 Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last blog, we talked about the different types of diagnostic imaging used by chiropractors. Today, we’ll be discussing why you should see a chiropractor. If you’re someone who has heard about chiropractic care but hasn’t made an appointment for yourself, this article is for you. There is a common misconception that you only need to see a chiropractor if you are injured or in pain. However, this is not the case. In fact, seeing a chiropractor regularly can help prevent injury and pain– But we’ll get to that later. If you are interested in learning more about chiropractic care and why you should visit a chiropractor, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!
What is chiropractic care? First of all, let’s take a closer look at what chiropractic care actually is. Chiropractic is a form of natural medicine that emphasizes the body’s amazing ability to heal itself. Sometimes, interferences known as subluxations can disturb and prevent this healing process. The term subluxation refers to a partial dislocation or slight misalignment of the vertebrae which can block signals within the spinal nerves. Since the nervous system coordinates all healing and function, misaligned vertebrae can irritate spinal nerves and interrupt communication between the brain and body. Subluxations can occur due to an injury or can happen spontaneously, and they can cause a variety of issues and illnesses. (Check out my previous blog to learn more about subluxations!) A chiropractor uses treatments called spinal adjustments to remove these interferences and help the body function optimally. Chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free treatment for a variety of conditions. Why should you see a chiropractor? There are a variety of reasons why people visit chiropractors– And it’s for more than just back pain. Seeing a chiropractor can provide a wide range of benefits and can help you live a healthy, pain-free life. Here are a few of the reasons why you should see a chiropractor. 1. You have joint or muscle pain. When experiencing joint or muscle pain, most peoples’ first reaction is to grab an over-the-counter pain killer, like Tylenol. However, this only masks the pain– It does not address the cause of the pain. The pain could be due to problems with your musculoskeletal system or alignment. A chiropractor can use diagnostic imaging to help determine the cause of pain, and then come up with a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 2. You have chronic back pain. Back pain is considered to be chronic if it lasts for three months or longer. Again, over-the-counter pain medications can only put a “bandaid” over the real issue. This is one of the most common reasons why people see a chiropractor. Back pain can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from something as simple as sleeping in the wrong position or having poor posture, to something more serious like degenerative disc disease, sciatica, or scoliosis. A chiropractor will use diagnostic imaging and look at your medical history to determine the cause of your pain, before coming up with a long-term treatment plan. Chiropractors can also give you advice and tips for lifestyle changes that may alleviate or prevent back pain in the future. 3. You have headaches. Approximately 45 million Americans complain of headaches each year. Many of them will also reach for their medicine cabinet, despite the fact that chiropractic care can offer a real solution. Headaches can range from annoying, mild aches to severe migraines. There are a few different types of headaches, including tension, cluster, and migraine. If headaches are interrupting your daily life, visiting a chiropractor may be beneficial. A chiropractor can determine the types of headaches you are experiencing and the cause. There are many causes of headaches, such as lack of sleep, certain foods, poor posture, and even subluxations. Spinal or neck manipulation can help relieve headaches, and your chiropractor can give you nutritional advice that may be helpful. 4. You’re an athlete or an active person. If you play sports or spend a lot of time working out or being active, your body is subjected to repetitive strain. A chiropractor can treat sports-related injuries and help you recover quickly from them, as well as discuss techniques that can help prevent injury. In fact, athletes and those who are very active should regularly see a chiropractor before an injury occurs– This can help keep your vertebrae aligned and keep your body functioning at its optimal best so that you can continue being active. 5. You have digestive problems. Did you know that chiropractors can help with digestive issues, too? The nervous system controls the digestive system by sending signals to the brain and organs. Since your brain and spinal cord help make up the nervous system, your nervous system has a direct link to the digestive system and to your spine. When vertebrae are misaligned, they can put pressure on nerves or block signals from the brain to the digestive system. This can cause digestive problems, such as heartburn, bloating, and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments can remove these subluxations to allow the digestive system to work properly. 6. You are pregnant. If you are pregnant, chiropractic care may be beneficial. When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes many physical and hormonal changes in a short period of time. Pregnancy can shift your posture, causing discomfort. As a result, many pregnant women experience aches and pains in the lower back and hips. A chiropractor can use different techniques and adjusting tables to provide treatment that does not put pressure on the stomach. Chiropractic care is safe and effective during pregnancy and can help manage pain as well as establish pelvic balance. Additionally, chiropractic care can lead to a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery! 7. You have recently been in an auto accident. Many people suffer from neck or back injuries and pain after an auto accident. Even if you initially feel fine after a collision, it’s a good idea to visit a chiropractor to check for any misalignments that may cause pain later. Individuals who have been injured in a car accident often experience intense muscle pain and stiffness, and these conditions can worsen over time, leading to serious issues if left untreated. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after an auto accident. It is a neck injury that can cause pain, loss of range of motion in the neck, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and tingling or numbness in the arms. Some people may also experience blurred vision. Whether your pain is acute or chronic, a chiropractor can treat it. 8. You want to live a healthier lifestyle. If you are interested in a healthier lifestyle, chiropractic care can be a great first step. Your spine is an incredibly important part of your body and is essential to your health. In the same way that we regularly visit dentists to take care of our teeth, we should be doing the same for our spines. In addition to routine adjustments, a chiropractor can provide you with helpful information about exercise routines, stretches, and nutritional advice. These are just a few of the reasons why you should see a chiropractor. Visiting a chiropractor is the first step towards getting healthier, so set up a consultation today! If you have any further questions about chiropractic care, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!
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 Hello, everyone! Dr. Bob here, with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we talked about some of the best foods for bone and joint health. Today, we’ll be discussing the types of imaging used by chiropractors. Chiropractors may use various imaging techniques in order to diagnose or create a treatment plan. The most common types of imaging used are X-rays, MRIs, CTs, and diagnostic ultrasounds.
