Maintaining clarity of thought and calmness is essential for making sound decisions, managing emotions, and navigating our daily routines. Unfortunately, the disruptive force of intense headaches can hinder this clarity. If you’re someone who frequently deals with headaches, know that you’re far from alone. In fact, an astounding 9 out of 10 Americans endure headaches. These range from occasional annoyances to severe debilitations, with symptoms varying from dull throbs to incapacitating pain. While conventional remedies like medication or retreating to a dim, quiet room can help, it’s important to realize that chiropractic care offers a compelling alternative for headache relief.
Within the realm of headaches, chiropractors consistently encounter and treat three primary types: tension headaches, migraines, and cervicogenic headaches.
Tension Headaches: These familiar companions manifest as a band-like sensation tightening around the head. Muscle tension is believed to be the underlying cause.
Migraines: Recognized by sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and nausea, migraines often localize on one side of the head. Medication is sometimes used for prevention or symptom management during an episode.
Cervicogenic Headaches: These stem from neck-related issues and don’t respond well to medication. Originating on one side of the head, they migrate forward and might impact the same-side shoulder or arm.
Headaches can also be classified as episodic, occurring infrequently and tied to specific stressors, or chronic, persistently reoccurring after daily activities such as waking up or engaging in prolonged tasks.
Headache triggers encompass various factors, including specific foods, health conditions, environmental elements (like noise, light, or smells), and stress. Behavioral stressors, such as extended periods of fixed posture, insufficient sleep, or excessive exercise, can also contribute to headache onset.
When a consultation or adjustment isn’t feasible, there are practical steps you can take at home to mitigate headaches:
Break the Mold: Regularly pause and stretch if you spend prolonged periods in static positions—whether sitting at a desk, using a computer, driving, gaming, or looking at your phone. Engage in head, neck, shoulder, and back stretches to release tension and reduce strain.
Embrace Low-Impact Exercise: Walking and light aerobics are excellent ways to stay active without intensifying headaches.
Hydrate: Ensure you stay well-hydrated, as dehydration can trigger headaches.
Relieve Jaw Tension: Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth, as this can cause jaw tension leading to headaches.
Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate relaxation methods into your routine and consider massages from a partner or friend to ease bodily and mental stress.
Chiropractors possess comprehensive training that extends beyond addressing back pain. They understand the interconnectedness of spinal tension and its impact on other bodily areas. By reducing bodily tension and stress, chiropractors can alleviate headache symptoms.
Treatment approaches vary based on the headache type:
Cervicogenic Headaches: Treatment often involves spinal or joint manipulation alongside deep neck exercises.
Migraines: Neuromuscular massages targeting trigger points may offer relief.
Tension Headaches: Gentle forces and stretching can enhance neck and spine movement.
Chiropractic care stands as a safe, non-addictive alternative to prescription medication or over-the-counter drugs. Through chiropractic treatment, inflammation and discomfort can be reduced, while physical function and performance improve. This allows you to regain control over your day-to-day life, free from the constraints of headaches. To explore how chiropractic care can provide respite from your headaches, reach out to Stephenson Chiropractic Center today.
Most people have felt the agony and discomfort of back pain. And while chiropractors treat more than just back pain, most people seek out chiropractors in search of relief from their agonizing back pain. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) reports over 50 percent of all Americans experience back pain symptoms each year. In fact, it’s one of the number one reasons for missed work. Most instances of back pain are caused by injury or muscle strain and can be alleviated with chiropractic care.
We will provide you with an adjustment: this is a gentle, non-invasive, and a non-addictive therapy. These adjustments will help to reduce joint restrictions or any misalignments of the spine to help reduce inflammation. This will improve function and mobility of your back and your nervous system. When your joint mobility is improved, your nervous system functions better, giving you a healthy spine. Plus, moving forward, your body will have the ability to better manage any low back pain symptoms.
Chiropractic treatment for back pain involves spinal manipulation. In chiropractic care, quick, strong pressure is applied to a joint between two vertebrae of the spine. When a chiropractor applies this pressure to the spine with his or her hands, the pressure will rotate the joint beyond its normal range of motion. This can cause a popping sound (which is thought to be caused by the breaking of a bubble of synovial fluid, which lubricates the spine). The amount of force applied can differ. Your chiropractor will adjust this based on the form of manipulation he or she uses. The goal of any adjustment is to help you improve your physical functioning and relieve your back pain.
A chiropractor can either manipulate the spine by pushing on the vertebrae or by twisting the upper part of the body. This will be done by positioning the body so the force exerted is focused on one joint while the other parts of the spine are held completely still. These treatments will take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, and are repeated two to three times a week until symptoms improve. At that time, your treatments will typically be spread out a bit more (maybe just one or two each week).
Additionally, your chiropractor will work with you on things like posture, other treatments you may want to use in conjunction with chiropractic care, and even exercises and stretches you can do to help keep back pain at bay.
