Chiropractic Adjustment vs. Spinal Decompression: Which One Is Ideal for You?

Are you suffering from back pain that isn’t going away? A back pain that turns chronic can disrupt life and turn it upside down. Backache is a common pain that affects almost everyone, whether young or old. If it is very severe, all you can think of is the pain throughout the day. The only thing that can come into your mind is how to get rid of this pain. In this case, you can opt for spinal decompression therapy or chiropractic adjustments. Both treatments help in relieving pain and increase the quality of your life by a significant margin. 

If you are not sure about which is better for your back ache, here is a quick comparison of chiropractic adjustment vs. spinal decompression. Read on to learn more about the two and how to select the one suitable for you:

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is mainly categorized into two types, i.e., nonsurgical and surgical. The nonsurgical spinal decompression can best be defined as motorized traction of the spine that can relieve you from backaches. The spinal decompression procedure gently stretches the spine, which changes the spinal cord’s position within the body space. It takes off the pressure from the disks within the vertebrae of the spine. The spinal disks have smooth, gel-like cushiony elements between them to help the spine in stretching and moving. Applying spinal decompression therapy can help the inflow of oxygen and other nutrients reach the gel-like fluid within the spinal disk space so that they can heal and retract.

However, not all people are suitable for nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy. If you are a patient with osteoporosis, have ever fractured your spine, or if you are pregnant, spinal decompression therapy is not suitable for your health condition.

Chiropractic Adjustments

In this treatment, an experienced chiropractor would use his experience and expertise in realigning and repositioning the joints in the body. It can be done with the application of targeted pressure. Any kind of muscle tension, stress, or back pain can be caused by the misalignment of the joints. The chiropractors use a hands-on technique to realign the joints in the cervical spine. It is mainly a painless procedure, but some people do experience mild discomfort.

Choose the One That Is Suitable for You

There are varieties of chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression techniques treatments available. Depending on various factors like age, health condition, and the source of the pain, chiropractors can decide on the therapy that can be of help to you. Spinal decompression is suitable for all those who have already tried various chiropractic treatments and suffer from herniated disks, sciatica, spinal stenosis, etc., whereas chiropractic adjustment is beneficial for those who are new to chiropractic treatment. This treatment can help relieve muscle, nerve, and joint pain 

Get the Best Chiropractic Treatment at Active Chiropractic & Laser Center!

If you are suffering from excruciating back pain and are looking for immediate relief, visiting us at Active Chiropractic & Laser Center can be a life-changing decision for your health. The chiropractic adjustments provided by our trained chiropractor Dr. Michael Berry, D.C, are safe and painless and offer quick relief. If you want to lead a life free from pain, contact us today for a consultation. 

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How Can Chiropractic Care Help You Get Better Sleep?

Getting a good night's sleep will help your body get rejuvenated so that you are fit to work and go your way the very next day. Not having proper sleep can result in low concentration levels and excessive fatigue. This is where you can seek the services of a chiropractor. With proper sessions of chiropractic services, you can see a significant improvement in your sleeping pattern. The best part is that your sleeping pattern improves with every passing session.

Advantages of Quality Sleep

Not many people are aware of the benefits of good quality sleep. Sleep is a big contributing factor that can impact your health and mental state. Good quality of sleep will help you avoid or deal with all kinds of depression and anxiety. It can also reduce any kind of inflammation and stress levels. In the long run, sleep can also lower the risk of any cardiac diseases.

What Are the Side Effects of Poor Sleeping Patterns?

If you suffer from troubled sleeping patterns, your body eventually starts feeling cranky. You will have mood swings and feel drowsy. But other than these immediate effects, you might also face issues like:

• Memory loss
• Weight gain
• Poor concentration
• High blood pressure
• Poor motor skills
• Weakened immunity
• Premature aging

How to Improve the Quality of Sleep

There are several ways in which you can improve quality sleep every day. 

Sleeping posture

One such important factor is your sleeping position. Certain postures can put excess pressure on various parts of your body and make you feel stressed even during sleep. Sleeping on your back is the best way to keep your spine in alignment with the bed. You can also sleep on your sides.

The quality of the mattress

Do not sleep on a very stiff or very soft mattress. Choose a therapeutic mattress that aligns with your body without putting pressure on the various body parts. Use pillows to support your neck and head for a stress-free sleep.

Stay away from social media before bedtime

It is an extremely important factor that can hamper your sleep. Avoid any electronic devices before bedtime and instead choose to have a relaxing session. You can take on your favorite book or listen to some music that calms your mind. 

