Gerber Chiropractic

Chiropractic Care Can Bring Relief from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

As much as 10% of the U.S. population suffers from the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, which is commonly referred to as RLS. This condition runs the gamut from mildly irritating sensations to outright pain and sleep deprivation. Some people choose to seek traditional medical help for RLS. Typically, this means treatment with various drugs. The alternative is treatment by a chiropractor, which has been shown to yield better results that do not require the need to introduce additional medications into a daily routine.

RLS is mainly characterized by unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities. Most people experience these sensations as a feeling of creeping or tugging. Frequently, sufferers cite the almost overwhelming urge to move their legs. Symptoms can be immediately relieved by standing up and moving around, but since symptoms most often occur when the sufferer is attempting to relax or fall asleep, this is not a permanently workable solution.

When consulted about RLS, a medical professional is likely to make several recommendations. People dealing with RLS may try to limit their intake of alcohol and caffeine to alleviate symptoms. Hot baths, massage and moderate exercise may all help reduce the frequency or severity of symptoms. However, chiropractic care has been shown to relieve the worst of the symptoms of RLS.

Chiropractors recognize RLS as a neurologic disorder. As a result, they conduct a thorough examination of the nervous system to determine whether or not it is the cause of RLS. Additionally, chiropractors work to correct extremity instability and make adjustments to the lumbo-sacral and pelvic regions in an effort to reduce symptoms. Some patients may receive advice regarding exercises and stretching they can do on their own to improve symptoms and reduce occurrences.

Here is an interesting article in WEBMD called “8 Lifestyle Tweaks for Restless Legs Syndrome.”

While there is no known cure for RLS, the care of a health professional can go a long way toward relieving suffering and allowing people with RLS to get the excellent quality sleep that they need in order to function. RLS can have a seriously detrimental effect on the sufferer's quality of life, but this can be changed with the care of a chiropractor.

Your Health . . . It’s Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Chiropractic Care Can Alleviate the Symptoms of Vertigo

For some people, vertigo is simply the title of a classic Hitchcock film.  However, for many others it's something far more serious.  Vertigo is most clearly defined as uncontrollable dizziness.  Severe forms of the disorder can lead to nausea and vomiting, and the condition can make it difficult for the sufferer to function on a daily basis.  

Vertigo may be the result of a few different conditions.  One of these, cervicogenic vertigo, originates from joints in the neck that are misaligned and functioning improperly.  Essentially, this condition represents an interruption in the nervous system.  Another frequent cause of vertigo is an imbalance in the inner ear.  It is the inner ear that enables the human body to find and maintain balance.  However, when the tubes and sensors in this system accumulate debris, wrong signals can be sent to the brain. The result is vertigo.

Regardless of the cause of vertigo, it is likely that chiropractic treatments can treat and even correct the problem.  A series of chiropractic manipulations administered over the course of several appointments can begin to alleviate symptoms.  As alignment begins to normalize, the function of the nervous system improves.  Moreover, the chiropractor may assign exercises that the client can do on their own time which can also contribute to recovery from vertigo.

As Chiropractors, we take an interest in the total wellness of our patients.  That's why we will ask questions about habits of diet, nutrition and exercise.  We also need to know whether or not the patient is using antihistamines or sleeping pills.  Drinking alcohol or caffeine and use of tobacco products can all trigger or exacerbate vertigo symptoms.  Accordingly, as chiropractors  we may make lifestyle modification suggestions that can also help people to experience fewer bouts of vertigo.  By being up front with their caregiver, and making an effort to change lifestyle habits, the patient can greatly increase their chances of overcoming vertigo.

Vertigo can seriously and detrimentally impact anyone's quality of life.  However, it's possible to address this condition and its underlying causes.  Make an appointment with Gerber Chiropractic to learn about the available treatments.

Health & Wellness . . . You're Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Chiropractic Care Can Alleviate Hand and Arm Numbness

A loss of sensation or numbness of the arms and hands can sometimes signal a serious physical problem. Additionally, there's a lot of psychological and emotional distress that comes from not being able to use your hands and arms the way you're accustomed to doing. This numbness may interfere with your ability to work, make it difficult for you to care for your family and prevent you from participating in the relaxing pastimes that make life more enjoyable.

Clearly, it's important to have such problems diagnosed quickly. However, these symptoms are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. While patients experiencing numbness may suffer from carpal tunnel, many others experience numbness for another reason.

People who visit a chiropractor while suffering from numbness of the hands and arms may receive a diagnosis of a pinched nerve or a spinal subluxation. Usually, these symptoms originate from a misalignment in the neck, and can be alleviated through chiropractic care. Nerves found in the neck are responsible for control of the hand and arm. Consequently, treatment of a cervical spine misalignment can result in the return of sensation to the arm and hand, as well as a lessening of pain.

