From Oprah’s website, Dr. Oz tells us that most of us (80%) will experience back pain at some point in our lives. What should we do about it?  He points to chiropractic care first, followed by physical therapy, Stress reduction, and surgery (as a last resort.)

Chiropractic treatment: Even when the pain is in the lower back, the problem tends to be with the entire spine, says Victor Meir Nazarian, a Los Angeles–based chiropractor. Chiropractors employ manipulation—adjustment of the vertebrae— to help align a patient’s spine, and often prescribe regular visits. "People come in only when they’re in pain," Nazarian says. "But we need to think of our spine the way we do our teeth, using preventive care to stay healthy."

and,

My Recommendation: The research is positive on chiropractic treatment, physical therapy, and stress relief—they all help ease back pain. (As Paul McCormick says, with rare exceptions, surgery is unnecessary.) The key is to get moving again as soon as possible after the pain hits, and then make sure you take steps to prevent a return. I see low back pain as a warning about overall fitness: If you’re active, your hips and back are flexible, your core strength is good, and you’re coping well with the emotional challenges in your life, your back probably won’t bother you. Overlook one of those areas, however, and your back will let you know. And while the emotional link to back pain is controversial, there’s no question that stress can play a part in muscle tension, especially in the lower back and hips, leading to trouble.

From Oprah.

Todd Lloyd, DC
Sonoma Chiropractic Care

This is a very cleverly done video, and it is so simple in its explanation and its execution of their message.

Todd Lloyd, DC
Chiropractor in Sonoma

LCCW from LCCW on Vimeo.

Hip problems are a very common condition that I see in my chiropractic practice. In young people, you see it as a functional problem where the deep hip muscles are weak and it causes postural imbalances.  For instance, a patient will have a foot turned outward when lying on the table. In older people, hip arthritis sets in, and there is a loss of the full range of motion, pain, and the inability to do simple activities like walking.

This exercise is obviously very advanced.  You need to have a good sense of balance to do it. Click on this link below to learn a very simple hip stability exercise that almost anyone can do, and it’s one that I recommend to a lot of my senior patients:

Easy Hip Exercise

That comes from MyTPI.com, a valuable resource for golf fitness and ability.

Todd Lloyd, DC
Sonoma Chiropractic

Chiropractic study involves 7-9 years of higher education and rigorous testing. The curriculum for chiropractic college is often compared to medical school.  Chiropractic students complete a pre-medicine course of study in undergraduate school alongside medical students, then they complete four academic years of chiropractic college. 

This is the reason why chiropractic practice is autonomous.  Nobody needs to be referred into a chiropractor’s office.  The doctor of chiropractic serves as a gatekeeper for diagnosis and referral to specialists.  Chiropractors are overseen by the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners at the state level, and the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners at the national level. the medical profession does not dictate the scope of care for chiropractors and do not make decisions of chiropractic policy. Similarly, other health care professionals do not make decisions of an individual’s chiropractic care plan.  

An indispensible part of training and recovery, in my opinion.

Todd Lloyd, DC
Sonoma Chiropractor

Todd Lloyd, DC
Chiropractor in Sonoma

A colleague of mine, Dr. Benjamin Chambers of Axis Chiropractic in Lee’s Summit, MO, provides a nice audio-visual blog post on headaches, the many types of headaches, and how to work to relieve headaches.

Dr. Chambers says,

headaches are a nuisance, no one would disagree with that statement, but they are also a signal from our bodies communicating vital information; taking the opportunity to assess why the body is sending us this signal is important in breaking the cycle of treating the symptoms of a headache rather than the root cause. There is no fault in wanting to get out of pain and in taking medication from time-to-time, but taking medications on a regular basis for symptoms which pop up frequently is ignoring the vital message sent from our bodies and, at the very least, keeping us in a state of living our lives around pain rather than omitting the pain from our lives altogether.

What to do about headaches?  Dr. Chambers says that chiropractic care is a powerful choice to taking control of the pain and to return to normal day to day activities pain free.

What can Chiropractic do for Headaches?

• Better alignment of the spine, which translates to better posture, balance, muscle tone, and less pain—helping those with headaches and TMJ, among many other conditions
• Decisions surrounding food and nutrition—knowing which foods to take in and which foods contribute to headaches and pain is important in addressing the cause of your headaches
• Stretches and exercises to build weaker muscles, improve posture, balance, and muscle tone, and decrease pain—a sedentary lifestyle lacking motion is a primary cause of pain and headaches
• A more ideal ergonomic blueprint for your workstation, helping to put you in a position that will help you avoid pain and headaches
• Stress management—a factor present to all four of the most common headaches people typically suffer from
• What can Chiropractic do for you? Schedule an appointment with Axis Chiropractic + Wellness today and find out for yourself!

Todd Lloyd, DC
Chiropractor in Sonoma

Is this the thing that is causing your back pain?

LloydChiro.com