Junk Foods in Disguise

When striving to eat healthily, it’s important to pick the right foods to put on your plate. Things that may sound healthy, such as whole grain bread, or all natural-chicken, may appear nutritious, but looks are deceiving. Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center isn’t telling you to read every nutritional label on every item you buy, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware of things to look for when opting for a better lifestyle.

Everyone needs a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, in addition to vitamins and minerals for an optimal diet. Foods that disguise themselves as healthy, such as salads, and granola bars, can contain added sugars, or processed ingredients that provide us with no nutritional value. When it comes to eating fresh, it’s important to have the freshest ingredients available. Avoid snacks and entrees that contain added salts, added sugars, and try to go the “homemade” route when you can. Eat non-GMO, whole grain grass-fed foods from stores like Whole foods, Trader Joes, and ones that come in natural, instead of plastic, wrapping.

If you have questions or concerns about chiropractic care or nutrition, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

We favor a preventive approach at the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, which is why we are concerned about hip pain in children. Besides being a problem in itself, hip dysfunction can affect the biomechanics of the whole body. In cases of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, it is especially important to provide treatment for a lifetime of pain to be prevented.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a condition, usually seen in slender boys under eight years old, in which blood is unable to reach the part of the femur bone which fits into the hip socket. As a result, the ball-shaped top of the bone breaks apart, resulting in pain and stiffness. In children under six, conservative treatments may be sufficient to ensure that the bone heals in the right shape. However, the children will still experience stiffness in their soft tissues while the leg is immobilized. In order to prevent muscle and ligament shortening, we provide several therapies, including the use of microcurrents and cold lasers. We can also oversee stretching exercises which will strengthen the surrounding muscles, removing some of the pressure from the broken bone, and provide an alternative to high-impact exercises which are painful and complicate healing.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit Summit Chiro and fill out a contact sheet.

Stiff Neck

At the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, we want our patients to know we can use chiropractic to provide them with safe, fast pain relief from a stiff neck. But we also want them to know more about this condition so that they can avoid its most common causes.

Neck stiffness is often related to the levator scapulae muscle. It is what connects the cervical vertebrae to the shoulders and can become strained through repetitive motions such as the way swimmers turn their heads with each stroke or extended overhead lifting. It can also be impacted through repetitive straining thus causing misalignments of the cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae and suffer overuse as a result of people looking downward at a screen too much or thrusting their heads into an unnatural position. Some examples of the latter include sleeping on the front, which pushes the head back and resting the chin on the palm.

We can treat a stiff neck with adjustments, microcurrents, cryo/halotherapy and cold laser treatment. But first, the patient will need to undergo a thorough examination so we may be sure of the cause of their discomfort. In rare cases usually accompanied by fever symptoms, neck pain can also be due to bacterial infection.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit Summit Chiro and fill out a contact sheet.

Chiropractic Care for Diabetics

People who suffer from diabetes are at risk for long-term problems that can affect the heart, brain, feet, and peripheral nerves.  Diabetes effects normal insulin function. When glucose levels are higher than normal, this can cause inflammation in blood vessels and nerves.  Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center suggests chiropractic care as an alternative treatment method for stabilizing healthy blood sugar levels.

Chiropractors are experienced in treating disorders of the nervous system as well as the musculoskeletal system. This is because chiropractic care and helps protect the delicate central nervous system that controls and coordinates every muscle, tissue, and organ of the body.  The upper neck and mid back both responsible for supplying nerve signals to the brain and the vital organs. When those signals and responses are interrupted by misalignment, the pancreas, blood sugar, and digestion are all affected.  Along with assisting in the optimal function of our organs, a spinal realignment can boost the immune system and balance hormones.

If you have questions or concerns regarding diabetic chiropractic care, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Osteoporosis in Older Men

We at the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael are committed to battling osteoporosis, one of the leading causes of back pain and declining quality of life among seniors. This disease is most common among older women, but a new study found that stress fractures are often undiagnosed in older men, resulting in them not getting proper treatment.

Osteoporosis occurs when bone degenerates more quickly than it can rebuild. This leaves it brittle and vulnerable to developing tiny splits, called stress fractures. According to the study, out of 197 men who developed stress fractures, only 28 were properly diagnosed by their physician, but 70% of them experienced pain. While osteoporosis is more common in older women due to hormonal changes, the disease also occurs frequently in men, and the new study demonstrates the importance of checking for it at regular examinations.