Regular treatments from your chiropractor can help:
If you are experiencing back pain, chiropractic care from Stephenson Chiropractic Center may be able to help ease your pain symptoms. As your chiropractor for back pain, we can help you recover from back pain no matter what the cause. Schedule an appointment with us today!
1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, even if he or she may not know it. High blood pressure is known as a silent killer since there are often no clear symptoms. It can be extremely dangerous and is one of the leading causes of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your blood vessels’ walls. High blood pressure means the pressure is consistently higher than it should be. Over time, the force and friction of high blood pressure can damage your arteries and other internal organs.
Many patients with high blood pressure are prescribed medication to lower levels, but this can have unpleasant side effects. Common side effects of the prescription medication include headache, nausea, lightheadedness, or dizziness. They can also be expensive.
For those looking for a more natural or alternative form of treatment, consider chiropractic care.
Studies have shown that adjustments made to the atlas vertebrae significantly reduce levels of high blood pressure.
The atlas vertebrae is at the top of your neck covering the brainstem. Though the bone itself is not associated with heart health, the nerves it protects are. A misalignment of the atlas vertebrae, just like anywhere else, can affect the rest of your body including blood pressure.
Correcting the misalignment through chiropractic care lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Like all chiropractic adjustments, proper alignment of the spine allows for proper function to be restored throughout the body and its many systems. It does not lower blood pressure, but rather allows a person’s blood pressure to be restored to normal levels.
In many cases, you may even find you no longer need prescription medication to manage your blood pressure or you may be able to switch to a lower dose. Reliance on medication can be costly and at times ineffective. If you are in search of a more natural form of treatment, chiropractic care may be the right step for you.
For more information on how chiropractic care can help your blood pressure, contact Stephenson Chiropractic Center today.
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a strong immune system is more crucial than ever. Your immune system serves as your body’s natural defense against infections and illnesses. While proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep are essential components, many people are unaware of the role chiropractic care can play in enhancing immune system function. We are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore how chiropractic care can boost your immune system and provide the guidance you need to keep yourself feeling your best.
Before diving into how chiropractic care can benefit your immune system, let’s understand the basics of this intricate defense mechanism. Your immune system comprises various organs, cells, and proteins working together to protect your body from harmful invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins. When your immune system is functioning at its best, it can detect and neutralize threats efficiently, keeping you healthy.
Surprisingly, the alignment of your spine and nervous system plays a significant role in your overall health, including immune system function. When your spine is properly aligned, it allows your nervous system to function optimally. The nervous system controls and coordinates every function in your body, including your immune response. However, misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, can interfere with these vital communications.
Chiropractic care focuses on the detection and correction of subluxations in the spine. By realigning the spine, chiropractors aim to restore proper communication between the nervous system and the rest of the body. When your nervous system is functioning correctly, your immune system can better recognize and respond to threats.
Research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can lead to an improvement in immune system function. One study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients receiving chiropractic care experienced a 200% increase in immune system competence compared to those who did not receive chiropractic adjustments. This research highlights the tangible benefits of chiropractic care in boosting the immune system.
We our approach to chiropractic care is not just about pain relief; it’s about enhancing your overall well-being. By focusing on spinal health and nervous system optimization, we offer a holistic solution to immune system support. Our expert chiropractors are dedicated to tailoring their approach to meet your unique needs, ensuring that your body functions at its best.
Incorporating chiropractic care into your wellness routine can be a game-changer for your immune system. We are committed to helping you achieve optimal health through chiropractic adjustments that not only alleviate discomfort but also enhance your immune system’s performance. Don’t wait until your immune system is compromised. Start your journey to better health today and discover the difference chiropractic care can make. Contact us to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards a healthier, more robust immune system. Your well-being is our top priority.
Boost your immune system with our expert chiropractic care. Contact Stephenson Chiropractic Center today to schedule your appointment and unlock the benefits of a properly functioning immune system.
Neuropathy is a medical condition resulting from damaged or destroyed nerve cells and is often a side effect associated with autoimmune diseases, infections, diabetes, tumors, or hereditary conditions. Also known as peripheral neuropathy, this condition currently affects over 20 million people in the United States with symptoms ranging from slight tingling or burning pain to muscle spasms, difficulty moving your arms or legs, and in some cases, atrophy.
For many patients, neuropathy begins with a tingling or numbness that occurs in their fingers and toes. As time goes on, the numbness begins to spread and may also develop into prickly or sharp pains in their extremities.
Early symptoms of neuropathy include numbness, weakness, and tingling or burning pain that evolves into muscle spasms and difficulty moving your arms or legs over time. As neuropathy progresses, patients may also feel that their balance is being lost more often.
