Impact of Summer on Tendons - Wellness Insights

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Impact of Summer on Tendons

Hello,

Summer is a time of sunshine, vacations, outdoor activities, and being with family and friends. With all that activity and sunshine comes a lot of sweating. Higher temperatures put us at risk for dehydration. The combination of increased activity can aggravate existing tendinitis or contribute to its development while dehydration may adversely affect the tendons, making tendons more prone to injury and slow recovery. Thus, we wish to share some holistic wellness strategies for expecting and recent moms as well as all you sunshine warriors and shade lovers.

Wellness Insights: Chiropractic Care for Tendon Issues During Pregnancy

This month, we explore chiropractic care, specifically its role in addressing tendon issues triggered by pregnancy hormones such as relaxin.

Understanding Relaxin and Tendon Issues During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, yet it brings about significant hormonal changes. One key hormone, "relaxin," plays a crucial role in preparing the body for childbirth by relaxing ligaments and tendons. However, this increased laxity can lead to tendon discomfort and susceptibility to injuries.

Challenges for Pregnant Women

As the body adjusts, common complaints amongst pregnant women include lower back pain, pelvic pain, and tendinitis, especially in weight-bearing areas like the knees and ankles. Traditional pain relief methods, such as medications, are often unsuitable due to potential risks to the fetus. Consequently, safe and effective alternative treatments are essential.

Chiropractic Care: A Gentle, Effective Solution

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing tendon issues and overall discomfort during pregnancy. Chiropractors specialize in the relationship between the spine and nervous system, using precise adjustments to restore balance and alleviate pain.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

1. Spinal Alignment: Realigning the spine can reduce back pain and improve posture, distributing the weight of the growing belly more evenly and reducing stress on tendons.

2. Pelvic Balance: Adjustments help maintain pelvic alignment, crucial for minimizing pain and ensuring smooth delivery.

3. Nerve Function: Enhancing nerve function promotes overall well-being and can alleviate referred pain impacting tendons.

4. Relaxin Management: Gentle chiropractic techniques can address the effects of relaxin by stabilizing joints and reducing undue strain on tendons.

Clinical Evidence

Schneider MJ, Vernon H, Ko G. Clinical outcomes of chiropractic care in patients with rotator cuff tendinitis. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. 2021;29:33.

Stochkendahl MJ, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J, et al. Chiropractic treatment for tendon injuries in sports British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020;54:347-355.

Special Attention for Tendinitis:

For pregnant women suffering from tendinitis, chiropractors offer specific adjustments and soft tissue techniques to:

-Reduce Inflammation: Gentle manipulations can improve circulation, aiding in inflammation reduction.

- Promote Healing: Non-invasive techniques encourage the body's natural healing processes without the need for medications.

- Strengthen Supporting Muscles: Exercises and stretches recommended by chiropractors can strengthen the muscles around affected tendons, providing additional support.

Dr Heidi Fennell DC,

Webster Certified Chiropractor,

21 years experience w/Prenatal Care

Your Path to a Comfortable Pregnancy

Our team at InnerMovement Wellness understands the unique challenges faced during pregnancy. Our specially trained chiropractors, are committed to providing personalized care that addresses your specific needs, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable pregnancy journey.

Embrace the benefits of chiropractic care for a pain-free, joyful pregnancy. Schedule your consultation today and experience the profound relief that chiropractic adjustments can provide.

Stay Healthy and Pain-Free,

If you are pregnant and considering chiropractic care, please call our office to schedule an appointment!

Until your 'Mommy Monday' prenatal visit :), Dr Heidi

Tendon Care for Sunshine Warriors and Shade Lovers

Veronica Sanchez

Nurse Practitioner & Acupuncturist, 20 years experience

Self-Care Tips in Summer

- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to support tendon health and overall energy flow.

- Moderate Activity: Be mindful of overuse, incorporating adequate rest into your activities.

- Cool Down: Use cool compresses to manage inflammation after physical activities.

- Diet: Incorporate foods that support Qi and blood flow, such as leafy greens, lean proteins, and avoid excessive cold or damp foods like ice drinks or greasy foods.

IMPACT ON TENDONS

1. Heat and Humidity: Summer's weather, characterized by heat and humidity, can exacerbate the dampness component in tendinitis. The presence of dampness obstructs the free flow of Qi and blood, potentially leading to more swelling and pain.

2. Increased Activity: People tend to be more active during the summer, increasing the risk of overuse injuries.

3. Dehydration: Higher temperatures can lead to dehydration, which may adversely affect the tendons, making them like a dried rubber band

From an acupuncture perspective, tendinitis, an inflammation of the tendons, is seen as a disruption in the body's energy flow, known as Qi (pronounced "chee").

