WOMEN'S HEALTH

The Importance of Pelvic Floor Control

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Everyone can benefit from having strong pelvic floor muscles, but especially pregnant women.

“The pelvic floor muscles (the Levator Ani muscle complex) are known to have active roles in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as in spinal stabilization. When the pelvic floor muscles are damaged or stressed over time, health issues like incontinence and vaginal prolapses can crop up [1]. We know these are problems with massive emotional, physical, social and financial costs across the world and a significant cause of stress for these women.

prenatal chiropractor fort collins pelvic floor

For a woman in labor, the ability to relax pelvic floor muscles (as well as contract them) to allow the baby to move through the birth canal is incredibly important, especially as the baby crowns. If the woman can’t relax these muscles as the baby moves through, she will tire more quickly and may require more interventions to assist the birthing process [2]. Muscles that cannot relax could also interfere with a birth progressing without interference. In an ideal situation, strong pelvic floor muscles with an ability to relax would better prepare a mother for a natural, vaginal birth.”

Chiropractic care relieves subluxations, or misalignments of the vertebra which cause nerve interference, thus clearing up any miscommunications to the pelvic floor muscles.  Chiropractic adjustments help by giving the patient more control over their pelvic floor muscles, and in pregnancy can make vaginal childbirth easier.  Our doctors are Webster Certified and specialize in prenatal care, helping women become more comfortable during pregnancy, labor and delivery.

For those who aren’t pregnant, strengthening those pelvic floor muscles may mean a decreased risk of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and vaginal prolapse.

The direct quotes above come from the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, you can find the article entirely here.

A SPECIAL BLOG POST FOR OUR HARDWORKING WOMEN

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Since March 8th is International Women’s Day, it is important to take a minute to acknowledge one of the most common things that women suffer from, chronic stress. The National Institute for Health Research from the University of Cambridge did a study to identify what groups experience the most stress. They looked at gender, age, medical conditions, addiction and mental disorders. Their research showed that for every one male, 1.9 females are affected by anxiety disorders related to stress, and women younger than 35 are increasingly affected. Another study by the American Psychological Association showed that women are much more likely than men to report physical and emotional symptoms of stress including indigestion, fatigue, and headaches. In fact, studies consistently show that women score higher on the stress-o-meter than men. In a survey conducted in 2006 by the American Psychological Association (APA), 51 percent of women reported that stress had an impact on their lives. For this rising level of stress what are some ways stress affects our bodies and how can chiropractic help?

Many of us can see that physical stress can be associated with spinal misalignments but something one might not consider is how emotional stress can affect the spine. How is this possible? When a person is experiencing emotional stress several hormones are released. Initially, adrenaline is released which is also known as the fight or flight hormone. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands after receiving a message from the brain that a stressful situation has presented itself. Adrenaline, along with norepinephrine, are largely responsible for the immediate reactions we feel when stressed. Adrenaline causes your muscles to tense up, you’re breathing to hasten, and can even cause your body to sweat. Norepinephrine is also released to assist in your fight or flight reactions that stem from stress. A steroid hormone, cortisol, is also produced by the adrenal glands and is commonly referred to as the stress hormone. Cortisol is continuously released with chronic stress which can lead to suppression of the immune system (which makes it easier to get sick), increased blood pressure and sugar, decreased libido, acne production, obesity, and more. As you can see the muscles and glands of the body are highly impacted by chemical factors. Today, more than ever, we are hearing about the effect that emotional stress can have on the body which can result in spinal misalignment (subluxation) along with the severe nerve impact those misalignments have on the functioning of the nervous system.

How can Chiropractic help?

Chiropractors are trained to assess the bio-mechanics of the body in its current state and treat the disorders of the musculoskeletal system by realigning misaligned joints to increase the overall function of the nervous system and ultimately the entire body. As we learned earlier, chronic stress often causes misalignments throughout the spinal column especially in the nerves that control cognitive functions as well as immune function and digestive functions (these are the most common systems that chronic stress affects). Chiropractors focus their attention on realigning those areas of interests which can help to relieve the symptoms one might feel when chronically stressed. Chiropractors also use stress relieving therapies including essential oil therapy and referring out for massage therapy, yoga or meditation to help the patient’s overall wellness. Getting adjusted can help decrease chronic stress thereby relieving frequent headaches, digestive dysfunction and the overall improvement in an individual’s quality of life.

