what to expect at the chiropractor

What to Look For in a Prenatal Chiropractor

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Searching for a prenatal chiropractor brings up a good question: What should you look for to make sure you have the best care during your pregnancy? This article will provide evidence-based advice on what you should look for in a prenatal chiropractor that aligns with your specific health needs. Step into parenthood with confidence by making an informed choice with our comprehensive guide.

Key Takeaways

  • Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care: Prenatal chiropractic care addresses pregnancy-related discomforts and supports the body’s adaptations throughout pregnancy.
  • Specialized Training: Choosing a qualified prenatal chiropractor involves looking for specialized training and certifications, including the ICPA certification and Webster Technique certification, which provide safe and effective care tailored to the needs of pregnant women.
  • Connection and Comfort: A successful prenatal chiropractic experience includes a personal connection with the practitioner, emphasizing effective communication, comfort, empathy, and a holistic approach to health.

Understanding Prenatal Chiropractic Care

What to Look For in a Prenatal Chiropractor

When you think about which types of prenatal care you should seek, you might not immediately think of chiropractic services. Yet, for many expectant mothers, prenatal chiropractic care is a cornerstone of their health regimen. This specialized form of care is designed to address the discomfort, pain, and misalignments that often accompany the profound changes of pregnancy.

A prenatal chiropractor serves as an ally, using their expertise to provide pregnant women with customized spinal and pelvic adjustments. Understanding these significant changes is key for expectant mothers to alleviate common pregnancy-related discomforts. But what exactly does a prenatal chiropractor do, and how do their services translate into tangible benefits for mother and baby?

The Role of a Prenatal Chiropractor

webster technique

Prenatal chiropractors play a detailed and impactful role in an expecting mother’s pregnancy journey. These are the specialists who ensure the spine and pelvis are in harmonious alignment, mitigating discomfort and supporting the body as it nurtures new life. Achieving pelvic balance is important as it provides stability and comfort during a period of substantial physical and hormonal changes. Your first encounter with a prenatal chiropractor at Impact Chiropractic will include a discussion of your medical history, due date, and specific symptoms, all contributing to a uniquely tailored treatment plan.

A good chiropractor, especially one trained in prenatal care, becomes a part of your pregnancy journey. We create a healthy pregnancy path that is centered on spinal adjustments that support both your body and your mental tranquility.

Benefits for Mother and Baby

Prenatal chiropractic care offers holistic benefits that go way beyond providing physical relief from backaches and sore shoulders. It’s a comprehensive approach that boosts overall well-being, promising higher energy levels, better sleep, and support for the body’s natural healing processes.

As pregnancy progresses, a mother’s nervous system function—the gateway to overall health—is optimized through gentle chiropractic adjustments. The care provided by prenatal chiropractors adapts with you. Your chiropractor will address any evolving needs of your pregnant body and potentially improve birth outcomes. With each adjustment, the stage is set for a healthier pregnancy and a joyous introduction (or reintroduction) to motherhood.

Essential Qualifications of Your Prenatal Chiropractor

The search for the right prenatal chiropractor can initially seem overwhelming. How do you know that the chiropractor you choose is equipped to guide you safely and effectively through your pregnancy? The answer lies in their qualifications. A chiropractor specifically trained to treat pregnant women possesses specific certifications that serve as a guarantee of quality prenatal care. So, no, you don’t want to go to just any chiropractor you can find. You need one who knows what to do for your pregnancy journey.

Certification from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) is one such reassurance, signifying a practitioner’s higher knowledge and proficiency in managing pregnancy-related conditions. These certified care providers have gone deep into the field of pediatric and prenatal chiropractic, studying hard and emerging with the ability to offer care that’s as safe as it is effective. But what specific training should you look for, and how do these certifications translate into better care?

Specialized Training and Certifications

The mark of a truly exceptional prenatal chiropractor is their commitment to specialized training. Organizations like the ICPA provide rigorous programs that shape chiropractors into experts in prenatal chiropractic care. This specific training equips them to:

  • Support proper pelvic balance
  • Manage pregnancy symptoms
  • Potentially reduce labor time
  • Prevent injuries

We at Impact stay on the cutting edge of prenatal care by participating in education courses, seminars, and professional organizations. We prioritize learning so that their treatments are safe and tailored to the hormonal and structural changes of pregnancy.

