Natural Remedies for a Herniated Disc

August 17, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

When working to keep your spine healthy, we want to address the discs, or the cushion between each vertebrae. Sometimes the disc can bulge from too much pressure or even spill out in which case it is considered a herniated disc.

A herniated disc may also be referred to as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc. This can be caused by wear and tear or an injury.

An MRI can confirm a herniated disc. However, many people will recognize the symptoms of back pain or shooting pain, but symptoms can vary from person to person. Regardless, it is always better to be proactive when it comes to your health. The spine is degenerative in nature, so taking action as early as possible is wise.

Nutrition
Collagen is required to repair and restore damaged soft tissues such as the disc and surrounding ligaments. You can find collagen in bone broth which is very easy to make and inexpensive! Throw some bones in a slow cooker. Add water and a Tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Keep in on low for 24 hours and you’re good to go. It’s easy and freezable! You could also use supplemental form. I use one from Great Lakes Gelatin Co. that’s hot or cold liquid soluble. For a herniated disc, two to three servings a day are typically recommended.

Foods rich with antioxidants are also recommended for herniated discs. Examples of these foods are blueberries, blackberries, and artichokes. Anti-inflammatory foods and/or supplements also will speed the healing process for herniated discs. Examples of these include turmeric, omega-3 fish oil, and an overall whole-food diet.

Exercise and Movement
With a herniated disc, it is critical that posture is addressed. Herniated discs can stem from a loss of normal curvature in the spine. For example, a forward head posture can lead to loss of the normal curve and make you prone to a herniated disc in the neck. Specific exercises can be prescribed for the area of the spine in trouble. At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we can also work to incorporate traction to the spine along with therapies to help hydrate the discs.

Get Corrective Chiropractic Care
Of course corrective chiropractic care can be highly beneficial to a herniated disc. Corrective care, or a series of adjustments to help retrain the spine and its movement can help get the pressure off of the disc and facilitate healing.

A herniated disc may touch neighboring nerves which can cause pain and symptoms. A chiropractic adjustment will help allow the nerves to transmit without interference.

Natural Herniated Disc Remedies

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9 Ways to Take Your Workout to the Next Level

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. 1 Comment

If you’ve found yourself part of the growing trend of hitting the gym HARD, here are reasons your chiropractic adjustments might be a game changer in helping to avoid the dreaded plateau:

Lower incidence of injury – Many patients note better balance while under chiropractic care. This means not only a lower risk of falling, but an increase in stability at the gym which is important in most high power exercises. In addition greater communication between the brain and the body means the brain can more effectively tell the muscles to relax before they start to strain.
Be Stronger – When your nerve flow shuts down, you become weaker. Chiropractic adjustments increase the nerve power to the muscles so that they work and develop properly.
More Energy – Adjustments allow for your body to work with greater efficiency, leaving you with more energy!
Better Results – If your goal is weight loss, chiropractic has been reported to improve metabolism. Your overall athletic performance improves when your body has better electricity (Nerve Flow) running through it.
Improved Coordination – Certain adjustments improve the nerve flow to your eyes. Better vision will allow for improved hand-eye coordination which is important for all athletes, in the gym or while participating in a sport.
Boosts the immune system – When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is hit the gym for a tough workout. This causes setbacks that are not welcome by hardcore gym fanatics. A stronger immune system means you get sick less often, and if you do get sick, you’re recovery is much quicker and easier.
Enhances pulmonary function for better endurance!
Increased Flexibility. Adjustments help restore proper motion to the joint which of course allows you to bend and twist with greater ease!
Relieves muscle tension. Adjustments reduce inflammatory cytokines. Working out hard leaves you sore. Chiropractic care speeds your recovery so you can feel strong again faster

At Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka MN, our professional athletes get adjusted to have the winning edge and optimize performance. To see how we can help you perform better, please contact us for your free consultation at 952-681-2863.