Have you ever wondered what the different types of diagnostic imaging are? Want to know more about what each type of imaging is used for? Curious about how they work? Lowcountry Chiropractic is here to tell you all about it in our latest blog! What Types of Diagnostic Imaging Are Used In Chiropractic Care? So what types of diagnostic imaging will your chiropractor use? It depends on what your chiropractor is looking for. But today we will be talking about some of the most common diagnostic imaging services that your chiropractor may use. X-Ray X-ray technology has been around since 1895, when Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen first discovered a new type of ray that could pass through objects. He first used the ray to create an image of the inside of his wife’s hand in the same year. X-rays are now used across many medical fields, helping doctors and other health professionals provide the best care for their patients by offering a look at what is happening below the skin. X-rays are most often used to take a closer look at a patient’s bones. There are actually two different kinds of x-rays–digital and traditional. The main difference between the two types is that traditional x-rays have to be developed before they can be viewed, while digital x-rays can be viewed immediately after they are taken. Think of it in the same way that you think of film versus digital cameras. Digital x-rays are most commonly used in the chiropractic field because they are a quick way to get a snapshot of a patient’s bones and joints. In the chiropractic field, x-rays are used to better understand a patient’s chiropractic needs. This is usually done either before the first chiropractic adjustment is performed, or after a significant trauma has occurred, such as a car accident or a fall. In either case, the chiropractor will be looking for any indication on the x-rays that there is a misalignment or other major issue that should be addressed specifically in the treatment, or any issue that may require the chiropractor to handle your adjustment more carefully in order to avoid causing more harm. For instance, if your chiropractor notices signs that you may have osteoporosis, they may take a different approach to treating certain areas of your spine. Another condition that chiropractors commonly use x-rays to look for is scoliosis. Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that is abnormal. It typically causes the spine to form an irregular ‘S’ shape. Scoliosis can worsen over time, especially if it goes untreated. It can be a painful condition, but chiropractic care can help patients alleviate that pain. While initial x-rays are the most common, some chiropractors may also use x-rays throughout the course of your treatment to continue to monitor for new issues, and to track the progress of your treatment. X-rays can be a valuable tool for chiropractors to better understand your treatment needs. MRI MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a form of diagnostic imaging that has much broader uses than x-ray imaging. Like x-rays, MRIs can be used to image a patient’s bones. However, MRI technology can also be used to view muscles, blood vessels, organs, discs and other physiology that an x-ray cannot show. While x-ray is the standard of imaging in chiropractic care, and can cover most imaging needs, occasionally your chiropractor may have a specific reason to order an MRI. If your chiropractor suspects that you may have disc degeneration or herniation, but is not confident that these issues can be properly viewed through x-ray imaging, they may send you to get an MRI performed. This way, they can get a clearer picture of any degenerative damage in the spinal discs, and make a more educated decision as to the best course of treatment for your situation. They may decide to recommend at-home treatment to go along with the chiropractic treatments that they can offer in their office, to ensure that you are doing everything possible to prevent further degeneration of your spinal discs. If you are visiting your chiropractor with a muscular injury such as a sprain, an MRI may be used in certain circumstances to assess the severity of your injury, and to determine how treatment should be approached. This can also help them determine whether there may be muscle tearing, which would require an entirely different approach to care. Your chiropractor can typically identify a subluxation through manual assessment. However, if they feel that your subluxation is causing major swelling or pinched nerves, an MRI may be ordered to get a better look at what is happening in and around the subluxation. For instance, if your shoulder has a subluxation and your chiropractor intends to use an adjustment to realign the joint, they may be able to avoid unnecessarily worsening a pinched nerve by first viewing an MRI. If your chiropractor believes that you may have spinal stenosis, they may use an MRI to get a better picture of the issue. Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes your spinal canal to become narrower, leading to pinched nerves, numbness, tingling, and pain. Spinal stenosis requires special approaches to treatment and care, which means that your chiropractor may determine that extra imaging through MRI is necessary to provide you with the best care possible. CT Scan A CT scan is another type of imaging that is used less frequently in chiropractic care, but can still be performed for chiropractic purposes when needed. CT stands for computerized tomography, and it actually uses x-ray technology! CT scans take x-ray images from multiple angles quickly. It creates ‘slices’ by taking images in cross-sections, which allows your medical providers to get a much more comprehensive understanding of what is going on inside your body than they could through the use of a standard x-ray. CT scans are often used in cases of car accidents or other instances that would cause multiple points of injury. In chiropractic care, CT scans are not common, but like MRIs, they can be used in specific circumstances to better understand a patient’s needs. For instance, if you visit your chiropractor after a car accident (which we highly recommend), and they believe that there is a chance that you may have internal bleeding, they may request a CT scan be performed to determine whether that is the case. Your chiropractor may also occasionally use CT scans to determine whether your specific issue requires surgery. In most cases, chiropractors are able to use their skills and knowledge to help your body heal without surgery, but there may be times when surgery is necessary. When is diagnostic imaging necessary in chiropractic care? At the end of the day, your chiropractor is the most qualified party to determine whether you require diagnostic imaging. It is always important to communicate with your chiropractor so that you can work together to create diagnostic and treatment plans that are right for you. Some chiropractors will not perform any adjustments until an x-ray is completed, while some patients are not comfortable receiving any imaging unless absolutely necessary. It’s all about finding the right chiropractor for your individual needs. We hope that our blog helps you to understand the types of diagnostic imaging used by chiropractors. It is always better to approach your medical care with as much information as possible! If you have further questions about how we use diagnostic imaging here at Lowcountry Chiropractic, we are always happy to answer all of your questions. At Lowcountry Chiropractic, we strive to provide chiropractic care that meets your needs. In addition to chiropractic treatments, we also offer both Swedish and Therapeutic massage services, provided by a licensed massage therapist! If you want to know more about our services, give us a call at 843-553-9383!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we talked about degenerative disc disease, a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. Today, we’ll be discussing some of the best foods for bone and joint health. Eating a proper diet is essential for our overall health and wellness, but there are certain foods that are especially great for your bones and joints. When it comes to bone health, it is likely that you have heard about the importance of milk. That’s no myth– milk is a great source of calcium, which is great for your bones, and we’ll get into why later. But you are not limited to milk– there are many more options out there to promote healthy bones and joints. If you are interested in learning more about the best foods for bone and joint health, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive right in.
