Traditional healthcare is (or should be!) a standard part of childhood – regular check ups, daily vitamins, and the occasional urgent doctor’s appointment. But chiropractic care can complement the lineup, and hopefully reduce some of the need for urgent care. While most doctors treat problems as they occur, chiropractors can help issues from occurring in the first place.

Chiropractic care works with the communication highways in the body – the nervous system and all of its pathways. This system is so complex that nerves in your foot can also affect nerves in your brain. And if any of the nerves are thrown out of place, the brain may not be getting the right information.

The nervous system is a delicate place for young children as they are growing at a fast pace and gaining coordination (not to mention milestones like learning to walk, run, play sports, etc.). When a chiropractor aligns the spine, they set all the nerves back in place allowing them to function more efficiently and ensuring children are developing properly.

Here are some of the many ways chiropractic care can benefit comprehensive childhood health care:

1. Maximize and increase a child’s brain and nerve development
2. Strengthen immunity and reduce the incidence of colds, ear aches and general illness
3. Help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies
4. Improve spinal posture
5. Improve a child’s ability to concentrate
6. Help alleviate bed wetting and digestive problems
7. Assist with sleep issues
8. Enhance overall health and emotional well-being with proper nerve function

If you have a child experiencing any of these issues, CALL TODAY to make your initial consultation visit today, and learn how chiropractic care can be a healthy and drug-free option to help treat and prevent common childhood issues.

How Your Lack of Water is Causing Increased Back Pain

You hear it every day, drink plenty of water, don’t get dehydrated, but do we really think about the reasons why water is essential for every day living? Water is important for several reasons. It allows nutrients to travel to all parts of the body which helps maintain function of organs, joints, and the spine. Without proper hydration, your body cannot perform optimally which can cause a variety of different health problems- including back pain.

Your intervertebral discs which are sandwiched in between your bones in your back are comprised of mostly water.  These discs serve a crucial role in absorbing shock while walking, jumping, and even sitting. Intervertebral discs are made to dehydrate and rehydrate with increased water intake. Without proper hydration, your intervertebral discs shrink and cannot function properly. This will put additional pressure on the disc. When this happens, many things can occur. Inflammation of the discs due to increased pressure can cause bulges or herniations. Degeneration (or breaking down) of your bones in your back can also occur over time. This will cause pain in the low back that can be prevented with a simple solution of drinking enough water throughout the day.

So how much water should you be drinking a day? The rule of thumb used to be 64 ounces per day. This may be true for someone small, but it is found that we should be drinking AT LEAST half our body weight in ounces of water today for optimal function. So, if you are 200 lbs, you should be drinking 100 ounces of water per day. Most water bottles are 16 ounces… So, if we do the math, a 200 lb individual should be drinking 6-7 bottles of water per day. This number can fluctuate depending how active you are. It is important to hydrate before, during, and after each work out. The easiest way to monitor your hydration is to pay attention to the color of your urine. If you are well hydrated, your urine should be a pale yellow-clear color. Dehydration will appear dark yellow or cloudy.

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will keep your discs well hydrated and prevent issues such as back pain. It is important to remember that not drinking enough water can do so much more than make you thirsty. Keep your spine and the rest of your body in check by staying well hydrated!

4 Signs Your Glutes Aren’t Working for You and Why it Matters

I see patients everyday with low back and lower extremity pain and never amazes me that during testing they cannot contract their gluteus maximus.

Here are a few clues that your gluteal muscles aren’t working like they should and what that can mean for you.

1. You have frequent hamstring cramps or strains: When asked, most people will blame dehydration or electrolyte imbalance as the cause for muscle cramps. Research on muscle cramps and hydration is very conflicted, though. One leading theory that has come to light is tissue overload. In the case of the hamstrings, they can be overloaded when trying to make up for lack of gluteal strength. They may fatigue more quickly when trying to play the dual role of hamstrings and glutes. This can lead to cramping and, even worse, muscle strains.

