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Are Chiropractic Adjustments Worth It? Insights from a Chiropractor in Cedar Rapids

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:36:00 GMT

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Chiropractic adjustments are a popular form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. But are these treatments worth it? As a leading chiropractor in Cedar Rapids, I often get asked this question by patients who are considering chiropractic care for the first time. In this blog post, we will delve into the benefits and potential risks of chiropractic adjustments to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments

1. Pain Relief: One of the most significant benefits of chiropractic care is pain relief. Studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments can be more effective than medications when it comes to relieving certain types of pain. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulation was more effective than medication in treating acute neck pain.

2. Non-Invasive Treatment: Unlike surgery which is invasive and comes with risks such as infection or adverse reactions to anesthesia, chiropractic care is non-invasive. This makes it a safer option for many patients.

3. Drug-Free Approach: With opioid addiction being a significant concern, many patients appreciate that chiropractic care offers a drug-free approach to pain management. It focuses on holistic healing, encouraging the body's self-healing abilities.

4. Improved Mobility: Regular chiropractic adjustments can help increase your range of motion. This is particularly beneficial for older adults and individuals recovering from an injury.

Potential Risks of Chiropractic Adjustments

While chiropractic care has numerous benefits, it's essential to be aware of potential risks. Some people may experience side effects such as headaches, fatigue or discomfort in parts of the body where adjustments were made. However, these side effects are usually temporary and mild.

In rare cases, serious complications can occur, such as a herniated disk or worsening of an existing herniated disk condition. These risks are significantly minimized when you choose a qualified and experienced chiropractor in Cedar Rapids or your local area.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Worth It?

The answer to this question largely depends on your individual health needs and goals. If you're dealing with chronic pain, especially in the back or neck, or if you're recovering from a musculoskeletal injury, chiropractic adjustments could be an effective treatment option for you.

However, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment plan. A reputable chiropractor will conduct a thorough examination and consider your medical history before recommending any treatments.

Conclusion

Chiropractic adjustments offer numerous benefits including pain relief, improved mobility and a drug-free approach to healing. While there are potential risks associated with this form of treatment, they are generally low when you choose an experienced and qualified practitioner like our team at Chiropractor Cedar Rapids.

Remember that every individual is unique and what works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, it's important to have open discussions with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and treatment options to ensure that you're making the best decision for your health.

ChatGPT Explaining Chiropractic

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:16:00 GMT

I asked ChatGpt to Explain chiropractic, here is what it said...

Chat Gpt Explain chiropractic Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine. Chiropractors use various techniques to manipulate and adjust the spine and other joints to help alleviate pain, improve function, and promote overall health.
The underlying theory of chiropractic is based on the idea that proper alignment and movement of the spine and joints are essential for optimal function of the nervous system, which controls all of the body's organs, tissues, and cells. When there is misalignment or dysfunction in the spine or joints, it can disrupt nerve signals and lead to a range of health problems.
Chiropractors use a range of techniques to diagnose and treat these issues, including manual manipulation, mobilization, and other forms of physical therapy. During a typical chiropractic session, a patient may receive adjustments to their spine or other joints to help improve mobility, reduce pain, and restore proper alignment.
Chiropractic has been used to treat a wide range of health problems, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Some research has also suggested that chiropractic may be helpful for other conditions, such as asthma, allergies, and digestive disorders, although more research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits of chiropractic for these and other health issues.

Chiropractic and Holistic Health

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:41:00 GMT

Holistic health care with chiropractic

In the pursuit of overall well-being, many individuals are embracing holistic approaches to healthcare that address the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit. Chiropractic care, a natural and non-invasive form of healthcare, aligns perfectly with this holistic philosophy. Jenkins Chiropractic, a pioneering chiropractic clinic in Cedar Rapids, has been at the forefront of promoting holistic health and empowering individuals to lead healthier lives.
Understanding Chiropractic and Holistic Health: Chiropractic care is based on the principle that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when the nervous system is functioning optimally. By focusing on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall well-being, chiropractic care promotes holistic health by addressing the root causes of imbalances and supporting the body's natural healing processes. Holistic health, on the other hand, encompasses a broader perspective that recognizes the interplay between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual. It emphasizes the importance of lifestyle choices, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental well-being in achieving optimal health.
Jenkins Chiropractic: Pioneering Holistic Health in Cedar Rapids: Jenkins Chiropractic has established itself as a pioneer in Cedar Rapids by seamlessly integrating chiropractic care with holistic health principles. Here's how they are leading the way:
Comprehensive Wellness Approach: Jenkins Chiropractic takes a comprehensive approach to wellness by considering the whole person, rather than merely focusing on symptoms. They delve into an individual's lifestyle, habits, and overall health goals to create personalized wellness plans that encompass chiropractic care, nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
Chiropractic Adjustments: At the core of Jenkins Chiropractic's holistic approach is chiropractic care. Their skilled chiropractors utilize gentle and specific adjustments to restore proper spinal alignment, reduce nerve interference, and enhance nervous system function. These adjustments promote overall health and well-being by optimizing the body's ability to self-regulate and heal.
Nutritional Guidance: Jenkins Chiropractic recognizes the importance of proper nutrition in supporting holistic health. They provide nutritional guidance and education to help individuals make informed dietary choices that nourish the body and promote overall wellness. By addressing nutritional imbalances, they support the body's healing processes and help individuals achieve their health goals.
Lifestyle Recommendations: Understanding that a healthy lifestyle extends beyond chiropractic adjustments, Jenkins Chiropractic offers lifestyle recommendations to optimize well-being. This may include exercise routines, stress management techniques, sleep hygiene practices, and strategies for maintaining mental and emotional balance.
Collaborative Care: Jenkins Chiropractic embraces a collaborative approach to healthcare. They work in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, such as medical doctors, physical therapists, and nutritionists, to ensure coordinated care that addresses all aspects of an individual's health. This collaborative effort enhances the effectiveness of treatment and fosters comprehensive wellness.

Ergonomics and Workplace Wellness

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:04:00 GMT

Workplace Ergonomic Tips

In today's fast-paced work environment, many individuals spend a significant portion of their day seated at a desk, hunched over a computer. Prolonged periods of poor posture can lead to a range of issues, including back pain, neck strain, and musculoskeletal imbalances. To address these concerns and promote workplace wellness, incorporating ergonomic principles and seeking assistance from professionals like Jenkins Chiropractic can make a significant difference. Understanding Ergonomics and Workplace Wellness: Ergonomics refers to the science of designing and arranging work environments to fit the needs and capabilities of individuals. It aims to optimize the interaction between people, their tasks, and their workstations. By implementing ergonomic principles in the workplace, employers and employees can achieve the following benefits: Improved Posture: Proper ergonomics promote correct body alignment, helping individuals maintain a neutral spine, aligned shoulders, and a balanced posture. This reduces the strain on muscles and joints and minimizes the risk of musculoskeletal issues. Reduced Risk of Injury: Ergonomic workstations, such as adjustable chairs, ergonomic keyboards, and monitor stands, help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other work-related ailments. Enhanced Productivity: When individuals are comfortable and free from discomfort, they can focus better on their work tasks, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. Better Overall Well-being: By prioritizing ergonomics, individuals can experience improved physical and mental well-being. Reduced pain, increased energy levels, and better mood contribute to a healthier and happier work environment. How Jenkins Chiropractic Can Help with Posture Improvement: Jenkins Chiropractic understands the significance of proper posture in promoting overall health and wellness. Their team of skilled chiropractors can provide expert guidance and assistance to individuals seeking to improve their posture in the workplace. Here's how they can help: Posture Assessment: Jenkins Chiropractic offers thorough posture assessments to identify any imbalances, misalignments, or postural issues that may be causing discomfort or pain. This assessment helps create a personalized plan to address the specific needs of each individual. Chiropractic Adjustments: Through gentle and precise chiropractic adjustments, Jenkins Chiropractic can help realign the spine, relieve tension in muscles, and correct postural imbalances. These adjustments promote optimal spinal alignment and overall musculoskeletal health. Ergonomic Recommendations: Jenkins Chiropractic works closely with individuals to identify ergonomic improvements that can be made to their workstations. They provide recommendations on proper chair height, desk setup, monitor positioning, and other ergonomic tools and accessories to support optimal posture. Exercise and Stretching Programs: In addition to chiropractic adjustments, Jenkins Chiropractic may recommend specific exercises and stretching routines to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility, and promote proper posture. These exercises can be incorporated into an individual's daily routine to reinforce the benefits of chiropractic care.

Chiropractic Care for Children

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:02:00 GMT

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Children:

Chiropractic care is often associated with adults seeking relief from back pain or injury. However, it is essential to recognize that children can also benefit greatly from chiropractic care. From newborns to adolescents, children's bodies go through various growth and development stages, which can sometimes lead to discomfort or misalignments. Jenkins Chiropractic, renowned for their gentle specific technique, provides safe and effective chiropractic care for children. The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Children: Promoting Healthy Growth and Development: As children grow, their spines and musculoskeletal systems undergo significant changes. Chiropractic care can support proper spinal alignment, which is crucial for healthy growth and development. By addressing misalignments or imbalances at an early age, potential issues can be prevented or minimized. Enhancing Nervous System Function: The nervous system plays a vital role in a child's overall health and well-being. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can help optimize nervous system function by reducing interference caused by misalignments. This can improve communication between the brain and the body, supporting a child's physical and cognitive development. Alleviating Common Childhood Issues: Children may experience various conditions or discomforts that can benefit from chiropractic care. These include colic, ear infections, bedwetting, asthma, growing pains, and poor posture. Chiropractic adjustments can help address these issues by restoring proper alignment, reducing nerve interference, and supporting the body's natural healing processes. Supporting a Healthy Immune System: The immune system is closely linked to the nervous system. By enhancing nervous system function through chiropractic care, the body's immune response can also be strengthened. This can potentially help children develop stronger immune systems and experience fewer illnesses. Jenkins Chiropractic's Gentle Specific Technique for Children: Jenkins Chiropractic recognizes the unique needs of children and provides a gentle and specific technique tailored to their requirements. Here are key aspects of their approach: Child-Friendly Environment: Jenkins Chiropractic creates a welcoming and child-friendly environment to ensure children feel comfortable and at ease during their chiropractic visits. The friendly staff and inviting clinic atmosphere help foster a positive experience for children. Gentle Adjustments: Children's bodies are delicate and require a gentle touch. Jenkins Chiropractic's technique utilizes light pressure and gentle adjustments appropriate for children of all ages. These adjustments are safe, comfortable, and specifically designed to address their unique needs. Specialized Pediatric Training: The chiropractors at Jenkins Chiropractic undergo specialized training in pediatric chiropractic care. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to address the specific concerns and conditions that children may present. Holistic Approach: Jenkins Chiropractic takes a holistic approach to children's health by considering various factors that may influence their well-being. They collaborate with parents, offering lifestyle recommendations, nutritional guidance, and exercises to support overall health and wellness.

Chiropractic Care for Expectant Mothers

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:21:00 GMT

Prenatal Chiropractic

Pregnancy is an extraordinary journey that brings joy, excitement, and numerous changes to a woman's body. As the body adapts to accommodate the growing baby, expectant mothers often experience various discomforts, including back pain, pelvic pain, and postural imbalances. To alleviate these issues and promote a healthy pregnancy, chiropractic care has emerged as a popular and effective option. In particular, Jenkins Chiropractic's gentle specific technique has garnered acclaim for its ability to provide relief and support to expectant mothers. The Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy: Relieving Back and Pelvic Pain: As the baby grows, the body's center of gravity shifts, resulting in increased stress on the spine and pelvis. Chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine, relieve pressure on nerves, and reduce back and pelvic pain. Promoting Optimal Fetal Positioning: Proper alignment of the pelvis and spine can create more space for the baby to move and position itself ideally for birth. This can potentially minimize the risk of breech presentations or other fetal positioning challenges. Improving Nervous System Function: Chiropractic adjustments can enhance nervous system function by reducing interference caused by misalignments. This can optimize overall health and well-being for both the mother and the baby. Enhancing Overall Comfort and Well-being: Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy can help alleviate common discomforts such as headaches, sciatica, round ligament pain, and joint discomfort. It can also promote better sleep and reduce stress levels. Jenkins Chiropractic's Gentle Specific Technique: Jenkins Chiropractic, a leading chiropractic clinic, employs a gentle specific technique that is uniquely tailored to address the needs of expectant mothers. This technique focuses on gentle adjustments and utilizes specialized equipment designed to accommodate the changing body of a pregnant woman. Here are some key aspects of their approach: Individualized Assessments: The team at Jenkins Chiropractic conducts thorough assessments to understand each expectant mother's specific concerns, medical history, and goals. This personalized approach allows for a targeted treatment plan that addresses individual needs. Gentle Adjustments: Jenkins Chiropractic's technique utilizes gentle adjustments that are safe and comfortable for expectant mothers. These adjustments aim to restore proper alignment, reduce nerve interference, and enhance overall well-being without causing any harm to the mother or the baby. Specialized Equipment: To accommodate the unique needs of pregnant women, Jenkins Chiropractic employs specialized equipment such as pregnancy pillows, tables with drop-away abdominal pieces, and adjustable supports. These tools ensure optimal comfort and safety during adjustments. Collaborative Approach: Jenkins Chiropractic recognizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to prenatal care. They work closely with other healthcare providers, including obstetricians, midwives, and doulas, to ensure comprehensive support for expectant mothers. Chiropractic care, specifically Jenkins Chiropractic's gentle specific technique, offers expectant mothers a natural and effective way to address common discomforts associated with pregnancy. By focusing on individualized assessments, gentle adjustments, and specialized equipment, Jenkins Chiropractic provides a safe and supportive environment for expectant mothers. If you're an expectant mother seeking relief from pregnancy-related pains or looking to optimize your overall well-being during this transformative time, chiropractic care may be a valuable addition to your prenatal healthcare routine. Consult with a qualified chiropractor to explore how chiropractic care can benefit you and your baby throughout this beautiful journey.

Posture Correction and Chiropractic Care

Wed, 31 May 2023 16:41:00 GMT

Chiropractic and Posture

In today's technology-driven world, poor posture has become a widespread issue that affects people of all ages. Whether it's from long hours spent hunched over a desk or constantly looking down at our smartphones, improper posture can lead to a variety of health problems. Fortunately, chiropractic care offers effective solutions for posture correction.Understanding the Significance of Good Posture:Maintaining proper posture is essential for overall health and well-being. Correct alignment of the spine promotes optimal functioning of the nervous system, which controls and coordinates all bodily functions. Good posture ensures that the body is in a position of balance, reducing stress on the muscles, ligaments, and joints. It also enhances breathing, digestion, circulation, and overall energy levels.The Effects of Poor Posture on Health: Poor posture can lead to a range of health issues, including chronic neck and back pain, headaches, decreased lung capacity, digestive problems, reduced mobility, and even emotional distress. Slouching and improper alignment can place excessive strain on the spine, leading to structural imbalances, muscle imbalances, and decreased range of motion. Addressing and correcting poor posture is crucial for preventing these health complications. Chiropractic Care for Posture Correction: Chiropractors are experts in spinal health and are well-equipped to address postural imbalances. Through a variety of techniques, chiropractic care focuses on correcting misalignments and restoring proper spinal alignment. Chiropractors perform spinal adjustments, which are gentle and specific manipulations of the spine, to realign the vertebrae and alleviate pressure on the nerves. These adjustments help restore posture, reduce muscle tension, and improve overall spinal function. Individualized Treatment Plans:Chiropractic care recognizes that each person's posture and alignment needs are unique. Chiropractors perform thorough assessments to identify postural imbalances and develop personalized treatment plans tailored to address specific issues. These plans may include a combination of spinal adjustments, targeted exercises, stretching routines, and lifestyle modifications to correct posture and support long-term postural health.Preventive Strategies and Lifestyle Recommendations:In addition to correcting existing postural issues, chiropractors provide preventive strategies and lifestyle recommendations to maintain proper posture. They offer advice on ergonomics, workplace modifications, exercises, and stretches that promote good posture throughout daily activities. By incorporating these recommendations into your lifestyle, you can prevent future postural problems and maintain optimal spinal alignment.Don't let poor posture compromise your health and well-being. Contact Jenkins Chiropractic today at https://www.jenkinschiroandwellness.com/contact to learn more about our chiropractic services and how we can help you correct your posture. Take the first step towards a healthier, pain-free life with improved posture.

