Back Clinic Spinal Hygiene. The spine is the protective housing for the nervous system, a system so powerful that it controls every function in the human body. The nervous system tells your body to breath, tells your heart to beat, tells your arms and legs to move, tells your body when and how to produce new cells and it even has the power to control healing. A damaged or misaligned spine can dramatically interfere with the signals constantly being sent through the nervous system, eventually resulting in bodily pain, internal deterioration and loss of many of the everyday functions we take for granted.
Spinal hygiene is extremely important, yet 89 percent of the world’s population does not realize the importance of maintaining proper alignment of the vertebrae through chiropractic adjustment, as well as protecting the spine from injury through healthy living practices. Instead we neglect our spines. As children we start our lives with tumbles and trips that jar our spines, we grow into adults with poor posture, we lift things that are too heavy, carry overloaded back packs, and we suffer injury through car accidents, sports impacts and stress.
Get in on the health trend of the future-today. Join the growing percentage of the population that enjoys greater health and wellness through regular care of their spines. Talk to your chiropractor today about ways you can improve your spinal hygiene.
Everyone knows that exercise is great for overall wellness, better health, and a healthy body. Many chiropractors will often recommend regular exercise to their patients who need to lose weight, want better mobility, or are seeking relief from depression. Some chiropractors are turning to Pilates to help their patients get stronger, more flexible, and more mobile.
What is Pilates?
In the early 20th century Joseph Pilates developed the exercise program to help World War I soldiers improve their physical fitness. It was used to rehabilitate patients who had been injured. By incorporating resistance, stretching, and target strengthening exercise, Pilates uses resistance bands, individual machines, and floor work to reshape and rehabilitate the body. Dancers, gymnasts, athletes, and celebrities use Pilates to stay in shape. However, anyone can do it for a healthier, more supple spine.
Care of the spine is at the core of Pilates. By keeping it in a neutral, or natural, position, this exercise can prevent back pain as well as help ease it. When done correctly, Pilates can:
Improve muscle control and movement efficiency through mental focus.
Make you more mindful of your body�s position, specifically, remaining aware of the spine�s position and keeping it neutral
Improve centering and mental focus through special, breathing techniques
Support and improve posture by strengthening the abdominal and back muscles.
Benefits of Pilates for Chiropractic Patients
The benefits of Pilates tremendous, but for chiropractic patients, it is even more so. By regularly incorporating Pilates into your exercise routine, you can enjoy these incredible benefits.
You can adapt Pilates to your fitness level and needs. Whether you are just starting a fitness program or you�ve been working out for years, Pilates can be tailored to your fitness needs and level.
It helps you strengthen your core. The deep muscles of your abdomen, back, and pelvic floor make up the core muscles of your body. Many of the movements focus on these muscles, making a body that is strong and the frame is supported.
Allows you to strengthen your muscles without bulking up. With Pilates your muscles get strong, but it also stretches the muscles so that they are lean and long. You will look toned and tight but not bulky and muscular.
It focuses on whole body fitness. Many types of exercise only work certain parts of the body, but this focuses on entire body fitness. It works every part of the body so that the muscle development is balanced.
It helps to improve your posture. It strengthens your body and helps to keep your spine in proper alignment due to a strong core. As a result, your posture naturally improves. By incorporating it into your exercise routine, you will find yourself standing taller, stronger, and more graceful.
You can become more connected through your mind and body by increased awareness. Pilates engages your mind and increases body awareness. It unites the mind, body, and spirit for complete coordination. Each movement is done with full attention.
It improves your flexibility. Pilates is a gentle but powerful exercise that works to safely stretch the muscles, making them longer, and increasing the range of motion in the joints.
It can protect you from injuries. By strengthening your body, Pilates can help protect you against injury. It conditions your whole body so that your muscles and strength are balanced. This reduces your risk of injury.
You get a natural energy boost. Just like with any exercise, it will give you an energy boost. However, it is increased even more thanks to the focused breathing and increase in circulation stimulating the muscles and spine.
