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Why Chiropractic Care is Better than Physiotherapy

Chiropractic care and physiotherapy are both natural methods of treatment and are focused on alleviating tension, restoring mobility, function and good health to the body. They do not use medications nor surgery. It is not clear in many people’s mind which therapy is more effective and will give the greater benefit for their long-term health and wellbeing.

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who provides services in the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders and in their prevention. A physiotherapist is a medical professional engaged in providing treatment and assistance in restoring function and mobility in case of injury or disease caused by aging.

Physiotherapy

The primary concern of physiotherapy is addressing muscular pain and joint pain through the use of rehabilitative exercise, massage and stretching techniques. These may be employed in combination with other treatment methods such as ultrasound, heat therapy or hydrotherapy. The services of a physiotherapist is often called to help patients regain their mobility normally after an injury or accident and to help manage their pain. Physiotherapists are inclined to focus and specialize in problems of the soft tissues. The physiotherapist is likely to focus particularly on the connective tissues and muscles on and around the affected area, in trying to reduce tension and pain.

Chiropractic Treatment

Essential and central to chiropractic care is the philosophy that good health and general wellbeing emanates from a healthy relationship between the spine and nervous system with the bones, joints, organs, muscles and tissues of the body. The focus of chiropractic treatment for an injured or ill patient is the realignment of the spine to remove irritation and to restore normal functioning of the nervous system of the body. This process is known as chiropractic alignment or adjustment. It consists of gentle, directed force manually applied and directed to a joint or vertebra with restricted movement. The action is intended to allow the affected part to regain normal motion gradually.

Chiropractic care focuses on full-body health and the intimate relationship of your spine to the rest of your body as opposed to paying attention only on a single point where the injury or dysfunction is. The chiropractic approach to treating a health condition is holistic. Aside from this broader focus on your body, it makes sure that similar issues are prevented in the future. Lifestyle changes, nutrition, supplementation, strengthening and stretching exercises, posture and ergonomics are incorporated in the treatment plan, as the chiropractor sees them necessary. A reevaluation of some of the aspects of your lifestyle is important because in many cases, poor lifestyle habits cause the health condition to exacerbate and get in the way of a quick recovery.

The chiropractic treatment provided is unique to the health issues and condition of the individual seeking health care. It is highly personalized, which means there are no set standard limits in terms of treatment frequency and duration. One patient may require very few sessions to fully heal while others may need more visits or even undertake ongoing treatment.

While both physiotherapy and chiropractic care are beneficial in providing relief to symptoms associated with pain, injury and illness, people who have had the opportunity to experience or have known these two forms of therapy favor chiropractic care. It has a broader scope in terms of the issues it can help in and it is more holistic and preventive in nature.

Top Reasons Why Food Supplements are Important

Even the healthiest-looking individuals are advised to take food and dietary supplements for many reasons. Below are some of the reasons why we should not depend entirely on the food we eat and, therefore, take food supplements in achieving optimal health.

The use of modern fertilizers does not provide enough trace elements. Trace elements, also known as micronutrients, form part of a person’s daily diet, and play a vital role in maintaining his health, vitality, and well-being.

The use of chemical pesticides and herbicides increase toxicity level in food. Many pesticides being used in farming and harvesting are deadly chemicals that severely destroy the human system. Some even contain lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals that slowly accumulate in the body.

The transportation of food reduces nutritional content. The levels of specific nutrients in food slowly diminish as soon as it is harvested. Nowadays, many foods are grown and harvested thousands of miles from actual designated markets and population centers. Some of the foods we buy from the market or grocery store actually spent days or weeks on a truck or train.

Poor eating habits weaken the absorption of nutrients. Skipping meals, bingeing, and high level of alcohol consumption are just some of the negative eating habits that most people today are doing. Due to bad habits and poor quality of food, most people are not able to absorb nutrients properly at all. This weakens nutrient levels, as well as increases nutritional needs of the body.

