Sunday, June 30, 2019

Chiropractic Care Helps With More Than Bad Backs


When a person has hurt their back, they figure they can go to their regular medical doctor for pain medication or muscle relaxers or they can opt for a chiropractor who will manipulate their spine in order to offer relief. While this may be true, the treatment of bad backs is just one of many ailments that can be helped.

Chiropractic care is a type of therapy that considers pain or disease to be a symptom of a nervous system malfunction. The movement and manipulation of the spinal column will adjust the nerves' positioning among the bones in order to offer relief. Proper nerve energy can only flow when the skeletal system is in the correct positioning.

There are multitudes of maladies that have been treated successfully with chiropractic methods, including:

- Asthma is common and at times deadly. The breathing system is not functioning optimally and causes wheezing, coughing, inability to take deep breaths. Spinal manipulations have been shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms in asthmatic cases.

- Attention Deficit Disorder and Hyperactivity can cause upheaval in a child's school experience and an adult's life. Often treated with an array of prescription medicines that are sometimes helpful, but also cause additional aggravations to a family. Realignment has been shown to alleviate symptoms of ADD and ADHD.

- Headaches are a common physical ailment. Chronic headaches may be caused by misalignment which may be helped with spinal adjustments.

- Colic in infants has been soothed with chiropractic care. Colic often appears at age one month and continues for two to three months and consists of unexplained crying jags and gas pains.

- Ear infections, also called otitis media, often appear in combination with an upper respiratory infection. They can be quite painful and seem to occur most commonly during early childhood when the inner ear structures are still developing. Otitis media has been helped with by spinal adjustments.

- Various back and disc ailments can be alleviated by manipulating them back into their correct position.

Besides spinal realignments, whole body care is stressed in chiropractic medicine, including proactive steps such as a healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins along with proper exercise and posture.

Ergonomics, which is the science of furniture and devices which support healthy body mechanics in the workplace, is also an important lifestyle adaptation that one should consider in order to keep their body healthy and in alignment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3060768

Thursday, June 27, 2019

What You Need to Know about Handbags | Chiropractic Care


As a spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association, I have done so many interviews. Wall Street Journal, New York Times, O Magazine, on heavy handbags. Why? It's a really big issue particularly for women, and kids too.

Why are people using these giant heavy handbags? Most of us leave our house at the crack of dawn, and we carry our entire life in these handbags. Gym shoes, gym clothes, water, books, that accumulate a little bit more each day as the week goes on, so before we know it we're carrying this really heavy bag.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends that even in a backpack, which is carried on both sides, you should never carry more than 10 percent of your body weight. But I bet that if most of you weighed your handbags they weigh much more than you think they do.

There are some really some specific recommendations that I can make to help people trim down their bags and also carry them in a way that's not going to be such a burden to their body.

The first thing I recommend people do is, every day on a regular basis, empty out your bag. Almost dump it completely out and then put stuff back in that you really need. Particularly things like water and coins shouldn't be carried in handbags. They're just too heavy and they add a lot of weight. It creeps up on you.

The other thing I recommend is that people keep additional sets of commonly used items either in their car or at their office so they don't have to carry heavy things in their handbags. This would include things like make-up kits, shoes, water, hair brushes, and make-up kits.

So now let's talk about how to carry your heavy handbag. The first thing I recommend is that you purchase a handbag that's not so heavy by itself. A lot of the handbags that are out there are made with leather. Some of them have metal chains and they're heavy even with nothing in them. So pick a bag that's lightweight, to begin with.

The other thing is to pick a bag that has a strap that's not too long or not too short. We really want the handbag to snuggle in your side, above your hip, and under your armpit. If it's too high on your armpit, you can't swing your arms, and if the bag is too low it will interfere with how your leg swings when you walk. You really want to maintain a very balanced perfect gait when you walk, and getting the handbag to fit your body and hit the sweet spot really makes a big difference.

