7 Tips for a Healthy Back

A healthy back requires proper spinal curves, symmetrical muscles, and movement. Inactivity and poor posture are a greater issue during a lockdown. Combine that with less than adequate ergonomics at your workstation at home and it becomes a recipe for back and neck pain.

Pain is the body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Masking the pain with drugs provides a short-term solution but does not correct the source of the problem. This creates recurrent back pain and can lead to nerve compression resulting in radiating pain, numbness, tingling or hot/cold variations of sensation.

Tips for a healthy back to get through COVID-19 lockdowns

  1. Maintain good posture as much as possible.
  2. Follow a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.In general, you should try to drink between half your body weight in ounces per day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 ounces of water a day.
  3. Keep your nose between your toes when exercising, moving, and shovelling snow…no twisting and bending forward.
  4. Invest in a good chair, pillow, and mattress.
  5. Get up and move around after each hour of sitting. Set a reminder to help you remember.
  6. Sleep on your back or side…not your stomach.
  7. Do light warm up exercises before exercising and stretch afterward

Follow these tips for a healthy back and your spine will thank you with less pain.

What to do if you do have back pain.

If your back does continue to cause pain, then consult a Chiropractor. Abnormal curves of the spine will cause joint irritation and create local “hotspots” of pain in the back. Hypertonic(tight) muscles will cause asymmetrical pulling of the vertebrae increasing your chance of muscle strains. Prolonged sitting and lack of activity deconditions the spine which results in increased chance of injury during exercising.

arthritis

All About Arthritis

More than 5 million Canadians suffer from arthritis and nearly all Canadians over the age of 50 show varying degrees of Arthritis symptoms. Arthritis comes from the Greek words “anthro” meaning joint, and “itis” meaning inflammation. There are many signs of the joint disorder that many people tend to overlook.

Types of Arthritis

The most common form is Osteoarthritis. It involves the breakdown of cartilage and bone at the joint, causing joint stiffness, pain, crackling, enlargement and possible inflammation. There are also autoimmune diseases that cause different forms of arthritis where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue in the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common form and its symptoms range from inflammation in one or many joints, to inflammation spreading to the muscles, tendons and ligaments, internal organs, and even the skin. Women are 3 times more likely to develop Rheumatoid.

Arthritis Warning Signs:

  • Joint pain occurring during or after activity
  • Joint stiffness and reduced mobility
  • Red, swollen or warm skin around the joints
  • Joint pain occurring during periods of inactivity

Osteoarthritis of the spine is preventable with proper exercise, nutrition and chiropractic care. “63% of Arthritis sufferers use complimentary and alternative forms of care. In a recent study, 73% of participants found Chiropractic care helpful. Chiropractic ranked among the highest in terms of patient satisfaction for pain control.” (Use of Complimentary Therapies for Arthritis Among Patients of Rheumatologists. An Intern Medicine 1999; 131:409-16.)

Chiropractic Care & Arthritis

Your nervous system – brain, spinal cord and nerves – controls every function that your body performs to keep you healthy. It is the master control system for your body, and it governs your overall health. Physical and emotional stress causes misalignment of the bones in your back, which can interfere with your nervous system and prevent your body from functioning properly. This can lead to pain, poor health and arthritis.

Gentle chiropractic care realigns back bones and removes any nerve interference that may be contributing to the disorder. Chiropractic care allows your spine and nervous system to function at its best ability again, thus correcting arthritis and restoring you to your optimal health potential.

Let’s Connect

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas. You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can.

Just ask – call anytime  905 898-6644!

 

pain

Radiating Pain & Numbness

Radiating Pain and Numbness is a very common complaint for Canadians, and it is also an issue for which there are many causes. The key factor in eliminating this symptom is finding the root cause of the suffering and bringing it to an end, to allow the body to correct itself.

The First Step: Diagnosis

Utilizing the various tools at our disposal, we will determine what type of injury we are dealing with. The tools used include X-rays, Thermal and EMG, health history, posture analysis and more. Once it is determined what the root cause of the pain is, we can treat the issue and help eliminate the symptoms.

The Second Step: Determining the Root Cause

Trigger Point Pain

Trigger points are locations in the skeletal muscle (movement muscles) and fascia, the membrane overlaying the muscle. These points are hyper sensitive and hyper irritable and can cause specific patterns of pain. This type of pain is corrected with myofascial release massage which breaks up scar tissue in the fascia and releases the often associated tightness which is causing the pain.

