Arm or leg pain is a radiating pain that is a result of nerve irritation or nerve compression of one or more nerve roots of the cervical spine. Because the cervical (neck) nerves travel to the shoulders, arms and hands, an injury in the cervical spine can cause symptoms in these areas.
Cervical radiculopathy may result from a variety of problems with the nerves, bones and tissues of cervical spinal area. Nerve root injury in the cervical spine most commonly involves the three lowest levels of cervical vertebrae, which are called C5, C6, and C7.
Radiating arm or leg pain often responds very well to instrument-based Chiropractic, as well as Atlas Orthogonal. In advanced cases, Spinal disc decompression is the recommended course of care.
Arm pain is a very general term, but underlying many upper extremity conditions is irritated or pinched nerve root in the neck.
In its acute phase, this is probably one of the most disabling conditions faced in a chiropractic clinic. The deep, penetrating ache is relentless and it is difficult to find a position that lessens the numbness and tingling. It is often especially bad at night.
Chronic arm pain or discomfort could be related to an injury or neck misalignment. Examples include tennis elbow, trauma to the arm, arthritis, bruises, pulled muscles, or other conditions. A traumatic injury can create nerve root pressure, resulting in pain.
There are thirty bones, over forty muscles, and fourteen major nerves giving you the ability to use your arm in any way you wish. Arm pain is a warning sign and should not be ignored. An injury often causes arm pain to the area of pain, but it can also indicate a more serious underlying problem.
Chiropractic treatment and therapy can be viable options for arm pain. A chiropractor can investigate and locate any potential interference in your spinal vertebrae that may be causing compression of the nerves.
An examination along with diagnostic testing will be used to determine exactly what is causing your arm pain. Because the causes and seriousness of different conditions vary, it is important to pinpoint the cause and begin the most appropriate treatment.
Leg pain affects many people daily. Depending upon the cause and each individual’s situation, symptoms of leg pain may present in many different ways. For some, the pain begins in the lower back and travels down one or both legs. Some experience pain down the back of the legs (sciatica), some the front of the thighs, and others down the side of the legs. Others experience pain only below the knee or solely in the feet or toes.
The location of the pain varies depending on the anatomical or neurological structures involved. The pain may be described in a variety of ways, including sharp, dull, heavy, aching, burning, numbness, and/or tingling.
Leg pain has many causes. Muscle cramps, shin splints, inflamed tendons or muscles, varicose veins, peripheral arterial disease, sciatica, and neuropathy are some of the most common conditions.
Since many disorders can cause leg pain, the chiropractor’s first step is to determine what is causing the patient’s leg pain. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review of the patient’s medical history and a physical and neurological examination. Diagnostic testing, including x-rays, may also be used.
The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body’s potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free.
The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient’s leg pain. A treatment plan may include several treatments such as ice/cold therapies, TENS, and spinal adjustments (sometimes called spinal manipulation).
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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Of the 25 million people who enjoy golfing, many of those players suffer from chronic pain. Golf requires a repetitive motion and uses a variety of muscles in your entire body. It requires most of the repetitive motion on one side of the spine. Because of this, your body may find it hard to efficiently guide your swing and have a load of stress on the lower back, neck, and wrists.
The mechanics of your golf swing starts with your nervous system. That's why upper cervical care will keep your swing on track. By not having a properly aligned and balanced head on the vertebra, the signals that travel from your brain to your nervous system to all of your body parts, your body can be disrupted or distorted. Resulting in experiencing symptoms and developing pain, all while affecting your performance.
To prevent the interference between your brain and body from communicating correctly, you must maintain balance and alignment on top of your neck. Upper cervical care will help you restore balance to your body and remove the interference.
Your body can be balanced and function better, resulting in a BETTER GOLF GAME. An upper cervical correction is a gentle, non-invasive way to fix your pain. By applying a precise and controlled touch to your head, neck, and spine, your body can be restored and have balance by removing the interference in communication signals.
There are many benefits of chiropractic care. Not only can it help with your golf swing, but also a tool to keep you on track to a healthy and active lifestyle. Regular adjustments can keep your body on track and perform maximum mobility at the top of your game. Even if you do not suffer from pain or injuries, chiropractic can help prevent injury in the future.
