Happy October and Welcome to Inflammation Season! As we move into the fall, it is the time when pumpkin spice and holiday goodies take over. From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies, Christmas cookies, Hanukkah latkes, and festive cocktails, itâs the season of indulgence!
By the time December rolls around, my office is usually full of patients feeling under the weather, battling colds, flu, fatigue, and flare-ups. When we get to talking, the culprit is often accidental overindulgence during the holidays. But don’t worryâIâm a huge fan of holiday fun, too! The joy, gratitude, and connections are important for your well-being. So, what’s the solution? It all comes down to **awareness** and **balance**.
Sugar and Inflammation
Sugar plays a significant role in promoting inflammation in the body. Consuming excessive amounts of refined sugars can lead to spikes in blood glucose levels, which triggers the release of inflammatory cytokinesâmolecules that cause inflammation as part of the immune response. Over time, this chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of various health issues such as joint pain, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Reducing sugar intake helps to decrease inflammation, supporting better overall health, reducing pain, and improving energy levels. Opting for whole, unprocessed foods is a key strategy in managing inflammation and maintaining a balanced diet.
Awareness đ
Holiday temptations are everywhere, starting with Halloween candy in October, and continuing through New Year’s with rich meals, desserts, and festive drinks. Itâs easy to overdo it without realizing it! Here are some tips to help you stay mindful and keep your body balanced:
– Skip the candy bowl đŹ or hand out treats you donât particularly like.
– Space out indulgencesâdon’t let every day become a dessert day.
– Balance treats with nutrient-rich foods, like vegetables and lean proteins đ„Šđ.
– Use holiday spices like cinnamon, which can help regulate blood sugar.
– Support your immune system by taking vitamin D and fish oil.
– Limit alcohol, which depletes important nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins. Be sure to replenish them with healthy foods or supplements.
Balanceâïž
The holidays are all about enjoyment, so donât deprive yourself! The key is balance:
– Plan your week – enjoy treats, but balance them with nutritious meals.
– Say “no” when needed – Itâs okay to decline some activities to rest and avoid burnout. đđ«
– Take downtime to relax and rechargeâthis will help prevent overindulging and exhaustion.
– Get outside! Enjoy Phoenixâs fall weather with walks or hikes instead of sugary coffee dates. đ¶ââïžđ
– Exercise and chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation and support your body during this busy season.
– Rest! Sleep is crucial for staying healthy and energized.
– Stay hydrated and consider adding a high-quality protein supplement to offset the effects of sugar.
Remember, you can enjoy the best of the season without feeling run down by January. Stay consistent with your health plan, prioritize your well-being, and letâs head into the new year feeling strong and refreshed!
How to Get the Most Out of Maintenance Chiropractic Care
Youâve made great strides in your health, and now it’s time to protect that investment with regular chiropractic maintenance care. At Desert Valley Chiropractic in Moon Valley, we believe that maintenance care is crucial for long-term wellness, helping you move better, feel better, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Here are a few tips to make the most out of your chiropractic maintenance care:
1. Donât Skip Visits
Consistency is key! Pre-scheduling your maintenance care appointments ensures you stay on track. Regular chiropractic adjustments keep your body aligned and help prevent potential setbacks. Set reminders and prioritize your health to maintain the benefits youâve worked hard to achieve.
 2. Move Every Day
Incorporating daily movement into your routine is essential for keeping your body in top condition between visits. A simple 30-minute walk can work wonders in keeping your muscles and joints flexible while supporting spinal health. Daily movement is a great complement to your adjustments and helps you stay active and mobile.
Small flare-ups or inflammations may happen occasionally, but applying ice can soothe these areas and keep you feeling great. Ice helps reduce swelling and inflammation, making it a simple, effective tool to have on hand. For more tips on when to use ice or heat, check out our helpful guide.
 5. Incorporate At-Home Exercises
Staying proactive with nerve flossing and core exercises can make a big difference in maintaining the results of your chiropractic care. These exercises help support your spine and nervous system, prolonging the benefits of your adjustments. Adding just a few minutes of these exercises into your daily routine can boost your overall wellness.
 6. Address Flare-Ups Quickly
If you feel any pain or discomfort lasting 24-48 hours between visits, donât hesitate to call us for an appointment. We recommend catching flare-ups early to get you back on track with your maintenance care plan.
