Health Blog | Core Physical Medicine

Why Invest in a Coppell Chiropractor

January 19, 2017 UncategorizedComments Off

Chiropractic care provides a nonsurgical, safe and gentle alternative method to dealing with the neck and back pain that often plagues so many people in the US. The various benefits of chiropractic care are manifold and have helped numerous people with chronic pain find relief for their symptoms. You can better the quality of your life through this alternative medicine treatment rather having to dull the pain with pain relievers.

Relief for Back and Neck Pain

One of the most common reasons for people taking off sick from work is dealing with acute back pain. This type of hurt can be disabling, and it’s likely that you’ll miss work often as you won’t be able to sit or stand without feeling extreme discomfort. Chiropractic care affords quick relief for back and neck pain especially if you’ve been suffering this pain for a long time. You’ll be able to notice a marked improvement in your condition immediately.

No Surgery Required

Not having spinal surgery to cure their pain can be a tremendous relief for patients living with the constant gnawing pain in their back and neck. Spinal, back and neck surgery can be delicate operations that require highly skilled surgeons to perform. Invasive surgery is also costly and the recuperation period is fairly long. On the other hand, chiropractic care removes the need for you to undergo an operation on your back or spine. In fact, a visit to a chiropractic doctor will likely improve your condition significantly after some sessions, thereby avoiding the need for hospitalization.

Relief for Sciatica

Doctors of chiropractic are skilled healthcare professionals trained in precise and deep spinal alignment and manipulation. Sciatica can be a result of the misalignment of a spinal disc that puts extreme pressure on the sciatic nerves. This causes you to feel pain in the lower back and legs which is not ultimately relieved through messages or even a high dose of painkillers. Many times painkillers don’t do much for sciatic pain since the source is your sciatic nerve. Chiropractic care can help realign the spine, removing pressure from the sciatic nerve, giving you a more permanent solution to your sciatic pain. Chiropractic care will align the spinal column making sure the spinal disc that’s the cause of the problem is no longer protruding or off center. The effects of a misaligned spine on the central nervous system can be fairly extensive. A chiropractor is well positioned to decrease and possibly eliminate these symptoms.

Increased Motion for the Spine

You’ll benefit from chiropractic care that increases the motion for spinal movement. This means that you can turn your back fairly easily even though you’re sixty years old. It does wonders for your golf swing! With increased motion, you’ll be able to bend from effortlessly from your waist despite your advancing years. For an athlete, increased motion translates to greater agility on the field or track. They’ll be able to compete better with less possibility of injury or pain.

Reduced blood pressure

Hypertension can be caused by various factors. While the body is typically good at healing itself, studies have found that spinal subluxations can affect the body’s natural healing capacity. By treating subluxations, the body can focus more on restoring the normal state of the circulatory system. This also removes the need for prescriptions to treat hypertension.

Better mood

Whoever is dealing with chronic pain, it can take a massive toll on their attitude. Regular chiropractic care can help alleviate chronic pain, allowing you to focus more on day to day activities rather than constant pain. This will also contribute to release more dopamine into the body, putting you in a much better mood.

Less headaches

Many times, migraines are caused by stress. Another cause for migraines is the strain in the muscles surrounding the upper spine and neck. Poor posture can cause uneven tension on the muscles of the back and neck. Chiropractic adjustments can relieve the strain on these muscles, helping reduce migraines.

Stiff muscles, sore back, and a variety of other issues that can cause the body pain as it ages can all be alleviated through chiropractic are.Chiropractic care is a great option for you for a treatment of these types of issues. from the above listed points, it clearly shows that a chiropractor has a great importance.

GOT BACK PAIN, HIP PAIN, KNEE PAIN OR ANKLE PAIN? TRY OUR ALTER-G

February 24, 2016 Alter-g, Homepage Feature, Post surgicalComments Off

You may be asking yourself, what on earth is an Alter-G and how can it help me? The Alter-G is a treadmill that uses air pressure to unload an individual up to 80% of their body weight. It is used to speed up the recovery time in patient injuries ranging from full joint replacement to minor sprains and muscle strains. By unloading the body it put less stress on the individual’s joints and musculoskeletal system and allows for faster healing from lower extremity injuries.

