Bottom Line:

Posture can either work for or against us.

Take it from the leading posture correction specialist in Austin, Texas.

New health issues linked to extended sitting, improperly positioned devices, and even furniture that may have been repurposed to meet the urgent requirements imposed at the beginning of the epidemic are becoming more and more apparent every day.

It’s obvious that it’s never been more important to find the best posture for working at our computers.

And get this.

We’re also learning more about how posture, emotions, and pain sensitivity may all have some degree of mutual influence.

It’s possible that depression and posture are related.

Consider this.

Have you ever been able to tell someone’s mood just by how they walked into a room?

We all have!

This demonstrates the connection between our attitude and posture.

Within seconds you can look at someone and tell whether they are confident or happy.

Posture can influence mood and vice versa for a number of reasons.

Let’s take a closer look at posture and depression.

Why it Matters:

Depression and other health issues have been connected to specific postures.

For the upper body, we usually see the muscles in the chest and the back of the neck become tight, and the muscles in the front of the neck and the upper back become weak.

This creates the forward head position and rounded shoulders we associate with poor posture.

When you slouch in your chair or stand with poor posture, you put extra strain on your joints and force your supporting muscles to work harder.

To help you better understand just how posture and depression can be linked, try this.

Slouch your shoulders, tilt your head forward, look down at your lap, and then try to take a deep breath.

Note how you feel. 

Now, reverse that posture, sit up tall, pull your shoulders back, and take another deep breath in.

Quite the difference, right? 

It’s easy to see how maintaining an unnatural, stooped posture can create aches and pains. 

And if you’re living with daily aches and pains, contacting a posture correction specialist in Austin, Texas to evaluate your posture can be a great place to start. 

Why it Matters:

Researchers studying posture and depression found that people who were depressed experienced an improved mood after they changed their posture to be more upright.

That’s right.

By maintaining a healthy posture, you can gain a better mindset as well as a stronger core and a healthier overall lifestyle.

The exact reason posture, emotion, and pain sensitivity appear to be connected has yet to be determined.

Some believe it’s as simple as feeling emotionally better yourself when your body is in certain positions.

Another theory is that our body posture and position can influence the release of endorphins or feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Whatever the explanation, when it comes to posture and depression, developing good posture habits can help you feel more confident, energetic, and happy.

To recap…

• Slumped posture has been linked with depressive symptoms
• An upright posture has been shown to improve your mood immediately
• Emotions and thoughts affect your posture and energy level. Look up and pull your shoulders back to reset your mind and body!

Next Steps: 

The next time you feel down, consider what you now know about posture and depression and pay attention to your posture.

You’ll more than likely find yourself slumped with your head and neck curved forward and down.

One of the best changes you can make in that moment is to pull your shoulder blades back and together, relax your shoulders down away from your ears, and look up.

The more you work on it, the easier it will become.

Start by holding your head and chest in this corrected position for a minute at a time to help build endurance.

You’d be surprised how much of a difference a few minutes a day can make!

And if your posture is causing you neck or back pain, reaching out to a posture correction specialist in Austin, Texas to evaluate your alignment and more is the place to start.

Our doors are open, and we’re here to help.

If you’re experiencing depression, we recommend reaching out to a professional for help. 

Science Source: 

Upright Posture Improves Affect and Fatigue. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 20

Bottom Line:

Whether you are just driving to work or taking a big family vacation, an unexpected car accident can cause painful injuries that impact you for months and years to come. 

The weight of your vehicle combined with motion and speed can create a tremendous amount of force. 

Even low-speed collisions can generate enough force to cause significant injury. 

Whatever the details, one thing remains true…

Your body is the primary recipient of that force!

If you’ve recently been in an auto accident, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with a chiropractor specializing in collision accident injuries in Austin, Texas.

The violent forces that occur during an auto accident can cause damage to your spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones-even at “low” speeds. 

After a collision event, the most frequent injuries occur from the rapid whipping of the head back and forth.

This rapid back and forth motion frequently results in ligament tearing and spinal disc injuries. 

Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression may indicate that you’ve suffered a whiplash injury.

Why it Matters:

You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries are among the most common ones received in auto accidents, in addition to whiplash.

