Author: Randy Briesacher

How Your Daily Habits Could Be Making It Worse

The Bottom Line

Arthritis is the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions your joints, and yes, it can happen anywhere—including your neck.

Neck arthritis is more common than you might think.

While arthritis is often seen as an inevitable part of aging, the truth is that the choices you make every day can influence how much it affects your life as you get older.

Why It Matters

Thinning discs, bone spurs, and other age-related changes are natural, but factors like past injuries, daily habits, and even posture play a huge role in how arthritis progresses.

Many people believe that once they’re diagnosed with arthritis, pain is inevitable.

That’s simply not true.

By making a few key changes, you can take control of your spinal health and reduce the impact of arthritis—especially in your neck.

3 Proactive Ways to Care for Your Neck

1) Keep Moving

Daily stretches and strength-building exercises help maintain mobility and keep your joints supported.

2) Adjust Your Workspace

Ergonomic tweaks—like keeping your monitor at eye level—can reduce unnecessary strain on your neck.

3) Choose Anti-Inflammatory Foods

A diet rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods can help reduce chronic inflammation linked to arthritis pain.

Next Steps

There’s no magic cure for arthritis, but small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a big difference in managing discomfort and keeping you moving.

It takes about 60 days to build a habit—why not start today?

We know you can do it!

And if you’re already dealing with neck arthritis or low back arthritis, don’t wait to seek relief.

If you’re looking for natural arthritis pain relief in Mount Pleasant, our expert team is here to help.

Let’s work together to restore your mobility and ease discomfort—naturally.

The Natural Neck Pain Solution More People Need to Know About

The Bottom Line

Here’s something worth knowing.

There’s a natural neck pain relief solution that’s not only effective but also safer than medications, injections, and surgery.

In fact, it’s recommended by many healthcare professionals and leading medical organizations as a first-line approach to managing neck pain.

So why isn’t everyone talking about it?

Good question.

Why it Matters

That solution? Chiropractic care.

Chiropractors specialize in optimizing spinal movement, including the function and alignment of the neck.

Gentle adjustments can help restore range of motion and relieve tension, reducing pain naturally.

And get this—

Even if you’ve been diagnosed with a disc herniation, chiropractic care can still be a safe and effective option.

Studies show that nearly 80% of people with a herniated disc in their neck experienced significant relief with spinal adjustments.

3 Things Most People Don’t Know About Natural Neck Pain Relief

1. Invasive Care is Not Recommended First

Medications and surgeries are often not the first recommendation due to potential side effects and risks.

2. Medical Doctors Often Refer Neck Pain Patients to Chiropractors

Trusted healthcare organizations support chiropractic adjustments for neck issues.

3. Studies Support Conservative Care

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can provide more relief than steroid injections for disc-related neck pain.

Next Steps

Whether your neck pain is new or something you’ve been dealing with for years, the key to relief is identifying the root cause.

That’s where we come in.

Our team has the experience, tools, and expertise to assess what’s going on and provide personalized care to help you feel your best.

So, if you or someone you know is struggling with neck pain, it’s time to connect with a neck pain specialist in Mount Pleasant.

We’d love to help—give us a call today!

Why Your Neck Hurts (and What to Do About It)

The Bottom Line

Your head weighs about 11 pounds—roughly the same as a bowling ball.

Now, imagine holding that weight in your hands all day, every day.

That’s exactly what your neck does, and it’s no surprise that discomfort can creep in over time.

The muscles and joints in your neck work together to keep your head balanced and mobile, but poor posture, injuries, or arthritis can throw that harmony off—leading to the kind of pain that has you searching for neck pain causes.

Why it Matters

If you’ve ever woken up with a stiff neck or felt a sharp pain when turning your head, you know how disruptive neck discomfort can be.

Those sudden spasms aren’t random—they’re your body’s way of protecting a joint that isn’t moving as it should.

Your neck is made up of small sliding joints called facet joints.

When these joints become restricted, your body compensates, leading to stiffness, tightness, and pain.

The good news?

