Setting Health Goals for the New Year: Prioritizing Spinal Health

As we embark on a new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on our health and well-being and set goals for the future. While many people focus on resolutions related to diet and exercise, it's equally important to prioritize spinal health in our health goals. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of setting health goals that include spinal health and provide tips for achieving and maintaining a healthy spine in the upcoming year.

1. Reflect on Your Current Spinal Health

Before setting new health goals, take some time to reflect on your current spinal health. Consider any issues or discomfort you may have experienced in the past year, such as back pain, stiffness, or poor posture. Reflecting on your current spinal health will help you identify areas for improvement and set realistic goals for the future.

2. Set Specific and Measurable Goals

When setting health goals for the new year, be specific and measurable. Instead of vague goals like "improve spinal health," set specific goals such as "improve posture by incorporating daily stretching exercises" or "reduce back pain by getting spinal checks weekly." Setting measurable goals will help you track your progress and stay motivated throughout the year.

3. Prioritize Prevention and Maintenance

In addition to addressing existing spinal issues, prioritize prevention and maintenance to keep your spine healthy in the long term. Incorporate habits and activities that promote spinal health, such as regular exercise, proper posture, ergonomic workspace setup, and structural chiropractic care. By prioritizing prevention and maintenance, you can reduce the risk of future spinal problems and enjoy better overall health and well-being.

4. Incorporate Spinal-Friendly Habits into Your Routine

Make spinal health a priority in your daily routine by incorporating spinal-friendly habits into your lifestyle. Practice good posture when sitting, standing, and walking. Take regular breaks to stretch and move throughout the day, especially if you have a sedentary job. Invest in ergonomic furniture and tools to support proper spinal alignment. By making small adjustments to your daily habits, you can promote better spinal health and reduce the risk of discomfort and injury.

5. Seek Professional Guidance and Support

If you're unsure where to start or need help achieving your spinal health goals, don't hesitate to seek professional guidance and support. Consult with a structural chiropractor or healthcare provider who specializes in spinal health to develop a personalized plan tailored to your needs and goals. A qualified professional can offer expert advice, treatment options, and ongoing support to help you achieve and maintain a healthy spine.

Conclusion

As you set health goals for the new year, don't forget to prioritize spinal health. By setting specific, measurable goals, prioritizing prevention and maintenance, incorporating spinal-friendly habits into your routine, and seeking professional guidance and support, you can achieve and maintain a healthy spine for years to come. Here's to a happy and healthy new year!

Migraines-The Background

Migraine Headaches are all too common. Almost everyone knows someone who suffers from migraines, or suffers from migraines themselves... trying to find relief through through various treatments can be difficult on the way to finding a solution. 

Migraines is the THIRD most prevalent illness worldwide. In the U.S., 38 million people are affected, including men, women and children. Of those, more than 4 million have chronic daily migraines (at least 15 migraine days per month).  That is over 12% of the population, including children… which often goes undiagnosed. An estimated 10% of children suffer from migraines!

When someone is suffering from a migraine, it is often accompanied by a collection of neurological symptoms including: visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face.

According to migraine research foundation: 

• "Healthcare and lost productivity costs associated with migraine are estimated to be as high as $36 billion annually in the U.S.

• In 2015, the medical cost of treating chronic migraine was more than $5.4 billion, however, these sufferers spent over $41 billion on treating their entire range of conditions.

• Healthcare costs are 70% higher for a family with a migraine sufferer than a non-migraine affected family.

• American employers lose more than $13 billion each year as a result of 113 million lost work days due to migraine.

• U.S. headache sufferers receive $1 billion worth of brain scans each year.

• Migraine sufferers, like those who suffer from other chronic illnesses, experience the high costs of medical services, too little support, and limited access to quality care.

• Beyond the burden of a migraine attack itself, having migraines increases the risk for other physical and psychiatric conditions."

What causes a Migraine? 
The diagnosis of a Migraine is typically made if people have a combination of symptoms and after other disorders have been ruled out. Part of the process can be sorting out whether it is an actual Migraine or a different type of Headache. 
The international Headache society breaks them down into two broad categories: "migraine with aura" and "migraine without aura".
The exact cause is unknown, but is thought to be a combination of factors including vascular and neurological, with hormonal and environmental triggers. 

Unlocking the Puzzle- A Missing Piece

When patients come into our office suffering from chronic migraines, they have typically already seen headache specialists, they have seen the best neurologists in the South East, and have undergone MRI’s and brain scans. They have changed their diets in an attempt to remove “triggers”, and they are going through various combinations of medications (Such as Treximet, Imitrex, or Migranal) in an effort to find something that will help them for more than a short while. 
Most have tried Botox and various alternative approaches including acupuncture and conventional chiropractic in an effort to find a treatment for their relief. 

