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Denver Athletes- Unlock Your Athletic Potential: The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Denver Athletes- Unlock Your Athletic Potential: The Benefits of Chiropractic Care with a top rated chiropractor for sports injuries in Denver

The benefits of chiropractic care for athletes are becoming more widely recognized, with many professional sports teams now including chiropractors on staff. From injury prevention to performance enhancement, chiropractic care offers numerous benefits to athletes of all levels.

Recent research has shown that spinal adjustments can positively influence the brain, spinal cord, and muscle strength, resulting in improved motor control and movement patterns. Chiropractic care can also help reduce pain perception, making it an effective treatment for athletes dealing with pain. Athletes who receive chiropractic care have been found to have significant increases in functional muscle strength compared to those who do not receive care.

Chiropractors themselves are a bridge between the player, coach, and medical team, offering a holistic approach to sports care that emphasizes injury prevention and performance improvement. This unique focus on preventing injury and improving mobility and performance means that chiropractors can bring an athlete’s care full-circle.

If you’re an athlete, whether you’re a weekend warrior, local minor league celebrity, or you play at a professional level, taking care of your body is key to unlocking your full potential in any sport. Chiropractic care is an all-natural and “hands-on” approach to sports care that can help ensure your body is feeling and functioning at its best.

 

As a top rated chiropractor in Denver for sports injuries, we understand the unique needs of athletes. We have experience working with athletes of all levels and can help you achieve your fitness goals by addressing your specific needs. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or simply looking to improve your athletic performance, chiropractic care can help unlock your full potential. We use a powerful combination of chiropractic adjustments, Active Release Techniques, and targeted rehab exercises.Our Denver Chiropractor has over 25 years of experience.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your athletic performance or prevent injuries, don’t write off chiropractic care. It is an essential component of athlete care, and finding the best chiropractor for sports injuries in your area is essential to achieving your fitness goals and staying injury-free. Take care of your body and give us a call today to schedule. 303.300.0424, or use the contact page above to schedule.

How to Recover from Whiplash Injuries Naturally

Recovering from Whiplash

Bottom Line:

 

Your spine is a long chain of bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments that extend from your skull down to your tailbone.

 

The cervical spine (your neck) is designed to support your head and protect the nerves that go out to your face, shoulders, and arms.

 

Postural changes, arthritis, and sudden injuries are a few of the primary causes of neck pain.

 

Most of the time, the pain can be traced to a problem with either the muscles, bones, discs, or nerves in your neck.

 

That’s important to remember when considering how to recover from whiplash injuries naturally.

 

That’s probably a big part of what has you considering seeking chiropractic treatment for whiplash in Denver, CO.

 

Whiplash injuries can occur during a sports accident or during a slip and fall.

 

And, as most of us know, whiplash injuries are also commonly sustained during auto accidents.

 

These injuries can cause damage to the delicate structures in your neck and lead to symptoms such as headaches, neck pain and stiffness, shoulder pain, and numbness and tingling or pain in your arms and hands.

 

That pain is your body’s way of saying “pay attention inside now!”

 

Let’s take a closer look at what happens when a whiplash injury is sustained, and, perhaps more importantly, how to recover from whiplash injuries naturally.

 

Why it Matters:

 

Over 1.5 million whiplash injuries occur each year, many from low impact collisions.

 

Research does in fact show that low-speed crashes can create the force necessary to cause pain and injury.

 

Because these injuries can be sustained in collisions other than car accidents and can occur at low speeds, many people often ignore them and have never learned how to recover from whiplash injuries naturally.

 

Many of you neighbors who’ve been involved in an auto accident recently are most likely seeking chiropractic treatment for whiplash in Denver, CO right now for that reason.

 

The truth is that even minor damage to the ligaments of your neck can take up to 12 weeks to heal.

 

In some cases, the partial tearing of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments around your spine can take several months to heal.

 

Depending on the severity of the ligament tearing, these injuries may also be classified as permanent.

 

Whiplash can also cause damage to your facet joints and spinal discs by stretching them beyond their normal range of motion.

 

Almost every bone in your neck has a pair of sliding joints towards the back called facet joints.

 

If an adhesion forms or the joint is stuck, your body will try to compensate.

