree.  What a fantastic result for someone who was told he would never live his life to the fullest following a stroke!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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

Dunton, T., DC & Pallis, R.J., DC (2017). Improvement in major residual effects of stroke following chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxation. A. Vertebral Subluxation Res., 2017(2), 64-71.

The Peaks and Valleys of Healing

Time and Repetition.  We all don't want to wait to heal. All good things in life take time and repetition, and so in our office we often say, "Healing comes in peaks and valleys." Often times chiropractic patients report that they are experiencing signs and symptoms that are unexpected.  Especially during the beginning of their care plans, patients may have the return of old symptoms, or even new symptoms never experienced before.  This is commonly known as a time of changes that occurs right before a "healing breakthrough."
As the function of the spine and nervous system begins to improve, there will be changes to the musculoskeletal systems.  This triggers a sort of wake-up call to nerves that have been dormant for a long period of time, sometimes even several years.  What we must remember is that the body is going through a natural healing process, and that no matter how low the valley is there will be a peak that follows.  Your body is improving and healing daily, and hold on to the fact that the peak is on the way!  We expect you to have peaks and valleys on the road to optimal health.

Your in health,
Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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



Stephenson, R.W. (1948). Chiropractic textbook.  Davenport, IA: The Palmer School of Chiropractic.

Do You Grind Your Teeth?

Between 5.9% to 49.6% of children under the age of 18 grind their teeth and/or clench their jaw at night during sleep.  There are significant links found between grinding teeth and other health issues such as headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, aggression disorders, dental abnormalities and just plain irritability.  Not to mention the high level of annoyance it brings to anyone else who lives with a teeth grinder!  Traditional therapies for this include dental equipment and appliances, and pharmaceuticals, although their efficacy rates are not well known. 

However, we do know that subluxations or misalignments of the spine affect the function of our nervous systems.  The nervous system is responsible for the development of clenching the jaw and grinding teeth.  This leads one to believe the positive results available once you remove the subluxation of the spine with chiropractic adjustments.  A study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health in 2017  followed a 9 year old boy who had been a teeth grinder for over 4 years.  His grinding was so loud his parents could hear it from the next room over.  The child also had poor posture, and was not getting high quality sleep at night.

After his chiropractic examination it was revealed that the child had severe subluxations in the neck.  This resulted in the dysfunction of his nervous system and muscle imbalances.  His neck muscles were extremely tight as a result, and all of these symptoms meant poor quality of sleep for the child.  Huge improvements were made after specific chiropractic adjustments to his neck and spine.  He also showed great improvements in his posture, and because his nervous system was allowed to function properly he no longer was grinding his teeth at night.

Russell, D., BSc(Psych), BSc (Chiro). Cert TT. (2017). Reduction of sleep bruxism in a 9-year-old child receiving chiropractic care for vertebral subluxation: a case report. J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, 2017)4);164-168.


Yours in Health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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

Should I Take a Muscle Relaxer???

It is estimated that 75%-85% of adults are affected by back pain! This pain interferes with all areas of our lives, including recreation, family time, work, and sleep.  Over the counter pain medications such as Motrin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc along with prescription NSAIDS and muscle relaxers often are turned to in hopes of some relief for their pain.

Life University researchers performed a study to compare the use of muscle relaxer medications vs. chiropractic care.  Their results showed that chiropractic care provided overall greater effectiveness than the use of muscle relaxers.  They also showed better results with the combination of muscle relaxers and chiropractic care together over the placebo group.  The group of patients receiving chiropractic adjustments had the GREATEST improvement in "global impression of severity".

What this proves is that although there is always an availability of medication, chiropractic care and should be used as a first resort in times of pain and trauma.  And although we often seek treatment after injury or pain, the best treatment is prevention!  Seeing a chiropractor for regular care not only can prevent injuries from happening but will shorten the duration and intensity of pain after trauma.

Yours in Health,
Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson

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





Hoiriis, K. T., Pfleger, B., McDuffie, F.C., Cotsonis, G., Elsangak, O., Hinson, R., & Verzosa, G.T. (2004). A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Chiropractic Adjustments to Muscle Relaxants for Subacute Low Back Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 27(6), 388-398. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2004.05.003