In the realm of muscle discomfort, trigger points are small knots that can cause significant pain and restricted movement.  Chiropractors can play a crucial role in treating trigger points and providing relief for those struggling with muscle tension and pain.

Trigger points are localized areas of muscle spasm or tension that can lead to pain and dysfunction. They can develop due to factors like overuse, poor posture, or muscle imbalances. When left untreated, trigger points may contribute to chronic pain and reduced flexibility.  Chiropractors utilize a holistic approach to healthcare that aims to address any imbalances that may contribute to trigger points.

One of the ways chiropractors treat trigger points is with spinal and extremity adjustments.    Chiropractic adjustments aim to relieve pressure and restore range of motion loss. This can have a positive impact on trigger points, especially those related to the spine and extremities. 

Chiropractors can utilize soft tissue techniques in their treatment plans. These techniques involve applying targeted pressure to the affected muscles, releasing tension, and promoting blood flow to the area. This can help break down trigger points and alleviate associated pain. 

Poor posture is a common contributor to trigger points. Chiropractors educate patients on proper ergonomics and posture to prevent the recurrence of trigger points. Simple lifestyle adjustments recommended by chiropractors can have a lasting impact on muscle health. 

Chiropractors often prescribe specific exercises and stretches to address muscle imbalances and prevent the formation of trigger points. These tailored exercise plans aim to improve strength, flexibility, and overall musculoskeletal function. 

Chiropractic care provides a unique and comprehensive approach to treating trigger points in muscles. By utilizing chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue techniques, and incorporating lifestyle changes, chiropractors contribute to the overall well-being of their patients. If you are seeking a holistic solution to trigger points and persistent muscle pain, consulting with a chiropractor could be a step toward unlocking relief and improving your quality of life. 

Reaching for your phone on your nightstand in the morning, putting a shirt on, throwing a ball with your children, making a meal, this is just a small list of the incredible amount of everyday activities we do that involve the shoulder, and pain in this area can have a huge impact on many things that we take for granted. 30% of adults experience shoulder pain in any given month. If you are suffering from shoulder pain you may want to consider consulting with a chiropractor. There are many ways that a chiropractor can help with your problem, one of the largest techniques utilized being manual therapy.

Manual therapy isn’t just one therapy technique — it’s an entire category. Techniques that fall into this category involve therapy using their hands to manipulate or mobilize joints and soft tissue. This category of therapy can offer many benefits for shoulder pain treatment, including:

• Reducing the pain of your shoulder issue

• Decreasing the amount of inflammation in your shoulder

• Increasing the range of motion in your shoulder

• Improving your ability to do normal daily activities with your shoulder

• Reducing the risk of recurring shoulder pain or problems

Manual therapy can benefit shoulder pain by addressing various factors contributing to discomfort or dysfunction. Here are some ways in which manual therapy may help:

1. Soft Tissue Mobilization: Therapists use hands-on techniques to manipulate and mobilize soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the shoulder. This can help improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and enhance blood circulation.

2. Joint Mobilization: Manual therapists may perform gentle movements to mobilize and restore normal joint function in the shoulder. This can help improve the range of motion and reduce stiffness.

3. Trigger Point Release: Trigger points, or knots, can contribute to shoulder pain. Our therapists can pressure these points to release tension and alleviate pain.

4. Stretching Exercises: Manual therapy often involves incorporating specific stretching exercises to improve flexibility and relieve tightness in the shoulder muscles.

5. Posture Correction: Poor posture can contribute to shoulder pain. At our office, we can provide guidance on proper posture and offer exercises to strengthen the muscles that support good posture.

6. Pain Relief: Manual therapy techniques may stimulate the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, providing temporary relief from shoulder pain.

7. Education and Self-Care: Our chiropractors often educate patients on proper shoulder mechanics, ergonomic considerations, and self-care techniques to manage and prevent future pain.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of manual therapy can vary from person to person, and it is usually most effective in conjunction with other treatments such as exercises, heat/cold therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

By Dr. Phil Bechard, DC

Jaw pain can be a huge bother for those who suffer from it. Not being able to bite down, open our mouth fully, or rest or sleep without pain in the jaw can be extremely bothersome and limiting. We first recommend evaluation by a dentist or oral health specialist to determine the specific cause of your jaw pain so we know that care here is the most appropriate. Once you have the go-ahead from your other medical provider, we can help appropriately sink our teeth into your problem (sorry, I had to). 

Our Chiropractors at Mt Hope Chiropractic and Wellness specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, including those related to the spine, joints, and muscles. The jaw, being a joint, is included in our list of treatment areas! Often an evaluation can uncover a proper treatment plan, home advice, and targeted exercises to properly tackle your problem. 

Jaw pain can arise from various sources, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, muscle tension, a variety of neck problems, or misalignment of the jaw. Our chiropractors may use manual adjustments, manipulation, or other techniques to address misalignments or tension in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. By restoring proper function, most patients alleviate pain and improve overall jaw mobility. It’s important to note that the effectiveness of chiropractic care for jaw pain can vary from person to person, and the approach may depend on the underlying cause of the jaw issues.

By Dr. Rupina Khanna, DC

The Activator Technique is a chiropractic method that utilizes a handheld instrument, known as the Activator Adjusting Instrument, to deliver precise and controlled adjustments to the spine. This technique is based on the concept that specific, targeted adjustments can stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. The Activator Adjusting Instrument allows chiropractors to apply gentle and measured force to specific vertebrae or joints, helping restore normal joint function and relieving musculoskeletal imbalances. This method is particularly favored for its non-invasive nature and is considered suitable for individuals who may be uncomfortable with traditional manual adjustments.