On the initial chiropractic visit, the chiropractor fully examines the patient's neck, arms and hands to determine the cause(s) of the symptoms. After a careful diagnosis, the treatment to correct the root of the problem can begin. An examination reveals the origination point of the problem, and the chiropractor works to correct the problem.

Many chiropractic clients begin to experience symptom relief with their very first visit. Although the problem may require continuing care, the duration of which may vary depending on the condition. Patients should note a steady improvement in their symptoms for the duration of treatment. As sensation returns and pain lessens, they are able to engage in more and more of their usual activities until their life returns to normal.

Chiropractic care can be the ideal way to diagnose and treat arm and hand numbness that is significantly affecting your quality of life.

Put your health first by calling us now:    702-878-0056

Health & Wellness . . . You're Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Chiropractic Care May Be the Key to Better Sleep

No one can deny that quality sleep is important. A good night's sleep leaves you ready to take on any challenges. Unfortunately, most people suffer from insomnia at some point in their lives. The inability to get quality sleep on a regular basis can lead to all sorts of accidents and medical problems. Clearly, resolving sleep issues is important to enjoying better quality of life.

Most people who have trouble sleeping aren't aware that their condition might be related to problems with their spinal alignment. A misalignment, or subluxation, of the spine causes a disruption in the nervous system which carries signals to the brain. When the nerves and the brain cannot effectively communicate, a stress response is triggered. The body reacts as if it is experiencing a stressful situation, even if you're just trying to sleep.

The body has a number of responses to stress. Among these is the release of cortisol, commonly and appropriately called the stress hormone. Under genuinely stressful situations, cortisol is part of what helps us survive a potentially dangerous situation. However, a spine misalignment can cause the body to think that it needs to make this stress response on an ongoing basis. The result is storage of excess belly fat, a compromised immune system and a thyroid gland that cannot function optimally. Moreover, bones and muscles weaken and it becomes more difficult to sleep at night.

Anyone experiencing sleep difficulties may find it beneficial to discuss their condition with a chiropractor. As health care professionals, chiropractors are concerned with the overall health and well being of their patients. An initial consultation, which is typically much longer than subsequent visits, provides the chiropractor with an opportunity to discuss the patient's history and their current concerns. Through a succession of appointments, a spinal subluxation can be alleviated, range of motion can be restored and better sleep can become a reality.

Good quality sleep means better overall health. If a spinal misalignment interferes with the communication between the nerves and the brain, there's a good chance that it can be corrected and that sleep will accordingly improve.

Health & Wellness . . . You're Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Addicted to Caffeine, What Next?

Every morning, millions of Americans go through the same routine; feeding caffeine addictions. And for many, feeding caffeine addictions is becoming necessary in the afternoon too. If you think your caffeine consumption might be out of control, you're not the only one. Whether you have been feeding a caffeine addiction for just a few months or years, you can get rid of those cravings and the feeling of being a java junkie.

Caffeine is found in many products like soft drinks, tea, energy drinks and even medications. It's not just coffee that is the culprit of our addiction. However, coffee is the leading reason why so many adults get addicted to caffeine in America. With three 8-ounce cups of coffee per day, you are still within moderate consumption according to the National Institutes of Health, but if you are drinking more than that, such as 8 to 10 cups of coffee per day, you might be in trouble.

People who suffer from caffeine addiction often get headaches and go through periods of brain fog if they don't have another cup of coffee to boost their caffeine levels. You can even experience caffeine withdrawals. Johns Hopkins University researchers conducted a study with the American University in Washington, DC.

They identified common symptoms of caffeine addiction to be:
•    Headaches
•    Concentration difficulties
•    Irritability
•    Depression
•    Fatigue or sleepiness
•    Flu symptoms like vomiting, nausea and muscle aches

Symptoms typically began about 12 to 24 hours after no caffeine was ingested into the body. Some subjects even had symptoms that caused them to completely stop working.

Caffeine tolerance is a growing problem. Daniel Evatt is a Ph.D. who conducted research at Johns Hopkins Medical School. Dr. Evatt says that people can build a tolerance for caffeine and stop feeling effects, which leads them to need more and more to stay alert.

There are a few easy ways to gradually cut back on caffeine.  You can mix decaffeinated coffee with regular coffee, brew tea for less time (or alternate between herbal tea and regular), drink lattes with more low-fat milk than coffee and choose soft drinks that don't have caffeine.

