Are Your Symptoms “All In Your Head?” Anxiety And Panic
Anxiety and Panic are as American as apple pie. You’ve probably been told at some point in your life that your symptoms are all in your head. That anxiety and panic are leading you to feel the way that you are feeling. As it turns out, the people who told you that may be right. A google search for anxiety and panic U.S.A. turned up this result regarding adults: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. Over 40 million adults in the U.S. (19.1%) have an anxiety disorder. There are tens of thousands of lists online describing what you might feel as a “symptom” of anxiety and panic. Nausea Twitching, cramping, and achy limbs Numbness Insomnia Shaking and trembling Feeling of hot or cold, sweating Difficulty focusing Digestive issues Fear of dying, losing control or “going crazy.” Irrational fears. Fatigue Muscle spasms or pain Depression High blood pressure These are pretty common symptoms that could also be related to other issues. But what if they are all due to anxiety and panic? What if your stress level has been deceptively high, sustained and for a great deal of time? The result could overwhelm...
read moreAfter a fall on the ice or snow?
After a bad fall, do this. The fall may not feel as bad as what it does to your quality of life. Did you hit your head or break a bone? If you think you need the hospital because you’ve hit your head or broken something, seek emergency attention. Concussions, contusions, cracks, fractures and other injuries can be serious. A bad fall on the ice can be just as damaging as a car accident, in some cases more so. Did you pull a muscle? You start to slide and you catch yourself. You don’t hit the ground, but you do strain your back, groin, neck or shoulder. Go inside and put ice on the strain to reduce inflammation. Then switch to heat – as long as it feels comfortable. Light stretching may be helpful too. If the pull is not severe, applying deep pressure to the muscle may help release tension and stimulate healing. Did you land on your tailbone? Get ice on it immediately. Pay close attention to your ability to sit and lie down comfortably. You may need to sit on a special surface or a “Donut Pillow” to help take the pressure off the tailbone. Injuries to the coccyx...
read moreWhat is a Spinal Disc? Dr. Lou Jacobs – Chiropractor Portland Maine
Discs Are Shock Absorbers. There are 23 discs in the spine. The discs have a rugged outer shell of sorts, the interior is soft and flexible. The discs are similar to the gum we had as kids with the thick liquid center. Discs need hydration. At birth, the disc is 80% water. Over a lifetime, hydration is critical for the health of the discs. When discs are under stress and poorly hydrated, they accumulate damage faster. They degenerate, herniate and debilitate (you). Discs are somewhat rubbery but firm. When discs compress and lose their height under stress, nerves, joints, and bones become compressed. Blood vessels, lymphatic tissue, ligaments, and tendons become compressed too. You actually lose height over the course of the day, because of compression of the discs. When you sleep at night, your spine DEcompresses. With more spinal stress, there is more compression. More compression leads to more damage. Age is only a partial factor, a young ski jumper may have more spinal damage than a much older swimmer. What is the difference between a disc bulge and a disc herniation? A disc bulge is a small protrusion of the disc that may begin to take...
read moreWhat is the spine? Dr. Lou Jacobs – Chiropractor Portland, Maine
Why do you have a spine? The spine serves several functions. Protection. The spine protects the spinal cord. The spinal cord, which is the primary communication pathway from the brain to the rest of the body, is protected by the bones of the spine. Like the brain that is protected and encased by solid bone, it is so protected because of it’s importance. Support. The spine supports the upper body. Like a pillar made of many bones and joints, it bears a great load. Movement & Flexibility. Bending, lifting, extending, turning, looking at your child, gazing at the stars, making love, and reading books are all possible, because of flexibility and movement in the spine. There are 24 vertebrae in the spine, a sacrum, and the coccyx. There are over 120 joints of the spine, over 200 ligaments and tendons. There are discs between each of the vertebrae. There are 7 vertebrae in the neck, 12 in the mid-back, and 5 in the low back. All regions of the spine allow for movement in specific ways. The discs of the spine are tough. With longterm stress or acute trauma, discs may be damaged, which may result in bulging or...
read moreChiropractic, Acupuncture, And Marinara Explained.
“Cooking is an act of love.” ~ Massimo Bottura Why does Dr. Lou give patients his homemade marinara sauce? Jacobs Chiropractic Acupuncture Clinic exists for a few very important reasons. 1. Health. We want you to be healthy. We want you to enjoy a homemade and healthy marinara to fit your healthy, or unhealthy, lifestyle. Health is achieved by doing a lot of good things over time. Food is instrumental in this process. 2. Efficiency. We want to save you precious time – both with efficient care and efficient dinnertime for active busy parents and people! 3. Gratitude. We are grateful to everyone who chooses us to care for them. Thank you for your trust, your referrals and your effort! 4. Care. We are here to serve you. We are here to help you live your best life, free of pain, setbacks, and worry. EXPECT BETTER, AND DIFFERENT. If you are looking for a change, a staff that listens and a dedicated team here to make your life easier. We plan on delivering on your expectations. Will I really get a jar of Dr. Lou’s Marinara at my first visit? You betcha! “Dinner” is on us! Tomatoes Are Healthy!...
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