Archive for March, 2010
Sacramento Chiropractor: Golf Injuries Can Be Averted
March 22nd, 2010 | 
Author: Injuries are very commonplace with any sort of sport. The smart thing to do is to find out what injury is likely to take place in a favorite sport and then to do whatever it takes to avoid it. Sadly, sports injuries can’t always be avoided. As a result, it’s important to be in good physical shape to make incurring injury less likely, or less traumatic. Before beginning a sport, such as golf, the most valuable thing you can do is to be confident that you have a suitable fitness level. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, making sure your joints are mobile and your muscles are limber, preparing your body prior to activity, using proper form and good postures while actively playing, and giving yourself sufficient cool down and relaxation time, you will probably keep your body safe from injury.
It isn’t just amateur golfers who get injured. Close to one-third of pro golfers play injured at any given time. On the positive side, all-round good health and fitness can decrease how many injuries you may incur and may possibly prevent them totally.
Good body strength in the muscle regions most used while playing golf is very important. However, before you attempt to build muscle strength, it’s important to determine that your spine is aligned and has good mobility. A successful golf swing is contingent upon your spine’s capacity to effectually rotate adequately. Back injuries are the most prevalent kind of injuries sustained by golfers. Your Sacramento chiropractor will establish that your spine is in appropriate alignment and that there is effectual movement of the vertebrae. Chiropractic care can go a long way in helping you to prevent back injury.
Once you’re “straightened” it’s time to strengthen. Being prepared for your round of golf is essential to safe, injury-free action on the green. Golf stretching and flexibility practices will warm up your muscles and make straining them less likely. Complete body range of motion (ROM) exercises will increase flexibility, fairly speedily, in all regions of the body. Additionally, elastic band conditioning offers targeted golf range of motion improvements and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Since elastic band training offers the dynamic resistance that general weight lifting does not, sports professionals, like your chiropractor, are making them a part of their golf conditioning programs.
Many golfers suffer from “Golfer’s Elbow” besides back injuries. Though golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are nearly identical injuries, there is a minute difference between them. Tennis elbow affects the outside of the upper arm whereas golfer’s elbow impinges the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be a reaction to a single intense action, such as (in golf) hitting the mat at the driving range or thrusting down on a hard fairway surface. Although, it generally develops from repetitive stress from smaller shocks. In addition, it can come upon those who abruptly begin to play too much golf. As a case in point, if individuals that generally play golf once or twice a month choose to enter into a tournament, they are potentially at risk for contracting the injury.
Golf makes unique requests of our body. The game is usually longer than most other sports and that can cause fatigue. Bad posture and reduced coordination are often the result of a fatigued body. These two factors combined can cause an assortment of injuries. In addition, because of the repetitive swinging of the golf clubs, the shoulder muscles are susceptible to injury. Just as it is essential for you to stretch and warm up before you start your golf game, be sure that you rest your body appropriately between games.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, often, a surprising injury connected with golf. But, since it an affliction that happens due to repetitive stress, many games of golf played over several months constantly may create this injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a an extremely damaging injury causing disability and occasionally necessitating surgery. However, if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, detects it at an early stage, chiropractic management and, sometimes, the use of a brace will alleviate the problem.
Injuries are assumed to be unavoidable part of life for many golfers. However, a healthy, mobile spine, dedicated preparation, appropriate exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and sustaining a a suitable fitness level, and sensible rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to make injuries far less a part of your golfing experience.
Dr. Yong Kim is a chiropractor in Sacramento with over thirteen years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1707 Professional Drive, Sacramento, CA 95825. He has special training in the area of sports injuries. Dr Kim is himself an avid health enthusiast. For more information go to his website at http://www.sacramentochiropractor.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yong_J_Kim
Posted in sports injuries | 
Tags: back pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, chiropractic, chiropractor, Golfer's Elbow, shoulder pain | 
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“Purple” When It Comes to the Health of Our Children
No matter where you stand politically, “blue” or “red,” surely we all feel “purple” (a unity of red and blue) when it comes to the health of our children. And, it is wonderful to know that our children have a strong advocate in such a powerful position of influence. First Lady Michelle Obama is fighting hard to implement ways to help our children lose the unhealthy and unnecessary weight that impacts their lives now and will add up to disease and disability in their future. She’s making it very clear that her fight against childhood obesity isn’t about appearance, i.e., slender is beautiful, but rather it’s about whether kids have enough energy to be productive at school.
