Facts about Back Pain relief and Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment has many applications for improving performance to relieving common pain syndromes.
Crossfit & Chiropractic
With more acronyms than my Biochem II class, CrossFit is filled with complex movements that place high demands on proper joint mechanics. One assumption we can safely make is that hours at a desk, texting, computer work, airplanes, trains, automobiles, couch time, and or years of isometric exercise have led to some pretty lousy soft tissue and low quality motion. Young or old, flexible or stiff, athletic or not , improper movement patterns will eventually catch up to you and lead to some pretty obnoxious and uncomfortable repetitive motion injuries or worse- structural joint damage.
Getting adjusted and mobilizing soft tissue ensures that your body can move by design and allow for you to hammer home those newly learned joint positions with OHS, TTB, HSPU, DL, MU, PU, PP, FS… ETC In addition to the prevention of injury, staying active on improving mobility will allow for you to continually improve without setbacks, staying consistent with your training, and thus maximizing the results and outcomes of an extremely rewarding program. You’ll be dedicating a lot of time, energy, and resources to improving your fitness. Take the extra step to ensure you’re taking care of your body properly and reap the benefits both inside and outside the box.
Obstacles for healthy eating in today’s society are plentiful, labels have become an alien language, foods are packed with dead end fillers, artificial sweeteners, biochemically engineered stabilizers, controversial inflammatory fats, and the fierce debate between natural sustainable constituents and the industrial food world grow increasingly intense. It can seem overwhelming and just when you think you’ve got it figured out the game changes, but it doesn’t have to be that difficult!
A Simple Approach to Healthy Eating
A common principle taught throughout Chiropractic College was K.I.S.S. – keep it simple stupid! Let’s get back to basics. Why do we eat? By definition nutrition is, “The process of nourishing or being nourished, especially the process by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and for replacement of tissues”. Or in other words, you are what you eat. Re-framing your thought process when selecting a meal or shifting your paradigm when it comes to the way we perceive food is essential to making a impactful lifestyle change. The deeper the understanding you have of food and nutrition the easier adapting your diet accordingly becomes.
When making your plate, or even ordering a meal, try to hit each macro-nutrient in equal portions. The macro-nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The quality of each nutrient can vary significantly, but remember we are trying to keep it simple and start with general rules. An example of a well composed plate would be salmon filet, asparagus, and a side salad with extra virgin olive oil & balsamic vinaigrette. Or if considering breakfast, 2 eggs, grass-fed yogurt, and fresh fruit. There are thousands of examples of well balanced plates and all can be tailored to your individual preferences. Below are examples of each macro-nutrient:
Carbohydrates: Vegetables, Fruits are ideal – grains & rice are in this category as wellFats: Nuts, seeds, plant based oils (coconut, olive), avocados
Proteins: Free range, Grass-fed, hormone free meats. Eggs, grass-fed dairy, nuts & seeds as well. P
lant based protein powders and legumes.** This list is far from comprehensive- just naming a few
Whole foods > Isolated processed foods- keep your grocery cart along the outside of the store and you’ll find yourself filling it up with mainly whole foods. Ask yourself before you eat, does this meal fit the definition of nutrition? Will my body be able to assimilate this food into growing living tissue? Once you have this down we can move on to fine tuning.It’s easy to lose sight of why we eat, especially when we are given so many choices to eat junk for pleasure, but keep the plate guidelines and K.I.S.S. principle in mind when nourishing yourself and you’ll be on your way to healthier eating!
10 Things you Should Know
1. Pain is NOT the first step of dysfunction.A patient’s body is often restricted or unstable for months or years before it presents as a problem and they show up in a chiropractor’s office. In addition, the absence of pain is not health. While you might use medication for the pain, if you take a pill and the pain goes away, the dysfunction that caused it still persists. Muscle, ligament and joint injuries often occur as a result of long-term biomechanical dysfunction, sometimes from past injuries, making the area more susceptible to future injury.
2. Athletes use chiropractors to stay well and perform better, not just for the occasional injury. Athletes choose chiropractors because we are pain and movement specialists. Chiropractors were spotted all over the Olympic coverage last year, and top athletes such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, Evander Holyfield, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all been proud patients of chiropractors.
