Mobility & Flexibility - Joint Movement

Chiropractic Helps: Tendonitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon that connects bone to muscle is injured, overused, or used improperly. The result is inflammation, pain and sometimes swelling. In the case of an injury where the tendon is stressed to otherwise injured, soft tissue around the area may also become involved. Each year more than 4 million people in the U.S. seek medical treatment for symptoms of tendonitis.

Common types of tendonitis include runner’s knee, tennis elbow, and pitcher’s shoulder. However, other tendons in the body can also experience tendonitis symptoms. The Achilles tendon, ankle, wrist, and even fingers can all become inflamed from the condition.

Often a primary care physician diagnoses the injury, but once there is a definitive diagnosis, the best treatment is one that is natural and holistic. Chiropractic care is an outstanding choice for treatment.

Chiropractic Helps: Thorough Healing

Tendonitis often recurs in many people. This is due, at least in part to improper or incomplete healing. Many people will resume normal activities as soon as the pain subsides when they should continue caring for the injury so that it can heal completely. This leads to inflammation of the area again as the original injury is aggravated, but it can also lead to re-injury in that same area. Chiropractic care can help tendonitis heal completely and help prevent re-injury to the area.

Chiropractic Helps: Tendonitis

Since tendonitis symptoms can mimic other serious conditions, the first step in treatment is confirming the diagnosis. The doctor may use X-rays, MRIs, or CAT scans to make a positive diagnosis of tendonitis.

From there, the chiropractor will work with the patient to develop a treatment plan that is natural and effective, tailored to the patient’s unique needs. At the core of this treatment is a targeted plan that treats the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

If there is a great deal of inflammation the chiropractor may employ inflammation reducing techniques such as bracing, rest, ice, electrical muscle stimulation, and other therapies. This helps to loosen the tendon and lessen the inflammation so that treatment can progress.

Once the inflammation is under control, the chiropractor may begin massage, physical therapy, joint manipulation, or strengthening exercises. If the patient has diminished or limited joint mobility then joint manipulation or adjustments may be the best option.

Chiropractic Helps: Length Of Treatment

The initial pain may subside or even disappear within the first two to three weeks. However, that does not mean that the patient is out of the woods. This is where many patients go wrong. They mistakenly believe that once the pain is gone the condition is healed.

This is not true. While the inflammation may indeed decrease over the first three weeks, the complete healing takes around six weeks and often longer. Scar tissue is formed during this time which helps the body repair the injury. Once the injury is repaired though, that scar tissue must be broken down in order for the area to regain its mobility and flexibility.

The chiropractor will use various techniques including massage and ultrasound to break down the scar tissue. Mild stretches may be incorporated into the treatment plan. Once the tissues are fully healed, exercise can aid in breaking down the scar tissue even more. These exercises will work the muscles but they won’t involve the tendons.

Chiropractic Helps: Healing Tendonitis For Good

Tendonitis can be healed completely and a good chiropractor can help. Most chiropractors take a whole body approach, including diet, specific supplements, and lifestyle choices that will help the healing process of tendonitis. Once chiropractic treatment is complete for tendonitis, the patient can usually return to normal activities without the risk of re-injury or re-inflammation.

Carpal Tunnel Pain: Ottis Hamlet depends largely on the use of his hands to carry out his important craftsmanship in the city of San Antonio, TX. However, Mr. Hamlet developed painful symptoms in both of his arms as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome, which tremendously affected his ability to engage in his job. Fortunately, Ottis Hamlet met Dr. Alex Jimenez during a visit to El Paso, TX and he received chiropractic treatment for his carpal tunnel syndrome, avoiding the need for surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Pain Treatment El Paso, TX | Ottis Hamlet

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition caused by the compression of the median nerve which travels through the wrist and into the carpal tunnel. Common symptoms include pain, tingling sensations and numbness, in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb side of the ring fingers. Symptoms normally start gradually and during the evening. Symptoms can extend throughout the arm and weakened grip strength may also occur. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be diagnosed based on symptoms.

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Yoga  increases the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment hasn't taken the world by storm, but it has gained steadily in popularity in the last decade. Originally developed thousands of years ago, the practice of breathing, posing, and stretching offers a variety of important health benefits. Reduced stress and blood pressure, increased flexibility and stamina, greater balance, and a better understanding of breathing techniques are all fabulous results of practicing yoga.

In addition to the normal exercise benefits yoga offers, the practice serves as treatment for a variety of injuries and health conditions. Yoga embodies the recognition of the link between physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness, and reaches its fans in deeper ways than other forms of traditional exercise.

Although the two disciplines come from entirely different histories, the concept that yoga heals the body in its entirety closely mirrors the concept behind chiropractic care. These similar foundations offer enormous benefits to those suffering from a variety of injuries and conditions that seek help from a chiropractor. By incorporating yoga sessions into their treatment, chiropractic patients often reap great rewards.

Here are four reasons why:

Yoga Primes The Body For Healing

Practicing yoga stretches and elongates the body's muscles, releasing tension and stress. Before patients visit their chiropractors, yoga can serve to warm up their bodies and clarify their minds, so the chiropractor can dig into the root problem. Yoga complements chiropractic treatment by readying the body to heal itself.

Yoga Increases Joint & Ligament Strength

Dealing with a health condition or injury is frustrating and can seem like it takes forever to heal. Implementing yoga into a recovery plan helps strengthen joints and ligaments, which aids in promoting healing and cutting down the time it takes to get better.

Yoga works on the body as a whole and promotes greater well-being from head to toe. A stronger body absorbs chiropractic care more productively and deeply than one that is stiff, sore, and unhealthy.

Yoga Increases Range Of Motion

Depending on the severity of the individual's specific condition, chiropractic patients may need several visits to "prep" their bodies before the main issue can even be addressed. Yoga sessions increase a body's flexibility and help with the range of motion in the neck, back, hips, and other joints. By going into a chiropractic treatment equipped with better range of motion, the patient is more pliable, and the visit is able to offer more in-depth adjustments, for greater results.

Prevents Future Injury

Many reasons individuals seek chiropractic treatment are for recurring issues. Yoga provides an ongoing way for patients dealing with chronic issues to manage and reduce instances of pain, inflammation, and other symptoms. A regimen of yoga coupled with chiropractic care keeps the body aligned, its balance level, the muscles stretched and de-stressed, and the joints operating efficiently.

