Cupping Therapy Sucks!
I finally got to try out cupping therapy! While the practice dates back to 300 A.D. in Egypt, it was recently made famous by Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer, Michael Phelps, when he showed up on the starting block sporting baseball sized hickeys along his neck, shoulders, and back. Today it is most commonly practiced by Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncturists.
Suction cups of varying sizes are attached to the body, and the suction draws blood to the surface of the skin. Hence, the bruise-like marks. The treatment is said to pull the muscles away from the bone, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, thereby speeding up healing, reducing pain and easing muscle soreness. According to Dr. Houman Danesh, a pain management specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, cupping helps “jumpstart the body’s natural healing process.”
Practitioners will typically use plastic or glass cups. Oil is first applied to the skin to prevent excessive friction and pain as the flesh is sucked into the cup. The vacuum can be created in 2 different ways. 1. Simply pulling on a syringe-like pump to expel the air inside the cup. (This is the type that I experienced) 2. By lighting a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol and holding it inside the cup. When the fire burns out after consuming the oxygen inside the cup, the resulting vacuum creates suction. Skilled practitioners can use techniques to get the pressure just right for each patient and their condition. The cups can be left in place or slowly moved around, the latter of which is referred to as cupping massage; the effect being similar to that of a deep tissue massage. (This is the type that I experienced) Cups are typically left on for three to five minutes. The resulting raised and discolored welts left on the skin will typically vanish in a couple of days, just as with a typical bruise.
After a quick 5 minute back massage to rub in the oils, about 6 cups were then placed along both sides of my spine and across the back of my shoulders and neck. This felt just as you would imagine with some pulling pressure from the suction. When the practitioner began to drag the cups along my muscles, the pain became very intense. It seemed to be much more uncomfortable than an aggressive deep tissue massage. But I just focused on deep breathing and did my best to relax and trust the practitioner’s wisdom. After what seemed to be eternity, (more like 10-20 minutes), and almost having to “tap-out” and cry uncle, She removed the cups and laughed. I was relieved to have survived the treatment and excited to see how I felt over the next few days. The immediate raised bruising along my skin was really gross looking. The soreness along my back, neck and shoulders over the next few days felt like a bruise that was healing or the typical delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) from a killer workout. I have to admit, I did feel better in a few different ways. Like a weight had been lifted from my back and shoulders. Better range of motion and less tension just like I feel with Chiropractic Adjustments. I would recommend this specific practitioner to my patients who are more open to the “no pain, no gain” phenomenon and like to really feel the work physically. I would not recommend this to my patients who are very sensitive to aggressive pressures and overkill who prefer a more gentle touch. I know that there are many cupping practitioners available who can really cater to each patient’s request.
My wife recommended that I don’t share the photos of my back post treatment. She saved you from the grotesque imagery. The discoloration and raised marks fully recovered after 4 days. Emotionally I’m still suffering from the treatment. (Just kidding) As a Chiropractor, I always have fun trying out alternative healing practices. This way I can inform my patients when they ask about these other options as well as refer them to someone that I know and trust.
I tried out cupping therapy in Olathe at:
Therapeutic Massage
Address: 10420 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66061
New Scheduling App for Your Smart Phone!
Scheduling your own Adjustment is even easier than before with the Baltuska Chiropractic Online Scheduling Application for your smart phone!
Follow these 4 easy steps below: (It takes less than 30 seconds)
1. Open your smart phone internet browser and go to my website: www.baltuska.com
2. Touch the button along the bottom panel of your phone that looks like a square with an up arrow (See example images below)
3. Slide the lower panel of buttons until you see the square with a + sign that says “Add to Home Screen” and press it
4. Touch the Add button in the upper right corner of the screen
Now you have successfully added the Baltuska Chiropractic Online Scheduling App Icon to your smart phone. Just touch the app and then choose schedule to see a list of available appointment times. Once you choose a time, just type your name and then your booked!
