HUMAN NECK ANATOMY

Just then, my six-year old daughter Olivia marched into the kitchen wearing her snow pants, coat and gloves and bravely announced that she was going into the snow on the back deck to knock down and collect icicles. Ahhh...I relaxed. A legitimate distraction to put off the task at mind! Enjoying her enthusiasm and purposefulness as she made her way through the hip-deep snow, I watched her through the window with fascination for almost a half hour as she experimented with brooms, rakes and snowballs to see what was the best way to (safely) knock down these winter jewels. This was what Saturdays in January were made for! Then it hit me. And the anxiousness I had been feeling was completely gone.

The human brain is an amazing work of art. The result of millions of years of evolution and refinement, it has allowed mankind to become the master of its universe and truly the architect of its own future. You would think that with such a precious gift sitting between our ears, we would do a better job taking care of it. But we don't (most of us, at least). The problem is that, as our species has evolved and civilizations and cultures have flourished, we have created functional environments that not only under-utilize, but are actually damaging this precious wonder of biology. The evidence (at least in the U.S.)? An almost chronic state of stress for many adults. The outcome? An increasingly unhealthy (and unhappy, as new polls indicate) population.

In small doses, stress is actually a good thing that evolved out of our quest for survival. It is the brain's biological response to perceived danger and allows us to either confront or steer clear of threats to either our physical or emotional safety. But in large and sustained doses, stress floods the entire body with cortisol and adrenaline, two chemical compounds that literally wreak havoc on every other system in our anatomy. Left unchecked, stress compromises our immune system, robs us of precious sleep, hinders our ability to self-regulate unhealthy (and anti-social) behaviors and can trigger bouts of depression.

So who's responsible for our stress? Is it the kids or other family members? Is it the economy, a job loss, or the long hours we need to work to keep our job? Is it a sick parent or loved one? Is it our demeaning boss or a rude customer service rep? Nope. The answer is as uncomfortable as it is simple. We are. Stress is the result of our perception and/or anticipation of events and activities going on around us. And since we are the ones who create our own stress, we are the only ones who can moderate (if not eliminate) it.

Here are a few suggestions for minimizing stress and making more room for being happy in the new year:

1. Nip stress in the bud by changing the way you think. The term "meta-cognition" literally means thinking about thinking, and human beings are the only species (that we know of) capable of it. So we might as well use this evolutionary adaptation to our advantage. The next time you catch yourself worrying about what you're afraid will happen (usually the worst possible outcome), refocus on what you WANT to happen and what you CAN do to get there. Thinking positively is a skill that becomes a habit, and there are very few that are more important than this one.

2. Re-establish boundaries between work and personal life. If you are at the point where your level of connectedness to your job is consistently compromising your ability to take care of the other areas of your life that are important (family, relationships, health, etc.), it's time to take out the chalk and re-define where work stops and living begins. While we live in an age where communication technology allows 24/7 access to us, too much of a "good thing" is almost always bad. While there is a time and place for flexibility, consistently working to the point where we having nothing left for everyone else results in resentment, lower creativity and ultimately lower productivity.

3. Get up and move. Research from a myriad of academic institutions and hospitals is unanimous. Self-directed (vs. forced) physical activity not only promotes good cardio-vascular health, it also improves cognitive functions within the brain and helps dissipate cortisol and adrenaline from our systems. When you consider that our prehistoric ancestors walked an average 10-17 miles a day in search of food, it makes sense. In his fabulous book, Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Thriving at Work Home and School, researcher and author John Medina points out that our brains actually evolved to do their very best work while we are on the move.

4. Stop, close your eyes and breathe. You know the symptoms. Tight shoulders, shallow breathing, maybe even the beginnings of a slight headache at the base of your skull. You've had your nose to the wheel for several hours straight and your productivity is actually slowing down. As your work space permits, take a 3-5 minute stretch break to stand, rotate and flex the muscles in your neck, shoulders and rest of your upper body. Even this simple technique increases the flow of oxygen to your muscles and brain enough to both dampen negative feelings and give you a little boost in energy.

5. Eat dark chocolate! Yes, it's true. A recent clinical trial published online in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research found that eating a bit of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of cortisol in people who were typically more prone to feeling stressed. According to the researchers, Francois-Pierre Martin, Sunil Kochhar and colleagues, "The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers," the scientists said in a press release. I know my wife and daughter will be thrilled!

