Injury is the mother of invention

For the first time in 15 years, I can't run. I have a stubborn case of iliotibial band friction syndrome, which causes knee pain about five minutes into my run. It also hurts when I go downstairs and sometimes while walking. The problem, according to my osteopath, isn't the knee, it's the hip. My pelvis tilts forward, which tugs on the iliotibial band, which in turn tugs on my kneecap.

I'm no stranger to the aches and pains of running. But to date, I've always managed to keep running by modifying my training and paying attention to my pre-and post-run habits. I ran through a bout of plantar fasciitis (heel pain), three weeks after abdominal surgery, through a flare-up of piriformis syndrome (pain in the butt) and the occasional bout of non-specific knee pain (patella-femoral syndrome).

To be truthful, my knee has been bothering me on and off for years, but I've usually been able to manage it with extra stretching and reducing the volume and intensity of my workouts. If the pain still wouldn't abate, a tune-up at the osteopath did the trick.

I followed the same strategy when the knee flared up this time. In fact, I was able to run with little or no pain through most of the summer as long as I didn't run every day, kept my time to an hour and, on the advice of the osteopath, stayed away from hills.

That was all well and good until I went on vacation in the middle of August, and was surrounded by hills and country roads. To make matters worse, the roads were banked, which means one leg was always lower than the other -a no-no for anyone with IT band problems.

Yet despite the perfect storm of conditions that were guaranteed to make the knee worse, I ran. My husband has long claimed that runners are crazy. My dentist, who is a runner, prefers to describe runners as stubborn. I plead guilty to both.

The results of my folly were predictable. One week after returning from vacation, my knee called it quits 10 minutes into my run. I hobbled home and have been struggling through pain ever since. Four weeks and several visits to the osteopath later, I am still not running.

Not being able to pull on my shoes and go for a run has been a big adjustment. One of the reasons I love running is that it can be done anywhere, any time and with a minimum of preparation. I also love exercising outdoors, especially in the fall.

The first week without running, I headed to my local outdoor pool. I'm a swimmer, so it's an easy form of cross training, and a 2,000-metre workout is an adequate substitution for an hour pounding the pavement.

But with the closing of the outdoor pools, my motivation to swim waned and I climbed on a stationary bike. At the gym I use one of the Expresso bikes, which offers a tough virtual ride that is challenging and engaging. And on those days when a gym workout doesn't happen, I spend 45 minutes in my basement pedalling away while watching reruns of HBO television series on my computer - a horribly boring way to work up a sweat.

I also decided to venture outdoors on my bike, which until now has been used strictly to get from here to there. More of a touring bike than a road bike, it's not built for speed or performance, but on a beautiful fall day it beats the heck out of cycling in my basement.

I am by no means an efficient cyclist, and I admit that cycling alongside traffic and city buses takes some getting used to, but 90 minutes on my bike outdoors is a breeze compared to the 45 minutes I spend cranking the pedals on the stationary bike in my basement. And despite the limitations of my old touring bike, an outdoor ride beats the indoor version by a long shot.

Another part of my self-improvement plan is a commitment to dial back on the cardio and do more complementary workouts. So I am struggling through power yoga once a week in hopes of stretching out my chronically tight hamstrings. I've also revitalized my core workout and added some more upper-body exercises to my weekly routine.

The message in all of this is that sometimes it takes an injury to force you into doing what you should have been doing all along. It may take years, but bad habits will come back to haunt you, so take a look at your fitness routine and start mixing it up. Being fit means finding the right balance of activities so that your body reaps the rewards of exercise without the stress of too much repetition.

Variety is a runner's best friend. Stubbornness is not.

Author: J. Barker Source: montrealgazette.com

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain (LBP) - simple cure but not so simple to do. Pain in the low back region is the most common muscular skeletal disorder of industrialised societies today and the number one cause of disability in persons under the age of 45.

What is the cause of LBP?

It is a link between a persons current posture, work habits, home recreational activities on top of old childhood injuries. We find that by the time a person is working they have received numerous minor disc injuries while growing up. These are usually caused by regular childhood games, sports, falls and tumbles.

