There is such a thing as too much stretching
Yoga addicts, listen up! There is always a breaking point. Remember that when stretching, you are elongating muscle fibers and tendons. The normal benefit is of increased flexibility, less systemic tension and more nervous system coordination; the feeling should be of looseness and freedom. But some people take it too far.
Don't wait to take action on sciatica
Studies consistently show that chiropractic is one of the best treatments for sciatic nerve pain. If you are suffering from chronic sciatica, it is a good idea to call our office in Sacramento and schedule an appointment so we can start resolving the underlying cause and help you leave pain behind. But getting in to see a chiropractor at the drop of hat is not always easy and sciatica can cause an exigent pain in need of immediate relief. Here are some tips on what to do.
The reality of bone loss
Today, we're talking about bone loss, a natural part of aging that will occur to us all in varying degrees. Starting during our thirties and accelerating thereafter, our bones begin to lose mineral density. This leaves us vulnerable in a variety of ways- take our spines, which are already often compromised by unhealthy lifestyles, poor diets and lack of exercise. Bone loss makes the vertebrae weaker and therefore more likely to fracture from compression- the resulting compression fractures cause terrible pain, limit range of motion and can hasten spinal degeneration. So what can we do about it?
Back pain and breastfeeding go together
Holding any additional weight is likely to put your body at an odd angle, but a baby ups the ante. In order to effectively nurse, you crane your neck to maintain a gaze with your child, while your back often becomes hunched to support the weight on one side. As your spine is already trying to recover from the trauma of the long journey of pregnancy, this additional stress can be untimely. But there are some steps you can take to mitigate the soreness and stiffness that accrues from breastfeeding.
Stretching is so easy: why do we avoid it?
Many of our patients tell us how surprised they are at the ability of stretching to help them feel better. Whether you are mired in the grips of chronic back pain, or you haven't had a single complaint from your spine in all your life, you can still benefit from regular stretching. The fact is, most adults in America aren't moving enough. And if you are moving a lot, you need to condition your muscles to accept this movement. Stretching answers both of these calls: it can be adapted to work out muscles which are weak and stiff from lack of movement, or to ease muscles that have been strained from overuse.
Read more: Stop Ignoring Your Stretches: They Will Save Your Spine