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.
How To Relieve Neck Pain From Sleeping
What is the trick on how to relieve neck pain from sleeping? The answer is in the question: sleep habits. We spend almost one-third of our lives sleeping, but we rarely put any sort of priority on our sleep habits. This includes sleep equipment (mattress, pillow, etc.), bodily posture or positioning, as well as approach to sleep (time allowed, routines, etc.).
As a chiropractic physician, I consult with patients daily about their lifestyle habits and preferences. I find that there is a definite correlation between neck pain and poor sleep habits, the easiest to identify being preferred sleeping position. Admittedly, it is easier and much more common to find ways to alleviate neck pain by improving posture while awake, sleeping posture must be addressed if the pain relief is going to be long lasting.
Let’s look at different sleep positions, their benefits, and their potential shortcomings.
- Sleeping on the back: This is a preferred position due to the uncomplicated nature of the spine and its curvature. If the neck is supported with an above average pillow ans the low back isn’t susceptible to stress this position might suit you well on almost any occasion.
- Side-sleeping: This is another good choice for healthly sleepers, but requires additional equipment. With the assistance of a pillow placed between the knees this posture allows for high levels of comfort. By placing the pillow between the knees the possibility of rotation in the lumbar spine (or low back) is diminished. One tendency with this position is to sleep with one arm under the head, which is not recommended and is not considered optimal for the shoulder or the neck. This positioning may create compression on the structures of the shoulder leading to numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the arm or hand. A supportive pillow is advised to help avoid this pitfall.
- Stomach-sleeping: Those who sleep in this position can experience neck pain, arm pain, low back pain, and more difficulties breathing at night. I have also found that those who prefer this position often find it extremely challenging to change this habit. If you sleep on your stomach and have yet to experience any neck or low back problems do not assume you are out of the woods here. Sometimes pain doesn’t express itself until after additional stress has been added. By then it may be much more difficult to change your sleeping position.
So how do you relieve neck pain from sleeping. First address your sleep habits. In our office, we can help walk you through this process by asking certain questions and evaluating your neck to see what is causing certain issues.
The next step in relieving neck pain from sleeping is to seek corrective care. Once you identify the problem it is time to fix it. We provide each patient with an in depth treatment plan which includes exact diagnoses, frequency of visits, modalities (treatment types) to be done during each visit, home care, useful recommended products, and treatment outcome markers and goals. These treatment plans target correcting the source of the problem, not just pain relief. Each patient has the option to chose a pain relief treatment plan or a corrective care plan. We strongly suggest to nearly all patients that a corrective care package is the most effective plan because the problem is addressed and corrected. With a pain releif plan sometimes the issue can return if the patient hasn’t completelycorrected lifestyle habits.
Our invitation to you is to setup an appointment with Dr. Reynolds to find out how to relieve neck pain from sleeping and discuss your sleep habits. We can also we can help you make correct changes to your lifestyle which can optimize the benefits of healthy sleep and eliminate all neck pain from sleeping. Call 801-810-4144 to schedule.
Back Pain In The Morning
Have you ever experienced back pain in the morning? Do you wake up and struggle to get yourself out of bed because of pain? Have you tried different ‘miracle remedies’ for back pain but have never found a solution? Don’t give up. There is always hope. Let’s first help you find what the source (or sources) of your pain is, then we can look for solutions.
We need to address your sleeping position, your mattress, your pillow, your sleep habits, and some of your basic everyday habits or lifestyle during the waking portion of your day. You may need to spend a few days paying closer attention to yourself, your habits, and your posture or body positioning to be able to isolate the best possible solution to your back pain in the morning. This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition or disease. It is simply meant to help provide options or solutions that the consumer can contemplate or ask his or her healthcare provider about.
As far as the mattress goes, you may want to try different types of mattresses to find which best suits you. Most mattress sellers allow for a money back trial. Don’t just search for the mattress that feels the softest or most comfortable on first contact. In fact, for ‘bad backs’ we find that firmer mattresses provide much better results. Some of the more popular brands are sleep number, temperpedic, and intellibed. These are sometimes priced higher and you may be able to find an improvement in your sleep by using a less expensive brand.
If your back pain is a lower back issue than consider your sleeping position. If you sleep on your back you may need to better support your lumbar (low back) spinal curve by placing a firm pillow under your knees. This lessens the pressure on the lumbar spine and allows for easier sleep. If you sleep on your side you will need to use that same pillow, but place it between your knees. This will decrease the chances that you are causing a rotation in your lower lumbar vertebrae which may be the source of your morning pain. If you are sleeping on your stomach your first step is to learn how to sleep on your side or your back. Your back and neck with thank you in the long run as this position is very strenuous on all portions of your spine.
