Subluxations in Shawnee, KS

Subluxations go by a variety of different names including vertebral subluxation, nerve interference or vertebral subluxation complex. Subluxations in Shawnee, KS occur when spinal vertebrae lose their normal positioning or motion. This can cause irritation to nearby nerves that pass out from the spinal column and on to the tissues and organs of your body. Nerves relay messages between your body and your brain. As as result, taking care of subluxations in Shawnee, KS is very important to your health!

What Causes Subluxations in Shawnee, KS?

There are three main reasons why subluxations usually occur:

1. Physical reasons. Being involved in a car accident, a sport injury, repetitive stress on the body, a slip, a fall, improper lifting techniques, poor posture and inadequate sleep can all lead to subluxations in Shawnee, KS.


2. Chemical reasons. Smoking, drinking alcohol, poor nutrition and substance abuse can all read to subluxations. Toxins in your food and water can be a contributing factor as well.


3. Emotional reasons. Anger, grief and a negative attitude can affect your muscle tone, which can lead to a burden on your body.

Symptoms of a Subluxation:

• Severe pain.


• Visible displacement of a joint.


• Low energy.


• Stiffness or difficulty moving.


• Subluxations can trigger headaches, neck pain and joint pain.


• Spinal muscle spasms.


• Reduced mobility.


• Balance issues.


• Tenderness of the back.


• Pain in the neck or back.

How Can a Chiropractor Help With Subluxations in Shawnee, KS?

Chiropractors receive training that is specific to the spine. Chiropractors receive special training that is designed to help reduce nerve interference and allow the body to begin functioning normally again.

For individuals, who have longstanding subluxations in Shawnee, KS, poor muscle patterns can begin to form and a series of frequent visits to your chiropractor may be required to help strengthen and retrain the muscles.

For many people with subluxations, they do not even know that they have one. How can you find out if you have a subluxation? Regular chiropractic visits — even if you are feeling great — can help to keep your nervous system in great shape. The pain and stiffness of a subluxation can often be too much to deal with on your own. As a result, many people seek the help of a chiropractor to help ease the pain and get themselves on the road to recovery.

If you have questions about subluxations in Shawnee, KS or the Kansas City area, contact LifeWorks Integrative Health today at 913-730-5838.

Subluxations in Shawnee, KS

Desk Jobs and Back Pain in the Kansas City Area

Chances are when you accepted your desk job, you did not see anything in the job description regarding back pain. In fact, the thought probably never even crossed your mind that sitting at a desk all day could lead to back pain. After all, your job is not labor-intensive. Years ago, chiropractors frequently saw patients who were in labor-intensive jobs. Now, the tides have turned and chiropractors are seeing more and more patients who spend 40 plus hours per week sitting and staring at a computer screen. It seems that sitting all day can be just as bad for your work as performing intensive physical labor. Desks jobs and back pain can be a serious and painful problem.

Our bodies are meant to move; they are not meant to sit still for hours upon hours. Sitting all day long can be damaging for the spine. Spending too much time seated can lead to a herniated disc or pinched nerves. Spending too much time sedentary can also lead to obesity, which has a tendency to create back pain in the long run. Since a vast majority of jobs require at least some time spent in front of a computer screen, there are actions you can take to protect your back from pain now or later on in life. Desk jobs and back pain do not have to go hand-in-hand.

1. Get up and move around. You should never spend your entire 9 to 5 shift sitting in front of a computer screen. Be sure to get up and move around every 30 minutes. Get up and take a walk and do a few stretches. Your walk can be as simple as taking a walk to the kitchen for a healthy snack or to fill up your water bottle. Instead of e-mailing or calling a co-worker with a message, get up and deliver the message to them. If you have a headset, stand up while taking a phone call. You can even use your phone call time to walk in place or do a few stretches (this will be especially easy if you have your own office or are in a cubicle, where everyone cannot necessarily see what it is that you are doing!).

2. Put good ergonomic skills to work to prevent back pain. Ergonomics is the science of good posture while performing day-to-day tasks. Practicing ergonomics can help to prevent pain as well as injuries. If you work at a desk, practice good ergonomi skills by sitting with your feet flat on the floor and your back against the back of your chair. Your computer screen should be at eye level. Always avoid slouching.

3. Say no to elevators. Desk jobs and back pain do not have to be a fact of life even if the workplace is not the ideal location to exercise and stretch throughout the day. You can squeeze some fitness into your day that can do wonders for your back. Start by parking further away from your building instead of driving around looking for the closest spot. Do you use public transportation? Hop off the bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way to work. Always take the stairs instead of the elevators and make it your goal to do some walking during lunch.

Desk Jobs and Back Pain in the Kansas City Area

Chiropractic Treatment of Knee Pain in Shawnee

Goals of Chiropractic Treatment of Knee Pain in Shawnee:

The knee joint is one of the largest and most complex joints in the human body. Knee pain is an extremely common ailment that can affect individuals of all ages and activity levels. Many individuals have resigned themselves to this pain simply because they feel that knee pain is just a fact of life and is part of the aging process. Fortunately, chiropractic treatment of knee pain options in Shawnee are available for knee pain. Chiropractic treatment of knee pain can be beneficial if your knee pain is holding you back from participating in the activities you enjoy the most or if you have been struggling with arthritis and cannot seem to find a treatment that works for you.

