Neck pain. Its not something we want. And if you’ve experienced it, you may have no idea what caused it. You simply want to find a way to relieve it.

Understanding your neck – technically called the cervical spine – will help you pinpoint problems faster. When you know how your neck works, you have a better chance at avoiding things that will make your neck hurt. Knowing a few facts can also help you find ways to relieve your neck pain.

The cervical spine, or the neck, has a starting point at the base of your skull. From there, it connects to your upper back by way of seven vertebral sections. There are six discs in your neck, one between each vertebra, which support and cushion the vertebrae.

The cervical spine supports the weight of your head – which can weigh over 10 pounds – and controls your ability to move your head. When you turn your head in any direction, you are utilizing your cervical spine.

The cervical spine also contains special openings for vertebral arteries to pass through, taking blood to your brain. This is an important job and no other section of your back has these openings.

Just like the rest of your back, your cervical spine can be injured – direct blows and even daily activity can cause stress on your neck, leading to pain and discomfort.

Your neck is actually pretty tough – most common neck pain comes from normal wear and tear on the vertebrae.

As you get older and you incur wear and tear on your cervical spine, you might experience bone spurs, osteoarthritis, or other forms of degeneration. These conditions may or may not require surgery – in many cases, chiropractic treatment can resolve the problems.

The discs in your neck may also degenerate over time. Treatment usually involves medication and chiropractic care, but if relief is not found, you may need surgery to remove the “bad” discs.

Now that you know a few facts about your cervical spine, you know what an important role it plays in your well-being. The next time you experience neck pain, consider your previous activities to find a cause. If you cannot pinpoint the problem, you may need to seek medical care to ensure you are not experiencing serious problems. Don’t wait for a problem to occur. Instead, start your well checkups today at your local chiropractors office and avoid the pain and the problems down the road.

Is high blood pressure a concern for you? With high obesity rates, heart disease and stressful lifestyles, the need for concern is on the rise.

When most of us think of the term high blood pressure, we think of a home monitoring kit and a variety of pills that help keep things in check.  Yet instead of thinking about solutions to an existing problem, why not stop the problem before it happens and concentrate on living a healthy lifestyle instead?

While western medicine puts the emphasis on prescription remedies for high blood pressure, there are also natural alternatives that can provide answers. One of these alternatives is chiropractic care. A recent study shows that this type of care may offer a wealth of benefits for high blood pressure.

The procedure involves chiropractic care on the Atlas vertebrae. The Atlas vertebrae are the spinal area that holds up the head. There are two centers at the base of the brain along the Atlas area that control all of the muscles in the body. When this vertebrae and the two centers are adjusted and manipulated by a chiropractor, it can have significant positive effects on high blood pressure.

When a patient goes in for this procedure, the chiropractor does an evaluation. They realign the vertebrae through repositioning and basic chiropractic methods. This treatment is performed over the course of several consecutive sessions. Patients tend to show positive results within the first eight treatments. There also have been no reported side effects or problems with this procedure.

The findings and reports on patients who have participated in this type of care to lower their high blood pressure have shown improvement in blood flow. They have also shown a decrease in high blood pressure and related conditions with repeated Atlas vertebrae realignment and treatments.

For patients with high blood pressure or high blood pressure concerns, this chiropractic care could offer several answers. Dieting and proper exercise, along with consecutive chiropractic care visits with alignment of the Atlas vertebrae as the main focus, a patient could potentially see drastic results. For those patients seeking a natural alternative to their high blood pressure this care plan is a potential non-chemical alternative.

Cervical Spine Chiropractic, as the name implies, is chiropractic that focuses on the cervical spine.  The cervical spine is the uppermost region of the spine composed of the top seven vertebrae.  Another, less technical name for the cervical spine is the neck.  So, cervical spine chiropractic is chiropractic that addresses the needs of the neck area.

The seven vertebrae that compose the neck are the smallest vertebrae in your spinal column, and yet they are responsible for supporting and moving your head.  This is no small feat considering the average adult head weighs approximately 12 pounds.  As a result of the demands placed upon it, the neck is more susceptible to wear and injury.

Some things that can lead to neck discomfort or pain include:

Whiplash is the sudden multi-directional jerking of the neck and head.  This can lead to muscle fatigue, pain, and in extreme cases, damage to the joints.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder that leads to cartilage degeneration.  This disease can create painful bone spurs.

