Episodes

  • The End of the Line of Adaptability.

    The End of the Line of Adaptability.
    Jul 23 2014
    Throughout this series we have been investigating the dynamic, adaptable nature of the human frame. The alignment of any given joint is not static or fixed. Joints normally operate through a range of alignment possibilities. This is true not only for the pelvis and lower and upper extremities, but also for the entire spine and the head. In this episode we will follow the pathway of adaptability up the spine to the “end of the line” in the head. We will examine how the pelvis affects the diaphragm and the various conduits that pass through it, as well as the rib cage, thoracic and cervical spines, skull, jaw, and even the teeth. Among other things, we will see how orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues can be at the root of some internal medicine problems, what might be the cause of some people’s migraines or tinnitus, and why some people’s teeth move back where they were when their braces are removed.
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    57 mins
  • Chiropractic Includes Spinal Adjusting and Much More

    Chiropractic Includes Spinal Adjusting and Much More
    Jul 16 2014
    Chiropractors have been practicing in this country for well over 150 years, but people tend to think of chiropractors in terms of spinal adjustment and not much else. My guest, Elaine J. Wagner, D.C., will help us understand the broad range of what chiropractors do, how they differ from other health care professionals, and how to choose a chiropractor. Some people are afraid of spinal adjustments, so we will talk about spinal adjustments and how they are done, as well as why it is important to approach health problems in layers and with multiple approaches. Dr. Wagner will talk about some of the many techniques she uses and how she combines them to help her patients achieve better health.
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    58 mins
  • As Below, So Above.

    As Below, So Above.
    Jul 9 2014
    In Oriental Medicine we have a saying – “as above, so below.” When it comes to orthopedics and musculoskeletal issues, I believe it is more accurate to say, “as below, so above.” The pelvis is the foundation on which the upper body is built. Problems in the pelvis and lower extremities are reflected in and counterbalanced by the upper extremities, torso, neck, and head. In this episode of Rethinking Orthopedics, we will examine the structure and function of the upper extremities. We will look at the shoulder girdle and arms as an integrated, dynamic whole that responds to what is happening in the lower body. Our focus will be more on the connections between the joints than on the joints themselves. We will examine the similarities and differences between the upper and lower extremities, and the implications for what kinds of problems we experience in our shoulders, arms, and hands.
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    56 mins
  • Principles of Sports Psychology Can Help Us Overcome Pain and Avoid Injury

    Principles of Sports Psychology Can Help Us Overcome Pain and Avoid Injury
    Jul 2 2014
    Pain and injury are part of the experience of sporting activities. My guests, Clinical Psychologists James Bruce, Jr., Ph.D., and Anne-Marie Nicolas, Psy.D., will talk about how competitive athletes deal with pain and avoid injury. The principles of sports psychology can be used by recreational athletes, non-athletes, and people with chronic pain to reduce the experience of pain. We will also talk about how careful planning and realistic goal-setting can help us avoid injuries during sports activities and physical workouts.
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    58 mins
  • An Uncommon Look at the Lower Extremities.

    An Uncommon Look at the Lower Extremities.
    Jun 25 2014
    If the pelvis is the foundation on which the upper body is built, then the lower extremities are the pylons on which the foundation rests. In this episode of Rethinking Orthopedics, we will examine the structure and function of the lower extremities, but in a different way from usual. Most of the time we view the body as though it were a machine made up of replaceable parts. Instead of looking at the legs joint by joint, today we are going to look at the connections between the joints. We will see the leg as an integrated, dynamic whole that changes its shape and its motion in response to changing pressures from above (from the pelvis) and from below (the feet and ankles). Find out how knees and feet respond when pelvic motions are restricted by an injured sacroiliac joint or hip. Hear some uncommon explanations for common foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis. Once you see how the joints are connected, you will wonder why you never saw it before.
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    56 mins
  • Managing the Medications Used to Manage Pain

    Managing the Medications Used to Manage Pain
    Jun 18 2014
    Western Medicine treatments for chronic pain frequently include medications to manage or mask the pain. These medications are not without effects. My guest, clinical psychologist Anne-Marie Nicolas, Psy.D., explains the differences among the various types of unintended effects various common pain medications can have, including side effects, rebound, withdrawal, and addiction. We discuss the role psychologists can play in helping people control or diminish their pain, reduce their dependence on pain medications, and manage the unintended effects of pain medication. We also discuss the difference between Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the importance of addressing the body-mind-spirit connection.
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    57 mins
  • Animals Have Orthopedic Issues, Too

    Animals Have Orthopedic Issues, Too
    Jun 11 2014
    Humans are not the only species to experience orthopedic problems. All living beings with joints experience similar problems and respond to those problems in much the same way, whether they walk on two legs or four. My guest today, licensed Clinical Massage Therapist Rachel Purpura, treats structural alignment problems in both humans and their small and large companion animals. We will talk about the similarities and differences that come from walking on two legs vs four, special considerations for doing massage therapy and structural realignment on animals (especially 2000 lb horses), why we need to treat our companion animals, how the structural alignment problems of equestrians can create alignment problems for the horses they ride, and what can be done about it.
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    58 mins
  • Are Shoes Wrecking Your Body?

    Are Shoes Wrecking Your Body?
    Jun 4 2014
    Foot pain can be more than just achy feet! One in four U.S. women suffers from debilitating foot pain, which can affect the function of other body parts, from knees and hips to the pelvis and spine. But the solution may be as easy as some simple changes and gentle exercises. My guest, biomechanical scientist Katy Bowman, M.S., will talk to us about how the foot is designed to work, what shoes we should and should not be wearing at different stages in our lives, and how to reduce or prevent foot pain and halt the cascade of damage throughout the rest of the body. Find out how something you do every day without giving it much thought, i.e., wearing your shoes, can disrupt or negate all the good things you are so careful to do for yourself. Learn how something as simple as the heels of your shoes can have an impact not only on the health of your feet but also on conditions as diverse as the strength of your pelvic floor and the density of your bones.
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    58 mins