Hormones 101: Understanding Imbalance

Hormone issues are extremely common these days and often occur along with a number of other health challenges. Understanding hormone imbalance in the body is an extremely confusing science for the average person – and for no fault of their own. It is such a complicated topic that there is a medical specialty dedicated to the glands that secrete hormones in the body called endocrinology. There are many folks who are experiencing Secondary Conditions (a.k.a. symptoms) related to hormone imbalance even though they have not seen a specialist or received a diagnosis related to their endocrine system. Understanding how to begin to correct a hormone related issue requires some working knowledge.

Meniere’s disease is a complex disorder that includes a variety of potentially debilitating symptoms. Vertigo, tinnitus, progressive hearing loss, and a sense of fullness in the ear may occur alone or in combination. The onset of Meniere’s disease is often gradual and progressive, and is often of an unknown cause. An astonishing amount of patients dealing with Meniere's Disease have found relief with a unique and specialized chiropractic approach. This safe and non-invasive procedure has consistently and effectively addressed on of the most overlooked factors in this complex disorder.

THANK YOU!

On June 22 Dr. John hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate the opening of Zenith Chiropractic - Colorado Springs first and only NeuroStructural Chiropractic clinic.

Since opening our doors for service in March of this year, it has been very rewarding to interact with and serve members of our downtown Colorado Springs community. For all of those friends, family members, colleagues, and community members that were in attendance - THANK YOU. Your continued support is much appreciated. Together we are making Colorado Springs a healthier place to live.

Yours in health,
Dr. John Stenberg

What You NEED to Know About Bulging Discs

If you’re like most people you have heard of disc bulges, herniations, degeneration, etc. You may even have a friend or family member who has dealt with chronic pain associated with one or more of these conditions. Traditionally, disc bulges have been considered a “normal” process of aging that most of us will experience in the course of time, but never in a kid, right? There are certain perspectives underlying this assumption that I’d like to address while presenting you with some new research that reveals that this problem is not necessarily age-related.

Ok, so let’s break this issue down into bite-sized pieces.

What is an intervertebral disc?

An intervertebral disc (IVD) is the collection of tissues that exists between each of your vertebrae (with the exception of the upper cervical spine – top neck bones). The IVD is made up of a gel-like internal substance (nucleus pulposus) that is confined by an outer ring of fibrous tissue (annulus fibrosus).

Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/

What does an IVD do?

Generally, it is understood that IVDs provide a base of support and help to guide motion in the different regions of the spine, i.e. the low back. For these reasons, they have been compared to a “shock absorber” in a car.

What is disc bulge?

A disc bulge or herniation occurs when the weight of the body is abnormally distributed. The increased pressure on the front of the disc causes the gel-like substance inside to protrude or “bulge” against the outer fibers. It’s sort of like pressing on one side of a ketchup packet, the ketchup inside shifts away from the pressure. If these forces are sufficient, the outer fibrous tissues can tear. These injuries are known as disc herniations and are extremely painful. Even minor bulges can cause low back pain, leg and buttock pain, and shooting pains down the leg, but are often asymptomatic. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology is the gold standard for detecting disc abnormalities.

Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/

What causes disc bulges?

In a nutshell, disc bulges (and degeneration for that matter) are caused by abnormal structural shifts in the spine. Interestingly enough, the area where the shift occurs is not always the area where the disc injury occurs. Atlas Displacement Complex, for example, is a primary shift that can occur in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). When the weight of the head becomes displaced away from its center of gravity, the large muscles of the low and mid back kick in to stabilize a progressively unstable situation. The resulting muscle spasm impacts the structural loading of the discs in the low back. This abnormal pressure over time leads to decreased disc health and often injury.

Who gets disc bulges?

This is where things get interesting. Traditionally this condition has been considered a normal process of aging. Often folks who seek medical help for disc related injuries are middle aged and older, and so we’ve associated these injuries to “wear and tear” over time. However, new research is shedding light on a previously unknown population who may have early onset disc problems.

A recent study conducted at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center looked at the prevalence of incidental MRI findings in the pediatric population, in this case ages 8-18. Retrospectively, 99 pediatric MRI studies were analyzed. Of the 99, over 30% (31 of 99) showed abnormal findings, with the most being in the lumbar spine (low back region). Of the low back findings in this pediatric population, the largest percentage of abnormal findings were disc bulges! By the numbers:

• 99 Pediatric MRI studies analyzed
• 31 showed incidental findings 
• 14% of these findings were in patients with NO symptoms
• 51.6% of the significant findings were disc bulges (protrusions)

What’s the takeaway?

This study is the first of its kind with the pediatric population. The findings suggest that structural abnormalities with the spinal bones and discs can occur early in life which may progress over time. Back and leg pain in the pediatric population should be taken seriously considering these findings. A study recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgery suggests that a significant percentage of disc bulges spontaneously resorb, but this study was not necessarily specific to the pediatric population.

Does it make sense that the structural integrity of the spine is important, especially in the pediatric population? Minor shifts that occur during this time in life can have significant consequences if not addressed. In my office, I check kids for the presence of Atlas Displacement Complex for this very reason. Early detection leads to more normal spinal development and ensures that neurological function is optimal as kids grow.

                

The #1 Reason Why Your Diet ISN'T Working

It seems that every day there is a new fad diet on the market that promises to melt away belly fat while eating the foods you love. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably even tried a few of these diets for yourself. While there is a lot to be said about fad diets and quick weight loss schemes, let’s just sum it up by saying if it sounds too good to be true – well, you know. 

No matter which methodology you choose to employ in fueling your body with food, I can almost guarantee that none of them addressed this important topic. This one simple tip could make the difference between a health or weight loss break through and simply another failed attempt. The best part is, it is completely FREE and requires no special foods, schedules, or fancy supplements.

Basics of Human Movement: Breathing

In NeuroStructural chiropractic, we often encounter questions relating to movement patterns, movement dysfunction, and how to rectify faulty mechanics in human movement. Many folks ask for these tips to improve athletic performance, reduce pain, or to prevent injury. There are a variety of resources available online and in stores that dive deeply into various movement patterns including the squat, push up, crawling, etc. that are very helpful. However, properly implementing the improper strategy will not deliver the desired result. I find that the movement that folks are commonly focused on is not the primary movement to be addressed, and as such it’s important to highlight one of the most important and overlooked movement patterns from a NeuroStructural chiropractic perspective – BREATHING!

The 3 Factors That Can Disrupt, Delay, and Derail Natural Birth

Did you know that in the United States nearly 1 in 3 births is performed as a Caesarean section? If that statistic is shocking, consider that in some countries the rate is as high as 90%. It is true that some of these procedures are planned, some are the result of “high risk” pregnancy, and some are the result of emergency situations requiring intervention. However, a portion of those births that result in C-section were intended to be delivered naturally. The information in this article is meant to empower those individuals who desire a safe and natural birthing experience. Understanding the circumstances that can transition a natural birth process to a surgical intervention allows for the appropriate precautions and preparations to be undertaken.