Best Sleeping Positions For Lower Back Pain
Houston Chiropractor Comments: When patients come in to my office in Houston, Texas they often comment that they have been having trouble sleeping due to the pain. Sometimes they have even moved to an uncomfortable location so that they do not disturb their spouse or partner.
Here is some helpful information.
For lower back pain, the best sleeping positions are on your side with a pillow between your knees or on your back with a pillow under your knees, both of which help align your spine and reduce pressure.
Side Sleeping with Support:
- Position:
Lie on your side, keeping your spine aligned by placing a pillow between your knees.
- Benefits:
This position helps to align the hips and reduce pressure on the lower back, maintaining the natural curvature of the spine.
- Additional Tips:
Use a pillow to support your head and neck and consider a full-length body pillow for added comfort.
Back Sleeping with Knee Support:
- Position:
Lie on your back with a pillow under your knees to support the natural curve of the spine.
- Benefits:
This position helps distribute weight evenly across the spinal column, reducing strain and pressure on specific areas.
- Additional Tips:
Try to keep both legs pointed in the same direction. Do not have one leg straight and the other bent at a large angle.
Other Considerations:
- Avoid Stomach Sleeping:
Generally, sleeping on your stomach is not recommended for individuals experiencing lower back pain.
- Reclined Position:
Sleeping in a reclined position can also help reduce pressure on the spine.
- Adjustable Beds:
Consider using an adjustable bed or wedges to achieve a reclined position.
- Mattress:
Ensure your mattress is providing adequate support and is not too soft. Typically, the firmer the mattress the better.
- Pillows:
Choose pillows that are appropriate for your sleeping position and provide adequate support for your head and neck.
- Consult a Doctor:
If you are experiencing persistent or severe lower back pain, consult with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) to rule out any underlying conditions and to determine the best course of treatment.
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!
Sciatic Relief With Chiropractic Treatment
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Chiropractic care can be a helpful approach to sciatica relief by focusing on spinal alignment and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve through techniques like spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- How Chiropractic Addresses Sciatica:
- Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors use spinal manipulations to restore proper alignment, which can help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and alleviate pain.
- Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques like massage and trigger point therapy can help relax tense muscles that may be contributing to sciatica pain.
- Exercises and Stretches: Chiropractors can recommend specific exercises and stretches to improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles that support the spine, further reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Decompression Therapy: In some cases, chiropractors may use spinal decompression techniques to relieve compression of the nerves causing sciatica pain.
- Pelvic Adjustments: Addressing misalignments in the pelvis can also help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sciatica:
- Reduced Pain: By addressing the underlying causes of sciatica, chiropractic care can help reduce pain and discomfort.
- Improved Mobility: Chiropractic treatments can help restore proper spinal movement and function, improving overall mobility.
- Long-Term Relief: By addressing the root causes of sciatica, chiropractic care can provide long-term relief and prevent future episodes.
- Other Sciatica Treatments:
- Rest and Time: In many cases, sciatica symptoms may resolve on their own with rest and time.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medications may be used to manage pain and inflammation.
- Injections: In some cases, steroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
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!
Back Pain Keeping You Up At Night?
Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Trouble sleeping is very bothersome. When it is due to back pain, it can affect all aspects of your life.
When patients come into our Houston, Texas office with back pain after not being able to get the proper rest, it can be worrisome. They are worried that it is something serious and hopeful that it requires a simple treatment. What I have found in my 36 years as a Doctor of Chiropractic is that it is usually somewhere in the middle.
Here’s a breakdown of potential causes and what to do:
Common Causes of Nighttime Back Pain:
- Poor Sleep Posture:
Sleeping in a position that doesn’t support your spine (e.g., on your stomach or with an overly arched back) can strain your back muscles and joints.
- Muscle Spasms:
Sudden, involuntary contractions of back muscles can cause sharp, painful spasms that are particularly noticeable at night.
- Herniated or Bulging Discs:
When the soft tissue in your spinal discs protrudes or bulges, it can compress nerves and cause pain, especially when lying down.
- Spinal Stenosis:
Narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and numbness.
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction:
Problems with the joint connecting your spine to your pelvis can cause pain that radiates to the lower back and hips.
- Facet Joint Dysfunction:
Problems with the small joints in the spine can cause pain and stiffness.
