Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Hips: A Key Factor in Back Pain!

When you lose motion in your hips it will cause your back and back muscles to work harder. It will also cause a change in your gait or the way you move. This, in turn, works its way into your lower back. Not only will this eventually strain or overwork muscles, but it will cause uneven wear and tear on your spine and lumbar discs.


There are some really easy ways to exercise the hip, keeping the joints loose and allowing the hip to move like it should.

First, try laying on your back, knees up- bring your knees out sideways and then back to the center. Repeat slowly for 10-20 repetitions. You can also do it standing, bringing your knees out and in, rolling your feet.

Another good stretch is to lay on your side allowing one leg to hang over the other. This will stretch the hips and the oblique muscles. You can do this lying on the edge of the bed so that your above leg can stretch and hang more.

I find that for a lot of our patients adjusting the hips along with the back helps to relieve their pain faster.


The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Open House At CT Spine & Disc Center for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Care.


Come to check out our new Glastonbury Chiropractic Office.

We're now in a brand new building with easy access and plenty of parking.


Stop by on Thursday December 9th from 4-8:00 pm for our Open House. If for nothing else just come by to say hello. If you yourself or someone you know is interested in speaking to a Chiropractor it's a perfect opportunity to meet the doctors.


Newly located on Naubuc Ave near the Glastonbury-East Hartford line, our Glastonbury Office is easy to find (and very easy to get to). Our Glastonbury Office offers a non surgical specialized treatment called spinal decompression using the Drx9000non surgical treatment. This treatment is specifically for low back pain due to disc herniations, sciatica, disc bulges, "slipped" disc- using the innovative, painless DRX 9000 non surgical system.


Our Glastonbury Office is located about 25 minutes from Hartford, 20 minutes from Manchester CT. We have patients from many areas of Connecticut including: Glastonbury, Hartford, Newington, Wethersfield, Berlin, Rocky Hill, Hebron, West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Avon and Farmington.
View Larger MapPlease call our office if you need help with directions (860) 633-8756. Our friendly staff is here to help you and we welcome you with open arms. You can also conveniently get directions to CT Spine and Disc Center via our website. Hope to see you there.


Hope to see you there.
Dr Matthew Bellinger, Chiropractor
CT Spine and Disc Center
437 Naubuc Ave #105
Glastonbury CT 06033
860-633-8756

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:

Saturday, November 27, 2010

How Can I Stretch the Piriformis?

With low back pain, sciatica, pain into the front of the leg, or groin pain we often have piriformis muscle tightness and spasm. The muscle spasm and taut muscles can be in the buttocks and hamstrings too.

The piriformis muscle is in the bottom of your buttocks; think of when you sit, the part that is against the chair is the piriformis region.

The standard stretch is to cross one leg over the other and then pull that leg-knee to the chest.



Ex: to stretch the right piriformis muscle, cross the right leg over the left and pull the left knee toward your chest. Do this in a lying on your back position.

Another great way to do this that’s often easier is to do it seated. Cross your right leg over your left and lean forward until you feel the stretch. Depending on your level of back or leg pain this version may be easier to do.





The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:





Monday, November 22, 2010

Sciatica and the Piriformis Muscle...


Technically, we refer to any back pain going down into the leg as sciatica. The reason is the sciatic nerve travels down the leg giving off different branches to various parts of the leg.

The source of pain is from the lower back because that is where the nerve roots come off the spinal cord. The lower nerve roots form together to create the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve then travels down the buttocks between two head of the piriformis muscle and down the leg.

When this piriformis muscle gets irritated, it pinches the nerve making pain worse. Ultimately, pressure on the nerve roots in the back will contribute to piriformis tightness as well. This happens because the piriformis is controlled by these nerves too. Spinal misalignments and/or disc problems can be the root cause of the nerve pressure however.

Chiropractic treatments and spinal decompression are the two best natural options for quick pain relief.


The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Chiropractic Care Can Help Lumbar Radiculopathy!

The following is a copy of an article from Mark Studin DC, FASBE (C), DAAPM, DAAMLP. It shows the latest research on chiropractic care for treating disc pain.

