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Why Golfers Love Chiropractic

Why Golfers Love Chiropractic

by | Aug 16, 2021 | exercise, Fun, Informational

Are you a golfer who’s feeling some of the aches and pains that are so common amongst lovers of the sport? 

Golf is a lot of fun. It’s a great way to socialize and get some much-needed exercise for people of all ages. No one can deny that it’s a healthy practice.

That said, there’s a reason why golfers love chiropractic care. There are several common golf injuries in chiropractic offices, and luckily, professionals are able to handle them.

Not convinced that it’s time to see a chiropractor? No problem; we’re here to explain. Keep reading to learn why golf and chiropractic care go together so well. 

It Can Improve Flexibility in Golfers

Did you know that all good golfers should have a solid baseline of flexibility? 

No one expects you to be a yoga master or gymnast, but having a somewhat flexible body will help your swing and your overall performance. 

If you go to a chiropractor for preventative care, they can use a deep tissue massage and adjustment techniques to reduce stiffness in your spine and thus increase your flexibility.

Not only will this improve your golf game, but it will also help you prevent spinal injuries in the future. 

It Can Improve Posture

How is your posture? 

Anyone who works at a desk all day likely has inadequate posture. Poor posture can lead to several health problems in the future, but it can also affect your golf game!

Many golfers don’t pay enough attention to their posture while they’re golfing. While it’s true that the average golfing stance is a bit bent over, if you don’t do it right, you could be setting yourself up for poor swings and a back injury.

When you go to a chiropractor, they can help you learn how to hold your body while you’re golfing. They can also use deep tissue massage to loosen up your back and reduce posture problems. 

It Can Help Heal Injuries for Golfers

While we don’t often think of golf as a dangerous sport, golfers can experience serious injuries. 

Not just golfers elbow but one of the biggest risks for golfers is back and neck pain. While you can avoid these problems if you see a chiropractor often, they can also make adjustments after you’re already injured. 

You can also take advantage of saunas to relax some of your tense and sore muscles.

One of the best things about chiropractic for golf injuries is that it’s non-invasive and it doesn’t require the use of medication. With a few adjustment sessions and some rest, you can get back to the green. 

Do You Love Chiropractic Care Yet?

Take it from golfers who already love chiropractic care: it helps. While you can relieve pain and heal injuries with an experienced chiropractor, you can also avoid those aches and pains in the first place.

Before you start seeking pain medication or surgical options, visit a chiropractor to see what they can do for you.

If you’re ready to find a local chiropractor in Mill Creek, WA, we want to meet you! Contact us at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness to set up an appointment today.

Lower Cross Syndrome 101

Lower Cross Syndrome 101

by | Mar 8, 2021 | exercise, Informational

You’ve been living with lower back pain for years. Whether you’re at your desk job or relaxing at home, when you exercise, you consistently feel pain and tension in the lower region of your body and it’s interrupting your daily tasks. The discomfort is impossible to ignore, but you don’t know which medical professional to consult about this issue. If any of these relate to you, it’s possible you may have Lower Cross Syndrome (LCS), and it’s time to visit a chiropractor.

What is Lower Cross Syndrome and how can chiropractic help? What stretches and exercises can help with lower cross syndrome? In this article, I will unpack what LCS is, common symptoms and causes, and treatment for Lower Cross Syndrome that can help relieve your discomfort.

What Is Lower Cross Syndrome?

Lower Cross Syndrome is a muscular imbalance that results in changes in posture. This imbalance can lead to prolonged pain or tension in the lower back, hips, and pelvic region. 

What Are the Causes?

Both a sedentary lifestyle and poor posture can lead to Lower Cross Syndrome. This is a result of prolonged sitting due to work-life or injury which can lead to shortened hip flexor muscles. Shortened hip flexor muscles lead to tight lower back muscles which contribute to weak abdominal/core and gluteal/butt muscles.

The postural effects appear as a forward tilt of the pelvis, a forward head posture, and an excessive lower-back arch, thus a protruding abdomen. This contributes to an imbalance pull of muscles that affect the lower back, hips, pelvic region, and sometimes the hamstrings.

What Are Common Symptoms?

People who suffer from Lower Cross Syndrome often experience the following symptoms:

  • Stiffness in the lumbar, hip, hamstrings, or pelvic area
  • Pain in hip flexors, spine, gluteal muscles, and groin
  • An overly arched low back
  • Tension or tightness in the lower back and/or gluteal muscles

Treatments

Exercise and stretching is the best way to treat this syndrome. Considering that Lower Cross Syndrome develops as a result of shortened hip flexors and weak abdominal and gluteal muscles, the best treatment is to loosen and/or strengthen these muscles.

