The Importance of Good Workplace Ergonomics

back pain chiropractorFor millions of office workers, freelancers, call center agents, and other professionals that spend the majority of their workday sitting in a chair, neck and back pain can be a part of everyday life. In fact, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are among the most common causes of occupational injuries and disability. Every year in the United States alone, WRMSDs account for more than a third of all work-related injuries, causing workers to miss more than 647,000 days of work. Also, they account for as much as $60 billion in workman’s compensation claims. But, a lot of these injuries and illnesses can be avoided simply by implementing good workplace ergonomics and by seeing a reputable chiropractor for back pain Wilmington NC regularly. Here, we discuss more about workplace ergonomics and its importance.

What Can Bad Ergonomics Cause?

When an individual is subjected to bad ergonomics for several hours on a daily basis, it has a compounding effect on their entire body. This means that the more they are subjected to it, the more damage it does. Almost immediately, the individual will start developing a bad posture that can instantly lead to lower back pain and stiffness in the neck. They can also start experiencing joint discomfort, muscle tightening and swelling, and feelings of numbness or “pins and needles.”

If not remedied, the individual will be higher at risk of suffering from chronic back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains, and even hernias.

Bad Posture = More Musculoskeletal Problems

In a recent report published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, researchers analyzed the postures of laboratory workers to determine whether or not ergonomics had any relation to the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the workers’ postures, and other work characteristics. Data was gathered using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ, a standardized scale for measuring musculoskeletal disorders and occupational health), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, a type of self-reporting measurement), and RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, a self-reported scale by which workers assess the postures that most accurately reflect their working positions). The researchers were able to conclude that poor workplace ergonomics caused musculoskeletal problems in 73.3% of the workers, and there was a direct correlation between the severity of one’s posture and the number of musculoskeletal problems they had.

What Can Be Done About Poor Workplace Ergonomics for Back Pain Wilmington NC?

If you work in an environment with bad workplace ergonomics, then you should bring it up to your employer immediately. The more employees you can get to rally with you, the faster your employer will take the action necessary to fix the problems. In the meantime, however, there are some things you can do to help improve matters. These include:

  • Raising or lowering your chair to a more comfortable position
  • Setting your monitor on books to raise it to eye level
  • Using an ergonomic mouse pad with proper wrist support

For even more tips, the United States Department of Labor’s OSHA website has a workplace ergonomics checklist you can review.

Another thing you can do to help improve your posture, relieve back and neck pain, and improve your overall health and wellness is to schedule an appointment with Southeastern Healthcare’s chiropractor for back pain Wilmington NC. Getting and keeping your body in alignment is one of the most important things you can do to help improve your comfort through the workday.

Make an appointment with one of our back pain chiropractors today by calling 910-790-3666. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

Top 5 Ways to Warm-Up Before a Golf Game

chiropractor Wilmington NCIf you don’t know better, golf can seem like a laid-back sport that carries little risk of physical injury other than being hit by a stray ball or having a foot run over by a speeding golf cart. But the truth is that a correct golf swing requires a great deal of balance, flexibility and core strength and that it can place a great deal of strain on the golfer’s back.

Unfortunately, many golfers don’t recognize the importance of warming up before teeing off until it’s too late. With more men and women playing golf than ever before, the incidence of golf-related back pain is also growing. Frequent play can aggravate chronic or intermittent low back pain that, in turn, can interfere with your ability to play golf. However, warming up before you play can go a long way to stop the cycle of golf and back pain. Not only can it keep you on the course, it can also improve the quality of your game.

Focus on Stretching and Taking Practice Swings

  • Trunk rotations allow you to warm-up the torso by mimicking the motion you will use to swing your club. Place a golf club across the back of your shoulders and slowly twist from left to right to stretch the torso and the shoulders. The lower body should remain stable with the movement taking place in the torso.
  • Stretch quadriceps by standing with a chair or bench behind you with your arms crossed over your chest. Bend your knee so that one foot is resting on the seat of the chair or bench. Squeeze your buttocks muscles to cause a contraction of the quadriceps (muscles in the front of the thigh). Follow the motions of your golf swing. Repeat on the other side.
  • Stretch your back by standing behind the back of a chair with your feet apart. Hold the back of the chair while keeping the back straight. Still holding the chair, drop your body down and pull it away from the chair to create a stretch near the armpits.
  • Sitting on a bench or chair, place the ankle from one leg on top of the thigh of the other leg. Use your forearm to push down on the bent leg. Lean forward to create a gentle stretch in your hip. Repeat on the other side.
  • Woodchops are a good golf warm-up because they reach the abs, legs and back. To perform these, stand holding a golf club straight up and down, perpendicular to the ground. Raise the club slowly over the head while holding your arms straight. Keep back slightly arched to stretch the chest. Next, bring the club down and between your knees while you go into a squatting position. Maintain a flat back and hold abs in throughout the stretch. Move slowly enough that it takes 30 seconds to complete the entire stretch.

