ABC news recently reported that medical doctors are frequently over medicating babies for acid reflux. New guidelines published in the journal Pediatrics say doctors and parents need to take a closer look before deciding on medication.
The report goes on to say the new recommendations call for lifestyle changes first. Those include changing positions when feeding, or giving many smaller meals a day, rather than several larger ones.
Mothers who are breastfeeding should also adjust their diets, to eliminate spicy foods.
Medications, such a proton pump acid reducers, should only be used for GERD, when complications arise. And surgery should be the last option, reserved for children who are at risk of life-threatening complications. The report in Pediatrics suggests there may too many children on medications, with the risk outweighing the benefits of them.
While lifestyle changes such as those listed above are great first option, the next option should not be medications or surgery. ABC news failed to discuss a common cause of acid reflux in children. During the birth process a misalignment can occur in the upper neck that will change the communication between the brain and the body leading to a variety of different problems, including acid reflux.
Two medical doctors from Europe have done extensive research into upper neck problems in newborns and how that relates to the health of children. Dr. Gutmann was researching the connection all the way back to the 1960's... in 1987 Dr. Gutmann published his research linking the upper neck to problems ranging from acid reflux to scoliosis, ear infections, torticollis, colic and many other common childhood conditions.
Dr. Biedermann also has published extensively on this subject and published his findings in 1992. Between the 2 medical researchers they have studied over 1000 newborns and have observed a very high incidence of upper cervical misalignments on x-ray. Gutmann found over 80% in his study had problems in the upper neck that needed to be addressed! Birth trauma was the most common cause. Forceps delivery, vacuum extraction and even just normal birthing methods with a woman flat on her back rather than in the standing position where gravity can work, can be an extremely traumatic experience for the head and neck of a newborn.
Upper neck misalignments can be corrected in babies safely, gently and effectively with an upper cervical chiropractic approach such as NUCCA.
If you have a child that’s been diagnosed with acid reflux, before considering giving medication to your baby have their upper neck evaluated for a traumatic birth injury. Look for the cause of the problem rather than just covering up the symptoms.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
Most of us tend to ignore our back, that is, until back pain flares up, resulting in a dull, constant ache and/or a sudden sharp pain. Back pain can be caused by a fracture, sprain, or other accidental injury, can be caused by a medical condition, being sedentary and overweight, or simply be the result of a misalignment of the spine. The good news is that back pain can be prevented. Following are 5 ways to improve the health of your back.
Put in the effort to maintain a healthy weight, 10 pounds within your ideal weight. Excess weight can creep up on you and when it does most of us aren't aware of how seriously it affects us. Extra pounds, particularly in your midsection, will make back pain worse because it shifts your center of gravity and puts strain on the lower back.
Always pay attention to your posture. Maintaining the right posture plays an important role when it comes to preventing back pain due to the fact that muscle strain and pressure on the discs, back joints and ligaments is aggravated by bad posture. Some posture breakdown is outside of our control, we will talk more about that later. But you can maintain good posture when sleeping by attempting to keep your head centered over your neck as much as possible. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, always sleep on your side or back. When sleeping on your side it is important to have a pillow that is supportive enough to keep your head in alignment with your spine. When sleeping on your back it is good to have a pillow underneath your knees in order to take pressure off your lower back.
Always support your lower back while sitting by using a pillow that's specifically designed for the purpose or using a rolled up towel or small pillow. This will help to maintain the normal curvature in your lower back. Remove the support every half an hour for a few minutes to change the position of your lower back. It's also a good idea to invest it a good mattress since most of us spend a lot of time in bed. Take the time to do some research, ask friends and family for recommendations, read reviews and test the mattress you’re considering at the store. It's important to keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for you, so be sure take the time to find the best choice for you. Some of the best mattresses that I’ve seen over the years are the sleep number bed from select comfort and the temperpedic mattress.
Take the time to warm up before exercising or other activities. Jumping right into any activity with cold joints and muscles will definitely increase your risk for injury. There are a number of ways to warm up including Yoga and Pilate moves; you should consider taking a class to learn a variety of moves or look them up online.
