Each year thousands of Martin County residents are involved in car accidents. Here are 3 reasons to choose chiropractic care after a car accident. Accepting new patients. Call 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment. We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare. Some car accidents cause minor damage while others cause major damage. The severity […]
Chiropractic Care
Arthritis Pain Management
Gentle chiropractic is a safe, nonsurgical method of arthritis pain management. Gentle chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation and increase range of motion while reducing arthritis pain.
Movement is like lubrication for the joints. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help to encourage full range of joint motion to provide safe arthritis pain management. In conjunction with the gentle chiropractic adjustment, electrical muscle stimulation is often used for immediate pain relief. In addition to in office therapies, patients are also given appropriate exercises to perform at home to promote increased joint mobility.
Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the cartilage which causes swelling and tenderness in afflicted joints. Cartilage is the connective tissue that surrounds the ends of bones. It is dense, elastic tissue that supports and cushions the joints while helping joints to move smoothly. When cartilage becomes inflamed, joint pain and stiffness result.
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While the symptoms are similar, the cause of each is dramatically different.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease.
RA is an autoimmune disease is when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. In the case of RA, the healthy cells in the cartilage cushioning the joints are attacked. The joints affected are usually in the hands, wrists, and knees. When the body’s immune system attacks the joint cartilage, it becomes inflamed, swollen and tender. Eventually, the inflammation damages the joint cartilage as well as the bones of the joint. This can cause long-lasting or chronic pain, unsteadiness (lack of balance), and deformity (misshapenness). 3
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis.
OA is a degenerative condition that affects joint cartilage and bones. It causes pain, loss of mobility, as well as decreased muscle function and strength. Like RA, osteoarthritis causes joint pain and stiffness. It was once thought that in osteoarthritis, the joints were simply wearing out. Research has shown that OA is a complex process with many causes. It is not an inevitable part of aging experts say, but rather the result of a combination of factors.
While osteoarthritis can damage any joint, it most commonly affects joints that bear weight — like your knees, hips, feet, and spine. It often comes on gradually over months or years.2 Ten percent of men and 20% of women aged between 45 and 65 years report OA,4 with 80% of those older than 75 years showing radiographic evidence of OA.5
Treatments for Arthritis Pain
Treatments for Arthritis PainAccording to Scott Haldeman, MD, a neurologist in Santa Ana, California and Chairman Emeritus of the Research Council for the World Federation of Chiropractic as quoted in arthritis.org6,
Chiropractic care is one of the safest therapies you can use if you have back or neck pain due to osteoarthritis.
In addition to treating neck and back pain from osteoarthritis, gentle chiropractic treatment can also treat osteoarthritis of the hip 7 and other arthritic joints.
Gentle Chiropractic Care for arthritis pain
Gentle chiropractic care can help increase the range of motion in arthritic joints and reduce arthritic joint pain.
While gentle chiropractic care won’t repair or rebuild cartilage, it can relieve pressure on joints caused by arthritis. Gentle chiropractic care can also stop muscle spasms and tenderness caused by osteoarthritis through gentle manipulation of muscles and soft tissues surrounding arthritic joints.
Acupuncture for arthritis pain
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been used for thousands of years to relieve arthritis pain. While acupuncture can’t cure or reverse the process of arthritis, a study showed it can help you feel significantly less pain and function better. 8
Over-the-counter medications
It’s very common to reach for over the counter (OTC) pain medication for arthritis pain management. Unfortunately, all NSAIDs (including OTC pain medication) now carry a black box warning. This is the strongest of all FDA warnings and is reserved for drugs that pose a significant risk to the population. In 2007, the American Heart Association issued a scientific statement warning of the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 9 which included this warning:
“Consumers are advised that all over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, including NSAIDs, should be used in strict accordance with the label directions. If use of an OTC NSAID is needed for longer than ten days, a physician should be consulted.”
A practice based study of patients with acute and chronic low back pain found that patients receiving chiropractic manipulation as their primary treatment had significant reductions in visual analogue scale (VAS) scores within two weeks of care.10 This study also included evaluation of traditional medical management with a primary treatment using NSAIDs. The same level of pain reduction was not reported in the NSAID group until the 12-week marker.
Herbs and supplements for arthritis pain relief
There are many herbal supplements which tout anti-inflammatory properties. It’s important to exercise caution when taking supplements. Just because a product is natural does not mean it’s safe. The contents of supplements are not verified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Some supplements can interact with medications or can cause health problems.
You should always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement.
Turmeric, ginger and cinnamon are supplements that reduce inflammation in the body. There is also evidence that vitamin C and fish oil may help with arthritis pain while providing other health benefits.
Glucosamine sulfate supplements have unique anti-inflammatory effects. In some laboratory tests, it demonstrated a protective effect on the cartilage as well. Chondroitin sulfate supplements also appears to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some laboratory studies suggest that chondroitin sulfate may slow cartilage breakdown associated with osteoarthritis and even stimulate cartilage growth.11
Trigger point injections for arthritis pain relief
If chiropractic treatment alone does not provide adequate pain relief, the medical professionals at Advanced Wellness Solutions may recommend a trigger-point injection. A trigger-point injection usually contains an anesthetic and a steroid to immediately help alleviate arthritis pain. These injections are rarely a standalone treatment. They work best when combined with other conservative treatment methods such as chiropractic care.