With its many bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, the shoulder is one of the body’s most complex structures.

If you are the driver and have your hands on the wheel at the time of the crash, the sudden force created by the accident can lead to a torn rotator cuff. 

Seat belt related injuries are also some of the most common injuries after a collision accident.

Your seat belt can irritate impingement syndromes in the shoulder and contribute to other spinal injuries. 

That said, remember this. 

Wearing a seat belt is imperative whenever you get into a car since it saves millions of lives annually.

In addition to head and shoulder injuries, a sudden stop or change in direction during an accident can also place a tremendous force on your chest. 

What’s more, since your arms and legs are more than likely unsecured, they can strike the interior of your car, causing additional injuries. 

Common Injuries After a Collision Accident

So, here are a few of the most common reasons we recommend you see a chiropractor specializing in collision accident injuries in Austin, Texas after any collision accident. 

• Head Injuries: Striking your head against the steering wheel, dashboard, or window can result in a severe head injury such as a concussion (which is considered a mild traumatic brain injury).
  
• Spinal Injuries: The forces that occur during a car accident can cause spinal injuries like instability, whiplash, or herniated discs.
  
• Arm or Leg Injuries: Injuries to your shoulders (if you’re holding the wheel) or your knees (if they hit the door or dashboard) are very common after a car accident.

Next Steps:

Ignoring any injury, whether it’s on our list of the most common injuries after a collision accident or not, is not a good idea.

Getting checked is crucial if you are involved in an automobile accident, regardless of how minor it may be.

Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible can make a huge difference in your overall well-being and healing. 

In actuality, most accident injuries can be managed conservatively, and many don’t even need surgery.

Research has shown chiropractic care to be very effective at treating injuries like neck and back pain, headaches, whiplash injuries, and extremity issues.

If you’re searching for a chiropractor specializing in collision accident injuries in Austin, Texas, know that our doors are open and our expert team is here to help, right now. 

In addition to treating the majority of frequent injuries sustained in collision accidents, our goals are pain relief, mobility restoration, and long-term rehabilitation.

A complete evaluation is how we determine the extent of your injuries and begin your journey towards recovery. 

What’s more, our practice’s evaluation process and assessment tools can help us fully document your injuries for your records, your medical doctor’s records, your insurance providers records, and, when needed, your attorney’s records. 

Then with a combination of conservative treatments designed specifically for you, we can help you find relief as quickly, safely, and naturally as possible.

Science Source:

The Impact of Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained in Traffic Crashes. BMC. 2018.

Bottom Line:

The amount of postural stress you experience can undoubtedly be influenced by your anatomy, but so can many of the small decisions you make every day.

You’ve probably seen an article or two floating around the web about the relationship between tech neck and pain. 

You may have even seen an uptick in commercials for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas, and for good reason

Many of us spend at least two hours on our cellphones and five hours or more on our laptops every day. Did you know that?

You’ve been keeping your neck “stuck” in an uncomfortable position for thousands of hours every year!

Take a moment right now and check…

Is your head creeping forward as you read this?

The forward head posture we discussed before, known as tech neck, is when your chin is tucked down and your ears are in front of your shoulders.

It’s also possible that you’ve heard this posture called “text neck.”

Driving a car, working on the computer, and using a tablet or phone all usually result in this less-than-ideal posture.

And over the past few years, the number of people experiencing headaches and tech neck and pain has exploded.

Why it Matters:

Let’s take a closer look at how tech neck and pain are related.

The average human head weighs about 8-11 pounds.

Every day, you’re effectively walking around with a bowling ball (your head) balancing on a toothpick (your neck).

Even under the best circumstances, this places a lot of stress on our spine.

Holding your head up might not seem like much, but in order to move your head around pain-free, your neck’s seven bones and twenty muscles must cooperate flawlessly.

When your shoulders are pulled back, your ears should ideally line up with your shoulders.

It’s estimated that tilting your head forward, even just 15 degrees, can increase the weight of your head on your neck by over 3X.

Tilting your head forward 60 degrees can nearly 10X the stress and strain on your neck.

That stress can add up and result in your neck not moving correctly.

We’re talking stiffness, dysfunction, headaches, and more.

