Health Made Easy

How to Improve your Posture for a Healthy Spine- Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC, Chiropractor

Improving your posture is more than just standing upright; it is about having proper spinal alignment to make sure you hold your body the right way. This helps to prevent pain, injuries, and other health problems in the long run.

When you keep a good posture, it means you are mobile and loose, with your:

• Head up looking straight ahead
• Back straight
• Knee straight
• Tummy in
• Weight distributed evenly on your two feet

However, a poor posture on the other hand can:

• Cause your spine to wear away, making it more fragile
• Decrease your mobility
• Misalign your musculoskeletal system
• Make it harder to breath
• Cause shoulder, neck, and back pain
• Affect how well your joints move
• Increase your risk of falling
• Affect your balance and reaction time

So at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, we always help our patients improve on their posture to better the health of their spine and wellbeing generally.

How to improve your posture

Here are some general tips to help you keep the right posture for a healthy spine:

• Be very mindful of the body position you keep during everyday activities like washing dishes, watching television, walking, or chatting.
• Try to stay active or exercise more often. Some simple exercises to help you improve your posture include yoga, tai chi, etc. You can also include exercises that work on your core, pelvis, and back.
• Avoid wearing heels all the time. You stand the risk of being thrown off balance and learning to walk differently. More so, wearing heels put more stress on your muscles and distort your posture.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Getting extra weight can contribute to lower back pain and cause a problem for your pelvis and spine.
• Make sure you keep a comfortable height for you when making dinner, eating a meal or sitting in front of a computer.

How to improve your posture at home

• Don’t sit too long on a very soft chair or sofa.
• Avoid crossing your legs when seated as it can cause changes in the alignment of your spine over time.
• Make sure you distribute the weight of heavy items you’re carrying on either side of your body.
• Lie on a supportive mattress when sleeping and use a single firm support pillow to prevent neck pain.

How to improve your posture at work

• Keep your back straight when seated in front of a computer. And try to keep your feet flat on the ground with your knees below your hips.
• If your job involves lifting, ask the employer for the right training to carry heavy and bulky objects.
• Get a headset for your phone calls if you are going to spend long hours talking. This helps to reduce the risk of phone strain.

Your posture is a great determinant of the health of your spine. You can follow the measures highlighted above to keep a good posture. However, you can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office, Elizabeth City, NC for the corrective Chiropractic care for your spine.

Is There a Perfect Posture? - Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC Chiropractor

Your structure goes a long way in determining function, and it is always advisable to take your posture and the orientation of your spine seriously. If your spine is not aligned properly, it affects your posture, and when your posture is bad, your body suffers the risk of asymmetrical gravitational loading on the spine. This leads to accelerated damage and degeneration. So, it is important to watch your posture and orientation of your spine.

However, a lot of people often wonder and ask, “Is there any such thing as a perfect posture” Well, the simple answer is “YES”. That’s why we offer corrective Chiropractic care at our Chiropractic office, Elizabeth City, NC.

It is common to see many people with poor posture today, and many people believe it is normal and expected along the path of the aging process. But that’s not true; yea, it is not normal.

There is something called a “Proper Posture,” and apart from the benefit of better health and function, studies have shown that it can help to improve looks and success in life. 

Can you have proper posture?

The simple answer again is “YES” and for you to know more about the good posture, I will show you some lessons from the past.

Genetics shows that humans hardly change at all. In fact, we only have about 0.002% changes in the human genome for the past 40,000 years. Even though our genome and bodies have hardly changed, our social and cultural expectations have transformed us greatly.

So now it is common to see an increased level of:

• Social competition at work
• Stress
• Changes in food, relationship, values, etc.

More so, if you look at our ancestors, they were always on the move, fishing, farming, hunting, and exploring. They needed to stay active to survive. But that’s not the case with our modern way of life. Most people today are restricted (or consciously decide) to stay in front of a computer, TV or smartphone for a long period. All these factors results in bad posture.

The main promoters of degeneration are sedentary life and immobilization. And current findings show that the average American spends about 30 years of their life in a state of rest (sitting).

But as humans, we are designed for movement. Our sedentary lifestyle is causing an increase in spinal misalignment and postural distortion.  This results in hyper kyphosis (hunching back and slouching) and forward head postures, which tends towards greater mortality.

So you can decide to shun a sedentary lifestyle today and learn how to train yourself to keep a perfect posture. You may say “my work requires me to be in front of a computer for hours,” But I will advise you to take short breaks in between your work schedule and try some exercises in your leisure time.

You can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office, Elizabeth City, NC and get a proper check on your spine. You’ll also enjoy corrective Chiropractic care to help you realign and restructure your spine to maintain a perfect posture.

