Chiropractic care is important for prospective mothers

At Scorca Chiropractic Center, we specialize in providing chiropractic care for mothers-to-be during all stages of the pregnancy. Our primary goal is to provide you with a high level of care that will: 

• Keep the mother happy and her immune system optimal
• Preventing the standard aches and pains of pregnancy
• Create a nurturing environment for the child to grow
• Lessen the chance for surgical intervention during delivery
• Prevent dystocia

Read More

 Chiropractic is a useful tool for relaxation

Think about the scope of subconscious movements that your spine undergoes in a given week and you will quickly realize that it is an unquantifiable value. Every single movement has a given outcome and the majority result in general wear and tear that slowly accumulates over the years. Below we have brainstormed common outcomes of regular chiropractic therapy.

What could feel better than:

• Less muscle tension
• Reduced stress
• A better functioning immune system 
• Less trouble sleeping
• More flexibility and less chance of causing yourself pain
• Increased endurance 

How do we encourage such relaxation? 

• Chiropractic adjustment: to restore your spine to proper alignment, alleviate pressure on nerves, improve range of motion and mitigate pain. 
• Chiropractic mobilization: to restore and enhance joint function
• Trigger point therapy: to break up knots of muscle tension.
• Attention to muscles: to improve elasticity and improve circulation.
• Stretching to relieve muscle tension

Your chiropractic specialists in the Fremont area

When your body feels good, your brain responds. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol fall while dopamine and serotonin, two hormones responsible for mood and motivation are released; the end result is a replenished immune system. If you are interested in finding out more about the power of chiropractic to influence relaxation, give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Extension-based intolerance 

Extension-based pain is caused by the opposite of flexion-based back pain; while the latter is exacerbated by bending over, extension-based pain is caused by too much arch in the back, often brought on by conditions such as anterior pelvic tilt. The people most affected are those who are frequently on their feet, and the problem is mainly postural in origin- that is, improper posture with a weak set of core muscles can cause damage to the vertebrae. 

Common conditions resulting from extension-based pain

A spine in neutral posture is considered to be extended which means that any extra curvature contributes to hyperextension of the spine. Staying in this position for long enough contributes to the following conditions:

facet joint syndrom

spondyloisthesis

spinal stenosis 

You can test yourself for extension intolerance by lying on your back with a normal curve in your spine. Now try flattening your back to the ground; if you feel better in this position, you may be extension intolerant

How we address extension-based intolerance at Scorca Chiropractic

Because patients with extension intolerance will often present with anterior pelvic tilt, this is a good jumping off point for treatment. We focus on exercises that strengthen the muscles of the core without arching the back and establish anterior core control. Chiropractic adjustment helps to address any problems related to nerve pain resulting from misalignment of the spine. Call our office in Fremont to schedule an appointment and let go of your extension based back pain today!

Working out is not a chore; it is a commitment.

It’s a commitment to your health in the moment, to the longevity of your body and to preserving range of motion in old age. If you are someone who struggles to get motivated when it comes to working out, take a minute to boil it down to these basic commitments. 

Highly effective habits for working out

• Seek variety: cardio one day, weight training the next. Mixing up your daily workout is a great way to overcome the monotony that can make working out feel like a chore. 
• Avoid working out just for looks: yes looks are important for confidence, but don’t focus soley on those muscles. There are 29 muscles that constitute your “core” and that is a lot more than just the abs. 
• Avoid taking short cuts: pressed for time? Don’t skip the warm up; that is the number 1 way to way to injure yourself.
• Stretch! To improve your circulation and the elasticity of your joints which will help improve range of motion and prevent injury. 

Working out in Fremont, CA 

Few people realize that the efficacy of each work out is highly dependent on factors outside of the weight room. For example, an imbalanced spine can cause you to build muscle unevenly or at a much less efficient speed. At our office in Fremont, we establish spinal alignment and ensure that the muscles and structures of your body are in conducive shape to reap the greatest reward out of each workout. Give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

 Sitting is lethal in large doses, but so is standing!

