Why You Should Start with a Corrective Plan

In health care, having a plan is the best way to ensure that you are able to achieve optimal results. Similar to how a personal trainer may put their clients on a nutrition or exercise regime to follow  your chiropractor should do the same. According to the experienced chiropractors at Corrective Chiropractic, these are the five reasons why your chiropractor should put you on a corrective plan.

Corrective Plan Can Help Assess Your Spinal Health

When your chiropractor creates your corrective plan, they will do a thorough assessment. This is designed to get an accurate understanding of where your trouble spots are. This also helps see the level of misalignment you currently have, and the severity of your back issues. This is your baseline reading and gives your chiropractor a clear picture of what the future sessions will have to address to help you achieve the best results possible.

Monitoring Your Progress is Easier with a Corrective Plan

Without a plan in place, it will be difficult for your chiropractor to track what issues are still present. A corrective plan enables you to more completely track how you feel. Is also allows you to track what areas may continue causing you pain and discomfort. As the sessions progress, your chiropractor will be able to determine if you are achieving better health results or if a plan modification is needed.

Pinpoint Any Recurring Issues

If you visit your chiropractor sporadically it will be hard for them to have a thorough assessment of your back health. In these cases, you are continually updating them on how you feel and your initial pain areas. By having a spinal treatment plan, you are able to ensure that all of your pain areas are addressed and that your chiropractor has a near real-time glimpse into your back health, without the lengthy debriefing that occurs during infrequent visits.

Help Make Lifestyle Adjusts

Most lower back and neck pain can be traced back to how we sit or the activities we engage in. Working with your chiropractor, you will be able to get insights into how you can improve your back health through easy-to-implement every day practices such as avoiding slouching when looking at a mobile device. The key to a sound corrective plan is to find your most troublesome areas and learn how to lessen the stressors that may be exacerbating your discomfort in these areas.

Corrective Plan Keeps Your Back Healthy in All Conditions

In many cases, with regular visits, you and your chiropractor will be able to spot patterns of pain. For example, after a week of strenuous workouts, your chiropractor may notice that your lower back needs more attention. Whereas, after prolonged time sitting in front of your computer, your cervical spine may need adjusting. Either way, knowing these common stressors in your life can be factored into your corrective plan, allowing you to get the sustained relief you need.

When you partner with Corrective Chiropractic, we work with you to create a detailed spinal treatment plan that leverages our proven non-invasive and all-natural treatments. To schedule a complimentary phone consultation with one of our most trusted chiropractors, at a location convenient to you, click here.

Does Your Child Have Text Neck?

According to Pew research, for 21st-Century teens, having a smartphone and spending upwards of 9 hours a day on it, has become the norm. Though this trend is no different from the addictiveness that adults have with their cell phones as well, the damage to the neck muscles can be greater for the younger demographic. This is called “Text Neck”. As your child’s body changes, having improper posture can put undue strain on the muscles, the bones, and in turn the spine.

As the number of hours spent on mobile devices is expected to increase, it is essential for parents to put a back care plan in place to counteract the health effects that prolonged technology use can cause.

With extended cell phone use, a physical condition, being referred to as “text neck” is emerging and proving that teens and young adults are at the greatest risk.

What is “Text Neck?”

When your child spends time on their phone, they are often looking in a downward posture, keeping their head, neck, back, and spine in one, often uncomfortable position. Though it may feel comfortable, in the moment, holding this craned-neck posture for hours or frequently throughout the day inadvertently puts the cervical spine at great risk. The cervical spine supports the neck and head and is positioned at the top of the spine. Having incorrect posture puts this portion of the spine out of alignment. When that occurs, chronic neck and back pain can quickly make simple movements very painful and inhibit your child’s growth and physical development.

It is difficult to predict what the long-term effects of having a prolonged craned-neck posture can have on overall health. However, medical researchers speculate that the increased use of mobile devices may come with a future increase in early-onset arthritis of the neck.

