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Most of the time when you experience neck pain, it is a simple and treatable situation.  Sleeping awkwardly or driving for long periods of time can lead to stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.  If you have minor neck pain, you can most likely treat it at home with a few basic techniques.

Ice is your friend in all sorts of minor sprains and strains.  Heat should be avoided for the first week since because it will only increase the inflammation in your injured tissues.  Apply your ice for about 20-25 minutes several times a day.  The ice should be covered in a light towel or cloth to prevent frostbite-type injuries.

Resting the injured area is also important.  For the first couple of days avoid using the sore area as much as possible.  Gentle stretching is fine, but don't stretch to the point where you feel pain.  Pain is your body's way of telling you not to do something; listen to it. 

If possible, keep your neck elevated when sleeping.  Prop your body up on pillows and try to sleep without turning your neck in strange ways.  Your neck will let you know if you are in an inadvisable position.  Taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve some of the inflammation and pain.

If a week has passed and you haven't had a significant reduction in the symptoms, then it is time to go see your doctor.  You will likely be put through a series of manual maneuvers to test your range of motion.  You will be assessed for any nerve involvement and numbness or loss of function in your arms.  If your doctor is sufficiently concerned, he will send you for some imaging tests like a CAT scan or an MRI, both of which can show soft tissue injuries.

Depending upon the results of your tests, your doctor may choose to send you for physical therapy, immobilize your neck, or follow up with additional tests.  There are a number of sources for neck pain, and some are more serious than others are.  Rest assured that any competent doctor will want to rule out any possibilities that seem likely or more dangerous before determining a course of action.

One of the reasons your doctor may choose a more conservative path in treating your neck pain is that there is a remarkable increase in the amount of money being spent on treating neck and back pain of late.  People come in requesting specific medications they see on television, or they want more complex treatment options even when they aren't needed.  The truth is, though, that more complicated procedures and stronger drugs are just not necessary most of the time.  Surgery, which really should only be considered a last resort, is on the rise as well, and doesn't seem to correlate to any reduction in recurrence.

Given time and simple treatment, nearly all minor neck injuries will heal with basic remedies.  Ice, rest, and OTC analgesics are usually all that is needed.  Let your doctor guide you to proper treatment for other, more serious conditions.

Sometimes if feels like you are willing to do anything to get rid of that nagging neck and back pain. Just when you are considering going under the knife, you hear about something called non-surgical decompression therapy. Since you cannot do "normal" activities like work in the garden, play with kids or walk around the block, you give it some consideration.

After all, you feel like there are no other options. At this point, you are either going to live with the pain for the rest of your life or face the horrors of back surgery. You know you don't like the idea of back surgery because there is no guarantee it will work. Most people end up with back pain even after the surgery is over. Why would you want to go through surgery just to have pain anyway?

Well, non-surgical decompression therapy is different. First off, it's a pain-free procedure that works on relieving low back and neck pain. In addition, it is FDA approved and has given relief to millions of Americans suffering from chronic back pain. It also has shown statistical results for long-term pain relief. Chiropractors are using this procedure safely in their offices across the country.

How Spinal Decompression Works -

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a non-invasive procedure done in a chiropractor's office. The therapy uses a form of traction that stimulates the muscles in cycles called distraction and relaxation. During the whole process, machines closely monitor the patient. This prevents muscle spasms and injury. The procedure is generally well tolerated and patients usually do not complain of any problems following the procedure.

Decompression is the term describing the relief the compressed nerves feel during the procedure. It is during the procedure that pressure is taken off the nerves and spinal discs are slipped back into place. This procedure has shown great results for slipped, herniated and bulging discs.

Patients are placed on a table where straps are placed on the neck or back. During the procedure, the back is slowly stretched. Ideally, blood flows to the disc space fostering healing and causing the disc to get drawn back into the joint where it belongs. It is a sort of vacuum effect.

Generally, the procedure has to be repeated several times for the complete benefits to take effect. However, unlike traditional invasive surgery, non-surgical spinal decompression has a high success rate and a very low risk rate. Patients seeking a non-invasive treatment are flocking to this therapy in droves.

How to locate a chiropractor who does spinal decompression -

Many doctors are involved in spinal decompression. However, when seeking the best spinal decompression treatment you want to seek a doctor that is involved in Progressive Rehab. Studies have shown that spinal decompression coupled with Progressive Rehab speeds up the healing progress.

Progressive Rehab goes a step beyond spinal decompression and incorporates holistic healing. The chiropractor takes into account, nutrition, physical therapy, emotional well being and even massage if necessary. If you are suffering from back pain, seek out a chiropractor that practices Progressive Rehab. You will be glad you did.

So many people have headaches every day; this is probably the most common ailment that is suffered by adults and children alike.  It would seem that with so many people dealing with them, that everyone would know a cure for them.  Unfortunately, that is not the case. 
All too often, the very people who suffer from headaches the most, know the least about treating them.  These at home tips should help the next time you find  yourself suffering from a headache.
Simple and Easy Cure for a Headache--Resting
Often a simple and effective way to get rid of the headache is to just rest. Sometimes closing your eyes and taking a nap can have a relieving effect on your headache. Doing this one step may get rid of it for at least a little while, if you are lucky, for the entire day. Resting also helps when you've taken medication and it hasn't taken effect yet. You may also just need to take it easy for a little while to get rid of the headache that you have. 
Hot Showers for Headache Relief
Taking a hot shower can help to relieve the headache pain if it is caused by stress or tension. The hot shower will help to relax the blood vessels in the head and help the blood flow to different parts of the brain, as well as the body. This can help to get rid of the headache for at least a short period of time.
Caffeine Headaches
If you have made a habit of consuming large amounts of caffeine and attempt to quit "cold turkey", this can cause horrible headaches.  Basically, you are causing your brain to go through withdrawals.  If this is the case with you, sometimes it can help to have a little hot coffee or soda, which can help to treat a headache that has been bothering you.  It will also help to make the transition to caffeine free slowly in the future.
Quiet And Dark
Sometimes just being in a quiet and dark place can help your headache go away. Migraines often are helped with a quiet and dark room. Sometimes this can help with other kinds of headaches as well.  This method tends to work best when accompanied with the first tip, resting.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Headaches
While all of these tips can help to alleviate pain that is associated with headaches, they are not foolproof.  There may come a time when seeking medical attention for your headaches is required.  Your doctor may want to run some tests to ensure that you are not suffering from an underlying illness. 
Once you have a clean bill of health, it may be of some relief to see a chiropractor.  This specialized medical professional helps with issues of the spine.  Sometimes headaches, including migraines are caused by a misalignment of the spine.  A chiropractor may be able to fix this issue for you.
With a little bit of time researching the cause of your headaches, they can be fairly easy to alleviate and perhaps to eliminate from your life.

