Tag Archives: back pain

Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

Many people often ask me, what is the difference between chiropractic and physical therapy? People who are experiencing pain get confused on whether they should see a physical therapist or a chiropractor. I’d like to dive into this topic more with this blog post. Let’s get started with a description of each, how they are similar, how they differ, and which may be the better option for you based on your needs.

Chiropractic

The main focus of chiropractic is the spine. We also work on extremity issues with great success. The basis of our technique though, is spinal health. The human spine is designed to keep us upright (think posture) and to protect the nervous system. Any pain or injury or change to the spine can affect how you feel and how you function. The chiropractor’s job is to find spinal restrictions or injuries and restore movement and position to those areas. By doing this, the body feels better, the body heals better, and the body functions better. Our philosophy is that the body is self-healing. My job as a chiropractor is to help your body heal the best it can through a healthy spial column. Chiropractic is famous for helping people get out of pain, and it is also used to help promote overall health and wellbeing.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists work to help people feel better by addressing musculoskeletal issues through the modalities of stretching, strengthening and sometimes using passive techniques like laser, ultrasound, dry needling, etc… Usually, PT is performed for a set amount of time or visits to restore the patient back to the state they desire, which is typically pain free. Once the patient is pain free, they stop physical therapy.

Which is best for me?

It really depends on what you are looking for. If you want an overall wholistic approach to improving your body’s ability to heal itself than chiropractic is for you. If you are looking for a biomechanical approach to your pain than PT would be a good choice. It does not have to be an either-or decision. Many people choose to use both! There is not a right or wrong answer when it comes to chiropractic and physical therapy. I recommend finding which style you prefer. Most importantly is finding the person you resonate with and enjoy working with, no matter which profession they are in.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Bourdage

Hollow Holds for Core

Hollow Holds for Core

Hollow holds for core are one of the best exercises you can do to protect your spine. Check out this video for a demonstration:

A good test of core strength is if you can hold this position for one minute. Like I stated in the video, if you cannot hold this for one minute, take your time building up to it. 20 second holds will quickly turn into 40 second holds. One minute will not be far behind.

You will notice while you do this exercise, your lower back will want to come off of the ground. Fight that urge as best as you can. This exercise gets its benefit from you keeping your lower back firmly planted into the ground. When done properly you will feel you whole body shaking and that is good. The shaking is your muscles becoming stronger. If you feel pain or discomfort in your lower back while you do this exercise, please stop and discuss with me during your next chiropractic appointment.

Injury Proof

The benefits of a strong core are numerous. A strong core not only helps you look good for bathing suit season, but it also helps to create better posture, have less pain, and prevent future injury. Many of the injuries I see in my chiropractic office here in Chicago are because of weak core musculature.

The core is much more than just the abdomen muscles. The core is truly the integration of the body as a whole. How your body is all tied together. The core helps connect the upper body to the lower body so it can all work in unison. A strong united body comes from a strong core.

Hollow holds for core, give them a try and reap the benefits of developing a rock solid foundation!

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage

Crawl for Core

Crawl For Core

One of my favorite exercises to improve your overall health, strength and fitness is crawling. Crawl for core strength and stability. For most adults it has been decades since you have been on all 4’s crawling around. If you watch how babies and kids move, they are pliable, nimble and agile. The can spend extended time in a deep squat, they can fall down and bounce right back up, and they crawl around on the ground. All of these movements are natural human movements that we should continue to perform even into adulthood.

Benefits

When performing the crawling exercise, not only are you engaging your full body musculature, you are also firing neurons in your brain. The cross crawl pattern of moving your opposite extremities at the same time has been shown in numerous studies to be beneficial to the brain. Patients that suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia have been shown to have positive effects of practicing cross crawl exercises. Anytime we can find exercises that benefit both brain and body…I’m a fan.

I use crawling mostly as a warm up before my other workouts. I set a timer for 5 minutes and try to keep crawling for that whole time. Beware, it takes time to work yourself up to a 5 minute crawl. If you are not ready for that yet, start small. I recommend crawl for one minute, rest for 2 minutes. Repeat 3-5 times. Sometimes, if I am not working out or if it’s a rest day, I will still get down on all 4’s and crawl. I feel so much better physically after I crawl for core, and it also wakes me up. I always feel more alert after.

There is no shortage of ways to incorporate crawling into your routine. Please give it a try and let me know your thoughts.

Your Chicago Chiropractor,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

The Best Ab Exercise You Are Not Doing

As a chiropractor here in the Chicago area, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “How can I get my abs and core to be stronger?” This is a great question and there are plenty of exercises to accomplish this. See the video below for one of my most favorite exercises. This exercise does not have a name, so I call it the best ab exercise you are not doing.

