Category: Pain

Are you experiencing persistent back pain? Are you looking for some relief? There are many causes for back pain, including a herniated disc or other spinal issues.

Experiencing ongoing back pain can be exhausting and affect your sleep and overall quality of life. However, there are ways to prevent these injuries and maintain a healthy spine.

Read on for a guide to preventing a herniated disc and staying pain-free.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Your spine contains small bones or vertebrae. Between each vertebra, there’s a small disc or cushion.

The discs act as shock absorbers, featuring a gel-like nucleus and an outer layer, or annulus. When the gel-like nucleus protrudes from a tear in the disc, it’s considered a herniated disc.

This can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling. This condition is often referred to as a slipped disc, a ruptured disc, or a bulging disc. You may experience pain in the back, down the leg, or down the arm.

Herniated discs are often the result of wear and tear on the spine, but there are ways you can reduce your risk of developing this condition.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is beneficial for the body and an effective way to prevent back pain. Strengthening your core muscles helps support your back, and a strong core reduces your chances of a herniated disc.

Exercises such as walking, swimming, and cycling can help you lose weight, which in turn reduces the strain on your back. Weight management is critical for good spine health.

Practice Safe Lifting

Whether lifting a heavy box or a bag of groceries, using safe lifting techniques is essential. Improper lifting, such as failing to bend your knees or twisting while lifting, can put undue stress on the spine and lead to injury.

Safety tips for lifting include the following:

• Avoid bending at the waist while lifting
• Bend your knees and squat to lift your body up
• Lift with a buddy when possible
• Avoid holding items at a distance when lifting (hug them to the body instead)

Consider using a dolly to prevent straining your back when lifting heavy items.

Maintain a Good Posture

Poor standing or sitting posture can strain your back and lead to lower back pain. Here are some tips for improving your posture and keeping your spine healthy:

• When you stand, keep your shoulders aligned over your hips
• Your chin should be parallel to the floor
• Do not slouch while sitting
• Keep your feet flat on the floor while sitting
• Bend your knees at a 90-degree angle while sitting

If you work from home or sit for long periods, use a chair or pillow that provides lumbar support. Keep your computer monitor at eye level, directly in front of you.

Rethink How You Sleep

Did you know that good posture matters while you sleep?

Sleeping on your stomach puts a lot of strain on your cervical spine. To improve your posture as you sleep, keep the following in mind:

• Try to sleep on your back or side
• If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees
• If you’re a side sleeper, place a pillow between your legs
• Replace an old or worn-out mattress
• Choose a firm mattress

Chronic back pain leads to sleep deprivation, which can affect your physical and mental health. Good sleeping habits will benefit your posture, back, shoulders, and hips.

Herniated Disc Treatment

If you experience a herniated disc, there are ways to treat and relieve your back pain. If you want to avoid a surgical procedure, a chiropractor can address the symptoms of a herniated disc.

Herniated Disc Treatment With Chiropractic Care

When you visit a chiropractor, they will take your health history and thoroughly examine your spine. If they suspect a herniated disc or other spinal issues, they may order an X-ray or an MRI.

They will discuss the findings and the treatment options with you. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to help the body heal, and they employ various techniques to address specific problems.

Flexion-Distraction Technique

This method requires the patient to lie on a table that helps stretch the back and spinal column. The chiropractor employs a specialized hand technique to address the issue.

The goal is to stimulate the disc while the spine is stretched, allowing the disc to return to its correct position. This technique may relieve pinched nerves and reduce pain by moving the disc away from the nerves.

Pelvic Blocking Technique

This technique requires the patient to lie on a chiropractic table with cushioned wedges beneath the pelvic area. This adjusts the patient’s posture to relieve pressure on the spine.

The goal is to stretch the lower pelvis and elongate the spine to relieve pressure on the spine.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia

Some patients with excessive back pain can benefit from this procedure, which allows them to receive treatment without pain.

This option typically involves 15 minutes to an hour of herniated disc treatment for several days. Various types of anesthesia can be used depending on a patient’s pain level. A chiropractor may use a local anesthetic, mild sedation, or general anesthesia.