Both also serve to keep posture correct, and ligaments strong. All of these results create a body that is less susceptible to future injury, and less inclined for previous medical conditions to resurface. Individuals enjoy greater mobility longer, all without changing their active lifestyles.

Yoga has long been touted as the answer for many of the body's issues, and it's smart for individuals, whether dealing with current issues or in prime health, to check out the basics of yoga. Chiropractic care coupled with yoga offers a great many benefits to patients who are dealing with medical conditions or injury. Ask your chiropractor for an evaluation of your health issues, and whether adding yoga to your overall health plan would help you lead a better, more active life.

Chiropractic Keeps Nastia Liukin's Body In Balance

One of the most difficult medical conditions to spell is also one of the most common. Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. A person is afflicted with this medical condition when the tissue tears in the long ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot, called the plantar fascia ligament. The resulting symptoms include pain and inflammation that can be acute and often ongoing.

Plantar Fasciitis

It's estimated that 2 million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis. However, many different factors cause the condition.

A foot trauma from an injury such as a fall can bring about the condition. Other causes are wearing ill-fitting or non-supporting footwear, prolonged standing, and arthritis. Once afflicted with plantar fasciitis, the sufferer often changes their gait to avoid foot pain, bringing on secondary issues such as misalignment and joint stress.

While there are several modes of treatment options, chiropractic care offers multiple unique benefits to those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. Here are four specific ways chiropractic care effectively treats plantar fasciitis.

Chiropractic Adjustments Can Reduce Stress In The Plantar fascia

When the ligament is stressed, it can cause tiny tears that brings on plantar fasciitis. Sufferers who don't take measures to repair this damage often experience ongoing pain and inflammation. A chiropractor, over a series of visits, is able to adjust the foot and heel so the ligament starts to relax, which in return, promotes healing and diminishes the instances of dealing with the condition again down the road.

Chiropractic Care Helps Minimize Secondary Bodily Injury Due To Compensation

As mentioned above, individuals dealing with the pain of plantar fasciitis frequently adapt their gait to avoid painful steps, causing stress and weight to fall on other parts of the feet, ankles, and joints. This may eventually cause issues with strained muscles and sore joints.

Chiropractic treatment not only deals with the symptoms, but treats the root of the problem. Patients who commit to chiropractic care see the plantar fasciitis decrease in severity. In addition, the chiropractor helps re-train them to walk and stand correctly, taking care of the secondary issues.

Additional At Home Exercises Promote Healing

Patients can help their situations in addition to visiting their chiropractor by taking advantage of regular home therapy exercises. Part of chiropractic care for plantar fasciitis includes a regular recommendation of exercises that stretches and heals the plantar fascia as well as secondary affected areas. For maximum results, patients need to make sure they perform the exercises correctly and diligently stick to the rehabilitation plan.

Chiropractic Works Well In Conjunction With Other Treatments

Chiropractic treatment for plantar fasciitis complements other treatments. Chiropractic visits paired with massage, physical therapy, and more invasive treatment such as injections to offer pain management, increased mobility, and faster healing. Talk with your chiropractor to see what other treatments may complement your current care.

The not so great news is plantar fasciitis's typical recovery time is several months. The great news is that committing to a combination of chiropractic visits and therapy exercises heals 9 out of 10 cases.

Plantar fasciitis is a common issue that millions of people face, but it doesn't have to control your activity level or hinder your lifestyle. Consult a chiropractor and work together to lay out a plan of chiropractic adjustments, at-home rehab, and possibly other complementary forms of treatments. It may take time, but plantar fasciitis sufferers can eventually reach a point where they are pain free and their mobility is unhindered!

Jerry Rice Credits Chiropractic Treatment

An ankle can be injured as glamorously as falling off a $400 platform stiletto heel, stepping off a Parisian curb, or as mundanely as tripping over a toy truck, or falling over a rock on your way to the mailbox. No matter the cause, ankle injuries are painful and problematic, and cause recurring problems if left untreated.

The poor ankle sure has it rough. It supports a person's entire body weight, twists and turns many times a day, and maintains proper balance. This heavy responsibility takes its toll. Emergency rooms treat approximately one million patients ever year for ankle injuries.

Ankles are technically "the joint where the foot joins the leg."  In reality, there are more moving parts involved than that simplified definition allows. Multiple bones and two separate joints actually converge in the ankle area, which increases the chance of an ankle injury.

Ankle Injuries:

Sprains:

When you roll your ankle outward, the movement damages the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. This is a common sports injury and, unfortunately, once you have sprained your ankle it's more likely to recur. Up to half of the people who suffer from a sprained ankle will sprain it again.

Strains:

There are two tendons in the ankle that are commonly strained, usually over stretching from overuse or trauma.

Fractures:

This injury happens when one or more of the three bones in the ankle is injured. While less common than a sprain or strain, a fractured ankle may also involve damaged ligaments and require surgery.

Many instances of ankle injuries are avoidable. Be sure to wear proper shoes when exercising or participating in sports, avoid uneven walking surfaces, and keep stairways and floors in your home clear of clutter

And, ladies, avoid the really high heels. We know, we know, they are just so cute! :-)

Even with ankle-protecting precautions, you still may end up on your rump in the grass nursing your swollen ankle. What should you do if you injure your ankle? There are several forms of treatment for an ankle injury depending on its severity.

Rest and ice: For mild injuries, stay off your ankle and use ice packs to reduce the swelling. Rest allows the injured area to heal faster.

Visit a doctor: If you experience severe pain, swelling, and are unable to put weight on your ankle, see a doctor, as some ankle injuries grow worse without treatment. Injuries may require a brace, cast, or even surgery.

See a chiropractor: Patients frequently see strongly positive results in ankle injuries from a series of chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors understand the way the ankle is built, and use chiropractic adjustments to reduce pain and inflammation and promote faster healing.

Exercise rehab: Once you are healed, it's vital to build up the ankle's strength to avoid re-injury. Your chiropractor can lay out an exercise routine that you can employ into your regular workouts that will improve your balance and increase mobility. Performing these moves helps dramatically decrease dealing with this again down the road.

Ankle injuries are common and, whether or not you maintain an active lifestyle, you may end up suffering from one. By visiting a chiropractor on the front end, you can better plan a course of treatment that will heal your ankle quickly, reduce the pain effectively, and minimize the chance of a recurrence.

