Chiropractic Health & Wellness Blog
Having these amazing CCEP Chiropractors,
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Dr. Kevin Schreifels has finished 12 marathons, at least 10 1/2 marathons and many shorter races. With his personal experience with Minneapolis running injuries and treating himself he felt with the growing city of athletes it was very important to add two more amazing chiropractors to help with healing our athlete’s. Lyn Lake Chiropractic is the Official Sponsor of the Twin Cities Marathon for more than 18 years, meaning in 18 years with TCM we have seen and treated many runners.
Quick read more or view full article /> Dr. Ryan Jones and Dr. Travis Shermer are both Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner.
Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner aka: CCEP - Dr. Ryan Jones and Dr. Travis Shermer attended postgraduate education in understanding extremities and to better diagnosis and provide better treatment involving each joint. This postgraduate program is very intense with 105 hours , 7 weekend seminars with 7 written tests and then a final practical exam to be certified as a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner, CCEP.
Many patients that first seek out chiropractic care are looking for help with spine issues, neck pain, upper back pain and lower back pain. But, once they walk into Lyn Lake Chiropractic and the chiropractors not only surprise our patients with the amazing care we can offer in helping with spine issues, but when they realize we also specialize and are highly trained in helping not only spine issues but extremities issue, these patients feel like they won the lottery. We usually hear, this is amazing I didn't know chiropractors work on extremities.
With the combined 20 years in practice and having these amazing CCEP Chiropractors, Lyn Lake Chiropractic know they have the tools to help anyone that walks or limps into our clinic. We can help with neck pain, back pain, headaches, knee pain, foot pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, TMJ pain and more.
Lyn Lake Chiropractic chiropractors offer Active Release Techniques (ART), Graston Technique, Kinesio Taping - RockTape, dry needling, and other advanced rehabilitation offer better care to our patients.
We just want to say thank you to Dr. Ryan Jones and Dr. Travis Shermer for all the extra-long hours they have done to better themselves and Lyn Lake Chiropractic in turn helping every patient that comes in our clinics.
If you are looking for a chiropractic clinic that can help keep you healthy, or help get you back to being healthy give us a call.
Lyn Lake Chiropractic Uptown Minneapolis Call: 612-879-8000
Lyn Lake Chiropractic Northeast Minneapolis Call: 612-378-1050
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If you were in a car accident and starting to have symptoms
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With the weather changing and the roads are getting icy and slippery, there seems to be a number of auto accidents. If you were in a car accident and starting to have symptoms such as whiplash type pain - headaches, neck pain, increased neck pain when you're turning your head or if you have some new odd lower back pain, any of these symptoms could mean it's time to seek out some medical care and just get checked out.
Our Chiropractors at Lyn Lake Chiropractic serving Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota know what it takes to help get you back to how you felt before the car accident.
Remember when the temperatures drop and there’s ice or snow on the road, allow more time to travel and for sure, keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, giving you plenty of time to stop. Quick read more or view full article Always wear your seatbelt.
Our Minneapolis chiropractors at Lyn Lake Chiropractic are specially trained and have years of experience in treating car accident injuries. We treat St. Paul Chiropractic patients and surrounding suburbs.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please give us a call.
612-879-8000 Uptown Minneapolis or 612 - 378-1050 Northeast Minneapolis
Lyn Lake Chiropractic Minneapolis, Lyn Lake Chiropractic Northeast Minneapolis and Lyn Lake Chiropractic St. Paul, Minnesota.
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When to take my child to see a Chiropractor
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Unless your child has obvious problems it can be difficult for a parent to know when a child’s spine is not working correctly. There are some signs which can indicate spinal problems.
These include:
- Sleeping patterns changing for the worse
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- Can't turn their head to one side
- One shoulder higher than the other as you stand behind them
Common childhood disorders can also be linked with spinal dysfunction, these include:
- Having too many ear infections
- Regular sore throats and colds
- Colic/reflux
- Asthma
- Scoliosis
- Headaches - child should not have headaches!
- Bedwetting and/or constipation
- Growing pains - usually the muscles are sore from the bones growing and muscles catching up.
- ADHD
Spinal misalignments that may occur at the time of the injury will not necessarily result in immediate pain or symptoms.
In addition to physical stress, parents should be aware that emotional and chemical stress affect the child’s nervous system and may also warrant a spinal check up and maybe some regular adjustments.
Having three girls and very active in sports, there has been many times I was able to help them. And, there has many times we had to take them in to see an Orthopedic for broken bones, but even after they getthe cast off we were able to help them get there already sore muscles to heal faster with some hands on massage, stretching, Rock Taping and other physiotherapy. When look for a chiropractor or a chiropractic clinic, one advice I tell people is, see if that chiropractor has child of his own. Chiropractic care for children is for sure something worth checking into.
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When to take my child to see a Chiropractor
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Unless your child has obvious problems it can be difficult for a parent to know when a child’s spine is not working correctly. There are some signs which can indicate spinal problems.
These include:
- Sleeping patterns changing for the worse
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- Can't turn their head to one side
- One shoulder higher than the other as you stand behind them
Common childhood disorders can also be linked with spinal dysfunction, these include:
- Having too many ear infections
- Regular sore throats and colds
- Colic/reflux
- Asthma
- Scoliosis
- Headaches - child should not have headaches!
- Bedwetting and/or constipation
- Growing pains - usually the muscles are sore from the bones growing and muscles catching up.
- ADHD
Spinal misalignments that may occur at the time of the injury will not necessarily result in immediate pain or symptoms.
In addition to physical stress, parents should be aware that emotional and chemical stress affect the child’s nervous system and may also warrant a spinal check up and maybe some regular adjustments.
Having three girls and very active in sports, there has been many times I was able to help them. And, there has many times we had to take them in to see an Orthopedic for broken bones, but even after they getthe cast off we were able to help them get there already sore muscles to heal faster with some hands on massage, stretching, Rock Taping and other physiotherapy. When look for a chiropractor or a chiropractic clinic, one advice I tell people is, see if that chiropractor has child of his own. Chiropractic care for children is for sure something worth checking into.
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Lyn Lake Chiropractic incorporates the Graston technique
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Lyn Lake Chiropractic incorporates the Graston technique along with chiropractic, massage and other amazing therapies. Lyn Lake Chiropractic get good results using Graston within two or three visits.
