What’s Making Us Unhealthy and How Can Chiropractic Help?

Posted on by AmandaH

 

In the world we live in, there are as many emerging things to do to be healthy as there are things to avoid doing so as to not become unhealthy. It can be pretty overwhelming, but we believe that understanding the big-picture elements affecting our health is a great place to start before we start talking about how your health is related to chiropractic. So let’s get into it!

There are 3 Types of Stress Bombarding us Chronically:

Physical stress:

This type of stress can encompass a wide scope of physical elements, big and small. On one side, we’ve got macro-traumas that can have an immediate impact on our body, such as:

  • Motor vehicle collisions
  • Slips and falls.
  • Injuries.

On the other hand, we have microtraumas that have a subtle, yet effective effect on our body over time, such as:

  • Our posture.
  • Sitting for long hours in one position.
  • Having a physical job.
  • Repetitive movements in sports (i.e. swinging a golf club, kicking a soccer ball, swinging a baseball bat) or life.
  • Gravity.

Chemical stress:

This type of stress involves the toxic substances that our body is exposed to that then affects our levels of inflammation, our body’s ability to detoxify, and our cellular health. Examples of chemical stress that we experience include:

  • The quality of our diet.
  • The quality of the water that we drink, shower in, and use to wash our clothes.
  • Air quality in our homes and urban areas.
  • Products such as laundry detergent, deodorant, makeup, candles, soaps, toothpaste, and pesticides.

Mental/Emotional stress:

This type of stress typically needs no introduction. We all have many different mental and emotional stressors bombarding us day in and day out. Unfortunately, this is also the type of stress that we push down or try to push through. Here are some examples of mental/emotional stress:

  • Work-related stress.
  • Being a parent, managing multiple schedules.
  • Managing debt.
  • Declining social relationships.
  • Planning a holiday vacation.

What does having chronic stress mean for me and my body?

What these 3 types of stresses all have in common is that they add physiological stress to our body. Physiological stress relates to any factors that challenge the homeostasis of a cell or organism. You see, our body is always working very hard to keep us running and in good health. When we have long-term stress, whether physical, chemical, mental, or all three, our body is going to start dysregulating itself. Mayo Clinic states that symptoms of chronic stress can include:

  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • Digestive problems.
  • Headaches.
  • Muscle tension and pain (i.e. neck pain, back pain).
  • Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Weight gain.
  • Problems with memory and focus.

How is My Health Related to Chiropractic Care?

The first thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to your health: It. Takes. A. Village. It takes consistent effort on many fronts (i.e. exercising, physical therapy, nutritional therapy, setting boundaries, managing external factors) to get healthy and keep yourself healthy. There is no one single thing that will do it.

On the other hand, while chiropractic adjustments alone aren’t enough to solve all of your issues, by getting pressure off nerves, chiropractic can support your body’s ability to cope with physiological stress. The nervous system is also the master control of your body, which means that when it is functioning optimally all your other organs and tissues can have improved coordination and function as well. An example of how the nervous system can affect other parts of your body is neuropathy: when there’s damage to peripheral nerves people will typically loose sensation in their feet, but this problem is due to nerve damage, not due to a problem in the skin or muscle of your feet!

A third way in which chiropractic treatment helps is by stabilizing the foundation of your body, which is your pelvis and vertebral column. Structural misalignments here can put pressure on nerves and affect our body’s function, it can mean that our joints can tear and wear quicker, and it can also make us more prone to injuries. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that we’re not talking about a single chiropractic adjustment, our body needs consistent checks and care to counteract the stress that bombards us day-in and day-out. For many patients this can mean weekly care and for many others it can mean less frequent care.

Through chiropractic services, you can strengthen your body from the inside-out so that you’re in a better position to adapt to the different types of stresses that life likes to throw your way. The magnitude of what we do goes way beyond back and neck pain because the nervous system is in charge of much more than that! If you’re interested in learning more about your nervous system’s health and spinal manipulation, reach out to your local chiropractor or seek out people from your community who are chiropractic patients!

Can Chiropractic help with Spinal Stenosis?

Posted on by AmandaH

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is defined as a narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal, also known as the spinal column, is the protective sheath around the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that comes out of the base of the brain stem and runs down the center of the entire spine with nerves that branch off of it all the way down and send signals from the brain to the entire rest of the body. The spinal cord itself is inside the protective canal, floating in cerebral spinal fluid which provides insulation and protection. When that canal has abnormal pressure placed on it, it can impact the ability of the nervous system to communicate through the spinal cord by squeezing the nerves, hindering signaling, or by applying stretching tension on the spinal cord, which can also impact the communication of the nervous system, and even cause damage.

