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Showing posts with the label exercises to alleviate lower back pain

Health Goals for 2019

It’s the very end of 2018, another year behind us, and we’re almost through two decades of the twenty-first century. Time flies, and society seems to be changing faster than ever. We live in a fast-paced world full of stress and pressure, and nobody seems to have time to relax and enjoy life. This unfortunately leads to people living lives that aren’t as healthy as they should be. In fact, the United States is one of the unhealthiest nations in the world, despite having leading medical science. A recent report from the New York Post even declared that people have written off being healthy in 2018, and determined to simply wait till 2019 to try to get healthier. They’re eating more sweets and gaining weight. Of course, when people talk about waiting, they’re usually talking about New Year resolutions, but just making a resolution isn’t the solution. To get healthy in 2019, you need to actually make a plan and stick to it. Just swearing to lose weight or get healthy next ye...

What Does a Chiropractor Treat?

Chiropractors are focused on attending to a wide variety of chronic pain and even medical conditions that result from misalignments in the spine, which are called subluxations. When your spine is out of alignment, it can result in all manner of pain and health issues, from back and neck pain to problems in the extremities – as far as your fingers and toes. Many medical conditions are often related to spine problems. These include issues like hernias, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ, and even ear infections, among others. Your chiropractor can be an important part of your overall health and wellness routine. They allow your body to engage in its best natural healing, working like a finely tuned machine to maintain itself. Let’s take a look at a few of the more common conditions a chiropractor improves, as well as some of the other benefits you get from chiropractic care. Table of Contents: How Can a Chiropractor Treat Chronic Pain? Back Pain Lower Back Pain Neck Pain W...

Vertebrae of the Week: Sacrum

One of the lowest bones in your back, the Sacrum is a large, triangular bone that connects to the base of your spine. It forms when you reach between 18 and 30 years old when your S1-S5 sacral vertebrae fuse together. It’s located at the back of your pelvic cavity, between its wings, and forms important joints with your other bones. The sacrum is a very complex bone that helps to provide support for the spine and protection for the spinal nerves, as well as articulates with your hip bones. Among the most common injuries suffered in the sacrum region is a sprain to the sacroiliac joint that articulates at the ala, or side-base projections, of the sacrum. Sacrum Articulations The sacrum articulates (forms joints) with four different bones. The first is the lowest lumbar vertebra. The second is the tailbone, which is directly below the sacrum, and the third is the hip bone at the ilium region. In humans, the sacrum is able to move slightly on its own along the sagittal plate to b...

The Unique Relationship Between Pain and Stress

Stress and pain share a deep connection. Many people who suffer from unexplained chronic pain find that the source is that they’re under a lot of pressure in their lives. Whether it’s family troubles, money problems, work issues or any other reason, the more stressed out you are, the more your body gets out of sync and the more likely you are to suffer pain. The problem with stress-related pain is that if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it can be very hard to identify it. The truth is, stress can be at the root of headaches, back pain, neck pain, shoulder and muscle aches, stomach pain and all manner of problems. Discover the unique relationship between stress and pain, tips to lower your stress, and how a chiropractor in Woodbridge, VA can help manage the pain. Stress and Pain Stress causes our body to tense up, which can lead to the pain you experience in your neck, shoulders, back, muscles, stomach and head. It can also cause your body’s hormone responses to be off,...

Eating Healthy While Eating Out

The one thing you always hear from people when you’re trying to live healthy or lose weight is, “Stop eating out.” We live in a world rich with fried foods, fatty meals, and way too many carbohydrates. Still, you have to live a little, and it is absolutely possible to eat out and make the right choices. The biggest trick is looking past the rich, fatty, sugary foods and finding the options on the menu that are still appetizing, but won’t put an end to your quest to healthy living. Learn about making the healthiest choices when you and your family eat out, and how a chiropractor in Woodbridge, VA, can help you live a better life. Don’t Drink Your Calories This is a huge factor for many people. There are 150 calories and 52 grams of sugars in a 16-ounce glass of soda pop. Now think about those free refills and consider you’re probably drinking 2 or 3 of those. Cut out the sugary soda, stay away from alcohol—especially sweet mixed drinks, and above all, avoid milkshakes. Diet s...

