Active Family Chiropractic

Empowering Your Health

Albany's Premier Biophysics Chiropractic Practice

How is CBP different from other Chiropractors?

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To say all Chiropractors are the same is to say that there is only one doctor for all medical needs from childbirth to surgery. Although that may have been true in the 1600’s, modern medical personnel are as varied in their specialty as there are fish in the sea. The same is true for Chiropractors and CBP chiropractors are the specialists in their field.

What is CBP?

CBP or Chiropractic BioPhysics is the most researched type of Chiropractic care. Education for these Chiropractors does not end with the 3-5 years of Chiropractic schooling. It will include yearly seminars on advancements in their technique as well as the research, clinical trials and writing of studies in order to gain advanced certifications.

CBP uses measurable and repeatable results to show progress. By using x-rays and orthopedic tests, they can track a person’s progress which is seen in the photo below.

So just how different is CBP from other types of Chiropractic care?

It is different in every aspect except for the use of some similar style techniques learned in Chiropractic school. To start, the analysis of the spine is different. CBP Chiropractors do a thorough exam of the spine including orthopedic tests and x-rays to determine structural issues. Other Chiropractors typically will not take x-rays and will begin to adjust just through a cursory exam using palpations of the spine or thermo-scans which are not definitive for diagnosing subluxations, as  they need to be seen on x-ray.

Why are x-rays important?

X-rays are important because they will show definitively what is wrong with the spine. X-rays will show subluxations, but it will also show things that could potentially be dangerous to adjust, like a broken bone. If it’s a hairline fracture, that isn’t something that can be felt through palpations. To adjust without being able to see what exactly is going on in the spine can be dangerous.

Once x-rays are done, what’s next?

Once we know what the issues are with the spine, the technique used is vastly different from other chiropractic care. CBP chiropractors do mirror-image adjustments versus what is learned in chiropractic school, which is a non-specific type of adjustment. CBP targets specific issues you have with your spine.

For example, if your lower back aches, the issue might be that you are carrying your head too far forward and it is putting extra pounds of pressure on your lower spine. This issue would be identified by a CBP chiropractor through their exams and x-rays.

What are mirror-image adjustments?

Mirror-image adjustments are used by CBP chiropractors to counteract re-occurring subluxations. For example, if you come into the office and you have a rotated spine, a CBP chiropractor will adjust in the opposite direction to counteract that imbalance. Over time this type of adjustment helps to change the structure of the spine to neutral.

 

What is traction?

Traction helps retrain ligaments and muscles, to stretch tight muscles and to strengthen weak muscles. This is an important component to sustaining spinal correction.

Neck traction tables.

How else is CBP different?

CBP chiropractors typically do not use other modalities such as electro-stimulus machines. Those tend to be used by general chiropractors and physical therapists for symptoms and do nothing to correct spinal structure.

CBP Chiropractors look at healing your spine long term. They aren’t in it for the quick fix. You wouldn’t go to the gym and expect to go from fat to fit in one session, why would you expect the same from your spine? Your spine is the most important part of your body. CBP chiropractors want to help people by realigning their spines through focused adjustments and retraining your spine with traction. Continued CBP care will help to improve your quality of life.

 

For more questions about CBP chiropractics and their processes please email Dr. B. @ [email protected]

Ow! My Sciatica is acting up!

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What is sciatica? If you’re anything like me, you could be very wrong on what you thought sciatica pain actually is. I always thought it was a pinched nerve from the front part of the hip. I suppose I was partly correct. It is a “pinch” of a nerve, just not in the location I thought.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a commonly misused term for what people describe as a lower back pain that shoots down their leg. Sometimes this is a true sciatic nerve compression and sometimes it’s not. One of the first things your chiropractor will do is to rule out muscle involvement because the sciatic nerve travels through one of the buttock muscles. If that buttock muscle is tight, it can compress that branch of the sciatic nerve and create similar symptoms. However, true sciatica is a compression of the sciatic nerve at the spine itself, where it emerges from the spinal cord.

One of the defining characteristics of sciatic pain is a shooting pain that travels down the back side of the leg. It can travel all the way down the leg as far as the foot and can be accompanied by a numbness and tingling.

