Your Brain Becomes Addicted to Caffeine – Curbing or Quitting

Have you tried to quit your morning coffee? Within 24 hours of quitting the drug, your withdrawal symptoms begin. Initially, they’re subtle: The first thing you notice is that you feel mentally foggy, and lack alertness. Your muscles are fatigued, even when you haven’t done anything strenuous, and you notice that you’re more irritable than usual.

Over time, an unmistakable throbbing headache sets in, making it difficult to concentrate on anything. Eventually, as your body protests having the drug taken away, you might even feel dull muscle pains, nausea and other flu-like symptoms.

It is a Drug

This isn’t heroin, tobacco or even alcohol withdrawal. We’re talking about quitting caffeine, a substance consumed so widely (more than 80% of North American adults drink it daily) and in such mundane settings (say, at an office meeting or in your car) that we often forget it’s a drug — and by far the world’s most popular psychoactive one.

Caffeine Addiction:  A Mental Disorder

Like many drugs, caffeine is chemically addictive, a fact that scientists established

in 1994. Last  May, with the publication of the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), caffeine withdrawal was finally included as a mental disorder for the first time — even though its merits for inclusion are symptoms that regular coffee-drinkers have long known well from the times they’ve gone off it for a day or more.

Why, exactly, is caffeine addictive? The reason stems from the way the drug affects the human brain, producing the alert feeling that caffeine drinkers crave.

Soon after you drink (or eat) something containing caffeine, it’s absorbed through the small intestine and dissolved into the bloodstream. Because the chemical is both water and fat-soluble (meaning that it can dissolve in water-based solutions — think blood — as well as fat-based substances, such as our cell (membranes), it’s able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain.

Structurally, caffeine closely resembles a molecule that’s naturally present in our brain, called adenosine (which is a by-product of many cellular processes, including cellular respiration) — so much so, in fact, that caffeine can fit neatly into our brain cells’ receptors for adenosine, effectively blocking them off. Normally, the adenosine produced over time locks into these receptors and produces a feeling of tiredness.

When caffeine molecules are blocking those receptors, they prevent this from occurring, thereby generating a sense of alertness and energy for a few hours.

Additionally, some of the brain’s own natural stimulants (such as dopamine) work more effectively when the adenosine receptors are blocked, and all the surplus adenosine floating around in the brain cues the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline, another stimulant.

Buzzed

For this reason, caffeine isn’t technically a stimulant on its own, says Stephen R. Braun, the author or Buzz: the Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine, but a stimulant enabler: a substance that lets our natural stimulants run wild. Ingesting caffeine, he writes, is akin to “putting a block of wood under one of the brain’s primary brake pedals.” This block stays in place for anywhere from four to six hours, depending on the person’s age, size and other factors, until the caffeine is eventually metabolized by the body.

Brain Chemistry Will Change

In people who take advantage of this process on a daily basis (i.e. coffee/tea, soda or energy drink addicts), the brain’s chemistry and physical characteristics actually change over time as a result. The most notable change is that brain cells grow more adenosine receptors, which is the brain’s attempt to maintain equilibrium in the face of a constant onslaught of caffeine, with its adenosine receptors so regularly plugged (studies indicate that the brain also responds by decreasing the number of receptors for norepinephrine, a stimulant). This explains why regular coffee drinkers build up a tolerance over time —because you have more adenosine receptors, it takes more caffeine to block a significant proportion of them and achieve the desired effect.

This also explains why suddenly giving up caffeine entirely can trigger a range of withdrawal effects. The underlying chemistry is complex and not fully understood, but the principle is that your brain is used to operating in one set of conditions (with an artificially-inflated number of adenosine receptors, and a decreased number of norepinephrine receptors) that depend upon regular ingestion of caffeine. Suddenly, without the drug, the altered brain chemistry causes all sorts of problems, including the dreaded caffeine withdrawal headache.

