What Is Nerve Entrapment and How Can It Be Treated?

Have you ever felt an uncomfortable tingling sensation in your arm after performing the same motion for an extended period of time? Maybe it was after spending a day typing at your computer or raking leaves. This sensation may be caused by nerve entrapment syndrome, a common condition that is sometimes referred to as either a “trapped nerve” or a “pinched nerve”. Nerve entrapment can be uncomfortable, but there are treatments that can relieve the pain and help get you back to feeling normal.

Your body is equipped with nerves that carry information back and forth between your brain and your limbs, organs, and other body parts. Nerve entrapment happens when a bone, muscle, ligament, tendon, or other tissue presses against one of these nerves. This compression is most likely to occur in response to consistent, repetitive movement. Poor posture, obesity, and previous injury to the affected area are also risk factors.

Symptoms of Nerve Entrapment

The most common symptom of nerve entrapment is discomfort and numbness. You may feel as though a part of your body has “fallen asleep,” or you may find that your grip has weakened. While you may still be able to function normally with these symptoms, you should seek medical attention if the discomfort does not go away on its own after a few days. Sustained compression may lead to chronic pain and permanent nerve damage. This makes for timely intervention crucial to a full recovery.

When you visit your doctor, he or she might use a number of tests to diagnose your condition. After asking you questions about your symptoms and conducting a physical examination, your doctor may order a nerve conduction study. This test uses electrodes to measure electrical impulses in your nerve signals. You might also undergo electromyography (EMG) to evaluate your muscle activity or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the root cause of your compression.

Treatment for Nerve Entrapment

Chiropractors in Wilmington NC are experts in diagnosing and treating problems related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. There are several types of treatment that have been used successfully to relieve nerve entrapment syndrome:

  • Manual therapies, including chiropractic and soft-tissue mobilization.
  • Acupuncture.
  • Low-level laser therapy (LLLT).
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Depending on your specific situation, your chiropractic physician may teach you exercises that will help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your nerve. He or she may also recommend specific ways to help reduce inflammation around the compressed nerve.

To the extent that nerve entrapment is fundamentally a structural or mechanical issue, the symptoms can often be relieved with rest. Your doctor might instruct you to discontinue the activities that resulted in compression. He or she might also encourage you to wear a splint or brace to keep the problematic area still. If so, don’t be surprised if you are advised to wear your brace overnight. Many people move around while they sleep in ways that can irritate the compressed nerve.

Contact Southeastern Healthcare for Back Pain or Neck Pain Relief in Wilmington NC

If you or someone you care about is experiencing symptoms of nerve entrapment, we encourage you to call Southeastern Healthcare. Call 910-790-3666 to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

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Can Poor Posture Really Cause Back and Neck Pain?

In a word, yes!

Unless your back or neck pain has been caused by some type of over-exertion or acute trauma, it’s actually very likely that poor posture is at least a contributing factor. The alignment of the spine—from the neck through the lower back and hips—is critical to the body’s ability to support its own weight and move efficiently, so posture problems (which are often chronic) can gradually lead to pain and reduced mobility.

When it comes to pain in your back or neck, the relationship between poor posture and injury can also be a complicated one. On the one hand, having poor posture makes it more likely that you will suffer an injury. On the other hand, suffering an injury can also affect your posture. Mary Ann Wilmarth, DPT, spokeswoman for the American Physical Therapy Association explains, “Little things add up. You can increase the pressure on your back by 50% simply by leaning over the sink incorrectly to brush your teeth. Keeping the right amount of curvature in the back takes pressure off the nerves and will reduce back pain.”

How posture problems contribute to neck pain

One of the most common posture problems is a “forward head and shoulder posture”. This occurs when someone “hunches over” and places their head in front of their neck. The weight of the head towards the front stresses the lower neck vertebrae, and leads to overworking of the upper back muscles to compensate for the pull of gravity on the head. Many people with this posture problem also have a rounded upper back and rounded shoulders, which can lead to further stress and shoulder pain. Often, poor desk and chair ergonomics contribute to these problems, but even slouching on the couch or at a table with your mobile phone can lead to hunching over.

