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Category: Chiropractic

9 Health Benefits of Turmeric

Popularly known as the golden spice because of its color, turmeric is not new in our lives. This bright yellow spice is a constant ingredient in most kitchen shelves. It’s mostly found in products like curry powder, herbal extracts, and teas. For most people, turmeric is just another spice that makes food taste better. However, there is more to this spice.

In India where it’s native, turmeric is used as a medicinal herb for issues like inflammation, indigestion, and chronic pain. Today in the West, the herb is used to facilitate body healing and to relieve pain. These are just a few of the therapeutic applications of turmeric. Other than in powder form, turmeric exists in supplements and root forms.

Why is Turmeric Therapeutic?

Turmeric contains curcumin as its active ingredients. Curcumin has been researched and found to contain amazing anti-inflammation and pain relieving properties. Curcumin is also known to stimulate anti-oxidation effects and this is important in promoting natural healing. The spice comes nutrient-packed. It’s rich in therapeutic minerals like:

  • Iron (important for blood formation)
  • Vitamin C (important for fighting infections)
  • Potassium (important for blood clotting)

You should also not forget that turmeric also contains energy boosters like sugars and proteins which are important for your body and brain.

Top Health Benefits 

Due to its therapeutic properties, turmeric promotes the following health benefits:

  1. Soothes Body Inflammations

Generally, inflammation is beneficial when it’s short-lived. It helps your body fight bacteria and other pathogens. However, it can be a problem if it’s long-term. In such a case, it starts attacking your own body instead of defending it. This is where turmeric comes in. Through curcumin, turmeric boosts anti-inflammation effects in the body. This is how turmeric fights inflammation diseases like Alzheimer, arthritis, and stress disorders. Unlike drugs, research shows that curcumin has no major side effects when fighting inflammations.

  1. Boost Brain Functions

For normal and improved brain functions, neurons have to divide and increase in number. This process is driven by a hormone called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Researchers argue that curcumin helps to boost the levels of this hormone in the brain. By doing so, you are able to either slow down or avoid Alzheimer, Dementia, and depression. This is not all. Curcumin is also known to enhance memory. Simply, it makes you sharper. However, this doesn’t mean that you should overdose curcumin just because you want to become smarter. The intake has to be regulated.

  1. Relieves Different Kinds of Pain

For both acute and chronic pain, turmeric has shown promising results in bringing relief. A certain study shows that the potency can match that of ibuprofen and other potent pain killers. Mark you; there are no worrying effects attached to turmeric as it’s often the case with most pain relievers. The turmeric dose for pain relief may vary but most experts tend to recommend 800mg/day. That’s if you are taking turmeric capsules. Examples of pains you can relieve with turmeric include burn pain, orofacial pain, arthritis pain, and sciatica.

  1. Treats Digestion Problems

There’s no doubt that turmeric gives your food flavor. This is why it’s a constant ingredient in curry powders. However, you should expect more from it than just tasty food. It’s actually quite impressive in digestive functions. By facilitating proper digestion, turmeric prevents gut issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome and indigestion. It can also treat ulcerative colitis, bloating, and gut inflammation. Medical evidence shows that the reason behind this benefit is because of curcumin’s anti-inflammation effects on the digestive tract. For this reason, it’s advisable to include turmeric whenever you can in your food preparation.

  1. Improves Heart Health

So many lives are lost in the world today because of Heart Disease. Surprisingly, a majority of cases are preventable by minor lifestyle adjustments like including turmeric in your diet. Due to its anti-inflammation properties, turmeric not only prevents Heart Disease but also Heart Attack. Curcumin present in the spice improves the lining and structure of blood vessels and this is crucial in regulating blood pressure and promoting blood clotting. If blood clotting is not regulated and blood pressure is not normalized, there’s always the risk of Heart Disease. Studies also show that turmeric boosts healthy cholesterol. This is important in improving your heart health.

  1. Can Fight Cancer

We all know how terrible cancer is. The fact that tumor cells constantly multiply makes cancer more dreadful than any other disease. There’s good new though. Several studies show that turmeric may not only prevent but also treat some types of cancer. We are talking about colorectal cancer, colon cancer, multiple myeloma, and pancreatic cancer. Researchers have found that turmeric has inhibitory properties. This is quite important in stopping the proliferation of cancer cells. More importantly, it prevents cancer cells from forming in the first place.

  1. Promotes Joint Health

A recent study done on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis shows that curcumin is vital in managing the condition. According to the study, curcumin is more effective than the most prescribed anti-inflammatory drug and pain reliever, Diclofenac. Curcumin is able to reduce joint inflammation and swelling. It’s also able to soothe joint pain. However, the study advocates for the use of turmeric as a preventive measure as opposed to a treatment.

  1. Boost Liver Functions

The liver is your body’s detoxification center. Basically, it’s the organ responsible for fighting toxins. The problem is that some toxins are so powerful o fight back and so they end up attacking the organ. You can prevent such a scenario by taking turmeric. Due to the antioxidant properties of curcumin, turmeric helps your liver to develop resistance against the destructive toxins. In the end, your liver functions are naturally boosted and you are able to get rid of toxins effortlessly.

  1. Prevents Weight Gain

Are you aware that stress can make you gain weight faster? Research shows that stress promotes the secretion of cortisol (the stress hormone). The hormone makes you want to eat more and may stimulate fat accumulation around the waistline. The good news is that the secretion of cortisol can be neutralized by agents found in turmeric called adaptogens. As a result, turmeric makes you stress tolerant. In the long run, you are able to overcome the urge to eat a lot and waistline fat tends to be broken down more efficiently.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Teenagers

We are living in an age where back pain is not just a condition for the senior citizens. The younger generation, teenagers, in particular, are also suffering. Actually, research estimates that 50% of them are affected. This pushes you to wonder: Why? Well, technology is partly to blame. Most of our teens are addicted to smartphones and video games. They spend hours sited while using these devices. In the long run, a lot of stress is placed on their spine and this manifest in the form of back pain.

Teenagers are also known to carry heavy backpacks to school and to outdoor events. The heavy load is not kind to their spine. We also can’t forget to mention poor nutrition and sports injuries which are all risk factors for back pain. If back pain is not treated early, there’s always the probability that it’ll recur later. When you go to most general practitioners, they’ll recommend pain medications for your teenager. The problem with this treatment option is that your teen may become addicted to the medication. Additionally, a majority of prescriptions come with serious side effects.

In case you decide to visit a sports therapist, which is advisable, the expert is likely to recommend exercises and chiropractic care. Most of them will insist on combining the two. This argument is well supported by one meta-analysis. According to it, there’s a massive improvement in pain relief and body flexibility in teens following the use of chiropractic care and exercises. Apparently, chiropractic care played a huge role in the study and it’s highly recommended.

