Dale City VA Chiropractors

Why you should ice

in Chiropractor  by August 18, 2017 0 comments

I know you are all tired of hearing me say it!  Put some ice on it…. Makes sure you ice….  Well as you chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I am now making you read why you should.   Here is some great information on how and why you should ice.

General comments

Icing may be used along with compression, elevation, bracing, and/or support when treating acute injuries.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can produce a similar effect to icing. However, they may delay healing with acute injuries (like sprains, strains, and fractures). If your doctor recommends medicine, make sure you are aware of the right dosage and when to take it, and if there are any side effects.

The use of ice and heat is just one part of a treatment program. Even if symptoms are relieved, there is usually a need for exercises to restore flexibility and joint motion, strength, general fitness, and sport-specific skills.

Use of ice

Effects of ice: Decreases circulation, metabolic activity, and inflammation and numbs the skin.

Benefits of ice: Decreases pain, swelling, inflammation, and muscle spasm/cramping. Best used after exercise or after pain-producing activity.

Risks of ice: Prolonged use can cause frostbite.

Methods for applying cold therapy: Ice packs, ice bath/ice whirlpool, ice massage. (See “Options for applying ice.”)

When not to use ice

Immediately before physical activity

If area of icing is numb

When the pain or swelling involves a nerve (such as the ulnar nerve or “funny bone”)

If the athlete has sympathetic dysfunction (an abnormality of nerves that control blood flow and sweat gland activity)

If the athlete has vascular disease (such as poor circulation due to blood loss, blood vessel injury, compartment syndrome, vasculitis, blood clots, or Raynaud disease)

If there is skin compromise (such as an open wound; a wound that has not healed; skin that is stretched, blistered, burned, or thin)

If the athlete has cold hypersensitivity, including cold-induced urticaria (hives from cold)

How long to use ice

Two to 3 times per day (minimum); up to once per hour.

Duration varies with technique; usually 20 to 30 minutes per session. (See “Options for applying ice.”)

Ice may continue to be useful in treatment as long as there is pain, swelling, inflammation, or spasm. There is no need to switch to heat after 48 hours or alternate between ice and heat.

3 options for applying ice

  1. Ice packs are best for icing larger areas of pain, swelling, or spasm (like a swollen knee, deep thigh bruise, muscle strain, shoulder tendonitis, or neck or back spasm).

 

Materials

Small cubes or crushed ice in plastic bag.

Bag of frozen vegetables (such as frozen peas).

Reusable commercial ice pack or circulating “cryocuff” (made specifically for therapeutic icing). Do not use blue ice packs directly on the skin; they are colder than frozen water and can cause frostbite

Method

Place on the affected area for at least 20 minutes per session. Hold in place with a towel, elastic wrap, or shrink-wrap.

 

  1. Ice bath/ice whirlpool is used to reduce swelling in peripheral joints (such as with ankle sprain, wrist sprain, or severe shin splints).

 

Materials

Bucket or tub with mixture of ice and water

Method

Immerse affected area for 20 to 30 minutes per session. Do not use an ice bath if there is an open wound, bleeding, or a skin infection.

 

  1. Ice massage is used to reduce superficial, well-localized inflammation (for example, tendonitis of the hand, wrist, or elbow; heel or elbow bursitis; ganglion cyst; apophysitis; or irritation of a growth plate).

 

Materials

Ice cube or frozen ice cup (made by freezing water in a paper or Styrofoam cup)

Method

Rub ice in a circular pattern over the affected region for 8 to 10 minutes per session.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Scoliosis

in Chiropractor  by July 28, 2017 0 comments

As a chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I have tons of patients with scoliosis.  Some who knew they had it coming and wanted relief from associated problems and some who had no clue.  Both can benefit from chiropractic care.

 

Scoliosis is a condition resulting in the sideways curvature of the spine and it impacts approximately 2-3% of the population in the U.S. (6-9 million people). Scoliosis is generally diagnosed in children 10-15 years old and females are more likely to be diagnosed than males.

 

There are four main classifications of scoliosis: * Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common—it accounts for 80% of scoliosis cases—and leaves some mystery regarding the cause. While a cause is not easily identified, it may be due to hereditary and/or familial reasons.

 

Neuromuscular scoliosis is caused by disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and muscular system. Muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy are diseases that contribute to neuromuscular scoliosis.

Congenital scoliosis occurs when birth defects impact the spine and vertebrae.