International Women’s Day is a day to say “thank you” to all the hardworking women in our lives. Each job is important and each causes a different level of stress in a woman’s life. A simple thank you or a gift of health to help relieve some of the symptoms of stress could help make her life even more rewarding. If you are a patient at Impact Chiropractic stop by the front desk on your way out to get the gift of health card to give to the special women in your life, they will be able to get their new patient exam and x-rays for huge discount!  Call the team at 970-223-5501 for more information.

Here at Impact Chiropractic, we support our hardworking women!

strong women quote 1.jpg

https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx

https://impact-chiropractic.com/

Natural Remedies for Hypothyroidism

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Feeling fatigued, stressed out? Do you notice that you’ve also been gaining weight for no apparent reason?  Constantly depressed and can’t get yourself out of this feeling?  These may be signs that you have hypothyroidism.

Over 20 million Americans have problems with how their thyroid is working.  Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is under-active and hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid is over-active. All hormones in your body work in sync with one another and need to have a delicate balance.

When looking into the thyroid function we recommend getting your thyroid levels checked, and specifically ask for T3, T4, Reverse T3, Antithyroglobulin Antibody (TG) & Antithyoidperozidase Antibody (TPO).  These are all important to truly know how your thyroid hormones are working with one another.  If you do have an imbalance, instead of only taking synthetic hormone replacement medications, try some of these natural remedies.

essential oils for hypothyroidism

Top 10 Natural Hypothyroidism Remedies

  1. Ashwagandha (500 mg/day) – Helps lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and balances T4 (thyroid hormone) levels
  2. Iodine (150-300 mcd/day) – Helps to resolve thyroid dysfunction.  Do not take if you have Hashimoto’s disease.
  3. Selenium (200 mcg/day) – is vital for the production of T3 (thyroid) hormone, get this through the food you eat.  A great source of selenium is Brazil nuts.
  4. L-tyrosine (500 mg 2x/day) – amino acid necessary for production of numerous thyroid hormones
  5. Fish Oil (1,000 mg/day) – essential fatty acids critical for the functioning of the thyroid
  6. Vitamin B Complex (1 complex capsule/day) – Especially B12 & thiamine are important for neurological function and balancing hormones
  7. Probiotic Supplements (50 billion CFU/serving) – Help to heal the gut and aid in nutrient absorption, necessary to properly take in your vitamins/minerals
  8. Frankincense essential oil – helps increase function of the thyroid gland, can rub directly onto the lower part of your neck
  9. Lemongrass and Myrrh essential oils (2-4 drops) – Mix them together, and can also rub directly onto the lower part of your neck
  10. Conservative Care – nutritional therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic all have benefits for relieving hormonal imbalances.

At Impact Chiropractic in Fort Collins, we help people with all sorts of health conditions find balanced hormones & their healthiest bodies. Book an appointment today to start your journey to wellness!

TOP 5 REASONS TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR

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1. PAIN RELIEF

This may be the most popular reason why people go to their chiropractor.  Misalignments to the spine cause stress to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves throughout the entire body. These misalignments can cause pain and soreness.  Instead of taking pain medications, that just cover up the cause of the problem and can cause negative side effects, chiropractic care is a safe and effective form pain management.

2. POSTURAL CORRECTIONS

Poor posture is extremely common for people of all ages.  We spend too much time at our computers, sitting down, being sedentary, and looking down at our phones.  “Text neck” is becoming a regular occurrence in the younger generations as they grow and develop with poor posture.  Regular spinal correction chiropractic care can improve uneven shoulders, unbalanced hip height, hunched backs, and curves throughout the spine.  Proper alignment will let the body perform at its best.

3. LESS STRESS/IMPROVED MOOD

Short term stress is not necessarily a bad thing, but long term stress becomes problematic to your health.  Stress starts to wear down all systems throughout the body.  When the body is misaligned, those systems can’t replenish themselves.  By balancing these systems, your body can take on these stressors, and it won’t be debilitating.  Less stress will also improve your mood.  Hormones will balance out so you won’t have as many mood swings, irritability, anxiety, etc.

4. INCREASED SLEEP/MORE ENERGY:

Chiropractic care, again, balances out the systems of the body.  Sleep centers found in the brain, determine when a person is awake and when a person is asleep.  These nerve communications need to be undisrupted in order to work properly.  Chiropractic adjustments help to restore the proper function of the nerves, so you get a better nights rest and wake up feeling more rested.  A better night’s sleep will give you more energy throughout the day.

5. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Chiropractic is good for every person, of every age, at any stage of their life.  We see infants, toddlers, adolescents, adults and the elderly… anyone with a spine can benefit from chiropractic care.  The body is meant to perform at its absolute best at all times, so when it isn’t, you need to find the cause of what is going on.  Instead of chasing around symptoms that are already occurring, prevent them by keeping the body healthy.  The best way to stay healthy is to take care of yourself before problems start showing up!

