The Essentials of Clinical Trial Data Management

Accurate and high-quality clinical data is of critical importance for every CRO medical company.

Effective clinical trial data management involves accuracy in data collection, data entry, data reporting and data validation.

Establishing and maintaining high standards of quality requires consistency in implementation across individuals and teams in the CRO medical organization.

Clear communication in data management can prevent costly mistakes by staff which can put the clinical trial at a huge risk.

The following clinical trial data management elements can help in improving a CRO medical company’s data management standards at every stage of the clinical trial.

Accurate and Relevant Data Collection

Standard practices need to be established by CRO medical companies to produce accurate and relevant data.

The methodologies used for clinical trial data management should be targeted towards the objectives of the clinical trial, resulting in an improvement in data quality.

This process will also help in the elimination of non-critical data. This is important because minimizing the risk of verifying such data lowers risk factors during endpoint analysis.

With the right guidance, clinical data integrity can be vastly improved and data quality variation among the individuals and teams in CRO medical companies can be significantly reduced.

Critical data points identification

Critical data points should be identified at the beginning of a clinical trial process. This requires determining which data needs to be measured in relation to achieving the end goal.

Fundamentally, clinical trial data management appears straightforward but the collection of non-critical data for purposes like patient safety can pose significant challenges.

It requires time and effort by the clinical trial data management team to ensure this data meets required qualified standards.

Aside from being able to identify additional data points, proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) helps reduce the effort of data managers working with large volumes of data. This ultimately improves data quality.

Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Accurate and quality collection of clinical trial data helps minimize time spent in identifying and rectifying inaccurate data.

This requires a clear definition of responsibilities for each role as well as organizational practices.

This ensures uniformity in operations minimizes the chance of errors occurring and makes it easier to identify the cause of errors when they occur.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be developed in collaboration with staff members.

This ensures everyone has a clear understanding of the tasks which are involved in the collection of data as well as the organizational practices.

This also provides an opportunity to identify deviations from best practices and document a course-correcting process which can correct these if they occur.

Educating Staff

A common hurdle found in clinical trial data management is the lack of industry-wide visibility in best practices. CROs create standard procedures of their own which makes it difficult to compare one organization’s management practices with similar organizations in the industry. As a result, there could be best practices which an organization may not have considered.

Educating staff members keeps them up-to-date on clinical trial data management processes which are practiced in the industry. It also keeps them motivated, builds confidence and raises their competency levels which lead to better results.

Using the Right Systems

In the process of developing SOPs which conform to industry best practices, it is important to look at constantly improving the quality of clinical data collection.

Collecting accurate and quality data is a key requirement of clinical trial biometrics data management and is largely dependent on the systems which are being implemented.

When managing data, the use of electronic data capture (EDC) systems should be considered to encourage staff to follow best practices. The systems should be easy-to-use and result in a reduction of potential errors when reporting.

An effective EDC system needs to be secure, minimize inaccurate data collection and allow data to be exported effectively. Some systems offer features such as edit checks,  audits, conditional forms, time point tolerances and allow medical coding language to diminish the potential for improper data entry and increase the integrity of your clinical data.

If the clinical trial involves investigational new drug (IND) testing, the EDC system should be validated and should also be compliant with 21 CFR Part 11.

In addition to all of this using the right systems also have other benefits such as meeting electronic signature requirements and robust communication with vendor systems. This elevates the value of clinical trial data for sponsors.

Steps Involved in Clinical Data Management

The following are steps involved in clinical trial data management:

Generating Source Data: This includes data such as patient diaries, medical records and laboratory results.

Transcription: In case paper Case Report Forms (CRFs) are used, clinical site records are transcribed onto these.

Data Entry: Data from the CRFs and other sources, are entered in the clinical trial database. Using
 Electronic CRFs (eCRFs) allows data entry from source documents directly to the database.

Data obtained from paper CRFs are generally entered twice and reconciled to reduce the error rate.

Data are always checked for accuracy, completeness and quality. This can require queries to be raised to the clinical site.

Locking: When data is considered final, the database is locked
 
Reformatting Data: For ease of analysis and reporting, listings, tables and figures are generated.

Data Analysis: Data is analyzed and reports are produced. Results are documented and additional high-level reports are produced. These include Clinical Study Reports (CSRs) and Investigator’s Brochures (IBs).

Archiving: Database and other study data are archived.

While these are the common steps which are followed, they are not necessarily in order. For example, longer studies commonly require generating intermediate discrepancies as well as listings to identify problems which need to be corrected before the study is completed.

This is a guest blog post.

The Truth About Overweight Women & IVF

In-vitro fertilization helps those who are struggling to conceive to experience a healthy pregnancy. This assisted reproductive technology method works by using surgical and medical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg, and allows the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. During this procedure, the doctor will remove eggs from the woman’s body and mix it with sperm in a lab setting. “While most people are familiar with the basics of IVF, they may have preconceived notions about what’s really happening with the procedure and how it affects people who are considered overweight,” says Conceive Health, a fertility clinic.

For starters, there’s a common misconception that overweight people with a higher BMI than “average” will be unable to have a successful IVF procedure. There’s a reason why this myth continues to be perpetuated.

Even in modern times, some doctors refuse treatment because the patient is deemed overweight. One New York Times article profiled the story of Gina Balzano, who was essentially told she was too fat to have a baby in 2013 when she weighed 317 pounds. Many clinics consider a BMI of over 50 (around 300 pounds for a 5’5 woman) the cutoff point for treatment. At other clinics, it’s even lower.

Balzano was told that her doctor would not see patients for IVF with a BMI of under 30. To put this into perspective, a 5’5 woman who weighs 180 pounds has a BMI of nearly 30. Unfortunately, this isn’t too far off from what overweight women have to deal with in the reproductive health care industry. One study analyzed recordings of 117 doctor visits among a pregnant group, and found that doctors were less likely to ask overweight women about their lifestyle habits and provided less information about responsible care.

But to fully understand both sides of the coin, it’s important to consider why so many clinics prefer not to give IVF procedures to women with higher BMIs. The rate of prenatal conditions, such as stillbirths, miscarriages, and pre-eclampsia, increases with higher BMI. On the other hand, although the chance of complication does increase with weight, the chances of those complications are low. Furthermore, another Scandinavian study found that losing weight prior to pregnancy doesn’t help—and could actually have a negative impact on pregnancy.

This isn’t just an issue happening in the United States. There are cultural biases surrounding larger people all around the world. One study conducted in Australia found that doctors in prenatal care expressed less approval and sympathy for patients that were above average weight, compared to those that fell within standard weight guidelines. While these experiences and details seem grim, changes are underway. Doctors in Australia are currently fighting against current IVF guidelines that recommend clinics to turn obese patients away.

Still, many doctors take a more progressive approach to IVF with overweight women, and prefer to address each patient that’s in front of them. “Obesity can require special care, but a majority of women with BMI over 30 don’t have a complicated pregnancy and do have healthy babies,” said Dr. Chloe Zera, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

For these forward-thinking doctors, a woman is not a number, and is certainly not her BMI. A great clinic will always address a woman’s health from a holistic perspective, talking to her about her dietary and lifestyle habits. Many women—even vegans with careful diets—have struggled with their weight their entire lives.

In fact, one study analyzed nearly 300 IVF lifecycles and found that body mass index had no effect on IVF. A larger study conducted in 2018 analyzed the IVF success of just over 50,000 American women found that while obesity is linked to lower egg levels, it doesn’t necessarily mean an IVF procedure will be less successful.

For women who struggle to conceive, statistically speaking, that struggle would continue if they had a lower BMI. Even with surgical weight loss, there remains a high chance that those same struggles would continue. The problem is expounded when doctors assume the issue with conceiving revolves around weight. Instead, more doctors are choosing to understand the patient and analyze all aspects of treatment and possibilities.
 
This is a guest blog entry.

Chiropractic Care for Back Pain Relief

Are you suffering from back pain? Do you find it difficult when standing or sitting? Do you find it challenging when lifting household objects? If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, perhaps you are experiencing back pain and it can surely affect your everyday activities. Back pain is common but can certainly make tasks unnecessarily problematic such as missed workdays and is the leading cause of disability.

Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain

Remember that back pain is not one size fits all condition that influences every person in one way or another. This makes sense since the pain is associated with multiple factors. Some common signs and symptoms of back pain are the following:

• Muscle weakness in back and thighs
• Numbness throughout body
• Shooting pain from thighs to the upper back
• Pain when standing for longer durations
• Trouble sleeping due to discomfort
• Decreased range of motion
• Stiffness in body
• Pain near the tailbone
• Pain while walking, exercising and performing basic everyday tasks

With all of that being said, there is good news for you. If you are experiencing back pain, there are many ways to naturally alleviate the pain and help prevent any future occurrences. Many people experience back pain and assume that it will be overcome with bed rest. However, don’t forget the fact that one of the most effective solutions is to naturally treat the pain. A specific amount of caution is important while suffering from pain. Still, stretching and exercise are the easiest ways to relieve back pain. Read on to learn know more about it.

Lumbar Rotation

This chiropractic application involves adjusting the spine to relieve tension and enhance flexibility. The exercise simply feels great! This workout requires you to lie down with your back on the ground and bend your knees. Extend your arms either right or left and position your back to the floor. Now gradually bring your knees on the right side without any back movement and maintain the position for approximately 15 seconds. Perform it again on the left side. Repeat the exercise three times and you will eventually feel better.

Pelvic Tilt

Let’s move towards the next important training exercise. The pelvic tilt barely requires you to move. For this exercise, you need to lie on your back while keeping your knees bent and position your hands behind the head. Make sure the arch of your back should come in contact with the floor. Next, use your abdominal muscles while pushing your back into the ground and ensure there is no space in between. Repeat the exercise for about 12 times for 10 seconds each.

Knee to Chest
 
The exercise is very much understandable so make sure to pay careful attention to assist your spine and hips. The workout requires you to lie on your back while keeping your legs down. Curve one knee and take hold of it with your hands. Now pull it to your chest and stretch it as far as possible. Repeat the exercise with the other leg and hold for about one minute. Perform it for at least three times.

Hamstring Stretch 

The hamstring stretch is another common exercise frequently recommended by chiropractors. The exercise restricts flexion of the pelvis at the hip joints and forces your back to encourage forward bending at the waist. Stretching hamstrings can be performed in multiple ways. One primary technique is proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. It’s a perfect blend of contraction against stretching, rest and resistance.

• Lie on your posterior
• Hold your knee straight and let your assistant grip your foot
• The helper lifts the leg up to the hamstring muscle length and holds this position
• Force against your helper’s resistance for a count of 8
• Now relax the hamstring muscles
• When the hamstring muscle is stress-free, extend the hamstring muscle gradually and steadily flexing the hip. The assistant pushes your ankle and leg upward and keep this stretch for a count of 8 or 10.
• Repeat the exercise for 3 times with each leg

Spinal Bridge

The spinal bridge stretch incredibly strengthens your back. Nevertheless, it applies slight pressure on the neck. Be careful if your cervical spine is experiencing any inflammation or pain. To begin, lie on your back. Twist your knees and position both feet flat on the surface. Next, firmly push both feet to the floor and lift from your hips. Bring your hands together beneath your tailbone and press through the shoulders to bring your hips up. Keep the position for approximately 15 seconds while consistently pressing your glutes. Lastly, gently bring your hands towards your sides and palms directing down. Bring your hips in the downward direction and roll one vertebra at a time. Repeat the exercise for at least 5 times.

Cat-Cow Stretch

The cat-cow stretch is not only a popular chiropractic back pain workout, but also a common yoga position to enhance flexibility in the backbone. Begin with the knees square underneath the hips. Position your wrists directly under the shoulders. Spread the fingers and balance the weight. Make sure you don’t put a lot of pressure on the wrists. Now breathe in deeply and push your stomach to the ground while bringing your face up. Try to lift your tailbone upwards and this is it. The next step is breathing out and around your spine, push in your pelvis and arch your back like a cat. Get your chin towards the chest. Repeat it 5 times.

Conclusion

If you are suffering from back pain, it’s high time to consult a back specialist Snellville. They will recommend a range of exercises for support, balance, and flexibility to help you strengthen your muscles and take off excessive pressure off your spine. You must not ignore the pain at any cost since it can transform into something worse. Even if the pain is bearable, it needs to be addressed to avoid any complications in later life. A chiropractor is going to be your best companion to help ease the symptoms and treat the underlying causes.

This is a guest blog entry.

Chiropractic Therapies for Pain Relief

Chiropractic medicine is a health care occupation committed to the non-surgical treatment of physical and psychological health disorders from the nervous system to anxiety or depression. Typically, chiropractors concentrate on spinal manipulation and treatment. If you are suffering from back pain that lasts more than a week, it’s time to consult a chiropractor for a comprehensive evaluation. Your chiropractor will design a specific course of treatment for you. Many people respond effectively to treatment and soon get back to their everyday activities.

Chiropractic manipulation is a manual process that uses a modified approach developed during many years of chiropractic education. They frequently use their hands to mildly move dysfunctional joints commonly known as subluxations. The procedure mostly focuses on the spinal alignment to restore or improve joint and nervous system functioning. This allows your body to heal resulting in the restoration of function and eventually reduce pain and disability. Here are the four most common treatment techniques to help you get rid of pain:

1 Soft Tissue Therapy
 
Your chiropractor focuses on muscles to relax and soothe them. There are multiple ways to bring comfort to muscles since it’s the source of pain such as manual release treatment that involves muscle stretch while exerting pressure. They may apply trigger point therapy including direct pressure on the painful muscle areas. Also, they may use instrument assisted soft tissue therapy which applies gentle pressure and stroke over the area.

2 Manual Therapy
 
In case your joint is not moving appropriately, your chiropractor is more likely to apply a treatment technique to help you achieve sufficient motion within a joint. This can be achieved through manipulation or joint mobilization. The procedure uses a gentle movement that stretches the joint. 

3 Exercise Therapy/Self-Management

Your chiropractor will recommend a set of exercises to assist with your pain and ensure it doesn’t come back. They are more likely to provide you with safe lifting approaches, tips for an appropriate body posture and other strategies to prevent re-injury.

4 Spinal Manipulation

Also known as spinal manipulative therapy, it’s a strategy where specialists use their hands or a specific instrument to apply a regulated thrust. They use a force of certain magnitude in a particular direction to the joints of the spine. Though the degree of force can considerably vary. Spinal manipulation differs from spinal mobilization which doesn’t include a thrust. The force is applied in a joint’ movement and can be easily regulated by the patient. Spinal therapy is often performed by chiropractors. Other than chiropractors, you can also consult osteopathic physicians and physical therapists since they are also proficient in spinal manipulations.

How Chiropractic Treatment Works
 
Traditional chiropractic adjustments frequently concentrate on spinal manipulation and alignment to help with pain management and encourage the body for self-healing abilities. Readjustment of the spine is believed to minimize pressure on the central nervous system. Lower back pain and headaches are the most common conditions treated by a chiropractor. Your consultation sessions will predominantly include a comprehensive evaluation. The specialist will ask you to explain your symptoms and subsequently may recommend X-rays and other tests that will help you get better with time. Following the discussion sessions, your chiropractor will develop an all-inclusive treatment plan. Pain management involves a range of visits for the best pain management therapy.

In every visit, your chiropractor may use a specific degree of pressure on important parts of your back and realign your spin and regulate pain. This pressure may be sudden or less in intensity applied with hands or using a designated instrument. Your treatment plan may also include massage although make sure to discuss with your chiropractor about different techniques. You will also be given:

Heat and Cold: Chiropractors may switch between heat and ice therapy to help patients treat pain. Ice packs are often used to numb the back for about 15 minutes and then move towards a heating pad. The heat wrap or warm water bottle will help restore blood flow and result in quick healing.

Exercise: You will be given a detailed set of instructions for an exercise program that primarily focuses on stretching and strengthening the back.

Massage: Chiropractors may use massage techniques on soft tissues to improve circulation and pain associated with back pain.

