Posts Tagged ‘passaic’
What makes a herniated disc worse?
Here are some every day things that can be avoided, but will aggravate your injury. If you are in the midst of a herniated disc injury or are on the road to recovery, it is important to be aware of your posture.
Avoid soft furniture that you will sink into, or furniture that sits low to the ground. It may look ultimately comfortable and inviting, but it is not offering any support for you spine and is actually encouraging an unnatural positioning of the body that will harm you in the long run.
Sleeping on your stomach is very hard on the spine and its associated muscles. If you must do it, use an extremely soft pillow or no pillow at all to avoid raising the neck at an angle.
Addressing inactivity
If possible, when standing in the same position for long periods of time, alternate putting each foot up on a stool or box every few minutes.
If sitting for a long period of time, use a footrest or stool to keep the knees above a little above the hips.
Exercise
For avid gym-goers, avoid the following exercises while in the healing process for a herniated disc:
- Weightlifting
- Leg presses
- Twisting exercises
All of these can aggravate the problem. Instead, focus on these exercises:
- Core-strengthening
- Aerobic exercise
- Stretching and flexibility exercises that help to relieve pressure on nerves.
These are exercises that offer benefit to everyone suffering from back-related conditions, and those who are looking to strengthen the back muscles. At Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center in New Jersey, we can show you exactly how these exercises treat the herniated disc injury. Let’s talk today: Call our Passaic office at (973) 471-9585 or our Ramsey office at (201) 995-9900.
Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.
Nutrition and Herniated Discs
Good spinal health begins with good nutrition. No matter the degree of pain you are experiencing, providing your body with good nutrients is a simple and overlooked way that you can make a positive difference in your spinal health. At Family Chiropractic & Spinal Health Care Center, we can help you maximize the efficiency of your daily diet to help in the prevention and healing of spine-related conditions. Today I will go more in depth on the anatomy of herniated discs and how proper nutrition can help you on the road to healing.
Spinal discs are composed of 2 layers: the outer layer called annulus fibrosus, is made up of several layers of strong collagen fibers, designed for durability. The inner layer, called the nucleus pulposus is composed of loose fibers that allow for movement; this is responsible for the shock absorption that allows your spine its range of movement. When herniation occurs, the annulus fibrosus cracks or splits, allowing the nucleus pulposus to leak out and push against the weakened area. If this bulge is significant enough, it will put pressure on the nearby spinal nerve. This is what causes discomfort and pain to those who are suffering from herniated discs.
If disc herniation begins with the cracking of the annulus fibrosus, a structure composed of cartilaginous material, we want to focus on nutrients that support healthy cartilage. Here are some nutrients you can incorporate into your diet to support the natural healing of a herniated disc.
Foods and supplements to consider:
- Vitamin C: forms collagen, which binds and supports tissue
- Glucosamine sulfate: helps the body to form chemicals that repair cartilage
- Omega-3 fatty acids: a natural anti-inflammatory
- Sulphur-rich foods: support collagen production
A diet rich in fruit and vegetables and lean proteins, such as fish and chicken, can help to heal and prevent herniated discs! Getting these nutrients in the proper proportions will benefit you enormously. Contact us at (201) 995-9900 and set up an appointment today. With your help, we can create a multi-faceted plan for addressing your herniated disc pain and instill healthy habits that will benefit your whole life.
Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C.
Ramsey Location
Phone: (201) 995-9900
Address: 27 South Franklin Turnpike, Suite 302, Ramsey, NJ 07446
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Ridgewood Location
Phone: (201) 995-9900
Address: 119 Prospect Street. 2nd floor. Ridgewood. Nj. 07450
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Mid-Back Madness – What’s Causing Your Pain?
One of the most common pains adults complain of is back pain. Daily activities such as improper lifting, poor posture, or exercise often set off pain that can last for hours, days or weeks. Pain sources can range from muscle spasms, bulging discs, disc degeneration, fractures or even a broken back. It is vital that you seek treatment so that the underlying problem can be diagnosed. Dr. Moe Abtahi of the Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center of Ramsey, N.J., performs physical exams daily for patients experiencing back pain. He states, “When your pain gets worse if you move a certain way, whether it stems from a single point or a number of sources, we can minimize and work to eliminate your suffering.”
Dr. Abtahi shared that many of his patients experience mid-back pain. “The area of the spine that starts below the neck and ends at the bottom of the rib cage, known as mid-back, is an area that often takes on a lot.” Dr. Abtahi states this area compensates for pain in the lower back and neck problems. “There are a lot of nerves in this area as well that can be affected by car accidents, sports injuries, and even digestive disorders can cause malfunctions.”
The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center assists patients so that they will gain the relief that is possible once the spine has been correctly aligned. The staff can pinpoint the patient’s pain triggers and personally advise one how to keep moving. They recommend using ice after treatment and to be soon as soon as possible after the pain begins. Dr. Abtahi notes that when one is in pain, even one’s mood can be affected. “Needless suffering is what we most caution about,” he said.
The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey is a short ride away from Mahwah, NJ, Saddle River, NJ, Wyckoff, NJ, Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Allendale, NJ, Montvale, NJ and Suffern, NY. Call us to make an appointment at 201-995-9900.
Back Pain and Your Mind
Severe back pain is often debilitating for those suffering from it. Even a motion such as hitting a pothole with one’s vehicle could be excruciating for those suffering with serious issues. The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey, N.J. has successfully treated people for years, without their patients having to undergo invasive surgery. Millions of patients worldwide suffer from persistent pain for this common problem but chiropractic care provides a significant positive impact.
