Wednesday, December 14, 2011

“Doc, can you Cure my Low Back Pain?”


I don’t like to use the “cure” word because you never know. Back pain comes from so many things, and it can go away and return, etc …

That being said, I’m sure we can help, possibly make the pain go away 100% or close to it. Using chiropractic care- chiropractic adjustments, muscle massage, and therapies we are able to align the spine, reduce inflammation, and pinpoint the cause of the pain. Aligning the spine and reducing inflammation takes pressure off of the nerves allowing the body to heal.

This works much better than a medication. A medication for your back pain either masks the pain (covers it up) or it may help reduce the inflammation, but not get rid of the true cause. This might be great for the short-term to get you through a couple days at work, but for the long-term when pain returns and returns again we are in trouble.

Your chiropractor helps with the root cause to help you get better for the long-term so back pain or neck pain don’t return again quickly.


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

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Another Research Study Showing the Effectiveness of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

The title: “Restoration of Disc Height through Non-surgical Spinal Decompression is associated with Decreased Discogenic Low Back Pain: a Retrospective Cohort Study”
Aptel et al. You can find the study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010, 11:155

Here’s what they found: Before and after a six week treatment period with spinal decompression low back relief correlated with a disc height increase.
How did they do it? 30 patients with an average age of 65 were treated with the DRX 9000. 21 females and 9 males with lumbar disc herniation and low back pain were assessed via a verbal pain scale disc height was measured with CT scans.
We also use the DRX 9000 Non-surgical Spinal Decompression in our office. I have watched patients’ pain level decrease and/or vanish as well as other symptoms like tingling or numbness in the legs.

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:


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Climbing Out After the Big Snow Storm in Glastonbury Connecticut


Sorry for the long delay with posting to our Glastonbury Chiropractor Blog! We are finally getting back to business as usual after a freak storm that hit Connecticut on Saturday October 29. This was not just your run of the mill storm. 9 days it left us without power, without phones and off course, no internet. It uprooted century old trees- one of our neighbors in South Glastonbury had a sign on their lawn after a large tree was uprooted: " born: 1878, died 2011- 138 years old" Yep, trees came down as did power lines. It looked like a war zone in Glastonbury. I have never seen gas lines as long as they were. It seemed that the little town of South Glastonbury's Gas Station Irvine, was the only one open for miles. It took us 40 minutes and some scary minutes to fill up our vehicle.

The kids in our neighborhood didn't even get a true October 31 Halloween !

It was quite frustrating dealing with our power company CL & P- their reaction to the disaster was painstakingly slow. 800,000 customers without electricity, and the numbers were increasing. You would think after Hurricane Irene 8 weeks prior (for which we lost power for 5 days), the work would have been a little faster. But Nope, not so.

Off course some folks were lucky, they had a generator. This kept them going for a few days. At least with a generator you can have some semblance of normalcy. You can run your refrigerator, take a proper shower, and simply flush your toilet.

Lucky for us, my wife's sister was getting married on the November 5 weekend in Canada ! With no heat, no phones, and not being able to do anything really, we left for our trip earlier than planned. Getting out of Glastonbury was difficult, but well worth it. The timing could not have been more perfect. Even the Toronto Star- one of Ontario's main newspaper- featured Glastonbury CT and the storm damage.

Needless to say after the storm, we had storm related pain with patients as well. Picking up, or starting up the generator, chopping wood for their fire place, shoveling snow, and filling up their pellet stove. Lots of low back, midback and neck injuries. Its true, everyone suffered from this snow storm. These sprain/strain type of injuries can happen readily in emergency situations- you do much, lift too much, or bend over just the wrong way, and your back goes out. Emotionally, it can make you crazy too- we have mulitple stories from our patients about the agony of having no power ! If you suffered physically (and emotionally) from the recent CT Storm, visit our office. We can help you.

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

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The ChiroBears Are Here!

