What you will learn:

1. What are trigger points and how do you get them
2. Things to consider before you start
3. A Step by Step Guide to relieve Trigger Point pain 
4. How to Avoid getting Trigger Points aka Muscle Knots
5. Final Thoughts: How Does a Chiropractor Treat Trigger Points

What are Trigger Points and How do you get them

Trigger points aka Muscle Knots are tight, painful knots that form when muscle fibers stay contracted for too long. They can cause deep, aching pain, limit movement, and even send discomfort to other areas of the body.  Trigger points are most often in your upper back, between the shoulder blades,  shoulders, or neck. They can also occur in other areas, including your lower back, glute area and your calves.  Anyone can experience these knots which can be the result of:

•  Repetitive motions either in work or through hobbies or sports
•  Poor Posture
•  Stress
• Inactivity
• Muscle injury that causes other muscles to compensate
• Being overweight or obese.

These painful knots can interfere with productivity, sleep, or just a sense of well being

Before You Start

Do not use these techniques if you have:

• Recent fracture, infection, open wound, severe osteoporosis, or blood-clotting disorder.
• Acute swelling, unexplained numbness, progressive weakness, or fever.
• Known cancer in the area, or are on heavy blood thinners (consult a clinician first).
• Pregnant? Avoid deep pressure on the abdomen/pelvis without clinician guidance.

If a technique increases sharp, electrifying pain, causes faintness, shortness of breath, or neurological symptoms, stop and see a medical professional.

Your At Home Step-by-Step Chiropractors Guide to Natural Pain Relief for Trigger Point Pain

Step 1 – Decide what “tools” you will need

·         You can use:

• Your fingers/thumb/knuckle
• A Lacrosse or tennis ball
•  A Pillow or towel for support if needed.

Step 2 – Find a comfortable position

•  Relax the general area of pain
• Take some relaxing slow breaths and try to loosen your shoulders and jaw to release tension

Step 3 – Find the Muscle Knot

• Feel around the area either with your fingers or if you are using a ball, roll it over the area.
•  Feel for a specific area that is more tender than the surrounding area and feel for a hard knot or nodule

Step 4 – Apply Pressure to the Muscle knot/Trigger Point

• Use a pressure that would be a 5-7 out of 10 on a pain scale – uncomfortable but tolerable
•  Press directly onto the muscle knot with your fingertip, knuckle or a ball apply a steady pressure
• Hold for 20-60 seconds depending on your tolerance – Remember to keep breathing
• The pain should begin to ease but continue pressing until you feel a clear reduction in pain
• Release the pressure slowly and rest for 10-30 seconds.
• Repeat this step from 1-3 times until you feel sustained relief.

Step 5 – Gently Stretch the Area

• As soon as you feel release, gently stretch the area for 20-30 seconds
• Do NOT bounce
• Move through a range of motion to further relax the area

Step 6 – After Stretching

• If the muscles in the area feet tight, apply heat to the area for 10-15 minutes
• If there is inflammation use ice for 10 minutes to help reduce swelling
• Make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid heavy use of those muscles for several hours

How to Avoid Getting Trigger Points aka Muscle Knots

• Make sure your posture is good at your desk – Make sure your monitor and chair height allow you to work comfortably
• Make sure to take small breaks by standing and moving at least once an hour
• Exercise to strengthen back, neck, and core muscles
• Sleep on a good mattress and use good pillow alignment
• Stay hydrated and balance your protein levels to your activity level
• Avoid chronic overload of specific muscle areas

Final Thoughts

Use this method anytime you feel a knot.  It can be used daily if needed for mild muscle knots/trigger points.  If the muscle knots/trigger points you experience are extremely tender or acute let the tissues rest for 48 hours between sessions.  Continue to apply this method when you start improving but you may be able to use it less frequently and with less pressure.  If you don’t make progress after a week or two or if it gets worse make an appointment to see a chiropractor. 

How Does a Chiropractor Treat Trigger Points

1. Spinal Adjustments – When a vertebra is out of place (out of alignment) it can irritate nerves and cause muscles to tighten which can result in trigger points.  Chiropractic adjustment re-align the spine relieving the nerve irritation and helping muscles relax.

2. Manual Muscle Therapy – Chiropractors can use myofascial release or trigger point therapy which involves gentle, sustained pressure or kneading to specific areas of the body to promote relaxation of the fascia (connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, organs, and bones) and improve blood flow.