The Graston Technique tools are excellent tools that we use to help break up myofascial adhesions. Using stainless steel tools, we can perform what is essentially a highly targeted and intense deep tissue massage. This new, localized inflammation, helps to increase blood-flow and promote the healing process, breaks down scar tissue and creates proper healing.
Lyn Lake Chiropractic focuses on a non-drug approach, so we mostly rely on our hands to adjust and put the vertebrae back in place very gently. We help to normalize the nervous system. Chiropractic adjustment is very important when it comes to and getting patients better. When you introduce the soft tissue component, that’s when we get the best possible results. Many Quick read more or view full article chiropractors believe in the crack and go method, just walk in lay down get adjusted and your done. We find using all our tools can help someone with neck pain, lower back pain, running injuries and more.
I don’t get it, we believe the mis-aligned spine is a major issue, but if one doesn’t address the injured or tight muscles around your spine, then how can that crack and go stay in place?
Furthermore, the changes and recovery happen a lot faster with more muscle work, more hands on therapy. The adjustments alone can only provide so much of the success, massage, stretching, Graston and more physiotherapy would make more sense in keeping you out of pain or when you are in pain to help you heal faster and properly.
Remember To Go To Lyn Lake Chiropractic Regularly- Especially if you are ill, in pain, under a lot of stress, pregnant or in an accident or trauma. Remember, it is much easier to prevent having an injury or a problem than it is to correct or fix the issue.
Read LessHow to Shovel Snow Without Hurting Your Back
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Does this mean that you are stuck with it until spring arrives if you want to keep your back in good health? Of course not. While you can’t always avoid injury 100 percent of the time, there is a way to shovel snow that is better for your spine and all of the muscles and soft tissues that surround it.
Proper Snow Shoveling Technique
Ideally, protecting your back starts before you even pick up a snow shovel. Because moving snow from one area to another is rather physical Quick read more or view full article in nature, you want to make sure your muscles are warmed up and ready to work. One way to do this is to walk in place or on a treadmill for a few minutes. If you have a stationary bike or some other cardiovascular exercise equipment, that would work too.
Once you’re ready to go outside and start moving the white stuff, using proper technique can save you from a lot of discomfort and low back pain.
The safest method, according to the experts at Spine-health, involves:
- Directly facing the snow or ice you intend to move.
- Putting one hand on the handle of the shovel and the other as close to the shovel itself as possible.
- Instead of bending your back to pick it up, bend at the hips first and then the knees, utilizing your leg muscles to do a majority of the work.
- When you go to move the snow, move your entire body in the new direction versus just twisting your back.
- Walk the shovel of snow or ice to the new location and drop it, minimizing injury from heaving or throwing it.
Do these five things and you’ll reduce your risk of back injury while getting rid of the snow and ice we commonly get in the Minneapolis area. Also, make sure you come in for your regular chiropractic visits too and the staff at Lyn Lake Chiropractic will do our best to keep you back pain free! Minneapolis Chiropractor at Lyn Lake Chiropractic 612-879-8000 Read Less
Fun Ways to Increase Spine Health This Winter
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Fun Ways to Increase Spine Health This Winter
Most of our Minneapolis chiropractic patients realize that physical activity is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your risk of disease. However, getting in enough regular movement is also beneficial to your spine. This makes finding fun ways to burn excess energy critical to lessening the chances that you’ll experience back pain, neck pain, or any other issues commonly associated with an inactive and inflexible spinal column.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to stay physically active during the winter months if you’re an outdoors person because of the snow and ice we tend to get in this region, but that doesn’t mean that you have to hibernate until
Quick read more or view full article
spring to benefit your spine either. In fact, there are several fun ways to stay active (and healthy) this colder time of year.
For instance, although fresh fallen snow may stop you from hitting the trails if you’re concerned about slipping and falling, you can still get in a great workout (and create some amazing memories) by joining your kids or grandkids in building a snowman or a snow fort. You can even use colored water in spray bottles to create a beautiful finished product.
And if it isn’t the type of snow that packs well, shoveling the walkway or drive can be enjoyable if you prefer to engage in physical activities that also have a purpose. Certainly, it may be easier to pay someone else to do it, but the sense of accomplishment you feel when you look at all of the progress you’ve made is often worth the effort.
Winter weather is also great for many fun sports ranging from skiing to sledding to ice skating, and more. So, grab the family or a friend and find a local hill or frozen pond and test your skills while having some laughs at the same time. That way, you can stay active this winter AND have fun while doing it, giving you a healthier body and spine.
Don’t forget to keep up with your chiropractic visits too. Call our Minneapolis Chiropractic Clinic today at (612) 879-8000 to schedule your next appointment with our Minneapolis Chiropractor.
(As a side note: It’s always recommended that you consult with your physician before taking part in any new or higher intensity physical activity than you’re used to in order to ensure that you can do so safely.)
4 Simple Ways to Ease Back Pain
4 Simple Ways to Ease (Or Even Eliminate) Your Back Pain
Although our Minneapolis chiropractic patients experience a number of positive benefits from regular spinal manipulations, back pain is definitely one of the top reasons they keep coming through our door. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that roughly 60-70% of all people will experience this type of pain at some point in their lives, hitting the 35-55 year old age group the hardest.
What can you do to help ease or even eliminate your back pain if you fall somewhere in these all-too-high ranges? Here are four options to consider:
- Get and stay active. Some people with back pain shy away from physical exercise, but oftentimes this type of pain can be lessened simply by moving about more. Worried it is going to make the pain worse instead of better? Don’t be. Research confirms
Quick read more or view full article
that “exercise is safe for individuals with back pain.” Just don’t overdo it and you’ll be fine.
- Watch your posture. If you’re slouching or otherwise have poor posture, you could easily be making your back pain worse. Instead, stay aware of your form and keep your head facing forward, your shoulders down and back, and your pelvis slightly tilted and you’ll likely feel better because of it.
- Limit your texting time. Dr. Kenneth K. Hansraj, Chief of Spine Surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine conducted a study to determine the effect that constantly having your head tilted forward (like when texting) has on the spine. What he found was that just leaning your head forward 15 degrees more than doubled the weight of your head on your spinal column. Tilt your head 60 degrees and it’s like having a 60 pound head. No wonder too much texting makes your neck and upper back hurt!
- Buy a new mattress. When your mattress is broken down from years of use, then buying a new one can potentially help you get rid of your back pain. Be sure to choose one that supports your spine best, and if you’re not sure which one that would be, ask us and we’ll be glad to give you some pointers so you find the right one for you!