Good Swing Mechanics For a Healthy Back and a Healthy Back for Good Swing Mechanics

It really does work both ways. Golf-related back pain is often the result of muscle sprains or strains that can be prevented with appropriate preparation and warm-ups. But poor swing mechanics will also take their toll over time—even for golfers who are relatively young and fit. Swings that are off-balance or that rely on the wrong muscle groups to generate power put players’ backs at risk. The reverse is also true—players who are nursing back injuries (and other types of injuries, for that matter) frequently compensate for them by making changes in their golf swing that hurt their performance and that may increase the risk of additional injuries.

Golfers of all skill levels can benefit from regular chiropractic care. Many chiropractic physicians have specialized training in biomechanics and some have made a particular study of golf performance and golf-related injuries.

Southeastern’s Chiropractor Wilmington NC Can Help Your Golf Swing

If you’re a golfer who’s interested in getting or staying healthy and improving your game, call or visit our office today! Call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-790-3666 to schedule an appointment with our experienced and caring chiropractor Wilmington NC. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care in the Workplace

chiropractor Wilmington NCIt can be really tough owning or managing a business. Not only do you have to worry about making a profit, you also have to look after the welfare of your most important resource, your employees. Your business, after all, is dependent on them being healthy enough to come to work, and to work productively while they’re there. So most businesses these days view their employee healthcare costs as an investment, a way of keeping the company healthy by keeping employees healthy. The challenge for managers is how to keep these healthcare costs as low as possible.

With this in mind, the findings of a recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine are encouraging, because they suggest that one way to enhance your employees’ wellness while reducing costs is to offer on-site chiropractic care.

How on-site chiropractic care lowered several companies’ health care costs

In the study, conducted between 2010 and 2012, the cost of care was tracked for 1,635 employees who received chiropractic care. About half of the employees received their care from off-site providers, while the other half received treatment from chiropractic offices established on-site, in the workplace itself. The company was willing to make this investment in chiropractic care because it has been shown to deliver effective treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, which are the primary cause of disability in the workplace.

The researchers found that, while both groups of workers received chiropractic care, the on-site group required fewer visits than the group traveling to off-site chiropractors. The on-site group also required fewer expensive diagnostic imaging tests (38% on-site vs. 56% off-site) and X-rays (27% on-site vs. 46% off-site). The off-site group required more office visits for treatment and physical therapy than the on-site group, and they also logged more visits to the emergency room. As a result, the study authors reported that chiropractic care “demonstrated significant improvements in headache, neck pain, and low back pain functional status in patients utilizing on-site services over a short time frame while still showing lower utilization and cost outcomes than community-based care,” and that “This study demonstrates that users of on-site chiropractic services have lower health care utilization than those who obtain their care at off-site community care centers.”

In a similar study at Anheuser-Busch brewing company in Peoria, IL, on-site chiropractic care provided in workplace wellness centers significantly improved care for workers who spend most of their time moving heavy cases and kegs of beer. Study authors reported that “In the two years since it was implemented, the number of employee sick days has declined by 22 percent, while the accident rate has been cut in half. Consequently, the company’s workers’ compensation costs have experienced a dramatic reduction, with premiums declining by more than 25 percent.”

These and other studies make a clear case for the establishment of on-site chiropractic clinics in workplaces because it provides employees more convenient access to safe, effective care for musculoskeletal conditions. Since it reduces employees’ pain and disability, it improves both their productivity and their job satisfaction. Plus it leads to lower overall healthcare costs for the company in the long run. In short, providing on-site chiropractic services has been found to benefit the workforce as well as employers in a variety of important ways—it’s a “win-win” investment for companies looking to improve productivity and reduce expenses.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Chiropractor Wilmington NC Today

If you work in an office and are experiencing pain or stiffness, schedule an appointment to see a Southeastern chiropractor Wilmington NC today. Relief is available and we can help.

Stop living in pain; 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, Leland, and Shallotte areas, we have an office conveniently close to you.

Why Are Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Often Used Together?

