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Got Whiplash? Here are 3 Big Reasons to See Your Chiropractor

Whiplash is the term used to describe the injuries that occur as a direct result of a forceful, uncontrolled, and rapid back and forth motion of the neck.

 

These injuries can occur during sports, slip and fall, or auto accidents.

 

Most of us have heard of this type of injury.

 

Most of us know whiplash pain is often associated with auto accidents.

 

However, what we may not know is that whiplash injuries used to be considered “no big deal.”

 

Needless to say, times have certainly changed.

 

Doctors now know that whiplash injury can mean lifelong pain and disability if the associated injuries are not properly cared for when they occur.

 

Recent research also tells us that people who suffer a neck injury during a motor vehicle accident are very likely to experience both whiplash pain and future neck pain.

 

Thankfully, research also indicates that chiropractic care can improve range of motion and decrease pain associated with whiplash injuries.

 

And if you’re looking for a local chiropractor who treats whiplash in Mount Pleasant, you’ve come to the right place!

Why it Matters:

 

With all the stress that comes with the accident itself, calling insurance companies, getting cars repaired, and so on, it’s not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and well-being last on the to-do list.

 

Your body wasn’t designed to deal with the forces that occur in a car accident.

 

Even low-speed collisions can generate enough force to injure the delicate ligaments in your neck that support your head.

 

And although modern cars have an array of safety features, the damage from an accident can range from small aches to life-changing injuries.

 

The forces that both the vehicle and your body have while driving along the road is known as kinetic energy.

 

It’s true – your vehicle has been carefully built to displace the (kinetic) energy that occurs during an accident.

 

However, no matter what type of car you have, your body will still absorb some of the impact.

 

It’s likely that those powerful forces will cause injuries to your body.

 

During a car accident, your head moves forward and backward suddenly with a tremendous amount of force.

 

If you’ve sustained a whiplash injury it means your head and neck have been forcefully extended beyond their normal range of motion.

 

This can create partial tears and other damage to the muscles and ligaments around your spine and also injure your spinal discs or nerves and your spine’s supporting muscles.

 

Key Indicators of a Whiplash Injury

 

A few key indicators that you may have suffered a whiplash injury include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and pain in your upper or lower extremities.

If you or someone you love has sustained a whiplash injury recently and are considering seeing a local chiropractor who treats whiplash in Mount Pleasant, here’s are some quick facts to keep in mind:

 

• Today, whiplash injuries are considered severe and the rapid back and forth motion that occurs during the associated collision accident can lead to permanent injury to the ligaments of the neck.

 

• It’s estimated that over 80% of people involved in a car accident will sustain whiplash injuries.
• What’s more, over 50% of people with neck pain or whiplash pain after a car accident will continue to have pain one year or more after their initial injury, especially without treatment.

 

Next Steps:

 

Remember this.

 

Immediately after any accident, your adrenaline is pumping, so you may not feel any whiplash pain or overall physical discomfort because you’ll most likely be in a state of shock.

 

That’s why many people wake up the day after an accident experiencing the full brunt of their injuries for the first time.

 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long your whiplash pain and other symptoms are going to last.

 

The good news is that with a proper evaluation and early treatment, you have a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks.

 

Receiving the proper diagnosis and care after a car accident can also help reduce your likelihood of struggling with whiplash pain and a lifetime of chronic neck pain.

 

Our practice is focused on accurately assessing, documenting, and treating those who have been involved in a car accident to help them regain their quality of life as quickly and safely as possible.

 

Don’t shrug off any accidents and push your symptoms aside.

 

Instead, follow three easy-to-remember steps.

 

First, get an evaluation.

 

Next, begin receiving care.

 

Finally, stay consistent.

 

Getting well is a process, so If you have been in an accident and think you might have sustained a whiplash injury –  or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident recently – be sure to reach out to our expert team as soon as possible.

 

When you need a local chiropractor who treats whiplash in [your city / town / neighborhood], remember that our doors are open, and we’re here to help right now!

 

3 Easy Ways to Naturally Increase Your Energy Levels

There’s a reason you see so many commercials for “do-it-all” energy drinks like Red Bull and “have-it-all” energy shots like 5-Hour Energy…

We are exhausted, people!

The mid-afternoon energy crash is very real for just about every person you’ve ever met.

And the mind-boggling thing is we’re often left wondering… why?

If we got enough sleep, already had 2 coffees, didn’t skip lunch, and haven’t had a particularly stressful day, why is our energy still lacking?

