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By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

5 ways to Manage Your Stress This Holiday Season

Even with all the cheer and togetherness brought about by the holiday season, you may still find yourself unable to enjoy the jolliest time of the year due to stress. And considering all the planning, shopping, and general chaos, it’s no wonder the next few months may have you feeling more worn down and fatigued than ever.

Seasonal stress can impact your daily life physically, mentally, and emotionally, resulting in several symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Body Aches
  • Sadness
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Poor Diet

You may find that your stress culminates in other ways as well, so it’s important to keep a pulse on these changes. Directly addressing your symptoms and managing various stress contributors can help boost your mood and encourage relaxation.

Learn how to keep your stress at bay with these five tips and make your holidays merry and bright!

1. Indulge Occasionally, but Don’t Overdo It

Cookies, cakes, and pies may be what’s on the menu during the holidays, but these sweets shouldn’t be your primary food group. Overeating during the holidays leads to guilt, weight gain, and sluggishness. Not to mention, sugar triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone.

Find the balance between fresh fruits and vegetables with some of your favorite holiday dishes sprinkled in between. Healthy meals will keep you energized and make you feel better about your choices. Stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water a day, which reduces inflammation and bloating to help you feel lighter overall.

2. Keep It Moving

Get ahead of your New Year’s resolutions by starting your new workout routine now. Exercise is a great stress reliever and actually provides a boost of endorphins to inspire happiness and relaxation. Getting active in the sunshine offers an added benefit of serotonin to keep you calm and pleasant after your workout.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Even with all the work parties, late-night wrapping sessions, and other festive obligations, your body still needs to rest and recover with 8 hours each night. Lack of sleep makes you more irritable and susceptible to illness, a recipe for a stressful holiday.

If you can’t extend your slumber, merely sticking to your regular sleep schedule may be enough to keep your body happy and at ease.

4. Take Time for Yourself

It may seem like there’s an event every day of the holiday season, but you’re not obligated to attend them all. Stretching yourself too thin can leave you feeling frazzled, more anxious, and like the Scrooge of the party. Take time to reset each day and do something you enjoy with no distractions.

Booking a massage in Bend can be the greatest gift to treat yourself and heal your body from the physical symptoms of stress this season. Massage therapy relieves sore and tight muscles, decreases cortisol, and increases mood-boosting hormones like serotonin and dopamine to help you emerge relaxed and Zen.

Worried over finding the perfect present? A massage is an easy, affordable, and thoughtful gifted experience for any friend, family member, or coworker.

5. Feel Free to Adjust

Stay flexible this season, and don’t worry when plans change. However, your plans aren’t the only thing you may need to adjust this season — your body needs it, too! Chiropractic adjustments address aches and pain that result from stress and tension, which cause even more discomfort and anxiety (the stress-pain-stress cycle).

Regular chiropractic care also removes unseen stressors plaguing your system and gives you an immune boost to fight off the winter sniffles. By restoring harmony to your nervous system, chiropractic can address some hormonal and chemical imbalances that may be feeding your anxiety and worry.

 

If you still can’t shake the holiday funk, it’s okay to ask for help. Talking to a professional or someone you trust can lift a weight off your shoulders. At Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, we encourage and specialize in holistic solutions that balance your mind and body to promote a happy, healthy, and cheerful holiday season.

 

By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

What is Degenerative Disc Disease and How Can Chiropractic Help?

With all the stress and adventure of everyday life, it makes sense that your spinal discs begin to degenerate as you age. In fact, by the age of 60, 90% of people will experience some level of disc degeneration — but it doesn’t have to be painful. With early intervention and regular chiropractic care, you can regulate your symptoms and encourage healing from degenerative disc disease.

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease is less of an illness and more of a progressive condition that worsens over time. Your spine is comprised of alternating layers of vertebrae and discs with nerves intertwined. Spinal discs are soft on the inside with a tough exterior that provide cushion, flexibility, and support to the entire column.

Over time, these discs lose strength or elasticity, which hinders the range of motion and compresses the nerves causing pain and inflammation. Ultimately, degeneration results from fluid loss in the discs, which reduces flexibility, as well as tears and cracks, which can cause the jellylike material to bulge out or the discs to rupture or break.

