Finding the best chiropractor can be hard nowadays with so many out there.  Like everything else, finding the best chiropractor starts with doing research and understanding what it is you are looking for.  Referrals are typically the best way to find a good provider, whether it be from another provider or a friend. First hand experience from a friend is always extremely valuable, because a friend will be honest with you about what you are getting yourself into and ultimately if you should go through with it. However, if you are new to the area, or your friends and family are not familiar with chiropractic treatment, here is a helpful guideline and what to look for:

1. We encourage you to find a chiropractic physician that will listen to you, and answer your questions.

2. Look for a chiropractor that engages and empowers you through education and home exercises, which in turn will give you control over your health.

3. We recommend a chiropractor that integrates active care and functional care – such as stretching hip flexors, strengthening glutes, activating core. Active care typically involves the active participation of the patient, such as teaching proper breathing techniques and functional standing and sitting exercises. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-URrvHuKeo&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

4. Read the reviews for social proof. Looking for online reviews from third party sources, such as Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, Indy A List, etc., as opposed to the reviews on the chiropractor’s website, will paint a more clear picture of how other patients feel about the provider.

5. Verify that the chiropractor has a good rapport within the medical community, you may simply ask the office staff when you call.

6. Interview your doctor.  Meeting your potential chiropractor is not only a good way for you to experience what the environment is like, but it also gives you a chance to see how the doctor uses their time, and if they are attentive towards you. If the chiropractor doesn’t give you their full attention on that first day, you can probably assume that they won’t give you their full attention down the road.

7. Don’t feel like you have to commit on your first visit. Take your time; interview a few chiropractors until you find the one that is right for you.

8. Avoid the salesman; the best chiropractors shouldn’t be selling you big packages or pressuring you to start a treatment plan.

9. Ask questions, to get a better idea of what they do and how they do it.

Keeping these guidelines in mind will help you find the best chiropractor for you. For more helpful advice, or to learn more about Dr. Charbel, contact our 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.

The post 9 Tips for Finding the Best Chiropractor appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine for which it is used to correct imbalances in the body.  But that’s not all it can do. Studies have shown that acupuncture can help against depression and be helpful for cancer sufferers too.  Recent studies have shown that acupuncture adds many benefits to the body and is a great asset to those who suffer from diseases ranging from cancer to depression.

Depression is associated with multiple symptoms, some of which include fatigue, lack of happiness, excessive sadness, anxiety and many others. In a recent study, acupuncture was distributed alone or with medication such as SSRI’s (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors).  It was found that acupuncture actually enhances the effectiveness of these drugs, as well as reduces the side effects that these drugs can cause.  An analysis of the research found that acupuncture helped mild depression, as well as moderate and severe depression disorders.  This research is invaluable to those who suffer from depression.

Acupuncture has been shown to help cancer sufferers in recent research done by several universities. Patients who undergo treatment for cancer experience horrible side effects, such as nausea, hot flashes, insomnia, lack of motivation, dry mouth, and many others.  There has been a great deal of research on how acupuncture, used in conjunction with cancer therapies, can reduce the side effects associated with radiation and chemotherapy.

It has also been found that acupuncture actually increases serotonin output in the brain, thus releasing opiates, which are responsible for alleviating pain; they also protect the immune system and its function.

Other studies have shown that acupuncture is beneficial in slowing cancer cell division, as well as reducing tumor-related inflammation. In fact, in the 1990’s, cancer clinics in California refused to see cancer patients who were not simultaneously receiving acupuncture treatments.  According to the clinics, cancer patients had significantly higher outcomes if their cancer treatment was in conjunction with acupuncture.

It is important that we understand the significance that acupuncture can provide and really use it to our advantage in order to help people feel better.  Continuing this type of research will be beneficial in our society as time passes and we continue to look for cures for multiple diseases and disorders. Contact our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic to learn more about the benefits of acupuncture.

Sources: Acupuncture for Symptom Management in Cancer Care: an Update, Is Acupuncture Beneficial in Depression, Can Acupuncture Relieve Depression?

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.

