TREATING NECK PAIN

Do you find it difficult to look over your shoulder?  Do you have a constant pulling or throbbing pain in your neck?  Do you hear a grinding sound when you turn your head?  These are warning signs of chronic neck pain.

Many people try to cover up the problem by taking drugs, such as aspirin or pain pills.  Others seek relief from the symptoms of neck pain through the use of things like muscle relaxers or hot packs.  These are temporary fixes at best, because they do not address the root cause of chronic neck pain.

At Lindstrom Chiropractic, our approach to neck pain is to locate its underlying cause, which usually can be traced back to the structure and function of the spine, and its affect on your nervous system.  This approach allows us to create a plan of specific chiropractic adjustments to improve the position and motion of your spinal vertebrae.

Once this is accomplished, neck pain usually diminishes or totally disappears - without the use of drugs and their potentially harmful side effects.

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients who received chiropractic care for neck pain reported significant improvement in their neck function and a reduction in their neck pain, while those taking pain-killers did not.

If you suffer from chronic neck pain, let Dr. Tom map out a plan to address your specific symptoms.

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

Sciatica is a very common health complaint.  But, what the heck is it?

The sciatic nerves are the largest and longest nerves in your body.  They branch off each side of your spinal cord and run down the back of each leg.  When these nerves are irritated or affected by the inflammation of nearby soft tissues, doctors call this condition sciatica.

One of the most common causes of sciatic leg pain is called Vertibral Subluxation Complex.  This is usually the result of the bulging or herniation of the soft pulpy discs which separate each spinal bone, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord.  The result can be intense shooting pain down either or both legs.

The chiropractic approach is to use carefully directed and controlled pressure to remove the root cause of sciatica:  interference from spinal structures.  These chiropractic adjustments are quite effective in reducing nerve irritation and restoring normal spinal function.

If you suffer from the symptoms of sciatica, Lindstrom Chiropractic Clinic can help you overcome the problem.

ADD STRETCHING TO YOUR EXERCISE REGIMEN

At Lindstrom Chiropractic, we are big proponents of something called Active Isolated Stretching (AIS).  We offer a monthly class in AIS that is free to the public.  (Next class:  January 6 at 6:30 at our clinic.)  Three members of our staff who are Advanced AIS Therapists serve as class instructors.

AIS teaches you the correct way to stretch to counteract the soreness and stiffness that often comes with strength training and cardiovascular training like running, biking and walking.  Have you ever said, "I stretch at the gym but it doesn't seem to help much."  The reason is that most people hold their stretches too long and overlook the majority of their muscles entirely.

Let our expert staff increase the quality of your exercise regimen by helping you stretch your muscles correctly for maximum benefit.

For more information on AIS, please visit the Advanced Therapy page on our website.

Suffer from chronic muscle/joint pain?

If you suffer from chronic muscle/joint pain, we strongly recommend that you attend one of our Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) classes, which are held monthly at our Clinic.

You also can enhance your treatment at Lindstrom Chiropractic Clinic with a therapeutic bath at home.

To get started, you will need 2 cups of Epsom salts and 1 qaurt of apple cider vinegar (preferably organic vinegar). Add these ingredients to a bathtub of tepid water, making sure they are well mixed into the water.

Get into the bath, slowly making the water hotter over a 5 minute period.  Keep the water as hot as you can comfortably stand over a relaxing 20-30 minute session.

This bath will aid your body in ridding itself of lactic acid and other metabolic waste freed from the myofascia by the Active Isolated Stretching treatment, keeping  delayed onset soreness to an absolute minimum.

Lindstrom Chiropractic Clinic is Expanding

Lindstrom Chiropractic Clinic is always looking for ways to improve the services we offer our patients.  Toward that end, we are opening a new 1000 sq. ft. addition to our existing clinic devoted to teaching active isolated stretching and strengthening (AIS) techniques.  We will offer free classes conducted by our Advanced AIS Practioners, Al Meo, LMT, Kristy Lancaster, LMT and Dawn Siegler, LMT.  

Our most recent class was held on November 18.  No class will be held in December due to the holidays.  The next class will be held January 6 at 6:30 PM.  Plan on being there!

DOES HEAT HELP MUSCLES RECOVER

The simple answer is no.  When you have been active, muscles are already heated up.  More heat may feel good, but cold will help your muscles recover.

If you have a small sore spot, make a homemade ice pack.  Fill a paper cup with hot water and then freeze it.  Peel down the rim of the paper cup to expose the ice surface.  The remaining paper cup will serve as a holder.  Gently swirl the ice on the sore area, keeping it moving to prevent frostbite.  Initially, it will feel uncomfortable, but a 5 to 10 minute treatment should provide prompt relief.

If the area needing treatment is larger, a bag of frozen peas makes a great pliable ice pack.  It can also be refrozen and reused over and over again.

At our clinic, we also offer a variety of professional products for home use that are designed to reduce pain and facilitate muscle recover.  Ask us about them during your next visit.