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May
12

Use of Chiropractic Among Professional Athletes

Chiropractic care is an important tool in the arsenal of any professional athlete. It has been shown to help reduce injuries, speed healing time and improve performance.

A number of professional American sports teams have a chiropractor on staff, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, PBA, Nascar and more. Professional golfers routinely use a chiropractor during tournaments, as golf can produce a great amount of stress on the vertebrae due to twisting. Well-known professional athletes such as Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Joe Montana and many others have reported how they have benefited from chiropractic treatment.

A study conducted in 1991 by researchers Anthony Lauro and Brian Mouch, which was published in The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation, found that athletes under chiropractic treatment were able to improve their performance an average of 10.6% over six weeks and 16.7% over a period of 12 weeks. The researchers noted that, as the study was only 12 weeks in duration, and athletic performance continued to improve during that time, it is possible that further enhancement may be possible with longer chiropractic treatment, though at what point improvement would level off is still unknown.

Another study reported in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research in 1997, which evaluated the performance of baseball players, found a marked increase in athletic performance, including an increase in capillary counts, after 14 weeks in the group that was receiving upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. In regard to the effect of chiropractic care on these athletes, the researchers concluded that, “it is evident that changes were measurable in regard to physical strength, tests of athletic ability such as the long jump, and microcirculation.”

Athletes under chiropractic care have faster reaction time, better coordination and achieve more accurate and precise fine movements, all of which contribute to better performance.

There are a large number of high-impact sports that exert a lot of stress on the spine. It is quite easy for the vertebrae to become misaligned during a football tackle, during competitive wrestling or in a Nascar race that involves excessive g-force. When this happens, it can disrupt nerve transmissions from the nerves in the spinal cord, resulting in limited range of motion, slower reaction time, headaches, inflammation and slower recovery from injuries.

Chiropractic adjustments reduce irritation to the roots of the nerve in the spinal column, which allows for greater range of motion and joint flexibility. In addition, joint pain is alleviated and blood circulation is increased, which supplies the body’s muscles and organs with oxygen.

For More Information

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this article, general spinal health or your specific situation. To discuss your symptoms and concerns call (813) 818-7373.

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Dr. McHenry is a unique Tampa chiropractor who specializes in difficult cases that have not responded to other care. All treatment plans are highly individualized based on your specific history, needs and goals.

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We are located near the Tampa communities of Town N Country, Bayport West, Tampa Shores, Bay Port Colony, Countryway, Westchase, Oldsmar. However, we see patients from a large radius around Tampa Bay because of the unique, customized therapies we offer.

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0 Categories : Sports

May
7

Chiropractic for Scoliosis

by Chiropractor

Scoliosis is a disorder that affects some 5 to 7 million Americans. A normal spine, as observed from behind the body, is aligned straight up and down. A spine with scoliosis is seen to have excessive side-to-side curvature, resulting in a “C” or “S” shape. It is different from kyphosis (hump back) or lordosis (swayback), which are curvatures of the spine from front to back. Scoliosis is not merely a problem with posture, although people with scoliosis may seem to lean to one side or another. Not only does their spine curve excessively, their vertebrae are often rotated, which may cause a “rib hump” in the middle or thoracic area of the spine. The curvature may result in the shoulders or the hips appearing uneven.

Approximately 85% of all cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, meaning they have no known cause. It is usually diagnosed during childhood and occurs equally in girls and boys: however some cases of scoliosis are caused by osteoporosis or other degenerative diseases of the spine. Scoliosis seems to have a genetic component because it runs in families. For unknown reasons, scoliosis curves are 5 to 8 times more likely to grow and need treatment in girls than in boys.