Golf & Chiropractic Care

Muscle Energy Techniques: A revolution has taken place in manipulative therapy involving a movement away from high velocity/low amplitude thrusts (HVT – now commonly known as ‘mobilization with impulse’ and characteristic of most chiropractic and, until recently, much osteopathic manipulation) towards gentler methods which take far more account of the soft tissue component (DiGiovanna 1991, Lewit 1999, Travell & Simons 1992).

Greenman (1996) states that: ‘Early [osteopathic] techniques did speak of muscle relaxation with soft tissue procedures, but specific manipulative approaches to muscle appear to be 20th century phenomena.’ One such approach – which targets the soft tissues primarily, although it also makes a major contribution towards joint mobilization – has been termed muscle energy technique (MET) in osteopathic medicine. There are a variety of other terms used to describe this approach, the most general (and descriptively accurate) of which was that used by chiropractor Craig Liebenson (1989, 1990) when he described muscle energy techniques as ‘active muscular relaxation techniques’. Muscle energy techniques evolved out of osteopathic procedures developed by pioneer practitioners such as T. J. Ruddy (1961), who termed his approach ‘resistive duction’, and Fred Mitchell Snr (1967). As will become clear in this chapter, there also exists a commonality between Muscle energy techniques and various procedures used in orthopaedic and physiotherapy methodology, such as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Largely due to the work of experts in physical medicine such as Karel Lewit (1999), MET has evolved and been refined, and now crosses all interdisciplinary boundaries.

MET has as one of its objectives the induced relaxation of hypertonic musculature and, where appropriate (see below), the subsequent stretching of the muscle. This objective is shared with a number of ‘stretching’ systems, and it is necessary to examine and to compare the potential benefits and drawbacks of these various methods (see Box 1.1).

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a serious, painful nerve injury that affects many people in the United States. CTS occurs when the median nerve, which runs down a person's forearm to his or her hand, gets compressed in the eight bones in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. This injury is frequently caused over time by repetitive motion such as assembly line work, and is the most expensive work-related injury. Symptoms of CTS include pain and numbness of the hand and wrist. While there are a variety of treatment options available to those who are afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome up to and including surgery, chiropractic care has become a popular and effective option.

Here are four ways patients with carpal tunnel syndrome benefit from chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Care Is Documented To Work On Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

While there are no guarantees that any one mode of treatment will work on every person, two studies have shown strong results that back the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment on CTS.

In both cases, the majority of participants showed significant improvement in several measures such as range of motion, finger sensation, and pain reduction. These studies provide evidence to people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients can feel confident in improving their symptoms when choosing to pursue a chiropractor's care.

Chiropractors Provide A Less Invasive Treatment Option.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, particularly cases that have gone undiagnosed or treated for an extended period of time, that ends up being too painful and advanced to be handled with medicine may face surgery. However, chiropractic care often helps minimize that option as a last resort. Regular visits to a chiropractor can show positive results in the controlling and healing of many of the CTS symptoms.

Chiropractic Care Offers An Alternative To Drugs To Manage Pain

As with surgery, daily doses of medicine may be a less than ideal plan when managing carpal tunnel syndrome. Certain patients may suffer from issues with the medicine, CTS medicines may conflict with other medication, or they may simply not want to take daily medications.

If medicinal treatment is not an attractive option, a chiropractor appointment is the next logical step. Chiropractic care often helps CTS by adjusting the patient's elbow and spine.

Another common treatment is bracing. This technique limits the hand's movements with the goal of allowing the wrist and tendons to heal and recover.

A chiropractor who is experienced with carpal tunnel syndrome is able to review each case individually and make solid treatment recommendations that can alleviate the patient's dependence on managing the pain with drugs.

Allows Patients To Learn How To Manage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Unfortunately, health problems that produce chronic pain can take a toll on the patient not only physically, but psychologically. Dealing with CTS can make a person feel powerless over their own body. Working with a chiropractor to relieve, control, and heal the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome empowers the patient to be able to feel ownership of managing and improving his or her health.

Workers who perform repetitive tasks daily as part of their job need to be especially aware of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Feeling pain, numbness, tingling, or burning in their palms or fingers may be the first symptoms of CTS. The earlier it's diagnosed, the more effective less-invasive treatment will be.

Of all the carpal tunnel syndrome treatment choices, chiropractic care offers the dual benefits of being a highly effective treatment while still employing tactics that are not as invasive as other options. If you or a loved one are suffering from this condition, give us a call. We’re here to help!

When you suffer from joint or muscle pain, it is important to work on maintaining as much flexibility as possible. The more flexible you are, the less likely you will be to further injure yourself. One of the best ways to improve your flexibility is by stretching before you are active.

However, you need to warm up your muscles before you stretch. If you stretch first, you can actually injure yourself by pushing your joints too far. Spend a few minutes doing some light activity before you stretch. This can be as simple as a brisk walk or some basic calisthenics.

If you have been seeing a chiropractor, he or she may be able to recommend some stretches for you. Otherwise, you can use some of these basic techniques. There are two basic forms of stretching, static and dynamic.

Static Stretching vs. Dynamic Stretching

Static stretches involve holding a position for a certain period of time to loosen up your muscles. These tend to be what most people think of when they think about stretching. However, dynamic stretches are also important. With these, you move parts of your body to work on your flexibility.

Many of the most effective stretches for back pain can be done right at home. For example, lie on your back with your knees bent. Grasp one knee in both hands and pull it up towards your chest. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then lower the knee to the starting pose. Repeat with the other knee. You can also do both knees at the same time.

A similar stretch begins in the same position as the previous one. However, instead of lifting your knee to your chest, roll both legs to one side so that your knees are as close to the floor as possible. Hold this position for 10 seconds, and then roll to the other side.

Another common stretch recommended by many chiropractors comes from yoga, where it is known as the "cat pose." Get down on the floor on your hands and knees, with your hands underneath your shoulders. First, let your abdomen drop down towards the floor. Then, reverse this movement by arching your back. Repeat this cycle three to five times.

More dynamic stretches can also be good for your muscle pain. Try doing hand walks to stretch your shoulders and abdominal muscles. Stand up straight and slowly lower your hands towards the floor. Walk your hands out in front of you until you are as far down as you can go. Then walk your hands back to the starting position.

A final stretch that can help your back muscles is known as the "scorpion." Lie face-down and stretch your arms out to the sides. First, slowly move your right foot towards your left arm. Then, move your left foot towards your right arm. Make sure to move in a slow and controlled fashion.