Lower back pain is frequently related to changes in posture. Many postural changes are outside of your control. After all nerves tell muscles how to pull on the spine, if the nerves are sending the wrong message your posture will continue to be distorted. Postural adaptations such as your head tilting to one side, shoulders being uneven, hips being uneven are all signs of an underlying problem leading to these types of postural changes.
The spine is an extraordinary arrangement of bones, tendons, ligaments, discs, nerves and muscles, designed to be strong, flexible and protective. Most of us take what the spine does for granted; that is until something goes terribly wrong. When the spine is aligned correctly, it's incredibly stable and strong. When a misalignment takes place at the top of the neck, the spine adapts or compensates for it in an attempt to protect the nervous system, triggering a chain reaction from the top of the spine to the bottom. Upper cervical chiropractors have been helping people who suffer from lower back pain for years by addressing the underlying cause of these postural changes. These patients usually end up experiencing a phenomenal improvement in both the frequency and severity of their low back pain thanks to upper cervical care. And upper cervical chiropractors are able to address these underlying postural changes without any of the popping, cracking or twisting of the spine common with general chiropractic manipulation.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
If you have back pain you know how debilitating it can be. Back pain is extremely common with 80% of people experiencing back pain at some point in their lives.
In fact, back pain is now the single leading cause of disability worldwide.
So if you have back pain, what can you do about it?
Well, here are 5 simple steps to help you conquer that nagging back injury.
Nutrition can play a major role in chronic conditions like lower back pain. Minimizing your intake of processed foods containing trans fats, sugar, gluten, etc. can make a big difference in the amount of inflammation your body is producing.
Dietary changes don’t have to happen overnight. The important thing is to start. Pick one thing on the list and commit to doing that one for now. Cutting out processed foods is a good place to start.
Make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to chronic lower back pain, so make sure that your getting your 20 minutes of sun on your face and arms every day and also it may be necessary for you to take a vitamin D supplement.
In my experience, regularly sleeping on your stomach can create severe damage in your neck and back. If you are a stomach sleeper make sure you make the change to your side or back as quickly as possible.
If you are a stomach sleeper, tonight, make the decision to begin to sleep on your side. It is very difficult to move from your stomach (the worst) to sleeping on your back (the best). Remember, if your back hurts in this side sleeping position, you can place a pillow between your knees to alleviate pressure on the lower back.
The best exercise is the one that you will do consistently. A sedentary lifestyle of sitting around all day has been linked to lower back pain. Whether it is swimming, fast walking, Pilates, yoga or another exercise program, the key is consistency. Exercise has been shown to improve lower back pain.
When the spine is not properly aligned due to accidents and injuries, lower back pain can frequently develop. Scientific research tells us that Chiropractic adjustments are effective for helping people with lower back problems.
Chiropractic care has also been shown to be more cost-effective than the medical approach of drugs or surgery.
In addition, chiropractic patients report a greater level of satisfaction with chiropractic care, compared to the medical approach.
The upper cervical chiropractic approach that we utilize addresses underlying postural problems without any of the cracking, twisting or popping associated with other spinal approaches.
Along with chiropractic care some healthcare facilities offer physical rehabilitation exercise programs to supplement their chiropractic adjustments.
This type of physical rehabilitation is helpful in improving functional movement, such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, etc.
Frequently these types of programs will focus on improving muscular strength, flexibility, balance, range of motion and overall mobility.
Now is the time for you to take a massive amount of action!
Without you taking control of your health and the decisions you make when it comes to your body, you will likely continue to suffer with chronic conditions like lower back pain.
Just to review, here are your action steps to get your back, feeling great:
1. Change your diet
2. Change your sleeping position
3. Commit to a regular exercise routine
4. Find a chiropractor who combines both chiropractic adjustments and physical rehabilitation.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
Do you suffer from a temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ? If so, you may suffer from jaw pain when you chew, smile, or even speak. Can upper cervical chiropractic care help you? The answer is yes. In order to understand why, it helps to know a little bit about what causes TMJ and what upper cervical chiropractic can do for you. Read on to learn more.
