Can a Chiropractor Help with TMJ?

Most people suffering from TMJ do not know that a chiropractor can help with it. In the last few years, chiropractors have successfully treated TMJ dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint, otherwise known as TMJ, is the joint that lies between the temporal bone of the skull and the mandible of the jaw. This is the joint that moves whenever your jaw opens and closes.

This joint is constantly moving, whether you’re chewing, laughing, or talking. Over time, there is a possibility for this joint to encounter irritation and dysfunction, which makes TMJ a prevalent condition. This condition is the second most common musculoskeletal condition, which impacts different people uniquely.

What is TMJ?

TMJ is a hinge joint on both sides of your lower joint. This joint connects to the rest of your mouth, and unlike most hinge joints in your body, the TMJ is double-hinged. This means that it moves in all types of directions and not just up and down or side to side.

You must use your TMJ to move your jaw in every direction when chewing food. TMJ pain is joint, and once your TMJ starts to become troublesome, it can mean that you have a TMJ disorder. You can also call TMJ disorders TMD or temporomandibular disorders. TMD and jaw pain can emerge at any time.

On the other hand, it can also occur in the form of chronic pain in your jaws. Many people who suffer from TMJ disorder struggle with opening their mouths widely. It can impact your diet and lifestyle, and if you do not treat it within a specific time, it will worsen.

The signs and common symptoms of TMD include:

• Painful clicking or grinding in your jaw
• Locking jaw on either open and closed mouth conditions
• Pain while talking, opening your mouth, or chewing
• Painful clenching of the jaw
• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Ringing in your ears

While most TMD symptoms resolve in a few weeks or months, certain behaviors and harmful habits can aggravate painful conditions. These habits tend to strain neck muscles and jaw muscles.

Causes of TMJ

Several factors can cause TMJ or TMD, and some of the most common ones include misalignment of the bite. When your bite does not align properly, your TMJ has to work irregularly to chew food properly.

All of the irregular jaw movement will gradually lead to problems in the joint. Another leading cause of TMJ disorder is bruxism, another word for grinding and clenching your teeth. Chronic teeth clenching and grinding will cause excess pressure and lead to an overuse of your TMJ on either side of your mouth.

Ultimately, all the pressures and tensions from biting food too hard will strain the ligament and muscles that allow your TMJ to move. The third common cause of TMJ disorder is arthritis, which is the deterioration of your body’s bone cartilage.

This deterioration does not only affect joints, but also causes TMJ pain. Physical trauma or injury is another common cause of TMJ jaw pain. Automobile accidents or athletic injuries can be very hazardous and permanently damage internal ligaments and discs inside the TMJ.

Being able to tell that you have TMJ disorder is manageable. Headaches and ear pain are the first things you can look for to determine if someone suffers from TMJ. Popping and clicking sounds when your mouth moves can be a surefire sign that you have TMD as well. Since the TMJ is located immediately next to your ears, the muscles that attach to it spread elsewhere in your face, teeth, and neck.

Therefore, it is common to feel TMJ pain in areas of your body other than the joint itself. This is also why you can treat TMJ pain with a therapy session from the chiropractor.

Can a Chiropractor Treat TMJ?

Some joint stiffness and joint soreness can spring up due to TMJ disorders. This stiffness and soreness are not very intense in the beginning. Due to this, many people tend to ignore this type of pain or stiffness, which becomes highly problematic as time goes on. You have to pay attention to whether your symptoms are more noticeable at certain times of the day.

For instance, if you feel the pain right after you wake up, it could be because you were continuously clenching and grinding in your sleep due to TMD. A chiropractor is a trained professional who can stimulate sensitive nerve points and treat muscular stiffness with increased proficiency. It is safe to say that a chiropractor can alleviate the muscle pain and stiffness that TMJ disorders cause.

When your joints are stiff, they do not move as well. This also applies to your TMJ or the joint in your jaw. People suffering from TMD cannot open their mouths with a full range of motion. This makes eating a difficult task for the person suffering. A chiropractic session successfully opens up the joints and regains the long-lost range of motion.

Therefore, a chiropractor is a professional way to treat TMJ. In some rare situations, joint locking can occur, where you cannot move your mouth. This can be very scary and require immediate medical attention. There are a few ways in which a chiropractor can treat TMJ disorder. Chiropractic treatments include:

• Spinal Decompression – To extend your spine, your chiropractor will utilize a pressure table or motorized equipment. A vacuum effect is created in the spinal column to retract enlarged or herniated discs that damage the sciatic nerve.
• Electrical Muscle Stimulation – By using electrical pulses, muscle contractions are initiated to relieve muscle spasms and to maintain balance and control of nerves and muscles around the head and neck. It is often used for rehabilitation and can be utilized to alleviate pain from TMJ.
• Spinal Adjustment – Chiropractic adjustments aid in the restoration of normal alignment in the afflicted location as well as the entire spine. This therapy relieves any nerve constriction and promotes proper nervous system function.
• Myofascial Release – This physical treatment entails applying persistent pressure to the trigger points that strain your nerves. This action relaxes constricted muscles, providing immediate pain relief. Muscle tension will improve significantly.

Your chiropractor will perform a physical examination and review your medical history during your first sessions to select the best treatment approach. They will also create a personalized treatment plan to alleviate your TMD symptoms across numerous sessions and improve jaw function.

While you may notice pain alleviation in the jaw area after the first session, it may take up to four chiropractic visits to thoroughly treat your symptoms. To avoid recurring symptoms, your treatment regimen may include at-home workouts, cold-hot compressions, massages, and lifestyle changes.

General Self-Care for TMJ/TMD

If you have experienced signs of TMD, a healthcare practitioner would recommend avoiding extreme jaw movements. This means that you should refrain from opening your mouth wide or forcefully. Yawning, singing, or yelling often requires you to open your mouth rapidly. Ensure you avoid foods that cause too much stress on the jaws.

Eat soft foods and keep away from crunchy or more complex foods. You will also benefit if you stop taking large bites and foods that require prolonged chewing before swallowing. Take notice of unhealthy habits that can exacerbate TMJ symptoms, such as chewing nails and lips and resting your jaw on your hand.

Also, be vigilant of clenching or keeping your teeth together. Be conscious of grinding your teeth and also tensing your jaw muscles. You can also trigger TMD symptoms by pushing your tongue against your teeth.

Maintain the resting position of your jaw, and place your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth. Once you have done that, begin to say “NO” slowly. Keep your teeth apart, and relax your jaws and lips together. Another excellent self-help tip would be to keep your posture straight.

If you are sitting at a computer or desk workstation for a prolonged time, take frequent postural breaks. When driving, you can adjust your seat to the upright position, and even in leisure settings, you can sit upright and use pillows behind your back for stable support.

If you’re sitting and standing posture resembles a slump or a curve, correct it to an upright position. You have to raise your chest bone and sternum and place your shoulders back by gently pressing on the shoulder blades. When sleeping, ensure that you have good pillows that support your neck, and sleep on your back instead of on your stomach.

Book an Appointment!

Total Body Chiropractic in Bend can fully treat your TMJ. We will collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan that alleviates your pain and improves your overall well-being and health. After all, the secret to feeling healthiest is to adjust your spine. Schedule an appointment today and leverage our expert consultation and quality chiropractic care.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Sciatica?

Did you know that pain in your leg or even your foot can be linked directly to your back? Many times, this discomfort is classified as sciatica. More than 40% of people will experience this common condition. While it can resolve independently, non-invasive treatment options like chiropractic care ensure complete resolution and help prevent recurrence.

Keep reading to learn the symptoms, causes, and how chiropractic care can ease your sciatic nerve pain quickly and effectively.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica describes the pain you experience from a pinched sciatic nerve. It represents a symptom of an underlying problem, not a condition. The sciatic is the thickest and longest nerve in the body, starting in the lower back, traveling through the hips and buttocks, and finally spanning down the back of each leg. It is responsible for sitting, standing, and other sensations.