When we do sit down and talk with them, they are typically tired and frustrated… and have been told to “Learn to live with it” or "It is all in your head".  Most of them are a little doubtful and skeptical that their condition can be helped and that their health can go in a different direction from its current trajectory.

As we sit down and go through a consultation, we are able to find out more about their health history and begin to piece together the puzzle to see the whole picture. In our office our focus is on correcting the Structural positioning of the head and neck, rather than focusing on the secondary conditions. The truth is that Structural Correction has benefits that go beyond treating or curing a specific illness or disease. Correction of upper cervical structural shifts does one thing thing: 

It restores the self-healing, restoring potential within your own body. 

Our bodies are meant to be healthy and thriving; when this is not the case we need to find what is preventing the body’s self-healing mechanisms and true, vibrant potential. The most important piece: A fully functioning, healthy brain and nervous system. 

Atlas Correction Procedure

One of the most common and missed pieces of the puzzle in the causes of migraine headache is a structural shifting of the head and neck. This can result in  disturb normal circulation to the brain and create a situation opportune for headaches. This is called an Atlas Displacement Complex.

This missing piece, when not corrected, is why many therapies and treatments are able to take the pain away for a time, but do not significantly change  the environment that is leading to the headache in the first place. 

At Align Chiropractic here in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, we utilize a gentle procedure that is designed to restore normal structural position and biomechanics to the head and neck. The procedure is a very low force correction, is subtle, and almost imperceivable to the patient. Research has shown significant improvement in utilizing this unique approach.

The patients suffering from migraine typically begin noticing and feeling improvements in the intensity and frequency of their headaches very quickly.

1. Woodfield, H. Charles, III. “Effect of Atlas Vertebrae Realignment in Subjects with Migraine: An Observational Pilot Study.” Accessed online: 24 May 2016. <https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/630472/.

2. Palmer JP, Dickholtz MD. Improvement in radiographic measurements, posture, pain & quality of life in nonmigraine headache patients undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care: a retrospective practice based study. J Vert Sublux Res. 2009 Jun;1:1-11.

The Chill of Wellness: Exploring the Benefits of Cold Exposure and Chiropractic Care

As the seasons shift and temperatures drop, it's natural to seek warmth and comfort. However, embracing the cold may hold surprising benefits for your health and well-being. In this chiropractic blog post, we'll explore the connection between cold exposure and chiropractic care, highlighting how these complementary practices can support your body's natural healing processes and promote overall wellness.

1. Cold Exposure and Inflammation Reduction

Cold exposure, whether through cold showers, ice baths, or outdoor winter activities, has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural response to injury or illness, but chronic inflammation can contribute to a variety of health issues, including musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. By exposing your body to cold temperatures, you can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and support the healing process—complementing the pain-relieving benefits of structural chiropractic care.

2. Improved Circulation and Recovery

Cold exposure stimulates vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels, followed by vasodilation, or the widening of blood vessels. This process promotes circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissues while flushing out metabolic waste products. Improved circulation can enhance recovery from workouts, injuries, and other physical stressors—making it an excellent complement to structural corrections, which optimize nervous system function and support overall health and vitality.

3. Enhanced Mental Clarity and Resilience

Exposure to cold temperatures triggers the release of endorphins and other feel-good neurotransmitters, leading to improved mood, mental clarity, and resilience to stress. Cold exposure has been shown to increase alertness, focus, and cognitive function—benefits that can complement the mental clarity and stress reduction achieved through structural chiropractic care. By embracing the cold, you can support your mental and emotional well-being, allowing you to approach life with greater clarity, resilience, and positivity.

4. Strengthened Immune Function

Cold exposure has been linked to enhanced immune function, as it activates the body's natural defense mechanisms and stimulates the production of white blood cells and other immune cells. By exposing yourself to cold temperatures, you can strengthen your immune system, making it more resilient to pathogens and reducing the risk of illness. Combined with the immune-boosting benefits of structural chiropractic care, cold exposure can help support your body's ability to fight off infections and stay healthy year-round.

5. Mindful Integration and Moderation

While cold exposure offers numerous benefits for health and well-being, it's essential to approach it mindfully and with moderation. Gradually introduce cold exposure into your routine, starting with short durations and gradually increasing intensity as your body adapts. Listen to your body's signals and avoid overexposure or prolonged periods of cold. Incorporate cold exposure as a complement to your structural chiropractic care routine, allowing the two practices to synergize and support your body's natural healing processes.

Conclusion: Embracing the Cold for Optimal Wellness

Cold exposure offers a multitude of benefits for physical, mental, and emotional well-being, complementing the holistic approach of structural chiropractic care. By embracing the cold, you can reduce inflammation, improve circulation, enhance mental clarity, strengthen immune function, and support overall health and vitality. Incorporate cold exposure mindfully and in moderation, allowing it to synergize with structural chiropractic care to promote optimal wellness and resilience in the face of life's challenges.