Any position is bad, especially for your back, when held for long periods of time. All the hype surrounding sitting as the new smoking ignores the fact that plenty of jobs require standing for long periods of time also, and the back pain can be just as intense. Going all in for one or the other is not necessarily going to guarantee you an escape from pain or a longer life as is claimed by the standing desk phenomenon. 

Is there a happy medium between sitting in standing if you must work at a desk?

Humans are meant to move- there are no two ways about this; we are meant to change positions between horizontal and vertical, sitting and standing, exercising and stretching in equal parts throughout the day. Office workers face the quandary of being tied to a desk which requires them to either sit or stand and, depending on the individual, one may be more comfortable than the other. Try standing in one place for as long as you possibly can and chances are you won’t even come close to 8 hours. Long before your feet get tired, your posture will have caved in leaving you in the same boat as someone slouching in a chair. 

The question of productivity while sitting versus standing 

Everyone has their happy place, but if sitting feels more sustainable, there is nothing wrong with that. There are ways you can adjust your ergonomic set up and introduce exercise that will ensure that sitting will not take the horrible toll it is said to. Give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment and start optimizing your work situation to account for the health of your back today. 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

What do tight hip flexors mean to you?

Hip flexors are one of the least thought of factors when it comes to back problems, but their presence is surprisingly common in people who suffer symptoms of low back pain. When we are sedentary for long periods of time, or even pursuing activities such as cycling or jogging, hip flexors can tighten and pull the pelvis forward, a position known as anterior pelvic tilt. It is often brought on by weakness in the posterior chain of muscles, poor core stability, poor bodily alignment or, most likely, all of the above . 

How does the tight hip flexor create pain?

Anterior pelvic tilt is a classic case of muscular imbalance. Because the hip flexors are overly active, the gluteus maximus is activated less and becomes weak contributing to instability in the lower back and painful muscle spasms in the hip flexors themselves.

What can I do about it? 

Try this stretch to release those tight hip flexors: 

• Begin by getting down one knee, the kneeling leg the one that will come in for a stretch. 
• Grasp a dowel or other pole-like object in front of you and gently push it down into the ground. 
• Maintaining upright posture, squeeze your glutes as hard as possible. 
• Lean forward from the hips and hold 2 seconds
• Change legs and repeat. 

This stretch is an excellent example of how you can quickly release tight hip flexors. At Scorca Chiropractic Center, we are specialists in the mechanics of movement in the Fremont area. We want to help you discern the reason why your hip flexors are tight in the first place (the most important part!) and create a plan for releasing them. Give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

These are some of the most important muscles in your body

And they are some of the most neglected in the gym. People often prioritize looks and strength over functionality when it comes to weight training. This is a critical mistake from a chiropractor’s perspective because it often leads people to leave out some of the most important muscles in the body, including those of the neck, the trapezius, the stabilizing muscles of the core and those of the lower back. 

There is a large network of support muscles in the lower back that often go ignored

The extensor muscles, flexor muscles, and oblique muscles provide support to the vertebrae of the lower spine, hold the body upright, stabilize the body to prevent traumatic forces from causing too much damage, and allow for range of motion in the body including basic twists and bends. 

• Extensors are in the back and allow for motions like lifting. 
• Flexors are in the front and enable motions like bending, lifting, flexing and arching of the back. 
• Obliques are on the sides and help with rotation and stability. 

Out of these crucial muscles, many people skip all except the abdominal muscles, a set within the flexors which are quite inconsequential when it comes to supporting the spine. 

A plan for your lower back muscles

Let’s stop ignoring and start working them! You can significantly improve your experience with back pain by focusing on the strength of these three regions. We can show you specific exercises and stretches that will be within your specific ability level. Give our office in Fremont a call to schedule an appointment today!

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

Having trouble falling asleep in Fremont, CA? 

For many people, sleep becomes trickier with age; we find it more difficult to fall asleep and are woken up by noises that previously would not have disturbed us. If you have consistent trouble falling or staying asleep it could be indicative of a sleep disorder. But if you are like many people, you could make drastic improvements in your sleep life by changing a few lifestyle decisions. 

