Phases of healing

The 5 components of the body’s healing

There are 5 phases of healing that your body will go through during any injury, and due to things such as: postural issues, bad sleeping habits, improper lifting mechanics, sitting incorrectly at a computer and many other day to day activities can alter these as well. Can you think of anything else that can?

These 5 components can cause changes in the motion/position of the spinal bones, joints of the extremities, facilitate lesions, muscle/ligament/tendon damage and can result in degenerative changes from neglect.
1. Spinal Kinesio-pathology
2. Neuro-patho-physiology
3. Myo-pathology
4. Histo-pathology
5. Patho-physiology

Spinal Kinesio- pathology 
Spinal bones can lose their normal motion or position. So can bones of the wrist, elbow, shoulder, jaw, ribs, hips, knees and feet. This can occur from trauma, tension, faulty posture during the day or at night while sleeping. When this occurs the discomfort can be felt as tightness, stiffness, pressure, and/or pain. It is often difficult to sense that a joint has changed position. Most patients feel as if it is “just a muscle”. They will often have someone massage the muscle and feel some relief for a short period of time. This is due to the muscle that is around the joint being tight as well. The sensation they feel comes back and seems to never completely go away.

A joint moving out of place is no different than teeth that do not grow straight. Braces would be placed on the teeth and over time and with further follow-up the teeth slowly change their alignment.

Neuro-patho-physiology

When there is improper spinal biomechanics the nervous system can and will be affected. The nerves from the brain go through the spinal column and one exits at each vertebrae. These nerves in turn go out to different parts of the body to supply the muscle motion, sensory feeling in the body, the organs, lungs, heart, etc. The nerves that leave the neck—two supply the sensory sensation to the head (they cause headaches/ migraines), the other 6 go down the arms and end in the fingers. They also supply the immune system, heart, brain, diaphragm and other areas. The mid back nerves supply the arms, mid back, and organs in the abdominal cavity.

The nerves from the lower back supply the hip joint, the leg muscles, the knee joint and feet. They also supply the reproductive organs.

Nerve tissue is very delicate and can be stretched, twisted, irritated, pinched, choked and you may not even know you have issues. It is the same as the electricity that runs through your house. If you did not have enough running through the wires the light would not work and if there was too much electricity you would have a short in the wires. The same works with your nerves!

Myo-pathology
The muscles that support the spine, the wrist, arms, shoulders, jaw, hips, knees, and feet are involved during myo-pathology. The muscles become flaccid, weakened, tight, adhesed, develop scar tissue and can go into spasm. These malfunctioning muscles lose their proper elasticity. These muscles play an important role in the recovery process and can take a long time to retrain and to balance out on both sides of the spine.

The adhesions/scar tissue that changes the elasticity of the muscle is like gristle in a steak. Muscles adapt and get used to supporting the spine and the extremities improperly, like trying to change a hair part. A tug of war. Unhealthy muscles take longer to work with than healthy muscles. These muscles can appear to be weak to you and also they are not very flexible due to the adhesions. This is the same as an elastic band and tying 4 knots in it— would it be as flexible?

When the adhesions are worked out, the muscle is easier to stretch and it is easier to strengthen it!

Histo-pathology 

Greater stress on the disc

Research has shown that:
Improper sitting, lifting, sleeping habits can place greater stress on the disc.

Discs, ligaments, cartilage and other soft tissues have a very poor blood supply. In fact, these tissues depend heavily upon the pumping action of the joint fluids to supply the nutrients and express the waste products (like lactic acid). When this pumping action is impaired, these critical soft tissues don’t heal with the speed today’s patient wants or expects.

It can take weeks, months or sometimes several years for these to heal properly. Dependant on the area injured, each area does need to follow through a protocol of steps to aid in healing to avoid further re-occurrences and continued damage to the area.

Often, patients feel that resting the area, icing and maybe taking medication will solve the problem. Other steps need to be followed for proper healing.

Patho-physiology
Over time, if the problem is neglected, the body will at the tempt to splint or stabilize the injured joint, like mend the body. First, a thickening of adjacent bone surfaces, then a lipping effect, bone spurs, and later if left, fusion will occur.

This generative changes effect the spine, extremities, organs and tissues throughout the body. 

