This week on the Atlas Total Health Blog, we wanted to highlight a very popular and helpful treatment option called Dry Needling. Many people have come to our offices asking about this service so we wanted to go over some helpful tips about this particular therapy. 

SPECIAL NOTE: This service is offered at our Tennessee based Atlas Total Health clinics. Dry needling is not available at our Georgia locations.

5/24/2023 By: Alex Earl, DC Spine Care Specialist  Do you have a tight muscle in your neck, shoulder or low back? If so, you could be a candidate for myofascial dry needling treatments. Now, dry needling is oftentimes associated with acupuncture, so today’s article is specifically written to help clear the air on the similarities between the two treatments (and the key differences). Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by healthcare professionals, including chiropractors, to manage musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck, shoulder, and back areas. It involves inserting fine needles into tender points or tight bands of muscle to alleviate pain and improve muscle function. Here are a few ways in which dry needling might work and its potential benefits.

Neurophysiological Effects

Dry needling stimulates sensory nerves, which can lead to various responses in the body. It can promote the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins and reduce the transmission of pain signals to the brain. Another component that is frequently associated with dry needling is the concept of “trigger points”. While the jury is still out on the exact diagnostic criteria for identifying trigger points, it is fair to label what we feel in our tight muscles as “tender spots”. Tender spots are hyperirritable knots or areas within muscles that can cause referred pain and restricted movement. Dry needling targets these points, causing them to release and relax. This process can improve muscle flexibility and decrease muscle tension. Once this muscular tension has reduced, patients can move more freely through their restricted joints, especially in the neck and low back. This provides a wonderful “window of opportunity” to then apply a chiropractic adjustment to the area for maximal therapeutic effects!

Improved Blood Flow

Another interesting aspect of dry needling is through a mechanism called the “Damage effect”. Whereby, we are induced an injury underneath the skin when the needle punctures the superficial layers. This injury causes a small injury, which stimulates nitric oxide and, as a result, new blood flow into the area to heal the damaged cells (from the needle). Inserting needles into specific areas can increase blood circulation to the affected muscles. Enhanced blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissues while removing waste products, facilitating healing and reducing inflammation.

Muscle Relaxation

By far, the most common response to dry needling treatment is the reduction in muscle tightness. The insertion of needles can help relax overactive muscles by interrupting the neural feedback loop between the muscle and the central nervous system. It can help reduce muscle spasms, ease muscle tightness, and restore normal muscle function.

Similarities to Acupuncture

Both acupuncture and dry needling use a solid, filiform needle. The reason it is called “dry needling” is because there is no possible method of transmitting a substance either into or out of the body. When you get your blood drawn, for example, blood is able to transfer from you through the needle, therefore, it is called a “wet needle”. We can use the calculator analogy to explain the similarities: both accountants and actuaries use a calculator. Additionally, both acupuncture and dry needling place the needle in local tender spots. In fact, researchers have looked at the location of commonly found tender spots and analyzed their location to acupuncture points. They found that a shockingly large percentage of tender points overlay the exact acupuncture points found in the body.

Differences to Acupuncture

There are two significant differences between acupuncture and dry needling. 1. The Intent of the practitioner If your provider’s intent is to treat a localized tender spot of muscle, then they are most likely doing dry needling. An example of this would be when the practitioner needles the upper trapezius muscle in a patient who has headaches. If your provider’s intent is to treat a global strategy to improve a specific illness or condition, then they are most likely doing acupuncture. An example of this would be when the practitioner needles the hand, skull, ear and calf muscle for headaches.  2. Total Treatment Time Probably the biggest difference between acupuncture and dry needling is total treatment time. Acupuncture could involve 30-45 minutes of global needling, moxibustion, and some other forms of manual therapy. Dry Needling might last a maximum of 2-3 minutes.  It's important to note that dry needling should be performed by a trained and licensed healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, who has expertise in the technique and a comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal conditions. Each patient's condition should be evaluated individually to determine if dry needling is appropriate and to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Real Life Case Study: “Dry Needling helped my headaches!”

Recently, one of our patients came to our Fort Oglethorpe office with headaches. She was really suffering and we discussed how dry needling might be an option for her long-term recovery. Since we can’t do dry needling in Georgia, we got her scheduled with our East Ridge, Tennessee office, where she was able to get almost immediate relief. After helping this patient overcome her headaches, by using a combination of chiropractic care and dry needling, this patient was able to continue playing with her grandkids. The headaches were interfering with her ability to play with her grandkids, which was really important as school ends and she helps take care of them during the summer months!