Trigger point injection therapy can provide immediate and ongoing relief from pain in the targeted area while chiropractic treatments address the underlying cause of the pain.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for arthritis pain relief
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for arthritis pain reliefTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivers a small electric current to specific nerves. Tens units provide neuromodulation treatments which can ease pain with minimal risks and offer an alternative to pain medication for arthritis pain management. According to Arthritis.org 12
These devices are generally safe. However, they involve sending electrical impulses though your body. So it’s important to talk with your doctor first if you have a pacemaker, another implanted device, are pregnant, have epilepsy, or have a heart problem.
Topical medications for arthritis pain relief
Topical medications that do not contain NSAIDs that Advanced Wellness Solutions recommends are:
- CryoDerm Gel: It contains almost 300% more of the active ingredient and pain reliever menthol than other topical pain relievers. Menthol is used clinically as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. It creates a cold sensation on the skin, by activating the peripheral cold receptors.
- Biofreeze Professional: Biofreeze is greaseless, stainless and has a vanishing scent. It is an optimized, fast-acting proprietary formula.
Topical NSAIDS are now available without a prescription. Diclofenac sodium 1% gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain) is now available at many pharmacies. A 2016 Cochrane review 14 concluded, “Topical diclofenac and topical ketoprofen can provide good levels of pain relief beyond carrier in osteoarthritis for a minority of people, but there is no evidence for other chronic painful conditions.”
Safe Arthritis Pain Management
When arthritis threatens to immobilize you, gentle chiropractic care can keep you moving.
Accepting new chiropractic patients. Call (772) 403-7640 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
You can find safe arthritis pain management at Advanced Wellness Solutions. Effective gentle chiropractic care can help to relieve the pain and slow the damage to cartilage from osteoarthritis. Gentle chiropractic maximizes the function of arthritic joints by encouraging full range of joint motion.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help ease arthritis pain and function better.
Dr. Heather J. Walden, Licensed Acupuncture Physician is accepting new patients.
Call (772) 403-7640 to schedule your appointment.
Chiropractic care for shoulder pain
Chiropractic care can treat shoulder pain as well as other joint pain including neck and back pain. Shoulder pain is musculoskeletal pain. Gentle chiropractic care shines as an effective, drug free way to relieve musculoskeletal pain .
No other joint in the body has the range of motion that a fully functioning shoulder does. It’s easily the most mobile joint in the body. This incredible mobility and flexibility comes at a price. Shoulders are prone to injury.
If shoulder pain comes on suddenly and was not caused by an injury, call 911 immediately. Shoulder pain can be a symptom of a heart attack.
The shoulder is a complex arrangement of bone, muscles, nerves, bursa, tendons, and ligaments. When stress is placed on these soft tissues, the result is a shoulder injury.
If you’re suffering from shoulder pain, it’s important to diagnose the cause before treatment begins. Chiropractors are trained to treat is musculoskeletal pain. We know that there are times when the joint that is hurting isn’t the cause of the pain. That’s why we will perform a variety of orthopedic tests to check your range of motion in your shoulders as well as your neck.
Depending upon the results of our physical exam, we may need to order imaging such as a CT scan or MRI. We may need to order this imaging before treatment begins or if the prescribed treatment plan isn’t providing pain relief.
Causes of Shoulder Pain:
Causes of Shoulder Pain:Rotator Cuff Injuries
If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably heard of a rotator cuff injury. Rotator cuff injuries are a common reason for shoulder pain.
Your rotator cuff isn’t a single organ. Instead the rotator cuff is made up of 4 different muscles and their associated tendons. This unique arrangement of muscles, tendons surround a ball socket like joint allowing you to raise, rotate and move your arm in a wide variety of ways.
There are three different types of rotator cuff injury: 1
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis is when the tendons are irritated and/or damaged,
- when shoulder pain is used by the bursa being inflamed and swollen it’s called Rotator Cuff Bursitis,
- if the bony process on the scapula is rubbing (impinging) upon the tendons and bursa of the rotator cuff, it’s called Rotator Cuff Impingement.
Postural Syndrome
Poor office posture injuries (postural syndrome) are repetitive use injuries. Poor ergonomics can cause musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics describes how you interact with your environment. Poor workspace ergonomics can result in
- headaches
- shoulder pain
- back pain
- neck pain
- wrist pain
If you spend 8-10 hours a day with your shoulders rolled forward, your head jutting forward and your upper back slouched, you’ll eventually develop postural syndrome.
Notice the word “eventually” in the sentence above. You see, the human body is great at “making do” with whatever situation you put it in. It will do it’s best to adapt. However, as you keep stressing your body, you then suffer from a repetitive use injury. In repetitive use injuries, pain develops over time. As you can see from the list above, shoulder pain is part of postural syndrome.
Chiropractic care is very effective at relieving shoulder pain and other symptoms of postural postural syndrome. However, for long term relief, you should address your workplace ergonomics. Click here to learn how to create an ergonomic home office.
Frozen Shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis (a,k.a. frozen shoulder) is sneaky. Frozen shoulder is difficult to diagnose. It isn’t caused by an injury. It also gets worse over time. Most importantly though, the pain is difficult to explain. Patients will try to describe it as a dull pain located deep inside the shoulder.
In the earliest stages, the symptoms are mild becoming more severe over time. As the conditions worsens, the shoulder may become so stiff that it’s almost impossible to move. Thus the moniker, “frozen shoulder.” 2
Frozen shoulder can be treated with gentle chiropractic care.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is rare and usually caused by a previous injury. Chiropractic care maximizes the function of arthritic joints. Gentle chiropractic care can treat osteoarthritis 3 and is recommended for arthritis pain management.