 

A stiff neck after an accident is a good clue that a whiplash injury may have occurred.

 

Keep an eye out for swelling and bruising, which can take up to 24 hours to develop.

 

Many people may already know what symptoms to watch for, but most people may not really know how to recover from whiplash injuries naturally.

 

How to Recover From Whiplash Injuries Naturally

 

It’s essential to control any inflammation early in your treatment and improve your range of motion.

 

In other words, it’s key to use movement as medicine.

 

While it may seem strange that movement can be a good thing even if it causes discomfort, we know that controlled movement can limit the amount of scar tissue that forms and may even increase the healing rate.

 

Still wondering exactly how to recover from whiplash injuries naturally?

 

Let’s recap the key principles we just discussed.

 

  • Obtaining an accurate diagnosis with a complete examination and spinal imaging is the first step towards determining the best plan of care to heal from your injuries.
  • Inflammation is often the primary factor that causes pain and restricted movement after a whiplash injury.
  • Controlling inflammation naturally and reestablishing your range of motion can help reduce your pain and improve the results of your care.

 

 

Next Steps:

 

With the right healthcare team, most people can get back to their full life and activities without the need for drugs or surgery.

 

Chiropractors focus on the structure and function of your spine.

 

When your spine is functioning optimally, your body is able to heal itself, no medications needed.

 

When looking at how to recover from whiplash injuries naturally, a chiropractor’s care is key.

 

We take a holistic approach to help you recover from whiplash by examining and treating the injured muscles, ligaments, discs, and more.

 

Depending on the type of accident, we may choose to take x-rays or an MRI of your neck to evaluate your injuries better.

 

Chiropractors are considered essential after an accident because of our focus on improving your movement, biomechanics, and functional ability while reducing your pain.

 

Schedule an appointment to receive chiropractic treatment for whiplash in Denver, CO today if you are someone you know has been injured in a car accident.

 

We’re here to help guide your recovery process and theirs every step of the way.

 

 

Science Source:

 

The Treatment of Neck Pain and Whiplash-Associated Disorders. JMPT. 2016.

Delayed Pain After a Car Accident

3-Common-Manifestations-of-Delayed-Pain-After-a-Car-Accident.jpg

Bottom Line:

If you can walk away after a car accident without any catastrophic injuries, you should certainly consider yourself lucky.

But there is something important we want you to commit to your memory right now.

Even if you feel ok after exchanging information and speaking with the police, it is always a good idea to see a chiropractor after an accident.

With your adrenaline pumping directly after an accident, your brain may not truly register the pain signals coming from your body.

It’s only after you have some time to calm down that you find yourself suddenly living with previously unnoticed injuries and manifestations of delayed pain after a car accident.

The good news?

Non-drug care options, such as chiropractic, are very effective at helping people both reduce the sensations of delayed pain after a car accident and restore their functional health.

If you’re looking for a car accident chiropractor in Denver, know our expert team is here to help.

Even people with severe and chronic pain have been shown to benefit from the care that chiropractors provide.

And with a proper evaluation and early treatment, you have a high likelihood of putting that delayed pain after a car accident in the rear view mirror and getting well within a matter of weeks.

Why it Matters:

While medications can provide temporary pain relief, they don’t do a very good job of helping your body heal.

One of the problems with pain medications is that they only treat the symptoms.

They aren’t doing a thing to resolve the injuries that are the real source of your pain.

That’s just one reason why Ignoring a new ache or manifestation of delayed pain after a car accident and hoping it will go away is definitely not a smart strategy.

Even minor symptoms can be an indication of a more significant problem.

That’s perhaps one of the most important reasons you need to see a car accident chiropractor in Denver

And there’s something else to consider.

The longer you wait to get evaluated and receive care, the higher your likelihood becomes of needing more aggressive medical care.

In fact, without a proper diagnosis and swift treatment, your body may begin to “heal” with more scar tissue than necessary.

The same principle applies if you ignore what that delayed pain after a car accident is trying to tell you and simply decide to try to live “around” your injuries.

Doing so can lead to even more physical stress and compensation from other parts of your body and, ultimately, additional injuries.

