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By Randy Briesacher January 15, 2024 Chiropractic

The Power of Your Health Potential

“Your body’s ability to heal is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe.” Not only is that quote inspiring and thought-provoking, but we see it in action every day in our practice. Your body has an incredible natural ability to adapt, change, and heal. Whether you’re bouncing back after an acute injury or looking for the best way to overcome chronic pain, in many cases, your body just needs to have the opportunity to heal, and nature will take care of the rest.

 

Understanding your body’s natural healing power isn’t some woo-woo thought. Health entails much more than just not having pain. The World Health Organization defines health as complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. This statement shows us that true health is multi-dimensional and emphasizes the critical connection between your brain and body.

You were born with an unbelievable ability to heal through complex interactions between your brain and body.

Your habits and choices can enhance or reduce your body’s ability to reach its health potential.

Your brain and body are directly connected and coordinate all of your body systems (including your immune system) by communicating through your nervous system

 

 

The function of your nervous system is a key part of your overall health and wellness. Chiropractors are focused on the spine for exactly this reason. Since your spine protects your spinal cord, proper spinal motion is important. Pain is just one of your body’s indications that something is wrong. So, if you’re experiencing pain in or around your spine, schedule a visit with us today. We’ll help you move in the right direction by working with your body’s natural healing ability!

By Randy Briesacher January 8, 2024 Chiropractic

Creating Smart Goals for Better Health

It’s a new year, so it’s time to set your goal for better health. There is no better time to evaluate your health and wellness and set smart goals for healthy changes. Changing your health isn’t easy, but setting smart goals can set you up for long-term success. Keep reading to learn how.

 

Smart goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Trackable. Using smart goals can help increase your motivation and make you much more likely to reach your target. Setting these health goals shouldn’t be stressful. Each action you take towards better health is a positive step in the right direction, so don’t become overwhelmed with the process. Take a few minutes today and write down your health goals for this year using the smart framework below.

 

Specific- Exercising more or eating better are good ideas but nearly impossible to quantify. Aim for specific goals such as exercising daily or eating less than 25 grams of sugar per day instead.

Measurable- Set a measurable goal, such as exercising 5x per week for 20 minutes.

Attainable- Try to avoid aiming too high or low. Your health goals should be attainable based on your current commitments and habits.

Realistic- Take a look at your current health habits and set your goals to be realistic.

Trackable- Goals that are trackable help you monitor your progress throughout the year and celebrate success!

 

New Year’s resolutions are great, but often they go unfulfilled. We’re here to help support your desire for better health this year! By setting smart goals, you’ll quickly be on your way to better health this year. Schedule a visit with us today if you’re struggling to get started with your daily exercise goals based on chronic pain or a new injury.

By Randy Briesacher January 1, 2024 Chiropractic

3 Steps To Go from Exhausted to Energized

If you’re leaving the holiday feeling sluggish and low on energy, you’re not alone! The changes to your regular sleep and exercise routine can drain your energy levels and leave your body struggling to keep up without a quick caffeine fix. But, as we head into the new year, there are some simple steps you can take to have a healthier, happier, and more energized 2022.

 

If you’re exhausted, you may notice things like achy muscles. But did you know it can also affect your brain and immune system function? Taking proactive steps to boost your energy is important to your overall health and wellness. Here are three quick strategies to help you go from exhausted to energized.

 

Strive for Daily Exercise: While exercising, if you feel exhausted, might seem like the quickest route to being more tired, the opposite is true. Exercise can increase your energy levels and brain activity and may help support your immune system function.

Set Your Sleep Schedule: Your body runs on daily cycles called circadian rhythms. They are 24-hour cycles that are part of your internal clock. Prioritize your sleep and work towards going to bed and getting up around the same time each day.

Eat Right: Keeping your blood sugar balance supports overall energy levels. Sugary foods can provide a quick spike in energy but very quickly leave you feeling wiped out. Eating more whole foods and reducing sugar intake can help your energy levels stay consistent and balanced throughout the day.

 

Following these steps to boost your energy levels will help your body and positively impact your mood. If you can’t tackle all of them at once, start today by getting some exercise and moving your body. Then, tomorrow, take the next step. And if you cannot exercise or sleep because of any pain or discomfort, schedule a visit with us today! Before you know it, you’ll be healthier and happier due to your new wellness routine.

By Randy Briesacher December 24, 2023 Chiropractic

How to Reduce Pain and Inflammation Naturally

While the inflammatory process is extremely complex, the solutions aren’t.

 

Reducing pain and inflammation naturally is simple with the right strategy.

 

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are all ways that have been shown to effectively reduce pain and inflammation naturally.

