My Back’s Out…And That Means What Exactly?

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My Back’s Out…And That Means What Exactly?

Oh the power of words and what they actually mean.  The most common phrase that I hear with new patients is typically, “My back’s out,” or, “Outta whack,” or something along those lines.  Now, we could just let that slide by and everything would be okay, OR we could educate and tell you more.  Before we begin, let’s clear the board and announce that in Chiropractic school, training, clinicals, national board exams, preceptorships, etc. etc., not once did we Chiropractors learn about the phrase, “My back’s out.”

My Back’s Really Out…Right?

Listen to the words we are saying, “My back’s out.”  NO, the back cannot simply “go out”.  The back doesn’t randomly decide to leave your body and go hang out at Costco without you.  Too critical?  Let’s use the word misaligned instead.  A misalignment in the spine, otherwise called a subluxation, can and does happen.  Once it occurs it will stay in that misalignment until forces (Chiropractic adjustments) begin to correct it.  Still, you cannot simply just feel like “My back’s out” or even if you try and be witty you cannot just say “I just felt a subluxation occur in my back.”

If My Back Is NOT Out, What IS Happening?

Here’s another common phrase “Don’t kill the messenger!”   When a subluxation occurs, it places undo stress upon the Central Nerve System (CNS) and can specifically irritate a spinal nerve.  This spinal nerve made certain muscles and controls certain muscles.  Therefore, when the nerve gets irritated, the muscles become irritated.  The last messages to appear after a subluxation has been existent will be chronic muscle tension, knots, and irritation.  A subluxation that goes on uncorrected and neglected for years is equivalent to your teeth not being cleaned.  As time passes, your symptoms begin to appear, and eventually when your body is in a stressed state, the PAIN messages appear.  Now your muscles, tendons, ligaments and tissue become inflamed…thus creating an episode of, “My back’s out.”

Just Get Checked

It’s simple.  If you utilize your Chiropractor correctly, you will know him before you need him.  Understand the reverse of this phrase as well.  When you do decide to get adjusted, the bone does not just simply “go back”…  It requires time and repetition for your CNS to allow your body to heal and ADAPT from the neurological strain that it was under for so long.  Just get checked!

 

Buy My Special Pillow…It Will Fix Everything Wrong With You

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Buy My Special Pillow…It Will Fix Everything!

The Analogy Of My Special Pillow

The My Special Pillow analogy has been around in our society for a period of time and will continue to stick around.  Why is the pillow industry always trying to create the “latest and greatest”?  Because they want you to buy it!  Just like anything else, they will try to improve something that is pretty darn simple.  Unfortunately, our society will get you to buy the coolest of the coolest pillow out there because some random sleep study confirmed people actually sleep “better” with it.

My Special Pillow Is Doctor Recommended

The “Doctor Recommended” special pillow…It is simply just another way for someone to make a kick-back and sell you something.  As a Chiropractor, I never learned that the best way to promote my status as a Doctor was to sell “stuff” to the public. This can be said for any type of doctor profession out there.  Remember: My Special Pillow is just an analogy for the health industry as a whole.  This can be said for supplements, oils, laser-beams, exercises, special diets, lotions, etc.  Just because a diet is “Doctor Recommended” does not mean anything at all.  Literally.

The Truth of My Special Pillow

Health is hard-work.  My Special Pillow is trying to sell you the concept that health can be bought.  Being healthy as we know it starts from the inside of your body.  Why the inside?  Remember the first “Thing” made in your body was the brain and then then spinal cord, thus forming the central nerve system (CNS).  The CNS made everything else in your body…everything.  What about the heart…made by the CNS.  What about your left foot…made by the CNS.  And so on and so on.  Make sure that your CNS is free of stress by getting regular chiropractic check-ups.  Two other factors to implement are eating right and exercising.  That’s it.  The My Special Pillow concept will try to lure you away with the latest and greatest.  Just hold fast and stick to the things that survived the test of time. #getchecked

Know Us Before You Need Us…The Misconception About Chiropractic

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Know Us Before You Need Us…The Misconception About Chiropractic

The First Truths

Blurred lines create the biggest misconceptions of what Chiropractic actually is.  To set the record straight the very first recorded adjustment in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa was not for lower back pain or a headache.  The first recorded adjustment in fact enabled a deaf individual to restore his hearing.  Thus Chiropractic was born.  Looking toward the spine for all disease in the body was NOT something new.  Hippocrates, The Father Of Medicine, stated, “Look Well To The Spine For The Cause Of Disease.”  Even American Indian hieroglyphics demonstrated ‘back-walking’.  The sick would lie down and have their spines manipulated by the feet of others.

