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What Causes Inflammation?
Chronic inflammation is one of the most significant health issues many of us will face today. It’s been linked to everything from chronic pain to a wide range of other mild and serious medical conditions.
It’s important not to mistake acute inflammation for chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation describes your body’s natural defense mechanism against injuries or toxins. When your immune system is constantly stressed, it can then lead to chronic inflammation which in turn can lead to other conditions.
Chronic Inflammation
In 2014, it was estimated that over 50% of people had at least one chronic condition, and 40% had more than one.
Chronic inflammatory diseases can include respiratory and heart disorders as well as diabetes. The majority of these disorders are linked directly to our lifestyle choices. Each day you have the option to either increase or decrease your state of inflammation.
Here are some fundamental ways to start taking your life back from chronic inflammation:
- Eat Fruits and vegetables are high in natural antioxidants and may protect the body against inflammation.
- Get enough Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can reduce your physical and emotional stress levels, which has been linked to a lower risk of chronic inflammation.
- Stay Exercise can lower the amount of pro-inflammatory chemicals in your body and benefit your cardiovascular and mental health.
Reducing your risk of chronic disease and inflammation begins with the choices you make each and every day, and we’re here to help you make the best decisions to help you live a full, active, and healthy life.
If you believe you’re not eating, sleeping, or moving as well as you would like, be sure you have an appointment scheduled with us. Together, we’ll analyze your habits and create a plan to get you and your well-being back on track.
Most Chronic Diseases are Linked to Inflammation
One of the most important health discoveries of the past 20 years has been that the immune system and inflammatory process are involved in nearly every mental and physical health problem we encounter today. It’s safe to say that chronic inflammation is a leading cause of chronic disease.
The Effects of Chronic Inflammation on the Body
Chronic inflammation is a condition that can affect your immune system and can influence all of your organs, tissues, and cells. Unlike the normal inflammatory response that happens after an injury and goes away within a few days, chronic inflammation is an abnormal response that can last years.
Here are just a few of the ways chronic inflammation can affect your body:
- Chronic inflammation can cause your immune system to function sub-optimally.
- Fatigue, increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, and poor appetite have also been linked to chronic inflammation.
- Heart disease and other neurodegenerative disorders have been linked to long-term chronic inflammation.
It’s true. It’s impossible to prevent chronic disease completely, but you have the power to reduce your risk every day. Taking action steps like eating right and exercising each day have been shown to dramatically decrease chronic inflammation and your likelihood of developing a chronic disease.
Know we’re here to help you live an active and fulfilling life. We understand that it’s hard to get enough exercise each day when you’re in pain. We hope you’ll take a moment to schedule a movement assessment with us so we can create a plan to help you start moving and feeling better.
Let’s take the first step towards reducing your risk of chronic disease together!
How Inflammation Affects Your Body
Inflammation is like a check engine light for your body. It tells you that something isn’t quite right, and you should pay attention.
The first step in discovering the cause of the problem is determining whether you have acute or chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation is short-term and plays a critical role in healing and injury repair. Chronic inflammation on the other hand describes a condition where your immune system continues to produce white blood cells and chemicals even after the injury is gone.
The Signs of Chronic Inflammation
The combination of chronic inflammation and an excess of white blood cells can cause some problems for your immune system. In some cases, your immune system may even begin to target healthy cells and structures. If sustained over a long period of time, you may experience changes in your cells, tissues, and organs that can increase the likelihood of disease. Of course, one of the most significant challenges is that chronic inflammation can be invisible unless you know where to look.
Here are a few of the most common signs of chronic inflammation:
- Insulin Insulin helps control the sugar level in your blood, and inflammation could affect how well your insulin works.
- Muscle Chronic inflammation can cause your immune system to mistakenly attack and inflame your muscles, which could make you weaker.
- Fatigue is a sign of long-term inflammation and common in inflammatory diseases like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
If you’ve been living with muscle weakness, fatigue, or other nagging pains, you may also be living with chronic inflammation. It’s often your daily habits that contribute to this state of chronic inflammation.
Know that our team specializes in helping you create a healthy lifestyle through daily habits that combat chronic inflammation. We invite you to take the first step towards better health by scheduling your next visit with us today so we can work together to help you feel and function at your best.
How to Reduce Pain and Inflammation Naturally
While the inflammatory process is extremely complex, the solutions aren’t. Reducing pain and inflammation naturally is simple with the right strategy. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are all ways that have been shown to effectively reduce pain and inflammation naturally.
Don't Wait to Get Care
Your diet and daily exercise routine play a huge role in managing chronic inflammation because each influences your weight and sleep patterns. Foods high in antioxidants (like berries, turmeric, green vegetables) can lower your overall inflammation and provide you with more energy. Daily exercise can help protect you against conditions such as heart disease and obesity, which have both been linked to chronic inflammation.
Did you know…
- Antioxidants known as polyphenols can lower inflammation.
- Even 20 minutes of daily exercise can have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Proper sleep patterns encourage recovery and can lower stress and inflammation levels.
Reducing pain and inflammation naturally starts with your ability to move your body and exercise daily. If you notice an injury or pain is slowing you down, take a moment to schedule an appointment with us today.
Our expert team will work with you side by side to help you move better, and once you start moving better, everything else becomes easier! Give us a call. Let’s make chronic inflammation a thing of the past.
Is Inflammation Causing You Pain and Discomfort?
Call or schedule an appointment online and we can help you reduce your inflammation and finally let your body begin its healing journey.
Schedule an AppointmentContact UsWhy Does My Neck Hurt?
Your neck has a tough job. It has to hold, stabilize, and move the weight of your head every day for a lifetime. Holding up 11 pounds may not seem like a lot, but the seven bones and 20 muscles of your neck need to work together in perfect harmony for you to move your head around and keep that weight balanced. Postural changes, sudden injuries, and arthritis are a few of the primary causes of neck pain. Pain can often be traced to a problem with either the muscles, bones, discs, or nerves in your neck.
Respond Proactively to Your Pain
If you’ve ever been unable to turn your head for a day or two, you know how debilitating and life-changing neck pain can be. The sharp muscle spasms that restrict your ability to move can happen when your body tries to protect a spinal joint that isn’t moving correctly.
Almost every bone in your neck has a pair of sliding joints towards the back called facet joints. If an adhesion forms or the joint is stuck, your body will try to compensate or work around the issue for a little while. But, over time, this compensation can cause a cascade of additional challenges.
- Sudden injuries, arthritis, and postural issues can all contribute to neck pain.
- The small sliding joints (facet joints) of your neck can become stuck and cause muscles spasms and pain.
- Gentle spinal adjustments combined with daily stretching can help restore the motion of your facet joints and reduce pain.
Pain in your neck is your body’s way of saying “pain attention”! Even if it eases up by the end of the day, it’s a smart idea to have us evaluate your motion. Movement assessments are a part of our examination and provide us with an incredible amount of information about your body. By taking a proactive approach today, you may be able to prevent future episodes of neck pain and stiffness in the future.
Stenosis: How a Pinch in Your Neck Can Affect Your Whole Body
Have you been told that you have spinal stenosis? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from spinal stenosis each day, and it’s the number one reason people over 65 years old have spine surgery. Spinal stenosis is the compression, or pinching, of your spinal cord. It can occur due to a disc herniation, bone spur, or ligament overgrowth. However, drugs and surgery are not the only way to find relief.
Take the Pressure Off
For many people, the most significant challenge associated with spinal stenosis is the decreased ability to get up and move! Severe pinching in your neck can cause issues with your arms and legs. One of the best ways to relieve the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis is to open up the spinal canal and take the pressure off the nerves and spinal cord. Many chiropractic techniques focus on decreasing the pressure on your spinal cord, relieving the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis.
- Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine.
- Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by degenerative changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis.
- Relief can often be found by building up your strength while improving the flexibility and stability of your spine with chiropractic care.
After chiropractic care, many patients report having a decrease in their symptoms, the ability to walk further without pain and find an improvement in their overall quality of life. If you have been slowed down due to spinal stenosis, do not hesitate to schedule an evaluation with us. We will provide a complete evaluation and guide you towards the best treatment options to find relief.
Is My Arm Pain Coming from My Neck?
Pain in your hand, wrist, or arm can be frustrating. You don’t realize how much you use your arms and hands until pain, numbness, or tingling gets in the way. Most of us don’t usually think that an issue in our neck may cause our arm pain. But it’s very common that arm pain can be traced back to a nerve issue in your neck.
Pinched Nerves Can Affect The Arms, Hands, and Shoulders
Hand, wrist, and arm pain often starts with a neck problem. When a spinal disc in your neck irritates or presses on a nerve, it can result in arm pain. Just like the power lines that bring electricity to your house, your brain and spinal cord split into individual nerve roots that deliver information to every part of your body. The nerves in your neck are specifically focused on providing strength and sensation to your head and arms.
- A bulged or herniated disc in your neck can irritate or compress the nerves that travel to your hands, arms, and shoulders.
- A recent study of people with cervical (neck) disc herniation showed improvement in over 86% of people who received chiropractic adjustments.
- Improving spinal mobility, decreasing inflammation, and improving your posture may help prevent future episodes of neck and arm pain.
A painful arm as a result of a pinched nerve in your neck very rarely requires surgery. Most people can find long-term relief with conservative care, such as chiropractic.
Getting rid of the inflammation and giving the disc time to heal are part of a complete plan we use each day to help our patients reduce their symptoms and get their lives back.
Neck Pain: How To Find Relief
An episode of neck pain can quickly hamper your everyday activities. Whether you began experiencing pain due to injury, degenerative spinal changes, or poor posture, it can be difficult to think about anything except the pain when you’re struggling. It’s estimated that 70% of people experience neck pain in their life, but you should know there is a path towards relief.
Small Adjustment. Big Changes.
Neck pain can create everything from headaches to pain in your arms and hands to pain directly on your neck. Different types of pain indicate different issues. The most common reasons for neck pain are strained muscles and stuck spinal joints. Each of these challenges can cause a lot of pain and may have you fearing that you have a more significant issue. But, with a proper examination, our team can pinpoint the cause of your pain and provide a complete plan of care to help you reclaim your life from neck pain.
- Facet joints are small spinal joints at the back of your spine which can become fixated or stuck and cause pain.
- Muscle strains can occur due to poor posture at your desk or sleeping in an awkward position.
- Motion heals: relief typically begins by reducing the inflammation and improving your range of motion.
A small adjustment can make big changes in your quality of life. Our practice is focused on helping you feel (and function) better by improving your spinal motion and then providing you with the stretches and exercises you can do at home to continue your improvement. If neck pain has got in the way of you enjoying your life- give us a call. Our team is here to help.
Science Sources:
Intervertebral Kinematics of the Cervical Spine. The Spine Journal. 2018.
Spinal Stenosis. The Mayo Clinic. 2022.
Cervical Nerve Root Injections or Spinal Manipulative Therapy. JMPT. 2016.
Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Exercise. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2012.
5 Healthy Habits That Prevent Chronic Disease. Cleveland Clinic. 2020.
Suffering from Neck Pain?
Call or schedule an appointment online to see how we can help ease your neck pain and begin your journey of healing.
Schedule an AppointmentContact UsPerfect Posture is Dynamic
Is there such a thing as perfect posture? The answer may surprise you. The latest research shows that it’s actually more beneficial to think about your posture as dynamic, not static. In other words, your ideal posture is constantly changing and evolving.
The Negative Effects of Poor Posture
Think of your posture as a dynamic pattern of responses, reflexes, and habits–not just as a fixed position.
Gravity, your work environment, and your body’s anatomy all play essential roles. For instance, sitting for hours at a time staring at a computer screen is a perfect example of a damaging static posture that over time can lead to the development of chronic forward head posture.
Forward head posture affects millions of people who spend their days using computers and has the potential to cause pain and degenerative changes in your spinal joints. It places stress on the neck and shoulders and weakens the supporting muscles.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Forward head posture affects millions and results in neck pain for up to 75% of those affected.
- Neck pain, tension, stiffness, and tenderness are all signs of chronic forward head posture.
- Trapezius strengthening has been shown to provide clinically significant relief for those struggling with neck pain as a result of forward head posture.
If you spend long hours each day in a single position (such as sitting at a computer) it’s important to take the time to take periodic breaks to stretch and move your body.
Remember, posture is dynamic, and stretching can help not only “reset” your posture, but also help keep your spine healthy and your energy levels up!
Scheduling a posture and movement assessment with us is also a smart idea to help ensure you remain as pain-free as possible no matter how you spend your days. Just give us a call!
How to Improve Your Posture
When discussing posture, we’re often referring to the overall position of your body as you stand, sit, or lie down.
Most experts would agree that a “good” overall posture involves physical positions that reduce stress on the body by balancing the load placed on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine.
If you’ve looked in the mirror and noticed that your posture doesn’t look as balanced as you’d like–not to mention, doesn’t feel as balanced as you’d like–you may be wondering what you can do to improve it.
Healing Through Motion
One of the best ways to improve your posture is through motion.
Changing positions frequently during the day, stretching, and specific postural exercises are all ways to improve your posture.
Good posture helps you keep your bones and joints in proper alignment, which helps reduce the wear and tear on your joints and decrease the strain on the ligaments that support your spine.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Good posture means keeping your spinal curves aligned and weight evenly distributed.
- Stretches and exercises can help improve your posture and reduce your risk of neck and back pain.
- Standing desks have been shown to reduce back pain by over 30% when compared to sitting at a desk.
When creating a plan to improve your posture, remember that stretching and exercising are essential. Equally important is knowing where to start.
Our postural and movement assessments can help you determine the best strategy to help balance and improve your posture, especially if you’ve been living with pain.
How Your Smartphone Impacts Your Posture
Believe it or not, many of us spend 3 hours or more per day on our smartphones. That adds up to over 1,000 hours each year! And the positions we tend to hold our heads in while using our devices can be, well… damaging. Damaging to your posture, and damaging to your spine. It’s not surprising that over the past few years, an uptick of these awkward positions has led to an uptick in head and neck pain.
"Tech Neck"
It’s estimated that tilting your head forward, even just 15 degrees, can triple the weight of your head on your neck. In fact, tilting your head forward 60 degrees can increase the stress and strain on your neck ten times over.
Repeating this forward head posture again and again over time can result in pain, stiffness, dysfunction, headaches, and more–a group of symptoms often referred to as “Tech Neck.”
The good news about postural stress and “Tech Neck” is that a few simple changes to your routine can help you reduce your risk of experiencing pain.
Here’s what you need to know:
- “Tech Neck” is the term used to describe the flexed head and neck position that occurs when looking down at your smartphone.
- Just 15 degrees of forward bending can increase the stress of your head on your neck three times over.
- Taking breaks every 15 minutes and looking up from your phone or tablet can help your body reset and give your muscles a chance to relax.
Know that reducing your “Tech Neck” symptoms involves more than just changing the angle you look at your phone. Proper ergonomics and regular stretching and exercise all play significant roles in helping you continue to enjoy your favorite devices without those nagging pains.
If you’ve been living with “Tech Neck” and are ready to take action, you’ve come to the right place! Our expert team is ready to not only help evaluate your ergonomics, but to also provide a plan of action complete with personalized recommendations that will help make it easy for you to maintain a more balanced posture for years to come.
