What is Scoliosis and How is it treated?
What is scoliosis & what are the available options? by Dr. Aaron Vela Have you been told by a healthcare professional that you or your child has scoliosis? What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is seen in a front to back, or back to front, view of the spine. The spine normally has 3 curves that can be seen when looking at the spine from the side. These normal curves are in your neck, your mid back, and your lower back. These normal curves function as shock absorbers for the body. Scoliosis is a lateral curve in the spine or more easily put, a left or right curve in the spine that may lead to premature degeneration, pain, postural abnormalities, and restricted mobility. There are generally 5 different types of scoliosis. Congenital – meaning the person was born with it. Neuromuscular – which is caused by neuromuscular (nerve and muscle) conditions and their impact on the body, such as cerebral palsy. Degenerative – which occurs when the joints between vertebrae in the back of the spine have deteriorated. Functional – which is more or less a temporary type of scoliosis that can be...
read moreDentists, Hygienists, and neck pain. The whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.
Dentists, Hygienists, and neck pain. Dentists and Hygienists spend their careers stooped over patients, focusing on tiny objects in their mouths while maneuvering and manipulating equipment. Their intensity and focus are necessary to doing a great job, with the least amount of pain, but they are sacrificing their bodies, for your mouths. Neck pain is extremely common in dental professionals. Research has shown that 5% of people who suffer with neck pain are eventually legally disabled by the pain. A study published in the British Dental Journal reported that nearly 30% of premature retirements of dentists surveyed were due to musculoskeletal disorders. And in In a study done at UCSF, questionnaire responses indicated that 46-71% of dental students of all four years experienced neck, shoulder, and/or back pain, with more than 70% reporting pain by their 3rd year. It is not uncommon for dentists to wake up one day and wonder how they ended up “like this.” The wear and tear of repetitive work by the dentist or hygienist, leads to a slow accumulation of dysfunction, degeneration, and pain. One day, the straw breaks the camels’ back, and Dr. Molar wakes up in pain. It’s probably not too late...
read moreThe Difference Between Good Skaters & Great Skaters – Portland, Maine
The Difference Between Good Skaters & Great Skaters By Dr. Aaron Vela, Skateboarding Chiropractor – Portland, ME Every skateboarder strives to learn new tricks. To throw down their new trick on a new set of stairs, over a new hip, or in a combo like a kickflip, back lip, or tre-flip 50-50. The goal is to challenge yourself to better yourself, and have fun while doing it. But why do some skaters excel at skateboarding and why do others tend to stagnate in skill and development? Potential factors include experience, confidence, strategies in learning new tricks, and perfecting them. Genetics, drive, and physical aptitude may also play a role. While these are indeed factors, they are not necessarily the strongest indicators as to who will be a highly skilled skater and who will not be. What is a strong indicator? The answer is optimal neuromuscular and biomechanical control – the ability of your brain to control your muscles, joints, fingers, and toes in a highly efficient and accurate way. Enter the long, technical medical jargon: proprioception. In simplest terms, proprioception...
read moreDoes a percussion massage gun work? What do massage guns do? Are they a HUGE waste of money?
What’s the deal with a percussion massage gun like the “theragun” or “Hypervolt?” A quality Percussion massage gun is an easy way to loosen muscles, reduce muscle and other soft tissue inflammation, and loosen connective tissue (fascia). Various activities, sports, and previous injuries may lead to soft tissue and fascia damage that is impacted very positively by percussive massage. By reducing tension, inflammation, and adhesions, rang of motion and flexibility are also positively affected. All of these combined, reduce pain, recuse soreness, and reduce stiffness. In addition to those effects, vibration of this type may help your metabolism, may help release trigger points (knots), and improve blood flow. Occasionally, people will feel sore, see redness or mild bruising afterward, but those are the few more common, albeit unusual side effects. So what Diagnoses are helped with a percussion or vibrational massage gun? Arthritis pain Back pain Soft tissue injuries like ligaments, tendons, or muscles Sprains and strains Post surgical tension, soreness and scarring Minor trauma to muscles. Some conditions develop over a long period of time, like arthritis, or with repetitive stress on the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the body. Some of those types of injuries...
read moreLeg Cramps, Pain, Sleepless Nights, Startling Pain.
Leg Cramps, Pain, Sleepless Nights, Startling Pain. Many years ago someone told me that leg cramps would go away if the person drinks tonic water. That’s right, Tonic Water. I did some research and found little research on the topic. I did find that the amount of quinine in tonic water is minuscule compared to that which is used for malaria treatment. I also learned that while the high doses can be dangerous, there is no danger in the fewer than 83 mg in tonic water. Despite this, some will say that tonic water is dangerous, but it seems epically unlikely that it is more dangerous than driving a car, sleeping under a tree, or walking in the rain. Over the same number of years, I have suggested to patients that they try it for their muscle cramps. There is little to no risk, and if it works, BAM! Done, just like that, and without the risk of lab made drugs prescribed by a doctor who has been told that the quinine in tonic water is dangerous. This is taken from post from Harvard University “Quinine is FDA-approved only for treating malaria and is sold with a warning against...
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