Low Level Laser Therapy

Have you ever heard of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)? This is a treatment technique that we use at Rivertown Chiropractic. 

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been researched more over the last couple of decades than ever before and is now being recognized as a great treatment for all sorts of illnesses. It can bring relief to conditions ranging from musculoskeletal disorders such as neck and low back pain to different brain disorders such as ADHD.

So what is LLLT and how can it help a wide variety of ailments? This form of therapy uses light that has a specific frequency between approximately 400 nm to 600 nm, this is the visible light spectrum. The light emitted from the laser activates the mitochondria within our cells. We all learned in high school that the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. The mitochondria are what produce energy for our cells in the form of a molecule called ATP. This ATP is essential for all functions of our cells, including healing. The increased energy coming from this boost in ATP production allows our cells to heal and recover quicker than they would have without the extra energy.

For more information on LLLT and our PL Touch Laser, feel free to talk to either Dr. Tyler or Dr. Geoff the next time that you’re in the office.

Cervical Proprioception & It's Link to Neck Pain

Last week we learned that proprioception is the ability of your body to determine its position and movements in open space. This week we are going to continue with the topic of proprioception and how it can affect your neck pain. Studies have shown a link between decreased proprioception and increased neck pain.

There are a large number of proprioceptive sensors in the muscles and joints of the cervical spine. According to a research article published in 2019, “cervical proprioception is critical in the maintenance of posture and movements”. ¹ The study took 132 people with cervical spondylosis, which is degeneration of the joints, and 132 people without cervical degeneration and they compared their proprioception by using a joint position error (JPE) test. This JPE test measures how accurately a person can re-center their head on their shoulders after rotation of their body. The study then compared the results of the JPE test with neck pain.

The results showed that cervical proprioception was largely decreased in people with cervical degeneration, and that people with decreased cervical proprioception have a greater amount of neck pain.

To avoid cervical degeneration and decreased proprioception it is important to do three things. Eat well, move well, and think well. Eating well keeps our bodies fueled and running properly as well as giving our bodies what they need to heal. Moving well keeps our bones, joints and muscles healthy and strong. Thinking well keeps the stress away and allows our bodies to focus on healing and proper function instead. And don’t forget to get your chiropractic adjustments to keep your spine and nervous system functioning properly.

 

Reference

1. Reddy RS, Tedla JS, Dixit S, Abohashrh M. Cervical proprioception and its relationship with neck pain intensity in subjects with cervical spondylosis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2019;20(1). Accessed December 14, 2020. http://search.ebscohost.com.palmer.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eoah&AN=51530089&site=ehost-live

Proprioception

Close your eyes and stick both of your arms out in front of you. Now, with your left index finger touch the tip of your nose, and now with the right finger. Easy enough, but how is it so easy even with your eyes closed? The answer is proprioception. Proprioception is a constant cycle of messages being sent from the body to the brain allowing the brain to know where our body parts are in space and what those body parts are doing. The process starts with movement of our skin, muscles, and joints. Sensors in these areas detect movement and send a signal to the brain relaying that message. This allows our bodies to coordinate movements and to move freely throughout space.

            A good example of proprioception working to our benefit is when we stumble and catch ourselves before falling to the ground. When we slip our body, using proprioception, recognizes that we are slipping and the body responds by trying to correct our feet and sticking out our arms to catch ourselves.

            Someone with decreased proprioception may experience balance issues with frequent slips and falls, uncoordinated movements, poor posture and general clumsiness. This person may also avoid certain activities that require coordination such as climbing up and down stairs, or walking on uneven ground.

That Time Again

Every year around this time I send out this reminder of the importance of Vitamin D.  Ideally, the essential vitamin is released into the blood from the skin with exposure to the sun.  Because of this, people in this part of the country around this time of the year often are deficient.  However, numerous recent studies have led experts to believe that many more are deficient in this nutrient than previously anticipated and supplementation may be necessary year-round.

Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include bone pain and muscle weakness, kidney and lung problems, psoriasis, gum disease, and frequent flu symptoms.  Low energy levels, weight gain, and depression are also implicated with deficiency.  Chronic deficiencies have been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive problems, asthma, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, 17 different cancers and even multiple sclerosis.

Outside of sun exposure, you can get some Vitamin D from fish oils, egg yolks and beef liver.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get enough D from diet alone as you would need to eat two servings of mackerel every day to get the recommended dosage.  Couple this with low sun exposure and Vitamin D supplementation is often a good idea.  The only question is how often and how much are you supposed to take.

While it is impossible to get too much D from the sun, since Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin when you’re taking it orally as a supplement, you can get toxic levels over time.  Typically, as long as you’re taking under 5000 I.U.s per day, you will be o.k.  The only accurate way to know if you’re deficient or to know when you have enough is through periodic blood testing.  Fortunately, many doctors have recently become aware of the importance of the vitamin and are recommending regular testing to their clients.  If you should find that you are deficient and decide take a D vitamin, make certain you’re supplementing with D3.  Learn more about the importance of this vitamin and talk to your doctor about blood testing.

DNA & Positive Thinking

For those of you who are regular followers of this article, I hope that you’ve grasped the concept that health exists on a continuum and that everything you do; everything you eat, drink, or breath are all either moving you toward health and away from dis-ease or moving you toward dis-ease and away from health.  I found an outstanding article that suggests that one of the biggest factors on this continuum is our own thoughts.

