5 Reasons Why You Should Visit a Tustin Chiropractor

Tustin chiropractors can offer drug-free treatment options that are effective, safe, and optimal for recovery or healing. Chiropractic treatment is the way to go if you are seeking a more natural way to treat your health conditions. You do not have to go through painful treatment sessions or experience adverse side effects if you choose to do a chiropractic treatment. It provides substantial benefits to people of all ages.

Here are a few reasons why you should visit a Tustin Chiropractor:

1. Enhance Your Range of Motion

   The range of motion in your muscles and spines can be increased through chiropractic care. Your flexibility and posture are improved when your body is in better alignment. You can relax your muscles and improve your range of motion with a sustained and regular chiropractic treatment program.

2. Improve Your Sleep

   People may suffer from poor quality of sleep due to pain or health issues within the body. Treating your health conditions and body pain through chiropractic treatment will improve your quality of sleep. You will continue to have better sleep, as your muscles will be more relaxed than before treatment.

3. Stress Relief

   Stress can have a significant impact on your health and lead to various problems, but you can get rid of it by chiropractic care. A chiropractor is trained to realign your body including your neck and spine. Realigning your body helps your central nervous system from sending pain signals to your brain, reducing mental and physical stress and tension.

4. Reduce Headaches

   A chiropractor can help to reduce the severity and frequency of your headache by aligning your spine. When your spine is not in better alignment, the nerves in your spine send signals that can trigger headaches or migraines. However, chiropractic care is effective at aligning your body, which helps to reduce the potential causes of your headache.

5. Improve Mood

   A chiropractor can help to treat your mood swings by reducing pain in your body. If you do not have pain issues, you will feel more relaxed and comfortable and happily take part in your routine activities.

Chiropractic treatment is not just a way of fixing your health issues, but it is also a way of allowing your body to heal naturally without medications or painful surgeries. It helps you get better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Contact us if you are looking for a chiropractor in Tustin to treat your health conditions. Our Tustin Chiropractor can create a customized treatment plan that ensures better health and quick recovery.

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How Tustin Chiropractors Help You with Joint Inflammation

There are many different types of joints in the human body including saddle joints, ball and socket joints, hinge joints, and gliding joints. Over time, people may experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in their joints due to inflammation. Tustin chiropractors focus on treating stiff and painful joints to help you move more fluidly and reduce inflammation in your joints. Chiropractic adjustments are a safe way to help your joints function and feel better.

What Is Joint Inflammation?

Inflammation is a part of the immune system’s reaction to infection and injury. Your immune system receives a response from your body to repair and heal damaged tissue and defend against bacteria and viruses. When an injury occurs, your body can benefit from the subsequent inflammation, as it helps in the healing process. On the other hand, it can become problematic if existing inflammation results in further inflammation.

Arthritis is a common form of joint inflammation. The two major arthritis types include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system’s function develops issues that results in joint inflammation. Osteoarthritis occurs when tissues at the ends of your bones wear down over time due to overuse, aging or injury.

What Are the Foods that Trigger Joint Inflammation?

Foods that cause joint inflammation include:

• Refined flour
• Processed sugars
• MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
• Trans fats
• Alcohol
• Gluten

Limit the intake of these foods and follow a proper diet plan to reduce inflammation.

Tustin Chiropractic Care for Inflammation

Our Chiropractor in Tustin performs joint adjustments to treat joint pain and reduce inflammation. Every patient will receive a customized treatment plan based on their condition and personal preferences, so they can experience the best results.

Our Chiropractor in Tustin, CA can help with your joint inflammation by strengthening the surrounding muscles to reduce pressure on your joints. Also, movement therapies such as Pilates, yoga or tai chi can help to strengthen muscles.

Contact us today to learn more about our chiropractic care for inflammation or schedule an appointment with our chiropractic expert, Dr. Michael Berry, D.C.

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Laser Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Low-level laser therapy, also known as cold laser therapy, is a very effective form of therapy. It does not involve the use of drugs or any surgery. Laser therapy is quick and convenient, with few side effects or risks. It is even more effective for pain relief when combined with chiropractic treatment and other techniques.

Here are some frequently asked questions on laser therapy:

What does cold laser therapy do?

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) device is used in cold laser therapy. LLLT device has been proven to reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation, speed up the healing process, and strengthen the damaged tissue.

Is cold laser therapy safe?

