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Unexpected Benefits of Chiropractic

Unexpected Benefits of Chiropractic

by | Feb 15, 2023 | Advice, Informational, Injury, Pregnancy, Wellness

Unexpected Benefits of Chiropractic

It was once considered a fringe medical treatment, but chiropractic has come into its own in recent years, with tons of research and clinical studies to support the benefits of chiropractic and its effectiveness and safety.

More than 35 million Americans now visit a chiropractor every year. Most of these patients visit a chiropractor to ease back pain and avoid the need for meds or surgery. Although, pain relief is only one of the many benefits of chiropractic.

Keep reading to discover all the different benefits of chiropractic care.

Improved Immune Function

Chiropractic adjustments help regulate the nervous system. As a result, this can then offer immunity improvement. When the nervous system can perform as it should, it’s better able to fight off infection and disease, showcasing one of the benefits of chiropractic.

Easier Breathing

Once your nervous system is in line, your body’s functions will all start to regulate. Because of this, many chiropractic patients notice that they can breathe easier. Patients with asthma also report better asthma control following chiropractic care, highlighting another benefit of chiropractic.

Fewer Headache Symptoms

Headaches are often the result of tension in your joints and muscles. Chiropractic adjustments help release this tension by realigning your body. This ensures that headaches and any accompanying symptoms are a thing of the past.

Better Sleep

Pain and tension inhibit true rest and relaxation. Thanks to the way chiropractic relieves these, patients often sleep better after treatment.

Increased Energy Levels

Chiropractic care can help you get in tune with your body’s natural circadian rhythms. As a result, you’ll likely have more energy during the day.

Lowered Blood Pressure

Forty-seven percent of American adults have high blood pressure. This is a huge risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Chiropractic adjustments can be effective at lowering blood pressure over time, illustrating another benefit of chiropractic.

Better Balance and Posture

By realigning your body, chiropractic adjustments improve your posture and balance. Posture improvement also helps prevent further pain and degeneration later in life.

Healthier Pregnancies

Chiropractic can relieve the pain caused by a changing center of gravity during pregnancy. Here, the Webster technique is especially beneficial. Through this method, chiropractic offers expecting patients healthier pregnancies and easier childbirths.

Improved Range of Motion and Sports Performance

Chiropractic adjustments relieve inflammation and tension in your joints and muscles. Following chiropractic, patients often notice greater mobility, flexibility, improved sports performance, and improved recovery time.

Faster Recovery

The increased mobility that chiropractic promotes can help you recover from sports faster. Other benefits, such as better sleep and less tension, also boost your chances of a quick sports recovery as your body can rest and recuperate.

Your Guide to the Unexpected Benefits of Chiropractic

As this long list shows, there are many unexpected benefits of chiropractic.

From easier breathing to better sleep, chiropractic can help in many more ways than people realize.

To find out how chiropractic could help you, schedule an appointment with us today. Or, for more information, contact us at Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness!

Video: Low Back Pain Relief After Chiropractic Adjustment

Video: Low Back Pain Relief After Chiropractic Adjustment

by | Dec 1, 2022 | Informational, Injury, Video

Understanding Lower Back Pain: How a Chiropractor Can Help Your Bad Back

Lower back pain is something that many people experience at some point in their lives. Whether you’re active in sports or spend a lot of time sitting, you might find yourself dealing with discomfort or pain. In this blog, we’ll talk about what causes lower back pain, what it feels like, and how a chiropractor can help with a bad back.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can happen for different reasons. Here are a few common causes:

  1. Muscle Strain: If you lift something heavy or move in a sudden way, you might strain a muscle in your back, which can cause pain.
  2. Herniated Discs: Between the bones in your spine are soft discs that cushion them. Sometimes, these discs can rip and get pushed out and press on a nerve, which can cause pain that spreads down your legs.
  3. Physical Trauma: Think of falls, slips, or car collisions.
  4. Poor Posture: Sitting hunched over for long periods can put stress on your lower back, leading to pain. This is a very common problem, especially as the technology keeps evolving.
  5. Arthritis: This is a condition that affects your joints. If it affects your lower back, it can cause pain and stiffness.

What Are the Symptoms?

