natural healthcare

Patient Success Story: Allergy Relief

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For the past 10 years I've had sinus and allergy problems. It seemed I was allergic to everything in Nebraska - mold, pollen, dust. Outside activities left me with cold-like symptoms and exhaustion. I took allergy shots for three years, and about every kind of allergy medication available. I had between five and eight sinus infections each year. I was prescribed antibiotics so often that I grew resistant to the medications; some had no effect on me at all. 

Since getting adjustments from Dr. Hackbart, I haven't used my allergy medicine once! I can mow a lawn, work out and exercise. He was straightforward and talked with me extensively about how changes in my lifestyle would help improve my health. 

The staff at Hackbart Chiropractic genuinely care about my personal well-being and have worked around my busy schedule to get me in for my appointments. I previously thought chiropractic care was only for joints and muscles. I couldn't have been ore wrong, it has changed my health entirely!

- Ryan Coufal

Exercise: An Essential Element of a Healthy Lifestyle

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Exercise: An Essential Element of a Healthy Lifestyle

That dreaded eight-letter word: exercise.

Just like drinking enough water or getting plenty of sleep, we know that exercise is good for us, but it's easy to put it off, to make excuses, or to simply forget about it.

However, the benefits of regular exercise are so great that it should be an easy decision to make it part of your regular routine and healthy lifestyle!

Regular exercise can:

  • Improve sleep
  • Increase energy
  • Help with weight loss
  • Improve digestion
  • Improve blood pressure
  • Reduce stress

You don't have to spend an hour in the gym every day or run five miles three times a week to get these benefits. Even simple exercise can give you noticeable improvements in your health.

However, there are exercises that can be damaging to your spine. Therefore, it is important to exercise carefully and properly so you don't undo all the work your chiropractor and you have done to get your spine healthy!

  • DON'T do any exercises or stretches which involve a forward-bending motion: full sit-ups, toe-touches, reaching for your toes in a sitting position, etc.
  • DO always keep your back straight and only curve it the way it is meant to be curved.
  • DO exercises that are gentle on your spine, such as walking (with good posture!) and swimming. Running and jogging are both hard on the spine and can be damaging to it.

Questions? Ask Dr. Hackbart or Dr. Folkers, or request a copy of our handy exercise guide next time you're in the office.

We also conduct a class for new patients most Monday nights, but anyone is welcome to attend! Learn what good posture really is and how to get it, how to exercise, lift, and even sleep in ways that won't damage your spine, and hear about people whose lives were changed because of chiropractic--and how yours can be changed for the better, too. Just call and let us know that you'd like to attend class so we can be expecting you!

The Gonstead System of Chiropractic

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What's so special about the Gonstead System?

You'll hear us talk about the Gonstead method or system. What is this, and what makes it unique?

The Gonstead System was developed by Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead, known as the “chiropractor's chiropractor.” He practiced chiropractic from 1923 until 1978. Several things make his system unique:

  • It is thorough. The doctors use a variety of means to examine your spine in order to determine where your problem areas are.
  • It is specific. X-rays are used to see exactly which vertebrae are out of alignment. An instrument called a Nervoscope detects increased heat along the spine, which indicates inflammation and nerve pressure. The chiropractor uses his fingers and hands to feel for swelling and tenderness along the spine, and will visually identify changes in posture and movement which could be indicative of problems.
  • It is precise. Unlike other chiropractors, Gonstead chiropractors adjust with their hands directly on the patient's back, which prevents mistakes that can occur by adjusting through clothing.

Gonstead chiropractors only perform adjustments by hand. They will not use other tools to adjust the spine. Nor do they practice anything such as acupuncture or massage. However, we do have a licensed massage therapist in our office who is highly recommended by our doctors.

If you have any questions about the Gonstead system or how we practice in our office, stop in or call us at 402-646-2020. Visit the Gonstead Seminar website or gonstead.com for more information.

Allergies and Chiropractic: A Natural Way to Find Relief

allergies and chiropractic a natural way to find relief

Allergies: a result of an unhealthy immune system

Millions of people suffer from allergies of various kinds: allergies to food, to dust, to pollen, to pet dander, etc. Allergies happen when the body's immune system overreacts to one of these things, called allergens, and "produces too many neutralizing chemicals (especially histamines) to counteract it" (Koren, 2013). Simply put, allergies happen because of an overreacting immune system--one that's not working properly.

