Relieving Spinal Stress

In 1953, American orthopaedic surgeon, J.J. Keegan documented spinal positioning with a series of x-rays. With his patients lying on their sides, Keegan recorded the lumbar spine in standing, right angle sitting, and bent over positions. He concluded, “The normal curve of the lumbar spine in adult man is determined by maintenance of the trunk-thigh and the knee angles at approximately 135 degrees.”

There are two major flaws with Keegan’s research, however. First, he only studied 4 individuals and second, a normal sitting position does not involve lying on one’s side.

Don’t Sit up Straight!

In November, 2006, Dr. Waseem Bashir and a team of researchers confirmed Keegan’s findings. Bashir led a study, conducted at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, to define the optimal sitting posture by investigating changes in the lower back contours and spinal disc shape using whole-body positional MRI.

The new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner allowed each of the 22 subjects to sit up, simulating three seated postures, while evaluating the lumbar spine and surrounding muscles, nerves, tissues and ligaments for any signs of degeneration or injury.

The study concluded the best seated posture is the open angle (135 degree) trunk-thigh posture. Of the three seated positions, this appears to cause the least strain on the lumbar spine. The worst seated posture is the forward bending position, like hunching over a desk. This is followed closely by the 90 degree posture with a straight back and legs parallel to the floor.

Alterations of Lumbosacral Curvature and Intervertebral Disc Morphology

On top of workplace fatigue and decreased productivity, a well known relationship exists between seating posture and back pain. In a healthy spine, there are three natural curves: the cervical, which curves inwards at the neck; the thoracic, the curve outwards in the middle; and the lumbar, the inward curve in the low back. When the lower back curves in too far lumbar lordosis occurs. This condition puts pressure on the entire back and can lead to pain and restricted movement.

Bashir’s research found the intervertebral disc height showed a tendency to decrease the more the subject bent forward, with the two lowest spinal disc levels showing the greatest loss of disc height. The nucleus pulposus, or inner gel of the spinal disc, was seen to move the most at all spinal disc levels when bent forward. The least amount of spinal disc movement occurred when the subject sat in the 135 degree posture, which means less strain is placed on the discs and lower back when sitting in this open position.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, nearly everyone has low back pain sometime in their lives and men and women are equally affected. It occurs most often between the ages of 30 and 50, due in part to the aging process but also as a result of sedentary life styles with too little exercise.

We live in a culture where it's common to have back pain and sitting can aggravate a low back condition. Lifting, bending, twisting, it all adds up and experts stress maintaining ergonomic habits at home, as well as at work. So, to combat low back pain, many experts suggest finding a chair that can be adjusted to open up the hip angle. A seat that tilts forward also encourages this natural posture.

How to Treat Car Accident Back Pain

It is typical to experience back pain after even a mild car accident. A rear end collision where both cars were going under ten miles an hour can result in whiplash injury symptoms. A well positioned headrest will decrease the acceleration – deceleration movement of a whiplash, but cannot prevent trauma to the soft tissues of the neck. When a driver sees the impact coming, tensing up the entire body is a reflex, and this can lead to muscle spasms of the hip area, low back, mid and upper back, shoulder area and of course, neck.

The cranial muscles as well can tense reactively, contributing to post traumatic headaches.

It is a miserable experience. While it rarely leads to severe injury, a whiplash injury can still take weeks to completely heal.

Scar tissue forms within twenty four hours, so it is best to see a chiropractor right away, the same day if possible.

A chiropractor knows how to treat car accident back pain, yet it is astonishing that many people do not know this.

A chiropractor does a great deal more than “crack your back”. In fact, after an automobile accident, a chiropractor will probably treat you several times without even trying to perform an adjustment of spinal mis-alignments.

Your soft tissues – muscles, tendons and ligaments, will be sprained and strained. In a severe situation, there may even be tears.

These soft tissues can be treated with ultrasound therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, gentle manual stretching, and ice packs.