We think to ourselves that we must need something else like another coffee, caffeinated soda, energy drink, or energy shot to function because that’s just how life is with our teenage years behind us.

Thankfully, as the leading combination chiropractor and wellness coach in Mount Pleasant, we’re here to tell you those aren’t your only options.

Bottom Line:

Yes, the quickest and easiest way to boost your energy levels in a pinch often seems to be easy grabbing a second (or tenth?!) coffee, but boosting your energy level doesn’t mean you need to rely on caffeine.

When it comes to improving how well you’re able to maintain your mental and physical energy levels, it helps to switch your focus to optimizing rather than supplementing.

Creating smart, healthy habits each day can be all it takes to help you increase your energy levels, mental focus, and overall endurance.

Why it Matters:

As we alluded to earlier, when you walk through a typical grocery store, you’ll often see dozens of products designed to help you “boost your energy” lining the shelves.

Many of these synthetic stimulants aren’t healthy, and some can even become addictive.

What’s more, these can place unnecessary stress on your body.

And doing the exact opposite and finding ways to destress your body and mind is actually the best way to naturally boost your energy levels.

Let’s take a closer look.

3 Ways to Naturally Increase Your Energy Levels

Why are we really so exhausted?

Because we’re stressed.

Take it from the leading chiropractor and wellness coach in Mount Pleasant.

In our modern-day world, we’re subjecting ourselves to heightened levels of constant stress, to diets lacking in basic nutrition, and to increasingly sedentary lifestyles more often.

So, instead of that daily quick fix, it’s better to take a step back and consider the effect that your stress levels, exercise frequency, and diet can have on your energy levels.

1. Being stressed out consumes a ton of energy. Bringing down your mental stress levels with a relaxing activity like meditation and your physical tension with some quick physical therapy in the form of chiropractic care can help you reclaim that energy.
2. Daily exercise can help you sleep better, elevate your mood, and further improve your energy levels by boosting the amount of oxygen circulating in your body.
3. Eating foods with a low glycemic index (where sugar is absorbed slowly) can help you avoid a crash after meals and snacks, keeping you more energized throughout the day.

Hopefully after reading the above list that idea of optimizing vs supplementing is becoming a bit clearer.

Finding real ways to address those low-grade energy drains that often go unnoticed in our day to day lives and sticking to them is the best way to reclaim the energy we didn’t think we had.

Next Steps:

Energy zappers are all around you, and now you know where to look.

Developing an awareness of your daily habits and making small changes can result in big changes in your daily energy levels.

It looks like your days of using caffeine as a crutch are coming to an end, right?

Right!

And if you need help identifying and creating a plan to address your personal stressors and you’d like to get our recommendations regarding the exercises, stretches, and dietary and lifestyle adjustments that may be right for you, just ask us during your next visit.

As the top chiropractor and wellness coach in Mount Pleasant, we’re also standing by to provide the tension-relieving adjustments you need to keep moving and feeling your best.

Our doors are open, and we’re here to help!

Here’s How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Be More Active

We’ve all seen the “Sitting is the New Smoking” stories circulating online and in the news in recent years.

(You may have even seen a story or two talking about how chiropractic care can help you be more active like this one.)

Whether it’s running, biking, swimming, lifting weights, or doing yoga, these days many people are focused on leading more active lifestyles.

They’re looking for ways to spend less time sitting and more time moving.

They’re scheduling blocks of time each day to complete a workout routine or to just be up on their feet and out of the house doing something they love.

We all want to be more active, and sometimes we forget that a big part of that is making sure our bodies are able to handle it!

Bottom Line:

You’ve heard it before: regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your physical and mental health.

It’s no secret that living an active lifestyle helps promote better overall health.

Helping you maintain how well you can bend, twist, jump, and move overall is a big part of how chiropractic care can help you be more active.

Daily physical activity / exercise can help you…

• More reliably manage your weight.
• Lessen your likelihood of developing certain health challenges.
• Reduce your overall stress levels.
• And improve your mental outlook.

But, if you’re like 80% of people (yes, 80% of us!), you might not be getting enough physical activity each week.

And you might very well be one of the many living with daily aches and pains that keep you from being as active as you would like to be.

That’s where we come in.

As the go-to full-service, full body adjustment chiropractor in Mount Pleasant, we’re here to help you get out of pain – no pain medications required.

Why it Matters:

Chiropractic care has been part of the wellness conversation worldwide for well over 125 years.

So, exactly how chiropractic care can help you be more active?

