How Chiropractic Care Supports Your Immune System

Posted on January 31, 2017 by admin

You likely already know that chiropractic care can help you manage chronic pain, improve your posture, and potentially boost your athletic performance. What you may not know is that chiropractic treatment can also help support your immune system, which is especially critical during the winter cold and flu season.

Strong immune function is essential in order to avoid succumbing to illness when our bodies are exposed to viruses and bacteria. Regular chiropractic care can provide the defense you need to remain healthy.

How Chiropractic Care Affects Your Immune System

Much of how our bodies behave is interconnected with other functions and systems. In humans, the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system are all linked to one another. These three systems communicate by using tiny chemical messengers, specifically a compound called interleukin-2 (IL-2). An increase in IL-2 and improved function of critical immune system cells called T-cells are commonly experienced by those who have recently undergone a single chiropractic adjustment session.

The improved performance of the T-cells and increased presence of IL-2 results in a stronger, more robust immune system response. Connect the dots and it becomes clear that chiropractic care has the power to cause improved immune function, thereby helping your body stave off disease and infection and better recover from them. For instance, one study conducted during the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918 revealed that those receiving chiropractic care were much more likely than the average infected person to survive their infection.

Chiropractic Care Offers a Wide Range of Benefits

Depending on the reasons for seeking chiropractic care, you can expect a host of real benefits from regular adjustments. From decreased levels of pain to improved immune function, chiropractic care can offer even more than an aligned spine.

If you are interested in the potential benefits of chiropractic adjustments, contact Spencer Chiropractic today. Let’s work together to help you enjoy a better wellbeing!

Image via Tina Franklin

How to Prevent Winter Sports Injuries

Posted on January 10, 2017 by admin

For outdoor sports enthusiasts, winter is the most wonderful time of the year for more than one reason. Between skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, ice-skating, snowshoeing, and so much more, adrenaline junkies are bound to have overflowing itineraries during the frozen season.

Of course, as with any sport, there is a considerable risk of injury. This is especially true with seasonal hobbies and activities you don’t train for all year. It’s important to prevent injuries before hitting the slopes so you don’t get sidelined by an injury (and miss out on all this sweet yet fleeting season has to offer). These tips can help you stay safe and healthy.

Warm Up

Always stretch out and warm up your muscles before doing any winter activity. Light exercise, like jumping jacks or a half mile on a treadmill, can also help.

Know Your Limits

If you’re tired, call it a day. A lot of people are injured when they’re trying to go for one last mile of trekking or one last run down the slope. You’re more likely to fall, to crash, and to otherwise get injured in the process if you’re exhausted and your guard is down. Know your limits, and understand that the cold weather could cause you to reach them sooner.

Keep Hydrated

Remember to keep hydrated. This is easy to forget when it’s cold. Thirst is not as obvious as it is when you’re sweating and running in 90-degree summer weather. But adequate water intake is just as important to avoid dehydration.

Dress Appropriately

Dress properly. You need warm clothes, but you also want clothes that don’t restrict your range of motion and maintain breathability.

Check Your Gear

Make sure skates are tied tight and laced all the way up; double-check the boots and bindings on your skis and snowboards. You’ll also want to ensure you have the right safety gear as well. That means helmets for snowboarding, skiing, and hockey. You may even choose to wear a helmet while tubing and sledding.

Have a Friend Close By

Of course, sometimes injuries are unavoidable. If you are hurt, ask a buddy to find medical attention as quickly as possible. Participating in winter sports with friends is critical, as you don’t want to be alone in case of injury or any other sticky situation.

Even after initial care, it’s wise to seek post-injury treatment such as chiropractic sports medicine to help get you back on your feet, promote whole-body healing, and prevent lasting issues.

Be safe out there this year, and remember to keep the winter fun going strong for years to come by preventing and caring for any injuries! Contact us today to talk about what we can do to help.

How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Relieve Symptoms

Posted on October 25, 2016 by admin

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines carpal tunnel syndrome as a condition caused by a pinched or compressed median nerve, which is the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm and controls the thumb, three middle fingers, and some hand muscles.

Some people mistakenly refer to the condition as “carpal tunnel,” when in fact the carpal tunnel is the anatomical structure affected by the syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the medical term for the pain and functionality issues that can result from repeated stress on the region, which houses the median nerve and wrist tendons.

While carpal tunnel syndrome is often associated with employees whose careers require frequent keyboard use, the lesser-known truth is that it also (and often more commonly) affects assembly line workers such as manufacturers, cleaners, and meat packers.

Most available data seems to suggest that carpal tunnel is brought on by predisposed anatomy (for instance, a person born with a smaller carpal tunnel may be more likely to suffer from symptoms later in life) as well as factors such as traumatic injury and joint problems. However, daily personal habits can take a toll on the hands and wrist, so maintenance and treatment are necessary if symptoms begin to develop.

Although treatment is possible after the onset of carpal tunnel, preventative care is best to avoid symptoms such as wrist, hand, finger, and arm pain; weakened grip strength; numbness and tingling; and potentially permanent damage in severe chronic cases. Here are a few tips to prevent the condition from developing, plus what to do if you’re experiencing pain.

Practice Proper Posture and Form

To practice proper keyboard form and mitigate stress to the area, your wrists should remain in a relaxed and level horizontal position. When using a keyboard at a desk, they should gently hover near elbow level. Make sure you aren’t bending your wrists at an acute angle. A wrist rest can help elevate your hands to appropriate keyboard height and reduce strain.

Be mindful of your body posture, as slouching shoulders can throw off your form (in addition to causing potential neck and back issues).