Back and Leg Pain (Lumbar Radiculopathy) as a Result of Disc Herniation and the Long Term Effect of Chiropractic Care

The term "herniated disc," has been called many things from a slipped disc to a bulging disc to a ruptured disc. To a doctor who specializes in disc problems, the term is critical because it tells them how to create a prognosis and subsequent treatment plan for their patient. To clarify the disc issue, a herniated disc is where a disc tears and the internal material of the disc, called the nucleus pulposis extends through that tear and is always from trauma, or an accident. This differs from a bulging disc that is a degenerative "wear and tear" phenomenon where the internal material or nucleus pulposis does not extend through the disc because there has been no tear, but the walls of the disc have been thinned from degeneration and the internal disc material create pressure with thinned external walls and the disc itself "spreads out" or bulges..

There are various forms and degrees of disc issues, but the biggest concern of the specialist is whether nerves are being affected that can cause significant pain or other problems. The problem exists when the disc, as a result of a herniation or bulge is touching or compressing those neurological elements, which is comprised of either the spinal cord, the nerve root (a nerve the extends from the spinal cord) or the covering of the nerves, called the thecal sac.

There are 2 concerns that doctors consider, first is the structure that we have just discussed and the second is what has the herniation of the neurological element caused. In this scenario, there are 2 problems, the spinal cord or nerve root. If the disc has compromised the spinal cord, it is called a myelopathy (my-e-lo-pathy) where you have a compression of the spinal cord and problems with your arms or legs and an immediate visit to the neurosurgeon is warranted for a surgical consultation.

The second problem is when the disc is effecting the spinal nerve root, called a radiculopathy and is a very common problem. A doctor of chiropractic experienced in treating radiculopathy has to determine if there is enough room between the disc and the nerve in order to determine if a surgical consultation is warranted or if they can safely treat you. This is done by a thorough clinical examination and in many cases an MRI is required to make a final diagnosis. Most patients do not need a surgical consultation and can be safely treated by an experienced chiropractor.

While herniations can occur anywhere, it was reported in the US Chiropractic Directory in 2010 that 95% occur in the lower back, who stated "The highest prevalence of herniated lumbar discs is among people aged 30–50 years, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. In people aged 25–55 years, about 95% of herniated discs occur at the lower lumbar spine (L4/5 and L5/S1 level); disc herniation above this level is more common in people aged over 55 years."

It was reported by Aspegren and co-researchers in 2009 that 80% of the chiropractic patients studied with both neck and low back (cervical and lumbar) disc herniations had a good clinical outcome with post-care visual analog scores under 2 [0 to 10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable] and resolution of abnormal clinical examination findings. Anatomically, after repeat MRI scans, 63% of the patients studied revealed a reduced size or completely resorbed disc herniation.

A study by Murphy, Hurwitz and McGovern in 2009 focused only on low back (lumbar) disc herniations and concluded that "nearly 90% of chiropractic patients reported their outcomes to be either "excellent or good...with clinically meaningful improvement n pain intensity in 74% of patients." The researchers also concluded that the improvements from chiropractic care was maintained for 14 1/2 months, the length of the study indicating this isn't a temporary, but a long-term solution.

It was reported in Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy 1996 that 78% percent of the low back-lumbar disc herniation patients were able to return to work in their pre-disability occupations, which is the result of the 90% of all low back-lumbar disc herniation patients getting better with chiropractic care as discussed above.

These are the reasons that chiropractic has been, and needs to be considered for the primary care for low back-lumbar disc herniations with resultant pain in the back or legs. This study, along with many others concludes that a drug-free approach of chiropractic care is one of the best solutions to herniated discs and low back or leg pain. To find a qualified doctor of chiropractic near you, go to the US Chiropractic Directory at www.USChiroDirectory.com and search your state.


