Bay Ridge Sports Chiropractor

Dr. Jason J. Peloquin of Brooklyn, NY, has obtained the postgraduate designation of Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP) by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians™ (ACBSP™). The CCSP certification requires the doctor to attend a minimum of 100 hours of a 120 hour postgraduate program. This instruction is specific to physical fitness and the evaluation and treatment of injuries encountered in sports. Following the completion of these hours, the doctor must then take and successfully pass a comprehensive written examination.

This training will aid the doctor in the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries by enhancing his diagnostic skills and patient care. The CCSP accreditation exists to provide a uniform standard of education that assures teams and athletes that the doctor has met a minimum level of competency in chiropractic sports medicine. Dr. Peloquin joins over 5200 others internationally who hold this designation.

Fort Dr. Peloquin's current involvement please check the American Chiropractic Sports Practitioner database or read more about his involvement with sports at Hands of Gold Sports

Winter and Pain

Though there’s not much scientific data to support the joint pain and weather connection, you can still use these arthritis pain relief tips when your aching joints act up in winter:

• Dress warmly. If it’s cold outside, keep yourself warm with gloves over hands that ache and added layers over knees and legs. “I’m one of those people who loves to wear dresses and skirts,” says Snow, “so when it’s cold I also wear tights or leggings to stay warm.”
• Exercise inside. A study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health that measured physical activity in 241 adults with arthritis living in Chicago (a city known for its bitterly cold winters) found that the amount of sedentary time increased by over three hours between November and June. But while it's understandable to want to avoid winter chill, people with joint pain should still stay active — and the best way is with an indoor exercise plan. Snow has a treadmill and an elliptical trainer at home. Libman recommends walking the mall.
• Enjoy warm water. Swimming in a heated pool is both great exercise and soothing to joints. You can also get relief from warm baths. Just don’t go right out into the cold after your soak. Let your body temperature normalize a bit first.
• Supplement vitamin D. Being deficient in vitamin D might make osteoarthritis worse, warns Libman. You are less likely to get enough vitamin D in the winter, so this is a good time to take a supplement or make sure your diet is vitamin D-rich.
  
  

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  How to Be Supplement Savvy

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• Stay safe. Particularly when the weather turns icy, people with arthritis need to protect their joints from further damage. If you’re going outside, pick solid, supportive shoes with good treads and try to walk on a surface that doesn’t look icy, advises Libman.
• Try a glucosamine-chondroitin supplement. Although there are no herbal supplements that have been proven to provide arthritis pain relief in clinical studies, Libman says some of her patients do report relief from these supplements. “What I tell my patients is, if you can afford to pay for it and you want to give it a try, it seems to be a low-risk thing for pain,” she says.
• Add fish oil. “Omega-3 fatty acids do have some benefit because they seem to reduce the level of inflammation,” says Libman. You need about 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams a day to get benefits. Make sure to let your doctor know if you try omega-3s, as they can increase the risk of bruising or bleeding.
• Take NSAIDs. Even if, like Snow, you prefer to treat your joint pain with lifestyle changes rather than medication, it’s okay to take an over-the-counter pain reliever when your joint pain is worse due to the weather.
• Get a massage. Yes, you have permission to indulge yourself. “A lot of what’s happening in terms of pain is, some is emanating from the joint and some from the muscles around the joint,” explains Libman. Massage can help ease those cramped muscles.
• Go under the needle. Acupuncture is another option for those willing to consider non-traditional treatments. “It does seem patients derive some benefit with regard to pain,” says Libman. You may need several sessions to get the joint pain relief you seek.

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and his office Hands of Gold Chiropractic please visit his website at: Hands of Gold Chiro

HANDS OF GOLD VOTED 2014 BEST IN BORO

 

Hands of Gold Chiropractic Voted Best In Brooklyn

Bay Ridge Brooklyn chiropractor, Dr. Jason Peloquin and staff at the Hands of Gold Chiropractic have won "Best Chiropractor in the Boro" by The Home Reporter, The Brooklyn Spectator and The Sunset News.  This makes their second 1st place award in the last three years.


The contest ran from late March to early August. During this time, voters logged into The Home Reporter's website and casted their nomination for the Best of the Boro contest. After the nomination period had ended, all of the users were given the chance to vote on their favorite picks during the second round.

Dr. Peloquin was very excited about the good news and exclaimed, "It is a true testament to what we are trying to accomplish for our community. Individual personalized attention, quality care and long lasting results!"

Hands of Gold Chiropractic offers a wide array of alternative therapies. Patients seeking treatment at their Bay Ridge location are able to consult or be treated by a licenced acupuncturist and massage therapist. Nutritional counseling as well as non-surgical spinal decompression are also offered.

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and his office, Hands of Gold Chiropractic, please feel free to log onto his website http://www.handsofgoldchiropractic.com/ or you can catch up on their latest blog and health related topics by liking their Facebook page Hands of Gold On Facebook Link.

REPAIRING AN INURED ROTATOR CUFF

 

As we get older, rotator cuff injuries become more common, a result of the natural aging process. A similar mechanism operates in the discs separating the vertebras in your lower back. These cartilaginous structures lose water over time, becoming less flexible and more brittle as the decades roll by. In the case of the shoulder, the rotator cuff tendon is pulleyed to and fro as the arm swings forward and back and up and down. As the years pass, this constant motion may cause fraying in the rotator cuff tendon and inflammation in the muscles that comprise the rotator cuff. Eventually, partial or full thickness tears may develop in one or more of these musculotendinous units, causing pain and some loss of function. Importantly, conservative care may be all that’s needed to reduce pain and restore needed motion.

The shoulder joint is beautifully designed and a marvel of engineering. Its construction makes possible a full 360-degree arc of motion in both the sagittal and frontal planes. In other words, you can swing your arm in a complete circle from front-to-back and to-the-side-and-up-and-around. In the third, horizontal, plane, 180 degrees of motion is available. The overall combination of movements in three-dimensional space makes the shoulder joint the most freely movable joint in your body. However, as with all freedoms we enjoy in this life, there is a price. The shoulder joint’s great mobility is countered by its very limited stability.

