Chiropractic and Neck-Related Headaches

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A new study found that for patients suffering from a neck-related headache, chiropractic spinal manipulation cut the number of symptomatic days in half. Incidentally, the same study found that spinal manipulation proved to be more effective than massage for treatment of headache.

If you or someone you know suffers from headaches, check out this video to learn more about finding a solution.”

Diet and Exercise Tip of the Month (Eat A Protein-Rich Breakfast)

Exercise Tip

“Want to stay full longer throughout the morning? Try eating a protein-rich breakfast.

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Fast-digesting carbs like those found in sugar-laden cereals will leave you feeling

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sluggish and hungry quicker than a meal consisting of eggs or lean proteins.”

 

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Pregnancy Related Low Back Pain

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Low back pain during pregnancy is quite common. In fact, between 50-75% of all pregnant women will experience low back pain. The pain is usually caused from rapid changes in weight, posture, gait and hormones.

The average woman gains between 20-40 pounds throughout pregnancy. This weight gain moves your center of gravity forward, causing your pelvis to tilt and your lower back to sway – placing excessive stress on the ligaments, discs, and joints of your spine.

Pregnancy-related low back pain typically starts between the fifth and seventh month of pregnancy, although a significant portion of women experience pain sooner. Symptoms often begin at the base of your spine and may radiate into your buttock or thigh. Discomfort is often aggravated by prolonged standing, sitting, coughing, or sneezing. Your symptoms may increase throughout the day, and some patients report nighttime pain that disturbs their sleep. The extremes of activity seem to contribute to pregnancy-related low back pain – with increased risk for both “sedentary” and “physically demanding” lifestyles. Patients who have suffered with back pain prior to pregnancy are more than twice as likely to re-develop back pain during pregnancy.

Be sure to tell your doctor if your symptoms include fever, chills, bleeding, spotting, unusual discharge, cramping, sudden onset pelvis pain, light-headedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, calf pain or swelling, decreased fetal movement, or symptoms that radiate beyond your knee.

Unfortunately, pregnancy related low back pain occurs at a time when your medical treatment options are limited. Not surprisingly, over 90% of prenatal health care providers would recommend drug-free treatment, including the type of alternative therapy provided in this office. Studies have shown that chiropractic manipulation provides significant relief of pregnancy-related low back pain. Almost 75% of women undergoing chiropractic care report significant pain reduction with improved ability to function.

Most patients will also benefit from continuing aerobic exercise throughout pregnancy. The US Department of Health and Human Services advises that healthy pregnant women may begin or continue moderate intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week. Women should not begin “vigorous” exercise during pregnancy, but those who were preconditioned to vigorous exercise may continue. Be sure to check with your doctor prior to initiating or increasing any exercise program while you are pregnant.

Be sure to take frequent breaks from prolonged sitting or standing. You may find benefit by using a small foot stool to alternate feet while standing. Sleeping with a pillow between the knees in a side lying posture may help you to rest more comfortably. You should wear shoes with good arch supports. In some cases, your chiropractor may recommend a sacroiliac belt or pelvic support belt to help relieve your pregnancy-related low back pain.

Chiropractic for Acute Low Back Pain

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According to the European Spine Journal, Chiropractic care was proven to be an effective treatment for acute back pain (pain that occurs suddenly and is often more sharp and severe).

“The European Spine Journal published guidelines for treating acute LBP and Radiculopathy:

o Employ: Manual therapy, exercise, and patient education about prognosis, warning signs, and advice to remain active.

o Avoid: routine use of imaging, extra-foraminal steroid injections, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and opioids.

If you or someone you know suffers from back pain, follow the proven advice and call our office today.”

Source: Stochkendahl, M.J., Kjaer, P., Hartvigsen, J. et al. National Clinical Guidelines for non-surgical treatment of patients with recent onset low back pain or lumbar radiculopathy. Eur Spine J (2018) 27: 60.