Chiropractic care cannot reverse a herniation. Only surgery can do that. Chiropractic care may eliminate painful symptoms, making surgery, pain medication, and other treatments unnecessary.

If you are experiencing ongoing back pain or think you may have a herniated disc, chiropractic care may bring some welcome relief.

Herniated Disc Prevention

A herniated disc is a painful condition often caused by wear and tear on the spine. Some ways to prevent it include maintaining good sleep habits, engaging in regular exercise, and practicing safe lifting techniques.

If you’re already dealing with back pain daily, there is hope. Chiropractic care can often help alleviate the symptoms of a herniated disc without the need for surgery.

At Horine Chiropractic, we aim to relieve your pain and help you get back to doing all the wonderful things that make life worth living. Contact Horine Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment.

Due to increased attention to health and wellness, chiropractic care has experienced substantial growth in the United States over the past few decades. Chiropractors are now the third largest group of doctoral-level professionals in the American healthcare industry.

Chiropractors can help resolve many issues. However, it can be not easy to know if the ones you face are within that scope. The good news is that some common symptoms can point you in the right direction.

This article outlines seven signs to look for when seeing a chiropractor. Keep reading to learn if it is the right option for your condition.

1. Chronic Back or Neck Pain

Recurring back or neck pain is one of the main reasons to see a chiropractor. There are many different causes for these conditions.

They can result from trauma or injury from strenuous activity, as well as repetitive or heavy lifting. This can lead to protruding or herniated (slipped) discs and pinched nerves.

Neck pain, in particular, can stem from stress. Rarer causes of neck and back pain include infections and fractures associated with osteoporosis or other forms of bone degeneration.

Chiropractors will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the likely causes of chronic back or neck pain. Based on their findings, they can then put together a treatment regimen. This often involves spine adjustments and includes massage therapy, muscle exercises, stretches, and lifestyle improvements.

2. Frequent Headaches

Many people have headaches that come and go on rare occasions and may never know the cause. For those who suffer from chronic headaches, there is almost always a single underlying issue.

A common one that a chiropractor can address is tension headaches. Tension headaches are often described as dull, aching pain or a tight band around the head.

Like other types of headaches, tension-type ones can be episodic. But when they are chronic, they are often the result of neck strain. Causes can be anything from habitually looking down at a cell phone to degenerative arthritis.

A trained chiropractor can determine the cause and prescribe treatments for the pain. In many cases, only a few adjustments can eliminate recurring headaches.

3. Shoulder or Upper Back Pain

Recurring shoulder or upper back pain is less common than lower back or neck pain, but it is no less severe or debilitating. If you experience constant or chronic tension in your shoulders or upper back area, a chiropractic visit could help.

These issues often arise from sedentary lifestyles or prolonged periods of sitting at a desk. Misaligned vertebrae may cause more severe pain. Whatever the cause, a qualified chiropractor can address the issue and recommend solutions.

4. Muscle Pain

Most people assume that chiropractors treat only the spine, neck, and other bones in the body, as well as associated joint pain. While this is often their focus, they usually address tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

There are almost innumerable causes of muscle strain. Common ones include heavy lifting, accidental falls, sports injuries, sleeping in awkward positions, and prolonged computer use. Muscle strain is a significant cause of stiffness in the neck, back pain, limited range of motion, and other issues.

If the cause of muscle pain is unknown, a chiropractor can examine the person and determine likely causes. They can also deliver treatments that reduce inflammation and enhance muscle mobility. This alone may be enough to alleviate any associated pain.

5. Sciatica and Lower Backaches

Sciatica is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, across the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. A herniated disk or overgrowth of bone can put pressure on it, causing nerve pain. This causes inflammation, leading to pain, loss of balance, or numbness in the legs.

Misalignments in the spine are a common cause of sciatica. Chiropractors can provide adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and movement-based massage to help alleviate the pain associated with this condition.

