We talk a lot about daily activities that can compromise our spine and our back. Running is another activity that, when performed without keeping your spine in mind, could end up putting your back out of whack. Below are some tips that will help you get the most out of your conditioning without causing lower back and spine pain.

Stretch it Out

Some macho type runners will refuse to stretch before and after their workouts, which is unfortunate. Stretching will make you more flexible and more limber before your run, and stretching will also loosen your muscles and relieve your joints after you get after it out there.

Invest in Great Footwear

Think about it, if you’re serious about your running, then you should be willing to spend a little extra on your shoes. 300-500 miles is a good lifespan for a pair of running shoes. Make sure that you’re getting new ones once you hit that milestone — it will make things easier on your joints and your lower back.

Explore the Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Barton Chiropractic Clinic offers comprehensive Chiropractic Care services in Homewood. If you continue to run, consider your lower back as a shock absorber. When you’re running or jogging, that repetitive impact on your spine can put a lot of stress on your discs. If you experience back or spine pain, contact us today to schedule your consultation. Chiropractic Care is the ultimate companion piece to an active lifestyle.

We’d like to go over some pursuits, activities, and everyday acts that many of us engage in that are less than ideal for our spine in addition to other areas of the body, like the lower back and the neck, for instance.

At Barton Chiropractic Clinic we believe just as much in preventive medicine as we do in our Chiropractic Care treatments — which is why we like to provide educational materials to our diverse patient base as well as our readership online.

Read on for key contributors to spine pain.

Lack of Exercise

This is particularly true of your abdominal strength-building exercises — also has to do with “engaging your core,” which you’ve probably heard many fitness enthusiasts talk about.

Lack of exercise also contributes to poor posture, which can inevitably lead to lower back pain. Being active and working your core will increase your stability when it comes to the back muscles, which will help prevent future injury. Do lots of cardio, like swimming, walking, and bicycling. If you run, it’s important to complement your training with Chiropractic Care.

Sitting All Day / Poor Posture

It’s a sad reality that many of us spend long periods of time sitting at a desk — if not all day. We stare at the computer screen at weird angles and many of us practice less than perfect posture (to put it lightly). It’s important to invest in an ergonomic chair that has a head and neck rest. 

Improper Lifting

This is one of the most common culprits when it comes to back injury. When you’re lifting objects that are anything over 5-10 lbs, it’s important to incorporate your legs and that you keep the weight close to the body. In other words, don’t hold what you’re carrying away from the body.

If you take these considerations to heart, you may just end up sparing yourself an injury. But we do know that accidents happen. And if such an event occurs, contact Barton Chiropractic Clinic today to schedule your consultation. We provide wide-ranging, drug-free treatments that will get you back to active in no time.

Chiropractors utilize the chiropractic adjustment to remove a patient’s subluxations (or misalignments) that are found in a patient’s vertebrae.

It can make a HUGE difference in your overall health. If you leave your spine and back unchecked and neglected, your subluxations could end up disrupting the brain/body communication system. This can end up causing an entire slew of problems. Subluxations can be complex and can come about by accident, injury, muscle tightness, stress, over (or under) stretched ligaments, in addition to other instabilities.

An adjustment can do a great job of addressing these core issues by realigning subluxations directly. You can use additional therapies which will help to stabilize and optimize the body, which will do a whole lot for your health and wellness.

Read on for a few ways to get the most out of your chiropractic adjustment.

Continue to Stretch

If you work at an office or if you’re on your feet all day, stretching before or after your day (or both!) is a great way to keep your body flexible and able to withstand the everyday wear and tear. Try to incorporate yoga stretches that engage your spine for added benefits.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Water has so many health benefits, including removing toxins from the body, as well as keeping your joints and spinal discs supple and lubricated. Be sure to drink plenty of water and disperse this practice throughout your day. It’s a good rule to drink about half your weight in ounces — meaning, if you’re 150 pounds, drink at least 75 ounces daily.

Sleep Well

In this go, go, go culture, you need to make sure you take the time to get your requisite 7.5-9 hours of sleep nightly. Sleep on your side or your back, if you’re able to. Springing for pillows that support your neck and hips is well worth the investment. Nice pillows between the knees and behind the neck equal better spine alignment and takes some portion of the stress and strain from your spine as well as your other joints.

Of course, the best way to continue to experience the benefits of chiropractic care is to be committed to continuous spine health. We can help you achieve this at Barton Chiropractic Care. We’re the spine alignment, chiropractic adjustment specialists in Homewood, IL.

Barton Chiropractic Clinic we honor the inborn potential of all our patients to be truly healthy. A part of health and wellness is taking care of our bodies, which go through a lot of wear and tear, not just when we’re exercising, but when we’re going through our daily activities. Our jobs, stuff we do at home — it all has an effect on our bodies after prolonged periods of time as well as repetition.