3. The body does not perform as a cluster of separate mechanisms, but rather a cascade of events that all starts with proper control by the nervous system. The nerves that travel through and control every function of your body originate at the spinal cord and their transmission may be disrupted if the joints of the surrounding spinal column are not moving properly. This disruption in biomechanical integrity combined with altered physiological function is what chiropractors call a subluxation or fixation.
4. Doctors don’t do the healing. The Body does. Sorry to disappoint you, but a chiropractor will never “fix” your back. What we are able to do is restore proper motion in the joints, muscles, ligament which relieves tension on the nerves and muscles and allows your body to do the healing that it is inherently made to do. As chiropractors, we believe that the body is a perfect organism in its natural state, and all disease comes from a disruption in the body’s proper transmission of signals by the nerves which affects its ability to heal and to defend against disease-causing agents.
5. Chiropractic is for everyone of all ages.Many seniors aren’t aware of the benefits of chiropractic care which can help them not only with pain relief, but also increase range of motion, balance and coordination, and decrease joint degeneration. There’s no patient too young for chiropractic either! Chiropractors check infants moments after birth for misalignments of the upper vertebrae that may occur as a result of the birth process. In addition to supporting overall health and well-being, parents also take their children to chiropractors to encourage healthy brain and nervous system development, to assist with colic, asthma, allergies, bed-wetting and sleeping problems, and to assist with behavioral disorders.
6. We know about more than your backbone!This surprises many people who had no idea that chiropractors give advice on nutrition, fitness, ergonomics and lifestyle, screen for conditions unrelated to the musculoskeletal system and refer out to other practitioners when necessary. Chiropractors are also able to complete specialties in other areas such as pediatrics, sports rehabilitation, neurology, clinical nutrition, and addictions and compulsive disorders.Other than particular specialties and the differences in learning to adjust and learning to prescribe medication, our training hours are not dissimilar from that of medical doctor.
7. Successful chiropractic patients accept responsibility.When somebody says that they tried chiropractic and it didn’t help, I cringe and get the feeling that they really missed the boat. Of course, there are cases with complicating factors, but I have heard this from people with straightforward chiropractic problems when it is very clear what has happened here. In most cases, one doesn’t acquire back pain over night, and it’s not going to go away over night, or in just a couple treatments.
8. Chiropractic may help you get sick less.Studies have indicated that adjustments consistently reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain, and may also enhance the production of immunoregulatory complexes important for healthy immune system defense. As far back as the deadly flu pandemic of 1917-1918, chiropractors noticed that their patients seemed to have fewer fatalities than among the general population and were able to publish their work in an osteopathic journal since no scholarly journals were accepting chiropractic data. The estimated death rate among patients of conventional medical care in the U.S. was estimated at 5 to 6 percent while the fatality rate among influenza cases receiving spinal adjustments was estimated at 0.25%.
9. “I heard I’ll have to go forever” is a myth.You may want to go to your chiropractor forever once you’ve started because you didn’t realize how great getting adjusted is, but your doctor won’t expect you to come for continuous care without symptoms. Generally, if you come in with pain, once you’ve been treated for your initial complaint, you’ll be scheduled for a few more appointments to make sure proper motion is being maintained, then it will be recommended you return occasionally to be checked just like you would go to the dentist to get checked for tartar buildup and cavities. Of course, many people still choose to see their chiropractor weekly or monthly for wellness or maintenance care.
10. Adjustments don’t hurt.There is no bone snapping or warrior-style pulling heads off spinal columns! The neck adjustment some chiropractors use causes anticipation for many new patients, but is actually much more gentle than they imagined, and involves a quick, direct thrust to a specific spinal bone. The sound an adjustment makes is called a cavitation and is only space being created within the joint causing gasses to be released from the joint capsule, which creates the popping or cracking noise. Also, chiropractic adjustments will not wear out your joints, as some imagine because they have been warned not to “crack their knuckles” for this reason in the past. Adjustments, unlike “knuckle cracking” or having your friend stomp on you while you lay on the carpet, are applied specifically to improve the motion of your joints and limit the small dysfunctions that over time can lead to arthritis. Most people after an adjustment describe the feeling as being “lighter”, having greater ease in moving the body, and being able to stand up taller.