Dietary Management: Chiropractors will provide you detailed instructions on an improved diet. They may also recommend dietary supplements after spinal manipulation.

How Do Chiropractors Help with Lower Back Pain? Millions of people around the world suffer from low back pain at one or another point of their life. This pain is commonly considered as non-specific which means that there is no specific underlying pathology. In simple words, the pain you are encountering comes from the functioning of your spine and the supportive structure around your spine such as nerves, joints, and muscles. In very few cases, low back pain can be instigated by pathologies such as dense fracture, cancer, spinal infections, and herniated discs.

Jonesboro chiropractic care for back pain helps you bring back proper alignment to your spine and release pressure on the nervous system. Improving the misalignments in your spine can result in positive results for both acute and chronic low back pain. When regulated through a comprehensive chiropractic session, it will help you with multiple preventative approaches by concentrating on both your lifestyle and surrounding setting. Your chiropractor will help you determine any rare pathologies that can potentially result in back pain and make a referral where required.

Final Thoughts: 

Setting goals for the chiropractic treatment plan primarily depends on the patient’s pain and activity intolerance. The ultimate goal for the pain treatment framework is the prevention of physical and psychological disorders. The application of active care such as patient-driven exercises, ergonomic modifications, and activity modification focus on accomplishing these objectives. Many studies reveal that chiropractors are rated among the best in patient satisfaction. The high satisfaction level leads to overall efficiency, patient communication and provides practical advice and information.

This is a guest blog entry.

Chiropractic Care: Relief from Anxiety and Depression

If you are suffering from depression or anxiety, you can surely rely on chiropractic care. It primarily involves a mind-body approach that adjusts physical symptoms to improve psychological health. A chiropractor is equipped with an all-inclusive approach for your mental health and considers every possible way to make you feel better. Most people are unable to understand the significance of chiropractic care on both physical and psychological health. As soon as you come to know its standing, you will realize it can improve many lives.

Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Millions of adults around the globe face mental illness every year. While anxiety disorders are very common, depression is the ultimate cause of disability. Symptoms are unique to every patient, though some of the most common indications include:

• Exhaustion and failure to sleep
• Headaches or migraines
• Muscle tension and rigidity
• Aches and discomforts throughout the body
• Inability to relax

These physical symptoms can worsen psychological symptoms and it will become more challenging to live every day with anxiety or depression. Fortunately, chiropractic care is an effective solution to ease these physical symptoms.

Aims for a Mind-Body Approach

Chiropractic care focuses on determining an appropriate balance between your mind and body. A chiropractor can do this perfectly by evaluating various health issues including manipulations, therapies, wide-ranging exercises, and diet and supplements. Chiropractic care definitely leaves no stone go unturned. Even some little changes such as using omega-3 in your diet may have a great influence on anxiety symptoms.

Correcting Misalignments Which Influence the Nervous System

Our moods are frequently controlled by the chemistry of the body. The chemistry is your organs and even the brain is well monitored by the nervous system. Any misalignment of the backbone particularly the first, second or third vertebrae can apply considerable pressure on the brain resulting in interference neurologically and chemically. Some people prefer medications to modify their brain chemistry. On the other hand, people looking for non-medication therapy look forward to re-aligning the backbone which can surely do wonders for your mental health.
 
Relieves Tension, Painfulness, and Headaches

Patients going through depression or anxiety often suffer from muscular tension. Chiropractic care can assist in minimizing tension and rigidity. Besides, it helps in relieving pain associated with tension headaches. Many patients with physiological health disorders are more likely to suffer from migraines. This sort of relief can have a major influence on all those who are battling mental health disorders. Typically speaking, chiropractic care and massage therapy can truly help in reducing pain after psychological health diagnoses.

Holistic Approach to Patient Care

Anxiety is not simply a mental illness; it can be life-threatening if not treated on time. The situation gets worse over time eventually leading to extreme depression and mental suffering. According to many studies, chiropractic care can result in significant improvement in the patient’s psychological, physical and social well-being. This refers to the correction of vertebral subluxations improving the quality of life without using any medication.

Chiropractic care reduces the inclusion of nervous activity using manual means and helps the body to restore normal functioning which is crucial for behavioral changes. Spinal manipulation eradicates any nerve interference which considerably minimizes muscle tension, soothes the body, and aligns spinal cord. The reticular activating system (RAS) is a free network of neurons in the brain which controls the overall consciousness. With Marietta chiropractic treatment, RAS functionally sits in the first cervical backbone commonly known as the atlas. The complete chiropractic therapy includes:

• Focuses on the patient’s intrinsic restoration abilities
• Acknowledge dynamics among the lifestyle, surrounding environment and health
• Concentrates on the understanding of causes of mental illness and applies techniques to eradicate associated symptoms
• Understands the significance of the nervous system and its relationship with the structural and monitoring abilities of the body
• Recognizes the multifactorial nature of the chemical, structural and psychological influences on the nervous system
• Perfectly balances the advantages over the risks of clinical interventions
• Monitors progress and effectiveness through applicable diagnostic processes
• Avoids any unessential obstacles in the doctor-patient sessions
• Focuses on a hands-on and patient-centered approach to positively influence functioning through the structure
• Works for early intervention and focus on timely analysis and treatment of functional and rescindable conditions

Be Aware of Options

Many of us experience increased stress whether due to family problems, workload or financial concerns. This stress can result in multiple insecurities and symptoms of psychological illness. It is important to get familiar with diverse options when the mental stress steps in your life. Do not only consider visiting a physician for temporary relief with the use of synthetic medications. Instead of simply consulting a physician for medication, it’s important to educate yourself for other options and ensure your spine is checked and there aren’t any misalignments. You never know if there are any misconfigurations in your spine as a result of trauma or excessive work that you might not be aware of. If you truly want to get relief from the mental health symptoms, chiropractic care is a proven technique that will certainly improve the quality of your life in the long run.

Final Thoughts:

To conclude this, seeking help from a chiropractor can have a positive influence on your mental health. In addition to proven research, there have been multiple studies regarding the importance of chiropractic care on depression and anxiety. With the increasing cost of traditional health care, many people look forward to alternatives that are both effective and affordable. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms discussed above, it’s high time to consult a chiropractor near you to deliberate a potential treatment plan for these symptoms.

They will perhaps design a tailored plan primarily depending on your mental health condition. Once a plan is formulated, you are more likely to have multiple sessions with your doctor involving diagnosis, evaluation, range of exercises and manipulation, and a progress report. Nothing is more important than peace of mind and to get that peace, make sure you are not suffering from any mental health disorders particularly anxiety or depression that can be life-threatening later on. Be safe and consult today!

This is a guest blog post.

Significance of Visiting a Chiropractor for Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury that frequently occurs after car accident and may result in chronic neck pain and rigidity. Since these symptoms are not apparent after an accident, many people still wait for several days and the condition gets worse. Therefore, most chiropractors recommend visiting the clinic immediately after an accident whether you are experiencing any symptoms or not.

By visiting a chiropractor, you can figure out in case you have whiplash and receive treatment right away. On the other hand, you must seek chiropractor care if you experience any headaches, shoulder pain, neck pain, and stiffness. Without undergoing any treatment, the pain linked with whiplash can last for several upcoming months and years. Initial treatment for whiplash can considerably minimize the risk of long-term complications.

What Is Whiplash?

Before we jump into how a chiropractor can help you, let’s go through what whiplash is. It’s a common traumatic neck injury that often occurs when the head is suddenly forced forward or backward and abruptly whipped in the opposite direction. Under these circumstances, the muscles and ligaments in your neck stretch beyond the normal range of motion. Consequently, this can result in a soft tissue sprain or tear, eventually causing pain and discomfort. A few common symptoms of whiplash are the following:

• Neck pain and rigidity
• Pain in arms, back, and shoulders
• Poor vision
• Headaches specifically at the back of the head
• Faintness
• Extreme exhaustion
• Trouble in concentration

Most symptoms appear in a day or two following the trauma. In some cases, it can take up to a week or even more for symptoms to become obvious. Slight to moderate cases of whiplash typically get better over time with rest, over-the-counter pain relievers and use of ice. Some natural treatments such as physical therapy or massage can significantly help in releasing tension to assist you in restoring range of motion. Though one of the most common treatments for a whiplash injury is chiropractic care. A chiropractor uses a range of natural remedies to ease your discomfort and help your body get comfortable at the earliest.

