Chiropractic care for a common knee problem
Osgood Schlatter’s disease is a very common cause of knee pain that
usually occurs in the early teens, in particular boys involved in running
and jumping sports. It was named after the two physicians that defined
the disease in 1903, Dr. Robert Osgood and Dr. Carl Schlatter.
The patellar tendon originates from the patella (knee cap) and is a
continuation of the quadriceps (thigh) muscle. The combination of rapid
growth and sporting activity can result in a pulling force from the
patellar tendon at its insertion into the tibial tuberosity (the bump you
can feel on the top of your shin). This can cause inflammation, swelling
and pain at the front of the shin, immediately below the knee.
When the quadriceps muscle contracts, it pulls through the patella and
into the patellar tendon. This contraction results in straightening of
the knee. As the tibial tuberosity is immature in teens, continual pulling
by the patellar tendon can irritate and damage the growth plate. In
addition to being painful with activity, the tibial tuberosity can become
larger over time.
The first step in care is to make an accurate diagnosis. Two conditions
that present with similar pain affecting the same age group are Jumper’s
knee and lateral patella tracking syndrome (LPTS). In the case of
Jumper’s knee, the inflamed area is the patellar tendon rather than the
growth plate of the tibial tuberosity. LPTS, on the other hand, relates
to a malposition of the patella, causing irritation of the joint surface
behind the patella.
Management of Osgood Schlatter’s includes the following:
Rest: This injury needs rest if it is to heal properly. Only do as much
exercise as it will allow without causing pain.
Ice: Apply ice or cold therapy to the knee regularly throughout the day
to reduce pain and inflammation and particularly following activity or
sport.
Stretch: Gently stretch the quadriceps muscles if comfortable to do
so.
Knee support: A brace or support positioned over the patellar tendon to
reduce strain on the tibial tuberosity.
Chiropractic care: Including soft tissue techniques and adjustments to
the knee, spine and surrounding structures.
Live a long life.... have a healthy habit
Research into centenarians (people that have lived beyond 100 years)
shows almost all have an idea about why they have enjoyed such longevity
and they are usually happy to share their secret. In most cases they will
cite a habit or ritual that they have dutifully persisted with for most, if
not all, of their life.
These rituals range from the sensible to the downright bizarre but most
have a logical connection to health. While it is impossible to know for
sure if the habit was the real reason for their long healthy life, it
would seem consistency is the key.
Why not develop your own little healthy habit. For a 3-minute daily
spinal exercise program go to
www.straightenupaustralia.com.au and download your exercise sheet. Who
knows, it may be the secret you share with everyone when you turn 100!
Enjoy a variety of vegetables each day
Vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. Ideally we should
eat five serves (1 serve = about 2 heaped tablespoons) of a variety of
vegetables each day. This is because vegetables:
Are high in the vitamins, antioxidants and minerals required for good
health.
Are a good source of fibre, which is important for an effective
digestive system.
Help to keep cholesterol levels normal.
Are fat-free and low in calories.
They can be enjoyed raw or cooked.
Raw: Chill and eat them plain, or try a low fat dip with raw
cauliflower, broccoli, carrot, green pepper, green beans, zucchini and
turnip sticks. In salads, use lots of dark green leafy vegetables such as
spinach and watercress. Also, try raw green pepper strips, turnip slices
or cold cooked peas, corn, chickpeas and beetroot.
Cooked: Several cooking methods can be used.
Steaming: Put vegetables in a steamer basket that fits into a saucepan.
Add a small amount of water, cover with a tight fitting lid, and steam
until tender but still crisp and brightly coloured.
Stir-fry: Lightly coat the bottom of non-stick frypan with oil, heat and
add even sized vegetables. Stir gently until vegetables are tender-crisp.
Flavour with low salt soy sauce, garlic and ginger.
Boiling: Simmer in a little water for a short time.
Grilling: Vegetables like onions, zucchini, and tomatoes can be grilled.
Place vegetables on a pan and grill until tender.
Baking: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, beetroot and onions can be baked. Wash
then prick skins and place on a tray in oven.
Buy undamaged produce and avoid long storage, soaking and
overcooking.
The water used to boil or steam vegetables contains valuable nutrients.
Save it to drink or use in sauces and soups such as this one.
Good Health on the Menu
Roasted Pumpkin Soup
1 whole pumpkin (any variety)
1 onion – chopped
1 clove garlic – chopped
Milk and/or vegetable stock
Method:
Cut the pumpkin in half. If very large, cut it into pieces. Remove the
seeds and place cut side up on a baking tray and brush with a little oil.
Roast in a 150°C oven until soft and allow to cool.
