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Why Don’t I Hold My
Adjustment?
Dr. Wayne Neal
This is a question I am occasionally
asked. Most patients hold their
adjustments well, but some do not.
Different factors play a role in how well you hold your alignment. There are two common reasons why you may not
hold.
First, is a change in
the way your spine is misaligned. This
can be caused by something simple like a hit to the head getting out of the car
or lifting a heavy object. It could be
something more serious like an accident or recent surgery. Anything that changes the formula we use to
adjust your spine can cause problems.
The solution is simple. All that is needed is new x-rays of the
spine. I can recalculate your formula
from the new film and the adjustment usually holds much better.
The second reason for not holding an adjustment
is ligament weakness. This is tougher to
correct. To understand why, it is
important to understand what ligaments are and what purpose they serve.
What are Ligaments?
Ligaments are the
connective tissue that holds the joints of the body together. Ligaments connect bone to bone and tendons
connect muscle to bone. Ligaments are
made up of about 66% water. This is why
it is so important to drink plenty of water.
(For more information see the article I did in August 2006.)
The solid part of ligaments is made up of
mostly collagen. Most people think of
collagen as the tissue that keeps the skin looking young. It is also important
in keeping the joints of the body functioning properly. Collagen is the tissue that holds the body
together like glue. When a horse is said to be sent to the glue factory,
collagen is the material used to make glue.
The Effects of Nutrition on
Ligaments
The process of making collagen for the ligaments requires
several vital vitamins and minerals. If
sufficient amounts of these are not present, the ligaments will be weakened.
The minerals zinc, copper, and iron as well as the vitamins A, B, and C are
essential for strong ligaments. Eating
whole foods that are rich in these nutrients will help to repair weak
ligaments. It is also important to avoid
processed foods, because they help tear down collagen production and weak
ligaments result.
I have
noticed that patients who were on certain medications seemed to have a tougher time
holding adjustments. After researching Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular
Medicine by Drs. Bralley and Lord, I found the reason why. Certain medications actually deplete the body
of nutrients. This list shows some of
the medications that remove one or more of the vitamins or minerals used to
make ligaments. This results in weaker
ligaments that do not hold the joints together properly. Supplements may help to counteract the
effects of the medications Of course, talk with your doctor about your medications
before making any changes.
It is also interesting to note that
tobacco depletes the body of Vitamin C.
Smoking and using other forms of tobacco can cause weak ligaments. If
you would like to stop, I suggest The
Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Alan Carr. This is the best program I have
seen, because it was written by a chain smoker who stopped a hundred cigarettes
a day habit.
Medical Conditions Causing Weak
Ligaments
Certain medical conditions will cause your ligaments to be
weak. Rheumatoid arthritis, Marfan’s
syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome cause laxity of the ligaments. Women seem
to have more problems than men. According to David J. Magee, Ph.D., the ratio
is 5 to 1 and could be related to hormones.
An example of this is how pregnant women have limber ligaments to allow
for the birth of the baby.
Other problems related to weak ligaments are degenerative joint
disease, history of auto accidents or trauma, fibromyalgia, diabetes,
inactivity, and being overweight. Of
course the natural aging process results in a decrease of ligament
stability. You can’t turn time back, but
there are things you can do.
Steps to Stronger Ligaments
If you are not holding your
adjustment well, here is a plan for you to follow:
First, start drinking filtered or distilled water. Since
ligaments are 2/3’s water, make sure you get enough. (Read the September
2006 article for more details.)
Second, eat whole foods that provide the body with what it needs
to make and repair strong ligaments.
(Read the November 2006 article for more
details.)
Third, consider taking supplements to replace deficient vitamins
and minerals required to make collagen.
Fourth, start doing an easy workout that is fun and easy on the
joints. This well help increase ligament and decrease weight at the same time.
(Read the December 2006 article for more details.)
Fifth, read Prolo Your
Pain Away by Dr. Ross Hauser. This
book is the best I have seen on a natural treatment of damaged ligaments and
tendons.
As you are seeking an answer to
your problem, remember what the late Dr. J.K.
For further information on this
topic, you may contact Dr. Neal at 770.952.5353, by email at DrNeal@humberparkerson.com, or
visit our clinic on the web at www.HumberParkerson.com.
The Highest Level is the monthly
e-mail newsletter of the Humber Parkerson Clinic and is designed to empower our
patients and the general public to make informed decisions on issues of
nutrition, lifestyle, and spinal care.
To receive The Highest Level each month, e-mail your request to HighestLevel@humberparkerson.com.
© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2007
July 2007 issue of The Highest Level
