Chronic back pain sufferers experience the most stiffness and pain first thing in the morning. It can feel incredibly defeating to wake up feeling as if you’ve only gotten three hours of sleep when you had six. Waking up feeling energized and well rested is important to beginning a productive day, and morning back pain often interferes.
Winter is in full swing and as much fun as snow days can be, long winters are tough on the body. We are no strangers to the toll winter can take here in Midland, MI and one of the most challenging aspects of winter weather is maintaining great health. To stay healthy throughout the winter, give chiropractic care a try.
The best diet plan for your heart is one that is high in fresh vegetables and low in saturated fats such as red meat. The reason saturated fat is not heart-healthy is because it sticks to the arteries blocking the pathway to the heart. Clogged arteries can lead to heart disease and a host of other illnesses, so it’s important to keep them in good standing. Saturated fat, or unhealthy fat is found in high amounts in beef, pork, butter, and food containing lard. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 5% of daily calories coming from sources of saturated fat.
Running is a high-impact movement. Meaning, there is high risk for injury if proper form isn’t maintained. If you can’t get enough runner’s endorphins and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, it’s important to
do it the right way avoiding muscle strain.
Believe it or not, footwear matters. All runners have diverse running styles and gaits, and shoes should accompany those. Having your gait analyzed by your chiropractor is a great place to start. From there, a
shoe can be matched to your gait style that accommodates where you need the
most padding and support.
Basic warm-up and cool-down components to start and end a run also reduce risk of injury. A warm-up could be as simple as a brisk, 10-minute walk or jog to get the leg muscles ready for a higher pace. A cool
down can be the exact same movements. Cooling down allows the blood pressure to
gradually lower itself.
Listen to your body. Sometimes it’s healthy to push limits, but there is a fine line in running, and sports in general. If at any point there is discomfort, especially in the lower body, return to a slower walking
pace. Do not try to push through the pain, as this could lead to muscle strain
or tearing.
Lastly, a solid post-workout stretching routine is crucial for longevity. Athletes still get running injuries even when frequently stretching, but it reduces the risk dramatically. The hamstring and calf muscles on the back of the legs should be the focus of the routine, but hip and quad stretches should be added in as well. Breathe in and out steadily.
Chair massage is often shorter than traditional table massage, but still has its
benefits. It’s common to see chair massage at events or even parties. If you
find that it suits you better than laying on a table, don’t hesitate to tell
your massage therapist.
Chair massage offers convenient, deep relaxation when done correctly. Sitting in the
chair with your face down exposes the neck and shoulders so that your massage
therapist can target the area. Those who find this position more comfortable
and those who have a greater need for upper body attention are especially fond
of this practice.
The neck and shoulders are where most people hold much of their stress and tension, so the chair position is beneficial in relieving stress quickly. Even a short, 10-minute session can break up tension
in the shoulders and provide instant relief to combat the rest of the day. After
a chair massage, expect to feel relaxed, uplifted, and relived.
Sitting for long periods of time in uncomfortable positions
is the price we pay to see new places, but it doesn’t have to aggravate severe
back pain. If you’re traveling this season, plan to get in to see your
chiropractor before taking off. Use chiropractic care as a preventative
measure.
As another preventative aid, pack light to eliminate
unnecessary back strain when carrying luggage. When lifting heavy objects, it’s
always crucial to do so with the proper form making sure to keep a straight back.
Incorrect form even once or twice could trigger severe discomfort.
On route to the destination while in the sitting position,
maintain good posture by sitting up tall with your weight evenly distributed on
your seat while slightly pulling your shoulders back. Neck and low back support
pillows are essential to maintaining proper posture while resting for low back
pain relief.
Whichever mode of travel is used, sitting breaks can be
implemented. It’s easier to get out of the car and stretch your legs but
walking around a plane is also an option. Standing up to stretch and move the
body will loosen the muscles and alleviate back pain.
Back pain medications don’t have to be the only way to find relief. Chronic back
pain relief could be as simple as planning ahead and traveling prepared
The start of a new year is always an exciting time. It always feels good to change the calendar and think of the positive changes we can make to ensure 2020 is our best year yet. However, the success rate of New Year’s resolutions isn’t very high and they are known for being easy to make and easy to break. Set yourself up for success this year and choose a resolution that is good for your health and doesn’t require a lot of effort or sacrifice – try chiropractic!
Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays of the year. Not only is it focused on gratitude and time with family, but also football and food. As great as Thanksgiving is, it can also mean overindulgence, stress, and stomachaches. This year, the team at Preferred Chiropractic wants to help you enjoy a healthy and happy holiday. Here are our tips.
Halloween is officially here and that means scary movies, pumpkin carving, and hopefully more treats than tricks. We all love enjoying candy every now and then, but we don’t necessarily love how it makes us feel or the weight we might put on. As we prepare for the holiday season, weight gain is increasingly common (and frustrating). Here are our tips to help you enjoy a healthy and happy Halloween.
October is in full swing, and so it is time to take on all the fun Fall activities. What better way to fully immerse yourself in the season (and foliage!) than with a nice, long hike? Hiking is the perfect combination of enjoying the great outdoors while improving your health. Here are our tips for enjoying a pain-free hike for your health!
When most people think of whiplash, they think of car accident injuries. We’ve treated many patients suffering from whiplash, and though we can confirm it is a common auto accident injury, that isn’t the only way you can get it. Whiplash can have serious effects on your health that last for months or even years, which is why it is so important to learn how it can happen to you. Here’s what you need to know about whiplash.
Football season has officially started, and athletes are always looking to take their performance to the next level. No matter what level you’re playing at, your competition is always getting stronger, faster, and bigger, which means you have to work toward improvement in order to keep up. One way athletes can improve their athletic performance is through chiropractic care.
In terms of health and wellness, many of our patients are looking for the same thing: more energy! With the start of the school year, you may be left feeling particularly tired and rundown. If you are looking to improve your energy naturally, chiropractic may be able to help!
MON 10am - 2pm | 3pm - 6pm
TUE 10am - 2pm | 3pm - 6pm
WED 10am - 2pm | 3pm - 6pm
THU 10am - 2pm | 3pm - 6pm
FRI 10am - 2pm | 3pm - 6pm
SAT Closed | Closed
SUN Closed | Closed