This works in theory with Wolff’s law which states that bone in a healthy person will adapt to the loads that are placed upon it. If the load increase on a bone, it will remodel itself over time to become stronger to resist that load. The same applies to your muscular system.

If you are recovering from a strain/ sprain or are a post-surgical patient, you are most likely unable to do weight bearing activities. This is where the Alter-G comes in. We are able to unweight the individual so that they are pain free with movement and their bodies can withstand the altered load placed on it. The Alter-G allows us to add weight to the patient gradually over time which allows for a faster healing time through better adaptation to the load and stress placed upon the body.

Think of it this way, if I am trying to move/run with an injury and I have all the weight of my body plus the force of gravity impacting that injured point, my body never has a chance to adapt successfully. The “wear and tear” is too great. Now if I am able to minimize the “wear and tear” it gives the body a better chance to heal and adapt to a lesser load.

We have seen tremendous results with using the Alter-G, not only dealing with lower extremities, but also in help with cardiovascular problems, weight loss, and gait reeducation. If you are experiencing any of the problems that we have listed in this article please feel free to stop by any Core Physical Medicine clinic near you and we would be more than happy to set up a custom treatment plan specific for your need and your injuries. Everybody and everybody is different, you deserve to take a look.

Physical Rehabilitation & Prevention in Sports Injuries

January 22, 2016 Homepage Feature, Injury Prevention, News, Physical Rehab CornerComments Off

Sport Injuries, including knee injuries, shoulder injuries and even ankle injuries tend to occur in sporting activities. Professional athletes in particular, are prone to injuries due to the excessive wear and tear associated with the demands of competitive sports. The right exercise program to maintain strength, flexibility and stability can help athletes recover quickly after an injury, empowering them to resume athletic activities.

Sports injuries, by definition, include injuries involving the musculo-skeletal system. The musculo-skeletal system includes the bones, tissues, muscles, and cartilage. Every injury is different and every person heals differently. The purpose of rehabilitation is to help the injured tissues recover in a controlled and supervised manner. It takes time for an injury to heal, and it’s best to seek the guidance of an experienced Core Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Specialist during this time.

Our Core Rehab Specialists can design a safe and effective recovery program specifically geared towards your individual injury, abilities and goals. Our specialists can identify the cause of the injury, create a treatment plan and also teach preventative measures of further injury in the future.

Some of the most common sports injuries include sprains, strains, shin splints and knee injuries. If you or someone you know is injured, schedule an evaluation with a rehab specialist as quickly as possible.

Core Physical Medicine Rehabilitation – The Right Choice

Our Core Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Specialists are healthcare professionals with extensive training in the musculo-skeletal system. Our specialists can work closely with you to assess muscle imbalance, range of motion and functional requirements of that particular sport.

For example, a baseball pitcher may need a shoulder stabilization program; while a basketball player may need a speed and plyometric (explosive strength) training program. Our Rehab Specialists can evaluate, identify, and plan a sport-specific injury prevention and (once the injury is treated) an athletic performance program that can help the athlete regain full potential.

As part of the exercise therapy program, your rehab specialist can teach stretches and exercises; often using special equipment to reach specific goals. Rehab focuses on reducing pain and improving function as quickly as possible. Rest is an important part of the recovery process. Rest, combined with physical rehabilitation, is the best recipe for recovery after being injured.

Don’t Wait For an Injury…

An injury is the last thing an you want. Without properly rehabilitation, the damage can get worse. Physical rehab will help you heal and return to normal. In many cases, rehab can also help to strengthen a particular areas to avoid future injuries.

Taking the time to go through a safe, effective and comprehensive rehab program requires time and patience, but it’s the best way for you to resume and continue your sport or activity. It’s a great way to come back to the sport you love and enjoy it, while minimizing the likelihood of re-injury.

