Tag Archives: chicago

chiropractic, Uncategorized

When Is Standing Too Much?

Leave a comment

The new craze in standing at your desk has many asking if standing is for them, and how long should they stand for? Does everyone need a standing desk?  Not everyone needs a standing desk.  If you do have pain with sitting and  you sit for your job, then a sit to stand opinion might be for you.  Below are some tips to make the transition from sitting all day, to using a sit to standing desk without hurting yourself.

  • Standing too much can cause low back pain and leg pain.
  • Body is designed to sit and stand throughout the day. There are many ways to get your standing throughout the day without the need for a sit-to-stand option.
  • Sit-to-stand options can be useful and make the ability to stand more readily available. If you do have this options, here is what you need to look out to ensure proper utilization.
    • Most start at 15-20 mins within the hour in the beginning then it grows.
    • 4-6 hours per day after 30 days.
    • Start off slowly- taking breaks.
    • Listen to your body.
    • Flat surface and flat shoes (no heels!)
    • Weight distribution right below hips and arms at a right angle looking straight ahead and slightly down.
    • Don’t do continuous 8 hours of standing.  

Uncategorized, chiropractic

What Pillow should I get?

Leave a comment

Are you Sleeping on the Right Pillow?

Determining the right pillow is a personal choice that a person will make every so often. When it comes to thinking about sleep equipment, most people solely focus on the mattress. The mattress is one of the most important sleep equipment you will buy, but when it comes to sleep quality pillows are just as important. How you lay your head when sleeping plays a huge role in determining the type of support you need. Pillows not only impact the quality of sleep but can prevent any neck discomfort.

Why Does Your Pillow Matter?

A proper pillow will facilitate a good night’s sleep without you waking up at night or waking up with pain or a stiff neck. Having the wrong pillow over time can exacerbate unnecessary neck pain. There are a few factors that go into making a guide for yourself to determine the proper pillow for you.

Back Sleeper:

Sleeping on your back might appear to be comfy, but will highlight the underlying issue of snoring if you have a pillow that allows your head to sink. As you lay your head back, gravity will push the tongue back and block your throat. A better alternative will be a pillow that offers height, neck support and keeps the throat at a comfortable level.

Side Sleeper:

One of the most common positions to sleep in is on the side. You will need more support to keep the neck at a neutral angle.

Stomach Sleeper:

Sleeping on your stomach might be comfortable for a few nights, but after a while can become taxing on your back and neck. However, having the right pillow can negate some of these issues. A firm/plump pillow will force your neck into an odd angle that might lead to some discomfort. A better alternative would be a softer option.

When Is It Time To Replace Your Pillow?

On average, a pillow should be replaced every 18 months. The old age rule “ you pay for what you get” applies to this transaction. A higher quality pillow will last longer than an inexpensive option. Something you can do to your pillow to see if you need a new one is, take it out of the pillowcase to see if there are any stains or fold it in half and see if the pillow stays folded. If either of these are a yes then it is time to replace your pillow.

Uncategorized, chiropractic

2019 saw dozens of impactful studies regarding the benefits of Spinal manipulation(adjustments)!

Leave a comment

Chiropractic can help headaches! Thru my 20 years of practice I have helped a lot of patients with headaches. It’s nice to see the research is backing up what I and many of my patients have known for years. Chiropractic can help headaches.

Here’s a nice study form Harvard showing that.

1. Researchers from Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and Palmer College of Chiropractic performed a systematic review of the effectiveness of SMT for migraine. They concluded: “We observed that spinal manipulation reduced migraine days as well as migraine pain intensity.” (5)

2. A BMJ study encompassing nearly a quarter-million LBP patients compared initial and long-term opioid use with choice of initial provider. The study concluded: “Patients who received initial treatment from chiropractors or physical therapists had decreased odds of short-term and long-term opioid use compared with those who received initial treatment from primary care physicians.” Drilling beyond the abstract, the data demonstrated that between PT’s and DC’s, chiropractic patients had significantly lower initial and long-term opioid use (0.10 vs. 0.15). (6)

Uncategorized, chiropractic, exercise

Hip Weakness is Closely Linked to Knee Pain

Leave a comment

In this study they found that hip weakness was linked to knee pain. I treat a lot of runners that have knee pain, and most of them have weak hips.

“Women with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome had 33% lower hip abduction peak strength. They also had significant 70% lower knee extension force steadiness and 60% lower hip abduction force steadiness than pain-free women. Evidence-based treatments aiming at improving force steadiness may be a promising addition to PFP rehabilitation programs.“

Below is a helpful exercise to strengthen your hips. As always, if you need any guidance do not hesitate to call the office!