When you are suffering from muscle or joint pain, it is a good idea to stretch both in the morning and the evening. By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you can avoid many common injuries.

If you need further instruction regarding stretches, please give us a call so that you can schedule an appointment with our Doctor of Chiropractic.

This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.

Understanding The Upper Trapezius

Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alex Jimenez explores the relevant anatomy and function of the UT, the role it has in musculoskeletal dysfunction and management ideas in the form of strengthening and loosening.

The upper trapezius (UT) is a major muscle that affects movement and stability of both the scapula and cervical spine. The coordination and interplay between the UT and other scapula muscles such as the lower and middle trapezius, serratus anterior, rhomboids, levator scapulae and pectoralis minor, have a large bearing on how the scapula moves and how stable it can become to allow proper gleno-humeral motion. With this in mind, dysfunction in the UT, either as weakness or hypertonicity, has been implicated in a host of shoulder pathologies and cervical spine syndromes.

Anatomy & Biomechanics

The gross anatomy and function of the UT is comprehensively discussed in a landmark study from the 1990’s(1). Johnson and Bogduk (1994) dissected the individual fascicular anatomy of the UT from the superior nuchal line near the occiput, all the way down to the C7 vertebrae, and also the thoracic portion of the
UT. What they found was that the UT was a multipennate muscle that had no osseous attachments between the occiput to the C7 spinous process. Instead the UT originated from the fascial structure known as the ‘ligamentum nuchae’.

The upper cervical fibres from C1 to C6 passed in a downward direction, and traversed to insert into the clavicle. Fibres from C7 and T1 passed horizontally to reach the acromion and spine of the scapula. Its thoracic fibres converged to the deltoid tubercle of the scapula (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Anatomy of the upper trapezius

Note the thicker C7 and T1 fibres
The fascicle length of the UT fibres measured around 1cm from the occiput to C3, and from C3 to T12 the fibres were around 7-14cm. These fibres are primarily low-threshold type I fibres, suggesting that their role is not to produce power but instead act as a controller and stabiliser of the scapula.

The findings from the Johnson and Bogduk dissectionstudy paved the way for a different interpretation on the function of the UT in scapula movement. As only the upper fibres showed a vertical orientation, this suggested they may have only a slight role in scapula elevation. These fibres are relatively small compared to the lower fibres; volumetric studies have demonstrated that the fibres from C7, T1, and the lower half of ligamentum nuchae are the largest.

Johnson and Bodguk also found that the UT muscle has an angle and orientation, which are too small to be a significant elevator of the scapula when the arm is down by the side. They act primarily as an upward rotator of the scapula when co-ordinated with the lower and middle trapezius fibres.

They also work in a force couple along with serratus anterior to create upward rotation. Without the contribution from the lower trapezius and serratus anterior, the UT cannot create upward rotation in isolation. It needs to work in concert with the other upward rotators.

The mechanism of this force couple is via the action of the serratus anterior, which pulls the scapula into protraction. The lower trapezius contracts isometrically to fixate the middle medial border of the scapula so that the serratus anterior can then upwardly rotate the scapula.

UT then contributes towards upward rotation as the scapula has already begun upward rotation. The UT also elevates the scapula at the top of the shoulder flexion/abduction movement (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Force couple of UT with middle/lower trapezius and serratus Anterior

Furthermore, the majority of the UT fibres attach onto the distal third of the clavicle, and due to their horizontal arrangement, they also rotate the clavicle medially – this rotation compresses and stabilises the sternoclavicular (SC) joint.

This SC joint compression allows load to be transferred away from the cervical spine and instead is directed towards the sternum and axial skeleton.

Johnson et al argue that the increased EMG activity of the UT does not occur to elevate the scapula but instead exists to draw the clavicle medially and upward at the same time to compress the SC joint(1). Therefore, the UT creates elevation by exerting an upward moment on the clavicle and increases the
compression loads at the sternoclavicular joint. This means that the cervical spine is not taking the load of the UT during shoulder elevation but the SC joint is.

The diagram below shows the angle of orientation of the fascicles, based on the work by Johnston and Boduk(1). A radiograph shows the direction of fibres. In this image the size and cross sectional area of the fibres are also shown based on the thickness of the lines. It can be seen that the fascicles of the lower half of the UT are much larger than the upper fibres.

The largest fibres are the transverse C6 and C7 fascicles.
In summary, the UT works synergistically with the other trapezius muscles (middle and lower) to produce a force couple on the scapula; therefore the UT has both a functional role in movement and stabilisation of the scapula. To highlight the individual and synergistic role of the trapezius muscle, the individual heads work in the following ways;

Figure 3: Orientation of fascicles(1)

UT draws the clavicle backwards, medially and upwards at the sternoclavicular joint. It helps to control the neutral positionof the scapula. It has some potential to produce movement to the cervical spine and contributes to the stability of the cervical spine.

Middle trapezius produces scapula retractionand upward rotation, as well as drawing the clavicle and scapula backwards and medially together with UT allowing scapula upward rotation. It controls or resists scapula protraction, and downward rotation.
Lower trapezius produces scapula upward rotation, external rotation, posterior tilt and depression. It controls or resists scapula elevation, abduction and downward rotation, as well as controlling the neutral position of the scapula.

Finally, the UT working with other cervical muscles can also laterally flex the cervical spine to the same side, rotate the cervical spine contralaterally and extend the cervical spine.

Dysfunction Of The Upper Trapezius

The UT has an important role to play in both scapula position and stability. This in turn will influence the gleno-humeral joint in positions of shoulder elevation, since scapula mobility has been linked with shoulder range of movement(2,3). During arm elevation, the scapula moves toward internal or external rotation, upward rotation, and posterior tilt. These actions are influenced by the upper/middle/lower trapezius and the serratus anterior as a force couple (mentioned above)(4). Lack of control of these muscles will break down the optimal scapula position and stabilisation/orientation of the shoulder joint. This scapula imbalance has been linked to shoulder pain(5). It must not be forgotten that other factors such as thoracic spine posture, capsule tightness in the shoulder and tightness in pectoralis major/ minor and latissimus dorsi may also influence scapula position(6,7).