Causes of Disc Degeneration

Along with aging, several factors can contribute to the development of this condition.

  • Accident or injury
  • Uncorrected misalignments
  • Obesity
  • Sedentary living, such as office work
  • Poor diet
  • Strenuous exercise or activity

What are the Signs of Disc Degeneration?

Depending on the location of your affected discs, the severity of your condition, and your lifestyle habits, you may experience a range of symptoms, ranging from mild to extreme:

  • Lower back pain
  • Decreased mobility
  • Pain in the extremities
  • Discomfort when bending and twisting
  • Stiffness after laying or sitting for long periods

In some cases, patients may not experience any pain, but treatment is still essential to a comfortable life as you age.

How to Treat Degenerative Disc Disease with Chiropractic Care

Because degenerative disc disease stems from your musculoskeletal system, chiropractic care is an obvious treatment option for relief and comfort. At your initial visit, your chiropractor in Bend will complete a comprehensive exam, including collecting your medical history and symptoms and analyzing your full spinal column for misalignments and other issues. In rare cases, you may need to receive x-rays and additional testing.

After identifying subluxations and areas of concern, your chiropractor will begin your adjustment using these common techniques:

  • Spinal manipulation – Using gentle thrusting techniques, your chiropractor will restore alignment and mobility in affected joints.
  • Flexion-distraction – This non-thrusting method gently corrects the curvature of your spine to treat herniation and spinal stenosis.
  • Instrument-assisted manipulation – This technique uses a small handheld instrument to apply gentle pressure and correct joints without thrusting.
  • Decompression – The use of mild, firm pressure brings space between the vertebrae and increases blood flow to encourage healing.

These methods help improve blood circulation to deliver nutrients to the affected discs and stimulate regeneration, relieve irritation in the nerves, and improve joint mobility by decreasing inflammation. By realigning your spine, your chiropractor helps remove added stress and pressure off of the spine and impacted nerves, both of which can speed the development of degenerative disc disease.

There is no cure for degenerative disc disease, but coupled with massage therapy and proper nutrition, the holistic treatment provided by chiropractic care can help promote regeneration and restore comfort to your daily routine. The chiropractors at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage in Bend create well-rounded solutions that keep you balanced and healthy.

By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

Health Effects of Sitting Vs. Standing at a Desk

As people continue working from home without a defined end in sight, it’s essential to create an ergonomic workspace that increases productivity while decreasing discomfort. Thankfully, there are several options when setting up your home office, including a traditional desk or the increasingly popular standing desk. Here are the pros and cons to consider before rearranging your work  area.

Should I Sit While Working?

Sitting has been the traditional method for office work since its inception. However, studies show that this setup can be detrimental to your health without proper conditions. There are still several benefits for sitting, including body stabilization to perform tasks and less stress on the body during an 8-hour workday.

Nevertheless, poor sitting posture can strain the neck, shoulders, and spine. This sedentary position compresses the spine for hours at a time, leading to nerve pain and disc herniation or degeneration. Not to mention, desk jobs require less energy, which can cause weight gain and have been linked to increased risk of death. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ensure a conducive workspace.

Tips for Sitting Properly

  • Support your low back with a pillow
  • Keep your hips and knees at a right angle, with your feet flat on the floor
  • Rest your elbows at a level height with your keyboard, and keep your wrist at a relaxed downward tilted angle
  • Take frequent 1- to 2-minute breaks to stretch or walk around every 20 to 30 minutes

Check out our blog for a comprehensive guide on sitting at a desk all day.

Should I Use a Standing Desk?

More people are turning to standing desks in the hopes that it provides the opposite effects of sitting. Standing uses 20% more energy and engages the muscles, which increases core strength. With good posture, a standing desk can even help decrease neck and upper back pain.

Regardless, standing for 8 hours a day also has drawbacks, including added pressure on the knees, hips, and balls of the feet as well as compromised wrist posture, which can lead to carpal tunnel. Bad posture can make the situation even worse, because as you tire, you may lock your knees, disengage your core and cause imbalance. Plus, continued energy use strains the circulatory system.