Addressing the root cause can help prevent flare-ups and provide lasting relief.

3 Things to Know About Neck Pain Relief

1) Understand the Common Causes

Postural habits, injuries, and arthritis can all contribute to neck pain.

2) Understand the Movement

Restricted facet joints can lead to muscle spasms and discomfort.

3) Think Conservative Care

Targeted movement, gentle spinal adjustments, and daily stretching can restore motion and reduce pain.

Next Steps

Your body is always sending signals—neck stiffness is its way of saying, “Something’s off.”

Even if your discomfort comes and goes, taking action early can help prevent bigger issues down the road.

We specialize in natural neck pain relief and can help you move and feel better, whether you’re dealing with ongoing pain or just want to keep your neck in top shape.

If you’re ready to stop wondering why your neck hurts, let’s get you back to feeling great.

Schedule an appointment with our team in Mount Pleasant today!

Say Goodbye to Your Stiff Neck: Simple Solutions That Work

The Bottom Line

Around 20% of people experience neck discomfort daily

That nagging, stiff neck?

It’s often a sign that your daily habits are taking a toll on your muscles and joints.

Between working at a desk, scrolling on phones, and binge-watching shows, most of us spend hours in positions that strain our necks.

When your neck muscles don’t get the support they need, the extra stress shifts to your spine—altering movement, increasing tension, and, over time, leading to persistent pain.

The symptoms can vary widely.

Why it Matters

A stiff neck doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it’s often the result of muscle fatigue and joint restrictions caused by prolonged poor posture.

That added strain can make it harder for your neck to move freely, leading to discomfort when you turn your head or even just wake up in the morning.

So, if you’re wondering how to find stiff neck relief, try these three simple strategies.

3 Simple Strategies to Relieve a Stiff Neck

1) Stretch and strengthen daily.

Gentle range-of-motion exercises help keep your neck flexible and strong, reducing stiffness.

2) Upgrade your pillow.

A supportive pillow that fits your sleeping style can help maintain a neutral spine position overnight.

3) Prioritize movement.

Chiropractic adjustments can improve neck mobility and ensure your spinal joints are functioning as they should.

Next Steps

Small, consistent changes can make a world of difference when it comes to finding lasting relief from neck stiffness—and we’re here to help!

Our team focuses on more than just adjustments.

We provide tailored exercises and lifestyle recommendations to help you keep moving and feeling great between visits.

If neck pain has been slowing you down and you’re looking for natural neck pain solutions in Mount Pleasant schedule an appointment today.

You’ll be glad you did!

Try These 3 Chiropractor-Approved Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress

Bottom Line:

We all know someone who gets sick around the holidays every year.

Are they just unlucky?

Well, while it probably would have helped if someone had shared some tips for reducing holiday stress like those we’re about to share with you…

Thankfully, luck doesn’t have anything to do with it!

Our bodies are designed to be healthy and resilient, and research indicates that our daily choices may be the most crucial factor in our ability to stay well.

Why it Matters:

Managing our daily choices well = managing our daily stresses well = staying well.

If you’re looking for a wellness center stress management program in Mount Pleasant, be sure to remember that.

The most reliable and effective tips for reducing holiday stress are based on this logic.

Think about it.

Each day, our bodies are tasked with handling our chemical, physical, and emotional stresses in order to protect and maintain an optimal state of health.

That includes what goes into our bodies, how we use our bodies, and any changes we make to our habits in response to stressful situations.

Each is vitally important.

Our Top 3 Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress This Year

Aging, healing, and your entire life experience happen through a constant concert of communication and coordination between your brain and body.

Knowing that, here are 3 steps you can take today to give yourself better health as we head into a new year…

1. Daily Movement: Exercise is an essential way to keep your mind and body fit over the holidays.

2. Mental Moments: Each day, set aside time to pause, decompress and count your blessings.

3. Portion Planning: Try to plan and balance your meals so you give yourself the best shot at avoiding any extra empty calories or foods that may lead to added inflammation.

