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Consider Chiropractic Care for Your Headaches & Migraines

If you are someone that suffers from headaches and migraines, you know that it can feel like a never-ending cycle of pain and frustration. The debilitating pain can keep you from doing your best at work and from participating in life. Finding a successful treatment for migraines and headaches can be tough, but we’ve got solutions that have given positive results for many of our patients. If you’re suffering from ongoing headaches or migraines with no relief in sight, it’s time to try chiropractic care. We offer non-invasive, total body-based treatments that help identify the root cause of the headache or migraine.

OLD SOLUTIONS, NOT BETTER SOLUTIONS

There are several ways to treat migraines and/or headaches and medication is often the first option for most people. Medication can be an effective band-aid to pain, however, a reliance on drugs alone can quickly become a crutch instead of a long-term solution.  Instead, consider a total body approach to chiropractic treatment. It discovers and treats the underlying issues at work in your complex system, which in turn, allows us to treat the root cause of your pain instead of simply covering up the symptom of pain.

TOTAL BODY APPROACH

A total body approach recognizes that headaches and migraines can be triggered from anything and anywhere in your body. For example, pressure and emotional stress can play a huge role in how your body functions, often creating tight muscles which lead to back and neck issues, along with headaches and migraines. The first step is to discuss your pain, discomforts and overall body functions with your chiropractic physician. They will walk you through the discoveries they make during your initial visit and wrap your historical information into consideration for a treatment plan. After you get through the thorough exam process, your chiropractor will come up with a treatment plan based on your unique situation and needs. Your migraines might be due to posture, poor alignment, referred pain from an injury, stress, lack of sleep or even dietary deficiencies.

MASSAGE

One of the possible treatments you might want to consider is massage. Massage helps by easing muscle spasms and tension, a common source of tension headaches and migraines, along with stress and injuries. Our massage therapists at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage are very experienced with headache sufferers and see great results in their clients with regular massage therapy. Your therapist will make assessments during your initial exam along with your input and come up with the best approach for your massage treatments.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic care is another therapeutic option for treating migraines and headaches. Your chiropractor, like your massage therapist, will listen to your experience, history and complaints and develop a treatment plan using stretching, manipulation of the spine and exercises to address the tension and discomfort you experience with headaches and migraines. “Adjustments” are done with your spine to better align your body and relieve symptoms that contribute to the headaches and migraines. They will often use heat and/or ice during or after treatments and sometimes they might send you home with at-home exercises for you to do in between appointments. The condition of your joints may be a contributing factor to your headaches and with proper chiropractic care, your chances of finding relief are great!

If you are having to push through your days or nights with unbearable headaches or migraine pain, please know that drugs are not the only answer. A comprehensive, total body chiropractic approach can help you start to feel better and possibly eliminate the use of medication altogether. At Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, we can help you get back to living the life you want, ideally without those long days and nights fighting headache pain!

 

Is Cupping Therapy Right for You?

Cupping Therapy is an ancient Chinese medicine practice that acts as a myofascial release. It isn’t the same as regular massage because it focuses more on pressing and compression. The skin is essentially lifted by glass cups, which creates space between the skin and the fascia. The fascia is the connective tissue that encases your muscles. By “cupping” the skin, it increases the blood flow and relieves muscle tension in the targeted area. With cupping, it is common for the therapy to leave bruises on the skin or red spots, but it isn’t dangerous or even painful, and the bruising resolves quickly.

Cupping Therapy has been practiced for thousands of years but has only recently become popular in the last decade. Many professional athletes use this therapy for injury recovery and prevention and some even believe it helps improve athletic performance. If you are interested in trying our Cupping Therapy, consider the following information when making your decision. While it’s a wonderful option for many, you may prefer the traditional massage, which is also an ancient practice focusing on muscle tension and release.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CUPPING THERAPY

There are two common types of cupping, called fixed cupping and moving cupping. Fixed cupping is when the cups are applied to the skin and remain in place for several minutes in the same spot. Moving cupping involves the practitioner using oil on your skin and then putting the cups on your back and sliding them around.