Our office provides many safe, non-addictive treatments pain relief treatments, including cold laser therapy. Some of the biggest risk factors for osteoporosis are lack of vitamin D and calcium, so if you are experiencing early symptoms, be sure to ask about our neutraceutical products and counseling.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit Summit Chiro and fill out a contact sheet.

Introduction to Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of back pain and stiffness we see at the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, but many patients have questions about the condition. To help them understand it, we put together this introduction.

Osteoarthritis is distinct from rheumatoid arthritis. While rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects many kinds of tissues, osteoarthritis is caused by wearing down of cartilage between joints. In the spine, it is the cartilage between facet joints that gets worn down, resulting in inflammation as the joints press into each other. This causes pain and muscle spasms, most commonly after long periods of inactivity, such as sleeping. Drops in atmospheric pressure also trigger swelling, resulting in back pain, numbness, or tingling.

People with degenerative disc disease are at particular risk of developing osteoarthritis. As the discs get worn out, they are less able to absorb shocks, causing the force to be transferred to the cartilage. Our anti-aging treatments can help prevent osteoarthritis and chiropractic treatments can reduce discomfort. Diagnosing osteoarthritis will require examinations, imaging tests, and a medical history so we can eliminate other possible causes of pain. Ask about our x-ray special for new patients.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit Summit Chiro and fill out a contact sheet.

How to Avoid “Text Neck”

In this day in age, it’s almost impossible for adults to put the phones down, let alone out of sight. When we spend minutes, even hours at a time, reading the news or responding to texts and emails, this can wreak havoc on our neck and spine. There are many ways to avoid straining the neck while spending time on your phone, and Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center is here to give you a few tips.  

Our mobile devices can have our heads leaning forward, down, and sometimes sideways. As the neck bends, this puts muscle strain on the shoulders and surrounding extremities. A simple solution to avoiding text neck is to look down with your eyes and not your neck. Try elevating the phone to your eye level and do your best to prevent fatigue. Additionally, it helps to take frequent breaks from your phone, and change positions when uncomfortable.

Repeated use of the phone up to the ear more than 5 hours per day has shown to have created an increase in the incidence of brain cancer due to emf wave disruption of brain cell DNA tissue.

If you have questions or concerns about chiropractic care, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care

At Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center we treat all types of patients, including expectant mothers. Back pain and joint discomfort is common and to be expected during pregnancy. You may need to get through the morning sickness on your own, but Dr. Kent Carlomagno is here to help manage the back pain experienced during pregnancy.

Back pain can occur during any stage of pregnancy, but as the baby grows bigger it puts more pressure on the spine and lower extremities. Increased oxytosin hormone levels contribute to hypermobility of hip joints, increasing the possibility of nerve irritation. Excessive weight gain may also be detrimental to posture, causing pain in the lower back. Fortunately, chiropractic adjustments are safe for most pregnant women.  Adjustments help keep posture problems in check as the stress on the back increases.  Regular adjustments throughout pregnancy also help mother and baby prepare for a healthy birth.  Prenatal chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to keep a mother's spine and hips in alignment, and the baby in a good position for delivery.

If you have questions or concerns about pregnancy and chiropractic care, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Sitting Positions for Less Back Pain

Chiropractic care is typically sought out by people seeking relief from neck or back pain.  At Dr. Kent Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, we treat patients and relieve pain, but patient self-care is just as important for their continued health. Simple changes to everyday habits can help you live a pain-free life.  So many of us spend hours each day sitting, between working at computer desks, watching TV, and commuting to work. All of this sitting can cause back pain, making it the most common reason patients visit the chiropractor.  Making a few adjustments to how you sit can ease this stress, help alleviate back pain, and minimize future visits.

Believe it or not, you’ll put less stress on your back when you don’t sit up straight. Leaning back just enough so that your thighs are at a 135-degree angle with your torso is an optimal seated position for preventing back pain. Long periods of sitting are what really increase the risk of muscle pulls, strains, and cramps. So if you don’t have time to walk around and stretch at work, try switching between sitting and standing, and look for opportunities to lean back a little!  

If you suffer from back pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about all the treatments available at the practice, visit SummitChiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901 call 415-721-7520.

Shoulder Pain

Chiropractic care is typically sought out by people seeking relief from neck or back pain.  At Dr. Kent Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, we are also skilled in treating extremities like the knees, elbows, and the shoulders. The shoulder joint is the body’s most mobile joint. It is surrounded by nerves, tendons, bursa, and other tissues which can all experience irritation and cause pain. This complex structure may require your chiropractor to assess your overall health and condition to target the root of the problem. 