The post The Role of Acupuncture in Depression and Cancer appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we encourage our patients to find workout programs that best fit their specific needs. Many have asked us about cross fit  of them ask about CrossFit, how to get started, and what the advantages are. Jared Byczko and Peter Brasovan, CrossFit NapTown co-owners, recently answered questions that we hope will help you as you search for the right exercise program for your needs.

Would you briefly introduce the CrossFit NapTown team?

Jared Byczko

Peter Brasovan

Jared Cantrell

Jen Binkley

Molly Mason

Anna Rode

What is the combined experience of the team with CrossFit? 

I would confidently say our team of six has 35+ years of experience in the world of CrossFit.

How did you guys train? 

For 2014, we used a competitive programming system from a Coach who owns and operates CrossFit Ann Arbor, also known as HyperFit.  It’s a system that focuses on volume, which in the end hits most areas that will be tested at any CrossFit competition.

I know you welcome everyone to try CrossFit. Could you give some examples of the benefits? What do you find most helpful?

It’s a community of like-minded individuals.  We don’t force people to be here.  We want people to be here!  We want fitness to be accessible to everyone (look for a NapTown Fitness near you). Benefits include:

•     Education in regards to nutrition and diet.

•     Coaching technique and proper movement mechanics.

•     Friendships developed.

•     Networks created leading to job opportunities.

•     Health, Wellness, and Nutrition

•     Scalable to all skill levels.  Whether you are a Division 1 athlete or a 75-year old grandmother, you can do CrossFit.  Just make sure you have the right coaches and support staff that understands the industry.

All in all, CrossFitter’s are driven individuals who don’t like to be bad at things, like a challenge, and aren’t afraid to try something new.

Do you log progress?

We ask that our athletes log their scores on our whiteboard, because competition breeds success.  Every person completing that day’s workouts will try to beat the next best person on that whiteboard.  That’s the name of the game… from the competitive aspect of CrossFit that is.

What nutritional program do you guys follow?

At this point in our CF careers there really is no right or wrong answer.  I always tell people to experiment with different options.  Find out what works for you and what doesn’t.  I don’t recommend one diet or one “lifestyle.”  People often talk about Paleo in the world of CrossFit and I think that is fine for many.  It gives people direction and guidelines to follow, which many people need.

However, I do like the Paleo Diet for another reason.  We use it for challenges often at our facility, because it allows you to create a “science experiment” for yourself.  It gives people the opportunity to educate themselves, as well as use their body as a “control” system for this experiment. Simply put, clean up your diet with natural foods, cut out sugars, get rid of all processed items, and sustain for a duration of time.  Once the desired or agreed upon duration of time is complete, start slowly adding in foods you miss or you like.  I guarantee your body will tell you what it likes and doesn’t like.

What do you think the biggest challenge is to going Paleo?

Too many people go “cold turkey” and hate the first week of Paleo. Why? Because you just took one of the most addictive drugs in the world out of your body and guess what… your body doesn’t like that! It’s like taking cocaine away from an addict for a week and hoping they have no side effects. Sugar is evil to our health.

What was your workout schedule like in preparation for the games?

5 days a week, 3-4 hours a day.

Within those 3-4 hours, there were multiple levels to the program; strength, skills, conditioning, cool down, and most importantly MOBILITY!  When you train at such a high volume, your body gets destroyed, so you MUST take care of your body.  I think this is the biggest drawback to competitive CrossFit and why I don’t always recommend for athletes.  We all do CrossFit to be healthier and often times the competitive side does the opposite and tears you a part, mentally and physically.

Why did you choose this particular method of training?

For the purpose of making it to the Games for 2014, we committed ourselves to one another as teammates and friends.  We wanted a platform in which we could all do the same work and train together to bring us together as a team.  It gave each and every one of us something to chase after day in and day out, which is needed when you do high volume training.

How do you try to minimize your risk of injuries? And what does your team do for recovery?

Minimizing the risk of injuries is the name of the game in CrossFit.  Those who can train more without injury, get better. Those who get hurt and are sidelined don’t get better.

