Research shows the health of a spinal joint directly connects to the organ’s alignment and mobility. Decreased spinal joint mobility accelerates the degenerative process and diminishes the joint’s strength and functional capability. The biggest challenge of spinal joint degeneration comes from the permanency attached to the process. Spinal joint degeneration cannot be reversed and continues to worsen if not addressed appropriately. Chiropractors stop the degenerative process by improving alignment and mobility in specific joints through Chiropractic adjustments.

A study completed in 2010 helped to confirm the damaging effects of hypo (decreased) mobility in the spine. When spinal joints lost appropriate mobility for at least eight weeks, scar tissue adhesions formed within the joint. Joint scar tissue adhesions make up the early stage of degeneration. Chiropractic adjustments reduce adhesion formation in an offending joint by inducing motion into the spinal segment. An absence of joint movement produces long-lasting adhesion formation which eventually turns into one of the most prevalent and degenerative conditions known as osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis of the spine torments large numbers of people with one of the most significant causes of persistent pain and disability in the world today. Osteoarthritis has become so common that many assume degeneration simple exists as part of the normal aging process. The plague of osteoarthritis advances quickly and often deforms and disables spinal function. Up to fifty percent of individuals experience arthritic back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain represents a common plague on health, yet limited information and solutions await people suffering from the development of lumbar spine degeneration. The projected number of older adults with arthritis or other chronic musculoskeletal joint symptoms is expected to nearly double from 21.4 million in 2005 to 41.1 million by 2030 in the U.S.

The progression of persistent pain and disability due to osteoarthritis also appear to dramatically increase in the coming years. The most commonly accepted solution in the current health care model involves the use of dangerous opioids. Conventional allopathic medicine carries little information or solutions to help reduce the progression of this disease process. Chiropractic represents one of the only true solutions which address the cause of the problem. Focusing on the maintenance of the mechanical workings of the spine serves as the most effective approach to preventing degenerative wear and tear of the human spine. Normalizing car axle alignment produces a great metaphor to describe the value of Chiropractic adjustments for improving the degenerative process. People certainly take an avid interest in ensuring their vehicle’s performance and value do not unnecessarily deteriorate. A person’s spine and long-term health deserve so much more than a replaceable vehicle. Chiropractic works.

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Over 80% of people experience low back pain at some point in their life. Total costs relating to low back pain estimate at greater than $100 billion annually. Two-thirds of that $100 billion comes from decreased wages and productivity in the workplace. Back pain disrupts life, work, and overall performance. Chiropractic care can reduce medical cost overall.

How prevalent is back pain?

25% of the U.S. population between the ages of 18 to 44 experience back pain. 20% of Americans in that same demographic also experience headaches on a regular basis. The direct costs tied to back and neck pain escalated over the previous twenty years. Back problems account for tens of billions in lost wages every year. These statistics speak to the importance of Chiropractic for every working American.

Back pain results in missed work

A medical study conducted in 2011 evaluated the effectiveness of three different solutions intended to help patients suffering with low back pain in the workplace. The study tracked 894 cases and evaluated the long-term effectiveness of each solution. Chiropractors, medical doctors, and physical therapists represented three different care providers tasked with relieving low back pain. Each practitioner provided their unique care based on specific patient findings and needs. The results determined that Chiropractic patients accrued less expensive medical services and a shorter initial period of disability than cases treated by the other providers. Chiropractic patients also experienced fewer surgeries and used fewer opiate drugs.

The findings support Chiropractic care as costing less while producing greater results. An additional outcome showed that even when a Chiropractic patient experienced a relapse of back pain, the occurrence took place an average of 29 days later than subjects treated by a physical therapist or medical doctor.

Chiropractic for the win!!

Study results clearly dictate that Chiropractic represents the first and best option for anyone with low back pain. Patients who begin Chiropractic care for low back pain usually experience improvement in overall health and function. The reasoning traces to the spines intimate connection with the brain and central nervous system. An adjustment influences countless aspects of health and performance from blood pressure to organ function. Chiropractic began changing lives for the better nearly 125 years ago. People of all ages share testimonies which speak to the power of regular Chiropractic adjustments. Better heart function, improved immunity, enhanced breathing and digestion, and miraculous changes in reproductive health represent a few of the many areas of restoration empowered by Chiropractic. On the job or at home with the family, Chiropractic works.

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The model reflects human biomechanics. The most important structures in the body contain arcs. The human spine comprises the most importance arches of all. The spine requires three important curves (as viewed from the side) for optimal health. The curvatures make the spine stronger and more durable. Losing curves in the spine alters function in the body and predisposes the bones and discs to unnecessary wear and tear.

