Patients at Hackbart Chiropractic have seen significant improvements in their health because they receive chiropractic care. Some of these patients have extraordinary improvements and are examples of the life-changing power of chiropractic. We've asked some of these patients to share their stories. These testimonials are proof that chiropractic works and that it truly does change lives!
Patient Success Story: Brittni Love
Patients at Hackbart Chiropractic have seen significant improvements in their health because they receive chiropractic care. Some of these patients have extraordinary improvements and are examples of the life-changing power of chiropractic. We've asked some of these patients to share their stories. These testimonials are proof that chiropractic works and that it truly does change lives!
Patient Testimonial from Brittni Love
For over two months I suffered severe shooting pain in my lower back that went down the backs of my legs. I was very stiff and could barely get dressed in the morning. It just kept getting worse, and that's when I decided to try chiropractic.
I knew what would happen if I went to a doctor at a clinic. I really did not want to take pills.
I really liked how positive Dr. Folkers was that chiropractic would help my problem. I also appreciated how realistic he was about how long it may take.
The staff treats me like they know me, and they are pretty much amazing. Now I can get dressed without pain almost every day.
I would recommend anyone to try out Hackbart Chiropractic! Listen to them and trust that you will start feeling better with time. I did, and it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Patient Success Story: Tom Jorgensen
Patients at Hackbart Chiropractic have seen significant improvements in their health because they receive chiropractic care. Some of these patients have extraordinary improvements and are examples of the life-changing power of chiropractic. We've asked some of these patients to share their stories. These testimonials are proof that chiropractic works and that it truly does change lives!
Testimonial from Tom Jorgensen
I've been dealing with shoulder pain and weakness for the last six months and reflux for the past 20 years on and off. For the shoulder pain I was taking ibuprofen, and a variety of acid blockers for the reflux.
My symptoms have improved greatly. I am able to get all my workout done without pain, and sleeping through the night instead of waking up from the reflux. My stress is less as a result of the reduced pain.
My treatment by the staff is excellent; they are good people and very caring. Dr. Folkers is very thorough and helpful.
I would recommend to anyone to give chiropractic a try. I have had a very positive outcome!
Patient Success Story: Amy Johnson
Patients at Hackbart Chiropractic have seen significant improvements in their health because they receive chiropractic care. Some of these patients have extraordinary improvements and are examples of the life-changing power of chiropractic. We've asked some of these patients to share their stories. These testimonials are proof that chiropractic works and that it truly does change lives!
Testimonial from Amy Johnson
I had been dealing with a lot of issues when I first started seeing Dr. Hackbart: hip and leg pain, arm pain and numbness, restless legs, and headaches. The headaches had been going on most of my life; the other problems about a year and a half.
I took aspirin for the aches and pains and migraine medication for the headaches because they were so bad. Nothing helped permanently.
Now all that's left of my original problems are minor headaches that I can deal with easily. I don't have the extreme headaches anymore or pain in my arms or legs. I am not as stressed as I used to be, my sleep has gotten better and so has my energy level.
The staff is amazing—everyone treats you as a person and not a number. I love the positive environment. All the staff members are very understanding.
I especially like the personal attention and quality care I receive each time I come in. I also liked the educational classes that helped me change my habits to healthier and safer ones.
Doctors Hackbart and Folkers are here to help you get better as long as you are willing to do your part! I love the way they know what areas to work on to get you feeling better, so you can enjoy your life.
Avoid Colds and Flu: Get Adjusted Regularly
Colds and flu are no fun, but we've come to expect to get sick sometime during "flu season." Catching a cold isn't always a bad thing, as you'll learn, but there are ways to keep from getting one entirely, and heal quickly when you do get sick.
Why we get sick
You are exposed to "germs"--different viruses and bacteria--every day. Any of these could make you sick except that your body's defense system kills most of those germs before they have a chance to do any damage (unless you are afflicted with a poor or weakened immune system).
When you do get sick, it's a result of a low resistance to disease. This is usually caused by stress: structural stress (what chiropractors correct), emotional stress, and chemical stress (toxins that your body hasn't been able to get rid of). A combination of two or more of these can allow an infection to take over your body.