Common Misconceptions about Chiropractic Care

Mon, 22 May 2023 17:13:00 GMT

Misconceptions regarding chiropractic

Chiropractic care has gained popularity as a natural and non-invasive approach to health and wellness. However, despite its growing acceptance, there are still several misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding this field of healthcare. Chiropractors are not "real" doctors: One of the most prevalent misconceptions about chiropractors is that they are not real doctors. In reality, chiropractors undergo extensive education and training, similar to medical doctors. They receive a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree after completing a rigorous program that includes anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and treatment techniques. Chiropractors are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in spinal health and provide holistic care to their patients. Chiropractic care is only for back pain: While chiropractic care is commonly associated with back pain, it offers far more than just alleviating spinal discomfort. Chiropractors are trained to address a wide range of musculoskeletal issues, including neck pain, headaches, joint problems, and sports injuries. Additionally, chiropractic care focuses on improving overall well-being by promoting proper spinal alignment, enhancing nervous system function, and supporting the body's natural healing abilities. Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous or painful: Some people hesitate to seek chiropractic care due to the misconception that spinal adjustments are dangerous or painful. In reality, chiropractic adjustments are generally safe when performed by trained professionals. Chiropractors use precise and gentle techniques to manipulate the spine, promoting optimal alignment and relieving pain. The vast majority of patients experience immediate relief and find the adjustments comfortable and therapeutic. Chiropractic care is not supported by scientific evidence: Another common misconception is that chiropractic care lacks scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. On the contrary, numerous studies have shown the benefits of chiropractic care for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, and even improving athletic performance. Chiropractic treatment is based on sound scientific principles and continues to be the subject of ongoing research to further validate its efficacy. Chiropractic care is only a short-term solution: Some individuals believe that chiropractic care only provides temporary relief and that it does not address the root cause of the problem. However, chiropractors focus on identifying and treating the underlying causes of pain and discomfort, rather than just managing symptoms. By promoting proper spinal alignment and enhancing nervous system function, chiropractic care aims to provide long-term solutions and improve overall health and well-being. Don't let misconceptions prevent you from exploring the numerous benefits of chiropractic care. Jenkins Chiropractic is here to provide you with accurate information and help you make informed decisions about your health. Contact us today at https://www.jenkinschiroandwellness.com/contact to learn more about chiropractic care and schedule a consultation. Take the first step towards a healthier, pain-free, and vibrant life.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Athletes

Wed, 17 May 2023 20:31:00 GMT

Athletes and Chiropractic care

As athletes, we constantly push our bodies to the limit, striving for peak performance and excellence in our chosen sports. To achieve these goals, it is crucial to prioritize our physical well-being and seek comprehensive care that goes beyond traditional methods. Chiropractic care has emerged as a valuable tool for athletes, providing a range of benefits that can enhance performance, aid in injury prevention, and promote overall well-being. Improved Alignment and Function: Chiropractic adjustments focus on aligning the spine and ensuring proper joint function. This helps athletes maintain optimal biomechanics, allowing for efficient movement patterns and reducing the risk of imbalances that can lead to injuries. By optimizing spinal alignment, athletes can experience enhanced performance and improved range of motion, which are crucial for athletic success. Injury Prevention: Athletes are prone to various musculoskeletal injuries due to the physical demands placed on their bodies. Regular chiropractic care can help identify and address potential issues before they become more severe. Through spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapies, chiropractors can help athletes maintain flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and address imbalances that may contribute to injuries. This proactive approach can significantly decrease the risk of common sports-related injuries. Enhanced Recovery and Rehabilitation: In the unfortunate event of an injury, chiropractic care can play a vital role in the recovery process. Chiropractors employ a variety of techniques such as therapeutic exercises, electrical muscle stimulation, and manual therapies to expedite healing, reduce pain, and restore optimal function. By addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes of injuries, chiropractic care helps athletes return to their sport faster and stronger. Performance Optimization: Achieving peak performance requires more than just physical strength and conditioning. Chiropractic care can enhance athletic performance by improving nervous system function. The spinal adjustments performed by chiropractors can help remove interference to the nervous system, allowing for better communication between the brain and the body. This leads to improved coordination, agility, reaction time, and overall performance on the field or court. Comprehensive Care and Holistic Approach: Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to health, considering the interconnectedness of the body's systems. Chiropractors often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and nutritionists, to provide athletes with comprehensive care. This integration of services ensures that athletes receive personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs, optimizing their performance and overall well-being. Are you an athlete looking to maximize your performance and prevent injuries? Jenkins Chiropractic is here to support you on your journey. With our expertise in sports chiropractic care, we can help you achieve your goals and maintain optimal physical health. Contact us today at https://www.jenkinschiroandwellness.com/contact to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment. Take the first step towards a healthier, stronger, and more successful athletic career!

The difference between chiropractic care and medicine

Tue, 02 May 2023 16:36:00 GMT

Chiropractic care is different from medicine

Chiropractic and medicine are two distinct healthcare fields with different approaches to treating and preventing illnesses. While both focus on improving patients' health, they have different philosophies, methods, and areas of expertise. Chiropractic Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal system disorders. Chiropractors use manual manipulation and adjustment of the spine and other joints to relieve pain and improve function. They believe that the nervous system controls all body functions and that misalignment of the spine can interfere with this system, leading to a wide range of health problems. Chiropractors typically spend more time with patients during their visits, focusing on the patient's overall health and lifestyle. They often use x-rays, physical exams, and other diagnostic tools to assess patients' needs and develop treatment plans tailored to their specific needs. Medical Medicine, on the other hand, is a field of science that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and disorders. Medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, use a wide range of diagnostic tools, including laboratory tests, imaging studies, and physical exams, to evaluate and treat patients. They use drugs, surgery, and other interventions to manage illnesses and improve overall health. Doctors usually see patients for shorter appointments and focus on specific symptoms or health concerns. They often prescribe medications or refer patients to specialists for further evaluation and treatment. Differences One of the main differences between chiropractic and medicine is the approach to treatment. Chiropractors focus on natural healing methods, such as manual manipulation and adjustment, to restore the body's balance and promote healing. Medical professionals, on the other hand, rely on drugs and surgery to manage symptoms and treat illnesses. Another difference between the two fields is the focus on overall health. Chiropractors often work with patients to improve their overall lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and stress management. Medical professionals typically focus on treating specific symptoms or conditions and may not address the underlying lifestyle factors that contribute to poor health. Finally, the training and education required for each field differ significantly. Chiropractors typically attend chiropractic college for four years after completing undergraduate studies. Medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and physician assistants, must complete medical school, which typically takes four years, followed by residency training in their chosen specialty.

What to expect at an adjustment

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:55:00 GMT

What is an adjustment like?

For someone who has never experienced chiropractic care, seeking out an adjustment may be intimidating. Just like any trip to the doctor’s office, you will be led into a private exam room. This room will most likely contain furniture that resembles a comfy masseuse table or chair. This is because you are often asked to lie on your stomach or on your back and relax during the adjustment.
The chiropractor will address your pain issues and concerns while explaining the treatments he or she is able to offer you. The doctor may ask you some questions about your help history or go over any x-rays that you have had taken. The chiropractor will position you on the table while explaining exactly what he or she is about to do. Once you are comfortable, the chiropractor begins your treatment.
Neck adjustments are performed by manipulating your cervical vertebrae in order to improve mobility in the joints. This is done one of two ways in our office. The traditional way is to have the patient lie on their back and gently but quickly rotate the neck. The other way we adjust the neck is by having the patient lie face down and adjusting by pushing straight down gently on specific vertebrae. The latter is much gentler and is also safe for patients that can’t tolerate traditional adjustments.
There are several ways to achieve a lower back adjustment. One typical fashion is to have the patient lay on his or her back and gently rotate the hips so that one leg is over the other and the patient’s lower body is resting on the hip. Again, you may hear some snaps and cracks from your joints, but there is no pain felt in this type of adjustment. Lumbar adjustments can also be performed without any rotation at all, which is especially effective for disc conditions.
Although not generally considered part of the spinal column, shoulders can play an important role in spinal health. A misalignment in the shoulder could cause back pain, neck pain or headaches. Typically, this type of adjustment is done while the patient is sitting up comfortably on the examination table. The chiropractor manipulates the shoulder in order to shift the joint backwards or forwards and create better alignment. This will help to improve a patient’s posture which will help with overall spinal alignment. This type of adjustment is especially good for anyone who spends most of their time sitting at a desk.
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.

Is my neck alignment normal?

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:47:00 GMT

What shape should your neck be?

Constant computer sitting, talking on the phone (with the phone on your shoulder shrugged), injury, whiplash in accidents, carrying a heavy backpack or even just being sedentary with improper posture can all affect neck curvature and alter its normalcy. Ever thought of what is considered proper neck alignment? Or how to even achieve ideal spinal alignment? Our daily lives take a toll on the appropriate curvature in our necks.
The average human spine has three distinct curves that allow for efficient energy to flow freely in communication with nerves in the body. When the spine is at its best, limbs and organs function flawlessly. When there is spinal damage or misalignment, as with the neck, the rest of the body can also be negatively impacted. The neck curve, or cervical lordosis, protects the neck from damage, reduces stress and strain and transmits signals to the rest of the body. Proper alignment of the neck should resemble a backward “C” – similar to the “C” shape of a banana. This neck curve allows for correct motion, including flexion and extension with health range of motion. If the cervical curve is lost, the neck can resemble a straight line, with bones stacked vertically. Neck curve can also reverse, a mirror opposite of a healthy cervical spine. These ailments can cause neck pain, a stiff neck or more serious and painful complications and conditions. Chiropractic Care is the best remedy. The best solution is a safe and effective spinal adjustment. Visiting your chiropractor is the best way to realignment your neck towards perfection. A corrective care chiropractor can not only return your cervical curve to the ideal position, but also help keep it in place with postural exercises and thoughtful lifelong care.
If you are looking for more stretches, stop in our office and let’s discuss the best pain management and relief for you!
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here.

Sleeping Tips

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:22:00 GMT

Tips from a chiropractor for better sleep

Do you often find yourself waking up sore several days of the week? Well odds are it’s your sleeping posture that is at fault. We hope to provide you with some sleeping posture tips and help improve your daily sleeping routine.
Try Back Sleeping Sleeping on your back is by far one of the best resting positions for your chiropractic health, but is oftentimes a difficult habit to start for many. Keeping your spine in a neutral position is crucial, and regularly sleeping on your back is the best way to achieve this. For best practices while sleeping on your back, you should place a pillow under your knees or a rolled towel under your lower back to maintain the spine’s general curve. In general, back sleeping is definitely one of the best postures when it comes to your chiropractic health, and we would encourage everyone to try it!
Minimize Head Pillows
Did you know that one of the most common causes of morning neck pain is your pillow structure? It’s no surprise that having too many pillows causes your neck to curve upward, which as a result can create pain/stress towards your neck and shoulders. A good rule of thumb is to try to keep your posture as flat as possible when it comes to head pillow use. Sleeping on your back with just one pillow under your head is typically the formula for good posture.
Stop Sleeping on Your Stomach
Stomach sleeping is one of the more common forms of sleeping especially with younger individuals. It is normal for us to see patients that are often sleeping on their stomachs, yet this posture can lead to future spinal issues. Sleeping on your stomach can force the neck into awkward positions, which can then lead to a twisting of the spine. This twisting as a result can cause pain in your upper back and neck areas when stomach sleeping becomes a habit.
If you are looking for more information on how best to sleep for you body, stop in our office and let’s discuss the best pain management and relief for you!
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here.

Chiropractic stretching for pain management

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:09:00 GMT

Stretching to help with chiropractic care

Safe, chiropractor-approved stretches and exercises can increase mobility and fluidity in the body, helping you get back in action. Stretching is an essential component of joint health. When muscles surrounding the joints are tight or tense, this can drastically reduce mobility in the joint. Stretching regularly can lengthen these muscles, freeing up the joints and allowing you to move with less difficulty.
Stretching improves circulation, allowing blood to flow more freely throughout the body. Likewise, routine stretching also helps reduce stress and naturally improve energy. Other benefits of chiropractic adjustments and stretching include:

Relieve post-exercise soreness and pain
Improve athletic performance
Help prevent future injuries
Treat existing injuries
Help improve posture

If you have any persistent pain, make sure to consult with a qualified chiropractic physician before trying any at-home stretches, as they can exacerbate your pain and further the damage.
Exercises and Stretches for Neck Pain
The Forward and Backward Neck Tilt: This neck pain stretch can be done standing or seated, meaning you can even exercise sore neck muscles while at work.

Start with the head facing forward and the back straight.
Next, lower the chin toward the chest. Hold this position for 15-30 seconds. Relax and slowly lift the head back up.
From your start position, begin to tilt the chin toward the ceiling, bringing the base of the skull toward the back. Hold for 15 seconds.
Relax and return to the start position. Repeat the set several times daily.

The Side Neck Tilt: This neck pain stretch applies the same concept as the forward and backward tilt, but side to side instead. It can also be completed standing or seated.

Start with the head facing forward and the back straight.
Gently tilt the head toward the right shoulder. Try to make your ear touch your shoulder, but do not raise your shoulder. Stop when you feel the stretch.
Hold this position for 5-10 seconds. Return to the start position.
Repeat on the left side.
That’s one set.
Work your way up to 10 sets.
If you are looking for more stretches, stop in our office and let’s discuss the best pain management and relief for you!
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here.

When is a stomach problem actually a nerve problem?

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:54:00 GMT

Can chiropractors help with digestive issues?

Chronic gastrointestinal problems can cause sufferers to deal with daily discomfort, depleted nutrients, and energy, and even mean that some people need to miss work or normal activities they enjoy.
When someone is dealing with chronic stomach problems, the usual treatment is over-the-counter (OTC) stomach medications or seeing a general physician for relief. However, someone who should be on your care team if you have chronic stomach problems is a chiropractor. If you find that no matter how many medications or treatments you try your stomach is still giving you issues, consider seeing a chiropractor for relief. Chiropractors are trained to deal with gastrointestinal conditions such as:

Bloating
Gas
General Abdominal Pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Crohn’s Disease

In this article, we will explore how the stomach issues you have been experiencing may actually be more about your nervous system than about your digestive system.
If you have chronic stomach problems, then you probably already know that certain foods, stress, and infections can cause even more inflammation and make your stomach feel worse. However, while you may have tried avoiding certain foods and reducing stress, you probably haven’t thought about how your spinal alignment is also affecting your digestive system. These nerves carry signals to your brain and play an essential role in digestion. These signals help with the movement of food through your gastrointestinal system, absorption of nutrients and minerals, and the removal of waste products through your intestines. At your first visit, discuss the stomach problems you have been experiencing and the treatments you have tried to relieve your pain. After sharing this information with your chiropractor, they will then conduct their own evaluation of your situation.

What does an adjustment feel like?

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:50:00 GMT

What does a chiropractic adjustment feel like?

When a licensed chiropractor recommends that you receive an adjustment, it simply means that they are going to apply pressure to your back in order to realign your spinal column. With time, this realignment eases your pain, promotes better posture and improves your body’s physical function. In general, chiropractors use their hands or a small medical instrument to manipulate the joints in a quick, controlled fashion.
Adjustments are a simple outpatient treatment which can be completed on your lunch break. There is little to no pain involved in an adjustment. You may feel pops and cracks, but you should not feel any intense pain. Typically, if you weren’t in pain prior to the adjustment, you won’t be after. Some chiropractic patients do experience some mild soreness or minor aches after a visit. The report that these minor aches feel similar to those felt after vigorous exercise or intense stretching. Risks of Chiropractic Adjustments As with any medical procedure, one must be aware of any risks involved. These risks are rare, but nevertheless you must consider them prior to your first chiropractic adjustment.

A chance of a herniated disk or aggravation of an already herniated disk
Nerve compression in the lower spinal column
A chance of stroke related to a neck adjustment (this risk is minimal)

As always, speak with a doctor or medical provider to get advance information about your specific situation. There are certain people for whom a chiropractic adjustment is not advised. If any items on the list describe your health history, do not seek chiropractic care. Known Osteoporosis

Any numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
Any unusual loss of strength in your arms or legs
Cancer of the spinal column
If you have an increased risk of stroke
Any instability in the spine

You may hear pops and cracks from your joints as the doctor performs the procedure, but you should not feel any intense pain. Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may perform a second or third adjustment. After he or she is finished the doctor will advise you on some simple after care such as ice packs or heat pads, which will continue to help your pain management. It is important to note that each type of adjustment offered is a bit different. Here is an explanation of some of the typical types of adjustments performed by licensed chiropractors. If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here .

