Tips for Safe Summer Yard Work

Warmer weather and sprouting gardens often mean yard work! This summer, be sure you know how to keep your back safe through all that work. Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation in Greensboro, High Point, Burlington and Winston Salem, NC want their patients to be mindful of their back. Keep reading for some tips!

• Know how much you can handle. Stop when you get tired or feel your back has had enough. Even taking small breaks throughout the day can help.


• Know how much you can lift. Use proper lifting techniques and do not attempt to lift, push, or pull something that you know is too heavy for you.


• Find ways to make tasks easier on yourself. Bring tasks up to your level so you do not have to crouch or hunch over them. Using a workbench is a lot of relief on the back. Another tip is watering the soil to make any digging or pulling weeds easier.


• Utilize garden tools. They are made to make tasks easier. Some of these helpful tools include kneeling pads, straps, and spades.

Yard work can be tough on the body if the proper precautions are not taken and prevention is the best medicine! To learn more about Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation in Greensboro, NC, give our office a call at (336) 543-2231. Our other locations may be found on our website, www.hstriad.com. 

Proper Sleeping Posture

While you probably know that posture is important while sitting and standing, did you know that it is just as important while you are sleeping? Sleeping is meant to let your body rest and recharge. With an out-of-line spine, there are disrupted messages to and from your body and brain. At Health First Chiropractic and Rehab in Greensboro, NC, we want all of our patients to know proper sleep posture.

The first thing to know about sleep posture is that there are two preferred positions to sleep in and one that is not recommended. Sleeping on your back or your side is best. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended because of the pressure it puts on your neck and lower back. However, we will give you tips for each position to help you rest comfortably and effectively.

 

Back and Side Sleepers

For those who sleep on their back or their side, thicker pillows are best for supporting your head and neck. When your head is hanging too low, a kink in the neck develops and disturbs the nerves. Make sure the pillow allows your head to rest at a level that keeps your cervical spine in line with the rest of your spine. Thicker pillows are usually best for these positions. In addition, side sleepers may want to place a pillow between their knees and back sleepers may want to place a pillow under their knees for extra back support.

 

Stomach Sleepers

For people who cannot sleep unless they are on their stomach, this is for you. Choose a very thin pillow or even use no pillow at all. This is so that your neck is not bent upwards while you are sleeping. Also, to take pressure off the rest of the spine, place a pillow under your pelvis/ stomach area.

 

Posture is important even when you’re sleeping! To set up an appointment at Health First Chiropractic in Greensboro, NC, call our office at (336) 543-2231 or visit our website, www.hstriad.com to learn about our other locations.

Headaches and Chiropractic Care

Headaches can be very disruptive, especially if they are reoccurring. Here at Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation of Greensboro, NC, we treat patients who are suffering from frequent headaches. You do not have to live with the pain.

Headaches can be a result of many different conditions, which is why it should be treated with a whole-body approach. The chiropractic care approach is based on the body functioning as a whole and not separate sectors. Our body systems all work in sync with one another and are all connected through our spine.

Chiropractic care for headaches may involve spinal adjustments. These will make sure that the spine is in perfect alignment so it can function at its peak level. When there is a misalignment in the spine, commonly called a subluxation, there is pressure on the nerves which disrupt messages to and from the brain. Posture is a very important part of keeping an inline spine. We also will be sure that your lifestyle promotes health.

If you are constantly on the sidelines because of a headache, we may be able to help you. To schedule an appointment with us or to learn more, contact Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation of Greensboro, NC. To schedule, or to find our other locations, call (336) 543-2231 or visit our website, www.hstriad.com. 

Cold Laser Therapy

Pain can slow you down, make everyday tasks seem difficult, and it can even lead to depression. At Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, we work to find a solution to relieve your pain and heal your body. We utilize cold laser therapy for patients who are in pain, chronic or otherwise.

Cold laser therapy can relieve pain, heal injuries faster, reduce swelling and spasms, and increase functionality. This quick procedure involves emitting non-thermal light through the skin and into the tissue that is affected. The light reacts with elements in the cells and creates a photosynthesis-like reaction. It creates energy and events in the cells that lead to faster healing, reduced pain, and reduced inflammation. It actually triggers the regeneration of cells. The cold laser can react with all types of cells, so it is beneficial for many conditions.

Some of the conditions that can benefit from cold laser therapy include arthritis, tendonitis, neck pain, and back pain. In addition, soft tissue injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia are also able to be treated.

If you are living in pain, it is time to see if cold laser therapy can help you. To schedule an appointment in our Greensboro, NC office or to check out our other locations, call us at  (336) 543-2231 or visit the Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation website, www.hstriad.com. 

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc can be painful and it can cause numbness, pain, and tingling in extremities. Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center in Greensboro, NC can diagnose and treat patients with herniated discs so that they can get back to their life. Keep reading to learn about what a herniated disc is and what problems it can cause.

A spinal disc is a cushion that is between all the individual vertebrae in the spine. It helps with movement and it absorbs shock. Discs are rubbery, disc-shaped, and have a softer center. A herniated disc is when some of that softer center part bulges out through a small tear in the tougher, rubbery outer layer. The pain associated with herniated discs happens when the bulging part pushes up against a nerve.

The pain will radiate from that area and will also travel to wherever the nerve leads. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in legs and arms. For example, if the sciatic nerve is pressed on, it can send pain shooting through your hip all the way down your leg. The symptoms of a herniated disc can range from nothing to severe pain.  If you are experiencing numbness or weakness to a limb, you should seek medical attention immediately to rule out any life-threatening causes.  Chiropractic treatment may include adjustments, physical therapy, and spinal decompression, among other forms of therapy. Patients usually find relieve quickly.

To learn more about herniated discs or to schedule an appointment with Health First Chiropractic and Rehabilitation in Greensboro, NC, call us at (336) 543-2231. Our other locations may be found on our website, www.hstriad.com.