Despite the evidence pointing to long-term effects, research studies have found that text neck can cause immediate health problems such as severe upper back pain, strained neck and shoulder muscles, and pinched spinal nerves. And, children and teens are the most at risk of developing these debilitating conditions, as their mobile device usage is nearly two times greater than adults.

How do you prevent text neck?

The short answer is to limit cell phone and mobile device use per day, limiting it to no more than 1 hour a day. However, the longer term solution to prevent chronic back and neck pain is to maintain a straight posture when viewing a mobile device. Making regular visits to an experienced pediatric chiropractor can be the most effective way to address spinal misalignment at its source and correct any muscle and spinal issues before they evolve into a more long-term issue.

The welcoming and knowledgeable chiropractors at Corrective Chiropractic are specialized in correcting text neck, even in the smallest of patients.

Self-Care Tips to Prevent Back Pain from Prolonged Computer Use

As the amount of computer usage explodes, technology experts estimate that the average American adult spends at least 10 hours a day in front of a computer screen. We have put together some tips to help prevent back pain while working from home or at a desk all day.

Spending prolonged periods of time in front of a computer can take a toll on your body. Some workers report more frequent headaches, eye strain, even carpal tunnel-like symptoms from extended computer usage. More importantly, sitting for long stretches of time can also cause lower back pain due to poor posture. When you are in a seated position, your muscles and ligaments must work together to keep your torso upright.

With proper posture, your back and neck muscles will not be put under undue strain.  When you sit in front of a computer, slouching, your back and neck muscles will attempt to adjust. At first, sitting with this posture may seem more comfortable than sitting with an erect back, but, over time this slouched position can cause both neck and/or lower back pain. If this pain and misaligned posture is not corrected, it can lead to more severe pain and spinal misalignment that can cause discomfort in other parts of the body.

Taking proactive steps to correct your posture and practice important self-care routines is a critical component to ensure that your body is as healthy as possible and not under unnecessary/avoidable strain.

Here are the top three ways to prevent extended computer use from wreaking havoc on your back and neck muscles.

Get Adequate Sleep

When your body is rested, it is better able to repair the natural wear and tear it encounters as you go through your day. If you are able to get 8-10 hours of restful sleep every night, your body can feel more relaxed and flexible while you are at work. The more flexible your back feels, the less tense and the less strain you will feel as you sit.

Adjust Your Posture to Prevent Back Pain

If you notice that you are sitting in a slouched position, make an effort to correct this by sitting up straight. It may help to get a higher desk, or a more ergonomic chair to ensure you are not forced to lean over to see the computer screen. In addition, spending even 5 minutes every hour to stand and stretch can help to keep your muscles limber and not likely to feel stiff.

Visit a Chiropractor

Adding a trusted chiropractor to your monthly self-care routine can be an effective way to avoid back and neck pain that can be easily corrected. When you sit with a slouched posture, your muscles take a beating and can pull your spine out of alignment. By having regular spinal adjustments, you are able to keep your back and neck feeling their best and prevent your muscles from experiencing irreversible damage.

Have you visited a chiropractor in the last 6 months? If you answered “no”, then it is time to schedule your next appointment today.

Your Nervous System Helps Your Immune System

Chiropractic treatments are all-natural, non-invasive, and are a medication-free way to manage your allergies. The onslaught of sneezing, runny noses, watery eyes, and even wheezing are all your body’s natural defense against seemingly harmless substances. Your allergic reaction or allergies are caused by your immune system initiating an exaggerated response to substances (like pollen in the Spring, or dust, ragweed – you name it) that are otherwise harmless to your body.

With regular chiropractic adjustments, through the allergy season and beyond you’ll be able to:

Boost Your Immune System

When you spine is misaligned, your nervous system is not able to function properly. This means the communication between our brain and the rest of your body is impacted, including your immune system. Often the more severe the misalignment in the spine, the worse the allergies become. The brain is not able to regulate the histamines your body produces. This causes you to sneeze, cough, and wheeze more than normal.