What you should know about the intervertebral disc

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:06:00 GMT

Chiropractic Care and Back Pain - Treatment for slipped discs

Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment option for herniated discs. But what is a chiropractor's approach to treating a herniated disc? Before we get to that, we need a quick review of what a herniated disc is.
What Is a "Slipped" Disc? Is It the Same as a Herniated Disc?
With the exception of the first 2 vertebrae in the neck—the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2)—there is an intervertebral disc between each vertebra of the spine. Discs act as a shock absorber and a shock distributor, and provide flexibility.
Chiropractic Care and Herniated Discs
A chiropractor can help address back pain and other herniated disc symptoms. At your initial appointment, your chiropractor will go through your medical history, do a physical exam, and perform orthopedic and neurological tests. Your chiropractor will look for several things. These are important questions the orthopedic and neurological exams can help your chiropractor answer. Chiropractors evaluate the entire spine. Even if you only have lower back pain, your chiropractor will examine your neck, too, for example. He or she wants to see how well your spine is functioning overall, and remember: What happens in one area of your spine can influence other parts of your spine and/or body. If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here

What is Spinal Stenosis

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 16:34:00 GMT

What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Your spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs through a tunnel formed by your vertebrae. The tunnel is called the spinal canal. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of your back. Stenosis, which means narrowing, can cause pressure on your spinal cord or the nerves that go from your spinal cord to your muscles. If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may have trouble walking distances or find that you need to lean forward to relieve pressure on your lower back. There is no cure for lumbar spinal stenosis, but you have many treatment choices.
How is lumbar spinal stenosis treated?
If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, many types of healthcare professionals can help you, such as arthritis specialists, nerve specialists, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Treatment can include physical therapy, medicine, and chiropractic visits. Chiropractic Care can help you get adjusted, keep inflammation down and keep you mobile so you can continue physical therapy or any activities. Physical therapy may include exercises to strengthen your back, stomach, and leg muscles. Learning how to do activities safely, using braces to support your back, stretching, and massage may also be helpful. If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.

Losing weight means you need chiropractic care

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:11:00 GMT

Chiropractic treatment after weight loss

There are several things you can do to help get to a weight that you are happy with. Chiropractic care can help aid in weight loss. There are many aspects of life that contribute to one’s overall health, especially when it comes to weight loss. Things like age, gender, current weight, genetics, metabolism, and more affect how your weight does or doesn’t, fluctuate.
The most important thing to remember about weight loss is that it is a process, and all comes down to your habits; moreover, no one habit or healthy lifestyle will always do the trick. You must follow a combination of healthy practices, and this is where chiropractic care can help.
Chiropractic massage can also lend itself to weight loss. It will make recovery from exercise better and can actually improve your mental health as well. Mental health can trickle down to physical health, so make sure you are mentally healthy is an important factor.
If you are looking to lose weight, or simply want help getting control of a healthy and active lifestyle, reach out to Jenkins Chiropractic today!
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here .
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on the benefits of chiropractic visits .

Why people who run on treadmills need chiropractic care

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:10:00 GMT

Treadmill users can benefit from regular chiropractic care.

Whether you are a casual runner or are training for marathons, it’s crucial to take care of your health and prevent injuries. Running is a high impact sport, which can lead to back pain, muscle damage, pinched nerves, and even skeletal damage. It’s recommended that runners receive treatment to prepare their bodies for running and maintain peak conditions. Common treatments for runners include acupuncture, chiropractic care, Kinesio Taping, and massage therapy.

Better Pain Management

If you have an existing injury from running, you already know how painful and uncomfortable this is. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may have to postpone your running routine and any races you were planning on entering. Luckily, we can perform gentle, safe adjustments that will reduce a patient’s pain. For those that would like to avoid taking harsh drugs and having risky surgeries, chiropractic is an excellent alternative based on science. Most runners don’t want to wait months to address their injuries or pain, which makes chiropractic a better alternative with quicker results. In general, most chiropractic patients notice an almost immediate improvement to their pain after a few adjustments. This can reduce the need for pain-relief medicine and the unpleasant side effects that negatively impact an athlete’s ability to train and run.

Obtain Optimal Sports Performance

By visiting Jenkins chiropractic, you will experience less pain and faster healing if you have an injury. We can help runners obtain optimal sports performance, so they can better manage their training routines and races. A runner with a healthy spine will find it easier to maximize their body’s running capabilities. We may also recommend tips to maintain your performance and health. These tips include running on different surfaces (i.e. the beach, sidewalk, track, and treadmill), replacing worn out running shoes, and remembering to stretch before and after workouts.
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on the benefits of chiropractic visits.

Benefits of Prenatal Care

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 17:27:00 GMT

Thinking of starting chiropractic care while you are pregnant?

Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic care
Here at Jenkins Chiropractic, we understand that during pregnancy, the body undergoes several physiological and endocrinological changes that result in spinal and pelvic misalignment. Hormones loosen the ligaments in the mother’s body combined with a lowered center of gravity and the baby’s added weight can create great stress for the mother. Aside from being painful and generally uncomfortable for the mother, this can also result in several complications during delivery.
While seeing a chiropractor can relieve pain, seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy can have these added benefits:
-Help with nausea -Reduce time of labor and delivery -Reduce lower back pain, neck pain, and joint pain -Help prevent a C-section -Lower risk of pre-term delivery -Reduced need for pain medication during delivery and pregnancy -Faster recovery time
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on the benefits of chiropractic visits .

What does family Chiropractic care mean?

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 21:58:00 GMT

Chiropractic is wellness for the entire family.

At Jenkins Chiropractic , we often get asked questions about our practice and who we treat. We often describe our practice as “family chiropractic,” which is exactly what it sounds like. We can treat the whole family, from infants to seniors. The human body is constantly changing and developing, and having a chiropractor will help to ensure everything is in the right place. Additionally, it strengthens the spine to improve the range of motion and balance to prevent injuries from occurring later in life.
Whether that means helping a young child in development avoid future back and neck pain, disc problems, or sciatica, or if it means helping an adult get into shape or improve recovery from an injury, as family chiropractors, we’re ready to meet all of your needs with our gentle technique.
Chiropractic Care for Children Kids experience rapid bone growth throughout the first years of their lives. That's why we give them the apt name “growth spurts.” And while we may tend to think about kids as fragile, the truth is that chiropractic treatment is perfectly safe and beneficial to toddlers and young children. Kids are constantly learning and exploring the world around them. In their early years, while they are learning to walk, tripping and tumbling are common occurrences. Periodic chiropractic exams will ensure that bones develop properly and that hard tumbles don't cause subluxations (spinal misalignments) or nerve stress during development.
Once they get a little older, they might get into sports like little league, gym classes, ice hockey, peewee football leagues, etc. This is when it's imperative to ensure everything is in place and unharmed. When it comes to sports, especially full-contact ones, injuries are prevalent. Chiropractic care makes injury recovery smoother and strengthens core muscles to prevent future incidents.
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on the benefits of chiropractic visits .

How to use heat and cold for pain?

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 22:19:00 GMT

Should I use ice or heat?

Ever thought to yourself if you should put some heat on your muscle pain or some ice? Well, here is what the mayo clinic says.
Heat helps reduce pain by relaxing and loosening tense muscles, and it promotes blood and nutrients to speed healing. Use a heating pad or a moist towel warmed in the microwave and apply it to the painful area. Or you can take a warm bath or shower. Apply heat for up to 20 minutes three times a day. If you use a heating pad, never sleep with it.
Applying ice to a sore back, swollen knee or sprained ankle can numb the pain and may reduce some of the inflammation. Try wrapping an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a cloth and applying it to the painful area. Do this for the first day or two after your injury, every two to four hours. Don’t keep the cold wrap on the painful area for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Heat and cold. If you use both ice and heat, apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes, then a few hours later use ice for 15 to 20 minutes. Do this at spaced intervals throughout the day. By rotating between each temperature therapy, you’re reducing inflammation and loosening muscles simultaneously, increasing your chances of pain relief.
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here. ,
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on the benefits of chiropractic visits .

How to Pick a Good Chiropractor?

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 16:54:00 GMT

How to find a good chiropractor

We understand that finding a good chiropractor is difficult. Depending on your desire to get well, you might be more or less preoccupied with how to find a chiropractor that does more than just offer you the stagnant results you are already tired of. Here are 5 ways to help you find the right one!

Pick someone highly reviewed - If you want to find someone with a proven track record of treating different health conditions, you may start by asking your friends or family if they know someone they can recommend. In place of recommendation, start searching for online feedback and reviews. The gold standard for finding a good chiropractor, like any other doctor actually, is simple: if patients are getting good results, the majority of reviews will be good too. If the results are unsatisfactory, you’ll read about it.
Ask the right questions - No matter if you suffer from lower back pain, recurrent headaches, or neck pain, it’s essential to be an active player in your recovery. So don't settle for average when looking for how to find a chiropractor.
Ask About Experience - The more experience they have with a particular condition or procedure, your results are likely to be better. Ask the Chiropractor if they have experience handling the particular condition or injury that you are experiencing.
What techniques are being used? - If there is a particular treatment that you think would help, or are curious as to which ones are offered, it is important to ask the Chiropractor during your initial consultation.
Ask what your insurance covers - Your insurance coverage is a practical matter. To receive the most insurance benefits and pay the least out-of-pocket for your care, you may need to choose a chiropractor who participates in your plan. You should still consider credentials, experience, outcomes, and hospital quality as you select a chiropractor from your plan.

If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits , goes here.

How high heels can affect your spine!

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 21:53:00 GMT

Are high heels good or bad for your back?

Ever hear beauty always comes at a price? Wearing heels too often can lead to low back pain and tightness in leg muscles. While they can look great and make a woman feel confident, they could leave you feeling uncomfortable.
The muscles from your feet to back are tightened while wearing heels. Plantar fascia being one of the main ligaments in our foot forms the arch of foot sole. The ligament is then connected to our calf muscles which are linked to our hamstrings. The lower pelvis and back are connected to our hamstrings. When we choose to wear heels daily it causes a constant strain to our lower back.
You walk on the balls of your feet when wearing heels. Our body weight and center of gravity is pushed forward when we are standing on the balls of our feet. The body must compensate for this shift which causes an arch or our bodies to lean back to maintain balance. When the back is arched for long periods of time it can develop pain in the area.
So how can you have the best of both worlds? Daily stretching and routine chiropractic visits. When you visit a chiropractor, they make sure your body is aligned. From your head to your feet!
If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Lea rn more about us here .
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiro practic visi ts .

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Recover

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 20:30:00 GMT

Chiropractic for Recovery

Stiffness and pain can continue for days or even weeks after an injury, even if the injury was fairly small. Chiropractic care can shorten your recovery period and help you to return to your normal activities much sooner.
Ways Chiropractic Treatment Speeds Up Recovery
Let's say your back or neck begins to hurt soon after you lift a heavy box or spend 12 hours in the car during a road trip. After resting for days or weeks, you're still in pain, plus your joints have become stiff and inflexible.
Whether your pain is caused by a strained muscle, misaligned vertebrae in your spine, scar tissue, or another problem, chiropractic treatment offers a simple, drug-free solution.

Some of your pain might be because of subluxations . These subluxations not only cause pain but may also affect your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, causing them to tighten or become inflamed. In addition to treating back and neck pain, chiropractors also offer natural treatments for sprained ankles, shoulder injuries, leg, and arm pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, text neck, and other conditions.
Chiropractic treatment can help:
Ease Pain Naturally. Pain medications and muscle relaxants help temporarily but don't address the source of your pain. Restoring the natural alignment of your spine with spinal manipulation treatment starts the healing process, decreasing your reliance on medication. Your doctor uses gentle manual pressure to re-position your vertebrae during spinal manipulation. Once your vertebrae are properly aligned, your muscles begin to loosen, and painful pressure on your nerves decreases.
Soothe Sore Muscles. It's difficult to play with your kids or do yard work if you're suffering from muscle spasms or tenderness. Massage, ultrasound therapy, and other chiropractic treatments relax tight muscles, ligaments and tendons, promote healing, and break up scar tissue or adhesions that can be a factor in pain.
Restore Range of Motion and Flexibility. Once your vertebrae and joints are properly aligned and your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are loose, you'll probably notice that it's easier to move your body. Treatments also help decrease inflammation, another factor that contributes to pain and poor range of motion.
Improve Blood Flow. After an injury, your body sends white blood cells and nutrients to the injured area to heal it. Unfortunately, some injuries can restrict the flow of blood. After normal blood flow is restored with chiropractic treatments, healing tends to happen much more quickly.
Reduce Headaches. Neck and head injuries may cause painful headaches that last for days. Correcting spinal misalignments and relaxing your muscles with chiropractic care offers real relief for post-injury headaches.
Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here .
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

Can subluxations clear up on their own?

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:02:00 GMT

Do I need to see a chiropractor?

Of course they can! Most bodies have the amazing ability to heal itself. In the normal daily activities of walking, stretching and bending, a small spinal misalignment can reposition itself into its healthy, normal position in the spine. All is good again.
Except when it may not always be that simple. Not all spinal misalignments correct themselves. Sometimes, you won't know if you have them. These misalignments don't even cause symptoms. A continuing spinal misalignment can cause pressure on nerves over time, causing permanent damage. If the nerves that serve your stomach , for example, are pinched at the spinal level, you may experience stomach pain but never realize it originated as a pinched nerve in the spine.
Small misalignments can be caused by all sorts of things we encounter every day, like stress, pollution, slips and falls, heavy lifting or even more serious events like accidents at work or in an automobile. The key to preventing permanent damage is getting these misalignments corrected quickly, before the damage starts to occur. Regular chiropractic care helps with this. Adjusting the spine helps to realign misplaced vertebrae, restoring joint and nerve function. Whether the subluxation is just beginning or is causing significant pain, a chiropractic treatment is the first step for correcting the problem.
Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here.
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits.

Are all chiropractic adjustments the same?

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:10:00 GMT

Adjusting the spine doesn't have to involve twisting the neck.

When most people think about an adjustment, the first thing that comes to mind are usually pops or cracks. But not all adjustments produce this audible sound. In some cases, a specialized table or instrument is used to help the doctor perform the adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments are given to every patient, no two people get the exact same adjustment. Each treatment is customized specifically for you; We might use more or less pressure or make an adjustment in a slightly different position.
However, because the discs are flexible, your joints might try to return to the misalignment, especially if they were in that position for a long time. If you lived with the pain of a car accident for years, your muscles might be used to holding the joints in that particular position and they may try to pull it back.
Our clinic also uses x-rays, to analyze and make measurements to determine exactly what vertebrae of the spine needs to be adjusted. This analysis allows us to be more precise, and thus more effective, when adjusting patients. It also allows us to come back to take follow up x-rays and show change that we have made through a recommended treatment plan.
This is why your chiropractor wants you to keep coming back, by the way. Over time, your body will become reacquainted with its proper position/alignment and will be able to hold your joints in the correct position much more easily.
Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

Why you should see a chiropractor after traveling for the holidays

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:22:00 GMT

Chiropractic care when you’re done with long drives

Traveling can take a big toll on your body. Have you ever got home from traveling for the holidays and just want to lay on the bed and not move?! One of the best things people can do for themselves after a vacation is seeing their chiropractor. This is one of the best ways to help the body recover faster and allow the person to return to their normal schedule free from pain, free from stressed joints, and free from a body that feels out of place.

Reducing Stress

The holidays can be a stressful time. Making sure you have the food made, presents wrapped, showing up to multiple Christmas parties on time. While this is meant to be a happy and jolly time of year, some might get more stressed out than merry. Whatever the reason, a chiropractor can help to reduce some of the tension and stress felt within the body so people can return home happy.
Whether a person has a kink in their neck or back, a chiropractor can help to ease them and alleviate the pinching pain felt in those areas. Traveling tends to allow a lot of kinks to develop, especially after sitting for hours on a long plane or car ride.
Some people return from their trip completely exhausted, sore, and unable to move and function like before. The adventures they had and the long ride they took to get there and back put too much strain on their bodies. Seeing a chiropractor immediately upon returning home can help to improve mobility. Individuals can feel as though they can fully stretch again without experiencing pain and not feel so run down. The body will be worked and manipulated so any restrictions get removed and mobility is improved.

Have a wonderful Holiday season!

Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here .
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

Can Chiropractic care help with infertility?

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 16:10:00 GMT

Can Chiropractic Help You to Get Pregnant?

Infertility can be one of life's hardest struggles to face. We are sorry to hear if you are someone who is struggling with this. There are many causes behind infertility in both men and women. It is not uncommon for people to spend thousands of dollars on specialists, diets and lifestyle changes to become fertile. The only problem with some of these options is that they don’t work.

