October 29, 2019

Maintaining a Stable Core

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100% of IHS patients are assessed for core stability. Low back pain? Knee pain? Neck pain? Shoulder pain? Believe it or not, the core is usually involved.

To begin with, let’s briefly touch on what the “core” actually is.  The majority of people think that strengthening the core means strengthening the abs. If that is you, you are on the right track but the abs are just a part of the core, specifically the front and sides.  Think of the core as being your entire torso, plus a few more muscles you may not have realized. In addition to your abdominals, the erector and multifidi muscles of your back, the lats, the psoas (hip flexor) and even the glutes are all a part of your core! All of these muscles need to be firing properly in order to keep your spine stable – the key to pain free motion.

The core musculature is responsible for providing spinal stability. Without the muscles, the spine would bend and turn in undesired ways. This is what we call compensation. If some muscles are “turned off” while others are “over-firing,” the spine is being pulled in ways that create instability and pain.  Picture tug-of-war: when the teams are balanced, the rope does not move, it’s stable! Now let’s say we take 10 people against 1 person, that rope (spine) is going to be yanked and pulled away from the weaker side. Now that we know our core involves our hip flexors too, what do you think happens when you sit at a desk all day with your hip flexors constantly contracted? The low back muscles will seize up in response, the glutes will be turned off to try to compensate, and your stability (notice here, I did not say strength) will be all out of wack.

Furthermore, think of building a house with a weak foundation. Will the walls be stable? How about the roof – will it have issues? Obviously, a weak foundation is a sinkhole for the rest of the stability of the house. This is the same with your core. A weak core will lead to issues in the arms, the neck, the legs and so on and so forth.

Some quick examples you may come across for core stability here in the office will be based off of Stuart McGill’s “Big Three” that are scientifically proven to be superior in reducing back pain and improving function.  Dr. McGill is a master at treating back pain and he emphasizes the importance of finding the cause of the pain, which is typically poor movement patterns. He designed the “Big Three” in order to appropriately build core muscle endurance. What are the “Big Three?” The Curl up, side bridge, and bird dog. Before these can be implemented into care, breathing and bracing of the core must be accomplished in order to properly engage the targeted muscles. After coaching for a few visits, our patients are able to work on these exercises at home so that the proper core engaging becomes second nature.

Hopefully, this clears up why we at Integrated Health Solutions are so passionate about maintaining a stable core. Any activity of daily living requires stability in order to remain pain free and active for the best quality of life. Now, go breathe and brace!

Content provided by Jennifer Brenneisen

References: www.livestrong.com/article/98988-core-muscles-body/; www.livestrong.com/article/392341-stuart-mcgills-big-three-back-exercises/; Ghorbanpour A, Azghani MR, Taghipour M, Salahzadeh Z, Ghaderi F, Oskouei AE. Effects of McGill stabilization exercises and conventional physiotherapy on pain, functional disability and active back range of motion in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2018;30(4):481–485. doi:10.1589/jpts.30.481

 
October 1, 2014

Active Release Technique Alternative Treatment for Muscle and Joint Pain

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Active Release Technique, or A.R.T. for short, is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue technique that uses specific contact on the injured area of the patient, in order to help decrease pain, tension, and adhesion.  In A.R.T, the provider uses their hands in a specific motion with pressure to work out the tightness that is affecting that area.

The people that will benefit the most from this technique are:

  • Athletes, both professional and recreational
  • Patients with chronic pain and overuse
  • Patients who want an unconventional treatment for relief

A.R.T. was created by Dr. Michael P. Leahy when he realized that you could actually feel your patient’s tissue injuries.  He discovered that connective tissue and scar tissue could build up as a result of overuse and stress.  As scar tissue builds it ties down tissues that normally need to move freely, thus reducing the range of motion of the affected tissue. This tissue derangement typically causes pain and alters function.

What can be treated by this technique?  There are dozens of conditions, which include, but are not limited to:

  • Headaches
  • Neck Pain
  • Shin Splints
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Achilles Tendon Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Soreness in tendons, ligaments, and nerves

When you come in for treatment at our active release clinic you can expect Dr. Charbel to analyze your soft tissue function to determine the true cause of pain.  The analysis of the soft tissue is done using a technique called “active palpation”, which is a hands on technique used to discover abnormalities in the soft tissue, usually without the use of an MRI or an ultrasound.

At our affordable chiropractic clinic, Dr. Charbel offers A.R.T. to reduce pain that patients feel from the causes outlined above.  He knows that everyone’s pain is different and every patient should be treated as such.  That’s why he takes the time to talk to each patient and understand where the pain is actually coming from, instead of treating everyone the same.  Additionally, Integrated Health Solutions offers other complimentary therapies to A.R.T., in order to ensure the best care possible.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
September 25, 2014

How to Find the Best Chiropractic Office

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Q: Why do some chiropractors take x-rays and some do not?

