Of the 25 million people who enjoy golfing, many of those players suffer from chronic pain. Golf requires a repetitive motion and uses a variety of muscles in your entire body. It requires most of the repetitive motion on one side of the spine. Because of this, your body may find it hard to efficiently guide your swing and have a load of stress on the lower back, neck, and wrists.
The mechanics of your golf swing starts with your nervous system. That’s why upper cervical care will keep your swing on track. By not having a properly aligned and balanced head on the vertebra, the signals that travel from your brain to your nervous system to all of your body parts, your body can be disrupted or distorted. Resulting in experiencing symptoms and developing pain, all while affecting your performance.
To prevent the interference between your brain and body from communicating correctly, you must maintain balance and alignment on top of your neck. Upper cervical care will help you restore balance to your body and remove the interference.
Your body can be balanced and function better, resulting in a BETTER GOLF GAME. An upper cervical correction is a gentle, non-invasive way to fix your pain. By applying a precise and controlled touch to your head, neck, and spine, your body can be restored and have balance by removing the interference in communication signals.
There are many benefits of chiropractic care. Not only can it help with your golf swing, but also a tool to keep you on track to a healthy and active lifestyle. Regular adjustments can keep your body on track and perform maximum mobility at the top of your game. Even if you do not suffer from pain or injuries, chiropractic can help prevent injury in the future.
Contact Atlas Chiropractic today for more information on how we can help reduce the chance of injury for golfers and promote healing!
If you are living with constant migraines, then you know it’s more than just a bad headache. Migraines are neurological conditions that can impact all areas of our lives and our health.
June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. During this time, we must raise awareness and educate others about migraines, headaches, related diseases, and conditions. Migraines impact over 40 million people in the US, and nearly 400,000 Americans experience cluster headaches. These painful, intense headaches can be frequently known as a cluster period and could sometimes last weeks or even months.
Migraines may cause you to disappear during work hours because of your experiencing symptoms due to migraines, like debilitating pain, blurred vision, or even nausea. The most common migraine symptoms sometimes make it impossible to work. Some may go to the workplace, which triggers migraine attacks because of the long hours on the computer screen or feelings of being in a stressful environment.
People who experience consistent migraines cannot work normally and function as they could. Because of this, you feel less productive, get less done, reschedule meetings, call in sick, and miss out on essential details to reach your goals.
Because of migraine unpredictability, you never know when or where you will be when a migraine attack occurs. The encompassing nature of these attacks means sometimes, we wind up disappointing ourselves and the people close to us. You never know when and where you will feel a migraine come on. It could be when you’re out trying to support a friend or on an important date for you and your partner. Those relationships could feel threatened. After all, you can’t show up when they need you most because you’re dealing with unbearable pains and symptoms.
Dealing with migraines can make parenting feel impossible. It’s hard enough being a parent, or even a single parent, and having to deal with the difficulties of migraines. Even the most minor things can feel challenging when dealing with children while you have a migraine attack. You may feel bad for your partner, who is taking more responsibility because you have to rest and feel the burden of migraine symptoms. For single parents, there is no help, and juggling parenthood while feeling pain can take a toll on our bodies and mental health.
It’s not uncommon for people who experience migraines to experience mental health problems. Because of these effects on our lives, other body parts have trouble coping with regular life tasks.
At times there is no cure for migraines; however, there are common ways to manage them effectively with upper cervical chiropractic.
Migraines are neurovascular headaches. “Neuro” stands for the nerve component and “vascular” for blood vessels. Another primary issue that directly causes migraines is a disruption in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is crucial for proper brain function.
At Atlas Brain and Body, we can measure stress on the brain stem and the pain-sensitive surrounding tissue. Sometimes the blood supply to the brain is often compromised. Another primary issue that directly causes migraines is a disruption in Cerebro spinal fluid, which is crucial for proper brain function.
If you want to start making significant changes in your life and live without the pains and agony of migraines, make an appointment at Atlas Orthogonal at (828) 253-0700 to see how we can help.
It might be hard to believe, but the foods you eat can play a significant role in your spinal health. Suppose you’ve been experiencing spinal problems lately. In that case, getting on track with the proper diet is probably the next step to feeling your best.
Specific food is packed with what your body needs to be healthier and more robust. By making the right food choices, you can get back on track to a healthier spine. Avoiding the wrong foods and replacing them with the right ones is the best way to start.