If you don’t find a day or time that works for you, just call 913-283-9803 for more availability. I look forward to working with you! -Dr. B
Float Tank Sensory Deprivation Chamber
I enjoyed floating in a sensory deprivation chamber much more than I thought I would. The 60 minute float session in 10 inches of body temperature saltwater flew by, and when the lights began to signal that my time was up, I wished that I could stay a bit longer. With the extreme silence, I could hear the rhythmic slow beating of my own heart. With the extreme darkness, I could not even see my hand when held directly in front of my face. As for the sense of touch, if I remained still, it would be almost completely gone. It is recommended to float completely naked so that swimwear clothing won’t distract. My hosts provided simple foam flotation devices to place behind my knees and head, but I quickly threw those to the side to help find the complete sensory deprivation experience. Wax earplugs helped to keep the water out of my head and provided pure silence. And for 60 minutes, NOTHING!
We find ourselves over stimulated this day in age. With our phones, tablets, TVs, watches, and computers, “digital dementia” and “tech neck” are rising in epic proportions. Thus births the need for a chance to unplug and disengage. Floating provides the extreme opposite experience of our hectic daily lives. Sensory deprivation was originally explored by a Neuropsychologist in the 1950’s and has gradually gained popularity since then. Now the current research has deemed it “Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy” or REST, and we need our REST now more than ever before! NBA MVP Stephen Curry reportedly enjoys a float session every 2 weeks. Perhaps this is his secret to becoming the best basketball shooter of all time.
Here is the list of reported benefits of sensory deprivation floating:
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Pain and stress management
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Sports performance and recovery
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Mental development and spiritual growth
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Reduces anxiety, pain and fatigue
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Speeds muscle and injury recovery
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Detoxifies and rejuvenates
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Increases creativity and problem solving abilities
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Helps find clarity, peace, balance, harmony and transcendence
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Helps mind, body and soul all at once. With no effort
Here is a link to watch the 1-hour documentary “Float Nation” on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nHnbKjQGhHw
Here is a couple different locations that you can try it for yourself:
Ad Astra Wellness
1410 Kasold Dr.
Lawrence, KS
http://www.adastrawellness.
Arbor Vitae Wellness Center
7235 Central St.
Waldo, MO
More information about floating from their website:
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The vast majority of the human mental and physical workload is devoted to dealing with the effects of stimulation to ones response system, namely environmental stimulation (gravity, light, sound, temperature, etc). We intake over 4.5million bits of information per second and process just under 2000! This overload has contributed to an increasing trend of neurological and physical imbalance and disease.
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The elimination of stimuli combined with the lesser gravity environment is proven to dramatically counteract these ill effects.
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The “Zero Gravity” environment forces the body into a vascular-dilatory and parasympathetic response phase. This drops muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure, cortisol production and respiratory rate.
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The body’s chemistry changes into a natural mechanism for healing and regeneration.
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This is a state of being that can otherwise only be achieved through very deep focused meditation.
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Harmful stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol have been clinically proven to be lowered, while endorphin production such as dopamine, serotonin, tryptophans and tryptamines tend to rise significantly.
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Brainwave activity lowers into the Theta state or the “Dream State” similar to what is experienced right before sleep.
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The Theta state can be maintained for longer periods, allowing for further creativity and profound states of consciousness.
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This minimal environment also allows one to process past traumas in a healthy way. By simply relaxing, trauma survivors can achieve life changing mental relief.
New Year – New You: Opportunity Awaits
I love the refreshing feeling of starting new by dropping everything and starting over. These feelings are common around the new year. If you have the craving for something new and wish to create a healthier life, we have plenty of opportunities for you to engage in:
Chiropractic: First Adjustment $50 and every return Adjustment $30
Acupuncture: First Session $50 and every return Session $30
Massage: 1 hour for $75
Yoga: $10 per class Every Tuesday at 7:00 pm at Baltuska Chiropractic
Meditation: Free Every Thursday at 7:00 pm at Baltuska Chiropractic
Group Workouts: Free Every Saturday at 8:00 am at Priority Fitness
Food Allergy Testing: $50 Blood sample collection and $220 analysis (may be covered by insurance)
Bulk Meal Prep: $90 Scheduled upon request at your house or at Baltuska Chiropractic
Essential Oils: Shop Online Now or pickup at Baltuska Chiropractic
Berry Sleepy Supplement: Shop Online Now or pickup at Baltuska Chiropractic
Happy New Year from Baltuska Chiropractic!
