While reading Mike Reinold’s blog I came across this segment of his article. Very interesting!
“While foam rolling has become popular, it still is used most often as a way to prepare for training. However, a recent research report was published in the Journal of Athletic Training that looked at the effect of foam rolling after training on delayed onset muscles soreness (DOMS) and performance.
In the study, 8 collegiate men performed a 10×10 squat protocol to completely exhaust their quads and cause DOMS. The groups performed this two times, once with performing foam rolling afterward and another time without foam rolling. In the experimental group, foam rolling was performed immediately after squatting, as well as 24- and 48-hours later.
The foam rolling procedure consisted of 2 rounds of rolling for 45 seconds each over the quads, adductors, hamstrings, IT band, and Glutes.
Results of the study showed that DOMS was significantly reduced when foam rolling was performed. However, they also discovered 30 meter sprint time, broad-jump distance, and change-of-direction speed were all negatively effected by the presence of DOMS, but the impact was lower if they performed foam rolling.”
We offer another specialized service at OrthoWell called Cupping Therapy. Cupping has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. It is used in TCM to stimulate specific points on the skin which correspond to acupuncture points that lie on energy meridians, or pathways. Through manipulation of the points on the skin, the TCM practitioner can influence or change a specific organ’s blood or energy called Qi (chi).
In our clinic, we use cupping in a different way. We are not TCM practitioners. We are western practitioners with a great respect for eastern treatment philosophy. There are many types of cupping methods. We use Dynamic Cupping in our clinic. I can personally say that I have had incredible results with dynamic cupping. One day I asked myself “if I have such great results, why not use cupping on my patients?”
Our method for using dynamic cupping is to lightly lubricate the skin. We place gel, polymer cups onto a region that we are treating by squeezing the cups and placing them directly onto the skin. When we release the”squeeze”, it creates a negative pressure within the cup which “sucks” the skin up into the cup. The intensity of the negative pressure depends on the tolerance of the patient. Our goal is to pre-stretch the skin and underlying fascia and then to have you slowly move through controlled range of motion exercises in order to increase the effectiveness of the stretch. This is the “dynamic” part of our cupping method. Cupping therapy should NOT be painful! You should experience a warm, pulling sensation during the treatment which lasts around 5-6 minutes. Cupping therapy can improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage. TCM practitioners talk about the release of energy “stagnation” via cupping therapy.
Yes, you will have cupping marks on your skin for several days after a treatment. The color and response to the cupping is dependent on the extent of stiffness or the extent of “stagnation” at the treatment site as well as the amount of time that the cups are in place. TCM practitioners believe that the skin is a mirror of our health. All skinmarks that appear as a result of cupping therapy are usually not painful. The discoloration is a result in a change of blood flow through the area. It is not traumatic “bruising”. There is no external or internal damage inflicted to the skin and the capillaries do not leak as a result of injury due to trauma. The “bruised” areas will turn yellow green before totally fading away.
So, we typically perform cupping therapy after we have completed other manual techniques such as pump massage, Active Release Technique and Graston Technique. It is a good way to mobilize the tissue after the other manual therapy techniques. It is just another treatment technique that we offer at OrthoWell to get you better…faster! Check out the video below for a demonstration.
HELLO!
We would like to share the joy of the holidays by extending a special NEW YEARS offer to all of you! We value your support and trust in the services that we provide at OrthoWell PT and we want to show our appreciation. As a BIG THANK YOU, we are having a day of completely Free Exams and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy treatments in BEVERLY for:
· All past clients who have not been seen in PT in more than 3 months
· All present clients who have another problem currently not being treated
· All loved ones, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers of our past and present patients
If you are a past or present patient then call 978-522-4199 to schedule your Free Exam.
If you are referring a friend or family member, please forward this email to them or have have them call 978-522-4199 to schedule their Free Exam.
The day of Free Exams will be on:
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20th , 2015, from 1:00 to 6:00
The Free Exam consists of a 30 minute one-on-one appointment with one of our Physical Therapists. Our therapist will talk with you about the history of your problem and take measurements to test your motion and your strength.