The shoulder’s lack of stability needn’t concern us in our average day-to-day tasks. Protection to the joint is built-in by way of the rotator cuff muscles, which form a strong hood that envelops the intersection of the arm bone and shoulder blade. Falling on an outstretched arm may result in a dislocated shoulder, so we need to have some care in this regard.

If you’re a young athlete and have suffered a rotator cuff tear, surgery may be an appropriate option. But for the vast majority of people, especially for those over age 40, most rotator cuff injuries are chronic rather than acute and can be treated with rest and rehabilitative exercise. Again, if you’re a 60-year-old skier who has torn his or her rotator cuff in a downhill accident, surgery could be indicated. For the rest of us, rehabilitative exercise is the key.

Four or five primary strength training exercises are involved in shoulder or rotator cuff rehabilitation. The three basic shoulder exercises are (1) seated overhead press, which trains all the shoulder girdle muscles simultaneously; (2) standing side [lateral] raise; and (3) seated or standing bent-over raise. The lateral raise specifically trains the middle deltoid muscle and the bent-over raise specifically trains the posterior deltoid muscle. Specific rotator cuff strength training exercises include internal rotation and external rotation on a flat bench using very light dumbbells. More painful injuries with greater loss of mobility may require (1) Codman pendulum exercises and (2) finger-walking (up a wall) to the front and to the side.

The goals of rotator cuff rehabilitation, as for any mechanical injury, include decreased inflammation, decreased pain, return to more full active range of motion, return to more full muscular strength, and restoration of function.

stretches for your low back

 

Back stretches can go a long way towards relieving the muscle tension that is the most common cause of back pain. Stretches for your lower back should be done carefully to avoid injury. Here are some simple lower back stretches that you can do at home; some of the stretches require a chair.

1) Cat Stretch

You'll perform this stretch on the floor, on your hands and knees. Make sure your hands are positioned immediately below your shoulders and your knees are positioned immediately below your hips.

• Start by arching your back towards the ceiling. Drop your head and pelvis. Keep your legs and arms straight and strong.
• Return to your original position.
• Drop your belly toward the floor; lift your face and hips toward the ceiling. Keep your legs and arms firm.
• Repeat this stretching sequence five to ten times, breathing slowly and deeply throughout. Inhale as you lift your face toward the ceiling; exhale as you drop your head and arch your back.

2) Seated Torso Twist

You'll perform this stretching exercise in a chair. Be careful with torso twists; if you don't do them properly, you can injure your spine. Keep your spine straight and don't force your body into the twist; allow your spine to move into the twist on its own, and only as far as is comfortable.

• Sit upright in a chair with your palms on your thighs or knees. Your head should be directly above your shoulders and you should be balanced firmly on your pelvis.
• Twist to the left. Place your right hand on the outside of your left knee, but don't use the hand to exert any pressure; simply place it there. Your spine should be doing the twisting all by itself.
• Allow your head to move into the twist as well. Once again, don't force it.
• As you twist, look as far to that side just by moving your eyes. This makes the twist more energizing.
• Hold the twist for 20 to 30 seconds, breathing deeply and fully into the lower abdomen and lower back. When you're finished, repeat the twist in the other direction.

3) Seated Forward Bend

Some people like to perform this lower back stretch while seated on the floor with their legs extended in front of them. However, if you lack flexibility in your calves, hamstrings and lower back, you're better off performing this stretch while seated in a chair.

• Sit upright in a chair; keep your spine straight and your head held erect above your shoulders.
• Place your palms in your lap. Relax your shoulders and arms.
• Place your feet at least hip width apart; you may want to separate the feet even more. If your feet are further apart than the width of your hips, turn your toes in toward one another slightly.
• Inhale; when you exhale, lean forward over your thighs. Allow your hands to dangle on either side of your feet. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your neck elongated.
• Breathe deeply into your lower back. Hold this stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. Come up slowly, so that you don't pass out.

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and his office Hands of Gold Chiropractic, please visit his website at:
www.HandsofGoldChiropractic.com
You can also follow the office on Facebook for new health related posts and discussion on todays health and wellness topics.
HANDS OF GOLD CHIRO ON FACEBOOK

Chiropractors and Exercise Are Better than Drugs

According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and funded by the National Institutes of  Health, patients with neck pain who used a chiropractor and/or exercise were more than twice as likely to be pain free in 12 weeks compared to those who took medication.

Due to chiropractors comprehensive training in musculoskeletal management, numerous sources of evidence have shown that chiropractic management is much safer and often more effective than allopathic medical treatments, particularly for back and neck pain. In addition, researchers have also found that chiropractic adjustments affect our bodies on a deep cellular level.

For a summary of the new study or to access the new study please follow the link provided here:
Chiropractors are better than Drugs

For more information on chiropractic therapy including what conditions they treat and how they differ from other health professions, please feel free to browse our website:
The Bay Ridge Chiropractor

