The Facts About Varicose Veins



Hiding your legs inside long socks and tights
doesn't eliminate those varicose veins!



 They are unsightly and painful and one out of every two adults over 50 suffers from them. Varicose veins are enlarged veins, often dark blue and purple in color, that appear to be swollen and twisted, very close to the surface of the skin. Although they usually appear on the calves and the inside of the legs, they may affect any area of the body.

 

To determine whether you might be at a greater risk to develop varicose veins, consider the following:

 

• A family history of varicose veins (genetic predisposition)
• Obesity
• Pregnancy (due to increased pressure on the legs)
• A job that requires long periods of standing
• Frequent heavy lifting
• Sitting for long periods of time with crossed legs
• Eating a low-fiber diet that causes constipation

There are certain things you can do to try to prevent varicose veins, including:

• Exercise on a regular basis; walking in particular increases the strength of the veins in your legs
• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed
• Elevate your legs while sitting or resting
• Get up and walk around every 30-45 minutes if you work in a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time
• Try not to stand for long periods of time. If you must, shift your weight frequently from foot to foot and wear support stockings or socks
• Maintain a healthy weight for your height
• Eat a high fiber diet, including bran, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure regular bowel movements

Most of the time, no treatment is necessary for varicose veins. Chiropractic care, which is known to improve the flow of blood through the body, may help relieve and/or control varicose veins. Please call our practice to discuss your concerns; we will be happy to meet with you.

 

 

Winner! Winner! Winner! Winner!

Winner of our T-Shirt Photo Contest. 

Marilyn Johnson. 

I thank her for her "originality" in crawling in

with her T-Shirt on.

PMS Again???

What can you do to save yourself - and your loved ones - from your PMS symptoms?

You’re cranky, tired, achy and irritable. You feel bloated and you cry easily. You crave salt and chocolate and you say things you really don’t mean. The scale tips upward and your mood shifts are even making you feel like you’re crazy! Ah yes, it’s your favorite time of the month – PMS, premenstrual syndrome, is raging once again and your family has headed for the hills. What makes you feel this way?

 

No one really knows what causes PMS, but it is thought to be largely hormonal and may occur due to elevated estrogen levels, decreased progesterone levels, and the hormonal interaction with other brain chemicals. It generally occurs two to 14 days before the first day of your menstrual cycle, and symptoms tend to subside once menstruation begins.

 

Classic PMS symptoms fall into two categories:

 

Physical, such as bloating, weight gain, headache, backache, fatigue, breast tenderness or swelling,
increased appetite/cravings

 

Emotional – such as irritability, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, bouts of crying, tension, hostility

 

There are many non-drug alternatives that reduce the severity of or even relieve PMS symptoms, including: 

• Dietary changes, including increasing your intake of leafy green vegetables, fish with omega-3 oils (tuna, salmon, shellfish), grains, lean proteins 
• Exercise, because it releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins which are natural mood elevators that help reduce bloating and weight gain 
• Frequent hydrating, by drinking plenty of water you actually reduce swelling/bloating 
• Stress reduction techniques, such as prayer and meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or spending time doing a favorite hobby or activity 
• Chiropractic care, shown to be helpful in relieving many PMS symptoms in several studies1,2,3 when receiving two to three adjustments during the weeks leading up to the onset of the menstrual cycle. 

If you’re plagued with the symptoms of PMS (or know someone who is), call our practice and arrange to come in and speak with Dr. John Ross. Hear our success stories in caring for patients with PMS.

 

1Thompson, P.R.,Fisher, B.L., Carpenter, P.A. et al. Effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy in a treatment of primary dysmenorrheal: A pilot study. JMPT, 1979, 2,pp.140-145

 

2 Liebel, N.A. & Butler, L.M. A chiropractic approach to the treatment of dysmenorrheal. JMPT 1990,13 pp. 101-106

 

3 Stude, D.E. The management of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. JMPT, 1991, 14, pp.209-216

Chiropractic and Depression

 

 

 

We all experience highs and lows. But when the lows become increasingly often and begin to interfere with the functions of daily living, then it’s a cause for concern. Depression affects twice as many women as men and most people fail to seek the help they need. Those that do, usually receive some type of drug therapy.

Common symptoms of depression include: 

• Chronic fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Overwhelming sadness
• Hyper-irritability
• Poor concentration
• Changes in appetite
• Withdrawal
• Chronic physical symptoms
• Thoughts of suicide

Depression is really a whole body condition that affects body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is not something to be ashamed of, nor is it something you can simply wish away. You can’t just “snap out of it” or put on a happy face and think it away.

