Chiropractic Tips – For Most Out of Chiropractic Care

1. Stay consistent. Life is a process and so is healing. What is going on with your spine right now did not happen overnight. It was a process that built up over time. Do not expect to feel better after your first visit! Stay consistent with your care and follow your treatment plan. After your treatment plan is completed, consider monthly routine checkups! It will keep you healthy and make my job easier!

2. When reading in bed, make sure your spine is flexed from the waist rather than laying flat with a pillow pushing your head forward. Keep your neck supported and your ears directly over your shoulders.

3. When sitting at your desk at work, follow the 90/90 rule. Your elbows and knees should be bent at 90 degrees. Your feet should be planted on the floor directly under the knees, not tucked under your chair. This prevents straining your hamstrings. Make sure that the computer monitor is at or above eye level. If needed place books under the monitor so that you are looking straight ahead or up at the screen. Looking down causes strain on the neck.

4. Gentlemen, if you carry a wallet, put it in your front pocket. Having a wallet in the back pocket puts a constant abnormal straining on the low back, irritating the nerve flow to your reproductive organs, bladder, colon, and going down your legs. I recommend the "Slim Fit" wallet. It holds all of my credit cards, ids, money and even a few business cards. Keep it in your front pocket. Ladies, try not to carry your purse on the same shoulder all the time. Try to lighten your load by removing unnecessary items, things you really do not need to carry around with you all the time.

5. Exercise is a huge component to keeping your endurance, flexibility, and strength.

6. Practice deep breathing. Take a full deep breath and hold it as long as you can. Exhale as much as you can. Repeat this five times. Incorporate this as a habit. Try to do it first thing in the morning and before you go to bed.

7. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Ideally, try drinking half your body weight in ounces. Examples, if you weigh 160 pounds, drink at least 80 ounces of water per day.
8. Support your spine while you sleep using a cervical pillow or even a rolled up towel to support your neck and allow your head to drop down even with your shoulders. A traditional pillow pushes your head forward. If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your legs taking tension off your hamstrings. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees to keep your hips in balance.

9. Learn to stabilize your spine in as many ways possible. Wear good shoes and sneakers. Try running stores where an associate will recommend a pair of shoes for your specific gait. You do not have to buy from them, but wearing the correct shoes versus the wrong pair can make a huge difference. We also recommend spinal pelvic stabilizers, which are customized for your foot imbalances.

10. When you get your car, sit up straight and adjust your rear view mirror. Next time, you get into the car, leave the mirror alone and make sure you concentrate on your positioning.