After a thorough exam, they will discuss the CAUSE of your pain and provide you a PLAN for successful treatment.
They can also provide a complimentary Deep Tissue Laser Therapy treatment to your painful area. You can read much more about the benefits of therapeutic laser on our website by clicking HERE.
The appointments are free, but are limited as each PT only has 10 spots. Call 978-522-4199 now to schedule your Free Exam.
The Free Exam is ideal for people suffering with:
· Lower Back Pain
· Neck pain
· Shoulder Pain
· Foot Pain
· Knee Pain
· Hip Pain
· Tendonitis
· Arthritis
· Sciatica
· Headaches
· Difficulty Walking
If you are having pain or problems with day to day activities such as walking, standing, sitting for long periods, going up or down steps, sleeping, driving or even pain that limits your ability to work or exercise, then this is an excellent opportunity to see one of our therapists and find out the cause of your problem.
DON’T MISS OUT!!
Call 978-522-4199 to schedule your Free Exam for January 20th, 2015!!
Sincerely,
Chris Dukarski,PT
PS – As a Special Bonus for the first 10 people that sign up for the Free Exam on January 20th, 2015, you will receive a Free Copy of my book on plantar fasciitis called the Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Guide.
For those of you who don’t know, we are offering another specialized service at OrthoWell PT. It is called Trigger Point Dry Needling. Our new PT, Katie Moulison,DPT, is certified in dry needling and she has been performing this technique for 2 years as well the past several months in our clinic. I have created a comprehensive web page devoted to trigger point dry needling. CLICK HERE. It is another one of those techniques that not everyone knows about. It is a technique that can have a profound effect on the chronic pain associated with trigger points and myo-fascial restrictions.
Here is a video that we made in-house about trigger point dry needling. It includes an explanation of trigger points as well as a demonstration of the actual trigger point dry needling technique. It will give you a much better understanding of the technique and may even encourage you to come in for a FREE session to try it out. Just give us a buzz and we will get you in the schedule. The video will be available on our trigger point dry needling web page as well as a comprehensive Q&A section. Don’t forget to share with your friends!!
CANCER- I FOUND A CURE!!
My subject line is no joke. I really did find a cure for cancer!!
The realization will come as quite a shock to many of you.
I spend a lot of time reading and talking about health and fitness. I thoroughly research each and every blog post before I share it with you. Patient education is a top priority at OrthoWell and it is an integral part of our mission statement. We really DO care about you and your health. For this reason, I feel obligated to share the following information.
I was introduced to a book by one of my patients that may change or even SAVE your life! The title of the book is Outsmart Your Cancer by Tanya Harter Pierce. I have had the unfortunate experience of getting a phone call by my father that he has bladder cancer. The realization, of course, was more unfortunate for him. This came up in the conversation with my patient as we broached the cancer subject. She shared her experiences regarding her own cancer history and then she began to open my eyes, my mind, and my anger to the realization that our medical establishment is intentionally misinforming the public about cancer. Some of you may be saying “yeah, right, why wouldn’t my doctor tell me if there was a cure for cancer?” or, like my father said, “yes, I have heard these things before” but then he dispels the “myth” and decides to go through with his radiation and chemo. Don’t get caught up in the “disbelief factor”. I am telling you, from the bottom of my heart, not to be naïve and not to stay ignorant to this realization. You NEED to read this book as my words alone will not do it justice.
Outsmart Your Cancer is not a promotional vehicle for a new cancer pill or a new cancer prevention diet. As a matter of fact, the author does not promote any one single approach to curing cancer. Her objective is to share with us all that has been hidden from us. Yes, there are MANY alternative treatment options to both prevent and to cure yourself of cancer. Her introduction to cancer was the same as mine. The realization that a loved one may die from cancer! I would like to share some excerpts form the book regarding the misinformation campaign that has been waged on the public.
In the author’s words:
“I have also discovered that for many of these cancer approaches, the way they work has been proven by rigorous scientific research performed by highly respected physicians, brilliant biochemists, and Nobel prize-winning scientists. Effective alternative approaches to cancer ARE obtainable today, and they are not bogus methods developed by quacks and kooks as the public has been led to believe.’
