East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

Dr. Martin Marmorale

Can a Car Accident Cause Spinal Misalignment?

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Here on Long Island, like most of the country, we need a car to get around. Even if we’re taking the LIRR to work, we’re driving to the station. And while we find ourselves in cars frequently without incident, it only takes one accident to upend your day-to-day life with chronic pain and discomfort. And the odds of that happening may be higher than you expect, with more than 2 million Americans suffering injuries from car accidents every year.

The source of that pain could very likely be related to a misaligned spine. So, what are the symptoms of spinal misalignment?

What Are the Symptoms of a Misaligned Spine?

Our spine is more than just the bones in our back, it’s a major part of our nervous system. As a result, a misaligned spine can have a wide range of symptoms that may seem unrelated. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Knee pain
  • Hip pain
  • Headaches
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Numbness or tingling of the extremities.

If a misaligned spine isn’t eventually treated, depending on the severity, it could result in chronic pain and decreased mobility.

How Do You Treat a Misaligned Spine?

To best treat a misaligned spine, you’ll want to make sure you’ve consulted with a professional before anything else. If you’ve been in a car accident, it is important that you go to the hospital and get evaluated as soon as possible to ensure there aren’t any hairline fractures, internal injuries, etc. Several exercises and stretches could be recommended to you. However, it’s important to know the severity of your injuries before potentially causing further injury by performing exercises that worsen your injury. A chiropractor would be able to give you a full evaluation and determine an exercise regime that would fit your very particular needs based on your injury.

A chiropractor can also perform spinal manipulation to help put your spine back into its proper alignment. This is what most people imagine when they think of what a chiropractor does, but that is only one of the many services that can be provided.

Additionally, depending on the nature of the injury and how long ago it occurred, the Graston Technique® might be a useful addition to one’s treatment plan. The Graston Technique® is used to break up myofascial adhesions, which can limit mobility. It can also improve blood flow to the soft tissue in the injured area, which can aid the healing process.

How Long Does It Take to Treat a Misaligned Spine?

This will vary based on the extent of the misalignment in the spine. A chiropractor can give you a full evaluation and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This will involve more frequent visits in the first few weeks or so, then determining the extent to which chiropractic care is helping to reduce pain and improve mobility. From there, the schedule and care plan can be reevaluated.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Provides a Non-invasive, Drug-Free Way to Recover from Your Injuries

As careful as we may be on the road, accidents can prove to be unavoidable. Whether it be a minor fender bender or an experience that’s far more harrowing; you may find yourself experiencing an equal amount of pain and discomfort resulting from the aftermath of whiplash. For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has provided a wide range of chiropractic services to fit your needs. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion in your neck and back through massage, the Graston Technique®, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and more, while avoiding risky surgeries and addictive pain medications. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable life.

How to Make Travel Easier on Your Body

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Travel often brings to mind vacations or business trips. Yet, everyday activities like commuting to work, running errands, and keeping appointments can mean spending hours traveling each day. This frequent travel without proper back support can lead to wear and tear on your back, resulting in ailments like chronic pain.

Enhancing Your Travel Routine for Better Health

To better support your body during travel, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and follow a proper sleep schedule. However, these steps alone may not prevent back pain as we age. So, how exactly do driving and flying contribute to back pain and other chronic conditions?

Can Driving Cause Back Pain?

Yes, there is a significant link between driving and back pain. The more time you spend driving each day and the more consecutive days you spend in the car, the higher your risk of developing lower back pain. This is often due to poor posture and inadequate back support, which can lead to spinal misalignment.

Though long drives can aggravate lower back pain, taking breaks approximately every hour to get up and take a moment to stretch can reduce the risk. A professional chiropractor could provide you with additional lifestyle advice and suggestions on how to best care for your back while driving.

Does Flying Affect Joint Pain or Make Inflammation Worse?

While flying alone may not cause joint pain or inflammation, being confined on a plane when already experiencing these issues can be extremely painful. There are certainly several travel tips to reduce the risk of joint pain and inflammation while traveling on a plane.

Strategies to Minimize Joint Pain and Inflammation While Flying

  • Choose the Right Luggage: Opt for easy-to-transport luggage, like four-wheeled suitcases.
  • Check Your Bags: Prefer checking bags over having to carry and lift heavy items into overhead bins.
  • Request Assistance: Always ask for assistance when necessary to prevent exacerbating inflammation.
  • Stretch and Move: Utilize opportunities to stretch or walk when it’s safe to do so during the flight.

East Bay Chiropractic Can Help to Alleviate Your Back Pain and Increase Your Quality of Life

Frequent travel without proper back support can cause spinal misalignment and aggravate a number of chronic conditions, such as joint pain. East Bay Chiropractic specializes in the use of the Graston Technique® in pain management and relief caused by soft tissue fibrosis and chronic inflammation that could lead to constant discomfort or pain. And with decades of experience, you know you’ll be in good hands. Contact East Bay Chiropractic and request an appointment today.

