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Andrew Agasar

Category: Therapy

spinal stenosis prevention

Stenosis: How a Pinch in Your Neck Can Affect Your Whole Body

spinal stenosis preventionBottom Line:

Have you been told that you have spinal stenosis?

If so, you’re not alone.

Millions of people suffer from spinal stenosis each day, and it’s the number one reason people over 65 years old have spine surgery.

Spinal stenosis describes the compression, or pinching, of your spinal cord, and it can occur due to a disc herniation, bone spur, or ligament overgrowth.

The good news? Drugs and surgery are not the only way to find relief from stenosis in the neck.

Why it Matters:

For many, the most significant challenge associated with spinal stenosis is the decreased ability to get up and move.

Severe pinching in your neck can cause issues with your arms and legs.

One of the best ways to relieve the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis is to open up the spinal canal and take the pressure off the nerves and spinal cord.

Many chiropractic techniques focus on decreasing the pressure on your spinal cord, which can help to relieve the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis.

To recap:

  • Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through it.
  • Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by degenerative changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis.
  • Relief can often be found through a combination of building strength in the muscles supporting the spine and improving the flexibility and stability of the spine with chiropractic care.

Next Steps:

After beginning chiropractic care, many patients report an improvement in their overall quality of life.

They notice a decrease in their symptoms and the ability to walk further without pain.

If you have been slowed down by spinal stenosis, don’t hesitate to schedule an evaluation with us.

Our expert team is here to guide you towards the best treatment options so you can find relief.

Just give us a call to get started!

Science Source(s):
Spinal Stenosis. The Mayo Clinic. 2020.
chiropractic benefits

The Benefits of Chiropractic

chiropractic benefitsBottom Line

Do you know the benefits of chiropractic care?

Chiropractors help your body heal itself through movement-based techniques that influence your body’s nervous system, muscles, and joints.

Many people know that chiropractors adjust the body’s joints, but just how does it all work?

Keep reading.

Why it Matters:

The benefits of chiropractic can extend beyond just your spine.

Chiropractors have been trained to work with nearly every joint in your body, though there is something unique about spinal adjustments.

Spinal adjustments have been shown to both directly and indirectly impact your nervous system.

Since your nervous system is the master control system of your body, you may experience improvements in function and pain relief that extend beyond the area of your body that is being adjusted.

Next Steps:

Whether you are looking to find relief from pain, correct the cause of your health issues, or you’re seeking improvements in function and performance…

Chiropractic care may be able to help.

It’s very common for people with low back pain, headaches, or neck pain to seek chiropractic care.

Don’t forget about all the other joints of your body – we can help there too!

What’s more, if you’re seeking human performance improvements, you may want to give chiropractic care a try.

There’s a reason chiropractors are a part of every major sports team!

If it’s been a while since your last visit – or you’re ready for your first – we invite you to give us a call.

You’ll be glad you did!

Science Source(s):
Chiropractic: In Depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. 2019.
tennis elbow

Tennis Elbow? But I Don’t Even Play Tennis!

tennis elbowBottom Line:

Did you know… tennis elbow isn’t just for athletes.

Lateral epicondylitis – or tennis elbow – is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow become inflamed and overloaded as a result of repetitive motion.

Because the repetitive motion that occurs is similar to that of swinging a tennis racket, it’s commonly referred to as tennis elbow.

However, anyone who has a job characterized by similar repetitive arm motions may be at risk.

Why it Matters:

Tennis elbow is often characterized by some pain and weakness, and that can make it difficult to perform your daily tasks.

Because tennis elbow is an injury caused by repetitive – perhaps essential – motions, finding ways to decrease the inflammation and improve your biomechanics is especially important.

Here are 3 natural ways to help reduce the pain associated with tennis elbow …

  • Giving your arm time to rest is important to stop the cascade of inflammation and pain.
  • Icing a few times per hour is a smart strategy to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Be mindful of how you are moving your arm, use proper ergonomics, and use a brace for a short time if necessary.

Next Steps:

Tennis elbow is usually not a condition that will go away on its own.

However, we’ve found two key strategies for reducing the pain associated with tennis below.

The first is creating a plan of care that includes at-home exercises to strengthen your supporting muscles.

The second is performing chiropractic adjustments, when necessary, to improve the motion and movement of your elbow joints.

So, if you or someone you know is living with tennis elbow, give us a call.

Together, we’ll create an individualized care plan focused on helping you find lasting relief, naturally.

Science Source(s):
Tennis Elbow. Orthoinfo by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2021.
chiropractic care montgomery county pa

When Should You See a Chiropractor?

chiropractic care montgomery county paBottom Line:

Almost everyone has heard of chiropractic care, but many people have no idea if or when they should see a chiropractor.

And if your doctor hasn’t yet referred you to a chiropractor, you may be in the same boat.

Chiropractic has been around for over 125 years.