These changes in the bones are the same as leaving your teeth and having tooth decay. The extra bone thickening of bone our bone forms in the area is the same as mineral deposits in a cave. Our body lays it down to attempt to help. Since the joint is not moving properly our body develops extra bone in the area. This extra bone causes more problems with the discs, and muscles. 

Active Release Technique (ART)

ART

If you have ever pulled or torn a muscle or severely injured a muscle group, chances are you have muscle adhesions in that area of your body. Muscle adhesions act like your body’s natural ‘Band-Aid’, as it is a strategy to help repair damage. The downside is that along with other scar tissue, muscle adhesions can cause a person pain and discomfort leading to that ‘old and worn’ feeling. Similar to plastic wrap, adhesions can bind two tissues together, resulting in decreased muscle length and the muscle becoming non-compliant. Cramping of the lower limbs at night is a typical sign of a non-compliant muscle.

Many individuals believe that a few stretches and time will release the adhesions, however; active release technique (ART) offers a much better approach. An advanced massage technique, ART is designed specifically to release and relieve tension found in muscles, tendons and fascia (the muscle covering). ART treatment works by breaking up adhesions and restoring integrity to the soft-tissue. In principle this is achieved by maintaining contact on the adhesion, with the muscle in a shortened position and elongating the muscle along its fiber orientation to break up the adhesion.

Concerns about ART include pain during treatment and treatment length. The sensation patients often experience is one of those “hurt so nice” feelings and significant results are often seen within 3-4 weeks. Once the restrictions have been removed an effective stretch routine plays a role in preventing the return of restrictions.

Treatable Conditions with ART

There are over 500 ART treatment protocols and ART can help with various conditions such as back, hand, wrist, elbow, hip, knee, neck, shoulder and foot pain, as well as injuries specific to sports such as golfing, running, paddling and swimming.

One of the benefits of ART is the quick results it can achieve. When combined with a stretch and exercise routine, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerve related problems tend to respond well to ART treatments.

All of Back to Health’s health care practitioners are certified in ART, for more information regarding conditions that can be treated using ART click here: Active Release Techniques.

Active Release Techniques Can Help Resolve Many Common Back Conditions Including:
→ Facet syndrome
→ Muscle strains/pulls
→ Arthritis
→ Sciatic Nerve Entrapment
→ Disc Injuries
→ Mechanical low back pain

The Injury Process

Over time repetitive forces on the body accumulate placing strain on muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. This process can be amplified when the body already has movement restrictions. As time goes on athletes or active individuals will continue their training regime or daily activities leading to micro trauma. While this may not be aggravating or painful, the individual may experience tightness or a slight discomfort. These tiny damages to the tissue still require repairs and small amounts of scar tissue will be laid down around the site of injury, the body’s normal response to micro-trauma. The issue lies with the repetitive nature of an individual’s activities. By constantly straining/stressing the same areas more and more, scar tissue is laid down at the same tissue sites, eventually building up into an adhesion. At this point you will really notice a difference in muscle function such as pain and joint restriction. If the cycle continues the muscle’s ability to contract may become affected to the point where an individual’s stability can become compromised, such as a runner’s knee.

Traditional approaches to these types of muscle injuries make use of anti-inflammatory medications, rest and ice. Unfortunately these interventions fail to address the underlying adhesions that are binding tissue and restricting movement.

Active release technique combined with stretch protocols is a more active approach to addressing the adhesions, which don’t treat themselves!

Who Can Provide ART Treatment?

Healthcare providers that are licensed to work on soft-tissue conditions and injuries can take ART courses. This includes Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists and Medical Doctors. Personal Trainers & Physical Therapy Assistants are not licensed to treat soft-tissue conditions and are not able to take ART courses. ART involves over 500 protocols and providers are trained to have an advanced feeling for tissues, including their texture, tension and movement.