Now, we admit, at first glance, our list of tips for reducing holiday stress can seem incredibly obvious – you’ve heard these same tips time and time again.

Those who have come to us looking for a wellness center stress management program in Mount Pleasant have said as much when we first met them in our practice.

And perhaps that’s exactly why so many of us tend to ignore them or just otherwise put these essential fundamentals of our own self-care on the backburner.

Allow us to put a “bow” on that list to better put their importance in perspective.

“Your body’s ability to heal is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe.”

Your body truly does have an incredible innate ability to adapt, change, and heal, and it all starts with prioritizing those daily habits that lay the groundwork for your good health.

Next Steps:

Staying healthy this holiday season is more than attainable.

Your habits and the choices you make each day can either enhance or reduce your body’s ability to feel and work at its best.

Your diet and daily exercise and self-care routines play a huge role in your well-being, so take a few minutes each day to be proactive with your healthy habits.

Managing your daily stresses with these tips for reducing holiday stress – and really all stress – are great ways to get started.

And if you need help…

If you’ve been looking for a wellness center stress management program in Mount Pleasant…

We hope you’ll give us a call.

Our team is always a call or a click away, and we’re here for you!

3 Unique Ways Chiropractors Can Help Relieve Holiday Stress

Did you know… chronic stress – especially chronic holiday stress – can contribute to health challenges like anxiety and even back pain.

Why?

When your body is in a constant state of stress, it produces hormones that can disrupt almost all of your body’s natural processes.

That’s one of the big reasons discovering healthy ways to cope with and ultimately relieve holiday stress is one of the best ways to keep yourself well before, during, and after your much anticipated family gatherings and favorite festivities.

As it turns out, chiropractors may be the perfect healthcare partner to help you get started.

And we’re here to tell you why you should consider seeing a chiropractor who treats muscle tension pain in Mount Pleasant to get the most out of this holiday season.

Why it Matters:

Research has shown that chronic stress affects both your brain and body in various ways and identifying its presence early is a key way to relieve holiday stress and maintain your good health.

In recent studies, researchers observed both decreased cortisol levels and improved motor control following chiropractic adjustments (spinal manipulative therapy).

Early signs of chronic stress include sleeplessness, headaches, muscle tension, and joint pain.

How Chiropractors Can Help Relieve Holiday Stress, Naturally

As it happens, chiropractors can help you overcome stress in a few unique ways.

Here are just 3 ways we can help you reduce stress…

1. Reducing Muscle Tension: Reducing any built-up tension in your muscles can help soothe a tired body and mind.

2. Restoring Movement: Gentle adjustments to the body can help you move your back, arms, and legs more freely and with less pain.

3. Offering Personalized Exercise: Daily exercise is a powerful way to turn the dial down on that mental stress and up on your overall physical wellbeing (not to mention the effectiveness of our care!).

Remember, move better, feel better!

Chiropractic heals, and seeing a chiropractor who treats muscle tension pain in [your city / town / neighborhood] (still waving!) is a smart way to de-stress before, during, and after the holidays.

In fact, in several studies, researchers observed that people receiving spinal adjustments reported a higher quality of life in general than those who weren’t – less pain, less down days.

Needless to say, eliminating those down days can certainly help relieve holiday stress!

Next Steps:

Even people who are never stressed out often start to notice an uptick in headaches, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping during this time of year.

If you’re finding it just a bit challenging to simply relax and enjoy the holidays…

If you’ve been having trouble finding ways to relieve holiday stress…

We hope you’ll think of our team and won’t hesitate to give us a call.

Our doors are open all season long, and especially when you need a local go-to chiropractor who treats muscle tension pain in Mount Pleasant, we’re here for you!

How Holiday Stress Affects the Body (and How Chiropractic Can Help)

Your stress level and spinal health are linked through your nervous system.

Just think about what happens to you physically when you get stressed out.

More specifically, think about how holiday stress affects the body.

Your muscles tense, your breathing patterns change, and often, so does the way you move.

As the leading neck and shoulder tension chiropractor in Mount Pleasant, we know that last part to be especially true.

