Simi Valley Chiropractor, Doctor, Simi Valley Chiropractic

Sports and Chiropractic: A Winning Combination

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:35:14 +0000

by Brian Jensen, DC

As the popularity of sports continues to grow in this country, so does the need for chiropractic care. Chiropractic can help strengthen your athletic performance and prevent injuries from occurring. Whether you are an individual athlete or a member of an athletic team, you should make chiropractic a part of your sports care.

What Can Chiropractic Do for You?
Chiropractors can provide you with structural management. What is this? Structural management evaluates the weaknesses and imbalances in your body so that your chiropractor can develop a program to address them. Most sports injuries are mechanical or structural in nature, so it makes sense to evaluate your body’s structure.

Every individual’s body is unique. Every individual also has structural defects. A structural defect is a fault or flaw in your body’s structure. If you are an athlete, you have probably had a prior injury or have hereditary weaknesses, conditioning problems, physical and emotional stresses, dietary problems, or equipment deficiencies – all of which contribute to structural defects.

Structural management begins with a structural exam. Your chiropractor will probably visually evaluate you first, making note of important information about your posture, such as your shoulder and hip heights, internal and external rotations of your knees, abnormal spinal curves, etc. Then he/she will examine all the arches of your feet. Your chiropractor will also conduct range-of-motion tests on all of your joints, muscle tests, leg length measurements, and a standing x-ray of your overall body structure.

From your structural exam, your chiropractor learns important information that will be used to educate you about your specific imbalances and weaknesses. Because structural imbalances and weaknesses can increase your risk of injury, this exam should be conducted during the preseason. Your imbalances can be addressed immediately with treatment, support, and exercises.

Top college and pro athletes have strength coaches who work on strength and conditioning, but no one ever evaluates an athlete structurally—before, during, or after an injury. Until all athletes are structurally evaluated, injuries will never fully be understood, prevented, or treated.

Athletes and Their Structure
Imagine you are a building. The architectural structure of the building is important because it determines if the building will hold up to stress. The same is true for the human body. For you, a balanced structure means a reduced chance of injury and more endurance. An improvement in your overall structure would also improve your athletic performance. So it’s clear how important it is to take care of your structure.

Every athlete deals with structural defects. Many of your defects start in your feet, which are the foundation for your entire body. Your feet must be able to properly support your body; allow you to stand, walk, run, and jump; and absorb damaging shock that enters your body every time your heel hits the ground.

Pain tells you to consult the team physician or trainer. But foot imbalance or dysfunction is not always painful; it may transfer to your lower legs, knees, hips, or spine instead. Why? Your body is like a large, interconnected chain; movement at one of your joints affects movement at other joints. If your feet have imbalances or weaknesses, they travel all the way up your body.

Pronation and supination are normal foot movements that occur during walking and running. But when your foot excessively pronates or supinates, the entire body’s stability is at risk. Other signs of an unstable posture include uneven shoulder heights, one leg that is shorter than the other, and tilting in your hips.

Your athletic performance is directly determined by the status and coordination of your proprioception system. Proprioception is defined as “sensing the motion and position of the body.” Special nerve endings in the tissues surrounding your muscles and bones interact with your nervous system (the center for all your mental activity) to coordinate your body’s movements, posture, and balance. Three regions of the body contain the most proprioceptive nerve endings: your foot, your spine, and your neck.

If you have weaknesses or imbalances in any one of these areas, you cannot function at your best. It’s important to take care of your feet and your spine because interference in these areas can negatively affect the coordination of your proprioception system. Your athletic performance depends a great deal on this system – how smoothly and quickly your body can respond to position, speed, and balance changes.

Recommendations
Your chiropractor can help you effectively manage your structure in many ways. Once your chiropractor has evaluated your body’s structure and identified any imbalances or weaknesses, he/she can then correct them. A program that combines specific adjustments and a personalized conditioning program can be developed for you. This program will usually be based on three things: your individual needs, your fitness goals, and your progress with the recommended exercises from your chiropractor.

Adjustments of the spine and extremities have a direct and immediate effect on making your body’s proprioceptive responses optimal. Adjustments will help improve your body’s overall balance and coordination. They can help keep your body in the correct alignment, improving your posture. They can also help relieve pain. The purpose of adjustments is to re-educate the joints and other supportive areas of your body. This will enhance the mobility of your joints and increase the amount of stress that your body can tolerate before an injury occurs.

Once you have been shown to have specific structural defects, you should be fitted for flexible, custom-made orthotics. By supporting and balancing all three of your foot’s natural arches, flexible, custom-made orthotics work with your chiropractic care to help stabilize your spine and help hold your adjustments longer.