Do these four things, in addition to regular visits to Lyn Lake Chiropractic, your Minneapolis chiropractor, and it will increase the likelihood that your back pain will become a thing of the past!
Read LessSuccess in the Business World With Better Posture!
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Success in the Business World With Better Posture!
Harvard Business School recently distributed an article entitled, "The Power of Posture" stating that your stance, broadly speaking, signals to the world how energetic, confident, and powerful you are. Slumped shoulders, a slow pace, and a sagging belly are taken by the world to mean that you lack confidence, that you don't have much energy, and that you are probably less important, successful, and powerful as a result.
These impressions may be neither accurate nor fair, but they are the inevitable results of the fleeting impressions. Before your next meeting, take a couple of Quick read more or view full article minutes to "power pose" by standing with your feet apart, hands on your hips, and breathe deep while you visualize a successful outcome to the meeting.
Depression and Energy Can be Contolled by you!
In the journal Biofeedback, a study found that simply choosing to alter body posture to a more upright position can improve mood and energy levels. The subjects walked down a hallway in a slouched position and then skipped down the hallway.
The whole group reported slouched walking decreased energy levels while skipping increased energy. The participants were also asked to rate their general depression levels. Those generally more depressed noted far lower energy levels after slouched walking than those who were generally not experiencing depression.
Increase energy throughout the day. Try the 50/10 rule if you sit a lot at work or at school. For every 50 minutes you sit, get up and move around for 10 minutes. Walk the halls with a colleague while discussing a project, take the stairs outside for a quick breath of fresh air or stand up and stretch.
Aging - Your future risk of Disability and neck pain and back pain!
Did you know that your posture can predict your future risk of disability? According to a Japanese study just published in Journals of Gerontology Series A the shape of a person's spinal column may be an indicator of their need for home assistance later in life. If you knew you could do something now to change things down the road, would you do it? No one wants to require help with bathing, feeding, dressing, going to the bathroom and other simple activities of daily living later in life.
To check your posture look in a mirror, watch the windows when your walking down the street, take a look and see how your posture is doing. Some people tell us poor posture is from having neck or back pain, they feel better when the slouch or lean. If you feel your having posture issues and would like some help correcting your posture with the help of chiropractic please feel free to call us or reach out to a chiropractor near you!
http://www.lynlakechiropractic.com/Chiropractic-Clinic-Care-Minneapolis-MN Lyn Lake Chiropractic Minneapolis, MN 612-879-8000
Sciatic Leg Pain - Sciatica Pain
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Facts on Sciatic Leg Pain
Your sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body, and runs from the lower back, down through the buttock, and all the way into the lower leg, where it controls the muscles in that area. It also provides sensation to the thighs, legs, and the soles of the feet. When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated for some reason and causes pain, this pain is known as sciatica. Sciatica refers to the various symptoms associated with the irritation, and does not give any indication as to the root cause of the irritation.
Much of the low back pain and leg pain reported is sciatic pain, and it is most evident in the age bracket of 30 to 50 years old. It is more commonly a result of general wear and tear, rather than an injury.
The most obvious giveaway that you are Quick read more or view full article suffering sciatic pain is when it follows the route of the sciatic nerve, as previously described, and is typically apparent only on one side of the body. However, there are variations in how exactly that pain is felt, including tingling, aching or burning. It depends on where the sciatic nerve is being affected. Some patients may also feel pins-and-needles in the toes or foot, or muscle numbness/weakness in the affected leg or foot
More often than not, sciatica first manifests slowly, then increases in intensity, often being accentuated after sitting or bending, or sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing.
Diagnosis of sciatica
This starts with your doctor of chiropractic taking a complete patient history. Your descriptions of where the pain is, how it is felt, when it began, and which activities cause you most pain, are all important in helping to form a diagnosis. It is also necessary to undergo a physical and neurological examination, with a particular focus on your spine and legs. Your ability to perform certain activities will be monitored to assess your sensory strength, muscle strength, and reflexes, and any pain resulting from these activities.
Diagnostic imaging, such as x-ray, MRI, or CT scan may be ordered by your doctor of chiropractic if it is felt there may be more at play, such as a serious underlying problem. This may happen if there is no improvement in symptoms following 6 to 8 weeks of conservative treatment.
Treatment options for sciatica
Conservative care, including chiropractic treatment, is a very effective solution for most people suffering from low back pain or sciatic pain. As there is an array of possible causes of sciatica, treatment plans will be individually tailored depending on what your chiropractor finds in your particular case. When we talk about “conservative”, it refers to the absence of surgical procedures or medication. Instead, chiropractic seeks to rectify spinal problems, thus restore spinal movement and reduce the inflammation that’s causing the sciatica.
Treatment at Lyn Lake Chiropractic may include spinal manipulation and adjustments, the application of ice/heat therapy, Ultrasound, Traction, Active Release Technique (ART), Massage and rehabilitative exercises. If you have any questions please call your local chiropractor or call Lyn Lake Chiropractic to schedule an appointment today!
Consumer Reports - Chiropractic Care
Plan ahead and get adjusted!!
Consumer Reports ~ May 2009 plus this Quick read more or view full article
href="http://pressroom.consumerreports.org/pressroom/2009/04/consumer-reports-survey-hands-on-therapies-among-top-rated-treatments-for-back-pain.html" target="_blank">second review.
April 10, 2009 — A study in the May issue of Consumer Reports shows that hands-on therapies were tops among treatments for relief of back pain. The study, which surveyed more than 14,000 consumers, was conducted by the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center.
According to the report, the survey respondents tried a variety of different treatments and rated the treatments on how helpful and satisfied they were with the results. The report concluded that hands-on therapies were the top-rated.
The report states that, “eighty-eight percent of those who tried chiropractic manipulation said it helped a lot, and 59 percent were ‘completely’ or ‘very’ satisfied with their chiropractor.”
The Results at a glance:
Professional Highly satisfied Chiropractor 59% Physical therapist 55% Acupuncturist 53% Physician, specialist 44% Physician, primary-care doctor 34%
From their article:
About 80 percent of U.S. adults have at some point been bothered by back pain. The Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center recently surveyed more than 14,000 subscribers who had lower-back pain in the past year but had never had back surgery. More than half said pain severely limited their daily routine for a week or longer, and 88 percent said it recurred through the year. Many said the pain interfered with sleep, sex, and efforts to maintain a healthy weight. Back pain can be tough to treat. Most of our respondents tried five or six different treatments. They rated the helpfulness of the treatments tried and their satisfaction with the health-care professionals visited.
