The Risky Business of Spinal Injections

Bottom Line:  If you’ve suffered from pain in your arm or leg, it could be caused by a spinal disc pressing on one of your nerves. If a medical doctor recognizes a pinched nerve on your MRI, they might refer you for a spinal injection. While this seems like a normal process, new research has begun to show that spinal injections aren’t very effective at treating back pain, and the risks may far outweigh the …

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After an Accident: How to Get Your Life Back

Bottom Line: Getting into a car accident can be one of the scariest experiences of your life. In an instant, your life changes, and it can be difficult both physically and emotionally to get back to normal. Fortunately, the injuries sustained in most accidents can be treated conservatively, and many don’t require surgery. Why it Matters: Chiropractors are often the first healthcare professional the majority of people see after getting into an accident. With a …

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Why Isn’t My Shoulder Moving!?

Bottom Line: Pain in and around the shoulder is very common after a car accident or work injury. The shoulder is considered an unstable joint which means that it has a tremendous range of motion but not much stability. The combination of fantastic mobility and limited stability make it extremely susceptible to injuries as a result of impact. Why it Matters: The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with 3 primary bones: the upper …

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Whiplash: A Little Goes a Long Way

Bottom Line: The term whiplash is the term used to describe the injuries that result from a rapid back and forth motion of the neck. These injuries can occur during a car crash, sports accident, or during a slip and fall. The most common symptoms of a whiplash injury are neck pain, headaches, and radiating pain into the shoulders, arms, and hands. Why it Matters: Pain after whiplash happens when the delicate ligaments supporting your …

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What Happens to My Body During a Car Accident?

Bottom Line: Your body wasn’t designed to deal with the forces that occur in a car accident. Even though modern cars have an array of safety features, the damage from an accident can range from small aches to life-changing injuries. The force that both your vehicle and body absorb while driving along the road is known as kinetic energy. Your vehicle has been carefully built to displace the (kinetic) energy that occurs during an accident. …

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The Low Back: Your Foundational Core

Bottom Line: Your core is made up of the groups of muscles that provide stability in the abdominal and lower back regions. It includes your abs and the deep muscles that surround and support your spine. These muscles also coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and spine. Ideally, your core and low back work together in a balance of strength and flexibility. A lack of flexibility or strength in your core can contribute to …

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Fixing Low Back Pain

Bottom Line: Restrictions and limited mobility of your lower back may be causing your pain. If your low back doesn’t have a full range of motion, then you are setting it up for future injuries. Bending forward and back (flexion/extension), side bending (lateral bend), and turning side to side (rotation) are the three movements that make up a full range of motion. You have to use it, or you’ll lose it. Neglecting your lower back …

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The Top Causes of Low Back Pain

Bottom Line: It’s been estimated that over 90% of us will deal with low back pain at some point in our life. So, you may be wondering why. What causes most of us to deal with lower back pain? How we move our body, previous injuries, and the habits we do (or don’t do) each day can play a huge role in either increasing or decreasing your risk of an aching back. Why it Matters: …

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What is Sciatica?

Bottom Line: Nearly everyone will have back pain at some point in their life, but with sciatica, you’ll know something is different right away. Pain that begins in your back travels down to your buttocks, and shoots down your leg is a classic sign of sciatica. The shooting pain down your leg is caused by compression on one of the nerves exiting your spine. Even a small amount of pressure can cause a tremendous amount …

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Natural Nutrition: Do Supplements Help You Live a Better Life?

Bottom Line:   Supplements are everywhere. Vitamins, minerals, bone broths, and protein powders are no longer only available at the health food store, you can find them nearly everywhere you shop. For those of us with diet’s that aren’t exactly pitch-perfect, dietary supplements can provide an additional way to gain the essential daily nutrients. Not only are supplements a way to get what you’re missing from your regular diet, but they may also have the …

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