Webster Technique Certification

What to Look For in a Prenatal Chiropractor

Among the certifications to consider, the Webster Technique stands out. It’s a specialized chiropractic adjustment that zeroes in on pelvic alignment, which is essential for creating the optimal conditions for a smoother and potentially shorter labor. By improving neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvic region, the Webster Technique can help with repositioning babies in breech or other non-optimal positions, contributing to a safer birthing process.

To become Webster certified, chiropractors complete a specialized curriculum that prepares them to optimize physiological functions during pregnancy and birth. The ICPA supports these chiropractors with ongoing education so that they can remain informed on the latest research and clinical applications. When seeking a prenatal chiropractor, the Webster Technique certification is a strong indicator of a practitioner’s expertise in fostering a healthy pregnancy environment. Don’t take it for granted.

A Personal Connection: Finding the Right Fit

two fort collins chiropractors for impact chiropractic

Looking for good prenatal chiropractic care isn’t just about finding a practitioner with the right skills. It’s also about the personal connection. After all, the journey through pregnancy is intimate and profound, and having a prenatal chiropractor who you trust and feel comfortable with can be greatly reassuring.

A couple factors that affect just a relationship include good communication and empathy. Both play a big part of the chiropractic care experience. Few things are more irritating than a rude and unfeeling medical professional.

Communication and Comfort

Effective communication forms the bedrock of any therapeutic relationship. An expectant mother needs to feel heard, and her concerns and discomforts acknowledged and addressed. Choosing a prenatal chiropractor who provides a safe space for open dialogue means that your treatment is not just effective but also a source of comfort. Your first visit is the perfect chance to come prepared with a list of symptoms, prescriptions, and specific concerns. You should be able to ask any and every question you need to feel comfortable.

The ongoing exchange between you and your chiropractor is also important. That open dialogue shouldn’t stop until you’re satisfied. With responsive communication, trust is built, and your comfort during treatments is secured. It’s about establishing a comprehensive approach that encompasses education, reassurance, and a gentle touch, all tailored to your unique pregnancy journey.

Empathy and Understanding in Chiropractic Care

Beyond the technical aspects of chiropractic care, the intangible qualities of empathy and understanding are what transform a good chiropractor into a great one. An empathetic chiropractor is attuned to the subtle nuances of your pregnancy experience. They can provide that gentle reassurance and a listening ear. This compassionate approach is essential, as it fosters an environment where you feel understood and supported.

Active listening is the cornerstone of this relationship; it allows the chiropractor to grasp the full spectrum of your individual situation, symptoms, and expectations. By creating a supportive atmosphere, the chiropractor guarantees that every visit is not just about addressing pain but about boosting your overall wellness and comfort during this pivotal time.

Comprehensive Prenatal Support

chiropractor talking with patient in fort collins

Expectant mothers deserve a place where they can receive care that evolves with them throughout their pregnancy. Impact Chiropractic offers just that—a comprehensive prenatal support system that extends beyond typical chiropractic adjustments. We focus on every individual’s needs. Our care includes additional therapies and postnatal support, ensuring that the journey to motherhood is focused on holistic well-being.

But what does holistic health entail? How does addressing common pregnancy discomforts fit into the larger picture of prenatal support?

Holistic Health Strategies

Prenatal chiropractic care encompasses a lot more than just a sequence of adjustments. It includes a holistic health approach with customized exercises, stress-reduction methods, and lifestyle advice. These strategies are designed to better your overall health, improving circulation, fostering the body’s natural healing processes, and mitigating muscle tension. By addressing hormonal fluctuations, weight gain, and ergonomic adjustments, prenatal chiropractors can even provide a comprehensive approach to maintaining your balance throughout pregnancy.

Holistic chiropractic techniques can offer relief from nausea and other pregnancy symptoms by optimizing nervous system function. Through this all-encompassing care, the goal is to create an optimal environment for both mother and baby, where health and harmony coexist.

Addressing Common Pregnancy Discomfort

Pregnancy brings with it a host of discomforts—back pain, pelvic discomfort, and sciatica, to name a few. Pregnancy chiropractic care, also known as prenatal chiropractic care, steps in to address these issues through spinal and pelvic alignment. Getting proper pregnancy chiropractic care prepares your body for labor by creating an ideal positioning for the baby.

Achieving correct spinal alignment through adjustments helps with nervous system function—a vital aspect of health for both mother and child during a pregnancy.