If you drink more than 4 cups of coffee per day, such as more than 500 to 600 mg a day – you may experience side effects such as:

•        Insomnia
•        Nervousness
•        Restlessness
•        Irritability
•        Stomach upset
•        Fast heartbeat
•        Muscle tremors

Magnesium Deficiency

“Magnesium is the most critical mineral required for electrical stability of every cell in the body. A magnesium deficiency may be responsible for more diseases than any other nutrient.” - Dr. Norman Shealy

After oxygen, water, and basic food, Magnesium may be the most important element needed by our bodies, vitally important yet hardly known. It is more important than calcium, potassium or sodium and regulates all three of them. Millions suffer daily from magnesium deficiency without even knowing it!

Coffee, sodas and black tea can lead to a magnesium deficiency due to both the caffeine and acid content! This can cause a host of problems with regard to your health, i.e. kidney stones, pain management and inflammation.

Maybe you don’t have immediate or long-term health consequences in mind but are tired of being dependent on caffeine to get going or stay going during the day. It’s not an empowering feeling to wake up thinking about getting your “fix” and knowing you’ll suffer a monster headache if you don’t get it.

Sleep Deprivation

Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. But caffeine can interfere with this much-needed sleep. Chronically losing sleep — whether it's from work, travel, stress or too much caffeine — results in sleep deprivation. Sleep loss is cumulative, and even small nightly decreases can add up and disturb your daytime alertness and performance.

Using caffeine to mask sleep deprivation can create an unwelcome cycle. For example, you may drink caffeinated beverages because you have trouble staying awake during the day. But the caffeine keeps you from falling asleep at night, shortening the length of time you sleep.

Giving Up Coffee

The good news is that, compared to many drug addictions, the effects are relatively short-term. To kick the thing, you only need to get through about 7-12 days of symptoms without drinking any caffeine. During that period, your brain will naturally decrease the number of adenosine receptors on each cell, responding to the sudden lack of caffeine ingestion. If you can make it that long without a cup of “joe” or a “spot of tea”, the levels of adenosine receptors in your brain reset to their baseline levels, and your addiction will be broken.

You won’t miss the jitters, energy crashes, teeth stains, dehydration, and nervous irritability!

Energy Drinks Have Caffeine

If you need to break your addiction to caffeine, here’s how to do it with minimal discomfort . 

Know your “why.” Why do you want to curb your caffeine intake?  Everyone I know who drinks coffee say “they say coffee is good for you, right? Antioxidants and all that?” 

Truth:  Up to 400 mg per day is regarded as safe for most healthy adults. That translates to about 4 cups (8 oz sized) of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two “energy shot” drinks.  (Adolescents should be limited to 100 mg of caffeine a day.)

 I  drink _____  cups per day and my favourite cup holds ____ oz of coffee.

For some, a single cup of drip coffee causes increased sweating, nervousness, mood changes, and a caffeine crash!

Curbing Caffeine Intake

To change your caffeine habit more gradually: 

Keep tabs. Start paying attention to how much caffeine you're getting from foods and beverages. It’s usually more than you think so read the labels carefully! Even then, your estimate may be a little low because not all foods or drinks list caffeine. Chocolate, which has a small amount, doesn't.

Cut back. But do it gradually. For example, drink one fewer can of soda or drink a smaller cup of coffee each day. Or avoid drinking caffeinated beverages late in the day. This will help your body get used to the lower levels of caffeine and lessen potential withdrawal effects.

Go decaf. Most decaffeinated beverages look and taste the same as their caffeinated counterparts.

Shorten the brew time or go herbal. When making tea, brew it for less time. This cuts down on its caffeine content. Or choose herbal teas that don't have caffeine.

Check the bottle. Some over-the-counter pain relievers contain caffeine — as much as 130 mg of caffeine in one dose. Look for caffeine-free pain relievers instead.

Caution on Caffeine Consumption

Although the recent research and evidence is shifting toward a more favourable view of coffee's effect on our health, it is not based on cause and effect but on links for which there could be other explanations: it could be that regular coffee drinkers have something else in common, that studies have yet to discover, to account for the effect on health.

