tips for back pain Archives - Upper Cervical Center of Brandon

15 09, 2022

Healthy Spine, Healthy Life

2022-06-24T22:32:22+00:00

Overall a healthy spine means a healthy life. Your spine is literally the backbone of your health – it protects your central nervous system. Your central nervous system is made up of the mind and the spinal cord and controls all of your bodily functions from healing a cut to breathing and walking. If there is any interference, your central nervous system isn’t able to properly function. When this happens, your health can decline. Taking care of your spine is easier than you would think, just 5 simple ways to live a better life.

Hydration

Your body is made up of 60% of water and it needs water in order to properly function. It is recommended to drink eight 8oz glasses of water (64oz) a day; another recommendation is to drink half your body weight in ounces, so if you weigh 160 pounds then you should drink 80 ounces of water. Either way, staying hydrated is the first key to your health. Your spinal discs, the sacs of fluid between the vertebrae is mostly water and if not properly hydrated will shrink. As a result, movement will become uncomfortable or even painful.

Nourishment

Eating healthy can be difficult; usually if it tastes good, it is bad for us. But there are ways to eat a balanced diet to ensure that our body gets the nutrients it needs for cellular growth, muscle function, and spinal health. Without the proper vitamins and nutrients, your body will not perform at its prime. It would be like using regular motor oil instead of when the owner’s manual specifies using synthetic – it works but things may not perform at their best or for long.

Strengthen

The best way to ensure that you have a health spine is to have a strong spine. This does not mean that you have to go out and “pump iron” for an hour a day. Your goal should be to strengthen your core. The core is a muscle group that is comprised of your abdominal muscles, your spinal muscles, and the muscles located at the floor of your pelvis. A strong core means that your spine is protected by the surrounding muscle groups from injuries caused by incorrect lifting or poor posture. Doing regular core strengthening exercises will produce a stronger back and reduce lower back pain.

Stretch

In addition to strengthening your muscles you will also need to stretch them. Limber muscles are less likely to be injured such as a pulled or torn muscle. There are a number of ways to stretch your spine and surrounding muscles. A popular exercise, Yoga, is not your only choice. There a numerous stretches that you can perform while working at your desk at work such as standing up and reaching for the ceiling and the bending over and reaching for your toes. Then bend at your side and reach above your head with your outside arm. The goal is to reach out as far as you can so that you can feel the muscles stretching.

Upper Cervical Care

Getting regular adjustments from an Upper Cervical Doctor isn’t just a gimmick. There are numerous health benefits of making sure your spine is well taken care of. Getting an adjustment is much like seeing a dentist regularly even when you don’t have a cavity. You go to prevent issues from arising. Why not just go to a regular chiropractor then? Well with the care provided by and Upper Cervical Doctor, there is no popping, cracking, twisting, or pushing of your spine. Our method is more advanced and essentially pain free.

Healthy Spine, Healthy Life2022-06-24T22:32:22+00:00

30 06, 2022

The Answer To Your Heath Problem May Be In Your Posture

2022-06-23T19:53:26+00:00

You may not realize it but your posture can affect the overall health of your body. Standing, sitting, or even lifting incorrectly can impact your posture and your health. You may initially notice back or neck pain followed my muscle stiffness and fatigue after spending too long sitting in a hunched position or standing all day.

When you have bad posture, you are forcing one part of your body to work harder to compensate for the twist or bend in your spine. Over time, the muscles not being properly worked can become atrophied. Poor posture can cause your overall health to dwindle as well.

Think of your spine as a garden hose and the water flowing through it is the communication between your central nervous system and your body. When a hose is free of kinks, the water flows freely and without interruption, but if the hose becomes kinked or pinched, the water slows or stops altogether. The same happens when you have poor posture. If your spine is not sitting correctly in its natural curve, it will act as a kinked hose; interrupting the signals between your body and central nervous system.

Your spine protects your spinal cord which is a key component in your central nervous system, which is in charge of your body’s immune system among other functions. If your body is unable to properly send signals to your central nervous system, it will not receive the care that it needs to fight of disease.

Poor posture is linked to chronic pain, deeper depressions, digestive issues, increased risk for diabetes, decreased circulation, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, weight issues, increased stress, headaches/migraines, reduced lung function, and becoming susceptible to other diseases or illnesses.

Posture can also affect you outside of your health including in the work place by affecting your workplace productivity, advancement, and career success.

So, remember that whether you are sitting or standing to keep your back straight, shoulders back and chin up. If you have been sitting for a long period of time, take a break and move around. This will not only allow you to stretch your muscles and correct your posture but to also improve your circulation and lung function that is affected by long periods of sitting crouched over.

If you are having a hard time maintaining correct posture, this could be from the muscle stiffness and fatigue from too long spent in a poor positioning. Visiting an upper cervical chiropractor can help you to get your body back on the right track.

The Answer To Your Heath Problem May Be In Your Posture2022-06-23T19:53:26+00:00

23 06, 2022

3 Ways Your Posture Is Affecting Your Success

2022-06-23T19:30:55+00:00

Many American workers spend a large portion of their day sitting, usually slumped in front of a computer. Others spend their work hours standing or walking constantly and there are those who perform manual labor that requires them to lift, bend, twist, or carry something heavy. Whatever the worktime assignment, your back and spine takes the brunt of the abuse, affecting your regular posture. A poor posture can actually affect your mood, health, productivity, and even success.

Research shows that the majority of Americans spend only 36% of their day in good posture – that’s 64% of their day spent slouching. Women, surprisingly, have worse posture habits than men, by 20%.

Proper posture requires your head to be held up, your shoulders back and should reduce the strain on your muscles to support the rest of your body. When you maintain a proper posture, especially at particular times, you can be more successful. Here’s how:

Good Posture Increases Your Productivity

One of the leading reasons for decreased productivity is worker absence. When a company does not have the proper staff, they are not able to achieve workplace goals. Besides missing work for a cold, the second biggest reason for seeing a doctor is back pain. In fact, back pain is the number one listed reason for disability claims for individuals under 45.

Poor posture is linked to increased back and neck pain. When you sit or stand at work or at home with the proper posture, not only do you reduce the risk of having to miss work for a doctor visit, you will also see other health improvements that will increase your workplace productivity. Having a good posture can actually improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and help you to focus.

Good Posture Boosts Your Confidence

Keeping a “power pose”, which is with your head held high and your shoulders pulled back, for at least 30 minutes will trigger your body to release certain chemicals in the brain. Testosterone, a hormone linked to increased confidence and power, is released along with cortisol, a hormone that reduces stress levels.

Good Posture Reflects Authority

Increased confidence can reflect greater authority but maintaining good posture to reflect your power and success goes beyond just chemicals. Good posture is a form of body language that tells others that you are in charge, or someone that can be looked to for leadership.

Consider the animal kingdom, many animals poise themselves to appear larger than they really are to scare off predators and maintain control of their pack. Humans can mimic this behavior and utilize it in the workplace to guarantee their success by exuding confidence, power, and leadership skills to those around them, higher level employees in particular.

3 Ways Your Posture Is Affecting Your Success2022-06-23T19:30:55+00:00