Stretch of the Month:

Last month we had an article on Illiotibial Band Syndrome and how it is a repetitive strain injury that can cause problems for runners and cyclists. To avoid ITB tightness it is a good idea to incorporate stretches with a foam roller into your stretching routine, as a foam roller can help to increase flexibility and reduce muscle tension. To perform the ITB stretch:

1. Lie on your right side with the roller just under your hip-bone.
2. Straighten your right leg, support yourself using your arms and if needed, the left leg.
3. Roll from the hip down the outer side of your leg to the knee.
4. Repeat on the other side

Nutrition

Nutrition and depletion of nutrients due to diet/drugs

telegraph.co.uk

Antibiotics destroy the natural intestinal micro-flora (bacteria) that assist in digestive and absorptive processes. These natural micro-floras are even involved in creating certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and K. Antibiotics can cause a mal-absorption of fat, protein, sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Antibiotics also change or kill off the natural micro-flora in your gastro-intestinal system that are responsible for aiding in normal digestion and in creating nutrients. You should eat yogurt and take a pro-biotic when you take antibiotics. Continue to take the probiotic afterwards too.

Vitamin K deficiency can also occur due to taking antibiotics which can cause mal-absorption syndrome. You may experience weight loss, abdominal bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, bulky stool, fatigue, weakness, swelling or fluid retention, and muscle wasting. 

Antibiotics can cause you to not digest properly and you will have an upset stomach, gas and bloating. People often take antacids to aid with this. A high intake of calcium-containing antacids will interfere with the absorption of the other minerals - iron, magnesium, and zinc. You could feel tired, suffer more colds/viruses/flus, have muscle cramps, and even experience irregular heartbeats.

High Blood Pressure Medications

info-on-high-blood-pressure.com

These medications help flush magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and coenzyme Q10. The drugs can cause sexual dysfunction, glucose intolerance, gout, and low sodium level (hyponatremia).

The list of supplements that can help lower blood pressure is lengthy, and includes coenzyme Q10, essential fatty acids, fiber, garlic, lipoic acid, hawthorn, magnesium, N-acetylcysteine, taurine, vitamins B6 and C.

Birth Control Pills

pinkconcussions.com

Birth control pills can interfere with absorption or utilization of nutrients. Oral contraceptives, for example, can deplete your body of B6, B12, vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, and zinc. Because contraceptives are often taken over extended periods of time, even subtle effects could add up to nutrient deficiencies. 


If you're taking birth control pills, a daily multi-vitamin is a good idea. Be sure to support your body nutritionally with these nutrient-packed foods: lentils, cashews and spinach!

Pain Killers/Anti-inflammatories

nhs.uk

These drugs can create a Gastro-Intestinal irritation causing blood loss and an iron-deficiency anemia. They can also hinder absorption of folic acid (B-vitamin), 5-HTP (used for sleeping), and vitamin C, reduce calcium absorption and impair vitamin D metabolism. These effects can further contribute to the loss of bone and the development of osteoporosis associated with their long-term use. 
Check out this site for more information: 

www.naturalnews.com/DrugWatch_Home.html

telegraph.co.uk

Anti-depressants
A deficiency of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 can be associated with anti-depressant use. Symptoms of deficiency include muscle weakness and pain, gingivitis, and weakened immune function.

As well, a vitamin B2 deficiency can occur. Symptoms may include cracks at the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the skin, growth retardation, and impaired wound healing.
Please see the binder out front for food choices to aid in replenishing these nutrients!

Is It Because of My Age?

The aging process begins at birth! When we are born our cells start to form, divide, grow and mature. During this process the cells in our body require nutrients, rest, and exercise in order to mature. These cells form a variety of different structures in the human body. The cells aid in developing our skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs, brain, and bones. As we age these cells go through renewing themselves each day. For instance, over the course of 7 years our bodies develop a whole new bone system! Yes, that is right, even at a later age our bones go through a renewal of cells and a taking away of cells. Just think in 7 years time your bones will have regenerated to form themselves again. If you live to the age of 70 your bones will have renewed themselves 10 times!  

We at Back to Health enjoy helping people age gracefully. We often have individuals who believe that their problem is because of their age! We as a society feel that as we age it is normal to have issues with a joint, muscle, tendon, ligament or another body part. We are often told for instance that a left knee problem is due to our age! If this were the case how come the right knee does not bother this person?

Should we not change our philosophy on aging and think of it as a time to take care of these issues and to address the underlying causes? After all is it not things we did when we were younger or that we did not have taken care of that often come back to haunt us as we age?  

THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR CANADIANS WAS 81.2 YEARS OF AGE! FROM 2009

12 months of weekly strength training improved cognitive function in women as they aged and decreased the chances of fractures. Try yoga for strengthening!