References:


1. http://www.uschirodirectory.com/index.php/patient-information/item/242-cervical-and-lumbar-disc-herniations-and-chiropractic-care

2. Donald Aspegren, DC, MS, Brian A. Enebo, DC, PhD, Matt Miller, MD, Linda White, MD, Venu Akuthota, MD, Thomas E. Hyde, DC, and James M. Cox, DC. Functional Scores and Subjective Responses of Injured Workers with Back or Neck Pain Treated with Chiropractic Care in an Integrative Program: A Prospective Analysis of 100 Cases, Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy 2009;32:765-771

3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Follow-Up: Study of 27 Patients Receiving Chiropractic Care for Cervical and Lumbar Disc Herniations. Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy, 1996 Nov-Dec; 19(9): 597-606

4. Murphy D R, Hurwitz E L, McGovern E E, A Nonsurgical Approach to the Management of Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy Secondary to Herniated Disc: A Prospective Observational Cohert Study with Follow-Up, . Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapy, 2009, November (32) 9: 723-733


The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pelvic Misalignment: A Very Common Cause of Low Back Pain

The most common pelvic shifts are translators to the side (shifts right or left), tilting forward or back, and rotation of one of the ilia.



The ilium is one side of the pelvis. It can rock forward or back. When it rocks forward it can make that leg seem longer, when it tilts or rocks back that side leg is shortened. You can see how this can lead to lumbar misalignment. It’s similar to driving with one tire at 35 lbs and the other at 20 lbs. If there is imbalance, it works its way to the axel and steering. Just like the leg leads to the pelvis, which works its way into the back.

One thing we do at CT Spine & Disc Center is look at posture because it tells us so much. Catching a pelvic shift, whether one side or both, will help us to correct the lumbopelvic structure which will in turn correct our low back spine. Doing this takes pressure off of the nerves and restores body function.

If it’s been a long time and degeneration and disc bulging has arisen, we also have spinal decompression for severe pain.


The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in Glastonbury Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Forward Head Posture: How to Correct the Neck as Fast as Possible.

Forward Head Posture or Forward Head Carriage is one of the most common postural misalignments we see in the office. Over time people get syptoms such as neck pain, arm tingling, headaches, or hunching of the upperback.

Why does this happen you may ask? The answer is: Poor posture means poor spinal alignment! And that means pressure on nerves. The tricky part is that Not All Neves Detect Pain...

So you can have pressure but you may not have a symptom like neck pain or back pain until weeks, maybe months later.

"If you have forward head - There are a few things you can do for fastest results in fixing it!"

First, get adjusted by your chiropractor. This can make the biggest change in minutes, not to mention, your chiropractor can help you with stretches, neck exercises, or other any questions you may have.

Next, use a neck pillow when sleeping. Why not fix your posture when you sleep...We like the cervical traction pillow!

Third, specific neck exercises should be used. Talk to your chiropractor for more information and advice.

Forth, Home Neck Traction. The pillow, adjustments, and exercises are huge but neck traction makes all the difference. Wait a second though; there's a few kinds of traction. You want true neck traction like this video of me shows...


If you do all of these things you can say goodbye to poor neck posture.


The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in Glastonbury Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources
:
  • Dr Bellinger Adjusts a Patient
  • About CT Spine Chiropractors
  • Chiropractic Pillow
  • Chiropractic Glastonbury

  • Tuesday, October 19, 2010

    Five Ways to Reduce and Eliminate Neck Pain!

    ChiropracticCHIROPRACTIC

    Thursday, October 14, 2010

    Study Shows Bed Rest Is Not Good for Back Pain...


    Years ago, a common treatment for back pain was bed rest. Even today, your doctor may say “you have lower back pain? Go lie in bed, rest your back.” They have actually found that in the vast majority of cases this is not the best recommendation. In fact, it’s the opposite; getting moving is better most of the time.

    Now, keep in mind that there are many types of back pain and many various causes for back pain, but for lower back pain and sciatica it’s best to keep moving!

    Stretches, back exercises and light walking, for example, may actually help. One of the reasons is that staying still causes stagnation and leads to muscles getting weak. A lot of the body parts involved in back pain need blood flow to get nutrients, stay hydrated, and function at their best. As you guessed, moving promotes this kind of healing.

    Lastly, there’s a mental component too. I have found that a lot of my patients who can take their minds off of the pain and think instead about work, or their kids, or whatever, handle low back pain better.

    To sum it all up, there are a lot of kinds of back pain and they’ve found that the majority respond better to moving instead of bed rest.

    Talk to the chiropractors in our office to find out what may be the best option for your back healing.



