It's just how it works — you get hurt, but relief is not there when you need it. Whether it's a sprain or sore muscles from a workout, locating an ice pack so you can apply it quickly can be a challenge if you're not at home. That's where Biofreeze can be of help — it's a pain relieving analgesic that provides the same effect as ice, in a convenient, portable form.
Biofreeze is useful for treating not only sprains and sore muscles, but also arthritis and other types of joint pain. It comes in gel, spray or roll-on form, and is a type of cryotherapy (cold therapy). Its active ingredient is menthol (from the mint family of plants), which causes your brain to interpret the nerve signals being sent as a sensation of cold, triggering a reduction in inflammation. The cold therapy of Biofreeze works by causing ligand molecules to attach themselves to your nerve’s cold receptors, which effectively helps to numb the area, interfering with pain signals traveling to the brain. The menthol in Biofreeze also induces vasodilation, which increases blood flow to the injured area, allowing cellular waste products to be swept away more efficiently and for healing oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the cells. Besides menthol, Biofreeze contains other herbal ingredients including Ilex Paraguariensis (also known as Yerba mate, a plant native to South America with antioxidant properties), Arnica, Calendula, Aloe, Boswellia, Green Tea, Burdock, Lemon Balm, and vitamin E. All of these natural ingredients have been used for centuries to treat tissue injuries such as bruises, sprains, and strains. Camphor, another ingredient in Biofreeze, has both numbing and antiseptic properties. How do you use Biofreeze? You can massage Biofreeze gel into your skin (or apply it with the roll-on or spray) up to four times a day. It can also be useful for any therapy, such as chiropractic care or physical therapy. When applied ahead of time, Biofreeze can help relieve the pain that would have interfered with you getting the most out of your treatment. Biofreeze is available for purchase at our chiropractic office in Eugene. Next time you're in to see us, ask about getting some to help with your healing.
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If you're waking up with neck pain in the morning, chances are you're not getting the support you need from your pillow. If you've been in our office lately, you may have noticed the product display in our front lobby. In this display are pillows — contour pillows to be more exact. If you're tired of the pain, it's time to give one a try. Here are 4 reasons why...
1. Contour pillows help keep the neck and back correctly aligned. Proper body alignment is essential for warding off muscle pain and relieving muscle tension headaches. Without a contour pillow, you may sleep at an odd angle, creating or making existing pain worse. By placing a contour pillow under your neck, you maintain proper alignment. 2. Contour pillows retain their shape. Traditional pillows work fine at first, but then they flatten out and stop providing support for the head and neck. If you've ever woken at night to re-puff or re-fluff your pillows, you know what we mean. Contour pillows are made from memory foam, which has chemical properties that allow it to mold to your body. After you get up, the pillow returns to its original shape. This means that a contour pillow will provide consistent support and help prevent neck pain. 3. Contour pillows reduce snoring and can improve the symptoms of sleep apnea. Some people snore because their airways become partially obstructed while sleeping. This obstruction is especially prevalent in people who sleep on their backs. Raising the head slightly, with a contour pillow, may prevent partial obstruction of the airway, which reduces snoring and may help prevent the episodes of interrupted breathing that occur in people with sleep apnea. 4. Contour pillows reduce pressure on the joints. Pressure on the joints is one of the primary causes of soreness and stiffness upon waking. When joints are stiff or sore, you may have a hard time getting out of bed or starting your day. Contour pillows cushion the joints, reducing the likelihood of soreness and stiffness. Which way do you sleep on a contour pillow? Place the flat side of your pillow down and orient the pillow with the larger of the two curves toward the foot of your bed. This placement will provide maximum support for your head and neck, regardless of whether you sleep on your side or your back. Settle into your pillow and let your head sink in. It will feel different at first, but you'll get used to it soon enough. If you are experiencing neck pain, we encourage you to see us for an evaluation, and we'll discuss options for pillows, treatments, etc. so you can get relief and start feeling better. Call us at Pure Life Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment. 541-343-5633 Winter can cause challenges when it comes to maintaining your fitness routine. Between the onslaught of rain, slip and fall hazards, and colder temperatures, your usual outdoor routines can be challenging at best. But if you don’t want to join a gym, there are multiple ways to still get a good workout in the comfort of your home. Here are a few easy-to-adapt exercises to keep you moving.