Degenerative scoliosis is typically a result of trauma, surgery, or illness such as osteoporosis or arthritis. There are several different treatment options for scoliosis and they vary based on multiple factors, including:

Age

Likelihood of future bone growth

Severity and shape of the spinal curve

Type of scoliosis (idiopathic, neuromuscular, congenital, degenerative)

With mild cases of scoliosis, the treatment program will include observation for changes in the spine curvature. In moderate to severe cases the treatment may be more invasive and generally includes spinal bracing and surgery options.

 

You may be wondering—how does chiropractic care fit into a scoliosis diagnosis and treatment plan?

 

Chiropractors may be the first line for diagnosing scoliosis. Chiropractors are alignment specialists and are likely to be first to notice any atypical spinal alignment issues in a patient. Additionally, chiropractors are specially trained to locate and correct areas of spinal subluxation.

 

Many of the symptoms associated with scoliosis, including pain in the shoulders, rib cage, spine, and hips, are readily treated by chiropractic manipulations. While chiropractors are not presently able to “cure” scoliosis, they are able to provide relief to patients suffering from many of the symptoms of scoliosis. A 2011 study found that after a thorough chiropractic rehabilitation treatment program, the patient group reported improvements in pain, even 24 months after the treatment. Numerous case studies show chiropractic adjustments can significantly reduce the angle of the scoliosis curve and a small-scale 2016 study recently confirmed that chiropractic techniques were effective at

 

reducing the curvature of the spine in idiopathic scoliosis in as little as four weeks. Chiropractic treatment methods include soft tissue massage and spinal correction techniques. While the ability for chiropractic treatment to treat the physical curvature of the spine is still undergoing research on a larger scale, the current results are promising.

 

Together with a chiropractor, a patient can develop a specific treatment plan that may include observational monitoring, chiropractic adjustments, at home exercises, and /or a physical therapy program. Treatment for scoliosis, particularly mild scoliosis, does not have to be scary, invasive, or involve extensive down time. Chiropractic care may assist with lessening painful symptoms and reduce the curvature of the spine over time.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Children and Chiropractic

in Chiropractor  by July 14, 2017 0 comments

As a chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I get asked a lot if it is ok to adjust a child.  The answer is almost always yes.  With that being said the visit is very different than the parents.  One concern I am sure everyone reading this who has been to a chiropractor would be are you going to squish my child.  Children don’t have the same muscle development so they adjust so much easier.  So don’t worry about them being squished.  Here is some information about child adjusting you may find interesting if you are thinking about it.

According to Dr. David Sackett, the father of evidence-based medicine, there are three prongs to the evidence-based decision: clinical expertise, scientific research and patient preference. While chiropractic has more than 100 years of clinical expertise from which to draw, our profession is still quite young when it comes to its base of scientific research—a state that is even more so for one of our youngest subspecialties, chiropractic pediatrics. Dedicated researchers are working hard to fill in these gaps.  Recent studies are beginning to confirm what our century of clinical experience has already shown—that chiropractic care for children is not only safe, but also effective for a variety of pediatric conditions.

Dr. Joyce Miller and her colleagues at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in the U.K. have contributed much to our knowledge of chiropractic pediatrics in the past few years. Here is a brief summary of some of their latest studies:

Safety study: Miller et al. examined 781 pediatric patients under three years of age (73.5 percent of whom were under 13 weeks) who received a total of 5,242 chiropractic treatments at a chiropractic teaching clinic in England between 2002 and 2004.¹ There were no serious adverse effects (reaction lasting >24 hours or needing hospital care) over the three-year study period. There were seven reported minor adverse effects, such as transient crying or interrupted sleep.

Nursing study: Miller et al. also performed a clinical case series of chiropractic care for 114 infants with hospital- or lactation-consultant-diagnosed nursing dysfunction.² The average age at first visit was three weeks. All infants in the study showed some improvement, with 78 percent able to exclusively breastfeed after two to five treatments within a two-week period.

Colic: Browning et al. performed a single-blinded randomized comparison trial of the effects of spinal manipulative therapy and occipito-sacral decompression therapy on infants with colic.³ Forty-three infants younger than eight weeks of age received two weeks of chiropractic care. Two weeks and four weeks after beginning treatment, the infants in both treatment groups cried significantly less and slept significantly more than prior to receiving chiropractic care.

