Why does tightness in the hip flexors matter?

A less thought of factor when it comes to back health, the hip flexors can play a crucial role in the presence of back pain. When we sit for long periods of time, or pursue activities such as cycling or even jogging, the muscle complex in our hip flexors can tighten and create a pull on the front side (anterior) of the pelvis. 

A microcosmic portrait of muscular imbalance with tight hip flexors and weak glutes

More commonly known as anterior pelvic tilt, this altered posture encourages your body to use the gluteus maximus less, creating a muscular imbalance that is a perfect recipe for back pain. Pain can often develop at a local level- that is, in the hip flexors themselves, because an overused muscle is prone to painful spasms, while weakness in the glutes will contribute to instability in the lower back.

What can I do about overly tight hip flexors? 

We have a plan for releasing tight hip flexors, thereby making good posture easier to achieve and reversing the muscular imbalance that has occurred. We begin by releasing the muscle spasms which have accumulated in painful trigger points. We then focus on static hip flexor stretches to increase range of motion and focus on negating the anterior pelvic tilt to establish good posture as your norm. We are movement specialists and you can begin the process of releasing tight hip flexors by calling our office to schedule an appointment today!

Sleep is your ticket to success at college

By allowing your body to rebuild and repair, and preparing all your major internal systems for another day of activity and mental application, 8 hours of sleep is never more important than in college. But it is also the time when we see our young adults face sleep problems the first time. The struggle is to find balance and keep stress at a minimum so that you can get to sleep and stay asleep at night.

New college students face unique sleep challenges

Many new college students are going to be adjusting to an elevated schedule of demands on both body and mind when it comes to managing a schedule that balances social commitments and academic responsibilities. When it comes to sleeping, these demands can cause difficulty; the top challenges identified by college students when it comes to sleeping include:

• Getting used to a new environment- noise at night, an unfamiliar (and often uncomfortable) bed.
• Stress: managing work, school and play creates a feedback loop of psychological and physiological stress
• Health problems: exposure to new bugs, seasonal sickness, and even the side effects of medicine 

…and we can add to the list: the body and brain’s chemical adjustment as they get used to increased substance intake. 

Chiropractic can help you find a more restful night’s sleep at college

Utilizing both chiropractic and massage modalities, we can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and enhance the feel-good capabilities of your brain. This helps to stimulate feelings of calm and relaxation that allow you to find both quality and quantity of sleep. If you are interested in sleeping better through your college experience, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today. 

Water is spinal therapy

Floating in water is the closest we can approximate to suspending gravity within the earth’s atmosphere. By immersing yourself in water, the downward force of gravity is greatly mitigated, which means that the near-constant compression of your spine is also reduced. If you are suffering from back pain, it is worth considering taking a trip to the pool in order to experience the pain relief that comes when the pressure is taken off your spinal joints and bones. 

The rehabilitative effects of swimming

Exercising in the pool has numerous benefits that exercising on land just can’t match:

• Reduced compression of the spinal joints
• Natural resistance of the water means that every movement is strengthening
• Warm water provides therapy to joints

One major limitation for people looking to overcome back pain is that the pain itself limits motion. Your back pain is holding you back from performing the exact motions which help you prevent the pain in the first place. Enter the water and this vicious cycle begins to unwind. You can focus on strengthening and stretching the muscles and joints that matter for keeping pain at bay at whatever level of intensity you choose. 

How we help you get in the water

Our primary goal at our office is to get you in conducive shape for whatever kind of exercise you like most. After all, moving is what matters! If you want to get into the pool, we can help you overcome back pain through spinal adjustment that aligns the spine and improves your overall range of motion. Furthermore, chiropractic adjustment has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, boosting the body’s healing response. That means you can get in the water and reap the therapeutic benefits of buoyancy without the fear of hurting yourself further. If you are interested in overcoming back pain in a natural manner, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.