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Holistic Care and Diabetes

Did you know that diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common causes of chronic pain? November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and at Back to Basics Chiropractic in Kennewick, we couldn’t let it pass without reminding our patients that holistic, non-invasive techniques can help them to manage pain risk-free. Chronically high blood sugar can damage the nerves, causing them to feel pain or making them more sensitive to adverse conditions. The phrase “peripheral neuropathy” refers to pain in the nerves that branch out into the limbs, but neuropathy can also be felt in the body’s core, including in the digestive and reproductive systems. Neuropathy in the lower limbs or hips is particularly concerning in chiropractic, because people may compensate for it by changing their gait in a way that misaligns the spine, putting more pressure on nerves further up the body. There are a number of things we can do to relieve the inflammation associated with diabetes and take pressure off the ne
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Tips for Raking

We hope everybody who visits Back to Basics Chiropractic in Kennewick feels good enough to do yard work this fall. Raking provides an opportunity to get much-needed exercise and Vitamin D from sunlight. However, it is important to follow the proper procedure to avoid injuries. We want our patients to start the winter holidays pain-free, so we thought we should provide a guide to raking safety. Before you begin, you’ll need to make sure you have the right clothes and equipment. A rake should have a long enough handle for you to use without needing to bend, but it should be lightweight. Clothing should also be form-fitting and made of breathable material. You’ll need to make sure nothing is dangling from it that could get caught. It’s also important to pick shoes that are close-toed and have slip-resistant soles. Pick a day to rake when it’s dry so the leaves won’t be too heavy. Before you begin, do a warm-up that includes a lot of dynamic stretches so blood will be flowing through your
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Acute Pain Management

Acute pain often comes on suddenly and is usually caused by something specific. For example, when you burn your finger on a stove, no matter how much you put ice on it, it’s going to sting for a couple of days. Acute pain is defined as pain that comes and goes, but when it becomes chronic, lasting longer than six months, our doctors at Back to Basics will need to develop an individualized treatment plan to manage pain. By utilizing a combination of manipulation (passive care) and exercise (active care) our doctors at Back to Basics Chiropractic can restore function that has been lost due to injury, degenerative disorders, and other musculoskeletal conditions. The goal of this modern management technique is to improve range of motion and eliminate activity intolerances before the onset of a disabling, chronic pain syndrome. If you experience pain that disappears and reappears often, schedule a consultation with us before the pain becomes chronic. If you have questions or concerns regard
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Sports Injury Treatment

If you’ve ever encountered some type of injury, whether it is by playing sports, falling down, or perhaps you’ve been injured in a car accident, chances are your body is not functioning at its highest peak due to a misalignment. Fortunately, our staff at Back to Basics Chiropractic have the ability and skill to remove these interruptions or misalignments and allow the body to perform as it was meant to. The most common sports injuries include but are not limited to sprains and strains, knee injuries, swollen muscles, and Achilles tendon injuries. Depending on the type of injury our doctor diagnoses during a consultation, the appropriate plan for treatment will be designed. If you injure yourself while playing a sport, stop playing, as continuing to play may cause more harm. Once an injury occurs, call us to discuss your treatment options. If you have questions or concerns regarding sports injury treatment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, v
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Bulging Disc Pain

Bulging discs, also known as disc protrusion, are very common and people often develop them without realizing it. A bulging disc usually arises with no symptoms, however, they can cause discomfort and disability in various parts of the body, especially if the disc compresses an adjacent nerve root or the spinal cord. Following the diagnosis of a bulging disc, one of our doctors at Back to Basics Chiropractic will recommend treatments designed to alleviate symptoms.  A bulging disc can occur in any part of the spine but is most likely to affect the lower back or lumbar spine. The most common lumbar bulging disc is observed between lumbar vertebrae L4 and L5 causing pain in the sciatic nerve. Pain such as this may localize in the lower spine or radiate down the buttocks into the back of the leg or the foot. If you are experiencing chronic pain and you suspect a bulging disc may be the culprit, call us to discuss treatment options. If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropractic
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Sitting Positions For Less Back Pain

At Back to Basics Chiropractic we treat patients and relieve pain, but patient self-care is just as important for their continued health. Simple changes to everyday habits can help you to live a pain-free life.  So many of us spend a lot of a typical day sitting, between working at computer desks, watching TV, and commuting to work. All of this sitting can cause back pain, making it the most common reason patients visit the chiropractor.  Making a few adjustments to how you sit can ease this stress, help alleviate back pain, and minimize future visits. If you are sitting in a chair incorrectly and your spine isn't straight, you are putting more stress on your lower back. Leaning back just enough so that your thighs are at a 135-degree angle with your torso is an optimal seated position for preventing back pain. Long periods of sitting are what really increase the risk of muscle pulls, strains, and cramps. So if you don’t have time to walk around and stretch at the office try switch
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Sports Injuries and Chiropractic Treatment

More athletes are turning to chiropractors now than ever.  Medical doctors tend to treat a sports injury by alleviating symptoms with medication and recommending rest from activity.  Even professional athletes with incredibly healthy bodies have relied too much on medicine to heal. At Back to Basics Chiropractic, our approach to rehabilitating sports injuries takes the rest of the body and its natural ability to heal itself into account.  This always results in less time ‘benched’ from activity and a quicker recovery. You don’t need to be a professional athlete to rehabilitate a sports injury the right way.  If you or your family members are involved in sports, a chiropractor can help you too.  Rather than prescription medication and rest from activity, a chiropractor will focus on repairing any damage to hard and soft tissue with chiropractic adjustments to     the spine and extremities.  If you are in pain from an injury, of course your chiropractor will advise the best pain relief s
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