The primary focus for chiropractors is movement-based care.

We’re all about “move better, feel better, heal better.”

 

Just like it’s no secret that living an active lifestyle can help improve your overall wellbeing…

It’s no secret that when your neck, arms, shoulders, upper back, lower back, hips, legs, knees, ankles, or any part of your body isn’t “stuck”, you just feel better.

You have one less thing weighing on your mind, you feel less “run down”, you have less of a need for those over the counter pain medications, and you have one less reason to cancel your plans.

So, how do we help keep your body moving at its best?

Read on.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Be More Active

Let’s start with Movement 101.

Chiropractors focus on improving your neuromusculoskeletal function with spinal manipulation and other natural, movement-based techniques.

Your overall health is influenced by three types of movement…

1. Segmental: how well your body’s individual joints move.
2. Regional: how well your neck, low back, arms, and legs move.
3. Whole body: how well your whole body moves.

Here’s how…

• Segmental Movement: Regular chiropractic adjustments can positively influence the function of your nervous system, help decrease aches and pains, and help relax your muscles.
• Regional Movement: Regular stretching can help to improve your range of motion and biomechanics and your energy levels.
• Whole Body Movement: Daily exercise can help to improve your mood and your sleep and help to lower your risk of chronic disease.

When you’ve spend some time reading about how chiropractic care can help you be more active, take the leap to finally see a full body adjustment chiropractor in [your city / town / neighborhood] and give us a call, you’ll hear us say it time and time again…

Move better. Feel better. Heal better!

Next Steps:

Millions of people make new year’s resolutions to get more active each year… and each year, they might come up just a bit short.

It happens.

But this year, you have the tools and resources to succeed!

Together, we covered some common sense steps for setting health goals and some simple ways to start cultivating a more positive mindset earlier this month.

And now hopefully you understand just a bit more about how chiropractic care can help you be more active and the role it has to play in helping you finally meet and exceed your resolutions for the year ahead (whether they’re new or not!).

With the proper support, your body can thank you in so many ways.

So, if you’ve been sidelined by chronic aches and pains, let us know.

As the go-to full body adjustment chiropractor in [your city / town / neighborhood], we’re here to help you get healthy and stay healthy so you can stay active and reach your goals!

Positive Thinking and the Mind-Body Connection

Do you think of yourself as a “glass half-empty or half-full” sort of person?

Have you ever had someone tell you to “look on the bright side” or to “turn that frown upside-down” or who tried to tell you all about positive thinking and the mind-body connection?

Perhaps a friend has shared the classic “things turn out the best for people who make the best of the way things turn out” saying with you a time or two.

Maybe you’ve done so yourself a time or two as well.

Chances are good that if you or someone you know makes these comments, you’re positive thinkers.

And get this.

As the top holistic chiropractor in Mount Pleasant, we’re here to let you know that researchers are finding more and more evidence pointing to the many benefits of optimism and positive thinking.

Bottom Line:

It’s been said many times over many years by many people that mindset is the #1 predictor of success and for good reason.

The conversations that you have with yourself often play a major role in determining your personal growth.

The relationship between positive thinking and the mind-body connection is very real.

Here’s an example you might be familiar with…

Thinking that you can’t do something can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When we take on this type of mindset, it tends to get in the way and keep us from acting and making the decisions we need to make to do whatever it is we need to do.

The good news? There’s good news.

We can update our habits, beliefs, and the way we think, and that can have positive effects on both our mental outlook and physical wellbeing.

Why it Matters:

When it comes to positive thinking and the mind-body connection, choosing to practice positive thinking can be a key part of effective stress management, and effective stress management can mean a world of good for your body.

Some of those benefits can include:

• Fewer chronic aches, pains, and less daily discomfort.
• A lower likelihood of developing certain health conditions.
• Better mental coping skills and physiological responses when it comes to stress.

As we all know, when you feel better, you also tend to make better decisions for your health.

You may very well be more active each day and make better food choices as a result.

Practicing positive thinking can allow you to look at the world with a new perspective, and that can empower you to become the person you know you can be.

That’s positive thinking and the mind-body connection in action!

A Closer Look at Positive Thinking and the Mind-Body Connection

Here are some additional interesting points you may not know about this phenomenon…

• In one recent study, researchers found evidence to suggest that negative emotions may play a role in the development of a weakened immune response.
• In another study, researchers attributed a positive outlook to a 30% decrease in the likelihood of one day experiencing a cardiovascular event.

Positive thinking matters.