The Flu Shot, What They Arent Telling You

As the Byrds sang to us in the 60’s, “to everything there is a season.” Well, apparently it is the flu season once again. The signs urging everyone to get their flu shot are popping up like dandelions in the Spring and all the drug and grocery stores offer them now. It’s becoming so prevalent that I’m surprised that gas stations aren’t offering free flu shots with a fill-up, as 173 million doses of the shot will be given this year.
What they are not telling you is that the flu shot is not a safe medical procedure, nor is it an effective one. The following are the top 7 reasons not to get a flu shot:
1) There is a total lack of evidence that young children benefit from the shots. A systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children ages 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo.
2) Medical journals have published thousands of articles revealing that injecting vaccines can lead to serious health problems including harmful immunological responses and a host of other infections. This further increases the body’s susceptibility to the diseases that the vaccine was supposed to protect against.
3) Ever notice how people who get the flu shot develop runny noses, flu symptoms, bronchitis, or even pneumonia within days or weeks of receiving the drug? This is because they are being injected with several strains of a flu virus, as well as toxic chemicals, which overwhelm the body’s immune system, thus suppressing it, and making them more susceptible to the illness the vaccine is supposed to protect against.
4) The flu vaccine, as well as just about all the childhood vaccines, contains mercury – a heavy metal known to be hazardous to human health. The amount of mercury contained in a multi-dose flu shot is much higher than the maximum allowable daily exposure limit. Mercury toxicity can cause memory loss, depression, ADD, digestive imbalances, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and other serious health ailments.
5) Besides mercury, there are other ingredients present that can cause serious neurological disorders. These include detergents, antibiotics, formaldehyde, MSG (a flavor enhancer), gelatin, chicken embryos, polyethylene glycol, and sodium phosphate. These ingredients can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer.
6) Research shows that over-use of the flu vaccine and drugs like Tamiflu and Relanza can actually alter flu viruses and cause them to mutate into a more deadly strain.
7) The flu viruses mutate every year so trying to guess what strain will be spreading has proven to be a crap shoot and not very effective. Moreover getting multi-shots is dangerous since different strains of viruses and harmful ingredients are introduced into your body.
Flu shots are indeed more dangerous than we are led to believe, and it’s best to rely on natural ways to protect yourself against the flu. Here are some easy steps to remain healthy:

• Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D every day – 4000 to 10,000 IU’s daily is ideal.
• Get plenty of exercise – A half-hour to 40 minutes a day keeps your blood flowing, helps to detox your system, and keeps your internal environment alkaline.
• Get plenty of sleep – 8 hours is the best amount of time.
• Eat healthy, organic foods – not fast foods, prepared foods, GMO’s or any foods that are laden with toxins that weaken you.
• Wash your hands with soap and water! Avoid the waterless hand sanitizers since they also weaken the immune system.
• Stay hydrated with clean, fresh, filtered water.
• Golden seal and Echinacea supplements work to boost your immune system.

The bottom line is if you keep your body healthy, then you don’t have to worry about getting the flu. Relying on the toxic waste dump injected into your body in the guise of good medicine is certainly not a wise choice.

IT Band Stretches, Treatment and Prevention

Lateral band walks

 

What Are The Symptoms of ITBand syndrome?

Hip or knee pain, or both. Specifically, pain on the outer side of the knee where the bone bumps out above the joint, or on the outer side of the hip. The pain usually starts after 10 minutes of running. Walking usually causes no pain.

What’s Going On In There?

The iliotibial band (ITB) is a thick tendon that runs the length of and connects the tensor fascia lata muscle—which starts on the outer side of the hip—to the outer side of the tibia, the major bone in the lower leg.

Here’s how the pain happens: A small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa sits between the tendon and the outside of the femur near the knee. You also have a bursa at the hip joint. When the ITB is tight, it increases the tension on the outer sides of the hip and knee. The ITB then pinches these two sites and the bursa (one or both) swells. Over time, the bursa becomes enlarged—big enough to cause pain every time you begin to run (which is why pain usually starts within 10 minutes of activity).

 

 

Fix it

• Roll it: A 6-by-36-inch foam roller is the best tool for stretching the ITB. Lie on your side with the roller under your leg and roll it from your hip to your knee (see right), using your body weight to knead the area. The pressure will help loosen the tendon and the fascia, almost like a self-massage. Do this at least once a day for several minutes, and make it a permanent part of your exercise activity.

• Beef up your glutes and hips. Weak butt and hip muscles contribute to ITB impingement syndrome. Make sure your lower-body work includes squats, especially single-leg squats, as well as multidirectional lunges (for more ideas, see exercises and stretches below).

 

Prevent It

Build up your glutes to reinforce the body’s largest and potentially most powerful muscle group. The stretches and exercises here all help build up your glutes and hip flexors, and can be added to any workout.

Lying Glute Stretch
Lie face-up on the floor with your knees and hips bent. Cross your right leg over your left so that your right ankle sits across your left thigh. Grab your right knee with both hands and pull it toward the middle of your chest until you feel a comfortable stretch in your glutes. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the opposite side. Repeat twice for a total of three sets—and several times a day if you’re really tight.
Lateral Band WalksPlace both legs between a mini-band and position the band just above your knees. Take small steps to your right for 20 feet. Then sidestep back to your left for 20 feet. That’s one set.
Hip Raise
Lie face-up on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place your arms out to your sides at 45-degree angles, your palms facing up. Raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Squeeze your glutes as you raise your hips. Make sure you’re pushing with your heels. To make it easier, you can position your feet so that your toes rise off the floor. Pause for five seconds in the up position, then lower your body back to the starting position.
Brooklyn Chiropractor, Dr. Jason J. Pleoquin at The Hands of Gold Chiroractic can help you overcome a ITB injury using a combination of massage, stretching, vibration therapy, graston technique, Cold Laser Therapy and Active Release Technique,
For more information on Dr. Peloquin, please feel free to visit his website www.HandsofGoldChiropractic.com

7 Reasons To Forget A Flu Shot

Here we are again, another cold and flu season upon us.  The signs urging everyone to get their flu shot are popping up like dandelions in the Spring and all the drug and grocery stores offer them now. It’s becoming so prevalent that I’m surprised that gas stations aren’t offering free flu shots with a fill-up, as 173 million doses of the shot will be given this year. 
 
What they are not telling you is that the flu shot is not a safe medical procedure, nor is it an effective one. The following are the top 7 reasons not to get a flu shot:
1) There is a total lack of evidence that young children benefit from the shots. A systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children ages 6 to 23 months found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo.

2) Medical journals have published thousands of articles revealing that injecting vaccines can lead to serious health problems including harmful immunological responses and a host of other infections. This further increases the body’s susceptibility to the diseases that the vaccine was supposed to protect against.