Yes! Low-level laser therapy has been in use for more than 20 years. Many scientific and clinical studies have proven the effectiveness and safety of cold laser therapy. The FDA has permitted the use of this laser device in the United States.

How long does a cold laser treatment take?

Laser therapy treatment lasts approximately 5-20 minutes. Generally, you need to undergo 8 to 15 treatments. The number of treatments varies according to the factors determined by your doctor. Instant pain relief does not mean that your condition is fully cured. If your doctor or chiropractor suggests a course of therapy, you should complete it to improve the probability of your long-term success.

Does cold laser therapy actually work?

The low-level light energy is used in this treatment. The low-level light energy increases the permeability of the cell, which reduces the pain, inflammation, and swelling. The cold laser therapy accelerates the healing process and restoration of function by turning the light energy into the healing energy.

Various conditions, such as back pain, contusions, tendinitis, neck pain, and muscle pain, can be treated by laser therapy. However, the effectiveness of the results will vary according to how the treatment is delivered in terms of wavelength, dosage, duration, technique, and where the light energy is applied to the body. Cold laser therapy can provide long-lasting results.

What are the benefits of cold laser therapy?

Cold laser therapy is effective in managing pain. Some of the benefits of this low-level laser therapy include:

Anti-Inflammation

Cold laser therapy causes vasodilation (widens the blood vessels) and produces an anti-edemic effect, which helps in decreasing blood pressure. The procedure also helps the lymphatic drainage system to relieve the swollen areas. As a result, the tissue fluid is reduced to a considerable amount causing less inflammation.

Relieves Pain

The cold laser therapy produces an analgesic effect on nerve cells and blocks the pain signals that are transmitted to the brain. With reduced nerve sensitivity and inflammation, there is less fluid collection and less pain. The cold laser therapy also helps in producing high levels of pain-killing chemicals like endorphins and enkephalins from the brain and adrenal glands, which help in reducing the pain.

Improves vascular activity

The cold laser therapy helps in improving the vascular activity of your body by inducing the skin to increase the formation of new capillaries in the injured tissue. As a result of this therapy, wounds heal at a faster rate, and scar tissue is reduced.

Improved metabolism

The cold laser therapy can boost your metabolism by creating a higher output of specific enzymes. Also, the procedure produces more oxygen for blood cells, which helps in increasing metabolism.

Improves your nerve function

When your nerves get damaged, the cold laser therapy can accelerate the speed of nerve regeneration and also improves the amplitude of nerve signals to ensure a faster recovery.

Boost Your immune system

The cold laser therapy directly affects your immune system by stimulating immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. The molecular enzymes absorb the laser light, which increases ATP production. ATP is a source of cell energy and energy source for all chemical reactions in the cell.

Does cold laser therapy hurt?

The treatment is noninvasive and painless. Some people fall asleep during the treatment, whereas some people feel a little sensation or warmth. In some cases, pain can begin or increase after a treatment session. This is when the laser light starts the healing process. People with chronic issues or nerve sensitivity can feel this type of pain. This pain diminishes after a few days and rarely lasts longer.

What does cold laser therapy feel like?

Most patients feel nothing during the treatment. Some patients feel the vibration caused due to the increased blood circulation in the target area. The laser produces no heat, warmth, or burning sensation, so nothing can be felt.

Our Class IV laser therapy combined with chiropractic care, deep tissue massage techniques, and specialized exercise, can help you get relief from pain faster! Schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Berry, an experienced Tustin chiropractor.

If you want to learn more about cold laser therapy and achieve good health, contact our Chiropractic wellness center for personalized treatment.

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What Your Tustin Chiropractor Has to Say About Wellness Care?

Your physical wellness is different from your overall wellness. Physical wellness is being disease-free and maintaining a healthy quality of life that allows you to get your routine work done without stress, fatigue, or any other physical problems. However, overall wellness includes different elements.

Read on to learn more about what your Tustin chiropractor has to say about wellness care.

Physical Wellness

You cannot achieve physical wellness when other aspects of your wellness are not balanced. While chronic pain and chronic diseases are not always a result of having poor nutrition or being inactive, having proper nutrition and being active will certainly help and are important to achieve physical wellness. In addition, be sure to sleep well, exercise regularly, and seek medical assistance when you have any signs of illness.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness is paying attention to self-care, stress reduction, and relaxation, and understanding your feelings. You should let go of your past injuries and express yourself freely. Pent-up emotions should be released; otherwise, it could end up as pain in your neck and back. A chiropractor can treat patients with chronic pain that originates from an emotional injury.

