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Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in Blog, Chiropractic Care. No Comments on Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a health issue for 100 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Two-thirds of these people suffer from moderate to severe pain that interferes with their daily lives. In addition leaving you feeling foggy and disconnected, pain medications often interfere or create additional health issues. This is why more and more people turn to chiropractic care for chronic pain.

Chiropractic care for chronic pain is effective

What is Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain?

Acute pain is normal for injuries and soft tissue damage. This type of pain lessens and disappears as the underlying cause heals. Chronic pain is very different from acute pain. Chronic pain often last for months or throughout your lifetime. Moderate to debilitating chronic pain characterizes diseases such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, spinal stenosis, migraines and many other health conditions. Old injuries and aging can also result in chronic pain. Other times, the origin of the pain isn’t known. However, chronic pain prevents sufferers from participating in many day-to-day activities that most of us take for granted.

Chiropractic Care for Chronic Pain

Many studies, including one funded by NIH, have shown that chiropractic treatment is effective for pain management. Due to extensive musculoskeletal training, a chiropractor can identify abnormal movement patterns and irregular functions. A treatment plan for chronic pain goes beyond manual adjustments to correct misalignment. Chiropractic care for chronic pain is a customized program that may include regular treatments, exercises, supplements and nutrition. Because the treatment plan is tailored for your condition, it also addresses nerve, muscle and organ dysfunction to reduce and manage chronic pain. For more information on how chiropractic care for chronic pain, read our article, “Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Care”.

Living with Chronic Pain

Foods play a major role in chronic pain. Some foods exacerbate pain, and others have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain. Staying hydrated and following a diet free of processed and “trigger” foods can help manage chronic pain. At Serenity Health, we’ve found that leafy greens, asparagus, low-sugar fruits and soy products often help reduce inflammation that leads to pain. Foods that can instigate inflammation include dairy, chocolate, wheat, tomatoes, red wine, coffee and soda.

If you face daily pain, it’s time to improve your quality of life. Contact Serenity Health for a customized plan for chronic pain. You can manage your pain and return to the life you once knew.

Heel Pain Relief…Understanding Plantar Fasciitis

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in Blog, Chiropractic Care. No Comments on Heel Pain Relief…Understanding Plantar Fasciitis

By: Heather King, DC

Plantar fasciitis or “heel pain syndrome” affects nearly 2 million people!  Plantar fasciitis is inflammation and pain in the band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes, and forms the arch of the foot.  It can come on slowly over time or be a sudden sharp pain.  It can affect one foot or possibly both, and it can develop in both runners and non-runners.

Relief from Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)
Relief from Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain)

My patients that suffer from plantar fasciitis often describe the pain as being more intense first thing in the morning after they have been off their feet for an extended period of time.  Pain may lessen somewhat after movement but doesn’t completely go away. It is important to have a proper diagnosis to determine the source of your heel pain. Treatment options can vary.  Most common choices are injections, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, chiropractic treatment, splinting and physical therapy for those suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Chiropractic treatment consists of restoring normal joint mechanics followed by stretching and sometimes the use of modalities such as ultrasound. An article published in Dynamic Chiropractic in March 2000, states that adjustments of the foot and ankle joints with emphasis on the subtalar joint (calcaneus or heel bone) proves to be most useful in combination with other therapies to treat plantar fasciitis.

Recovery from plantar fasciitis is slow and on average, it takes 6-9 months to fully recover and be pain free.  Unfortunately, for some individuals it can be a life long struggle to control and continued or regular therapy is needed.

We can help relieve your pain and put you on the road to recovery and/or managing this syndrome! Take action today so you can return to the lifestyle you enjoy.

Schedule an appointment with me to discuss your heal pain by calling Serenity Health Care Center at 262-522-8640.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes Offers Multiple Benefits

Written by Dr. Debra Muth on . Posted in Chiropractic Care. No Comments on Chiropractic Care for Athletes Offers Multiple Benefits

Sports are a huge part of everyday life for many people. Even if you don’t play sports, you’re probably related to or know someone who does. We’re in awe of how they push their bodies to a higher level to excel in football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics and more. Athletes battle a lot of injuries in the rough and tumble world of sports. Left untreated, these injuries can haunt them throughout their life. Chiropractic care for athletes is a must.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes Speeds Recovery
Chiropractic Care for Athletes Speeds Recovery

How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, it’s an old knee injury from high school football,” as they limp along beside you. Chiropractic care for athletes helps them recover faster and more completely from injuries. Plus, it also helps athletes improve their game. Here’s how.

  1. Structural asymmetry. Many people have a structural problem in their body alignment. For example, a turned-in foot can stress many other areas of the body. An awkward movement pattern not only leads to extra wear and tear on the body, but it can lead to early arthritis. Hard hits and repetitive motions from sports add to the stress. Chiropractic care for athletes corrects asymmetry and help keep athletes on top of their game and health.
  2. Range of motion. Whether you participate in an endurance or high-impact sport, chiropractic adjustments can help your performance. Adjustments reduce irritation of the nerve roots, which allows minor injuries and strains to heal faster. In addition, adjustments improve blood flow, range of motion, and flexibility. The bottom line is that athletes enjoy a better game with less pain.
  3. Avoid injuries. While there’s no way to prevent athletes in high-contact sports from all injuries, chiropractic care for athletes can help reduce injuries and speed healing. Spinal injuries and/or misalignment can reduce strength, slow reflexes, and restrict motion—and puts you at high risk for injury. Chiropractic adjustments can correct alignment and reduce your risk. Treating injuries when they happen can also make a difference in complete healing. It all adds up to more playing time with improved performance.

Professional athletes know that it’s not only important to see a chiropractor after an injury, but it’s important to incorporate chiropractic care into their game plan. Read our article, “Your Athlete and Chiropractic Care” to learn about famous athletes who rely on chiropractic care. But, chiropractic care isn’t just for professional adult athletes. It’s a must for younger and weekend athletes to help prevent “old sports injuries” from haunting them throughout their life. Is it time to add chiropractic care for athletes to your game plan?

Schedule a consult with Serenity Health Care to learn more about chiropractic care for athletes.