Your Body as a Whole

Even if you are experiencing pain in your neck, remember that other parts of your body, specifically the spine may also get affected. Considering this fact, a chiropractor evaluates and treats your body for awhile. Instead of merely focusing on obvious symptoms, they carefully look for the underlying cause of the pain. A chiropractor analyzes and identifies the areas of limited movement, muscle spasm, disc or ligament injury. They examine the way you sit, walk and move to comprehensively understand your body mechanics and spinal alignment. Instead of providing one size fits all treatment, they formulate a customized treatment plan for your individual needs. Further, they focus on preventive measures and self-care as an important key to keep you healthy in the long-term.

Chiropractic Whiplash Treatments

Your treatment plan primarily depends on the critical nature of your whiplash injury. One of the most common chiropractic techniques is spinal manipulation. A few spinal manipulation practices involved are the following:

Flexion-distraction technique: This hands-on practice is a non-thrusting and mild type of spinal manipulation to help heal herniated discs with or without arm pain. Whiplash injury is more likely to worsen a herniated disc. The chiropractor frequently uses a slow pumping action on the disc rather than using direct force on the spine.

Instrument-assisted manipulation: This is another commonly used non-thrusting technique. Using a focused hand-held instrument, the chiropractor applies force without pushing into the spine. This certain type of manipulation is particularly helpful for older patients who may have degenerative joint syndrome.

Specific spinal manipulation: The chiropractor detects spinal joints that have limited or any abnormal motion often referred to as subluxations. Using this specific technique, they will help restore the movement of the joint with a smooth and mild thrusting technique. This tender thrusting stretches soft tissues and assist the nervous system to return normal motion to the spine.

Soft Tissue Therapies

Since whiplash involves soft tissue injury, a Tucker whiplash chiropractor is more likely to treat you with one or more soft tissue therapies. The ultimate objective of the treatment plan is to restore proper muscle function. This predominantly involves applying pressure to muscles or stretching as we have discussed above. Therapeutic massage is a common therapy frequently used in easing muscle tension. Besides, trigger point therapy includes identifying painful joints in a muscle and exerting direct pressure on these specific points. Similar to other techniques, the goal is to ease muscle tension and pain. Mainly depending on the intensity of your injury, the chiropractor may also apply muscle energy therapy or multiple stretches and resistance techniques. They may also use an activator or a relevant instrument to treat any of the affected areas.

Other Natural Therapies

Though most of the rehabilitations performed in a chiropractic treatment center are hands-on, there are other options available as well. One common therapy includes the use of an interferential electrical stimulation machine. The machine uses a low-frequency electric current to stimulate wounded muscles. The process results in minimizing pain and tenderness. If you are suffering from any serious muscle spasms, your chiropractor may prefer using ultrasound. The ultrasound machine transfer waves deep into your muscle tissues that encourage muscle relaxation and improved blood flow.

Conclusion:

Though whiplash frequently occurs after a car accident, you may also suffer from it after high-impact sports, a sudden fall or even amusement park rides. When you are suffering from whiplash, there are several ways to minimize your pain without injecting any medication. Don’t assume your pain will get better with time. It can even get worse, affecting both your physical and psychological health.

With chiropractic care, you can get back to normal activities. Chiropractors carry out diverse exercises and therapies to combat any mechanical and neurological symptoms of whiplash. The best part is the treatment will be performed without using any dangerous pharmaceuticals or surgery.

Whiplash can be devastating, and here chiropractor care can significantly help ease your symptoms as your body restores.

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Do Marketing For a Medical Practice

Marketing has become an essential element of every business. With the ever-increasing population, the number of business avenues has propelled proportionately. Be it trading or service management, the market has increased exponentially in the last decade. People tend to lead a comfortable life, and they accept the changes brought about by these firms.

Even though there is a deficit of doctors in India, medical practices are required to market their services to attract customers. When it comes to the medical field, people do not take a chance and resort to practitioners after doing intense research on them. Thus, it becomes crucial for doctors and pathologists to promote their products and services via various measures.

Using an Online Marketing Platform

Online marketing has emerged as the best form of marketing in the era of the internet. People stay online on various portals for long, and thus, it becomes easy to get their attention. Moreover, with the advent of tech giants such as Facebook, YouTube, etc. providing space on their webpage for advertisement, it becomes even easier for medical experts to promote their practice.

Medical practitioners can resort to various online agencies such as JumpFactor that promote your medical practice with modern measures and use technology efficiently to attract more people.

Promotion of past record

Every doctor is known for his/her experience. A doctor's career is filled with intricate cases where they are expected to do wonders. They are considered next to God and are believed to save human life at any cost.

Marketing the experience is one of the best measures to have a productive outcome. People tend to incline towards the cases a doctor has dealt with and how he/she handles situations in tough times. Using this as a tactic to market would cut down research for the people and let them choose the practice without any impediments.

Medicinal services

Medicine is an integral part of treatment. People have the notion that the intake of medicine is the ultimate cure to their ailments. Moreover, the major problem that arises in medicines is their availability. Furthermore, the extent of duplicate medication makes it even more difficult for people to rely on medical practitioners.

Thus, medicinal services can be a determining factor for people to place their faith in you. It would reduce the hustle for authentic medicines and provide a more peaceful treatment for ACpatients. Promotion of your medicinal services, coupled with assuring the people of the availability and quality of medicines referred by you, would rush in customers for long.

Cost and Social Work

Seeking medical services has become quite expensive for the middle-class population. People plan for their unforeseen medical expenses for years. They resort to a number of life insurance policies to reduce their burden. Hence, providing a comparatively cheaper treatment would be catering to the need of society.

Philanthropy promotes every profession. Promoting your acts of philanthropy, such as providing free treatments to the needy and holding medical camps, would build your reputation and make you popular in the market.

This is a guest blog entry.

How To Quickly Recover From Sports Injury

Having a good dose of sports is absolutely essential in today’s restless day and age. Everyone enjoys attending a good game of football every weekend, but the same cannot be said for playing one.

Anyway, speaking of sports, no sport ever took place without its dedicated set of injuries. No matter what kind of game it is, indoors or outdoors, injuries can happen anywhere. However, one can make sure that the injuries don’t take a wrong turn and end up further compromising the fitness of the athlete.

Getting rid of the problems easily

Fixing the injuries can be done at any point in time. For the most part, experts on the subject matter are present at sporting venues. They take care of the injuries sustained by athletes efficiently. But what if an athlete gets injured while being away from the venue, or at home? What if there is no expert available to take care of the injuries? To answer these essential questions, here are a few key points that should be taken into consideration. 

•  RICE can be a savior

The term RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is a simple method used for fixing orthopedic or stretching based injuries. For example, areas of the body that develop swelling or redness amidst sports like soccer, hockey, etc. can be treated with RICE. Ice pack compression can do wonders against impact injuries resulting from fast-paced games. Anyone can perform RICE upon a deceased athlete if he/she knows the basics of RICE. If the damage doesn’t get fixed amidst the RICE sessions, one should waste no time and look for a viable session of physiotherapy Brampton.  

• Be prepared for any game

They say “prevention is better than cure,” and that is true under all circumstances. An athlete uses various forms of strength, from simple to explosive, when engaging in a game. Injuries also happen when the body staying in a state of simple motion, experiences a sudden surge in extreme physical activities. This ends up stretching the muscles or ligaments beyond their capacity. Hence, it is advised that one should participate in a warmup session before engaging in any game. That’ll keep the muscles ready for the intense workout.   

• Eat to cure

An athlete isn’t just limited to a daily dose of exercises and a fair share of time at the training ground; he/she is also required to maintain a healthy diet as well. Studies have proven the fact that 90% of body shaping is done by the diet pattern followed, and the remaining 10% is done by exercises. That doesn’t mean one should stop exercising as it isn’t a good thing at all. Athletes consume protein-based foods that help them during the times of injuries and regular days as well. Consuming a proper diet will definitely help in curing an injury faster than ever. 

