Tag Archives: family chiropractors

How Chiropractic Care Can Help You Enjoy the Winter

Chiropractic care is vital during the winter. As the days get colder and the nights get longer, people can and will experience a wide variety of cold-related symptoms. While adjusting the thermostat or burrowing under the blankets can relieve symptoms, it’s only temporary. Thankfully, chiropractors can relieve some of the most common ailments during winter. 

 

Cold and Flu-Related Symptoms

 

Sometimes going to the pharmacy isn’t enough. For some flu and cold sufferers, joint or muscle pain can linger five to seven days after initial exposure. If you have aches and pains that won’t go away, consider adding a chiropractor to your treatment plan. Chiropractic adjustments, a series of painless movements that realign your spine, can alleviate lasting flu symptoms. 

 

Additionally, regular visits to your chiropractor can bolster your immune system and prevent illness. Subluxations and misalignments along the spine can cause your immune system to malfunction – meaning you’re more vulnerable to seasonal maladies. Visiting your local chiropractor for periodic adjustments can protect you and your family from common illnesses throughout winter. 

 

Joint Pain and Stiffness 

 

As it turns out, there is a scientific reason why your joints act up before a storm: according to thejoint.com, as the temperature drops, barometric pressure causes the fluid between our joints to move less freely. As a result, when the temperature hits 30 or lower, our joints become stiff or even painful. This effect is more pronounced in the elderly population and those who suffer from chronic pain.

 

Thankfully, regular visits to the chiropractor can alleviate joint pain and stiffness. Through gentle movements and adjustments, chiropractors can help the fluid in your joints move freely. The expert team at Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic can help relieve your joint paint throughout the colder months.  

 

Depression 

 

Several studies have shown that chiropractic care can alleviate the symptoms of depression. While depression can affect everyone no matter the time of the year, a lack of sunlight may lead to SAD or seasonal affective disorder. Thankfully, increased blood flow and mobility improvement can help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Additionally, by performing a series of slow, gentle movements, chiropractors can relieve stress and, in turn, reduce anxiety and depression. 

 

Weight Gain 

 

The winter months are well-known for an abundance of food. But all those delicious holidays treats come with a price – weight gain. While you likely won’t experience drastic weight gain during the holidays (Americans put on 1-2 pounds over the holiday season), the added weight can cause unnecessary strain on your joints. In turn, this leads to unnecessary joint pain and more weight gain. 

 

If you or a loved one have weight-related joint pain, book a chiropractic appointment today! Regular chiropractic appointments are an investment in yourself and your future. Traveling to and from appointments will keep you moving, while regular treatment will relieve joint pain and encourage movement. 

Ready to book an appointment? Head over to the Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic’s page to schedule with us today! Dr. Hartle and his team can usually see patients the same day they call.

Should Children Visit a Chiropractor?

Childhood is marked by dramatic change. From infancy to adolescence, your children will experience behavioral changes, growth spurts, and more! Unfortunately, these changes may reveal underlying health problems or developmental delays. While you should always consult your child’s general practitioner (or GP) if they are experiencing pain or discomfort, chiropractors can provide a holistic, natural way to relieve your child’s pain. 

 

Do Chiropractors Treat Children? 

 

Yes, many chiropractors treat children. While 35 million adults visit the chiropractor’s office annually, over 11% of patients are under 18. If you’re looking for a chiropractor that treats children, look for practices with “family” in the name – Family Chiropractors treat all ages.

 

How Early Can a Child Visit a Chiropractor? 

 

That depends on the parents! Typically, children can visit the chiropractor once they’re a few months old. Birth can be a traumatic event for both mother and child, which can result in damage to a newborn’s nervous system and spine. Chiropractic care can alleviate a newborn’s pain and strengthen their nervous system. If you’re nervous about letting a chiropractor see your child, be sure to schedule a consultation first!

 

What Does a Pediatric Chiropractic Appointment Look Like? 

 

Treatment is always tailored to the patient’s unique needs. First, a chiropractor will schedule a consultation to determine your child’s individual needs. This includes obtaining a medical history from the child’s guardians or parents. Then, the chiropractor will schedule a physical examination to identify spinal issues and any other health problems. 

 

It’s important to note that chiropractors will apply less pressure to younger patients. Many chiropractors will use fingertip pressure to gently correct spinal issues and bolster the nervous system. While adjusting spinal joints, you may hear some soft popping noises. This is normal and will not harm your child.

 

When Should a Child Visit a Chiropractor? 