    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:



    Monday, October 11, 2010

    I don’t want to stop running because I have lower back pain

    How do you keep up with your running routine if you having lower back pain
    Everyone wants to keep in shape. Once you start working out it can actually become addicting. I have many patients that come to see me after they have injured themselves. Their first question: Doc, when can i work out? When Can I start running again? For some people every time they go running, they have lower back pain either during or after the run. Should they quit running, find an alternative sport, or simply stop all activity and adopt a sedentary lifestyle?

    If you love the benefits of running and want to continue, is there anything you can do to make running tolerable? First, NEVER stop doing activity and adopt a sedentary lifestyle – it will start a slow decline with an unhappy ending! So let’s see if we can make running work for you!

    1. STRETCH: In general, stretching helps “warm up” your muscles and joints and can prevent the low back from hurting during or after your run. In past newsletters, we’ve reviewed simple stretches that can be done from a sitting position (when you’re in a hurry), as well as others. Yoga based exercises are also excellent!

    2. FOOT STRIKE: The “proper” gait or, method your feet hit the ground is very important! To avoid low back injuries (not to mention foot, ankle, knee or hip injuries), run SMOOTHLY so the heel strike is gliding/glancing vs. a hard vertical load. The foot then “ROLLS” from heel to toe, first on the outside of the foot and then shifts to the inside during which time the arch flattens out, getting ready to “spring” you forward. The heel then lifts up and you push off the ball of the foot and big toe.

    3. RUNNING POSTURE: Lean forwards when you run – DON’T run vertically like a Po-Go stick! By doing this, your momentum will be to move forwards – NOT downwards into the pavement (like a “jack hammer”)!

    4. CORE STRENGTHENING: By keeping your “core” (midsection) strong, your back is more supported and less likely to become injured. Core exercises include pelvic tilts, the “dead-bug”, bridges, prone swimmers, lunges, squats, sit-ups, arch-ups, side bridges, 4-point kneeling/opposite arm/leg, and many others. These can be done on the floor and/or with a gym ball. Balance exercises are also very important!

    5. RELAX: Have you ever noticed when some people run, they just look “tight” and uncomfortable. RELAX – don’t shrug your shoulders up to your ears; let your arms hang down bent at your sides; don’t clench your teeth or make a fist – RELAX!!!

    6. PADDED INSOLES: There are many brands of padded insoles – try some and see how they work for you.
    7. RUNNING SHOES: The key here is TRY THEM ON and walk around inside the store. There are a lot of good supportive shoes so just find a brand that works for you!

    8. FLAT FEET: This is common and NOT a reason to stop running. Ask us about foot orthotics and the function and importance of the arches.

    Source: Dr.Bellingers October 2010 Newsletter

    Additional Reading Resources

    Thursday, October 7, 2010

    Chiropractic is a Holistic Treatment

    Chiropractic: A holistic type of medicine
    The philosophy of chiropractic is a holistic one. It means that the treatment you receive will be 100% all natural. So often in the medical world, doctors write a prescription as the final step in treating pain. In their mind, ending the pain is the end of the problem. With chiropractors and other holistic medical professionals, the goal is not to cover up the pain, but to discover the cause of it and work with your body’s natural healing processes to heal the injury naturally.


    Medications do have their place in medicine today, but many times medications that are prescribed for pain or inflammation can have bad side effects. They can cause drowsiness, effect your ability to concentrate which can affect your ability to go to work or school. The long-term effects can have an effect on body systems and organs and be even more detrimental to your health
    However, holistic and natural medicine is an alternative and increasingly popular form of treatment. Chiropractors can use a number of methods for pain relief:
    • spinal manipulation
    • techniques such as traction, non surgical decompression
    • electrotherapy such as ultrasound and interferential stimulation
    • nutrition
    • cold or hot therapy
    • recommend changes to diet
    • massage and trigger point therapy
    • prescribed exercises and stretches
    These natural therapies do not create side effects that many medications do. Most importantly, it works with your body’s natural healing ability to create an all natural healing process for your body.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

    Additional Reading Resources:


    Wednesday, October 6, 2010

    I have suffered from disc degeneration/herniated disc and spinal stenosis....