However, it’s just this past decade that most healthcare professionals and leading healthcare organizations have started actively recommending chiropractic care for a wide array of reasons.

Why it Matters:

Over 15% of the population has received care from a chiropractor.

Chiropractic care is primarily used in two distinct ways: proactively and reactively.

Reactive care is simply going to see a chiropractor when something hurts.

The most common conditions that people reactively seek chiropractic care for are low back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

However, proactive chiropractic care is also – if not more – valuable.

Chiropractors are highly trained in movement and biomechanics, and periodic visits to a chiropractor give you the chance to identify, evaluate, and take care of any emerging health issues before they become a big deal.

Next Steps:

The path to a long and healthy life includes movement, proper nutrition, and a positive mindset.

Millions of people around the world choose their chiropractor to help guide their health and well-being.

If you’ve thought about chiropractic, give us a call today!

We’d be happy to learn about your health goals and help you achieve them.

Science Source(s):
Does Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy Result in Better Long-Term Outcome? Spine. 2011.
reduce sports injuries

How to Reduce Your Risk of Sports Injuries

reduce sports injuriesBottom Line:

To an athlete, there’s nothing worse than being sidelined with an injury.

Improper training, incorrect stretching routines, and a lack of a good warm-up can lead to an increased likelihood of sprains, strains, and muscle injuries.

The good news? With the proper plan of action, many sports injuries can be prevented.

Why it Matters:

Developing a fitness plan that includes dynamic stretching, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise can help decrease your chance of injury.

Each aspect of your plan will of course require movement, aka biomechanics – the science of how your muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce movement.

Altered biomechanics in one joint can lead to overcompensation in others which can result in pain and an increased risk of injury.

Ensuring that you have optimal biomechanics is critical to reducing the chance of injury.

  • Scheduling periodic movement assessments is recommended to improve biomechanics.
  • Taking time to move through the body’s full range of motion each day and to train different muscle groups every other day is also recommended

Next Steps:

Did you know… movement assessments are an essential part of every chiropractic evaluation.

No two people move the same, which is why having a qualified healthcare professional analyze your movement is so important.

Chiropractors are trained to carefully examine your biomechanics and provide both passive and active ways to improve them.

By identifying altered biomechanics before you have pain and discomfort, you may not only be able to reduce your risk of injury but maybe even improve your performance.

Science Source(s):
Preventing Sports Injuries. University of Rochester Medical Center. 2021.
chiropractic helps athletes

Why Pro Athletes Choose Chiropractic

chiropractic helps athletesBottom Line:

For over 100 years, professional athletes of all kinds have used chiropractic care to recover, reduce their likelihood of injury, and even get an edge in performance.

And what used to be a secret is now well-known.

Chiropractic care is used by sports teams from high schools right up through the pros.

Why it Matters:

Historically, the medical staff of pro sports teams have focused primarily on helping athletes recover from injuries more so than improving their performance – that was left to the coaches.

Chiropractors provide a unique bridge between the player, coach, and medical team by focusing on injury prevention, mobility, and, yes, performance.

Pro sports are big business – athletes, coaches, and owners will always look to maximize their talent.

What began as a way to reduce injuries has evolved into a way to improve performance.

New research shows how spinal adjustments can influence the brain, spinal cord, and even muscle strength.

Here are three exciting findings…

  • Motor control and movement patterns can improve following a spinal adjustment.
  • Spinal adjustments can positively alter how the body processes pain.
  • Increases in muscle strength have been observed following spinal adjustments.

Next Steps:

Pro athletes choose chiropractic for many different reasons.

For some, it’s the focus on mobility – others are looking for a performance edge.

No matter what drives an athlete to seek out a chiropractor’s expertise, one thing is for sure: the use of chiropractic care in competitive athletics is here to stay!

Science Source(s):
The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Cortical Drive. Brain Sciences. 2017.
The Effects of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation. Scientific Reports. 2019.
Neurophysiological Effects of Spinal Manipulation. Spine Journal. 2002.
causes of low back pain

What Causes Low Back Pain?

causes of low back painBottom Line:

Low back pain is the number one reason people worldwide visit their doctor and miss work.

If you’ve dealt with it in the past (or maybe even right now), you know back pain can change your life in an instant.

Not being able to enjoy hobbies, difficulty in your ability to work, and a sneaking suspicion that you may never get “back to normal” are all normal when you’re experiencing a bout of back pain.

So why do so many people struggle with back pain?

In many cases, your daily habits are a big contributor to your back pain.

Why it Matters:

Repetitive stress, nagging injuries, a diet filled with inflammatory foods, and a lack of daily exercise and movement can contribute to an increased likelihood of back pain.

Here are the three most common causes of back pain:

  1. Sprain/Strain Injuries: Repetitive stress can create inflammation and lead to sprains or strains.
  2. Spinal Disc Issues: Disc bulges and herniations can press on your spinal nerves, leading to back pain that travels to other parts of the body.
  3. Arthritis: As you get older, your body will naturally go through some degenerative changes, and if your spinal joints become inflamed, you may notice some pain.

