What Could Be Causing Lower Back Pain?

 

Lower back pain is an insidious condition that afflicts many millions of people around the world. The good news is that a chiropractor can help you uncover and treat the source of your aches. If you live in or near Nitro, WV, and need help with lower back pain, you owe it to yourself to get in touch with Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center.

The Most Common Causes of Back Pain

There is a seemingly infinite number of ways that someone could end up suffering back pain. However, we’re going to focus on the most common causes. Of course, the causes of your aches may differ, which is why it’s crucial to work with a chiropractor.

Overexertion

If you overexert yourself, say while moving boxes around the garage or tending to your garden, you may injure your back. Proper lifting techniques and warm-ups can reduce the risk of overexertion. A chiropractor can advise you on safety while carrying heavy objects or engaging in prolonged activity. Should you live in or near Nitro, WV, and are looking for lower back pain relief, come see Dr. Jay.

Degenerative Diseases

Over time, the body will break down. This is inevitable and is simply a part of life. That said, simply because the condition is natural, that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t treat it. Just the opposite, you’ll want to keep an eye out for conditions like herniated discs. If your condition is treated quickly, you might be able to dramatically slow the conditions’ progress, which will help you safeguard your mobility and quality of life.

Car Accidents

Traffic accidents are a common cause of pain in the back. When you get into an accident, tremendous forces will be exerted on the body. Besides lower back pain, these forces can strain your neck and other tissues, causing conditions such as whiplash.

Personal Injuries

If you should slip in the shower, you could hurt your spine and other tissues as well. Personal injuries are common and even exceptionally careful people may suffer them. If you or a loved one have experienced a personal injury, you should work with Dr. Jay.

Bad Ergonomics

If your bed, chair, office chair, desk, or anything else you frequently use offers bad ergonomics, it could lead to back strain and other issues. It’s crucial to ensure that your commonly used furniture offers good ergonomics. Fortunately, a chiropractor can advise you on the right furniture.

Sports Injuries

While playing sport is generally good for you and your loved ones, a hard collision on the field or overuse could leave you injured. Professional athletes often turn to chiropractors for help, and you can as well.

Interested in spinal decompression? Residing in or near Nitro, WV? Come to the Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic. You can get the conversation started by calling 304 776 1520.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

 

The shoulder is a complex joint that offers extraordinary mobility while providing a junction where the spine and neck nerves connect with the body. If you live or work in and around Nitro, WV, and experience shoulder discomfort or pain, Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center offers chiropractic and complementary therapy options to help you move pain-free. 

The shoulder joints are complex, consisting of -

• The Acromioclavicular Joint – the joint that defines the meeting point of the collarbone and shoulder blade.
• The Glenohumeral Joint – the joint where the shoulder socket meets the upper arm bone.

The pain and discomfort that can be felt in the shoulder region typically stem from spinal misalignment or some sort of injury or traumatic event that causes damage, as noted below. While pain manifests differently for most, typical shoulder symptoms include –

• Throbbing, sharp, dull, or radiating pain.
• Stiffness or a reduced/limited range of motion for the shoulder joints. 
• A tingling or numbness is often described as pins and needles.
• Sensitivity or tenderness or shoulder soreness, especially when applying pressure. 

Common Reasons for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can occur at any time; however, most people who experience shoulder pain find the discomfort intensifies at night when the joints naturally stiffen. Sensations may vary from dull to sharp, aching or burning, being aggravated when you begin to move. 

The most common causes of shoulder pain are- 

• Overuse results in strained muscles.
• Arthritis affecting the shoulder joint.
• Tendonitis or tendinopathy.
• Inflammation of the shoulder bursa (bursitis).
• Ligament tears.
• Nerve compression or pinching.
• A rotator cuff injury.
• Shoulder impingement syndrome.
• Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis.
• Dislocation of the shoulder joint.
• Pain referred from other muscles.
• Years of poor posture.

Treating Shoulder Pain with Chiropractic Care

Dr. Jay offers various chiropractic and alternative, complementary treatments that assist in helping to reduce or eliminate the pain and related discomfort associated with a shoulder. In addition to prescribing therapeutic exercises or offering lifestyle guidance, Dr. Jay also provides these services and more -

• Chiropractic Adjustments.
• Spinal Decompression.
• Electric Muscle Stimulation.
• Cupping.
• Massage Therapy 

• Deep Tissue Massage.
• Sports Massage.
• Swedish Massage.
• Youth Massage.

