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Among people seeking back pain relief alternatives, most choose chiropractic treatment. About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually. Of these, 7.7 million, or 35%, are seeking relief from back pain from various causes, including accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains. Other complaints include pain in the neck, arms, and legs, and headaches.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the science and art of restoring and maintaining health by removing nerve interference within the body, allowing health to be regained naturally, without the use of drugs and surgery. The chiropractor removes nerve interference by physically “adjusting” specific areas of the spine to restore it’s correct, normal positioning.

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The Living Miracle

To better understand how chiropractic can help maintain the natural state of good health, a brief and simplified explanation of how the spine and nervous system work is necessary. Every health and medical manual will tell you that the nervous system is the master control system of the human body. Your NERVOUS SYSTEM consists of 3 things:

  • Brain
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Nerves

(they lead to all your organs and muscles)

Your incredible BRAIN controls every single function by sending and receiving billions of nerve signals along the SPINAL NERVES leading from your SPINAL CORD to all your organs and muscles. It also controls your immune system which fights disease and keeps the germs away.

The nervous system is so vital to overall health that is it encased in a protective bony structure. Your BRAIN, which is protected by your SKULL, connects to your SPINAL CORD, which is protected by your SPINE.

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Your spine is made up of 24 movable “vertebrae”. Between each vertebra are a pair of spinal nerves which branch off the cord, go out into the body, and attach to your vital parts.

When the spine is in it’s proper position the nerves are protected and optimal communication (nerve transmission) exists between the brain and the rest of the body. This is when the body is at it’s highest state of health.

BUT…
The Problem
The nervous system is sensitive to interference, especially at it’s protecting structure- the spinal column. The vertebrae are seriously affected by certain stresses which can distort their positioning- causing twists, bends, and kinks which pull, strain, and put direct pressure on these delicate nerves. Any physical, chemical, or emotional stress- which is too great for the body to adapt to, will cause spinal nerve interference or VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION:

  • PHYSICAL STRESS can range from whiplash trauma to sitting at your desk day after day with your head turned to the same side. The birth process itself can exert 40 – 60 lbs. of pressure on a baby’s spine.
  • CHEMICAL STRESS is anything from eating too much sugar and preservatives to breathing environmental pollutants. This upsets the body’s chemistry which disrupts the muscles’ and ligaments’ tone- resulting in nerve interference
  • MENTAL-STRESS is something everyone has experienced in either tense or emotional situations, or in everyday living. Mental stress causes the ligaments and muscles to tighten resulting in nerve interference.

The SUBLUXATION is often in the form of decreased or weaker nerve flow and, in turn, causes malfunctioning within the body- If a nerve is irritated at the spine, the organ at the other end will not function properly.

THIS is exactly what reduces the body’s natural ability to heal. And it is this VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION, specifically, which the Doctor of Chiropractic addresses…

He or she FINDS the problem and REMOVES the problem; allowing the the body to regain the level of health and happiness we were all born to express.

VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION is present in people of all ages- Studies estimate that as many as 90% of all persons have some form of vertebral subluxation. Less than 15% of all nerve interference is accompanied by pain or symptoms- so it is often the case that our health is being seriously affected without us ever being aware of it. The exact criteria that chiropractors go by in their examination of the body, such as posture checks and X-ray evaluation, are the subtle signs that everyday people are not usually aware of- and these are the clues which allow for vital, early detection of VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION.

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Acupuncture may help reduce stress and ease pain associated with certain conditions and help with many other health problems. Take a few days to learn about acupuncture, where to find an acupuncture practitioner, what the first experience is like, and what it can do for you.

Intro to Acupuncture

During acupuncture very thin needles are lightly inserted into your skin. Acupuncture has been studied for its benefits with many types of pain. Acupuncturists believe it corrects energy imbalances in the body.

Western doctors believe it stimulates natural chemicals in your body called endorphins that block pain signals.

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Acupuncture Appts.

Here’s what a first acupuncture visit is typically like.

A licensed acupuncturist:

  • 1 Examines you and asks about your health history
  • 2 Searches for blocked energy. This may occur by taking your pulse, examining your tongue, and looking at your skin and eyes.
  • 3 Uses established landmarks to determine the placement of very thin needles
  • 4 Quickly taps the needles into your skin

Some people feel slight pressure, but most feel no pain from the needles. The area may tingle, feel numb, itch, or be a little sore.

Treatment lasts 30 minutes to over an hour or more. You may need as few as 10 treatments many more over several months.