Arms Exercises
Core Exercises
Legs Exercises
Even if it may not seem like much at the time, the cumulative benefit of daily movement can yield great returns for your body. Between reduced stress, increased flexibility, and overall health gains, your body will thank you. And, if you really want to treat your body, consider scheduling a massage. Massage is an excellent complement to any fitness routine as it helps work out tightness in the muscles that can hamper your movement. Schedule an appointment today with one of our fantastic therapists. 541-343-5633 We've all experienced a slip and fall accident. They're a part of life and sometimes impossible to avoid. But, as frequent as slip and fall accidents occur, there is a disconnect when it comes to seeking treatment. People tend to downplay the significance of the trauma, assuming the pain will go away and that it's no big deal. However, the injury could be more severe than you think and getting checked when the injury occurs helps prevent future issues.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents:
Treatment Options: Treatment options vary depending on the type of injury sustained from a slip and fall accident. Chiropractic care, especially when coupled with x-rays, can be beneficial to address any subluxations resulting from the accident. Treatment from other medical professionals may also be helpful if the injuries are more severe. Soft tissue injuries are not visible which can make treatment more difficult to determine. These types of injuries could include minor ankle and wrist sprains to devastating tears in tendons and ligaments. Chiropractic care coupled with massage therapy or physical therapy may be the best route. If you hit your head, it's important to seek medical care. Even if you thought it was just a little bump, a minor head injury could quickly turn into a medical emergency. If there is swelling, bleeding, or even a brief loss of consciousness you may have a concussion. Minor concussions usually clear up on their own, but more serious brain injuries can permanently alter your ability to function. Head injuries cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, and some very serious head injuries produce only minimal symptoms at first. No matter how inconvenient it is or how “fine” you feel, your first stop after a head injury should be to your doctor. New technology is available that enables a physician to determine the degree of brain injury more precisely than ever before. If your slip and fall accident causes cuts and abrasions, they can look quite severe, but typically these injuries are often less worrisome. Leg and arm abrasions are common, as are wounds to the head and hips. In most cases, these injuries only require superficial treatment, and perhaps some stitches. Seeking treatment from your primary care doctor could be beneficial as well as a visit to your chiropractor. Not as often as other injuries, but sometimes spinal cord injuries during a slip and fall accident. But when they do occur, these injuries are almost always life-threatening and demand immediate medical care, as well as ongoing treatment. You'll want to see your physician as soon as possible. After a determination that there is no further risk to the spinal cord, treatment with a chiropractor can help align the spine so the muscles and vertebrae don't move back into a position where damage can occur. Lastly, broken bones can result from a slip and fall accident and can be quite painful. Whether you sustain a minor fracture or a severe break requiring surgery, the tissue surrounding the broken bone(s) may also be damaged, necessitating long-term therapy to prevent chronic pain and neuromuscular dysfunction. After seeking a diagnosis from your physician and x-rays, a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and massage therapy can get you back to feeling better. If you suffer a slip and fall accident in Eugene, Oregon, please give our office a call. The doctors at Pure Life Chiropractic can help assess and provide treatment to get you back to feeling better. Call us today! 541-343-5633 Stabilizing your shoulders are a group of muscles commonly known as the rotator cuff. As we age, it is possible for these muscles to become strained and cause pain. Additionally, falling or other traumas to the shoulder can cause injury to the area. Winter is a time of year when this type of injury can occur more frequently. From snow sports such as snowboarding to something as simple as slipping on ice, it is vital to recognize when you may have an injury to your rotator cuff. If you suspect injury, follow these tips to help treat the pain.
RICE and Anti-inflammatory medication Rest — Give your shoulder a break. Try to limit activities that require you to use the injured shoulder for a couple of days. Ice — Apply ice to the injured area to reduce inflammation. Compress — Apply a compress to control swelling. Elevate — Do your best to elevate the area above the level of your heart. Take over the counter anti-inflammatory medication (as needed), such as ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and pain. Stretches/Exercises Pendulum Swings — Bend at your waist using a table for support. Let the injured arm hang freely. Begin swinging your injured arm in a circular direction from one foot to the other. After about 5 minutes switch directions. Again bend at your waist using a table for support. Swing the injured arm from front to back ensuring that you are limiting resistance. Do this for 5 minutes. Doorway Stretch — Standing in a doorway, place one hand on each side of the opening. Slowly lean forward into the opening shifting your weight to your toes. Once you start to feel a light stretch, stop to avoid over stretching. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times. Cross-arm Stretch — Standing with good posture and your shoulders relaxed, pull one arm across your chest as far as you can and hold for around 30 seconds. Repeat the stretch on the opposite side. Do this stretch 2-3 times. If your pain continues to worsen or does not go away, make sure to give us a call. The trained staff in our Eugene chiropractic office can evaluate your injury and create a plan to alleviate your pain. 541-343-5633 Running is one of the most common ways to stay active, especially with the miles of trails surrounding Eugene. In our neck of the woods, it is hard to resist the urge to get outside and take advantage of the scenery on a nice long run. Unfortunately, running can take a toll on the body and cause injury. Here is a breakdown of three of the most common running injuries and how to treat them.