We’re talking about the development of tech neck and pain, and that can leave you looking for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas.

To recap…

• Tech neck is the term used to describe the flexed head and neck position when looking down at your smartphone.
• Even 15 degrees of forward bending (flexion) can increase the stress of your head on your neck by 3X.
• It can assist your body reset and give your muscles a chance to relax if you take 15-minute breaks and check your phone or tablet.

Next Steps: 

Reducing the symptoms of tech neck and pain is more than merely changing the angle of how you look at your phone.

Fortunately, you can lower your chance of pain by taking preventative measures and implementing a few easy regular adjustments.

Improving your ergonomics, stretching each day, and receiving periodic spinal adjustments can help you combat the effects of tech neck.

Take a moment today to check your posture. 

Be sure to stretch your shoulders, upper back, and head if you notice that they are rounding forward or moved forward.

Tell us if you frequently find yourself slouching into this position, particularly if your enjoyment of life is being hindered by pain and tech neck.

Prior to beginning to work on your posture, you must understand what good posture looks like and, perhaps more crucially, how to keep it.

That’s where we come in.

From assessment to modifications to stretches and exercises at home, our staff has the know-how to help you improve your posture and get rid of your tech neck and pain.

You can anticipate many more years of pain-free enjoyment of your smart devices by easing the strain on your neck!

It all starts with a click or a call. 

Schedule a consultation with us for neck pain treatment in Austin, Texas today to get started. 

Science Sources: 

“Tech Neck” Taking a Toll on Posture. Columbia Spine. 2018.

How to Prevent Neck and Back Pain Working From Home. Health Matters. 2020.

Bottom Line:

“Sit up straight and stop slouching!”

We’ve all heard (or said) it a million times in the name of having perfect posture.

You’ve likely heard this since childhood, and for good reason.

Poor posture as a kid can create health challenges later in life.

Rounded shoulders (scapular protrusion), swayback (lumbar hyperlordosis) and a hunched upper back (thoracic hyperkyphosis) are all postural imbalances that place a tremendous amount of stress on the spine.

And when those imbalances persist, the muscles supporting your spine must work harder to support your body weight, and that can result in pain.

Know that If you’re experiencing daily aches and pains, seeing a posture rehab chiropractor in Austin, Texas is a great place to start. 

Abnormal postures have been linked to depression, decreases in energy, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Maintaining good posture as you age can help keep any unnecessary stress off your spine and joints, positively impacting your overall spinal health for years to come.

What’s more, your ability to move through a full range of motion without pain plays a big role in how your posture looks when you’re still.

But is there such a thing as perfect posture?

Well, the idea of perfect posture is a bit complicated.

The latest research shows that it makes more sense to think about your posture as dynamic, not static. 

That’s because your ideal or perfect posture is constantly changing and evolving. 

Why it Matters:

Your posture consists of a dynamic pattern of responses, reflexes, and habits – not a single position.

Poor posture is usually caused by what you aren’t doing instead of what you are doing.

The effects of gravity, the ergonomics of your desk at work, and your anatomy all play a role.

Even with great ergonomics, sitting for hours each day working on a computer can lead to postural issues.

It’s true. 

As the leading posture rehab chiropractor in Austin, Texas, we see this in our practice every day. 

Why it Matters:

Think about it. 

Most of us aren’t moving and stretching very often as we work or even rest with our smartphones or tablets in hand.

Over time the imbalances caused by those long hours spent looking down at our devices can lead to a habitual forward head posture. 

And while there may not be a one size fits all perfect posture, you can bet nearly every one of us has developed some level of habitual forward head posture. 

Why does that matter?

Well, when you start to lean forward, it places a tremendous amount of extra pressure on the discs in your neck and spine.

This added pressure can cause increased compression and lead to pain.

Even just a few inches of forward head posture can double or triple the amount of stress on the spinal joints in your neck.

Think about the impact this can have day after day after day.

Sustained forward head posture has also been associated with a weakening of the supporting muscles of your spine.

It’s estimated to result in neck pain for up to 75% of us.

That neck pain as well as tension, stiffness, and tenderness are all signs of chronic forward head posture.

The good news?