An increased focus on your stance can make standing a beneficial part of your workday.

Tips for Standing Properly While Working

  • Wear supportive shoes and stand on an anti-fatigue mat
  • Stack your shoulders, torso, and hips
  • Periodically shift your weight onto either leg
  • Work your way up to standing, starting for a couple of minutes each hour and gradually increasing the time

Chiropractic Care for Office Workers

Either method you choose can cause some strain on your body, so it’s crucial to find a sit-stand balance and keep your body aligned. Chiropractic care is a holistic treatment option, so your chiropractor will offer the best advice for your working conditions.

Additionally, chiropractic adjustments address spinal misalignments from sitting and relieve joint pain in the lower extremities from standing. Your chiropractor will help restore proper posture so that you can maintain it while working. One vital part of chiropractic care at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage is massage therapy, which can also relieve swelling and release tension in the muscles to help you feel more comfortable throughout the day.

If you’re feeling pain during your workday or considering changing your setup, schedule a visit with our skilled staff. We’ll ensure that you’re prepared to make the switch and keep you balanced while working from home.

National Chiropractic Awareness Month
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

National Chiropractic Awareness Month: Take Steps to Better Health

October is National Chiropractic Awareness Month, and with flu season in the works and the upcoming string of holidays and the accompanying stress, there’s no better time to learn about the world of benefits of chiropractic care.

What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a holistic treatment option for musculoskeletal issues and associated conditions that includes spinal manipulation, massage therapy and lifestyle changes. The best chiropractors in Bend will do a full-body assessment and learn your medical history and daily habits and come up with a treatment plan that restores balance and supports your overall wellness.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care has a number of unique benefits depending on your needs. By properly aligning your spinal column and other areas of your skeletal system, you can experience a range of outcomes:

Pain Relief

Much of the acute and chronic discomfort we experience in our back, neck and shoulders results from problems in your vertebrae. Even seemingly unrelated pain shooting down the arms and legs can be linked to the spine. Chiropractic adjustments can remove pressure off of nerves which may be causing pain and address myofascial trigger points — another common cause of discomfort.

An Immune Boost

Your spinal column holds the network of nerves that allows your brains to communicate with the rest of your body. This communication pathway helps initiate your immune response, so chiropractic care prevents any nerve blockages that promotes healthy communication and allows you to create the necessary immune elements that resolve illness.

A More Natural Solution

Many people turn to chiropractic care as a natural, non-invasive solution for pain. Chiropractic addresses the root cause of the issue to promote healing rather than numbing the sensation as is the case with a reliance on pain medication.

Better Sleep

Adjustments have been linked to an increase in melatonin which regulates the sleep-wake cycle, so chiropractic may help you achieve better rest. Additionally, massage therapy – a key part of chiropractic – has also been shown to encourage a more restful slumber.

Promotes Good Posture

All the time spent staring down at your screen or sitting incorrectly at work can be detrimental to your posture. Spinal adjustments help ease postural pain and restore your correct posture.

Common Conditions Treated with Chiropractic Care

Thanks to the full-body benefits of chiropractic care, this treatment option has the potential to aid in a variety of conditions, including:

  • Subluxations, or spinal misalignments
  • Herniated or Bulging Discs
  • Headaches, both migraine and tension
  • Sciatica
  • Low Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Injuries and Accidents

In fact, primary care physicians and specialists often recommend chiropractic care as an integral part of treatment for a variety of conditions due to its ability to correct spinal dysfunction that may be impacting your health.

Try Treatment with the Best Chiropractors in Bend

Everyday activities, such as bending, twisting and reaching, and common hobbies like sports can throw your body out of whack, so it’s important to maintain proper alignment to allow for proper healing and function.

Whether you’re considering trying chiropractic care for the first time or looking to start your routine back up, our chiropractors will develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and your budget.

5 Ways to Improve Your Posture
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care, Exercise, Massage Therapy

5 Ways to Improve Your Posture

Your spine connects your brain to the rest of your body and transmits important signals that help you feel your best. So, maintaining proper alignment keeps you healthy and functioning, starting with your posture. And while you’ve probably heard about the importance of posture for comfort and confidence, you likely haven’t received many pointers on improving it.