Long-term sequelae of colic: Research has shown that children who were colicky as infants suffer from poor behavior and disturbed sleep as toddlers. Miller et al. performed a survey of parents of 117 such toddlers who had received chiropractic care as infants vs. 111 who had not received chiropractic care.4 They found the treated toddlers were twice as likely not to experience long-term sequelae of infantile colic, such as temper tantrums and frequent nocturnal waking. In other words, colicky infants who had received chiropractic care were twice as likely to sleep well and to experience fewer temper tantrums in their toddler years.

That is just a sampling of some of the great work that is being done by the dedicated and hard-working researchers focusing on chiropractic pediatrics.

References:

  1. Miller JE, Benfield K. Adverse effects of spinal manipulation therapy in children younger than 3 years: a retrospective study in a chiropractic teaching clinic. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2008;31(6):419-422.
  2. Miller JE, Miller L, et al. Contribution of chiropractic therapy to resolving suboptimal breastfeeding: A case series of 114 infants. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32(8):670-674.
  3. Browning M, Miller JE. Comparison of the short-term effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation and occipito-sacral decompression in the treatment of infant colic: A single-blinded, randomised, comparison trial. Clinical Chiropractic 2008;11(3):122-129.
  4. Miller JE, Phillips HL. Long-term effects of infant colic: a survey comparison of chiropractic treatment and non-treatment groups. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2009;32(8):635-638.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Combat Inflammation

in Chiropractor  by June 30, 2017 0 comments

Inflammation can be as obvious as a twisted ankle.  That is the most common type of inflammation we think of.  Dunk it in a bucket of ice wait three days and it is gone.  That is the easy on.  But there are other types of inflammation that we deal with that we can’t see but can really cause problems for us.  As your chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I want to share with you some information from Harvard Medical School.

Your immune system attacks anything in your body that it recognizes as foreign—such as an invading microbe, plant pollen, or chemical. The process is called inflammation. Intermittent bouts of inflammation directed at truly threatening invaders protect your health.

However, sometimes inflammation persists, day in and day out, even when you are not threatened by a foreign invader. That’s when inflammation can become your enemy. Many major diseases that plague us—including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s—have been linked to chronic inflammation.

One of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation comes not from the pharmacy, but from the grocery store. “Many experimental studies have shown that components of foods or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects,” says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Choose the right foods, and you may be able to reduce your risk of illness. Consistently pick the wrong ones, and you could accelerate the inflammatory disease process.

 

Foods that inflame

Try to avoid or limit these foods as much as possible:

refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries

French fries and other fried foods

soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages

red meat (burgers, steaks) and processed meat (hot dogs, sausage)

margarine, shortening, and lard

 

Inflammation-promoting foods

Not surprisingly, the same foods that contribute to inflammation are generally considered bad for our health, including sodas and refined carbohydrates, as well as red meat and processed meats.

“Some of the foods that have been associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are also associated with excess inflammation,” Dr. Hu says. “It’s not surprising, since inflammation is an important underlying mechanism for the development of these diseases.”

 

Unhealthy foods also contribute to weight gain, which is itself a risk factor for inflammation. Yet in several studies, even after researchers took obesity into account, the link between foods and inflammation remained, which suggests weight gain isn’t the sole driver. “Some of the food components or ingredients may have independent effects on inflammation over and above increased caloric intake,” Dr. Hu says.

 

Foods that combat inflammation

Include plenty of these anti-inflammatory foods in your diet:

tomatoes

olive oil

green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards

nuts like almonds and walnuts

fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines

fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges

 

Anti-inflammation foods

On the flip side are foods and beverages that have been found to reduce the risk of inflammation, and with it, chronic disease, says Dr. Hu. He notes in particular fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, apples, and leafy greens that are high in natural antioxidants and polyphenols—protective compounds found in plants.

Studies have also associated nuts with reduced markers of inflammation and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Coffee, which contains polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds, may protect against inflammation, as well.

 

Anti-inflammatory eating

To reduce levels of inflammation, aim for an overall healthy diet. If you’re looking for an eating plan that closely follows the tenets of anti-inflammatory eating, consider the Mediterranean diet, which is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils.

In addition to lowering inflammation, a more natural, less processed diet can have noticeable effects on your physical and emotional health. “A healthy diet is beneficial not only for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also for improving mood and overall quality of life,” Dr. Hu says.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Stand up straight!

in Chiropractor  by June 9, 2017 0 comments

Most times when we hurt our backs the actual mechanism of injury blows your mind.  As your Chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I am here to reassure you that sneeze didn’t blow out your back!  The best way to prevent those types of injuries is having a good posture.  Good posture is key because it keeps us balanced and keeps the muscles relaxed.  Here is some pretty good information and tips to help keep you neutral.