There are other causes of lower back pain as well. These are most often attributed to jobs that require prolonged sitting. They can also result from being overweight or injuries from lifting heavy objects.

Whatever the underlying cause, recurring lower back pain can result from misaligned vertebrae in the spine. A skilled chiropractor can identify this issue and make adjustments to address it.

6. Poor Posture

Beyond pain relief, there are other reasons to visit a chiropractor. These include poor posture and limited mobility. If you find yourself slouching, having trouble moving around, or bending over more than you used to, it may be due to misalignments.

A chiropractor can make adjustments that help these issues. They can also suggest exercise and lifestyle changes that can keep these problems at bay longer.

7. Stress, Anxiety, or Depression

Many people are unaware that visiting a chiropractor can help enhance their mental well-being. Chiropractic care helps balance hormones and encourages the production of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, which are directly related to the pleasure and reward centers in the brain.

Chiropractic care can also stimulate the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters in the brain that increase feelings of happiness and well-being.

Learn More About When to See a Chiropractor

Now that you understand the scenarios for when to see a chiropractor, you can determine if it is the right course of treatment for your condition. A qualified chiropractor can further advise you on the issues they can address and provide guidance on how to achieve relief.

For over 30 years, Horine Chiropractic has provided high-quality care for complex back and neck issues. We specialize in treating everything from chronic pain to herniated discs and discomfort stemming from pregnancy. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.

According to the WHO, low back pain is the leading cause of disability in the world, affecting over 600 million people.

Of course, there are different levels of severity for those suffering from low back pain. Some people have debilitating bouts with it, while others can easily manage their pain.

Regardless of the type of back pain you have, it’s essential to know how to manage it effectively. This post offers tips for preventing and managing symptoms of low back pain.

You don’t have to accept the pain as a fact of life. You can perform various treatments, stretches, and exercises to prevent the worst, so keep reading and put your lower back pain in the rearview mirror.

Poor Posture Correction

One of the biggest causes of low back pain is something we do to ourselves daily. If you constantly walk around or sit at your desk with poor posture, it will eventually start causing you pain.

Correcting poor posture can prevent some of the long-term effects of low back pain. It’s essential to keep your spine as straight as possible and avoid slouching.

If lifting something, bend at the knees instead of the waist. When twisting from side to side, rotate your hips to avoid wrenching your back.

Ergonomics and Work Care

A quarter of all Americans spend at least eight hours sitting, many of whom are doing so at an office, usually in front of a computer. The conditions of your office workspace have a massive effect on how your back feels.

Poor ergonomics can lead directly to low back pain. If you’re hunched over in your chair or craning your neck down at your computer monitor, it affects your entire body and creates a ripple effect that extends down to your lower back.

It’s not just about your posture at work, however. Your employer must provide ergonomically sound equipment to support your overall health, including your back. Chairs with back support, monitor stands, and suitable desks are all essential for proper ergonomics.

Stretches for Low Back Pain

If you‘re experiencing lower back pain, there are specific stretches you can do to both alleviate the pain and strengthen the affected area. Many muscles in your back extend in various directions, so it’s essential to combine stretches to target them effectively.

Some of the most basic low back pain exercises include:

• Lie on your back and slowly pull your bent knees towards your chest.
• A spinal twist involves lying on your back with your arms stretched out, pulling one bent knee up and moving it towards the opposite side, then repeating the movement with the other knee.
• Lying on your stomach with your arms outstretched, lift your arms and legs off the ground.

Doing a few reps of these stretches takes only a few minutes of your day and works wonders for your lower back.

Exercises to Try

Less than 25% of the American population meets the CDC’s requirements for aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise. How much you work out directly affects the strength of your back muscles.

It’s not just specific back exercises that you should be doing, however. Your cardiovascular workouts can also significantly impact your lower back health. Engaging in daily running or walking will strengthen your back and provide numerous other health benefits.

Core exercises will also help you strengthen your back. One of the best exercises for back pain is the bird dog.