Regulate Your Stress Hormones

A properly aligned spine will enable your brain to better control the stress hormones your body produces and releases. This in turn allows you to feel less stressed and your body will overall be less tense with regular chiropractic adjustments. The more stress you have and feel, the more your immune system will be impacted and the greater toll your allergies will have on your body.

Enhance Your Breathing

Similar to the immune system, your respiratory system is controlled by your nervous system. By making sure your nervous system is functioning at its best, you’re better able to regulate not just how you breathe but how your body responds to irritants that may enter your body through your nose or mouth. It is these pesky irritants that disrupt your immune system and cause an allergic reaction. The better equipped your body is to destroy or contain these airborne irritants the less severe your allergies will be.

As we enter into the allergy season, you don’t have to suffer!

In fact, there is an all-natural and proven way to manage your allergies and boost your energy levels too. To learn about the non-invasive chiropractic treatments and how they are helping Georgia and South Carolina residents kick their allergies to the curb, click here.

Chiropractic Treatments Can Help Ear Infections

When it comes to treating your child’s ear infections, most parents will agree that the fastest and safest option is preferred. Being one of the most common childhood illnesses in the world, ear infections can be helped with a host of all-natural remedies, including by your local chiropractor!

Generally, an ear infection starts with soreness in the ear or side of the head region. It can also be followed by a fever, fluid draining from the ear, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite.

As the fluid begins to build up in the middle ear, the symptoms often get worse and can include:

  • A popping or ringing sensation in the ear.
  • Extreme pressure buildup or a pushing feeling on the ear and head.
  • Difficulty hearing or sensitivity to loud sounds
  • Balance problems, dizziness and coordination problems

If your child suffers from frequent ear infections, having these symptoms persist for days or continuously over a long period of time makes it hard for antibiotics or other medications to treat.

That’s why more and more parents are turning to chiropractic to help their child’s ear infections.

Here’s the science behind it…

In 15 cases evaluated by medical researchers, a study found that having frequent chiropractic adjustments measurably decreased the symptoms and severity of ear infections.

When your spine is misaligned, this negatively impacts your nervous system, which, in turn, affects how your body functions and how it can ward off infections. With regular alignments, even performed once every few months, your nervous system will be primed to perform at its best and will enhance your child’s immune system to be able to fight various infections, including ear infections and allergies.

But, that’s not all!

Research has attributed chiropractic treatments to helping reduce or reverse sleeping issues, digestive problems, even helping to regulate mood and behavior.

If you’re considering having your child visit a chiropractor, be sure they have a proven track record of experience working with the littlest of patients and are associated with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). The kid-friendly and experienced doctors at Corrective Chiropractic specialize in pediatric adjustments and would be happy to discuss your child’s needs during a free phone consultation. Click here to schedule your appointment.

stress

Manage Your Pre-Holiday Stress By Visiting a Chiropractor

As the weather changes and the daylight hours get shorter, work responsibilities begin to pile up. The chaotic hustle and bustle of the holidays start to creep in. We all naturally get stress.

In fact, according to psychologists, the average level of stress during the Fall months is the highest of all seasons. And, with more stress comes more strain on your body. How you handle that wear and tear on your body can mean the difference between making it to Summer feeling rejuvenated or nursing discomfort and pain that seems to be getting worse.

Here are the top three reasons why visiting your chiropractor is the best way for you to handle the pre-holiday stress:

Eliminate Muscle Tension from Stress

When you encounter stress, your muscles naturally tense up. This can impact how you walk, sit and perform tasks throughout your day. And, if left uncorrected, this can start to wreak havoc on your ability to sleep, exercise, and just enjoy life. Having a chiropractic alignment helps to restore your body’s natural functioning. It also loosens the tension building up in your body.

Get Your Body Back on Track

Your body’s functioning is rooted in your central nervous system. And, if your spine is not in alignment, your nervous system is negatively impacted. This can manifest itself in digestive, respiratory, immune, and even sleep issues that may not be easily corrected. An experienced chiropractor will be able to perform non-invasive and all natural procedures to get your spine back in alignment and your body running on all cylinders.

