How To Relieve Neck Pain
Let’s talk about how to relieve neck pain. Neck pain is a common complaint after a motor vehicle collision. It is also a common concern among football players and other athletes. Some individuals think that their best solution is to receive massage therapy. Although this can be a very helpful therapy other structures besided the muscles are likely involved. The source of the neck pain needs to be addressed. This commonly includes a complete analysis of the spinal curve of the cervical spine. If trauma has occurred each structure should be evaluated for injury- ligaments, discs, nerves, joints, and muscles.
Ligaments attach bone to bone. They are structured to provide stability and do not receive much blood flow. As such, if they are damaged they generally do not heal as quickly as other structures, such as muscles. Ligaments are often involved in any trauma injury because they are so important for stability and are positioned to support. If lagaments are injured it is referred to as a sprain.
Discs are similar in that they are positioned between each vertbrae and act as shock absorbers. They have a higher rate of blood flow, but do not possess strong abilities to heal. If the discs have been damaged it often effects the nerve root that travel through the spinal column and exit at each vertebral level. Often when discs are damaged and no care provided they can become the source of pain and nerve endings will actually begin to innervate the damaged tissue resulting in pain sensation being reported to the brain.
Muscles are like ligaments in that they are almost always effected with neck trauma. They are also likely involved when the problem is postural or related to injury. Muscles also support the skeletal structure. There is high blood flow through muscular tissues which allows for quicker healing time than most tissues, although the process can still be very painful. If treated properly recovery speed can be increased.
Damage to joints of the spine can be very painful. The worst thing for a joint is to stop moving. When this occurs the joint begins to degenerate and make it more difficult to maintain function. When examining the cervical spinal joints it is also important to note that a range for proper curvature exists. If the curve is significantly decreased or even reversed the neck will be more susceptible to injury and symptoms such as pain or discomfort. Muscle pain will also be present as one of the responsibilities of the muscles is to protect against further injury by strengthening the area. If muscles are relaxed without addressing the issue of the spinal structure the pain may increase instead of resolve.
All of these structures- ligaments, discs, joints, and muscles abenefit from receiving chiropractic care.
The best way to relieve neck pain is to receive chiropractic adjustments. Then , follow up with an analysis of daily neck health habits. The effects of a chiropractic neck adjustment are many. First, they can restore proper motion at each segment. Additionally, inhibitory neurons fire to help reduce or alleviate the pain. Muscles also are affected by adjustments in that they reflexively relax.
When evaluating the neck, stress must also be analyzed. This includes physical, chemical, and emotional stress. Physical stress can include posture and positioning while standing, seated, and lying down. The emotional stress component is also very important when addressing neck pain. This can greatly affect pain levels.
So what is the best answer for the questions how to relieve neck pain? First, contact our office to schedule an appointment. We will walk with you through a complete history of your condition and establish a treatment plan that you can take part in and that will help you to find relief from pain and increased health. 801-810-4144.
Natural Joint Pain Relief
Natural joint pain relief is something that is searched for frequently in our society. Many people continue to try new pharmaceutical products or nutritional supplements that claim to have fantastic results, just to find out months or years later that those products were harmful and full of side effects that could be life altering. Here we will address truly natural ways to find joint pain relief.
So what is natural? The easiest, but sometimes non-definitive definition is “a compound that can be found in nature.” This would preclude anything that is created synthetically in a laboratory setting, such as pharmaceuticals. There can be value utilizing pharmaceuticals for pain relief, but this article is focused on finding pain relief without the need for such substances.
Natural pain relief is one of the many benfits of chiropractic care. Chiropractic has seen many miracles in its history. There have been many recent studies to try to understand exactly what the chiropractic adjustment provides as far as pain relief. We are just now beginning to understand the science and biology involved in the natural pain relief that chiropractic provides. How about side effects? Very few. The most common side effect of chiropractic care is discomfort or soreness. This usually last for a few hours, if at all, then subsides. The process of being adjusted is very natural and can provide significant pain relief for joint pain sufferers.
So why chiropractic? The worst, most unhealthy thing that can happen to a joint is lack of motion. If a joint does not move properly for long periods of time- say for weeks or months- it may provide its owner with significant pain. As a joint stops moving it begins to lose its ability to move and degeneration begins. The most effective way to restore health to that joint, and thereby provide natural pain relief, is to restore proper motion.
Most patients who enter our office never having received chiropractic care leave with a smile and with significantly decreased levels of pain. This is such a wonderful experience for us because these patients initially show such apprehension before treatment. During their first few visit patients frequently comment on how much better they feel and tell us they wish they would’ve come in sooner. During those same visits we offer patients an overview of chiropractic, its philosophy, and our approach to a natural pain relieving process. We also show how we can not just provide pain relief, but how we can help patients on their way to optimal health and wellness.