Why Maintenance Care Matters
Regular chiropractic maintenance is the smartest choice for keeping your spine healthy and your body functioning at its best. Whether you’re dealing with past injuries or aiming for long-term wellness, staying consistent with care will help you continue to live pain-free.
When searching for chiropractic care in North Phoenix, you might wonder if X-rays are necessary before starting treatment. The short answer? Not always! While some chiropractic techniques rely on X-rays to determine the best approach, Desert Valley Chiropractic takes a different route to deliver personalized and effective care.
Why Some Chiropractors Use X-rays
While some experts consider it controversial many chiropractic offices use X-rays to guide manual adjustments. This may help the doctor know exactly where and how to adjust. This is particularly important for techniques that involve rotation or extension of the spine, as these movements can stress the joints if not carefully controlled. X-rays provide a clear view of the spineâs structure, helping chiropractors perform these techniques safely.
Of course, there are still scenarios where X-rays can be beneficial, such as screening for injuries such as a car accident, pathologies, or other underlying conditions. If we believe an X-ray is necessary based on your symptoms, medical history, or response to care, we refer you to a trusted radiology facility. There, a board-certified radiologist will review your films and provide us with a comprehensive report.
The added bonus of this approach is that your X-ray results are stored in a patient portal, making them accessible to your other healthcare providers if needed. This way, you have a thorough record of your health history that goes beyond just your chiropractic visits.
What About the Radiation?
Some patients are concerned about the radiation of an X-ray. Rest assured they are safe.  For example, the radiation from a chest X-ray is the equivalent to 10 days outside in the environment. So, if we determine an X-ray is necessary, we will discuss the reasons why and you can breathe easy because they are a sage diagnostic tool.
If You Donât Use X-ray, What Do You Use?
As mentioned above we use technology called Myovision. MyoVision is an advanced diagnostic tool similar to an EKG for activity of heart Muscle. The Myovision scan provides detailed insights into how your muscles and spine are functioning together. This state-of-the-art technology uses surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure the electrical activity in your muscles.  Giving us a real-time snapshot of any areas of muscle tension, imbalance, or stress. The MyoVision scan is quick, non-invasive, and completely safe. Making it an ideal tool to use during your initial exam and throughout your care plan to track your progress.
The data collected by MyoVision along with a physical exam helps us pinpoint problem areas that may not be apparent through traditional assessment methods. By understanding how your muscles are responding to nerve signals, we can fine-tune our treatment approach to ensure that each adjustment is as effective as possible.
At Desert Valley Chiropractic in North Phoenix, we utilize MyoVision technology to complement our Activator Methods technique, allowing us to deliver precise, customized care without the need for X-rays in most cases. This way, you can have confidence that your treatment is guided by the most accurate and up-to-date information available.
Why Choose Desert Valley Chiropractic?
With over 300 five-star Google reviews, we are proud to be one of North Phoenixâs top-rated chiropractic offices. Our patients appreciate the gentle approach of Activator Methods, which has made a life-changing impact on many people dealing with pain and discomfort. Whether youâre dealing with a recent injury, chronic pain, or just looking to maintain your health, weâre here to support your wellness journey.
Ready to experience the Desert Valley difference? Call us today at 602-439-1515 to schedule your first visit!
Chiropractic care has been helping CrossFit enthusiasts maximize performance and minimize injuries for a long time. Â CrossFit is an intense workout regime embraced by over 5 million people each year. Given its demanding nature, many CrossFitters, who often have sedentary jobs, find themselves prone to injuries. However, these injuries are not inevitable. Incorporating stretches, foam rolling, and other mobility exercises into your routine can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for CrossFitters, enhancing their performance and overall well-being.
Chiropractic Care and Injury Prevention
CrossFit workouts involve high-intensity movements that can strain muscles and joints. Regular chiropractic adjustments help maintain proper alignment of the spine and joints, reducing injury risks during workouts. Poor form during lifts and exercises is a primary cause of injuries. Misaligned joints can lead to unintended poor form. Chiropractic care enhances joint function, increases range of motion, and improves form, thereby preventing injuries.
Get the Most out of your Workout
Proper joint alignment and function improves biomechanics of the spine or other effected joints. Improved mechanics allow you to get the most out of your workout, including more intense Crossfit workouts. When the body is in alignment, muscles function optimally, allowing athletes to generate more power and strength.