• Therapeutic Ultrasound, and more. 

Contact a Leading Nitro, WV, Chiropractor Near You

For more information on how chiropractic care can help relieve shoulder pain and related symptoms,  contact Dr. McClanahan or a staff member of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 304-776-1520 online.

Preventing Pain in Runners

 Running is a movement that is natural to humans. It should be easy and pain-free. When runners feel pain while running or jogging, there is something wrong. At Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center of Nitro, WV, we want to help our patients resolve chiropractic issues before it becomes an office visit. In this article, we'll cover both how to avoid developing pain while running and what to do if you already have it. Dr. Jay McClanahan is a certified chiropractor with a passion for healthy exercise and training.

Why might someone feel pain while running?

There are a few different reasons someone might feel pain in their knees or other joints while running. Most often, weight and shock are not being properly distributed up the legs and spine. This causes excess wear on the tissues and ligaments, leading to pain. Other potential causes of running pain include too much exercise and underlying conditions.

How to Relieve Runners Pain at Home

There are several measures runners can take to prevent and relieve pain. The most important thing is the shoes they wear. Most shoes constrict the toes and don't offer enough support, worsening poor weight distribution across the feet and legs. Remember that humans originally ran on strong, bare feet. The closer a runner gets to that, the better. Runners can do targeted exercises to strengthen weak muscles in the legs and feet. It's also important to ensure proper form while running. The body works best in its proper anatomical position.

How can a chiropractor help relieve running pain?

At your initial consultation with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, he'll identify the source of your running pain. He can then prescribe any relevant lifestyle changes and treatment methods to mitigate the issue. It can often be resolved by obtaining proper footwear and undergoing physical therapy. Other times, there is an underlying condition, and other measures may be necessary.

If at-home remedies aren't working, come visit Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center. We help people in the Nitro, WV, area overcome musculoskeletal conditions with natural chiropractic techniques. We can help you relieve pain and optimize your athletic performance. To schedule an initial consultation, contact us today at (304) 776-1520. We look forward to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness.

Lifting Weights Correctly

 Working out is often a great idea. Strength training can help you build muscle, lose excess weight, and improve your overall well-being. However, there are some catches. Perhaps most importantly, if you lift weights incorrectly, you could quickly injure yourself. If you’re going to be hitting the gym, it’s crucial to learn how to work out properly. If you’re thinking about getting into weight lifting in Nitro, WV, come see Dr. Jay McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center. He can teach you how to properly lift weights and can provide other pointers for safely working out.

How Lifting Weights Can Strain the Body

When you lift weight, it makes your muscles work. As you lift the weights, you’ll actually create tears in your muscles. This isn’t necessarily bad if you’re lifting weights correctly. The tears will be very tiny and when they heal, you’ll build muscle mass. However, if you lift weights incorrectly or try to lift too much, you can cause more substantial tears. This could result in pain and your muscles may struggle to heal correctly.

Lifting weights incorrectly could strain other tissues, including ligaments and tendons. You may also damage your spine and knock it out of proper alignment. Back problems due to poor gym habits and incorrect form are all too common. Once this damage has occurred, your body may struggle to heal. You may find yourself suffering chronic pain, and you might be forced to skip the gym and other activities.

The good news is that Dr. McClanahan can show you the proper form and techniques. If you live in or near Nitro, WV, and want to get into weight lifting, schedule an appointment at the Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center.

Healing Weight Lifting Injuries

Unfortunately, it’s possible that you’ve already suffered an injury. If you worked out and felt a sudden, sharp pain while lifting, something may have been damaged. Likewise, if your back is sore after hitting the gym, or other muscles seem strained, you may have suffered a lifting injury. Unfortunately, your body may struggle to heal on its own. The good news is that a chiropractor can help.

If you or a loved one recently suffered a weight lifting injury in Nitro, WV, it’s time to work with Dr. McClanahan. He can provide hands-on treatment and teach you how to avoid injuries in the future. Call (304) 776 1520 to reach the Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center so you can schedule an appointment.

