Hot and Cold – When do I apply what?

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Are you confused about when to apply heat or cold to an area you are feeling pain in? Staff at the Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey are standing by ready to guide you towards the best choice for relief.

Both therapies cut down on pain but there are important differences. According to Advance for Nurses, “hot therapy opens blood vessels, which increase blood flow and relaxes muscles and cold therapy shuts down the blood flow to the injury, which reduces swelling”. Neither therapy treatment should be applied for more than 15-20 minutes unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. Neither treatment should be applied directly to the skin – use a covered heating pad or wrap in a towel. One should check the skin frequently to avoid burns no matter which therapy you apply.

There are a few standard recommendations we want to share with you. For example, after a pulled muscle, joint sprain or injury with a swelling, use cold therapy for the first 48-72 hours before switching to heat. Burns benefit from cold and heat should not be used for swellings or open wounds or on stiches. Cold helps minimize inflammation.

“I often advise our patients in both the Bergen and Passaic county offices to ice up after receiving an adjustment for an already irritated condition such as back pain,” said Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C. “We are here to help you find the balance in your relief and will provide the recommendation appropriate to your concern.”

Let it out – Stress reduction for today’s caregivers

You have heard the notion before that if you don’t take care of yourself; you will not be in good shape to take care of those around you. Whether you are caring for your family, an elder or sick loved one, stress can quickly build-up in our fast paced environments. The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey, NJ can help you ease away your tensions physically but there are many ways our staff recommends stress reduction to ensure optimum health and wellbeing.

“It is important to avoid depression that can occur from too much stress,” said Dr. Moe Abtahi. He said, “Simple exercise that incorporates proper breathing from walking to yoga is a fast way to gain relief, and if you can play a little music during the exercise, even better!”

The Dalai Lama has stated, “Sleep is the best meditation,” and we agree that both getting the right amount of sleep and meditating are important ways to renew one’s mental, physical and emotional states.

When you are rushing about, try to maintain a sense of humor in the process. The physical act of laughing increases joy, releases endorphins, reduces stress, makes social connections, and simply makes you feel better. Best of all, all of these methods come from within and there is no expense involved. Dr. Abtahi states, “Eat properly, get your rest, and laugh as much as possible – in fact, let it all out!”

Weight and its effects on your joints

If you have ever experienced pain in your joints, you know it can be a serious matter. Thousands of people feel pain in their knees, ankles and hips daily. The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey sees patients from Northern New Jersey daily who struggle with joint pain. There are many effective ways of reducing such pain.

“We advise all of our patients to exercise to the best of their ability for a minimum of 30 minutes a day,’ shares Dr. Abtahi. “Unattended attention to joint pain can lead to chronic issues.” Limited ranges of motions and constant stiffness, constant fatigue, swelling, pain, redness and warmth are familiar to many. “If any of your daily activities are affected, please make sure to visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible.”

Low-impact exercises such as yoga, biking, swimming in addition to walking are favorite ways to obtain long-term relief. The added exercise benefit is losing weight, which is important for reducing the risks such as osteoarthritis and heart disease. Taking breaks from prolonged periods of sitting or standing helps, proper shoe wear, and the use of cold and hot therapies can all make a difference.

The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center of Ramsey provides preventative care and treatment for residents of Northern New Jersey, including Bergen and Passaic counties. The center is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management and is headed by Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.

Springing into Step – Guarding your back and joints during gardening

The staff at Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Center in Ramsey recommends gardening as an opportunity to find balance in your life both mentally and physically. It is an activity that can be done individually or as a family project that will bring you a renewed sense of peace.

Bergen County in spring is a favorite time for many of its residents. Local pride in maintaining one’s yard is a pastime that has grown in popularity. The food movement has renewed interest in local and organic vegetables and Americans everywhere are composting. Don’t let you back and joint pain prevent you from the benefits of working this pleasurable work-out into your life.

There are many ways you can protect yourself and you can start by asking Dr. Abahi how you should move properly to reduce strains for your particular concerns. Just like a plant takes time to bloom, so do you. Plant your seeds now – there are many steps you can take before you even get outside such as dressing properly, applying sunscreen and insect repellant. Be sure you are wearing appropriate footwear and check to make sure the ground is not wet so you avoid slip and falls. Walking and mild stretching can begin before the first robin appears, and you can schedule check-ups ahead and ask your healthcare provider if your vaccinations are up-to- date.

Inventory your tools and reduce the risks by using wheelbarrows and long-handled tools. Check to see if your mower is the correct height and limit the time you spend on your knees. Use new knee pads and stools and never work in the yard without gloves. Your ability to garden for increased time periods will grow like your plants but stop whenever you feel pain. Protect your eyes with goggles and practice proper posture. Remember to breathe properly and listen to nature and before long you will be following the old adage to “Stop and smell the flowers!”