How posture problems contribute to back pain

The “forward head” posture described above causes stress on the lower cervical vertebrae, which may end up sliding forward relative to each other as a result of gravity. This is a particular problem for people who have jobs requiring them to look forward or downwards all day. Eventually, the prolonged pressure on the cervical vertebrae will irritate the ligaments and soft tissues, radiating downwards to the upper back. This process can lead to disc degeneration, cervical osteoarthritis and herniated discs.

Tips for improving poor posture and relieving back and neck pain

Poor posture is typically the result of habits that have been developed over long periods of time performing the same activities over and over again. Here are just a few of the most common culprits:

  • Staring at computer monitors or mobile devices that are badly positioned.
  • Sitting in poorly designed office chairs.
  • Sleeping on mattresses that don’t provide the necessary support.
  • Carrying heavy backpacks or purses.

But how do you know which activities are contributing to your poor posture and causing you pain? The clues are usually fairly easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. For instance, the pain in your neck or back may be worse at some times during the day than at others, or it may come and go with changes in your body position. If you experience fatigue or pain when you first wake up in the morning or after you’ve been sitting at your desk for a couple of hours, it might be time for a new mattress or new office furniture.

The good news is that once you become aware of the activities that are contributing to your posture problems and pain, most can be fixed relatively easily, with no need for either medication or surgery. Learn to recognize when you’re hunching over your computer, slouching in your chair or craning your neck to look at your mobile phone. Then sit up straight, aligning your hips, shoulders and ears in one vertical line.

Sometimes, however, the solution is not so simple—especially when poor posture has caused structural changes in the spine and neck. In these cases, a chiropractor can help by designing posture correction and spinal rehabilitation programs to restore the spine’s normal curvature. These programs will usually involve a combination of mechanical techniques that actively remodel the spine (including the use of braces and molding blocks), exercises and stretches that strengthen postural muscles and restore range of motion, and lifestyle changes to address the root causes.

As experts in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, chiropractic physicians are specially trained to recognize and correct postural problems. If you’re suffering from neck or back pain and suspect that your posture may be at least partially to blame, call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-790-3666 to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

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20 Surprising Facts About the Spine

The spine rarely gets much thought or consideration, but it is one of the most important features in the human body. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to move, let alone stand upright. It’s so important that it even has its own day – World Spine Day. If that surprises you, then here are 20 more spine facts from Southeastern Healthcare’s chiropractor Wilmington NC.

  1. There are about 22 ligaments in the spine
  2. The spinal cord has more than 13.5 million neurons
  3. The average spinal cord weighs about 35 grams
  4. The spine is so flexible that when bent it can form 2/3 of a circle
  5. The spinal column has more than 100 joints
  6. Humans and giraffes share the same number of cervical vertebrae (seven)
  7. The first cervical vertebrae is called “atlas” after the character in Greek mythology because it “carries the weight of the head”
  8. There are more than 120 muscles in the spinal column
  9. One-fourth of the spine’s length is made up of cartilage
  10. More than 80% of Americans will suffer from back pain at some time in their lifetimes with most injuries resulting from auto accidents
  11. After the age of 40, humans “shrink” at a rate of a quarter- to a third-of-an-inch per decade as a result of gravity’s effect on the spine
  12. Astronauts return to earth approximately 3% taller than when they left because of microgravity’s expanding effect on the spine’s cartilage
  13. Spines have 33 individual vertebrae, but some fuse over time to become the coccyx and the sacrum
  14. The spine has four primary motions – forward, backward, side bending, and rotating
  15. Sitting in a hunched position puts 200-lbs of pressure on the lumbar spine
  16. October 16th is the official World Spine Day
  17. Lying flat on your back with legs elevated puts 25-lbs of pressure on the lumbar spine
  18. The spine is capable of withstanding several hundred pounds of pressure
  19. The spine has a memory. This is why it is so important to make sure it is always properly aligned
  20. People with back pain who don’t undergo chiropractic treatment or rehabilitation are 22 times more likely to experience a relapse

Get Relief from Back Pain – Visit a Southeastern Healthcare Chiropractor Wilmington NC Today

There are dozens of causes of back pain, but a great many of which can be improved simply by being treated by an experienced chiropractor Wilmington NC. Isn’t it time you stopped living in constant pain? Get the relief you’re looking for, safely and holistically, at Southeastern Healthcare.