Do this next!

Question & Closing paragraph

1. Share this Article with a Friend or Family member who currently has headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain and/or low back pain!
2. Call our office TODAY at (866) 668-0108 to book your next appointment!
3. Keep an eye out for next week’s article!

This week on the Atlas Total Health Blog, we wanted to highlight a common supplement prescribed by healthcare facilities and nutrition professionals - Magnesium. It’s often described as a natural muscle relaxation supplement, but WHO should be taking magnesium and how much? The answers to these questions (and much, much more!) are going to be covered in today's article. 

SPECIAL NOTE: Read all the way to the end of the article, read a real life case study and how magnesium helped one of our patients overcome crippling back pain.

5/8/2023
By: Alex Earl, DC
Spine Care Specialist 

It's no secret that magnesium is an essential mineral that our bodies need to function properly. From regulating blood pressure and supporting heart health to helping with nerve function and muscle relaxation, magnesium is involved in a wide range of bodily processes. 

However, in my 8+ years of treating patients, the #1 most often overlooked aspect of magnesium is its effect on sleep.

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that sleep is a luxury rather than a necessity. But the truth is that getting enough sleep is crucial for our overall health and wellbeing. Sleep is when our bodies repair and regenerate, and it's also essential for cognitive function and emotional wellbeing.

There is a direct correlation between sleep quantity, quality and overall pain. 

Please note: This is a correlative statement, not a causative statement. Ice cream sales and crime both increase in the summer months. That does NOT mean ice cream sales cause increases in crime. The two sets of data are correlated. It is the same when it comes to sleep and pain states. 

Unfortunately, many of us struggle with getting enough sleep. Whether it's due to stress, anxiety, or physical discomfort, sleep disturbances can have a major impact on our quality of life. 

This is where magnesium comes in.

Studies have shown that magnesium supplementation can improve sleep quality and duration, particularly in people with insomnia or other sleep disorders. Magnesium works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and rest. This can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

But the benefits of magnesium don't stop there. 

For patients with neck, back, shoulder, knee, and/or hip pain, magnesium supplementation can be a game-changer. Magnesium has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in the body. This can be especially beneficial for patients with chronic pain conditions.

Additionally, magnesium plays a key role in muscle function and relaxation. When our muscles are tense or tight, it can lead to pain and discomfort. But by promoting muscle relaxation, magnesium can help alleviate these symptoms and improve overall mobility and flexibility.

So if you're struggling with sleep issues or chronic pain, magnesium supplementation may be worth considering. Of course, it's always important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you're taking any medications or have any underlying health conditions.

In conclusion, magnesium is a powerful mineral with a wide range of health benefits, from promoting sleep and relaxation to reducing inflammation and pain. By incorporating magnesium into your wellness routine, you can help support your body's natural healing processes and live an active and healthy lifestyle.

When it comes to neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, and hip pain, magnesium may offer unique benefits that can help alleviate these conditions. For example, studies have shown that magnesium can help improve joint mobility and flexibility, which can be especially helpful for patients with arthritis or other degenerative joint diseases.

In one study, researchers found that magnesium supplementation helped reduce joint pain and stiffness in patients with osteoarthritis. Another study found that magnesium supplementation was associated with a lower risk of hip fractures in older women. This suggests that magnesium may play a role in maintaining bone health and preventing age-related bone loss.

In addition to its effects on joint health, magnesium may also be helpful for patients with muscle pain or soreness. For example, athletes and other active individuals may experience muscle cramps or soreness after intense workouts or physical activity. By promoting muscle relaxation, magnesium may help alleviate these symptoms and improve overall recovery time.

Another common condition that magnesium may also be beneficial for is patients with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a complex condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms. While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, some researchers believe that magnesium deficiencies may play a role.

In fact, studies have shown that fibromyalgia patients may have lower levels of magnesium in their blood than healthy individuals. This has led some researchers to suggest that magnesium supplementation may help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Of course, it's important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of magnesium for patients with various types of pain. Additionally, magnesium supplementation may not be appropriate for everyone, and it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

That being said, there are many potential health benefits of magnesium, from promoting sleep and relaxation to reducing inflammation and pain. 