Create a relaxing environment

Switch off all lights in the bedroom and draw the curtains on the windows. Reduce all kinds of distractions, including any outside noise. You can also turn on the air conditioner for a comfortable and peaceful sleep.

Create a sleeping schedule

When it comes to sleeping and resting, it is crucial that your hours are consistent. As an adult, you must get at least 8 hours of sleep. 

Chiropractors are not sleep, experts. However, they can help you restore the nerve functions in your body so that your body is aligned to the bed and is stress-free. Chiropractors can also offer you lifestyle modifications so that you can enjoy improved quality sleep.

At Active Chiropractic & Laser Center, you can get advice on how to get better quality sleep from our expert and experienced chiropractor, Dr. Michael Berry, D.C. If you struggle with your sleep, feel free to contact us now. 

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Chronic Conditions That Can be Alleviated by Chiropractic Treatment

Most people think that chiropractors only treat chronic pains of the spinal cord, such as neck and back pains. But the fact is, chiropractic treatment can improve several chronic conditions that negatively impact one’s quality of life. 

Here are Some Chronic Conditions Expert Chiropractors can Effectively Treat

Migraine

If you are worried about the side effects of prolonged use of over-the-counter painkillers and medications, try chiropractic treatments. It offers an alternative chronic pain treatment option that not only treats migraines and headaches but also helps in reducing the frequency of their occurrence. 

Insomnia

Sleeping well every night is essential for a person’s mental and physical well-being. However, it has been found that 30% of elderly patients suffer from the disorder. While there are different treatments available for insomnia, chiropractic treatment can provide a safe alternative. Chiropractic eases pain, which is a common cause of sleep disorders. It also helps you feel calm and relaxed by triggering serotonin production, thus alleviating stress – another very common cause of insomnia. 

Asthma

Believe it or not, chiropractic treatments can improve asthma symptoms by loosening the muscles used for breathing. Injuries to the spine can also worsen asthma symptoms because misalignments in the spinal cord can stiffen the tendons, ligaments, and muscles – a condition known as subluxation. 

With the help of chiropractic sessions, the spine can be realigned and muscles relaxed, overall helping ease asthma symptoms. 

GERD

Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disorder, GERD is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus resulting in heartburn, bad breath, and many more symptoms. Spine misalignment and resulting subluxations can also worsen GERD symptoms but can be easily treated with chiropractic. 

High Blood Pressure

You might be at risk of high blood pressure if you are overweight or if someone in your family suffers from this condition. With chiropractic treatment, it’s possible to reduce your high blood pressure by a significant margin.

TMJ

Another condition impacting the jaw muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones that can be successfully treated with chiropractic is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction or TMJ. It is a jaw condition that makes chewing painful and causes symptoms like ear pain, headaches, stiff jaws, and muscle spasms. Chiropractic treatment can loosen the jaw muscles, tendons, ligaments and align any bone joint that might be causing the symptoms. 

If you are suffering from any of the mentioned chronic conditions and are looking for an alternative to medications or surgery, consult our chiropractor, Dr. Michael Berry, D.C., at Active Chiropractors & Laser Center. We will help you understand how chiropractic treatment options can benefit you and your body. We also offer personalized treatment plans to treat chronic ailments and help relieve painful symptoms to give you long-term relief. 

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What Is a Chiropractor’s Role in Reducing Inflammation?

The immune system activates when the body encounters an offending agent like bacteria and virus or simply suffers from an injury. The immune system then sends out its first responders, the inflammatory cells and substances that stimulate more inflammatory cells (cytokines). Due to these cells, an inflammatory response traps the bacteria and other offending agents. In short, it starts healing the injured tissues, and this may result in bruising, pain, and swelling. 

In the case of chronic inflammation, the body continues to send inflammatory cells even in the absence of danger outside. 

Why Does Chronic Inflammation Happen?

Various things can lead to chronic inflammation. These include infection, injury, untreated causes of acute inflammation, an autoimmune disorder that involves the mistaken attack of the immune system on healthy tissues, as well as constant exposure to irritants like polluted air and industrial chemicals.

How Does Chronic Inflammation Affect the Body?

If you’re suffering from chronic inflammation, your body's inflammatory response can slowly start damaging the healthy organs, tissues, and cells. In the long run, this can lead to internal scarring, DNA damage, and tissue death. Such issues are linked to the development of several diseases like cancer.

How Can Chiropractic Care Reduce Inflammation?

Our chiropractor, Dr. Michael Berry, D.C., can help reduce inflammation through chiropractic adjustments. Such adjustments align the spine and other joints properly. This allows the body’s biomechanics to return to normal, which stops the production of neuropeptides and helps in reducing inflammation. Furthermore, chiropractic treatment can also treat other chronic conditions effectively that affect a person’s health or cause chronic pain. 