Finding Relief without Drugs – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC Chiropractor

Finding pain relief could be an ongoing hassle. From pills that have severe side effects to other ointments that smell very bad, it could be challenging to stay motivated and keep on searching for better pain relief options.

But, at our Chiropractic Office Elizabeth City, NC, we offer Chiropractic care that provides a non-invasive alternative that does not have adverse effects. Consider the following advantages associated with visiting Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office Elizabeth City, NC to reduce pain.

What Is Pain?

Pain can be regarded as the natural warning system in your body - which makes it an extremely vital and beneficial asset under the right situation or circumstances. These nerve signals inform you of a problem that requires your attention, from a traumatic injury or an infected area to joint or overutilization of a particular muscle category.

This is particularly true of acute pain. Stiffness and sensations of pain discourage you from utilizing your injured body part while it is healing; and as soon as the condition is resolved, the pain disappears.

However, most times, pain could outlive its importance, lasting for months or even for years after your body has done its best to tackle the underlying problem. Such pain can be considered chronic pain.

In a study carried in 2019 by the New York University last graduating students on American citizens, chronic pain was found to affect 116 million participants.

The pain might plague you consistently, or it might come and go in bouts that linger for weeks at a particular time.

Problems with Medications

Though pain medications offer certain relief, they could pose some side effects. These problems might include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and headaches. Addiction to pain medication is another severe issue.

The body also becomes used to the drug as time goes on, so more pills are vital for achieving the same results. Long-term utilization of pain medications isn’t recommended.

Problems with Creams and Ointments

From ointments that claim to decrease joint pain to creams that assure muscle pain relief, several products don't work. Furthermore, they could be sticky or have an unpleasant odor.

Certain ointments can end up staining your clothes and destroying upholstery. Also, it is challenging for them to remain in place. As you keep walking around, the creams could come off.

Finding Relief without Drugs- Chiropractic Care

There are no addiction problems or side effects linked to Chiropractic care. It has always been appreciated for years as the best way to find relief pains and improve health.

You can consult Dr. Jason Jones located at our Chiropractor Office, Elizabeth City, NC to get Chiropractic treatment to reduce your pains. Our non-invasive and natural method provides relief and also reduces pain problems. Furthermore, our Chiropractic care helps to enhance mobility and flexibility, thus improving the quality of your life.

Organic Non-opioid Care for Chronic Pain – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City, NC Chiropractor

In case you just started taking opioids prescriptions for controlling chronic pain, then you might want to try out a non-opioid method for caring for chronic pain. This is because over-dependence on opioids can lead to addiction and overdoes which comes with several diverse side effects. But Chiropractic utilizes safe methods to tackle chronic pain.

The non-opioid treatment for chronic pain includes the following:

Cold and heat

Cold can be essential soon after sustaining an injury to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, trigger recovery, and reduce muscle spasms. Heat increases relaxed muscles and raises your pain threshold.

Exercise

Staying fit physically, irrespective of certain pain, can play an important role for individuals with some of the most typical pain conditions, including arthritis, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.

Weight loss

Several painful health-related conditions get more critical by excess weight. Thus, it makes more sense, that losing weight could assist in relieving certain kinds of pain.

Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT)

OT and PT assist in improving your capability to carry out activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and eating.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

This method uses an extremely mild electrical current to prevent pain signals from going to your brain from your body.

Ultrasound

This type of therapy works by directing sound waves into bodily tissues. It is most times utilized for improving blood circulation, promoting healing, and decreasing inflammation.

Cold laser therapy

This is an FDA-approved therapy for treating pain conditions. The cold laser releases pure light of a wavelength that is absorbed into an affected or injured area and might minimize inflammation and accelerate tissue repair.

Mind-body techniques

Mind-body relaxation methods are typically used at healthcare centers and hospital-based pain clinics. They consist of:

• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Breathing exercises

Tai chi and Yoga

These exercise and mind-body practices use meditation, breath control, and movements to strengthen and stretch muscles. They might assist with chronic pain conditions like low back pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, or arthritis.

Biofeedback

This machine-assisted method of caring for chronic pain helps people take charge of their body reactions and responses, including acute and chronic pain.

Chiropractic is a non-opioid treatment for caring for chronic pain since it helps in improving your body’s function and also helps your body to heal itself.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has to do with putting tremendously fine needles into your skin at precise points on your body. This method might relieve pain by discharging endorphins, (the natural painkilling chemicals in the body). It might also help in influencing serotonin levels, the brain transmitter in charge of mood change.