Why is good posture important?

Good posture helps us stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions that place the least strain on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement and weight-bearing activities. Correct posture:

  • Helps us keep bones and joints in correct alignment so that our muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain.
  • Reduces the stress on the ligaments holding the spinal joints together, minimizing the likelihood of injury.
  • Allows muscles to work more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy and, therefore, preventing muscle fatigue.
  • Helps prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and even back and muscular pain.

Several factors contribute to poor posture-most commonly, stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, and high-heeled shoes. In addition, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, and unhealthy sitting and standing habits can also contribute to poor body positioning.

How do I sit properly?

  • Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don’t reach the floor.
  • Don’t cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
  • Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
  • Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
  • Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid-back or use a back support.
  • Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
  • Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

How do I stand properly?

  • Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
  • Keep your knees slightly bent.
  • Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  • Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
  • Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward.
  • Tuck your stomach in.
  • Keep your head level-your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push your head forward, backward, or to the side.
  • Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you have to stand for a long time.

What is the proper lying position?

  • Find the mattress that is right for you. While a firm mattress is generally recommended, some people find that softer mattresses reduce their back pain. Your comfort is important.
  • Sleep with a pillow. Special pillows are available to help with postural problems resulting from a poor sleeping position.
  • Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
  • Sleeping on your side or back is more often helpful for back pain.
  • If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs.
  • If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.

Your doctor of chiropractic can assist you with proper posture, including recommending exercises to strengthen your core postural muscles. He or she can also assist you with choosing proper postures during your activities, helping reduce your risk of injury.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Don’t just do it!

in Chiropractor  by June 2, 2017 0 comments

Here we go!  Golf, Softball, lose that 10 lbs and the never-ending yard work that seems to always need to be done.  Most of these sound like easy things and just get out there and get them done!  The problem is you are a year older and a year tighter.  We need to warm up before prolonged activities.  As your Chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I have some great low tech tips to help keep you from getting injured.

Whether your workout plan is a bodyweight routine in the park or a 5K, warming up should be the first thing on the to-do list (after that pre-workout snack). But what’s the ideal way to warm up? Experts agree a warm-up should heat and loosen the body, and prepare the mind for action.  But there are a few moves you should avoid too.

 

The Need-to-Know

When it comes to strength training and a variety of sports, coaches often think of their warm-ups as training preparation—using techniques such as foam rolling and movement practice to get the gears aligned.

We perform optimally and better avoid injury after a warm-up that does what its name promises: warm us up.  And while a marathoner doesn’t warm up like a powerlifter (the same way an opera singer doesn’t warm up like a modern dancer), there could be some similarities.

For endurance or cardio routines, research shows a dynamic approach, including dynamic stretching—active range of motion movements that tend to be similar to what you’ll do in your workout, can improve performance.  Some experts even suggest performing a few short intervals of the planned exercise at a lower intensity (for example: brisk walking before running, or bodyweight squats before adding weight).

As for static stretching, leave it for the cool-down. Numerous studies have shown that it can hinder performance and increase the risk of injury.

 

Your Action Plan

Every warm-up will be different, depending on your fitness level and the goal of your workout. But as a jumping off point, start with these four basic goals for every warm-up, as outlined by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

 

  1. Loosen up.

Warm your joints, muscles, and prep your body for exercise with mobility movements. If you’ve got one, now is also a great time for foam rolling. Start by rolling your back, then hit every section of the legs, glutes, and hip flexors.

  1. Get your heart pumping.

Increased heart thumping warms up your muscles and switches on your nervous system. Jog, slowly row, or ride a bike on low resistance. Just be sure you’re able to converse with your workout buddy (or sing along to your Spotify playlist).

  1. Do some dynamic stretches.

Stretch your warm muscles, but don’t hold it. Remember: Static stretching during a warm-up can actually hinder your performance.  Instead, do dynamic stretching, which involves continuously moving through a range of motion. For instance, you can make big arm circles in both directions, kick your legs forward, or simply touch your toes and then reach for the sky. The key is to not hold in any position.

  1. Practice.

Move through the exercises planned for that day’s workout at a lower intensity. Have a long, hard run ahead? Warm up with a few technique drills. Back squats? Start with bodyweight squats or by holding an empty bar. Practicing the movement patterns teaches muscle memory (a.k.a. neuromuscular adaptation) and continues to prepare your body for action.