The Arc4life ChiroBear- the chiropractic teddy bear
The ChiroBears are finally in! In case you didn't know or forgot what these chiropractic bears were, they are a teddy bear stuffed animal that makes a "crack or pop sound" when you press on the back.

They can be used as a great educational tool to show your kids an example of a chiropractic adjustment.

The Chirobears are a great chiropractic gift - Whether for a patient, a Chiropractor or a student in chiropractic school ! A Great chiropractic novelty item.

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

Monday, October 17, 2011

Kim Kardashian: A Trip to the Chiropractor Before the Big Wedding

Kim Kardashian Goes To The Chiropractor
It is always interesting when a big celebrity uses chiropractic care. Even a reality star like Kim Kardashian. She recently tweeted: "Just had the best chiropractor appointment, then massage and Korean spa scrub! I feel sooo relaxed. I really needed this!"



Weddings can be really stressful. This is whether you're a celebrity or not. A Chiropractic visit before the big day can be a huge stress reliever. So if you've got a big event, like a wedding, sports outing, or something of the like - go for a chiropractic tune-up!




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 12, 2011

Chiropractic Spine Alignment




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


Visit the Glastonbury Chiropractor on Facebook




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Monday, October 3, 2011

“How does a Pillow Under or Between my Knees Help my Back?”

Your back muscles connect to your butt muscles, which then connect to your hamstrings, etc … Taking tension off your legs will then relax your back slightly. So, if you’re laying on your back and put something under your knees, for example, this will flex the knees, decreasing leg and back tension. Your hamstring muscles become shortened and relaxed lowering tension in your gluts and therefore your lower back.

On your side, a pillow between the knees will keep your legs and pelvis level. Think about being on your side if one leg flops well over the other, your pelvis is forced into rotation. The name of the game is to keep pressure off of nerves, and keeping the spine in alignment does this.

One more thing to keep in mind, just like the muscles, but is true for the spine as well, is that it's completely connected. For example, if your cervical curve (neck alignment) is just right then your thoracic curvature maintains better alignment. The lumber spine then can stay in good position. That being said, it's a good idea to use a chiropractic neck pillow too.

These are a couple tricks with a pillow to help keep your back relaxed and without nerve pressure, therefore without pain. Happy sleeping!


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, September 20, 2011

Lumbar Support Helps Low Back Pain Sufferers

Here's a video of me showing how to wear a lumbar support belt. Getting the right size of lumbar support belt is very important. I recommend the Lumbosacral low Back Support Belt. There are many reasons why this lumbar belt is a good choice for patients with lower back pain:
  • It is composed of a special wicking material that draws moisture away from the skin for helping you stay cool and dry
  • The special coredge finish is comfortable withing being binding or irritating
  • It comes in 5 sizes from Small to 3x large
  • Its sized proportionally in height to ensure that the top edge of the lumbar belt lands at or just below the navel
  • Velco is strong, and belt lasts a long time use after use
  • Features a plush, elastic back panel for extra comfort
  • Features double side pulls for superior abdominal compression and low back pain relief and comfort



Check out the CT Spine and Disc Center Online Store to see the sizes available for the lumbar back belt.


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, September 13, 2011

Can a Lumbar Disc Injury Cause Back Spasms?

drx9000 Glastonbury CTAbsolutely. The discs in the lumbar spine act as a cushion, allowing us to move, walk, run, jump, etc … Let’s take a disc injury like a bulging disc as an example. In this case the disc bulges outward, which literally puts pressure on nerves or a nerve root. When this happens, that disc space between vertebrae will flatten. Much like a flat tire, it will flatten and bulge.



Remember, nerves control the muscles, so if we have pressure on the nerves it will create problems with the muscles those nerves go to.



So, if you put pressure on a nerve or nerve root, you may get back pain or sciatica, but you can also get back spasms, leg numbness, or something similar. Depending which disc level or levels get injured can tell us what symptoms may occur and where.