Case studies support consistent chiropractic care for infertility issues. Correcting spinal misalignments can help couples conceive successfully and with no intervention or procedures. Multiple case studies have shown that couples with infertility issues have been found to have spinal misalignments, leading to dysfunction of the reproductive systems. After being under consistent chiropractic care, many of these couples were able to conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term.
Keeping the spine properly aligned, clearing the nervous system of excessive interference, and counseling patients on nutrition, exercise, and changes to lifestyle make the chiropractor one of your best options to help your body function in harmony with the way it was designed.
Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

Can chiropractic care help with epilepsy?

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:24:00 GMT

Epilepsy and chiropractic care

First, we want to say if you or someone you are close to has epilepsy then we are sorry to hear this. We know this is one health issue that isn’t talked about enough. For some, this can make life extremely difficult. The brain is something we are learning about every day. Some of the most significant discoveries have been made in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, there is much we don’t know.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. There is a variety of reasons why these happen, but the main issue is excessive neuronal discharges. We have seen several patients come through that have experienced this medical condition. One of ours is kind enough to share that he tried multiple medications and they were not able to control them. It wasn't until he started seeing a chiropractor that. “I realized these medications were treating the symptoms but not the cause. I had to find the reason why and fix it. I wanted a solution, not a band-aid.” He found our office and he is proud to say he has been seizure free since 2019.
Beacon of Life chiropractic does an amazing job explaining how chiropractors help with epilepsy. “When it comes to seizures, chiropractic treatments focus on the Vagus Nerve. This nerve is located at the base of the skull. Adjustments to this upper cervical area stimulate the nerve while spinal adjustments correct spinal subluxations, which can pinch nerves and interfere with proper nerve function. Reducing these types of nerve interference also reduces neuronal stimuli in the brain. This allows the brain to function better and decreases the likelihood of the excessive neuronal discharges which cause seizures.”
Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

Can Chiropractic care help with ADHD?

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:19:00 GMT

ADHD can be a struggle to live with.

Here at Jenkins Chiropractic , we see families where someone in them might be learning to cope with ADHD. There has been a buzz lately because of some recent findings regarding chiropractic care and how it can help those with ADHD.
Kaden Chiropractic recently wrote an article discussing some of these recent studies. Chiropractors believe that ADHD stems from skeletal imbalances that interfere with brain activity. When your spine is out of line, your body cannot communicate within itself properly. Once you correct that error, you will see symptoms such as ADHD disappear.
A study done just a few short years ago was conducted on over 200 kids coping with ADHD. They found regular chiropractic visits reduced their overt by more than 70% with over 30% of them removing medication from their life.
Is chiropractic best for you or your child? If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here
To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

How Can Chiropractic Help with Fall Allergies?

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:46:00 GMT

Could this provide you with some much needed relief?

If you are anything like a patient of ours, Ryan. Then you know the fall weather leaves you sneezing. Ragweed can be rampant and if you are tired of reaching for allergy medicine then learn how chiropractic care can help you handle your fall allergies .
Kansas City Chiropractic did a great article on how allergies can affect your daily living. Maybe you are like so many people who are tired of reaching for the countless types of allergy medication on the shelves hoping they would cure them. Ryan told us he would spend $20-$40 on a box of “medicine” that made him feel worse. The long-term side effects of these can be disastrous for your health.
So maybe you have experienced some of these common allergic reactions and you want to get off over-the-counter medications. As Kansas City Chiropractic stated:
“Chiropractic treatments have been found to be very effective for relieving allergy symptoms and even stopping allergies at their source. It reduces the severity of allergy symptoms as well as the frequency of occurrence. It does not work like allergy medications which have an anti-histamine effect and only work as a short-term fix for your allergy symptoms.”
When you come into our office and share with us your history of allergies. We are able to help align your spine to impact your nervous system. When your body is aligned you are able to function at your optimal level. This even includes your immune system.

If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council St. Learn more about us here To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits

Are Standing Desks a Good Idea?

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 20:55:00 GMT

Let's help you determine if a standing desk is good for you.

We get asked a lot about standing desks. Will standing desks help my back pain? Do they really help your posture? If so, how do they help you? There has been a big push recently for employers to provide their employees with standing desks. Here are some key points to know about them! A recent article from Harvard emphasizes the importance of handling your inflammation. They went so far as to say “Science has proven that chronic, low-grade inflammation can turn into a silent killer that contributes to cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions”. It might be a little extreme to say standing all day helps you lose weight. The Journal of Physical Activity and Health answered this question with a study on the calories burned from standing, sitting, and walking. - While sitting, study subjects burned 80 calories/hour — about the same as typing or watching TV - While standing, the number of calories burned was only slightly higher than while sitting — about 88 calories/hour - Walking burned 210 calories/hour. So if you are standing at a desk for 3 hours as opposed to sitting down you are burning the same amount of calories as not eating that last carrot. However, they continued their research after the participants ate their lunch. They found that after a meal, blood sugar levels return to normal faster on days a person spends more time standing. They also noted the participants stating that standing, rather than sitting, has reduced their severity of shoulder and back pain. The mayo clinic has found that sitting down all day at work has proven to have some severe findings. Long hours of sitting are linked with a higher risk of: -obesity -diabetes -cardiovascular disease -cancer (especially cancers of the colon or breast) -premature death. Experts from Harvard further go on to say that a standing desk can help you but you must also know this is not a sure fix to your ailments. If you are like many others experiencing chronic back or neck pain from sitting constantly then it might be time to visit other treatment options. Chiropractic care has been proven to help many people over the years with issues stemming from sitting all day. If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on benefits on chiropractic visits .

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 21:30:00 GMT

The safety of chiropractic adjustments has been debated for a long time.

Are chiropractic adjustments safe? Have you ever wondered whether or not you should visit a chiropractor? Maybe you are like so many others who are dealing with back or neck issues but are concerned about whether a chiropractic visit is right for you. Someone dealing with back pain, headaches, or even joint pain usually considers chiropractic care because it is drug-free and less expensive than other treatment options. The goal of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore normal joint function and muscle balance. Treatments are also promoted for reducing stress on the immune system or reducing the potential for disease. Chiropractic care aims to treat the entire body, including a person’s ability to move, perform, and even think. Most chiropractic visits are seamless and can have you out the door in 5 minutes or less. A big question people have is if there are any negative effects. A recent study showed that 3% of people polled stated they experienced slight fatigue and slight soreness. The study also showed that 57% of people reported their ailments went away within 24 hours. The Mayo Clinic in a recent report stated: Chiropractic adjustment can be effective in treating low back pain. Chiropractic care is highly recommended by many physicians and clinics across the world. A recent article from Spine Universe stated, “Fewer than one per million patient visits have a serious adverse event.” They point out that patients seem to be far more at risk when taking a common medication for their low back pain, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You might even be wondering if chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe. Healthline talked about this recently. They stated that “Not only can routine chiropractic care help manage pain in your back, hips, and joints, it can also establish pelvic balance. That can provide your baby with as much space as possible over the course of your pregnancy. This may lead to a faster, easier labor and delivery.” Overall medical professionals across the board suggest routine chiropractic visits to help keep your body at optimal health and wellness. If you are unsure if chiropractic care is the right fit for you then give Dr. Jenkins a call! At Jenkins Chiropractic, the first step is an initial consultation to determine whether or not chiropractic care is best for you. You can reach us at (319) 393-4303. Our Cedar Rapids office is conveniently located off council st. Learn more about us here To continue reading more on chiropractic visit our other article on how to reduce inflammation.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:26:00 GMT

Chiropractic care is a treatment that focuses on how your bones, muscles, and joints affect your health. "Chiropractic" comes from two Greek words that imply "hands-on care." Chiropractors do not give any medication or perform surgery. They restore joint mobility by using controlled force, usually with their hands. Exercise and lifestyle advice can also be part of chiropractic treatment.
For people looking for pain relief options other than medicine, chiropractic treatment is one possible pain management option that is safe and more affordable than surgery or medication.
Below, we'll discuss the most important benefits of chiropractic care.

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care is a type of complementary medicine based on the belief that your body can cure itself with the help of a particular hands-on treatment performed by a skilled practitioner. These techniques can help straighten your joints and possibly relieve pain.
The majority visit a chiropractor to help them with back or neck pain and referred pain, occurs when a condition in one place of the body causes discomfort in another.
Chiropractic care is most effective for persons with:

Muscle pain
Muscular attachments (tendons) disorders
Back pain
Neck discomfort
Headaches
Whiplash injuries,
Joint disorders in the arms or legs

What does a chiropractor do?

A chiropractor can help with aches, pains, creaks, and sprains. If you have an issue with your musculoskeletal system, a chiropractor can provide you with non-drug treatment options.
These treatments include:

Exercises and stretches - To habilitate and strengthen joint stability and mobility.
Soft-tissue therapy - To reduce spasms, relax tight muscles, and release tension in the connective tissue that surrounds each muscle (fascia).
Referrals to integrative medicine experts - For diet and nutrition advice on how to minimize inflammation and/or promote healthy eating to lose weight.
Adjustments - To reduce discomfort and increase range of motion by gently realigning joints.
Joint bracing/taping (Kinesio taping) - To exercise sprained joints or muscles as they heal.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

Eases Sciatica

A chiropractor can help you if you have lower back pain or sciatica. Sciatica is a type of pain that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed. From the lower back, the nerve travels through the hips, buttocks, legs, and feet.
The pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved with a chiropractic adjustment. This allows the hips, pelvis, and lower back to move with ease again.
Sciatica may require regular chiropractic treatment. The result is also dependent on your specific circumstances.

Relieves headache symptoms

Tension headaches and headaches that you can feel from the back of your neck may be relieved by spinal manipulation.
According to a 2016 study, 6 to 8 sessions of cervical and upper thoracic spine manipulation were more helpful than movement and exercise in alleviating pain in persons with chronic headaches. This remained the case three months later.

Low-cost treatment for chronic back pain

Chiropractic care for chronic pains can be less expensive than conventional treatments.
Researchers looked into the financial benefits of chiropractic treatment for people with chronic back pain in a 2016 study where chiropractic care resulted in a decreased overall treatment cost. Therapy was also shown to be shorter than that of those who had traditional medical treatment.

Helps women during pregnancy

This is one of the benefits of seeing a chiropractor that many people are unaware of. Chiropractic care is also beneficial to pregnant women. Pregnancy comes with pains and discomfort from the early stages to delivery. Chiropractor care can help your pregnancy be healthier and more comfortable with the help of specific treatment plans.
Inquire with your chiropractor about this form of treatment. It may be intimidating at first, but pregnant women may find relief from spinal stress and tension in just one session. It may also provide excellent health advantages by treating the neurological system.

Improves athletic performance

Chiropractors and physical therapists are frequently sought after by professional athletes. This emphasizes the importance of keeping your body healthy and ready for action through regular chiropractic treatment.
Seeing a chiropractor for healthcare treatment can help you improve your performance, whether you're a weekend or part-time athlete. Injuries are prevalent. A chiro can help with ligament strains or remove and cure subluxation problems. Chiropractors can also help with inflammation and discomfort caused by injuries.
Whatever sport you participate in, it takes a toll. If you are an injured athlete, a chiropractor can assist you in recovering your body so that you can return to the field and resume your passion.

Reduces neck pain

Neck pain is common nowadays. Many sit for long periods of time due to work, studying, or even gaming. We constantly bend our necks to use our phones, and we slouch—all of these results in bad posture. By realigning your spine and releasing tension in your neck muscles, a chiropractor can help relieve your body pain.
Cervical spine manipulation is one of the treatments that may help reduce neck discomfort in the short term by changing neuropeptide levels in the blood. Neuropeptides are proteins that operate as neurotransmitters or hormones in the neurological system.

Reduces the reliance on opioid painkillers

Prescriptions for opioid pain medications are frequently issued to those who suffer from chronic pain. The opioid can help ease the pain but it may cause several side effects. Chiropractic treatment, on the other hand, helps alleviate pain and reduce your need for pain medicines.

May reduce osteoarthritis symptoms

The degradation of cartilage in a joint causes the ends of your bones to rub together, causing osteoarthritis pain. Some chiropractic adjustments may help straighten your joints and lessen the amount of friction between your bones.

Potentially helps correct poor posture

Chiropractic treatment may help rectify poor posture, typically, if it is caused by too much sitting. A chiropractor will begin by adjusting your shoulders, including gradual joint movements, to help you achieve the best posture possible. With any pain, these joint exercises will assist enhance joint movement, relieve tension in surrounding muscles, and ease you into a healthy posture.

Chiropractor care in Cedar Rapids

Our nervous system has an impact on our health. As you can see, there are several rather surprising benefits to seeing a chiropractor. A specialist can improve our overall health and wellness because so much of it passes via the spine.
Our staff of skilled chiropractors can assist you with a variety of health problems like back and neck pain, and muscle inflammation, and help you recover from injuries. Get in touch with us for a complimentary consultation.

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Providing Chiropractic Care for Those Afraid of It

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Chiropractic treatment provides many benefits that make it an excellent option for many people. However, some may fear a chiropractor in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa, due to various rumors and scandals over the years. These rumors typically possess little bearing in reality but remain persistent. As a result, providing chiropractic care for people afraid of it may be a significant challenge. Thankfully, many different techniques offer benefits that make it easier to work through these fears and agitations.

Understand Why People Fear Chiropractic Treatment
Although the fear of a chiropractor is not as common as that of dental care, many people worry about this type of treatment . Unfortunately, people often don't understand how chiropractic care works and believe many lies or misconceptions about this type of care. Let's examine a few of the most common triggers for this type of fear and why they aren't worth the fuss:

Chiropractic care hurts – Although it is fair to say that some adjustments may cause some discomfort upon initial application, chiropractic treatment doesn't cause excessive pain. Most people feel their back pain disappear or at least lessen after a typical treatment.
Chiropractic care is dangerous – Horror stories of death and injury during chiropractic treatment scare many people away from it. These cases are relatively rare – certainly no more common than death during surgery – and usually only occur when there are underlying issues affecting treatment.
Chiropractors are not doctors – Some may believe that these professionals don't receive medical licensing. That idea is a big mistake – chiropractors are not massage therapists, who only need a more straightforward license. Chiropractors are doctors with real medical training.
Chiropractic care doesn't work – The idea that chiropractic care doesn't help with pain or back issues is wrong. Though it may take a handful of adjustments to achieve total relief, every treatment should provide an individual with some pain relief.

Unfortunately, those who fear a chiropractor may still struggle to handle these concerns and need some calming from friends or family members. Thankfully, working with these professionals is very easy if you understand that they often experience this problem without warning. The steps below will give you a better idea of what to expect and how you can adequately handle it.
Working With People Who Have This Fear
If you or a loved one has a fear of the chiropractor, you need to take steps to manage this problem right away. Often, you can utilize a handful of unique options to ensure that you get the best results. The methods you use will vary depending on the state of your anxiety and how severe it has become as you age. Just a few options that you may want to consider for this situation include:

Meet with a care professional – Take a person with chiropractic fear to visit with a care expert who can walk them through the process, get to know them as a person, and calm their fears before they visit. This step often does wonders for many people with this type of fear issue.
Showcase research evidence – Find case studies that show the efficacy of chiropractic care and discuss it with the person who is afraid. Let them see the safety numbers and discussions of the dangers. You want to make sure you are honest and avoid misleading them.
Practice relaxation methods together – Yoga, various breathing exercises, and meditation can help people with anxiety. These methods often train a person's body to calm down when they fear their chiropractic treatment date.
Honestly assess their pain levels – Talk to the individual about the amount of pain they feel before chiropractic care and let them know that treatment will manage it. Make sure that they have reasonable expectations, as well, and that they may need a few assessments for a full recovery.

Most of the time, this care should make it easier for most people to get chiropractic treatment. However, you may need to work with a pro fessional if your fear of a chiropractor doesn't go away. There may be more serious underlying issues with generalized anxiety that require management before you get treatment. Doing so can help you get chiropractic care without any fear and avoid serious physical pain.
Help Your Back Recover
If you want to work with a chiropractor in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa, please reach out to us at Jenkins Chiropractic to learn more. Our experts have years of experience with chiropractic care and can provide you with the help you need. We can inspect your back, examine various elements of your health, and make careful adjustments that will straighten out your spine and manage any persistent pain issues. And we work with only thoroughly trained and licensed chiropractors to ensure that you are protected.

How You Can Motivate Yourself to Move While Recovering from An Injury

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 15:52:00 GMT

Injuring your body is never a good time—especially since it often involves months of exercise therapy to get back into its prime condition. However, you are not alone. Here are many different ideas to help motivate you during your journey to healing.

