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.

Beat Back Pain by Strengthening Your Core

At Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, we find that the majority of our patients with back pain lack core stability. A weak core can increase the risk of disc bulges and nerve damage. There are numerous exercises that can be done, even in the comfort of your own home with little to no equipment needed, to steadily build your core, relieve back pain, and ultimately prevent future back pain.

Some core-building exercises include:

-Plank

-Clamshell

-Bird Dog

-Glute Bridge Single-Leg Progression

-Pelvic Tilt/Glute Bridge

-Side Plank

-Tabletop Leg Press

-Superman

-Dead Bug

-Cat Stretches

-Reverse/Forward Lunge

These exercises help with balance, function, stability, and limit the chances of getting seriously injured. Dr. J wants to inform his patients with new knowledge about their back pain and how they can treat it with an at-home regimen on days when they do not come into the office. However, it is important to remember that if any of these exercises increase pain, numbness, or weakness, you should immediately stop doing them and speak to your chiropractor.

Strengthen your core to prevent back pain! We are happy to address any questions or concerns that come up as well. 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.

Therapeutic Ultrasound for Soft Tissue Injuries

When you think “ultrasound,” a pregnancy is typically the first thing to come to mind. A machine that is used diagnostically to screen the body internally. But did you know that there is a therapeutic ultrasound machine designed for injuries related to soft tissues, joints, and muscle spasms? Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, takes pride in staying up to date with chiropractic methods and technology. Dr. McClanahan is excited to offer therapeutic ultrasound to his patients!

Dr. McClanahan first applies coupling gel, much like a screening ultrasound for a pregnant woman, on the skin of the problem area. He then uses the ultrasound emitting wand and passes it over the skin, the wand producing heat. The gel reduces friction and allows better transmission of the ultrasound waves. The heat helps reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and decrease stiffness and pain. Therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to facilitate the body’s healing process as well.

Therapeutic ultrasound has been proven to:

-Break down scar tissue
-Heat tissue
-Increase the rate of healing
-Relax tissue
-Increase blood flow

Are you interested in treating your soft tissue injuries with therapeutic ultrasound? We are happy to address any concerns or questions you have! 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.

What is Subluxation?

We at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, understand that accidents happen. A slip, bump, fall, or another sudden trauma has the ability to cause subluxation, a misalignment in your spine. When or if an accident occurs, Dr. Jay McClanahan is readily available to get you on a personalized treatment plan. While the main goal is to correct the misalignment of your vertebrae and alleviate discomfort, we also work to prevent future subluxations by building up your spinal health.

If you are experiencing subluxation, symptoms include:

- Swelling
- Numbness and tingling
- Limited mobility
- Pain or discomfort
- Degeneration of surrounding muscles, nerves, and bones

Did you know that subluxation is a partial dislocation of the spinal cord? You can probably guess that the pain is no walk in the park. Subluxations are identified through a chiropractic exam, which consists of manual palpation and x-rays. During the manual exam, Dr. McClanahan will check the alignment of your pelvis, joints, and spine. Depending on the severity, treatment options may include medication, rehabilitation, surgery, closed reduction, or a shoulder brace. Leaving subluxation untreated will create more issues for the individual, such as the degeneration of the discs. Your body will try to compensate for subluxation as well, taking on a new, unhealthy shape. Don’t wait to seek treatment! Dr. McClanahan will help.

Do you think you are experiencing subluxation? We’d be happy to take a look and get you started on a treatment plan. 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.