Call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-790-3666 to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

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Best Stretches for Back Pain

If you live everyday with chronic back pain, then you should schedule a consultation visit with a chiropractor back pain so you can be treated by someone skilled in this area. But, if you have pain but are still able to perform your daily routine, then there are some stretches you can do to help soothe the pain naturally by easing the muscle tension and strain in the problematic area.

Here are seven of the best stretches you can do for back pain. Practice them daily and you’ll notice your mobility will improve and your pain will decrease.

The Child’s Pose

The Child’s Pose is an easy stretch that involves hardly any moving. To do this stretch, you will start by positioning yourself on the floor (preferably on a yoga mat) on your hands and knees with your knees just wider than hip distance apart. Next, turn your toes inward until they touch and push your hips backwards bending your knees.

Once you obtain a comfortable “seated” position, extend your arms forward and let your head to naturally fall forward into a relaxed position. Slowly repeat the stretch 4 or 5 times.

Modified Cobra

The Modified Cobra is a popular stretch in yoga. To do this stretch, you will lie face down on your yoga mat with your body fully extended. Bend your elbows and put your hands flat on the ground where they are even with your chest. Next, you will press your hands down on the floor and raise your head and upper body while keeping your pelvis flat on the floor. Keep your arms fully extended and hold this position for approximately 10 seconds, then relax. Slowly repeat the stretch 4 or 5 times.

 Lumbar Rotation

This is an excellent stretch to help limber up the lumbar. To do it, you lay flat on back with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle and both knees together. Next, you will slowly rotate both knees in the same direction towards to ground while keeping your back or feet on the ground. When you start feeling tension in your lumber, stop and hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds and then slowly return to the starting position and repeat the stretch to the opposite side of your body. Continue alternating 4 or 5 times.

Supine Hip Flexor

To do this stretch, you will have to lay flat on your back on a bed or other elevated structure, like a weight lifting bench. Hang one leg off the structure without flexing it. Bend the other leg, grab the knee, and gently pull it up toward your chest. Hold the leg for 10 to 20 seconds and then release. Repeat the stretch with the opposite leg and continue alternating legs 4 or 5 times.

Knee to Chest

This stretch is exactly the same as the Supine Hip Flexor stretch with the exception that it is performed while lying flat on your back with your legs out straight, pulling one up at a time just as in the instructions above.

Glute Stretch

To stretch your glutes, you will start by lying on your back with both feet flat on the floor and both knees bent. Pull your right leg leg up and rest its ankle over the knee of your left leg. Then, pull your left thigh toward your chest and hold the position for 10 to 20 seconds. Repeat the stretch on the other leg and then alternate legs 4 or 5 times.

Hamstring Stretch

Stretching your hamstring might not seem like it has any benefit to your back, but it really does help loosen up the lumbar. To do this stretch, lay flat on your back and interlock the fingers of both hands under the hamstring of one leg. Keep the leg as straight as possible and slowly lift it (without bending at the knee) until tension is felt. When doing this stretch properly, you should feel tension, but never discomfort or pain. Hold the stretch for 10 to 20 seconds and then repeat with the opposite leg, alternating legs for 4 or 5 times.

Is Your Back Pain Debilitating? Call Southeastern’s Chiropractor  Back Pain

If your back pain is chronic or debilitating, then you might have a problem that stretching won’t solve. In such cases, seeing a chiropractor  back pain is recommended. Your spine may need aligning or there may be another pain-causing issue your chiropractor will be able to help you with.

Call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-790-3666 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced and caring chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

Top 4 Myths About Neck and Back Pain

 

neck pain wilmington nc

In Wilmington NC, back pain and neck pain affects thousands of people. Neck and back pain are among the leading causes of disabilities, lost work hours, and healthcare expenses in the entire country. But what many back and neck pain sufferers fail to understand is that relief is attainable.Part of the problem so many people continue to suffer from back and neck pain is due to the fact that they have serious misconceptions on how these painful problems can be treated. To help give you a better understanding, here are the top four myths about neck and back pain and their truths from our chiropractor Wilmington NC.