Hands-on therapies were among the top-rated. Fifty-eight percent of those who tried chiropractic manipulation said it helped a lot, and 59 percent were "completely" or "very" satisfied with their chiropractor. Massage and physical therapy were close runners-up.
Many of those who tried spinal injections found them to be very helpful, although the techniques their doctors used varied. Most respondents had used some type of medication. Forty-five percent of those who took prescription drugs said they helped a lot, double the percentage of those who said they were helped by over-the-counter medications.
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Low Back Pain, Early Intervention and Chiropractic
Acute (Severe) Low Back Pain, Early Intervention
and Chiropractic
87% of chiropractic patients showed improvement
By
Mark Studin DC, FASBE (C), DAAPM, DAAMLP
William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP
The cause of the pain can be injuries as simple as a strained muscle or sprained Quick read more or view full article ligament to the more complicated intervertebral disc injury. Regardless of the structures involved, most of us have had a personal experience with lower back pain, either from an injury while working or simply waking up with it. Finding a doctor that can determine what exactly is wrong (creating an accurate diagnosis) and prescribing the right treatment is the most important aspect of getting well. In fact, one of the most dangerous phrases one can utter is, "Maybe the pain will go away," and is often adopted by too many sufferers.
According to a 2008 study by Globe, Morris, Whalen, Farabaugh, and Hawk on low back pain disorders reported, "Most acute pain, typically the result of injury (micro- or macrotrauma), responds to a short course of conservative treatment [chiropractic care]. If effectively treated at this stage, patients often recover with full resolution of pain...Delayed or inadequate early clinical management may result in increased risk of chronicity and disability"
A 2005 study by DeVocht, Pickar, & Wilder concluded through objective electrodiagnostic studies (neurological testing) that 87% of chiropractic patients exhibited decreased muscle spasms. This study validates the reasoning behind the later study that people with severe muscle spasms in the low back respond well to chiropractic care and prevents future problems and disabilities. It also dictates that care should not be delayed or ignored due to risk of complications.
Chiropractic doctors are trained to determine the cause of the injury and have the experience to formulate an accurate and effective diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan. The cornerstone of that plan is the chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic and lower back pain has been one of the most commonly researched topics to date. There is a large volume of research showing that the chiropractic adjustment is effective for treating lower back pain.
These studies along with many others conclude that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best solutions for patients with low back pain. To find a qualified doctor of chiropractic near call Lyn Lake Chiropractic for a free consultation on how we can help you. Read Less
Consumers Reports July 2011
What helped our readers by Consumers Reports
Last reviewed: July 2011
Chiropractic outperformed all other back-pain treatments, and prescription medication rated about the same as deep-tissue massage, yoga, or Pilates. Over-the-counter medication was less helpful than hands-on therapies but performed about the same as progressive relaxation and meditation. (See the results for neck pain.)
What the research says!
Most back pain clears up on its own within a month or two. Staying active may curb pain and speed recovery. Acupuncture, chiropractic, and yoga are possibly effective for low-back pain. There might be some benefit to acupressure or meditation, but research is preliminary. A recent expert assessment found that spinal manipulation, exercise, standard medical care, and physical therapy appear to be equally helpful for low-back pain.
Precautions
See a doctor if you have back pain with fever, numbness, weakness, a change Quick read more or view full article in bowel or bladder function, leg-muscle atrophy, a history of cancer, or pain associated with a recent trauma.
Back-pain treatments % who used % helped a lot
Prescription medication 38% 53%
Deep-tissue massage 24% 51%
Yoga 9% 49%
Pilates 3% 49%
Acupressure 3% 45%
Swedish massage 6% 41%
Acupuncture 8% 41%
Shiatsu massage 3% 36%
Progressive relaxation 3% 32%
Meditation 5% 29%
Over-the-counter medication 58% 28%
Deep-breathing exercises 6% 23%
Magnesium supplements 4% 15%
Glucosamine/chondroitin 14% 12%
Vitamin D 8% 10%
Differences of less than 5 percentage points are not meaningful.
Guide to the charts
The charts accompanying this report are based on responses to the 2010 Annual Questionnaire conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. The red bars represent the proportion of readers using a treatment for a condition who said it “helped a lot.” Unless otherwise noted, the analysis of research findings came from the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent research group, based on the scientific evidence that was current as of June 2011.
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Common Questions About Chiropractic
Common Questions About Chiropractic
Many everyday things can cause neck pain, such as watching TV, using your computer, reading a book or falling asleep in a chair or on an airplane. The temporary pain that results usually resolves on its own, especially when the offending activity is discontinued. When it doesn't, a more serious underlying problem may be indicated.
Here are the most common questions we get about headaches and neck pain:
Q: What causes headaches?
A: The three most common causes are physical trauma, emotional stress, or chemical toxins. Sometimes there may be a combination of factors. A thorough examination process helps identify the most likely cause(s).
Q: Why would a chiropractor take pictures of my lower back?
A: Many patients are surprised when their chiropractic examination involves other areas of their body besides the local site of their symptom(s). Some neck pain cases can be a compensation to problems in the feet, knees, Quick read more or view full article hips and lower back. We see you as a whole person, not just a collection of "parts."
Q: Will I have to have neck adjustments?
A: If your problem is the result of abnormal motion or position of spinal bones in the neck, cervical adjustments can be effective. There are many ways to adjust the neck and your chiropractor has become an experienced master. Years of practice make these spinal adjustments safe and effective. Much safer than common aspirin or muscle relaxers!
Q: How long will I need chiropractic care?
A: Some patients see quick improvement and then immediately discontinue their care. They often suffer a relapse since muscles and soft tissues have not had time to fully heal. Others discover that degenerative changes to their spines make periodic checkups a worthwhile investment. We'll make recommendations, but how long you benefit from chiropractic care is up to you.
If the weakest link in our bodies is our neck, stress shows up there. While chiropractic care cannot reduce the stress of your busy life, it can help improve your ability to handle and tolerate it. Without drugs or surgery!
Call Lyn Lake Chiropractic today!
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Whiplash Minneapolis - Lyn Lake Chiropractic
Whiplash Injuries Minneapolis - Auto Accidents MN. Our Chiropractors are Here to Give You Pain Relief!