3 Common Manifestations of Delayed Pain After a Car Accident

Let’s take a look at some common manifestations of delayed pain after a car accident that may not appear for hours or days.

● Headaches: A concussion, neck injury, mild traumatic brain injury, or whiplash can create headaches after a car accident, so don’t dismiss a headache or dizziness until you’ve been adequately evaluated by a doctor.

● Back Pain: Pain in your back after a car accident can take hours or days to begin, and it could be a sign of a spinal disc injury, soft tissue injury, or whiplash.

● Neck / Shoulder Pain: If you notice pain in your neck, shoulders, or arms, it may be a sign of whiplash or a spinal injury.

Next Steps:

Delayed onset of symptoms after a car accident is quite common.

It doesn’t mean that you’re “making it up.”

The stress of a car accident can make it difficult to truly assess how you feel in the minutes after impact.

It takes time for swelling and inflammation to begin, and you may not notice these common manifestations of delayed pain after a car accident for hours or even days.

Don’t dismiss your symptoms or concerns.

With the right healthcare team, most people can get back to their full life and activities without the need for drugs or surgery.

Chiropractors are often the first healthcare professional a majority of people see after getting into an accident.

So, if you’ve been searching for the best car accident chiropractor in Denver, give our office a call right now.

Receiving a complete and thorough evaluation is critical to discovering injuries early on so that you can receive the best care and treatment to put your injuries in the rearview mirror as quickly as possible

Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobilizing exercises, and strengthening can effectively reduce pain.

So, call us to schedule a proper evaluation as soon as you can.

It has the potential to make a massive difference in both your quality of life and long-term well-being!

Science Source:

Whiplash. WebMD. 2021.

3 Key Ways to Prevent a Herniated, Bulging, or Slipped Disc

A neighbor of mine once told me “Getting old is not for the faint of heart,” and that’s always stuck with me.

 

After all, haven’t we all had one of those days where we wake up somehow having managed to injure ourselves in our sleep?

 

Or, if you’re like an old classmate of mine (who shall remain nameless), maybe there was a time you ate a big meal and a couple of hours later ended up taking yourself to the emergency room because you had not yet learned what heartburn felt like.

 

We’ve all been there.

 

And, like it or not, back pain is more likely than not something we’re all going to have to learn to prepare for and manage.

 

So, right here, right now, let’s start with lesson number one…

 

Simple ways to prevent a herniated disc.

 

Bottom Line:

 

Absolutely no one wants to deal with back pain.

 

Whether you’re living with pain today or looking to reduce your risk of injury and find ways to prevent a herniated disc in the future, you may be curious about how you can strengthen your spine.

 

And as the go-to provider of non-surgical spinal disc treatment in Denver, we’re here to tell you that you’ve come to the right place!

 

When it comes to fortifying your spinal discs, it’s wise to start with the body’s core — the set of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your spinal column and help your spinal discs move.

Why it Matters:

 

Your core needs to have a balance of strength and flexibility to perform at its best.

 

A strong core allows your body to have the support it needs to move, bend, and twist without causing injuries, and a flexible core is crucial to allowing the body to move well and through a full range of motion.

 

Together, these physical qualities help you keep your spinal discs healthy, just like movement-based care such as the adjustments we provide.

 

So, our top 3 ways to prevent a herniated disc include:

 

  1. Core exercises can help your back maintain a balance of strength and flexibility.
  2. Movement of the spine promotes the delivery of nutrients to the spinal discs.
  3. Spinal adjustments can improve your range of motion and help to decrease pain.

 

Ways to Prevent a Herniated Disc at Home

 

As noted in the list above, engaging in exercise to improve your core strength or to strengthen the abdominal, back extensor and rotator muscle groups can help you reduce your risk of spinal disc injury.

 

And in our time providing non-surgical spinal disc treatment in Denver, we’ve seen first-hand just how much of a difference incorporating and prioritizing core work can make in our patients’ spinal health.

 

The stronger your core is, the less load your disc sees with activities of daily living, ultimately lessening the risk of herniation, which is why we compiled the following list of ways to prevent a herniated disc at home.

 

We recommend the following exercises and stretches below and aiming for 10 repetitions of each and then repeating each 2-3 times a week.