Contact Atlas Chiropractic today for more information on how we can help reduce the chance of injury for golfers and promote healing!
Good posture is a sign of many things; one of those things is a well-functioning brain. The body and central nervous system are connected. Your posture results from a developed proprioception, balance, coordination, and muscle function.
Proprioception (or kinesthesia) is our perception of our body's position and movement. The term "proprioception" was coined by neuropsychologist C.S. Sherrington, the combined Latin word for "one's own" and reception. Meaning paying attention to ourselves.
If you think about it, you know exactly where every part of your body is. You know if your knees bend straight or not. You can close your eyes and touch your nose. This is because your proprioceptive sense lets you know where your body parts are.
These sensations are signals of sensory receptors within your muscle, skin, and joints. Proprioception helps us be aware of our own limbs in relation to external objects, control our movements, and keep our bodies properly aligned.
Proprioception benefits our bodies in numerous ways, from improving reaction time and speed to preventing injuries and improving balance. It's even been linked to reducing stress and being able to pay closer attention to things.
Our proprioception worsens as we age, thus the higher risk for injury and falls resulting from things like twisted ankles or displaced hips. Diseases like Parkinson's can also affect your proprioception.
Balance is directly linked to proprioception. It's impossible to balance yourself without the ability. That and proper posture require this ability and focus. That's why focusing on the issue of poor proprioception is going to generate more positive results.
We may not realize how often we use our balance because it's a part of our everyday life. People who have poor balance can find the simplest movements difficult to perform. If you want coordination of good posture, it's vital to maintain good balance.
There are many different ways to improve your balance. For example, Yoga is a great way to get low-impact exercise while improving balance and coordination. Try yoga-based balance poses like the single-leg Tree Pose.
It's common for us to breathe with short, shallow breaths. But when we become more aware of our breathing habits, we can focus on taking slow deep long breaths. Breathing deeply and filling our lungs with air is directly related to posture.
Deep breathing has been linked to decreasing stress, improving posture, increasing cognitive function, and decreasing pain levels, all while boosting your energy.
Research has often shown that chiropractic adjustments focus on lower back or neck pain and musculoskeletal problems. While still associated with chiropractors, that's no longer just the case. More and more evidence shows that adjustments can transform the structure and function of the nervous system and brain.
Regular chiropractic adjustments can improve proprioception, posture, balance, and coordination.
Posture is a direct indication of brain functionality. Correcting the linked problems o proprioception and proper posture will lead to a healthier lifestyle.
If you've ever noticed a strange tingling or burning sensation in your hands or feet, suffer from chronic or intermittent pain, or often experience a feeling of numbness in your extremities, you may be dealing with neuropathy pain.
Nerve pain results from numerous medical conditions, most commonly diabetes, other metabolic issues, traumatic injury, toxin exposure, and even unexplained infections. The uncomfortable and often relentless symptoms affect every aspect of your body, from regulating the temperature of your hands and feet to healing from minor wounds. Here are four symptoms of neuropathy that you should know if you've ever suspected nerve pain to be the cause of your chronic discomfort:
Pain
This may seem obvious, but many people don't realize the root cause of just not feeling yourself. Whether you're in constant pain or it comes and goes, many people try to lay the blame for their pain on tiredness, lack of exercise, or bad habits. While it could very well involve these factors, too, over 10{115649cd14c12cd94f0d147e1e5923e5cfd090a3a81f6b6da2d6b334a1994be8} of the population suffers from neuropathy.
Tingling
When the nerve endings of the body give you that tingly feeling, that can indicate that they are performing abnormally or losing sensitivity. When the signals that travel from the body to the central nervous system located in the brain and spine are interrupted, this can cause a sensation of 'tingly' hands and feet. This is often one of the very first symptoms that people with neuropathy notice.
