Facet Joints: Gliding Your Way to Better Health

Bottom Line: If you’ve had neck or back pain that you could pinpoint with your finger, or experienced sharp pains when you move, it may be related to the facet joints of your spine. It’s easy to think of your facet joints like the “knuckles” of your spine. They are small joints and have a capsule and cartilage pad that glides and slides, allowing your spine to move. Why it Matters: As you go through …

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How to Prevent Spinal Disc Injuries

Bottom Line: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. I often wonder if the author of that quote happened to have a disc herniation. By investing in a pro-active approach to your spinal health now, you may be able to avoid suffering from a disc injury later in life. And, while there is no specific protocol to guarantee you will never have a disc herniation, there are a few action steps you …

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Hot Spinal Discs: Can an Inflamed Disc Heal?

Bottom Line: It’s called a “hot” disc for a reason. Disc herniations cause a tremendous amount of inflammation that can irritate nearby nerves and cause pain. But, did you know that inflammation is actually…a good thing? In fact, inflammation suggests a high likelihood of relief with conservative care. Confused? Well, the inflammatory process is the first step of the healing process! A disc that is “hot” or inflamed is a sign that the healing process …

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Finding Lasting Relief from Disc Herniations

Bottom Line: So, you’ve suffered a disc herniation, and it’s causing severe pain. Do you need an injection or surgery? What type of doctor should you see? Can a Chiropractor make it…worse? These are all common thoughts that may race through your mind after you’ve experienced a spinal  injury. First, take a deep breath and relax. Leading research journals have shown that you made a smart decision by choosing Chiropractic care. Many leading health organizations …

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Dynamic Stretching: A New Way to Feel Better

Bottom Line: You’ve probably been told many times that you should stretch before and after a workout. Most people never do because static stretching is boring and takes so much extra time at the gym. However, there is a way to combine stretching with your workout. It’s called dynamic stretching, and not only is it more fun, but researchers have discovered it’s more effective at reducing injuries and increasing range of motion than static stretching …

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Foam Rolling – It Hurts So Good

Bottom Line: Foam rolling has exploded in popularity over the past few years. No longer used only by athletes and trainers, foam rolling (or myofascial release) is now used by people at all levels of fitness. The goal of foam rolling is to improve muscle function, performance, and range of motion. When a tight muscle or trigger point is released, you’re better able to move freely, move with less pain, and improve your overall performance. …

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Finding Relief Without Drugs

Bottom Line: With the opioid crisis affecting millions of people, it may come as no surprise that there’s probably someone in your circle of friends and family struggling with opioid misuse or addiction. For those people, it can feel nearly impossible to find a way out. That potent combination of pain relief and euphoria characteristic of opioids makes them so incredibly addictive to both the brain and body. However, while opioids were once the standard, …

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Back Pain: Top Organizations Recommend Against Opioids

Bottom Line: At last, many top healthcare organizations are taking a stand against the prescription of opioids for treating back pain. The American Pain Society, Harvard Health, and the American College of Physicians have all recommended that people suffering from back pain seek conservative care options, such as Chiropractic, before taking any medications. What’s more, their stance is supported by decades of research that showcases the effectiveness of Chiropractic techniques – adjustments, rehabilitation, and soft …

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Headaches: Before You Reach for Medication…

Bottom Line: Do you suffer from headaches? If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that up to 50% of people deal with headaches each year. While an occasional headache is nothing more than a nuisance, when they become chronic, you can experience challenges at home and at work and you might even experience depression. The good news is, it may be easier than you think to find relief from your headache pain. Keep reading… Why …

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Opioids: By the Numbers

Bottom Line: The opioid epidemic is one of the deadliest drug crises in our recent history. Look at the United States. It’s estimated that over 2 million people have a problem with opioid abuse and nearly 50,000 people die each year due as a result. So, how did we get here? Well, in the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies began aggressively marketing these drugs to healthcare professionals, and in America’s case, to the public. Combine that lobbying …

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