Expect to put some time into seeing your chiropractor to heal properly. Remember that lost wages and time to go to the doctor are reimbursed through auto insurance policies.

The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care

There are many benefits of chiropractic care. If you are considering seeking out this type of treatment, there are many reasons why it can and should be done. Those that find themselves with problems with their body often do not realize that chiropractic care can often relieve these problems when other medicinal options will not. Often times, it is necessary to seek out the help of a chiropractor if relief will be found.




What Can They Do For Me?

There are many physical benefits to chiropractic care. Here are just a few of the things that can be made better in your life through chiropractic care.

· Decreased arthritis and pain in joints that have arthritis. · Pain relief from all areas of the body, virtually. · Reduction of pain in the back, legs, feet and knees through the relief of spinal pressure · Less stiffness in the areas that are treated · Less muscle spasms throughout the region · You will be able to move better and more if you were restricted to begin with. · Range of motion will increase. · You have better coordination from taking that step to throwing that baseball. · You have increased energy, self esteem and you just overall feel better

There are additional benefits of chiropractic care as well. When you realign the body as it should be, you relieve pressure throughout it. This often allows you body to begin to heal as it should again. For example, it can help your joints to heal, your tissues to heal and your pains to leave.

Some relief through chiropractic care is actually immediate. Often times, when you lay on a chiropractic table and the doctor works his magic you will get up feeling better. This is due to the fact that the doctor has the ability to realign joints and limbs that are not right now. That means that when he puts them back into place he can and he will provide you with a lot of immediate relief.

Other times, a chiropractic care treatment can leave you a bit sore and aching. This is due to the very same reasons. Consider the fact that your body has been out of line for so long that it is going to feel different and it may hurt a bit to fix it. Although your doctor will tell you what to expect from the chiropractic care treatment, it is a sure thing that benefits are likely if you need them.

Ideally, everyone should seek out a doctor for this type of treatment. Yet, this is not always the case. The benefits of chiropractic care should push more people into doing it because it can be so overwhelmingly beneficial to your body and your mind's well being.

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Spinal Decompression Instead of Surgery for Relieving Back Pain

While back surgery is often recommended for people suffering from severe instances of back pain, there are far too many people whose surgery fails to bring them lasting relief from discomfort. This not altogether rare occurrence is referred to as failed back surgery syndrome. For people who were suffering with herniated discs, sciatica, or other injuries to their spines, a failure of surgery to produce long-term relief from pain can be very difficult to deal with.

Unfortunately, herniated discs are not easy to repair, and surgery may not result in as positive outcome for patients. Back surgery can also cause complications with the bad disc or new discs. As well, back injuries themselves can last far longer than the 6-12 weeks that make up many disability and rehabilitation guidelines. A severe injury of a disc or other tissues of the lower back — especially ligaments — can take years to recover from until the pain is finally gone or significantly reduced.

When surgery fails, patients are often recommended a number of movements to practice, exercises to complete, physical therapists to consult with, and other pain management protocols. Typically, if back surgery fails to facilitate healing from an injury, a second surgical procedure is not done. If the original procedure was not successful, less invasive treatments are used in the hopes of addressing different but related issues causing or exacerbating the pain.

For some patients, though, spinal decompression should be considered as a treatment for lower back pain. This is an alternative form of back injury treatment and works on the discs and vertebrae of the spine to reduce compressive loads on the tissues. A machine, the DRX9000, is used to decompress the tissues through the use of traction. As the joints are decompressed, circulation of oxygen and nutrients are able to reach the injured tissues and begin the healing process in the body. There is often less circulation to the discs and ligaments of the spine, so a procedure like spinal decompression that helps to drive nutrients to the injured areas can help promote healing.

Chiropractic... Active Vs Passive Care It Makes All the Difference in the World

Chiropractic care is an effective treatment option for whiplash, especially when combined with other treatments, such as bracing and Active Physical Therapy. In whiplash, the soft tissues in your neck are damaged, so a Chiropractor can work with you to restore proper function and movement of those tissues.