What are some things you can do to alleviate the pain?

The first thing you want to do is to make sure that you find out the source of the pain. If it’s compressed at the spinal level itself, through a subluxation or something else like a disc herniation, the only thing you can do is consult with a medical professional, namely a chiropractor, to discover the extent of the damage. This should be the first step for anyone. Once the problem has been identified, then the appropriate solution can be applied.

A lot of times someone will complain of sciatic pain but it’s really just the compression of the sciatic nerve by the buttock muscle. If this is the case, one thing you can do is to take extra time to stretch the buttock muscle. You can also use a foam roller to roll out the tightness of the buttock muscle. Another thing to do is to avoid sitting. Sitting increases the pressure on the sciatic nerve. If you have any type of sciatic pain, you want to try to avoid sitting at all costs.

Another thing you can do is to get a massage, acupuncture or even take an Epsom salt bath. All of these can ease the tension of muscles and release compression of “pinched” nerves.

Regular visits to your Chiropractor can also help. Chiropractors can find if there is an issue with the structure of the vertebra. Once this is identified, they are able to restore that structure to as close to normal as possible through specific adjustments and in-office traction, and in the process, alleviating pain.

Are you experiencing sciatica pain? Make an appointment with your Chiropractor and take care of your spine today.

For more information on sciatic pain and how it can be treated email Dr. B @ [email protected].

How do handheld devices contribute to spinal damage?

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Does the above cartoon look like you when you’re on your hand-held device? The world is advancing at an alarming rate and with it, the technology is getting better and better. As time goes by, we find ourselves more reliant on our hand-held and mobile devices. Although these devices make our lives easier, they also contribute to spinal damage. Is my smartphone or tablet causing spinal damage? The short answer is yes.

How is my handheld device causing spinal damage?

Most hand-held devices are designed to be held in your hand, hence the name. However, they tend to have a little bit of weight to them which over the extended period of use can begin to feel heavy. This forces you to seek support for that arm holding the device, whether it be the arm of a chair or a table, or maybe your leg. This causes you to look down at the device. This puts you in forward head projection and causes your shoulders to round.  Holding this position for any amount of time can lead to a weakness in your posture. Have you ever seen Herbert, the old man from Family Guy when he’s walking with his walker? When you continually hold your device in such a way that it promotes poor spinal posture , you are in danger of ending up like him. 

Think about this. For every degree you tilt your head forward, you are adding a pound of pressure to your spine. The way most people hold their cell phones or tablets can put up to 60 additional pounds of pressure on your spine. The Guardian, a British news publication, provided a fantastic graphic to demonstrate this.

But I need to multi-task!

In this busy world, we all tend to try to do several things at once. We talk on the phone while we’re typing on our laptop or tablet. If you’re not using your speakerphone function or your headphones, which the phone company so generously supplied to you, you may find yourself trying to wedge your phone in between your head and your shoulder in order to continue to work. This action can cause spinal damage as well. When you are constantly putting your neck in a side-bending position, you are causing misalignments (subluxation). This can lead to an imbalance in your muscles and you’ll notice your head will start to constantly tilt and eventually if untreated you could look like the picture below.

Not only is this bad for your health, but it is unsightly.

What are some things I can do to prevent spinal damage from using my hand-held devices?

I know it might be hard but try to limit your use of your devices. If that is not an option, think about using your headphones when answering calls. Also, when texting or viewing social media, make sure that you are holding the phone up so that your neck is in a neutral position not tilted or bent forward. Doing these simple things can minimize neck and back pain as well as promote good spinal posture.

For more information or to talk about exercises, you can do to strengthen your spine email Dr. B at [email protected].

Why are my neck and back muscles always tight? Part 3: Nutritional Choices

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You wouldn’t think that your nutritional choices could affect how your muscles feel, would you? But they do. Americans tend to ingest large amounts of gluten and sugar on a daily basis. Along with not drinking enough water, you are creating an environment within your body of aches and pains. When you chose a diet of whole foods which are minimally processed you are allowing your body to heal itself by giving it the vitamins it needs.

Why are gluten and sugar bad?