Chiropractic Treatment for Stingers

 Dr. Jay McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, serving Nitro, WV, is a chiropractor who knows his way around stingers. Our practice offers a complete list of chiropractic interventions to suit a wide range of complaints and conditions that will benefit from the invention of natural and complementary healthcare.

What Is a Stinger?

A stinger is a temporary burning sensation in your arm, neck, and shoulders. It is usually due to an impact injury that causes the nerves branching off your spine to be stretched or compressed rapidly, resulting in an electrical shock-like feeling and temporary arm numbness or weakness.

While stingers may improve on their own, it is better to seek a professional opinion to prevent the likelihood of long-term nerve damage or weakness.

What Can Cause Stingers?

Stingers are common among athletes who play contact sports. If your head is pushed sideways and down with a snap away from the shoulders, this movement may compress or stretch the nerves and cause a stinger. Repeated stinger injuries should not be taken lightly and for professional athletes, this may mean using additional protective gear for their safety.

Likewise, if you suffer from spinal stenosis or a narrow spinal canal, you may be more inclined to pick up an injury like a stinger.

How Chiropractic Treatments Can Help With Stingers

Suppose you believe you received a stinger or similar injury. In that case, it is a good idea to go for an evaluation with your healthcare provider and/or a chiropractor like Dr. McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center, serving the Nitro, WV, area.

If you are suffering from a stinger, our first recommendation is that you refrain from playing sports until your injury has been fully healed. Additionally, we may recommend one or more of the following treatment protocols:

• Spinal adjustments and manipulations to treat any misalignments resulting from the injury.
• Massage therapy or electrical stimulation therapy to support muscular relaxation and soft tissue repair.
• Therapeutic exercise to strengthen the affected area and to help prevent future injuries.
• Compresses to help mitigate inflammation.
• DTS therapy for pain relief

Contact Us!

If you are suffering from a stinger or related chiropractic complaints in the Nitro, WV, area, please get in touch with Dr. McClanahan at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. We offer thorough evaluations to establish your health needs and chiropractic interventions for pain relief and improved quality of life so that you can get back to playing the sports you love. Call us today at 304-776-1520 to book your consultation.

Tips for Preventing Sports Injuries

 

Are sports injuries causing you pain or keeping you benched? Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center provides personalized, effective chiropractic care to athletes of all levels in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV.

7 Tips for Preventing Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can negatively impact your game – and your daily life. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent these injuries. Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center serving Nitro, WV, shares seven important tips below.

1. Never Skip Warm-Ups, Cool Downs, and Stretches

No matter your activity, your body needs the opportunity to prepare and repair. Always warm up and stretch before you begin. And then take some time to cool your body down and stretch again once you're done.

2. Don’t Forget Your Water

You need to keep your body hydrated properly throughout training, practice, and competitions. Don’t head out the door without a full water bottle and sip on it as much as you can.

3. Wear the Proper Gear

Whether you’re a runner, you play football, or you have a different sport of choice, there is gear available for protection and support. Be sure to outfit your body with the proper gear to limit the chances of injury.

4. Don’t Overdo It

Most athletes push themselves beyond their limits, but this can lead to many injuries. And those injuries can – in turn – negatively impact your performance. It’s safer to gradually build yourself up, giving your body the time to adapt.

5. Make Rest a Priority

Even the mightiest need time to rest and refresh. And if you forego this process, it can actually cause you to perform poorly. Be sure that you give your body plenty of time to rehab and recharge so that you can stay on top of your game.

6. Use Proper Techniques

Using improper techniques in your sport of choice is a very quick way to injure yourself. Invest the time into learning the proper way of doing things and ensure you do them every single time.

7. Fuel Your System

Your body needs the right types and amounts of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to support your activities. When your body is fueled properly, there is a reduced chance of injury.

Whether it’s recovery from sports injuries, injury prevention, or performance improvement, chiropractic care with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help. If you live in or around Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, or Teays Valley, WV, call (304) 776-1520 to schedule an appointment today.

What Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Treat?

 

Electric muscle stimulation (a.k.a. EMS) is a type of healthcare treatment technique that involves the use of electrical currents to stimulate muscle contractions. Electric muscle stimulation, which is often used as a part of many rehabilitation interventions, has various applications in both medical and fitness settings. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, provides electrical muscle stimulation to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and disorders.

How Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Work?

EMS, which is also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), involves the use of electrical impulses that stimulate a muscle to contract, which helps to strengthen, rehabilitate, and relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce pain. EMS offers an effective treatment option for the following conditions-

Muscle Spasms

Spasms in muscles can be relaxed by EMS as it improves blood flow and reduces tension and resulting pain.  

Muscle Weakness

Electric muscle stimulation can help to strengthen a weakened muscle as the impulses help to enhance muscle tone and encourage growth.

Pain Control/Management

EMS helps reduce/alleviate pain and discomfort related to a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. EMS assists in the blockage of pain signals and the release of the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals – endorphins.

Injury Rehab

Electric muscle stimulation is a common rehabilitation component, as it helps to prevent the muscle from atrophying, promotes healing, and maintains/improves one's range of motion.  

Sports Injuries

EMS can assist in the treatment of sports-related injuries, including strains, sprains, and muscle tears. It can help reduce swelling, manage pain, and facilitate the healing process.

Nerve-related Conditions

In certain situations, like peripheral neuropathy, EMS may be an effective technique to treat nerve-related conditions by stimulating the affected nerves, which helps to improve nerve functioning.  

The speed at which EMS can potentially help is contingent on various factors, which may include –

• The specific condition.
• The symptom's intensity.
• The duration/frequency of EMS treatments, and more.

For chronic or more serious circumstances,  several EMS sessions over a period of time may be required and combined with other complementary therapies.

Call a Leading Nitro, WV Chiropractor Today

Do you know or love someone who is challenged with musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and discomfort? To understand how electric muscle stimulation may help treat your condition or better manage ongoing symptoms, contact Dr. McClanahan or a member of our staff at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 304-776-1520. If you prefer, please use our online contact form. We look forward to providing an accurate diagnosis and creating a personalized chiropractic treatment plan.

Back Pain in Golfers

 Back pain is one of the most common issues for golfers in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV face. Learn how to prevent back pain and treat it in this guide from Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center.

Guide to Back Pain in Golfers

There are plenty of great reasons to play golf. It gets you outdoors and gets your heart pumping. It provides an avenue for stress relief and a chance to spend time with friends or family.

For many golfers, though, back pain can put a stop to the fun of the sport. We know how important your game is to you, so Dr. McClanahan and our team at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center put together this quick guide for the golfers of Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV.

Top Causes of Back Pain in Golfers

The back is one of the most active areas when playing golf, so it’s a prime target for injury. Muscle strains, repetitive use injuries, disc herniations, and nerve compression can occur in the upper, mid, and lower back. Most often, these injuries are due to one or more of the following:

• Improper golf mechanics, such as bending too far or rotating the leg inward at the hip
• Weakened core muscles or engaging the incorrect muscles, which can cause other muscles to overcompensate
• Muscle fatigue from playing for prolonged periods
• Repetitive swinging motions
• Swinging in a way that extends your body beyond its normal range of motion

Preventing Back Pain

Though not all injuries or mishaps can be prevented, you can greatly reduce your likelihood of sustaining a back injury with just a few steps.

• Always stretch and warm up before you hit the course.
• Strengthen your core and take care of your general health.
• Seek regular chiropractic care to keep your musculoskeletal system in optimal shape.
• Take a break if you are in pain. Give your body time to recover while doing some gentle stretches and exercises.

Treating Golf-Related Back Pain

Even if you’ve already sustained an injury, chiropractic care can still be very beneficial. Adjustments and soft tissue techniques can enhance your recovery and get you back on the course faster. Therapeutic exercise, personalized workout recommendations, technique recommendations, and nutritional guidance can also help your recovery, as well as improve your performance and overall health.

If you’re one of the golfers in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, or Teays Valley, WV suffering from back pain or looking to prevent it, call (304) 776-1520 to schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center.

Avoiding Common Workout Mistakes

 Exercise holds tremendous benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It can increase energy and stamina levels, help to prevent/manage certain conditions, and promote improved sleep. Dr. Jay McCLanahan and his staff of professionals at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV offer these tips to avoid these common workout mistakes.

How to Avoid Common Workout Mistakes

Whether you are a workout pro or just starting out, the most important thing to remember is to listen to your body. Should you feel pain/discomfort, honor the messages being sent and slow down or stop and rest. The reality is that pushing through pain can create new or further existing injuries and set you back on your workout goals.  