Whiplash Injuries and Neck Pain due to Car Accidents
Driving around in a Minnesota winter is a dangerous thing and as we anticipate a lovely April snowstorm, you never know when you’ll encounter a slippery road. If you or a loved one find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of a motor vehicle accident it is essentially important to get to your Chiropractor and get adjusted. Below is an article referencing some reasons why. Your neck plays a major role in your overall health and well being If you were recently in a car accident, chances are your neck was jarred quite violently, causing damage to your spinal column. The physical trauma and side effects of the trauma from which you suffer could last for days, months or even years if it is not properly taken care of. When you are in a car accident, it is best to visit a chiropractor for a chiropractic neck adjustment. Whiplash Whiplash occurs when the neck is violently whipped one way and then another. This occurs quite often in car accidents and is a source of chronic pain for many victims. When you visit a chiropractor, he will first treat the pain. Depending on the level of trauma, the chiropractor might not be able to perform a chiropractic neck adjustment right away. He might have to use other techniques, such as massage and electric muscle stimulation, to help you minimize the pain. Once the pain starts to subside, the chiropractor can then help you regain range of motion and full movement. Headaches Headaches are a common side effect of a neck injury that results from a car accident. When the neck is forced out of alignment, the head begins to hurt as a result of the pain in the neck. Some victims suffer from headaches only when the neck is moved in certain directions, while others suffer from chronic headaches as a result of their neck being out of alignment. Some victims also suffer from neck spasms, which can cause headaches as well. Adjustments Many people think of the chiropractic neck adjustment as cracking the neck. The adjustment is not a crack but a realignment of the cervical spine. With the proper techniques, your chiropractor will use short thrusts and gentle motions to realign your cervical spine. He will also use muscle relaxation techniques or stimulation to get the muscles loose and able to move pain-free once again. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to visit a chiropractor to determine the extent of the damage that was done to your cervical spine. Once the level of damage is determined, he can put together a treatment plan that will gradually bring your neck back to full functioning without daily pain. The treatment plan might include a combination of electric muscle stimulation, massage therapy and a chiropractic neck adjustment.
Back pain in the Military
On the Leading Edge of Chiropractic Science HomeRSS FeedSpine study: Improvement in back pain for military patients receiving chiropractic care; principal investigator Dr. Christine GoertzPosted by Katie Hoyt on Monday, April 15th 2013 Study published in Spine demonstrates significant improvement in low back pain for active-duty military patients receiving chiropractic care Patients with acute low back pain receiving a combination of chiropractic manipulative therapy and standard medical care experienced a statistically and clinically significant reduction in their back pain and improved physical functioning when compared to those receiving standard medical care alone, reports an article in the April 15 issue of Spine.The pragmatic, patient-centered, two-arm randomized controlled trial pilot study was funded by a grant from Samueli Institute, Alexandria Va., and conducted from February 2008 to June 2009 at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC), Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. Participants were 91 active-duty military personnel between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. “While a number of studies have shown spinal manipulation to be effective in treating low back pain in research settings, the appropriate role of chiropractic care in treating low back pain within the health care delivery system, including the military, has not been clearly established,” said study Principal Investigator Christine Goertz, D.C., Ph.D., vice chancellor for research and health policy for Palmer College of Chiropractic. “We know very little about the impact of chiropractic manipulative therapy on diverse populations in real-world settings. This study is the first step in filling that gap in our knowledge.” “It is critical that we explore drug-less approaches to reduce pain,” said Wayne B. Jonas, M.D., President and CEO of Samueli Institute. “Chiropractic manipulation is an important option to consider for musculoskeletal disorders, which is the most prevalent pain complaint in the military.”Study highlights included: Adjusted mean Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores were significantly better in the standard medical care plus chiropractic manipulative therapy group than in the standard medical care group at both week two (8.9 vs. 12.9; p=<0.001) and week four (8.0 vs. 12.0; p=0.004),Mean Numerical Pain Rating Scale (0-10) scores were significantly improved in the group that received chiropractic manipulative therapy when compared to standard medical care alone at both week two (3.9 vs. 6.1; p=<0.001) and week four (3.9 vs. 5.2; p=< 0.02),Seventy-three percent of participants in the standard medical care plus chiropractic manipulative therapy group rated their global improvement as pain completely gone, much better or moderately better, compared to 17 percent in the standard medical care group.Col. Richard Petri is the Chief of the Interdisciplinary Pain Management Center (IPMC) at WBAMC. “This is a significant step for recognizing the value of chiropractic care in the military,” he said. “Continued research in this area will ultimately result in better healthcare delivery systems as well as the improved health of our beneficiaries.”“While these findings are exciting, they need to be confirmed with additional research that replicates this study on a larger scale,” Dr. Goertz added. “Palmer College, the RAND Corporation and Samueli Institute received a $7.4 million, four-year grant from the Department of Defense last year to conduct a similar multi-site clinical trial, this time with a sample size of 750 active-duty military personnel.” Additional study authors are:Cynthia R. Long, Ph.D., Palmer Center for Chiropractic ResearchMaria A. Hondras, D.C., M.P.H., Palmer Center for Chiropractic ResearchRichard Petri, M.D., Physical Medicine and Integrative Care Services, Ft. Bliss, TexasRoxana Delgado, M.S., Samueli InstituteDana J. Lawrence, D.C., M.Med.Ed., M.A., Palmer College of ChiropracticEdward F. Owens, Jr., M.S., D.C., TriMax Direct, St. Paul, Minn.William C. Meeker, D.C., M.P.H., Palmer College of Chiropractic, West CampusThe Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, headquartered on the Palmer College of Chiropractic campus in Davenport, Iowa, is the largest institutional chiropractic research effort in the world, promoting excellence and leadership in scientific research. The PCCR has the largest budget for research in a chiropractic college, receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, and now the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. Since 2000, these grant awards have totaled more than $35 million.Palmer College of Chiropractic consists of three campuses—the main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and branch campuses in San Jose, Calif., and Port Orange, Fla. The College was founded in Davenport, Iowa, by the discoverer of chiropractic, D.D. Palmer, in 1897. Today Palmer College of Chiropractic has more than 2,100 students attending its three campuses and more than 26,000 alumni practicing worldwide.Samueli Institute is a non-profit research organization supporting the scientific investigation of healing processes and their role in medicine and health care.The project was funded by Samueli Institute, out of grant #MDA905-03-C-0003 received from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this report are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy or decision unless so designated by other documentation.category: Christine Goertztags: back pain, chiropractic, clinical trials, DoD, Goertz, low back pain, military, musculoskeletal
Bad Posture Equals Bad Back
What is Forward Head Posture?
Forward head posture is defined as when a patient is standing or sitting in a neutral position, their ear canal lies in front of there shoulder. This position is also associated with a loss of normal cervical curve.
How Does Forward Head Posture Affect You?
Forward head posture has several symptoms. The most common are neck pain and tension headaches, but other more serious symptoms are:Cervical disc herniation’sMigrainesNerve root impingementFatigueCarpal tunnel syndromeArthritisEven up to 30% loss in vital lung capacity. As your head moves forward over your shoulders it creates increased pressure on the structures of your neck and upper back. To demonstrate how this happens imagine your head as a bowling ball weighing about 10 to 15 pounds. A bowling ball would be easier to support when held close to your body. As you extend your arms out, the amount of pressure increases. This is very similar to how your head moves and stretches. In fact for every one inch forward your head goes over your shoulders, it doubles the force that is required to hold your head up. This leads to the breakdown of your spinal joints and can lead to the conditions listed above.If you are experiencing any of the above, it is vital that you contact your chiropractor Minneapolis today. Waiting can prolong your symptoms and create further damage in the future.
How Do I Develop Forward Head Posture?