Spinal stenosis is a compression of the small nerve passageways within the spine.  This can lead to compression and trapping of the nerves, causing pain in the head, neck, spine, and arms.

Degenerative disc disease leads to a loss of the elasticity and length of the disks separating the vertebrae.  This loss can cause painful grinding of the vertebrae.  If left untreated, this can lead to more widespread numbness or pain.

Poor daily habits such as slouching can cause extra stress to the neck area as it attempts to compensate for the lack of support in other areas of the body.

Poor general health such as obesity can cause added stress on the cervical spine by causing a greater demand on the muscles and joints to compensate for the weight.

While it is not a cure all for these issues, cervical spine chiropractic can help alleviate the pain and misalignment associated with these difficulties.

Probiotics are a type of living bacteria that carry a great deal of health benefit. They occur naturally in the gastrointestinal tract, but like any other bacteria, can be diminished or fortified by what we eat.

There are well over 400 different types of bacteria  that live in the human gastrointestinal tract. The two most important are bifidobacterium bifidum and L acidophilus. These aren’t the negative bacteria you might be familiar with – probiotics can help a number of different issues, including digestive problems, headaches, tiredness, and even mood-related problems.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is widely considered one of the strongest probiotics. There have been a number of studies that show it can create beneficial antibiotics. Since this is a naturally occurring antibiotic, many of the side effects associated with artificial antibiotic use are simply not present. This probiotic powerhouse can have an antimicrobial impact on many pathogens.

There are a few things that can disrupt the natural balance of probiotics in our lifestyles. Unhealthy eating habits is one of the most prominent, but stress and other lifestyle factors can play a role. Probiotic supplementation can battle those issues and is beneficial in a number of different ways.

1.    Helps treat many of the more common digestive disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diarrhea, and constipation.

2.    Can also be very beneficial in treating women’s health problems such as vaginitis, yeast infections and candida.

3.    Enhances the overall immune system.

4.    Aids the body in the processing and efficient use of a number of vitamins and minerals.

5.    Counters the negative side effects found with synthetic antibiotics.

For people with certain vitamin deficiencies, probiotic use is an intelligent way to increase bioavailability. B Vitamins, zinc, phosphorous, magnesium, copper and calcium are all aided by probiotic use. Probiotic use alone is very beneficial to the immune system. When coupled with other vitamins and minerals it is an effective way of preventing common illnesses by strengthening the immune system.

Both healthy people and those looking to improve their health can benefit from probiotic use. Many new studies indicate our gastrointestinal health plays a role in various health problems – probiotics are one way to restore your body’s natural balance.

When you shop for the latest fashions, its easy to get caught up in the latest colors and styles. The latest jeans can be the start to a great outfit, just like those strappy sandles can finish the look.

The fashion industry is a smorgasbord of different shoes, pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, and accessories. If you are dressing merely for aesthetic appeal, you will never be without ample choices. However, the next time you head to the malls, go with a different thought in mind. Not only do your choices make a fashion statement, they can affect your health as well.

Choose your fashions wisely to avoid having aches and pains that require a chiropractic visit down the road. Here’s why.

High-heels are one of the quickest ways to back pain. While high-heels are a huge part of the fashion industry, they are not constructed in ways to minimize back pain. Instead, heels are made to look fashionable and enhance your wardrobe, and to keep you buying the latest styles to compliment the look. The continued use of high-heels can actually change the curvature of your spine and tip your pelvis forward.

To minimize the damage caused by high-heels, choose comfortable shoes with low heels instead. If you still desire heels, alternate your high-heel days with other shoes. Or bring extra shoes with you for long distance walking. While you might like the look it gives you today, the penalties down the road should make you think twice.

Also pay attention to the fit of your everyday clothes. Tight, restrictive clothing makes it difficult to move and bend, which can cause you to strain your body and joints. Choose clothes that fit comfortably and allow for normal movements.

Another important factor to remember is weight. The weight of purses, briefcases and backpacks can lead to back pain. Minimize the weight that your baggage contains by only carrying the bare essentials. You can also evenly distribute weight by wearing your purse more like a sling and sling it over your body, rather than just on your shoulder. If this is not possible, switch sides frequently to minimize the damage to each side of your body.

Being conscious of what you do today can help you stay healthy well into the future.

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to your overall health and well-being. Without proper rest, you run the risk of waking up sore, tired, cranky, and just feeling “blah”.