Figure 4: Classic UT trigger points (from Travel and Simons(21))

Turgot et al (2016) studied the isometric strength of the three heads of the trapezius and linked it to electromagnetic assessment of scapula mechanics(8). They found that shoulders with stronger UT muscles showed greater upward scapular rotation at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of elevation in the frontal plane. Shoulders with stronger middle trapezius had greater scapular upward rotation at 90° of elevation in the frontal plane. Shoulders with stronger lower trapezius showed greater scapular posterior tilt at 90° of elevation in the sagittal plane.
Numerous studies have identified an imbalance in activation between the UT and lower trapezius in patients with painful shoulders. Specifically, the imbalance identifies overactivity of the UT and underactivity in the lower trapezius(9-13). One study found that using a novel taping technique to inhibit the UT, reduced activation patterns of the UT in patients with shoulder pain(14). This aspect will be explained in detail later in the article.

Peat and Grahame investigated trapezius, serratus anterior and deltoid EMG in people with and without shoulder pathology(15). They found that in those with shoulder pathology, UT showed increased activity during arm elevation and lowering (between 40 to 100 degrees of arm elevation). Also, serratus anterior showed decreased activity at some humeral elevation angles (between 70 to 100 degrees) compared to healthy controls. This increase in UT activity has been found in numerous other studies on UT activation and shoulder pathology(9-13,15,16).

This finding may be associated with the increase in clavicular elevation or scapular elevation found in several clinical and kinematic studies(17).

The increased UT activation may be viewed as a common compensatory strategy used by people with shoulder pain and pathology to elevate their arm. However, the subsequent increase in clavicle elevation at the SC joint that may be produced by increased UT activity will result in scapular anterior tilt. This offsets the scapular posterior tilt produced at the AC joint by the lower trapezius, reducing the overall posterior tilt of the scapula on the thorax, which may be viewed as a potential mechanism to either cause or aggravate impingement symptoms.

Other authors have suggested that excess UT activity may attempt to compensate for a weak serratus anterior, and is believed to contribute to impingement through abnormal rotation
of the scapula(13). Evidence of increased UT activation combined with reduced SA activation (as well as evidence of increased superior translation of the scapula) has been demonstrated in persons with shoulder pain(13,15,18). Imbalances of force production of the serratus anterior and UT can result in a scapula elevation motion (or early shoulder shrugging).

This may cause excess superior translation of the scapula, with less efficient upward rotation and reduced posterior tilting. Clinical consequences of these alterations can include subacromial impingement, subacromial bursitis, and rotator cuff or biceps tendinitis, which can progress to rotator cuff tears. There may also be altered acromioclavicular joint forces and possible predisposition to degenerative changes(19).
In a study by Leong et al (2016) (20) it was shown that athletes with rotator cuff tendinopathy exhibited higher UT shear modulus during active arm holding than the asymptomatic athletes(20) (higher shear modulus suggests an increase in active and/or passive muscle tension measured on a specialised ultrasound). UT shear modulus was also higher in athletes with rotator cuff tendinopathy than in the asymptomatic athletes during the resting arm position at 0°of shoulder abduction.

The findings from such a study cannot however be used to determine whether the increased tension in UT is a result of rotator cuff tendinopathy or if it is a cause of the problem. It is clinically appreciated that athletes with painful rotator cuff may have a scapula at rest that appears downwardly rotated and anterior tilted, and often this is attributed to an overactive pectoralis minor. This position would place extra ‘stretch’ on the UT thus creating a situation whereby the UT had to counterbalance the drag effect of the scapula position.

Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points
 
Figure 5: UT shrug exercise (note the wide hand placement)

1. Wide Grip Shrug

In a study performed in Brazil, researchers attempted to correlate the anatomy of the trapezius and the accessory nerve entry points into the muscle with clinical locations of myofascial trigger points(21,22). What they found was that of the classic seven clinical points of myofascial trigger points, four correlated well to the actual anatomy of the accessory nerve and the trapezius muscle. These seven points with their characteristic referral patterns are shown in Figure 4.

Upper Trapezius, Neck Pain, Headaches & Nerve Pain
It was suggested in a study by Australian researchers that tightness in the UT is correlated to limited neural extensibility in the brachial plexus(23). Although it is difficult to prove causation, the suggestion is made that those with sensitised neural tissue may have reactive muscle tone in the UT. The weight of the arm at rest would provide a reasonable traction force to the brachial plexus, and the UT may react to protect the brachial plexus by increasing tone and lifting the scapula in order to reduce the traction effect on the nerves.
Figure 6: Single-arm overhead shrug start position (note angle of abduction)

2. Single-arm overhead shrug

What is also interesting are the morphological changes in the UT in the presence of neck pain and dysfunction.
The muscle fibre type changes from type I to type II, with fatty infiltration and higher percentage of grossly hypertrophied type I muscle mega-fibres, along with poor capillarisation(24-26). Finally, the famous ‘Janda’s Upper Crossed Syndrome’ has been implicated as a causative factor in cervicogenic headaches and patients; this condition is often present with tightness of the sternocleidomastoid, UT, levator, scalenes, suboccipitals, pectoralis minor, and pectoralis major(27-30).

Management Of Trapezius Dysfunction

*Strengthening

A group of Australian researchers investigated the use of a standard shoulder shrug (scapular elevation) at 0 degrees compared to a modified shrug performed with the arm elevated to 30 degrees (with the scapula in slight upward rotation). They found that the arm-elevated position elicited greater activation in the lower and upper trapezius. Therefore, traditional shrug exercises are not as effective as the 30-degree abduction position(31). Below are shown some exercises that may be used to retrain the UT in the presence of weakness and dysfunction.
Hold a barbell with the hand placed as far away as comfortably possible. This will place the arm in some abduction and the scapula in upward rotation. Slowly elevate the scapula towards the ear. Perform three sets of 20 slow repetitions with a hold. This is a great starter exercise for a patient with shoulder pathology because the arm is in relative neutral abduction.
Holding a dumbbell above the head and the body in a side sit position (this position opens up the shoulder and avoids impingement of the shoulder). Slowly elevate the scapula and rotate the dumbbell from internal to external rotation.
Perform three sets of 20 reps.

Hold two dumbbells overhead with the arm fully elevated (you need good shoulders for this). This is the same process as exercise 2 above but the exercise is performed bilaterally, and with more abduction of the shoulder.

