Staff Writer
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the injury with the longest average days away from work – 27 days – is carpal tunnel syndrome.
Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.s) are primary healthcare professionals focused on diagnosing, caring for, and preventing disorders of the spine and other parts of the musculoskeletal system and the associated effects on the neurological system. Chiropractic services are used most often to care for neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Musculoskeletal pain – usually related to the joints and the back – is the most common type of chronic pain.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Here’s a back-to-school item that most of us parents miss on our “things to do for school” list: backpack safety. Have you seen your child struggling to put their backpack on, bending forward while it is on, or complaining of pain? These may be signs that your child’s backpack may weigh too much. Your chiropractor – your musculoskeletal specialist – is acutely aware of the pain or discomfort this can cause.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Most people know that chiropractors help patients with back and neck pain, but many don’t realize they can help with extremity problems as well. Summer’s arrived, and Kansas City’s weekend warriors are heading outside to play the sports they love as much as they can. There will also be a fair amount of feeling pain in areas that haven’t been worked as much in a while.
Knee pain is one of those areas, and your doctor of chiropractic, as a musculoskeletal specialist, is a great first resource for any knee discomfort or pain that begins.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
When traveling, you may often feel neck pain or lower back pain caused by long hours of sitting in a car or plane or sleeping in a hotel bed that’s uncomfortable for you. Traveling becomes extra challenging when you have musculoskeletal issues or conditions because you’ll be away from familiar home environments and accommodations.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Some people think there’s only a single way doctors of chiropractic do healthcare. This, of course, couldn’t be further from the truth. Chiropractic care always begins with a proper, extensive chiropractic exam. Chiropractors will take time to hear your health history, analyze relevant family health history, learn your activity preferences, and evaluate the reason you came in.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Hospital emergency departments treat about 1.1 million sports-related injuries per year. There will never be a cure-all for that, but proper preparations and advice from your chiropractor can make the spring and summer sports season much smoother.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
In the short term, being under stress often works wonderfully, helping you gear up for a tough test or handle the complexities of daily living. In most cases, the hormonal response that the body releases during stressful times does its job and then simmers down. When your adrenal glands continue producing cortisol and other hormones that you no longer need, chronic stress can result, often leading to physical symptoms.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Doctors of chiropractic are known for treating issues of the back and spine, including back and neck pain. However, chiropractic care can also be extremely beneficial in treating pain associated with the shoulders and extremities.
Some of the most common types of shoulder pain include:
Staff Writer
Finding high-quality and affordable chiropractic care can take some time unless you know a good place to look. At the Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) Chiropractic Health Center, you can have the best of both worlds. If you’ve been reading our blogs in the past couple of years, you’ve seen how we’ve provided valuable information about options and recommendations for all kinds of musculoskeletal conditions and challenges – from backpack safety tips for kids to exercises for senior adults.
Staff Writer
Staying active is an important aspect of helping promote optimal health, which can be challenging for most of us. It’s especially troubling for older adults. Activity levels may drop when someone feels they are not as fit as they should be or unable to exercise the way they used to.
Unfortunately, a decrease in exercise and activity levels may be detrimental to a person’s health. It could lead to numerous health problems, from chronic heart disease to diabetes to sleep disorders.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Migraines and tension headaches are the most common recurrent primary headaches in the world. So, it is no surprise that one in five patients in a chiropractor’s office presents with one of these two complaints.
Staff Writer
Your back is perfectly constructed to provide strength, support, and flexibility to your body, yet the lower back is also very susceptible to injury and pain from everyday activities. Low back pain can come from a number of causes and can range from a minor annoyance to full-on life interruption.