If you or someone you know is an athlete, or just needs to get back on the “playing field”, consider working one of our other Rehab Specialists at Core Physical Medicine. In fact, you don’t have to wait till you are injured, because a Rehabilitation Specialist can help you improve performance and minimize injury.

A preventive, proactive approach is likely to help you even more. Don’t wait till you get injured. There is a lot that a our Core Rehab Specialists can do. We can design the right program and get you great results, whether its athletic enhancement or recovery from an injury.

Our Core Rehab Specialists assess and develop safe and effective physical rehabilitation exercises and conditioning programs for clients with cardiovascular, musculo-skeletal, neurological and metabolic disorders. Contact us today for more information.

Your Workout Injury Prevention Plan

October 1, 2014 Healthy Joints, Injury Prevention, Low Back Pain, News, Physical Rehab CornerLeave a comment

Can you relate to this scenario? After putting it off for too long, you commit to get fit—only to find yourself injured the minute you start working out.

All of the sudden your fitness goals go back on the shelf and you are left to deal with the pain.

Whether your injury occurs right off the bat or after years of regular workouts the result is always the same. It is discouraging, painful and downright depressing.

And since studies suggest that up to 38% of all exercisers suffer from an injury each year, it is a subject worth exploring.

Top 3 Workout Injuries
The following three ailments occur commonly among active people. Let’s explore the cause of each and then detail your very own injury prevention plan—because let’s face it, you simply don’t have time to spend nursing and injury (and losing all that progress you had made).

1. Strain / Pulled Muscle: occurs when a tendon (connects muscle to bone) or muscle is stretched or torn. If you suffer from a strain you will feel pain and swelling in the muscle belly, or loss of function if the strain occurred in a tendon. Many strains occur as the result of an improper warm-up and insufficient stretching.

2. Sprain: occurs when a ligament (connects bone to bone) is stretched or torn. While this can happen to any ligament in your body, the most common placements of sprains are in the ankle, wrist and knee. Often this injury will happen suddenly as the ligament is stretched beyond its normal limit, usually during a fall or other acute trauma.

3. Low Back Pain: it is said that 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives—and the list of causes is as diverse as the sufferers themselves. Here are the main reasons for workout related back pain:

Improper form: Similar to bad posture, using improper form while performing weight bearing exercises will leave your back sore and aching. The good news is that once your form is corrected this pain should subside after a healing period.
Weak muscles: If you have a desk job then chances are your deep back muscles are inactive and unconditioned. When you start an exercise program, but fail to properly strengthen these muscles, the result is often an aching back.
Strained muscles: Not to pick on that desk job, but another result of sitting all day is tight back muscles. When these muscles are not properly warmed up and stretched before exercise begins, muscle strains occur.

Your 5-Step Injury Prevention Plan
Injuries don’t have to slow you from meeting your fitness goals. The following 5 steps will dramatically reduce your chance of injury and if you do find yourself injured, but have been following these 5 steps, your recovery will be quick and efficient.

Step 1: Stretch
What is more boring than stretching? You want to exercise, not sit around touching your toes—right? Even though it isn’t exciting, stretching is the best way to increase muscle elasticity and durability. Tight muscles are big contributors to strains—remember? Take the time to stretch everyday before and after your workout to stave off injury.

Step 2: Warm Up
Preparing for your workout should not begin and end with putting on your gym clothes. Your muscles need to be coaxed into motion by way of a 10-15 minute warm up in order to prepare them for injury-free use. Cold muscles are less elastic and are therefore more prone to tears.

Step 3: Proper Gear
For most fitness enthusiasts proper gear has everything to do with their shoes. Don’t be fooled—not just any shoe will do. Find shoes that offer support and traction for your exercise of choice, and make sure that they aren’t too tight or too loose. If you are prone to ankle injuries then try a pair of high-tops for extra support.