What’s Chiropractic Care? How Can Your Teen Benefit?

Chiropractic care is a natural treatment that involves gentle and fast-acting spinal adjustments. It works on the basis that back pain and most musculoskeletal issues originate from the spine and they are related to a misaligned spine. Thus, by realigning the spine, these issues are fixed. Generally, teenagers can benefit from chiropractic care in the following ways:

  1. All-Round Pain Management

Chiropractic adjustments do not just target the back. Since all parts of the body are connected to the spine, they can all be relieved from pain by chiropractic adjustments. Whether it’s headache, neck ache, hip pain or earache, they can all be treated by chiropractic adjustments. The bonus is that the treatment is natural. Therefore, your teen doesn’t have to worry about adverse reactions as it’s mostly the case with pain medications. In fact, chiropractic care is not just a pain reliever but may also prevent it.

  1. Better Posture

A lot of times, poor posture is associated with prolonged sitting. Teens who like watching too much TV and those who play video games for long are the culprits. Such teens could really use chiropractic care. It helps to identify underlying issues on their spine so as to correct them. If there are misalignments along the spine path that may be messing up your teenager’s posture, a chiropractor will definitely fix them. Furthermore, a chiropractor will advise your teenager on ways to improve body posture at home.

  1. Growth Booster

During teenage life, body growth is at its peak. This is the time that children grow tall and broader. However, this is not given to all teenagers. For some, some parts of the body grow faster than others and this makes them look really awkward. For others, it appears like they are not growing at all. All these issues, luckily, can be fixed by routine chiropractic visits. It plays a critical role in helping them attain optimal growth.

  1. Strong Back

We’ve already mentioned how teenagers who carry heavy backpacks are at risk of developing back pain. However, the solution is not stopping them from carrying loads on their back. The solution is training their backs to carry reasonable loads without risking back pain or any personal injury. They can do it with regular chiropractic visits. If there are underlying issues related to heavy backpacks, a chiropractor will fix them. In the end, chiropractic adjustments will make their back stronger.

  1. Lifetime Healthy habits

Chiropractic care is not a short-term treatment but a long-term one. By seeing a chiropractor more regularly, teenagers become used to the fact that they have to live a healthy lifestyle. So, they start adopting healthy habits that they can use for the rest of their lives. Whether it’s eating healthy, exercising correctly or getting the posture right, they are able to learn them the right way. They simply appreciate the benefit of prevention.

  1. Mental Wellbeing

Teenagers go through a lot in their lives that stresses them. In school, for example, they have to deal with the pressure of bettering their grades and performing in extracurricular activities. At home, there is social pressure that they have to deal with. All these issues are partly the reason why depression is common among teens. So, it’s advisable to take them to see a chiropractor. Through spinal manipulation, they can experience mental calmness and this immensely brings about stress relief and better mood.

  1. Injury Prevention/Healing

Both athletic and non-athletic teens live an active lifestyle. This means they are all prone to injuries. However, a majority of personal injuries that they sustain are preventable. Chiropractic adjustments can help with this. The adjustments realign the spine properly and flex the muscles so as to make them less susceptible to injuries. Moreover, chiropractic adjustments help to fasten the healing process when the teen suffers an injury. By adjusting the spine, your teen’s immunity improves. This promotes natural healing.

  1. Enhanced Athleticism

To perform better in sports at school, your teen needs to be very athletic. Basically, they have to be agile, stable, and mobile. All these are possible with routine chiropractic adjustments. By adjusting your teenager’s spine, a chiropractor is able to ease tension throughout the body. In this case, muscles become more relaxed and joints are relieved from stiffness. This means that the overall mobility, on-field flexibility, and body balance is improved. Simply, your teenager becomes a better athlete.

Closing Thought:

Teenage life is generally an active phase. So, you can’t stop them from living their life. What you can do as a parent is to help them live it healthily. One way to do it is by recommending chiropractic care. As seen above, their life is likely to improve at all angles with chiropractic care than without it. The practice is not just a great treatment for most musculoskeletal issues but also an ideal preventive approach. Contact Dr. Hinz today at Cool Springs Chiropractic to get started!

The Best Cup of Coffee in Franklin

We all have different tastes for coffee. Some of us like it black while others want it creamy. Some prefer to take with sugar and others like it without sugar. Whatever your preference is, coffee just makes your day better. Whether you want to stimulate your mind in readiness for a hectic day ahead or you just want to relax after a stressful day, a cup of hot coffee can offer you the escape.

Speaking of a cup of hot coffee; there’s no better place to have it than in Franklin. They have some of the best and budget-friendly coffeehouses that Tennessee has to offer. You can take your coffee there or on the go. Some coffeehouses even have delivery services when you book online or when you ring them. Wondering what spots we are talking about? Well, here are our top 10 recommendations:

  1. The Coffee House at Second and Bridge

When thinking about a local coffee shop that’s locally inspired, this coffeehouse has to top the list. Having launched in 2012, the Coffee House has expanded its menu to become the most desired breakfast joint on 144 2nd Avenue. They are open from 7 am to 5 pm and so you can have your coffee any time of the day. They also offer take-out services if you want to have your coffee on the go. Additionally, you can enjoy free Wi-Fi on site, outdoor sitting area, and ample parking. You can visit their Website to check the spot out.

  1. Franklin Coffee House

Franklin Coffee House is one of the recent entrants into the Franklin coffee market. The coffee house was launched in 2018. So, they are just a year old. But despite being young, the spot has the best coffee on Sparta, WI. They also offer a wide selection of bakery options to go with their coffee. The advantage is that you can make an online through their Website and have your cup of coffee delivered where you are.

  1. The Well Coffeehouse

Standing strategically on 1725 Galleria Blvd is the Well Coffeehouse. Many locals know the spot as an internet café since customers are allowed to enjoy fast free Wi-Fi as they sip their coffee. It’s open from nine to nine (am to pm) and you can have your coffee plain or with bread. The coffeehouse has a glamorous interior to inspire you. So, it’s great for special dates. You can visit their Website to familiarize yourself with their coffee specialties.

  1. Biscuit Love

Having launched in 2012, Biscuit Love is one of the most visited coffee spots in Franklin. It’s a family-owned business that’s known for the best local breakfast servings. Located at 132 3rd Avenue Street, Biscuit Love is open from 7 am to 3 pm. It has a casual but classy appeal and it’s quite spacious for group meetings. Additionally, the spot is wheelchair-accessible and kid-friendly. You can check them out here.

  1. The Good Cup

Just from the sound of the name, you can tell that coffee in this spot is good. A peculiar coffee spot on 2181 Hillsboro Road, the Good Cup is generally an amazing coffee shop. They open from six to six (am to pm) and they allow you to have coffee on a budget. They have free Wi-Fi and you can have your coffee outside if you prefer. So, if you work online, you can continue working as you sip your coffee. You can check what they have here.

