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LBP is among the most prolific and life-changing conditions of our time

It can be broken down into two basic constituent categories:

• Mechanical pain refers to pain related to the dysfunction of the moving parts of the spine, i.e. facet joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles.
• Compressive pain refers to pain that is caused when nerves exiting the spinal cord are put under pressure.

Chiropractic is a conservative method of treatment that shows great efficacy in improving the symptoms of both conditions.

Mechanical and Compressive  

• For mechanical pain, chiropractic adjustment seeks to address symptoms through mobilization of the spinal joints. Through low-intensity, high-frequency adjustments to the affected region, we restore proper alignment and effect great improvement on the symptoms of mechanical LBP. 
• For compressive LBP, we use decompression modalities to provide spinal elongation. Stretching the spine and providing manual adjustments to the affected region.

Chiropractic is a conservative form of treatment that seeks to correct the root of the problem with natural methods. We recommend that most cases of non-specific back pain be treated by conservative methods before considering other more invasive methods such as spinal surgery. 

Relief

If you are looking to address spinal pain, whether it be mechanical or compressive in nature or any other type of pain, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. We are pain specialists who will determine the cause of your spinal dysfunction before setting a course for treatment.

Dr. Karen Thomas and her multilingual staff are always friendly and welcome new patients of all ages.

For directions to our office click here.

At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture located in Park Slope, Brooklyn 11215, we apply both Eastern and Western medical theory to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan designed specifically for each patient. Our goal is to help our patients enjoy an optimal quality of life with improved physical health, mental well-being and a sense of spiritual tranquility.

As week three of self-quarantine and shelter in place regulations commence, it’s important to take a closer look at what’s going on so we can better understand what we’re all in for.

If you’re feeling healthy and well right now, you have an advantage over tens of thousands of Americans who have been diagnoses with Coronavirus, so that’s an important thing to be thankful for right off the bat. If your job is easily translated to remote/at-home work, that’s another blessing that millions of Americans do not have at this point.

As all businesses not labeled as “Essential” begin to buckle in for closures lasting at least through the end of April, many folks are filing for unemployment across the country.

COVID-19 is no laughing matter and it’s up to everyone to prevent the spread of this thing, or our lives could be disrupted for far longer than anyone realizes.

Social distancing is essential during this time, which is why we’d like to advise everyone to stay indoors and don’t go out unless it’s absolutely necessary. Limit your grocery store runs to once a week and take your walks during low-traffic times to avoid coming into contact with others. Under absolutely no circumstances should you be having get-togethers or parties.

Contact Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope today to learn more about how we’re providing our essential treatments for patients in need while keeping rigorously high standards of safety and cleanliness. We’re here if you have any questions or concerns during this time.

As Americans experience times of self-quarantine, our at-home rituals are going to either keep us sane, or misuse of our free time might start to drive us less than sane. It’s times like these especially when the world seems like it’s in such turmoil, to double-down on your own efforts to maintain control over the one thing on this planet you actually do have control over… you.

Your at-home yoga practice might be the cornerstone of your wellness routine and it’s also a great way to stay in shape during this time of self-quarantine.

You can customize your yoga routine at home to achieve whatever you’d like to achieve health-wise, whether it’s building strength, improving your flexibility, or decompressing your body from a rigorous workout routine.

First, try doing your yoga practice for 10 minutes at the beginning and end of your day. Your first yoga session should be more rigorous to wake you up for your day. At night, do a more relaxing yoga routine that will get your body and brain ready for restful sleep.

As you go along, try to build up your yoga routine to 45 minutes to 1 hour — that way you can experience the full range of benefits that a strong yoga practice is sure to bring to your life.

Chiropractic treatment goes along great with yoga for keeping the body maintained, in shape, and feeling 100% healthy and functional. Contact Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope to learn more about how our treatments can help you reach a new level of wellness today.

As millions of Americans in affected cities begin to shelter in place, it’s important for those of us who are social distancing to remember to practice self-care, especially during these times of tension and stress.

Turns out we’re a lot better to each other when we’re being good to ourselves. Below, Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope goes over a few tips for practicing self-care at home to boost your health, vitality, and wellness.

Stretch it Out

As we get cramped into our homes in order to assist the more vulnerable members of our community, it’s important to remain vigilant about our at-home stretching routines. Practice yoga (there are plenty of helpful YouTube videos out there), if you have a partner, convince them to give you a soothing massage, and make sure you’re doing what you can to decompress your body from the day’s events.

Eat Well

Have a good balance of healthy food and comfort food, that way your time at home doesn’t feel like such drudgery. Eat plenty of clean, whole foods. If you’re going for chocolate, opt for dark chocolate, which has actual nutritional value as opposed to milk chocolate. Stay satiated and hydrated to fuel your day.

Practice Mindfulness

Now is the time to have an attitude of gratitude. Try to help others less fortunate than you at this time. Meditate and make sure to think plenty of others rather than just go into self-survival mode.

Chiropractic treatment is one of the best ways out there to decompress and recalibrate your body and mind. Contact Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope to learn more about how our treatments go hand-in-hand with the self-care lifestyle.

As more and more cities experience lockdowns of varying degrees, many folks are putting themselves under self-quarantine as a way to reduce exposure for those of us who are more susceptible to contracting Coronavirus.

Social Distancing is one buzz term that we’ve been hearing a lot in the news and we thought it’d be a good idea to let our patients and readership know what Social Distancing is and how to be conscientious to those in the world who stand to pay the ultimate price for this global outbreak.

Social Distancing is exactly what it sounds like — keeping your social interactions to a minimum. For some of us, this means working remotely from home and only going out into the world for necessities, like to go to the post office or the grocery store, or some of us for things like the DMV or the doctor’s office.