    After my fifth session on the DRX 9000 I had my full range of motion and most of my pain was gone.  By the end of all twenty sessions, I resumed my normal activities including gym workouts as I was now pain-free. -Javier

    “For the past 3 years, I have suffered from disc degeneration/herniated disc and spinal stenosis and seriously sought surgery as the only option. Knowing how expensive the surgery is, I did not care as long as my condition was relieved. I had continuously attended chiropractic sessions and had a Cortizone shot with minimal results. Searching the internet for alternatives I contacted Dr. Bellinger’s office regarding the DRX 9000. After reading other patient testimonials about the success of the treatment, I viewed the treatment as experimental. Nonetheless, I decided to try the DRX 9000 simply because it was much less costly than surgery.

    After my fifth session on the DRX 9000 I had my full range of motion and most of my pain was gone. By the end of all twenty sessions, I resumed my normal activities including gym workouts as I was now pain-free. This treatment is incredible and I have not been this happy in a while. I totally recommend this treatment for anyone thinking of surgery. This treatment is the closest thing to a cure!”

    -Javier. R (Willimantic, CT)

    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

    Additional Reading Resources:


    Sunday, October 3, 2010

    This October: Chiropractic Awareness Month!


    This is Chiropractic awareness month. This is the perfect time to visit your chiropractor's office with any healty health concern you may have.

    Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical treatment option. It's one of the biggest, if not the biggest natural health care profession. A doctor of chiropractic is trained in may areas of health. After 3-4 years of undergraduate study a DC (doctor of chiropractic), goes to an additional 4 years of schooling.

    Some of the most common conditions treated are neck pain, headaches, back pain, and sciatica. Visit your chiropractor this month to find out if he or she can help.

    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

    Additional Reading Resources:


    Friday, October 1, 2010

    Ragweed Season - What Do I Do As An Allergy Sufferer?

    Chiropracic Can Help Allergies
    If you’re a seasonal allergy sufferer, then you’ve probably heard of ragweed. A stubborn plant which grows in abundance in pretty much every area of the United States, it is the leading cause for fall allergy symptoms. Starting in mid-August, a single ragweed plant can release one million pollen grains per day until late October.

    A common symptom of ragweed allergies is Allergic Rhinitis. This includes sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, as well as worsening other health issues, such as asthma.

    If you are an allergy sufferer, keep in mind this autumn that ragweed season is predicted to be especially strong because of the hot, dry summer we’ve had. Keeping your windows closed is a way to keep pollen out of your home, but it can be carried in on clothing, shoes, even your pet. Keeping clothing and your living space clean is a good way to try to reduce your allergy symptoms for this ragweed season.

    Just a bit of information on me and my experiences with allergies. Every approximately August 15th mine would start. Not only was it hard to concentate in school, but at every else too. It was so bad it would run my immune system down and I would get sick. The short story is, my dad took me for allergy shots, I can't actually say helped (maybe, maybe not). However, some time after that, I had injuries from soccer which my folks took me to the chiropractor for. We didn't really think about it and no one said anything about it, including my chiropractor at the time, but it was soon after that I didn't notice allery problems as much.

    What I have since leaned is that cervical adjustments may help for a few reasons. So the bottom line is, there are things we can do to reduce allergies - allergy shots may be one. Of course I know chiopractic treatments were much cheaper for my folks and needles are no fun, not to mention, I had to leave right after school every Friday to go to the allergist - no fun for a kid, plus I would miss practice that day, or anything else I had planned for the afternoon.

    I currently get my neck adjusted regularly, try to reduce dust or allergens in the house as much as possible, use a hypoallergenic pillow with a dust cover, and avoid staying in my aunt's house to long (she has an angora cat which gets me all stirred up!), just to name a few. Getting adjusted is by far the easiest and has other benefits too.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

    Wednesday, September 29, 2010

    The Keys to Successful Squat Exercises

    Proper form when exercising prevents back pain
    If you’ve ever tried to tone and tighten your lower half or to do more in your workout, you were probably told to do squats. Building strength and staying fit is a great way to improve your health and reduce your aches and pains. Squats can be a strong move that strengthens your legs and buttocks while increasing endurance. However, there is a right and wrong way to perform the move, and if done incorrectly it could cause more harm than good.



