The Basics of Chiropractic Adjustments

Have you ever heard the term “adjustment” as related to chiropractic care and wondered just what it entails? A chiropractic adjustment is the use of a specific force in a precise direction applied to a joint that is fixed, “locked up” or not moving properly. Adjustments help return bones to a more normal motion or position, relieving pain and ill health. Years of experience ensure that each adjustment is precisely delivered.

Chiropractic adjustments are so safe, even newborns and children can receive adjustments to repair the damage caused by the birth process, accidents while learning to walk, and other childhood injuries.

There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually a specially designed instrument or the doctor’s hands are used to deliver a highly accurate thrust. After years of training, each doctor has selected a variety of methods and has become skilled in their delivery. Regardless of the technique used, each chiropractic adjustment is tailored to the patient’s age, size, and unique spinal problem.

Adjustments help normalize spinal function and joint mobility. When the nervous system function improves in this way, the body can begin the natural healing process.

We hope that answers any questions you may have about chiropractic adjustments, but if you have any questions, please call 715-8311 or leave them in our guest book (located on our front page and in our “Contact Us” section.

Chiropractic for Sciatic Pain

Sciatica is a type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve that extends from the lower back and down the back of each leg.

Symptoms of sciatica include:

• Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
• Burning or tingling down the leg
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
• A constant pain on one side of the rear
• A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up

Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes.

Prior to treatment, your chiropractor will ask you questions about your medical history, perform a physical examination, and may obtain an x-ray or other imaging study. A thorough examination is part of good chiropractic care.

Chiropractors offer non-invasive and drug-free therapies to treat sciatica.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Spinal Manipulation (Adjustments): Chiropractors use spinal manipulation techniques to realign your spine. This is what separates chiropractors from other doctors. Parts of your misaligned spine may be causing inflammation, muscle spasms, pain, and other sciatica symptoms. Manipulation may help reduce nerve irritability.
• Massage: Massage helps by increasing circulation and gently stretching muscles that can compress your sciatic nerve.
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): Small electrode patches are placed on or near the painful area, and the TENS unit transmits a painless electrical current to nerves through your skin to help manage the pain. TENS helps relieve muscle spasms, stiffness, helps improve mobility, and reduces pain by prompting your body to produce endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer.
• Ice/cold therapy: To help reduce inflammation, the chiropractor may have you use ice or a cold pack to control your pain from sciatica.

The symptoms of sciatica can be greatly reduced by chiropractic care, so gain the ability to discontinue reliance on pain medication and get rid of the pain that hampers your life.

Rake Your Yard without the Strain

Fall is here, bringing glorious weather and cooler temperatures for us to enjoy. The price some of us pay, however, is the backbreaking work of raking, bagging, and blowing away a carpet of autumn leaves. While raking is an excellent, moderate form of exercise, more than 28,000 people are medically treated each year for back, neck, and shoulder injuries directly related to disposing of leaves.

To avoid injuries to your back, neck, shoulders, and wrists, here are some ways to bid farewell to the foliage without straining yourself:

• Choose a rake that suits your height. Avoid choosing one that may be too short, too long, or too heavy, as this could cause you to twist the wrong way or reach too far, causing back pain or a pulled muscle.

• Switch sides often when raking. This will prevent you from putting repetitive stress on one side of the body. Simply move the rake from side to side as you go, leading with a different arm for a few minutes at a time.

• Use your legs, not your back. Bend at the knees instead of the waist when picking up leaves. Also don’t reach too far with the rake; stay in a normal, upright position and use shorter raking strokes instead of long, reaching ones. You’ll be moving your legs a bit more to get to the leaves, but you’ll be saving your arms and back.

• Fall weather is usually cool and pleasant to work in, but don’t let that keep you from taking breaks. You still need to take time out to stretch and have a drink of water every now and then.

While raking leaves is a bit of a chore, it’s also an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular fall weather and get some exercise at the same time. By using your head to save your back, you’ll stay in great condition through the season!