The other thing I'd recommend is that you change the handbag from one side to the other every few blocks. It makes a really big difference. Most of us get into the habit of carrying a shoulder bag on one shoulder for years and years and we never switch, and that makes the muscles on that side overdevelop. So it's really important to switch the side of the handbag.

Finally, if you have the option of using a roller bag or a backpack, it's a really good idea, especially if you have to carry something very heavy. If you do decide to go the backpack route, and I recommend backpacks a lot, make sure you get a backpack that has well-padded shoulder straps and adjusts those straps so that it really fits your body. The backpacks should not sit on your low back or your sacrum. It should be up higher so the weight is properly distributed.

The other thing is to make sure that you actually wear the backpack the way it's meant to be worn with two straps on your shoulders. So many people just take the backpack and put it on one shoulder and that puts a lot of stress on your neck and shoulders.

It's important if you can every day, to put your heavy handbag or backpack down and just go take a walk with nothing on your shoulders at all. It really helps balance your body, having a normal gait where your shoulders and your hips get to swing in the opposite motion with your hands just gently swinging at your side.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Treating Body Pain With Chiropractic Treatments


With all the unhealthy food people eat today, the body becomes weaker and unhealthy. Adding more health problems is stress. Stress has become an everyday problem that people have to suffer from. Stress from work can exhaust the mind and the body, which can easily lead to sickness and diseases. There are certain types of jobs that can also cause physical pain and discomfort to the body. People put up with this because they need to earn money. However, there is a solution to treating body pain instead of just ignoring it until it gets worse. What is the solution you ask?

Chiropractic care is popular for treating body pain. More importantly, chiropractic care is very successful in treating back pain, neck pain, muscle pain, joint pain and even repetitive-stress injuries. Chiropractic treatment is a natural treatment that will not require any surgery or medication. This means that chiropractic treatments are very safe and there will be no side effects. Chiropractic not only focuses on pain alleviation but it promotes overall health as well. People who experience physical pain tend to be moody and sad. Their body feels heavy and their energy is quickly depleted. If these people undergo chiropractic care, they will be wearing big smiles to work every day.

Chiropractic treatment is based on the principle of self-healing. The human body has the ability to heal itself, which is what chiropractors are helping with. If the person is experiencing neck pain, there is probably a subluxation problem in the spine. A chiropractor will look into this and will perform the necessary chiropractic manipulations. After that, the body can heal itself and the neck pain will go away. There will be no need for medication as the body can already rely on its natural healing powers once again.

What does chiropractic care involve? Well, treating body pain with chiropractic treatments will vary from one person to another. It will depend on the body pain and condition of the patient. Usually, chiropractors perform spinal manipulations or adjustments. Aside from this, chiropractors can also use different types of therapy like ice or heat therapy, electric stimulation or massage therapies to reduce inflammation and swelling. The chiropractic treatment will highly depend on the evaluation of the patient. Nonetheless, all treatment plans will be made especially for a patient.

Chiropractic care will greatly help in your overall wellness so it is a must that you choose the right chiropractor to help you. The chiropractor should be certified. He or she should be trained and experienced at treating body pain. The chiropractor should be reputable and credible. If you are experiencing neck pain specifically, you can look for a chiropractor that specializes in treating neck pain. Chiropractic services are very affordable and it is considered cheap when you start feeling the benefits of the treatment. After all, when health is the topic, spending money is worth it. Look for a qualified and certified chiropractor to treat your body pains so you can look forward to an energetic, happy and productive day at work.

