Anti-Aging Review by Chiropractor in Freehold NJ

Many people are always looking for ways to hold back the hands of time, looking for the secrets to anti-aging.  There are so many ways to live longer and live better.  We know about eating healthy, exercising, and of course reducing stress, but there are some other very important factors in slowing down the aging process.

I have been a chiropractor in practice for over 14 years and I am always get asked, “excuse me, where is the doctor” or better yet most recently I had a chiropractor freehold Anti Aging Review by Chiropractor in Freehold NJpatient say to me, but Dr. Russell it’s so much easier for somebody your age than myself.”  Interestingly in the second case, I am a little older than that patient and he was shocked.

Yes, for me I choose a healthy lifestyle as mentioned above but I also incorporate other KEY factors at staying and looking younger than most my age.  I want to share with you some of these important factors of anti-aging and how I try to help my patients with them too.

1) Everything we eat, breath and drink has chemicals and is toxic to the body.  This toxicity increases the acidity levels of the body.  Most bacteria, viruses and even cancers thrive in an acidic environment.  Another important thing to note is that the more toxic your body is, the more it stores body fat.  In the US, overweight and obesity is running rampant.  People run to Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss and other programs with little to no success and it’s because they are not addressing the real cause of being overweight.  By counting calories, you will initially lose weight, but the toxins become more concentrated and therefore tells the body to start storing more body fat.  This leads to the yo-yo affect of losing weight, then gaining it right back.  Sound familiar?  Well in our office we address toxicity by doing a full body cellular cleanse and nutritional program.  Our patients average 5 to 15lbs weight loss on our 11 Day Body Transformation program and 22 to 28lbs weight loss on our 30 day program.  Weight Loss and cleansing is so important in maintaining health and anti-aging

2)  So many people consume caffeine in coffee and energy drinks as well as many products with refined carbohydrates or sugars.  Caffeine and refined carbohydrates lead to adrenal fatigue and adrenal failure.  You have glands in your body called adrenal glands that help regulate the 4 main hormones of the body:  adrenaline, norepenephrine, cortisol and DHEA.  When these hormones are off balance it can lead to heart conditions, digestive problems, immune problems, allergies, immune problems, arthritic problems, fatigue, increased stress, loss of sleep, depression, insomnia, anxiety, weight problems, diabetes, PMS, menopause, libido problems and even fertility problems.  Caffeine also dehydrates the body, which will age the body more quickly.

3) Science has proven that part of your genes determine your aging!  There are strands of repeated nucleotides that end the strands of your DNA.. these are called telomerase.  Telomerase is an error correcting process that assists cellular reproduction to make sure that new cells are exactly like the ones they are replacing.  The problem is that as we age, the length of the strands shorten and this is why organisms age and die.  A great analogy ischiropractor freehold Anti Aging Review by Chiropractor in Freehold NJ if you photocopy a copy over and over, the quality of the copy decreases.  Research is focusing on the protection and repair of the telomerase to slow down or even reverse human aging.  Recently I found a supplement that supports telomere health by combining scientific breakthroughs in telomere support and the benefits of antioxidants in youthful aging. Product B helps maintain youthful function of cells and healthy telomeres so you can live a longer, healthier life.  To find out more about this product or to order, click here:  Product B!  Product B helps maintain youthful function of cells and healthy telomeres, helps protect the body from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging and contribute to poor health, targets the sources of aging, such as oxidative stress.

4) Chiropractic is such an important aspect of improving the quality of life and maintaining health.  We know the nervous system controls all functions of the body.  Activities of daily living, stress and traumas cause or spine to subluxate or misalign therefore putting pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.  When this happens it disrupts the functions of the body, we get malfunction of the organs, tissues and cells.  If this is allowed to progress we develop disease and finally symptoms.  Waiting for symptoms to evolve is the worst form of health care.  By going to a chiropractor, you improve your natural health and function naturally without harmful drugs or surgery.  This natural form of health care improves your quality of living, reduces stress, and helps you live and more healthy longer life.