Provides a Safe Chiropractic Experience

impact chiropractic main room

Safety is a top priority when it comes to any form of medical treatment, and prenatal chiropractic care is no exception. The gentle, low-force adjustments that define this specialty are designed with the safety and comfort of pregnant women in mind. By using specialized techniques and equipment, prenatal chiropractors provide treatments that are both effective and secure.

Gentle Adjustments for Pregnant Women

Prenatal chiropractic treatments are characterized by their gentle nature, intended to accommodate the significant changes a woman’s body undergoes during pregnancy. These treatments, which focus on the pelvis and which are performed without abdominal pressure, provide relief from common pregnancy-related discomforts such as back pain, sciatica, and joint pain. Advanced techniques like neurologic scans and surface electromyography are used in a pregnancy-safe manner to evaluate spinal health, making sure that each adjustment is as gentle as it is precise.

The goal is to balance the pelvis through these gentle adjustments to allow for a safer and more comfortable delivery process. With each visit to a prenatal chiropractor, you can trust that you will receive care that is tailored to your unique needs and designed to maintain mobility and comfort throughout your pregnancy.

Safety Protocols and Equipment

Prenatal chiropractors use tables and pillows specially designed to accommodate a pregnant woman’s body so that each adjustment is comfortable and safe. These techniques, which are careful to avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen, are part of a suite of safety protocols that prioritize the well-being of the mother and the developing baby. Exercises and stretches incorporated into chiropractic care are chosen for their safety and efficacy during pregnancy.

One specific adjustment used by chiropractors trained in prenatal care is the Webster Technique, which creates balance in a woman’s pelvis and may improve fetal positioning. Chiropractors with advanced training from the ICPA often hold professional designations that reflect their commitment to providing safe and specialized care for pregnant women.

What to Expect at Impact Chiropractic

patient checking into impact chiropractic

At Impact Chiropractic, expectant mothers and pregnant patients can look forward to:

  • A comprehensive initial consultation
  • Personalized care that adapts to the changing needs of their bodies throughout pregnancy
  • A crafted plan outlining the frequency of visits and anticipated milestones
  • Support that extends beyond childbirth

What happens during the initial visit, and how does ongoing care and support contribute to the overall experience at Impact Chiropractic?

Your First Visit Explained

The initial consultation at Impact Chiropractic includes the following:

  • Building a relationship with the chiropractor
  • Discussing medical history and current health concerns
  • Developing a customized treatment plan that reflects the unique needs and timeline of your pregnancy

This thorough assessment allows the chiropractor to provide the best care possible.

This first visit is an opportunity to evaluate the compatibility of the chiropractor with your pregnancy-related health goals and to lay the groundwork for a successful treatment journey.

Continuous Care and Support

At Impact Chiropractic, care for expectant mothers goes beyond the delivery room. Postpartum recovery care is an integral part of our chiropractic services. We address common discomforts, such as those related to breastfeeding postures, and adjustments to motherhood. With flexible scheduling options, you can easily schedule appointments that align with your ever-changing needs and routines so that you receive support when it’s most needed.

Summary

We understand the role of prenatal chiropractic care in supporting a healthy pregnancy and recognize the importance of qualifications and personal connection. As a result, we empower expectant mothers with knowledge to make informed choices. The comprehensive prenatal support offered by Impact Chiropractic guarantees that mothers-to-be receive care tailored to their individual needs, fostering a secure, comfortable, and holistic pregnancy experience.

Recover Faster with a Sports Chiropractor in Fort Collins

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Are you an athlete dealing with an injury or looking to improve your performance? Sports Chiropractors in Fort Collins are ready to help you with specialized care tailored to your needs. Discover the benefits of chiropractic treatments designed to accelerate your recovery.

Key Takeaways

  • Sports chiropractic care in Fort Collins offers faster recovery, improved performance, and injury prevention for athletes by maintaining proper spinal alignment and enhancing biomechanics.
  • Chiropractic treatment utilizes specialized techniques like spinal manipulation and sports massages to treat common injuries such as back pain and muscle strains, contributing to the athlete’s performance and physical health.
  • In addition to treating injuries, Fort Collins sports chiropractors provide personalized care plans and preventative strategies to improve overall wellness and help athletes maintain peak performance on and beyond the field.

