Edmonton Chiropractor Archives - Page 5 of 13 - Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic

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Why More Professional Athletic Teams Are Using Chiropractors

There has been an increasing number of professional athletes and athletic teams in recent years that have chosen to use chiropractors to treat their injuries, help manage their pain, and help keep them at the top of their game in terms of performance and stamina. Top athletes like Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson, Vernon Davis, and Aaron Rodgers recognize that value in good chiropractic care and have incorporated it into their overall health and wellness programs.

One of the biggest draws is chiropractic’s whole-body approach to health care. A chiropractor will not just treat the symptoms of a problem (such as pain), he or she will work to uncover the cause of the problem and recommend lifestyle changes that will help the athlete not only eliminate their pain, but resolve the issue causing the pain, and take steps to help prevent the problem from recurring.

The NFL Chooses Chiropractic

The National Football League (NFL) has long kept chiropractic care as a standard treatment for its players. In fact, the Professional Football Chiropractic Association estimates that the average team chiropractor for the NFL will perform anywhere from 30 to 50 chiropractic adjustments or treatments a week during the football season.

When you consider that the NFL teams employ around 35 chiropractors, that adds up to about 27,000 adjustments in that short 16-week span. But it’s worth it to keep the players in tip top shape and many continue chiropractic care even after they retire.

The PGA Chooses Chiropractic

Many top golfers in the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson see chiropractic care not only as a necessary element in their wellness routines, but also as a playing a vital role in their success.

Many use it to enhance their athletic performance, help prevent injuries, help heal from injuries, manage pain, and improve their overall health. Some golfers, like Masters Tournament winner Jordan Spieth, have a chiropractor who travels with him on a full-time basis and provides treatments several times a day.

Olympic Teams and Chiropractic

At the Olympics, the best of the best compete – and put their bodies through a lot of stress and punishment in the process. Most Olympic teams have two chiropractors who travel with them in an official capacity.

After practice or competition, they will get treatments to keep their bodies in optimal performance level. If any of the athletes sustain injuries, the chiropractors can help to manage pain and help heal the injury. Studies show that most injuries that are treated with chiropractic care heal faster and more complete.

The MLB, NBA, and NHL Choose Chiropractic

Most of the teams in the NHL, NBA, and MLB either have a chiropractor they refer to that is outside or their organization or they have one on staff. This means that not only are chiropractors treating athletes, they are treating some of the best athletes in the world.

These people make a living based on how well their bodies perform so it stands to reason they would not turn to just any type of treatment or trend. They choose to reap the benefits of the tried and true chiropractic care.

Chiropractic for Athletes

Athletes know the many benefits that they can get from regular chiropractic care. Some of the top include:

It is drug free and non-invasive.
It is very effective in pain management.
It can reverse the punishment that the body undergoes while participating in sports.
It can help prevent injury.
It is very effective in treating most sports injuries.
It helps to enhance athletic performance

If you play sports, even if you just enjoy a game of touch football on the weekends, you just might benefit from chiropractic care. If it’s good enough for the pros, it’s good enough for you!

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic. Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment!

Why We Get Shorter As We Age

If you are in your 40s, and you measured your height, chances are you would not be the same height that you were in, say, high school. It’s true. As we get older, we tend to shrink. A French study in 2010, measures more than 8,000 women who were over the age of 60. They then asked each woman to estimate her own height. Nearly all of the women in the study overestimated their height. Some overestimated by as much as 2 inches. This is not wishful thinking on the women’s part; they were recalling their tallest height. Shrinking in stature is a normal part of the aging process, but there are ways you can stop it – or at least slow it down.

What Causes People to Shrink?

There are several reasons why a person may lose some height as they age:

A condition like osteoporosis can cause loss of bone density, leading to a compression fracture which is essentially a collapse of the vertebrae
Flattening of the feet. As we age our arches flatten out and this can take inches off our height
Dehydration of the discs that lie between each vertebra. The dehydration can cause the discs to com press.
A stooped posture caused by loss of muscle in the core or abdomen

Getting Shorter by the Numbers

It is estimated that the average person will lose about ¼ to ½ inch every decade after they turn 40 (although some estimates say 30 and others say 50). Women are also more prone to height loss than men. The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) found that between 30 and 70 years of age, women lost, on the average, 2 inches while men lost around 1 inch of height. By the age of 80, women had lost a little more than 3 inches while men lost 2. However, with all of the varying factors, some people will lose more and others will lose less – and some don’t shrink an inch.