According to Scott Haldeman, MD, a neurologist in Santa Ana, California and Chairman Emeritus of the Research Council for the World Federation of Chiropractic as quoted in arthritis.org4,
Chiropractic care is one of the safest therapies you can use if you have back or neck pain due to osteoarthritis.
Chiropractic Care of Shoulder Pain
Chiropractors focus on the relationships between the structure and function of joints, muscles and other soft tissues. They accomplish drug free pain relief without surgery through manual manipulations and other therapies. These therapies reduce inflammation and swelling and aid in natural healing.
There are many therapies chiropractors use to relieve shoulder pain. Chiropractic treatments include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- prescribed exercises
- ultrasound
- electrical muscle stimulation
- application of ice/heat
These chiropractic therapies can
- provide pain relief
- restore mobility
- increase range of motion.
Most patients choosing chiropractic care of shoulder pain are able to return to their normal activities within 6-8 weeks without resorting to steroid injections or surgery.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, call Advanced Wellness Solutions.
Gentle Chiropractic Care Provides Chronic Pain Relief
One of the things we often hear patients say after treatment is, “I didn’t realize how much chronic pain was affecting my life!” It’s very gratifying to be able to provide chronic pain relief. We’re happy to help our patients get back to enjoying life instead of simply struggling to survive the day. Unfortunately, many chronic pain patients suffered needlessly and only find us as a “last resort” after they’ve tried everything else.
Accepting new patients. Call 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
Living with chronic pain makes everything more difficult. Performing even the simplest tasks can be difficult when you’re in chronic pain. Whether it’s headache pain, back pain, neck pain or hip or knee pain, chronic pain leads to a stress reaction throughout the body. Chronic pain can cause muscles to tighten and spasm which in turn results in even more pain.
Studies show that chronic pain can elevate blood pressure, pulse rate, adrenaline and cortisol serum levels, putting hazardous stress on the cardio-vascular system. Chronic pain may also experience elevate serum lipids and glucose levels.1
So it’s clear that chronic pain is bad for your physical health. However, the damage caused by chronic pain doesn’t stop with your physical body. Chronic pain also affects your emotions, your relationships, and even your state of mind. Chronic pain is known to change the levels of stress hormones and neurochemicals found within your brain and nervous system. This disruption of the delicate balance can affect your mood, thinking and behavior.
People suffering from chronic pain tend to have poor sleep and sleep disturbances. This leads to fatigue, trouble concentrating, decreased appetite, and mood changes. Poor quality sleep, the frustration of dealing with chronic pain and the elevation of stress hormones can then depression and anxiety.
Overuse of Pain Relief Medication Can Cause Headaches
When you’re in chronic pain, it’s fast and easy to reach for pain relief medication. Unfortunately, repeated use of pain relievers can cause medication overuse headaches.1 Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is clinical diagnosis. It’s classified as a secondary disorder affecting patients who use pain relieving medication (OTC or prescription) more than two to three days per week.
The bad news: the most effective treatment for MOH is to stop using pain relieving medication.2
The good news: gentle chiropractic care can effectively treat chronic pain without drugs or other medication. Finding effective treatments for chronic pain can restore healthy sleep patterns which in turn can reduce blood pressure, pulse rate while lowering adrenaline and cortisol serum levels.
Accepting new patients. Call 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
Dr. Danielle Hurd, DC practices effective gentle chiropractic at Advanced Wellness Solutions. Dr. Danielle pursues a drug free approach to chronic pain relief when prudent and possible. If she is unable to provide chronic pain relief, she will refer you to medical professional with the needed expertise in the appropriate specialty.
Could Chiropractic Care Help Your Headaches?
Headaches are a very common health complaint. Sometimes, headaches are mild. Other times they can be frequent and severe, disrupting your life at home and work. Fortunately, chiropractic care for headaches can provide effective, drug free headache pain relief.
It’s important to take headaches seriously. You should see your doctor if your headache pattern changes, or if your headaches are getting worse.
Seek emergency care if you have any of these signs and symptoms:
- An abrupt, severe headache, often like a thunderclap
- Headache with a fever, nausea or vomiting, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, numbness, or speaking difficulties, which may signal a number of serious conditions such as stroke, meningitis, encephalitis or brain tumor
- Headache after a head injury, even if it’s a minor fall or bump, especially if it gets worse.
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any other headache you’ve experienced
- Headache that gets progressively worse over days and changes in pattern
Overuse of Pain Relief Medication Can Actually Cause More Headaches
If you have frequent headaches, you should know that repeated use of pain relievers can cause another type of headache, overuse headaches.1 Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is clinical diagnosis. It’s classified as a secondary disorder affecting patients who use pain relieving medication (OTC or prescription) more than two to three days per week.
The bad news: the most effective treatment for MOH is to stop using pain relieving medication.2
The good news: chiropractic care for headaches can help many different types of headaches. Current evidence suggests that chiropractic care, including manual therapy, can be effective in treating cervicogenic and tension headaches. Studies have also shown that chiropractic care can help decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines.3
Different Types of Headaches
Tension Headaches:
Tension Headaches:Chiropractic care is very effective at helping to manage tension headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Sometimes, a dull, aching pain is a tension headache. You may feel tightness or pressure across your forehead or on the sides and back of your head. You may also feel tenderness on your scalp, neck and shoulder muscles.
