Posts Tagged ‘Pins and Needles New Fairfield CT’

Welcome to Chiropractic Life and Wellness Center's Pins and Needles New Fairfield CT Archive. Here you can learn more about Chiropractic Life and Wellness Center, Chiropractic, and Dr. Brandon Chorney, today's choice for Chiropractors in New Fairfield, CT. Read Dr. Brandon Chorney's Chiropractic Pins and Needles New Fairfield CT for the health of it.

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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 stick using only elastic bands.

Now factor in that your spinal cord runs down a space in the centre of the vertebrae, which protects it from harm. Along large bundles of nerves running out from between each pair of vertebrae, nerve impulses are sent to every part of the body. From your cervical vertebrae, impulses are sent to your arms, and some into your upper back. These small factors can add up to huge problems.

Neck problems can lead to headaches, muscle spasms in the shoulders and upper back, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), inflammation in the middle ear (otitis media), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or simply a restricted range of motion and severe tightness in the neck and upper back. Issues from the neck can show up in the upper back because many neck muscles originate there, including the trapezius, the levator scapulae, the cervical paraspinal muscles and the scalenes.  Pain in your arm, such as numbness, tingling, cold, aching, or “pins and needles”, may also be referred from the neck. People with neck problems often mistake the painful condition in their hands (carpal tunnel syndrome) as a condition that originates and solely effects the hands.

Factors for Neck and Upper Back Pain

Most times, neck and upper back pain is the result of not just one factor. Injury may be combined with poor posture, spinal misalignments, mental stress, and/or disc problems.

Traumas: Easily the most common injury to the neck is whiplash, the sudden, violent whipping motion of the head in an accident. It is most often associated with a car accidents, but it can happen when playing sports, or any other time the head suffers this particular whipping trauma. When this happens, the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back are damaged, but the full effects of this may not be felt for weeks or even months after the incident. This is why anyone who suspects they may have suffered whiplash should be extremely careful not to aggravate it, even if they feel no immediate ill-effects. An assessment should be sought from a chiropractor, in case treatment is needed to minimize the effects and guard against possibly permanent damage. In one study, fifty percent of whiplash victims were shown to still be suffering the effects of the injury many years after settling their insurance claims.

Incorrent Posture: Poor posture is one of the most common causes of neck pain which has been proven to also cause headaches. Unlike sudden injuries, which we usually know have happened, bad posture occurs over time and is something we soon begin to feel as normal. Everyday activities such as reading in bed can create issues and pain later on, and anyone working on a computer for extended periods is certainly susceptible to developing a forward head posture (FHP) and spinal misalignments. Ideally, the head should be kept in a neutral position, back supported, knees slightly lower than your hips, and arms supported.  Avoid craning or hunching the neck, or remaining in the same position for too long. If this is unavoidable, try to practice correct posture to minimize any problems.

Misalignments: These are extremely common in the neck and upper back area, thanks to the weight of your head resting on such an unstable part of your spine. The majority of spinal misalignments are centered around these four areas:

  • The top of the cervical spine where it meets the skull
  • The middle of the cervical spine which supports the greatest weight of the head
  • The transition between the cervical and thoracic areas of the spine
  • The middle of the thoracic spine which supports the greatest weight of the upper body

You can check for signs of misalignments yourself. Look in the mirror and see if your head is tilted or if one shoulder rides higher than the other. Does one sleeve appear shorter than the other; does a necklace hang off-center? Ask someone to look from the side and see if your head sits noticeably forward from your shoulders (the aforementioned FHP).

Spinal misalignments are serious and need to be corrected as soon as possible. Over time, they stress the body, throwing all sorts of problems into areas that are then forced to compensate until everything is out of kilter and pain results.

Stress: Mental and emotional stress causes the muscles to tense, especially those in the back and neck. This ‘muscle guarding’ is a primitive survival response to avoid injury in the face of danger, but it ends up causing injury when it happens for any length of time. If pinching the trapezius muscle causes you to wince, that is a sure sign your muscles are tight and trigger points almost certainly exist. Exercise and deep breathing/relaxation techniques are useful for combating stress.

Herniated Discs:  A herniated or bulging disc will put pressure on the nerves that exit the spine through that area. Lumbar discs are more prone to herniating than cervical discs, but trauma such as whiplash can provoke a herniated cervical disc.

We Can Help!

If you may have suffered a whiplash trauma from an accident please call today to schedule an appointment.  The effects may not be felt today but the results may affect your health later.  Our team of experts are ready to assess and help if necessary.

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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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!

Conquering Chronic Pain with Chiropractic

by | Oct 16, 2014 | Health Articles

New Fairfield CT Chronic Headaches

When you or someone you love suffer with chronic pain it is not only physically debilitating but physically exhausting.  You sit over your computer searching for anything that may take the pain away.  At first you would never expect to find a long lasting or permanent solution and are willing to settle for a solution...

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The Root of Pins and Needles

by | Sep 18, 2014 | Health Articles

Numbness New Fairfield CT Leg Pain

Ouch! Being pinched hurts, but to pinch a nerve? Ugh! That must feel like severe, intense pain – and it often does. “Pinched” nerves could happen anywhere in your spine; they can affect nerves that go to your arms, fingers, wrist, neck, back, shoulder, head, legs, muscles and internal organs, and can affect your general...

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