3 reasons why cold symptoms aren't a bad thing
When you get sick, it means an infection or virus has gotten past your body's initial defenses. In order to get out the intruder, your body goes on the attack. Your body temperature will often raise to try to kill the invading germs (resulting in a fever), and other systems will do whatever they can to get rid of the bacteria or virus (resulting in a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, or in the cases of a digestive infection, vomiting or diarrhea). These symptoms are uncomfortable and unpleasant, but they're a sign that your body is doing what it's designed to, in order to heal from the illness.
If you take a fever reducer, you're taking away your body's ability to kill an infection with heat. If you take a decongestant to stop your nose or eyes watering, you're keeping the virus or bacteria in your body instead of letting your body get it out.
How chiropractic prevents colds and flu, and helps you heal faster
We've established that you get sick because of a compromised immune system. When your body's natural defenses are not functioning the way they should be, viruses and bacteria can get in and attack. How do you keep your immune system working properly? The same way you keep all your body's systems working correctly: by keeping the nerve pathways between your organs and your brain open and healthy. That's what chiropractic does, by keeping your spine in alignment and the nerves in your spine un-pinched!
Chiropractic also helps you heal faster when you do get sick. Sometimes, even with a healthy spine, you might get a cold, flu, or gastrointestinal infection ("stomach flu"). You'll be able to heal more quickly with a properly aligned spine. That's why it's important to come to the chiropractor when you get sick, ideally before you go see any other doctor. Come see us, then go home and rest!
Other ways to get healthy and keep healthy, naturally
Don't fight your body's well-designed defense system. Work with it! Keep healthy by:
- eating nourishing food, and avoiding food that doesn't benefit your body
- getting adequate sleep (at least 7 hours a night for adults)
- drinking plenty of water
- exercising regularly
- seeing your chiropractor at least monthly!
Source:
Koren, Tedd, D.C. (2014). Colds & Flu (pamphlet). TAN Koren Publications Inc.
Patient Success Story: Deb Hemphill
Patients at Hackbart Chiropractic have seen significant improvements in their health because they receive chiropractic care. Some of these patients have extraordinary improvements and are examples of the life-changing power of chiropractic. We've asked some of these patients to share their stories. These testimonials are proof that chiropractic works and that it truly does change lives!
Testimonial from Deb Hemphill
Definitely worth trying!
I've been having problems with my left hand for about 3 ½ years. When the problems started I couldn't make a fist and my hand was very tight. I was prescribed medication for it. I was able to get off the meds, but 6 months later it all came back. After visiting with Dr. Folkers I decided to give chiropractic care a try.
I had been seeing an arthritis doctor for joint pain in my hands and also for inflammation. I had to take other medication to deal with the side effects and have monthly lab work as well.
Having regular adjustments has helped my hand! I don't like the many appointments, but I understand why they're necessary.
My original symptoms are much better. I'm trying to get off the medication to see if the symptoms return.
The staff at Hackbart Chiropractic is VERY nice and helpful. Chiropractic care is definitely worth trying!
Healing Digestive Disorders with Chiropractic
The Digestive System
Like all the body's systems (respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, nervous, and others), the digestive system is made up of several organs which work together to accomplish a task. The job of the digestive system is to break down food so the body can absorb energy and nutrients from that food, and remove from the body whatever the body can't digest or doesn't need.
Each organ in the digestive system (the throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines) is connected to the brain via nerves which pass through the spinal column, just like every other organ in the body. If any of those nerves is pinched due to a vertebral subluxation (vertebrae which are out of place), the signals between the organ and the brain will be disrupted or prevented entirely. This can cause a host of problems and conditions.
Types of digestive disorders:
Various digestive disorders include: dyspepsia (chronic stomachache), ulcers (stomach acid burning through the lining of the stomach and intestines), heartburn (stomach acid escaping up into the esophagus), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach walls), chronic constipation (difficulty eliminating the bowels). These are some of the most common digestive disorders.
A medical doctor's approach to treating these disorders seems simple: prescribe a drug and solve the problem. But most drugs don't solve the cause of the disorder. They cover the symptoms.