Find an enjoyable warm-up and remember to listen to your body’s cues. Your warm-up should not fatigue you. After all, it’s only one aspect of the workout. And don’t forget to cool down at the end.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Gardening Tips

in Chiropractor  by April 28, 2017 0 comments

Time to get planting!  Winter is over and your Woodbridge, Dale City VA chiropractor wants to give you some tips on how to safely garden.  Most people don’t think of gardening as a stressful activity.  Most people say it is relaxing which it may be mentally.  To your back, neck and shoulders it is the same as a day at the gym.  Here are some tips that can help you prevent some routine gardening injuries.

Like I said gardening can be enjoyable, but it is important to stretch your muscles before reaching for your gardening tools. The back, upper legs, shoulders, and wrists are all major muscle groups affected when using your green thumb.

A warm-up and cool-down period is as important in gardening as it is for any other physical activity,” says Dr. Scott Bautch, a member of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Council on Occupational Health. “Performing simple stretches during these periods will help alleviate injuries, pain and stiffness.”

To make gardening as fun and enjoyable as possible, it is important to prepare your body for this type of physical activity. The following stretches will help to alleviate muscle pain after a day spent in your garden.

Garden Fitness Stretches

Before stretching for any activity, breathe in and out, slowly and rhythmically; do not bounce or jerk your body, and stretch as far and as comfortably as you can. Do not follow the “no pain, no gain” rule. Stretching should not be painful.

While sitting, stretch your leg out in front of you, knee straight, and prop your heel on a step. Then lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of the thigh, or the hamstring muscle. Hold this position for 15 seconds. Do this once more and repeat with the other leg.

Stand up, balance yourself, and grab the front of your ankle from behind. Pull your heel towards your buttocks and hold the position for 15 seconds. Do this again and repeat with the other leg.

While standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds, then to the other. Repeat this stretch three times.

Do the “Hug your best friend” stretch. Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, stretching as far as you can comfortably go. Hold for 10 seconds and reverse. Repeat two or three times.

Finally, be aware of your body technique, body form and correct posture while gardening. Kneel, don’t bend, and alternate your stance and movements as often as possible to keep the muscles and body balanced

After the Bulbs Are Planted

If you feel muscle aches and pains after your day in the garden, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort. Apply a cold pack on the area of pain for the first 48 hours or apply a heat pack after 48 hours, and consider seeking the services of a doctor of chiropractic in your area.

Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. While best known for their expertise in treating the musculoskeletal system and their use of spinal manipulation, DCs have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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Back Braces

in Chiropractor  by April 21, 2017 0 comments

As your chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I want to give you some general information on back braces.  They do have some benefits if used properly and sporadically.  The biggest problem with them is not using them properly but using them too much.  Generally, you should use crank it on nice and snug do your activity and take it off.  Leaving it on all day is the problem.

If you walk into any drug store, mega-box store or sporting goods store, you’ll be sure to find a variety of lumbar supports, back braces and alike. Because these devices are readily accessible, many users grab one off the self before seeking professional advice. That’s not necessarily a good idea because back braces offer a mixed bag of benefits and risks.

Now, strapping on an elastic lumbar support is tempting as a means to relieve pain and keep on going. And for the most part, these medical devices can help to accomplish that goal. The wrap-around support mimics the internal support that supposed to be provided by the abdominal muscles. Because many people have weak core muscles, the extra bracing does help sometimes. It’s probably most helpful in someone with disc degeneration as opposed to someone with lumbar stenosis. And it’s probably most helpful in average-weight individuals that don’t carry a lot of belly fat. Even if you don’t get a great deal of actual support from a brace, these medical devices when worn do provide physical cues that serve as reminders about using proper body mechanics.

The most beneficial back braces that are on the market are usually only available through an orthotist or specialty medical supply company. A basic example is a lumbar-sacral corset like the Aspen Quick Draw which has some rigid reinforcements in addition to the elastic support. Those who have a need for extra-support because of a spine fracture might be prescribed a brace like the chair-back lumbar brace or a brace that incorporates the thoracic spine called a TLSO (Thoracolumbar sacral orthosis). After surgery, some surgeons order a custom fit, hard-shelled orthosis that looks like a turtle’s shell and supports the entire thoracic and lumbar spine. No matter which brace your doctor thinks is best for you, your doctor will eventually want to you to gradually stop wearing a brace as your injury heals and as the muscle strengthen. This weaning process is best accomplished by sending you to physical therapy to strengthen your natural, built-in back brace.