In the past, a disc injury could be a major spoiler, now with DRX9000 Spinal Decompression we can help. Call our office if you are experiencing disc pain or low back spasms.





The Glastonbury Chiropractor serving Glastonbury, Marlborough, East Hartford, Hartford, West Hartford, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Middletown, Manchester, and more- 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:

Monday, September 5, 2011

Spinal Decompression For Lower Back Pain Available in Glastonbury CT

Want to know more about DRX9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?...

Glastonbury Chiropractor, Dr Matthew Bellinger offers a non-invasive solution to severe lower back pain, leg pain, sciatica, and disc 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:

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Lumbar Degeneration… What can I do??


Have you been told you have arthritis in your back, lumbar degeneration? … And then told, “There’s nothing you can do.”
Well, there actually is something you can do. What typically happens with lumbar degeneration? The lumbar discs flatten and bulge. Much like a flat tire, the discs flatten allowing there to be more nerve pressure.

One newer treatment that has shown to help is spinal decompression. The drx9000 creates a stretch with much much more force than traction, however, you hardly feel a thing. The drx decompression actually keeps the muscles relaxed when creating a stretch. This is vital to create a suction effect in the disc space. Essentially, there is a pull in the up and down direction and a suction effect from the sides, pulling the disc back in where it has bulged out.

So, if you have low back pain or sciatica because of arthritis in the low back, try drx9000 spinal decompression.


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, August 21, 2011

“I don’t have any Neck Pain, Should I still buy the Traction Pillow?”

Your answer is: yes … and here’s the reason: you really shouldn’t wait for pain to happen, you really need to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

This is the tricky thing with misalignments and pressure on our nervous system. Most don’t know this, but the majority of our nervous system doesn’t detect pain. What this means is that one can have pressure on their nerves and not even know it’s there.

What happens if you keep pressure on nerves?

The nerves start to break down and then you’ll have pain! The real key is not to get to this point.

So, let’s make a long explanation short: “Get the pillow to maintain your neck alignment and keep the nerves free of pressure!”


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



Monday, July 18, 2011

Diary of a Lifelong Chiropractic Patient


I’ve been going to the chiropractor for my whole life off and on. My parents first took me when I was injured a couple times in sports. We were a typical family, I went to our family physician too. Whenever I got a cold or something I saw our doctor. When I broke my wrist I went to an orthopedist who casted it. I went to the allergist for allergy shots, you name it.

I realized that time and time again from a sports injury or when my mom or dad did something to their neck or back we saw the chiropractor much more than we went to any other doctor. I think by the time I got to college I realized that the reason we went for chiropractic treatment versus going to our family physician was because it made sense. We could either get a prescription for a quick fix, or we could get adjusted and let the body do what it’s supposed to do.

Then I remembered learning one summer that our family physician apparently had type II diabetes. Here was a doctor telling others how to be healthy, what to do to prevent heart problems, diabetes, stay healthy, etc… I liked our family physician a lot; great guy, seemed super smart, generous, happy. But I know type II diabetes was pretty much developed, or man-made, because of poor diet and lifestyle. Our chiropractor on the other hand was also in his 60’s, but if I were to guess at the time I would have said 50. He didn’t have a room full of free sample medication that he would generously give out because he had been given so many from companies, reps, or from seminars that he had attended. He was a super intelligent and generous person as well.
I’m really glad that my parents took me to the chiropractor so I could realize the benefit. My chiropractic experience has truly been a huge benefit to my health and I don’t know how someone can live a full, pain-free, healthy life without one.



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, July 5, 2011

Work Related Low Back Pain

The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published a study showing in cases of washers with low back pain, that they had a higher disability recurrence if they saw a physical therapist or MD versus seeing a chiropractor.
Researchers concluded that the results seem to suggest chiropractic treatment reduces disability recurrence.
Why does this happen? Chiropractic helps the body to heal; it doesn’t have nasty side effects. So a medication may work in the short term, but in the long run it is harmful for your body. Medical doctors primarily only treat with medication.