While the sciatic nerve ends just below the knee, it branches into smaller nerves affecting the legs, feet, and toes. This connection is responsible for the radiating or shooting pain you feel in seemingly unrelated areas.

Sciatica Symptoms

Sciatica pain can occur anywhere along the body’s largest nerve pathway. Most often, it only impacts one side of the body. The sciatica symptoms can vary by case. For example, some sciatica patients may feel constant pain, while others deal with intermittent episodes. The discomfort can come on suddenly or grow gradually.

If you are dealing with sciatica, you may feel mild to severe symptoms, including:

• Numbness
• Muscle weakness in the legs
• Burning
• Deep aching
• Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation
• Shooting pain, like an electric shock
• Lower back pain

These symptoms may worsen after coughing, sneezing, or sitting for long periods, as it compresses the spine and can irritate the sciatic nerve. If your symptoms become severe or chronic, it is necessary to seek treatment. Left untreated, you may experience permanent nerve damage, which can cause a loss of feeling or an inability to control your bowels or bladder.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica can be tied directly to irritation, inflammation, pinching, or nerve compression.

More than 90% of cases of sciatic nerve pain stem from herniated disc. Spinal discs are comprised of cartilage that cushions the vertebrae. Certain situations can cause these discs to spill or bulge out of place, where they put pressure on the nerve.

Herniated disks may also signal degenerative disc disease. As you age, the discs can lose fluid and thin out, bringing the vertebrae closer together and compressing the surrounding nerve.

You are more likely to experience sciatic pain if you are:

• Older– Natural wear and tear on the spinal column increases the chance of bulging or herniated discs.
• Overweight– The extra weight can put stress on your discs.
• An active laborer– Lifting heavy objects and excessive twisting can cause nerve compression.
• Sedentary worker– Sitting for prolonged periods can irritate the nerve roots, as with office workers and long-distance drivers.
• Osteoarthritis– This common condition can cause bone spurs. Like herniated discs, the overgrowth of vertebral bones can press on the sciatic nerve and cause pain.
• Diabetic– Poor glucose regulation can cause nerve damage.
• Injured– Injuries along the spine may lead to inflammation or irritation that impacts the sciatic nerve.

Other situations, like stress, poor posture, and activity levels, can cause muscle fibers and their surrounding structures to contract. Over time, a trigger point or “knot” can form, which may pinch the sciatic nerve.

Piriformis syndrome can also irritate the sciatic nerve and cause similar pain, such as numbness and tingling from the lower back down through the feet. However, this condition results from muscle spasms in the small piriformis muscle located in the buttocks, so it is not technically a cause of sciatica.

Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica

Chiropractic care is considered a safe and effective treatment option for sciatica. It can actually provide adequate relief for multiple forms of back pain. Your chiropractor works to fix misalignments in the spine, also known as subluxations. This process removes pressure from the spinal cord and increases your mobility, allowing you to return to the activities you enjoy pain free.

Your chiropractor can treat sciatica in a few ways:

• Spinal adjustment– Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment in the affected area and the whole spine. This therapy physically releases any nerve compression and encourages optimal nervous system function.
• Spinal Decompression– Your chiropractor will use a traction table or another motorized device to stretch your spine. This process creates a vacuum effect in the spinal column to retract bulging or herniated discs that affect the sciatic nerve.
• Myofascial release– This physical therapy involves sustained pressure on the trigger points pinching your nerves. This action helps relax contracted muscles for instant pain relief.
• Electrical muscle stimulation– This treatment option sends gentle, non-painful shocks to the affected area, which helps in two ways: releasing feel-good endorphins and blocking painful nerve signals.

During your initial appointment, your sciatica chiropractor will conduct a physical examination and discuss your medical history to determine the best treatment option.

They will also build a custom schedule to treat your sciatica symptoms over multiple visits. While you may feel pain relief after the first appointment, it can take about four chiropractic appointments to resolve your sciatica symptoms completely.

Your treatment plan may also include at-home exercises, cold-hot compress, massage therapy, and lifestyle adjustments to prevent recurrent symptoms.

6 Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments

Your chiropractor uses spinal manipulation and other techniques to care for the whole body, not just the affected area, so you’ll experience several additional benefits:

1. Reduced Inflammation

Chiropractic techniques can help significantly reduce swelling and inflammation in problem areas. Evidence suggests that it helps lower the production of the neuropeptides and cytokines that regulate the immune response. These elements can exacerbate the immune response, causing ongoing swelling and irritation.

Spinal adjustments can encourage blood flow to the affected site to promote healing.

2. Pain Relief

Back pain is the third most common reason for doctor visits each year. Regular chiropractic care can treat this pain and even prevent its occurrence in the first place. It helps ease tensions and misalignments within soft and hard tissues that can cause discomfort.

Additional therapies, like the Graston technique and shockwave therapy, can even restart the healing process on old injuries and uncomfortable pockets of scar tissue. It can successfully address neck pain, chronic pain, and other problems with near-immediate results. Many patients report feeling better as soon as the first visit.

3. Easier Pregnancies

About 50-80% of pregnant women deal with low back pain and sciatica symptoms. These problems often result from the added weight in the midsection. Pregnancy hormones also cause ligaments to loosen and stretch.

Chiropractic adjustments balance the pelvis, which may make labor shorter and easier. Improving posture can also offer instant relief for expectant mothers. Continuing your routine after delivery can even assist with recovery, ease pain from strange positioning during breastfeeding, and rebalance hormones.

4. Improved Posture

Spinal misalignments, especially when caused by sitting, can worsen sciatica symptoms. Even if you visit a chiropractor once to improve your posture, your body will likely return to its initial state of misalignments and discomfort.

Regular visits can train your spine to remain in its optimal position and help you hold onto your spinal adjustments longer. When your spinal cord and joints are aligned, you experience greater overall health. Unobstructed, your brain can communicate adequately with the rest of your body.

5. Affordable Treatment

Chiropractic treatment is much more affordable than traditional medical visits. More insurance companies are even starting to cover these services. If your insurance does not cover your treatment, you can use your FSA and HSA to pay for any out-of-pocket expenses. The Total Body Chiropractic staff will work to maximize your treatment plan according to your budget.

Not to mention, the treatment duration is typically shorter than more conventional methods. While you may have multiple weekly visits initially, you will shift to a bi-monthly maintenance schedule after your sciatica symptoms have greatly improved.

6. Reduces Reliance on Medication

Those with chronic pain often receive prescriptions to manage their pain. These medications can become addictive and simply mask the pain. On the other hand, chiropractic care addresses the root cause of your pain and initiates the healing process.

Book Your Appointment Today!

The chiropractors at Total Body Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Bend are fully equipped to treat your sciatica—no matter the cause. We will work together to build a custom in-office and at-home treatment plan that not only resolves your lower back pain but also boosts your overall health and wellness. After all, aligning your spine is the key to feeling your best! Schedule your appointment today.

How Often Should You See a Chiropractor?

Did you know over 1 million people around the U.S. receive a chiropractic adjustment each day? It’s all thanks to the range of benefits associated with this physical therapy, from chronic pain relief to general mood and wellness boosts. Although you may experience temporary relief during your initial visit, it takes regular adjustments to feel the full range of long-lasting benefits from chiropractic care.

Continue reading to learn how a chiropractor can help your situation and how many chiropractic sessions you need to reap the benefits.

