How Your Chiropractor Helps Your Mental Health

Back pain, stiff ligaments, and dislocated joints—this is what we usually associate with chiropractic care. But at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan believes in ensuring his patients’ overall wellness and that includes mental health. Here are four reasons why you should visit our office today for your mental health care.

A Mind-Body Connection

Chiropractors believe the entire body is connected and at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center our beliefs are no different. Our multidisciplinary approach to wellness puts a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection. This means no stone is unturned and we look at diet, massage therapies, exercise, and adjustments to provide a holistic treatment plan.

Decrease Pain

Chronic pain has a tremendous effect on an individual’s mood and mental health. Your Nitro, WV chiropractor provides non-invasive procedures to relieve pain that clouds the mind and causes mental health illnesses like depression or anxiety.

Relaxation

Constant worry and a toll on mental health can wreak havoc on your body, not to mention your sleep and general ability to relax. From massage that invigorates soft tissues and reduces muscle tension to posture correction, we will drastically improve your sleep and promote relaxation for a better quality of life.

Fix Spinal Misalignment

Your spine is one of the most important parts of your body, connecting your neurological system so your brain and body can communicate. Stress and anxiety can be a result of a misaligned spine. After we adjust your spine, your body will trigger positive hormones such as cortisol and oxytocin, which lifts your mood, blocks pain, and gives you the “feel-good” hormone. 

Natural Treatments

While many traditional treatment plans for mental health disorders include therapy and medications, chiropractic care is a great alternative if you’re looking for an all-natural and no side effects approach for mental health. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we provide natural ways to treat common mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520.

Sciatica

When the sciatic nerve is pinched, patients experience pain in their lower back, hips, buttocks, and legs. Sciatica is painful, but you don’t have to suffer in agony your whole life. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan uses non-invasive treatments to relieve pain, allowing patients to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Here’s everything you need to know about sciatica. 

What Causes Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. Spanning from your lower back and down to your hips, buttocks, and two legs, sciatica usually starts because of a herniated disk in the lower spine. This herniation causes the disk to place pressure on the nerves, including the sciatic nerve. Most sciatica patients range from 30-50 years old. While rare, children and teens are prone to sciatica too. 

Symptoms

One of the main symptoms of sciatica is pain. Pain levels vary and radiate from different parts of the lower back. Sometimes the pain consists of electric-like shots, mild aches, or sharp burning sensations. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling feelings, and muscle weakness.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Spinal Adjustments

Since sciatica impacts the nerve, Dr. McClanahan recommends spinal adjustments to relieve pain. Spinal misalignment or subluxation means your vertebrae is moved from its original position. This misalignment impairs the brain’s communication with the body’s neural pathways. The good news is spinal adjustments greatly remove the pressure of the sciatic nerve, giving you the much-needed relief to go on with your life. 

Diet Tips

Overweight individuals are more likely to develop sciatica due to the immense spinal strain. That’s why your Nitro, WV chiropractor advises patients to eat healthy. Maintaining a well-rounded diet with fruits and vegetables lowers inflammation and reduces excess weight on the joints.

DTS Therapy

DTS Spinal Compression is a non-invasive procedure for disc-related issues in the lumbar and cervical spine area of the body. DTS is a gentle therapy designed to relieve sciatica pain and enhance muscle control. Contact our office today to learn more about this therapy. 

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

4 Tips for Computer Users

Spending long hours in front of the screen? The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we work, logging into meetings from Zoom instead of the office due to stay-at-home orders. But spending all day on the computer has detrimental effects on your spine health. That’s why at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan provides expert care and tips for patients who use the computer regularly for their work-related tasks. Here are four tips for computer users.

Proper Posture

Staring at your computer places immense strain on your neck and back. Don’t hunch your back or move your face closer to the screen. Instead, keep your body including your neck and back in a neutral position. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground with elbows remaining on your sides.

Take Breaks

Frequent breaks to stretch and move around are beneficial for lessening the strain that comes from sitting in front of your laptop for long hours. Your Nitro, WV chiropractor recommends 15 minutes for a stretch break or a walk to relax your muscles, increase blood flow, and reduce numbness. 

Change Positions

Dr. McClanahan advises all his patients to avoid staying in one position while working. If you primarily complete tasks while sitting in front of your computer, consider incorporating standing work. Whether it’s simply sending an email over a standing desk or taking a call while walking around the room, your spine will thank you for changing your work positions. 