Recovery, Recovery, Recovery!!
CrossFit workouts can be intense, often resulting in muscle soreness and fatigue. Being in optimal alignment with Chiropractic adjustments will promote faster recovery by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow and aiding the bodyâs natural healing processes. The better your recover, the more you can perform on your next workout.
Enhanced Range of Motion
Flexibility and range of motion are crucial in all aspects of life, including CrossFit. It is important to have smooth movements to aid with proper form and technique. Chiropractic care improves joint function and reduces muscle restrictions, helping CrossFitters move more freely and efficiently.  Given how much time we spend sedentary in front of a computer with poor posture, achieving full range of motion when starting to work out can be challenging. Regular chiropractic visits can significantly improve this.
Prior to any big workout including CrossFit it can be beneficial to warm up your core. Core engagement is critical to preventing significant injury during a workout. If we engage the core for a few minutes prior to a workout, it will be there to support us when we need it. Plus, it can help with your form, especially with more intense movements.
Also, donât forget to stretch after the workout. You have spent all that time working your muscles, shortening them and putting stress on the surrounding joints. Take the time to lengthen those muscles after your work out. Theyâre already warmed up, they’ll have good blood supply and post workout stretching has been shown to reduce soreness and speed up recovery.
Overall, chiropractic care supports the health and performance of CrossFit athletes by addressing musculoskeletal issues, promoting better range of motion, optimizing overall function and faster recovery. Itâs essential for athletes to work with qualified chiropractors who understand the unique demands of CrossFit training. At Desert Valley Chiropractic, we are dedicated to providing expert care to help you achieve your fitness goals safely and effectively.
Did you know that Chiropractic Care doesn’t have to be scary? Despite the proven benefits and growing popularity of chiropractic care, we often see patients who are initially nervous about seeking care. Sadly, several misconceptions persist that can deter individuals from seeking the relief and wellness they deserve. Let’s debunk some of the most common myths about chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Myth #1 –Â Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous:
While this sentiment is not nearly as prevalent as it once was there are some that still think itâs dangerous. Some are âscared of the pop and crack,â but not all chiropractor adjust that way. Statically chiropractic adjustments are safe, even the traditional approach. However, at Desert Valley Chiropractic we specialize in a different technique.  We use a light an effective adjusting instrument called an Activator to mobilize and realign the spine without twisting, or cracking.
There are many benefits to an Activator adjustment, and they include:
Speed – An Activator is roughly 1000 times faster than adjusting with our hands! Since we donât twist our patients like a pretzel there is no resistance. This means we donât need all the force to adjust the spine.
Reduced Inflammation â Groundbreaking research in 2016 by Dr. Song discovered that a chiropractic adjustment with an Activator reduce swelling. Specifically Activator will reduce swelling around the facet joints and the nerve root. This is essential to reducing pain and improving mobility.
Precision: Activator allows for pinpoint accuracy. We target specific areas of the spine and joints to improve alignment and function.
Safety: The controlled force and gentle nature of the adjustments make the Activator Method a safe option for patients of all ages, including children and the elderly. Again, no twisting, popping or cracking!
Chiropractic Myth #2 â 1. Chiropractic care is for adults only:
Chiropractic care is a versatile and effective healthcare option for individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
Children – gentle chiropractic adjustments can help with common issues such as colic, ear infections, and improving sleep patterns.
Teenagers and Adults – They benefit from chiropractic care for sports injuries, posture improvement, and managing everyday aches and pains.
Seniors – Chiropractic care provides a safe and effective way to address age-related conditions like arthritis and improve overall mobility and balance.
By focusing on the body’s natural ability to heal itself, chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to health and wellness, ensuring that patients of all ages can lead healthier, more active lives.
Chiropractic Myth #3 –Â Chiropractic care is only for Low back Pain:
It is true that many patients seek chiropractic care for low back pain however, studies indicate over half the population seeking chiropractic care do it for other health concerns as well:Â Â Â A review by the National Institute of Health (NIH) demonstrated the following:
46 % of patients who visit a chiropractor are because of Low Back Pain.
13 % of patients who visit a chiropractor do so because of Neck Pain
Chiropractic care does not have to be scary. It can be an effective treatment to reduce pain and get you back to your life, and we would like to help you with that. Call or schedule today and find out for yourself the truth about chiropractic care.