Pelvic Torsion Syndrome (PTS) would be, in our opinion, the most common underlying cause of LBP that leads to disc lesions and sciatica. Even a disc lesion has an underlying cause - this is the PTS.

Solution

The way to correct this is quite simple but does take some skill to accomplish it well. The cranial osteopathic approach (as well as some chiropractic) uses the cranial mechanism to find which way the pelvis is twisted. We then unwind this twist and - most of the pain is gone almost miraculously and with no relation to disc bulges or prolapsed.  However, sciatic pain due to disc herniation will inevitably require much more work if the bulge is pressing against the nerve.

Osteopathic Principles

1. The body is a unit.

2. Structure and Function are reciprocally inter-related.

3. The body possesses self-regulatory mechanism.

4. The body has the inherent capacity to defend and repair itself.

5. When the normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body’s capacity for self maintenance, disease may ensue.

6. The movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health.

7. The nerves play a crucial part in controlling the fluids of the body.

8. There are somatic components to disease that are not only manifestations of disease, but also are factors that contribute to maintenance of the disease state.

Why Osteopathy?

Osteopathic manual practitioners assess and treat your body as a whole, because:

• symptoms sometimes show up in a different part of your body from where the problem actually is
• there may be several factors contributing to the symptoms you experience

Osteopathic treatment is efficient, which helps to minimize the number of visits you need. Practitioners go through many years of training to develop their highly refined palpatory skills.

Examples of conditions and problems that osteopathic manual practitioners can help treat.

Children's Issues

• colic
• spitting up
• sucking difficulty
• delayed development
• birth trauma
• otitis media

Pain

• neck pain
• back pain
• sciatica
• headaches and migraines
• jaw pain and TMJ syndromes
• pain resulting from motor vehicle accidents
• pain resulting from over-use and sports injuries

Systemic Problems

• neurological syndromes
• digestive disorders
• genitourinary problems
• chronic infectious disease
• circulatory problems

Pregnancy Issues

• back pain
• digestive upset
• edema and swelling

Respiratory Illness

• asthma
• bronchitis
• pleurisy
• allergies
• Ear, Nose and Throat Problems
• chronic ear infections
• recurrent sore throats
• frequent colds
• glaucoma
• sinusitis
• tinnitus

Note: It is important that you speak with your medical doctor for the complete diagnosis of any medical condition.

 

Alternative healing

Every day thousands of people head to their chiropractor’s office for an adjustment.  They have a variety of complaints and ailments and the chiropractor is there to assist them in feeling better.  But what if chiropractic could be combined with other alternative therapies to assist these patients to obtain optimum health and wellness?  

The medical field is about to undergo an amazing transformation in the way it operates and delivers healing to patients.  Some chiropractors believe primary care physicians will become obsolete by the year 2015 and in their place will spring alternative healing concepts such as chiropractors, Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists and naturopaths.  This is in reaction to the insurance crises going on in our country today.  

Common questions

Does Osteopathy Hurt?

Techniques used by Osteopaths should not hurt you at all. If techniques do hurt, tell your Osteopath, so they may adjust their technique. Sometimes, if your tissues are very inflamed due to injury, treatment may seem a little sore because your tissues are so inflamed and tender.

Can Osteopathy damage my back?

Applied correctly, Osteopathic techniques cannot harm you. Ensure that your Osteopath is registered with the General Osteopathic Council, and you will know you are in safe hands.

Will I feel better straight away?

The answer to this question depends on the condition the patient presents with. It is possible to leave an Osteopathic treatment pain free, but this is very rare as the majority of patients present to an Osteopath as a last resort, after having been in pain for a long time. The earlier you visit your Osteopath, the quicker they can get you better.

Osteopathic Solution to Migraine

We find the most common cause of structural oriented head pain is the TMJ or jaw. The mandible is a moving structure that is prone to alignment problems. One cause of this alignment is 'bruxing' or clenching the jaw. This is a very common problem as people live under greater degrees os stress and tension - jaw clenching is a result of this phenomena.