First, let’s take a closer look at bones and joints. Bones are living, growing tissue made up mostly of collagen. Collagen is a type of protein naturally produced by the body and is found in various parts of the body including tendon, bone, and skin. It is the most abundant protein in the body, and plays a vital role in the structure and function of skin, cartilage, bone, and connective tissue. The collagen provides a framework for the bone, while calcium phosphate hardens the framework and adds strength. Calcium phosphate is a type of mineral that aids in healthy bone development and is crucial from infancy to adulthood. More than 99 percent of the calcium in the body is found in the bones and teeth, while the remaining 1 percent is in the blood. The combination of collagen and calcium makes our bones strong and flexible enough to withstand stress. Joints help allow movement and are complex structures made of bone, cartilage, muscles, and ligaments. Bones work together with our muscles and joints to hold our body together and give us the freedom of movement. This is known as the musculoskeletal system. As mentioned before, bone is a living tissue, which means that this tissue is constantly renewing itself. During childhood and adolescence, new bone is added to the skeleton faster than the old bone is removed. This encourages bones to become heavier, larger, and denser. By the time you reach your 20s, the density of minerals in your bones is at its peak. As you continue aging, your bone mass can stabilize or start slowly declining. This decline can lead to fractures and weak and brittle bones, which often results in a disease called osteoporosis. The route your bones take is largely determined by your lifestyle. If you lead a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a diet sufficient in calcium and vitamins, C, D, A, and K, you can prevent bone loss. Now that we have an understanding of how our bones and joints work, let’s take a look at some of the best foods that promote bone and joint health! Red Peppers Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, which is an essential vitamin that must be consumed in the diet. Vitamin C is necessary for the body to develop and function properly, and it also helps your body make collagen. As mentioned previously, collagen is essential for bones and joints– it makes up parts of your cartilage, tendons, and ligaments that cushion the joints and hold them together. One medium-sized red bell pepper is one of the richest dietary sources of vitamin C, providing approximately 169% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)! Other foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and pineapple. Salmon Salmon is a popular fatty fish that is regarded as one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to improve bone strength, prevent bone decay, and augment bone mineralization. Salmon also contains vitamin D, which is also necessary for strong bones and muscles. Vitamin D helps our bodies effectively absorb calcium and phosphorus, which is another mineral found in bones. According to experts, one of the best ways to get the most out of salmon is by buying and eating canned salmon. Three ounces of canned salmon has 187 milligrams of calcium! If salmon isn’t your thing, you can try other naturally oily fish, such as trout or sardines, which also contain omega-3 fatty acids. Almond Butter Looking for a substitute for peanut butter? Almond butter is a great choice. It is made from ground, roasted almonds, which have a reputation for being a healthy snack. Almond butter is generally high in calories, but it is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, such as calcium, potassium, vitamin E, magnesium, and iron. In fact, almond butter contains 60 milligrams of calcium, which is 5% of the recommended daily intake. Magnesium is also important for healthy bones– it helps your body better absorb calcium. Additionally, people with higher intakes of magnesium have been shown to have a higher bone mineral density, which is important for reducing the risk of fractures and conditions such as osteoporosis. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the risk of bone fractures and preserve bone mass. Cruciferous Vegetables Cruciferous vegetables are a diverse group of vegetables with an array of health benefits. Vegetables that are considered cruciferous include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and turnips. These veggies are low in calories and rich in antioxidants, folate, vitamins C, E, and K, and fiber. They are considered nutritional powerhouses! Vitamin K is essential for bone health, as it plays a role in the carboxylation of many bone-related proteins and regulates bone reabsorption. Vitamin K activates proteins involved in bone formation and mineralization. Additionally, cruciferous vegetables contain phytonutrients, which are plant-based compounds that may be linked to reducing or lowering inflammation in the joints. Inflammation of the joints can not only be painful, but chronic inflammation can lead to a reduction in bone density. Ginger Ginger is a flowering plant whose root is widely used as a spice. It is among the healthiest spices on the planet, and has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. The main bioactive compound in ginger is known as gingerol, and it is responsible for the majority of ginger’s medicinal properties. Gingerol has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Because of these properties, studies have shown that ginger has reduced symptoms of arthritis. Beans Beans such as kidney, garbanzo, and cannellini beans are rich in iron, which is a mineral needed for the body’s growth and development. Iron helps your body make collagen that is needed to rebuild bone. Additionally, they are great sources of fiber and protein. Studies have shown that dietary fibers can benefit bone health by increasing mineral absorption. Protein can also increase muscle mass and calcium absorption. It is important to note that beans also contain substances called phytates, which can affect the body’s ability to absorb the calcium in beans. A good way to avoid this is by soaking beans in water for several hours before cooking them in fresh water– this reduces the phytate level. These are just a few of the many foods out there that are great for bone and joint health. Just as you regularly take care of your eyes and teeth, you should do the same for your bones! A healthy lifestyle can help prevent bone loss, fractures, and conditions such as osteoporosis. Additionally, keeping your body healthy is a great way to get the most out of your chiropractic adjustments. If you have any further questions about bone health or chiropractic care, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we discussed ways to care for your back and stay healthy at home. Today, we’ll be discussing degenerative disc disease, which is a condition in which a damaged disc causes pain. Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease– It is simply a condition that occurs when there are changes in the discs of the spine. This condition can occur due to the normal process of aging, but there are other causes, too. If you are interested in learning more about this condition, its causes, and how chiropractic care can help, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.