3. Monkey Shrug

*Loosening

1. Upper trapezius stretch

The action of the UT is to upwardly rotate and retract the scapula; its role in elevation is questionable. The effect on the cervical spine is to laterally flex towards the same side, rotate away and finally to extend the cervical spine. Therefore, the best stretch position is one that encourages a combination of:

2. Upper trapezius trigger points

Scapula downward rotation, protraction, depression
Cervical contralateral flexion, flexion and ipsilateral rotation.
Above is an example of stretch to target the UT in a stretch and also ball placement for trigger point releases.

Hold the arm behind the back. This will create downward rotation of the scapula. Protract the scapula and depress the scapula actively. Pull the head to the opposite side and look over the same shoulder. Hold for ten seconds and repeat five times.

Place a ball (tennis, spikey, trigger ball) into any of the seven mentioned trigger points. Hold against the trigger for 30 seconds, move off and find another spot.

Conclusion

The UT is an important muscle of the scapula, which has a major role in scapulohumeral rhythm. Its key roles are scapula upward rotation, elevation and retraction. Its role as a scapula elevator is not as important. It is a muscle that may become either tight and hypertonic as a compensatory mechanism for other scapula imbalances, or it may become weak as it is dragged into a stretch position by poor scapula posture. Exercises have been presented that are designed to either strengthen the muscle or to release tightness and hypertonicity.
 
References
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20. Leong et al (2016) Increased Upper Trapezius Muscle Stiffness in Overhead Athletes with Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy. PLoSONE 11(5)
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Just put one foot in front of the other and you’ll boost your brain at the same time.

That’s the conclusion of a small study that found the impact of a foot while walking sends pressure waves through the arteries that increases blood supply to the brain. “New data now strongly suggest that brain blood flow is very dynamic,” said researcher Ernest Greene and his colleagues at New Mexico Highlands University.

Activities such as bicycling, walking and running may optimize brain function and overall sense of well-being during exercise, the researchers said.

El Paso, TX. Chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez looks at yoga for back pain.

Yoga increases strength and flexibility, but some find it to be a spiritual experience that brings serenity and delight.

I attended my first yoga class after I was 21 years old. At the time the goal was purely to appease my self so that I really could tell my family, buddies and coworkers that “I do yoga”. In my experience, yogis were “cool” and I enjoyed being linked with that healthy lifestyle. My twenty-something year old mind was in a self absorbed place and that I totally enjoyed the freedom of dedicating myself to yoga and other enjoyable ways to fill my time.

Yoga in its purest form is intended to help the individual’s head and body and is likely to be practiced without ego.

My First Yoga Course

I loved her gentle encouragement. As I visited my weekly yoga classes, bending and twisting and telling myself “I can perform this,” I began to reap the benefits. I was sleeping better. My body felt less angry and I noticed a calmness come over me. I felt more patient coping with the irritations of life, too.

Here is The Irony

Yoga is not something you do. It’s a thing that you encounter. Because over time, it gets engrained in you it’s called a practice. The teachings of Maureen were put in me like little seeds which didn’t actually completely thrive until much later in my life. To jogging, though I did not intentionally give up my usual yoga practice, around along the way it took a back seat. Those little seeds were there but lay dormant for now.

Running Was Different

I felt free moving swiftly across the road. Being goal oriented, I found monitoring my mileage to be a pleasing achievement. Running was pleasing for another reason, too. My best friend Linda was also a runner, and we’d meet most Sundays for long runs. We’d participated in occasional half marathons and put in 15 to 20 miles each week. Running that distance took time — two hours or even more.

Those small seeds were there all along. Like I mentioned, yoga has a way of becoming engrained in you.

My Back Pain & Yoga

If you’ve been following my site, you understand that I’ve had back pain through most of my entire life. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, my little friend “yoga” softly arrived back on the scene. My pain riddled body seemed to intuitively understand it needed yoga again. I began feeling the requirement to roll over on my back and pull my legs towards my chest, before getting out of bed in the early hours. (The knees-to-chest pose extends your lower back muscles and is a gentle, soothing approach to begin your day.) The reach that was straightforward felt energizing and really good.

There are quite a lot of advantages of yoga, especially for maintaining well-being and managing low back pain. A follow up experiment was conducted after 26 weeks, and those same yoga participants were experiencing increased function and less pain. For me, the continual practice of yoga has relieved my pain to the point that I no more need pain medication to get me.

Other Ways Yoga Relieves Back Pain

• Yoga strengthens abdominal muscles both of which help support the spinal column and builds flexibility in the rear, when practiced regularly.
• Holding yoga models, for up to a minute, helps stretch the muscles over time.
• Properly stretching the muscles in the low back reduces stress over the area.
• Yoga offers relief from pain, stress and anxiety. All low back pain suffers know this is a vicious cycle. You start with pain that doesn’t go away. You find out there is an anatomical reason for the pain. But, you still have the anxiety, and stress of worrying about how long this may last. Yoga can counter that triple threat.
• Yoga improves posture. To maintain a strong, fit, flexible backbone great posture is vital. Seated and standing yoga poses help improve the alignment of the spine and also posture. Proper bearing reduces back pain and removes some of the pressure from your spinal column.

Yoga For Beginners

Thus, let’s get started with a couple of poses which are a cinch to do and great for preserving flexibility in your spine.Try these three poses daily for increased flexibility and your spine will thank you!

Knees to Chest Pose

• Lie on your back with legs and arms stretched
• Bring both knees to chest as you exhale. Clasp your hands around legs
• Back is flat on the floor (mat)
• If it’s comfortable for you, gently rock back and forth, which gives you a little massage

Cat/Cow Pose 

• Begin on all fours in a tabletop position
• Place your hands under your shoulders along with your knees under your hips
• Like a cat, round your back up to arch on the exhale
• Bring your chin to chest
• On the inhale, drop your abdomen and raise your head, extending your sitting bones (sits) back up

Child’s Pose

• Move from table top to a kneeling position. Rest your arms by your side, press your shoulders down and simultaneously reach your head tall
• Slowly lower your buttocks towards your heels feeling a nice stretch in your lower back/hips.
• Let your forehead rest on the floor
• Place arms resting alongside your body
• Or you can place arms above head, gently stretching as they are placed on the floor
• If it is easier too, you can widen knees as you stretch out

Those small yoga seeds—put by my first teacher long past — have continued to grow/flourish. I’m a fully certified yoga teacher and revel in sharing my practice with students every week now. May you find peace on your own journey and pain relief too, one pose at a time. Namaste.