In our office, Hometown Family Wellness Center located in Freehold, NJ, we help our patients live longer by warding off illness and live better through improvement in diet and lifestyle.  Nobody wants to spend the last decades of life in misery.  Every day of every year should be filled with life, laughter and happiness with promise and pain free.  Fitness, nutrition, positive mental attitude and regular chiropractic care all have key roles to play in the equation of anti-aging.  This is our multi-pronged approach to help you and other patients!

For more information on our practice go to www.ChiropractorFreehold.com or watch what some of our patients have to say by clicking here:  Freehold Chiropractor Reviews.

Freehold Chiropractor Reviews Chronic Pain Result of Lifestyle

Freehold Chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center, Dr. Russell Brokstein, reviews how lifestyle in many times results in chronic pain.  People wonder where their pain came from as they didn’t have a particular injury.  The fact is we are causing our pain every day chiropractor freehold Freehold Chiropractor Reviews Chronic Pain Result of Lifestylewith lifestyle and the pain sneaks up on us out of the blue.  The pain becomes chronic and we don’t even realize it.

The American Chronic Pain Association defines chronic pain “…can be described as ongoing or recurrent pain, lasting beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury or more than 3 to 6 months, and which adversely affects the individual’s well-being. A simpler definition for chronic or persistent pain is pain that continues when it should not.”[1]

There are many causes of pain other than an accident or injury.  Certain choices we make in our everyday lives could be the reason why we experience lasting musculoskeletal pain.  Following are some things that can lead to chronic pain:

Carrying wallets/handbags/briefcases – Many people use these to carry our everyday essentials. But carrying a handbag or briefcase causes us to adjust to the amount of weight being carried on one side.  This can strain everything fromchiropractor freehold Freehold Chiropractor Reviews Chronic Pain Result of Lifestyle the neck, shoulder,  lower back and hips, as one shoulder will shift weight to one side of the body.

Many guys carry a wallet and they put it in their back pocket of their pants.  This can be another cause of chronic low back pain.  Sitting on a thick wallet in the car, at work, and at home causes an uneven foundation for the hips and lower back.  The more one sits with the wallet in their back pocket, the greater the chance of experiencing a pinched nerve, or a herniated disc.

Weight – Our population is become more overweight every year.  Extra weight can impact the body in so many ways.  It builds up around the midsection of the body offsetting balance, causing the pelvis to tilt forward, which can strain the spine and lower back as well as putting additional pressure on the discs.

Extra weight adds pressure onto  the feet causing the muscles, ligaments, and tendons to stretch and become weaker.  It is common for overweight men and women to experience collapsed arches, which cause the knees to rotate, the hips to drop and disrupt the balance of the spine.

Pain becomes more of an issue when the body carries more weight that it has been designed to carry.  By adding light exercise and watching what you eat, you can make a big difference in reducing the pain.

On the job – Every job is different and our bodies react inversely to the ergonomics at work.  Setting up your work station properly is so important to help prevent chronic pain.  In a previous blog we discussed ergonomics:  Ergonomics at your Work Station.  Whether you are standing or sitting all day, your body develops a routine and adapts to the positions you frequent the most throughout the day.  No matter what the job may be, every body needs restoration of its original range of motion.  It is highly recommended to take frequent breaks, take a walk outside during a break and take the time to stretch.  This helps avoid improper posture, lifting techniques, and eyestrain from computer screens.  You will also notice an energy boost and less chronic pain.

Sleep – There are many consequences to the way we sleep.  From the type of mattress you use, to the position that you sleep in.

Stomach and side sleeping may feel comfortable, but are also a main reason why we toss and turn during the night and wake up with pain.  As we sleep, our head, neck, and spine need to be supported correctly.   Optimal sleep patterns include, sleeping flat on the back with the neck supported by a cervical pillow.  If you must sleep on your side, keep a pillow between your knees with them slightly bent and your head and neck supported by a pillow.  You should avoid sleeping on your stomach at all costs as it puts continuous strain on your neck, shoulders and lower back.

PosturePosture is one of the key elements at reducing every day stress to the body.  So many people slouch at their desk or while watching tv and many times are propped up in unnatural positions while watching tv.  Or talking for extended periods of time on the phone with the head tilted.  Having the body in these postures for extended periods of time increases the stress and tension to the muscles, tendons and ligaments.  This will further increase the amount of pain you feel.

