Possible Consequences of Poor Posture

 As children, many of us were admonished to sit up straight, stand tall, and walk with our shoulders back and not hunched over. However, as the years pass and life's stresses take their toll, many individuals don't think about posture until they finally experience pain from hunching over or other bad posture conditions. For those who work at a desk job, it is all too easy to slouch in your chair while typing. Maintaining poor posture for years can generate possibly serious consequences, such as back pain, spinal deterioration, neck pain, and headaches. It is never too late to take your health into your own hands and work to achieve better posture. Chiropractors are excellent practitioners to maintain a relationship with since they focus on issues of the musculoskeletal system and soft tissue, including helping patients find proper spinal alignment and excellent posture. For individuals interested in achieving outstanding posture and improved whole-body wellness in Nitro, WV, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Jay McClanahan. 

Possible Consequences of Poor Posture

One of the most severe consequences of poor posture is a curvature of the spine. While a healthy spine forms a natural “S” shape, poor posture places excessive pressure In the wrong place, distorting the spine's natural curves. This spinal dysfunction can put your body at greater risk of injury. Many individuals who slouch experience excessive strain on the lower and upper back, specifically the tailbone and neck. Individuals with poor posture can experience a lack of quality sleep since pain in the back makes it difficult to find a comfortable position. Joint degeneration, poor digestion, rounded shoulders, a potbelly, and lack of motivation can also be negative consequences of poor posture. Over long periods, poor posture can also lead to poor circulation, constricted nerves, stress incontinence, constipation, and impaired lung function. 

How Can Chiropractic Care Help Poor Posture?

Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation, are the most commonly recommended chiropractic treatment modalities for individuals. Chiropractic adjustments involve gentle or forceful manipulation of the spine into its proper alignment. This process is excellent for helping individuals achieve improved posture, improved circulation, reduced inflammation and pain, and a healthier spine. Dr. McClanahan offers outstanding spinal manipulation in his office in Nitro, WV.

Chiropractic adjustments are excellent for all generations, and Dr. McClanahan loves seeing multiple family members in a family chiropractic setting. If you want to achieve excellent posture for you and your loved ones, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, and make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan today!  (304) 776-1520 

Signs of Osteoarthritis

 Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the bones rub together due to worn tissue and cartilage that covers the joints. Cartilage has two functions in the body. It works as a lubricant and shock absorber, helping the bones in the joints move together safely and smoothly. For individuals with osteoarthritis, this movement of the joints and the bones is painful because the bones eventually rub together without the protection of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is frequently experienced in the neck, lower back, hips, hands, and knees. Chiropractic care can be an excellent treatment modality for osteoarthritis because chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulation, focus on creating alignment within the body. When the spine and the body are aligned, tissue inflammation is reduced, nerve function is improved, and there is less strain and stress on the affected joints. For patients in Nitro, WV, interested in addressing osteoarthritis with chiropractic care, Dr. Jay McClanahan with Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center provides outstanding care to all his patients.

Signs and Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

The Cleveland Clinic estimates that more than 80% of adults over 55 have osteoarthritis, and 60% of these adults are symptomatic. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, or swelling near a joint, joint deformity (looks different than it used to), a lack of strength and stability in a joint, and decreased range of motion. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and certain autoimmune diseases that affect the joints, such as lupus and scleroderma. 

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis

If you are concerned that you have osteoarthritis and you live in Nitro, make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan so he can properly diagnose your condition. In your first appointment, Dr. McClanahan will take a comprehensive medical history, including lifestyle choices and current symptoms. He may use X-rays or recommend an MRI, CT scan, or blood tests to rule out the possibility of other conditions. Osteoarthritis can be mild and non-disruptive in some patients and extremely painful and debilitating in others. Over time, the wearing down of the material between the joints can lead to damaged ligaments, tendons, bone, synovium, and meniscus (in the knee).