The medical approach

As with most disorders and diseases, regular doctors will only treat the symptoms of allergies. There is no cure for allergies in orthodox medicine, only treatment of the symptoms (Koren, 2013). Typical allergy treatment includes over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines. Antihistamine is a drug that blocks histamines, which cause runny eyes, sneezing, itchiness, redness, and other allergy symptoms.

The problem with antihistamines is that they can come with a variety of side effects, including upset stomach and nausea, dry mouth, nose and throat, dizziness, headaches, among others. Extended use of antihistamines (such as in treatment of chronic allergies) can cause liver damage over the long term.

The chiropractic approach

People who suffer from allergies have been finding relief in chiropractic care for decades. (See some testimonials below from our own patients who have had relief from allergy symptoms thanks to chiropractic.)

Not a treatment of the problem, but of the cause

"The goal of chiropractic care is to locate and correct a serious type of spine and nervous system stress called the subluxation" (Koren, 2013). When the nervous system is relieved of the stress caused by pinched nerves in the spine, it is free to function optimally. A healthy body is able to neutralize allergens instead of overreacting to their presence in the body. Koren quotes Dr. Kurt Donsback, saying "A healthy body is capable of neutralizing these toxic substances and a body which has malfunctioning defense mechanisms cannot. The emphasis on allergies must be on building a healthy body, not on trying to use evasive tactics by eliminating all the allergens" (Donsback, 1980, quotes in Koren, 2013).

If you or a family member suffer from any food allergies (wheat, milk, peanuts, etc.) you know how frustrating it can be to make sure you don't come into contact with any of those allergens which could potentially cause devastating allergic reactions. If you rely on drugs to keep your allergies at bay, or have a restricted diet as a result of food allergies, try chiropractic care.

Still not convinced? Read these testimonials from patients who found relief from allergies through chiropractic:

From Ryan Coufal:

For the past 10 years I've had sinus and allergy problems. It seemed I was allergic to everything in Nebraska – mold, pollen, dust. Outside activities left me with cold-like symptoms and exhaustion. I took allergy shots for three years, and about every kind of allergy medication available. I had between five and eight sinus infections each year. I was prescribed antibiotics so often that I grew resistant to the medications; some had no effect on me at all.

Since getting adjustments from Dr. Hackbart, I haven't used my allergy medicine once! I can mow a lawn, work out and exercise. He was straightforward and talked with me extensively about how changes in my lifestyle would help improve my health.

The staff at Hackbart Chiropractic genuinely care about my personal well-being and have worked around my busy schedule to get me in for my appointments. I previously thought chiropractic care was only for joints and muscles. I couldn't have been more wrong, it has changed my health entirely!

From Kathy Hartmann:

For the past 12 years I've had sinus and allergy problems. I've also suffered from pain in my right side, fatigue, headaches and dizziness. I couldn't even move my neck to see behind me.

I tried many things in hope of some relief - I had surgery on my sinuses 9 years ago, allergy shots weekly, took allergy medications, and took antibiotics for sinus infections. But since seeing Dr. Hackbart, my allergies and headaches are gone! I can actually turn my head to see behind me, and I'm no longer suffering from dizziness and fatigue!

My mobility is better and I am sleeping much better through the night. I wake up feeling good! My family had been after me for years to give chiropractic a chance and I regret not coming in sooner. You should give him a try! It will change your life for the better. And the staff was wonderful, friendly and very welcoming!

 

Chiropractic for Athletes

chiropractic for athletes at Hackbart Chiropractic in Seward, NE
chiropractic for athletes at Hackbart Chiropractic in Seward, NE

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Chiropractic isn't just for car accidents and headaches! We provide care to a wide variety of people, many of whom are avid sports players. Chiropractic care is an excellent supplement to a healthy, fit lifestyle and influences coordination and balance. Regular adjustments can also improve reaction time and strength. One of our local college athletes talks about how chiropractic has benefited him in his athletic career.

Click play below to watch...


Want more information on chiropractic for athletes? Stop into our office and pick up one of our pamphlets full of excellent information and fascinating studies that reveal just how beneficial chiropractic can be in the world of sports.