There are some surprising benefits of chiropractic care. Itâs a drug free, non-invasive approach to healthcare that has become popular in recent years. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the benefits of chiropractic care and how it can help improve your overall health and well-being.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Pain Relief
One of the primary benefits of regular chiropractic care is its ability to relieve pain. Many people turn to chiropractic care as a form of pain management. Patients seek out chiropractic for conditions such as back pain, neck pain, and headaches.  Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve range of motion. These may include
Spinal adjustments to improve joint function.
Electronic muscle stimulation to reduce tension.
Rehabilitative Exercises to improve stability of an area.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Improve Mobility and Flexibility
A common complaint that many people present to a chiropractor is a decrease in mobility and flexibility. This is because the spine plays a crucial role in the bodyâs movement. When the spine is out of alignment, it can lead to stiffness, limited range of motion, and even muscle imbalances. Chiropractors can use spinal adjustments to realign the spine, to help to improve mobility and flexibility. This can lead to reduced pain, better posture, less strain on the joints, and improved athletic performance.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Its not just a treatment for the Spine
While it is true that Chiropractors focus heavily on the spine, for many of us it is not only about improving the alignment of the spine. Joint restriction or misalignment in the extremities can lead to a decrease in motion and pain. This can have a negative impact on shoulders, elbows, hands/wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Many Chiropractors can improve mobility and reduce the pain in these areas through a Chiropractic adjustment.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Boost Your Immune System
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Chiropractic care can also help to improve overall health by boosting the immune system. The spine is closely connected to the nervous system. When the spine is out of alignment, it can negatively impact the functioning of the nervous system. This can lead to a weakened immune system, making the body more susceptible to illness and disease. By realigning the spine, chiropractors can improve the functioning of the nervous system. This can can lead to a stronger immune system and better overall health. Which is just one reason why patients continue to get adjusted; the benefits of long term chiropractic care.
Studies have shown that regular chiropractic care can increase the number of white blood cells,. White blood cells are responsible for fighting off infections and illnesses. A better immune system can lead to fewer colds and illnesses and a faster recovery time when they do occur. Additionally, the reduction in stress and improved nervous system function can have a positive impact on the immune system as well.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Improved Mental Health
In addition to the physical benefits, chiropractic care can also have a positive impact on mental health. Many people experience stress and tension in their muscles, which can lead to headaches and other symptoms of tension. Chiropractic care can alleviate many of the common symptoms of stress, including muscle tension, pain and headaches. Less of these symptoms can improve overall mental well-being.
Furthermore, research suggests that regular chiropractic care can also help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting a sense of relaxation and balance in the body. This is because chiropractic care can help to regulate the nervous system, which plays a key role in mood regulation. Additionally, the natural and holistic approach of chiropractic care can also help to promote a sense of well-being and reduce feelings of stress and tension. Long-term chiropractic care can also help to maintain a sense of balance and well-being, preventing the onset of mental health issues.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Improved Digestion and Respiratory Health
Chiropractic care can also help to improve digestion and bowel regularity. The nervous system controls the digestive system, and when the spine is out of alignment, it can negatively impact the functioning of the digestive system. Regular chiropractic care can help to improve the functioning of the nervous system, which can lead to better digestion and bowel regularity.
The care provided by a Chiropractor can also help with conditions such as asthma, allergies, and sinus problems. The nervous system controls the respiratory system, and when the spine is out of alignment, it can negatively impact the functioning of the respiratory system. Regular chiropractic care can help to improve the functioning of the nervous system, which can lead to better respiratory function and less problems with asthma, allergies, and sinus problems.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care: Itâs Non-Invasive and Drug-Free
Finally, chiropractic care is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to healthcare. Unlike some forms of conventional medicine, which may involve surgery or medications, chiropractic care is a natural and holistic approach to healthcare. This can be especially beneficial for people who are looking for an alternative to traditional forms of healthcare or who want to avoid the side effects of medications.
In conclusion, there are many benefits of chiropractic care. It is a form of alternative medicine that can offer many benefits to people looking to improve their overall health and well-being. It can help to relieve pain, improve mobility and flexibility, boost the immune system, improve mental health, digestion and bowel regularity, respiratory function and less problems with asthma, allergies, and sinus problems. It also provides a non-invasive and drug-free approach to healthcare. If you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, or simply want to have a healthier life⊠consider a visit to a Phoenix Chiropractor near you.