    When doing squats, or any toning exercise, it’s important to stay focused on your form the entire time. To start, stand with your legs slightly wider than shoulder width with your toes pointing away from center at a 45 degree angle. Keep your weight on the heels of your feet, and you know you’re doing this correctly if you are able to wiggle your toes easily. This stance will keep your knees safe from injury during the squat, so make sure to keep this position throughout the movement.



    During the exercise itself, keep the muscles in your buttocks flexed throughout the move. Lower slowly into the squat keeping your shins straight and your knees above your ankles. Never squat down with your knees extending past your toes, instead lean back bringing your buttocks out behind you.



    Be especially careful doing squats to prevent lower back strain. You will find that you really don’t need much weight at all. Try doing them in your living room for a few reps and you will feel the burn rather quickly. At the gym you can use light dumbbells in your hands or a smith machine to keep you in stable form.



    As with any exercise, the proper form for squats is best learned through repetition. Once you’ve got the right form down, keep at it consistently and you’ll be seeing results in no time.




    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

    Tuesday, September 28, 2010

    How can more Omega-3 Fatty Acids in my Diet Help my Bones?


    The benefits of increasing the amount of Omega-3-rich foods can have numerous positive effects on your overall health. It supports brain development and growth, helps fight obesity, and can help prevent cardiovascular disease. However, new studies are showing Omega-3’s are also beneficial to bone health.

    Omega-3’s are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are commonly found in fish. Aside from the other health benefits, having more Omega-3’s in your diet will help with bone loss prevention and bone fracture prevention, including reducing your risk for osteoporosis. This is important for anyone’s health, but especially for people who are at a higher risk for bone loss, such as post-menopausal women.

    So where can you find Omega-3’s in your diet? Fish such as tuna, salmon, halibut, snapper, cod, and scallops are all high in Omega-3’s. If fish is not your favorite food though, it can be found in plant sources as well, such as flaxseeds, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and walnuts. Another way to get more Omega-3’s is to take a dietary supplement.


    Additional Reading Resources


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression





    Friday, September 24, 2010

    Pelvic Misalignment: A Very Common Cause of Low Back Pain


    The most common pelvic shifts are translators to the side (shifts right or left), tilting forward or back, and rotation of one of the ilia.

    The ilium is one side of the pelvis. It can rock forward or back. When it rocks forward it can make that leg seem longer, when it tilts or rocks back that side leg is shortened. You can see how this can lead to lumbar misalignment. It’s similar to driving with one tire at 35 lbs and the other at 20 lbs. If there is imbalance, it works its way to the axel and steering. Just like the leg leads to the pelvis, which works its way into the back. Correcting foot alignment with orthotics may also help tremendously.




    One thing we do at CT Spine & Disc Center is look at posture because it tells us so much. Catching a pelvic shift, whether one side or both, will help us to correct the lumbopelvic structure which will in turn correct our low back spine. Doing this takes pressure off of the nerves and restores body function.

    If it’s been a long time and degeneration and disc bulging has arisen, we also have spinal decompression for severe back pain or sciatica.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

    Thursday, September 16, 2010

    Chiropractic Helps Muscle Tightness and Muscle Spasm



    Everything in the spine connects- muscles have tendons that connect to bone, bones are connected by joints or ligaments, one part of the body connects to the next… It makes complete sense that if you align the spine and or mobilize an area that was supposed to move that wasn’t, that the body will start working better.

    If everything is in its proper alignment or position it allows all the surrounding structures to do the same. Let’s take an example: Let’s say on side of the pelvis is shifted, you may even notice it in the mirror in your posture. Then, chances are that your sacrum or lumbosacral junction on that side becomes irritated or restricted. This also means that the ligaments and tendons in the area are compromised leading to problems in your gluteus muscles, low back muscles and even hip musculature.

    Let’s take a step back- what was the lumbosacral junction? This is where your lumbar spine meets the sacrum. Just off to the sides of this joint are your sacroiliac joints (where the sacrum joins one side of the pelvis or ilium). You already see all the connections being made just in the lower low back. This area is also one that is rich in nerve supply.