Ensure that when you strength train that you focus while lifting and maintain proper body alignment

Are you Omega 3 deficient?

Omega 3 deficiencies result in altered cell membranes that simply do not function properly. Cell membrane dysfunction is a critical factor in: cancer, diabetes, arthritis, nerve and eye tissues, cognitive disorders of the brain, cardiovascular disease – including heart attacks and strokes.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 are the names of two groups of polyunsaturated fatty acids known to be “essential”. This means that our body cannot make these on its own and we must take them in through the foods we eat! Studies have shown that the ideal ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 in our bodies is 1:2. The typical modern diet has caused the ratio to skyrocket to between 1:10 and 1:25.  

The key Omega 3’s are called: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahaxaenoic acid) and they are abundant in fatty fish – such as mackerel, sardines, and anchovy. We do not normally eat enough of these fish. It is recommended to take between 1,000 and 3,000 mg. per day of an Omega 3 supplement.  

There are also plant based products such as flaxseed and hemp that provide a type of Omega 3 called ALA (alpha-linoleic acid). The body must first convert this ALA into the EPA and DHA before it can be used. Studies have shown we only convert about 2 – 20%.

If you consume a lot of Omega 6 in your diet – meats, grains, vegetable oil, and olive oil – you should look at supplementing with Omega 3!

Please see the information sheet on the board in front reception.

Differences in bones, cartilage, muscle, tendons and ligaments as we age!

Bones reach a maximum mass between ages of 25 and 35. The aging process causes bones to shrink in size and density. You might notice yourself becoming shorter. Bones become less dense partly because they contain less calcium (which gives bones strength). The amount of calcium decreases because the body absorbs less calcium from foods. Also, levels of vitamin D, which helps the body use calcium, decrease slightly. Certain bones are weakened more than others. Those most affected include the end of the thighbone (femur) at the hip, the ends of the arm bones (radius and ulna) at the wrist, and the bones of the spine (vertebrae).

The cartilage that lines the joints tends to thin, partly because of the wear and tear of years of movement and old accidents we have had. The surfaces of a joint may not slide over each other as well as they used to, and the joint may be slightly more susceptible to injury. Damage to the cartilage due to lifelong use of joints or repeated injury often leads to osteoarthritis, which is one of the most common disorders of later life. 

Osteoarthritis cannot be reversed but you can have work done in the area to improve joint motion!

Ligaments and tendons tend to become less elastic, making joints feel tight, stiff and resulting in you becoming less flexible. These tissues also weaken. Muscles, tendons and joints lose some strength and flexibility. Reflexes become slower and you may become less coordinated during the aging process. You can do exercises to aid in maintaining balance and coordination.

Who is in charge of your Aging? 

The human population lives longer now than ever before! Unfortunately we sleep less, eat processed foods, and do not always put ourselves first when it comes to taking the time for stretching, icing, strengthening, exercising and other general wellness aids. Why is this? We have the tendency to ignore things till there is a problem. We are not conditioned as a society to think of general wellness, prevention and maintenance for our body as we age. When we do have an issue we want a quick fix for it!

Some European countries do think of maintaining their health in this way. With these countries they find there are less chronic issues, greater wellness, less time off work, decreased sick days and people generally feel healthier!   

Should we start thinking in this way? Yes! General wellness starts with you! Start taking the action required to bring yourself towards this goal so that you may feel great as you age. It does not have to happen overnight. Sit down and make a list of the things you feel that would take you on a road to wellness as you age. Make one change initially and then after working through the one change, look at the next item on your list!

If you require help with the list then enlist the appropriate people to aid you on this path! After all, If you wear out your body, where will you live?

Take action today to help yourself for the future! You are in charge of how you age!

With age, if a problem is neglected, the body will attempt to splint or stabilize the injured joint, like mending a broken bone. First a thickening of adjacent bone surfaces, then a lipping effect, bone spurs, and later fusion will occur. These degenerative changes affect the spine, extremities, and tissues in our body. These changes in the bones are the same as leaving your teeth and having tooth decay. The extra bone/thickening of bone our body forms in the area is the same as mineral deposits in a cave. Our body lays it down to attempt to help.  Since the joint is not moving properly our body develops extra bone in the area.