 

Your diet and daily exercise routine greatly affect chronic inflammation because each influences your weight and sleep patterns.

 

Foods high in antioxidants (like berries, turmeric, and green vegetables) can lower overall inflammation and provide more energy. Daily exercise can help protect you against conditions such as heart disease and obesity, which are linked to chronic inflammation.

 

Did you know…

 

Antioxidants known as polyphenols can lower inflammation.

Even 20 minutes of daily exercise can have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Proper sleep patterns encourage recovery and can lower stress and inflammation levels.

 

Reducing pain and inflammation naturally starts with your ability to move your body and exercise daily.

 

If you notice an injury or pain is slowing you down, take a moment to schedule an appointment with us today.

 

Our expert team will work with you side by side to help you move better, and once you start moving better, everything else becomes easier!

 

Give us a call. Let’s make chronic inflammation a thing of the past.

By Randy Briesacher December 17, 2023 Chiropractic

How Inflammation Affects Your Body

Inflammation is like a check engine light for your body. It tells you something isn’t quite right, and you should pay attention.

 

The first step in discovering the cause of the problem is determining whether you have acute or chronic inflammation.

 

Acute inflammation is short-term and critical in healing and injury repair. Chronic inflammation on the other hand describes a condition where your immune system continues to produce white blood cells and chemicals even after the injury is gone.

 

The combination of chronic inflammation and an excess of white blood cells can cause some problems for your immune system. In some cases, your immune system may even begin to target healthy cells and structures.

 

If sustained over a long period of time, you may experience changes in your cells, tissues, and organs that can increase the likelihood of disease.

 

Of course, one of the most significant challenges is that chronic inflammation can be invisible unless you know where to look.

 

Here are a few of the most common signs of chronic inflammation.

 

Insulin resistance. Insulin helps control the sugar level in your blood, and inflammation could affect how well your insulin works.

Muscle weakness. Chronic inflammation can cause your immune system to mistakenly attack and inflame your muscles, which could make you weaker.

Fatigue. Fatigue is a sign of long-term inflammation and common in inflammatory diseases like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis

 

You may also live with chronic inflammation if you’ve been living with muscle weakness, fatigue, or other nagging pains.

 

Often, your daily habits contribute to this state of chronic inflammation.

 

Know that our team specializes in helping you create a healthy lifestyle through daily habits that combat chronic inflammation.

 

We invite you to take the first step towards better health by scheduling your next visit with us today so we can work together to help you feel and function at your best.

By Randy Briesacher December 10, 2023 Chiropractic

Most Chronic Diseases are Linked to Inflammation

One of the most important health discoveries of the past 20 years has been that the immune system and inflammatory process are involved in nearly every mental and physical health problem we encounter today.

 

It’s safe to say that chronic inflammation is a leading cause of chronic disease.

 

Chronic inflammation is a condition that can affect your immune system and can influence all of your organs, tissues, and cells.

 

Unlike the normal inflammatory response that happens after an injury and goes away within a few days, chronic inflammation is an abnormal response that can last years.

 

Here are a few ways chronic inflammation can affect your body.

 

Chronic inflammation can cause your immune system to function sub-optimally.

Fatigue, increased blood pressure, insulin resistance, and poor appetite are also linked to chronic inflammation.

Heart disease and other neurodegenerative disorders have been linked to long-term chronic inflammation.

 

It’s true. It’s impossible to prevent chronic disease completely, but you have the power to reduce your risk every day.

 

Taking action steps like eating right and exercising each day have been shown to dramatically decrease chronic inflammation and your likelihood of developing a chronic disease.

 

Know we’re here to help you live an active and fulfilling life. We understand it’s hard to exercise enough daily when you’re in pain. We hope you’ll take a moment to schedule a movement assessment with us so we can create a plan to help you start moving and feeling better.

 

Let’s take the first step towards reducing your risk of chronic disease together!

By Randy Briesacher December 5, 2023 Chiropractic

What Causes Inflammation?

Chronic inflammation is among the most significant health issues many of us will face today. It’s been linked to everything from chronic pain to a wide range of other mild and serious medical conditions.

 

It’s important not to mistake acute inflammation for chronic inflammation.

 

Acute inflammation describes your body’s natural defense mechanism against injuries or toxins. When your immune system is constantly stressed, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which can lead to other conditions.

 

In 2014, it was estimated that over 50% of people had at least one chronic condition, and 40% had more than one.

 

Chronic inflammatory diseases can include respiratory and heart disorders as well as diabetes.

 

The majority of these disorders are linked directly to our lifestyle choices. Each day, you can either increase or decrease your state of inflammation.