For a moment sit in your chair and slouch with your head forward, letting it fall slightly and you will notice an increase in pain in the back of the neck, down to between the shoulder blades.  Sitting all day at school or work in this type of position damages the soft tissues.  Now sit up straight and you will most likely  notice that there is less pain.  Just by improving your posture, you can reduce your chronic pain, but you might have to do strengthening exercises to improve your posture.

These are just a few of many reasons why you might have chronic pain and not know where it stems from.  At least one of the above factors might be adding to your pain.  Instead of using temporary painkillers  and muscle relaxers that just mask the symptoms and lead to harmful side affects, chiropractors help you pinpoint the cause of your pain and recommends change in lifestyle to reduce and prevent future problems.

Dr. Russell Brokstein utilizes chiropractic care, therapeutic stretching as well as lifestyle recommendations to help his patients recover more quickly so you can once again enjoy your regular daily activities.  Don’t let chronic pain take control of your life!

To find out more about Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ go to our website at www.chiropractorfreehold.com.

[1] American Chronic Pain Association. Chronic Pain. Last Updated: 9/18/2012. http://www.theacpa.org/conditionDetail.aspx?id=74

Chiropractor Freehold NJ Reviews by Patient with Childhood Asthma and Back Pain

People suffer daily with asthma, bronchitis and other breathing restrictions on a daily basis.  They turn to medications and inhalers that at best give temporary relief but don’t address the underlying cause of the condition.  Everything in your body is controlled by the nervous system and that includes your lungs.  If there is pressure on the nerves that regulate breathing, the lungs can NOT function at 100%.  This goes for all functions and health of the body as everything is controlled by the nervous system.

Following is a video of one of our patients who was born with an asthmatic condition until he was 2 years old at which point the medical doctors told his parents he would be in and out of the hospitals for this condition.  Fortunately his parents were seeing a chiropractor who explained to them how chiropractic can help.  Watch the rest of his story as he reviews how chiropractic has helped him since his childhood asthma, when he gets back pain, and that his entire family is under chiropractic care to maintain health and wellness:

Results like this are seen by patients who go for chiropractic care.  My name is Dr. Russell Brokstein, owner and chiropractor at Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ.  I had a similar experience in that I played competitive soccer and during high school I would have severe coughing attacks.  The doctors my parents brought me to said it was a bronchial condition and they would just try different inhalers til onechiropractor freehold Chiropractor Freehold NJ Reviews by Patient with Childhood Asthma and Back Pain worked.  Not one gave me any relief of these attacks and when I went to college, the attacks got worse and to the point that I had bronchitis every 6 to 8 weeks for my 4 years there.  Upon deciding to go to chiropractic college as I wanted to help patients be healthy without drugs and surgery, I received my first chiropractic adjustment in 1994.  Since then not only have I not had any bronchial attacks, but from getting chronic colds as a child and teenager, I rarely if ever have a cold.  My immune system is stronger and therefore my body fights more efficiently.

If you know somebody that suffers with asthma, other breathing problems, or gets sick chronically, share this information with them.  You can find out more about our freehold chiropractic office by going to www.ChiropractorFreehold.com or call for a consultation at 732-780-0044.

Neck Pain and Shoulder Pain Relief at Freehold NJ Chiropractor

Everybody has that neck pain and sometimes shoulder pain that occurs.  Stress, tension, daily activities like sitting at a computer, slouching, carrying a heavy pocket book or briefcase, work activities, as well as typing or sleeping incorrectly on your side or stomach can cause the bones in the neck and back to misalign.  When this happens you get pressure on the nerves, joint dysfunction, and possibly damage to the discs.  If left long term, degeneration can occur very similar to leaving a cavity without treatment.

Taking medication for the pain only temporarily covers up the symptoms.  This can be dangerous as it gives you false security that the problem is fixed.  The underlying cause of the pain is still present and the next time the pain presents itself it is usually worse as well as the actual cause of the symptoms.