Shoulder pain can have many causes.  Whether pain began after an injury or has increased over time, chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective way to treat damage to both hard and soft tissue.  When shoulder pain is caused by joint irritation, relief can often be achieved through an adjustment.  Pain in the muscles can be addressed by massage or stimulation therapy, and your chiropractor will recommend exercise and stretches if needed.

To learn more about shoulder pain and all the treatments available at the practice, visit SummitChiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901 call 415-721-7520.

Tailbone Injuries

At Dr. Kent Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, we use non-invasive chiropractic techniques to treat a variety of back and nerve problems. A problem in the spine can have repercussions elsewhere in the body, and that’s especially true of problems in the lower back. Today, we’ll look at the lowest part of the back of all: the coccyx.

The coccyx is also known as the tailbone, but it’s actually a fusion of several vertebrae. It’s relatively rare for it to get bruised or broken, but it can be as the result of biking or horseback riding accidents or problems during pregnancy. When the coccyx is in pain, we call that coccydynia. A pinched nerve in this location can cause symptoms of sciatica, including incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pain or tingling in one or both legs.

It will take some time for a coccyx injury to heal naturally, during which the patient will be in discomfort. We aim to reduce their pain through means such as adjustments and therapeutic pelvic floor exercises. We can also recommend specialty cushions or wedges that are easier to sit on for a person who is avoiding putting pressure on their tailbone.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Tips for Raking

Falling leaves mean more yard work, and at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Raphael, we want to make sure our patients know how to stay safe. Underestimating the amount of effort that goes into raking could leave you with a strained back.

When doing yard work, it is advised that people wear slip-resistant close-toed shoes, long pants, and long sleeves made from a material that is warm, but breathable. Clothes should be form-fitting, but not restrict movement, and people should not wear dangling jewelry when using equipment.

Warm up by doing dynamic stretches and remember proper lifting techniques (head up, push with your legs, test an object’s balance, etc.). When raking, the American Chiropractic Association recommends standing with the rake to your side, with one foot forward and one back, and alternating every few minutes. Also alternate which hand is higher (meaning you’ll have to switch which side of the pile you’re standing on). Keep your back and neck straight, and remember not to overstuff the bag. Try lifting the bag before moving it; if it’s too difficult, transfer some leaves to a different bag.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Cold Laser Therapy

Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center offers cold laser therapy to patients suffering from muscle pain.  Cold laser therapy can be used almost anywhere on the body to relieve pain and promote healing. If you have acute or chronic muscle pain in your neck, back, or shoulders and chiropractic adjustments haven’t helped you, cold laser therapy could be the solution for you.  Patients suffering from sprains, arthritis, and tendonitis are often recommended this treatment because it also helps reduce inflammation.

The laser is a small handheld device placed directly on the skin in the affected area. It uses light to stimulate affected muscle tissue and has the ability to penetrate two to five centimeters below the skin. The laser is applied to the affected area for anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes at a time. Treatments are usually scheduled a few times a week, and the length of a treatment plan can vary. Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free solution with no adverse side effects.  

To learn more about cold laser therapy and all the treatments available at the practice, visit SummitChiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901 call 415-721-7520.

 

Biking Comfort

Back pain and injuries are the most common health complaint among cyclists. At Dr. Kent Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, our philosophy is to focus on prevention, so we want all our cyclists to know how they can reduce their chances of strains and misalignments.

It is of crucial importance for the bike to be fitted to the rider. The handlebars shouldn’t be too low and they shouldn’t be so far forward that the rider has to stretch out to reach them. However, back pain is common even among professional cyclists who don’t have any problem getting their bikes fitted. This is usually due to lack of core strength. As cyclists become tired, their spinal posture gets worse, putting extra strain on their lower backs and necks.

Regular core strengthening exercises are an important means of reducing back pain. It is also important for the rider to be flexible, particularly in the hamstring area. Other changes will be more specific to the rider’s style; for example, Bigger tires n wheels are better shock absorbers but less desirable for racing. If possible, it is a good idea to change postures frequently while riding and to not sit for too long at work or home, either.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Backpack Safety

Now that children are back in school, most of them are using backpacks on a daily basis. This is a good time for a reminder from Dr. Kent Carlomagno on how to use backpacks safely, in order to avoid unnecessary strains and potential accidents.

A backpack should only weigh about 15% of its wearer’s body weight, at most. Tell your children not to put things they won’t really need it. Most children’s class schedules will have settled down enough by this point for them to plan which items to swap out during passing periods, so ask them if they’re remembering to do so. Backpacks should also be worn at the center of the back. Children should tighten the straps if it is hanging over their lower back, but not so much they cut off circulation to their arms.