There are 3 primary parts of exercise: cardiovascular exercise, strengthening exercises, and flexibility training. And let’s face it—those first 2 typically get more emphasis. Cardiovascular exercise (running, for example—anything which gets your pulse up) and strength training (lifting weights) come with some rather immediate outcomes. They help us build muscle and lose weight , all while helping us be more fit. It takes longer to see those advantages.
But here’s the deal: flexibility becomes more significant as you grow old. Being limber can help battle those aches and pains related to aging; stretching can help you maintain better joint health. It can also make those daily jobs—carrying groceries, going up and down stairs etc. much easier.

However, you can’t wake up when you’re 64 and unexpectedly be equally as adaptable as you were when you were 24. It’s much better and even more efficient to work flexibility training into your workout routine throughout your own life.

(Rest assured: if you are 64 and were hoping to regain some of that youthful flexibility, you can start working it in your workout routine now. Simply be realistic concerning the outcomes. You will, most likely, never be as flexible as you once were, but working on flexibility at any age is rewarding.)

TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN OR PHYSICAL THERAPIST BEFORE BEGINNING A NEW WORKOUT PLAN

They could help you establish realistic targets and create a plan that best suits your life. You may want to think about working with a personal trainer to assist you ease into the brand new routine.

FLEXIBILITY TRAINING IS MORE THAN DOING A FEW STRETCHES

After a run is yes, better than nothing, doing a couple of hamstring stretches, but you won’t find as many long-term gains as you’d see from a flexibility plan that is more developed.

To get the most benefit from flexibility training, you should have a personalized program, one that takes into account your body and demands. As stated earlier, a personal trainer or physical therapist is able to help you develop the best plan for you.

And remember: the more time and attention you give to flexibility training, the more gains you’ll see—especially those long term gains.

TAKE YOUR ACTIONS INTO ACCOUNT

Think, also, about your daily life: does your job involve a lot of sitting or lifting?

A personalized flexibility training program is able to help you enhance your freedom (how well your joints move) and stability (keeping good posture and body alignment during actions in order for your body isn’t under undue strain). It can allow you to excel in sports or your activities, in addition to help you take good attention to your body on a daily basis.

GIVE SPECIAL FOCUS TO MUSCLES THAT FEEL TIGHT

The shoulders, chest, hamstrings, and hips are often tight, but you may find tightness in other regions depending on harms, pressure in your lifetime, or how rough a particular workout was. By tailoring your flexibility training to your body, you’ll prevent overstretching muscles—or muscles that are lost that need consideration.

YOUR BODY KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR IT

Listen to your body, and don’t push it too much when you’re stretching. Instead, ease into a stretch when you’ve reached the limit of what you are able to do at that point, and understand.

Also, you need to prevent ballistic stretches—that sort of extending where you bounce in and out of the stretch. That strategy isn’t as successful holding the stretch for about 10 to 30 seconds and then as slowly stretching your muscles.

YOU CAN BE CREATIVE WITH STRETCHING

Within the plan that was developed for you, you can use resistance balls, towels, or other props that’ll allow you to go deeper in your stretches. Assortment will also make you more likely to stay with your flexibility training plan.

WARM UP FOR STRETCHING

You may be a bit confused—isn’t stretching a warmup? How do you warm up for stretching? This is where a brisk walk or short jog can help: get your heart pumping and your muscles limber before stretching.

TAKE A FLEXIBILITY COURSE IN THE FITNESS CENTER

Assess your gym’s class program; it may be that they have a few flexibility or stretching classes. Sometimes these courses combine cardiovascular work, strength training, and flexibility work—all 3 parts of exercise in one class! Or you may take a class that’s exclusively focused on stretching.

YOUR MIND CAN STRETCH

Pilates and yoga are outstanding flexibility training trainings. Plus, they teach you about relaxation, meditation, and other head-body techniques—ways to help calm your body and emotions, which can, subsequently, make your body more receptive to being stretched.

STRETCHING IS SIGNIFICANT FOR EVERYONE

Maybe you’ve got this bogus organization with extending—that only individuals in rehabilitation do it or that it’s only for individuals who aren’t actually in shape (that’s: it’sn’t “real” exercise). Well, it’s time to go past that misconception. Everyone should stretch. Look for inspiration or proof at Olympic and professional athletes: they know that flexibility training is a key section of peak performance.

YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT

It needs to be part of your routine, for stretching to be as effective as possible. This isn’t something which you do for a few weeks and after that move on. Regular stretching and flexibility work—along with cardiovascular exercise and strength training —will assist you to take good care of your own body for years to come.

High-intensity exercise may help older adults reverse certain aspects of the “cellular” aging process, a new study suggests.

It’s no secret that regular exercise is healthy for young and old alike. But researchers said the new findings point to particular benefits from “high-intensity interval training” for older adults. That’s the type of workout that combines brief bursts of vigorous exercise with periods of moderate activity: A person might, for example, go all-out on a stationary bike for a few minutes, ease up for the next few, and then start again.

In this study, older adults who performed that type of exercise showed greater changes at the cellular level, compared to those who worked out more moderately. Specifically, interval training gave a bigger boost to mitochondrial function in the muscle. Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” within body cells that break down nutrients to be used for energy. The training also revved up activity in more genes related to mitochondrial function and muscle growth.

Chiropractic care is extremely beneficial for many different conditions; some obvious while others are more obscure. Structural issues that affect the knees are often very responsive to chiropractic treatment. In the case of chondromalacia patellae and other knee problems, it has proven to reduce pain and help improve the condition considerably, providing the patient with increased mobility and flexibility.

Chondromalacia Patellae (aka Runner’s Knee)

Approximately 40 percent of injuries that runners experience are knee injuries. These injuries fall under the umbrella term of “runner’s knee.” This includes chondromalacia patellae which may also be referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFMS).

Other runner’s knee injuries include iliotibial band syndrome, and plica syndrome. Chondromalacia patellae is one of the more common forms of runner’s knee, along with PFMS. Rest and ice are typical remedies, but when that doesn’t work or when the pain and mobility difficulties return once the patient returns to normal activities, chiropractic care is often a good treatment option.

Chondromalacia Patella

The knee is a marvelous piece of machinery. It is constructed to take the impact of the body’s weight, bending, and moving. Under the kneecap is a layer of cartilage which acts as a natural shock absorber. Injury, overuse, aging, or other conditions can cause damage to that cartilage.