Pain is not always a bad thing. If you have a headache, that can be a sign of pinched muscles or nerves, dehydration, or sleep deprivation. When you touch something hot you feel pain because your nerves send your brain a signal: something is wrong. Fix it!
The same is true with digestive discomfort of all kinds. A stomachache is a sign that something is wrong. Either there is something in your digestive system that shouldn't be there (food that doesn't agree with you, a bacterial infection or virus), or something isn't working right. The brain and the organ aren't communicating the way they should be.
This is where chiropractic comes in.
A chiropractic approach to treating digestive orders
- Get to the source of the problem. Chiropractors will examine the spine to see where there are pinched nerves. They will also help the patient determine if a lifestyle habit could be causing the problem, such as overuse of alcohol, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise or dehydration. Instead of using drugs to cover symptoms, chiropractic looks for the root cause of the problem and seeks to solve it.
- Correct vertebral subluxations. When an out-of-place vertebra (or more than one) are the cause of the problem, chiropractic care solves that! Regular adjustments are necessary for keeping all the body's systems working the way they were designed to.
- Increase water consumption and avoid dehydration. Especially in older patients, dehydration can be a problem because the sense of thirst can diminish with age. The digestive tract needs plenty of water to move food through it, and water is essential for the body to absorb energy and nutrients into the bloodstream. Dehydration can cause constipation, ulcers, colitis and dyspepsia.
- Improve diet and remove foods that trigger digestive issues. Many people's digestive problems are simply a result of a poor diet. A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, with plenty of whole grains, healthy fats and protein, will ensure the digestive system works optimally. An overabundance of sugar-rich foods, spicy foods, or greasy foods (made with unhealthy fats) can cause chronic digestive issues. Try improving your diet, eating less fast food and processed foods, and see if that helps your digestive system.
If you suffer from chronic (or even occasional) digestive disorders or problems, try chiropractic care before you try drugs. Chiropractic will help improve the health of your whole body, and you won't be stuck with taking medicine the rest of your life!
Source:
Koren, Tedd D.C. (2012). Digestion, Heartburn and Ulcers (pamphlet). TFL Koren Publications Inc.
Patient Success Story: Allie Alt
Patients at Hackbart Chiropractic have seen significant improvements in their health because they receive chiropractic care. Some of these patients have extraordinary improvements and are examples of the life-changing power of chiropractic. We've asked some of these patients to share their stories. These testimonials are proof that chiropractic works and that it truly does change lives!
Testimonial from Allie Alt (age 9)
All my pain was gone after the second treatment!
"I was experiencing pain in a variety of areas—head, lower back, legs—for a couple weeks. Now I have no pain at all!
"I felt better after the first treatment. All the pain was gone after the second! Now I can play without a headache, and I wake up with no headache.
"I was treated very well by the staff—they and the doctors are all very nice. "
Summertime Chiropractic Care
summertime chiro care
Summer: a time for family vacations, visits to the pool, lemonade stands, suntans, and-- chiropractic visits?
Yes! Chiropractic care is needed during the summer as well as during the rest of the year, if not more! Special summer activities can get your spine out of misalignment. If you're in the car or plane for a family vacation (and if you're lucky enough to be able to sleep on long trips), just think about the strange positions your neck and back is in! An adjustment is always a good idea post-vacation.
image via morguefile.com
Summer work can also be hard on your back, whether you're digging in the garden, mowing the lawn, or working on the farm.
As for your children, they'll be participating in summer sports, playing outside, and probably at least as active as they are during the school year. Bring your kids with you to get adjusted so they can stay healthy while they play and relax during the summer months!
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Keep your back healthy this summer with these tips:
- Focus on keeping your posture straight, whether standing, sitting, or lying down.
- Be careful when lifting heavy objects. Use your legs, not your back.
- Stretch before and after exercising (and make sure your kids do the same).
- For long car trips, get a neck pillow so you can sleep comfortably without hurting your neck. On a car trip, stop to stretch and walk around every couple hours. On plane trips, get out of your seat every hour or two (if it's safe to do so) to stretch and move around.
- Don't let the dog days of summer keep you from exercise! Swimming and walking are easy, pleasant, and not damaging to your back.
- Continue to get adequate sleep (7-9 hours for adults) and eat healthfully (always essential!) to keep your whole body in optimum health.
