Welcome To The Accident & Injury Chiropractic Blog!
On behalf of all the doctors and staff here at Accident & Injury Chiropractic – Welcome to our Blog. Our team here at A&IC set up this forum with our patients and followers in mind. This is where we share health and therapy information that helps you better understand the topics we discuss together on your visits.
Please leave your comments and questions in the area provided at the end of each blog post so we can respond directly to your comments. We are excited about our blog format and forum. It helps us get to know you better and share additional information with you beyond what we can do during your office visits. We look forward to hearing from you and hope you find our blog posts and videos helpful.
With over 30,000 patients and a combined 100 + years of doctor experience we feel confident that we have unlimited health related information to share with you to help with a full spectrum of topics related to healthy pain free living.
For all those visitors who are not yet patients, we invite you to come in for a free consultation and complete orthopedic, neurologic and chiropractic exam to help you understand your problems. It’s time to get you on track to healing and a better quality of life.
You deserve the competence, friendliness and affordability that have become the hallmarks for care at Accident and Injury Chiropractic.
All of us at A&IC look forward to hearing from you.
About Back Braces
Neck and back pain, scoliosis, back strain – each of these acute conditions may justify the use of a back brace to relieve symptoms or to prevent a particular condition from getting worse.
But when are back braces effective, and when might they be of no use at all?
Consider the case of childhood scoliosis. Bracing is often recommended to prevent spinal curves from getting worse and a brace is often recommended until a child’s skeleton has stopped growing. Although in the initial phases, the brace may appear to correct the situation, this is hardly the case. In fact, in the majority of cases of bracing alone, once the child is no longer wearing the brace, the curve reverts to its original pattern.
Additionally, many children are prohibited from participation in sports or other physical activities due to wearing a brace, or they remove the brace so they can participate in these types of activities.
Many adults who experience back pain purchase lumbar support braces at their local pharmacies. This type of back brace is designed to take weight off the lower back, improve posture and/or limit movement that could further aggravate the condition causing the pain. These types of braces limit the use of certain muscles that support the spine. Thus, long term usage can cause supporting muscles to atrophy and weaken, actually increasing the possibility of injury!
There is some evidence that suggests that the use of braces may help relieve new or acute cases of back pain. Other research indicates they may actually provide no better treatment than no treatment at all. Every case varies. Instead, strengthening the muscles that support the lower back through exercise (and regular chiropractic care) makes the most sense.
If your employer insists that you wear a brace on the job, ask about ways to strengthen the muscles in your lower back and abdomen so the brace doesn’t cause the very problem it was designed to prevent. And get adjusted regularly!
Kids Know!
One of the great things that we can do in any child’s life is to help them start making healthy choices early in life. Kids are amazing and the earlier we start helping them to make good choices, the easier it is for them as they grow older.
Making healthy choices is like a muscle. The more a child makes healthy choices, whether in the foods they eat or getting physical – exercise, the healthier they will be.
Children look up to the adults in their life to set examples that turn into habits for a lifetime. One of the biggest and most persistent obstacles to kids’ making healthy food choices is the heavy marketing of highly processed, usually sugar-laden junk food. Our kids are literally surrounded and bombarded by food marketing on a daily basis. Between this and the easy availability of the junk advertised – along with reduced amounts of recess, Physical Education and other opportunities for physical activity – it’s no wonder that the obesity epidemic shows no sign of let-up.
Find fun ways to help them decided what ‘snack’ to choose after playtime. Talk to them – children are so intelligent (when we treat them that way) and the sense of independence when they get to make a decision. Educate them about why certain foods are so good for them.
At home, it seems like it is easier because we control what’s in the house. When we go out to a restaurant, help them choose the healthier meals, then praise them when they do, reinforcing their choice.
Be physical with the children in your life. Suggest a walk, ride bikes, explore the neighborhood. This opens up one on one time as well as gets them in motion.
As children grow so do the number of choices they have to make. The choices will begin just as soon as they start school and will continue to grow in complexity as your child matures. What does it take to make a choice? Making a choice takes a balance of self-confidence and the mental ability to think through the consequences of your decision. Therefore, teaching a child to make good, healthy choices will benefit them for years to come and will definitely set your child in the right direction!