L5 Vertebra

The lowest vertebra in your lumbar spine is the L5. It’s the bone that rests right above your sacral spine, and it’s the most common region of the back to suffer a range of common ailments, from herniated discs to spondylolisthesis. The lumber spine is what’s commonly just called your lower back, and is responsible for support and flexibility in your entire upper body. Because this region of your back bears so much weight, it’s also very vulnerable to degenerative conditions due to normal age-related wear and tear. Let’s look at the L5 vertebra, the conditions associated with injuries to this region, and where you can find the best chiropractic care to address such problems. L5 Vertebra Injury Symptoms Among the nerves that are associated with the L5 vertebra is the sciatic nerve, the source of the common injury known as sciatica. This is the largest nerve in the body, and when it gets irritated or compressed, the patient can experience a range of unpleasant symptoms. Sympto...

L4 Vertebra

The fourth vertebra down in your lumbar region, the L4 holds the responsibility of bearing the weight of your torso above it just like its sibling vertebrae. Your lower back is the portion of your body that’s most responsible for your ability to stand, twist, and move properly and as a result it’s among the strongest areas of your body, while at the same time being the most prone to injury. Since the kinds of nerves to be found in this region have different functions than those further up, injuries to the lumbar region present a bit differently than those above. While nerves do travel through this area, you are much more prone to experience pain, weakness and numbness from lumbar injuries, than you are to experience other seemingly unrelated health problems. The most common and notable of these is sciatica. L4 Vertebra Conditions and Injuries The nerves that travel at the L4 vertebra level are the sacral plexus and lumbar plexus ends. These provide sensory and motor nerves. Among ...

Vertebrae of the Week: L3 Vertebra

Next up in our ongoing series about each of the bones in your spine is the L3 vertebra. The third bone down in your lumbar, or lower back area, the L3 is the central bone in this region. Like the other lumbar vertebrae, this bone carries a substantial role in bearing the weight of your torso. Also like the other bones in your lumbar spine, this vertebra does not protect specific nerve bundles, which means that problems arising from injuries to this region present differently than in your middle or upper back. Learn about the L3 vertebra, the role it plays in your spine, and how a chiropractor in Woodbridge, VA, can help to deal with injuries and issues from this important bone. L3 Vertebra Conditions and Injuries There are a range of spinal injuries that can affect or be caused by the L3 vertebra. These include herniated or bulging discs, bone spurs, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal arthritis, among others. A number of common conditions, including sports injuries, ca...

5 Fun Ways to Sneak Exercise into Family Day

We hear it constantly—exercise more. Exercise at least a half hour a day. Hit the gym at least three times a week for vigorous strength training and aerobic exercise. We also all know that who really has the time for all that if you’re not a fitness junkie? We all live busy lives, no doubt, but it’s still important to find ways to get some exercise in. Fortunately, there are great ways you can sneak exercise into your family fun time and still have a great time doing it. Let’s look at five fun ways you can sneak some exercise into family day, get all the activity you need to stay fit and live a better, healthier overall lifestyle, and how chiropractic in Woodbridge, VA, can help you stay that way. Go to the Playground! What kid in this world doesn’t love a playground, and what grown-up doesn’t secretly long for the days when they were climbing on the jungle gym? Going to the playground can be a great deal of fun, and you can get in on the activities with your kids to get som...

Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family

Many people don’t consider chiropractic care when they think about the health and well-being of their entire family, but they really should. Chiropractic care is a time-honored means of living well without the need for drugs or invasive procedures. It’s entirely safe, and can help everyone in your family from your youngest children to the most senior retiree. We live in a fast-paced world and that means everyone is constantly on the go. Chiropractic can be an outstanding way to live a better, stronger and healthier life, so whatever you’re looking to achieve, you can do so at peak performance. Learn how the right chiropractor can help you address any issues of neck and back pain in Woodbridge, VA, and get you living an overall happier, healthier life. Chiropractic for the Whole Family Even as chiropractic becomes more accepted as a legitimate medical practice, many people are still concerned about the safety of spinal adjustments. The truth is, visiting a chiropractor is just ...

Thoracic Region of Your Spine

The thoracic region of your spine is comprised of twelve vertebrae that run along the middle part of your back. Misalignments in these vertebrae can cause all manner of problems. Learn about your thoracic vertebrae, the effects they have, and how a qualified chiropractor can help address your back pain and get you healthy once more. Your Thoracic Vertebrae Your thoracic vertebrae are denoted by the letter “T” followed by a number. The T1 is the highest, while the T 12 is the lowest. Each has the responsibility of protecting the nerves that control a specific area of bodily function. The T1 This vertebra is also the C7 vertebra. It’s located at the base of your neck, and subluxation can cause pain in the middle back, sides and chest, as well as pain and loss of feeling in your arms like tendonitis. The T2 This bone is associated with your coronary arteries and cardiovascular system. This can cause problems like chest pain, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, blood pressu...