Burning
Similar to tingling, a sense of burning in the extremities can indicate an onset of neuropathy. The peripheral neuropathy that a large number of diabetics suffer from is often described as a hot, burning feeling in the legs and arms. A whopping seven million Americans suffer from burning in their feet due to neuropathy. This discomfort generally leads to overall frustration as well as loss of sleep and quality of life. But the majority of burning neuropathy cases can be treated by restoring balance and communication to the nerve endings, as Dr. Nygaard’s chiropractic care does.
Numbness
Loss of feeling completely in hands and feet is not an uncommon symptom of neuropathy. In fact, many diabetics and other nerve pain victims have to take extra precautions against numb body parts, as they may have so little feeling that they don't notice normal pain sensations such as a cut, burn, sore, or wound in their hands and feet. Numbness generally accompanies weakness, as the blood's circulation is stagnant and unhealthy in the unfeeling body parts. Restoring oxygen, nutrition, and feeling to these numb extremities is essential, and possible while working with a chiropractor like Dr. Nygaard.
Now that you are aware of these major symptoms of neuropathy, it may be easier for you to frame your pain in terms of your nervous system. Luckily, chiropractic care specializes in dealing with the nervous system, tweaking it to get its channels of communication flowing once again
Dr. Nygaard has been serving the Asheville community for 18 years and wants to help you in your journey to wellbeing.
If you are living with constant migraines, then you know it's more than just a bad headache. Migraines are neurological conditions that can impact all areas of our lives and our health.
June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. During this time, we must raise awareness and educate others about migraines, headaches, related diseases, and conditions. Migraines impact over 40 million people in the US, and nearly 400,000 Americans experience cluster headaches. These painful, intense headaches can be frequently known as a cluster period and could sometimes last weeks or even months.
Migraines may cause you to disappear during work hours because of your experiencing symptoms due to migraines, like debilitating pain, blurred vision, or even nausea. The most common migraine symptoms sometimes make it impossible to work. Some may go to the workplace, which triggers migraine attacks because of the long hours on the computer screen or feelings of being in a stressful environment.
People who experience consistent migraines cannot work normally and function as they could. Because of this, you feel less productive, get less done, reschedule meetings, call in sick, and miss out on essential details to reach your goals.
Because of migraine unpredictability, you never know when or where you will be when a migraine attack occurs. The encompassing nature of these attacks means sometimes, we wind up disappointing ourselves and the people close to us. You never know when and where you will feel a migraine come on. It could be when you're out trying to support a friend or on an important date for you and your partner. Those relationships could feel threatened. After all, you can't show up when they need you most because you're dealing with unbearable pains and symptoms.
Dealing with migraines can make parenting feel impossible. It's hard enough being a parent, or even a single parent, and having to deal with the difficulties of migraines. Even the most minor things can feel challenging when dealing with children while you have a migraine attack. You may feel bad for your partner, who is taking more responsibility because you have to rest and feel the burden of migraine symptoms. For single parents, there is no help, and juggling parenthood while feeling pain can take a toll on our bodies and mental health.
It's not uncommon for people who experience migraines to experience mental health problems. Because of these effects on our lives, other body parts have trouble coping with regular life tasks.
At times there is no cure for migraines; however, there are common ways to manage them effectively with upper cervical chiropractic.
Migraines are neurovascular headaches. "Neuro" stands for the nerve component and "vascular" for blood vessels. Another primary issue that directly causes migraines is a disruption in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is crucial for proper brain function.
At Atlas Brain and Body, we can measure stress on the brain stem and the pain-sensitive surrounding tissue. Sometimes the blood supply to the brain is often compromised. Another primary issue that directly causes migraines is a disruption in Cerebro spinal fluid, which is crucial for proper brain function.
If you want to start making significant changes in your life and live without the pains and agony of migraines, make an appointment at Atlas Orthogonal at (828) 253-0700 to see how we can help.
It's easy for cervical instability to creep into our lives and become a prominent reason for the aches and pains you are experiencing. With the increase in smartphone use, computers, and other technology devices, neck pain has become more common among men and women.
Cervical instability is more than a condition. For those with cervical instability, the cervical vertebrae can move beyond their normal limits due to stretched and loose ligaments. When that occurs, the cervical spine can no longer work as it should, not allowing you to move and twist and turn comfortably.
