Chiropractic Care: Then & Now
An explanation of the full history of chiropractic and manipulation would be difficult to provide in a brief blog post. However, to have some insight into the philosophy and evolution of chiropractic care is helpful, and hopefully entertaining for many people in order to expand awareness of the profession.
The first manipulations occurred well before the first known writings/recordings of its use. The reasons for manipulation, as well as many medical procedures, have been continuously founded on a balance of science and art. Ancient cultures have utilized various forms of pharmaceuticals, surgery, manipulation, and physiotherapy in whichever ways their environments allowed and influenced them. These treatments and more grew into their own specialties, not to define between right and wrong, but to allow individuals to excel in their practice and provide others with quality care.
Chiropractic is a specialty that most commonly utilizes manipulation, later defined as the “chiropractic adjustment” to treat neuromusculoskeletal concerns. D.D. Palmer is credited to have first defined the techniques and profession of chiropractic. However, even his language and philosophies have evolved with new findings in science and a changing focus on healthcare in our culture. A concept defined by D.D. Palmer that is still a cornerstone in chiropractic care today is understanding the relationship of structure and function of the body and its influence on a person’s state of health.
The education of all professions, especially in the healthcare industry, has advanced to delineated requirements of study, testing, licensing, and practice. All doctors of chiropractic in North America, regardless of philosophy, are qualified as portal-of-entry physicians. With this role, they have a responsibility to determine if chiropractic care is the best option for a patient or if a referral to another health practitioner is of more benefit.
At East End Chiropractic we look to provide our patients with quality care. Our goal is to determine an applicable diagnosis with the aid of a thorough examination, functional assessment findings, and appropriate imaging. Taking into account patient goals and realistic recovery patterns of the human body, we look to define a treatment plan utilizing chiropractic adjustments and adjunctive therapies, such as soft tissue work, passive modalities, and exercise prescription, while respecting our state defined scope of practice.
Gardening Ergonomics: Stay injury free this spring
Sprucing up the garden is a mentally therapeutic activity that can be tasking on the body physically. Proper ergonomics help prevent serious issues from occurring, so you do not miss out on the spring season! It is important to be organized, warm up, and utilize the right tools to maximize injury prevention.
GET ORGANIZED: Have everything ready before diving into the the flower beds. Make sure you have your tools organized and a plan to navigate through the gardens.
- Tool Organizer: Keep large tools organized in a tool stand, umbrella holder, or golf bag! This will keep tools from getting tangled or having to bend over to pick them up off the ground. Keep smaller tools in a bin with wheels to make it easier to roll them around the whole yard.
- Step stool: If you are planning to do work on plants that are larger and grow above your waist, use a step stool. Do not raise tools overhead. Try to keep all your work around waist height.
WARM UP: Be sure to prepare yourself for physical activity. Active stretches are the best way to mobilize joints!
- WINDMILLS: Extend your arms out to your sides. Rotate one arm clockwise and the other counterclockwise. This will encourage shoulder mobility, thoracic extension, and relieve tension through chest.
- SIDE LUNGES: Stand with your feet spread apart. Lean toward the right by bending the knee and straightening the left. Switch sides and repeat. This will increase hip mobility!
ERGONOMICS: Utilize tools that work best for you!
- Tools with longer handles make it easier to reach areas in the garden without putting stress on the back.
- Hand tools with a wider grip will decrease the tension in the hands to manage smaller, tedious tasks.
POSTURE: Make sure to move your body around properly to avoid excess strain and prevent injury.
- One Knee, One Foot: Bend one knee to relax on the ground and put the other foot in front of you, similar to a lunge position, keeping the back stabilized. Many people injure their back by bending over all day. Knee injuries also occur by kneeling on both knees for too long.
- Proper Lifting: Remember to bend at the knees and hips, utilizing your gluteal muscles for support. Keep your back neutral and braced. Do not lean forward excessively to avoid flexion injury to the low back.
Remember to always stay hydrated when being active! Be sure to let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your gardening posture. We are happy to share preventative advice and help you stay healthy and active!
Spring is Here!
