Archive for January 2018
The Problem with Ignoring Back Pain
Pain is a signal- a signal that requires a response
The truth is that most incidences of mechanical back pain do resolve themselves. One side of your brain is telling you that you can just keep going and the pain will go away while your more rational voice is telling you that you are simply fooling yourself. Pain is a signal that something is wrong- a warning symbol that if you keep doing what you are doing, injury could occur. That‘s why you become stiff and sore- if you moved those muscles any further than their restricted range of motion allows, there is a good chance you would incur injury.
The problem is that once that pain goes away, it rewards you for your inaction. But did that pain really disappear? If you make no positive actions to account for the health of your back, and you continue with a lifestyle conducive to spinal degeneration, that pain will just recur over and over again. Ignoring your back pain signals is a great way to set yourself up for injury and disability in the future.
Taking proactive measures to beat back pain
We are not suggesting that you panic at the first sign of back pain. Rather keep a steady eye on your symptoms- where and when the pain occurs, the severity and how frequently it recurs. The prudent person takes action to prevent back pain in the first place, but we understand the predicament of being too busy to care for your spine. If you reach a point where back pain is becoming a constant source of worry, give our office in Park Slope a call. We prioritize the health of your spine and reduce back pain to prevent problems from compounding and leading to disability down the line.
Cardio Alternatives for Back Pain Sufferers
Cardio alternatives for back pain sufferers
So we still want to reap the same benefits as a 30 minute run, but without the repetitive trauma? Here are some ideas:
- Swimming or aquatic activity: suspends compressive force of gravity, provides natural resistance for all of your movements
- Elliptical training: allows for intense workouts without the stress on your joints.
- Stationary cycling: reduces stress on the joints and can mimic most running intensities.
- Metabolic resistance training: increases your metabolic rate to maximize the amount of calories you burn in a given session. A great way to burn fat quickly.
- Indoor rowing: reduces stress on the joints while providing cardio and strength-training benefits.
Your holistic health resource in Park Slope
At our office in Park Slope, we are dedicated to helping people discover natural health solutions. If your cardiovascular exercise is also contributing to your back pain, it is worth seeking other activities as a means of maintaining the cardio benefit while minimizing stress on the spinal joints. Give our office a call to schedule an appointment and start taking control of your back pain today!
Chiropractic is Therapy for the 21st Century
Integrated wellness in Park Slope
Alongside spinal manipulation (also known as adjustment) we provide our patients with the following healing modalities:
- Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Postural analysis and education
- Ergonomic counseling
- Nutritional education
- Manual therapies
- Massage therapy
The stated goal of all these modalities is to help you mitigate the pain of chronic conditions, optimize your body’s ability to heal itself and prevent the onset of illness and injury. This preventive approach to healthcare strengthens your body against the dangers inherent in 21st century lifestyles including:
- Sedentary lifestyles
- White collar office work
- Overuse of devices
- Longer commutes
21st century pain relief in Park Slope
If you are interested in taking a new approach to healthcare this new year, give our office in Park Slope a call to schedule an appointment today. We are standing by to provide you with all of our natural health modalities and knowledge, and are more than willing to work with your primary care doctor to design a plan that helps you tackle all of your health challenges.
The Importance of Spinal Mobility
Give me some reasons why I want to improve my thoracic mobility
The paradox of thoracic mobility is that it relies on movement in the first place; in order to maintain thoracic mobility, we have to be mobile. The thoracic spine influences movement and function up above and below its particular segment, which means that maintaining its mobility is central to maintaining your spinal health. Here are some of the benefits to be gained from more thoracic mobility:
- Less pain
- A more stable lumbar spine
- Better range of motion throughout the upper body
- A less-rounded upper back
- Reverses kyphosis and improves lung capacity
So how do I improve thoracic mobility?
Improving thoracic mobility starts with identifying the particular points that are limited. We then use targeted, natural modalities, including spinal adjustment and mobilization, to restore mobility and reduce pain. By lengthening the spine, and then gently restoring mobility to the thoracic spinal joints, we effect great improvements in your overall spinal health. From here, we enact a plan of stretching and strengthening that focuses on maintaining the mobility of your thoracic spine. If you are looking to make profound improvements in your spinal health this year, give our office in Park Slope a call to schedule an appointment today.
Making Exercise an Easier Habit
The first part of making exercise easier is establishing motivation
Everyone knows that exercise is good for them, but that is often not a strong enough call to action in of itself. We want to help you get as specific as possible with your exercise motivation. This will help turn the perceived benefit of exercise into a tangible value.
Take, as an example, a white-collar working scenario:
- 30-60 minute commute each day
- Working in an office
- In front of a computer for 6-8 hours a day
- High stress comes from constant deadlines and performance indicators
- Spends free time at the end of the day relaxing with family
Perversely, we perceive that there is little room for the exercise that will prevent the onset of factors including weight gain, spinal degeneration, illness and injury. Instead, we need to think of exercise as our first line of defense. So what really matters to you? Exercise can help you get there.
How to start exercising: a plan to make it easier
- Seek activities you actually enjoy: and choose variety. No one is saying you have to start running. If you prefer to swim, play soccer or basketball, then go for it. Anything that gets you moving counts.
- Seek to make it a social event: just one friend makes a difference; they hold you accountable and make the perceived physical output less intense.
- Do it first thing in the morning or first thing after work: being disciplined about the schedule, and establishing a regular time that you do it each day will help you stay on track.
- Keep track of your progress and the real value you are deriving: pay attention to positive signs of progress including increased energy reserves, better sleep, less pain or a happier outlook. This is the fuel for your fire!
Exercise is easier than ever in 2018
From on-the-go apps to at-home youtube series, you can find quality exercise in large or small doses no matter where you are. The only thing that is stopping you is YOU! At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope, we are dedicated to helping people move more to improve their quality of life. Our natural modalities reduce pain and improve range of motion so that you can focus on the things that really matter in life, like prioritizing your health! Give our office in Park Slope a call to schedule an appointment today.