While TMJ can have numerous causes, the most common is some kind of trauma to the jaw itself or to the upper neck. This is because an injury in the upper neck area (the two uppermost vertebrae that are right at the base of the brain) can put pressure on the trigeminal nerve and also affect posture. When this nerve suffers damage various temporomandibular joint disorders can result.
This helps to explain the connection between upper cervical chiropractic and drug free, natural relief from TMJ. Fixing the upper neck issue can result in relief of the pressure that is on the trigeminal nerve and underlying postural problems. Once this pressure is relieved, this can improve many TMJ symptoms and other conditions.
If you suffer from TMJ and are searching for natural relief, upper cervical chiropractic is a good place to look. An upper cervical chiropractor can do more than just help your posture. These two uppermost neck bones being aligned properly can relieve TMJ symptoms, headaches, and many other related conditions. Why not have a upper cervical specialist check out your neck to see if you could benefit from this specific and gentle type of chiropractic care.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
Acid Reflux Drugs Lead to High Blood Pressure and a Weakened HeartSeveral news organizations are reporting that commonly prescribed acid reflux drugs taken by millions of people may also cause cardiovascular disease. The reports are based on recently published research from the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation.
Researchers found the drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, can cause blood vessels to constrict. If taken regularly, PPIs could lead to hypertension and a weakened heart. Common PPIs are purchasable over the counter and include Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid.
John Cooke, M.D., Ph.D., the study’s principal investigator said “our work is consistent with previous reports that PPIs may increase the risk of a second heart attack in people who have been hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome.
The Food and Drug Administration estimates about 1 in 14 Americans has used PPIs. In 2009, PPIs were the third-most taken type of drug in the United States, accounting for $13 billion in sales. PPIs are used to treat a wide range of disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, infection by the ulcer-causing Helicobacter pylori, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and Barrett’s esophagus.
Head and neck trauma such as car accidents, sports injuries, falls, and even birth trauma in children can lead to a misalignment in the upper neck that will change the communication between the brain and the body leading to a variety of different problems, including acid reflux. The lower esophageal sphincter musculature is frequently not functioning properly due to improper nerve supply.
Dr. Godfrey Gutmann, a German medical researcher was looking into this connection all the way back to the 1960's... in 1987 Dr. Gutmann published his research linking the upper neck to problems ranging from acid reflux to scoliosis, ear infections, torticollis, colic and many other conditions.
Upper neck misalignments can be corrected safely, gently and effectively with an upper cervical chiropractic approach such as NUCCA.
If you or your child have been diagnosed with acid reflux, before considering medication and its side effects have a thorough upper neck evaluation to look for an undetected brainstem injury.
Look for the cause of the problem rather than just covering up the symptoms.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
There are countless types of headaches and even more factors that cause headaches. We can't tell you everything about all of them, but we thought we would tell you about some of them and what you can do to reduce the frequency of their occurrence or prevent them. Here are some of the more common types of headaches, what causes them, and what you can do to help prevent them.
These are also called Chronic Daily Headaches and are the most common type of headache. Here are some of the causes of Tension Headaches you should know.
Here are some of the triggers of Migraines you should know.
These are marked by a constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. Here are some of the causes of Sinus Headaches you should know.
Do you suffer from one of these common types of headaches? Do you suffer from another type of headache? The cure may be something as simple as a better night's sleep, a dietary change, or a change in your daily routine. Though, the answer may also be in the importance of your spinal alignment, so your body can function properly. Changes in blood, cerebral spinal fluid and nerve flow may be to blame for all of these headaches. A common cause is a misalignment of the upper neck. This type of misalignment can be corrected by a specific specialized correction.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
If you have ever had the urge to crack your back, have someone hug you and crack it for you, or crack your neck, you are not alone. Self-cracking one's spine or neck is something most people, or perhaps everyone, has done at one time or another.
