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An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that patients try chiropractic and other more conservative types of treatment for their back pain. In many cases, pain can be alleviated without the use of unnecessary drugs or surgery, so it makes sense to exhaust conservative options first,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

“Research confirms that the services provided by chiropractic physicians are not only clinically effective but also cost-effective, so taking a more conservative approach at the onset of low back pain can also potentially save both patients and the health care system money down the line,” he added.

The article, part of JAMA’s Patient Page public education series, explains that the back is made up of bones, nerves, muscles and other soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons that support posture and give the body flexibility. Back pain can be caused by problems with any of the structures in the back.

As neuromusculoskeletal experts, chiropractic physicians are particularly well suited to manage and help prevent low back pain.

Those looking for a dedicated and professional East Longmeadow chiropractor for expert consultation and treatment backed up by friendly and personable service have consistently turned to one professional over the past two decades – Dr. Richard Matuszczak of East Longmeadow Chiropractic as your dedicated East Longmeadow chiropractor! Call (413) 525-0225 for more information.

Source: http://www.acatoday.org/press_css.cfm?CID=5185

Back pain can be an incredibly-frustrating symptom that inhibits our range of motion, plagues us with unpleasant discomfort, and keeps us up at night! What’s worse is that many – unwisely – forgo treatment, hoping it will just get better.

“Pain is hard enough to deal with in the light of day. But, pain at night robs you of your much needed sleep and can be downright exhausting,” comments
Frank. J. Falco, MD, who specializes in pain management and sleep problems in Newark, Del. “Plus, pain causes anxiety, which disrupts sleep even more.”

In addition to preventing a person from falling asleep, pain also results in difficulty staying asleep. Once pain keeps you awake one night, it is likely to do the same thing again and again. Pain-related insomnia gets worse over time.

Pain is the culprit for keeping many people up at night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 2 out of 3 people with chronic pain have trouble sleeping. “Pain is a sensation you feel when nerves are stimulated to an intense degree,” says Tracey Marks, MD, an Atlanta-based psychiatrist. Marks is author of Master Your Sleep: Proven Methods Simplified. “This stimulation activates the brain, which keeps you awake.”

You need a certain amount of each stage of sleep to feel rested and for proper memory,” Marks says. These stages include light sleep, deep sleep, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. We normally go through four to six cycles of these stages per night. But if pain wakes you up, you spend too much time in light sleep,” she explains. This reduced sleep, in particular a shortened REM, may increase sensitivity to pain.

The medical director of adult sleep services, Reena Mehra, MD, of University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland agrees that joint and muscle pain usually results in problems staying asleep (called sleep maintenance insomnia) rather than falling asleep (called sleep onset insomnia). “This sleep deprivation makes you more sensitive to pain.”

The reasons why sleep deprivation makes you more sensitive to pain aren’t known for sure. “Some research studies show that sleep deprivation causes increased production of inflammatory chemicals in the body called cytokines,” Marks says.

Pain medications interrupt sleep. Unfortunately, some of the medications prescribed for pain, such as codeine and morphine, can cause insomnia. These opioid pain medications can cause apnea, brief pauses in breathing, during sleep. “Therefore, people who take these kinds of medications for chronic pain are at a higher risk for sleep problems,” Falco says.

Treat Naturally and Get Much Needed Sleep

Treat your pain naturally and start catching up on your much needed sleep. Forgoing treatment for back pain, shoulder pain, sciatic pain, etc. can leave you open to many health risks since your body is being compromised.

Dr. Richard Matuszczak of East Longmeadow Chiropractic has over 23 years of experience helping relieve the pain of many in the East Longmeadow- Longmeadow area. Call (413) 525-0225 to schedule your visit. Relieve the pain and catch up on much needed sleep!

“Getting straightened out can have benefits for both your sedentary life and your gym performance ,” says Karen Erickson, D.C., a spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association. “Besides relief of muscle soreness and pain, patients often report an overall feeling of well-being and reduced stress.

Athletes, dancers, celebrities, corporate CEO’s, white collar professionals, blue collar professionals, stay at home parents, retired folk, students…they are all using chiropractic in their health regimine today. There is a chiro resurgence to get “straightened” and be the best that we can be naturally.

The paparazzi snapped Leonardo DiCaprio leaving a chiropractic office in New Orleans. Kim Kardashian tweeted, “Chiropractors really are life savers.. I’m obsessed!” Jessica Alba is reportedly a fan.

Athletes, musicians, dancers, and actors all learn posture and positioning as a foundation for excellence. When your joints are aligned, your muscles can fire in their strongest position and your body moves with least resistance.

You can avoid neck and back pain with proper positioning. Your best ergonomic position is where you are facing your task without having to twist, bend, or rotate your joints in an uncomfortable way.