To do it, kneel with your knees hip-width apart and your hands on the ground, shoulder-width apart. Keeping your abdominal tight and your weight centered, extend one arm in front of you and the opposite leg behind to form a straight line. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds, then return to a kneeling position and repeat with the other arm and leg.

Diet and Sleep

Maintaining good physical health can also help alleviate back pain. The more fat you carry, the more strain it puts on your back; therefore, adopting a healthy diet with the proper nutrients will go a long way.

By accounting for bone health in your diet, you can add density to your bones and strengthen your back. Eat foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D.

Many people wake up with back pain, which is often related to their sleep positions and quality. The way you position your body when you sleep can significantly impact your back health. In particular, sleeping on your stomach unnaturally arches your back, which can lead to significant lower and middle back pain.

Hot and Cold Treatment

If you’re dealing with a lower back injury, a slightly different process is involved. Of course, you should seek treatment from a chiropractor; however, in the immediate aftermath, it is essential to apply ice and heat to the affected area.

The ice will help reduce swelling and inflammation, while the heat can relax those tight muscles. Heat is also beneficial in managing chronic low back pain.

See a Chiropractor

If you want to stop low back pain in its tracks and restore muscle balance, seeing a chiropractor is your best bet. Chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for individuals with low back pain, including reduced pain intensity, decreased disability, and a lower need for pain medication.

Getting the proper treatment for your specific type of back pain, whether its root cause is sciatica, injury, arthritis, or osteoporosis, is essential for your recovery. If you’re near Visalia, Horine Chiropractic is your best bet.

As one of the top-rated chiropractors in the area, we can help you manage and reduce your back pain with the proper treatments. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and address your back concerns.

Are you struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep each night? Sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on your hormones, dampen your mood, and disrupt your mental and physical performance.

Sleep quality affects every aspect of your life, including your daily activities. Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

If a lack of restorative sleep affects your quality of life, you should understand what factors impact sleep and why.

Here’s a look at 14 factors affecting sleep quality.

1. Room and Body Temperature

The temperature of the room plays a significant role in sleep quality. If it’s too warm, it may be harder for you to fall asleep.

The optimal temperature for sleep is approximately 65°F. Your body temperature also affects your sleep quality. A lower body temperature may help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.

To cool down before you sleep, try taking a cool shower, using a cooling mattress pad, or turning on the air conditioner or fan. Sleep in light, breathable fabrics that will keep you more relaxed throughout the night.

2. Caffeine Consumption

A caffeine boost may be just what you need to start your day. However, caffeine too late in the day can lead to sleep issues and a restless night.

The caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate raises your adrenaline and cortisol levels. This can elevate your blood pressure and keep you tossing and turning during the night.

Too much caffeine can lead to restlessness, abdominal cramps, frequent urination, and more. If you consume caffeine in the afternoon or evening and have trouble sleeping, try avoiding it for six hours or more before bed.

3. Physical Pain

Pain drains the body and is exhausting to the mind. It can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Common sleep disrupters include back pain, neck pain, aching joints, and headaches. The first step is to consult a doctor or chiropractor to assess the root cause of your pain and identify potential solutions.

You may need a better mattress for your bed or a pillow that supports your neck. Proper spine alignment is essential for someone with back pain issues.

Some people find excellent pain relief in chiropractic care. Before you accept a prescription for pain medication, explore other solutions that may help you feel better and sleep better.

4. Stress

Stress may be the culprit if you lose sleep because you’re worrying about work, school, or family problems. Worrisome thoughts can keep you up at night.

Stress affects you both mentally and physically, leading to an elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and elevated glucose levels. When the body is stressed and sleep-deprived, relaxing and getting a good night’s sleep is difficult.

If stress keeps you awake, try establishing a relaxing bedtime routine. Taking a bath or shower, shutting down electronics, and engaging in activities like reading or listening to music may help you relax.

5. Alcohol

Many people turn to alcohol to help them fall asleep more easily at night. It may help you fall asleep quickly, but it won’t help you sleep soundly.

Drinking alcohol before bed can disrupt your sleep cycle. You may wake up during the night and have trouble falling back asleep.