The Role of a Sports Chiropractor

sports chiropractor with patient in fort collins

Sports chiropractors stand out from conventional health professionals. We specialize in sports medicine, armed with advanced knowledge in musculoskeletal imaging, sport-specific strength, and conditioning, as well as optimal biomechanics. We often work with professional sports teams, providing athletic training and rehabilitation programs.

Specialized Techniques for Athletes

We use treatments like spinal manipulation and sports massages to mitigate fascia tension and enhance muscle flexibility during injury recovery. These specialized techniques are designed to address conditions like lower back pain, muscle strains, and joint dysfunctions, allowing athletes to perform at their best.

Focus on the Musculoskeletal System

The scope of chiropractic care extends beyond pain relief. It addresses musculoskeletal imbalances, which are key to an athlete’s physical health. Proper biomechanics are promoted by correcting these imbalances, aiding in recovery and ongoing maintenance.

Benefits of Sports Chiropractic in Fort Collins

Fort Collins chiropractor with patient

Sports chiropractic centers in Fort Collins provide a myriad of comprehensive care services to cater to the varied needs of their patients. Whether you’re a professional athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone injured in an auto accident, we have you covered. We provide a collaborative approach to treatment, combining chiropractic methods, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to enhance recovery.

For the Weekend Warrior

Good news for weekend warriors! Chiropractic treatments can bolster your performance, recover from injuries more quickly, and maintain overall body well-being. Regular visits to a chiropractor can prevent future injuries and offer tailored health advice to keep you in tip-top shape. The chiropractors in Fort Collins even offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy lifestyle.

Professional Athlete Care

Professional athletes face higher stakes and thereby greater physical demands. Specialized chiropractic services in Fort Collins are designed to meet these rigorous demands. Chiropractors here have worked with high-level athletes.

Treating Neck Pain and Spine Issues

Athletes frequently encounter neck pain and spinal issues. Chiropractic care can effectively alleviate these issues, leading to improved muscular function and well-being.

One patient, Shauna Ortiz, experienced the following benefits after receiving chiropractic care:

  • Significant relief from her neck pain
  • Relief from sharp pain between her shoulder blades
  • Improved strength
  • Ability to work without pain

Rehabilitation for Peak Performance

Rehabilitation plays a critical role in the recovery process from sports injuries. Chiropractic rehabilitation programs are designed to help athletes fully recover and return to their sport at optimal performance levels. Through chiropractic rehabilitation, athletes can experience:

  • An increase in strength
  • An increase in power
  • The ability to jump higher
  • A significant increase in blood flow and capillary count

Scar Tissue Management

It’s vital to manage scar tissue, especially post-injuries, as it directly impacts joint mobility and overall flexibility. Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to break down scar tissue, helping with tissue pliability and alleviating tension.

Personalized Chiropractic Plans

First visit to chiropractor in fort collins

The journey of personalized chiropractic care begins with an initial assessment, followed by manual adjusting techniques and vertebral re-alignment, and ultimately incorporates ongoing lifestyle practices.

Your First Visit: What to Expect

At your first visit, a comprehensive initial examination will be conducted, possibly including postural screening, neurological testing, palpation, and imaging. This is an essential part of your clinical experience. You’ll also need to complete various forms such as Privacy Practices Acknowledgement, Informed Consent, Case History, and Sports Physical History.

Following the evaluation, a personalized chiropractic plan is created to align with your specific health needs.

Developing a Custom Treatment Strategy

The formulation of a custom treatment strategy requires an evaluation of your preparedness for adjustment. It involves general and specific tests to determine the overall health and range of motion. Personalized treatment plans are developed using comprehensive examinations, factoring in your age, injury specifics, and overall well-being.

The chiropractor then proposes an estimated number of visits and adjusts the treatment plans as needed based on periodic reassessment and your response to care.

Staying Healthy Beyond the Field

Beyond just addressing acute symptoms, chiropractic care fosters overall health. It helps with mental and neurological health, increases muscle strength, and improves flexibility and range of motion.

Regular chiropractic treatments contribute to heightened vitality and energy levels, helping athletes stay healthy beyond the field.

Preventive Care to Stay in the Game

Regular chiropractic adjustments can stimulate improved spinal movement and relieve nerve pressure, promoting optimal bodily operation. This preventive care helps you stay in the game and maintain your athletic abilities.

In Fort Collins, chiropractic care provides specialized support for amateur athletes, aiding in injury prevention and faster recovery for those engaging in weekend or recreational sports activities.