  1. Starbucks

Whether you want the best cup of tea or coffee, you can get it at Starbucks. They are a popular spot on 5050 Carothers Pkwy. They are known to open early in the morning at around 5 am and close late at night. So, you are guaranteed the best cup of coffee any time you visit the joint. In fact, they have specially-branded takeaway coffee cups that are great for someone on the go. You can also ring them to make a booking. The coffee joint has an exciting modern style for anyone who cares about trends. You can see everything clearly on their Website.

  1. Café Latte

When walking on 1800 Galleria Blvd, it’s hard to miss this coffee joint. Known to have a simple design, Café Latte is quite popular for coffee lovers on a budget. They allow you to have an inexpensive take-out. The only problem is that it often gets noisy inside since space is small and they don’t have parking space for both cars and bikes. The spot is just great for someone who wants to grab their best cup of coffee and sip it on the way.

  1. Java Dreams II

Like Café Latte, Java Dreams II is generally a simple and inexpensive coffee joint. However, this doesn’t mean that their coffee isn’t good. On the contrary, they probably have the best coffee on 730 Cool Springs Blvd. So, you are guaranteed the best serving when you visit the café. They are open from 7 am to 2 pm every weekday. So, it can be your regular spot if you go to work from Monday to Friday. Space may not be that large, but their coffee is unquestionable. It’s that good.

  1. Tiny Little Donuts

Originally started as a donut joint, Tiny Little Donuts has grown to become an amazing joint for coffee lovers. Actually, most customers prefer to have donuts with coffee. They have an amazing outdoor sitting area for consumers. You can visit the spot any morning hour on any day to have your cup of coffee. They are located at 328 5th Avenue. Alternatively, you can make your order online by visiting their Website.

  1. Perch Westhaven

Known as a classy restaurant by many, Perch Westhaven always serves the best local coffee. Though the price at the joint is a little higher than what you pay in most coffee joints, you are guaranteed the best perks. For example, they have an amazing outdoor space where you can sit alone or in a group as you enjoy free Wi-Fi. They also offer coffee take-out through branded coffee cups. You can check out their Website for more information.

Closing Thought:

Historically speaking, Franklin is generally a coffee drinking city. So, it doesn’t surprise that there are coffeehouses on almost all streets. With the above spots topping the list, you are always guaranteed a good time when you sip your preferred caffeine drink. Each spot has its’ own fair share of advantages. So, you just have to go to the one that matches your expectation.

8 Health Benefits of Eucalyptus

Most people can tell eucalyptus from a distance because of its distinctive scent. It’s a pleasant one. Thus, it’s widely identified with home fragrances, deodorants, and scented soaps. But you should know that there is more to eucalyptus than a beautiful scent. The tree is therapeutic in all its forms. You can find it in forms like eucalyptus oil (popularly known as eucalyptol), eucalyptus ointment, eucalyptus leaves (either fresh or dry), eucalyptus spray, and eucalyptus ointment.

You probably know eucalyptus dry leaves as an ingredient for herbal tea. Their fresh form can be used as a natural fragrance. The same role applies to eucalyptus spray. For eucalyptus ointment, it’s applied on the skin to promote antibacterial functions. Eucalyptus oil can also be used the same way. Additionally, it can be taken orally or inhaled. Actually, eucalyptol is the most used form of eucalyptus. You’ll find it in over-the-counter products like cough syrups, mouthwashes, anti-rash creams, hair care products, and body rubs.

You can know that a product has eucalyptus oil just by smelling it. Its scent is generally aromatic. The oil is obtained from the leaves of a mature eucalyptus tree. This evergreen tree originated from Australia but its popularity runs globally. In fact, it’s the most recognized medicinal tree around the world today and exists in more than 400 species. The most popular species in most countries is Blue Gum. It’s the primary source of eucalyptol. From a health perspective, research shows that eucalyptus is quite therapeutic. Here are 8 benefits that the evergreen tree species brings:

  1. Powerful Antiseptic/Disinfectant

Eucalyptus is generally a powerful antimicrobial agent. It’s able to get rid of microbes from the skin surface and inanimate objects. This explains why eucalyptus oil is a sought-after wound cleanser. It’s able to eliminate bacteria and fungi around an open wound. In the end, it’s able to help a wound heal much faster.

Moreover, it offers protection to an open wound against irritation from air exposure. Because of this benefit, Turkish Researchers support the use of Eucalyptus oil when you want to fasten the wound healing process. With respect to inanimate surface cleaning, you can use eucalyptus spray to clean kitchen countertops, bathroom floors, and other surfaces.

  1. Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammation

When eucalyptus oil is applied to the body, it’s known to ease joint pain and redness, muscle soreness, and general body swelling. There are also suggestions that eucalyptus oil can be inhaled to promote pain relief. So, you don’t just need to apply it topically to enjoy this benefit. This is more important if you have sustained a physical injury that’s characterized by joint or muscle pain and inflammation.

  1. Relieves Headaches

A headache occurs when pressure is placed on the sinus. This is actually the part that eucalyptus targets. It’s able to invigorate this part to release its tension. In the end, this helps immensely in alleviating head pain. According to a random survey, patients who inhale and apply eucalyptus oil on their head when they have a headache tends to experience fast relief even without using pain relievers.

  1. Encourages Hair Health

If you observe most hair products keenly, you’ll identify eucalyptus as one of the main ingredients. It’s known to exert powerful antimicrobial effects on the hair follicles. This is according to a 2012 report. The report shows that eucalyptus oil is able to prevent the buildup of pathogens around the hair follicles.

By doing so, you are able to avoid head lice, dandruff, and scalp irritation. Actually, you can apply eucalyptus oil directly to your scalp to promote this. The report concludes by suggesting that you could boost hair growth if you apply eucalyptus oil regularly.

  1. Stimulate Brain Activity

Sometimes, the brain’s activity can be slowed down by stress, fatigue, or a mental condition. In all these cases, eucalyptus oil can help. For example, it can help to calm your nerves and to increase blood supply to the brain when you are feeling mental sluggishness. This will stimulate your brain and you become more alert.

You also have to note that improved brain supply means greater brain power. In this case, the performance of your brain becomes much improved. This is why eucalyptus oil is employed in aromatherapy (mood enhancement). In such a practice, it helps to boost your concentration and attitude. For a student, the overall class performance improves as a result of eucalyptus-induced aromatherapy.

  1. Manages Respiratory Conditions

Over the years, people around the globe have used eucalyptus oil to manage different respiratory conditions. Research shows that eucalyptus oil makes it easy for you to breathe when your nose is congested and when you have a bad cough or common cold. For this reason, eucalyptus can be used as a natural expectorant and nasal decongestant.

