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Spinal instability is a term that describes the presence of abnormal movement between two vertebrae. As we age or injure ourselves through different kinds of traumas, our discs degenerate and lose tension, which allows more movement to take place between the vertebrae. Furthermore, the facet joints located on the back of the spinal column, become displaced and arthritic, causing the production of bone spurs around the margin of the joints. 

Symptoms of spinal instability include back pain, muscle spasm, and limited range of motion, among other things as the pain is caused when normal flexion and extension movements cause the vertebrae to articulate abnormally. Most often, the associated spinal nerve will be right in the firing line, and the irritation of this nerve is what will send pain signals to the brain. 

A common response for treating spinal instability is surgery, but the condition can be managed with chiropractic as well. Because the condition is caused by the vertebrae falling out of alignment, there is a lot we can do to prevent the instability from getting worse and actually help restrengthen the region and restore some semblance of balance. 

• We focus on the surrounding muscles: strengthening compromised muscles so that they can lend support to the unstable region, and treating sore muscles with massage and trigger point therapy to keep the tissues of the lower back in good shape. 
• Encourage weight loss: every excess pound is going to complicate the problem further. Through nutrition and exercise, we can help you reduce the burden that is placed on the unstable region. 
• Correct spinal misalignment (subluxation)
• Encourage lymph flow out of the injurious region. 

An improvement of symptoms through chiropractic is a great indicator of success for surgery. Spinal instability is a serious condition and should be treated as such; before any steps are taken, you must have a full picture of the condition you are facing. At Holmes Chiropractic, we offer you our services in the detection and conservative treatment of spinal instability.

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

A tight piriformis muscle is a problem: when the muscle that runs adjacent to the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, so to does the sciatic nerve, the nerve responsible for communicating with muscles in the back side of the lower body. It is important to distinguish piriformis syndrome from other problems that could be creating similar symptoms, and in this respect we can help. 

Piriformis syndrome is typically characterized by a sore butt, or dull aching in the sacrum region and at the tops of the femurs. This can also contribute to sciatica which is characterized by numbness and tingling in the legs, pain and stiffness in the back side which can make it difficult to stand up. If we determine that piriformis syndrome may be contributing to sciatica or just causing you discomfort, we can move forward with a chiropractic treatment plan that helps restore the function and mobility of pelvic and spinal joints, and includes trigger point therapy that releases the tension from the muscles. Following up with simple stretching and exercise ensures you have the best chance of overcoming piriformis syndrome. Here are 2 simple stretches to be done from home:

• Lay on your back with legs extended and feet flexed. Slowly draw one knee up and clasp both hands behind it. Pull this knee toward the opposite shoulder until you feel resistance and hold for 30 seconds. This constitutes 1 rep and should be repeated 3 times with each leg.
• Lay on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Rest the right ankle over the knee of the left leg and pull the left thigh toward your chest. Hold this stretch for up to 30 seconds and repeat on each side up to 3 times. 

With stretching, consistency is key. Try devoting 5 minutes before bed and when you wake up to these easy stretches and feel how the built up tension in the piriformis muscle dissipates. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

Sciatica is the name of the condition in which the sciatic nerve, the longest in the human body, is irritated. Running from the lower back, through the butt and down the leg, it’s no wonder this nerve can come under fire from a variety of injuries- whether it be from a herniated disc, subluxation in the lower back or a problem relating to the piriformis muscle, sciatica is characterized by pain and stiffness in the lower back, shooting pains that can make standing up difficult, and especially by tingling or numbness in the lower extremities. Fortunately, chiropractic is a tailor made treatment for sciatica. 

While all of us have subluxation of varying degrees at different points in our life, a subluxation in the lumbar region can create sciatic nerve compression. Furthermore, herniated discs lead to sciatica in the same way that it causes nerve problems elsewhere in the back: the cartilaginous material in the disc begins to bulge into the spinal canal and put pressure on the nearby nerves, which, in the case of sciatica, will be the sciatic nerve. While most herniated discs will heal by themselves, chiropractic adjustment, traction and spinal decompression are great techniques for easing the pain associated with herniated discs and speeding up the time of recovery. 