Below are a few stretches that are beneficial for your back. Stretching has many benefits and it’s meant to be used not just before and after workouts, but as a daily ritual for wellness and body balance.

1.) Lumbar Extension Stretches

This stretch is done by lying on your stomach and pressing your palms flat on the floor or matt’s surface with your elbows bent. Lift your upper torso slowly while keeping your hips and pelvis flat on the surface. Pro tip: make sure you keep your back muscles relaxed!  Make sure you only go as high as you are comfortable with. Try to aim for 10 repetitions while holding each for 10 seconds. Eventually, work your way up to 30 seconds.

2.) Lumbar Flexion Stretches

We’re a big fan of stretches that engage your lumbar spine. Start by lying flat on your bag, then bring your knees up to your chest, hugging them closely towards your chest. You can perform this stretch for 2-3 repetitions, make sure to hold each one for 15-30 seconds. You can perform this stretch with one or both legs at a time.

3.) Prayer Stretch / Child’s Pose

Do this stretch on your hands and knees. Sit back so that your buttocks are resting on your heels, then reach your hands forward and lengthen your spine. When done correctly, you should feel a stretch in your middle back. Reach your hands to either side in order to focus your stretch on the opposite side of the spine. Make sure to hold this pose for 10-30 seconds. Perform 2-3 repetitions.

We hope some of this helps. If you have back pain / spine problems that continue to persist, schedule a consultation with Barton Chiropractic Clinic today.

Today we thought we’d go over some of the most common injuries that occur during Memorial Day Weekend, which is a time when some of us indulge in certain behaviors (and often beverages) that put us in injury-prone situations.

At Barton Chiropractic Clinic we get a fair amount of patients who experience injuries from activities that many people might engage in over Memorial Day Weekend, so it may benefit our patients and readership to know what sorts of activities might put them at an adverse risk for injury. We believe in preventive medicine as much as we believe in the efficacy of our chiropractic treatments, after all.

Watch Out While Wakeboarding

Wakeboarding is a sneaky sport since it happens on the water. However, when you hit the water surface hard after a spill, it causes an impact on the body, which can result in a herniated or degenerative disc, upper back pain, lower back pain, neck pain, and more. Make sure that you play it safe and don’t go too big if you’re less than willing to pay the price.

Drive Carefully and Look Out for Other Drivers

It’s an unfortunate reality that Memorial Day Weekend brings risky road situations. There are more than a few drunk drivers on the road. Make sure that you’re not one of those, and also make sure to practice defensive driving, because even a fender bender can end up causing spine misalignment.

Bike Responsibly

Bicycles are going to be rampant around the beach every Memorial Day. Bike crashes are quite common, which result in injuries, sometimes even to the back, neck, and spine. Make sure not to get reckless. Watch out for pedestrians and other bicyclists.

At Barton Chiropractic Clinic we treat patients of all ages, from all walks of life. We offer drug-free, holistic treatments that our patients back to active. We hope you had a fantastic and safe Memorial Day!

Tis the season for making your yard look better than your beloved neighbors. At Barton Chiropractic Clinic, we like to educate our patients about best practices for the back and spine during everyday activities — because those are the types of daily motions we engage in which usually end up injuring us.

Yard Work is Hard Work

So make sure you work smart and consider what you’re doing to your body. Using gardening tools and being hunched over for activities (raking, laying soil, planting, etc.) can be very strenuous for your back. So make sure that you’re bending your legs and engaging your core whenever possible.

Be Sure to Switch it Up and Stretch it Out

This means before, after, and during your yard work. It’s a fantastic idea to switch up your position when your body starts to experience strain. Switch hands, switch stances — make sure it’s an overall ambidextrous experience. 

Don’t Try to Do Too Much

This is especially true if it’s your first time getting out there this year. You don’t want to overextend yourself, which could yield an injury, an intense sunburn (doesn’t matter if it’s sunny or overcast), or strain/soreness.

Visit an Experienced Chiropractor in Homewood, IL

Before you get medieval on your yard, schedule an appointment with Barton Chiropractic Clinic. Chiropractic Care has been proven to reduce tension leading up to (and after) any rigorous activity. We can help reduce muscle pain while also providing preventive procedures for our diverse patient base of all ages. Contact us today to get started.

It’s no secret that neck pain (NP), lower back pain (LBP), mid back pain (MBP) are now acknowledged widely to start early in life. Lifetime prevalence of back and spine pain increases during adolescence, often reaching aggravated, adult levels starting at the age of 18.

Spine and back health should be taught early on. Many believe that we are only as healthy as our spine, after all.