While it’s not easy to maintain those perfect postures, there are things you can do to perfect your posture every day. 

You can start by taking short breaks to stretch at least every 15-30 minutes. 

Doing so will help you reset your balance and relax your body, and it’s one of the most essential practices you can adopt when it comes to improving your posture in the long term. 

Trapezius strengthening has also been shown to provide clinically significant relief for those struggling with neck pain as a result of forward head posture.

Next Steps: 

By breaking the pattern of poor posture, you can reduce your likelihood of experiencing many common aches and pains.

Every day, you can take advantage of simple opportunities to improve your strength, flexibility, and ergonomics to develop more ideal or perfect posture patterns. 

Try this.

Next time you’re on the phone, stop for a moment and see if your head is creeping forward.

If your chin is tucked down and your ears are in front of your shoulders, then you’re in that forward head posture we discussed.

When that happens, it’s a sign that it’s a good time to take a break, stretch, and reset.

Simple.

And remember, both strength and flexibility also play a significant role in your posture.

Strengthening the trapezius muscles, actively maintaining good core strength, and working to balance that strength with flexibility can help your body best adapt to your environment.

Remember. Think of your ideal or perfect posture as dynamic. 

It’s constantly changing and evolving no matter how little our daily routines change or how much our daily habits change. 

Many of us spend large chunks of our days working on a computer, so it’s important to ensure that our spinal joints are moving well and moving correctly to help keep us feeling great.

That’s where we come in.

Chiropractors are taught many of the finer details that go into developing those ideal or perfect postures.

So, if you’ve been living with nagging aches and pains, and you’re interested in working with a posture rehab chiropractor in Austin, Texas, contact us for an evaluation today.

Together, we can help you perfect your posture and say goodbye to pain for years to come!

Science Source: 

Effects of Trapezius Strengthening on Patients with Neck Pain. Med Sci Monit. 2020.

When we feel pain in our low back, what’s the first thing many of us tend to think? 

Let’s lie down. Let’s take a seat. Resting will help our backs feel better.

Perhaps we should grab a heating pad instead of a bottle of Aleve.

Fair enough. Each of those methods has limited or short-term effectiveness at best, but they may help us find temporary relief. 

But what about when those nagging aches and pains in our back return the next day? 

Now that internal dialogue turns to – What’s the problem? What do I need to do so I don’t have to do the same thing day after day after day? 

As the go-to lower back pain specialist in Austin, Texas, we’re glad you asked!

Read on.

Bottom Line:

Simple movement can be one of the best ways to find all natural back pain relief. 

In fact, science has shown us that medications and rest are actually a few of the least effective ways to find relief! 

In one recent study, researchers found that 60% of participants with symptomatic cases of sciatica benefitted from chiropractic adjustments to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention.

Right?!

Your body is designed to move, and often it’s a lack of daily movement (or chronic postural changes) that causes back pain to begin in the first place.

Why it Matters:

When your joints aren’t moving correctly, the rest of your body isn’t moving correctly, and that’s when pain can strike. 

The right movements and exercises can help you recover more quickly and prevent future back pain episodes.

There are three different types of body movement: segmental, regional, and whole body. 

• Segmental motion occurs between the individual joints of your body.
  
• Regional movement occurs in a body region such as your neck, mid-back, or low back.
  
• Whole-body movement is characterized by the actions we typically think of as exercise.
   

All three types are essential and work together to keep your spine and musculoskeletal system healthy and functioning at its best.

Let’s take a closer look…

1. Segmental Movement: Moving the individual joints of your body is what chiropractors are specifically trained to do. Proper segmental movement can help reduce pain, improve your range of motion, and influence your central nervous system.
     
2. Regional Movement: Dynamic stretching with regional range of motion exercises can reduce low back stiffness.
   
3. Whole Body Exercise: Daily exercise can help your brain and body feel better as well as improve your rest and recovery at night.
   
   

Chiropractic Care for All Natural Back Pain Relief

It’s easy to see why movement can be your most important ally when it comes to finding all natural relief from low back pain. 

The foundation of all movement is segmental movement. 

Take it from the leading lower back pain specialist in Austin, Texas, if your joints aren’t moving well, your body as a whole isn’t moving well, and you certainly aren’t going to be feeling well. 