By: Dr. Richard Raymond
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments are the most essential part of your care.
Spinal joints that aren’t moving right can choke or irritate nearby nerves. Chiropractic adjustments add motion to these stuck joints, reducing nervous system disruption. Then, health can return.
Many Techniques
There are many ways to adjust the spine. Our primary approach relies on a small, hand-held instrument. This allows us to deliver specific, highly-accurate energy to individual “stuck” spinal joints. This avoids the thrusting, twisting and “popping” commonly associated with other adjusting approaches.
Feels Great
Many patients are surprised that such a subtle adjusting approach can feel so good and work so well. Most patients report a sense of well-being and ease. After all, if adjustments weren’t pleasant, our patients wouldn’t return for the multiple visits needed to retrain their spine!
Everyone Benefits
Newborns, infants, children, seniors and even back surgery patients can get adjusted. Naturally, adjustments are tailored to your size, age and health issue.
Find out for yourself by calling us at (253) 474-0677 and scheduling a no-obligation consultation to discuss your current health goal.
By: Dr. Dennis Smith
Achieve Your Long-Term Health Goals with Chiropractic
Chiropractors are not generally in the tough love business. Even though, as a group, they truly understand the value of regular chiropractic work, they also share a keen awareness that every person is different and that your needs will be unique to you. At the same time, chiropractors believe that the more informed you are about chiropractic care, the more likely you will be to make the decision that is best for you.
Chiropractors also feel strongly that the best patient is a smart patient, one that understands how the spine works and the benefits that can stem from regularly scheduled maintenance. Imagine a garden that was left to its own devices. It would rapidly fill up with weeds. Only through ongoing tender loving care, will it manifest its true beauty. The body is the same way. If you want to get the most out of your body, you need to take the best possible care of it–and chiropractic adjustments that ensure that your entire skeletal system work properly, should form part of your health regime.
The fact is, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Many folks choose to continue their chiropractic care on some type of periodic basis for the rest of the lives. Others choose to see us from time to time for episodes of neck or back pain. It’s your choice. However, this concern is prompted by three common questions:
“Is it really necessary for me to see a chiropractor forever?”
I love this question because it reminds me of when I was a young boy and my parents told me over and over to brush my teeth every single day–twice a day or more. Then my dentist explained to me why I also needed to floss so that I would always have great teeth. Because they helped me understand, I don’t plan on stopping brushing or flossing for the rest of my life. Your spine is a moving machine and just like your teeth, it requires periodic maintenance. Your chiropractic doctor can give you recommendations so you that can make the most educated decisions about your health. You don’t have to come see us forever, though once you start to feel great, you’ll probably want to. Ultimately, that will always be your choice.
“Will I get addicted to chiropractic adjustments?”
No. Many people feel a pleasant sense of ease and well-being after their chiropractic adjustments. Some feel as though their power has been “turned on.” Others feel more whole or “connected.” (This is what “normal” feels like!) Once people experience this feeling they often choose to adopt some type of ongoing schedule of care so they continue to feel this way all the time. It’s not an addiction.
“Why are so many visits necessary?”
By the time many people consult our practice, they’ve had their problem for some time. Retraining muscles and ligaments that support the spine takes time. Each visit builds on the ones before. Remember, you’re doing the healing, not the chiropractor!
How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
To read more about the long term benefits of receiving chiropractic care, click on the link below:
http://www.dynamicchiropractic.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=54048
By: Dr. Andrew Hamilton
Finding the Right Chiropractor for You
Searching for the right Doctor can be a very agonizing process for some patients; especially when your problems are severe. My suggestion is to ask family or friends you already know. Those are the the Best sources for referrals. Most of my years of practice have been built by those who have that established trust and care that you deserve. Knowing that the Doctor has gone to an accredited school, maintained continuing education and a staff that can take you through the initial patient process are all important factors, but the most common reoccurring theme we see is the trusted referrals from family and friends.
The ultimate compliment is when you tell others about our office.
There are many ways to introduce someone you care about to chiropractic care. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Invite them to tour our site.
