ClickCease
NOW CONTRACTED WITH MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE
Pay My Bill
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.

Sitting at desk causes pain
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic General Health

Health Effects of Sitting at a Desk

With the transition to a more technology-driven world and people working from home these days at makeshift desks, it’s no surprise that more than 80 percent of Americans have sedentary desk jobs. And while this may seem like a safe line of work, desk jobs where you sit for more than 6 hours a day actually increase your risk of death by 40% more than those who sit for less than 3 hours a day. Fortunately, getting active during the day as well as supporting your body through chiropractic care, dynamic stretching and an ergonomic setup can help you stay healthy and comfortable despite your work conditions.

How does sitting at a desk affect your body?

Depending on your posture, desk setup and daily habits, you can shift your alignment and experience a range of symptoms connected to your work.

Neck Pain

Hunching over a keyboard can put your neck in an awkward position and place unnatural stress on your spinal column. In turn, you can worsen your posture by overcompensating for the neck pain you’re experiencing.

Carpal Tunnel

Characterized by numbness, tingling and inflammation in the arms and hands, carpal tunnel is an extremely common injury among desk workers. This condition is directly caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist but can be linked to the repetitive motion of typing or navigating a mouse.

Back Pain

Sitting almost immediately disengages the muscles that support your body, which makes you more susceptible to shifting vertebrae, misalignments, and subsequent back pain. Slouching in an unsupportive chair or leaning forward puts extra strain on your back and can result in spinal disc compression or herniation, which causes radial nerve pain a number of other seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Seemingly Unrelated Symptoms

You may not even feel the effects of sitting in your back, neck or shoulders. Instead, you may experience symptoms like headaches, sinus pressure, tingling in your extremities, and exacerbated allergies that your chiropractor in Bend will trace back to your spinal column.

Chiropractic Care for Sedentary Workers

You may think you have your pain under control with over-the-counter medicines; however, it will not truly go away until you address the direct problem. That’s where chiropractic care and massage therapy come into play. These treatment options manually shift your body into alignment and provide almost instant relief in multiple ways:

Realigning the Vertebrae

Your chiropractor will work their way from your feet to your head to help you get back into proper alignment. These adjustments remove pressure on nerves and compressed vertebrae to deliver results as early as your first visit.

Relaxing Tense Muscles

After weeks, months or even years of desk work, you are likely holding tension in areas like your shoulders and lower back. Massage therapy focuses on myofascial trigger points, also known as “knots,” to manually encourage your muscle groups to relax and relieve tightness.

Tailored At-Home Exercises

In some instances, your muscles may be too weak to support the appropriate posture. If that is the case, your Bend Total Body Chiropractor will give you daily exercises that can help strengthen these muscles and give you relief after a day of sitting.

What You Can Do to Avoid Injury:

While some pain is inevitable with a sedentary job, there are steps you can take to ease the effects on your health and body.

  • Take 1- to 2-minute breaks every 30 minutes to an hour to stretch, walk around and reengage your back, core and leg muscles.
  • Keep your head, neck and torso in line – avoid leaning forward or slumping backward in your chair.
  • Check in every few minutes to be sure your shoulders are relaxed down away from your ears.
  • Adjust the middle of your monitor to be level with your eyes to prevent neck strain.
  • Support your body with an ergonomic chair – one that will cradle your lower back, keep your arms at a 90-degree angle, allow you to keep your hips in line with your knees, and place your feet flat on the floor.
  • Use wrist supports and type gently to avoid putting pressure on your wrists and hands.

Working a desk job is not an automatic detriment to your health if you take the necessary precautions to support your body. Coupled with massage therapy, chiropractic care can ensure you do not have extended pressure on your spine and help you feel relaxed despite the stress of pressing deadlines. Schedule a visit with us today to start feeling your best.

Chiropractic For Hiking And Biking
By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Hiking And Biking

This summer will take on a different form for many of us. Out-of-state family vacations will be replaced by bike rides to the lake and hiking trips to one of Bend, Oregon’s many parks. Regardless, your newfound “social distancing” summer can put your body in a position it’s never been before and leave you feeling sore for days after. Fortunately, making weekly or monthly visits to the chiropractor can help you feel your best while going on your hiking and biking adventures this summer.