Here are 5 tips for keeping your spine aligned:

1. Exercise Regularly

Maintaining good posture is made easier when the muscles that support the spine and neck are strong. You should focus on strengthening your back and core which will help you stay upright and stop slouching. Incorporating exercises ranging from weight training to stretching can help the upper and lower back to reinforce your posture.

2. Become More Self Aware

Improving your posture takes a conscious effort, meaning you need to check in with your alignment whenever you sit or stand. When you stand, keep your head straight, tuck your chin, roll your shoulders in line with your ears, don’t poke out your butt, and engage your core. When sitting, be sure to sit up straight and give yourself extra support with an ergonomic chair.

3. Cut Back on Cell Usage

One major culprit of postural issues is the growing use of technology. Text neck is a common condition resulting from constantly looking down at your phone. This unnatural position shifts your alignment, causing pain and tingling in the neck, shoulders, back, and even the arms and hands.

Daily neck stretches and holding your phone at eye level can help alleviate some of the tension and prevent major damage. You can also cut back on your cell usage to reduce the frequency and severity of text neck. 

4. Sleep Well

Have you ever woken up with a sore back or shoulders? That’s because your sleeping arrangements can significantly impact your posture. A firm mattress supports your spine’s natural shape, while your sleeping position maintains alignment.

If you sleep on your side, slightly bend your knees and place a pillow under your neck to keep your head level with your spine. As a back sleeper, be sure to use a thin pillow to avoid placing additional strain on your neck. Sleeping on your stomach pulls your spine in the wrong direction and should be avoided.

5. Chiropractic Care

When it comes to seeing immediate improvements in your posture, chiropractic treatment is your best bet. Your chiropractor specializes in the musculoskeletal system and can address and correct misalignments to help you stand taller and feel more balanced as early as your first visit. Poor posture can lead to pinched nerves, muscle spasms and other discomforts that negatively impact your body’s ability to function. So, chiropractic to improve posture not only realigns your vertebrae but also relieves pressure in tense areas.

Having good posture is more than just a way of exuding confidence; it is also essential to feeling healthy and well. Using chiropractic to improve posture also offers other health benefits like an immune boost, increased mobility and enhanced comfort. At Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, we will work with you to rehabilitate your posture through spinal adjustments and give you lifestyle tips to maintain it over time.

Text Neck Causes Soreness
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care, Neck Soreness

How Chiropractic Helps Text Neck

There’s no denying we live in a technology-driven modern world with the average American spending at least 5 hours on their phone each day. Chances are, you’re even reading this article on your phone or tablet. So, it’s also no wonder that these powerful devices are the culprit of a condition known as text neck among people of all ages. But what is text neck, what are the symptoms and how can you treat and prevent it?

What is Text Neck?

Text neck is the pain and muscle tightness that results from continually looking down at your phone or similar technology, like e-readers, handheld gaming devices and tablets. Typically caused by the poor posture, text neck compresses and tightens the muscles, causing soreness in the neck, shoulders and upper back. This condition is also characterized by slouching shoulders and hunch back.

As is, your neck has a natural C shape with the opening facing away from you. And in a neutral position, your head weighs about 10 to 12 pounds. However, when positioned forward and down – as it is while texting – your head can weigh as much as 60 pounds when held at a 60-degree angle. So, this added stress can cause your neck alignment to drastically shift in the opposite direction.

What are the Symptoms?

Depending on how frequently you use your phone, the way you hold your device and your posture, text neck can range from slight discomfort to extreme pain in the neck, back and shoulders. In some cases, this condition can even cause true injuries, especially when left unaddressed. Common symptoms include:

  • Neck soreness or tightness
  • Radiating pain in the arms and hands
  • Shooting pain when using a phone
  • Headaches
  • Muscle weakness
  • Muscle spasms

Treatment Options for Text Neck

Due to the growing reliance on technology, it can be difficult to fully avoid all symptoms of text neck. Fortunately, there are both treatment and maintenance options that can help you stay comfortable and pain free, including chiropractic care and massage.