Health Implications of Height Loss

It is important to know that height loss can be an indicator of a problem. Probably the most concerning of the conditions is skeletal problems, such as a compression fracture.

Such a condition can be debilitating, causing back pain and mobility problems. Muscle loss can also cause pain, as can compressed discs. It is important to stay on top of it, get ahead of any potential problems.

Height loss can also be a symptoms of other problems that are physiological or metabolic in nature. It can also indicate inadequate nutrition or poor health. In short, if you experience height loss, it may be in your best interest to pay attention and talk to your doctor.

Combating the Shrinkage

While genetics does play a large part in certain conditions that can cause you to lose height, there are some things you can do that may help. If you are still below the threshold age, start now to take care of yourself, get the proper nutrition, exercise, get enough sleep, and drink plenty of water. The better foundation that you build when you are young, the better off you will be as you age.

Older people may be able to slow the shrinkage by eating a healthy diet that is rich in calcium, doing weight bearing exercises, staying hydrated, and avoiding unhealthy practices such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Study after study shows that exercise works, so that should be a priority. Hydration is also key. In the end, the better you take care of your body when you are young, the better care it will take of you when you are older.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness tips and information.

How Chiropractic Can Help Keep You Moving On The Assembly Line

March 1, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Assembly lines have long been the standard for factory workers. Henry Ford got the ball rolling in December 1, 1913 when he created the very first assembly line to mass produce a car. Workers stood for hours, doing the same tasks over and over. Although Ford took steps to reduce at least some of the damage, many factory workers still went home with aching backs and feet, migraines, fallen arches, and repetitive motion injuries.

Now, more than a hundred year later, some things have changed. According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,834,000 assembly line and fabrication jobs in 2014. Technology is better and some tasks can be automated making some people’s jobs easier – and, unfortunately, eliminating some as well.

Despite the great strides in technology, there are still some things that haven’t changed all that much. The working conditions in many factories are often still not as healthy as they could be. Many workers are still required to stand for long periods of time and perform repetitive motions for hours without a break. This can lead to injuries, pain, and certain conditions that can cause immobility, inflexibility, and even disability. The good news is, chiropractic can help.

Working in a Standing Position Can Be Bad For Your Health

Many assembly line jobs require that the worker stand for long periods of time. While standing is a natural posture for humans and, by itself does not pose any real harm or health problem, working in a standing position every day isn’t good for you. It can lead to muscle fatigue, stiff shoulders and neck, swelling of the legs and feet, low back pain, varicose veins, fallen arches, and sore feet – just to name a few.

Another problem with standing for extended or frequent periods of time without any breaks (such a s walking or stretching) can cause the joints in the feet, knees, hips, and spine to become locked or immobilized temporarily. If the behavior continues, it can cause degenerative damage, leading to rheumatic diseases because the ligaments and tendons become damaged.

Chiropractic can Help Assembly Line Workers

Chiropractic care can help keep bodies flexible and help with range of motion. It is a very effective, non-invasive treatment for pain and can help with joint and muscular problems as well. Regular chiropractic treatments can help you better manage your body’s response to your work environment. It can also undo many of the ill effects that that type of work can cause.

You can enjoy more pain free days without invasive surgeries or medications that leave you groggy, nauseous, or worse. When you sit down with your chiropractor, he or she will talk to you about your medical history as well as your current lifestyle. After a complete evaluation, you will be given a plan of action that may include lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and recommended supplements in addition to spinal manipulation. Chiropractic is all about whole body wellness and that is what will help you perform better on your job and recover faster afterwards.

Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment today!

Why More People Are Choosing Chiropractic

February 22, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Chiropractic care is enjoying an upsurge in popularity as more people are veering away from invasive procedures and pharmaceuticals in favor of more natural treatment options for their pain. A recent Gallup poll for Palmer Chiropractic College confirms this. Of the people surveyed:

More than 35.5 million people said they sought chiropractic care within the 12 month (the Gallup survey was conducted from February 8, 2016 through March 11, 2016).
95% said chiropractic was effective in treating their condition.
89% said they would recommend chiropractic to friends and family.
97% said that they would likely see a chiropractor for neck or back pain.
88% said that chiropractic care is a good value for the money.