Friday, June 21, 2019

Long Term Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments


Long term benefits of chiropractic adjustments can include the relief of chronic conditions. Learn how these adjustments can benefit you long term with advice from a professional chiropractor in this free health care video.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Chiropractic Care vs. Massage Therapy | Chiropractic Care


I'm a big fan of massage therapy, but I always say that if I had to choose between receiving a chiropractic adjustment or a massage, I would always choose a chiropractic adjustment. I find that, because chiropractic is an entire system of health care that addresses the musculo-skeletal and the nervous system, it has a profound effect on, not only relaxing the muscles, but rebalancing the alignment of the spine as well as relaxing muscles and restoring normal nerve function. Massage is very effective at relaxing muscles and increasing circulation, and in fact, many chiropractors use massage therapy in their practices, either by hiring massage therapist to do massage therapy on their patients or many chiropractors are trained to use massage therapy techniques on their patients directly.

In my practice, I use a combination of muscle techniques, including traditional Swedish massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy. I also use various topical creams like homeopathic ointments that contain onycha or turmile. Massage therapists are highly trained at massage therapy but they're not doctors and they're not licensed to prescribe or orders test like xrays. Chiropractors are doctors of chiropractic and they are licensed to diagnose as well as to order Xrays and other diagnostic tests. Chiropractors and massage therapists have worked together for a long time and they always will. They have a very similar philosophy but massage therapy will not realign your spine.

It will not have quite the same profound effect on the nervous system that chiropractic. Another topic that's important to throw in the mix here is the issue of exercise. Massage therapy is not a substitute for exercise, and proper stretching and strengthening is really important to maintain normal muscle tone. So, it's important to include massage, chiropractic and exercise into your therapeutic regieme.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Chiropractic Treatment of Whiplash Injury: What Can a Chiropractor Offer?



