Prevention of Back Problems

What makes a healthy back?

Your back is your body’s main support. Along with your muscles and joints it allows you to move and carry weight. But your back is also a delicate, finely balanced structure that can easily be injured if not cared for properly. Knowing just the basics of back care can make the difference between a healthy back and an aching one.

Chronic Low Back Pain

You don’t have to put up with that nagging ache in your lower back. Here are seven lifestyle habits common in people with chronic low back pain. They’re all things you can change!

How many of them apply to you?

• Do you have poor muscle tone?
• Are you a smoker?
• Do you wear high heels?
• Are you under excessive stress?
• Do you have poor work habits, improper lifting techniques, poor sitting posture?
• Do you lack daily exercise?
• Are you more than 20 percent overweight?

If you answered yes to two or more questions, you may already be hurting, or chronic low back pain may be in store for you some time in the future. Pick two habits you’re ready to change. Remember, even a small or gradual change can make a difference.

Basic Back-Saving Tips

• Start a regular exercise program to keep your back and abdominal muscles flexible and strong.
• Push, don’t pull. You’ll have twice as much power and less chance of injury.
• Always face forward with your shoulders, feet and hips when you’re lifting or carrying.
• Keep walkways, stairs and halls clear. Be on the lookout for tripping or slipping hazards.
• When seated, support your lower back with a pillow or a rolled-up towel.
• Sleep on your side or your back.
• Rest one foot on a footstool when you’re standing.
• Lift with your legs, not your back. Remember, legs lift, backs break.

 

If you or someone you know is suffering from chronic back pain, we’d like to be the ones to get you back to full health.

Feel free to schedule here, call us at 1.800.811.1231 or drop by for a visit to see why we are considered by many patients to be the best chiropractors in South Florida.

When Should You Visit a Chiropractor?

You may have heard that chiropractic care has many amazing benefits. Some of them are pain relief, increased mobility and a tougher immune system.  When we say pain relief, we want you to know that it isn’t the same relief as over-the-counter medications. It’s better. Relief from chiropractic care is a combination of instant and long-lasting, all the while remaining natural and non-invasive.

So when should you visit a chiropractor?

After a car accident.  Many people involved in a car accident experience whiplash. The pain this causes may subside in a few days. For others, this injury can begin a path of chronic pain and complications.  Chiropractic care incorporates many therapies that will provide pain relief, such as massage and ultrasound.  Even if you aren’t diagnosed as having whiplash, there are still many benefits to seeking chiropractic care after an automobile accident.

If participating in sports.  Athletes of all ages can benefit from continued chiropractic care. In fact, a lot of great athletes swear by it. After a sports injury, massage and adjustments are important for pain relief and to prevent later complications.  Because of the large amount of force places on the joints, muscles and bones during sports, we recommend all athletes seek chiropractic care following a sports injury.

If pregnant.  Many pregnant women mistakenly believe that chiropractic care is dangerous.  It isn’t.  In fact, there are many benefits to incorporating it into prenatal care.  Lower back pain is common in the later stages of pregnancy and a chiropractor can eliminate these pains. Regular adjustments during pregnancy may even lessen birth pains as well.

If you just gave birth.  After labor, a woman’s body goes through many changes.  Severe labor pains and difficult labors can lead to joint or spinal pain.  These are a chiropractor’s specialty.  Not only should you seek chiropractic care after birth, but bring your newborn in too.  Chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages and birth is not only difficult on the mother, but the child too.

Headaches.  Most of us get them, and boy do they suck. Daily stress can cause headaches, but there can be a more serious underlying cause.  For example, muscle spasms can cause spinal pressure.  A neck adjustment or realignment can alleviate the pressure and pain, freeing you of headaches and trips to the store for Advil.

Arthritis.  Many arthritis patients mistakenly believe that they will suffer for the rest of their lives.  It does not have to be that way.  It is possible to seek relief from chiropractic care.  Over-the-counter pain relief pills and surgery aren’t your only option.  A chiropractor can adjust joints to promote free movement and therapeutic massages can treat ongoing chronic pain.