 

A recent study, conducted by Duke University Medical Center, compared exercise with the use of a popular antidepressant. Those taking the drug saw a 38% relapse in their symptoms. In the exercise-only group, only 8% of participants experienced a relapse. Exercise may be a key element in elevating your mood and improving your health – whether you’re depressed or not.

 

But remember, we experience everything in life through our nervous systems. If our nervous systems are compromised, our life experience will be compromised. One more reason to seek safe and natural chiropractic care first.

Women's Series #2

Those Painful Monthly Cramps

A warm, soothing hot bath can relax away those pains.

                                                   

It’s that time of the month again and you’re in agony. What causes you to suffer from these dreadful cramps every month? Believe it or not, more than 90% of all women have menstrual cramps at some point in their lives and a little more than 50% experience menstrual cramps every month for one or two days either right before or at the onset of their period.

Although menstrual cramps occur more often during the teenage years, some women experience them well into their twenties and beyond. One in ten women experience pain so bad, they’re unable to go about their daily routine for several days each month.

What causes painful menstrual cramps and what can be done to alleviate the pain?

Cramps are caused by contractions of the uterus. Like all other muscles in the body, the uterus contracts on a regular basis and then relaxes. Right around the time of your period, these contractions become stronger and this is what produces the pain and discomfort.

The following natural remedies may help relieve the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps:

* Regular exercise, such as walking
* Adding additional calcium and zinc to your diet
* The use of certain herbal remedies that have anti-spasmodic properties, including Viburnum prunifolium, Scutellaria spp. and Cimicifuga raemosa

* Soaking in a warm bath that has been prepared with aromatherapy oils (have you tried lavender?) 

* Warm compresses or a heating pad, which can be applied to the lower abdomen to ease the pain 

* Relaxing and putting your feet up to alleviate stress
* Good, old fashioned chiropractic adjustments

We’re aware that many women who suffer from menstrual cramps also experience frequent back pain. Is there a connection? Both may be related to vertebral subluxation complex in the lower spine that affects the nerves that serve the female anatomy. It’s been our experience that many women report a decrease in the frequency and severity of their menstrual cramps when they receive regular chiropractic adjustments.

Have you given it a try?

Women's Series

Pamper Yourself Healthy!



Remember, you’re a human being, not a human doing! Slow down. Pamper yourself. You deserve it.

You’re a woman who may be wearing way too many hats – wife, mother, coach, taxi driver, chef, laundress, shopper, maid, employee, employer, handywoman, nurse…the list could go on and on with the number of roles you play and jobs you have to do each and every day.

So…when do you make time for you?

It’s important that you find the time to pamper yourself. Women are generally so used to giving of themselves to their families and others that they seldom take time to give to themselves in little ways that make a difference. “Pamper myself? Why I just don’t have the time,” you might say.

Make the time – it’s healthy and you deserve it.

Here are some ways to treat yourself to some of the “little” things that lift your spirit and keep you healthy:

• Take a nice half-hour bubble bath – and lock the bathroom door!
• Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure…or both!
• Get a relaxing half-hour massage – or better yet – go for an hour!
• Sit in a comfortable chair and put your feet up for a half hour – maybe even take a little catnap!
• Try out a new hairstyle or some strategically placed highlights!
• Go to the local coffee shop with a book and sip a latte or some Chai tea while reading the romance novel you’ve been dying to start!
• Light some candles, put on some soft music, get yourself a cup of chamomile tea and sit in semi darkness. Now…relax your body, mind and spirit!
• Get a babysitter and go out on a date with your husband or significant other – pampering both of you!

It’s important for your health and well-being to take care of yourself in the same way you care for others. And with that said – keep to your regular chiropractic adjustment schedule. Stress has a way of doing some real damage to you physically, mentally and emotionally and chiropractic adjustments keep you on an even keel!

PHOTO CONTEST

Just how photogenic are you?

You need to take the most interesting picture of you and/or your family members wearing our T-Shirt in the most interesting situation.

The Winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.

Deadline for receiving the picture (by e-mail only) is  September 1, 2011.  Dr. Ross (the official photographer for the clinic) will be the judge.

Winner is chosen on September 14, 2011.

E-mail your picture(s) to  Doc@DocRoss.com