- See your chiropractor for regular adjustments!
This summer, keep yourself and your whole family healthy and happy with chiropractic!
Avocados: Heart Healthy and Delicious, plus a Recipe!
Did you know that avocados are not only delicious, but they are powerhouses of nutrition, too!!!???!! With this being Heart Health week at Hackbart chiropractic, it's the perfect time to highlight this delicious super food and share some ways it can contribute to a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Avocados contain oleic acid, an omega-9, monounsaturated fatty acid that can help lower our "bad" cholesterol (LDL). Oleic acid is also believed to slow the pace of heart disease and promote the production of antioxidants. The vitamin B6 and folic acid in avocados also control homocysteine levels, which again, helps to reduce the risks of heart disease.
Avocados are simply an all around nutrition burst. The lutein they contain helps to prevent age-related eye deterioration. And they are loaded with fiber which helps with digestion and regulation of blood sugar. Glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants, is also found in avocados. Glutathione boosts the body's immune system and promotes a healthy nervous system.
Chiropractic is about natural health and healing. Regular chiropractic visits go hand-in-hand with appropriate exercise and a healthy diet to be the least invasive, chemical-free and most successful ways to attain, and keep, good health. They all help to prevent and to treat the root cause of health problems, instead of simply trying to mitigate symptoms.
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Call the office, today to schedule a regular health maintenance adjustment and check out the recipe link, below, for just one example of how delicious, healthy eating can be. Our friend, Glenda, at Busy-at-Home has a fabulous recipe for Avocado Salsa (Click the picture or this link to get the recipe.) that will tantalize the taste buds of even the most finicky eaters in your household! Enjoy!
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Prostate Health: A Chiropractic Approach
Like any organ in the body, the prostate gland is in constant communication with the brain and if that communication is disrupted the prostate is not working at its optimal level. This makes it more difficult for the prostate to function normally, as well as ward off bacteria or viruses that may play a role in some forms of prostatitis. If there is a subluxation involved, (typically in the lower back), then it is likely that the prostate will respond to specific adjustments performed by a chiropractor. Some common symptoms associated with an unhealthy prostate include the inability to empty the bladder, decreased urine flow, and increase in frequency of urination at night, to name just a few. Another issue that typically gets good results with specific adjustments to the lower back is erectile dysfunction. When the prostate is unhealthy, the sex organs are involved making it difficult for some men to function normally on their own.
Interestingly, 80% of men with chronic low back pain also have prostate problems! A study done, by Dr. Winsor, found that eight out of eight male subjects who were having prostate problems also had nerve interference in the lumbar region of their backs. This shows that a lack of communication with the prostate gland may have a role in the function and overall health of the prostate. Restoring communication, with specific chiropractic adjustments, will help achieve or maintain a healthy prostate.
If you have questions, or are experiencing symptoms that you think may be related to prostate health, call our office and make an appointment to speak to Dr. Hackbart, Dr. Folkers, or Dr. Isaacson about restoring the nerve communication to the prostate gland. Chemical medications or invasive procedures should never be a first course of action. Instead of masking symptoms with temporary fixes, the natural healing of chiropractic care should always be the first choice for restoring health and eliminating the root cause of the problem.
June is Men's Health Month: Why Do You Need a Sports Exam?
During the month of June we will be looking at and discussing different topics that involve men’s health. Some examples of issues covered this month include: sports performance, prostate health, heart health, “tough guy” syndrome and nutrition.
Amateur and professional athletes are starting to make chiropractic care a top priority in their training. The three main ways chiropractic care helps enhance sports performance are:
- injury prevention
- recovery time after an injury
- getting to the cause of the problem.
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Chiropractors work first and foremost with the nervous system of the body which controls every movement and function of the body. An unhealthy nervous system could lead to a lack of balance, coordination, flexibility, and range of motion to name a few. All of these may lead to injuries during sports activities. If the nervous system is healthy, and functioning properly, a person will not only improve on all the aforementioned activities, but also have the ability to excel in their sport, while reducing the amount of time the body takes to recover after an event or injury. Chiropractors will examine the athlete’s spine, and biomechanics, checking for any nerve pressure or misaligned vertebrae which may compromise the function of the nervous system. Once these are removed, with specific adjustments, the body has the ability to perform at its optimal levels.