You have to be smart about your body.  You need to know how to differentiate between pain and soreness. I know that sounds so similar, but there is a big difference.  Working through soreness can be good.  Working through pain can be bad, and lead to long term injuries.

Any final words?

The accountability that our community builds pushes people harder than they would push themselves on their own.  We have some of the best CrossFit Coaches in the state of Indiana and we stick by that statement.

If you are looking for a CrossFit facility near you, I encourage you to do your due diligence.  Every affiliate is independently owned and operated so you will get a different product everywhere you go.  Find the one that feels like “home” to you and you will be in a good place.

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.

The post Interview with the CrossFit NapTown Team 2014 Central East Regional Finalists appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

We all strive for progress. We want to see ourselves improve and grow, whether physically or professionally. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, many of our athlete patients ask us why they are hurting, and not making more progress? What we typically see as a common denominator is a lack of built in deload phases in their workout program.

Many athletes incorporate very little, if any deload phases into their training schedules. Most are focused on pushing the limit at each workout, doing so multiple times a week, and not giving the body any recovery time. This repetitive strenuous demand eventually lead to chronic wear and tear on the joints and muscles, and potentially cause irreversible damage. To prevent this from happening, and to decrease the risk of injuries, I highly recommend a deload phase.

A deload phase is essential for the body to repair connective tissue and restore hormonal balance. Muscles recover much faster than other tissues in the body, due to their increased vascularity. However, connective tissues need longer time for proper recovery. Hence, deloading phases will help decrease the chances of developing tendonitis, tendinosis, and other forms of joint pain.

Did you know you actually get stronger during your recovery phase? Your system adapts to the stress and stimulus (snatch, squat, etc.) during the rest phase, so when you expose your system again to the same stimuli (snatch, squat, etc.), it will handle it in a more efficient manner. In fact, if you constantly stimulate your system without adequate rest, you will put yourself in a deficit mode, and you will actually become weaker.

Here is a recommended breakdown on how to deload:

Plan your deload phase in advance.  Make it part of your workout routine and stick to it. When it is time to deload, just do it. Don’t wait until your progress begins to plateau, or worse yet, you experience irreversible injuries that can only be treated with surgeries. Talk about deload time then.

Deload frequently. Keep your normal rest days during the week, however incorporate a deload phase once a month, during which you should do an active deload. Again, make sure you schedule your deloads in advance and stick to them.  I recommend four to five days after every three weeks of intense training.

Stay active during your deload phase.  By active recovery, I mean you are still active in the gym or box, but the intensity is nowhere near what you would normally do on a typical workout session. Keep your workout at about 50% of the typical load, with very few reps and sets, I recommend two to three exercises each consisting of three sets or five reps. The intent of this is to keep your normal neuro-musculature connection active, without inducing any muscle breakdown or joint and ligament stress.

Use your deload time to improve stability and technique. Work on improving your lift patterns and techniques and form. Also, use this time to incorporate stability work. Many athletes ignore the importance of working out the stabilizers around joints, particularly the shoulders.

Maximize your deload time by incorporating mobility drills.  At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we highly encourage you during those deload phases to incorporate lacrosse ball soft tissue drills, foam rolling drills, including some deep tissue massages, and yoga sessions,  among other mobility techniques. These drills should be targeted to improve thoracic mobility, ankle mobility,  or which ever area you find deficiency and restriction in. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrcBFbYcWK8&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”][youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1e8tIA_MeI&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

Learn from others. Blair Morrison, for example, works out every other day, and often works out three times, if not more, per day. He does this for three weeks, and then typically deloads on the fourth week. Gabe Subry, Anthony Malta, and Mauricio Leal also have workout schedules that you can adapt to fit your personal needs.

Maintain a proper nutritional and sleep regiment. Proper sleep (seven to eight hours) and nutrition are always important for proper recovery. A delaod phase is not a time where you slack off your healthy diet or your sleeping schedule!

Again, make sure you schedule your deloads in advance, and stick to them. A proper deload time will help you get stronger, spare you from hitting a plateau, and improve your chances of avoiding injuries.