Next Steps:

For over 80% of us, back pain will be something we deal with at some point in our lives.

While it may feel like you’ll never get back to your old self, chances are you will!

An overwhelming majority of people recover from back pain naturally or with a little additional help from a chiropractor.

Remember, even if you typically recover by taking it easy for a few days, it’s still a smart decision to visit a chiropractor to discover the specific steps you can take to reduce your individual chances of experiencing back pain in the future.

Science Source(s):
Back Pain Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. 2020.
car accident injuries

Finding Relief After a Car Accident Without Drugs or Surgery

car accident injuriesBottom Line:

Screech. Bam. Uh-oh… you’ve been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing through your head.

If you don’t feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem – but waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances you’ll need more aggressive intervention later.

With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc. – it’s not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and well-being last on the to-do list.

Why it Matters:

Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can make a huge difference in your overall health and healing.

Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to “heal” with more scar tissue than necessary. What’s more, trying to live “around” your injuries can cause additional stress on other parts of your body, which can lead to additional injuries.

Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobility, and strengthening exercises can effectively reduce pain.

To give yourself the best chance to find relief without the need for drugs or surgery, we recommend 3 simple steps…

  1. Get an evaluation – a complete evaluation can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
  2. Begin receiving care – after reducing inflammation, movement-based techniques are often recommended to help you regain your quality of life.
  3. Stay consistent – getting well is a process and staying consistent with your care will help you to heal as quickly as possible.

Next Steps:

There’s no way around it – auto accidents aren’t fun.

However, with the right healthcare team, you can get back to your full life and activities without the need for drugs or surgery.

The key is in sticking to the 3 steps above.

This simple plan will give you the best chance to get well quickly and stay well for years to come!

Science Source(s):
The Effectiveness of Conservative Management for Acute Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD) II. PLOS One. 2015.
spine health

Keeping Your Spinal Discs Healthy

spine healthBottom Line:

Ain’t no one got time for back pain!

Proactively doing things today to help your spinal discs stay healthy in the future is a smart idea.

Every day, your spinal discs absorb stress related to gravity, your posture, and your movement patterns. Over time, this stress can cause wear and tear to your discs that can become painful.

The good news? There are a few key ways you can keep your discs healthy… starting today!

Why it Matters:

Not surprisingly, movement and exercise are the top ways to keep your spinal discs healthy.

Each day, try to move your spine through its full range of motion and be cautious about sitting for hours on end.

If you have to sit for long periods, try to change positions every 15 minutes. If you have to work at a computer for hours at a time and you have the option, bring in a standing desk. These small steps can help both reduce stress on your discs and engage the small muscles supporting your spine – both of which are essential for disc health.

Also, mind your posture. The combination of inactivity and long periods in an unbalanced posture can wreak havoc on your spinal discs.

Next Steps:

Keeping your spinal discs healthy is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing neck or back pain.

If you spend long hours at the computer especially, you need to take proactive steps to counteract that stress.

We’d be happy to work with you on a plan to keep your spinal discs healthy for years to come. Just shoot us a message or give us a call!

Science Source(s):
Disc Changes Associated with Prolonged Sitting. PMR. 2014.
brain care

Take Care of Your Brain, Ease Your Mind

brain careIn times of great difficulty, it is not unusual for many people to suffer the consequences of emotional unrest. It can manifest as nervousness or edginess, or it can go full blown into mental illness, but one thing is for sure – unchecked stress is bad for you, in the short run and the long run. Anything you can do to avoid or neutralize the effects of the pressures we are facing is probably a very good thing.

If you have a pebble in your shoe, you can just take it out and walk comfortably again. So if you can eliminate the cause of your stress, please do. But how about the relentless, ongoing downward pull of gravity? It never goes away, and if your structure is out of alignment, it causes wear and tear, which can also make walking uncomfortable… unless you do something to change that.

The alignment of your structure can be evaluated by our chiropractors in Montgomery County, PA, and strangely, even though your examination centers on your spine, what the doctor is actually looking for is the health and function of your brain and nerve system. The bones protect the brain and nerves, and when they are out of balance, they don’t protect the brain and nerve system as well. That wear and tear makes healing harder, reduces the efficiency of function, and even leads to pain as a warning that something isn’t right.

That’s why smart health care consumers and well-informed families include a doctor of chiropractic on their health and wellness team. A healthy brain is essential for good mental health, so if you want to adapt better to the stresses you can’t eliminate, get a chiropractic examination and find out if your nerve system is as healthy as possible.

If you want chiropractic help in Bucks county or Montgomery county, then call or text our office at 215-259-5100 to schedule a consultation today to see if Radiant Life Chiropractic can help you and your family!