As you can see in the video above, this exercise will have you coordinating movements of your hips and shoulders through your midsection. This is very different than most ab exercises that have you moving only your upper torso or legs at once. This engages your whole body which is why I love it! The human body is designed to move as one unit, not separated out into isolated body parts. I also like this exercise because it does not put a lot of stress on your shoulders like a plank can. It is also quite stress free to the lower back, unlike old school sit-ups.

If you find yourself going in circles while doing this exercise, you are not doing it correctly. Stop, reset, and try again.

In conclusion, try the best ab exercise you are not doing and let me know how you like it. Personally, I do 10 reps in each direction, rest shortly then do 8 in each direction, rest, then 6, rest, and so on all the way down to zero! Be ready for a serious ab burn!

If you would like to make an appointment with our office please click here https://bourdagechiropractic.com/appointment-request/

Your Chicago Chiropractor,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Do This to Prevent Back Pain

86% of Americans will miss work due to having lower back pain. In some countries across the world, there are populations who experience no lower back pain. What do you think they do that we do not? Here are some options, make your guess and then click the link below to see a 1 minute video of me giving you the answer and explaining what you can do to be more like them! 

Do they:
1) Walk over 20k steps a day
2) Sleep on the floor
3) Poop without a toilet
4) Not wear shoes

Watch my video for the answer and tip you can start utilizing today:

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?

Faith in Chiropractic

Faith in Chiropractic

I understand that when a person walks into a chiropractic office, they have to have some sort of faith in chiropractic. Now don’t get me wrong, if you have been to a chiropractor before or have seen the results of chiropractic first hand, you know it works. There are a lot of people who have not had these experiences, or know nothing about chiropractic, but yet, still find themselves seeking the help of a chiropractor. They typically walk into our offices with this faith, or hope that we can help them. Or, sometimes they come in with a certain degree of skepticism. Either way I like to meet people where they are at, and show them how amazing their body is and what it is capable of.

The definition of faith is “the complete trust or confidence in someone or something”. When someone has been suffering for a long time, and they have not found results for their condition they usually end up in a chiropractic office as a last resort. I don’t take this responsibility lightly. Whether they have complete faith in me and chiropractic does not effect the results. Chiropractic works whether or not you believe in it…kind of like gravity. Even if you don’t believe in gravity, it’s still working.

Results

I truly wish people could follow me around all day at the office to see how powerful chiropractic is. You’d get to see and hear the stories I see and hear. Like the man who came in for lower back pain, but also told me he has had vertigo for years. Then after one adjustment his vertigo was gone. Or the pregnant woman who’s baby was not head down, but after a series of adjustments to her pelvis the baby flipped to the correct position. The man who hadn’t slept a full night in a year because of headaches and jaw pain who finally slept a full night after just three adjustments. The colicky baby who kept his whole family up every night that finally slept soundly after being adjusted. These stories go on and on. And most people have no idea chiropractic can do these things.

When I talk about faith, I am not speaking about religion here. Chiropractic is not a religion. I know this word is used in religious context more than anywhere else. Please do not be confused, chiropractic is a science, an art and a philosophy all in one.

My role as a chiropractor is very important to me. If you do become a patient in my office, it doesn’t matter if you have faith or are a skeptic. I will do my best to take care of you, help you heal, and when you see the results that chiropractic is famous for, maybe you will become a believer too!

Your in Health,

Dr. Bourdage

 

Sciatica? Chiropractic Can Help

Are you suffering from Sciatica? Chiropractic can help!

Sciatica can be caused by many different issues. It can be arthritic changes in the spine, a herniated disc, muscle imbalances around the hip, or muscle tightness. It is important to discover what is causing your sciatica and address that issue. That is our approach here at Bourdage Chiropractic.

Sciatica is characterized by pain in the back. This is accompanied by pain, numbness, tingling, or burning that travels down the leg and may even be felt into the feet and toes. The further down your leg it travels, the more severe your case is. It is important to have this checked out and do not wait for the symptoms to get better on their own. The longer you wait, the greater chance your sciatica may become chronic in nature.

Sciatica is the most common condition I treat at Bourdage Chiropractic. We have good success in helping people heal from this oftentimes awful condition.

Please watch the video above, and if you have any questions I’d be more than happy to discuss with you. Give me a call at 773-545-9379.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Steven Bourdage DC

Chiropractic and Herniated Discs

Chiropractic and Herniated Discs

Here at Bourdage Chiropractic we see all different types of conditions. One of my favorite conditions to work with is herniated discs. Chiropractic and herniated discs go together like peanut butter and jelly. As soon as you hear, “you have a herniated disc” the first thing you should think about is seeing your chiropractor.

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