Call 913-283-9803 or schedule online using this link
Headphones and Peppermints for a Killer Workout
Listen to Music to Achieve a Better Workout
Next time you are gearing up for your workout, don’t forget your headphones. Listening to music while working out is a simple and very effective way to enhance your performance and get more out of your exercise routine.
Research continues to demonstrate that exercisers rate their session with music as much more positive than their session without. Listening to music during your workout boosts your need to tackle the next level of fitness, adopt a more varied regimen of routines and stay focused longer. This can push you past a wall or plateau that you may have hit. Upbeat tracks encourages more speed, allowing many athletes to achieve their personal best record performances while listening to their favorite tunes.
When you are exercising, music can reduce your idea of how hard you have to work. Hearing music you associate with peak performance will fire areas of the brain that deal with your long-term memory. It can inspire you and help you shift up a gear.
While I do see an excellent opportunity to get more efficiency out of the time invested in exercise with music, I can understand that many people might choose to enjoy their workouts in silence and unplugged. This can be a stress-fighting, peaceful, and meditative opportunity in the day that is all too often filled with screen time and being constantly tuned-in to some form of distracting media.
Peppermint is Another Simple Performance Enhancer
The research regarding peppermint reveals that all performance parameters improve, churning out 50 percent more work, 20 percent more power, and a 25 percent greater time to exhaustion. Improvements were found across the board in all those physiological parameters, indicating increased respiratory efficiency. They may attribute these remarkable results to the peppermint opening up their airways, increasing ventilation and oxygen delivery.
Every measurable performance parameter improved, including more than 52 percent more vertical distance and 40 percent more horizontal distance covered. Increased respiratory efficiency proved to be the pivotal factor. The actual physical performance can be enhanced as well. Participants did more push-ups, ran faster and showed a trend toward stronger grip strength in the peppermint odor condition than in the non-odorized control condition.
You can achieve the performance enhancing benefits of peppermint in a few different ways. Diffuse the scent in the room as aromatherapy, apply peppermint oil topically on your upper lip, suck on a peppermint (be careful not to choke), or drink peppermint infused water during your workouts. Purchase some Peppermint Essential Oil from our online store using this link:
Buy doTerra Peppermint Essential Oil
Grab your headphones and peppermints and join us for a free group workout every Saturday morning at 8 am at Priority Fitness 10420 Mastin St. Overland Park, KS.
Natural Alternatives for Heartburn and Acid Reflux Medications
Natural Alternatives for Heartburn and Acid Reflux Medications
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium, Prilosec and Prevacid are taken daily by 20 million Americans for heartburn symptoms. These drugs have been linked to a heightened risk for a number of serious health problems that are much scarier than heartburn, including: chronic kidney disease, pneumonia, osteoporosis, hip fractures, dementia, heart disease, and heart attacks.
There are many ways to eliminate heartburn or acid reflux without drugs, starting with eating real food and probiotic-rich fermented foods like Kefir. There are also supplements available to help treat the underlying cause without the nasty side-effects.
The theory that heartburn symptoms is caused by too much stomach acid has been disproven. Most cases of heartburn are actually caused by one or more of the following scenarios:
- Insufficient amounts of stomach acid: That burning sensation is not caused by too much acid, but instead by the rotting food that is sitting in your digestive track because it is not being properly broken down due to lack of stomach acids. Swap out your processed table salt for an unprocessed Himalayan salt. Take a tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar before meals and/or take a hydrochloric acid supplement with meals. (Order a supplement here and enter code: BaltuskaChiropractic)
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) imbalance: While H. pylori can be part of your normal healthy microbiome, it can cause problems, including symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn if there’s an overgrowth of it. This typically occurs over time as a result of poor food choices. Avoid processed, high sugar “food-like” substances.
- Hiatal hernia: Some people actually have anatomical abnormalities in which part of the stomach actually slides up through the ring that the esophagus descends. See a Chiropractor to have your stomach adjusted into proper position.
- Food allergies: Hypersensitivity to foods often contribute to acid reflux. Eliminate common culprits such as wheat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
The uncomfortable symptoms that your body is signaling to you is a cry for help to correct an imbalance before it becomes a larger problem. When you mask this signal with prescription drugs, it only allows for the imbalance to fester into something far worse that is harder to correct. If you have become dependent on medication to control your acid reflux and heartburn symptoms for some time, do not stop taking them “cold turkey”. Instead, as you ease into some of the natural alternatives, slowly wean your dependency over time. It will be worth the hassle and effort to avoid the disasters of long term use.