Each year approximately 2 million Americans suffer a whiplash type injury. Chiropractic care can be extremely beneficial in these cases. A Chiropractor can help assist patients with both the short and long term effects of whiplash associated injuries. Before we consider the numerous unique benefits offered by Chiropractic care in the treatment of whiplash, let's briefly discuss what exactly a whiplash injury is.
What exactly is whiplash? Surprisingly, the name "whiplash" isn't an official medical term at all. Rather the term "whiplash" is a non-medical term commonly used to describe a sprain and strain injury to the soft tissues of the neck. Whiplash is considered an acceleration-deceleration type injury and occurs when the cervical spine, or neck, is abruptly forced to stretch and move beyond its normal range of motion. This typically involves the neck suddenly extending backward and then flexing forward beyond the normal anatomical range of motion. This results in an overload injury due to excessive forces being placed on the cervical spine. The initial injury is actually thought to be tearing of muscle and ligament fibers within the neck. Although predominately an injury to the muscles and ligaments, whiplash may also include injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, and nerve roots. The degree of injury can range from minor to severe.
As if the initial injury weren't bad enough, the response of the body post injury can further complicate matters. After the injury muscles in and around the area respond to by contracting in spasm to splint and stabilize the area. This limits movement of the head and neck and is the body's well intentioned efforts to prevent movement and further injury. Essentially the body attempts to make its own soft collar to limit motion of the head and neck. Unfortunately this can eventually lead to chronic pain, inflammation, stiffness and loss of range of motion.
Whiplash is usually associated with an automobile accident, but it can occur in many other instances. Whiplash can also be caused by things such as a fall, or an impact or collision in a sporting event or recreational activity. Some examples are a fall from a horse, a collision in football, or an impact experienced in basketball, boxing, or hockey.
What are some of the symptoms of whiplash? Headache is a frequent symptom of a cervical strain. In addition to headaches and neck pain, other symptoms of whiplash may include:
- Neck stiffness
- Dizziness
- Shoulder pain
- Back Pain
- Changes in vision
- Abnormal sensations in the neck, hands and arms (such as burning, pins and needles, numbness, or tingling)
Surprisingly, symptoms are not always an accurate indication of whether or not a patient has whiplash. Contrary to common misconception, whiplash isn't always obvious at the time of injury. Many victims of whiplash related injuries often do not consult with a health care provider because they do not have neck pain at or immediately near the time of the accident or injury. This is a mistake because symptoms of a cervical sprain and strain can take time to manifest themselves. Generally speaking, the onset of symptoms is much faster in more severe injury. A severe case of whiplash injury may cause pain and symptoms immediately or within hours. In a more mild case of whiplash symptoms may not occur for weeks or months.
Many victims of an automobile accident do not seek medical or chiropractic attention because their accident occurred at a low speed. There is a misconception within the general public that high speed impacts are needed to cause whiplash. This couldn't be further from the truth. Studies show that the soft tissues in your cervical spine have an injury threshold of 5 mph. In other words, an impact of 5 mph or greater can theoretically cause damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the neck.
The likelihood of developing whiplash in an automobile accident depends on a multitude of factors and speed is just one variable. The position of the head and neck at the time of impact, the direction of impact, the position of vehicle headrests, whether or not a seatbelt was worn, and whether the occupants saw the impact coming are just some of the additional factors involved.
It is obvious that any impact or collision should be taken seriously. A victim of a car accident or other impact would be wise to consult with a healthcare provider as soon as possible afterward, even if no symptoms are present. A Chiropractor is a great choice.
Few health care providers are as well educated on the anatomy of the cervical spine or as well prepared to address the musculoskeletal effects of whiplash related injuries as a Chiropractor. Chiropractors receive extensive training in the normal structure and function of the cervical spine. They are also equipped to recognize and treat both the acute and long term effects of whiplash injury.
Chiropractic care can be of great value to a patient in the acute phase of a whiplash injury. During the acute, or early, stage of whiplash a Chiropractor will place an emphasis on controlling and minimizing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and symptoms. During this early phase of care a Chiropractor focuses on gentle treatment. Application of ice and cold therapy is common to control swelling and inflammation and to help alleviate pain. A Chiropractor may also use special forms of therapy such as electric muscle stimulation or therapeutic ultrasound to relax muscles and help reduce pain. Cold laser therapy, acupuncture, trigger point therapy, massage therapy, gentle stretching and joint mobilization techniques are also common early treatment techniques available to many Doctors of Chiropractic.
As a whiplash injury heals, symptoms often progress from pain to stiffness and inflexibility. A Chiropractor is equally beneficial to patients at this point. As you progress from the acute phase of care a Chiropractor will focus on correction, flexibility, and prevention. At this point a Chiropractor may begin to utilize more intense forms of therapy. These treatment options will include things such as chiropractic adjustments to restore proper spinal alignment and nerve function, along with prescribed stretches and strengthening exercises.
So what makes Chiropractic care different from conventional medical care? Most often conventional medical care focuses on the alleviation of pain and symptoms. This is usually done primarily through the use of drugs and medication. While getting a patient out of pain is certainly important, it is only part of the clinical picture. The long term effects of injury, rehabilitation, and prevention of future injury are all areas that need to be addressed as well. The focus of Chiropractic care extends well beyond the treatment of pain and symptoms.
A Chiropractor works with patients long after pain and symptoms have decreased or subsided. In addition to symptoms, a Chiropractor is also concerned with treating posture, spinal alignment, and any abnormal spinal biomechanics. Even after a whiplash injury has healed, a Chiropractor can continue to offer a great deal of benefit to the patient. A Chiropractor can provide a patient with ergonomic advice, home exercises, and a stretching and strengthening program to restore normal range of motion and help prevent further injury in the future.
Another benefit of Chiropractic care for whiplash patients is the fact that a Chiropractor is trained to evaluate and treat the entire spine. The spinal column is one large kinetic chain. It consists of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The effects of forces and impacts exerted to one area of the spine are not isolated to that area. Injury to the cervical spine can, and does, impact the middle back and low back areas as well. The ability to examine and treat the entire spine is just another unique benefit offered by a Chiropractor
Yet another benefit is the fact that a Chiropractor is also educated to recognize how spinal misalignment can affect the overall health and wellness of a patient. A Chiropractic health care provider views injury and treatment from a different point of view than the most of the traditional medical community. However, Chiropractors also recognize the unique limitations and advantages of each health care profession and will refer to, and work in cooperation with, medical providers as needed.
In conclusion, whiplash type injuries are a common occurrence within American society. Research has shown Chiropractic care to be effective in the treatment of pain and the musculoskeletal effects of whiplash. A Chiropractor is armed with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to address cervical spinal dysfunction and the related effects. If you or a loved one feels they may suffer from whiplash, be sure to seek the advice of a qualified health care provider as soon as possible. A Doctor of Chiropractic just might be the ideal choice!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6342033

