Self-Care for Back and Neck Pain

Almost everybody who experiences tight shoulders and neck accompanied with tension headaches knows how unpleasant the pain can be. Here at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC we offer a variety of treatments to treat your back and neck pain. However, when you can’t make it to the office, here are some self-care tips to keep your discomfort under control.

1. Take it easy – contrary to popular belief, studies on acute back pain actually show that a few days of restricting your activity, and taking the appropriate over-the-counter medication, is all that many people need to allow the strained muscles to relax and unwind.


2. Ice, then heat – Ice and heat can alleviate local pain that comes from muscle and ligament strain. Ice slows swelling and inflammation and using heat after increases blood flow to the deep tissues and relaxes muscle spasms.


3. Massage -- if you have a willing companion, gentle massage may provide some relief by stretching tight muscles and ligaments.

If you are suffering from back and neck pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat as well as the services we provide at our office, visit www.forsstomchiropractic.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, call 303-770-5666.

Cryotherapy: Icing an Injury

An injury benefits from ice days following the trauma. However, if your pain worsens, you should visit Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC immediately. The icing method – cryotherapy – is an essential management skill that is also a cheap, effective, and drugless method for relieving the pain of injuries. Safe application of ice to your skin can relieve symptoms from sprains, strains, bruises, and virtually any situation in which superficial tissues are inflamed by trauma.

Cryotherapy is an excellent way to heal muscle spasms in the body. The method of icing is well known to help numb painful areas as well as provide a cooling relief to affected soft tissues. Applying cold compresses to the skin effectively reduces the temperature of the skin and constricts blood vessels in the area to promote healing. It can be done right at home, or we can offer the service to you right here in the office.

If you’ve recently suffered an injury, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat as well as the services we provide at our office, visit www.forsstomchiropractic.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, call 303-770-5666.

The Proper Lifting Technique

Summer is a popular time for moving residences. This often means you or someone you know is moving and will need help. If you do not know how to properly lift, this is for you. At Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, we want our patients to stay safe and practice smart lifting.

The incorrect lifting of an object is one of the most common ways to injure your back.  It is important to be aware of the proper technique so you can avoid an injury. If you do experience pain after lifting, be sure to schedule an appointment with us.

To properly lift:

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with one of your feet slightly in front of the other. Squat down to the level of the object, keeping your back straight. You should only bend at your hips and knees. Keeping your chest out and shoulders back help. Also, keep your head up and looking straight forward. Grip the object and lift it slowly by straightening your legs. Your back should still be straight. Important: Never twist your body when you are lifting. Only lift things straight up. When carrying or holding the object, keep it close to your body at the level of your belly button. To set the object back down, do so by squatting; keeping your spine in line.

Ignoring a back or neck injury could lead to chronic pain down the road. If you feel you may have injured yourself, do not put off setting up an appointment with us. To schedule an appointment at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, call us at (303) 770-5666 or visit our website, www.forsstromchiropractic.com. 

Proper Sleeping Posture

Sleeping is our body’s way of recharging and restoring. Believe it or not, bad sleep posture can prevent this process. At Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC of Centennial, CO, we want our patients to do everything they can to facilitate a healthy spine and a healthy life.

Back Sleepers

One of the most important parts of good sleep posture is your pillow. Back sleepers will want a thicker pillow that comfortably fills the space between the back of the head and the mattress. It should support the head so that the neck is in neutral position. This means the cervical spine (in the neck) is completely aligned with the rest of the spine. If there is a kink in the neck, nerve passages cannot send messages to and from the brain properly. It is also smart to place a pillow underneath the knees to take pressure off the lower back.

 

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers will also want a thicker pillow. It should fill the space between the ear and the mattress while keeping the cervical spine in line with the rest of the spine. Place a pillow between the knees to keep the hips from causing pressure on the spine.

 

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on the stomach is not a recommended position. It puts stress on the back in multiple areas and can result in a kink in the neck while sleeping and pain after waking up. However, for those who feel they can only sleep if they are on their stomach, choosing a very thin pillow or no pillow at all will help. This is so the neck is not bent upward at an awkward angle. Also, place a pillow under your pelvic region to take stress off of the rest of the back.

 

Making sure you are resting in a comfortable and neutral position will ensure your body can get the rest and replenishment it needs. To schedule an appointment with Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC, call our Centennial, CO office at (303) 770-5666 or visit our website, www.forsstromchiropractic.com. 

Chiropractic and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is an ongoing pain that persists beyond an expected time frame and it doesn’t respond to the typical pain management techniques. Chiropractic care may be a treatment option for you if you have chronic pain. Here at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC we utilize a variety of non-surgical treatments, such as spinal manipulation, to address chronic pain symptoms, such as inflammation and muscle tension.

There are three basic components to the perception of pain: the sensory effect, which involves the electrochemical perception of pain by the brain; the emotional effect, which is our immediate response to pain; and the sensory-emotional effects of chronic pain. At Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC Dr. Doug Forsstrom will conduct a physical exam as well as some tests to diagnose your type of pain. Once you’re diagnosed with a pain condition, Dr. Forsstrom will develop a treatment plan. Your treatment plan may include manual therapies and therapeutic exercises in addition to spinal manipulation.

If you suffer from chronic pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat as well as the services we provide at our office, visit www.forsstomchiropractic.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, call 303-770-5666.

Performing a Chiropractic Adjustment

A chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain, shoulder pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and much more. The adjustment itself refers to Dr. Doug Forsstrom of Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. We understand that our patients may feel slightly apprehensive to be “adjusted” by another human being, which is why we wanted to take this time to provide you with insight on how a chiropractic adjustment is performed.

The goal of chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation, is to correct structural alignment and improve your body's physical function. The adjustment itself typically involves a high velocity, short lever arm thrust applied to a vertebra. During the adjustment, you may be asked to lie on a specially designed table while Dr. Doug Forsstrom manipulates your arms and legs to prepare you for sudden movement. You may hear your body “crack” once this is done, but it’s important to know that this is caused by the release of pressure in the joints. When Dr. Forsstrom places his hands in precise locations, using controlled movements, he works on individual joints to improve mobility and relieve discomfort.

If you think you may benefit from a chiropractic adjustment, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat as well as the services we provide at our office, visit www.forsstomchiropractic.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, call 303-770-5666.

Defining Whiplash and Treating the Condition

Whiplash is a generic term applied to injuries of the neck caused when the neck is suddenly and/or violently jolted in one direction and then another, creating a whip-like movement. Whiplash is most commonly seen in people involved in motor vehicle accidents, but it can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work injuries, and other incidents. Because each individual case of whiplash is different, Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC will not administer treatment until he completes a chiropractic exam on the patient.

Soon after whiplash occurs – in the acute phase – Dr. Doug Forsstrom will work on reducing neck inflammation using various therapy modalities such as ultrasound, manipulation, muscle relaxation/stimulation, various exercises and/or ergonomic lifestyle changes. The primary whiplash treatment for joint dysfunction, spinal manipulation, involves Dr. Forsstrom gently moving the involved joint into the direction in which it is restricted.

If you’ve recently been injured in an auto accident, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat as well as the services we provide at our office, visit www.forsstomchiropractic.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Doug Forsstrom at Forsstrom Chiropractic Center, PC in Centennial, CO, call 303-770-5666.