2. You sit for the majority of the day: Let’s face it; most of us use our rear ends for sitting more than for moving. When you are seated you place your glutes in a lengthened position and then sit on them for hours on end. The result is a lengthened, weak muscle that has forgotten how to be the workhorse it was designed to be.

3. You have pain and/or limited range when bending backward: This pain can be due to irritated joints in your back – a common result when your low back muscles have to make up for an under performing gluteus maximus. The gluteal’s job is to extend your hip. When it doesn’t do that effectively, you must use muscles in your low back to extend your back to make up for lack of hip extension. The result? LOW BACK PAIN.

4. You bend with your back when picking things off the ground: Watch a toddler pick toys up off the ground and you’ll see the way we were designed to bend. They throw their butt back, bend the knees and hips, and keep their spine relatively neutral. Fast forward 30 years and for some reason now we are bending over with straight legs and a hunched-over spine. Somewhere along the way we forgot how to bend properly. The most likely reason is because we’ve lost our butts from sitting on them so much, and without a butt it’s really difficult to bend properly.

Gluteus maximus is the largest muscle in your body. If all you are using it for is to sit on, then there is a very large void for other muscles to fill in addition to their own individual functions. For that reason I am always testing glute strength and activation in my patients. If their glutes are inhibited, we start treatment by focusing on gluteal activation exercises. Once they are back online and performing their dominant role, low back pain and lower extremity injuries can be much easier to treat and prevent.

Pregnancy puts excessive stress on the body of a mother. The body goes through many changes during a pregnancy, and these changes affect all areas of the body, pressure, pain and discomfort is often felt in the back and spine, especially during the later stages of pregnancy. The pelvic area goes through the most amount of stress during a pregnancy and can often times be left out of alignment once the delivery process is over. This is also true for the spine, neck and back. Many mothers, before, during and after pregnancy are turning to chiropractic care to alleviate pain or discomfort, to ease the birthing process and to correct any misalignment that has occurred during childbirth.

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

There are no known contraindications to chiropractic treatment during pregnancy. In addition, chiropractic care during the actual labor and birth process itself has been found in studies to shorten labor time by 25 to 60 percent, reduce the amount of pain medication required, and help make the whole delivery process more comfortable.

Chiropractic is not only safe when you are pregnant, pregnancy may be one of the best times to receive chiropractic care. The changes that take place within the pregnant woman’s body are profound, and take place in a relatively short period of time. The additional stress placed on the body by the baby, combined with an average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, can result in considerable discomfort; studies have shown that at least half of expectant mothers develop back pain during their pregnancies.

All chiropractors receive training in how to work with pregnant women. Some use tables that can be adjusted to accommodate a pregnant woman’s changing body, and utilize techniques designed to avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.

Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby.

The following changes can result in misaligned spine or joints:

• Protruding abdomen and increased back curve
• Pelvic changes
• Postural adaptations

Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy.

When the pelvis is misaligned, it may reduce the amount of room available for developing baby. A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. This can affect the mother’s ability to have a normal non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections.

The Nervous System is the master communication system to all the body including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
• Controlling symptoms of nausea
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
• Relieving back, neck or joint pain
• Preventing a potential C-Section

What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?

Webster Technique was developed to allow a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant women’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments.

This balance state in the pelvis has been clinically shown to allow for optimal fetal positioning.

It is normal by some for a baby to present breech until the 3^rd trimester. Most birth practitioners are not concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 weeks along. Approximately 4% of all pregnancies result in a breech presentation.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported that 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique.

Want to know more?

If you are planning on becoming pregnant or you are an expecting mother contact Ascherl Chiropractic to talk about your options of care during your pregnancy and how it can benefit you and your baby’s health.

Call us today Dr Jeremy Ascherl in Winterset 515-462-4981 or Dr. Whitney Dawson in Earlham 515-963-6002.