By incorporating magnesium-rich foods into your diet, such as leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains, and potentially supplementing with magnesium, you may be able to support your body's natural healing processes and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Real Life Case Study: “I finally got a good night’s sleep!”

Recently, a new patient came in for low back related treatment. After going through her complete health history, physical exercise history and her long-term goals, we set forth a plan (together) to help her overcome her back pain. 

We put the plans into motion and started seeing almost immediate improvement. But, as with most things in life, there were some minor setbacks. She experienced some frustrating nights with very little sleep - due to the discomfort in her back. 

After hearing her concerns about her muscles not relaxing during the night, she was concerned about her “ever getting a good night’s sleep again”. 

Perhaps you can relate? Maybe you, too, have back or neck pain that interrupts and interferes with your precious sleep? If so, you should consider giving us a call to map out your options. They might be as simple and straightforward as it was for our patient this week, who, after one week of magnesium supplementation, came roaring into our Fort Oglethorpe office proclaiming, “I FINALLY got a good night’s sleep!” 

Not only did she feel well rested and rejuvenated, BUT her low back problem was significantly reduced in overall sensitivity because she was able to sleep uninterrupted. It’s not that the magnesium cured her low back pain overnight, but it provided a wonderful window of opportunity for her low back to rest, recover and be restored by allowing the benefits of sleep to take control.

Do this next!

Maybe you (or someone you know) is in a similar situation to our 56 year old sciatica patient? If so, I have great news for you today… You are in the right place for relief. Every day, Chattanooga and North Georgia residents are getting the same relief as our recent patient. If you’d like to learn more about your options for overcoming spine pain, do the following: 

1. Share this Article with a Friend or Family member who currently has a stiff spine (or it sounds like they need a good “stretch”!)
2. Call our office TODAY at (866) 668-0108 to book your next appointment! 
3. Keep an eye out for next week’s article! 

This week, we’ve had an influx of patients asking us about leg pain coming from what appeared to be a peripheral nerve, also known as peripheral neuropathy. Have you been told you have neuropathy? A common symptom of neuropathy is a sensation of either burning, tingling or numbness down one (or both) legs to the foot. It is very common in diabetics and individuals with hypertension. Peripheral neuropathy also responds really well to natural treatments. Read ALL of today’s blog, so that you can better understand if this type of natural treatment is for you if you’re currently suffering with peripheral neuropathy.

4/27/2023 By: Alex Earl, DC Spine Care Specialist Do your feet burn, tingle or go numb? If so, you might be suffering with a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that can cause a wide range of painful symptoms, including tingling, numbness, and burning sensations in the hands and feet. While there are many possible causes of peripheral neuropathy, the condition can be challenging to treat and manage, particularly in cases where the underlying cause cannot be addressed. Chiropractic care and physical medicine may offer a natural solution to help alleviate neuropathic symptoms and improve quality of life for patients. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate the musculoskeletal system and can provide targeted treatments to address any associated issues, such as nerve impingement. By working in collaboration with other healthcare professionals and taking a holistic approach to treatment, chiropractic care may be able to help patients overcome the pain and discomfort of peripheral neuropathy. Several factors can increase a person's risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, especially lower extremity neuropathy. Here are some of the most common risk factors:

1. Diabetes: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, particularly if their blood sugar levels are poorly controlled.
2. Aging: As people age, they may be at a higher risk of developing peripheral neuropathy.
3. Alcohol abuse: Chronic alcohol abuse can damage nerves and increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
4. Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins like B12 and folate can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
5. Certain medications: Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and certain antibiotics, can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
6. Autoimmune diseases: Certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
7. Infections: Certain viral or bacterial infections, such as Lyme disease, can increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
8. Hereditary factors: Some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing peripheral neuropathy.