Symptoms of Spinal Stenosis

This squeezing pressure on the spinal cord and the nerve roots within the spine can occur in the neck and lower back, and depending on the area, different symptoms can arise, although some people with spinal stenosis have no noticeable symptoms. Symptoms can occur, and these can include pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. In the cervical spine symptoms can include neck pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or hands. With lumbar spinal stenosis sometimes low back pain can be felt, but pain can also occur in one or both legs. Sometimes people will feel weakness or numbness in their leg or foot as well which can lead to problems with walking and balance. More severe symptoms of lumbar stenosis can also include feeling problems with the bowel or bladder. This can often be worsened after standing for a long period of time, or after walking. Often, in the lower extremities, people will find that the symptoms improve when bending forward or sitting.

What Causes Spinal Stenosis?

There are many possible causes of spinal stenosis. With age and wear and tear on the body, sometimes people can develop degenerative disc disease which can cause arthritic changes in the spine. Arthritic changes will usually present as extra bone growth on the spine, known as bone spurs. These do not necessarily grow out of the spine, but can grow into the spine and push into the spinal canal and develop spinal stenosis.

A herniated disc can also cause spinal stenosis. The supportive spinal discs in between the spinal vertebra, called intervertebral discs, are basically a doughnut of cartilage surrounding a jelly center called the nucleus pulposus. Those discs provide shock absorption for the spine. If that disc is damaged from spinal injuries, particularly compression, that jelly center can squish out and push into the spinal canal, and spinal stenosis occurs.

But one of the most common causes of spinal stenosis is injury. Car accidents and other traumas such as a fall or blow to the spine can cause spinal bones to break, or can cause swelling of the tissues surrounding the spine causing narrowing and putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

What can help treat spinal stenosis patients?

Often, spinal stenosis patients will be seeking pain relief, so common treatment for spinal stenosis will involve some form of medication to help relieve pain. Sometimes steroid shots can help reduce the inflammation around the affected nerve roots. However, this does not treat the cause of the pain. Some providers will prescribe physical therapy to help build up endurance and strength and help improve flexibility in the spine. In severe cases, some providers may even recommend spinal surgery to help create more space within the spinal canal.

But one of the most effective, and least invasive treatment for spinal stenosis is chiropractic care.

How does Chiropractic treatment help spinal stenosis?

Chiropractic treatment for spinal stenosis, instead of focusing on the pain caused by the stenosis, focuses on relieving the pressure placed on the nerve roots by bettering the alignment of the spine. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve pressure on the spinal nerves by restoring proper alignment of the spine and not letting it sit in poor posture. Chiropractors can utilize multiple techniques to work on relieving pressure on the spine, including flexion distraction manipulation, torque release technique, and others. Furthermore, this adjustment often also helps improve flexibility and range of motion in the spine, relieving pain, which often helps the patient feel more enabled in their life to be active and mobile without fear of pain or further injury.

Call today and see how Chiropractic treatment can help you!

Chiropractic Care: Is one Adjustment Enough?

Posted on by AmandaH

 

Every now and then we get new practice members who get hurt over the weekend and they want to come in for a single chiropractic visit so that we can relieve pain and ‘fix it’. Sometimes they slept on their neck wrong, they hurt their back lifting something heavy, they had a slip and fall, or sometimes they just got checked from the side by their 50 lbs dog! Whatever the mechanism of injury, the thought process is that they were hurt because of a one-time incident, and they want a one-time solution. The truth is that we may think that getting injured is an isolated event, and sometimes it is, but often we see that the issue is much deeper than we might have originally thought, and it’s been around for much longer too!

The key to understanding true chiropractic is latency and consistency!

Let’s dive in!

So many of your aches and pains are a result of latent structural imbalances:

In nature, structure gives rise to function. Let’s look at some examples:

• A bike having circular wheels makes traveling distances much easier compared to if it were to have square-shaped wheels.
• The shape of musical instruments such as a trumpet or the plates on a drum set are what allow instruments to produce beautiful and different sounds.
•The shape of a plane, from the wide wings to the thin and converging nose allow the aircraft to lift into the sky and to fly vast distances.
• When it comes to art, having a sharpened coloring pencil allows you to do line art with ease, but it won’t be as helpful when it comes to coloring or shading compared to a pencil with a blunt tip.