Blurred Lines Create The Misconception

The age of insurance creates and sets new demands.  With the age of insurance beginning in the mid 1990’s there became an alarming rate of what they called “musculoskeletal pain.”  One might say this was due to the changing lifestyle of desk jobs, diet, or just an accumulation of not taking care of ourselves.  Either way, insurance companies started dictating what was necessary for the patient rather than the patient deciding for themselves.  When pain would occur, Chiropractors had great results in helping patients; the insurance companies recognized this and did not like it.  They would rather you get out of pain as fast as possible and never let you HEAL or ADAPT.  The “quick fix” was a growing trend that was not dealing with overall health and well-being.

Education Is The Foundation To Correct The Misconception

Keep in mind that in the mid 1990’s pharmaceutical companies did not have the power they now assume.  A pain reliever drug such as Tylenol was not even invented until the 1950’s and it started out just like all drugs as a prescription first.  There was no such thing as walking to the gas station and buying a pain reliever over the counter.  Regardless, if you use your Chiropractor as an expensive Tylenol, then you will only get Tylenol like results, aka temporary.  Chiropractic is the study, art, and science of getting the sick better and keeping the healthy well.  #getchecked

 

Chronic Ear Infections: Covering Up Or Healing

By | ADHD, Asthma, Benefits of Chiropractic

When the word chronic is used to describe a health condition that you have, typically 10 out of 10 times it will be a bad thing.  Why?  Well, first of all you do not hear people saying “I am chronically healthy!”  Many mothers who bring their children into our office for chronic ear infections typically do so as a last resort.  We think that chiropractic care is only for backaches…which is an absolute lie and false information.  Chiropractors are trained experts in the detection and adjustment of vertebral subluxations.  Vertebral subluxations cause chronic ear infections.  What is a vertebral subluxation?  Let’s continue!

The Actual Cause Of Chronic Ear Infections

The actual cause of all dysfunction in the human body, such as an ear infection, is vertebral subluxations.  The vertebral subluxation represents all physical disease in the body.  How and why?  A vertebral subluxation limits the body from adapting and healing.  It places undo stress and tension on the central nerve system, which controls all life.  This then restricts all messages sent throughout the body, or in this case, the inner ear.  When the central nerve system is limited by what it can do, in-coordination occurs within the body.  In-coordination will cause neglect of tissue cells, resulting in symptoms such as ear infections.

Cover It Up Or Help It Heal?

The primary function of the body is to use all parts in harmony to maintain health.  Constant movement in the inner ear allows the Eustachian tubes to function properly by draining.  A vertebral subluxation does not allow the Eustachian tubes to drain due to a disconnection between the brain and the inner ear.  It is that simple.  Covering up chronic ear infections with medication does not allow healing to happen.  Hence, the use of the word chronic.  Keep health simple and keep it straight. If you want more information or more specifics backed up with our research all you have to do is ask.  #getchecked

 

5 Questions To Ask Your Chiropractor

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections

5 Questions To Ask Your Chiropractor

Simple Truths Of Chiropractic

With the ever changing “Health World” it often becomes hard to keep things in perspective of what health really is.  Many times we go around and around chasing different tactics of what someone thinks health is.  Even chiropractors have been known to blur the lines of what we should actually be doing for patients.  Chiropractic care is health care.  Why?  Chiropractors are trained experts in the detection and correction of subluxations of the spine.  That’s it.  A subluxation is the physical representation of all dis-ease in the body.  A subluxation will create dysfunction within every part of the body, thus destroying one’s optimum potential.  To learn more, ask your chiropractor!  When looking for a chiropractor, start with 5 basic questions to make sure there are no blurred lines with your health care.

