Nerve Impingement Syndrome (NIS) is caused by the misalignment of a joint, which can occur for a number of reasons, including incorrect exercise, a sports or repetitive motion injury, even stress or a poor diet. This misalignment is known medically as a Subluxation and it can not only affect your ability to recover from workouts it can:
1) Lessen your ability to adapt to stress.
2) Alter the function of your internal organs, glands, muscles, joints and discs.
3) Cause pain
4) Accelerate joint aging
5) Decrease your height
6) Cause spinal degeneration
7) Drain your energy
8) Decrease your resistance to disease
In fact very few people understand the importance of having their nervous system evaluated and treated. This is especially important when it comes to athletes and bodybuilders since they are subjecting their nervous systems to constant stress via the increased demands of intense training.
We all know about taking care of our heart, our liver and keeping our cholesterol levels in check since the media is constantly informing us on these issues. However, your strength, health and vitality in general rely on the ability of your nervous system to transmit impulses throughout your body. Disruption of the nervous system interferes with these signals and leads to a malfunction on a level which may not just affect your performance and recovery ability but may seriously compromise your health.
NERVE IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME AND THE SPINE
A misalignment of your spinal column can be the source of many health problems. In fact many bodybuilders pay regular visits to the chiropractor in order to relieve back and neck pain. When the vertebrae are compromised by a misalignment they are unable to move and function properly. Misaligned vertebrae (subluxations) create a situation where the vertebrae are either rigid or too fluid, the end result of which is Nerve Impingement Syndrome. This creates nervous system interference, which ultimately leads to pain and ill health. Nervous system interference can also significantly slow down (or stop completely) the recovery process following workouts.
In fact, it has recently been suggested that spinal manipulation might increase the activity of the gene regulating IGF-1, a powerful muscle growth factor which promotes muscle growth and repair of muscles and nerves.
A NEW APPROACH TO TREATMENT OF THE SPINE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM
The traditional approach to treating the spine and nervous system is via a chiropractor using a technique called palpation to locate and adjust the misaligned vertebrae. Although this is a highly efficient technique it is not the most comfortable process to endure, as I am sure most people who visit a regular chiropractor will agree. However, what if I was to tell you that a more comfortable alternative was available where you could actually sit in an upright position and receive treatment to your spine and nervous system with no discomfort whatsoever. In addition to this you could also view your progress as a computer graphic leaving you with a precise representation of your progress.
This amazing alternative is called the Pro-Adjuster and it is the same technology and type of instrument that NASA engineers have used in the space program in order to evaluate the integrity of the ceramic cooling tiles on the outside of the space shuttle.
The Pro-Adjuster instrument determines whether the vertebra is too rigid or too fluid by applying a light mechanical test force to the joints directly over the spine. The advantage here is that when traditional hands on pressure is used, the body goes into defense and the muscles contract and guard against impact. However, the sensor in the Pro-Adjuster responds and registers information faster than your body's ability to react. This enables a very precise and accurate picture of each vertebra to be presented to the computer for interpretation. The computer screen will then display a waveform that matches the resistance of the vertebrae. These waveforms inform the doctor of the location and type of malfunction. The doctor then interprets the information and determines the appropriate treatment. Based on this interpretation treatment can then begin
Treatment itself consists of tapping the vertebrae a precise number of times with a light and steady pressure. There is no pain or discomfort involved and the results are extremely accurate. Each treatment builds on the one before until ultimately all problems are resolved. The end result is an improved range of motion, enhanced nerve response; better bodily function and a general enhancement in performance and recovery ability.
The benefits of using the Pro-Adjuster for the hard training athlete are far reaching. The accuracy, ease of analysis and advanced treatment options represent a truly state-of-the-art approach to achieving peak performance and recovery. The computer analysis assists you in gaining a clear understanding of your problem areas and you are able to actually see the results of each treatment and witness the resolution of your problem.
It is a little like going to the gym, each time you lift weights you get progressively stronger until you are using weights you would never have dreamed of being capable of lifting when you started. With the Pro-Adjuster, each treatment builds on the one before and each treatment leaves you feeling better and stronger. The ultimate reward being a healthier nervous system, which is a priceless asset not only to your training but also to your life in general.
WHERE TO FIND THE PRO-ADJUSTER
Finding a skilled practitioner well educated in the use of this advanced technology is not always easy, but it is well worth the effort.
For those of you living in the New York City area, you can obtain this treatment exclusively from Dr Elizabeth Greenberg at Flatiron Health Associates on Fifth Avenue. Dr Greenberg has been a practicing chiropractor for over twenty years and employs the Pro-Adjuster as well as traditional chiropractic techniques. In fact she has a client list, which includes many bodybuilders and athletes and is no stranger to dealing with their special requirements.
I asked her how long it would typically take to feel results from the Pro-Adjuster:
"Most people really feel the difference about 24 hours after treatment. More body-centered people such as weight lifters/bodybuilders may feel it a little bit later. Someone who is more energetically connected might feel it right away. The reaction can vary from feeling much more energetic to feeling the need to go to bed to rest. Then typically they wake up the next day feeling a big change."
THE PRO-ADJUSTER ADVANTAGE
There is no doubt in my mind that the Pro-Adjuster is a significant and exciting advance when it comes to treating not only the skeletal structure, but also the Central Nervous System in general. However, I thought I would leave the final word on the subject to Dr Greenberg to sum up the many advantages of this advanced technology...
"With the Pro-Adjuster we are getting a much more precise and measurable form of adjustment than you can get with any other method. I have been a chiropractor for over twenty years now and there is no doubt that traditional methods do work. However, what is great about the Pro-Adjuster is there is no ‘cracking' of the joints involved and there is no activating of the ‘fight or flight' response. People get a much more effective and complete adjustment with this kind of approach. In addition we can measure and evaluate everything that we do so we can actually see the improvement take place after each treatment. With the Pro-Adjuster people generally get better and faster results."
Finally, the question we all want to ask, how does the Pro-Adjuster assist us in terms of muscle growth and recovery?
"We have specific protocols we can use to assist in that area but generally, just going back to basics, when your body is in firm alignment and the nerves are conducting impulses more freely from the spine to the various muscle tissues, your body is going to function a lot better. This in turn would lead to enhanced recovery and repair of exercised muscles."
At the end of the day, the simple fact of the matter is that we - as athletes and bodybuilders - have to start paying more attention to our Central Nervous System. This complex system is constantly being bombarded with interference from outside sources. Simple things such as lifting, bending, twisting and poor posture can compromise its performance, along with lack of proper nutrition to the nerves - not forgetting the chemicals and preservatives in our water and food supply.
Nerves can be slowly damaged over time and this can seriously compromise our health. The case for regular evaluation of spinal and nervous system health is not debatable...it is vital.With valuable tools such as the Pro-Adjuster at our disposal we now have no excuse to not only pay our nervous systems the respect they deserve, but to reap the benefits such attention will no doubt reward us with!
Dr Elizabeth Greenberg can be contacted at 89 Fifth Avenue, Suite 604, New York, NY 10003.
Telephone: 212 627 2660 or e-mail: www.drgreenberg.com
More about the Pro-Adjuster can be found by going to www.pro-adjusterlifestyle.com
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