If your child has a medical condition that causes them pain and discomfort.  When considering this, also think outside of the box.  A chiropractor can help your child with lower back pains and frequent headaches, but that is not all.  Chiropractic care, spinal and joint manipulation can all reduce the discomfort associated with frequent earaches, allergies, sleep disorders, and scoliosis.

When stress consumes your life.  All Americans are stressed. There’s really no way around it in today’s world.  Those who suffer from stress severe enough to have a panic attack cannot only benefit from relaxing therapeutic massages, but adjustments too.  Occasionally, an aggravated nerve route sends confusing messages to the brain.

If you just want to improve your health.  Overtime, it is easy to develop spine and joint problems.  These problems may be mild and may not even result in pain, but that may change later in life.  Chiropractic care also prevents free and healthy movement.  It does so with no medications or invasive procedures.  If you want your body to stay healthy, active, and natural, chiropractic care is the way to go.

If you’re serious about your health and future, making an appointment has never been easier. Our dedicated and diverse TEAM extends across five locations in South Florida, and is ready to help you in any way possible, from transportation to insurance questions.

Don’t wait, book an appointment online, stop-in or call and speak to one of our Doctors today!

North Dade – North Miami Beach – Plantation – Lauderhill – Pembroke Pines

1.800.811.1231

http://www.CountyLineChiro.com

 

 

Why Should I See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?

Were you in a car accident?  You feel fine, but are you?  You may not know.  That is why you should see a chiropractor.  Do you need more reasons?

You May Have an Injury and Not Know It

Most individuals mistakenly believe that they will be in pain if they have an injury.  This is not always true.  Damage to the body, muscles, joints, and spine typically hurts, but there are no guarantees.  Some damage is just minor enough that there is no pain.  However, a smaller injury or just time can lead to aggravation, and then pain.  Why not prevent this from happening? You can with chiropractic care.

After a car accident, a chiropractor will meet with you.  They will gather your medical history, perform a physical exam, and ask questions about your car accident.  They will diagnose any problems and decide on a course of treatment.  This treatment can include joint adjustments and therapeutic massages to relieve pain and remove subluxations.

 

It Is Less Invasive

With chiropractic care, surgery is a last resort.  Even then, you are referred to a specialty surgeon.  No surgical tools or invasive medical procedures are needed for treatment.  Chiropractors rely on manual therapy, which is therapy of the hands.  As previously stated, a joint adjustment may be necessary to properly realign a joint.  This is done with precise force of the hands.  There is no cutting of the skin or drawing of blood.

After a car accident, many accident victims fear seeking medical treatment.  They worry about surgery or being loaded up on prescription medications that have many side effects. Although you may fear the hospital or your primary care physician, you have no reason to fear a chiropractor.  Although you are seeking medical care, a trip to the chiropractor may actually feel more like a trip the spa than a doctor’s visit.

 

No Medications

As previously stated, chiropractic care involves the use of manual therapy.  This is 100% all natural.  If a chiropractor cannot see a patient right away, they may suggest the use of over-the-counter pain medications.  After treatment, they are no longer needed.  Pain relievers do provide relief, but that relief is short-lived and it only masks the problem.  Chiropractors want to eliminate your pain, but they do so by going directly to the source.

Whiplash victims may receive ongoing massages to treat the pain and discomfort.  Whiplash corrects itself overtime, but not all corrections are proper.  A patient who does not wear a neck brace or does not limit their activities can experience complications.  In these instances, neck adjustments or vertebrae realignments are preformed.  Once again, this is done with the hands, and not with medications or surgical tools.

 

 It Is Safe

Although chiropractic care is 100% natural, there is some concern about the force used in adjustments.  What if a chiropractor slips?  Will more damage occur?  These are legitimate questions, but you do not need to worry.  Chiropractors are medical professionals.  They are educated and trained as such.  Not just anyone can be a chiropractor.  It requires training, education, the passing of many tests, and a state license.  If your chiropractor is a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), you can rest your mind knowing that you are safe in their hands.