Posture: Balancing Strength and Flexibility
Both strength and flexibility play a significant role in how your posture develops.
For instance, having both a strong and flexible core helps the body to dynamically adapt to every environment. The spine is not only supported but also moves well, reducing the possibility of injury or pain. While it’s true that “perfect” postures may not exist, improving our strength, flexibility, and ergonomics goes a long way towards improvement.
Don't Wait to Get Care
Your body is dynamic, and it’s designed to move, but over time it may feel a bit less dynamic than it used to!
Getting into a wellness routine that includes exercises that focus on strength and flexibility is a smart way to keep your body feeling young while promoting good posture–a true win-win.
Here’s why:
Strengthening exercises can help develop proper support for your joints and decrease overall postural stress. Incorporating stretches and exercise that focus on flexibility then help you body maintain the ability to move through its full range of motion.
Did you know…
- When you focus on increasing muscular flexibility, your posture is likely to improve.
- Lifting weights strengthens your back, shoulder, and core muscles, which are all essential to standing with proper posture and preventing lower back pain.
- Stretching your muscles and joints also leads to a greater range of motion, improved balance, and increased flexibility.
Remember, postural stress can add up over time. Just because you’re not currently in pain doesn’t mean that everything is functioning at its highest level or that your daily wellness routine is as optimized as it could be.
Our team specializes in all things posture and providing comprehensive individualized care plans – adjustments, stretches, exercises, and all!
Schedule an appointment today if you’d like to learn more about all the ways we’re helping the people in your community achieve an ideal balance of strength and posture and flexibility. Our doors are open, and we’re here for you.
Science Sources:
Effects of Trapezius Strengthening on Posture. Med Sci Monit. 2020.
Back Health and Posture. Cleveland Clinic. 2020.
“Tech Neck” Taking a Toll on Posture. Columbia Spine. 2018.
Breaking up Workplace Sitting Time. Occup Environ Med. 2014.
Why Being Flexible is Great for Your Health. Healthline. 2020.
Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain. Curr Rev Musculoskel Med. 2019.
Guide to Good Posture. Medline Plus. 2023.
Upright Posture Improves Affect and Fatigue. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2017.
Wondering How to Effectively Improve Your Posture?
Let us help! Call or schedule an appointment online to see how we can help improve your posture, decrease your pain, and live a better, healthier life.
Schedule an AppointmentContact UsBe Smart With Your Smartphone and Look Up!
As students worldwide return to school, it’s likely many will be e-learning in some capacity for hours each day on their digital devices. While our devices can be fantastic tools for entertainment and education, the postural effects are something all parents should be aware of. For many students, e-learning may increase neck, mid-back, and low back pain.
How Digital Devices Can Affect Your Health
Spending 6 or more hours each day looking down at your digital devices can profoundly affect your mental, social, and physical health. It can also lead to the development of “Tech Neck Syndrome.” This forward head posture often places tremendous stress on the neck (cervical spine) and can lead to an uptick in headaches, back and neck pain, and more.
- Low back pain is the 3rd most common form of pain interfering with schoolwork
- It's estimated that 50.3% of school-aged children present with posture disorders
- In fact, approximately 6% of children experience back pain from prolonged sitting
Making it a habit to look up (literally!) throughout the day is a significant first step in reducing the effects of “Tech Neck.” Try this: Pull your chin back, stretch your arms out in front of you, open them wide, then look up toward the ceiling and hold for 20–30 seconds. Repeat this stretch every 60 minutes to help reset your posture and body position. If your child spends much of the day learning on a computer, teach them this stretch and encourage other healthy routines for school-age children that promote movement, posture, and regular activity throughout the day. You can also schedule a visit with our practice for a comprehensive postural and movement-based assessment to identify potential issues and help reduce their risk of developing Tech Neck Syndrome.
Why Chiropractic Care is Critical for Kids Who Play Sports
Youth sports are a big deal. It’s estimated that over 45 million kids are actively engaged in sports! While sports give kids a fantastic opportunity to grow socially and physically, they also increase risks for injuries, pain from overuse, and muscular imbalances. Finding proactive ways to reduce the risk of injury and balance the effects of training are essential for your child’s developing musculoskeletal system.
Ensure Proper Musculoskeletal Development
Your child’s skeletal system is actively developing until they are approximately 25 years old. Their postural habits, history of injuries, and genetics play a role in their body’s final form (and function). Sports have the potential to add a significant amount of stress and increase the chances of injuries for your developing child. Even small injuries to their spine can create bigger challenges down the road as they get older.
- Addressing minor injuries and challenges while your child is young can help ensure proper musculoskeletal development
- Youth sports can increase your child's likelihood of developing overuse, growth plate injuries, and chronic pain
- Chiropractic care is a safe and natural way to help your child stay active and perform their best
Remember, don’t shrug it off if your child complains of back pain, headaches, or a stiff neck. Pain is your body’s way of saying, “Pay Attention Inside Now.” As screen time and digital learning continue to increase, many families are noticing technology-related stress in children that can affect posture, movement, and overall comfort. Our practitioners are experienced at evaluating growing bodies and creating personalized care plans designed to help children stay active, healthy, and engaged in the sports and activities they love.
Power Your Child’s Brain with Movement
Years ago, many believed that the health benefits of exercise were limited to the body. However, research has demonstrated that regular physical activity and movement can benefit both the body and the brain. Recent studies have highlighted that movement can improve the supply of oxygen to the brain and promote the production of new cells. In fact, it appears movement also aids in creating new connections in the brain!
The Benefits of Daily Movement
Many schools have reduced physical education classes. Many more students have moved towards e-learning. For those reasons, it’s important to be mindful of our children’s physical activity and to encourage them to exercise more each day. And not just to benefit their physical health. In many ways, exercising each day is likely to make your child a better student! Movement triggers the release of chemical substances in the brain that enhance brain function.
The research is clear—daily movement and exercise are beneficial for both your child’s body and brain. Our posture and movement assessments are designed to identify abnormal movement patterns and evaluate screen posture and spinal alignment, helping your child move more comfortably, stay active, and perform their best both in and out of the classroom. If your child struggles to get enough exercise because of recurring aches, movement restrictions, or posture concerns, we hope you’ll consider scheduling an appointment with us. Our doors are open, and we’re here to help your family build healthy habits that last.
E-Learning: How to Avoid Tech Neck
Is your child connected to a phone, computer, or tablet during and after school? Think about it. Many of us aren’t more than an arm’s length from our phone at any time (even when we are sleeping). Spending time every day looking down at our devices can place a lot of stress on the supporting muscles of our neck and lead to an uptick in headaches. It’s a condition called “Tech Neck,” and it’s one of the most common causes of headaches and neck pain.
Don't Wait to Get Care
The countless hours per day kids often spend on phones and computers can significantly contribute to tension headaches. In fact, it’s estimated that kids spend up to 1,400 hours per year in the exact positions that are attributed to the development of “Tech Neck.” That’s not surprising. Recent research has also shown that even 15 degrees of forward head tilt can triple the weight of the head on the spine.
- "Tech Neck" is the term used to describe the symptoms of headaches, neck pain, and poor posture attributed to the forward head posture often associated with using your phone, tablet, and computer.
- Taking a break from our mobile devices every 15 minutes can help reduce the likelihood of developing recurring neck pain and headaches.
- Chiropractic care including adjustments and postural exercises can help decrease the pain and reverse the effects of "Tech Neck".
Keep it simple. Encourage your children to take regular movement breaks, stretch often, and develop healthy screen habits throughout the day. These small, consistent habits are some of the easiest ways to help prevent the posture and movement patterns that can contribute to “Tech Neck.” If your child begins experiencing recurring neck pain, headaches, or stiffness after spending long hours online, don’t ignore those signals. Our providers are experienced in evaluating growing bodies and creating personalized care plans that include pediatric nervous system support to encourage healthy movement, posture, and overall development. We’re here to help your family build lifelong habits that support healthy, active kids.