For example, did you know that caffeine can work in the body for up to 8 hours after consumption? If you have your last cup at 4 PM, the caffeine could be stopping you from sleeping as late as midnight. Alcohol is another factor that interferes with sleep. While its sedative effect may help you nod off, chances are you are not getting restful sleep and as soon as the effects wear off you may wake up feeling uncomfortable. 

Make sleeping easier with these tricks:

Let’s look at other ways you can make falling and staying asleep easier: 

• Bedtime routine: establishing a set time to go to bed and wake up helps your body establish rhythm which is critical for resting. 
• Relaxing tea: try winding down days with chamomile tea instead of caffeine. The idea here is that you reduce anxiety instead of increase it. 
• Magnesium and calcium: magnesium and its complementary mineral calcium help relax your muscles and decrease the presence of cortisol, a stress hormone that can keep you up. 
• Workout earlier; consume caffeine earlier.
• Hot shower before bed: showers are relaxing; the hot water puts you in the right frame of mind for sleeping. 

Is pain preventing you from sleeping? 

At our office in Fremont, we are treat many people who’s spinal conditions are stopping them from falling asleep. Chiropractic adjustment corrects spinal imbalance and alleviates nerve impingement, which many people find is a boon for sleeping. If you need help rediscovering what it means to get a great night’s sleep, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

What is a muscle cramp? 

Whatever you call them, you probably know what they feel like. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle; the proverbial charlie horse. They cause such severe pain you could swear you were stabbed and they usually stop your workout in its tracks. In the middle of a muscle cramp attack, take a deep breath. It’s going to hurt but the pain will pass. Once the most intense spasms have passed, stretch the affected region and get your fingers in there for an impromptu but much needed massage. Drink water and perhaps consider calling it for the day- cramps are likely to recur if you keep pushing your body past the first one. 

Why do these pesky cramps happen?

A muscle cramp most likely results from a combination of factors, and they are most likely to happen during vigorous exercise:

• Dehydration
• Not enough stretching
• Poor blood circulation
• Muscle fatigue 

Take heart, because these factors are preventable! With enough attention to detail you can mitigate the effects of muscle cramps and hopefully put a stop to them entirely. 

Preventing muscle cramps

• Make sure you warm-up fully; never cut corners on your warm-up to get to the workout. And you are not exempt from muscle cramps after the exercise is over. Doing some light static stretching after the exercise will prevent cramps that can occur up to six hours after your exercise. 
• Drink water, preferably an electrolyte-rich variety.
• Keep potassium levels high by eating a banana

If your workout is constantly derailed by muscle cramps, it could be time to adjust your behavior outside of the exercise to account for them. At Scorca Chiropractic Center, we believe in exercise as a cornerstone of wellness- that being said, we will do everything in our power to keep you active! If you are suffering from long-standing pain in your muscles or dysfunction in your back, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

Spring is the time for rediscovering the joy of movement 

Fitness should never be a chore. At Scorca Chiropractic Center, we think you should either grow to love your fitness routine or change it completely. There is no point putting your body through exercises that your brain does not enjoy. A more intelligent and effective way of getting fit is to pursue activities that feel like fun- so think for a second, what activity do I really love? You may be surprised to find yourself thinking about how much you used to enjoy playing soccer as a kid. Well, there is no reason why you can’t join an adult rec league and play soccer still! This is the idea behind keeping fitness fun and here are some more ways we have brainstormed: 

Making fitness fun 

• The brain can burn calories too: playing an instrument or doing something crafty gets your brain engaged and your body moving. 
• Video games can force you to be active: if you choose the right ones… it’s amazing how sweaty you can get playing Wii Sports for 30 minutes. 
• Backyard games: what ever happened to playing catch? 
• Change up the routine: rather than running around a track for an hour, run through the city or a park with varied scenery. 
• Try something new: canoe, for example. Something that is way outside your normal realm of activity but that you secretly nurture a craving to try. 

Getting fit is not the primary goal 

The purpose of adopting these ideas is to make fitness a byproduct, rather than the sole goal. Many of us are not born with the drive to spend all day at the gym or running around a track, but we still need a healthy dose of movement to keep our bodies optimally healthy. Use this springtime to think outside the standard fitness box and discover new activities. You will be getting fit and healthy, but most importantly, you will be getting happy! 

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C.