T12 Vertebra

The T12, or twelfth thoracic vertebra is the largest of all your thoracic vertebrae, and is the lowermost in the back. It’s designed to bear the weight of your spine, and is the strongest of all vertebrae in the region, but it’s also the most prone to injuries from stress. It’s a sort of hybrid that possesses the features of a thoracic and a lumbar vertebra. The region of your spinal cord protected by this vertebra controls your abdominal muscles, lower back, stability and support. Unfortunately, pain from a T12 injury can be tricky to diagnose as it can radiate to other areas of your body and not be centered where the injury actually is. Injuries to the T12 Vertebra Injuries to the T12 vertebra can result in pain in the back, around your rib cage, in your abdominal muscles, or even radiating down into your legs. It’s important to have the injury properly diagnosed, as certain conditions including cancer, infection and even scoliosis can result in similar symptoms. How a Ch...

How Chiropractors Treat Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that is regularly addressed by Doctors of Chiropractic. It’s a condition that can make it very hard to function; even sitting down can be painful. It also presents symptoms that can come and go. Many thousands of people suffer with this condition, and it can be truly debilitating at times. Addressing the symptoms of sciatica may not be enough; in order to control the condition entirely it’s important to address the root cause. The first step is getting a proper diagnosis, and that’s where your chiropractor comes in. Learn about sciatica, what it is, how it causes the pain and discomfort it does, and how Woodbridge chiropractors treat sciatica to bring relief to their patients. What Is Sciatica? Sciatica is pain that’s caused by pressure on your sciatic nerve . This pain usually originates in the lower back and can radiate into the buttock and even down your legs. It can vary in intensity from mild to severe. In some patients it’s constant, while in o...

Vertebrae of the Week: T11 Vertebra

The T11 is one of the two lowest vertebrae in your spinal thoracic region. Like the other thoracic vertebrae, they are attached to your ribcage, which helps to protect them from direct harm, though they can be subject to damage from compression fractures. These vertebrae are important in the control of your kidneys, ureters, colon, small intestines, lymph circulation system, buttocks, and the uterus (in women). As with any of your vertebrae, the T11 can be the culprit of a wide range of health problems. Learn about your T11 vertebra, what happens when it gets out of alignment, and where you can find help to take care of those issues to live a better life. T11 Vertebra Your spinal column protects the nerve center of your entire body. Every single signal coming to and going from your brain to the rest of your body travels through your spine. Each individual bone in your spine protects nerve bundles that have specific functions. The T11, as stated above, protects the function o...

Vertebrae of the Week: T10 Vertebra

The T10 Vertebra, also called the tenth thoracic vertebra, is a part of your thoracic spine and the tenth down from the top. It’s in the lower part of your mid-back and is one of the vertebrae that attaches to your rib cage in your mid-back. Any time you have a misalignment in one of your vertebrae, it can result in pain and a variety of other health-related symptoms, but each of the regions in your back has the responsibility to protect specific bundles of nerves. Let’s take a look at the nerves that the T10 vertebra protects, the symptoms that can be associated with a subluxation in this region, and where to find help for your pain management. T10 Vertebra The T10 vertebra is part of the lower-middle back, and is known as a transition vertebra, due to its proximity to the lumbar, or lower-back, vertebrae. It is among the most susceptible to damage and injury from compression fractures. Aside from these injuries, however, it is among the most resistant to direct injury because i...

Can Your Chiropractor Help with the Dizziness of Vertigo?

Dizziness and vertigo can be confusing and scary. There are all kinds of potential causes for these symptoms, and it’s vital to understand the potential causes as well as what they entail for you. In some cases, they could present signs of something very serious. In others, they could be symptoms of a relatively minor issue that can be adjusted by your chiropractor. To start, it’s important to know the difference between lightheadedness and vertigo, as well as the potential causes of each. Learn about dizziness, lightheadedness and vertigo, and how your chiropractor may be able to help with neck pain treatment near Woodbridge, VA. Vertigo vs. Lightheadedness Many people use the terms “vertigo” and “lightheadedness” interchangeably. IN truth, there are difference between the two. While both can involve a feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness is the feeling that you’re going to pass out or faint. You lose your sense of balance, but the feeling is centered on you. With verti...