Stressful lifestyle impairs digestion. When the body is stressed, exhausted, and always in a hurry, certain nutrients are being used up more, including calcium, zinc, chromium, magnesium, manganese and many others, and this gets taken out of the body. Stress also adds the other causes of reduced nutrition and becomes a source of unnecessary sympathetic activities of the nervous system. This caused failure of nutrient absorption and utilization.

Some life situations and conditions require extra nutrition including the following:

  1. All babies, toddlers, and children
  2. Elderly
  3. Athletes and active body builders
  4. Pregnant and lactating women
  5. Vegetarians and people following restricted diets
  6. Children born with a birth defect
  7. A person who is ill and suffers from chronic illness
  8. A person who consumes too much refined sugar, alcohol or recreational drugs
  9. A person who is under excessive stress

Food supplements will, therefore, restore or bring back the nutrients that have been reduced, removed, and totally eliminated from the conditions identified above. It is then important to identify what nutrients your body needs to attain optimal health. While everyone needs food supplements, not all food supplements should be taken in.

Understanding Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, and Chiropractic Care

People who are beginning to explore alternative medicine to treat their health conditions and for their long term health and wellness are faced with the dilemma of deciding which the best option is for their concerns. What is the difference among the major healthcare options – osteopathy, physiotherapy and chiropractic care? Which one will bring the best benefits for me and my family? These are the common questions asked by most people who may have little knowledge about each of these healthcare options but not enough to make a definitive decision.

Let us start by citing how the professional organizations for these three healthcare options define and describe their method of therapy and services.

Osteopathy

The Osteopathic International Alliance, the primary international organization of the osteopathic profession, with 70 member organizations in 30 countries, defines osteopathy as “a patient centered holistic approach to health care that recognizes the importance of the relationship between the structure of the body and the way it functions.”

Osteopaths or osteopathic physicians, the practitioners of this profession, apply palpation and other manual techniques to influence the joints, muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, circulation and the internal organs to enhance the body’s ability to restore and maintain health. Some of the manual techniques osteopaths use are joint manipulation, soft or deep tissue massage, articulation, soft tissue stretch and acupuncture. They also provide regular advice on exercise and posture to hasten recovery from injury and illness.

Physiotherapy

The World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the organization representing physiotherapists and their organizations around the world, currently numbering 111, describes physiotherapy in the following statement: ”Physical therapy provides services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. This includes providing services in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, pain, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors.  Functional movement is central to what it means to be healthy.”

Physiotherapists implement interventions or treatment program that includes manual therapy, movement and exercise, education and advice. They help patients to prevent disease and manage pain.

Chiropractic Care

The American Chiropractic Association, the largest national association and largest professional association in the world representing chiropractors, describes chiropractic care as “one of the most cost-effective, safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints.”

Chiropractors employ specific manipulations techniques to restore alignments in the spine, where the nerve center of the human body is. In the chiropractic philosophy, a healthy nervous system results in the proper functioning of all other systems in the body, contributing to overall health and wellbeing.

What are Their Similarities?

  • Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Chiropractic all hold that healing can occur when tension in the joints, tethered nerves, muscles and fascia are released. They do not prescribe drugs in their treatment procedure.
  • The common aim of these three professions is to help patients recover from injury and pain.
  • The practitioners in these fields are qualified and trained in their particular areas of expertise. Osteopaths and chiropractors have spent at least four years in training while physiotherapists have at least two years of training.
  • They all perform hands on work in the diagnosis and treatment of the conditions that prevent the body from healing.
  • They make and share a treatment plan with their patients to let them know what to expect in the course of the treatment.

How Do They Differ?

  • They differ in their treatment protocols and treatment techniques. Physiotherapy tends to be protocol driven, which means having less individual focus on the specific underlying cause of the health problem.
  • Physiotherapy and chiropractic tend to have more limited approaches. Chiropractic care focuses on the spine, joints and other surrounding structures and maintains that spinal and nerve health is the key to overall healing. Physiotherapy is focused on the restoration of movement and function especially in a condition involving illness, injury or disability. With osteopathy, there is not a single protocol applied to all therapy patients.
  • Physiotherapist use other tools like ultrasound and chiropractors in a few cases use electrical stimulators in adjustments. Osteopaths use only their hands.
  • In both osteopathy and chiropractic care, the general concern is to remove the causes that restrict the healing, regardless of the nature of the health complaint.