- Arthritis:
Conditions like osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cause chronic back pain, which may be worse at night.
- Sciatica:
Inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve can cause pain that travels down the leg, often worsening at night.
- Spinal Tumors:
While less common, spinal tumors can cause persistent, aching pain that is often worse at night.
- Spinal Infections:
Infections of the spine, like osteomyelitis, can cause severe back pain and fever.
- Compression Fractures:
Fractures of the vertebrae can cause pain and instability, especially when lying down.
- Other Medical Conditions:
Kidney stones, pregnancy, endometriosis, and certain cancers can also cause back pain.
When to Seek Chiropractic Advice:
- Severe or persistent pain: If your back pain is intense or doesn’t improve with self-care measures, seek chiropractic attention.
- Pain that wakes you up at night: Nighttime back pain can be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
- Numbness or weakness in your legs or feet: This could indicate nerve compression.
- Fever or chills: These could be signs of a spinal infection.
- Pain that is not relieved by rest or over-the-counter pain relievers: This could indicate a more serious problem.
Tips for Managing Nighttime Back Pain:
- Optimize your sleep position: Experiment with different pillows and mattresses to find what supports your spine best.
- Use heat or cold: Applying heat or cold packs to your back can help relieve muscle spasms and pain.
- Gentle stretching: Try some gentle back stretches before bed to loosen up your muscles. Check out our video – Lower Back Stretches
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Consult with a healthcare professional: If your back pain is severe or persistent, seek professional advice to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
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!
Heat or Ice? Which one do I use?
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: When people come into our office in Houston, TX, they want to know what they can do to help themselves get better. They also do not want to do anything that will make their problem worse.
Today we’re revisiting a topic we covered back in 2009, a simple guide to help you decide when to use ice and when to use heat:
Use Ice for Acute Injuries
Ice is typically used within the first 48 hours of an injury to reduce swelling and numb pain. It works by constricting blood vessels, which helps decrease inflammation. Common scenarios for applying ice include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Bruises
- Acute injuries with noticeable swelling
Apply ice for 20 minutes and off for 40 minutes. Always wrap the ice in a cloth or towel to prevent frostbite.
Use Heat for Chronic Conditions
Heat is beneficial for chronic conditions or injuries that have lingered without significant swelling. It helps relax and loosen tissues and stimulates blood flow to the area. Use heat for conditions such as:
- Muscle soreness
- Stiff joints
- Recurring back pain
- Arthritis
Apply heat for 20 minutes and take it off for at least 40 minutes. Be cautious not to use heat immediately after an acute injury as it can increase inflammation.
An easy way to judge your problem is that if you can touch a specific area and it hurts, it is probably acute. The pain is typically inflammation of a muscle, joint, or nerve. If you can touch a specific area and it hurts, use ice even if it has been more than 2 or 3 days.
When in doubt, always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for your specific injury.
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!
Benefits of Chiropractic Maintenance Care
Houston Chiropractor Comments: A common question that I get from patients after they complete their scheduled treatments for their injuries or complaints, is “What can I do to help prevent this from happening again?”
They have gone from having pain or limitations and now feel good. They are now looking for ways to make sure that they maintain all the gains that they received.
This is where maintenance care comes into the picture.
Chiropractic maintenance care comes in a couple of different ways.
The first part is doing specific stretches and exercises. While patients are under active care, we show specific stretches and exercises to help stabilize their problem areas. After patients are discharged from active care, we recommend a series of specific exercises and stretches to address other areas of weakness. This helps to allow the body to operate at its maximum potential.
The second aspect of maintenance is making sure that the patient is getting the proper rest and nutrition. The body needs the correct nutrition and opportunity to rebuild healthier than before.
The final aspect of maintenance care is finding a schedule of spinal adjustments to make sure that your body is staying in the optimal alignment. This will depend on a variety of different factors, including the patient’s overall health, lifestyle habits, and specific concerns.
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!chiroprac
10 Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Houston Chiropractor Comments: During the journey of pregnancy, the body undergoes many changes to help accommodate a growing baby and prepare for delivery. For some women, this can mean pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care during pregnancy doesn’t just benefit women who are experiencing pain. Prenatal chiropractic care is for all pregnant women looking for prenatal and postnatal benefits.