Whiplash injury occurs when the body reacts to a deceleration or acceleration force by hyperflexion or hyperextension of the neck. Lyn Lake Chiropractic Clinic specializes in treating whiplash injuries, auto accident injuries and bicycle accident injuries. Whiplash injuries are very common in car accidents. Whiplash injuries occur, in part, due to the fact that the muscles do not have enough time to brace themselves.
If you have been involved in a car accident, whiplash injuries Quick read more or view full article need to be taken very seriously. Because symptoms of a whiplash injury can take weeks or even months to manifest, it is easy to be fooled into thinking that you are not as seriously injured as you really are. Symptoms from a car accident and whiplash can include anything from radiating pain into the shoulder, elbow pain, wrist pain or hand pain, lower back pain, headaches and more.
Injuries from Whiplash Trauma
Whiplash injuries can manifest themselves in a wide variety of ways, including neck pain, headaches, fatigue, upper back and shoulder pain, and low back pain. Due to the fact that numerous factors play into the overall whiplash trauma, such as direction of impact, speed of the vehicles involved, as well as sex, age and physical condition, whiplash symptoms commonly have a delayed onset, often taking weeks or months to become evident.
A number of conditions those who have suffered from whiplash trauma experience include:
Neck pain
Neck pain is the single most common complaint reported by our patients who have experienced whiplash trama. Often the pain radiates across the shoulders, up into the head, and down between the shoulder blades. Whiplash injuries tend to affect all of the tissues in the neck, including the facet joints and discs between the vertebrae, as well as all of the muscles, ligaments and nerves.
Disc injury is also a common cause of neck pain, especially chronic pain. The outer wall of the disc can be torn during a whiplash trauma.
Headaches
After neck pain, headaches are the second most common complaint from those suffering from whiplash injury. While some headaches are actually the result of direct brain injury, most are related to injury of the muscles, ligaments and facet joints of the cervical spine, which refer pain to the head.
TMJ pain
A less common, but very debilitating disorder that results from whiplash, is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). TMJ usually begins as pain along with clicking and popping noises in the jaw during movement. Our Minneapolis chiropractors at Lyn Lake Chiropractic are specially trained to treat TMJ problems. If we think you need additional care, we will refer you to a TMJ specialist outside our Minneapolis chiropractic clinic.
Lower back pain
Most people consider whiplash to be an injury of the neck. However, the lower back is also commonly injured as well. In fact, low back pain is found in more than half of rear impact-collisions in which injury was reported, and almost three-quarters of all side-impact crashes. This is mostly due to the fact that the low back still experiences a tremendous compression.
Healing from Whiplash Injury
With proper care, many mild whiplash injuries heal within six to nine months. Whiplash is a unique condition that requires the expertise of a skilled health professional specially trained to work with these types of injuries. The most effective treatment for whiplash injuries is a combination of Minneapolis chiropractic care and rehabilitation of the soft tissues .
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care utilizes manual manipulation of the spine to restore the normal movement and position of the spinal vertebrae. It is by far, the single-most effective treatment for minimizing the long-term impact of whiplash injuries, especially when coupled with massage therapy, trigger point therapy, exercise rehabilitation and other soft tissue rehabilitation modalities by Minneapolis chiropractors at Lyn Lake Chiropractic.
If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident, please get checked out by a good chiropractor! We always recomend you to see your Medical Doctor and a Chiropractor since they both offer something different that can help you.
If needed we will refer you to other healthcare providers - Neurologist, Orthopedist and more. When you come to Lyn Lake Chiropractic we'll make sure you get the best care possible. Read our testimonies for more reference either online with Google or checkout our testimonies on our website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us anytime at 612-879-8000, we do have a 24/7 answering service. If needed they will contact the chiropractors anytime to call you back.
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Kare 11 News Snow adding injury to insult
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Kare 11 News: Report on 2/21/2011
MINNEAPOLIS -- Through all the snow that started Sunday morning, the accidents aren't just happening on the roads.
One hospital alone reported treating some 75 patients since Sunday due to snow-related mishaps. Those in the emergency room at Regions Hospital are seeing back injuries, heart attacks, frosbite and a whole lot more.
If you found yourself digging out, you're in good company, and a lot of company as well.
Shoveling can be an exhausting task, and considering the density of the snow, a back-breaking one at that. While every inch means that much more to shovel, it also means more weather related injuries.
"We've seen about 60 patients in the last 24 hours. Since the snowstorm started, we've seen a lot of injuries to the extremities, we've seen fractures, dislocations. Sprains is the majority of what we're seeing," said Andrew Zinkel, a Quick read more or view full article doctor with Health Partners Medical Group.
At Hennepin County Medical Center, they've received 23 patients to the emergency room with injuries from falls, frostbite, back pain, shoulder pain, cold exposure, hip pain, arm pain, knee pain, abrasions and head lacerations.
Visits to Lyn Lake Chiropractic heated up, literally.
"A lot of people coming in with shoveling injuries, whether it's low back and neck, sore arms and shoulders, hips, anything where people aren't used to getting out and shoveling every day," said a worker at the clinic.
Most people's muscles just aren't prepared for all of the twisting and the turning, not to mention the weight.
And while this may be the heaviest to date, despite our hopes, it's likely not the last considering we have to contend with March.
If your having any low back pain, neck pain, arm pain from shoveling give
Lyn lake Chiropractic a call at 612-879-8000 Read Less
Website to Better Serve Minneapolis, MN
Lyn Lake Chiropractic announces the launch of their new Minneapolis, MN Website. With improved functionality, additional information and more interactive features, they hope to better serve their patients and provide them with the resources they need to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellness.
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) February 3, 2011
Lyn Lake Chiropractic has launched a new Website to better serve the Minneapolis, MN community and their patients. In addition to providing helpful information on common chiropractic injuries and treatments, the updated site features a regularly maintained blog, FAQ section and links to resourceful articles.
For over ten years, the chiropractors at Lyn Lake have been committed to providing breakthrough pain treatment. Their goal is to relieve pain and discomfort and help patients maintain a comfortable, productive and healthy lifestyle. From chronic back and neck pain, to whiplash and auto accident Quick read more or view full article injuries, they utilize cutting edge technology and techniques to help patients achieve maximum results.