Not only is chiropractic a safe form of healthcare, but it is ideal for individuals of all ages.  In fact, some parents bring their newborns in for examination following birth!  Yes, they really do, and it is perfectly safe.  If your child is in the car with you during an accident, their primary care physician may prescribe pain medication.  It is very dangerous, especially for small children.  The 100% natural relief of chiropractic care is safe for individuals of all ages, and even pregnant women.

 

Want to make sure you’re healthy? Schedule an appointment online with us today at one of our five locations in South Florida!

North Dade – North Miami Beach – Plantation – Lauderhill – Pembroke Pines

1.800.811.1231

http://www.CountyLineChiro.com

 

 

Get and Stay Healthy This New Year with Chiropractic Care

Happy New Year! There’s no better time to focus on your health than in the beginning of a new year.  Set the tone for 2016 by getting healthy and keeping healthy with these tips from our team at County Line Chiropractic Centers in South Florida.

A recent study by Red Bull, found that only 12 percent of people think they will actually stick to their New Year’s resolution.  Do you have any unmet goals that you made last year?  Do you wonder where you would be now if you stuck with your resolution to achieve that goal?  It’s never too late to get healthy.

Tips for keeping your 2016 New Year’s health resolution

• Get a friend or a family member to help keep you accountable.
• Define your “why.”  When the reason is important enough, you’re more likely to stick to it.
• Try keeping a diary of everything you eat and drink everyday. Also include any exercise activity.  Chances are you’ll think twice before eating that extra cookie.  You can also review why you are or aren’t’ reaching your goals.
• Write down your progress goals. Don’t give up if you don’t meet them.  To quote Dory in “Finding Nemo,” “Just keep swimming.”
• Be honest with yourself. If you’re not meeting your goal, is there any action or a thought that you can change?
• Subscribe to email newsletters that will help keep you motivated daily.
• Utilize technology. There are tons of apps to help you achieve just about any goal.
• Consult a professional who can help you.

How can chiropractic care help you have the healthiest year yet?

Chiropractic care is an amazing resource for helping your body feel and operate at its best naturally.  Chiropractors work with individuals by creating a personalized plan whether they need to resolve an ongoing issue such as back pain or their goal is general wellness.  Part of the chiropractor’s job is to align your body and remove pinched nerves or subluxations that can interfere with your body’s ability to heal or perform at its best.  Also when you’re active, chiropractic adjustments can help your body when it needs a tune up. Furthermore, regular chiropractic care has been proven to help you heal from injuries and illnesses sooner!

Our team is dedicated to helping you reach your health goals and maintain them for the long haul.  Schedule your next appointment at one of our five South Florida locations.

 

1.800.811.1231

http://www.CountyLineChiro.com

Chiropractic Care After an Accident

It’s a fact of life that accidents happen. Whether they result from automobile collisions, sports activity, ordinary mishaps, or “freak” accidents, injury is a high concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average number of ambulatory care visits for injuries is 80 million, while the number of emergency department visits for injuries is 42.4 million. A chiropractic adjustment can make the difference between life and death; a life with pain, disability and sickness; and a life with full recovery, activity and health.

Injuries, no matter how severe, have the potential to upset and damage your body’s structural balance by causing subluxations. Even a small subluxation in your spine can offset a myriad of health issues. This is because your spine is responsible for communicating with your entire body. Different parts of your spine relate to different parts of your body. For example, a subluxation at the cervical or neck part of the spine can lead to headaches, dizziness, migraines, jaw pain or even shoulder pain.

Although accidents may be unavoidable, much of the pain and suffering resulting from traumatic injuries may, in many cases, be avoided with chiropractic care. Too often, severe health problems can begin as a little fall, bump, shake-up or whiplash that caused a subluxation.

Chiropractic care can help restore a traumatized body to health through locating and correcting subluxations. Chiropractors correct subluxations using safe, gentle, adjustment (spinal manipulation) techniques to the affected regions. In addition, County Line Chiropractic offers massage and physical therapy services giving our patients the greatest chance of healing through comprehensive care.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm

Chiropractic Care Over Medications

Research published this very year has recently confirmed the superior healing advantage of chiropractic care over medications. The chiropractic adjustment, at the core of patient care at County Line Chiropractic, was found to reduce the level of pain for 94% of patients after 4 weeks of treatment.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburg in a randomized clinical trial divided over 100 patients into separate groups suffering from low back pain. Patient’s selected for the “manual thrust manipulation” (chiropractic adjustment) group were simply asked to receive treatment twice per week. While patients in the “usual medical care” group were prescribed over-the-counter analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs medications(NSAIDs), given advice to stay physically active and avoid prolonged bed rest.

