Wilkerson Chiropractic

Low Back Pain: Cauda Equina Syndrome The cauda equina (Latin for horse’s tail) is made up of many nerves that travel down and exit out the sides of the lumbar spine and sacrum (tail bone) and transfer information (motor and sensory) to and from our legs and brain. ... If the cauda equina becomes compressed, the resulting cauda equina syndrome (CES) is characterized by symptoms such as severe low back pain (LBP); numbness and weakness in the legs, buttocks, and perineum (pelvic floor region); weakness of bowel and/or bladder control causing incontinence; and sexual dysfunction. Potential causes for CES include a severe herniated disk in the lumbar spine (most common cause); narrowing of the spinal canal (called spinal stenosis); a lesion or tumor that applies pressure on the cauda equina; an infection, fracture, or trauma (such as a car crash); or a birth defect. Cauda equina syndrome is typically diagnosed in the following ways: 1) the patient’s historyoften of acute LBP with radiating leg symptoms; 2) a neurological exam to assess sensation, strength, gait, and reflexes; and 3) advanced imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, of the lower back. If CES has a fast onset, the patient should seek emergency care. Surgery may be required to avoid permanent sexual dysfunction, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, and in some cases, paralysis of the legs. If the onset of CES is gradual, then a non-surgical approach such as chiropractic care may be appropriate. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to identify and diagnose CES, but chiropractors usually see these patients long after the initial symptoms since most patients go directly to the ER due to their severity. However, a team of healthcare providers comprising of chiropractors, primary care physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and/or mental health counselors can manage LBP and other residual problems associated with CES. As with all conditions that result in permanent impairment, those afflicted often need to manage symptoms to obtain an optimum quality of life that chiropractic care can greatly facilitate. Marc Wilkerson, D.C. 415 East Ocean Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 736-4537 www.WilkersonChiro.com This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.

Weekly Health Update Week of: Monday, January 18th, 2021 Those who try to obliterate the past are injuring the present. ~ Helen Dunmore ... Health Alert: Many People May Not Recognize a Heart Attack. The top five most common heart attack symptoms include chest pain/discomfort; shortness of breath; arm and shoulder pain and discomfort; feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint; and jaw, neck, and back pain. A survey of 393 adults revealed that only 11.5% recognized all five symptoms and the majority (71.65%) only recognized chest pain/discomfort as a possible sign of heart attack. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, December 2020 Diet: Plant-Based Diet Boosts Metabolism? During a 16-week experiment, overweight/obese participants who adopted a low-fat, plant-based diet that included fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes experienced an 18.7% increased after-meal calorie burn, something that was not observed in individuals who ate their usual diet. The members of the plant-based diet group also reported more significant drops in fat mass and visceral fat. JAMA Network Open, November 2020 Exercise: Walking Benefits the Hearts of Postmenopausal Women. In a study that looked at a decade of data concerning over 83,000 middle aged and older females, researchers observed that the more steps a participant averaged per day, the lower her risk for high blood pressure. Hypertension, November 2020 Chiropractic: How to Reduce Work-Related Injuries. Work-related musculoskeletal conditions are unfortunately too common among workers in nearly all industries. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers the following tips to help reduce work-related injuries: modify your work to reduce the amount of reaching and bending you perform daily; avoid slouching and bending in awkward positions; include stretching and movement to strengthen your posture while working; reduce repetitive or prolonged activities when possible; take frequent breaks during your shift; and remember to use proper mechanics when lifting. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, November 2020 Mental Attitude: Two Foods That May Reduce Risk for Early-Onset Dementia. A comparison of diet assessments of 54 recently diagnosed early-onset dementia (EOD) patients and 54 cognitively healthy individuals revealed that a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and fish may be associated with a reduced risk for EOD. Nutrients, November 2020 Wellness/Prevention: Low Sodium Diet May Lower Risk for Stomach Cancer. The current research suggests that adopting a low-sodium diet can reduce a middle-aged adult’s risk for gastric cancer by up to 24%. Cancer Medicine, December 2020