Millions suffer from headaches worldwide for an array of reasons.  There are migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches to contend with.  The root causes of headaches have been topics of speculation and discussion among health professionals for decades.  However, there are several factors that are known to correlate and contribute to headaches.

Stress Headaches

Some of the worst headaches can be ignited by simply going through stressful situations.  Under stress, the immune response to illness is undermined, which makes you more susceptible to getting a migraine or headache.  Although stress does not directly cause headaches, it can increase their intensity and frequency.

Meditation, music and rest will all contribute to reducing stress levels.  It's important to take the time to take your time, and allow yourself to reflect.  When too many stress factors build up, physical symptoms can arise such as back pain, fatigue and even headaches.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are typically caused by the tightening of muscles in or around the neck, but this can vary from person to person.  Tension headaches occur in both construction works and office assistants.

Massage therapy can help relieve the tension in the muscles that are known to "knot up", eventually causing a headache.  There are well over a dozen styles of massage therapy to choose from.  It really depends on what works for you, and where your tension is coming from.

Spinal decompression is another procedure that can help minimize stress.  Decompression is painless and works by gently stretching the spine into its natural position.  Tension and the head pain it makes can be greatly relieved in this way.

Treated with ibuprofen, tension can be reduced, but the best way to stave off tension is with regular exercise and a balanced diet.  Relying on painkillers is often not completely necessary if a healthy dietary regiment is followed.

Headaches Caused by Dehydration

One of the most common causes of headaches is dehydration.  We hear all the time from doctors about the importance of drinking water, but there is a distinct reason.  The brain--like the human body--is made up mostly of water.  The brain is able to detect when water is scarce.  In response, the brain will release histamines which can cause head pain.

Drink 40 ounces of water per 100 lbs of body weight per day.  Following this guideline should keep you hydrated and headache free. However, it's important to remember that drinks like coffee or soda contain caffeine which will dehydrate the body.  Keeping hydrated can be as simple as substituting a soda with a water at lunch.

Most headaches can be traced back to poor health habits, tension, stress, or dehydration, but it's important to know that headaches can have a staggering number of root causes.  If headaches persist in spite of your best efforts, it may be a good idea to make sure your doctor is aware of it.  There are many approaches to take in the prevention and resolution of chronic headaches that you can discuss with any healthcare professional.

Depending on the source of your pain, you may be considering a visit to see a chiropractor for a variety of reasons, most often from a particular injury or as a result of unknown pain.  Seeing your chiropractor, however, can allow you to progressively rehabilitate your condition or injury.

Many Injury Treatments are Short-Lived
Many of the causes, which require treatment, can be taken care of in a few visits, or even less.  This is important to keep in mind.  For instance, someone who is experiencing pain when they sit for long periods of time may not require a long effort to relieve their pain; it could simply be that their hip is out of place slightly, for instance.  However, there are injuries and causes of pain that require a progressive rehabilitation plan.

Surgery and Drugs for Severe Injuries
Perhaps the best thing about progressive rehabilitation is that if your condition or injury does not require surgery or drugs, results can be achieved without them.  Chiropractic care takes pride in being able to help sufferers with relief in their rehabilitation program without the need for unnecessary drugs. 

Exercising Helps Speed Rehabilitation
One important and beneficial aspect regarding progressive rehabilitation with a chiropractic care provider is that you are exposed to exercises, which can be performed outside the office.  You are not required to have a visit in every instance in which you are rehabilitating your condition: you can help your condition on your own time and in your own home.

Adjustments to Back and Spine
Your progressive rehabilitation program will take advantage of back and/or neck adjustments, which will provide you with some relief as you go through your progressive rehabilitation program.  If you have not had an adjustment, these procedures are very safe and effective, especially in correcting spinal problems that may be the cause of pain in certain types of injuries.

Other Chiropractic Methods
Some chiropractic care providers offer additional ways to help your condition.  Ask your chiropractor for more ways or activities which you can perform for your condition.  For instance, Pilates is a great way to build strength and flexibility.  Your chiropractor will be able to guide you towards additional activities and exercises to go along with your rehabilitation program.

The 3 Levels of Chiropractic Care
Your chiropractic care provider will guide you through the three levels of care that chiropractors provide:

"    Relief care, which is provided for acute pain and discomfort
"    Corrective care, which is provided for long-term spinal problems
"    Supportive or maintenance care, which is provided to maintain and enjoy the benefits experienced from relief and corrective care. 

Your progressive rehabilitation program will follow these guidelines in an effort to correct your condition and to maintain your health.

Chiropractic Care Provider
Contact a healthcare provider if you have an injury which needs medical attention.  Chiropractic care is a great way to rehabilitate the body without surgery or drugs, in an effort to get you back to normal so that you can enjoy your health.  Your chiropractor can help you with your condition and give you ways to increase your progress within your progressive rehabilitation program.

One of the most common sources of missed work in this country is back problems.  Most adults will experience one or more back injuries during their working lives.  While a majority of these injuries are minor, a strain or sprain, for example, there are some that are very serious.  Proper evaluation and treatment are essential to full recovery.