THE PROCESS

Once the treatment area of the body has been identified, the area must be clean, so typically the practitioner will wash the skin with either soap and water or alcohol to make sure the skin is free of any makeup, lotions, etc. Oil is sometimes applied to the treatment spot but this is based on preference rather than being mandatory. You will want the intended treatment cups to be clean and dried thoroughly before use. Next, a cotton ball gets soaked in alcohol and then it gets lit by a lighter or candle. Once the cotton ball is flaming, it gets placed in the cup for a few seconds, long enough to heat the cup up and burn away the oxygen inside the cup. The cotton ball then gets removed from the cup and the practitioner quickly applies the cup to your skin. As the glass cools, the space inside the cup creates a vacuum-like effect that holds the cup in place. The skin gets suctioned up towards the cup and this is what stimulates the blood flow to that targeted area of your body. Generally, the practitioner only works with one cup at a time and the size of the cup depends on the targeting area. The entire process only takes a few minutes per cup.

Cupping Therapy is both an art form as well as an ancient practice that helps loosen tight muscles, increase blood flow and provide an overall sense of relaxation. Call our office today if you’d like more information, our staff at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage would be happy to answer any of your questions or set-up an appointment.

Get Outside and Get Moving!

Switching up your exercise routine can bring many benefits, especially when the change allows you to incorporate some fun into the sweat session. The change of scenery can be just what you need after working out in the same old gym or doing the same exercises over and over. The fresh air is one of the many benefits, along with higher vitamin D doses from the UV rays.

Change it Up

There are all kinds of outdoor activities that are fun and provide a good workout and trying these activities might be a good way to discover a new hobby you find interesting. Some examples of outdoor activities include paddle boarding, yoga in the park, ultimate frisbee, and hiking. Whether you are exercising to lose weight, heal from an injury or training for a sporting event, the workout doesn’t have to be miserable. You are going to want to repeat the exercise if you can implement some fun into the task and getting outdoors gives you the opportunity to get off the same old boring treadmill or standard gym routine. Outdoor activities can help your body relax faster, gives you a chance to stretch out and not worry about bumping into the person next to you, and allows you to work around any injuries you are dealing with. Back and neck injuries don’t have to keep you from exercising and sometimes just a good walk can help treat minor aches and pains.

No More Excuses

To live a healthy lifestyle and maintain a consistent workout routine, the excuses must stop before they even start. Getting yourself mentally straight will help ensure your commitment to the exercise. Justifying the junk food after a good workout only defeats the purpose of exercising in the first place, so let that go and realize that diet is responsible for 80-90% of your success. If you can’t find time during your busy day to exercise, consider changing your schedule up to allow some free time, even exercising for a half an hour can make a difference.

Exceptional Results

Outdoor exercise, otherwise known as “green exercise,” combines two health-enhancing activities; moving your body and getting outdoors. It enhances your mood, saves you money and eliminates the trouble of going to the gym and waiting for machines. A regular dose of outdoor activity can help boost your self-esteem and lower depression. Don’t let the idea of outdoor activity scare you, instead start with small activities and slowly try new things as you gain confidence. You will be happy you did and might just discover a new love of the outdoors!

Standing Up with a Stand-Up Desk

Stand-up desks are offering a range of benefits to computer users. The desk forces you stand up to use the computer keyboard and to see the monitor. In the standing position, you are relieving the aches and pains in back muscles that can be caused by being in a slouched position or when your back is being held in an unnatural manner while typing.

A stand-up desk can also improve your posture when placed at the right height. With the computer monitor set at slightly above eye level, it forces you to keep your head up so you don’t slouch your back or shoulders. You end up improving your core strength for better posture. In addition, at this height, you can also help prevent eye strain.

Besides improving posture and your vision, you may also find other benefits. While standing, you are more likely to walk about on occasion. This walking will prevent you from having a sedentary lifestyle that could be a factor in causing you to gain more weight. You end up burning more calories throughout the day while keeping muscles and joints strong.

Take Your Time with Stand-Up Desks

It usually isn’t a good idea just to jump into the stand-up desk trend where you are standing for eight hours right off the bat. You will want to ease into it so your body gets used to standing for longer and longer moments throughout the day while typing at the keyboard. Start at standing for 20 minutes. Then add more time when you feel comfortable. Eventually, it will then become a welcome routine as you won’t end up straining your body too quickly.