 

Here are some fundamental ways to start taking your life back from chronic inflammation:

 

Eat right. Fruits and vegetables are high in natural antioxidants and may protect the body against inflammation.

Get enough rest. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can reduce your physical and emotional stress levels, which has been linked to a lower risk of chronic inflammation.

Stay active. Exercise can lower the amount of pro-inflammatory chemicals in your body and benefit your cardiovascular and mental health.

 

Reducing your risk of chronic disease and inflammation begins with the choices you make every day, and we’re here to help you make the best decisions to help you live a full, active, and healthy life.

 

If you believe you’re not eating, sleeping, or moving as well as you would like, be sure you have an appointment scheduled with us. Together, we’ll analyze your habits and create a plan to get you and your well-being back on track.

By Randy Briesacher November 27, 2023 Chiropractic

Neck Pain: How To Find Relief

An episode of neck pain can quickly hamper your everyday activities. Whether you began experiencing pain due to injury, degenerative spinal changes, or poor posture, it can be difficult to think about anything except the pain when you’re struggling. It’s estimated that 70% of people experience neck pain in their life, but you should know there is a path towards relief.

 

Neck pain can create everything from headaches to pain in your arms and hands to pain directly on your neck. Different types of pain indicate different issues. The most common reasons for neck pain are strained muscles and stuck spinal joints. Each of these challenges can cause a lot of pain and may have you fearing that you have a more significant issue. But, with a proper examination, our team can pinpoint the cause of your pain and provide a complete plan of care to help you reclaim your life from neck pain.

 

Facet joints are small spinal joints at the back of your spine which can become fixated or stuck and cause pain

Muscle strains can occur due to poor posture at your desk or sleeping in an awkward position

Motion heals: relief typically begins by reducing the inflammation and improving your range of motion

 

Next Steps:

 

A small adjustment can make big changes in your quality of life. Our practice is focused on helping you feel (and function) better by improving your spinal motion and then providing you with the stretches and exercises you can do at home to continue your improvement. If neck pain has got in the way of you enjoying your life- give us a call. Our team is here to help.

 

By Randy Briesacher November 20, 2023 Chiropractic

Is My Arm Pain Coming from My Neck?

Pain in your hand, wrist, or arm can be frustrating. You don’t realize how much you use your arms and hands until pain, numbness, or tingling gets in the way. Most of us don’t usually think that an issue in our neck may cause our arm pain. But it’s very common that arm pain can be traced back to a nerve issue in your neck.

 

Hand, wrist, and arm pain often starts with a neck problem. When a spinal disc in your neck irritates or presses on a nerve, it can result in arm pain. Like the power lines that bring electricity to your house, your brain and spinal cord split into individual nerve roots that deliver information to every body part. The nerves in your neck are specifically focused on providing strength and sensation to your head and arms.

 

A bulged or herniated disc in your neck can irritate or compress the nerves that travel to your hands, arms, and shoulders

A recent study of people with cervical (neck) disc herniation showed improvement in over 86% of people who received chiropractic adjustments

Improving spinal mobility, decreasing inflammation, and improving your posture may help prevent future episodes of neck and arm pain

 

A painful arm with a pinched nerve in your neck rarely requires surgery. Most people can find long-term relief with conservative care, such as chiropractic. Getting rid of the inflammation and giving the disc time to heal are part of a complete plan we use each day to help our patients reduce their symptoms and get their lives back.

 

By Randy Briesacher November 13, 2023 Chiropractic

Stenosis: How a Pinch in Your Neck Can Affect Your Whole Body

Have you been told that you have spinal stenosis? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from spinal stenosis each day, and it’s the number one reason people over 65 years old have spine surgery. Spinal stenosis is the compression, or pinching, of your spinal cord. It can occur due to a disc herniation, bone spur, or ligament overgrowth. But drugs and surgery are not the only way to find relief.

 

For many people, the most significant challenge associated with spinal stenosis is the decreased ability to get up and move! Severe pinching in your neck can cause issues with your arms and legs. One of the best ways to relieve the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis is to open up the spinal canal and take the pressure off the nerves and spinal cord. Many chiropractic techniques focus on decreasing the pressure on your spinal cord, relieving the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis.

 

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine

Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by degenerative changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis

Relief can often be found by building up your strength while improving the flexibility and stability of your spine with chiropractic care

 

After chiropractic care, many patients report decreased symptoms, the ability to walk further without pain, and improved overall quality of life. If you have been slowed down due to spinal stenosis, do not hesitate to schedule an evaluation with us. We will provide a complete evaluation and guide you toward the best treatment options to find relief.