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ, I see many patients who present with neck pain and shoulder pain.  I do a thorough evaluation to explain to you what is the cause of your problem and how we will actually correct it.  A chiropractic treatment plan, as well as home exercise and nutritional guidance is important to incorporate to obtain correction.  For over 14 years we continue to successfully get results patients are happy with so they can once again enjoy their normal daily activities without the harmful side effects of NSAIDs, pain medications and other pills.

Watch the video of one of our patients as he explains his problem and how he was helped:

If you live in Freehold or the neighboring towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville or other communities in Monmouth County, call our office at 732-780-0044 to schedule a consultation and go to our website at www.ChiropractorFreehold.com to find out more about being pain free and obtaining optimal health and wellness without drugs and surgery.

Neck Pain is Associated with Whiplash and Auto Accidents

Neck pain is the most common symptom reported after an auto accident with around 90% of victims reporting the pain.  During the crash, your body chiropractor freehold Neck Pain is Associated with Whiplash and Auto Accidentsmoves with the seat but your head and neck lag behind.  This difference in motion results in injury.  The spine is vulnerable to sprain and strain from sheer forces from the head and body moving in different directions.  This sheering action can stretch or tear the ligaments, tendons and discs of your spine causing nerve impingement,  pain, swelling and scar tissue.  The neck pain can radiate into the shoulder, arm and hands.  Other related symptoms to whiplash are headaches, dizziness, numbness and tingling in the upper extremity, visual disturbances and concussion.  Research has found that up to 20% of patients can have pain even 10 years after an accident.

If you have been injured in a crash, chiropractic can help.    Research shows chiropractic is more effective in both the long and short term than medical treatment or home exercise. (Spinal manipulation, medication, or home exercise with advice for acute and subacute neck pain: a randomized trial.)   Chiropractic improves range of motion, reduces and prevents scar tissue and corrects the cause of the pain.  Medication at best temporarily covers up the symptoms but also has the risk of serious side effects.

Also the earlier chiropractic care starts can help prevent the development of chronic pain and scar tissue. (Early intervention in whiplash-associated disorders: a comparison of two treatment protocols.)  Unfortunately, many times people don’t experience pain or other symptoms immediately after the accident so they do not get checked.  Weeks, months and even years later, pain occurs and the patient has no idea it is from the past accident.  Make sure you get a thorough examination by a chiropractor that has experience working with auto injuries and whiplash.

Call our office today 732-780-0044 for more information or go to our website:  www.chiropractorfreehold.com.  Dr. Russell Brokstein is the chiropractor at Hometown Family Wellness Center located at 9 Broadway in Freehold, NJ.  He has over 14 years experience in the examination and treatment of patients involved in car accidents and whiplash injuries.

Top 10 Tips From Freehold NJ Chiropractor to Help Prevent Back Pain and Neck Pain

Most people experience back pain or neck pain at some point.  This is NOT normal!  Symptoms are a warning sign that something is wrong.  Unfortunately many people ignore these signs and wait too long to correct the underlying cause.

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ, I advise all my patients on some simple basic steps to help prevent pain and maintain a healthy spine, especially after we do corrective chiropractic work to get the patient out of the pain they had been experiencing.

Here are my top 10 Tips to help prevent Back and Neck Pain:

chiropractor freehold Top 10 Tips From Freehold NJ Chiropractor to Help Prevent Back Pain and Neck Pain10)  Invest in a good chair, pillow and mattress.  Yes, they make a world of a difference to support the spine in proper alignment and posture.  They help remove stress from the spine.

9)  Never cradle the phone between your neck and shoulder:  Holding the phone in this position misaligns the neck and upper back, causing muscle spasms and strain.

8)  Maintain good posture:  As mom always says.. sit up or stand up straight.  Posture is the window to the spine and for chiropractors that shows us  the structure of the spine and nervous system.  Your nervous system controls all functions of the body and will determine your overall health and function.

7)  Stretch your spine before and after sports or exercise!  When you exert yourself, you are tightening muscles as they contract.  Walking is not stretching!  It is so important to do proper stretching and using correct form.