Stand-up desks can offer you a range of benefits to get your body up from the office desk or couch and moving about more. Check out the types of stand-up desks that are available and decide on a setup that fits into your needs. Some stand-up desks simply have a shelf for the monitor and a place for the keyboard. Others have multiple shelves to hold other items such as printers, a wireless mouse, scanners, work binders and other items. You may even decide to incorporate treadmills and stationary bikes into your routine for additional exercise opportunities.

Is Deep Tissue Massage Right for You?

When people get a massage, they imagine relaxing under a towel as the massage therapist works to relieve the aches and pains in joints to loosen up muscles as the tension goes away. Yet many people get scared when they hear that it may cause pain when it is performed. Finding out what deep tissue massage is, understanding the benefits, and knowing why it is not for the faint of heart will allow you to decide if you want to have this treatment done to your own body.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage is where a massage therapist manipulates the deep layers of soft tissues as well as muscles in the body. There is more pressure to a deep tissue massage because they have to go through the top layer of muscle to reach the lower layers. The massage therapist will use direct pressure as well as warm oils to help relax the body.

A deep tissue massage is designed to help people who experience chronic pain and aches in muscles and joints to relieve the pressure. Many people also get a deep tissue massage if they suffer from lower back pain, or if they have tension in the upper back, neck area, or shoulders.

Why Are People Uneasy with Deep Tissue Massages?

Since a deep tissue massage targets a deeper tissue layer, people who get this technique will often tense up, which causes muscles to react by increasing tension. There is normally discomfort when the session begins if the soft tissue layers have inconsistencies with tense places. It can take several sessions before the deep tissue massage begins to loosen and relax the muscles, as the therapist will modify their technique to work with the patient’s comfort levels.

However, a person with a low tolerance for pain may not be able to deal with the amount of pressure that is applied to the body for them to gain the benefits from the massage. If they are constantly tensing their muscles in anticipation of the discomfort, their muscles never have the chance to relax, hampering the massage therapist’s session. So it might take multiple sessions for them to get the same results as someone else who has a higher threshold for pain.

Is it Right for You?

If you have never had a massage session before, you don’t want to start out with getting a deep tissue massage. It would be better to get other massage techniques and work your way up to a deep tissue massage once your body became used to the massage therapist working the muscles and tissues of the body. You may decide to get one if you enjoy the deeper pressure that a deep tissue massage provides and your body can relax and find comfort with the release of tension in muscles. It will depend on your pain threshold and the reason for the treatment.

Are You Hydrated Enough?

Water is the most essential part of human life, without it we would not survive. It makes up over half of your body weight and you lose water every day just by breathing, going to the bathroom, sweating and if you are physically active. Every cell, tissue, and organ depend on water to work properly. There has always been a belief that each person needs 6-8 glasses of water a day, but it differs from person to person. Generally, most healthy individuals can stay hydrated simply by drinking water whenever they feel thirsty, while other people require more water intake than the average 6-8 glasses a day. Other drinks and foods contain water and can be useful sources of hydration, however, there are other factors with those things that you must consider, like the added sugars and extra calories those foods and drinks contain. Some foods can dehydrate you, especially things that contain high sodium and fat.

One of the best ways to measure whether you are dehydrated or not is to look at the color of your urine. Any dark yellow or dark amber colored urine is a good indication that you are dehydrated. The optimal urine color is either colorless or a very light yellow, both indicate that your body is sufficiently hydrated.

We usually receive warning signs when our body isn’t properly hydrated, and those signs can start to show up gradually or they can come on quickly, depending on how dehydrated you are as well as other factors including weather, environment, etc. If you are dehydrated, acting and knowing what to do is very important. Warning signs that may indicate you are dehydrated include but aren’t limited to the following;

  • Extreme thirst
  • A headache
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Dry mouth
  • Dark urine
  • Little to no urine, infrequent trips to the bathroom
  • No tears when crying
  • Sleepiness or fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Vomiting
  • Unconsciousness

Some people don’t like to drink water and others find the tastelessness rather boring, so they don’t try to drink much of it. Because it is a necessary part of life, we’ve pulled together some great suggestions to help those of you that struggle to stay hydrated. The following tips can help;