3) Ever notice how people who get the flu shot develop runny noses, flu symptoms, bronchitis, or even pneumonia within days or weeks of receiving the drug? This is because they are being injected with several strains of a flu virus, as well as toxic chemicals, which overwhelm the body’s immune system, thus suppressing it, and making them more susceptible to the illness the vaccine is supposed to protect against.

4) The flu vaccine, as well as just about all the childhood vaccines, contains mercury – a heavy metal known to be hazardous to human health. The amount of mercury contained in a multi-dose flu shot is much higher than the maximum allowable daily exposure limit. Mercury toxicity can cause memory loss, depression, ADD, digestive imbalances, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s, and other serious health ailments.

5) Besides mercury, there are other ingredients present that can cause serious neurological disorders. These include detergents, antibiotics, formaldehyde, MSG (a flavor enhancer), gelatin, chicken embryos, polyethylene glycol, and sodium phosphate. These ingredients can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer.

6) Research shows that over-use of the flu vaccine and drugs like Tamiflu and Relanza can actually alter flu viruses and cause them to mutate into a more deadly strain.

7) The flu viruses mutate every year so trying to guess what strain will be spreading has proven to be a crap shoot and not very effective. Moreover getting multi-shots is dangerous since different strains of viruses and harmful ingredients are introduced into your body.

Flu shots are indeed more dangerous than we are led to believe, and it’s best to rely on natural ways to protect yourself against the flu. Here are some easy steps to remain healthy:

• Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D every day – 4000 to 10,000 IU’s daily is ideal.
• Get plenty of exercise – A half-hour to 40 minutes a day keeps your blood flowing, helps to detox your system, and keeps your internal environment alkaline.
• Get plenty of sleep – 8 hours is the best amount of time.
• Eat healthy, organic foods – not fast foods, prepared foods, GMO’s or any foods that are laden with toxins that weaken you.
• Wash your hands with soap and water! Avoid the waterless hand sanitizers since they also weaken the immune system.
• Stay hydrated with clean, fresh, filtered water.
• Golden seal and Echinacea supplements work to boost your immune system.

The bottom line is if you keep your body healthy, then you don’t have to worry about getting the flu. Relying on the toxins injected into your body and calling this good sound science is certainly not a wise choice.

For more information on Dr. Jason Peloquin and his practice Hands of Gold Chiropractic, please feel free to visit his website The Bay Ridge Chiropractor

CHIROPRACTIC AND POSTURE

We all recognize poor posture when we see it, but most of us do not have a real grasp of the important role posture plays in our health.

Good posture means your bones are properly aligned and your muscles, joints, and ligaments can work optimally. It means your organs are in the right position and can function at peak efficiency. Good posture helps contribute to a normal functioning nervous system. Without good posture, your overall health and total efficiency may be compromised. Because the long-term effects of poor posture can affect bodily systems, a person who has poor posture may often be tired or unable to work efficiently or move properly.

Poor posture can be the result of a combination of factors. Car accidents, sports injuries, and falls can cause immediate change. Postural changes can also happen gradually with poor work ergonomics, sleep positions, and careless sitting and standing habits. In addition, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, and excess body weight can contribute to poor body positioning.
Poor posture inevitably leads to pain. Muscles have to work extra hard just to hold you up, causing fatigue. The muscles in the neck, back, arms and legs become tight, stiff and achy. Eventually, there will the joint stiffness and pain as the result of all the excess wear and tear to the joints and discs.
To maintain proper posture, you need to have adequate muscle flexibility and strength, normal joint motion, as well as efficient postural muscles that are balanced on both sides of the spine. In addition, you must recognize your postural habits and work to correct them.

Chiropractors are experts at analyzing posture and spinal problems. They can assist you with proper posture, including recommending exercises to strengthen your core postural muscles. They can also assist you with choosing proper postures during your activities, helping reduce your risk of injury.

For more information on Hands of Gold Chiropractic, please visit their website @ www.HandsofGoldChiropractic.com

10 Minutes Of Stretching Can Make All The Difference

 

Should I stretch before or after I exercise? Should I even bother to stretch at all? These are the questions that every busy adult asks whenever he or she is planning to begin an exercise program. The correct answer to the first question is "do whatever is right for you." Some people need to lengthen their major muscle groups, such as the quadriceps (front of the thigh), hamstrings (back of the thigh), and calves, before they run, walk, swim, and/or lift weights for exercise. For others, it's best to stretch at the end of a workout, re-lengthening the major muscle groups so they'll be ready to help you move through the rest of your day.

The answer to the second question is "yes, stretching is important for everybody and is often the missing link in trying to understand why you injured yourself when you were exercising." Stretching helps you either warm up or cool down, whichever is needed for you to get the most out of your exercise. Not stretching in the way that you need puts you on the fast track to sustaining an exercise-related injury. As always, prevention is the best policy.

A dynamic warm-up is a fun and entertaining supplement or replacement, at times, to stretching if you're a stretch-first person. In a dynamic warm-up, you take important joints such as your hips, shoulders, and lower back through complete ranges of motion, using large muscle groups for support. Dynamic warm-up activities are similar to core strengthening exercises and have unique names such as scorpion, hip crossover, drop lunge, and quad circles. You can mix-and-match a variety of dynamic warm-up activities on different workout days, creating ongoing interest that helps you maintain your exercise routine.

A dynamic cool-down can serve as a similar supplement or replacement to stretching, at times, if you're a stretch-after person. If you've been walking or running, rather than simply completing your walk or run, spend an additional few minutes walking or running with shorter strides and/or at a slower pace. Walking backward at a slow pace is another method for achieving a dynamic cool-down. If you've been lifting weights, a series of deep-knee lunges will stretch your lower back and hips. A yoga-style downward dog will lengthen your spine, hamstrings, and calf muscles. Moving your arms through big circles, both clockwise and counterclockwise, will open up your shoulder girdles and lengthen the muscles of your rotator cuffs.

