Massage Therapy and Low Back Pain

Massage therapy can be useful for many different types of ailments, in particular chronic low back pain. Gia Miller discusses the benefits of massage in her article titled, “Healing Hands: Massage May Ease Chronic Back Pain”. Guidelines suggest that massage therapy should be used prior to opiod use for lower back pain but many providers are not necessarily following these suggestions. Those that are suffering from low back pain typically experience symptoms short-term, but they can become chronic (lasting longer than three months) for about 15 percent of sufferers. It can be challenging to find a treatment that works for those with low back pain and oftentimes providers will prescribe painkillers but those can become addictive. The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease suggest that exercise, steroid injections, behavioral changes, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture and surgery can also be viable options for relieving pain. It is always best to speak with your provider before starting any type of treatment. 

A study was completed using over 100 participants to meet with a massage therapist to develop a treatment plan for their low back pain. Participants received 10 massages from therapists. Subjects reported less pain after a 12 week period and continued to have reduced pain after a three month period. In general, those that were older than 50 years of age reported better results than those that were younger. Massage in particular is helpful for soft tissue injuries, which include muscles and ligaments. 

Subjects of the study received massages free of charge but typically massages can be expensive. Insurance companies typically do not cover massages and this may explain why opioids are prescribed more by providers. Niki Munk, who is a licensed massage therapist, stated that massage is most effective when it is done regularly to reduce pain. Once back pain has been reduced, massages can be done every month or every other month to maintain functionality. She suggests finding a therapist that patients can develop a therapeutic relationship with over each visit and one that will develop an effective treatment plan. To find out more ways to keep your body healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=202892

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people everyday. Hallie Levine in her article titled, "9 Things You Never Knew About Chronic Pain", details various information about chronic pain and some things that may help or hinder chronic pain. One in four Americans currently suffer from pain that lasts more than one day. In general, women are more likely to feel pain from various conditions. Experts in the field are unsure why women are more susceptible but it has been hypothesized that it may be due to hormones, genetics, immune system, estrogen levels and psychological factors. Men may be more susceptible to acting tough and not acknowledge pain, so the statistics on who experiences more pain may be skewed due to this fact. It may seem intuitive to rest when pain is present, but providers are encouraging people to resume daily activities as soon as they can. One research study reported that those with low back pain who stayed active ended up experiencing less pain and increased function than patients who were told to decrease activity. 

Perimenopause in women can increase the incidences of migraines. The risk has been found to increase by 62 percent around this time of life but birth control pills or estrogens patches may help decrease pain. There are some natural remedies that have been found to help chronic pain. These include acupuncture, chiropractic, yoga and massage. A study done by the NCCIH showed that over an 18-month period chiropractic treatments can work as well as typical treatments for lower back pain. Chiropractic adjustments can allow help with neck pain and migraines. The author notes that consuming items like tart cherry juice, sardines and oil olive can help alleviate pain. In a 2013 study, those that had osteoarthritis drank 8 oz. of tart cherry juice twice a day for a six-week period. Participants saw decreases in pain and increased function. Sardines and olive oil have both been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Refined grains, red and processed meats and sugary drinks have all been found to negatively affect chronic pain due to an increase in inflammation. 

There have been some myths that cracking knuckles can potentially lead to arthritis and evidence has not been found to support this notion. The popping you may hear from cracking is due to bubbles popping in the synovial fluid around the joints. It may be beneficial to decrease the amount of knuckle cracking though because studies have shown cracking knuckles can lead to increased swelling and decreased hand grip strength. Fibromyalgia is a problem concerning the musculoskeletal system, which can lead to pain throughout the entire body. Treatments for fibromyalgia vary but some lifestyle changes like exercising and reducing stress may help. Providers may prescribe antidepressants or antiseizure medications to help with fibromyalgia pain. Opiods can be prescribed for acute injuries to reduce feelings of pain in the body, but the length of time on these medications should be reduced and used for as little time as possible given their addictive side effects. It is best to always speak to your provider if you have any concerns about chronic pain. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy and free of pain, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: http://time.com/4723105/chronic-pain-facts/

Chiropractic Care

There are multiple benefits for seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis. Chiropractic treatments can be used for a wide range of people from infants to senior citizems to improve overall health. In a study done in 2012, it was found that spinal manipulations performed by chiropractors were more beneficial than mediciations for acute neck pain. Another study completed in 2013 showed that patients who suffered from neck pain showed more improvement with chiropractic visits and paid less overall for their treatment. Chiropractic treatments can save more than 50 percent in drug costs in some circumstances.

Typically, chiropractic care can help treat the root cause of an issue rather than just treating symptoms. Treatments can help with acute injuries, and it is also important to maintain ongoing treatments to prevent future injuries. If you find yourself in a work injury or auto accident, chiropractic care can help injuries sustained from these situations. Massage therapy is a beneficial complementary therapy to chiropractic care and typically the massage therapist and chiropractor can work together to find a treatment plan that is most beneficial for the patient. Chiropractic treatments are less invasive than surgery and typically patients report few, if any, side effects. Adjustments can help improve your posture by aligning the spine. Oftentimes, neck pain can be caused by sitting at a computer desk or tilting your head forward to look at a phone. When poor posture becomes predominant in daily life, the pressure put on the neck can increase to ten pounds per inch that someone is out of the correct posture. Chiropractors focus on the body as a whole rather than certain areas of the body, which brings a more holistic approach to overall health. 

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of chiropractic care, please visit our website www.oxborochiro.com.

