I found some great information about Back Pain that I would like to share. This information came from the American Chiropractic Association. Enjoy!
Although doctors of chiropractic treat more than just back pain, a large percentage of chiropractic patients visit their doctor looking for relief from this pervasive condition. In fact, 70 to 85 percent of all people have back pain at some time in their life. A few interesting facts regarding back pain:
If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Your pain will often result from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment. The relief is often greater after a month of chiropractic treatment than after seeing a family physician The chiropractic approach is to find the cause of the pain and treat it directly. This may involve realigning the spine or extremities by chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy for the muscles and ligaments, rehabilitative exercises, or a combination of these. Sometimes the doctor of chiropractic will suggest exercises or activities to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem. This may provide a long term solution to the condition through prevention. During the first visit, the doctor of chiropractic will complete a thorough examination that typically includes:
Tips to Prevent Back Pain Some back pain is caused by non-preventable factors (traumatic accidents, congenital defects, tumors), but the majority of low back pain is preventable. Suggestions on how you can prevent back pain include:
Visit your Chiropractors in Elkhorn.
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A capacity of the chiropractic care is treating bone disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. This is because chiropractors are knowledgeable about the different physical conditions of the neuromusculoskeletal system. The doctors of chiropractic are able to treat, diagnose and prevent the health issues through hand manipulations and spinal adjustments. During their chiropractic education, classroom learning is complemented with rigorous training of the numerous spinal manipulations. What makes the chiropractic therapy fall under the alternative medicine category is the non-invasive ways in handling the physical disorders of the body.
The main focus of chiropractors is the spine, wherein as long as the spine is healthy then the rest of the body is also healthy. This is because through the research and study of the D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic found out that when the spine is in its normal position, the body would respond accordingly. Instead of just realizing a cure for the deaf janitor who was the first patient of Palmer, other patients who were given adjustments to the spine were able to experience improvement on their health. Thus, the application of these hand therapies will help the body to make use of its innate ability to heal itself. Aside from this, the chiropractor will guide the patient in other aspects of life including proper diet and lifestyle practices. It was then clear that chiropractic is also a holistic approach for a healthier body and overall well-being. In treating bone disorders, the chiropractor will perform the necessary spinal adjustments to prevent the early onset of osteoporosis. Together with the spinal manipulations, the chiropractor will teach the client on relaxation techniques as well as rehabilitative exercises. This will ensure that the client will be able to learn managing the age related condition even at home. As a holistic method, the doctor of chiropractor will also include counseling on proper nutrition and dietary supplements. The dishes that are eaten can also influence the health of the body, thus the client has to be careful in choosing the right kinds of food. For clients that are already experiencing advanced osteoporosis, the chiropractor can help in pain management and handling the condition in a better way. On top of the spinal manipulation, the chiropractor will show the client on bone building exercises to allow the slowdown of the breaking down of the bone structure. Dietary supplements such as calcium and vitamin D will also be recommended to strengthen the bone. Foods rich in calcium and magnesium will be suggested to make sure that the need of this mineral is addressed appropriately. In treating bone disorders, whether prevention of osteoporosis to occur or handling the physical condition, the chiropractor will be able to tailor fit the individualized treatment program according to the needs of the client. Chiropractic care has been welcomed by people who are looking into other ways in dealing with the health conditions. Many are able to go back to their normal lives or even better their quality of life because of the ability of the chiropractors in treating bone disorders. The demand for these chiropractors is also increasing, as people realized that they do have to solely depend on drugs to be healed or to undergo surgeries. With this, chiropractic therapy is one of the best options to achieve a healthy body. Call your Elkhorn Chiropractor if prevention The right kind of pain How often have you heard the expression, “No pain, no gain”? It can apply to many life situations, including exercise to shape up, tone or drop weight. But when pain is severe or prolonged, you gain nothing and stand to lose a lot! There are a number of tips to help you stay safe to avoid workout injuries. Some of them include:
Call or email your Elkhorn Chiropractor today! Traffic Jams. Paying bills. Deadlines. Pesky neighbors. These unpleasant or challenging situations create stress in our lives. So why is it some people deal with these stress situations better than others? The answer is complex and includes many factors from epigenetics to weather conditions, but communicating with your chiropractor about dealing with stress is the starting point. You might be surprised to find that chiropractors are full of sound advice on ways to effectively deal with stress in your everyday life. When you are receiving regular chiropractic care, you will begin to learn that improving nerve and spinal function has a dramatic impact on improving emotional, mental, and physical function in your life.
Chiropractors as well as others understand that problems with your spine and nervous system come from 3 primary stresses: Physical, Chemical & Emotional. In fact, Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York University, measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases. In his initial three-year study of 107 individuals who had been under chiropractic care for five years or more, the chiropractic patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer and other serious diseases! The superiority of those under chiropractic care also did not diminish with age! If you feel like stress is taking its toll on your life, call our office today or send us an email to schedule a talk with our Elkhorn doctor. Chiropractic care can help. Sometimes what seems painfully obvious is not actually correct. Take a pain in your wrist. The problem must be in your wrist, right?