6)  Don’t overload your backpack, shoulder bag/purse, briefcase, etc.  Carrying these types of bags on one shoulder will alter your posture and spinal alignment.  Students should never carry a backpack with more than 10% of their body weight loaded in it.

5)  Stretch your legs and back after each hour of sitting.  chiropractor freehold Top 10 Tips From Freehold NJ Chiropractor to Help Prevent Back Pain and Neck PainThe back muscles and hamstrings tighten up while you sit in a chair.  This can lead to back injuries if you don’t stretch these muscles and you either make a quick movement or try to lift something.

4)  Sleep on your back or side, NOT on your stomach:  Think of how you are positioned if you are laying on your stomach.  You are face down and can’t breath so you have to have your head turned to one side or another.  This also causes your back to arch into extension.  Sleeping for hours at a time like this causes sprains and strains, pressure on the discs and joints, and the vertebra to misalign.  If you sleep on your side, make sure you have a pillow between your knees which should be slightly bent and your regular pillow should support your neck and head to be level.  If your pillow is too soft, your head will tilt down to the mattress or the opposite can happen if the pillow is too big pushing the head upward away from the mattress.

3)  Follow a healthy diet:  Nutrition is so important to our health.  It helps the the body heal and recuperate.  Your body is a finely tuned machine.  Think of your body like a high performance automobile and what would happen if you put low grade fuel into it?  The car would not have optimal fuel efficiency, the car would break down more often, and the costs to maintain it would skyrocket.  Your body needs the right amount of protein, carbohydrates and fats to be healthy.  Nutrition also includes drinking the proper amount of water.  You should drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (Eg. if you weight 150lbs you need to drink 75 ounces of water per day).  Think of your body like a sponge:  if you don’t put water on it and leave it on the counter, it will get hard and brittle, then when you bend it or twist it the sponge tears more easily and breaks.  Your muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs are all like this. .if they get dehydrated they will tear more easily making you more prone to injury and pain.  Your discs between the vertebra also need the proper amount of fluid, as well as your heart, lungs, digestion, etc.  Too many people don’t drink water and think juices, soda and coffee count, but in actuality they can cause more dehydration.  Caffeine removes water from the body and some studies have shown that just one cup of coffee pulls out up to 4 to 8 glasses of water from the body.

2)  Exercise Regularly:  It is so important to keep the body moving.  Remember the phrase:  “Use it or lose it!“  If you are going to exercise make sure you use proper form and technique.  I am in the gym all the time and see people doing exercises the wrong way and they will eventually injure themselves.  It’s important to know when to stop exercising if you do have pain.  I usually advise my patients if it hurts while doing an exercise, stop immediately and have your chiropractor check you out as soon as possible.  If you don’t have the experience or background of working out, make sure you hire a personal trainer.  I highly recommend a personal trainer in the Freehold, NJ area, Anthony LaPorta, Jr and you can view his website by clicking here:  Over 50 Fit.

1)  The most important thing of all is to have your spine checked regularly!  Chiropractors are the only health professionals to detect and correct spinal subluxations.  These misalignments will not only eventually cause pain, but result in decreased function and health problems.  chiropractor freehold Top 10 Tips From Freehold NJ Chiropractor to Help Prevent Back Pain and Neck PainEverybody of all ages has a spine and nervous system that is important to be maintained for optimal health and wellness.  Think of how many times your children fell when they were learning to walk or ride a bike, trauma from playing sports, sitting at desks in school for hours on end, carrying the heavy books.  Then as you get older you might’ve had a fender bender (even a 5MPH bumper hit can cause whiplash and other damage), carrying pocketbooks, briefcases, slouching, playing sports/recreation, just simply walking and missing a step or curb, the list goes on and on.  As we age, pain and aches are not normal as many medical doctors would make it out to be.  That would be like saying to you if you don’t brush your teeth and maintain them, they will decay as part of again.  Chiropractic can help you prevent back pain, neck pain and live a healthy, happy lifestyle without drugs and surgery!

If you currently have back pain or neck pain, or you would simply like to prevent future problems and be healthy without drugs and surgery so you can enjoy a normal active lifestyle, check out our website:  www.chiropractorfreehold.com  Contact us at 732-780-0044 for a consultation.