Common questions
The appropriate amount of screen time depends on a child’s age and individual needs. Most experts recommend balancing recreational screen time with regular physical activity, outdoor play, quality sleep, and face-to-face social interaction.
Yes. Spending long periods looking down at phones, tablets, or computers may contribute to poor posture, muscle tension, and movement restrictions over time. Encouraging frequent movement breaks and ergonomic habits can help reduce unnecessary strain.
Regular movement supports healthy muscle development, coordination, balance, cardiovascular health, and overall physical and emotional well-being. It also helps children develop lifelong healthy habits.
Many families choose chiropractic care as part of a proactive wellness approach. Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care may help support healthy movement, nervous system function, and overall physical development as children grow.
Parents often consider an evaluation if they notice changes in posture, recurring discomfort, sports-related injuries, movement concerns, or simply want to support their child’s overall health and development. Recommendations are always based on each child’s individual needs.
Help Your Child Build Healthy Habits for Life
Raising healthy, active children in today's digital world isn't about eliminating technology—it's about creating balance. Encouraging movement, limiting unnecessary screen time, supporting healthy posture, and developing consistent daily habits can make a meaningful difference in your child's overall well-being.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we're passionate about helping children and families build healthy foundations through every stage of growth and development. If you have questions about your child's posture, movement, or overall wellness, we're here to help.
Ready to take the next step? Get Started with Care and discover how we can support your family's health.
Get Started With CareWhy are Opioids so Dangerous?
It’s estimated that over 200 million opioid prescriptions are written each year. This use and abuse has led to an epidemic that’s been fueled by chronic pain. Opioids temporarily hide pain by attaching to receptors in the brain and boosting feelings of pleasure. Unfortunately, they do nothing to stimulate healing, leading to a pattern of pain, medications, more pain, and more medications. The good news is that there is a better way to find relief.
The Addictive Nature of Opioids
Opioids are in the same family of drugs as heroin, and some opioid medications are thought to be even more addictive. The temporary relief that they offer comes at a steep price. In lower doses, opioids can cause drowsiness or dizziness. In higher doses, they can cause your breathing and heart rate to slow down to dangerous levels. But the most dangerous aspect of opioids is the addiction rate of up to 30%.
- Opioids bind to the receptions in your nervous system that block pain and produce intense euphoria
- Tolerance on opioids can occur within a matter of days
- Withdrawal symptoms are severe and can lead to addiction
Nearly all the latest healthcare guidelines have stopped recommending opioids for non-cancer pain. In most cases, these drugs should not be taken for long-term chronic pain management. To find relief without these dangerous drugs, call us today. We’ll schedule a complete evaluation to discover the cause of your pain, then find ways to help you get back on your feet.
Finding Relief Without Opioids
There is no question that opioids are powerful pain killers. The problem is they are also highly addictive and don’t actually fix the cause of your pain. But, if you’re struggling with chronic pain, you may be curious what your best options are for care. How can you fix the cause of your pain, find lasting relief, and avoid these harmful medications?
Lasting Relief and Healing through Chiropractic
You may be surprised to discover the people who saw a chiropractor for spine pain had half the risk of filling an opioid prescription than those who didn’t. It’s not just that chiropractors don’t prescribe these dangerous medications. As time went on, people were not likely to fill an opioid prescription. That indicates the care provided by chiropractors helped people find enough relief that they no longer sought medications to find relief!
- Choosing chiropractic for spinal pain can reduce your risk of filling an opioid prescription by over 50%
- Masking spine pain with medications can possibly increase your risk of further injury
- Movement-based care helps the body heal and can improve your likelihood of finding long term relief
Opioids aren’t meant to treat chronic spinal pain. They don’t help your body heal and become less effective at stopping pain the longer you take them. Instead of building up a tolerance and putting yourself at risk for dependence, it’s a smart decision to explore other treatment options like non-invasive regenerative pain therapy. Call us today to schedule an evaluation so that we can create a personalized treatment plan for you! Our practice is proud to help our community find relief from pain without the need for drugs.
Exposing the Truth Behind Opioids
The truth will set you free. While much of the information about how the opioid epidemic is shocking, it’s important to understand how we got here. For example, when we first learned that 35 billion opioids (half of all the distributed pills) were handled by about 15% of pharmacies, it became clear that there was a network of “pill mills” that weren’t concerned about helping people actually find relief from their chronic pain.
A Dependence on Opioids
Chronic pain is a real issue for tens of millions of people each day. In many of these cases, the answer isn’t found in a pill but rather with a combination of movement-based treatments. Your body heals through motion. Taking medications may provide temporary relief, but they don’t address the cause of your pain.
Nearly everyone who takes opioids for an extended time becomes dependent. We think it’s a smart idea to avoid the risks.
- In 2016, over 91 million people used prescription opioids
- The rates of emergency department visits involving opioids more than tripled from 1999 to 2013
- Over 16 million people currently suffer from an opioid use disorder
In the 1990s, many healthcare providers were encouraged to prescribe opioids for pain management after aggressive marketing campaigns downplayed the risks of long-term use. As a result, these medications were often prescribed for mild to moderate pain and continued indefinitely without a clear plan for tapering. This combination contributed to the opioid epidemic we continue to face today. Fortunately, there are other options. The first step is understanding the facts about opioids and chronic pain. The next is exploring drug-free pain recovery approaches and connecting with a movement-based practice, like ours, to discover personalized strategies that support long-term health and function without relying solely on medication.
Taking a Stand Against Opioids
About 30 years ago, medicine had a shift in how they thought pain should be addressed. “Pain is a 5th vital sign” became a rallying cry, and new medications were created to block pain…at all costs. They now know that these medications created a never-before-seen healthcare epidemic. To begin with, the drugs weren’t very good at addressing chronic pain, and they require larger and larger doses to achieve an effect over time.
Don't Wait to Get Care
Taking a stand against opioids starts with our ability to help people find relief from chronic pain. Nearly all of our primary healthcare organizations have now advocated for a non-drug approach to care. And the data is clear–people are looking for solutions for chronic pain that extend beyond a prescription.
- The Centers for Disease Control (FDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and others have recommended a non-pharmacological approach to chronic pain should be the first line of treatment
- Over 40% of blogs relating to opioids are focused on people trying to find solutions "beyond the pill."
- Together, we can end the opioid crisis by breaking the cycle of chronic pain with natural and effective healthcare choices
Chronic pain is now understood to be a biopsychosocial condition, meaning it is influenced by a combination of physical, neurological, and lifestyle factors. Because no two people experience pain the same way, meaningful progress often begins with a thorough evaluation that considers your health history, goals, movement patterns, and the factors contributing to your symptoms.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we believe personalized, goal-oriented care provides the best foundation for long-term success. Your care plan may include chiropractic care, movement-based rehabilitation, and comprehensive pain recovery support tailored to your individual needs. By focusing on the underlying contributors to pain rather than simply masking symptoms, our goal is to help you move better, recover more confidently, and get back to the activities that matter most.
Common questions
Opioids are prescription medications that may be used to help manage moderate to severe pain in certain situations. They are typically intended for short-term use because long-term use may involve additional risks that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Depending on the cause of the pain, many people explore conservative approaches such as exercise, physical rehabilitation, chiropractic care, and other movement-based therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The most appropriate approach depends on your individual condition and healthcare needs.
Chiropractic care may be included as part of a personalized plan to support healthy movement, joint function, and overall physical wellness. Treatment recommendations are based on a thorough evaluation and each person’s unique health goals.
No. You should never stop taking a prescribed medication or change your dosage without first speaking with the healthcare professional who prescribed it. They can help you determine the safest approach for your situation.
