What’s a dead hang, and is it good for you? A simple bodyweight exercise is the newest viral trend on TikTok. But what exactly is the dead hang exercise, and is it good for your spine and shoulders? Dead hangs – essentially just hanging from a horizontal pull-up bar – aren’t just for relaxing. And […]
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt When I Run? You’re not alone if you suffer from lower back pain: Studies show that more than 80% of us will deal with it at some point in our lives. And if you’re a runner? While the prevalence of lower back pain in runners is actually less than in […]
What’s the truth about chiropractors? Though the question doesn’t come up as frequently as it once did, I still get asked “Are you a real doctor?” surprisingly often. The answer is a definitive yes, chiropractors are real doctors, but it’s worth diving a little deeper. While Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) aren’t the same as Medical […]
How many steps do you actually need? When it comes to being fit and healthy, the recommendation to walk 10,000 steps per day has been around for decades. The 10,000 step goal is still the pre-programmed activity goal on many pedometers and fitness monitors. Even the Fitbit uses 10,000 steps per day as its default […]
Why does my back hurt when I bike? Sure, putting miles and miles on the bike helps keep you entire body in peak shape, from your cardiovascular system to your quads. But it also means you’re spending hours upon hours crouched over the handlebars – and that can be rough on your back. Of course, […]
Got ‘Tech Neck’? You might not even know it! If you spend every day staring at your computer screen for hours on end, you probably know the agony that is ‘tech neck,’ even if you don’t know it by name. It’s a term that’s come to refer to the pain, stiffness, and chronic musculoskeletal problems […]
Backpacks shouldn’t mean back pain! Brookfield students head back to classes this week, and if you’re like most parents (myself included), you probably don’t think about your kids’ backpacks other than to make sure they have everything they need. But it might be time to add it to the checklist, because the weight and size […]
Sleep Better: 10 Tips to help you get more zzzz’s! Sleep is essential for our physical and emotional well-being. It helps us recover from injuries, regulate our hormones, perform at our best on the field and in the office, and keeps our immune system going strong. And when we don’t get enough sleep, everything gets […]
Why does my butt hurt so much? There are lots of things that are a pain in the butt: a flat tire, that pile of laundry that’s sitting in the corner of your bedroom, being forced to listen to the same episode of Cocomelon you’ve already heard a dozen times this week. Then there’s a […]
Got Back Pain? Chiropractors are not all created equal. In fact, there is likely no other healthcare field where the gap between one practitioner and the next is as wide as it is in chiropractic. And, as many of our patients are aware, the outcomes vary as much as the adjusting techniques used by each […]
Pregnancy isn’t exactly fun for a woman’s body. Of course, pregnancy is an incredible time of transformation for an expecting mom, but the physical changes in a woman’s body that accompany a baby on the way can be, well, less than incredible. From minor aches and pains to more severe complications like sciatica, the stress […]
Got a rib out? You’re getting out of bed in the morning and feel a sudden twinge in your upper back between your shoulder blades. The muscles around it start tightening, and before long you’re getting a stabbing sensation every time you try to move your head or shoulder. If you’re able to reach back […]
![Exercise Programming Is Overcomplicated: The Simplified Guide To Workout Routines [Science]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pexels-pixabay-221247-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
We make exercise too complicated. With all the science that’s been done on how to exercise, what we know about what works for fitness is almost embarrassingly simple — yet we keep inventing ways to cloud, over-complicate, and obscure the basic, common-sense principles of exercise. Social media is filled with fitness gurus that all purport […]
Is it time to rethink how we approach back pain? Americans are spending more money than ever to treat low back pain, but their spine problems – collectively – aren’t getting any better. That’s the conclusion of a report from The Journal of the American Medical Association, which found that Americans spend an estimated $380 […]
“Why do I have arthritis?” May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and it’s a good reminder to check on the status of your body’s joints. Arthritis affects an estimated 58.5 million Americans, and experts believe that number will only continue to grow as our nation’s population gets older. But what exactly is arthritis, and what causes it? […]
![Ibuprofen: Blocking Inflammation With Drugs Leads To Chronic Pain [Study]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hal-gatewood-nhG5gix93es-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
