5 Unexpected Reasons to See a Chiropractor

What are the most common causes for calling a chiropractor? If you guessed an aching back or stiff neck, you’re spot on! And it makes sense. 80 percent of us are expected to have back pain at least once in our lives.[1] Whether it’s poor posture, injury, or aging, neck pain is also a popular reason to go.

At the core, chiropractors treat problems related to the musculoskeletal system.[2] This involves the skeleton, cartilage, tendons, joints, ligaments, muscles, and other connective tissue. Their education and practice also directly impacts the nervous system. Chiropractors look at the interconnectedness of the body, and believe in the body’s ability to heal itself. So, they treat without turning to painkillers or surgery.

But did you know that chiropractors do so much more? In today’s blog, we’ll explore five surprising ways that chiropractors help you.

1. Chiropractors Offer More Than Adjustments

During an initial visit, your chiropractor will perform an intake, exam, treatment, and follow-through plan. What some may not know is that treatment can extend beyond only an adjustment.

Chiropractors are trained to take a holistic approach to your health. This means they may offer you suggestions to practice outside the walls of their office. This can include rehab exercises, ergonomic advice, and nutritional and dietary counseling.

A chiropractor understands that the body and its systems are interconnected. They are concerned about your well-being and will design treatments to improve it.

2. Chiropractors Can Lessen Stress and Anxiety

You know the feeling — the low energy, headaches, or insomnia. That churning feeling in your stomach or the panic tightening in your chest. Stress or anxiety is something most of us will have in our day-to-day lives.

If you feel this way, you aren’t alone:

• 3 out of 4 Americans have reported at least one stress symptom within the last month.[3]

• 55 percent report experiencing stress throughout a lot of the day.[4]

• Almost half claim to lay awake at night.[5]

And if you’re young, you aren’t exempt. Gen Z (those who are 15-21 years old) are more likely than other generations to report fair or poor mental health.[6]

But can a chiropractor really help with stress or anxiety? Yes. They can.

Chiropractors focus on a mind-body approach —  they adjust the physical also to help improve the mental.[7]

Often, stress and anxiety will manifest in a variety of ways. Whether it’s muscle tension, fatigue, headaches, or an inability to relax, the body takes a hit. Chiropractors are trained to help bring relief to many of these symptoms. Their care is all-natural, which means no medicinal side effects. 

Studies also show that after being adjusted, the body releases positive hormones. The three that get released are neurotensin, oxytocin, and cortisol.[8] These help to neutralize stress-induced pain, boost feelings of social bonding, and block pain caused by inflammation.

Stress and anxiety can be heavy burdens to bear. While chiropractic care can help, please don’t stop or change your medication without talking to a trusted professional. If someone you know has mental health concerns, it’s important to seek help from a qualified care provider.

3. Chiropractors Help Migraines and Tension Headaches

Headaches are always an uninvited guest. And they’re unfortunately common. 9 out of 10 Americans suffer from having headaches at some point in their lives.[9] While for some, having a headache may be rare, but for many others, it’s a real and frequent problem.

The treatment for migraines and headaches varies. Some will take a pill while others may try and sleep it off. Some prefer to avoid daily medication and will instead opt for alternative treatments.[10]

How can a chiropractor help your migraine?

Chiropractors are well-versed in helping headaches. In fact, 87.2 percent of chiropractors help patients who suffer from them.[11]

A chiropractor performs adjustments to improve your spinal function and reduce the stress on your system. They can also give advice on:

• Posture

• Ergonomics

• Relaxation techniques

• Stretching

• Low-impact exercises

• Staying hydrated

• Avoiding teeth-clenching[12]

The result? When it comes to preventing migraines, chiropractic techniques may be one of the few ways that’s as useful as taking medications.[13]

A fun fact: Dr. Nikki became a chiropractor because of her own journey with migraines. Into her early 20s, Dr. Nikki suffered from debilitating headaches. Chiropractic care and lifestyle changes helped her become migraine-free. This transformation inspired her to become a chiropractor, so she could help others experience that same freedom!

4. Chiropractors Help During Pregnancy

The female body goes through impressive changes during pregnancy — and with that can come pain or discomfort. 70 percent of pregnant women claim to have back pain.[14] 1 in 3 report hip pain.[15] And as the body starts to prepare for labor and delivery, the joints and ligaments will begin to move around and can shift out of alignment.