The strain on the ligaments sometimes results in symptoms such as headaches, fainting, or even memory loss. Having those lax ligaments can result in chronic pain and affect specific body parts or the entire body.
Cervical instability has numerous potential causes, like so many other orthopedic problems.
The most common reasons for cervical instability include:
Trauma: Traumatic events like a car crash or injury can cause cervical instability on the spine over time. Often patients who experience cervical instability have experienced whiplash during a car accident or have some sort of disruption and trauma that overextended joints and ligaments.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): When having RA or similar arthritis conditions, the joints progressively deteriorate and affect the joints that connect to your vertebrae. Ultimately leading to cervical instability.
Genetic Disorders or Syndromes: Cervical instability is associated with other conditions and syndromes such as down syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos.
When trying to understand what's causing your pain and if you are concerned you may have cervical instability, looking at key signs and symptoms can help you better understand your condition.
Symptoms of cervical instability include:
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed, it may be related to cervical instability. It's best to be evaluated by a qualified and experienced physician.
There are several tools and techniques to help diagnose cervical instability and diagnose clinically by assessing the patient's symptoms and medical history. In some instances, medical professionals will perform imaging studies to properly diagnose specific pains so you can seek further treatment.
To prevent and treat cervical instability, it's best to have regular visits to a chiropractor. Chiropractic care is a common and effective way to treat headaches, poor posture, and spinal misalignments, which are common symptoms when you are facing cervical instability.
Upper cervical chiropractic care can essentially correct cervical instability. Spinal chiropractic manipulative therapy can correct cervical instability," joint disorders, dislocations of cervical vertebrae, and MORE importantly Chiropractic adjustments are a safe and effective solution for symptoms and pain caused by cervical instability.
Cervical instability is often underdiagnosed. If you are experiencing any symptoms of cervical instability, contact your chiropractor right away.
This is manageable and highly treatable. You don't have to live with pain and discomfort. Find long-lasting pain relief and restore brain-body balance at the Atlas Orthogonal Clinic in Asheville.
Atlas specializes in care for complex upper cervical conditions. Our patients struggle with their health over the years often because they don't know what's wrong or are usually provided with short-term relief for the pain. We focus on treating the root cause of the pain you are experiencing by treating the misalignment of the bone and vertebra.
Correcting these distortions requires specialized diagnostics and treatment protocols that aren't widely practiced—or even known about—in mainstream medicine or traditional chiropractic care.
If you've ever been told that nothing can be done, you'll have to "learn to live with it," or that medication and surgery are your only options, make an appointment at Atlas Chiropractic, ou where we expect you will find results you are looking for ????
Everyone experiences stress, but we all experience that stress in different ways. Stress causes tensions in your life physically, mentally, and emotionally. Learning to cope with our stress in a healthy way can sometimes feel unattainable. April is Stress Awareness Month, and it's important to remind everyone that there are many ways to help you with your stress.
By finding a healthier way to cope with the stress, you can live a more positive and healthier life. Stress can impact more aspects of your mind and body than you think. The longer the stress goes on, the more susceptible you are to various mental and physical health conditions.
Studies show the most common reasons for stress among Americans include money, work, and political climate.
When you're experiencing stress, your body immediately turns on its physiological response called the "fight-or-flight" response. This response gives you the tools you need to either defend yourself or flee. Once the perceived threat disappears, your body should stop releasing stress hormones, and everything goes back to normal.
One of the most common stress-induced symptoms- Headaches.
Stress can cause headaches and they can exacerbate others. Knowing the type of headache you have helps you find the solution and find the best pain relief. Getting those answers to better understand your stress triggers and contributors.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches, also known as "stress headaches," are the most common headaches and are directly correlated with stress. They include both sides of your head and forehead. When experiencing tension headaches, you may often feel both sides of your head tightening and the back of your neck. Tension headaches are presenting a question around your head and gripping it.
The pain in tension headaches are caused by the buildup of tension in your body. It's normal to feel pressure when you have a busy schedule, especially when you have significant responsibilities weighing on you.