Can Ibuprofen put you at risk for chronic pain? A new paradigm-shifting study out of McGill University suggests that using anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac or prednisone to treat an injury, like an ankle sprain or wrenched back, actually increases the risk of developing chronic pain. The CliffsNotes summary: For decades it’s been standard medical […]
Why do cheap flip-flops hurt your feet (and your back)? After a long winter (and in Wisconsin, spring and fall) of wearing wool socks and clunky boots, it can be tempting to replace your entire shoe rack with flip-flops as soon as the weather turns hot. But before setting your toes free, it’s wise to […]
Do you need to see a chiropractor? When you throw your back out or wake up with a stiff neck, your first instinct is likely to call your chiropractor. It’s no surprise that back pain and neck pain are by far the most common reasons patients make appointments at Ascent Chiropractic. However, most patients who’ve […]
How to avoid back pain when squatting! As humans, we tend to overcomplicate things. If we find something that’s helpful or beneficial to our lives, we inevitably seek to tweak it, complicate it, and tweak it some more, until it eventually looks nothing like the original. It happens in all aspects of our lives — […]
Knee pain keeping you sidelined? Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also called runner’s knee or simply anterior knee pain, is by far the most common type of knee pain I treat as a chiropractor in Brookfield, WI. And it can be a giant pain in the, well, knee. Almost anyone can get it, but it particularly […]
How do you get rid of back pain? Here’s what the science says. Low back pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical care in the US – it’s certainly the most common reason patients seek us out at Ascent Chiropractic – and it affects a whopping 29% of adult Americans at any […]
The best DIY tricks to fix bad posture! If you’ve been slouching over your laptop working from home every day for the past two years, you’re certainly not alone. The makeshift home offices everyone’s been confined to since the pandemic began haven’t done any favors for our collective posture. Not only that, the average American […]
This is how we (foam) roll. Foam rolling: These days, it seems like everybody’s doing it. A growing number of health and fitness pros – chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, and personal trainers alike – extol the soft-tissue benefits of foam rolling for improvements in muscular flexibility, posture correction, pain reduction, and athletic performance. There’s […]
What’s that noise? And why does it feel so good? Almost everyone at some point or another has turned their head and heard a loud CRACK(!) … and probably gotten cringes from everyone within earshot. So the idea of a chiropractor doing it on purpose can be a little disconcerting, especially when it involves trusting […]
What can a chiropractor do for GERD? If you’ve dealt with uncomfortable burning pain in your chest, especially after eating, then you already know what acid reflux is. It’s an extremely common condition that’s a chronic problem for over 60 million Americans. Acid reflux occurs when acid in the stomach travels back up into the […]
How’s your back? If it’s hurting, you’re not alone. About a quarter of the worldwide population is experiencing back pain at any given point in time, and nearly all of us (around 85%) will deal with it at some point in our lives. And while it’ll only be a minor inconvenience for some, chronic back […]
The only ab exercises you need for 6-pack abs! If you’re a patient at Ascent Chiropractic, you’ve probably heard me harp about strengthening your core. Your core musculature impacts everything you do, even activities that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with your abs. And a strong core means so much more than obtaining a much-desired “six-pack.” Whether […]
Coughing & sneezing causing back pain? It’s normal to be a little sore after an intense coughing or sneezing fit. Forcing enough air out of your lungs to clear your airways of mucus and other irritants can put serious strain on the muscles in your chest and ribcage. But is it normal to feel pain […]
The opioid crisis cost, 20 years in. We’re more than two decades into the opioid crisis. And despite billions of dollars in public health initiatives, national headlines, and mounting political pressure, we just had the deadliest year on record. Data from the CDC shows over 100,000 drug overdose deaths expected in the US in 2021, […]
“Does my back hurt because I’m constipated?” “… Or is my digestive system going haywire because of my back pain?” It’s a (totally valid) question a patient asked me last week at Ascent Chiropractic. The connection is easy to miss, especially if you’re in the throes of dealing with tummy issues, but the answer is […]
Make 2022 your year for maximizing your health! When January first rolls around, the season of excess quickly transforms to a season of new expectations – more than 40% of Americans report making New Year’s resolutions. But 80% of those people are no longer following them by the first week of February.