Sometimes the pain of tension headaches can be so severe that it is difficult to distinguish it from a migraine. To make matters worse, it’s possible to suffer from both tension headaches and migraine headaches.
It’s rare to have migraine like visual disturbances, nausea or vomiting with tension headaches. However, like migraines, you may experience an increased sensitivity to either light or sound with a tension headache.
One way to tell if it’s a migraine or a tension headache is that physical activity often makes migraine pain worse, while it doesn’t for tension headaches.
Tension headaches are often due to a combination of stress and back or neck strain. That’s why chiropractic care has been proven to help provide relief for these headaches.
Migraine Headaches:
Migraine headaches are serious. They are surprisingly common and a leading cause of disability.4 Studies show that chiropractic care can help relieve migraine pain by reducing muscle tension and correcting postural strain on soft tissues. Study authors suspect that spinal manipulations also activate descending pain inhibitory pathways responsible for pain modulation.5
There is no cure for migraine headaches. Unfortunately, many medications used to treat migraine have alarming and disabling side effects. As a result, more people who are suffering from migraine headaches are turning to alternative care options such as chiropractic care. 6
Cluster Headaches:
Cluster headaches are a rare but devastating form of non-life threatening headaches. These headaches occur in cycles with each cycle lasting weeks to months. They are also called “suicide headaches” because of the extreme pain that they cause.
Cluster headaches result when the trigeminal nerve is pinched, compressed, or shifted improperly due to a spinal misalignment. This is why chiropractic care is ideally suited to treat cluster headaches.
During the cluster headache cycle, headaches can happen as frequently as every day and last for a few minutes to a few hours. After going through a cycle of cluster headaches, the sufferer will go into a period of remission. During this period of remission no headaches will occur. A period of remission can last anywhere from several months to years.
Because of the cycles of intense pain, patients who suffer from cluster headaches can be emotionally raw by the time they seek treatment. These headaches are severe and have earned the nickname suicide headaches for a reason.
TMJ Headaches:
TMJ headaches are caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Less severe TMJ problems can cause annoying and sometimes painful clicking. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can cause a painful headache with a dull, aching pain in and around the ear. In some cases, the pain travels to the side of the scalp, back of the head or down into the neck. Tenderness in the jaw area and neck is common in these kinds of headaches. TMJ dysfunction is often made worse by chewing, excessive talking or yawning.
Chiropractors can provide significant relief of the pain caused by TMJ dysfunction by manipulation. Unfortunately, most people are unaware that the jaw can be adjusted. Adjusting the jaw is a delicate procedure that requires a skilled hand using a very light technique or gentle chiropractic care. Because of the finesse involved, there usually isn’t the satisfying “clunk” which accompanies many other joint manipulations.
Gentle Chiropractic Care for Headaches
Gentle chiropractic care replaces high-velocity adjustments with low-velocity, low amplitude manipulations. It is performed with a gentle touch, targeting a specific area. Gentle chiropractic care is more comfortable and provides maximum benefit from minimal visits.
7 Tips to Creating an Ergonomic Home Office
A lot more people are working from home these days. For many, it brings to mind images of relaxing on the couch while working. Few realize the importance of creating an ergonomic home office until they’re in pain.
The image below was found by searching “working from home” on a popular image sharing site. If this is how you’ve been working from home, you may notice you have some new aches and pains. Your neck and back may be aching. Your wrists may hurt as well. Maybe you’re having headaches.
Don’t wait until you’re in severe pain to ask yourself: Is your workspace helping or hurting you? Are you working productively? Or is working from home slowly crippling you?
(By the way, this article applies to children who are homeschooling as well.)
If the decision to work from home was a sudden one, you probably didn’t give much thought to ergonomics. You set up your computer where you could and got to work.
Most people don’t realize that the workspace provided by an employer is designed with ergonomics in mind. Ergonomics draws on many disciplines to optimize the interaction between you and the work environment. Ergonomics is how you and your workspace interact.
When your home office isn’t set up with ergonomics in mind, eventually you’ll experience:
- headaches
- shoulder pain
- back pain
- neck pain
- wrist pain a.k.a. carpal tunnel syndrome treatment
Poor office posture injuries are repetitive use injuries.
Notice the word “eventually” above. You see, the human body is great at “making do” with whatever situation you put it in. This means, the first time you flop down on your couch to work, your body isn’t going to scream at you to stop. Instead, it will do its best to adapt.
However, if you continue to put stress on your back, neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists with poor office posture, eventually you’ll experience the aches and pains described above.
It’s not just people who work from home who can suffer from these injuries. Anyone who works in an office is susceptible to these repetitive use injuries. However, if you’re working from home and you haven’t set up your home office with ergonomics in mind, then you’re even more susceptible to these types of injuries.
Employers invest in trying to optimize workplace ergonomics because they want to increase productivity while decreasing injury and illness. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2013, musculoskeletal disorders cases accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases. 1
Home Office Ergonomics Can Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time. These include:
- carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist pain)
- tarsal tunnel syndrome (ankle/foot pain)
- pinched nerves
- herniated disks (back/neck pain)
- tendinitis
- rotator cuff injuries (shoulder pain)
- epicondylitis (elbow pain)
- trigger finger (finger pain)
- muscle sprains, strains and tears
- mid back pain
- low back injuries
- neck pain
These Musculoskeletal Disorders have one thing in common. They all have symptoms of pain, swelling, and numbness.
