Chicago YogaWorks

People are beginning to realize that quality of life is in their hands. There are many dimensions to health including physical, mental, environmental, social and spiritual aspects. All of these aspects of health are interrelated, interdependent and the general idea is changing to a view that a holistic idea of health is of greater value. Growing numbers of people are taking responsibiliy for their own health and adopting complimentary alternative medicine (CAM), to promote healthier lifestyles. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Report recently showed that 38% of adults use some sort of CAM to treat chronic health conditions, prevent disease, treat pain, and maintain wellness.

What is CAM ?

CAM includes a diverse group of medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine such as YOGA, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, mediatation, and herbal supplements. Historically, the boundary between conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been sharply drawn. Conventional medicine was evidence-based and practiced by physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, while CAM wasn’t. But as scientific data supporting CAM builds and its popularity among patients grows, the lines between the two sides are blurring. CAM is increasingly becoming recognized by experts in health and human resources as a way to promote health and well-being and has been proven to reduce back and neck pain, general fatigue, and repetitive stress injuries.

CAM Therapies

The National Institute of Health recently reported that the most popular types of CAM  being adopted by adults are:

1) Herbal and Dietary Supplements, Probiotics (17.7%)
2) Deep Breathing Exercises (12.7%)
3) Meditation (9.4%)
4) Chiropractic (8.6%)
5) Massage (8.3%)
6) YOGA (6.1%)

CAM is primarily being used to treat pain, including back, neck and shoulder pain, joint pain/stiffness, arthritis, headaches, carapal tunnel and various musculoskeletal conditions. However, research shows that CAM therapies are increasingly being utilized for injury and disease prevention, stress reduction, fatigue, anxiety, depression, well-being, and preventative health maintenance.  Recent research from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) shows that the usage of YOGA and the deep breathing exercises and meditation provided in yoga classes are significantly increasing as a means to promote health.

Recent reports released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) indicate that more than 18 million adults and 2 million children receive chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation. Chiropractic is a health care approach that focuses on the relationship between the body's structure, mainly the spine, and its functioning. Practitioners may use a variety of treatment approaches, but primarily perform adjustments to the spine or other parts of the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems and supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself. An adjustment involves using the hands or a device to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint, moving it beyond its passive range of motion. The goal is to increase the range and quality of motion in the area being treated and to aid in restoring health. Other treatments include mobilization (movement of a joint within its usual range of motion), ART: Active Release Technique , Graston, McKenzie Technique  and Kinesio Taping. Practitioners utilize treatment, rehabilitation exercises, counseling for diet, weight loss, and lifestyle, and dietary supplements to promote recovery and maintain health.
Many people who seek chiropractic care have chronic, pain-related health conditions. Low-back pain, neck pain, and headache are common conditions for which people seek chiropractic treatment. However, a growing number of people are seeking out chiropractic care for sports injury care as well as performance maintenance. This is in response to specialized techniques such as Active Release Technique (ART), Graston, McKenzie Technique and Kinesio Taping.

Contact Dr. Marando, at Physicians Plus Chicago, to find out more about the specialized chiropractic and sports injury techniques that he offers.

According to the National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 18 million U.S. adults are utilizing massage therapy. People use massage for a variety of health-related purposes, including to relieve pain, rehabilitate sports injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address anxiety and depression, and aid general wellness. Massage therapy involves the use of a therapists hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, or feet to physically press, rub, and manipulate muscles and other soft tissues of the body. There are many different types of massage therapy. A few examples of massage therapy include Swedish massage (therapist uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping), Sports massage (similar to Swedish massage, adapted specifically to the needs of athletes), Deep Tissue Massage and Trigger Point Massage (focuses on myofascial trigger points (muscle knots) that are painful when pressed and can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body), and Reflexology(applies pressure to the feet, hands, or ears to promote relaxation and healing in other parts of the body).