For a better night’s sleep, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages a few hours before bed. You’ll sleep better and won’t regret it in the morning.

6. Snoring

Snoring is a common problem that can disrupt your sleep and prevent you from getting the rest you need. It occurs when airflow vibrates against the tissues of the throat.

The causes of snoring range from being overweight, poor sleep positions, nasal problems, sleep deprivation, and alcohol consumption. Snoring may also be a sign of sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea experience periods of interrupted breathing while they sleep. If snoring wakes you up, consider discussing sleep apnea with your doctor.

Some tips to reduce snoring include:

• Losing weight
• Sleeping on your stomach or side
• Treating nasal congestion
• Avoiding alcohol before bed

7. Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are medical conditions that affect your ability to sleep. They can affect both the quality and duration of sleep.

Some common sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Sleep Apnea
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
• Narcolepsy

Sleep disorders are caused by physical, lifestyle, or neurological factors. Treatment and regulation of sleep disorders depend on the specific condition and its underlying cause.

Sleep apnea is a significant cause of disrupted sleep. Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring
• Trouble concentrating
• Daytime fatigue
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Mood swings

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, consider consulting your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea.

8. Exercise

Sedentary behavior during the day can affect sleep quality at night. Engaging in physical activity throughout the day can lead to a more restful night’s sleep.

Exercise helps regulate your circadian rhythm, also known as your sleep-wake cycle. Staying active during the day can help you relax more quickly, sleep better, and wake up at the appropriate time.

Exercising two to three times a week will help you look, feel, and sleep better.

9. Your Pre-Bed Habits

Do you stay up late working, scrolling social media, or watching TV? If so, it could be affecting your sleep quality.

Eating and drinking before bed can also lead to sleep issues. What you do an hour or two before bedtime can significantly impact how well you sleep.

Changing your bedtime routine can help. Consider:

• Avoiding screens 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed
• Avoiding late-night meals or snacks
• Try relaxing breathing exercises, reading, or listening to soft music
• Drinking soothing herbal tea instead of coffee or alcohol
• Going to bed at the same time each night

Going to bed at different times throughout the week confuses the body’s circadian rhythm and disrupts sleep. Going to bed and waking up at similar times each day helps keep the body’s natural rhythm in sync.

10. Your Diet

A midnight snack may sound like a good idea, but you might regret it later. Eating late at night will not help you sleep.

Higher fat and caloric intake at night makes it harder to reach REM sleep. Eat regularly during the day and avoid any heavy meals or snacks in the hours leading up to your bedtime.

11. Anxiety and Depression

Many emotional factors can affect sleep. When your mind is racing with worried thoughts, restorative sleep isn’t a possibility.

Anxiety and depression often result in disrupted sleep patterns. A chaotic mind makes it hard to reach REM sleep.

If you think you may be suffering from anxiety or depression, get help. There are excellent treatments available to help you feel and sleep better.

Consult with your doctor to learn about the available options.

12. Blue Light Exposure

Checking emails or watching videos on your phone before you sleep isn’t the best plan for a good night’s sleep. The blue light emitted by your phone can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and compromise the quality of your sleep.

Blue light lowers the body’s natural melatonin production, preparing you for sleep. Avoid staring at your phone or TV, and keep your room dark to help prepare your body and mind for sleep.

13. Insomnia

If you struggle to fall asleep night after night, no matter what you do, you may have insomnia. People with insomnia have long-term difficulties falling and staying asleep.

They may toss and turn throughout the night. They may become agitated because they need sleep, but their body won’t cooperate. Physical problems like pain or emotional issues like stress or anxiety can cause insomnia.

A poor sleep environment, chronic pain, alcohol use, excessive napping, or emotional issues can make insomnia worse. If you struggle to fall asleep regularly, consider consulting your doctor about options for treating insomnia.

14. Naps

A long afternoon nap may be a welcome relief. However, if it is too long, it can interfere with one’s ability to fall asleep at night.