According to a 2014 study, eucalyptus oil can also be used to reduce symptoms associated with bronchitis. Though the oil may not treat bronchitis, it can mask its symptoms. Basically, bronchitis is brought down to a manageable level. Other conditions that can be managed with eucalyptol include sinusitis and asthma.

  1. Promotes Oral Health

Are you aware that you can have better breath by consuming eucalyptus oil? According to a recent publication, this is quite possible if you use eucalyptus as a mouthwash. Since eucalyptol has a natural scent that’s very pleasant, you can use it to get rid of bad breath. This explains why it’s a popular ingredient in most toothpaste and mouthwash products. In addition to getting rid of bad breath, eucalyptus has amazing therapeutic effects against dental cavities, tooth decay, and plaque. Due to its antimicrobial effects, eucalyptus is able to get rid of bacteria and fungi in the mouth.

  1. Reduces Fever

Eucalyptus is an effective vasodilator. Simply, it helps to open up blood vessels to facilitate maximum blood circulation. This is very important when you have a fever. Because of this property, a lot of time s eucalyptus is referred to as ‘fever oil’. So, you can use it on your body or forehead each time your body temperature rises. There are actually two ways to do it:

  • You can rub it on your body and forehead
  • You can mix it with tepid water and soak a towel in the mixture to use as a compress.

Closing Thought:

Speaking matters health, eucalyptus is one of the most powerful health products out there. Whether you decide to consume it, inhale it or apply it topically, there are some amazing health benefits that it brings. And now that it exists in different forms, it’s even easier to inculcate it in your day-to-day routine.

Chiropractic Treatment for ADHD

Every parent wants their children to be attentive in class and to perform well. However, this is not always the case, especially when you are dealing with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sadly, ADHD is the commonest mental condition among kids globally. Those with the condition are generally hyperactive and so may find it hard to concentrate or control their own impulses. This affects their school life and life at home. In kids, ADHD affects more boys than girls and the reasons are quite unknown. But still, adults can be affected too. The good news, nonetheless, is that it can be treated with chiropractic care. This is according to research. But before we can delve into the treatment, let’s understand ADHD much better.

What Exactly Is ADHD?

ADHD refers to a compulsive mental disorder which results when neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain become imbalanced. The neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying information between the various nerve cells. The condition mostly affects kids but may proceed to adulthood if left untreated.

Main Causes

There are so many myths out there surrounding the cause of ADHD. For example, some people say that it can be caused by food allergies, long hours of watching TV or taking too much sugar. This is not true. Researchers argue that ADHD can be caused by any of these things:

  • Brain damage – If the frontal part of the brain is damaged by an injury or a disease, this can lead to ADHD.
  • Metal poisoning – Heavy metals like PCB and Lead may poison the brain, resulting in ADHD.
  • Pregnancy interference – Smoking, alcohol, and substance abuse during pregnancy may interfere with the development of the baby’s brain, resulting in ADHD. Infection or poor nutrition can also have similar effects.

Risk Factors

There are a few things that tend to improve the chances of ADHD that you should be aware of. They include:

  • Genes – If ADHD happens to run in your family, there’s the possibility that someone will have the condition. In this case, if a parent has the condition, children will have a 50% chance of getting it. This is because the condition is linked to genes that are passed from one generation to another.
  • Pregnancy complications – If there was an issue like brain injury during birth, low birth weight or premature birth, they are risk factors for developing ADHD.

Main Symptoms

The symptoms of ADHD differ from kids to adults. In kids, we can look at the symptoms in three major groups:

  • Hyperactivity – The kid, in this case, doesn’t like to keep quiet or remain still. So, they’ll excessively talk and jump around. If they are not running, they are probably climbing.
  • Inattentiveness – The kid, in this case, is easily distracted by trivial things. They appear like they are not listening and often lose their things. Others forget to do their chores unless they are reminded. We also have a few cases where the kid daydreams.
  • Rashness – The kid, in this case, is generally impulsive. They are not patient enough to wait for their turn, more so in school. They’ll burst out their answers and interrupt other kids when they speak.

In adults, ADHD symptoms are more serious in some than in others. Often, they become worse as one age. The commonest ones include:

  • Forgetfulness
  • Postponement of tasks and lateness
  • Addiction to a specific drug substance
  • Mood changes and anger issues
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Lack of organization

The Chiropractic Option

Traditionally ADHD has been treated with medications (stimulants and non-stimulants) and special therapies like psychotherapy and social skills training. While these treatments are effective in some way, they suffer a few setbacks. Medications, for example, may not work for everyone who has ADHD. Additionally, they are prone to side reactions like sleep interference, fatigue, and constipation.

The two therapies, on the other hand, may take time before you can start seeing the results. And just like medications, the options may also not work for everyone. This is where chiropractic treatment comes in. It has fewer side effects, it’s more practical for most people, and brings about quick results. It’s basically a great substitute for the two options.

How Does Chiropractic Treatment Help?

Considering that the nerves between the brain and the spine are affected when there’s a neurotransmitter imbalance, a chiropractor can help to normalize things. The expert is able to alleviate your spine from subluxation (misalignments) by gently manipulating the spine using hands. When subluxations are alleviated, the path for the distribution of neurotransmitters becomes opened. So, the levels are restored as they should.

In the end, nerve communication in your central nervous system (which includes the brain and the spine) is restored. This also sees an improvement in impulses and concentration. You are able to control your impulses much better and are able to pay more attention to instructions. According to one study, kids who receive spinal adjustments tend to show a dramatic improvement after a few months of the therapy. This shows that chiropractic treatment is an ideal option for ADHD management.

What Other Things Can a Chiropractor Help You With?

Other than offering therapeutic chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic can help with:

  • Home exercises – As a parent, you may be directed by a chiropractor on exercises like timing therapy (mostly clapping sessions) that you can use to help your ADHD kid at home. The exercises are meant to alleviate ADHD symptoms.
  • Lifestyle advice – For a pregnant woman, a chiropractor may advise you to make a few adjustments in your life such as abstaining from alcohol and smoking as they may hamper fetus brain development. You may also be asked to have enough rest and to avoid excess sugars. The whole idea here is to try as much as possible to reduce the risk factors.

What Happens When You Go to See a Chiropractor for ADHD?

Spinal adjustments don’t just begin immediately when you go for your first chiropractic appointment. The chiropractor has to first examine the reflexes of the patient together with sense like vision and hearing. Based on the results of the evaluation, a chiropractor is able to decide on the best treatment option.

Closing Thought: What’s next for you?