Strains and Sprains
Often used interchangeably by us common folk, these are actually two different injuries.  A sprain involves a stretched or torn ligament, while a strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon.  Showing off on the basketball court, overdoing it in aerobics class, or helping a buddy out in a move can cause either injury.

The treatment is identical.  Rest, ice, elevation, and compression (RICE) is the best thing for these minor problems.  Complete tears of muscle, ligament or tendon are treated differently, since they may need surgical repair. 

Over the counter analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications help control pain and inflammation that may occur with these kinds of injuries.  Within a few weeks, you should be back to normal.

Herniated Discs
The discs are structures that sit between each pair of vertebrae providing flexibility and cushioning.  The disc is made up of two layers, the outer annulus fibrosus and the inner nucleus pulposa.  When the outer layer is damaged or strained, it can allow the inner, gel-like pulposa to extrude and put pressure on nerves that lie in the same area.  That pressure causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs or back.

Most herniated discs will heal with minimal treatment.  It is estimated that more than half of the people who have a herniated disc aren't even aware of it. 

Conservative options include physical therapy, analgesics and anti-inflammatories, epidural injections of pain killers, and steroids given orally or by injection.  Surgery is now reserved for the most serious cases where conservative treatment has failed or the damage is so severe that no other option exists.

Fractures
Fractures can occur when the back is subjected to blunt force trauma, for example in a car accident or fall.  They can also be the result of degenerative bone disease in the spine.  A frequent cause is osteoporosis, a condition where the bones lose mass and density making them particularly fragile.

If the cause of the fracture is osteoporosis, then calcium supplements and other medications that help reduce the deterioration of the bone are prescribed.  For trauma related injuries hospitalization, surgery, and even immobilization are considered.

Other  More Rare Conditions
There are other, fairly rare, conditions that can cause back pain.  Spodylolethisis, spinal stenosis, tumors and ankylosing spondylitis can all result in back pain.  Each disease has a unique presentation.  Your physician should be able to narrow down the source of your discomfort.  An appropriate course of treatment will be determined.

Back injuries are a nuisance no matter what the source.  With a good diagnostic exam, a solid care plan, and some time, you should be able to get back to return to most or all of your former activities.

There are three basic formulas that people use when engaged in weight loss; low-carb, low fat, and low calorie.  The first two of course can be geared towards being low calorie, but that isn't the focus of the plan, it is a side effect.  Each diet has its supporters and detractors.  Let's take a look at each one.

Low Carb Diets
Made popular by Atkins and South Beach Diet organizations the phenomenon of a low-carb diet hit its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  These planes are based upon the concept that by eliminating carbohydrates from your diet you will force your body into burning fat to compensate.  The fancy name for this process is ketosis.

Ketosis is a state where the body, lacking sufficient blood glucose to supply power, has the liver convert fat in to fatty acids and ketones.  The body uses the ketones to fuel the cells rather than glucose.  Advocates of a low carbohydrate diet believe that the natural state of the body is ketosis and that our new glucose dependent lifestyle is abnormal. 

On a low-carb diet, you will be severely restricted in the amounts of carbohydrates you eat; often to as little as 30g a day.  There are nearly no restrictions upon the quantity of protein or fat you ingest. 

Proponents of the diet state that fats are only a heart risk when combined with higher levels of insulin in the blood caused by carbohydrates.  Research indicates that low-carb diets are just as effective as low calorie or low fat diets at the one-year mark.

Low Fat Diets
Low fat diets have been shown to be no more effective in weight loss than any other type of diet.  Dietary fat is critical to the proper absorption of fat soluble vitamins like K, A, D, and E.  There may be good reason to restrict saturated fats that are strongly associated with heart disease and stroke.

Low fat diets typically end up being fairly low in calories, unless the consumer uses low fat products as a substitute for common sense.  Eating endless amounts of low fat foods is no healthier than overeating regular food.  Although early studies indicated there may be a connection between lower incidence of breast cancer and low fat diets, it has yet to be confirmed.

Low Calorie Diets
There has been much debate over the life increasing properties of severely restricting calories over long periods of time.  Some research suggests that there may be a connection between the lower levels of insulin in those who maintain very restrictive diets and their rate of planned cell death.  Nothing has been conclusively proven.

What is known in the weight loss field is that reducing caloric intake, reasonably, is effective in assisting weight loss.  It is essential that caloric levels aren't dropped too low and generate the body's starvation mechanisms.  Those metabolic changes are hard to combat and reverse.

Weight Loss Conclusions
Weight loss is difficult.  Our bodies are designed to maintain a certain weight, even if it is an excessive weight.  Lifestyles have changed dramatically in the last century and food is often processed and altered beyond recognition.  Any weight loss program, be it low-carb, low fat, or low calorie will work if followed strictly.  The verdict on how effective any diet is over the long haul is still out.

Headaches are more than a pain in the neck.  They disrupt your life and can even stop you from spending time with your loved ones.  When a headache comes, you want treatment now!  You do not want to make an appointment to see a doctor and wait a few days.  You want someone who can see you now.

Why See a Chiropractor?
When most people think of chiropractors, they think about the back.  But chiropractors work with the entire body including the neck. Considering the human head weighs 12 pounds, it is no wonder that neck pain and headaches occur.

Chiropractors can make adjustments to realign the neck and spine, relieving some of the tension and strain.  There are 20 vertebrae in the spine.  Any one of those can slip a little and cause headaches. 

Can the Chiropractor See Me NOW?
HealthSource chiropractors have a triple pledge for satisfaction.  If you do not get a same day appointment then the first treatment is free.  If their staff does not greet you cheerfully, then the treatment is free.  Finally, if you find a better pledge, then they will give you one week of treatment free.

A chiropractor can see you fast and begin treatment fast.  In addition, research has shown regular chiropractic treatments have significantly reduced the intensity and frequency of chronic headaches.

