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.

Most Common Winter Weather Accidents

Winter is in full swing here in Iowa. With the beauty of the season come a greater risk of winter weather related accidents. From accidents because of severe conditions to overindulgence or carelessness, winter requires caution and proactive measures.

Slip-and-Fall Injuries

Slipping on icy or snowy surfaces sends millions of people to the emergency room each year.  While it is best to avoid these hazardous conditions, here in the Midwest, that is often easier said than done.

Here are 4 tips to keep safe.

1.   Tread carefully –Take short and deliberate steps and move slower in icy or snowy conditions.

2.   Proper footwear – Choose your shoes or boots carefully, opting for a sturdy slip-resistant rubber treads to maintain good traction.

3.   Maintain balance – Keep arms free when walking to maintain your balance on unsteady surfaces.

4.   Exit vehicles carefully – When moving from your car to the pavement, make sure you have solid footing.

Shoveling

Back injuries because of shoveling are particularly common in the winter months. Weak core and back muscles, combined with improper technique are the perfect recipe for a strained back.

1.      Take it slow – Shoveling is not a competition. Pace yourself and be sure to give yourself plenty of breaks.

2.      Push instead of lifting – If at all possible, opt for pushing instead of lifting, twisting or throwing snow over your shoulder.

3.      Use an ergonomic shovel – These specially designed shovels are intended to help reduce the strain on your upper body while clearing snow.

4.      Lighten the load – If you have to lift the snow, don’t overdo it. Smaller loads will reduce the strain on your back and muscles.

Winter Sports

Falling or colliding during winter outdoor activities can create serious injuries. Head, neck and back injuries are common when proper care is not taken.

1.      Warm-up – Cold muscles are prone to pulls and strains. A quick warm up can do wonders to prevent injuries.

2.      Know your surroundings – Scan the area for any potential hazards including rocks, rough or uneven surfaces, trees and branches or sudden drop offs. Determine the best path to avoid these areas.

3.      Wear protective gear – Always wear appropriate protective gear when enjoying winter activities.

If you have been injured because of one of these wintertime activities, contact the team at Arndt Chiropractic Center to determine the best care plan for your care and recovery.

Avoiding Injuries this Fall

The arrival of fall means cooler temperatures, blustering winds, and falling leaves.  As the season changes, so do our activities. Now that autumn has arrived, the chores outside of the house are starting to multiply. While outdoor activities offer great exercise, they can also take a strain on the muscles and joints in your body. In order to protect yourself from injury, follow these tips while handling autumn chores:

Raking Leaves – If you don’t own a leaf blower, you will likely be outside raking leaves within the next couple of weeks.  Before you start any activity, make sure you know the proper techniques in order to avoid injury. Start by stretching your back, arms, legs, and neck to prevent straining. While raking, keep your legs apart with a slight bend for good support and always lift using your legs. Hold the rake with one hand on the top of the handle and the other with the elbow slightly bent. Overall, avoid any activity that you think might cause tension to your body.

It might help to divide your yard into sections and tackle raking over several days.   Also remember that wet leaves are heavier than dry ones. You will save time and energy by raking dry leaves on a calm day rather than a windy day when leaves are blowing around.

Ladder Injuries – Between gutter cleaning and stringing up holiday lights, there are numerous reasons to step up on a ladder this season. Ladders pose a serious threat if they are not used correctly. To ensure safety, inspect the ladder before using it, always face the ladder, be careful when climbing, do not stand on the bucket shelf, choose the right ladder for your activity and place it in a sturdy spot. In addition, always have someone spotting your ladder with his or her full attention.

If you do suffer from injury or pain, contact the professionals at Arndt Chiropractic Center. We will examine your muscles and joints to help determine the problem and find a solution. For more information, contact Arndt Chiropractic Center at 563-332-2211.

“Back To School” Backpack Safety

With August upon us, it’s time to think about back to school season for your little ones. For both children and adults alike, a backpack is a great way to carry books and other items in a practical way.  Unfortunately, a heavy backpack can cause back pain, muscle strain, spine distortion and other health problems after prolonged use.

A heavy, poorly constructed backpack or the way it is carried can strain muscles and joints. Here are some simple ways you can reduce the chance of back pain for the whole family!

Invest In A Proper Backpack:

How will you decide what backpack is right for you or your child?  Choose a backpack crafted from lightweight materials, padded shoulder straps and a padded back, hip strap to redistribute weight, and plenty of individualized compartments.  If your child allows it, try a rolling backpack that takes the weight off the back and is easy to pull.