The same is true for our anatomy:

• Together, the vertebral bones and discs in your your low back form a curve in order to allow your body to better distribute the weight of your body and to provide shock absorption for the brunt of your movements and activities.
• The length, shape, size, and orientation of our muscles allow us to coordinate movements, strength, and have fine-motor control.
• The spinal cord is suspended by ligaments inside the vertebral bones in a way and orientation that allows it to remain protected from outside forces while still allowing it to branch nerves off to every piece of skin, tissue, muscle, ligament and organ in our body.

Okay, but why are we talking about structure again?

From the moment we are born, we’re exposed to external forces in our body. Labor involves compressive and pulling forces in the body of newborns. The first years of life involve endless trips and falls as we learn how to engage with the world. Once we start school or are employed we spend countless hours suffering from repetitive postures or movements (i.e. sitting at desks, lifting heavy objects). In addition, all of our body’s physiology is bombarded with life stressors (i.e. relationships, college, bills to pay, raising kids…etc.) and chemical stressors (i.e. what we eat, candles, lotions…etc.).

We experience these forces in one way or another. Every. Single. Day. In fact, we experience these forces year after year, decade after decade. This is huge because all these little things build up and they incrementally compromise the structure of our spine. Over time, the ability of our nervous system can become impeded, and this can have a global effect on our body and health. It not only makes us more prone to injuries and developing back or neck pain, numbness/tingling, and muscle spasms or weakness, it affects our body’s ability to communicate to our heart, lungs, digestive system, reproductive system, urinary system, and so much more!

And so, when we hurt our necks while sleeping or we hurt our back when lifting something heavy, the problem isn’t always the injury itself, it’s the fact that our body’s foundation was compromised to begin with. By working to correct these structural imbalances in our body we can do our best to optimize its functioning. We can support our body so that we’re better equipped to prevent injuries and get long standing pain relief while also working to keep our body healthy.

And now you might be thinking ‘Great, let’s do it! Let’s get that one adjustment to fix me!’ And therein lies another problem. Every process in life requires time and chiropractic care is no exception!

Let’s tackle this one last thing next!

To combat entropy, we require consistency:

In nature, order requires effort while chaos or entropy takes very, very little effort. It takes effort to fold and put away laundry, to clean and organize a house, and yet it takes almost no effort and time to throw a wet towel on the floor, to leave dishes in a sink, and for an outside patio to get dirty.

In a similar fashion, as we get older our body starts to break down and we get degeneration and we develop medical conditions. And while gradual wear and tear is normal, the good news is that, similar to realigning the wheels in your car and changing its oil, you can extend the life and quality of just about anything (including our body) if you take good care of it!

There are many ways that we may already provide maintenance care to our body:

• We brush our teeth and floss every day.
• We wash our hands and bathe our bodies.
• We eat healthy -or we try to- on most days.
• We exercise in some form or other several times a week.
• We go to annual health check-ups.

In this same manner, we should also make sure to further invest in our health by giving proper maintenance to our spine. Most of our practice members get a chiropractic adjustment once a week to combat the many forces that act on their body between those seven days so that these shifts and microtraumas can be caught and corrected before they become a bigger problem years down the road. The reason why you shouldn’t expect a single adjustment to permanently ‘do the job’, is because life is extremely dynamic and there are always going to forces waiting around the corner to continue to effortlessly bring chaos, dis-order and dysfunction to our body and health. Consistency and frequent adjustments is the only way to catch and correct these shifts as they happen.

The takeaway:

Initially, a chiropractic treatment plan can be focused on addressing acute and chronic pain, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg to achieve maximum benefits! The biggest aim of chiropractic adjustments is to provide maintenance care, accelerate the healing process, and optimize your body’s function by fine-tuning its framework (the nervous system). A healthy nervous system allows your body to communicate, heal, and adapt to life. Because of this, Chiropractic is an investment in your health and it pays off in dividends so that you can be pain free while also enjoying the quality of life that you deserve.

If you’ve never considered spinal manipulation before, reach out to your local chiropractor!

Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Improving Your Child’s Health and Well-Being

Posted on by AmandaH

Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care: Improving Your Child’s Health and Well-Being

Pediatric chiropractic care is becoming increasingly popular among parents seeking non-invasive and drug-free healthcare options for their children. Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system and how misalignments in the spine can affect overall health. In children, misalignments can occur due to birth trauma, falls, sports injuries, or poor posture.

At our clinic, we believe that pediatric chiropractic care can have numerous benefits for children of all ages. By correcting spinal misalignments, chiropractic adjustments can improve nervous system function, which can lead to improved immune function, better sleep, and improved digestion. Additionally, chiropractic care can help with common childhood issues such as ear infections, colic, and asthma.