Understanding Tendinitis in TCM

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi flows through meridians or pathways that connect organs and tissues. When this flow is disrupted due to overuse, injury, or imbalances, it can cause inflammation and pain, like tendinitis. The condition is often considered a combination of Qi and blood stagnation, and sometimes an accumulation of damp-heat or cold-dampness within the affected area.

Acupuncture Treatment for Tendinitis

1. Balancing Qi and Blood: Acupuncturists focus on restoring the balance of Qi and blood in the body. This might involve inserting needles at specific points along the meridians to reduce stagnation and balance the flow of Qi and blood.

2. Clearing Dampness and Heat: Special acupuncture points or techniques are used to expel damp-heat or cold-damp from the affected areas, reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

3. Local and Distal Points: Treatment for tendinitis often includes local points near the affected tendon and distal points to promote overall energy balance and reduce systemic inflammation.

4. Cupping and Moxibustion: These adjunct therapies may be used to enhance treatment. Cupping can help remove stagnation, while moxibustion (burning of a herbal stick near the skin) can warm the area, improving circulation and Qi flow.

5. Herbal Medicine: Herbal remedies may also be prescribed to support internal balance and enhance the effects of acupuncture.

By addressing these underlying imbalances, acupuncture aims to not only relieve pain but also promote long-term healing and prevention of tendinitis, making your summer more comfortable and active.

Book with one of our acupuncturist to help keep those tendons summer ready!

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Prenatal Power Combo!

Pregnancy Massage Therapy!

a perfect compliment to Chiropractic Care

$20 off 60min Massage Existing Prenatal Chiro Patient

FREE 30min Massage

New Prenatal Chiro Patient

*offer applies to prenatal pts only

*offer valid for Combo booking of Chiro & Massage only

*cannot be combined w/other offers

*offer expires Sept 30th

Receive ALL the healing benefits of Massage given by our highly skilled therapist + Webster technique session w/Dr Forsyth.

*Birth Prep *Pain Relief *Stress Relief *Prenatal/Postnatal

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Tendinitis, a common ailment among athletes and individuals with repetitive stress injuries, is characterized by inflammation and pain in the tendons. Traditional treatments often include rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. However, the quest for more effective and less invasive treatments has led to exciting developments in the field of physical therapy.

Dry Needling: Precision Pain Relief

Dry needling involves inserting thin needles into specific trigger points within the muscle tissue, targeting pain and promoting healing. Unlike acupuncture, which follows traditional Chinese medicine pathways, dry needling is rooted in Western medicine’s understanding of anatomy and physiology.

Recent studies, including a systematic review by Vulpini-Greene et al. (2018), highlight its efficacy in reducing pain and improving function for tendinopathy patients. By stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, dry needling helps restore normal muscle function and accelerates recovery.

NEEDLE FREE Electric Stimulation: Harnessing Technology for Healing

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) applies low-voltage electrical currents through the skin to alleviate pain. This therapy works by blocking pain signals to the brain and enhancing natural endorphin production.

A meta-analysis by Johnson et al. (2015) supports the effectiveness of TENS in managing acute and chronic pain, making it a valuable tool for tendinitis treatment. Patients often experience significant pain relief, increased mobility, and improved quality of life.

Combining Forces: The Future of Tendinitis Treatment

Integrating dry needling with TENS offers a powerful, holistic approach to tendinitis management. Combining these therapies can maximize pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote faster recovery.

Clinical Evidence

1.Gattie et al. (2017) conducted a meta-analysis demonstrating the superior benefits of dry needling for tendinopathy.

2. Vrabec et al. (2019) revealed that integrating various physical modalities, including dry needling and TENS, yields better outcomes compared to standalone treatments.

#### Your Path to Pain-Free Living ####

At InnerMovement, we are dedicated to incorporating the latest evidence-based practices to help you achieve optimal health. Our skilled acupuncturist specialize in both dry needling and TENS, tailoring treatments to your unique needs and ensuring a personalized healing journey.

Discover the transformative potential of these therapies and reclaim your active lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today and experience holistic tendinitis treatment.

Prenatal Partnerships

We take great efforts to offer the BEST care to our prenatal and postnatal patients. We use specialized equipment for our Chiropractic care to allow mom to lay face down and receive non-force pelvic, hip and low back adjustments. And we refer to our Acupuncturist for Labor induction if mom is past her due date.

We work with many doula's, midwives, birth centers and OB/GYN's in the area assisting them in treating pregnant patients who are experiencing pain but cannot resort to pain medications during pregnancy.