As usual, it is always up to you to manage your caffeine intake.  Mark Twain once said,

 “Too much of anything is not good”

and that goes for caffeine too!

At Osteoklinika:
We provide professional osteopathic care; relieving pain, reducing stiffness and increasing mobility, so you may feel better as soon as possible.  Please call us to book your consultation at 905.660.8810. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T. andrew@osteoklinika.com 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.

Trigger Finger: Laser Therapy at Osteoklinika

Trigger Finger Inflammation

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis is a painful condition that causes the fingers or thumb to catch or lock when bent. In the thumb it is called trigger thumb. If left untreated your pain can get worse and your hand may become unusable!

Trigger finger happens when tendons in the finger or thumb become inflamed.

Tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect muscles and bones. Together, the tendons and muscles in the hands and arms bend and straighten the fingers and thumbs.

A tendon usually glides easily through the tissue that covers it (called a sheath) because of a lubricating membrane surrounding the joint called the synovium.

Sometimes a tendon may become inflamed and swollen. When this happens, bending the finger or thumb can pull the inflamed tendon through a narrowed tendon sheath, making it snap or pop.

Trigger finger occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger. If trigger finger is severe, your finger may become locked in a bent position.

People whose work or hobbies require repetitive gripping actions are at higher risk of developing trigger finger. Although it can occur in anyone, it is seen more frequently in the diabetic population and in women, typically in the fifth to sixth decade of life. Treatment of trigger finger varies depending on the severity.

Diagnosis of trigger finger doesn't require any elaborate testing. No X-rays or lab tests are used to diagnose trigger finger.

Causes

Trigger finger can be caused by a repeated movement or forceful use of the finger or thumb. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes also can cause trigger finger. So can grasping something, such as a power tool, with a firm grip for a long time. Tendons are fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. Each tendon is surrounded by a protective sheath. Trigger finger occurs when the affected finger's tendon sheath becomes irritated and inflamed. This interferes with the normal gliding motion of the tendon through the sheath.

Prolonged irritation of the tendon sheath can produce scarring, thickening and the formation of bumps (nodules) that impede the tendon's motion even more.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of trigger finger may progress from mild to severe and include:

•        Finger stiffness, particularly in the morning
•        A popping or clicking sensation as you move your finger
•        Tenderness or a bump(nodule) in the palm at the base of the affected finger
•        Finger catching or locking in a bent position, which suddenly pops straight
•        Finger locked in a bent position, which you are unable to straighten

Trigger finger more commonly affects your thumb or your middle or ring finger. More than one finger may be affected at a time, and both hands might be involved. Triggering is usually more pronounced in the morning, while firmly grasping an object or when straightening your finger.

When to See a Health Practitioner 

If you have any stiffness or catching in a finger joint, bring it to the attention of your health practitioner so that he or she may review your symptoms and perform a physical evaluation of your hand. If your finger joint is hot and inflamed, seek immediate medical care because these signs indicate a possible infection.

Risk Factors

Factors that put you at risk of developing trigger finger include:

•  Repeated gripping - People with occupations or hobbies that require routine, repetitive finger movements, such as operating machines or power tools and playing musical instruments, are at a higher risk of developing trigger finger. If this describes you, try to switch up the hand or finger(s) you use in especially repetitive movements.
•  Occupations and hobbies that involve repetitive hand use and prolonged gripping may increase your risk of trigger finger.
• The increased use of SmartPhones and tablet devices have led to an increase in the incidence of trigger finger and thumb pain.
• Smokers can get trigger thumb from repeated use of a lighter.
•  Certain health problems such as Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes are at higher risk of developing trigger finger.
•  Your sex. Trigger finger is six times more common in women than in men.

Medical Treatment/Drugs

·       Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve) — may relieve the pain but are unlikely to relieve the swelling constricting the tendon sheath or trapping the tendon.

·       Steroid Injection and/or Surgery - an injection of a steroid (cortisone) near or into the tendon sheath may reduce inflammation and allow the tendon to glide freely again. This is the most common treatment, and in people who do not have diabetes, it is effective in up to 90% percent of patients. In people with diabetes, it is effective about half the time. Sometimes to obtain these results a second injection is needed.