To understand degenerative disc disease, we must first take a look at the spine. The spine is made up of 24 small bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae are stacked on top of one another to create the spinal column. In between each vertebra are intervertebral discs, which are soft, gel-like cushions that act as shock absorbers. Each disc is flat and circular, about an inch in diameter and one-quarter inch thick. They are made up of two components: the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus. To put it more simply, the annulus fibrosus is a tough and fibrous outer layer and the nucleus pulposus is a jelly-like inner layer. The discs are held in place by the ligaments connecting the spinal bones. Additionally, the top and bottom of each vertebral body are coated with an endplate, which is a structure that blends into the disc and helps hold it in place. Discs keep the spine stable, help you stand up straight, and help you go through everyday motions like bending. Although intervertebral discs are described as shock absorbers, they are not as flexible or pliable as they may sound. When we are children, discs start as fluid-like sacs, but with the normal aging process, the blood supply to the discs has stopped. When the blood supply to the disc has stopped, the soft, inner material of the discs begins to harden, making the discs less elastic. By the time we reach middle age, the disks are tough and have a consistency of hard rubber. Because of this change, the outer protective lining of the discs becomes weaker and makes the discs more susceptible to injury. Additionally, since discs at this point do not have a blood supply, a disc cannot repair itself once it is injured. Due to the normal wear and tear of aging, discs begin to break down and may not work as well. Almost everyone’s discs will break down over time, but this does not always cause pain. Pain associated with worn-out spinal discs is called degenerative disc disease. There are two predominant ways that the discs can change and cause degenerative disc disease:
Since disks can begin to wear away over time, degenerative disc disease is most common in older adults. This condition can develop in your 30s or 40s, and progressively worsen. In fact, after age 40, almost everyone has some disc degeneration, even if they do not develop symptoms. However, there are some factors that can increase your risk of developing this condition:
Once degenerative disc disease develops, it can worsen over time. Here are some common symptoms of this condition:
In some cases, usually more severe, degenerative disc disease can cause numbness or tingling in the arms and legs. Sometimes, the leg muscles may become weak, which is a possible sign of nerve damage. Degenerative disc disease is diagnosed by analyzing medical history, conducting a physical examination, and most often by imaging scans, such as an MRI. Although discs cannot repair themselves, there are treatment options available that can help manage pain and stop further damage from occurring. A doctor will suggest treatment such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend surgery. However, another non-invasive option is chiropractic care. In fact, chiropractic care is often a preferred method of treatment among individuals with degenerative disc disease. The goal of treating degenerative disc disease with chiropractic care is to improve spinal motion and decrease inflammation. Chiropractic treatment for degenerative disc disease may include chiropractic adjustments. A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which a chiropractor uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint. The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to realign parts of the vertebrae and remove any other interferences or subluxations. When a vertebra is misaligned, or your spine is subject to subluxations, this can prevent your body from undergoing its natural healing process. Misalignment and interferences such as subluxations put extra stress on the spine and can speed up the degenerative process. If you are interested in learning more about subluxations, check out one of my previous blogs! A chiropractor might also use spinal manipulation to treat degenerative disc disease. Spinal manipulation is sometimes referred to as a spinal adjustment. There are several types of spinal manipulation techniques, including specific spinal manipulation. With this technique, a chiropractor will identify which joints in the spine are restricted or moving abnormally and use a gentle thrusting technique to restore movement. Another technique is called the flexion-distraction technique. This technique is performed on a specialized table that has segments that move as the chiropractor slowly manipulates the spine. The combination of spinal manipulation with the movements of the table helps stretch and decompress the spine, relieving pain. Additionally, a chiropractor can recommend therapeutic exercises or certain types of massage that may help address your symptoms. Massage therapy goes hand-in-hand with chiropractic care– Chiropractic adjustments can be more effective when your muscles are relaxed. A chiropractor may also talk to you about nutrition, stress management, or other lifestyle changes that can help you maximize the benefits of your chiropractic adjustment and relieve symptoms of degenerative disc disease. In most cases, the earlier the stage of degenerative disc disease, the more successful treatment can be. However, chiropractic care can be extremely effective and beneficial even in the most extreme cases of degenerative disc disease. As you can see, degenerative disc disease can be painful and even life-altering. Chiropractic care can help relieve and manage symptoms, as well as stop the progression of the deterioration of discs. If you have any further questions about degenerative disc disease or chiropractic care, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we discussed ways to care for your back and stay healthy at home. Today, we’ll be talking about some of the benefits of chiropractic care. Seeking out chiropractic care is the first step to living a healthy, happy, and pain-free life. The body has the incredible ability to heal itself, and chiropractic care can remove subluxations, or interferences, that prevent this healing process. There are a number of reasons why chiropractic care is beneficial for the body and mind. If you are interested in learning more, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!
Data has shown that approximately 70 million adults in the United States deal with some type of chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain that lasts longer than 12 weeks. Additionally, approximately 16 million adults experience chronic back pain– That’s 8% of all adults. In fact, back pain is one of the top reasons that people miss work or school and are unable to participate in everyday activities. With that being said, it is no surprise that many people are interested in finding ways to manage their chronic pain. While many turn to medications, this doesn’t always do the job. The use of medication for pain puts a temporary band-aid over the problem, rather than identifying and dealing with the root cause. People who have tried medication and saw no results are often interested in finding alternative ways to manage their pain. Chiropractic care is one of those alternative options, especially when dealing with back or neck pain. Chiropractic is a licensed health care profession that is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders within the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system includes your bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues. The main area that chiropractic care focuses on is the spine. Chiropractors are trained to make sure that your body is functioning at its optimal best, and this is done using spinal adjustments to remove subluxations. Subluxations are partial dislocations or slight misalignments of the vertebrae that block signals from your brain to your body. By correcting a subluxation, your body can restore itself to better health. (If you want to learn more about subluxations, check out one of my previous blogs!) Spinal adjustments can realign the joints and lead to pain relief, including pain from conditions affecting any part of the musculoskeletal system. While the overarching benefit of chiropractic care is that you can live a healthier, pain-free life, there are plenty of other benefits. Let’s break some of them down. Improved Immune System Function Did you know that chiropractic care can improve your immune system? Your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and substances that helps the body fight infections and other diseases. While the body has the natural ability to heal itself, there can be an interference with this process if the immune system is not functioning properly. Interferences can include autoimmune disorders and subluxations. The immune system and the nervous system are in constant communication. The nervous system is essentially your body’s command center– not only does it control your movements, but it also controls other body systems and processes, including digestion, healing, aging, and more. The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system, where your brain uses nerves to send signals or messages to the rest of the body. But what happens if one of these nerves is blocked, or a vertebra is misaligned, putting pressure on the nerves? This type of interference, or subluxation, can interrupt your nervous system and immune system, thus interfering with the body’s natural processes. By removing subluxations and realigning joints, function can be restored to the nerves and allow your cells to function the way they are supposed to. Improved Posture Posture is defined as the way you hold your body. There are two types of posture: Dynamic and static posture. Dynamic posture refers to how you hold yourself while you