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 […]
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? […]
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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 […]
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 — […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Inversion table therapy: does it work? Stay up late enough watching TV and you’ll no doubt catch them: late-night infomercials advertising tables that lock your ankles in, flip you upside down and promise to alleviate chronic lower back pain, poor circulation, sciatica and even scoliosis. Or you may have seen their more infamous cousin, gravity […]
Q: Can I get adjusted while I’m pregnant? Good news, moms-to-be suffering with back, neck and hip pain: not only is it totally safe to visit a chiropractor during your pregnancy, it’s also hugely beneficial. While pregnancy is one of the most joyous, exciting times in an expectant mom’s life, the whirlwind of changes that […]
Cortisone Shots: The good, the bad and the ugly. Cortisone has been one of the most commonly-prescribed treatments for joint and tendon injuries, as well as for the pain caused by osteoarthritis, since it was developed in the 1940’s. It’s no surprise why: corticosteroid injections are often more effective than any pill, and can provide […]
A big wallet can cause big back problems! When it comes to your wallet, size matters. In fact, carrying a thick wallet in your back pocket can cause just as much trouble for your spine and pelvis as walking around with one shoe on and one shoe off.
At home or the office, ergonomics matter! If you spend most of your day sitting at a desk, chances are you know how awful your back, wrists and shoulders feel at the end of the day. This is even more true if you’re like millions of people around the world who’ve had to learn how […]
Full disclosure: This post was 100% my wife’s idea. With many women now in the full swing of working from their kitchen tables and couches, there’s been much talk among the fairer sex about the new lack of requirement to – ahem – put on a bra. For millions of women still working from home […]
Whether you realize it or not, your spine is constantly being compressed. Whether it’s sitting at a desk for 8 hours or lifting heavy weights at the gym, most of us spend a lot of time compressing our spine every day. These compressive forces conspire to throw our spines out of balance and lead to […]
Let’s get the facts straight about back pain! Despite billions being spent, and millions of patients being prescribed opiates or surgery every year, back pain remains the world’s leading cause of disability. However, much of what people think is common knowledge about back pain may actually be making things worse. Misinformation about back problems abounds. […]
Not just pain relief – it’s pain prevention! Most patients at Ascent Chiropractic only make that first call when their back pain or neck pain is at a place where it’s seriously affecting their daily lives. They’re usually under the assumption that if they don’t feel any pain that there’s nothing wrong with them – […]
Are you carrying your baby’s car seat correctly? Lugging around a baby in a car seat is a pain – they’re heavy and awkward, and it’s surprisingly common to see new parents come into my office with shoulder and upper back problems as a result. You can try to hold it in front of you […]
5 Reasons To See Your Chiropractor During Pregnancy. While pregnancy is one of the most joyous, exciting times in an expectant mom’s life, the whirlwind of changes that happen during pregnancy can wreak havoc on a mom-to-be’s body. Weight-bearing joints and regions of the spine, specifically the lower back and neck, tend to be the […]
Ignored your mom when she told you to stand up straight? You should have listened to her. If you’ve been slouching all your life, your stiff neck, painful shoulders and aching back can probably be traced right back to your bad posture. Not paying attention to your postural habits affects your overall health and sets […]
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 […]
Got back pain? And if so, have you been told that your back pain is being caused by an annular tear to the spinal discs? You’re not alone – studies have shown that the prevalence of disk bulges in the general population is over 70%, even in those who are totally symptom-free! Let’s explore what […]
The Case For Chiropractic! If you’ve recently visited a medical doctor for low back pain, research says you definitely want to consider seeing a chiropractor as well.
Diclofenac vs. Chiropractic Care For Back Pain Researchers from Spine Journal recently concluded a ground-breaking study that showed astounding results when comparing chiropractic adjustments against Diclofenac, one of the most popular and commonly-prescribed anti-inflammatory medications available.
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.
Get Spine-Friendly Zzz’s! There’s no shortage of advice out there on sleep hygiene – habits that we can adopt to get better, more restful sleep. We’ve all heard about the benefits turning off sources of blue light an hour before bed and avoiding caffeine and exercise at night, but how does our sleeping position affect […]
Four Reasons To Use Chiropractic FIRST! At Ascent Chiropractic, we’re constantly reminding our Brookfield-area patients that the order of priority for treating back and neck problems should be chiropractic first, drugs second, and surgery only as a last resort.
Backpack Misuse in Children Can Lead to Chronic Back Pain With the new school year starting last week for Brookfield students, it’s a good time to talk about backpacks and the disturbing back pain trend that’s emerging among U.S. kids. There’s been a marked increase in the number of children visiting chiropractors for back, neck […]
Chiropractic Is Your First Line Of Defense Against Back Pain. Harvard Medical School’s (yes, that Harvard) new spinal care guidelines reinforce the importance of chiropractic care as the first line of treatment for low back pain. They’re just the latest to join a long line of mainstream medicine organizations that includes the National Institutes of […]
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 […]
What You Need To Know About Spinal Injections You probably know someone whose medical doctor has recommended a spinal injection for their pain – they’re not alone. Over the past decade, epidural steroid injections have exploded in popularity, with over 9 million injections given every year for spinal pain!