Loss of spinal curves usually occurs slowly over years or decades due to poor posture and ergonomics. Spinal curves also reduced due to trauma such as whiplash or other forms of natural or unnatural impact. Abnormal spinal curves create cosmetic changes which affect appearance and posture but the most harmful result of losing curvature degrees comes from the damage done to nerve and blood flow. Loss of neck curve alone associates with decreased vertebral artery hemodynamics. This means a loss of appropriate neck curve reduces blood flow to specific parts of the brain and body.

Patients entering Chiropractic or medical offices with a loss of neck curve experience greater risk for increased spinal cord and nerve tension, pain, disability, poor health, and lowered quality-of-life. The increased stress points stemming from a reduced spinal curvature lead to increased vertebral stress, providing the basis for vertebral compression, osteoarthritis, and even bone spur formation. The muscles and soft tissue which supports the neck must work harder to compensate for biomechanical instability. Soft tissue weakness and damage eventually begin to materialize and amplify the original problem.

Chiropractors pay close attention to the health of spinal curves by evaluating the structure and range of motion of the spine. X-rays prove valuable in locating trouble spots and assessing the need for care. Most Chiropractors specialize in evaluating and correcting spinal curvature and motion to restore proper nerve and blood flow. Clinical trials show that correction of the cervical curve improves a vast array of symptoms and conditions. A 2019 study utilized Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) to measure cerebral blood flow before and after taking steps to improve the neck curve. Decreased neck curvature also reflected decreased blood flow on MRA reports. Correction of the neck curve resulted in an immediate and significant increase in the amount of cerebral blood flowing to and from the brain. The results proved consistent with the notion that biomechanics influence physiology.

Scientific evidence continues to emphasize the value of Chiropractic care for those with or without the manifestation of negative health symptoms. Proactive care for the spine and nervous system prove essential to long term health care. The curves in the spine play an important role in spinal health, spinal longevity, and whole-body health. Every spine in every person deserves the care and attention needed for a vibrant future full of life and health.

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Low-impact accidents cause early aging, degeneration, and wear and tear in the spine. Seemingly benign accidents occur at very low speeds or impact. Many symptom-filled people express surprise at the amount of degeneration and wear and tear present in their spine. Most determine that they cannot recall an isolated event severe enough to cause long-term damage. Yet research shows that even low-impact motor vehicle accidents still produce significant negative changes in the spine which include disc degeneration, bulges, and protrusions. Each of these conditions contributes to pain and discomfort easily treated by proactive health care treatment.

Researchers evaluated one-hundred, normal asymptomatic adults and compared them to one-hundred adult accident victims following rear low-impact motor vehicle accidents using an MRI. The ages ranged from eighteen to fifty-three years old with a median age of thirty-five years. Asymptomatic means the subjects experienced no symptoms. This study evaluated one group of 100 normal spines of individuals with no pain or symptoms and compared them to a group of 100 people involved in a low-impact motor vehicle accident within the previous 1214 weeks.

The following four categories help explain the results of the study:

                                                                100 Normal Subjects                                                      100 Whiplash Victims
Loss of good neck curvature                        4%                                                                                             98%

Frontward range of motion                 50 degrees                                                                                25 degrees

Backward range of motion                  60 degrees                                                                                35 degrees

Disc Herniations                                             2%                                                                                             28%

The study demonstrates that low impact accidents of any type can and will create significant problems in the spine which must be addressed. Some problems even occur without the presence of immediate symptoms but translate into permanent injuries after the body’s natural pain adaptation abilities deteriorate. Subjects in a low impact car accident lost 50% more range of motion in their spine, suffered twenty-five times more loss of proper neck curvature, and experienced fourteen times more disc herniations than those who had not been in a recent car accident.

The findings of this study demonstrate why anyone in any type of motor vehicle accident, high or low impact, needs to have their spine evaluated and cared for immediately following the accident. Chiropractors deliver gentle adjustments which improve spinal range of motion, halt or slow the degenerate process, and improve central nervous system function. Even the lowest speed car accidents and traumas possess the ability to create permanent spinal problems and degeneration. A proactive approach to spine and neck care creates the opportunity to halt or reverse pain and long-term health concerns. Accidents happen but Chiropractic helps repair the damage.

