Chiropractic and Reducing Stress

We certainly live in stressful times. It's not easy to assess whether our era is the most stressful, but we do have plenty of daily stress. The job, the home, the kids, the relatives, and the economy - all these stresses add up and yet we wonder why we have so many aches and pains.

So many ailments are stress-related. Americans are notoriously overweight. Overeating is a stress-coping mechanism.1 Headaches and backaches are often associated with increased stress. There's a strong correlation between high blood pressure and stress, ulcers and stress, and even cancer and stress. What can we do? The external stresses in our lives aren't going away. Our activity-filled lives are busy and complex - there's always going to be stress. The key is to help avoid or ease the physical effects of stress. Interestingly, chiropractic treatment can be of great assistance in reducing the effects of stress on the body.

In general, stress causes muscles to tighten. This is an unconscious reaction. Tight muscles cause a cascade of further muscle tightening, shortening of muscles and ligaments, and a resulting decrease of mobility in joints, particularly shoulder joints, hip joints, and joints of the spine.2,3

This overall mechanical effect of stress has a number of additional consequences. All the extra unconscious muscle activity wastes precious nutritional resources and uses up energy needed for critical body functions. Lactic acid accumulates, irritating nerve endings and further increasing muscular tightness. And, importantly, the losses in spinal joint mobility lead directly to increased levels of pain. This, of course, leads to more stress.

This vicious circle of stress, muscular tightness, and pain can be relieved and reduced by chiropractic treatment.4 Chiropractic therapy is specially designed to improve joint mobility of the spine and pelvis. This gentle, effective treatment gradually restores maximal spinal motion. Muscle tightness is alleviated, metabolic processes begin to return to normal, and nutrients become more available to help maintain healthy functioning. Levels of pain are reduced, and we become better able to withstand the physical effects of stress.

Your chiropractor will explain the many benefits of treatment, and will provide instruction in stretching techniques and specific exercises that help maintain the positive results of therapy.

There will always be stress. We can learn how to reduce the physical effects of stress, and become stronger, healthier, and happier in the process.

Take a Break!
Pop quiz - how long have you

been sitting in that chair?

Half-an-hour? An hour?

Two hours? More?!!!

Or, basically, how long have

you been working at the same

task without taking a break?

Most likely, the answer is "too long"!

Everybody's in the same boat. There's

so much to do and so little time. That

may not be the real reality, but it

certainly is our experience.

We drive ahead, force ourselves to

keep going, and forget to

"stop and smell the roses". But

"smelling the roses" is critical to our

health and well-being. Taking a break,

relaxing for just five minutes every

hour, makes all the difference.

1Marchesini G, et al: Psychiatric distress and health-related quality of life in obesity. Diabetes Nutr Metab 16(3):145-154, 2003 2Weickgenant AL, et al: Coping activities in chronic low back pain: relationship with depression. Pain 53(1):95-103, 1993 3Burns JW: Arousal of negative emotions and symptom-specific reactivity in chronic low back pain patients. Emotion 6(2):309-319, 2006 4Hurwitz EL, et al. A randomized trial of chiropractic and medical care for patients with low back pain. Spine 31(6):611-621, 2006

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.