Mix Things Up

While routine can sometimes provide much needed consistency during rough times, routines can also become quite monotonous. To help give yourself more motivation during this healing process, trying mixing things up a little. Each day, plan something different you can do to get active—and try to make it either fun or rewarding. For example, one day you could walk around the town with friends, and the next day you could do some exercises while watching your favorite show. Do whatever you can to make your day something to look forward to.

Have A Partner

Human beings are social creatures, whether we think we are or not. You don’t have to go through this healing process alone—nor should you. In fact, being able to share both the good times and the bad with someone else enhances your feelings of security and comfort. That is why you should always bring a partner with you, whether you plan to go on a walk or even attend physical therapy. If you don’t live with someone or struggle finding someone to accompany you while exercising, a pet can also play the role of friend and exercise buddy. There is a reason why many people these days have an emotional support animal. You best bet will probably be a dog, as long as it can keep up with you while exercising. Of course, them being able to keep up depends on the kind of puppy you get. Make sure to do you research ahead of time, but some great therapy dogs include golden retrievers, German shepherds, and boxers.

Keep A Log

Change usually doesn’t happen all at once. In fact, it is often so subtle that you barely even notice it. If you are feeling like your exercises aren’t actually helping ease your injury, it might just be because these changes are occurring very slowly. However, keep in mind that exercising is resulting in improvements. So, in order to see these changes and thereby gain greater motivation to continue, try keeping a log of all of your exercises and symptoms. Be as detailed as possible and try not to miss any days. You will want to do this long term in order to really see your progress. This is also something you can share with your doctor or chiropractor. In fact, it can be really helpful for them to see where you are improving versus struggling in order to better guide you toward complete healing.

Make It A Routine

As previously stated, routine can either be a help or a hindrance to gaining greater motivation. However, if you feel that you are incredibly busy, or frequently forgetting to do your exercises, you may want to schedule times to get out and move . Make sure that your routine lines up well with your schedule and your body’s natural clock in order to maximize the benefits of a routine. For example, if you are not a morning person, you probably shouldn’t schedule a walk at 5am. The goal is that your routine should make exercise a regular habit—one that is difficult to neglect or forget.

Keep a Checklist

Now, you may or may not be a checklist kind of person, but if you are, don’t forget to add your exercises to your checklist. After all, there is something extremely rewarding and satisfying about being able to check off something from your list—so, hopefully, this will only further motivate you to get moving every single day. Make sure to keep your checklist somewhere where you frequently see it, whether it is on your phone, in an agenda, or on the kitchen fridge. And don’t end the day without checking off your exercises!

Start Small

After an injury, you don’t necessarily need to go back to two-hour long workouts or walking three miles. If you push yourself too hard, you will only demotivate yourself (and possibly exacerbate the injury) in the process. It is okay to start small while you work yourself back to your body’s optimal state. It takes patience in order to heal. If you don’t know what to do in terms of exercises, there are several exercise videos and training programs online to give you ideas. One idea could be setting alarms throughout the day to remind yourself to do 5-minute increments of small exercises. For example, if you work at a desk job, set several alarms throughout the day to remind you to stop and do a couple of stretches or jumping jacks—whatever is best for your injury.

Trick Yourself

What harm is there in a little trick to get yourself moving around more after your injury? It may be just the thing your need to get on your feet again. One of the best ways to trick yourself into exercising is doing things that require movement but aren’t necessarily exercises. And the more you enjoy the activity, the more you are able to trick your brain into moving through the pain. So, if you love going to the mall, get a couple friends together to go shopping. You may walk up to several miles at the mall—all without even knowing it. Or, if you enjoy gardening, you could tend to your garden—all without realizing that you are actually stretching and lifting in the process.

Goals and Rewards

Doing exercise therapy after an injury can be really difficult. It can be extremely painful or at least very discomforting and tedious. You must remember that exercising after an injury is a difficult thing—something that deserves to be rewarded. So, as you make goals to exercise, make sure that you also plan several rewards for every checkpoint you reach. That will hopefully motivate you even more to keep going when it gets hard. In the end, when the pain or discomfort feels like too much to bear, know that you can do it. Do whatever it takes to obtain the healing that your body deserves. After all, you are much stronger than you realize.
Seeing a chiropractor can be a great way to alleviate some of the pain from your injuries. Make an appointment with us today!

I Was In An Accident: What Can A Chiropractor Do For Me?

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:38:00 GMT

The impacts of an automobile accident can leave your body pretty banged up. At the very least you are going to be feeling very sore. However, if the pain lingers longer than normal, you may be experiencing something worse than aggravated muscle tissue. If this is what you are experiencing, you should consider going to see a chiropractor. Chiropractor can diagnose and treat any misalignments in your joints that have occurred as a result of your accident. This treatment will serve you well on the road to recovery.

Commonly Treated Injuries

Out of all of the injuries commonly suffered from being in a car accident, whiplash is considered the most common . Whiplash is an injury to the neck that can occur when the neck is jerked back and forth as is common in a car crash. Another common injury is a back injury, particularly in the lower back. You can sustain serious damage to your vertebrae in a crash. This will result in spine pain. Other injuries that a chiropractor can treat include the following:

Pinched Nerves
Coccydynia
Sciatica
Degenerative Disc Disorder
Cerviogenic headache
Subluxation
Spinal osteoarthritis
Tendonitis

Frequently Used Therapies

A chiropractor can use a lot of different techniques to address your pain. Your chiropractor will probably plan to use multiple techniques to give the best treatment possible. Be sure to discuss this plan with him in order to ensure that you are comfortable with the planned treatments. The following are just a few of the therapies chiropractors employ .

Therapeutic Exercise: These exercises will strengthen damaged muscles, decrease pain, prevent deterioration, and increase range of motion.
Therapeutic Stretches: Helps prevent scar tissue from forming
Spinal Traction: reduces disc decompression, reduced nerve root pressured, reduces pain
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Targeted massage techniques
Muscle Stimulation: stimulates muscles through electrical pulses
Ice and Heat: Increases blood circulation, reduces swelling, and controls pain.

When to Go

Should you go to the chiropractor no matter what? Not necessarily. If you are not feeling any symptoms, then there is no need. If you are just feeling sore, you may not need to go, but it wouldn’t hurt. You can wait a little while to see how you feel. But don’t wait too long, insurance companies don’t like to cover for treatments that occur long after the accident. If you are feeling pain in your joints, you should set up an appointment as soon as possible. Untreated pain can quickly become debilitating. Your conditions can get worse over time, so it is best to seek treatment now. Increase your quality of life by reaching out to medical professionals that can help you. If you’ve been in an accident and have back pain, reach out to us to make an appointment !

3 Things to Know Before Your First Chiropractic Visit

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 18:59:00 GMT

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Preparing for a Trip to a Chiropractor

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 14:28:00 GMT

Are you thinking about visiting a chiropractor in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa , and aren't sure how to prepare? This confusion isn't uncommon and can make your trip much more challenging to plan and execute. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to ensure your visit with us at Jenkins Chiropractic goes smoothly. Please make sure that you plan for your trip following these steps to ensure that things go well. Don't hesitate to contact us ahead of time if you need a little advice. We're always willing to help. Consider a Massage First Before you start planning for your visit, you may want to consider getting a massage an hour or two before your appointment. Many chiropractic specialists suggest this approach for a few reasons. First of all, a massage helps to loosen up your muscles and makes it easier for them to work. Just as importantly, a massage can help you relax and make your treatment more comfortable to handle as well. You may want to get this type of massage before and after your treatment to get looser and more relaxed muscles. While your chiropractic care should help to calm tense muscles, getting a massage after can alleviate any tension you may have left over. And, to be honest – a massage after an adjustment just feels good and will help you feel better about your treatment. We promise. Dress Comfortably If you like wearing a lot of tight clothes or often wear rather specific and unusual items, you may want to leave them at home when you visit a chiropractor . That's because loose garments are almost always better for a visit. Typically, they need to find it easy to get access to underneath of your clothes, such as when they take an x-ray or if they have to focus their routines on specific parts of the body. As a result, it is usually a good idea to keep your clothes a little loose and comfortable when you visit these experts. Try to wear a nice t-shirt that can be easily removed, if necessary. You may also want to wear looser pants when you visit. After all, you'll be lying on your back for an extended period. It may be helpful not to feel tension while you sit up on the table and get your body's stress managed. Try to Leave Early for the Office Like with any type of medical appointment, you should try to be early to your chiropractic care. An early appointment is usually a good idea because it can help ensure that you not only get to the office on time but also helps to make sure that you get in when you want. For example, you may find that an early trip can help out because the doctor may let you in earlier than you expected and get you out faster. Most of the time, it is good to be at least 15 minutes early for your appointment. In this way, you not only have the chance to get in quicker but can handle your paperwork in more depth. All of this work is typically quite simple to handle and doesn't require a lot of excessive attention to detail. Thankfully, you should be able to finish your appointment on time if you follow this simple step. Know What is Bothering You When you visit a chiropractor , you probably have a pretty specific problem that is affecting you. And while you may have talked to them about this before your visit, you may need to remind them again. That's because they go through a lot of patients and may not remember all of their details. Yes, they should have your information on file, but knowing what kind of help you want is still critical. For example, what happens if your doctor has miswritten your information or you made a mistake in documenting some element of your care? Unfortunately, this could mean that you get treatments that aren't right for your needs. As a result, it is essential to take this element of your care very seriously. Doing so can save you a lot of problems and avoid wasting your time as well. Have Your Paperwork Ready The most common complaint doctors of any type have about their patients is unpreparedness. Patients who don't understand their paperwork or who don't do it all frustrates medical professionals. So does having patients who either don't know what they want or don't know how to communicate their needs. This situation can be particularly an issue for the often delicate nature of chiropractic care. As a result, it is usually a good idea to have all of your information written down on a laminated sheet that you can take to each of your doctor visits. Then, you can use this info to quickly fill out your paperwork without having to think too hard. For those who have issues remembering their insurance details, this approach is particularly important because it can ensure you don't make any mistakes with your care. Know What to Expect During Your Adjustments When you're getting adjusted at the chiropractor , you're going to notice a few things that may seem strange. First of all, you'll hear a lot of popping and cracking sounds in your back that may be quite concerning. Don't worry – this is just trapped air in your joints being released. The same effect occurs when you crack your knuckles. The chiropractic specialist is not hurting you in this situation but is helping your body relax and feel as free of tension as possible. You may also notice a little excessive pressure during your adjustments. That feeling is quite normal and shouldn't be painful. If you do notice any pain during your treatment, speak up immediately. There may be something more seriously wrong with your back that needs to be checked appropriately. Reasonable adjustments should be as pain-free as possible and shouldn't be hard for you to tolerate or handle. Proper Preparation Helps You Succeed As you can see, the preparation steps for a trip to the chiropractor in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, Iowa is nowhere near as big of a challenge as you might expect. Though some steps must be taken to ensure things go smoothly, the whole process shouldn't take that long to finish. So if you're interested in this type of care from a professional who you can trust, please contact us at Jenkins Chiropractic right away to learn more. Our experts will do what they can to help you succeed.

Can Chiropractors Help with Shoulder Pain?

Sat, 09 Nov 2019 18:36:00 GMT

You have severe pain in your shoulder, and you need help to manage it. There are many professionals to whom you could go, including the best chiropractor Cedar Rapids, Iowa has to offer. Before you visit these experts, you need to understand why you have shoulder pain and what the right treatment specialist can do to help. You might be surprised to learn just how much they help.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is often put under a lot of strain on a person's day-to-day life. For example, your arms regularly move on the shoulder and may cause some repetitive stress. Your shoulder may also get injured at some points during the day and make it challenging to overcome severe injury. These types of problems often occur without warning and can take you out of life for extended periods.
For example, a dislocated shoulder may occur when you are playing sports or trying to climb a ladder. When it happens, you're going to be in immediate pain and need an expert to help you out. Similarly, you might end up with problems such as rotator cuff injuries, strains throughout the shoulder, sprains, shoulder bursae, tendonitis, and even a frozen shoulder. The latter problem is particularly painful for many.
When you experience a frozen shoulder or any other type of pain in this area, you might find yourself unable to use your arm at all. This situation is often quite frustrating and may trigger a variety of concerns, including the need for various pain care options. However, you can also go to a chiropractor to get the kind of adjustment that you need to keep your shoulder strong and resilient.
Chiropractors Can Manage Shoulder Pain
Though you might not think of chiropractors when considering shoulder pain, you'd be surprised at how beneficial they can be for your pain. A chiropractor focuses on improving the strength and stability of a person's joints. They can focus mainly on areas of your back, neck, and shoulders to increase their power. Not only that, but they can also increase their stability and flexibility.
These benefits all occur with repeated trips to chiropractors near you. They will find where the injury is located on your body, come up with a treatment plan, and apply careful pressure to manipulate your body back into place. This kind of treatment often requires a sustained and practical approach, one that focuses both on your body and your mind. Chiropractors can often help with relaxation in this situation.
So no matter what the source of your shoulder pain, chiropractors are an excellent professional to consider for your treatment. These experts can not only assess the injury, but treat it in ways that other doctors cannot. As a result, you should fully understand the different treatment methods that these professionals use. This knowledge will give you the insight that you need to decrease or eliminate your pain.
How They Help You Out
Chiropractors are skilled experts who have specialized training that gives them a unique insight into your body. They possess a nuanced understanding of the ways that your body's systems interact with each other and can help to make your shoulder stronger. The coolest thing about this fact is that they use the same kind of care options that they use to treat your back, making it easier to understand them.
For example, they may notice that your pain begins near the acromioclavicular joint. This area is often inflamed due to various types of strains and needs expert manipulation to manage. They will provide focused manipulations of the joint to work it back into place and to minimize its inflammation. Just as importantly, they will help you get pain management by relaxing tense muscles in your shoulders.
Other types of pain management used by your chiropractor include promoting stronger tendons throughout the back and shoulder with subtle manipulations. These slight changes help by placing your shoulders in a better position and supporting their ligaments more fully. As a result, a person with a shoulder injury will experience less pain and will be more likely to recover fully from the intense pain in their shoulder.
Considerations When Choosing Chiropractors
Lastly, it is essential to know how to choose a chiropractor for your shoulder pain. First of all, call up everyone you know who practices this type of medicine. Ask them about shoulder pain and what they can do to help. Most should give you a pretty quick answer, one that is easy to understand. If they beat around the bush about it, they may not have much experience with this care but still want you to visit them.
Make sure that you do a little research on someone before you visit them because they may have had a bad experience with shoulder pain. Talk to others who have gone there to learn more about how they treat shoulder pain. Focus on attending centers that seem like they fully understand this process and have what it takes to give you the care that you need.
Just as importantly, you should make sure to find someone whom you get along with on a personal level. While you don't necessarily need to be best friends with your chiropractic care specialist, you should trust them. Talk to them regularly about the kind of care that you will receive for your shoulder. If they ever seem confused or like they aren't sure what to say, there may be a good chance that they are in over their heads.
Let Us Help You
So if you want to work with the best chiropractor Hiawatha, Iowa has to offer, please contact us at Jenkins Chiropractic to learn more. Our experts have years of experience in their field and will take the time to fully understand how they can help you. Even better, you can get your shoulder back into gear with several care treatments to ensure that you are happy and healthy in your career and life.