Your chiropractor is a highly qualified resource for diagnosing, caring for, and preventing functional disorders of the spine and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
When you hear about someone’s back pain, you often hear the word sciatica associated with it. While sciatica is often associated with low back pain/leg pain, it’s best to identify the source of the pain. Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The good news? Doctors of chiropractic are experts in neuromusculoskeletal conditions and often help you find relief through chiropractic care.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Many people see chiropractors for many different reasons, for pain or better recovery after an intensive workout or a sports performance. Chiropractic care recommendations are a great way to keep your spine and muscles happy and working properly. If you’re new to chiropractic, it’s good to know what to expect after your appointment.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, at least 1.5 billion people worldwide have chronic pain. Your doctor of chiropractic, a specialist in neuromuscular conditions and diseases, knows chronic pain is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States, affecting about 100 million Americans.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
As we approach the prime growing season, many of us will be spending more time outside sprucing our garden. Being one with nature and doing gardening activities can be therapeutic, and it’s certainly satisfying to watch something you planted grow.
Too often, however, too much gardening activity can mean a trip to your doctor of chiropractic for treatment of back pain. Back pain is a very common result of bending, reaching, pulling, etc., and that takes the joy out of what should be a fun and rewarding part of our life.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
So many people live with the constant urge to travel, and why not? A lot of excitement comes from seeing new places, eating new foods, and having new experiences. Yes, traveling is good for the heart and good for the soul. Still, traveling can be incredibly hard on your health, as maintaining a good routine when you’re out of your everyday environment can become quite a task.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Surgical procedures are a basic part of modern medicine. By some estimates, the average person has about nine surgical processes during their life. Some are small and routine, like a mole removal; others are intensive, as with organ transplants.
Your doctor will often put limitations on post-operative activities after a procedure or surgery, and you should always adhere to their proposal. Still, most surgeons do not explicitly mention chiropractic care in their aftercare instructions.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
If you are having trouble sleeping at night, you are not alone. More than one-quarter of the U.S. population report they occasionally do not get enough sleep, and nearly 10% admit to experiencing chronic insomnia. If that’s you, let your chiropractor or medical doctor know, and be aware there are things you can do on your own.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
As a senior adult – age 55+ – you may be looking for conservative and healthy options for your healthcare. Because musculoskeletal complaints often increase with age, chiropractic care can be a wise option. If you’ve never seen a chiropractor before, it’s natural to have some questions about how chiropractic can benefit you.
Here are some of the questions doctors of chiropractic encounter:
Learn MoreStaff Writer
For some, running is an option to consider only if chased by wild animals. For others, it’s an enjoyable activity, well known for its health benefits. If you love to run, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about the positive and negative effects. Count on your chiropractor to have many wise insights into this activity.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
In a world largely based on technology, it is extremely common for most of us to work sitting at a desk for 8+ hours a day. The action of sitting at a desk for long periods, plus staring at a computer screen, can lead you to hunch forward…and before you know it, your shoulders feel like they’re glued to your ears. If that happens to you more than you’d like, discuss improving your ergonomics with your doctor of chiropractic.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Did you realize many infants suffer misalignments in the spine they’re born? Even a natural birth can cause trauma to the spine as the baby travels through the birthing canal. While adults know when the pain or discomfort they feel might benefit from chiropractic care, babies cannot tell us if something is wrong or where the pain may be coming from.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
If you’re experiencing ongoing back or knee pain, aching hips, or having trouble sleeping due to shoulder or elbow pain, you might be looking for treatment options other than pills or topical ointments. Maybe you’ve hoped that someone could give you the relief you’ve been searching for or the range of motion you used to have. Chiropractic care may be the way to start the new year right.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
There are many forms of therapy to treat soft tissue injuries, and radial pressure wave (RPW) is becoming one of the most popular. As a form of shockwave therapy, RPW stimulates the body’s innate healing abilities by sending high-energy acoustic waves into specific target areas. Your doctor of chiropractic– highly educated in body biomechanics and soft tissue injuries—can tell you more about it.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Here’s what we know: Physical activity for those age 55-plus can reduce the risk of falls and improve health and quality of life. The health benefits include increased energy, increased strength, stronger bones, improved immune function, and decreased risk for cardiovascular disease. However, the right physical activity does vary from person to person, so see your chiropractor for exercise options that are best for you.