The steps listed above are good things to be aware of when trying to overcome back pain in the morning. Yet the most beneficial thing you could do for your pain is to seek chiropractic care. We help our patients address each of these issues as well as inspecting the spine and muscles to help identify what the main issues are. Chiropractic adjustments are also very effective at decreasing pain, increasing mobility, and improving healing. Our office can also provide you with exercises and stretched that reduce back pain, promote spinal health, and empower the patient as to which habits may be helpful and which to avoid. Home care exercises are always included with our treatments. Call 801-810-4144 to schedule an appointment today. Don’t delay your care. You will be glad you spent the effort to help yourself awake refreshed and pain free each day.
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
Sleeping Positions
I have been told your preferred sleeping position can tell a lot about your personality. Your sleeping position can also tell a lot about your physical health as well. The average person spends about 1/3 of each day sleeping, yet most of us don’t concern ourselves with our quality of sleep health .
So are you a healthy sleeper? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I awake refreshed?
- What position do I sleep in?
- How old is my mattress?
- Do I experience morning back pain?
- What is the quality of my pillow?
- Do I experience morning neck pain?
- How many hours do I sleep continuously
The best position for sleep is usually on your back. For most people putting a pillow under your knees can reduce any low back strain that may be present while in this position. Most therapeutic grade pillows are designed to accomodate a ‘back-sleeper.’ Side sleeping is a fine alternative for those who don’t like back sleeping. In this case be sure to place a pillow between the knees to reduce the amount of low back rotation that can occur. Stomach sleeping is not recommended. When sleeping on the stomach the head and neck are in extension and rotation. This happens to be the most problematic position for your neck and can cause multiple problems. There is no healthy way to sleep on your stomach when it comes to posture. Morning neck pain frequently accompanies stomach-sleeping. Deneration of the cervical spine can also be perpetuated by stomach sleeping postures.
If you are waking up with neck pain you should first evaluate your pillow. Does it support your head and neck? Does it support your head away from your shoulder if you are sleeping on your side? If your shoulder needs to be raised in order to sleep you should look for a new pillow as this may be the source of your neck pain.
There are many types of pillows that claim to solve sleep problems and range form $20 to $150. To decipher which pillow might work best for you identify which sleep position you prefer- on your back, side, or stomach. (Remember- it is highly recommended to avoid sleeping on your stomach).
If you are experiencing morning back pain there are some simple things to do to help alleviate that pain. If the pain does not diminish within a few days after adjusting your posture you should seek professional advice as your condition may be more serious. Chiropractic has an outstanding track record for alleviating low back pain. Additionally, you should evaluate your mattress. Most mattresses have a five to nine year warranty. This is due to the wear and tear that occurs. If your experience back or neck pain or diminished sleep quality consider the age of your mattress.
For any specific questions about sleeping position or morning low back or neck pain please contact us at 801-810-4144 to schedule a no charge consultation with Dr. Reynolds. We have offices in Draper, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah.
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.
Referred Pain
Referred pain is when pain is felt in a different place in the body then where the source of the pain is located. This is very common with the shoulder and neck. A muscle trigger point in a rotator cuff muscle can elicit pain into the forearm and hand. Neck problems can present as pain in the shoulder or arm. Ankle pain may be resulting from a low back issue. The best way to isolate and diagnose the problem is through a physical examination and history. The cause of such pain can be from muscle trigger point (AKA muscle knots), pain from nerve involvement, or pain resulting from other tissue conditions such as adhesions.
Headaches are another good example of this. Some headaches are actually a result of bad posture, causing certain muscles to become overworked and begin to present as headaches. A very common presentation of this is a headache that begins in the base of the skull and starts to creep up the back of the skull to the top of the head. The usual suspects include the suboccipital muscles and have that before mentioned pain referral pattern.
What are the alternatives to seeking chiropractic help? Here are a few options (and explanations why they are less than ideal).
“If I wait long enough maybe it will just go away”
-Pain is an indicator from your body that there is something wrong or out of balance. By ignoring it the condition often worsens. Even if the pain goes away the cause remains. Yes, sometimes pain can be temporary and harmless, but that occurs far less frequently than commonly thought. It’s best to identify the cause before the results have a chance to become devastating.
“I can just take some ibuprofen”
-The holistic response to this is “your pain is NOT an ibuprofen deficiency.” Can over the counter medications be useful? Absolutely. But remember that they should only be used as a functional ‘band aid’ to allow the person to function. They are never the long term solution to bodily pain. My recommendation to patients is to use them only if you are not able to stay active and only for a short period of time.
“I just need to exercise more or get in better shape”
-Physical activity is a fantastic way to help the body heal itself and maintain its own optimal function. There is more to the story here, though. Most people do not perform exercises to perfection. By performing an exercise short of perfection there is an increased chance of injury during and after the exercise. Proper stretching and warmup and are essential for the body to avoid trauma to muscles, joints and ligaments.
So, what should you do if you’re experiencing pain in the shoulder, head, arms, or legs to which you can’t figure out the cause? Contact our office in Draper or in Salt Lake and schedule an appointment for a physical examination and treatment. 801-810-4144.