Fix Your Posture for Improved Health and Less Stress

With mobile devices being an integral part of our day, how we sit and the length of time we spend sitting have played a role in how our muscles and skeletal system function. “Text neck” puts extreme strain on your neck muscles and can lead to crotched posture and further back discomfort. Having the proper posture as you may spend more time seated, through the Fall and Winter months can be the best way to help you manage your spine health. A well-trained chiropractor will be able to evaluate your posture, adjust it, and help you stay healthy and energized through the holidays.

When is the last time you visited a chiropractor

If it has been longer than 6 months, then now is the time to schedule an appointment! The friendly doctors at Corrective Chiropractic will be happy to give you a free phone call and answer any questions you may have.

You deserve to be stress-free (or at least pain-free) now and through the end of the year!

What Age Can a Child Start Seeing a Chiropractor?

From when your child is born, their body undergoes an immense amount of growth over the first four years. Children’s muscles stretch and their bones grow. This is why we make sure they are in alignment can help with their development and overall health. Getting your child chiropractic treatments early on in life can help them reduce any physical pain. It can also help any discomfort they may feel during growth spurts.

A child’s spine experiences the highest rate of expansion during the first 10 years of life. Simple events like wearing a heavy backpack or having poor posture can take a toll on how their spine develops. When the spine is misaligned, this impacts the nervous system. This can result in a host of illnesses and conditions: such as colic, asthma, ear infections, bedwetting, even a weak immune or digestive system.

Taking your child to receive chiropractic treatments can be an effective way to keep their spine healthy during development years.

Do pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractors need specialized training?

All chiropractors receive some basic pediatric training during their doctoral program. Some may pursue more in-depth courses as part of their continued education. Likewise, some highly-trained pediatric chiropractors also engage in research in the field of pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractic medicine. If you are seeking out a reputable pediatric chiropractor in your area, consider consulting the list of chiropractors recognized by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

The friendly doctors at Corrective Chiropractic have over a decade of experience working with children, as young as a few months old, to ensure that their spine is in perfect alignment as they grow and thrive. If you would like to explore our techniques or want to learn more about how chiropractic treatments can help your child stay happy and healthy, contact our Atlanta (locations in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Woodstock) and Charleston, SC area office today at 404-355-5499, or schedule a free initial consultation here.

How to Choose The Best Pregnancy and Pediatrics Chiropractor

During your pregnancy, you want nothing but the best for your baby. Finding the right pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractor may be high on your list. You deserve a chiropractor that has experience with pregnancy chiropractic techniques to ensure you are healthy and pain-free throughout your pregnancy.

Assess Your Pain Areas

Knowing where you are experiencing pain and discomfort can help you identify the best pregnancy chiropractor to meet your needs. You can also ask specific questions and get targeted information about how they can leverage safe chiropractic treatments. For example, if you are having lower back pain, as a result of your pregnancy, seeking out an experienced pregnancy chiropractor who specializes in treating this can be the best solution.

Ask About Their Pediatrics Chiropractor Experience

How long has the practice been open? How many pregnant patients do they treat? What techniques have they found to be successful for pregnant women experiencing back pain? These are all questions you should ask to determine if the pregnancy chiropractor is the right fit for your needs. An experienced chiropractic treatment clinic will be able to provide ample information in this regard. They will be happy to address all of your questions and concerns during the initial visit.

Check Pediatrics Chiropractor References

Always ask for testimonials or to speak with former patients. It is always best to do your own due diligence before accepting any treatments. Checking for online reviews and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings are also great places to verify the practices’ credibility and ability to provide quality care.

Ask for an Initial Consultation

Most trusted pediatric and pregnancy chiropractors will offer a free back evaluation to discuss your areas of pain. This is a great time to ask questions about their experience and inquire about what specific chiropractic treatments they use to help pregnant women manage back pain throughout their pregnancy. If they require you to commit to services before you are able to discuss your needs, this is a major red flag.

