5 Tips to Avoid Neck Pain

At Kennedy Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Boulder, we treat patients who suffer neck pain as the result of car accident injury, whiplash and various other causes. If you experience neck pain, chiropractic care can help bring you relief while also helping you to avoid future pain.

And as our chiropractor advises patients, there are simple practices you can employ in day-to-day living to lessen or avoid neck pain. The key, we instruct our patients, is to maintain good posture. Poor posture is one of the key contributing factors of back and neck pain. Good posture is important when you are sitting, standing and even sleeping. So, 24 hours a day you have an opportunity to relieve or prevent neck pain.

Strategies for Neck Pain Prevention

1. Sit up straight and maintain your spine’s natural position to prevent neck pain. At your desk or on a couch, slouching causes damage to your spine over time. Rest your back against a firm support. Adjust your office chair so you stay close to your work without having to lean toward it.

2. Sleep on a mattress that is firm enough to support your spine, not allowing it to sink in and bow in the opposite of its natural curve. Choose a supportive pillow that holds its shape to support your neck.

3. Do not sleep on your stomach as this will stress your neck, forcing it to turn to one side. Sleeping on your back or side is better for your neck.

4. If you experience neck pain when driving or riding in a car, try a travel pillow, which can support your lower back and neck. Another option is a portable seating support for your vehicle. Make sure you can sit up straight without having to bend your upper back to reach the steering wheel.

5. Take periodic rest breaks when travelling for long distances. Take a break every 50 to 60 minutes so you can get up to walk around and stretch your back legs and arms.

What steps do you take to prevent neck pain?

Last Sunday I was reading the New York Times and stumbled upon a very interesting article that focused on how detrimental sitting can be to your health. I repeatedly tell my patients who have desks jobs, to always take breaks and get up and move around and this article had some credible studies that showed how sitting can take years off your life!

The article “Don’t Just Sit There” written by the fitness author Gretchen Reynolds focused on how sedentary time, mostly watching television or sitting at a desk, can negatively impact people’s health. She referenced studies showing that inactivity in humans and rats resulted in decreased insulin response, decreased DNA repair mechanisms and substantially decreased levels of an enzyme that dissolves fat in the blood-stream. Reynolds references a study where young men did not use their left leg for two whole days and all of the previously mentioned negative side effects were witnessed, in only 48 hours! Another staggering statistic Gretchen reported was “watching an hour of television can snip 22 minutes from someone’s life”; that is crazy!

I suggest reading the article in its entirety; these reported studies are pretty amazing. She also discusses how many people exercise regularly, but they follow their exercise with long periods of inactivity. So fellow “Boulderites” think about it next time you’re sitting on the couch or hunkered down at your desk. Take some time to get up and move around… your body will thank you!

If you would like to read the whole article, which I suggest, here’s the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/sunday-review/stand-up-for-fitness.html

Acupuncture Works for Back Pain,
Neck Pain and Chronic Conditions

With the rising awareness of chiropractic care as a non-invasive treatment for issues such as back pain and neck pain, as well as a wide range of other health problems like allergies and fatigue, there’s also an increased demand for other proven, non-invasive forms of treatment. These holistic treatments can either supplement Western medicine or function as a sole method of treatment. At Kennedy Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Boulder, we’re proud to offer a form of Chinese medicine that’s provided relief for patients for thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Headaches, Migraines, and Chronic Pain Conditions

Though you might be unfamiliar with how acupuncture works, the fundamental concept is simple enough. The Chinese believe the human body is governed by yin and yang energy, which flows through the head, torso and limbs along paths called meridians. In a healthy person, the yin and yang energies are balanced and flow freely, but when these energies become imbalanced or blocked, the person becomes sick. Thousands of years ago, Chinese doctors discovered that by applying delicate needles to certain points along these meridians, they could help regulate the flow of energy to alleviate pain, create a sense of peace and wellbeing, and promote healing. Nowadays, many Western health practitioners recommend this form of treatment as a non-invasive alternative or supplement to conventional treatment, as it can help a variety of complaints and conditions ranging from back pain and anxiety to infections and digestive problems.

When you first see our acupuncturist Karen Levine, she’ll perform an examination in which she considers factors such as tongue coloration, pulse and local temperature. Next, she will explain to you which energies need to be balanced for healing to occur and which meridians need to be stimulated. She’ll recommend a series of appointments during which she’ll apply needles and allow you to rest for between 20 to 30 minutes. Results may be felt as soon as within an hour, but most often a few days later.

Have you ever visited an acupuncturist? What were your symptoms?

Discover Car Accident Injury Recovery & Relief

At Kennedy Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we often treat patients that have suffered various injuries from auto accidents. However, there are 3 common car accident injuries that we see more often than others. Those 3 common injuries are:

1. Back Injuries. The force of impact from an oncoming car can cause extreme and sudden movement. Despite the use of seatbelts and airbags, jerking and dislocation of body positioning are common upon being struck. It isn't uncommon for those involved in accidents to experience sprains, strains, disc subluxations, lumbar radiculopathy and a thoracic spine injury.

2. Neck Injuries. Whiplash commonly results in neck pain and is often sustained along with back injuries. This can come in a mild or more severe form where people experience injuries such as strain, compression or subluxations. The force of impact determines how mild or severe the injury can be, yet almost always involves strain or sprain of soft tissues as well such as ligaments, tendons and muscles. Whiplash can be felt immediately, or can surface in the weeks or months following an injury.

3. Pinched Nerves & Sciatica Related Injuries. Upon impact, a great amount of torsion takes place pushing the spinal column and soft tissues to move far more rapidly than everyday, safe ranges of motion. Once the body has come to a state of rest after an accident, car accident victims will often realize the affects. Because of this dramatic disc rotation during impact, pinched nerves and sciatica often result.

Bringing Relief from Boulder Auto Accident Injuries

If you are you experiencing any of these or other common car accident injuries, look no further than our experienced team at Kennedy Chiropractic and Acupuncture. Our team is experienced in providing care for all of your Boulder car accident injury needs. We understand that nobody expects to be involved in an accident or anticipates an injury. Our chiropractor and acupuncturist are ready to bring you the relief you deserve with an integrative chiropractic approach today!

Have you recently suffered an auto accident injury? How did you find relief?

A commonly disregarded standard in the medical realm is to take a patient's blood pressure in both arms.  A new study shows that it is very important because the numbers between both arms can reveal possible cardiac risks.

A new study posted in "The Lancet" showed that a varying systolic blood pressure (top number) could be an indicator of higher risk for peripheral vascular disease or cerebrovascular disease.  The researchers are hypothesizing that the varying systolic pressures are due to blockages in arterial walls or even hardening of the arteries on one side of the body.

I know all of us want to be in tip top shape, so next time you're in for a check up make sure your practitioner tests both of your arms.   

If you would like more information, I heard about this study from the New York Times.  

As always, check out our website for more health tips and stretches for your aches and pains.

http://www.colopainclinic.com/index.php

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