Chiropractic and Healthy Joints!

by | Dec 18, 2014 | Health Articles

Joint Health New Fairfield CT

One of the key tenets of chiropractic is that health is our natural state. If someone is not healthy which is often signaled by pain or disease, we look for what could be interfering with this natural state by looking for the underlying cause. With that in mind chiropractic care is primarily designed to improve...

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Chronic Pain Rehabilitation

by | Dec 16, 2014 | Health Articles

Chronic Pain New Fairfield CT

As we get older, years of mechanical stress can lead to the deterioration of joints, ligaments, and tendons. This degenerative process, more commonly known as arthritis, primarily affects the weight-bearing joints in the body such as the hips and knees and those found in the lumbar spine. The shoulder, too, is also prone to undergo...

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Prevent Injuries this Winter Season

by | Dec 11, 2014 | Health Articles

Injury Prevention New Fairfield CT

Let the games begin!  The winter season of sports and activities has begun.  Whether you are a novice or a pro please take precautions to prevent injuries this winter. Winter Fun Safely Snow, ice, and cold weather are part of the seasonal fun but  can create a different set of problems besides slips and falls....

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Your Health’s Fuse Box

by | Dec 9, 2014 | Health Articles

New Fairfield CT Chiropractic Clinic

In our office, our purpose is to not only help you get well but to stay well.  The best way for us to achieve this simply explaining the "how" and "why" of how your body works and what you can do to maintain the results that we are able to help you achieve. Understanding Made...

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Solving the Equation for Neck Pain

by | Dec 4, 2014 | Health Articles

New Fairfield CT Neck Pain

If you think about the mechanics of your neck, you’ll realize it’s not surprising how easily it can be injured. It has amazing flexibility, is constantly on the move, has very little muscular support, but has to support the 14 - 16 pounds of your head. It is like balancing a bowling ball on a...

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Checklist to Pain Free Holiday Travels

by | Dec 2, 2014 | Health Articles

New Fairfield CT Low Back Pain Free Guide

Buckle up our traveling season is upon us.  Planes, trains, and automobiles this season can put a real strain on our holiday fun.  So this season follow these tips to survive the physically demanding prospect of traveling to your holiday destination even if your final destination is a luxury holiday. Start Right Travel should be...

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The On Ramp to Better Health

by | Nov 27, 2014 | Health Articles

New Fairfield CT Health Solutions

The superhighway, as it was coined in the 1990's, was developed to bring our global communications and information to one great stream accessible by all of us.  The information is translated and driven by numerous languages and mathematical algorithms but one system that is universally is the same is that to access and connect to...

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Simple Mathematics to Eliminate Back Pain

by | Nov 25, 2014 | Health Articles

Back Pain Relief New Fairfield CTYou do not have to be a great scientist like our favorite characters in The Big Bang Theory to view our world with the simple applications such as the laws of mathematics and physics.  We know simply that every action has a reaction and our world prefers to be balanced.  We solve life’s equations for the answer that balances the problem presented.  With this logic are we able to apply it to our health?  The answer is absolutely!

Solve for Y

When we are solving for a solution we first look at the factors.  One of the essential factors when leading a healthy lifestyle is a healthy spine. Unfortunately many people overlook the benefits of a healthy spine and do not factor in that people who suffer from back pain are generally less healthy than those who do not suffer with back pain.

Law of Subtraction

Low back pain is one of the most common physical ailments with over 80 percent of people in the United States reporting that they have been bothered by this discomfort at some point in their life. For some 50 percent of these people, the pain has severely limited their activities, caused sleep loss, and interfered with their sex life and the ability to control their weight.  Further quality of life is subtracted as people suffering from long-term back pain are made to take time off work and can experience large financial losses, as well as the psychological problems that are associated with the healing process for long-term back pain.

Law of Addition

It is extremely important to take good care of your spine and keep it as healthy as possible. By simply adding these beneficial posture and health lifestyle tips as recommended by the American Chiropractic Association, you can help to keep your spine in good shape.

Healthy Diet and Exercise

  • People who are overweight or obese tend to suffer more back pain as the extra weight they carry can put unwanted pressure on the muscles, ligaments and tendons in your back.
  • A healthy diet and regular exercise is the most efficient and effective way to reduce your weight.
  • You should always consult with your Doctor before beginning any new exercise program.

Standing

  • When you are standing, try to keep one foot slightly in front of the other, and bend your knees slightly. This position can help to relieve the pressure on your low back.
  • Try to avoid bending at the waist for prolonged periods of time. Your lower back muscles can become deconditioned in this position, which often leads to pain.

Lifting

  • Whenever you are lifting an object, try to avoid twisting. One of the most dangerous movements for your spine is twisting, especially while lifting.
  • If the item you are lifting is too heavy, pushing it is easier on your back than pulling it. Avoid using your back and upper body when pushing the item, try to use your legs.
  • If you need to lift a heavy item, get somebody to help you.

Sitting

  • Keep your knees slightly higher than your hips, with your head up and back straight.
  • Avoid rolling your shoulders forward.
  • Try to maintain the natural curve in your low back.

Carrying

  • When carrying heavy objects, try to keep them as close to your body as possible.
  • Carrying two smaller objects, one in each hand, is much easier to handle than one large object.