Non-Drug Treatments for Back Pain should be Sought First

In April 2017, the American College of Physicians published their updated guidelines for managing and treating low back pain. They recommended seeking non-drug treatments, which include the application of heat, exercise, stress reduction, and spinal manipulation, before turning to medications. The purpose is to steer patients away from unnecessary medicating and toward healthier, more natural options as a first line of defense in managing low back pain.

Another study published in2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association supported spinal manipulation as a preferred first treatment option over pharmaceuticals for patients with acute low back pain. While these recommendations are primarily in response to the opioid epidemic, it is also in response to the numerous studies that show chiropractic care is safe and effective for back pain management.

Chiropractic is a Healthier, Safer Option

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that opioid abuse and overdose has reach epidemic proportions. An estimated 91 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. This includes opioids obtained by a prescription from a doctor.

Popular pain medications like oxycodone and hydrocodone have seen steadily increasing abuse, overdose, and death rates over the past two decades. In fact, deaths caused by overdose of these drugs as well as methadone and others, have quadrupled since 1999.

These medications are highly addictive and have many unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. While most states are taking aggressive steps to curb the over-prescribing of these medications, patients are still finding ways around the prescribing guidelines and restrictions. This is a compelling reason for patients to seek natural, non-medicinal pain relief options first – and for their doctors to recommend them.

More People are Turning to Natural Remedies

Many patients are simply getting fed up with invasive treatments and numerous pills. They are now turning to remedies that are more natural. One benefit of chiropractic and other natural remedies is that they rarely treats only the symptom.

Instead, it addresses the root of the problem to treat the cause. This approach has many benefits beyond being medication free and non-invasive. When the cause of the condition or problem is corrected, it can eliminate other troubling symptoms as well.

Chiropractic is a Healthier, Whole Body Option

A patient who sees their chiropractor for low back pain may find that after a few treatments, their headaches, constipation, and digestive issues are also resolved. This is because chiropractic treats the body as a whole, unlike traditional medicine that tends to treat it in parts.

Everything is connected in the body. A problem in one area could easily cause problems in other areas. By correcting the root of the problem, the patient receives more rounded healthcare.

Where traditional medicine will often opt to prescribe a pain pill for lower back pain, chiropractic care looks for the cause of the back pain and treats the pain symptom from the cause. The chiropractor may advise lifestyle changes, changes in diet, and even recommend supplements. With chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity increasing at an alarming rate, chiropractic care offers a solution that treats the body as a whole in a more natural, safer way.

Visit www.ocwc.ca for more health and wellness information and tips!

Why Senior Citizens Need Chiropractic

February 15, 2021/1 Comment/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Chiropractic care is a safe, natural treatment for people of all ages and senior citizens can definitely benefit from it. It is far more preferable than many other options including pharmaceuticals with their unpleasant and even harmful side effects, and surgery. Several studies have even shown that regular chiropractic treatment benefits geriatric patients and can even help keep them out of long-term care facilities and nursing homes. In short, seniors who get chiropractic on a regular basis are healthier and also enjoy these great benefits.

Reduced Risk of Degeneration of the Joints (Including the Spine)

When the spine is not aligned it can cause wear and friction on the joints, resulting in damage. Regular spinal alignment keeps the spine in the correct position so that the body is balanced. It reduces the risk of spinal degeneration as well as certain types of arthritis by decreasing the amount of stress on the spine and bringing it into a more normal, natural alignment.

Improved Range of Motion

As a person gets older, their range of motion decreases. This is especially true of people who are sedentary or who have sustained an injury that kept them confined to a bed or wheelchair for a long time.

Helping improve a person’s range of motion is one of the best benefits of chiropractic. While there are certain levels and each person has a goal for how much range of motion they want, a chiropractor can help them get as close to those goals as possible.

Better Coordination and Balance

Most of the coordination and balance problems that seniors experience come from degenerative changes or injuries that affect the cervical spine. The back side of the cervical spine joints houses mechanoreceptors, structures that are responsible for providing the brain with vital information that regulates coordination and balance. When that area is compromised their function is hindered. By stimulating the mechanoreceptors, a chiropractor can help restore or improve the condition.