One of the most vital portions the treatments we provide is home care. Health involves more than simply coming in for treatment or care. It involves certain activities that a patient may need to add or eliminate from their lifestyle or activities of daily living (ADL’s). This will help optimize the care you receive during your visits.
Other sources of natural joint pain relief include massage, essential oils, changes in diet, and moderate exercise. Most of this can be included in your visit to a chiropractor. Contact us today and schedule an appointment to find your natural joint pain relief. 801-810-4144.
Chiropractic Care or Physical Therapy
As I encounter potential patients I am occasionally asked whether chiropractic care of physical therapy might be more effective for their particular condition. I have learned that there seems to exist a feeling among some that one should always seek physical therapy after an auto collision injury and not for chiropractic care. Although I fully respect and honor what physical therapist provide for their patients I must admit I was puzzled at some of the reasoning for this sentiment. I found that those who favored PT after auto collision injuries simply believed that chiropractic did not actually help the patient find pain relief and that their treatments were based upon non-medical criteria and had no research to support such care. They claimed that there was no data to support the success of chiropractic care. They also argued that chiropractic physicians have insufficient education and quailifications. These two statements are simply wrong.
There has been a lot of research into whether of not chiropractic care can provide pain relief to auto collision victims. These studies also showed that chiropractic patients not only found relief from pain quicker, but were able to return to work faster and experienced fewer recurrent episodes of pain than those who sought care from other types of care. I need to add that there is a wide array of chiropractors and the types of care they provide are varying. Chiropractors who provide care for auto collision injury patients and do not prescibe home care- exercises and stretching- are not providing the standard of care they ought to be.
In regards to education, chiropractic college admission requirements include courses that most often add up to over 3 years of undergraduate studies. This being the case most students chose to finish their bachelor’s degree before admission into chiropractic college. And as is the standard for a doctorate degree chiropractic college is a four year academic endeavor, bringing the total years of education to approximately 8. In addition, Chiropractic Physicians are portal of entry providers and are professionally qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat auto collision injuries. Those who specialize in this care are usually very experienced and have additional education and credentials for auto collision injury care.
If you have been involved in an auto collision and are seeking care, please consider this information when making your decision. Often times patients seek advice from an MD who may not be fully aware of this information or may not be familiar enough with chiropractic care to make a proper referral. Remember, you are in charge of your own healthcare. Educate yourself before making any decision.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Reynolds please call 801-810-4144. We are available to treat patients in Draper, Utah as well as Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Cold Laser Therapy
We are excited to announce the addition of a new service to our clinic. Cold Laser Therapy (also referred to as Low Level Light Therapy- LLLT) is now available. This service can be received in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments and other therapies or can be experienced without other treatment options.
What does Cold Laser Therapy do? It reduces pain by altering the levels of specific compounds that are active during the inflammation process. It also stimulates the mitochondrion in each cell to increase the production of ATP causing an increase in oxygen delivery and use in the cells. This improvement of biochemistry allows for an increase in overall cell energy and is used to transform live cells from a condition of illness to a healthy, stable state. General therapeutic laser biological effects include increased cell growth, increased metabolic activity, faster wound healing, anti-inflammatory action, increased vascular activity, reduced fibrous tissue formation, and stimulated nerve function.
Cold laser therapy is widely used for treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Below is a short list of conditions that have been shown to be treated successfully with Cold Laser Therapy: (* denotes conditions we have seen in our office)
- Ligament sprains (including ankle sprains)*
- Muscle strain (such as a hamstring or shoulder muscle)*
- Auto Collision injuries*
- Tendonitis*
- Arthritis (rheumatoid & osteoarthritis)*
- Elbow and wrist pain
- Back pain*
- Neck pain*
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Bursitis
- Earaches*
Here are some of the advantages of cold laser therapy treatments.
- Easy to apply
- Extremely safe
- Non-Toxic , Non-Invasive
- Painfree application
- No side effects
- Highly effective in reducing pain (more than 90% efficacy)
- Superior pain relief over analgesics, NSAID’s and other medications
- Significantly reduces the possibility of surgery
If you wish to receive Cold Laser Therapy for any condition please contact our office at 801-810-4144. We would be glad to assess your condition and help identify which treatment options would be optimal for your care and answer any questions you may have. Our office is located in Draper, Utah. We are a chiropractic pain relief clinic.
Pregnancy Chiropractic Statistics
There are limited resources for accessing information and statistics about chiropractic care during pregnancy. Our patients have reported wonderful results regarding chiropractic care during pregnancy, but few publications have research the matter. In an effort to consolidate information and identify thebenefits of receiving chiropractic care during and throughout pregnancy we have compiled statistical information here. Please note this information is gathered from many sources with varying degrees of credibility from scientific reviews to survey reports. Please contact our office with questions regarding specific resources.
