Chiropractic Care For The Whole Family: Conveniently Located In McBain, Michigan
Chiropractic Health Newsletter
I Have a "Slipped" Disc Fact: A Disk Doesn't "Slip"
Since spinal discs have very poor blood supply, they also depend upon circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If the spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot ?slip? as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often interfering with their function.
The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joints. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps decrease inflammation so the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can begin.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing conservative chiropractic care.
Because they are attached to vertebrae, discs do not slip, but they do tear, bulge, herniate, prolapse and dessicate.
Disc Tear
The most common disc injury is a small crack or micro tear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out, and the disc begins to wear thin.
Disc Bulging
The soft jelly-like material in the middle of the disc pushes to one side, forward or backward, and swelling occurs. The nucleus is still contained within the tough outer fibers of the disc, but can still cause pressure and painful symptoms.
Herniated Disc
The soft jelly-like material from the nucleus in the middle of the disc ruptures through the tough, outer fibers and extends to the outer edge or beyond the normal limits of the disc.
Prolapsed Disc
A piece of disc material separates away and becomes a fragment or a free-floating piece.
Dessicated Disc
The disc loses its fluid contents and degenerates down to a rough, worn-down or worn-out appearance. This occurs as the bones begin to fuse to each other.
Source: Back Talk Systems, Inc
Time To Update!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need everyone's 9 digit Zip Codes ( found on your drivers licence)
As the New Year approaches, it is time for our front desk to update our patient record information. Please bring in your insurance cards even if you don't think you have had any changes.We will be updating contact numbers, so if your employment has changed or you have moved over the last year, please let Tammy know.
With employers constantly changing insurance coverage's and companies, it is difficult to know what your chiropractic benefits are unless we all work together and communicate with each other. We will do our best to verify your coverage and benefits with your insurance companies. But I must add that we are only given a quote of benefits. The actual benefit will be determined when the claim is received by your insurance company.
Thanks for your continued cooperation and patience with the ever changing health care reforms.
Winter Health Tips
·Go for a walk even when the weather is cold-your body has to work overtime to get warm and you may burn 50% more calories.
·Its easier to stay in shape than to get in shape. Maintain your fitness through out the winter.
·Cold air and indoor heaters can dry out your skin. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water each day and use a humidifier throughout the winter.
·Instead of picking up a cup of hot chocolate to warm up, try a herbal beverage.
·Buy some indoor plants to soften up the dry atmosphere caused through heating. Indoor plants give off moisture and oxygen and the colors will brighten up a dull day outside.
·Keep your immune system in peak condition with regular wellness visits with Dr. Gischia. Not getting sick in the first place so you can continue your normal exercise through the winter is much better than having to battle back from an extended absence.
Suzanne's Massage Corner
Massage- A natural way to compliment your chiropractic care!
Benefitsofmassage:
Massage is, "Drugless Therapy," it is a natural way to relieve stress, muscle tension, stiffness, muscle spasms, headaches and even pain from many conditions. Massage may also help reduce the formation of excessive scar tissue, aid in hip and knee problems, as well as the neck, shoulder and back. Massage may reduce blood pressure and even reduce levels of anxiety and depression. Wouldn?t you like to move and bend easier and even have more restful sleep? Massage can help blood circulation thus pushing toxins out of the body and even strengthening the immune system. Could massage even regulate homeostasis in the body (breathing, body temperature and heart rate)?
Research continues on affects of massage with cystic fibrosis, arthritis, sickle-cell anemia, coma and spinal cord injuries, down?s syndrome, cerebral palsy and even cancer. (Mosby and Tappan)
Massage Tip:
Experiencing muscle cramps? Try eating a banana regularly. The potassium may be just what you need.
The gift of a massage is a caring gift from the heart! Ask about Gift Certificates for that special someone. Holiday gift packages are still available through January 2012. Plan ahead for Birthday?s, Mother?s Day, Anniversaries Weddings and Showers
Doc's Buck Pole 2011 Winner
Darren Kilbourn bagged a beautiful 8 pt. buck during rifle season. The final measurement was 92. Darren will be taking home a $100 gift card from Cabelas . This is Darren's second time winning Doc's Buck pole. Congratulations Darren on a job well done.
A second chance random drawing was held by all other entries and Alex Kaspriak ( 4pt. entry) of Cadillac was the winner. Alex will be taking home a $25 gift card from Cabelas. Congratulations to all of our hunters on a great hunting Season.
Fun Facts about Chiropractic
·Every organ and cell of the body is controlled by nerves that travel through your spine.
·Chiropractic care corrects interferences to the nervous system, which allows the body and cells to function properly.
·There are about 206 individual bones in the average adult skeleton, with the backbone as the central core.
·More than 1/4 of the bones in your body are found in your feet (26 each). TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET!
·The only bone in the human body that has no use is the coccyx, located at the base of the spine.
·The "backbone" is an engineering masterpiece made up of 24 donut shaped bones called vertebrae. They are designed to protect your nerves.
·Low back pain is the second leading cause of lost work days, second only to the common cold!
·It is estimated that stress is the major cause of 75% of all illness.
·A Giraffe's neck contains the same number of vertebrae as a human neck (7).
·A common little caterpillar has more muscles than a human body.
·Despite the hump, a camel's spine is straight.
Andy's Rules for a Simple Life
Walk Slowly ~ Read a lot
Enjoy the wind in your face
Take your music to bed with you
Long lunches to enjoy the view (trucks)
Teach others your skills-like burping
Money goes in a safe place and never gets spent
Spend time outdoors~Hug your dog
Believe in the magic of all the seasons: Christmas season, Truck show season, Parade season, Lake season, Trick-or-Treat season, etc...
Kick the leaves when you can
Laugh
Most of all enjoy the ride!
To Our Referring Patients!
Chris Dekam, Winnie Jewell, Jenny Barber, Jake Gischia,
Jeremy Eling, Beth Mulde, Ken Grames, Lisa Koopman,