When to Work with a Chiropractor for Your Health

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:38:00 GMT

Over the last few years, you've had friends, and family members tell you that a visit to the best Cedar Rapids, Iowa chiropractor changed their lives for the better. However, you've never visited one of these professionals, and you aren't sure when you should visit one.
The following information will give you insight into five different situations that require a trip to these specialists. We also included a brief section on when you shouldn't get this kind of care. Though very safe when done correctly and for the right reasons, some people may not react well to it.
Regular Pain in Your Muscles
If you experience regular pain in your muscles or joints, you may need to visit a chiropractor as soon as possible. This type of pain is often caused by a variety of health situations that can be adequately managed by a chiropractic care professional. For example, people who work out regularly may need this treatment to keep their muscles and joints loose.
This step also helps to manage some injuries that you may experience during exercise and which need high-quality care to manage appropriately. Just as importantly, you need to make sure that you get this type of care to maintain the chronic pain that may develop if you work muscles too hard during your routines.
However, even people who don't exercise regularly may have pain in their muscles and joints that are persistent or which waxes and wanes. Thankfully, chiropractic care can help out in this situation by giving you the care that you need to manage this situation quickly, efficiently, and properly.
Neck Pain You Can't Shake
Neck pain is a problem that can be occasional or chronic. For instance, you may get neck pain after you sleep on a new bed and don't keep your head in the best position. You may even get this type of pain if you slept in your normal bed and lay down too long and let your neck get sore.
Some individuals may also rarely exercise their neck or move their shoulders, which can cause tension that may lead to some pain. Try to keep your neck muscles and joints limber with regular movement and exercise to minimize the danger of this issue. Doing so helps prevent the development of more persistent problems.
However, chronic neck pain that won't go away may be a sign of more severe back and neck problems. Whatever the situation, you can work with a professional to get the best chiropractic care and to ensure that your neck doesn't experience more problematic issues that lead to chronic concerns.
Occasional Lower Back Pain
Many people visit chiropractic care professionals due to lower back pain. This common problem is due to many different influences but can be very challenging to overcome. Fully understanding why this happens and how a chiropractic care expert can help is critical for your health.
For example, you may have lifted something substantial but done so a little awkwardly. In this situation, a high-quality professional can manage your back pain and get you back on your feet. You may also want this type of care if you sit so long that your back starts to hurt.
A chiropractor can manage this pain and help you live a more comfortable and pain-free life. However, you may want to talk to a more specialized expert if your lower back pain is persistent because you may have a more severe problem that requires unique help to manage.
Pain While Working in an Office
People who work in an office don't go through a lot of physical strain but may end up experiencing pain anyway. This situation develops because sitting for too long – particularly with lousy posture – can put a unique pressure on your body that is often worse than one you'd get if you were up and moving.
If you experience this kind of pain, you need to take self-care steps, such as getting up and moving at least 5-10 minutes every hour while you're sitting. You should also visit a chiropractic care specialist if your pain makes it too hard for you to sit for a full workday.
A good chiropractor can not only help manage this situation but provide you with tools that manage your pain more effectively. For example, they can give you a support brace that you can wear in your chair that will minimize your back pain and other health issues.
Persistent Headaches and Migraines
Headaches are a problem that can become a significant concern for many individuals. An occasional headache is usually nothing that you should be too concerned about, but persistent ones that won't go away may be the result of problems such as muscle tension and joint irritation.
Migraines, in particular, are often triggered by such issues and may worsen if you live a sedentary lifestyle that promotes muscle and neck pain. As a result, proper chiropractic treatment is often a great choice if you are someone who suffers from regular headaches and migraines.
However, you should hold off on treatment if you are currently experiencing a migraine. Wait for the pain to pass – which may take several hours or even days – to ensure you don't worsen the situation. Then, visit a chiropractic care specialist to get the treatment that you need for this situation.
When a Trip is Not a Good Choice
Though visiting a chiropractor is usually an excellent idea for many people, there may be instances in which it is not right for you. For example, a slipped disc could be worsened by some types of chiropractic care, but usually only if it is done improperly or by an inexperienced professional.
Just as importantly, you should avoid this care if you have any injuries to your spine or back that are still recovering. For example, those with a broken back may want to stay away from this type of treatment until their care specialist says that they are healthy and ready.
And those who are at a higher risk of stroke or heart attacks – such as those diagnosed with high cholesterol or blood pressure – may want to avoid this care. While rare, there is a chance that some treatments could trigger complications in these individuals that may trigger cardiac episodes.
How We Can Help
As you can see, a visit to these professionals is often an excellent choice for many individuals. Though there are situations in which you should pass on this kind of treatment, there are many more in which you will get appropriate care. Fully understanding this situation should help you make a proper call on your care needs.
So if you're experiencing high levels of pain and think that the best Cedar Rapids, Iowa chiropractor can help, please contact us at Jenkins Chiropractic right now to learn more. Our specialists can diagnose your issue and provide you with the care that you need to be happy and healthy.

Should Children Get Chiropractic Care?

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 04:25:00 GMT

A growing number of parents are interested in sending their children to a chiropractor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa because of the help these individuals provide them. However, many people find this decision to be controversial and think that chiropractic care for children is either unnecessary or even unsafe. This perception is one that has plagued the industry for years and has been difficult for many professionals to fight.
The truth behind this topic is, obviously, more complicated than many may think. There are many situations in which chiropractic treatment is an excellent choice for a child and which may provide them with the help that they need to be healthy. However, there are situations in which it shouldn't be utilized. So read on to find out more about this somewhat controversial topic.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Children?
Parents concerned about the safety of chiropractic care for their children should be heartened to know that many studies have found that this practice is mostly very safe. A survey of various care treatments found that injuries were very rare and occurred in only a handful of instances. The instances of minor injuries were around three percent, and more severe issues occurred even less commonly.
The causes of the accidents varied depending on a multitude of influences. For example, inadequate training by the chiropractic professional caused most of these injuries. Simply put, a care professional who doesn't have much experience or training for working with children is more likely to make a mistake because the child's back is not as developed and requires more delicate adjustments.
Other causes of injury included a lack of care necessity. Like other types of medical treatment, chiropractic adjustments should only be made if there is a real medical reason. Parents who want to adjust their child's back without any reason could be causing damage to the delicate back by forcing their chiropractor to perform unnecessary adjustments. Thankfully, caring treatment experts will try to talk the parent out of this option, and some may even refuse if they believe it will injure the child.
This more delicate nature of the back doesn't mean that a child doesn't get benefits from this type of care – far from it. However, most children typically won't need chiropractic care because they won't likely suffer from the kinds of problems that require this care option. That said, many challenges exist that may make chiropractic treatment an excellent choice for a broad array of child patients.
When is Care Necessary?
If you are interested in getting your child high-quality care from a chiropractor , you need to make sure that this care option is right for their needs. Thankfully, most children won't need this type of attention because the diseases that require adjustment can be very painful and hard to manage without care.
As a result, it is critical to fully understand the range of conditions that can make chiropractic care necessary for your child. The following issues – though not common – may occur in your child and require the help of a high-quality chiropractic professional to manage:

Spinal Alignment Issues – If your child has a disease like scoliosis or other types of spinal alignment issues, they may need chiropractic care options.
Excessive Back Pain – Some children experience extreme back pain for various reasons, such as crushed discs, and may need a chiropractic adjustment.
Bone Diseases – When your child suffers from issues that compromise the strength of their bones, a chiropractic adjustment may help provide many care benefits.

Unless your child suffers from issues such as these, you may want to minimize the kind of chiropractic care that they receive. Unnecessary treatments of any kind can be a problem, particularly when a child is at such a delicate age. As a result, you should talk to your doctor first before you try any kind of new care option to ensure that your child's body is safe and to protect yourself as well.
How Do Chiropractic Professionals Operate?
The chiropractic process typically follows a multitude of steps that ensure the proper care method is met. This type of consistency in care ensures that a professional doesn't make any mistakes and provides you with the best chance of treatment success.
The same level of consistency is even more important for children due to their more delicate backs. Therefore, your child is likely to go through a multitude of steps when receiving this type of care, including the following options:

Assessment – The first step in this process is an assessment of issues that may affect your child, such as various spinal diseases. During this part of the process, the treatment specialist will check your child's back and their history to ensure that chiropractic care is necessary for their health.
Focused Care – Once the care expert has assessed the problems plaguing your child, they will then provide concentrated care to manage these issues. For example, they'll give a multitude of adjustments that will help manage pain and improve the alignment in your child's back.
Aftercare Attention – After a care treatment, your child may receive aftercare from your treatment specialists, such as certain types of child-safe painkillers and other help to ensure that their care goes down smoothly and effectively.
Change in Treatment Approach – If your chiropractor notices any possible complications with your child's care – or a worsening of the condition after a period of improvement – they will adjust their care method to ensure that your child's back is as healthy as possible.

Though this care option is typical of most chiropractic professionals, others may adjust their approach slightly to ensure a better quality of care. For example, multiple assessments may be necessary for many children to ensure that their back is protected and in great shape.
Considering This Option
As you can see, the topic of chiropractic care for children is more complex than you may have expected. While these care techniques are usually quite safe for most children, others may experience adverse reactions. These negative situations, though, mostly occur if the child hasn't been adequately prepared or if the parent hasn't chosen a care provider whom they can fully trust.
Therefore, parents need to sit down with their doctor and their chiropractor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to discuss the potential benefits that this care method can provide. Make sure that your child has an issue that can be treated with chiropractic care, such as a misaligned back, to ensure that they get the best results. And make sure that you find a provider who is specialized to work with children in this way to minimize problems.

Discover How Chiropractic Services Can Balance Your Body

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 18:30:00 GMT

A Simple Explanation of Yin and Yang
Everything in life must remain in balance, a Yin and Yang, or that thing falls apart. This falling apart can be all of a sudden or a slow and gradual decline. Even the earth itself must remain in balance, or the planet falls to unknown proportions. Think of a more straightforward item such as a piece of furniture. If that piece of furniture sits on uneven flooring something is bound to fall from it or possibly the item as a whole eventually tips over. You are mistaken if you believe that your body is any different. Your body must remain in balance, meaning the skeletal system framing your body must stay in alignment, or it begins to affect your vital organs, allowing for risk for chronic illnesses taking hold of your body.
Do you live by the assumption that what is out of sight is out of mind?
It is the things in life that you cannot view that are in danger of failing. While you cannot do much about keeping our earth in perfect balance, you can keep simpler things in life in balance, such as that piece of furniture and your body's structure. You can place lifters under the legs of of furniture to help it sit more even, and you can visit a quality chiropractor in Cedar Rapids to put your skeletal structure in as perfect alignment as possible to help better balance your body. This balancing takes immense pressure from your vital organs.
The chiropractor helps you to balance and coordinate your body. This readjustment of your skeletal systems enhances a healthier lifestyle. This doctor can realign and strengthen your muscles that make proper alignment possible. Not only can a misaligned skeletal structure cause disease and chronic conditions in your body, but also causes pain and discomfort upon movement. You rely on constant change to live your life to the fullest. You rely on your body's constant motion to get things done every day. Balance of everything in life is the key, including your body, your mind, and your spirit. While your chiropractic doctor may not be able to find a perfect balance for you, this doctor can help you significantly, but you also must help keep your body in balance through techniques such as diet, exercise, and regular chiropractic visits. It does not take a lot for the misalignment of your skeletal structure to occur. The simplest movement, such as exiting your vehicle, can cause misalignment of your spine if you do it hastily or in the wrong way.
The Necessity of Proper Daily Exercise and Well-Balanced Meals
Would you rather wash windows instead of exercise? You are not alone. If you start a simple exercise plan, it becomes a habit and your day does not seem to go well when you skip your exercise. Your chiropractic physician can direct you towards balancing, strengthening exercises that benefit your muscles and bones. You can learn how to bring your body into a better balance. Regular exercise helps you meet the daily demands of life.
Are you aware that when you exercise, even in the simplest of ways, your body produces a chemical in your brain that makes you feel better with increased energy and happier in general? This chemical improves your state of mind and physical status and improves how you look at yourself with regard to your self-esteem.
Eating well-balanced meals daily including the proper amounts of meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, bread, dairy, and by watching your carbohydrate intake leads to a healthier body.
The Chiropractic Doctor
A professional chiropractor trains for many years to help you keep your balance in life. Visits to this professional means a stronger central nervous system, spine, and vital organs. Keeping the central part of your structure in alignment, your spine, helps to improve your overall physical, mental, and spiritual condition.
Chiropractors help you to keep your joints, extremities, and nerves in excellent condition, rendering them strong, healthy, and flexible. How you can balance your mind is by keeping your central nervous system in as perfect condition as possible. You may not have thought about the fact that your body must communicate with all your bodily systems. This communication network is your nervous system. If your nervous system is not in good condition, how can it interact with the rest of the systems in your body, such as your muscles, skeleton, and vital organs?
A good chiropractor will help you to balance your life in general. This doctor helps you to stay healthy, and when everything is in balance, you find you are more positive in life. Some people think that if they go to the chiropractic practitioner once, they are hooked and reeled in to have repeated visits. This practitioner may want you to visit two times a week to start for a few months, and then the doctor starts to decrease your visits dramatically. You are instructed to return for a maintenance program or return if you start to have pain or problems. This doctor never requires you to visit for no reason, and this type of belief is not accurate or correct.
The Expertise of a Seasoned Chiropractic Doctor
Chiropractic care ideally starts at birth. However, many patients are not aware that this doctor starts treatment soon after birth at infancy. It is not uncommon for you to have developed structural problems at birth and lived with these problems all your life. When babies are born, it is a traumatic experience in the infant's body. The body is turned and twisted to make the birth happen. The natural birthing process in itself causes misalignment to the infant's skeletal structure. Making an initial chiropractic appointment is better late than never in a child's life, as these appointments continue to help the child develop a healthy neurological system. Kids are more resilient than adults and bounce back from traumatic situations fairly easily after chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Visits are for Everyone no Matter what Age
Chiropractic care significantly benefits every age group from new birth infants to the senior citizen. Children can develop poor posture and carry this poor posture into the adult years. Children fall often when playing and in sports, and so do adults to a smaller degree. Children and adults that are big fans of repetitive video games can cause misalignment of the spine. Those who drive for a living, do heavy lifting daily from backpacks to big packages, are at high risk for spinal misalignments. A simple task such as reading for long periods causes misalignment of the spine. Not eating well-balanced meals daily, getting adequate sleep nightly, and stressors such as at school, home, and in contact with chemical toxins can negatively affect the body, any accidents, and much more can benefit positively to chiropractic adjustments.
Call to Action
Our chiropractor in Cedar Rapids, IA cannot help you unless you take the first step towards wellness and give us a call at 319-393-4303. We await your request for an initial visit or a follow-up maintenance visit. We help you keep your body, physical, mental, and spiritual condition in tip-top form.

Four Things To Protect Your Back While Sitting At A Computer

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 01:03:00 GMT

Sit At A Computer All Day? Do These 4 Things To Protect Your Back
Up to 86% of Americans sit all day artwork. Sitting for long periods of time at a desk or computer is not good for your health. The good news is that your body is a self-healing organism. If you begin to care for it correctly, you can heal the problems associated with sitting for extended periods. If you have a desk job, try out these five tips to help you protect your back.
There’s An App For That
Our phones can help us get up and move around. One app inparticular, which has been promoted by the American Heart Association,is called Hotseat. It is precisely created to help desk-workers get up andmove around. The app can be customized to a worker’s schedule and workflow.
Get Up And Move
Work has become increasingly sedentary over the years, so it’s important that at least once every thirty minutes, you get up and move around. You could walk around the office, bend down and touch your toes, or do some other light movement. Regardless of whether you work with an app or not, built in reminders might help you move every thirty minutes. Seta phone alarm, put reminders on your schedule, or work with a partner in your office for accountability.
Treadmill Desk
Research shows that treadmill desks can help employees lose weight and be more active. Walking fires up many muscles in the body, including muscles around the spine and pelvis, and hips. Movement-hydrates spinal disks and gets blood flowing, which can relieve pain.
Sit Correctly
The best advice we can give you here at Jenkins Chiropractic is to try and use good posture when sitting at your desk. Place both feet on the ground instead of crossing your legs. Adjust your chair so that there is some low back support. Don’t sit in the same position for extended periods. Instead, shift and readjust frequently. It is best to have your knees at the same level as your hips, or lower.
Sitting too much throughout the day can cause back pain. By implementing a few simple changes to your routine, you can protect your back. Get an app or schedule reminders for yourself for regular movement breaks. Consider using a treadmill desk, and when you have to sit, always use good posture.

If the way you have been sitting is affecting your back, get in touch and book a free consultation with Dr.Jenkins !

Mattress Reviews

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 01:02:00 GMT

Here at Jenkins Chiropractic, we believe a good mattress is an important part of maintaining spinal health.But finding a quality mattress can be a frustrating (and expensive) process riddled with trial-and-error.
Luckily, a team of researchers did the legwork for us, investigating which mattresses offer both support and comfort. They scoured online reviews, spoke to sleep experts and chiropractors, and even personally tested top contenders in creating their mattress guide .
Since there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mattresses,they recommend options for various preferences-
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress: the overwhelming favorite
BedInABox Silk Symphony Memory Foam Mattress: the most luxurious
Tuft & Needle Mattress: the best cheap mattress (I use this personally, see my review)
The Casper Mattress: the runner-up
Their mattress review guide even includes handy tips to ensure your mattress is only doing your spinal and general health favors:
1. Try your new mattress for at least 30 nights before sealing the deal. You’ll want to look out for signs of neck and back pain and poor sleep quality.
2. Keep it clean. You can sprinkle baking soda across the bare top and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to deodorize. When you vacuum up the baking soda, you’ll also remove dust mites and dead skin cells.
3. Replace your mattress every five to ten years. Consumer Reports advises deep-cleaning it twice per year and rotating it every two months.