Back pain during pregnancy
- 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during pregnancy
- 50-75% of women experience back pain during labot and delivery
- 21% of pregnancy women seek medical consultation regarding nack pain
Success rate of chiropractic care during pregnancy
- 75%-84% of women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy report relief of back pain
- Substantial relief from back pain is experienced with an average of 1.8 chiropractic treatments.
Benefits of chiropractic care with regards to labor and delivery
- Women who seek chiropractic care during pregnancy report a 24% shorter labor and delivery time than those who don’t seek care
- Women who seek chiropractic care while pregnant with multiple babies first report a 31-39% shorter labor and delivery time
- Breech presentations are reduced using the chiropractic Webster Technique with a success rate of 84%-92%
Postpartum care
- It takes approximately 8 weeks for pelvic and uterine ligaments to return to normal after labor and delivery.
There are many ways to interpret the above information. What is generally clear throughout the research and data is that chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and gentle. It is also considered successful and effective treatment for a variety of issues experienced during pregnancy.
Please contact our office to schedule a no charge consultation to answer any further questions you may have about receiving chiropractic care during your pregnancy. 801-810-4144. Please remember that we also have 2 offices to serve your needs- Salt Lake City, Utah and Draper, Utah.
Desk Posture
The number of people with desk jobs has increased significantly over the last 10-15 years. In addition, the amount of time spent at a computer or desk at home or at work similarly risen dramatically. As such, there has been a plethera of posture related conditions that are much more common. With a quick look at the common posture of desk or computer workers can give a good idea of where these problems are coming from. Posture.
The common conditions that arise from this posture include headaches, arm and hand pain, neck pain, possible anxiety, and even panic attacks (usually involving more than posture). Breathing patterns and biomechanics are altered and organ function can actually be lowered due to this posture. There are other effects as well. The muscles of the back can become stretched and weakened. Chest muscles become short and tightened (don’t mistake this for becoming stronger). All in all, one may begin to change their appearance due to the sustained posture they hold while seated at a desk or computer.
It is common for anyone who spends any significant amount of time at a computer to begin to slouch or lean forward. The common position is where the chin begins to jut out and the shoulders roll forward while the upper back begins to round. I like to call this the “Melted Position” and it is commonly seen among high school students.
To begin to correct any problem created by poor or incorrect posture the cause must be properly evaluated. Chiropractic care is optimal for this. Full evaluation of the spine and seated and standing posture are examined. Chiropractic adjustments allow the spine to improve its range of motion and quality of motion. It also stimulated the nervous system to decrease pain and improve muscle function by optimizing innervation. Home care should also be provided to help overcome poor habits and allow the body to heal and correct itself.
Some simple advice can help one to avoid poor desk posture. This advice is intended to help one evaluate their need for further assistance or needed improvement and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. First, pay attention to chin position. If it is kept tucked in and not allowed to jut out that is a positive. Second, be aware of the shoulder blades. They should be tucked together gently in back without any assistance from the chest or shoulder muscles. These steps, when done properly and following the advice of a healthcare professional can be instrumental at avoiding pain and problems and allow for a healthy posture and body function.
Call to schedule an initial examination at our Draper, Utah office.
801-810-4144
How Many Visits?
Who hasn’t heard the myth that once you see a chiropractor you’ll have to keep going back for the rest of your life.
Most chiropractic patients arrive at their doctor’s office with months or years of problems. They are in pain and just want to get relief. Most often it hasn’t dawned on them that their condition is a result of months or years of habits, behaviors, and stress that have allowed pain to result. This can even be true when the source of the pain is an acute injury.
Chiropractic is a unique profession. Our philosophies and protocols differ from the traditional allopathic approach. We do not proclaim that all your problems can be cured with a magic little pill. We do not suggest that we go ahead and open you up to see if there is something we can find wrong with you. We much prefer to help you make small changes to lifestyle, posture, or biomechanics that can help result is significant changes.
When determining how many visits or treatments one might need there needs to be an understanding about expected outcomes. Which of the following is your purpose for treatment?
- I want to find out if this pain is serious
- I want pain relief only
- I want to do something I currently am unable to do because of pain/discomfort (i.e. play with kids, golf, ski, sleep)
- I want to be healthy & well
- I want to stay healthy & well
Those who are seeking to be healthy and well and to stay that way will find that chiropractic can be a fantastic source for assistance towards that goal and may seek care throughout their life. Those who simply want pain relief may simply choose to be treated a handful of times. The key here is that the patient determines what their purpose for treatment is.
So, how many visits do you need? You decide. But first, come see how we can help you.