Call Hackbart Chiropractic, today, to schedule a sports exam or to speak to one of the doctors about your health questions.
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Irregular Menses: A Chiropractic Approach
Irregular menses may be caused by the nerve supply to the ovaries being restricted. This would indicate that there is a subluxation or nerve pressure in the mid to low back region. The nerves that exit the spine in these regions supply and communicate with the ovaries. Once the nerve pressure is removed the lines of communication can be restored allowing proper function of the ovaries.
An absence of menses or amenorrhea may be due to several factors. If a female allows herself to become very lean and reduces her body fat to a bare minimum amenorrhea can occur, naturally, due to a decreased amount of hormones. The area of focus for a chiropractor would be the upper neck region which supplies or communicates with the pituitary gland or the mid to low back region which supplies the adrenal glands that regulate reproductive hormone levels. Once the pressure on the nerves in these areas is removed, the body can begin to regulate its hormone levels. With proper hormone levels and time the body can start to cycle as it should.
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Call the office to make an appointment to visit with one of our doctors, if you experience any of these issues. They are effectively and healthfully treated without the use of chemical or invasive medical interventions, by many of our patients. When you call, ask about patient testimonials that share their success in overcoming this problem. Make a choice for lifelong health by increasing your knowledge and understanding of spinal health. We're excited to show you how!
Nichole Thomas: Patient Video Testimonial
Nichole Thomas discontinued use of a prescription antibiotic, after just 24 hours, to instead, allow chiropractic to strengthen her immune system. This natural, healthy choice allowed her to recover from shingles in just two weeks, while someone she was close to continued their prescription and suffered a long and painful "recovery" experience. A long-time chiropractic patient, Nichole understood the benefits and opted for the healthy alternative. We're proud and grateful to have Nichole as a patient at Hackbart Chiropractic. Listen to her video testimonial to get the full-story on her healing experiences, with not just shingles, but with the pain of fibromyalgia.
Gastric And Peptic Ulcers: A Chiropractic Approach
Peptic ulcers can be felt 15-30 minutes after eating and may be caused by too little mucus being secreted by the cells of the stomach. Chiropractors relate this problem to a subluxation or nerve pressure in the mid- to upper-neck region. This area is involved with the parasympathetic nervous system. By removing the pressure on the nerves, it will restore mucus production to the cells of the stomach.
Gastric ulcers may subside 20 minutes after eating and may be aggravated by an increase in hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Chiropractors look for nerve pressure in the middle of the back and, if no response is seen, they will look in the upper neck region. Once the pressure is removed and the nerve function is restored the stomach can function normally. Also recommended is eliminating certain foods such as coffee and sugar from the diet. Niacinamide found in corn and pork will help aid in stomach tissue regeneration as well as vitamin A and/or Gastrex Capsules, both products in the Standard Process supplement line. Increasing water consumption has also been shown to help with digestive tract problems as many people are dehydrated and don’t realize that they are.
Acid Reflux: A Chiropractic Approach
Acid reflux is caused by your stomach producing too little, or too much, digestive enzymes or gastric acid. By working with the mid-back region, and the neck, chiropractors can help restore normal function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, which regulate the function of stomach digestion.
The muscle preventing the backward flow of stomach contents is sensitive to the amount of acid in the stomach. When more acid is being produced in the stomach, the tighter the muscle contracts, preventing the reverse flow of stomach contents. If there is not enough acid being produced by your stomach, the muscle will be more lax and more likely to allow reverse flow. If you experience heartburn, on an empty stomach, your body is producing too much gastric acid and this could be a result of interference with the parasympathetic system. Both are causes of too little or too much gastric acid production. Along with adjustments, we also suggest Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, available in our office or many health food stores, Gastrex (a supplement produced by Standard Process, also available at Hackbart Chiropractic), and a healthy diet.
Are We Healthier?
Since the creation of the USDA's food pyramid, in 1972, are we a healthier nation? TIME magazine's 2008 article didn't think so; and 5 years later our answer would unfortunately stay the same.