Step 4: Lifestyle
Stop for a moment and think about your car—if you don’t maintain it with regular tune ups, oil changes and quality fuel then you can’t expect it to perform well on the road. The same applies to your body. Getting healthy amounts of sleep, eating well balanced meals and staying hydrated will all contribute to your performance during exercise. The healthier your lifestyle is the less likely you are to suffer an injury.

Step 5: Condition
This may seem like the most obvious step to injury prevention, but unfortunately it is the most overlooked. People who keep their bodies in top condition by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the least likely to injure themselves. When exercise programs are started and stopped sporadically your muscles are most likely to become injured.

Of course being conditioned also has another great benefit that everyone enjoys – you get to look and feel great! And who doesn’t what that, right?

If you’ve ever tried to rehab an injury or continue your post-rehab programming on your own and didn’t succeed, I feel your pain. Until now, trying to bridge the gap between your healthcare and fitness on your own has been difficult.

The best option? Core Physical Medicine! Our goal is to help you achieve a healthier life. We believe that being healthy is more than just the absence of pain. True health is having the ability to do what you need and want to do. We have helped hundreds of patients regain their quality of life and would love to include you on our list of successes.

Wouldn’t you love to see awesome results before this summer comes to an end? Simply contact us today to get started. It’s time to take action and get the results that you deserve!

Need Help Reaching Your Fitness Goals?

February 8, 2014 Exercise Programs, Getting Fit, Goal Setting, Health & FitnessLeave a comment

If you’re interested in starting a regular exercise program or upping the ante on your current fitness regime, hiring a personal trainer is a great way to accomplish your goals. Personal trainers typically work one-on-one with clients toward an individualized fitness goal. Personal trainers motivate their clients and apply their fitness and nutrition knowledge to help you reach your health and fitness goals.

Personal trainers are typically employed by gyms and health clubs, either floating around the gym to answer questions or teaching fitness classes. Most commonly, however, personal trainers have a regular client base who workout on scheduled days and times of the week at the gym where the trainer is employed. During these sessions, the trainer motivates their client while they work out, correcting techniques when needed and generally overseeing the exercise time. The trainer often also provides tips for clients to improve their lifestyles outside of the gym, most commonly advising on proper nutrition. A good trainer will closely monitor clients’ progress to determine what’s working and what’s not to keep the exercise fresh and the results productive.

If you’re ready to hire a trainer, first do some research to make sure you choose the one that’s just right for you and your fitness goals. If you have a friend who’s had some recent success with a trainer, ask for a referral. Otherwise, call your local gym or check the yellow pages. Only you know the personal training style that will work best for you. Ask yourself some questions and be honest with your answers. Do you seek “tough love” to motivate you to run faster? Or are you seeking a trainer who will simply motivate you to show up for every session?

If you’re already the member of a gym, observe the facility’s personal trainers as they interact with their clients. Do they seem closely involved with their clients? Do they seem to be good listeners? Do they motivate in a positive way, or are they more like drill sergeants? If the trainer directs their client to jog for 15 minutes and then walks away for those 15 minutes, this isn’t a good sign. If the trainer walks on a treadmill beside the client, talking and encouraging, they’re probably someone you should consider. Remember that you’re paying for a service, so make sure it’s the kind of service you’ll be satisfied with. Ask yourself if spending three hours (or however many sessions) a week with this person is agreeable to you?

If your gym assigns you a trainer, make sure you express certain preferences ahead of time. If you’re a female and would prefer a female trainer, for example, let the manager know before you’re assigned a trainer. It’s also helpful to express any specific goals you may have beforehand. For example, if your goal is to train for a marathon or get in shape for a wedding gown, ideally you’ll be matched with a trainer with experience in these areas.

Personal trainers supply accountability and motivation to reach your specific health and fitness goals. Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, lower your cholesterol, or get biceps just like Madonna’s, a good personal trainer can be an invaluable resource for guiding and motivating you every step of the way.