The Nation Newspaper

Tag: disorders

  • How chiropractics ‘clear’ the system of disorders

    How chiropractics ‘clear’ the system of disorders

    Stress affects the system negatively. But a chiropractor, Prof Magnus Atilade, tells OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA that chiropractic can relieve people of stress.

    A chiropractor, Prof Magnus Atilade, has said Nigerians are yet to enjoy the benefits of Chiropractics because they are not aware of its existence.

    He said when the body undergoes regular chiropractic wellness care, it will function well.

    Also, injuries and common sicknesses, he noted, tend to be less severe, adding that those who experience regular chiropractic wellness recover quickly from illnesses.

    Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that emphasises diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, with the belief that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system.

    Atilade, Managing Director (MD), St Luke Chiropractic Clinic Ekololu Street in Surulere, Lagos Mainland, said people can tap into Chiropractic, which is based on the fact that the body is a self-regulating and self-healing organism.

    “Chiropractic is the science of lo-cating offending spinal structures; the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the philosophy of all things natural. The brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body control these important functions. Chiropractic techniques were invented in the 19th century by Daniel David Palmer,” he said.

    He explained that Chiropractic is the method of natural healing chosen by those seeking complementary/alternative health care for acute and chronic conditions. “While you first visit a chiropractor to relieve pain in the lower back or to treat sciatica, neck pain, whiplash or headache, you will find that a chiropractor views you as a whole person and not the sum of your parts. A chiropractor will work in partnership with you to ensure your optimal health and wellness.”

    He added that chiropractic triggers the body’s ability to heal as chiropractors recognise that many factors affect one’s health, including exercises, nutrition, sleep, environment and heredity.

    Chiropractic focuses on maintaining one’s health naturally to help your body resist disease, rather than simply treating the symptoms of disease. “This is because a chiropractor starts with a thorough evaluation of the body when one visits a doctor of Chiropractic. One will be evaluated using time-honoured methods, including consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and X-ray examination. In addition, one will receive a careful chiropractic structural examination, with particular attention paid to the spine.”

    An inclusive benefit is that it involves no drugs or surgery. “A broad range of techniques are used to locate, analyse and gently correct vertebral misalignments (subluxations) in the spine. Chiropractors may use manual adjustment, electrical muscular stimulation, ultrasound or massage. But they never use pharmaceutical drugs or invasive surgery. Chiropractic is a natural method of healing that stimulates the body’s communication system to work more effectively to initiate, control and coordinate the various functions of the cells, organs and systems of the body,” Atilade addeed.

  • Checking sleep disorders

    Checking sleep disorders

    ADEQUATE sleep promotes good posture and better performance at work. Too little sleep leads to drowsiness and the inability to concentrate the next day.

    However, the speed and stress of modern life confronts man with no time for rest or relaxation. This leaves him too alert at bedtime and grouchy the morning after.

    What then are the factors responsible for sleep disturbance, and its effects on human body?

    Renowned educational and counselling psychologist, Dr. Nelson Aderemi Oyewo, at a sensitisation programme in Saki, Oyo State, attributed some factors causing sleep disturbances to being conditioned to non-sleep behaviours at bedtime, and bedroom itself; having a lot on mind when going to bed, which keep one alert and awake; as well as being psychologically over aroused when going to bed as such thought or arousal may be related to specific life problems such as finance, marriage, and other social problems.

    “An estimated 40 million Nigerians experience some type of sleep disorders, but 95% go undiagnosed and untreated, simply because they do not realise they have a problem, or they think that nothing can be done for them. Many people that feel tired during the day and yawn throughout the evening only go to bed to lie awake for long periods, or to keep dozing and rolling from side to side having chronic difficulty falling asleep.”

    Dr. Oyewo stated that lying awake for 40 minutes during the night seems like an eternity, as one never remembers falling asleep because the time of sleeping seems to pass in a flash.

    “Trying hard to sleep is to tiring because a lot of muscles are involved; hence a lot of energy is put into the effort to go to sleep.”

    Sleeping with other people can be very strange when one has been used to a small bedroom, and a particular person.

    He stated that short time insomnia can be linked to events and factors that are often temporary such as adjustments sleep disorder, jet lag, working the night shift or long shifts, side effects of medication, overuse of caffeine and alcohol, environmental noise and wearing of too tight clothing.

    Oyewo, a Chief Lecturer with the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, posited that since the discovery that medications are effective only on a short time basis, the chronic use and rapid withdrawal from drug use produces a worsening situation.

    He added that the body develops tolerance and dependency necessitating the use of higher dosage to produce the same effect, stressing that alternative method of treatments has been sought for the various disorders of sleep.

    On recommendations and suggestions for having a good sleep, Dr. Oyewo advised that the bedroom should not only be warm and not stuffy, but used for sleep and sex only, and not for reading and watching television.

    “There should be a straightening and tightening of sheets and the re-arrangement of pillows. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, especially late in the day. A warm, light, and nourishing drink could be taken. Many people found that warm milk increases sleep, as it contains sedative.”

    The counselling psychologist advised people not to over focus on falling asleep by watching the clock, saying that “if you don’t fall asleep fairly quickly, get out of bed, and do not return until you are feeling drowsy.”

    As for students in tertiary institutions, Dr. Oyewo called on administrators of tertiary institutions to provide additional places of residence for students, stressing that those sleeping at present in lecture rooms and in shared rooms should be given adequate accommodation.

    “Specialists in the helping professions such as Doctors, Nurses, Counsellors should plan seminars, workshops, and write ups, especially during orientation weeks that will make the public to be aware of the various disturbances of sleep and their effects. This can make the undergraduates seek for help early enough when they have sleeping problems.”

    While calling on government to restrict or ban the sale of certain drugs to reduce the possibility of drug abuse, the expert said counsellors should be willing to assist the students in resolving their conflicts as regards worry, depression, carryovers, family pressures and financial handicaps.

    In his words, “admissions into our institutions should be based on the availability of hostels and lecture rooms. Undergraduate students should not spend all their lives in isolation, but should socialise with members of the family, colleagues, friends and also pursue hobbies.

    This will provide opportunity to talk over unhappy memories and experience with a friend, relative, counsellor or religious leaders.”