Fitness: How Chiropractic Can Help

Efficiency. It is something we all look for in home appliances or cars. How much energy will this thing take to run? Does the system have any weaknesses? If it’s a used car, we want to know if the car had its oil changed regularly and if the parts have been properly cared for. We know that when one thing is imbalanced, the whole system becomes less effective. The truth is, regular maintenance (getting that tune-up, having that spine adjusted) can play a significant role in overall “fitness.” When all systems are fully supported and functioning properly, we run, work, and play better.

Though it can be difficult to define, physical fitness refers to a state of overall health that includes the ability to perform a range of activities, from a hard workout to working comfortably at a desk, with ease and efficiency. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, there are four interrelated types of fitness that contribute to complete health: muscular fitness, which includes muscle strength and endurance; flexibility, which includes muscle/tendon elasticity and range of motion; cardio-respiratory fitness, which includes the heart, lungs, and blood vessels; and body composition, or the percentage of body fat to nonfat tissues (bones, organs, etc.). Because no one system functions independently, the fitness of each affects all the others.

While it’s important to get adequate exercise, eat right, and treat our bodies kindly to maximize health in all of the above categories, regular alignment or “maintenance” through chiropractic adjustments can be a big step to improving overall fitness. Because chiropractic works toward balancing the body’s systems—bones, muscles, nerves, and organs—through proper posture and alignment, regular chiropractic care allows the whole body to perform at its best, increasing energy reserves as it decreases the stress and fatigue that can result from improper alignment.

In fact, icons of fitness such as Decathlon Gold Medalist Dan O'Brien and Superbowl MVP Joe Montana use chiropractic care to maintain peak physical performance; and the trend is catching on among a number of professional athletes and sports teams. The U.S. teams for the 2002 Winter Olympics were the first to employ an official Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Robin Hunter, and they had one of the best showings ever. Coincidence? Hunter has stated the chiropractic care is all about “correcting bio-mechanical faults and misalignments, and treating injuries with hands-on work, so that the athletes can return to play faster and better.” John Stockton, a pro basketball player that has turned to chiropractic to better his game says, “It’s not just the adjustments, it’s balancing muscles and overall health.” After a recent skiing accident, Schwarzenegger remarked, “I had one of those miracle moments when you call a chiropractor, they care for you and then days later you ski again like a champion on moguls.”

Though it may feel like a miracle, the principle of chiropractic is simple. When the body is well aligned, muscles, joints, and ligaments function together with greater ease. Internal organs aren’t hindered—the lungs and heart are better able to do their jobs. Perhaps even more importantly, chiropractic care helps prevent injuries that can result from overtaxing a particular part of the body that may be compensating for those that aren’t functioning as well. Through chiropractic the body gets a tune-up. We’re ready to roll—more efficiently and with a greater sense of well-being.

How would you rate your physical fitness? Would you like to learn how chiropractic care can help you with your goals?

Balanced Body Chiropractic

744 Empire St. # 108

Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone: 707-416-2192

Email: Balanced Body Chiropractic

Chiropractic Services

Living in pain is no way to live your life. Back pain, neck pain, and joint pain are all problems that can be managed. Chiropractors train to balance their patients' lives through corrective care. There are a number of different chiropractor care services available that help relieve pain and stress.

The first step to chiropractic care is to go in and have a consultation done. This could involve your doctor simply feeling the problematic areas, or x-rays and deeper analysis may be needed. After this first consultation, it will be time for your first chiropractic adjustment. This is when he or she starts to loosen up the affected areas with various techniques. This is just one way to relieve back, neck, and joint pain.

If the majority of your problems are in your back, spinal decompression may be needed. What this process involves is the treatment of the affected nerves and making them functional again. This will relieve back pain because your nerves will be able transmit healthy signals instead of sensory signals that cause pain. This type of treatment is also referred to as the Lordex program. It is the main way to correct your spine without surgery.

Some situations such as auto accidents will need to be taken care of in a more delicate manor. It is possible for an insurance company of the driver at fault to also cover all of your chiropractor care costs in this situation. Whether that is the case or not, is important to consistently see your specialist until all areas of pain and stress have been completely relieved.

Corrective care is done over time with multiple visits to see your chiropractor. Most areas that are suffering from pain, such as muscles and joints, can't be corrected in just one visit. The more frequently you go in to receive treatment, the higher your chances are of getting rid of the pain that once controlled your life. Another great reason to take this route of pain management is it may allow you to avoid surgery.

No matter if the pain you feel in your back or other muscles is due to an accident, old age, or a combination of circumstances, you have the opportunity to relieve that pain by going to a chiropractic medical practice. With many different techniques of care to choose from, and multiple diagnosis problems, the chance you have to figure out where your pain is coming from and to correct it is very high.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6271784

What Does A Chiropractor Do? : Chiropractic Relief Of Neck Pain

How neck adjustments are performed at the chiropractor in this free alternative medicine video.