Nerve Entrapment

Nerve entrapment occurs when pressure is applied to a nerve via subluxation (vertebrae pressing on a nerve) or scar tissue. We use adjustments and/or mobilization to remove nerve pressure and correct the issue. In cases located in the feet, such as Morton’s Neuroma, orthotics can help prevent the metatarsals from pressing on the nerve.

Organ Referred Pain

When particular organs are in distress, diseased, or inflamed, they may refer pain to the outer extremities, along nerve lines called dermatomes. For example, the gall bladder will cause right shoulder pain. Proper nutritional and supplemental steps can be taken to correct the problem.

Result

The final diagnosis can be any one issue, or a combination of them all. We will find the root of your problem and lift you back up to pain free health. We do this by utilizing our comprehensive diagnostic tools. For patients suffering from complex issues, we suggest taking advantage of our Complete Health Analysis (CHA) promotion, with which you can visit each practitioner for an initial consultation for half the price. No other clinic offers this opportunity to be assessed as a whole being, rather than as a collective of parts.

Chiropractic patients reported “significant improvement in perceived comfort and function, nerve conduction and finger sensation overall” – JMPT 1998

Chiropractic patients also reported “significant increase in grip strength” – JMPT 1994

Let’s Connect

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas. You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can.

Just ask – call anytime  905 898-6644

immune system
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Boosting Your Immune System

It is important to maintain a strong immune system to fight off all sorts of germs, bacteria, and viruses. We have come up with 8 healthy ways to strengthen your immune system:

Healthy Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System

  1. Don’t smoke
  2. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables
  3. Exercise regularly
  4. Maintain a healthy weight
  5. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
  6. Get adequate sleep
  7. Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly
  8. Minimize stress

Is Coronavirus the Next Threat?

Coronavirus…the next threat? Let’s keep things in perspective. Viruses are constantly mutating (SARS, H1N1, Ebola virus, Bird flu).

How do we fight these viruses?

A healthy immune system is the key. Make sure you get the right amount of sleep, manage your stress properly, and take your supplements as they will pay dividends for your health and wellbeing.

Ronald Pero, Ph.D. Chief of Cancer Prevention Research at New York’s Preventative Medicine Institute, doing cancer research found that:

  • Measuring 107 individuals who had received long-term chiropractic care, Pero’s team turned up some surprising findings. All chiropractic patients were “genetically normal” that is, they had no obvious genetic reasons for increased resistance of susceptibility to disease.
  • The chiropractic patients also had a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic. They also had 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer or other serious diseases. The immune competence did not show any decline with age – it was uniform for the entire group. Pero concluded that “Chiropractic may optimize whatever genetic abilities you have” so that you can full resist serious disease.

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas.You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can. Just ask!

2020 resolutions

New Years Resolutions for Chiropractic Patients

Happy New Year to all! We want to take this opportunity to wish all of our amazing patients a very happy new year filled with health, happiness, and success. Every year, people create New Year’s resolutions to improve their life, but often find those resolutions difficult to stick to.

We have compiled a list of 10 resolutions for chiropractic patients to practice.

10 Resolutions for Chiropractic Patients

  1. Do your traction faithfully.
  2. Do not miss any life giving, healing adjustments.
  3. Show up on time for your adjustments.
  4. Keep up with your stretching and strengthening exercises.
  5. Do not slouch at your desk.
  6. Do not be a couch potato at home.
  7. Sleep on your back or side – NOT your stomach.
  8. Purchase an approved cervical contour pillow/back support.
  9. Do not take your health for granted.
  10. Tell others about the many and great benefits of Chiropractic.

You can start with one and add on slowly, or if you are healthy and ambitious – do them all at once! If you have goals and resolutions of your own that you would like to achieve, but have difficulty following through, you can still get back on track!

How to Get Back on Track

  1. Make a list of changes you would like to make
  2. List your top 3 in order of priority
  3. Set a specific, measurable goal and deadline for each
  4. Identify what help and support you need
  5. Set yourself up for success by planning each change into your daily routine
  6. Plan a reward– something that you really want and give it to yourself once your goal is achieved

Ask for Help

We all have made promises to ourselves that we haven’t kept. Nine times out of ten you didn’t achieve your goal because you tried to do it on your own. We all need the help of others to achieve certain goals. Having support also makes the journey more enjoyable and ultimately more successful.

