Top Five Worst Jobs for Chronic Back Pain

Posted on December 12, 2018 by admin

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We all know that working at an office desk all day can really mess with your back. Sitting in the same position while staring at a screen will intensify aches and pains laying dormant in your lower back and spine. However, office jobs aren’t the only careers to blame when it comes to chronic neck and back pain. Consider taking a trip to your chiropractor if you spend your work week in any one of these five occupations.

Childcare Workers

Ask any parent or nanny and they’ll tell you, the constant bending over and lifting up that comes with childcare doesn’t feel great. Bending down to keep on a little one’s level, constantly picking up and setting down a baby, or even doing one of the million other tasks that come with childcare such as dishes, meal prep, or laundry are all things that can really take their toll on one’s back. Childcare workers can practice safe lifting by bending at the knees and lifting with the arms while keeping a straight back in order to avoid sharp lower back pains, and should try to steer clear of carrying children on one hip.

Emergency Responders

Firefighters, police officers, and medic workers have some of the most stressful jobs available. These people put their lives on the line to help protect and save others. Unpredictable situations can involve heavy lifting (objects and people), and the traumatic nature of their occupation can be an obstacle in properly caring for their bodies. Emergency responders should take time to see their chiropractor to help alleviate pain and keep themselves in the best shape possible.

Warehouse Workers

Warehouse workers are no stranger to back pain. Their entire job revolves around maneuvering boxes and crates full of heavy products. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the constant bending, lifting, and stacking of crates — even while operating forklifts — makes warehouse workers eight times more likely to suffer back problems than workers in other fields. Warehouse workers should practice safe lifting techniques and avoid twisting their bodies excessively.

Cab & Truck Drivers

Spending a lot of time sitting behind the wheel can cause intense stiffness, soreness, and aches. Unlike sitting in an office chair, when you drive for a living, the opportunities to get up and stretch are few and far between. Cab and truck drivers should see a chiropractor to determine the best way to alleviate their pain, since sitting for six to eight hours at a time isn’t negotiable in their careers. In the meantime, drivers can use lumbar support pillows to help with proper posture and pain relief.

Nurses

While they spend so much time taking care of other people, nurses could benefit from more self-care, as they suffer more back pain than a lot of other occupations. According to research by the American Journal of Nursing, nearly half of all nurses struggle with lower back pain. Their shifts are often longer than eight hours and mostly spent on their feet. In addition to seeking chiropractic care, nurses should make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes to decrease foot, leg, and back pain.

If your job is causing you chronic pain flare-ups, Spencer Chiropractic Center is here to help. Visit us for a consultation today!

Cold Weather and Pain: Why They’re Linked and How to Heal

Posted on November 5, 2018 by admin

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When the clouds roll in and the temperature drops, people often say they can feel it in their body’s aches and pains. Although a precise science behind this common feeling doesn’t exist, several reasons may explain why the body might be in a bit more pain during the fall and winter.

Reasons for the Pain

Increased melatonin, seasonal depression, stiff joint structures, and slow blood circulation may explain the association between cold and pain.

Increased Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone made by the brain’s pineal gland that helps to regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle. When the days become darker and shorter, the pineal gland releases melatonin earlier in the evening, which can cause an increase in drowsiness and lethargy. In turn, we may spend longer in bed and less time moving our bodies, making our joints and muscles feel stiff and achy.

Seasonal Depression

With the arrival of winter and the increase in drowsiness comes seasonal depression. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that is most prominent in the darker winter months, and is linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain. Those who suffer from SAD may sleep excessively, feel unmotivated, and eat poorly — all factors that may contribute to physical pain in the body.

Stiff Joint Structures

In cold weather, getting out of bed might make our bodies feel like an old rusty pile of metal scraps or a rickety chair. This stiffness can be attributed to how our joint structures — such as our ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, and muscles — react to the temperature. Depending on the density of these structures, some may be tight and take a bit longer to warm up and loosen than they would in the warmer months, causing strain and tension.

Slow Blood Circulation

When the body is exposed to the cold, it works harder to maintain the heat of the core. This means that extremities, such as hands and feet, experience slower blood circulation and increased nerve pain and inflammation.