At County Line Chiropractic we don’t stop at the Chiropractic Adjustment. We combine the appropriate passive therapies with active therapies including therapeutic exercises and physical therapy. We recognize the advantage of combining several modalities to customize treatment programs for each individual patient. This all part of are our pursuit for 100% patient satisfaction. The doctors at County Line use techniques proven to be effective at not only reducing pain, but achieving a higher level of health. To schedule an appointment or speak to one of our doctors, call 1.800.811.1231. We welcome walk-ins, find the office best suited for you on our website, and come on in 🙂

Source:

Schneider M, et al. Comparison of Spinal Manipulation Methods and Usual Medical Care for Acute and Subacute Low Back Pain. Spine. 2015. Vol. 40, No. 4 pp 209-217

Dr. Angel Luis Ares
Chiropractic Physician
County Line Chiropractic Medical & Rehab
21309 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33169
Tel:  305-654-9797
Fax: 305-652-1792
www.CountyLineChiro.com

@CountyLineChiro

Try Chiropractic Before Resorting to Surgery

The AMA recommends Chiropractic Before Resorting to Surgery

 

                In 2013, the American Medical Association published an article educating the general public about back pain. The AMA has suggested that patients seek conservative back-pain treatment, such as chiropractic care, before resorting to expensive and invasive surgery.

                In our opinion, chiropractic should be the first line of defense against musculoskeletal issues, such as neck and back pain. Chiropractors are heavily trained in the bodies’ mechanics, and can often detect changes in joints that other doctors may miss.

           “In my experience when individuals try Chiropractic first they can either avoid surgery all together or delay it until the area is strong enough making surgery and recovery more successful.  Once a patient has undergone surgery it becomes more difficult to then try a more conservative approach because the anatomy has now changed.  As chiropractors we have more treatment or techniques that we can use if we see the patient before surgery and through a series of orthopedic and neurological test we can determine which techniques to apply.  In my opinion not all cases are surgical and not all cases can be treated with chiropractic but we are trained to identify when to treat and when to refer out.” Katie Kreis, D.C., East Plantation Office.

 

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“Research confirms that the services provided by chiropractic physicians are not only clinically effective but also cost-effective, so taking a more conservative approach at the onset of low back pain can also potentially save both patients and the health care system money down the line” ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

If you are experiencing back pain, follow the advice of these medical experts, and our own doctors here at County Line Chiropractic Medical & Rehab Centers and seek out Chiropractic care before surgery.

For insurance coverage questions, appointment options, locations and general inquiries, please call our toll free hotline at 1-800-811-1231, or find us on social media at @CountyLineChiro, we’re available 24/7!

 

References:

Goodman D, Burke A, Livingston E. Low back pain. JAMA Patient Page April 24, 2013; 309(16): 1738. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.3046.

http://www.chironexus.net/2013/05/journal-of-the-american-medical-association-use-chiropractic-for-back-pain-before-resorting-to-surgery/

Electrical-Muscle Stimulation

Q:  What is Electrical-Muscle Stimulation?

A: It is a special form of electrical current that is administered at the site of soft tissue injury, especially muscles, for the blocking of pain.

Q: How does it work?

A: Small amounts of electrical current are induced into the tissue for the purpose of reducing swelling. This widely used technique safely strengthens muscles and helps painful symptoms.

Q: What does it feel like?

A: Patients generally feel a slight tingling sensation at first. Since your body may become accustomed to the initial setting, the intensity may be raised during the course of treatment for the maximum healing effect.

Patient Benefits: Reduces pain sensation, helps decrease swelling, promotes general muscle tone and speeds the healing process.

What Can I Expect on My First Visit to a Chiropractor?