Can Covid-19 cause back pain? Back pain is far and away the most common reason patients walk into Ascent Chiropractic, and while that was true even before the pandemic, the number of people dealing with back pain has jumped by an astonishing 65% in the past two years. Almost 5 out of every 10 adults […]
Sciatica: How can a chiropractor help? You’re living your life, minding your own business and – BAM! – it hits you out of nowhere like a lightning bolt. It’s not an uncommon phenomenon for patients walking through our doors at Ascent Chiropractic in Brookfield to report that they were totally blindsided by the sudden pain […]
![The Definitive Guide To Taking The Perfect Nap [Science]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AdobeStock_326269375-scaled.jpeg?fit=1024%2C725&ssl=1)
Naps can be a game-changer. A nap can provide a major boost in alertness and energy, improve memory and creativity, help fight off viral infections and make your heart healthier. Research by NASA has even shown that a nap in the middle of the day can restore cognitive function at the same rate as a […]
Are you ready for some … chiropractic? “It’s like a Formula 1 car, you’re constantly tuning it up. And in my opinion, there’s nothing better than having someone who can manually treat you, who really knows how to adjust and do soft tissue work.” – Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers Running Back Last weekend, the star […]
Back pain and limited time for exercise? There’s no lack of resources dedicated to getting rid of low back pain through exercise. A simple Google search will provide you with an endless number of overly-complicated workout programs by Instagram-famous fitness experts with lofty promises. And if you’ve gone down the physiotherapy route you probably have […]
So you tore your labrum. Now what? If you break your arm, you’re headed straight to the nearest emergency room – do not pass GO and do not collect $200. And if it’s displaced or comminuted, you’re almost certainly getting scheduled for surgery before you even leave the building. But things are a little less […]
Is everyone experiencing more back pain? We’re nearing the end of 2021, and many Americans are still spending a lot (if not nearly all) of their time at home. And, for better or worse, the blurry mix of work, life, pajamas, and Zoom likely isn’t going away anytime soon. Unfortunately, that also means the nearly […]
IT Band Syndrome: The Cause (and Solution!) Pain down the outside of your leg? It’s a sign something’s not working right. Pain, contrary to popular belief, is your friend – it’s your body’s way of signaling to you that something needs your attention. One of the most common causes of knee, hip and outer-thigh pain […]
Why Do I Hurt When The Weather Changes? Maybe your grandma knew a storm was coming when her knees started to hurt. Or maybe you’re feeling your own joints ache more now that fall is upon us and the temperature outside is dropping. It’s true that many people with back pain and neck pain are […]
“My sinuses just opened and I can breathe again!” That was a patient last week who had come in to Ascent Chiropractic for help with tension headaches (which, by the way, are now totally gone) but left being able to breathe clearly for the first time in months. It’s more common than you might think, […]
Does your spine secretly hate you? 39% of Americans say they’ve suffered from back pain in the past 3 months. That statistic is expected to get even worse in the coming years, thanks to a combination of desk-bound work and general inactivity. Night-time should bring relief, but for most back pain sufferers the discomfort doesn’t […]
Q: Will a back brace help fix my posture? Work life has changed dramatically since the start of the pandemic – 56% of American workers are now fully or mostly working from home. And it’s not changing anytime soon, as surveys have shown that enthusiasm for remote work has only increased as the pandemic has […]
They’re debilitating. They cost the U.S. billions. And science is finally starting to pay attention. Any headache specialist in practice today will admit that we’re still in the stone ages in regards to understanding and treating headache disorders. Granted, the systems involved in headaches are incredibly complex and difficult to study, but headaches continue to […]
Can the #backcrackchallenge hurt you? TikTok challenges usually take the form of teenagers being idiots for viral fame and attention. Like eating a Tide pod. Or the #peeyourpantschallenge (don’t worry, I don’t get it either). But they’ve recently expanded into questionable health remedies. Case in point: TikTok’s latest viral challenge involves different maneuvers to crack […]
Gamer’s Thumb. Mommy Thumb. Texting Thumb. They’re all different names for the same painful problem, in which the tendons that attach to the thumb rub against the “tunnel” that surrounds them and become inflamed. The medical term is De Quervain’s tendinosis (aka De Quervain’s tenosynovitis) and it can cause anything from mild discomfort to debilitating […]
Are X-Rays really necessary? There are certain practices in the medical world that are standard for a reason. Doctors sanitize their hands to prevent the spread of germs. Pharmacists ask about allergies to medication to prevent dangerous reactions. Your dentist taps your gums to make sure the anesthetic has kicked in before drilling. It’s all […]
It’s a fact: chiropractic works. There’s a reason why over a million chiropractic adjustments are performed every single day in America. Study after study after study shows that chiropractic (by itself or combined with active physical therapy) is hands-down your best – and most cost-effective – bet for back pain relief. In fact, recent studies […]
So you woke up and suddenly can’t move your neck? Sound familiar? I had a patient who was home from college on break call in last week because she had woken up that morning with severe neck pain. She had experienced literally zero neck problems since her last adjustment 6 months ago, and as an […]
Stiff neck? With so many of us staring at our computer screens or stuck looking down at our phones for hours on end, it’s no wonder that the CDC reports that nearly 20% of Americans have complained of neck pain within the past three months.