Plantar Fasciitis Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of muscles on the bottom of the foot. The first signs of this are a burning and painful sensation on the bottom of the foot, typically near the heal. It is important to rest and avoid running while you are experiencing pain. Ice and elevate the foot to reduce inflammation. Once you feel the pain is gone, it is important to wear good shoes and try an insert that helps reduce the impact on the strained muscles. In addition, stretching the muscles that are causing the problem is another way to prevent recurring incidents. Shin Splints Shin splints, like plantar fasciitis, are caused by the heavy use of muscles and tendons during running. Like its name suggests the pain experienced is in the lower legs. Often this occurs when one changes the amount of stress they are placing on the muscles. For instance, if you recently increased the distance you run, you may experience shin splints. Similar to other muscle injuries, it is important to reduce the inflammation with ice, elevation, and rest. Easing into a new routine along with gear that reduces impact can help to prevent this type of injury. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runners Knee) Patellofemoral pain syndrome or “runners knee” is caused by the irritation of the cartilage under the kneecap. Symptoms include pain on top of or behind the kneecap and can be exacerbated by squatting and stairs. Again, rest, ice, and elevation are in order. Also, it is crucial to strengthen and align muscles in the hips and quads to ensure proper rotation of the femur to prevent further irritation of the cartilage. These injuries are just three of the most common injuries faced by runners. The impact of the activity can cause a variety of different ailments, and it is important to recognize when it is time to take a break. If the pain from one of these injuries does not go away on its own after trying the methods mentioned in this article, call Pure Life Chiropractic today. Some injuries are worse than others, and our experienced staff is trained to help you recover and become stronger than ever. 541-343-5633 According to data gathered by Flurry Analytics, the average US consumer is spending five hours per day on their mobile devices. That’s five hours per day hunched over a screen, increasing the load that your neck must support. This strain, over time, can lead to significant pain in your neck and a long list of possible medical complications. With good posture, the human neck is designed to support the weight of your head which, on average, weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. Studies show that looking at our phones can shift the head forward and down, in turn increasing the amount of weight that the neck must support up to 60 pounds or more. It is critical to realize the potential impact that this habitual increase of pressure on our necks can have so we can make change for the better.
Here are some tips to reduce and prevent the pain caused by increased time spent looking at mobile devices. Retrain yourself. We are so used to looking down at our devices. Start training yourself to hold your device at eye level to reduce the potential health complications of using mobile devices. Stretch. Posture correcting stretches will prove tremendously effective at reducing the pain caused by misalignment. Here is a link to a video that shows an example of one such stretch. Take a break. Other behaviors such as reading don’t seem to have as much of an effect on the spine. Why? The answer is simple; when reading, it is common to look and move around frequently. Taking breaks and being mindful of how long you have been looking down will help reduce the chances of long-term problems. Exercise. Like stretching, it is important to do exercises that will help improve posture. Especially important are exercises that improve core and shoulder strength. This article provides examples of posture-improving exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. These tips should help you develop strategies to limit the pain and long-term complications caused by mobile device usage. In addition to these tips, visit us at Pure Life Chiropractic, located in downtown Eugene! We can help by crafting personal care plans to improve posture and return your body to its natural alignment. Call to schedule your appointment today: 541-343-5633. Let’s face it, we have all been there, the alarm clock is buzzing, and as you reach to turn it off, you suddenly feel as stiff as the Tin Man before he gets oiled. As you sluggishly move about preparing for the day ahead, you wish that you could find some relief. You may also start to wonder why this happens and what you can do to prevent it. Luckily, there are some known causes of this morning struggle. Armed with an understanding of why morning stiffness occurs, you can develop a preventative game plan.
