Dr. Langley's Articles

Brain Impact:  Concussions

On October 23, 2011, San Diego Chargers offensive guard Kris Dielman suffered a concussion during a football game against the New York Jets.  He landed hard on the ground after a wicked collision with a Jets linebacker, then got up, wobbled and went back to playing the rest of the game, taking several more hits to the head.  Neither the Chargers training staff nor the NFL referees recognized how serious his head injury was as he “waved off” his sideline training staff to return to the huddle.  On the flight home to San Diego after the game, Dielman suffered a “grand mal” seizure and will most likely not play for the rest of the season.

Magnitude of the Problem

Concussions are getting much-needed attention in the press, especially given the short and long-term cognitive loss, early-onset dementia, physical disability and even death resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a degenerative neurologic disease linked to repetitive head trauma and is known as an invisible killer that can make a 35 year-old brain look more like 80 years old.

There are 250,000 concussions annually in football alone.  The prevalence in high school and college athletics is a major concern, especially considering how big, fast and strong high school and college athletes have become.  This “evolution” is exacting a terrible toll regarding TBI in not only football, but also soccer, hockey, wrestling, water polo and cheerleading.

Concussion Basics

What is a concussion?  It can be defined as “a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces” or “an immediate and transient loss of neuronal function secondary to trauma”.  Signs and symptoms include but are not limited to thinking deficits, lack of sustained attention, amnesia, confused mental status, dazed look/vacant stare, slurred or incoherent speech, vomiting, nausea, emotional liability, slow motor or verbal response, memory deficits, poor coordination, dizziness, headache, restlessness, nervous weakness, exhaustion and irritability.

Chiropractors are seeing these types of injuries more and more in athletes that receive chiropractic care.   The use of Doctors of Chiropractic in high school, college, amateur and professional sports is growing rapidly.  Since neurophysiologic maturity is not reached until the mid-20’s, early detection is critical in youth, high school and college athletes.  Evaluations and recommendations are individualized for each patient. By working together with neurologists and physicians, we can help your athlete reach their optimal potential and reduce long term effects of injury.

Reprinted article by Dr. Robert George  January 15, 2012

 

HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC CARE ENHANCE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?

                                  Dr. Cheryl Langley

The benefits of chiropractic care for your health are numerous.  Some of the many benefits

include pain relief in your joints, back, or head. Others may include increased mobility, performance, balance, coordination or energy.   Families that participate in Wellness Chiropractic care know the benefits by experiencing fewer colds, flu, sinus and ear infections, and other bacterial and viral infections.  Why?
     We were born with the power of an Innate (inborn) Intelligence within our own bodies enabling your body to heal itself. It is not normal or healthy to have chronic pain or even the occasional cold or headache.

     How Does Chiropractic Care Enhance Your Immune System?

Since its inception, chiropractic has asserted that viruses and microbes don't threaten us all equally and that a healthy immune system easily repels most invaders.  We call it our “resistance”.  It’s either strong or weak.  The weaker your resistance, the more susceptible you become to invading microorganisms.  Your immune system protects you from the flu, as well as any other infectious disease, and strives to get us well again when we do fall ill. Our immune system, like every other system in the body, is coordinated and controlled by the nervous system. For example, nerve cell endings in the skin and white blood cells of the immune system are in intimate contact, and chemicals secreted by the nerves can shut down immune system cells nearby.
     Chiropractic adjustments remove spinal abnormalities called vertebral subluxations that result in interference of the Nervous System by placing pressure on nerves. Since the Nervous System controls all functions of the body, including the Immune System, chiropractic care has a very positive effect on immune function.
     During an immune response, the brain and the Immune System 'talk to each other' and this process is essential for maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body. If the Nervous System is not functioning properly, then the Immune System cannot function at 100%, thus the resistance to invaders becomes weak, and the body becomes fertile ground for bacteria, viruses and illness.
     Children who have regular Chiropractic adjustments have fewer colds, ear infections and flu. "People who receive regular chiropractic adjustments have Immune System competency that is 200% greater than those who don't." (Dr. Ron Pero. New York Preventative Medicine Institute and Environmental Health at NYU)
     Even though you are not “sick”, daily physical, chemical and mental stress can cause pressure and interference to your Nervous System.  Misalignments of the spine (subluxations) that are interfering with your nervous system in turn weaken your immune system. Regular chiropractic check-ups can help you to maintain a healthy immune system and stave off illnesses or allergies. A chiropractic adjustment will restore the balance of your nervous system and restore the flow of energy and information throughout the body.
 

