Catalina Medical Center: Blog

As holistic health practitioners, we at the Catalina Medical Center want our patients to understand the importance of vitamin D. This vitamin plays a crucial part in processing of calcium and the development of bones, which are continually resorbing and regrowing throughout life. Deficiencies in vitamin D not only lead to osteoporosis and all its associated harm to the spinal column, but also to muscle and immune system dysfunction. You’re probably familiar with dairy as a source of vitamin D, but a well-balanced diet contains plenty of excellent sources. Among them are fish, cereals, eggs, beef liver, mushrooms, and fortified orange juice (which also contains added calcium). People who wish to avoid meat or other animal products should consult with our nutritionists about supplements. Staying hydrated is also necessary for joint and disc health, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach are a commonly overlooked source of calcium, which vitamin D allows you to absorb. The other major...

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes pain and dysfunction in millions of people. It is what people commonly refer to when they complain about their joints getting stiffer as they age, although it is often confused with other conditions that are termed “arthritis.” Since May is Arthritis Awareness Month, we at the Catalina Medical Center in Redondo Beach thought this would be a good time to review what makes osteoarthritis distinct and what we can do about it. Our joints contain cartilage, which is a smooth and slippery substance that prevents bones from grinding into each other. The term osteoarthritis describes break-down in cartilage. As it becomes flaked and cracked, pieces of grinding bones may chip off and the ends of the bones may develop deformed growths. When people develop osteoarthritis early in life, it may be because of a genetic disorder that prevents them from developing healthy cartilage. More commonly, osteoarthritis is found in older people who may ha...

When working with patients at Catalina Medical Center we always like to be clear about one thing, nutrition matters. Chiropractors help patients with physical therapy, acupuncture, spinal adjustments, and even massages. Those things only focus on the physical aspect of recovery; the other aspect of recovery is nutrition. For bodies to function at maximum capacity a steady diet of carbs, fats, minerals, proteins, and vitamins are important. Eating healthy makes the body run better and keeps the pressure off your joints. An unhealthy diet of sugars and fats can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Stressful environments and a lack of essential nutrients in the daily diet demand additional support to aid the body in preventative health care. For the body to function at its best it is important to combine a healthy diet, a lot of rest, and spinal adjustments to keep your body a well-oiled machine. At Catalina Medical Center we can help answer any questions about nutrition ...

If you’ve recently been experiencing weird muscle cramps, or you feel exhausted for no reason at all, you may be lacking magnesium. At Catalina Medical Center, our doctors want you to feel your best each minute of every day, which is why we want to explain how important magnesium is to the human body. Dubbed the “invisible deficiency” because it can be hard to diagnose, magnesium deficiencies can be dangerous because every organ in the body needs the mineral. Magnesium is used as a component of several enzymes that contributes to bone structure and helps to transport calcium and potassium in a way that keeps your heart beating and your muscles contracting. People who don’t eat enough vegetables and whole grains may not be getting enough magnesium in their diet, but few are likely to have obvious symptoms. Some foods that are rich in magnesium include green leafy vegetables, like spinach, as well as legumes, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds. Early signs of magnesium deficiency inclu...

When people think of back problems, probably the first image that comes to mind is the stooped posture often seen in older people. At the Catalina Medical Center in Redondo Beach, we want our patients to know that this painful ailment is not an inevitable part of aging, but is something that can be treated through chiropractic. The most common cause of spinal curvature in the elderly is osteoporosis. This disease is the result of bone breaking down without enough new growth to replace it. Over time, the vertebrae become so weak that they can be cracked easily by common movements with the patient hardly even aware of it. All those little cracks add up to the vertebrae collapsing, causing the afflicted to lose height and stoop over. Anybody can get osteoporosis, but it is more common in women. One good way to prevent it is to maintain high levels of calcium intake. But at our office, we can also prescribe therapeutic exercises for strengthening the muscles supporting the spine and provid...