Common Myth #2: Chewing gum takes seven years to pass through the digestive system.

The Myth:

Chewing gum takes seven years to pass through the digestive system.

The Truth:

Like anything else that enters our mouths and our stomachs, chewing gum makes its way through the digestive system in about a day. Unlike food, chewing gum travels through our bodies relatively unchanged - it comes out in about the same form in went in.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

The body's balance and ability to function properly can have a huge impact on its capacity to adapt to the extra stresses placed upon it during pregnancy.  Any misalignment in the pelvis could be a cause of slower decent of the baby through the birth canal.  Back pain could also decrease a mother's range of motion, making it more difficult for her to assume the upright, active positions that have been proven to make labor more efficient.

Collected data shows an almost 25% reduction from the accepted average labor times in first-time mothers who had chiropractic care during pregnancy, and a 33% reduction from the norm in mothers who had previously given birth.

Studies have shown that chiropractic care can reduce back pain during pregnancy and may also significantly decrease the incident of "back labor".  The relative risk of experiencing back labor was almost 3 times greater if back pain was experienced during pregnancy.  Therefore, chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to decrease the chance for back labor.

The doctors and therapists at Schubbe Resch Chiropractic and Physical Therapy have been trained to work with pregnant women.  We use treatment tables that modify for a pregnant woman's body.  We also use techniques that avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.  Our doctors are versed in the needs of women who are pregnant, and will also provide safe exercises and stretches to maximize the pregnant patient's comfort.

Common Myth #1: Eating fruit on an empty stomach helps detoxify your system and promises added energy and weight loss.

The myth:

Eating fruit on an empty stomach helps detoxify your system and promises added energy and weight loss.  If you eat fruit with your meals, the meal will ferment and begins to spoil as it makes it way through your digestive system.

The truth:

You can eat fruit at any time and with any other foods.  The body will absorb all of its nutritional offerings just the same.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation caused by excessive stretching of the plantar fascia (the tissue that extends the entire length of the bottom of the foot).  Heel pain is a common condition in which weight bearing on the heel causes extreme discomfort. Plantar tendonosis is an adhesion or thickening in the plantar fascia caused by repetitive micro tears in the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis or tendonosis may be caused by the following:

• Additional or excessive weight on the foot
• Wearing shoes without any arch support or proper arch support
• A foot with an unusually high arch
• A sudden increase in physical activity

Symptoms usually consist of pain near the inside of the foot where the heel and arch meet.  The pain is often worse first thing in the morning, or after a rest, because the plantar fascia contracts back to its original shape when you are resting.  As the day progresses and the plantar fascia stretches, the pain often subsides or significantly reduces.

The key for proper treatment of plantar fasciitis or tendonosis is determining what is causing the excessive strain and stretching of the plantar fasciitis.  Often changing your footwear is the first step towards recovery.  You can also follow these recommendations:

• Don't go barefoot
• Stretch your foot before getting out of bed or before standing .
• Ice your heels (or the painful area) 2-3 times a day to reduce inflammation
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid running on hard or uneven ground.
• Wear shoes with proper arch support and shock absorption
• If none of the above tips work, see our clinicians for evaluation using Graston Technique or Active Release Technique to assess whether the heel or arch pain is related to a relative thickening or scarring called tendonosis. Generally, this is present if pain is chronic or not relieved with ice therapy or ibuprofen.
  

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed foot ailments.  Please contact us to see how we can treat your symptoms and help you avoid further pain.

Bike Fit Basics

Whether you ride on-road or off, pedal casually or competitively, it's important to pay close attention to how your bicycle fits your body. A properly fitted bike will allow you to ride comfortably and safely, avoid injury, and produce more power, so you can go faster with the same or less effort.

In general, when fitting a bicycle, there are five basic components to consider.

1. Frame size is not necessarily dependent on your height; rather, it is more a matter of leg length. Simply, the frame should be easily straddled with both feet flat on the ground, and with an inch or two of clearance for a road of hybrid bike and about four inches of clearance for a mountain bike.
2. Saddle height should be set so that your knee is slighly bent when the pedal is at its lowest position and the ball of your foot is on the pedal. A saddle, or seat, that is too high or too low can cause pain and lead to injuries of the back and knees.
3. Saddle position can be checked by sitting on your bicycle (hold onto a friend or a stationary object) and rotating the pedals until they are horizontal. Your forward knee should be directly over the respective pedal axle when the ball of your foot is on the pedal.
4. Saddle tilt can be gauged simply by feel or by using a carpenter's level. Generally speaking, your seat should be level with the ground. If the saddle tips too much in either direction, pressure will be placed on your arms, shoulders and lower back.
5. Handlebar position and distance is mostly a matter of personal preference because it affects shoulder, neck and back comfort. Typically, handlebars are positioned higher for comfort (a more upright riding position) and lower for improved aerodynamics.

Always Wear a Helmet!

A bicycle crash can happen at any time; however, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, a properly fitted bicycle helmet reduces the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88 percent. The following are tips to help ensure the correct helmet fit.

• The helmet should be level on the head, and it must cover the forehead.
• The Y of the straps should meet just below the ear.
• The chin strap should be snug against the chin so that when you open the mouth very wide, the helmet pulls down a little.
• Put your palm on the front of the helmet, and push up and back. If it moves more than an inch, more fitting is required.
• Shake your head around. If the helmet dislodges, work on the strap adjustments.
• Do not wear a hat under the helmet.

All helmets sold in bike shops must be approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and should carry a CPSC sticker.

Get Out and Get Walking

Want to start an easy and enjoyable exercise program?  Then get out and get walking.  Walking is the perfect exercise for many people.  It is inexpensive and needs only a place to walk and a good pair of shoes.  Walking reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer, lowers total cholesterol, raises healthy HDL cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure.

Walking also has these benefits:

• Helps to control weight
• Maintains healthy bones and muscles
• Burns 350-500 calories per hour on average
• Eases back pain
• Boosts energy
• Fights the aging process

So how do you start a walking program? First, check with your medical professional if you have any health concerns that would affect your ability to exercise safely.  Once you have the go ahead, try this routine:

Start walking 20 minutes a day, preferably 5 days a week.  Walk 10 minutes, then turn around and walk back home.  Pretty simple.

If that goes well, add another 5 minutes to each days total the next week.  So now you are walking 25 minutes per day, 5 days a week.

Add 5 minutes to each days total the next week, and continue doing this until you have reached your desired total time.  60 minutes per day, 5 days a week is a perfect goal for all the walking benefits described above. So lace up your shoes, get out there, and get walking!