Washington Park Chiropractic

 By: Ashley Bennett, LMT

      Shin splints is a common injury/issue within the running community.  It occurs primarily because of a muscle imbalance.  The calf muscles are stronger than the muscles in the front of the shin.  The problem comes when the tibialis anterior (front shin muscle) starts to pull away from the bone.  This creates pain along the bone and if not treated can create stress fractures in the tibia. 

Treatment:

     The best thing to do for shin splints is rest and treat the problem.  There are many ways our office can treat shin splints.  From a massage perspective, we would loosen up the calf and bring the tibialis anterior back onto the bone.  Graston and acupuncture are also great techniques to help alleviate the pain. 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 →

By: Ashley Bennett, LMT

This is normally the time of the year we reflect on our health and personal improvements. This is also when there is a huge influx of people in the gyms.  Sometimes when I am at the gym and I see the amount of people I think of ways to get out of there as quickly as possible to avoid the crowd.  One thing I never skip on is stretching.  Stretching should be an integral part of your daily routine.

Benefits of Stretching:

• Stretching increases flexibility. Flexible muscles can improve your daily performance. Tasks such as lifting packages, bending to tie your shoes or hurrying to catch a bus become easier and less tiring.
• Stretching improves range of motion of your joints. Good range of motion keeps you in better balance, which will help keep you mobile and less prone to falls — and the related injuries — especially as you age. When your body loses full range of motion the femur (thigh bone) is not moving any fluid around in the socket so the rest of the joint is not getting the full amount of nutrients needed to keep the cartilage healthy.  
• Stretching improves circulation. Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles. Improved circulation can speed recovery after muscle injuries.
• Stretching can relieve stress. Stretching relaxes the tense muscles that often accompany stress.

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By: Amanda Miller, LMT

This summer, I made the decision to get myself in a regular workout routine, doing cardio five days a week and strength training the other two.  I was feeling good and enjoying exercise for the first time in years.  Unfortunately, I broke my shoulder in August, which brought my workouts to a quick stop.  As I began to heal, I replaced my workout sessions with physical therapy sessions and quickly realized how much strength and mobility I lost in such a short amount of time.  I recently read an article about flexibility and stretching and how it relates to overall health, and I’d like to share some of the things I found so interesting.

Why does flexibility matter?

Although countless studies have shown how beneficial exercise is for the body and mind (it can do everything from reducing the risk of some cancers to helping to improve memory), less attention has been paid to flexibility.  But doctors and physical therapists agree that it’s a vital part of keeping your body fit and able.  Flexibility can help your body reach its optimum fitness level, may play a role in injury prevention, and can even help stave off conditions like arthritis and more serious illness.

How does it all work?

When you stretch a muscle, you lengthen the tendons, or muscle fibers, that attach it to the bone.  The longer these fibers are, the more you can increase the muscle in size when you do strength training.  Read the rest of this entry →

By: Jocelyn Leidenfrost

I was lucky enough to have decent financial support from my parents through high school and college, but once I graduated DU and entered the ‘real world’ I was cut off and on my own.  There are many things that I chose to give up to be financially responsible but one thing that I refused to give up were my yoga classes.  Luckily my studio offers free, unlimited yoga for trade so I began to clean my studio for two hours a week in order to keep up with my practice.  I began practicing yoga about four years ago at the Ritchie center and switched over to a local studio so that I could try Hot Yoga and also practice more frequently.  I have fallen in love with it ever since and absolutely believe in all of the benefits it brings to your life.  In case you are looking for anything to spice up your workout routine, consider starting yoga.  If you are interested, I will let you in on what I like most about yoga…

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By: Amanda Miller

When I first became interested in practicing massage, I never dreamed that my passion for bodywork, health and healing would take me around the world.  In 2005 I traveled to Asia hoping to deepen my knowledge and understanding of a style of bodywork known as Thai Massage.  I wanted to immerse myself in Thai culture, and try to understand the roots of this Eastern healing art, and what better place to start than Thailand?  I spent my time in Thailand studying yoga, receiving Thai massage, studying Buddhist philosophy and meditation at a wat (Buddhist temple) in the forest, laughing, taking cooking classes at an organic farm, hanging out with baby elephants, traveling around the country, studying Thai massage and taking everything in with open eyes and an open heart.  My time and experiences in Thailand changed how I feel about bodywork, renewed my passion for massage, and really impacted my life in a way I never dreamed while I was sitting in Denver planning my trip.

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage, also known as Thai-Yoga massage, is an ancient healing art with origins in Ayurvedic medicine, Yoga and Buddhism.  Thai massage uses a combination of deep stretching, gentle rocking and kneading, direct pressure, twisting and energy balancing to open the body, lengthen the muscles and quiet the mind. 

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By: Dr. Lisa Goodman, DC

Yesterday my husband and I spent about 6 hours cleaning out the garage!  Oh what fun.  Yes, we went from barely being able to fit the stroller in, to being able to fit a car in there!  What a great feeling.  But I was SORE when we were finished.  Yes, I followed the ergonomic advice I give out daily:

1. Lift with your legs

2. Sit or squat when sifting through boxes rather than bending over

3. Take regular breaks and walk around

4. Stay Hydrated

5. Make the husband do most of the heavy lfiting (I especially like that one!)

But alas, sometimes lower back pain is just going to happen.  In fact, that is a question I get often, “why did this happen?”  The best answer I have is that when we stress the body in a way it isn’t used to for a longer period of time, you will feel it.  The body also really doesn’t like awkard motion, this most often occurs with reaching, twisting or lifting in ways you aren’t used to.

Read the rest of this entry →