Integrating Chiropractic Into Your Training Regimen

Incorporating chiropractic care into your typical training regimen can serve as a preventive measure to uphold health and lessen the risk of injuries. You can maximize the benefits of your chiropractic sessions by:

  • Proper hydration
  • Engaging in light physical activity
  • Documenting any discomfort

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Preparing certain documents in advance can expedite the check-in process at your first chiropractic visit. Bringing completed forms, such as the Sports Physical History Form, can significantly save time during your initial visit.

Summary

In conclusion, sports chiropractic care in Fort Collins offers a wealth of benefits for athletes. From faster recovery times and enhanced performance to injury prevention strategies, chiropractic care has proven to be an invaluable tool for athletes.

Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, incorporating chiropractic care into your routine can lead to improved well-being and athletic performance. So why not take a proactive step toward your health and schedule your appointment with a sports chiropractor in Fort Collins today?

Can a Chiropractor Fix Scoliosis?

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Can a chiropractor fix scoliosis? The straightforward answer is no. However, while chiropractic care cannot cure scoliosis, it can greatly help manage the condition, particularly for those with functional scoliosis. This article explains how chiropractors aid scoliosis patients and outlines the benefits chiropractic care can provide in scoliosis treatment.

Key Takeaways

  • Types of Scoliosis: There are different types of scoliosis, each requiring customized chiropractic treatment approaches; functional scoliosis has a better prognosis for correction through chiropractic methods than structural scoliosis.
  • Prevention of Progression: Chiropractic care for scoliosis focuses on preventing curvature progression, managing symptoms, and improving alignment. It cannot fully straighten a spine affected by structural scoliosis.
  • Comprehensive Treatment: Comprehensive scoliosis treatment can include chiropractic care combined with other therapies such as physical therapy, bracing, and nutritional support for better management and symptom relief.

Understanding Scoliosis: Causes and Types

Scoliosis is a condition characterized by an abnormal curvature of the spine. However, it’s more than just a simple curve; it’s a complex condition with a variety of potential causes. The most common form is adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, primarily affecting adolescents. It’s suspected to be hereditary, but the exact causes continue to elude medical professionals.

Certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, are known to be associated with scoliosis, presenting more complex cases of the condition. Various types include:

  • Idiopathic scoliosis
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis
  • Degenerative scoliosis
  • Congenital scoliosis

Among these, further distinctions are made between structural and functional scoliosis. Understanding these types is necessary to identify the most effective treatment strategies.

Structural Scoliosis

Structural scoliosis presents a significant challenge. It’s characterized by abnormal, permanent curvatures of the spine that cannot be fully corrected through chiropractic adjustments. The primary cause of structural scoliosis is an abnormal bone shape, leading to a misaligned and potentially less stable spine.

These permanent spinal curvatures can have far-reaching implications for overall health and well-being, extending beyond mere physical discomfort. While chiropractic care can provide substantial benefits in managing scoliosis symptoms, it will not suffice for entirely correcting structural scoliosis.

Functional Scoliosis

When it comes to functional scoliosis, on the other hand, the story takes a slightly different turn. This type of scoliosis is characterized by a temporary spinal curvature that arises from specific conditions such as poor posture or muscle imbalances. The very nature of functional scoliosis allows for more optimism in terms of treatment.

Unlike structural scoliosis, functional scoliosis can often be corrected through chiropractic care. Why? Because chiropractic care addresses the underlying causes of functional scoliosis, such as muscle imbalances. This makes it a potentially effective approach for managing functional scoliosis and improving the quality of life for many patients.

Chiropractic Treatment for Scoliosis: What to Expect

Fort Collins chiropractor with patient

So, what does chiropractic care for scoliosis look like? Primarily, it focuses on preventing progression of the curvature, improving overall well-being, and managing symptoms. Chiropractic treatment involves techniques like spinal adjustments and possibly the use of electrical muscle stimulation, aiming to reduce pain and muscle spasms. However, it’s worth noting that improper chiropractic treatment may aggravate nerve irritation, intensify pain, and potentially exacerbate the condition.

Chiropractic care also goes beyond just adjustments. It incorporates specific exercises and stretches, which helps with:

  • Strengthening core muscles
  • Improving posture
  • Promoting better spinal alignment
  • Contributing to enhanced mobility and flexibility.

The key to successful scoliosis treatment lies in customizing treatment plans for each individual, addressing all aspects of your condition for maximum treatment efficacy.