Both gluten and sugar promote inflammation. When you’re sick, if you eat something that contains a lot of sugar, you’ll notice an increase of phlegm.  That’s because sugar feeds bacteria and can prolong your sickness. Too much sugar can cause chronic inflammation which can lead to diabetes and heart disease. If you have arthritis, sugar can aggravate the pain.

Gluten is a gut irritant that can cause inflammation. They are like paper cuts inside your stomach, which causes your stomach to swell and bloat. Over time it can permeate the lining of your stomach and cause leaking. Save your gut and your body and try to cut out these products.

Eliminating inflammatory foods can help your body to digest and utilize what you consume more efficiently.

How can drinking water help with aches and pains?

Our bodies are made up mainly of water and when we don’t drink enough to replenish our “stock” it can lead to symptoms such as headaches, back aches, nausea, and dizziness. Your muscles will feel tired and sore. Drinking water helps to keep your joints lubricated and your skin elastic. Water also aids in flushing toxins out of your system. It can also stave off hunger.

Making good nutritional choices like eating whole foods and drinking water can help you to eliminate inflammation, which is one of the biggest culprits of aches and pains. So why not make good nutritional choices and invest in yourself.

For more information or to talk with Dr. B about good nutritional choices email her at [email protected].

Make your New Years Resolution to include Chiropractic care as a priority.

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In the new year, we make resolutions to get fit, to be healthier and to be better people. One thing can help us achieve all of our goals…regular visits with your Chiropractor. In our quest to be better, we cannot ignore those things that will help us achieve our goals. Whether it’s dieting, exercising or improving our wellness, having a support system will help you achieve your resolutions faster. Starting the new year off with a trip to your Chiropractor can help you achieve all your wellness goals.

Diet

If we want to be healthier, we have to look at our diet and understand that when we constantly overindulge, we will never reach our health goals. Having someone to speak with about a nutritional plan provides you with an accountability partner. The reason why most diets fail is that people try to go it alone, without any support. If improving your diet and therefore your health is important to you, seek out a diet buddy. Someone who will not only diet with you but will be there to share in your triumphs and fails.

Your Chiropractor is one of those resources. They are a wealth of information so utilize them and ask them what you can do to help improve your diet.

Exercise

It is important to move. To be healthy, it is important to be able to sit, stand and walk, among other things. Being able to care for oneself is very important, as is the ability to look after others. If you’re a parent, you want to be healthy for your children. For an athlete, it’s important to be fit. However, if you want to live, it’s important to move. If you cannot exercise, essentially stretch and move, then how can you be healthy? Just having a good stretching routine to do daily can give you much sought after energy and mobility.

Looking for a stretching routine, your chiropractor can give you guidance that will help improve your range of motion and increase your energy levels.

Wellness

Diet and exercise fall under the category of Wellness. It is important that while we’re making our resolutions, we are also making appointments with those people who are going to help us achieve our goals. The one thing a lot of people forget to do is make an appointment with their Chiropractor.

If you’ve read any of our previous blogs, you will know that caring for your spine is the most important thing to invest your time and energy into. This new year, make it a point to have your spine checked. Knowing which subluxations you have and how to address them can help you on your way to a healthier you.

For more information contact:

Dr. Bianca at [email protected]

Correct Holiday Gift Wrapping. Wrap your holiday gifts the right way!

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This is the season of giving…and gift wrapping. Whether you are wrapping one gift or 50 believe it or not there is a right way to wrap gifts.We’re talking about saving yourself some backache. Many of us try to wrap our gifts in secret and that leads us to wrap our gifts in odd locations… like the floor. Here are some tips so you can have an ache-free holiday!

Stop wrapping your presents on the floor!

You’re looking for a flat surface to wrap your gifts. Sometimes the floor seems like the best option, but it’s not. Wrapping on the floor puts your back into a compromised position. Instead of being able to keep your posture in alignment, you’re actually putting a curve into your lower spine, producing pinching of the nerves in that area, which leads to aches and pains. So save your back and look for a raised surface.

Find a table or a counter.