Regardless of the method you choose, stretching is an important part of your regular exercise activities. The extra few minutes spent either warming up or cooling down will help you maintain your exercise program achieve long-term health and well-being.

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and how his team at Hands of Gold Chiropractic can help you, please research his abilities by clicking the link to his website at Bay Ridge Chiropractor or liking his facebook page @ HANDS-OF-GOLD-CHIROPRACTIC ON FACEBOOK

Whats The Problem With Stress?

We live in stressful times. The economy is tough, global conflicts rage, severe weather events are affecting people in every corner of the globe, and our numerous technological devices don't seem to be making things any easier. Of course, this is nothing new. Every generation thinks theirs is the best of times and the worst of times. But the result is that people everywhere have high levels of stress.
Sometimes stress is a good thing. Mechanical stress, such as exercise, causes your muscles and bones to become stronger and your nerve system to become smarter. Taking on a new assignment at work or taking a challenging class in school may be stressful, but the effort involved in achieving a successful result will cause you to grow and develop in ways that you might not have imagined. After all, the great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously said "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

But chronic, ongoing physical and mental stress, the kind that affects us every day, is not good for us. Chronic stress causes real psychological and physical problems. People undergoing chronic stress may develop anxiety, which if not managed effectively may lead to depression. Chronic stress may lead to a variety of disorders and diseases, including arthritis, inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease, gastrointestinal problems such as peptic ulcer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks and stroke.  As we are all subject to numerous stresses every day, both personal and work-related, it's very important for us to develop strategies that will be successful in helping us manage ongoing stresses.

The most important method for managing stress is to attempt to focus your point-of-view, your frame of reference, on the present moment. Our minds are constantly in motion, constantly at work creating new thoughts and new scenarios regarding some potentially stressful situation, or rehashing old conversations, old conflicts, and old problems. The result is that we're almost never at peace. When we try to sit down and relax for a bit, it's never too long before our minds start bringing up the exact things we'd like to be able to forget or ignore, at least for a little while. Most of us can't flip a metaphorical switch and shut off our incessant stream of mostly negative self-talk. But we can learn to remind ourselves to return to the present, to come back to this moment, the one that's happening now.

The best way to do this is to ask yourself, "is this [what I'm thinking about] happening right now?" If you can see that what's happening now is that you're sitting in a chair reading the newspaper, you have a good chance of being able to let go of what your mind is talking to you about. Say to yourself, "I'm right here, right now, and none of that other stuff is actually happening right now." This will help you create some distance from your self-talk, and the self-talk may even recede into the background for a while. The feeling of calm you might then experience is one you can build on. The more you practice returning to the moment, the more power you gain in being able to manage the stress in your life.

 

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and how he can help alleviate your stress, please visit his website at www.handsofgoldchiropractic.com or visit his Facebook page for new health related topics and cool promotions - Hands of Gold on Facebook.

Healing Chronic Shoulder Pain

Chiropractic Care and Rehabilitation of Chronic Pain

Chronic injuries require specific rehabilitation and a long-term approach. Patience is required and it is important to recall that the problem has developed over the course of years and will not be fixed in a matter of weeks or months. Progress should be obtained in the short-term, but such situations usually require consistent, ongoing attention to achieve a long-term solution.

Performing the appropriate rehabilitative activities is critically important and chiropractic care can be of great assistance in getting the most out of your exercise program. Regular chiropractic care improves the mobility of your spinal column and removes nerve interference which may cause tight, inflamed muscles. The result is a body that is optimized for good health and full function. By enabling maximum spinal mobility and maximum function of your nerve system, regular chiropractic care helps maximize your body's ability to recover from chronic injury.

As we get older, years and decades of mechanical stress may lead to deterioration of joints, ligaments, and tendons. This degenerative process, commonly known as arthritis, primarily affects weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees and those found in the lumbar spine. The shoulder, too, is especially prone to undergo arthritic changes owing to its extreme mobility. The extensive range of motion at the shoulder is built-in to the design of this structure, but the tradeoff is instability. The design of the shoulder sacrifices stability for mobility.

Degenerative disorders of the shoulder typically involve the rotator cuff. This broad, flat structure is composed of the muscle-tendon units of the four rotator cuff muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. The thick covering of the rotator cuff surrounds the head of the arm bone and supports and strengthens the shoulder joint. But owing to the shoulder's inherent instability contrasted with its great mobility, the soft tissues of the rotator cuff undergo repetitive stress and strain. Ultimately, degenerative changes may occur, leading to the two prominent symptoms of pain and restricted range of motion.

An entire orthopedic sub-specialty focuses on treatment of chronic shoulder pain and includes long-term use of anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections when medications do not provide sufficient relief, and eventually surgery to repair tears in the various rotator cuff tendons. "Revision" surgery is commonly performed when the benefits of prior surgery are exhausted.

The good news is that in many cases, a more optimal approach is available, one that utilizes the body's own natural recuperative powers. For many people, chronic shoulder pain can be reduced and chronic loss of mobility can be improved by engaging in specific activities and performing specific rehabilitative exercises. The goals of rehabilitation are to increase shoulder range of motion and build up shoulder strength. As these goals are accomplished, the likely result is reduction of intensity and frequency of occurrence of shoulder pain.

Engaging in an overall strength training program is an important general approach to managing chronic shoulder pain. Strength training should be done progressively, starting with light weights and building up over time. Exercises specific to the shoulder include seated dumbbell or barbell presses, dumbbell or cable lateral raises, seated bent-over rows, and internal and external rotation exercises done with very light dumbbells on a flat bench. If one has experienced an acute shoulder injury, early rehabilitation should precede rehabilitative strength training. Early rehabilitation includes pendulum exercises and finger-walking up a wall in both forward-facing and side positions.

Your chiropractor is experienced in injury rehabilitation and will be able to help you design an effective flexibility and strengthening program for improved shoulder function.