Mild scoliosis often requires no treatment, but if the curve grows to a moderate size, or about 60 degrees, braces, surgery or other treatments are usually necessary. Attempting to adjust one’s own posture is ineffective in treating scoliosis. When implemented during adolescence, braces can be very effective in preventing the curves from increasing, avoiding the need for surgery. However, braces cannot completely restore the spine to its normal shape, and may not be able to prevent an increase in curvature. Surgery is painful, expensive and requires significant alterations to lifestyle, although it can be effective in reducing curvature. Surgery should be considered a last resort treatment for scoliosis.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be useful in reducing the spinal curvature of scoliosis, reducing pain and limiting disability. However, it is key that a multi-modal approach be used, rather than just one or two techniques. Diagnosis of scoliosis may include the Adam’s Forward Bending Test, X-rays, limb measurements, range of motion tests and a medical history. In addition to braces, treatment may include individualized exercises, X-rays, spinal manipulations and adjustments, shoe lifts and electrical stimulation. Specifically, the combination of spinal manipulation and postural therapy is critical to success. Chiropractors are experts in spinal problems, and they avoid the use of drugs or surgery. They will not only examine your physical condition, but also your lifestyle, medical history, family history and overall health, as all may contribute to the condition, as well as creating the best plan for treatment and rehabilitation. As scoliosis is not a condition that can be treated overnight, a long course of visits may be necessary to see results. A good chiropractor will not only monitor your progress over time but will coordinate with other health care professionals as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.

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0 Categories : Conditions

May
3

Chiropractic for Upper Back Pain

by Chiropractor

While lower back pain seems to get all the attention, upper back pain is increasingly a problem, especially with more people spending time working at a computer, which often leads to bad posture if the computer is not ergonomically adjusted. Seeing someone hunched over a laptop is a common sight these days. It can also be caused by an acute trauma to the neck, such as whiplash from an auto accident. Chiropractic care can be a useful tool for this type of pain.

Also called thoracic back pain, upper back pain can either develop slowly over a few days or weeks, or may appear quickly as the result of an injury. You may first notice stiffness and aching between the shoulder blades or dull pain extending across your shoulders, which can become gradually more painful as time goes on. As the muscles and vertebrae of the upper back and neck are so closely connected, you may also feel neck pain and stiffness. This condition can make it difficult to move normally while doing daily tasks, and even make it difficult to sleep or roll over in bed.

Upper back pain may be caused by stress, tension and bad posture, or possibly may be related to arthritis, a disc injury or rib joint dysfunction. Both emotional stress, such as problems with job, finances or family, and physical stress due to a bad diet, lack of exercise or environmental pollutants, can contribute to this type of pain. As the thoracic part of the spine is designed primarily to create stability in the trunk, upper back pain is less commonly caused by degenerative disc diseases such as scoliosis, and is more usually due to muscle strain and tension causing pain and a slight dislocation of the vertebrae.

While anti-inflammatory medications or other pain relievers may be used to help relieve pain in the upper back, they do not address the underlying cause of the pain, which could lead to it becoming chronic. A chiropractor can treat the cause in a safe, comfortable way.

Your pain may be caused by a chiropractic subluxation, which is when one of your vertebrae becomes slightly out of alignment due to muscle tension or stress, putting pressure on a nerve. A chiropractic adjustment can realign your vertebrae, alleviating the pain. A certified chiropractor can treat the muscle strain and/or joint dysfunction that leads to upper back pain, and will work with you to develop an effective treatment strategy targeted to your specific needs, which may involve chiropractic adjustments and suggestions for changes in diet and exercise.

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0 Categories : Conditions

Apr
12

What is Normal Blood Pressure

by Chiropractor

Your blood pressure can change on a regular basis, depending on what you are doing, your diet, temperature, overall health, level of stress and the medications you may be taking. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common problem these days, though hypotension (low blood pressure) can sometimes cause problems too. So just what is considered “normal” in terms of blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the measure of force on the body’s arterial walls as the heart pushes blood through the body. The amount of blood being pumped, in addition to how large and flexible your arteries are, determines your blood pressure. Two measurements are responsible for determining your blood pressure: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Systolic pressure is the measure of pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts, and diastolic pressure is the pressure measured when the heart is at rest. The accepted measurement of “normal” blood pressure is considered a systolic measurement just below 120, and a diastolic measurement just under 80 (written as 120/80). Anyone with a measurement higher than that, but below 140/90, has pre-hypertension or “high-normal,” and someone whose blood pressure is higher than 140/90 has hypertension. A measurement higher than 180/110 indicates a hypertensive crisis, and emergency care should be sought.

Though a person with blood pressure lower than 90/60 is considered to have hypotension (low blood pressure), in general, the lower your blood pressure, the better. Low blood pressure is not considered a problem unless it is causing symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, in which case a doctor should be consulted, as it may indicate dehydration or a more serious medical problem.

