One of the most beneficial techniques our chiropractors use is manual adjusting. This is a hands on type of adjusting that is typically used to help relieve back pain.

 

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The problem with back pain 

Are you unable to enjoy life because of pain and discomfort? The reason for this is that pressure builds up in the joints and causes pain. If the pressure is not addressed, it can get worse and it is harder to reverse, inhibiting you even further.

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Chiropractic adjustment benefits

Manual adjustment chiropractic provides many benefits. 

 

Some of the top benefits are:

• Improved joint mobility, functions, and overall health

• Reduced pain by decreasing inflammation and unlocking restricted joints

• Strengthened overall immune system

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Improves joint mobility, functionality and overall health

With improved joint mobility, functionality, and overall health you are able to live life more fully without fatigue caused by restricted strength and health.

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Chiropractic Adjustment Before and After

With the release of pressure and pain in restricted joints you can engage in activities like hiking, skiing, running, sports, playing with your children, and even do work you were unable to partake in before. 

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Strengthens the overall immune system

With an increased immune system you are able to fight off sickness and disease much more effectively. When your body is not working optimally you can become susceptible to illnesses. 

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Our Process of Giving Chiropractic Manual Adjustments

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The manual adjusting hands on approach allows our chiropractors to apply controlled, quick pressure to joints, pushing them just beyond their restricted range of motion.

 

Rather than a "one adjustment fits all approach", our chiropractors are able to assess what adjustments your body needs in order to correct misalignments or other problems.

 

The typical process is as follows:

 

1. Evaluation & Physical Exam

2. Spinal Scan to show tension points  

3. X-Rays 

4. Discussing your customized treatment

5. Treatment begins

6. Stretching to "fine tune" your adjustment

 

Let’s now touch on each of these below.

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Evaluation

Typically a session begins with evaluating your concerns and or symptoms. This is done so we can find the treatment that is customized for you.

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X-Rays

X Rays and spinal scans are then made to make sure there is nothing to be concerned about and to see what your spine looks like. 

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Choosing your customized treatment

Once a full evaluation has been completed and the X-Rays have been analyzed, the type of adjustment can vary. 

Depending on the symptoms and your scenario, we then discuss what adjustment will work best for your needs. 

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Treatment session begins

At this point, most patients choose to lay on one of our massage traction tables which helps loosen the muscles before the adjustment.

Once our chiropractors are ready to begin adjusting, we guide you into the position you need to be in (face down, face up, standing against the wall, on your side, etc.). And the rest is manual movements with one of our chiropractors. 

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Final massage

Once the manual adjusting is finished, we use what is called a vibracussor to massage the muscles for a minute or two to sort of “fine tune” the adjustment for the best possible result.

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What is Tech Neck and How to Fix it

In the hyper-connected, digital world we live in today, it is no wonder that many of us develop conditions related to technology. From digital eye strain to tech neck, seemingly simple health issues can cause more than temporary discomfort. If you spend a significant amount of time looking down at your phone or tablet, here’s what you need to know about tech neck and ways to manage it effectively.

 

What is Tech Neck?

Many may be surprised to learn that the average American spends an estimated 4 hours on their smartphone – every day. That adds up to 86 hours a month! When looking at a digital device, it’s natural for the head and neck to tilt downward. The normal curve of the neck reverses, causing you to stretch without realizing it. Simultaneously, both the upper back and shoulders tend to roll forward. This leads to the head losing its support over the body, resulting in strain on the neck, shoulders, and back.

Tech neck is the ultimate outcome, with pressure being placed on the joints, discs, and muscles. Over time, your neck becomes tight which can eventually lead to persistent pain and discomfort. Aside from ditching the smartphone, there are several ways to avoid tech neck in the first place.

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Ways to Prevent It

The first step you can take to prevent the tightness caused by a tech neck is to focus on your posture. Having correct posture, where your back and neck are upright and aligned with your head, keeps unnecessary pressure on the muscles at bay. Make sure to keep your shoulders relaxed when possible, even when looking down at your phone.

Additionally, setting time limits for how long you spend on your phone or tablet continuously helps a great deal. If you can’t put the device aside, plan for breaks throughout the day. Take time to stretch out your shoulders and back, and move around when possible. You can also make an effort to hold your device in front of you without looking down. This may be easier to do at the office if you invest in a standing desk, or a chair with a headrest. These simple changes can have a big impact on your neck strain in a short time.

