Continue reading »]]> Whiplash: An injury to the soft tissues of the neck that occurs from a sudden jerking or “whipping” of the head.  This type of motion strains the muscles and the ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion.  Whiplash often occurs when a vehicle stops suddenly in a car crash or is struck from behind.  Either of these two actions causes things in the vehicle to be thrown forward – including passengers.  A seat belt will keep a person’s body from being thrown forward, but the head may snap forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury in the neck.  In addition to car accidents, whiplash can be caused by roller coasters and other amusement park rides, sports injuries, or being punched or shaken.  (Whiplash is one of the hallmarks of shaken baby syndrome).

SYMPTOMS:

¨ OFTEN, YOU FEEL PAIN AND STIFFNESS IN YOUR NECK FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS FOLLOWING A WHIPLASH INJURY.  THEN, YOU FEEL BETTER, BUT THE PAIN AND STIFFNESS MAY COME BACK SEVERAL DAYS LATER.  THE DISCOMFORT YOU FEEL MAY INVOLVE SURROUNDING MUSCLE GROUPS IN YOUR HEAD, CHEST, SHOULDERS, AND ARMS.

¨ NECK PAIN AND/OR STIFFNESS

¨ BLURRED VISION

¨ DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING

¨ IRRITABILITY & FATIGUE 

¨ DIZZINESS/PAIN BETWEEN THE SHOULDER BLADES

¨ PAIN IN THE ARMS OR LEGS, FEET AND HANDS

¨ NAUSEA, RINGING IN THE EARS

¨ VERTIGO

¨ NUMBNESS & TINGLING PAIN IN THE JAW OR FACE

Chiropractic care works on correcting complications and relieving pain associated with whiplash injuries. To see if chiropractic may be able to help you call (316) 721-3003 today for a complimentary consultation — Best Choice in Wichita for a Chiropractor!

Continue reading »]]> Every year, countless people suffer with the flu that don’t have to. And it’s NOT because they didn’t get a flu shot! No. Truth is, many people get the flu even if they have had a flu shot and some even suffer directly from the vaccination itself. There is a better, more natural way to maximize your chances against the flu. Actually there are seven of them…here they are:

1. Get Enough Rest – One of the most overlooked aspects of staying healthy is simply…getting enough sleep. Studies have shown people who sleep…on average… eight hours a night were healthier than those who only averaged six per night. New studies are actually indicating a possible link to cancer in individuals who do not get enough sleep. It is important to remember everyone requires a different amount of sleep. If you are tired all day…or…run out of energy in the mid-afternoon, chances are you need more sleep. And if you feel tired all day…guess what? So does your immune system that fights off disease and the flu. One more important note: If you consume alcohol or caffeine, simply sleeping more hours will not be enough. Alcohol and caffeine decrease the quality of sleep that is impossible to make up.

2. Stay Away From Sugar - Besides making you gain unwanted pounds, sugar weakens your immune system immediately after it is eaten. If your immune system is weakened, your defenses to the flu will be lowered… increasing your chances to get sick. Any time you are feeling run down, sugar (simple “junk” sugar) should be eliminated from your diet. And it is a good idea to eat as little simple sugar at all times to keep yourself healthy and functioning optimally.

3. Control Stress - More and more illnesses and diseases are being linked to stress. From our nation’s #1 killer…heart disease…to diabetes, and the common cold and flu. Stress SEVERELY weakens your immune system and causes many unfavorable chemical changes in your body. The bottom line is: the more stress you have…that is not dealt with properly…the greater your chance to get sick. Find ways you can regularly reduce your stress. Relaxation, naps, meditation and physical exercise are all great ways.

4. Eat Garlic - Garlic has incredible natural healing powers: it’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Garlic is one food that you should be eating every day. It is important to note that garlic must be fresh to give you optimal health benefits. The active ingredient is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic, so garlic pills are virtually worthless and should not be used. When you use garlic, compress it with a spoon prior to swallowing it, or put it through your juicer to add to your vegetable juice. If you swallow the clove intact, you will not convert the active ingredient, allicin, to its active form.

5. Exercise Regularly - Studies have shown…over and over…exercise strengthens the immune system and promotes great overall health. Starting and sticking to an exercise program that’s right for you cannot only keep you from getting the flu…but add years to your life.

6. Wash Your Hands Regularly - Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. If your immune system is strong, it should be able to fight off the virus if it does enter your body, but washing your hands provides a bit of extra protection.

7. Regular Chiropractic Care – Regular Chiropractic care allows the nervous system to function properly. Since the immune system is controlled by the nervous system, the immune system is strengthened by Chiropractic care. The more you strengthen your immune system, the less chance you have to get sick with the flu, or any other illnesses.

Each one of these seven things may seem small to you, but when they are all done simultaneously, the impact of your health will be dramatic.

Continue reading »]]> Back pain is epidemic in our country, affecting  more than 21 million Americans.  One common cause of back pain is age. Bone strength and muscle elasticity decrease as we grow older. The discs in our spine lose fluid and flexibility, decreasing their ability to cushion the vertebrae.  Injuries also result in significant back pain for millions of Americans.  Herniated or bulging discs, which press on the delicate nerves in the spine, are a major cause of lower-back pain.

A herniated disc pushes outside its normal location between vertebrae and puts pressure on sensitive nerve roots, which causes severe pain. Other symptoms of disc herniation include numbness and a burning sensation in the lower back.

In the past, conventional treatment for back pain centered on medication, physical therapy, and surgery and too often these approaches offered little long-term relief. Now there’s a new option for those in suffering chronic back pain: spinal decompression therapy.  Spinal decompression does far more than provide temporary relief from pain. In many cases, it can produce long-term pain relief and healing because it actually corrects the problem of a herniated discs.

Spinal decompression works by applying a gentle force at the correct angles through the use of a specially-designed treatment machine.  Patients lie face up on the treatment table and a computerized system applies gentle pressure that manipulates the vertebrae in the affected area to stretch and relax the spine.   The gentle stretching relieves pressure on the discs and forms a vacuum that creates a negative pressure that draws herniated material back into the disc, much the same way that toothpaste is sucked back into the tube once you stop squeezing it.  This takes pressure off the sensitive nerves that surround the spine and allows the disc to heal.

Many people report immediate relief of symptoms and have been able to avoid painful back surgery as a result. One study published in Orthopedic Technology Review found that of 219 patients in the study, 86% reported “immediate resolution of symptoms” after completing decompression therapy.

To find out if spinal decompression could help you call us at 721.3003 — Best Choice in Wichita for a Chiropractor!