How Can Chiropractic Help You?

 Chiropractic is many things, some of them true, some of them not. To some it is a panacea for all things medical, for others it is voodoo medicine and like most things in this world the truth lies somewhere in that grey area in-between. Chiropractic is a healing science that is a little over a century old at this point, and as in traditional medicine, there is still much to learn. For many, the spinal manipulation is primary mechanism that chiropractors use to affect the tissues of the body, however there are many other ways to treat the human body when all systems are not firing properly, so to speak. These other mechanisms include physical therapy, electro-therapy, soft-tissue mobilization techniques (including massage), and even acupuncture. There are numerous others as well, but we don't need to go into great detail about those at this time.
 However, as it has been for that aforementioned century, the spinal (and really most joints) manipulation remains the primary mechanism to affect tissue change. Whenever I speak to patients or to groups of people, I always try to remind them that the human body was designed to move, and move quite a bit. We'd be stones if we were supposed to sit around all day long. A complex interaction that truly involves most, if not all of the bodys' systems, regulates movement. From the joint spaces to the muscles to ligaments to nerves to even the blood vessels and blood cells, all are involved in some form or fashion in movement, or kinesiology. In order to keep this system as healthy as it can be, it must be utilized via walking, running, jogging, exercising and really just not sitting around.
 Chiropractic, and chiropractors in general, are doctors of biomechanics. Biomechanics is a term that denotes the mechanism of how "life," or in this case, humans, move. It's that simple. Whether you are old or young, male or female, athlete or sedentary, it doesn't really matter. The body is supposed to move in certain ways and this is where chiropractic comes into play. Chiropractic, at it's heart, is the medicine of movement. When movement is incorrect, whether from postural issues, injuries, advancing age, improper nutrition, over-training or whatever cause, the body reacts by sending out pain signals. Pain is typically what drives patients into the offices of any physician, and chiropractors are no different in this respect. The art of any medicine is diagnosing aberrant patterns and correcting them.
 In fact, after the founding of chiropractic in the late 19th century, a branch of traditional medicine was born, termed physiatry. Physiatrists, whether of the D.O. or M.D. degree, often treat similar conditions as chiropractors, and I've maintained that had chiropractors been accepted or wanted to join the larger medical doctor degree, they would be physiatrists. So, in essence, the two disciplines are much more closely aligned than one would believe at first.
 The bottom line is that chiropractic is still a young science, one that is progressing and growing more a part of the traditional health care umbrella every year. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing pain, discomfort or just wants to make sure that their kinesiology isn't going to ultimately cause them to schedule an appointment because of pain, have them call the office at 815-398-9858. If you or they mention this message, the fees for the initial visit are waived.

Eico-sa-what's?

What are eicosanoids? And more importantly, how do I even pronounce that word? Eicosanoids are chemicals that are created within the body to control a multitude of reactions. But first let's discuss how and why they are created.

Within the human body there are needs for different forms of fats (or lipids). A "healthy" diet should include a combination of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fats, with little-to-no trans fat. The percentages of Poly - Mono - Saturated fat vary from person-to-person, but one thing is certain, all are necessary. Without getting into the biochemistry of how each of these lipids are constructed, with regard to eicosanoids, the most important fats are the polyunsaturated.

There are 2 essential fatty acids (fatty acids are the simplest fat substances with regard to the human body) that the human body can not create, and thus needs to ingest. These two fatty acids are 20-Carbon long molecules named :

- alpha linolenic acid; &

- linoleic acid.

The difference between these two molecules is in the number of specific bonds, as the alpha linolenic acid is termed an Omega-3 fatty acid, whereas linoleic acid is termed an Omega-6 fatty acid. Typically the latter, the O-6 fatty acids, are INFLAMMATORY in nature and O-3 are ANTI-INFLAMMATORY. A "healthy" ratio within the diet should be O-6:O-3 - 4:1. The standard american diet has a typical ratio of 20:1, so extremely inflammatory. 

Linoleic Acid, through a series of chemical reactions becomes arachadonic acid, a metabolite from which eicosanoids are born. These eicosanoids are shown in the pink box above. The blue box to the left represents the omega-3-derived eicosanoids. 

Eicosanoids are then grouped into 4 different families: the protaglandins, prostacyclins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes. Each of these substances is involved in numerous chemical reactions, including:

 - cause constriction or dilation in vascular smooth muscle cells

 - cause aggregation or disaggregation of platelets

 - sensitize spinal neurons to pain

 - induce labor

 - decrease intraocular pressure

 - regulate inflammatory mediation.