There are two types of tension headaches:
Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic adjustments are ideal for treating headaches because they address the root cause of your pain. By improving your spinal alignment, your blood can circulate more freely to reduce inflammation and irritation that leads to headaches. Chiropractic adjustments also enhance the flexibility and range of motion in your neck and shoulders. You can engage in exercise and physical activities without pain.
Many people who have experienced chronic headaches due to stress go to numerous doctor visits and don't receive long-term results. There is no magic serum that will simply CURE you, but there are things you can do to prevent stress headaches from causing havoc in your life.
Getting results means getting to the cause of the pain and not just masking the problem with medications. Here at Atlas Brain and Body, we understand how to reverse years of degeneration and create a success plan that includes all the aspects that make up a proper health care solution.
The fundamentals of upper cervical care empower the nervous system so that you can heal properly and experience true relief from pain caused by stress.
Call and book an appointment with Dr. Nygaard at Atlas Brain and Body today at (828) 253-0700.
The Cranial nerve is also referred to as the Vagus Nerve. The Latin word Vagus means wandering. This nerve is named because it originates in the medulla part of the brain stem, then winds through the body. Networking the brain with the stomach and digestive system, heart, spleen, intestines, liver, and kidneys, the lungs,
The vagus nerve is a major parasympathetic nerve. The PNS or Nervous parasympathetic system helps keep us stable and helps heal our bodies. The PNS is the opposite of the sympathetic nervous system (or SNS). Also known as the fight or flight system, the PNS is the Wine and Dine system.
Everyone has a specific Vagal tone. The strength of our tone is measured by how quickly our body can relax after stress. The stronger your vagus activity, the faster your body responds to a relaxed state after a stressful moment.
Vagal tone (or VT) is the strength of your vagus response. The VT can be determined by measuring your heart rate and getting your HRV or heart rate variability.
A high vagal tone lets your body regulate blood glucose levels better and reduces the likelihood of things like diabetes, stroke, or other types of cardiovascular diseases. A higher VT means that your body can relax faster after experiencing stress. A higher VT is also directly related to a better mood and feeling less anxiety.
A lower vagal tone, as part of the immune system, inflammation is helpful when trying to help the body heal after an injury. Still, it can damage organs and blood vessels if it persists when not needed.
The vagus nerve and upper cervical chiropractors go hand in hand because of the link between the essential nerves and the spine and upper neck. Spinal health plays a role in directing the health of the vagus nerve. Suppose the spine is altered in its position or ability to move. In that case, the information to and from the vagus nerve becomes interrupted. That's why chiropractic adjustments play an essential role in aligning and moving the spine to assure vagus nerve activity is doing its job correctly.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic plays a vital role in reducing chronic disease through adjustments that directly influence vagal nerve function. Research shows that Chriocpic adjustments can improve HRV by bossing the health function of the vagus nerve. By enhancing the vagus nerve, you will improve the way your entire nervous system functions. Resulting in lowering your risk for chronic disease and increasing your life span.
A better functioning nervous system will experience overall better health through regular chiropractic care. Call Us At (828) 253-0700 for more information.
It might be hard to believe, but the foods you eat can play a significant role in your spinal health. Suppose you've been experiencing spinal problems lately. In that case, getting on track with the proper diet is probably the next step to feeling your best.
Specific food is packed with what your body needs to be healthier and more robust. By making the right food choices, you can get back on track to a healthier spine. Avoiding the wrong foods and replacing them with the right ones is the best way to start.
Wondering what foods are best for your spine? Here are 5 of the best foods to consider adding to your diet to keep your spine healthy.
We know that vegetables are good for our health, body, and mind. By creating more vegetables in your diet, you can improve your spine and overall health and wellness. That being said, certain vegetables contain properties that will help fight spinal issues.
Green, leafy vegetables like kale, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach strengthen properties like inflammation. These vegetables also contain nutrients that help support the spine. Your spine is the backbone of your body's skeletal system, and it needs all the nutritional help you can give it. These leafy greens are full of essential vitamins like A, C, E, and K for the bones and tissues for a healthy full-functioning spine. Things like vitamin K help with calcium absorption, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Magnesium in these vegetables also increases bone density and muscle strength.