Decreased Risk of Falls

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States, every second of every day some older adult falls. Among Americans who are age 65 and older, there are 850,000 bone fractures each year and falls are the cause for 90% of them. A chiropractor can stimulate the mechanoreceptors which reside in the cervical spine, normalizing them and helping to restore the patient’s balance and coordination.

Stronger Immune System and Better Health

When the spine is properly aligned, the body is better able to function as it should. This includes the digestive system, respiratory system, and even the heart. Neural impulses can be transmitted and received more efficiently and effectively.

This strengthens the immune system making the patient less susceptible to illness and disease. Regular care can provide better health and wellness while improving the patient’s quality of life.

More Effective Pain Management

Chiropractic has been proven time and again to be one of the safest, most effective methods for treating pain, particularly those that involve the spine. Chiropractic helps to correct the problem that is causing the pain and helps treat the soft tissue structures that are around the area. Where pain medicine, muscle relaxants, and anti-inflammatory medication are little more than band-aids that treat the symptoms while ignoring the cause, chiropractic gets to the root of the problem and begins treatment there.

In addition to spinal adjustments, the chiropractor will typically recommend stretching and special exercises as well as lifestyle changes and diet modifications. Elder patients benefit from the whole body, holistic approach to health care that is at the heart of chiropractic. The result is better health and better quality of life.

Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our wellness chiropractic doctors. Call (780)455-2112 to book an appointment!

How Chiropractic Can Help Prevent Migraine Headaches

February 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Migraines affects an estimated 38 million people, including children, in the United States alone. Worldwide, that total jumps to 1 billion. In fact, migraine ranks number three among prevalent illnesses in the world and number six among disabling illnesses. More than 90% of people who suffer from migraines are not able to function normally or work during an attack.

A migraine attack is often debilitating and extremely painful. It is also very difficult to stop once it starts. The best treatment for migraines is preventing them from every occurring. There are several methods that work for some people, but chiropractic is a popular preventative measure that many people have found to help them be migraine free.

Migraine Symptoms

A severe headache is the first thing people think of regarding migraines, but there are other symptoms which include:

Pain located on one or both sides of the head
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Blurred vision or other visual disturbances
Pain that is pulsing or throbbing
Lightheaded and possibly fainting
Hypersensitivity to smell, taste, or touch
Loss of motor function or in more severe cases, partial paralysis (such as with hemiplegic migraine)

Some migraineurs experience auras prior to an attack, usually around 20 to 60 minutes. This can give the patient time to take certain measures to stop the attack or minimize it. However, it is still a good course of action to incorporate certain activities into your lifestyle that can prevent migraines.

Causes of Migraines

Doctors don’t know the exact causes of migraines, but research does indicate that there are certain triggers that can initiate an attack. Some of the more common migraine triggers include:

Foods – Processed foods, salty foods, aged cheeses, and chocolate.
Beverages – Coffee and other caffeinated drinks as well as alcohol (particularly wine)
Hormonal changes – Occurs mainly in women, usually during menopause, menstruation, and pregnancy.
Food additives – Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame as well as certain dyes.
Stress – Environmental, tress at home or work, or illness that puts stress on the body.
Sleep problems – Getting too much sleep or not getting enough sleep.
Sensory stimuli – Sun glare and bright lights, strong smells like secondhand smoke and perfume, and certain tactile stimulation.
Medication – Vasodilators (nitroglycerin) and oral contraceptives.
Physical exertion – Intense exercise or other physical exertion.
Jet lag
Weather changes
Skipping meals
Change in barometric pressure

Some research also shows a possible serotonin component. During a migraine attack, serotonin levels drop. Serotonin is integral to regulating pain in the nervous system.

Migraine Treatments

Migraine treatments are classified as either abortive or preventative. Abortive medications primarily treat symptoms, usually pain relief. They are taken once a migraine attack has already begun and are designed to stop it. Preventative medications are usually taken daily to reduce the frequency of migraines and the severity of attacks. Most of these medications can only be obtained by prescription – and many of those have unpleasant side effects.