While some may be hesitant to seek chiropractic care for their children, it is important to note that chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care undergo extensive training and are well-equipped to work with children of all ages. We believe that pediatric chiropractic care can be a safe and effective option for parents looking to support their child’s overall health and well-being.

Understanding Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pediatric chiropractic care is a form of healthcare that focuses on the spine and nervous system of children. Chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care use gentle and safe techniques to help children achieve optimal health and wellness.

At our clinic, we believe that pediatric chiropractic care can provide numerous benefits for children, including:

  • Improved sleep
  • Reduced colic and digestive issues
  • Enhanced immune system function
  • Better posture and balance
  • Reduced ear infections
  • Improved behavior and focus

During a pediatric chiropractic visit, we will perform a thorough examination of your child to identify any areas of misalignment or dysfunction in the spine and nervous system. We will then use gentle techniques to restore proper alignment and function, which can help improve your child’s overall health and wellness.

Our goal is to provide safe and effective care for your child, and we will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your child’s unique needs. We also believe in educating parents about the benefits of pediatric chiropractic care, so you can make informed decisions about your child’s healthcare.

Overall, pediatric chiropractic care can be a safe and effective way to help your child achieve optimal health and wellness. If you’re interested in learning more about how chiropractic care can benefit your child, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today.

Key Benefits of Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote healthy development in children. It involves gentle adjustments to the spine and joints to improve the functioning of the nervous system. Here are some key benefits of pediatric chiropractic care:

Promotes Healthy Development

Pediatric chiropractic care can help infants and children to develop properly. By gently adjusting the spine and joints, chiropractors can help to relieve tension and improve mobility. This can help to promote healthy development of the musculoskeletal system, which is essential for proper movement and posture.

Boosts Immune System

Pediatric chiropractic care can also help to boost the immune system. By improving the functioning of the nervous system, chiropractors can help to enhance the body’s natural ability to fight off infections and illnesses. This can help to reduce the risk of common childhood illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Improves Sleep Patterns

Pediatric chiropractic care can also help to improve sleep patterns in children. By relieving tension and promoting relaxation, chiropractors can help children to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. This can help to improve overall health and well-being, as well as reduce the risk of behavioral problems and learning difficulties.

Enhances Neurological Development

Pediatric chiropractic care can also help to enhance neurological development in children. By improving the functioning of the nervous system, chiropractors can help to promote healthy brain development and improve cognitive function. This can help to improve learning, memory, and overall academic performance.

In conclusion, pediatric chiropractic care can provide a range of benefits for children. By promoting healthy development, boosting the immune system, improving sleep patterns, and enhancing neurological development, chiropractors can help children to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Safety and Effectiveness of Pediatric Chiropractic Care

Pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote the health and well-being of children. As chiropractors, we are highly trained professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques to help children achieve optimal health.

Research has shown that pediatric chiropractic care is safe and effective. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care was associated with significant improvements in children with asthma, ear infections, and colic. Another study published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health found that chiropractic care was effective in treating children with a variety of conditions, including ADHD, bedwetting, and scoliosis.

Chiropractors are trained to work with children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques that are safe and effective for children. These techniques include spinal adjustments, massage, and stretching exercises.

Pediatric chiropractic care is also effective in preventing future health problems. By promoting proper spinal alignment and posture, chiropractic care can help prevent injuries and improve overall health and well-being. Chiropractic care can also help children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime, such as proper posture and exercise.

In conclusion, pediatric chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to promote the health and well-being of children. As chiropractors, we are highly trained professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. We use gentle, non-invasive techniques to help children achieve optimal health.

 

Choosing a Pediatric Chiropractor

When it comes to choosing a pediatric chiropractor, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you find the right fit for your child. Here are some tips to help guide your search:

1. Look for a licensed chiropractor

First and foremost, make sure that the chiropractor you choose is licensed and in good standing with their state board. This will ensure that they have met the necessary educational and training requirements to practice chiropractic care.

2. Consider their experience with children

Pediatric chiropractic care requires a different approach than adult care, so it’s important to find a chiropractor who has experience working with children. Look for a practitioner who specializes in pediatric care or who has a significant amount of experience treating children.

3. Ask for referrals

Word of mouth can be a powerful tool when it comes to finding a pediatric chiropractor. Ask friends, family members, or your child’s pediatrician for recommendations. You can also search online for reviews and testimonials from other parents.