Learn MoreLower limb injuries are very common among athletes and non-athletes. These injuries, ranging from pain in the feet and ankles to knee and hip issues, can be debilitating. Chiropractors are highly experienced in treating acute and chronic injuries such as knee and ankle ligament damage, plantar fasciitis, leg pain, muscle strains, and joint complaints. For these issues, chiropractic care often is an excellent choice.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Did you know back pain is sometimes due to misalignment or loss of proper function in the lower extremities? The foot has 26 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments that work together to provide support, balance, and range of motion. If indicated by a physical assessment, chiropractic care may include customized foot orthotics to correct mechanical dysfunctions or lower extremity misalignments resulting in pain or discomfort.
Learn MoreWhen soft-tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and bruises happen, know the acronym IASTM – it may be your best option for improving physical function, reducing pain, and regaining range of motion. Chiropractors can use IASTT – instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization – to help patients move the way they want to move or recover from injuries more completely.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
When you move your children’s backpacks after they drop them at the door, does it feel like each contains a bag of cement? Have you noticed your child struggling to put on the backpack or bending forward while carrying it, or complaining of tingling or numbness? Not a good beginning to the school year. Count on your chiropractor for good advice about backpack safety.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Sciatic nerve pain – referred to as a Sciatica – originates in the low back or buttock and travels into one or both legs. Of patients reporting low back pain, it’s estimated that 5-10% have Sciatica. Unfortunately, 10-40% of people will experience it in their lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you need to live with it. Your chiropractor knows ways to help moderate Sciatica, or greatly reduce how much it affects your life.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Most people know chiropractors help patients with back and neck pain, but many don’t realize they can help with extremity problems as well. Whenever people start ramping up or resuming physical activities, many of them will feel pain in areas that haven’t been worked in a while. Hip pain is one of those areas.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
When most people think about ultrasound, they picture a wand on the belly of a mom-to-be to check the development of a growing fetus. However, there is a different kind of ultrasound called a Therapeutic Ultrasound. This type of ultrasound is a treatment method that chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners use on the body’s soft tissues to reduce inflammation and pain and speed up the healing of injured muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
With summer leagues in your community in full swing, Major League Baseball heating up, and National Football League teams beginning team activities, it’s a good time to remember there more than 8.6 million sports-related injuries every year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. If an injury happens to you or a loved one, seeing a chiropractor makes sense.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
What do your summer travel plans look like? Long-distance or day tripping? Heading northwest to Washington state or south for some Florida sun? You don’t need a doctor of chiropractic to tell you that sitting in a car or plane for an extended period, carrying luggage, or sleeping in hotels (or Aunt Martha’s worn-out bed), can all wreak havoc on our bodies.
Learn MoreIf you’ve decided to see a chiropractor for the first time, you’re probably asking yourself an array of questions about what to expect. A very common question by people who are new to chiropractic is, “What should I expect after an adjustment?” Although some people may be reluctant, chiropractic care from a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic is safe and effective in pain relief.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), more women than men (28 % vs. 20%) are likely to report having high-level stress (8-10 on a 10-point scale). Nearly half of all women (49%) in one survey said their stress level increased in the past five years. It’s reassuring to know your doctor of chiropractic can help keep stress in check.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
The idea of stretching as part of physical fitness goes all the way back to the Roman Empire, whose soldiers were told to stretch to prepare for battle. We’ve been stretching ever since. When we yawn, we raise our arms above our heads or behind us. It is instinctual. It feels amazing. However, does stretching truly prevent injuries? How do you stretch properly? Your chiropractor can help you answer these questions.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Using an ice pack after an injury is a common practice, but you can make missteps when applying ice. Doctors of chiropractic know that automatically applying an ice pack to a musculoskeletal injury may not be the best option for a fast, full recovery.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that occurs in children, often during the growth spurt just before puberty. Scoliosis may create undue emotional distress because it usually occurs during crucial developmental years when children are most sensitive to peer pressure. The good news: chiropractic treatments can help with scoliosis.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