The symptoms of neuropathy greatly depend on the type of nerves that are damaged, ranging from autonomic nerves, motor nerves, and sensory nerves. With this in mind, it’s important to document what type of symptoms you may be experiencing prior to your visit to our office so we can better diagnose and treat your pain. Since neuropathy affects the nervous system as well as the body’s ability to balance, it is important to seek help and treat neuropathy as soon as you can.
Neuropathy can be a side effect or caused by other medical conditions, which is why treatment is first tailored to treat the underlying condition which then reduces the severity of the nerve pain. Neuropathy can be severe and quite painful the most common forms of neuropathy include diabetic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sciatica which are actually quite prevalent in adults. Because of this, some people may be suffering from neuropathy, and not even know they have it.
To treat nerve pain, many patients are finding relief in alternative medicine. For neuropathy, countless patients have sought chiropractic care as an alternative for treating neuropathy pain and also correcting the underlying causes to help slow down the progression of the medical condition. In treating neuropathy with corrective chiropractic care, you are choosing an all-natural and therapeutic approach to treating symptoms and the pain you may be suffering from.
Chiropractic care for neuropathy focuses on treating the underlying conditions that cause nerve pain as well as the inflammation that your body is producing from your neuropathy. Treating the inflammation will help to ease your pain in the different joints and extremities. Many patients are looking not only to reduce their pain but to also improve their overall quality of life without relying on medication. To do this, we tailor each chiropractic treatment plan to meet the needs of every patient. For instance, if a patient is suffering from nerve pain in their lower extremities, our treatment will focus on exercises and therapies that promote healing throughout the leg muscles and joints like the hips, knees, and ankles.
We understand how unpleasant neuropathic pain is which is why we are proud to provide a comfortable, family-friendly office atmosphere for our patients. Our helpful, professional staff are here to help you manage your pain and help treat any underlying conditions as well as your nerve pain. To learn more about how chiropractic care can treat neuropathy, contact Stephenson Chiropractic Center today.
Waking up with an unexpected crick in the neck can be a real pain—literally. If you find yourself grappling with this discomfort, fear not. Whether it’s a result of an unnoticed incident the day before or simply an uncomfortable sleeping position, there are several practical ways to alleviate the discomfort and promote healing. Here’s a guide on how to get rid of a crick in the neck.
Dealing with a crick in the neck can be an uncomfortable experience, but with these practical tips, you can take steps to alleviate the pain and promote healing. Whether through the application of heat, gentle massages, or professional chiropractic care, there are options available to suit your comfort and needs. Remember, giving your body the time it needs to heal is essential, so be patient and consistent in your efforts to find relief. Looking for relief from your neck pain? Visit Stephenson Chiropractic Center, we look forward to meeting you!
Many people suffer from some form of breathing problems such as asthma, allergies, lung disease, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). While there are a variety of treatment options such as medication and surgeries, most people don’t even consider chiropractic treatment as a way to reduce and relieve symptoms of certain respiratory conditions.
Think of the spinal cord as the roots of a tree. If the roots are in poor condition, it can cause the entire tree to suffer. In the same way, when something is out of alignment within the spine, other parts of the body may also function poorly. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that focuses on the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, and how disorders within those systems can affect a person’s health. It is a generally drug-free, hands-on approach to health care. Spinal manipulation is the most common form of treatment performed by chiropractors, but other manual therapies and approaches are used such as heat and ice, relaxation and meditation, lifestyle counseling, nutrition advice, exercise, and other treatment methods.
Chiropractic care focuses on correcting subluxations or misalignments within the spine that can affect different areas of the body beyond your spine, including the respiratory system. The thoracic nerves are found in the chest, but they stem from the spinal order. They help to operate the lungs and the rest of your respiratory system such as the muscles within the chest, ribs, upper back, and neck. Misalignments within the spine can impact the thoracic nerves which can cause problems with the lungs expanding or contracting, resulting in breathing complications that can become severe.
In chiropractic treatment, it is common for patients suffering from back or neck pain to also have difficulty breathing or another form of respiratory issue. This is because everything within the body is connected. For the body to function optimally, the spine must be in proper alignment so that the nerves attached can function properly and support the organs they are connected to within the body.
Your chiropractor will address the cause rather than merely treat the symptoms and note any subluxations within the spine that may be putting stress on your thoracic nerves. A combination of manual adjustment, soft tissue therapy, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes will be offered to you as a custom treatment plan that will not only reduce your breathing problems but will also return your body to optimal health giving you a better quality of life.
There can be many different causes and reasons behind respiratory problems, many of which are often rooted in the health of the spine. If the spine is out of alignment, the nerves will suffer and the organs controlled by those nerves will become impaired. To learn more about chiropractic treatment and how it can help you breathe easier, contact our office today for more information or a consultation.
Optimizing your respiratory health with chiropractic care can provide relief and improve your overall well-being. Don’t let breathing difficulties hold you back from living your life to the fullest.