Weekly Health Update Week of: Monday, January 11th, 2021 Health Alert: Vitamin D Supplementation May Lower Acute Respiratory Infection Risk. A review of findings from 42 published studies found that consuming a daily 400-1000 IU vitamin D supplement may reduce an individual’s risk for acute respiratory infection by up to 30%. ... medRxiv, November 2020 Diet: Processed Fats and Sugars Increase Muscle Pain. Researchers observed that switching the diet of mice to one rich in either highly processed sugars or fats led to increased excitability of the muscle nerves and resulting muscle pain. The findings suggest that reducing the intake of highly processed foods may benefit patients with muscle pain. Nutrients, October 2020 Exercise: Benefits of Strength Training. The American Cancer Society notes the following benefits for strength training: increased muscle mass, stronger bones, improved joint flexibility, increased metabolism, and improved balance. American Cancer Society, November 2020 Chiropractic: Dizziness? It Could Be the Neck. Dizziness can have a number of potential causes, but one that often goes unidentified is dysfunction in the neck, particularly in the upper cervical spine. A recent article in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation notes that once vestibular and cardiovascular pathologies have been ruled out, patients with ongoing dizziness issues should be evaluated for cervical disorders. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate the cervical spine and to restore normal motion using a combination of manual therapies and specific exercise recommendations. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, October 2020 Mental Attitude: Disasters Increase Suicides. According to a new study, an individual’s risk for suicide can increase up to 23% following a natural disaster, and the elevated suicide risk can persist for up to two years. The findings reveal that more mental health resources are needed to address challenges that arise after a disaster and that these services should be extended for a longer period of time following a disaster. Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, November 2020 Wellness/Prevention: Problems with Sleep Only Accelerate Other Troubles Using data from the SNAC-K study, researchers report that older adults with moderate-to-severe sleep disturbances will likely accumulate chronic neuropsychiatric and musculoskeletal conditions at a faster rate than seniors with good sleep hygiene. The authors of the analysis conclude that the early detection and treatment of sleep difficulties may present itself as a possible strategy to reduce the risk for chronic multimorbidity in the older population. BMC Medicine, December 2020

A GUIDE FOR LIVING IN 2021 Health: 1. Drink plenty of water. ... 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 3. Eat more foods that grow ON trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.. 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy. 5. Make time to pray. 6. Play more games 7. Read more books than you did in 2020. 8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day 9. Sleep at least 7 hours. 10.Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile. Personality: 11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 12. Don't have negative thoughts on things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits. 14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. 16. Dream more while you are awake. 17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes in the past, that will ruin your present happiness. 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. 20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 23. Smile and laugh more. 24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree... Society: 25. Call your family often. 26. Each day give something good to others. 27. Forgive everyone for everything. 28. Spend time with people over the age of 70, and under the age of 6. 29. Try to make at least three people smile each day. 30. What other people think of you is none of your business. 31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. Life: 32. Do the right thing! 33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful. 34. GOD heals everything. 35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up. 37. The best is yet to come... 38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. 39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. Last but not the least: 40. Consider forwarding this guide to those you care about. This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history. We provide a Free Monthly e-mail Newsletter PAIN RELEIF UPDATES For The Friends And Patients of Dr.Marc F.Wilkerson

Weekly Health Update Week of: Monday, January 4th, 2021 Health Alert: Sedentary Behavior Increases the Risk of Heart Failure in Women. ... An analysis of health and lifestyle data of nearly 81,000 postmenopausal women found that spending less than 6.5 hours a day engaged in sedentary activities can cut the risk for hospitalization for heart failure by over 40%. Circulation: Heart Failure, November 2020 Diet: Adding Dried Fruit Equals Better Diet and Health Markers. Researchers analyzed data on over 25,000 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that people who regularly consumed dried fruit were more likely to eat a healthy diet and less likely to be overweight or hypertensive. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2020 Exercise: Exercise May Help Keep the Mind Sharp. An evaluation of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging revealed that middle aged and older adults who regularly exercised scored higher on assessments of orientation, attention, memory, and language than non-exercisers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, November 2020 Chiropractic: Headaches and the Neck. For patients with headaches that originate in the neck, also known as cervicogenic headaches, a combination of manual therapies and specific exercise recommendations can be effective for reducing headache frequency and intensity. Past research suggests that up to 4% of the general population and up to one-in-six chronic headache sufferers may be affected by cervicogenic headaches. StatPearls, August 2020 Mental Attitude: Cognitive Impairment and Balance and Walking Ability. Assessments of 90 older adults revealed that those with either mild cognitive impairment or early dementia exhibited differences in gait and balance compared to participants with normal cognitive function. The findings suggest that changes in walking ability and balance may help healthcare providers identify patients who may be experiencing cognitive decline, possibly before other symptoms are present. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, December 2020 Wellness/Prevention: Smoking Causes Half of Bladder Cancer Cases! The current research notes that smoking is the strongest risk factor for bladder cancer, accounting for roughly half of bladder cancer cases. Furthermore, there’s no evidence to suggest that electronic cigarettes reduce this risk. Spanish Archive of Urology, December 2020