Adjust Your Workspace

Adjust your workspace, so your body doesn’t have to do extra work to do work. Ensure your screen isn’t too far away that you have to move forward. The same for your keyboard. Your fingers need to reach the keys without your body twisting or turning. Another tip is using light touches to type on your computer. Hard strokes not only damage your device but also potentially wreck your tendons.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

How to Save Your Back While Driving

Your body is subjected to a lot of force in a moving car, especially behind the wheel as the driver. Without proper care and prevention, you may suffer from joint pain and long-term health issues. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan is passionate about preventative care, especially when it comes to the bad posture and body aches that come from driving. Here are a few tips and tricks to use the next time you’re on the road. 

Adjust Your Seat

One of the first steps to preventing bad posture while driving is adjusting your seat. Start by fixing your seat height, making sure you can see the road and dashboard. At the same time, your seat height should not strain your back or neck when bending down or turning towards the side. For shorter drivers, a cushion for more comfort and to reach the steering wheel is recommended. Keep your right foot relaxed on the pedals, with the heel touching the floor. Use the balls of your feet to press the accelerator or brake pedals. Unless using the clutch, the left foot should remain in the footrest. 

Adjust Your Steering Wheel

Your hands around the steering wheel should be in the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock position. Bring the steering wheel towards you, taking care it doesn’t block any important information on your car’s dashboard. Your Nitro, WV chiropractor also recommends keeping your arms relaxed and elbows rested on the seat’s armrests.

Use the Mirror Trick

A simple technique that encourages good posture is the old mirror trick. In a sitting position at the driver’s seat, adjust your rear and side mirrors. This way you’re forced to sit up straight whenever you have to use them as you drive, resulting in terrific posture!

Take Breaks

If you’re driving a road trip, incorporate short stops along your route to stretch. A 15-minute break will do wonders to relax your muscles, increase blood flow, and reduce numbness in the lower limbs. 

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

What is a Dislocation?

At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we use non-surgical, non-addictive therapies to help people recover from musculoskeletal injuries. Among the most common of those injuries is a subluxation, which is the partial dislocation of a joint. But what are dislocations, anyway? We thought it would be helpful for our patients if we gave a brief description of how this injury is defined, and why chiropractic treatment is effective for it.

 

A joint is the place where two or more bones connect to each other. When those bones get separated or knocked out of place, they’ve been dislocated. This could happen because of an acute injury, or it could be due to the long-term weakening of their connective tissue. But once the bones are out of place, they are likely to rub against and irritate nearby tissues, resulting in inflammation. Dislocations are often painful and they prevent the bones from going through their full range of motion or bearing weight efficiently.

 

An x-ray can be used to determine whether injured joints are merely dislocated, or if the bones are fractured. If a doctor deems it safe, they will adjust the dislocated bones back into place, relieving pressure on the soft tissues. At our office, we also provide several treatments for reducing inflammation, including therapeutic massages and electric muscle stimulation. Although healing joints may need to be immobilized or allowed to rest in the short-term, preventing a relapse will ultimately require the surrounding muscles to be strengthened through exercise, and to be trained to be more flexible and resilient to injuries.

 

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

Preventing Pain from Fall Yardwork

Each fall, we at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center see people who are concerned about injuring their backs while raking. This year, especially, when many people were less active in the summer, many will have weakened cores and be at greater risk for injury. We can assist people suffering lower back and joint pain by practicing several holistic, non-addictive therapies, but we wanted to share some reminders about preventing pain from raking and establishing good health practices.

 

The first thing to decide whenever you put your back at risk is whether you need to be doing the chore at all. You might want to consider using a leafblower, or at least staggering your raking over several days. Before you rake, do dynamic stretches, and put on clothing that is form-fitting but breathable. After at least five minutes of stretching, begin raking while standing with your feet in a scissor position, so that you can make use of your leg muscles to pull the rake as well as your arms and shoulders. Switch your feet and which hand is higher on the rake about every fifteen minutes to prevent cramps.