• One small step a giant leap for a good career ahead

“Knowledge is power,” this goes for athletes and everyone on this planet at the same time. Knowing about injuries, their causes, and the ways with which they can be fixed can help people a lot in rough times. Sometimes having knowledge of a particular situation can end up saving a person’s life as well. Therefore, knowledge is an essential component that comes into play while fixing an injury.

This is a guest blog entry.

How to Choose the Right Type of Laboratory Vacuum Pump for High Vapor Flow

Scientists and technicians regularly use vacuum pumps in laboratories. They use it for various activities, including filtering and controlling solvent evaporation in concentrators, vacuum ovens, and rotary evaporators.

High vapor-flow applications like the evaporative processes demand a laboratory vacuum pump with a high pumping capacity and vapor tolerance. You can choose a suitable pump from various options, such as the diaphragm, rotary vane, and hybrid pumps.

Below mentioned are some factors that help determine the right vacuum pump for such applications.

Vacuum Range

The evaporative applications require pumps that create a vacuum to evaporate any lab solvent at room temperature. DMSO is an exception, as it requires moderately higher heat.

On the other hand, lyophilization applications involve sublimation, which is the direct movement of solvents from solid to vapor state. Hence, such applications need a vacuum that is sufficiently deep to induce sublimation at low temperatures. You need to choose a vacuum pump that has a wide vacuum range, to handle high vapor flow tasks.

Chemical Compatibility

It is vital to select a pump made of chemical-resistant material that is compatible with the laboratory chemicals. High vapor flow applications include solid particles and highly explosive chemical samples.

Likewise, they also use liquid and gas samples for certain activities. It is an important criterion, since failing to choose the pump suitable for the chemicals will lead to adverse safety hazards.

Pump Flow Rate

Another crucial factor to consider while choosing a vacuum pump is the time it takes to drain the gases. Depending on the draining time, the flow rates can be fast and slow. One must evaluate the pump’s capacity to create the required mass and volume flow rate. So, a high vapor flow application will require a vacuum pump with a high flow rate.

Lubrication

Your work involving high vapor flow will decide whether or not to lubricate the vacuum pump.
Typically, in a lab environment, preference is given to dry vacuum pumps. However, in terms of characteristics, a lubricated one has higher efficiency. However, it requires regular maintenance.

Suitable Technology

Various high vapor flow applications differ based on the type of technology required for the respective lab activities.

For instance, diaphragm pumps are best suited for evaporative applications. It is due to their flow paths constructed with fluoropolymers, making them useful to move corrosive vapors.

Similarly, sublimation applications require a deeper vacuum, to induce sublimation at low temperatures. In such cases, oil-sealed rotary vane pumps serve the purpose.

Cost and Maintenance

While choosing a vacuum pump for your laboratory work involving high vapor flow, you need to evaluate the frequency of maintenance cycles. This factor decides the overall cost.

For instance, the lubricated pumps will require higher maintenance. The reason being, these oil-sealed pumps have issues like oil mist, need for disposal of oil contaminants, and regular oil changes.

Hence, before you purchase a pump, check the initial price, installation, operating, as well as the maintenance costs.

A laboratory vacuum pump is a very adaptive tool that can aid a wide range of research. Invest in the vacuum pump that effectively handles high vapor flow and is cost-effective as well.

This is a guest blog post.

4 Easy Tips to Improve Mobility

Mobility decreases with age and there is little you can do to stop this phenomenon. By the time you’re in your 50s, you will most likely start to feel a little stiff, maybe overweight or “hefty”, and you won’t be able to run, stretch or play your favorite sport as you used to, a couple of decades ago.

Although you will eventually have to learn to live with reduced mobility, this doesn’t mean that you have to commit to a sedentary lifestyle. On the contrary, if you want to increase your life expectancy, feel young for a longer time, and still get to enjoy life’s little pleasures, here are some tips that will help you in the process.

1. Use warm-up & stretches to increase mobility and flexibility 

As little as 5-10 minutes of light stretching daily will improve the condition of your body and will help you become more flexible in time. With the right flexibility, you can enjoy a greater range of motion in your joints and even bend down and touch your toes again.

It only takes a few weeks of daily stretching to increase mobility and help you move faster and easier, without worrying about back or joint pains every time you step.

It is important to know that stretching is recommended to almost all people, regardless of their age and medical condition. It can prevent joint pain, sprains, twisted ankles, and other muscle and ligament problems that often occur with a sedentary lifestyle and lack of mobility.

2. Take collagen & calcium supplements 

Your bones will weaken with time, so don’t be afraid to supplement the needs of your body with vitamins and pills rich in collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium, and D3 vitamin. All these ingredients are mandatory for the strength and health of your bones and joints and can help you regain your mobility faster.

However, make sure to always check with your physician before taking any supplements as certain health conditions and diseases may not be compatible. Don’t forget that not taking calcium supplements according to your doctor’s prescription may cause more harm to your bones and spine.

3. Choose exercises that help improve knee strength and mobility

Stiff joints and knees are the ones that force you to spend more time indoors, in bed, contributing to a sedentary and bad lifestyle.

There are various exercises you can do at home to improve mobility and knee strength and, what’s most importantly, you won’t require any equipment or weights. Thus, these exercises can be performed by anyone, in the comfort of their own homes.

You should mainly focus on leg raises, squats, and hamstring curls. Start with 2 sets of 10 per each type of exercise, with a 2-minute break between sets. As time progresses, you will notice your mobility and flexibility have improved, and you are now able to do more reps and sets.

4. Make your home more senior-friendly 

Nobody wants to accept the fact that aging implies you’re no longer able to climb the stairs in your own house as frequently as before or take a long bath without having someone to help you get out of the tub.

After turning 60 or 70 you might want to reconsider some of your house equipment and accessories and make them more suitable for seniors.

Start by setting your master bedroom on the first floor so you won’t have to climb the stairs daily. You may also want to replace your regular tub with a walk-in shower that is more convenient, as well as checking out some of these toilets from Caregivingmag, suitable for people with reduced mobility.

This is a guest blog entry.

4 Alternative Medical Treatments for Dogs

If you’ve got a dog in your home, it’s hard to express just how much they mean to you. They’re at the front door to greet you when you’re home, follow you around everywhere, and are great cuddling companions on sad days.

As a dog owner, you’d do just about anything to make sure that your dog is happy and healthy. That includes looking into alternative treatments, such as using CBD oil for dogs.

Below are some of the most popular and useful alternative treatments out there for your four-legged friend.

Massage Therapy

You often use massages to recover after an impressive physical feat or simply to relax. Dogs can also use that too!

While it may be hard to tell when your dog is having “one of those weeks,” dogs and humans share bone and joint problems that end up overworking muscles.

There are plenty of techniques to help your dog’s muscles, such as kneading and rolling your dog’s skin, simple stroking, and even prolonged petting. Not only will your dog enjoy the attention, but it’s going to help their muscles, meaning they can play with you again soon.

Chiropractic Care

With nearly 30 million Americans making regular use of a chiropractor, it might surprise you that this treatment is also available for your canine pal.

The idea is the same that through your regular lives or physical trauma, your bones and joints may get out of position, causing you discomfort and harm. Chiropractic care can also help with specific nerve issues, like pinching or spinal problems.

Going to a chiropractor is often seen as a smart alternative to surgery, as it’s less invasive, and regular treatment can also have other benefits on the body of your dog.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is not limited to dogs and has been used on several animals, including horses, cats, and even rabbits. The ultimate goal of homeopathy is to allow the body to heal itself naturally by fighting off the issue.

Homeopathic methods look to increase the body’s vitality, or ability to fight for itself.

If your dog is experiencing digestive issues, anxiety, or even hormonal imbalances, then homeopathy can be a legitimate path to take. Even though you may never have considered it before, CBD oil for dogs may be a smart choice.

These treatments have long been popular in Europe and have made their way to the United States in the past few years.

Naturopathy

While the other items above may sound somewhat familiar to you, naturopathy is the one that may puzzle you a bit.