When you feel Numbness or Tingling

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

At some point you’ve probably had the sensation of numbness or tingling. It could be your foot that “fell asleep” or you might experience the feeling of “pins and needles.” Occasionally a person can have a momentary tingly elbow from hitting it at just the right spot or tingly feet from sitting on them. However reoccurring symptoms of tingling or numbness is not normal and should be checked by your chiropractic doctor.

Numbness and tingling is your body’s way of communicating that there is a nerve problem! It is commonly felt in the hands and fingers but can be also be felt in the feet, legs, elbow, or throughout the body. Regardless of location the sensation occurs when a sensory nerve becomes impinged and therefore there is reduced input from that nerve to the brain. Normal sensation returns in most cases upon removing the impingement.

Long lasting or severe impingements can lead to nerve damage and possibly permanent numbness so removing the insult is critical. Once it is removed, typically by chiropractic adjustments, the nerve undergoes a repair process. Commonly nerve impingements occur in the spine due to subluxation (when a bone out of place impinges on a nerve) or herniated discs. When the numbness or tingling is felt in the shoulders, arms, wrists, or fingers the nerve pressure is typically occurring the cervical spine (neck). Nerve sensations in the legs or feet are usually coming from pressure on the lumbar (low back) spinal nerves.

Chiropractic Helps with Numbness and Tingling

Chiropractors remove nerve interference without the use of drugs, needles, or surgery. It is completely natural and non-invasive. Removing nerve irritation results in a better feeling and a better functioning body.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka MN, we are here to remove any nerve interference so that your body can innately heal. We want to get to the cause of the problem and provide a care plan to get you results that keep you feeling and functioning at your absolute best! Call Today to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION to see how we can improve your health! (952) 681-2863

Massage Therapist in Minnetonka

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

A growing number of people consider massage a part of their regimen to recover or maintain health. Massage therapists can not only be found in spas, but in chiropractic offices, physical therapy clinics, hospitals, cancer care centers and nursing homes. A massage therapist’s clientele can range from infants to the elderly.

Include massage in your health and wellness routine and combine it with your chiropractic care!

Many referrals to massage therapists come from Chiropractors as they see the benefits of massage on its own as well as the great compliment it is to chiropractic care. Receiving massage along with your regular chiropractic appointments may aid in easier adjustments post massage, help the adjustment last longer than if no massage was given and provide an additional proactive benefit for your overall health.

Massage goes hand in hand with chiropractic care because it breaks up scar tissue, reduces stress, decrease swelling, and improve range of motion.

Some other benefits of massage include:

Lowers blood pressure
Reduces chronic pain
Boosts immune system
Reduces post-operative pain
Decreases tension headache frequency and help with prevention of headaches
Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
Reduces levels of anxiety and fosters peace of mind
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
Reduces swelling
Reduces the formation and excessive presence of scar tissue
Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
Enhances athletic performance
Improves posture
Promotes deeper and easier breathing
Reduces cancer-related fatigue and pain

At Relief Plus Chiropractic we want you feeling your best! Our massage therapist at Relief Plus Chiropractic is trained in managing whiplash, prenatal massages, sports injuries, and auto accident injury. To schedule a massage, call 952-681-2863.

Why it is Important to See a Chiropractor after a Car Accident – Minnetonka

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. 2 Comments

Chances are you’ve been in a car accident or know someone who has. Accidents happen all the time whether you hit a deer, run into a sign, hit another vehicle or someone hits you. Chiropractors are trained in checking for whiplash and injuries after someone has been involved in a motor vehicle accident. You may wonder why you should you get your spine checked following an accident?

If the car needs repair chances are good that you need repair as well. If the force at impact was great enough to smash metal, then I’m sure you would agree with me that the same force could have potentially shifted the joints in your spine. A car can be smashed in but still drive okay. Similarly, your spine can have resulting damage from an auto accident but you can still feel okay. Regardless of how you feel, a chiropractic evaluation will reveal any spinal damage caused by the accident.