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders are often caused by :
- repetitive motion involving microtasks
- overexertion
- being rubbed, abraded, or jarred by vibration.
Creating an Ergonomic Home Office
You can reduce your risk of illness or injury by keeping workspace ergonomics in mind as you set up your home office.
Create an ergonomic home office by focusing on these key elements.
#1: Choosing The Proper Chair
It’s well worth the investment to purchase a quality chair. Keep in mind you will be spending 8 to 15 hours a day sitting as you work.
Don’t be fooled by clever marketing. The term “ergonomic chair” is used loosely at best and is lying at worst. Instead focus on finding a chair that fits you properly. If you are tall or short you may need to spend some extra time to find that perfect chair. One advantage to outfitting your home office is you can purchase the best chair for your body.
The height of the chair is paramount. You should be able to adjust your chair so your feet a flat on the floor and your legs are parallel to the floor. Tilts are helpful to get that angle just right.
The backrest of your office chair should be separate from the seat. You should also make sure you can adjustable the height and angle. Be sure the chair supports the natural curve of the spine. Pay close attention to the lumbar region of the chair. Make sure your chair offers proper support in the curve of your back.
What about Exercise Ball Office Chairs? While an exercise ball is great for working out, it is not your friend as an office chair. For most people, the height of the ball is not suitable for desk work. (See the image above for proper positioning.) While it’s good to exercise your core, these exercises should only be done for a short period of time, not for an entire 8-hour workday.
#2: Choosing the Proper Keyboard/Mouse
Many office workers suffer from tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries caused by poorly designed keyboards and mice or positioning.
Finding the right keyboard and mouse is difficult because there is no “one size fits all” product or solution. While there’s no one product that is right for everyone, there are things to keep in mind to help you find the perfect match!
- Distance: Proper sitting posture dictates where you should place your keyboard.
- Angle: The keyboard should have a slight negative angle of about 15 degrees
- Height: Your posture and desk height dictates the correct height of your keyboard and mouse
- Mouse: the most important thing is make sure you don’t twist your wrist while using the mouse
What about Wrist rests?
Often a wrist rest is used as a support rather than a rest. It should only be used, ideally, when a sharp or hard surface is present that you are constantly coming into contact.
#3 Laptop: Ergonomic Friend or Foe
Unfortunately, your laptop is an ergonomic foe! Laptop computers are much more convenient and portable than desktop varieties. However, it’s the ability to use your laptop anywhere that makes it an ergonomic foe! Using it while in bed or while seated on the sofa is a recipe for neck, shoulder and back pain. In addition, the keyboard is flat which means your wrists won’t be properly positioned.
If you must use a laptop computer, don’t use the laptop’s keyboard and mouse pad. Instead, purchase an ergonomic keyboard and mouse and attach them to your laptop just as you would to a desktop. Place the laptop on a flat surface and position the screen to the proper height. (See the illustration above.) When you do this, you will find it very uncomfortable to use the laptop’s keyboard/mouse.
#4: Using the Phone
Do Not Cradle Your Phone!
If you are on the phone and typing, cradling the phone between your ear and shoulder can be hazardous to your neck. Cradling the phone can lead to neck spasm, headaches and ear pain.
Using speakerphone is the fastest and easiest solution. If using your phone’s speakerphone isn’t an option, invest in a good headset. It will literally save your neck!
#5 Choosing a Desk
Height is by far most important factor in choosing a desk for your ergonomic home office. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) recommends a general height desk of 28.7″ plus or minus 1″.
Many people work from home from their dining table. Standard dining table heights are 28″ – 30″so it’s possible your dining table is the proper desk height. It’s also possible that your dining table is just a bit too tall or short. In the Work From Home Office Ergonomics illustration above, make sure your arm rest allows your elbow to be at a 90° angle while working at your table. If not, shoulder, wrist, neck and back pain can result.
#6: Positioning Your Monitor
- Distance: Your monitor should be set up 20 inches away or at arm’s length
- Elevation: The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. The monitor should be directly behind your keyboard. If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor an additional 1 to 2 inches for more comfortable viewing.Tilting your head back to try to read your monitor can lead to headaches and neck pain.
- Angle: 10-20 degrees A greater angle will cause you to hold your head at an uncomfortable angle, leading to neck strain.
- Glare: Glare on your screen causes eye strain. Placing your monitor and desk perpendicular to the window works best. Whatever kind of lighting you use, position the monitor so that there is no distracting glare.
#7: Footrest
Footrests are a way to shift postures or provide support for the feet if the chair cannot be lowered. Unfortunately, using a footrest when the chair is too high provides only one place for the feet to rest.
- Height: Footrests should be adjustable. Adjust the footrest until the thighs are parallel to the floor +/- 1-3 inches.
- Rocking: When using a footrest, be sure to shift postures frequently. The rocking action on all-plastic footrests tends to wear out quickly, so look for durable models.
Chiropractic Care Can Help!
If you haven’t set up an ergonomic home office, you may already be feeling the effects. Sometimes simply changing your workspace can help alleviate your pain. If it doesn’t, gentle chiropractic care can help. Chiropractic care focuses on treating all of your joints and muscles. If you work on a computer all day, be sure to ask Dr. Danielle about adjusting your wrist.
3 Reasons to Choose Chiropractic Care after a Car Accident
Each year thousands of Martin County residents are involved in car accidents. Here are 3 reasons to choose chiropractic care after a car accident.