This is going to be your best bet for wrapping your presents. You want to make sure that you can maintain a straight back while you work. This will help to prevent those aches you can feel from slouching. Wrapping presents on a table or counter will also prevent you from putting your body into positions it probably shouldn’t be. Save your back and wrap on a raised surface.

Remember to stretch.

Staying in the same position for any extended period of time is not good for the body. Although you might want to get all of your wrapping done in one “sitting”, make sure to take breaks. Get up and stretch. It will help keep you limber and ache-free this holiday season.

If you have any questions call Dr. B at Active Family Chiropractic. She will have some great tips on stretching and keeping you fit during this holiday season.

Four Essentials of Health with Dr. B.

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Continuing on the theme of health, let’s talk about the four essentials of health. They are nerve flow, oxygen, nutrition and hydration. These are the essentials, meaning you cannot live without them. Why can’t you? Keep reading.

1. Hydration

Hydration is very important to our overall function. Without it, there would be major problems within our system. Water is used to help maintain the balance of fluids in our bodies. Since we are made up of around 70% water, when we become dehydrated, our body lets us know. We can experience headaches, nausea and fatigue. If you were to go without water for more than four days, all of your systems would cease to function and you would cease to live.

So how do you stay hydrated? Drink at least half your body weight in ounces every day to maintain good hydration.  Keep in mind that if you consume a caffeinated beverage, make sure to increase your water intake as well. Since caffeine acts as a diuretic, it can cause dehydration.

2. Nutritional Choices

Our nutritional choices can affect our health in major ways. Eating too much sugar can lead to inflammation, like eating too much fat can lead to the clogging of your arteries. So we have to make smart choices about what we eat. Believe me, I know fried food tastes good, but it’s not good for you. Making the correct nutritional choices can help you to care for the one body you were given. Making a conscious decision to eat well helps promote a mindset of caring for your health.

Imagine your dream car. Imagine owning it. If it says that the only gas you can put in it is 93 grade or higher, would you put an 85 grade of gas in your car? No. You would put in the gasoline that helps to keep your dream car running in perfect condition. The same should be true for your body. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

3. Oxygen

When we talk about oxygen, we’re not just talking about the air we need to breathe. If you cannot breathe, you suffocate and all of your systems will shut down. However, we not only need oxygen for our breath but for our cellular function as well. We need oxygen for our cells to stay healthy and to move. Oxygen is needed for our cells to move and burn fuel such as sugars and fatty acids. When oxygen is breathed in, it is transported to our red blood cells which are then used to produce energy throughout our body.

However, just breathing does not help circulate the much-needed red blood cells throughout our body. We need to move in order to help that process along. This is why it is important to stretch and to exercise. Movement circulates oxygen and red blood cells throughout our body, producing new healthy cells and removing old or damaged cells. When we live a sedentary lifestyle, we are not giving our body the chance to circulate needed oxygen and stay healthy. So get up and move…movement is life.

4. Nerve Flow

Without a doubt, this is the most important and why it was kept for last. Nerve flow is the connection of your nervous system with your brain. Without brain activity, you cannot function. Once a person is brain-dead, they have no control over their body or any function within. This is why it is important to care for your spine and keep it in good health.

Every cell in your body is dictated by your brain and your nervous system is the brain’s communication pathway. Every single thing in your body is controlled by your nervous system and you only have one. You cannot get a spinal cord replacement like a heart or lung transplant. Once your spinal cord is severed in any place, communication from your brain is cut off from below that break and cannot be repaired.

You have to make a conscious decision to care for your spine. Many people see Chiropractors as pain management…that they only have to go care for their spine when it’s in pain. This is called reactionary care. To wait for something to be wrong before you fix it. We should, instead, care for what we have and look at our spines as something we need to care for. Because our spine encases our spinal column, the main hub of communication for our nervous system, we should do what we can to keep it in prime working order. Misalignment in your spine (subluxation) can have many side effects, ranging from allergies to numbness to pain.

So how can we care for our spines? By having regular appointments with your CBP Chiropractor. These types of chiropractors are trained professional doctors who can help you maintain a healthy spine and therefore healthy function.

Change your way of thinking. We need to care for what we have instead of treating what we’ve broken.

