Guyon’s Canal Syndrome – Ulnar Nerve Entrapment – Wrist Pain in Maine.
What is it? The ulnar nerve is the nerve you smack when you hit your funny bone. It goes to your pinky and ring finger and controls that part of your hand. In the wrist there is a little tunnel of ligament that the ulnar nerve passes under. Like carpal tunnel syndrome, the nerve gets pressed and causes pain and dysfunction in the areas that the ulnar nerve controls. Repetitive motions, pressure from your bike handlebars, position of hands while sleeping, motorcycle handlebars, heavy gripping, prolonged keyboard use, vibrating power tool use and things like that lead to this syndrome, which if left to get better, but it doesn’t, can cause serious problems in your wrist and hand. If you break your wrist, dislocate it, or smash the area really hard, it may create the problem or make it much worse. Sometimes arthritis, even tumors can cause this condition. Less commonly, problems in the artery that follows the ulnar nerve can lead to problems. How do you fix it? Change your activities or modify them. Avoid repetitive motions or pressure in your wrists. This may mean changing your handle bar grips, or using a mouse or keyboard pad. Ice...
read moreAfter-Hours: Medical Access in Portland, Maine.
What do you feel is missing? Should your doctor be available after-hours? Having been in healthcare education system and in active practice for almost 30 years, people say the most interesting things. Most patients we encounter have stories of disappointment related to their healthcare providers and the American healthcare system on the whole. One of the things that frustrates me the most about healthcare in the USA is private insurance premiums and lack of access to our doctors when we need them most. The biggest complaint of the system on the whole among our patients is the price, private insurance denials and unfairness, and the fact that it takes too long to see the doctor. Once you see the doctor, they disappear until the next visit. The United States is the only first world nation without universal healthcare, and we are ranked last among first world nations for quality of care. Their universal healthcare doesn’t make them a socialist country, but instead relieves the stress of worrying about healthcare and medical bill bankruptcy that is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the USA. Don’t be fooled, the doctors in other countries learn the same science and get the same training in...
read moreShoulder Impingement and Shoulder Pain In Guitar Players – Dr. Lou Jacobs – Portland, Maine
How guitar shape and playing style affect shoulder impingement in the strumming arm. Shoulder impingement in the arm of that strums, is a common issue among guitarists, and both the shape of the guitar and the player’s style can significantly influence the risk and severity of symptoms. Guitar Shape and Size Larger Body Guitars (e.g., Dreadnoughts, Jumbos): These require the strumming arm to reach further around the instrument, increasing shoulder abduction (lifting) and internal rotation. This position narrows the subacromial space in the shoulder, which can aggravate or cause impingement, especially during prolonged sessions 5 6 9. The internal rotation is a recipe for trouble, especially when coupled with abduction of the shoulder. If you also perform activities, like typing, chopping, or mousing, that also involve internal rotation and abduction, you are adding insult to injury. Those activities may be the “true cause(s) of the impingement, and not only the guitar. Smaller Body Guitars (e.g., OM, 000, Parlour): These allow the arm to rest in a more neutral, relaxed position, reducing the need for excessive shoulder movement and minimizing impingement risk 5 9. If you can practice on a slim body electric, then gig on acoustic, that is also...
read moreNeurodivergence and The Cerebellum. Portland, Maine.
What is the Cerebellum? The cerebellum, often referred to as the “little brain,” is a crucial structure located at the back of the brain, responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements, maintaining posture, balance, and equilibrium. It plays a significant role in motor learning and has been increasingly recognized for its involvement in cognitive functions such as language, attention, and social interactions. The cerebellum contains nearly half of the brain’s neurons despite accounting for only about 10% of its volume, highlighting its dense neural network and importance in processing information. The cerebellum has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism. In ADHD, cerebellar dysfunction is associated with difficulties in coordinating thoughts and attention, suggesting that the cerebellum’s role extends beyond motor control to cognitive processing. For autism, research indicates that cerebellar abnormalities, including loss of Purkinje cells, may contribute to symptoms such as impaired social interaction and communication. The cerebellum’s involvement in language and social cognition supports its potential role in autism spectrum disorder. Both conditions highlight the cerebellum’s broader impact on cognitive and behavioral functions, underscoring the need for further research into its role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Have you missed a window of opportunity for healing?...
read moreThe Default Mode Network (DMN) and your Chiropractor in Portland, Maine
Depression, Anxiety and Your Chiropractor The Default Mode Network Understanding The default mode network may help you take the action you need to improve your mental health during stressful times. The first step is understanding. Step two is taking action. New developments in neuroscience and understanding the brain have led to the research being published in neuroscience publications world wide. This information may the gateway to you taking better care of stress, anxiety and depression in your life. While more research will certainly be done, that which has been done so far, shows serious promise! The default mode network (DMN) is a group of brain regions that work together when you’re not actively focused on the outside world. It’s like the brain’s “default” setting, which kicks in when you’re daydreaming, thinking about yourself, or recalling memories. When you start doing something that requires attention, like solving a puzzle or working, the DMN tends to deactivate, allowing other brain networks to take over. It helps regulate emotions and maintain mental health by allowing you to reflect on your experiences and emotions. Disruptions in the DMN have been linked to various neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and...
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