Wondering what foods are best for your spine? Here are 5 of the best foods to consider adding to your diet to keep your spine healthy.
We know that vegetables are good for our health, body, and mind. By creating more vegetables in your diet, you can improve your spine and overall health and wellness. That being said, certain vegetables contain properties that will help fight spinal issues.
Green, leafy vegetables like kale, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach strengthen properties like inflammation. These vegetables also contain nutrients that help support the spine. Your spine is the backbone of your body’s skeletal system, and it needs all the nutritional help you can give it. These leafy greens are full of essential vitamins like A, C, E, and K for the bones and tissues for a healthy full-functioning spine. Things like vitamin K help with calcium absorption, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Magnesium in these vegetables also increases bone density and muscle strength.
2. Fruits When adding fruit to your diet, you have to be more careful because the high sugar and overconsuming can negatively affect your health. While you need to be responsible, fruits have many health benefits on the spine.
Berries are particularly good for spinal health. Pack with antioxidants that naturally fight inflammation and even reduce the risk of experiencing pain when developing arthritis. Fruits like blueberries have more than 20 different antioxidants. Cherries and grapes have similar benefits. Tart cherries have the most anti-inflammatory benefits of any other fruit.
Pineapples are another fruit that can help people manage osteoarthritis pain. Pineapples carry an abundance of manganese that help prevent arthritis of the spine and strengthen connective tissues. High amounts of manganese and protein-digesting can also minimize flare-ups from inflammation and increase the strength of the spine and joints.
Calcium is essential for maintaining proper bone and spine health. The easiest way to add calcium to your diet without taking supplements is by increasing dairy in your diet. You can begin building your spine health by choosing the right type of dairy to add and not overconsuming it.
Be smart about consuming dairy products to avoid adding too much fat or cholesterol.
Omega-3 can naturally reduce your body’s inflammatory response and help the healing process. Omega-3 is known for decreasing chronic inflammation. Since inflammation is a contributor to back pain, reducing the inflammation will likely decrease pain you may be experiencing.
Adding salmon to your diet regularly is a great way to gain omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon is versatile and tastes good. It can be prepared in different ways and suitable for your health in many different ways.
5. Herbs and SpicesHerbs and spices are another great way to increase spinal health. Add one of these herbs and spices below to your recipes and daily diet routine. Try creating herbal teas, which strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation.
When changing your diet to gain better spine health, remove unhealthy choices gradually and replace them with better alternatives. Enhance your diet by replacing your meals over time with more nutritious options.
A diet full of essential vitamins and nutrients is ideal for overall well-being. If you need further guidance on proper nutrition for optimal back health in your spine, consider making an appointment with Dr. David Nygaard to discuss your options for a healthier spine.
Contact Atlas Brain and Body today at 828-253-0700 to see how we can help.
If so, you’re part of the 86% of American workers who are sitting up to 13 hours a day.
At the same time, we know that human bodies were designed for the near-constant activity of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, and there was nothing equivalent to the sedentary existence we now live. Our bodies definitely suffer when existing almost entirely in a seated position.
On top of that, desk workers often develop poor posture, with gravity pulling them into a forward slump. This puts a strain on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia that, over time, can cause repetitive stress injury and chronic pain.
Whether you’re working from home or in an office, your first step is to evaluate your workspace to ensure that your body position is correct. Check out our blog post on working safely from home, which talks about how to set up an ergonomic workspace and includes a diagram of the ideal set-up.
Next, consider taking mini-breaks and doing a stretch that was designed to counteract the effects of long-term sitting.
The “Brügger’s stretch” was developed by Swiss neurologist Alois Brügger (the spelling of his name varies), who studied the pain caused by bad posture.
Essentially, you’re going to give your body some much-needed balance.
You can do this stretch either sitting or standing.
Here are instructions for both:
Sit on the edge of your seat and tilt your pelvis forward.
Spread your legs to 45 degrees with your feet turned out slightly.
Imagine a piece of string is attached to the top of your head and someone is lifting you up. Your chin is tucked in, your neck is long, and your shoulders are relaxed.
Fully straighten both arms to the sides. Keep your shoulders down and imagine your shoulder blades are pushing together and down into a V.
Externally rotate your arms so your palms are facing up and your thumbs are turned out. Separate your fingers.
Take long, deep, relaxing breaths.
Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times per hour.
Stand with legs slightly apart, your feet in line with your hips.
Find a neutral pelvic position–neither arching your back nor tucking your tail under.
Imagine a piece of string is attached to the top of your head and someone is lifting you up. Your chin is tucked in, your neck is long, and your shoulders are relaxed.
Fully straighten both arms to the sides. Keep your shoulders down and imagine your shoulder blades are pushing together and down into a V.
Externally rotate your arms so your palms are facing up and your thumbs are turned out. Separate your fingers.
Take long, deep, relaxing breaths.
Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat 2-3 times per hour.
You’ll do your body a great favor if you integrate this stretch into your daily routine, along with as much exercise as you can fit into your schedule!
Consider setting up an appointment with Dr. David Nygaard to talk about other ways to prevent injury and ensure your ongoing health.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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As creatures made up of approximately 70% water, humans need to drink water regularly.
Good hydration helps with nearly all of our bodily functions, such as:
And when we’re well-hydrated, we simply feel better–and that puts us into a better mood.
Most of us have heard the recommendation to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (a total of 64 ounces). The Institute of Medicine recommends drinking more than that: 74 ounces per day for women and 101 ounces per day for men.
In practice, the optimal amount of water that your body needs each day depends on your individual body. You can confirm that you’re getting an optimal amount of water intake when you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is clear or very pale yellow.
But even if you set an intention to drink more water, it’s easy to get carried away by your busy schedule and forget. You may think you’re drinking more water than you actually are.
1) Fill a jug and keep it nearby.
The easiest way to track your daily water intake is to fill a big jug with the total amount of water that you intend to drink before bedtime. Then drink it! Of course, this may not be practical for you, since it would require dipping into a biiiig jug. A smaller bottle works fine–but the bigger the better. Then you won’t have to remember to refill it 3-4 times per day, which can become a barrier to reaching your goal.
2) Get a water bottle that you love.
When you’re traveling, commuting, or otherwise out and about, it can be harder to find water sources–and buying bottled water can be expensive and wasteful. When you love your water bottle, you’ll be more excited to pack it, reach for it, and refill it. Consider the shape, size, color, and texture when choosing a bottle–and pay attention to how many ounces it holds. Then don’t leave home without it!
3) Make hydration part of your micro-breaks.
If you’re sitting at a desk throughout much of your work day, consider planning regular micro-breaks to do something active every hour or two, like the Brügger’s stretch and a quick walk to the kitchen to fill your water bottle. Put your micro-breaks on your calendar so you get automatic reminders. Your body will benefit from the increase in activity–and the increased hydration.
4) Use a straw.
We want to make your water as accessible as possible–and sometimes even the cap on your water bottle can stand in the way (like if you’ve got a baby on one arm and have only one hand free). If you have a straw ready to go, you just grab it and drink. Plus, you’ll actually be able to down the water faster with a straw than without one.
5) Track with an app.
If you want to go the extra mile by logging your daily intake and creating reminders, consider using an app, many of which are free and available on your smartphone! (Find the Best Hydration Apps of 2020 here.) Most fitness devices (like Fitbit) also have a built-in tracker, so you may find that you have one already.
As you implement these strategies, you’ll gradually develop better hydration habits–and you should see some improvement in terms of how your body feels.
Hats off to you for prioritizing your overall health and best of luck on your hydration goals!
And feel free to get in touch with Dr. David Nygaard to find out how to further customize your hydration strategies for your individual situation.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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And, as if COVID-19 weren’t enough, now we’re heading into cold and flu season—and our bodies are already stressed after months of weathering a pandemic.
So it’s an excellent time to consider specific ways to improve your immunity and add some tools to your toolkit—including regular chiropractic care.
We know: you’ve heard all of these tips before! But we all need to re-evaluate how we’re doing across all of these categories from time to time.
Coming up with a few shifts toward healthier choices can make a big difference.
Studies have shown that people who get regular chiropractic care have improved immunity compared to those who don’t.
Ideally, the nervous system and the immune system work together to help you maintain optimal health.
Your body’s central nervous system is made up of your brain and spinal cord. Picture Grand Central Station: messages are constantly traveling through, from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain.
When all the trains are running on time, the nervous system can get a warning to the brain that there’s an intruder and trigger an immune response.
However, when there’s misalignment in the neck or spine, some train lines may start running late or shutting down altogether, disrupting an integral line of communication.