High blood pressure is the more common problem, as it makes the heart work harder and is damaging to the arteries, leading to a greater risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disorders. Systolic pressure rises in many people as they age, due to the buildup of arterial plaque over time and stiffening of the arteries. About a third of American adults have high blood pressure.

One high reading in itself does not necessarily indicate that you have high blood pressure. For example, many people find that just visiting the doctor’s office is stressful, which temporarily raises their blood pressure while there, and it falls back to normal levels once they leave. However, if either the systolic or diastolic reading remains high over a period of time, then treatment for high blood pressure will be necessary, which can involve changes in diet and lifestyle and/or medication.

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0 Categories : General Health

Apr
8

Recognizing Signs of Anorexia or Bulimia

by Chiropractor

Both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders that affect an estimated 8 million Americans, mostly women, though about 10% of those who have an eating disorder are men.

Anorexics have an irrational fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. They refuse to maintain a healthy body weight and are obsessed with thoughts of food, dieting and how their body looks, to the exclusion of other things, such as interaction with friends and family or the pursuit of hobbies.

Some signs of anorexia are:
1) Dieting despite being underweight – Anorexics follow diets that severely restrict caloric intake. They may eat only certain low-calorie foods, refusing anything they consider a “bad” food, such as fats and carbohydrates.
2) Obsession with calories, nutrition and grams of fat – They will measure the nutritional content of every morsel they put in their mouth and will obsessively read the nutrition label on each item they buy in the supermarket, rejecting anything with too many calories. They are likely to read every diet book they can find and may keep a food diary listing everything eaten throughout the day.
3) Lying about eating – Anorexics may say they have eaten when they haven’t, and will make excuses for getting out of mealtimes. They may feign illness, hide food or throw it away to keep from eating.
4) Obsession with body image – Despite being severely underweight, they may see themselves as fat, weighing themselves constantly and denying that they are too thin. They may cover up with baggy clothes so their thinness doesn’t show. Rapid, drastic weight loss is another sign of anorexia.

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by regular cycles of binging and purging. The person suffering from bulimia will binge on food, consuming up to 5,000 calories in an hour, then will feel guilty and do all they can to purge the excessive calories by inducing vomiting, using laxatives or exercising fanatically.

Some signs of bulimia are:
1) Lack of control over eating – Bulimics are not able to stop eating, consuming food to the point of stomach pain.
2) Large amounts of food disappearing – Food may disappear mysteriously from the person’s refrigerator, with no appreciable sign of weight gain. They may keep stashes of food hidden away for when they want to secretly binge.
3) Going to the bathroom after eating – immediately after a meal they may go to the bathroom to vomit, possibly covering the sounds by running water in the sink.
4) Vomit smell – either in the bathroom after a meal, or on their person, someone with bulimia may try to cover it up with air freshener or by using mouthwash or breath mints.
5) Regular use of laxatives or exercise – they may use diet pills, diuretics or laxatives after eating, or do a lot of calorie-burning exercise immediately after a meal.

Anorexia and bulimia can cause serious, long-lasting damage to health, so getting treatment for it is important. Of all mental illnesses, these are the ones with the highest rates of mortality, so if you suspect that you or anyone you know may have these illnesses, see a mental health professional as soon as possible.

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0 Categories : General Health

Apr
5

Chiropractic for Whiplash

by Chiropractor

Whiplash is defined as an injury to the neck, by moving the head forward and then backward in a rapid fashion that places strain on the neck muscles and ligaments. Whiplash is most common when the victim has been rear-ended, or hit from behind by another vehicle but can result from physical abuse (such as shaken baby syndrome) or contact sports. The symptoms of whiplash vary and are not limited to -

Restricted joint movement in spine or limbs
Displacement of spinal discs, also known as a herniation, which causes sharp pain down one or both arms; It also can create small tears in spinal tissue and damage the nervous system, which is followed by numbness, tingling and muscle weakness
Chronic pain in the neck area
Cognitive dysfunction that may include difficulty concentrating
Pain in their jaw
Difficulty swallowing
Nausea

It is also possible that you will have no observable symptoms shortly after the accident with the onset of pain or other complications several weeks or months later. That’s why it is important that you are evaluated immediately after any auto accident even if you don’t have any pain.