Stress is a biological condition that has been with us for a long time and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The trick is to let it do its job at protecting us, but not let it compromise our long-term well-being and health. At the end of the day, each of us is responsible for managing our own perceptions and responses. Given what's at stake, it's important that we don't wait for someone else to do it for us.

First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

It is necessary for an assistant to learn the basics and how to give first aid for emergencies. The ability to give dental assistance is the major task of an assistant but it is also part of a health care assistant and professional to be able to administer to patients on emergency cases.

Clinical Chair side Assisting

The assistant has to learn the techniques and procedures in assisting patients to make them comfortable on dental chairs as treatments, operations, or any major or minor dental procedure is being administered to them.

Dental Materials

There are many instruments and materials being used when a dental procedure is being done. Thus, the assistant must be able to learn, get familiar and be able to know how and when to use certain tools and materials.

Business Administration

An assistant works for the office and has to master the skill in handling matters within the office. Business administration course will teach students taking dental assistant program the ability to work effectively in the office as the assistant takes charge also of dealing with patients and suppliers. The assistant sends out bills and receives payments. He or she also schedules and confirm appointments of the patients. He or she also takes conversations with suppliers when taking orders for equipment and instruments and materials needed in the office. Aside from working as assistant in the dental facility, a certified dental assistant has also a future in working for sales, selling out dental products to patients, consumers and other businesses. Thus, this course is a big help in the future for a dental assistant.

Oral Pathology, Pharmacology, Pain Control, and Therapeutics

In pathology course, the student is being introduced and educated about the various diseases and illnesses that might afflict on patients. Thus, they are being provided with the knowledge so they would be able to identify through signs and symptoms the diseases and illnesses that might be afflicting a patient. Connected to the pathology course are the pharmacology, pain control and therapeutic courses that will teach the student on how to administer to patients having illnesses and diseases by being informed and educated with the various drugs and medicines being used in dentistry and how and when these drugs and medicines are applied.

Anatomy, Physiology, and Morphology

These courses teach the students the structures and functions of body parts of the human body especially on the head, neck and the teeth. So they get to know the locations of the body parts of the human body.

Radiology

The assistant is sometimes directed by the dentist to take X-rays of the patients. Thus, radiology course will teach the student the basics of X-rays, how to take X-rays and evaluate them so they too would be able to explain it to patients they take care of.

Internships and Specializations

It is necessary for students to be able to practice everything they learned through on-the-job trainings. Thus, the dental assistant programs and trainings include internships so that the students are being prepared to work in the field. Specializations are also developed as the students encounter various specializations in the field such as periodontics, pediatric and cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, etc. depending on which dental facility they work for as interns.

The above mentioned dental assistant course are just few of the many courses that a dental assistant training or program is consist of, however they are the most important ones.

Chiropractic offers a natural, non-invasive and very safe alternative for the management of various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Whereas many treatment options provide symptomatic relief, one great thing about chiropractic is that it can often correct the source of a problem. In addition, chiropractors often have the ability to detect and treat mechanical problems before they become symptomatic. Chiropractors are back specialists. They primarily analyze the spine for aberrant joint mechanics, alignment and posture and help to correct these mechanical problems through spinal adjustments, mobilizations and by prescribing specific, corrective exercises. Through chiropractic care, back pain and joint stiffness are reduced and overall health and healing are optimized by balancing the nervous system. Many patients find chiropractic refreshing in that chiropractors often take the time to listen carefully and do a thorough analysis to truly understand one's unique health picture.

What few people may realize is that chiropractic education is very extensive. These days, Canadian Chiropractors are required to have a minimum of seven years of postsecondary education and upon graduating are doctors. Following graduation, Canadian chiropractors must also take continuing education courses to ensure that they remain current in research and skills. Most chiropractors practising in Canada receive their education from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractor College which provides a rigorous and comprehensive program of study. This is where future chiropractors learn extensively about anatomy, biomechanics, orthopaedics, diagnosis, nutrition and many other courses which are relevant in recognizing need for care beyond the chiropractic scope of practice. It is also where chiropractors begin to develop their technique skills.

Central to chiropractic philosophy is the realization that the body truly has a remarkable ability to heal itself. To chiropractors, this vital force is understood as innate intelligence. Chiropractic is also about helping patients achieve their optimal state of wellness. Good health is not merely the absence of disease or symptoms. A lot of health problems in present day society are a direct result of poor lifestyle choices and there is a process that leads up to their development. Good health is about reaching an optimal state of physical, psychological and social well-being and it's about being proactive. Chiropractors empower patients to take an active role in their health and guide patients in the necessary steps to achieve this. Some of these steps include regular physical activity, good nutrition, adequate rest, a healthy attitude and chiropractic care.