“We have always strived to stay up to date with the best technology and practices in our industry,” says Dr. Kevin Schreifels, Doctor of Chiropractic and owner of Lyn Lake Chiropractic. “We see the new site as a way for us to better explain some of the common sources of pain that people experience as well as answer many of the questions they may have before they visit the clinic.”
In addition to being informative, http://www.lynlakechiropractic.com now offers links to their Twitter, Facebook and YouTube profiles. “We want to provide our patients with as much information as possible, in the format that they prefer.
Whether they want to post on our Facebook page, or ask us a question through our Online form, we believe that it’s important to provide a means for a two-way interaction,” says Schreifels. “We would love the opportunity to treat the people who visit the site. But ultimately, we want to provide the community with a resource to help them make informed decisions about their health."
Lyn Lake Chiropractic clinic has a talented team of experienced chiropractors, massage therapists and personal trainers. They also offer a breadth of other services such as chiropractic for children and the elderly, chiropractic for pregnant women, treatments for headaches, running injuries, sports injuries, and other special add-on services such as nutritional counseling, lifestyle advice, and massage therapy.
To schedule your free consultation call the clinic’s 24-hour answering service at (612) 879-8000 or visit Lyn Lake Chiropractic at 2937 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis MN. The clinic also accepts walk-ins and “just driving by” appointments.
For more information about Lyn Lake Chiropractic visit http://www.lynlakechiropractic.com or take a virtual tour of the clinic at http://www.youtube.com/user/lynlakechiro. Read Less
Snow Shoveling Is Leading Cause Of Back pain
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A majority of physicians say that back pain is a year-round phenomenon. However, nearly half (45 percent) of primary care physicians, who report seeing more back pain sufferers during winter than any other time of the year, say patients cite snow shoveling as the primary cause of their winter back woes.
One quarter (27 percent) of primary care physicians note that patients frequently point to lifting, bending/leaning or twisting - activities generally associated with snow shoveling - as the causes of their back pain or muscle spasm.
Shoveling snow need not result in back pain and sore muscles, according to Lyn Lake Chiropractic Minneapolis Chiropractors.
Many people will likely be out shoveling in the next few days, if the forecast for heavy snow today and Saturday is correct. Even people with snow blowers might need to shovel some areas if more than Quick read more or view full article a foot of snowfalls.
"The first thing is to get the right shovel," said Dr. Kevin Schreifels, a chiropractor with Lyn Lake Chiropractic Clinic. Most hardware stores and home improvement stores sell ergonomically correct snow shovels.
"The equipment that you use is just as important as your body," he said. The old metal shovels are stiff, heavy and uncomfortable.
He recommended that the shovel have a handle that can extend to different lengths, to accommodate people of different sizes. Most new shovels are made of lightweight plastic that curves to hold the snow.
For the actual shoveling, Lyn Lake Chiropractic recommends pacing. "Take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of water to hydrate."
Eating and smoking before shoveling is not wise. Caffeine or other stimulants can also endanger the heart, when combined with strenuous shoveling. Lyn Lake Chiropractic suggests waiting until after you shovel to drink any caffeinated beverage.
They recommend holding the shovel in both hands with some distance between the hands to get leverage. When shoveling, maintain a good posture, allowing for the natural curve of the spine. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart.
"Shovel close to the body, bend at the knees and lift with your legs," Schreifels said. He also recommended tightening the abdominal muscles to engage the body's strong core, which will keep the weight of the snow off the weaker back muscles.
"Dump the snow in front of you," he said. "Don't twist. Move your feet if you have to move the snow to the side. Scoop small amounts."
Keep up with the snow, he said. Don't wait until the snowfall has ended to start shoveling. "It's better to get out there as it comes," he said. Fresh snow is lighter.
Even people with snow blowers can be injured. "They push it too hard," he said. "They try to push it to go faster." They end up with acute low back pain.
After a big snowfall, he said, patients often come into their office with back and shoulder injuries.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “If you must lift the snow, lift it properly. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Lift with your legs. Do not bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it. Holding a shovelful of snow with your arms outstretched puts too much weight on your spine. Never remove deep snow all at once; do it piecemeal. Shovel and inch or two; then take another inch off. Rest and repeat if necessary.”
Lyn Lake Chiropractic wants you to be safe this winter and take your time shoveling since Minneapolis has been getting a great deal of snow so far this year. The last 17 inch snow fall Lyn Lake Chiropractic seen many lower back pain injuries from snow removal and would just like to remind you to take your time. If you have any chest pain, please stop immediately and call 911, better safe than sorry!
If you want to learn more healthy living tips, you can visit the Lyn Lake Chiropractic Website at www.lynlakechiropractic.com
Comment: James W. - December 11th, 2010
Great information! My dad injured his lower back shoveling snow about 15 years ago. He tried pain pills for a month (marginal improvement) before going to see the Chiropractor. After just a few adjustments, his low back pain went away completely! He now uses Chiropractic on a regular basis to prevent future injuries! Read Less
Back Pain-Lower – Can we help!
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Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 10% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.
The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.
As long as it Quick read more or view full article is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional power-lifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.
Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Contact our chiropractor at Lyn Lake Chiropractic... we can help!
The Causes of Low Back Pain -
There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.
Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors and Medical Doctors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes:
Subluxations -
Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxations are easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.
Disc Herniations -
Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniates, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.
Sprains, Strains and Spasms -
This is commonly the source of low back pain among the weekend warriors. You know, the type who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.
Stress -
Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones and tightening up your muscles. When you are stressed all the time, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If you are stressed out all of the time and you have low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise.
Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic -
Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually pretty straightforward. Most commonly, it's simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints.
Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment.
This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.
If we can help, please call Lyn Lake Chiropractic to see one of our Minneapolis Chiropractors. Please call 612-879-8000 Read Less
Acute (Severe) Low Back Pain, Early Intervention ?
Acute (Severe) Low Back Pain, Early Intervention ?and Chiropractic
Mark Studin DC, FASBE (C), DAAPM, DAAMLP
William J. Owens DC, DAAMLP?
One of the most common areas of the body to be hurt while working, playing sports, cleaning out the garage or any other household or life chore is the lower back. The American Chiropractic Association has reported that 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time. This represents a significant health concern, especially if many of the conditions contributing to low back pain go untreated.
The injuries can be as simple as a strained muscle or sprained ligament to the more complicated intervertebral disc injury. Regardless of the structures involved, most of us have had a personal experience with lower back pain, either from an injury while working or simply waking up with severe back pain.