Here are some chronic conditions that can be treated through chiropractic care:

• Asthma

       Alignment problems with the spine can worsen asthma symptoms. Chiropractic treatment can realign the spine, which allows the muscles used for breathing to loosen. This then allows a person to take deeper breaths.

• High Blood Pressure

     In some cases, high BP can be related to neck subluxation. According to recent medical studies, patients who suffered from high BP and had a misalignment of the vertebrae in their neck saw their blood pressure drop after spinal manipulation treatment.

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder)

      GERD occurs when the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach doesn’t close completely or is weak. The risk of GERD can also increase due to subluxations that press on the nerves in the stomach along with other parts of the gastrointestinal system. Hands-on treatment like spinal manipulation can realign the spine and reduce the pressure on nerves.

Conclusion

Looking for chiropractic treatment for chronic pain? Visit Active Chiropractor & Laser Center in Tustin, CA, for the best chiropractic care and services. Contact us to schedule an appointment now.

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Can You Thaw Your Frozen Shoulder with Chiropractic Care?

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder is a condition that is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. When you’re unable to move your shoulder freely, it becomes hard to raise your arm to perform simple activities like retrieving a box of cereal from a high shelf or even hugging a friend. 

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a layer of connective tissue called the shoulder capsule. If the shoulder gets injured or if you have surgery, that connective tissue may tighten or thicken. Movement of the shoulder joint becomes restricted due to this. It can also lead to the formation of adhesions or scar tissues which will limit the movement of the shoulders even more. And once the condition reaches the frozen stage, the pain may decrease but moving or raising the arm becomes more difficult. However, according to some medical experts, the shoulder will begin to thaw on its own, but the thawing process can take 6 months to 2 years.

Symptoms of frozen shoulder

It develops slowly and in three stages. All stages can last for several months:

• Freezing stage

       Any movement of the shoulder can cause pain, and this can limit the range of motion.

• Frozen stage

       The frozen shoulder pain may begin to subside, but the shoulder becomes stiffer, and using it becomes more difficult.

• Thawing stage

       Your shoulder’s range of motion begins to improve.

Causes of frozen shoulder

It is still unclear why some people suffer from frozen shoulders. It happens more often in women as compared to men, and a person is more likely to develop it between the ages of 40 and 60. If you’re in the process of recovering from a health condition like stroke or surgery, you increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder. Certain medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease can also increase the risk.

How can chiropractic treatment help?

Chiropractic treatment can relieve the pain and improve the ability to move the shoulder. At Active Chiropractic and Laser Center, we can perform the right examination and tests to determine the severity of your condition. Our chiropractor, Dr. Michael Berry, D.C., will recommend one or more suitable treatment options for you:

• Electrical Nerve Stimulation - Pain impulses are blocked from reaching your brain using electrical nerve stimulation treatment. You will not feel pain because your brain will not receive the messages. 

• Niel Asher Technique - To relax the shoulder, this painless method includes stretching and manipulating the bones and tissues of the joint. The approach can alleviate discomfort, stiffness, and edema that limit shoulder mobility.

• Spinal Manipulation - Spinal manipulation realigns your spine. Manipulation of your collarbone and shoulder may assist reduce stiffness and spasms while also improving your range of motion.

• Stretching exercises - Your chiropractor will show you numerous exercises to help relax your shoulder joint and increase your range of motion.

• Massage and soft tissue mobilization - One or both techniques may be used by your chiropractor to break away adhesions and relax tight tissues that inhibit your shoulder joint from moving freely. Treatments also increase blood flow and cause the production of natural substances that function as pain relievers.

Conclusion

One of the leading causes of frozen shoulder is the inability to move the shoulder, which may happen due to stroke or recovery from injury, but it thaws gradually. However, you should see a doctor if it becomes very difficult to move your shoulder.

Are you looking for chiropractic treatment for your frozen shoulder? Visit Active Chiropractic and Laser Center for the best chiropractic care and therapy for frozen shoulders.

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How to Treat Your Shin Splints with Chiropractic Care?

Are you struggling with frequent shin splints? Chronic shin splints can be caused by underlying muscle problems or by wearing shoes that do not properly support your feet. Our chiropractic care will relieve your pain and help you avoid such conditions in the future.

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What Is Auto Accident Chiropractic Care And Why Should You Get It?

The pain of soft tissue injuries after an auto accident usually doesn’t appear until days after the accident. That is why you should not agree to a settlement with an insurance company until you have at least received a medical or chiropractic examination.

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