East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

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Can Chiropractic Care Help with the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?

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People often associate chiropractic care as one way to properly recover from various personal injuries. Many common sports, workplace, or auto injuries can be treated with chiropractic care. These include spinal manipulation, massage therapy, and the Graston Technique®, all of which can help alleviate chronic pain by addressing its source. These injuries include whiplash, slip and fall, and repetitive motion.

Different kinds of accidents lead to different injuries. For example, an injury that is more common in a car accident may not be as common in a motorcycle accident. So, what are the most common motorcycle injuries?

What Part of the Body Is Most Affected in Motorcycle Accidents?

While we often think of spinal injuries due to whiplash in a car accident, motorcycle accidents work in a much different way. That makes sense since motorcycle riders are more exposed than those in a car, even if they’re wearing full protective gear.

For example, the spine is one of the least likely regions of the body to be injured in a motorcycle accident. In fact, on only 4% of instances is it the most seriously injured part of the body. The face and neck also make up a low percentage of the most seriously injured body regions. You are most likely to have more serious injuries around your legs, followed by your arms and ribs.

How Do You Recover from a Motorcycle Accident?

Recovery from a motorcycle accident can vary widely. Because of the nature of motorcycle accidents, your body is exposed to more risk potential which could lead to broken bones and soft tissue damage. Depending on the severity of the injuries and how long the expected recovery time would have to be provided by a doctor. However, that projected recovery time can often be decreased with chiropractic care.

Can Graston Help with Scar Tissue from Motorcycle Accidents?

The Graston Technique® can and does help with recovery from soft tissue injuries related to motorcycle accidents. Adhesions that have developed on your soft tissue under the skin as a result of a motorcycle accident can be broken up using specialized tools. This will restore your range of motion and comfort in the affected area and will allow your body to start healing properly.

The Graston Technique® is a specialized therapy that requires training and accreditation. Make sure the chiropractor you’re considering is an expert on the Graston Technique® with a proven track record.

Dr. Marmorale Can Treat Accident-Related Injuries

Motorcycle accidents, as well as a number of other personal injuries, can lead to chronic pain and discomfort. That doesn’t mean you have to live with it. At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, Dr. Marmorale specializes in the use of the Graston Technique® in pain management. And with more than 35 years of experience, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands. Contact East Bay Chiropractic today to learn more about how we can help you manage your chronic pain.

Treating Back Pain Caused by Sitting Too Much

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Our lives involve a whole lot of sitting, whether it’s at a desk for eight or more hours each day, commuting into the city, or driving kids to appointments and activities. We all know that too much sitting isn’t good for our backs and our overall health, but it’s often unavoidable in today’s world. Fortunately, there are tips and treatments for dealing with sitting’s impact on our musculoskeletal system.

[Read more…] about Treating Back Pain Caused by Sitting Too Much

Leaf Raking Injuries

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People know that it’s a great idea to stretch out before they exercise, but very few actually do it. That can lead to injuries and pain.

Year after year, we end up with patients who have sore backs and aching bodies because they didn’t take the proper precautions before raking leaves. It doesn’t sound like it should lead to injuries, but it does. Let’s talk about why.

What Muscles Do You Use When Raking Leaves?

A surprising number of muscles are involved in raking leaves. Because you are pulling with your arms, the primary muscles you engage are your biceps. But that motion also requires help from your shoulder muscles, rotator cuff, and deltoids.

Then, bagging the leaves uses your quadriceps, glutes, and all your core stabilizer muscles. In effect, raking leaves can become a long-chain exercise, hitting most of the major muscle groups in your body.

Is Raking Leaves a Strenuous Exercise?

Yes, though it is not necessarily a vigorous activity. Because so much of your body is used in the process of raking leaves, it is a strenuous exercise. Whenever you use multiple large muscle groups in an exercise, your body is exerting more than it does with a simple exercise like bicep curls. 

Many people don’t realize the additional weight that builds up in wet, decaying leaves, so you may be pulling more than you realize. Additionally, this is a repetitive stress motion. The act of raking is the same thing over and over with muscle groups that are not typically used that way. All that together means that the most common leaf-raking injuries are sore backs and shoulders.