Welcome to the Chiropractor! Your first visit will be composed of four sections: new patient intake paperwork, consultation, evaluation, and treatment.

Any new patient appointment will include time spent filling out intake forms. We appreciate your patience during this process. This will provide the doctor the basic information about the condition that brings you into the office.
After filling out the intake forms, your consultation with the Doctor of Chiropractic will begin. This is valuable time for the doctor to get to know you and your health concerns better. The doctor will ask questions thoroughly to gather as much information as needed.

Once the consultation is over, it is time for the evaluation process. The chiropractor will perform a physical, chiropractic, neurological and orthopedic examination. Based on the doctor’s finding during the examination, x-rays may be obtained. This will help the doctor better understand your body and what is causing your discomfort.

Once the evaluation process is complete, your chiropractor may recommend a therapy session. This consists of passive physiotherapy, such as moist hot packs or ice packs combined with electric muscle stimulation. Therapy will be instrumental in letting the doctor know if that kind of treatment can provide you relief.

Once you are done with therapy, the doctor will assess your response to therapy, give you home care instructions and discharge you for the day. The doctor will take the time to properly study your medical history, your examination findings, and your x-rays to decide if your problem can be helped with chiropractic.

On your next visit, the chiropractor will go over your evaluation findings and discuss what is causing your problem, if chiropractic can help you, and what treatment is recommended.

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Now that you know what to expect on your first visit to the chiropractor, all that is left is to make the appointment. We are eager to help you reach your health goals.

Dr. Vivian Solivan, D.C., B.S.

5425 N. University Dr.

Lauderhill, FL 33331

954-741-4656

DrSolivan@countylinechiro.com

#MondayMotivation

 Dr. Rodriguez shares his chiropractic story with us for #MotivationMonday!

I was a very active child growing up. My mother knew I was somewhat hyperactive, and enrolled me in a wide range of activities. I was a member of every team, Karate, Boy Scouts, baseball, but my passion was always basketball. When I turned 12, I was a very good and competitive basketball player and I knew that if I worked hard, I could make the traveling team and represent Puerto Rico at the World Youth Basketball Conference in Chicago. Who wouldn’t want to go to Chicago in the 90’s when Michael Jordan was in the peak of his career?

I began to practice and play every day until I injured my back. The pain was severe, constant, and radiated down to my legs. My mom took me to my primary doctor, who referred me to an Orthopedist. The Ortho diagnosed me with “growing pains” and recommended rest. My pain was not getting any better, I started gaining weight, and was getting depressed because of my inability to play with my friends and compete for my spot on the traveling team. Five months later, our last option before going back to the orthopedist to consider surgery, my mother took me to a Chiropractor. At his office he evaluated me, performed X-Rays, and immediately diagnosed me with a back condition called Spondylolisthesis.

To confirm his diagnoses, he referred me to get a CT-Scan study. He told me that he could help me and prescribed a several-month treatment plan, which included therapy, adjustment, and core exercises which I followed without hesitation. At the end of the treatment plan, I was already feeling better and he gave me a note to return back to play. He did advise me to get regular adjustments to prevent set-backs or flare-ups and to continue working with core exercises as prescribed to protect my back. Not only did I follow his recommendation, but I worked extra hard to lose the weight that I gained to try to make it to the team.

After several months of hard work in collaboration with regular chiropractic treatment, not only did I make the team as the starting Power Forward, we ended up winning the Silver Medal in the World Youth Basketball Tournament in Chicago. It was at the age of 13 that I decided I wanted to help people the same way that the Chiropractor helped me. Unfortunately, there were no Chiropractic Post Graduate Programs in PR and I didn’t dominate the English language, however, that didn’t stop me from not only getting accepted into one of the best chiropractic schools in America, but also becoming the youngest male Doctor to graduate from my class. Chiropractic not only got me back to my passion in playing sports, it also gave me a profession in which I can help many people accomplish their goals.

Dr. Rodriguez is the Clinical Director at our Pembroke Pines location!

6820 Dykes Road
Pembroke Pines, FL 33331

(954)252-5656

DrRodriguez@CountyLineChiro.com

Come in today!