It's important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will develop peripheral neuropathy, and some people without any known risk factors may still develop the condition. If you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider to know your options for relief and long-term solutions BEFORE it gets any worse. In diabetic peripheral neuropathy, the nerves become sensitized due to a combination of factors, including chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances. When blood sugar levels are consistently high, it can cause damage to the nerves, leading to a breakdown in their ability to transmit signals effectively. Over time, the nerves become hyperactive and hypersensitive, leading to the characteristic symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, including pain, tingling, and numbness. While there are pharmaceutical options available to manage the symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, they often come with a host of side effects and may not address the underlying cause of the condition. This is where natural treatments, such as vitamins and changes in diet, lifestyle, and stress management, can be some of the best long-term solutions for managing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Some important (and often overlooked) solutions include several vitamins and nutrients which have been shown to be beneficial in managing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. For example, vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in nerve health and function, and a deficiency in this vitamin can contribute to peripheral neuropathy. Similarly, vitamin D has been shown to be important for nerve function, and low levels of this vitamin have been linked to an increased risk of peripheral neuropathy. Other nutrients that may be helpful in managing peripheral neuropathy include alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, and magnesium. These nutrients can help to reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and alleviate symptoms. Another important factor to consider is nutritional changes. Making changes to your diet can also be an effective way to manage diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Eating a diet that is rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods and low in processed foods and refined sugars can help to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation in the body. A diet that is high in protein and healthy fats can also be beneficial, as it can help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is a common complication of diabetes. Eating grass-fed meat is a wonderful way to increase protein intake. The quality of red meat does matter in this case. I do not advise you avoid red meat while going through a peripheral neuropathy situation. In my experience, avoiding the foods that are high in sugar and seed oils are the quickest way to reduce the severity of symptoms. Seed oils include canola oil, grapeseed oil, safflower and sunflower oils. These ALL cause a massive spike of inflammatory markers in the blood and are very detrimental towards your optimal health goals. Certain lifestyle changes can also be helpful in managing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Regular exercise, for example, can help to improve blood sugar control, reduce inflammation, and improve nerve function. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises, can also be helpful in managing the stress that can exacerbate peripheral neuropathy symptoms. While natural treatments may take longer to show results than pharmaceutical options, they can provide a more sustainable and long-term solution to managing diabetic peripheral neuropathy. By addressing the underlying causes of the condition, such as chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, these treatments can help to improve nerve function and reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Additionally, they often come with fewer side effects and can provide other health benefits beyond just managing peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be a debilitating condition that can greatly impact a person's quality of life. However, there are natural treatments available that can help to manage the symptoms and improve nerve function over time. By incorporating vitamins and nutrients into your diet, making healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle, and managing stress, you can take a proactive approach to managing your diabetic peripheral neuropathy and improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Real Life Case Study: “Feels like my feet are on fire.”

This week, we had a gentleman arrive for his appointment with the chief complaint of tingling and burning sensations down his legs. After assessing his presentation, we came to the rational conclusion that he is most likely suffering with peripheral neuropathy. But identifying the condition is only ½ the battle. Now that we know what the most likely cause of his symptoms was, we then can start to rationally formutate our clinical decision making to help him overcome this tricky situation! The first step we took for this particular patient was addressing the two “lowest hanging fruit” to aid him in the relief he was looking for AND also putting him on the path towards optimal health. We placed him on a gluten-free, dairy-free, and high protein meal plan for 7 days. That’s the intake component. We also agreed to avoid sugary drinks, such as lemonade, soda pop, and sweet tea. (I know, right!) We increased his water intake from 0 ounces per day to 24 ounces. Baby steps. The other component we addressed was the movement aspect. He needs to be moving and stimulating his skeletal muscles. So, we had him walk for 10 minutes after each meal to help regulate his blood sugar levels. That’s it; just a slow-paced walk for 10 minutes, 3 times a day. After 7 days, the peripheral neuropathy symptoms were 90% resolved. That’s 90 PERCENT. Pretty cool, huh?!

Do this next!

Maybe you (or someone you know) is in a similar situation to our 56 year old sciatica patient? If so, I have great news for you today… You are in the right place for relief. Every day, Chattanooga and North Georgia residents are getting the same relief as our recent patient. If you’d like to learn more about your options for overcoming spine pain, do the following:

1. Share this Article with a Friend or Family member who currently has peripheral neuropathy (or it sounds like they do!)
2. Call our office TODAY at (866) 668-0108 to book your next appointment!
3. Keep an eye out for next month’s article, which will be about our #1 Spine Strategy that our patients have called, “The Best Stretch” they’ve ever had for that one tricky spot of their spine. If you have spine stiffness, you know the spot I am referring to!