Category Archives: Back Pain

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

Posted on by
Reply

Back Pain is no fun! Regular trips to your favorite Doctors at Grand Health Chiropractic & Wellness has been proven effective in helping with Back Pain.  Now just imagine if you took some few simple steps in help prevent it all together!

Suggestions on how you can prevent back pain include:

-Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
-Remain active.
-Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
-Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities.
-Maintain proper posture.
-Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes (for other benefits of this click here).
-Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
-Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
-Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
-Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically correct.

The next time you are by the office feel free to ask Dr. Schaffer or Dr. Lander for some additional tips to help with your pain.

7 Reasons to Ditch your High Heels

Posted on by
Reply

Think you look sexy in those stilettos?  It could be at the expense of your health.  Check out these 7 reasons to ditch your heels and perhaps opt for a sexy little flat.

1.  Low Back Pain–High heels force you to walk with the pelvis arched forward causing hyperlordosis (backward bending) of the lumbar spine. This unnatural curvature of the spine places excessive stress and strain on the low back which may result in low back pain.

2.  Knee Strain and Arthritis–Some studies have linked high heels to an increased risk of knee strain and arthritis in the knees. 

3.  Fatigue and Reduced Blood Flow to the Brain–Heels over 2 inches high can increase muscular tension throughout the lower extremity, constricting blood vessels and limiting blood supply to muscles and to the brain.The result?  This can lead to a reduced flow of oxygen and nutrients to surrounding muscles and possibly the brain thereby contributing to an increased fatigue feeling.

4.  Nerve Irritation—The increased pressure in the low back region can cause a compacting effect on the spine along with nerve irritation.  These nerves support the proper functioning of many organs and tissues

5.  Bunions—In research, high heels have been linked to bunions.  Bunions are a deformation that occurs usually at the base of the large toe, causing the normally straight toe to become directed towards the smaller toes.  Bunions can cause swelling, redness, and pain.

6.  Foot Pain—In addition to bunions, high heels have been linked to other foot problems, including:  metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot) and Morton’t neuroma—a thickening of tissue around a nerve between the third and forth toes.

7.  Problems with Ankles, Pelvis, and Spine—Wearing high heels greater than 2 inches can create faulty biomechanics and unnecessary stress on your on your ankles, knees, pelvis, and your spine.

While we know giving up your precious heels can be impossible.  Try lower heels for less stress on your lower back region.  Or try not to wear heels for long walks or long periods of time.  If this is not an option or you are already experiencing pain–contact our office and make an appointment with one of our doctors. Chiropractic care can help with several of issues listed above.   

To read the full article click here. Source: www.care2.com  

 

7 Tips for Back Pain Relief During Pregnancy

Posted on by
Reply

Back pain during pregnancy is a common complaint. You’re gaining weight, you’re walking in a new way, and your hormones are relaxing the muscles and ligaments throughout your body. But you don’t have to grin and bear it. Often, you can treat — or prevent — back pain during pregnancy. Consider these 7 Tips:

1. Practice good posture. Stand up straight and tall. Hold your chest high. Keep your shoulders back and relaxed. Don’t lock your knees. Good posture also means sitting with care. Choose a chair that supports your back, or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Keep your upper back and neck comfortably straight. Consider propping your feet on a low stool.

2. Get the right gear. Wear low-heeled shoes with good arch support. Wear maternity pants with a low, supportive waistband.

3. Lift properly. When lifting a small object, squat down and lift with your legs. Don’t bend at the waist or lift with your back. It’s also important to know your limits. Ask for help if you need it.

4. Sleep on your side. Sleep on your side, not your back. Keep one or both knees bent. It might also help to place one pillow between your knees and another under your abdomen, or use a full-length body pillow.

5. Try heat, cold or massage. Use a heating pad to apply heat to your back, or alternate ice packs with heat. Rubbing your back also might help. Better yet, ask someone to rub your back for you or schedule a professional prenatal massage.