Since you already know that there’s hope for ADHD treatment in chiropractic care, the next thing to do is to see Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic. Go ahead and make that appointment if you, your kid or someone within the family line has the condition. It may be your only practical way out of this compulsive disorder!

The Best Festivals Coming to Franklin

Spring is here with us and it means so much for everyone who has wanted to take a vacation. Whether you want to take a break from work or a bad relationship, there’s no better place to be than the beautiful city of Franklin, TN. The city has so many festivals for the spring that are tailored for different kinds of people. For example, there are family-fun events, trade events, and educational events. Regardless of the event type that you choose to attend, you are promised a new and special experience. To get you in the mood of visiting Franklin, here are the best events coming to the city this spring.

  1. Movie in the Park (April 26, May 31)

If you love music, there’s no better experience than to watch it on a big screen in a park and with so many people. It’s just crazy. On April 2016, they’ll be showing the Incredible 2 at Pinkerton Park from 8 pm. On May 31 on the same park and at the same time, they’ll be showing Ralph Breaks the Internet. Both movies are animations and are great for kids. But you can also join them for the fun. The movies are free and all you have to do is bring a seat and some blankets to keep you warm.

  1. Main Street Festival (April 27 & 28)

The Main Street annual festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 28. So, it’s a great festival for the first weekend after Easter. It’s among the largest annual events in the Southeast. The festival promises so much fun for the invitees. From exceptional foods and drinks to exciting activities like scavenger hunts and bungee rides, Main Street Festival has it all. The location is Franklin’s Main Street and the celebrations will start at 10 am on 27th May to 6 pm the following day.

Since the festival is organized by the Heritage Foundation, the focus point is art and culture. In terms of art, you should expect to see the best handicrafts and photos. In terms of culture, expect the best musical performance and dances. This year, the festival will be marking its 35th anniversary. So, it’s expected to be as big as the other ones. Normally, the festival attracts a crowd of roughly 100,000. This is likely to be the number this year.

  1. Cinco De Mayo (May 1)

Are you looking for business networks in your sector? Well, you should attend the Cinco de Mayo festival this spring. The event will be held at E Space Downtime Franklin and will feature professionals from around the world. You are required to make an advanced booking by paying $10 before May 1.

The theme of the event may be business networking but it’s never formal. The professionals here are always in a social mood. So, expect to network under friendly conditions. Moreover, they’ll be serving the best tacos and margaritas. You can also ask for local beer as it’s normally in the event’s menu.

  1. BBB Songwriters Night (May 3)

This is an annual music festival that’s organized by BBB to appreciate the worth of music integrity. The event will be held at the Factory in Franklin and promises so much for the guests. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy delicious meals and fine beer. There will also be live music performance from some of the top artists in the world. You just need to book a table for $125 and you’ll have your booking reserved.

  1. Creative Breakfast (May 11)

Do you have a creative mind and would love to exchange ideas with minds alike? Then you should attend the Creative Breakfast event at Crossroads of the Nation. It’s really an exciting opportunity for creative people to sit down over breakfast as they discuss amazing ideas. Entry to the event is free and thus you can tag friends along. You only pay $5 at the door for the food.

As you dine together, you’ll have the opportunity to socialize and know each other. You may find someone who can inject ideas into your project. You too can invest an idea into someone’s project. Actually, there’s no speaker at this event. The platform is opened for creative-to-creative fellowship. You also get the chance to pray for each other.

  1. Women of Influence (May 16)

Women have come a long way in the corporate sector. These days, there’s absolutely no corporate office that a woman can’t run for. Majorly, it’s because of influence by other women who have managed to break corporate barriers. If you are looking for motivation in the corporate sector, then you have a great platform at the Women of Influence festival.

This festival gives women of all colors and ages the opportunity to network with other women. You can bring your daughter, sister, or mother to the event. It’ll be held at the OP Jenkins Furniture & Designs. There would be some established women in the corporate sector to inspire guests.

  1. Touch a Truck (May 17)

Do your kids marvel at big trucks and super vehicles? You should give them the opportunity to not only see some of these heavy machines but to also touch and climb some of them. You just have to take them to Jim Warren Park on May 17th from 5-8 pm. The event promises you and the kids a fun-filled adventure. From fire trucks and tow trucks to police vehicle and back-hoes, the festival has it all. In addition, food and drinks are offered on site.

  1. The Great Slider Showdown (June 1)

This year will mark the second celebrations for the Great Slider Showdown. Banking on last year’s success, the organizers of the Great Slider Showdown are looking at an equally explosive event this year. Taking place at the Factory in Franklin, this event promises you the best sliders in Tennessee. The sliders are created by 10 of the most talented chefs in America competing for $300, gold-cast cookers, and other prizes. Once you book the ticket, your job is to witness the competition as you taste some of the sliders.

  1. Music for Seniors (June 12)

Lastly, if you are a senior who wants to experience the lovely music of yesteryears, then there’s no better place to go this spring than the Academy Park Performing Art Center. The festival features the San Rafael Band. The band is known to play the best of rock music and Latin jazz. They also do salsa. Whether it’s to listen to old-school music or to dance to it, the experience at Music for Seniors Festival is unmatched.

Closing Thought:

During spring, Franklin is generally a fun place to be. The events are fun-filled and lively. They basically make you appreciate spring more. You simply can’t wait to attend the festivals again next year and the year after. No doubt, Franklin is the best getaway destination for the spring season.

How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help Reduce Stress Levels

People say that stress is part of life. No wonder studies show that about three-quarter of people face varying forms of stress on a daily basis. Whether it’s at home or on the job, stress is something that you have to learn to deal with. But, what exactly is stress? Stress refers to a state of being mentally, physically, or emotionally restrained by a difficult or demanding factor. It’s basically how you respond to the factors, commonly known as stressors.

The stressor can be a financial hardship, health challenge, bad relationship, anxiety or social pressure. You also stress your body if you don’t sleep or eat well. The problem with responding to stress is that your physical body, mind, and heart suffer. Some extreme forms of stress cause very serious health complications. It can also lead to death. The good news though is that there’s a treatment. You just need to talk to a chiropractor.

What’s Stress Like?

Stress comes in different forms and they all affect our lives in one way or another. Here are the general types:

  1. Environmental Stress

This is caused by environmental stressors like bad weather, noise, and high standards. For example, if you have set high expectations for a particular goal in life and you do not achieve it, it’ll stress you. Other environmental stressors that you should be aware of include:

  • Crowding
  • Poor air quality
  • Social tension (pressure from friends)
  • Natural disasters like earthquakes and floods
  • Human disasters like war and conflict
  1. Emotional Stress

Emotional stress is the commonest form of human stress. It’s all about how you respond to things that disturb your mind. For example, criticism and failure are likely to stress you emotionally. Basically, the part affected is the brain but the effects are physically expressed. Some people will manifest stress in the form of mood changes, depression, and anger. The key to distressing, in this case, comes with finding mental relaxation. You have to find something that you can do to help you control your emotions and respond to stress more positively.