Can Chiropractors Straighten a Curved Spine?

fort collins patient with chiropractor

The million-dollar question is, can a chiropractor straighten a curved spine? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Structural curves in a spine affected by scoliosis can’t be fully straightened or corrected by chiropractic care alone. Even though it is beneficial in many aspects, chiropractic treatment cannot reverse the curvature of the spine in scoliosis. Surgical intervention is the only known method for straightening scoliosis.

However, the aim of chiropractic care for scoliosis isn’t to straighten the spine but to restore proper alignment to the spine and improve joint function. By restoring proper alignment, this can facilitate your body’s natural healing process.

Chiropractic care offers improvements in spinal alignment and flexibility. These improvements are beneficial for scoliosis patients, contributing to better spinal health and providing symptom relief.

Techniques Used by Chiropractors for Scoliosis Patients

chiropractor with patient

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques when treating scoliosis patients. Spinal manipulation techniques include gentle, specific adjustments that aim to correct the spine into a more natural curvature. These adjustments are done without unnecessary twisting or turning of the neck, and they often improve your range of motion.

In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractors also use soft tissue techniques to manage scoliosis symptoms, including:

  • Massage therapy
  • Myofascial release
  • Trigger point therapy
  • Stretching exercises

These techniques complement the adjustments and manipulations, providing a comprehensive approach to managing the condition.

Complementary Therapies for Scoliosis Management

In comprehensive scoliosis treatment plans, chiropractic care can be effectively complemented by the following:

  • Working alongside physical therapists
  • Implementing additional approaches such as physical therapy and bracing
  • Using specialized exercise programs
  • Stabilizing and improving spinal curves

Impact Chiropractic’s Approach to Scoliosis Treatment

Impact Chiropractic is a community-driven health center focused on providing whole-person chiropractic care and designed to improve your overall quality of life.

At Impact Chiropractic, every scoliosis patient receives a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique spinal curvature and overall health needs. This is done by integrating chiropractic care, physical therapy, corrective bracing, and rehabilitation.

Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Scoliosis

Chiropractic care may improve spinal health by promoting correct spinal alignment and can increase the range of motion for individuals with scoliosis.

Chiropractic interventions can potentially reduce the progression of the curvature in scoliosis cases, lead to long-term improvements in spinal curvature, and result in a significant reduction in pain associated with scoliosis.

Finding the right approach can drastically improve your quality of life by providing pain relief and alleviating scoliosis pain and complications.

When to Seek Medical Intervention for Scoliosis

impact chiropractor with patient in fort collins

Despite the benefits of chiropractic care, there are times when medical intervention becomes necessary. Severe cases of structural scoliosis, typically when the curvature reaches 45 degrees or more, may require medical intervention, including bracing or surgery. However, in cases of mild scoliosis, chiropractic care can be an effective treatment option.

Surgical options for scoliosis when significant curvature is present include spinal fusion and vertebral body tethering. These surgical interventions can provide a more definitive solution to spinal curvature, while conservative scoliosis treatment options may be explored in less severe cases to treat scoliosis.

It’s important to realize that surgery isn’t always the only solution for scoliosis treatment. A thorough understanding of the condition has paved the way for effective non-surgical treatment strategies.

Summary

Managing scoliosis through chiropractic care allows us to explore a holistic perspective of health. Yes, chiropractic care may not entirely fix the curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients. However, it offers a range of benefits, from managing symptoms to preventing curvature progression and improving your overall well-being.

Our chiropractors provide personalized care that can make a significant difference in the lives of patients. So, while it’s important to recognize that chiropractic care isn’t a magic cure for scoliosis, it’s an essential piece of the puzzle in managing this complex condition.

Say Goodbye to Low Back Pain: Understanding the Causes

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For many of us, gone are the days where we can clean the house, go for a walk, play with the kids, play with our pets, or, if we’re being honest, simply go to sleep without putting ourselves at risk for neck or low back pain.

Sound familiar?

Surprise sleep injuries aside, if you’re all too familiar with back pain, you’ve come to the right place at Impact Chiropractic Loveland!

As the leading low back pain specialist in Loveland, we know a thing or two about the common causes of low back pain.

Keep reading to learn more about what might be behind yours and, more importantly, what you can do to say goodbye to low back pain.

Bottom Line:

Low back pain is the number one reason people worldwide visit their doctor and miss work.