If you are looking for an award-winning and friendly pregnancy chiropractor with a proven track record helping pregnant women eliminate back pain, then contact the experienced doctors at Corrective Chiropractic today at 404-355-5499 for a free, no-strings-attached consultation.

pregnancy massage

Why You Should Get a Pregnancy Massage

Being pregnant can take a toll on the body, in more ways than one. Apart from gaining weight, the joints and muscles are often stretched and stressed to their max. This happens as a woman enters the later stages of pregnancy. Seeking out an experienced prenatal chiropractor can be an all-natural way to manage the aches and pains of being pregnant. According to the most reputable pediatric and pregnancy clinic centers, here are the top three reasons why pregnancy massage should be part of your pregnancy health regime.

Pregnancy Massage Helps with Back Pain

As the baby grows and your stomach protrudes, it is common for many women to experience lower back pain. When you throw in lack of sleep and stress, the level of pain and discomfort felt can intensify very quickly. Your posture will shift making changing positions or walking difficult. Taking a proactive approach and receiving pregnancy massages to make sure your joints and back are healthy and aligned can be a great way to ensure your pregnancy is as smooth and pain-free as possible.

Pregnancy Back Pain Cannot Be Treated with Medication 

Doctors will advise against taking pain medication during pregnancy.  They suggest using heat pads or placing pillows under the lower back when in a seated or lying position. Though these options are somewhat successful in reducing back pain, they are not as nearly as effective as pregnancy massage. Visiting one of the best pregnancy and pediatrics chiropractors can help you curb any back pain you may be experiencing.

Pregnancy Back Pain Can Negatively Affect Your Baby

Whatever you experience is transmitted to your growing baby. When your spine is misaligned, this impacts your nervous system and can cause your body to produce stress hormones that will cross the placenta and be absorbed by your baby. With high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol being found to negatively influence infant birth weights. Finding natural and preventive ways to decrease their production in your body is vital. Recent studies have shown a link between chiropractic treatments and a reduction in the level of cortisol in the body, thereby providing further evidence that visiting a pregnancy chiropractor is an essential part of your prenatal health routine.

chiropractic benefits

Chiropractic Benefits You Never Knew

When you think of chiropractic treatments and chiropractic benefits, many patients will outline the back and spinal advantages of chiropractic therapy. This is just one of many health benefits chiropractic can offer, even for those not suffering with debilitating back pain. Here are the top three little-known chiropractic treatment benefits:

Long-Term Headache Relief

Chiropractors see as many patients with chronic headaches and migraines as they do those with back pain. With regular chiropractic treatment and spinal alignments, long-term headache relief can easily be achieved. Recent research found that when patients visited a chiropractic center at least once every three months, they experienced a 90% drop in the number and intensity of their headaches.

Natural Blood Pressure Control

Hypertension is one of the leading chronic illnesses in the country. With one in every three adults having the disease, finding non-medication ways to control and reverse the symptoms can be life-changing. Researchers found that even after a one-time chiropractic adjustment, participants saw a significant decrease in their blood pressure. This was equivalent to taking two blood-pressure drugs at once.

Improved Metabolism and Digestive Functioning

When your spine is misaligned, even slightly, your nervous system will be most impacted. When your nervous system is not functioning properly, all other areas of your body, including your digestive system, will be adversely affected. This can lead to other health issues. Digestion can be reduced if you have poor posture. Chiropractic care can be an all-natural, non-invasive way to improve your posture. This can, in turn, get your digestive system performing at its best.

BONUS: Kickstarts Your Immune System

Whether you’re the type of person who gets sick often or stays sick longer than normal, chiropractic treatments and chiropractic medicine as a whole can be your silver bullet to staying healthy all year round. Chiropractic adjustments focus on getting your skeletal system back in line. It is believed that this also helps increase your blood flow to all areas of your body and gives your immune system that added boost to ward off illnesses.