Are you finding yourself to be more stressed and anxious than usual?

A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 38% of people felt their stress levels increased during the holiday season. Stress can lead to an increased risk of illness, substance misuse, and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

A study examining the effects of chiropractic treatment on blood pressure and state anxiety in 21 patients with elevated blood pressure revealed the state anxiety and systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased following chiropractic treatment.

We are here regular hours during the holidays with the exception of Christmas, when we are closed. Merry Christmas!

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Another study, from the 2018 edition of the same journal, tells us that when people use mobile devices, their posture is often poor (not a surprise).  Sarah Hopkins, DC, believes the long-term side effects of text messaging and smartphone use can cause a person’s posture to change over time.  “The body has an incredible ability to adapt,” Hopkins says.  “Unfortunately, when people are hunched over their cell phone all day, the body adapts to that posture, too.”  Optometrists are also weighing in on the “text neck” debate.  The growing concern with smartphone and computer use stems from the effects of increased exposure to harmful blue-violet light.  Many digital devices use LEDs that can emit about 35 percent blue-violets light.  This can increase the risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.  Regular “eye breaks,” which are recommended, complement good neck posture because eye strain is usually compensated by changing neck position.  A one-minute break after every ten minutes of screen time is a good recommendation.

Smart phone use means you will be “looking down” for years to come.  Chiropractic spinal adjustments will help to correct postural imbalances from frequent “text neck.”  Technology is here to stay and we need to incorporate it safely into our lifestyle.  Chiropractic also works hand-in-hand with corrective exercises to aid the chiropractic adjustment.

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That’s because every moment represents a struggle between slight discomfort and outright misery. When this fine line is present in your life, you need to be extra proactive about caring for your spine in the minutest of ways. From maintaining a regular routine of exercise to holding tight to a regular sleep schedule, the most basic of things can make the biggest difference. At Greenway Plaza Chiropractic, it is our job to provide the therapy you need to feel great despite your condition. But flare ups will still happen; and in these moments, it is important to know how to manage. 

Managing back pain on a daily basis

You’ve got to keep moving. Even if you never feel like moving again, that is most likely going to make your condition worse. Almost every spinal condition will improve given regular motion, appropriate exercise and stretching. Movement is key to strengthening the core as a stabilizer, and maintaining full range of motion in the spinal joints. 

Heat and ice are your allies. But you’ve got to know when to reach for each one. Heat for circulation and pain relief; ice for inflammation. Make the right choice. 

Sleep is essential. No one can effectively heal without the restorative period of sleep. Whatever is stopping you from sleeping, it’s time to address it. 

At Greenway Plaza Chiropractic, we are your greatest allies in the fight for wellness. No matter what your spinal condition, we are there to help with a range of modalities that are designed to improve range of motion and reduce pain. Give our office in Houston a call to schedule an appointment today. 

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Chiropractic helps you find better quality sleep

Studies have shown that 1/3 of people who receive a chiropractic spinal adjustment report improvement in their sleep the very night of their treatment. How does this work? 

• By addressing pain: if pain is keeping you up at night, our natural modalities seek and correct many musculoskeletal causes of that pain. Spinal adjustment not only alleviates nerve compression and mitigates back pain, but it also increases feelings of relaxation that help you sleep.
• By boosting circulation: oxygen is a primary component of sleep. Getting the oxygen and nutrients you need to your brain cells is a signal way of falling and staying asleep.

Furthermore, we can counsel you on sleep hygiene and environment- the particular factors that contribute to your sleep health. From sleep position (side, back, stomach), to sleep equipment (pillow, bed, blankets); from temperature and darkness in the room to how you prep for sleep beforehand; every little factor matters. We are Houston’s go-to resource for improving the quantity and quality of sleep. 

Helping Houston sleep better

If you are tossing and turning because of anxiety, you will want to seek another kind of specialist, as we are not qualified to address mental health concerns. But if you suspect that physical pain or dysfunction is the source of your sleeplessness, give our office in Houston a call to schedule an appointment and start sleeping better today.

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A further value of cardio for back pain sufferers is that it promotes blood flow, allowing nutrients and oxygen to circulate to every cell in your body, optimizing function and further reducing pain. The last way that cardio aids back pain sufferers is by releasing endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers. Just 30 minutes of vigorous exercise can release a flood of feel-good chemicals into your blood stream. But not all cardio is good for back pain- for example, running can cause repetitive trauma to spinal joints, actually making the problem worse. 

Other forms of cardio that are better for your back

Here is a list of cardio workouts that limit the amount of stress to your back: 

• Swimming 
• Elliptical
• Cycling
• Rowing
• Walking
• Body weight training

All of these activities give you a full range of cardio benefits while minimizing the trauma that your back incurs along the way. But variety is important: each of these activities will condition a specific set of muscles and exclude others. However, if you are suffering from back pain, it is important to make your sport account for your condition. Do not continue with a sport that is causing you pain. 

Back pain in Houston

At our office in Houston, we are commited to helping people find solutions for their particular health concerns. Don’t let back pain stop you from reaping the full benefits of cardiovascular exercise. Let us help you reduce pain and improve function so that you can continue enjoying activities that help you feel better.

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– Chevet’

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– Robin

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– Paulette

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– Mary

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