The decision to choose one therapy option over another is really up to you. It is helpful to do a bit more research on the subtleties of these treatment methods. It is important to fully understand the philosophy upon which their approach is predicated.

Food Supplements as an Alternative Medicine

Also known as dietary supplements, food supplements are substances meant to be consumed by the human body. They come in various forms, and may contain essential substance such as vitamins, minerals, or amino acids. As the name implies, food supplements contain dietary ingredient that “supplement” or add to the diet that an individual takes in. They are, however, never considered as a meal substitute.

People generally take food supplements for health-related reasons, especially if they cannot consume the entire amount of a natural substance on a regular basis. It is important to remember that food supplements should not be used as a substitute for traditional curative medicines.

While food supplements do not provide a “cure all” advantage, they can, however, contribute to health maintenance and well-being. They contain active ingredients that have been used for thousands of years ago to maintain health and help minimize illnesses of our ancestors. Just like other forms of alternative medicines, they are preventive in nature.

Why People Take Food Supplements?

The two primary functions of food supplements are: (1) to prevent diseases from being acquired by the body, and (2) to supplement or add nutrients to what we eat, both of which lead to promotion of good health and achievement of high quality of life.

People take food supplements for many reasons and to accommodate many health conditions. They take in vitamins and minerals food supplements primarily because they are aware of the health benefits they provide for the body. They, not only provide added nutrition to our diet, but also help in preventing diseases. A good example is how vitamin C keeps us from getting a cold and strengthening our immune system. Vitamin E supplement, on the other hand, helps fight aging and gives natural glow to the skin.

Herbal food supplements, similarly, are being consumed by many people because of the benefits they bring in to the body. Historically, people have used herbal medicines to reduce fever, prevent illnesses, cure infections, and heal wounds. Herbal medicines are also known to ease pain, treat constipation, or act as relaxants or stimulants. These are the primary reasons why a lot of people believe in the effect and benefits of herbal food supplement.

In spite of these, however, there are still some people who take food and herbal supplements just because they are recommended by their friends or family, without really convincing themselves of their benefits. Worse, others have no idea or no reason why they are taking such supplements. The problem here lies in proper education of people as to what supplements are, how they benefit the body, and which particular supplements should one take according to his health condition.

What You Do Not Know about the Goji Berry Fruit

We’ve all heard about the goji berry fruit once or twice, but are you aware of its nutritional content and excellent benefits to the human body?

Goji berries are one of the most nutritionally-rich fruits on the planet as it is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants. Often called a Wolfberry, the goji berry fruit has a taste that resembles a combination of the cherry and cranberry fruit. Being a superfood, it is also often being compared to the acai berry which can be enjoyed in a lot of different ways.

Goji berries are believed to be a complete source of protein and labelled as among the “super foods” that offers longevity and strength development. A single goji berry can contain up to 21 trace minerals, such as iron, zinc, calcium, copper, and different amino acids.

The Science of Gogi Berry Fruit

Goji berries are deciduous, woody perennial plants that bear oval berries that are red-orange in color and measure one to two centimetres in length. It is under the Solanaceae nightshade family that includes chili peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, tobaccos, and eggplants. Goji berries are vine-ripened and usually harvested during summer in north-central China.

Goji berries are known by many names. In China, where it is originally harvested, the fruit is called gouqizi (pronounced goo-chee-zee) or gouqi. In some parts of the world, they are also known as Matrimony vine and Duke of Argyll’s tea tree. More commonly, they are referred to as Himalayan and Tibetan Goji berries, or simply the wolfberry. Scientifically, they are called Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum.