Can the Chiropractor Give Me a Massage?
Yes and no. Many times the chiropractor works with a team that includes a massage therapist.  Therefore, while a massage may very well be part of your overall health plan, the chiropractor will not do it. This is why it is important to find the right chiropractor to visit.

How to Find a Good Chiropractor:
First, look for the triple pledge.  You want someone who can see you today and promises to be cheerful.

Next, ask questions about the practice. 
"    Does the chiropractor work alone or with a team?
"    Does the office support nutritional guidance and overall health?
"    Can you receive massage therapy?
"    Do they offer Progressive Rehab?
"    How often is treatment recommended?  Treatment length will vary based on problems.  However, if the chiropractor wants you to pay for a year's treatment in advance, then be a little weary.

Last, make sure you are comfortable talking to the chiropractor and the staff.  If you do not feel you are being heard or understood, then please find someone else.  Communication is the most important part of any treatment.  If you can't talk to the chiropractor, then you cannot receive proper treatment.

What to Expect from Your 1st Visit
On your first visit, expect a long consultation.  A good chiropractor will want a full medical history along with when symptoms started. 

You may be asked to rate the pain on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst pain in your life.  You will also be asked to describe the pain.  Does the pain throb, pulsate, burn, stab, or tingle?  Is the pain constant or does it come and go?

Call Your Chiropractor Now for Relief
Simply put, the sooner you call the sooner you will start feeling better.  A chiropractor should get you an appointment today and have you on the road to healing in no time.

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Everyone remembers their injuries as a child because they were terrible and you were so sure the end of the world was coming…that is until your mom washed it, put on antibiotic cream, a band-aid, and then kissed it all better.  As a parent, you know that not all of the injuries that your child suffers are that simple to deal with.  How will you know what to do when your child gets hurt? 

Quick Fix to Childhood Injuries

All children fall down, suffering from scrapes, cuts, and bruises.  For these types of basic injuries, your mother's instincts are best.  These should be cleaned up with soap and water to eliminate any foreign matter that may be present.  Then apply a liberal amount of a quality antibiotic ointment and cover with a band-aid. 

These steps help the wound to heal without becoming infected.  Then, of course, kiss it and make it all better.  This is for the child.  Because every child knows that moms and dads have kisses with magic to help them feel better.

When a Kiss Won't Work

If, however, the cut seems to be unusually deep or around the face, stitches may be necessary to promote proper healing.  Often cuts on the face stand a better chance of not scarring if they are properly stitched up in a timely manner. 

Other cuts, depending upon where on the body they are or how deep they are will also benefit from being closed with stitches.  This is something your doctor will need to be involved in.  They will be able to tell you if the stitches will be required.

If the fall is the result of riding a bike or climbing a tree, the injury could be more serious.  Often these types of falls result in sprains or breaks.  If the break isn't an obvious compound fracture (when the bone has broken through the skin), it can be hard to decipher if the bone is actually broken and requires medical attention or if it is a sprain that can be treated at home.

Sprains and Fractures

If the child's crying does not subside after a normal amount of time (this is different for each child), if the child is complaining of pain and can't put weight on the injured limb, or if the point of impact begins to swell, please seek the advice of a medical professional. 

Often times, children will be diagnosed with a "green tree" fracture.  These types of fractures will have bent the limb, but not broken the bone completely…as if you were to bend a green tree limb, the outside doesn't necessarily give way.

This used to be called a sprain, and was treated by simply wrapping the area for a while.  X-rays will be required to diagnose a fracture, after that point, your doctor will work with you to determine if the area requires a cast, a splint or just to be wrapped up.

It is very important that any of these childhood injuries are treated correctly and watched closely.  If they aren't, they could easily be the cause of adult issues such as spinal column problems, back pain and other issues that may require the assistance of a doctor or chiropractor.


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For those suffering with back pain, any solution offered can seem promising.  The latest in a long line of treatments offered is spinal decompression.  Similar in many ways to previous traction treatments, decompression offers more specificity and potentially better control.

The Types of Two Machines used in Spinal Decompression
There are two machines used in spinal decompression that you are most likely to hear about.  The VAX-D and the DRX9000 are the names you are going to hear when you contact providers about the procedure.  Both machines do essentially the same work. 

Spinal decompression machines are essentially split tables that are programmed to provide cyclical traction to a specific area of the back.  The intensity of the stretching is increased over the course of the treatment allowing the muscles to stretch more easily and with less discomfort.  With good positioning, the practitioner can specify a single disc or joint.

The Goals of Spinal Decompression
The goal behind most spinal decompression is to create a negative pressure within a disk that has herniated and cause the material that has extruded to return to the center of the disk.  A secondary claim is made that the stretching process encourages fluid and nutrients to come to the area and speed healing. 

Evaluation and Treatment for Decompression Therapy
Before attempting decompression therapy, a patient should have a complete physical exam by their attending physician.  X-rays should be used to rule out counter-indications such as osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, and spondylolisthesis.

Treatment protocols often call for 20 sessions over the course of a month, with the patient coming in daily for decompression.  Decompression therapy is rarely covered by insurance and can be quite expensive.  It isn't unusual to hear of patients paying in excess of $100 per session; and remember, this is out of pocket.

Trouble in Paradise
A lawsuit is currently ongoing in California because decompression practitioners have been making unsubstantiated claims about the efficacy of the DRX9000.  Despite several warnings, one clinic was fined $25,000 for false advertising.  They were unable to produce any evidence for their claims of success and results.  Be wary of any practitioner that claims he/she can fix anything with a spinal decompression protocol.

Does Decompression Work?
Well, there lies the rub.  In general, studies don't seem to find this treatment any more effective than traditional traction.  What may work for one person may not for another.  If other methods of treatment have not done anything for your back pain, spinal decompression is certainly worth trying out.

Take into consideration that many insurance companies will pay for traditional traction partially or fully, but not for decompression.  There are conditions that are worsened by decompression therapy.  So if you are not improving, or worse, are deteriorating, stop the treatments immediately.

