Posts by Scorca
How Can Chiropractic Make the Penultimate Phase of Pregnancy More Comfortable
The third trimester is a pre-labor peak of discomfort
There is so much going on- you feel mentally drained, emotionally exhausted and physically short of sleep. Your body is strained from the baby’s near-full grown weight. Many women in the third trimester report symptoms of:
- Frequent urination
- Heartburn
- Fatigue and anxiety
- Back pain and associated discomfort
As contractions begin, the discomfort can reach a breaking point; at Scorca Chiropractic Center, our job is to keep you from reaching that point! We want to help strengthen your body against the physical and emotional challenges of the third trimester. Read on to find out how we can help.
Why Hip Mobility Matters for Spinal Health
Tight hips make trouble for your spine
Hips are a less-recognized member of your spine’s support network. This is a shame because hip health has a direct impact on spinal health- a tight set of hips can actually destabilize your spine at its base, allowing for pain and dysfunction; hips with full mobility are able to stabilize the spine, transfer forces effectively and prevent injury. The fact is, modern lifestyles lend themselves to tight hips- the more time we spend seated, the more likely our hip flexors are to become tight and strained. While this in itself can cause pain and discomfort, the impact is multiplied when tight hip flexors create a pull on your spine.
After the Adjustment: How to Keep the Good Feeling Alive
Getting used to a properly aligned spine
Spinal adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation, is a mainstay of chiropractic science. Spinal adjustments are designed to get you moving the way you were meant to- free of pain and full of function. By manipulating the spinal joints, we are able to improve range of motion and decrease the pain that results from nerve impingement. Studies have shown that chiropractic is a safe and effective natural treatment for lower back pain, boosting the speed and effectiveness of recovery and preventing reinjury. But the upward trajectory doesn’t end after you leave the office- read on to find our tips for how to get used to your new, properly aligned spine.
Biking and Back Pain
When biking causes back pain
At our office in Fremont, we treat many a biker with back pain; for a sport that conditions and strengthens the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, it is quite a frequent contributor to spinal dysfunction. No matter your age, if your bike doesn’t fit properly, or if your posture is less than perfect, your biking habit can actually create the conditions that leave you stiff and sore. We want to help cyclists ensure that their chosen method of exercise is only moving them up in the ranks of wellness; in order to do this, we need to prevent the factors that contribute to back pain in the saddle.
How Posture Makes You a Happier Person
Posture contributes to health and happiness
Along with the universally agreed upon tenets of diet, exercise and sleep, we propose a fourth cornerstone of well-being: posture. As we see it, the spine is a foundation of physical health and thus, maintaining its form and function at all points in the day is of the utmost importance. That’s why posture is so important: good posture reinforces your health and protects your body for the future, while poor posture exponentially increases the amount of compression that your spine must endure at a given time. What’s more, good posture reflects your attitude toward life while also informing it: by appearing physically upright and strong, you project a feeling of confidence that also redirects into your brain, helping you actually feel stronger and more confident.
Along with Adjustment: Chiropractic Modalities for Reducing Pain
Our mission is your wellness
Spinal adjustment is at the core of chiropractic theory and it forms the bulk of the treatments we provide at our office in Fremont. However, spinal adjustment is just one part of our commitment to your wellness; we are trained in a multitude of natural modalities that seek to maximize your well-being by improving the way you move and function. One of these modalities is soft tissue therapy, a common tool used throughout chiropractic and physiotherapy to improve musculoskeletal health, overcome injury and heal effectively.
Helping Athletes Improve Balance
Balance is innate; balance is essential
For athletes, balance is one of the factors that determines fine margins. Unfortunately, too many of us neglect balance in pursuit of strength and endurance. Balance is something you need to constantly maintain and improve- it is your ticket to controlling equilibrium and stability. At Scorca Chiropractic Center, we focus on biomechanical balance, as well as the balance of your nervous system. Here is how we help athletes improve balance:
Sleep Alchemy Starts With The Right Mattress For Your Body
Think of your bed as a double-edged sword for spinal health
If you get it right, each night is a comfortable, restorative period of time for your spine; if you get it wrong, your mattress could actually contribute to your back pain, or worsen a pre-existing condition. By failing to support the alignment and curvature of your spine, a bad mattress undoes the good work you have put in during the day time and reinforces tension in the musculature and degeneration in the spine. When it comes to mattresses, we should avoid sentimentality and instead think of it as one of the most important purchases we will make on a regular basis throughout our lifetime.
Fighting Against Extension-Based Back Pain
Who is at risk?
Many people who live with chronic back pain find comfort and relief when extending their spine. But a certain subset of the population- mostly those who spend a lot of time standing, may suffer from too much extension; baristas, teachers, mechanics, and athletes are among the most at-risk demographic. This pain and discomfort, known as extension intolerance, can be identified by changes in your posture, including:
- Excessive lordotic curve in the lumbar spinal segment
- Anterior pelvic tilt, which makes your butt stick out like Donald Duck
These two factors combine to destabilize your spine and wreak havoc, especially in the lower back. So how do we ease extension intolerance?
Protecting Your Spine On the Job
You need to look out for your back at the office
It is one of the most dangerous environments for your spine. The incessant sitting, poor posture and repetitive stress of office tasks puts many of us at risk for spinal misalignment, dysfunction and sets us on a course for premature spinal degeneration. The only defense your back has in this scenario is your proactivity- have you made the choice to take daily action to look out for your spine in your office work? If not, we urge you to make some small changes that can save your back a whole ot of trouble down the line.