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.

The post The Importance of a Deload Phase for Athletes appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Have you accepted the fact that you will always suffer from chronic low back pain? Think again. There are simple steps you can take to ensure you move properly, which in turn will help you eliminate your pain.

In my opinion, traditional medicine has failed to help patients understand their pain, and does little to encourage them to make modifications socially and psychologically, and most importantly, biomechanically. Simple modifications in your lifestyle can help you eliminate your chronic low back pain. By making simple changes in your mechanics, as opposed to treatments that only mask the pain, I believe you will alleviate your symptoms, if not totally make them disappear.

Let me first begin by briefly explaining why I feel so strongly about this particular topic. I have had my share of chronic low back pain throughout the years. My condition, known as spondylolisthesis, is actually quite severe. I used to receive at least two injections per year, among other forms of medication to help me control my pain, which was radiating into my legs and preventing me from being able to walk without pain, let alone enjoy recreational activities. I visited many health care providers, but was never educated on proper mechanics, or proper hip movement to spare the low back. However, through my studies to become a chiropractor, I very quickly realized that I was moving improperly the entire time, which was contributing to my low back pain. Since modifying my mechanics, I have not had an episode of low back pain in over 10 years!

At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, a majority of our patients being treated for low back pain have poor mechanics. They tend to recruit their low back in daily movements, when in fact; they should be using their hips. Daily activities, such as picking objects up off the floor, going from sitting to standing, washing their face, brushing their teeth, tying shoe laces, etc. are often done improperly. Recruitment of the lower back during these simple daily activities can cause micro-trauma to the tissue in the lower back, which in turn can lead to chronic pain.

If moving incorrectly is not enough, our current sedentary lifestyle of constant sitting, whether at the office, in the car, or at home, can also contribute to chronic pain, by inhibiting your core and glutes, which are primary mover muscles and are important in core stability.

Related: Think Sitting Can’t Kill You?

At our affordable chiropractic clinic, we treat patients with a variety of backgrounds, from avid athletes to deskbound individuals, who suffer from chronic back pain. However, we have helped them become in control of their pain, through education and empowerment of a few very simple steps.

1.  Maintain a neutral back. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P01UKraYFGE&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

2. Pick items up from the floor properly. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiQJVD5lcds&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

3. Squat with a neutral back.  Many people believe squatting is only done at the gym when working out. However, we squat all day every day, for example, going from sitting to standing, going up stairs, grabbing your lunch out of the refrigerator, picking things up off the floor, etc. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPHeDo192Us&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

Mastering the techniques in these videos will help you immensely in managing your low back pain.

If you have any questions on proper mechanics, or chronic low back pain, contact our 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.

The post A Simple Way to Manage Your Low Back Pain appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

 Let me begin by highlighting a few of the health risks: 

·      Heart Problems – including increased blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.

·      Pancreatic Over Activity – idol muscles do not respond as well to insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more insulin, which can lead to diabetes.

·      Flabby Abs – core muscles are most active when they are trying to stabilize you, such as when you’re standing or being active.

·      Floppy Glutes – sitting all day causes your butt muscles to become lose, because they are not being used for their main purpose. The gluteus maximus muscle is one the strongest muscles in the human body, but if you don’t use it, you’re going to lose it, and no one wants a saggy butt.

·      Osteoporosis – the more weight you put on your bones, the stronger they become. When you sit all day your bones are not under stress, which causes decreased bone density and can lead to osteoporosis, especially in the female population.

·      Lack of Concentration – extended hours of sitting inhibits your breathing and oxygen intake into the system, including your brain; hence, your thoughts become foggy.

·      Neck Pain – poor posture with prolonged sitting causes neck muscles to become shortened, tense and tight, which can also lead to headaches.

 What Can You Do?

 ·      Take micro-breaks throughout the day, getting off your chair every 20 minutes or so. Take a short walk, or do some simple stretching in your office.

·      Whenever possible, do your work standing up, for example, while talking on the phone.