Spinal decompression may be a viable option for those who have had no success with other, more traditional, treatments for back pain.  Make sure to request referrals from your practitioner and have everything explained thoroughly and carefully, and make sure that you can stop the procedure at any point if your condition isn't improving.

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Are you prone to injuries?  Not just stubbing your toe on the step into the garage or banging your hip on the corner of the kitchen table every time you get anywhere near it.  That kind of thing happens to most of us and means we either need our lens prescription upped, to pay better attention, or, if worst comes to worst, turn on the lights.

However, if you find that you are actually hurt--not necessarily in the wild trip to the ER sense, but doing something that causes pain and interferes with being ambulatory or your day-to-day tasks in some way, it might be something you're doing wrong. 

This doesn't mean that it's your fault or that you deserve to be limping around the kitchen, having pulled whatever it is in your hip that gets pulled and causes you to limp.  It may mean that if you talked to a professional like a chiropractor.  They could tell you why it keeps happening and help you figure out a way to stop it.

There are many reasons for being inclined to injuries.  Sometimes we're just clumsy and really just need to learn be more careful.  On the other hand, we have poor posture, stance, or other aspects of our body mechanics that cause us to move in ways leading to accidents or other inexplicable pain.

It is also possible to have insulted, stressed, strained, or otherwise damaged a disc, nerve, ligament, or cartilage at some point in the past.  If this initial injury wasn't treated (or wasn't treated properly), it is much easier to aggravate the problem area--especially once it starts feeling good enough to forget about being careful--thereby causing pain or weakness to rise to the surface again and interfere with our lives.  This would be a literal way of adding insult to injury.

Surprisingly, another cause of chronic injuries is treating an insulted body part too gingerly.  We do this by shifting the strain experienced when walking or lifting, etc., to another part of the body - e.g., limping - leaving our stances off-balance, putting extra strain on the other knee, and also not doing appropriate activity to strengthen the injured member. 

This is where someone like a chiropractor or other traditional healer comes in handy.  For starters, they will not provide you with narcotics, which may only mask the symptoms without doing anything in the realm of healing.  Secondly, they can determine where your body mechanics have gone off-kilter and help you to resume better positioning in order to not over-stress any single body.

Last, but not least, they can address the injury itself.  It is surprising how often pain in the leg or arm actually originates in the back and how, as a result, an adjustment to the part of the back that is initiating the pain signals, will improve everything quite quickly.  The nice part about an immediate surcease of pain is that it enables you to feel that much more able to engage in the needed and appropriate movements to avoid reinjuring yourself.

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It's usually a good idea to go visit a chiropractor when you've sustained exercise-related injuries.  They're quite good at putting joints back into alignment to relieve pain and avoid excess stress on muscles, tendons, ligaments and other body parts.  This treatment is also good with preventing reinjuring the insulted area. However, if you want to avoid avoidable injuries, there are things you can do beforehand.

One of the ways to keep from hurting yourself when you work out is to make sure you're doing it right.  Improper and efficient body movement during exercise will not only prevent you from getting the most benefit from whatever you're doing, but it is also far more likely to cause you to stress, strain, sprain, pull or even break something.  Sprains can actually be worse as far as damage and healing time than a clean break, but neither is good for getting strong, fit, and healthy.

Proper stance and body movement are very important when you work out.  This is true whether you're lifting weights, running, swimming, or even just walking.  We know it matters in things like aerobics and jujitsu, and try to pay attention to our instructors so that we get the most skill as well as the best workout, but it applies in all disciplines.  Efficient body movement makes the most use of every movement, and maintaining a proper stance means you aren't putting your body under any further stress than excessive exercise already is.

Another and equally important way to avoid injuries is to check your equipment.  You wouldn't dive into an empty pool, assuming that there'd be water there by the time you hit, in the same way, you want to make sure whatever you're using is in proper condition. 

Your bike tires should be fully inflated--and stay that way for more than a few minutes--the chain should be secure, pedals attached, etc., and if you've taken more than a few tumbles, it may be worth checking the condition of your helmet.  Hint, one with a great big crack down the middle is not going to give you a lot of protection if you go down.

The final area of importance in avoiding injuries is not over-doing it.  If you haven't worked out for a while--or ever--it's probably best not to start with the marathon or the heaviest weights.  Being fit is a very good thing.  Killing yourself or pulling all your muscles because you try to do too much too soon, is not.  Push your limits, but a little at a time. 

Even being sensible, you can still sustain injuries.  Accident and mistakes both happen--a mistake is avoidable, an accident isn't--and that's where you need someone to help pull you back together. 

Depending on the severity of your injury, you may also need nutritional counseling on the best foods to help you heal quickly.  You should also seek advice on how to get back into working out slowly enough not to hurt yourself again, but with sufficient intensity not to lose everything you gained before you mistook kilograms for pounds on the weight machine.

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Your body has lots and lots of muscles.  Yes, even when you consider cardio to be running to and from the bathroom before the commercials are over.  You get back pain because your back muscles aren't being worked enough.

I know that seems counter-intuitive.  What muscle wouldn't like a nice long rest in front of a Twilight ZoneTM marathon?  With nachos?

Believe it or not, most of them.  Granted, you overwork anything, and it's going to hurt.  The same applies when you start exercising something that hasn't been put through a workout, well, ever.  But, by the same token, the stronger your muscles are, the more they can withstand anything, including sitting all day at a desk or all night in front of a cathode ray or plasma, You get back pain when your back muscles get strained or overworked.  Strain can come from bending wrong, lifting with your back rather than your knees or any number of other things, but the weaker your back muscles are, the more prone they are to injury.  In fact, if the rest of you body is strong, it will help support your back as well.

There are ways to combat this.  The first, especially if you're already having mild to moderate back pain is not (no matter how much you want to) keep sitting still.  You need to move.  If you start moving, even for short periods, your back will start to feel better.