If your body craves caffeine, or maybe you just feel tired without it, Gerber Chiropractic offers a nutritional analysis which could show if there is one or more nutritional deficiencies causing low energy.  HERE is a sample report showing what our nutritional analysis covers.  Lastly, read the labels on everything you (or your children) eat and drink.

Health & Wellness . . . You're Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

New Research Indicates Differences in How Men and Women Metabolize Drugs

Millions of people experience difficulty sleeping. With jam packed schedules, it's hard to relax and unwind. Living without adequate sleep is frustrating, leading many of those who deal with varying levels of insomnia to use prescribed sleeping medications like Ambien.

However, many of the people who have used Ambien since it received FDA approval in 1992 have experienced detrimental side effects. Sleepwalking, next morning drowsiness and resulting car crashes are just a few. Statistics show that an overwhelming majority of Ambien users who are affected by these side effects are women.

In fact, recent research has demonstrated that women metabolize zolpidem, the active ingredient in Ambien and other sleep improving medications, far more slowly than men. The result is that women still have far more of the drug in their system eight hours after taking it than a man of similar size.

The findings are causing doctors and other scientists to reexamine their understanding of sex differences between men and women. Previous knowledge suggested that outside of hormones and reproductive organs, men and women were largely the same and that their bodies would deal with drug dosages at a similar rate. These latest results show that this may not be the case, and the dosages of many commonly used prescriptions may come under further FDA review.

Such a project would take years, perhaps decades, to complete. In the meantime, recommended dosages for women taking drugs like Ambien are being cut in half. Scientists hope that the smaller doses will be just as effective but have fewer side effects.

While it will ultimately be up to the FDA to decide how it will alter dosage regulations for drugs both old and new, there are still plenty of actions people can take to ensure their health and safety while taking prescribed drugs. Talk openly with a health care provider about all prescriptions, and don't forget to mention any changes in mood or behavior when taking a prescription drug. Open dialog between the patient and the health care provider is the best way to ensure proper dosing and safe use of prescription medications.

This is one more reason why people seek quality chiropractic care at Gerber Chiropractic as a way to explore drug free and nutritional methods of handling some of life's maladies.

Health & Wellness . . . You're Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Medical Disclaimer

Healthier Joints Come with Exercise

Having healthy joints is a key factor in enjoying quality of life over the long run. A joint is essentially the point at which two bones meet. The joint, consisting of cartilage and lubricating synovial fluid, is what makes movement of the human body possible. It also prevents the two bones from rubbing together painfully. Unfortunately, age along with wear and tear can be tough on the joints, causing them to ache and stiffen, and perhaps even develop arthritis.

The good news is that anyone can take steps to improve joint health. Nutrition, diet and maintaining a healthy body weight are both important, but so is movement. Because joints do not receive direct blood supply, exercise is crucial to their health. Regular movement forces synovial fluid into the joints, keeping them lubricated and flexible. Without movement, joints don't get the lubrication they need, and they may become stiff and resist movement.

Adding some aerobic exercise to the weekly routine is a great way to promote joint health. Low impact exercises are particularly beneficial. Walking, bicycling and swimming are all great examples. Essentially, any exercise that elevates the heart rate will get the job done. It isn't necessary to go over the top with aerobic activity. Start with 30 minutes per day, five days a week. Building up to longer sweat sessions over time means more opportunities to lose weight, feel great and improve joint health.

Weight training can also be beneficial for joints. Working out with weights helps build stronger muscles. Muscles, in turn, provide valuable support to joints. This type of training also promotes ligament strength, another advantage for healthier joints. Again, it isn't necessary to train with super heavy weights. Moderate resistance training two to three times a week is all that's required to start feeling the health benefits.

Even when a workout doesn't fit into the schedule, keep in mind that almost any movement can help reduce the likelihood of joint pain. Sitting in front of the computer or television for hours is tough on joints, so make sure to get up and move around periodically.

A few closing thoughts: Always consult a Chiropractor or other Health Care Professional before starting an exercise program. Paragragh 2 includes nutrition as a part of the formula for joint health.  To learn more available Gerber Chiropractic nutritional services, click HERE or on the photo above.  And lastly, here is our Medical Disclaimer.

Health & Wellness . . . You're Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

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As Chiropractors, We Are Health Coaches Too!

As Chiropractors, We Are Health Coaches Too!

The concept of the health coach seems like a recent invention, but it's actually a role that chiropractors have fulfilled for years. That's because chiropractic care focuses on total well-being, something that health coaches are placing an increasing emphasis upon.