Ferreira AS et al. Knee and Hip Isometric Force Steadiness Are Impaired in Women With Patellofemoral Pain. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Jul 22. Link 

Uncategorized, chiropractic

New Guidelines for Runner’s Knee

Leave a comment

Active rather than passive treatments are the key to recovering from “Runner’s Knee”, according to new international treatment guidelines co-authored by La Trobe University physiotherapy researcher Dr Christian Barton.

❇️ People with kneecap pain should engage in exercise-therapy, namely hip & knee strengthening

❇️ An exercise program that gradually increases activities such as running, exercise classes, sports, or walking, is the best way to prevent kneecap pain

❇️ Risk of kneecap pain can be reduced through improved leg strength, particularly the thigh muscles

❇️ Pain does not necessarily equate to knee damage

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2019/release/new-guidelines-for-runners-knee2?fbclid=IwAR3UfqQ5rHFTjZxcgzED5ypLsL5ukXufo6iNta-ODNulM70_g0naKrc_DD4

Uncategorized, chiropractic

Headaches Can Come From the Neck

Leave a comment

Cervicogenic Headache are headaches coming from the neck. There are many cause of headaches. Chiropractic has been shown to help headaches caused by neck dysfunction.

A Spine Journal study found that in patients suffering from cervicogenic headache, spinal manipulation cuts the number of symptomatic days in half:

“256 adults with chronic cervicogenic headache (CGH) were randomized to four dose levels of chiropractic SMT: 0, 6, 12, or 18 sessions. Participants were treated three times per week for 6 weeks and received a focused light-massage control at sessions when SMT was not assigned. A linear dose-response was observed for all follow-ups, a reduction of approximately 1 CGH day/month for each additional 6 SMT visits. Cervicogenic headache days/month were reduced from about 16 to 8 for the highest and most effective dose of 18 SMT visits.”

Call the office if you have been suffering from headaches! If you have tried medicine but you are still having headaches then give chiropractic a try.

Haas M. et al. Dose-response and efficacy of spinal manipulation for care of cervicogenic headache: a dual-center randomized controlled trial. Spine J. 2018 Oct;18(10):1741-1754

Uncategorized, chiropractic

Maintain a healthy brain: How to protect the body’s control center

Leave a comment

Healthy brain function is essential for optimal wellness, but conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and concussions are emerging as critical concerns for our health care system. as conventional medicine searches for solutions, cutting-edge research is starting to show that nutrients and herbal extracts may have beneficial effects on memory and brain function.

Top Supplements to Boost Brain Function:

  • Fish oils high in DHA
  • Turmeric (bioavailable forms)
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamins D and E
  • B vitamins (especially B12)
  • Bilberry (anthocyanins)

Did You Know?

  • Most concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness.
  • Sports-related concussions do not show evidence of damage on MRI or CT scans.
  • Across the same sports, girls have higher rates of concussions.

Hrkal, Paul ND (2019) Maintain a Healthy Brain Sage: A Healthy Living Magazine

Uncategorized, chiropractic

Symptoms of Tech Neck

Leave a comment

Tech neck happens when people spend too much time with their head and neck extended too far forward over their body while looking at a computer screen. It can also happen when people repeatedly tuck their head down over their chin and hunch their shoulders while sending or receiving text messages on a cell phone.

Symptoms:
•Neck pain •Shoulder pain   •Shoulder blade pain •Pain in arms and hands •Numbness in thumbs and fingers •Headaches and/or Migraines •Fatigue •Eye strain and blurred vision

  • Minimize Tech Neck by:
  • Bring screens to eye level
  • Use a tablet or smartphone holder
  • Take frequent breaks from screens
  • Strengthen mid back and cervical extender muscles

Call Dr. Steve for help with your posture and tech neck!

The DCs ultimate guide to tech neck
Uncategorized, chiropractic

Chiropractic manipulation shown efective in treating nonspecific neck pain

Leave a comment

                      More and more research is showing that chiropractic is safe and effective!  Here’s a study from Pain Physician showing just that.   

A systematic review of 47 randomized trials found that cervical manipulation is safe and effective:

  • An effect in favor of thrust manipulation plus exercise compared to an exercise regimen alone for a reduction in pain and disability.
  • Of the 25 studies (that evaluated adverse events), either no or minor events occurred.
  • According to the published trials reviewed, manipulation and mobilization appear safe.  

Coulter ID et al. Manipulation and Mobilization for Treating Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for an Appropriateness Panel. Pain Physician. 2019 Mar;22(2):E55-E70.