  1. Physical Stress

Physical stress has a physical source. It could be an injury, physical danger or poor nutrition. The stressors strain your physical body and to cope up, the body releases an emergency hormone known as adrenaline. However, the effects of adrenaline wear off after a while when the stress becomes overwhelming. In the end, stress wears your body and the effects are manifested physically. From sleep deprivation to weight loss, the symptoms are clear. Someone could actually tell that you are going through something that’s stressing you.

  1. Chemical Stress

This is mostly associated with chemical pollutants that exist in the environment. The pollutants not only stress your body but also often lead to health issues like heart disease, hypertension, asthma, and diabetes. The pollutants are many but the main ones are:

  • Toxic industrial chemicals
  • GMO foods
  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Dyes and stains

A majority of these pollutants get introduces into the body without your knowledge through ingestion or inhalation. It’s a common thing in the industrial job sector.

What Are the General Symptoms?

Generally, stress is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Pain, especially on the lower back and on the chest
  • Low sex drive
  • Reduced concentration
  • Poor appetite
  • Lack of personal drive
  • Irritability
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Sleeping difficulties
  • Body fatigue
  • Depression

Chiropractic Treatment and Stress

The whole essence of seeing a chiropractor is not to eliminate stress but to treat its symptoms. Chiropractic treatment will help your body, especially the spine to regain its effectiveness. The point of focus is mostly the spine. Usually, a spinal misalignment or dysfunction interferes with the functioning of the nervous system. So, communication between the systems and the body is affected. A chiropractor is able to treat the misalignments to ensure that effective communication is restored.

The whole idea is to help you cope with the stress that you are going through and to bring the symptoms to a minimum. Overall, a chiropractor does the following to help you reduce stress levels:

  • Looks after your spine to ensure that its nervous functions are well controlled
  • Identifies issue on your spine which may be stressing it
  • Restores the curvature of the spine to improve its general health
  • Manage chronic pain, discomfort or tensions on your physical body
  • Identify and manage mental stress

Chiropractic Treatment Options for Stress Alleviation

  1. Readjustment Therapy

Here, a chiropractor performs spinal manipulation on you. The aim of this therapy is to treat spinal misalignments (also known as subluxations). By treating subluxations, the physical stress that’s placed on your spine is minimized. In the end, spinal adjustments bring proper balance to your spine and this means improved nervous coordination.

  1. Muscle Release

Stress is likely to cause tension in your muscles. Tensed muscles interfere with your way of living. Your life becomes interrupted in a number of ways. For example, sleeping becomes a problem and motor coordination is impaired. By performing muscle release, which is a deep-tissue massage-like therapy, tension is released and you experience a feeling of relaxation.

  1. Exercise Therapy

Exercises help you to build physical and mental energy. The energy is important in getting rid of muscle tension and helping you relax. A chiropractor will recommend exercises that you can do when stressed. This will help you to have better control of your emotions.

  1. Relaxation Techniques

The hardest thing for someone when stressed is relaxing. Luckily, a chiropractor can help you do it. For starters, the expert helps you to find the right posture for relaxing. The chiropractor will recommend specific relaxation techniques that’ll improve your posture. Additionally, the expert may make the following recommendations:

  • Listening to soothing music
  • Observing meditation
  • Practicing relaxed breathing

 

  1. Nutrition Advice

A chiropractor can also be your nutritionist when it comes to matters affecting your spine. You’ll be advised on the best foods and supplements that you can take to calm your nerves down and to boost spinal health. Of course, the aim is to use nutritional counseling to suppress the symptoms of stress and not entirely to treat the condition.

Closing Thought:

Generally, chiropractic treatment is a holistic approach that you need to manage different forms of stress. The treatment is good both for your physical and mental health. With no doubt, visiting a chiropractor is a good idea the next time you are weighed down by stress.

Chiropractic Treatment for TMJD

Do you often experience jaw pain and discomfort? You may be having a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). TMJD is a condition that affects so many people in the world following an injury to the jaw. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the joint between your skull and the jawbone, is a very sensitive joint. An injury to it may make it harder for you to chew. Luckily, it can be treated not just by a dentist but also by a chiropractor.

What Are the Key Symptoms?

We’ve already mentioned pain on the jaw in the opening statements. It’s the main symptom for TMJD. However, it not only affects the jaw but also the neck, ear, and teeth. The pain may also extend to the back and arms. Other symptoms are:

  • Jaw clicking – This happens when you either open or close your mouth. Your jaw, in this case, produces a popping sound.
  • Restricted TMJ mobility – Some patients may have their TMJ temporarily locked and this makes it difficult for them to open or close their mouths. Others can only do it slightly.
  • Bite alterations – Sometime, you may not feel your teeth when chewing. This is often because of dysfunction on one side.
  • Hearing difficulties
  • Swallowing complications
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness

What Really Causes TMJD?

TMJD can be caused by several factors. Here are the main ones:

  • Injury to the jaw – If you suffer a direct physical injury to the jaw area, you are likely to develop TMJD. It may be a nasty fall on the face or an accidentally hit on the jaw.
  • Muscle dysfunction – If the muscles of the jaw are defective, TMJD can develop.
  • Excessive chewing – This happens mostly when you chew gum for long.
  • Teeth grinding – This happens mostly when you are asleep.
  • Nail biting – This overuses the jaw and thus may affect the temporomandibular joint negatively.
  • Teeth misalignment – This interferes with chewing and eventually affects the TMJ.
  • Arthritis – Arthritis wears off your joints, including TMJ.

Are There Risk Factors?

Like most serious conditions, TMJD has several surprising risk factors. So, sometimes, the source does not have to be a physical one like an injury to the jaw. One major risk factor is poor posture, especially one that affects the neck. If your neck is restrained so much, there’s always the risk of this kind of pressure impacting the temporomandibular joint.

The other popular risk factor is stress. Stress increases muscle tension on your jaw. At the end of the day, this may affect the temporomandibular joint. The other risk factors are age, gender, and inflammations. It’s argued that women are the most affected, more so those aged 18-44. It has to do with hormonal changes. Additionally, the presence of chronic inflammation improves its risk.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Identifying the discussed symptoms is never conclusive. You need to see an expert who can diagnose the condition. TMJD can be handled by a general practitioner, a dentist or an orthodontist. These specialists will often resort to pain prescriptions. It can also be addressed by an oral surgeon. However, this applies to extreme cases.

If you prefer a method that is both nonsurgical and nonmedical, then the right expert to see is a chiropractor. While a GP and dentist treat the symptoms, a chiropractor treats the underlying cause. Once the core cause is treated, then the symptoms will easily be suppressed. Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic can help!