 

Generally, children should see a chiropractor if they suffer from debilitating or chronic pain. If your child’s primary doctor cannot alleviate their pain, a chiropractor may be a useful addition to their treatment schedule. If your child suffers from limited head/neck mobility, back pain, neck pain, hunched shoulders, or irregular sleep patterns, a visit to your local chiropractor may reduce their pain while improving their quality of life. 

 

What Ailments Can a Pediatric Chiropractor Treat? 

 

Chiropractors can treat a wide variety of ailments, no matter the patient’s age. However, children seeking chiropractic care will see improvements if they suffer from several chronic conditions. Chiropractors can alleviate infants’ breastfeeding problems, reflux, colic, and movement issues. Older patients often seek out chiropractic to help with headaches, scoliosis, spinal misalignment, asthma, growing pains, constipation, urinary incontinence, and other chronic issues.

 

Does Chiropractic Treatment Hurt?

 

No. Unless your practitioner is treating a severe injury, chiropractic treatment is painless. Any sensitivity your child experiences during treatment is short-lived and should fade shortly after the adjustment. 

 

Fun for the Whole Family 

The Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic is proud to serve clients of all ages! If you or your child needs chiropractic services, schedule an appointment with us today. Dr. Hartle and his team can usually see you the same day you call.

Chronic vs Acute Pain: How Chiropractors Help

Chiropractors are well-versed in treating pain. Whether it’s back, neck, or spinal complications, chiropractors correct ailments throughout the body. However, not all pain is temporary. Chronic pain, which the NHS defines as “persistent pain that carries on for twelve weeks” and resists medication, is a serious condition that causes unnecessary suffering. On the other hand, acute pain lasts less than three months and is typically the result of an injury. While chronic and acute pain can be debilitating, both conditions can be treated.

Chronic vs Acute Pain: What’s the Difference?

Before discussing how chiropractors treat different types of pain, we must understand the difference between chronic and acute pain. Chronic pain is constant: it can last for weeks, months, and even years. Caused by several factors, including, but not limited to poor posture, traumatic injury, spinal issues, and more, chronic pain lasts long after injuries have healed. Examples of chronic pain include:

•       Headaches
•       Lower back pain
•       Cancer pain
•       Arthritis pain
•       Nerve damage

Acute pain, according to WebMD, “starts suddenly and usually feels sharp.” Unlike chronic pain, acute pain can last moments or even months. While acute pain normally signals an injury, it disappears after the injury has healed. Acute injuries include, but are not limited to:

•       Broken bones
•       Burns
•       Cuts

If left untreated, acute pain can become chronic pain.

How Chiropractors Treat Acute and Chronic Pain

For those who suffer from prolonged pain, there is hope. There is a wide variety of medical and holistic treatments available to help treat pain. If you’ve exhausted all your medical options, chiropractic treatment may be right for you.

Chiropractors are well-versed in treating different types of chronic pain. First, your chiropractor will perform a physical assessment to local the pain. Next, they’ll develop a treatment plan. The most popular remedy for chronic pain is a spinal adjustment – a series of firm movements that apply pressure to vertebrae. For other issues, chiropractors may use the flexion-distraction technique (most commonly used for whiplash injuries) or instrument-assisted manipulation. As the name suggests, your chiropractor will use a small, hand-held instrument to apply gentle pressure to stretch soft tissue. This, in turn, will relieve pain.

Chiropractors treat chronic pain and acute pain similarly. To treat acute pain, a chiropractor will first perform a physical assessment. Next, they’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms: for example, those suffering from subluxation or joint restriction as a result of a fracture should undergo a Gonstead chiropractic evaluation. Patients with burn scars may benefit from massage therapy, which controls the development of scar tissue and helps burn victims heal more quickly.

Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic treats both acute and chronic pain using proven, natural methods. To help manage your pain, schedule an appointment with us today. Dr. Michael Hartle and his team of experts can usually see you the same day you call.

What Do Chiropractors Do?

The question may sound simple enough, but a lot of people misunderstand what chiropractors do. There are a lot of rumors and misconceptions that make people even fear going to the chiropractor. Because we provide family chiropractic care in Fort Wayne, Indiana, we want to address the common myths and assure our community that we’re here to help!

Chiropractors Address Pain

Patients often seek chiropractic care when dealing with one (or more) of these three main types of pain: acute pain that flares up from time to time, chronic pain that impairs their daily life, and pain associated with sports and exercise. Chiropractors address other issues, too, but let’s focus on pain management to start. 