We have designed our website to provide those new to chiropractic with an opportunity to learn about us and to explain what chiropractic is, and what it isn’t.
Encourage them to call with questions.
We love taking phone calls from those with questions or concerns. Often, over the telephone, we can confirm whether it sounds like a chiropractic case, or refer the caller to the appropriate health care professional.
Suggest an office tour.
We’re happy to conduct office tours. Sometimes visiting our office, meeting our staff and talking with other patients is all it takes to put a skeptic at ease.
Advise them to request a consultation.
We’re happy to schedule a no-obligation consultation to discuss your friend’s or family member’s unique health situation. Just have them call to schedule a convenient time.
I encourage you to have a firsthand experience in my practice. Call or recommend, Dr David Warwick @ Accident & Injury Chiropractic (253) 474-0677 for your same day appointment. Whether you have been in an auto accident, work or weekend injury; see if we can help by calling today for a No Charge Consultation and Examination. If I cannot help you, then I will direct you for the most appropriate course of care. Call today and stop the Neck and Back Pain you are feeling TODAY! 253-474-0677
It’s easy to get started — I look forward to seeing you. Thank you for helping me help others.
Rules of Weight Loss
Despite the way it feels, losing weight isn’t a mysterious process. It’s a simple matter of burning more calories than you eat. But, if it were really that simple, none of us would have a weight problem, would we? Weight loss can be such a struggle that we start thinking we have to do something drastic to see results — diets, pills or those weird fitness gadgets on infomercials that promise instant success. The true secret to weight loss is this: Make small changes each and every day and you’ll slowly (but surely) lose those extra pounds. The key is to forget about instant results and settle in for the long run.
Rules of Weight Loss
To lose one pound of fat, you must burn approximately 3500 calories over and above what you already burn doing daily activities. That sounds like a lot of calories and you certainly wouldn’t want to try to burn 3500 calories in one day. However, by taking it step-by-step, you can determine just what you need to do each day to burn or cut out those extra calories. Below is a step by step process for getting started.
1.Calculate your BMR (basal metabolic rate). Your BMR is what your body needs to maintain normal functions like breathing and digestion. This is the minimum number of calories you need to eat each day. Keep in mind that no calculator will be 100% accurate, so you may need to adjust these numbers as you go along.
2.Calculate your activity level. Use a calorie calculator to figure out how many calories you burn while sitting, standing, exercising, lifting weights, etc. throughout the day. It helps to keep a daily activity journal or you could even wear a heart rate monitor that calculates calories burned.
3.Keep track of how many calories you eat. You can use a site like Calorie Count or use a food journal to write down what you eat and drink each day. Be as accurate as possible, measuring when you need to or looking up nutritional information for restaurants, if you eat out.
4.Add it up. Take your BMR number, add your activity calories and then subtract your food calories from that total. If you’re eating more than you’re burning, (your BMR + activity is 2000 and you’re eating 2400 calories) you’ll gain weight. If you’re burning more than you eat, you’ll lose weight.
Example:
Jennie’s BMR is 1400 calories and she burns 900 calories in daily activity with regular exercise, walking around and doing household chores. To maintain her weight, she should be eating 2300 calories but, after keeping a food journal, Mary finds that she’s eating 2550 calories every day. By eating 250 more calories than her body needs, Mary will gain one pound every 2 weeks.
This example shows how easy it is to gain weight without even knowing it. However, it’s also easy to lose weight, even if the process itself can be slow. You can start by making small changes in your diet and activity levels and immediately start burning more calories than you’re eating. If you can find a way to burn an extra 200 to 500 calories each day with both exercise and diet, you’re on the right track. Try these ideas:
Instead of… Do this…
An afternoon Coke, Drink a glass of water. (calories saved: 97)
An Egg McMuffin, Eat a small whole wheat bagel +1 Tbsp of peanut butter (calories saved: 185)
Using your break eat sweets, Walk up and down a flight of stairs for 10 minutes (calories burned: 100)
Hitting the snooze button, Get up 10 minutes early and go for a brisk walk (calories burned: 100)
Watching TV after work, Do 10 minutes of yoga (calories burned: 50)
Total Calories Saved: 532 (based on a 140-pound person)
How Much Exercise Do I Need?