It can help you lose weight and attain a lean, long, healthy body. It tones and strengthens the body, and if you do it regularly, it will reshape you. The body is more muscular and more balanced. It also helps you move with more grace and ease.
Dr. Alex Jimenez has great techniques to relieve the discomfort, the inflammation, the swelling, not only does he have a great technique to help with the horrible symptoms of sciatica, he also offers you great information when it comes to foods, anti-inflammatories, and we don’t go to prescription medications. So if you are looking for sciatica relief without the invasive procedures…you need to come see Dr. Jimenez.
Sandra Rubio
Are you currently suffering from debilitating sciatica symptoms? Chiropractic care may help you to find relief for your�sciatic nerve pain.�A doctor of chiropractic, or DC, regularly treats sciatica.
Sciatica is a collection of symptoms rather than a single condition, characterized by pain that originates from the lower back or buttock and travels down one or both legs into the feet. Sciatic nerve pain varies in frequency and intensity; minimum, moderate, severe and intermittent, constant, regular or irregular. Sciatica symptoms can happen when a spine illness, such as spinal stenosis or a bulging/ruptured disk, causes compression into the sciatic nerve or nearby nerves.
When this kind of compression occurs, it could lead to sensations of numbness or shooting pain. From the buttocks, back of the thighs, calves, and toes, sciatica pain may radiate down at times. Sciatic nerve pain is very similar to electrical shocks, and it may be dull, achy, sharp, toothache-like, and have pins�and needles feeling. Other symptoms include numbness, burning, and tingling sensations. Sciatica can be radiating or recognized as neuropathy pain, or neuralgia.
The misconception that sciatica is a disease�is common. However, sciatica is a symptom of a disease. Chiropractic care is a popular treatment which can help treat sciatica. The guide below discusses a comprehensive overview and a chiropractic treatment guide for sciatica.
Common Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica is commonly brought on by compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Disorders known to activate sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations, also known as misaligned vertebral bodies, herniated or bulging discs, also known as slipped disks, pregnancy and childbirth, tumors, and even non-spinal ailments such as diabetes, constipation, or sitting on an item�in the back pocket of your�pants.
One�frequent cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle and the thighbone located at the lower part of the backbone�connect and also assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs along these structures.
This muscle is vulnerable to injury from a difference in leg length, a slip and fall, or hip arthritis. Such circumstances can cause spasm and cramping to develop in the muscle, leading to inflammation and pain which can potentially end up pinching the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve wracking may lead to the loss of feeling,�called sensory loss, paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles, called monoplegia, and insomnia.�
Sciatic Nerve Pain Diagnosis
Before you discover you may need to see a healthcare professional for your sciatica symptoms, a chiropractor can be a good choice to start treatment for sciatic nerve pain. You may first want to visit your doctor to go over your symptoms and to find an accurate diagnosis of your condition. As soon as you’ve got a clear identification of the reason for sciatica, there are many conservative, or non-invasive treatment choices for sciatica which you can try, most of which may be used by a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor.
The physician’s first step when diagnosing sciatica is primarily to ascertain what is causing the individual’s relapse since there are lots of ailments that cause sciatica. Forming a diagnosis entails a review of the individual’s health history and a physical and neurological evaluation.
Diagnostic testing involves an x-ray, MRI, CT scan and/or electrodiagnostic tests,�including nerve conduction velocity and electromyography. These examinations and evaluations help to detect possible contraindications to other treatments and spinal adjustments. As described above sciatica may have many distinct causes, including the following:
Herniated discs
Spondylolisthesis
Tumors about the sciatic nerve
Pelvic injuries
Degenerative disc disease
If your healthcare professional says your condition can be treated with chiropractic care, then you may be able to find relief after proceeding with a couple of sessions, possibly more depending on the patient’s source of their symptoms. In the case that chiropractic care isn’t the ideal choice for the illness, your physician can research other treatment options.
