Archive for March 2016
Nutrition for Sinusitis
At Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center the overall quality of your health is dependent upon many factors, some of which are outside of your control. But we also believe in the power of factors you can influence: exercise, posture and nutrition. For sufferers of chronic sinusitis, making adjustments to your diet can influence congestion levels and drainage. We can help you identify habits and patterns in your life that could be contributing to your condition.
Foods rich in vitamin C, like oranges and tangerines, and spicy foods such as garlic, chili peppers and help to break up mucus and clear congestion. Nutrient rich, fibrous ingredients including flax seed, sprouted nuts and seeds, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish and avocado are great for immune system support and managing inflammation. Pineapple is a key ingredient for chronic sinusitis sufferers: it contains bromelain, a group of enzymes, which combats inflammation in the nose. As with all nutrients, selecting high quality ingredients is important.
Each individual can benefit from a more proactive nutrition plan that takes into account his or her personal deficiencies; likewise, there are many foods to be avoided. Often, sinusitis is caused by an underlying, undiagnosed food allergy. Limiting alcohol, tobacco and caffeine consumption can all make positive impacts on sinus health. It all depends on you! Unlock the power of nutrition to manage your sinusitis: call our offices in Ramsey at (201) 995-9900
Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.
Sinus Headaches Are No Fun
The sinuses are located throughout the head: in the forehead, in the cheeks and the nose. It is believed that these air-filled cavities help our body to circulate air and drain mucous from the nasal passageways. Blockages in the sinus are responsible for the build-up of mucus, creating a productive environment for the production of bacteria, viruses and fungi that can cause infection. Infections lead to sinusitis, characterized by symptoms of inflammation that causes swelling. With a lessened chance of drainage, we experience congestion that often leads to dull, throbbing headaches.
Symptoms of sinus headaches include:
Pressure in the cheeks and forehead
Feelings of stuffiness and fatigue
Achy feelings in the jaw
Full ears or ears that feel likely to pop
Sinus headaches usually feel the worse in the morning, making you feel groggy and inhibiting a proper start to the day. At Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center, our treatment aims to seek out any structural causes for blockage and encourage drainage. Subluxations, especially in the cervical region, can interfere with the nerve supply to the sinuses. By removing interference and employing other methods, such as tapping around the sinuses, we encourage the sinuses to drain properly.
We also would like people who have been suffering from regular sinus headaches to get moving to get their sinuses moving: exercise can help improve circulation and make breathing easier. Maintaining proper hydration and instituting an anti-inflammatory diet can also help. Call our offices, in Ramsey at (201) 995-9900, and in Passaic at (973) 471-9585, if you are looking for natural relief from your sinus trouble.
Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.
Postpartum Depression and Chiropractic
Chiropractic is effective at managing and reducing symptoms of postpartum depression. When the upheaval of hormones and structural changes of pregnancy are catalyzed by the stress of delivery, a mother can be left exhausted, and this state of low energy is often linked to postpartum depression. Despite the physical maelstrom of pregnancy, there are also lifestyle adjustments to account for with a new child. While tending to the baby’s every need, sleep can be hard to come by, which is a great harm to the mother’s emotional and mental stability. Stress hormones are elevated and depression symptoms ensue:
Symptoms of postpartum depression include:
- Sleep difficulty
- Loss of appetite
- Experiencing little interest or emotional connection to the new child
- Low sex drive
- Weight fluctuation
Chiropractic is a practical, holistic approach to combatting these symptoms. A build up of anxiety manifests itself in tense muscles-a feeling of stiffness and tightness. Hands-on massage therapy treatment can increase relaxation, while helping the body to grow stronger. The hormone relaxin, which is crucial for loosening ligaments in preparation for birth, lingers in the body for 6 months to a year after pregnancy, leaving your pelvic and sacral regions vulnerable to misalignment and injury. Regular chiropractic adjustment helps maintain stability in the region, helping you to recover quicker and more effectively.
Keeping your body in a state of balance and health is an important component to the endeavor of balancing hormones and returning to normalcy postpartum. We would like to help you enjoy new motherhood without pain; in Ramsey we can be reached at (201) 995-9900 and in Passaic at (973) 471-9585.
Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.
Chiropractic for Postpartum Health
Postpartum chiropractic is vital. With the buildup to labor, elation at delivery and upheaval that comes with transitioning to life with a new baby, it is easy to forget that your body needs support. The hormone relaxin, which is produced in greater quantities to loosen ligaments in preparation for birth, remains elevated for six months after delivery. This leaves your lower back, pelvis and sacrum weakened and vulnerable to misalignment and damage. Instability in the base of the spine is exacerbated by baby holding and breast feeding which puts undue pressure on the neck, upper back and shoulders. It is a formula for pain which chiropractic is excellent at nullifying.
The positive side of raised relaxin levels is that in this pliable state, the body responds well to chiropractic adjustment. As ligaments begin to tighten and return to pre-pregnancy standards, back and pelvic pains ensue. “Mommy aches,” are common but avoidable. Maintaining the body’s alignment during this period of change is a great way to prevent pain.
Mothers who have been prescribed extensive bed rest in the wake of a C-section birth can experience aches due to poor posture. We make recommendations for creating an environment conducive to healing and introduce stretches that will relieve this discomfort.
At Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center, we want you to enjoy and explore the wonders of being a mother without the anxiety of dealing with aches and pains. If you are a new mother in New Jersey, schedule an appointment today: in Ramsey at (201) 995-9900 and in Passaic at (973) 471-9585.
Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.
The Webster Technique Works!
As a prospective mother enters into the later phases of pregnancy, a properly aligned pelvis and sacrum is a key to keeping her immune system operating efficiently while allowing plenty of room for the baby to develop healthily; it is also beneficial in preventing dystocia, as discussed in my previous blog. At Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center, we want to give you every advantage in having a short, easy labor, free of complications or surgical intervention.
Correcting the position of a baby in breech is the first step in paving the runway for a smooth delivery. To correct the breech positioning, we use the Webster Technique, a method that is focused on reducing stress to uterus-supporting ligaments, maximizing the space available to the baby to maneuver into the proper, maneuver into the proper, head-first position. The uterus is held within the abdomen in a state of balance, supported by ligaments that become stretched tight during the growth of the stomach during pregnancy. Not only does this cause the mother pain, but it also restricts the potential for maneuverability of the baby: overly tight ligaments can cause the baby to stay in breech position as labor approaches. Manual adjustments are focused on realigning the pelvis and sacrum, and reducing the tension and tightness of the ligaments supporting the uterus. This creates optimal space for the baby to move itself into the correct position for delivery.
We are experts in chiropractic for pregnancy in the New Jersey area. We will be dedicated to the health of mother and child from day one. Our office in Ramsey can be reached at (201) 995-9900 and in Passaic at (973) 471-9585. Call us today to find out how we can maximize your potential for an easy birth.