The piriformis muscle runs underneath the glutes and it can also cause irritation to the sciatic nerve if it becomes strained or stiff. We treat the piriformis muscle with trigger point therapy to release the tension and improve circulation. While the reasons for your particular sciatic nerve pain are likely varied, your best way to fight it is with the insight and care we offer at Holmes Chiropractic. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

While the concept of diminishing returns is borrowed from economics, it can also be applied to strength training, particularly muscle building. When we take a workout too far or workout too persistently, not giving the body the time or nutrition it needs to recover, your muscles will reach a point where they are incurring physical trauma at a faster rate than their body can repair the damage.  Signs of overtraining include: 

• Feeling drained after a routine workout
• Emotional instability
• Underperformance
• Inability to concentrate
• Personality and mood changes
• Chronic fatigue

Many of these symptoms can be worsened by an imbalance in the nervous system, themselves often a result of too much exercise and not enough rest. Subluxation is often present in athletes who are feeling out of whack, and chiropractic adjustments work to restore the spine to proper alignment, allowing the conduit of the nervous system to communicate properly with every system in the body. Furthermore, we can help open up injurious muscle sites to an influx of nutrients through targeted massage. 

Avoiding the syndrome of overtraining means being informed and proactive: your level of activity and fitness must be balanced by adhering to a proper rest schedule and ensuring that your muscle protein synthesis is greater than protein breakdown through diet. If your body is the warship, then we can be your maintenance crew. Call our office in Houston today to schedule an appointment. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

Scar tissue is a part of the body’s natural healing process: in the same way that a cut in the skin will eventually heal over and form a temporary or permanent scar, the same happens within the body when serious injury, surgery or repetitive trauma occurs. Cells are destroyed and cells must regenerate to replace them. The only difference is that scar tissue, by some estimates, is 60% as elastic as the previous healthy tissue. Furthermore, when scar tissue is allowed to build up over time it can form an adhesion to the surrounding tissue, rendering a previously flexible region stiff and sore. 

The idea is too prevent the accumulation of too much scar tissue. Chiropractic offers a few excellent modalities for doing just that, including the Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, Myofascial Release, and Trigger Point Therapy that targets areas with a lot of scar tissue and breaks up the tension. Even basic massage is good at getting in there and dissipating the build up of scar tissue. By doing this, we can help you improve range of motions in stiff joints and improve pain symptoms. 

One final benefit is that by defeating the adhesion of scar tissue to surrounding tissue, we are actively fighting a force that is seeking to pull your body out of balance. At Holmes Chiropractic, we support any initiative that keeps your spine balanced and free of pain. If too much scar tissue has created a problem in your life, give our office a call and schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

Are you currently, or have you ever been in the predicament where you want to start exercising, but the thought of starting from scratch seems overwhelming and just plain difficult? If so, don’t despair: there are millions of other people in America who face the same wall. With the proliferation of workout plans and the dissemination of diet fads online, there is more misinformation and confusion than ever when it comes to the rather large concept of, “getting healthy.” At Holmes Chiropractic, we find that humans thrive and are more likely to succeed when goals are discussed in person. Interfacing forces you to be more honest and it really helps to tease out your inhibitions and help you develop strategies for overcoming them. 

Any plan to get you back to exercising regularly must begin by removing physical obstacles such as pain and stiffness. Subluxation is perhaps the most common spinal ailment, and chiropractic adjustments are great at removing the nerve interference and restoring the back to a state of balance. If your muscles are tight from years of working in an office, we can target trigger points with massage modalities to release tension and increase circulation.

When it comes to working out, the golden rule is persistence. Staying committed to your plan, whatever it is, will pay far more dividends than working out intensely and burning yourself out. We can help you develop a plan that incorporates the kind of exercise you are comfortable with and happy doing so that you keep coming back for more.

A conversation could be all the catalyst you need to effect major life improvements. Let us help you by serving as both your chiropractic doctor and accountability partner in your quest for well-being. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

So you want to get moving, but the thought of going for a run is appalling, you don’t have a bicycle and, at this point, you’re all out of ideas. This is typical for many people who find it hard to get motivated or excited about working out regularly: the excuses usually outweigh everything else. It would help if there was an activity that you could get excited about and for people who are comfortable in the water, swimming could be just the ticket to help you maintain weight and peace of mind. I want to give you a few reasons why getting back in touch with your aquatic ancestry could be a boon for your health: 

• Whole body workout: as you glide through the water, you are working out muscles you don’t use on a daily basis. The natural resistance of the water builds and tones muscles and can burn up to 500 calories an hour. 
• Breathing better: swimming simply makes your respiratory system work harder. Water is denser than air which means your body must work harder to capture and supply oxygen to the body. As you swim more, you will establish a new, better baseline of breathing.
• Less impact: as far as aerobic exercise goes, swimming is the one with the least drawbacks. Running (and cycling to a certain extent) is an activity that causes repetitive trauma to the joints, especially in the knees and spine. Swimming has all the aerobic benefits without the trauma.
• Good for the mind: being buoyant feels great. Tension lifts, gravity is partially suspended and your joints and muscles revel in the feeling. Simply being in water is linked to improvements in mood for both men and women.