Certain types of pain are potential medical emergencies and should be treated as such. These include:

A shooting pain through one or both arms
Tingling or numb feeling in one or both arms or hands
Inability to touch chin to your chest

The primary objective of the chiropractor is to use gentle manipulations that treat the spine and discs so that they are aligned properly. These manipulations are also designed to reduce muscle spasms and rebuild muscle strength with the aid of physical therapy.

The chiropractor will first focus on reducing inflammation and check the neck, mid and low back. From there, the range of motion, disc injuries and muscle spasms will be examined. Other factors that will be noted are walking, posture and spinal alignment. A comprehensive exam provides an understanding of the individuals’ body mechanics. X-rays and /or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be taken along with the patient medical history to determine whether they can be treated.

Some cases of whiplash may only require ice and heat therapy to reduce inflammation and relax the muscles, respectively. Non-medicinal treatment may include acupuncture, massage or Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). You should not try to make a treatment assessment yourself. Only a trained professional can evaluate your whiplash properly.

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We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this article, general spinal health or your specific situation. To discuss your symptoms and concerns call (813) 818-7373.

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0 Categories : Conditions

Mar
24

How to Properly Fit Your Bicycle Helmet

by Chiropractor

You can get your bicycle helmet in different sizes, just like a hat. Once you’ve got the proper size, there are a few steps to take to ensure it fits your head correctly for the safest ride.

Measure your head to get an idea of the appropriate size, and ask the specialist at the bike shop for a helmet. Place the helmet on top of your head and ensure it doesn’t move from side to side. Most new helmets include sizing pads to help make sure it fits securely. You can move and exchange the pads to make it as comfortable as possible. For children’s helmets, you may wish to remove the padding as he or she grows. If your helmet includes a “universal fit ring”, you will be able to adjust the ring for a good fit.
Ensure the helmet rests in a level position on your head, and that you can place one or two fingers between your eyebrow and the helmet.
The left buckle should be centered under the chin. You can usually pull the chin straps from the back to either shorten or lengthen them. You may wish to do this with the helmet off to make it easier.
You’ll want the straps to create a V shape in front of and slightly below the ears.
Buckle the chinstrap fairly snugly, and tighten so that you can place one finger under the strap. If you open your mouth wide, the helmet should pull down on your head. If it doesn’t, you need to tighten the chinstrap.
If the helmet slips back more than two fingers above your eyebrow, shorten the front strap and test it again. If it slips forward towards the eyes, tighten the back strap and re-buckle. Finally, all four straps need to go through the rubber band to prevent the buckle from slipping.

Keep in mind:

A well-fitted helmet can reduce your risk of injury by up to 85%.
Choose helmets that are certified by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Older helmets may also have a seal from ASTM, Snell, or ANSI. These are also acceptable; just be sure it has the seal.
If you have a crash or a damaged helmet, or if you have outgrown it, replace it.
Your helmet should feel comfortable.
It should cover your forehead.
It must be worn every time you ride to really protect you.

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0 Categories : Preventative Care

Mar
20

Choosing the Right Backpack for Your Kids

by Chiropractor

Healthcare researchers and providers alike are growing increasingly concerned that American kids are suffering from back pain earlier in their lives and in larger numbers than ever before. And experts closest to the problem believe that overweight, improperly designed, and misused backpacks may be a big part of the reason why.

Short-Term Injuries and Longer-Term Concerns

With an estimated 40 million school-age children carrying backpacks in America, it’s not surprising that there are some book bag-related injuries every year. Since 2000, the U.S. Product Safety Commission has reported that children and their backpacks make roughly 7,000 trips to the emergency room annually. However, many observers believe that the real toll is actually far higher since the vast majority of such injuries go unreported and many kids are treated by a family doctor or not treated at all.

While it is not clear how many acute injuries actually result from wearing backpacks as opposed to tripping over them or being hit by them, doctors who treat back problems regularly-especially chiropractic physicians-see worrying signs that heavier backpacks are setting the stage for more serious health issues in the future, including chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. Some chiropractors estimate that as many as 75% to 80% of the teenage patients they treat have postural problems directly related to overweight backpacks.

Why the Heavier Bags?