Myth #1: The Pain is In My Head

Not every cause of pain in the neck or the back is easily identified. This can often leave patients feeling as if their pain is not real, but rather a figment of their imagination. The truth is, certain conditions like depression and sleeplessness can definitely produce non-anatomically-caused pain in the neck or back. But, if the pain persists for weeks or months, then there will almost always be an anatomical cause. Just because your doctor can’t find the cause of your pain does not mean you’re not experiencing it.

Myth #2: The Pain Will Go Away With Rest

Rest will either help or worsen neck or back pain. While certain minor conditions might be alleviated with a day or two of rest, others will be aggravated by inactivity. This is because inactivity causes the muscles to weaken and this puts more pressure on the injured area. There’s a reason why physical therapy is a key treatment strategy for neck and back pain; it’s to help maintain and strengthen the supporting muscles in the affected area.

Myth #3: A Chiropractor Can Injure My Spine Because It is Fragile

Some sufferers of neck and back pain refuse to seek the help of chiropractors because they believe that the spine is fragile and the chiropractor might injure it during manipulation. The reality is, the spine is an extremely complex anatomical structure that’s supported by an incredible network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments and it is difficult to damage. Plus, chiropractors, like other healthcare professionals, undergo extensive training before they’re allowed to practice. They know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to manipulation and improving a patient’s posture and body mechanics.

#4: The Pain is So Bad, The Spine Just Has to Be Damagedwilmington nc back pain

When it comes to chronic pain in the neck or the back, the intensity of the pain is not always indicative of the amount of damage, in fact, it rarely is. For instance, a person with mild disc degeneration may experience significant pain while a person with more severe degeneration might not feel any pain at all. Every case is different and not every cause of long-term chronic pain is due to considerable damage to the spine or require surgical intervention. For a good many chronic pain sufferers, regular spinal manipulation may be all that’s needed to relieve the pressure on the pain producing point.

For Wilmington NC Back Pain Relief, Trust the Chiropractor Wilmington NC at Southeastern Healthcare

When you’re suffering from neck or back pain, it might feel as if there’s nothing you can do to help alleviate the pain. After all, you’ve probably tried all of the usual tactics, like heating pads, cold compresses, rest, and more. But, the problem is you’re only treating the symptom and not the cause and that’s why your pain just won’t go away.

Stop living with debilitating pain – call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-790-3666 to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.  Back pain relief is attainable and our chiropractor Wilmington NC can help.

 

chiropractor in wilmington nc

Latest Innovative Chiropractic Treatment Options for Herniated Discs in the Lower Back

Herniated discs are among the most common causes of pain in the lower back. And, when the disc bulges to the point that it is putting pressure on the spinal nerve root, the result can be even more significant with shooting electrical-like pains, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs and buttocks occurring regularly.

For years, the traditional treatment for herniated lumbar discs in the medical profession has been via the use of oral steroids and epidural injections of cortisone. The problem is, both of these treatment options have produced extremely limited success rates and in some cases, serious adverse side effects. So, what options do back pain sufferers have besides these ineffective methods?

Using Chiropractic Care to Treat Lumbar Disc Herniation

Recently, the Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics published the results of a study in which it was discovered that both chronic and acute herniated disks in the lower back can be effectively treated by chiropractic adjustments. The study was performed over one year and involved 148 patients with MRI-confirmed herniated lumbar discs. Prior to the study, each of the patients suffered from serious back pain, sciatica, and radiating leg symptoms. Of the 148 participants, 79 had experienced the symptoms without noticeable relief for more than three months.

Over the course of the study, the patients were treated with high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation and adjustments deemed appropriate for their individual cases. The patients were asked to self-assess the results of the treatments at specific intervals, including within two weeks, one month, three months, six months, and one year. They were also examined by doctors at those same intervals.