How to Help

Activities like taking frequent walks, visiting a sauna, consuming anti-inflammatory foods, and visiting a chiropractic clinic are all things that can help alleviate your pain this fall and winter.

Activity and Exercise

Although you might feel less inspired to get up and go outside when the weather is dark and gloomy, you should still try to be active and get proper exercise this fall and winter. Take advantage of dry days by taking morning or early afternoon walks around the neighborhood when it’s still light out — just make sure to bundle up! Research some stretches to do after you wake up and before bed, or even look into joining a yoga class to keep your muscles loose and the pain at bay. Going on walks will keep your body and mind active, not only helping you feel better physically, but improving your mood as well.

Sauna or Hot Tub

Spending some time in a sauna or hot tub can feel amazing on sore or stiff muscles. The cold outside causes joint structures to stiffen, and immersive heat has been proven to loosen us up and release painful tension — at least temporarily. Heat also increases blood circulation, reducing nerve pain and inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Foods high in sugar, gluten, dairy, and omega-6 fatty acids are all contributors to inflammation. By cutting down your consumption of pro-inflammatory foods and focusing more on a clean diet packed with leafy greens, fruits, and healthy fats, you will feel better in no time. Don’t restrict yourself too harshly, though; you should be able to enjoy the holidays — just in moderation!

Chiropractic Care

We know winter months can be especially hard on your joints and muscles, and we’re here to help. Visit us at Spencer Chiropractic Center for an evaluation to ease your discomfort and learn about how to lessen your pain this fall and winter.

How Chiropractic Care Can Relieve Sleeplessness

Posted on October 6, 2018 by admin

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There are few things worse than not being able to fall asleep at night. Over 25% of the U.S. population report they are not getting enough sleep, which could be caused by a number of things, from aches and pains to general restlessness. People may think that chiropractic care is only good for specific back ailments, but a trip to the clinic could be a helpful step on your journey to a good night’s sleep. Here are a couple of ways chiropractors can direct you towards a less painful and more restful slumber.

Sleeping Position Recommendations

If you’re dealing with mysterious aches and pains at night, you might be sleeping wrong. Chiropractors can recommend the best sleeping position for your particular night pains. A commonly recommended sleeping position is on your side with a pillow between your legs. This helps your hips and spine with proper alignment. Remember to switch which side you sleep on every so often to prevent imbalances.

Pillows and Mattress Recommendations

Chiropractors can also recommend the right chiropractic pillow or mattress to help your posture in bed. Sleep support pillows are usually curved, so that when you’re resting, your spine maintains its natural shape. Your pillow should never be pushing your chin to your neck, or going against the natural curve of your neck and head. Chiropractors typically recommend a memory foam mattress rather than a spring bed to best conform to the natural curve of your spine.

Spinal Adjustments and Cervical Manipulation

The number one reason most people lose sleep may be due to acute pain surrounding the back and neck. Sometimes all you need for a more comfortable sleep is a simple spinal adjustment from your chiropractor. Chiropractors can focus on your neck and shoulders to help alleviate the pain and pressure that may be causing you nocturnal stress. They can also make spinal adjustments to correct any misalignments that may be causing a build up of pain and tension. Cervical manipulation, which focuses on adjusting the vertebrae of the neck, can help to increase the body’s nerve supply and assist with mental tension if your restlessness isn’t purely physical. Studies prove that adjusting the spine and neck successfully aids in the production of chemical hormones that aid in the sleep cycle.

A good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy immune system, digestion, and mental health. If you’re having consistent trouble getting to sleep, schedule an appointment with your chiropractor to see if they could assist you in catching some Z’s.

When and Why You Should See a Chiropractor

Posted on August 10, 2018 by admin

When you consider health care, the first thing that comes to mind is medical. A close second is typically vision or dental. Chiropractic care generally falls to the end of the list, if it’s included at all. That’s a problem. If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Similarly, if you have back pain, you’ve probably had a problem for a long time.

Preventative care can only work if you actually perform the care before an issue develops. So, if you’re not seeing an expert, you’ll never know until it’s too late and you’re already in pain.