Here are exercises and stretches you can do to treat your lower back pain:

Stretches

To treat lower cross syndrome, shortened or tight hip flexors, you have to loosen these muscles. Try these 2 stretches for lower cross syndrome:

  • Foam roller: Place the foam roller underneath the tight area of the lower body and roll back and forth over the area until tension loosens.
  • Hip extensor stretch: Stand up straight, facing a wall with your feet hip-width apart. Place your hands on the wall for support. Step back with your right foot, keeping your right knee slightly bent. Bend the left knee, in a slight lunge. You should feel a gentle pull at the front of the right hip and thigh. Stay in this position for 60 seconds. Repeat on the opposite leg.

Exercises

To treat weak abdominal and gluteal muscles, you have to strengthen them. Try these two exercises to help your lower cross syndrome:

  • Hip raises: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Raise your hips up. Be sure to press your feet firmly into the ground and squeeze your glutes at the top. Pause, then repeat. 
  • Lunges: From a standing position, take a step forward with your right foot and bend your right knee until your left knee is nearly touching the ground. Rise up into a standing position and repeat on the other side.

Get Treatment Today

Now that you know what can cause Lower Cross Syndrome, it’s best to get treatment from a professional.

If you are dealing with Lower Cross Syndrome, request an appointment at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness today. This is an issue that should not go untreated. Treatment for Lower Cross Syndrome is essential to relieving constant discomfort.  

Upper Cross Syndrome: A Guide to Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Upper Cross Syndrome: A Guide to Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

by | Feb 19, 2021 | exercise, Informational, Stretching

Chiropractors treat over 27 million Americans every year. Meanwhile, chiropractic adjustments are performed a million times every business day in America. However, not many patients realize they have a serious condition. For example, your symptoms could indicate you have upper cross syndrome.

What are the common upper cross syndrome causes, and is upper cross syndrome curable?

Keep reading to find out. In this guide, we’ll review everything you need to know about this condition. By learning more, you can spot the symptoms before scheduling a chiropractic appointment.

Read on to learn more!

What is Upper Cross Syndrome?

Upper cross syndrome develops due to poor posture. It can cause your neck, chest, and shoulders to become deformed over time.

Your back muscles of the shoulders and neck are usually affected the most. These muscles can become overactive and strained. Meanwhile, the muscles at the front of your chest will shorten and tighten.

Overactive muscles can cause surrounding muscles to become weak and underused. Over time, the overactive and underactive muscles overlap.

This causes an X shape to form, hence the name. 

Symptoms

What’s on the list of common upper cross syndrome causes? Remember, poor posture can cause your symptoms. Activities that can cause your bad posture include:

  • Using your phone, laptop, or computer
  • Watching TV
  • Playing games
  • Biking
  • Reading
  • Driving

These activities can cause a long list of upper cross syndrome symptoms, including:

  • Jaw pain
  • Fatigue
  • Lower back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Headaches
  • Pain in the upper back and shoulders
  • Weakness at the front of your neck
  • Trouble driving, sitting to read, or watching TV for long periods of time
  • Pain around your ribs
  • Pain, numbness, and/or tingling in your upper arms
  • Restricted movement in your shoulders and neck
  • Tightness and pain in the chest

Healthcare and indirect costs due to back pain are over $12 billion annually. As your symptoms, including back pain, get worse, it could lead to a disability.

If these symptoms sound familiar, consider visiting your chiropractor. 

Treatment

Is upper cross syndrome curable? Yes. There are a few upper cross syndrome treatment options available, including chiropractic care and physical therapy.

Chiropractic care can realign your joints to improve your range of motion. 

Make sure to practice proper posture as well. 

Exercises

You can also use upper cross syndrome exercises to ease your pain. 

One exercise to do while sitting is to sit with a straight back, bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor. Press your palms down into the ground behind your hips and rotate the shoulders down and back. 

You should feel the tight muscles of the side neck, shoulders, and chest lengthen. For more of a stretch in the chest, push your palms into the floor without actually moving them. Stay in this position for 3 to 5 minutes, or as long as it feels comfortable. Repeat the exercise several times throughout the day.

While you might experience discomfort, restricting activity could otherwise cause soreness and stiffness.

You can complete these exercises sitting, standing, or lying flat on your back.

Prevention

You can avoid developing this condition by:

  • Placing books, computer screens, phones, TVs, and steering wheels at eye level
  • Completing stretches to target your sore muscles
  • Taking breaks when sitting for long periods of time

Talk to your chiropractor for other methods you can use to prevent and treat this condition.

