Concussion Awareness Time | Flathead Chiropractic | Weekly Wakeup
Injuries are just one of the many facets that you have to be aware of, especially traumatic brain injuries cause by a concussion, otherwise known as a ‘concussion’.
Injuries are just one of the many facets that you have to be aware of, especially traumatic brain injuries cause by a concussion, otherwise known as a ‘concussion’.
Text Neck; Why it's important? Who cares if you look down when you walk or talk or don't look people in the eye - Right?
More importantly, it is called 'Upper crossed syndrome' and as most of my patients know, I have a thing for talking about very weird things like embryology, physiology, and anthropology. So, i'll keep this one short, the symptoms of upper crossed syndrome can include shoulder pain, upper back pain, neck pain, rounded shoulders and a hunched posture, and headaches.
If you have a desk job, go to school, and/or spend lots of time in front of the computer or TV every day, then the answer is statistically YES you might have this thing called 'Text Neck'. In fact, the two most common problems I’ve encountered in my practice are low back pain and headaches, both of these items can be caused by text neck / Upper Crossed Syndrome. It is essential to be aware of compensation patterns within this system as it can often lead to injuries.
A couple of things to consider:
You might want to consider the basics, proper exercise and stretching. One of the best combination workout regiments is the downward facing dog. It works on all the things you want it too and its very easy. If you have tight hamstrings we will talk about that later, however just getting to work on this part of the spine, includes the shoulder muscles especially the posterior and serratus muscles within the shoulder complex that are very important for the health of your shoulders and your neck.
If you try to modify this posture to add a little tension in the spine in a positive direction you may want to consider tucking your chin in and lifting your head almost 'retracting' your spine back and up. In this posture you will feel the tension set by hours of your text neck behavior and honestly it's a great workout!
100%. Just look at the studies listed below:
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates that a single cervical manipulation is capable of producing immediate and short-term benefits for
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016 Jun;39(5):319-329. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.03.003. Epub 2016 May 12.
CONCLUSION:
Sensorimotor function and multisensory integration associated with fall risk and the physical component of quality of life improved in older adults receiving chiropractic care compared with control.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016 May;39(4):267-78. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.02.003. Epub 2016 Apr 2
CONCLUSION:
In this study, the physical examination findings between preadolescents with neck pain and/or headaches and those who were symptom free differed significantly in one of the parameters measured. Cervical joint dysfunction was a significant finding among those preadolescents complaining of neck pain and/or headache as compared to those who did not.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009 Oct;32(8):625-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.08.025.
I know the image above looks like the writings of a madman; However, this is just another chemical pathway that supports proper breathing techniques; whether it be through balanced exercise, meditation, or learning to do breath work.
RESULTS: 93% of all episodes improved, 75% in 10 days or fewer and 43% with only one or two treatments.
I am a cold weather person, my wife however, isn't. So over the years I have put together some items that has helped her, and should help you through the tough months of winter. Yes, they do work, I promise. I have shortened the details of this list for your reading. However, if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask me. You might get a 16 hour lecture, but you will be informed!!!
Look, I know this seems obvious and quite ridiculous considering it will be grey for a couple of months. Oddly there are things you can do to consume light, one of them being hiking in the wilderness. Every storm we have there is often a bright spot, the clouds disappear and there is usually some light to be had. Seriously go outside, hike, walk, climb and find more of it. Setting on your couch and you will not get the benefits of photon phase energy from the sun that chemically shifts vitamin D into making you happy!
Read Here if you don't believe me.
Look, I know, this is common sense. But seriously, just know that the combination of not being active and then drinking too much will get you sick and depressed. In the winter months this can take a toll on the immune system no matter how much you think it warms you up, it does not.
I know I am opinionated, but this one should be an alarm bell for those of you that 'diet'. There is no such relationship between a foods' calorie and how your body consumes that said food as fuel. I am serious; It is the worst, saddest, marketing joke ever played on humans. Now, you see why I hide and try to not be as 'social' as other people. I get very, sad and frustrated with people that don't use logic. So here is some logic. A calorie is: "The energy needed to increase the temperature of a given mass of water by 1 °C depends on the atmospheric pressure and the starting temperature".