M&Y Can Help

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care with Dr. Darren Poncelet will not only align your spine but also allow proper flow of your nervous system. This in turn allows your body to heal and function properly thus helping you with any ailments you may have.

Naturopathic Care 

Our Naturopathic Doctor can help you achieve safe and healthy weight loss with nutritional advice and help dealing with those pesky cravings.

Massage Therapy 

Our Registered Massage Therapists can help you with releasing stress, any physical problems caused by slips or falls that can happen at this time of the year and those nagging pains that you keep ignoring.

M&Y Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre offers a wide range of services and treatments and because we work together as a team with you, your goals are well within your reach. We can ease your stress and help you succeed.

M&Y Chiropractic is a multi-disciplinary wellness centre. We focus on improving the health and wellness of everyone within our community of Newmarket, Aurora and surrounding areas.You are not alone; we are all here to help you in any way we can. Just ask!

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Back to School Backpack Safety

It’s that time of year again, kids are back to school, and that means it’s time to discuss backpack safety! They will be loading up with books, cell phones, iPods and whatever else kids find the need to carry in those bags that often appear that if you added one more item the kid carrying it would fall right over.

Backpack Safety: Pack it Light and Wear it Tight

According to the Ontario Chiropractic association, chiropractors are suggesting that students “pack it light and wear it right”. According to the OCA, backpacks that are too heavy or worn incorrectly can be dangerous to a child’s back, neck and shoulders. By the end of the teen years, more than 50% of youth experience at least one low back pain episode. This may be due in part to improper backpack use…

The following few suggestions should help you choose the right backpack for you or your children. And remember… if you see your child lying on their back like a turned-over tortoise, chances are that the pack is just too heavy! And kids, do not forget, using your backpack as a weapon (like hurling it at your little brother) can be hazardous to one’s health.

Step One: Choose Right

Choosing the right size backpack is the first step to safe backpack use!

Tip: Bring a family member or friend to help you measure your backpack properly. Choose a pack that has thick, wide straps – straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders interfering with circulation and nerves.

Step Two: Pack Right

The maximum weight of the loaded backpack should not exceed 15% of your body weight, so only pack what you need. Also, pack neatly so items are less likely to slide around and create discomfort.

Tip: If the backpack forces the wearer to move forward to carry, it’s overloaded. Choose a backpack with multiple compartments to evenly distribute weight.

Step Three: Lift Right

Face the pack, bend at the knees, use both hands and check the weight of the pack. Lift with the legs. Apply one shoulder strap and then the other.

Tip: Don’t sling the backpack onto one shoulder.

Step Four: Wear Right

Use both shoulder straps – snug, but not too tight.

Tip: When the backpack has a waist strap – use it. The waist strap helps distribute the weight evenly. Slinging the pack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My back and neck hurt after wearing my backpack. What should I do?

You should let your parents know about the pain you feel. Pain is a signal from your body telling you something is wrong. You should consult your family chiropractor or other health care practitioner immediately.

2. I have too many books to carry. What should I do?

Lighten your load by removing any unnecessary items. Carry a heavy book or two under your arm.

3. Do I have to wear both shoulder straps and the waist strap?

Yes, because the shoulder straps help you distribute the weight evenly between your shoulders and the waist strap helps to stabilize the load, preventing possible injury during movement.

If you have questions about your child’s backpack safety and/or back pain, you can call our clinic and speak to me.

–Dr. Darren Poncelet, B.Sc., D.C.

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Baseball Stretches to Prevent Injury

We’re amid summer, which means that multiple sports leagues are underway and baseball season is in full swing. While we appreciate that Newmarket is home to a fair share of athletes, we’ve seen far too many patients express the pain of what common baseball injuries, like a torn rotator cuff, cause.

To help ensure you’re in tip-top shape and never have to miss an upcoming game, follow this baseball warm-up full of stretches certain to keep you on the diamond playing all July and August long!

Warm-up:

A proper baseball warm-up consists of two parts:

  • Walk: First things first! Get your heart rate going and begin with a 5-minute walk, or soft jog. Jumping jacks count too!
  • Stretch: Set aside 15 minutes because, now that blood is flowing readily to your muscles, you’re ready to stretch and prepare your body for an active game ahead!

Hold each exercise for 30 seconds, then perform the same stretch on the opposite body part.

Stretch Your Quads Now or Ice Them Later

Quadriceps Stretch

  1. Stand beside a wall and grab one ankle behind your back.
  2. Pull slightly upward on your ankle, and from there relax your pelvis allowing your hip to sag.
  3. After that, squeeze your buttocks until you feel the stretch in your thigh, and voila!

