Category: Chiropractic

When Should You Use Ice vs Heat?

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: Over my 36 years of practicing in Houston Texas, this is one of the most asked questions from my patients. There is a lot of misinformation and generalizations.

Use ice for acute, new injuries and swelling (typically, but not always, within the first 48 to 72 hours) to constrict blood vessels and numb pain, and use heat for chronic aches, tight muscles, and joint stiffness after initial inflammation has subsided to increase blood circulation and relax tissues.

When to Use Ice (Cold Therapy)

• Acute injuries like a newly sprained ankle, strained muscle, or a bump/bruise
• Visibly swollen, hot, or red areas
• Overuse soreness immediately following intense exercise or a sports impact
• Gout flare-ups or acute tendonitis pain
• If you can point to a specific area and it hurts (even if it is over 72 hours) there is inflammation of a muscle, joint or nerve

When to Use Heat (Thermotherapy)

• Chronic conditions or injuries lasting longer than four weeks
• General muscle stiffness, tension headaches, and muscle cramps
• Lingering low back aches or persistent muscle knots
• Joint stiffness from osteoarthritis (applied before activity or stretching)

Safe Application Guidelines

• Time limits: Limit both ice and heat sessions to 20 minutes at a time.
• Skin protection: Always place a protective barrier—such as a towel or cloth—between your skin and the ice pack or heating source to prevent tissue damage or burns.
• Rest intervals: Wait at least 40 minutes before reapplying either therapy.
• Pre/Post-workout: Use heat before activity to loosen stiff muscles, and ice afterward if swelling or inflammation develops.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

What Is An Extremity Adjustment?

Houston Chiropractor Comments: It is widely accepted that a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is the best healthcare professional to adjust, manipulate or mobilize a spinal joint. Chiropractic doctor’s perform over 1 million spinal adjustments a day with exceptional results. What most people do not know is that DC’s also perform extremity adjustments.

An extremity adjustment is a specialized chiropractic treatment that applies a quick, controlled force or precise manual pressure to joints outside of the spinal column—such as the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Just like the vertebrae in the back, the joints in the limbs can become restricted, fixed, or suffer from subtle mechanical dysfunction due to trauma, repetitive motion, or poor posture. The primary goal is to restore normal range of motion, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve overall body mechanics.

Common Areas and Conditions Treated

Benefits of Extremity Adjusting

• Pain Relief: Eases acute or chronic discomfort directly at the site of the restricted joint.
• Restored Mobility: Increases flexibility and overall range of motion (ROM) in the arms and legs.
• Corrects Compensation: Prevents a dysfunctional limb joint from forcing the spine or opposite side of the body to overcompensate and develop secondary pain.
• Improved Balance: Optimizes gait and weight distribution, particularly when adjusting the complex joints of the feet and ankles. 

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

What Is The Best Sleeping Position For Your Back?

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: After people have experienced back or neck pain, they typically want to know what they can do to prevent it in the future.

The absolute best sleeping position for your back is lying flat on your back (the supine position)with a medium-height pillow under your head and neck and an extra pillow placed underneath your knees. This configuration evenly distributes your body weight, reduces stress on your internal pressure points, and maintains the natural, neutral curve of your spine.

How to Optimize Back Sleeping

• Head and Neck Support: Use a pillow that cradles your head and fills the space behind your neck without pushing your chin toward your chest. 
• Knee Support: Place a pillow directly under your knees to “unlock” your hip flexors and prevent your lower back from arching excessively into the mattress.
• Lumbar Roll: Add a small, rolled-up towel under your waist if you notice a gap between your lower back and the bed surface. 
• Arm Placement: Keep your arms relaxed at your sides or resting loosely across your stomach rather than raised over your head.

Alternative Positions If Back Sleeping Isn’t Comfortable

• Side Sleeping with Support: Lie on your side with your legs slightly bent and place a firm pillow between your knees to keep your hips, pelvis, and spine aligned. 
• Fetal Position: Draw your knees up gently toward your chest (without curling too tightly) if you suffer from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, as this helps open up space between your vertebrae.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Chiropractic Treatment vs. Physical Therapy

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Both professions work to help patients with spine and skeletal complaints, so what are the differences. This is a question that I get from patients in my practice in the Clear Lake area of Houston, TX. Sometimes they have seen me, Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) for their back and neck problems, and they saw a physical therapist (PT) for rehab after a surgery, and they noticed that some of the treatment looks similar.