Social Wellness

Having a support network to spend some quality time and being socially active are important for achieving overall wellness. You need someone to share your feelings. You should share both your good and bad times with other people. This will create a positive impact on your physical and social health-related outcomes.

All the Three Elements of Wellness

All these elements of wellness should work well to achieve overall wellness. Visit your chiropractor if you have problems with any of these wellness elements. Besides treating the problems associated with your physical wellness, your chiropractor can treat your emotional and social problems too.

What Is Wellness Chiropractic?

People mostly think that chiropractic care focuses on treating neck and back pain. However, chiropractic is a healthcare modality that provides more than just a pain-relieving treatment. It is a lifestyle that includes different aspects of wellness, such as personal development, exercise, stress relief, and nutrition. With wellness chiropractic care, you can experience outstanding results on all these aspects of wellness.

What Does the Research Say About Chiropractic Care for Wellness?

The source of the study, “Clinical and Cost Outcomes of an Integrative Medicine IPA,” reveals that patients who use chiropractic care and other integrative medicine experienced better wellness compared to non-users. Also, they have:

• 43.2% fewer outpatient procedures and surgeries
• Saved pharmaceutical costs by 51.8%
• Experienced a decrease of 43.0% hospital admissions
• Experienced 58.4% fewer hospital days

This evidence shows that chiropractic care works well for achieving overall wellness. Chiropractors can help patients who want to recover from injury, improve their health, and achieve wellness goals.

Contact our chiropractic wellness center if you are looking for a chiropractor in Tustin to achieve overall wellness. Our Tustin chiropractors can customize your treatment plan to ensure a quick recovery and better health.

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Meniscus Tear: How Chiropractic Treatment and Exercises Can Help

A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries. Each knee has two menisci – one at the inner edge and the other at the outer edge of your knee. The meniscus is a C-shaped, rubbery, and tough disc that acts as a shock absorber and keeps your knee steady by balancing the weight of your body across the knee. A torn meniscus prevents your knee from working correctly and leads to accelerated wear of your joint.

Symptoms of Meniscus Tear

The symptoms of a torn meniscus can vary depending on the location and size of the tear. You may experience the following symptoms:

• Knee pain at the center or the side
• Swelling and stiffness
• Pain when twisting or rotating your knee
• Increased pain while lifting, squatting, or rising from a seated position
• Popping sensation, or “wobbly” unstable feeling
• Difficulty in fully straightening the knee
• Feeling that your knee is locked in place

Causes of a Torn Meniscus

A torn meniscus usually occurs due to any of the following:

• Sudden twisting or turning of your foot when it is planted and your knee is bent
• Kneeling, squatting, or lifting something heavy
• Playing contact sports
• Degenerative or arthritic knees in older adults

Treatment for a Meniscus Tear

The treatment for a torn meniscus depends on the size and location of the tear and the patient’s activity level. Also, the location of the tear determines how well it will heal. Some people may require non-invasive treatments and chiropractic methods, while others may need surgery.

• Outer Edge (Red Zone)

  A tear in the outer one-third of the meniscus heals better compared to the inner meniscus as this area has its own blood supply. A small or medium-sized tear responds well to non-invasive treatments such as laser therapy. Laser therapy accelerates the healing and repair process and stimulates the growth of new tissue.

• Inner Meniscus (White Zone)

  A tear in the inner two-thirds of the meniscus may not heal on its own as this area lacks a good supply of blood. Therefore, arthroscopic surgery is recommended. However, the surgery is not always 100% successful as this part of the meniscus lacks healing ability. The recovery becomes especially difficult for patients over 40 years of age.

What Are the Best Exercises for a Torn Meniscus?

Certain exercises can help increase the strength in your upper leg muscles and the flow of blood to your knee. You can perform the following exercises as a part of your chiropractic treatment or in order to heal after surgery:

• Motion exercises such as flexing and extending the knee
• Stretching exercises to keep the muscles around the knee loose
• Basic exercises such as straight leg raises, and toe raises
• Advanced exercises such as squats, toe raises with weights, and harder stretches

How Long Does It Take for a Torn Meniscus to Heal without Surgery?

If you have the injury in the red zone, a meniscal tear will commonly take up to six to eight weeks to heal completely. The healing time depends upon the position and severity of the tear. Reducing activities that cause excessive stress through the meniscus can help heal it quicker.