Problem Resurfaced:

"I have had a trigger finger for several months; first the middle finger of my left hand. I had an injection that seemed to help for several weeks, then the problem resurfaced." Teacher 52 (Female)

Steroids Did Not Work:

"When I woke up in the morning, my middle finger would be stuck in the bent position. It could only be lifted back into position with my other hand, and it was very painful.The pain radiated to the palm of my hand and it was constant. I started using a splint at night to keep the finger straight. I was first given oral steroids which did not work.  I hope to have surgery soon." DB 49.

Injections Did Not Last:

"I had symptoms typical of trigger finger. Having discussed with the surgeon I opted for injection therapy.This was carried out with good effect. I had good relief of symptoms for upward of five months and now the symptoms have recurred. Now I'm thinking of going for the permanent surgical treatment." Male 55

Working through a small incision near the base of your affected finger, a surgeon can cut open the constricted section of tendon sheath.This procedure is usually done in an operating room.

There are no guarantees for treatment! NSAID's, Cortisone injections, and surgery may not be necessary and are harmful long term.

Low Light Laser Therapy at OsteoKlinika

We have great results with Trigger Finger. How do we do it? First, we know a lot about inflammation and how to treat it without drugs, invasive injections or surgery. Low Light Laser Therapy is the quickest and most effective way to relieve the inflammation in Trigger Finger. We use and recommend BioFlex Low Light Therapy to deal with inflammation. Now the healing is stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints and healing surrounding area.

 Recent Testimonial

"After several months of feeling as though I might have arthritis in my right middle finger, it began feeling like I'd jammed my middle finger on my right hand.The pain grew worse as time passed and at night it would 'draw' and be frozen in a bent position by the time I woke in the morning.There was no straightening it without excruciating pain, but using my left hand, I could draw the finger up to a normal position. As it worsened, it felt like my finger and down through my palm was on fire.This also made it difficult to hold things and there was weakness in those joints that made it difficult to squeeze, pick up or hold anything. I couldn't close my fist. Every finger went down except for that one finger. It was highly inflamed and I took a few Aleve with little relief, but that didn't help after the third day. I waited to see if it would get better. But it didn't. Shortly after, the pain increased I went directly to Andrew at OsteoKlinika who quickly assessed diagnosed “trigger finger” and recommended immediate low light laser -10 treatments for 30 minutes each to deal with the inflammation and subsequent healing. Taking a deep breath, I knew it was going to be very difficult to commit to such a treatment because I live in Scarborough and the clinic is in Vaughan! I admit my thoughts went to a more “immediate”, 'free' and easy solution.

After reading about trigger finger, I quickly recognized that the solutions the medical community were offering were cortisone, anti-inflammatories, injections or surgery. Knowing I I really had no other choice but to have the laser therapy, the commitment was made. In the 2^nd or 3^rd laser treatment, it felt as though it was feeling even more painful and Carol told me this is very typical with laser therapy treatments and to keep the faith! She was right because the inflammation was markedly reduced by the 4^th treatment. (I also reduced the use of my right hand and used it only for light housekeeping.)

Osteopathic Manipulation after Laser Therapy

It has been 2 weeks since my 10 laser treatments and there's little to no pain and very slight inflammation. Andrew advises the laser “keeps on working” after the 10 treatments. I am seeing the improvement now, 2 weeks later. Drug, steroid and surgery-free is always going to be my first choice. Thank you to the kind and capable staff at OsteoKlinika!" S. Bennett – Client.

Low Light Laser Therapy: 

- acts as an analgesic

- has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect

- stimulates the immune system

- regulates new healthy cells

It eliminates pain and other symptoms and with a very sophisticated architectural design, Low Light Laser Therapy is used to treat a wide spectrum of conditions that may be chronic or acute, degenerative or traumatic in origin. It is particularly useful in treating severe sports injuries, low back problems, traumatic injuries and degenerated conditions of the knees.