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, June 28, 2011

Can my Neck Pillow Help with my Chiropractic Manipulations?

Choosing the right neck pillow is important- it can help with cervical alignment
Yes, in fact, a term often used synonymously with “neck pillow” is “chiropractic pillow.” The reason is because a neck pillow helps one hold and restore cervical alignment. This is much like a chiropractic adjustment. The reason the cervical traction neck pillow is recommended by a lot of chiropractors is because it helps align the neck and maintain the neck curvature.

Often when someone is adjusted, especially if they recently had an injury or strain, things may shift back out of place. Therefore, using a neck pillow at night following your adjustment will help to maintain your alignment. In fact, you chiropractor may recommend one of our neck pillows … or should I say “chiropractic pillows.”

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, June 22, 2011

How do we Determine a Disc Injury?


The key to diagnosing a disc that has bulged or ruptured causing pain or back problems is the combination of a few things. We can determine a lot from an MRI image, for example, but this is just one test.

Here’s an analogy: We can predict with relative certainty if someone is lying by having them take a lie detector test. Why can’t we then use this in court? The answer is that there may be a small percentage of tests that come out incorrect- maybe someone can beat the test, maybe on rare occasions it doesn’t really work or is unable to be read clearly, who knows. The bottom line is that you don’t want to put someone in jail for life if they didn’t do it! Same goes for reading an MRI. I don’t want to recommend someone to see the surgeon if the pain or problem doesn’t warrant it.

Some doctors or even surgeons may see an MRI and say “Back Surgery.” However, the good ones won’t dare to cut someone’s back without combining the pictures with an exam and the patient’s history. You really need all of these things. So, if your doctor gets your history and MRI, but doesn’t do an exam, this is not the best. Or, if he does an exam but doesn’t get the patient’s history … same thing.

I have found we need all of these things to really make a determination. Patient’s come to our office for DRX Spinal Decompression and the same holds true. Now, don’t get me wrong, spinal decompression is nothing like surgery. DRX 9000 spinal decompression is safe, non-surgical, and very successful, but I don’t want to treat someone with it that I don’t think is a candidate for the DRX 9000. So, call our office so we can fully examine your case to see if the DRX 9000 may be your answer to lower back pain or sciatica.

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut, in Glastonbury, Near East Hartford- 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, June 8, 2011

More on Vitamin D and Your Health...

Now is the time to get outside and get your vitamin D. Up here in the Northeast we don't get as much as we should. The key is to supplement in the winter months but now you can get out and catch some rays. Many of us are deficient in this very important vitamin.

Listen to Dr Oz:


Don't take it from me, listen to Dr Mercola also:


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:
  • Secret Health Files
  • how does vit d work?
  • Like us on Facebook
  • Non Surgical Spinal Decompression in Connecticut
  • Contact the Glastonbury Chiropractor

  • Sunday, June 5, 2011

    Top 10 Reasons for Preventing Lower Back Pain


    Recently reading the June 2011 issue of the health magazine, "to your health" I came across some tips about preventing lower back pain, put out by the American Chiropractic Association. Lower back pain is a common condition suffered by many of my patients. Whether from a car accident, bad ergonomics at work, a fall or arthritis in the lumbar spine. My patients always want to know ways of keeping a healthy back.