Be aware of your posture. Good posture prevents neck and back pain. An aligned spine will have less pain. Shoulder pain is also reduced when shoulders are in alignment, so you have less risk of rotator cuff issues. Proper head positioning — directly over the body and not too far forward or tilted to one side — prevents headaches.

Be aware of your positioning as you sleep. Having too much pillow height can cause you to twist. A low pillow with more cushion under the neck and less under the head will keep the neck straight and eliminate pain. Your head should be straight over the body, not pitched too far forward. Also, if you place a pillow between your legs, it will prevent your spine and pelvis from twisting.

Exercise, proper diet, and keeping your spine aligned will help you feel your best. Be aware of your posture and positioning during your daily tasks. Make an appointment to get straightened out and feel the pressure release. Chiropractic practices can transform your life, wiping away pain, and building the foundation for true health.

Do you want to prevent back pain? Try a few basic exercises endorsed by the Mayo Clinic to stretch and strengthen your back and supporting muscles. Repeat each exercise a few times, then increase the number of repetitions as the exercise gets easier. If you’ve ever hurt your back or have other health conditions, such as osteoporosis, consult with us before doing these exercises.

Chiropractic treatments will keep your spine in line and will increase your flexibility and improve your overall health. Contact Dr. Richard Matuszczak at East Longmeadow Chiropractic for a consultation. Call today (413) 525-0225.

Knee-to-chest stretch

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor (A). Using both hands, pull up one knee and press it to your chest (B). Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Return to the starting position (A) and repeat with the opposite leg (C). Return to the starting position and then repeat with both legs at the same time (D). Repeat each stretch two to three times — preferably once in the morning and once at night.

Lower back rotational stretch

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor (A). Keeping your shoulders firmly on the floor, roll your bent knees to one side (B). Hold for five to 10 seconds. Return to the starting position (C). Repeat on the opposite side (D). Repeat each stretch two to three times — preferably once in the morning and once at night.

Lower back flexibility exercise

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor (A). Arch your back so that your pubic bone feels like it’s pointing toward your feet (B). Hold for five seconds, then relax. Flatten your back, pulling your bellybutton toward the floor — so that your pubic bone feels like it’s pointing toward your head (C). Hold for five seconds, then relax. Repeat. Start with five repetitions each day and gradually work up to 30.

Bridge exercise

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor (A). Keeping your shoulders and head relaxed on the floor, tighten your abdominal and gluteal muscles. Then raise your hips to form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders (B). Try to hold the position long enough to complete three deep breaths. Return to the starting position (C). Repeat. Start with five repetitions each day and gradually work up to 30.

Cat stretch

Position yourself on your hands and knees (A). Slowly let your back and abdomen sag toward the floor (B). Then slowly arch your back, as if you’re pulling your abdomen up toward the ceiling (C). Return to the starting position (A). Repeat three to five times, twice a day.

Seated lower back rotational stretch

Sit on an armless chair or a stool. Cross your right leg over your left leg. Bracing your left elbow against the outside of your right knee, twist and stretch to the side (A). Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side (B). Repeat this stretch three to five times on each side, twice a day.

Shoulder blade squeeze

Sit on an armless chair or a stool (A). Keeping your chin tucked in and your chest high, pull your shoulder blades together (B). Hold for five seconds, then relax. Repeat three to five times, twice a day.

Athletes from many sports use chiropractic care to help improve their performance. Chiropractic procedures are safe and effective in maximally benefiting an athlete- professional or amateur. Chiropractic care makes “adjustments” to the spine which are commonly known to help with back pain, but additionally, they help your nervous system, maximize joint mechanics, and improve your overall health.

Major league baseball season is around the corner. Baseball can seem like a gentlemanly sport when compared to football and hockey, but the incidence of injury can be quite high. Many MLB teams have a team chiropractor where regular chiropractic care provides baseball players with proper spinal function and balance to reduce the risk of spine-related injuries, enhance recovery time, and improve overall performance.

With chiropractic care, players report that they feel better and have better endurance. Their body mechanics are significantly improved, enabling better pitching, hitting, and throwing. The team chiropractor for the San Francisco Giants was on the mound celebrating with the team during their 2010 World Series victory as it was said that chiropractic care was very much part of their success that year.

Golfers use chiropractic to maintain a strong foundation in the body. The pelvis is where most of the power is created. The lower body and pelvis create torque during the swing, while the upper body acts like a whip. Without that strong foundation on the bottom half and flexibility on the top, the golfer’s swing will suffer.

A chiropractic adjustment can re-align the lower back and improve the muscle action of the lower body. The combination of chiropractic treatment and core stability training can improve a golfer’s game considerably. Tiger Woods has said,” I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.”