“During my research, I spoke to over 100 people who had recovered from their cancers using the alternative treatments presented in this book.”
“The suppression (of information) has been carried out in many different ways by many different organizations and is simply the result of business economics and common unethical tactics that tend to occur when large money interests are involved in any field.’
‘Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation involve billions of dollars of profits for the industries that supply them… the cost of developing and bringing a new cancer drug to market is close to $1 billion… A treatment made up of natural ingredients is not patentable… A natural form of treating cancer will never be pursued by a drug company… alternative treatments will always be considered an economic threat to the multibillion-dollar cancer establishment.”
If you want to watch a YouTube video to convince yourself of the misinformation campaign that has been waged by the FDA and American Medical Association, then watch this video on Dr Burzynski’s treatment for cancer. CLICK HERE.
So when should you start an alternative treatment approach if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer?
As soon as possible! Unfortunately, most people start with conventional treatment before they try alternative approaches. It is the fear and shock factor associated with “I have Cancer” that makes people decide prematurely regarding the BEST treatment option. They usually start with the big three…chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Don’t become a statistic. Get educated!
So how do you make an educated decision on what treatment path to follow after you’ve been diagnosed with cancer?
Outsmart Your Cancer spells it out in simple terms and in black-and-white. There ARE options…successful options that have cured thousands of patients with cancer. All you need to do is read and/or listen (a DVD of patient testimonials comes with the book).
So when do you start a cancer prevention program?
NOW!! Outsmart Your Cancer will empower you to start a prevention program today. Scrutinize what you put into your body. Yes, you ARE what you eat. Don’t forget to read my post on Vitamins-To Take or Not To Take for more information.
Because I WANT to be your advocate for health and wellness and because I WANT you to stay cancer-free, I am stocking Outsmart Your Cancer in my clinic. I feel that strongly about the information in this book! I have purchased them in bulk so the wholesale cost is only $20 per book. Don’t delay! Get the facts!
Other things that could change your life that are discussed in the book include:
ACIDIC vs ALKALINE
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that cancer cells cannot survive if the environment is alkaline enough? Did you know that the QUALITY of what you consume determines whether your body becomes acidic or alkaline? Many people, either with cancer or attempting to prevent cancer, strive to maintain their body pH at an optimal alkaline range between 7.0 and 7.5. Your body pH can be evaluated by a simple saliva test using pH strips in the privacy of your own home. So how do you do this? I’ll give you the answer even though you need to read more about it…CALCIUM. One of the most important roles of calcium is to help our bodies maintain proper pH levels. In addition, the absorption of calcium into the body is completely dependent on the levels of vitamin D in the intestinal tract.
WOMEN -THE PILL – HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Do you really understand the effect of synthetic hormone replacement therapy? Outsmart Your Cancer discusses what every woman NEEDS to know about the effects of The Pill and hormone replacement therapy. You need to really be aware of the things that your doctor is NOT telling you. Long-term clinical studies have proven the cancer-causing effects of synthetic hormone replacement therapy. Get the facts!
MEN-TESTOSTERONE & PROSTATE CANCER
As for the men, did you realize how controversial conventional treatments are for prostate cancer? There are studies in the medical literature which contradict the current use of testosterone inhibiting drugs to lower your PSA level. It has been shown that testosterone actively INHIBITS cancer growth and that elevated PSA is actually a man’s defensive strategy for fighting prostate cancer. So then, why does the medical establishment advocate the exact opposite approach?
DENTAL FILLINGS & MERCURY
Did you know that the main component of silver fillings is mercury and that mercury is one of the most deadly substances on earth if ingested? Did you know that your dentist is not required to tell you that your filling contains mercury? Did you know that several European countries have band silver-mercury amalgam feelings for decades but they continue to be used in the United States? The toxic nature of amalgam feelings has been down-played by the American Dental Association for a century in spite of warnings to dentists to “never touch the amalgam with your fingers” and “it must be disposed of under strict toxic waste protocols.” Dentists who have been outspoken against amalgam fillings have lost their licenses to practice. Outsmart Your Cancer references a book written by one such dentist who describes the alleviation of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson symptoms as well as cancer via the removal of amalgam feelings. Once again, get the facts.