Across the past ten years, several factors have come together to increase the amount of weight young students are carrying in their book bags:

Increases in the amount of homework being assigned to students at a younger age typically mean more heavy books carried between home and school.
A trend toward removing lockers and individual desks from schools in many cases requires kids to carry all their belongings with them during the day.
Reduced time between classes or fewer trips to the locker can mean heavier loads for students.
Longer school days or increased participation in before-school and after-school activities often translates into more supplies and equipment as well as more time wearing the backpack.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that a backpack should not be any heavier than 15% of a child’s body weight. But as early as 2001, researchers at Simmons College in Massachusetts found that 55% of the 345 children they studied were carrying backpacks that exceeded the recommended weight limit, often by a substantial amount. One third of those students said that they had already experienced back pain. Today, the American Chiropractic Association advises parents to limit the weight of a child’s backpack to no more than 5% to 10% of body weight.

Warning Signs

If you see any of the following signs, it may be time to lighten the load, help your child choose a different backpack or talk about how it’s being used.

Pain in the back, neck, shoulders or knees
Red marks left on shoulders by backpack straps
Tingling or numbness in the arms
Trouble getting the backpack on or off
Bending forward or “hunching over” to shift weight from the shoulders to the back

Choosing the Right Backpack and Using it Correctly

A good quality backpack with proper ergonomic features doesn’t have to be expensive. They’re available at many sporting goods stores and discount outlets. Experts offer the following advice:

Get the size and fit right first. The right backpack should fit between the top of your child’s shoulders and lower back. Bigger is not better, since having more space available creates the potential for a heavier backpack.
Find one with shoulder straps that are wide, padded and adjustable. These distribute the weight more broadly across the shoulders and chest while allowing the backpack to be fitted snuggly to your child’s body.
For older students, consider a backpack with chest straps and a hip belt. Chest straps and a hip belt redistribute weight even further and bring the pack closer to the wearer’s body.
Look for a padded back that will add comfort and protection.
Choose a backpack with multiple smaller compartments. These help distribute the weight inside the bag and keep it stable.

Once your child has the right bag, it’s just as important to encourage him or her to use it correctly. Chiropractors and physical therapists generally agree that means wearing it on both shoulders with the straps tightened so that it hangs no more than four inches below the waist.

How Your Chiropractor Can Help

Using a backpack should not cause any pain or discomfort under normal circumstances. If your child is showing signs of back, neck or should pain, we encourage you to call your chiropractic physician today. In addition to addressing any current problems that your child may be experiencing, your doctor of chiropractic can recommend an exercise program designed to strengthen muscles, and improve posture and coordination.

For More Information

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this article, general spinal health or your specific situation. To discuss your symptoms and concerns call (813) 818-7373.

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0 Categories : Preventative Care

Mar
14

Choosing the Right Desk Chair

by Chiropractor

For the majority of us who work in office and at desk jobs, we spend a great deal of time sitting down. While sitting for most of the day seems pretty low risk compared to other occupational hazards, sitting in the same position all the time can stress the structures of the spine, and may result in injuries to the back, neck and even the wrist. It is important to find an office chair that is ergonomically designed to support the lower back and promote good posture. An ergonomic chair cannot only prevent injury and pain in the back, but it also maximizes your function at work.

When looking for the right ergonomic chair for you, it is important to find one suited to your needs. With so many ergonomic office chairs on the market, it’s important to research them, since there is no single chair that could be labeled the “best.” There are specific features that should be considered when looking for a desk chair, such as adjustable seat height. Your feet should be flat on the floor with your thighs at a horizontal position, and your arms should be even with the height of the desk. Having an adjustable armrest is also beneficial, since users can rest their arms and relax their shoulders, which can eliminate significant tension while working. You should also look for a chair with a seat that has sufficient width and depth to support any user. While working, you should be able to sit with your back resting against the back of the chair. In addition, the back should also be adjustable in its tilt forward and backwards.

One big issue about working at a desk all day is that many chairs are not designed to support the lower back. Support for our lumbar spine, or our lower back, is very important. Our spinal curvature has an inward curve in the lumber spine, and sitting for too long without supporting it will lead to slouching and straining the structures of the lower spine. An ergonomic chair must offer lumber support and adjustment, so the user can fit the chair to the inward curve of the lower back.

Additional things to also consider are the seat material: is it comfy? An ergonomic chair with a swivel on the chair can help you reach different areas of your desk without strain.