Many research studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care is safe and effective for the treatment of lower back pain. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession which focuses on the non-surgical treatment of a variety of injuries and/or conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system, including sciatic nerve pain. Referred to as a collection of symptoms rather than a single health issue, sciatica can be treated by addressing the underlying problem with chiropractic care.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Chiropractic care is a form of complementary and alternative medicine, CAM, which relies on the idea that the body has an inherent intelligence that is interrupted by spinal ailments. The philosophy also teaches that these disruptions will be the foundation for all illness in the human body.
Chiropractic care�developed from the late 19th century as a means of adjusting spinal dislocations, referred to as subluxations by chiropractors, restoring the body’s natural integrity. Though several chiropractors still adhere to such beliefs, most chiropractors combine many different kinds of treatment modalities used in traditional medicine.
The objective of chiropractic treatment for sciatica is to assist your human body’s capacity to heal itself, without the need for�drugs and/or medications or surgical interventions. It’s based upon the scientific principle that motion contributes to pain,�structure, and function. Chiropractic care is well-known for being non-invasive, or non-surgical and prescription-free.
The treatment modalities utilized on a patient depends on the reason for their sciatica. A sciatica treatment program may include many distinct treatment�modalities, such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments as well as manual manipulations. Below, we will describe the treatment modalities used for sciatica.�
Treatment Modalities for Sciatica
Should you find that you need chiropractic care for sciatic nerve pain, your sciatica chiropractic treatment program plan may contain one or more of the following treatment modalities used by chiropractors, including:
Ultrasound is mild warmth created by sound waves which penetrate deep into tissues. Circulation increases and helps reduce cramping pain, swelling and muscle spasms.
TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a small box-like, stainless-steel, mobile muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electric stimuli control pain and reduce muscle spasms. Many healthcare professionals use versions of this TENS units.
Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are the most common treatment modality used by chiropractors for sciatica. Manipulation helps to restore misaligned vertebral bodies back into their position in the spine and supports the restricted movement of the spinal column. Adjustment helps to decrease nerve-wracking responsible for causing pain, muscle soreness, other ailments, and inflammation. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are�proven to be secure and effective.
A chiropractor may recommend the use of cold or heat therapies to relieve inflammation, stop spasms and loosen tight muscles associated with sciatic nerve pain. These can often be performed at home with proper guidance from a healthcare professional.
During training, students of chiropractic comprehend many modification methods enabling them to take care of various sorts of subluxations, injuries, and disorders. Techniques combine minimal strain and gentle pressure. Mastery of every treatment modality is an art which needs skill and accuracy. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are the treatments that distinguish chiropractic care.
Other disorders can lead to sciatica beyond the scope of chiropractic care. After diagnosis,� The person is referred to a different specialization if the doctor of chiropractic determines the patient’s disease requires additional treatment. Sometimes, co-manage is in the patient’s interest, and the chiropractor may continue to treat the patient with another doctor.
Pain relief for sciatica is possible. Seek sciatica chiropractic treatment for your symptoms. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain
Back pain�is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as�herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
Nothing had really worked until I started seeing Dr. Alex Jimenez. The way he cares about his patients, that is what keeps on bringing me back. He does a great job and he really cares about his patients. – Araceli Pizana
Arthritis is considered to be quite a common health issue, however, it’s still not very well understood by many healthcare professionals today. As a matter of fact, arthritis isn’t a single disorder, but rather, it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or a joint disorder. There are approximately more than 100 distinct kinds of arthritis and associated problems. People of all ages, sexes and races can develop arthritis as it is the chief cause of disability in the United States. Over 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis while it often happens and is most common among women.