When you have lower back pain, you might feel:

  • Aching or Sharp Pain: You could have a constant dull ache or a sharp pain in your lower back.
  • Pain Down Your Legs: Sometimes, the pain travels from your back down your legs.
  • Numbness or Tingling: Your legs or feet might feel numb or tingly.
  • Weakness: Your legs could feel weak, making it hard to do normal activities.

How Can a Chiropractor Help Your Bad Back?

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who focuses on treating problems with the spine. They can help relieve lower back pain using different techniques:

  1. Adjustments: Chiropractors use their hands or special tools to adjustments to your spine. This helps to improve the alignment of your back, which can reduce pain and help your body move better.
  2. Stretching and Exercises: A chiropractor might teach you stretches and exercises to help strengthen the muscles in your back and improve your flexibility. Doing these exercises regularly can help prevent pain from coming back.
  3. Lifestyle Advice: Chiropractors can also give you tips on how to improve your posture, lift things safely, and make other changes to your daily routine that can help reduce back pain.

Simple Ways to Feel Better

In addition to seeing a chiropractor, there are things you can do at home to help ease lower back pain:

  • Use Ice or Heat: Putting ice on your back can help reduce swelling and pain. After a couple of days, you can switch to using heat to relax your muscles. (Think Ice for Inflammation and Heat for relaxation.)
  • Stay Active: Gentle activities like walking can help keep your back muscles strong. Just make sure not to overdo it. Like everything else moderation in the key.
  • Practice Good Posture: Try to sit and stand up straight to take the pressure off your lower back. In some instances muscle might be to weak or to tight and this will be difficult in the beginning.
  • Yoga: Yoga or stretching helps the muscles relax and relief the pain.

When Should You See a Chiropractor for a Bad Back?

A good rule of thumb, always get checked out as soon as possible. The cause of a bad back or pain the the low back could range from simple to complex. Especially if you feel any of the following:

  • The pain spreads down your legs.
  • You feel numbness or tingling in your legs or feet.
  • You have trouble walking or standing up straight.

Conclusion

Lower back pain can be annoying, but with the help of a chiropractor, you can find relief. Whether through adjustments, exercises, or simple lifestyle changes, there are many ways to manage and prevent lower back pain. If you’re dealing with pain that just won’t go away, a visit to the chiropractor might be just what you need to start feeling better.

Tips for a Healthier Heart

Tips for a Healthier Heart

by | Nov 17, 2022 | Advice, exercise, Informational, Nutrition, Wellness

Did you know that heart-healthy activities like exercise can cause you to live longer? Use this guide to learn tips to maintain a healthier heart.

Exercise

Tip one for a healthier heart, exercising, particularly cardio, can be a great way to get the blood pumping and exercise your heart.

There are tons of great ways to get out there and keep your heart happy, like running, biking, or swimming. Try going for a hike on the weekends to keep your heart working hard and your mind clear and relaxed.

Avoid Unhealthy Habits

Did you know that smoking can be a massive risk factor for conditions like heart disease?

Don’t let caring for your heart come second to a harmful habit. Cut down today to reap the benefits for your long-term health.

Eat Healthier Fats

There are foods you can eat that will do the heavy lifting of maintaining your heart health.

Some fats are healthy, some not so much. Unsaturated fats, and specifically omega-3, are the way to go when it comes to including heart-healthy fats in your diet.

Use this section to learn about the types of fats that can help your heart health. 

Nuts and Seeds

Fight cardiovascular disease with healthy fats found in foods like nuts. Some of the most common nuts that include that heart-healthy dose of fat include:

  • Almonds
  • Pecans
  • Walnuts
  • Pistachios
  • Cashews
  • Other tree nuts

Seeds also contain this healthy fat, including sunflower seeds.

Avocados

Try adding a slice of this delightful food to your sandwiches, salads, and more to improve heart health.

Fish

Did you know that fish can be a massive source of omega-3 fatty acids? Use fish in your recipes as your meat source so that you can tailor meals to your heart health.

Avoid Saturated Fats

This type of fat can be found in foods like butter, milk, yogurt, and meats. Be sure to limit your intake of saturated fats as you turn your focus to increasing healthier omega-3 fatty acids.