are moving, such as walking or running. Static posture refers to how you hold yourself when you are not moving, such as sitting or standing. Good posture is an important part of your long-term health, and the key to good posture is the position of your spine. Your spine has three natural curves: At your neck, mid back, and lower back. Correct posture should maintain these curves. Poor posture, such as slumping, can misalign your musculoskeletal system, cause neck and back pain, wear away at your spine, decrease your flexibility, and more. Ideally, your head should be aligned over your shoulders and your shoulders should be back, with your stomach pulled in. While practicing can help improve your posture over time, chiropractic care can also help correct poor posture. Slouching forward can stress the spine, resulting in pain. By realigning the spine and vertebrae, pain can be relieved. Additionally, a chiropractor can make adjustments and slow joint movements that help increase movement within the joint. This will ease you into good posture without any pain. Headache Relief There are approximately 45 million Americans complaining of headaches each year. It is the most common form of pain and can range from sharp to dull pain. Sometimes, headaches are accompanied by other symptoms like nausea or dizziness. There are over 150 different types of headaches, with the most common types of headaches being tension, migraine, and cluster headaches. Many people turn to over-the-counter medication, like Tylenol, to relieve pain from headaches, but this does not address the cause of the headache itself. Headaches can be caused by many things, but some of the most prominent causes are stress and back or neck strain. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment option for headaches. Chiropractors can help determine the cause of your headache, and come up with a treatment plan to help relieve your headaches. A 2016 study found that 6 to 8 sessions of cervical and upper thoracic spinal adjustments were more effective than exercise for relieving pain. Chiropractic care can improve both acute and chronic neck pain, which, in turn, can reduce the number of headaches you experience. A chiropractor can also recommend lifestyle changes that can help reduce headaches. Improved Digestion The nervous system controls the digestive system by sending signals to the brain and organs. The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. It is responsible for the breakdown of food into small pieces until they can be absorbed by the body– this process is known as digestion. As mentioned before, your brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. This means that your digestive system has a direct link to your nervous system, and to your spine. When vertebrae become misaligned, they can put pressure on nerves or block signals being sent from the brain to the digestive system.. This can cause issues with digestion, such as bloating, discomfort, and heartburn. Chiropractic adjustments can remove these interferences and help your digestive system function properly. Additionally, chiropractic care has been shown to reduce inflammation within the body, which can promote healing and healthy digestion. Studies have also shown that chiropractic care can help reduce flare-ups from conditions such as Crohn’s disease and manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These are just a few of the many benefits of chiropractic care. Seeking chiropractic care is the first step on your journey to a healthy and pain-free life. If you have any further questions about chiropractic care and its benefits, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we talked about how water benefits the joints. Today, we’ll be discussing ways to care for your back and stay healthy at home. Chiropractic adjustments are a great way to keep your spine in good condition and keep your body functioning at its optimal best. Seeing a chiropractor is often the first step towards living a healthier life. However, oftentimes, chiropractic care works best when used in conjunction with other healthy habits and lifestyle changes. Luckily, there are some easy steps you can take to get the most out of your chiropractic adjustments! If you’re interested in learning about how you can achieve optimal results from chiropractic care, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!
Stick To A Routine One of the most important things you can do is to be consistent with your chiropractic visits. When you visit a chiropractor for the first time, they will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Ideally, you should stick to the treatment plan, since it has been customized to give you the best outcome. Don’t skip appointments! Keeping up with chiropractic appointments can keep your body functioning at its best and prevent future problems, such as subluxations. Think of a chiropractor in the same way you think of a dentist– You visit the dentist routinely to maintain the health of your teeth, not only when you are in extreme pain. Why should your spine be any different? Seeing a chiropractor routinely will maintain your spinal health and your overall body health. Maintain Proper Posture Did you know that poor posture is often a cause of back pain? Poor posture leads to aches and pains, but having poor posture over long periods of time can cause real damage. Poor posture causes the muscles in your neck and back to overexert themselves. It puts stress on the back, core, and abdominal muscles, reduces their blood supply, and can slowly develop stiffness or weakness. This not only pertains to having a hunched-over posture while standing, but it can apply to sitting for prolonged periods as well. For example, someone who sits at a desk all day for work is maintaining a “static” posture– This means it lacks in action or change. Sitting for prolonged periods can place stress on the arms and legs as well, and can even put pressure on the spinal discs. Poor posture can also apply to incorrect lifting techniques. Over time, incorrect posture can decrease your flexibility, affect how well your joints move, and wear away at your spine. Here are some tips on how to improve your posture.
Maintain A Healthy Diet We have all heard that a proper diet is important to our overall health. But did you know that nutrition and chiropractic care go hand in hand? If you are not eating foods with the proper nutrients that your body needs, then your body will not be able to perform at its full potential. When receiving chiropractic care, you can maximize the benefits of the treatment by maintaining a healthy diet. Various foods have different nutrients and benefits, but here are some of the best foods to eat in order to support a healthy nervous system and maintain bone health:
Exercise Regularly Just as we’ve heard of the importance of a healthy diet, we have also heard about the benefits of exercise. Not only can exercise improve your overall health, but it can also have benefits for your bones. Bone is a living tissue that becomes stronger with exercise. Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are some of the best exercises to build stronger bones. Weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, climbing up stairs, hiking, and playing sports like tennis. These exercises force you to work against gravity. Resistance exercises include weight lifting and squats. These are designed to improve strength and endurance. Besides benefiting your bones, certain exercises can strengthen your core muscles, which will help support your back and minimize your risk of back pain. Before starting an exercise routine, be sure to warm up by stretching properly. A good warm-up ensures that your muscles are well supplied with oxygen and raises your muscles’ temperature for optimal flexibility. After exercise, you should cool down as well. A proper cool down allows your body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure return to normal levels. Get A Good Night’s Sleep The importance of a good night’s sleep goes well beyond just improving your overall mood. In fact, your body needs adequate sleep in order to function properly. Sleep is essential for every process of the body, including our ability to fight disease and develop immunity. During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. Certain cytokines must increase when you have an infection or inflammation. Sleep deprivation can decrease production of these cytokines, which means your body needs to sleep to fight off infections, diseases, and other invaders. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is seven to eight hours. These are just a few simple ways that you can keep yourself healthy and maximize the benefits of your chiropractic visits! Remember, combining any form of exercise with chiropractic care can help further relieve and manage pain and help you achieve optimal results. Additionally, creating and maintaining healthy habits and lifestyle changes can improve your body’s overall function, making chiropractic care even more effective. Chiropractic care promotes the body’s natural ability to heal itself. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a pain-free life– It’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we discussed back pain and some of the best exercises that can provide relief. Today, we’ll be talking about water and how it benefits the joints, as well as some water exercises that you can do to relieve, or even prevent, back pain! Summer is right around the corner, and with this beautiful weather, many of us will be heading out to the pool. We all love to lounge around and splash in the pool, but did you know that it can have benefits for your back and joints as well? Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults are affected by joint pain or stiffness, and nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain. If you’re interested in learning more about how water can be beneficial for your back, stick around! Let’s get started.
