I Just Didn’t Want to go that Pain Medication Route!

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a fairly common form of pain that affects the sciatic nerve — a large nerve that extends from the lower back down the back of each of the legs.

Sciatic Symptoms:

Common symptoms of sciatica pain include pain in the leg or rear that becomes worse when sitting as well as burning or tingling down the leg. Other symptoms include numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving the foot or leg. Those who suffer from sciatica may also experience constant pain on one side of the rear or a shooting pain that makes standing up more difficult.

Sciatica Treatment:

Treatment of sciatica may include:  spinal manipulation, rehab therapy and trigger point injections.

“I’ve been coming to LifeWorks Integrative Health for a little over a year now. When I first came here, I had extreme sciatic pain running down the left side of my body. It was nonstop; it got the point where I was doing epidurals, injections and was finally on pain medications. I just didn’t want to go that pain medication route. I have to say that I am so glad, that despite my reservations, I did it. Now I can exercise, walk (at least a mile) and sciatic pain is completely gone. It’s just been kind of a lifesaver for me.” – Kathleen

I Just Didn’t Want to go that Pain Medication Route!

Hormones and Weight Gain in Shawnee, KS

Fat around the midsection is a big problem that many Americans face. In fact, belly fat is the most dangerous type of fat. Excess weight around the midsection can increase your chances of developing diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke. Not only is belly fat unattractive, but it can be a key indicator of a hormonal imbalance.

Belly fat can be an indicator of a number of hormonal imbalances including:

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  A decrease in testosterone levels in men.

  
  


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  Elevated testosterone or DHEA levels in women.

  
  


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  Estrogen dominance in both genders.

  
  


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  Adrenal dysfunction in both genders.

  
  

In order to reduce belly fat, one must engage in regular exercise, consume a healthy diet, receive plenty of sleep and address any hormonal imbalances that may be associated with your weight gain.

Hormones and weight gain in Shawnee, KS may be the result of elevated androgens (also referred to as DHEA and testosterone) in women. This can often be an early indicator that a woman is developing insulin resistance or has already established insulin resistance. When the body struggles with glucose metabolism, testosterone and DHEA levels become elevated. With the elevation of testosterone and DHEA, many women begin to develop male pattern obesity. Male pattern obesity refers to the apple-shaped figure that many women struggle with as they become older. Younger women, especially those dealing with PCOS, are also struggling with obesity around the midsection. This is especially dangerous because it can increase the risk of a young woman developing diabetes or heart disease.

Abdominal fat cells can increase the aromatization of testosterone into estrogen. When estrogen levels rise, the likelihood of retaining more fat around the abdominal region becomes more of a reality. Hormones and weight gain in Shawnee, KS can create a vicious cycle of blood sugar dysregulation as well hormonal imbalances. Male testosterone levels begin to become lower as the result of stress, aging and obesity. In today’s world, men are experiencing a decrease in testosterone levels much earlier in life than ever before. Lower testosterone levels are the result of insulin resistance as well as an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Research conducted at the University of Washington indicates that men with lower testosterone levels are much more likely to develop abdominal fat. Researchers also found that replacing lost testosterone can help to aid in the fat loss process.

Something else to consider when it comes to hormones and weight gain in Shawnee, KS is cortisol. Also referred to as the stress hormone, cortisol imbalances can lead to an increase in abdominal fat. Researchers at Yale University found that even slim women with high cortisol levels were likely to still experience fat around the midsection. Cortisol is also linked to an increase in the storage of abdominal fat. Insufficient cortisol levels can also cause cravings, fatigue and poor thyroid function.

Struggling with hormones and weight loss in Shawnee, KS can be a challenge. Diet and exercise are often your best defense against weight gain and can help you to lose unwanted weight. However, it is important to remember that hormonal imbalances can make weight loss challenging even when you feel you are doing everything right. Testing for hormonal imbalances at LifeWorks can beneficial to help ensure successful weight loss.