Often times the car is the first priority of the accident victim. It can be overwhelming to try to get everything back to normal following an accident. Of course it is a good idea to get repairs made to your car. But as I tell many patients, we typically go through multiple cars in our lifetime but only get one body to live in.

Like many health problems, the damage from whiplash can set in silently where consciously you are unaware that the problem is developing. We see this often as many times patients come in months after the impact with terrible shoulder tension or headaches. At this point scar tissue has set in and it is much more difficult to get the patient to where s/he wants to be in regards to health.

The sooner an injury patient gets checked following the accident the better the resulting health! It is so important to get checked to avoid chronic pain in the future or permanent damage. The longer you wait after the accident means you will have a higher chance of experiencing irreversible spinal damage.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic we specialize in chiropractic and massage to get you feeling good and give you maximum opportunity to avoid chronic pain. A car accident, can result in soreness or experiencing symptoms such as:

Neck pain
Headaches
Poor Sleep
Feeling Dizzy
Back Pain
Numbness
Anxiety
Joint Stiffness
Loss of Range of Motion
Knee Pain
Numbness
Tingling

Degeneration in the joints begins in as little as two weeks. Unfortunately this damage is irreversible. This is why it is critical to get evaluated immediately by a chiropractor.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we have had the opportunity to help a variety of patients involved in auto accidents. We want to be sure that you can have your life back and enjoy life into the future! Please visit www.releifplusmn.com to learn more or give us a call (952) 681-2863.

Lose Weight to Lose Pain!

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

This time of year many are striving to get their bodies back in shape after the holidays. New Year’s resolutions can be a good tool to get you on track to reaching your target weight. We all know that there are so many health benefits to losing weight, not to mention the satisfaction of looking and feeling better!

From a chiropractor’s prospective, shedding extra pounds can also help you ditch the back and joint pain you might be experiencing and here’s why:

One study by Kapandji in The Physiology of the Joints, found that every extra pound of weight a person carries equates to 10 pounds of extra pressure on the discs in the lower lumbar spine! This explains why individuals that are overweight commonly experience lower back pain.

This means that carrying 20 extra pounds is the equivalent of 200 extra pounds of pressure on the discs in the lower spine. This is dangerous for the spinal disc and also slows recovery.

This added pressure on the spine is harmful to your overall health. The spinal cord connecting your brain to your body runs through your spine. This added pressure chokes off nerve supply, meaning organs and tissues aren’t getting their full nerve supply from the brain and therefore not functioning at their full potential.

Losing weight decreases pressure on the nerve system which controls all other body systems. Reducing stress on the nerves improves your body’s function, allows you to heal better, and decreases pain.

Of course exercise and nutrition must be addressed when it comes to weight loss. Chiropractic is important too as it allows the joints to move properly. This is important for a safe and sustainable workout regimen. In addition, chiropractic adjustments improve energy, immune system, sleep, metabolism, and organ function.

While chiropractic care is extremely effective in alleviating low back pain, losing any necessary weight will accelerate your results. If you or someone you know is experiencing low back pain, give our office a call today – (952) 681-2863 for your FREE consultation! At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we look forward to helping you achieve all of your health goals!

Shoulder Pain

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

Shoulder problems can come in many forms. Some suffer from persistent pain while others have recurring pain or the inability to carry items or use the arm. As frustrating as it may be, you are smart to look to chiropractic as a means to helping your shoulder problem naturally.

Problems in the shoulder can arise from a variety of reasons; of course trauma and commonly from overuse. Repetitive motion or overuse causes inflammation of the tendons and the bursa that lie between the ball and socket of the shoulder.

In addition, the arm being a large lever on the body can pry at the spine. This force can cause vertebral subluxations by pulling at the vertebrae, especially in the neck and upper back. When these vertebrae get stuck out of their normal position, it leads to pressure on the nerves that go to the shoulder region. This not only can cause pain but may also result in other symptoms such as lack of range of motion, inability to lift the arm, numbness, or tingling within the shoulder or even into the elbow and hand.