Chiropractic care focuses on spinal alignment and joint adjustments for correction of the cause of the problem and pain relief, while physical therapy emphasizes movement, strength, and rehabilitation through exercise and functional training.

Core Differences

Chiropractic Care:
Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) primarily address musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders, with a strong focus on the spine. They have the training to diagnose problems and begin treatment without the need of a referral. Their main treatment involves manual spinal adjustments or joint manipulations to improve alignment, reduce pain, and enhance nervous system function. Chiropractors may also provide guidance on posture, movement, injury prevention, and patient education to address the root causes of pain or dysfunction. Sessions often aim for immediate symptom relief, and treatment may include physical modalities to help decrease pain and improve function.

Physical Therapy:
Physical therapists focus on restoring movement, strength, flexibility, and overall function. PT’s typically require a referral from a doctor (MD, DO, or DC) to begin care. PT can involve personalized exercise programs or follow a physicians protocol of therapy. The goal is to promote recovery, improve mobility, and help patients recover from their surgeries or injuries. PT is often recommended after injuries, surgeries, or for chronic conditions, emphasizing rehabilitation and prevention of future injuries.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

What Actually Happens During A Chiropractic Adjustment?

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Chiropractic is still a mystery to a lot of people. In my Houston, Texas office I have patients that have obtained complete relief of their pain ask me “What actually happened to my body?”

Chiropractic adjustments (or spinal manipulation) restore proper movement to restricted joints using controlled, rapid force. This technique releases muscle tension, relieves nerve irritation, and stimulates the central nervous system to reduce pain. 

The underlying mechanisms include:

• Restoring Joint Mobility: Joints can become “stuck” due to posture, injury, or repetitive strain, leading to inflammation. Adjustments stretch the surrounding muscles and tissues to lubricate and mobilize the joint. 
• Releasing Gas (Cavitation): The “popping” sound often heard during an adjustment is caused by a rapid pressure change inside the joint capsule, which releases tiny bubbles of nitrogen gas. 
• Nervous System Reset: Stretching the joint stimulates nerve receptors that communicate with the brain, helping to relax surrounding muscles, release endorphins (natural pain relievers), and relieve pressure on irritated nerves.

Chiropractic care is not a mystery, it is just a matter of improving the joints, muscles and nerves so that the body can experience the pleasure of health.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

If I See A Chiropractor Do I Have To Keep Going Forever?

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: I am always surprised when I talk to people in public and they find out that I am a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and they say that they want to try chiropractic care, but they heard that once they start care they have to get adjusted forever. In my Clear Lake City, TX practice, this has not been the case for the 36 years that we have been open.

No, you do not have to keep going forever. Your treatment duration depends entirely on your personal goals and the specific condition being treated. Many patients undergo a short series of treatments to heal an acute injury and stop, while others choose periodic, voluntary wellness care.

Understanding the phases of care helps break down the myth of the “forever” commitment:

• Acute Phase: This involves the initial treatment (sometimes 2 to 3 times a week) to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. 
• Corrective Phase: Once pain subsides, visit frequency drops as the focus shifts to restoring mobility, correcting posture, and building strength.
• Maintenance (Wellness) Phase: This is entirely optional. Like getting a routine dental cleaning or a massage, some people choose to return once every few weeks to prevent old issues from returning and manage daily wear-and-tear.

You have complete control over your healthcare decisions and can pause or stop treatment at any time. Some patients continue with maintenance care since they find out that they need less medication and can perform all of their daily activities without pain or discomfort.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

5 Things That You Did Not Know About Chiropractic

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: When talking to my patients in my Clear Lake, Texas office about Chiropractic, I realize that most patients only know that we can help their condition. Women getting treated for headaches did not know that we could treat their husbands’ low back pain. Patients being treated for an auto accident did not know that we could help their daughters’ soccer injury. 

While many associate chiropractic care solely with back and neck pain, the field is deeply rooted in overall nervous system health and preventative care. The discipline offers a wide variety of surprising benefits and practices that go far beyond basic joint adjustments. 