Hormones and Weight Gain in Shawnee, KS

Desk Jobs and Back Pain in the Kansas City Area

Chances are when you accepted your desk job, you did not see anything in the job description regarding back pain. In fact, the thought probably never even crossed your mind that sitting at a desk all day could lead to back pain. After all, your job is not labor-intensive. Years ago, chiropractors frequently saw patients who were in labor-intensive jobs. Now, the tides have turned and chiropractors are seeing more and more patients who spend 40 plus hours per week sitting and staring at a computer screen. It seems that sitting all day can be just as bad for your work as performing intensive physical labor. Desks jobs and back pain can be a serious and painful problem.

Our bodies are meant to move; they are not meant to sit still for hours upon hours. Sitting all day long can be damaging for the spine. Spending too much time seated can lead to a herniated disc or pinched nerves. Spending too much time sedentary can also lead to obesity, which has a tendency to create back pain in the long run. Since a vast majority of jobs require at least some time spent in front of a computer screen, there are actions you can take to protect your back from pain now or later on in life. Desk jobs and back pain do not have to go hand-in-hand.

1. Get up and move around. You should never spend your entire 9 to 5 shift sitting in front of a computer screen. Be sure to get up and move around every 30 minutes. Get up and take a walk and do a few stretches. Your walk can be as simple as taking a walk to the kitchen for a healthy snack or to fill up your water bottle. Instead of e-mailing or calling a co-worker with a message, get up and deliver the message to them. If you have a headset, stand up while taking a phone call. You can even use your phone call time to walk in place or do a few stretches (this will be especially easy if you have your own office or are in a cubicle, where everyone cannot necessarily see what it is that you are doing!).

2. Put good ergonomic skills to work to prevent back pain. Ergonomics is the science of good posture while performing day-to-day tasks. Practicing ergonomics can help to prevent pain as well as injuries. If you work at a desk, practice good ergonomi skills by sitting with your feet flat on the floor and your back against the back of your chair. Your computer screen should be at eye level. Always avoid slouching.

3. Say no to elevators. Desk jobs and back pain do not have to be a fact of life even if the workplace is not the ideal location to exercise and stretch throughout the day. You can squeeze some fitness into your day that can do wonders for your back. Start by parking further away from your building instead of driving around looking for the closest spot. Do you use public transportation? Hop off the bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way to work. Always take the stairs instead of the elevators and make it your goal to do some walking during lunch.

Desk Jobs and Back Pain in the Kansas City Area

B12 Shots for Weight Loss in Shawnee, KS

How Do B12 Shots Help Weight Loss?

As part of the medical weight loss program at LifeWorks Integrative Health, we are happy to offer our patients weekly B12 injections to help boost metabolism as well as to increase and sustain energy levels. B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS, may be exactly what you need to help boost your weight loss and motivate you to lead an overall healthier lifestyle. Before diving into B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS, here’s a look at the link between B12 and weight loss.

Receiving regular B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS has been shown to directly impact weight loss and speed up an individual’s metabolism, which is essential in the weight loss process. It is important to remember that B12 shot for weight loss in Shawnee, KS are not specifically known as weight loss shots. Many individuals who receive vitamin B12 shots have reported a significant boost in energy. This significant boost in energy is exactly what some people need to motivate themselves to exercise on a regular basis and make healthy food choices.

The benefits of B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS extend far beyond just boosting your energy. Research has indicated that these shots can help to reduce fatigue, stress and depression; all of which are associated with gaining weight.  Individuals, who receive B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS may also notice an improvement in their sleeping patterns, a decrease in headaches, reduced hunger and fewer food cravings.

Other benefits of B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS may include suppression of appetite, ease of water retention and thyroid support. Vitamin B12 injections can also help to lower cortisol levels, which are created as the result of stress. B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS can also help to maintain lean muscle mass and help the body to burn fat at an accelerated pace.

Vitamin B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS are administered into muscle for better absorption and are typically administered on a weekly basis. Vitamin B12 shots offer a wide-variety of benefits for individuals who are looking to lose weight. However it is important to remember, that B12 is not an effective weight loss tool on its own. You need to be willing to commit to improving your nutrition as well as your fitness in order to reap the benefits of Vitamin B12 shots for weight loss in Shawnee, KS. These shots may be exactly what you need to accelerate the weight loss process and get on the path to a happier, healthier you.

B12 Shots for Weight Loss in Shawnee, KS