You wake up certain mornings and feel like you have a rubber band wrapped tightly around your head. This is the classic sign you have a tension-type headache…and that’s going to affect your day. Rather than accepting headaches as something you can’t control, consider making an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors can provide conservative, non-pharmaceutical treatments that can bring relief.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Getting back to optimal health from sprains, strains, and other injuries is a primary reason people visit doctors of chiropractic. One of the treatment possibilities, if indicated by a physical exam, is electrical stimulation, referred to as “E-stim.” E-stim is not a stand-alone treatment but typically used as one of many complementary treatments in chiropractic care.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Any healthcare treatment that’s unfamiliar can cause concern or reluctance about whether it’s a good idea. Be assured that chiropractic care from a nationally and state-licensed Doctor of Chiropractic is safe and effective.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Not everyone knows its official name (Plantar Fasciitis), but nearly everyone feels heel pain at some point. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of your foot becomes irritated and inflamed. So, if you have sharp pain in the heel or bottom of your foot, it’s time to see your chiropractor. There are many conservative treatments available to get you, well, comfortably back on your feet.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Neck pain is one of the more common musculoskeletal disorders in the adult population worldwide. More than 30% of adults in the United States have or will experience neck pain. If not treated, nearly 50% of individuals will continue to experience some degree of chronic neck pain; many will have frequent occurrences. To help prevent or treat neck pain, seek chiropractic care.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Golf, they say, is one game you can play all your life. A day out on the course will allow you to get some exercise walking the course, get some vitamin D while out in the sun, and offers an opportunity for social interaction. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you enjoy these outings – golf is a game of correct muscle memory, exertion, and hours of repetitive motions in awkward positions.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
You’ve seen it: athletes and weekend exercise enthusiasts wearing brightly colored tape arranged in patterns on their back, knees, shoulders, or elbows. To you, it may look like an oversized bandage without a purpose. What you’re actually seeing is Kinesiology Tape, commonly called K-Tape, and your chiropractor may recommend its use to treat injuries to the musculoskeletal system.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Everyone’s body requires proper support and stability to avoid injury or musculoskeletal complaints. Age, body type, injury history, activity level, and routines of daily living all may be factors that affect posture and stability. No one knows more about the ways poor body mechanics and positioning affect your overall health than your doctor of chiropractic.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Have you been manually adjusted by a chiropractor before and felt like it was too much force? Do you have osteopenia (losing bone mass) or suffer from osteoporosis and wonder if you can be adjusted? Have you had surgery and want to know more about chiropractic care for specific musculoskeletal pain or conditions?
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Many factors can cause stress – financial difficulties, family or relationship troubles, a chronic illness, or pressures at work. Whether you are face-to-face with a brown bear in Alaska or moving to a new home, your body responds the same way to these stressors – the “fight or flight” response. There are many helpful strategies, and non-invasive chiropractic care is one of those.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Haven’t thought about a child’s need for chiropractic care? Remember this: The body’s nervous system – brain, spinal cord, and nerves are the communication system for the entire body, including growth and development. The bones of the spine protect the spinal cord. Nerves exit the spinal cord between bones and connect to every cell, organ, and body tissue.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Whether you run for recreation or are an athlete, understanding the physics of running and the importance of supportive running shoes will ensure a lifetime of running happiness. Let your chiropractor help you get the most of your activity and reduce the possibility of injuries or discomfort.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