6. Include physical activity in your daily routine Regular physical activity can keep your back strong and may actually relieve back pain during pregnancy. With your health care provider’s OK, try gentle activities — such as walking or swimming. You might also stretch your lower back. Rest on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your stomach, rounding your back slightly. Hold for several seconds, then relax your stomach and back — keeping your back as flat as possible. Gradually work up to 10 repetitions. Ask your health care provider about other stretching exercises, too.

7. Consider complementary therapies Some research suggests that acupuncture can help relieve back pain during pregnancy. Chiropractic treatment seems to provide comfort for some women as well. Chiropractic care is completely safe and studies show that women who get regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy tend to have a much easier labor.  Dr. Schaffer loves treating soon to be mom’s! She uses very gentle techniques that not only you but also the babies seem to enjoy.   

Want to read the full article? Click here.  Source: www.cnn.com/health

I

Is your Child’s Backpack causing them Pain?

Posted on by
Reply

With school back in session, the last thing you want is for your kids to be coming home and complaining of back pain.  Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common and the major cause—Backpacks!

Here are a few tips to help prevent the pain before it starts:

  • Make sure your child’s backpack weighs no more than 5 to 10 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to bend forward in an attempt to support the weight on his or her back, rather than on the shoulders, by the straps.
  • The backpack should never hang more than four inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.
  • A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child’s back.
  • Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry-and the heavier the backpack will be.
  • Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause the disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
  • Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child’s shoulders.
  • The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child’s body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

If you or your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call Grand Chiropractic & Wellness Center. The Doctors are licensed and trained to diagnose and treat patients of all ages and will use a gentler type of treatment for children.

To read more on this topic and the full article click here.  Source: American Chiropractic Association www.acatoday.org.

A Great Therapy for Back Pain-Spinal Decompression Therapy

Posted on by
Reply

Do you or someone you know suffer from Back Pain? With September being National Pain Awareness Month I wanted to mention a great therapy we offer at Grand Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center.  There is a treatment for pain caused by bulging or herniated spinal discs in the neck and back called spinal disc decompression therapy. The treatment is an alternative to surgery or prolonged treatment with prescription medications for patients.

Medical journal research has placed the effectiveness of spinal disc decompression therapy at 75 to 92 percent with a relapse rate of 2 percent.  Many patients have been able to avoid surgery, prolonged treatment with prescription medications, and extended time in pain with spinal disc decompression therapy.

Spinal Decompression Treatment is non-invasive and provides gentle decompression of the disc through the use of a decompression table. You are strapped to the table so that as it moves it applies a distraction force to the targeted area of the spine (the compressed disc). A computer controls the distraction force which is applied in between periods of relaxation. This gently pulls the spine apart elongating it and creating a small vacuum between the vertebrae which pulls the disc back into shape.

Much like a repetitive stress injury the decompression works in very minute increments. But over time that adds up and lets the disc reshape itself, heal and get the proper flow of nutrients going to fight off brittleness and future injuries.

Interested? Ask one of our Doctors if this is a good option for you. 

Original Article click here. www.pr.com

9 Things You May Not Know About Back Pain

Posted on by
Reply

1. Half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. In fact,  80% of the population will experience a back problem at some point in their lives.

2. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office.

3. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic — meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture, or cancer.

4. Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain — and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.

5. Fifty to 70% of individuals without back pain will have positive MRI’s for disc bulges or herniations. In most cases, the disc is not the cause of pain.

6. Spinal manipulation and other hands-on treatments (active release, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, Graston technique) are better treatments then anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxers for acute low back pain.  These hands-on treatments can be done by your Chiropractor.

7. Spinal stabilizer muscle strength, endurance and motor control are essential in limiting the debilitating effects of low back pain and preventing chronicity. There are specific physical therapy exercises that can be done to enhance these muscle groups.  Ask Dr. Schaffer or Dr. Lander for more information on some therapy exercises.

8. The sacroiliac joint and the muscles around the spine and pelvis are the most common cause of low back pain.

9. Chiropractic and physical therapy care are more cost-effective in the treatment of low back pain versus medical care (drugs, injections, surgery, MRI, X-rays).

Originally posted on Pennlive.com, July 25, 2011.  To read the complete article click here.

