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:
I attended a recent workshop by a local Orthopedic surgeon. It was a very informative session. The topic discussed was new procedures for the knee and shoulder joints. The procedures he discussed are new, non-surgical alternatives for people who are still having pain after trying natural methods to heal first. This was a great workshop because most surgeons like to do surgery. This was a surgeon discussing ways to help people avoid surgery. Modern medicine has realized that people want less invasive and more natural methods to healing. People are more educated than ever and they realize that just numbing something or cutting it out is not going to fix the problem!
This blog post is going to be about something the orthopedic surgeon said that I will never forget. He said, “The system is set up so that all roads lead to surgery.” He went on to explain that if you enter the medical system with a pain, the protocol is to prescribe muscle relaxers, pain killers or anti-inflammatories. Or in most cases, some combination of 2 or 3 of these. If this does not help someone to feel better then you continue the medications and start physical therapy. He said this is where the issues begin. Not because of physical therapy, but because of physical therapy while on medications. Taking these medications which interfere with your pain perception, your tissues are not in their normal states. Now you are doing these exercises that can be causing further damage, but you can’t feel it! The pain is there as a protective mechanism. If you can’t feel the pain you may be working beyond the limits that you should be. Therefore, this leads to more problems. If this fails, this is when you end up on the surgeon’s table.
Chiropractic
I am writing about this because chiropractic offers a different route. We embrace the pain. We figure out why you are having pain and then work to correct that, not just merely cover it up. If you are looking to avoid surgery and get healthier without the use of medications, I am here for you!
Have you gone down this route that has led to surgery? Would you do it again? I’d love to hear more about it in the comments below.
Elbow pain relief has become a very common reason people are seeking Chiropractic care. In my office, most cases of elbow pain are directly related to cell phone and tablet usage. The position our hand, wrist and elbow are in while using these devices creates problems. Continue reading →
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!
One of the most common reasons people come to see me at my office in Chicago is because they spend a lot of time in the car and they start experiencing pain. These patients often ask me, “Driving and butt pain, can this be happening to me?” The answer is yes. The positioning of the seat in your car may be largely responsible for why you are having the butt pain. Oftentimes it can become even more than just butt pain, it can turn into sciatica.
Sciatica is a pain in the butt that also travels down the leg, sometimes as far down as the toes. It can be a sharp pain, a dull ache, or sometimes even numbness, tingling or burning. If you have ever suffered from sciatica you know just how debilitating it can be!
Sciatica has ended many careers of truck drivers or others who spend a lot of time in cars. This includes you police officers!
Watch the video below for a quick tip on how to position your car seat better. Most importantly, get checked by a chiropractor. We are specialists when it comes to helping those suffering with sciatica. Pelvic misalignments, tight hips, lower back subluxations and muscle imbalances can all contribute to the pain you are experiencing. It is critical to have these issues corrected, not only so you feel better, but so we fix the underlying problem and your sciatica doesn’t become chronic and a long-term issue.
The only thing worse than a pain in the butt, is a long-term, chronic pain in the butt.
Stretching is an often overlooked aspect of health, but yet it so important. There is a lot of misguided information when it comes to stretching. In this blog I want to explain why it is important to stretch and explain the proper timing and method to get the most bang for your buck while stretching.
A recent study from the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association sheds some light on how chiropractors help arthritis. In this particular study, researchers inserted metal rods into the spines of rats to restrict and prevent specific movement of the bones in their spine. What do you think the results were?  Continue reading →
In the past two weeks there has been a lot of people suffering from shoulder pain in Chicago. The reason I know is because, as a chiropractor, there has been a huge influx of patients with shoulder pain coming into my office. Let’s discuss this further. Continue reading →
Have you ever wondered “Why do chiropractors take X-rays?” Or, have you considered going to see a chiropractor, but are worried because your chiropractor may recommend X-rays? Some people feel X-rays may not be needed for their case. Let’s discuss these concerns. Continue reading →
Choosing a chiropractor in Chicago can be quite a challenge. In a city as large and diverse as Chicago is, chiropractors are just as diverse. Each and every chiropractic office has a different philosophy, different techniques, and of course the Doctor in each office has a different personality. All of these are important things to consider when choosing which chiropractic office will be the best fit for you. Here are some things to consider when choosing a chiropractor in Chicago: Continue reading →