Like these 10 Facebook Pages to add Health & Wellness to your Daily Newsfeed
Like these 10 Facebook Pages to add Health & Wellness to your Daily Newsfeed
- Mark Hyman, MD: Rid yourself of your sugar addictions and overcome Diabetes naturally to get off of your insulin and other prescriptions.
- Food Babe: Vani Hari is a true activist and agent of change for the food world. She actively seeks the truth and justice from Big Food companies and food chains, holding them accountable and demanding the truth about harmful ingredients and food processes.
- David Perlmutter, MD: Author of the New York Times best seller and revolutionary game changer Grain Brain, David is shedding light on the truth about fat, wheat and processed grains. He is a highly respected author and physician and a revolutionary force in changing the face of health care.
- Dr. Christiane Northrup: A highly respected and well-known physician, Dr. Christiane Northrup is working to bring mind and body together, to heal and bring light to real-life health issues. She captivates her audiences with her speaking and focuses on the most pressing issues facing our society today.
- MindBodyGreen: Looking for one place that has all the health information you seek? MindBodyGreen is exactly that. They have mastered the art of bringing crucial and cutting-edge health information and advice to one central community.
- Gluten Free School: Here you’ll find an amazing collection of resources, recipes, interviews and blogs revolving around this niche topic. Jennifer Fugo brings you everything you need to know about living a gluten-free lifestyle for both beginners and veterans. With a podcast that features interviews with the top names in health and some of the most creative and delicious recipes I’ve seen, she is definitely bookmark worthy.
- The Blender Girl: The Blender Girl has successfully captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of people who are making small but meaningful health changes in their lives each day. Find delicious health promoting recipes here.
- Dr. Daniel Amen: An amazing advocate for health, Dr. Amen offers real-time solutions to real health issues. Join him as he actively brings health and wellness news and options.
- Michael Pollan: Michael Pollan is a game changer in the sphere of food and lifestyle. Author of amazing titles such as The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Food Rules, Pollan is shedding light on the truth behind food and our harmony with it.
- Environmental Working Group: The topics of toxins and food safety are not only challenging to understand, they are also complicated to navigate. The EWG is a heaven-sent organization actively working to bring you the facts behind food, toxicity and corporate responsibility.
- Baltuska Chiropractic: Thank you in advance! I’ll do my best to keep you up to date on my latest inspirations to find better health.
What is a Charley Horse? How do I Stop these Muscle Cramps?!
A charley horse, or muscle cramp, is a common condition that results in your muscles becoming tight, stiff and extremely painful.
These muscle cramps are referred to as “charley horses” because of Charley “Old Hoss” Radbourne, an 1880s-era baseball pitcher who often suffered from muscle cramps during games.
What Causes a Charley Horse?
About 1 in every 3 adults is affected by muscle cramps in their lower limbs. I get asked very frequently from my patients about these pains. In many cases, the pain is temporary and goes away on its own, but for some the cramps interfere with sleep, quality of life and daily activities. Anyone can get a charley horse, but they’re most common in the following populations and scenarios:
- During exercise
- At nighttime, especially in the elderly
- In pregnant women
- In people with neurological disease
- During kidney dialysis
Many medications are also associated with muscle cramps, including statin cholesterol-lowering drugs, blood pressure drugs, certain asthma drugs, diuretics and more. In addition, the following factors may also increase your risk of a muscle cramp:
- Poor blood circulation in your legs
- Muscle fatigue
- Dehydration
- Mineral deficiencies, including magnesium, potassium or calcium
Is Magnesium Deficiency Causing Your Charley Horses?
Up to 80 percent of Americans are not getting enough magnesium and may be deficient. Magnesium is often thought of primarily as a mineral for your heart and bones, but this is misleading. Researchers have now detected 3,751 magnesium-binding sites on human proteins, indicating that its role in human health and disease may have been vastly underestimated.