That has nothing to do with how your body enzymatically processes your food - ever. The only relationship it will have is social hysteria. Just don't eat crap food and a lot of it. If you have a metabolic issue, then you should address it. Under no circumstances you should use calories as some emotional marker for your success, or your weight for that matter. It will get you into a psychological tailspin that will create more depression in the winter months. Agreed eating less 'calories' will allow to loose weight, however that is not the way to do it and you know it.
Now, that being said, do the simple stuff. Eat good meats, vegetables, cook them in crock pots ovens. Make sure to eat the fat. Consider soups for leftovers from the previous days meals. Consider drinking way more water and taking some base minerals to boot. I will get off that horse before it becomes a treatise.
Waking up and exercising and following it up with cold showers. Yes, I said it, no joke. Both in combination, have been proven to produce 'brown fat' which literally burns itself. Yes, fat that burns itself, so do it. Calories, what a joke.
You can even loose weight in winter doing this. Imagine a world where you lose weight by eating fatty tasty things but you just have to take a warm shower followed by a cold shower and work out for 30 min. Well, it is real, and it is the one you're living.
Read more here if your curious.
Just stop it, get out and enjoy yourself. Find the sunshine. Share your love for being happy with others that don't know how to break out of the cycle.
The idea that your kids need 'mental-hygiene' seems ridiculous. However, I would like to point out that our culture as Americans has dramatically changed within the last hundred years, producing a real gap between what we are and what we have to adapt in order to keep up with our daily activities. This evolutionary hurdle between how we are and how our world is now shaped, is yet another culprit in the behavior of our children and their behavioral issues. This article is written with the intent to give you, the parent, helpful tools and an overall awareness to improve your children life and in the long run yours as well.
Lets start off with the four 'big questions' regarding neurological development. Observe how they may have influenced the behavior of your children in the past and become curious in that moment on how you can in the future create positive change. Remember, being that 'curious fellow' is one of the most influential methods of showing your children that they can accomplish most anything. They just have to learn how to ask the basic questions surrounding any problem; The what, why, who, when, and the how.
Sugar (in the form of glycogen) is stored in the liver. Your children have small livers. That is why they need to eat so often. Good, now I got all that cleared up, let me explain myself. Neurons are very different than other tissues, as they cannot make the fuel they need to survive. They are like helpless children waiting for some-one to deliver them food, sound familiar? Without a steady supply of fuel, your brain will slowly shut down as it cannot function without it. Now considering other tissues can make energy, even some adipose (fat) cells can make their own energy, having a child have low level neurological symptoms without the physical body having the same response is very logical. Please note: There is a way around not having sugar, it involves making it through another process, but that we can cover later.
It becomes an important thing to create a balanced regular diet, especially when your kids are reaching for quick sugar, usually fructose without fiber. Examples being soda, juice, or energy drinks. This cycle can produce bad habits, horrible learning behaviors, and this behavior has been known to change a mood or two.
My suggestion is for you to choose a complex sugar with protein and fat. Yes, I said it - fat. Like from a pig, or an olive, maybe even a cow or a lamb. If you have active kids, a mixture of complex carbohydrates, fat, and proteins, in general, is the best thing for them - every meal. It will allow for their systems to create a steady sugar supply for the brain and allow for an environment where, we will talk about later, it allow for neurons to make new connections and grow. Please avoid all vegetable oil. I usually don't like to make a blanket statement however please just eat fat from healthy animals and seeds. Remember, its' called 'rape seed for a reason', this book link is an automatic download link and yes it is safe, and quite educational.
I also want to touch upon another thing to think about, genetics and how they play a massive role in how your children grow, develop, and interact with their environment. I want you to think about a basic facts, so please do not take this as point to be racially provocative, I am talking about facts and how you can help you and your children's lives. Africans, specifically African Americans, have an amazingly significant risk factor to developing type II diabetes over the course of their lives. Is it their diet? Is it there genetics? Is it both? Studies have shown the risk is both. So, simply said, children with African heritage should not eat fructose, ever. Yes, I said it, ever. Please do not ignore the concept of anthropology and how it applies to your children. Again, that is a different topic that can be another treatise.
For now, lets go over the basics when it comes to that basic question: Does the brain have enough fuel?
To be continued... [part III, IV, & V]
A recent research article comparing chocolate milk and sport drinks for post exercise recovery has shown that chocolate milk is the winner, by far. Yes, listen boys and girls to the basic facts: Drinking chocolate milk while exercising and after any decent workout should allow your body to recover just as quickly, if not more than expensive, specialized, sport drinks [1].
