Chapel Hill Clinic Offers New Innovative Approach to Sleep Apnea Using Alternative Methods Chiropractic Applied Kinesiology and Physical Therapy

The Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre has a new approach to helping individuals with Sleep Apnea, particularly a type of Sleep Apnea called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common form of Sleep Apnea that affects millions of people.

Chiropractic combined with innovative techniques utilized from Applied Kinesiology, massage, physical therapy, dentistry, and cranial manipulation create a powerful arsenal of treatment options that may make sleep apnea sufferers breathe a sigh of relief. This comprehensive approach evaluates the entire body, utlizing many methods which would be otherwise missed by a professional who specializes in one particular region of the body. Due to the widely varying causes of sleep apnea, specialists can often be too focused to be able to evaluate the "big picture". After all, the body is connected in every aspect.

With Sleep Apnea, individuals are forced to use a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) to be able to breathe regularly and effectively throughout their sleep cycle because the airway is not remaining patent, or open. The typical method of diagnosis of this condition is performed at a sleep study clinic using Polysomnography. This testing can be useful but also disruptive because the person being studied has to sleep in an unfamiliar environment with different bedding.

An effective and simpler method of testing is done with oximetry often combined with pulse measurement, sometimes called pulsoximetry. This is a simple device that clips over the end of the finger during sleep, measuring the blood oxygen percentage while a person sleeps. Typical blood oxygen saturation levels should reach about 98-99%, yet can be often found as low as the 80's with sleep apnea. The co-morbidities of low oxygen saturation in the blood has many implications in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and blood/tissue related diseases.

Sleep Apnea patients often present to a chiropractors office with little awareness of their physical, neurological, and chemical imbalances. The reason for the visit is often neck, mid-back or low-back pain. Common physical and palpatory findings include an anterior head carriage, muscular strain to the SCM muscle, or Sternocleidomastoid, fascial shortening of the posterior neck extensors, a visible Buffalo Hump, External auditory meatus shifted anterior to the acromion process, loss of cervical spine lordosis or curve, TMJ palpatory pain, Temporalis muscle hypertonicity, Tooth wear from grinding teeth, and obesity.

From a chiropractic perspective, these typical Sleep Apnea patients generally sleep with several pillows stacked behind their heads which force the head and neck into flexion and reverse the natural cervical spine curve or lordosis. Other common causes of this type of subluxation, or misalignment is chronic poor posture and whiplash injuries to the head and neck. Often a 5MPH car collision is enough to create neck imbalances which can later lead to an airway dysfunction.

A reversed cervical lordosis or loss of the natural "C" curve in the neck creates a mechanical change in the opening of the airway and breathing passage, often resulting in breathing problems due to a narrowed airway in the glossopharyngeal region of the neck. Tightness in the TMJ or Tempormandibular Joint can further compound the issue by causing pharyngeal spasming. This is the primary reason that many well-informed dentists use a device called a Mandibular Advancement Splint to improve sleep apnea. The fact is, when the Temporomandibular Joint is opened inferiorly and translated anteriorly, the airway opens up. When the TMJ moves posterior and superior it closes the airway and makes it less patent, restricting the normal motions of the kinematic chain in the neck.

Chiropractic does the same thing, yet does not use the aid of a Splint to open the airway. Chiropractic treatment of the head and neck retrain the neck muscles and improve the neck and cervical spine posture. The significant difference between this and a mandibular advancement splint is that a proper chiropractic manipulation aids in correcting the joint imbalance by treating the temporomandibular joint and supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Both the chiropractic manipulation and mandibular advancement splint are an effective method of improving sleep apnea. The combination of these two methods is likely to be a match made in heaven for sleep apnea sufferers.

For more information, or to find out if Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology is right for you, the Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre schedules complimentary consultations as a courtesy to our patients.

Iliotibial Band Pain Effectively Treated with Applied Kinesiology and Chiropractic

Iliotibial Band Syndrome or Iliotibial Band pain is a common extremity pain that affects athletes of all types, especially runners. Knee pain is often a result. Using functional neurology and muscle testing, doctors trained in Applied Kinesiology and Chiropractic are able to relieve these ailments effectively and within a short period of time.



The Iliotibial Band is situated between the crest of the ilium and the outer portion of the tibia, hence the ilio-tibial name. The main muscle located here is the TFL, or Tensor Fasciae Lata, a flexor of the hip and internal rotator of the lower leg. This muscle is intertwined with the Gluteus Medius and Gluteus Maximis muscle, which also helps coordinate hip extension and abduction, internal/external rotation.

In-coordination of these muscles frequently results in hip and/or knee pain. There are essentially three basic muscles that are big problem makers for the knee. The TFL ( tensor fasciae lata ), quadricep, and sartorious. Specific muscle testing used in Applied Kinesiology can quickly identify which muscles are involved, as well as locate bony displacement of the tibia, fibula, or femur.

For runners, the iliotibial band can create very painful knee pain, if fatigued. The cause is usually lymphatic congestion of the lateral leg, combined with misalignment of the talus bone, located in the foot. Have dropped arches? Any foot misaligment can cause global muscle dysfunction in the body because it affects Cerebellar activity in the brain, which allows your body to recognize position-sense. (Close your eyes and then attempt to touch your nose...the only way this can happen is by position sense which is regulated by the cerebellum.)