It is certainly better to use a backpack than a shoulder bag or large purse that concentrates weight on one side of the body, but the weight in the backpack has to be evenly distributed and both straps should be used. It’s best to use a backpack with a chest strap and to select the smallest one possible. Make sure your kids use proper lifting techniques while putting the backpack on and removing it, and ask them if they have tingling or numbness or nerve pain from vertical weight pressure in their limbs if it looks like they’re struggling under its weight.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression may sound painful, but it’s actually quite the opposite. The goal of spinal decompression therapy is to relieve pain and promote optimal healing for bulging, degenerating, or herniated discs. Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center uses this nonsurgical method to help patient’s return to their daily activities, pain-free.

Spinal decompression therapy uses a traction device placed on a table and involves stretching the spine, with the goal of relieving back and leg pain. At Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, Dr. Kent Carlomagno utilizes Posture Pro spinal decompression therapy, a state-of-the-art treatment for neck pain relief, sciatica relief, and much more. PP therapy uses gentle forces, to improve blood flow and nutrient exchange to an injured area. Therapy sessions typically last less than 20 minutes and Dr. Carlomagno will create an individualized treatment plan that is attentive to your needs.

If you have questions or concerns about spinal decompression, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Microcurrent Therapy

Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center provides microcurrent therapy to relieve pain and heal patients.  Microcurrent therapy is administered by placing electrodes directly onto the skin in an affected area and sending microcurrents through the skin into the soft tissue that is in pain or injured.

This therapy is especially recommended for patients with soft tissue injuries because it will reduce pain and inflammation while expediting the healing process.  The microcurrents mimic electrical signals that occur naturally in a healthy body, and restoring electrical currents allows cells to communicate so they can heal more quickly.  The electrical currents are so small that patients usually feel nothing at all or only a slight sensation.  Individual treatment sessions are short and typically scheduled over a series of weeks.  Patients with acute or chronic pain can receive benefits from microcurrent therapy.

To learn more about microcurrent therapy and all the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.netfor more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Thank You For Your Testimonials!

At Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, we appreciate feedback from our customers because it teaches us how to improve. We’d like to not only thank our patient, a retired attorney, for his excellent review, but we’d like to encourage the rest of our patients to do the same.  

“I came to see Dr. Carlomagno after going through traditional medical treatment. I was given lots of meds, had surgery for an inguinal hernia, and I was becoming more discouraged with loss motion in the joints of my body. I was also diagnosed with adult onset diabetes and had heart arrhythmias, tachycardias to boot.

With his specialized nutraceutical program, my diabetes has now stabilized and my heart arrhythmias have diminished considerably. With the adjustments I have received my freedom of movement is returning and my walks are becoming longer and more brisk! Thank you for bringing my life back Dr. Carlomagno!”

Your opinion is important to us, so please let us know about your visit. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Cold vs. Heat Therapy

Cold therapy (cryotherapy) and warm compresses (thermotherapy) are common self-treatment options for many painful problems. There are many misconceptions, however, about which temperature should be applied to an injury and when. Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center is here to help explain the difference between cold vs. heat therapy so you don’t accidentally make your pain worse.

Cold therapy calms down damaged tissues that are inflamed and swollen. Therefore, ice should be used if an injury occurs around a joint or a tendon. This is because it reduces blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain in acute conditions. Be careful to not ice muscle pain as this can increase inflammation. Heat therapy should be used for chronic muscle tension, pain, and stress. If hot or cold therapy doesn’t help the injury you’ve sustained, you’ll need to discuss treatment options with Dr. Carlomagno. Use ice in acute injuries 24-72 hours (20 minutes on and 40 minutes off) Heat should be used thereafter on the same on and off schedule

If you have questions about cold and heat therapy, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Food for Healthy Joints

Whether you’re 19 or 65, you’ll at some point experience joint aches and pain. It’s no secret that a healthy diet is beneficial to your waistline, but it also aids in protecting against arthritis, osteoporosis, and other conditions that involve joint health. To avoid consuming daily doses of over-the-counter medication, Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center suggests incorporating these foods into your diet to protect joints from damage.

Berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries, fight inflammation that exacerbates joint pain. To consume more of them, try adding them to smoothies, Greek yogurt, or cold cereal. Nuts are a great source of healthy fats that help the body repair damage that’s been caused by inflammation. For seafood lovers, oily fish, like mackerel and salmon, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which help reduce joint pain and stiffness by suppressing the production of enzymes that erode cartilage. A healthy snack can go a long way for your joints as well as your overall health.

If you have questions about nutrition and the health of your joints, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.