This is not to say run a marathon while you have shooting pains in your lower back or up and down your vertebrae.  Just move a little.  Walk around the living room, the house, the yard -- movement will prevent the muscles stiffening, which will make them hurt even more the next time you move.

Next, you will want to start some sort of exercise program.  Again, you have muscles, but they get all weak and flabby with inactivity and stop being able to support you.  Even mild exercise will make them stronger and better able to do what they're attached to your bones to do.

Finally, it can't hurt to see a chiropractor.  Actually, you can kill several birds with this one stone. 

Going to see someone to help you with your back will force you to move at least a little.  Then, it will reduce or eliminate your back pain, which will make you able and should make you willing, to move even more.  Finally, a chiropractor can provide you with advice on how to avoid a repeat of this back pain.

Depending on what hurts, where and for how long, there will be a range of treatments.  There will also be different exercises.  The lower back does not have the same set of primary support muscles as the middle or upper.  Different sets of movement will alleviate any residual pain and different exercises are required to strengthen the specific muscles. 

The other reason to have a professional help you in this process is that if you don't exercise, or haven't for a while, you are more likely to hurt yourself if you randomly start out at a level you aren't ready for.  Getting rid of your back pain, only to hurt everything else isn't really the way to go.

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There are many reasons for headaches.  You may have slept in the wrong position, worked too many hours in the hot sun or in front of a hot computer.  Or you may have slept in the wrong position in the bathtub after too many margaritas.  All of these are valid reasons for some pain in the brain.  However, whatever the cause, headaches should not be chronic.

If you are suffering from mild to moderate or severe skull pain on a daily basis, this is a sign something is not right in your world.  If it's because you're hungover on a daily basis, seek help.  If you aren't drinking every night away and are still experiencing an aching cranium on a daily basis, it is also cause for concern and looking for aid, although of a different kind.

There can be many reasons behind chronic and/or persistent headaches.  Because pain is subjective, it is often hard to describe.  This is especially true in the case of headaches because there is rarely any exterior sign. (If you are chronically experiencing skull pain due to obvious exterior causes that involve bleeding or large bumps and bruises, even in the current economy, you might want to seek a different line of work.)

You can describe the pain as stabbing or throbbing or pounding and maybe give a location, and sometimes this will even aid in the diagnosis, but sometimes it will not, again due to the subjective nature.  While it is natural to immediately panic and worry that you're suffering from a brain tumor, that is very rarely the cause, and it is prudent to look for other reasons first.

One of the most common reasons for headaches is eyestrain.  This may be because you need glasses -- something a lot of us hate to admit, as it means acknowledging aging -- or to have your current prescription strengthened or changed.

If you find yourself squinting a lot, this is a pretty good sign.  It may also be that you just need to take a break from staring at the screen, into the microscope, or at the blueprints every now and again to let your eyes rest.  It's wise to get your eyes checked at least once a year anyway, so this might be something to mention to your eye doctor.

Another common cause of headaches is allergies.  Your sinuses get stuffed up from the pollen and spores or cat hair and grass.  That puts pressure on them, and you get pain.  There is a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter allergy medications, some of which work better for different people than others, so a little experimentation may be called for.  Some people are allergic to certain of the medications themselves, so be cautious.

Probably the most common cause of headaches is neck strain.  This can come from sitting wrong, sleeping funny, or any number of other things. You may be able to work out the pain yourself, but if this is a consistent problem in your life, you might be advised to visit a chiropractor in order to get the kinks worked out and learn how to keep them gone.

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The one common link for most Americans ages 30-50 is back pain.  We all suffer from it at one time or another.  Sometimes it is acute and lasts for only a few days, while other times the pain disrupts our daily activities and leaves us missing out on work, play, and even sleep. 

Tons of over the counter analgesics do a mediocre job of masking the pain.  There are physicians who recommend surgery when the pain is at its greatest, but you might not be too fond of hospitals or knives cutting open your back and exposing your spinal cord for the whole world to see.  Fortunately, we live in a day and age where technology has made great strides in helping those who are trained to heal the back do it more effectively and efficiently with little to no pain and numerous non-invasive techniques.

Before you treat the back, you need to figure out what caused the immense pain in the first place.  There are basically four categories that individuals with back pain fall in to: 

1.    The first is simply aging.  As we age, we lose the viscosity that is in the discs between the vertebrates.  When this happens, grinding of two vertebrates can cause nerve damage and result in numbness, pain shooting into your extremities, or weakness.  The disc can also become squished, which then allows the disc itself to be pushed out of the cavity between the vertebrates and touch spinal nerves. 

2.    Another cause of back pain is the daily physical and emotional stresses we go through.  We carry nearly all of our weight in our backs When we have poor posture, muscles can be strained and ligaments pulled resulting in pain. 

3.    The third category that causes back pain is through accidents or injuries.  You will have similar bulging or herniated disc issues like those who experience back pain due to aging. 

4.    The fourth and final category is obesity.  Those who are obese are carrying far too much weight for their back to handle.

After you have decided which category you fit into, it is now time to discuss your pain and other health issues with your chiropractor.  Doctors of Chiropractic have extensive skills in everything associated with the spine.  They well help to pinpoint the exact area of pain and work to relieve that pain through spinal manipulations either by hand or by computerized tables.  They may then recommend further pain relief by means of massage, decompression, exercises and stretches, and progressive rehabilitation.  All of these methods of pain relief will work on strengthening your back muscles so this type of injury never has to happen again. 

If you have insurance, they will usually cover most of the procedures done by a chiropractor.  Keep in mind that chiropractic procedures are meant to relieve pain, not cause it.  They are also aimed at being non-invasive, non-surgical, and done fairly quickly.  An average chiropractic appointment will take about 30 minutes from the time you walk in the door to the time you are shaking hands with your chiropractor for doing a job well done. 

Pain should not be a part of everyday life so take the steps to eliminate for good by seeing your chiropractor.  To find out more about back pain and alleviating it with the use of chiropractic care, visit your HealthSource Chiropractic and Rehabilitation center nearest you to have all of your questions answered by their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

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I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking that you have lived with back pain for as long as you can remember and all the talk about decompression as a means to eliminate your pain once and for all is too good to be true.  But that's just not the case. 

