Chiropractic Care

Do you have back pain? Believe it or not 8 out 10 people suffer from some sort of back pain. You are certainly not alone. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden sharp pain. In time you either grow used to the pain or you can find relief from the pain. There are a multitude of back pains, but in general there is acute back pain and chronic back pain. Acute back pain is usually a temporary condition with recovery periods in a few days to a few weeks. Chronic back pain, on the other hand, typically persists for longer periods of time. With chronic back pain the expected healing time for the identified cause may persist even after the cause has been treated.

What are the types of relief for back pain? There are many potential cures for back pain ranging from hanging upside down (inversion therapy) to acupuncture to pharmaceuticals. The most common relief of back pain is unfortunately taking pharmaceuticals. Fortunately, the second most common relief of back pain is massage therapy. Whether you suffer from acute or chronic back pain, studies have found that massage is effective for acute and chronic pain. Unlike pharmaceutical remedies, massage is a natural remedy. Your back pain is coming from the misalignment of bone, tissue, muscle, ligaments, etc. You could choose to dull the pain, but that doesn’t really strike at the root of the problem. Massage works on elongating, stretching, and soothing the muscles and ligaments in a natural way.

Massage Chairs for Back Pain? The best massage chairs on the market today have extraordinary capabilities. Many massage chairs can perform Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage and many others. These massage chairs perform a body scan to detect your acupressure points for a Shiatsu massage. The shiatsu chair will then tailor the position of the massage rollers to stimulate your acupressure points. This Acupressure massage helps the flow of natural healing based on the pathways that flow throughout the body.

A Deep Tissue massage gives you a penetrating, soothing relief. The massage cair program will start more superficially and then begin to permeate layer by layer. This layer by layer approach helps to relieve sore, aching muscles. There are some massage chair recliners that use the Swedish massage technique. This technique uses long, flowing strokes to elongate tight and stressed muscles. Relief is just a push of a button away with a shiatsu massage chair.

The premier massage chairs also incorporate heat. The benefit of heat is that heat relaxes tight and sore muscles and reduces pain. Heat is usually better than cold for chronic pain - such as from arthritis - or for muscle relaxation. The best massage recliners can provide full body heat in the chair back, the seat and the footrest. These shiatsu massage chairs are very therapeutic and can provide substantial relief from back pain.

Music therapy is a complimentary relief and natural remedy to reduce the disability, anxiety, and depression associated with chronic pain. Many shiatsu massage chairs have a built in MP3 player. Music therapy induces relaxation, helping you to let your stress and anxiety go.

Why not use technology to really reduce the pain and anxiety associated with your back pain. Technology is being incorporated at a faster rate into massage chairs. If you are looking to relieve your acute or chronic back pain, massage therapy is the natural answer. You can find a masseuse or a massage chair. A massage therapist is great, but you are limited to a particular time and place. On the other hand, a massage chair is ready and waiting for you. You can find a broad range of of massage therapies built into the massage chairs of today. With the touch of a button you can find relief within the comfort and privacy of your own home. If you got back pain, your best friend is a shiatsu massage chair.

Hi, I’m your chiropractor, and your back called me the other day complaining about all those household chores you are doing. I know you wish I could tell you just to hire a housekeeper and bill it to your insurance company, but I guess it won’t work that way. Instead I have some helpful tips for ways to work around the house and protect your back.

Dishes/counter: Try to adjust your level at the counter to where it is approximately at belt level. As you stand there leaning slightly forward with your arms extended either cutting or washing there is a great stress placed on the lower spine. To relieve this stress, either put rest one leg upon a stepstool, or open up a cabinet door a prop up on the ledge. Of course, in a perfect world, adjust the height of your working surfaces to fit your body next time you re-do your kitchen. Make the height of the working surfaces to the bottom of your elbows when they are bent and shrugged up.

Vacuuming: The upright vacuum, it’s the enemy to your back. Most people push and pull violently. This rotates your spine with your arm outstretched. This position exposes you lower back to an acute flareup. Instead focus on your arms doing the moving, and your back NOT twisting. Slow down if you have to.

Bathtub: Take off your shoes and climb inside the tub instead of leaning over it. Squat some if you can.

Ceiling work: When painting or cleaning a ceiling fan, you are reaching above your head with your arms outstretched. This arches your back causing increased pressure. Use a tall enough ladder to minimize arm raising and stretching and arching.

Laundry day: Carrying laundry down a flight of stairs to the basement or laundry room is surprisingly dangerous. Many many people trip and fall because they can’t see their feet. Not to mention — again the outstretched arms– reaching around the basket straining. Toss the clothes in a laundry bag and roll it down the stairs, the kids will even help. You can climb back upstairs with the basket if you like, falling up hurts less than falling down.

Lifting: You think I’m going to say to squat… but squatting is not correct because this moves your center of gravity forward away from you, and again here you go with your arms outstretched, straining that back. Better to kneel straight down to the load, one knee on the floor and one bent at 90 degrees.

Just a few adjustments to avoid those chiropractic adjustments.