    • Maintain a healthy diet, keeping your weight at the optimal level.
    • Warm up before exercising is recommended especially stretching. Even simple activities such as shoveling snow or gardening should be started first with stretches.
    • Wear comfortable footwear such as low heeled shoes.
    • Sleep on a comfortable mattress that does not sag. Medium firmness is important to minimize curvature in the spine
    • Lifting with your knees and keeping the objects close to your body is a smart way to lift any object. Also avoid twisting motions while lifting.
    • Don't have prolonged periods of inactivity or bed rest. Maintaining an active life through regular exercise is important.
    • Avoid habits such as smoking. It impairs blood flow depriving spinal tissues of oxygen and important nutrients
    • Maintain proper posture
    • Make sure your computer workstation is ergonically correct. Work with your Dr of Chiropractor to maintain proper alignment, and use lumbar supports if necessary while sitting

    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

    Tuesday, May 31, 2011

    Ask your Chiropractor: “Everything in Moderation”

    I often get questions about taking too much of this or too much of that, eating or drinking this or that, doing this or that. For the most part, the answer seems to be “in moderation.” For example, is a cup of coffee or two a day okay? Or is a glass of wine every night okay? For these two examples, the answer is it’s just fine, and in a lot of cases good for you. You also have to consider what else is in it or what you are drinking out of etc … there are many factors. Here’s what I mean …


    Are you putting sweet-n-low in your daily coffee? Are you heating it up in the microwave in your plastic cup? Just other things to consider. But here is the deal- you can’t exactly worry about everything! There are a lot of toxins you are going to take in everyday from the environment, the best thing to do is try to minimize them. Try to do as many healthy things as you can, or use a healthier alternative when you can. Often I find our answer in the term “moderation.” Instead of 4 cups of coffee a day how about 2, instead of a can of diet coke at lunch how about water, instead of taking a drug to cover up your back pain how about seeing your chiropractor. Remember, anytime you have a question regarding your health don’t be afraid to ask your chiropractor.


    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



    Thursday, May 26, 2011

    Chiropractic and Infertility


    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, May 25, 2011

    Try Tai Chi for Pain and Stiffness

    A recent study by University of North Carolina of the Arthritis Foundations Tai Chi Program showed that Tai Chi can do wonders for patients with arthritis and disability.
    The researchers directed 354 participants to begin a twice weekly, one hour Tai Chi class. Half of these participants started immediately, half started 8 weeks later. tai chi for well being
    Before beginning the study all participants were examined for:
    • balance
    • lower body strength
    • pain
    • stiffness
    • physical function
    • other psychosocial factors

    Eight weeks later, the results were quite dramatic! Those who had already started Tai Chi classes showed improvement in 5 areas:
    • Pain
    • Fatigue
    • Stiffness
    • Ability to carry out daily activities
    • Increased sense of well being.

    Lead author, Dr. Leigh Callahan stated the benefits of Tai Chi would be even greater over the long term. “It gives people a certain awareness of their body and where it is in the surrounding space.”

    So, if you suffer from arthritis and are looking for one way to ease your symptoms, join a Tai Chi class! It will do your body wonders, especially if you keep at it in the long term.

    Source: Arthritis Today, April 2011


    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:

  • Neck exercises for chronic neck pain

  • Spinal Stenosis and Neck Arthritis. What is the Connection?

  • Non Surgical Spinal Decompression in Connecticut

  • Contact the Glastonbury Chiropractor

  • Arthritis Remedies- get rid of their pain reduce their swelling and improve their mobility





    • Tuesday, May 17, 2011

      Lower Your Diabetes Risk by Eating Dark Green Veggies!

      Dark Green Veggies Can Lower Your Risk for Diabetes
      I know, dark green leafy vegetables may not be on everyone’s favorite list of things to eat. Spinach, romaine, broccoli and kale sometimes get a bad rap. According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal, these green veggies may help to lower your risk of Type II diabetes. I am always looking for things you can eat for your health that do not include medications, so this study definitely caught my eye.
      The study showed that green leafy vegetables have 3 important factors:


      • Antioxidants

      • Fiber Content

      • Omega 3 Fatty Acids

      Source: Arthritis Today, April 2011

      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


      Saturday, May 7, 2011

      Ease Arthritis Inflammation with a Purple Potato!


      PURPLE POTATOES

      If you are an arthritis sufferer, this is an interesting and all-natural option to help reduce your arthritis inflammation. By adding this colorful food to your daily diet you can see amazing benefits in just a few weeks.