Any meetings you have for the rest of the month and set for early April can be easily changed to FaceTime or Skype meetings. There’s a lot of resources online for video chatting that will help you feel less like you’re quarantined.

Now is a great time to catch up on your favorite TV shows and maybe even read that book you’ve been meaning to read.

As long as we’re allowed to keep our doors open, Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope will be providing chiropractic treatments that help boost the immune system and will keep your body running at 100%, even during uncertain times. Contact us today to learn more about who we are and what we do. And please stay safe out there, everyone.

In addition to our amazing treatments, Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope also provides education to our patients and readership that will help them stay healthy, especially during sick season, and, now, during times of the Coronavirus. Below, we go over a few foods you can add to your diet that will boost your immune system, which will help you stay healthy.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are an obvious source of vitamin C, which you’re sure to find in any immune-system boosting concoction. Eat an orange or a grapefruit, or even a lime or clementine for a vitamin C boost.

Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers have twice as much vitamin C as citrus fruits, believe it or not. Add one to your salad for an immune system turbocharge.

The Two Gs

Ginger and garlic are both powerful for fighting infection and warding off inflammation. Add both to a veggie smoothie for ultimate immunity.

Chiropractic treatments have also been shown to be a powerful immune system turbocharge. Contact us today to learn more.

When it comes down to it, our staying healthy depends upon the daily choices we make, whether it’s keeping a good diet (which means eating plenty of fruits and veggies packed with minerals that keep you healthy and well), staying hydrated, avoiding self-destructive behaviors like smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and doing things for our bodies that set us up for success.

We don’t have to lock ourselves away in our homes in order to avoid getting sick. We can avoid places where we’ll be exposed to a lot of germs, like the subway, or large gatherings (like concerts), but, even then, there are plenty of measures we can take to avoid getting sick. Taking vitamin C, using disinfectant wipes, washing our hands, avoiding handrails, and taking other measures can drastically reduce our chances of getting sick.

Wanna know what else drastically reduces your chances of getting sick? Chiropractic treatment! Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope provides adjustments that have been shown to boost the immune system, promote a healthy gut, improve your sleep on a nightly basis, and more! Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

When our schedules get busy, one of the first things we start to put on the backburner is our own wellness protocol. We might eat fast food, we might sleep abnormal hours, and we might also fail to keep our health and wellness routines. Working out and exercising can definitely start to become an afterthought. And, no matter how active you are, if you remain inactive for more than a week or two, you can start to get out of shape very fast. Then it’s going to be another uphill battle dealing with the pain and adjustments of getting back in shape. Let’s avoid this!

Below, Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope goes over a few ways to stay active, even when you’re working grueling hours.

1.) Wake Up Earlier

Wake up one hour earlier in order to get your exercise routine in, whether that’s a 5 am or 6 am run, or a morning dip in the pool. Make sure you get your heart rate up for at least 25 minutes continuously to engage in cardio. Those days when you feel like hitting the snooze button, it’s important to get after it.

2.) Workout with a Friend

Having a friend to workout with will motivate you to show up more. Your workout buddy can hold you accountable for staying on top of your routine, and vice-versa.

3.) Join a Team or Group

Even if you’re busy, chances are you can sacrifice one or two nights a week to be a part of some sort of team, whether it’s softball, dodgeball, basketball, or even a martial arts dojo. Joining a community like these will help inspire you to stay more active on a weekly basis.

Contact Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope today to learn more about how our chiropractic treatments and acupuncture treatments go hand in hand with an active lifestyle.

When it comes to acupuncture, some folks are a little hesitant to take the step outside of their comfort zone to explore the expansive world that Eastern medicine has to offer. Acupuncture is a process that inspires your body’s own miraculous healing capabilities to reduce pain and boost your health profile.

Myth #1: Acupuncture is a Fad

Although some people might consider acupuncture as some sort of trendy fad, the actual practice of acupuncture has been around for over 3,000 years!

Myth #2: Acupuncture is Painful

Some people think of acupuncture as a painful experience due to the devices involved. Although acupuncture does utilize small needles, they can hardly be felt. You may simply feel a heaviness or even a weak electrical sensation. After your treatment, you’ll actually be in less pain than when you started.

Myth #3: Acupuncture is Pricey

Far from it! Acupuncture is a specialized treatment that is actually quite affordable. At Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope, we provide acupuncture treatments that can fit just about any budget.

If you’d like to learn more about the many health benefits acupuncture can bring to your life, contact Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope today to schedule your consultation.

As more and more of us get more health-conscious, it makes sense to look for healthy alternatives to old traditions that might act contrary to our health and wellness goals. Valentine’s Day is one holiday marked by fancy restaurant attendance, chocolate consumption, maybe more than a few adult beverages. However, Valentine’s Day actually represents a unique opportunity for you and possibly a special someone to take a bonafide health and wellness day.

Below, Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope goes over a few ways to make this Valentine’s Day as healthy as it is special.

 Eat Clean, Whole Foods

Try to go to a restaurant that uses fresh, local ingredients, if you’re dining out this Valentine’s Day. If you’re preparing something special at home, get some healthy ingredients from the organic food store and put something nutritious together.

Opt for Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is actually healthy for you and chock-full of antioxidants — and has far less sugar than milk chocolate.  Dark chocolate might get a few groans from some, but it gets more enjoyable as we get used to it.

Visit Your Local Chiropractor

Whatever you plan to do this Valentine’s Day, come in for a pit stop at Community Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Park Slope. Our treatments help relieve anxiety, promote a better night of sleep, and provide drug-free pain relief for the back, body, and joints! Contact us today to learn more about who we are and the services we provide.