Reaching and Bending

  • When you are reaching for an object above shoulder level, stand on a stool. If you strain to reach such objects you can not only hurt your mid-back and neck, but you can also bring on shoulder problems.
  • Never bend over at the waist to pick up items from the floor. Instead kneel down on one knee and get as close as possible to the item you are lifting. Keep the other foot flat on the floor and then pick the item up.
  • To stand keep the item close to your body, and lift with your legs, not your back.

Sleeping

  • There are many positions that add extra pressure to your spine while sleeping. One of these positions is stomach-sleeping which makes it difficult to maintain a neutral position of your spine. This position puts pressure on joints and muscles, which can irritate nerves and lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.
  • Try placing a pillow in between your legs when sleeping on your side, this can help to reduce the pressure on your spine.
  • Never sleep in a position that hurts your spine. More often than not, your body will tell you which position is best.

Give Up Smoking

Smokers suffer from more back pain than non-smokers, and they also heal a lot more slowly when they experience an episode of back pain. This is owing to the chemicals in tobacco smoke that restrict the blood flow to the tissues in and around your spine.

The Health Tutor

If you follow these simple steps you will can begin to experience the benefits of a healthier spine. If you do suffer with back pain we recommend that you call and schedule a consultation today so we may help you find the factors that are causing the imbalance and set a course for calculated winning health!

Understanding Whiplash Injuries and Neck Pain

by | Nov 20, 2014 | Health Articles

Whiplash New Fairfield CT Neck Pain

As the roads become increasingly slippery, more auto accidents are occurring at an alarming rate.  The sharp  or sudden stops are causing whiplash injuries to not only the driver but all the passengers involved.  These injuries unfortunately do not always cause sudden pain but can manifest over time and are not limited to motor vehicles...

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Step Your Way into Better Health

by | Nov 18, 2014 | Health Articles

Benefits of Walking New Fairfield CTWhile some fitness enthusiasts relentlessly seek out the latest, trendiest exercise crazes, many others are returning to good, old-fashioned walking to help them feel great and get into shape. Whether enjoying the wonder of nature, or simply the company of a friend, walking can be a healthy, invigorating experience. And thanks to its convenience and simplicity, walking just might be right for you, too.

The Right Step

You don’t need to become a member of an expensive gym to go walking. And except for a good pair of walking shoes, it requires virtually no equipment.

A sedentary lifestyle has a debilitating influence on people’s health as they age, therefore exercise is imperative. Walking accomplishes all of the following and more:

  • Improves cardiovascular endurance
  • Tones muscles of the lower body
  • Burns calories: about 80 if walking 2 miles per hour, and about 107 if walking 4.5 miles per hour
  • Reduces risk of heart disease

Selecting Shoes

The first item of business when beginning your walking program is to select the right pair of shoes. Too many people choose fashion over function when purchasing running shoes, not realizing that poor-fitting shoes can do more than hurt their stride; they can also lead to pain throughout the body.

  • Make sure the shoes you purchase fit properly. The balls of your feet should rest exactly at the point where the toe end of the shoe bends during walking.
  • Select shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact.
  • Shop for sneakers at the end of the day or after a workout when your feet are generally at their largest. Wear the type of socks you usually wear during exercise.
  • When trying on shoes, be sure to wear them for at least 10 minutes at the store.

Once you have purchased a pair of shoes, don’t walk them into the ground. While estimates vary as to when is the best time to replace old shoes, most experts agree that between 300 and 500 miles is optimal.

Let’s Get Started

Walking just 12 minutes every other day can offer important health benefits. But in order to increase your longevity, try to eventually work up to 30 minutes, five days per week. Experts generally agree that to be considered “active,” adults should try to take 10,000 steps each day. Wearing a pedometer is an easy way to track your progress.

Great tips to help you get started on your walking regimen:

  • Move your arms freely, in coordination with the opposite leg.
  • Don’t stoop your head or look down as you walk. This will challenge the normal forward curve of your neck, which, in turn, will cause you to carry your weight improperly.
  • Don’t carry weights or dumbbells while walking. They’re better used as a separate part of your exercise regimen.
  • Expect a little soreness in the thighs and calves for the first week or two. If you experience more than soreness, check with your doctor of chiropractic.
  • Walk briskly, with “purpose.” Simply sauntering, while relaxing and enjoyable, is not an effective form of cardiovascular exercise.

Of course, be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Walking Surfaces

Some walking surfaces are better than others on your musculoskeletal system.

  • Walking on a cushioned or rubberized track is ideal, because the cushioning of this type of track absorbs most of the impact of your walking. Many recreation centers offer this type of track free of charge.
  • Grass is another good surface, but watch out for hidden dips or holes in the ground.
  • Walking on a surface with no give, such as concrete or a mall floor, is not your best choice, because this type of surface will not absorb much of the impact your body will experience. If you do choose to walk on such a surface, be extra careful to select highly cushioned shoes.

Ready, Set, Go!

The best way to start is to take your very first step.  Commit to the process and enjoy.

Remember our team is here to help you accomplish your wellness and fitness goals.   If you do suffer from pain beyond typical muscle soreness, we will identify the cause and take the right steps to address your pain or injury and get you back to health!

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