Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 8-28-15 Edition

Health
Is Your Spine Healthy?
How Sleeping Positions Affect Your Health
If you have scoliosis, then you’re probably more in tune with your spine than most peo- ple. With more than three mil- lion new cases in the U.S. every year, scoliosis is quite common. Not familiar with scoliosis? It’s when the spine is curved side- ways. Symptoms include back pain, fatigue, muscle spasms, and uneven hips and shoulders.
Furthermore, there are four types of scoliosis: infantile (oc- curs at birth to three years old); juvenile (occurs between ages 4- 9); adolescent (occurs between ages 10-18); and adult (18 and older). Scoliosis is manageable, but it’s best to start receiving treatment as soon as it’s de- tected, especially if the person is 23 or younger. The reason for this is because our bones ossify (a fancy term for “harden”) as we become older.
What Causes It?
Some scoliosis is caused by genetic anomalies in the spine, which could include a fused ver- tebra on one side, a vertebra that has a malformed shape, a spina bifida or cerebral palsy. Also, some scoliosis can be caused by
trauma, which can include frac- tures and malignancies.
Can It Be Treated?
Scoliosis under 20 degrees is considered mild. Most scoliosis cases are mild and can be cor- rected easily with gentle chiro- practic adjustments and stretches. Some moderate scol- iosis can have a combined treat- ment with chiropractic, stretches and a brace. Some sco- liosis can be severe and becomes worse throughout life. In some cases, if the scoliosis is too se- vere, then it will start to put pressure on organs held in the body and surgery may be re- quired.
Remember, the best way to ensure you or your child’s spinal health is by getting screened yearly. “Most chiropractors offer a free screening for scoliosis. The next step is X-rays where the angle of the curve can be measured. Once a child receives treatment, then an x-ray should be performed every year to measure changes and progress. X-rays are usually covered under insurance under wellness care.
Did you know that how you sleep affects your health? There are some common sleep positions that could be good or bad for you. See which one applies to you below:
On Your Back, Arms at Sides - Sleeping on your back with your arms at your side is generally considered to be the best sleeping position for spine health and it’s good for your neck, too, as long as you don’t use too many pillows. That said, back sleepers tend to snore more than those in any other position and sleep apnea is strongly associ- ated with sleeping on the back.
Fetal Position -Sleeping all curled up into a ball with your knees drawn up and your chin tilted down might be comfortable but it’s probably one of the worst sleeping positions to consider as it can do a number on your back and neck.
The extreme curl of the fetal position can also restrict deep breathing. That considered, sleeping like a fetus can have you sleeping like a baby if you typically have problems with snoring or if you’re pregnant.
On Side, Arms at Sides - When you’re sleep- ing on your side with both arms down, the spine is best supported in its natural curve. This can definitely help reduce back and neck pain while also reducing sleep apnea. The downside? Sleep- ing on the side can contribute to skin aging due to gravity, meaning facial wrinkles and sagging breasts.
On Side, Arms Out - This position has many of the same benefits of sleeping on your side with your arms straight down. However, any side sleeping can cause shoulder and arm pain due to restricted blood flow and pressure on the nerves, which may be exacerbated by having your arms out in front of you.
On the Right Side - If you’re a side-sleeper, which side you sleep on also makes a difference. Sleeping on the right side can worsen heartburn while sleeping on the left side can put strain on in- ternal organs like the liver, lungs, and stomach (while minimizing acid reflux). For pregnant sleepers, doctors typically advise sleeping on the left side, since this can improve circulation to the fetus.
Use What?! 4 Strange Skincare Substitutes
We’ve used coconut oil in just about every way imaginable, and have no issue swapping out our blush for that cherry flavored, red colored lip balm we love! So what about other substitutions? You are in luck! There are plenty of other ways to make what you already have in your beauty and kitchen cabinets multi-functional. Take a look below:
1. Crisco - Yep good ole’ Crisco. It’s meant to be used in the kitchen, typically for baking, but why not use it as an all-purpose moisturizer. It’s perfect! And for all of you vegans out there, this is great for you because it’s vegetable shortening, not lard! Just like my love for nightly Vaseline fa- cial moisturizing, Crisco is just as good. No wor- ries – you won’t wake up with quarter size pimples. The formula is meant to lay on the skin and seal in the natural oils your skin produces, so it won’t penetrate enough to create buildup and acne.
2. Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel - Run out of your primer, but have some anti-chaf-
ing formula laying around? This is a great and af- fordable alternative. In fact, many celebrity makeup artists swear by it. The dimethicone in the Monistat acts as a silicone base, making the appli- cation of makeup smoother and gives your skin a pore-blurring effect. The best part about it is most of the top selling primers on the market are be- yond expensive and Monistat Chafing Relief Pow- der-Gel is a third of the price.
3. Orajel - Want to plump up those lips? The Orajel formula offers the same effects that a lip plumper does, plus you get the added minty twist. It’s not a complete alternative, as most reviewers prefer the texture of an actual lip plumper, but if you are in a bind, try it out!
4. Apple Cider Vinegar - Ran out of your fa- vorite facial toner? Run to your kitchen. Mix 1 tea- spoon of ACV per half cup of water and add a few drops of essential oil for scent if you’d like. When applied on cleansed skin, the apple cider vinegar mixture will act as both an astringent and toner!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-B