If pain persists, continues to interfere with your daily activities, or keeps returning despite self-care, it’s a good idea to seek an appropriate evaluation to better understand the contributing factors and discuss your treatment options.
Explore a Conservative Path Forward
Living with ongoing pain can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and it's understandable to want relief as quickly as possible. While medications may play an important role in some treatment plans, many people are also looking for conservative, movement-based approaches that support long-term health and function.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we focus on personalized care designed to improve movement, support nervous system function, and help you better understand the factors contributing to your discomfort. If you're ready to explore a proactive approach to your health, we're here to help.
Ready to take the next step? Get Started with Care today.
Get Started With CareHow to Find Shoulder Pain Relief
Your shoulder is the most unstable and moveable joint in your body. Its wide range of motion occurs due to four primary muscles and their tendons, which together are called the rotator cuff. If your shoulder becomes inflamed or an impingement happens, you may make the mistake of trying to avoid using your arm to help it heal. It may surprise you to learn that not moving can actually contribute to more pain or even lead to a frozen shoulder. Controlled movement is one of the best ways to heal.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
The most common source of pain in the shoulder is the tendons. Your tendons attach the muscles of the shoulder to the bones. If a tendon becomes trapped, it can result in shoulder impingement. If a tendon becomes inflamed, you may hear it referred to as tendinitis or bursitis. And if a tendon becomes torn, you guessed it; you have a rotator cuff tear.
Your shoulder and spine work together. While they may seem like two completely different areas, research has shown that movement patterns and postural changes can play an important role in the development of shoulder discomfort. Maintaining healthy mobility throughout your shoulder, neck, and mid-back can help support better movement and reduce unnecessary strain. If you notice shoulder pain, stiffness, or restricted movement, contact us for a complete evaluation. We’ll work with you to create a personalized, movement-based plan that may include options such as recovery-focused soft tissue therapy to support healing, improve mobility, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
Your Hip vs. SI Joint: What's the Difference?
It can be extremely confusing to figure out the difference between hip and SI (sacroiliac) joint pain. But being able to identify which one is the culprit is crucial when you are looking to find relief. Your SI joint is the connection between your tailbone (sacrum) and your pelvis. The SI joint is very fibrous and only moves a few millimeters. On the other hand, your hip is much less stable and allows your entire leg to move in every plane of motion.
Similar Pain, Different Sources
While the hip and SI joints are very different in structure and function, they share similar pain patterns, making it difficult to tell one from the other. It’s common to have SI joint pain mimic low back pain. Bending backward usually aggravates SI joint pain due to the compression that happens in the joint as you move.
Hip pain is more likely to occur when you walk or if you try to bring your knees to your chest.
Suppose you’ve felt discomfort and aren’t exactly sure if it’s coming from your hip, SI joint, or low back. It’s important to work with a chiropractor who takes the time to provide a complete evaluation and personalized care plan. This is especially important because the hips and surrounding structures can experience changes over time, and focusing only on one area may overlook other factors contributing to your symptoms. At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to evaluation by looking at movement patterns, biomechanics, and how different areas of the body work together. This allows us to better understand your challenges and create a plan that may include supportive therapies such as laser-focused tissue recovery to help you pursue better movement and an improved quality of life.
Are You at Risk for Chronic Knee Pain?
Knees hurt? You’re not alone. Chronic knee pain is thought to affect up to 25% of adults and can significantly limit your mobility and quality of life. Your knee is a hinge-joint that primarily moves back and forth (flexion and extension) and allows some twisting or rotation. Every step you take places stress and strain on your knees, so it’s no surprise that trauma, misalignment, and degenerative changes can all take their toll.
Steps You Can Take to Reduce Knee Pain
While knee pain may not be entirely preventable, there are steps you can take to keep your knees as healthy as possible. At the top of the list is to watch your weight. For every pound you are overweight, your knee must absorb an extra 4 pounds of pressure when you walk, run or climb stairs. In addition, the cartilage in your knee is designed to last a lifetime if you take care of it.
The joints of your body should have a balance of strength and flexibility through their full range of motion. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people with back issues to find themselves struggling with knee pain after limping around for a few weeks. We encourage our patients to be proactive with their health. Use the strategies above to help reduce your chances of knee pain, and be sure to call our practice if you notice any pain or restricted motion.
Tennis Elbow? But I don't even play tennis!
Tennis elbow isn’t just for athletes. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are inflamed and overloaded due to repetitive motion. Because of the motion that occurs when swinging a racket, it’s commonly referred to as tennis elbow, but anyone who has a job that features repetitive arm motions may be at risk.
How to Reduce Tennis Elbow Pain
Tennis elbow can become a serious issue because of the pain and weakness that make it difficult to perform your daily tasks. Because it’s an injury caused by repetitive motions, and since many of these motions are essential to your job, finding ways to decrease the inflammation and improve biomechanics is critical.
Tennis elbow is often a condition that requires more than simply waiting for symptoms to disappear. Supporting recovery means understanding the factors contributing to your discomfort and creating a plan that addresses movement, strength, and overall function. At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we focus on two important components of care: personalized exercises that help strengthen supporting muscles and movement-based chiropractic care that may help improve joint mobility and function. Depending on your needs, your care plan may also include comprehensive injury recovery support to help address soft tissue stress, promote recovery, and support your return to the activities you enjoy. If you or someone you know has been struggling with tennis elbow, our team is here to help you explore your options and create a personalized path forward.
Common questions
Overuse injuries typically develop when repeated stress is placed on muscles, tendons, ligaments, or joints without enough time for recovery. Repetitive movements, improper technique, sudden increases in activity, and limited mobility can all contribute to overuse problems.
Common overuse injuries include conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, knee, and other areas of the body. Examples include tendon irritation, repetitive strain injuries, runner’s knee, tennis elbow, and other movement-related conditions.
Many overuse injuries improve with conservative approaches focused on restoring movement, reducing stress on affected areas, and addressing contributing factors. The appropriate approach depends on the severity of the injury and each person’s individual needs.
Preventing overuse injuries often involves maintaining proper movement patterns, gradually increasing activity levels, incorporating strength and flexibility exercises, and allowing your body adequate time to recover between activities.
Chiropractic care may support recovery from overuse injuries by focusing on movement, joint function, biomechanics, and overall physical wellness. A personalized evaluation can help determine which care options are appropriate for your goals.
Get Back to Doing What You Love
Overuse injuries can be frustrating, especially when they begin interfering with the activities, hobbies, and movements you enjoy most. Understanding what is contributing to your discomfort is an important first step toward creating a plan that supports recovery and long-term mobility.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we take a personalized approach to helping you move better, recover from injuries, and support your body's ability to stay active. Whether you're dealing with shoulder, elbow, knee, or other areas of recurring discomfort, our team is here to help you explore your options.
Ready to take the next step? Get Started with Care and begin your path toward better movement.
Get Started With CareWhat Type of Headache Do You Have?
Over 90% of people will have at least one headache in their life. For some, occasional headaches can turn into a daily occurrence that disturbs both work and hobbies. In many cases, headaches aren’t associated with a disease but are instead a result of your daily habits and actions. The most common triggers for a headache include stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, hunger, and caffeine withdrawal.
Tension, Sinus, and Migraine
Being aware of the type of headache you have and its triggers is the first step toward finding relief. Many neurological headache conditions can be influenced by a combination of physical and lifestyle factors, making it important to understand your unique symptom patterns. Stress is one of the most common contributors to headaches, and it’s important to remember that stress can be both mental and physical. Physical stress may include muscle tension in your shoulders, head, and neck caused by long hours at a computer, poor posture, or a lack of regular exercise.