Naturopathy is the idea that illness should not be approached without considering the whole body. Those that practice naturopathy want to look at a patient’s entire outlook instead of focusing on the illness or ailment.

When it comes to using it on your dog, the medical professional will look at the physical and psychological needs of your best friend, focusing on their well-being and comfort. They’ll look at the dog’s diet and past experiences.

This type of treatment is 100% natural and involves almost no modern medicine. It’s completely non-invasive, and the naturopath may even recommend various other treatments.

This is a guest blog entry.

5 Factors Impacting the Decentralization of Healthcare

The healthcare industry today is going through a shift, becoming a lot less siloed after centuries of resisting change. The current healthcare trend is heading in the direction of decentralization owing to rapid technological developments, and in this new model, the healthcare system is always on the go, never pausing.

Constant communications are now facilitated, too, across all environments that we inhabit. The result is a truly interlinked system of information and services that is persistently optimizing the individual’s access to healthcare. This technological shift has done wonders in helping to break down the divide between healthcare providers and their clients.

And as the former barriers continue to dissolve, individuals are going to be given even more control over their healthcare choices. Better still, there is expected to be greater room for innovation as new players and actors enter the healthcare scene.

What exactly is the decentralization of healthcare?

When people talk about decentralization, they are usually referring to a broad range of power-transfer systems and liability measures. Decentralization policies vary, however, and may include the transfer of limited power to lower levels of management within the healthcare system.

Decentralization policies are also designed to reform the healthcare system in a way that will allow the provision of even the most centralized services--bringing them within reach of the masses.
The promise of decentralization is appealing to many due to the associated benefits. Some of these include:

• Improving the way in which health programs are implemented;
• Reducing inequalities between urban and rural areas;
• Improving accountability and transparency levels;
• Improving the way service is delivered as well as how healthcare services are utilized;
• Delivering an enhanced capacity for planning.

So what are some of the factors impacting the decentralization of healthcare?

1. Machine learning and artificial intelligence

Machine learning and artificial intelligence in healthcare are inevitable within a contemporary healthcare system. Not only are they going to help improve the way diseases are diagnosed, but illnesses will also be treated more accurately. The result will be a healthcare system that engages with patients more efficiently.

Additionally, machine learning and artificial intelligence are expected to streamline the way healthcare organizations run, all while restoring sanity to the entire clinic experience.

Machine learning will play a crucial role in numerous health-related spheres, including the advancement of new medical procedures. It will transform the way patient data and records are handled, as well as improve the way chronic diseases are approached and treated, just to mention a few benefits.

2. Disruption of the healthcare device market by software

While technological advancements have been changing almost every field, no industry has been more impacted than the healthcare sector.

Developments in tech and advancements in software over the past few years have paved the way for implausible adjustments in the field of healthcare. These changes not only have the potential to drive the healthcare industry forward and to make it more accessible, but also to reduce the general cost of healthcare by making it more data-centric, streamlined and organized.

Medical software is now making it possible for the medical field to experiment and advance. Thanks to advances in medical software, the ‘internet of things’ is simultaneously constantly evolving. Now, artificial intelligence is continually being utilized to carry out tasks traditionally operated by humans--yet AI does it in a more efficient, consistent and cost-friendly manner.

The potential for medical software in healthcare is vast and will continue to grow as technology continues to advance.

3. The shift toward value-based care

Patient-centered care has become a hotly debated issue in healthcare circles. Traditionally, volume-based care has always been the norm in contexts where fees are typically exchanged for services. However, this is rapidly changing today, and healthcare organizations are now trying to focus their care toward individuals. 

Now, fees are paid against value (so-called value-based care), which then causes healthcare providers to offer their best levels of care at the lowest cost possible. Thanks to this model, patients can start receiving value for their hard-earned money.

Since value-based care takes on a more holistic approach, it has made it so much easier to keep track of a patient’s journey through the healthcare system. Though this value-based system of healthcare may still be growing and evolving, it shows a lot of promise in the decentralization of healthcare.

4. Disruption of the business model

As decentralization continues to become a reality, existing companies must now adapt their business models and adjust their relationships with technology.

Existing healthcare systems will now be forced to go to great lengths to adopt new technology, and many healthcare providers and organizations are already investing in this as new entrants continue to join the industry every year.

Early tech players in the game have already experienced the continuing changes in the healthcare system. But new entrants are quickly discovering that consumers are switching on to enhanced functionality and capabilities--factors that allow them to better interact with the products than they could before. Legacy companies that refuse to accept the imminent change will continue to struggle, so must either change or ship out.

5. The continued influence of consumerism

Today, patients have the freedom to own and access their data and they are more plugged in than they have ever been, as a result of continued technological growth.

Consumerism in healthcare is here to stay as patients continue to become more empowered in the wake of emergent financial responsibility.

As a result of consumerism, patients are now more prepared than ever to interact with the medical industry as customers rather than passive patients. As such, patient expectations regarding healthcare experiences have transformed, and healthcare providers are now doing everything they can to meet patient expectations.

This continued level of consumerism has given patients more power, as well as increased responsibility for their healthcare choices. As individuals become more responsible for their healthcare, anyone engaging in these new payment models can, for example, opt to pay for generic or name-brand drugs, choose between specialty and primary care, or select any other treatment options that will affect the quality of care they receive and the total cost they’re billed for it.

Conclusion

What does a decentralized hospital look like today?

Today’s decentralized healthcare delivery model is one that takes the focus away from the hospital. A decentralized system also features the heavy use of technological advancements such as virtual health and remote monitoring.

This is a guest blog post.

Top Med SPA Treatments That Are Worth Your Money In 2020

Non-surgical procedures have garnered massive popularity in the past few years as more people turn to relatively affordable medical solutions with low downtime. Besides, millennials are now looking for minimally-invasive anti-aging solutions to maintain young skin rather than waiting to address aging issues in their later years. Medical spa treatments are just the right tools to meet the demands of the millennials.

A medical spa can be said to be a hybrid of a medical clinic and a typical spa. You will find them offering services found in a doctor’s office while giving a spa-like experience. The medical spa industry is expected to grow by a massive scale in the coming years as more people get to know about them.

Here’s a list of Med SPA treatments to watch out for in 2020.

• Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal incorporates the use of laser devices to concentrate high-energy light to the hair follicle cells. The energy damages the cells and thereby hampers hair growth.

The therapy is precise, fast, and requires few sessions to keep hair growth at bay. Expect the target hair to be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin before the procedure. The thickness, color, and location of the target hair as well as your skin color, determine the laser equipment settings.

• Laser Spider Vein Removal

Spider veins are those web-like veins that appear on the legs, feet, and face and are attributed to hormonal changes, injury, aging, and pregnancy, among other factors. Damaged one-way valves in veins result, causing the accumulation of blood in veins, weakening of vessel walls, and the resultant bulging manifested by spider veins.

If you are concerned with the appearance of spider veins, specialists at a medical spa can help fade them using laser technology. The professional directs highly-concentrated light to the blood vessels to make the veins disappear or fade gradually. The laser energy destroys the veins without damaging the skin. You don’t have to worry about incisions, downtime, and general anesthesia.

• BBL Photofacial 

Medical spas are now offering Broadband Light (BBL) photofacial, a therapy geared towards improving facial color, reversing sun damage, and improving the skin texture and tone along the process. When compared to intense pulse light (or IPL), BBL is a more accurate and safer method of skin treatment.

Any part of your body can be treated with BBL photofacial, with the usual suspects being the parts most vulnerable to sunlight damage. A BBL device generates energy that gradually heats the upper layers of your skin. The absorbed energy triggers your skin to regenerate new collagen. This way, BBL helps to restore the natural look of your skin while making it younger, more vibrant, and smoother.

BBL photofacial is non-invasive, safe and typically doesn’t require anesthesia, except for areas that your medical spa specialist may deem more sensitive.

• Stem-Cell Therapy

Stem therapy has gained massive popularity over the past few years, with more patients looking to reap its benefits. A stem cell is the body’s toolkit for repair. These cells rush to an injured part of the body to initiate the healing process. Nevertheless, a severely damaged area could prevent the entry of stem cells, and this hampers the healing process. This is where stem cell therapy comes into play. There are several types of stem cells, including embryonic and adult stem cells that can be manipulated to regenerate damaged tissue.