That’s where we come in.

Chiropractic care is a safe, natural, and effective way to help ensure your body is moving at its best so you can feel your best.

Harvard Health, The Mayo Clinic, and other established healthcare organizations have published numerous articles highlighting the benefits of chiropractic and movement-based treatment options.

Next Steps: 

Moving may be the last thing you want to do if you’re struggling with back pain, but research has repeatedly shown that movement and exercise are two of the best ways to find relief from back pain. 

If you’ve dealt with back pain and especially if you live in the Austin, Texas area, call us today. 

Our team will be happy to provide you with a complete movement assessment and personalized exercise plan to help you get (and stay) well for years to come, naturally! 

Science Sources: 

Back Pain. Harvard Health Publishing. 2023.

5 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. Harvard Health Publishing. 2016.

The Bottom Line

Are you feeling rushed? Are you dreading a big meeting at work?

Take it from the leading provider of natural tension headache treatment inAustin, Texas – these events can all add up to stress and headaches.

Often it’s not the event itself that results in a headache but your body’s reaction to stress.

If you deal with stress by clenching your jaw or tensing your muscles, you may be more likely to experience headaches due to these coping behaviors. 

So, why does this happen and what can be done about the stress and headaches cycle? Read on.

Why it Matters

Way back when, our bodies evolved our fight or flight response for the purpose of making sure we would be adequately prepared to deal with any of the physical dangers we very realistically could have encountered on a daily basis.

As a result, our heart and breathing rate, blood pressure, and blood flow to our extremities all increase during such an event. It’s this fight or flight response that allowed us to effectively prepare for battle or to flee from predators in the wild.

Of course, we’re still hardwired with this very useful and necessary instinct, but times certainly have changed! Today, our bodies find it more difficult to differentiate between physical danger and psychological stress. We may react to that dreaded big meeting at work with the same internal reactions as if we were being chased by someone or something!

So, how does all this relate to headaches?

If there’s one thing you should understand about stress, it’s that it can and often will worsen your symptoms when you’re not feeling well.

There is a very real link between all kinds of stress and headaches.

Episodic headaches, or those that occur sporadically, are often triggered by isolated, stressful incidents.

A few of the most common everyday stress triggers include anxiety, poor sleep habits, or significant life changes.

Chronic headaches are often triggered by daily, constant stress and a lack of regular exercise. 

To help you combat this cycle of stress and headaches, we’ve compiled a list of some of our top tips for reducing stress so you can reduce your headaches.

Tips for Reducing Stress and Headaches 

Exercise More 

Regular exercise boosts endorphins, which help put you in a better mood. 

Making time to get up, get out, and get moving regularly also helps boost your overall energy levels so you can shift your focus away from whatever event or string of events is stressing you out.

Get Some Sleep

We repeat: get some sleep to turn the dial down on stress and headaches.

When you can, aim to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night and do your best to keep your sleep schedule consistent. 

Falling asleep at the same time every night and getting up at the same time each morning will help you fall into a healthy sleep pattern.  

Recent studies indicate that our sleeping habits can contribute to our risk of experiencing headaches, particularly migraines.

In fact, the majority of people living with chronic migraines and other chronic types of headaches often also experience some level of insomnia. 

Relax 

This is more than just a mantra when it comes to reducing stress and headaches, ladies and gentlemen.

It’s important to set aside time to specifically practice relaxation techniques that can help you feel calm during periods of high stress.

Meditation and yoga are two techniques that can help you feel both physically and mentally relaxed so you can mitigate the onset of stress.

See a Chiropractor  

Keeping your spinal joints moving correctly can help reduce the strain on your spine and its supporting muscles.

Chiropractic care can help you relieve pent-up stress in your body and get you feeling better quickly. 

So, come see us for natural tension headache treatment in Austin, Texas.

Tension headaches are triggered when the neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract, and this often occurs when we hold our heads in one position for an extended period of time. Many people spend their days working at a desk, and doing so for hours on end usually results in an uptick in tension headaches. Sleeping with your neck in an awkward position may also trigger a tension headache.

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can help headache patients find lasting relief.