Your natural back brace is your abdominal muscles, your spine muscles, and your core muscles. If you wear a lumbar support too much, you’ll weaken these muscles. Your body will become dependent on the use of the back brace to the point that the muscles will get lazy. Once that happens, your pain will get worse when you remove the back brace.

If you are already at that point, you’ll need to wean off your back brace dependency slowly. Weaning involves removing the support for brief periods of time every day and gradually increasing that “no brace” time week by week. In order to avoid lumbar support dependency, don’t wear it all the time. Wear your brace only as prescribed by your doctor or only when you are doing some heavy activities that require extra support to do them. However, when you buy that brace at the store, you don’t get these warnings or directions for use.

So buyer beware: back braces provide mixed bag of benefits and risks. You may experience temporary pain relief but you also risk becoming dependent, too.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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STRESS!

in Chiropractor  by March 24, 2017 0 comments

Anyone of us who has ventured onto interstate 95 or the beltway during the week can’t help but feel stressed.  The key is letting go of that stress as soon as possible.  Not only does stress not feel good short term it can cause long term problems with your body.  At my Woodbridge, Dale City VA Chiropractic office I see the effects of stress from tight shoulders to headaches.  Here are a few tips that may help you to relax.

  1. Breathe with intention.

I call this the quickie: Center yourself wherever you are, sitting or standing or lying down, feeling the parts of your body touching the ground…just feel that grounding with the earth. Breathe naturally at first, then after a few breaths, inhale for 4 counts while saying I am in your mind. Then exhale for 4 counts while saying at peace to yourself. Repeat this I am…at peace cycle at least 4 times or up to 2 minutes. –Aviva Romm, MD, herbalist and midwife

  1. Zero in on your pressure points.

Key acupressure spots on the head, face, and hands are really close to bundles of nerves, and pressing on them can help relax the nervous system, which ramps up when we’re stressed. Try applying pressure to the meaty part of your hand between the thumb and forefinger. You could do it in a stressful meeting, on the sub-way…no one will be the wiser. –Daniel Hsu, doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine

  1. Play that calming music.

The body’s internal rhythms entrain to the external rhythms of music, like when you go to the sea, and you start breathing slower and your heart rate slows down and starts moving closer to the rhythm and pace of the ocean. It’s the same with music, especially reggae, which I find incredibly calming. –Frank Lipman, MD, founder and director of Eleven-Eleven Wellness Center and author of The New Health Rules: Simple Changes to Achieve Whole-Body Wellness

  1. Dance it out.

Research shows that romance reduces the production of stress-related hormones, and for my husband and me, dancing is very romantic. We started taking ballroom dancing lessons 9 years ago, and even when we’re just dancing around the house for a few minutes, it leaves us feeling youthful and excited. It makes the sparks fly, and that’s the opposite of stress. –Elaine Wyllie, MD, neurologist at Cleveland Clinic

  1. Count your blessings.

Every night, note three things for which you’re grateful that day. They can be small, like a good cup of coffee, or big, like support from your family. Doing this has had a huge impact on my well-being, and it will on yours, too. –Gail Saltz, MD, author and associate professor of psychiatry at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell School of Medicine

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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What is Chiropractic?

in Chiropractor  by February 17, 2017 0 comments

I am still kind of surprised how many people haven’t really heard of or understand what chiropractic is.  As a chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area for over 20 years I am still periodically asked what is chiropractic.  Part of me is glad the person is asking rather than not interested or afraid because of something they read or were told by their MD.  Yea I know there are still MD’s out there that don’t know but still subscribe to what they were told in Medical school 30 years ago.  Here is a rundown on just what chiropractic is and what it can help.

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a hands-on, drug-free approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

DCs may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other health care providers.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be a patient’s primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic services may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Like their MD colleagues, doctors of chiropractic are subject to the boundaries established in state practice acts and are regulated by state licensing boards. Further, their education in four-year doctoral graduate school programs is nationally accredited through an agency that operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education. After graduation, they must pass national board exams before obtaining a license to practice, and then must maintain their license annually by earning continuing education (CE) credits through state-approved CE programs.

What is Spinal Manipulation?

One of the most common and well known therapeutic procedures performed by doctors of chiropractic is spinal manipulation (sometimes referred to as a “chiropractic adjustment”). The purpose of spinal manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for an individual. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours. Compared to other common treatments for pain, such as over-the-counter and prescription pain medications, chiropractic’s conservative approach offers a safe and effective option.

 

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Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link