A migraine specialist can recommend medications as well as other treatments including acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, acupressure, herbal remedies and lifestyle changes. Adequate sleep, relaxation exercises, and dietary changes may also help.

Chiropractic for Migraines

A chiropractor will use a variety of techniques when treating migraines. Spinal manipulation of one of the most common, usually focusing on the cervical spine. By bringing the body into balance, it can relieve the pain and prevent future migraines. They may also recommend vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements as well as lifestyle changes which usually involved eliminating triggers.

One migraine study found that 72% of sufferers benefited from chiropractic treatment with either noticeable or substantial improvement. This is proof that chiropractic is an effective treatment for relieving pain and preventing migraines.

Migraines are no fun! Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your appointment today.

Why Chiropractic Is A Better Choice Over Drugs & Surgery

February 1, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Say you have neck or back pain. How will you treat it? Many people will go to a medical doctor who will look at the symptoms, such as pain, and treat it with prescription or over the counter medications. In some cases, they may recommend surgery to manage the pain or correct the problem.

However, an increasing number of people are foregoing the medical doctor and opting for chiropractic care for pain management – and often with very good results. So, what is it about chiropractic that people feel makes it a better choice than drugs or surgery for their pain or mobility issues? There is more to the answer than you may realize.

Drug Therapy

When it comes to certain types of pain, particularly neck pain, medication is not the best way to manage it. Studies show that patients who opted to undergo chiropractic treatments and exercise regularly were more than twice as likely to significantly reduce their pain or even eliminate it completely than those who choose to take medication.

Aside from efficacy though, many medications have unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. Even over the counter medications can cause problems.

For instance, acetaminophen has been linked to serious health issues like pancreatitis and impaired liver function. NSAIDs like ibuprofen can upset the stomach and can cause rebound headaches in migraine patients (studies show that chiropractic is extremely effective in preventing migraines).

Prescription drugs can be highly addictive and lead to overdose. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared opioid addiction and overdose in the United States to be an epidemic. They have set forth guidelines for doctors who prescribe opioids for chronic pain, but the epidemic continues.

Surgery

Any treatment that can help a patient avoid an invasive surgery is an optimal alternative and chiropractic care provides that. One study shows that patients who saw a medical doctor as their first treatment option when dealing with back pain were more likely to have surgery than patients who say a chiropractor first.

Almost 43% of the medical patients eventually underwent surgery while only 1.5% of chiropractic patients had surgery. This means that if you are a medical patient trying to resolve your back pain you are 28 times more likely to eventually have surgery for it than you would if you went to a chiropractor.

Aside from the obvious invasiveness of the procedure as well as recovery time and probable physical therapy that would be required as part of your after care, there are many other downsides. The time and money required for the surgery, pre-surgery appointments, post-surgery appoints, recovery, and therapy can be significant.

However, a major concern in hospital settings is the risk of C-diff (clostridium difficile). C-diff are bacteria that can cause C. diff colitis, an inflammation of the colon or large intestine that can make you very sick. It can be passed from person to person but can also occur in people who take antibiotics – which are often given when a person undergoes surgery.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care gets to the cause of the problem instead of treating the symptoms like most medical doctors. The whole-body approach also empowers patients to make lifestyle adjustments that aid in their care and healing. It allows them to take ownership of their own health and pain management so that they feel more in control.

Chiropractors take a natural, holistic approach to pain management by bringing the body back into alignment if necessary and recommending exercises. They may also recommend other activities to help patients regain their normal range of motion and flexibility . This can relieve not only the pain symptoms, but often correcting the problem that is causing the pain.

Call (780)455-2112 to schedule your chiropractic assessment with one of our wellness chiropractic doctors! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic and practitioners.

Teachers and Back Pain: How Chiropractic Can Help

January 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

Teachers do a lot in a day. They stand for long periods of time, they stoop and bend, pick up children, carry stacks of papers, and sit for long periods while they grade papers. It’s no wonder that so many teachers end up with aching backs! While low back pain is the number one cause of disability worldwide, it’s easy to see how teachers may be more susceptible to experiencing it.

Chiropractic care can help keep teachers standing upright and moving about – as well as other great benefits. A teacher with back pain can’t be as effective as they would be if they weren’t in pain. It makes it harder for them to do their job. Regular chiropractic care can help offset what their body goes through in a day and relieves the pain so they can do what they love – shape young minds.

