I know you all have been bombarded with notices, news and emails about the COVID-19 situation. I am hoping, this cuts through the typical administrative emails you have been receiving.
WE ARE OPEN!
We have actively been cleaning and disinfecting ALL surfaces from the street level all the way up to our suite. All doorknobs, counter tops, tables, exam rooms and therapy equipment. We have always practiced proper hygiene practices but now we have doubled our efforts. Myself and my staff will be washing our hands between EVERY patient and if unable, will be disinfecting our hands with hand sanitizers.
All tables, chairs and surfaces will constantly be wiped down after EVERY use.
There is still much more YOU can do to protect yourselves during these times:
Your immune system is you #1 defense against all bacterial and viral infections. Fortunately, we have ultimate control over the state of our immune systems and our families. Here are some of the best practices that we follow even in our own homes.
GET ADJUSTED. Regular chiropractic adjustments have been proven to boost your immune system. This is accomplished by improving the state of the nervous system which in turn improves the immune system.
GET PLENTY OF SLEEP. Often minimized as a source of immune response but studies have shown that deep sleep improves the immune system directly. Lower your lights 1 hour before bedtime, minimized backlit screens. Let your natural physiology take over and drift off into a deep slumber.
HYDRATION. The #1 deficient nutrient in most Americans is WATER. Staying hydrated is critical for EVERY biochemical process in your body including your immune system.
EAT WELL. Be sure to eat a healthy diet. Avoid sugars if possible and do not overeat. Try to eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of sitting and eating 3 meals a day. This helps sustain a proper blood sugar level and prevents the moments of being “famished”.
HEALTHY SOCIALIZATION. Although the government is encouraging “de-socialization”. I encourage you to reconnect with your nuclear family through conversation and family games. Family communication and physical touch have long been associated with decreased stress and improved overall health including the immune systems of the entire family.
The chiropractic industry is communicating together as well and as one of my colleagues said, “Let’s practice PRUDENCE but not PANIC”. Taking the above precautions is PRUDENT.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve you and your families.
– Dr. Mark Jensen
IMPORTANT NOTICE: We are open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.
When you think about the term ‘posture’ most people think about sitting up straight in their chair (just reading this may have caused you to sit up a little straighter) or boarding school where girls practice walking with books balanced on their head. What is Posture Correction?
What Is Posture?
Posture Correction
The reality is that posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture is, as you can imagine, the correct alignment of the bones. Your head rests over your spine which sits directly over your pelvis which sits directly over your knees and ankles. This alignment allows for proper weight distribution, the way nature intended. Poor posture is just the opposite. Poor posture distorts the alignment of these bones throwing off the weight distribution of the body.
Why Is Good Posture Important
Good posture helps us to stand, sit, walk and lie in positions that place the least amount of strain on supporting muscles and ligaments. Good posture allows the muscles to work much more efficiently, which in turns allows the body to use less energy and therefore helps to prevent muscle fatigue, muscle strain, and muscle pain. Good posture also reduces the stress on the ligaments holding the spinal joints together thus minimizing the likelihood of injury.
Consequences Of Bad Posture
Poor posture can be caused by a number of factors such as stress, obesity, decreased flexibility, poor work environment, and unhealthy sitting and standing habits. Poor posture can create a number of issues within the body. The most immediate problem with poor posture is that it creates chronic muscle tension as the weight of the head and upper body must be supported by the muscles instead of the bones. Poor posture contributes to stressful conditions such as loss of vital lung capacity, increased fatigue, reduced blood and oxygen to the brain, limited range of motion, a stiffness of joints, pain syndromes, reduced mental alertness, and decreased productivity at work.
There are a number of conditions that can either cause or be caused by bad posture these include the following:
Sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your pelvis, through your hip area and buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve branches into smaller nerves as it travels down the legs providing feeling to your thighs, legs, and feet as well as controlling many of the muscles in your lower legs. Sciatica is actually a sign that you have an underlying problem putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back.
The most common cause of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated lumbar disc. Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time. It’s likely to be worse when you sit, cough or sneeze. The vast majority of the time, sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of stretches, deep tissue massage and chiropractic care.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine that causes stiffness and pain. The vertebrae can rotate at the thoracic level of the spine causing this curve and resulting in a hump near the rib cage. If the curve is more than 60 degrees it is considered serious. Usually, this curve makes the waist or shoulders uneven. Scoliosis can be treated in various ways to help alleviate pain and restore normal functionality. Chiropractic care can help improve this condition. We look at your overall health examining your spine as well as other factors of your lifestyle. Regardless of the treatment used, physical therapy may be added to scoliosis treatment to increase muscle strength and mobility.
Upper Back
Most people do not realize how much they move their neck during the day until they are unable to do so. We associate the neck and upper back together, because most of the muscles that are associated with the neck either attach to or are located in, the upper back. Most neck and upper back pain are caused by a combination of factors, including injury, poor posture, chiropractic subluxations, stress, and in some instances, disc problems.
Chiropractic Care To Improve Posture
Correcting bad posture and the physical problems that result can be accomplished in two ways. The first is by eliminating as much “bad” stress from your body as possible. Bad stress includes all the factors, habits, or stressors that cause your body to deviate from your structural center. Bad stress can result from a poorly adjusted workstation at work, from not having your seat adjusted correctly in your car, or even from carrying too much weight around in a heavy purse or backpack.
The second is by applying “good” stress on the body in an effort to move your posture back toward your center of balance. This is accomplished through a series of exercises, stretches, adjustments, and changes to your physical environment, all designed to help correct your posture. Getting your body back to its center of balance by improving your posture is critically important to improving how you feel.