 

As you pick up leaves, squat down instead of bending your lower back. Test the pile to see whether you can lift it easily, and frequently try lifting the leaf bag to determine whether it’s too full for you to move. After a few hours of activity, do a cool down and cover the leaves you haven’t bagged yet with a tarp. If something else requires you to bend down, bend at your hips, and remember to stay hydrated. If done properly, raking can be good exercise and an opportunity to get sunlight and Vitamin D.

 

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, also known as Stenosing tenosynovitis is one of the most common workplace injuries. This repetitive strain injury happens when a finger is stuck in a bent position and pops or snaps when straightens. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan is highly experienced in treating these injuries. You should never wait to seek treatment after an injury, so book your appointment now with Dr. McClanahan.

Causes of Trigger Finger

Any repetitive strain on your fingers can cause an injury like a trigger finger. Whether it’s typing, texting, or gripping tools in the same hand motion, trigger finger happens when you’re doing activities that put extreme strain on your hands. When your fingers are faced with this repeated pressure, the tendon is inflamed, narrowing the surrounding space in the sheath of the affected finger. 

Symptoms of Trigger Finger

One of the main symptoms of trigger finger is the popping or snapping of the finger when it’s straightened back from a bent position. Like a trigger being pulled back and released, your finger will feel these repeated clicks and popping sensations. Your finger may also feel tender and stiff while moving. 

Chiropractic Care for Trigger Finger

While many traditional treatment plans for workplace injuries include surgery and medications, chiropractic care is a great alternative if you’re looking for an all-natural and no side effects solution to trigger finger. Your Nitro, WV chiropractor will use a variety of techniques including massage, ice or heat therapy, and stretching exercises to reduce your finger’s inflammation and promote further healing. 

Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV. Dr. Jay McClanahan is available by appointment. To schedule a time that works for everyone, call 304-776-1520 or visit his website. 

Tall People Problems

Whether it’s being able to see no matter where you are in a crowd or having a natural advantage in sports, tall people enjoy many advantages simply because of their physical stature. But according to the American Journal of Epidemiology, a towering height is also a disadvantage with tall people more likely to experience health issues like back and neck pain. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan is passionate about treating patients of all shapes and sizes, including those who are tall. Here are three reasons why tall people may need chiropractic care and how we can help today!

More Injury Prone

Tall people are more likely to face serious injuries from everyday accidents and falls than the average person. With longer limbs and bodies, there’s more distance to the ground when a taller individual falls. This is why athletes who are lankier suffer from hip injuries and have a longer recovery time in contrast to the shorter athletes. 

Spinal Injuries

The taller you are, the more tendency you have to slouch. While slouching is bad for anybody, short or tall, a bad posture that damages the neck and back is more detrimental for lengthier heights. Your Nitro, WV chiropractor recommends non-invasive procedures like spine exercises and posture correction before its too late. 

Back Pain

Bending in planes and cars, slouching over the kitchen sink or the bathroom while brushing your teeth—if you’re tall, these images may be familiar to you. While tall people are used to adapting their posture in various settings of their life, back pain is an inevitable consequence of this daily struggle. For tips and tricks on how to relieve this pain, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center today. 

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

How Your Chiropractor Helps Your Immune System

 With the coronavirus pandemic spanning the entire globe, building your immune system is more important now than ever. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV, Dr. Jay McClanahan treats weakened immune systems without drugs or surgery, promoting wellness and overall health for our patients today.

Subluxation

Spinal misalignment or subluxation refers to when your spine or another vertebrae is misaligned or moved from its original position. This misalignment can impair the brain’s communication with the body’s neural pathways. Because everything is connected in the body, including the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system, a subluxation can lower your immunity. Your Nitro, WV chiropractor will adjust your spine using a variety of spinal manipulations designed to relieve the pressure of a misaligned spine. 

Diet

At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we aim to provide a holistic treatment plan that leaves our patients feeling better than ever before. This includes a diet plan. A poor diet with unhealthy foods wreaks havoc to your immune system and leaves a person vulnerable to multiple health problems and illnesses. Dr. McClanahan will work with you to develop a diet plan that perfectly fits your routine and lifestyle.

Sleep

Lack of sleep is another factor that impacts your immunity. To promote healthy sleep practices, we employ relaxation massages. Usually, sleeping trouble happens when a person is unable to relax and this massage does just the trick to wind down and sleep better.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

Texting and Tendonitis

Tap, tap, whoosh. You just sent your 50th text of the day. The average American sends 94 texts per day or 33,834 text messages per year. Texting is considered a normal function of modern life, but is your habit causing tendonitis? Dr. Jay McClanahan will address all your concerns about this inflamed tendon injury at his clinic, Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center located in Nitro, WV.