If you suffer from headaches or charley horses, low levels of magnesium could be to blame. Magnesium is necessary for activating muscles and nerves, and a key sign of ongoing magnesium deficiency can be headaches, muscle contractions and cramps like charley horses.
Low Potassium Levels May Also Trigger a Charley Horse
Potassium, a mineral and electrolyte, is essential for your cells, tissues and organs to function properly. It plays a vital role in heart health, digestive and muscular function, bone health and more. One of the symptoms of low potassium levels is muscle cramps.
While potassium is found in many foods commonly consumed in the U.S. such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, salmon, sardines and nuts.
Potassium is a nutrient that needs to be kept in proper balance with sodium in your blood. If you consume too much sodium, which is common if you eat a lot of processed foods, you’ll have an increased need for potassium.
Others who are at particular risk of low potassium, or hypokalemia, are those with chronic malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn’s disease, or those taking heart medicine. However, anyone who eats a poor diet with an excess of processed foods and not enough fresh, whole foods is potentially at risk of inadequate potassium levels and related muscle cramps.
Green vegetable juicing is an excellent way to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients for optimal health. Some additional rich sources of potassium are: Lima beans, winter squash, cooked spinach, and avocados.
Too Little Calcium May Trigger Muscle Cramps
Low blood levels of calcium may increase the excitability of nerve endings and the muscles they stimulate. Good sources of calcium include nuts, seeds and raw, organic, grass-fed dairy, and vegetables. Homemade bone broth is another excellent source. Simply simmer leftover bones over low heat for an entire day to extract the calcium from the bones. You can use this broth for soups and stews or drink it straight.
What to Do If You Get a Charley Horse
A charley horse often occurs without notice, sometimes waking you up from sound sleep. If you’re lying down when the pain starts, stand up and put some weight on your foot. (Easier said than done) Walking around will help to increase blood circulation to your muscles and possibly help to soothe and relax the cramp.
You can also try a simple stretch. If the cramp is in your calf in the back of your lower leg, pull your toes and foot upward until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. You can also do this sitting down with your legs outstretched. Put a towel around your feet and gently pull both ends toward you until you feel a stretch.
Soaking in an Epsom salt bath may also help to relieve pain and possibly help with prevention. Massaging the area and applying a heat pack will increase blood flow to the area promoting healing and soothing pain.
Staying well-hydrated is also important for muscle cramp prevention. You’ll want to drink enough pure filtered water so that your urine is pale yellow in color. In addition, performing regular stretching exercises on your legs may help reduce your risk of a charley horse.
Chiropractic care will ensure that your skeletal system is in proper alignment and that your nervous system is functioning well. Regular adjustments will balance any bio-mechanical malfunctions that cause undue tension in specific areas of the body. Schedule your Adjustment online now at this link or call 913-283-9803.
Why are you still drinking soda pop?
Top 10 health problems from drinking soda pop:
1. Extra weight and obesity
2. Liver damage
3. Tooth decay
4. Kidney stones and chronic kidney disease
5. Diabetes
6. Heartburn & acid reflux
7. Osteoporosis (soft, brittle bones)
8. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
9. Heart disease
10. Impaired digestion and gastrointestinal distress
Here is what happens in your body after you enjoy a soft drink:
Within the first 10 minutes,10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. This is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake, and the only reason you don’t vomit as a result of the overwhelming sweetness is because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.
Within 20 minutes, your blood sugar spikes, and your liver responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar into fat.
Within 40 minutes, caffeine absorption is complete; your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream.
Around 45 minutes, your body increases dopamine production, which stimulates the pleasure centers of your brain – a physically identical response to that of narcotic use.
After 60 minutes, you’ll have a sugar crash and become irritable while your cravings will become very powerful in hopes to find a way to bring your blood sugar back up again.
Diet soda drinkers are not off the hook because the health risks are very similar to those of regular soda drinkers. The fake sugars used in diet drinks are very confusing to the human body.
One of the best things that you can do for your health is to choose to hydrate your body with water instead of soft drinks. Every chemical reaction that takes place in the body requires water as an ingredient. We know far too much about health and wellness now to continue consuming soda pop and soft drinks. There are better uses that have been discovered for these products in the area of astringents and cleaners to remove rust and grime from surfaces.