Acute and Chronic Pain

Chiropractors help patients manage and heal the pain that impairs their bodies. Whether it’s acute or chronic, first, we determine its source and cause. We work with bones, muscles, and joints. These three work together to keep your body aligned, loose, and flexible. When any of these goals are missing, that’s when you feel pain. 

High-quality chiropractic care in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is easy to find with us! We always take a comprehensive look at the entire body, often starting with X-rays and an assessment. Once we find the source of the pain, we can make a treatment plan. 

Integrative Treatment Plans

Family chiropractors work with people of all ages, including children, so each treatment plan is unique to you, your body, and your pain. Some are quite simple, requiring a few adjustments over time, followed by a regular annual visit. Others require more adjustments or other components like physical training, diet, and massage. It all depends on the type of pain and its location in your body.

Sports chiropractors work similarly, but those treatment plans often focus on long-term care that helps enhance athletic performance. Perhaps we’ll work with athletes during an entire season or even throughout the year. Regular adjustments, stretching, massage, training, and a healthy diet can keep the body more flexible and less prone to injuries. 

What is an Adjustment?

We often hear questions about adjustments. They sound scary, we agree. But forget the images of muscle and bone manipulation or the fear that family chiropractors can hurt you! Our exceptional chiropractic care in Fort Wayne, Indiana, provides the most advanced methods. We use gentle movements and small tools that help stimulate joints back into an optimal position. Misaligned joints shift bones, tighten muscles, and put a strain on your body, causing pain. Adjustments move everything back into the place where it should be.

Family chiropractors recommend several adjustments at the beginning of your treatment because our muscle memory will slowly put them back into an uncomfortable position. Gradually, we help those joints, bones, and muscles remember the correct, pain-free placement, which is why you can phase out of chiropractic care. Still, annual visits can help maintain the pain for longer and even prevent it in the future.

Family Chiropractors – Facts vs. Myths

Family chiropractic care can be difficult to understand, as there are many myths and rumors that confuse its patients and those seeking treatment. As a popular and beneficial medical practice, it’s important to understand the facts of chiropractic care. Let’s start with the two biggest myths surrounding chiropractors and chiropractic medicine.

Myth #1: Family Chiropractic care isn’t real medicine and chiropractors aren’t real doctors.

Just like any medical student, chiropractors study challenging courses and earn their degrees from accredited institutions. When they finish their program, they are equipped with the knowledge that allows them to practice medicine as primary care doctors, if they wish. Of course, many opt to work in chiropractic care, combining their work with extensive medical knowledge of the entire body. And just as other doctors, chiropractors must complete a residency program and pass exams.

Myth #2: If you go to the chiropractor once, you’ll have to continue care for the rest of your life.

Family chiropractic care is meant to be healing, which means you and your chiropractor will create a treatment plan that has an end goal. No treatment is meant to last forever, although chiropractic care can involve regular adjustments to keep your body functioning at its best. Just like with any doctor, you’ll still want to return from time-to-time for check-ups. 

Now that you better understand the two biggest myths of family chiropractic care, let’s look at some other misconceptions that tend to confuse patients. 

Myth #3: Chiropractic care is only for back and neck pain. 

In today’s modern chiropractic office, you’ll find a variety of doctors and specialists. This is because chiropractic care focuses on the entire health of the body. While your treatment plan will most likely include regular adjustments to correct issues with the back and neck, you may also see a personal trainer, a massage therapist, and a nutritionist, amongst others. 

Myth #4: Chiropractic care is dangerous and can damage your body.

See Myth #1. Your chiropractor is a well-educated, trained doctor who will never intentionally try to hurt you. With extensive knowledge of the spine, bones, and muscles, your doctor knows how to move and adjust your body for the best results. Nothing is ever forced or dangerous. 

Myth #5: Only adults should visit the chiropractor. 

Family chiropractic care is exactly as it sounds: for the family. After consulting X-rays and symptoms, doctors make individualized treatment plans that are specific to the patient, regardless of age or body type. Many chiropractic techniques are modified to support patients of a younger age.

Myth #6: If I go to the chiropractor, I’ll be in pain.

Chiropractic care is meant to be healing and many patients feel pain relief after their first adjustment. In fact, one of the most commonly used descriptions of post-treatment is a feeling of “lightness”. Those suffering from extreme cases may take longer to feel this sense of relief, but it eventually comes for all patients who follow their treatment plans.