Exercise is an important weight loss tool, but how much you need varies from person to person. The ACSM’s weight loss guidelines suggest at least 250 minutes per week, which comes out to about 50 minutes, 5 days a week. If you’re a beginner, start small (3 days a week for 20 to 30 minutes) to give your body time to adapt. Don’t forget, things like walking, taking the stairs and household chores can burn more calories as well. See my discussion on NEAT.
Link: http://carbinspersonaltraining.blogspot.com/2011/08/rules-of-weight-loss.html
By: Floyd Carbins III, CPT
Childhood Fevers: Fact vs. Fear
Your child wakes up in the middle of the night, screaming in pain. You run to her room to see what’s wrong and her whole body feels as though it is on fire. A temperature reading indicates a fever. You’re anxious – what should you do?
First of all, you need to understand the purpose of a fever. Fevers are a perfectly natural function of the body’s immune system, triggered to battle bacteria or a viral infection. Fevers are an innate defense mechanism of the body; fighting infection and enhancing the body’s immune system to ward off invaders that could harm your child.
Why would you want to hamper your child’s natural defenses by artificially reducing her temperature?
While some parents worry about the risk of seizures associated with high fevers, only about 4% of children with fevers ever experience seizure activity. When seizures do occur, although they may be scary to witness, they rarely result in any long-term damage to a child’s natural development or cause diminished mental capacity.
If you interfere with a fever’s natural progression by administering a fever reducer, you may actually prolong the recovery time!
It’s important to remember that a fever is merely a symptom—not a disease. Have your child evaluated if he or she…
- Experiences convulsions
- Has difficulty waking up
- Complains of neck pain with the fever
- Is drooling or can’t swallow
Children with fevers often present with subluxations and thus often respond favorably to chiropractic spinal adjustments. Many parents have reported a measurable decrease in body temperature within an hour or two of having their child adjusted—without any drug intervention. So the next time your child has a fever, think natural. Contact us!
By: Dr. Joel Vranna
Common Sense Ways to Avoid Stress Fractures
Maybe you know how to take care of yourself physically. You try to eat well, exercise, and sleep a fair number of hours every night. But what about your mental health? Do you have balance in your life? Are you feeling as good on the inside as you may look on the outside or is it all just a facade to fool yourself and others?
Taking care of your mental health is just as important, if not even more important, than taking care of your physical health. They directly impact each other, so sometimes, when you feel depressed and anxious, you are more likely to get sick and vice versa.
Balance is the key word. Whatever you do – keep your life balanced. Stress fractures happen when your routine is not balanced. Intense training in one body area set up up for stress fractures. To make sure this doesn’t happen – do cross-training, so the emphasis is not on just one area.
Here are some key things that you might want to consider if you want to optimize your overall health:
1. Balance in your diet, making sure that you get plenty of vitamin D and calcium. Nutrition is key in healthy weightlifting and can’t be emphasized too much. Short term gain can sometimes mean long term injury.
2. Take care of your body – get enough rest, eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, exercise, and don’t forget your chiropractic appointments!
3. Surround yourself with positive people – “like attracts like” they say. If you want positive in your life, then pick positive people to be your friends!
4. Be good to you – take care of yourself – schedule a massage, read a book you’ve had for awhile, see a movie with a friend, treat yourself to dinner, and stop criticizing yourself and what you haven’t done. Remember, you are important too!
5. Reach out to others – sometimes the best way to feel good about yourself is through helping another person who needs you – it’s amazing how that works – try it!
6. Work with a professional to help you build a realistic exercise routine to help you reach your weightlifting goals. Build slowly, allowing time for your body to adjust.
7. Learn how to simply be – go for a walk, stretch, get a hobby, listen to some relaxing music – find ways to de-stress that allow your mind to “take a breather.”
8. If you have any major soreness or injury – stop and rest for a few days. Then resume your routine moderately.
There are many ways to improve your body and your mind, including regular chiropractic care, proper diet and nutrition, and exercise and fitness. All contribute to help make a healthier you!
By: Dr. Richard Raymond
Happy New Year!
The AIC Family wishes you a Prosperous and Happy New Year!