There is SO MUCH more in Outsmart Your Cancer. The rest is up to you!!
DEEP TISSUE LASER THERAPY IS HERE!!!
For those of you who haven’t been in to see us recently, we have been using a demo class IV laser device from Litecure since the beginning of June and have been getting some amazing results. We were so impressed with the results that we “bit the bullet” and purchased our own laser. A very worthwhile investment for OrthoWell and for the health of all of our patients.
I have added a page on our website that provides a comprehensive explanation and videos of the benefits and effects that a class IV deep tissue therapy device provides. In a nutshell, the laser uses photon energy to stimulate chemical reactions at the cellular level. Research has demonstrated an increase in metabolism, a decrease in inflammation, a decrease in pain, and an acceleration of healing at the treatment site. In other words, the application of laser in combination with our manual therapy and exercise techniques is getting our patient better even FASTER! It has also been extremely beneficial to conditions that have NOT been responsive to our traditional physical therapy interventions.
If you are interested in trying laser or if you feel that your symptoms have plateaued, then laser may be the answer that you are looking for.
***SPECIAL OFFER***
We want you to experience the benefits of deep tissue laser therapy so we are announcing a special offer. Call us now to schedule a FREE laser treatment. We will introduce you to laser therapy and provide a laser treatment FREE of charge. Let us know what works for you!
Do you take a multi-vitamin? Do you take vitamin C? If you said yes, you wouldn’t be alone. Supplement sales in 2012 hit $11.5 billion and are projected to be over $15 billion by 2017. People are looking for alternatives to traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals. If you have been in my physical therapy clinic, I am sure that many of you have heard me say “I am trying to place your body in the best position to heal”. The same can be said for my thoughts on vitamin and mineral supplements. Our bodies are incredible healing machines if you simply provide it the proper environment and the proper sustenance in which to heal. This blog post has been a labor of love as it has taken over 6 months to complete. I have attempted to provide THE EVIDENCE for why and what we should take for supplements. I hope this helps! Let me know what you think.
The first thing you need to realize is that there are a lot of unsubstantiated health claims made about vitamin and mineral supplements. You have to be a careful observer when reading about the “health effects” of supplements. Most of these substances are unregulated by the FDA. There has been an advocacy movement on the part of the USFDA to protect the consumer from unsubstantiated health claims. You can read more HERE. You need to be the educated consumer before making a purchase. Websites such as www.multivitaminguide.org provides a scientific comparison of over 100 brands of multi-vitamins. Check it out and see how YOUR choice compares.
I am of the opinion that you have to base your decision regarding supplements on the best available scientific information. This may mean that you put more trust in the biological “process” than in the actual “claim”. For example, we know that free radical damage is a “process” that can be mitigated by antioxidants. However, we cannot claim that antioxidants will “prevent cancer”. Read HERE to see four scientific examples or do a Medline search for the “effects of antioxidants” and take your pick.
I think that all of you would agree that stress is a threat to a person’s well-being. Your body responds to stress by utilizing an elaborate system of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to defend itself. Read HERE for details. An antioxidant is a compound that neutralizes the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that attack the nearest stable molecule and strip it of an electron. This can cause a chain reaction called oxidative stress which can cause damage to a living cell. Free radicals are a natural byproduct of cellular metabolism but their numbers may exceed the number of antioxidants when experiencing high levels of emotional OR physical stress. If this cycle goes unabated, it may lead to inflammation, infection, heart disease, or cancer to name a few. Obviously, this is a process that we want to mitigate. As a result of the depletion of antioxidants when under stress, it is recommended that you supplement or ingest fruit & vegetables not just once, but several times during the day. Yes, there are many different types of antioxidants. Vitamin E & C are probably the most popular. What do you choose as part of a dietary supplement regimen? It depends on who or what you read and how much money you want to spend. Is one any better than the other? Same answer! One way to look at it is “the more you stress, the more you need”.
The recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables to maximize your levels of dietary antioxidants is 5-10 servings. Rich Vitamin E sources are things such as whole grain, nuts (especially almonds!), and seeds. Read more HERE. Unfortunately, most people don’t come close to these daily allowances. One way to help neutralize the effects of free radicals is to supplement your diet with antioxidants. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is very efficient at breaking the oxidative stress chain. Vitamin C is a very abundant water-soluble antioxidant. It actually plays a role in returning Vitamin E to its active form. All citrus fruits contain high levels of Vitamin C. Polyphenols are another option. They are the chemicals that give fruit and vegetables their color. They are powerful antioxidants as well. Here is one example of polyphenols and one that I take on a daily basis. Check it out HERE.
So what’s up with the fatty acids? I’m sure that you have heard of omega-3’s and omega- 6’s. Right? This is the reason some people take “fish oil”. Some of you may even remember choking down cod liver oil as a child. With the advent of preservatives and the addition of poor quality vegetable oils in our foods, our ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 has gone awry. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the typical Western diet can be up to 16:1. Not good! Human beings evolved with the ratio being around 1:1. Excessive amounts of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and a very high omega-6/omega-3 ratio can promote diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, whereas increased levels of omega-3 (a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio) can have a preventative effect. Omega-3 can also help regulate pain and inflammation as well as maintain proper blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Read HERE for more.
So how do you decide which omega product to purchase? You want to purchase a product that has the highest purity and potency. Purity means that it is free of toxic chemicals such as mercury and PCB’s. Potency is based on the actual amount of EPA and DHA in the oil. EPA and DHA are the essential fatty acids in omega-3. Essential fatty acids cannot be produced by the body and are “essential” to ingest. Food sources high in omega-3 are salmon, almonds, flax, walnuts just to name a few. Check on-line for a chart. You want to ensure that the product that you intend on purchasing has undergone third party testing. The International Fish Oil Standards Program at http://www.ifosprogram.com/ is one such organization. Here is an example of the IFOS page for the omega 3 product that I use. Click HERE. So how much omega-3 do you need? I have concluded based upon my research that the daily recommended allowance for omega-3’s is anywhere between 2500-10,000 mg.
Have you ever had your Vitamin D level checked? If not, you may want to. A study published in the Archive of Internal Medicine in 2009 showed that Vitamin D levels have “plummeted” among ALL U.S. ages, races, and ethnic groups over the past two decades. This is especially true in seasonal parts of the country like New England where sun exposure is variable. Because there are such small amounts of Vitamin D in food, the only 2 ways to get adequate amounts is thru direct sun exposure or via supplements. The best form to take is Vitamin D3 and it is this form that is produced during sun exposure. Over the past 10 years, several researchers have found an association between extremely low vitamin D levels and chronic, general pain that doesn’t respond to treatment. Read HERE. Go the preceding link to read several examples of people who had miraculous results in pain reduction with Vitamin D supplementation. So how much should you take? The Vitamin D council recommends anywhere between 5000-10,000 IU per day. Check out their recommendations HERE. Here is a LINK comparing options for purchasing vitamin D. I take the generic Vit D3 from CVS.
So how about the MANY other vitamins and minerals? The Vitamin D Council gives recommendations for vitamins that work synergistically with Vitamin D. They include Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Zinc, Boron and Magnesium. You can read more about them and the recommended daily allowances HERE. As mentioned earlier, websites such as www.multivitaminguide.org provides a scientific comparison of over 100 brands of multi-vitamins which should contain all the recommended daily allowances of trace minerals and vitamins. My choice is first on the list from XtendLife: Total Balance. If you need to supplement your B vitamins, another option in liquid form is called Folidreen. Taking your supplements in liquid form and adding them to juice is a great option for those who have difficulty taking pills.
I have also been questioned about and have had personal experience with urine turning a bright yellow when taking a multivitamin. Is this bad? One of the main reasons for this is the excretion of riboflavin. The Latin origin of riboflavin is from the word flavus which means “yellow” or “blonde”. Your yellow urine reveals one key thing. Your body has taken what it can from the vitamins and the rest is excreted. Read more HERE.