Common arthritis joint symptoms include pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness and decreased range of movement. Symptoms of arthritis may come and go where these can range from mild, moderate or severe. They may also remain about the exact same for many years or it might advance and become worse over time. Arthritis may result in chronic pain which can make it difficult to perform tasks. Arthritis can additionally cause joint alterations. Frequently, although these modifications may be visible, such as knobbly finger joints, the extent of the health issue can be observed on x-rays. Some kinds of arthritis have an effect on skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys and the heart as well as the joints.
Common Types of Arthritis
The two most common types of arthritis which result in pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis generally occurs in people over the age of 60, however, it may also be a consequence of trauma from an injury, overuse and improper body movement mechanics. This sort of arthritis is characterized by the loss of cartilage that’s responsible for lubricating joints and distributing forces of motion. When you don’t have enough of it, the bones can begin to rub together and cause pain. Moreover, bone fragments may break away and may cause bone spurs to grow.�The hands, knees, hips and back are the most common sites for osteoarthritis.
Being the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is considered to be one of the most prevalent causes for chronic pain symptoms. Common causes which can ultimately increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis�include: excess weight, family history, age and previous injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tear, for instance. Osteoarthritis can be prevented by avoiding injury and repetitive movements, maintaining a healthy weight and remaining active.
Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs when the human body’s own immune system strikes; in other words, it’s an autoimmune disease.�A healthy immune system functions by protecting the human body from intruders that can cause disease.�Researchers believe that a combination of environmental factors and genetics can cause autoimmunity. Smoking is an illustration of an ecological risk factor that can cause arthritis in people with specific genes.
Nevertheless, in the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system may go mistakenly attacking the joints, causing uncontrolled inflammation and potentially causing erosion of the cartilage in the bones.�With this kind of arthritis, the lining of the joints become irritated and inflamed. Moreover, rheumatoid arthritis might damage other parts of the human body, including the eyes and internal organs. Symptoms include pain, swelling and soreness, inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness. Rheumatoid arthritis is found in the hands, wrists and toes, even in the hips and knees, if not treated properly. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: fever, weight loss, diminished appetite and continual exhaustion.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, a variety of treatment approaches can help people manage the symptoms of those afflictions. As a matter of fact, research studies have shown that chiropractic care can help manage arthritis. Chiropractic care consists of both passive and active treatment modalities. With these common types of arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental. Slowing down the progress of the disease can help decrease and prevent permanent damage.�Remission is the goal and it might be accomplished via the utilization of a combination of therapies. The objective of treatment is to decrease pain, improve functioning, and prevent joint damage.
Through chiropractic care, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, will review goals together with the patient as well as perform a full assessment of their condition to develop a specific treatment plan to meet their individual requirements and needs. A specialized treatment program for arthritis will help manage pain and improve strength, flexibility and mobility. Below, we will discuss the types of chiropractic treatment modalities and how these can help with arthritis.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Before, arthritis was considered to be a natural consequence of aging, however, patients today can find a variety of treatment options to help manage the symptoms associated with this painful disease. Arthritis is simply defined as the swelling or inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and it is most prevalent in older patients. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common type of arthritis, characterized as an autoimmune disease where the patient’s own immune system attacks the joints. This type of arthritis is most prevalent in younger patients. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective, alternative treatment option which can help manage the symptoms associated with arthritis.
Chiropractic Care for Arthritis Pain
Chiropractic care is a great treatment approach to manage and relieve pain caused by arthritis. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Routine chiropractic care offers arthritis patients a safe and effective, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative treatment option to prescription opioids or over-the-counter pain drugs, or OTCs, that are generally given to patients to help them manage their own arthritis pain.