Custom-made, flexible orthotics support, move, and protect your body from the damaging shock that occurs when your heel strikes the ground with each step. They help control the angle and timing of pronation or supination, not restrict or eliminate your normal foot motion. By controlling movement in your feet, flexible orthotics encourage normal reactions all the way up your body.

Flexible, custom-made orthotics can benefit any athlete. Many studies have proven that flexible orthotics help reduce fatigue, and have a positive affect on your stride length and hip rotation. They help properly position your body to improve its balance and proprioceptive abilities – helping enhance your athletic performance.

Their unique approach separates chiropractors from all the other sports medicine providers who treat only for the injured athlete. Chiropractors can help predict certain injuries and correct structural defects, which can give athletes new and exciting possibilities in the sports world.

Shoulder Pain and Chiropractic

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:38:19 +0000

Did you know?

Shoulder pain is a common ailment that affects 10% of the population at some time in their lives. Trauma to the shoulder or recurring shoulder pain may be an indicator that there is a more serious problem and additional investigation may be required. Most shoulder pain can be resolved with conservative care such as soft tissue therapy and/or specific rehab exercises.

To find out how Dr. DeCloedt can help your aching shoulder. Call him at 805-581-2310

Weight Loss for Back Pain Relief

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:41:30 +0000

The effects of obesity

Patients who are overweight or obese and suffer from back pain may not be aware that their excess weight is actually contributing to their back pain. While it has not been thoroughly studied exactly how excess weight can cause or contribute to back pain, it is known that people who are overweight often are at greater risk for back pain, joint pain and muscle strain than those who are not obese (1).

In addition to back pain, symptoms exhibited by persons who are obese or severely overweight may include fatigue, as well as difficulty breathing and shortness of breath during short periods of exercise (2). If the fatigue and shortness of breath causes one to avoid activity and exercise, then this can indirectly lead to back pain as lack of exercise contributes to many common forms of back pain.

This article examines the heightened risk and severity for certain back problems that obese or overweight patients may experience as a result of their weight. The article also provides practical tips and guidelines for how patients can use exercise, diet and weight loss to reduce their back pain.

Problems caused by obesiy

According to the American Obesity Association, episodes of musculoskeletal pain, and specifically back pain, are prevalent among the nearly one-third of Americans who are classified as obese (2). The American Obesity Association also reports that more obese persons say they are disabled and less able to complete everyday activities than persons with other chronic conditions (1).

Some of the most common obesity-related problems include musculoskeletal and joint related pain (1). For people who are overweight, attention to overall weight loss is important as every pound adds strain to the muscles and ligaments in the back. In order to compensate for extra weight, the spine can become tilted and stressed unevenly. As a result, over time, the back may lose its proper support and an unnatural curvature of the spine may develop.

In particular, pain and problems in the low back may be aggravated by obesity. This occurs for people with extra weight in their stomachs because the excess weight pulls the pelvis forward and strains the lower back, creating lower back pain. According to the American Obesity Association, women who are obese or who have a large waist size are particularly at risk for lower back pain (1).

Obese or overweight patients may experience sciatica and low back pain from a herniated disc. This occurs when discs and other spinal structures are damaged from having to compensate for the pressure of extra weight on the back. In addition, pinched nerves and piriformis syndrome may result when extra weight is pushed into spaces between bones in the low back area (3).

Arthritis of the spine that causes back pain may be aggravated when extra body weight strains joints. Those patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than 25 are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than those with a lower BMI. The American Obesity Association recommends modest weight loss as a treatment for some types of osteoarthritis (2).

The effectiveness of back surgery may also be affected by a patient’s weight. Obese patients are at higher risk for complications and infections after surgery compared to patients who are not obese (2). For seriously overweight patients, paying attention to weight loss before undergoing back surgery may improve the healing process after surgery.

Identifying the need for weight loss

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure commonly used by medical practitioners. BMI is a mathematical formula (BMI=kg/m2) that takes into account a person’s weight in kilograms and height in meters and calculates a number. The higher a person’s BMI falls on a pre-determined range of values, the higher the likelihood for obesity.

Although there is some debate over the specific meaning of BMI measurements, a BMI of 30 or higher is typically considered to be obese, while a measure of 25 to 29.9 is typically considered to be overweight (4).

It is also important to evaluate where excess fat is carried on the patient’s body. Patients who carry more weight around their midsection are at greater risk for obesity-related health problems, such as low back pain. Weight loss for health considerations is often advisable for women with a waist measurement of more than 35 inches or men with a waist measurement of more than 40 inches (4).

References:

American Obesity Association. “Health effects of obesity.” AOA Fact Sheets. 2002. http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/Health_Effects.shtml.
American Obesity Association. “What is obesity?” AOA Fact Sheets. 2002. http://www.obesity.org/subs/fastfacts/obesity_what2.shtml.
Fishman L., Ardman C. Back Pain: How to Relieve Low Back Pain and Sciatica. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997:248.
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases. “Understanding adult obesity.” 2001. http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/unders.htm.