What Is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon. It is a condition that usually affects the wrist, elbows, ankles, fingers, or other parts of the body. Tendonitis occurs when a tendon is injured or overused, whether that’s during a sport or excessive texting.

How to Avoid Texting Injuries

Your Nitro, WV chiropractor recommends frequent breaks and typing slowly for users who text often. In order to reduce texting thumb or tendonitis in the thumb, Dr. McClanahan also suggests using a stylus or alternating between other fingers to text or swipe on your device. To address inflammation, we use a number of inflammation-reducing techniques like Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and ice therapies to loosen the tendon. 

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

EMS is a great way to promote healing for your tendonitis. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, your trusted chiropractor will send a tiny electric current into the affected tendon injury, whether it’s the wrist or the fingers. Not only does this type of stimulation reduce inflammation, but it also releases endorphins which greatly relieve pain. After the inflammation is lessened, the next step is massage or stretching exercises to further boost healing. 

For more information about texting and tendonitis, visit Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV today. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan, visit his website or call 304-776-1520.

Piriformis Syndrome

 Our legs and lower backs are connected, and a problem in one could result in a problem in the other. One of the muscles that connects the top of the femur to the lumbar spine is the piriformis muscle, and when it’s tight, pain may radiate from the lower back. Even worse, piriformis syndrome, as it's known, may cause sciatica. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we’re able to treat piriformis syndrome without drugs or surgery, so we want everyone to understand more about why they should seek chiropractic treatment.

The piriformis muscles are deep within the pelvic region. There is one on each side, and they help to rotate the leg outward. The sciatic nerve of each leg runs through, around, or on either side of its respective piriformis muscle, which is why swelling in the piriformis muscle could compress the nerve. This would result in tingling, numbness, or painful shocks along its length. The piriformis muscle may be compressed due to inflammation of the sacroiliac joint (where the lumbar spine connects to the pelvis), or because it has suffered an acute injury or become worn with overuse. Piriformis syndrome without sciatica would usually feel more like a dull ache.

A diagnosis of piriformis syndrome would usually be made through process of elimination, although it may not be the only thing contributing to a patient’s pain. Treatments are based on stretching the piriformis muscle and increasing its strength. This would be done through therapeutic exercises and soft tissue therapies such as low-level laser and electric muscle stimulation. We can also use chiropractic adjustments to treat the lower back for any subluxations it may have incurred due to the piriformis muscle’s tightness.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

Hip Bursitis

 Do you feel pain in the side of your hip? Does it spread and feel worse when you’re seated? If so, you may be suffering from hip bursitis. Fortunately, this condition is treatable. At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we utilize non-invasive, non-addictive treatments for problems in the musculoskeletal system, including in the hips, allowing our patients to resume normal activities as quickly as possible.

Bursae are sacs of cushioning fluid found throughout the body in places where muscles, tendons, and ligaments rub over bony protrusions. “Bursitis” is a term used to describe their inflammation, and the bursae that are usually inflamed when a person is suffering hip pain are the trochanteric bursae. These bursae are located on the outer side of the top of the femur. Major muscles stretch over them while traveling from the leg to the pelvis or lower back, and when those muscles are tight, they squeeze the trochanteric bursae.

Although bursae can suffer acute injuries, damage to them is usually caused by long-term wear. Reducing pressure on the bursae will require anti-inflammatory treatment and for the hip muscles to become longer and more flexible. We can assist with this by providing electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound therapy, therapeutic massages, and chiropractic adjustments. We also advise patients on therapeutic exercises that will improve their core strength, reducing the burden on the muscles of their lower backs and hips.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520. 

Massage Therapy

Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, is proud to offer massage therapy to patients! Regular massage treatments significantly improve your body and overall health, from stretching your muscles for optimal body function to faster healing times. Massage therapy also helps treat or relieve symptoms associated with a variety of problems, including chronic diseases, injuries, muscle tension, and neurological disorders. It’s important to work towards a healthier body now so that you can lower your risk for future aches and injuries.

