Muscle Imbalance
Q: My massage therapist tells me that I need core work for muscle balance. What is muscle imbalance and how do you identify it?

A: Muscle imbalance describes a condition where either the muscle is weak (inhibited) or tight (constricted). A tight muscle is one with attachment points that are closer together with an increased tone and contour. A weak muscle has an increased distance between attachment points and its contours are flattened due to the decreased tone. The imbalance describes not only the static asymmetries of the body, but also the impaired function and coordination of the muscle groups. When a tight muscle is activated it will contract sooner than normal due to its hyperactivity. This causes the order in which all the muscles fire to be altered. When the affected tight muscle is an agonist, its dynamic relationship to the stabilizers (synergists, neutralizers, fixators) and antagonists is fundamentally altered affecting direction, speed and range of motion. Likewise, if a muscle is inhibited it contracts slower than normal affecting the order of muscle contraction and thus the coordination of motion. Problems frequently arise when a “prime mover” muscle is weak and its antagonist can easily overpower it during a dynamic motion. This causes the stabilizers to activate and participate in ways they were not intended, which leads to overuse and injury. If the condition is allowed to persist the muscles that are overused will eventually substitute for the weak muscle entirely, which alters the entire muscle-firing pattern.

The easiest way to notice a muscle imbalance is to identify asymmetry. Look at the muscle tone, contour, and static position for differences from side to side. Another way to notice if the muscles are imbalanced is the presence of pain. Pain is a warning system in the body that tells the brain that things are not running optimally. The type of pain that is associated with muscle imbalance is a chronic soreness or ache that does not relent with rest. The ache is usually associated with the stabilizers that are overused. Another clue to imbalance is a chronic tight muscle or muscle group. When a muscle is chronically tight its antagonist is usually inhibited. Not only can there be imbalance in the agonist/antagonist relationship, but there can be difference from right to left. This is especially noticeable with tight muscles. It is necessary to address tight muscles on both sides of the body, not just the side that is tender.

In conclusion, to find muscle imbalances look for muscles that are visibly different in contour or size, chronically tight, or unexplainably tender.
— Dr. Jacob May

Allergies
Q: I am loving the outdoors and want to keep walking, is there anything I can do naturally for allergies?
A: Asthma and chronic sinusitis may be related diseases, according to an article in the Journal of Asthma in 2005. Both seem to be a systemic inflammatory condition affecting the respiratory tract. The lining of the nose and sinuses might be reactive to pollens or other allergens, just as the airways are in asthma. This provides us with a new way of looking at chronic sinusitis and possible natural support options. Since the underlying cause is inflammation, it is helpful to try and reduce inflammation throughout the body. A common source of inflammation is the digestive tract. Imbalances in the normal bacteria that live in our digestive tract can lead to chronic inflammation. Those with sinusitis are often forced to take course after course of antibiotics, which further depletes the good guy gut bacteria. This leads to a viscous circle of more inflammation, which leads to more sinusitis, which leads to more antibiotics. Replenishing the good bacteria both during a course of antibiotics and afterwards is helpful. Another source of inflammation in the digestive tract is food allergies.

The most common food allergens are dairy, wheat, citrus, and soy. It is helpful to avoid these food groups when you do have inflamed sinuses. It is possible to have a blood test to determine exactly which foods may be increasing inflammation, which can then be avoided. Finally we can use antiinflammatory herbs, such as turmeric and ginger to decrease the overall irritability of the immune system. Some herbs and supplements have natural anti-histamine action, such as stinging nettles and quercitin. Histamine is one of the main chemical mediators of allergic reactions. And as always, stress is always a factor in body imbalances. Stress reduction can help improve the normal function of the immune system. So with sinusitis, think beyond the head and choose an anti-inflammatory lifestyle to help decrease the frequency and severity of sinus inflammation and infection.
— Dr. Arianna Staruch

This Issue’s Experts:

Jacob May, DC, brings careful thought and analytical thinking blended with a holistic approach to medicine. To contact
Dr. May, call 503-279-0205 or email jacob@clearh2o.org.

Arianna Staruch is a naturopathic physician focused on women’s health issues. To contact Dr. Staruch call 503-279-0205 or email arianna@clearh2o.org.