Your Knee Joint:

Your knee relies heavily on muscles and ligaments for stability. The knee is a major weight bearing joint in the human body that consists of:

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  the tibio-femoral joint (the joint between the thigh and lower leg)

  
  


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  the patello-femoral joint (which is the joint between the kneecap and thigh)

  
  


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  a variety of muscles and ligaments which allow for mobility of the joint.

  
  


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  two ring-shaped cartilage discs known as the menisci.

  
  

 

The goals of chiropractic treatment of knee pain in Shawnee include:

Reducing joint inflammation and pain. Reducing inflammation and pain may include the use of supportive devices, avoiding activities that aggravate your pain, cold therapy to reduce pain and inflammation and soft tissue healing through the use of a variety of chiropractic techniques.

Normalizing your joint function. The goal of chiropractic treatment of knee pain in Shawnee is to help to restore normal function of your knee joint. Chiropractic manipulation techniques can be used to reduce pain, improve function and increase mobility of your knee joint.

Rehabilitation. Chiropractic care of knee pain in Shawnee often includes a rehabilitation program when appropriate. Exercises can be used to improve strength, increase endurance, improve stability and aid in the prevention of knee injuries.

Chiropractic Treatment of Knee Pain in Shawnee

Chiropractic Care of the Spine as You Age

Chiropractic care of the spine is nothing new. Older adults have been relying on chiropractic care of the spine for years to ease their aches and pains. However, little has been researched on the use of chiropractic techniques on a daily basis for senior citizens. Should chiropractic care of the spine be a benefit in routine care of the elderly? New research indicates that visiting a chiropractor is not just helpful for back pain in older adults; visiting with a chiropractor may even protect the elderly from increased limitations in daily activities.

A new study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics looked at data from a United States national survey conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This national survey was called the survey on Assets and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old or AHEAD. As a part of this survey, 1,057 Medicare recipients with complaints of back pain were deemed eligible for inclusion in the study between the years of 1995 and 2006. Medicare recipients were asked to complete a survey on topics including their overall health, their abilities to complete daily living activities and regarding their lower body function. To clarify, daily activities included functions such as going to the grocery store or being able to walk up the stairs. Researchers then analyzed the medical records of participants to see who received medical care and who received chiropractic care of the spine during reported instances of back pain during this 11 year span.

During their analysis, researchers found that those who received chiropractic care of the spine were less likely to have difficulty completing daily tasks and with lower body function than those who received only medical care. This meant that chiropractic patients were less likely to report declines in their health while completing the AHEAD survey. Researchers found that chiropractic care of the spine appeared to help protect the elderly against increased disability as they continue to age.

This study adds to earlier research indicating that chiropractic care of the spine is safe for senior citizens with neck and back pain. Chiropractors can aid in the treatment of a number of spinal conditions, disc herniations and arthritis. Aging can cause the spinal discs to collapse and dehydrate. This makes the elderly even more prone to back ailments such as pinched nerves and bulging discs. Seeing a chiropractor for routine check-ups on the spine can help to ensure that your spine is in good shape and aging well. This can help protect you from a wide-variety of back and neck conditions as you age.

Chiropractic Care of the Spine as You Age

Muscle and Joint Pain in Shawnee, KS

Muscle Pain vs. Joint Pain in Shawnee

How can we tell the difference between muscle and joint pain in Shawnee? Whether it’s muscle or joint pain in Shawnee, when you are in pain telling the difference between the two can be confusing. Here’s a look at the differences as well as how you can treat and prevent joint and muscle pain in Shawnee.

What is Muscle Pain?

Muscle pain originates in your muscles. As a result, you can experience muscle pain everywhere. Muscle pain can be caused by vigorous exercise, an injury, a fall or even an illness. Muscle pain can take on a variety of forms, pains can include:

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  pulled muscles

  
  


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  muscle cramps

  
  


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  muscle spasms

  
  


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  aches

  
  


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  torticollis (also referred to as neck pain)

  
  


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  sprains or strains

  
  

Unlike joint pain, muscle pain is usually sharp and usually temporary opposed to joint pain that is related to arthritis. Sometimes, muscle and joint pain in Shawnee can seem very similar. If you are unable to tell the difference between muscle in joint pain in Shawnee, contact a health care professional for an expert opinion.

Preventing Muscle Pain:

Keep in mind that preventing muscle and joint pain in Shawnee can go hand-in-hand. Whether you are trying to prevent muscle or joint pain, follow our tips for a healthier lifestyle and to avoid muscle and joint pain in Shawnee.

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  Be sure to take the time to warm up before engaging in exercise. You should also remember to stretch following physical activity to help prevent muscle pain.

  
  


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  Drink plenty of water. Ensure you are properly hydrated before participating in sports or exercise.

  
  


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  Avoid any sudden movements during vigorously intense exercise.