The benefits of massage therapy include:

-Decreased lower-back pain
-Increased range of motion
-Shorter and easier labor for expecting mothers
-Easing medication dependency
-Enhanced immunity
-Alleviates migraine pain
-Stretches and exercises weak muscles

At your appointment with Dr. McClanahan, he will listen to your symptoms and work with you to create a treatment plan unique to your needs. Massage therapy works best when combined with our other chiropractic treatments. The massages themselves will allow your body to be more open to healing and treatment, increasing the success of all other treatments.

Today’s modern lifestyle can take a toll on your body. Massage therapy not only improves your health but will keep you healthy. Let us help you overcome the obstacles of your daily life. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.

Is Chiropractic Treatment Safe for Pregnant Women?

Many pregnant women experience aches and pains in their lower back and hips as their baby grows. It begs the question: how does a mother find relief? There are natural remedies to combat pregnancy discomforts, such as seeing a chiropractor for safe manipulations and adjustments. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant.” Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, is dedicated to safely alleviating pain associated with pregnancy.

Chiropractic care alleviates pain associated with a baby growing heavier in a mother’s stomach, such as a misaligned spine or protruding abdomen. In fact, a pelvis that is out of alignment can restrict the amount of space the baby has to develop, which in turn can lead to birth defects. Proper alignment of the pelvis also lowers the chances of a complicated delivery.

Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy has other benefits as well:

-Controlling symptoms of nausea
-Reducing labor and delivery time
-Maintaining the health of fetus and mother

Are you pregnant and think you can benefit from safe chiropractic treatment? We are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.

Ice Pack Cryotherapy

You are probably familiar with icing a freshly sprained ankle or busted shin to reduce swelling and pain. Cryotherapy, or “cold therapy,” works in the same way to reduce inflammation and pain, but on injuries suffered long ago. Start your road to recovery with Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center today! There are many benefits associated with ice pack cryotherapy that it’s become a popular treatment option in the Nitro, WV, area.

Cryotherapy is also an effective way to help with muscle spasms. Benefits can be obtained from just one session of cryotherapy, but it is most effective when used regularly. Commonly used in treatment for sports injuries, some athletes use cryotherapy twice a day, while others may go once a day for ten days and switch to once a month after that time. Listen to what your body says as it reacts to the treatment, as well as any advice given to you by your trusted chiropractor.

Other benefits of cryotherapy include:

- Reduces pain attributed to arthritis
- Helps treat mood disorders
- Decreases symptoms of migraines
- Numbs pain associated with nerve irritation
- Treats certain skin conditions
- Potential to help treat low-risk tumors
- Potential to help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s

Are you an athlete who could benefit from cryotherapy? We are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up! Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.

Cranial Manipulation

Did you know that your cranium can become “stuck?” Whereas your primary doctor treats your problem symptomatically with prescription or over-the-counter drugs, we at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center believe in a more holistic approach. Dr. Jay McClanahan is experienced with finding the right treatment plan unique to a patient’s issue. Your Nitro, WV, chiropractor is excited to offer a technique called cranial manipulation, to help patients restore head and body mobility.

Cranial manipulation involves the gentle application of manual force to address somatic dysfunctions of the head and body. It is an innovative approach to treating chronic conditions such as:

- Headaches and migraines
- Cranial dysfunction
- MDDS
- Postural distortions and scoliosis
- Facial swelling
- Malocclusion
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain in the face, neck, jaw, or shoulders
- Forward head posture
- TMJ dysfunction
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vertigo
- Low back pain
- Bell's palsy
- Trigeminal neuralgia

Do you think you could benefit from cranial manipulation? We are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up! Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the nervous system. Inflammation damages the myelin, the fatty substance that surrounds the nerves. This causes a variety of neurological problems and even loss of control of the limbs. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center provides an alternative treatment for patients with MS. Visit his office in Nitro, WV, to learn more.

Many patients with MS have control of their limbs much of the time. Still, the joint pain does affect mobility and quality of life. Plus, many patients with MS also have other autoimmune conditions. But what happens if medication and pharmaceuticals aren’t enough? That’s where your Nitro, WV, chiropractor comes in.