4. Schedule a consultation

Before committing to a chiropractor, schedule a consultation to get a better sense of their approach and whether it would be a good fit for your child. During the consultation, ask about their experience working with children, their treatment approach, and any potential risks or side effects.

5. Trust your instincts

Ultimately, the most important factor in choosing a pediatric chiropractor is your gut feeling. If something doesn’t feel right or you don’t feel comfortable with the practitioner, it’s okay to keep looking until you find someone who feels like the right fit for your child.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pediatric chiropractic care can be a beneficial addition to a child’s healthcare routine. While it may not be suitable for every child, it can help with a variety of issues such as colic, ear infections, and even ADHD.

Through gentle adjustments, chiropractors can help improve the alignment of a child’s spine, which can lead to improved nervous system function and overall health. Additionally, chiropractors can provide parents with education and resources on how to improve their child’s posture and spinal health at home.

It’s important to note that chiropractic care should not be used as a replacement for traditional medical care. Rather, it should be used as a complementary therapy to support a child’s overall health and well-being.

If you’re considering pediatric chiropractic care for your child, it’s important to do your research and find a qualified and experienced chiropractor who specializes in working with children. By working together with your child’s healthcare team, you can help ensure that your child receives the best possible care.

 

Easing Arthritis Discomfort: Can Chiropractic Help?

Posted on by Ricky

Arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing joint pain, stiffness,
and reduced mobility. As a leading chiropractic clinic, McAfee Chiropractic understands the challenges
faced by arthritis patients and the desire for effective relief. In this blog post, we will explore the
potential benefits of chiropractic care for arthritis and provide valuable insights from McAfee Chiropractic
to help you make informed decisions about managing arthritis-related discomfort.

Understanding Arthritis and Its Impact

Arthritis encompasses a group of inflammatory joint diseases, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis being the most prevalent forms. Over time, the cartilage protecting the joints can deteriorate,
leading to pain, swelling, and restricted movement. Arthritis can significantly impact one's quality of life,
affecting everyday activities and overall well-being.

Can Chiropractic Help Arthritis?

While chiropractic care cannot cure arthritis, it can play a valuable role in managing its symptoms and
enhancing joint function. Chiropractors use gentle, non-invasive techniques to address misalignments in
the spine and other affected joints. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments can help
reduce joint stress, alleviate pain, and improve mobility.

 

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Arthritis

Pain Relief: Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce inflammation and pressure on affected
joints, leading to pain relief. Many arthritis patients report experiencing decreased discomfort
and improved joint function after chiropractic treatments.

  • Improved Mobility: Restricted joint movement is a common issue for arthritis patients.
    Chiropractic care can help restore joint mobility, allowing individuals to perform daily tasks with
    greater ease and flexibility.
  • Non-Invasive Approach: Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive alternative to pain medications
    and surgical interventions. Many arthritis patients prefer chiropractic adjustments as a drug-free
    and gentle option for managing their condition.
  • Holistic Approach: At McAfee Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to patient care. Our
    chiropractors work closely with individuals, considering their overall health, lifestyle, and specific
    arthritis symptoms. This approach ensures personalized treatment plans tailored to each
    patient’s unique needs.
  • Complementary Treatment: Chiropractic care can be used alongside conventional arthritis
    treatments prescribed by medical professionals. Integrating chiropractic adjustments with other
    therapies may lead to enhanced pain management and overall well-being.

Expert Insights from McAfee Chiropractic

At McAfee Chiropractic, we understand the complexities of arthritis and the impact it can have on daily
life. Our team of skilled chiropractors is committed to providing compassionate care for arthritis patients.
Through thorough assessments and individualized treatment plans, we strive to help patients experience
relief and improve their joint health.

It’s essential to remember that while chiropractic care can be beneficial for many arthritis patients,
results may vary. Some individuals may experience significant improvements, while others may find
moderate relief. Each person's response to chiropractic treatment depends on the severity of their
arthritis, overall health, and other individual factors.

Conclusion

Chiropractic care offers a promising approach to managing arthritis-related discomfort and enhancing
joint function. Although it cannot cure arthritis, chiropractic adjustments can provide significant pain
relief and improved mobility for many patients.

At McAfee Chiropractic, we are dedicated to supporting arthritis patients on their journey to better joint
health and overall well-being. If you or a loved one is experiencing arthritis-related discomfort, consider
reaching out to our experienced chiropractors to explore how chiropractic care can complement your
current treatment plan and help you achieve a higher quality of life.