Chiropractors can provide gentle adjustments to align and stabilize the body. They can also offer recommendations on stretches and exercises to help bring relief.

Be sure and check out our “Why Every Expecting Mom Needs to See a Chiropractor” blog for more details on how prenatal chiropractic care can help.

5. Chiropractors Benefit the Family — Including Children

Children make up a growing and essential part of our society. Currently, about 3 percent of children have been seen by a doctor of chiropractic — and those numbers are rising.[16] Many are realizing the health benefits of chiropractic care on kids.

How can chiropractic care benefit children? 

Children tend to be quite active and can experience many types of falls or blows. For kids in sports, this is especially true. Injuries can cause several symptoms, such as back or neck pain, soreness, or general discomfort.[17] One benefit of chiropractic care is that it’s skilled and individualized. This means that your chiropractor is trained to adapt to the needs of your child (i.e., they will be gentle).

Children aren’t the only ones to benefit. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics recently published a study about chiropractic care with mothers and infants. In it, mothers reported that they and their infants benefited after receiving chiropractic care.[18] Specifically, for their infants, mothers noted improvements in feeding problems, excessive crying, and sleep issues (to name a few).

The medical community continues to discuss the benefits of children receiving chiropractic care. Like choosing a pediatrician, selecting a chiropractor requires research, conversation, and discernment. Whether you're pregnant or have a child, make sure the chiropractor you choose is well-qualified.

There are a number of ways to do this:

• Reach out. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) is a leading organization that provides chiropractic training and certification in pregnancy and pediatric care. They can help you find an ICPA Chiropractor to meet you and your children’s needs best.

• Become more knowledgeable. Follow the ICPA, American Chiropractic Association (ACA), and ACA Pediatrics Council social media. Continue to read and stay up on the latest research.

• Call our office. Dr. Nikki is a certified member of the ICPA and has received additional credentials through the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics. She’d be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you have.

Consider the Natural Approach

There are a variety of reasons to go to a chiropractor. Maybe you’re tired of taking pills. Or feeling stressed. Or perhaps you’re looking for alternative ways to improve you and your family’s well-being. Chiropractic care can help. 

While most may visit for back or neck pain, chiropractors offer a host of other benefits. They treat a multitude of areas and provide recommendations that take into account your whole body — and they do so naturally. 

Consider giving our office a call or booking an initial visit to see how we can help you live your healthiest life.

Sources

1. (n.d.). Back Pain Facts and Statistics - American Chiropractic. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics

2. (2019, April 30). Chiropractic - NCCIH - NIH. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic

3. (2017, December). By the numbers: Our stressed-out nation. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/12/numbers

4. (2019, April 25). Americans' Stress, Worry and Anger Intensified in 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://news.gallup.com/poll/249098/americans-stress-worry-anger-intensified-2018.aspx

5. (2017, December). By the numbers: Our stressed-out nation. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/12/numbers

6. (2018, October 30). APA Stress in America™ Survey: Generation Z Stressed About .... Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/10/generation-z-stressed

7. (2019, February 21). Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Anxiety and ... - RtoR.org. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.rtor.org/2019/02/21/mental-health-and-chiropractic-care/

8. (2014, January 22). Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception ... - NCBI. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24450367

9. (n.d.). Headaches and Chiropractic. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Headaches-and-Chiropractic

10. (2019, March 28). Integrating Chiropractic Care Into the Treatment of ... - NCBI. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6440032/

11. Ibid.

12. (n.d.). Headaches and Chiropractic. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Headaches-and-Chiropractic

13. (2019, July). Spinal Manipulation: What You Need To Know - NCCIH - NIH. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/pain/spinemanipulation.htm

14. (2018, November 19). Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a ... - NCBI. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6262502/

15. Ibid.

16. (2016, April 19). Safety and Effectiveness of Pediatric Chiropractic. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/ACA-News-Archive/ArtMID/5721/ArticleID/165/Safety-and-Effectiveness-of-Pediatric-Chiropractic

17. (n.d.). Chiropractic Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.acatoday.org/News-Publications/Newsroom/Chiropractic-Frequently-Asked-Questions

18. (n.d.). Maternal Report of Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Infants .... Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(18)30145-3/fulltext

Sharp Curve Ahead

This afternoon, my co-pilot pup, Rocky, and I went out for walk along the Trinity Trail. As we strolled along, we came across a sign that said “Sharp Curve Ahead”. I found myself thinking
”Wouldn’t it be nice if we had signs like that for life??” You know, signs that said “job loss ahead” or “cross-country move ahead” or even “illness ahead”. One of the biggest unexpected “sharp curves” that come up in life are health issues. I wonder if we knew ahead of time that a specific disease was headed our way, we would live our lives a little differently? Often times, we spend the first half of our lives chasing wealth to then spend the second half of our lives chasing health.

