Star Wars and Chiro

Since many of you are around the same generation, I found this funny.  One of our patient's gave me this cartoon and I wanted to share it with you.

It reminds us to stay young at heart, but make sure our body is ready for the "fun" we put it through.  If it's been a while since your last visit, maybe it's time - before you get a new Star Wars T-Shirt!!!

Why is Acupuncture Done?

You may have heard of people turning to acupuncture to quit smoking, or to assist in their weight loss journey, but it does much more than those two things. Acupuncture can be used to treat headaches, bursitis, low back pain, asthma, Fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain to name a few more. Acupuncture is based on a theory that energy, called chi (say “chee”), flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians. To begin the acupuncture process here at Health 1^st of the Triad, our doctors will give you an exam and ask questions about your pain and range of mobility.

Acupuncturists believe that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances your chi. The technique itself is done by placing very thin needles into your skin at certain points on your body. This is done to influence the energy flow. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture, which is why it is important to schedule a consultation first.

If you think you may benefit from acupuncture, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.hstriad.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Health 1^st of the Triad in Greensboro, NC, call 336-543-2231. 

What Is Trigger Point Therapy?

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. At Health 1^st of the Triad, we offer trigger point massage therapy which is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

After forming, trigger points have two phases, active and latent (dormant). The active phase is the most painful and is the one which produces the unrelenting symptoms. This is the stage that motivates people to seek relief because the active trigger point hurts when pressed with a finger and causes pain around it and in other areas. Since a trigger point is an abnormal biochemical and mechanical area in contracted muscle tissue, the number and exact location on each person can vary. Since a trigger point is the contraction mechanism of the muscle locked into a shortened position, the trigger point therapy involves unlocking that contraction, leaving you pain-free.

If you think you may benefit from trigger point therapy, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.hstriad.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Health 1^st of the Triad in Greensboro, NC, call 336-543-2231. 

Benefits of Custom Foot Orthotics

If you’re someone who is on their feet all day, aches and pains in your lower body are likely common. This is because the shock of your feet hitting the ground travels up your leg causing lower back pain and uneven hip alignment/posture. If your feet aren’t properly supported, moving can cause stress and strain on these parts. To support them, our doctors at Health 1^st of the Triad can prescribe custom foot orthotics that are specially made and designed to support and comfort your feet and your feet only.

Heel pain sufferers, arch pain sufferers, and senior citizens are all types of people who may benefit from custom foot orthotics, but naturally, this depends on the individual patient. Orthotics are helpful in various ways because they help restore your ability to walk, run, and jump by reducing pain and swelling. They also increase the stability of unstable joints and provide better arch and back support. Selecting a shoe insert can be overwhelming, so why not have one that’s tailored to your needs?

If you think you may benefit from custom foot orthotics, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.hstriad.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Health 1^st of the Triad in Greensboro, NC, call 336-543-2231. 

Simple Tips for Taking Care of You

Most of us don’t give ourselves the well-deserved break we need to keep our mental health stable. Whether it be putting our phones down, or planning a weekend trip, it’s important to “shut-down” every now and then. At Health 1^st of the Triad, our staff takes pride in putting patients first. This is why we suggest utilizing some or all of these tips to treat you to a little rest and relaxation.

• Indulge in a massage – set aside some time to experience the complete and total bliss of a massage. It soothes both the mind and muscles, improves sleep quality, and reduces stress.


• Unplug – these days it seems like we’re all glued to our phones, laptops, or even both at the same time. Taking a break from social media, email, blogging, and so on can help us recharge and gives our brain the downtime it needs to work at an optimal level.


• Get outside – Yes we are aware that it’s winter, but ditching the comfort of your home is a great way to improve mental and physical health.

To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.hstriad.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Health 1^st of the Triad in Greensboro, NC, call 336-543-2231.

 

Spinal Decompression Basics

Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy involves stretching the spine, using a traction table or similar motorized device, with the goal of relieving back pain and/or leg pain. Here at Health of the 1^st Triad, our spinal decompression devices use the same basic principle of spinal traction. Both traction and decompression therapy are applied with the goals of relieving pain and promoting an optimal healing environment for bulging, degenerating, or herniated disks.

When the spine is gently stretched, this takes pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating a negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This, in turn, helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disk so they can heal.

If you have back pain that you can’t seem to find relief for, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about spinal decompression, as well as other services we provide at the practice, visit www.hstriad.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Health 1st of the Triad in Greensboro, NC, call 336-543-2231.

Many people understand that their brain controls and coordinates the body.  They may not understand that the brain is part of a complex system better known as the nervous system.  The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body. You can divide the nervous system into different parts better known as the central and peripheral nervous system.  The Central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord and The Peripheral nervous system is made up of the Somatic and the Autonomic nervous systems. At the most basic level, the function of the nervous system is to send signals from one cell to other cells, or from one part of the body to other parts.  This in a nutshell is the premise behind one of the largest health care fields on the planet.  Chiropractic health care looks at the functioning of the nervous system and chiropractic is a complete system of healthcare focused on restoring, preserving, and optimizing health by natural hands-on care. A basic philosophy of chiropractic is that the body naturally seeks the proper balance among all the systems of the body, and that these systems are meant to work together.  When the systems are out of balance or there are errors in communication, then the body begins to break down and a variety of symptoms can ensue.  Although chiropractors don’t treat body symptoms, a vast majority of patients notice significant changes in their overall health as a result of chiropractic care.  Since chiropractors focus on the nervous system and the nervous system coordinates all other systems it only goes to reason that if the nervous systems is working properly – there is a better chance for the rest of the systems to be working better as well.
Throughout the Triad, Health 1st has been dedicated to helping restore the nervous system function of thousands of patients.  If you or your family are looking for a chiropractor in High Point, Greensboro, Burlington or Winston Salem, then Health 1st is for you.  Find out if your nervous system is performing at it’s optimal level – we can help!