    You can obviously come to the conclusion that freeing up a nerve will get things feeling better. Muscle tightness and spasm is the same. Essentially the muscles are controlled by the nerves. If there is nerve pressure then those muscles innervated by that nerve or nerves will get some problems. It’s like kinking a garden hose, if that flow to that muscle is inhibited it won’t work at 100%.

    So you then can understand how relieving nerve pressure will help. This is exactly what your chiropractor does. Now bone on nerve makes sense but typically it’s inflammation that irritates the nerve; whether it’s inflammation on the nerve or the nerve itself gets inflamed. So, really what happens is that when we mobilize a restricted area or align the back, inflammation is then able to dissipate and communication is restored allowing all parts of the body to function normally again – all the way down to the cellular level. Doing this gets rid of muscle spasm and tightness.




    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:



    Tuesday, September 14, 2010

    What Specific Muscle Tightness do 90% of my Back Pain Patients Have?

    quadratus lumborum is one muscle is one muscle that can be the cause of lower back painMost have some tightness or spasm or maybe trigger points in the lower back musculature, but everyone is a little different. It might be tightness in the quadratrus lumborum, spasm of the paraspinals or knots in the gluteus medius.

    As far as tightness goes for one specific muscle, the answer is hamstrings. Always keep in mind that the whole body works together and everything attaches. The calves attach to the hamstrings, the hamstring muscles to the gluteus muscles, and the gluts to the lower back.


    Keeping the leg muscles loose is extremely helpful in restoring the low back’s function. The hamstrings are one of the biggest and most powerful muscles in the body. Stretching them on a regular basis will help your back. And now you know; if you are suffering from back pain, chances are you have some tightness in your hamstrings.


    Picture Source: Meet the quadratus lumborum

    Additional Reading Resources

    Friday, September 10, 2010

    The Benefit of Electrotherapy used in Conjunction with the Chiropractic Adjustment

    At CT Spine and Disc Center, we use other therapies in addition to the chiropractic adjustment. Such therapies include vibration, moist heat, cold therapy and electrotherapy. Electrotherapy is often used to relieve pain and relax muscle spasms. Often times, the electrotherapy is used in conjunction with a hot or a cold pack.

    Electrotherapy can be used in the “interferential” or “premodulated” form- both of which treat pain.

    For muscle spasm reduction, a medium frequency wave length called “Russian stim” is often used.

    Using electrotherapy involves applying pulsating electric currents to certain areas of the body, such as the low back, mid back, or neck via electrodes. This process elicits responses from nerves which are involved in pain sensation and muscle contraction information. The stimulation of sensory fibers will help block pain while stimulation of motor fibers will produce pulsatile contractions of the muscle groups innervated by the nerves being stimulated.

    Electrotherapy is often used for:

    1. Chronic pain that does not go away
    2. acute pain
    3. relaxation of muscles
    4. increase of blood flow to the treatment area
    5. muscle re-education
    6. increasing range of motion
    7. prevention of atrophy of muscles

    Electrotherapy can be used to relieve pain and muscle spasm without increasing inflammation or swelling. Also, no heat is produced when using electrotherapy.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:


    Monday, September 6, 2010

    One of the Best Defenses Against Back Pain: PREVENTION

    healthy teeth are just as important as a healthy spine


    Healthy Teeth, Just as Important - HEALTHY SPINE


    It’s well known that if you have back pain, a great treatment to get rid of it is chiropractic care. So, it may not come as a surprise to say to you that one of the best ways to prevent ever having back pain is to see your chiropractor.

    I can tell you that the majority of my colleagues, their patients and my own patients that have had regular chiropractic treatments are a much healthier group than those who haven’t.

    Think about this- you see your dentist once every six months for a teeth cleaning and to get your teeth examined. This is to prevent cavities, plaque build-up, etc … What do you think is more important, your teeth or your spine? Your spine, of course! It holds your nervous system. After the age of 65 the majority of individuals have less than half a mouth of real teeth.

    If you have built up a lot of arthritis or degeneration, preventative or supportive care is extremely important. Especially if you’ve had past disc injury or disc pain your chiropractor may be your sole option for drug-free relief.