Here are 10 benefits of prenatal chiropractic care:
1. Relief From Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common complaints among pregnant women. Back pain is often caused by the loosening of joints and ligaments in preparation for delivery. Routine adjustments throughout pregnancy can help to relieve pain or injury caused by spinal instability, or loosened ligaments and joints.
2. Nausea Reduction
Some women who are plagued by extreme “morning sickness” and nausea during pregnancy can benefit greatly from chiropractic care. While some medications or diet changes can help to reduce nausea for some, a more holistic and complete option can be more effective or used as a complementary treatment. Chiropractors address nausea and vomiting by focusing on spinal realignment that helps to improve nervous system function for hormonal balance. Additionally, adjustments can help to improve digestive issues that are causing everything from nausea to constipation during pregnancy.
3. Improved Pelvic Balance
This one is important for mothers who are concerned about their babies staying in the breech position ahead of labor. There’s evidence that chiropractic care during pregnancy assists with maintaining pelvic balance that helps babies move more freely into the right pre-birth position. In one study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractors reported a success rate of 82 percent using the Webster Technique.
4. A Smoother, More Controlled Delivery
Many women who continue with chiropractic care throughout their pregnancies find that the birthing process is simply easier. We can attribute this to the way regular adjustments help to keep the hips, pelvis and spine in proper alignment. Additionally, properly functioning nerves may help women to control contractions more easily.
5. Injury Avoidance
Prenatal chiropractic care helps expectant mothers to stay flexible. This can help to reduce stress injuries that can occur as women adapt to their changing bodies. Let chiropractic care help you move in harmony with your changing body.
6. Posture Support
It’s important for pregnant women to avoid the “arching” of the back that commonly happens during pregnancy because this can lead to long-term back pain and injury. With chiropractic guidance, you’ll learn techniques for keeping a straight back.
7. Better Sleep
Improper sleep posture can lead to restlessness and pain during pregnancy. Unfortunately, that means that many women get less sleep during a time when they need it the most. With guidance from a prenatal chiropractor, pregnant women can learn techniques for good sleep posture.
8. A Healthier Pregnancy
For many women, chiropractic care’s benefits for reducing inflammation and supporting the immune system can lead to healthier pregnancies.
9. Faster Labor Recovery
Routine adjustments during pregnancy can put your body in a position to heal and bounce back quicker because you’re starting off with your body in proper balance.
10. Continued Wellness After Pregnancy
Women who seek chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy can continue to enjoy the benefits after delivery. Proper alignment can help new moms avoid injury when bending to lift a baby, holding a baby for long periods, pushing strollers and lifting car seats.
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!
How To Minimize Your Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: One of the most common things that our pregnant patients complain about is lower back pain. Most women notice anything between mild discomfort to severe pain as the pregnancy progresses.
As the child grows, the mother’s body changes shape. The extra weight being carried in the abdomen changes the posture of the mom. As the weight in the abdomen pulls the body forward, the shoulders tend to lean backwards to counteract this. Typically, the walking gait becomes a little wider also. Toward the end of the pregnancy, the body releases a hormone, Relaxin, which helps the ligaments to loosen and allow the pelvis to open for delivery.
All these things put an abnormal strain on the muscles used to support and stabilize the spine and pelvis.
The good news is that the literature supports the use of chiropractic care to help reduce these pains and discomforts without the need of drugs or bedrest.
In addition to reducing your pain, Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) can help you improve your posture, increase your flexibility, and prevent other complaints from occurring such as sciatica and hip pain.
There are also things that you, as an expectant mother, can do to help reduce your lower back pain. Avoid slouching or prolonged standing. Take more breaks and reduce any heavy lifting. Perform regular prenatal exercises and stretches. Wear pregnancy support belts to help properly distribute your additional weight and wear low heeled or flat shoes.
In our 35 years of practicing in the Clear Lake City area of Houston, we have greatly enjoyed helping our pregnant patients and working with the local OB/GYN’s and birthing professionals.
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!
New Year Resolutions
Houston Chiropractor Comments: It is that time of the year again. The start of a new year. This is the time of the year when people tend to make resolutions about what action steps they will take to reach their goals.
One of the most common resolutions involves their health. These resolutions typically involve losing weight, exercising more, eating better, or drinking less alcohol.
Here are some action steps that you can take to help you succeed in your resolutions.