Accepting new patients. Call 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
Some car accidents cause minor damage while others cause major damage. The severity of the damage to vehicles and the severity of the injuries vary. Did you know that the vehicle crash damage does not directly correlate to the degree of occupant injury? It’s true. A study published in the Society of Automotive Engineers, 1 dispels this widely held myth. That means, even if your car accident was minor, your injuries could be serious, even life altering.
Unfortunately, it’s common for people to develop chronic issues as a result of a seemingly minor accident. What’s worse, you may not be aware that you’ve been injured immediately following the accident.
Chiropractic care is the best option for musculoskeletal injuries, including those suffered in car accidents. As a chiropractor, Dr. Danielle can treat many of these injuries without drugs or surgery. Fortunately, the injuries suffered in most minor auto accidents don’t require surgery and drugs. However, if prescription drugs and/or surgery are required to restore you to optimal functionality, Dr. Danielle will provide guidance in finding the right resources to help you achieve this goal.
Here are the top three reasons to choose chiropractic care after a car accident in Martin County, FL
#1: Imaging can’t catch micro-tears that are caused by a car accident.
Unfortunately, medical imaging such as X-rays or MRIs can’t detect the micro-tears in ligaments and muscles after a traumatic injury like those resulting from an auto accident. These microscopic tears in the muscle are why you may wake up with severe pain the day after an accident. Whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury that occurs when the neck snaps back and forth in a rapid motion. That rapid snapping back and forth causes microscopic tears in the neck muscles.
Soft-tissue injuries (a.k.a. micro-tears in ligaments and muscles) like whiplash can take a long time to heal. One study found that more than 70 percent of people who visited the emergency room after a car accident were still in pain six weeks later. Other researchers have noted that nearly half of whiplash sufferers continue to experience symptoms three months later, while 25 percent remain symptomatic for six months.2
Traumatic injuries such as those suffered in a car accident often include micro-tears and micro lesions. These cause inflammation which in turn causes pain. 3 Studies show that chiropractic adjustments help the body release anti-inflammatory Interleukin 6 (IL-6)4. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) plays an integral role in the body’s healing ability, including trauma, burns, cancers and infections.5
#2: Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident Helps Heal Internal Scar Tissues
When you hear the word “scar tissue” you might think of the scar from a nasty fall off your bike when you were young. Your body also forms this special type of tissue inside your body when your ligaments and muscles are injured. Just as the scar tissue you see on your skin doesn’t look or act like your undamaged skin, the scar tissue inside your body doesn’t have the same elasticity or mobility of uninjured soft tissue.
When scar tissue forms in the ligaments, especially those in your neck or back, it can lead to long term pain and reduced mobility. Scar tissue continues to grow and change throughout the recovery process which may take from twelve to eighteen months.6 Prompt chiropractic care after a car accident is very effective at remodeling scar tissue. Chiropractic treatment and stretching of scar tissue helps align the collagen fibers, allowing it tolerate daily activities. 7
Studies show that car accident victims treated within one week of their accident saw the best overall improvement. 8 Many chiropractors refer to this time period as the “golden week” because the inflammatory reaction which occurs during this period, if left unchecked, will produce scars and adhesions that make future management more difficult.
#3: Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident Releases Pain Relieving Hormones
Studies also show that chiropractic care helps release pain reducing hormones.9 These hormones provide natural pain relief from both acute and chronic pain. They will help relieve the pain from the acute injuries suffered in a car accident. Fortunately, they don’t stop there! They will also help any other areas that were causing pain before the accident.
Unfortunately, turning to pain pills can actually make pain worse in the long run. Contrary to marketing messages that imply otherwise, pain medications do not speed up the healing process. Pain medications (both OTC and prescription) can be very beneficial for the first 7 – 10 days after a traumatic injury. Used in the short term, these can provide symptomatic relief while chiropractic care breaks up scar tissue and adhesions, relieving stiffness, pain and the discomfort it causes.
We’re learning that you won’t find the solution to pain – even chronic pain – in a pill. Not only are opioid medications dangerous and addictive, they can actually cause your pain to worsen. Studies show that when you use an opioid pain reliever, it sets off a chain of immune signals in the spinal cord that amplify pain rather than dulling it, even after the drug leaves the body. 10
Prompt Chiropractic Care is Key
Gentle chiropractic care will help prevent long-term, chronic pain conditions and allow you to achieve optimal recovery after an auto accident. Gentle Chiropractic Care is a newer method of chiropractic care. It replaces high-velocity adjustments with low-velocity, low amplitude manipulations. It is performed with a gentle touch, targeting a specific area. Gentle chiropractic care is more comfortable and provides maximum benefit from minimal visits.
If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and you need gentle chiropractic treatment, call 855-509-5400 to schedule an appointment.
Preventing Running Injuries
If you choose to run to stay fit, your top priority should be preventing running injuries. Regular gentle chiropractic care can help prevent running injuries.
Running is a great way to stay in shape both physically and mentally. Physical activity in general offers huge mental and psychological benefits. Exercise causes the body to release feel good chemicals known as endorphins. A 2017 study found that adults who engaged in an hour of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) experienced a significant increase in endorphin release compared with those who engaged in an hour of less demanding physical activity.1
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We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
When the article Tiger Woods on career regret: Running ‘destroyed my body and my knees appeared in my news feed, I was intrigued.
