Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Continuous Pressure on Nerves can Lead to Nerve Damage


As you can imagine, if you continue to put pressure on a low back nerve that nerve can start to deteriorate. Like the root of a plant, if you confine it to a pot to small or forget to supply it with light and water, it will cease to grow, and eventually will shrivel up.

The nerves are similar, if we allow the life force to be cut off then eventually it will atrophy. Of course, at this point, pain may become more permanent and other symptoms may start to arise.

The symptoms associated with lumbar nerve pressure include pain, tingling and numbness, sciatica, and even leg weakness.

In the lower back the common term for this is “Sciatica.” Lumbar Disc herniation often causes sciatica. What happens is the disc ruptures outward, putting pressure on nerve roots. This pressure eventually can lead to disc and nerve degeneration.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:


Monday, July 19, 2010

How Can High Heels Sometimes Cause Back Discomfort!

High heeled shoes can also cause foot, ankle, and knee pain too. You see when a person is standing the body weight is supported by the spine. The lower body tends to take more of that stress- your low back, feet, and knees. Wearing heels changes the wearer’s weight distribution and tends to shift the spine forward. This will also change ankle and knee alignment.

Your foot arches also get affected, and wearing heels with too much lift will change the arches and will cause decreased motion of the foot. Not to mention a lot of heels lack much foot support and also pinch the toes inward.

So, for these reasons, women who present with back pain who wear high heels often can ease their pain by switching to a flat shoe or sneakers for a week or two. Along with this, chiropractic adjustments can correct any alignment issues in the lower body. What happens is that the shifts in the spine or pelvis put pressure on nerves in the back causing pain. Even though the wearer may switch to flats, the misalignments or joint restriction may remain until treated.

Shoe orthotics may help as well. These are custom-made insoles for your shoes that help restore the alignment and arches of the feet. Everything is connected, which is why foot alignment issues can lead to knee or pelvis problems.

Our doctors both have extensive training in extremity ajustments, as well as supports and exercises one may need to balance the spine and especially the lower body.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in Glastonbury, CT- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:


Friday, July 16, 2010

Strengthen and Stretch your Foot Arches

Many patients have suffered with ankle and foot injuries. This often leaves them weakness in the ankles and ligaments, making them more prone to pain or further injury. There are many exercises for the foot and ankle that one can do to stretch. Simple exercises that can be completed at home. Here are three exercises one can do at home. All you need is a golfball, a towel and a chair to perform these simple stretches.

  • The Golf Ball Exercise- Sit on a comfortable chair. Place a golf ball under your bare foot. Roll the golf ball under your foot with as much pressure as you are able to. Roll the golf ball from the front of your foot to the back. along the arches and other outer edges. Do this exercise 5 minutes per foot, 2 times per day. This golf ball exercise helps to relax the foot.

  • Seated Foot Stretch- Sit in chair with your foot crossed over the opposite knee, Grasp your foot with your hand, and slowly bend your toes toward your knee. Hold this foot stretch for 10 to 15 seconds. This exercise stretch can be done 3 times to 10 times per day. Your Doctor many recommend you differently depending on what you have going on.

  • Towel Scrunch Exercise to Strengthen the Arches- This exercise is great for conditioning and strengthening the artches of the foot. First lay a towel flat on the floor. Sitting barefoot in a chair, you will grab the towel with your feet: from the edge of the towel scrunch it up with your toes toward yourself. Perform this exercise 3-4 times per day.



CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

Additional Reading Resources:




Thursday, July 15, 2010

Gardening Safely Without Pain


Here in Glastonbury Connecticut, we hit record a record high of 102 degrees F. Not the type of weather that you want to be out and about, but still it is the season to be doing outdoor activities such as gardening. Getting out into the sunshine is important for exercise and also to get our required vitamin D. Many patients spend hours getting their flowers and bushes planted. Unfortunately, they don't always give their body the same respect and loving care. Here are some tips you can use to protect your back and body while gardening:


  • Pushing or pulling when bent over can cause strain to the shoulders and lower back area. When you can use tools with longer handles, so that you don't have to bend down as mcuh. Raking, digging, or mowing is a lot more ergonomic and comfortable when you use long handled tools.