Your immune response may be delayed or nonexistent.
Chiropractic adjustments improve immunity by alleviating nerve compression and restoring proper alignment—improving body functions across the board.
Dr. David Nygaard is a huge fan of ramping up the immune system to avoid all types of injuries and illnesses.
Fortify yourself by setting up an evaluation and a regular treatment plan!
It’s an easy, natural, and holistic way to strengthen your defenses against whatever may come up to challenge your health in the future.
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
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As the world shut down due to the pandemic, millions of office workers transitioned to working from home overnight.
With laptops and WiFi, anyone who could work remotely plugged in at home and…kept right on working.
Sure, it was great to skip the commute and wearing pants!
It seems easier and faster to simply set up shop on the couch, at the dining room table, or in bed. Though cozy in the short term, these places are not designed to be ergonomically healthy and lead to postural stress and eventually pain.
(Totally understandable given the urgency of the global shutdown.)
However, if you haven’t put some thought and planning into your work-from-home setup, it’s well worth your time to do it now. Why?
For the same reason so many companies offer ergonomic assessments and adjustable chairs, desks, and monitors at the office:
Whether or not you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or stress now (but especially if you are), take a few moments to consider these tips:
Evaluate and correct your position.
Are your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle? Are your knees also at a 90-degree angle? Are your monitors at eye-level? Check out this diagram for correct positioning and DIY your home setup so it fits your body:
Build movement into your calendar.
Working from home can present fewer natural opportunities to move around–so build them in. Schedule hourly breaks to stretch and do some yoga, take calls while walking around the neighborhood, or try The 7-Minute Workout.
Reduce your stress.
As you consider your physical well-being, don’t forget that your mental health needs attention too. Check out this post about stress and create a holistic plan to keep yourself relaxed and positive.
And if you are experiencing pain, stiffness, or other discomfort after months of working from home, give us a call!
Dr. David Nygaard can help.
Come on in for an evaluation, and Dr. David Nygaard will:
With all the competing priorities and stresses of life right now, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of your physical work environment at home.
But it’s critically important in preventing serious issues down the road!
Contact us today to learn about Atlas Brain and Body and the many conditions we treat. 828-253-0700
Dr. David Nygaard, MS, MBA
Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
Atlas Brain and Body
(828) 253-0700
Follow me on Facebook
Effective pain relief for our patients is our highest priority. Therefore, we utilize many advanced techniques in our office. One of the treatments that has helped many of our patients is cold laser therapy. Cold laser therapy is a gentle, noninvasive method of treating many different types of pain. It is a relatively new treatment, but has already helped many of our clients on their path to a “pain free life”!
For the last four decades, cold laser therapy has been utilized in healthcare all over the world. This therapy is used to treat many conditions. However, it works best as part of a chiropractic treatment plan.
Tendonitis, joint pain, and arthritis pain have all been successfully treated using this method. It can also be extremely helpful in treating fibromyalgia pain, lower back pain, and soft tissue injuries. The non invasive procedure makes it an excellent alternative to surgery in many cases.
Studies have shown that the light sensitive elements within our bodies’ cellular tissue respond well to light therapy. When the cells absorb light, they work together to start the process of repairing damaged tissue. By utilizing the cells’ natural energies, this therapy can result in reduction of inflammation. It increases blood flow to the area and stimulates nerve function. It also has been shown to reduce overall healing time.
And best of all, it facilitates this healing process with no side effects or pain!
As cold laser therapy addresses the cause of pain and not only the symptoms, several treatments may be needed to achieve results. It is relatively inexpensive and most people see great improvement. However, as with any treatment, checking with the doctor is an important preliminary step.
Dr. Nygaard can advise whether this treatment will be the most effective for your condition. It has led many patients to achieve amazing results in reducing their pain when used in along with chiropractic care.
Cold laser therapy is not a substitute for spinal care, though it is a great addition to your wellness “tool kit”. The concept of the wellness “tool kit” is a helpful analogy when looking at overall health. Other elements of the “tool kit” include nutrition, water intake, exercise, and regular chiropractic adjustments. All of these work together to ensure that you’re feeling your best and able to do more of what you love.
Here at Atlas Brain and Body, we are committed to improving the lives of our patients through patient education. Visit our website to learn more. Or, give us a call and we will be happy to help!
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