The motion of pulling things toward us is not something we do with a lot of frequency and certainly not with the force and repetition that we do when we rake leaves. And most people don’t think to alternate their position or the side they are pulling with, according to HealthCentral.

Because we are never actually trained how to rake leaves without injuring ourselves, many end up facing autumn with sore, aching muscles or even muscle strains and pulls.

Can the Graston Technique® Help with a Raking Injury?

You may have heard that the best thing to do after overexerting a muscle is to take some form of pain reliever and relax, but that’s not the best way to minimize your pain and speed up your recovery.

If you must take a pain reliever, there is only one that we at East Bay will recommend: Nutrametrix Isotonix OPC-3. But the better way to fight the inflammation is with good nutrition, including natural anti-inflammatory nutrients such as grape seed extract, Boswellia, and curcumin. Even better is to use the Graston Technique®.

According to this study published by Illinois State University, the Graston Technique® helps stimulate the development of hemoglobin in the blood when used to treat non-specific neck pain. And why does stimulating your blood matter when you are dealing with pain?

To remove inflammation from your muscles, you need to increase blood flow. Your blood will carry away the impurities causing the discomfort and send nutrients and oxygen to your muscles, creating a faster recovery time with less soreness.

Using the Graston Technique®, we stimulate the muscle and help speed your recovery.

Contact East Bay Chiropractic Wellness for Relief from Leaf Raking Injuries

If you have injured yourself raking leaves, planting annuals, or just making the bed, the Graston Technique® can help speed up your recovery. Contact us to schedule an appointment and we can help to alleviate your pain.

Treatment Alternatives Before Back Surgery

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Our backs are crucial to our overall health and comfort. Unfortunately, because of the demands of everyday life, many of us experience back pain. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 Americans have experienced varying levels of back pain, along with 8% of adults experiencing chronic back pain specifically.

If you’re experiencing chronic back pain that’s getting in the way of your day-to-day life, you should get a professional opinion from an expert on how to best manage that pain. Many doctors are likely to suggest back surgery, which can be risky. So, what are the alternative treatments you can consider before back surgery?

Should I See a Chiropractor Before Deciding on Back Surgery?

While back surgery is sometimes necessary, you should never resign yourself to the risk without examining your alternatives and making a well-informed choice for your health. If you are experiencing back pain as a result of an accident or injury, it’s important that you see a doctor and get a diagnosis. That said, if you continue having lingering pain after an accident or injury, or if you’re developing chronic back pain, seeing a chiropractor is encouraged before deciding on back surgery. Chiropractors not only provide care, but they also provide lifestyle advice that can help improve your overall health.

What Back Problems Can a Chiropractor Help With?

Chiropractors can help with a number of back problems, which can also help bring you relief from other ailments tied to your spine. Lower back pain, upper back pain, stiffness, and limits in your range of motion can all be addressed with various chiropractic treatments, including spinal manipulation, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

It may be possible that your chronic back pain is caused in part or in full by damaged muscle and soft tissue in the area. Not only can that cause pain and discomfort, but it can also cause you to overcompensate with your unaffected back muscles, which can lead to spinal misalignment.

For these instances, the Graston Technique® can be utilized; a technique that the administering chiropractor must be specially trained in. The Graston Technique® involves tools designed to break up the damaged scar tissue, to relieve the pain it causes while also restoring your range of motion.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Provide an Alternative to Back Surgery and Improve Your Quality of Life

For millions of Americans, chronic back pain is a part of life. There are many healthcare professionals that suggest potentially risky surgical procedures that don’t always guarantee pain relief, but there are other forms of care to try beforehand. At East Bay Chiropractic, we specialize 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 more than 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 chronic pain.

Tips for Better Posture

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We’ve always been told about the importance of good posture. Despite this, many of us struggle with poor posture, which negatively affects both our appearance and overall health.

Poor posture results from bad habits in how we sit, stand, and lie down. These habits cause our spines to bend and misalign, leading to back pain and discomfort throughout the body. It can take a long time to develop these kinds of problems from poor posture. This often means it will take significant time and effort to correct. So, what steps can we take to improve our posture?

How Can I Improve My Posture?