Decompression is an FDA approved approach to both reduce and eliminate pain in the upper back, neck, lumbar region, and sciatica pain in a non-invasive, non-surgical method and in a relatively short amount of time.  Stop thinking that surgery is going to fix this problem.  Stop thinking that you have no choice but to keep taking the strongest over-the-counter pain medication to get through the day.  You do have options, and decompression is one of them.

So just who provides this cutting edge therapy and what exactly happens during a decompression therapy session?  Both are valid and very important questions to have answers to before choosing this method of pain relief.  To start, you should only receive decompression therapy by those who have extensive training and knowledge of both the spine and with a decompression table. 

Chiropractors will fulfill both of those criteria and will be your partner in getting rid of your back pain finally.  Chiropractors go to school for about the same amount of time that physicians do, but chiropractors specialize in the back, how it works, and how to heal it.  They know that the spine is our lifeline and when there is trouble in the spine, you could be experiencing pain or disease elsewhere in the body.  Once they assess your pain and check your overall health, they may suggest decompression therapy, which may begin in that same visit.

Decompression uses the same principles that old-fashioned traction therapy does, but without so many ropes and pulleys, hanging you out like a piece of wet laundry.  While traction pulls on the entire vertebrate in the back, decompression can focus on the few that are causing the problems.  This centralized focus helps the therapy heal the injured area much faster and more efficiently. 

You will simply lie down on a table with a few straps around your waist, and you then feel a gentle pulling sensation.  This pulling will help a herniated or bulging disc to be able to slip back into place thanks to negative pressure.  The procedure lasts about 30 to 45 minutes and will need to be done a few times a week. 

The chiropractor might suggest message therapy to keep the muscles loose and prevent pulling the vertebrate out of place or progressive rehabilitation therapy to strengthen your back muscles and help prevent future injuries.  You may also be taught about exercises that you can do at home and tips on helping you to have better posture. 

Now that you are armed with the information, you need to stop your pain, go ahead and find a licensed chiropractor and ask them specifically if they offer this revolutionary way of treating your pain.  Decompression therapy, it really does work.

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Not every headache is the same.  Some headaches are the result of tension, others blood pressure changes in the skull, and still others from disease. Most headaches, about 90%, fall into the category of primary headaches and include tension, migraine, and cluster headaches.  The other 10% are unusual cases resulting from things like tumors, sinus infections, and inappropriate pressure within the head; we won't be addressing those here.

Tension headaches are the result of tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and head.  This is the most common form of headache and most headache sufferers get this kind of headache from time to time.  Tension headaches can become migraines for some individuals, but usually tension based headaches are easily treated with some over the counter medications and relaxation techniques.  For chronic sufferers addressing the triggers is important to resolving the problem.  Biofeedback techniques, better sleeping habits, reduction of caffeine intake and improved eating habits can help reduce the frequency of tension headaches.

Cluster headaches occur over a period of days or weeks and then disappear.  They often return later during the same time period, either monthly, or seasonally.  Cluster headaches are much more common among men.  A cluster headache pattern can occur several times within one day, and the duration is relatively short, 15 to 45 minutes in length, centering behind one eye.  Treatment is typically difficult to pin down successfully, but working with your caregiver should provide you with some relief.

Migraines are usually the bailiwick of women, although they do occur in all population groups.  Migraines can be accompanied by auras, abdominal symptoms, a temporary loss of vision, and pain in the neck or arm.  Sometimes you get the aura phenomenon without the pain.  There are many medications that are used to treat migraines, each person seems to respond best to a particular one, so it can be a bit of a trial and error process to find a good fit.  Migraines are best treated early because once an attack has established itself, it can be difficult to end the headache.

Because headaches are so debilitating and common, there is a constant stream of research directed at treating them.  People who suffer from regular headaches know just how difficult it can be to continue with normal activities while in pain.  Migraine and cluster sufferers often need to stop working completely during the headache, reducing productivity and interrupting their schedules.  Chiropractors may be able to help in the treatment of headaches, especially if one of the sources of your headaches is poor posture or misalignment.  Massage is particularly helpful with tension headaches.  Learning relaxation techniques also works well with tension-based headaches.

If you have more than a couple of headaches a month, you really want to take a good look at what is triggering them.  Keeping a headache diary where you include things like hours of sleep, food intake, and daily stresses can help you and your caregiver get a better idea of what is causing your pain.  If you have chronic headaches, it can be an invaluable tool in heading off headaches as you begin to see a pattern emerge.  Even before you get in to see your doctor, you can start keeping a diary to share.

Headaches are truly annoying and can ruin a perfectly good day.  Don't let your headaches take over your life.  Consult with your care provider regularly until the two of you find a solution that improves your quality of life.

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Many times whiplash occurs to victims of rear-end collisions, or maybe a bad ride ride at the amusement park.  Whiplash occurs when the head pulls the neck in a sudden direction that does not correspond to the neck's naturally designed range of motion.  The result is a sprain in the cervical region of the neck that can create very intense pain.  This pain can later extend down to the shoulders and arms.

Recovery from Whiplash Injuries

The first step in immediate recovery is to apply ice and rest.  This will help slow or stunt the speed of the swelling in the neck.  During this time, even if the pain has yet to really set in, it's important to avoid exertion.  Calling into work and setting up an appointment with a doctor is also a good idea. 

Many whiplash injuries won't be felt hours, or even days after the event, so plan for the worst.  Sometimes--especially in car crashes--adrenaline and other chemicals get stirring that may take time to settle down.  Once this happens, the pain will come on full force, and you'll be glad you planned ahead.

After a night or two of icing the swelling and resting, it's probably a good idea to see a doctor.  Your doctor may take an X-ray or CAT scan to determine there was no damage done to the bones or other vital components to the body aside from the tissue damage in your neck.  Afterwards, your doctor may prescribe painkillers and/or muscle relaxers to ease the pain and speed up recovery. 