Stem cell implants have been effective in replacing cells damaged by diseases or cancer treatment procedures such as chemotherapy. Visit a medical spa for stem cell injections to equip your body with self-healing tools necessary for injury recovery, awakened hair growth, and disease management.

• Skin Tightening

As you age, the rate of elastin and collagen protein production in your body reduces. The proteins help to maintain firmer skin, and their deficiency may lead to skin laxity. Nevertheless, you don’t have to spend your fortune on creams and surgeries to have your skin tightened. Medical spas can help tighten and tone your skin with non-invasive laser technology. The heat generated by laser device stimulates collagen regeneration, making your skin smoother and younger. The therapy has less discomfort and zero downtime.

Conclusion

Medical spas offer a wide range of services that can help restore the natural beauty and youthful look and could be the best go-to facilities for millennials looking to live their lives fully. As you make new resolutions for the year 2020, be sure to try out one of the above medical spa treatments for a rejuvenated look and renewed confidence in the coming year.

 This is a guest blog entry.

Pet Plans Are More Than a Necessity

Well, in case you didn’t already know if you continuously refer to your pet as part of your family, you aren’t a pet owner. You are what it is called a pet parent.

And pet parents strive to offer the best for their furry friends. This is why many opt for purchasing pet plans. These get fast access to coverage in case of illnesses and accidents, which in turn enables a pet owner and allows him or her to choose the best veterinary treatments for a furry friend. And pet insurance can save a lot of money, as veterinary surgical procedures can exceed $3,000 in costs!

Still, pet plans are not created to help you in case of basic annual expenses that might come from having a pet. Vaccinations, yearly checkups, or necessary oral health appointments might not be included and can cost you up to $230 per year.

It is only reasonable to ask yourself whether or not it is worth having a pet plan. Recently, it has become prevalent amongst pet owners. Studies reveal that if you make an informed decision about the pet plan, you can receive a lot of benefits and amenities for your pet. At the same time, several online platforms, like PetInsuranceFinder, allow pet parents to seek and analyze distinct costs, coverages, and amenities offered by different pet plan providers. Many companies have positive rankings depending on their prices, services, reimbursements, and customer testimonials.

And if you are pondering about whether or not to purchase a pet plan, here’s what you need to be informed about:

• The price of your policy is established based on your pet’s age, breed, and the area you live in. And you can lower the premium by committing to paying a higher deductible or co-pay. Many pet owners at the pet parents’ ThePets.net pet health community opt for a $200 deductible, which offers 80% coverage and a 20% co-pay. Typically, a young and healthy dog comes with a $30 monthly fee, automatically withdrawn from your credit card up until you submit a cancellation request. 

• The coverage you get will not include several things. Pet plans don’t cover basic vet appointments. Yearly heartworm or shots, along with dental care, are not featured in many pet plans. Still, you will receive significant health compensation if your pet is involved in an accident or any other health emergency, such as cancer, congenital issues, surgical procedures, and many others.
   
• You will receive reimbursements. This signifies you need to submit a request and wait for the approval. Overall, you need to redirect proof of veterinary services and a copy of the bill. Also, some providers can work directly with your veterinary office and provide pre-approval for expenses and cover the costs directly to the animal hospital.
   
• Most providers will get you coverage after 15 days have passed since your request was accepted. And you won’t be obliged to submit your pet’s medical history until there is a need for reimbursement. Thus, you can receive your money back after the provider verifies your pet’s medical records and your vet’s office and, of course, after you met the deductible and paid the co-payment.
   
• It is best to enroll your pet in a pet plan when he or she is young. Pre-existing health issues don’t receive coverage, and most companies won’t approve your request for enrolling in an insurance plan. Keep in mind that some breeds might face additional challenges prior to being deemed eligible for a pet plan. As an example, you will need to wait one year before you can access coverage for hip dysplasia for breeds that are predisposed to such issues. And some providers won’t allow you to get such coverage after your pet reached the 6 years’ age mark.

So, whether or not pet insurance is a necessity for you and your pet depends on many factors. If you have an overly active pet, you might need pet insurance to be prepared for unexpected accidents. Anyway, it is always best to assess how pet plans fit your budget, as there are instances in which they get quite expensive.

This is a guest blog entry.

Sleep Is Fundamental to Your Body's Recovery

Picture by Humphrey Muleba from Unsplash

Exercise is fundamental to maintaining a healthy body. However, if it is not supported by the appropriate levels and quality of rest, your fitness goals will become more difficult to achieve. The physical demand of working out may also make a more significant impact on your body’s health if it is not balanced with the opportunity to recover. This could lead to illness and injury.

Recovery Process

At night, the body releases hormones to slow down breathing, reduce blood pressure, and relax the muscles. The pineal gland secretes somatotropin, the growth hormone, in large quantities to facilitate muscle repair. Oxygen and blood are redirected from the brain to the muscles to support tissue repair. The immune system releases small proteins, called cytokines, to reduce inflammation. This is similar to how our body reacts when it is injured. Exercise is essentially causing controlled damage to your body so it can improve itself.

Sleep Deprivation Study

Research on the relation between sleep and damaged muscle tissue revealed 'sleep plays a permissive role in the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue.' The study discusses health issues arising from the lack of sleep. Most notably, the research found muscle degeneration in the test subjects. Without high-quality and regular sleep before and after exercise, the positive effects of exercise are weakened.
Improve Sleep Quality and Aid Muscle Repair

Below are a few suggestions to incorporate into your night-time routine, to support and enhance your body's recovery.

• Invest in a mattress that fulfills your body's needs. If you suffer from back pain, eachnight advises the best mattress for back pain will 'conform to the body, relieve pressure points, and provide full-body support.' Search for a mattress from a reputable supplier that provides quality beds, since budget-friendly mattresses deteriorate quickly.


• Exclude light from your bedroom, such as natural light, lamps, and mobile devices. Light exposure, such as blue light emitted from mobile devices, prevents the body from producing melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall asleep. Switching off your mobile device also stops the body's recovery from being interrupted at night by text alerts.


• Adults should sleep at least 7 to 9 hours a night. However, for those who exercise, research suggests lengthening your sleep beyond this is beneficial for your body's recovery. For instance, athletes reportedly sleep longer to maximize muscle growth.


• According to the US Library of National Medicine, a recent study conducted on a group of men revealed 'protein-rich beverages improve overnight muscle protein synthesis.' Protein synthesis is a natural process that repairs muscles after an intense workout. A nutritious, protein-rich diet and plenty of water will replenish your body and aid muscle restoration while you sleep.

While a good night’s rest or an extra hour in bed may seem like a luxury, it should be treated as a part of your physical regime. If you fail to give your body an appropriate time to repair, pushing it the extra mile won’t deliver the results you are hoping for. Make sure that every run and workout is balanced with a sustained and comfortable sleep.

This is a guest blog entry.

10 Things You Should Know About Holistic Dentistry

Going to the dentist every 3-6 months has become the norm nowadays. It is a practice that has been reinforced in our minds from an early age and we are, in turn, passing it to our children. What isn’t the norm, however, is the many options that we now have when it comes to dental care. A wide range of new approaches such as holistic dentistry are becoming more and more popular. And speaking of holistic dentistry, here are 10 things that you need to know should you choose this amazing dentistry approach.

1. The mouth-body connection

Holistic dentists believe that any procedure that they perform on the teeth will have a long-term effect on the rest of the body. They also believe that whatever goes on in the body—whether positive or negative—have an impact on the mouth. Because of this important connection, holistic dentists take into consideration factors such as lifestyle, diet, emotional and mental health to determine the best approach for a patient’s dental health and overall well-being.

2. Use of natural remedies

Holistic dentistry focuses more on the use of natural, preventive remedies instead of invasive procedures to take care of common dental issues. This is why Rejuv dentist New York and other holistic dental clinics neither provide crowns and root canals nor use common procedures that are typical of traditional practices. For instance, they use x-ray sparingly.