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Headaches Are Not Cured With Pain Meds


Dr. Pazdel explains how headaches can be alleviated with chiropractic care. Every part of the body affects another part, so headaches are often a result of another part of the body, and especially the spine being out of alignment. Tired of taking pain medications? Perhaps Pazdel Chiropractic can help with that goal and get rid of the headaches too.

See more at http://www.pazdelchiropractic.com

Sunday, June 9, 2019

How Can Chiropractors Benefit Your Health?


Back and neck pain are the chief complaints for which patients seek chiropractic help. Through manual spinal manipulation, chiropractic care is a holistic therapy that focuses on maintaining healthy musculoskeletal and nervous systems to ensure overall wellness.

Effectiveness

The research about chiropractic care is growing. According to the Annals of Internal Medicine, recent studies show that spinal manipulative therapy performed by a chiropractor, along with exercise, relieve neck pain more effectively than medication.

Furthermore, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported that an integrated approach to health care -- including chiropractic care -- results in a 51.8 percent reduction in pharmaceutical costs and 43 percent fewer hospital admissions.

You should consider seeing a chiropractor if you experience frequent pain in your back, neck or joints, as well as headaches. This is especially so if intense soreness follows accidents, household chores or prolonged periods of poor posture.

Back and neck pain

Chiropractors are best known for safely and effectively treating acute back and neck pain, as well as headaches. Whereas a medical doctor might prescribe pain medicine, muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory drugs, and an orthopedic doctor might suggest surgery, a chiropractor will treat your back problems by hand, through manipulation of the spine.

Nancy Elwartowski-Cooper, a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor, sees more and more referrals from medical doctors: "They (patients) are tired of the drugs and want answers to what is causing their problems."

Chiropractors bring the musculoskeletal structure into proper alignment. Chiropractors change the position of your body and apply pressure to particular points along the spine that are not properly aligned. This results in a popping noise similar to the one created when you crack your knuckles. The noise is created by a change in pressure in your joints as gas bubbles are released.

By adjusting the spine with their hands at particular pressure points, chiropractors unblock nerve energy and allow it to flow better down your spin and throughout your entire body. Repeated visits can, over time, realign your spine to optimize overall health.

Chiropractor Brian Elwartowski said the brain sends messages down the spinal cord and out through the nerves to the rest of your body. If certain nerves are squeezed by a twist in the spine, they won't function as well as if they were straight. "Chiropractic [care] allows the nerves to work at their most optimum ability," he said, "allowing the body to heal at its optimum ability."

Treatment plan

Many chiropractors seek to care for the whole person, from general wellness to disease prevention. They examine every patient, not only for the reason of their visit but also their level of health. After diagnosis, a chiropractor develops a treatment plan.

Keith Overland, president of the American Chiropractic Association, said, "This may include combinations of chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy and rehabilitative procedures for many musculoskeletal problems."

Some chiropractors provide nutrition advice, exercise recommendations, ergonomic and lifestyle counseling and so on. The successful management of chronic conditions may require a combination of these major components. This holistic approach can reduce the need for potentially addictive pain medication or invasive surgery.