The mattress and pillow that you choose for sleeping is crucial to getting the rest your body needs. If you find yourself tossing and turning through the night and waking up stiff, sore and generally unrested, chances are that you need a different pillow or mattress – or both. The following tips can help you ensure that you are sleeping on the right pillow and mattress.

• Your mattress needs to be supportive of your entire body. One way to check the supportiveness of your bed is to look for gaps. When you lay down, if there are gaps between your body and the mattress, you need better support. Lack of support can lead to back pain.

• Rotating your mattress is important to minimize the indentations left by your body. Rotate your mattress clockwise or flip it over every few months. This will help to ensure even wear and tear of your mattress, extending the life of the mattress, as well as the comfort of your body.

• Too much firmness can also lead to back and body pain, so invest in a cushion top for your mattress if you find it is too firm.

• Remember that mattresses do not last forever – if your body is always sore after waking, it is probably time for a new mattress.

• Your pillow should allow for your head and neck to remain aligned with spine. Rather than have a thick pillow that keeps your head angled up, opt for a thinner pillow that keeps your head and neck level with your back and spine.

• You need a supportive pillow, just as you need a supportive mattress. If you get the most comfort from sleeping with an arm under your pillow, you need a more supportive pillow. The best way to choose a pillow is to try various thicknesses until you find the one that works for you.

Have questions about the right mattress or pillow for you? Don’t head to the mattress store; ask your chiropractor instead. He’ll help you choose the right products for a restful nights sleep.

Tis the season for overindulging. As you move from party to party, chances are you’re having a few too many cookies and extras along the way. Maybe those jeans are now hard to button. And maybe your back hurts as you get out of bed in the morning.

So invariably you make your New Years resolutions list to include things like “diet” and “get healthy”.

With just a few simple and practical lifestyle changes, you can be on your way to not only a healthy New Year, but a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life. It doesn’t take a lot of work. Instead it takes thought and commitment.

Limit caffeinated drinks. If you are a regular at the local coffee house, change your routine. Caffeinated drinks also cause dehydration. Instead, focus on increasing your intake of water, decaffeinated teas and other natural beverages during the day.

Increase fruits and vegetables. Instead of bringing cookies and candies to snack on, fill up a container with berries, carrots, snap peas, oranges and other healthy snacks.

Avoid medications. As a society, we consume too much medication. Avoid over the counter products as much as possible, and talk with your doctor and chiropractor for natural alternatives.

Avoid heavy bags. Heavy purses and briefcases can cause tension in your shoulders and back, especially if you carry them over the same shoulder every day. Your child’s backpack and messenger bags can cause similar problems. Instead, distribute the weight evenly across your body, placing the strap on the opposite shoulder from wear the contents lie. Keep backpacks at no more than 10 percent of your child’s body weight.

Lift the right way. Every day we lean, stretch and move to do different things. And while its easy to grab something, think first. Always use your legs instead of your back when picking up heavy objects. And don’t turn your torso while carrying something heavy. Be conscious about how you are affecting your spine.

Move around while at work. If you find yourself behind a desk eight hours of the day, give yourself breaks along the way. Take stretch breaks and get up and go for short walks. Make sure your desk is ergonomically correct. Avoid repeating patterns, such as crossing one knee over the other the same way every day.

“You are what you eat.”

You’ve probably heard that saying many times over the years. And while it may make sense as you read it, it probably doesn’t stick with you when it comes time to choosing something for dinner, or making selections at the grocery store.

When you head to the store, its hard to know where to begin. You might do what a lot of people do, and look at the nutrition facts listed on almost every food in the store. Nutrition facts are based off of a 2000 calorie diet, a standard used for energy requirements for the average person. So one of the easiest ways of looking for quality foods is to count calories. Yet with this type of eating, you’ll more than likely have a diet of empty calories, meaning you’ll still lack nourishment in the foods you need the most.

To properly read food labels:

Start with the serving size. If the serving size is extremely small, the manufacturer is simply trying to keep calories, total fats and proteins at a reasonable level. In order to accomplish this, they have to reduce the portion size to something unreasonable that the majority of people will never abide by.

Eat organically. Even though organic foods are more expensive, you will know you are eating quality foods. Organic means no pesticides or fungicides, no artificial hormones, and no chemical fertilizers.