Sit Up Straight: Everything You Need to Know About Upper Cross Syndrome

Do these upper cross syndrome symptoms sound familiar? You don’t have to live in pain anymore. Instead, visit your chiropractor to discuss next steps.

Otherwise, improve your posture!

Ready for your next appointment? We can help.

Contact us today to get started.

 

Your Guide to Restorative Movement for Lower Back Pain Relief

Your Guide to Restorative Movement for Lower Back Pain Relief

by | Jan 26, 2021 | exercise, Informational, Stretching, Wellness

A whopping 16 million American adults deal with chronic back pain — that’s 8% of the population. 

So, if you have an achy lower back, you’re certainly not the only one. And that’s good news if you’re seeking out remedies to help yourself. Those before you have found many methods for natural back pain relief. 

Here are four restorative movements to try. 

1. Knee-to-Chest Stretch

For this one, you will lay on the ground with your legs out straight. Bend your left knee and pull it in toward your chest, holding it in place with interlaced hands. Keep your right leg straight and your foot on the floor as you hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds. 

Repeat this move on the right, then cycle through both stretches a few times for a well-rounded stretch. And, if you want to make it a little tougher, pull both knees in at once and hold the crunched position for 20 seconds. 

2. Cat-Cow Pose

If you have any familiarity with yoga, then you may know how to do cat-cow — it’s a great one to have in your arsenal if you’re looking for back stretches. 

Roll over from your knee-to-chest stretch and get on all fours. Make sure your hands are on the ground directly beneath your shoulders. 

Breathe out, and pull your belly button upward toward the ceiling. Imagine how a scared cat’s back looks — you want to mimic that curve. 

When you breathe in, your belly will drop and your spine will relax. This is the cow portion of the stretch. 

Repeat for ten rounds or more to really loosen up and relax your spine. 

3. Seat Forward Bend

Interestingly, it might not just be your lower back that hurts. Research has shown that tight hamstrings can cause tension and pain in the lower back, too. 

So, try the seat forward bend to reduce tension in your legs that could be pulling on the lower back. 

Stay on the floor, but stretch your feet out in front of you so you’re seated in an L-shaped position. Then, grab a towel and wrap it around your feet with both ends in your hands. 

Pull the towel and use it to help you bend your upper body closer to your legs. Keep your back straight, though. You should start to feel the stretch down the back of your legs. 

Hold your bend for 30 seconds and repeat three times with half-minute breaks in between. 

4. Massage

Sometimes, you’re the one performing the restorative movement. Other times, it’s a licensed professional manipulating your body and providing relief. 

In this case, we’re obviously talking about the latter. Massage can reduce the pain and tension in your lower back. And it’s a low-impact treatment method — you’ll probably even find it relaxing. 

Find Natural Back Pain Relief

Whether you get moving or get a massage, you will have signed up for natural back pain relief. But if you need further help to assuage your lower back pain, look no further than Restoration Fitness located in Mill Creek, WA. Request an appointment today and get started on your journey to a stronger, pain-free back. 

 

 

5 Ways Exercise Can Reduce Stress

5 Ways Exercise Can Reduce Stress

by | Jan 26, 2021 | exercise, Stress, Stretching, Wellness

1 in 3 adults exercise the suggested amount of time each week. 

The typical workday contains an extreme amount of stress, especially if you have kids. People find themselves rushing to get to the office and returning with just enough time to make dinner and sleep. 

The days always seem to get shorter, and we find ourselves with less time to exercise. However, exercise is the exact thing we need. Not only does it contribute to our health, but it also reduces our stress. 

Below are 5 ways you can use exercise to manage your stress. Check it out to start working towards a little more peace in your life. 

1. Boosts Your Mood

The hardest part of exercising is convincing yourself to do it. Once you truly learn how exercise can relieve stress and boost your mood, it won’t be as difficult to convince yourself. 

The boosted mood you experience after exercising will give you a clearer headspace when approaching stressful tasks later in the day. 

2. Improves Mindfulness

When stressed, it’s important to focus on the moment. This decreases our anxiety. 

Focusing on physical activity allows your mind to be present. Give exercises like yoga and pilates a try if you’re struggling with mindfulness. Yoga is not only meditative, but it also builds amazing body strength. 

3. Increases Confidence Levels

Exercise is one of the best stress remedies and confidence boosters. No matter your exercise goals, you’ll start to feel better about your body once you introduce routine movement into your life. 

4. Builds Community

If you’re looking to meet new people, try joining a local gym or workout group. You’ll be sure to run into friendly faces. Plus, the exercise journey gives everyone a common ground to discuss.