What Teachers Really Do

Teaching is a tough profession. The typical teacher arrives at school before it starts (usually between 6:30 am and 7:30 am) and they don’t leave until well after the last bell has rung (often between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm). They grade exams during their vacations and spend hours preparing lessons, quizzes, activities, and tests. In middle and high school, they teach five or six classes a day which means a lot of talking and a lot of standing. Combine the stress with the physical demands of the job and it’s no wonder aching feet and backs are the bane of a teacher’s existence.

The Impact of Teaching on the Body

There have been several studies that explore the effects of the physical demands that are put upon a teacher. One study analyzed the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in special education teachers and teachers’ aides. It found that the three areas most affected were the wrist, shoulder, and back. It found that 86% of the teachers who participated had physical pain and musculoskeletal condition. Another study examined teachers in a municipal school network in Brazil. It found that:

41.1% complained of foot, leg, and knee pain (lower limbs)
23.7% complained of shoulder, neck, and wrist pain (upper limbs)
41.1% complained of back pain

A third study that assessed teachers in Malaysia reported that 62.5% of the teachers surveyed complained of low back pain.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Teachers with Low Back Pain

Several studies show that chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for back pain. The chiropractor will perform a spinal manipulation to bring the spine (and body) into proper alignment. He may also offer advice on exercises, stretching, and ways to improve posture as well as recommending lifestyle changes and what to look for in supportive shoes. Chiropractic’s whole-body approach not only helps relieve back pain, it helps prevent it as well.

Additional Benefits Teachers can Gain from Chiropractic

While less back pain is great news for teachers, there are other benefits they can reap form chiropractic as well. That’s because it doesn’t focus solely on the back or pain, it looks at the whole body. Every day teachers put a lot of stress on their bodies, bending over to help a child with their work, standing to give a lecture, sitting for hours grading papers, and reaching to write on the blackboard. All of this can take a toll on the body, not just physically, but in other ways as wall. It can result in headaches, insomnia, and even frequent illness. A chiropractor can address all those things and make recommendations regarding lifestyle and diet as well as spinal manipulation.

This allows the patient to gain whole body benefits from chiropractic.

Improved mental clarity and cognitive function.
Healthier posture.
Improved quality of sleep.
Stronger immune system.
Fewer migraines and headaches.
Healthier spine.

If you are a teacher, chiropractic care is one of the best ways you can be good to yourself – and you deserve it. Give us a call to schedule your assessment! (780)455-2112

3 Tips To Alleviate Back Pain While Driving

January 4, 2021/0 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

When you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, whether you are going on a long trip or your job requires you to drive around town all day, it can be a real pain – in the back. Many car seats may be comfortable for short jaunts, but they are not built to support the back on the long hauls. However, there are some things that you can do to offset a non-back friendly seat design and alleviate, or even prevent, back pain while driving.

Create a Comfortable Space

Before you settle in behind the wheel, you want to make sure that you are comfortable. Keeping things like your wallet and cellphone in your pocket may be convenient when you are moving about, but can be an irritant when you are basically sitting on them mile after mile. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Any type of discomfort can put stress on your body so even if it is not necessarily pain related, it can exacerbate pain as your body’s sensitivity heightens in response to the stress.

Adjust your seat so that you are comfortable, but sitting fairly upright. If you recline, it could put stress on your neck and upper back, causing pain. Your seat should also be high enough so that you can place your feet flat on the floor – at least for a while (you can do this while driving if you have cruise control). There should be a slight bend in your elbows as you reach for the steering wheel and you should not have to stretch to reach the pedals. Make sure that your mirrors are adjusted so that you don’t have to bend or crane your neck to get good visibility.

Put Together a Healthy Back Kit

Bring along some things to help keep your back comfortable and pain free – even if you’ve never experienced back pain while driving. There is always a first time. Some of the items you might want to bring along include:

A towel that you can roll up and place behind the small of your back
A lumbar support pillow
A cold or hot pack
Something for pain relief
A cushion for your car seat to absorb the vibration
Water (so you can stay hydrated)
Essential Oil like lavender or peppermint (put a few drops in a carrier oil and apply to the sore areas)

Take Breaks and Move a Little

Driving straight through without any breaks is never a good idea. In fact, it can make you more tired, stiff and sore – and less alert on the road. Instead, take breaks to get out of the car, walk around, and stretch. When you move, you stimulate your circulation which brings oxygen and vital nutrients to your muscles. You’ll feel better, be more alert, and will be less likely to experience back pain.

