Wednesday, February 23, 2022

How to Sit in a Car without Experiencing Pain or Stress?

Have you ever been in a car and experienced pain, discomfort, or stress? A poor driving posture can put undue strain on your back, neck, and shoulders, resulting in pain while driving. Perhaps you like to sit with your head over the wheel to see what is ahead of you, or you slouch down to find a more comfortable driving position. Unfortunately, neither of these positions will provide you with the relief you require in the long run.

We have all heard that sitting in a car for long periods can put a strain on your back and cause pain. However, most of us are unaware that the way we sit in a car is the primary cause of our discomfort! If you want to reduce your pain, stop slouching, and find a more comfortable way to sit in the car, you must first learn to sit appositely in a car seat. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about driving safety. 

Why Does My Driving Posture Matter?
The way you sit in your car has a significant impact on a comfortable and pain-free ride. You will put painful pressure on certain parts of your body if you slouch or hold a rigid position, such as your neck, back, and legs. When stress accumulates, it causes unnecessary fatigue and pain, to the point where you may require professional assistance from a chiropractor to alleviate your symptoms. Fortunately, by finding the proper driving posture, you can easily avoid this pain and fatigue.

What Is The Correct Driving Seat Position?
While you may not give much thought to how you sit in your car every time you drive, just a few minutes spent adjusting your driving can have a significant impact on your health.

Start With Your Seat Height
First, make sure your seat is steady so you can see the road, your car's dashboard, and your mirrors without straining your neck. This is significant because the height of your seat can affect the amount of strain we put on our bodies, especially if it is too high or too low.

Adjust the Seat Position
To find the correct driving position posture, you will want to adjust your seat position, including how far forward, far back, or tilted your car seat is. You will want to move the seat forward far enough to allow your legs to extend while maintaining a slight bend in your knees.
 

Find the Right Back Support
Back support is necessary to ensure that you have the best car seat position to alleviate any lower back pain. While maintaining proper leg placement, you should adjust your seat so that your back can slide back into the seat, providing support and comfort to your spine. Use the lumbar support in your car to help support your spine. 
 

Adjust the Headrest
To achieve the best driving posture, adjust the headrest so that you do not have any neck or back strain. The height and tilt of your headrest will vary depending on how tall or short you are, so it will need to be adjusted if multiple drivers use the same vehicle. Your headrest's top should be level with the top of your head.
 

Relax Your Shoulders Back
Check that your shoulders are in contact with the back of the seat. You shouldn't have to hunch forward your shoulders. If your shoulder does not fit comfortably on the seat, try adjusting the tilt to make your
chair more horizontal.
 

Adjust Your Steering Wheel
You should be able to extend your arms out to reach the steering wheel while keeping a nice bend in your arms. If you're having trouble reaching the steering wheel or feel like you're on top of it, you should either move your seat forwards or backward.

Finding Relief from Bad Car Posture
Driving your car for several hours a day may be taxing on you. If you continue to experience pain or stress in your back, neck, shoulders, and hips while driving, it could be the result of incorrectly sitting for an extended period.

The good news is that chiropractic services can help alleviate these problems by correcting any misalignments caused by years of poor posture while driving.Call Sheets Chiropractic Center today to find out how we can repair long-term damage before it's too late!

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Everything you need to know about Herniated disc and Chiropractic treatment

Chiropractic care is the answer if you're looking for a non-surgical treatment option for herniated discs. However, how do chiropractors deal with a herniated disc?

What is a "slipped" Disc, exactly? Is it the same as a Disc Herniation?
There is an intervertebral disc between each vertebra of the spine, with the exception of the first two vertebrae in the neck, the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). Discs provide flexibility while acting as a shock absorber and a shock distributor. Consider what would happen if you jumped up and down. What would
happen to the spine's bony vertebrae if these discs weren't there to cushion and support them? Make a
side-to-side movement with your back. You can see the give and take of the discs between the vertebrae once more. Your spine would be unable to operate without these discs. Although the term
"slipped disc" has come to refer to bulging, ruptured, or herniated discs, intervertebral discs do not
actually "slide". The annulus fibrosus (the stiff outer layer) and the nucleus pulposus make up your discs (which contain a soft, gelatin-like center). When the outer layer of a disc splits, the material inside the disc can start to push out. A herniated disc can be caused by various circumstances. For example, excessive stress on the disc may be caused by bad posture or being overweight. A herniated disc can be caused by several things, including a physical injury. 

