Displaying items by tag: chiropractic adjustment

Aging is the number one cause of back pain for adults. As we get older, our bodies tend to see some degeneration of tissue that makes our regular movements less comfortable than we'd like. Your spinal health is a key player in the pain associated with aging and the things we do in our everyday life, like sitting at a desk 8+ hours a day, don't do much to keep our spines healthy. Let's talk about five easy ways to improve your spinal health and stay pain-free as you get older.

#1 Invest In High-Quality Shoes

Your feet take a beating throughout the day. They are, in fact, the one thing that always gets you where you need to go. Whether you're walking, running, or skipping from Point A to Point B, the shoes that you put on your feet play an essential role in your spinal health. You want to ensure that you're investing in high-quality shoes that support your body in the activities you do.

Supportive shoes are going to have a couple of standout features that set them apart from the rest. Look for a shoe that:

• A cushioned heel collar to protect your Achilles tendon and ankle
• A firm insole that supports your foot and arch
• Adjustable laces or velcro for a customized fit
• Gel, foam, or air midsole to reduce the impact upon foot strike

All of these qualities will help support your feet during your daily activities, which, in turn, keeps your back supported.

#2 Your Mattress Can Make Or Break Your Spinal Health

A mattress that is too soft can wreak havoc on your spinal health. You want a mattress that only supports your joints and ligaments but also lets you get a great night's sleep. A mattress that supports the natural curves of your spine will ultimately provide you with the most pain relief and prevention long term.

#3 Practice Good Posture

Your posture follows your eyes and your hands, so those of us who sit in front of a computer all day often see a decline in posture that leads to ongoing discomfort even when we're away from our desk. Try to consciously check your posture throughout the day to prevent slouching forward and compressing your disks. Another way to improve your spinal health at work is to invest in some more ergonomic office tools, like a sit-to-stand desk or a monitor arm that brings your computer to you, instead of the other way around.

#4 Get Up, Get Moving

More than just focusing on good posture, you should get in the habit of moving on a regular basis throughout the workday. Set a timer every hour or so to get up and walk around. You can also do some quick, easy stretches throughout the day to keep your joints and muscles mobile. Your spinal health will thank you for keeping the fluids moving throughout your body and keeping your joints lubricated.

#5 Take Care Of Yourself

Last, but not least, the best way to improve your spinal health is to give your spine all the care and attention it deserves. Whether it is regular massages, chiropractic appointments, meditation, or a combination of all three, caring your body will pay off in the long run.

Take care of your spine with a spinal adjustment at Ideal Health. Schedule your appointment today.

Going to a chiropractic appointment without knowing what to expect can be a nerve-wracking experience. Understanding what chiropractic medicine is, what a chiropractor does, and how a chiropractic appointment can help you treat and prevent aches, pains, and injuries are the best way to determine if chiropractic care is right for you.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic medicine focuses on the musculoskeletal and nervous system. A chiropractor can treat symptoms such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. This is done through a hands-on, holistic approach that includes spinal manipulation and rehabilitative exercises.

What Happens First at a Chiropractic Appointment?

An initial chiropractic appointment will begin with diagnostic testing that may include x-rays, a physical exam, and analysis of the performance of various exercises or movements. You will also fill out paperwork detailing your medical history, including previous injuries. All of this information helps the chiropractor determine the most effective course of treatment.

Collaborative Medicine

Your initial exam can tell your doctor if chiropractic medicine is the best option to help you recover from an injury, relieve pain, or improve your general well-being. If a severe medical condition does exist, your chiropractor can collaborate with your regular physician or physical therapist to develop a treatment plan for you.

Traditional Chiropractic Appointment

After your initial exam and for all of your following chiropractic appointments, you will lie on a table that accommodates for a variety of methods of adjustments. Beginning face down, your doctor will perform spinal manipulation, a procedure that helps restore mobility through controlled force. These manual adjustments can be done in any area where joints have become hypomobile due to injury to the tissue.

No-Pop Options

Some patients either prefer or require a non-traditional approach to chiropractic care. These non-force techniques offer relief without the common trademarks of chiropractic medicine, such as the popping of joints.

What Else?

Non-manual therapy may also accompany your regular treatment in a chiropractic appointment. This may be something as simple as ice or heat, or a more complex method of treatment like electric stimulation. Electric stimulation is applied through adhesive patches. The electrodes are applied to specific areas and target muscles to contract. It mimics the natural movement of the muscles and helps to improve range of motion and circulation. It is a non-invasive method of treatment that causes a tingling feeling in the area of application.

Should I See A Chiropractor?

Seeing a chiropractor can be beneficial if you suffer from the following types of problems:

• Stiffness
• Body aches
• Chronic pain
• Joint immobility
• Muscle spasms
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Carpel tunnel syndrome
• Hip pain
• Sciatica

Not only is it helpful in treating injury, aches, and pains, but it is also beneficial for improving overall health.

Schedule a consultation for a chiropractic appointment with Dr. Funk today and see what chiropractic care can do for you.

Did you know that at any given time, 31 million Americans experience low-back pain? In fact, low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide according to Global Burden Disease 2010. Furthermore, as asserted by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), back pain is the most common reason for missed work and the second most common reason for doctor office visits. Some estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience some sort of back problem at one point or another in their lives. You may be one of the millions who suffer from back pain, and you may be wondering if a spinal adjustment can help you.

What Causes Back Pain?

The back is an extraordinarily complicated and amazing structure made up of bones and muscles. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of back pain cases are not caused by serious conditions such as infection, fracture or arthritis. Many cases are mechanical in nature. For instance, the simplest of movements, like bending over for a ball at the park, and even poor posture can have painful results. In addition, we have all heard about injuries or accidents resulting in back pain, but conditions such as obesity and even the stress of everyday life can further complicate back pain.

Spinal Adjustment for Back Pain

Spinal adjustment/manipulation or chiropractic adjustment is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. Moreover, this treatment is non-invasive, drugless and in some cases an alternative to surgery. Some benefits of spinal adjustment range from temporary pain relief, to long term wellness and preventative care. As defined by the International Chiropractor’s Association (ICA), spinal adjustment is the specific thrust applied to the spine, or vertebra, using the spine itself and other parts of the body as levers to correct any malposition.

Who practices Spinal Adjustment?

Spinal adjustment is part of the larger health care profession known as chiropractic, which as a whole focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are trained to deal with not only back pain but also neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. Additionally, DCs are trained to provide and recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercise as well as nutritional and lifestyle counseling. Rest assured, DCs are trained and licensed professionals that go through extensive undergraduate studies and years of graduate-level work and train extensively at accredited chiropractic institutions.

Spinal adjustment is a well-known therapeutic procedure. If you seek to restore your mobility, alleviate your pain and muscle tightness call or book an appointment with Ideal Health Chiropractic today!