Now you’ve identified the types of headaches you are usually affected by, you can begin taking proactive steps to reduce your risk. Getting enough rest and watching your caffeine intake is a good start. Research has also found that spinal adjustments are effective at reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. If you’ve been suffering from headaches, reach out to discover if we can help.
The Link Between Neck Pain and Headaches
Your head hurts. Could it be coming from your neck? You may be surprised to learn that neck pain and headaches are tightly linked together. A headache that starts from an issue in the neck is called a cervicogenic headache. A cervicogenic headache is characterized by a dull pain that radiates from the neck to the back of the head. At times it may spread around the side or front of your head.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are common if you spend long hours at the computer each day. Neck stiffness and tender muscles around your head and shoulders often come along with cervicogenic headaches because of the position that many of us sit in all day. The added stress and strain on your upper back and neck muscles can add up over time and begin to cause occasional headaches. Without taking proactive steps to address the cause of the issue, you may notice that the headaches become more frequent and intense.
Cervicogenic headaches are common among people who spend long hours at a computer each day. Neck stiffness and tender muscles around the head and shoulders often accompany these headaches because of prolonged sitting and sustained posture. Over time, the added stress and strain on the upper back and neck can contribute to recurring headaches. While posture is one potential factor, recognizing other underlying headache triggers can help you better understand why your symptoms occur and what steps you can take to reduce them. Without addressing the factors contributing to the problem, headaches may become more frequent or more intense over time.
- Cervicogenic headaches can begin due to tightness in the shoulders, a stiff neck, or poor posture
- Over 70% of people with cervicogenic headaches find significant relief with spinal adjustments
- Spinal adjustments can reduce the severity and frequency of headaches
To break the cycle of daily cervicogenic headaches, you need to address the underlying cause. Staying well hydrated (with water!), stretching at least every hour, and setting your workstation up ergonomically are all important to reduce your headache risk. If you still notice that headaches are bugging you, have pain, or limited neck range of motion, call us for a complete evaluation and plan of care to get well and stay well.
How to Get Rid of Daily Headaches
If you notice that your headaches are becoming more frequent and intense, it can be troubling. Daily headaches can make it challenging to have a high quality of life and can affect your work and home life. The good news is that many of the most common types of headaches can be reduced or even eliminated by changing just a few of your daily habits.
Stress and Tensions
Stress and tensions are two of the biggest triggers for tension headaches. Chronic headaches can cause your nervous system to become sensitized. That means each day it takes less “stimulus” to kickstart a headache. Sensitization can become a vicious cycle, especially if your days are filled with repetitive motions. One of the best ways to reset your system and decrease sensitization is through movement. Whether you prefer yoga, stretching, or massage, movement of your spine and body can ease the tensions associated with headaches.
- Dull, aching pain in the head and neck
- Pressure and tightness across the sides, front, and back of your head
- Tenderness in your shoulders, head, and neck
Movement and exercise are key to life and one of the most powerfully simple ways you can break a cascade of daily headaches. If you’re struggling to get moving because of the pain, let us know. We’re happy to work with you to develop a comprehensive plan to help you reduce the frequency and severity of your headaches starting today.
Headache Medications Cause Headaches
One of the primary side effects of many prevalent headache medications is, well…more headaches. That’s right; rebound headaches are caused by taking the same medications used to find relief. If that sounds bizarre, it is. Even taking medications more than just a few days may trigger overuse, or rebound, headaches.
Establish Healthy Habits
Taking care of yourself and creating healthy habits each day can prevent most headaches. If you find yourself reaching for over-the-counter pain medications more than once per week, you may be putting yourself at risk for rebound headaches. Most headache medications aren’t designed to be used frequently because they simply address the symptoms, not the cause of the problem. As you take medication, your body can become sensitized, meaning you need to take more medication to achieve the same result. This can lead to a downward spiral and cycle of chronic rebound headaches.
While medications may provide temporary symptom relief for some people, they don’t always address the factors contributing to recurring headaches. That’s why current healthcare approaches increasingly emphasize identifying the source of your symptoms and incorporating movement-based, conservative care when appropriate. At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, our approach includes nervous system-focused headache care designed to support healthy movement, improve nervous system function, and help you pursue long-term relief based on your individual needs. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to better understand their headaches and take meaningful steps toward living with fewer interruptions to daily life.
Common questions
Some of the most common headache classifications include tension headaches, migraines, cervicogenic headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Each has different characteristics, triggers, and potential contributing factors, making an accurate evaluation important.
While both involve head pain, migraines are complex neurological events that often include symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, visual disturbances, or dizziness. Understanding your specific symptoms can help determine which type of headache you may be experiencing.
If headaches become more frequent, increase in intensity, begin interfering with daily activities, or change significantly from your usual pattern, it’s important to seek an appropriate evaluation to better understand the underlying cause.
For some individuals, dysfunction involving the neck, muscles, joints, or surrounding structures may contribute to certain headache patterns. Because headaches can have many possible causes, a thorough evaluation is important to determine the most appropriate course of care.
Many people include chiropractic care as part of a personalized plan to support healthy movement, nervous system function, and overall wellness. The most appropriate care depends on the type of headache, your health history, and the contributing factors involved.
Find the Right Path Toward Headache Relief
Not all headaches are the same, and understanding the type of headache you're experiencing is an important first step toward finding appropriate care. If headaches are becoming more frequent, more severe, or interfering with your daily life, a personalized evaluation can help identify contributing factors and guide you toward the most appropriate care options.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to supporting people with recurring headaches by focusing on healthy movement, nervous system function, and individualized care plans.
Ready to take the next step? Get Started with Care and discover a personalized approach to better health.
Get Started With CareStaying Healthy as a Weekend Warrior
Millions of people participate in sports each weekend as a way to stay active and stay connected to their friends. Inevitably as we age, the likelihood of an unexpected injury creeps up; so how can you stay healthy as a weekend warrior? You may be surprised to learn that the proactive steps you take during the week to stay well will directly impact your ability to keep enjoying your weekend sports.
The Benefits of an Active Lifestyle
Weekend sports such as a softball game may last only a few hours. If you enjoy hiking or mountain biking, you may spend four to six hours being active each weekend. Either way, it’s a small fraction of the time compared to the number of hours you spend working throughout the week. That’s why taking proactive steps to support your health every day is so important. Stretching to improve mobility, strengthening to build support, and moving through your full range of motion can help you feel more energized while also reducing your risk of common sports overuse injuries that can develop over time.
- Weekend warriors have a 40% lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease
- At least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise is recommended each week
- Regular exercise during the week may help reduce your risk of injury on the weekends
Building a new health habit takes time. Using your smartwatch or a health app is a great way to receive reminders to get up and stretch and move your body. The small steps you take to maintain a balance of strength and flexibility will help you continue to enjoy your weekends. Getting older doesn’t mean you need to stop playing sports, but it does mean that you should be smart about your approach.
Why Pro Athletes Choose Chiropractic
For over 100 years, professional athletes of all kinds have used chiropractic care to recover, reduce their likelihood of injury, and even get an edge in performance. But what used to be a secret is now well-known, and chiropractic care is used by sports teams from high school right up through the pros. Historically, the medical staff of pro sports teams have been focused on helping athletes recover from injuries rather than finding ways to improve their performance (that was left to the coaches). Chiropractors provide a unique bridge between the player, coach, and medical team by focusing on injury prevention, mobility, and performance.
Improving Performance through Chiropractic
Pro sports are big businesses, and athletes, coaches, and owners always maximize their talent. What began as a way to reduce injuries has advanced into a way to improve performance. New research shows how spinal adjustments can influence the brain, spinal cord, and even muscle strength. Here are three exciting findings from the research.