Hip Flexor Stretch

  1. Perform a lunge position and take one deep step in front of the other.
  2. Drop one knee, and the knee in front should be at 90 degrees with your knee over your ankle.
  3. Pull up on the back of your ankle and exhale into the stretch!

Nothing’s Worse Than a Strained Calf

Calf Stretch

  1. Stand with your hands against a wall, stagger your feet and point your toes straight ahead.
  2. Keep your back leg straight and lean forward until you feel a tug in your calf.
  3. To feel a stretch in your lower calf and Achilles, move your back leg forward a step and slightly bend your knee!

Take a Seat, You’ve Got Stretching to Do

Figure “4” – Piriformis

  1. Start seated and cross your left ankle over your right knee as shown below.
  2. Bend forward at the hips keeping your back straight until a good stretch is felt in the buttock area (Piriformis).

This stretch is effective in minimizing symptoms of sciatica and can easily be performed while you wait to bat.

Pectoral Stretch

  1. Stand in a corner and place your hands, forearms and elbows against the wall at shoulder height.
  2. Move forward until a stretch is felt across your chest. Make sure to keep your feet still under body so that you don’t arch your low back.

Try this exercise in a doorway for added support!

Increase Flexibility with Foam Rolling

Aside from stretching, foam rolling is also key in growing your flexibility, can relieve muscle tension, and is especially important for you to incorporate into your warm-up if you play baseball. Grab a massage ball and apply pressure to commonly used muscles worked in baseball like your shoulders!

Shoulder Foam Rolling

  1. Shoulder rolling forward 30 seconds and backwards 30 seconds three times each way will help warm up and stretch your whole shoulder girdle.
  2. Raise your arm straight up and then over your head for 10 seconds three times; this will help you stretch the lower rotator muscles in your shoulder.

Lumbar Spine Stretch

  1. Lastly, don’t forget the king of all exercises, and one you likely first learned in grade school. Find some space and, without twisting your back, keep your back and legs straight and touch your toes.

If you twist your back or rotate left or right then this may irritate your lumbar spine joints, making you susceptible to a lower back injury. Keep your movement slow and steady and prepare yourself to swing stronger, throw faster and run like the wind!

To maintain optimal health, come in and see the professionals at M&Y Chiropractic & Wellness Centre. We specialize in chiropractic care and registered massage therapy for athletes of all calibers.

– Dr. Darren Poncelet

 

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Forward Head Posture and Texting

The need for posture correction has significantly increased with advances in mobile technology. Texting may be a convenient and easy way to communicate, but it has implications for health. It decreases the normal C-curve of the cervical spine, causing neck pain and what is known as “Forward Head Posture”.

Forward head posture leads to “osteoarthritis, disc degeneration and pinched nerves”.

Neck pain is almost as common as back pain in our society, and young people are experiencing neck pain much more early in life because of texting. Sitting at a computer also creates the same posture as texting.

Poor health can result from stretching of the spinal cord due to loss of cervical curve. A major part of head, neck, jaw and shoulder pain is due to forward head carriage.

According to Dr. Roger Sperry, a Nobel Prize recipient for brain research, this affects the way your brain can function. “When you have forward head posture, your brain will rob energy from your thinking, metabolism, and immune function to deal with abnormal gravity/posture relationships and processing”.

How Do You Know If You Have Forward Head Posture?

First of all, how do you know you have this? A simple test can show you. Stand with your heels, pelvis, shoulders and back of your head touching the wall. Is your posture normal? If this is difficult to maintain or does not feel comfortable at all then you have Forward head posture. This is confirmed when you relax to your regular posture and your head comes forward away from the wall.

How Can You Prevent/Reverse Forward Head Posture?

How can you prevent the serious health complications from forward head carriage? Chiropractors are trained in biomechanics to correct your posture. Specific exercises can be provided to restore correct head carriage, thus reversing years of damage and preventing the future development of cervical disc degeneration and chronic neck pain.

Please speak with Dr. Darren to determine if you are a candidate to correct your posture and eliminate the Forward Head Posture.

Do you suffer from “Text Neck” ?

“Text Neck” is referring to the obnoxious pain in your neck that could be caused from texting too much. Text Neck is caused by holding the upper back and neck in an abnormal position for a long period of time resulting in too much strain on the spine.