• Start Slowly

Perhaps the most common mistake is trying to do an intense or long workout too soon – before your body is capable of handling the exercise and movement. It is best to begin with low-intensity exercises. As your strength and stamina build, you can increase the intensity and duration to meet your revised exercise objective.

• Warm Up

Before you begin any workout routine, it is essential to warm up and prepare your body. This includes a few light cardio exercises and overall stretching prior to beginning.

• Use Proper Form

To prevent injury and optimize your workout results, it is important to try to use the proper form. Check out online tutorials for helpful guidance, or ask a workout buddy.  

• Stay Hydrated

While working out, staying hydrated is the best way to avoid dizziness, fatigue, and even injuring yourself. Be sure you stay hydrated and drink enough water before, during & after you have finished working out and are cooling down.

• Do Not Skip Your Rest Days

The days you schedule rest are equally important as the days you schedule for your workouts. This is needed because muscles need time to repair, and this recovery happens between workouts.

• Mix It Up

In addition to muscle memory, doing the same exercises day in and day out often leads to a stale workout routine that can become dull and boring. Mix up your workout to keep it interesting and engaging, which keeps your body and muscles guessing as to the type, duration, and intensity of the workout.  

Contact Our Leading Chiropractor in Nitro, WV

For additional information on how to stay strong, healthy, and without injury, contact the professional staff at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 304-776-1520 or online. Dr. McClanahan and his team look forward to helping you reach your health objectives and exercise goals.

How do Heat and Ice Therapy Work?

 Chiropractic care offers an option when you prefer a holistic approach to healthcare. When it comes to sore muscles and strains and sprains, hot and cold therapy is a way to provide treatment without having to resort to medication. Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV provides chiropractic treatments including cryotherapy to residents in Nitro, Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, and Teays Valley, WV. 

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is the use of cold temperatures, at or near freezing, to treat injuries, inflammation, and pain. When you use an ice pack on your sprained ankle, you are using cryotherapy at its most basic level. It can be used as a whole-body treatment, or it can be applied to a particular part of the body. 

It is often used to help accelerate the healing of injuries in athletes. Using ice packs for muscle pains has been mainstream for years. When the ice pack is removed, the circulation is increased in the area and this helps not just raise the temperature, but to promote healing and pain relief. When cold is applied, it encourages the production of endorphins, which are nature's pain relievers.

A 2000 study showed that cryotherapy provided temporary relief for the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.  

Heat therapy

Heat therapy increases blood flow to the area that is injured or in pain. It is often used with stiff and sore muscles. Heat treatment is usually more effective when it comes to chronic pain and arthritis. But some chiropractic therapies also use heat to treat soft tissues and promote healing. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to vibrate and health the tissues below the skin and help promote healing at a cellular level. 

Heat is also psychologically comforting and when you are sore, you want to be comforted. That is where a heating pad or warm packs can help. A hot stone massage uses heat therapy to help relax and provide a feeling of contentment. 

Cold and heat therapy are often used one after the other to treat injuries in the soft tissues. Cold brings down the swelling and slows the blood flow and heat increases blood flow and provides relaxation and comfort.

Contact us

Don't wait, call our office today. Dr. McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV will help you with your pain. The option of cryotherapy will be discussed and if hot and cold therapy makes sense, it can be used. Reach out to us at (304) 776-1520. 

Recovering from Sports Injuries

 

Athletes in the Nitro, WV area recovering from sports injuries are fortunate enough to have Dr. Jay McClanahan and his team at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at their disposal. Our state-of-the-art chiropractic center offers quality chiropractic care to help you recover from sports injuries and get back to doing the sport you love.

What Is a Sports Injury?

A sports injury occurs when the body's structure is affected negatively during sports practice or competition, and it is considered a global health problem. This is complicated by the fact that there is no standardized definition of what a sports injury is. However, a sports injury may include such symptoms and conditions as:

• Sprain and strains
• Swelling and swollen muscles
• Fractures, breaks, and dislocations, including knee injuries
• Tendon ruptures

Sports injuries can happen to anyone, from children participating in school sports or extramural activities to mature athletes and active or retired professionals.