Medications aren’t always 100% effective and lose strength over time. Chiropractic care provides you with pain relief without reliance on drugs. It will improve your overall happiness and welfare. Your Nitro, WV, chiropractor focuses on your body as a whole. Instead of just treating your symptoms, Dr. McClanahan works to find the root of the cause. The spine hosts the headquarters for your body’s nerves. If a vertebra is out of alignment, it worsens and creates painful symptoms. Chiropractic treatments work to correct these displaced vertebrae. These treatments reduce inflammation and pain.

Patients find success with various forms of spinal manipulation, especially the Blair chiropractic technique. This focuses on the area between the neural canal and the brainstem. Working on these upper cervical vertebrae show positive results in MS patients.

If you or a loved one are suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan, call 304-776-1520 or visit https://www.drjbackdocwv.com/meet-the-doctor.

Parkinson's disease

Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, located in Nitro, WV, provides chiropractic treatment for patients suffering from many medical conditions. This includes help for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain's production of dopamine. This chemical helps your body conduct normal muscle movements. Over time, patients struggle with basic body movements and possibly cognitive function. Chiropractic care can improve the quality of life for patients struggling with PD.

The most common and identifiable aspect of PD is tremors or shaking throughout the body. It occurs even when a patient isn’t moving at all. Other symptoms include balance problems, stiffness, and slow movement. This is a progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms will get worse over time. That’s where treatment from your Nitro, WV, chiropractor comes in.

The basic lines of treatment for PD are through medications. Yet many times these drugs are not enough. They can produce undesirable side effects or even lose effectiveness. Chiropractic treatment improves a patient's quality of life by optimizing health for the spine. Spinal or chiropractic manipulation adjusts troubled areas of the spine. This entails vertebrae that have moved out of their normal position, etc. Many patients with Parkinson’s have misalignments in their neck, known as cervical subluxations. Dr. McClanahan uses chiropractic manipulation to adjust these cervical vertebrae back into place.

The results of chiropractic treatment on PD showed a large reduction of symptoms in patients. Reports showed patients experienced fewer tremors, back pain, fatigue, and mobility restrictions.

Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located in Nitro, WV. Dr. Jay McClanahan can help patients with Parkinson’s disease get the help they need. To schedule an appointment, call 304-776-1520 or visit https://www.drjbackdocwv.com/meet-the-doctor.

Vertigo

If you’ve ever stood up too fast or performed a handstand, you might have felt dizzy temporarily. This is nothing compared to vertigo, the feeling of dizziness combined with the sensation that you are spinning when you are standing perfectly still. This condition makes it hard to go about your everyday life due to feeling sick and nauseous. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, offers treatment for vertigo. Learn more by contacting our office.

Vertigo is the result of the way your brain and inner ear communicate. As mentioned, the main symptoms are dizziness with the sensation of spinning. Other symptoms include:

-Nausea
-Difficulties balancing
-Headaches
-Tinnitus
-Sweating

This condition is common with patients suffering from some sort of neck or head trauma. Other times it’s caused by damage to the inner ear, including infections and pressure changes. Chiropractic treatment at our office in Nitro, WV, can help regardless of the cause.

Chiropractic care focuses on your body as a whole, not just your symptoms. By keeping your body in harmony and working at it’s best, you live a healthier and happier life. Different types of chiropractic manipulations and exercises are available. Cervical vertigo occurs after an injury to the neck. The joints are moved out of place, creating confusion between your body and brain that results in dizziness. Chiropractic manipulation to the cervical vertebrae reconnects the neural pathways in the spine.

Another treatment possibility focuses on readjusting your head into certain positions. This helps realign parts of the ear that have moved out of place. Talk to your Nitro, WV, chiropractor about what treatments would work best for you.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is a chiropractor in the Nitro, WV, area. To schedule an appointment at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, call 304-776-1520 or visit https://www.drjbackdocwv.com/meet-the-doctor.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a condition where a patient develops a rounded middle back. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center offers nonsurgical and pharmaceutical-free treatment. At our office in Nitro, WV, we work with you to find the cause of this abnormal appearance. In most cases, it is traced back to poor posture. Certain patients can be born with kyphosis or develop it in response to trauma. By finding the exact cause, Dr. McClanahan helps you get the appropriate treatment.

At your appointment in Nitro, WV, Dr. McClanahan will start by asking you some simple questions about your medical history. The next step is a physical examination, where he touches the spine to feel for tenderness and mobility. Imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI might be necessary.