Forward head posture is generally developed slowly and over time. Today we are seeing more people with this condition than ever before. This is because of the advent of computers and even more recently smart phones and tablets. Next time you see co-worker or friend at their desk or on there smart phone take a look at their posture. Likely you will see that they are hunched over looking at their phone or sticking their neck out to get closer to that computer screen. This activity produced for hours a day over years of time will change the structure of your spine and soon become normal. People that work at a desk, spend a lot of time on their smart phone or tablet device, and people who are on the road for a living are at an increased risk for forward head posture.Forward head posture can also develop suddenly. A traumatic injury such as a whiplash injury in a car crash can have the forces to deform a normal cervical spine cause forward head translations. People involved in auto accidents and athletes who experience high-speed collisions such as football, rugby, and hockey players are at greater risk for this condition.For additional information regarding auto accident injuries, contact us at our Uptown Minneapolis Chiropractic location today.How Do I Prevent Forward Head Posture?Making small changes in daily life can go a long way in preventing forward head posture and even improving issues. First thing you should do is to evaluate your workspace. Your computer screen should be at eye level if not a little above eye level. Also a chair with good lumbar support will prevent you from slouching. If possible a standing workstation is even better and has several other health benefits. Second it is important to be conscious of your posture when you are using smart phones or tablets. Bring the phone to you by raising it to eye level as apposed to bringing your head to your phone.If you feel tightness setting in where your neck meets your upper back, arch your head back for 10 to 15 second bringing the back of your head straight towards your shoulder blades.How is Forward Head Posture Fixed?Once you have developed forward head posture it can be very difficult to fix. As you head creeps forward, gravity acts upon it and makes this problem worse. This means to correct the problem, it takes a lot of work and effort, but it can be done under the supervision of a professional Minneapolis chiropractor.For additional information on how to correct this increasingly common condition, give us a call today! Our friendly staff is always here to help and assist you with any questions you may have prior to your visit.
Sitting at a desk for long periods of time can result in back pain, and it can complicate existing neck or back problems you might already have. Unfortunately, sitting is a stationary posture position, which by its very nature increases strain on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, and even the legs. Being seated at a desk for an inordinate amount of time with poor posture places a great amount of pressure on back muscles and the spine’s discs. This is because when seated at a desk it is natural to slouch in the chair. Yet, by following a few simple tips ensures your desk-work is more enjoyable and pain free. The first tip is to make use of proper elbow placement when sitting at the desk. This is easily accomplished by sitting as close as possible to the desk, and being sure the upper arms are analogous with your spine. Then, place your hands on the desk’s surface or computer keyboard. At this point your elbows should be at a 90 degree angle. If they are not, simply adjust your office chair up or down until they are. Tip two has you slipping your fingers under your thigh from the leading edge of the chair. If the fit is tight you need to raise your feet up with an adjustable foot rest. If you are an exceptionally tall person and the width between the chair and your finger is more than one finger-width, then you need to raise the desk upward, and then raise the chair accordingly. The third tip is to ensure the office chair you are using is not too deep. Sit in the chair and press against its back. Next, clench your fist and try to touch the back of your calf without moving your back. If you cannot do this movement or if it is too difficult then the chair is too deep. You need to adjust the back rest forward, and insert a lower lumbar support or pillow. If this does not solve the problem you should invest in a new office chair.The fourth tip is when sitting at your desk, maintaining proper eye level with your computer monitor is essential. This helps you avoid straining your back, neck, shoulders, and arms. In addition, proper eye level reduces unnecessary eye strain. To accomplish this sit in your office chair and stare straight ahead. You should be looking directly at the center of your monitor. If you are not looking at the center of the screen adjust the monitor until you have the correct measurement. The final fifth tip to avoiding desk work back pain is to ensure your chair’s armrests are properly adjusted. Proper adjustment of the armrests is critical to circumvent back, neck, and shoulder strain. Make sure the armrests slightly lift your arms at the shoulders. This adjustment makes it more difficult for you to slouch, which is a main cause of back, neck, and shoulder injuries.Finally, following the listed tips, getting up from your desk once per hour and stretching will keep you energized, and you will be less susceptible to back injury. An occasional 20 minute walk is also encouraged to increase blood flow to otherwise stationary muscles. Take these steps to heart and you will feel better and be more productive. Tags: BACK INJURY, BACK PAIN, Auto Injury Chiropractor, Minneapolis Chiropractor, Minneapolis CHIROPRACTIC, Core Health CHIROPRACTIC, CHIROPRACTIC CARE, ERGONOMICS, EXERCISE, FEATURED, HEALTH, HEALTHY, NECK PAIN, PAIN, POSTURE, STRETCHING, WALKING, WELLNESS