Feeling dizzy? You get out of bed and it feels as if the whole room is spinning, day after day. That’s what life can be like for people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, more commonly referred to as positional vertigo. It’s a condition I see and treat at least weekly at Ascent Chiropractic.
It’s Not Just Low Back Pain Relief! Whether you are an elite athlete, weekend warrior, battling back from an injury, or just looking to live your best life – research has shown that chiropractic care provides a wealth of benefits that can improve your quality of life.
Is it ok to crack your joints? Say you’ve been working at your computer for a while and you’re feeling a little stiff. So you roll your head around until you get a satisfying “pop!”, your neck feels a bit looser, and you get back to work. Only to realize that you need to do […]
“My jaw has popped for the last 15 years and in one adjustment it’s totally gone?!” This was the reaction from a patient at Ascent Chiropractic last week who didn’t even realize we could help with TMJ problems. She had actually come in because of a stiff and painful neck and just happened to mention […]
See The Difference? Most of my patients know that in my practice I’m all about evidence-based practice. Everything I do is backed up by stacks of studies supporting it’s effectiveness. That being said, while it’s nice to know the science is behind what we do at Ascent Chiropractic, sometimes pictures say much more than a […]
Should You Worry About ‘Popping’ Your Neck? Last week it seemed like every other patient at Ascent Chiropractic was asking if they should be worried about causing a stroke by cracking their neck.
Are You Missing Out? If you’ve never experienced chiropractic care, you’re probably not totally aware of the health benefits – in addition to getting out of pain – that come with regularly seeing a chiropractor.
Chiropractic Helping IBS? Everyone at one time or another has experienced the discomfort of bloating, gas, irritable bowel, constipation, diarrhea and other digestive disorders, and over $80 billion is spent every year on controlling these symptoms. And because your bowels have such an important impact on your health, wouldn’t it be nice to know if […]
Avoid Back and Shoulder Pain When Shoveling Snow! Every winter – including this past weekend – I see patients with the same shoveling-induced back injuries and pain at Ascent Chiropractic. It’s no secret that shoveling snow is exhausting. It can be tough on your body, especially when it’s wet and icy. Research shows low back […]
Crack! What’s that sound? Going to a chiropractor for the first time is intimidating! It’s true – most people don’t know what to expect, and may even be a little scared of getting adjusted.
The Case For Chiropractic As research supporting the clinical effectiveness of chiropractic continues to grow, the greater community of health care providers is increasingly seeing chiropractic care as a a cost-effective alternative to traditional medical care for back pain and neck pain.
“My foot is killing me!” “Can you heal my aching heel?” It’s a question I hear at least weekly from new patients coming into my office looking for relief from the pain in their feet. Many of those dealing with plantar fasciitis begin every morning with wincing and a few choice words as they suffer […]
Live Smarter – Get Adjusted! Every day over a million Americans get adjusted, and chiropractors consistently have the highest rated patient satisfaction out of all healthcare professionals, so it’s no surprise that the number of those benefitting from chiropractic care continues to rise year after year. If you’re a patient at Ascent Chiropractic, you probably […]
![Finally: A Solution to Fibromyalgia That’s Not Just More Medication [Research]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/lower_back_pain_woman_sitting_edge_bed44785944_ML.jpg?fit=900%2C600&ssl=1)
What Is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and hypersensitivity throughout the entire musculoskeletal system. The term comes from the greek words “fibro” (fibers), “myo” (muscle) and “algia” (pain); literally, “pain in the muscle fibers”.
