Archive for the ‘Lowrey Chiropractic Blog’ Category

Foot Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Active Release Techniques (ART)

Friday, July 26th, 2013


Foot Pain_Lowrey Chiropractic in El Dorado Hills
Foot pain can be one of the most relentless and painful conditions – particularly for individuals who are used to an active lifestyle.  Pain experienced in the heel or bottom of the foot while walking, standing, or just getting out of bed is often a symptom of a common condition called Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis is rarely just a short-term annoyance. Rather, it often lasts months and even years – limiting work, exercise, and even just walking.  Common treatment strategies have typically been anti-inflammatory medications, rest, ice, orthotics, and night-time splints. Unfortunately, these treatments can take a significant amount of time before providing any relief for a sufferer of Plantar Fasciitis. Sometimes, they’re not effective.

But, there is a new treatment option for Plantar Fasciitis that is delivering quicker, more effective results. Active Release Techniques (ART) is increasingly being used to treat this painful condition, and this hand-on treatment is addressing the root cause of the pain – problems with the soft tissues of the foot and ankle.

The Basics of Plantar FasciitisFoot pain, Plantar Fasciitis_how Lowrey Chiropractic can help

Because the foot is actually one of the most complex parts of the body with 28 different bones and many joints, it is particularly prone to injury.  The system of muscles, ligaments, and tendons along the foot, ankle, and calf can also contribute to injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

There is a group of muscles that are located on the bottom of the foot and attach to the heel. Along with these muscles is connective tissue called “plantar fascia” that runs from the toes to the bottom of the heel. The fascia helps to support the arch of the foot and stabilize joints that bear weight.Everyday activities place pressure on the plantar fascia, causing the nearby muscles to contract, providing support for the arch and stabilization of the joints of the foot. As the muscles and fascia get increasingly strained, scar tissue can begin to form. Over time, this scar tissue can develop into adhesions which can cause significant pain, lack of flexibility, muscle weakness and diminished blood flow.Eventually, the plantar fascia begins to pull away from where it is attached at the heel. This is why many sufferers of plantar fasciitis complain of heel pain.

An Innovative Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis 

Once a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis has been made, many individuals find that traditional treatment options prescribed for soft tissue injuries are not very effective in relieving their foot pain. This is when ART can be especially beneficial.

ART directly targets the problem in the soft tissues of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and, of course, fascia. This treatment method was specifically developed to locate and treat adhesions that form in the muscles and around the soft tissues. Often times, sufferers of plantar fasciitis who have endured months or even years of foot pain are surprised at how quickly their symptoms subside once they begin ART treatment. Usually measurable relief is experienced after six to eight treatments.

Whether you’re an athlete, a busy mom, an active senior, or anyone who is suffering from foot pain and plantar fasciitis, isn’t it time to try a treatment that is used by professional sports teams because of its efficacy? Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. is a trained ART practitioner and our patients have experienced phenomenal results with ART treatments at our office. If you’re ready for relief from your foot pain and other extremity pain, contact us today to schedule an appointment to find out if ART is right for you.

Call Lowrey Chiropractic, El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor, at (916) 941-7508 today to find out how ART and chiropractic care can help you.

 

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. | Lowrey Chiropractic | El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor

(916) 941-7508

Golf Injuries and Active Release Techniques (ART)

Friday, June 14th, 2013

Golf Injuries_Lowrey Chiropractic

With summer now here, many of us are hitting the golf links for the first time in several months. While it’s the season for warmer temperatures, it’s also the season for golf injuries. Because golf is low impact and non-strenuous, many people assume that golfers don’t get injured. In fact, golf-related injuries are surprisingly common and most often the result of repetitive strain on muscles and other soft tissues.

Fortunately, there is a treatment technique that is helping golfers heal from the common aches and pain of repetitive injuries. It’s called Active Release Techniques (ART), and it’s enabling many individuals to return to the course sooner with decreased pain along with restored flexibility, balance, and stability.

 

Why Do Golf Injuries Happen?

During a typical round of golf or practice session, a player will take from 60 to over 100 swings. These swings can accumulate very quickly into the thousands quickly if you’re playing multiple rounds per week or practicing your swing at the driving range.

This repetitive swing motion places significant stress on joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles – even under the best of circumstances. However, a minor problem such as bad posture or lack of flexibility can cause the body to compensate for the problematic area. This is often referred to as “swing compensation.” Swing compensation can directly lead to strain on soft tissues and eventually cause injury. For example, a player who struggles with limited range in the hips will compensate by using excessive motion of the back or shoulders during a swing. This can not only affect the overall quality of the swing, it can lead to injuries of the hip, back, or shoulder.

 

Repetitive Strain Injuries

There is a tremendous amount of force that happens with each golf swing. And, over time, these continued bursts of energy channeled into a golf swing can cause strain on muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments.  When there is swing compensation, there is even more strain placed on these soft tissues. This strain causes micro-trauma which often initially feels like minor aches, pains, or tightness.