The article identified several research studies that show how we think can actually change the behavior of our DNA.  In one study performed by the military, DNA from white blood cells was taken from people, placed in a vial and moved to be monitored in another room.  The people were subjected to different emotional stimuli while their DNA was monitored.  As the donors were stimulated, they found that their DNA exhibited similar electrical responses at precisely the same time in the other room.

In a similar study done by the Institute of Heartmath, 28 scientists took DNA from other people and were taught to generate strong emotions in the presence of the DNA samples.  When the scientists generated feelings of joy, love, and gratitude, the DNA relaxed, unwound, and lengthened.  While they generated feelings of anger, fear, and frustration, the DNA tightened, shortened and shut off many of its codes.  The researchers applied this discovery to HIV-positive patients and discovered that when the AIDS patients generated feelings of joy, love, and gratitude their immune systems became 300,000 times more resistant to the virus than when they were not feeling this way.  Put simply, our thoughts affect our physiology and can have as great an impact on our health and wellness as any other factor.  Think about what you think about!

Curious About Supplements?

In our office, we recommend numerous different supplements to help balance body chemistry and physiology based on the need of the individual.  But since this column is about promoting wellness, what supplements could we all benefit from to enhance overall health?  Most sources I’ve encountered agree on a fairly short list. 

Unless you’re always eating the 5-13 servings of fresh fruits/vegetables recommended daily, a quality multivitamin is in order.  Everyone could benefit from an Omega 3 source such as fish oil.  A probiotic to normalize the healthy bacteria in the digestive tract and boost the immune system is a good idea.  And Vitamin D should be supplemented at least in the winter months when sun exposure is low.  We regularly stock all of these CORE 4 supplements from Metagenics in our office.

I recently came across an article reminding me about a supplement that I used to take and need to add back to my regimen.  Chlorella comes from green algae and is known for its ability to detoxify heavy metals, including mercury, from your system.  Heavy metal toxicity is not found in standard lab tests but is thought to be a contributing factor to everything from allergies, to Alzheimer’s and M.S., to cancer.  Exposure to these toxic metals comes from many different environmental sources including the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. 

In addition to eliminating these toxins, Chlorella is known to repair nerves, enhance immune function, reduce cancer risk, improve digestion, reduce acidity, increase energy and concentration and it can even help normalize blood pressure and blood sugar.   For the best results, look for a Chlorella that has “broken cell walls” and is combined with another green algae known as Spirulina.  Research for a quality brand and try this supplement for a month and let me know how you do!

 

Dealing with Depression

In the past, I’ve discussed two neurotransmitters (hormones) in the brain that are related to addiction and depression.  These hormones are dopamine which is associated with our sense of reward and pleasure and serotonin which is associated with general happiness and feeling good.  I also referenced that depression and its traditional treatment is associated with maintaining higher levels of serotonin but I made mention of the Toronto study that determined the deepest levels of depression are linked to very low levels of dopamine.  This week, I’d like to add to the discussion and cover treatment options for these difficult and potentially devastating conditions.

The standard modern treatment for depression has been the prescription of what are called SSRIs or serotonin inhibitors.  These drugs function to block the reabsorption of serotonin in an attempt to keep the levels of this “happy hormone” high in the brain tissue.  This method makes sense and in some instances can be very effective.  This has been the accepted approach to depression since the early 1980’s.  However, with more aggressive marketing and wider usage, the drugs came under scrutiny in the year 2000 as medical research and case studies made a link between the use of SSRIs with aggression, suicidal tendencies, and violent behavior especially in children and teens.  In fact, in 2003, the British government banned the use of several of the drugs in citizens under the age of 18.  The FDA followed in 2004 by placing a black-box warning on the drugs alerting parents to watch for any signs of these behaviors.  Over the years they’ve expanded these warnings to include side effects of increased risk of bone fractures, sexual dysfunction, panic attacks, mania, cognitive disorders and loss of contact with reality, and increased feelings of depression and anxiety!  I remember when all of this was coming out in the medical literature and I’ve always wondered what the mechanism was that could make the drugs helpful to some people but dangerously harmful to others.  In researching this article, the aforementioned Toronto study of 2005 provided my answer.  Because our brains and chemistry are all different, some of the SSRI drugs on some of the people result in a deficit of dopamine some of the time.  The study showed in the bad reactions the drugs seemed to “hijack” the dopamine transporters causing levels to plummet.  As I mentioned in past posts, everything we do is tied to dopamine and this lack is the major cause of addictive behavior and the deepest depression. 

One of the best seminar courses I ever attended was about the stress response and how it related to brain chemistry including these two potent neurotransmitters.  As it turns out, we are supposed to maintain normal levels of serotonin and dopamine through healthy lifestyle habits such as adequate sleep, physical exercise, loving relationships, positive thoughts and even the vitamins and minerals we receive from fruits and vegetables.  So if you’re looking to prevent depression and addiction this is your best strategy – place your focus on health and happiness.  However, if you’re already dealing with these conditions, I still recommend the lifestyle approach, but I recognize that it may take more as the subconscious and hormonal patterns are already established.  If you’re using the SSRIs, just be aware of the side effects and don’t settle until you find one that is agreeable as there are several different options.  I also need to mention that you should not try to go off these on your own – have your doctor or pharmacist help you wean off them safely.  Even though it’s not as popular as it used to be, a qualified counselor can help you work through these problems and eventually uncover the underlying cause of your depression or anxiety which the drugs will never do.