Though, one's ability to crack their neck or back does not mean it is a good practice. It is a sign that their spine is not aligned, and that they need to seek an evaluation from an Upper Cervical Specialist. Below are some other signs that it is time to come in for a checkup.
If you suffer from one of the above problems, it is time to seek an Upper Cervical Specialist. Self-cracking your back or spine might seem like a good idea, and it may lead to temporary relief, but it will not lead to a healthier back. A person cracking their own spine, or even a General Chiropractor cracking a person's spine, no more leads to a healthier back than the cracking sound of metal not lead to a car crash.
If you have one of the above symptoms, it is important to see a NUCCA specialist who will align your spine without any popping, cracking or twisting of your spine. Once you spine is aligned, your brain will be able to better communicate with your body, and your body will function properly.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
On November 21, 2012, brain imaging shows changes in the brains of people with post-concussion syndrome (PCS), according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.
PCS affects approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of people who suffer mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) otherwise known as a concussion -- defined by the World Health Organization as a traumatic event causing brief loss of consciousness and/or transient memory dysfunction or disorientation.
Symptoms of PCS include headache, poor concentration and memory difficulty. Conventional neuroimaging cannot distinguish which MTBI patients will develop PCS. "Conventional imaging with CT or MRI is pretty much normal in MTBI patients, even though some go on to develop symptoms, including severe cognitive problems," said Yulin Ge, M.D., associate professor, Department of Radiology at the NYU School of Medicine in New York City. "We want to try to better understand why and how these symptoms arise."
Dr. Ge's study used MRI to look at the brain during its resting state, or the state when it is not engaged in a specific task, such as when the mind wanders or while daydreaming. The resting state is thought to involve connections among a number of brain regions.
"Baseline resting state is very important for information processing and maintenance," Dr. Ge said.
Alterations in the brain resting state have been found in several disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, autism and schizophrenia, but little is known about brain resting state connectivity changes following concussion.
For the new study, Dr. Ge and colleagues used resting-state functional MRI to compare 23 MTBI patients who had post-traumatic symptoms within two months of the injury and 18 age-matched healthy controls. The MRI results showed that communication and information integration in the brain was disrupted after mild head injury, and that the brain tapped into different neural resources to compensate for the impaired function.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
Previously on this blog we had talked about the connection between problems in the upper neck, brain changes, contact sports and Parkinson's Disease. Today we take a closer look into the procedure that is giving so many people with Parkinson's disease new hope.
In the March 2011 Edition of the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research Dr. Justin Brown and Dr. Jonathan Chung describe the great results that a patient from their clinic had with symptoms of Parkinson's Disease following the correction of a specific misalignment of the bones in the upper neck, known as the Atlas Subluxation Complex Syndrome utilizing the NUCCA Procedure.
It was a 67 year-old female patient who was presenting with complaints of weakness, tremors, scoliosis and rigidity due to Parkinson’s disease (PD). She reported the symptoms began 5 years prior to starting care and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease shortly after the symptoms began. She also stated that she fell almost every day due to the issues with the balance. The severity of her symptoms had contributed to her missing work and reducing her ability to perform her normal activities.
During her care over a 6 month period the patient reported:
Jubault et al found evidence that brain stem atrophy may be the first identifiable stage of neurodegeneration in patients with Parkinson's. The authors also note that the neural degeneration at the brainstem level may be responsible for many of the symptoms experienced by patients with PD. Dysfunction at the brain stem level is also implicated in other studies of advanced PD. New Upright MRI research is showing that the upper neck misalignment can change the way the brain is working by progressively altering the blood and CSF flow to the brain.
The correction of the atlas subluxation complex can only be accomplished through specific upper neck adjustments by specially trained upper cervical chiropractors. General chiropractic manipulation cannot correct this problem.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease then an upper neck evaluation should be performed to see if an undetected brain stem injury could be the root cause.
Give us a call to schedule your NUCCA evaluation today!
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