This Time Magazine cover suggests that American health was bad in 2008 - Unfortunately, in comparison to 16 other countries, it still is. Credit: time.com
It's time to start taking our health back and not mindlessly follow the USDA's standard of food safety, the Medical Association's mandates on vaccines and Big Pharma's greedy offers to fix all life's ailments; which the former two agencies produce and their own drugs create. Disease management through vaccines, pharmaceuticals and unnecessary medical procedures cannot take the place of a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle includes healthy eating, but when the USDA became involved with our food supply, our food became.......well, not really food at all, but more of a big business. It is made with cost in mind and most of it is laden with fillers, dyes, artificial preservatives, pesticides and hormones that the USDA has passed with a green light. Yet fresh, natural, raw milk, with no hormonal or antibiotic residue, is illegal!
Wellness education is now needed to help unhealthy Americans train there brains to think before they eat, pop a pill or go under the knife. And thinking we are! Chiropractic, Nutritionalists, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Physical Trainers and many more natural approaches to health are being sought out.
There is a way to Hope, Healing, and Health, but it has to be sought out in America, because it is not the culture of our system. The system is broken and the unhealthy are seeking other options. It's time to make changes before your health is lost. If you would like to discuss your hopes for health with us, please stop in. We would love to help you. If we are not the answer we can help you find what you are looking for. We want to help you get back to life!
Let's get educated together! Come check out our library at the office. We have books, DVD's and classes offered each week for FREE.
We are here to serve you and help you find Hope, Healing, Health!
Sinus Headaches: A Chiropractic Approach
A build up of pressure within the sinus cavities can become painful and cause pressure in the head, creating a sinus headache. The pain or pressure is felt in the forehead or eyes and is typically caused by a buildup of pressure within the sinus cavity due to the inability of the sinuses to drain. There are other factors that contribute to sinus headaches such as cervicogenic components or problems arising from the neck region due to misaligned vertebrae creating nerve pressure.
Chiropractors work on reducing the nerve pressure by restoring proper spinal alignment to the neck through a series of specific adjustments to the subluxated or misaligned vertebrae. Once the pressure is removed from the nerve and it begins to heal, the sinuses will have the ability to drain properly. Specific chiropractic care to the area of the neck can reduce the tension of the soft palate and or muscles of the throat, reduce swelling around the openings of the sinuses, and restore alignment of the neck. These will all allow the sinuses to drain normally and prevent future problems with sinus pressure. All of these can be achieved without harmful side effects and are safe for people of every age.
Retired Army Brigadier General Finds Relief from Fibromyalgia Pain with Chiropractic Care
Becky Halstead recently spoke at the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association's Spring Conference in Omaha, NE. Halstead is a retired Army Brigadier General, who served our country with 27 years of armed forces service. Becky struggled with the painful symptoms of her disease for several years, before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2004. Since there is no cure, medical doctors immediately began to try and treat Halstead's growing list of fibromyalgia symptoms. As with most traditional medical thought, prescription drugs were the proffered solution. By 2008, taking numerous medications, daily, and still suffering from the life-altering pain of fibromyalgia, General Halstead retired from the Army. Doctors had offered her little hope, for a change in her condition. "You're not going to have good days, you're just going to have days."¹
After her retirement, Becky discovered chiropractic and began learning that chiropractors are not just "back doctors", as is the common misconception, but doctors of the nervous system. Chiropractic relieves pressure on nerves that are pinched or compressed by subluxated vertebrae. Every organ and system in our body is connected to the brain by an intricate network of nerves, and all of those nerves must ultimately run through the spinal column to reach the brain. A misaligned (subluxated) vertebra, or a disc ( the cushion between vertebrae) that is inflamed or damaged, pinches or puts pressure on the nearby nerve, interrupting the normal signal to the brain, often signaling pain instead. Where, and to what extent, that pain is experienced, depends on the nerve being compressed. That is why patients can see a chiropractor to gain relief from problems as varied as migraine headaches to shingles, the common flu to PMS, low back pain to colic, or allergies to carpal tunnel syndrome. Whatever symptoms present in our bodies, God has built in a wondrous system to tell us, first, "Hey, there's a problem." and then secondly, to prompt us to take action that allows our bodies to heal, as He designed them to do. Doctors of Chiropractic are skilled in assessing pain and inflammation to determine where subluxations have occurred in the spine and subsequently, where a nerve is being injured. With appropriate and consistent chiropractic care, the subluxated vertebra can be realigned, taking pressure off the nerve and allowing the body to begin to function properly and heal as it was designed to.