We’re Open on Saturdays!

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:03:44 +0000

We’re Open on Saturdays!

Jump for joy! We have expanded our weekend hours to allow for greater flexibility in appointment scheduling for DeCloedt Chiropractic patients. We are now open every Saturday from 9am to 12pm.

Ideal Protein Introductory Class

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:13:31 +0000

The Ideal Protein diet that has been successful in Europe for over 23 years, Canada for over 5 years… now has FDA approval for the USA!! DeCloedt Chiropractic will be having their next no obligation, introductory class in Simi Valley on January 14th at 7:00 pm. Come hear how you will lose 3-7 pounds per week! These are TYPICAL RESULTS, unlike most other diets! This is a healthy approach developed by a doctor to naturally regulate the pancreas (insulin producer) without drugs or unproven substances, thereby turning your body into a fat burning machine! Ideal Protein provides the ideal amount of protein so you don’t have muscle loss during the protocol.

This diet has 4 phases… so it has a beginning and an end! Phase 4 is the proper diet to keep the weight off (no more yoyo effects caused by the other diets). The food is great, I have more energy on the diet (because the body gets more energy from burning fat instead of insulin), and you don’t feel hungry while on it!

The next Introductory meeting will be held in Simi Valley on Wednesday January 14th at 7:00pm. Seating is limited, so call with any questions or to reserve a seat to start losing the weight you’ve always wanted to! Call DeCloedt Chiropractic at (805) 581-2310 to get in on the program or to suggest a day/time that would be more suitable to you. You can also email us at info@ChiroSportSimi.com.

Come join us in losing weight! Your Last Diet!

Exclusive Ideal Protein Clinic

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:29:13 +0000

NEW at DeCloedt Chiropractic but based on centuries of science! Ideal Protein is a medically-supervised protocol dispensed ONLY by healthcare practitioners with personalized, one-on-one weekly support and education. It is a muscle-sparing FAT TARGETING protocol where you lose 3-7 lbs. per week of fat without exercise. This has a beginning and an end, it is NOT for the rest of your life. A Synopsis and a Health Profile are available at the front desk if you would like to learn more or get started.

TO LEARN MORE: please come to our next Ideal Protein Open House and Workshop featuring FREE SAMPLES. To sign up for our next open house please email info@chirosportsimi.com or call the office at 805-581-2310.

Sleep, Nutriton, Health Seminar

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:20:41 +0000

Join Dr. DeCloedt and the Sleep Number team on November 14th.

Come to the Select Comfort store at the Simi Valley Town Center for a fun and informational seminar on improving your health through sleep and proper nutrition.

Topics will be:

Sleep and your health
Improving your sleep habits
Healthy Eating

Select Comfort Health Screening

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:10:09 +0000

Select Comfort Health Screening

DeCloedt Chiropractic will be at the Select Comfort store at the Simi Valley Town Center November 14th from 1-4 pm. Dr. DeCloedt will be giving free posture analysis and answering all of your questions about chiropractic. Select Comfort will also have their full staff help you find your sleep number, giving free tips on sleeping better and helping you to find the right pillow for you.

1:00 pm Saturday November 24

Titan’s vs. Jr. Sharks

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:00:37 +0000

Southern Cal Titans to face off with the San Jose Jr. Sharks at Easy Street arena.

November 21st at 6:45 pm

Ear Infections

Dr. DeCloedt Simi Valley Chiroproactor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:54:29 +0000

Ear Infections or Otitis media is an inner ear infection generally caused from a blockage of the Eustachian tubes. The Eustachian Tube allows equalized pressure on the eardrum and allows fluid to drain away from the inner ear. When the Eustachian tube is blocked, fluid builds up and causes an infection. The transverse process, bones sticking out from the sides of a vertebrae, run next to the Eustachian tubes at C1, the first Cervical vertebrae. When a vertebra is misaligned or subluxated, swollen tissue will result causing the Eustachian tubes to block. By removing the subluxations at C1 and C2 you can reduce the tissue swelling around the Eustachian Tubes and allow the inner ear to drain, clearing the infection within a couple days in many cases.

Symptoms of Ear Infections:

EAR ACHES OR TUGGING AT THE EAR
EAR AND NASAL DRAINAGE
FEVER
POOR SLEEP
IRRITABILITY AND CRYING
DECREASED APPETITE

Chiropractic care works on relieving symptoms and complications associated with ear infections, by relieving pressure off the Eustachian tubes. Evidence shows Chiropractic care to be helpful within 10 days and fewer than 5 adjustments. To see if chiropractic may be able to help you call (805) 581-2310 today for a complimentary consultation.