Not always. There can be nerve interference elsewhere that is causing or adding to that pain. Carpal Tunnel Let’s look at carpal tunnel syndrome. Feel along the back of your wrist for the carpals, those eight small bones grouped in two rows. Held together with ligaments, they form a “tunnel” or passageway for your median nerve. When swelling narrows the tunnel, the nerve gets compressed and causes pain, tingling and more. But pain, numbness or tingling in the wrist also can be caused by nerve interference elsewhere, a phenomenon called the “double crush.” In this scenario, the median and other nerves running through the wrist are being compressed but the compression sites might also be in the spine, shoulder, neck or elbow. Can Chiropractic Help? Resolving carpal tunnel problems requires looking beyond the wrist. A thorough chiropractic examination of the upper spine, shoulder and elbow can help determine the origins of your probable wrist pain. In our Elkhorn Chiropractic office, we can do a couple quick checks to determine the origin of you pain. Give our chiropractors in Elkhorn a call today! A multitude of electronic devices cause neck pain and tingling hands. Personally I have a smart phone, ipad, kindle and several laptops. I am a non-techie person and find it rare to not find my devices acting like the world’s best temptress. The more I use them, the more my neck hurts. I can’t quite imagine what it must be like for the techie people who find not only their work but hobbies revolving around the computer and devices. The number one key to avoiding neck pain and headaches caused by your electronic devices is to take frequent breaks from using them. In a perfect world, you should only stare at a screen for a maximum of 15 minutes before you move around and do something else. While this might not be realistic during the work day, simply do your best to take frequent breaks and make sure to follow this rule at home.
My number two tip for combating pain caused by electronic devices is to get out in the middle of the day and do something active. If it simply means leaving the office to get lunch, go on a walk or take time for a workout, taking a break from sitting down is critical. It helps your body feel better, helps you manage your stress and gives you breaks in your day to allow your mind to be creative. As for specific device tips, if you are typing emails on ipads, keep them short and don’t use your hands as you would a traditional keyboard. The hunt and peck method will make your keyboarding teacher cringe but your wrists and elbows will thank you. If you spend a lot of time reading on your kindle, you will also feel better if you turn it horizontally and put it in landscape mode. If you love reading and it is your main hobby, I would encourage you to get the giant kindle versus the purse size one that I have. It’s easier to hang on to, will strain your elbows and wrists less and is easier to prop up against something to see from a distance. When it comes to smart phones, I would suggest evaluating how much time you spend looking down at it and if its really that important that it can’t wait until you get to your computer. Don’t read long documents on your smart phone, don’t respond to long emails, and limit your gaming time. The most important thing to remember is that when you are using your devices, you are not interacting with other human beings and forming healthy relationships. Don’t let your devices come between you and the people in your life that you enjoy and love. On top of that, while your devices might make things convenient for you, they are also keeping you from being active and healthy. It’s tough to get exercise if you won’t pry yourself away from the screen. If you find yourself with neck pain, headaches or tingling hands, you probably have nerves that are getting irritated. Call our Elkhorn chiropractic office today to schedule an appointment. Our Chiropractors in Elkhorn can get you pain and into relief! Call us today! Chiropractors in Elkhorn know the difference. What truly differentiates doctors of chiropractic from any other healthcare professionals is the fact that chiropractors are the only professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat what are called spinal subluxations. The word "subluxation" comes from the Latin words meaning "somewhat or slight" (sub) and "to dislocate" (luxate). So the term 'vertebral subluxation' literally means a slight dislocation or misalignment of the bones in the spine.
When a subluxation occurs, our Elkhorn chiropractor can correct the misaligned bone and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal. The chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust applied to a vertebra for the purpose of correcting its position, movement or both. Adjustments are often accompanied by an audible release of gas that sounds like a "crack." The sound sometimes shocks people a little bit the first couple times they get adjusted, but the sensation is usually relieving. Occasionally, minor discomfort is experienced, especially if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure. There are times when the audible "cracking" does not occur. This is often due to either significant muscle tightness or that the patient may be having a hard time relaxing during their adjustments. However, the chiropractic adjustment is still important. The leak is fixed. The wiring is fixed. Information is flowing again. To keep the wiring fixed, several adjustments over a course of time may be necessary, in addition to massage, physical therapy, stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its reoccurrence is just as important as the initial remedy. There are actually five components that contribute to the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC).
Call our Chiropractors in Elkhorn today! As successful as chiropractic has become, there are a lot of myths circulating among the general public. Times have definitely changed for the better, but the fact is that many people still do not understand what chiropractors do. Let's talk about a few of the more common myths about chiropractic.