Other common causes of knee pain include weakness of the Quadricep muscle. This muscle helps "track" the knee cap and keeps the femur from shifting forward on the tibia. The weakness of the quadricep can be easily evaluated and treated by Applied Kinesiology. Weakness of this muscle, especially at its attachment point on the tibia can lead to a condition called Osgood Schlatter's. Children are particularly prone to this condition.

Keep in mind, there can certainly be some permanent damage in the knee, such as degenerative arthritis, erosion of the tibial plateau, ACL/LCL Ligament damage, or torn cartilage. These tissue changes do not, however, mean that a person will experience pain. I have seen and treated many painful knee problems where the MRI results indicated extensive damage. Using Applied Kinesiology techniques, the idea is to treat the underlying causes for these changes...in most instances the pain significantly reduces or completely goes away. Proper exercises and home instruction are needed to keep the pain away, but in all reality, damaged tissues, ligaments, cartilage, etc, always have the potential to become irritated again. Arthroscopic surgery is needed in some instances of degenerative and traumatic knee changes. Chiropractic and Applied Kinesiology evaluation/treatment should be sought first before considering surgery.

Another common presentation of knee pain is preceded by weakness of a muscle called the sartorious. This muscle holds up the medial (inner) knee and is an important stabilizer of the the tibia during running, walking. The causes of this muscle weakness are multifactorial. Misalignment of the low back and sacroiliac joint often cause the sartorious to weaken to do a mechanical stretching of the muscle. The most common cause of sartorious weakness, though, is a condition called Adrenal Fatigue. This condition was recently responsible for the death of Olympic Marathoner Trainee Ryan Shay. Shay collapsed and died at the 5th mile of his olympic trials. Proper evaluation and treatment by an Applied Kinesiologist could have identified the common symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue that Ryan Shay experienced. The unfortunate situation is that most doctors, whether they are chiropractic or medical doctors, do not know how to identify Adrenal Gland Fatigue problems. Blood tests are less that adequate in identifying this condition either, unless is in an advanced stage. Saliva Cortisol test is the most reliable. See an Applied Kinesiologist Chiropractor to determine if this is the cause of your knee pain, especially if stress is also a factor.

This is the most serious case of knee pain, because it is due to stress hormone imbalance in the body. Other symptoms of Adrenal Gland Fatigue are dizziness upon standing, dropped arches of the feet, medial knee pain, intolerance to stress, light sensitivity, anxiety/depression/panic attacks, addiction to alcohol or other stimulants (coffee, tea, soda, cigarettes, chocolate), fatigue.

For more information or to speak with one of our practitioners contact the Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre at 919-968-4417

High Energy Soup- Overcoming Adrenal Fatigue

Dear Friends,

Adrenal Gland Fatigue is one of the most commonly overlooked and unidentified causes of many of the Chronic prolems our society experiences today.

What exactly is Adrenal Fatigue? And Where is it?...

The Adrenal Gland sits comfortably atop the Kidney. Since you have two kidneys, there are also two adrenal glands. We would all being faring much better if the second one was a "spare".

Adrenal Gland Fatigue describes specific chemical, mineral, and tissue changes in response to acute or chronic stress and the consequences of such changes in the body and the adrenal glands.

The Adrenal Gland is responsible for many activities in the body, but to just name a few:

• Regulating Stress & the Fight / Flight Syndrome
• Inflammation and Inflammatory Reactions
• Balancing Blood Sugar and Insulin Response
• Maintaining blood pressure
• Water/Sodium Regulation in the Kidneys

The most common symptoms that patients present with Adrenal Fatigue are as follows:

• Dizziness or Light-headedness upon standing or rising
• Knee Pain
• Dropped Arches of the feet or pronated arches
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit or lack of attention
• Joints POP or CRACK when moving
• Disc Bulges or Loose ligaments
• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Severe Fatigue, particularly after eating meals or anxiousness before meals
• Stress
• Feelings of being Trapped
• Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism (high or low thyroid function)

Thankfully, over time, there are effective methods of treating or improving adrenal gland fatigue, which can effect nearly any organ or gland system of the body. The first priority is to determine what is stressing the system. Effective testing methods include Blood Cortisol Levels taken at different times of the day, Saliva Adrenal Stress Index, Hair Mineral Analysis, and Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing. Urine testing is also available, but primarily as a screening procedure.

As a method of dealing with stress reactions, the body commonly retains Sodium, which can cause water retention, high blood pressure, etc, but it is important to realize that Sodium is needed to Improve the response to stressors, so avoiding it is often counter-productive. Many people crave salt due to this reason. The soup recipe below has been included because it is a source of sodium and helps to balance the body's chemistry during a stress response. It has particularly desirable effects on blood sugar and may allow the body to promote weight loss because of it's effect on maintaining proper blood sugar balance.

High Energy SOUP

28 oz of Muir Glen Diced Tomatoes (largest size)-Organic
2 Celery Stalks (sliced)
1 Large Cucumber (sliced)
Fresh Green Beans (2 cups)
One Large White Onion
Salt and Pepper To Taste (Sea Salt is preferable)
Spring Water (add to right consistency), no Tap water

For questions, comments, or feedback to this information or if you are seeking a nutritional evaluation, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Fox at the

Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre

Medical Disclaimer: All research and clinical material published by the Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre is for informational purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources. Patients and consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider. The Chapel Hill Chiropractic Centre will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.