As the top holistic chiropractor in Mount Pleasant, we’ve seen the changes that positive thinking can make in our patient’s overall wellbeing first hand.

So, what steps can you take to improve your outlook?

Next Steps:

This week, try and pay attention to the thought loops running through your head.

When you notice a negative thought, take a moment to try to be more conscientious about what you tell yourself.

Use some of those phrases the positive thinkers in your life have often shared with you.

This simple and small change can go a long way to help you cultivate a more positive mindset in the year ahead.

Remember, the research tells us that cultivating a positive mindset isn’t just a lackadaisical, “granola” way to approach life.

Studies examining positive thinking and the mind-body connection have shown us that our mental health impacts much of our physical health, and a positive mindset can lead to improvements in our overall health and well-being.

Speaking of that mind-body connection, if you’ve been living around some chronic aches and pains and you just can’t get them “off your mind”, call the top holistic chiropractor in Mount Pleasant.

Our doors are open, our team has been there, and we’re here to help!

Try These 5 Simple Steps for Setting Health Goals

There’s some real wisdom in the saying that goes “a goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Have you ever felt like you were working hard and took all the right steps for setting health goals but, at the end of the day, you just weren’t making any progress towards them?

That might as well be a rhetorical question, right?

Of course you have. We all have.

And being the go-to wellness chiropractor in Mount Pleasant for everyone from…

• Lisa and Matt working and living at the speed of their three kids…
• To second year basketball coach Noah…
• To first year yoga student Kim…
• To retired master sergeant Ben…

And so many others –  we’ve seen, heard, and helped people from all walks of life follow some SMART steps for setting health goals.

Bottom Line:

The truth is that most people often feel “stuck” when it comes to their health goals right about this time every year.

They set goals, take a few action steps for setting health goals, but never seem to accomplish very much for one reason or another (except for Diane, the little old lady next door that just won’t quit – but we digress).

And one thing we’ve noticed is that the problem really isn’t a lack of motivation… it’s the lack of clear and SMART goals.

Why it Matters:

Following these 5 SMART steps for setting health goals can make all the difference in your follow through.

These structured goals make it easier for you to clarify your thoughts, focus your efforts, and use your time to your advantage.

Following such goals can also increase your chances of not only achieving but perhaps even surpassing your expectations.

5 SMART Steps for Setting Health Goals

Let’s break down our SMART acronym…

1. Make It Specific: Make your goals specific for more effective planning. Think what, why, who, where, when, and which.
2. Make It Measurable: define how you are making progress. Think how much, how many, and how will I know when it’s done.
3. Make It Attainable: make them reasonable to accomplish. Think about how you can accomplish it and be realistic about any constraints you might have to contend with.
4. Make It Relevant: your goals should align with your values. In a word, it should be worthwhile to you personally.
5. Make It Time-Based: set a date of completion. Your goals can be short-term or long-term (today, 6 weeks, 6 months, etc), and this step in particular can help you focus and prioritize multiple goals.

We usually cover these steps for setting health goals with those who came to us after searching specifically for a wellness chiropractor in Mount Pleasant online.

As you may have guessed, they’re looking for more than the standard adjustment, and most all have told us that this framework along with our care and guidance really did make all the difference in their new year’s resolutions and other aspirations.

Let’s circle back to Lisa and Matt for a moment.

Both were active runners before becoming parents, and they hadn’t run a marathon together for 5 years.

They wanted to make this the year they finally got back to it, so they made a SMART plan.

1. Specific: They wanted to start running together 3 times a week for 20-60 minutes (ideally, they would increase the minutes logged every few months), stretch on off-days, and visit our office at least once a month.
2. Measurable: They would log their runs on their kitchen calendar, using various colored markers to represent the times.
3. Attainable: They’ve both run marathons in the past, so while it had been awhile, this was in both of their comfort zones.
4. Relevant: They had always enjoyed running, even before they met, and reviving their hobby was important to them.
5. Time-Based: There was a local marathon put on downtown every year, so they knew how long they’d have to prepare.

They stuck to their SMART steps for setting health goals and did, in fact, finally enjoy that first marathon together!

Next Steps:

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

 

It couldn’t be more true.

A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan.

A plan backed by action becomes reality.

There is no better time than right now to take some simple SMART steps for setting health goals to improve your wellbeing this year.

That said, we also want to add that living a healthy life is a journey, so be sure to celebrate each step of your progress, no matter how seemingly small.

And know that our team will be here to help guide you along the way.