  
  


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  When beginning a sport or new form of exercise, increase the intensity of your workout gradually. This will allow your muscles to adapt and help to prevent muscle pain.

  
  


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  Understand your limitations. Know what you are capable of and not capable of.

  
  

Treating Muscle Pain:

If you do suffer from muscle pain, there are steps you can take to help alleviate any pain and discomfort.

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  If you experience muscle cramps, pay specific attention to those muscle when stretching. Always stretch these muscle prior to physical activity. Icing and massaging the area can also be beneficial.

  
  


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  If you experience sharp muscle pain with swelling, ice the affected area regularly. Treat muscle pain by applying ice to the area for 10 minutes at a time, four times each day.

  
  


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  For muscle spasms, treat your muscle pain with heat opposed to cold. Heat helps to relax muscles. With muscle spasms, ice can increase muscle stiffness.

  
  


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  Avoid motions and activities that worsen your muscle pain.

  
  

What is Joint Pain?

Joint pain is any discomfort that occurs in any of the joints of your body. A joint is a point in the body where two or more bones meet. Joint pain may also, in some instances, be referred to as arthritis. Joint pain may be mild and cause some soreness while using a joint. Joint pain can also be severe; making it nearly impossible for you to use your joint. While joint pain can be very uncomfortable, joint pain is rarely an emergent problem. Mild joint pain can often be treated at home. Joint pain can be the result of:

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  An autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

  
  


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  Gout

  
  


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  Viral infections

  
  


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  Bursitis

  
  


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  Chondromalacia

  
  


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  Injury

  
  


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  Osteoarthritis

  
  


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  Osteomyelitis

  
  


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  Tendinitis

  
  

Preventing Joint Pain:

Preventing muscle and joint pain in Shawnee can sometimes have very similar methods.

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  Engage in regular exercise. Exercise helps to improve bone density as well as muscle strength, flexibility and balance.

  
  


• Enjoy a bone-healthy diet. Your diet should be rich in calcium as well as Vitamin D to help ensure strong, healthy bones.

Muscle and joint pain in Shawnee can be just that — a pain! LifeWorks Integrative Health can work to get you back on your feet and back to your favorite activities.

Muscle and Joint Pain in Shawnee, KS

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica in Shawnee, KS

Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Sciatica in Shawnee, KS?

Sciatica refers to pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs. This leg pain can take on the form of a bad leg cramp. However, it can also take the form of shooting pains that make everything from sitting to standing uncomfortable. Sciatica can occur suddenly or develop overtime. The pain of sciatica can be made worse when you sneeze or cough. Sciatica can be one of the most painful and most persistent conditions around. Millions of individuals each year make the trip to a doctor’s office with the goal of curing sciatica. What many people don’t realize is that chiropractic care for sciatica in Shawnee is actually quite popular.

Chiropractic care for sciatica in Shawnee, KS with LifeWorks Integrative Health

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica at LifeWorks Integrative Health :

The goal of chiropractic care for sciatica in Shawnee is to help the body’s potential to heal itself. Chiropractic care of sciatica in Shawnee is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movements can lead to pain and minimize function as well as performance. By choosing chiropractic care for sciatica, you are opting for drug-free and non-invasive care.

Chiropractors use a variety of different therapies based on the cause of each individual patient’s sciatica. A chiropractic treatment plan for sciatica in Shawnee may include:

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  Cold Therapy. Your chiropractic care for sciatica in Shawnee may include ice or cold therapy. This helps to reduce inflammation and control the pain associated with sciatica. Cold therapy is also a process that you can learn to engage in at home for even more relief of your sciatica symptoms.

  
  


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  Ultrasound Therapy. Ultrasound applies gentle heat to the body by means of sound waves that can penetrate deep down into your tissues. As part of chiropractic care for sciatica in Shawnee, ultrasound helps to increase circulation. Ultrasound can also reduce muscle spasms, cramps, stiffness, pain and swelling.

  
  


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  Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (more commonly known as a TENS unit). A TENS unit is a small, box-shaped, portable device that is designed to help stimulate muscles. With a variety of intensities when it comes to electrical current, a TENS unit helps to control acute pain as well as reduce muscle spasms.

  
  


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  Spinal Manipulation. Spinal manipulation may also play a role in chiropractic treatment of sciatica. Spinal adjustments are the core of chiropractic care and can help to free restricted movements of the spine. Spinal manipulation also helps to restore misaligned vertebrae and reduce nerve irritability.  Nerve irritability is often responsible for causing pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and other symptoms that are associated with sciatica. While you may require several adjustments, many people experience pain relief in as little as one adjustment.

  
  

Chiropractic care for sciatica in Shawnee has been proven to combat the agonizing pain associated with sciatica. The result of chiropractic care for sciatica are long lasting and can help you return to the activities you enjoy the most. Be sure that your chiropractor takes x-rays prior to beginning any treatments. Your chiropractor should be made aware of any underlying conditions that may affect treatment options. With the help of a chiropractor in Shawnee, Kansas, you can find a treatment plan that meets your specific needs and wants.

 

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica in Shawnee, KS