Chiropractic medicine is based on the idea that your body can help to keep itself healthy if your spine, neck, and head are aligned properly and free from abnormalities that impair the proper flow of energy along your spinal column. Doctors of Chiropractic thus work with spinal structures, using manipulative techniques to correct injuries and abnormalities and to speed healing of health problems—particularly musculoskeletal and neurological ones—that arise from misaligned bones.

At the same time, however, the bones of the spine are surrounded by muscle tissue and connective tissues (such as ligaments and tendons) that enable and control its movements. These soft tissues are affected by the spinal abnormalities, and may either cause or exacerbate structural problems. So massage therapy (which works to relax muscles, increase blood flow and improve mobility of connective tissues) is often a perfect complement to chiropractic manipulation (which works to resolve the structural problems).

Chiropractic and massage are not only compatible, they are complementary.

Massage is often recommended as an integral part of a broader chiropractic treatment plan, either in the form of massage to loosen muscle tightness before an adjustment, or after an adjustment to help the muscles adapt to the newly-repaired spinal structures. Many patients report that the combination of these two therapies works better than either therapy alone.

There is even objective evidence of this, in the form of an extensive survey of alternative health care treatments conducted by Consumer Reports magazine. Asking over 34,000 readers to rate both conventional and alternative treatments as to whether they “helped a lot,” “helped some,” or “helped a little,” the researchers found that chiropractic and massage rated higher than any other alternative health care methodologies, and in some cases higher than conventional medical care. Chiropractic, for example, was rated most effective in relieving back pain, while deep tissue massage was rated most effective in treating osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. As researcher Tiffany Field explained, “Moderate pressure to muscles and soft tissues stimulates a cascade of biological effects… We find that moderate pressure is essential for the effects we see from massage, and may be one way that chiropractic works as well, because typically a chiropractor applies moderate pressure.”

How is massage integrated into chiropractic treatment?

Many Doctors of Chiropractic work closely with trained massage therapists to provide the proper combination of therapies. For example, massage is often recommended before spinal adjustment because it relieves muscle tension that may be pulling joints out of alignment, and makes it easier for the chiropractor to move them back into place. Alternatively, many patients who seek pain relief from massage therapists but find that their discomfort persists experience more lasting relief by adding chiropractic care to their health regimen.

Many patients have discovered that they recovery from injuries much more quickly and much more completely with the combination of chiropractic care and massage therapy. This is most noticeable with conditions that cause chronic pain—the chiropractor works to relieve the structural problems and the massage therapist works to resolve the soft tissue problems. Most chiropractors who work hand-in-hand with massage therapists collaborate to find the most effective treatment regimen for each patient—the one that returns them to a feeling of health and well-being as quickly as possible.

So massage therapy can be seen as almost a perfect “partner” for chiropractic care. Both treatment methodologies are holistic and focus on helping patients without the use of drugs or surgery, and both are dedicated to finding and treating the underlying cause of your pain rather than just treating the symptoms.

Four Things You May Not Know About Chiropractic Care in the 21st Century

Even as adults, a surprising number of our beliefs are shaped by “casual” or “informal” sources of information, including watercooler conversations with colleagues at work, social media exchanges with friends and family and pop-culture references on TV. Most of the time, we’re not aware of the cumulative effect that this sort of information has on our view of the world—or how much of worldview is really second- or third-hand. Not surprisingly, this is even true when it comes to heath and healthcare. 

According to the Pew Research Center, people look to a variety of sources for health-related background, advice and support. For example:

  • 13% Consult online reviews of drugs
  • 21% Get information, care or support from others with the same condition
  • 28% Go online for a diagnosis
  • 33% Have participated in an online social activity related to health in the last year
  • 50% Gather health information online
  • 54% Get information, care or support from friends and family

While access to high-quality health information is undeniably a good thing for the public at large, it can be difficult for most people to judge the accuracy and appropriateness of what they read or hear. This is particularly true on the Internet, where the flow of new misinformation is often accelerated and amplified and where old ideas and misconceptions can be easily repeated and sustained.

In light of new media trends, we thought it might be a good idea to share three facts about chiropractic care in the 21st century—facts that sometimes get lost in all the “noise” about healthcare.

Chiropractic care is NOT on the “fringes” of modern healthcare.  And it hasn’t been for years.

According to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, chiropractic is the third largest primary healthcare profession in the U.S. (surpassed only by medical doctors and dentists), with over 70,000 active licenses.  In addition, the National Center for Health Statistics has reported that 8.5% of the American adult population used chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation in 2012—and that this percentage was significantly higher in many regions of the country.