9 Reasons to See a Chiropractor

Chiropractic care has the potential to impact every system in your body. This is because the central nervous system, which controls the entire body, runs through the spine. This connection means spinal manipulation during chiropractic sessions can ease several seemingly unrelated issues. You may consider seeing a chiropractor for one of these reasons:

1. Acute or Chronic Pain

Back pain is the most common reason patients visit the chiropractor. During a study published in 2018, 750 participants underwent either 12 chiropractic treatments or standard care. After six weeks, researchers found that the chiropractic patients experienced less lower back pain, higher levels of satisfaction, and decreased reliance on medication.

More than lower back pain, chiropractic care can help ease neck pain from text neck — a condition stemming from staring at phones. Your chiropractor helps get to the root of the problem rather than mask the symptoms with temporary relief. They can pinpoint and address areas of inflammation, muscle tension, and joint pain.

Chiropractic care can also offer pain relief from car accidents and poor posture. By restoring proper alignment, you can experience continued comfort on a regular basis.

2. Headaches and Migraines

Headaches often stem from structural problems in the neck and shoulders. Chiropractic adjustments can help with the severity and frequency of attacks.

3. Improves Digestion

The central nervous system sends signals to the digestive system to facilitate the process. Misalignments in the spine can impact this communication. Likewise, subluxations in certain vertebrae can even lead to gas and other digestive discomforts.

4. Boost Athletic Performance

Even the best players in the league use chiropractic care to improve their game. In fact, 31% of NFL teams have a chiropractor on staff to deal with sports-related chronic pain, injuries, and headaches.

5. Better Sleep

Chiropractic care may improve the duration and quality of your sleep. This therapy reduces pain that keeps you up at night and rebalances dopamine and serotonin to help insomnia. Adjustments also increase blood flow, encouraging you to get to sleep faster and help you sleep longer.

6. Pregnancy

During this stage of life, pregnant women deal with several changes, including widening hips and a lower back adjustment. These changes can lead to headaches, back pain, and general discomfort. Regular chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can provide relief, balance hormones, improve sleep, and even make labor easier for pregnant women.

7. Treat Sciatica

The sciatic nerve represents the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back through the butt and hips all the way down to the feet. When the nerve becomes compressed by surrounding vertebrae or inflammation, it can cause sharp pain and muscle spasms throughout the lower extremities. Your chiropractor can help resolve the inflammation and remove any pressure on the nerve.

8. Immune Boost

When your body functions and communicates properly, it can more quickly resolve illness. Evidence suggests that those who receive regular chiropractic care have 200% greater immunity than those who don’t.

9. Injuries

Your chiropractor can help treat new and old injuries. That’s why chiropractic patients often seek treatment for soft tissue injuries such as whiplash after car accidents. Soft tissue therapy can help break up old scar tissue, which can restart the healing process. This form of physical therapy can also send more blood and healing agents to the affected area to encourage faster and more complete resolution.

Regular chiropractic adjustments can also assist with conditions like vertigo and stress-related high blood pressure. Plus, each adjustment boosts overall health and encourages physical and mental relaxation that improves your mood, eases anxiety, and soothes muscle tension.

Initial Consultation for New Patients

Before scheduling your chiropractic consultation, you’ll want to make sure your chiropractic clinic accepts your insurance. You’ll also want to verify that your chiropractor has all the necessary credentials and experience with any of your anticipated conditions. When you arrive, you will be greeted by trained staff and given new client paperwork.

Your initial visit will take about an hour, but this time frame can vary. The rest of your chiropractic appointment will proceed in the following format:

1. Discuss Concerns and Goals

Your chiropractor will ask about the location of your pain, any other symptoms, and how long you’ve been experiencing them. They will also need to know your occupation, daily activities, and other lifestyle habits. This conversation helps your chiropractor understand what’s happening and determine the best course of action tailored to your needs.

You should come prepared with your health goals. Are you just hoping for relief, or do you want to see drastic improvements in your function?

It’s also important to have the specifics of your medical history:

• Prescriptions
• Diagnosis
• Detailed family history, including illnesses and conditions
• Other relevant medical histories that reveal acute causes, like car accidents, or chronic causes

2. Physical examination

Your chiropractor will have you complete a series of movements and tasks to test muscle strength, nerve flow, resistance, and more. You may undergo one or more of these physical examinations:

• Walking Exam — You will walk back and forth across the room. During this process, the chiropractor will assess your gait to determine if there are any issues in your spine, legs, or pelvis.
• Flexibility Exam — Completing different stretches, movements, and bends can test flexibility and range of motion.
• Leg Measurements — While lying on your stomach, the chiropractor will bend your legs upwards to examine the length of your legs. If one leg is shorter than the other, it signals alignment issues in the pelvis.
• Straight Leg Raise — As you lie down, your chiropractor will have you lift a leg straight in the air while keeping your knee straight. This action reveals any complications in the sciatic nerve or leg muscles.
• Muscle Strength Test — Your chiropractor will have you press against them in various ways to test muscle strength or weakness.
• Medical Exams — After these physical examinations, your chiropractor may want to see more. They may order blood work, X-rays to view bones, or an MRI for soft tissue, like discs, torn muscles, or nerve compression.

3. Diagnosis

After a thorough physical examination, your chiropractor will offer a diagnosis and determine whether your condition will respond to chiropractic care. Fractures, tumors, or infections will require a referral to a separate specialist as they do not respond to this form of treatment.

4. Building a Treatment Plan

During your first chiropractic visit, your chiropractor will build a specialized treatment plan that outlines in-office care, at-home exercises, instructions to prevent severe injury, and a guide to healthy living and eating. All these techniques will support your care and boost your results.

Keep in mind that you may or may not receive a chiropractic adjustment during your initial consultation, depending on your diagnosis.

How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help

Chiropractors use several treatment methods to help heal the body and fix dysfunction within the musculoskeletal system. Through spinal manipulation, massage therapy, spinal decompression, and acupuncture, your therapist can help treat your pain in several ways:

• Restores Proper Alignment – Spinal adjustments ensure that your body can communicate adequately, boosting overall function.
• Removes Pressure Off of Nerves – Misaligned vertebrae can compress spinal nerves, leading to radiating pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic care relieves this pressure.
• Rebalances Hormones – When your brain cannot communicate with your body due to misalignments in the spine, it also impacts hormone function. Spinal manipulation can influence the release of mood-boosting hormones and reduce the stress hormone cortisol in the blood.
• Relaxes Muscle Tension – Pinched nerves, poor posture, inflammation, and misalignments can all cause painful muscle spasms and tension throughout the body. Your chiropractor may suggest massage therapy to soothe muscles and promote relaxation.

How Often Should You See a Chiropractor?

Your chiropractor will determine the best schedule to improve your condition. If you’ve just started seeing a chiropractor, it is common to have one or two chiropractic sessions per week. The reason for these frequent appointments is that your body is used to a certain position, so it will quickly revert back to the state of discomfort due to muscle memory. Regular visits help retrain your body to stay in proper alignment.

After your symptoms resolve, you can scale back to a maintenance care schedule with monthly or bi-weekly chiropractic visits. Maintenance adjustments prevent your body from getting too far out of tune.

Generally, the ideal chiropractic appointment schedule follows this cadence:

• For Intense Pain or New Injuries: frequent appointments; 2 or more visits per week
• For Chronic Medical Conditions or Acute Issues: weekly maintenance care
• For Overall Health: monthly maintenance care

You can also schedule a chiropractic session whenever you feel pain. It is about listening to your body and reacting accordingly.

The best way to determine how chiropractic care can help you is to schedule an appointment. At Bend Total Body, we offer several treatment options to provide swift relief. We will work with you to get your condition under control and maintain the results so you can live a more comfortable life.

How Do Chiropractors Know Where to Adjust?