Texting Neck

Posture is one of the most crucial factors in spinal health. Being a generation that is constantly connected to cell phones, tablets, computers, etc., we see posture getting worse. Unfortunately, when we are continuously looking down at our devices a lot of strain is put on our necks as well as the rest of the spine. We as a society have created a condition called “texting neck” due to bad posture. Texting neck is a new word used in the health care system that is caused by looking down at our phones and causing strain on the neck and shoulder muscles.

In correct posture, your head should be directly over your shoulders with your ears lined up with your shoulders. In a normal posture your head should weigh about 10-12 pounds. As the head tilts forward, however, the gravitational pull puts more weight on the muscles and bones of your neck and upper back. Studies show that for every inch of forward head posture, an additional 8 pounds of pressure is added to your neck. The additional strain you can put on your neck by looking at your devices is up to 60 pounds! Think of it this way: if you were to hold a bowling ball close to your body, you would probably be able to hold it for a long time compared to if you were holding the bowling ball with an outstretched arm. This concept also applies to the neck. Having your neck flexed forward for the majority of the time causes your natural neck posture to be translated forward adding additional pressure to your neck and upper back.

If left untreated, texting neck can lead to a decreased neck curve which can lead to degeneration and arthritis of the spine as well as sore muscles and herniated discs. Degeneration in the neck can also impinge on spinal nerves that exit the vertebrae. These nerves control various organs and parts of the body. Impingement of these nerves can cause various symptoms such as: headaches, sinus issues, numbness/tingling in the arms, and much more. Fortunately, chiropractic care can help. The most important factor in treating texting neck is to improve posture. There are plenty of exercises to help you improve your posture. Head extension exercises as well as chin tuck exercises are two exercises your chiropractor might recommend to assist in restoring the curve in your neck.

The chiropractic adjustment is also important in restoring function and structure to the neck. Chiropractors are trained to feel the rotation and restriction in the spine through range of motion and palpation of the segments. The chiropractic adjustment will free the spinal restriction and open up the area where the spinal nerve exits to relieve impingement of spinal nerves. It is important to remember that one chiropractic adjustment may not relieve all pain. It may take multiple visits to help restore the neck curve as the muscles have been stretched in the back and weakened in the front due to the strain of looking down over time. Through a series of adjustments determined by your chiropractor as well as incorporating exercises into your everyday life and raising your devices when using them, proper posture can be restored.

Dr. Jeremy and Dr. Whitney are experienced in treating texting neck and assisting their patients with postural correction.

Call today to have your spine assessed! Earlham Office 515-963-6002 Or Winterset 515-462-4981

Why Do I Need Chiropractic Care If I Am Not in Pain?

Many people consider visiting a chiropractor only after suffering years of unnecessary pain. However, focusing on prevention is key to long-term well-being.  Just as you schedule regular checkups for your car maintance to prevent damage from wear and tear and to keep your car running for over 200,000 miles, it’s just as essential to arrange consistent chiropractic checkups to stave off spinal decay and related ailments.

Today’s health-care consumers are looking for a cheaper and safer way of preventive care as the increased price and dangers of painkillers and other medication torment the ill based population.  The health-care tide is turning as many individuals shift their attitude about health care from one of medication based, to one centering on prevention.

A preventive chiropractic checkup typically includes a thorough spinal examination to detect areas in the spine where movement is restricted or bones are misaligned.  The misaligned spinal segments are called vertebral subluxations.  We correct these areas with gentle and effective maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments.  Because wellness visits are focused on prevention rather than pain relief, the doctor takes time to educate patients about factors influencing long-term disease prevention, with a holistic, whole person emphasis.  The goal is to identify and remove any risk factors before they trigger disease.