Taking a dip in the pool doesn’t just help you cool down on a brutally hot summer day– It can also help you reach your fitness goals. Many exercises performed in water are classified as water aerobics, and are a form of aerobic exercise done in waist-deep water. It is a type of resistance training. Exercising on land can be hard on the body due to gravity. This puts extra strain on the muscles and joints and tends to wear us out more easily. Water has buoyancy, also known as upthrust. This is defined as an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of a partially or fully immersed object. In simpler terms, it is the tendency of an object, or person, to float in water. Because of the natural buoyancy of water, we tend to feel weightless in water. This helps reduce some of the impact of exercise on our bodies by taking the pressure off of the joints, bones, and muscles. This is why water aerobics and exercise are especially great for those with achy, painful, or stiff joints, such as people suffering from conditions like arthritis. In fact, it has been “prescribed” as a treatment for people with arthritis and other disabilities for over 25 years. Additionally, water is thicker than air, which means it is more resistant. Even though our bodies feel weightless in water, our muscles have to work harder to move. This is a great way to burn calories and tone muscles. Water exercise can benefit anyone, whether or not you have a disability. You don’t even necessarily need to know how to swim– Most water exercises are done vertically, or standing up, in waist-deep water. People who rely on walkers or wheelchairs can also participate in water aerobics by standing in the water with the help of water buoyancy. Many people who suffer from back pain and who participate in water exercise report decreased pain. Generally, it is less painful to complete exercises in water than it is on land. This is partially because of the buoyancy, and partially because the water helps increase blood supply to sore muscles and joints. Water soothes the muscles and also provides a calming feeling, taking your mind off of the pain. Another benefit of aquatic therapy is the temperature. The weather, and temperature, can have a great effect on the joints and bones. People with conditions such as arthritis tend to complain of achy joints during colder weather. However, warmer temperatures can increase the swelling of joints, leading to pain. So exercising on land can not only put extra strain on your joints, but it can also cause the joints to swell due to overheating, especially if it is hot outside. But in water, even if the water is warm, it will keep you cool and prevent you from overheating during exercise. However, it is still important to stay hydrated– You will still sweat when working out in water! You don’t have to sign up for a water aerobics class to reap the benefits. Water exercises can be done at home in your pool or the pool at your community center! Water aerobics does not require equipment, but you can use some if desired. Some equipment that may be beneficial for these exercises includes wrist or ankle weights, foam dumbbells, a kickboard, or resistance gloves. However, you should speak with your doctor about what exercises may be best for you. If you are not a great swimmer, consider using a floatation device, such as a buoyancy belt or floatation vest, for safety. Let’s take a look at some easy exercises that you can do without an instructor! Walking In Water Simply walking in water is a great and simple way to warm up and get a feel for the water. It allows you to feel the resistance. Start by walking in shallow water– Find a depth you are comfortable with, and then move up to waist-deep water. Avoid walking on your tiptoes. Instead, put pressure on your heel first, and then your toes, while keeping your arms at your sides. Begin to move your arms side to side as you walk. Be sure to stand up straight and tall! Continue walking for 5 to 10 minutes. If you want to increase the intensity, you may consider using ankle or wrist weights. Leg Kicks Hold onto the side or edge of the pool and kick your legs in a fluttering motion for 1 to 3 minutes. Then, switch to scissor-kicking, which means kicking your legs open and closed, for 1 to 3 minutes. Some other kicks you can try are dolphin kicks, which involve extending your legs straight back and moving them up and down in unison. This works the muscles in your legs and your core. If you want to make leg kicks more challenging, try using ankle weights! Back Wall Glide To perform this exercise, simply hold onto the side or edge of the pool and tuck your knees to your chest, pressing your feet against the wall. Then, push off from the wall and allow yourself to float back as far as you can. Pull your knees back up to your chest, press your feet down to the bottom of the pool, and run forward to the wall. Repeat this exercise for 5 to 10 minutes. Arm Lifts This exercise is best performed using foam dumbbells. Stand in water that comes up to your shoulders and hold the dumbbells at your sides. Lift your arms to the side until they are level with the water and your shoulders. Slowly lower your arms back down to your sides, and repeat for 3 sets of 8 repetitions. If you do not want to use dumbbells, you can opt for wrist weights. These are just a few of the exercises you can perform in water to help your joints, muscles, and bones. They can also be helpful if you suffer from back pain! Remember, combining any form of exercise with chiropractic care can help further relieve and manage pain and help you achieve optimal results. Chiropractic care promotes the body’s natural ability to heal itself. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a pain-free life– It’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we discussed arthritis and the ways it can be treated at home. Today, we’ll be talking about back pain and some of the best exercises that can help relieve symptoms. Approximately 16 million adults experience persistent or chronic back pain– That’s 8% of all adults. There are a variety of types and causes of back pain that we’ll be touching on today, as well as exercises that can be done at home to relieve symptoms. If you are interested in learning more, I encourage you to stick around! Let’s get started.
With so many adults suffering from back pain, it is one of the most common reasons that people miss work or go to the doctor. This pain can range from muscle aches to a shooting, burning, or stabbing sensation. There are generally three types of back pain: acute, subacute, and chronic. Acute pain is defined as lasting less than 4 weeks, while subacute pain lasts 4 to 12 weeks, and chronic pain lasts more than 12 weeks. It can happen anywhere in the back and can even radiate down the leg. Sometimes, this pain can worsen when walking, standing, bending, or lifting. It is important to understand the anatomy of the back in order to understand back pain. Let’s take a closer look. There are five regions of the spine, from top to bottom: Cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, ilia/sacrum, and coccyx. These regions work together to support the body and problems within any of these regions can cause pain. Additionally, there are other parts of the back and spine structures that can cause pain. Other parts of the back and spine include:
Issues with any of these structures or parts of the back or spine can cause pain. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of back pain.