If you’ve ever experienced joint or muscle pain, a friend may have suggested seeing a chiropractor. These healthcare professionals provide targeted treatment to the nervous and musculoskeletal systems to restore proper function and ease symptoms throughout the entire body. From headaches and hormonal imbalances to back and neck pain, an experienced chiropractor knows where to adjust your body for swift and long-lasting treatment. Continue reading to learn how these medical professionals determine the right treatment plan for you.

Why Go to the Chiropractor?

According to the American Chiropractic Association, more than 35 million people in the United States, including adults and children, receive chiropractic treatment annually. While back pain comprises a large majority of visits, you may also find a chiropractor helpful in several situations. This is because the spine supports the whole body both structurally and neurologically. It houses much of the central nervous system, which provides a communication pathway between the brain and the entire body. A misalignment in the spine can put pressure on the spinal nerves and reduce the body’s ability to function. In the same way, these subluxations or misalignments can impact your ability to twist, bend, and carry out basic movements comfortably.

Rather than simply treating the symptoms, your chiropractor will get to the root of the problem to reduce the chance of recurrence. This alternative medicine is rarely associated with side effects, making it an excellent, low-risk option for patients.

Here are three common reasons you may consider seeing a chiropractor:

Acute or Chronic Pain

More than 46% of chiropractor visits are due to lower back pain, making it the most common reason to seek treatment. Several conditions can cause chronic pain in the neck and back, including:

• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Poor posture
• Text neck
• Scoliosis

Lifestyle factors like sleeping in the wrong position or working at a desk can also contribute to acute discomfort. These situations can irritate the spinal nerves and inflame soft tissues, causing radiating pain. A licensed chiropractor uses spinal manipulation to restore proper alignment of the vertebrae and remove pressure on spinal nerves. This chiropractic technique provides instant pain relief that continues feeling better as the inflammation resolves. A 2019 study found that this manual manipulation stops the formation of inflammation-causing neuropeptides, which furthers your results.

Car Crashes and Other Injuries

Chiropractic care is a clear treatment route after full-body trauma caused by car accidents. Even minor collisions can lead to hidden injuries that cause complications throughout the body. Whiplash, a severe sprain or strain in the cervical spine, is common in most patients and can result in upper back and arm pain. Keep in mind that an adrenaline rush may mask your pain, so it is always a good idea to visit a chiropractor in the days following your car crash.

Sports injuries from repetitive movements, like tennis elbow and runner’s knee, may also benefit from this form of physical therapy. Athletes who have sustained more severe injuries seek chiropractic treatment during the healing process and continue regular care afterward for improved performance.

Manual manipulation increases blood flow and healing agents to the affected area to boost healing. At Total Body Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we also offer services that break up scar tissue from old injuries and restart the healing process to ensure total and complete resolution.

General Wellness

Chiropractic care fits seamlessly into a full-body wellness pain to keep you functioning at your best. An adjustment may provide improvements in these areas:

• Sleep—Your body uses your downtime to repair the body. Poor sleep quality can affect your body’s ability to heal itself, impact your mood, and make you more susceptible to illness. Chiropractic care improves sleep by lowering the stress hormone cortisol, easing pain, and balancing your serotonin and dopamine, which are proven to help with insomnia.
• Digestion—Misalignments in the spine can impact communication to the digestive system. The chiropractic manipulation techniques during your adjustment can also physically stimulate movement in the digestive organs to boost regularity.
• Immune boost—Your nervous system and immune system work hand in hand to keep you feeling well. Chiropractic care improves communication between these systems for swift resolution and boosts the production of healing agents to help you fight off pathogens. It can also reduce stress levels, lowering your susceptibility to illness.
• Stress—Chronic stress can affect everything from sleep to focus. Stress has been linked to several conditions, so controlling it is essential to feeling well. Fortunately, many patients report feeling more relaxed after their visits. This alternative medicine also rebalances stress hormones to improve feelings of anxiety.

Chiropractic care is a highly individualized treatment plan, so you may experience even more targeted benefits that boost your quality of life. At Total Body Chiropractic & Acupuncture, we are equipped to treat a number of conditions.

How Do Chiropractors Know Where to Adjust?

The medical professionals at Total Body use a range of chiropractic techniques to find the proper places to adjust. During your first visit, you will undergo various examinations:

Symptoms and Medical Analysis

Your chiropractor will ask for your complete medical history, including injuries, surgeries, and other complaints. Providing honest and thorough answers is crucial to receiving the best possible treatment. Knowing your symptoms can help your licensed chiropractor find connections and underlying causes of your problems.

These medical professionals may recommend x-rays and other imaging to pinpoint inflammation and other ailments before providing treatment.

Motion Palpation

When you think of chiropractic adjustments, you likely think of palpation. This action describes the use of light of deep touch to identify painful places and misalignments. Your chiropractor will test your response to varying pressure and manipulation to find these trouble spots. They typically work across three distinct planes of motion:

1. Frontal—Front to back
2. Traverse—Upper and lower body or top and bottom
3. Sagittal—Left and right sides

During this assessment, they want to see how pain hinders movement in these three directions. They use two forms of palpation: static and motion. With static palpation techniques, you will remain still while they feel for dips, prominent misalignments of vertebrae, and muscle spasms. During motion palpation, you will complete basic movements while the healthcare professional feels how the vertebrae move, flex, and glide. If movement is poor or restricted, it indicates dysfunction.

Gait and Posture Evaluation

Your licensed chiropractor will also evaluate your gait (the pattern of walking and movement) and posture (your position while sitting or standing). This physical exam offers insight into your musculoskeletal system and its ability to adapt to strains and stressors. Your chiropractor may ask you to walk, sit, squat, lean, stand, and run to assess these factors.

Range of Motion

If your complaint has impacted your mobility and flexibility, your chiropractor will ask you to complete certain movements to assess your range of motion. These movements help them pinpoint the areas affected the most and see the extent of your joint function.

Next Steps: Chiropractic Treatment

After a complete evaluation, your chiropractor will begin treatment. You will undergo manual manipulation in several positions, ranging from face down, face up, and on each side. Your chiropractor may also use small tools to loosen muscles and provide more targeted results.

Although you may hear a cracking sound known as joint cavitation and feel varying pressure levels, chiropractic adjustments are not painful. Chiropractic adjustments work by stretching joints beyond their normal range of motion. This action causes gas bubbles to form within the synovial fluid, and when the pressure is reduced, it results in the pop or cracks associated with this spinal manipulation.

Your chiropractic treatment plan may also include other forms of physical therapy, including acupuncture and at-home exercises, depending on your condition.

How to Find a Chiropractor You Can Trust?

It is important to research and find a licensed chiropractor you can trust in Bend. You should look for these characteristics when making your decision:

• Credentials—Credentials are vital when it comes to chiropractic care. Your chosen medical professional should have received their Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited institution. This licensure ensures they have the training, skills, and experience to provide the best treatment. Sites like healthgrade.com can give you a snapshot of this information and any history of malpractice or disciplinary action.
• Experience—If you are seeking treatment for a specific condition, you should try to find a chiropractor with ample experience in the particular procedure. More experience means better outcomes for you. Inquire about how many patients they’ve treated with the condition, their successes, and any complications or risks.
• Great referrals and reviews—Ask the people you trust most for their chiropractor referrals. Your primary care physician, physical therapists, and even family and friends can provide recommendations. Website reviews offers insight into experiences with ease of scheduling, wait times, friendliness, and more.
• Comfortability—You should always feel comfortable asking healthcare professionals questions about the process. During your first visit, come with any questions you have and take note of their willingness to respond and provide in-depth answers.
• Insurance Compatibility—Chiropractic care is an ongoing process, so affordability should factor into your decision. Finding a chiropractor who takes your insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs and make regular care more attainable for you.