Causes According to research done by scientists in the UK, a protein called cryptochrome reduces inflammation and is released according to our bodies circadian rhythm. When we sleep the protein is not released, thereby increasing inflammation which may lead to stiffness and pain. In addition, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and stress may all contribute to this morning obstacle. Follow these five tips to help to get moving quicker in the morning. Get quality sleep. Try to ensure that you are getting the best possible sleep you can get. Sleep is how our bodies recover from the stresses of the day before. Make sure to maintain a regular sleep schedule and create a bedtime routine that is free of electronic screens. Make sure the place you sleep is peaceful, free of clutter, and comfortable. Develop healthy eating habits. Eating the wrong foods before bed can be a nightmare. Foods that are spicy or heavily acidic often keep you up with heartburn. Also, keeping a healthy diet helps to maintain a healthy weight and can help reduce the risk of developing complications like sleep apnea. Make sure to drink enough water to reduce the effects of dehydration which can make recovery during sleep even harder. Exercise. Like a healthy diet, exercise is important to maintain overall health and to prevent health complications that may interfere with a good night’s sleep. If you don’t have a workout plan already, try starting out by walking 20-30 minutes per day and gradually intensifying your workout. Manage stress. It is hard to get good sleep if you are tossing and turning, thinking about all the stresses of life. Try mindfulness practices such as meditation to help reduce the effects that the day’s events have on your mind while you try to sleep. You might even find that getting better sleep will help in dealing with stress in the first place. Stretch before getting out of bed. One of the first things you should do before getting out of bed is simple stretching. Stretching loosens everything up and promotes circulation which can help reduce pain caused by inflammation. Following these five tips should help in the fight against morning stiffness. If it seems like you just cannot win the battle, see our team at Pure Life Chiropractic! We will help to develop a personalized plan to get you moving. Playing sports is a great way to stay or get in shape, reduce stress, and make friends. But, an early-season injury can land you on the sidelines. If you want to enjoy the season to the fullest, take these five tips to heart and put them in practice.
Tip #1: Wear the appropriate protective gear for your sport. This seems simple enough, but surprisingly enough, lots of folks take shortcuts when it comes to equipment. Make sure you have all the required gear and that it fits properly. When in doubt, seek help at your local sports store and get fitted. This piece of advice is particularly important for kids who grow at a rapid pace. Last year's gear is not likely going to fit. Tip #2: Be sure to warm up and cool down. Our bodies need time to transition from one activity to the next. If you jump into a high-gear practice without any warm up, you're more likely to tear, strain, or injure your muscles and joints. Take five minutes to do a light jog and then another five minutes to do some simple stretches, just to get everything loosened up. When practice, or a game for that matter, is over, a cool down is equally important. Another five-minute jog will help to calm your muscles down. Tip #3: Know the rules of the game. Just as you study the rules of the road before taking your driver's test, you should study up about your sport, so you know what you're getting into and what will be expected of your body. Also, this will help you from accidentally injuring someone else by being in the wrong place or performing an illegal block or check. Rules are in place primarily for safety, so it's good to be current in your sport. Tip #4: Keep an eye out for others. Every sport has its own unique set of plays that dictate how and where players can move. For instance, in softball or baseball, a batter cannot fling his/her bat because doing so would be dangerous for the catcher, the umpire, and anyone else who might be in the way. This same principle holds true in other sports, too, and the best way to help avoid unwanted contact is to communicate. Shout out to your teammates when you're going for the ball, passing on your left, open to receive a pass, etc. Tip #5: Don't play when you're injured. As tempting as it can be, please don't play when you're injured. Many people struggle with this because they don't want to miss the excitement of the game or practice, or they don't want to let the team down. But, what's worse? Taking time off to heal or getting injured worse and jeopardizing the rest of the season? Everyone would rather see you take a brief break than a permanent seat on the sidelines. But, what if you do get injured? Come see us at Pure Life Chiropractic! We can help assess the severity of your injury and recommend an appropriate course of treatment. Call 541-343-5633 to schedule an appointment today. If your family's schedule is like most, you're hopping and bopping along with school and sports activities. And, when crunched for time, it's easy to slip into poor eating habits. To help stave off those unhealthy choices, here are a few quick meals to keep your family fueled and healthy. Enjoy! Paleo Orange Beef Stir Fry Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Yield: 2 servings Serving Size: 1 plate Ingredients:
Substitutions:
Directions:
Source: rubiesandradishes.com Lemon Chicken Skillet Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1 breast + veggies Ingredients:
Directions:
Optional:
Source: primallyinspired.com Bacon, Spinach & Mushroom Casserole
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Yield: 2 servings Serving Size: 1 plate Ingredients:
Directions:
Source: paleoleap.com |
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