Question # 1: Do You Take X-Rays?

X-rays provide a clear image of what to actually adjust, and more importantly what not to do for a patient.  It’s the 90/10 rule.  They provide specificity of 90% of what does not need to happen and 10% of what does need to happen.  X-rays allow chiropractors to not guess when dealing with your health.  To heal, your body requires what your body needs and not somebody else’s.  X-rays are unique towards you and your body’s needs.  Taking x-rays is not new.  In 1910 the chiropractic profession implemented x-rays as mandatory before even touching somebody’s spine (aside from pregnant mothers, babies, and other unique situations).  So, let’s not guess with your health when dealing with the most important part of your body, the spine.

Question # 2:   Do You Get Spinal Listings Off The X-Rays?

Spinal listings are what subluxations are called after a chiropractor does an analysis on x-rays.  Spinal listings are the equivalent to a blue-print of the foundation and how something was built.  X-ray analysis is essential to understanding how you are different from everyone else.  Understanding the x-ray component when finding a subluxation enables your care to be on point for what you would expect from a specific chiropractor.   The focus of the adjustment is to be as specific, precise and accurate as possible, addressing only the problem areas (areas of subluxation).   This is only directed with use of spinal listings.

Question # 3 Is Your Goal To Restore Normal Function?

Function Vs Feeling.  As a chiropractor our top responsibility is to make sure that your body is functioning at optimum potential by adapting to the stress that brings you into our office.  Feeling good just comes with functioning well.  Make sure you are seeking chiropractic care for function.  Going to the chiropractor only when you’re in pain is like robbing a bank and only stealing the lollipops.  It doesn’t make sense and chiropractic is not designed as an expensive Advil.  Our goal is to enable your body to do whatever you desire without LIMITS.  The sensory component (pain part) of a nerve is an immensely small portion of the central nervous system.  Nerve tension exists through subluxations without any feeling of pain.  Pain will often be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back.  Normal function enables your body to be healthy from the inside out.

Question #4 Do You Take Post X-Rays To Document Structural Change?

Of course!  This thought process is equivalent to an orthodontist who puts braces on a pair of teeth.  Not only do you visit your orthodontist for check-ups while the braces are on but eventually you see teeth that are straightened out.  Then, after the braces are removed, you have to retain the straightening.  The same is done for chiropractic.  If you have regular check-ups for your spinal health, your body will adapt and heal.  When specific subluxations have been addressed and adjusted specifically for a period of time, the body changes.  Your adjustments will change based on your body adapting.  Post X-rays will allow your chiropractor to show you changes in your spine and how your body is adapting to care.

Question # 5 Do You Work With Pediatric And Elderly?

Chiropractic care is not just for athletes and middle class men who have back aches.  The overall care and well-being of the spine should begin from the day you are born to the day you are put to rest.  Everyone needs regular spinal check-ups to make sure that your body is working at optimum potential.  Attending a pediatric chiropractor allows your child’s nervous system to continue to grow and overcome many forms of trauma as they learn to walk and crawl, play, and become involved in sporting activities.  Many of these actions may result in subluxations which can be detected and adjusted to restore normal development.  The only way to find out if you have subluxations is to get checked.

 

 

 

3 Reasons Tight Muscles Deplete Your Energy

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections

3 Reasons Tight Muscles Deplete Your Energy

#1 Tight Tight Tight

The first and most obvious reason that tight muscles deplete your energy is because you just got done working out.  This is stating the obvious, yet sometimes is often misunderstood.  Any form of physical fitness is great for the body.  When performing exercise your muscles require energy; it’s give and take.  Just like fueling your car for a long road-trip.  This cause and effect of exercising is to be expected.  With this being said, let’s explore the unknown reasons of tight muscles.