“It is identified as overuse syndrome involving head, neck, and shoulders resulting in strain on the spine from looking in a downward position at hand held devices like cell phones, e-readers, mp3 players and computer tablets.” Remarked Chris Cornett, M.D. orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist. He talked about how this over use results in an increase in fatigue, stress on the muscles and even headaches. Also about how every forward movement someone makes with their head increases its weight, resulting in Text Neck. If you do not treat or discontinue the progression of text neck, it will worsen, causing an increase in the injury and discomfort, while possibly damaging structures in your neck such as discs and joints.

There are many ways to get rid of Text Neck.

  • Modify the position of the device. So, instead of you bringing your head down to it, it should be brought up to your head.
  • Take breaks from using the device.
  • Maintain a strong and flexible back and neck by keeping physically fit.
  • Get adjusted by a chiropractor.

If you have questions about Forward Head Posture or Text Neck, please reach out to Dr. Darren. He’d be happy to discuss the diagnosis and treatment options with you.

Dr. Darren Poncelet

Chiropractor at M&Y Chiropractic

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New Physician Guideline Supports Non-Drug Treatment for Low Back Pain

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has created a new clinical guideline for low back pain treatment.

What Does This Mean?

Patients with acute, sub-acute or chronic low back pain are suggested to undergo a range of non-drug treatments and only resort to medication as a last step.

Preferred treatments include: spinal manipulation, superficial heat, massage therapy,    acupuncture, exercise, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, mindfulness—based stress reduction, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise, progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low level laser therapy, operant therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy.

When Would Drug-Related Therapy Apply?

Drug-related therapy should only be pursued by chronic pain patients who have exhausted all other treatment modalities with no success.

In terms of drug treatments, non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs, although there are risks associated, are considered first line, tramadol is second line and opioids, which were a go-to first line therapy, have now been dropped to a last resort option. This is directly connected to the relevant dangers of prescribing an opioid painkiller, and should only be considered for patients who have tried the other treatment options and have had no    success. It is also understood in the guideline, that all relevant risks to the patient should be addressed before beginning the drug related therapies.

Chiropractors have long advocated use of non-invasive, non-drug approaches to the treatment of low back pain, and now the ACP is in support.

 

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10 Researched Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments

If you haven’t visited a chiropractor before, you might be missing out. 

Millions of people around the world have experienced the incredible benefits of chiropractic care.

One of the best things about chiropractic care is it’s a drug-free and surgery-free path to healing naturally.  People have reported chiropractic benefits help to improve:

  • Back Pain
  • Headaches
  • Ear Infections
  • Neck Pain
  • Arthritis and Joint Pain
  • Scoliosis
  • Asthma
  • Blood Pressure
  • Healthy Pregnancy
  • Organ Function
  • Surgery Prevention

Chiropractors pride themselves on taking a natural, drugless approach to helping their patients reach their health goals. Essentially, the basic principle upon which the entire profession is built is that the body has the amazing, innate ability to heal itself (under the right conditions) and it is the chiropractor’s job to help create an environment to facilitate this.

Because the nervous system controls every cell and organ in your body, chiropractors focus their attention on the health of your spine being properly aligned and, if there are shifts, helping the spine come back into alignment.

At the core of the numerous chiropractic miracle stories is a concept known as “vertebral subluxation”. When  chiropractors use this phrase, they refer to mechanical compression and irritation to spinal joints and nerves.

Why Get Chiropractic Adjustments?

Many things can lead to a vertebral subluxation. Some of the more common causes I’ve found are:

  • A vertebrae going out of place (“misalignment”) because of a slip or fall (ie. “macrotrauma”).
  • The entire spine misaligning globally due to poor posture.
  • Joint swelling caused by damage done to the intervertebral joint.
  • An inflammatory response caused by a poor diet, lack of pure water or psychological stress.
  • Osteoporosis or degenerative changes of the spine or intervertebral discs.
  • Trigger points and tight back muscles that pull the vertebrae out of place.

Importance of Posture

Far too many live their lives hunched over and with their necks stuck out like turtles. Doctors call this “forward head posture”, and studies prove that for every inch your head sticks out from a true center of gravity, your neck bears an extra 10 pounds of stress. Just think about how common and dangerous this can be for your health!

During posture evaluations, chiropractors regularly observe many of their patients carrying their head two to three inches forward, which is an extra 20-30 pounds of pressure on their neck!