·      Stretch your hip flexors. Try exercises like the cat camel, and incorporate planks and side planks into your daily routine.

·      Keep a foam roller at your office and use it a few times a day. We have many helpful videos on our YouTube channel.  Foam rolling your back during the day, for example, can be very beneficial.[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1e8tIA_MeI&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

 If sitting is unavoidable, make the most of it: 

·      Sit with a neutral neck over your shoulders.

·      Keep your shoulders down and relaxed.

·      Keep your arms close to your body, with your elbows at 90 degrees.

·      Knees at 90 degrees, with feet on the floor.

·      Use a chair with a lumbar support, or create your own by rolling a small towel and placing it behind your back right above your belt line. 

At our affordable chiropractic clinic, we educate our patients on the importance of good posture. For a healthy lifestyle, movement is imperative. Start moving more today, before you realize you’ve aged and are barely able to ambulate, let alone enjoy an activity.

If pain is keeping you from enjoying activities you were once able to enjoy, call our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic today at 317.449.2020 to see how we can help.

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.

The post Think Sitting Can’t Kill You? Think Again. appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint that connects your jaws to your skull. Temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise known as TMJD, is a disorder of the joint that may create discomfort and pain not only in the joint itself, but the pain may also be sensed around the ear, in the neck area and in the head, often resulting in headaches.

Many of our patients come into our affordable chiropractic clinic, unaware that their symptoms are caused by their TMJD. They often express that their pain is in their neck, around their ear, and up into their head. In addition, many of them describe a sensation of clinching and grinding their teeth, and a feeling of tightness around their jaw. After a thorough exam, we are able to link their symptoms to TMJD.

There is no direct causality of why TMJD occurs, however in most cases it is contributed by tension in the temporal musculature, otherwise known as the temporalis and the masseter muscle, which are the chewing muscles located in your cheek. This tension, that develops, often in forms of trigger points within the muscle fibers, restricts the muscles and joint from their proper function, making the joint problematic and symptomatic.

What can you do to help reduce your TMJD symptoms?

TMJD can be considered a biopsychosocial matter. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we begin by encouraging and educating our patients on the importance of eliminating external factors and stressors, whether emotional or environmental; many are able to do so through meditation, breathing exercises, and journaling.

In addition, maintaining proper mouth posture will help eliminate undue stress on affected muscles. A proper mouth posture is maintained by keeping lips sealed, teeth slightly separated, with your tongue resting just behind your upper teeth. It is important to be aware of your body posture, as well, when driving, eating, and sitting at a desk. We also recommend refraining from chewing gum, and when possible, chew your food equally on both sides.  We do encourage our patients to consult with their dentist, to make sure there is no dental work that needs to be addressed.

An integrated approach to address the TMJD is the most appropriate treatment plan. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we address these symptoms and disorder by administering different soft tissue therapies, and when necessary, we incorporate acupuncture and dry needling into the treatment plan. This approach diffuses the trigger points and the tension that has formed along the jaws and the temporal areas, which will also help reduce anxiety and tension.

If you are suffering from tension in your jaw or neck, are suffering from frequent headaches, or have found yourself clinching and grinding your teeth, call our affordable chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020 to see how we can help.

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.

The post What is TMJ? appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Achilles tendon injuries are common among the active population, especially runners and cross fitters. The pain is typically localized at the far end of the calf, just above the heel where the Achilles tendon inserts into the heel bone.

There are a variety of factors that may contribute to the pain, such as increased activity, improper footwear, increased tension in the calf muscles, as well as poor activation of the hamstrings and glutes. All of these contributing factors lead to inflammation of the tendon, and potentially degeneration, known as tendonitis or tendinosis, or in worse case scenarios, the tendon can rupture.

In most instances, repetitive stress is the biggest contributor to Achilles pain. The repetitive stress caused by, for example, excessive running or cycling, will create increased tension and a lack of flexibility in the musculature, which in turn creates a tug and pull on the tendon, causing it to become inflamed and irritated.