      In a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers have found that pigmented potatoes are shown to reduce C-reactive protein, an important biomarker for inflammation. In this 6 week study, 36 men aged 18-40 found that those who consumed more than 5 oz of purple potatoes a day had a 50% reduction in C-reactive protein. There was only a 35% reduction when eating yellow potatoes.

      Source: Arthritis Today, May-June 2011.


      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, April 30, 2011

      Tips to Help Prevent Falls

      Recently, one of my patients suffered a fall- a fall that she knew could have been prevented. She had left the dishwasher door open, went to grab the telephone and fell over the dishwasher door. Patients who have arthritis pain or even slight difficulty with balance have to be extra careful when it comes to preventing falls. A patient with arthritis may have difficulty with movement, especially when changing positions. Adding to the problem may be reduced strength, slower reflexes and decreased awareness of ones orientation.

      In a recent article in Arthritis Today Magazine, 8 ways to reduce the risk of falls was discussed:

      1. When walking, avoid multi-tasking
      2. Exercise- aqua aerobics, tai chi, and walking are good forms of exercise.
      3. Have your eyesight checked.
      4. Check your medications- side effects can include dizziness or drowsiness.
      5. Keep your home clutter-free. Secure mats and rugs.
      6. Check the shoes you are wearing- be extra careful with flip flops and heels.
      7. Watch where your pets are at all times.
      8. Reorganize your home so you have easy access to particular areas of your house, for example your pantry.


      Source: Arthritis Today Magazine, May-June 2011.


      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:


      Thursday, April 21, 2011

      Acute Injury? -- Think ICE COLD...not heat for pain relief.

      You recently bumped your big toe on the bed, and are jumping around frantically trying to get of the pain. With an injury like this, the first thing you may think of is "How do I get rid of this pain?" For the most part, a person will think of heat- heat will make it all better...NOT SO.

      Icing an area, can be as simple as putting some ice cubes into a plastic bag, wrapping the ice pack in a towel and placing it on the area of pain. In the beginning, the ice pack will feel cold. In the next phase, you will feel a more burning sensation and ice will almost feel hot. This is then followed by an aching or throbbing sensation. Just before the area is numbed, a very sharp pain will be experienced followed by relief you are looking for. These phases can take 5-10 minutes to go through. Once you feel numbness in the area, you should remove the ice pack. Falling asleep with the ice pack can lead to frostbite.

      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, April 19, 2011

      Treatment for Fibromyalgia: 43% Say they Prefer Alternative Therapies



      A national survey of US Women with fibromyalgia revealed that 43% of them prefer treatment that is alternative in nature: chiropractic, massage, meditation and acupuncture.

      In this blog we have talked a few times about the fibromyalgia. Most often it affects women, affecting 6-12 million americans. The condition can cause a multitude of symptoms such as neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, and leg cramps. Patients often have chronic widespread pain with particular tender points on the body. This leads to decreased physical function on a daily basis.

      Treatment can be more towards the medical route or the more alternative route: The Medical route involves pain medications, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, anti-depressants and other medications. More and more patients are looking for solutions that do not involve drugs. Medications can affect a person’s mood, emotions, and ability to function on a daily basis. Worse, they can also negatively affect their ability to work or study.

      According to Altmd.com, “current research suggests that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system. People with fibromyalgia appear to have abnormalities in the chemical compounds (neurotransmitters) and transmit nerve impulses. Studies have also shown that on average, these patients have four times more nerve growth factor. This suggests that fibromyalgia is a issue that involves the increased hypersensitivity of the central nervous system.

      Because of this hypersensitivity, using chiropractic as a therapy makes perfect sense. Chiropractic’s basis comes from the fact that an individuals health is controlled by the the state of ones central nervous system. A chiropractic adjustment has a major role in aligning the spine thus affecting the central nervous system ultimately.