This condition causes pain and impaired mobility, most commonly when the knees are in use such as walking up or down stairs. The pain may decrease with rest and ice, but sometimes that simply isn’t enough. Traditional treatments include physical therapy, medication for pain, and surgery.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of chondromalacia patellae is pain in the front of the knee. It is often described as a dull ache that is deep in the knee. This pain is often made worse when the patient sits with their knee bent for a long time, when they squat or kneel, or when they walk up and down stairs.

The more the patient uses the knee, the worse it is. However, rest and ice can work fairly quickly to help relieve the pain. If the pain persists even with rest and ice, then more aggressive care is usually advised. While traditionally doctors prescribe medication and even surgery, more patients are gravitating to drug free, less invasive treatments for knee pain. Chiropractic is a viable option.

Causes & Risk Factors

The exact cause of chondromalacia patellae is not known. Doctors have been able to link the condition to several factors. Overuse of the knee places repetitive stress on the joint. This is commonly seen in sports or activities that involve a lot of jumping or running.

Poor muscle control is another common factor. The muscles that surround the knee and hip don’t function properly so that tracking of the kneecap is “off.” Injury is another common factor with chondromalacia patellae. When the kneecap endures a trauma such as fracture or dislocation.

There are several factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing chondromalacia patellae. Age is often noted in young adults and adolescents. Older individuals with knee pain are usually experiencing effects of arthritis.

Gender is another risk factor. Women develop the condition twice as often as men. Doctors theorize that this is due to the skeletal structure of a woman – the pelvis is wider which increases the angle where the bones of the knee joint meet.

Individuals who participate in certain sports, such as those that involve a lot of jumping and running, are at an increased risk of developing the condition. This is particularly true if they suddenly increase their level of training.

Chiropractic Treatment

Successful chiropractic treatments for chondromalacia patellae include nutritional intervention as well as adjustments and stretches. The treatment is designed to stretch shortened hamstrings and adjust the sacroiliac joint.

The point of much of the treatment is to improve tracking of the kneecap and increase motor control. Some practitioners use soft tissue work to help patients with knee pain. The whole body approach that chiropractic care offers not only provides relief from knee pain, but often cures or reduces the condition itself.

If you or a loved one are suffering from knee pain, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic will do a thorough exam to determine the proper treatment protocol for your condition. You don’t have to live with pain. Again, give us a call. We’re here to help!

When we think of cheerleaders we usually think of pretty girls in colorful outfits, pom pom's in hand, cheering for their team. They are way more than that though. Cheerleaders are serious athletes.

It has taken a while, but the public is finally starting to realize just how true this is. Data collected by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research (NCCSIR), between 1982 and 2009 cheerleaders made up for more than 70 percent of catastrophic injuries in women’s college sports. At the high school level that number exceeded 60 percent.

Some claim that this high percentage of injuring among cheerleaders to be due to lax regulations at the state level. Some states refuse to recognize cheerleading as a sport and organizations such as the NCAA don’t either.

This leaves an already potentially dangerous activity without proper oversight of the government or regulating agencies. It also means that some people who manage cheer squads and organize competitions are not required to get the same coaching and safety training standards that those in other sports do.

Since chiropractic treats the whole body through not just structurally via spinal adjustments, but also through soft tissue techniques, patients can receive complete care after an injury and during rehabilitation. Cheerleaders are finding that chiropractic treatment provides numerous benefits and can even make them better athletes.

Cheerleaders

Chiropractic Helps To Improve Range Of Motion

Chiropractic care helps to improve a person’s range of motion which in turn helps to prevent injury and relieve the pain of injury. Chiropractic is growing in its popularity within the field of sports medicine because of its effectiveness. A 2010 study published in The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association showed that chiropractic made a significant difference in performance.

Chiropractic Helps To Prevent Injury

Even when no injury is present, athletes can benefit from chiropractic care. This is especially true in high impact sports like cheerleading where athletes push their bodies beyond limits through acrobatics and some of the strenuous tricks that they do in the course of their sport. Chiropractic helps to loosen muscles, making them more pliable and flexible, thus less prone to injury.

Chiropractic Helps To Relieve Pain From Injury

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in March 2011 shows that chiropractic for pain relief can alleviate the pain of hamstring injury. The study was conducted over the course of a football season and involved 43 professional cheerleaders for football various football teams.

Throughout the study the cheerleaders received specific exercise intervention. At the end of the study those who had reported pain due to a hamstring injury experienced significant pain reduction after receiving chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic Can Increase Physical Strength

While chiropractic is typically considered a therapy for alleviating skeletal and muscular complaints, a study in 2011 showed that it can also improve physical strength. The study involved judo athletes competing at the national level who used cervical spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). The final results of the study showed a 16 percent improvement in grip strength among the athletes who received only three SMT sessions.

The case for chiropractic treatment for athletes is very strong. It can help during training, recovery from injury, rehabilitation, and at every point in between. Although cheerleaders are still in their infancy of being recognized as serious athletes, the case for chiropractic care as a viable sports medicine therapy to improve performance and recover from injury is significant. The benefits that cheerleaders can receive from chiropractic treatment, as we can see, can really give them something to cheer about both on the field and off.

Cheerleader Discusses Chiropractic Treatment

Orthotics: It's good to have options.

Individuals who suffer from a recurring medical condition, as well as those who experience an injury of one form or another, maintain the same overall goals; manage the pain, find a successful treatment option, and heal as quickly as possible. Fortunately, chiropractic care helps promote healing and strengthen the body by working on it in its entirety.

Experienced chiropractors understand there are some other treatments in addition to chiropractic care that help aid pain management, increase mobility, and decrease healing time. Depending on the condition, individuals may experience a wide array of benefits from blending these treatments into their chiropractic treatment.

One such treatment is orthotics or inserts. If life were a sandbox, chiropractic care and orthotics would be the best of friends. They treat muscle and skeletal conditions, as does chiropractic treatment. Some of the key benefits of utilizing orthotics as treatment include:

Greater Support: Orthotics

Orthotics created to "brace" the body part that is not at full performance strength allows it to heal faster.

Success In Keeping Certain Areas Immobile

Sometimes a person's injury requires little or no movement, and orthotics serve this scenario well.

Decreasing Weight Bearing On The Particular Body Part

Feet, for example, bear a great deal of the body's weight, making them one of the more difficult parts of the body to achieve healing. Inserts provide the weight bearing assistance needed to give the body time to repair and heal itself.