Tis’ the Season to Watch Your Back
Now that the seasons have changed and winter has arrived (unofficially), the snow and icy conditions are reason for caution in mid Michigan.
And I’m not referring to driving. I’m referring to your back.
Low back pain is very popular during the holidays and throughout the wintertime; with snow shoveling and slipping on ice being a primary reason many people end up visiting a chiropractor.
It’s great to get exercise and shoveling your walkway or driveway is a good way to get some fresh air and is sure to burn a few calories. But it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before you decide to tackle any kind of strenuous activity that you might not be accustomed to.
Shoveling your driveway after a heavy, wet snowfall after sitting on the couch for a couple of weeks eating leftover turkey from Thanksgiving is a good way to injure your back fast. It’s very important you stretch and loosen up your back and muscles prior to jumping off the couch to grab your shovel.
You don’t even need to be snow shoveling to develop some lower back pain either.
All it takes is a slip on the ice and a tweak of your back and you’re in pain. And until you get your back re-aligned correctly your back pain will continue to bother you. Your holidays won’t be to enjoyable if your grimacing every time you move because your back is out of alignment.
In the event you do pull a muscle, tweak or injure your back from shoveling snow or slipping on the ice this winter, mid Michigan’s Colestock Family Chiropractic located in Eaton Rapids can get you back on the mend with a gentler approach to chiropractic care using the Activator Method.
Browse our website, we have alot of good articles and back pain content to answer alot of your questions.
Our office number is 517-663-8825 from 10am - Noon and 3pm - 6pm Mon, Tues, Weds & Fri. Closed on Thursdays. See our “about us” link at the top of our page for more info.
Back pain isn’t any fun. So if you’re experiencing back pain from the wintertime activities, Colestock Family Chiropractic is only a phone call away to get you back on your feet to feeling 100% again.
Can Your Chiropractor Offer Carpal Tunnel Pain Relief?
When you think of chiropractors you think of back pain and back pain treatment.
However, your chiropractor can also provide carpal tunnel syndrome pain relief especially if your chiropractor is proficient in using the Activator Technique of pain relief.
The Activator Method pin-points your area of pain so your chiropractor can concentrate on that specific area and enhance the healing process.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) generally develops in the wrists from individuals spending extensive time in the same position such as working at a computer and typing for long periods. CTS is becoming very prevalent as a diagnosis for extreme wrist pain especially now that computers have become so popular.
If you’re experiencing pain in your hands and wrists, this is a good indication something isn’t right. The pain may eventually radiate up the arm and into the shoulder if something isn’t done about it. Usually your doctor can determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome through a series of tests and exercises.
The first thing your doctor is going to suggest is to break up the monontony of repetitive motions.
How is your office desk set up? How is your posture? Is your monitor at eye or below eye level? Are you using a keyboard and mouse that are comfortable for you? Is your office chair supportive? These are all things that need to be considered to keep you from developing pain and discomfort in your wrists.
A good idea would to use a wrist rest for both your keyboard and mouse in order to keep your wrists in the proper positions for typing. Make sure your office chair is at the right height to help support your arms while working.
To help prevent the discomfort of CTS, here are 4 simple exercises to do before deciding to visit your doctor or chiropractor:
#1- Stand against a wall and place your hand flat against it. Turn your head in the opposite direction to bring your shoulder blade inward. This helps stretch the wrist and the forearm.
#2- Place your hands together before you as if you were praying and stretch the heels of your hands downward until they are even with your wrists. Then move your arms left and then right while maintaining this position. This helps work the muscles of the forearms.
#3- With your forearms supported by your desk, fist your hands and roll your wrists to the left and then to the right without moving your forearms. Then repeat the motion after raising your arms off the desk. Do this a few times before placing your fingertips at the edge of your desk. Push your hands down along the edge of the desk. These exercises help stretch out the wrists.
#4- Shake out your arms and roll your shoulders, saying goodbye to any residual stress. If any of these exercises causes pain, you may want to consider contacting your physician.
Always remember it’s a good idea to breathe deep with each exercise, drink plenty of water, and occasionally give your eyes a break from your computer screen so you don’t begin developing tension headaches as well.
By following some of these simple exercises, you may be able to avoid the pain and medical bills from suffering with carpal-tunnel syndrome.
Not all chiropractors are trained in all areas of pain relief such as CTS so be sure to ask beforehand.
Colestock Family Chiropractic of Eaton Rapids is one who is skilled in carpal tunnel syndrome, in addition to many other pain management services such as low back pain, sciatic back pain relief, shoulder and neck pain, pinched nerve, back and hip pain, joint pain, foot pain, neck discomfort, herniated disc, fibromyalgia, whiplash, tension headaches and more using the Activator Method Technique.
Call Colestock Family Chiropractic at 517.663.8825 for more information.
Located at 802 S. Main St in Eaton Rapids, Michigan between Lansing and Jackson in mid-Michigan and a short drive from M-99, I-69 or US127.