Back Pain Relief Center

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If you live in Ramsey or Passaic and are suffering with nagging chronic or acute pain or stiffness in the neck, upper, or lower back, you’ve come to the right place.

It may surprise you to learn that back pain affects some 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. So you’re not alone. The causes range from genetic issues to injury, to disease and stress, but all back pain sufferers share one thing in common, they want relief and they want it NOW!

GREAT NEWS!

For many, that relief is only a phone call away. Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center specializes in the treatment of back pain regardless of its cause.

MOST back pain symptoms can be treated naturally without risky surgeries or dangerous drugs by working with your body’s innate healing powers.

Family Chiropractic Newsletter

Family Chiropractic Newsletter

Our newsletters are a great source of information for all of your chiropractic and spinal health care needs.

Please click the links below to download and read our Family Chiropractic Newsletters.

Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center Newsletter Volume 1
This issue includes informative articles about managing back pain:

  • How to Manage Your Back Pain Without Surgery
  • What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center Newsletter Volume 2
This issue includes informative articles about pain relief:

  • How To Start the Summer Pain Free!
  • How to Live Pain-Free

Headache Relief Center

Ramsey and Passaic Headache sufferers find fast, effective, lasting relief without drugs.

If you live in Ramsey or Passaic and are suffering from tension, migraine, cluster or cervical headaches, YOU CAN FIND RELIEF!!

Ninety-five percent of headaches are primary headaches, such as tension, migraine, or cluster headaches. These types of headaches are not caused by disease but FROM TENSION.

“The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck,” says Dr. George B.McClelland, Chairman of the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA) Board of Governors. “Today, Americans engage in more sedentary activities than they used to, and more hours are spent in one fixed position or posture. This can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back and scalp, causing your head to ache!

For many, that relief is only a phone call away. Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center specializes in the treatment of headache pain regardless of its cause.

Why Choose Chiropractic for Headache Relief?

According to the International Chiropractic Association, the primary focus of chiropractic is the detection, reduction and correction of spinal misalignments and nervous system dysfunction. Doctors of chiropractic attempt to get to the root cause of a health problem, rather than just treat the symptoms. Chiropractic seeks to maximize the natural strengths of the body and its capacity to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

Neck Pain Relief Center

If you live in Ramsey or Passaic and are suffering with nagging chronic or acute pain, soreness, cramps, or stiffness in the neck, you’ve come to the right place.

It may surprise you to learn that neck pain affects literally millions of Americans at any given moment. So you’re not alone. The causes range from genetic issues to injury, disease and stress, but all neck pain sufferers share one thing in common: they want relief-and they want it NOW!

For many, that relief is only a phone call away. Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center specializes in the treatment of neck pain regardless of its cause.

MOST neck pain symptoms can be treated naturally without risky surgeries or dangerous drugs by working with your body’s innate healing powers.

Manage Your Back Pain Without Surgery

Chiropractic in Ramsey & Ridgewood NJ

Doctors report that back pain is one of the most common medical complaints they hear in the field. Affecting the upper, mid or lower region, back pain is often the result of a tissue or muscular injury caused by either a traumatic event– a fall, sport’s injury, helping a friend move– or some sort of repetitive stress– sitting day after day in the same chair without proper back support, for example. Degenerative disc disease and arthritis can also wreck havoc on the back. But before turning to a surgeon, a chiropractor can be your first line of defense, and relief. Through hands-on spinal manipulation, also known as a Chiropractic Adjustment, a chiropractor works to put a patient’s musculoskeletal structure back into proper alignment. Focusing on the source of the problem, a chiropractor aims to improve overall functionality and range of movement while reducing nerve irritability, in other words, that nagging pain you’ve been experiencing.

Additionally, your chiropractor may recommend one or some of the following courses of treatment:

  • Physical therapy modalities. Ultrasound, electrical stimulation and traction equipment can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Pelvic stabilization. If the cause of your back pain is flat feet, your chiropractor may place a small heel lift in the shoe or prescribe corrective arch supports to help stabilize the pelvis.
  • Exercises. Your chiropractor can teach you stretching and strengthening exercises which have been shown to decrease pain while increasing range of motion.
  • Ergonomics. How you stand or sit, especially if you are doing either for long stretches on a regular basis, can be the root of your back pain. Or at the very least, these habits can make the problem worse. Your chiropractor can counsel you on this and make recommendations for improvements.
  • Patient education. Even small modifications to diet and/or lifestyle can have a big impact. Your chiropractor will treat your back pain from a holistic perspective empowering you with the tools and knowledge you need to get on the road to relief.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

The way we move, the things we do and sometimes even the way we’re made can all cause the bones of our spine, the vertebrae, to move out of position. These wayward vertebrae apply pressure to nerves resulting in inflammation and pain. A Chiropractic Adjustment aims to unlock each vertebrae from their incorrect position through the application of gentle pressure so that they’re able to align themselves correctly. Your chiropractor has been schooled in numerous adjustment techniques and will select the right one for your particular condition.