Michael Jordan, six time NBA Champion, six time Final MVP, and five time NBA MVP, has said of chiropractic, “I didn’t know how much I could improve until I started seeing a chiropractor. Since I’ve been in chiropractic, I’ve improved by leaps and bounds, both mentally and physically.”

Chiropractic care can give an athlete a competitive advantage in whatever sport they participate in. It helps to enhance endurance levels, assist in the recovery from many structural injuries, and achieve overall peak performance. By including chiropractic into an athlete’s regular health practices, one is able to maximize training and optimize functional balance and skill.

Many avoidable injuries sideline professional athletes. Many athletes continue to compete at less than peak efficiency, simply because their structural system is not in balance. Coaches and their athletes are realizing that pain killing drugs, muscle relaxers, and cortisone injections are not the answer to injury. Medications merely cover up the symptoms and may make the injury more serious or interfere with the healing process

The key to a successful team and an individual athlete is injury prevention. This is true for the professional or amateur. Keep your spine in line and your nervous system in balance. Dr. Matuszczak of East Longmeadow Chiropractic has over 23 years of experience. Call today at (413) 525-0225 to schedule your appointment. Play the game of your life by being the best that you can be!

As the day after Thanksgiving – one of the biggest shopping days of the year – approaches, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) in partnership with the Massachusetts Chiropractic Society urge you to treat holiday shopping as an athletic event to ward off the stress and strain that often accompanies this otherwise joyous season.

Before you race out at 6 a.m. to that great department store sale, the associations offer the following check list to help you avoid back, neck and other musculoskeletal pain:

1.Drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your muscles and body hydrated.

2.Stretch before and after a long day of shopping. When you are under stress, your muscles are less flexible than usual.

3.Wear shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb the impact of walking on hard shopping mall floors.

4.Make sure the clothing you wear is as comfortable as possible. You may be going from a cold environment (outdoors) to a warm environment (indoors), so wear layers.

5.Leave your purse at home. Wear a light fanny pack or a light backpack instead. Pack only those items that are absolutely essential (driver’s license, credit card, etc.).

6.Plan frequent breaks into your shopping day – at least once every 45 minutes for most people. Those with less stamina may need to take a break every 20-30 minutes.

When taking breaks, eat light foods. A salad and some fruit is a better option than a burger and fries.

Skip the coffee break. Coffee contains caffeine, which dehydrates you and adds even more stress to your body.

7.If possible, obtain a locker – and drop your packages there during your breaks. Don’t carry around more than is absolutely necessary at one time.
If your mall or shopping center doesn’t offer lockers, plan frequent trips to your car.

8.Once You’re Home and Wrapping Your Gifts…

Since there is no “ideal” position for wrapping gifts, the most important thing to remember is to take breaks often. Get up and stretch, or go make some hot apple cider.

Do not wrap packages while sitting on a hard floor. This can wreak havoc on your posture.

Always stretch before and after you wrap gifts. Stretch the opposites; if you are leaning forward when wrapping your gifts, stretch backward when you are done.

Chiropractic Care Can Help

If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of holiday shopping, apply an ice pack to the affected area for 20 minutes, then take it off for a couple of hours. Repeat a couple of times each day over the next day or two. In addition, plan a visit to a chiropractor, who can help alleviate your pain naturally.

The office of Dr. Richard Matuszczak at East Longmeadow Chiropractic is available for consultations. Call (413) 525-0225 and schedule to visit us at 313 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.

by The American Chiropractic Association

Recent government reports indicate that most Medicare HMOs do not provide chiropractic services. That is Illegal. Before signing up with a Medicare HMO or a Medicare+Choice plan, be sure to ask the following:

Does the HMO or plan actually use chiropractors to deliver these services? Many plans claim to have chiropractic services “available” but actually never or rarely provide them-or claim to provide them through the services of non-chiropractors.

Does the HMO (or its panel or staff) actually employ any chiropractors? If so, are they permitted to refer plan members for chiropractic care? Government studies indicate that most Medicare HMOs do not employ chiropractors or have them on staff, and that non-chiropractors make decisions concerning the appropriateness of referral for chiropractic care.

What are the actual HMO or plan statistics concerning the numbers of participants receiving chiropractic care from chiropractors? What is the average length of treatment? Many conditions require chiropractic treatment over a length of time–one or a few allowed services may have no or minimal effect. And, of course, to have any effect at all, chiropractic care must be provided by a chiropractor.

Remember, Medicare Part B beneficiaries already have the right to receive chiropractic care as provided by a chiropractor. That right should not be surrendered merely by walking through an HMO door. Consider the preceding material carefully before signing on for any Medicare+Choice HMO plans.

The office of Dr. Richard Matuszczak at East Longmeadow Chiropractic is available for consultations. Call (413) 525-0225 and schedule to visit us at 313 Maple Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.