5 Tips to Avoid Snow Shoveling Injuries. Plymouth MN Chiropractor.

5 Tips to Avoid Snow Shoveling Injuries.  Plymouth MN Chiropractor.

Winter is now upon us and snow is beginning to cover the ground.  At some point we’ll need to grab a shovel to clear the sidewalks and driveways.  There’s no way to avoid it, but it is possible to avoid much of the strain it puts on our backs.  Below are some tips to help avoid injury.

1) Don’t jump out of bed in the morning and begin shoveling immediately.  Do a few morning tasks beforehand to give some time for your muscles and joints to loosen up.

2) Perform stretches.  Stretch both your upper body and lower body.

3) Push the snow.  Avoid scooping and lifting the snow as much as you can.

4) When lifting snow with the shovel throw it straight out from your body.  Avoid twisting.

5) Use a snow-blower whenever possible:)

If you do sustain an injury while shoveling put ice on it immediately to reduce any inflammation or swelling.  Consult your local chiropractor for advice on how to best take care of it.  Plymouth Spine & Health Center is available for any questions you may have.  Call us at 763.432.2736 for a free consultation.  We are always here to help!

Sciatica – What is it?  Chiropractic Plymouth.

The meaning of sciatica is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a non-specific term referring to pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the buttock or leg. Sometimes there may be muscular weakness or difficulty in moving the leg. It is not a cause of low back pain, but is a set of symptoms from the sciatic nerve being irritated.  Thus, the treatment for sciatica or sciatica symptoms differs depending on what the source of the problem is.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body.  It exits the spine in the low back and runs through your hip area, buttocks, and down each leg. The sciatic nerve provides feeling to your thighs and legs and controls the muscles.

Sciatica is a sign that pressure is being put on the nerve.  It can be mechanically compressed or inflamed anywhere along its course from the low back to the legs. Sciatica is commonly caused by a disc problem (herniation, bulges, or protrusion) that compresses the nerve in the low back.

Sciatica like symptoms can also result from the nerve being compressed by the piriformis muscle which is located in the buttock area (termed Piriformis Syndrome) or damage to the facet joints in the lower back (termed Facet Syndrome).

Most cases of sciatica often resolve with non-surgical treatments such as chiropractic adjustments, disc decompression treatments, and physiotherapy modalities. In severe cases, needle injections of medication or surgery may be needed.

Finding out the underlying cause is the first step in addressing sciatica.  See your Plymouth Chiropractor to evaluate where your pain is coming from so you can get back to enjoying your life.  Contact Plymouth Spine & Health Center at 763.432.2736 for a free consultation and see how we can help!

A Common Cause of Low Back Pain.  Chiropractor Plymouth.

A common cause of lower back pain is sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.  The SI joints are formed from the connection of the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) and the right and left iliac bones (part of the pelvis).  As a result, the SI joints connect the spine to the pelvis. Its primary responsibility is to transmit all the forces from the upper body to the lower body.

People with SI joint problems often experience pain in the lower back or the back of the hips. Pain may also present in the legs or groin area. Typically the pain will worsen with standing and walking and improved with lying down.

An alteration in the normal joint motion is usually the culprit that causes the pain. Other common causes are degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), pregnancy, or any condition that alters normal walking motion.

Treatments for SI joint pain are usually conservative and focus on trying to restore normal joint motion.  Chiropractic adjustments, along with stretches and stabilizing exercises typically help reduce the pain. If conservative approaches fail, the next steps may include cortisone injections or lastly, surgery.

If you or someone you know has been dealing with back pain, contact your Plymouth Chiropractor at 763.432.2736 and get checked today!

Take Pain Seriously. Chiropractors Plymouth.

What is pain?  In simple terms, it’s our body’s way of saying something is wrong.  Pain can vary in severity, from minor discomfort to excruciating pain.  Whether it’s mild headaches, upper back aches, or shooting pain down the leg, it’s nothing to scoff about.

As with many diseases they develop silently.  For example, let’s look at two of the leading causes of death in the United States, heart disease and cancer.  How many times have you heard of someone who felt good find out they have stage 4 cancer?  Or someone who seemed to be in perfect health dies of a sudden heart attack?  In fact, about 50% of people who have a heart attack the first sign is the heart attack.  Were these people healthy?  No.  If you stub your toe on your bed…it hurts like heck, right? Are you sick?  No.  Pain is a very poor indicator of health.

If you have recurring headaches, back pain, or any other problem that you’re feeling on the outside just know there is likely a real problem brewing on the inside.  Get it checked out. You’ll be glad you did!

Consult your Plymouth Chiropractor at Plymouth Spine and Health Center-we are here to help!

Almost everyone experiences a headache at some point in their lives.  But if you find yourself experiencing daily, weekly, or monthly headaches…having your “normal” headache-it’s not normal.  Headaches are common, but they are never normal.