For more information on how Dr. Peloquin can treat your shoulder injury, please visit his website at www.handsofgoldchiropractic.com or Facebook him at HANDS OF GOLD ON FACEBOOK.

Pregnancy and Chiropractic Care

Taking advantage of chiropractic care while you are pregnant can offer you many benefits. There is no indication that seeing a chiropractor is unsafe, in fact doctors agree it can be helpful. Pregnant women often have trouble sleeping and suffer from stress and anxiety for obvious reasons. Seeking chiropractic care while you are pregnant is a good way to learn healthy techniques for releasing tension and feeling better. Your entire body is adjusting to your new weight as well as the strain the baby is putting on your muscles, bones and organs. Your posture and balance have been affected by your pregnancy, as well as your spine and the curve of your back. A chiropractor can offer stretches and exercise that will help you feel more comfortable throughout your pregnancy.

There are a number of chiropractors who specialize in prenatal treatment. If you work with such a specialist, you can count on tables that accommodate your body as well as special attention to your pregnant condition. It’s important not to put any pressure on your abdomen while you are pregnant, as well as to avoid pressure points on your body that could trigger preterm labor. A qualified chiropractor has been trained in prenatal techniques and can serve you without putting you or your baby at risk.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends chiropractic care to establish pelvic balance and alignment. If the pelvis is not aligned properly, there will not be enough room for the baby to make its exit. If you are hoping for a natural, non-invasive birth, getting regular chiropractic care during your pregnancy is essential.

Keeping your spine aligned is also a benefit of getting chiropractic care while you are pregnant. Spine alignments work with the nervous system to help it communicate better with your entire body, including your reproductive organs. When your entire body is working well, your pregnancy, labor and delivery will be easier for you to manage.

Working with a chiropractor during your pregnancy can assure you of a healthier pregnancy overall. It can also help you control some of the common symptoms of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, heartburn and nausea. Any joint pain or pain in your neck, back and shoulders can also be relieved. Women who see chiropractors often report a smoother labor, and it’s helpful in preventing inductions and cesarean sections.

In addition to seeking chiropractic care, consider getting regular prenatal massages. You will want to be massaged by someone who has taken special classes in prenatal technique. You should always lie on your side when getting a prenatal massage. While there are massage tables build to accommodate a pregnant woman’s belly, these can still put unnecessary strain on the uterus. Your masseuse should also avoid your abdomen and never apply any pressure there. Getting a massage throughout your pregnancy can help you relax, sleep well and feel better. It will also give you the down time you need to quietly focus your mind on keeping your body healthy and preparing for childbirth.

This post was written for Hands of Gold Chiropractic by Dr. David Kulla. Dr. Kulla is a licensed New York City chiropractor who runs Synergy Wellness in Manhattan.

PED'S AND DEER ANTLER VELVET

Although not new in asian culture, the newest performance enhancement drug is deer antler spray.  IGF-1 (insulin growth factor) From Deer Antler Velvet has been used for 10,000 years by Orientals to improve energy levels and strengthen the organs of endurance; specifically improving lung function, muscle development, stamina, kidney function, and blood components.

For over 2,000 years Chinese physicians have used velvet antler to treat over 55 different disorders including general pain, weakness, chronic joint degeneration, sexual impotency, and infertility. Scientific research over the lost 40 years has demonstrated velvet deer antler, if harvested at the correct time of year and processed to concentrate the various biological active ingredients, can produce enormous health, endurance, and strength benefits.

 Recent research substantiates that velvet deer antler contains a variety of complex elements including:


■Eight known growth factors including IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), IGF-2 (insulin-like growth factor 2), TGF beta (transforming growth factor beta), erythropoietin (red blood cell growth stimulant), neurotrophin (nerve growth factor), bone morphogenic protein, epidermal growth factor, luteinizing hormone stimulant (increases testosterone), and fibroblast growth factor 8

■anti-inflammatory prostaglandins – an anti-inflammatory protein (newly discovered)

■nerve protective fatty acids (sphingomyelin and phospholipids)

■prohormones and sterols

■amino acids

■cartilage components

■glucosamine – cartilage growth, maintenance and repair stimulant (polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine – proven wound-healing stimulant)

■chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) – shown to improve circulation, reduce the bloods’ clotting tendancies, decrease the risk of stroke, and improve cardiovascular health)

■collagen type I

For the Athlete or  Bodybuilder, The effects of IGF-1 include:

1. An increase in proliferation and growth of muscle cells

2. An increased uptake of amino acids into the muscle cells

3. An increase in the uptake of blood sugar (glucose) into muscle cells

4. Improved utilization of fat for energy with a decrease utilization of carbohydrates

5. Reduction of catabolism (muscle breakdown) following workouts

Problems exist in determining purity, efficacy, and potency. IGF-1 dosages vary between 10 and 50 micrograms taken on a daily basis if taken orally. However, understand that when it is ingested and has to go through the gastrointestinal tract only a fraction of that taken is actually absorbed. This absorption rate may vary from individual to individual depending upon the degree of efficiency of the digestive process. For this reason, a novel, new mechanism of absorption has been applied to the standardized cold processed deer antler extract. By combining the extract which contains a minimum of 2,500 nanograms per gram of IGF-1 with the lipospray sublingual delivery system there is an assurance of receiving and absorbing IGF-1 at a consistent level.

80% of Patients with Dizziness Improve with Chiropractic

Chiropractic treatments relieved symptoms in 80% of patients with dizziness and neck pain in a new study. The study compared treatment outcomes in neck-pain patients with and without dizziness.

Although dizziness is common in patients with whiplash, less is known about these symptoms in patients with neck pain who have not suffered from auto injuries. The researchers sought to investigate whether dizziness made recovery more difficult for neck-pain patients, and whether gender affected prognosis.

Initially, patients with neck pain and dizziness had worse pain and disability scores than patients with just neck pain. After six months of chiropractic treatment however, the differences between the groups disappeared as both groups experienced clinically significant improvements.