Chiropractic Care for Athletes

Time is of the essence when an athlete is injured. Receiving a diagnosis and treatment is vital to aid in a quick recovery and relieve any pain. These days, athletes need to bounce back from injuries and perform better than they did before. None more so than professional athletes, who rely heavily on chiropractic care to get them back on their feet without too many OTC medications or invasive alternatives like surgery that could keep them out of action for extended periods.

Chiropractic care offers health care in a holistic way that looks to treat the body as a whole rather than as individual parts. This includes the spinal column, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Simultaneously, it supports the nervous system and promotes natural function and activation of the body's healing capabilities. The treatments that Dr. McClanahan and his team at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center serving Nitro, WV, offer to help with recovery include:

• Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations
• Massage therapy and therapeutic exercise
• Spinal decompression

Preventing Sports Injuries

Chiropractic is not only for when you are hurt or recovering; preventative chiropractic treatments can help reduce injuries and improve your overall quality of life. Using the correct equipment and proper sporting techniques is also a good idea. In addition, you can avoid sports injuries by warming up correctly before exercising, cooling down afterward, easing into a fitness regime, and not pushing your body too hard or too fast.

Contact Us!

If you are recovering from sports injuries in the Nitro, WV area, reach out to Dr. McClanahan and his team at the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center today at 304-776-1520 for an appointment so that we can help you on the road to recovery. 

Cyclists and Musculoskeletal Pain

 

Chiropractic care from Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help cyclists in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV stay on their bikes longer.

Ups and Downs of Cycling

It doesn’t matter if you enjoy cycling as a hobby or workout, or if you like to compete. There’s no argument that it’s good for your health. It’s a great cardio and muscle workout. It can also be great for joint health and can even delay arthritis.

Unfortunately, it can also cause some problems. Cycling puts repetitive strain on various areas of the body, which can lead to injuries, pain, inflammation, and suffering. Some of the most common are below.

Knee Pain

One of the most common injuries for cyclists is knee injuries. As you pedal, you put constant pressure on the knee cap. This can cause the joints to wear down, resulting in the bones rubbing one another and tissues being compressed.

Neck Pain

When you ride, you’re likely leaning over while holding your head up to watch where you’re going. This puts the neck in an unnatural position, which can impact your cervical discs, muscles, and joints.

Shoulder Injuries

Many cyclists experience fractures, damaged joints, rotator cuff injuries, torn cartilage, and more to the shoulder. This typically occurs from crashing or falling off the bike.

Back Pain

Overuse injuries and spinal disc injuries to the back are common for cyclists due to the position and constant movement. And the longer you ride without taking a break or stretching, the more serious these injuries can become. Unfortunately, back pain can keep you from cycling.

Foot Pain

It’s not uncommon for cyclists to experience numbness, tingling, and pain in the front or on the bottom of the foot. This can be caused by compressed nerves or a tight plantar fascia band.

Achilles Tendonitis

Pedaling can put a great deal of stress on the Achilles tendon, which is the tissue that connects the ankle and the calf. This can easily lead to pain, inflammation, and discomfort.

Chiropractic Treatment for Cyclists in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV

Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center offers several chiropractic methods to keep you cycling longer. These include:

• Chiropractic massage
• Therapeutic exercise
• Spinal decompression
• Spinal and extremity adjustments
• Ultrasound therapy
• Custom foot orthotics
• Electrical muscle stimulation

Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is dedicated to keeping cyclists in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV on the move. Schedule your appointment by calling (304) 776-1520.

Chiropractic and Common Sports Injuries

 

Sports injury got you down and out? Dr. Jay McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is committed and specialized in treating sports injuries for residents in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV

4 Common Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are common for all athletes – whether you participate on the weekends for fun or professionally. While sports can be great for getting and staying in shape, they can also lead to some painful injuries. Below are five of the most common sports injuries that athletes face.

Misalignment

From a full-body tackle to landing improperly as you run, anything can impact your spinal alignment. Unfortunately, a spinal misalignment can impact your muscles, joints, nerves, and more.

Pinched Nerves

Injuries and misalignment of the spine can often put pressure on the surrounding nerves. When this occurs, you can suffer through tingling, weakness, numbness, and shooting pain.