At Total Body Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Bend, we take pride in our licensed and experienced chiropractors. Our chiropractors have been practicing for over 20 years and deliver excellent results. We are always happy to answer any questions and ease your worries about chiropractic care. Schedule your initial appointment with us today and get on the path to a healthy, pain-free life.

Can a Chiropractor Help with Vertigo?

There are few feelings quite as unsettling as a dizzy spell. If you get them frequently or for long periods, the sensation of the world spinning in circles can leave you anxious about when the next episode will occur. Nearly 40% of Americans will experience at least one vertigo attack throughout their life. If you’re one of them, it’s important to know how to handle it when the time comes.

Finding long-lasting, effective treatment for your vertigo is a crucial part of living a comfortable, stress-free life. At Total Body, we know that chiropractic care can be part of the solution. Continue reading to learn about the different forms of vertigo and your treatment options, including chiropractic adjustment.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the sensation of dizziness or the overall feeling of being unbalanced. This sensation can present itself in a couple of ways: you are spinning in circles, or your surroundings are moving even when you’re standing still. Some people describe vertigo as being similar to motion sickness. However, it is not the same sensation as lightheadedness.

For clarity, vertigo is not a disease. Instead, it is a symptom of a range of conditions. More specifically, this false sense of movement can indicate a problem in the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve pathway.

Various internal and external stimuli can trigger an attack, from illness to movement. While you cannot prevent the initial onset, it is possible to manage the recurrence of the symptom.

Certain characteristics may increase your likelihood of experiencing symptoms of vertigo:

• Being 65 or older
• Pregnancy
• Frequent ear infections
• Being female

What are the Symptoms of Vertigo?

Your vertigo symptoms may vary by the type of condition you have and the cause of your dizzy spell. Generally, when a vertigo episode hits, you can experience varying common symptoms and sensations:

• Spinning sensation
• Tilting
• Swaying
• Feeling unbalanced
• Like you are being pulled to one direction

Depending on the condition that is causing your vertigo and its severity, you may also experience other non-motion related symptoms of vertigo:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Jerking or abnormal eye movements, typically from side to side
• Headache
• Sweating
• Ringing in the ears or hearing loss

These vertigo symptoms can last anywhere from a few seconds or minutes to a couple of hours. Your attacks may also come and go rapidly and randomly.

Different Types of Vertigo and Their Causes

There are several different types of vertigo, and each is connected to a different area of the body. Some carry distinct symptoms that you will want to address to ensure lasting comfort.

1. Peripheral Vertigo

This is the most common form of vertigo. It occurs when there is a malfunction in one or more structures in the inner ear. Typically, peripheral vertigo results from problems with the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and spatial awareness.

Peripheral vertigo is an umbrella term for a few different forms of this inner ear problem. Your personal experience may fall into one of the following categories:

2. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common form of peripheral vertigo. It affects one ear at a time, rather than both. However, the symptoms are still felt body wide.

This condition results from calcium crystal deposits, known as otoconia, located in the inner ear canals. In its ideal state, this debris should reside in the utricle and saccule space in the inner ear. However, situations like head trauma, inner ear disease (infectious or inflammatory), prolonged head position (as is the case in bed rest or dentist visits), or age-related deterioration can cause these calcium crystals to make their way to the semicircular ear canals.

When in this area, the crystals stimulate the small hairs that line the inner ear, which leads to short, frequent spells of vertigo symptoms when you move.

3. Meniere’s Disease

While we cannot pinpoint an exact cause of Meniere’s Disease, it is associated with fluid buildup in the inner ear. This condition can come on quickly and last up to 24 hours. During severe attacks, you may also experience nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, and ringing or fullness in the ears.

Dietary changes that influence body fluids can help manage symptoms of Meniere’s Disease. Your doctor may suggest limiting salt, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. They may also prescribe a diuretic pill to regulate your fluid levels.

4. Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis

Vestibular neuritis, sometimes referred to as vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis, often has a sudden onset. Viral illnesses, such as the cold and flu, or bacterial infections, can be to blame for your condition. In cases of vertigo symptoms, the infection has spread to the vestibular nerve or labyrinth that controls balance and hearing. Outside of dizziness, you may have several other symptoms, including fever, headache, earache, nausea, and vomiting.

5. Otosclerosis

This form of hearing loss involves the middle ear. Abnormal bone growth causes three bones in this area to become stuck together. This action impacts hearing and can result in tinnitus and dizziness.

Antibiotics, blood pressure prescriptions, and pain medications may also lead to peripheral vertigo symptoms, although these may resolve once treatment has ended.

6. Central Vertigo

Central vertigo stems from problems with the central nervous system (CNS), primarily in the brain stem or cerebellum (back of the brain). These conditions may cause central vertigo:

• Blood vessel disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stroke
• Tumors (cancerous or benign)
• Brain Injury
• Migraine
• Drugs, such as anticonvulsants, aspirin, and alcohol
• Seizures, although rare

Central vertigo symptoms can come and go without warning and may last a long time. The sensations feel more intense than peripheral vertigo attacks. You may not be able to focus your eyes or stop the abnormal movements for weeks to months during an episode. Some people find it difficult to walk or even stand without assistance much less continue daily habits.

7. Cervical Vertigo

Cervical vertigo, or cervicogenic dizziness, results from improperly moving joints in the cervical spine. You are more likely to develop this condition after a neck injury. Due to misalignments, your brain and spine cannot communicate properly, leading to misinformation about your body’s position in space. Addressing these misalignments can ease vertigo attacks as well as neck pain in most patients.

What Triggers Vertigo Attacks?

Recurring vertigo attacks are common if you have not addressed your underlying condition. However, certain triggers make it more likely to experience an episode.

Avoid these stimuli to prevent vertigo attacks:

• Bright lights
• Rapid head movements
• Looking up
• Bending over

If vertigo episodes are common, try to stand up slowly and sleep with your head propped up.

Boating and reading while in a moving vehicle are two common triggers of vertigo symptoms, more commonly classified as motion sickness. If you find yourself in these situations, try staring at a stationary object. Having a point of focus can help you maintain a sense of balance.

If you know you’ll be going on a cruise, ask your doctor for a scopolamine patch to prevent nausea and vomiting, common of motion sickness.

Treatment Options for Vertigo

1. Medications

Your doctor may prescribe you a range of medication to treat the cause of your vertigo and ease the accompanying symptoms. For example, if your vertigo symptoms stem from ear infections or other bacterial illness, antibiotics may help resolve your issue. Other common medications include:

• Antihistamines
• Prochlorperazine to relieve nausea
• Benzodiazepines for the physical symptoms of vertigo
• Betahistine for Meniere’s Disease — it can reduce pressure from fluid build-up in the inner ear.

2. Chiropractic Care

Thanks to its neurological connections, chiropractic manipulation and care presents an effective treatment option for many forms of vertigo. Not only can a manual adjustment boost communication between the brain and body, including ears, lymphatic, and immune systems, but it can also promote faster healing in the case of infection.

Chiropractic Treatment for Vertigo

Vertigo treatment also involves the following specific physical therapies that restore full-body balance:

1. Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation is a form of physical therapy that can improve balance and coordination. This exercise-based program helps you work through different points of balance so you can compensate with unsteadiness from Meniere’s Disease.

2. Repositioning

For those with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver, also known as canalith repositioning, and Semont Maneuver provide effective treatment. During your visit, your chiropractor will rotate your head in three to four different positions in one-minute intervals to move debris out of the semicircular canals into the appropriate areas. This treatment takes about 15 minutes and offers an 80% success rate.

3. At-Home Exercises

If the maneuvers are not effective, your chiropractor may give you rigorous at-home Brandt-Daroff exercises. You will complete 3 sets of each exercise several times a day. Generally, 95% of cases resolve successfully with this treatment route. In certain patients, these exercises can cause more dizziness or nausea.