3. Goes beyond the administration of treatment

Besides the administration of treatment, holistic dentistry advises and educates patients on how dentistry can influence or be influenced by the overall health of their bodies. For instance, they are shown how oral conditions like gum diseases and tooth decay can impact pregnancy and cardiovascular health. In other words, holistic dentistry also focuses on the physical, nutritional, and environmental aspects that may influence a patient’s life.

4. Uses White fillings instead of amalgams

Since they believe that the mercury in amalgam fillings may have a detrimental effect on health, holistic dentists tend to use white fillings instead of mercury-based fillings. White fillings are not only less visible but are also made from safer composite materials.

5. Use of pre-tested dental materials

Although holistic dentists use biocompatible materials, they don’t favor any dental material. They pre-test every filling material to figure out whether it is suitable for the patient, especially based on his or her dental health status and medical history.

6. They shun fluoride treatments

In holistic dentistry, the use of fluoride, particularly in children is associated with weakening of bones, thyroid damage, white spots on teeth, and increased risk of fractures. So, you will seldom find a holistic doctor using fluoride in children.

7. Strict removing of silver amalgams

Holistic dentists follow strict guidelines like those set by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology when removing silver amalgams. A nitrile or latex is often used to isolate the teeth when being worked on by the dentist to prevent accidental swallowing of mercury and other harmful materials.

8. Use of zirconia implants

Holistic dentists favor the use of zirconia implants as an alternative to titanium implants. Although they are technically considered to be metal oxides, they have a wide range of benefits, including:

• They don’t conduct heat and electrical energy like titanium implants
• Gums heal fast and well around them
• They are less visible
• Suitable for allergic patients
• They don’t corrode in acidic environments like titanium.

9. Limited use of painkillers

The use of painkillers is common in the health care industry, including dental care. However, holistic dentists tend to avoid the use of painkillers after most of their procedures. This is part of the whole body care approach that these dentists resort to in a bid to find natural remedies after such procedures.

10. Embraces technology

Contrary to what most people believe, choosing holistic dental care doesn’t mean sacrificing technology-based treatments. It is only focused on minimally-invasive treatments. So, you are likely to find a wide range of state-of-the-art procedures in a holistic dental clinic, including same-day crown technology, high-tech ceramic dental implants, and laser treatments for gum diseases among other technologies.

Bottom-line

As you can see, holistic dentistry focuses on the health of the whole body and the use of natural remedies for dental care. Hopefully, the above-highlighted aspects have shed some light on what you should expect when you switch from traditional dental care to holistic dentistry.

This is a guest blog entry.

Exercise Helps Conquer Addiction, Says Harvard; San Diego Treatment Center Reacts

Drug poisoning is now the leading cause of unintentional deaths in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2016, over 63,632 people died from an overdose on drugs in the United States. And of course, opioids singularly were the reason for at least 42,249 of these deaths. It is mostly for this reason that professionals in the addiction industry remain scrambling to attain more research and methods to treat dependence on drugs or alcohol.

Currently, addiction is one of the hottest topics in the media regarding healthcare for these very reasons. With so many (annually and population-adjusted) increasing rates of fatalities, citizens of the US increasingly wonder what can be done to help stop the wave of dependence - no matter the size of the action.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, one simple activity taken often can assist in someone’s recovery from drugs or alcohol - and there is sufficient evidence to support this claim. This action, perhaps arriving surprisingly to some, is exercise. Harvard, in their article assessing whether exercise can help conquer addiction, speaks about the way physical activity can positively affect a recovering brain.

Claire Twark, MD, the author of the above-mentioned article states: “Animal studies have shown that regular swimming reduces voluntary morphine consumption in opioid-dependent rats, and access to an exercise wheel reduces self-administration of cocaine in rats dependent on the drug.” She continues that “In [her] experience, many patients with various substance use disorders have found that exercise helps to distract them from cravings. Workouts add structure to the day. They help with forming positive social connections, and help treat depression and anxiety in combination with other therapies.”

Most studies on the efficacy of exercise positively affecting addiction were conducted on animals. Although not many human studies exist yet, the results of existing experiments are still quite compelling.

No matter the reason, exercise appears to help curb cravings for drugs and alcohol. One San Diego treatment center is building upon the facts that studies from across the globe, such as the studies cited in Harvard’s article, suggest.

Healthy Life Recovery, a San Diego-based rehab, decided to incorporate exercise into its four pillars to everlasting sobriety. The Four Pillars of their recovery program serve as cornerstones that Healthy Life Recovery’s treatment goals and modalities are based around. The other three (just as vital) pillars involve community, education, and nutrition.

Drugs and alcohol can cause long-lasting changes in an addict’s brain. Luckily, exercise has the potential to reverse this. At the least, exercise can curb cravings, as suggested above.

Exercise, in line with treatment procedures at Healthy Life Recovery, rehab in San Diego, California, increases the amount of the “feel-good” chemicals in one’s brain and provides clients a great foundation

Some academics, doctors, and addiction professionals believe that addiction is a disease, while others believe it is a result of “deep learning”. Either way, addiction is a chronic mental illness that often lasts for one’s entire life. It’s a tough battle to beat, and the statistics exist to prove it.

However, multiple treatment modalities are emerging to help someone recover and stay abstinent from drugs. Now, exercise proves to be one of them.

This is a guest blog entry.

CBD Oil Determined By Scientists To Treat Nerve Pain

With the opioid crisis on the heels of America's population, CBD offers a genuine alternative to addictive pain medications when treating nerve pain - without concerning risks for addiction.

At least two million adults in the United States suffer from chronic neuropathic pain. Pain caused by nerve dysfunction is downright one of the most challenging and mysterious types of pain to treat. It seems as though scientists and doctors currently don’t know precisely what causes many types of neuropathic pain and nerve disorders, leaving many sufferers from this chronic pain to fend for themselves.

Scientists have conducted various studies to attempt to discover the source of nerve pain, but it seems that all people can do right now is find ways to treat the symptoms. Luckily, there are some options for those suffering from chronic pain besides pain pills and NSAIDs, like Ibuprofen.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, in particular, is an alternative to pain medications and other chronic pain treatment that has gained significant popularity in the past few years.

This popularity is not without warrant. Scientists are regularly conducting clinical trials and surveys that show, more and more, that CBD oil isn’t merely the new rage. Although a popular and in-trend product, CBD oil might be here to stay because of its legitimately high potential in the medical arena.

Specific studies are shedding a lot of light on CBD’s abilities. Take, for example, one study’s statement about how CBD has more antioxidant properties than Vitamin C and Glutamate, two potent natural antioxidants. This same study also proceeds to mention that CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory.

In Canada, a particular spray containing one part CBD and one part THC, was recently approved to treat pain. “Sativex®, a cannabis derived oromucosal spray containing equal proportions of THC (partial CB1 receptor agonist ) and cannabidiol (CBD, a non-euphoriant, anti-inflammatory analgesic... was approved in Canada in 2005 for treatment of central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis, and in 2007 for intractable cancer pain.”

It seems that the United States is just beginning to catch up in terms of research and media coverage of CBD’s benefits. With minimal, if any, side effects, CBD oil is an extremely safe alternative to many other pain relief treatments, therapies, and medications. CBD oil, against contrary assumption, does not produce any psychoactive side effects, unlike its sibling, THC.

Some other uses of CBD relating to the central nervous system include the treatment of epilepsy and seizures. When used alone or with other phytocannabinoids, CBD has been shown to significantly reduce convulsions. CBD is also able to reduce muscle spasms and relieve anxiety. Unlike many pharmaceutical company medications, using CBD is practically without risk, when taken in proper dosage.

When used in replacement of opioids, CBD tinctures prove extremely successful for treating pain. CBD, a practically non-addictive substance, encourages no dependency, unlike its counterparts in the opioid industry.

Chronic pain can dampen the life of the sufferer and their surrounding loved ones, making it nearly impossible to live life to its fullest, most joyful potential. If you or someone you love is suffering from neuropathic pain, nerve damage, or other types of chronic pain, CBD oil and other CBD treatments could be the answer (or, at least part of it). Be sure to speak with your physician before trying any alternative treatment for nerve pain.

This is a guest blog entry.