Why Young People Should Consider Chiropractic Care

Young people put stress on their body, whether it’s in school or during extracurricular activities like athletics. Carrying books is an entirely different matter, especially with book bags that are likely not designed with your spine in mind. A lifetime of Chiropractic Care is actually a great way to teach young people about wellness and learn a new lifestyle of loving themselves. While much of the medical community simply prescribe drugs to alleviate the symptoms, chiropractors are more sympathetic to the harsh realities of prescription drug abuse.

Chiropractic Care is holistic, drug-free pain relief that will help kids with athletics, it will help them perform better in their studies, and can make a serious difference — both in the child’s life and in yours!

Where Can I Find an Expert Chiropractor Near Me for My Child?

Barton Chiropractic Clinic provides comprehensive Chiropractic Care services in Homewood, IL. We’re happy to treat members of the entire family. Schedule your child’s initial consultation today — you won’t be sorry! Give your child the gift that keeps on giving: expert Chiropractic Care.

Barton Chiropractic Clinic treats patients of all ages, from infancy to senior citizens, and we see quite a bit of kids and young adults who experience back and spine discomfort due to lugging around backpacks, sitting in stiff chairs, and staring at screens all day.

Chiropractic Care is a great gift for recent graduates, whether it’s high school, college, or graduate school. It’s a holistic and viable option for both treating and preventing:

• Muscle Pain
• Stiffness
• Headaches / Neck Pain
• Leg Pain
• Musculoskeletal and Sports-Related Injuries
• Nerve Disorders
• Back Pain / Stiffness
• Abdomen, Neck, Hip and Shoulder Pain
• Arm, Leg, and Foot Pain
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• Tendonitis
• Whiplash
• And Other Traumatic Injuries

Was that you the past several semesters carrying unwieldy books and slouching in your chair while listening to a lecturer? If so, you might have done some damage to your back and spine that you’re not yet aware of. An adjustment might be just what you need to get back on your feet and hit the ground running for your next exciting chapter.

Chiropractic care is also great for current students. Dim bulb is a very real condition, and if you’re not firing on all cylinders, you might not be hitting your marks. If you’re feeling anything less than 100%, chiropractic care could be the game changer you need.

Contact Barton Chiropractic Clinic today to schedule your consultation. And Happy Graduation! 

Moms everywhere this month are likely anticipating lunch at their favorite restaurants, maybe dinner and a movie, maybe roses and chocolate. Spa days and massages are also hot ticket items during Mothers Day. But did you ever consider getting that special person in your life the gift that keeps in giving? Comprehensive Chiropractic Care is a great standout gift for Mothers Day. Read on for a few reasons why below.

1.) Chiropractic Care is Excellent Pain Relief

Whether Mom gets headaches here and there, or if she experiences Tech Neck keeping tabs on you on social media, chances are Moms everywhere can benefit from chiropractic adjustments.

2.) Chiropractic Care is Non-Invasive and Drug-Free

No extensive surgery with questionable results and risks that come attached. Chiropractic care is completely holistic and 100% drug-free.

3.) Helps Mom Fight Dim Bulb

Dim Bulb happens when we’re not firing on all cylinders. As one of our previous blogs discusses, slight misalignment of the vertebrae and subluxation caused by spinal bones moving improperly or positioning in a way that disrupts nerve communications can occur. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to rid the body and brain of these blockages.

Where to Find an Experienced Chiropractor in Homewood, IL

Contact Barton Chiropractic Clinic today to learn more about our chiropractic treatments and wellness services. We’d be happy to straighten Mom out and provide beneficial chiropractic adjustments and holistic treatments for the entire family.

Tech neck is something that happens to us when we spend a little too much time starting downward with our necks in a flexed state — this might entail your smartphone, or it could be your personal computer or laptop.

The act of looking downward puts your cervical spine in an uncomfortable position, resulting in neck and spine pain, headaches, shoulder pain, and radiating pain in the arms in the short term, but can eventually lead to far more serious situations, like muscle strain, disc injury, arthritis, and nerve impingement.

Set Time Limits for Yourself

Moderation is key here. If you’ve spent the last 15 minutes or so on your device, maybe put it down for a few minutes and switch up your posture. Better yet, incorporate an hourly stretch routine. There are amazing resources online — even some chair yoga tutorials that will do your neck and spine an amazing service.

Accessorize

This might mean investing in a phone or tablet holder that cuts down on neck flexion, or it could mean investing in a new chair with a good headrest that allows you to keep the back of your head flush and not looking downward with the neck flexing forward.

Visit Barton Chiropractic Clinic

Helping patients relieve neck, back, spine, and leg pain is what we do. We do it the holisitic way — without surgery. Contact Barton Chiropractic Clinic for drug-free pain management and chiropractic care today.