Since just 36% of patients with lumbar herniated disk show improvement after two weeks of traditional treatments, researchers were surprised to discover that 69% of the patients in the study reported significant improvement in both mobility and pain reduction after only two weeks of receiving regular chiropractic treatments. At the one month interval, 79.6% reported significant improvement in their conditions. Amazingly, by the end of the third month, 90.5% had reported improvements in their pain levels and mobility. The chiropractic care portion of the study ended after three-months, but the patients still reported their assessments at the six-month and 12-month points with the results showing that 88% still considered their condition substantially improved.

 Chiropractor Wilmington NC Care Offers Zero Side Effects for Herniated Disc Treatment

One of the other significant advantages of using chiropractic care to treat patients with disc herniation is the fact that the patients in the study reported no adverse side-effects from the treatments. This re-confirms what chiropractors already know – that patients with acute and chronic lumbar disk herniation can experience pronounced improvement in their conditions with zero risk of side effects using drug- and surgery-free chiropractic treatment methods. Whereas pain killers and epidural injections only mask the symptoms of the herniated discs, chiropractic care alleviates the patient’s pain naturally and helps their bodies to heal themselves.

Get Relief From Your Lower Back Pain – See Your Chiropractor Wilmington NC

If you suffer from pain in your lower back, Southeastern Healthcare can help you find lasting relief and improved mobility. And best of all, we can do it without using dangerous, habit-forming drugs or other risky treatment methods. Call us today at 910-790-3666. We are here for you. Our chiropractic team can help you manage your pain naturally and effectively. Discover for yourself the difference that safe and effective chiropractor Wilmington NC care can make. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

auto accident chiropractor wilmington nc

Why You Should Go to a Chiropractor After an Auto Accident

Thousands of auto accidents occur every day. In fact, so many take place on America’s highways and byways that the odds of you being involved in at least one accident within your lifetime is so much higher than living an accident-free life. Adding insult to injury is the fact that so many accident-related injuries fail to present themselves until a days after the event. And, since most auto-related injuries involve the neck and back, they can be extremely painful and frustrating and affect everything from your ability to work to your overall quality of life. Regardless of whether or not your auto accident was substantial, you should be seen by a medical professional immediately afterward and then, once it has been determined that you haven’t suffered any broken bones, internal bleeding, or head trauma, a visit to an auto accident  chiropractor WIlmington NC is recommended and here’s why.

Broken Bones Aren’t the Only Type of Injuries Caused in Auto Accidents

More times than not, auto accidents don’t involve traumatic injuries like broken bones. While these (and worse) types of injuries certainly can and do occur, by and large, soft tissue injuries tend to be the most common types of injuries associated with accidents. In fact, more than half of all whiplash cases occur in simple fender benders.

When to See a Chiropractor After an Accident

As stated earlier, if you’re involved in an auto accident, then it is always wise to seek medical treatment right away at the scene if an ambulance is called or at your local emergency room so you can be cleared of (or treated for) any major, life-threatening injuries. This is important even if you don’t feel pain because your adrenaline will be pumping after the accident and adrenaline is the body’s natural way of protecting itself against pain and trauma. Keep in mind that it can take as long as a few days after the accident before the adrenaline “rush” starts to wear down. During this time, you may gradually start feeling pain in your back, neck, or other body part.

But, you don’t have to feel pain to visit the chiropractor. In fact, even if you’re not yet feeling pain, you should still visit an auto accident chiropractor in Wilmington NC within two weeks after the accident if anything to get a second opinion and an alignment.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Auto Accident Victims?

Unlike traditional medical doctors, chiropractors are trained to detect hidden injuries like herniated discs, strained tissues, and subluxations. And, they have the expertise and tests necessary for finding them, including orthopedic and neurological tests. These test help identify things like soft tissue damage, structural damage, loss of muscle strength, loss of range of motion, and joint and nerve function problems.

If your chiropractor discovers any such injuries, he or she will create a custom treatment plan designed to help you recover from your injuries. This treatment plan can include a variety of treatment modalities including:

  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Deep tissue massages
  • Trigger point therapy
  • Kinesio therapy

With the combination of the above treatment methods, your auto accident chiropractor in Wilmington NC can provide you with the targeted care you need to make a return to full mobility and a pain-free life.