Alignment & The Human Body As a chiropractor, I often talk about how important posture and alignment are in regard to your body’s state of overall health and wellbeing. But what does it mean to have “good alignment”, and why is poor posture so dangerous to our bodies? Let’s take a look.
Treating The Cause Instead Of The Effects Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker Chiropractic University, recently appeared on an episode of the popular daytime tv show The Doctors to discuss how “that pain might not be what you think,” emphasizing the chiropractic philosophy of treating the cause, not just the symptoms. What happens one part […]
What Is TMJ Dysfunction? Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD), also known as TMJ syndrome, is a complex musculoskeletal condition involving the teeth and mandible in conjunction with the surrounding nerves, ligaments, connective tissue, and the 68 pairs of muscles that control the joint. TMJ syndrome symptoms can vary from case to case but those with […]
Research Shows Chiropractic Care Saves Healthcare Costs In the medical world, chiropractic and other forms of nontraditional treatment are often under fire. When the massive costs associated with the healthcare system are considered, it’s no surprise that many are looking for answers and ways to cut costs. Despite criticisms, a recent study has found chiropractic […]
What Should You Do Before & After Visiting Your Chiropractor? In doctor’s offices across the United States, back pain is the second-most common complaint brought in by patients. The causes of back pain are numerous and vary depending on age, lifestyle, and genetic makeup. Similarly, the right solution for resolving back issues depends on the […]
Move Better, Feel Better, Live Better When we’re young, we tend to take our extensive range of motion and mobility for granted. But as we get older, the cumulative effect of wear and tear on our spines often causes altered biomechanics that affect our flexibility. Sometimes this loss of mobility is accompanied by pain and […]
![Myofascial Pain Syndrome: What You Need To Know About Chiropractic Treatment [Research]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/blog-fibromialgia.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1)
What Is Myofascial Pain? Myofascial tissue is the layer of tissue that surrounds and separates the layers of muscle in your body. Pain in these layers of tissue is caused by concentrated areas of hypersensitivity (trigger points) that can develop as a result of trauma, poor posture, overuse, stress, or immobility. Myofascial pain can occur […]
![Sciatica Study: Choosing Microdiskectomy Surgery or Chiropractic? [Results Inside]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/banner_reporte-1.jpg?fit=850%2C567&ssl=1)
Comparing The Effectiveness of Surgery & Chiropractic Care Sciatica is a catch-all term that generally refers to a sharp, burning pain radiating from the lower back down the leg resulting from irritation to the sciatic nerve. In many cases, the source of the irritation is a disc herniation (or bulge) that causes compression of nerves […]
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome? Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a neurovascular condition in which the thoracic outlet, the space between the collar bone and rib cage through which blood vessels and nerves pass through, becomes compressed. This often results in symptoms including pain in the neck and shoulder, finger and hand numbness and hand weakness. […]
![Another Reason To Choose Chiropractic? Chiropractic Care Reduces Dependence On Medication [Research]](https://i0.wp.com/ascentchiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/shutterstock_559759843-e1506375786617.jpg?fit=1024%2C718&ssl=1)
According to Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Nearly 50% of Americans are currently taking at least one prescription drug, up 5% from just 10 years ago. 1 out of every 5 Americans are on at least three prescription drugs simultaneously. There are about 700,000 emergency room visits every year caused […]
Is Your Spring Stuck? As the leader of the Australian children’s music group The Wiggles, Anthony Field performs in concerts for over a million audience members each year. Since 1991, the group has earned 17 gold, 12 platinum, three double-platinum, and ten multi-platinum awards for sales of over 17 million DVDs and 4 million […]
What Do We Mean By Dizziness? At Ascent Chiropractic, “dizziness” is a common complaint listed on new patients’ intake forms. It’s a catch-all term that can describe a number of symptoms which may be present in any combination in a patient complaining of dizziness. There are four general symptoms to differentiate between: Lightheadedness: The feeling […]