 

Planks

 

  1. Start in a push up position, bend your arms, and support your body with your forearms.
  2. Keep your hips, legs, and torso in a straight line while tightening your abdominal and glute muscles.
  3. Draw your core muscles in at the level of your belly button and hold that position as long as you can.

 

Bird Dogs

 

  1. Get on all fours, making sure your spine is neutral (not arching up or down).
  2. Then, engage your core muscles and slowly reach forward with your right arm as you extend your left leg behind you.
  3. Hold for a breath and then slowly return your limbs to the starting position.
  4. Repeat the exercise on the other side.

 

Glute Bridges

 

  1. Lie on your back with knees bent 90 degrees and feet flat on the floor.
  2. Engage the muscles of the deep core and move into a bridge position by lifting your bottom off the floor. Instead of forcing your belly up by arching your back, try to maintain the natural curve in your lower spine.
  3. Lift your left foot off the floor and extend your left leg to maintain a straight line through your left heel.
  4. Return your foot to the floor and repeat with your right leg.

 

Dead Bugs

 

  1. Begin lying on your back with both arms extended towards the ceiling.
  2. Lift your legs off the floor to 90 degrees.
  3. Exhale to bring your ribcage down and try to flatten your back onto the floor by rotating your pelvis upwards and bracing your core muscles (this is the starting position for this exercise that you need to hold throughout the movement).
  4. Start the exercise by extending your left leg, straightening at the knee and hip and bringing the leg down to just above the floor (don’t let your lower back arch).
  5. At the same time, lower your right arm back to just above the floor.
  6. Keep your abdominal and gluteal muscles tightened and return your left leg and right arm to the starting position.
  7. Repeat with your right leg and left arm.

 

Back Extensions

 

  1. Lie face down on a mat and place the hands on the floor or behind the head (more advanced).
  2. Contract the abs and keep them contracted throughout the exercise.
  3. Squeeze the back to lift the chest a few inches off the floor.
  4. Lower and repeat.

 

Knee-to-Chest Stretches

 

  1. Lie on the back with both legs flat against the floor.
  2. Lift the right leg, bending the knee toward the chest.
  3. Use both hands to pull the right knee toward the chest.
  4.  Hold the right knee against the chest for several seconds.
  5. Return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat with the left leg and then return to the starting position.

 

Kneeling Back Stretches

 

  1. Begin the exercise on the hands and knees, positioning the knees hip-width apart, with the shoulders directly over the hands.
  2. Round the back, pulling the belly button up toward the spine and tilting the lower back toward the floor. Hold the position for 5 seconds.
  3. Rock gently backward, lowering the buttocks as close as possible to the heels. Ensure that the arms are stretched out in front. Hold the position for 5 seconds.
  4. Rock gently back up to the starting position.

 

Modified Seat Side Straddle

 

  1. Sit on the floor with one leg extended to the side and the other leg bent.
  2. Keep your back straight and bend from your hips toward the foot of your straight leg. Reach your hands toward your toes and hold for 5 seconds.
  3. Slowly round your spine and bring your hands to your shin or ankle.
  4. Bring your head down as close to your knee as possible.
  5. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax for 30 seconds.
  6. Repeat on the other side.

Next Steps:

 

It’s been said that we don’t get old and stiff, we get stiff then old.

 

The fundamental takeaway from our list of ways to prevent a herniated disc is that It’s much easier to keep your spine moving than to get your spine moving, and our practice is here to help you stay active, healthy, and happy!

 

If you’re ready to get serious about your spinal health or you’re looking for non-surgical spinal disc treatment in Denver, reach out to us today to schedule a visit whether it’s been awhile since your last adjustment or it’s time for your first.

 

Our expert team will work with you to assess your movement and create a plan of action to keep you pain-free and at the top of your game for years to come.

 

Our doors are open, and we’re here for you!

