Exercise fights Dementia. Chiropractic and Headaches. Chiropractor and Flexibility

 According to CBS Nightly News in a recent report, exercise improves memory and cognition, and helps stave off dementia. Strength training — and working your leg muscles in particular — has been shown to have a particularly strong impact on brain function and memory.  Among seniors, engaging in medium-to-high intensity exercise can slow brain aging by as much as 10 years.  Exercise also helps dispel depression — in many cases more effectively than antidepressants — and purges your body of stress chemicals associated with stress-related depression.  "Older adults who reported either light or no exercise at all experienced a cognitive decline equal to 10 more years of aging when compared to people who were moderate to intense exercisers. 'The number of people over the age of 65 in the United States is on the rise, meaning the public health burden of thinking and memory problems will likely grow,' study author Dr. Clinton B. Wright ... said in a statement. 'Our study showed that for older people, getting regular exercise may be protective, helping them keep their cognitive abilities longer.'"

Are you having a hard time sleeping at night?  Research shows that the body’s natural sleep hormone (melatonin) levels decrease if you are exposed to bright light and electronic displays 2 hours before bedtime. Melatonin levels are supposed to increase in the evening for a good night’s sleep.  Studies suggest that to have good night’s sleep, room temperature needs to be below 70 degrees, take a hot bath or shower 90 minutes before bedtime, do not use your computer (I-pad, Kindle etc) or watch TV 2 hours before bed, eliminate electromagnetic fields in the bedroom such as wireless devices. Keep your phone at least 10 feet from the bed, or shut it off entirely. Avoid caffeine and alcohol 4-6 hours before bed time.  Nicotine due to its many other adverse health effect should be avoided at all costs, but nicotine is also a stimulant and will contribute to poor quality of sleep.

 Chiropractic Thought for the Week:  "You might think chiropractors are only able to help with back aches, stiff necks, slipped discs and whiplash injuries. If so, you're not alone – but you're missing out. "Although probably not surprising to many chiropractors, a recent article published in US News and World Report, points out that many people are unaware that chiropractic may be able to help them with conditions that may not seem immediately related to the spine. Migraines and tension headaches are the first on the article's list. "Research shows that spinal manipulation – the primary form of care provided by chiropractic doctors – is an effective way to treat tension headaches and headaches that begin in the neck. The second condition listed is stress and anxiety. The article explains how chiropractic helps by noting, "Chiropractors work primarily with the spine – the root of the nervous system through which nerve impulses travel between the brain and the rest of the body – and can help the body manage and process this stress in a healthier way."  The article also mentions that chiropractic can help with a weak immune system. "Subluxations are Misalignment of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways, affecting the body's organs. Subluxations are an example of physical nerve stress that affects neuronal control. According to researchers, such stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function and an increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases."  The remaining two conditions include fibromyalgia and flexibility. The explanations offered in the article deal with both nerve function and improved range of motion. Chiropractic can specifically remove interference to the nerve system from subluxations while returning the spinal joints to as near to normal range of motion as is possible with a patient.  Dr George Curry, president of the International Chiropractors Association, summed up the chiropractic approach by stating, "People suffering with a wide variety of health issues have responded to chiropractic care. The chiropractor actually isn't treating these conditions. By removing interference to the nerve system from subluxation, the chiropractor allows the body to function more normally and, therefore, self-correct many health problems naturally."

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.