Sprains, Strains, and Overuse Injuries

Playing hard at your favorite sport means putting your muscles through the wringer, and often leads to tears in the fibers. At times, these tears are minor and can heal pretty quickly. Other times, they may induce muscle spasms, weakness, inflammation, and more that simply won’t go away on their own.

Dislocations

Joint dislocations are not an uncommon occurrence, especially in high-impact activities. Without treatment, it can take weeks or longer to heal – during which you will likely suffer an immense amount of pain.

Chiropractic Treatment for Sports Injuries in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, and Nitro, WV

Sports injuries can range from minor annoyances to such severe pain that you cannot enjoy your favorite activity any longer. However, a visit to Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center can help you recover more quickly through a variety of treatment methods, including those below.

• Spinal adjustments: This is a safe, effective treatment option that realigns the spinal column and helps relieve pressure on pinched nerves.
• Massage therapy: This can help relieve tension and soft tissue injuries.
• Therapeutic exercise: Targeted workout problems can help you stretch and strengthen damaged areas.
• Therapeutic ultrasound therapy: This method helps address soft tissue injuries by increasing blood flow and breaking down scar tissue in a targeted area.

These are just a few of the methods Dr. McClanahan uses to address sports injuries. Your specific treatment plan will include a combination of treatment options that can address your individual needs.

Don’t let sports injuries win. If you live in Cross Lanes, Charleston, St. Albans, Teays Valley, or Nitro, WV, schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan at Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center by calling (304) 776-1520 today.

Protecting Runners from Lower Back Pain

 

Lower back pain is a particularly common problem among runners. Although there is much to be said in favor of running as a form of exercise, it does subject the spine to a lot of jostling, and that strain can accumulate into soft tissue damage. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we’re dedicated to providing non-invasive, non-addictive solutions to musculoskeletal pain and helping our patients to develop lifestyles that improve their overall health. To that end, we wanted to discuss some of the reasons runners are particularly at risk for back pain and what they can do to protect themselves.

When we engage in sports such as running, our lower spinal columns are swaying from side to side. This increases strain on the lower back’s supporting muscles and can cause them to spasm, which results in localized pain. In more severe cases, strain can also damage the spinal discs separating the vertebrae. If the disc swells and impinges one of the roots of the sciatic nerves that emerge from the lumbar vertebrae, a patient may experience radiating pain, tingling, or numbness along the length of their leg. Long term damage to the sciatic nerve may even make it more difficult for someone to lift their foot. Additionally, the vertebrae may start to move out of place, which can result in a condition called spondylolisthesis, in which the body of one vertebra slips over another.

We use spinal adjustments to return herniated discs to their usual position, taking pressure off the sciatic nerve roots and putting the body in the best position to heal itself. Our other treatment options include massage therapy for overburdened muscles and electric muscle stimulation to reduce inflammation. But to lower their risk of back pain, runners will have to give their lumbar vertebrae more support. This could mean wearing a brace, but in the long-term, they will need to build up their core muscles and make sure they’ve adequately stretched before each work-out.

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. 

Weightlifting Safety

 

Weightlifting is an excellent way to maintain musculoskeletal fitness. As a fitness instructor as well as a chiropractor, Dr. Jay McClanahan of the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro has coached many people recovering from injuries to their backs and joints. And while weightlifting may not be suitable for everyone with an injury at every point in their recovery, it does strengthen the bones as well as the muscles, and decreases the risk of a person suffering an additional injury in the future. We can help patients to develop fitness plans for their individual circumstances, but there are a few safety rules for weightlifting everyone should follow.

As with any workout, you’ll need to start out with an aerobic warm-up. You should spend at least five minutes getting your blood pumping through your body (not doing static stretches, which could strain a cold muscle). Your fitness instructor can guide you through the proper form for each lift, but you should increase the length and strenuousness of your workouts slowly. Stop doing anything that hurts, and don’t attempt to lift heavy barbells without someone else present in the room. At the end of your workout, you’ll also need to do a five minute cooldown.

While lifting, you should keep your back straight and avoid turning your head. Control your breathing so that you inhale when you lower the weight and exhale while lifting or pressing. You’ll need to balance your workouts so you don’t work the same muscle group two days in a row or more than twice in a week, or you’ll risk incurring an overuse injury. However, keep in mind that your muscles and tendons can also become fatigued from a sedentary lifestyle, and that lifting weights properly will ultimately make you more flexible and resilient. 

