Washington Park Chiropractic

Read this article, found by Amanda Miller, LMT, for more information on this study from NaturalNews.com:

Is it conceivable that massage can provide more effective relief from low back pain than medication? A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests this therapy might indeed alleviate back pain better in the short term than traditional interventions of medicine, bed rest or exercise: Healthday reports.

The investigation conducted by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle involved 400 patients who had low back pain, the majority of which were middle aged, Caucasian and female. Researchers found those who were given a series of relaxation massage or structural massage were better able to work and be active than those who were given traditional medical care, such as pain pills, muscle relaxants or physical therapy.

According to The New York Times, the study’s participants were randomly divided into three groups: structural massage, relaxation massage and traditional care. Patients in the massage groups received one Read the rest of this entry →

By: Dr. Jake Simpson, DC

Sciatica is not an actual diagnosis but rather an underlying symptom of your problem.  True sciatica refers to sharp, shooting pain starting at your low back and going down your leg.  It is also one of the most common symptoms from patients in a chiropractic office.  Below are some of the most common causes of sciatica as well as some solutions to eliminate it.

A chiropractor will start by assessing several culprits of the symptom sciatica.  These culprits include but are not limited to:

• Herniated disc problems

• Spinal stenosis (narrowing)

• Facet joint problems

• Nerve entrapment/Piriformis Syndrome

• Presence of tumors, infection or metabolic complications

In most cases a chiropractor will evaluate and rule out sciatica caused by a bulging or herniated disc first.  Disc problems can (although more rare) lead Read the rest of this entry →

By: Dr. Lisa Goodman, DC

One of the best parts of summer is spending time making your yard beautiful.  Of course we all know that this can be physically demanding.  Every week in our practice we treat new patients who have a ‘gardening injury’.  Here are a few tips for preventing the most common injuries:

1. Weeding: Plan ahead.  Many people spot a rogue weed with the plan to pull just that one. . .and then it turns into a few hours of getting every last weed.  By planning ahead you can avoid terrible Read the rest of this entry →

By: Ashley Bennett, LMT

The low back is an area that many people have issues with.  If you think about the spine and what all it does, you realize the lumbar spine (low back) has the hardest job.  The lumbar spine has to support the majority of our organs with no help from any other bones; the soft tissue then lends a hand for support. 

The Anatomy of the Low Back:

This area has five main muscles/structures known as the guide wires (just like a bridge).  The muscles are quadratus lumborum(QL), rectus abdominus (6 pack muscle), psoas (hip flexor), transversus abdominus (part of the obliques), and finally the thoracolumbar aponeurosis(connective tissue on the lumbar spine).  If you imagine these structures working like the cables of the brooklyn bridge then you already understand that if one of these structures is not doing its job, the whole structure’s strength is compromised which can then affect the vertebrae and discs. 

How I can help:

As a massage therapist I will do a structural analysis to see where your body is holding your stress.  Once that is established, I can start releasing the hypertonic tissue.  The key is always balance.  Sometimes you feel the pain in your back but the problem can be in the front.    Read the rest of this entry →

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