If you’ve dealt with it in the past (or maybe even right now), you know back pain can change your life in an instant.

Not being able to enjoy hobbies, difficulty in your ability to work, and a sneaking suspicion that you may never get “back to normal” are all normal when you’re experiencing a bout of back pain.

So why do so many people here in Loveland, Colorado and around the world struggle with back pain?

In many cases, your daily habits are a big contributor to your back pain.

Why it Matters:

If you’ve been living with aches and pain, it’s often connected to distorted movement patterns that affect your neuromusculoskeletal system – your brain, nerves, muscles, bones, joints, cartilage, tendons, etc.

And those abnormal movement patterns can happen for a variety of reasons that range from long hours at a computer and repetitive stress to sudden injuries.

That repetitive stress combined with nagging injuries, a diet filled with inflammatory foods, or a lack of daily exercise and movement can all contribute to an increased likelihood of back pain.

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

Here are the three most common causes of low back pain…

1. Sprain/Strain Injuries: Repetitive stress can create inflammation and lead to sprains or strains.

2. Spinal Disc Issues: Disc bulges and herniations can press on your spinal nerves, leading to back pain that travels to other parts of the body.

3. Arthritis: As you get older, your body will naturally go through some degenerative changes, and if your spinal joints become inflamed, you may notice some pain.

A whopping 80% of us will experience low back pain at some point in our lives, and none of us want to rely on pills to feel better.

The good news is that, in most cases, sprains and strains and joint issues can heal pretty quickly with the right care.

That’s where we come in!

An overwhelming majority of people recover from back pain naturally or with a little additional help from a chiropractor.

So, if you’ve been searching for a low back pain specialist in Loveland, you’ve come to the right place!

Research supports the use of chiropractic care for the treatment of all causes of and all types of low back pain.

Get this.

In a recent study, researchers found that low back pain patients with disc issues who received chiropractic care experienced the same if not more relief than patients who underwent invasive back surgeries.

Next Steps:

While it may feel like you’ll never get back to your old self, the odds are in your favor that you will!

And even if you typically seem to recover by taking it easy for a few days, it’s still a smart decision to visit a chiropractor.

Chiropractic care has been part of the wellness conversation worldwide for well over 125 years, and our chiropractic practice is proud to serve the Loveland community now and for years to come.

Our low back pain specialists will work with you to determine both what’s at the root of your low back pain and the non-invasive treatment options that make sense for you.

Research also strongly suggests that periodic chiropractic care – just like dynamic stretching and regular exercise – can help prevent future episodes of low back pain.

So, if you haven’t, be sure to have your next – or first – visit scheduled at Impact Chiropractic Loveland!

To learn more, check out what current research has to say!

How’s the Latch? Top 5 Ways Chiropractic Can Help!

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Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a great option when choosing how to feed your child. There are numerous neurological, nutritional, developmental, psychological, and immunological benefits that your baby can get throughout the process.  Due to this many mothers plan on breastfeeding, but give up early because of problems that have “no solution.” When you and your baby are first getting to know each other, it can be frustrating at times.  Many times mamas have trouble getting their baby to nurse. It’s hard!! It’s easy to be discouraged and want to give up. We’re here to tell you to stay strong. It’s not your fault that your little one isn’t latching properly, but there is something you can do to help support the relationship.

How Chiropractic Helps the Latch

In our office we see many infants presenting with latching problems, and after being evaluated and adjusted they are able to feed wonderfully. Specifically, we check children for vertebral subluxations. This occurs when the upper cervical vertebra or cranial bones are misaligned. This misalignment puts unnecessary stress on the nervous system, meaning the brain and the body may not be fully communicating as they should. It’s basically taking a dimmer switch and putting it on the nerves that come out at the level of the misalignment. This can cause numerous problems with the child’s health and development down the road.

The birthing process, no matter how natural and beautiful it is, can be hard on not just the mother but the child as well. In turn, this can result in misalignments that usually go undetected and unaddressed for years.  As chiropractors, we see infants presenting with difficulties latching firmly, inability to sustain suckling, only feeding in one position, chewing instead of suckling on the nipple, and a “need” to feed at all times. 