Chiropractic Care

Because the strain on your neck disturbs the natural curvature of your spine, chiropractic care is a clear solution for this condition. Your chiropractor will use manual adjustments to restore proper alignment and relieve pressure from pinched nerves.

Your chiropractor also focuses on a holistic approach to wellness, so they will offer lifestyle changes that may alleviate the severity of this condition. These treatment plans include daily stretches to relieve tension, as well as pointers on the proper way to hold your phone to avoid poor posture.

Massage Therapy

Holding your neck in an unnatural position for hours a day as many of us do causes muscle tension and spasms. Massage therapy works to relax contracted muscles and release knots to ease pain. The gliding techniques help soothe inflammation and increase blood circulation to heal any damage that has occurred from text neck.

Even if you don’t feel that your symptoms are severe, it’s possible that you’ve just become accustomed to the toll that texting takes on your body. Periodically checking in with a chiropractor at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage can help you restore and maintain proper balance and live life more comfortably.

Massage For National Relaxation Day
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Massage Therapy

Treat Yourself to a Massage on National Relaxation Day

In celebration of National Relaxation Day on August 15, treat yourself to a massage at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage. In just one hour (or longer if you prefer), you can experience complete relaxation of the mind and body and emerge feeling zen and rejuvenated.

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Relaxation

Massage therapy of all kinds can relieve mental and physical stress in a few ways:

A Tranquil Environment

Perhaps the biggest perk of booking a professional massage is the serene environment during your session. Typically, the lights are turned down, soothing music plays in the background and there may even be an element of aromatherapy. These tranquil surroundings allow your brain to rest and recharge and give you time to unplug from the fast pace of everyday life.

Mental Relaxation

Most of the day, your body is on edge, mobilizing your sympathetic nervous system to keep you safe from danger. The act of massage therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which decreases your heart rate, slows your breathing and improves your blood circulation. After a session, you will feel calmer and rest more peacefully thanks to the activation of your PNS.

Even just 45 minutes of massage therapy can reduce the level of stress hormones in the blood, while also increasing “feel-good” hormones like dopamine and serotonin. These mood-boosting hormones help you feel happier and more relaxed rather than stressed.

Physical Relief

Stress can cause knots, and conversely, these knots can also increase your stress. So, not only does massage aim help you relax mentally, but it also works to release muscle tension to help you feel more at ease throughout your day.

Your massage therapist will identify areas of tightness and apply gentle pressure to encourage the muscles to relax, increasing your range of motion, reducing pain and easing physical stress on the body.

Best Massage Techniques for Stress Relief

There are several types of massage techniques to address problems from sports injuries to migraine and even chronic stress. The two most common options for stress relief are Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. One focuses on providing superficial touch to encourage mental relaxation, while the other penetrates deeply for physical alleviation, both of which can help you feel more carefree and relaxed.

Swedish massage utilizes long gliding strokes toward the heart to improve circulation and promote tranquility and peace. Deep tissue massage focuses on deeper layers of muscle tissues to ease pain, which gives you a boost of endorphins and can relieve stress.

Treat yourself to all the benefits of a massage by booking your session with Total Body Chiropractic & Massage. Your massage therapist in Bend will not only aim to help you relax mentally and physically but also promote healthy recovery and encourage balance. Schedule your self-care appointment today and celebrate National Relaxation Day in peace!

Benefits of Monthly Massage
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Massage Therapy

5 Benefits of Monthly Massage Therapy

Receiving a massage on your birthday, anniversary, or a holiday is a prized present and an extra special treat. But did you know that scheduling regular massages weekly or monthly can optimize your well-being from head to toe? Monthly massage therapy in Bend, Oregon may feel like just a luxurious form of self-care, but it is actually an affordable option to keep your health in check with these five benefits of massage:

Stress & Anxiety Relief

Whether you recognize it or not, each day you deal with stressors big and small that initiate your body’s fight or flight response and increase the stress hormone, cortisol. High levels of cortisol are associated with headaches, fatigue, anxiety symptoms, a weakened immune system as well as an increased risk for heart disease and cancer.