 

September is Pain Awareness Month–Simple Solutions for your Back Pain

Posted on by
Reply

September is National Pain Awareness Month. With around 65 million Americans currently suffering from Back Pain, we thought we would outline some ways Grand Health Chiropractic & Wellness can help, as well as some simple lifestyle habits that can also help. 

Our Clinic Offers:

  • Chiropractic manipulation. Manual manipulation by a chiropractor provides lower back pain relief by taking pressure off sensitive neurological tissue, increasing range of motion, restoring blood flow, reducing muscle tension, and creating a series of chemical reactions in the body (such as endorphin release) that act as natural painkillers.
  • TENS units. These devices deliver mild electrical stimulation that overrides the painful signals sent to the lower back.  This is a device you can rent and take home for use. 
  • Ultrasound. For acute back pain in the low back, ultrasound may be used to warm the area, which in turn brings blood flow and healing nutrients to the area.
  • Massage. Therapeutic low back massage provides low back pain relief by improving blood flow, reducing muscle stiffness, increasing range of motion, and raising endorphin levels in the body.

In addition, heat and/or ice therapy, acupuncture, behavioral therapy, and other therapies often provide enough low back pain relief to allow the patient to progress with his or her exercise and rehabilitation program.

Some healthy lifestyle tips can also help your back pain:

  • Exercise. For the vast majority of patients, the only way to achieve long-term healing is active exercise, which usually includes a combination of strengthening, stretching and low-impact aerobic exercise.
  • Quitting smoking. For patients who smoke, doctors recommend quitting smoking to improve blood circulation and healing. Chronic tobacco use is closely linked to chronic back pain in the lower back.
  • Weight loss. Losing weight can reduce low back pain in overweight people by lessening the amount of stress on the low back’s muscles and ligaments.
  • Ergonomics. Proper lifting techniques, ergonomic furniture, supportive footwear, and avoiding static posture for prolonged periods of time can help take pressure off the low back.

Want to read more on this? Click Here. Source: Spine-health.com

 

 

 

Recent Survey has Chiropractic Outperforming other Back Pain Treatment

Posted on by
Reply

In a new survey, chiropractic outperformed all other back-pain treatments including prescription and over-the-counter medications, deep-tissue massage, yoga, and Pilates.

According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), this news reinforces the use of conservative care options as a first line of defense against pain.  To read the complete article click here.

Do you or someone you know suffer from Back Pain?  You are not alone, in fact about 65 million Americans suffer from Back Pain.  Why not try Chiropractic as your treatment plan.  Contact one of our knowledgable doctors at Grand Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center.   

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org

Chiropractic Care Very Valuable for Work Related Back Pain

Posted on by
Reply

Recently a study administered by medical and healthcare professionals outside the chiropractic profession concluded that chiropractic care had more effectiveness for common work related low back pain in comparison to treatments by physicians or physical therapists.

In total chiropractic patients demonstrated lower medical expenses, less disability recurrences and shorter initial periods of disabilities. The study “Health Maintenance Care in Work-Related Low Back Pain and Its Association with Disability Recurrence,” appears in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2011, volume 53.

If you are unfamiliar with chiropractic care stop by Grand Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center and talk to one of our doctors to find out more about their care and how they may help you and your overall health.

For more information click here.

Source: Detroit Alternative Medicine Examiner

Can your Chronic Pain be affecting your Brain?

Posted on by
Reply

It might sound strange, but multiple studies now document changes in the brain as a result of chronic pain. Changes being–the brain gets smaller!

In a McGill University study of chronic low back pain subjects the brain changes were reversible with treatment. “These data indicate that functional and structural brain abnormalities-specifically in the left DLPFC-are reversible, suggesting that treating chronic pain can restore normal brain function in humans.”

Do you or someone you know suffer from chronic pain? Don’t wait and hope that it will go away without treatment.  Set up an appointment with one of the Doctors at Grand Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center.  Let them help you!

Want to read the full article on these recent findings? Click here. Originally posted to chiroaccess.com | July 6, 2011