Acupuncture Uses

Acupuncture may be a useful treatment for many pain-related conditions, including:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headache
  • Low back pain
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Myofascial pain
  • Osteoarthritis (especially of the knee)
  • Tennis elbow
  • Weight Loss and Fertility

There are other conditions for which acupuncture may be useful:

  • Nausea
  • Sleep problems
  • Digestive issues
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Acupuncture may be an alternative to, or may be included in, a comprehensive pain management program. Ask your doctor whether it’s right for you.

Source: WebMD “Consider Acupuncture”

Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, if you need or want a massage, you can choose from among 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. These all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Sometimes, even forearms, elbows, or feet are used.

According to a 2007 American Massage Therapy Association survey, almost a quarter of all adult Americans had at least one massage in the previous year. And, they have a wide range of reasons for doing so. More and more people — especially baby boomers — recognize the health benefits of massage. They choose from among many massage styles to get relief from symptoms or to heal injuries, to help with certain health conditions, and to promote overall wellness.

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Which Massage Styles Are Best?

You may have noticed that different massage styles are popular at different times. And you may have wondered whether each was just part of a passing fad or the latest, greatest massage technique? Even more important is how can you tell whether the latest style will actually help you?

Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Some massage therapists use oils and lotions; others do not. Most massage therapists have clients unclothe for a massage, but some do not. A massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Before you can decide which massage style is best for you, you need to ask yourself a question. Do you simply want a massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition? Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you’re looking for and ask which style the therapist uses. Many use more than one style. Or the therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.

What follows is a list of some of the more popular massage therapy styles. The first four are especially popular.

Swedish Massage

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.

The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:

  • Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
  • Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
  • Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
  • Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand

Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.

Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.

Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training — before, during, or after sports events. You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury.

Ever gone to a county fair, music festival, or conference and envied other people getting chair massages? Passed by the chair massage section in an airport? Or, maybe you’re lucky enough to work at a company that offers 15- to 20-minute massages as a regular benefit. Onsite, chair massages are done while you’re seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.

In Japanese, shiatsu means “finger pressure.” For shiatsu massage, the therapist uses varied, rhythmic pressure on certain precise points of the body. These points are called acupressure points, and they are believed to be important for the flow of the body’s vital energy, called chi. Proponents say shiatsu massage can help relieve blockages at these acupressure points.

During a Thai massage, the therapist uses his or her body to move the client into a variety of positions. This type of massage includes compression of muscles, mobilization of joints, and acupressure.

For this kind of massage, the therapist places warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. The stones may be used as massage tools or be temporarily left in place. Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.

Reflexology uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is expected to promote health and well-being.

During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited. Using specially designed massage pillows, the massage therapist will help get you into a comfortable position for this type of massage.

What Are the Health Benefits of Massage?

Many types of massage offer benefits beyond simple relaxation. Here are just a few of the health problems that may benefit from massage. Ask your doctor before using massage for any health condition, though

  • Back pain: More than one study has shown the effectiveness of massage therapy for back pain. In fact, one 2003 study showed it worked better than acupuncture or spinal modification for persistent low back pain — reducing the need for painkillers by 36%.
  • Headache: Another type of pain — headache — also responds to massage therapy, as shown by more than one study. Massage therapy can reduce the number of migraines a person has and also improve sleep.
  • Osteoarthritis: In the first clinical trial looking at the effectiveness of Swedish massage for knee osteoarthritis, participants who received a one-hour massage either one or two times a week had improvements in pain, stiffness, and function. The control group had no such change.
  • Cancer: Used as a complement to traditional, Western medicine, massage can promote relaxation and reduce cancer symptoms or side effects of treatment. It may help reduce pain, swelling, fatigue, nausea, or depression, for example, or improve the function of your immune system.
  • Anxiety: A review of more than 12 studies shows that massage helps relieve depression and anxiety. It lowered levels of cortisol by up to 50%. And massage increased levels of neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.

Frequently Asked Questions

– 25 years in clinical practice

– Dr Heller has consistently produced excellent results in people from all walks including numerous professional athletes, Broadway dancers and choreographers, fellow doctors, police officers, fire fighters, mommies, teachers, kids, and clergy.

Chiropractors have the lowest insurance of all healthcare practitioners. Not only is chiropractic safe, but it’s one of the safest procedures delivered by doctors.

Yes, for 20 years

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Yes, for 20 years

Yes, for 20 years

I can and I have.

Centers who specialize in life changing diet plans and who are not necessarily affiliated with chiropractic offices have begun to include regular chiropractic visits as part of their success plan.

A double blind study conducted in the 90’s with HIV and AIDS patients showed a 48% increase in immune system cells in the chiropractic group after 16 weeks of care.