Graston Technique: No pain, no gain? Medieval torture device or therapeutic healing method? Graston® – also known as IASTM or ‘myofascial scraping’ – feels like a bit of both. It’s an instrument-assisted method of breaking down scar tissue and eliminating muscle adhesions, increasing blood flow and promoting a better healing environment. It’s not exactly the […]
Why do my muscles feel stiff and tight? A patient asked me this question last week, and I didn’t have a nice, concise answer ready to go. And I hate it when that happens, because it’s a simple question, and it seems like there should be an equally simple answer. One thing that’s for sure […]
Not all musculoskeletal problems are the same! There’s a common assumption that all joint and muscle pain is caused by the same root problems, and therefore should all be able to be treated similarly. Since using a lacrosse ball on the bottom of the feet helps with plantar fasciitis, and using a peanut ball helps […]
Skip the meds – try chiropractic first. Low back pain – one of the top reasons for visits to the doctor’s office – is best treated with alternative, natural therapies, according to updated guidelines from the American College of Physicians. Opioids are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for pain relief. But they’re also […]
7 piriformis stretches to relieve sciatica fast! One of the the most common problems I see at Ascent Chiropractic every week is sciatica – low back pain that spreads down to the legs and feet. While there are several potential causes of inflammation of the sciatic nerve, one common cause is something called piriformis syndrome. […]
They’re a giant pain in the, well, elbow. And you don’t even have to have ever stepped foot on a tennis court or golf course. Golfer’s and tennis elbow, or medial and lateral epicondylitis, are naggingly painful inflammatory conditions that are named for the repetitive movement patterns and loading of the forearm musculature required by […]
When to use ice? When to use heat? From a soothing hot water bottle to a bag of frozen peas, most of us have turned to heat or ice at some point to help relieve pain. But when something hurts, choosing the right one means faster relief of soreness, stiffness, swelling and inflammation, while choosing […]