A typical laser treatment consists of three steps:

·       visible red light

·       invisible infra-red light

·       the application of laser probe where it is used manually in the area

An increasing number of physicians, physiotherapists, osteopaths, massage therapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, dentists and veterinarians, worldwide are using Bio-Flex Low Light Laser Therapy.

905.660.8810 OsteoKlinika

Before you consider surgery or drugs;or if you are still experiencing pain more than 6 months after surgery, for more information about inflammation and pain, Andrew Subieta can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for learn more about our unique, trademarked process called  Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.   

Bio-Structural Integration™: The Body Functions As a Unit!

Most of us know about physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture or massage therapy. Usually these modalities are used in isolation and do not address the problem at multiple levels. Therapy that is centered on only one system simply doesn’t work.

The body functions as a unit. When we are injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, and connective tissue and fascia become tight. The inflammatory process sets in.  Internal organs can and are often affected.

Every cell in our body works synergistically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In my method of Bio-Structural Integration™, I address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment I use Cranial Osteopathy to release central nervous system lesions. After that I use an Osteopathic Muscle Energy Technique to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. After the structure is realigned I recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy (LLLT) to deal with inflammation. Healing is now stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints.

As a result, muscles and ligaments relax; fascia releases its tension, flexibility increases bringing back normal range of motion and reduction of pain.

After the pain is reduced and structure realigned, my patients have a one-on-one session with a Certified Yoga Teacher to show them proper Rehab Yoga exercises to stretch and strengthen the injured area. One month free membership is provided to each patient by Osteoklinika at any location of the Hot Yoga Wellness Inc.

The program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you should not give up! During many years of practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult-to-treat conditions.

Here are some of the conditions we treat at Osteoklinika:

• Low back and Neck Pain

• Migraines and Headaches

• Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Angle and Foot Pain

• Sciatica

• Temporal - Mandibular (Jaw) Pain

• Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Repetitive Strain Injuries

• Constipation

• Incontinence

• Neurological Disorders

• Chronic Ear Infections

• Post-Concussion Syndrome and Head Trauma

• Genitourinary Problems

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Tendinitis and Bursitis

• Dermal Ulcers

• Dermatological conditions such as acne

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

• Piriformis Syndrome

• Patella-Femoral Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella

• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Frozen Shoulder

"Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides a quick relief from pain." - Andrew Subieta

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810.  Also, please check our website www.osteoklinika.com LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+ for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™!  

Bio-Structural Integration™: Spine Disorders and Physical Exercise

Bio-Structural Integration™ rehabilitation provides quick relief of pain and is a unique, trademarked process at Osteoklinika. 

Over 15 years ago we discovered that therapy centered around only one system simply does not work.  Why? The body naturally functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergetically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In our method of Bio-Structural Integration™ we address the dysfunction at every level.

Within one treatment Cranial Osteopathy is used to release central nervous system lesions. After that Osteopathic Structural Adjustments are used to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue.

Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle.

All of the above are done within a 1 hour treatment.  After the structure is realigned, we recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy to deal with inflammation. Now the healing is stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints.

The program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides consistently over 90% of success in bringing back a pain-free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you shouldn't give up! During many years of my practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult-to-treat conditions. 

Disorders of the Spine

Disorders of the spine are the leading medical condition that interferes with the individual’s quality of life and the ability to work and play. It can occur in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine and is characterized by a wide range of symptoms including pain, muscle spasm, stiffness, restricted mobility and weakness of the extremities.

Current non-surgical treatments include analgesics, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), bed rest, spinal manipulation, massage and physical therapy. These tend to mask or only temporarily relieve symptoms. In most instances, this approach is ineffective and may even generate adverse effects.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, which is prevalent among the public population in Canada. Depending on the severity of the patients’ pain, different treatments are selected for them. Few studies have addressed, so far, the therapeutic effects of laser in such pains and different results have been published in this regard. The aim of a recent study is to investigate the therapeutic effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on these diseases.