Studies suggest that massage therapy can decrease cortisol levels by 31% on average. However, these levels will rise again in the days and weeks following your session. Instead, regular massage therapy can give your body a necessary reset on a consistent schedule to keep you happy and healthy and provide stress relief.

Boosts Mood

Regular massage therapy can improve your quality of life and promote a more positive outlook. Researchers found that while therapeutic massage reduces cortisol, it also increases dopamine and serotonin levels. These “feel-good” hormones are naturally released when you are feeling happy or relaxed, so massage therapy facilitates the production of these elements in the blood to mimic these feelings after your appointment.

Alleviates Pain

From sedentary and physically demanding work environments to sports and age-related injuries and discomforts, regular massage can address varying levels and forms of pain and allow for muscle relaxation. Massage techniques, like stretching and myofascial release, target contracted or tight muscles, commonly known as knots, relieve muscle tension, and improve muscle pain. By manually relaxing these areas, your licensed massage therapist helps relieve pressure and pain in the neck, shoulders, and back while improving flexibility and mobility. When your muscles are moving freely and properly, you can prevent injury from basic movements and feel more comfortable.

Massage therapy also relieves inflammation in the joints and other areas of injury with increased blood flow. This increased blood circulation allows for proper healing and the resolution of the immune response in certain areas to ease pain. Massage therapy sessions can also assist with pain management and alleviate chronic pain.

Relieves Insomnia

Millions of people in the United States experience trouble getting a sufficient amount of quality sleep each night. Massage therapy encourages relaxation and may improve your sleep patterns, allowing you to get restful and refreshing sleep. According to studies, weekly massages can reduce the severity of insomnia. Many people even fall asleep right on the massage table during the session.

Strengthens the Immune System

If you are looking to give your immune system a boost, regular massage is a relaxing way to do so. Massage therapy not only reduces stress levels and improves sleep to help you better fight off illness, but it also encourages the production of white blood cells that protect from foreign bodies. In the same way, the gentle strokes diffuse lactic acid and other waste build-ups in the muscles to stimulate the immune system, reduce fatigue and pain, and improve immune function. Chiropractic and massage therapy techniques also improve lymphatic circulation to better prevent infection and keep you feeling healthy.

These are only five ways regular massage can help you feel your best, but there are plenty of unique outcomes for each client. Chiropractic and massage therapy in Bend is even integrated into many treatment plans for a variety of conditions and recoveries. A trained massage therapist will discuss your lifestyle, discomforts, and health history to determine the best techniques and schedule to help you keep you well.

 

Tips for Healthy Summer
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

7 Tips for a Healthy Summer

There’s a reason kids love summer – not just for the lack of school but for the warm weather that sends us outside on daily adventures. And while you may be having fun hiking, biking and gardening with the family this season, your body may not feel the same way. Make the most of the summer by keeping your physical health in check with these 7 tips!

1. Stay Hydrated

Chances are, you’ll be sweating a lot this summer. So, be sure to replace that lost water by upping your daily water intake – aim for half your body weight in ounces each day. Staying hydrated keeps your body functioning properly from lubricating your joints and improving your muscle function to regulating your internal temperature and cleansing your body of toxins.

2. Catch Some Rays

Your body will appreciate the extra Vitamin D from the sun’s rays. Even 15-20 minutes of sunlight a day boosts your immune system, supports your bone health and improves your mood.

Skip the sunscreen and extra clothing if your goal is to produce vitamin D as it can hinder the sun’s interaction with your body. Always be sure to apply it after the 20-minute mark.

3. Get Moving

You don’t have to spend all your time in the gym to get active this summer. With countless trails, parks and other outdoor spaces in Bend, Oregon, you’ll have a ton of ways to stay fit, healthy and happy.

4. Watch Your Feet

Flip flops are classic summer footwear, but they may be hurting your body. Without proper foot support, you risk misalignments and pain in your legs and back. If you can’t help but sport a sandal, opt for something with a firm arch, nice traction and thick soles.

5. Eat Local

Find your local Farmer’s Market and try new, fresh fruits and vegetables this summer. Local harvest is typically grown in a more sustainable manner and picked when ripe, so it is bursting with nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to support your bones and other body systems.

