Tag Archives: back pain relief

Being Healthy is Hard

Being Healthy is Hard

To be healthy requires you to make healthy decisions. Being healthy is hard. You have to decide to get enough sleep, eat healthier, exercise, fill your mind with positivity, and all the other habits that create health.  Being healthy can also cost you money. Visits the the chiropractor, gym memberships, at home exercise equipment, vitamins, organic food, massages, etc… These things all cost money. I can promise you this though, being sick is a lot harder and more expensive than being healthy.

Any time or money you spend on your health is a wise investment in you! When you are sick or in pain most people are willing to spend whatever time or money it takes to regain their health. Be more proactive and spend it upfront.

The most common time people start to think about their health is once a crisis hits. We’ve all been there, or know someone who has. A person has a heart attack and then decides it’s time to start an exercise program. Or you get diagnoses with Diabetes and then decide it’s time to eat better. Or you throw your back out and can’t move and then decide it’s time to start strengthening your core. All these scenarios are OK, but wouldn’t it make so much more sense to avoid the crisis all together?

Chiropractic should be an integral part of your healthcare plan. Chiropractic can not only help you get out of pain, it helps you stay out of pain, keep you mobile, functioning and full of energy…who doesn’t want that?

Doing Too Much

Doing Too Much

I’d like to share with you a story about a particular patient from my office that has a lot to offer and may help you too. This particular patient, let’s call him Bob, came in with an acute lower back disc injury. He was in bad shape, intense lower back pain that traveled into his leg. He was finding it difficult to do basic activities for everyday living. Simple things like getting dressed, tying his own shoes, getting up after sitting, using the toilet, and sleeping at night. To say his life was being affected by this injury is an understatement. Bob was starting to think this was going to do him in. Bob is in his mid to late twenties.

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Why Chiropractors are Weird

Why Chiropractors are Weird

Would you agree with me that Chiropractors are a strange bunch of people? Sometimes when I meet another chiropractor I have my defenses up because I’m not sure if they will be one of the weird ones. And when I say weird, I mean even more weird than I am. You may think it’s odd that a Chiropractor would write a blog post titled “Why Chiropractors are Weird” so please read on. Here are my top 3 reasons for the weirdness: Continue reading →

What is Chiropractic?

What is Chiropractic?

I love when people ask me this question. Chiropractic is so simple…maybe it is too simple and that’s why people have a hard time understanding it. There are 4 principles for you to know and understand to fully grasp, “What is chiropractic?” Continue reading →

Tension Headaches and Chiropractic

Tension Headaches and Chiropractic

This morning I had a patient come in that I have been working with  in regards to her scoliosis. During her visit she told me she had a really bad tension headache over the weekend. She was wondering if there was anything we could do to help. I responded, yes of course! Tension headaches and chiropractic go hand in hand.

Over my 11 years in practice here in Chicago I have helped countless number of people overcome tension headaches with chiropractic care. Tension headaches are  a result of tight muscles in the neck. Tight neck muscles are caused by poor posture, stress, dehydration, and most commonly, spinal mis-alignments. Oftentimes the cause is a combination of all the things I just listed. As a chiropractor, it is my job to discover why you are having the tension headaches, and then work to help correct the cause so you feel better and have long-term relief from the symptoms.

This approach is very different than medicine. Many people take OTC medication to alleviate their tension headaches, which temporarily helps you feel better, but the headaches will return because the underlying cause of the headache was not corrected.

Tension Headache Symptoms

Tension headaches are characterized by a dull tightness or pressure that can be in the forehead, temporal area, back of the head and neck area, or in some cases all of the above. These headaches can last a few hours to a few days. 80% of Americans will suffer from a tension headache at some point with 3% of people suffering from daily tension headaches! Tension headaches have a negative effect on your everyday activities. When having a tension headache you will feel irritable, tired, sensitive to light and noise, and trouble focusing. This can interfere with work, family, kids, exercise and other activities that people enjoy.

If you are suffering from tension headaches let me help you! There is no need to suffer any longer. Give us a call at (773)545-9379

 

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

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Chicago Chiropractor Talks Performance

Chicago Chiropractor Talks Performance

Mike S. was a patient who came in with shoulder pain that was inhibiting his strength training program. I’d like to share his success story with you. Read on as this Chicago Chiropractor Talks Performance.

Mike is a high level kettlebell athlete. He competes internationally and he is an amazing athlete. When he first came in to our office he was having shoulder pain that was inhibiting him from performing certain movements. Upon examination it was discovered that a tendon in his shoulder was inflamed and damaged causing his pain. In addition to that his middle back had spinal restrictions impeding the movement in his shoulder which ultimately is what resulted in the tendon issue. Also, his pelvis was misaligned with one side being much higher than the other. I started Mike on adjustments to fix the above mentioned issues and also had him modify his training. I told him, like I tell all my active patients, staying active will help you heal faster, we just need to work around the current issues.

Fast forward to one month later and not only is Mike back at it 100%, but he competed in a local event here in Chicago at Evolution Fitness, he set a personal best record in his event! Mike continues to receive chiropractic, not because he is in pain, but because he realized his body performs so much better when his spine is free of stress and tension.

This is much further reaching than even athletic performance. I also work closely with many members of the Chicago Lyric Opera. Opera singers literally use their body as their instrument, and a high functioning body is a top priority for them. Have you ever been to the opera? These professional singers are absolutely amazing! I have been fortunate to work with over 20 of the professional singers from the opera house.