3. Provide Stretching and Mobility Exercises – These exercises can help retrain affected muscles to prevent flare ups.

4. Other Therapies – A chiropractor may utilize therapies such as ultrasound, cold laser, electrical muscle stimulation, or heat or ice therapy to reduce inflammation.

Chiropractic health care not only helps release the muscle knot but reduces or eliminates future muscle knots by restoring balance, alignment, and proper muscle function.

If you live in or near the Lawrenceville area and are suffering with muscle knots/trigger points that keep reoccurring, make an appointment with us for a full evaluation and how chiropractic health care can help you

The post How to Relieve Muscle Knots Naturally: A Chiropractor’s Step-by-Step Guide for Lasting Trigger Point Pain Relief appeared first on Whole Life Health & Injury Center.

The Definition of an Allergy

In its most basic definition, an allergy is an overreaction by the immune system to a substance that would normally be considered a neutral substance to the body and not cause any reaction.

Why the Increase in Allergies?

Modern life assaults our bodies from without as well as within.  We are exposed to chemicals in the air we breathe, the water we drink and food we eat. 

Consider this.  At the turn of the last century bread making required only whole grains, water, butter, baker’s yeast and a little sweetener to help the yeast rise.  Today a modern loaf of bread may contain more than 100  different ingredients, including preservatives, coloring agents, insecticides, pesticides and fungicides, as well as chemical residues from various packaging and cleaning procedures.  These can sensitize an immune system and cause us to react negatively to many other substances. 

Our bodies are still biologically programmed to reside in a much simpler environment.  Is it any wonder that the number of people complaining of allergic reactions has increased dramatically.

What are Other Symptoms of Allergies?

Besides the common symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes, hives and itchy skin, the next most common symptoms allergic people can experience are:

• dizziness

• queasiness
• cramps
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• a tingling sensation in their mouth
• swelling of their tongue or face

In the most extreme situations, allergies can result in anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction marked by constriction of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. In severe cases it may cause swelling of the throat that completely blocks the airway.

But allergies can also be the root cause for a wide range of ailments not usually associated with allergies.  These include issues such as:

• Gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, constipation, ulcers, etc
• Headaches
• Backaches
• Arthritis
• Brain symptoms like brain fog, depression, attention-deficit disorders
• Skin problems such as boils, slow healing wounds, eczema, etc.
• Kidney and bladder infections

Traditional Methods of Dealing with Allergies

Traditional Western medicine regularly recommends taking over-the-counter antihistamines and/or decongestants to address any symptoms short term as a first resort to common allergy reactions.

The next step is trying to identify the offending allergens.  (Allergens: those elements that cause a negative allergic reaction).  This is typically done through skin scratch tests where small amounts of various substances are scratched into your skin with a needle to see if there is a reaction. 

If a food allergy is suspected there are two approaches.  One is a blood test which has mixed reviews on how reliable they are.  The usual recommendation is to do an elimination diet where you cut foods out of your diet and then introduce them back one a time to try to determine what’s bothering you.  That is usually a very time consuming and frustrating process that may or may not identify what’s bothering you.  This elimination approach may also be used for other types of issues.

Once allergens have been identified allergy shots are typically prescribed.  This involves injecting small amounts of the offending substances and work by gradually exposing your immune system to the specific substances you’re allergic to.  The intent is to train your body not to react or cause symptoms.  This process can require regular doctor visit over several years. 

What are Alternative Allergy Treatments

Some treatments people have tried are:

• Herbal supplements that act as natural antihistamines or decongestants
• Acupuncture and/or chiropractic
• Nasal saline using a Neti pot to clear allergens from the nose
• Using a variety of essential oils
• NAET

What is NAET

NAET is a very successful and non-conventional way to address allergies.  This approach was developed by Dr. Devi Namburdripad looking for a way to overcome her own serious allergic reactions to foods.  Per the ncbi.nln.nih.gov*… NAET is a non-invasive, drug-free, holistic treatment, based on a combination of knowledge and techniques borrowing from Western medicine (allopathic) and traditional Oriental medicine (e.g. chiropractic, kinesiology, and acupuncture).

Dr. Ray Alexander at the Whole Life Health Center has been practicing NAET for over 25 years and has helped 1,000’s of patients find relief from their allergy symptoms.