For at least 2000 years, the goji berry has grown wild in China and has been used as a popular ingredient in producing traditional Chinese medicines and recipes. Over time, people have used the goji berry fruit to help ease common health problems like fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, and age-related problems.

This reputation has inspired scientists to study and investigate about the fruit’s characteristics, potential health benefits, systematic cultivation, and commercialization. Today, goji berry is starting to increase its popularity around the world, with growing export to first-world countries mainly in Europe, Australasia, and the USA.

Goji berries could be eaten raw, cooked, or dried (like raisins) and are used in juices, wines, herbal teas, and medicines.

Are All Food Supplements Created Equal?

There are thousands of food and dietary supplements you can see in drug stores and pharmacies, but not all of them are the same. They have different formulations, concentrations, and ingredients. Moreover, different makers of a similar product may have utilized varying procedures and processes in producing the food supplement.

Food supplements may be categorized into two major classifications: natural and synthetic. Natural supplements are extracted from natural resources, while synthetic supplements are made using isolated and replicated chemical structures by scientists. Attempting to replicate the structure and organization of a natural supplement, synthetic substances are a product chemically combination of molecules from other sources. These sources are not living foods, but dead chemicals.

Basically, synthetic food supplements provide isolated or fractionated pieces of the original. It is simply not the same. Most artificially produced supplements are chemical substances that cannot be found or are not available in nature; hence the body does not recognize them properly which may lead to the body’s unexpected reactions. The body can differentiate whether what it takes in is real or fake, and it always prefers real. If you take in synthetic food supplements, you are not getting the full benefit nature has intended for you.

According to nutritional research and studies, there is a significant variation in how the two types of supplements are produced, which influences the effects they bring in to the body. Peter Jones, director of the University of Manitoba’s Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, emphasizes that natural supplements come with some “bonus” benefits that are not present from synthetic supplements. Natural supplements, according to Jones, tend to “bring along some other cofactors, minerals, and things that enhance the biologic activity of that supplement” which are not present in synthetic ones.

“You actually improve its effects in the body in a natural form because you have these coexisting constituents that help the supplement, help the vitamin along in its normal activity. And you don’t have that with the synthetic form,” Jones adds.

The only advantage of synthetic supplements over natural ones is their cheaper price. Synthetic compounds, especially those created in test tubes, are very easy to produce in number and at the same time, making the process very cost efficient and bringing down the prices in drug stores or health shops.

Nutritional Benefits of Cranberries

Do you know that cranberries are good for the health? Know the benefits of cranberries in your body and start indulging in these yummy treats!

Cranberries have long been recommended by housewives as a good preventive for urinary-tract infections. This finding has been confirmed by scientific research, and experts suggest that cranberries also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, warding off certain cancers, and delaying gum disease.

The acidity in cranberries was long pointed out as the reason in preventing urinary-tract infections. However, new research quickly corrects the misconception; actually, it is the presence of many compounds that disable harmful bacteria. These bacteria are more easily flushed out with disabling them. This mechanism is particularly useful in combating some strains of Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers. It also inhibits plaque-causing bacteria from adhering to each other, delaying gum disease. These make cranberries a good alternative to antibiotics. Cranberries also show promise in combating the risk of getting heart disease. Cranberry juice increases good cholesterol, and promotes the multiplication of antioxidants in the bloodstream.

However, before stocking up on commercial cranberry juice, one should be wary of added sugars that may counteract its effects. The best ways to get the fix of cranberries is drink pure juice, or add these in cereals like corn flakes or oatmeal. You can also make shakes out of cranberries. If cranberries are too tart for you, try adding a little sugar, or add sugar substitutes if you are diabetic. Try basting your meats, like turkey and chicken, with cranberry marinade made out of its juice and your other seasonings.

You can also consider supplementing with capsules containing cranberry concentrates. However, as supplements are quite expensive, it is still best to source your cranberry fix from regular food. Besides, supplements are not substitutes to a healthy, sensible diet. The best way always is to eat right, enjoy your food, and make your meals interesting.