Chiropractors are trained to utilize Physical therapy, which includes both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help to relax you and your body. They’re called passive because you don’t have to actively participate. Most likely, you’re experiencing acute pain because of whiplash, so you’ll probably start with passive treatments as your body heals and/or adjusts to the pain. But the goal of the therapy is to get into active treatments. These are therapeutic exercises that strengthen your body so that your spine has better support.

Passive Treatments for Whiplash

•Deep Tissue Massage: This technique targets muscle tension that can develop as a result of whiplash. The therapist uses direct pressure and friction to try to release the tension in your soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles). This should help them heal faster.
•Hot and Cold Therapies: By using heat, your Chiropractor seeks to get more blood to the target area because an increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to that area. Blood is also needed to remove waste byproducts created by muscle spasms, and it also helps healing. Cold therapy slows circulation, helping to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Your Chiropractor will alternate between hot and cold therapies.(When you first injure yourself—either in a car accident or in another trauma-inducing event—you can use this hot and cold therapy technique at home. Use ice first to bring down the inflammation, and after the first 48 to 72 hours, you can switch between ice and heat. The heat will help relax tense muscles, and it will increase circulation to the injured area. Increased circulation promotes faster healing. As a reminder, never put ice or heat directly on your skin—wrap it in a towel, for example.)
•Ultrasound: By increasing blood circulation, an ultrasound helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain. It does this by sending sound waves deep into your muscle tissues, creating a gentle heat that enhances circulation and healing.

Active Treatments for Whiplash
In the active part of physical therapy, your therapist will teach you various exercises to work on your strength and range of motion (how easily your joints move). Your Chiropractic therapy program is individualized, taking into consideration your health and history. Your exercises may not be suitable for another person with whiplash and neck pain.

If needed, you will learn how to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles into your daily activities. Even after you recover from whiplash, this posture work should help you because you’ll be able to prevent other forms of neck pain that develop from daily living.

Overall, the goal of Chiropractic for whiplash patients is to help reduce muscle spasms, increase blood circulation, and promote healing of the neck tissues.

Go to Dr Garrett Bode's website http://www.bodespinalcenter.com/ or see our latest press release (Click Here). [Chiropractor oldsmar], Chiropractic Tampa, 33635, Chiropractors Tampa, Bode Chiropractic Accident & Wellness Center, Oldsmar, 33635, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, Automobile Accidents, Headaches. Link Link http://fl.local.yahoo.biz/chiropractortampa/

Five Reasons to visit a Chiropractor after an Auto Accident

Were you in a car accident? You feel fine, but are you? You may not know. That is why you should see a chiropractor. Do you need more reasons?

1 – You May Have an Injury and Not Know It
Most individuals mistakenly believe that they will be in pain if they have an injury. This is not always true. Damage to the body, muscles, joints, and spine typically hurts, but there are no guarantees. Some damage is just minor enough that there is no pain. However, a smaller injury or just time can lead to aggravation and then pain. Why not prevent this from happening? You can with chiropractic care.
After a car accident, a chiropractor will meet with you. They will gather your medical history, perform a quick physical exam, and ask questions about your car accident. They will diagnose any problems and decide on a course of treatment. This treatment can include joint adjustments or therapeutic massages to relieve pain that will go away on its own overtime.

2 – It Is Less Invasive
With chiropractic care, surgery is a last resort. Even then, you are referred to a specialty surgeon. No surgical tools or invasive medical procedures are needed for treatment. Chiropractors rely on manual therapy, which is therapy of the hands. As previously stated, a joint adjustment may be necessarily to properly realign a joint. This is done with precision force of the hands. There is no cutting of the skin or drawing of blood.
After a car accident, many accident victims fear seeking medical treatment. They worry about surgery or being loaded up on prescription medications that have many side effects. Although you may fear the hospital or your primary care physician, you have no reason to fear a chiropractor. Although you are seeking medical care, a trip to the chiropractor may actually feel more like a trip the spa than a doctor's visit.