The human body is more than 65% water, so it makes sense that staying hydrated is important for our bodies to function properly. Drinking enough water each day helps keep the body temperature down, lubricates the joints, and ensures the organs are functioning properly. Although we can get some of our water consumption through the food we ingest, it is essential to drink fluids throughout the day.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Anyone who suffers from migraines knows how debilitating and miserable they can be. The severe pain, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to light, smell, temperature, and sound sometimes affect sufferers for hours or days at a time. While mainstream medicine provides some relief with over the counter and prescription medications, chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment for those suffering from chronic migraines.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Any condition resulting in pain certainly affects your day-to-day life and happiness. There are ways to counteract pain, and your doctor of chiropractic can help you find the methods that are best for you.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Musculoskeletal disorders or injuries affect many different occupations and continue to be a major factor in time lost at work. Musculoskeletal disorders, referred to as MSDs, are injuries to the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. As specialists in identifying and treating MSDs, chiropractors can provide personalized insight into working conditions resulting in MSDs.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Have you ever lifted a heavy box, felt a pulling sensation or sharp pain, and thought, “Well, that didn’t feel right?” If it hasn’t happened, it probably will. According to the American Chiropractic Association, as many as 80% of us will experience back injuries or pain in our lifetime. Doctors of Chiropractic can help you know how to lift objects safely. Consult with your chiropractor for proper lifting biomechanics.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
It’s been nearly three-quarters of a century since the comic strip “Dick Tracy” featured characters wearing a small “two-way wrist radio,” and more than 50 years since the introduction of a handheld communicator in the TV series “Star Trek.” Though seemingly far-fetched, these ideas stirred the real-life quest to develop a small personal handheld communication device. Who’d have thought the chiropractic profession would be brought into the mix?
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has many symptoms, and they’re usually obvious. Tingling or numbness in the fingers or hand. A sensation that feels like an electric shock. Pain that travels from your wrist up the arm. These symptoms may happen while holding a steering wheel, phone, or magazine, or the sensation may wake you from sleep. Chiropractors can help treat carpal tunnel syndrome and offer ways to minimize how much it affects your life.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
There’s a presumption out there that once someone has surgery, chiropractic care may no longer be an option. Although a surgical history may change what someone can receive regarding treatment options or techniques, a skilled doctor of chiropractic can still assess if chiropractic care is an option. According to research, up to 12% of patients in chiropractic offices are postsurgical.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Your body goes through a lot when you have an injury. You immediately feel pain and then inflammation surrounds the tissues to help heal the area. Once things start feeling better, many people jump back into their daily activities – sometimes too early, which can cause pain again. Does this sound familiar to you? Then it’s time to talk to your doctor of chiropractic about active therapy.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
A senior adult patient who comes in for chiropractic treatments because of chronic pain said, “If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Many seniors look to their chiropractors to help keep them feeling their best.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
It’s a fact: more than 85% of people experience back pain severe enough to feel the need to see a doctor at some point in their life. The question is, what should you do about it? Here’s why you should consider chiropractic care first.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
People understand that selecting the right mattress can help their back and neck but getting information on choosing the right mattress is nearly impossible. According to the Better Sleep Council, there’s so much confusion about mattress shopping that many people decide to keep their old, worn-out mattresses. If that’s you, perhaps your chiropractor is the right one to help.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Here’s something you already know: Low-back pain is very common…and if you are experiencing pain or decreased range of motion, you are not alone! Here’s something you should know: chiropractic care is very effective in treating low-back pain. Chiropractors believe in optimizing health through food nutrition, constructive exercise, stress management, and focus on the importance of good posture and joint mobility.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
According to the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the most common condition for which people seek care with their primary care physician is low back pain. It is also a leading cause of lost workdays in the U.S. and a top reason for disability worldwide.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Sometimes, where pain presents itself is different from the source. For some patients – and perhaps more often than is known – low back pain results from a sacroiliac joint problem. The body’s sacroiliac (SI) joint links the pelvis and lower spine.
Learn MoreStaff Writer
Whether you’re a professional athlete, active on the weekend, or know the benefit of keeping active, chiropractic care can keep you in good physical condition. Here are three things you can do now that are fundamental to optimal physical and mental health:
Hello, and welcome to the Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) Chiropractic Health Center blog page. This free content is being produced by licensed doctors of chiropractic who are members of the clinical staff at the Health Center. It is meant to serve as an informative health resource for all who view it.
Learn More