Schedule a consultation with Stephenson Chiropractic Center today and take the first step towards better respiratory health and a brighter future.
My dad is a chiropractor and my grandfather was a chiropractor, but as I was growing up, I didn’t always plan to follow in the family business. In fact, I was pretty stubbornly devoted to NOT going into the family business until my sophomore year in college.
My dad and grandfather attended a seminar at Parker University (which is one of the 17 chiropractic schools in the nation), and during their seminar, I heard some of the chiropractic students talk about why they wanted to be chiropractors. There wasn’t any specific quote that inspired me, but as I listened to them talk about their passion for the profession I had a very definite “calling” moment.
Preachers and ministers talk about having a calling - when they know that God has instructed them to dedicate their life to ministry. At that moment, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that all of the talents, interests, abilities, and experiences that God had gifted to me were for this purpose: so that I could help people be healthy.
As chiropractors, we pursue health. We pursue normal physiology. We want our practice members to operate at the highest potential, and we know that the best way to achieve their highest potential is to remove problems. We want you to be able to accomplish your health goals for an entire lifetime.
In any business, not every day is easy. Even if you love what you do, there are days that are difficult. When I have those days, I hold onto that calling and remember why I do this - because everything in me desires to keep my patients healthy.
I’m going to let you in on a not-so-secret secret: the health industry doesn’t always agree about what it takes to get and keep people healthy.
There are research studies that show that coffee is good for you, and studies that show that coffee is bad for you. There are studies that show that red wine is good for you, and studies that show that red wine is bad for you. There are studies that indicate that whole grains are essential for heart health, and studies that show that all grains are bad for you.
So who do you believe? Who do you follow? What actually works?
The most honest answer: listen to your body.
I know that that sounds weird to most people… when we start talking about this concept with practice members, they get really skeptical. “Listen to your body” sounds like crystals and voodoo to the general public, because they have been taught - either explicitly or implicitly - to only trust modern medicine. The constant messaging from commercials, advertisers, social media, friends, and family members is that you CANNOT be healthy without a medical doctor’s consent.
“Talk to your doctor about…” is repeated to us more than any other phrase on tv, and now those ads are infiltrating your instagram/twitter/facebook/tiktok feeds. If you actually talk to your primary care provider, you will find out that they desperately want you to take control of your own health by making healthy choices.
Put down your phone at a decent hour and go to sleep. Stay hydrated. Move your body. Etc. You don’t need anyone’s permission to do those things.
But back to the original point: your body is communicating to you all the time.
Is your skin irritated? Your body is communicating something to you. Are you having trouble sleeping? Your body is communicating something to you.
Is red wine good for you? How do you feel the day after you drink it?
Are whole grains good for you? How do you feel after you eat them?
When people come into our office, we will do a thorough examination and evaluation that assesses multiple systems of the body - not just the spine. In our modern society, the vast majority of people entering our office are dealing with subclinical or full-blown problems in several different areas.
After we begin working on correcting subluxations, we will have practice members take a survey of their health. It’s called the Healthy Human Evaluation, and it comes from Dr. Marcia Schaefer’s practice. If there are areas that need help, we will start working on lifestyle changes to take steps towards health and full function.
For more information about Dr. Schaefer and the Schaefer Protocol, check out:
I have started taking a walk in the mornings. I used to work out at lunch time, but if I get sweaty then I have to take a shower and start all over with hair and makeup, and my lunch break isn’t that long. Many days, I’m either too busy or too tired after work to get a workout in. If it’s dark when I leave the office, I have a real hard time motivating myself to get moving.
But I know that I have to get some movement in my day for my health, so I have started walking in the mornings. Some mornings I am only able to do 5 minutes, but most days I am able to do 20-30 minutes before I get dressed for work.
A funny thing has happened since I started walking in the mornings: I can’t sleep late anymore.
It turns out that getting sunlight in your eyeballs first thing in the morning stimulates your serotonin production, which inhibits melatonin release. Serotonin and melatonin are opposite neurotransmitters in your brain - serotonin says, “wake up!” and melatonin says, “go to sleeeep”.
It is a really good thing to get your neurotransmitters in a healthy pattern of high serotonin/low melatonin in the mornings, and high melatonin/low serotonin in the evenings. Do you want to lay in bed for hours without falling asleep (otherwise known as insomnia)? Or do you want to be super groggy every morning and have to force yourself to get out of bed? No, definitely not!
I would like to do more vigorous exercise than just walking in the mornings, but building the habit is the first step to transitioning my workouts to the morning. In the process, I think I have given myself a bonus of a healthy sleep cycle!
p.s. If you decide to try a morning walk, leave your earbuds at home. Listen to the birds, notice the color of green on the trees, take some deep breaths… but don’t listen to anything other than your own thoughts and the sounds of the morning. It’s delightful.
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