Is it possible to get a herniated disc from sneezing?
For many people, the back pain caused by a herniated disc begins slowly and gradually worsens until you experience symptoms such as back discomfort. Take, for example, a sneeze that causes a strong ache in
your back. The pain then leads to leg pain, sometimes known as sciatica. It's possible that the sneeze initiated the progression of an underlying herniated disc. Yes, a sneeze can cause an intervertebral disc to herniate.

Chiropractic Care and Herniated Discs:

A chiropractor can treat back pain and other herniated disc symptoms. Your chiropractor will review
your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and administer orthopedic and neurological tests
on your first visit. Your chiropractor may examine several things. These are essential concerns that your
chiropractor can address with the use of orthopedic and neurological exams. Are your reflexes still
working? That is, are your nerves transmitting the right messages? (When the doctor hits your knee with a small hammer, your leg jumps up, this is a standard reflex test.) Is there any evidence of muscle
atrophy or a reduction of muscle strength? Is there a loss of sensation along a nerve's path? The
chiropractor will also examine your posture and, if necessary, may order an X-ray or an MRI to aid in the diagnosis process. Chiropractors provide a thorough examination of the entire spine. Your chiropractor will examine your neck, for example, even if you only have lower back pain. A chiropractor wants to see how well your spine functions overall, and keep in mind that what happens in one region of your spine can impact other portions of your spine and/or body. Your chiropractor can tell if you have intervertebral disc damage after analyzing this information. The therapies your chiropractor will employ to alleviate your symptoms will be determined by the type of disc injury you have. Some chiropractic care techniques are not appropriate for some people. For example, if you have cauda equina syndrome, you should get medical attention right away because your chiropractor will not be able to help you. Furthermore, if your chiropractor discovers advanced weakness, feeling, reflexes, or other uncommon neurological abnormalities, they will recommend you to a spine surgeon. Most intervertebral disc injuries are caused by a herniated disc, and your chiropractor can provide you with treatment choices to alleviate your pain and other symptoms. To assist relieve the symptoms of a herniated disc; your chiropractor will create a treatment plan that may include spinal manipulation (commonly known as adjustments) and other chiropractic methods. Manual therapy and therapeutic exercises may be used in this tailored treatment plan.

Some chiropractic methods for herniated discs are listed below:

The technique of flexion-distraction:
The flexion-distraction technique is a standard chiropractic treatment that can treat herniated disc problems. The use of a customized table that gently "distracts" or extends the spine is known as flexion- distraction. This allows the chiropractor to isolate the problem location while employing a pumping pattern to slightly "bend" the spine.

Manipulation under Anesthesia (MUA)
Manipulation under anesthesia, or MUA, is a chiropractic treatment that is appropriate for some spinal disorders. MUA is done at a hospital or ambulatory care center. The form of anesthesia used is known as twighlight sleep, which means that sleep and sedation are only for a few minutes. The chiropractor stretches and manipulates the treatment area while the patient is anesthetized. This treatment is usually done in a series of one to three sessions spaced two to four weeks apart.

Pelvic Blocking Techniques for Herniated Discs
Chiropractors can also treat herniated disc problems with pelvic blocking techniques. Cushioned wedges are inserted beneath each side of the pelvis as part of the pelvic blocking treatment. Exercises that are gentle can also be used. Changes in mechanics will allow your disc to move away from any nerves it may be pressing on.

Misconceptions about Chiropractic
It's a common myth that chiropractors use strong adjustments to "pop a disc back in place." The "pop" sound is caused by the expulsion of gas from a joint under pressure. It sounds like the sound of a can of soda being opened. Another myth is that chiropractic care consists of a few fast treatments that will "repair" your disc. Chiropractors treat herniated discs with gentle, low-force procedures, as mentioned above.