These issues can easily be overcome by adhering to proper flexibility and mobility regiments. We recommend, for example, utilizing a lacrosse ball and a foam roller, as shown by Dr. Charbel in these videos, in order to maintain proper tissue mobility and elasticity; in addition to maintaining a regular routine of stretching and proper strengthening.

At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we evaluate our patients by analyzing the entire kinetic chain of the patient. We do not focus only on the Achilles tendon; we also examine other factors, which may be contributing to the patient’s current symptoms . We begin by analyzing the anatomy of the foot to ensure the patient is wearing the appropriate footwear. We analyze the range of motion at the ankle, knee and hip in a functional manner. We also look at the functionality of the hamstring muscles, the plantar of the foot, the patient’s core, and the activation of the gluteus muscle, just to name a few.

By using the active release technique, along with acupuncture and dry needling, we are able to assist patients in eliminating adhesion, tension and tightness in the muscle. The active release technique, or ART, is a soft tissue treatment that focuses on eliminating the cause of the pain, rather than covering up the symptoms.

At our active release technique chiropractic clinic, our focus is not only to treat the condition, but also to educate our patients on the proper program that will help them with the continuation of their care independently of us once they have reached a balanced state. We encourage our patients to be an active participant in their treatment plan; by positively impacting their prognosis and expediting their healing.

If you suffer from sports injuries, such as, Achilles tendon pain, contact our active release technique chiropractic clinic today at 317.449.2020, to see how the active release technique can benefit you!

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.

The post Achilles Tendon Pain and Active Release Technique appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

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.

The post How Does Dry Needling Work? appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Over the past few centuries, our understanding of pain has evolved to include new contributing factors. Pain is an individualistic experience, however it is also considered a biopsychosocial experience.

Biological Factors

The biological component is simply your body. The organs or tissues, such as ligaments, muscles and/or nerves could be deranged and damaged, thus sending signals to the brain which in turn interprets those signal and decides whether to signal pain or not. We should not ignore the fact that the psychological factor can also affect the biological component of the pain model. States of depression and anxiety can manifest itself in the body, causing tension, spasm and tightness in areas such as the traps, the neck and the jaw.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety and depression, can actually worsen the experience you have with pain. Recent studies show that patients who have a negative psychological condition prior to surgery, such as hip replacement, were prone to a longer period of pain during recovery.

Social Factors

Social factors, such as our work environment, family, or lifestyle, can also influence our perception of pain. Many of our patients report that their pain intensifies when they are at work, or when they are involved in an argument with a significant other. When exposed to a negative social environment, pain intensifies; science contributes this to the brain perceiving the environment as hostile and resorting to a flight and fight mechanism acting as a sense of protection.

Mind Over Matter

These factors contribute to our pain, because pain is perceived at the brain level. One of the most interesting phenomenon of pain is that it is not necessarily an experience at the site of the pain. For example, you might have a herniated disc, but you will not be aware of it until your brain decides to signal that the tissue is harmful, at which point you will feel the pain in your back.

Scientific findings have proven that there are individuals with disc degeneration, herniated discs, rotator cuff tears, bulging discs, etc.  who are completely asymptomatic. This reinforces my previous statement, that the pain is an experience at the brain level affected not only by the tissue but also by your mood and your perception of your environment. If the brain decides to signal that, for example, the disc bulge is harmful, then it is at that point that you will feel the pain which is a form of protection to alert us that there is a need for modification.

At Integrated Health Solutions, an affordable chiropractic clinic, we educate our patients on the cause of their pain. We explain to them that pain is not necessarily a direct correlation in the harm of the tissue, but instead the pain is simply a signal for the need of modification. When patients understand that the pain is not creating more damage to the injury, we actually find they experience a reduction in pain.

At our Indianapolis Chiropractic clinic, we strive to educate our patients on the different factors that affect pain, in hopes of expediting their healing. Through this education, in most cases, the patients are able to reduce the external factors that negatively affect their pain experience, whether it is psychological or environmental, by doing so, it helps us obtain our goals in fewer visits.

If you’ve been dealing with pain, and would like to learn more about the factors that may be contributing to it, contact our office 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.

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