Chiropractic Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Chiropractic treatment of osteoarthritis will include gentle chiropractic adjustments to ensure the body and the joints are in alignment. Dr. McClanahan may also recommend personalized therapeutic exercises and other chiropractic services to help reduce pain and inflammation in his patients. Osteoarthritis is common, but you do not have to suffer in silence. Contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, to make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan.  (304) 776-1520 

How Chiropractic Helps People Recover from Auto Injuries

 Automobile accidents are a frequent occurrence that can result in mild to devastating injuries. One minute, you are driving along the road, thinking about your day, and the next minute, someone slams into you. While most individuals are worried about their car, bodily harm and bodily injuries should be the priority for anyone in an automobile accident. Many people who are involved in car accidents and experience auto injuries seek the care of a qualified chiropractor to ensure that long-term, painful damage is minimized. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, has vast experience treating auto injuries. Dr. Jay McClanahan is a board-certified chiropractor and personal trainer who has served the Nitro community for many years.

Whiplash

One of the most common injuries that present in automobile accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the body, specifically the neck, is suddenly thrust forward and snaps back rapidly, which can happen in an accident when an individual is wearing a seatbelt. Whiplash has a variety of symptoms, including stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulder pain, headache, nausea, and numbness or pain in the arm or hand. More severe symptoms can include ear ringing, blurred vision, and difficulty with memory and concentration.

How Chiropractors Treat Whiplash and Auto Injuries

Chiropractors are holistic practitioners who can treat issues of the musculoskeletal system, including:

• Neck, shoulder, arm pain
• Upper and lower back pain
• Hip, leg, and foot pain
• Whiplash
• Sciatica
• Disc problems
• Headaches
• Soft tissue ailments
• Muscle spasms and aches

The most common and recommended chiropractic treatment is chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal manipulation. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine to its proper, natural position. This holistic and time-tested treatment reduces pain and inflammation, helps restore range of motion, reduces muscular tension, improves circulation, and helps the body heal faster. Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, also offers chiropractic massage therapy as well as deep tissue, Swedish, relaxation, and youth massage to help individuals heal from auto injuries. Chiropractic treatment does not prescribe potentially addictive medication. Instead, spinal manipulation and chiropractic massage therapy focus on the alignment of the spine to relieve pain and take pressure off the nerves.

If you have recently been in an automobile accident, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, and make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan. Don't suffer quietly with painful symptoms, sore muscles, and troubling back or neck ailments. Please call our office today for a qualified assessment by Dr. McClanahan so you can resume your normal activity level and quality of life!  (304) 776-1520 

Help For Pinched Nerves

 A pinched nerve occurs when there is damage or an issue with the nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord. Pinched nerves frequently occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) but can also occur in the neck (cervical spine) or anywhere along the spinal cord. Pinched nerves can also occur in the arms and legs if the tendons and ligaments are swollen, creating pressure on the nerves. Pinched nerves can be caused by a herniated disc (also known as a slipped disc), bone spurs (extra growths on a bone), compression of the nerve by surrounding tissue, or damaged spinal discs due to age or personal injury. Chiropractic care is an outstanding treatment modality for pinched nerves, as chiropractic focuses on creating optimal and healthy alignment of the spine, which relieves pressure off the nerve roots. For individuals experiencing a pinched nerve in Nitro, WV, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, to make an appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan. 

Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve

Pinched nerves present symptoms of pain, tingling, and numbness. Depending on the placement of the pinched nerve, one can experience:

• A stiff neck with pain and numbness in the arm and shoulder (pinched nerve in the cervical spine)
• Pain in the back, buttocks, hips, and legs (pinched lumbar nerve) 
• Pain in the upper chest and back (compressed lumbar and thoracic nerves)

Carpal tunnel syndrome results from a pinched nerve in the hand or wrist. It is important to note that pinched nerves that are not treated can lead to chronic pain and potentially permanent nerve damage. 

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Pinched Nerves

Chiropractic care focuses on holistic alignment of the spine and musculoskeletal system to relieve pressure off the nerves, reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and alleviate pain without prescription medication. Patients in Nitro, WV, should make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center if they suspect they may have a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves may require diagnostic tools such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. These tests will allow Dr. McClanahan to observe the structures in the back and neck so that he can make a qualified diagnosis and assessment.

Once Dr. McClanahan identifies the impacted nerve, he will use spinal manipulation to align the spine and relieve pressure and compression on the affected nerves. Dr. McClanahan may also recommend chiropractic massage therapy to further strengthen and align the healthy, natural positioning of the spine. If you have symptoms of a pinched nerve, contact Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, and make an appointment with Dr. McClanahan today!  (304) 776-1520