In conclusion:
Your chiropractor will create a treatment plan for your herniated disc and your symptoms do not
improve with chiropractic care, your chiropractor may refer you to a pain management specialist and/or a spine surgeon for co-management.
 

Visit Sheets Chiropractic Center for any queries or treatment.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

How do Chiropractors help with Degenerative Disc Disease?

Chiropractic care is a treatment option for degenerative disc disease that you might wish to consider (DDD). The chiropractor;s first step in treating DDD is to evaluate whether or not you have a real disc condition.

 If you have degenerative disc disease and your major symptom is back discomfort, the chiropractor may look at three possible causes: 

  • The mechanics of the spine may be disrupted by degeneration in the spinal joints.
  • Discs that are thinning or degenerating may bulge, exerting pressure on spinal nerves.
  • Back and leg pain is common symptoms of spinal stenosis.

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is a word for the changes that might occur in the spine as we age, rather than a disease.
The exterior of our discs is robust and rubbery, with a soft inner.
They serve as shock absorbers by sitting between the vertebrae.
The spinal discs begin to degrade as we become older.
Herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis can all result from this. 

Disc Degeneration Symptoms
Degeneration of spinal discs can create no symptoms at all, and symptoms vary depending on the severity of the disease and the patient. 

In the back or neck, pain may occur at the site of the damaged disc. Because compressed nerves are a common cause of pain, they can spread to other parts of the body, including the buttocks, arms, and legs. There may also be numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. Pain can be slight or severe, and it can be debilitating.

Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease
As we become older, our spines may begin to deteriorate. As we become older, tears in the disc's harder outer layer become more likely. When the discs start to lose fluid, they shrink and become less flexible. Other factors that may come into play, in addition to aging, are obesity, smoking, repetitive physical work, and injury.

 Degenerative Disc Disease: How Does a Chiropractor Diagnose It?
Your chiropractor will analyze your past and current medical history and discuss your current symptoms and the possible cause, during your initial evaluation. A physical and neurological examination can assist identify potential issue areas, such as restricted joint motion (e.g., range of motion), aberrant spine curvature, muscular spasms and/or trigger points, or injury evidence (e.g., sprain, strain). Naturally, there are a variety of reasons why your neck or back hurts, and your chiropractic examination may include a few easy tests. Your chiropractor will also pay attention to how you move and your general posture. These data will aid him in comprehending your body mechanics and spine movement. An imaging test, such as an x-ray or an MRI, may also be required. The chiropractor will diagnose your issue and establish a treatment plan to alleviate back pain and other DDD symptoms after your examination.

Degenerative Disc Disease Chiropractic Treatments
Chiropractic treatment for DDD aims to enhance joint mechanics by lowering inflammation and increasing spinal motion. If you don't have extensive disc degeneration, the chiropractor may also focus on enhancing the function of the intervertebral discs.

Your chiropractor may employ spinal manipulation to assist alleviate your DDD symptoms (also called spinal adjustment). Spinal manipulation can take many forms, including:

  • Specific spinal manipulation: Your chiropractor will detect the restricted or abnormally moving joints in your spine. Using a mild pushing approach, they will strive to restore joint mobility.
  • Flexion-distraction technique: This sort of spinal manipulation is used to treat herniated discs and spinal stenosis with a mild, non-thrusting technique.
  • Instrument-assisted manipulation is a technique in which a hand-held instrument is used to help manipulation. The chiropractor uses moderate pressure on the spine rather than shoving it. 

DDD symptoms can also be treated with manual therapy. The following are some examples of manual treatment techniques: 

  • Trigger point therapy is when a chiropractor locates tight, painful places on a muscle and applies direct pressure to reduce tension.
  • Manual joint stretching and resistance techniques may be used by your chiropractor to alleviate pain and other DDD symptoms.
  • Massage therapy can aid in the reduction of muscle tension.
  • Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy: The Graston technique, which employs an instrument to relieve pain and other symptoms, is an example of this sort of manual therapy. 