3 – No Medications
As previously stated, chiropractic care involves the use of manual therapy. This is 100% all natural. If a chiropractor cannot see a patient right away, they may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain medications. After treatment, they are no longer needed. Pain relievers do provide relief, but that relief is short-lived and it only masks the problem. Chiropractors want to eliminate your pain, but they do so by going directly to the source.
Whiplash victims may receive ongoing massages to treat the pain and discomfort. Whiplash corrects itself overtime, but not all corrections are proper. A patient who does not wear a neck brace or does not limit their activities can experience complications. In these instances, neck adjustments or vertebrae realignment are preformed. Once again, this is done with the hands and not with medications or surgical tools.

4 – It Is Safe
Although chiropractic care is 100% natural, is there is some concern about the force used in adjustments. What if a chiropractor slips? Will more damage occur? These are legitimate questions, but you do not need to worry. Chiropractors are medical professionals. They are educated and trained as such. Not anyone can be a chiropractor. It requires training, education, the passing of many tests, and a state license. If your chiropractor is a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), you can rest assure knowing you are safe in their hands.
Not only is chiropractor a safe form of healthcare, but it is ideal for individuals of all ages. In fact, some parents bring their newborns in for examination following birth! Yes, they really do and it is perfectly safe. If your child is in the car with you during an accident, their primary care physician may prescribe pain medication. It is very dangerous, especially for small children. The 100% natural relief of chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages and even pregnant women.

5 – It Is Sometimes Covered by Insurance
Following a car accident, your focus may be on costs. After all, your car is damaged. You may have to pay for a new method of transportation, but now healthcare too. As previously stated, some injuries are hard to spot immediately following an automobile accident. Don't wait to get diagnosed until after the incident and after all insurance claims have been filed. Know now.
Luckily, many insurance providers extend coverage for chiropractic care. Many realize that it can lower their operating costs. The onetime cost of neck realignment is much cheaper than 10 years of prescribed pain medications or surgery.

Go to Dr Garrett Bode's website http://www.bodespinalcenter.com/ or see our latest press release (Click Here). [Chiropractor oldsmar], Chiropractic Tampa, 33635, Chiropractors Tampa, Bode Chiropractic Accident & Wellness Center, Oldsmar, 33635, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, Automobile Accidents, Headaches. Link Link http://fl.local.yahoo.biz/chiropractortampa/

I Didn't Think My Car Accident was That Bad

I didn't think my injuries were that bad. I can't tell you as a physician how many times I have herd these exact words, while explaining to a patient the extent of their injuries. Since most people do not have medical training, knowing what signs to look for can be difficult. What makes this dangerous is that some of these injuries can be life threatening or permanant if not treated a.s.a.p.!
Car accidents and the injuries they cause have been the subject of many scientific studies throughout the years. How injuries manifest and how they are resolved(i.e. what therpies work the best) I'm sure will continue to be debated for years. The one thing that has been proven true is that not all injuries show up right after the accident.
Headachs, disc injuries, whiplash(torn muscles & ligaments) and inflamation don't always show up immediately. Many times the accident victim may not experience symptoms for days or even weeks, even though serious damage has been done. There are several reasons this may occur, but the damage done to the spine and surrounding structures will ultimately cause Chronic Pain, Disc Damage, and even Loss of Function. This is the case with most small accidents, however with bigger accidents the damage done can be life threatening.
The answer to all of this is simple, get checked! Call your doctor immediately after Any car accident and have a complete examination done including; physical exam, x-rays, consultation, and a report of the findings by the physician. Once you have done this and have a comprehensive understanding of your injuries, you can make an educated decision as to which therapy will work best for you.
Whether your accident was major or minor, you owe it to yourself to get evaluated by a physician. Injuries to the spine and the spinal structures will not heal correctly on there own and you could be left with a lifetime of Disability and Pain. If you have had an accident, call us today at Bode Chiropractic. (813) 891-1600