Performance comes in many different forms and varies based on individual needs. How are you performing? It may not be athletics or singing, but maybe you’re a teacher, stay at home mom, or in the professional world….it doesn’t matter. We all need to perform in some manner. Let us help you perform at your best!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Serving Sauganash since 2008

Chiropractic Travel Tips

Chiropractic Travel Tips

Who doesn’t love to travel? Spring break is upon us and many people will be hitting the road and the air to travel to fun family destinations. Travel can be tricky if you are suffering from back or neck pain. Even if you are feeling good, travel can make you feel tight, achy and sore. Here are some Chiropractic Travel Tips to help you feel great once you arrive at your destination.

Move

You have to move your body! Lack of movement can create tension and pain. If you are driving make sure to get out of the car and move every time you stop. Drink a lot of water while driving because this will force you to stop often for potty breaks. If you are flying the advice is the same, get up and walk to the bathroom at least once an hour.

You can also move without getting up. Perform circles with your feet, head and neck and shoulders while sitting. Any movement is better than no movement. Fidgeting can also be a helpful habit while traveling because fidgeting will help to keep movement built into the time you are spending sitting.

Relax

Travel can be stressful. Any extra stress leads to more tension and pain. Try and stay relaxed during your travels to help alleviate any extra tension. I personally like to meditate while I am flying or the passenger in a car on a road trip. This helps me to stay mentally at ease which helps my body to stay at ease.

Once You Arrive

The first thing you should do once you arrive and settle in to your hotel is stretch. Particularly the areas to focus on are the thoracic spine (middle back), hips and shoulders. These are the areas of the body that get tight after long periods of sitting. While sitting these areas are in a flexed or rounded position which creates tightness and lack of motion. Spend 5-10 minutes loosening these areas up and you will be much happier and ready to enjoy your vacation to the fullest!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Back Pain Chicago 2017

Back Pain Chicago 2017

Back pain Chicago 2017 is what we will be discussing today. What does that even mean, you may be thinking?

Back pain is the 2 reason people visit a doctor, second only to the common cold. Research shows that 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain in their lives to a degree where they will miss work. The trend I am noticing in my Chicago office is that the numbers are on the rise. In today’s day and age people are busier, more stressed and less physically active than ever before. All of these factors, along with many others contribute to back pain and degradation of overall health.

Back pain is not always associated with an acute injury like most people think. Back pain usually builds over the years. It begins with dysfunction in the muscles and spine that the person is not usually aware of. Or, sometimes they are aware of some twinges, but chose to ignore those signs. What ends up happening is eventually a small stress or activity will then be the ‘straw that breaks the camels back’ so to speak. I hear stories like this all the time. “I slept funny and now I can’t move”, “I bent over to pick up a pencil and couldn’t stand back up”, or my favorite, “I sneezed and my back went out”. These are just a few examples of the stories I hear and it’s easy to see how someone may thing this offending activity caused their back pain, but in reality the issues most likely started a long time ago.

What to Do?

The best course of action to take is to be Proactive as opposed to reactive! Don’t wait for a crisis and don’t ignore the small signs and symptoms your body may be giving you. The small things lead to the big things.

If you are in pain or if you are looking for prevention, come see us! I have been helping people stay healthy, strong and active since 2006!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Sciatica and Chiropractic

Sciatica and Chiropractic

Sciatica and Chiropractic go hand in hand with each other. Sciatica is the most common condition that brings people into my office here in Chicago.

If you are suffering from sciatica, or know someone who is, then you know how debilitating and crippling it can be. We have amazing success with sciatica, it responds really well to what we do here in my office.

What I want to talk about is the amount of time people suffer with sciatica before they finally decide to seek treatment.  Many times when people first come in to my office with sciatica I will ask them “How long have you had this?” The answers are always 5 years, 10 years, or forever! It varies, but it is always a REALLY LONG TIME! Why are you waiting so long? I get it. Most people think it will go away on its own, but if you’ve had it for YEARS, guess what? It’s time to get some help!

I challenge you, if you have sciatica, come to our office in Sauganash or go see your local Chiropractor if you are not in Chicago. We have had amazing success with Sciatica and you no longer have to suffer. We can help you get back to the things you want to enjoy in life. More exercise, more movement, sitting, sleeping and all types of everyday activities can be normal again!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Chiropractic X-rays

Chiropractic X-rays

“Why do Chiropractors take X-rays?” is a common question I get asked in my office here in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago. Chiropractic X-rays are often times necessary to evaluate your spinal health, alignment, and spinal condition so that I can decided what is the best course of action to take regarding your health.

In the above video I discuss a specific case where a gentleman came into my office with neck pain that started that morning. He stated he never had neck pain before, but he slept in a funny position and woke up with neck pain. Upon examination I determined taking X-rays was clinically necessary to get more information about what was causing his pain. He did not want to do the X-rays, he just wanted an adjustment.

After explaining to him that I did not want to guess with his health and that the X-rays were necessary to move forward he agreed.  It turns out he had metastasized cancer that had traveled to the bones of his neck. Meaning, he had cancer somewhere in his body that had spread to the point that it was now in his neck bones. If I would have adjusted this gentleman he could have had serious problems after. It is critical to have chiropractic X-rays taken when working with the spine as it a very important structure in the human body. The spine plays many different roles in ones overall health and well-being.

Your’s in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Serving Forest Glen, Sauganash, Edgebrook, Skokie, Lincolnwood and the Chicagoland Area Since 2008!