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When I was in grad school, it was nothing for me to go on a long run in the morning and then hit the weights pretty heavily in the afternoon. Exercise is my Prozac and increasing the stress levels, just means I need more exercise to combat it.  Some years later, I have been forced to dial it back a bit and have also changed the type of workouts I perform.  When I was younger, it was all about aesthetics for me.  My main motivation for working out was to look good and feel good.  I exercised for image, but now I perform exercises for functional strength and stamina.

It was just over a year ago that I decided to listen to the advice of friends and join a CrossFit box.  I’ll be the first to say that early on (especially before I joined), I wasn’t a big fan of CrossFit because I had a tainted view of what it was.  I would even talk about it negatively with patients until I experienced it firsthand for myself.

As far as running is concerned, I love running. Not because it feels good on my body, but because its very nature calms my mind. When I developed an awful case of plantar fasciitis a few years ago, it was time to change that up. Obviously, I couldn’t run for awhile however, I fell in love with biking. I still run on occasion with my big dog trotting not too far behind but mainly I bike. My feet, knees and back feel better now and I find it a great stress reliever.  As you age, runners need to focus on strength building and rest days from running.

As for feeling better in the morning post exercise, we really need to stretch after our workouts. When you are younger, you can get away without stretching for a short time but take advantage of that too much when you are young and you develop really shortened muscles and a lot of stiffness that doesn’t have to be there. Does stretching always feel good? Absolutely not but you still need to do it. As far as how far to push yourself; if you can’t breathe there, you shouldn’t be there.

One last thing, don’t underestimate recovery days. I fully subscribe to the theory of “everyone needs to break a sweat every single day”. However, some of those days I do it by hitting up a big Three Rivers Park and going on a seven-mile walk. Though I would feel as if I cheated the workout gods when I was 23 by walking, now, that definitely counts as exercise.

The biggest thing you can do to keep your body limber, fit and injury-free is to change what you do every day. Using different muscles and joints in different directions is the key to spreading out the force and keeping your body healthy as you (we) age.

The post How Should My Exercise Routines Change as I Age? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

One of the best pieces of advice I have is DO NOT, under ANY circumstance sleep on your stomach. Eight straight hours of your neck is turned to one side and your lower back arching all night is going to leave you in pain the next morning.  If you have been sleeping that way your entire life, it is going to take a few weeks of sleepless misery to change your habit, but it will be worth it in the end, stick with it.  I recommend using a body pillow to start turning yourself over.

If you are a side sleeper, make sure you have a nice thick pillow supporting your head so that it is in line with the rest of your spine.  Also, make sure you are not choosing to sleep on an extra firm bed or that will create pressure points on your shoulders and hips.  Putting a pillow between your knees will also help your lower back be better aligned through the night.

For my back sleepers, thank you, you are the least likely to have pain from your sleeping position.  I would recommend getting an orthopaedic pillow for your neck that has the lowered area in the middle and roll for your neck to fall over.  I would also recommend those of you with lower back pain to put a pillow underneath your knees to provide support for your lower back.

Another question I get constantly is, “what kind of mattress should I sleep on?”  Honestly, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to mattresses because we all have different body shapes and physical demands.  Personally, I love the Temper-Pedic mattress that my wife and I have slept on for just over 6 years but I have heard of others complaining about the way it makes them feel.  The best piece of advice I can give an individual regarding a mattress is to spend the extra time and money by searching out the appropriate mattress store where the staff has been trained in fitting customers for the correct mattress.  Too many times, people shop for mattresses based on the best deal but the experience will tell you that if you spend 1/3rd of your day on something, you want it to be quality.  Here in Broken Arrow and the surrounding Tulsa metro area, I recommend stores like Relax the Back, Mattress King and Mattress Firm because their staff is put through ergonomics training to fit the right mattress to the individual.

Keep an eye on how you feel when you wake up in the morning.  If you wake up sore or tired, you may need to look to your mattress as the cause of discomfort.  Also, don’t neglect pro-active spinal care like chiropractic care, exercises and stretches.  The more good stuff you can do on a daily basis, the better and better you are going to feel.  If you follow these tips you should enjoy more restful nights and less painful mornings.  If you have any questions, remember that we are just a phone call away at 918-940-4630.  Thank you for allowing us to be your chiropractor.

The post What Position Should I Be Sleeping In To Best Benefit Me? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

Chiropractic takes time to work. Lots of it. Short term pain relief of an hour or two or even a couple of days comes quickly. Changing your posture, changing your spine’s ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again. Your body is learning new patterns of mobility and until the new ones can take over for the old ones, the changes from adjustments will be short-lived.