Finding a Quick read more or view full article doctor that can determine what exactly is wrong (creating an accurate diagnosis) and prescribing the right treatment is the most important aspect of getting well. In fact, one of the most dangerous phrases is "Maybe the pain will go away" and is often adopted by too many sufferers.
According to a 2008 study by Globe, Et. Al. on low back pain disorders reported "Most acute pain, typically the result of injury (micro- or macrotrauma), responds to a short course of conservative treatment (chiropractic care.) If effectively treated at this stage, patients often recover with full resolution of pain...Delayed or inadequate early clinical management may result in increased risk of chronicity and disability."
A 2005 study by DeVocht, Pickar, & Wilder concluded through objective electrodiagnostic studies (neurological testing) that 87% of chiropractic patients exhibited decreased muscle spasms.
The 2005 study validates the reasoning behind the later study that people with severe muscle spasms in the low back respond well to chiropractic care and prevent future problems and disabilities. It also dictates that care should not be delayed or ignored without risk of complications.
Chiropractic doctors are trained to determine the cause of the injury and have the experience to formulate an accurate and effective diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan. The cornerstone of that plan is the Chiropractic Adjustment.
Chiropractic and lower back pain has been one of the most commonly researched topics to date. There is a large volume of research showing that the Chiropractic Adjustment is effective for treating lower back pain.
These studies along with many others conclude that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best solutions for patients with low back pain.
References
1. American Chiropractic Association. (2010). Back Pain Facts & Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=68
2. Grobe G A, Morris C. E., Whalen W. M., Farabaugh R. J., & Hawk C. (2008) Chiropractic Management of Low Back Disorders: Report From a Consensus Process, Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics, 31(9), 651-658
3. DeVocht, J. W., Pickar, J. G., & Wilder, D. G. (2005). Spinal manipulation alters electromyographic activity of paraspinal muscles: A descriptive study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics, 28(7), 465-471. Read Less
Self-Care for Back Pain
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When it comes to back pain, your first thoughts may be to take over-the-counter pain medication and rest whenever possible. Two bad options.
First, medication is only going to temporarily relieve the pain, if at all, and may be accompanied by various unpleasant side effects attributable to drugs.
Second, rest may actually hurt more than help. While you're seeing your chiropractor, there are a few things you can do at home to help the healing process. Believe it or not, it's based on the simple principle of movement.
When you stop moving, everything tightens up, circulation slows down, and pain chemicals accumulate in your muscles and joints. It's like waking up after sleeping in a cold room on a lousy mattress with a draft. You need to move. Here are two simple exercises to get you started (discuss these with your doctor Quick read more or view full article first):
Exercise #1:
Backward Bending (extension of the lumbar spine). An exercise called the McKenzie extension is the first thing you should try if you have sciatica (pain running down your leg). If these exercises work, your pain will diminish and may centralize, which is a good thing. Centralize means your pain goes less far down your leg, and you may feel it closer to the spine. Bending backward may not feel good at first, but you should feel better immediately afterward. If you feel worse afterward or the pain goes farther down your leg, stop, as this is not the exercise for you.
How to Do It:
Lie face-down on the floor, arms bent at your sides (sort of like a starting push-up posture). Straighten your arms up slowly, lifting your upper body off the floor as you do so. Your legs and feet should stay on the ground. Hold for 3-5 seconds, then slowly lower your upper body back down. Repeat 10 times, as often as once per hour
Exercise #2:
Flexion Exercises (bringing the leg toward the chest). People with lower back pain can also feel better with various types of leg flexion, bringing the bent leg toward the chest, or doing contract-relax and then bringing the bent leg toward the chest. These people usually have sacroiliac joint problems. (The SI joints are located on either side of the spine in the lower back.)
How to Do It:
Lie on your back with one leg bent and then other flat on the floor. Bring the bent leg up toward the chest. Wrap your arms around the leg and then try to lower it toward the floor for 3-5 seconds, resisting with your arms. Relax, and then pull the bent leg up farther toward the chest. Repeat the entire process three times.
To reduce your risk of injury, consult with Lyn Lake Chiropractic and consult with our chiropractors before doing these exercises for the first time, particularly if your pain is new and/or you would like further explanation of how to perform the exercises correctly. Read Less
Back Pain Treatment Less Costly With Chiropractic
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Back Pain Treatment Less Costly With Chiropractic Care
The report appears in the Oct. 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
Although the researchers did not look at patient satisfaction in this study, Metz says company studies show that 95% of chiropractic care patients are satisfied with the care they receive.
Patients often say they are satisfied with the chiropractic care they receive, says Scott Boden, MD, director of the Emory Orthopaedic and Spine Center in Atlanta.
"Chiropractic patients tend to be satisfied because of the hands-on attention they get," Boden tells WebMD. "But there are different schools of chiropractic and different kinds of chiropractors. There are some that make accurate medial diagnoses and give appropriate treatments, and there are those that treat less well-documented disorders with treatments that may not be of acceptable quality. There is a wide range of variation."
Doctors, too, vary in the quality of Quick read more or view full article care they offer back pain patients, Boden says. Patients without chiropractic care coverage may first see general practitioners who may run up health care costs by prematurely sending patients off to get expensive tests and treatments.
"A disease like back pain can have a lot of variability in the ways medical professionals approach patient care," Boden says. "The best thing is to have an organized, integrated approach that uses state-of-the-art and cost-effective care. Many -- if not most -- primary care providers have little training in how to manage musculoskeletal disorders. That leads to some of the costs. If you were to match a chiropractic network against trained physicians instead of general medical practitioners, you might get different results." Read Less
Lyn Lake Chiropractic wants you to be safe - snow!
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Tips On Proper Technique And Precautionary Measures
Winer is coming so we at Lyn Lake Chiropractic thought we'd send out a blog on shoveling safety:
Be careful, because all that beautiful white snow can be deadly. Heart attacks, back strain and muscle soreness are just a few of the problems attributed to shoveling snow.
If you shovel for 30 minutes, you'll clear away 200 calories along with the snow. Snow shoveling is very demanding on the body. Typical winter conditions (a little more than an inch of snowfall and temperatures that dip below 20 degrees) cause death rates from heart attacks to triple among men 35 to 49 years old. Shoveling snow can be very dangerous if the right precautions aren't taken.