Stopping every hour or so will help considerably with alleviating back pain. It doesn’t have to be a big production, just walk around for a few minutes, stretch your neck, shoulders, and back, then get back on the road. In between stops you can move your ankles up and down or rotate them to increase circulation to the lower leg. You should also adjust your position or your seat about every 20 minutes. Even these slight movements can help keep the blood flowing which will prevent your muscles from getting stiff and sore.

Regular chiropractic care as well as a consistent exercise routine can help prevent back pain in many situations, including while driving. Your chiropractor can also recommend some back strengthening exercises and stretches that will help make your spine even healthier.

Give our clinic a call at (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment today! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic and doctors!

Chiropractic Care: Can It Really Help You Live Pain Free?

December 28, 2020/2 Comments/in Chiropractic, Chiropractic Blog /by Dr. Kent Ferguson

There are plenty of people who say that chiropractic made a significant difference in their lives, relieving pain and increasing mobility. Still, some skeptics want scientific proof that it helps with managing pain and, in many cases, eliminating it altogether. While chiropractic patient testimonies are great, included here is a collection of cold, hard, facts – scientific studies on chiropractic care and its effectiveness in treating pain.

Systematic review of evaluations of chiropractic care for pain management.

This review, published in August 2016, examined six randomized controlled trials and three full economic evaluations to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic care as compared to exercise therapy, physical therapy, and medical care. Chiropractic care was found to be comparable to or better than all three of these, particularly when managing pain.

They found “moderate evidence” that showed chiropractic care is just as effective as physical therapy. The evidence in the other areas was limited, but still gave chiropractic high marks.

Spinal manipulation for treating low back pain is as effective as more traditional treatments.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health studied several clinical trials and reviews regarding chiropractic care. Time and again, chiropractic was found to be at least as effective as other pain reducing interventions.

Chiropractic patients can have more days of being pain free while avoiding surgery, invasive medical procedures, and medications that have harmful side effects. In one study, they found that chiropractic care is as effective as or better than more conventional medical care for as many as 18 months.

Chiropractic patients are less likely to use prescription pain killers like opioids.

James “Jim” Whedon, DC, MS, is a researcher at the Southern California University of Health Sciences, and is co-chair of the Research Working Group of the Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health. He examined the records of 33,000 adults in the New Hampshire All Payer Claims Database who registered as experiencing lower back pain. A little more than a third of those received chiropractic care. Of that group, only 38 percent had one or more prescriptions for an opioid, but that number jumped to 61 percent in the group who did not receive chiropractic care.

Upon examination of the related circumstances, Whedon concluded that the chiropractic patients were 57 percent less likely to fill an opioid prescription. This is a testament to the effectiveness of using chiropractic for pain relief.

Overwhelming research shows that chiropractic care is usually the best option when treating pain.

The American Chiropractic Association summarizes a number of studies and research findings that support the use of chiropractic care for pain. These studies recommended chiropractic as a safer, effective alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Others advocate incorporating chiropractic care with physical therapy and exercise for optimal results. One study (Goertz et al. (2013), Spine) asserts that using chiropractic manipulative therapy along with standard medical care provides a “significant advantage for decreasing pain and improving physical function…” Others shows that it reduced the chances of the patient having to undergo surgery and could manage their pain without drugs.

The evidence is overwhelming. Yes, regular chiropractic care can really help a person to live pain free. It also helps to follow the chiropractor’s recommendations regarding lifestyle changes and diet as well as taking any supplements that he or she advises.

While spinal manipulation is a big part of chiropractic care, it isn’t the only part. The chiropractor may recommend special stretches to do in between sessions or special supplements that can help the body to heal. That is what makes chiropractic so effective; it treats the entire body, not just the symptoms.

Start living pain free! Give us a call at (780)455-2112 to schedule your assessment with one of our wellness chiropractic doctors! Visit www.ocwc.ca to learn more about our clinic.