Archive for August 2017
Testosterone Deficiency and Osteoporosis: What You Need to Know
Osteoporosis is linked to diminishing testosterone levels
While the words postmenopause and osteoporosis are frequently linked, less so are the words testosterone and osteoporosis. But the number 2 million can’t lie: that is an estimate of men thought to be living with osteoporosis in the United States alone. And while lifestyle factors always play their part, osteoporosis is also onset by low/diminishing testosterone and estrogen levels in men. As men age, their hormone production rates naturally decrease, including the critical estradiol and testosterone. This contributes to a thinning of the spongy bone material which means less bone density and the classic symptoms of osteoporosis including:
- Back pain
- Bones vulnerable to fracture
- Loss of height and stooped posture
The Unstable Spine is the Norm
The unstable spine sets you up for a world full of problems
Anything great begins with a solid foundation. Whether it is something as abstract as an idea or as tangible as a skyscraper, everything builds from the bottom. The human body is no different: your spine is the foundation of your body. The spine has a say in every single movement you make; likewise, it’s health is influenced by every single move you make. Not surprisingly, spinal health begins at the foundation of the spine: the sacrum and the sacroiliac joints which connect spine and pelvis. Misalignment of the vertebrae at the base of the spine, and dysfunction in the sacroiliac joints contributes to an unstable spine.
Your Chronic Pain is Unique
Chiropractic is a healing science
Chronic pain is one of the least tangible and least understood parts of modern medicine; for every person who finds lasting pain relief with a given treatment, there are others with the same diagnosis who will not. This is because every body is different and thus, every body is attempting to heal itself differently. Then we add in the treatments of modern medicine: drugs, surgery, or physical therapy; and we make lifestyle adjustments including diet, exercise. But this traditional method for treating pain simply does not work for everyone! Many people are left frustrated at the waste of money, time and energy they have spent on treatments that have done little to nothing for improving their pain. Alternative medicine exists because of the people who seek alternatives- the people who are willing to try something different because they know that tradition hasn’t worked for them.
Thoughts on Back Pain and White Collar Work
Could white collar work actually take the title for worst career related to back pain?
Although the idea of working at a desk has been around for less time than say manual labor, nursing or construction work, it is quickly earning its title as being horrible for the spine. As specialists in the musculoskeletal form, we can tell you that the human body simply wasn’t meant to sit at a desk for any extended period of time. Unfortunately, more people are facing the reality of earning their living at a desk. If this is the case you face, make sure you are taking care of your spine first and foremost; after all, it is one of your greatest assets on the job!
Thoughts on Back Pain and Nursing
Nursing is the profession with the most back pain
Research consistently shows that nursing comes out on top in the list of professions with the highest rate of back-pain related complaints, even ahead of more obvious contenders such as construction work, or auto repair. What is it about this job that is so taxing on the spine? Most studies have shown that it has to do with lifting, one of the most aggravating motions for the human spine. Furthermore, nurses do a fair amount of bending, another motion that puts a disproportionate amount of pressure on intravertebral discs and threatens spinal degradation. What can we do to prevent a nurse’s job from hurting her spine?
Thoughts on Back Pain and Construction Work
Construction work is among the professions with the highest incidence of back-pain
It is not hard to see why. Causes for back pain in the construction industry are mainly related to heavy lifting but also include:
- Vibration and shock absorption involved in the use of heavy equipment
- Twisting and lifting
- Improper body mechanics while performing a variety of lifting movements
Most of these activities result in strains of the supportive soft tissue in the back which causes inflammation, muscle spasm and severe pain. Construction workers should always take steps to prevent back pain and consult with a back-care specialist when pain strikes.