Peel and place in a food processor. Gently fry onion and garlic, with a
pinch of salt, until soft. Add to the pumpkin and process adding enough
liquid to form the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to
taste and serve hot with a dollop of yoghurt.
Rules to live by!!
A few issues ago we published some of Regina Brett’s ‘50 Life Lessons’
that she penned on her 50th birthday. The article was so popular; we had
to include some more.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first pay cheque.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy
dying.
You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up
to you and no one else.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an
answer.
The most important sex organ is the brain.
Forgive everyone everything.
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
Believe in miracles.
Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Myth and Fact
Myth
Doing lots of sit-ups will make my back strong.
Fact
While sit-ups can be useful in helping support the low back, in some
cases they can be a cause of low back pain. A healthy spine needs a stable
core. This means the deep muscles at the front (Transversus Abdominis) and
deep muscles at the back (Multifidus) need to maintain a healthy tone.
Sit-ups tend to work the more superficial Rectus Abdominis, which is not a
core stabilising muscle.
To learn about an exercise program that can improve your core stability,
ask your chiropractor.
Focus on health, not disease
At the start of the last decade, the World Health Organisation announced
that the USA spent a higher percentage of GDP on healthcare than any other
country. But to prove that money doesn’t buy health, the US only rated 37
out of 191 countries in overall health. Countries that are considered
‘third world’ by some standards, such as Columbia, Morocco, Chile and
Costa Rica, all scored higher despite spending a lower percentage of GDP
on health.
It would appear that having access to high technology and expensive
equipment does not guarantee good health. Is the focus more on Disease
Care rather than true Health Care?
In the last 100 years life expectancy has doubled. The main reasons for
this are related to public health improvements (such as access to clean
water and proper sewage) and other life-style factors. The answer to
fulfilling your genetic potential as a human being is unlikely to come
from gene therapy or improved antibiotics. To truly be your best in a
physical, emotional and spiritual sense requires an understanding that
health comes from within. When our inborn genetic potential is respected
and nurtured with a few fundamental ingredients, then we can attain
lifelong health.
Ultimately your health tomorrow will stem from your beliefs, thoughts
and actions today.
The chiropractic profession
Chiropractic turns 115 years old this year. The profession has come a
long way from its early beginnings to cement itself as a part of
mainstream health care in most Western countries – especially in Northern
America, UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. In Australia alone,
there are almost 250,000 visits to chiropractors each week. In countries
like Australia, chiropractic is covered by virtually all private health
insurance schemes, Worker’s and Transport Accident Compensation,
Department of Veterans Affairs and, in a limited way, through
Medicare.
Chiropractic education is a full time university based program that
typically runs for 5 years. In Australia, a chiropractic program is run
in three tertiary institutions – RMIT (Melbourne), Macquarie University
(Sydney) and Murdoch University (Perth). The three Australian courses are
equally recognised and allow students to practice in any Australian state.
However, the structure of the courses is slightly different.
While the Murdoch program is a double Bachelor Degree, the RMIT and
Macquarie program are both a 3-year Bachelor Degree followed by a 2-year
Masters Degree. The Bachelor component is similar to the first 3 years of
a medical degree, covering basic sciences, anatomy, physiology and
pathology. The Masters component has greater emphasis on diagnostic
sciences, paediatrics, geriatrics and more advanced chiropractic
techniques.
With society in general showing increased interest in natural health,
the chiropractic profession is in a solid position to play an important
role in health care delivery.
The science of laughter
We’ve always known laughter is good for you. New research suggests it
might do a whole lot more than just putting you in a good mood. Much like
a jog around the park, ‘’mirthful laughter’’ has been described as
‘’internal jogging’’ because it can lower blood pressure, reduce stress
and boost the immune system.
In a recent study, stress hormones, blood pressure and cholesterol were
monitored in research participants who viewed 20 minutes of comedy and
standup routines each day. Blood samples taken afterwards showed a
reduction in stress hormones and increase in immune T cells. Blood
pressure was also reduced.
The findings were presented at the Experimental Biology conference in
California.
Lee Berk, from Loma Linda University, California, who led the study,
said emotions and behaviour had a physical impact on the body. ‘’As the
old biblical wisdom states, it may indeed be true that laughter is a good
medicine,’’ he said. An earlier study by Dr Berk also showed that the
expectation of watching a comedy video was enough to raise levels of
endorphins and boost amounts of a hormone that helps our immune system
fight infection. Given the high incidence of heart disease and diabetes in
Western society, it would appear regular laughter is important for good
health, especially in older people who might find it difficult to
exercise.
“There ain’t much fun in medicine, but there’s a heck of a lot of
medicine in fun.” (Josh Billings)