Look at the list of ingredients. Can you read the ingredients? Or do you need a PhD to figure out how to say the words and figure out what they mean? Long, difficult words signify chemicals, preservatives and enhancements. Only choose foods that use pure, quality ingredients.

Look for whole grains. Whole grains come straight from the soil with as little processing as possible. If you take whole grains and plant them, they will produce more grain. However, if you eat flour or processed grains, they are lacking the vital components your body needs.

Avoid trans fats. While there is a push to avoid and eliminate trans fats from your diets, which makes more aware of the problem, there are still foods with high levels of trans fats. Trans fats are used to improve shelf life, and are strictly a convenience for the manufacturer. To avoid trans fats, do not buy or consume and food that has “partially hydrogenated” oil listed within the ingredients.

Look at sodium content. Sodium comes from salt, and is a natural preservative. And while sodium is needed to maintain blood volume and blood pressure, too much can have the reverse affects. Overall our diets are high in sodium due to the foods we eat every day. Look for ways to decrease it every chance you get.

Avoid all artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are manufactured, chemical in nature, and provide zero nutrition for the human body. Manufacturers play on our desire for sweets, and our yearning for weight loss to sell us on the benefits of artificial sweeteners. Don’t listen. Aspartame, the ingredient in artificial sweeteners, accounts for around 70 percent of all complaints filed to the FDA. Stay natural, and avoid artificial at all costs.

“Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates

When you suffer from back pain, you want relief as quickly as possible. While your physician may prescribe painkillers or advise you to take an over-the-counter medication, medicine may not always do the trick, nor may it be the best thing for you. Sometimes, you need to try other things to get relief from your back pain. Exercise is one of the most natural ways you can help ease your back pain. Through a series of stretching and other mild exercises, you can increase your flexibility and relieve your back pain.

Passive Stretches – these stretching exercises help keep your joints moving. Hold each stretch for about 20 seconds.

Back Stretch – Lie on the floor on your stomach. Using your arms, push the upper part of your body up, making a gentle curve of your back. Relax your stretch and repeat.

Hamstring Stretch – Lie on your back on the floor with both legs straight. Bend one of your legs at the knee into a comfortable position. Stretch your other leg up in the air above you. Take a towel and wrap it over your outstretched foot. Pull down on the foot with the towel as you push back with your leg. Relax and repeat.

Active Stretches – these stretches also encourage movement and stretching of the joints, but are a bit more strenuous.

Bridges – Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Holding your knees together and keeping your hands at your sides, tighten your buttocks and abdomen. Raise your hips up and lower them down slowly. Relax and repeat.

Leg Raises – Lie on your stomach on the floor. Keeping your arms at your sides, flex the muscles of one leg and raise the leg an inch or two off the floor. Lower the leg and repeat the exercise with the other leg.

When you suffer from pain, whether it is in your back, neck, joints or other parts of your body, one of the places you may not consider for treatment is the chiropractor. Chiropractors help alleviate pain by making simple adjustments to the bones in your body. They also use heat and cold therapy, as well as deep tissue massage, to provide pain relief. If you are considering seeking treatment from a chiropractor, the only thing stopping you may be the cost. Many people wonder if chiropractic care is covered by insurance.

While some chiropractic care offices may indeed accept certain types of insurance, there are many ways to pay for treatment. Chiropractors deal with this question all the time, and most are willing to talk to you about the many options available to you.

Start with a FSA, or flexible savings account. Many insurance programs today offer you the option of having a low cost insurance option, combined with a flexible savings account that you fund and use at your discretion. Once you have money in your account, you simply write checks to pay for medical expenses you deem necessary. If you talk with your chiropractor about a year long plan, you’ll quickly learn how much you’ll need over the coming year, and how much to budget into your account.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, many auto insurance policies will cover the cost of chiropractic services. They may provide you with a one time check for your medical expenses, or require updates along the way. Either way, you can have access to the medical treatment that is right for you.

Workers compensation may also budget in the need for a variety of services, including chiropractic. In order to verify treatment through your employer or supervisor, you may need documentation from your chiropractor. Then use your reimbursement to further your health benefits by seeing your chiropractor regularly.

And if you have no health insurance options, paying with cash or credit card still gives you the benefit of taking charge of your health instead of waiting for a crisis to occur. Talk with your chiropractor about savings options – you may be able to purchase monthly plans, or multiple visit discounts. It may be one of the most important investments you’ll ever make.