Ultrasound: Not Just For Baby Images
September 1, 2011 § 1 Comment
If you have been reading my blog since the beginning a couple of months ago, you know that I have been trying to get back into a physical routine despite injuries. My knee has been my biggest hurdle but it hasn’t stopped my progress. I’m jogging every other day and stretching every day. That being said, my knee is still hurting. One thing that has been helping me continue to heal while increasing my activity is ultrasound.
If you’re like most of my patients, your first response was, “I’m not pregnant.” Ultrasound can be a great healing therapy as well as used in imaging. If you wonder how, think of sound waves (which ultrasound is) as you would sunlight. When you hold a prism up to light, it breaks it up into the many different spectrums of light in the form of color (remember ROY G BIV in school?). Sound is the same way, some ranges of sound waves are better used in imaging and some are better at healing.
So how does it heal? There are two main ways it heals. The first is that the waves of energy promote healing by increasing the heat and creating friction. The heat created increases the metabolic activity of the cells and thus healing. The second way is that it decreases the inflammatory response, reducing tissue swelling and thus decreasing pain.
If you’re getting back into an exercise routine after an injury, accident, or just after a long time of inactivity and you’re having some difficulty, see your chiropractor. We have a lot of different tools to help you achieve what you want.
Walking the dog and avoiding an accident injury
June 23, 2011 § 5 Comments
Cocoa and Lola
Two of the favorite things in my life are my dogs, Cocoa and Lola. I got the two of them from the south LA pound about 3 years ago when they were only 2 1/2 months old. They come from the same litter but one looks like a chocolate Lab (Cocoa) and the other a black Lab (Lola). They are both full of energy, especially Lola. Lola gets restless and vibrates with excitement. It’s very cute but I know if I don’t get her out and about fast enough, I will have a house destroyer on the loose. After work I head out to exercise and I take my dogs running with me. The dogs love it! I encourage you to take your dogs running too, but keep a few things in mind to avoid an accident injury.
- Keep the leash secure and short enough so you don’t trip on it and cause an injury.
- Pay special attention to driveways and alleys. Drivers are not as alert as they are at intersections.
- Don’t keep too much slack in the leash, a quick spurt from your dog can cause a shoulder or rib injury
- Even though you are with your dog, keep good form/posture. Bad habits can cause chronic injury and pain.
- Be sure to bring water for you and your dog. In the summer heat, dehydration can happen quickly.
Of course, not all ages, dog breeds and sizes of dogs should be running with you. If you’re not sure ask your vet for advice. And if you are under medical care or haven’t exercised in a while, check with a health care provider to make sure you are ready to exercise.