Chiropractic adjustments to specific joints in the neck, upper body, back, and other extremities can help correct the physical imbalances behind those tension headaches so you not only move better but feel better.

Next Steps

So, can stress cause headaches? Yes.

While there is a link between stress and headaches, now you know there are very simple, real ways you can combat this cycle.

Remember, when you feel your stress levels starting to rise, take a moment to practice your favorite relaxation techniques.

Make time for essential preventative self-care like daily exercise, balanced meals, and balanced sleep.

And be sure to periodically schedule visits with your favorite chiropractic team.

If you’re interested in natural tension headache treatment in Austin, Texas, we’d love to help you!

Our expert team will work together with you to keep your body relaxed and moving well to help you find lasting relief from stress and headaches. 

Science Sources: 

Sleep and Migraine. Headache. 2018.
Manual Therapy Effect on Tension Headache. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2016.
How Does Stress Impact the Body? Forbes. 2018.
Tension Headache. MedlinePlus. 2019.

The Bottom Line

Headaches are experienced a little bit differently by everyone. At our Austin, Texas chiropractic headache clinic, patients may complain of chronic neck stiffness, impaired vision, or feeling exhausted. Often, they find themselves unable to function for the day because of their headaches.

But, while the symptoms may vary, all types of headaches have one thing in common — they are not “normal” to deal with frequently.

If you’ve been doing your best to live with recurring headaches, it’s time to figure out the type or types of headaches you’re dealing with.

Why it Matters

As you probably know all too well, there are many different types of headaches.

Knowing which one you have is the first step toward finding relief and the best way to do that is to consult with a healthcare professional. 

And if you’ve been looking for a chiropractic headache clinic in Austin, Texas, you’ve come to the right place.

Our doors are open and we’re here to help.

Here’s an overview of the most common types of headaches that people from all walks of life experience.

Most Common Types of Headaches 

Migraine

Migraines come in all shapes and sizes. Typically you’ll feel a throbbing on one side of your head.

This type of headache can be excruciating and can last up to 3 days.

You will likely feel nauseous and may be sensitive to light, sound, or smell. 

Here are a few additional key facts about migraine types of headaches:

• These headaches are thought to be related to the release of inflammatory substances in the head.
  
• Migraine-type headaches are twice as common in women because of hormonal influences.
  
• Migraines often tend to pass quicker in children.

Tension Headache

Tension types of headaches are very common and affect up to 20% of the population.

They can also appear when you’re experiencing a migraine.

Tension headaches usually consist of constant dull pain on both sides of the head as a result of tense or contracted neck and scalp muscles, and these types of headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are a few common triggers of tension headaches. You could experience these types of headaches as the result of dehydration, loud noises, a lack of sleep, or even not getting enough exercise as well.

While that may seem like a long list with some potentially unavoidable triggers, the good news is that a number of them can be addressed as part of a healthy overall lifestyle. 

Here are a few additional key facts about tension types of headaches:

• Tension-type headaches are the most commonly experienced headache.
  
• This headache is described as pressure or tightness, often like a band around the head.
  
• The pain associated with tension headaches can sometimes spread into or come from the neck. 

Cluster Headache

Unlike migraine headaches, cluster types of headaches are usually experienced more by men than by women.

Those experiencing this type of headache generally feel an intense burning or even a piercing feeling behind or around one of their eyes.

Cluster types of headaches usually come when you least expect them and can last anywhere from approximately 15 minutes to 3 hours. 

Here are a few additional key facts about cluster types of headaches:

• Cluster-type headaches affect fewer than 1 in 1000 adults and affect six men for every woman.
  
• Cluster headaches, while often brief, can occur up to several times a day.
  
• Those experiencing these types of headaches may have tearing and redness in the eye or a blocked nasal passage affected side. 

Next Steps

We all deal with headaches every now and then, so we often don’t perceive them as serious enough to warrant a clinic visit.

In fact, it’s estimated that half of the people who deal with headaches are self-treating.

That may be why many people are not aware that there are effective headache treatment options that are natural, non-invasive, and that don’t involve prescription or over-the-counter pain medications.

That may be why many of the patients we see at our chiropractic headache clinic in Austin, Texas are surprised to learn that overuse of medications intended to relieve their headaches can actually lead to more headaches!