What can you do to help yourself? Keep your appointments. If we can’t touch you, we can’t affect any change. Unfortunately, we can’t give you an adjustment in a pill form for you to take home. I need to see you in my office to change anything. Your adjustment schedule, while inconvenient at times, is really important to keep. If you miss one out of three appointments each week, you are only getting 65% of the treatment I recommend. If it doesn’t work–that’s the number one reason.

Secondly-Be active. Your body wasn’t made to sit all day. Too many people spend most of their day at work sitting. What do they do when they get home? Sit more. Get out and move. Families lives are focused on kids sports and activities. If sports are so important for them, why aren’t they for you as an adult? Everyone needs to have some sort of exercise they do on a regular basis to stay healthy.

Third–Stretch. If I haven’t given you stretches in my office, ask me for a couple. Or better yet, check out amazing sources like Google and YouTube for all sorts of stretching tips, pictures or videos. Or, best yet, take up yoga. How can you go wrong with a full hour of stretching? I recommend hot yoga or ashtanga yoga or gentle yoga versus vinyasa/power yoga. It will be gentler on your body and more geared toward stretching and lengthening your muscles, not building your athleticism.  But the main take-home here is we need to be more active and exercise often.

If you have been doing all these things and not getting the results you want, talk to your doctor. We may be missing something or there may be a simple addition to your treatment plan or a slightly different adjustment technique that will give you better results.  Once the problem has been stabilized and you are feeling good, why would you want to stop?  Everything that is good for you takes continued use and consistency.  If you go to the dentist and receive a great check-up, the work is not done.  You have to continue to brush and floss every day.  If you worked hard for 6 months and lost 40 pounds, you have to keep up your new and improved healthy lifestyle.  If you revert back to the habits that got you to that point, you’ll tend to regress back to where you started.  You get my point right?  Our bodies are in a constant state of change and repair.  We must choose to make good decisions on a daily basis and that includes consistent chiropractic care.  If you neglect the health of your spine and continue with the stress that brought on your issues, you will be right back where you started in due time.  When that happens, Dr. Ring will be waiting with open arms and while he wants to say it, you will never hear him say “I told you so.”

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 918-940-4630 or check us out online at www.mytulsachiro.com.  We can get you scheduled for your first visit and learn about you.  Chiropractic boasts a 92% success rate for most conditions so you will be glad you made the call.  Thank you for allowing us to be your chiropractor.

The post Why does the chiropractor want me to keep coming back? first appeared on Chiropractor Broken Arrow.

Our spines simply aren’t designed to support our heads that way for so many hours.  Your head weighs between 12-15 lbs.  When supported in good posture it balances well on your spine and skeleton.  When looking down, the weight is supported by the muscles in your neck and upper back and your spine is not doing the bulk of the supporting work as it should.  The result is neck pain from texting, reading and Facebooking.

My advice is “be where you are at”, it is something I need to practice too.  People who email you don’t need instant communication back.  Facebook isn’t real life, it isn’t that important.  Recent research shows that people who don’t use it report higher levels of happiness and less anxiety.  Who among us couldn’t stand a little more happiness and freedom from anxiety.

On top of that, by constantly clicking between apps on our phones or Ipads, we are destroying our attention spans and our ability to concentrate.  Research also shows that in the last decade the average American attention span has decreased an enormous amount.  I personally didn’t have a lot, to begin with so this isn’t good news.

My recommendations are easier to say than do.  Set aside quiet hours and turn your phone off and put it away, at least put it on silent.  Make yourself have to get up to check it and put it on silent so the beeping doesn’t entice you into engaging. Set yourself a limit on how many times you can go on Facebook a day and don’t keep it playing in the background on your computer.  Respond to emails in chunks if you have to be on top of things, don’t check it or respond constantly.

Part of my problem is that I love to read and often don’t do it in the best posture.  If I had to pick between giving up the iPad and giving up the book, the obvious choice is putting the iPad down.  I have been trying to leave my iPad in another room lately while I read.  Mine is old and almost dead and I am really evaluating whether or not I want a new one.  I am starting to think it might be more trouble than it is worth.  As for reading, I read either on a kindle that exclusively is a reader or a book.  If it was a kindle fire with all of my apps on, I would never actually finish a book because I would be mindlessly clicking between things.

So…bottom line.  Put the devices away or use them in good posture.  Your back and your brain will thank you!  If you would like some tips and tricks on how you can improve your posture or if you would like to sit down with Dr. Travis Ring DC of Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic to discuss your health issues, please give us a call at 918-940-4630.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

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