The body responds to these micro-traumas by producing scar tissue around the injured area. While scar tissue is your body’s way of healing itself, it can also build up and form adhesion’s affecting the function of muscles, the flow of blood, and the motion of joints. As scar tissue adhesion’s build up, swing compensation becomes more pronounced leading to a repetitive injury cycle that ultimately affects the long-term health and stability of the affected areas being compromised.

 

How Active Release Techniques (ART) Can Help

Active Release Techniques (ART) is a hands-on treatment method that has been shown to significantly address problems associated with golf injuries. It involves a practitioner first locating scar tissue adhesions that have built up around muscles and other soft tissues. Adhesions are then broken up through very specific pressure applied by hand. Normal tissue flexibility and movement is restored. And, swing compensation can be corrected.

The majority of golfers who try ART are amazed by the quick, effective results. Often, significant improvement is experienced in just four to six treatments when combined with chiropractic care, home stretching and strengthening exercises. This is why a growing number of professional golfers and other world-class athletes are using ART to treat and prevent injuries. If you are golfer who is experiencing aches, pains, or restricted movement, we encourage you to book an appointment to find out if ART is right for you.

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. has extensive advanced training in Active Release Techniques, which is an effective treatment for repetitive strain injuries incurred from such activities as golfing, running, sitting at a desk, and just everyday life.

Find out if Dr. Lowrey can help you by calling our office today at (916) 941-7508 or visit www.lowreychiropractic.com.

 

February Focus on Heart Health

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

February is the month for romantic cards, boxes of chocolates, and bouquets of roses. And, it’s also American Heart Month. While it’s ok to give your heart to someone you love, it’s also important to keep it healthy so that you can enjoy many more Valentine’s Days to come.

While the number of individuals being diagnosed with heart disease is steadily decreasing thanks to better detection and treatment of related conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes, heart disease remains America’s leading cause of death.

The good news is that there is much you can do to combat heart disease, even if you have a family history of the condition. By incorporating these healthy strategies into your daily life, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting heart disease. These same strategies will also help you feel and look your best for yourself – and for that special Valentine in your life.

Adopt a Heart Healthy Diet
Ok, for lovers of rich, calorie-laden food, this might sound scary, but it really isn’t. By just adding a few more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains into your daily diet and minimizing the saturated fats and sodium, you can cut your heart disease risk significantly. At lunch, substitute a fresh salad for the cheeseburger. Choose fresh fruit over ice cream for dessert. How about a warm bowl of oatmeal instead of grabbing for that doughnut? Making these simple choices can really make a difference!

Get Moving!
Your heart needs exercise just like any muscle. By raising your heart rate, even slightly, by walking, biking, swimming, or other type of exercise, you will build your heart’s strength. And the extra perks from exercise include weight loss, toned muscles, and better sleep. No, you don’t need to start training for a triathlon. Just 30 minutes on most days of the week is all that you need. But, once you start incorporating exercise into your daily routine, you’ll probably want to ramp it up because it does really make you feel great!

Stop Smoking
Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of heart disease and cancer. What’s really left to say about this? Smoking is terrible for your health and it’s just a bad habit. If you’re a smoker, make 2013 the year to stop for good.

 Be Proactive with Your Healthcare
Regular doctor’s visits are a must for checking cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and for possible heart irregularities. Schedule an appointment if it has been more than a year, and give yourself the gift of good health. Prevention saves lives, so take advantage of it!

Minimize Stress Levels
Stress can certainly be a big factor in the development of heart disease. Keeping it under control is a must! As part of a healthy lifestyle, stress reduction should be a focus. From balancing work and down-time to finding a few minutes each day to meditate or pray, there are many ways to keep stress at bay. Chiropractic care can definitely be an important component of overall stress reduction. Upper neck adjustments can help lower blood pressure and overall heart rate, and massage can instantly cut tension. Scheduling time on a regular basis for your own physical well-being is one of the best stress relievers available.

So, make this month dedicated to the heart your best month yet. Start incorporating these strategies into your daily life, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier you!

Want to learn more about how chiropractic can help relieve stress in your life and improve your overall well-being? Schedule a new patient exam today by calling 916-941-7508.

 

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C.  |  Lowrey Chiropractic  | El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor

(916) 941-7508

 

 

Making Health a Priority in 2013

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

Have you made your resolution yet? Will you resolve to exercise more, eat less, quit smoking, stop drinking, or just take better care of yourself?. While most of us start the year off with ambitious intentions, the reality is that 65% of new gym memberships are cancelled in the first two months! Making health a priority takes discipline and focus, but the rewards of your efforts make it well worth it!

Why wait until something happens to your health to make a change?