Why Hiking and Biking May Make You Uncomfortable

Experience level aside, participating in outdoor activities can cause discomfort for three main reasons:

1. Misalignments in the spine

Spinal misalignments or subluxations are extremely common. They occur from the wear and tear of everyday life, poor posture, injuries and more, so it’s likely that you may be out of alignment before starting your journey. But in some cases, you can experience misalignments during your hike due to your changing posture as you grow more tired.

When your spine is out of alignment, it puts pressure on your nerves, spurring inflammation and pain. Additionally, your muscles may not fully relax, leaving you with areas of tightness, commonly known as knots.

2. Your body is not used to it

If you’re new to biking or hiking, then your body is just not used to the work. Naturally, you will feel sore and tired after your workout because you’ve engaged different muscles than usual. However, you can also worsen this situation by skipping your warm-up or pushing yourself too hard.

You should build up to longer hikes and rides rather than trying to conquer it all at once – you’ve got the whole summer ahead of you.

3. You hurt yourself

Outside of the normal soreness, you may experience more intense pain from actual injuries. Whether you twisted your ankle or pulled your hamstring, these injuries should be swiftly addressed, especially if you want to hit the trails again.

How Chiropractic Care Improves Your Activity

Readies your body

Prepare for the trails with a trip to your local Bend chiropractor. We’ll make sure you’re properly aligned and limber before you begin your venture.

Increases range of motion

Conquering the rugged terrain of certain hiking trails requires flexibility. When your muscles are tense, you may not have the best range of motion, heightening your risk for pulled muscles and other injuries. Chiropractic care can help loosen joints and muscles, giving you the freedom to reach, stretch and twist.

Alleviates soreness

Certain chiropractic techniques can soothe sore muscles by encouraging relaxation and increasing blood circulation to accelerate healing between workouts.

Realigns your body

In the event that you overextend yourself, an adjustment can help get you back into equilibrium. The pressure put on your hips and spine as you hike and bike throws your body off little by little, so chiropractic visits address these issues before they grow into major injuries.

Don’t spend your summer nursing aching joints and bones ­­­­– make the most of each day starting with Total Body Chiropractic & Massage. Our expert team of chiropractors will not only keep your body feeling good, but they’ll also give you daily stretches and proper riding techniques to help you avoid mishaps before they occur.

By Bend Total Body Chiropractic General Health

How Chiropractic Care Can Ease Your Stress

Whether from financial worry, grief or a heightened fear of the unknown, the coronavirus pandemic has affected us all with more stress than even a few months ago. Fortunately, a blend of chiropractic care and other relaxation techniques may help relieve the physical and mental effects of COVID-related stress on your mind and body.

Common Symptoms of Stress

As humans, we feel some form of stress everyday – it’s normal. This bodily response protects us from danger, both real and perceived. Situations like driving, school and work deadlines, and yes, a global pandemic can all cause you to feel threatened.

When your brain senses harm, it responds by signaling the endocrine system to release cortisol and adrenaline which initiates your “fight or flight” response. In turn, your muscles contract, your breath quickens and your heart rate increases. However, these hormone levels should fall once the situation resolves.

Unfortunately, ongoing situations like the pandemic make it hard for your body to stabilize, leading to chronic stress. You may not even notice that you are feeling anxious, but certain symptoms can signal that your body and mind are reacting to your circumstances:

  • Muscle tension and pain
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Decreased immunity
  • Shallow breathing
  • Increased irritability
  • Depression
  • Digestive issues
  • Weight gain
  • Heart troubles

Regardless of your specific symptoms, the effects of stress on the body can be detrimental to your health, increasing your risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes.

Chiropractic Care for Chronic Stress

While it is inevitable to feel worried by the constant stream of news and developments, dealing with chronic stress will only worsen the situation in the long run. So, finding ways to relax is essential to your overall health.

Chiropractic care not only addresses the physical signs of anxiety like muscle tightness but may also soothe some of the mental symptoms in a few ways.

Physically relaxing the muscles

As mentioned, muscle contraction is one key part of the body’s stress response. However, in long-term cases, the muscles may not relax as they should which leads to tension and pain. This pain can make you more irritable, affect your posture, impact your sleep and more.