Forward head posture is also a culprit to shoulder pain. When the head is carried forward rather than in line with the shoulders, a person’s relaxed posture becomes one in which the shoulders are rolled inward. This places abnormal strain on the muscle groups in the shoulder area.

Impingement Syndrome is one of the most common shoulder problems. The pain is usually felt deep within the joint in the front of the shoulder and worse with overhead activities. In these cases, when the soft tissues of the shoulder are repetitively used, it can lead to inflammation. Increased inflammation, or swelling leads to the impingement in the shoulder and the sensation of pinching when the arm is lifted.

Inflammation of the tendons and bursa, if left untreated can progress to chronic scarring and permanent thickening of the involved soft tissue. This makes healing more difficult and the permanent damage in severe cases can lead to tears that could potentially require surgery.

Chiropractic Treatment of the Shoulder

Before treatment can begin for any condition it is of most importance to perform a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the problem and its severity.

Treatment and rehabilitation of the shoulder can help to restore normal biomechanics of the shoulder and prevent future injuries to the area. Flexibility and strengthening are emphasized to support the joint. Also, massage therapy helps to break down and remodel the scar tissue that has formed. When all of the joints involved are functioning properly, there is less stress on the pulling soft tissues!

To figure out the cause of your shoulder problem, contact our chiropractic office today at (952) 681-2863. At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we want to get you out of pain as quickly as possible, but also get you on the road to long-term correction! Consultations are always free, and we look forward to helping you!

Minnetonka Chiropractor Helps Sinus Congestion Naturally

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

By this point, we’re all very familiar with the pharmaceutical drug ads on TV that list off a number of potential side effects – many of them dangerous and life changing. With chiropractic, we could do the same thing -only the “side effects” are the benefits!

Everyone knows that chiropractic helps with neck pain, back pain, and headaches, but most people don’t know that one of the benefits of chiropractic adjustments is the relief from sinus congestion. Many of our patients report sinus drainage after an adjustment many of them almost immediately!

In our experience, people with sinus issues also have neck pain, neck stiffness, and/or headaches. This makes sense anatomically speaking. The neck is where the spinal nerves that control your eyes, ears, nose, throat, and sinuses exit. The neck also houses the nerves that go to the muscles in the head and neck as well as the nerves that control your immune system.

In addition, if the joints of the neck are not moving properly, the neck muscles can get tight and stiff. This constricts the drainage ducts that run from the sinuses down the neck muscles. This makes it difficult for the sinuses to drain properly, which can also contribute to chronic sinus congestion.

If the vertebrae in this region are not moving properly, have degenerated, or are out of alignment, there is pressure on the spinal cord and local nerves. This added pressure hinders the ability of the body to properly communicate with the brain which in turn decreases your body’s function.

The tricky thing is our senses don’t have the ability to always know when this is happening. In the case of the sinuses, most people don’t recognize that the problem is coming from the spine because the symptom or pain is felt in the sinuses.

While most people turn to a drug or pill for sinus relief, we all know that no pill or drug will ever move the bone. If subluxation, or pressure on the nerve is causing your sinus issues, drugs will only at best provide temporary relief.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we look to the cause of the problem and work to correct the problem which ultimately leads to better health and a better life for you and everyone else.

As one of Minnetonka’s top chiropractors, we look to the cause of your problem with an examination and any necessary x-rays. Once we better understand your condition, we get great results helping people of all ages with sinus congestion.

For more information you can visit us on the web at www.reliefplusmn.com.

Give us a call at 952-681-2863 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION and to see if chiropractic is right for you!

Is Cracking Your Own Neck Dangerous?