Benefits of Chiropractic for an Infant

When the C1 vertebra and cranial bones are properly aligned, neurological and mechanical problems resolve as shown below:

Helps baby turn head to go to both breasts equally

  • When the misalignment of the cranial and upper cervical vertebrae are present this will impinge the SCM muscle. This can cause extra tension in one side vs the other and in more extreme cases, Torticollis. When a baby has this, they will not want to turn their head to both sides equally and often favor one breast. Realigning the bones and allowing the nerves to communicate with the muscle properly, helps the baby to turn their head to both sides equally. In turn, they have easier positioning and access to breastfeeding.

Retraining muscle patterns

  • Another common difficulty we see, is that their suckle pattern is weak, irregular or using the wrong muscles. The communication into the muscles used primarily for sucking may not be firing correctly (weak suckle). This can lead to overcompensation and recruitment of muscles not originally needed for the motion. This can cause an irregular, or chewing like suckle. Again, realigning any misalignments will allow all the muscles to get the proper communication.

Helping to shape mouth properly

  • With improper tongue and oral use, the palate can lack the proper stimulation it needs in order to properly shape. We see many infants presenting with shallow or high palates which is going to affect the suckle itself. We help to identify and reshape the mouth when working with babies in order to regain proper oral function in nursing and into childhood.

Help Tongue Tie Release Heal

  • Another great way we can support oral function is helping tongue tie releases heal. After a baby gets a release, it is up to the parents to perform stretches for the body to heal properly. However, if there is a miscommunication in the nerves, we often see that the body takes longer to heal. We love working with babies that recently had tongue tie revisions to ensure that the body can heal to its full potential.

Bring your Infant to a Pediatric Chiropractor

If your infant is having trouble nursing and you feel as though you’ve tried everything to help them, bring them to a chiropractor. Infant chiropractic adjustments are gentle, safe, and extremely effective.  This could be one of the most important choices you make for your child, as breastfeeding provides many benefits to their health.

Make a new patient appointment today for your infant!

The Nervous System and Chiropractic

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What is the Nervous System?

The nervous system is the life source that controls every aspect of our body. It controls our ability to interact with the outside environment by taking in all forms of senses and interpreting them. It also controls our internal environment in order to help us know when to eat or use the restroom or even events that we can’t control such as digesting food and keeping our heart beating. All of this makes the nervous system the most important system in the whole body.

How Chiropractic Aids the Nervous System’s Function

Chiropractors are specifically trained to detect any nervous system disruptions that are present within the body. The spine actually encases the spinal cord and nerves come out at every single level of the spine. Misalignments in the spine can alter how the nervous system functions in many ways. It can alter how a sensation is perceived, how then the sensation is processed, and can alter the body response to be different leading to dysfunction and miscommunication in the body. Affecting all areas of the body including muscles, organs, and the ability to respond. The main goal of chiropractic is to relieve any stress on the nervous system in order to process information better and have a higher overall function level in the body. 

Why Kids Can Benefit From Chiropractic

The leading cause of this dysfunction in the nervous system is stress. When looking at kiddos there are three forms of stress that affect their body which include physical, emotional, and chemical. Physical stress is the most commonly thought of when looking at kids. Normal kids as they grow and develop are running around and falling down 20 times a day, which affects their spine and nervous system. Another physical stress that is not often thought about is birth trauma. The process can be beautiful and natural but can be a lot for a little baby’s body. Up to 60-120 pounds of traction is applied to the baby’s neck and spine during a natural vaginal birth with a doctor assisting head out.  This causes trauma in the spine and in turn the nervous system. Emotional stress includes any family, school, or relationship issues. Kids may not be able to know exactly what is going on but can get worked up and put their bodies into a stressed and sympathetic mode. Lastly, chemical stress is anything that kids eat or put on their bodies that the body in turn has to process. 

The Impact Chiropractic Way

At Impact Chiropractic we are a corrective care facility. The goal is to get to the root of the problem and work to restore the proper function of the body’s nervous system. Our doctors have created a 5 step corrective program that helps give our patients the best care possible.

Step 1: the cervical neck traction which helps to restore the curvature in the neck

Step 2: the proprioceptive wobble discs that help to hydrate the spine and prepare you for the adjustment

Step 3: the most important step is the adjustment. Each of our 5 adjusting rooms is equipped with a computer that allows the doctors to see the patient’s X-rays and give them an adjustment specific to them.

Step 4: the arthostim is a tool that aids in the manual adjustments that the doctors give

Step 5: the 5th and final step is the vibration plate which helps to hold in the adjustment for a longer time

Make a new patient appointment today to get started and prioritize the health of your nervous system.