So, if you’re having trouble with migraine, tension, or cluster headaches, give us a call today.

Recent studies have shown that chiropractic care can play a big part in reducing the intensity, severity, and frequency of many common headaches without those risky medications.

Our compassionate team will work with you to identify the root cause of your headaches and we’ll provide the gentle, movement-based care chiropractors are known for to help you break free from your headache pain.

Science Sources:

Tension Headache. MedlinePlus. 2019.

Headache Disorders. WHO. 2016.

Bottom Line: 

As we discuss how to prevent sciatica pain with our sciatica patients, we often notice  that many of them will make the comment that they don’t know how they hurt their back  when they start receiving treatment. 

And that’s a completely logical statement to make. 

It’s easy to understand how lifting a heavy object at work or sustaining a blow of some  kind or simply moving in an awkward fashion could result in an injury to your back. 

Your sciatica symptoms could be the result of a pinched nerve, as indicated by the pain associated with that injury.

Completely understandable. 

But, what we’re about to tell you as we dive into how to prevent sciatica pain naturally  may surprise you. 

Numerous studies have indicated that excessive sitting may be one of the most frequent causes of sciatica pain.

That’s also completely understandable. 

As Austin, Texas’ top sciatica pain specialist, we have witnessed firsthand the genuine effects of excessive sitting on our patients.

Here’s why. 

Why it Matters:  

Sitting for extended periods of time weakens the muscles supporting your low back because they aren’t used frequently.

This can lead to imbalances in your back that then result in increased pressure and  stress on your spine. 

Without the support of the stabilizing muscles your spine relies on to keep your  vertebrae, discs, and nerves in balance and aligned, you’re more likely to injure your  back. 

To put that in perspective, we’ve seen patients who’ve injured their back from lifting  lightweight items around the house. 

Fortunately, the “how” in how to prevent sciatica pain is probably even easier than you  think. 

We like to say “motion is lotion” for your body. 

When it comes to how to prevent sciatica pain, movement-based care is at the top of  the list. 

Stretching, for example, before and after any physical activity can help you both  improve your flexibility and reduce your chances of experiencing a number of avoidable  injuries. 

Modern research also indicates that consistent exercise can stop or even reverse the  effects of too much sitting. 

Incorporating just 30 minutes of exercise each day can help strengthen the supporting  muscles around your spinal column to help prevent future episodes of sciatica.

Other recent studies tell us that getting periodic spinal adjustments can have a part to  play in both the correction and prevention of conditions that can cause sciatica pain. 

In fact, the top research journal SPINE found that maintained chiropractic care can  evaluate, detect, and potentially prevent future disc problems and low back pain  episodes. 

In other words, chiropractic can be a very effective “how” when you’re considering the  actual steps of how to prevent sciatica pain and the recurrence of symptoms. 

Why it Matters: 

You’ve come to the correct place if you’re trying to find a holistic sciatica pain specialist in Austin, Texas.

When most people think of chiropractic care, they typically picture “getting their back  and neck cracked.” 

Although sciatica is primarily treated with chiropractic adjustments, we actually employ a number of therapeutic approaches to address sciatic nerve impingement and pain.

As chiropractors, we take a whole-body (holistic) approach to health and healing. 

We design individualized wellness plans by combining methods such as weight loss management, massage, exercise, nutritional counseling, and adjustments.

Next Steps:  

We’ve seen our patients enjoy significant relief from sciatica pain and improved mobility  with continued chiropractic care. 

Maintaining your body with movement-based care is key in how to prevent sciatica pain. 

We recommend including regular chiropractic care in addition to implementing some  level of planning to help get and keep you moving daily. 

Even if time is tight most days, taking a few minutes every hour to get up and walk  around can go a long way.

Starting small is better than not starting at all! 

And, as days become weeks, months, and years, the exercise you do now will pay huge  dividends down the road to keep you happy, healthy, and pain-free. 

If you have struggled with recurrent or chronic sciatica pain, you’re not limited to  invasive surgical procedures, injections, or prescription pain medications to find relief. 

You deserve better. 