Although most headaches do not indicate a serious illness, they are a major cause of suffering and missed work, and one of the most common reasons people consult a doctor.  Headaches commonly arise from muscle tension, dysfunction of joints in the neck, blood vessels, or systemic conditions such as low blood sugar.  Treating the cause of the problem usually results in success in relieving the headache.

Chiropractic is very successful with alleviating headaches, especially those arising from muscle tension and dysfunction of the joints.  Most people find a substantial reduction in severity to complete resolution of their headaches.

If you’ve been experiencing headaches contact Plymouth Spine and Health Center in Plymouth, MN at 763.432.2736 to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help.

Everywhere you look people are using smart phones, laptops, tablet computers and others.  Yes, using this modern technology is convenient and efficient, but it can also be a pain in the neck, literally.  The excessive use of these devices and the incorrect posture that often accompanies it can lead to neck and back pain, headaches and other musculoskeletal disorders.

Our bodies are not made to stay in one position for any length of time.  The consequences of maintaining the same stooped-over posture that frequently accompanies the use of technology is often pain and soreness. Over time, the repetitive stress it puts on the body adds up leading to serious musculoskeletal disorders.

The good news is there are ways to help prevent pain and injury.  By performing simple stretches and exercises and being conscious of your posture while using your device will greatly reduce your risk of injury There are also effective natural approaches to treating aches and pain, such as chiropractic care, that don’t involve drugs or surgery

If your favorite home remedies for pain aren’t working contact Plymouth Spine and Health Center in Plymouth, MN at 763.432.2736 for a free consultation and exam to see how we can help!

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no exercise equipment.
It works the longus capitis, longus colli, SCM (sternocleidomastoid) muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase neck strength and muscular endurance.
The benefits are improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin by lying on the back with the head extended off the table, maintaining a chin tuck position.
Slowly extend the head back towards the floor and then raise the head, returning to the initial neutral starting position and repeat as instructed.
Move slowly through the range of motion.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.

Today, researchers know there is a link between the nervous system and the immune system.  Immune system organs, such as the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus work together to fight off illnesses.  These organs are innervated from the body’s nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.  In fact, the entire body operates from these nerve signals.  This is why chiropractic focuses on improving nerve flow of the body; so the body is able to function at its optimal level.  One vital component of the body’s system shown to benefit from chiropractic care is the immune system.

Studies have shown that people under chiropractic care have increased immune function.

A study performed by Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventative Medicine Institute, showed that individuals who had been under chiropractic care were found to have 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer and other serious diseases.

Pero R. “Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results.” The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.

Another study compared a group of HIV positive patients who were adjusted to a group that were not adjusted.  The adjusted patients showed an astonishing 48% increase in the CD4 cells (an important immune system component) while the patients who were not adjusted actually experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts over the same period.

Selano JL, Hightower BC, Pfleger B, Feeley-Collins K, Grostic JD. “The Effects of Specific Upper Cervical Adjustments on the CD4 Counts of HIV Positive Patients.”  The Chiro Research Journal 1994; 3(1)

In conclusion, the nervous system has shown to have a direct effect on the immune system due to the nerve supply to the immune organs.  Chiropractic can be used as a tool to help boost your immune system.  If you get sick often contact your Plymouth Chiropractor today at 763.432.2736 for details about a free consultation and examination to see how we can help.

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase knee strength and muscular endurance.
By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin lying on floor facing up.
Bend knees so feet are firmly on floor.
Extend arms upward toward ceiling.
Activate core muscles.
Lift hips off floor to attain a bridge position with knees, hips and shoulders in alignment.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

Initially, you may develop some cramping in the back of your thigh. A simple hamstring stretch before and after may prevent this from occurring.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the gluteus medius/minimus, piriformis and hip lateral rotators muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to Increase hip strength and muscular endurance. By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of Improved stability, functional strength and injury

Begin lying on side on the floor with legs extended.
Top leg should attain a straight line through hip and shoulder.
Bottom leg may be bent for added stability.
Activate core muscles.
Lift top leg upward, abducting leg as foot simultaneously rotates. This will result in a toe-up position.
Slowly return to start position.
Repeat for prescribed repetitions and sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.

Here is a simple exercise that you can do at home with no equipment.
It works the peroneus longus/brevis, tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, gastrocnemius, soleus muscles.
The purpose of this exercise is to improve muscular endurance, ankle strength, and proprioception.
By doing this exercise you can have the benefits of Improved stability, functional strength and injury prevention.

Begin seated in a chair with good posture.
Extend leg.
Attempt to write alphabet from A through Z with toes, moving ankle in all directions.
Repeat for prescribed sets.

© 2005-2010 WebExercises, Inc., Patent Pending, All Rights Reserved.