Are Spinal Injections Worth The Risks? Did you know that recent research says that spinal injections can dramatically increase your risk of a vertebral fracture? The scary part? Over the past decade, epidural steroid injections have exploded in popularity, with over 9 million injections given every year for spinal pain! Corticosteroid injections tend to be […]
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Surgery Doesn’t Come Without Risks! Traumatic injuries, the aging process, poor biomechanics and the normal wear and tear of daily life can all take a toll on your spine. Damage to any part of your spine or pressure on the nerves exiting it can lead to back pain, something that 80% of all Americans will […]
Good Spinal Health On The Golf Course Chronic back pain is a common complaint among golfers, but a little effort in keeping good habits can go a long way in ensuring you’re not one of them.
Pregnancy & Chiropractic We frequently receive calls from moms-to-be seeking a Brookfield chiropractor specializing in care for pregnant patients. The most common questions are about the different chiropractic techniques that can be used to help facilitate proper prenatal positioning of the baby or whether we can help resolve some type of spine or pelvic pain […]
My Bag Is Killing Me! Your purse is stylish, your laptop bag is professional, that diaper bag is practical and your backpack is the epitome of cool. But carrying the wrong kind of bag, or even carrying the right kind of bag in the wrong way, could also be the source of your neck, back […]
Save Your Back When Lifting! Anyone who has ever injured their back from lifting can tell you how important practicing safe lifting techniques are to prevent low back sprains and strains. Poor lifting technique can lead to subluxated (misaligned) vertebra, back pain, damaged muscles and ligaments, or herniated intervertebral discs or worse. Safe lifting is […]
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Chiropractic: Not Just For Injury Rehabilitation! It’s no secret that chiropractic treatment has been shown to be effective at relieving back pain, neck pain and other musculoskeletal disorders, but many Brookfield athletes don’t realize that proactive visits to a sports chiropractor can help prevent those injuries from occurring in the first place. In 2010, a […]
Spring is here, and for millions of Americans that signals the start of cycling season. While cycling is an excellent cardiovascular exercise and a great excuse to get outside, its easy to forget about structural health when you finally hit the road (or the trail).
Osteoarthritis affects 27 million Americans One of the most common joint disorders and the leading cause of disability in adults is osteoarthritis. Studies have found that weight loss can decrease the frequency of knee dysfunction and disability in individuals with osteoarthritis, but until recently there has been limited research on the effectiveness of regular exercise […]
Pain During Pregnancy Isn’t “Normal” It’s surprisingly common for pregnant patients suffering from back pain to not seek help because it’s seen as a “normal” part of pregnancy, but it’s important to know that dealing with debilitating pain that affects your ability to perform day-to-day activities is anything but normal, even when you’re pregnant. One […]
Avoid Back Pain On Vacation! Travel, whether in a car or airplane, can be stressful on the body and especially the spine. Long hours driving or sitting on an airplane has the potential to leave you stiff and sore, but following these tips can help make sure you don’t suffer the summer vacation back pain […]
The Global Burden of Disease Study A recent series of studies spearheaded by the World Health Organization present a disappointing irony: while we’ve done a tremendous job battling fatal illnesses, we are now living with more health problems that cause permanent pain, impair our mobility, and decrease our quality of life. According to the Global […]
Get Off The Computer! Kids are spending more time now than ever before sitting in front of computer screens as they work on homework, check social media, surf the internet and watch videos on YouTube. However, all that computer usage is taking a toll on teens’ spines, as recent studies show that children and teenagers […]
The Bottom Line: Chiropractic care relaxes muscles and reduces pain thresholds. At Ascent Chiropractic we frequently use chiropractic manipulation to treat patients’ lumbar spine conditions. Many studies have shown that lumbar spine adjustments are one of the most effective treatment options for those suffering with pain in their low back. But how do chiropractic adjustments […]
At some point 4 out of every 5 Americans will suffer from low back pain! Back pain is second only to upper-respiratory infections as most common medical reason for visits to the doctor’s office. The good news is that over 95% of all low back pain cases are caused by biomechanical dysfunction that can be […]
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. […]
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Chiropractic Helps Prevent Disability In Older Adults Healthcare seems to be something that American seniors are more engaged in today than ever before. Much of it has to do with changes to the Affordable Care Act, as many are re-evaluating how they go about managing their health.
Avoiding Back Pain As we age and our bodies become more susceptible to damage from every day activities, back pain can become increasingly problematic. Minor aches and pains can progress to long-term damage if we are not careful how we carry out certain activities. Consider these tips when engaging in daily activities to keep your back […]
What Is A Herniated Disc? Herniated discs occur when tears in the fibrous, exterior rings of spinal vertebrate discs are severe enough to permit the fleshy, inner portion of these discs (the nucleus pulposus) to bulge and extend past the injured, outer rings. Sometimes called a “bulged” or “slipped” disc, a herniated disc involves damage […]
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 […]
Chiropractic Named The Top Choice For Back Treatment It’s no secret that back pain is one of the most prevalent and costly health conditions in the US and has also proven to be one of the most difficult to treat. The good news is that a new Consumer Reports survey ranks manual therapy, in particular […]