5. Pumps Up Endorphins

Our body uses endorphins to fight pain and feel good. By exercising, you’ll be naturally boosting your body’s endorphins. This is why most people feel a rush of excitement after a long workout. 

Exercises to Try

Not knowing where to start is normal so we’re here to help. 

If you want to get your blood pumping, try going for a jog. Running is a great way to get the blood and endorphins flowing through your body. You can also go for a brisk walk if you aren’t ready to run. 

For a major challenge, try weight-lifting. Lifting weights is a great outlet for channeling negative emotions that you want to work through, and it builds your confidence. 

Are you looking for something meditative? Try yoga because it relaxes your mind and builds body strength. You can also try hiking outdoors if you want to connect more with nature. 

Watch Out for Excessive Stress

While exercising is great for many reasons, it’s important not to over-exercise. Over exercising creates an extreme strain on the body and mind. Exhaustion of the mind can lead to clouded decision-making and low motivation. 

Give your muscles time to properly recover by sleeping well and indulging in relaxing activities, such as sitting in a sauna. Your mind will also appreciate the chance to clock-out for a bit. 

Exercise is Your Best Friend

As you can see, there are tons of stress-relieving benefits to exercise. Getting active is a great way to keep the body and mind healthy. 

Go for a jog to start your day off on the right foot. Try yoga for a bit if you need to calm your mind. Challenge yourself in weight-lifting for the confidence boost you’ve been looking for. 

If you’re looking for more ways to boost your wellness, check out the rest of our site. Contact us if you’re interested in our chiropractic or nutrition services. 

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Some Injuries Are More Common Than Others Among Tech Workers

Some Injuries Are More Common Than Others Among Tech Workers

by | Nov 2, 2020 | Advice, exercise, Informational, Injury, Stretching, Wellness

Some Injuries Are More Common Than Others Among Tech Workers

Tech jobs seem like safe office jobs that place strain on the brain, not the body. In fact, many tech workers spend so much time sitting at their desk that they have to be actively reminded to stand up and stretch every once in a while for their own wellbeing.

But despite the fact that most tech jobs are performed in an office setting, tech injuries are actually more common than you think. 

Tech injuries like ‘tech neck’ and eye strain can affect tech workers like developers, designers, IT specialists, and anyone else who spends their day in front of a computer. 

Tech Injuries – Tech Neck

Tech neck is a condition that occurs due to the constant bending of the neck from looking down at phone, tablet, and computer screens. Due to the large amount of daily screen time they experience, the condition tends to be more prevalent among those working in the tech industry.

But tech neck is certainly not exclusive to those working in tech. Heavy smartphone users can find themselves suffering from the condition too.

Tech neck can negatively affect posture, cause pain in the neck area, and can even lead to problems such as herniated discs. 

Thankfully, there are several exercises you can do in order to relieve the pain of tech neck and potentially even realign your neck. If you suffer from tech neck, try these 3 exercises.

Chin Tuck

  • While standing, tuck your chin in towards the rear of your body (like giving yourself a double chin)
  • Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 5 times twice a day
  • Will reset the curvature of your neck

Neck Extension

  • While sitting up straight – arch your shoulders back and extend your head backward to look up towards the ceiling or sky
  • Hold for 20 seconds and repeat 5 times twice a day
  • Will improve your neck’s range of motion

Neck Tilt Stretch

  • While standing upright, tilt your neck towards your left/right side by bringing your ear towards your shoulder 
  • Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 5 times
  • Will stretch out the muscles on both sides of your neck and improve motion

Remember to take great care when performing these exercises! If you experience any pain or discomfort stop right away!

Tech Injuries – Eye Strain

Large amounts of screen time won’t just affect your neck, but also your eyes. 

Eye strain is also a condition that is common among tech workers. Too much screen time strains the eyes and can result in a variety of symptoms including red eyes, headaches, and sore or tired eyes. 

Optometrists have noted a significant increase in patients with tech-related eye strain. They recommend the 20-20-20 method to give your eyes a break and prevent eye strain. Every 20 minutes you should spend 20 seconds focusing on an object 20 feet away. This will give the eyes a chance to reset and rest. 

There are other things you can do to relieve eye strain as well. The best thing you can do is limiting screen time and giving your eyes a break. Additionally, keeping a greater distance away from the screen and adjusting screen brightness may also help.

Another way to potentially relieve the pain of tech injuries is through chiropractic treatment. While chiropractic treatment won’t fix eye strains, it could help with tech neck. Contact us today to learn more!