Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
SIBO and Diverticulitis Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In this blog I wanted to talk about 2 conditions that may not seem related at 1st glance but are more closely related than you may think! These conditions are diverticulitis and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). In both …
Constipation and Diarrhea Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Every week I get calls asking about how to deal with digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea. In fact, constipation and diarrhea are the 2 most common concerns that people have when it comes to health. But what …
Pulled Back Muscles or Muscle Strain
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Experiencing a pulled muscle or muscle strain is probably one of the causes of back pain that almost everyone has heard of. Whether you’ve experienced it yourself or know someone who has experienced it a muscle strain is probably one of the most well-known causes of back pain. What are the symptoms of a pulled muscle? What are the risk factors for pulling or straining the muscles in the back? And lastly what can you do to help reduce the painful symptoms? Let’s get into it, shall we?
To start off, what types of symptoms can you experience with a strained muscle? The first signs of a pulled muscle or mild muscle strain are usually pain or tenderness as well as limited motion. You may notice getting in and out of bed or even shifting into a seated position triggers pain. In addition to the pain there may also be muscle weakness. On the surface the skin may appear red and, in some cases, even swollen. In some case’s bruising may occur. (1) Muscle strains are usually classified as either acute or chronic. In an acute strain the symptoms usually occur at once as compared to a chronic strain where the symptoms develop slowly over time. (2)
Before I get into the risk factors for pulled or strained muscles, I want to talk about what exactly a pulled or strained muscle is. Basically, a muscle strain is an injury to a muscle/tendon. Typically, strains are most common in the lower back and in the hamstrings (in the legs). They can range from minor (simply an overstretched with only a few muscle cells torn) up to severe which can involve partial or even completely torn muscles. Muscle strains are usually assigned a rating on a scale from grade 1-3. In this blog we are focusing on grade 1. (1) Please see the following pictures for a strained or pulled muscle. (2)
I would like to point out that minor strains may be treated at home however if the symptoms worsen despite treatment or if there is numbness/ tingling or intolerable pain it is important to see a doctor. (1)
Risk factors for a muscle strain can include taking part in contact sports such as soccer, football and boxing. Acute strains can be caused by lifting something heavy. (1) Poor flexibility or sudden movements can also trigger a muscle strain. (2) In my clinical experience awkward motions can trigger a muscle strain and pain. For example, recently one of my Invite customers reported a muscle strain after he dropped a fork and “stood up funny” after reaching to pick it up. A strain may also be caused by not warming up properly or by just too much overall physical activity/ effort. Over training may overwork and even weaken the muscles. (2) Repetitive motion may also trigger chronic muscle strain. (1) Lastly, earlier injuries may increase the risk of a muscle strain. (2) So, what can you do?
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Back Pain – Introduction Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND I wanted to do a series on a topic that on the surface seems simple BUT in reality, is anything but simple. This topic is back pain. Now I know what you are thinking, but Dr. Claire …
How Certain Foods and Medications Can Impact Dental Health Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In my last blog on dental health, I will be reviewing the foods and medications that can negatively affect our teeth and overall dental health. What can you do if you are …
Healing After Dental Work
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
When it comes to dental health one of the most frequent questions, I get asked is what should I take after I get dental work? In this blog I will be reviewing supplements that promote dental health and are overall good for healing. When it comes to dental work this blog can be a good starting point. It is always helpful to speak to an Invite Nutritionist to determine which nutrients are best for your specific dental work. That said, let us get into it, shall we?
Now I know what you are thinking, but Dr. Claire, all these things are important for both improving the healing process and promoting our immune health. While that is important, what about pain after dental work? Well, no worry! I am going to talk about that now! Just as an aside the 3 natural anti-inflammatories I will be talking about (turmeric, ginger, and bromelain) can all thin the blood so if you are on any medications, please speak to an Invite nutritionist to determine which of these would be best for you. (7) In my clinical experience it is best to wait until after dental work is complete to use these so that you can reduce the risk of increased bleeding.
Overall, the nutrients I have focused on here promote healing, immunity, and pain reduction. In my clinical experience as a Naturopathic doctor I have found that addressing these concerns after dental work can help to promote and even speed up the healing process.
Our last blog on this topic will be on the foods and different medications that can affect our teeth and dental health.
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