For the purpose of this discussion, that's as far as we'll go about their function. Once these four families are created, there are enzymes that are utilized by the body to create the eicosanoids. The two enzyme pathways that are responsible for this conversion are the:
 - Cyclooxygenase (COX) Pathway; and

 - Lipoxygenase Pathyway.

The COX pathway is inhibited by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. The classical COX inhibitors are not selective and inhibit all types of COX. The resulting inhibition of prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis has the effect of reduced inflammation, as well as antipyretic, antithrombotic and analgesic effects. The most frequent adverse effect of NSAIDs is irritation of the gastric mucosa as prostaglandins normally have a protective role in the gastrointestinal tract. Some NSAIDs are also acidic which may cause additional damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

Selectivity for COX-2 is the main feature of celecoxib, rofecoxib, and other members of this drug class. Because COX-2 is usually specific to inflamed tissue, there is much less gastric irritation associated with COX-2 inhibitors, with a decreased risk of peptic ulceration. The selectivity of COX-2 does not seem to negate other side-effects of NSAIDs, most notably an increased risk of renal failure, and there is evidence that indicates an increase in the risk for heart attack, thrombosis, and stroke through an increase of thromboxane unbalanced by prostacyclin (which is reduced by COX-2 inhibition). Rofecoxib (brand name Vioxx) was withdrawn in 2004 because of such concerns. Some other COX-2 selective NSAIDs, such as celecoxib, and etoricoxib, are still on the market.


There are various other natural COX inhibitors such as culinary mushrooms, like Maitake, a variety of flavonoids, fish oils and hyperforin.

Nutrition, AutoImmune, Inflammatory & Chronic Diseases

There has never been a more true statement than, "we are what we eat." To illustrate this, I am posting a 17 minute talk given by Dr. Terry Wahls, a medical doctor diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, who through nutrition, exercise and stress reduction, has defeated her MS. It's a must watch for anyone who cares about living life to the fullest, and especially for anyone who has or knows someone who suffers from chronic, autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

Sports Injury Series: Fractures of the foot

For those of you who don't follow RASC Rockford on Facebook or Google +(and if you do not, why aren't you?), this topic is near-and-dear to my heart and foot, literally. What you are looking at is an oblique view of Dr. Donohue's left foot. As you can see, there are 5 bones that seem to be the longest when looking at the radiograph. These bones are called the metatarsal bones, and there are 5 of them corresponding to the 5 toes. The metatarsal bones are essential in the maintenance of the arch of the foot and providing shock absorption when walking, running, jumping or other activities where the foot is lifted off the ground.

The 5th metatarsal bone, where the "pinky" toe articulates, as you can see is in two pieces currently. This type of fracture is called a Jones Fracture and is common in athletes. The 5th metatarsal bone is the insertion of two tendons that comprise the distal portion of the fibular or peroneal muscles. Additionally, it serves as an articulation of the plantar fascia which is another essential component of arch maintenance. These tissues are essential in the plantar (downward) and dorsal (upward) flexion of the ankle.

As you can see, the fracture is complete and is in the body of the bone, as opposed to either end of the bone. Options for treatment include conservative management which relies on casting, immobilization, crutches, nutritional intervention and general non-weight bearing. Surgically speaking, this is a candidate for surgery should there be no bridging of the gap between the bones.

As an aside, I will discuss the process going forward. Currently, I am in a hard cast with a walking boot cover. I have chosen to go the conservative route for the time-being. In three weeks, another radiograph will be taken to determine how well the osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and osteoblasts (bone-building cells) have performed. If there is a bridge that is formed between the two sections of bone, I will remain in a cast. Should the bridge not have formed in that time period, surgical intervention will be necessary. Should that be the case, there will be no weight-bearing on the foot for approximately 3 weeks. For conservative management, I have chosen to follow the aforementioned protocol, with administration of:

- High Potency Multivitamin q.d.
- High Potency Multimineral q.d.
- Omega 3 Supplement b.i.d.
- 5000 IU Vitamin D b.i.d.
- Calcium b.i.d.
- Increase protein ingested to 1.5 g/kg body weight so approximately 135 g. protein daily
- Reduced carbohydrate intake
- 48 g. CoQ10.