PROPER POSTURE

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Proper posture is important for people of all ages.  When you have proper posture, your entire body can function the way it is intended to.  Here in Fort Collins, Impact Chiropractic knows posture is the window to the spine.  If you have poor posture, you will have a poorly functioning mind and body.

fort collins chiropractor

The ACA’s website explains all you need to know about your posture.

“WHY IS GOOD POSTURE IMPORTANT?”

“Good posture helps us stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions that place the least strain on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement and weight-bearing activities. Correct posture:

  • Helps us keep bones and joints in correct alignment so that our muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain.
  • Reduces the stress on the ligaments holding the spinal joints together, minimizing the likelihood of injury.
  • Allows muscles to work more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy and, therefore, preventing muscle fatigue.
  • Helps prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and even back and muscular pain.

To maintain proper posture, you need to have adequate muscle flexibility and strength, normal joint motion in the spine and other body regions, as well as efficient postural muscles that are balanced on both sides of the spine. In addition, you must recognize your postural habits at home and in the workplace and work to correct them, if necessary.”

“CONSEQUENCES OF POOR POSTURE”

“Poor posture can lead to excessive strain on our postural muscles and may even cause them to relax, when held in certain positions for long periods of time. For example, you can typically see this in people who bend forward at the waist for a prolonged time in the workplace. Their postural muscles are more prone to injury and back pain.

Several factors contribute to poor posture-most commonly, stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, and high-heeled shoes.  In addition, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, and unhealthy sitting and standing habits can also contribute to poor body positioning.”

“HOW DO I SIT PROPERLY?”

  • Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don’t reach the floor.
  • Don’t cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
  • Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
  • Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
  • Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
  • Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
  • Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

“HOW DO I STAND PROPERLY?”

  • Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
  • Keep your knees slightly bent.
  • Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  • Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
  • Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward.
  • Tuck your stomach in.
  • Keep your head level-your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push your head forward, backward, or to the side.
  • Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you have to stand for a long time.

“WHAT IS THE PROPER LYING POSITION?”

  • Find the mattress that is right for you. While a firm mattress is generally recommended, some people find that softer mattresses reduce their back pain. Your comfort is important.
  • Sleep with a pillow. Special pillows are available to help with postural problems resulting from a poor sleeping position.
  • Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
  • Sleeping on your side or back is more often helpful for back pain.
  • If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs.
  • If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.

“CAN I CORRECT MY POOR POSTURE?”

“In a word, yes. Remember, however, that long-standing postural problems will typically take longer to address than short-lived ones, as often the joints have adapted to your long-standing poor posture. Conscious awareness of your own posture and knowing what posture is correct will help you consciously correct yourself. With much practice, the correct posture for standing, sitting, and lying down will gradually replace your old posture. This, in turn, will help you move toward a better and healthier body position.”

At Impact, our doctors can assist you with proper posture.  We can give you exercises which will improve your posture and help you stay in proper alignment. We can also assist you with choosing proper positions while doing activities at home and work, in order to help reduce risk of injury to your body.  Our goal is to have everyone in Fort Collins to have a healthy, balanced spine and nervous system.  You can’t look good on the outside if your spine doesn’t look good on the inside!

STRUGGLING WITH INFERTILITY

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Our office in Fort Collins provides chiropractic care to the entire family.  We love seeing each and every member of your family, and are most excited when couples are trying conceive and grow their family.  However, many women struggle to get pregnant each and every day.  Many women try different methods of fertility treatment (drugs, donors, IVF, etc) and still can not maintain a pregnancy.  Below is information found in a research article originally published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health in 2013.

It was noted that a 31 year old female who had neck tension and migraine headaches had also been struggling to conceive for 3 years.  She also noted heavy and painful menstruation with prolonged cycles.  After a full chiropractic examination and evaluation (including X-rays, thermography, surface EMG and heart rate variability) the chiropractor noted areas in the spine which were subluxated, or misaligned.  After just one adjustment she noted that her menstruation normalized.  After eight adjustments she reported back to the chiropractor that she was in fact pregnant!

chiropractic care and fertility When chiropractors relieve any interference to the nervous system, all cycles and functions in the body can begin to normalize and balance.  If you or someone you know is struggling with fertility, please pass this information along with them.  If you are looking for a chiropractor in the Fort Collins, Colorado area, stop in and visit us. Something you say could help turn a family of two into a family of three!

As always, continue to check out our Impact Chiropractic – Fort Collins Chiropractor Facebook page for current posts and pictures!