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. 

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.

Sports Injuries

If you’re an avid athlete or just enjoy working out and exercising, you are at risk of receiving a sports injury. Maybe you hit the ball weird in a game of soccer or twisted your ankle while jogging. Dr. Jay McClanahan is here to help no matter how the injury happened. Your Nitro, WV, chiropractic combines an array of different therapies to give you the treatment you need. Together, you can get off the bench and back into the game, with the help of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center.

The most common cause of sports injuries is from repetitive use. You engage in the same movement over and over, wearing down the soft tissues and other muscles. Every athlete is at risk regardless of the sport they play in. With tennis and golf players, they develop Lateral Epicondylitis. This is severe inflammation and pain in the elbow. All of it stems from the repetitive motion of swinging the tennis racquet or golf club.

Discovering the cause of your pain is your Nitro, WV, chiropractor’s top priority. Chiropractors believe that the entire body is connected. When one area is hurt or injured, everything is thrown out of balance. Finding this area and treating it is the only solution. This is the same philosophy used for sports injuries. Dr. McClanahan will examine your body to discover the injury’s location. A treatment plan is then developed.

The type and severity of the injury dictate the treatment method. Chiropractic adjustments are great for relieving your pain. We can also help you with inflammation and swelling. At the same time, your chiropractor focuses on rebuilding your strength. Improving your flexibility and durability in the injured area lowers your risk of reinjuring yourself.

Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan, call 304-776-1520 or visit his website at https://www.drjbackdocwv.com/.

When to Seek Chiropractic Care

If you are suffering from back pain, you don’t need to wait for a certain threshold to seek treatment. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we utilize holistic therapies for musculoskeletal maintenance and pain relief that are safe and easy for patients. Nonetheless, there are certain situations in which it is especially important for patients to seek help.

As sports medicine doctors, we know that a lot of athletes are under the impression that pain is part of the game and they should play through it. But if back pain lasts longer for a week after an injury, the athlete should get a professional assessment in an office such as ours that can do imaging tests. Otherwise, they may be making an injury such as a frayed muscle worse. And if pain from a back injury lasts for longer than six weeks, a person should definitely seek an assessment, since that is how long back injuries generally take to heal naturally.

Symptoms of a pinched sciatic nerve always deserve fast attention. Those include tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in the legs, which could be caused by a slipped lumbar disc. Fevers or incontinence accompanied by leg pain merit emergency care, after which chiropractic can be used to restore and maintain a patient’s spinal health. A person should also always seek a professional assessment after being in a vehicular accident or other traumatic event that could have caused whiplash, since the consequences may not be felt immediately. Our office’s treatments, including massage therapy, spinal adjustments, and physical therapy, provide patients with pain relief while allowing the body to heal naturally, with a goal of allowing the patient to remain as active as possible.

Dr. Jay McClanahan operates the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center at 642 Cross Lanes Drive, Nitro, West Virginia, 25143. To schedule an appointment, visit Dr J Back Doc WV or call 304-776-1520.

Sports Injuries and Chiropractic Treatment

More athletes are turning to chiropractors now than ever.  Medical doctors tend to treat a sports injury by alleviating symptoms with medication and recommending rest from activity.  Even professional athletes with incredibly healthy bodies have relied too much on medicine to heal. At Dr. Jay McClanahan’s chiropractic practice, our approach to rehabilitating sports injuries takes the rest of the body and its natural ability to heal itself into account.  This always results in less time ‘benched’ from activity and a quicker recovery.

You don’t need to be a professional athlete to rehabilitate a sports injury the right way.  If you or your family members are involved in sports, a chiropractor can help you too.  Rather than prescription medication and rest from activity, a chiropractor will focus on repairing any damage to hard and soft tissue with chiropractic adjustments to     the spine and extremities.  If you are in pain from an injury, of course your chiropractor will advise the best pain relief strategy for you.  However your only prescription will likely include physical therapy exercises for you to perform on your own.

Start rehabbing sports injuries with your chiropractor now for a lifetime of healthy activity! To learn more about rehabbing sports injuries and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.drjbackdocwv.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jay McClanahan of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, call 304-776-1520.