So what is a chiropractic adjustment? An adjustment is a high velocity, low force thrust that is applied specifically to hypomobile ("stuck") or misaligned vertebrae. The adjustment may or may not create an audible sound as a result of rapidly stretching the joint capsule and the pressure/volume changes that occur.

When a joint is hypomobile, the joints above and below move more to compensate, so that global range of motion is unaffected. This leads to excessive/uneven wear and early degeneration of the segments above and below. The chiropractic adjustment is intended to restore normal motion to the restricted joint thereby gapping the joint, lubricating it and slowing down the degenerative process. In general, movement is beneficial and supports and helps to heal joint cartilage. As cartilage is a living structure and has no blood supply, all nutrients that support it are derived from the surrounding joint fluid. When movement is restricted, metabolic waste products are not removed and the necessary nutrients are not flushed through. The adjustment corrects this and also stretches and relaxes surrounding muscles.

As for the misaligned vertebra, according to chiropractic philosophy, applying an adjustment here restores hindrance in neurological transmission, balances the nervous system and enhances one's natural healing capacity. Here is a brief anatomy lesson to explain: The brain is the computer that controls the human body. An extension of the brain is the spinal cord and an extension of the spinal cord are spinal nerves which come out on either side of the spine at every vertebral level. These spinal nerves send messages to all the muscles, organs and tissues of the body. If a misaligned vertebra pinches one of these nerves, the proper functioning of any structure in direct communication may be affected. Hence, if a chiropractic adjustment corrects misaligned vertebrae then function may be restored.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence in support of chiropractic treatment for problems of musculoskeletal origin which create symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, joint pain, headaches, and others. There are also many anecdotal reports that support chiropractic treatment for improvement of non-musculoskeletal problems such as asthma, ear infections, ADHD, infantile colic and many others.

Chiropractors also prescribe specific, corrective exercises. These are intended to correct faulty posture and muscle imbalance. Stretching exercises help correct tight muscles that can restrict range of motion. Strengthening exercises help return strength to weaker muscles. It is the combined effort between the chiropractor and the patient that ultimately restores normal function. Chiropractors are partners of health. Just as chiropractors must do their job, patients must do their homework to achieve maximum results.

Now, there are different types of chiropractors out there. Some chiropractors have different practice styles, target populations and perspectives about the profession philosophically. There are family wellness chiropractors who see a broad range of patients of all ages. There are sports chiropractors who focus on athletic populations. There are rehab chiropractors who help injured people recover from accidents. Some chiropractors may use modalities such as electrical stimulation, laser therapy or acupuncture. Some use soft-tissue techniques and some use different adjusting techniques. Regardless of the particular technique used or modality provided, the ultimate goal is the same: to get patients back on their feet, doing the things they love and keeping them well. When looking for a chiropractor, do your research to find one who will best be able to meet your needs as a patient.

All too often, patients visit a chiropractor as a last resort and are pleasantly surprised at how well their health is managed through chiropractic. Next time, make chiropractic your first resort!

Sexual passion, love affairs, amusements and speculation are attributes to Leo. Unfortunately they can be negative and destructive. They are e-motions (outward force.) This is one of the problems with today is that there is an imbalance, and a great mass of humanity is still concerned with e-moting.

Motion is the true function of Leo, not e-motion. The prime directive for Leo is to create, create, create! The Sun creates the most powerful vibrations.

Leo represents the diametrically opposed characters and conditions. One energy for creation the other for destruction.

Our desires and emotions, like the lion, tear us to pieces and consume us if we let them. The blood becomes feverish and the heart labors furiously. Is it any wonder that the sexual act causes a severe strain to the heart?

Create Leo! The sunrise means daily restoration. The pumping of new strength through every nerve. The power of dawn and the purging of evil. The Sun is the influence of Spiritual good.

For the Leo, the middle course is safest and best. They can attain equilibrium and become balanced, perfect.

Magnesium Phosphate is the cell salt for Leo's. When Magnesium Phosphate becomes very deficient, spasms in the body result. Body acid attracts the magnesium in the body causing nerve pain.

Magnesium Phosphate protects both sensory and motor nerves.