Keep your afternoon nap to no more than 20 minutes. This can help revive you and provide a burst of energy. For many people, waking up from a nap can be difficult, especially if they’re not sleeping well at night.

Set an alarm and avoid oversleeping if you take an afternoon nap. Take a nap if your body needs it, but avoid overexertion.

Keep your naps short, try to go to bed, and wake up at approximately the same time each day. Once your sleep becomes more regular, you may no longer need a nap.

Factors Affecting Sleep

Are you longing for a better night’s sleep? Quality sleep is essential for maintaining your energy throughout the day.

Sleep restores the body, soul, and mind, and it’s something you can’t live without. If you suffer from headaches, chronic neck and back pain, or other physical symptoms that keep you awake, we can help!

There are numerous factors that can affect sleep. Chiropractic care may be the answer you’re searching for.

Dr. Russ Horine provides excellent chiropractic care in the Visalia area. We would love to help you feel better and get a better night’s sleep.

Contact Dr. Horine today to schedule an appointment.

Studies show that between 18% and 26% of all adults will suffer from shoulder pain, which can limit some of their daily activities and result in a lower quality of life.

Some will choose to ride out the pain, hoping they slept wrong. But if you have shoulder blade pain that won’t go away, you need help. 

Some might opt for a medical doctor and get pain meds and even an invasive treatment. Yet, there are many good reasons to seek chiropractic care instead.

Read on to learn more about why you should consider visiting a chiropractor. 

1. Pain Relief

Shoulder problems can be pretty painful. From a pinch to a strained muscle, someone struggling with shoulder pain will feel it’s time they even attempt to move their body. 

Visiting a chiropractor can help address the shoulder pain you’re experiencing. Often, the best part of having a chiropractor treat your pain is that you can do without an invasive treatment like surgery. You can also avoid the use of narcotic pain medication for treatment. 

The chiropractor can pinpoint the source of the pain in your shoulder blade and develop a treatment plan to address it. 

2. Rehabilitation of the Shoulder

The first thing a chiropractor will want to do is to pinpoint what’s causing the pain you’re experiencing. 

Once they’ve done that, they can begin a treatment protocol and rehabilitation of the shoulder. 

The chiropractor may work on muscles, tendons, and ligaments in and around the shoulders to strengthen them. As these get stronger, so does your shoulder joint. 

The stronger the joint, the less likely you are to experience the same level of pain. 

Some people even visit a chiropractor as part of their rehabilitative care following a surgical procedure or an accident in which the shoulder was injured. 

3. Alternative to Medication

You might already recognize that if you go for an appointment with your family doctor, you’ll leave with some form of pain medication. While it may relieve symptoms, it won’t address the underlying cause of your pain. 

Chiropractic care is an intelligent alternative to pain medication. The chiropractor will work to find the source of the pain you’re experiencing. You can avoid the need for pain medication by using chiropractic treatments instead. 

Whether you have a pinched nerve or a muscle issue in your shoulder, a chiropractor can use targeted treatment to alleviate the problem, strengthen the shoulder, and reduce pain.

4. Better Sleep

You probably already know how hard it can be to find a comfortable sleeping position when you have an injured or aching body part. When your shoulder blades hurt, you will feel it anytime you move your arms or rest on your shoulders. 

You can rest more comfortably with chiropractic care addressing the issues with your shoulder blade.

Whether the issue you have is related to your shoulder joint, nerves, or muscles in the area, the chiropractor can pinpoint the cause of the pain and create a treatment plan to help you sleep better when your head hits the pillow.

5. Improve Posture

This might feel like a childhood flashback to an adult telling you to stand up straight. The chiropractor can help improve your posture by addressing the problems with your shoulder blades. 

You might be surprised to learn that poor posture is one of the most common causes of shoulder blade pain. 

When your Posture isn’t good, your shoulders roll forward, your head and neck roll forward, and your head hangs forward. This puts tremendous strain on the muscles across your back and around your shoulder blades. 

Strengthening the muscles across the back to improve posture can significantly impact your Posture and shoulder blades. 

