Back to Basics Chiropractic and Massage: Blog

Although upper back pain is less common than lower back pain, that’s cold comfort to the people who have it! At Back to Basics Chiropractic Care in Kennewick, we are dedicated to helping patients understand their spinal issues so they can be in the best position possible for their bodies to heal themselves. There are twelve thoracic vertebrae that support the chest. They are each separated by a disc and most of them have joints that connect with ribs, limiting their range of motion. However, as people age, their spinal discs will dry, and those in the thoracic region can experience wear-and-tear. The large muscles that attach to the thoracic vertebrae can also become inflamed, putting pressure on this part of the spine. Since muscle strain is the most common cause of upper back pain, chiropractors advise people to avoid it by maintaining good posture while seated and standing. People should also avoid carrying heavy objects off-center and wear back braces while doing demanding work. If...

Bicycling is a great way to stay healthy and have fun, but like all exercise, it needs to be done safely. At Back to Basics Chiropractic, we take particular interest in sports injuries and want our patients to know how to prevent them. Back pain can result from a bicycle that is not fitted properly. It is important to get a bike that matches the user’s body as well as their cycling style so that their lower back will not be strained as they lean forward. But even professional cyclists who have access to the best equipment have high rates of back pain. The most common factor in cyclists with back pain is lack of core strength. Pushing uphill puts a great deal of strain on peoples’ backs. As they get tired, the hip muscles supporting their lower backs start to give out, worsening their posture and causing their backs to become overextended. This causes the lumbar vertebrae to move side-to-side more, putting more strain on the muscles. We can provide spinal adjustments to help cyclists fe...

Being aware of good posture is the first step you can take to reduce stress and strain on your spine. Poor posture isn’t necessarily a bad habit; it can happen for physical reasons, such as inflexible muscles, or muscle weakness. The good news is that posture can be improved and once that has been done, patients will notice improved balance, reduced back pain, and increased core strength and flexibility. At Back to Basics Chiropractic, posture can be improved through frequent spinal adjustments, or by utilizing these tips. Imagine that a string is attached to the top of your head and pulling you upwards. The idea is to keep your body in perfect alignment, maintaining the spine’s natural curvature, neck straight and shoulders parallel with the hips. To stand correctly, you should always keep your shoulders back and relaxed while pulling in your abdomen and keeping your feet about hip distance apart. Balance your weight evenly on both feet and try not to tilt your head forward, backward ...

Chiropractic care is typically sought out by people seeking relief from neck or back pain.  The staff of Back to Basics Chiropractic is also skilled in treating extremities like the knees, elbows, and the shoulders. The shoulder joint is the body’s most mobile joint. It is surrounded by nerves, tendons, bursa, and other tissues which can all experience irritation and cause pain. This complex structure means that shoulder pain can have many causes and may require your chiropractor to assess your overall health and condition to target the root of the problem.  Whether pain began after an injury or has increased over time, chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective way to treat damage to both hard and soft tissue.  When shoulder pain is caused by joint irritation, relief can often be achieved through an adjustment.  Pain in the muscles can be addressed by massage or stimulation therapy, and your chiropractor will recommend exercise and stretches if needed.  If you are suffering from p...

When someone is involved in a car accident that isn’t a major collision, it may seem more like a nuisance than trauma.  We typically worry more about being late for work or an insurance claim, and don’t always stop to assess what damage may have been done to our bodies. At Central Virginia Chiropractic Center, Inc. , we know some drivers and passengers feel the effects of whiplash injuries immediately following an accident, while others may walk away not feeling injured and experience pain later. This is why you should always visit Back to Basics Chiropractic for evaluation. Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then forward very suddenly with great force, causing the tendons and ligaments in your neck to tear. The most common site of pain and stiffness for passengers involved in an accident are the neck and back.  A chiropractor can evaluate these injuries, as well as treat damage to both hard and soft tissue. Depending on a patient’s evaluation the chiropractor may ...

Back to Basics Chiropractic recommends chiropractic adjustments for migraine sufferers who have yet to find relief. Chiropractic treatment will not cure migraines, but it is one of the few ways to be proactive against migraines and help prevent them.  In someone prone to migraine episodes, a trigger can often be a misalignment, or subluxation of the spine.  Migraines can begin with tension in the neck, but even patients without migraines find keeping their neck free of kinks helps improve frequent headaches. Dysfunctional vertebrae in the neck can cause increased muscle tension and interrupt the nerves that control blood flow to the brain. Chiropractic adjustments relieve the pressure and tension that results in headaches, and keep the spine aligned to help it function at its best. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but most theories acknowledge an interruption in either nerve activity, blood flow to the brain, or both.  Regular chiropractic adjustments also help facilitate healt...

Back to Basics Chiropractic offers cold laser therapy to patients suffering from muscle pain.  Cold laser therapy can be used almost anywhere on the body to relieve pain and promote healing. If you have acute or chronic muscle pain in your neck, back, or shoulders and chiropractic adjustments haven’t helped you, cold laser therapy could be the solution for you.  Patients suffering from sprains, arthritis, and tendonitis are often recommended this treatment, because it also helps reduce inflammation. The laser is a small handheld device placed directly on the skin in the affected area. It uses light to stimulate affected muscle tissue, and has the ability to penetrate two to five centimeters below the skin. The laser is applied to the affected area for anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes at a time. Treatments are usually scheduled a few times a week, and the length of a treatment plan can vary. Cold laser therapy is a non-invasive, drug-free solution with no adverse side effects...