Another cause is dental work. After extractions the membranes at the back of the jaw can be left in tension, A small bony protrusion as part of the sphenoid bone can become locked in the wrong position and needs releasing. this technique is one of the most dramatic as it provides immediate relief. Another cause can be cervical alignment issues. The upper vertebrae can be pulled into a lateral position which causes blood restrictions and local neck pain radiating up to the base ofd the skull.

Another cause can be tension head aches. These usually originate in the neck and back muscles. There are points behind the scapula and upper shoulder that are very tight and will refer pain to the back and over the front of the head.

We treat all of these conditions regularly. The most common result is - pain free after one session. 

So we offer you another option to clear your pain - find a good experienced cranial osteopath or join our family of patients. We have them travel from all over Australia - even from major cities up to Brisbane. Staying over the weekend they receive treatment on a Friday and the Monday then travel back - Migraine free.

Osteopathic and Chiropractic. What is a difference?

The fundamental philosophy behind Chiropractic is that all disease within the body has its origin within restrictions of the spine, preventing correct neurological and circulatory supply to the organs and muscles of the body. Chiropractors therefore work to release restrictions found within the joints of the body.

Osteopaths work to release the restrictions within the joints of the body as Chiropractors do, with the same philosophies as Chiropractors do, but also work very much with muscles, addressing the influence that muscular dysfunction / tightness / imbalance can have on the functioning of joints. They work closely with exercise prescription with the aim of ensuring permanent relief from pain wherever possible.

Osteopaths believe that treatment alone is not enough to correct a problem within the body; the patient must maintain the effects of treatment through self management techniques.

Foundation Position Statement on Chiropractic & Stroke

There is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes. The claims and statements that have been made and that have been interpreted by plaintiff attorneys and plaintiff experts to contend a link are based largely on anecdotes, case reports, and case controlled studies. 

A multitude of systematic distortions (biases) may effect the results and conclusions drawn from case-control studies. Other criteria must be used to determine whether a purported association is actually causative because an association does not prove causation. At this point in time due to the rarity with which vertebrobasilar accidents occur within this population, experimental evidence in humans and prospective cohort studies examining the hypothesis that chiropractic adjustments cause stroke - do not exist. In fact, recent research shows no evidence of excess risk of VBA stroke associated with chiropractic care as compared to primary care.

Regarding advising on risks - a risk should be disclosed if a reasonable patient in what the doctor knows or should know to be the patient’s position, would be likely to attach significance to the risk or cluster of risks in deciding whether to forego the proposed therapy. Patients and doctors must make this decision based upon appropriate information. Since there is no human experimental evidence that chiropractic adjustments or neck manipulations are causally related to strokes, it is inappropriate to require a doctor to suggest that such a risk exists. 

Further, chiropractors utilize a number of techniques to address joint dysfunction and vertebral subluxation. Many techniques do not employ the type of manipulation that has been alleged to be a factor in vertebrobasilar accidents. This adds to the inappropriate nature of such a disclosure.  

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow happens mostly in patients between the ages of 30 years to 50 years. It can occur in any age group. Tennis elbow can affect as many as half of athletes in racquet sports. However, most patients with tennis elbow are not active in racquet sports. Most of the time, there is not a specific traumatic injury before symptoms start. Many individuals with tennis elbow are involved in work or recreational activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscles. Some patients develop tennis elbow without any specific recognizable activity leading to symptoms.

Symptoms

The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. You may also experience pain and in your forearm as well. The pain is often worse when you use your arm and elbow, particularly for twisting movements.

The symptoms of tennis elbow can vary in severity, but you will usually experience those that are listed below.

• Recurring pain on the outside of your upper forearm, just below the bend of the elbow. Sometimes, pain may also be felt down your arm towards the wrist.
• Pain that is caused by lifting, or bending, your arm.
• Pain when writing, or when gripping small objects, such as a pen.
• Pain when twisting your forearm - for example, when turning a door handle.
• Difficulty extending your forearm fully.

The pain that is caused by tennis elbow usually lasts for between 6-12 weeks. However, some people have pain for as little as three weeks, while others may experience discomfort in their elbow joint for several years.

The pain can range from mild discomfort when using your elbow, to severe pain that can be felt even when your elbow is still, or when you are sleeping. You may have stiffness in your arm, which gets progressively worse as the damage to your tendon increases.