  • Drink water on a schedule, set certain times throughout the day or every hour on the hour
  • Carry a water bottle with you during the day so you always have the option to take a sip
  • Add some lemon or lime slices to the water to give it a little flavor
  • When eating out, drink water instead of cola or other beverages
  • Be sure to drink water before you exercise, during your exercise activity and after your workout
  • Drink tea, green tea and chamomile are great options for hydration

 

The Benefits of Walking

Staying fit doesn’t mean you have to become a runner or purchase a gym membership to get and stay healthy. Walking is an easy and beneficial way to improve your overall health, trim your waistline and feel an overall sense of well-being. Walking for 30 minutes a day has proven to prevent and manage various health conditions and diseases. High blood pressure is one condition that is greatly reduced with consistent low-impact exercise like walking. Considered to be on of the most underrated forms of exercise, walking is a wonderful way to improve your mood, reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions and keep your body looking great. Walking can also help with arthritis pain by reducing inflammation and stiffness in your joints. Here are a few other health benefits walking provides;

  • If done every day, walking boosts the immune system by strengthening the cells that attack bad bacteria in your body, meaning fewer sick days
  • Good for your brain and helps with the ability to think clearly and protect memory
  • Helps reduce mental stress and improve mental health
  • Reduces body fat
  • Increases heart rate and blood flow, strengthening the organ
  • Increases the functioning of the lungs
  • Helps you look younger by tightening up sagging skin and firming muscles
  • Reduces your risk of cancer

The warmer months are a perfect time to start your routine of walking 30 minutes a day and by the time the colder months roll around, you’ll be used to your daily jaunts you won’t want to give them up simply because it’s a bit colder out. Whether you walk at a moderate pace or prefer brisk walking, it can all benefit you. Scientists have studied the benefits of walking and discovered the people who take at least a 30-minute walk a day have an easier time accessing their creative juices and often get creative sparks while on walks. This physical activity can also help with back pain and stiff joints and joint pain. Here are some tips to start a successful walking program that fit your lifestyle.

  • Pick a time of day that works for your schedule that you can stick to every day
  • Exercising in the morning can get your creativity a kick-start
  • Walk with a partner, friend or co-worker, it’s a terrific way to enjoy conversation while exercising
  • Make sure you have comfortable, supportive shoes that don’t give you blisters
  • Don’t push it, start out at a steady pace and only increase intensity as you gain strength and endurance
  • Regular walking every day is most beneficial but if you can’t complete a daily walk, make sure it’s at least five days a week
  • If your walking form is correct, it can improve balance and coordination as well strengthen bones

The benefits of walking are endless and once you’ve integrated the habit into your busy life, you will wonder why you didn’t start the routine years ago. Grab a friend, family member or pet and hit the street, you’ll be glad you did!

A Few Simple Solutions for Preventing Back Injuries

There is a common myth that you should avoid activity when experiencing back pain and this belief can cause unnecessary, prolonged pain for some people. Often the back-pain people experience is triggered by weak muscles that don’t have the necessary strength to perform the movements being done. You can minimize back pain by strengthening your back, stomach (core), hips and thigh muscles, which will, in turn, distribute the stress of the activity throughout your body instead of placing it all in a concentrated area, namely the back muscles.

Stretching and Strengthening

Stretching your legs, especially your hamstring muscles, will help with back pain because the more flexible the leg muscles are, the more motion you have in your pelvis, which takes pressure off your lower back muscles. The tighter the hamstrings, the tighter the hips and pelvis, which translates to restricted lower back muscles. Flexibility helps by lengthening the muscles, giving more motion to the joints which helps in lifting and physical activity. Strong muscles also play a significant role in protecting against injury and the stronger the muscle, the quicker the recovery if you do get injured.

Use Proper Safety Equipment and Lifting Techniques

Before lifting, take a few minutes to evaluate what you are about to do and identify the safest way to execute the maneuver. If you are lifting a heavy object that is awkward in shape, consider asking for help or look at alternative options for moving the object. Perhaps there is a way to distribute the weight of the object, so it is easier to lift by adding support handles to either side, so you can carry the object without fear of your hands slipping off as you carry it. Adjust the height of the object being moved if necessary, so you can reduce the strain bending over can cause. When lifting, don’t bend at the waist and only use your upper body strength. Instead, bend your knees and use the strength in your legs to help power the maneuver. Keep in mind you don’t want to twist as you lift, twisting can cause injuries and put your safety at risk while you are holding something heavy.

