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Benefits of Chiropractic Care for ALL Ages

May 12, 2022

Chiropractic Benefits from Infancy to Seniorhood Making regular appointments to see a chiropractor could be a family affair! That’s because, no matter the age demographic, chiropractic care addresses various health ailments and offers preventative treatment using safe and natural methods. Grandma, grandpa, mother, father, sister, baby brother. Everyone in the family has the opportunity to experience healing, relief, and improved health by making a chiropractic clinic their first stop. Babies and Toddlers Babies and toddlers get to know their pediatricians very well in the first three years of their life. No debating: those visits are important! However, adding a chiropractor to the mix might go further in helping to relieve the aches and pains that come with being a baby—even newborns—or a tiny child. Chiropractors often treat their youngest of patients for the following common conditions: colic or excessive crying reflux difficulty breastfeeding due to head position or impaired sucking/swallowing asthma digestive issues ear infections difficulty sleeping balance issues trouble breathing delayed developmental milestones, such as crawling or standing Doctors of chiropractic employ gentle, safe, and effective adjustments on these small bodies, contributing to proper alignment and a high-functioning nervous system. A happier baby means happier parents! Children and Adolescents Children (ages 4-9) and adolescents (ages 10-19) are unique patients in that their bodies are constantly changing. They get those dreaded “growing pains.” Also, many suffer injuries from participating in athletics, sitting in class with poor posture for several hours, and carrying heavy backpacks. Chiropractic can help treat injuries and chronic pain in youth. In fact, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, on average, 11 percent of chiropractic patients are children and adolescents. Parents have sought chiropractic care for their children with the following symptoms and conditions: growing pains digestive issues asthma and other common breathing issues headaches and migraines scoliosis irregular sleeping patterns bedwetting and/or constipation persistent colds, sore throat, and low immunity recurrent ear infections and sinus issues behavior disorders, such as ADD, ADHD, and autism complaints of continual or recurring neck or back pain limited head or neck mobility recovery from an injury In addition to potentially resolving the above issues, spinal adjustments may boost their growth and development, improving their quality of life in the present and future. Yes, chiropractic care is safe for kids. Research supports that there are no specific risks associated with chiropractic adjustments for children. Furthermore, doctors at Strelcheck Chiropractic Clinic also make every effort to offer their young patients a painless experience. Adults Adults still have a lot of life in their bodies, especially considering this stage begins as young as 20 years old. Many adults, however, have experienced more wear and tear than the average child or teen; the sooner they address any pains or discomfort, the better their chances of satisfying their desired level of activity. The goal is sustainability. Adults ages 35-45 make up the largest age demographic of chiropractic patients. This group needs the chiropractor for traditional reasons, such as spinal misalignments caused by injury and/or traumatic events. Additionally, they are beginning to experience acute aches and pains more frequently. In some cases, a problem they have been ignoring finally needs attention. Here are some of the many symptoms and conditions a chiropractor can treat: chronic headaches back and neck pain sciatica allergies trouble sleeping digestive issues joint pain stress pregnancy   Adults who see a chiropractor also report an improved immune system and faster recovery from illness and injury. Adults are more likely than younger patients to seek chiropractic care for proactive reasons. Even if they currently are not experiencing pain, they realize that preventative health plays a role in keeping them moving with comfort for years to come. Seniors Seniorhood begins as young as 55. Perhaps a patient who has reached this age in life has not always made his or her health and wellness a priority. Life has been too busy! Now is the time to make the time. Seniors wake up one day to stiff muscles and joints in their back, neck, knees, and more. Those who visit the chiropractor for the first time at this later stage in life to help wish they had picked up the phone sooner. Many senior patients have expressed that their regular chiropractic appointments have resulted in the following benefits: arthritis relief increased flexibility/mobility/range of motion increased strength improved balance/coordination pain relief throughout the body higher levels of energy   Additionally, spinal manipulation therapy has been known to help address the following conditions common among older adults: dizziness, depression, constipation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, pneumonia, and urinary incontinence. All in all, seniors who add chiropractic care to their health and wellness regime to treat or prevent pain and discomfort may improve their quality of life. Care for the Whole Family Chiropractors address their patients as a whole, helping them to manage pain by using natural techniques that avoid the need for highly addictive painkillers. Each age offers its own challenges when it comes to keeping the body healthy. Strelcheck Chiropractic Clinic can help the entire family—from child to grandparent—work through those individual challenges. Make an appointment today for everyone. Call 815-459-3860.