Chiropractic care has a proven track record in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions—particularly back and neck problems—without the use of drugs or surgery.

Over the years, teams from leading academic institutions have published study findings that document the effectiveness chiropractic care in a variety of well-respected, peer-reviewed journals. Public health and consumer research organizations have also regularly reported on the high level of patient satisfaction achieved by chiropractic physicians.

Back in 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services delivered to Congress a report that detailed its findings from a “demonstration project” designed to assess the effects of expanding Medicare coverage for chiropractic services. As part of this work, researchers conducted a satisfaction survey of chiropractic patients. Here’s an excerpt of what they found:

“Sixty percent of respondents indicated that they received ‘complete’ or ‘a lot’ of relief of symptoms from their chiropractic treatments. Satisfaction with care was high, with 87 percent reporting levels of 8 or higher on a 10-point scale and 56 percent indicating a perfect score of 10.”

Interestingly, the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center came to a very similar conclusion based on its own survey data. The Center reported that a larger percentage of patients (59%) were highly satisfied with the back pain treatment and advice they received from chiropractors than were satisfied with the care provided by any other type of healthcare professional. By way of comparison, 44% of patients were highly satisfied with care provided by a specialist physician and only 34% were highly satisfied with care provided by a primary care physician.

Chiropractic care is increasingly provided as part of an integrated, cross-disciplinary approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal problems at leading medical centers and local clinics.

Here’s just one example: At the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, “Chiropractic physicians are established members of the mainstream medical team. They treat problems involving the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, cartilage and nervous system.”

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

If you suffer from pain in your back or neck, 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.

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.

Look Who Else Uses Chiropractic Care: Water Polo Players

back painAlthough it may not seem like it, water polo is a very physically demanding sport. Its players are required to spend an hour and fifteen minutes in a pool, during which they cover a distance of as much as three kilometers. There is a good deal of physical contact above and below water. In addition, teammates must shoot and pass the ball without the benefit of contact with the ground to help generate force in the upper body.

US Men’s Water Polo Player

The current US Men’s Water Polo team goal keeper, Merrill Moses, attributes much of the team’s success to the benefits they get from chiropractic care and their chiropractor Dr. Terry Schroeder. According to Merrill, “I can honestly say that without chiropractic, many Olympic athletes would not be able to perform to their potential. We take such a pounding on our bodies, especially in water polo, because it’s a contact sport. I like to get a chiropractic adjustment everyday just to keep my body healthy.”

US Olympic Water Polo Team Coach

Dr. Schroeder, coach of the US Olympic Water Polo team, was himself a water polo captain and helped the US win medals in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. In 1998 he was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.

Schroeder says, “Athletes know that the difference between winning and losing can be a matter of fractions. When looking for that edge, chiropractic often makes all the difference.” Schroeder adds, “I believe that chiropractic is going to continue to be of growing importance in the Olympic world.”

Upper body injuries are common among water polo players, particularly rotator cuff injuries and other types of shoulder pain. “Every guy I think on our Olympic team was being adjusted pretty regularly,” said Schroeder. “Some of them were a little bit slower to come on board… but as they saw the other guys kind of respond and said ‘Man my shoulder feels so much better, my neck feels so much better’ – one by one they all said ‘Maybe you can help me out. Maybe I’m going to perform a little better too.’”

Schroeder is continuing in a long chiropractic tradition. His grandfather and father were both chiropractors. “I grew up seeing people arrive at my dad’s office in pain and then watching them come out with a smile,” Schroeder says. “I’ve never taken an aspirin or had a shot. I’ve always had chiropractic care as primary care, and I believe I’m in balance, that my immune system is better for it. I’m not saying there’s no place for surgery, but the body will take care of itself if you let it.”

“Chiropractic has played a huge role in keeping me healthy – I’m the only four-time Olympian in the sport of water polo in the United States.” Schroeder added, “I won two silver medals as an athlete and now I came back with a silver medal as a coach. My gold medal in my life is chiropractic.”

Contact Southeastern Healthcare to Schedule Your Appointment Today!

If you’re looking for a proven, non-invasive way for neck or back pain relief, Southeastern’s team of experienced chiropractors can help. We treat patients like you every single day. All it takes is one visit to discover for yourself the benefits of chiropractic care.

Stop living in pain; call Southeastern Healthcare today at 910-208-6720 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced and caring Wilmington NC back pain chiropractors. We are here for you. With six locations throughout the Wilmington area, we have an office conveniently close to you.

 

neck pain chiropractor

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.