        Chiropractic and Ear Infections

Next to the common cold, ear infections are the most commonly diagnosed childhood illness in the United States. More than three out of four children have had at least one ear infection by the time they're three.
     For years, parents have depended on an antibiotic to cure the pain. But now doctors are warning about the overuse of antibiotics. In some cases they are advising parents to take a wait-and-see approach to find out if the infection clears on its own.
Now some parents are trying to stop the infections before they start. How?
     They are taking their kids to see chiropractors who specialize in children.
Dr. Cheryl Langley is one of those doctors. "Chiropractic care is simply the art and science of aligning the spine to take pressure off the nerve and ultimately allow the body to heal itself," she explained.  

     S.L. says her son suffered from chronic ear infections and traditional treatments did little to ease his suffering. "We were up all night, he was miserable, cranky," she said, remembering the long, sleepless nights. "He was on antibiotics all winter and it just wasn't helping. It would go away and come back, go away and come back," she said. Feeling frustrated and helpless she went to a chiropractor. "I'll be honest, I was a little skeptical, nervous about a chiropractor adjusting my baby," she said. But after only one treatment he started feeling better.
     Dr. Langley says adjusting the child's spine helps prevent fluid from building up in his ears. "Adjusting a child is a specialized procedure that is nothing like an adult adjustment.  There is no popping or twisting, just a gentle specific adjustment that allows for those ear canals to open up and the ears will drain, preventing any ear infection," she explained.
     There are some pediatricians who are skeptical about chiropractic care. Others think it may be worth a try. Pediatrician Linda Nelson said there's a lot about the body doctors just don't understand. "I'm very open to anything that's benign," she said. "And it's certainly isn't going to hurt the child."
     S.L. says it's worked for her children. "This will be their third winter, no antibiotics, no Tylenol, no Motrin. They're clean. I just feel like they're healthier," she said.

 

             Winter Blues & Vitamin D Connection                                                        

Many people report feeling blue during the dark, cold winter months.  Studies are indicating that people affected by seasonal depression can be due to inadequate amounts of vitamin D.  Once linked to only bone disease, vitamin D is now recognized as a major player in overall health.  Vitamin D really isn’t a vitamin at all, but a potent neuro-regulatory steroidal hormone.  It has become clear that vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic and is contributing to many chronic debilitating diseases.  In the United States, the winter months can create serious vitamin D deficiencies in many people.  According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin D is identified as a vital contributor to good health in the adaptive and innate immune systems, the secretion and regulation of insulin, heart and blood pressure regulation, muscle strength and brain activity.

So how do I optimize my vitamin D levels?

Your body cannot produce vitamin D on its own.  The single best way is to expose an appropriate amount of skin in a safe manner to sunshine.  You need exposure to UV rays to stimulate the production of vitamin D in your body.  Sunshine converts cholesterol in your skin to vitamin D.  You can get up to 20,000 units with the appropriate amount of exposure per day.  But many of us do not get the appropriate amount of sun exposure, especially during the winter months.  It’s a tragedy that dermatologists and sunscreen manufacturers have scared the pants off of people about getting sun exposure.  Their widely dispersed message to avoid the sun as much as possible, combined with an overall cultural trend of spending more time indoors during work and leisure time, has greatly contributed to the widespread vitamin D deficiency seen today.  A second option, if you cannot get sun exposure daily, is to take a high-quality vitamin D supplement.  The most important thing to keep in mind if you opt for oral supplementation is that you only want to supplement with natural vitamin D3, cholecalciferol, which is human vitamin D.  It is recommended to NOT use the synthetic vitamin D2 for its inferior qualities. As stated by the Vitamin D Council, both for children and adults should have a vitamin D level of 50 ng/ml all year round.  During winter months, your vitamin D level can drop as much as 50%. 

How do you know if you are getting the right amount of vitamin D?

You need to have your blood levels tested.  Though it may seem like a hassle to go out and get a blood test done, and then continue to have your levels monitored as you increase your sun exposure or supplementation, it is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

What else can we do to prevent the “Winter Blues”?