2. Fruits When adding fruit to your diet, you have to be more careful because the high sugar and overconsuming can negatively affect your health. While you need to be responsible, fruits have many health benefits on the spine.
Berries are particularly good for spinal health. Pack with antioxidants that naturally fight inflammation and even reduce the risk of experiencing pain when developing arthritis. Fruits like blueberries have more than 20 different antioxidants. Cherries and grapes have similar benefits. Tart cherries have the most anti-inflammatory benefits of any other fruit.
Pineapples are another fruit that can help people manage osteoarthritis pain. Pineapples carry an abundance of manganese that help prevent arthritis of the spine and strengthen connective tissues. High amounts of manganese and protein-digesting can also minimize flare-ups from inflammation and increase the strength of the spine and joints.
Calcium is essential for maintaining proper bone and spine health. The easiest way to add calcium to your diet without taking supplements is by increasing dairy in your diet. You can begin building your spine health by choosing the right type of dairy to add and not overconsuming it.
Be smart about consuming dairy products to avoid adding too much fat or cholesterol.
Omega-3 can naturally reduce your body's inflammatory response and help the healing process. Omega-3 is known for decreasing chronic inflammation. Since inflammation is a contributor to back pain, reducing the inflammation will likely decrease pain you may be experiencing.
Adding salmon to your diet regularly is a great way to gain omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon is versatile and tastes good. It can be prepared in different ways and suitable for your health in many different ways.
5. Herbs and SpicesHerbs and spices are another great way to increase spinal health. Add one of these herbs and spices below to your recipes and daily diet routine. Try creating herbal teas, which strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
When changing your diet to gain better spine health, remove unhealthy choices gradually and replace them with better alternatives. Enhance your diet by replacing your meals over time with more nutritious options.
A diet full of essential vitamins and nutrients is ideal for overall well-being. If you need further guidance on proper nutrition for optimal back health in your spine, consider making an appointment with Dr. David Nygaard to discuss your options for a healthier spine.
Contact Atlas Brain and Body today at 828-253-0700 to see how we can help.
We’ve all been there at one time or another. You’re tossing and turning, your mind is racing, and you just can’t quite let go and ease into blessed, life-giving, necessary sleep.
Whether your sleeplessness is brought on suddenly by a new stressor in your life or a chronic problem that you’ve dealt with for a long time, it’s so important to get to the bottom of it and get back to enjoying those lovely Z’s.
Sleep is one of the main factors that keeps our body running smoothly, along with a nutritious diet, good hydration, regular exercise, and activities that help you maintain a sense of wellbeing.
When sleep goes off the rails, our bodies are more susceptible to a litany of health problems. And our quality of life can really plummet when we feel exhausted and mentally fuzzy, as though we’re swimming upstream all day long.
When an interruption to our regular sleep pattern occurs, it’s important to do some quick detective work to get on top of it. And you don’t have to tough this out on your own.
Partnering with a professional can help you pinpoint the causes so you can begin your journey back to solid sleep.
There are so many possible reasons why you’re struggling to get to sleep, including psychological stress, pain in your body, medications you’re taking, or underlying health conditions. Check out this list of causes and symptoms of insomnia from the Mayo Clinic.
It can be overwhelming to try to navigate this complex field of study as a layperson (especially when you’re already tired).
Whereas your primary doctor might be more likely to prescribe pharmaceutical sleep aids off the bat, Dr. Nygaard is going to start by looking at your situation holistically and evaluating how to treat the causes naturally--which is more likely to have long-term success.
Dr. Nygaard can provide recommendations for good sleep hygiene that you can put into practice immediately--sometimes simple tips can make a huge difference. (Here are a few simple ones from the CDC.)
Regular chiropractic adjustments can also help with many types of chronic pain that might be keeping you awake!
And, finally--when your spine is in alignment, your nervous system is primed to support your immune system in fighting all types of illnesses (as we wrote about in this recent blog post).
Dr. David Nygaard would love to partner with you to figure this out together--and to ensure that you get the shuteye you need to function optimally and enjoy life.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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