  • Be careful with lfiting dirt, leaves and mulch. Carry the load close to your body, and use your knees when lifting. Keeping your back straight and knees bent ill help to avoid injuries and lower back pain

  • When raking, hoeing or shoveling, switch your dominant hand. This can prevent prolonged straining on your dominant side which can lead to muscle spams and pain.

  • Don't try to accomplish 1/2 years worth of gardening into one day- pace yourself and give your body a break

  • Drink lots of water while working in the garden. Your garden needs water, and so does your body !

    Keep these gardening tips in mind next time you are out gardening. Your garden will be bountiful, because you can get out there day after day. Gardening the right way can prevent unnecessary aches and pains.



    CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression



    Additional Reading Resources:

  • Sleep Better and Boost Brain Health with Herbs

  • Chiropractic Care for Lower Back Pain and Neck Pain

  • Heat Vs Cold For Lower Back Pain

  • LumboSacral Lower Back Support Belt

  • What is Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's

  • Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression



Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Chronic Back Pain Can Be Directly Related to Overall Health...


Back pain can happen to anyone, but I can tell you that individuals who are overall healthy- heal quicker, respond better to care, and often have a lower level of pain. Here are some steps to take to improve your overall health which will help get rid of, lessen, and prevent back pain.

#1- We are what we eat! Putting in good fuel means we’ll get good fuel out. Limit going out to eat because you don’t know what’s in a lot of the things you’re getting, plus you sometimes can’t avoid the fried stuff and sugars.

#2- Start walking a little everyday. Just a 20 minute walk a few days a week makes a difference. Get out, get some sun and fresh air.

#3- Avoid excess stress and toxins to your system. If you smoke and/or drink, try to decrease it; if your job is extremely stressful, do what you can to change your environment if possible. Mental stress will eventually turn itself into physical stress.

#4- Drink a little more water and take a multivitamin supplement. We all know these days that it’s impossible to get all the vitamins and minerals we need from our food, we really need to supplement. Also, most people I know don’t drink enough water.

Try doing these things as best you can and watch your health improve. Add chiropractic treatment to the list and you’ll become not just a little healthier, but one of the healthiest.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

Friday, July 9, 2010

Recent Study Shows Chiropractic Care Helps Balance Disorders

A lot of the research focuses on back pain because it is so common. That’s why when I heard about a study relating to balance disorders I thought I would mention it. We see a number of patients who came in for some form of dizziness.

A balance disorder can come from your nervous system, it can come from something in the inner ear, or even something else.

The bottom line, however, is that chiropractic can most often help. The study showed that study participants had significantly improved proprioception, which is the sense of your body position and position of the parts of your body. In the study they measured this in what they called movement times (MT). The average increase in movement time was 9.2 %.

Many patients see us for back and neck pain, but this study is just one example of how chiropractic may be able to help with much more.


CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:


Friday, July 2, 2010

Can Chiropractic Help My Golf Swing?

Quick answer: Yes. As with any sport or activity, if you maintain your overall health it will benefit you. Let’s look at what you need to play golf with no hindrances. You need to be able to bend and twist, so you need your spine-especially low back; you need your feet so you can walk a certain distance; you need some level of endurance for this too because the more relaxed and less fatigued you get, the better. And don’t forget about your arms, especially hands and shoulders.

I’ve played a certain amount of golf and I can tell you I’ve probably injured my wrists and back the most. Luckily, having a good chiropractor, I quickly get adjusted and my pain is relieved.

So, not only do you need to feel good, have adequate range of motion and some level of endurance, you also need to take care of injuries that arise.

Another thing to think about is posture. Chiropractic treatments help align your spine and therefore correct posture. Can a low swing shoulder, or a tilted pelvis technically affect your golf swing; you bet! Not only that- correcting poor posture and spinal alignment is vital to preventing future injuries.

Seeing your chiropractor is an easy way to take a stroke or two off your game.



CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompressionAdditional Reading Resources:

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