What Happens During a Chiropractic Diagnosis?

Dr. Hinz can perform different evaluations to check for TMJD.

  • Physical assessment – The expert may inspect your jaws to determine signs of temporomandibular inflammation or any kind of abnormality.
  • Posture evaluation – One clear TMJD sign is a head that is jutting forward. The head is not supposed to look that way unless it’s restrained by an underlying issue.
  • Neck assessment – If you have TMJD, it’s likely that the effect will be felt on your neck. A chiropractor can help you with this diagnosis. The expert will observe your neck for issues like a low range of motion, earache, neck stiffness, and severe headache. These signs are suggestive that your neck is affected.

Once Dr. Hinz establishes that what you have is TMJD, then you’ll be advised to start treatment immediately.

What Happens During a Chiropractic Treatment?

Cool Springs Chiropractic does not just do TMJD diagnosis but also helps to treat the underlying causes.  Depending on how severe your TMJD is, Dr. Hinz may use any of these techniques:

Chiropractic manipulation – Popularly known as spinal manipulation or just spinal adjustments, chiropractic manipulation is meant to correct misalignment on your spine. A chiropractor believes that it’s the misalignment that restricts your nerves around the temporomandibular region. Realigning the spine is one way of relieving the restrained nerves. Chiropractic manipulation is generally the first response action for severe TMJD cases. At the end of the day, it’s known to achieve the following:

  • To relax the temporomandibular joint muscles
  • To reposition the jaw
  • To readjust the temporomandibular joint

Jaw retraining – Because of a TMJ, your jaw may have lost its efficiency and so you may not be able to chew properly. A chiropractor can help fix the issue by retraining the jaw to move as it should. It will be adjusted accordingly. This takes off pressure from the temporomandibular joint and significantly reduces TMJD symptoms. With a few adjustments, your jaw will be as good as new.

Myofascial release – A chiropractor is an expert who understands how your muscles need to feel and appear. So, if the muscles are looking tight and have stayed that way for long, then the expert will resort to myofascial release. In this technique, a pressure that is likened to deep tissue massage is applied to the tight muscle knots to soften them. It’s a very effective treatment.

Stretching exercises – Since the pain may be originating from the neck and back region, the expert may opt to stretch you a little. The exercises will be directed mostly on your back to target the spine. You have to remember that TMJD healing is dependent on a healthy spine. If the spine is not misaligned, then your immunity will be enhanced and you’ll recover from TMJD.

Closing Thought:

By treating the root cause of TMJD, chiropractic treatment offers an immediate and long-term solution for the condition. This is something that dentists and general practitioners do not do. They’ll just treat the symptoms when the underlying issue is left bossing your temporomandibular joint. So, if you are looking to treat and prevent TMJD in the future, then contact Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic today!

Chiropractic Care for Seasonal Allergies

For some people, the arrival of spring means that they have to deal with seasonal allergies. Actually, the CDC reports that over 25 million people in the US suffer from different forms of seasonal allergies. Some are mild and others are severe. Of this population, at least 19 million are adults and 6 million are children. The problem is that not everyone knows that what they have are seasonal allergies and even those who do don’t understand the benefit of seeking professional intervention. So, what exactly are seasonal allergies and what’s the treatment?

Seasonal allergies are a collective term that refers to disorders that result when the immune system reacts to foreign substances (allergens) such as pollen, mold, grass, dust, specific foods, heat, cold, air pollutants, and weeds. In this case, it happens seasonally after contact with the allergen. So, it’s not just a condition of the spring season. The response from your immune system may present in the form of a running nose, cough, rashes, and skin itchiness. In some severe cases, it can lead to breathing complications, asthma attacks or sometimes death.

What’s the Solution?

A majority of people handle seasonal allergies by using medications. The medications (popularly known as antihistamines) tend to neutralize the natural immune response chemical (known as histamine) that is released by your immune system when a seasonal allergen is detected. The over secretion of histamine is what causes the negative responses mentioned in the opening remarks.

While antihistamines are very effective in countering the effects of excessive histamines, they are prone to side effects like drowsiness. However, this is not the main concern. The issue is that they do not treat the root cause but just the symptoms. If you are looking for a more practical alternative, then you may find it necessary to consider chiropractic care. It’ll help you significantly.

How Does Chiropractic Care Help?

Chiropractic care is a general term that includes spinal manipulation and other physical techniques meant to boost communication between the spine and the brain. The specialist (a chiropractor) applies hands-on techniques to treat spinal misalignments (what we call subluxations). This brings enormous benefits to your body. You are able to fight the allergen in a practical way without fearing for adverse effects associated with anti-histamines.

While there are no permanent treatments for seasonal allergies, a Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic may help you manage, alleviate or prevent the symptoms. Regular treatments help to equip and to balance your natural defense so as to neutralize the effects of seasonal allergens. Remember, when you suffer subluxation, it’s not just your immune system that’s affected but the nervous and respiratory systems too. Chiropractic care ensures that all these systems work to their full potential in fighting seasonal allergies.

Generally, chiropractic care helps in dealing with seasonal allergies in the following ways:

  1. Strengthens Natural Immunity

When there’s a subluxation along your spine, your immune system is severely compromised and can’t fight allergens naturally. Chiropractic care is meant to realign the spinal path so as communication to the brain is necessitated and your body gets to fight the allergen effortlessly. When the spine and the brain are able to communicate freely, clearance of the symptoms comes naturally. So, you are able to manage them completely as long as you continue with your chiropractic session. Besides, no medications or surgery is involved. The techniques are purely manual.

  1. Supports Respiratory Functions

Just like the immune system, the respiratory system highly depends on communication between it and the brain. A subluxation is likely to hamper the flow of information and the effects are symptoms like sneezing, running nose, and coughing. By treating subluxation, the communication paths between the respiratory system and the brain are cleared. They stay open, free of obstruction. This means that the body is able to fight off an allergen naturally as there’s nothing that interferes with the signals that flow between the two systems.

  1. Distressing Effects

Are you aware that the immune system can be stressed? Well, the reason why your immune system reacts in a negative way to allergens is that they (the allergens) stress it. Considering that the nervous system is closely linked to the immune system, psychological stress interferes with their association. Research shows that stress wears down the adrenal glands. The glands are responsible for secreting the anti-inflammation hormone called cortisol.

Without sufficient cortisol levels, allergic responses are bound to get severe. A chiropractor will help you control cortisol production during high-allergy seasons. The specialist will basically control inflammation responses related to a specific allergen. One major distressing effect is the suppression of overproduction of histamine. When the levels are controlled, it’s easier to manage stress and allergy attack in the long run.