Swimming can be as vigorous or slow-moving as you like. The point is that you are using your body regularly. For help on finding the right workout to get yourself moving, give our office in Houston a call and schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

It pays to be confident in your body’s range of motion; you can perform to your standard of movement knowing that injury is not waiting to strike at any moment.  know all Age alone takes a toll on the body, before considering other factors like diet, exercise and overall health. Most adults are at peace with the realization that they may never again see the flexibility they had as a child, but there are steps you can take to preserve your range of motion and thus, the longevity of your body, if we can only be bothered. 

What does a more flexible body look like?

• Lengthier muscles and connective tissue
• Enables these same muscles to work more effectively
• Increase of blood flow to the muscles
• Injury prevention 
• Confidence in motion
• Better posture

At Holmes Chiropractic, we help people find their optimal range of motion, depending on the unique circumstances of their life. We seek to help everyone perform the motions they need to without pain and focus on rehabilitating injuries that may be limiting them. An important element of a fully flexible body is a properly balanced and aligned spine, and we help you to maintain this balance with chiropractic adjustment. Once we loosen the tight grip of pain from your life, we can focus on a wellness plan that supports strong, mobile joints and pliable muscles.

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

What is your breakfast style? From protein hounds to yogurt fiends to the functioning coffee and croissant addict, there are a variety of ways you can choose to start off your day. The important part is that you feed your brain to help break the fast of the night and transition into a day full of productivity or activity. This means that for optimal nutrition, food must be consumed within 2 hours of waking, and the more balanced the better. Eating little to no breakfast is linked to serious health concerns including depression, diabetes and heart disease. Besides this, our well-being is affected when we forego the morning meal. At Holmes Chiropractic, we believe the verdict is clear: we need to start taking breakfast seriously. Breakfast affects us in the following ways: 

• Weight management: when did people start thinking that foregoing breakfast was a legitimate way to lose weight. The more likely outcome is that your body craves calories later in the day to make up for the deficit that you created, leading you to eat more during the least active part of the day, creating actual weight gain. 
• Energy needs: you need fuel to get your butt out the door in the morning. While coffee is great for meeting immediate cognitive energy needs, it neglects all other parts of the body. 
• Cognitive function: your brain is a muscle on its own. If you starve it of key nutrients in the morning, how can you reasonably expect it to function with high productivity and low stress? 
• Longevity: simply put, eating breakfast regularly is linked to a longer life. As with everything in life, our eating habits should be fluid: rather than depleting it of nutrients then making up for it later, we should hold nutrient levels steady throughout the day. 

We would like to see people rekindle their relationship with breakfast time. Carving out a few extra minutes to enjoy a balanced breakfast can make all the difference in your daily state of mind. At our office in Houston, we support you through every health goal, whether it be losing or maintaining weight, rehabilitating and injury or maintaining your daily well-being, give our office a call and start making changes today. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C. 

Resistance stretching is relatively new to the spotlight, having come into prominence as an integral part of US Olympic training programs. Perhaps this occurrence was given rise because modern lifestyles have led us to value efficiency and in this respect, resistance stretching is a king. At Holmes Chiropractic we believe that both flexibility and strength are integral to well-being and longevity of the body. With resistance stretching, you can build both simultaneously while doing more mundane activities such as watching television. We call that healthy multi-tasking. 

The benefits of resistance stretching: 

• Contributes to spinal balance
• Increases muscle power production
• Improves flexibility and thus, preserves range of motion
• Improves joint mechanics
• Reduces joint stress and pain
• Increases core stability

Resistance stretching is counter-intuitive: it relies on the idea that a muscle can be simultaneously shortened and lengthened. However, it can be done with the right attention to detail: exercises such as resisted neck twists, core development stretching, partner-resisted upper back and hamstring stretches are easy to learn and have a lasting benefit. Furthermore, the importance of both stretching and exercise is not found in the intensity but the regularity. We want to help you learn to truly appreciate the value of stretching so that you will keep yourself accountable as you progress with your health plan. 

Dr. Randall Holmes, D.C.