6. Relax

Take some time to relax – it is summer after all. Relaxing doesn’t just mean binge-watching Netflix (even though sometimes it can); instead, treat yourself in ways that help your mind and body. Getting a therapeutic massage at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage is one way to physically relax your muscles, while reducing stress hormones that may be making you feel anxious and negatively impacting your health.

7. Stick to Your Chiropractic Schedule

Between vacations, entertaining the kids and working, it’s easy to fall out of your regular chiropractic routine – but don’t let that happen! While you may feel good for now, that’s just confirmation that your regular care is working. And with the extra activity you’ll be doing this summer, you’ll need the adjustments to keep your spine aligned and your body pain-free. Taking a summer vacation from chiropractic care will only cause more extensive work when you return.

As an adult, summer looks a little different now – but there’s still time for fun in the sun. Prioritizing your health can help you feel loose and comfortable all summer long. At Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, we believe in holistic healing from what you put in your body, your workstation set up, and how you choose to wind down at the end of the day. Our trained chiropractors can give you guidance on how to care for yourself when you’re not on the adjustment or massage table and make sure your body is set up for a carefree and active summer.

Chiropractic and Seasonal Allergies
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Allergies

How Chiropractic Can Help Your Seasonal Allergies

With more time spent outside this summer participating in socially distant activities like hiking, biking and camping in Bend, you may find yourself more affected by seasonal allergies than years prior. But before you keep reaching for the antihistamines and over-the-counter solutions, try a holistic approach for easing seasonal allergies by visiting a chiropractor in Bend, Oregon.

What causes allergies?

Simply put, allergies are your immune system’s response to foreign substances in the body. Whether from particular foods, certain materials or spring blooms, your body may react adversely to any number of seemingly ordinary items.

In the case of seasonal allergies, allergens like pollen enter your body through inhalation and trigger the immune response. While, these substances may be harmless, your body does not perceive them as such and begins working to remove them from your system – an allergic reaction.

How does your body react to allergens?

At the surface, your body reacts to seasonal allergens through sneezing, coughing, watery eyes and a runny nose, as well as hives in some instances. These actions are meant to expel the foreign substances through any means necessary.

Although, the reaction happening within is much more complex. When the allergen enters your body, the immune system activates specialized mast cells. These cells then determine whether the substance is helpful or harmful. If deemed as harmful, the cells release histamines, which trigger an inflammatory response to signal the rest of the immune system to resolve the issue.

Chiropractic Care for Seasonal Allergies

Chiropractic care focuses on realigning your spine to encourage proper functioning of the systems that radiate from this area in several ways.

Boosts communication between the brain and immune system

Precise communication between the brain and the rest of the body keeps all your systems running and responding. Unfortunately, subluxations, or misalignments of the spine, can affect your brain’s ability to send messages to the appropriate areas. By restoring your alignment, chiropractic care can help your immune system quickly execute and resolve allergic reactions through appropriate signaling.

Helps balance and regulate allergy-fighting hormones

Too many histamines can cause high levels of inflammation and an intense allergic reaction, but this can be balanced by the anti-inflammatory hormone, cortisol. The T9 area of the spine feeds the adrenal gland that produces cortisol, so misalignments and blockages magnify the severity of allergic reactions by reducing cortisol production. Chiropractic adjustments free up this area, allowing it to release appropriate levels of cortisol and promote balance.

Reduces irritation that hinders functioning

When your spine is out of alignment, affected nerves can cause irritation and inflammation. These areas then experience a decrease in function and negatively impact connected body systems. With seasonal allergies, irritation in certain sections of the spine can actually worsen or flat out cause symptoms unnecessarily. Your chiropractor will identify these areas and manipulate them to ease the irritation and improve function.

While chiropractic care does not treat allergies, it may keep your body functioning properly, so it can fight off infection and irritation before it becomes a problem. However, getting one adjustment may not be then be-all and end-all solution, as once you become misaligned, you are again susceptible to the same reactions.

Regular adjustments help keep you in alignment and feeling good year-round. Talk to a chiropractor in Bend at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage about the best treatment regimen as well as diet and lifestyle changes that may make your allergy season more manageable.