Chiropractors employing the Activator Technique often use diagnostic procedures to identify areas of spinal dysfunction or joint restrictions. The Activator Adjusting Instrument is applied to these areas, delivering a quick, low-force impulse. This precision is believed to enhance the effectiveness of the adjustment while minimizing the force applied to surrounding tissues. The technique is frequently used to address a range of conditions, including back pain, headaches, and joint dysfunction, providing an alternative for patients seeking chiropractic care who may prefer or require a gentler approach.

One of the notable advantages of the Activator Technique is its adaptability to various patient needs. The controlled and targeted nature of the adjustments allows chiropractors to tailor treatment plans to individual requirements, making them suitable for patients of different ages and health conditions. While the Activator Technique has garnered both support and criticism within the chiropractic community, its widespread use underscores its acceptance as a valuable tool in chiropractic care, especially for those who seek a more gentle and specific approach to spinal adjustments.

By Dr. Cody Arthur, DC

Finding a breakfast that is both quick and nutritious can be a challenge. One excellent solution that has stood the test of time is the humble rolled oats. Packed with health benefits and versatility, rolled oats offer a delicious and wholesome way to start your day. 

Rolled oats provide a rich source of essential nutrients. They are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, offering a sustained release of energy throughout the morning. Additionally, oats are loaded with fiber, promoting digestive health and helping you feel fuller for longer. 

One of the standout features of rolled oats is their positive impact on heart health. They contain soluble fiber that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Regular consumption of oats may contribute to a reduced risk of heart disease, making them a heart-smart choice for breakfast. 

The beauty of rolled oats lies in their versatility. Whether you prefer them cooked on the stove or prepared as overnight oats, the possibilities are endless. Mix in your favorite fruits, nuts, or seeds for added flavor, texture, and a boost of nutrients. 

For a healthy weight, rolled oats can be a valuable ally. Their high fiber content helps control appetite and manage weight by promoting a feeling of fullness. This can aid in reducing overall calorie intake throughout the day, supporting weight management goals. 

As we navigate the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, embracing rolled oats as a breakfast option is a small yet impactful step. So, the next time you choose what to eat for breakfast, consider the simple yet mighty rolled oats.

As we educate our patients about some differences in how lower back strength can present, another question that we get asked often is how to build lower back strength.

This is a difficult question to have just an immediate response for, as it depends on the individual. 

• Is your goal to survive the rigors that a desk job can impact upon us? 
• Are you involved in a specific sport that has certain demands? 
• Are you a seasoned power lifter seeking that new personal best on a sumo deadlift? 

You can see the answer would be very different depending on your individual circumstances.

Building lower back strength is absolutely important to prevent their problems from happening again. That being said, “lower back strength” is important to define correctly. 

Really, your aim is to teach your back how to become – and stay – stable. If you think about a day in terms of movement, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small changes in our positioning. If most of these positions are performed poorly, they may lead to problems.

Stability can be defined as the ability to resist movement. For instance, when we lift something off the floor, does our back remain unchanged in its position as the rest of the body moves through it to create lift? Does your back look like a tabletop or a sad banana when attempting to lift your grocery bags off the floor of your car? If your back is bent forward, it’s unstable and open to additional and normally unwelcome stress. 

The best definition of strength, therefore, lies in the ability to learn how to resist these movements. Through resistance we build durability, and durability makes our back less sensitive.

Are you able to do this without wobbling? Can you keep your back flat while performing? Do your hips shift from side to side drastically? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may need to get on a short period of exercises to learn how to move better in your day-to-day activity. At our office, we strive to educate people on how to move with better purpose through their day. If you feel like a program like this would be helpful for you, feel free to give us a call and set up an appointment.

There you are, minding your own business living your best life, when out of nowhere you suddenly have back pain or pain in your leg. It could have jumped on you when you woke up, or when you got up out of bed, or when you bent to grab a shoe off the floor. It could have started with something as simple as sneezing, or as complex as catching a heavy squat clean slightly off center. 

Regardless of the mechanism, lower back or leg pain that’s brought on suddenly is most often caused by a change in the behavior of an intervertebral disc.

Consider the following:

• Does it feel the same every time I do a certain activity?
• Has it been moving higher or lower in the leg quickly (within hours or days)?
• Is there numbness or tingling associated with it?

Disc-related lower back and leg pain typically behave in the following ways:

• The pain can differ in intensity and location when doing certain activities
• The problem gets better or worse, or moves up or down the leg, within hours or days
• Numbness and tingling are less common with this problem.

The disc that I keep referring to is a spongy gel-filled structure (the blue stuff above) sandwiched in between each vertebra, or bone in your spine. It acts a lot like a shock absorber that helps to transfer force through the middle of your body, preventing all manner of important structures from being stressed. Many people when thinking they have this problem believe it’s a permanent one, that their disc “slips” and is an unchanging burden for the rest of their lives. Although yes, our body changes as we age, the way our body adapts to these changes is important, and structure is not something we should focus on so heavily.

We can’t change structure, but we can change function and improve.

A better perspective of how we can improve a disc is thinking about squeezing a balloon. As shown in the picture, the air has to push away from the force that we apply to it. The discs in our back behave the same way. Take sitting for example, if we sit in one particular way all the time (you might even be slouching in a chair right now as you read this) we are applying a specific kind of load into our disc. Let’s say that we do this for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, for years on end, and over time this tissue can get worn out.

The wonderful thing about human resilience is that this is a changeable pattern. If we can be taught ways to “squeeze the balloon” in directions that oppose the pattern that upset it in the first place, we can create long-lasting change and get our body out of pain.

At our office, we help evaluate and provide the best strategies to help the disc adapt and function normally again. If you or someone you know might be dealing with this issue, we would be happy to help!