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Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy

March 16, 2016

Research and Studies confirm that Chiropractic care helps women have a more relaxed and less painful pregnancy and delivery with little or no pain medication and fewer interventions. For those reasons, chiropractic treatment has become the smart, safe and effective way to alleviate the many unpleasant symptoms associated with pregnancy. What is the Purpose? While postural changes and back pain seem to be the most obvious conditions that link chiropractor to pregnancy, the reasons so many women choose to incorporate chiropractic are many. With a little online research and word of mouth networking, women have become more educated and informed about healthy alternatives to help their daily lives. Pregnancy is no exception. Here are just a few of the physical effects of pregnancy that can be helped with chiropractic treatment. Muscles – Throughout the entire pregnancy, abdominal muscles and posterior muscle groups are being altered to prepare the body for the growing fetus. The constant stretching and tightening of ligaments, tendons and muscles cause the production of lactic acid that creates a painful “burning” pain sensation. This symptom is generally more severe for first time mothers, however, it is a common complaint amongst all expectant mothers. The pain can be alleviated with a variety of strategies to improve circulation and elimination of lactic acid. Bones – The forward shift in the mother’s center of gravity takes place causing an uneven weight distribution of the pelvis, resulting in sciatica or joint pain in the hips and/or pelvis. As well, when the pelvis is misaligned, it will reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. Establishing pelvic balance and alignment helps the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. The most noticeable change to a woman’s spine is the increase of the lumbar curve that grows as the baby grows. This produces low back pain, usually starting after the second trimester and continuing through delivery and often for months afterwards. The strain and stress on the lumbar curve triggers compensatory changes in the cervical and thoratic spine resulting in other symptoms like migraine headaches and numbness of the arms, shoulder, and neck. These complex musculosketetal changes are sure to exhaust a mother’s energy and add to the stress of the pregnancy overall. While they may be temporary or considered a nuisance, they can be helped without drugs or gimmicks. Without help, the result can spiral into insomnia, overeating, and depression. By the time the baby is born, the mother is so worn out that adapting to life with the baby becomes harder than needed. How does it Work? Generally speaking, pre-natal chiropractic care involves gentle adjustments to the spine according to the individual symptoms and stages of pregnancy. The process can begin anytime after the first trimester. The adjustments are performed in a sitting or lying down position on an ergonomically designed chiropractic table built to accommodate the expecting mother’s tummy. In addition to the adjustments, your chiropractor may prescribe pre-natal massage to help relieve swelling, improving circulation and reduce pain. Doctors of Chiropractic that have specialized pre-natal and peri-natal training and education usually offer consultations for individual care programs before, during, and after pregnancy. What are the Benefits? Potential benefits include the following: Improved energy levels Back, limb, neck, and joint pain relief Better sleep Reduced interventions, pain medications, and duration of labor and delivery Prevention of a potential cesarean section Currently, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance, optimize the room a baby has for development resulting in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.

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Sciatica Relief with Chiropractic Care

August 21, 2015

What is Sciatica? The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower portion of the spine through the buttocks and down into the thigh and lower leg. It is responsible for feeling and movement in the major muscles of the hamstring, lower leg and foot. Irritation of the sciatic nerve at any point along its path is commonly referred to as sciatica. Symptoms are distinctive — excruciating low back pain that travels down into the buttocks, legs and feet often is accompanied by numbness, tingling or burning. Sciatica sufferers may experience shooting pains by merely walking, bending at the waist, sitting, sneezing, coughing or laughing. Severe cases can lead to weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder problems or paralysis. Causes Sciatica is a disorder that can be caused by an underlying problem, such as spinal tumors, or result from corrective procedures such as hip or knee surgery. Most sciatica is the result of disc degeneration or misalignment that causes vertebrae to pinch or compress the sciatic nerve. A number of conditions that involve bones, joints and muscles could potentially result in sciatic symptoms. Trauma, age and occupation are key factors that affect disc degeneration and vertebrae alignment. Age The human body can adapt to an amazing array of stressors. However, as people age, their discs lose moisture and shrink, increasing the risk for sciatica as the bodies’ ability to adapt diminishes. Symptoms that may appear “suddenly” are usually problems that have been present for a very long time. It may come as a surprise to learn that discs begin deteriorating about the age of 30, and the incidence of sciatica increases in women at the time of menopause as they lose bone density. A series of traumas to the head, neck or spine, however minor, accumulate over time and can emerge one day without a single incident or warning sign. While a person may not remember the tackles on the football field or the falls taken while learning to ski, ride a bike or roller skate, the body does. Without regular care, a person’s spine will reveal a history of trauma that can lead to sciatica. Occupation Occupations that involve prolonged sitting behind the wheel or in a chair, awkward positions, as well as those that long-distance truck driving), place these individuals at higher risk. The longer a person continues such work, the higher their risk. No health care provider can guarantee a particular outcome, but chiropractic is a popular approach to sciatica due to its high success rate. Some sciatica patients experience relief in a short period of time, while for others, the process is delayed treatment. Many suffer needlessly, hoping it will go away by itself or can be cured by home remedies, whereas others simply lack health insurance or fear surgery. Diagnosis & Treatment A diagnosis of sciatica does not indicate the point of nerve entrapment, it simply identifies the likely source of the problem. The two most common sites are where the sciatic nerve originates at the spine and where the nerve passes under the piriformis muscle. A comprehensive health exam, palpation of the spine and X-rays can help a chiropractor determine the type of the techniques to target specific symptoms. Treatment may include a combination of stretching exercises, cryotherapy, ergonomic lifestyle changes, massage and chiropractic adjustments to release the pinched sciatic nerve. As the body responds, the treatment scope and techniques may be modified as symptoms alleviate and change.

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10 North Virginia St
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(Corner Rte. 14 & Crystal Lake Ave.)

Phone: 815-459-3860

Email : info@strelcheckchiro.com

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