The good news is that while we may not have a sign telling us what lies ahead in regards to our health, we can make decisions on a daily basis to prolong our years with a healthier life! Here are five basics that we can all implement right away. While they may seem simple, I find myself needing reminders on all of these at some point throughout a given day, week or month.

1) Get sleep! Sleep is imperative for our brain and body to heal. It also greatly impacts our immune function and cognitive ability. 7 - 8 hours of sleep per night is a great goal!

2) Hydrate! Our bodies are over 55% water and we use it in every single cell, organ and tissue. It is essential for the regulation of all bodily functions. Aim for 50% of your body weight in ounces of water per day!

3) Taste the Rainbow! Getting a variety of fruits and veggies in our diet is essential. By including a “rainbow” of colors in produce on our plate, we are increasing the amount and variety of vitamins and minerals that we are consuming.

4) Stay Active! Maybe crushing a workout at the gym isn’t your thing, that’s ok! Whether it’s going for a 20 minute walk, going for a bike ride, taking the stairs, trying a pilates or barre class or simply letting loose and dancing, movement is the key!

5) Find Your Tribe! As humans, we were created to be social. I know some of the introverts may be cringing right now, but it’s true! Make sure you have one or two people who you can bounce things off of and just do life with! It doesn’t need to be a quest for popularity, just a few people to hold one another accountable and lift each other up in times of need.

While I didn’t include chiropractic care in the 5 basic tips, regular chiropractic adjustments are extremely beneficial in maintaining proper function of the spine and nervous system. Since this is what allows our brain to talk to our body and our body to talk to our brain, it’s kind of important! To schedule your next appointment with Dr. Nikki, click here and if you have any questions about any of the other tips for staying healthy, we would love to hear from you!

Healthy Sitting Habits

Recent studies are revealing that the average person sits at least 10 hours a day! While there are great options such as standing desks to help break up the sitting, there are still some important practices to implement when we are sitting on our behinds!

The biggest issue I see with men are wallets! As the video below explains, no matter how thin a wallet may be, if it's in a back pocket it will shift more weight to one side of the body. This shift results in improper posture, muscle tightness, and can cause symptoms such as back pain and sciatica. 

While wallets may not be a major issue with women, the things we do with our legs are! Whether it's crossing the legs or sitting on one leg, all of these positions shift our weight and body-position to a state of imbalance, which results in our incredibly intelligent bodies working to restore balance however possible. This results in muscles on one side of the body being tighter than the other, which in turn affects nerve function and blood flow. With a decrease in blood flow and nerve function we are once again, prone to pain, numbness, tingling, etc. 

As simple, as these issues sound, improving them will result in MASSIVE changes with posture and the health of your back. For further explanation on why these changes are so important, please check out my brief video below. 

Are Your Glutes Sleeping on the Job?

Because a majority of us sit behind a desk all day, our glutes are asleep. Much like the phrase "use it or lose it", our brain forgets that our booty muscles are there. When we perform movements or exercises that would normally utilize our glutes, other muscles have to step in and compensate for the sleeping giant. What does this mean for overall function of our body? It means that smaller muscles are placed under a great deal of stress in order to keep our body performing as optimally as possible. At some point, those accessory muscles can't keep up and we start to experience a variety of symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms associated with weak glutes include:

- Low back pain and instability

- Hamstring strains

- Knee Pain

- Hip Pain

- Chronic ankle instability

So what can you do to wake your booty up? There are a variety of exercises that target the glutes and help to re-establish the connection between your brain and your behind. Examples of these exercises include single-leg squats and single-leg Romanian deadlifts. It is important to make sure your form is correct when performing these exercise, so it is best to utilize the guidance of a trained professional when first starting out. 

Another important step to turning on your glutes is to visit your family wellness chiropractor. Chiropractors directly influence the function of nerves by ensuring that the spine and pelvis are moving properly. When a nerve is functioning optimally, the brain is better able to communicate to muscles and every other part of the body.

To find out whether your symptoms are related to weak glute muscles, schedule an appointment with Dr. Nikki at Renew & Restore Wellness today!