After researching the properties of the ergonomic chairs on the market, you need to consider your specific job and what functions you need to perform. Consider your priorities and properties you need for your ergonomic chair. Once you’ve decided on the chair for you, explore stores to try the chairs out. See if they’re comfortable and meet your needs. Shop around, both online and off to make sure you get the best price and quality out there. You might also want to consider alternative ergonomic chairs, such as kneeling or saddle chairs and even the exercise ball chair.

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0 Categories : Preventative Care

Mar
10

Shortening the Road to Recovery After an Automobile Injury

by Chiropractor

It’s a great success story that most of us probably haven’t heard very much about. America’s roads have become far safer across the past 20 years. By just about any measure, travelers are much less likely to be injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident than they were in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Here are a few statistics demonstrating how much safer we are in our cars.

Vehicle Miles Driven – Americans traveled 2,172 billion miles in 1991 and 2,979 billion miles in 2009. That’s a 37% increase.

Motor Vehicle Accidents – During the same 1991-2009 period, the number of accidents on U.S. roads actually decreased by 10%, dropping from 6,117,000 to 5,505,000. So even though we’re traveling more miles, we’re having fewer accidents.

Occupant Fatalities – The number of motor vehicle occupants killed in accidents during 1991 was 31,934. That number declined by 23% to 24,474 in 2009. The fatality rate per 1,000 accidents dropped from 5.2 to 4.4 persons. That means that when we do have an accident, it’s become less likely that someone traveling in the vehicle will be killed.

Occupant Injuries – The statistics show an even more positive trend with respect to injuries. The number of occupants injured in accidents fell 29% from 2,850,000 in 1991 to 2,011,000 in 2009. The injury rate per 1,000 accidents declined from 465.9 persons to 365.3. Simply put, our motor vehicle accidents seem to be injuring fewer drivers and passengers when they do occur.

It’s likely that this general trend toward safer roads is being driven by a combination of factors. It could be the way we’re driving that’s producing fewer, less serious crashes. It could be the way our roads are designed, maintained or policed. It could also be the active and passive safety features now included in many of our vehicles. But whatever the reasons, we can all agree that this is good (if under-reported) news for our nation’s travelers.

But what if you are one of the two million unlucky ones this year?

As encouraging as this trend is, it obviously means little to you if you or someone you care about is actually injured in a car accident. Even in cases where drivers and passengers walk away from a wreck believing they’re “uninjured”, accidents can have profound, long-lasting health consequences for those involved. It’s not uncommon for some types of symptoms to appear only gradually days or weeks after the event itself, delaying effective diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms may also come and go intermittently, making it more difficult to associate them with the accident.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to safeguard your health and improve your chances of a more rapid, complete recovery following an auto accident. Clinical studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care can shorten recovery time and decrease the amount of permanent physical damage sustained in a collision.

Take care of first things first. Always address any life-threatening injuries first. If you experience (or have reason to suspect) significant bleeding or bruising, broken bones, internal pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or shock, you should seek immediate help from healthcare professionals who specialize in treating trauma injuries.
Visit your chiropractor as soon as possible after an accident. Do this even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt very badly. Research has shown that early intervention in the form of chiropractic adjustment, massage and supervised exercise and stretching programs can make a big difference in longer-term function.
Stay active. Activity encourages blood flow to the injured area and promotes healing. It also helps prevent or reduce scar tissue formation and maintain range of motion.
Strengthen the affected area(s) as directed. Exercise and stretching programs are designed to help prevent future injuries and are an important part of a balanced treatment plan.

Finally, recognize that you may be at increased risk of developing chronic problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of the following warning signs apply:

A prior history of back, neck or shoulder problems (including previous injury).
Distinct numbness, tingling or pain immediately following an accident.
Increased muscle tension or reduced range of motion after the crash.
You were involved in a rear-end collision.
Your head was turned at the moment of impact.
You have symptoms that don’t resolve or that become generalized.

An auto accident can affect your health (and your lifestyle) for years if you don’t receive the proper treatment. So if you or someone you care about has been injured in a collision, please call our office and make an appointment today. Chiropractic care can help put your recovery in the fast lane!

For More Information

We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this article, general spinal health or your specific situation. To discuss your symptoms and concerns call (813) 818-7373.

