AMI Chiropractic Clinic Blog

Fixing Low Back Pain Bottom Line: Restrictions and limited mobility of your lower back may be causing your pain. If your low back doesn't have a full range of motion, then you are setting it up for future injuries. Bending forward and back (flexion/extension), side bending (lateral bend), and turning side to side (rotation) are the three movements that make up a full range of motion. You have to use it, or you'll lose it. Neglecting your lower back and not actively improving and maintaining a full range of motion can cause restrictions, reconditioning and increase your chance of injury. Why it Matters: The care given in our practice is specifically designed to address both aspects of improving your range of motion, segmental, and global. That means our chiropractic adjustments work the specific joints of your spine that are "stuck" or restricted. This begins the process of improving your range of motion and often provides quick relief from ...

The Top Causes of  Low Back Pain Bottom Line: It's been estimated that over 90% of us will deal with low back pain at some point in our life. So, you may be wondering why. What causes most of us to deal with lower back pain? How we move our body, previous injuries, and the habits we do (or don't do) each day can play a huge role in either increasing or decreasing your risk of an aching back. Why it Matters: Low back pain occurs when joints of your spine become overloaded beyond normal limits. This can happen in an instant (lifting heavy weight incorrectly) or can happen over a long period (poor posture, too much sitting). Most of us try to remember to use proper posture when lifting heavy items. But, did you know the risks associated with sitting? Researchers have recently discovered that long periods of sitting may be as harmful as smoking. Extended periods of sitting increase your risk of back pain by de-conditioning the muscles supporting your spine...

How Heavy Is That Backpack? Bottom Line: Even though an iPad can store an entire library worth of books, most children still attend each day carrying an oversized and overweight backpack filled with heavy textbooks. While it may not seem like a big deal, recent studies have shown that carrying the weight of a typical backpack is one of the top reasons why children suffer with back pain. A vast majority of children wear rucksacks every day that, on average, weigh 15 lbs or more. That’s a heavy bag for a small child! Over time the stress of the load can result in back pain, a rounding of the shoulders and postural changes. The spinal compression caused by a heavy school bag often has children leaning forward to compensate, which begins a vicious cycle of postural issues, compensation and pain. Here are a few key facts: Up to 30% of kids may suffer from back pain due to carrying a heavy backpack. Limiting the total weight of the backpack to less than 10% of yo...

TECH NECK Bottom Line: Smartphones and tablets have quickly become a part of our everyday life. Many kids spend hours per day messaging with friends and playing the latest games. Often, it’s done with their neck bent forward, shoulders rounded, and arms holding the phone up in front of their eyes. New research has shown this type of awkward position can lead to a painful condition called “Tech Neck.” Why it Matters: Recently, Scientific Reports published a shocking paper which found a “horn” growing off the back of the head of kids who spent a great deal of time on their cell phones and tablets. This extreme variation of Tech Neck is suspected to be caused by constant pressure placed on the back of the head (the occiput) when the head is bent forward and chin is tucked. The excessive force can result in calcification of the soft tissue, which can start to look like a “horn” growing out of the back of the head! Did you know… Kids may be spending up to 140...

The Brain And Spine Connection Bottom Line:   Every thought and movement in your life occurs through your brain and spinal cord, which is collectively known as the central nervous system. Your spinal column acts as the armor and pathway for your spinal cord to travel down and split into the nerves that reach every cell of your body. Every moment and millions of messages and bits of information are moving along your spinal cord this very moment to maintain the delicate balance between your brain and body. Why it Matters: Recent research has shown that the type of movement which happens during a Chiropractic adjustment can change the chemistry of your brain. Pretty far-out right? Chiropractic adjustments can alter the biochemical markers in your brain. These changes can result in everything from increased endorphin release (a feel-good hormone) to pain relief. Emerging research has even indicated increased strength (or cortical drive) following an adjustment! ...

The Bowling Ball and the Pin: How Poor Posture Causes Neck Pain Bottom Line: The average human head weighs about 8-10 pounds. Each day we all walk around with a bowling ball (our head) balancing on a pin (our neck).  Driving a car, working on the computer, and using a tablet/phone all usually result in less than ideal posture. With every inch our head learns forward an addition of 10 pounds of weight is added on our muscles, joints, tendons ligaments, discs and nerves etc. The more the head leans forward, the more the pin is under stress! Unfortunately, the neck is not designed to hold this extra weight and this is where the problem starts… As your head leans forward the shoulder start to roll with it causing stress in the shoulders, upper back and mid back. It is crazy how poor posture can lead to so many health problems! How We Can Help: Here at the AMI clinic in Bedford we see lots of patients complaining of neck pain that is a result of an anterior...

Your Arm Pain Could Be Caused By A Neck Issue Bottom Line Pain in your hand, wrist, or arm can be frustrating. You may not realize how much you use your arms and hands each second of the day until pain, numbness, or tingling gets in the way. But, getting rid of the pain may be easier than you think. Why Does It Matter? Hand, wrist, and arm pain often starts with a neck problem. When a spinal disc in your neck irritates or presses on a nerve, it can result in arm pain. Just like the power lines that bring electricity to your house, your brain and spinal cord split into individual nerve roots that deliver information to every part of your body. The nerves in your neck are specifically focused on providing strength and sensation to your head and arms.       A bulged or herniated disc in your neck can irritate or compress the nerves that travel to your hands, arms, and shoulders.       A recent study of people with cervical (neck...

Hot Spinal Discs:  Can an Inflamed Disc Heal? Bottom Line: It’s called a “hot” disc for a reason. Disc herniations cause a tremendous amount of inflammation that can irritate nearby nerves and cause pain. But, did you know that inflammation is actually…a good thing? In fact, inflammation suggests a high likelihood of relief with conservative care. Confused? Well, the inflammatory process is the first step of the healing process! A disc that is “hot” or inflamed is a sign that the healing process has already begun. Why it Matters: New research indicates that an inflamed disc can “activate” healing throughout your immune system. Tiny blood vessels begin to form around the herniation, causing your immune system to release certain chemicals that help the disc to heal and reabsorb. What’s even more exciting is that when conservative care, such as Chiropractic, is added, researchers found that not only can the disc herniation heal, but it can completely resolve! ...

Finding Lasting Relief From Disc Herniations Bottom Line: So, you’ve suffered a disc herniation, and it’s causing severe pain. Do you need an injection or surgery? What type of doctor should you see? Can a Chiropractor make it…worse? These are all common thoughts that may race through your mind after you’ve experienced a spinal injury. First, take a deep breath and relax. Leading research journals have shown that you made a smart decision by choosing Chiropractic care. Many leading health organizations are now recommending Chiropractic as a top choice to find relief from disc herniations. To learn why keep reading… Why Does It Matter? Studies have shown that over 90% of people with a lumbar disc herniation that were treated with spinal adjustments improved within 3 months, and 88% improved within 1 year.  Perhaps even more impressive was another study, which indicated that, for disc herniations in the neck, 86% of people found relief with Chiropractic adjust...