We all look forward to a vacation, regardless of the circumstances. Whether we’re planning a trip to the beach or a visit to Aunt Marcella, anticipation runs high.

In our last blog, we talked about the spine and the importance that proper sitting, sleeping, and exercise have on spine alignment. But spine alignment isn’t always ideal, so today we’re going to talk about changing and improving your own back and neck pain by using good posture.

One of the silly secrets of the medical profession is that we can often tell the fitness level of a patient by their carriage. The muscles of a well-exercised body will naturally align the body into proper posture. Even seniors who begin a regular exercise regimen will find their body lengthening into a more upright position.

Chronic pain is defined as pain which lasts more than three months. Chronic pain is generally caused by three sources: injury (such as an accident), an illness (such as cancer) or a nerve condition (such as neuropathy or fibromyalgia). Regardless of the cause, a lot of us are in pain: it is estimated that almost a third of the population suffers from chronic pain, over 100 million people.

The success of chiropractic care can vary from individual to individual, and even from practitioner to practitioner; however, one fact emerges: beneficial patient chiropractic results are evident across a broad swath of physiological and mental processes.

Headaches are a common complaint, and we deal with them frequently. Headaches can be a singular event or can be recurring. Whether they’re mild or intense, the pain can be a sharp or dull ache or throbbing, constant or intermittent, on one side or both sides of the head, but is never in the brain, itself, which has no nerve fibers. Instead, headaches are the result of irritation or inflammation of the tissue and structure surrounding the brain and facial area. A patient who seeks treatment for tension headaches needs a diagnosis and help to find the cause of the headaches and forms of relief.

Our current society is busy and complicated. We work hard and play hard. A hot tub or spa is one of the most relaxing ways to reduce stress and return us to equilibrium. Relaxation is the primary health reason most people buy a hot tub, and owners use them far more often than they initially believed they would. But, as it turns out, hot tub owners are enjoying their hot tub for many more reasons than simply a ‘relaxing soak.' Here are just a few:

Most workplace injuries, even when we know we’re doing something hazardous, come as a complete surprise. One moment, we’re doing something we’ve done a million times, and the next, we’re on the floor, stunned by pain and the functional failure of our own body.

It’s quite common here in Portland to find oneself involved in a car accident. In fact, car accidents are still the most common cause of work-related fatality in the U.S. We have a high number of crashes here, but in spite of that, any accident is a shock, regardless of how small. Work-related car accidents need to be reported to the authorities and supervisor immediately.

The best way to get the most from chiropractic care is to first care for a body’s most essential needs. Here are some guidelines to help the patient get the maximum benefit out of every session. Healing requires a phenomenal amount of energy.

One of the kindest things a person can do for the body is to eat well. Not only will smart eating lead to better health, but it will also help prevent problems caused by poor food choices. The secret to making good food choices starts with a shopping list which is comprised of healthy foods and snacks.

When an employee is injured on the job, in most cases, the injury is supposed to be reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But, according to a report by the Committee of Education and Labor, most workplace injuries are never reported.