6. Better Understanding of the Causes of Your Shoulder Pain

You might have woken up one day to find this severe pain in your back around the shoulder blades. You may have been experiencing the pain for a while. Either way, in many cases, the patient can’t pinpoint why they’re suffering from the awful pain. 

The chiropractor has a better understanding of the anatomy in your shoulder blade area and can help you determine what has caused this discomfort. 

If you’re doing something that aggravates your shoulder blades, you can address it. Your chiropractor can help create a treatment plan to heal and strengthen it.

7. Prevention of Further Problems

An essential part of treatment with a chiropractor involves prevention. 

Once the chiropractor identifies the issue, they can work to prevent it from recurring. 

Often, the muscles need treatment to get stronger and better handle the movements in your back, shoulders, and spine. 

Not only can chiropractors provide treatments, but they can also prescribe ways to better care for shoulder blades at home. 

8. Chronic Pain Issues

If you suffer from chronic pain in your shoulder blade area, you know how impactful and debilitating it can be in daily life. 

Chronic pain can be hard to manage, especially without pharmaceutical treatments. 

A chiropractor specializes in addressing the causes of this kind of pain and helping to alleviate it. Once the cause of the pain is identified, the chiropractor can work to provide relief and then strengthen the affected area to prevent future problems.

9. Reduce Inflammation

You might be surprised to learn that you can suffer from Inflammation in the shoulder blade area of your back. Inflammation in your body is a sign that something isn’t right. 

It can also be a source of pain and cause more limited mobility. 

The chiropractor can perform manual treatments in the shoulder blade area to reduce the existing inflammation and help prevent its recurrence. 

10. Improved Range of Motion

Anyone suffering shoulder blade pain will understand how difficult it can feel to move their upper body because of it. 

With shoulder blade treatment, the chiropractor can work to strengthen all the muscles supporting the shoulder blades. As the area gets stronger from treatments, your range of motion also improves. 

Once your range of motion improves, so do all the interconnected parts of your body work better together. 

11. Noninvasive Treatments

There’s an adage that when you ask a surgeon whether you need surgery, they will likely tell you that you do. They are in the business of invasive treatments. 

While there are some situations where surgery can’t be avoided, a chiropractor specializes in noninvasive treatments. 

A noninvasive approach means no risk of infection and reduced healing time compared to surgery. It can also mean avoiding narcotics for further pain. 

A noninvasive approach can accelerate the healing of issues in your shoulder blades and help you avoid the complications that often arise from surgery.

12. At-Home Care Options

One thing a chiropractor can do for you is help you take care of shoulder blade treatment at home, too. 

So, in addition to the hands-on care you get from the chiropractor, they can help with exercise and range-of-motion treatments that you can utilize at home to continue improving the health of your shoulder blades.

13. Improve Joint, Balance, and Mobility Health Overall

The reality is that your shoulder blades and all that connect to them don’t stand as separate entities in your body. They connect and impact your ability to move and support your head and neck. 

Your arms, shoulders, and spine are all impacted by the health of your shoulder blades. 

When you get treatment from a chiropractor to improve the health of your shoulder blades, you also enhance your other joints, balance, and overall mobility.

Choosing a Qualified Chiropractor

Of course, once you seek out chiropractic care, you want to find a provider with whom you are confident and comfortable. 

One of the best ways to find a chiropractor you will like is to ask friends and family if they already see someone. You can learn firsthand about their experiences and treatment. 

You can also read online reviews about your chiropractor. Remember to look at trends in the comments when reading online reviews. 

Another effective way to get to know a potential chiropractic care provider is by spending time on their website. You can usually get a good feel for their office and patient experience.

You can also learn more about their areas of expertise and how they approach treatments. Often, a chiropractor’s website will also have additional treatment information. 

Treat Your Shoulder Blade Pain

There’s no reason to continue to suffer unnecessary shoulder blade pain. A chiropractor can help alleviate your pain and enhance your overall quality of life. 

If you’re interested in learning more about treating your shoulder blade pain, we can help. Please schedule an appointment today so we can help you work towards achieving pain-free living.