Source: https://paindoctor.com/benefits-of-chiropractic-care/

National Correct Posture Month!

Did you know that May is national correct posture month?  One of the most powerful tools for you and your family in maintaining correct posture and proper spine biomechanics is regular chiropractic treatment and massage therapy.  Chiropractic can help keep your spine mobile and pain free, making  sitting at your desk, typing on the computer, playing sports, and doing your day to day easier.  Massage therapy helps to loosen chronically tight muscles, rehabilitating your posture muscles so that they can keep you standing and sitting straight and tall.

Beyond chiropractic and massage therapy, there are a variety of daily exercises and stretches that promote good posture.  These utilize basic range of motion movements and are easy to do at your work station, at the gym, or at home.  Contact us today for more information on your spine, to schedule a posture check, and help you find health and wellness.

Contact us for more information on stretches and your spinal health at: 

www.oxborochiro.com

or

952-948-9225

 

Inflammation and Your Health

Chronic inflammation can be a source of many health issues for many Americans.  Yet, many people don't truly understand what inflammation is, how it works, and what they can do to reduce its effects when it's not functioning properly.

Inflammation is a natural body response to injury or cellular damage.  It involves multiple biochemicals, immune cells, and other mediators in the body and, when triggered, utilizes the blood stream to reach its target destination.  When working properly, inflammation helps to break down and clear out damaged cells and tissues, help eliminate the pathogen or irritant that triggered the initial inflammatory response, and even initiate repair of the damaged tissue.  This results in the typical redness, heat, and swelling.

Without inflammation, our body's would be vulnerable to pathogens and increased destruction of our body tissues.  On the other hand, when inflammation becomes  chronic or results because of an immune system disorder inflammation can be a cause to pain, allergies, digestive issues, autoimmune disease symptoms, arthritis and even some cancers.

So how can we help our bodies reduce excess inflammation?  One easy way in acute injury is to ice.  Ice is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce heat and swelling in an injured area.  This is why icing a sprained ankle works so well, or why athletes sit in ice baths after hard training that results in micro-damage to muscle tissue.  Using ice for twenty minutes on covered skin can help reduce the lingering, painful effects of inflammation and speed recovery.

Nutrition is also a powerful ally in fighting inflammation.  A 2004 study found that obese patients having a healthful, balanced diet that helped with weight loss also significantly reduced inflammatory biochemicals, and did more to reduce inflammation than exercise or physical activity.  Some of the foods that have been found to reduce inflammation are fish, like salmon, dark green leafy vegetables, like kale, celery, and blueberries.

Supplements can help with inflammation as well.  Daily supplements with omega-3 fatty acids are the most common form of anti-inflammatory supplementation.  Other herbal or natural supplements, like turmeric and glucosamine sulfate,  have been found to reduce inflammation, but you should always consult with your doctor or pharmacist prior to adding these to your diet to ensure that there are no other medication interactions.

Finally, there are many services and treatment options at Oxboro Family Chiropractic that can help with inflammation.  Cold laser therapy is a pain free, comfortable treatment that has been shown to reduce inflammation in treatment areas to reduce pain and speed healing.  Chiropractic adjustments have also been found to decrease heat and inflammation from joint spaces in a 2006 research study.  Acupuncture also has been found to locally reduce inflammatory biochemicals after needling an injured area.

For more information on inflammation, pain, and what we can do to help you, call to schedule an appointment. www.oxborochiro.com


Sources
Niklas, BJ, et al, 2004: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/79/4/544.short
Song, XJ, et al, 2006: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161475405003246

Snow Shoveling Techniques to Prevent Low Back Injuries

Snow removal is one of the most common causes of back injuries during the winter.  

Using the wrong body mechanics can put high amounts of stress on the lower back.  This undue stress can cause variations of muscle strains and possibly more serious injuries such as disc herniations.  The following five snow removal tips can help to avoid low back injuries.

1.  Pick the right snow shovel. 
An ergonomic shovel can help minimize some of the effort needed to shovel snow.  A shovel with a curved or adjustable handle will minimize bending of the back and focus primarily on slight knee bending.

2.  Warm up thoroughly. 
Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury than warm, flexible muscles.  Before you start shoveling make sure you warm up for about five to ten minutes by stretching the low back and hamstrings as well as a light walk.

3.  Pace yourself. 
When shoveling, stick to small amounts at a time instead of large piles of snow.  Also take periodic breaks every 10-15 minutes or if you feel like you are overworked.  Take this opportunity to stretch out the major muscle groups which include shoulders, low back, and legs.

4.  Use ergonomic lifting techniques. 
When possible push snow to the side rather than lifting it.  When lifting is necessary make sure to:

Bend at the hips with the chest pushed forward, and lift with your legs.

Always face the object you intend to lift.

Keep loads light.

Avoid twisting by pivoting your whole body.

Keep heavy loads close to the body.

Walk the snow to a different area rather than tossing.

Keep hands about 12 inches apart when gripping the shovel.

5.  Keep your feet on the ground. 
Slippery conditions can lead to slipping and/or falls causing muscles strains in your low back.  Using sand or salt and wearing boot with good traction can also to help minimize slippery conditions.

If injuries still occur while shoveling make sure get ice on the injured area immediately for twenty minutes to help minimize the inflammation from setting in and contact your local chiropractor immediately.  Chiropractic treatments along with muscle work and stretches can help you get back to health quickly and efficiently.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/snow-shoveling-techniques-prevent-low-back-injuries

For more information, visit our website at

www.oxborochiro.com