Simple lifestyle changes can keep your brain in optimal working order well into the winter months. 

·         Include PLENTY of vegetables in your diet

·         Include wild blueberries and other brightly colored fruits that are high in antioxidants

·         Avoid sugar

·         Get outside

·         Take brisk walks

·         Challenge your mind daily.  Mental stimulation is associated with a decrease in depression.

·         Get regular Chiropractic adjustments.  Nobel Prize winner for brain research, Dr. Roger Sperry, discovered that the more misalignments in the spine, the less energy was available for thinking, healing and metabolizing.

·         90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by movement of the spine.  Vertebral Subluxations restrict spinal movement and interfere with the function of the nerves.

 

Why Chiropractic for Children?

Children are as susceptible to trauma in their spines from various activities and events. These microtraumas can subluxate the vertebrae of the spine, placing pressure on their spinal nerves and therefore decreasing their bodies’ ability to function normally. Although symptoms, such as pain and malfunction may not show up for years, injury to their vital nervous system can have a lifetime of damaging effects.

When?

Children should be checked right after birth because of the potential damaging effects of the birth process. Even the most natural births are somewhat traumatic to the infant and may have “hidden damage.” Studies show that many children who experience symptoms of colic, ear infections and asthma have spinal subluxations impairing their nervous system function. Early detection and correction can prevent layers of damage from occurring in the child's vital nervous system. Accumulated damage will have lifelong consequences.

Does it Hurt?

Chiropractors specializing in children use very specific, gentle techniques to care for children. On the very young, the adjustment is as light as a finger touch. Doctors of Chiropractic who are members of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association have taken postgraduate classes on specific techniques for pregnant mothers, infants and children to enhance their skills in this field.

How?

Dr. Cheryl Langley offers complimentary consultations, giving parents the opportunity to meet her, find out about chiropractic for their families and discuss their individual needs.

 

Excessive Pronation and Knee Injuries

Some active people – especially competitive, but even recreational athletes – suffer traumatic damage to the ligaments of the knees.  Such injuries can have a negative impact on athletic performance, occasionally ending participation in a favorite sports activity.  Excessive foot pronation has been found to be an underlying cause of some knee ligament injuries, and is a contributing factor in many.  Poor healing and recurrent knee injury can often be traced to biomechanical problems, including hyperpronation.  Both treatment and prevention of knee injuries should include evaluation of the foot and ankle for excessive pronation.  So, how do foot problems cause knee injuries?

Knee Biomechanics

Because the knee is a hinge joint, it moves primarily in one plane.  When excessive pronation at the foot and ankle is present, rotation of the lower leg occurs and results in knee symptoms.

The forces transmitted from the foot to the knee during heel strike are high.  We now know that landing at foot strike with the knee extended and internally rotating the tibia (lower leg) in relation to the femur (thigh), is by far the most commonly described incident resulting in tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).  A rapid change in direction while running can produce such an episode.

This is especially true in sports that require the use of shoe spikes, which fix the foot to the ground (football, lacrosse, soccer, etc).  A recent study found that 81% of athletes with injury to the ACL recalled the moment of injury as having their lower leg internally rotated combined with a sudden change of direction at foot strike.  In fact, the vast majority of acute tears to the ACL occur without any contact or direct trauma to the knee.

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Preventive Care for the Knees

There are many benefits to fitting athletes with custom-made orthotics to decrease excessive pronation.  The use of corrective orthotics can prevent overuse problems from developing due to patellar tracking problems, and knee injuries may be avoided. Call today to schedule your evaluation to see if orthotics can help you!      770-973-0150

 

Parkinson's Improved in 77-Year-Old Man With Chiropractic - A Case Study

A case study appeared in the August 1, 2011 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, documenting the improvement through chiropractic, of a 77-year-old man with Parkinson’s Disease.

The authors of the study begin by noting that Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system. People with Parkinson’s often experience tremors in extremities, impaired co-ordination, rigidity in movement, postural instability, and impaired imbalance and coordination. They also note that Parkinson’s disease afflicts an estimated 1 million people across the United States with 50,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

This case involved a 77-year-old retired shipyard worker who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s several years earlier. His history recorded that, in his prior occupation, he was exposed to asbestos as well as neck trauma. As a young man, he was knocked unconscious from head contact while playing football. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he had been taking several medications for the condition. His condition had been worsening and was interfering with his ability to perform daily activities.