Your chiropractor will manipulate these areas of tension to relax your muscles and give your body a sense of relief.

Encouraging mental relaxation

When your body is in alignment, so follows your mind. By addressing your physical pain and making you more comfortable, chiropractic care may inadvertently make you happier and more at ease.

Improving your nervous system function

Subluxations, or misalignments in the spine, can negatively impact the way your brain communicates with the rest of your body. This affects the way you breathe, how quickly your body resolves the stress response and even your sleep patterns. Through spinal adjustments, your chiropractor can optimize your body’s functions, allowing you to feel more balanced and relaxed.

Additional ways to relieve stress:

Although chiropractic sessions can help you feel more relaxed in the days following your visit, you should continue to implement stress-relieving techniques. Here are a few additional activities to help you unwind:

  • Journaling
  • Yoga & meditation
  • Breathing exercises
  • Cooking
  • Reading
  • Biking
  • Hiking
  • Walking

With everything happening around the world, it is easy to feel worried right now. But without a definitive solution on the horizon, it’s necessary to find a way to keep your stress levels at bay for the sake of your health. With help from us at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, you can start feeling more relaxed as early as your first visit. And our team will also recommend ways to maintain a calm mental state when you’re not on the table. As always, we are committed to helping the community get through this pandemic in a healthy and safe way.

By Bend Total Body Chiropractic Chiropractic Care

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Your Migraine

For anyone who has experienced them, migraines represent debilitating pain and general inconvenience. Migraine headaches can last for hours to days, typically causing nausea and high sensitivity to light, sound, and even smell. And while there is no cure-all for migraines, chiropractic care may help ease the toll these episodes take on the body.

What is a migraine?

The exact science behind migraines is not fully known yet. However, it is widely accepted that migraine attacks start from a trigger, whether it’s emotional, physical, environmental, etc.

From there, the neural pathways react adversely and cause the blood vessels to constrict or dilate, which affects the flow of oxygen to the brain. Chemical imbalances from this initial response lead to inflammation and swollen blood vessels, resulting in the pulsation associated with this condition.

Potential migraine triggers

The causes of migraines vary from person to person, but genetics may make you more susceptible to these headaches. Generally, migraines can be linked to any number of physical, chemical, and emotional triggers. For instance, hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, as well as certain foods and medications can cause an attack. Additionally, physical and psychological causes like muscle tension, poor posture, stress, and anxiety can lead to an episode.

How can chiropractic care ease migraine symptoms?

Granted that your episodes result from physical causes such as shoulder and neck tension or postural misalignments, then chiropractic care as a treatment option should come as no surprise.

Misalignments of the spine, or subluxations, cause muscle tightness, which irritates the nerves and negatively affects blood flow to the brain, which has been linked to migraine attacks. Adjustments aim to relieve pressure on nerves that may be constricting the flow and sending pain signals.

Likewise, massage therapy focuses on trigger points in the back, neck, shoulders, and head to alleviate symptoms. Massage relaxes tense muscles allowing nerve signals to travel to and from the brain quickly and efficiently. It also works to release toxins and normalize any chemical imbalances that could potentially spur a headache.

Together, chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy may ease the severity, duration and frequency of migraine by improving the body function:

  • Encouraging effective nervous system communication
  • Soothing muscle tension
  • Restoring proper blood flow
  • Promoting the body’s natural healing process
  • Decreasing the effects of stress and anxiety

Determining if chiropractic care is right for you

Chiropractic care is just one facet of a multi-stage approach to migraine treatment, as there are several likely causes to address. Come to your chiropractic session with a list of questions that can help you guide the conversation toward healing and comfort.

  1. How often should I come to the chiropractor to reduce my attacks?
  2. Should I come in while I’m experiencing a migraine or when I feel one coming on?
  3. What treatment options can I pair with chiropractic visits to maximize my results (OTCs/pain medication, exercise, etc.)?

Taking a proactive approach to your care can help you feel your best and avoid some of the pain associated with migraine headaches. The specialized staff at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage will assess your body, learn your triggers and help build a treatment plan to boost your comfort.