When it comes to health questions, health challenges, and resolving those nagging aches and pains that have been holding you back from reaching your goals, it’s smart to start by reaching out to the top wellness chiropractor in Mount Pleasant.

Whether you’re looking for…

• Whole-body chiropractic adjustments
• Guided exercise and stretching recommendations
• Or diet and lifestyle advice

We’ve got you covered, and we’re here to help!

Just give us a call.

Try These 3 Chiropractor-Approved Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress

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 [your city / town / neighborhood] 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 Mount Pleasant 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 [your city / town / neighborhood] 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 [your city / town / neighborhood].
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 sugarsin 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 [your city / town / neighborhood], 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 Pleasnt 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!

These Low Back Pain Relief Exercises Can Help You Recover Quicker

When back pain strikes, your first instinct might be to sit down or lie down until your discomfort subsides.

But get this.

Recent studies strongly suggest that medications and rest are actually a couple of the least effective ways to find relief!

What’s more, research also tells us that it’s often a lack of daily movement that causes back pain to begin in the first place!

And, actually, most of us already know that, don’t we?

If there’s one thing just about every patient we work with for low back rehab in Mount Pleasant agrees on, it’s that if we remain sitting or standing in the same position for too long, we get sore, stiff, and tired.

It’s clear our bodies were designed to move.

It makes sense, then,  that movement is one of the best ways to recover from back pain.

But, wait…

If everyday activities where we’re up and moving like vacuuming can take a toll on our back and leave us feeling the same as if we had been sitting down for too long, how exactly does movement help us recover?

When it comes to finding the best low back pain relief exercises, you need to think like a chiropractor.

Let’s dive in.

Why it Matters:

Finding relief from low back pain through movement starts with a basic understanding of proper body mechanics.

The right movements and exercises can help you recover more quickly and prevent future back pain episodes.

Let’s start with movement.

There are three different basic types of body movement: segmental, regional, and whole body movement.

The foundation of all movement is segmental movement.

You can think of segmental movement as what occurs between the individual joints of your body.

A step above that are regional movements which are the more complex overall movements that occur in a particular body region like the neck, mid-back, or low back.

Finally, whole-body movement is what we typically think of as exercise.

As you can tell, all three types of movement are essential and work together to keep your spine and musculoskeletal system healthy and supported so it can keep functioning at its best.

Let’s break it down…

• Segmental Movement: Moving the individual joints of your body is what chiropractors are specifically trained to do. Proper segmental movement can help reduce physical and neurological pain and improve your range of motion.
• Regional Movement: Regional range of motion exercises performed in combination with dynamic stretching can help reduce low back stiffness.
• Whole Body Exercise: Daily exercise not only helps your brain and body feel better as a whole, but also helps to improve your body’s ability to rest and recover at night.

Low Back Pain Relief Exercises

Targeted whole body exercises are particularly important because these motions can help strengthen and lengthen the muscles that support the spine.

As you might imagine, we recommend a combination of low or minimal impact exercises and stretches that focus on the back and core muscles to our patients who’ve come to us for low back rehab in Mount Pleasant.

Strong core (abdominal) muscles are key to helping you maintain proper posture and alignment of the spine, and flexible muscles are less prone to injury which means you’re less prone to injury.

That said, it’s important to keep in mind that low back pain relief exercises that help to build-up and support the back shouldn’t involve awkward or physically stressful motions as these often have the opposite effect.

Bicycling, swimming, and walking are all examples of fundamentally safe and beneficial activities that are characterized by low impact movements.

Activities like tennis, weight lifting, and running, on the other hand, can be considered somewhat risky because of the different motions and impact involved. The same can be said with the vacuuming example we mentioned earlier.

Simple, low impact, easily repeatable exercises and stretches that you can regularly incorporate into your daily routine are key for improving your back health.

Next Steps:

If your joints aren’t moving correctly, the rest of your body isn’t moving correctly, or well for that matter, and that’s when pain can strike.

And while moving may feel like the last thing you should do more of if you’re struggling with back pain, research has repeatedly shown that movement and exercise are two of the best ways to find relief from back pain.

If you’ve dealt with back pain, and you’re exploring options for low back rehab in Mount Pleasant, we hope you’ll give us a call today.

We’re dedicated to providing pain-relieving, back-pain-preventing, drug-free options for low back pain relief including low back pain relief exercises, and we’re here for you.

Our expert team has the experience and know how to ensure your body is moving and functioning at its best and to help you design the perfect personalized exercise plan to help you get (and stay) well for years to come!