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How to Get Rid of Tech Neck

If tech neck seems to be persistent, despite shifting focus to your posture and planning for stretching breaks, there are treatment options available.

 

Regular exercise – We all know by now that a consistent exercise routine can help in many facets of our well-being. Being active not only helps the heart stay in shape, but it also keeps excess weight off. When it comes to tech neck, having a standard exercise regimen can help keep the muscles strong and the joints flexible, reducing the impacts of a strained neck and shoulders.

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Neck stretches – An effective way to ease the pressure built up in the neck, back, and shoulders from device use involves regular stretching. Take a few moments to bend the neck so that one ear touches the shoulder, hold for 20 seconds, and bring it back to center. Repeat on the other side, and do a few sets each day. A simple chin tuck, tilting the head down and tucking the chin into the neck, helps as well. A seated neck release where you gently tilt your head to the left and right with your hand may also help relieve some of the pressure and strain on your neck.

 

Chiropractic care – Finally, chiropractic care can offer relief from tech neck when exercise and stretching aren’t doing the job. With a visit to the chiropractor’s office, small injuries like tech neck can be treated before they turn into serious, debilitating pain. An alignment can relieve stress and pressure in the body while helping bring the muscles and joints back to an optimal state of functioning.

Understanding tech neck is the first step toward prevention and treatment. Be sure to monitor your posture while you spend time on your devices, and make small changes to realign your neck, head,  and shoulders if possible. Take breaks for stretching and exercise, and plan a visit with your chiropractor if you need experienced help in eliminating tech neck discomfort.

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Talk to Your Chiropractor

In addition to following the recommendations mentioned above to help relieve stressors that cause tension headaches, have a discussion with your chiropractor. For some individuals, chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation can help improve spinal function which ultimately reduces stress. Your chiropractor may also provide more tailored nutrition or exercise plans to help maintain a healthy lifestyle that combats stress over time. The combination of these suggestions along with reducing your stress levels outside the chiropractic office may lead to fewer tension headaches and more productive, comfortable days.

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How is Pain Connected to the Brain?   

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Do you know where you feel pain? It may sound like a silly question, but it isn’t. So I ask again, where do you feel pain? If you slam your right index finger where would you feel the pain? Most would say, “I’d feel it on the index finger of my right hand.” I would then tell you you’re wrong. Let’s take a journey with pain, where we feel it, and what it tells us.

 

You don’t feel pain at the sight of the painful spot. Pain is perceived or “felt” in the brain. There are different types of sensory receptors that are found in all layers of the skin. Some sensory receptors take in information from the outside world. Some sensory receptors detect information from the internal environment and organs. The information is presented to the brain for processing. The brain then responds accordingly.

 

Nociceptors are receptors that take in information about pain. A stimulus elicits activity of the receptor, such as a door slammed on the finger. That information is brought up through the nerves into the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and then up to the brain. In the brain, the information is deciphered as it relates to temperature, pressure, and/or chemical activity. In this example, it would be significant pressure. The brain triggers a response such as pulling the hand away as a reaction and also an attempt to reduce the stimulation of those receptors. So while the receptors in the index finger and hand took the information, the perception of the pain occurred within the brain.

 

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Spine Health for Optimal Performance

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As a chiropractor, I get to help all sorts of bodies perform better and heal. When this occurs, quality of life increases; people find relief, stress goes down, and family lives and professional lives improve. There are all sorts of incredible side effects that I’m thrilled to witness. One of my absolute favorite things of all time is when someone who is not in pain comes into the office and wants to get their spine checked and adjusted; this shows me that even if they don’t have the full picture of what chiropractic can do for them, they are engaged enough to know life and health is not about only being out of pain. They know that there is another level of potential to be reached and they’re seeking assistance.

 

When one engages with regular chiropractic care, there is no doubt that pain relief is often a side effect and that is great. The main kicker, though, is that the nervous system -- your body’s communication system -- is allowed the opportunity to be optimally efficient because the spine is moving as well as it can and not interfering with any communication system function.

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Communication system health and function is the basis of your physical health and the means to fully express yourself in your life. You want that system to function optimally. Here’s to living life based on fulfilling your potential!

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Ready to Get Started?

Click here or call our Auburn, WA office at 253.833.4800 to set up a consultation to see how we can help you eliminate pain quickly and to accomplish your spinal health goals.