Anyone can suffer from back pain, but there are several factors that may put you more at risk. These factors include age, genetics, fitness level, and job-related factors such as lifting, pushing, or pulling. Underlying issues such as fibromyalgia can also cause back pain. Luckily, there are simple exercises that can help manage and relieve symptoms at home. Here are just a few of them! Low-Impact Exercises Low-impact exercise is gentler on the joints and muscles. One of the most well-known low-impact exercises is walking. Walking is one of the simplest exercises out there and is not only a great cardiovascular exercise, but it is also a great method for preventing and relieving back pain. However, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind in order to get the most out of your walk: Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, walk lightly on your feet, and practice good posture while walking. Stand up straight and tall, let your shoulders relax, and keep your chin parallel to the ground to reduce strain on the neck and back. Another low-impact exercise is cycling, or bicycling. This is low-impact because it causes less strain than other types of exercise. Bicycling is considered a form of aerobic exercise, which is a type of cardiovascular conditioning– Better known as “cardio” exercise. Bicycling is a popular form of exercise among people with back pain because of how gentle it is on the spine. This can be done on a bicycle, stationary or upright bike, or recumbent bike. Water aerobics is also great for back pain. In fact, studies have shown that water exercise is great for the joints and muscles, because the buoyancy of the water supports the body’s weight and allows for a greater range of motion. Lying Lateral Leg Raises This exercise can not only help minimize back pain but can also strengthen your hip abductor muscles. These muscles help support the pelvis when you are standing on one leg. This exercise involves lying down on one side and keeping your lower leg slightly bent on the ground. Raise the top of your leg without moving the rest of your body and draw your belly button in towards your spine to strengthen your core. Hold this position for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times, and then repeat on the other side. Perform 3 of these sets on each side. Side Stretches Utilizing light strength training can help keep back muscles strong, which is great since these muscles protect your spine. This can be done by using light weights. Simply stand in place and hold one weight at a time while reaching from your waist down the side of your body. You should stretch as far as you can without pain, and then slowly raise the weight back up. You can repeat this 10 times on each side. This exercise can be done without weights as well. Knee To Chest This exercise is particularly good for the lower back. For this exercise, simply lie down on the floor, facing up. Bend your leg and bring it up to your chest while grasping your lower leg, and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds. Then, release, and repeat with the other leg and complete this sequence at least three times. This range-of-motion exercise is a great way to stretch the lower back muscles and develop flexibility. It is particularly beneficial for those with spinal arthritis. These are just a few of the best exercises for managing and relieving back pain. Oftentimes, exercise works best in conjunction with chiropractic care. Sometimes, back pain can be caused by subluxations. Subluxations are partial dislocations of vertebrae within the spine that can cause interferences in how the brain and body communicates. Since each part of the vertebrae are in close proximity to nerves, subluxations can also lead to neurological conditions due to pressure placed on these nerves. Some of the common symptoms of subluxations involve pain or swelling around a joint, limited mobility, or loss of range of motion. If you are interested in learning more about subluxations, I encourage you to check out my previous blog. Chiropractic care removes subluxations through spinal adjustments. By removing these interferences, the body can self-regulate and self-heal. This can eradicate a multitude of different types of pain, including back pain. Combining chiropractic care with exercises that are good for back pain can help further relieve and manage pain and help you achieve optimal results. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a pain-free life– It’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last post, we discussed scoliosis, an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, and how chiropractic care can relieve pain caused by this condition and can prevent it from worsening if caught early enough. Today, we’ll be talking about arthritis and ways you can treat it at home. Arthritis is the inflammation, swelling or tenderness of one or more joints. The two main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which can get worse with age. Although arthritis cannot be cured, there are ways you can manage your symptoms at home. If you are interested in learning more, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, affecting about 50 million adults and 300,000 children. There are different types of arthritis– in fact, there are over 100 types– but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the flexible tissue that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. This most often happens with age and affects the fingers, knees, and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue and joints, causing pain and swelling. It often affects the hands and feet, and may also affect the internal organs and systems. The exact cause of most types of arthritis is unknown, but there are certain things that may put you more at risk. For example, having a family history of arthritis, having certain autoimmune disorders, or having a job or playing a sport that puts repeated strain and stress on your joints can all contribute to the development of arthritis. Prior injury to a joint could increase your risk of developing arthritis later in life. Additionally, smoking and lack of exercise can increase your risk. Obesity is also a common trigger of arthritis, as more weight puts extra strain on your joints. Different types of arthritis may require different treatments, but it is commonly treated with medication, such as anti-inflammatory and pain medications to relieve symptoms. Physical therapy is also a great way to rehabilitate the joints and improve strength, range of motion, and mobility. In severe cases of arthritis, surgery may be recommended. For those looking for a more natural and non-invasive treatment, chiropractic care is one of the safest and most effective therapies you can use. Chiropractic care can realign joints to relieve pain and minimize further damage to the cartilage surrounding the joint. In addition to visiting a chiropractor, there are ways that you can treat arthritis at home that will help manage your symptoms. Exercise One of the best ways to treat arthritis at home is through exercise. We all know how important exercise is to our overall health, but it is also great for our joints. Exercise strengthens the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the joints. This allows the area to act as a protective barrier or “brace” for the joints, protecting them and lessening pressure put on weakened joints by offering support. Joint pain is also reduced during and after exercise because of an increase in synovial fluid. Synovial fluid, sometimes known as joint fluid, is a thick liquid located between the joints. It cushions the ends of our bones and allows them to slip past one another freely, greatly reducing friction. Physical activity increases the circulation of the fluid, making it much easier for the joints to move. Low-impact exercises tend to be best for those with arthritis, including walking and cycling. Water activities and exercises are also great because the water’s buoyancy provides extra support for your muscles and joints– This increases your strength, endurance, and flexibility while putting less strain on your joints. Calming exercises such as yoga or tai chi have also proven to help reduce joint pain. Both of these exercises involve deep breathing and meditation and have been shown to improve mobility and range of motion, and reduce stress. Hot and Cold Therapy Heat and cold treatments are a great way to reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. Heat therapy works by dilating the blood vessels, which increases blood flow and improves circulation in painful or stiff areas. There are two types of heat therapy: dry heat and moist heat. Dry heat comes from things such as heating pads or heat lamps. Moist heat comes from warm baths or showers and steamed towels. In any case, you want to aim for more of a warm temperature, rather than a hot one– This is more comfortable and will not damage the skin. In contrast, cold therapy works by reducing blood flow to a particular area. This is sometimes referred to as cryotherapy, and can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling. Cold therapy may include ice packs, ice baths, and coolant sprays. Again, you should find a temperature that is tolerable. It may feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but cold helps numb deep pain and discomfort. Adopt and Maintain a Healthy Diet Just like exercise, we know the benefits of a healthy diet. Not only can proper nutrition improve your overall health, but it can work wonders for your bones and joints, too. While a diet cannot eliminate arthritis, there are many foods that can help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Some foods that fight inflammation include:
Choosing one or all of these home remedies can bring much-needed relief– Especially if coupled with chiropractic care. Your chiropractor or primary care physician may also recommend massage therapy, as this gentle manipulation can reduce joint pain and stiffness. A chiropractor will evaluate your condition and can create a customized treatment plan accordingly. Chiropractors are also trained to give nutritional advice and can help you come up with a dietary plan that will help reduce inflammation of the joints. They can also recommend an exercise regimen that can be done at home. The body is self-healing and self-regulating, so these recommendations can provide your body with the guidance it needs to help you function as best as possible. Although there is no miracle cure for arthritis, symptoms can be managed with a combination of at-home treatments as well as chiropractic care. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from arthritis, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a pain-free life– It’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!  Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last blog, we discussed the benefits of prenatal chiropractic care. Pregnancy puts the body through drastic changes and puts strain on many parts of the body, but chiropractic care can offer relief during and after pregnancy. Today, we’ll be discussing scoliosis and how chiropractic care can help. Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. It is often diagnosed in early adolescence, but is seen in adults as well. Chiropractic care can relieve pain caused by scoliosis and can prevent it from worsening if caught early enough. If you’re interested in learning more about this condition and how chiropractic can offer relief, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!