Additional Therapy for Whiplash

Spinal decompression is a good treatment for many conditions involving pain in the back.  Back pain caused by herniated discs or an unaligned spine can be often be fixed altogether with a course of spinal decompression.  It's a painless procedure, and can improve the quality of life by taking out kinks in the conduit of nerves that extend the length of the spine. 

Best of all, spinal decompression treatment is largely inexpensive which makes it an increasingly popular choice among those who suffer from chronic back pain.  However, spinal decompression is not for everyone, and it is something to discuss with your doctor first.

Along with spinal decompression, massage therapy may be something to look into.  There are many forms of massage therapy practiced by professionals across the world.  Massage therapy targets key muscles and tendons that accumulate tension over time.  By loosening up knots and reducing tension, a great deal of back pain can be healed or prevented.


A whiplash injury can really put up a roadblock in our day-to-day lives, but it's not an injury you can typically "ride out" without proper medical attention.  If left untreated, a bad whiplash injury can continue to cause problems as time goes on and can increase your chance of getting another neck injury in the future.  Look into the options available to you right away before the pain gets worse, and you'll be back in action in no time.

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If you have the misfortune of suffering from a herniated or slipped disc, you have probably been told that you will need back surgery to completely heal.  Thankfully, there may be an alternative available to you, it is called spinal decompression.

If you are like most people, the thought of surgery, especially back surgery is very scary.  You may have never heard of this procedure before as it is starting to gain in popularity and since it generally isn't covered by health insurance, most doctors don't often recommend it.

What exactly is decompression?

Decompression is a non-surgical procedure that helps to relieve pressure from the spine and therefore, the discs that are injured.  This is done in a chiropractor's office and can often take several visits to completely cure the pain.  The patient is fitted into a harness and lies on a table. The harness is then manipulated by the chiropractor via the computer operated table that the patient is on.

The manipulation gently stretches the spine, giving a herniated or bulged disc the chance to heal, again over time, as the pressure from inside the spine is relieved.  In general, a session will last anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes and may be required over the span of a couple of months.  Decompression is done with the patient fully clothed and awake the entire time.

What is a chiropractor?

Spinal decompression is done in a chiropractor's office.  If you have never been to see a chiropractor, you may be hesitant to start now, or you may have heard from people who have had a bad experience.  Please do not let these reasons stop you from checking into decompression, and remember that no matter what  you are looking into you will find some people who won't like it for some reason or another.

A chiropractor is a medical professional who has specialized training in the area of the spine.  Many times people will see a chiropractor to gain relief for back or neck pain, and will only require a readjustment or realignment of the spine.  While decompression is more involved than that, it is a completely safe procedure and a chiropractor is a completely competent person to perform it.

What else do you need to know about decompression?

During decompression, you may get dehydrated. To combat this, your chiropractor may require that you drink up to a gallon of water on the day of, and perhaps the day following your procedures. While drinking this amount of water may seem difficult or excessive, it will allow the body to rehydrate itself quicker.

Your chiropractic doctor may also require you to take nutritional supplements to ensure that your body recovers quickly from the decompression session. These supplements help to boost your body's natural healing ability, without the use of prescription or over the counter pain medication.

Is decompression safe?

In a word, yes, decompression is safe. It is a non-surgical alternative to solving back pain issues such as bulged and herniated discs. However, that does not mean that it is a perfect, pain-free solution. Some patients may experience some discomfort during the procedures, but this is quickly resolved by following the doctor's instructions for aftercare.

As anyone who has ever suffered from them can tell you, headaches are no fun.  They cost the country billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.  For those who suffer from headaches regularly, life can become very challenging. 

In extreme cases, headache sufferers feel like they are going from episode to episode waiting for the next one to come.  Quality of life suffers tremendously and the condition affects not only the sufferer but also their family, friends, and colleagues.

There are a number of commonly used alternative treatments for dealing with headaches.  The success of the treatment depends heavily on active participation by the client.  Alternative treatments usually display a lower ratio of successful headache management but can be a viable option for those seeking to avoid taking pills to solve the problem.

Tension Headache Relief
For tension headaches, there are a few options.  Chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and herbs are all used with varying degrees of success.  Supplements such as magnesium, butterbur, and feverfew have some support in the literature, but it is minimal.  If you opt for herbal remedies, make sure to check with your physician so as to avoid negative interactions with other medications you might be taking.

Massage may help with tension headaches because it is designed to reduce tightness in muscles and general tension.  There aren’t too many studies in place yet that provide hard numbers, but the initial data is promising.  Chiropractics have been shown to be effective in treating other problems, but research specific to headaches isn’t conclusive.

Acupuncture and meditation have both been documented as effective for controlling headache pain.  Learning to relax your own muscles eases tensions that lead to headaches.  It is believed that inserting the needles in an acupuncture treatment may lead to the release of the body’s own endorphins which leads to a reduction in pain.

Migraine Headache
Alternative practices for migraine headaches are less conclusive than for tension headaches.  The suggestions that are most common involve management of pain through rubbing of trigger points, ice, chiropractics, and coenzyme Q10.  All the treatments are considered experimental in nature, but may have positive effects in certain individuals.

A More Traditional Approach
Regardless of the source of your headache, your main goal is to get rid of it as soon as possible and keep it from returning.  With that in mind, there are some options that just seem better than others.  Avoid medications that include caffeine as one of the ingredients.  They may cause the headache to receded, but it is likely to come back as the caffeine exits your system.

Consult with your doctor and keep a headache diary to show him/her.  Your doctor may spot patterns that you haven’t seen.  Take medications faithfully, as prescribed, several migraine medications work best when taken before a headache starts to get bad.  Join a gym or biofeedback class to help keep stress levels under control.

Regardless of which avenue you choose, getting your headaches under control can make a tremendous difference in your day to day existence.