If you’re wondering how to improve heart health, swapping saturated fats for unsaturated is a great start.

Address and Minimize Stress

Stressing out can be your ticket to the hospital if you can’t find ways to manage it. Being overwhelmed with stress can lead to heart problems if you aren’t careful about managing it.

Activities that help to reduce stress in the body, like physical activity and chiropractor services, can help.

Activities that help you clear your mind and focus on the good things, like yoga or meditation, can also be great to help maintain heart health.

Jumpstart Your Heart Health Today

Holistic, full-body health is the best way to take care of the heart. Maintaining a strategic diet, exercise, and healthy habits are the perfect stepping-off points to taking your heart health seriously.

Schedule an appointment today to get started as a new patient for chiropractor services and more. You are only a few steps away from a healthier heart.

Take a Rest Day: The Dangers of Overtraining

Take a Rest Day: The Dangers of Overtraining

by | Nov 10, 2022 | Advice, exercise, Informational, Injury, Wellness

The benefits of a good training regimen are undeniable but there is something called “overtraining.”  Read on to learn more about the dangers of overtraining.

Daily exercise is proven to improve your overall physical health, as well as boost your mood and decrease feelings of depression. If you put in the right amount of work, you’ll feel and look great for a long time.

That said, it is possible to overdo things. In this post, we’re going to discuss the dangers of overtraining. As important as training is, it’s also important to take a rest day every now and then to let your body rejuvenate. 

Keep reading and you’ll have a better understanding of the problems that come from overtraining, as well as the benefits of a well-balanced training routine.

What Is Overtraining?

In short, overtraining accumulates stress on the body due to hard training and other factors, like your diet or stress levels. When you start training, it’s common to strive to push your body as far as it will go.

This may feel great for the first little while, but without the proper amount of rest, your body will start showing signs of wear. The symptoms of overtraining include increased heart rate (10-15 BPM), soreness lasting longer than 3 days, a drop in sleep quality, and a drop in your overall performance level. The biggest risk with overtraining is the potential for serious injury.

If you’re constantly dealing with little injuries as a result of your training, there’s a good chance you’re overtraining. Eventually, as you push through these smaller injuries, you’ll end up having a big one. Continuing to work out when you’ve got small tears or strains is only going to make you weaker.

Overtraining Syndrome

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) occurs when you have chronically elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, which regulates blood pressure, controls inflammation, and manages the way your body uses carbs, fats, and proteins.

While short bursts of increased cortisol are good, overtraining can lead to chronically elevated cortisol, which will have numerous negative effects. You may notice feelings of lethargy and moodiness, and your body may start losing muscle while storing more fat, even as you continue training. You’ll feel sick, tired, and slow until you correct your OTS.

How to Avoid Overtraining Muscles

By taking stock of how you’re feeling after each workout and planning regular rest days, you can stop the symptoms of overtraining. Buy yourself a heart rate monitor, get the right amount of sleep, and make sure you’re eating a balanced diet. Combined with rest, you’ll be in recovery mode in no time.

The best way to create the perfect fitness routine is to listen to your body. It’s important to have fitness goals, but you also have to be reasonable and give yourself breaks.

The benefits of proper training are countless. You should feel happier, healthier, and more energetic when you have a good exercise routine. Push it too far and the opposite will happen, so if longevity is what you want, then don’t overtrain.

The Dangers of Overtraining Are Real

Now that you know the dangers of overtraining, you can take the steps to avoid injuries and OTS. If you’ve been injured as a result of overtraining, contact us at Amazing Life Chiropractic in Mill Creek. We offer natural and reliable pain relief to help you recover from your overtraining injuries so you can get back to training responsibly.

An Introduction to Acupressure

An Introduction to Acupressure

by | Nov 3, 2022 | Informational

According to the CDC, 20% of American adults, approximately 50 million people—suffer from chronic pain. For some, this pain is so severe that it affects their ability to work and enjoy life. Read on to see how Acupressure can help manage pain in a natural way.

Managing pain often involves a process of trial and error. For instance, medication might provide relief for some individuals. Alternatively, others find that mindfulness practices, such as meditation, help alleviate their discomfort. Furthermore, herbal remedies offer another route for those seeking pain relief.