Schedule an appointment with a holistically focused sciatica pain specialist in Austin, Texas like us. 

We’ll work together to pinpoint the root cause of your pain and come up with a plan that  can help you get and stay out of pain for years to come. 

You deserve nothing less! 

Science Source:  

Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Low Back Pain. SPINE. 2011. 

Bottom Line: 

Nearly everyone will have back pain at some point in their life, but with sciatica — well,  you’ll know something is different right away! 

So, what is sciatica? 

What is sciatica pain like? 

Sciatica really describes a set of symptoms rather than a condition. 

The most common symptom can be described as pain that begins in your lower back,  travels down through your buttocks, and extends down your leg, usually on just one side  of the body. 

That shooting pain down your leg is often caused by compression of the sciatic nerve or  one or more of the other nerves exiting your spine.

And it might surprise you to know that even a tiny amount of pressure can result in a  tremendous amount of pain. 

So, getting rid of the associated inflammation and then opening up space for the nerve  are both essential steps on the path to finding relief. 

That’s where we come in. 

If you’re looking for a chiropractic-focused sciatica doctor in Austin Texas, you’ve come to the right place. 

We specialize in providing gentle spinal manipulative therapy to help you fix your  sciatica pain naturally. 

Sciatica pain leads many people to think their “condition” must be so serious it can only  be healed by a surgeon. 

Or that they must need spinal injections. 

Or that they must resort to prescription pain medications. 

We’ve even heard patients refer to their pain as sciatica attacks! 

So, when they are told that chiropractic treatment can provide the same level of pain  relief as those invasive interventions — well, it sounds too good to be true. 

Why it Matters: 

Let’s talk about the function of pain for a moment. 

Pain is your body’s way of signaling to you that something needs your attention. So, what is sciatica pain?  

A signal. 

Think of it as your body saying, “Pay Attention Inside Now!”.

When a problem occurs in the body, due to ergonomic stress, spinal misalignment, or  degenerative changes, the body uses pain as a signal for us to pay attention and act. 

And believe it or not, pain is usually the last thing to show up and the first thing to leave,  whether we’re talking about injuries or spinal conditions. 

To understand why we recommend seeing a chiropractic sciatica doctor in Austin, Texas and why our non-invasive methods work, it helps to take a closer  look at a common underlying cause of sciatica pain. 

Just like you’ve probably Googled “What is sciatica?” a time or two in your life, you’ve  probably also Googled “What is a pinched nerve?” 

The pinching or compression of a spinal nerve can occur because of an injury to one of  your spinal discs (such as disc herniation), the development of a bone spur, or even  ligaments that have simply increased in size. 

Whatever the underlying issue, it’s likely to cause noticeable levels of pain and  discomfort until you’ve taken steps to decrease the inflammation and open up space for  the affected nerve, and, in many cases, also taken steps to also improve the movement  of the surrounding spinal joints. 

Check, check, and check! 

We can help.  

Why it Matters: 

You don’t have to live in pain, and you don’t have to settle for surgery, injections, or pain  medications. 

You deserve better. 

So, what is sciatica? 

A set of very specific symptoms signaling the presence of an underlying condition that  chiropractic care can help resolve — no surgery, injections, or pain medications  required. 

Top research publications have shown that people struggling with sciatica pain can get  fantastic results with chiropractic care.

In fact, in one recent study, researchers found that 60% of participants with  symptomatic cases of sciatica benefitted from chiropractic adjustments to the same  degree as if they underwent surgical intervention (again, without any of the risks!). 

And what many may not know is that beyond adjustments, exercise and rehab can also  help strengthen the muscles supporting your spine to reduce the likelihood of a relapse. 

Yes, we do that too! 

Next Steps: 

There’s no doubt about it. 

At the end of the day, what is sciatica?  

A seemingly sudden onset of pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs that can be  scary. 

So, if you experience any of these symptoms, take the signals from your body seriously,  and give us a call. 

We’ve helped many people recover from sciatica without the need for drugs or surgery. 

Scheduling an evaluation with a holistically focused sciatica doctor in Austin, Texas like us today is how you take the first step towards finding lasting relief  from sciatica pain! 

Science Source:  Manipulation or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica? JMPT. 2010.