Pronation---A Troublemaker in the Foot

     When the inside of your foot drops inward toward the floor when you’re standing, it’s called “pronation.”  It is often seen in combination with fallen arches, or “flat feet.”

     If you stand behind someone who “pronates,” or has pronation in their feet, it is easy to see how the inside of the foot falls in and down. You may also notice an inward curving of the Achilles tendon in the back of the ankle on the involved foot (feet).

     Pronation can cause foot pain and fatigue, but it also negatively affects the knees, and can reverberate upward to cause abnormal stresses in the hips and pelvis.

     Watch the legs of someone who pronates as they stand facing you, and have them lift and hold the inside of their feet out of pronation. Now focus on their knees and have them relax their feet back into their usual pronation.  

     See what happened? The dropping back into pronation caused a rotation of the knees. This shows how much stress pronation causes on the knees. These abnormal stresses cause wear and tear that can lead to osteoarthritis.

     Pronation should be corrected by proper orthotics, and they don’t necessarily have to be custom. My treatment plan includes precise adjustments of lower extremity, hip, and pelvic joints with Activator Chiropractic, orthotics, and exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the ankle and foot. 

Sugar "Awakens" Cancer Cells

     It has been known for a long time that cancer tumor cells break down sugars much more quickly than healthy tissues, a process known as the “Warburg Effect.”  However, it has not been understood whether this was a symptom, or a cause, of cancer.

     Research publicized in October, 2017 shows how this stimulates tumor growth. The research, done in the Netherlands, reveals “evidence for a positive correlation between sugar and cancer.”

     According to the lead researcher on the study, “Our research reveals how the hyperactive sugar consumption of cancerous cells leads to a vicious cycle of continued stimulation of cancer development and growth.”

     To learn more, go to  http://www.vib.be/en/news/Pages/Scientists-reveal-the-relationship-between-sugar-and-cancer.aspx 

Frozen Shoulder

The condition of “frozen shoulder” is technically called adhesive capsulitis. There is pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the involved shoulder. A common origin is inflammation, which can be caused by injury, overuse, or it can be related to chronic diseases such as diabetes.

It is sometimes related to a stroke, or after surgery, either of which can cause lack of use and progressive loss of range of motion.

My treatment plan includes evaluating and adjusting the joints of the shoulder complex, the neck, and thoracic spine, with accompanying anti-inflammatory home care. The patient does contrast therapy of alternating ice and heat, gentle range-of-motion exercises and stretches, and applies topical arnica for inflammation at home.

The Seymour Marine Discovery Center

                       "Jingle Shells" 

                     Arts and Crafts Festival 

is Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 12:00 - 5:30 pm.You can shop for gifts made by local artisans, enjoy the aquarium, kids' activities, hot cider, and music. Discounted admission all day.  Go to  https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/  for more information.

The Cranial Rhythms

    The bones in our head have very subtle rhythmical motions, called the "cranial rhythms." 

    These motions are not synchronized with either our heartbeat or our breathing. They are related to the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that bathes our brain and our spinal cord. 

     Aberrances, or abnormalities, in these rhythms can be associated with headaches, vertigo, or sometimes just a general feeling of "being out of sorts." 

     Every treatment in my office includes balancing the patient’s cranial rhythms as part of a full-body balancing.