What better way to kick off the year than with answers to your most common questions! From pain relief to posture and wellness, we sat down with Dr. Tomey for his expert knowledge and advice to patients. Walk into the new year with insight to keep your spine and muscles in excellent health.
1. How do chiropractors know where to adjust?
Chiropractors can use x-rays, muscle palpation, and additional techniques or observations to find misalignments in the spine. Once identified, the doctor will easily correct the misalignment with a chiropractic adjustment.
2. How to sleep with neck pain
Adding a cervical pillow at night can help keep your neck curve supported while you sleep. A chiropractor can also recommend exercises to do at home to correct posture and suggest. Neck pain is a more common problem these days with daily use of handheld devices and poor posture.
3. How to reduce inflammation
Inflammation is primarily caused by poor diet, so the key is to add proper nutrients into your meals. Avoid processed foods and refined sugars, instead focusing on eating whole foods—vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, legumes— and drinking plenty of water everyday.
Also, make sure you add a good multivitamin, probiotics, omega 3’s, and bromelain supplements daily. Bromelain is a natural supplement made from pineapple enzymes that is known to reduce inflammation.
4. What is a misalignment?
Chiropractors call a misalignment of the spine a “vertebral subluxation.” This is when there is an irregular movement or shift of the vertebrae. It can cause a wide range of symptoms such as pain, lack of motion, inflammation, muscle spasm, and may lead to a herniated disc if not treated.
5. Tips for soft tissue injury
The first step to healing a soft tissue injury is to visit a medical professional, such as a chiropractor, physical therapist, or doctor. They may recommend imaging to determine the extent of the injury. Soft tissue injuries generally require several weeks to heal.
Along with the recommendations from your health provider consider the “R.I.C.E” tips:
Rest- rest as much as possible for 2 days
Ice- apply ice 15-20 every 2 hours for the first 24-48 hours
Compression- use a bandage, not too tight to interrupt blood flow
Elevate- raise the injured body part above your heart level while resting
6. Easy exercises at home for spinal health
Yoga and stretching are great daily activities to improve spinal health. Daily movement such as walking, running, cardio exercise, and playing sports can keep your joints healthy and help reduce inflammation.
7. What are the risks of chiropractic care?
Chiropractic procedures may appear dangerous or intimidating but the reality is far from that. Serious complications with chiropractic adjustments are overall rare, but may include worsening of the existing conditions or a feeling of muscle soreness.
Be sure to tell your Chiropractor about any existing medical conditions that might contraindicate chiropractic care, such as osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, osteomyelitis, bone tumors, or Paget’s disease. It’s important to make sure your chiropractor knows any past injuries or surgeries you have had which can all be discussed during your initial visit.
8. How can I maintain good posture?
Good posture comes from good habits. Make sure you keep your devices at eye level, and take breaks to stand and stretch if you are working from home or at a desk daily. Check out our post on office ergonomics to add good habits to your routine!
On behalf of our team here at Aviva Family Chiropractic, we wish you all a happy (and healthy) new year!
Book your first appointment in 2023!
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for health advice from a qualified physician. Please consult your doctor for recommendations in regards to your physical condition.