For more information or if you have additional questions contact Dr. B at

http://af-chiropractic.com/contact-us/

Holiday Health Tips from Dr. B.

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It’s the holiday season and during this time of the year, more than any other, we tend to indulge. Not only do we indulge, but we don’t take care of ourselves. The holidays are not only a time to celebrate but for many, it’s also a time of great stress. We tend to sleep less, eat poorly, and not work out. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy during this hectic season.

Moderation.

We’ve heard it all before but there’s a truth in it. At holiday time we all want to be able to eat whatever we want, and we can, as long as we do it in moderation. Instead of having a whole bottle of wine, maybe restrict yourself to one or two glasses. Instead of having three full desserts, take a small tasting of each. Instead of having two or more helpings, remember one of the best things about the holidays is left-overs!

Being responsible for the quantity you’re consuming can help deter the extra pounds you may have put on if you allowed yourself to overindulge in everything. This will also help you stay healthy.

Stretching.

During the holidays you may find yourself staying at someone else’s house and/or traveling. While traveling, you want to make sure that you get up and walk around. Anytime you are in a seated position for more than 2 hours at a time, take a break, get up and shake out your limbs. This will help maintain the flexibility and the health of your muscles. This will also help minimize any subluxation you may build from extended stretches of being in the same position.

Minimize stress.

The holidays can be a stressful time of the year. If there is anything you can do to maintain health, it’s to try to minimize your stress. Make sure during this season to take time out for yourself. You can do this either by meditating or praying. Schedule a massage for yourself or a facial, just make sure that you’re taking time to center yourself and relax in all of the craziness.

Sleep.

During this time of the year, you may find yourself staying at someone else’s house. Most people have a hard time sleeping well at other people’s houses. We like our own beds, pillows and our own environments that we’ve created in our homes. Do what you can to recreate that environment, wherever you travel.

Sleep is incredibly important to our health. Make sure that you’re able to still get a good amount of sleep during the holidays. Bring your own pillow, sound machine, whatever you need. Using sound machines can help to block out external noises and promote a calming environment. Diffusing lavender oil or placing a small dab on your temples can promote calm and rest. Use these tips to help get a good night sleep.

See your Chiropractor.

This cannot be said enough. While we all get wrapped up in the holiday season, we cannot forget to take care of ourselves and that begins with maintaining your regular chiropractic adjustments. During the holidays, we are more susceptible to subluxations. This comes from all the bags we carry from shopping and traveling. In order to maintain good health, regular chiropractic visits are essential. During the holiday season make sure to keep all of your chiropractic appointments and think about adding one or two additional, if you can.

For more information contact DR. B at Active Family Chiropractic and have a wonderful holiday season.

Why do I have numbness or tingling in my hands?

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What causes numbness in my hands?

It could be a number of different factors. Most commonly, it’s the compression of a peripheral nerve, this is a nerve branch from a spinal nerve. This compression can occur from a muscle strain or a joint misalignment, known as a subluxation.

In extreme instances, someone might experience total numbness and lack of feeling in their extremities, this could be a result of a herniated disk.

Are there patterns I should look for that might be causing the numbness?

Take note of how you’re sitting or standing when the numbness or tingling begins. Is this something that occurs when you sit a certain way? For example, if you’re laying down with several pillows under your head causing your upper back and neck to curve down, you may begin to feel tingling in your arms and hands. This is from your nerves being compressed. Instead, prop yourself up so that you are not putting the unnecessary compression on your spine.

Can I do anything to prevent this from happening?

Absolutely. Regular corrective chiropractic visits to keep your joints aligned and stretching. Stretching will keep the muscles limber, preventing injury. If the muscle compressing the nerve is really tight, getting massaged can help relax that tense spot. However, stretching on a daily basis can produce tremendous results. All body parts need to be stretched every day, especially if you’re sedentary.

Are there certain stretches I should be doing?

Your chiropractor can give you a set of stretches to do to help increase mobility, reduce numbness and tingling. These exercises can be done while you’re watching tv or on a break while at work. Stretching right before bedtime can help to promote a more restful sleep.

For more information or for a set of specific stretches to do, talk to Dr. B. Until next time, have a healthy day!

 

 

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