Chiropractic for Runners, Joggers, and Walkers

Scientific research demonstrates that chiropractic care may enhance running performance in both recreational runners as well as professional athletes. Dr. Bagley focuses on teaching runners, joggers and walkers how to ward off injury before it occurs. When injury does take place, chiropractic offers all-natural solutions, which allow athletes to avoid surgery and medication.

Along with regular chiropractic visits, the doctor often recommends the following to prevent exercise-related injuries:

• Proper Shoes: Running and walking shoes are designed specifically for different foot types in order to reduce injuries. "Running in the correct footwear matched for foot type may have a greater influence on mechanics when runners become exerted." (Gait Posture 2006;24.) That's why having your feet examined and your running shoes professionally fitted is important for injury prevention.
• Shoe Replacement: Track your mileage. After 350-550 miles it's time for a new pair. For runners/walkers who log 25 miles per week replace your shoes every three to four months.
• Stretching & Yoga: You should perform stretching exercises on a regular basis -- as well as just prior to and following a run. Ask the doctor for specific exercises geared toward your unique circumstances. Practicing yoga regularly is a fantastic way to keep muscles well stretched.
• Strengthen: Strengthening the muscles in the front of the calf and hamstrings, to counteract tight calves and quadriceps, prevents shin splints by reducing tension exerted on the tibial bone.
• Posture and Foot Position: When running or walking, concentrate on your posture. For running the idea is to keep your center of gravity in front of your foot strike -- not behind it. Also, avoid landing on the heel or ball of your foot. When walking, concentrate on keeping your chin up and being tall and straight, keep your stomach activated and tight, and your hands should not be clenched.
  

Call our office today to schedule a full physical and learn how chiropractic care can keep your body going at peak performance.

Need a chiropractor in St. Louis? Please consider Vital Force Clinic. Call 314-596-4070.

Pets and Pesticides: Questions of Safety

There is a lot of evidence to support the use of flea and tick pesticides directly on our dogs and cats. The question is where the safety information is coming from. Obviously the manufacturers of these agents would tout their products safety but there is growing concern. On the Public Integrity Website, there are numerous reports of animal and human incidents related to pesticide. Unfortunately, these can range from skin irritation to death. Two years ago when my husband and I adopted Zeus, our big black lab, we decided right away not to use the spot treatment pesticides. Although I have concerns for him, my main concern was the contamination to us and the house. Now that we have the twins, we will continue to avoid using these products. What we use instead is a natural product called Cedarcide. This product is made from natural cedar oil and is non-toxic and perfectly safe. I actually also use it on myself when I’m going to be outside to keep the mosquitoes away. If you don’t mind smelling like a cedar tree it’s a great alternative to the toxic chemicals on you and your pet and even DEET which humans use. In the summer I spray Zeus every few days.

Need a St. Louis Chiropractor? Please call our office for your no obligation consultation today!

Tips for a Healthier Commute

According to a 2007 Gallup poll, the average commuter spends nearly 200 hours per year driving to and from work. Are you spending hours a week behind the wheel? If so, commuting may be chipping away at your overall well-being. Prolonged sitting coupled with the vibrations produced by the tires hitting the road can wreak havoc on the spine. Driving may also be emotionally stressful and exact a psychological toll. Dr. Bagley at Vital Force Clinic is concerned about the effects of commuting on patients' health and offer suggestions to help.

Keep up with Chiropractic care.

Hit the road rested. A healthy commute starts the night before with adequate sleep.

Sit comfortably. Move the driver's seat as close to the steering wheel as is comfortable, and fine-tune seat position so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips.

Make the most of red lights. Try rolling or shaking out your shoulders at each stop.

Enjoy soothing scents. Research shows that lavender and rosemary scents decrease levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. (Psychiatry Res 2007;150:89-96).

Breathe deeply.

Get a gentle grip of the steering wheel.

Make your car a haven. Remove trash daily.

Fuel your body. Nuts and dried or fresh fruit are travel-friendly options.

Drink smart. Choose herbal tea or water for the drive. Stay hydrated without the jitters.

Take a musical journey. Music is said to soothe the savage beast -- and it can also soothe the stressed-out commuter.

Learn on the road. Try an audiobook or podcast on a topic that will enrich your life.

Rest your eyes. Shift your focal point occasionally. This lessens the risk of eye strain and tension headaches.

Keep a positive attitude. Let that other car merge in front of you.

Buddy up. Carpooling is also good for mental health.

MRIs Often Lead to Unnecessary Back Surgery

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in detecting several health problems. However, a growing trend in many medical clinics is to conduct an MRI scan on patients with back pain, even when serious conditions are not suspected, and before trying conservative, non-surgical management. Dr. Bagley at Vital Force Clinic is concerned about this trend and wants all individuals with back pain to be fully informed about this situation.

Researchers speculate that this problem with the widespread use of MRI for back pain diagnosis is that the scans, which visualize soft tissue like the spinal discs and muscles, frequently identify anomalies that are not necessarily the cause of a person's back trouble. The result? A skyrocketing rate of unnecessary surgeries.

For instance, many cases of disc herniation do not cause pain. A person may indeed have back pain, and have a herniated disc, but the two are often unrelated. In these cases surgery can do far more harm than good.

One study pointed out that "evidence suggests that MRIs may often be ordered unnecessarily. ... More studies are needed to examine the appropriateness with which imaging procedures and non-invasive/minimally invasive treatments are utilized, and their effect on patient outcomes." (Pain Med 2006;7:143-50.)

Unless you are in an emergency situation, schedule an appointment with our office before considering spinal surgery.

Need a St. Louis Chiropractor? Contact Dr. Bagley at 314-596-4070.