Schedule an Appointment with Southeastern’s Auto Accident Chiropractor Wilmington NC

If you were recently involved in an auto accident and you have already been assessed by medical professionals, take the time to see Southeastern Healthcare’s auto accident chiropractor  Wilmington NC. We’ll provide you with a complete physical assessment and create a customized plan of care that will have you feeling better and healthier in no time.

Call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-202-4341 to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

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7 Common Causes of Neck Pain

In a recent survey conducted by National Institute of Health Statistics, researchers asked respondents about the four most common types of pain and neck pain came in second only to low back pain. But, while low back pain often gets all of the press in terms of spine-related injuries and disability cases, neck pain can be just as burdensome and it can have as great a negative effect on one’s quality of life as any other type of chronic pain.

One of the biggest problems with neck pain is that the root cause of it isn’t always clear. From how you work to your choice in pillow, there are a variety of everyday factors that can accentuate one’s pain and this makes determining the cause even more difficult.

If you have neck pain, a neck pain chiropractor can help you sort out the issue and reduce your pain in many cases after just a few sessions. And, they can help you uncover the real reason behind your pain. To help you get started, here are seven of the most common causes of neck pain.

Correctable Causes of Neck Pain

  • Bad Posture: Many people underestimate just how important a good posture is to maintaining one’s health. If you don’t pay attention to your posture and you tend to slouch a lot throughout the day, you are putting stress on the muscles in your neck and shoulders. The resulting strain causes intense pain that worsens throughout the day.
  • Poorly Positioned Computer Monitor: We use them at work and we use them at home. Computers are definitely part of our everyday lives. But, if your computer’s monitor isn’t positioned properly, you will start to develop chronic neck pain. Ideally, your computer monitor should be positioned at eye level to reduce strain on your neck muscles.
  • Unsupportive Pillow: If your pillow is old and the padding inside has lost its supportive nature, then sleeping on that flat pillow will cause your neck to extend at odd angles, resulting in a stiff neck upon waking. But, just as bad is a pillow that’s overstuffed because it causes the exact same effect. The best pillow is one that gently cradles the head while keeping the cervical spine as straight as possible.

Medical Causes of Neck Pain

  • Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the deterioration of cartilage in the joints and this can occur anywhere in the body, even the cervical region of the spine. When someone has osteoarthritis in the cervical spine, they will usually have pain in the neck in the morning, at night, on cold days, and often, right before a rainstorm.
  • Degenerative Disc Disease: Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition that involves the wearing down of the discs in the spine. When this occurs in the cervical region, it can result in pain in the neck that comes and goes.
  • Herniated Cervical Disc: A herniated disc in the cervical region of the neck can put pressure on nerves, thus causing intense pain.
  • Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a breakdown of the discs and the joint facets in the spine. As the spine compresses, it places a lot of pressure on the nerves to the point that it causes intense pain and in some cases of cervical spinal stenosis, even numbness, shooting pains, or electrical-like shocks in one or both arms.

Southeastern’s Neck Pain Chiropractor in Wilmington NC Can Help

At Southeastern Healthcare, our chiropractors help patients suffering from neck pain find the relief that has eluded them for so long. Most causes of neck pain are treatable and we can help. Schedule an appointment with a neck pain chiropractor today and we’ll provide you with a complete physical assessment and a customized plan of care that will have you feeling better and healthier.

Call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-202-4341 to schedule an appointment with a neck pain chiropractor. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

chiropractor wilmington nc

Seeing a Chiropractor in Wilmington: 1st Consultation Expectations

When someone suffers from back or neck pain and they’ve scheduled their first ever appointment with a chiropractor, they are usually nervous prior to their appointment. After all, for most first-time chiropractic patients, the thought of someone manipulating their spine can be especially scary. But, the truth is, chiropractic treatments are completely safe and they don’t hurt. In fact, they tend to bring immediate relief to most problem areas. If you’re scheduled to see a chiropractor Wilmington NC for the first time, here’s what you can really expect to happen during your initial consultation.