Article source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/05/02/how-can-chiropractors-benefit-your-health.html

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Chiropractics - A Natural Method For Curing Your Common Ailments



Many people have ailments that they want to get rid of. If you would like to use more natural methods of curing some of your problems, then perhaps trying chiropractics would work for you.
Many people have certain ailments that they are trying to mitigate. Perhaps your vertebra is not properly aligned, which have been known to cause some diseases and illnesses and some pains in your body. Many people use chiropractic techniques as an alternative way to treat some of these pains. The individual applies some pressure to the vertebrae and then they replace themselves.
After a few sessions, you should feel better. Many people prefer chiropractics over traditional medicines because those medications can produce side effects which can be dangerous and uncomfortable for the person. These medications can also be considered addictive.
Most professionals are worried about health, stress and your overall lifestyle. These methods have been used to solve problems such as asthma and other respiratory problems, migraines, back problems, and overall stress.
Most people agree that this treatment is safe and can be very economical and many times these techniques are covered by insurance. However, before trying them, make sure you check with your insurance company.
Before you try chiropractics, make sure you talk to your general doctor and see if you are physically fit and healthy.
Discuss with your doctor your particular ailment and see if they would suggest you go to a chiropractic specialist. If he or she gives you an okay, then you should try a few sessions. Remember to be patient because many times you will not be cured after just one session.
If you are considering the procedure, then make sure you find a professional who you can trust. You may want to ask some friends or some relatives to see if they have worked with some good chiropractic. You can also do some research on the internet, in the phone book or in medical magazines too.
You may want to go in for a consultation to learn more about their practice. If you do not have a good feeling about the doctor or the environment, then leave. Although this is not an invasive procedure, you can still get injured if the person does not know what they are doing.
If you suffer from an ailment and have tried a lot of remedies, to no avail, then perhaps you should try chiropractic. If you go to a professional that has experience, then you may feel better.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3128113

Monday, June 3, 2019

How to Have Perfect Posture at Work | Chiropractic Care


"As a chiropractor, I think a lot about posture. And one of the activities that seem to cause a lot of stress in most people's bodies is spending prolonged periods of time at a desk or computer. So I spend a lot of time talking to people about how to have proper posture at their desk or workstation. So here is the skinny. You want to sit in a chair where your sacrum, or your low back, touch the back of the chair. It's best to have a chair where you can really have good back support. You want a chair that's designed for your body. So that the seat is not too deep for you, or not too shallow. You want your knees to come close to the end of where the edge of the seat is. And you want your feet to be able to touch the ground.

Most of us sit on chairs with our feet up on the rung. Or tucked up under us. And we want to make sure that the feet are actually on the floor. So adjust the height of your chair so your weight is on two feet, and two (?). That'll really distribute the weight properly through your entire musculoskeletal system, and put the least amount of strain on your body.

So let's talk about keyboards. Many people put their keyboard on a desk. Either because they're using a laptop, or that's just where they put the keyboard tray. But it's really important when you're at a keyboard, that your shoulders are dropped. So this is how you should set it up. Your shoulders should be completely dropped. And your elbows should be dropped and resting at your side. You want a right angle at your elbow. And no break at your wrist. This means that your keyboard should be about the height of your elbows.

Most people have their keyboard a little bit higher. And you might think, well what's the difference? It's just a few inches higher. But the difference is that when you have to start using the mouse, you end up engaging the elbow and the shoulder muscles. And this causes an isometric contraction in those muscles. And that can really add up to a lot of pain by the end of the day.

I recommend that people get keyboard trays. The kind that screw on under your desk. You can slide them out. Get a wide one so you can put your mouse on it too. This way when you don't need your keyboard you can slide it under your desk, but when you need it you can adjust it just for the height you need for your body.

Now let's talk about the screen. The middle of the screen should be exactly at eye level. Or maybe an inch below. Many of us are putting laptops or computers on desks and the screens are a little too low. And that means that we're flexing our head forward all day. And that puts enormous strain on our neck and our shoulders. So raise your screen up a little bit. So that the middle of the screen is right at eye level. You'll be glad you did it. It'll make a really big difference."