The idea behind the health coach is a simple one. As an educator, advocate and sympathetic supporter, the health coach has one goal in mind: the improved well-being of the individual. This may mean that the health coach listens to the concerns of the individual, making inquiries as to issues and concerns that may be affecting quality of life. However, the role of the health coach goes beyond diagnosis. Effective treatment options and new perspectives are introduced. The individual may discover new eating habits or try out an unfamiliar form of exercise. Perhaps daily meditation will become a part of the revamped routine. With the services of a health coach, people may find that they sleep better at night and are more energized during the day. They might lose weight, experience fewer aches and pains and find themselves making new resolutions, like running in a 10k.

In many ways, the roles of the chiropractor and the health coach are one and the same. Chiropractors are singularly adept at listening to their patients to ascertain their concerns and find effective ways of addressing them. A chiropractor not only treats an immediate issue, but also suggests ways to prevent the issue from recurring in the future. We take an interest in the Patient's activity level, their nutritional habits/needs and whether or not they are getting enough quality sleep. It's this overarching concern for every aspect of the patient's life that sets chiropractic care apart from the rest.

Fulfilling the role of a health coach is not a new concept to us as chiropractors. In fact, it's an approach that we have believed in for decades and have utilized with tremendous success. With an individualized focus on each patient's well-being, as chiropractors we are poised to become a knowledgeable and accessible resource for anyone who wants to make the most out of life.

Whether you or someone you know have aches & pains, are tired of having low energy, have nutritional concerns, or want to learn about convenient non-invasive face, body and skin rejuvenation services, contact Dr. John or Dr. Kate today.  We have the experience, knowledge and facilities to help improve your life.

Your Health & Wellness . . . It’s Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Too Much Coffee May Cause Increased Mortality Risk

This week, coffee may be bad ! ! !

For many people, coffee is a great way to start their day. In fact, some people rely so heavily on coffee that they consume the drink throughout the daylight hours and in very large amounts.

A new study suggests that such heavy coffee consumption can have a detrimental effect on the state of the drinker's health. Specifically, people who consume more than four cups of coffee on the average day may be putting themselves at risk for an earlier death than non-coffee drinkers.

The study's results were recently published by the Mayo Clinic. Investigators working from the University of South Carolina in Columbia detailed the coffee drinking habits of 43,727 subjects over the course of an approximately 17 year period. During the study period, 2,512 of the study's subjects died, 32% of which were from cardiovascular disease.

However, the study's authors were more focused on all-cause mortality rather than cardiovascular disease specifically. All-cause mortality includes other causes of death like accidents, suicides, cancer and infectious disease. The findings indicate that male participants who drank more than a reasonable 28 cups of coffee each week increased their risk of mortality by 21%. The news was worse for younger men. Males 55 years of age and younger showed a 56% increased risk over male counterparts who did not drink coffee. Women who were no older than 55 increased their mortality risk by a whopping 113% through heavy coffee consumption.

The authors of the study caution that the results only show an association between heavy coffee consumption and the increased risk of all-cause mortality. The findings do not support an assertion that consuming more than 28 cups of coffee per week caused the deaths of study participants. Nonetheless, it is safe to presume that the study makes a strong argument for limiting coffee intake. Until further research is conducted, scientists say that it is best to limit coffee consumption to two to three cups a day. It is also worth noting that an eight ounce cup should be the guideline rather than the mega sized beverages served by many coffee purveyors.

So last week, coffee was good.  This week coffee could be bad.  Check back next week or subscribe (right column near the top) to see our suggestion for a solution to this dilemma.

Your Health . . . It’s Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber

Will You Accept the June Health Invitation from Gerber Chiropractic?

The beginning of a new year is a typical time for making health related resolutions. However, by the time June rolls around, it can be difficult to recall exactly what those resolutions were. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until January to start making health and fitness resolutions. In fact, the team at Gerber Chiropractic would like to invite (and challenge) you to make the most of the month of June by choosing to improve one or two aspects of your personal fitness.

The reason most resolutions don’t stick is because they are too vague or too extreme to be attainable. A resolution to “lose weight” or “get in shape” isn’t defined enough to give you viable goals to work toward.

Here is why the June Health Invitation is different: You only have to choose one or two specific areas for improvement. Your goals will be clearly defined and you’ll have a full 30 days to start building a couple of new, healthy habits.

We have several ideas for how you can start improving your health. Try 10 minutes of daily meditation. You could increase your physical activity level to 20 to 30 minute sessions two or three times each week. Choose to add one or two more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Those with a soft drink habit might resolve to replace it with water while others might eliminate caffeine. If you have a sweet tooth, it might be time to banish refined sugars. Smokers might strive to decrease their use of tobacco or forego it completely.

Whether you choose one of our suggestions or develop one of your own, we want to hear about your progress. Send us an email to get some encouragement or to share a success story.

Your Health . . . It’s Worth It!

Dr. Kate Gerber & Dr. John Gerber