As your body tries to compensate for the weakness in your elbow, you may also experience pain, or stiffness, in other parts of the affected arm, the shoulder, or neck.

Tips and advice how to avoid brittle bone disease

By heeding the following tips and advice recommended by the American Chiropractic  Association, Americans, young and old can adjust their lifestyles to avoid this brittle bone disease:

• Start a regular exercise program. Walking, skipping rope, jogging, playing racket sports, swimming and aerobics are all helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. These types of weight-bearing activity for 20 minutes, three times a week, are helpful.
• Although weight lifting exercises are generally recommended, the National Osteoporosis Foundation says those suffering from osteoporosis should consult their health care practitioner before beginning a weight lifting program, because excessive strain on the bones could result.
• Those with severe osteoporosis and who have suffered from fractures may find Tai Chi, a form of martial arts, to be a beneficial strength training exercise system.
• People suffering from osteoporosis should be careful when bending and lifting heavy objects, including grandchildren. Bend from the knees, not the waist, when lifting, and try to avoid hunching while sitting or standing.
• Be sure to include calcium in your daily diet. The National Institutes of Health's recommendations are 1,000 mg/day for post-menopausal women taking estrogen; 1,500 mg/day for post-menopausal women not taking estrogen, and 1,500 mg/day for men and women over 65 years of age.
• If you are looking for a calcium supplement, try one that's highly absorbable, such as microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC), or one of the malates, fumarates, succinates, glutarates, or citrates. But don't overdo it. Taking more than the recommended amount of calcium may cause kidney stones.
• Consider taking additional nutritional supplements, such as vitamins D, C, magnesium, zinc, and silica after consulting with your doctor of chiropractic.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, including fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. Try broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage, and turnip greens.
• Experiment with tofu, salmon, sardines, and grains. Low-fat milk and/or yogurt are good sources of calcium. (A glass of low-fat milk and a cup of yogurt add 600 mg of calcium to your daily diet)
• Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day (herb teas, juices and coffee are not a substitute for water.) Avoid caffeine, carbonated sodas, alcohol, baked goods and junk food.
• If you drink coffee, drink at least a similar amount of additional water along with the eight 8-ounce glasses of water.
• Watch your animal protein intake.

 

Osteopathic medicine

Osteopathic medicine is similar to traditional, or allopathic, medicine but it places a much greater emphasis on the role of normal body mechanics and the musculoskeletal system. One of the principles of osteopathic medicine is that the patient's illness and traumas are stored within the structure of their bodies

The osteopath, like a chiropractor, is trained to palpate (touch) the body to detect tissue texture, flow of fluids, and motion of joints, and to seek out impairments caused by traumatic injuries and chronic or acute illnesses. The objective of the osteopathic physician is to restore the body to its normal or full function by applying a precise amount of force to promote movement of fluids, (a rhythmic flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord), decompress joints and bones , and increase tissue function.

Like chiropractors in their philosophy and approach, osteopaths use only their hands to diagnosis and treat, sees the body as a single functional unit, and values the wisdom of the body's ability to heal itself.

The body is a unit where dysfunction in one areas can affect another area. For example, a disc problem in the neck can pull the legs and affect the way we walk. Treatment for the legs can significantly reduce the neck pain.

Why See an Osteopath?

The most common complaints for which patients consult Osteopaths include back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, pains in peripheral joints such as shoulders, knees and ankles, tendinitis and muscle strains, work-related and repetitive strain injuries, and sports-related injuries. Other conditions for which Osteopathy can play a significant role in reducing the severity of symptoms include asthma, gynaecological dysfunction, arthritic conditions and chronic fatigue.

When visiting an osteopath for the first time, a full case history will be taken as well as an examination. This generally requires the removing of some clothing and the performance of a simple series of movements.

The Osteopath will use a highly developed sense of touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. Osteopathic treatments are tailored to the requirements of the individual patient, and techniques are selected which are appropriate to the patient's needs. For some acute pain, one to two treatments may be all that is necessary. Chronic conditions may need ongoing maintenance averaging six to eight sessions.