If you want non-opioid treatment and care for a chronic pain you are experiencing, then visit Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC. We help to correct your body’s alignment to relieve and care for your pains.

Understanding the Opioid Crisis – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City, NC Chiropractor

Opioids have become more widely known as several countries and cities across North America, Australia, etc. are starting to take legal actions against drug-makers and vendors for the severe damages caused by opioid addiction.

What are Opioids?

Opioids include the whole family of opiates (gotten from the natural ingredients in opium). This includes semi-synthetic and synthetic substances.  Opioids consist of strong prescription acute and chronic pain relievers. It has been revealed that a noticeable number of patients who utilize opioids for longer than the prescribed period would develop a dependency.

The four major types of opioid: 

• Endogenous opioids (made by the body)

• Endorphins
• Enkephalins
• Dynorphins
• Endorphins

• Opium alkaloids
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Thebaine

• Semi-synthetic opioids

• Diamorphine (heroin)
• Hydromorphone
• Oxycodone
• Buprenorphine

• Fully synthetic opioids
• Fentanyl
• Pethidine
• Methadone
• Tramadol
• Tapentadol

How do people make use of opioids?

Opioids may be prescribed to anyone suffering from chronic or acute pain when their present pain management – using non-opioids and non-drug treatment – is inadequate.

Opioid use disorder

The opioid-use disorder is the medical terminology for opioid addiction. Opioids are extremely addictive since they stimulate the discharge of endorphins within the brain.

An individual might feel compelled to enhance their dosage or look for illegal means for obtaining opioids, like heroin, in a situation where they feel like they can’t get relief without taking opioids.

The Opioid Crisis

The broad scale of prescription opioid distribution from 2007 to 2013 is believed to weigh at an estimated 76.5 billion opioid painkillers. Rural areas with low-income have been hit the most, including West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky.

Deadly overdoses happened in large numbers across Appalachia and some other ‘hotspots’. Typically considered to be a problem in the Midwest in the United States, the rate of opioid disorder and overdoses rose in every eastern US states.

The death toll caused by drug overdose in the United States was 70,200 in 2017, with about 47,600 of those being linked with opioid addiction. It is typically accepted that the rates of opioid abuse are underreported and underdiagnosed.

Synthetic deaths as a result of opioid overdose are now greater than the number of heroin deaths in the United States. This shows that the manufacture of drugs including cocaine and methamphetamines are now ruined with opioids like fentanyl.

It is estimated that a staggering 400,000 individuals have died in North America due to opioid addiction since 1998. However, the impact of opioid addiction spreads more than measurable deaths and overdoses. Also, it influences unemployment, exacerbations of different behavioral health conditions, and loss in productivity.

Preventing opioid addiction and overdose

To tackle the opioid problem, it is recommended that we implement the following techniques:

• Enhancing opioid education for both consumers and health providers
• Encouraging communication between health providers; and
• Using a Chiropractor to tackle and relieve pain without having to even try opioids in the first place.

For more information on how to take care of acute and chronic pain without opioids. You can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, today.

What Are Opioids? – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC Chiropractor

The word opioid covers several categories. Opioids could consist of medications prescribed for alleviating pain, and they can also be illegal drugs such as heroin, synthetic medications that could be downright deadly.

The epidemic related to opioid refers to the advancement of both non-prescription and prescription opioid drug utilization for non-medical objectives.

In 2015, about 2 million people out of the estimated 20.5 million citizens that had a significant substance abuse disorder experienced a disorder involving prescribed pain relievers. Another 591,000 experienced a disorder that had to do with heroin. And during 2016, 116 individuals died daily from opioid-related drug overdoses.

Below is what you need to know concerning opioids, identifying abuse and preventing addiction.

What are opioids?

Opioids are medications that are typically prescribed to assist in controlling pain, especially after major surgery. The whole group of medications is quite extensive, including synthetic and natural substances.  Opioids break down and integrate with receptors within your brain, which minimizes the perception of pain and also creates feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

When are opioids prescribed?

Opioids are utilized for treating moderate to critical pain. Pain can be chronic or acute. Acute pain simply means it would only stay for a short time (like surgery-related pain).  Chronic pain, on the other hand, is pain that lasts for a longer time. It happens with diseases such as arthritis or cancer.  Opioids are often seen as a last resort, which means that they are often turned to when other pain therapy and medicines aren’t working.

When do opioids become a problem?

Whenever opioids are taken over a longer period of time, the dosage required for creating those euphoric feelings tends to increase.   Yet, the different feelings of pleasure gotten from opioids could lead to addiction. Whenever the Opioid does start wearing off, you might crave those pleasurable feelings.