    And now with the DRX 9000 spinal decompression you can keep your discs healthy and pain-free.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:


    Saturday, September 4, 2010

    What are the Best Exercises if you have a herniated disc?

    I have a herniated disc in my lower back at the L5-S1 level. I want to start doing some exercises but I don't want to aggravate the herniated discs. I have been walking and it really hurts after walking for 10 or so minutes. I was thinking about doing sit ups but I don't know if that will cause more pain. Any Advice on what I should Do?

    Start with simple stretches first. While lying on your back, knee to chest and then double knee to stretches work well. Next, some simple core exercises will help. Start with gentle crunches, do not do full sit ups. The core area is the region in your mid section so anything in the abdominals, low back or attached muscles are good regions to work.

    Another great thing is gentle traction of the back. Try hanging from a chin up bar or something similar to stretch out the back. Something else that works very well are what I call chair exercises.

    Sit in a sturdy chair with armrests, place both hands on the arm rest and slowly elevate your body or rear end of of the seat. You don’thave to push your whole body up in the air. Just unloading of the pressure will help.

    All that being said, what I find is truly the best way to heal disc pain or herniated disc is non surgical spinal decompression. I have placed a link below to learn more. If you use therapy like this to help heal the back , stretches and exercises will work that much better to help prevent future back injury and pain.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

    Additional Reading Resources:

    Tuesday, August 31, 2010

    Yet Another Positive Study for Chiropractic Care!

    Recent June 2010 survey review in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine shows chiropractic to be a great help for low back pain. Seventy-four of the surveyees used chiropractic for back pain and “66% reported significant benefit.”

    The analysis looked at six CAM therapies. CAM stands for Complimentary Alternative Modalities and includes chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, herbs, yoga, and relaxation techniques.

    There is no denying it- chiropractic is one of the best and safest options for low back pain. Technically, your chiropractor isn’t really an alternative care provider anymore; he or she is main stream. It is clear from not only this survey review, but all of the continuous positive studies that for back pain your doctor of chiropractic should be your first choice.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

    Wednesday, August 25, 2010

    -How to Find the Best Mattress and Pillow for You-

    So many of us are affected by difficulty sleeping, inability to fall asleep or waking frequently throughout the night. Aside from sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, a major cause for problems with sleeping comes from the mattress and pillow you are using.

    You should get a new mattress every 10-15 years. I’ve had friends who’ve kept their mattress well over 20 years, and complain often of back and neck pain. By simply switching to a mattress that is not worn out they could easily do wonders for their ability to sleep and to wake up without pain or tightness.

    So how do you know which is the right mattress for you? By trying it out! Picking a mattress that you will use for the next decade is a big investment, and not a decision to be made quickly. Pick a mattress that has a trial period (most of the good ones do). Trial periods can be anywhere from three months to a few years. This way you can sleep on the mattress and judge after time whether it is helping your sleep or hindering it. As for hard or soft mattresses, it depends on the person. Just make sure you have adequate support for your neck, shoulders, and back. Also, keep in mind that the majority tend to sleep on something too soft.

    Once you have a new mattress, it’s time to take a look at your sleeping position. The best position for your spine is to sleep on your back with a pillow under your bent knees, to take pressure off your lower back. Another good position is on your side with a pillow between your legs, keeping them hip-width apart. Unfortunately, sleeping on your stomach is the worst position, and a favorite of a lot of people. It strains your neck as you have to turn your neck to breathe. It’s a tough habit to kick, but it’s worth it to wake up with no back, shoulder or neck pain. Try falling asleep on your back by putting pillows on both sides of your body to help prevent rolling over. Also our “V” pillow helps hold you on your back by holding your neck in place.

    Your pillow is the final element in a good night’s sleep. If you prefer sleeping on your back, choose a pillow that won’t thrust your neck forward (avoid multiple pillows). If you are a side-sleeper you’ll need a thicker pillow for more neck support. The best thing to do is to take your current pillow in to your next chiropractic visit. Show your chiropractor, and if he or she doesn’t seem to think the pillow is providing enough support, ask them for suggestions.


    The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

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