Study:Core Stability/Physical Exercise

Therapeutic Effects of Low Level Laser Sixty patients are randomly divided into three groups, one received low level laser  therapy (LLLT), the second group the low level laser and physical exercises simultaneously and the other the laser placebo and physical exercises simultaneously. Laser therapy was performed for 6 weeks, two sessions per week. Pain and disability were measured and compared, at 0, 6 and 12 weeks after the treatment in the three groups.

At the conclusion of the study, it was revealed that laser therapy, accompanied with physical exercise, can be the most effective way for improving the chronic back pain including pain relief and reduction of disability in the patients. *

In 2013, a comparitive study between LLLT with core stability exercise and electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with core stability exercise on chronic low back patients, revealed that LLLT and core stability exercise is more effective than TENS with core stability exercise in improving pain and function in the patients with chronic lower back pain.  http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/8081

At Osteoklinika:

We provide professional osteopathic care; relieving pain, reducing stiffness and increasing mobility, so you may feel better as soon as possible.  Please call us to book your consultation at 905.660.8810. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T. andrew@osteoklinika.com 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.

*Sirous Momenzadeh, Farshad Hasanzadeh Kiabi, Mohammadreza Moradkhani Mehri Hoseinnejad Moghadam
BioFlexlaser.com (Spine Month)

Bio-Structural Integration™: Upper Body Muscles

Bio-Structural Integration™ rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides quick relief of pain and is a unique, trademarked process at Osteoklinika. 

Over 15 years ago we discovered that therapy centered around only one system simply does not work.  Why? The body functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergetically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In our method of Bio-Structural Integration™ we address the dysfunction at every level.

Within one treatment Cranial Osteopathy is used to release central nervous system lesions. After that Osteopathic Structural Adjustments are used to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue.

Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle.

All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. After the structure is realigned, we recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy to deal with inflammation. Now the healing is stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints.

The program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides consistently over 90% of success in bringing back a pain-free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you shouldn't give up! During many years of my practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult- to-treat conditions. 

The Upper Body's Muscles:  Balanced

Good posture is when your child’s back has the least amount of strain placed on it through keeping bones and joints aligned properly, allowing muscles to be used properly as well. Good posture naturally happens when the upper body’s muscles are balanced in strength and used uniformly. Bad posture can result in stress on the spine at certain levels. For instance the slouched position can put a lot of unnecessary loading on the middle back spinal region, which can lead to jutting forward of the head and jaw. This then leads to headaches and the inability to concentrate. This slumped posture can also effect the efficiency of breathing and gut motility. Poor posture also can put strain on the low back, as poor posture goes hand in hand with poor lifting and carrying techniques.

Correct posture is more than just sitting and standing upright. It means that the bones in your spine and associated muscles and fascia are properly aligned so that your body can function at its full potential. With your spine in correct position, the muscles can function as they were designed. Osteopathic care can correct poor posture by fixing musculoskeletal misalignments.

A body that is properly aligned can then move and function as a unit as nature intended. Postural exercises can re­train your muscles to help hold you in proper position. Good posture allows your nervous system to function correctly which results in more energy, increased strength and endurance, improved sleep, and better overall health and sports performance.

At Osteoklinika

Besides musculoskeletal adjustments, an osteopath can address your lifestyle ergonomics and give you specific stretches and exercises. By taking care of your posture, you are taking care of your health.

Remember to tell your family and children about their posture! 

The younger you are when you start, the easier the change will be and you are likely to prevent problems in the future.  

At Osteoklinika:

We provide professional osteopathic care; relieving pain, reducing stiffness and increasing mobility, so you may feel better as soon as possible.  Please call us to book your consultation at 905.660.8810. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T. andrew@osteoklinika.com 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.

pH Balance: Restoring & Maintaining Our Health

Awareness Cures

Life is compelling us to wake up, moment to moment, in the face of any behaviour we’re trying to let go of. As the famous Gestalt psychologist Fritz Perls proclaimed, “Awareness cures.” 

pH Balance

Do you remember the pH sticks from your high school chemistry class?  Well, now we know a lot more about pH balances than before! 