- Motor control and movement patterns can be influenced by receiving a spinal adjustment
- Spinal adjustments can alter how you process pain
- Increases in muscle strength have been found after a spinal adjustment
Pro athletes choose chiropractic for many different reasons. For some, it’s the mobility-focused sports recovery, while others are looking for a performance edge. No matter what drives an athlete to seek out a chiropractor’s expertise, one thing is for sure: the use of chiropractic care in competitive athletics is here to stay.
Can an Adjustment Help My Athletic Performance?
You may have heard that chiropractic care can help improve your athletic performance. Is it true? The truth is that many athletes work with chiropractors to improve their performance. Chiropractors unique outlook on health and well-being is a perfect match for athletes and people looking to stay active. To perform at your highest level, you need to optimize your body’s structure and function.
The Competitive Edge
Sports keep getting more competitive. Even a slight edge can make the difference between success and failure. Athletes of all ages are always looking for a natural advantage that can help improve their performance. Exciting new research has shown that spinal adjustments can influence muscle strength, balance, and endurance.
- Pain can reduce your strength, balance, and endurance
- Spinal adjustments can improve joint and tissue motion
- Chiropractic patients have been found to have improved strength and endurance
Proactively working with a chiropractor—whether you’re currently in pain or simply looking to perform at your best—is a smart investment for athletes of all ability levels. Assessing movement patterns, providing gentle sports chiropractic adjustments, and developing personalized at-home exercise recommendations are just a few of the ways chiropractic care can support healthy movement, nervous system function, and overall athletic performance.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Sports Injuries
As an athlete, there is nothing worse than being sidelined with an injury. Many athletes report that recovery’s mental aspects are just as hard, if not harder, than the physical recovery. With the proper plan of action, many sports injuries can be prevented. Improper training, incorrect stretching routines, and a lack of a good warm-up can lead to an increased likelihood of sprains, strains, and muscle injuries.
Create a Fitness Plan
Developing a fitness plan that includes dynamic stretching, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise can help reduce your risk of injury. Each aspect of your plan relies on healthy movement, or biomechanics—the way your muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments work together to produce efficient motion. Maintaining good biomechanics is essential for staying active and performing at your best. When movement patterns become altered, your body often compensates by placing additional stress on other joints and tissues, which can contribute to sports-related structural strain, increasing the likelihood of pain, injury, and long-term wear over time.
- Take time to move through your bodies full range of motion each day
- Alternative training different muscles groups every other day
- Schedule periodic movement assessments to improve your biomechanics
Movement assessments are an essential part of every chiropractic evaluation. Chiropractors are trained to carefully examine your biomechanics and provide both passive and active ways to improve them. No two people move the same, which is why having a qualified healthcare professional analyze your movement is so important. By identifying altered biomechanics before you have pain and discomfort, you may not only be able to reduce your risk of injury but maybe even improve your performance.
Common questions
Sports chiropractic care focuses on supporting the needs of active individuals by addressing movement, mobility, and overall physical function. Care is personalized based on your activity level, goals, and any areas of concern.
While no approach can guarantee injury prevention, chiropractic care may help support healthy movement patterns, mobility, and body awareness, which are important factors for staying active and reducing unnecessary strain.
No. Sports care is not only for professional athletes. Weekend warriors, recreational athletes, and anyone who enjoys staying active can benefit from personalized strategies that support movement and recovery.
Sports chiropractic care may support people participating in a wide range of activities, including running, cycling, weight training, hiking, recreational sports, and other forms of exercise.
Recovery involves many factors, including proper movement, rest, nutrition, and addressing areas of stress or discomfort. A personalized care plan can help support your body’s ability to recover and stay active.
Keep Doing What You Love With the Right Support
Being active is one of the best things you can do for your health, but staying consistent requires more than motivation—it requires taking care of your body along the way. Whether you're dealing with recurring discomfort, recovering from an injury, or simply looking for ways to support your active lifestyle, personalized care can help you stay on track.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we help active individuals support healthy movement, mobility, and overall wellness through care tailored to their unique goals.
Ready to keep moving toward your health and fitness goals? Get started with care today.
Get Started With CareWhat Causes Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is the number one reason people worldwide visit their doctor and miss work. If you’ve dealt with it in the past (or maybe even right now), you know back pain can change your life in an instant. Not being able to enjoy hobbies, difficulty in your ability to work, and a sneaking suspicion that you may never get “back to normal” are all normal when you’re experiencing a bout of back pain. So why do so many people struggle with back pain?
Habits, Stress, and Injuries
In many cases, your daily habits are a big contributor to your back pain. Repetitive stress, nagging injuries, a diet filled with inflammatory foods, and a lack of daily exercise and movement can contribute to an increased likelihood of back pain. Here are the three most common causes of back pain.
For more than 80% of us, back pain will be something we experience at some point in our lives. While it may feel like you’ll never get back to your old self, most people improve naturally or with a little additional help from a chiropractor. However, if you’re experiencing persistent lower back dysfunction or recurring episodes that continue to interfere with work, exercise, or everyday activities, it’s important to understand what may be contributing to those symptoms. Even if your pain improves after a few days of rest, a chiropractic evaluation can help identify practical steps to support healthy movement and reduce your risk of future flare-ups.
How to Move Your Way to Back Pain Relief
Movement is one of the best ways to recover from back pain. Science has shown us that medications and rest are a few of the least effective ways to find relief. Your body is designed to move, and often it’s a lack of daily movement (or chronic postural changes) that causes back pain to begin in the first place.
Discovering the right movements and exercises can help you recover more quickly and prevent future back pain episodes.
Movement is Critical
Your body has three types of movements: Segmental, regional, and whole body. Segmental motion occurs between the individual joints of your body. Regional movement occurs in a body region such as your neck, mid-back, or low back. And whole-body movement is typically what we think of as exercise. All three types are essential and work together to keep your spine and musculoskeletal system healthy and functioning at its best.
The foundation of all movement is segmental. If your joints aren’t moving correctly, then you’ll never be able to optimize your regional or whole-body movement. Moving may be the last thing you want to do if you’re struggling with back pain. But top research organizations have proven that proper movement and exercise are two of the best ways to find relief from back pain. If you’ve dealt with back pain, call us today. Our team will be happy to provide you with a complete movement assessment and personalized movement and exercise plan to help you get (and stay) well for years to come.
Is My Leg Pain Coming from My Back?
It may seem weird to think that leg, calf, or foot pain can often be traced back to a low back problem. But if you’ve had pain in your leg or foot, a pinched nerve in your low back may be creating your issue. Pain that travels along a spinal nerve is called radicular pain, and it’s one of the most common types of pain that occurs as a result of spinal nerve compression.
How Spinal Nerves Affect Leg Pain
Your spinal nerves can become compressed by bone, discs, or ligaments. Facet hypertrophy, or bone spurs, may grow large enough to narrow the spaces where spinal nerves travel. Likewise, disc bulges or herniations can contribute to spinal disc-related structural stress, reducing the available space around nearby nerves and leading to pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates into the leg. Ligaments can also thicken over time or following injury, further contributing to nerve compression. Whether the source is bone, disc, or ligament, many people respond well to conservative, movement-focused care without the need for drugs or surgery.
Leg pain that begins in your low back can start with an injury or for what seems like no reason at all. Either way, your body is telling you to Pay Attention Inside Now! Every day our practice helps people regain their quality of life from compressed nerves. Reducing inflammation, establishing proper motion to your joints, and taking proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of the pain coming back are all part of our care plans. If you’ve felt leg pain, give us a call today.
Why Medications Aren't Recommended for Low Back Pain
A staggering 100,000 people each year are hospitalized due to NSAIDs. Just because these medications can be purchased over the counter doesn’t mean that they don’t have risks and dangers. Leading healthcare organizations have taken note and now recommend that movement-based care options, such as chiropractic, are explored for most low back issues before any medications. The added benefit is that most people who explore chiropractic care take far fewer medications than those who don’t. Why? Because it works.