More Than Just the Spine
Chiropractors do not only treat back pain. They are trained to evaluate and treat extremity issues, including joint pain in the shoulders, elbows, hips, and ankles. They also frequently address temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, sciatica, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The “Cracking” Sound is Just Gas
The popping or cracking noise (known as cavitation) often heard during an adjustment is not bones grinding or rubbing. It is simply gas (nitrogen and carbon dioxide) being released from the joint capsule as the pressure inside the joint changes. Furthermore, chiropractors use dozens of methods, some of which are entirely silent and rely on gentle, low-force movements.

Elite Athletes Use It for Performance
Chiropractic care is a major component of sports medicine and athletic performance. In fact, all 32 NFL teams and the majority of professional sports teams employ chiropractors. Athletes such as Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, and Tiger Woods utilize these treatments to improve body mechanics, speed up recovery, and prevent injuries.

Extensive Clinical Education
Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) undergo rigorous doctoral-level training similar to medical doctors (MDs). The program typically requires over 4,200 hours of combined classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. Their extensive curriculum heavily features anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, diagnostic imaging, and nutritional counseling.

Care Extends to All Ages
Chiropractic care is highly adaptable and safe for individuals at every stage of life. We gently treat infants and children to help with musculoskeletal issues from birth, while adults and seniors use the care to improve balance, increase range of motion, and reduce age-related joint degeneration.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Benefits

Houston Chiropractor Comments: One of the highlights of practicing chiropractic in Houston, Texas has been helping hundreds of pregnant women during their pregnancy. Sometimes it is helping reduce their pain and discomfort so that they can remain active, sometimes it is helping with severe back pain or sciatica and sometimes it is helping to turn a breech baby to prevent the need of a C-section.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy supports the body’s natural biomechanical changes, offering relief from common aches, promoting optimal fetal positioning, and preparing the pelvis for a smoother labor and delivery.

Specific benefits and techniques include:

• Pain & Discomfort Relief: Alleviates musculoskeletal strain such as lower back, neck, and pelvic girdle pain caused by a shifting center of gravity and weight gain.
• Pelvic Balance: Adjustments help keep the pelvis and hips properly aligned, which provides more room for the baby to grow and turn naturally, reducing the risk of breech positioning.
• Shorter Labor Times: Proper alignment can lead to faster, more efficient deliveries by reducing intrauterine constraint. Studies show that first-time mothers who receive care may experience up to 25% shorter labor times.
• The Webster Technique: A specialized chiropractic analysis and adjustment often used during pregnancy to balance the pelvis, release tight ligaments, and reduce stress on the uterus.
• Nausea & Posture Support: Many patients report reduced pregnancy nausea and better overall posture, which aids in better sleep and easier postpartum recovery.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Chiropractic Treatment of Swimming Injuries

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: As we approach the end of school, thoughts now turn to summer activities. One of the most popular activities here in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas is swimming. People swim at the beach, in the lakes and most commonly in pools. 

Chiropractic care treats swimming injuries through targeted adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and rehabilitation exercises. It is highly effective for overuse conditions like “swimmer’s shoulder,” lower back strain, and knee pain by restoring joint alignment, correcting muscle imbalances, and improving your overall swim mechanics. 

How Chiropractors Treat Common Swim Injuries

• Swimmer’s Shoulder: Repetitive overhead strokes often cause rotator cuff impingement. Chiropractors use adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and targeted strengthening to stabilize the shoulder and correct faulty muscle activation.
• Lower Back Pain: Caused by excessive lumbar extension and poor core engagement (especially in butterfly and breaststroke). Chiropractic spine adjustments and core stability exercises restore proper spinal alignment.
• Neck Strain: Repeatedly turning the head to breathe strains the cervical spine. Gentle manipulations ease tension, realign the neck, and promote postural training.
• Knee Pain: Common in breaststrokers due to the unique, repetitive “frog kick” mechanics. Joint mobilizations and neuromuscular training alleviate tension in the hip and knee joints.

Key Treatment Modalities Used

• Spinal and Extremity Adjustments: Optimizes joint function and reduces physical stress on the body.
• Soft Tissue Mobilization: Utilizes techniques like TFT, IASTM, and cupping to break down scar tissue and relieve muscle adhesions.
• Therapeutic Exercises: Tailored stretches and strength training rebuild mobility and prevent the injury from returning. 

Benefits for Swimmers

Visiting a chiropractor who specializes in chiropractic orthopedics helps you heal faster, maintain vital shoulder and spine mobility, and avoid the common pitfall of “working through the pain”. Addressing biomechanical inefficiencies can also naturally boost your propulsion and stroke efficiency.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!