Symptoms are NOT the “early warning signs” many individuals consider them to be.  Symptoms like pain usually do not appear until late in a disease process, often when it is too late for the issue to be reversed.  By maintaining a subluxation-free spine, preventive checkups correct the underlying trigger of conditions such as back pain and headaches.  Scientific studies show that unrestricted joints have better range of motion, making them less likely to be depleted of joint fluid and cartilage.  By keeping joints mobile, chiropractic helps prevent conditions like osteoarthritis before the advent of joint degeneration, and long before symptoms emerge.  It’s especially important to ward off arthritis before pain appears, because the severity of degeneration to the spine is not necessarily associated with pain.

The frequency of preventive checkups depends on a host of factors.  Only your doctor of chiropractic can determine the optimal frequency for your wellness care visits.  It is never too early to start planning for preventive care.

Call Ascherl Chiropractic Sports & Wellness Clinic Today to get your checkup!

October is Chiropractic Awareness Month

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has made October, Chiropractic Awareness Month. Ascherl Chiropractic Sports & Wellness, aims to help educate our patients about the great benefits of chiropractic care and how we can help to maximize your overall health.

Chiropractic care has been aimed at managing all types of pain, such as acute and chronic low back/ neck pain, shoulder and knee pain, and much more. The conservative approach for controlling such conditions includes chiropractic adjustments combined with exercise/ stretching programs to help correct muscular and structural imbalances in the body.

A conservative care approach puts more emphasis on cost-effective and safer treatment modalities rather than addictive pain killer medications for healthcare. The number of Americans taking high dose pain killers and other medications has been on a significant increase over the last decade. Consumers should understand benefits of a conservative approach option before using pain relief drugs and surgical procedures.

As this is Chiropractic Awareness Month I would like to thank everyone who has chosen Ascherl Chiropractic Sports and Wellness Clinic for trusting us with your health care needs. We would like to spread to the awareness of chiropractic throughout the community and need your help. Share this with your family and friends about the benefits that chiropractic has had for you. We thank you again for your support and trusting us with your care.

Understanding Chiropractic

On 9/15/2016 by Dr. Jeremy Ascherl

Whether you’re new to chiropractic or very familiar with chiropractic, you’ve probably heard of the word “subluxation” but  did you understand how it affects your body? The word subluxation stands for a lot more than just a dysfunction in the spine. I will break down the definition and how a “subluxation” affects your body.

What is a subluxation?

When one or more vertebrae lose their normal position and/or motion, they can interfere with the normal function of the nervous system. This interference can occur as pressure or irritation on the spinal cord, or on the nerve roots as they pass out of the spinal column, thus preventing the body from functioning properly. The goal of the chiropractic adjustment is to remove or correct the subluxation, which eliminates any interference to the nervous system which in turn improves spinal function and overall health.

What are the symptoms of subluxation?

Many people continue through life with subluxations without any noticeable symptoms, but there are some indicators or symptoms of subluxation, such as neck & back pain, inflammation and swelling, decreased energy levels, tenderness, decreased mobility, stiffness, muscle spasms, headaches/migraines,  and much more.

How can subluxations affect the body?

Spinal health is directly related to your health and the function of your central nervous system. The removal of subluxations is critical to your overall spinal health. We know that subluxations:

1. Create dis-ease in the body, decreasing its ability to adapt to stress causing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, obesity and much more.
2. Decreases the body’s ability to function at its optimal potential
3. Accelerates joint aging and cause joint degeneration

Who can treat subluxations?

Chiropractors are the only healthcare providers trained to diagnose and treat subluxations. We go through years of education and training to learn how to accurately identify and treat subluxations in the spine.

How do we treat subluxations?

Subluxations are treated with gentle and specific adjustment, chiropractors apply a specific amount of force to a joint to remove the subluxation which will increase mobility and improve spinal function.

 

If you’re curious about seeing if a chiropractor can help you, don’t hesitate to make your appointment with Dr. Ascherl today. We strive on building patient education  helping you better understand your body and health.

CALL TODAY to schedule your appointment. (515)-462-4981.