# 2 Spinal Misalignment = Tight Muscles

Spinal misalignments, also called subluxations, exist unknowingly.  This is the same notion as a cavity in your mouth going unnoticed for years.  Subluxations place undue stress on the spinal nerves.  Stress…Who likes to have to stress in their lives?  Just about nobody.  So, imagine a nerve that is supposed to supply your cells with abundance of life happens to be stressed.  This will result in your body working unnecessarily harder and faster in the organs, glands, tissues, and muscles that it supplies.  Working harder uses fuel faster than it should.  Subluxations will deplete energy stores without notice.

# 3 Fighting Gravity Requires Energy

Gravity exists whether you believe it or not.  Newton’s law of universal gravitation acts on our bodies every single day.  The spine is designed primarily to protect the central nervous system (Brain & Spinal Cord) and secondly to keep us upright.  The spine is supposed to be completely straight when visualizing it from face to face with somebody. When a subluxation is present in the spine it places constant stress on the nerves. A healthy spine, free of subluxations, alleviates the stress on the nervous system, which in turn limits your total energy expenditure.  By maintaining your spinal hygiene you are maintaining your overall health and energy at the same time.

 

 

 

Learning From Hippocrates – 3 Truths That Survive Time

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections

Learning From Hippocrates – 3 Truths That Survive Time

# 1 The Patient Vs The Disease

Hippocrates was basically the first known guru of studying health and what causes someone to be healthy.  They say he is the father of medicine because of the people he was able to help.  Contrary to popular belief, the word “medicine” back in the day also was focused on “Prevention.”  Nowadays, medicine is associated with disease, diagnosis, and treatment.  Hippo actually was in charge of a school, and their philosophy on how to help somebody was centered around the patient.  Hioppcrates’ rival was another school called Cnidus.  Cnidus was ran by a man called Euryphon who’s focus was on treating the disease rather than the patient.

# 2  Look Towards The Spine For The Cause

These two viewpoints on helping people: one focusing on the patient and the other focusing on the disease, have been around for a long time.   This is nothing new.  Hippocrates said “Look well to the spine for the cause of disease.”  He taught that to cure disease the cause must be sought and removed.  The physical representation (signs and symptoms) of disease in the body is always directly or indirectly related to the spine.  Subluxations limit the body from healing by not supplying adaptive forces to trigger a healing response.  Subluxation irritate a nerve fiber and nobody likes to be irritated.  Whenever a nerve becomes irritated, the body cannot function correctly.

 # 3 Hippocrates: Nature Must Heal

Hippocrates taught us that nature must do the healing.  Once again, this is not something that is new.  Hippo, writing numerous books, even wrote one called Manipulation and Importance to Good Health.  It is interesting to note that during this time another man called Herodicus, who was deemed the first great drug-less healer, was also helping people.  Herodicus claim to this world was curing diseases by correcting spinal abnormalities.  It is paramount to understand that chiropractic isn’t some new fad or trend.  It has survived the test of time and will continue to do so.  Chiropractic is the study of health and what causes someone to live…simple.

What Not To Do During A Fire

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic

What Not To Do During A Fire

Let’s say that there is a fire in your house.  Would you ignore the fire and just turn the smoke detector off?  Let’s hope not! You wouldn’t focus on the smoke detector when there are bigger problems occurring.  The last thing on your mind during a fire should be the beeping of the smoke detector.  We can use this analogy to compare many cover ups in our health and society.  We often mask what our central nerve system is telling us with the use of cover-ups.

Don’t Touch That Fire!

The “fire”, for the most part, is the one aspect that is typically neglected in our health.  Think of a fire as a particular sign or symptom that your body is trying to tell you about.  When it starts burning we often take an artificial substance to mask the symptom, or “turn off the detector”.  This causes us to perceive that we are fine, when in reality, the “fire” is burning without limits to stop it.  Don’t allow yourself to become comfortable or think that your body is fine just from “turning off the detector”.  The source of the issue(s) in your body are still present.  The true cause is still manifesting and causing dysfunction within your body.

