What Causes Inflammation? Chronic inflammation is among the most significant health issues many of us will face today. It’s been linked to everything from chronic pain to a wide range of other mild and serious medical conditions. It’s important not to mistake acute inflammation for chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation describes your body’s natural defense mechanism…
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Why Does My Neck Hurt? Your neck has a tough job. It has to hold, stabilize, and move the weight of your head every day for a lifetime. Holding up 11 pounds may not seem like a lot, but the seven bones and 20 neck muscles need to work together in perfect harmony to move…
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Is there such a thing as perfect posture? The answer may surprise you. The latest research shows that it’s actually more beneficial to think about your posture as dynamic, not static. In other words, your ideal posture is constantly changing and evolving. Think of your posture as a dynamic pattern of responses, reflexes, and habits,…
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For many of us, gone are the days where we can clean the house, go for a walk, play with the kids, play with our pets, or, if we’re being honest, simply go to sleep without putting ourselves at risk for neck or low back pain. Sound familiar? Surprise sleep injuries aside, if you’re all…
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“Play hard or go home.” It’s funny how one of my go-to catch-phrases has taken on a new life since my becoming a chiropractor, especially after working with so many athletes. So. Many. Avoidable. Injuries. Now “play hard AND go home” seems more appropriate! Apple Valley, MN , it’s time we have a talk. Bottom…
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It’s safe to assume that all of us have an over-the-counter pain reliever like Aleve or Ibuprofen in our medicine cabinets at home. From a young age, we learn to have these on hand to help us find short-term relief from temporary headaches or other body aches and pains. We’re looking for immediate symptom relief……
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When we feel pain in our low back, what’s the first thing many of us tend to think? We need to lie down. We need to sit down. We need to rest so our back will feel better. We may think we need to reach for a bottle of Aleve – maybe a heating pad.…
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Bottom Line: Your spine is a long chain of bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments that extend from your skull down to your tailbone. The cervical spine (your neck) is designed to support your head and protect the nerves that go out to your face, shoulders, and arms. Postural changes, arthritis, and sudden injuries are a…
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Bottom Line: Whether you are just driving to work or taking a big family vacation, an unexpected car accident can cause painful injuries that impact you for months and years to come. The weight of your vehicle combined with motion and speed can create a tremendous amount of force. Even low-speed collisions can generate enough…
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When patients ask me for advice on how to know if you have a spinal disc problem, there’s a story that comes to mind every time. Not too long ago, a friend of mine was over to help me out with one of my weekend projects. He had been out with his family for some…
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