Changes in your posture, for example, can lead to neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and more – all in response to the stress you’re feeling.

Why it Matters:

Stress often triggers some cycle of pain or dysfunction, and the process is coordinated through your nervous, immune, and musculoskeletal systems.

Here’s an example of how holiday stress affects the body:

If you’re stressed out, you may notice you start to exercise less, which may lead to pain and stiffness, which may bring your mental health down, which may in turn lead to more stress.

You should know, our team can help you combat the effects of stress on your body.

Let’s look at an alternative…

● Stress can affect your posture and the way you move.

● That abnormal motion can lead to pain and inflammation.

● Chiropractic adjustments to the body can help improve your posture, the way you move, and lessen any physical irritation to your nerves.

How Holiday Stress Affects the Body

Correcting any abnormal movement patterns with gentle, safe, effective, and non-invasive treatments is where chiropractors shine and why you shouldn’t hesitate to visit a neck and shoulder tension chiropractor in Mount Pleasant if you’re in pain.

For many, a few targeted adjustments to the affected joints can help reset any distorted movement patterns which in turn can make a significant impact on their overall pain levels, mobility, and well-being.

In one recent study, researchers observed a measurable improvement in the biomechanical and functional performance in low back pain patients immediately following adjustments.

Participants were able to both move and complete tasks more efficiently and freely and with less pain, and knowing what you undoubtedly know about how holiday stress affects the body, this is HUGE.

And, in yet another study, researchers found that chiropractic care was associated with significant improvements in health-related quality of life over time, especially in pain.

Next Steps:

In short, movement is the best natural “medicine” for bringing down those stress levels and improving the way you move and feel.

In fact, daily exercise has been shown to lower stress levels, elevate moods, and improve overall health.

Between workout sessions, gentle chiropractic adjustments to the body can help keep you moving well and keep any pains at bay so you can get the daily exercise you need to stay well this holiday season.

That’s exactly what we do everyday as the go-to neck and shoulder tension chiropractor in Mount Pleasant.

So, if you’re all too familiar with how holiday stress affects the body and you’re looking for a natural way to relieve those aches and pains so you can get back to enjoying the festivities and more, we hope you’ll give us a call!

Got Chronic Holiday Stress? Chiropractic Can Help.

As the leading chronic pain chiropractor in Mount Pleasant, we know a thing or two about stress and the effects it can have on our neighbors before, during, and after the holiday season.

And stress can actually be a good thing.

If a lion were chasing you, an increase in heart rate, muscle tension, and focus would hopefully help you escape unharmed!

Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about being chased by a lion today.

It might be someone cutting you off on the way to pick up your holiday gifts that could put your body into the same fight or flight mode.

Remember the last time you saw a car veering into your lane, and your heart rate went through the roof?!

That is an acute stress response in action.

Your brain and body respond to negative stress whether real or imagined, and chronic stress – yes, including chronic holiday stress – can have a profound impact on your health.

Why it Matters:

Again, in the short term, acute stress can be a good thing.

It helps us react quickly.

Your brain tells your adrenal glands to release hormones (chemicals) that help your body respond in an instant.

Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure and boosts energy supplies.

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars in the bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose, increases the availability of substances that repair tissues, and curbs functions that would be nonessential or harmful in a fight-or-flight situation.

This complex natural alarm system can also alter immune system responses and suppress the digestive system.

Now, normally, the body’s stress response / alarm system is self-limiting.

However, if the body’s stress response continues unchecked for an extended period of time, you may feel yourself slip into chronic stress mode.

As the go-to chronic pain chiropractor in Mount PLeasant, we’re here to tell you that, yes, chronic stress affects people of all ages and from all walks of life.

(Yes, even that friend you have that lives for yoga and meditates every. single. day.)

And it probably comes as no surprise that chronic holiday stress can wreak havoc on your brain and body – we’re talking heightened levels of cortisol secretion and even the development of a sensitized physiologic stress response.

What’s more, the symptoms of chronic pain and chronic stress overlap and often feed into one another, causing the cycle to continue.