Clinical Evaluation

Your chiropractor is a medical professional, just like any other physician you might see. Therefore, before a treatment plan can be developed, the chiropractor has to perform a thorough clinical exam. During this exam, you can expect the chiropractor to ask a series of questions regarding your medical history. You can expect questions such as:

  • Where are you experiencing pain?
  • When did the pain start?
  • Can you describe the pain (i.e., sharp, burning, stabbing, hot, etc.)?
  • Is the pain constant or does it ebb and flow?
  • Did the pain start as a result of a recent injury or accident?
  • Does anything bring relief or cause the pain to increase?

Chiropractic Evaluation

Now that the chiropractor Wilmington has a better understanding of your medical history, he or she will progress to the chiropractic examination. During this phase of your consultation, the chiropractor will check your vital signs and your reflexes. Certain orthopedic and neurological tests will also be conducted. These will be to check things like muscle tone and strength, range of motion, and neurological integrity.

Diagnostic Exams

Usually, a medical history evaluation and chiropractic exam are enough to provide the chiropractor with everything she needs to know in order to develop a course of treatment. But, in some cases, it may be necessary to undergo certain diagnostic exams, such as an x-ray, MRI, or other labs, before the chiropractor can make a positive diagnosis.

This is the usual process that’s followed during a chiropractic initial consultation. Depending on the patient and the cause of their pain, an initial spinal manipulation may or may not take place during the first visit.

Schedule an Appointment with a Southeastern Healthcare Chiropractor Wilmington NC Today

Just like going to the dentist for the first time, being treated by a chiropractor can be frightening if you’ve never experienced it before. But, don’t let your fear stop you from getting the relief you’re looking for. A chiropractor can help you enjoy a pain-free life without the risk of drugs or surgeries.

Relief from back and neck pain is available. Call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-202-4341 to schedule an appointment with one of our chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

Tricks to Eating Healthy While Dining Out

Losing weight is a journey that usually demands certain lifestyle changes to be made in order to be successful. These include implementing more exercise into one’s daily routine, eating fewer calories, and avoiding sugar, just to name a few. This can leave some people thinking that their days of enjoying dinner out are over. But, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Achieving safe and effective weight loss doesn’t mean you have to live a dull life. You can still go out with your friends for dinner at your favorite restaurant. You just have to think a little more closely about what you order. Here are some tricks to try the next time you want to dine out.

Enjoy a Glass of Wine, But Limit It to One!

Many people don’t have a problem ordering something healthier on the menu. It’s not being able to enjoy a glass of wine that really throws them off. The reality is, having a glass of wine won’t ruin your weight loss journey, so enjoy yourself and have that glass of wine. The trick is, limit yourself to just one glass.

Eat 75% of Your Meal, Then Stop

Many of today’s restaurants serve huge portions, much more than what your daily allotment for dinner should include. Therefore, practice portion control and eat only 75% of your dinner. You won’t be as full; you’ll still be satisfied, and you can take the remainder home for tomorrow’s lunch.

Always Be Careful of Dishes Labeled “Light”

You should know by now that terms like “sugar-free,” “low fat,” and “light” aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. If you see a dish on a menu that’s labeled “light,” check out the dish’s nutritional facts before ordering. Sometimes a dish may be called light because it is low in carbs, even though it is high in fats and calories.

Choose Dishes with Lean Proteins

It might be tempting to order the rib-eye, but a single 10-ounce rib-eye can pack more than 800 calories alone. Instead, satisfy your steak cravings by going with a leaner protein like flank steak, tenderloin, or strip steak. Plus, that 10-ounce steak is double the recommended serving. Therefore, if the restaurant can’t give you anything smaller than a 10-ounce steak, cut it in half and take the rest home.

Edit Yourself at the Salad Bar

A salad is a great side dish, but only when it’s made right. Ideally, you should opt for more of the darker greens, vegetables, some chick peas, and maybe some edamame. Leave the chesses, bacon bits, croutons, and other fatty toppings alone. And, for the dressing, you should go with one or two tablespoons of low-fat dressing, preferably olive oil and vinegar.

 

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If you’re having a hard time losing weight, don’t get discouraged. Some people just need a little help and that’s exactly what Southeastern Healthcare has to offer. We provide medically-guided weight loss Wilmington NC that really works. If you need help losing weight or you just can’t get those last ten pounds off, call us today at 910-477-3945. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.