Mrs. Obama spoke recently at a Forum sponsored by Newsweek magazine. She voiced from her own parental experience that every parent is familiar with the difference in a child’s behavior when a child has had a healthy meal and when he or she has eaten a lot of sugar. She suggests that it is more important to give parents information on the ingredients in sugary snacks and how many of them can safely be included in a child’s diet, rather than requiring warning labels on unhealthy foods, an idea she calls “extreme.”
Let’s all join in the good fight, “for” our children and “against” obesity, and help the next generation to grow up to be healthy and strong adults and ready for the world we’ve left them.
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A Walk in the Park May Stimulate Your Immune System
Aah, sunshine. It has gotten such a bad rap in the past few years that that beautiful warm yellow orb has seemed more like an enemy than the smiling friend children often draw. Well, today I read some good news about sunshine, or at least about Vitamin D, that I’m eager to pass along to you. As it turns out, Vitamin D is vital in activating our human defenses.
Danish researchers found that the immune systems’ killer cells, known as T cells, rely on Vitamin D to become active. If Vitamin D is lacking in the blood, they remain dormant and unaware of the possibility of threat from an infection or pathogen. “When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or ‘antenna’ known as a Vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D,” said Carsten Geisler of Copenhagen University’s department of international health, immunology and microbiology, who led the study. “This means the T cell must have Vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough Vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilize.” Scientists have known for a long time that Vitamin D is important for calcium absorption, and that there is a link between levels of the vitamin and diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. But, what they hadn’t realized is how crucial Vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system. And, of course, most Vitamin D is made by the body as a natural by-product of the skin’s exposure to sunlight. Though it can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fatty fish like salmon, herring and mackerel (or taken as a supplement), I would suggest that whenever possible, add a walk outdoors as part of your health regime. For more on this study, go to: reuters.comGetting Slim By Eating Fats? That All Depends…
As a chiropractor, I always advise weight loss for my overweight patients, not only as a way to keep organs such as the heart healthy, but every system of the body, including the musculoskeletal system (my specialty). Excess weight puts a burden on every part of the human body, including the vertebrae of the spine and joints such as those in the knees and hips. My patients tend to take my advice, so many of them ask my opinion on how they can lose weight in a healthy way. I’m always looking for information to share with them that will help to turn their “temporary” diet plan into a permanent lifestyle. The good news is that not everything that tastes good is bad for you, including fats. Recently I read an article that discusses “good” versus “bad” fats that I think you’ll find helpful when choosing a healthy diet.
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Monounsaturated Fat and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids are the so-called “good” or healthy fats. They are referred to as healthy fats because they do not adversely affect your health and may actually contribute to good heart health. These types of fat come mainly from plant sources (e.g., vegetable oil), nuts, and fish (certain varieties).
Whenever possible, you should try and get your “good” fats from food sources rather than supplements. Eating more fish, walnuts and flax seeds will help. You can also take a supplement, but be sure to talk to your doctor first.
Add some sources for healthy fats to your next grocery list. These include: Extra virgin olive oil, avocado, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, ground flax seeds, walnuts (and most other nuts).
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Polyunsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated fats provide omega-6 fatty acids and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Sources of polyunsaturated fat include corn oil, safflower oil and sunflower oil.
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Saturated Fat
Saturated fat should be limited as often as possible. Diets high in saturated fat raise cholesterol levels and can lead to cardiovascular disease. Saturated fat is found mainly in foods from animal sources. Foods that contain saturated fat include: whole milk, butter, cheese, red meat and coconut oil.
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Trans Fat
Trans fat should be avoided as often as possible. Trans fat is a type of unsaturated fat that actually elevates blood cholesterol levels more than saturated fat.
Trans fat is typically found in “junk” food, such as prepackaged baked goods and snacks. To locate trans fat on food packages, look for the words “partially hyrogenated oil” or check the nutrition label. Foods that commonly contain trans fat include most margarine, fried foods and commercially-baked goods.
Trans fat has been widely used in fast food for frying, but is now being limited or eliminated by many fast food restaurants. Ask about trans fat at your favorite restaurant and request nutrition data for their menu items.
You can view the nutrition data, including fat content, for many popular foods, fast food eateries, and restaurants online at About.com’s Calorie Count.