His examination revealed a restricted range of spinal motion as well as numerous positive findings in the neurological tests performed. Thermal heat reading showed irregularities indicative of spinal subluxation. Spinal x-rays were also performed to check spinal positioning and confirm the presence of subluxations. From these tests, a determination of subluxations was made and a specific course of chiropractic care was initiated.

Regular re-evaluations were performed during care to monitor the progress. Of the initial 29 neurological tests performed, over half of those that originally had positive findings were found to be normal during the chiropractic care. More importantly, the patient reported that he experienced an increase in ease when performing daily tasks such as moving from a seated to standing position, as well as keeping his head up to look at people while walking.

 

Chiropractic Improves Brain Function
In Touch Education Services

The sixteenth annual upper cervical conference was held at LifeUniversity in Marietta, Georgia in November 1999. A study presented at the conference found that patients under chiropractic care experienced a measurable increase in brain function.

Microcog is a computer administered and scored test that serves as a diagnostic tool to determine cognitive (brain) function. It measures activity in nine categories: attention/mental control, memory, reasoning/calculation, spatial processing, reaction time, information processing speed, information processing accuracy, general cognitive functioning and general cognitive proficiency.

A total of 40 patients had their brain function measured by Microcog. 30 of these patients received upper cervical (neck) chiropractic adjustments and 10 served as a control group receiving no adjustments. Four weeks later, all 40 patients were tested by the Microcog system again.

According to the study, "significant improvements were observed in neurocognitive [brain] function in the group receiving upper cervical care". The control group did not demonstrate a similar trend. This study suggests that upper cervical chiropractic care may positively affect neurocognitive function."

    The World Health Organization defines "health" as 100% physical, mental and social well-being. A nervous system free of interference is vital to the full expression of all these aspects of your health potential. Chiropractic works to restore health by removing interference to your nervous system.

 

2011 Georgia Games Athletes Get Chiropractic Care

Dr. Cheryl Langley and Dr. David Espinoza were the exclusive chiropractors invited to provide chiropractic care to the athletes at The Georgia Games, located at Marietta High School in Cobb County.  The event, held on July 16-17, 2011 hosted hundreds of athletes from across the nation to compete in Track and Field.

“The athletes loved having access to the Chiropractors during the event,” stated Edmund Lucas, Director of the Georgia Games.

Professional athletes worldwide acknowledge the benefits of having chiropractic adjustments to enhance their performance and reduce the incidence of injury. Vertebral subluxation (spinal misalignments) put undue pressure on the spinal nerves and create an unbalanced skeletal structure, which can lead to injury.  Pressure on the spinal nerves can also reduce reaction time.  “When it comes to competing in a race, competitors know that a tenth of a second can make all the difference,” states Dr. Cheryl Langley.  Receiving chiropractic care during pre-season conditioning, as well as during the competitive season helps athletes stay injury free, and can address issues when they begin, before they turn into bigger injuries down the road.

Whether you are a weekend warrior or a competitive athlete, chiropractic care can give you the winning edge and help you achieve better results and stay at the top of your game!

Celebrate Fathers Day and Give Dad a Longer Life                                 Dr. Cheryl Langley

Controversy surrounds the medical treatment, indeed the very existence, of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Psychiatrist Peter Breggin wrote, "Hyperactivity is the most frequent justification for drugging children. The difficult-to-control male child is certainly not a new phenomenon, but attempts to give him a medical diagnosis are the product of modern psychology and psychiatry. At first psychiatrists called hyperactivity a brain disease. When no brain disease could be found, they changed it to 'minimal brain disease' (MBD). When no minimal brain disease could be found the profession transformed the concept into 'minimal brain dysfunction.' When no minimal brain dysfunction could be demonstrated, the label became attention deficit disorder. Now it's just assumed to be a real disease, regardless of the failure to prove it so. Biochemical imbalance is the code word, but there's no more evidence for that than there is for actual brain disease."