Call our office if you are suffering from allergies. Dr. Alexander offers a FREE phone consultation or to schedule a full evaluation.

Testimonials

Here are some of their testimonials on the effectiveness of NAET:

“As a child I was always sick…As a young adult I continued to have many of the same problems. Twelve years ago, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have had sinus surgery twice. A year ago I was sick all the time.. My daughter-in-law heard about NAET treaments and sent me the information that she located on the internet.  I started to see Dr. Alexander soon afatern.  That was a year ago.  I cannot believe how much better I feel”.  Marilyn J. – Lawrenceville, Ga

Two ears ago I could eat almost nothing without my skin turnng bright red. I itched all over. I dreaded eating. After being treated for my food allergies with NAET, I can eat anything I want. I am so grateful! I have energy to do thing I enjoy, such as walking, stretching. I even have enough energy to ice skate, which I began seven months ago. People I know have noticed my increased energy. It was a long haul, but Imade it! Thank you so much, Dr. Alexander and office staff. Stephen McM – Lilburn, Ga.

“I started NAET about 6 months ago.   The difference in how I feel is amazing.  After being diagnosed with chronic fatigue, fibyromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel, extensive food and environmental allergies, etc. and going from doctor to doctor I finally turned it over to Dr. Alexander.  This was the best decision that I have made towards recovery in life.” Joan M. – Lawrenceville, Ga.

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The National Center for BiotechnologyInformation (NCBI) is part of the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is approved and funded by the government of the United States

The post Allergies Making You Sick? What Can You Do? appeared first on Whole Life Health & Injury Center.

“I was thinking about calling you a couple months ago.  I had this horrible pain down my left arm and then I started to feel pain and a tingling sensation in my elbow.  When my fingers started to feel tingly and kind of numb I was convinced I must be having a heart attack.  I went to the emergency room and was relieved to find out it wasn’t a heart attack but they had no idea what it could be.  I went to see a neurologist, an orthopedist, an internist, etc.  They did all these different tests; blood tests, MRIs, CAT scans, etc.  I spent tons of time and money and no one could figure out the problem.  They gave me pain killers and muscle relaxants but nothing worked.  I wasn’t able to sleep.  It was awful.  Finally, I went to a local chiropractor.  Do you know what it was?  I had a “pinched” nerve in my neck.  After doing some traction and a few adjustments the pain, tingling, and numbness were gone!” Her last comment…”I should have called you right away!!  It would have saved me a lot in pain & suffering, time, and money!”

It’s common for us to leap to the worst case scenario when we have unexplained pain.  And I cannot stress enough  that if you ever even suspect you may be  having a heart attack, go to the emergency room IMMEDIATELY or call 911.  If it is a heart attack, minutes count.

The question then is, why would you go to a Chiropractor if you have tingling and/or numbness in your elbow or fingers, or if you have a pain running down your arm?  The answer is because more often than not that pain, tingling, or numbness is caused by a nerve that is being irritated or pressed on in some way.  This is often referred to as a “pinched” nerve.  While a true pinched nerve, or compression lesion, is rare (causing only between 10-15% of spine related problems), the term “pinched” nerve is commonly  used because it is a descriptive way of explaining what occurs.

An easy way to picture what is happening is to think of your nerves as being like microscopic garden hoses.  Messages between your brain and all parts of your body run smoothly through this “hose”.  Just as the flow of water slows or stops if you “pinch” a garden hose, so does the flow of information to and from your brain slow or stop.  This results in pain, tingling, and/or numbness.

One of the most  common areas for nerves to get “pinched” is the neck. Another common site is in the carpal tunnel.  This is an area in the wrist that all finger flexor tendons and the median nerve pass through.  The brain cannot distinguish between the beginning, middle, or end of the nerve.  It only registers that it is not receiving a signal from the hand, therefore the hand is where the tingly or numbness are found.

“Pinched” nerves can be caused by a herniated disc, bone spurs, or joint disease, but are most usually caused by nerve tissues irritated by the rubbing, stretching, or scraping of spinal joints (vertebra) that are out of place or alignment.  The initial irritation can be caused by such things as falls, car accidents, improper lifting, poor posture, sports injuries, sitting too long, repetitive work, sudden or violent movement, chemical exposure, emotional stress, or lack of exercise.  In the case of Carpal Tunnel the nerves usually get irritated because of a repetitive motion that causes the nerve to be rubbed over and over again in the same place.