A big aspect of treatment is correcting your posture. Dr. McClanahan works with you to reduce your inflammation and muscle spasms, optimize spinal health, slow further degeneration of the spine, and treat your intervertebral discs.

Undergoing spinal manipulation, also known as spinal adjustment, is the first step. This will improve your joint movement by minimizing inflammation. Dr. McClanahan uses his hands or a tool to gently stimulate the nervous system, returning normal motion to the spine.

Manual therapy treatments are another possibility. This targets tightened or painful muscles through direct pressure. This relieves tension and pain due to the kyphosis symptoms.

Dr. Jay McClanahan provides chiropractic treatment for patients in the Nitro, WV, area. If you are suffering from Kyphosis, schedule an appointment at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center today. Call 304-776-1520 or visit https://www.drjbackdocwv.com/meet-the-doctor.

Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash

Some car accidents leave a driver in debilitating pain if the crash is forceful enough. But that doesn’t mean you have to live out the rest of your life in pain! Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, is there for you when accidents happen. Dr. Jay McClanahan is experienced in finding the right treatment plan unique to a patient’s problem. 

Whiplash is the most common injury from an auto accident. According to Mayo Clinic, “whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” When a part of the body is whipped back and then forward beyond its normal range of motion, micro-tears form in the surrounding ligaments. Usually, it’s when the micro-tears start to swell that the symptoms begin. Symptoms of whiplash include:

- Neck pain and stiffness

- Low back pain

- Blurred vision

- Headache

- Dizziness

- Shoulder pain

- Limited range of motion of the neck

- Arm pain

Chiropractic care not only treats these symptoms but corrects the root of the problem as well. A chiropractor takes a more holistic approach to treatment and avoids using drugs that only treat symptomatically. Dr. J helps relieve pain, restore mobility, and support long-term healing with a variety of techniques. 

Have you recently suffered an auto accident and think you might have whiplash? We can assess the damage and get you started on a treatment plan. If you have any questions or concerns that need to be addressed, we are happy to help! Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.

Tension Headaches

When you combine poor posture, stress, and constant errand-running (which definitely causes stress), you may experience a tension headache. This is a signal that your body is taking on a lot at once! There are many things that can bring on a tension headache, such as constantly looking down at your phone, staring at a screen all day, or driving for several hours without rest. We at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, think it’s important to recognize what your body is telling you and then take care of your body accordingly.

There are two types of tension headaches: chronic and episodic. Chronic tension headaches happen frequently, with pain developing on both sides of the head, the forehead, and at the base of the skull. Our chiropractic treatments will help decrease the severity and frequency since these headaches are more associated with tightness and misalignment in the neck vertebrae. Episodic tension headaches occur from stressful events and are often treated with over-the-counter medication.

6 ways to prevent tension headaches:

- Minimize stress

- Use over-the-counter medicine

- Take breaks

- Adjust the way you sleep

- Stretch and exercise

- Consistent chiropractic appointments

Do you have frequent tension headaches and think you can benefit from chiropractic adjustments? We are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.

Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain

Knee pain can affect anyone, from a professional football player to somebody just running errands on a Sunday. It is, unfortunately, a common occurrence that usually goes ignored. Leaving knee pain untended can progress whatever is going on into something worse. We at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, are here to alleviate your knee pain. We also want to prevent it from coming back with careful manipulation, stretching, and adjustments.

The knee is responsible for balance and stability and happens to be the joint in the body that bears the most weight. If you notice any knee pain while sitting, walking, or going up and down the stairs, these are all indications that something is wrong. Additionally, any clicking, popping or grinding sounds while kneeling or squatting indicate knee damage. Dr. Jay McClanahan approaches knee pain treatment with a combination of therapies that integrate the strengthening and stretching of the knee with chiropractic adjustments.

Unlike your primary doctor, a chiropractor is trained to assess your knee and work out a treatment plan suited to your injury. Chiropractors take a more holistic approach to injuries, avoiding drugs and instead performing safe adjustments to alleviate discomfort. They also manage the possibility of pain recurring with routine treatment, depending on the patient.

Do you have knee pain that just won’t go away? We can get you started on a treatment plan suited to your injury. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located at 642 Cross Lanes Drive in Nitro, WV 25143. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit drjbackdocwv.com or call the office at 304-776-1520.