“Tiger Woods was asked by a fan what he would tell his younger self The five-time Masters winner responded, ‘Not to run so much.’ Woods would run 30 miles a week for the first six years of his Tour. He believes that it ultimately caused him injuries resulting in four back and five knee surgeries “
Of course, other factors played a role in Tiger’s knee and back injuries. I believe the biomechanics of the golf swing played a significant role in Tiger’s injuries. The modern golf swing encourages maximum rotation of the spine relative to the hips. This increased twisting of the lumbar spine, combined with a more powerful downswing, puts increased force on spinal discs and facet joints and tremendous pressure on the trailing side of the spine. It’s why 72 % of pro golfers receive regular chiropractic care provided by PGA chiropractic staff.2
Running can be hard on your body.
From what I have seen in my practice, I would agree with Tiger. Running can be extremely hard on your body. If you choose to run to stay fit, your top priority should be to prevent running injuries. Many runners credit regular chiropractic care as a key element in preventing running injuries.
In my practice I see a fair number of injuries related to running. I often see these injuries in new runners. Most of my patients who have started running are trying to get in shape and/or lose weight. Some are following Tiger’s lead and are running to improve their golf game.
Running injuries vary in severity. Fortunately, they are straightforward to treat.
I often recommend cross training to my patients who enjoy running. Sadly, patients do not always follow my advice. When they don’t, they end up back in my office with the same or new injury due to their new workout routine. This can be very frustrating for the patient. They want to get in shape or improve their golf game, but injuries set them back and leave them feeling discouraged.
Are you setting yourself up for injury by running?
This brings me back to the Tiger Woods article. Are golfers and other athletes setting themselves up for failure by running? In my opinion many are. It may be an unpopular opinion but as a practicing chiropractor, I believe now more than ever, “Not everyone should be a runner.” There I said it, out loud. Here’s why.
Running is a high impact, repetitive activity that puts a lot of stress on your body. This can lead to both acute and chronic injuries, especially if proper protocol is not followed. If you’re going to run, it’s important to focus on preventing running injuries.
Cross Training to prevent running injuries.
Cross training is one way to prevent running injuries. There are several exercises that can be just as effective in weight loss and conditioning without the risk of injury or high impact running. These activities include bike riding, walking, and swimming.
Running isn’t for everyone and that is okay. There are alternative forms of exercise that are effective and may be better suited for your body type. Do not be ashamed if running is not for you.
Preventing Running Injuries
Sixty percent of runners experience an injury severe enough to sideline them from activity.
There are many running injuries:
- broken bones
- lacerations and sprains
- overuse or chronic injuries
Broken bones, lacerations and sprains require immediate medical attention.
Most running injuries are from low-grade, abnormal force applied repeatedly over a prolonged period of time. These are classified as overuse injuries.
Overuse injuries from running include:
- stress fractures,
- shin splints,
- iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome,
- runners’ knee,
- Achilles tendonitis,
- plantar fasciitis
The thing about overuse injuries is that they happen slowly over time. If your hip or knee starts to hurt for no apparent reason, it’s probably an overuse injury.
How to Prevent Running Injuries
If you’re going to run for exercise, you must address four key factors:
- proper shoes
- flexibility
- strengthening
- training schedules.
#1 Proper shoes:
I can’t overstate the importance of proper footwear if you’re going to run. Shoes are the only equipment you need to run. The wrong shoe or an ill fitted shoe can wreak havoc on your body if not appropriate for your foot and running style.
The best way to avoid injury is to prevent it. Running shoes are the only protective equipment runners have to safeguard themselves from injury. That’s why choosing the right running shoe is important. Be sure to find a specialty running store to ensure you have the right shoes and fit.
#2 Flexibility:
Lack of flexibility can make one prone to overuse injuries listed above. This is why cross-training is important. Yoga and Pilates can directly improve your flexibility.
#3 Strengthening:
Appropriate strength of the core and other major muscle groups are crucial for high impact exercise. Such cross-training options include Yoga, Pilates, and Strength training with weights. These can offer reduced risk of injury, activation of other muscle groups and aid in injury recovery without sacrificing fitness level.
#4 Training Schedules:
Many researchers acknowledge that “training error” is the main source of injury. These training errors include rapidly changing the volume ran and/or rapidly changing the running pace. Both changes can lead to their own set of injuries.
A study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 3 showed that rapid change in running volume may lead to the development of patellofemoral pain syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, and patellar tendinopathy, while change in running pace may be associated with the development of Achilles tendinopathy, gastrocnemius injuries, and plantar fasciitis.
In plain English, runners need to stick to a training schedule and plan the distance and pace according to individual fitness levels. There are many couch-to-5k programs for the novice runner.
The importance of stretching and warming up.
Stretching and warming up are important and can help to avoid injury. If you do not have time to warm-up and stretch, you do not have time to run.
Even with the best preparation and a strict adherence to your training schedule, running injuries can still happen.
If an injury occurs it is important to react appropriately. A 2017 survey 4 asked athletes and coaches, “Which factors do you believe influence the risk of running injuries?” An overwhelming majority of the athletes and coaches reported “Ignoring pain” as a risk factor for running injury.
If you have an acute pain, you should seek medical attention ASAP.
First Aid for Running Injuries
If you have an overuse injury:
- Reduce training, using pain as a guide
- Apply ice to injured area 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times per day
- Use compression to decrease swelling
- Elevate injured area if possible
- Take an over the counter pain medication (OTC) as directed on package instructions.