The use of psychotropic drugs in children has exploded in recent years. The number of prescriptions written for methylphenidate (Ritalin) has increased by a factor of five since 1991. The production of Adderall and Dexedrine, also used to treat ADHD, has risen 2,000% in nine years. The increased use of these drugs in the U.S. is at variance with the rest of the world. According to the U.N., the U.S. produces and consumes 85% of the world's production of Ritalin.

The use of Class II controlled substances to alter the behavior of children is disconcerting to many parents and chiropractors, as is the issue of whether ADD/ADHD can be properly considered a disease.

While chiropractors do not "treat" ADD/ADHD, the effects of chiropractic care on children diagnosed with learning disorders and hyperactivity have been described in a growing body of scholarly publications.

A study published in 1975, compared chiropractic care with drug treatment in children with learning and behavioral impairments due to neurological dysfunction. It was reported that chiropractic care "was more effective for the wide range of symptoms common in the neurological dysfunction syndrome in which thirteen symptom or problem areas were considered."

The author also reported that chiropractic care was 24% more effective than commonly used medications.

Giesen at al conducted a study involving seven subjects. All subjects were of school age and had clinical findings evidencing vertebral subluxation complex. Following chiropractic care, 57% showed an improvement in chiropractic radiographic findings; 71.4% showed a reduction in overt behavior activity; 57% showed improvement in level of autonomic activity, and 57% showed improved parental ratings of hyperactivity.

In addition to these small studies, case reports have been published which describe improvement of objective and subjective findings in children with ADD/ADHD and related disorders.

More research exploring the relationship of subluxation correction to brain function is occuring. Yet, the dramatic changes that have been reported in children medically diagnosed with ADD/ADHD following chiropractic care must not be ignored.

Every child with a vertebral subluxation needs chiropractic care, regardless of whether or not symptoms are present. By correcting nerve interference, function is improved, with greater expression of human potential. Many report terminating drug therapy, and seeing the personality, will, and soul of the child unfolding.

"It is easy to substitute our will for that of the child by means of suggestion or coercion; but when we have done this we have robbed him of his greatest right, the right to construct his own personality."  ~ Maria Montessori

 

 

Disc Degeneration Rises in Adolescents                                        

Most everyone has observed their grandparents’ bent over spines and poor posture with a shudder. They may have worked for many decades to achieve a comfortable lifestyle but now are unable to enjoy it due to poor health. These setbacks are more than irritating; they can be literally debilitating.

 

Fortunately, most of these health challenges are preventable, especially as they relate to the spine and nervous system. Poor posture, spinal degeneration and the health problems that come from these conditions don’t happen overnight or even over a few years. They gradually take place over a lifetime. Poor health habits and years of neglect cause our entire bodies to suffer a wide range of effects that lead to deteriorating health down the road.

 

Researchers have discovered new data through MRI technology that indicates nearly 10 percent of children show signs of disc degeneration before reaching puberty.Disc degeneration is a condition in which a damaged spinal disc wears down unevenly causing pressure on nerves. This pressure may not cause immediate pain or health problems, however, it may limit your life as you age.

 

How does this happen to children so early in life? Think about how many times a day a child who is learning to walk falls on their bottom. Have you ever cringed watching your child get hit while playing a contact sport? How many of these physical traumas do you think your child experiences by the time they are 18?  They are too numerous to count, aren’t they?

 

Waiting until the degeneration sets in to take corrective and preventive action is like waiting for your teeth to rot before visiting a dentist. Millions of educated parents bring their children for regular chiropractic checkups to ensure that their spines are growing healthy, without pressure on the nerves.

Not only is the care good for them, but young athletes and children enjoy their chiropractic experience because it…

·   Feels good to get adjusted; it is gentle and safe

·   Can improve their posture and athletic performance

·   Maximizes their bodies’ ability to heal itself and be healthy naturally, which results in less sick days from school and extracurricular activities

·   Reduces their need for drugs or surgical procedures

·   Improves posture and ensures that the bones grow with proper alignment and balance during their growth spurt

·   Improves reaction time for young athletes

 

Early detection, corrective and wellness care during childhood is the key to a healthy spine throughout life. Researchers are realizing that the need for this care is more important than they originally thought.

 

By now you’ve probably had your children’s teeth checked and taken them to read the eye chart many times. Be sure to take them to your chiropractor for a spinal and nerve system examination. It is the lifeline of their body.