Can Chiropractors Help with Torn Meniscus?

Chiropractic care offers an effective, safe, non-invasive, and painless solution for a torn meniscus. A chiropractor uses laser therapy combined with other therapies to reduce knee pain, increase motion, and strengthen the joint muscles. These treatments also help in reducing swelling and improving the overall function of your knee.

Dr. Berry, one of the most trusted chiropractors in Tustin, offers the Class IV K-Laser Knee Program to treat patients with a torn meniscus. Contact us at (714) 639-4640 to get advice from Dr. Berry on your personalized treatment program.

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Hip Degenerative Joint Disease: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Hip degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, is a chronic disease of the bone and joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis develops as people get older or when the protective cartilage tissue wears down over time. It causes hip pain and joint inflammation.

How Does Osteoarthritis Affect the Hip Joint?

Walking can be challenging for people who have osteoarthritis of the hip. Diagnosis can be difficult because pain can occur in various locations such as knee, groin, thighs, or buttocks. The hip is stiff and the pain can either be dull or sharp.

What Causes Osteoarthritis of the Hip Joint?

Anyone can develop osteoarthritis of the hip, but people who have a family history of osteoarthritis are at an increased risk for the condition.

Other factors that may increase your risk for the condition include:

• Older age
• Obesity
• Joint injuries
• Applying more stress on the joints
• Performing activities that involve the hip
• Being born with defective cartilage, malformed joints, or other bone deformities
• Certain metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hemochromatosis

What Are Its Symptoms?

Some common symptoms of the osteoarthritis of the hip include:

• You might not be able to perform routine activities that involve the hip
• Joint stiffness upon walking, after sitting for a long time, getting out of bed, or after being inactive
• Tenderness, pain, or swelling in the hip joint
• You may experience the grating sensation of bone rubbing against another bone or hear popping or crackling sound
• Inability to use your joint to its full range of motion
• Joint pain during and after movement

How Is Osteoarthritis of the Hip Diagnosed?

Your doctor will take X-rays of your hip to determine the condition of the hip joints, and they will conduct a physical test to check for pain and functioning of the hip in certain positions. Your doctor will diagnose your condition and the extent of your damage based on your test results.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Hip

The treatment for osteoarthritis can help the hip function better, control pain, and improve the lifestyle and mobility of the patient. The treatment plans include:

• Medications to control pain
• Rest and joint care
• Exercise to strengthen muscles around the joints
• Non-drug pain relief techniques to control pain
• Losing excess weight
• Minimizing the use of the hip

Your doctor may recommend alternative therapies or surgery when the above treatment plans do not work.

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Sprains and Strains: Know the Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Sprains and strains are common injuries and athletes aren't the only persons to receive them. Anyone can slip on a spot of water or trip over something that's in the way. Many people get the two injuries confused because the signs and symptoms are similar. In fact, they are two different injuries.

Causes and Symptoms of Sprains
A sprain is the result of ligaments in a weight-bearing joint being extended or stretched beyond their normal capacity. Once the ligament has been stretched, continued use of the joint can result in even further damage. Symptoms of a sprain include:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• General pain and discomfort throughout the injured area

Causes and Symptoms of Strains
Strains occur when a muscle is worked or stretched beyond its normal capacity. Strains often occur during periods of intense physical activity. They heal much faster than a sprain because muscles receive more blood flow than ligaments and tendons. The symptoms of a strain include:

• Swelling
Soreness
• Muscle tenderness
• Stiffness in the nearest joint

Treatment Options for Sprains and Strains
Everyone receives a sprain or strain at some point in their lives. While most will heal sufficiently on their own, you should always be aware of your activity level to ensure that you don't re-injure the area or make it worse.

If a joint has been strained or sprained in the past, you are at higher risk for spraining/straining the same area again. Sprains and strains often tend to repeat in the same area if it has become weak or hasn't healed properly. You may also consider wearing a brace over an injured joint.

Rest is the best treatment option available. Avoid stressing the injured area and use R.I.C.E. to control your symptoms of sprains and strains. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation are a good way to keep pain and discomfort to a minimum. If the pain persists, it's important that you visit a chiropractor near you who you can trust. They will help you determine the best chiropractic treatment options for your particular injury.

If you are looking for a trusted chiropractor in Tustin, contact us for a free consultation. We provide affordable chiropractic services including Class IV K-Laser which is an effective, non-invasive, safe, and painless solution for injuries caused by sprains and strains.

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