A: The best chiropractors use a conservative approach in taking x-rays and applying specific guidelines when ordering x-rays. X-rays are definitely required when a patient has suffered a significant trauma, or when the chiropractor is suspecting an infection is cancer or a tumor, or the patient is over 65 and is suspected to have osteoporosis. In addition, if pain is getting worse or patient is not improving then an x-ray is merited. Best chiropractor knows that there are cases that x-rays don’t make a difference on the treatment plan, for instance if a patient is suffering from a disc herniation.  Because x-rays do not show soft tissue variables or derangements that patient would not benefit from an x-ray and would need an MRI if necessary.

Q: How many visits should a patient expect before they see results when treated by a chiropractor?

A: Typically patients should start seeing results within 6-8 visits. The best chiropractic practices typically recommend 2-3 visits a week for 2-4 weeks after which patients should be feeling about 90% better. If no progress is made, the treatment plan should be changed and/or patient should be referred out.

Related: What You Should Know About Pain

Q: What conditions/ailments do you treat most in your practice?

A: I personally specialize in musculoskeletal pain; this includes headaches and migraines, back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and knee pain, among others.

Q: Other than the top of mind reason, pain, why would people go to a chiropractor?

A: Wellness care is a very good reason for going to a chiropractor. Chiropractic visits are very beneficial in the prevention of musculoskeletal pain. The best chiropractors will also educate you on healthy living approaches, and ways to decrease emotional and physical stress.

Related: 6 Simple Steps to Eliminate Stress, 8 Simple Steps for a Happier Healthier Lifestyle, Trying to Get Healthy, but Not Sure Where to Start?, Your Guide to a Healthier Lifestyle

Q: What is all the therapy?  And do I need it?

A: The best chiropractors use different therapies on different patients.  If a patient is in acute pain in that they cannot move, modalities such as TENS unit, ice and lasers all aid and assist in decreasing pain and inflammation in that situation.  Then, patients move to an active treatment plan, where we use exercise to awaken and strengthen the inhibited muscles. Soft tissue modalities are used to address adhesion and tissue tension.

Related: Achilles Tendon Pain and Active Release Technique

Q: What is the new trend with taping?

A: Kinesio tape is used to provide support and stability to the patient’s joints and muscles without restricting movement or circulation in the patient.  It also expedites healing by reducing pain and swelling.

Q: What are your thoughts on orthotics?

A: Orthotics are prescribed when they are needed.  Orthotics is a good solution when there is a leg length discrepancy that is affecting the rest of the body.  It is also useful when there is an anatomical variance, or a foot pronation.  Ideally, we encourage active care to bring the body into balance.

Q: Do I need Electrical Stem Unit?

A: The best chiropractors recommend TENS in the acute phase of care. In most cases, it is not used for the long-term patient management. We like to see patients being more involved in active care, such as doing planks, proper breathing, being aware of posture etc., as opposed to solely depending on a TENS unit, otherwise, the TENS unit becomes more of a symptom covering tool, as opposed to addressing the cause of the pain.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
June 19, 2014

How Does Dry Needling Work?

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I am often asked what dry needling is, and how it works. Dry needling, in a sense, is very similar to acupuncture, when it comes down to the tools that we use. We use very thin filaments, which are inserted into the tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are dysfunctional and deranged. However, with dry needling, our main focus is on musculoskeletal pain, reduction of pain, and enhancement of soft tissue function.

In a simple form, dry needling normalizes and resets the muscles and tissue to its original homeostatic function. For instance, if a muscle is too tight, tense, and has trigger points and adhesion, dry needling resets it back to a normal density with no spasms or tension. On the other hand, if the muscle is inhibited and is not functioning, as it should, dry needling will reset the mechanism in that muscle, helping to reawaken it.

There are several theories about how dry needling works. One of the predominate theories was proven by observing the brain in a functional MRI, while a patient was treated with metal needles that were not conductive to magnetic fields. This study showed, that the brain sensors responsible for pain reduction became more active, and in turn secreted pain reduction chemicals, such as endorphins.

Another theory suggests that the very thin filaments that are inserted into the tissue, even though they are quite thin and unnoticeable in almost all instances, create damage to thousands of cells. The brain perceives this damage, and initiates a healing effect and rejuvenation of the tissue.

In another study, it was shown that the biochemical changes that occur around the needle are favorable in reducing inflammation and pain.  A final theory of how dry needling works is a study that suggests that a properly placed needle in a triggered point of a muscle or tendon, will send a signal to the nervous system in a reflex form, which will reset the muscle and tissue fibers.

Dry needling differs from acupuncture, in a sense that it does not follow the meridian channels, and focuses primarily on musculoskeletal pain. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we utilize dry needling for a variety of symptoms, such as runner knee pain, TMJ, and headaches.

If you have been suffering with pain and are looking for an alternative treatment, contact Integrated Health Solutions, an affordable Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.