Chiropractic care utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other treatment approaches. Chiropractic spinal adjustments and manual manipulations reduce misalignments of the spine, also referred to as subluxations, as well as joint restrictions in the spinal column and other joints, improving the functioning of the bones, joints and nervous system. By enhancing your nervous system function, spinal health and increasing mobility, your body gets the ability to better manage symptoms caused by arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, chiropractic care may use passive treatment methods to help manage symptoms associated with arthritis.�The passive treatment methods for arthritis are:
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
Electrical stimulation
Ultrasound
Superficial heat
Cryotherapy or ice packs
TENS can considerably help reduce pain from arthritis, tricking the brain into believing there’s no pain. Pain, muscle spasms, inflammation and soft tissue edema is reduced by electric stimulation. Ultrasound is a deep heating modality which helps deep joint tissues. It assists with swelling and inflammation as well as improving the structure of connective tissue. Heat reduces inflammation and swelling. Ice or cryotherapy packs will also be effective for arthritic pain. It’s useful for swelling and decreasing local inflammation. These passive treatment methods may be used alongside other alternative treatment options.
A doctor of chiropractor, or chiropractor, may even recommend a series of lifestyle changes to help promote healing and speed up the recovery process. If you are afflicted with pain, an exercise or physical activity program will address any impairments that could be contributing to the patient’s painful symptoms. Moreover, a chiropractor may also recommend nutritional advice. Research studies have found that some types of foods may cause pain and inflammation in arthritis patients.
Nobody should be living with pain. If you are experiencing challenges when performing daily tasks due to your arthritis pain, make sure to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced chiropractor, to achieve relief from your symptoms.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
The Nervous System: At its very foundation chiropractic helps improve�nervous system function by making adjustments to the spine. Over time, more and more studies are proving that it is extremely effective and as a result many health conditions are improved and even healed completely.
Function Of The Nervous System
The nervous system is a complex network of nerves, spinal cord, and brain that reach and affect every part of the body. The core of the nervous system is the spinal cord which receives and transmits information in the body.
It is responsible for organ function, movement, and experiencing the senses sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. The brain receives the information that is carried by the nervous system. It processes the information and helps the body react appropriately.
When you look at a cat, the image is transmitted through the nervous system, processed in the brain, and translated to the image of a cat as you understand it. It happens so quickly; there is no pause or lapse of time in a healthy nervous system. The transmission of the message is instantaneous.
How Chiropractic Helps Improve The Nervous System
When the spine is not aligned or the body is out of balance it can impact the function of the nervous system, causing chronic pain, difficulty in mobility, and a wide range of health conditions. Chiropractic adjustments open the pathways of the nervous system allowing the information to flow unobstructed.
It goes far beyond just the spine though. The chiropractor may adjust the arms, legs, neck, and hips in addition to the spine which all work together to provide a healthy, functioning nervous system. Regular chiropractic care can help keep the nervous system unimpeded and working as it should.
Improved Nervous System Means Improved Immune & Endocrine Systems
The nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system are inextricably linked so when one is impacted, the others are impacted as well. This occurs because all three systems share certain molecules that carry message between them, allowing them to communicate or work together. It is this connection that makes chiropractic an effective treatment for immunity.
While the immune system protects the body from disease, the endocrine system is responsible for producing certain hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating tissue function, sleep, metabolism, sexual function, mood, growth and development, as well as other vital functions.
This is why chiropractic treatment can often help with depression and insomnia; it is even an effective treatment for infertility. When you look at the nervous system from this perspective it is easy to see how far reaching it is and how much it impacts the entire body.
Benefits Of An Improved Nervous System
There are many chronic and even degenerative health conditions that are impacted by the nervous system. Studies have shown that chiropractic is a very effective treatment for numerous neurological conditions including:
Vertigo
Cerebral palsy
Ataxia
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson�s
Epilepsy
Tourette�s Syndrome
Autism
This makes chiropractic more of a global treatment in many cases. A patient may seek treatment for pain or limited mobility but will often experience many other benefits due to the positive effects that the treatment has on the nervous system.
When there is a communication breakdown between the brain and the body�s tissues, organs, and cells it can lead to a variety of health problems. Chiropractic provides a safe, effective treatment for improved nervous system function.
In some cases, a patient may need regular chiropractic treatments that may be once a week or several times a week. The type, frequency, and intensity of the treatment is dependent upon the patient and their condition. Chiropractic treatment positively affects the nervous system and as a result, positively affects the entire body.