Your chiropractor may employ different types of therapy in addition to spinal manipulation and manual therapy techniques to assist alleviate inflammation caused by DDD. 

Here are several examples: 

Interferential electrical stimulation: To relieve inflammation, a low-frequency electrical current is used to activate your muscles.

Ultrasound: By transmitting sound waves deep into your muscle tissues, ultrasound may help alleviate muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain. This produces soothing heat that improves circulation. 

Therapeutic activities may be recommended by your chiropractor to complement your other therapies. Chiropractic care emphasizes prevention, and therapeutic exercises might help you avoid worsening your degenerative disc disease symptoms.

What is the Role of Chiropractic Care in the Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease?
We will work tirelessly to treat your degenerative disc disease and alleviate all of the symptoms associated with it. Chiropractors like us treat the "whole person," not just your symptoms. In addition to treating your degenerative disc disease symptoms, we will educate you on a diet, stress management, and lifestyle objectives.
 

Contact us for any further queries or treatment.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

How Chiropractic Can Help with Brain Trauma and Auto Injury Treatment

Any car accident, even if it happens at a slow pace, has the potential to cause significant injury. The full impact of these injuries isn't always apparent right away. Whiplash, in particular, can cause delayed symptoms, and the signs and symptoms of brain trauma aren't always obvious. Even if you don't believe you've been gravely hurt in a car accident, you should get treatment as soon as possible. For your convenience, Sheets Chiropractic Clinic offers walk-in appointments. Dr. Sheets is also trained in the treatment of whiplash injuries and the resultant brain trauma.

The causes and effects of whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common types of motor vehicle accident injuries. It's especially common in patients who have been in rear-end car accidents. This soft tissue damage happens when the head is quickly forced backward and then forward. The soft tissues of the neck are stretched beyond their capacity as a result of these rapid, violent motions. Ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles can all be injured, and the neck vertebrae and intervertebral discs (cushions between the bones) can sometimes be damaged as well. 

Whiplash symptoms usually appear a few days after the injury, rather than immediately afterward. The most common symptoms are neck pain, stiffness, and loss of range of motion.

Whiplash, on the other hand, can cause the following: 

  • Starting at the base of the skull, headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • In the arms, there is numbness and tingling.
  • Suffering from the shoulder, arm, and upper back pain 

In severe cases of whiplash, other symptoms include blurred vision, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), impatience, melancholy, and sleep difficulties. Whiplash has the potential to become a chronic (long-term) medical concern. Patients who seek chiropractic care at Sheets Chiropractic Center as soon as possible, on the other hand, are more likely to make a full recovery. 

Brain trauma resulting from whiplash
Whiplash symptoms aren't the only ones that automobile accident victims have to deal with. Whiplash can cause a concussion or other type of brain injury. Even if there is no direct impact on the head, the strong emotions that accompany whiplash can cause a concussion, as well as brain contusions and hemorrhages, according to one study. 

Additional obstacles may arise as a result of a concussion, including the following:

  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion and a disoriented state of mind

 Some people have long-term issues like personality changes and cognitive deficits. 

The role of the chiropractor

Because brain injuries necessitate specialized treatment, choosing the right chiropractor is crucial. Dr. Sheets will examine you thoroughly and provide a treatment plan that is unique to you. Soft tissue therapies to relax tense muscles, and light adjustments to realign the neck bones and discs to restore correct function, may be used. 

A healthy brain and nerve system keep the brain and the rest of the body in constant communication. The appropriate flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which is regulated by joints in your spine and neck, allows for this communication. Spinal fluid levels can become out of whack if certain joints or vertebrae are obstructed in any manner, affecting brain function.

Chiropractic care can aid after an accident by restoring appropriate spinal function, which in turn restores nerve function and spinal fluid levels. The brain can mend itself more effectively once it can accept nervous system messages and restart appropriate activity.

Even if you don't think you've been gravely hurt in an auto accident, you should seek medical attention straight away. Chiropractors at Sheets Chiropractic Center will analyze your injuries and devise a complete treatment plan for you.