We have offices in Draper, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah. Call 801-810-4144 to schedule.
Who’s in charge of YOUR health??
With all the buzz about health care in politics I thought I should address an issue that has been on my mind lately. I will do my best to avoid any political discussion as this website is meant to promote health and wellness and not to discuss political philosophy. As I have seen new patients recently I have been reminded that most of the progression made during a treatment plan is related to the minor changes and corrections made in the patient’s habits or lifestyle. Which brings me to an important fact of life- you are ultimately responsible for yourself and your decision. Others can influence you, but you always have a choice.
When I ask ‘who’s in charge of your health?’ I am not asking who pays for your healthcare or even which physician do you trust to handle your medical information and prescriptions. The answer isn’t your physician. Nor is it your insurance company. They can have quite a bit of influence on your healthCARE, but ultimately your health is the responsibility of one person…YOU. You are the one who makes decisions about your health. So…
- What do you consume?
- How do you exercise?
- How do you handle your personal hygiene?
- How are your sleeping habits?
- Do you chose to take supplements or vitamins, or accept medications or pharmaceuticals?
- How do you chose to spend your free time?
- What are your personal interactions with other like?
- How do you spend your alone time?
All these decisions are yours. These questions relate to your health, be it mental, physical, or other. Each of these categories can have varying degrees of influences, but the decision is still yours.
It’s time to be accountable to ourselves. Listen to your body and educate yourself about your health. Work to improve your diet by making better choices each week. This doesn’t mean you have to change drastically now, but do change. At least slowly. I have a belief that the best physician for your own health is you. You know your body. You know what your feeling. That’s why the best physician is one who asks many questions and listen very closely to the answers.
My job as a chiropractic physician is to identify the cause and suggest the solutions to overcome or eliminate the complaint. I offer education and treatment, but there is always a level of home care involved. This is because your health is determined by YOU.
If you are interesting in taking charge of your health or if you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member please contact our office today and schedule a consultation. We do not charge for this service. 801-810-4144.
Family Chiropractic & Wellness
We are focused on providing gentle, professional, high quality chiropractic care to the entire family at an affordable rate. Our offices are located in Draper, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah .
We can be reached at 801-810-4144.
We serve the following areas:
- Draper, Utah
- Sandy, Utah
- Bluffdale, Utah
- Riverton, Utah
- Lehi, Utah
- American Fork, Utah
- South Jordan, Utah
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Holladay, Utah
- Midvale, Utah
- Murray, Utah
- Taylorsville, Utah
- West Jordan, Utah
- North Salt Lake, Utah
- West Valley City, Utah
- Saratoga Spring, Utah
Upper Back Pain & Posture
Low back pain is one of the most common health complaints. What most people are coming to realize is that upper back muscle pain may be the fastest growing complaint today. Why? Today’s society has become much more sedentary and technology- oriented. This means that we are no longer in the habit of being physically active throughout the day. The way we communicate, enjoy entertainment, work, and basically life is through the use of technology and computers. What does that have to do with our health? It all relates to our posture. How we position our bodies while we are engaged in our activities or work and pleasure can and will determine our overall posture and appearance, not to mention the type and intensity of pain experienced.
I see people every week who come into my office who say, “Can you do anything for this pain between my shoulder blades?” The answer is “Sure, but the most effective way to get rid of pain and stay out of pain is to correct your posture.” The next set of questions I hear are, “well, how can I do that? Isn’t that difficult to do? And, can’t you correct it for me?” The truth is that chiropractors will help resolve the joint issues that results from bad posture and are an excellent resource for identifying the underlying cause, but the problem is long-term improper posture. Most people don’t even know that issues until their upper back is examined. What most people don’t realize is that the body has a balance between the muscles of the neck, the shoulder, and the upper back. The most common upper back muscle that is involved in upper back problems is the levator scapulae. This muscle originates at the shoulder blade (scapula) and inserts into the upper cervical vertebra and base of skull. As such, it can also be the source of headaches.
So, what can be done to resolve these issues? Correct your posture! How? Begin by being aware of how you sit and stand during long periods of time. Having a physical examination is essential to identifying exactly where weaknesses may be- left or right, lower of upper right quadrant pain, etc . Performing the proper upper back pain exercises is central to improvement and strengthening weak muscles and stretching shortened muscle is key to recovery. These exercises are simple and can make a huge difference in the decrease or elimination of back pain. General physical activity is a great source for postural improvement and in some cases may be more effective in improving posture. This is due to the use of entire muscles groups.
In summary- if you have upper back pain get it checked out. The solution may be as simple as receiving chiropractic adjustments, lightly modifying your standing or seated posture, and becoming more active. Sometimes we just don’t realize how much better we can feel until we try