Injury Medical Clinic: Fibromyalgia Care & Treatment
You try to do all the right things when it comes to taking care of your spine. You lift the right way, exercise, practice good posture, stretch, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks to walk around if you are seated for an extended period of time. Those are all excellent habits to keep, but there is something else that you should be doing � and it is one of the most overlooked and undervalued health practices. Rest!
Running On Empty: The Silent Epidemic
Stress can do severe damage to your emotional and mental health, but it can also hurt your body as well. Many people carry stress in their lower backs which means that when stress goes up it can result in lower back pain. It can also make you more sensitive to pain.
It is estimated that 66 percent of all doctor visits have a stress related component. What�s more, 50 percent of people who suffer from stress rate it as moderate to high. We live in a culture that makes it commonplace to run on empty. The problem with that is sooner or later you are going to crash and your body will bear the brunt.
Rest is important for helping you alleviate and manage stress, but recent studies show that 1 in 3 adults don�t get enough sleep. There is another reason to get your seven to nine hours in, though, that is directly related to spinal health.
What Rest Can Do For Your Spinal Health
When you rest you give your body time to replenish depleted stores of energy. Adequate sleep improves your immune function, memory, metabolism, learning, and healing. You will be more alert, happier, and have more energy. It is also very beneficial is you are trying to lose weight.
Excess weight can put pressure on your spine and cause it to curve, causing back pain. This is especially true if you carry your weight in your abdomen. That extra weight in the front pulls your spine into a sway back curve making it painful to stand for long periods of time.
When you lay down and rest you allow your entire spine, associated muscles, and other parts of your body to rejuvenate and relax. You probably don�t realize it, but your muscles in your back and abdomen work all day to keep your body properly supported. Even when sitting there are muscles engaged. Laying down allows all of those muscles to finally relax.
Rest also allows your spinal discs to rehydrate. The spine is made up of fluid filled discs that sit between the vertebrae, acting as a cushion. As you go about your day, thanks to gravity, your discs become compressed. This compression causes the disc to lose fluid (which is about 88 percent water). This can cause pain if the discs are not properly rehydrated � and that is a two-step process of drinking adequate water and getting enough rest.
Drinking water will put the fluids into your body, but as long as you are upright, the compression will continue. Laying down to go to sleep takes that pressure off of your spine so there is no compression and the body can naturally rehydrate the discs. A few hours here and there is not really effective because it does not give the body enough time to do its job. This means that you need to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
Along with all the other great, healthy reasons to get a good night�s sleep, you not have one more to add to the list. A healthy spine will keep you standing tall and help keep you mobile, It is important to do all you can to take care of it.
Injury Medical Clinic: Neck Pain Care & Treatments
Three Steps: Your lower back needs protection, strength and nourishment to help prevent and reduce lower back pain.
Adding these 3 steps to one’s day can help take stress off your lower back:
Three Steps
1. Work On A Stand-Up Desk For Part Of The Day
Too much sitting is common in the cause of low back pain. Posture while sitting, forward leaning in order to look at a computer screen, affects the natural alignment of the lower spine by placing a heavy load on the lumbar discs and joints.
Many people are utilizing standup desks for part of their workday. Standup desks come in a variety of shapes, functionality, and price ranges. They can be inexpensive to fully adjustable, automatic models.
If lower back pain is already an issue, only stand for part of the day and gradually increase to longer standing times. Cushioned and standing mats add additional comfort, as well as, exercise benefits. Standing more, along with quick walks and/or quick stretches at the half hour can break up the extended sitting cycle.
2. Stretch Hamstrings On A Daily Basis
Hamstrings are the large muscles that run down the back of each thigh. They can quite easily become tight. If they become very tight then the hamstring/s will transfer stress across the lower back and can lead to back pain.