First, make sure that you are getting enough GOOD sleep. Studies have shown that the best rest is in a cool, dark room in a bed with enough support. It is helpful to put away your phone or iPad before going to bed and to refrain from caffeine. A good night’s rest will help to lower your blood pressure and to reduce inflammation.
Second, is to resolve to stop using tobacco and to minimize your use of alcohol and caffeine. This will help you to reduce your stress level, help you sleep better and prevent consumption of empty calories.
Third is to reduce the amount of stress you have. Stress can increase the chance of a stroke or a heart attack. Take time to exercise, walk, talk to a friend, read a book or just practice meditation. All these things will help reduce your stress levels.
Fourth is to get a checkup from your chiropractor and other health care providers. These doctors can answer your health questions and give you important information. Your chiropractic doctor will make sure that your joints are properly aligned and that you are able to move to your full potential. Your other doctor can check your lab results to see if you need to change your diet or need medication management.
The final goal is to make sure that you are at your ideal weight. For most people this means losing weight. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, stroke, heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol or blood clots. Most people find greater success by focusing on lifestyle modification instead of just dieting. By eating healthily and exercising you can’t help but to lose weight. With a variety of apps and devices available, it helps to keep you focused on modifying your activities and caloric intake.
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 Sciatica Caused by Pregnancy
Houston Chiropractor Comments: Pregnancy is an amazing time in your life, but it also puts a lot of abnormal strains on your body. As your body grows, the weight puts additional pressure on unstable joints and muscles.
One of the more common complaints is sciatica. Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the legs. Some common symptoms include a burning sensation in the lower back and buttocks, pain traveling down the back of the leg, and numbness or weakness in the affected leg or foot. The pain typically worsens when you cough, sneeze, or sit for long periods of time. It can sometimes feel like a sudden jolt of pain like an electrical shock and can cause difficulty with walking, sitting, or standing.
Sciatica can occur at any point in the pregnancy, but it is more common in the third trimester. This is typically due to the extra weight that you are carrying changing your center of gravity and an increase in your body of the hormone relaxin.
Typically, patients have tried using ice, for the acute flare-ups, and heat, for the chronic or reoccurring pain. Other beneficial treatments include sleeping on your side, gentle movements such as walking or yoga, and getting a massage.
One of the best treatments is chiropractic. Chiropractors treat without medication, so that is a great benefit during your pregnancy for the safety of your infant. Chiropractic care is a safe way to help alleviate the additional pressure on the joints and nerves. In addition, chiropractic doctors can provide stretches and exercises to help minimize or prevent any reoccurrences.
In my 35 years of practice in the Clear Lake area of Houston, TX, we have developed great working relationships with several of the OB/Gyns in the area to help expectant moms have an enjoyable, pain free pregnancy. We look forward to helping you do the same.
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!
Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: I was recently talking to a patient, when they mentioned that they wished their brother could go to a chiropractor for his back pain. I found out that her brother had back surgery 5 years ago, and assumed that he could never get adjusted by a chiropractor again.
This, unfortunately, is a common misunderstanding of patients. People think that if they have ever had neck or back surgery, that they can not go to a doctor of chiropractic and get a spinal adjustment again.
The main thing to understand is it will depend on where and what type of spinal surgery you had to determine when and how can get adjusted again.
After practicing in the greater Houston area for 34 years, we have developed a great working relationship with several spinal surgeons. For a typical discectomy most surgeons will suggest that we wait 4-6 weeks before beginning chiropractic care. A spinal fusion will typically require waiting 4-9 months before receiving a chiropractic manipulation. If a patient received a spinal fusion cage or scoliosis rods, we do not adjust that specific area, but we can adjust the surrounding areas.
A recent study noted that 10% of patients receiving regular chiropractic treatment had at least one prior spinal surgery in the past. Patients With a History of Spine Surgery Receiving Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation in US Academic Health Centers: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study – PMC (nih.gov) As spine specialist, doctors of chiropractic are uniquely qualified to help with post-surgical rehabilitation and to help minimize a reoccurrence.
Chiropractic care after back surgery will help increase spinal motion, minimize joint adhesions, and help reduce any associated joint pain.
Just because you had neck or back surgery in the past, it does not mean that you cannot experience the pleasure of health by receiving chiropractic care now.
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!