Stadium Seating and Your Back: Correct Posture Month

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Nothing says summer in America like attending a baseball game. Watching a game while sitting in the sunshine, drinking beer, and eating hot dogs is a quintessential summertime experience. One aspect that may be lacking is comfortable seating, especially at minor league or children’s games, where you may find yourself sitting in bleachers.

Bleachers are designed to accommodate a large number of people in a relatively small space. Unfortunately, they aren’t designed for comfort or optimal ergonomics.

Can bleachers cause back pain? Yes, absolutely, but whether it’s a baseball game, swim meet, wrestling match, marching band exhibition, or other events, there are steps you can take to protect your back.

Why Does My Back Hurt When I Sit on Bleachers?

Bleacher seating is flat, hard, and in back support. Bleachers aren’t only uncomfortable; they encourage poor posture, which leads to back, hip, and leg pain.

Most of us know that prolonged sitting is bad for the back; it compresses the lumbar discs and misaligns the spine. Sitting on hard, backless bleachers makes the problem even worse. It also leads to “bleacher butt,” where pressure from sitting on a hard surface irritates the bones and ligaments in the backside.

How Do You Sit on Bleachers Without Hurting Your Back?

The best way to avoid a bleacher backache is to maintain correct posture, preserving the natural curve of your spine. Sit up straight, using your abdominal muscles, with your shoulders back. Hold your knees at a 90-degree angle, aligned with your hips. Keep your weight distributed evenly on both hips.

Change your position approximately every half hour to prevent prolonged stress. Take regular breaks from sitting; get up and move around from time to time.

Avoid putting your feet up on the seat in front of you. It may feel more comfortable in the short term, but it causes you to hunch forward, creating an unnatural arch in the spine. This puts excessive pressure on your lower back, which can damage your discs. Instead, keep your feet flat on the floor.

Be sure to stay well-hydrated, which promotes flexible, healthy discs. Remember that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body. When you leave the event, stretch thoroughly before you get in the car and again when you get out of it. See your chiropractor regularly to get adjustments.

How Can I Make a Stadium Seat More Comfortable?

Bleacher sitting is rarely comfortable, but some supports and cushions can make the experience less painful. Stadium seats or foam stadium chairs with back supports and thick cushioning are optimal, but an ergonomic gel cushion or even a folded blanket is better than hard, bare bleachers.

These items are sold at sporting goods stores and other retailers. Some sports venues offer rental seats with cushions and back support. If you plan to bring your own seat, check venue regulations to be sure it is on their list of approved items.

Make Chiropractic Care Part of Your Sports Spectating Routine

Being proactive can reduce bleacher back and butt pain. If you experience discomfort, we can help manage pain and restore a normal range of motion with spinal adjustments, massage, and more. For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness has provided a broad range of chiropractic services to Long Island residents. We specialize in the Graston Technique® to break up fascial restrictions and promote soft tissue healing. Contact us online to schedule an appointment.

Can the Graston Technique® Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of hand pain, with an estimated 8 million Americans suffering from the condition each year. Overuse of muscles and tendons in the wrist causes swelling or thickening in the narrow passageway on the palm side of the hand, known as the “carpal tunnel.” The tendons of the hand and fingers, as well as the median nerve, pass through this narrow tube composed of bone and ligament. When swelling occurs, it entraps the median nerve, causing weakness, numbness, “pins and needles” sensations, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be incredibly uncomfortable and often interferes with one’s ability to do daily tasks.

Can You Cure Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The prognosis for carpal tunnel syndrome varies from patient to patient. It is a highly treatable condition, and many individuals find permanent relief. It can be addressed with various pain management techniques, physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and, in some cases, surgery.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Carpal Tunnel?

Managing carpal tunnel syndrome is rarely a quick fix, but there are actions you can take to reduce immediate discomfort and create the right conditions for optimal healing. Icing your wrist for 10-15 minutes several times per day reduces pain and inflammation. Wearing a wrist splint minimizes pressure on irritated nerves and limits motions that aggravate carpal tunnel pain.

Chiropractic care offers a variety of treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Graston Technique® has proven particularly effective at releasing the median nerve and reducing carpal tunnel pain.

Does Graston® Help Carpal Tunnel?

The Graston Technique® addresses carpal tunnel syndrome without pain medication or surgical intervention. Instead, it uses myofascial release to break up adhesions in the wrist. We use patented, precision instruments to locate injured soft tissue, which we then manipulate to break down knots and adhesions. This decreases inflammation and speeds healing.

Using the Graston Technique® also improves mobility and muscle tone, which reduces the irritation of the tendon and, by extension, the nerve, in the carpal tunnel. We may also recommend exercises and movement modifications to supplement Graston Technique® therapy.

Can Graston Technique® Treat Hand Issues/Injuries?

In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, the Graston Technique® can treat hand, thumb, and wrist pain unrelated to carpal tunnel syndrome. It may help with tendonitis, arthritis, and nerve pain resulting from anatomical factors, injury, and overuse.