It’s a time when everything is new and we happily reintroduce our beloved outdoor activities. But it’s also a time when many of us injure ourselves doing the things we love. After months of being indoors and less active, we tend to overdo it as soon as a few beautiful days hit. “Perfect! I’ve been meaning to mow the lawn, plant bulbs, clean the gutters and ride my bike!” Many of these activities carry risks with them that we tend to ignore. Starting up your lawn mower or weed wacker, pulling weeds, digging for hours on end, and kneeling can cause stress on your spine and muscles. Many of us are excited about starting a new fitness routine and will dive headfirst into it without giving our muscles and joints the time to adjust to the new demands placed on them. For maybe the first time this year, your body will suddenly remind you that you have not done these kinds of activities for months on end.
Thankfully you have a doctor of chiropractic to help you through the joys of spring. Ask us about exercises you can do to prepare your body to handle the new stresses put on it. And if you have already injured yourself, consider chiropractic care. Chiropractic is a safe and effective way to bounce back from dealing with joint, muscle, and nervous system problems. Anti-inflammatory medicines may be able to help you “tough it out” temporarily, but you may find yourself using more of these than necessary just to make it through the day. Chiropractic care can help you stay healthy and limber. That’s something pills cannot do.
What Is Wellness and How Does Chiropractic Care Help You Achieve It?
“Wellness” has become a buzzword nowadays, especially with the recent introduction of the Affordable Care Act, which places high emphasis on staying healthy and reducing healthcare costs. The American Chiropractic Association defines wellness as “an active process that promotes health and enhances quality of life.” I believe that in order for a person to be well enough to do the activities they enjoy, they must be given the correct tools to help them take charge of their health.
Let’s talk about that stiffness in your neck that you attribute to “old age” when, in fact, you’re only 36. Because that stiffness becomes pain when you play tennis, you rarely play anymore. You’re starting to become sedentary (which is disastrous to your overall health) and you’re not even 40 yet. The reality of this situation is that, likely, the abnormal motion patterns in your neck that cause that stiffness and pain can be corrected with a short course of treatment by a good chiropractor. You can then return to the tennis court, and make a huge contribution to your entire well-being.
Chiropractic care focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. By treating the underlying issues, many symptoms resolve quickly. It is important to note a chiropractor’s approach is drug-free; in addition to their expertise in spinal manipulation/adjustment, doctors of chiropractic are trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises.
If you’re curious about how chiropractic care might help you on your path to wellness, give our office a call. We’d love to set up a consultation (free of charge!) for you to meet with me, and ask me any questions you may have.
Marah’s Chiro Story
I was first introduced to chiropractic care in January of 2010. That is when my sweet husband dislocated a few of my ribs with one of his infamous bear hugs. There was a loud “POP” followed by a lot of pain. After a few days of lying on a bag of frozen peas, I decided it might be time for an expert’s help. Back in college, my husband herniated a disc in his lower back and immediately went to see a chiropractor. The care he received at that office in Boston not only made his issue manageable, but he was also able to avoid back surgery.
Marah & James Harrington
So, armed with that knowledge, I (hesitantly) walked into a chiropractor’s office. With a smile on his face, the doctor said he’d never had a patient come in because of a bear hug. Funny, but it didn’t stop the sharp pain every time I took a breath. The doctor did a thorough exam and took some x-rays before he began working on me. He showed me exactly what was going on (three dislocated ribs and quite a bit of inflammation) and told me how he planned to help me. He explained that it would be a slow process to fix what had happened but that it was possible. And the crazy thing is that he was right; it did take a little while but eventually, everything in my back was back to normal. I felt healthier than I had in a long time and happy that I cared for my body when it needed it.
I am a strong believer in the good chiropractic care can do. One of our greatest joys in this office is being able to take people from pain to wellness, from not being able to turn their neck to being able to play Ultimate Frisbee again. Regarding your spine and joint health, our goal is to get you to the place where you can do all the things you want to do (and even a few crazy things) and still be ok.
P.S.- I’m also a believer in forgiveness for a husband who doesn’t know his own strength!