Preventing back injuries isn’t always possible but if you consider including the strengthening of muscles, using proper safety equipment and asking for help when lifting or moving things that are heavy, your chances are significantly reduced. Not only will you avoid potential injuries, you will also improve your performance whether it is successfully loading a house full of furniture into the moving van or planting flowers in your yard.

Ashiatsu Massage | Ashiatsu Massage Near Me

Ashiatsu Massage: Putting Feet to Work to Relax Your Back

Daily life, our posture and our routines can be awful on our backs. You may experience aches and pains that only increase day by day. When such problems persist, it can begin to have a detrimental impact on your livelihood, as it can sap your energy and become mentally draining when you think about dealing with the pain for another day.

For decades, the art of massage has been proven to give relief to a person’s body. The strokes along the muscles can loosen tension, improve posture and help with blood flow. There are a range of massage techniques available and most rely on the hands to provide the massage process, but there is another technique that uses the feet for the treatment. This technique is called Ashiatsu massage.

What is Ashiatsu Massage?

Ashiatsu is a barefoot massage technique that requires the therapist to use their feet instead of their hands to perform the massage.  A therapist will have a person lay face down on a massage table. The therapist will use ropes, bars, stools or benches to balance themselves above the client. Then the therapist will use their feet to give strokes across the client’s body. The gravity and pressure allow the therapist to provide deep, long strokes over the body. Often oils, creams or lotions will be applied to the body prior to the Ashiatsu massage technique to further release the tension in muscles and to provide a more satisfying experience.

The Benefits of Ashiatsu Massage

Benefits of Ashiatsu Massage

Ashiatsu massage is a deep tissue technique used to provide pressure on the muscles to help elongate them. Since the therapist’s foot is broader than the hand as they are using their weight and pressure to target muscles, it provides wider strokes without causing enduring pain. In addition, the deep tissue technique can help improve blood circulation while relieving stress and aches that can cause muscle spasms.

Another area of the body that benefits from Ashiatsu massage are the lumbar nerves. The nerves along the lumbar region can gain more space when the foot pressure opens up and elongates the spinal region. Lastly, Ashiatsu massage allows the client’s body to have a freer range of motion and better posture with more relaxed muscles.

Learn More About Ashiatsu Massage

Not everyone should try Ashiatsu massage due to the added weight and pressure that is applied to the body with this deep tissue foot technique. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid this treatment. In addition, people with high blood pressure, advanced diabetes, a compromised immune system, acute kidney and liver conditions, are using certain medications, or had surgical implant surgery recently should also be aware of the dangers of Ashiatsu massage. If you have these conditions, speak with a therapist before obtaining treatment.

Create a Morning Routine to Set You Up for Success

You live in a world filled with routines. There are certain ways to perform your specific job and you may have an evening routine to put the kids to bed. Yet don’t forget about creating a morning routine to improve your health. When you make a morning routine, you can get your body in shape, relieve stress, and build up your energy. Here are some things that you should make sure to have in your morning health routine. 

Get the Small Things Out of the Way the Night before 

To have more time and to not feel stressed and rushed when getting up, do those small tasks the night before. Pack your lunch and meal prep for dinner items so you can get everything easily cooked up when getting home later. Also take out your attire for the day. 

Become Hydrated with Water 

Coffee is good when you need to wake up in the mornings. Yet water is better to hydrate your body. A nice glass of water can get rid of headaches and fatigue. 

Eat Breakfast Every Morning 

It is easy to skip breakfast when you are in a rush. Make it a morning routine to have something to eat, and to relax during the meal. You can build up your energy level so you don’t become tired by midmorning. Make sure you have a balanced diet. 

Put in Some Exercise 

Since you were able to free up more of your morning by doing some tasks the night before, you can now use that extra time to exercise. You can go for a jog, put in some yoga, bicycle around the block, or perform a range of other exercises to keep your body mobile and muscles strong. 

A morning routine is just what you need to make yourself feel better in the mornings and to keep up that energy level throughout the day. These simple tasks will become a great habit that the whole family can enjoy.