There are many ways to help improve your posture that may sound small but make a huge impact. Being mindful of your posture while walking and sitting is key. Additionally, wearing supportive footwear is crucial, especially during summer months when prolonged walks in flip-flops can negatively impact your posture.

Another important step to improving posture is to make sure you are seated properly when working at a desk or when using a phone or tablet device. At a desk, adjust your chair to maintain a good posture at the correct height. If your current chair doesn’t support this, consider finding a replacement. Also, be mindful of your posture when using a phone or tablet, whether sitting on a chair or a couch. Slouching, a common habit, can cause long-term damage.

Can You Correct Years of Bad Posture?

Correcting years of bad posture is a gradual process, and it will not happen overnight. It’s important to follow the guidelines above in order to maintain a good posture, but a poor posture over the years will have a significant impact on your overall health. In these cases, it is advised to seek professional help and guidance. 

Can A Chiropractor Help Improve My Posture?

A chiropractor is uniquely qualified to realign the spinal column and offer expertise in a wide range of other treatments that can improve posture and overall health. This includes lifestyle advice, exercise, massage therapy, and the Graston Technique®, which is designed to break up fascial/muscular adhesion (knots) buildup in your soft tissue that could be causing your back muscles to keep you in an improper posture.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Help Correct Years of Bad Posture

Unfortunately, bad posture is common and affects millions of Americans daily. At East Bay Chiropractic, we specialize in the Graston Technique®, a pain management approach that targets scar tissue caused by poor posture. This technique helps combat inflammation and reduce or eliminate pain, allowing you to enjoy your daily life comfortably. With nearly three decades of experience, you can trust that you’re in good hands. Contact East Bay Chiropractic today to learn how we can help you manage your chronic pain.

Golf Swings and Back Health

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Your golf swing is where physics and your physique meet. If something is misaligned in your body, chances are, it will have a negative impact on your swing.

Golf engages multiple muscle groups, and when your spine isn’t properly aligned, it can throw off the coordinated actions required for an effective swing. When one area of your body isn’t performing well, others will overcompensate, causing subluxations and pain that may further impact your ability to play well.

Can Golfers Benefit from Chiropractic Adjustment?

Pro golfers like Tiger Woods are vocal about the benefits of chiropractic care for their swing, their game, and their overall well-being. Chiropractic care can alleviate back pain, elbow pain, and other issues faced by all kinds of golfers, from pros to casual weekend players.

Regular chiropractic adjustments help improve range of motion, alleviate existing pain, and prevent future pain. If you’re a golfer, chiropractic adjustments can boost your game and prevent injury by aligning your spine, improving your posture, and boosting your performance.

Can Chiropractors Fix Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is a form of tendonitis resulting in pain, inflammation, and a buildup of scar tissue in the elbow. It doesn’t just affect golfers; anyone who overuses their elbow can suffer from golfer’s elbow. It also impacts musicians, construction workers, and those who play other sports. Even those who text, play video games, or type on keyboards for long periods can experience golfer’s elbow.

Chiropractic care can alleviate the pain of golfer’s elbow and help reduce inflammation. At East Bay, we specialize in the Graston Technique®, using specialized tools to locate and break up areas of scar tissue in and around affected areas. This allows your elbow to move more freely, helping reduce pain and improve range of motion.

How Do I Loosen My Body for Golf?

Tight, inflexible joints and muscles are detrimental to your game. To have a smooth, powerful swing, maintaining flexibility is important. When used in conjunction with chiropractic care, daily and warm-up stretching can keep your body strong and loose enough to swing fluidly, comfortably, and precisely.

Can Chiropractic Care Make You a Better Golfer?

Only you can put in the time, work, and dedication to become a better golfer, but we can prepare you to play your best. Chiropractic care can help your body perform optimally, improving your posture, coordination, flexibility, and range of motion. And when those improve, your swing improves as well, becoming smoother, more powerful, and more accurate.

Optimize Your Game with Chiropractic Care

For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness has provided a broad range of chiropractic services to golfers and other athletes. We can help you prepare for and recover from the effects of sporting activities on your spine, joints, and muscles, with adjustments, massage, and more. Get started and get relief by scheduling an appointment.