Another potential solution for pain relief is acupressure, a technique rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure can offer relief from both physical and mental pain.

The Basics of Acupressure

Acupuncture, which is closely related to acupressure, originates from traditional Chinese medicine. Ancient Chinese physicians believed that the human body contains a vital force, known as qi, which flows and sustains life. They theorized that this energy moves through twelve meridians, or channels, forming a network that connects various organs. Along these meridians, numerous acupressure points are located.

When any of these meridians become blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to disease. Conversely, a balanced flow of energy helps maintain good health.

Acupressure practitioners apply pressure to these points using their fingers, palms, elbows, or specialized tools. Sometimes, the therapy also includes stretching or massage techniques. The primary aim is to restore balance to the body’s energy flow.

Despite Western medicine operating on different principles, acupressure is still considered beneficial. This therapy can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.

Who Can Benefit from Acupressure?

If traditional medical treatments have not alleviated your pain, exploring alternative solutions like acupressure might be worthwhile. Many conditions can benefit from this therapy, including:

  • Cancer and chemotherapy-related pain
  • Arthritis
  • Lower back pain
  • Post-operative pain
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Motion sickness
  • Pain associated with pregnancy

Additionally, acupressure may help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety. It can serve as a form of self-care or therapy, helping you achieve balance in a hectic life.

A Typical Session

Typically, an acupressure session lasts about an hour. During the session, you remain clothed and lie on a massage table while the practitioner applies gentle pressure to targeted acupressure points.

Commonly treated areas include:

  • Neck
  • Shoulders
  • Hands
  • Upper and lower back
  • Calves

Achieving the best results may require multiple sessions.

The Benefits of Resistance Training

The Benefits of Resistance Training

by | Oct 27, 2022 | exercise, Informational, Weight-Loss, Wellness

Everybody knows that exercise is important, but their minds usually go to aerobic exercise. Yes, a well-rounded program is excellent. However, resistance training (or strength training) and proper nutrition can help improve your physical health dramatically! However, some people don’t know where to start with all of the workout options available. Luckily, we can help with that. Let’s talk about some of the key benefits of resistance training to get you motivated for the gym!

Benefits of Resistance Training

All exercise offers benefits to our long-term health and wellness. However, resistance training is unique. It helps you burn more calories throughout the day, increases lean muscle mass, and makes us stronger.

Increasing our strength and muscular endurance can help us feel more confident and help improve the long-term quality of our lives. The increase in strength, endurance, and mobility that comes with a well-rounded resistance training program will make everyday tasks easier and more comfortable.

Particularly, strengthening our cores can lead to reductions in chronic lower back pain, which affects 80% of US adults. Also, resistance training is simply fun!

There are so many different types of resistance training exercises to try. This way, you will never get bored. Dumbbells, barbells, pull-up bars, resistance bands, gymnastic rings, and even the floor will offer all the options you could ever need for a well-rounded exercise program.

Best Types of Resistance Training

The only “bad workout” is the one that never happened or the one that was done unsafely. As long as you use proper form and take necessary precautions, do whatever feels right for you!

Resistance bands, free weights, and machines are all excellent forms of resistance training. We recommend using compound movements with free weights as your primary mode of resistance training, as excessive training on machines can lead to injury.

For anybody under age 16, we recommend sticking to bodyweight exercises like calisthenics. Weight training at a young age may stunt growth or place too much pressure on developing bone structures. However, push-ups, pull-ups, bodyweight squats, lunges, and gymnastic movements are very safe and effective for building strength at all ages!

Even swimming offers plenty of resistance perfect for muscular and cardiovascular endurance! It’s great for all ages.

If you want to combine the best of both worlds (cardio and strength), try high-intensity interval training. HIIT has shown remarkable benefits to people of all ages and fitness levels.

However, the best type of resistance training is the one you enjoy and the one that you perform safely. Doing calisthenics is better than bodybuilding and powerlifting, but only if you think so!

Stay Strong

Now that you know some of the key benefits of resistance training, hit the gym and find a program you enjoy. Remember to keep changing up the exercises and follow it up with the right nutrition!

Stay up to date with our latest healthy lifestyle tips and feel free to contact us with any questions!