With the help of chiropractic care, symptoms typically improve gradually over weeks and even months in some cases. Regular adjustments can reduce the frequency and recurrence of attacks. Because chiropractic care takes a holistic approach, you may also experience reduced stress, better sleep, and improved posture as a bonus after your visit.

Don’t let vertigo throw your life off balance. The staff at Total Body is equipped to provide well-rounded care to ease the symptoms of vertigo, so choose Total Body as your chiropractic clinic for regular chiropractic care. Call our office today to set up your appointment and restore stillness to your world.

Can a Chiropractor Treat a Pinched Nerve?

Have you ever experienced shooting pain in your arms or legs? Or maybe an intense tingling in your hands and feet has woken you up out of your sleep. Well, you may have a pinched nerve. Not only does this condition lead to pain and discomfort, it can also impact your body’s ability to send the proper signals to vital systems. Fortunately, chiropractic services offer an affordable and near-immediate solution to ease your pain and restore regular function so that you can feel your best.

Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms and causes of pinched nerve and your available treatment options.

What is a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve, also known as radiculopathy, occurs when too much pressure or force is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, including bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons. Typically, the problem begins at the nerve root and radiates outward. Pinched nerves can occur in many places throughout the body, but mainly originate in the neck and upper or lower back.

The elbows and wrists are also common locations for pinched nerves due to repetitive use. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of a pinched nerve in the wrist. This condition is characterized by pain and numbness in the hands and fingers. Desk workers are highly susceptible to this form due to constant typing and hand positions.

Sciatica is also a form of radiculopathy that affects the sciatic nerve (the longest nerve in the body) and causes radiating pain through the hips, buttocks, and legs.

In the short-term, pinched nerves do not cause damage. Left untreated, they can become serious, leading to chronic pain. Worst case scenario, the fluid and swelling causes permanent, irreversible damage. Finding swift and appropriate treatment is vital for long-term comfort.

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

Pinched nerve symptoms are easy to spot. Depending on the location, you may experience symptoms in corresponding areas:

• If your pinched nerve is in your neck (the cervical spine), you might experience neck stiffness, and pain and numbness in the shoulder or arm.
• When the lumbar spine (lower back) is affected, you might feel radiating pain in your back and hips through your legs.
• A pinched nerve in the upper middle back can cause chest pain. If you are experiencing severe chest pain, you should call your doctor immediately, as it could indicate a more serious condition.

Regardless of location, you can still experience any combination of the following symptoms:

• Numbness
• Shooting pain in the arms or legs — often the first sign
• Decreased sensation in the affected area
• Sharp aching around the nerve
• Burning feeling radiating from the nerve
• Tingling, or pins and needles sensation
• Muscle weakness in the areas supplied by the nerves
• Neck pain
• Feeling that your limbs have “fallen asleep”

These symptoms can feel worse when you’re sleeping or just after waking up.

Pinched Nerve Causes

A pinched nerve can result from a variety of causes, from lifestyle habits to other chronic conditions. Determining the cause of your problem is key to finding a long-term solution and preventing recurrence.

Bone or cartilage is one of the most common pinched nerve causes. For instance, a herniated disc will slip out between the vertebrae in the spinal cord and press on the nerve root that corresponds to the leg. In other instances, swollen or tight muscles and tendons surrounding the nerve root can compress the nerves.

Other common causes of a pinched nerve include:

• Injuries, from sports, car accidents, etc.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, as the inflammation in the joints can compress the nerves.
• Hobbies or sports, mainly those that have repetitive movements, like tennis.
• Obesity puts more pressure on the nerve and swells pathways causing constriction
• Overuse or stress, especially in repetitive movements of the hand, wrist, or shoulder
• Bad posture or repeated strain from poor work ergonomics
• Prolonged bed rest can put pressure on nerves.

While anyone can have a pinched nerve, there are certain characteristics and factors that may make you more susceptible to them:

• Sex. Women have a greater susceptibility to carpal tunnel syndrome, or pinched nerves in the wrists.
• Age. Being over 50 increases your risk for pinched nerves, due to natural degeneration and the prevalence of arthritis among this demographic.
• Bone spurs. Bone spurs stiffen and narrow areas where nerves travel, causing a pinch. People with osteoarthritis are likely to develop bone spurs and, in turn, pinched nerves.
• Pregnancy. Water retention and weight gain during pregnancy swells neural pathways.
• Diabetes. High blood sugar damages the nerves over time.
• Active people. Lifting, twisting, or pulling motions can cause a herniated disc – one of the many causes of pinched nerves.

Ways to Treat a Pinched Nerve

Pinched nerves will often heal on their own in about four to six weeks with the right treatment. Like many injuries, rest is key for self-healing, as the body repairs itself during sleep. Avoiding movements that may irritate the nerve is another crucial step in pinched nerve treatment.

• NSAIDs – Over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen, can reduce your pain and ease the swelling that may be contributing to the pinched nerve.
• Stretching or yoga – Gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can removing some of the pressure off the affected area. However, stretching too deeply can have the opposite effect and further irritate your nerve and worsen symptoms. If you feel your symptoms begin to worsen, stop the exercise completely.
• Splint, collar, or brace – You may be advised to wear a sprint, collar, or brace on the affected area to stabilize the area. It can prevent further aggravation, especially when sleeping. Hand or wrist splints are standard when treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Ice and Heat – Just like traditional injuries, this option reduces swelling and inflammation and boosts blood flow to the impacted nerves to encourage healing. Apply ice at 15-minute intervals about 3 times a day. Heat can be applied for up to an hour 3 times a day.
• Massage therapy – Massage therapy can reduce pain and stress in the affected areas. Gentle pressure relieves the surrounding muscle tension that may be contributing to your condition. Deep tissue massage should not be used as a treatment for pinched nerve pain as it can make symptoms worse.
• Spinal decompression therapy – A motorized traction therapy that changes the force and position of the spine. Through cycles of gentle stretching and relaxation, spinal decompression removes pressure off the nerves.

Your chiropractor may also suggest some lifestyle changes, such as using cushions and neck rests to support your posture when sitting. Updating your workspace with an ergonomic keyboard and mouse or using a standing desk may also reduce added pressure. Click here for more ways to update your desk area.

Doing regular low-impact exercise, like walking or swimming, can keep your body limber to prevent recurrence after your pinched nerve heals. Aim to complete about 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise every week.

Losing weight with the help of a nutritionist may also remove significant pressure from the nerves and boost your general health.

If your symptoms do not resolve after a few weeks or months of non-invasive treatment, your doctor may suggest surgery. In these cases, surgery may involve removing bone spurs or parts of herniated discs – or making more room for nerves to pass through certain areas depending on the location of your condition. Surgery acts as a last resort because of the side effects and possible complications.

Can a Chiropractor Treat a Pinched Nerve?

Yes! Chiropractors specialize in disorders in the musculoskeletal system, including pinched nerves. During your appointment, you and your chiropractor will discuss your lifestyle habits, symptoms, medical history, and other relevant information to determine the indirect cause of your problem.

From there, they will do a physical examination to pinpoint any misalignments that may be putting pressure on your nerves. Through a manual adjustment, your chiropractor restores proper alignment, and frees the trap nerve. This action can also relax surrounding muscles that might be compressing the nerve and reduces inflammation, which can also irritate nerves.

Neck and back pain are often a major indicator of a pinched nerve. Problems in these areas can radiate down to the hands or feet, making you extremely uncomfortable. Luckily, your Bend chiropractors specialize in treating neck pain.

Depending on the location of your pinched nerve and the frequency of your condition, your chiropractor will build a treatment plan including stretches you can do at home, lifestyle changes that can help, and a schedule of office visits. They may also suggest spinal decompression therapy or massage therapy in addition to your regular routine to keep your body moving as it should and prevent the muscle tightness and stress that often causes pinched nerves.