Leo's are magnanimous. This means one who is great of mind, elevated in soul, raised above what is low. Leo's are courageous, noble spirited and unselfish.

Health is ease of mind and body. Dis-ease is the absence of ease. Deficiency of Magnesium Phosphate causes some very curious symptoms, such as cramps in the limbs, fingers and neck. There can be lock-jaw, spasmodic coughing, sneezing, choking, and hiccough. Magnesium Phosphate is a true spasmodic remedy.

Angina Pectoris is a very painful symptom which calls for large doses of the salt.

Neuritis and Neuralgia need this salt. In fact all troubles of the heart and motor system need it.

Each in-organic cell salt knows how to make some part of the human organism.

Lack of Magnesium Phosphate also causes queer mental disorders such as nervous head ache, seeing double, seeing color, twitching eyelids, squinting, earache a loss of the sense of smell and stammering.

The function of this salt is concerned with vitality, activity, the circulation of the blood, nerve force, and glandular fluids etc.

The word e-motion means to flow out (energy) to go out from. It implies disturbance, a waste or loss of motion.

The human body needs perfect circulation of energy. There can be no spasmodic action or loss of energy. Emotion is the spasmodic action of energy.

Joy is always beneficial, it seems to stimulate one physically as well as mentally. Love is ease, balance and harmony.

Magnesium Phosphate is needed by Leo's to keep energies flowing towards creatively and not e-motions.

A study of physiology, anatomy, biochemistry and Astrology will clean up all doubts about the healing powers of cell salts.

This is not a threat, not a scare even. It is the basic truth, harnessed from extensive research on how these three exercises violate the basic principles and laws of human anatomy. There are so many alternatives you can use in place of these three exercises and then be safe, so learn why they are dangerous and then keep them out. Let us consider the first so that you appreciate the gravity of the situation.

The behind-the-neck-shoulder press has a starting position placing your shoulder outside its range of motion. The behind-the-neck-shoulder presses usually place the shoulder joint at its most unstable position, stretching the joint to the outer limits of the socket. At this position, the shoulders are at the weakest position and yet you have to pull and push on the weight for the presses, further endangering the misplaced shoulder joint.

Once you have pushed the joint to extents outside the natural range of motion and then put the shoulder under the strain of a weight training exercise places, then an impingement of your rotator cuff is the next most probable thing. Besides that, the poke-neck posture encourages your rotator cuff impingement to perpetuate the joint misplacement by and by until it reaches the neck-spine meeting point and thus goes into the spine.

The second exercise is the behind-the-neck-wide-grip lat pull-down. This exercise is similar and almost as dangerous as the shoulder press. Consider this, when you lift a heavy weight at a time when you are in a poked neck posture, the stress is applied on the cervical spine, also called the neck vertebrae. The stress is even worse if the body builder slips into bad posture or among bodybuilders with less flexibility such that they have poor or minimal control of the scapula, also called shoulder blades.

The third exercise that should always be kept at bay is the hamstring curls exercise. Hamstring curls are movements that never occur in our daily activities and such considered to be extremely dysfunctional. Naturally the legs should work as a collective unit for that is how they are designed. Your joints and tendons especially on the knee are built to function together and not in isolated. So when you isolate them and then you overloaded with heavy weights, such is done by hamstring curls, you are violating a maxim of anatomy. Consequently, you pull the tibia far back into your femur until the knee joint is strained to injury. Better techniques to train hamstrings abound such as squats, lunges, deadlifts etc.

How Acupuncture Works

The findings of these studies indicate that it's not necessary to actually puncture the skin in order for acupuncture to provide back pain relief; it could be that acupressure is just as effective. Some of the researchers feel that a "physiological chain of events" occurs when the skin is superficially stimulated.

Traditional acupuncture is quite different than Western therapies. It is a process that works to restore overall muscle balance to the body by stimulating the "chi" centers. As Chinese practitioners know, the human body is intrinsically programmed for balance and symmetry.

The Posture Connection

Proper posture, or neutral anatomy, does much the same thing as acupuncture; it regulates body functions and efficiently transfers energy and loads at the upper extremity distally through the core, down to the knees, until that energy finally disperses through the feet. Disruptions in that transfer of energy caused by improper posture cause the body to be imbalanced and even the mind to have difficulty concentrating.