So why do we need trace minerals? Minerals are essentially the elements on the periodic table in chemistry class. They are things like chromium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron etc. They work synergistically with all of the other vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need to maintain optimal health. Ideally, trace minerals should come from eating a raw food diet. Unfortunately, researchers have shown that raw food isn’t even enough because our soils have been so depleted of these vital minerals. It is believed that 90% of people are deficient in trace minerals. READ HERE. If it’s not in the soil and it’s not in our food, then what do you do? You need to get your trace minerals via a supplement. You need to scrutinize your multi-vitamin and even look into liquid options such as Concentrace: Trace Mineral Drops.
Another example of the importance of minerals is the balance of calcium and magnesium in our systems. As stated at Natural Vitality:
“Magnesium and calcium are fundamental nutrients that need to be in balance with each other in order for you to fully experience good health. Their importance on a cellular level is critical. Calcium and magnesium are like opposite sides of a coin. Calcium excites nerves, while magnesium calms them down. Calcium makes muscles contract. Magnesium is necessary for muscles to relax. Calcium is needed for blood clotting, but magnesium keeps the blood flowing freely.”
Deficiency of magnesium or calcium can be caused by a number of stresses on the body including emotional stress, taking drugs such as diuretics, antibiotics, oral contraceptives, insulin, or cortisone, heavy exercise, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Some people may need to seriously consider supplementation when these conditions exist. Calcium is extremely important as an alkalizing agent for your body. Stress and poor nutrition makes your body acidic. Acidic environments promote cancer growth! The recommended daily intake of calcium according to the National Institute of Health is 1000mg for adults aged 19-50 and 1200 for 51 plus. The recommended daily intake for magnesium according to the NIH is 320g for age 30 and older. Don’t forget that calcium CANNOT be ingested without Vitamin D. So you may want to order the combination of the two in a product. An excellent source of calcium is coral calcium. You can read HERE for a comparison of the best coral calcium products on the market. I order mine in tablet and powder form (for my smoothies) from True Blue.
So how about your joints? What are the best supplements? You want to focus on products that deliver RESULTS! The best known supplements for joint health are glucosamine and chondroitin. But have they been shown to be effective? The Cochrane Database www.cochrane.org of Systemic Review is the largest collection of randomized controlled studies in the world. The Cochrane Review of glucosamine for arthritis looked at 4963 patients and concluded that glucosamine “failed to show benefit in pain and function”.
Products which contain esterified fatty acids are turning out to be the new gold standard in the treatment of joint pain. One example is EFAC or esterified fatty acids complex. It is comprised of a proprietary blend of esterified fatty acids that inhibit the inflammatory cascade by bonding to white blood cells and inhibiting a mediator of inflammation called prostaglandin. Double-blind studies using EFAC for osteoarthritis and periodontal (gum) disease have been published in leading medical journals including the Journal of Rheumatology and the Journal of Periodontology. It has been shown that EFAC can reduce joint and muscular discomfort within 30 minutes of topical application and within 14 days of oral consumption. You can read more HERE.
It is available in both capsules and creams in order to maximize your results. Both are available and for sale in our clinic. You can find more information at www.hopescience.com.
In conclusion, yes, I am a believer in taking supplements. I hope that this blog post has made you a believer as well. Please let me know your thoughts or your experiences with supplements. We can all learn from one another!
Patellar Tendonitis, or runners knee, is a common over-use injury that causes pain and stiffness in the front of the knee. Chronic pain can lead to physiologic changes in the structure of the patellar tendon. This new study from JOSPT shows increased micro-circulation of the patellar tendon after prescribed eccentric exercises. Eccentric exercises are lengthening contractions such as slowly lowering during a squat or slowly bending your knee from a fully straightened position. Eccentric exercise can more readily bring nutrition to the tendon and create a healing environment that will reduce pain and stiffness. This approach is very similar to the eccentric protocol that we use to treat achilles tendonitis. The key is in the exercise prescription-so give us a call!