Chiropractic Services at Total Body Chiropractic, Massage, & Acupuncture

If you’re experiencing neck or back pain that you think may be due to a pinched nerve, you don’t have to live with it. Chiropractic treatment offers fast relief with complete healing. We combine the power of chiropractic with holistic treatment options, like massage and acupuncture, to help your body function at its highest and prevent future disruptions. Schedule your appointment today and let us help you get back to comfort.

8 Benefits of a Deep Tissue Massage

Massage is one of the most relaxing therapies available. More than that, it can act as a powerful tool for treating painful conditions and restoring balance within your body. Deep tissue massage is one popular technique used to ease chronic pain and heal injuries. This therapy also has several practical uses that can make life more comfortable. Continue reading to learn eight benefits of a deep tissue massage.

What is a deep tissue massage?

A deep tissue massage is a therapeutic technique that targets the inner layers of muscle and its surrounding connective tissue known as fascia. Using firm pressure and slow, deep strokes, your massage therapist works to break up scar tissue and release muscle adhesions, or knots. These knots are bands of rigid muscles that negatively impact your circulation and cause pain and inflammation.

Deep tissue can relieve the built-up tension from stress, exercise, and prolonged postural problems. It offers a prime solution for those dealing with:

• Chronic pain
• Muscle injuries
• Sports-related injuries
• Fatigued bodies from highly physical activities

This therapy begins with light strokes to warm up the muscles and then progresses to deep pressure along the muscle fibers. Deep tissue uses more pressure than other massages, like Swedish massage. While it can cause discomfort during your session, the pain should not feel unbearable. Be sure to communicate your needs with your Bend massage therapist so that they can adjust the pressure accordingly. In the days after your session, you may experience lingering soreness. This is completely normal. Using a heating pad or cold pack on the affected areas can provide relief.

Benefits of a Deep Tissue Massage

1. Relieves lower back pain

Lower back pain can have a myriad of causes, from normal aging and prolonged sitting to a lack of exercise or, conversely, heavy lifting. This condition can also stem from specific nerves, like the sciatic nerve, or major muscle groups that support this area, such as the quadratus lumborum and gluteus medius. Issues in these areas can make simple tasks like bending over or getting out of your car difficult.

Deep tissue massage releases tissues that may be causing pinched nerves, helping sciatica. These techniques also restore proper function in the areas that support your lower back.

A 2014 study found that deep tissue massage may provide a similar level of relief as common NSAIDs, like ibuprofen. Although massage therapy can be better for your body and more cost-efficient in the long run.

2. Lowers blood pressure

It’s no secret that stress and tension increase your blood pressure—and deep tissue massage addresses both. Deep tissue massage releases endorphins that relax blood vessels, allowing your body to more easily pump blood. These benefits combined with increased blood circulation after your session can all positively impact your readings.

A 2008 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that massage can reduce diastolic, systolic, and mean arterial readings. It can even lower your heart rate by an average of 10 beats per minute.

3. Reduces muscle tension and pain

Tension occurs when your muscles stay in a contracted state and cannot relax. Over time, this tension can cause pain and reduce your range of motion. During a deep tissue massage, your Bend massage therapist will apply firm pressure on these trigger points, causing them to manually relax. This technique can reduce pain and restore movement.

If your discomfort stems from adhesions, or bundles of fibers that have grouped together due to tension, your therapist will break them up to increase flexibility and ease pain.

4. Lowers stress and anxiety

Stress is a normal part of life. When your body senses danger, it begins releasing more cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers your fight or flight. These levels should rise in moderate amounts during the day and level out at night. For people experiencing chronic stress, these cortisol levels remain high, which results in weight gain, sleeping troubles, and more.

Deep tissue massage not only lowers the levels of this stress hormone in your blood. It also counteracts its effects by releasing feel-good hormones, like oxytocin and serotonin. Oxytocin, your body’s “bonding hormone,” promotes positive moods and social interactions, while serotonin can encourage happiness and relaxation.

Not to mention, the simple act of taking 60 minutes for self-care can help you unwind mentally and physically. Massage therapy often promotes total-body relaxation with soothing music and aromatherapy. Even physical touch has been shown to reduce stress quickly and effectively.

5. Rehabilitates Athletic Injuries

Soreness and injuries are inevitable in most sports. That’s why massage therapy acts as an integral part of an athlete’s routine. Whether you have a student athlete or play league sports, this treatment option can provide countless benefits, including:

• Decreased muscle stiffness
• Increased range of motion
• Reduced swelling and inflammation
• Prevention of future injuries
• Better athletic performance

Deep tissue massage removes toxins and sends blood and key nutrients to injured areas to promote faster recovery and proper healing. It can even break up scar tissue and encourage your body to restart the healing process in older injuries.

Using massage therapy after hard sessions can delay the onset of soreness by clearing lactic acid build-up, a major cause of discomfort. The techniques also help with muscle fatigue to ensure your body performs at its best during every game.

Your massage therapist will use specific techniques for athletes, like stretching. This method aids tight, twisted muscles and discourages active and passive stiffness to increase your flexibility and range of motion.

6. Breaks up scar tissue

Scar tissue is a natural part of the body’s healing process. However, when this tissue forms improperly, it can become restrictive, painful, and stiff. Fortunately, scar tissue doesn’t have to be permanent—and it can even be remodeled to resemble healthy muscle tissue.

Deep tissue massage can break up scar tissue by increasing lymphatic circulation and drainage. If your scars are less than two years old, your therapist can break it down and help properly align the collagen cells and fibers. It can take time to break down scar tissue, so regular visits are necessary if this is your goal.

This therapy is also encouraged for post-surgical recovery as it can help the scars form correctly. For older problems, Bend Total Body also offers the Graston technique to break up difficult-to-treat scar tissue and old injuries.

7. Improves Arthritis Pain

Nearly 1 in 4 adults deals with arthritis in the muscles, joints, and tendons. This condition is characterized by pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joints. Deep tissue massage works in conjunction with your traditional treatment plan to deliver extended relief.

Massage therapy improves circulation to arthritic joints and decreases inflammation. This effect boosts your range of motion to keep you moving, breaking the cycle of stiffness and soreness that keeps you sedentary.

Many people also experience acute insomnia due to arthritic pain. By soothing your symptoms, massage therapy can encourage a better night’s rest.

8. Helps Labor and Delivery

Pregnancy, while a magical time in a woman’s life, can often result in some miserable symptoms. Fortunately, regular massage therapy during and after pregnancy can make this time more enjoyable.

Common benefits of pregnancy massage include:

• Increased circulation and blood oxygen, which benefits the baby
• Decreased pain in muscles and joints, especially the lower back
• Less muscle tension
• Stress and anxiety relief
• Reduced swelling
• Better sleep

Deep tissue massage therapy not only encourages physical and mental relaxation, but it also helps regulate key hormones. This therapy decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, while increasing feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine. So, expectant mothers leave their session feeling happier and more at ease.

Massage therapy can also help during labor. It’s thought that stimulating painful areas can encourage the brain to release its own pain-relieving endorphins. In other situations, massage techniques flood the body with pleasant sensations, blocking pain signals. Be sure to ask your therapist for at-home massage techniques that you can do when the time comes.

Regular massage throughout your pregnancy can result in less labor pain and shorter delivery times. Some mothers even feel less need for medication.

Always ensure that your massage therapist is thoroughly trained in pre-natal massage techniques. Some areas can induce labor or even cause complications, so they should not be stimulated during your session. For example, pregnancy can cause sluggish blood flow to the legs. However, your therapist should avoid deep tissue techniques here to prevent dislodging blood clots that could travel to vital organs.