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

As a chiropractor, I often hear of people telling me that they have to “crack” their own neck on a regular basis or they may ask me, is it all right to crack my own neck? The answer is NO, it’s not okay and here’s why:

Most of us have witnessed someone cracking their neck, and we think it is no big deal. It may feel good or provide temporary relief, but manipulating your own neck can be hazardous to your health. The neck contains not only ligaments, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, and bone but also the lower part of your brain stem and spinal cord. These structures are responsible for the communication between the brain and the body as well as sending oxygen to the brain.

The more you “crack” your own neck the more you want to do it. It can seem addicting! It tends to be a malicious cycle, and a good reason to get the underlying problem addresses at a chiropractic office. If you’re experiencing tightness or stiffness within your neck, there’s a good chance that you are developing a structural problem.

Mobilizing your own neck can create instability within the cervical spine. The ligaments that are designed to support and stabilize your neck become stretched and lax. This creates more work for the supporting muscles. Over time these overworked muscles become weak. In addition it leads to hyper- mobilization and instability. As the joints become more unstable, the body works to counteract this by laying down more bone. This leads to an irreversible condition called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. When degeneration is present there is more compression on the spinal structures such as the disc and nerve root which creates health problems and often pain.

Chiropractors are trained in making specific adjustments in the cervical spine. Receiving chiropractic adjustments allows for the proper motion of the joints which counteracts any osteoarthritis or slows down the degenerative processes. It also prevents many of the health problems that self “cracking” can cause. In addition, a chiropractor can correct any structural issue that is causing the discomfort and urge to “crack” your own neck in the first place.

If you or someone you know experiences neck tension or the urge to pop your own neck, call 952-681-2863 now to take advantage of your free consultation at Relief Plus Chiropractic. Dr. Sara Hillesheim is a chiropractor at Relief Plus Chiropractic in Minnetonka MN. We are here to help you improve your life and create a healthy future!

Whiplash After Car Accident

March 31, 2016 By Dr. Sara Edwards, D.C. Leave a Comment

This time of year, as the conditions of the roads change to ice and snow we are all more prone to car accidents. Many Minnesotans experience whiplash injuries, as most car accidents in Minneapolis are rear end collisions. If you or someone you know has found to be in this unfortunate situation, it is imperative to have your spine checked for whiplash as soon as possible.

How do you know if you’ve had Whiplash?

Whiplash, or neck injury is not something to take lightly. A thorough chiropractic examination along with x-rays can determine the extent of your injury.

Pain is not always present with whiplash injury. A very common occurrence following an auto collision is to feel fine initially, with a delayed onset of symptomsa. In some cases, the degeneration sets in silently after the whiplash and the pain and health problems show up weeks, months, or even years later.

Damage to the car is also not indicative of injury. In fact, physics tells us that in cases where there is no damage to the car, the occupants absorb most of the force. Injury can occur even if hit by a car going less than 5 mph, so we also know that speed of the collision does not correlate to the degree of injury.

How does Chiropractic Help with Whiplash?

Chiropractors are trained for these types of injuries, and it is important to work with a provider who understands the problem. Chiropractic along with massage therapy restores joint and soft tissue function after whiplash. When the injury is left untreated, arthritis, degeneration, surgery as well as a number of other health problems can result, even if the initial injury seemed minor.

One study, known as the Woodward study, found 93% of 28 whiplash patients to significantly improve while under chiropractic care. Prior to the study many of the patients had tried NSAIDS and physiotherapy.

Whiplash injuries, headaches, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, tingling, numbness, and a number of other issues respond very well to effective treatment from a chiropractor.

At Relief Plus Chiropractic, we have had success with a number of whiplash injury patients. We’ve also found that the best results are with those who get care shortly following the incident. They are much more difficult to correct if you’ve waited a long time to get help. The sooner you start receiving care, the less chance there is of developing long-term damage.

Relief Plus Chiropractic is a leading healthcare center serving Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Hopkins. We have experience helping people who have suffered not only from whiplash injuries, but also from other injuries following a motor vehicle accident. Call today to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION at (952) 681-2863.