Go to the chiropractor today. Treat your back and spine health the same as you do your general health, with regular checkups so that you don’t get to the point of “needing” to go to a chiropractor. It will save you plenty of pain and grief later on, and reward you with a happy spine that feels more comfortable and doesn’t hold you back — no pun intended.

Three Signs You Should See a Chiropractor

You likely need to visit a chiropractor if you:

Experience chronic pain in your muscles or joints

When we have a sore back or a creaky knee, the first place many of us go is the medicine cabinet for some ibuprofen. If that doesn’t work, it’s a quick trip to the doctor for something a little stronger. These solutions only mask the real problem by keeping you from feeling the pain it causes. Instead, see a chiropractor to get to the root of the issue.

Sit for long periods of time or perform repetitive tasks

Long periods hunched over the computer screen are just as hard on your back as they are on your eyes. The longer you sit, the more your posture deteriorates, resulting in unnatural pressure on the shoulders, upper back, and neck. In some cases, this can cause slipped or herniated discs. A chiropractor can ensure your spine is properly aligned so that you catch any damage early and prevent injuries in the future.

Have an active lifestyle

Weekend warriors, hiking enthusiasts, runners, and other athletic types all put a lot of stress on their bodies. While you may be improving your overall quality of life while doing what you love, your spine may be at risk for misalignment issues. Visiting a chiropractor ensures that your spine is as healthy as your heart for all of that exercise you do.

Frequent headaches, leg pain, and general discomfort in your back are all reasonable causes for visiting a chiropractor. Just like your medical and dental health, your spine health will suffer if you only fix the problem once it’s already causing pain. Stop it before it starts, and stay healthy.

Stretches for a Healthy Back

Posted on May 21, 2018 by admin

Flexibility isn’t something everyone thinks of when they consider their overall health. If you want to go about your day pain-free and without your body holding you back, however, taking some steps to improve your flexibility may help.

Whether you are getting out of bed, sweeping the floor, or grabbing the cereal box from the top shelf, your level of flexibility is a huge factor in how easy or difficult the task is for you. The muscles in your back, specifically, play a role in all of these daily activities and dozens more.

Since flexibility is one of those things you lose if you don’t practice, incorporating stretching into your everyday routine is essential. So, to keep your back muscles happy, here are a couple of stretches to practice a few times per week.

The Pretzel

Called either “the pretzel” or “side twist,” this stretches your internal and external obliques, piriformis, and erector spinae.

Follow these steps to do The Pretzel:

Sit on the floor (or yoga mat) with your legs next to each other and extended down away from your body.
Keeping your torso upright, flex your right knee. Cross it over your left leg and place your right foot on the floor to the outside of your left knee.
Twist your torso to the right, positioning the back of your left elbow against the outside of your right knee.
Place your right hand on the floor, palm down, 12 to 16 inches behind your hips.
Keeping your buttocks on the floor, use your right knee to hold the left elbow in place while twisting your head and shoulders to the right until you feel a stretch.
Repeat the stretch on the other side by placing your left foot on the outside of your right knee, and your right elbow against the outside of your left knee.

Lying Knee to Chest

This stretches your gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and erector spinae muscles.

Six steps make up this stretch:

Lie on your back with your legs next to one another, extended down away from your body.
Flex your right knee and hip to elevate your right thigh towards your chest. Your knee should be just above your hip.
Grab the back of your right thigh underneath your knee.
Keep your left leg down on the ground in the starting position throughout the stretch.
Use your arms to pull your right thigh further towards your chest until you feel a stretch in the target muscles.
Repeat the stretch with your other leg.

Stay Flexible, Stay Healthy

Whether you are trying to improve your tennis swing or just put your groceries on the top shelf a bit more easily, keeping flexible — like all aspects of health and fitness — affects your everyday quality of life.

If you are interested in promoting back health through yoga, check out these yoga poses to combat back pain. When a few stretches in your living room are not enough to get the job done, however, Spencer Chiropractor is ready to help you keep moving. Call us at (253) 874-9001 or visit our Contact page.