Medical Breakthrough: How Hanging Upside Down Improves Flexibility

Medical research has found that hanging upside down also known as inversion therapy (prescribed by a licensed medical professional) can significantly improve your health and fitness levels. Inversion tables have been developed to help people with this new health and fitness treatment. However, to ensure that you benefit from the inversion therapy, it is important for you to use the right equipment for the right purpose and consult your doctor before starting. Most people think that hanging upside down is meant for those people with chronic back pain, but this therapy has other benefits as can be seen below:

Use of gravity

Hanging upside down or inversion therapy uses gravity to gently bring into line, adjust and provide traction to the spine. This healthy traction decompresses the vertebral column, and thus creating space for the discs while at the same time straightening and balancing the spinal column. When the muscles of the vertebrae are lengthened and strengthened, your upper, as well as lower body, become more flexible. This can aide in more easily partaking is higher energy activities..

Eases strains caused by compression

As we walk and carry out our daily chores, the spine and back muscles tend to be strained in the process. On top of that, the spinal column also experiences compression from carrying the upper body. This compression causes rigidity on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine. But when you hang upside down you allow the muscles to stretch, relax and also decompress the vertebrae. Safely hanging upside down offers the simplest way to ease strains and pressure caused by compression and also helps to lift the weight off the superimposed parts of the body.

Helps in preventing muscle stiffness and sports injuries

By hanging upside down, you reduce stiffness in a number of body parts, which include the arms, shoulders, back legs and torso. This creates a feeling of release as the pressure on these body parts is freed. It is because of this fact that hanging upside down may be helpful in improving certain conditions, such as herniated discs, lumbar osteoarthritis, inclinatory skeletal defects, sciatica, and paralytic scoliosis just to mention but a few.

The spine is a very important part of the body, and when it is in good health our entire body benefits. Inversion therapy enhances the health of the spine and as such, promotes better health for the whole body. Therefore, not only does hanging upside down improve flexibility, but it also improves overall strength, boosts the immunity and helps to promote emotional well-being. So, if you thought that inversion therapy is only for chronic back pain, it is a high time you thought again and considered hanging upside down on a regular basis. Hang-10.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Importance of Chiropractic Care to Your Overall Health

Many people may think that Chiropractic care is mostly for those people suffering from chronic back or neck pain and those who may have had an accident or a sports-related injury. Although certainly important to these ailments, chiropractic care is also beneficial to your general health. Our daily lives may be characterized by a lot of stress to the body, which may impact negatively on our overall health. Therefore with chiropractic care, many of our physical maladies can be managed and eliminated. The following are a few of the main benefits of chiropractic treatments:

Management of short term and chronic pain

Chiropractic care is best known for its effectiveness in the management of short term or chronic pain of the back and spine. For example, a misaligned spine or a pinched nerve can cause excruciating pain and discomfort to your body. Chiropractic care can help in relieving this pain. Many people who suffer from chronic joint pains may wish to seek out an experienced chiropractor. Those with chronic pain may need not suffer from prolonged discomfort and pain. These professionals are highly trained to deal with musculoskeletal problems, as well as offer the best solution for treatment. 

Stress management

A regular chiropractic visit helps in the management of stress. Stress and anxiety wreak havoc in our bodies, and without something that will help in the management of this stress; it can cause problems to our health. Chiropractic care helps to restore good health, brings harmony in the body and helps to eliminates stress hormones. The select treatments involved in chiropractic visits can directly affect the nervous system, making it respond more positively to stress.

Prevents surgery

A recent study shows that chiropractic care has helped to decrease certain surgery rates by up to 32%. Surgeries are associated with a number of risks, and they do not always a guarantee effective treatment or pain relief. But, minor adjustments on a regular basis done by a chiropractor can actually help relieve pain without any side effects. Sportsmen and women can face various sports injuries which do not require surgery. If you've incurred a sports injury, seek out an orthopedic doctor, who may suggest chiropractic care as part of an overall treatment plan.    

It is clear that chiropractics offer very important health care services. Visiting a chiropractor clinic for a checkup on a regular basis is beneficial to your overall health.

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Signs of Sports Concussions

A sports concussion (sports-related or otherwise) refers to a certain type of traumatic brain injury caused by an impact to the body or head. Concussions often occur after an accident, fall, fight, or anything else that can cause your skull to shake. Concussions are common with athletes, hockey players, footballers, rugby players, boxers and martial art enthusiasts.

It is easy to suffer from a concussion, and fail to know about it immediately. Symptoms of a concussion can either be severe or mild. 

Common signs of a concussion are;

·      Headache
·      Dizziness
·      Anxiousness
·      Blurriness
·      Nausea and vomiting
·      Memory complications
·      Poor Sleep patterns
·      Irritability
·      Anger
·      sadness
·      Fatigue
·      Feeling emotional
·      Nausea
·      Nervousness
·      Numbness
·      Sensitivity to either noise or light
·      Vomiting

Effects of concussion:

Concussions can either cause severe or mild effects. Nevertheless; serious effects are very rare after a concussion. Here are both short and long term effects of concussions;

· Communication Problems

· Abnormal Brain Waves

· Sensory processing impairment: Visual, Auditory,

· Motor Skills Decline: Fine motor skills, Gross motor skills

· Cognitive impairment: Memory, Learning, Attention,

· Emotional Disturbances; Anger, Anxiety, Depression

· Neurodegeneration

· Low sex drive

· Movement complications

· Disturbed sleep patterns

How to Prevent a Concussion:

While a concussion can be inevitable in some cases, its effects can be catastrophic. The human brain is very delicate. Therefore, it is imperative to take the following preventive measures to prevent concussions from occurring:

     1. Always wear protective equipment

Protective gear and equipment are highly recommended for those who engage in vigorous activities such as football, boxing, skiing, rugby, horse riding, hockey, skateboarding, cycling, snowboarding, racing and martial arts among others. Wearing helmets, eye and mouth guards can help to reduce the risks of concussions significantly. However, it is extremely important to ensure that your protective equipment/gear fit perfectly and well-maintained for maximum protection.

     2. Be careful

Being careful when engaging in driving and sports activities can make all the difference. Desist from driving under the influence of alcohol or drug, respect speed limits, obey traffic rules and respect other drivers to avoid causing concussions-related accidents. High impact sports athletes should avoid reckless tackles, and be fully aware of their surroundings and other players. In other words, attentiveness and soberness are keys to preventing concussions.

Recommended Actions in case of a Concussion:

    

     1. Seek Medical Attention

There is wisdom in seeking sports medical assistance after a concussion. Health experts recommend against ignoring traumatic brain injury symptoms to avoid negative long-term effects on your health and wellness. Your doctor can give you the right medical attention depending on whether your concussion is mild or severe.

     2. Take a Rest

People who engage in rigorous sports are more susceptible to concussions than those who don’t. In case of a concussion, a player should take a break immediately. Rest helps the brain to recover from a concussion. Should symptoms persist, seek immediate medical attention.

     3. Avoid concussions reoccurrences

Do everything in your power to guard yourself against regular concussions. Repeat concussions can effectively cause severe brain damage.

Treatment for a concussion:

Concussions can be treated using various medical methods, with specific treatment being dictated by the severity of the concussion. A well-qualified medical professional can make his/her recommendation depending on the symptoms and severity of the concussion injury.

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.