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Back Health: The Sacroiliac Joint

1/28/2016

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'My hips are out of alignment,twisted or stuck' These are common descriptions people give when they have Sacroiliac(SI) joint dysfunction. 'One hip is higher or one leg is longer' are other common signs. Of course there are many types and intensities within the term dysfunction. It can start as an ache while sitting or driving. Inflammation can progress and make bending forward to tie your shoes a challenge.


The typical presentation of Sacroiliac(SI) joint dysfunction is: worse in the morning, pain with flexion (bending forward), pain with prolonged sitting and relief with walking or gentle motion. These are the typical symptoms but can often show up as one or two of these findings with an additional set of often strange referral pains. Pain down the front of your thigh, tight band across your entire lower back or pain travelling up towards the flank can be attributed to the SI joint. On the rare occasion it can even mimic sciatica.


The mechanism of injury provides useful information. However, there are often no immediate causes and can gradually stiffen up throughout a day or you can just wake up stiff. In these cases


Proper assessment is key to determining which type of dysfunction, if any, there is in a SI joint. Chiropractors are trained to assess mobility and function. It is important to determine whether the joint is bound or too loose as those two scenarios require different treatment strategies. The sacroiliac joint is a complex joint that changes as we age. It translates vertical pressure laterally towards the hips. It needs to be strong yet mobile (within its limited range). There are no muscles that cross the joint in a significant fashion but there are many that influence how it moves. A tight SI joint needs mobilization and stretching whereas a hyper-mobile joint requires strengthening of the surrounding muscles. It is a large joint with complex motion that maybe hyper-mobile in one dimension and limited in another. Typically acutely inflamed SI joints require stretching and mobilization in the early stages regardless of joint stability. The amount of mobilization at this point is key as anything but a gentle motion may further aggravate the situation. Here are some stretches that will help restore motion in a tight or acutely inflamed sacroiliac joint. Make sure you visit your local Chiropractor or other healthcare professional for acute lower back pain.

Dr. Nelson

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Magnesium

1/25/2016

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Magnesium is an important mineral that is often over looked. It is used in over 300 enzymes in the human body. Including every enzyme involved in the energy systems. It is bound to ATP which is the basic currency of energy in our bodies. It's even needed for DNA and RNA synthesis. It is a necessary element for every cell in your body. As a result magnesium deficiency can present in many different ways: muscular symptoms (cramps, spasms, weakness), fatigue, depression,  insomnia, irritability and poor memory. Magnesium is also important in Calcium absorption and utilization, which of course is vital to bone health. It is found in nuts, beans, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. Excessive sugar and alcohol intake can deplete your body of magnesium.

Determining magnesium levels isn't so simple as a large majority is inside bone and cells. Serum levels are tightly controlled at 0.75-0.9 mmol/L by your kidneys. There are a wide variety of supplements that offer differing benefits and drawbacks. Magnesium absorbtion rates tend to be low 20-40% and not all supplements contain the same amount of elemental magnesium. Magnesium oxide is poorly absorbed but high levels of elemental magnesium. Magnesium citrate is absorbed at much higher rates, but the citrate molecule is large compared to magnesium resulting in a smaller portion of elemental magnesium. Large amounts of magnesium citrate can cause diarrhea and is often used as a laxative. Magnesium glycinate, taurate and threonate are forms of magnesium bond to amino acids (proteins). Magnesium taurate is beneficial for heart function as the taurine is known to enhance heart contractions. Magnesium threonate is a new form that is supposed to have an advantage crossing the blood brain barrier. The final forms of magnesium are topic, Magnesium sulfate and chloride. Magnesium sulfate is found in epsom salt and relaxes muscles. Magnesium chloride is often found in oils or lotions and can be used to target specific muscles.

The recommended daily intake of magnesium for a healthy adult male is 400mg/day and for a healthy adult female 310mg/day, however pregnancy can increase demands. 

Dr. Nelson
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    Dr. Matthew Nelson

    A Vancouver chiropractor who pursues the outdoors year round with a passion for health and wellness. 

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