The human blood pH should be slightly alkaline (7.35 – 7.45).  Below or above this range lead to symptoms and quite possibly disease.

• A pH of 7.0 is neutral

• A pH below 7.0 is acidic

• A pH above 7.0 is alkaline

Many people have a more acidic pH caused by an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload and other factors. The body will try to compensate for an acidic pH by using alkaline minerals, but if your diet does not contain enough of these minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.

How It Affects the Body

An acidic balance will:

• decrease the body’s ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients

• decrease the energy production in the cells

• decrease it’s ability to repair damaged cells

• decrease it’s ability to detoxify heavy metals

• causes tumor cells to thrive, and
• make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness.

For example, a blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death!

It's called Acidosis.

Acidosis is more common in today's society due to the typical North American diet:

• too high in acid-producing animal products such as meat, eggs and dairy
• too low in alkaline producing such as fresh vegetables
• consumption of processed foods such as white flour and sugar, and 
• drinking acid-producing beverages such as coffee and soft drinks 

I'm sure you have heard this before: all we have to do to correct the balance of an high acid body is to shift the awareness of our diet and our overall lifestyle!  How difficult can that be?

Don't stop reading.

To maintain good health our diet should consist of:

• 60% alkaline forming foods, and
• 40% acid forming foods.

To restore health the diet should consist of:

• 80% alkaline forming foods, and
• 20% acid forming foods.

Here are just a few alkaline foods:

• Lemon, lime and grapefruit
• Dates, figs and apricots (rehydrated)
• Tomato, apple, pear, mango, papaya and avocado
• Watercress, fennel, asparagus, celery and cauliflower
• Onion, garlic, ginger (fresh) and beetroot
• Kelp, spinach, rocket, parsley and coriander
• Sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds, and their oils 
• Almonds, walnuts and pecans
• Quinoa, millet, buckwheat, oats and brown rice
• Almond milk, brown rice milk
• Ground coconut and coconut water
• Red meat, including pork and venison

Here are some acid foods:

• Poultry, including feathered game
• Processed breakfast cereals (low in nutrients, high in sugar and salt)
• Commercially produced biscuits, cakes and breads (high in yeast, white flour, salt, sugar and additives – all acid-forming components)
• Cola, diet cola and alcohol
• Tea, coffee, chocolate (especially milk chocolate, which is high in sugar and dairy solids)

I Would Rather Be Sick!

Could it be that all of the acid foods are the foods you love to eat?  Psychologists say it can feel overwhelming or even traumatic to think about changing or shifting away from foods that you love. So instead of the common strategy of fighting a habit, we can become more aware or awake each time we eat, and ask ourselves this question:

“Is this what I wish to choose in this moment?"

It is Interesting because even if we ask ourselves this question and choose in the moment to continue eating, we have then “exercised” our choosing muscle, and made it stronger. The next time we are faced with the same choice, our ability to choose and accept any choice becomes stronger and even compassionate.  Don't underestimate the power of conscious choice!

Facing our unwanted habitual thoughts on food or our health-draining food habits can be very enlightening and an act of self-evolution. It's funny about life:  it calls and nudges us through our personal challenges but we can become "unstuck" and grow. It’s not about fighting with yourself, hating yourself, hating the habit, or attacking your own weaknesses; it is about following a path with gentle kindness and awareness toward yourself and toward a better understanding about the chemistry of food and then gently guiding yourselves back to good health, higher energy levels and possible no more pain!  It's all about BALANCE!

This is a handy, post on your fridge reminder of the balance: 

For good health our diet should consist of:

• 60% alkaline forming foods 
• 40% acid forming foods.

For restoration of health the diet should consist of:

• 80% alkaline forming foods 
• 20% acid forming foods

For more information, Andrew Subieta and the clinic staff can be reached at Osteoklinika Pain Management & Rehabilitation 905.660.8810. 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.