Myth #1 - Chiropractors are not real doctors. A chiropractic college grants a D.C. or Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. While the competition for acceptance in chiropractic school is not as fierce as medical school, the chiropractic and medical school curricula are extremely rigorous and virtually identical. In fact, chiropractors have more hours of classroom education than their medical counterparts. As part of their education, chiropractic students also complete a residency working with real patients in a clinical setting, supervised by licensed doctors of chiropractic. Once chiropractic students graduate, they have to pass four sets of national board exams as well as state board exams in the states where they want to practice. Just like medical doctors, chiropractors are professionals that are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by state and national peer-reviewed boards. Federal and state programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Workers' Compensations programs cover chiropractic care, and all federal agencies accept sick-leave certificates signed by doctors of chiropractic. Chiropractors are also commissioned as officers in the military. The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery. Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Unlike standard medical doctors, whom you visit when you have a symptom to be treated, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop. Myth #2 - Medical doctors don't like chiropractors. The American Medical Association's opposition to chiropractic was at its strongest in the 1940s under the leadership of Morris Fishbein. Fishbein called chiropractors "rabid dogs" and referred to them as "playful and cute, but killers" He tried to portray chiropractors as members of an unscientific cult who cared about nothing but taking their patients' money. Up to the late 1970s and early 1980s, the medical establishment purposely conspired to try to destroy the profession of chiropractic. In fact, a landmark lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Illinois in the 1980s found that the American Medical Association was guilty of conspiracy and was ordered to pay restitution to the chiropractic profession. In the 20 years since, the opinion of most medical doctors has changed: several major studies have shown the superiority of chiropractic in helping people with a host of conditions, and medical doctors developed a better understanding as to what chiropractors actually do. Many people have returned to their medical doctors and told them about the great results they experienced at their chiropractors office. Hospitals across the country now have chiropractors on staff, and many chiropractic offices have medical doctors on staff. Chiropractors and medical doctors are now much more comfortable working together in cases where medical care is necessary as an adjunct to chiropractic care. Myth #3 - Once you start going to a chiropractor, you have to keep going for the rest of your life. This statement comes up frequently when the topic of chiropractic is discussed. It is only partially true. You only have to continue going to the chiropractor as long as you wish to maintain the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system. Going to a chiropractor is much like going to the dentist, exercising at a gym, or eating a healthy diet: As long as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits. Many years ago, dentists convinced everyone that the best time to go to the dentist is before your teeth hurt, that routine dental care will help your teeth remain healthy for a long time. The same is true of chiropractic care for your spine. It is important to remember that, just like your teeth, your spine experiences normal wear and tear as you walk, drive, sit, lift, sleep, and bend. Routine chiropractic care can help you feel better, move with more freedom, and stay healthier throughout your lifetime. Although you can enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care even if you receive care for a short time, the real benefits come into play when you make chiropractic care a part of your wellness lifestyle. Call your local Elkhorn Wellness Chiropractor today Computer screens, poor posture, back pain and headaches.
It doesn’t take a giant leap of faith to connect computer screens and back pain. When you spend endless hours sitting and looking at a screen with small print it is no wonder that you start to develop poor posture and back pain over time. Here are some simple strategies to make yourself feel better. First, make sure your ergonomics are correct at work and at home. Two of the biggest mistakes I have seen are screen height and proximity of your mouse to your body. There are many websites dedicated to teaching you proper ergonomics. Many companies also have an employee onsite who is trained to evaluate work stations. Failing to use a docking station with your laptop at home is also tough on your spine. Secondly, give a check to your posture and see what can be done to improve. Many times people have poor posture not because they are unwilling to sit up straight but because it becomes uncomfortable after a short time. If this describes you, it is important to deal with the cause. When your spine does not move properly on a segmental level it does not allow you to maintain good posture for an extended period of time. This can result in pain between the shoulder blades, headaches, and general fatigue while trying to sit up straight. Finding a chiropractor who can help you will make a big difference over the long term and will cause you to feel better quickly. When your spine is trapped in an endless cycle of poor posture, it tends to mold that way and the poor posture becomes even more set in. The sooner you can reverse this trend the better. Chiropractic will help you to feel better. At The Wellness Pointe we are more than happy to help! Call your Elkhorn Chiropractor today! These are the five most dangerous words. People will often think or say this to themselves or others when they are feeling pain. But, when should you call the doctor?
Often times an acute injury will improve on it’s own with rest and ice. These are the first steps for someone to take on their own. Listen to your body and don’t push or aggravate a condition. Don’t just block the pain with painkillers or anti-inflammatories and then work when you shouldn’t. This will often make a condition worse. If a condition is improving then continue to give it a little more time to heal. The body is designed to heal itself. However, if a condition does not seem to be getting better after a few days then it may be time to call the chiropractor. Neck, back pain and headaches can certainly be debilitating. When this pain is accompanied by pain, numbness or tingling into the arm or leg you need to know that the condition is more severe. Also, the further down the leg, for instance past the knee, then it is much worse and you should consider calling the chiropractor right away. If your pain is accompanied by muscle weakness, this changes everything. This usually indicates nerve damage and you should call right away. Remember, listen to your body. Try to rest and use ice, initially for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. If not getting better after a few days or the condition seems to be more severe then earlier attention by a professional will usually lead to an earlier recovery. Give your local Elkhorn Chiropractor a call today so we can assist you in correcting the cause. |
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