The researchers also discovered that symptoms of dizziness and depression were more prevalent in women. Despite women’s increased risk of dizziness, they also responded favorably to chiropractic treatments.

Earlier research has also demonstrated the efficacy of chiropractic for dizziness and neck pain. 

If you are suffering from dizziness or vertigo with little benefit from traditional medicine, please consider us an ally in your quest for help.

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and his multidisiplinary office, please feel free to view his website at:
www.handsofgoldchiropractic.com or like them on Facebook at: HANDS-OF-GOLD-CHIROPRACTIC on facebook

Proprioception - Making Your Body Smarter

Chiropractic Care Helps Your Body Be Smarter

Your body's awareness of where it is in three dimensions is critical to your ability to function effectively in the world. This awareness depends on proprioceptors. These specialized nerve endings are part of your nervous system - your body's master system.

Nerve signals are transmitted from proprioceptors in joints and muscles, along nerve pathways, to spinal nerves. Spinal nerves connect to the spinal cord, and from there signals are transmitted to the brain. But spinal nerves are a potential bottleneck to the free flow of information. These nerves may become irritated or inflamed, blocking accurate information from reaching the brain and accurate instructions from reaching the rest of the body.

Chiropractic care helps keep your body free of nerve interference. By correcting spinal misalignments, chiropractic care helps remove nerve interference and ensures a free flow of information from the brain, to the spinal cord, to all the body's cells, and back again. Optimal health and well-being are the result.

We usually don't think of our bodies in terms of their being "smart." For example, we walk to the corner store without giving a single thought to the complex mechanics involved in getting there and back. But behind the scenes there's plenty going on and your body's "IQ" has a lot to do with your success in accomplishing everyday tasks.

Proprioception is one of those background physical processes that make up your body's total IQ. Proprioceptors are specialized nerve endings located in your muscles and joints that inform your brain about your body's position in three-dimensional space. You're able to write legibly because proprioceptors are sending instantaneous data about the angles of the small joints of your fingers and wrists as your pen moves across the page. You're able to run on the beach because proprioceptors are continuously sending signals to your brain about the changing shape of the uneven surface of the sand.

Without these specialized nerve endings, we'd never be able to hit a baseball, throw a Frisbee, or drive a car. But proprioceptors can be smart or less than that. It all depends on how well-trained they are. One person out for a stroll might trip over a crack in the pavement and suffer a badly sprained ankle. Another person might trip over the same crack, even badly turning over their ankle in the process, and keep on walking without even a trace of a limp.

The difference between injury and non-injury is the level of proprioceptor training, and this level usually is related to whether you're doing regular exercise.  Exercise trains your muscles and joints to adapt to varying kinds of stresses (weight-bearing loads) throughout a variety of positions (the full range of motion of those joints). As a result, trained proprioceptors can withstand a high degree of stress (such as a sudden twisting of an ankle). The untrained ankle, possibly the ankle of a person who hasn't done much walking, running, or bike riding in the last 5 years, will be damaged by an unusual and unexpected stress. The result is an ankle sprain of varying severity and possibly a broken ankle.

Similarly, it is well known that older adults experience more frequent falls than do younger adults. Part of the explanation involves proprioception.  Many older adults don't engage in regular exercise. Proprioceptive function decreases, changes in level or surface aren't recognized quickly by the person's feet and ankles, and the person falls.

It's easy to see that the effort to maintain your body's IQ is time very well spent. The fastest way to boost this skill set is by doing regular exercise. All kinds of exercise provide benefit, so the best exercises are the ones that have some interest for you personally. Optimally, a person is doing both strength training and cardiovascular exercise. As always, the key to long-term health and wellness is consistency.

Fore more information on Hands of Gold Chiropractic and their office please log onto Hands of Gold Chiropractic or visit them on Facebook

The Survival Guide for Holiday Stress

Whichever holiday that’s presently looming, you know they’re not always the relaxing times you’d like them to be. This is especially the case at Christmas. Shopping and visiting and hosting and eating and drinking … it all becomes a mad blur that can leave you needing, well, a holiday.


Humans are pretty resilient creatures, but we can start to lag when we ask too much from our bodies for too long. The combination of the wrong food, too much booze, late nights, rushing around, and, let’s say it, family stresses, can all amount to overload, and we start suffering.

Moving into the holiday season, we should always try to keep our excesses to a minimum. Try to achieve a balance and remember to eat healthily as much as possible, despite the rather than less healthy meals that you may be obliged to eat to keep the peace with the relatives. Make sure you drink plenty of water to flush out your system, stretch out your muscles to ease the tension, and don’t forget that exercise during the holidays is not actually banned by law.

Here are some tips to keep you in tip-top condition if you’re going for …

Olympic Gold in Shopping

Keep well-hydrated. Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water every day, and don’t substitute any of that with coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol, because those are diuretics and will end up robbing you of water.

Stretch both before and after a marathon shopping expedition. Shopping can be stressful and your muscles need all the help they can get to stay relaxed.

Choose your shopping shoes for their comfort not style. You need plenty of cushioning to counteract those endless hours on your feet.

Wear comfortable clothing as well, and, if it’s cold out, have a few layers so you can peel them off and pile them on as you move from the streets to the warm shop interiors and back out again.

Wear a fanny pack (aka bumbag) rather than carrying a shoulder bag, and try to keep its contents to the bare minimum.

Any slight aches and pains you feel after a day out shopping, grab an ice pack and apply to the affected area for 20 minutes, before removing for at least two hours. Repeat several times over a day or two until you feel better.

A Little R&R

When having a serious shopping day, take a break every 45 minutes, or more often if you feel the need.

In a mall or a shopping area where lockers are provided, use one to store your shopping bags as you acquire them. Or if you can park close by, drop the bags in the trunk (boot) every so often.

If you’re hungry, eat something light or you’ll feel very sluggish when you resume shopping. It can also be dangerous to burden your system then continue with what can amount to physical exercise.