      This particular survey was conducted by WE FEEL (Women expressing fibromyalgia’s Effects their Everyday lives).

      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





      Tuesday, April 12, 2011

      I can beat my pain !

      Whatever you suffer, whether its neck pain, back pain, headaches, or something similar, you can get relief. I’ve seen a number of people who literally get worn out by their pain, sometimes giving up and accepting a life of mind-numbing medication and/or a sedentary life giving up certain activities. Anthony Robles winning the national wrestling title

      The story of wrestler Anthony Robles reminded me that we really can achieve whatever we set our mind to. Anthony was born without his right leg. Did that stop him from going to Arizona State University and winning a national title in wrestling? -Nope!

      His story reminded me that we can achieve our goal of getting healthy or getting rid of our headaches etc… You may even being saying to yourself right now: “My neck pain is nothing compared to being born without a leg.” So, when you’re discouraged about your neck or back pain, remember Anthony’s story, or something similar, and remember you can be pain free!

      It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re dealing with constant pain. But there are so many others in the world from whom we can draw inspiration when we too are in 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:

      Wednesday, March 30, 2011

      Good In = Good Out, When it comes to your overall health as well as low back pain or sciatica!


      Remember when you were a kid and your aunt used to tell you thinks like “you eat so many ____, you’re going to turn into a _____.”

      She’d say something like “you eat one more donut, you’re going to turn into a donut!” Maybe it was Mom or Grandma, or whoever, but it actually rings true. We kind of are what we eat. Hence, my title here means you put good stuff in, you get good stuff out. Good food- lots of fresh fruits and veggies, healthy things- means more energy, better body function, etc …

      And remember, 100% health equals 100% function of our bodies. Eating right is one major piece to that puzzle of 100% health. Getting adjusted by your chiropractor is another.

      I remember back in chiropractic school, in nutrition class we had to make a chart of what we ate every day for a week. Until you track what you eat daily from breakfast, lunch and dinner to snacks, you sometimes forget or just don’t even realize you aren’t eating as well as you should be.

      Make a chart and see what you can improve in your diet- maybe it’s less sugar, maybe more fresh vegetables, whatever the case is … tracking your diet is easy to do and can really open ones eyes to improving their diet and health.

      Don’t be afraid to ask your chiropractor some ways you can stay healthy with your diet. At CT Spine & Disc, Spinal Decompression and chiropractic care and our chiropractors in Glastonbury are always here to 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:

      Saturday, March 26, 2011

      Too Much Salt? I Thought The Body Is Mainly Made of Salt Water?


      You are correct. Here’s the deal – salt’s chemical name is NaCl – that’s sodium chloride. It’s about 40% sodium and 60% chloride. It’s that 40% that sort of gives salt the bad rap. The high sodium is what gives doctors their reason for concern. That high sodium that can be a contributor to things like heart disease stroke, and diabetes.

      Here’s the good news – if you eat more natural fresh foods you’re mostly in the clear. What has been discovered however is that ¾ of the American diet may be from processed foods; these are often high in sodium. Canned goods, packaged items, junk food… Next time you pop open that bag of potato chips, think about what we just talked about.

      This is why I wrote this blog. So many of us are so confused when we here on television or from someone else (who may have learned from a television commercial!), or from our doctors to cut our salt. It’s easy to understand, and intentions are good, but we are missing the complete picture. Really we need to cut the sodium. We need to cut the processed stuff.

      On a side note: I like to drink a lot of water. One of the things I’ve learned is to actually add a pinch or two of salt because your body actually needs a certain amount of salt for proper nervous system function, for muscle contraction, and more. As you can imagine, the two previously listed items are pretty important.

      For our disc pain patients especially, we often recommend increasing water intake. This will help hydrate the lumbar discs, and in combination with lumbar decompression and low back chiropractic treatment, helps us hault the back 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 decompression

      Additional Reading Resources:

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