A healthy spine has natural curves that form an “S” shape when viewed from the side. This includes the cervical curve, thoracic curve, lumbar curve, and the sacral curve. These curves help to give the spine more flexibility, and the way they are distributed helps us keep our balance. The vertebrae are stacked neatly on top of each other with a disc of cartilage in between them. This disc provides cushioning as you move. However, if the curvature of the spine is greater than 10 degrees, it is considered scoliosis. The curvature is measured using the Cobb Angle, a standard measurement used to determine and track the progression of scoliosis. This causes vertebrae to be tilted, compressing the discs on one side. The greater the curve, the greater the chance of scoliosis progressing and getting worse over time. Scoliosis affects 2-3% of the population in the United States– That’s an estimated 6 to 9 million people. This condition can develop in infancy or early childhood, with the primary onset at around 10 to 15 years old. Most cases occur during the growth spurt prior to puberty. This is why many children get checked periodically for scoliosis by their primary care physicians or by a school nurse. This examination is often done by having the child bend forward at the waist so that the nurse or physician can check the outline of the spine for abnormal curvature. Adults can also be diagnosed with scoliosis if they were not treated as adolescents, or if they have degenerative scoliosis, which is caused by aging. Some symptoms of scoliosis include:
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and sometimes scoliosis even goes unnoticed. Sometimes, scoliosis is not diagnosed until there is a significant curvature of the spine or the patient is in pain. However, even with mild cases, it can make everyday life painful and range of motion may be limited. Routine checkups by a primary care physician or chiropractor are a great form of preventative care. There are generally two categories of scoliosis: structural and nonstructural. With structural scoliosis, the curve of the spine is rigid and is more complex to treat. Nonstructural, or functional, scoliosis is when the spine works normally, but appears curved. When the root cause of nonstructural scoliosis is treated, the scoliosis often goes away. Nonstructural scoliosis can be caused by chronic bad posture or irregularities such as one leg being longer than the other. There are also subtypes of scoliosis, including idiopathic, neuromuscular, and congenital scoliosis.
As the curvature worsens, it can cause other health problems, such as difficulty breathing and reduced lung capacity because of a reduced amount of space in the chest for the lungs to expand. In severe cases, it could cause spinal or nerve damage and spinal fluid leakage. The most common treatments for scoliosis include the use of back braces and spinal fusion surgery in extreme cases. Surgery should be a last resort, as it can permanently reduce your range of motion and put additional stress on the spine. Unfortunately, a common approach to scoliosis is to wait and see how bad it gets. This causes unnecessary pain, discomfort, and suffering. Scoliosis can be treated and managed, much like other chronic health conditions. There is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for scoliosis: Chiropractic care! Chiropractic is proven to help reduce back pain caused by scoliosis, and in some cases can even improve the curvature of the spine when diagnosed early enough. Chiropractors have extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal issues, conditions, and disorders. Additionally, the aim of chiropractic care is to help the body heal itself naturally by restoring proper alignment to the spine and joints. Chiropractic care may not straighten the spine completely, but studies have shown that it can make a significant improvement in curvature and pain. A 2011 study showed that 28 adult scoliosis patients who received chiropractic care for 24 months reported improvements in pain, Cobb angle, and disability. Chiropractic treatment for scoliosis can include spinal adjustments, which correct misalignments. The spine carries messages and signals from the brain to the body, so any interference or subluxation can block these signals and prevent your body from functioning at its best. (I discussed subluxations in a previous blog!) Correcting misalignments in the spine can reduce inflammation and improve the function of the spine, thus improving the function of the overall nervous system. A chiropractor may also use a technique called flexion distraction, which is often performed on a segmented table. The table moves your body up and down slowly to gently stretch the spine. This helps maintain the mobility of the natural curve of the spine while alleviating pain. Chiropractic care can be even more effective when combined with other treatments like muscle-strengthening exercise and stretches, including postural and rehabilitative exercises. A chiropractor can teach patients what proper posture looks and feels like, so they can practice adopting that posture at home. Simply being aware of your posture when standing or sitting can help correct a spinal issue and prevent further damage from occurring. Sometimes, a chiropractor may recommend routine chiropractic care along with other treatments prescribed by doctors, such as the use of a brace. Additionally, massage therapy is effective in reducing pain associated with scoliosis. Some of the best types of massage for scoliosis pain include deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. Both of these techniques reduce back pain and increase blood flow to the back, elongating tightened muscles. Not only can massage help reduce pain, but it also helps improve mobility. Therefore, a chiropractor might prescribe a treatment consisting of both adjustments and massage therapy to help alleviate pain and other symptoms caused by scoliosis. If you have not already been diagnosed with scoliosis, a chiropractor can do a postural exam and take diagnostic images such as X-rays to diagnose and determine the severity of scoliosis. This is also a good reason why children should see a chiropractor– Routine care and maintenance can help detect signs of scoliosis early on, before it starts to become an issue. Early detection of scoliosis can prevent curve progression. As you can see, chiropractic care is an effective and safe way to help treat and manage scoliosis. Although chiropractic care alone may not straighten the spine completely, it can help alleviate pain and reduce some of the abnormal curvature. A chiropractor can develop a non-invasive, drug-free treatment plan that addresses multiple symptoms. This is a far better solution than sitting back and waiting to see if scoliosis gets worse. I hope you found this article informative. If you think you or a loved one may benefit from any kind of chiropractic care, consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a long-term treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a pain-free life– It’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered! |
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