By adjusting or returning the vertebrae in the neck to their proper position, chiropractic can relieve the pressure that is irritating the nerve.  Chiropractic manipulation of the wrist, elbow, and sometimes the upper back can relieve the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  Several studies have shown chiropractic is just as effective as conventional medicine in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel without the need for injections or surgery.

Typically if the “pinched” nerve is in the neck the pain/tingling/numbness will be felt on the outside of the hand.  With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome the index and middle fingers, and sometimes the thumb are affected.

If you, or someone you know, experiences pain, tingling, or numbness is your arm, elbow, hand, fingers, etc., try Chiropractic first.  You could save thousands of dollars, hours of time, and the agony of uncertainty!

Call our office for a Chiropractic evaluation if you or anyone you know is experiencing ongoing arm, elbow, hand, or finger pain, tingling and/or numbness.

The post Heart Attack or Pinched Nerve? appeared first on Whole Life Health & Injury Center.

The issue of bone and joint health is so important and yet so ignored that the years 2000-2010 were declared the Bone and Joint Decade.  One of the key goals  of that initiative was to raise awareness of the increasing societal impact of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.  The cost in the U.S. alone is estimated to be $254 BILLION and is the leading cause of disability in our country.  Over 35 million people, or 1 in 7, will be affected by some form of musculoskeletal problem.

There are 8 key joint areas in your body: neck, spine, shoulders, arms/elbows, hands, hips, knees, and leg/foot.  Each of these areas can suffer from arthritis or other diseases or injuries.  Here are some of the most common injuries.

NECK: 

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries, and while usually associated with auto accidents, it can occur whenever the head is forcibly thrown forward and then backward.  Symptoms include neck pain/stiffness, headaches, pain in the shoulders or low back, pain, tingling or numbness in the arm/hand, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, difficulty sleeping/concentrating/remembering, or irritability/fatigue.  If you have any sort of accident where you suspect whiplash it is important to have it checked as soon as possible.  Most whiplash injuries do not show up on a regular x-ray and emergency room personnel are not trained to identify these injuries.  A chiropractor is specially trained to diagnose and treat whiplash injuries.

SPINE: 

Strain and sprains to the low back.  These can be caused by improper sitting or lifting, over-exertion or trauma.  In some cases this can lead to a bulging disk which can result in numbness, tingling, or pain down the leg.  Many studies have shown chiropractic to be the best treatment for low back pain.  Through adjustments and proper exercise, you can ease the pain and, in extreme cases, avoid surgery.

SHOULDERS, ELBOWS, KNEES: 

Injuries to these joints are usually caused by sports activities.  Those that involve overhead motion, eg. swimming, tennis, pitching  cause repetitive strain on the shoulder.  Tennis or golf elbow can cause pain to radiate down the arm.  Tine tears in the tendons cause them to become swollen and sore.  Injuries to the ligaments and cartilage are the most common form of knee injuries.  ?The best prevention is to know your limits.  If you start to feel discomfort, discontinue the activities for a while and put ice on the affected area.  If the pain continues or increases, seek medical or chiropractic care.

HIPS:  

Broken hips are actually a fracture of the leg bone just below the hip joint.  Osteoporosis is the leading cause of this injury in a fall.  Engage in weight bearing exercise like walking and get plenty of calcium (we recommend MCHC calcium supplements) to keep  bones healthy and strong.

WRISTS/HANDS: 

Repetitive motion and vibrations can lead to nerve pain known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  By relieving the pressure on the nerve, chiropractic can be a conservative approach to this problem , without the need for drugs or surgery.

While these injuries are caused by diverse means, there are some common ways  to limit them.  Keep your muscles strong, don’t overdo your activities whether they are sports or chores, make sure to get enough calcium to keep your bones strong, bend your knees when lifting or ask for help, and stop when you feel discomfort.  For pain and/or swelling first try ice therapy.  If that doesn’t help and you experience intense pain or pain that doesn’t subside in a couple of days, check with us for recommendations or seek medical care.

The post This Condition Will Effect 1 Out of 7 People This Year, Could You Be One of Them? appeared first on Whole Life Health & Injury Center.

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Client: Seven Media Group

Category: Product Design

Date: June 2019

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