Mind you, most studies asses recovery drinks through the comparison of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and proteins through assumed absorption rates and subjective values; So take it with a grain of salt. That being said, please think about your options as consumers. Rule number one: Drink quality, organic if possible, full fat milk, lets say from your local cow milk manufacturer! Rule number two: Use real chocolate dark powder in specific usually 70% or greater I like Dagoba Unsweetened Drinking Chocolate Powder. Rule number three: Use as little sugar as possible, if you use any.
Let me put things into perspective. My brother after football practice would be thirsty and hungry, we were poor and my mothers only real option was full fat milk. For the record he was 6'4" and 270 pounds and he drank a gallon after practice and a gallon throughout the day. The best part of it, is that back in the 80s that only amounted to about $5 / day. Pretty cost efficient I'd say and honestly I do think that it would translate into todays economy as well.
For those that may be a little argumentative about the basics and logic let me man-splain, I will ignore the caloric measurements cause we all know that is bunk. Here is a list of actual nutritional items from a grass / hay fed cow that produces actual milk vs. commercially raised milk food product. When I say 'commercially raised milk food product' I mean to say; milk that has had a specific solution injected from blood derived proteins (precipitated blood albumin to increase protein the content so they can add more water making more money per gallon): Seriously they do that. No wonder people don't 'like' milk.
May I make a recommendation?
Here is what I have as a post workout drink, values of proteins and other recovery items will very greatly with workout scheme, goals, body type, size and sex. That being said, the basics are very important not the values. Remember each person and situation is very different. If you have any questions just call my office and I will give you some feedback.
Dr. Borgardt's Milk Chocolate work out recovery drink or Sport Drink:
Blend. Drink. I also take in pill form during this time:
Go back to work.
Phospholipids and sports performance: J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2007; 4: 5
Please note: Above when I listed an about as 'A - Supply' I am referring too the fact that there will be a ratio of each of these items and there are no real measurements, just guidelines. Yes, I said it you're going to be curing meat without a measurement, deal with it. That being said, it is safe as long as you go by these two basic guidelines:
Done.
Grilled Spatchcock Chicken, sounds infamous, however it seems to be an unknown within our grilling culture. I can honestly say, any other method of grilling chicken on a bbq is completely worthless.
I know some of you may like to use a specific cut of chicken on a grill, example being a leg or thigh in a family pack. I do understand this to some extent, especially if you're trying to cook for a party of 10 or more. Just trust me, this is a better way. This recipe is inexpensive, easy, and consistent every time.
To add: If you admit to anyone that you only bbq the breast all by itself because you like it that way, stop reading now. You are not up for the challenge, I mean this, go away. Learn about a DIY method of cleaning your grass with a vacuum.
They are dinosaurs, they are not mammals. Histologically (study of size and structure of cells), chickens are organized differently than mammals [1]. Taking this into account, you need to be ware of a few key concepts:
Done.
This Golden Curcumin Tea recipe is the best anti-inflammatory tea ever. I mean this, it's inexpensive, easy to make and delicious!
For those of you who are new to the subject, as my wife says, let me 'man-splain'.
Curcumin, is a chemical compound found in the root of 'Curcumin Longa', otherwise known as Turmeric. In the western world, intrigue into the health benefits of this compound started in the 80's by a research team (Jiang et al., 1983; Kuttan et al., 1985). In recent years the number of research studies has included over 5,600 studies from 2005-2015 alone. Today, the culmination of all this intrigue due to the potential procurement for business opportunities has skewed some scientists, natural medicine advocates, and drug companies to look past the basics. The problem being, the products they are selling are just too damned expensive, especially when there are known examples within many cultures that use this 'food ingredient' in their 'food medicine' for thousands of years and are very effective.
Honesty, why reinvent the wheel when you don't have too. If done correctly, this Ayurvedic recipe or 'method of preparation' can be easy and extremely inexpensive: $.25 / serving as opposed to some 'solutions' being $5.00 / serving. Providing you with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, and overall a good tasting ingredient without having to buy an over priced 'miracle product' at a ghastly cost.
So, here is the honest to goodness best recipe EVER; Clinically, medicinally, and most of all deliciously.
Done