Take Regular Breaks

If your job description includes performing tasks that don’t place pressure on the wrist (or in other words, if you’re able to step away from your keyboard for a couple hours each day), take care to introduce variety to your daily agenda and schedule low-impact activities in between typing spurts.

Allow yourself intermittent breaks from projects that require heavy hand, wrist, finger, and limb use. Use this time to stretch and flex your wrists and release tension.

Use Wrist Supports

A brace or wrist wrap is a temporary, no-brainer solution to keep strained wrists stable. One important caveat when using a brace: It is not a permanent or long-term fix. Any wrist pain will still require treatment. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressive condition, and unaddressed symptoms can return or intensify.

Seek Chiropractic Treatment

If you are experiencing symptoms that you suspect might be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, don’t hesitate to seek a professional opinion. Even if are not yet experiencing pain symptoms, a professional chiropractor can provide preventative care and educate patients with tips to avoid stress injuries and strain.

Though possible treatments may include adjustments of the upper spine, wrist, elbow, or arm, Dr. Spencer will evaluate each patient on a case-by-case basis to determine the best course of chiropractic treatment. Contact us today for an appointment!

Deconstructing Five Common Massage Techniques

Posted on October 18, 2016 by admin

As part of the comprehensive chiropractic care our patients receive, Spencer Chiropractic is proud to offer the many benefits of massage therapy. Our Licensed Massage Practitioner, Christy Richards, lends her expertise to patients who are good candidates, employing a variety of techniques to promote whole-body health and healing.

Whether you’re hoping to relax and unwind, recuperate after a sports injury, or manage pain from a soft tissue injury, a regular, professional massage regimen that applies techniques appropriate for your personalized treatment plan can make a world of difference. Here are just a few of the several treatment approaches that may be applied during a table session.

Soft Tissue Release

Soft tissue release is an ideal massage technique for those with injuries or severe muscular stress. It is built on the therapeutic concept of myofascial release, which is where connective tissue is manually massaged to promote the natural, spontaneous release of the tissue as well as the muscle group being targeted. This release results in the muscle once again conforming to its uninjured resting length and often an immediate reduction in pain symptoms.

Deep Tissue Massage

While it is similar to Swedish massage, deep tissue massage targets the deeper muscles and fascia (connective tissue). It combines slow, firm strokes with deep finger pressure to increase blood circulation and promote relaxation. It may also result in a decrease in blood pressure and increase natural production of serotonin, the hormone that promotes an overall sense of happiness.

Sports Massage

Sports massage is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of massage techniques intended to reduce discomfort from sports-related injuries and strain. This technique generally focuses on areas of the body that are used the most and prone to injury or tension. For a runner, this may be their legs and lower back, while a softball pitcher will likely need more of an upper-body focus. Regular sports massage can improve old injuries, reduce the likelihood of future injuries, and potentially even improve performance in a wide variety of sports.

Neuromuscular Massage Technique

Also called trigger point myotherapy, neuromuscular massage was developed for those with nerve-related pain, particularly in the lower back. By using alternating degrees of focused pressure on an area prone to tension and spasms, the therapist can help reduce or eliminate spasms and the pain associated with them.

Swedish Massage

As the name implies, this general massage technique was developed in Sweden. It is one of the best known forms of massage. Swedish massage aims to promote full body relaxation by relaxing the muscles throughout the body. The massage therapist uses long, gliding strokes that follow the path of the circulatory system in toward the heart. This technique not only relaxes the body, it can also promote oxygenation of blood and even lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Contact Spencer Chiropractic Center today to discuss the different types of massage techniques, and which one would work best for you!

Five Steps to Protect Your Back During a Move

Posted on September 18, 2016 by admin

Most adults will agree: moving often tends to be a stressful life event. It involves constant heavy lifting, marveling at how much stuff has accumulated over time, and it may even cause accidents. Moving can also agitate some health problems, as it puts considerable strain on your back. Before your next move, review these five tips to protect your spine throughout the process.

Use Proper Lifting

This is the most important step to any moving process. Bend at the knees in a squatting position and get a good grip on the object with your whole hand. Lift in one fluid motion using your legs, not your back. Try and keep your back as straight as possible throughout this whole process. Avoid twisting your back when walking with the load.

Ensure You Can Easily Grip the Load

Some items such as large boxes or oddly shaped objects are difficult to adequately grasp. You want to make sure that you can grasp the item fully and tightly, as readjusting may mean twisting and bending, causing a large amount of pressure on the spine.

Check the Weight of the Load Before You Pick it Up

A small box does not necessarily indicate minimal weight. You can strain your back immediately if you assume that a small object is light and go directly to pick it up. Push the item lightly to find out its true weight. If it moves easily, great. If not, you may have saved yourself a lot of back pain.

Distribute the Weight of an Object Evenly

You should check the weight distribution on every item before lifting it. If a box doesn’t have an equal weight distribution, you’ll constantly have to compensate while carrying it, which will cause a lot of back strain on one side or the other. You should also confirm that the items in the box will not move upon lifting. An unexpected weight shift while you’re carrying an item can spur serious damage.

Prepare the Load in an Easy Position

The item should be in an easy position to grasp and pick up. You don’t want to bend your back in an attempt to reach the item, and for all loads that need to be lifted over your head, try using a ladder to minimize the lifting distance and mitigate potential strains.

We all know that despite our best efforts, and even with all of these tips, accidents may happen. In the event of an injury, don’t delay treatment. Contact a reputable chiropractor immediately to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Good luck, happy travels, and here’s to a risk-free move!