There are a variety of hamstring stretches that are gentle on the back and easy to do: pick one or two that work for you and are easy to incorporate it into a daily routine.
3. Sleep In A Reclined Position
People with lower back pain feel more support when the lower back is in a slightly reclined position, along with the knees supported and elevated. This is true for lower back diagnoses, such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and lumbar degeneration.
If it is difficult to sleep on your back, try resting in this position in a reclining chair or bed before going to sleep.
Sleeping the most comfortable in a supported, reclined position can come from switching to an adjustable bed, aka (adjustable base). Just like the stand-up desks, these models range from basic to sophisticated options.
A new development now is that online mattress companies now offer mattress bases that are fully adjustable, and some offer free delivery/setup. Consider a new mattress with an adjustable base that goes with the mattress. This combination may work to help your back.
We encourage back pain supplementation with chiropractic treatment and any type of steps one can take to help prevent and reduce lower back.
Injury Medical Clinic: Sciatica Treatments & Recoveries
5 benefits of�walking in order to achieve better health is not new. Doctors and fitness experts have been touting its benefits for decades. When you walk, you engage more than 200 muscles � this includes your pelvis and spine. This makes it an exceptional complement to chiropractic treatment. However, if you aren�t convinced, these five compelling reasons that chiropractic patients should walk are sure to win you over.
5 Benefits Of Walking
Helps With Weight Loss & Weight Management
When you are carrying around excess weight it can lead to back pain and impaired mobility. Fat around your middle, especially in the stomach area, throws your body off balance. There is extra weight in front and it pulls that portion of your body forward, causing a swayback effect.
The pain in the lower back that is caused by this pressure can be excruciating. Over the long term this can cause damage to your spine and cause misalignment. While girdles or slings may help, the permanent remedy is to lose the weight. Walking is an excellent, low impact exercise that helps you lose weight, stay active, and stay healthy.
Improves Mobility & Flexibility
As we age we become less flexible and we don�t have the mobility of youth. As you walk, your circulation increases and that helps improve flexibility and mobility.
Add a little light stretching to the mix, along with regular chiropractic treatments and you will have a much better range of motion. Your posture will improve and you will reduce your chance of injury during physical activity. All this greatly enhances your spinal health making walking a great complement to chiropractic care.
Relieves Back Pain
Back pain is one of the top reasons that Americans miss work and worldwide it is the number one cause of disability. It is also expensive. Each year, Americans spend upwards of $50 billion trying to escape back pain.
Walking is recommended by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) to help ease back pain. It is a very good, low impact exercise that helps you manage your weight and stay active � excess weight can cause your back to hurt. Walking helps relieve back pain, but it can help to prevent it as well. Even walking for just 30 minutes a day 3 to 5 times a week is beneficial.
Rehydrates Spinal Discs
There are small, fluid filled disks that lie between each vertebrae, acting as a cushion. As you move about during the day, gravity and certain movements cause your spinal disks to compress, squeezing the water out of them. This can lead to back pain and mobility issues.
The increased circulation from walking helps to force water into this area and the disks absorb that water and are rehydrated. This allows them to continue doing what they are supposed to � act as shock absorbers for your spine. It also helps if you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Improves Circulation
Good circulation is integral to spinal health as well as a properly functioning central nervous system. When you walk it increases your circulation allowing your blood to carry vital nutrients to your spine, organs, and your entire body. The soft tissues are enriched and nourished as toxins are flushed out.
Another benefit of this increased circulation is a decrease in blood pressure. It brings your body into balance so your muscles, ligaments, and joints are nourished. This, in turn, helps to make your chiropractic treatments more productive and beneficial.
5 benefits of walking is beneficial for whole body wellness. It can help you reduce your risk of many serious health conditions including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. It is also great for giving you a mental health boost and make you less prone to osteoporosis. So commit to walking just 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week. You will be astounded at the difference it will make.
Injury Medical Clinic: Elderly & Geriatric Fitness
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Relieves Back Pain