While many researchers are reluctant to hypothesize exactly why acupuncture works so successfully in treating back pain, it may be similar to the results found in a study conducted by Vail Resorts. This study followed 300 professional ski instructors over a period of three weeks. The participants performed a variety of tasks while wearing a Posture Shirt that produces a neuromuscular response to maintain proper posture and while wearing their regular clothing. They were given self-evaluation tests regarding the degree of muscle fatigue and stiffness in both instances. The results indicated an anatomical effect from the posture shirt's touch and tension technology influenced skeletal alignment, muscular coordination and body awareness. In other words, the shirts functioned almost like an acupressure device.

Back Pain Relief Therapies

Acupuncture back pain therapy is one method that provides a great deal of relief to people who suffer chronic pain. But using the information provided above, it can also be inferred that anything which stimulates the appropriate pressure points along the neck, back, and spine would also be beneficial. Thus, a Posture Shirt with its acupressure ability also provides relief.

Acupuncturists claim that their treatments do more than just relieve back pain but work instead to restore the body's balance and so work continuously to improve overall health. The same is true when a person is retrained to stay in proper posture; it keeps the body in balance and helps all of the organs and systems function optimally.

Acupuncture back pain is a truly successful form of therapy with proven results. It works on much the same principles as proper posture in regards to balancing the body and all of its systems. Between acupuncture and posture correction, those who suffer from lower back pain are sure to find relief.

But when it comes to plastic surgery and facelift procedures, patients would do well to search out a doctor who has experience, yes, but not too much experience, if you catch my drift. Facelift techniques are continuously changing and improving every year. Here's a quick look at some Old School and New School differences: 

Old School - High and Tight

In previous years, plastic surgeons made incisions around the ear and simply pulled the skin upwards and as tight as possible before redraping it and reattaching it. This was effective at smoothing wrinkles, but the results didn't last and patients often had the dreaded "wind tunnel" look.

New School - SMAS Adjustments

Today's surgeons almost always combine skin tightening with SMAS adjustment during a cosmetic surgery facelift. The SMAS (superficial musculo-aponeurotic system) is a strong, thin layer found between the skin and the muscle. I often refer to it as the Saran Wrap of the face. During a facelift, the SMAS needs to be freed up and adjusted separately from the skin.

Skilled plastic surgeons employ several SMAS strategies to give the most natural and longest lasting results, and the best technique is determined based on the patient's individual anatomy. The SMAS can be cut and then lifted and sewn to a stronger area such as the bone behind the ear or over the cheek. Other times the SMAS is not cut but simply tightened with sutures. However it is achieved, successfully adjusting the SMAS creates much more natural facelifts that last. 

Old School - Wrinkle Rejuvenation

Older facelift techniques were mainly concerned with vertical movement. Mainly, eliminate wrinkles and sagging by pulling everything North. There was little attention paid to skin firmness or volume loss, two of the biggest indicators of advancing age.

New School - Total Rejuvenation

Many older surgeons are not up to date on the newer practice of combining a facelift surgery with facial liposuction and/or fat grafting. By removing unwanted fat around the jowls and neck area with liposuction (often in combination with a neck lift), a skilled surgeon can actually sculpt the face into a more youthful profile.

In addition, using fat harvested from another part of the patient's body to replace lost volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and temples is a relatively new practice that yields outstanding results. Synthetic fillers made of hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm, are great for patients who want a temporary, non-surgical option to replace volume. But facelift patients will achieve permanent results with a fat transfer.

Old School - Single Approach

The facelift patients of yesteryear were not given many options for facial rejuvenation either before or after surgery. This is due in large part because not many other options existed. There weren't a wide variety of products and treatments that could be used to delay a traditional facelift, and there weren't many options for maintaining a facelift. You basically used Oil of Olay and Ponds until your face fell to a certain point, then you got a facelift, then you went back to your simple routine of Oil of Olay and Ponds.

New School - Multifaceted Approach

Today, there are new products and treatments being brought to the market every day. If a doctor doesn't keep up, he'll quickly find himself way behind the multi-billion dollar behemoth industry that is cosmetic procedures. Younger plastic surgeons are familiar with and make use of everything from Botox and dermal fillers to lasers and ultrasound. By utilizing these treatments well before the need for a facelift arises, patients can ease into their 40s and 50s with youthful and vigorous faces.

If and when a patient decides to undergo plastic surgery, the full arsenal of laser resurfacing, Botox and skin care should continue to be a part of the a patient's regimen. Choosing a plastic surgeon who can also guide you through the maze of aesthetic options to keep your new face looking its best for the longest period of time is so...modern.