AMI Chiropractic Clinic Blog

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! ...

Taking Control of Your Health: Slowing Down the Degenerative Process Bottom Line: We are all subjective to the law of breakdown - whichever way you look at it! Degenerative changesare inevitable but occur at different rates amongst us all; otherwise, we all would have the same problems at the same age! Unfortunately, it is a process we cannot revert but we can take control and slow it down. Why it Matters:   Just because all of us will experience degenerative disc disease as we age doesn’t mean that process is the same for everyone. Research has shown that by taking a pro-active approach with your spinal health, you may be able to slow down the degenerative process. Degenerative changes are part of the normal aging process due to the weight of gravity, injuries, and repetitive stress on your spine. Researchers have found a correlation between the amount of arthritis in the spine and the severity of degenerative changes. Stretching, exe...

How To Prevent Spinal Disc Injuries Bottom Line: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. I often wonder if the author of that quote happened to have a disc herniation. By investing in a pro-active approach to your spinal health now, you may be able to avoid suffering from a disc injury later in life. And, while there is no specific protocol to guarantee you will never have a disc herniation, there are a few action steps you can take now to lower your risk. In fact, researchers have recently discovered that you can reduce your chances of suffering from a herniated disc by keeping your spinal muscles strong. Why it Matters: An active lifestyle, regular exercise, and even Chiropractic adjustments are all considered essential aspects of optimal spinal health. Degenerative changes to your spinal discs and weakened muscles around your spine can increase your risk of a disc herniation. In our practice, we focus on helping you live an active and healthy lifestyle to ...

A Spinal Disc Bulge or Herniation: What’s The Difference? Bottom Line: The bones, discs, ligaments, and muscles of your spine are designed to help you maintain proper spinal alignment, posture, and movement. Between each set of bones or vertebrae is a small rubbery disc. These discs act as small shock absorbers for your spinal bones and nerves. They have a tough, rubber-like outer layer called the annulus fibrosis and a soft jelly-like center that is called the nucleus pulposus. As you age or encounter injuries, the curve of your spine may fall out of alignment. This can place uneven stress on your spinal column and discs, increasing the chance of having a disc break down and herniate. Why Does It Matter? A disc herniation occurs when the outer portion of the disc ruptures (or tears) and the soft inner portion squeezes out. This type of injury can cause pain at the site of herniation, or sometimes the herniated disc can pinch a nearby nerve, causing pai...

Moving Kids Towards Better Health Bottom Line: Life is motion. Moving every day is crucially important to your overall health and wellness. Everything from cardiovascular disease to depression has been tied to a lack of physical activity. And this isn’t something that only adults need to be aware of. Getting enough physical activity as a child is an important step in reducing the risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Why it Matters: If your child is tied to the latest video game or app, you know it can be challenging to encourage exercise and physical activity. However, carving out enough time to move is not only essential for your physical health, but also your brain. Being sedentary during childhood slows down your brain's ability to learn “movement skills.” You can think of these skills in terms of agility and hand/eye coordination. - Over 65% of kids aren’t getting enough daily physical activity. - Lack of activity...