Wear The Backpack:

Slinging a backpack over one shoulder is never a good idea.  In order to properly distribute the weight, always used both shoulder straps, wear on the back, and adjust the straps to fit snugly against the body.  When loading a backpack, pack the heaviest items first so they are carried lower on the body.  Also, fill compartments so the load is evenly distributed.

Lighten The Load:  

To reduce and prevent the onset of back pain, the American Chiropractic Association recommends the weight carried in a backpack be less than 10% of body weight.  Only allow your child to carry necessary books and school supplies.  If their backpack is too heavy, talk to your child’s teacher about handing out lighter school materials and books.

At Arndt Chiropractic, we offer a range of chiropractic services to reduce stress, increase function, decrease pain and improve your overall well-being.  Our chiropractic team is experienced with back pain, neck pain, headaches and muscular tightness. Any questions about backpack safety? Contact Arndt Chiropractic Center at www.arndtchiropractic.com or call 563-332-2211 for all of your chiropractic needs.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Without question, pregnancy is hard on a woman’s body. Morning sickness, backaches, pelvic pain, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, and more. Chiropractic care helps many people around the world find relief from common ailments by manipulating the the body’s musculoskeletal system. Women who are pregnant are extra cautious when it comes to their health and care, so some may not consider chiropractic care if they are unfamiliar with it. Chiropractic is perfectly safe, and can be of great benefit to pregnant women by alleviating many of pregnancy’s most uncomfortable symptoms.

During pregnancy, a woman's hormones are all over the place, causing a myriad of symptoms. Her body also changes; her center of gravity shifts forward to the front of her pelvis. This additional weight in front, causes stress to the joints of the pelvis and low back. As the baby grows in size, the added weight causes the curvature of her lower back to increase, placing extra stress on the fragile facet joints on the back side of the spine. This is all to accommodate the growing baby inside, but this miracle of life comes with some unfortunate side effects for mom. Here’s how prenatal chiropractic care can help, according to americanpregnancy.org:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
• Controlling symptoms of nausea
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
• Relieving back, neck, or joint pain
• Preventing a potential cesarean delivery

The spine is the “information highway” of the body, so keeping it properly aligned will make sure the brain’s signals are getting where they need to be and when, meaning the body will work more efficiently and the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms will be lessened.

Chiropractic care can also help correct an imbalanced pelvis, which betters the chances of baby moving into an optimal birthing position. With a balanced pelvis, babies are less likely to end up in breech position, which means a lower chance that the mother will need a cesarean section. Optimal baby positioning also means an easier, less painful labor and delivery for the mother.

As with anything during pregnancy, it’s important to discuss any treatment options with your healthcare provider. Many doctors are aware of the benefits of chiropractic care, and hopefully yours will refer you to Arndt Chiropractic Center! At Arndt Chiropractic Center, we take great pride in providing the finest chiropractic care to each and every patient. For more information on pregnancy and chiropractic care, please visit us at our website here, then schedule your appointment with us online!

Plantar Fasciitis

When you wake up in the morning, get out of bed and take your first few steps, do you experience sharp pains in your foot or heel? If this is a common occurrence, you might be suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this is a condition that affects approximately 2 million patients each year. Wheat exactly is this condition and how can it be treated? Take a look!

What is Plantar Fasciitis?
The plantar fascia is a ligament that lies directly on the bottom of your foot. When strained or stressed, this ligament may tear resulting in heel pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing inflammation and pain in your heel or foot, you may be suffering from plantar fasciitis. The causes of this condition range from the wear and tear of daily life, running too much, being overweight, or wearing shoes with inadequate support.

What Are The Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are pain and inflammation across the bottom of your foot. While this is most common in the morning, it can also strike after standing for long periods of time or getting up after siting down for a while. Typically, plantar fasciitis only affects o
ne foot but it can affect both fee.

What Are My Treatment Options?
After plantar fasciitis is diagnosed by a health care professional, you will have several non-surgical and surgical treatment options. Common treatment of this condition includes resting, applying ice to the area, and using shoes with more supportive arches. Physical Therapy is also a great way to strengthen the muscles in your foot or heel. Luckily, many people recover from this condition within a year and don not need surgery.

At Arndt Chiropractic Center we offer the finest chiropractic care for a range of health needs. If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, our custom foot orthotics can help decrease the pain and pressure on your heel. Out physiotherapy is also an excellent way to help the body heal through cold laser therapy, stimulation, heat therapy, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and more!

If you suffer from plantar fasciitis and are interested in a solution, set up and appointment with national board certified Chiropractic Physician and Registered Nurse, Dr. Lisa Arndt of Arndt Chiropractic Center today! Visit our website or call 563-332-2211 for more information.