If you’re suffering from back pain due to sleeping on an old and lumpy mattress, get in touch and book a free consultation to see how Dr Jenkins can help you.

Reducing Symptoms of ADHD in Children with Chiropractic Care

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:59:00 GMT

In the U.S., approximately 11% of children aged four to 17 have AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the number of diagnoses has continually increased over the years. ADHD is characterized by difficulty concentrating, organizing thoughts and things, and memorizing new information. Many parents find that chiropractic care can be very helpful in relieving the symptoms of ADHD.
Help for Children with ADHD There are many ways that schools and parents can help children with ADHD; one is through organization. It is vital that children be able to learn and live in environments that do not exacerbate their symptoms. Thus, parents often design a home for children with ADHD in a minimalistic fashion, to avoid the distraction and frustration that can arise when clutter and too many furniture items are present. Organization is another key pillar when it comes to ADHD; because kids tend to find boring or repetitive tasks such as cleaning and tidying up difficult, by keeping everything well filed and organized, children can achieve a calmer state. Parents also report that yoga, which promotes mindfulness, confidence and a good mood, can help kids slow down and deal with stress and nerves. Another key step taken by many parents is to take their children to a chiropractor.
Research on the Benefits ofChiropractic Care for Children with ADHD Research published in the journal Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, indicates that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy can benefit children with ADHD, with improvements noted in symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness, as well as behavioral, social or emotional difficulties (which can also manifest themselves when in children and adults with ADHD). Another study found that after two months chiropractic treatment, a group of adult patients showed a significant improvement in attention. The researchers stated that spinal manipulation may positively affect the brain by creating plastic changes in the prefrontal cortex and other cortical and subcortical areas serving as neural substrate for the cognitive process of attention. Additional research theorizes that by adjusting subluxations, a child’s pain and discomfort is reduced, thus enhancing his/her ability to concentrate, learn and ‘sit still’. Treatments for ADHD often comprises of a combination of approaches, including behavioral therapy. However, many parents are reporting the reduction of symptoms from chiropractic care. By enabling a child to be more comfortable within their own body, and by improving nerve communications between the brain and the rest of the body, a child’s comfort grows exponentially. Therefore they are able to concentrate and learn more effectively.
If you would like to discuss chiropractic care for your kid who may be suffering with ADHD, please get in touch and book your free consultation .

Chiropractic Care To Build Health and Balance

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:58:00 GMT

Using Chiropractic Care To Build Health and Balance
Leading a healthy, balanced life, often entails one major aspect– exercise – and you may not know it, but leading such a life can seriously benefit from good quality chiropractic care. The benefits of chiropractic care extend far beyond the most well-known benefits of the practice. But what does a chiropractic session specifically with help when you’re aiming to lead a healthy and balanced life – and, what do you need to do to achieve that goal in the first place?
Day-to-day changes in your life
The simplest way to get up and running with a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle, is to work your way to making every day work towards your goals. Ideas for that can include taking regular breaks to stand up and walk if you work an office job, maximizing the amount of steps you take every day and basically get active without it seeming tedious.
When it comes to your day-to-day activities, chiropractors can help by doing an in-depth assessment of your posture and needs and making recommendations for equipment, such as work chairs to match.
Nutrition
That’s right, we haven’t even got to the workout yet. Nutritionis absolutely crucial to leading a balanced and healthylife . Your body is amachine and you need to keep it well-oiled to get the most out of it. Considertaking a food diary and making the most of every calorie, opting for naturalfoods that could leave you fuller – ditch chips for fruit and veg, and fattybeef for lean chicken.
And yes, nutrition is a crucial part of chiropractic. TheAmerican Chiropractic Association found that nutrition is necessary for chiropractors .As such, your chiropractor will be in good stead to provide you with specific, tailored recommendations on what to eat and drink to ensure you’re feeling as healthy as you can.
Exercise
You’ll be in pretty good stead if you have your food and exercise in order and should be feeling healthy – after all, weight loss is mostly diet for those looking to shed a few pounds.Exercise can push you through plateaus, however, and give you the ultimate boost you need to feel truly energetic, healthy and balanced, with science showing that exercise makes you feel good .
With exercise comes the risk of injury, however, and even the most seasoned and practiced athlete can put a foot wrong and end up with an ailment. This is again where chiropractic will come into its biggest strength, offering first-hand relief for a range of issues throughout your body through natural, non-intrusive and crucially, drug-free pressure.
Becoming healthy and balanced requires hard work and dedication– there’s no way around it. However, the methods are simpler than you think, and with your chiropractor in hand you can have the perfect support you need to achieve your goals.
If you live in Cedar Valley and would like to discuss our chiropractic services , please get in touch.

Chiropractic Care for the 3 Different Body Types

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:56:00 GMT

Chiropractic Care for the 3 Different Body Types
In physiology, we all have our own unique body type known as asomatotype which is a an important adjustive chiropractic tool. The three mainbody types are the endomorph, the mesomorph and the ectomorph. Using abody type calculator helps you to determine what body type you are, whichassists in the correct chiropractic treatment and helps you set realistic goalsin exercise and diet plans.
Pain is caused by the vertebrae of the spine losing theirmobility and alignment which puts pressure on the nerves connected to the brain.Chiropractors make mild adjustments to treat the misalignments of vertebrae,relieving nerve irritation and subsequent pain. Chiropractic care involves thehealth of the whole body so it is important for the chiropractor to know thatyou are eating correctly and training appropriately for your body type.
The Endomorph
Endomorphs have soft, round bodies with fat surrounding thestomach, hips and thighs. The main characteristics of endomorphs are athick rib cage, wide joints, short limbs and a stocky physique due to anaturally low metabolism and a low tolerance for high carbohydrate foods. They battle to lose weight and build muscle, especially without regularexercise.
Fitness goals are fat-burning exercises alternating between highintensity cardio and weightlifting and jogging in intervals of two minutes fastand one minute slow. The endomorph diet should include drinking plenty of water and eatinglarge portions of vegetables and whole grains, low carbohydrate intake and leansources of protein. Portions should be controlled and five to six smallmeals a day are suggested. Metabolism boosters such as caffeine and performanceboosters like BCAAs will maintain high intensity workouts.
The Mesomorph
Metamorphs have compact muscularbodies due to goodgenes in physique. The main characteristics of metamorphs are wideclavicles, a narrow waist, thin joints and a proportional physique. Theyare said to have the ideal body type and are naturally good athletes.
Fitness tips include a variety of resistance training, low tomoderate weightlifting and more frequent cardio for not more than 2 hours at atime. Metamorphs should have a balanced diet withequal portions of carbohydrates, protein and fats. Processed foods should be avoided and calorie counting is advised to avoidmuscle turning to fat.
The Ectomorph
Ectomorphs are described as delicately built and low on fat andmuscle tissue. They have high metabolisms and battle to build muscle no matterhow hard they exercise. The characteristics of ectomorphs are narrow hipsand clavicles, small joints, long limbs and a thin physique.
As ectomorphs lack muscle, cardio should be kept to a minimumand weightlifting chosen for fitness training. Overtraining shouldbe avoided with plenty of rest days in between to avoid putting muscles undertoo much stress. Dieting tips include increasing calorie intake withhealthy fats and protein. If weight gain is required, eating every two hours issuggested and high calorie weight gain shakes used in between meals. Plenty of protein powder and workout supplements should be added tothe diet when exercising.
Most people fit into one of these three body types, butespecially when it comes to women, some bodies may be a combination. Using the body type calculator with the correct measurements will will give youan idea of how to maximize your fitness with exercise and diet and assist thechiropractor in determining which alignment techniques will be more easilyexecuted than others. Regular chiropractic care helps you make the mostout of your physical structure, improving your health and well-being.
If you live in Cedar Valley and would like to discuss our chiropractic services , please getin touch .

5 Essential Tips for Making the Best Of Your Chiropractic Experience

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:54:00 GMT

According to The Good Body , at least 80% of allAmericans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. The prevalence of lower back pain symptoms is also increasing. In 1997, approximately 29.5% of seniors experienced lower back pain. In 2013, however, the prevalence amongst seniors increased to 33.7%. There was also a 0.9%increase in lower back pain symptoms amongst adults aged 18 to 65 in this time period. It is also reported that these symptoms are more prevalent amongst women. Furthermore, back pain causes disability in approximately 20% of women and 31% of men. While there are many different causes of joint pain in general, with lower back pain being one of the most significant problems when it comes to the prevalence of joint pain, we would like to focus on the potential treatment options – with a primary concern about chiropractic care – in this post.
It is important to note that a variety of treatment methods are available to treat lower back pain. For example, a doctor may prescribe a series of NSAIDs, also known as non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. This, however, can result in unwanted side-effects. There is also exercise and yoga that can be used to ease pain in the joints and in the back.In addition to these, many companies have developed products that contain particular natural substances and vitamins for joint pain that has been researched in scientific studies.
Tips To Make The Most Out Of Chiropractic Care
The American Chiropractic Association reports that manual-thrust manipulation, one of the primary techniques used in chiropractic care, is able to reduce lower back pain symptoms by approximately 30% in 94% of patients within four weeks. When it comes to prescribed medication, only 56% of patients are able to experience similar results in the same timeframe. They also report that switching to a chiropractic doctor for the treatment of lower back pain can save America as much as $83.5 million in medical care costs per year. Unfortunately, many people are still relatively skeptical when it comes to obtaining chiropractic care for their lower back pain. For this reason, we would like to give you some vital tips on how you can make the most out of your experience and improve the results you are able to obtain from your chiropractic sessions.
1. Choose The Right Chiropractic Doctor
The most vital part of going for chiropractic care is to choose the right doctor. Since this type of treatment is quite delicate, it is important that you choose a doctor that is experienced in chiropractic care to ensure you get access to the best treatment without having to be at risk of potential errors.Spine-Health.com recommends asking for a recommendation from a spine specialist, physical therapist or physician. These medical experts would most likely have some trustworthy and reliable chiropractic doctors on their contact lists as they may have referred other patients in the past. If you rely on recommendations from colleagues and friends, then do not go with the first option you hear – rather get the opinion of different people and see if there is one particular chiropractic doctor that the majority of individuals you ask recommend. Note that you also have the right to interview a chiropractor before you undergo treatment.
2. Don’t Forget To Hydrate
Chiropractic care may be a great way to reduce lower back pain, but there are many thing hat you can do after your session at the chiropractor to further improve your symptoms. One very important factor that you should attend to is hydration.There are small discs that can be found within the spine, which is responsible for absorbing shock. These discs also play a vital role in protecting your back against damage. Water is contained within the discs, but the water is constantly lost and then refilled. TheJoint Chiropractic explains that, when you are dehydrated, there won’t be an adequate amount of water to refill these discs; thus causing damage to the spine. This results in inflammation and pain.
3. Get Some Rest
Our daily schedules are often filled with many tasks and we have to run around all daylong to get to everything. This can be very stressful on your body – not only mentally, but also physically. You need to make sure you take some time off to give your body time to rest and recover, especially after you have gone for a chiropractic care session. Anxiety Centre reports that many of the symptoms you may experience, including spasms, stiffness, soreness and pain, may be a symptom of stress and anxiety. Take a day off, goto the chiropractor and spend the day in front of the television to give your body some much-needed relaxation.
4. Adequate Amounts and Quality OfSleep
Since we’re on the topic of relaxing and taking some time off, we should also focus on sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that as much as 35% of all adults do not get enough sleep. In addition to this fact, many people are also struggling with their sleep quality. Insomnia is a condition that can lead to many symptoms that can be unpleasant – including excessive tiredness and a decrease in productivity. PainScience.com also reports that insomnia can have a significant impact on chronic pain.
5. Focus on Your Posture
Finally, we would like you to focus on your posture as well. Your posture can have a significant impact on lower back pain. When you correct your posture and combine it with chiropractic care, the results can be significant. NaturalState Health Center recommends keeping your feet flat on the floor when you sit, with your shoulders relaxed and your forearms in such a position that they are parallel with the floor. They also recommend tucking in your stomach muscles if you stand for prolonged periods of time and to swift your weight between your two feet during such a time.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care has been proven to be an effective technique for reducing the severity of lower back pain, as well as many other common complaints that people have when it comes to pain symptoms. The treatment technique can also save millions of dollars in medical care costs. Many people have also been able to avoid having to undergo surgery following a back injury when their primary treatment option was chiropractic care. Here we looked at some vital tips that can help you improve your experience while obtaining chiropractic care. In addition to these tips and going to a chiropractic doctor, you can also use a natural supplement, such as Osteoflex , to further improve your symptoms.

Essential Tips for Dealing with Chronic Pain

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:50:00 GMT

While acute pain usually has a defined cause, course of treatment, and specified duration, chronic pain can wax and wane and last for weeks, months, and even years. It’s often difficult to find the exact cause of chronic pain, which makes it all the more difficult to live with.
The most important thing to remember if you suffer from chronic pain is that you must manage your expectations. If you expect that any treatment, medication, or behavioral modification will completely eliminate your pain, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. When it comes to chronic pain, it’s usually more about effective management than a cure.
Having said that, there are proven ways to help mitigate the effects of chronic pain. Here are some essential tips to get you started.
Be mindful of diet and exercise
What you eat and how you use your body both have a massive effect on chronic pain. Foods that cause inflammation are known to exacerbate chronic pain. It may help to avoid foods like nightshade vegetables (tomatoes),dairy, chocolate, red meat, and wheat products. Adding foods like leafy greensand fish high in omega-3s have been proven to reduce inflammation and help with chronic pain. You might want to look into reducing your alcohol intake and smoking cessation, if that applies to you.
Exercise can be a tricky prospect, depending on the level and location of your pain. But gentle exercise is recommended for those suffering from chronic pain. Walking, light jogging, swimming, and even activities like gardening can help. Find your balance. Know how hard to push your body to produce positive effects without causing additional pain.
Practice Meditation and Introduce Holistic Treatments
Activities that bridge the mind-body connection can help in managing chronic pain. This can include meditation and yoga but can be as simple as mindful breathing.
WebMD recommends repetition and deep breathing:
“The soothing power of repetition is at the heart of some forms of meditation. Focusing on the breath, ignoring thoughts, and repeating a word or phrase – a mantra – causes the body to relax. While you can learn meditation on your own, it helps to take a class. Deep breathing is also a relaxation technique. Find a quiet location, a comfortable body position, and block out distracting thoughts. Then, imagine a spot just below your navel. Breathe into that spot, filling your abdomen with air. Let the air fill you from the abdomen up, then let it out, like deflating a balloon.”
In addition, holistic methods that help restore balance and soothe muscles, like reflexology, chiropractic care or massage, can do wonders for chronic pain through a series of treatments. Yoga, another great option for helping with pain management, increases flexibility, strength, and vitality.All good things when fighting chronic pain.
Know the difference between positive and negative medicine
Prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammation and pain medications can help you deal with chronic pain, but you want to avoid becoming dependent on prescription pain meds to manage your pain. Not only are they addictive, but they have diminishing returns – meaning their efficacy will lessen the more you use them. Talk to your doctor about any and all medications you take for your chronic pain.
Own your pain
If you fail to be realistic about your pain, you could wind up causing yourself more pain. Refusing to acknowledge that ultimately you are in charge of your own pain can throw you into a vicious cycle.
“Too often, we get caught up in existential rumination like why we have this pain or what we did to deserve this. Most often, we expect the health care system to rescue us and, when it's fails, we get caught up in blame and anger. The result: tension builds, which leads to – you guessed it – more pain. To stop the cycle, decide that you will be the driver of your pain.Doctors and therapists will be there to help, but you are in charge of your pain,” says Scientific American .
Just remember to keep your expectations in check, and you may find that you are able to find some much-needed relief.
If you live in Cedar Valley and would like to discuss our chiropractic services , please get in touch .