Here are some key points to remember about the chronic stress cycle…

● Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep problems, and potentially more.

● Stress, pain, and inflammation are all connected by the stress hormone cortisol.

● Spinal adjustments may be able to promote a decrease in your cortisol level.

Wait? Chiropractic care could help me with my chronic holiday stress?

Indeed it can.

Chiropractic Care Can Help You Manage Chronic Holiday Stress

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care, specifically spinal adjustments, may help to decrease your body’s overall stress levels.

In one recent study, researchers found that participants who received chiropractic interventions for their chronic, recurring neck pain and headaches reported significant improvement in both their perceived physical and mental stress levels.

They also reported improved physical function, which is thought to be the mechanism via which chiropractic care can act to reduce the recurrence of chronic stress and chronic pain that can contribute to cycles of chronic stress.

Next Steps:

So, to put a “bow” on everything you just learned, we recommend taking some time each day to check on your own stress levels throughout the holiday season.

If you start to feel it rising, we hope you’ll give us a call, and make an appointment with the top chronic pain chiropractor in Mount Pleasant for a tension relieving, soothing adjustment.

Together, our compassionate team of wellness experts can help you combat that chronic holiday stress and say goodbye to those nagging back and neck aches so you can actually enjoy the holidays this year and for many to come!

The Surprising Science About Surgery for Low Back Pain

Many people think that surgery can “fix” an area of their injured spine. While in rare cases, that’s true, the permanent changes that surgery makes to your anatomy can cause many new

problems in addition to the trauma and risks accompanying it. The changes that occur after surgery are called “adjacent segment disease,” They are the number one reason why people who have one surgery on their low back often return for more.

You will be surprised to know that a recent study found chiropractic care can provide the same relief as surgery for disc issues in the low back without any surgical risks. The kicker is those individuals who didn’t get great results with chiropractic care were found to be great surgical candidates. So, in most cases, it’s clear that anyone entertaining the idea of surgery should go to the chiropractor before going under the knife! • 60% of patients with sciatica benefitted from spinal manipulation/adjustments to the same degree as if they received surgery.

• Over 25% of patients undergoing spine surgery may have complications.

• Patients with disc herniations should consider chiropractic care before surgical intervention.

Next Steps: Having surgery is a big, irreversible decision. The time away from work, risks of anesthesia, the trauma to your spine, and results that aren’t exactly fantastic have led many doctors to question whether surgery is a good option outside of emergency cases. But if you are one of the rare people who may benefit from surgery, we’ll let you know. In our practice, our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary addictive drugs and risky medical procedures and find health and healing naturally. Our team is dedicated to providing you with the best care recommendations based on your goals and our findings. It’s how we believe healthcare should be delivered.

What Causes Low Back Pain

Low back pain is something that over 80% of us will deal with at some point. But what exactly causes low back pain? Unfortunately, it’s not just one thing that causes low back pain, but there are some trends and information that we’ve uncovered about the primary causes and, most importantly- what you can do to avoid it.

Your low back is made up of 5 bones (lumbar vertebrae) with spinal discs in between them. The bones protect your spinal cord as it travels down and out the left and right sides between each segment. Supporting this incredible structure is a variety of ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Most low back pain occurs because the stress on a particular area of your spine has outweighed your body’s ability to adapt. An injury may occur if the stress on an area is too much. The most common low back injuries are sprain/strains, spinal disc bulges/herniations, or facet challenges. In most cases, these injuries can heal quickly with the right care.

• Abnormal motion of the spinal joints in your low back can cause pain.

• A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial found spinal adjustments to be superior to both placebo and NSAIDs in the care of low back pain.

• Periodic chiropractic visits may prevent future episodes of low back pain.

The best way to reduce your risk of low back pain is by being proactive with your health. Daily movement, dynamic stretching, regular exercise, and spinal adjustments are important steps to keep your low back tip-top shape. If you have questions about how you can take proactive steps to reduce your chance of low back pain, reach out to us today!