Don’t Mess With Fire…Unless Your Name Is Pyro

Cover-ups, Band-Aids, crutches, etc., are not benefiting your body.  Occasionally there will be a time and place for them such as accidents, injuries, or traumas.  Otherwise, a subluxation is the cause of ALL, not some, physical dysfunctions.  A subluxation is a disconnection from the brain-body highway.  When the body is disconnected, signs and symptoms begin to manifest.  As a direct result, your body will begin to suffer.  Stop turning off the smoke detector, and start addressing the cause of dysfunction.

You NEVER Get Adjusted Just Once

By | ADHD, Benefits of Chiropractic, Ear Infections

You NEVER Get Adjusted Just Once

Wow, pretty straight forward.  How much sense does getting adjusted just once really make?  Let’s switch the wording and see how it holds up if you still think chiropractic is a ‘quick fix’.  “You only have to brush your teeth just once.”  Your dentist would be furious if you only brushed your teeth just once.  Literally.  At least we hope your dentist would be upset for taking such poor care of your oral hygiene.  The same can be said for your overall health and well-being.  If you only get adjusted just once, then only eat your fruits and vegetables on one day.

Adjusted: The One And Done…

Chiropractic patients all over the world have heard of a brother’s second cousin, step-sister’s fiancee, who married Aunt Claire’s step-son who received ONE adjustment and was cured.  Okay, so rationalize that someone in acute pain/discomfort who has hit rock bottom only has one way to go. They have to go up, and up is a positive experience.  That doesn’t mean their body is cured, fixed, healed, or better.  9 out of 10 times that patient has been living in pain/discomfort for 5+ years unnoticed.  We do not rationalize that asthma, allergies, constipation, diverticulitis, lethargy or ANY symptom is painful.

Adjust Your Thoughts

A subluxation disconnects the brain – body highway.  Therefore, the brain creates a new inner reality and environment for the body to live in.  No one said it’s a healthy one.  It’s surviving, though, and at least getting you through the day.  Luckily it does not have to be that way though.  Creating positive memory begins and ends with the central nerve system.  Just like learning the fine arts of playing the piano.  Repetition not only builds and allows one’s body to adapt, it is also proactive.  Brushing your teeth, getting your spine checked, eating right, exercising…it’s hard-work.  Keep it up.  Get adjusted regularly.

 

Why “Popping” Your Own Neck Causes You Harm

By | Benefits of Chiropractic

“Popping” Your Own Neck Causes You Harm

Have you ever tried to “pop” your own neck?  In context, popping your neck is when someone forcefully moves their head in a twisting motion to elicit noise.  This can either be done with the use of your own hands or just by gaining enough momentum by using your head as a pendulum. Individuals that do this are called self-manipulators and are playing with fire.

Popping It like It’s Hot…Then Do It Again

Self-manipulators are attempting to correct something that only specific chiropractic adjustments can perform.  In actuality when they pop their neck they are creating chaos in a joint space that does not need to move.  Hence why after twenty minutes or so they have the sensation that this “popping” needs to occur again.  The sensation is brought on due to neuro-transmitters that are compromised.  Every manipulation is like flipping a fuse-box on and off really quickly for 5 seconds.  Why didn’t my body auto-correct the first time?

But It Feels Good

Think of manipulating your spine as a deadly-sin.  Physically it will feel good.  Chemicals are released that transmit “feel good” sensations and you think you fixed something.  Guess what else you are irritating when you manipulate your neck?  The vertebral artery.  Every manipulation irritates the lining and eventually will compromise the vertebral wall. 10/10 people that present to a chiropractor office and are suffering from a stroke, is due to their own manipulating.

Popping Long Term

What’s actually happening?  Your body has a vertebral subluxation that is unchecked and uncorrected.  A subluxation will produce lack of motion in specific areas.  Remember, everything in life requires motion.  Self-manipulators will manipulate the joints above and below an actual subluxation.  Leaving the actual cause uncorrected and creating chaos with ones health and well-being.

Picky Words

What is the difference between manipulation and adjustment?  Without going into detail too much, you can decide which sounds better.

-Manipulation – The action of manipulating someone in a clever or unscrupulous way.

-Adjustment – A small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result.