Deep Tissue Massage at Total Body Chiropractic

If you’re dealing with ongoing discomfort that is impacting your quality of life, massage therapy can help. This treatment option offers a non-invasive and extremely relaxing way to address the root of your problems. You will experience a range of benefits during your session to help you feel your best on and off the table.

Are you new to massage therapy? We offer several types of massage options to help you work your way up to the intensity of deep tissue. Schedule your appointment and treat yourself to relaxation today!

5 Pressure Points for Headaches

Nearly 45 million Americans get at least one headache per year. Of that number, 30% deal with migraine disorder, which can be highly debilitating. Some people experience headaches that are so severe and frequent that they end up missing work and many of life’s moments. Finding a way to manage your headaches outside of pain medication (a solution that doesn’t always work) is vital for living a happier, healthier life.

Holistic treatment options, like massage therapy and chiropractic care, may be the answer. Continue reading to learn how massage therapy can help with your headaches and techniques you can use to find relief at home.

Types of Headaches

Not all headaches are the same. When you can pinpoint the type of headaches you are experiencing, treatment becomes much easier. Typically, headaches fall into two major categories: muscle tension and vascular.

• Muscle tension — This pain is usually dull and constant on both sides. It can be caused by the tightening of muscles in the head, face, and neck.
• Vascular headaches — Vascular headaches feel like pounding or throbbing. They occur when the blood vessels that supply the brain begin to swell and constrict.

There are over 150 nuanced headaches. However, based on the sensation, duration, and location, you may be dealing with one of the four most common types of headaches:

1. Tension Headache

This is the most common form of head pain. It is characterized by dull, aching, mild to moderate pain all over the head. Tension headaches tend to come and go with no other symptoms. These are more likely to be triggered by physical or mental stress.

2. Cluster Headaches

Clusters usually feel the most severe. Many patients complain of constant burning or piercing pain behind or around the eye. The pain can even wake you up out of your sleep. While these headaches only last for about 15 minutes to 3 hours, they can strike in groups with as many as three a day and recur for an extended period (2 weeks up to 3 months). Men are more likely to experience cluster headaches than women.

3. Migraine

Migraine is considered a condition with no exact cause and no permanent cure. This headache feels like pounding or throbbing, typically concentrated to one side of the face. Each episode can last for 4 hours but will generally stick around for days. People with migraine headaches may experience 1 to 4 attacks per month. These episodes are accompanied by additional symptoms like pain, sensitivity to light, noise, and smells, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and stomach pain.

4. Sinus Headache

As the name suggests, sinus headaches affect the sinuses with deep, constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, and nose area. The inflamed sinuses can also cause other symptoms like runny nose, full ears, and swelling. Generally, you will experience these episodes if you have allergies or a sinus infection marked by yellow or green discharge.

What causes headaches?

At its core, a headache is caused by a mixture of pain signals between the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. However, different situations may affect this line of communication and result in a headache, like:

• Illness — Infections, colds, and fevers)
• Neck and back strain from poor posture
• Stress and how we react to it (i.e., skipping meals, changes in sleep, alcohol use, etc.)
• Environmental factors — smoke, scents, chemicals, allergens, noise, lights, weather can all be triggers.
• Exercise
• Hormones
• Rebound headaches from reliance on prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
• Head injuries
• Hemicrania continua
• Genetics — Migraine condition tends to run in the family. If both parents get them, the child is 70% more likely to experience them. If only one parent suffers from this condition, there is a 25% to 50% chance the child will inherit them.

How does massage therapy help with headaches?

Massage therapy can be an excellent treatment option, especially if your headaches occur from muscle tension and stress.

In fact, a 2002 study followed patients who had experienced chronic headaches at least two to three times per week for six months. The researchers found that massage reduced the number of headaches from 7 per week to just two. The duration of the headaches also decreased by half the time.

How did massage therapy help? The techniques used by your massage therapist target the cause of your pain and offer relief by:

• Boosting relaxation to reduce stress-induced migraines and headaches
• Reducing muscle spasms
• Easing muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
• Releasing shortened muscles
• Relieving pressure on the nerves and blood vessels
• Increasing blood circulation
• Decreasing sleep disturbances and distress

Headache Relief Pressure Points

Certain areas of the body may provide relief to seemingly unrelated sites. Your massage therapist can easily identify these headache relief pressure points during your appointment to provide more immediate relief. By stimulating these pressure points for headaches at home, you can prolong the results of your massage therapy appointment.

1. Union Valley Pressure Point — Large Intestine 4 (LI4)

The Union Valley pressure point is located in the web or fleshy depression between the thumb and the index finger.

This tension headache relief pressure point releases pressure in the neck and head. It is also great for pain in the face, head, and neck, especially when it comes to sinuses, jaw pain, and earaches. The LI4 point can also help with detoxification and menstrual cramps.

How to stimulate the union valley pressure point:

Using the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand, apply gentle yet firm pressure on the fleshy depression for 3 minutes. Take deep breaths during this time. You can also massage the area in small circles.

You should not stimulate this point if you are pregnant, as it can induce labor in some instances. 

2. Drilling Bamboo Pressure Point — Bright Light Point (B2)

The drilling bamboo point rests on either side of the place where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows.

The B2 point is best for relieving allergies, sinus pressure, and the resulting pain. It’s also particularly useful for eyestrain caused by electronic devices. Adding this pressure point stimulation to your nightly routine can help you unwind after a long day of desk work.

How to stimulate the drilling bamboo pressure point for headaches:

Use your index finger to apply firm pressure for 10 seconds, release, and repeat.

3. The Gates of Consciousness Pressure Point — Gallbladder 20

The gates of consciousness pressure point for headaches is located at the base of either side of your skull in the hollow areas between the two vertical parallel neck muscles.

The gallbladder 20 point is one of the best migraine pressure points, as it also addresses blurred vision, low energy, and fatigue. It is also beneficial for easing anxiety and stress. If you deal with insomnia or frequent sleep disturbances, you may also find relief in using this point. Most notably, it can help soothe tension and pain in the neck.

How to stimulate the gates of consciousness pressure point:

Place the fingers on the points, using your index and middle finger (or clasping your hands behind the neck with thumbs facing downward). Press firmly upward for 10 seconds and repeat.

4. The Third Eye Pressure Point — Hall of Impression

One of the most well-known pressure points, the third eye, sits right between your eyebrows, where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.

This tension headache relief pressure point has many alternative uses for emotional well-being and alignment. It also connects with the pineal gland, which promotes deep relaxation and produces melatonin to relieve migraines. The third eye pressure point can also calm anxiety, reduce dizziness, and soothe sinus pressure.

How to stimulate the third eye pressure point for headaches:

Locate the third eye and use your index finger to apply gentle pressure for one minute.

5. The Shoulder Well Pressure Point — Gallbladder 21

You’ll find the shoulder well pressure point at the highest part of the shoulder halfway between the shoulder point and the base of the neck.

Stimulating this area can relieve stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders and the resulting headaches. It can also remove the weight off the shoulders that accumulates from poor posture. Finally, it releases stress and tension in the upper body.

How to stimulate the shoulder well pressure point for headaches:

Take your thumb and apply firm pressure in a circular motion for one minute. Switch and repeat on the opposite side.

Because the shoulder well pressure point encourages energy flow downward, it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Massage Therapy at Total Body Chiropractic

If you deal with regular headaches, it’s time to give massage therapy a try! This non-invasive treatment option has proven to ease the effects of headaches to help you feel more comfortable. Massage therapy also delivers a number of other beneficial benefits for your mind and body, including increased flexibility, reduced joint pain, better sleep quality, lymphatic drainage, and so much more. At Total Body Chiropractic, Massage & Acupuncture, we create an individualized treatment plan to target multiple problem areas at once and help you feel your best. Schedule your appointment with us today!