Expert: Brian Renner
Bio: Brian Renner graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa.
Filmmaker: Nili Nathan

Microlight "Cold" Laser Therapy

Balanced Body Chiropractic offers Microlight "Cold" Laser Therapy

The Microlight Laser System is the industry standard Low Level Laser Therapy device for a multitude of pain symptoms; it is the only patented low level laser to be cleared by the FDA at a 830 nanometer wavelength. It has been proven to promote: healing, cell regeneration, tissue recovery and reduce: pain, swelling and inflammation. The Microlight Laser System is proven effective in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. For more on the research behind this system, please visit the Microlight Corp. website using the Health Resources link under New Patient Center. Some conditions that benefit with treatment include: fibromyalgia, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, wounds/tissue damage, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, myofascial trigger points/muscle tension, neck pain, and low back pain.

Balanced Body Chiropractic

744 Empire St. # 108

Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone: 707-416-2192

Fax: 707-416-2192

Email: Balanced Body Chiropractic

Original Kinesio Taping Method

Introduction to the Original Kinesio Taping Method. We are the innovators, not the imitators.

KinesioTaping now available at Balanced Body Chiropractic. Kinesio® Tex Tape has the ability to:

• Re-educate the neuromuscular system

• Reduce pain

• Enhance performance

• Prevent injury

• Promote good circulation and healing

Call us for more information and to set up an appointment.

Phone: 707-416-2192

Chiropractic Care For Sciatica - What Do They Do?

Chiropractors are a conservative, noninvasive and drugless form of medical care. In fact, it is generally accepted that this kind of care should be done before any invasive procedure is pursued such as back surgery. Chiropractic care has been well documented in being successful for conservative medical attention. Sciatic pain is right up a Chiropractor's alley. Chiropractors are legendary in treating patients with back problems. They routinely diagnose (test) and successfully treat back and leg pain. Whether you have a pinched nerve, muscle, ligament or tendon ailments that may be causing your pain a chiropractor will take the proper time to examine your back and leg pain to determine the exact source of your sciatic pain. Essentially, chiropractors help your body heal itself.

It is important to understand that sciatica is not an actual diagnosis but rather an underlying symptom of your problem. A chiropractor will start by assessing the known five culprits (guilty parties) of the symptom sciatica. These five culprits include:

• Herniated disc problems
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing)
• Facet joint problems
• Nerve entrapment
• Presence of tumors, infection or metabolic complications

It is necessary for a chiropractor to determine if your pain is caused by a herniated or ruptured disc. This condition in medical terms is known as sciatic neuritis. Neuritis means the nervous system is involved (neuro = nerves and itis = inflammation). The diagnosis (evaluation) and treatment program will be for "disc injury".

If you don't have neuritis, then the chiropractor will check for spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is another common cause of sciatica that is a narrowing of the spinal column that can generate inflammation of nerves. If this is your diagnosis for your leg pain, then you will be treated specifically for that.

So far, you don't have a herniated disc or spinal stenosis so the chiropractor will look for lumbar facet symptoms. Your facet joints come in pairs at the back of each spinal vertebrae. These facet joints link the vertebrae above to the one below to form a functioning joint that allows for movement of the spine. This is not so different from knee joints only you have many of them up and down your spine between each of your spinal bones. This allows you to slightly bend your spinal column up, down and sideways as well as twist. Think of all the movements your spinal column can do when you work a hula-hoop. It's amazing. So facet joint syndrome is referring to pain that occurs in your facet joints. These joints are filled with synovial fluid just like your spinal discs. Your discs act as cushions between your vertebra and the fact joint allows your vertebra to move in a number of different directions. If this is your problem, the chiropractor has a therapy that works on this particular problem.

Don't have any of the above? Now the chiropractor will look for nerve entrapment syndrome. What this is about is mechanical imbalances in the spine and hip with damaged discs (but not herniated) with facet joint movement restrictions. This can lead to muscular tightness that may lead to nerve entrapment of the sciatic nerve. The muscles involved here are the piriformis muscles. Chiropractors will perform muscles therapies on these muscles to loosen them and restore balance to your spinal joints and release pressure on the sciatic nerve.

If none of the above is diagnosed, your chiropractor will refer you to another doctor to determine if you have any tumors, infections or metabolic problems.

Therefore, the goal of a chiropractor is to diagnose (find out what you have) and treat you for that specific problem in a conservative way (noninvasively, no surgery). This involves active hands on care to return full motion to the spine by treating disc, joint and muscle problems. Spinal manipulations may include thrusting techniques, non-thrusting techniques, instrument-assisted therapies such as the Graston technique for muscle problems, trigger point therapy, stretching and resistance techniques, electrical stimulation, ultrasound as well as alignments. The chiropractor's goal is to return normal back function. The chiropractor's job doesn't end there. Overly, the chiropractor knows that prevention of back problems is important and will instruct you on how to keep your back healthy.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5099006

What Does a Chiropractor Do? : Chiropractic Lumbar Spine Adjustments

How spine adjustments are performed by the chiropractor in this free alternative medicine video.

Expert: Brian Renner
Bio: Brian Renner graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa.
Filmmaker: Nili Nathan