Take a Vacation from Travel Aches and Pain

Are you planning a trip for spring break? Whether you are traveling by car, bus, train, or airplane, travel can be very hard on your body. Keeping your spine healthy during long periods of sitting can be difficult; however, there are some ways to take care of yourself and arrive at your final destination pain-free.

Move around – When you are seated in the same position for a long period of time, it can put a lot of strain on your spine. Be sure to take breaks from a seated position by standing up and stretching out. If you are traveling by car, plan stops along the way to take a short walk and let your legs stretch out.

Timing your trip – If you are taking some form of public transportation, try to plan your departure for a time of day or day of week when travel is lighter. If you are able choose a seat without a seatmate, this will allow you to stretch out while still sitting. You will also have more space to get to your belongings stowed under the seat in front of you.

Get support -  Bring a back roll or pillow to put behind your lower back to keep your spine properly aligned. This will also prevent sitting in a slouched position alleviating pain and pressure on your lower back.

Ice or heat – Bring gel ice packs that can be chilled or heated. This will help to ease sore or swollen muscles. If you are taking these through airport security, be sure to read the proper procedures for carrying them with you.

Get a massage – Once you have reached your final destination, find some time to pamper yourself with a massage. Not only will it help to ease stress from travel, it could make your return trip more comfortable.

Pack light – Whatever you put in your suitcase will need to be towed through the airport, train station, or bus terminal and then hoisted into an overhead bin. Pack less and give your back a break.

If you are suffering after a long trip, be sure to visit a trusted chiropractor to help alleviate any back pain or discomfort. At Arndt Chiropractic Center, our goal is to help you live pain free. Contact us today for an adjustment.

What is Plantar Fasciitis and How Do I Treat It?

Does your day start off each morning with foot pain? You may have plantar fasciitis, an overuse injury that affects the sole of the foot. A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis means you have inflamed the tough, fibrous band of tissue (fascia) connecting your heel bone to the base of your toes. People with flat feet or very high arches are prone to this condition, which may become chronic if left untreated. If it becomes a serious issue, you may not be able to keep up with your current level of activity, or you may even develop foot, knee, hip, and back problems because plantar fasciitis can change your posture and the way you walk. Most people can recover from plantar fasciitis with just rest and extra arch support (like shoe inserts), but that isn’t the case for everybody. Here are some common treatment options for plantar fasciitis:

Stretching

Stretching is one of the best methods for treating plantar fasciitis. Here is a simple yet effective home stretching program geared specifically towards plantar fasciitis from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society:

1. Cross your affected leg over your other leg.
2. Using the hand on your affected side, take hold of your affected foot and pull your toes back towards shin. This creates tension/stretch in the arch of the foot/plantar fascia.
3. Check for the appropriate stretch position by gently rubbing the thumb of your unaffected side left to right over the arch of the affected foot. The plantar fascia should feel firm, like a guitar string.
4. Hold the stretch for a count of 10. A set is 10 repetitions.

Medication

While there are no prescription drugs specifically for plantar fasciitis, your doctor may recommend an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications can help decrease the inflammation in the arch and heel of your foot, and are available over-the-counter.

Arch Support

You may first want to try over-the-counter shoe inserts that provide added arch support and a soft cushion. If those fail to alleviate your symptoms, you may require custom inserts for the individual needs of your foot.

If the above methods fail to alleviate your foot pain, consider a chiropractor! Chiropractic care may help your condition by addressing some of the contributing causes. An experienced chiropractor can help adjust your alignment and posture, and since poor posture does contribute to plantar fasciitis, this could help alleviate your symptoms. If you are ready to try chiropractic care to see if it can help with your foot pain, call Arndt Chiropractic Center today at 563-332-2211 or visit our website for more information.

Stay on the Field, not the Bench; How Chiropractic Care Can Allow for More Injury-free Seasons

In the world of athletics, we constantly push our bodies to the limit to run just a little bit faster, throw just a little bit further, or fight just a little bit harder. We love sports. We love playing them, watching them, and talking about them and because of this, our kids soon follow. Student athletics are a wonderful part of adolescence, for kids and parents alike. Sure, the home-made posters, cheers and face paint might embarrass them but when they grow up and look back on their sporting career they will have the fondest of memories. Make sure your kids stay healthy for every sport, every season from pre-k to college graduation. Here’s why chiropractic care is important for student athletes.

About 20% of all ER visit for kids between 6-19 are caused by an accident during a sports game or practice. These season-ending issues can often be detected in a simple sports physical required by most schools. However, chronic joint or back pain can be missed by your family doctor. Chiropractic care is a much more comprehensive process that helps reduce or remove the stress placed on certain parts of the body.

Chiropractic care can’t prevent accidents like broken bones, but it can strengthen the body. Increased flexibility goes a long way, especially when preventing injuries like pulled muscles and cramps. The easier you move, the harder you can push to improve!

Frequent pain can be caused by an improper alignment of the spine. With simple adjustments, pain, tension and pressure can reduce or eliminate this pain. Chiropractic care has also been proven to help injuries heal faster, meaning a mid-season return to the track, field, or diamond.

Many parents worry, is chiropractic care safe for my six-year-old? My 17-year-old? Yes and yes. Chiropractic care is safe and, in fact, beneficial for small infants to elderly.

Arndt Chiropractic Center cares for patients of all ages. We offer corrective exercises, chiropractic care, massage therapy, custom orthotics, laser therapy, nutritional counseling, and more. To find out more about Arndt Chiropractic Center, visit our website or give us a call at (563) 332-2211.