How do I prevent taking opioids?

In case you recently underwent surgery or have severe pain, work closely with your doctor to choose the treatment that is best for you.

Work with your doctor to know the best possible options. But if you desire a natural treatment to pains without experiencing any side effects, then you might want to consider Chiropractic or some other non-drug treatment.

What can I do to minimize the risks?

• Take all your medications according to your doctor’s directions. Never take more than what is prescribed.
• Take opioid drugs for acute pain only for a reasonable time frame, and then stop.
• Keep your appointments, so that your provider can ensure that you are not having any negative or adverse effects and that the medication is working.
• Make sure you tell your provider about all the medications you are taking, including supplements, vitamins, herbal remedies, and over-the-counter medicines.

Drug-free option for relieving pain

Opioids can completely be avoided if you are scared of the side effects and potential addiction it comes with. You can do this by engaging a Chiropractor such as Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractor Office in Elizabeth City, NC to ensure a drug or opioid-free method for relieving pain.

10 Immune Boosting Tips [BONUS EPISODE]

The best disc treatment options – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC Chiropractor

The use of non-surgical and non- drug treatment methods in providing relief from symptoms of a disc issue has been proven to be effective. Surgery is a risky, irreversible and expensive procedure and has a much higher recovery time.  It's been estimated that over 50% of the population walks around each day with disc issues...and thankfully very few require surgery!  The size of the herniation DOESN'T matter. Always examine the patient, not the picture! Visit Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, for non-surgical treatment of slipped disc.

In some cases, surgical treatment of disc issues may be disappointing for patients who suffer from disc problems because the pain may not be reduced. In other cases, the pain may return or become worse, which may cause weakness in other areas of the spine.

Natural treatment options for disc problems is an effective treatment option for most patients who want a faster recovery time while avoiding the side effects of medication or surgery. It is, therefore, important to visit an experienced health care provider or Chiropractor for the best non-surgical and non-medication treatment of a disc problem.

The best natural treatment for disc issues includes the following:

• Movement Therapy: Several movement therapy techniques are used by Chiropractors to provide relief from the symptoms of disc issues. These methods include corrective movement re-education, massage therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, spinal decompression, spinal rehab, posture correction and many more.
• Chiropractic Adjustments: Research shows that the use of Chiropractic manipulative therapy, such as spinal manipulation, can help reduce pain by proper alignment of the spine.
• Functional Disc Rehydration therapy: Flattened, desiccated and bulging spinal discs may return to some level of proper functionality by promoting and restoring hydration. Loss of spinal fluids has been known to cause problems associated with spinal disc degeneration or disc problems. Visit Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, for proper functional rehydration therapy in treating disc problems.

Functional Disc Rehydration therapy ensures that the spine is decompressed to allow the free flow of nutrients into the starved disc. Bulging discs are restored somewhat to their proper shape.   When a spinal disc is restored and rehydrated, it can effectively provide shock absorption and cushioning between the spinal vertebrae. Disc rehydration ensures that movement becomes more fluid. Back pain associated with a disc is relieved and may be eliminated through proper disc rehydration therapy.

• Exercise programs: Patients with disc problems are advised to carry out stretching and other forms of strengthening exercises to build strength and provide adequate support for the spine. The idea behind this is to keep the body in shape and ensure muscle flexibility.

The primary focus of your workouts should be on low impact activities like swimming, body weight movements/exercises or the use of an elliptical machine.

• Acupuncture: Research has shown that acupuncture is an effective pain-relieving tool which helps the body to release endorphins (the body's natural pain killers).
• Herbal and vitamin supplements: Fish oil and vitamin D ]can be effective in reducing inflammation. The intake of proper diet and certain food supplements may help provide relief from back pain associated with the disc when combined with other natural treatment options. Patients should discuss with their Chiropractor or Nutritionist before taking food supplements as you want to make sure you are taking the right ones.

Changes in certain areas if your lifestyle can help you recover from symptoms associated with a disc. Practicing proper lifting techniques and good posture should be encouraged. You should also try to maintain a healthy weight and learn how to manage stress. Avoid being sedentary for long hours without taking out time to stretch occasionally.   These lifestyle changes can be combined with the natural treatment options for lasting and faster recovery from a disc problem.

The degenerative disc, as the name implies, is associated with wear and tear over time. Disc degeneration occurs when the shock-absorbing property of the spinal disc deteriorates. Spinal discs provide a cushion effect between two adjacent vertebrae and space for the spinal nerves to exit.