You may know someone who had a recent health scare or may have seen firsthand the toll that not being fit takes on your life. Or, perhaps you saw former President Clinton change from a cheeseburger junkie to a health crusader after his recent quadruple bypass surgery. Simply put, being sick takes over your life. Being healthy is a lifestyle choice.

The payoffs from placing a priority on your health do not end immediately after a workout out or a healthy meal. Everything works better when you are healthy. Your body feels fewer affects from added weight and stress. Looking good and feeling good boosts your self-esteem and overall sense of well-being. You can wake up every morning to a better you!

Keys to Lifelong Success
Making health a priority is vital to long-term success. It can’t be treated as a short term solution to a long term problem, or you are destined to fail. Starting to focus on a few key areas in your life will help you along in your journey to better health.

  • Eat Healthy – this does not mean diet. Depriving yourself of a specific food or food group is not sustainable over time. Learn about healthy food and eat it.
  • Exercise – 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Do whatever you enjoy, just get out and get active.
  • Stop Smoking – Isn’t it enough of an incentive to quit when you know that one out of every two smokers will die of their habit?
  • Get regular checkups – Pick a day, the same day every year and go. As your mother probably told you, better to be safe than sorry. Knowing your “total health picture” will help you make better decisions about what you eat, what types of exercise you choose, and what exactly your body needs.
  • Reduce stress – yes, this is a difficult one. Take time for yourself, make time to do the things you enjoy with the people you enjoy doing them with, take a vacation, visit a spa, get a massage, or even take an occasional “mental health” day away from work. Sometimes, small things work wonders.
  • Regular Chiropractic Care – Your spinal cord is made up of bundles of nerve fibers that integrate virtually every aspect of your body, called the nervous system. By balancing your nervous system, your body is able to perform and work at its optimal level. Chiropractic adjustments not only correct fixations that develop in your joints from every day use but it also helps increase range of motion and allows your discs to function better by receiving more nutrients. When the nerve becomes irritated, it can cause many problems including sciatica, headaches, muscles spasms, and pain. Since pain is often the last thing to tell your body that something is wrong, it is important not to wait for it. Be proactive and get your spine and nervous system checked to increase your overall wellness.

Exercise, a sensible diet and regular chiropractic care will help you enjoy the best of health well into the future. Make health a priority this year!

 

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C.
Lowrey Chiropractic | El Dorado Hills Chiropractor
www.lowreychiropractic.com
916-941-7508

What You Need to Know about Whiplash

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Did you know that the most common injury from an automobile accident is whiplash?  In fact, whiplash can occur in a collision at speeds a slow as 5 mph. 

Whiplash most commonly occurs to the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle that is struck from behind by another vehicle.  What happens in a whiplash injury is that the passenger’s head is rapidly pulled back by the force of the collision and then is thrown forward and then back again.  Because this happens in milliseconds, the muscles, tendons and ligaments are stretched beyond their normal physical limitations.  This extremely rapid extension and flexion is the cause of whiplash, leaving soft tissue structures damaged and needing up to needing months to heal!

The now stretched muscles, ligaments and tendons are hyper-mobile allowing the bones in the spine to move past their normal limits causing nerve root and disc irritation, but might not be noticeable for weeks or even months.   Unlike a broken bone where a simple x-ray can validate the presence of the fracture and standards of care can direct a health care professional as to the best way in which to handle the injury, whiplash injuries involve an unpredictable combination of nervous system, muscles joints and connective tissue disruption that is not simple to diagnose and can be even more of a challenge to treat.

While whiplash may be the most common injury, it may not present itself immediately. These complex injuries can manifest in a wide variety of ways, including neck pain, headaches, fatigue, upper back and shoulder pain, cognitive changes and low back pain.  Since many factors can play into overall whiplash trauma, such as direction of impact, speed of the vehicles involved, as well as sex, age and physical condition, it is impossible to predict the pattern of symptoms that each individual will suffer.  Additionally, whiplash symptoms commonly have a delayed onset, often taking weeks or months to present.

The one sure thing about whiplash is that chiropractic care can help identify and treat whiplash.  Seeing a chiropractor immediately after a collision can speed your road to recovery.  Chiropractic care utilizes manual manipulation of the spine to restore the normal movement and position of the spinal vertebrae.  Manipulation involves the chiropractor gently moving the involved joint into the direction in which it is restricted.  It is by far the single-most effective treatment for minimizing the long-term impact of whiplash injuries, especially when coupled with massage therapy, trigger point therapy, exercise rehabilitation and other soft tissue rehabilitation modalities.

If you have been in an accident, make a chiropractic appointment as soon as you can. Details of your accident will help your chiropractor offer proper care for your whiplash injury, and speed your recovery so that you can get back to feeling your best.

Call our office at (916) 941-7508 to find out more information on how chiropractic care can help you.

 

Dr. Judd Lowrey, D.C. | Lowrey Chiropractic | El Dorado Hills & Folsom Chiropractor

(916) 941-7508