Using Over the Counter Pain Relievers
OTC pain relievers are easily available, aren’t habit-forming, and won’t leave you groggy, dizzy, or even constipated. However OTC painkillers can:
- increase the risk of heart attack or stroke
- cause stomach ulcers,
- bleeding,
- liver and kidney problems.
These risks increase with sustained use. OTC pain relievers are not considered safe for long term use. If you need to use pain relievers for more than 7 days in a row, see your primary care physician.
Determine the cause of the injury
It’s important to determine the cause of the injury to prevent future injuries. Common causes of running injuries are tight muscles or weak hip muscles. A knowledgeable chiropractor or physical therapist can help you determine the cause of your injury.
You should seek treatment for your running injuries if:
- pain continues with decrease training
- the pain persists beyond 10-14 days
- you need pain medications to train
- the pain stops if you rest, but resumes when you begin training
Did running play a part in Tiger Woods’ myriad of injuries? I suspect it did. Combining long distance running with the physically demanding sport of golf was brutal on his body. Could he avoided his injuries and surgeries? Hindsight is always 20/20.
Wisdom is learning from other people’s mistakes, which is why I’m sharing this information with you now.
Accepting new patients. Call 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
The best advice is listen to your body. Pain is a signal that something is wrong. Don’t ignore it.
Effective Gentle Chiropractic Care
Dr. Danielle Hurd, DC is a Stuart, Fl chiropractor who offers effective gentle chiropractic care, a unique style of chiropractic spinal and joint adjustments.
Accepting new patients. Call 855-509-5400 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
Gentle chiropractic care allows patients to get the maximum benefit from a minimal number of visits.
WHAT IS GENTLE CHIROPRACTIC?
In Florida, a chiropractor is a primary care physician who treats spinal and musculoskeletal problems using manual manipulation to restore joint function and support the nervous system. Chiropractic care can reduce pain, increase movement and improve performance which may mean avoiding unnecessary drugs or surgery.
What does gentle chiropractic mean? Gentle chiropractic care is the subtle, gentle, manipulation of the neck, back and joints.
Gentle chiropractic care is performed with a gentle touch, targeting a specific area. Pain in your neck, back, wrists, shoulders, hips and knees can all be treated with gentle chiropractic manipulations. Dr. Danielle uses different techniques and patient positioning to deliver gentle chiropractic care. Gentle chiropractic care provides the same benefits seen from traditional spinal adjustments.
This approach allows patients to get the maximum benefit from a minimal number of visits.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL CHIROPRACTIC CARE AND GENTLE CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Gentle chiropractic adjustments can be performed on the neck, back and every joint in the body. To show the difference between a “traditional” chiropractic adjustment and a gentle chiropractic one, let’s look at how the neck is adjusted.
A traditional chiropractic neck adjustment begins with the patient lying face up on a table. The chiropractor cradles your head and performs a quick, thrusting movement. Being put into this position combined with the quick snapping motion causes some people to be afraid of seeing a chiropractor.
A gentle chiropractic neck adjustment is different. The first difference you’ll notice is in how you are set up for the adjustment. A gentle chiropractic neck adjustment begins with the patient lying face down on the table. Next, Dr. Danielle will carefully position your head followed by a gentle, downward pulse. There’s no twisting or snapping involved. Many of Advanced Wellness Solutions patients prefer the gentle face down prone approach to chiropractic neck adjustments.
Chiropractic neck adjustment help to
- improve the mobility of the spine
- restore range of motion
- increase movement of the adjoining muscles.
GENTLE CHIROPRACTIC FOR EFFECTIVE DRUG FREE PAIN RELIEF
If are in pain, you probably don’t need to be sold on the benefits of gentle chiropractic care. Many people who’ve been seriously injured in an auto accident or are suffering from chronic pain are anxious during their first visit, especially if they’re not aware of the difference between traditional chiropractic adjustments and gentle chiropractic care.
The Activator Method is one of the effective, gentle chiropractic care techniques used at Advanced Wellness Solutions. Dr. Danielle uses a small, hand-held instrument to deliver a gentle impulse force to the spine with the goal of restoring motion to the targeted spinal vertebra or joint. There’s no twisting or popping with this gentle modality which makes it ideal for anyone suffering from severe acute or chronic pain.
About Dr. Danielle Hurd, DC, Chiropractor in Stuart, Fl.
Dr. Danielle provides gentle chiropractic care because knows what it’s like to be injured in a serious car crash. She suffered serious injuries causing her to have severe headaches and trigeminal neuralgia. Known as “the suicide disease,” some consider trigeminal nerve pain to be the worst pain known to medicine.1
Dr. Danielle found a chiropractor who used effective, gentle chiropractic care to treat her injuries. Her chiropractor was able to relieve her trigeminal neuralgia by effectively treating the injuries she suffered in her automobile accident.
Dr. Danielle’s injuries helped her to choose her career as a chiropractor. After graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic, she worked in two high volume personal injury clinics. After treating thousands of patients who had suffered traumatic injuries, she opened Advanced Wellness Solutions. Her goal has always been to provide gentle, effective pain relief to people who have been seriously injured like she was. Today she offers gentle chiropractic care at her Kanner Highway, Stuart Florida location.
Accepting new patients. Call (772) 403-7640 to schedule your appointment.
We Accept All Major Medical Health Insurance and Medicare.