An Alternative to Medications
Over the past twenty years, we’ve seen the effects of low back pain change our healthcare landscape forever. The numbers of people with low back pain have remained the same even as we’ve lost millions to the opioid epidemic and hundreds of thousands more due to complications from NSAIDs. The good news is that major healthcare organizations have updated their guidelines, and the care that chiropractors deliver ranks at the top of nearly every list.
- Over 100,000 people are hospitalized each year from NSAID related complications.
- Each day, over 100 people pass away due to Opioid overdoses.
- Leading healthcare organizations now recommend the care delivered by chiropractors as the best first-line treatment for low back pain.
While medications may temporarily reduce discomfort, they aren’t designed to address the underlying factors contributing to ongoing low back pain. Understanding why your symptoms developed is the first step toward creating a recovery plan that supports lasting improvements in movement and function.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, every care plan begins with a thorough evaluation to better understand the source of your symptoms and your individual health goals. Depending on your needs, your personalized plan may include chiropractic care, movement-based rehabilitation, and advanced recovery-focused therapy to help support healing, improve mobility, and keep you doing the activities you enjoy. If you or someone you know is struggling with persistent low back pain, we’d be happy to help you explore your options.
Find Relief to Your Low Back Pain
Schedule a complimentary consulation to see how we can help relieve your low back pain.
Begin Low Back Recovery CareWhiplash:
The Symptoms You Need to Know
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward. It’s the most common injury that happens during an automobile accident, and it’s one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain. While a little fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research has shown that even small accidents can result in significant injuries.
The violent forces involved in an auto accident can affect the spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones—even during collisions that occur at relatively low speeds. Many of these injuries happen because the head is suddenly forced backward and forward, placing significant stress on the neck and upper spine. This rapid motion can contribute to ligament injuries, spinal disc damage, and a variety of post-accident neurological and structural symptoms, including neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and other changes that may not appear immediately. Because adrenaline surges following a collision, it is common for symptoms to take hours or even several days to become noticeable after the initial shock has worn off.
- Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and facet joints
- There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms become worse
- Symptoms of whiplash include neck or back pain, headache, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping
It’s smart to get a complete evaluation after an auto accident to minimize your risk of long-term pain. Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly and avoid long-term chronic pain. Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you’ve been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the relief road.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, or confusion—none of which sound like a good time. So if you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long these symptoms are going to last. The good news is that with a proper evaluation and early treatment, you have a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks.
Ligament Tearing
One of the most common injuries associated with whiplash is ligament tearing. Ligaments are short, tough bands of connective tissue that hold together the bones in your neck and joints of your body. If these ligaments are torn, it can cause neck pain. The average time it takes a ligament to heal is about six weeks with the proper care and treatment. If you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or memory issues, you may have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A majority of people with a mild TBI recover within three months.
- Whiplash injuries frequently cause tearing of the ligaments that support proper spinal motion and stability
- The acute inflammatory phase of injury lasts up to 72 hours, the repair phase takes up to 6 weeks, and the remodeling phase of healing can last up to a year
- A non-healed ligament injury can result in osteoarthritis
After an accident, the most important step you can take is to receive a full evaluation. Only after a complete evaluation will you be able to know what type of injuries you’ve sustained, and, most importantly, how to get well. You would be surprised at how many people shrug off a “small” accident and push their symptoms aside. While that may save you a little time today, it’s likely to result in much more pain down the road.
Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident: What Does it Mean?
You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries are some of the most common challenges after a car accident, in addition to whiplash. If you are the driver and have your hands on the wheels at the time of the crash, the sudden force created by the accident can lead to a torn rotator cuff. Your shoulder is one of the most complex parts of your body and is made up of a collection of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
The Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons work together to help you lift and rotate your arm while providing stability during movement. Because the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, it is also more susceptible to injury during a car accident. Signs of a rotator cuff injury may include pain when lifting your arm, weakness, discomfort when lying on the affected side, or a limited range of motion. In some cases, however, similar arm or shoulder symptoms may actually be related to post-traumatic spinal disc dysfunction, particularly when a neck injury affects the nerves that travel into the shoulder and arm.
- Shoulder impingement (the pinching or rubbing together of tissues inside a joint) has been estimated to occur in up to 10% of people involved in car accidents
- The shoulder is one of the most complex, dynamic, and unstable joints in the body, with a complex network of bones, ligaments, and muscles
- The risk of neck or shoulder pain seven years after a collision was three times higher for patients with initial whiplash injuries than those without
Ignoring a shoulder injury after a car accident is rarely a good idea. Your shoulder is designed to move, and avoiding movement for too long can increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. This condition occurs when the shoulder becomes increasingly stiff as adhesions develop, often resulting in significant discomfort and a lengthy recovery. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after an accident, early evaluation and appropriate care can make a meaningful difference. Our team can develop a personalized recovery plan—including therapies designed to restore post-accident mobility and movement—so you can recover safely and return to your normal activities with confidence.
Finding Relief After a Car Accident without Drugs or Surgery
Screech! Bam! Uh-oh! You’ve been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing through your head. If you don’t feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem. But waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances that you’ll need more aggressive interventions. Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can make a huge difference in your overall health and healing. With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc., it’s not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and well-being last on their to-do list.
Don't Wait to Get Care
The problem is that the longer you wait to get evaluated and receive care, the higher your likelihood becomes of needing more aggressive medical care. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to “heal” with more scar tissue than necessary. You may also try to live “around” your injuries, which can cause additional stress and compensation on other parts of your body and lead to additional injuries. Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobilizing exercises, and strengthening can effectively reduce pain. To give yourself the best chance to find relief without the need for drugs or surgery, we recommend three simple steps.
Next Steps
Recovering after a car accident is about more than simply waiting for pain to fade—it’s about helping your body regain healthy movement, function, and resilience. Every collision affects people differently, which is why a personalized evaluation is an important first step toward understanding your injuries and determining the most appropriate path forward.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we combine movement-based rehabilitation with individualized approaches such as upper cervical accident recovery care to support healthy nervous system function, improve mobility, and encourage long-term recovery. Whether your symptoms began immediately or developed days after your accident, taking action early can help you return to the activities you enjoy with greater confidence.
By focusing on evaluation, personalized care, and consistency, you’ll give your body the best opportunity to recover and support your long-term health.
Common questions
Even low-speed collisions can place unexpected forces on the body. Some symptoms may not appear immediately, so it’s important to monitor how you feel in the hours and days following an accident and seek appropriate evaluation if symptoms develop.
Your body’s initial response to a collision can temporarily mask discomfort through the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones. As those effects wear off, symptoms such as stiffness, headaches, soreness, or reduced mobility may become more noticeable.
Common symptoms may include neck pain, back pain, headaches, shoulder discomfort, dizziness, stiffness, numbness, tingling, or reduced range of motion. Every person’s experience is different, and symptoms can vary depending on the nature of the collision.
Many people include chiropractic care as part of a comprehensive recovery plan after a car accident. Personalized care may help support healthy movement, joint function, and overall recovery based on each individual’s injuries and symptoms.
If you experience persistent discomfort, worsening symptoms, limited mobility, or neurological symptoms after a collision, it’s important to seek an appropriate medical evaluation as soon as possible. Early assessment can help identify injuries and guide your recovery plan.
Don't Ignore the Effects of an Accident
Even a seemingly minor car accident can leave your body dealing with stress that isn't always immediately noticeable. If you're experiencing ongoing neck pain, headaches, stiffness, reduced mobility, or other symptoms after a collision, a personalized evaluation can help you better understand your options and develop a plan that supports your recovery.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we focus on helping patients recover through individualized, recovery-focused care designed around their unique injuries, symptoms, and health goals.
Ready to take the next step? Get started with care today.
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