In Your Head
There are 22 bones in the skull that comprise the face and the cranium. They are connected through joints called sutures and are assumed to this day by many to be fused and rigid. For functional and neurological reasons, as well as 12 years of study and practice in this area, I believe that the bones and articulations of the head change position. When they do so in a way that produces excess or abnormal pressure on the brain or sense organs, the integrity of the central nervous system is impacted and the body’s ability to process information is diminished. This could be for any number reasons, but some of the most common are birth, falls, and dental/orthodontic work.
80% of the central nervous system resides in the head. While most chiropractors most of the time focus on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system, I find that relieving cranial pressure and restoring balance through the structures of the skull makes a big difference in improving how the body can regulate movement, sensation, and cognition. Headaches and TMJ issues are common symptoms that often reflect increased tension on the skull. Beyond the discomfort of these conditions (which are trying to get your attention) is the effect this functional strain has on blood flow and the circuits of information being relayed through and within the brain.
Winter Mint
As we transition from the chaos of the Holiday season back to the normalcy of routine and the onset of winter, I encourage several things to help boost the immune system. In addition to seeing your friendly neighborhood chiropractor, getting adequate rest (aka sleep), keeping hydrated (aka drinking water), and having clear lines of communication in your personal, professional, and social lives are some of the best things you can do to support your immune system and your overall well-being.
I would also like to share some info about one of my favorite warm winter beverages: peppermint tea.
The use of mint leaves in herbal, folk, and medicinal traditions has roots worldwide. The cultivation of mints in China and Japan is an ancient practice. Mint has been found in Egyptian tombs that date back to 1000 B.C. Mint was part of the pharmacopeia of ancient Greece and both Eastern and Western medicine utilize mint for a variety of ailments.
Peppermint (mentha piperita) is hybrid of spearmint and watermint, and as a perennial herb, it is naturalized throughout Europe and North America. It is purported to have many actions, especially as an essential oil, not the least of which include analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and anti-spasmodic. Historically, peppermint has been used as a digestive aid, to freshen breath, and to relieve headaches. Aromatically, peppermint has been traditionally used to soothe upper respiratory ailments. More recently, peppermint aroma has been shown to improve memory and reduce mental fatigue.
As any evidence-based empirical machine likes to do, Western medicine has studied this plant and its effects in its reductionist, sterile sort of way. They have studied its use as a pharmacologic “alternative” for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-ulcer dyspepsia, and gastrointestinal spasm, and have come to the resounding conclusion that peppermint oil is “probably effective”. With regard to tension headaches, two trials have shown that topical application of peppermint oil is effective in reducing symptoms. In fact, in one of those studies, it was compared to acetaminophen (Tylenol), and was found comparable (“no significant difference in effectiveness”), with the difference being that the peppermint oil had no adverse effects.
More recently, a more detailed biochemical investigation into the protective effects of the phytochemicals in peppermint found several interesting results. Compared to industry standard anti-oxidant chemicals used to preserve food, peppermint essential oil was found to be a more potent scavenger of free radicals. In addition, clinical findings in rats showed a significant decrease in serum uric acid (marker for gout) and an increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
Although these recent scientific claims support the medicinal aspects of a natural plant and it’s beneficial effects on the body, it is important to keep in mind the weight of tradition. The use of peppermint, peppermint essential oil, and all other essential oils and traditional remedies has been studied and refined for centuries. The appropriate use of them, as with any healing modality, needs to be put into context. Context means not looking at the results with disregard to the entire process. Ultimately, I encourage you to explore the “alternative” avenues of natural healing, but to do so with respect. For me, I am already looking forward to a cup of warm peppermint tea.