Degenerative disc disease can lead to arthritis and other health issues like spinal stenosis. It is technically possible to slow down the degeneration process. Most people, at some point in their life, may experience a few changes in their spine, which may be signs of degenerative disc disease.

How to slow down the disc degeneration process

You can slow down the process of disc degeneration through the following means:

Live an active lifestyle:  One very significant thing to do, which can help you in slowing down the disc degeneration process is by living an active lifestyle. One way to live an active lifestyle is to carry out routine exercises. Most Chiropractors will always advise you to engage in stretching exercises. Stretching allows you to move your joints through several ranges of motion.

Stretching exercises also help in improving muscle strength, especially around the back and abdomen. It would be best if you avoided over-reliance on your spine when doing heavy work. There are appropriate techniques for lifting heavy objects without putting much pressure on your spine. Also look to maintain a good posture even while sitting at a computer.

Take little walks to flex your muscles after sitting for long hours. Dr. Jason Jones, at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, provides proper advice on the best lifestyle that can slow down degenerative disc problems.

Quit smoking:  Research has shown that smoking is an underlying cause of disc degeneration. Tobacco smoking affects spinal discs in numerous ways. Smoking is said to inhibit rebuilding activities that occur around spinal disc edges.

Smoking is also said to aid the constriction of blood vessels that are supposed to provide nutrients to spinal discs. Smoking may also worsen the symptoms of back pain, though a lot of research is still ongoing on this aspect. However, It is a general belief that smoking increases the perception of pain.

Watch your weight:  Studies show that excess weight is said to be one of the root causes of the degenerative disc. The body exerts more pressure on the spinal disc and joints.  Excess weight or obesity contributes to an increase in the risk of disc degeneration in the lumbar vertebrae.

Be conscious of your nutrition:  Be mindful of the type of food you eat. Take a lot of vitamin-rich foods and avoid eating foods processed food. Eat foods that contain healthy fats, vegetables and fruits. Ensure that you stay hydrated so that there will be improved blood circulation and flow of nutrients to different parts of your body, including your spine.

Disc degeneration disease is associated with wear and tear over time, but you can slow down the degeneration process of your spinal disc by living a healthy lifestyle, quit certain bad habits and avoid living a sedentary life. Yoga, spinal reconditioning and other stretching exercises help to strengthen your muscles. You also have to be mindful of the type of food you eat.

However, you can pay a visit to Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, for effective ways, you can slow down spinal disc degeneration.

Spinal discs act as a cushion between the spinal vertebrae and they create space for the spinal nerves to exit the spine. Spinal discs have a hard exterior that provides support and enables a wide range of motion. They can be likened as a shock absorber that protects your spine.

Pain is felt around the spinal disc as a result of the deterioration and break down of spinal discs, which can be very mild to severe.

Visit Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, to help you get relief from pain as a result of spinal disc problems.

There are two common problems associated with the spinal disc. They include the following:

1. Herniated disc

Studies have shown that herniated spinal disc problem occurs as a result of protrusion of the inner disc material through a small tear on the disc. The protrusion of the spinal discs causes more pain than a bulging disc. Herniated disc problem is common among the younger population typically due to trauma.

Symptoms of herniated spinal disc problems include the following:

Pain in the lower back or leg
Cramping or muscle spams
Tingling, weakness or a numbness sensation in the affected area.
Pain tends to worsen when sitting or leaning forward.
Feeling of pain when coughing, sneezing or lifting objects.

Diagnosis:  Your Chiropractor needs to carry out a proper diagnosis to determine the main cause of your herniated disc problem before carrying out treatment. By paying a visit to Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic Office in Elizabeth City, NC, you are sure to get a proper physical examination and, if necessary, refer out for an MRI assessment of the affected area.

2. Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a spinal disc problem that can be responsible for some cases of neck and lower back pain. It occurs as a result of a spinal disc breaking down. Degenerative disc disease is common among those who are elderly but can begin much earlier in life. According to research, Loss of spinal fluid and cracking of the spinal disc can lead to degenerative disc disease.

Symptoms of degenerative disc disease

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease occur gradually and increase with time. They include the following:

Pain in the lower back or neck.
Feeling of pain which restricts certain movement like bending or reaching up.
Less pain is felt when walking, lying down or running.
Stiffness and restricted movement after being sedentary

Diagnosis:  A detailed history, as well as neurological or physical examination, is carried out to ascertain the cause of the degenerative disc disease. X-ray, MRI or CT and Electromyography are diagnostic techniques that may be employed in finding out if you have degenerative disc disease.

The symptoms of spinal disc problems can be very painful. It is important to visit an experienced Chiropractor who will provide proper spinal alignment through several hands-on techniques.