ACHIEVING SMART FITNESS GOALS

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:49:00 GMT

Making a commitment to get healthy or fit is the first step to a healthier life. Most of us have, at one time or another made a promise to achieve some kind of health or fitness -related goal. Statements such as “I will lose weight” or “I will get fit” are good examples. While it’s important have these positive lifestyle intentions, we often fail at following through with them because the goal is simply too vague, unplanned and unrealistic. Not following through on a goal can leave you feeling discouraged, which leads to the exact opposite result than the one you had intended. Feeling like a failure can in turn lead to an increase in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. But on the flip side, achieving a goal can make you feel strong and well-organized, which often leads to following through on more positive lifestyle changes .
So what makes the difference between success and failure? It all comes down to beingSMART: Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Timed. This five-step method of goal setting is a valuable tool when trying to set realistic and attainable goals, and will set you up for a successful outcome.Here are five “SMART” tips to help you reach your fitness and wellness goals.
SPECIFIC
This means that every goal should be clearly defined. For example, saying “I want to lose weight ”is not specific. Instead, try “I want to lose 20 pounds total, in increments of one to two pounds per week.”
MEASURABLE
This means that you should be able to clearly measure your progress. Saying “I want to get in shape” gives you no clear way to assess your progress. In order to re-frame the above goal so that it is measurable, start by measuring your fitness level.Then, determine a six-week goal based on the initial data. For example, if you start out by being able to run five kilometers in 34 minutes, a measurable’ and realistic’ six-week goal would be to run five kilometers, with no walking breaks, in under 30 minutes.
ACTION-ORIENTED
This means you should outline specific steps that will enable you to successfully complete your goal. “I want to be able to run five kilometers” is a good starting place, but does not include any training details. Instead, you should say: “In six-weeks I want to be able to run five kilometers. I will achieve this goal by running four days per week.One run will be 45 minutes at a slower speed and three runs will be 30-35minutes at a faster speed.”
REALISTIC
When it comes to losing weight, we all tend to want the unrealistic and typically unhealthy quick fix. Don’t let yourself fall into this trap by setting unattainable health goals such as, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 10 days.”Instead, aim to lose half a pound to two pounds per week. Attempting to lose weight faster than this is unhealthy and will only set you up for disappointment.
TIMED
This means you should set deadlines that will keep you on track. Don’t say, “in one year I will go to my doctor, and she will be happy with my weight and blood pressure results.” Instead, set a firm date for that appointment, and then establish mini-goal deadlines between now and your appointment so you have plenty of time to achieve your final goal. If you track your progress with mini-goals over the course of that year, you won’t be scrambling to see results the week before your appointment.
Reward yourself for reaching goals
It can be helpful to set up both long term and short term goals. Plan to reward yourself with non-food treats each time you achieve a mini-goal. These rewards serve two purposes: First, having smaller, more achievable goals allows you to be and feel successful. The feeling of success can keep you motivated and on track.Second, non-food rewards help change behavioral patterns. Often in our society, we reward ourselves with fancy meals at a restaurant, a nice bottle of wine oran extra scoop of ice cream. Instead, try to reward yourself with all the other pleasures in life; a massage, a bubble bath, or that new yoga bag you’ve been eyeing.
Bottomline; remember that there are no quick fixes when it comes to fitness. Setting realistic goals, following the SMART program and making a genuine effort to attain your goal is a solid way to develop the healthy habits that will help you achieve long-term wellness and fitness success.
If you live in Cedar Valley and would like to discuss our chiropractic services , please get in touch .

Two Upper Body Exercises To Avoid

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:47:00 GMT

Having big, broad shoulders is a goal for many men and women that lift regularly. Unfortunately the shoulders are built for mobility rather than brute strength, which leaves them vulnerable to injuries, especially if you abuse them. Here are two upper body exercises to avoid that are commonly used to work the shoulder. Behind the Head Military Press Honestly I can’t believe I still see this at the gym, but unfortunately I do. There is absolutely no reason to do this lift. This exercise neck places large amounts of stress on the front of the shoulder joint. Your shoulder is not a joint that you want to injure, and that is eventually what will happen if you keep doing this exercise. You also risk banging the bar on your head while bring the bar down, which will not only hurt, but make you look like you have no idea what you are doing in the gym. You can work the exact same muscles (more efficiently), by simply letting the bar come down in front of your head and rest on your chest. Upright Row I admit, I used to do this lift all time. According to the old bodybuilding magazines, you had to include this lift if you wanted to grow big shoulders. Well we know not only is this not true, but it is also dangerous advice. This lift forces your shoulder into internal rotation, causing your humerus to bang up against the AC joint. Combined with weight, this can compress the nerves in the shoulder region and damage the cartilage in your AC joint. Over time, this can lead to arthritis, which can cause you a lifetime of pain. Stick to dumbbell or barbell presses as mass builders for your shoulders, and add in front and lateral raises for extra work.

5 Tips To Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:43:00 GMT

With the warm summer weather steadily getting closer, it is almost that time of year when many of us begin to think about trimming our bellies and getting a nice tan. Without the encroaching summer weather, however, getting fit is a goal most of us carry throughout the year. The only problem is that, for many of us, getting in shape is no fun. We have to watch what we eat and force ourselves to exercise in order to lose weight and tone our muscles. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to make getting fit a worry-free and even enjoyable experience.
1. Set realistic goals.
“It is great to have goals to work towards, but having goals that are unrealistic to reach do nothing to help you achieve anything. Your goals can be short or long-term, but they must also be attainable if you are to reach them in the desired amount of time. Setting goals that simply cannot be achieved, or having unrealistic expectations about it will only hurt your motivation and cause you to give up. For example, you should not expect to wakeup with a 6-pack after only a week of dieting and jogging a couple of miles every other day,” said Brooks Hitchcock, spokesperson for Fitness Goals .
2. Be specific with your goals.
You should plan out your goals so that you can achieve it via smaller, more manageable steps. Say that you want to lose a specific amount of weight by this time next year. Break the overall goal down by using a series of questions: How much weight do you want to lose in the total amount of time? How much weight should you lose each month? What results should I see on a weekly basis? If you can break your plan of attack into smaller details, it will make obtaining actual results and achieving your goal on time more realistic.
3. Ask yourself, “Why?”
Why do you want to lose weight? Other than the cliché response of getting healthy and looking your best, you must decide to do this for you and for no one else. Simply acknowledging that being overweight may be bad for your health is not enough to motivate you to actually lose weight. It requires an emotional and personal investment.
4. Make an action plan.
Being specific with your goals allows you to break them downinto an achievable action plan. Instead of simply exercising aimlessly orthinking about getting in shape, you plan can to have reached specific weightgoals by certain dates. You should write out your plan and post it in placesyou frequently walk by, like your desk or the refrigerator, in order to remindyourself in times of struggle.
5. Ask a friend for help.
Have one of your friends or coworkers act as your personal conscience while you work towards your fitness goals. This should be someone that you trust and that you see on a regular basis who can encourage and remind you to stick to your workout regiment and make healthy eating choices.
Getting in shape and living a healthier lifestyle is not easy, but it can be done. It is probably the best thing that you can do for your body. Do not wait. Make a plan, find a partner and start working your way towards a healthier and more fit you, today.

Chiropractic Care for Truckers: What to Know

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:40:00 GMT

Whether it is a local beverage delivery or a long-haul transport, truck driving is one of the hardest jobs on the human body. Although it is easy to overlook the massive toll that stacking hand trucks, securing loads or handling freight can have on your health, it is important to point out that the United States truck industry has one of the highest work injury rates. Studies show that truckers are more prone to low back pain and shoulder pain from long hours at the wheel or improper lifting. However, All truck owners and drivers can manage their injuries better and even prevent them from occurring, courtesy of chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic care refers to a non-invasive method of therapy that manipulates body structures – especially the spine – to relieve low back pain and prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Approximately 25 million Americans visit a chiropractor annually. Needless to say, for truckers, getting chiropractic services can mean the difference between a comfortable day at work and losing a career to a degenerated spinal disorder. Fortunately, more than 65,000 chiropractors have set up offices at truck stops across the country to provide truckers with quality on-site chiropractic care. Studies show that chiropractic health care is more efficient than medicine when it comes to relieving neck pain, after all. “There is no denying that chiropractic care is advantageous,” said Jim Sebesta of Minnesota Occupational Health Physicians . “With the advent of the on-site chiropractic clinics, more truckers are taking advantage of conveniences like substituting chiropractic care with medical care and using available medical resources. What’s more, employers whose truck drivers receive on-site chiropractic attention have reported that they do not suffer any indirect costs. A driver who received medication to relieve shoulder pain may not be able to do his job efficiently owing to the effects of the drugs.” If a trucker experiences any symptoms like shoulder pain, low back pain, knee or neck pain, they are best advised to consult a chiropractic doctor. Other than helping them examine their ergonomic risk factors, chiropractic care can help them relieve the mentioned symptoms. They do this using dietary changes, hands-on treatment and other safe techniques that do not involve the use of medicine. Do insurance plans cover chiropractic? The answer is yes. Although chiropractic treatment is technically considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine, benefits will vary among insurance plans. These specifics include number of visits allowed, amount covered and if a referral is needed. There are some other factors that vary from one provider to the other based on states. For a listing of chiropractic providers, you can go to USA-chiropractor.com .

Iowa Medicaid Changes for 2016

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:36:00 GMT

As many of you have heard, Medicaid is being privatized in 2016. This is being done in order to save the state money, as Medicaid costs have risen drastically over the last few years. How these new companies are going to be saving money is yet to be determined. The only logical way we can foresee them saving money, is by not covering medical procedures or paying less for medical services currently covered. Neither of these are good things for chiropractic, as Medicaid already covers the least services and pays the least amount of any carrier. Rest assured, we will still accept all Medicaid carriers going forward. Here are some other things we do know. 1. The transition date has been delayed for 3 months. Due to not enough providers being enrolled, they have given everyone a 3 month grace period to enroll. This means your services covered currently should not change until April. 2. There are three different carriers. The three carriers are Amerigroup, United Healthcare, and Amerihealth Caritas. 3. These carriers will have differences in what they require and what they cover. Some may be easier to work with. 4. We will be enrolled with all of them. At this point, we do not know which of these carriers will be the most chiropractic friendly. We will likely only figure this out as we go along. We don’t know how these new carrier’s will handle the chiropractic services portion of the health plans. Some things that they have done in other states include limiting the number of visits per year a patient can use or even requiring a medical doctor’s referral before a patient can see a chiropractor. Again, these are things that we will only learn along the way. If we learn anything else, we will let you know.

Tuft & Needle Mattress Review – Dr. Jenkins

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:35:00 GMT

One of things I get asked about frequently is which mattress is best. This is a tough question, as we don’t really learn anything about mattresses in our eight years of school. Over the years I have heard patients opinions on various mattresses which has helped me form some opinions, but I still didn’t have an answer when patients asked me what to buy. I believe now I do.

A few months back, I was talking with a fellow chiropractor and he said he finally found one he trusts to recommend to his patient, he actually said he ordered three for his own house. That mattress is theTuft & Needle mattress. I looked it up, and it just so happens to be the highest rated mattress on Amazon in the world. Before I would recommend it to anyone, I needed to try it out myself (we needed a new mattress anyways). I’ll tell you what I think, but I want to first tell you about the unboxing.

It comes shipped to your door, no strapping it on top your car! Also, the price of shipping is included in the purchase price. DidI mention the price? The Tuft & Needle is much cheaper than really any other quality mattress. A king size is only $750. I’ve had patients tell me they spent thousands on a new bed.
The bed comes shipped in a box, which is weird. I mean how does a king size mattress fit in a box? The mattress is flattened thin and rolled up really tight so that it can be shipped. Once you remove the first layer of plastic, it unfolds flat. Even then it is only a couple inches thick. My wife was still having doubts at this point. After you have it in place, you cut into the second layer of plastic wrapping, and suddenly the thing starts to expand rapidly. Within a few minutes you have a normal size mattress. The first thing I wondered was if it would actually be firm since it looked like a piece of foam. It actually felt too firm the first few nights.

Well we put the sheets on and went to bed. Here is whatI think so far. This is a great mattress. It isn’t so soft that you sink in and offer little support, nor is it too firm that it creates pressure points. It has not started to sink in where we sleep, and they claim that this mattress will stand up for years. The Tuft & Needle is just a great all around mattress that I think everyone would appreciate. Even better, it is made here in America, so you don’t have to worry about any dangerous“made in China” materials. For the price and quality, I couldn’t imaging buying anything else.

They have a great website that you should look at. Tuft& Needle also has a neat little video on how mattress manufacturers have been overcharging you for years. Let me know if you get one! Here is also a link to this mattress and some pillows I recommend on my website here .
2022 Update: Prices and selection have changed over the year. As of November 2022, I still have my original mattress I wrote about in this review!

Kinesio Taping Basics

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 22:57:00 GMT

KinesioTaping FAQ-Cedar Rapids
One technique that I usein my Cedar Rapids Chiropractic office is a special tape called Kinesio Tape. You most likely have seen it, whether it be on the olympics, or othermajor sporting event. It’s that bright pink, blue, or black tape thatappears on all parts of athletes. This blog post will answer cover thevery basics of Kinesio Taping and it’s origins.
1. Where did the word “Kinesio” come from? The name comes from the science of Kinesiology, because the tapingmethod and tape allows the body and muscles to move while it assists inrehabilitation.
2. What does Kinesio Taping® and tape do?
Kinesio Taping® Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain & inflammation,relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/daybasis. It is not a restrictive type of taping, and allows for full range ofmotion. In contrast, traditional sports taping is wrapped around a jointstrictly for stabilization and support during a sporting event. Kinesio® tapeis used for a wide range of problems. Examples include: carpal tunnel syndrome,lower back strain/pain, subluxations, herniated disc, knee conditions, shoulderconditions,sports injuries, etc.
3. Why is Kinesio® Tape used so much moreaccepted than other tapes?
It has a number of benefits that are not achievable with other tapes. It hasOne Hundred Percent High Grade Cotton – for comfort and breathing, One Hundredand Forty Per Cent Elastic – same flexibility as human skin, Heat ActivatedAdhesive – although very light, mild and hypo-allergenic Latex Free, AirCirculation Waves – to channel out sweat and water and enhance skin breathing,Durable – average usage 3-4 days per application, More Economical – usually 6-7applications per roll of tape.
4. Is it the tape or the technique that givessuch great results?
Without a doubt, the technique is the most unique, however, the full benefitswere not possible until Kinesio® tape was developed. The taping method requiresa tape that is patient and skin friendly, possesses optimum elastic qualities,the same thickness as the skin, and is durable enough to stay on multiple dayseven through persperaton, sweat and showers.
5. How is the tape applied?
Without getting too technical, the tape is applied over the affected area withthe muscles in a stretched position. Then the tape is applied from one end ofthe muscle to the other with very little stretch of the tape. The tape isapplied from the ORIGIN to INSERTION of the muscle for SUPPORT and fromINSERTION to ORIGIN for muscle relaxation.
6. What are the concerns or difficulties withKinesio Taping® (Trouble Shooting)?
A.) Skin needs to be free of oil, sweat, or lotion prior to application
B.) After application rub down tape to activate heat sensitive glue
C.) Avoid extreme stretching of the tape during application to avoid skinirritation
D.) Apply approx. 1 hr prior to activity or shower to allow glue to adhereproperly
E.) Skin irritation is extremely rare, but special care should be taken withhypersensitive skin patients.
That’s the basics ofKinesio Taping, I will get more in depth in upcoming posts, and also plan onposting some how to videos on Kinesio taping as well.
If you live in Cedar Rapids, and would like to talk more about Kinesio Tape, give our Cedar Rapids Chiropractic office a call today at 319-393-4303.
*2022 Update: We no longer provide Kinesio Taping services in our office. However, if you would like some help applying some during one of your visits, just bring your tape along

Can Chiropractic Treat Arthritis?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 22:41:00 GMT

I am oftenasked if the chiropractic carethat we provide can ever help arthritis pain. The short answer is yes . With chiropracticadjustments, we gently move the joints through their various ranges of motion.This helps to “un-stick” the joints, improve motion, and reduce pain. It doesnot remove the arthritis, but it improves your function.
Considerthis analogy. If you have ever looked closely at a rusty door hinge, you willsee that the metal is pitted and rough. The hinge squeaks, and the door haslimited motion. You get the WD-40 from the garage and spray it on the rusty hinge.After working the door back and forth, the squeak goes away. If you lookclosely at the hinge again, the metal is still pitted, but the door movesbetter. So it is with our spine and arthritis. The arthritis is pitted withrough cartilage lining our joints. Our chiropractic treatment is the WD-40 thathelps those squeaky joints. The arthritic changes are still present, but thejoint functions better and pain is usually reduced.
There arevarying degrees of arthritis just as there are varying degrees of rust onhinges. Some can be helped more than others. We periodically adjust the jointsto keep them moving better, and to slow the progression of the arthritis.
Have yourspine checked regularly to lessen the effects of arthritis. Callour Cedar Rapids Chiropracticoffice at 319-393-4303 to set up a free consultation.