Your Graston Technique® Specialist for Hand and Wrist Issues

If you are experiencing hand or wrist issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, the East Bay Chiropractic Wellness team can create a holistic treatment plan to increase your comfort and help you return to your normal routine. As a certified Graston Technique® Specialist (GST) who was the first Long Island chiropractor to be certified in the use of the technique, and with more than 35 years of experience, you’ll be in good hands with us. Contact us online, or call (516) 679-2225 for an appointment or to learn more about how we can help you.

How Chiropractors Can Help Treat Allergies

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We are now fully immersed in springtime here on Long Island. Weather-wise, it’s one of the best times of year to get out and enjoy all Long Island has to offer. Unfortunately, this can also be one of the hardest times of the year for allergy sufferers.

More people are affected by allergies than you might think. In fact, more than 100 million Americans are affected by allergies each year. Furthermore, allergies are linked to many chronic illnesses, making them the sixth leading cause of chronic illnesses in the country.

Chiropractic care has often been implemented to not only manage chronic pain, but to address some chronic illnesses as well. Could chiropractic care be effective against allergies?

Can Spinal Misalignment Cause Allergies?

When many people think of chiropractic care, the first image that comes into their head is spinal manipulation. Misaligned spines can cause a wide range of issues, such as chronic pain. However, the nervous system is very complicated and affects just about every function in our bodies.

A misalignment of the spine in certain areas has been shown to affect the immune system. Allergic reactions are the result of our immune system reacting disproportionately to certain substances and stimuli. As a result, a misalignment could potentially cause or exacerbate allergic reactions in some instances.

With that said, if you have a long history of being allergic to certain substances from a very young age, a misaligned spine later in life is likely not going to have a connection to that allergy. However, chiropractors do have other tools and techniques at their disposal.

Can Chiropractors Help with Sinus and Allergies?

Spinal manipulation has the potential to help in some instances with certain allergies. Another type of treatment that is a complement to chiropractic care is acupuncture. Those unfamiliar with chiropractic care may not be aware that this is another form of care a chiropractor can provide. By administering these needles of miniscule diameter in a painless way, acupuncture is able to send signals to the brain to release healing chemicals through the body and promote your body’s natural ability to heal itself. This can result in not only treating some allergies, but also treating anxiety, depression, hypertension, and more.

Relieve Your Allergies and Chronic Pain

Chiropractic care isn’t just for chronic pain. Treatments are capable of far more than that. Though not for every instance, the causes of some allergies have been treated through various kinds of chiropractic care, including acupuncture. At East Bay Chiropractic, we specialize in the Graston Technique®; a pain management technique that targets the scars buried deep in your soft tissue that can cause a wide variety of conditions and helps to alleviate your pain and get you back on the right course. And with nearly 30 years of experience, you know you’ll be in good hands. Contact East Bay Chiropractic today and learn more about how we can help you manage your allergies and chronic pain.

Most Common Workplace Injuries That Can Be Treated with Chiropractic

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With the warmer spring weather coming, many of us find ourselves being more physically active than in the winter. While it is great to be active, after prolonged periods of being less active, you run an increased risk of injury, including work-related injuries.

You may understandably assume that the colder months will see an increase in work-related injuries due to slip and falls from water or ice. Although work-related injuries can happen any time of year, they are actually highest in the warmer summer months. Keeping this in mind, what are some of the most common workplace injuries?

What Is an Example of a Workplace Injury?

One workplace injury that transcends many different fields of employment is a strain due to repetitive motion. This could potentially be from lifting heavy objects as part of the job, or it could be a result of a repetitive motion such as pushing, wrapping, or packaging, using the same tool over and over again, and similar motions. Heavy lifting could cause a back injury and repetitive motions with your hands could put strain on your wrists to the point of injury.

What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

Unfortunately, there are several common workplace injuries. In addition to overexertion injuries such as those mentioned above, slip and falls, exposure to harmful substances or environments, and injuries related to contact with equipment or other objects on the job.

Slip and falls could be anything from tripping in the office, slipping on a wet floor, or falling from a ladder or scaffolding. Exposure to substances or the environment could involve working out in extreme temperatures or in environments where you could be exposed to disease, radiation, harmful gasses, electrical currents, and more. Contact with equipment or other objects could be injury related to office supplies like scissors or box cutters, dropping a heavy object, injury related to contact with a forklift or other vehicles on the job, and so forth.

Can A Chiropractor Help You with Work-Related Injuries?

Chiropractors can help you recover from many work-related injuries. While many people associate chiropractors with spinal adjustments, specialized treatments like the Graston Technique® are designed to help people recover from injuries including those related to the hand and wrist due to repetitive movements by breaking up the adhesions that develop over the tendons and ligaments, causing pain, discomfort, and limiting mobility in the affected area. 

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Help You Recover from Your Workplace Injuries

Workplace injuries can be stressful in addition to debilitating and demoralizing while leaving you feeling uncertain of your prospects in the short term. You need the peace of mind that only experienced professionals with a long track record of satisfied clients can provide. For over 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has been providing a wide range of chiropractic services to best fit your needs and cover a wide range of conditions that impact your day-to-day life including your job. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, the Graston Technique®, and much more. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable life.