Finding a good chiropractor isn’t only key to correcting the damage caused by years of poor posture or trauma—it’s also important for everyone wanting to take a proactive approach to his or her health care. But don’t just take my word for it. Here is some of the medical research and studies proving the therapeutic benefits of chiropractic.

1. Sciatica

The European Spine Journal published the findings from a clinical trial last year uncovering how chiropractic adjustments resulted in a 72 percent success rate in treating sciatica and related symptoms compared to the 20% success from physical therapy and 50% from corticosteroid injections.

2. Low Back Pain and Neck Pain

In a study published in the British Medical Journal 2003, 183 patients with neck pain were randomly allocated to manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education and drugs) in a 52-week study.

The clinical outcome measures showed that chiropractic adjustments resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general practitioner care. Moreover, total costs of the chiropractic-treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general practitioner care.

Another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found patients with chronic low-back pain treated by chiropractors showed greater improvement and satisfaction at one month than patients treated by family physicians. Satisfaction scores were higher for chiropractic patients.

A higher proportion of chiropractic patients (56% vs 13%) reported that their low-back pain was better or much better, whereas nearly one-third of medical patients reported their low-back pain was worse of much worse.

3. Headaches (Tension and Migraine)

Second only to back pain, headaches are one of the most common conditions regularly managed by chiropractors. At the time I conducted this research, over 230 peer-reviewed articles referenced chiropractic’s ability to help cure, prevent and ease the burden of headaches and migraines in people all across the globe! Compared to most medical treatments, few interventions can initiate headache relief like chiropractic adjustments can.

4. Colic and Ear Infections

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic adjustments greatly reduced colic symptoms.

Although very few randomized control trials have been conducted describing the clinical effects of chiropractic care on children, literally scores of case studies have been documented that describe how children suffering from otitis media (ear infections), acid reflux and colic have experienced complete to near complete resolution after just a few visits.

5. Neurological Conditions

Not only are MRI scans revealing that cerebral spinal fluid and blood flow are markedly increased after a chiropractic adjustment, researchers are observing that cerebellar invagination (when the cerebellum drops down below the skull line) is being reversed and brain plaquing (common in multiple sclerosis patients is disappearing!)

6. Blood Pressure

In 2007, George Bakris, the world expert on hypertension, published a study with a team of researchers in the Human Journal of Hypertension  proving that one upper cervical chiropractic adjustment had the same effect as two blood pressure-lowering drugs. Even more fascinating, the effects of just one adjustment lasted more than six months!

Compared to the placebo-treated patients, those who go the real procedure saw an average 14mm Hg greater drop in systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure count) and an average 8 mm Hg greater drop in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom blood pressure number).

7. Surgery Prevention

Chiropractic has long been heralded by natural health care providers as a natural method to prevent back surgery.

In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association just recently published its low back pain guidelines and suggested that people suffering from back pain first try chiropractic before resorting to surgery.

8. Frozen Shoulder

Last year a clinical trial was published describing how patients suffering from the debilitating condition frozen shoulder responded to chiropractic care.

Of the 50 patients: 16 resolved completely, 25 showed 75% to 90% improvement, eight showed 50% to 75% improvement and one showed 0% to 50% improvement

9. Scoliosis

Chiropractic adjustments for scoliosis coupled with muscular rehabilitation techniques may help prevent the progression of scoliosis. Organizations like the nonprofit Clear Institute founded by Dr. Dennis Woggan have set out to empower health care professionals with an effective chiropractic system to treat people with scoliosis.

They’ve perfected a model and discovered that it is possible to effectively treat the condition without the use of restrictive braces or dangerous surgeries. In many case studies, participants have seen a 10% to 30% decrease in their scoliosis curvatures.

10. Athletic Performance

Because it is so effective at pain-based and pathological conditions, one of the most overlooked aspects of chiropractic care is that it enhances personal and athletic performance. Studies have shown that it:

  • Reduces inflammatory cytokines
  • Boosts your immune system
  • Enhances pulmonary function
  • Decreases mental tension
  • Relieves muscle tension
  • And can naturally increase your energy level

Studies have even proved, objectively and subjectively, that chiropractic patients experience “overall increased bodily function”, which includes bowel regularity and mental clarity.

Basically, because it helps place your body in the position where it can heal itself, chiropractic adjustments can free your immune system up to focus on keeping you healthy, which enhances your ability to think, move and perform.

This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe, and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither the author nor publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All readers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition or supplement or lifestyle program. Note: References for this content can be found at draxe.com