  1. Nutrition and Lifestyle Advice

A chiropractor doesn’t just treat subluxations but may also recommend a few changes in your nutrition plan and lifestyle. Such changes are meant to either prevent allergic attacks or lessen the symptoms. For example, nutrition-wise, a chiropractor may ask you to avoid some foods. They include:

  • Fermented foods
  • Spiced foods
  • Tomatoes
  • Celery

However, it doesn’t mean that all seasonal allergies related to foods have the same response in all people. Different people show different responses to food triggers. For example, some people may develop itchy skin because of taking some foods and others may develop rashes for taking the same foods.

Additionally, a chiropractor may recommend the following nutritional adjustments:

  • Take more fiber-rich foods
  • Choose more organic foods over non-organic
  • Stay hydrated most times

In the case of lifestyle adjustments, a chiropractor may recommend the following:

  • Avoid certain environmental things which are known to promote an allergic attack, for example, strong wind.
  • Look for comfortable things to do to avoid allergic attack or to make the symptoms less severe.
  • Find the best sleeping position and sleeping habits to combat back pain.
  • Do at-home stretching exercises that are good for your spine.
  • Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
  • Practice mindfulness (meditation or yoga)

Closing Thought:

It takes proper communication between the brain and the immune system or the respiratory system to combat seasonal allergies. A chiropractor is able to facilitate this. Treatments from Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic may be your solution to avoiding the attacks or reducing the symptoms. Unlike the use of anti-histamines, chiropractic care addresses the underlying issue. Contact Cool Springs Chiropractic today!

Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain

In the body, the nerve that runs from the lumber part (the lower back) to the legs is what we call the sciatic nerve. It’s the largest in the body and damage to it results in a syndrome called sciatica. Sciatica is an indicator of an underlying medical problem in your lower back. It’s often described as pain, tingle, and numbness in the leg. Sciatica rarely affects both legs and thus you should expect pain to be one-sided.

The unfortunate thing is that sciatic nerve pain worsens with sitting. It also becomes hard to stand, walk or move the affected leg. In severe cases, though rare, sciatic nerve pain may lead to a neurological condition, a bowel dysfunction or a bladder complication. This happens when sciatic is left untreated for long. The good news though is that you can treat it using chiropractic practices.

The Causes

Before we look at the role that chiropractic care plays in treating sciatic nerve pain, it’s important to know what causes it. Unlike most pains, sciatic nerve pain is not caused by a single injury or episode. It normally develops from repeated events and becomes complicated over time. For this reason, it’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact time that the symptoms started to manifest.

In general, the major causes of this debilitating nerve condition are:

  • Repetitive motion – When you twist your back often, there is the risk of triggering sciatic nerve pain. Also, experts argue that driving for long or carrying heavy things repeatedly can be a potential risk for suffering sciatica.
  • Lower back infection – Though this is rare, a serious infection to the lower back may affect the sciatic nerve. If the nerve is damaged by the infection in any way, there is always the chance of suffering sciatica.
  • Bone spurs – When bone spurs exist in the vertebra, they can collide and this may lead to abnormal Such growth has the power to interfere with the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica.
  • Physical discomforts – This includes wearing high heels for long, lying on an extremely soft mattress, and accumulating excess weight. All these issues are distress to the spine and thus a potential trigger of sciatica.
  • Slip disc – When a given vertebra disk shifts forward, such a condition is referred to as slip disc. In case the shift occurs in the lumbar area, sciatica results and its highlighted by a painful sensation.
  • Pregnancy – Pregnancy normally results in excess weight directed to the spine, leading to its compression.
  • Disc disease – When a degenerative disc disease occurs on any part of the spine, the discs become less flexible. Hence, they are not able to cushion the spine well or to repair themselves as expected. In the long run, symptoms of sciatic nerve pain start showing up.
  • Spinal tumors – A growth in the spine is a serious cause of sciatica. This is because the more the tumor grows, the more it’s compressed. In the end, the sciatic nerve becomes damaged, resulting in terrible pain and discomfort.

Can Chiropractic Treatment Help?

While there are so many treatment options for sciatic nerve pain such as pain medications, anti-inflammatory applications, and physical therapy, a majority of patients are preferring chiropractic treatments. So, what does a chiropractic doctor (a chiropractor) do to treat sciatica? Ideally, a chiropractor is a musculoskeletal expert. Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic uses hands-on techniques to decompress or realign compressed nerves to give you relief from sciatica. So, yes, a chiropractor can help immensely in treating sciatic nerve pain.

As a specialized doctor, a chiropractor is not just interested in addressing the symptoms but to also get into the root cause of the problem. In this case, the first thing that a chiropractor will do once you demonstrate the symptoms of sciatic nerve pain is to do a complete spinal evaluation on you. The evaluation features CT scans and X-rays. The tests are able to confirm the diagnosis and to show the underlying issue. After the evaluation, the chiropractor will perform s spinal adjustment technique, also known as spinal manipulation, on you.

Spinal Manipulation

Looking at the highlighted causes of sciatic nerve pain, it’s clear that they result in either the compression or misalignment of the sciatic nerve. That’s why chiropractors purpose to decompress and realign the nerve. This is what spinal manipulation is all about. The chiropractor uses hands to adjust the spine. In the end, spinal manipulation achieves the following goals:

  • Reduces sciatic nerve irritability and pain
  • Minimizes muscle spasms and inflammation in the affected part

However, it’s important to note that spinal manipulation is a very delicate procedure that should only be performed by trained and licensed chiropractic doctors. Any wrong move may cause serious damage to your spine.

Other Proven Chiropractic Treatments

Besides spinal manipulation, there are other techniques that Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic can use to manage sciatic nerve pain. They include:

  1. Hot-Cold Therapy – Here, both heat and ice are applied to the affected part in an alternating The ice is used to numb the painful area while the heat is used to stimulate blood flow.
  2. Ultrasounds – The aim of an ultrasound is to build sound waves for improving blood circulation in the affected leg. This significantly helps to reduce muscle stiffness, spasm, and cramps.
  3. Decompression Therapy – In some cases, a chiropractor may prefer to use a decompressing machine instead of hands to correct a spinal compression case. The technique is called decompression therapy. It stretches your vertebra to improve its mobility and flexibility.
  4. TENS – Standing for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS is a treatment involving a small machine that passes an electric current through the muscles to stimulate them. This ideally soothes local inflammation as well as muscle spasm.
  5. Massage Therapy – A chiropractor may also massage the affected area to promote fast healing. Through the massage, blood flow is stimulated as the sciatic nerve is decompressed. This can also be used as a preventive approach for the condition.

Closing Thought:

It’s irrefutable that sciatic nerve pain is a serious nerve condition that calls for immediate treatment following diagnosis. Contact Cool Springs Chiropractic today to get started on the natural roadway to healing.