Coffee may seem like a good idea as a quick boost, but it adds extra stress to the system. As for soda, that’s also not a good idea. Ever. Stick with water.

Shopping With Children

Children and extended shopping trips don’t go together. Not only will they tire before you do and want to go home, they will want to buy everything in every shop. That’s a double whammy of whining that’s going to stress you out. Try and get someone to look after them instead.

That’s a Wrap

When you have a mound of gifts to wrap, make sure you don’t sit or stand in one position for too long, or you’ll start to ache. Vary your position, but avoid wrapping while sitting on the floor, even when carpeted, as this is very bad for your posture.

It may sound a little OTT, but stretch before and after wrapping your gifts.

Chiropractic Care Can Help

Dr. Jason Peloquin can help with natural treatment options if you experience any pain or discomfort after shopping.
For more information please contact Dr. Peloquin's office at 718-833-9255 or log onto his website for more information www.HandsofGoldChiropractic.com

Is my Pain Serious?

In the field of medicine, the term pain management is code for drugs and intraspinal steroid injections. Pain management drugs are almost always opioids such as Vicodin, OxyContin, and morphine. Intraspinal steroid injections are at best a temporary fix, are often based on best guesses, and can have devastating side effects if done incorrectly.

On the other hand, chiropractic pain management always uses conservative methods of care. Chiropractic care does not introduce foreign substances or instruments into the body. The power of chiropractic care lies in its ability to facilitate the body's own healing mechanisms. In essence, based on a systematic analysis of the person's biomechanics and physiology, chiropractic care removes roadblocks to normal functioning of the nerve system. When the nerve systems pathways are free and clear, the body can begin to heal itself from the inside-out.
Your body is very smart. For many problems involving pain, all your body needs to heal itself is a freely functioning nerve system. The goal of chiropractic care is to enable such normal functioning.

How do you know whether your pain needs to be evaluated by your chiropractor? This is the age-old question. The answer needs to be specific to your particular problem, rather than a one-size-fits all solution. But there are good guidelines that everyone can follow.

First, is your pain deep and boring (that is, does the pain feel like it's boring into you)? Deep and boring pain usually means something is seriously wrong. If you're woken up at night by this type of pain, a visit to your chiropractor or family physician is in order. Kidney stones and inflamed gallbladders are common causes for deep, boring pain that causes a person to awaken from sleep. Severe heartburn is in this category, too, and should be evaluated by your doctor.

But these types of problems are easy to categorize. You'll probably know, instinctively, that something is wrong. Musculoskeletal pain is rather more difficult to analyze. For example, you lean over in a twisting motion to grab the glass of water on your nightstand and you feel a sharp pain in your lower back. Next morning you have great difficulty getting out of bed. Your lower back is stiff and sore. What should you do?

Your best course of action will be based on a self-assessment. If you're experiencing pain that radiates down your leg, or numbness or tingling sensations traveling down your leg, you should call your chiropractor's office and ask to be seen right away. Or, if you don't have any radiating pain, but sneezing or coughing does provoke a radiating sensation, take the same action. Similarly, the amount of pain you're having will determine what you do. If the pain is severe, see your chiropractor.

If none of these criteria are present, decision-making gets a bit murky. How you handle your problem will depend on your tolerance for pain. If you have low tolerance, make an appointment to see your chiropractor and get some expert treatment. If you have a higher pain threshold, you might still call for an appointment just to make sure that nothing is seriously wrong. Certainly, if you haven't improved at all after 48 hours, you need to see your chiropractor.

There is another important scenario. If you have a medical condition such as cancer, an endocrine disorder, or a systemic infection, a sudden occurrence of back pain needs immediate attention, regardless of how or why you think the pain occurred.  This is not to be an alarmist, but rather the recommendation is based on precaution. If there is an existing problem, then new issues need to be looked at closely, just to be sure.

These guidelines provide a sound basis for decision-making, but please remember they are just that - guidelines. Each person needs to be comfortable with their own process. And, of course, it's always much better to be safe than sorry. Your chiropractor is always available to help you sort out these kinds of problems.

What is "Natural Flavor"?

Why do we need natural flavor if the product is already natural?

It’s at the end of many ingredient lists in processed food: “natural flavor.” But what substances fall under this benign label? What natural sources are they extracted from? If you shop in the center aisles of the grocery store, chances are those natural flavor ingredients came from an unexpected source and spent some time being swished around in a beaker.


Food science defines natural by what it is not: the FDA “has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.”

This non-definition gives food companies plenty of room to tout “All Natural” on their packages even with ingredients that have been hydrolised, distilled and emulsified to taste completely different. Both natural and artificial flavors are chemicals – the distinction is whether they are completely synthetic or first derived from a natural source.

Former food marketer Bruce Bradley notes some notorious sources of natural flavors in his blog series All Natural . . . Really? One of the most cringe-worthy is shellac, the resinous secretion of female lac bugs used to glaze donuts and make shiny candy shells. Another natural flavor you wouldn’t find yourself consuming in nature is cystine, a dough conditioner derived from human hair and duck feathers. Maltodextrin derived from genetically-modified corn is also considered natural.

On a recent visit to multi-national flavor company Givaudan, 60 Minutes highlighted the use of beavers’ anal gland secretions in the manufacture of vanilla and raspberry flavors.  Please watch the video 60 minutes interview

For the discerning shopper, "natural" is little more than marketing hype. Organic foods are not always an exception since flavors constitute less than 5% of the total ingredients, and organic standards follow a 95% rule. Last year, the Organic Trade Association formed an Industry Task Force to review flavor categories and see if some flavors could be organically produced, which might be a step towards clarifying the flavor classification system.

In the mean time, food companies can enjoy using the umbrella term “natural flavors” to cover a whole range of proprietary chemical translations that make their product memorable, irresistible and, some say, addictive.

For more information on Dr. Peloquin and the Hands of Gold Chiropractic, please visit our website at www.handsofgoldchiropractic.com