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

How Chiropractors Approach Neck Pain

 

Chiropractors see patients come in with neck pain every day. It's a fairly common condition, especially since many people spend so much time sitting down and using devices these days. At Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we use a variety of chiropractic techniques to help patients treat the root cause of their neck pain, not just the symptoms. Dr. Jay McClanahan has years of experience using natural chiropractic techniques to remedy various conditions of the neck and spine.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain is a symptom, not a condition itself. That means there are a variety of factors and causes behind it. One of the most prevalent causes in modern day society is poor posture. People commonly spend hours craning their heads over phones and computers in order to accomplish tasks. The best thing someone can do to avoid this is to work with better posture and take frequent breaks to move around. Other causes of neck pain are injuries, nerve conditions, spinal issues, and arthritis.

How can chiropractors help with neck pain?

Chiropractors help with neck pain by first evaluating the underlying source of the pain. From there, they will be able to formulate a care plan suited to your needs. This may include a therapeutic exercise routine, chiropractic adjustments, or massage therapy. Here at Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we offer a wide variety of treatment options at our Nitro, WV, clinic that will help patients overcome neck pain. Some other options we might employ in your treatment include electric muscle stimulation and spinal decompression therapy.

How to Improve Neck Pain at Home

In addition to chiropractic treatment, there are a few ways to improve neck pain at home. It's not advised to treat severe or persistent pain on your own, as this may be dangerous. However, some of the best ways to avoid pain are to consistently maintain good posture, change positions frequently, and gently mobilize the neck. Heat and cold are often helpful when applied safely. Also, stop any activity that worsens the pain.

To learn more about how Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center can help you reduce neck pain and optimize your quality of life, contact us today. Our team is on standby to answer any questions and help you set up an initial consultation with Dr. J. At this initial consultation, the doctor will evaluate your symptoms and goals. Then, he'll design you a custom treatment plan to meet your needs. You can reach us by calling (304) 776-1520. We look forward to hearing from you!

Low Impact Exercise

 

Almost everyone benefits from regular exercise, regardless of age, gender, or condition. However, not every type of exercise is beneficial for everybody. For the more sensitive, it's important to incorporate low impact exercises to keep active while avoiding pain and joint damage. At Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we regularly help our Nitro, WV, patients design low impact exercise plans optimally suited to their needs.

Low Impact Exercise vs. High Impact Exercise

Low impact exercises are those that are gentle on the joints. High impact exercises, on the other hand, involve heavy pressure exerted on the joints, such as when running or jumping. For those with pain or weak joints, low impact exercises are the healthiest way to stay active. There are plenty of different low impact exercises to choose from, from aerobics to yoga. If you're not sure what to choose, have a discussion with your chiropractor.

Who should do low impact exercises?

Many different types of people can benefit from low impact exercises, even healthy individuals! At Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we advise our Nitro, WV, patients with chronic illnesses, injuries, and those who are rehabilitating from surgery to engage in these types of exercises. Therapeutic exercise is recommended for people experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Low impact is especially valuable for those with arthritis since their cartilage is worn away in their joints, and higher impact exercises can be very painful. Other conditions benefiting from low impact exercise include asthma, heart conditions, fibromyalgia, pregnancy, and general aging.

How to Select Low Impact Exercises

All low impact exercises are suitable for most people. There's a wide variety, which means you can probably find a routine that suits you. If you're having a hard time or a medical professional has advised you against devising your own workouts, always feel free to reach out to your doctor to discuss options and get new ideas. Some common low impact exercise ideas include aerobics, water aerobics, power walking, swimming, working with therapeutic bands, body weight exercises, and more.  You can choose exercises according to specific parts of your body you'd like to strengthen, or just select for overall health and wellness.

If you'd like to learn more about low impact exercise and its benefits, reach out to Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center today. Our staff is here to answer questions and tell you more about how Dr. J's therapeutic exercise programs can help you improve your strength, health, and mobility. They'll also be able to set you up with an initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Benefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound

 

At Dr. J's Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, we offer patients therapeutic ultrasound to help with musculoskeletal issues and more. Prior to receiving this treatment, you might like to learn a bit more about it. Dr. Jay McClanahan's specialty is helping patients just like you overcome their musculoskeletal ailments with natural chiropractic treatment methods.

What is therapeutic ultrasound?

Therapeutic ultrasound is different from the kind used for pregnancy imaging tests. Therapeutic ultrasound involves sending low level sound waves into the body as a form of massage. These sound waves are able to target deep tissues that can't be reached with the hands. This type of ultrasound is completely safe and comes with minimal risk since it's a non-invasive form of treatment.

Who needs therapeutic ultrasound?

Therapeutic ultrasound comes with a wide variety of benefits. It's able to relieve pain, relax tissues, reduce inflammation, promote healing, and even improve flexibility! If you're looking for any of these benefits, come in to Dr. J's Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, for an initial consultation where Dr. J will take inventory of your symptoms and goals in order to determine whether therapeutic ultrasound is the right treatment option for you.

What to Expect at a Therapeutic Ultrasound Appointment

Therapeutic ultrasound is a fairly quick procedure that is painless. After a brief consultation, you'll lay down on a table, and a warm gel will be applied to the targeted area. This gel is designed to better conduct sound waves and prevent friction between the skin and treatment tool. From there, the doctor will move a handheld device over the area that emits the sound waves. During this part of the treatment, patients often feel a warm or tingling sensation in the affected area. Then, the gel will be cleaned off, and you'll be free to resume your normal daily activities. Sessions usually don't last more than 15 minutes.

If you think therapeutic ultrasound may be a good treatment option for you, contact Dr. J's Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Nitro, WV, today. Dr. J will be happy to meet with you for an initial consultation and further discuss the suitability of this treatment option. Simply give us a call at (304) 776-1520 with any questions or to have your consultation scheduled. We look forward to hearing from you!