Dr. Moe Abtahi feels that effective treatments can result in sustained improvement. “Studies have shown that a person’s state of mind has an effect with the presence of a damaged disc so we are very through in our evaluation.” The center addresses the root of the patient’s pain and often recommends an active physical fitness program that supports both the physical and mental states of being.
According to cure-back-pain.org, “The mind and body interact constantly and are jointly responsible for all conditions of health and disease.” While the links have been long documented, so have the results of natural relief solutions such as chiropractic care, biofeedback and acupuncture. “We tailor our treatment techniques to our individual patients to deliver the best relief from pain,” said Dr. Abtahi.
The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey is a short ride away from Mahwah, NJ, Saddle River, NJ and Suffern, NY. Call us to make an appointment at 201-995-9900.
Understanding Human Kinetics
Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics, is the scientific study of human movement, according to Wikipedia. It addresses physiological, mechanical and psychological mechanisms. The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey, N.J., has taken heed of the top twenty fitness trends for 2012 as published in recent American College of Sports Medicine Survey and their Health & Fitness Journal.
The survey, completed by more than 2,600 fitness professionals, suggests that Zumba is in and Pilates is out. Dr. Moe Abtahi states the center closely monitors trends and noted, “Many of the top trends this year are ones we have been advocating for years.”
The top ten trends for 2012 are:
- Educated and experienced fitness professionals (choose yours as one certified through an accredited program)
- Strength training
- Fitness programs for older adults
- Exercise and weight loss
- Children and obesity – experts are working to tailor programs to combat the national epidemic
- Personal training
- Core training
- Group personal training
- Zumba and other dance workouts
- Functional fitness – trend to using strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living
Dr. Abtahi especially endorses the Core Training trend because it emphasizes conditioning of the middle-body muscles, which provide support for the spine. “We encourage our patients to eat properly and exercise properly – it is not good enough just to do the activity without knowing what you are doing.”
The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey s a short ride away from Mahwah, NJ, Saddle River, NJ and Suffern, NY. Call us to make an appointment at 201-995-9900.
It’s an Adjustment – How Making the Commitment to Staying Healthy Matters
Making the commitment to be healthy is a lifetime practice, one that takes a mindset to know this the best path for achieving optimum health. Visiting your chiropractor regularly, eating healthy, exercising, refraining from smoking, limiting intake of alcohol, and good sleep habits are stepping stones to good health. The staff at the Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Center in Ramsey, NJ, is dedicated to guiding patients toward wellness.
Every person is different and needs individualized care. Chiropractors are well known for helping their patients fulfill a life free from muscular, skeletal or ligament pain, with a focus on targeting specific needs without the use of drugs. The frequency of appointments may be daunting to newcomers of chiropractic care. Many chiropractors begin their patients with three visits a week but often the patient may later have maintenance visits only.
Chiropractic care can treat serious conditions as well as prevent them by keeping the patient properly aligned. Dr. Moe Abtahi says, “Together we can determine a course of treatment that will benefit your individual needs.” Chiropractors take great care in providing the correct subluxations to ensure ones bones align themselves in proper position. “Once your body is free of pain, it has an amazing healing ability that you can harness.”
Migraine triggers
Migraine headaches can begin at any age and have been attributed to a variety of factors without a definite cause. Genetics and environmental factors are suspected culprits and the list of symptoms varies by patient. Dr. Moe Abtahi, D.C. of the Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey, N.J. advises his patients from Northern New Jersey and Rockland County, New York to stay onto of their headaches by keeping their bodies in alignment. “By the time a patient comes to me, they have often tried medication, physical therapy, and constantly suffer from tightened back and neck muscles.”
Dr. Abtahi advises keeping a log of when the onset of the symptoms appears. “Factors ranging from weather, food, skipping meals, stress, medications, hormonal changes, and dental issues – the list is tremendous of what contributes to the pain our patients feel.” The Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center helps patients manage their migraines by providing hands on treatment options and supportive care.
Protecting Your Back During Sports
Almost everyone experiences back pain at some point during their life but with proper care, you can relieve pain and continue to exercise and play sports. The staff at the Family Chiropractic and Spinal Health Care Center in Ramsey, N.J. is available to guide you for staying healthy and staying safe. Dr. Moe Abtahi advises the number one priority during a workout, running or sports activity is protecting yourself from old injuries. He says, “Often, we see lifetime injuries in the back and knees that developed from activities that could have easily been avoided.”
Even athletes get clearance from their doctors before beginning or resuming an exercise program. Safety is the consistent factor no matter what activity you are looking to get involved in. Once you do begin, listen to what your body tells you as pain and fatigue are warning signs. “Joints and muscles that have not been used in a while or stretched properly can trigger dysfunction,” said Dr. Abtahi. He noted that simple activities such as sitting too long or improper lifting of objects can result in sharp pain, aches or stiffness. He advises performing pelvic tilts, chest stretches, arm and knee stretches and knee to chest stretches and adding on strengthening exercises while avoiding uncomfortable positions.
“Just like during your chiropractic visit, deep breathing can help control back pain,” said Dr. Abtahi. Protective movements and proper posture can prevent injuries and constant movement can keep the joints lubricated. He suggests with warm weather in session, one should take advantage of opportunities to golf and swim to strengthen your back but cautions using proper techniques.