East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

General Chiropractic

Back-to-School Neck Pain: How Phone Use, Laptops, and Poor Posture Create Chronic Tension

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The first week of school brings a familiar shift. Backpacks come back out, homework returns to the evening routine, and screens fill in the rest – texting between classes, a laptop propped open for hours of assignments, a phone scrolled through on the bus ride home. By October, plenty of parents at our Bellmore office are describing the same thing in their teenagers: a stiff, achy neck that seems to show up out of nowhere and never quite goes away.

It has not come from nowhere. It has come from months of the head tilted forward over a screen, and it is one of the most common patterns we see once the school year gets underway.

Chiropractors sometimes call this tech neck or text neck, and understanding what is actually happening in the neck and upper back is the first step toward doing something about it before it becomes a pattern that follows your teens into adulthood. If your family is already dealing with a related issue, our back and neck pain care page covers how we approach the full range of spinal complaints we see at the practice.

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Treatment Alternatives Before A Cortisone Shot

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You or someone you know have likely had a cortisone shot or had been recommended to have one by a doctor as an option for pain relief. Cortisone is a steroid that when used in this way can combat inflammation in soft tissue temporarily. Although this can be helpful to some, the relief typically lasts for only 3-6 months and doesn’t heal the affected area.

Because cortisone shots have no ability to heal you when they work, many have looked for alternatives to cortisone shots. We’ll discuss more about cortisone shots and their alternatives below.

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Graston Technique For Slip & Falls

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It’s winter on Long Island, and we’ve already experienced some heavy snowfall and icy conditions on the roads and sidewalk. The combination of wintery conditions with less hours of daylight than in the spring and summer months make winter here the most accident-prone time of year when it comes to slip-and-fall injuries. And you don’t even have to fall to the ground to suffer an injury… as catching yourself from falling often involves sudden jerking motions that can pull muscles and damage our soft tissue.

When searching for pain relief because of a slip-and-fall injury, many of us will only think of seeing a chiropractor if we feel that the pain is primarily a result of a back injury. But chiropractic care can be more encompassing than you might think.

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Preventing and Treating Holiday-Based Injuries

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The holiday season can be a wonderful time spent with friends and family. It can also be a time of stress. The last thing you want to worry about when getting ready for the holidays is chronic pain and discomfort. Since holiday injuries are common, it is good to look at how to prevent them and how to treat them.

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Why The Graston Technique® Is Great for Treating Tendinopathies

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As we get older, our bodies become less flexible and require more stretching to help compensate for the increased stiffness. This is not just the case for our muscles, but for other soft tissue, including our tendons. Chronic pain at one or more tendons is referred to as tendinopathy.

Tendinopathies can be quite painful. Fortunately, treatments like the Graston Technique® can help people recover faster.

What Is Tendinopathy?

Tendinopathy refers to chronic or recurring tendon pain and dysfunction. It typically falls into one of two categories:

  • Tendinitis: Inflammation caused by overuse or repetitive strain, leading to swelling and tenderness.
  • Tendinosis: A more degenerative condition where collagen in the tendon breaks down, causing stiffness and reduced elasticity.

In many cases, patients may experience both conditions at once, especially if the issue has developed gradually over time.

How Do You Fix Tendinopathy?

This will depend on multiple factors, including the severity and length of time the individual in question has been experiencing tendinopathy. At first, you will often find rest, icing the affected area, and anti-inflammatory medication are recommended in treating tendinopathy in addition to chiropractic care.

Is Muscle Scraping Good for Tendinitis?

In addition to more commonly administered chiropractic care, the Graston Technique® is highly recommended for treating tendinopathies such as tendinitis. This technique requires specialized training and certification, which means it is not offered through most chiropractic offices.

By utilizing specialized stainless steel tools, the administering chiropractor is able to locate the deeply buried scar tissue and adhesions over your affected tendon that are invisible to the naked eye. After it’s located, the tools are then used to break up the adhesions to relieve your pain and restore your range of motion.

The Graston Technique® to treat tendinitis typically requires twice-weekly sessions over the course of about a month. Many patients begin to experience relief within just three to four treatments, depending on the condition’s severity.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Expedite Your Recovery from Injuries & Tendinitis

At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C., we take a comprehensive approach to treating tendinopathy and chronic tendon pain. Our team provides chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and certified Graston Technique® treatments to target the source of your discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with pain in your elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, neck, or back, we’ll work closely with you to improve mobility, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing. Schedule your appointment today for a full evaluation and let us help you restore comfort and quality of life.

5 Tips for Preventing Pain Caused by Surfing

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Summer in New York is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, and many of us find ourselves more active during this season than any other. Studies show that activity levels peak in spring and summer, from walking in our communities to participating in sports like surfing. And while staying active is key to a long, healthy life, it doesn’t come without risks.

A 2023 study revealed that over 3.7 million people were treated in emergency departments for sports- and recreation-related injuries. Even more experience mild aches and pains that go untreated. Surfing, in particular, uses muscles we often neglect in daily life, making the risk of injury higher than expected.

Common Injuries Caused by Surfing

Surfing doesn’t just pose a risk of injury from wipeouts; the activity itself can strain your body. Some of the most common surfing-related injuries include:

  • Shoulder impingement
  • Lower back pain
  • Knee injuries
  • Hip flexor strain
  • Cuts and abrasions to the feet and toes

5 Tips to Prevent Surfing Injuries

To minimize injury while surfing, incorporate the following practices into your routine:

  1. Warm up with mobility exercises before entering the water.
  2. Use proper surfing technique to reduce joint and muscle strain.
  3. Stretch and cool down after surfing to aid recovery.
  4. Take regular rest days to allow your body to heal.
  5. Consider soft tissue support treatments, like the Graston Technique®, to manage pain and prevent chronic conditions.

Is Surfing Hard on Your Body?

Yes, surfing is a full-body workout that demands strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. It places stress on multiple muscle groups, especially the shoulders, knees, core, and back. Consistent surfing in challenging conditions requires proper warm-ups and cool-downs to avoid strain and injury.

How Often Do Surfers Get Injured?

Like any high-impact sport, surfing comes with its share of injuries. Rotator cuff tendonitis is common among surfers due to the repetitive paddling motion. Lower back and knee strains are also prevalent, often linked to soft tissue damage.

One proven method for treating these injuries is the Graston Technique®. This treatment utilizes stainless-steel instruments that comb over the affected areas and pinpoint the location of the scar tissue buildup around the damaged soft tissue. The scar tissue deep under the skin can then be broken up, which alleviates the pain and increases mobility. This allows you to heal faster and get back to your favorite activities, including surfing.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Assist With Your Recovery from Surfing Injuries

If you love summer activities like surfing, don’t let an injury keep you on the sidelines. At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we specialize in the Graston Technique® to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore mobility. Our experienced team has nearly 30 years of expertise helping patients recover from sports injuries and chronic conditions.

Contact us today to discover how chiropractic care can support your active lifestyle and help keep doing what you love, pain-free.