What makes shoveling more dangerous than other average tasks around the house is the temperature. Your heart rate and blood pressure increase during strenuous activity. That, coupled with the body's Quick read more or view full article natural reflex to constrict arteries and blood vessels when exposed to the cold, is a recipe for a heart attack.
Snow shoveling can certainly be good exercise. But there are certain higher risk groups who should think twice before picking up that shovel.
If you've ever had a heart attack, if you have heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you probably don't want to do the shoveling yourself. At the very least, you should consult your doctor before attempting it.
Smokers may want to resort to that snow blower - and certainly you should never smoke while shoveling. Tobacco smoke constricts blood vessels just as cold air does; the combination can be dangerous.
And if you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you could be putting yourself at risk. You don't want very strenuous snow shoveling to be the only thing you've gotten off the couch for in a month. It's definitely something that needs to be worked up to.
Here are some tips to make shoveling safer:
Always remember to dress warmly. You may be working up a sweat, but that doesn't mean you're immune to the effects of the cold.
Don't feel you need to get the whole driveway cleared in one shot. Take breaks every 15 minutes.
Go inside for some hot chocolate, but don't drink coffee. The caffeine may increase your heart rate and cause your blood vessels to constrict, just like smoking does.
Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
And most importantly, know the warning signs of a heart attack. These may include chest pain, shoulder, neck or arm pain; dizziness, fainting, sweating or nausea; or shortness of breath. And if you think you're having a heart attack, seek medical help immediately.
When shoveling, it's important to avoid back strain. The average shovel (loaded with 16 pounds of snow) ends up moving 192 pounds of snow, if you load your shovel about 12 times a minute. That's almost 2,000 pounds being lifted in just over 10 minutes!
Here is how to shovel properly:
Lift with your legs, not your back. Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible so that the lifting comes from your leg muscles, not your back. Never bend at the waist. Step in the direction that you're throwing snow. This will help prevent the lower back from twisting and will help alleviate any lower back pain soreness that you might typically experience the day after a hard shoveling job.
Create some distance between the hands. This will give you more leverage and make it easier to lift snow.
Pick up smaller loads of snow. It's best to shovel by sections. If you're shoveling deep snow (a foot or more), take it easy and shovel two or three inches off at a time.
Do push. Don't lift. Save your back and your energy by simply pushing the snow to the side instead of lifting the snow and throwing it off to the side.
If you have any slight pain in your back, the quicker you get into our chiropractic clinic the faster you can get back out there shoveling pain free. Lyn Lake Chiropractic located in minneapolis offer free consultations. Read Less
Low Back Pain - Minneapolis Chiropractor
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The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.
As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, Quick read more or view full article the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional powerlifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.
Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Lyn Lake Chiropractic can help!
The Causes of Low Back Pain
There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.
Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes I see:
Subluxations
Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxations are easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.
Disc Herniations
Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniates, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.
Sprains, Strains and Spasms
This is commonly the source of low back pain among the weekend warriors. You know, the type who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.
Stress
Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones and tightening up your muscles. When you are stressed all the time, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If you are stressed out all of the time and you have low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise.
Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually pretty straightforward. Most commonly, it's simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints.
Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself. Read Less
Lyn Lake Chiropractic - Stronger Low Backs
Back pain affects 60 to 80 percent of U.S. adults at some time during their lives, and up to 50 percent have back pain within a given year. Some of these problems are easily treated and never return, but in five to ten percent of patients low back pain becomes chronic and the person continues to have recurrences and Quick read more or view full article exacerbations. Effective treatment of uncomplicated lower back pain involves treatment in a chiropractor’s office and beginning and continuing an exercise program. A recent study conducted by the Medical Research Council, a research organization based in the United Kingdom, has found that patients given a combination of spinal manipulation and exercise experienced greater improvement in back function and greater reduction in pain compared to those treated with spinal manipulation or exercise only. Most mechanical low back pain is associated with tight leg muscles and weak abdominal muscles. Leg muscles need to be stretched and abdominal muscles need to be strengthened to avoid recurrences of low back pain. People are generally not aware of these relationships.
You may know you “should be exercising”, but you may be unaware of the importance of stretching. Also, abdominal strengthening is usually the last thing a person thinks of when he or she thinks of doing exercise. Exercise is a three-step process: stretching, exercising, and abdominal strengthening. Don’t forget getting adjusted on a regular basis will be effective and help keep you on your Wellness Plan. Stretching prepares you for the work of exercise, and is done first before anything else, gently and gradually. You may be tighter than usual on a particular day. This is not important - you should never try to stretch to where “you think you should be”. Just stretch, making sure to pay attention to what you’re doing. It’s easy to injure a muscle if you’re thinking about something else, or if you’re rushing, trying to squeeze in some stretching before dashing off to the gym.
Abdominal strengthening helps support the lower back. Spinal muscles are not designed to carry your body weight. If your abdominal muscles are weak, then your back muscles will be used to carry your body weight, and eventually you’ll have a lower back injury or low back pain. Abdominal strengthening not only helps keep your lower back healthy, but also helps maintain good posture. Postural benefits include an easy, relaxed gait; muscles that are long and supple, rather than short and tight; and an open chest that allows for easy, smooth breathing. Your body is a machine. Everything’s connected. A lower back problem affects many other areas, ultimately. By making sure to stretch regularly and by including abdominal exercises in your gym routine, you can help ensure having a lower back that works instead of having low back pain daily.
Our chiropractors at Lyn Lake Chiropractic will help set you up on a stretching program and rehab to strengthen your low back muscles and core muscle strength. Read Less
Lyn Lake Chiropractic - Sports Medicine Article
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Lyn Lake Chiropractic cares for professional athletes, those striving
for personal goals, and dedicated fans. Dr. Schreifels and Dr. Field are
avid marathon runners who understand the need for chiropractic care
as it relates to staying healthy in the quest to achieve personal goals.
They provide comprehensive care for the patient's entire body - knees,
hips, elbows, back - to find the pain's cause and to let the patient return
to enjoying their life. They also specialize in auto injuries,
bulging/herniated discs, headaches, low back pain, and sciatica.
They are the Official Chiropractors of the Medtronic Twin Cities
Marathon, work with Team USA Minnesota Athletes, and provide
care and injury prevention seminars to numerous running groups
around the Twin Cities.
Staff includes certified personal trainers and massage therapists to
assist in rehab and injury prevention. Modalities utilized include
ultrasound, cold laser therapy, EMS, and Game Ready Quick read more or view full article Icing system. Read Less