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0 Categories : Conditions

Mar
3

Alcohol and Your Health

by Chiropractor

The effect of alcohol consumption on your health can be either positive or negative, depending on the amount you drink. Like most things, moderation is the key to getting the greatest benefits from alcohol. Those who drink moderately generally live longer and in better health than those who either abstain completely or drink heavily.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), moderate drinking lowers your risk of heart disease by 40 to 60 percent. And people who normally consume one or two drinks daily have the lowest rate of mortality, according to the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. The mortality rates of those who have suffered a heart attack are 32 percent lower than those of abstainers. The moderate consumption of alcohol leads to a lower incidence of strokes and can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and prostate problems.

A European study found greater arterial elasticity in volunteers who had a drink of beer, wine or spirits each day, compared to those who were abstainers. In another study of over 18,000 men from the Physicians Health Study, those who increased the number of drinks they consumed from one to six per week showed a 29 percent lower risk of contracting cardiovascular disease. This was also found to be useful to diabetics, who achieved a 58 percent reduction in heart disease risk by consuming an alcoholic drink every day.

Alcohol has been shown to increase your “good” HDL cholesterol while reducing your “bad” LDL cholesterol, in addition to decreasing clotting and increasing blood flow to your heart. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the risk of stroke to be cut in half for those who take two alcoholic beverages per day.

A standard drink is considered to be one:

12-ounce bottle or can of beer
5-ounce glass of wine
1 1/2 ounce serving of distilled spirits (the equivalent of a shot glass)

“Moderate” drinking is considered to be the consumption of one to three alcoholic drinks per day, depending on your body size. Less than that provides only minimal health benefits and more than that leads to a number of health problems, including liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer, high blood pressure and depression. The over-consumption of alcohol is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, according to a study in The Lancet.

Of course, those who are pregnant, suffering from alcoholism or have adverse reactions to alcohol should abstain, as the benefits do not outweigh the risks. But for most healthy adults, moderate alcohol consumption will help them live longer and healthier lives.

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We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this article, general spinal health or your specific situation. To discuss your symptoms and concerns call (813) 818-7373.

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Feb
25

Chiropractic for Hip Pain

by Chiropractor

Your hips and legs support your entire body. They provide stability, strength, mobility, and flexibility. Misalignment or subluxation of the spine can cause both hip and leg pain by irritating the nerves and creating muscle spasms. As these areas of the body receive nearly continuous usage, they can suffer a great deal of stress. In fact, hip pain may be mistaken for back pain, due to the connections between the pelvis and the spine. A chiropractor is likely to be able to treat your hip pain if it is the result of a misalignment in your spine.

The thighbone (or femur) connects with the hipbone (pelvis) in a ball and socket joint. There is a cushion of cartilage between the bones that helps prevent wear. However, eventually the cartilage itself wears down, which can lead to swelling and pain. Arthritis is the typical result. Pain can also occur due to sprains or fractures, which usually only happen to older people who have osteoporosis. Sprains and fractures result in limited mobility, stiffness and swelling.

Another common cause of hip pain is sitting for long periods of time, as well as poor posture. Sitting and posture problems can lead to a slipped intervertebral disc or leakage of the contents of the disc through small cracks, resulting in pressure on the tissues. This usually leads to pain in the hips and legs. Sciatica can occur when the disc presses against the spinal nerve, and can lead to weakness and numbness in the legs. In severe cases, surgery is required to remove the leaked disc material and relieve the pressure.

Chiropractors can treat some kinds of hip pain without surgery or medications. They cannot reverse age-related arthritis, but they can help slow the progress of the disease and delay possible surgeries. The first thing your chiropractor will do is determine the reasons for your hip pain, because some conditions, such as fractures or metastatic disease, will need to be referred to another kind of health care professional. Most other kinds of hip pain can be treated through manipulations and spinal adjustments. In addition to adjustments, your chiropractor will recommend appropriate exercises to help rehabilitate the hip joint and stabilize the misaligned components. He or she will also work with you on posture, work habits (such as sitting posture and ergonomic office furniture), and perhaps even diet to resolve the root causes of your hip pain.

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We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this article, general spinal health or your specific situation. To discuss your symptoms and concerns call (813) 818-7373.

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