As mentioned previously, General Halstead was taking between eight and ten prescription medications, when she retired in 2008, without very favorable results. Within one year of completing semi-monthly chiropractic visits, Becky Halstead's pain has decreased from a daily 9 or 10, to 2 or 3, with some days being as low as 1. All this without the use of medications. That's right. She is now, prescription-free. She has found relief and hope through chiropractic care and it has become her new mission to share her experience, and that hope, with others. I encourage you to read the full write-up on her talk at the conference, in this World Herald article and see how her idea of what it means to be healthy, has changed. I'd also like to leave you with some final thoughts.
Are there any medications you take regularly that are simply masking symptoms without getting to the root cause of your health issue? Maybe you are even taking a medication to reduce the symptoms and side effects caused by another medication. If there was a safe, natural alternative that addressed the cause for your pain or illness, wouldn't it make sense to use it, instead of altering your body's responses, and hiding problems with yet another drug? Chiropractic IS that safe, natural alternative.
Hackbart Chiropractic has many educational resources and materials available to our patients. We even host Chiropractic Care Classes each Monday evening, at 6 pm, to provide helpful information and answer questions. Many of our patients have recently been utilizing our lending library to check out a DVD called Doctored, that discusses much of the misinformation about Chiropractic and the misguided, "mainstream" thinking that prescriptions and OTC medications are a better option. We'd love to have you borrow a copy or stop by the office to meet the doctors and ask any questions you may have.
Wishing you hope, health and healing! Have a great day!
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¹Healey, Katy. "Retired General Becky Halstead Speaks at Nebraska Chiropractic Convention." Omaha.com. Omaha World Herald, 16 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
Headaches and Chiropractic
Caffeine, low blood sugar, muscle spasm, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, nerve irritation and noises -- what do they all have in common? They're all triggers or causes of headaches and migraines.
Each week, throughout March, we will be talking about and discussing headaches. We will talk about the different types and triggers, of each, as well as what chiropractic can do to help. The types of headaches we will cover include:
- tension headaches
- cluster headaches
- migraine headaches
- sinus headaches
- organic headaches.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, nine out of ten people have suffered from a headache at some point in time. Headaches can be categorized into several different groups such as tension, cluster, or migraine. These three types constitute ninety-five percent of all headaches. However, it isn't the group that is important, but rather, the cause. A majority of these headaches are caused by tension in the neck. When people spend a large quantity of time in fixed positions or postures, such as sitting at a computer desk, joint irritation and muscle tension are common. Other triggers of headaches include nerve irritation and improper nutrition.
Ten percent of all patients, seeing a chiropractor, suffer from headaches. Fortunately, ninety-five percent of the time, headaches will respond favorably to chiropractic adjustments. A report released by the Duke University Evidence-based Practice Center, in Durham, NC, found that chiropractic adjustments resulted in immediate improvement of headaches that originated from the neck; and had significantly fewer side effects, with longer-lasting relief than when using prescription medications. The American Chiropractic Association recommends taking a break and stretching, every thirty minutes, if you spend a lot of time in one position. Also recommended, is drinking eight glasses of water each day, low impact exercise and avoiding teeth clenching, to reduce the incidence of headaches.
What can chiropractic do for someone who is suffering from headaches and migraines? First and foremost, a chiropractor can relieve and reduce nerve irritation and allow proper spinal function, reducing the amount of stress on the body. They achieve this by performing a specific adjustment to areas of the spine that show evidence of inflammation and/or subluxation.
Chiropractors can also advise you about proper ergonomics and posture, stretching techniques and nutritional information. With extensive training, specializing in the human anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, chiropractors have all the tools needed to help. Don't be in the ten percent of Americans who needlessly suffers from headaches and migraines. Call our office, today, for a consultation appointment with one of our doctors.