Exercise of the Month – (Resisted Shoulder Retraction)

 

Resisted Shoulder Retraction

  • Secure a piece of elastic resistance tubing to a doorframe.
  • Sit or stand with your elbows tucked into your sides bent at 90 degrees, forearms pointing forward.
  • Grasp the resistance band and pull it towards you by focusing on pinching your shoulder blades together.
  • Return to the start position and repeat three sets of 10 repetitions daily or as directed.

*This exercise may also be performed using a cable row machine or by looping a piece of elastic resistance band over your feet while sitting on the floor with your legs directly in front of you.

A collaborative vision for the future

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According to the latest National Health Interview Survey (1), nearly 1 in 4 Americans seek the services of a chiropractor, with utilization steadily increasing over the past decade. The majority of users reported chiropractic helping “a great deal”. The overwhelming majority reported chiropractic care combined with medical treatment as helpful.

The preceding sentence is a collaborative vision for the future. Outcomes-based healthcare requires that providers work toward an integrated model where management is selected based upon merit, not habit.

We are honored by the opportunity to co-manage your musculoskeletal pain and will strive to maintain your trust.

 

References
1. Adams J. et al. The Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors of Chiropractic Use Among US Adults: Results From the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. SPINE. 42(23):1810–1816, Dec 2017

Lumbar Radiculopathy? That sounds ridiculous!

Your nervous system is basically a big electrical circuit. Your spinal cord transmits all of the electrical nerve impulses between your brain and lower back. From there, individual nerves emerge from your spine then travel to supply sensation and movement to a specific area of your buttock, legs and/or feet. This allows you to move and feel sensations like touch, heat, cold and pain. Anything that

interferes with this transmission can cause problems.

You have been diagnosed with a “Lumbar Radiculopathy”. This means that one or more of the nerves emerging from your lower back has become irritated or possibly pinched. This often results in pain, numbness or tingling in the specific area of your leg that is supplied by the irritated nerve. The term “Sciatica” is often used to describe this condition, because most (but not all) “lumbar radiculopathies” involve the sciatic nerve which supplies the back & outside of your thigh and calf. Symptoms of a lumbar radiculopathy may vary from a dull ache to a constant severe sharp shooting pain. Your symptoms are likely aggravated by certain positions or movements.

To solve this problem, we will treat the source of your nerve irritation. It is important for you to follow your treatment plan closely and be sure to tell us immediately if you experience any progression of your leg pain, numbness or weakness.

Back to School Health Tips from Your Chiropractor

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Summer is winding down, and families across America are gearing up for the beginning of a new school year. Help your kids (or yourself) start the year off right by considering some of our healthy back-to-school tips.

Backpack Ergonomics

Although backpacks are practical, carrying around heavy books and supplies every day can cause discomfort and injury over time.

Be sure to do a quick backpack check:

  • –  Purchase a backpack that is the correct size and has compartments to help distribute the weight evenly. Packs with padded shoulder straps are a good choice as well.
  • –  Make sure to use both straps of the bag and adjust them so that there are no gaps between the straps and back.
  • –  If carrying multiple heavy books, opt to carry one or two in your arms to help redistribute the weight.

    Desk Posture

    Encourage your child to practice good posture when sitting in the classroom. Hunching over the desk for hours every day is sure to cause discomfort.

    To sit at a desk correctly, they should:

  • –  Keep their feet flat on the floor and their back against the back of the chair.
  • –  Shoulders should be relaxed.
  • –  Any computer screens, tablets, or books should be kept at eye-level to avoid moving into a

    forward head posture, which will strain the neck. Consider purchasing a desktop bookstand to help prop the book up to eye-level.

    Safely Return to Sports

    Back-to-school also means back-to-sports for many kids. Remember that if your child was inactive in their sport for a couple of months, they might need to ease back into it. Always encourage them to warm-up beforehand, stretch afterward, and keep their workouts reasonable for their conditioning level and age.

    By being proactive in your child’s health, you can help prevent problems. If your child does experience back, neck, head, or joint pain this school year, please give us a call.