Denver Chiropractor shares: Single Best way to avoid back pain

After 24 years in practice, our Denver Chiropractor is pretty sure that understanding this one little skill would have saved lots of people from low back pain. As always use common sense and check with a doctor first. If you need help with back pain, just request an appointment and we can help:

 

Denver Chiropractor shares 3 Quick Tips to Prevent Foot and Ankle Pain

 

As the weather warms up we will start seeing more and more people getting outside, and that is great. But with increased outside time comes an increase in annoying foot and ankle injuries. In this video we show you 3 quick and simple things you can do to help prevent foot and ankle pain. As always, use common sense and make sure these exercises are right for you.

Denver Chiropractor shares: Banded Side Plank Clamshells

Here’s another new video on strengthening the hips (and core and shoulders) with a banded side plank / clamshell. The band is from Insonder and can be found at various online retailers. As always use common sense, make sure this is right for you and check with a doctor first.. Click on the image below to watch it on our vimeo page

We are open for all of our patients and are looking forward to seeing you. We continue to follow all CDC / State of Colorado guidelines for safety and social distancing, including wearing masks and gloves. The City of Denver does now require that everyone wear masks in public places.

Please call Ellie at 303.300.0424 to make an appointment to come see us. We look forward to seeing you soon.

This week’s 1-Page Health News

Wellness/Prevention: Protect Yourself from the Sun to Prevent Skin Cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that many Americans don’t take proper precautions to protect themselves from the sun. To reduce the risk for skin cancer, the academy recommends the following: seek shade when the sun’s rays are the strongest, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; wear sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses; use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher on all skin not covered by clothing. American Academy of Dermatology, April 2020

Exercise: Walking Offers Many Health Benefits. Walking is a great weight-bearing exercise associated with the following benefits: increased cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness; reduced risk of heart disease and stroke; improved management of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes; stronger bones; improved balance; increased muscle strength and endurance, and reduced body fat. Department of Health & Human Services (Australia), May 2020

Chiropractic: Conservative Care Can Reduce Need for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery. Among a group of 150 patients on a waiting list for carpal tunnel release surgery, researchers observed that participants who performed tendon gliding exercises for six weeks were about 25% more likely to cancel their procedure within the following six months. Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate tendon gliding exercises in their treatment recommendations for carpal tunnel syndrome patients in addition to nutritional recommendations and manual therapies to relieve pressure on the median nerve at the wrist and elsewhere along its course. Journal of Physiotherapy, April 2020

Our Denver Chiropractic office is open as of April 27, 2020.

While there may not currently be a cure for “the virus,” certain simple steps can help.

Denver Chiropractic Center Covid-19 update

We have great concern and empathy for everyone who is dealing with this difficult and unprecedented viral pandemic, both locally and globally. We do intend to keep our office open during this Covid-19 crisis. (Of course if any federal or state government entities order that we close, we will.)

As we stay open we are implementing a few procedural changes to practice social distancing within our office. In order to do that we will:

  • Limit the number of daily appointment spots available
  • Bring patients into treatment rooms and out of the waiting room as quickly was we can
  • Continue thoroughly disinfecting each treatment room after each patient

We ask of you:

  • If you are sick, have a cough or have a fever please don’t come in (please stay home entirely).
  • If you have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19, please don’t come in (again you should self-quarantine)
  • Please try to come as close to your appointment time as you can (we want to avoid having several people in our waiting rooms).

We still fully intend to operate our normal schedule. As I said last week, we have always taken steps to prevent spread of viruses: flu virus, norovirus, various other stomach viruses, and cold virus (which is also a coronoa virus).

These things are almost always circulating in some form or fashion. We will continue to take steps to prevent the spread of this new virus. These steps include hand sanitizing after each patient visit, table disenfecting, and so forth. We do have gloves in the office and if you would prefer that Dr. Samantha or myself wear them during your treatment, just ask.

We will continue to follow all advisories and directives from the state and Federal governments.

Please make sure to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, and avoid large crowds. Move away from heavy sneezers and coughers. Use hand sanitzer and good hygeine practices.

With some common sense and persistence we will all get through this together.

Denver Chiropractic Center shares 3 tips for back pain

In this video we show you 3 tips for low back back pain. You can try them at home. As always check with a doctor first and seek professional attention when appropriate.

About 80 percent of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lifetimes. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work days. In a large survey, more than a quarter of adults reported experiencing low back pain during the past 3 months

We’ve helped people with back pain since 1998. http://denverback.com