Friday, April 29, 2011

Protecting Your Back and Preventing Spinal Pain While Pregnant


When you are pregnant, your back is susceptible to a great deal of strain, particularly as your belly grows larger, and needs more muscular support. Some of this back pain is due to a hormone called Relaxin, which causes your ligaments and pelvis to soften and relax, preparing you to give birth.

The release of this hormone can cause a great deal of discomfort in your back, and the surrounding muscular areas. Learning how to manage this achiness can help you to be more comfortable throughout your pregnancy, in addition to helping you feel more energy. A few ways to manage this pregnancy back pain include:

1.       Regular exercise is key! Going for an exercise walk or swimming laps for twenty to thirty minutes a day can help your muscles to stay strong, giving you the support you need.

2.       See your chiropractor for a back and spine adjustment, and any muscular manipulation that needs to be done. Sometimes a little chiropractic work and massage can do wonders on tired, aching muscles.

3.       Watch your posture. Keeping your head and shoulders back, with your neck and back straight, can help to relieve some of the pain and headaches you may be experiencing.

If you follow the advice of your doctor and chiropractor, adopting these healthy habits into your routine, your pregnancy will be much more comfortable for you.

The healthier your back and muscles are, the happier you and your baby will be! Talk to a licensed chiropractor today to begin your treatment path toward relief.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Treating Your Migraine Pain Quickly and Effectively


If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from migraines, you need to make sure that you get the relief that you need from them. No one should have to suffer with the debilitating pain that migraines can provide. They can strike at any time, ruining your day in a matter of minutes—learning how to manage them quickly and effectively can help you to take control of your day, instead of losing it to pain.
When it comes to migraines, the more quickly you can treat them, the better chance you have of finding relief. Having a few go-to treatments that you know will work is essential to regaining control over your life. Try some of these tips the minute that you begin to feel that migraine pain building:
1.       Talk to your doctor about testing out different migraine medications. Some of them come with negative side effects, so make sure that you find one that works for you.
2.       Seek the help of a chiropractor. Sometimes getting a quick adjustment or a massage can stop a migraine right in its tracks.
3.       Lie down in a dark, quiet room, and focus on deep breathing. This can help to relax your muscles and your mind.
4.       Try drinking some quick caffeine. Some people swear this is their migraine cure, working more quickly than medications.
If you try one or more of these options at the first sign of pain, it may not ever have to develop into something worse. Learning to manage your pain can help you to go about your day, without any painful interruptions.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Recovering Safely from a Back Injury


If you are unfortunate enough to have harm or injury affect the health of your back and spine, you will need to be very diligent when it comes to giving yourself enough time to recover completely. If you jump back into your regular routine too quickly, you can cause more serious or permanent pain and damage.

1.       Allowing your back to heal and recover properly the first time can save you from experiencing chronic pain, and paying expensive medical bills down the line trying to find relief. To properly ensure that you are allowing yourself to heal, make sure that you apply these useful tips:

2.       Go to a chiropractor to diagnose the pain you are feeling, so you can pinpoint the problem area. Misdiagnosis of muscle pain is common among doctors, so be sure to find a chiropractor who specializes in spinal pain and treatment.

3.       Take it easy for a while—if you have a job that requires you to lift heavy items, or use strenuous physical actions throughout the day, see if you can take some time off, or at least take a break from your regular duties temporarily.

4.       Use heat and ice carefully, as directed by your doctor or chiropractor. The timing for when to use heat and when to use cold is very specific, and makes a big difference when it comes to your healing process.

If you are careful to follow the treatment plan laid out for you by a professional, you are much more likely to heal quickly and completely. This will allow you to be back to your regular daily routine more quickly than if you try to push through the pain and injury.

If you are experiencing back pain, talk to a licensed chiropractor today about diagnosing your pain, and creating a treatment plan to get you back to feeling healthy and strong.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Prevent Back Pain Before it Begins


While you can treat your back pain by seeing a great chiropractor regularly, you can prevent it all together by taking care of your back, neck, and shoulders. Preventing pain before it occurs can save you money, time, and lots of frustration.

To begin, the best thing you can do is to learn where your pain usually originates, so that you can strengthen the area. Next, there are some very particular steps that you can take to help your back feel its best:

1.       Stay as active as possible. Exercising regularly, for at least thirty minutes a day, can help your back to feel its best. It keeps you breathing deeply, while increasing your circulation and your muscle strength.

2.       Lose those extra pounds you do not need. Losing even five pounds can help your muscles to feel considerably better. Any excessive weight you are carrying is simply putting strain on your spine.

3.       Practice good posture. Be aware of how you are standing and sitting, and make sure that your shoulders stay back, and relaxed. 

4.       Get a good night’s sleep. The more deeply and soundly you sleep, the better your spine is able to align and relax during the night.

If you are careful to take care of your back, it will better be able to support and take care of you. A happy and healthy back is one that is active, relaxed, and balanced.

Try exercising regularly, practicing good posture, and getting a good night’s sleep. Trim off extra body weight, and you may find that your back feels ten years younger again.