Suffering with Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain or Twitching? Chiropractor in Freehold NJ can Help!

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ I see patients with many types of conditions.  Unfortunately, many patients first go to the medical doctors that do expensive tests that frequently show nothing is wrong, then they  just medicate the patients for the symptoms they are experiencing.

I had a local resident that met me at an event I did at the Freehold Home Depot complaining of shoulder and neck pain with constant twitching.  At first he didn’t take my advice but many months later he was still suffering after different tests and treatments and called our office.  The patient was kind enough to share his experience on this video:

So, if you are suffering with neck pain, shoulder pain and or twitching and would like to finally have the problem corrected, give our office a call.  Dr. Russell Brokstein has been providing chiropractic care for 14 years, and has helped 1000′s of patients be pain free and live a healthy and happy lifestyle without drugs and surgery.  His office, Hometown Family Wellness Center is located at 9 Broadway, Freehold, NJ.

Find out more about our office by going to our website:  www.chiropractorfreehold.com and check out other patient testimonials and reviews on the site.

Can You Handle The Truth About Healthcare? asks Freehold NJ Chiropractor

Answer these questions:  Are you taking pills for high blood pressure that were prescribed to you? How about for diabetes, cholesterol, asthma, acid reflux or other conditions?   If so… when is your ending date to stop taking that medication?  Do you know the side effects:  liver failure, kidney damage, aches and pains, digestive problems, headaches, decreased libido, low energy levels, low quality sleep.. just to name a few.  Would you want to be taking that early in life, or would you want to put that off as far into the future as possible or avoid it altogether… what is the better concept?

When it comes to the public and US government in  handling healthcare… I think of Jack Nicholson in the movie “A Few Good Men”:  

Our country and most citizens think the current healthcare system promotes health.  It is actually a sickcare system.  A pill does not heal.  Medications are one of the leading cause of death in our country. These meds have more side effects that lead to the use of more meds.  It’s a vicious cycle.  They just mask your symptoms and give you a false sense of health.  On top of that, surgery should be a last resort.

The United States uses the most prescribed drugs and surgery, yet we have the lowest rated health of all developed countries.  The New England Journal of Medicine has an article stating the U.S. health care system ranks 37th in the world:  Ranking 37th — Measuring the Performance of the U.S. Health Care System.

Now with Obamacare, people are going to be pushed more toward the sickcare system we have been stuck in.  Pushing more drugs, more surgery and increasing the expense of the already tremendous “healthcare” costs.  We need a true change!  Not pushing more of this garbage.  Obamacare is so wrong in many ways.

If there was a TRUE Healthcare option would you want to explore that?

Imagine a court and government decision that establishes true Health insurance rather than the current disease insurance offered today and being spread by Obamacare.  Imagine newborns, infants, chiropractor freehold Can You Handle The Truth About Healthcare? asks Freehold NJ Chiropractorgrade school children, siblings, parents, and grandparents being evaluated for healthy lifestyle decisions and given proactive advice by advocates of life and health.  Imagine how many lives, psyches and money would be saved if preventative steps were taken prior to a health crisis and how much money would be saved from excessive and unnecessary medical procedures.

Health is a choice, it’s a lifestyle… Health is about prevention and maintenance.  Health is making sure the most important system of the body (the nervous system) is functioning at 100% so the body can function optimally.  Health is about providing the body with the healthy nutrition it needs for energy and allow the tissues to heal.  Health is about exerciseHealth is about mental well being.  Health is your choice as it is your body!

There is a HEALTH profession that has been promoting health care for over 100 years.  Do you know what profession that is?

CHIROPRACTIC!

I’ve been a chiropractor for 14 years and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold NJ.  Many people from Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Howell, Morganville, Englishtown and other communities of Monmouth and Ocean county are searching for the answers to improving their health naturally.  Most come in for pain relief but they start to see many of their other symptoms resolve and many times are taken off their medications.  I educate my patients on the 5 key steps at making their body healthy and they start to live a healthy, active lifestyle without drugs and surgery once again.

Can you handle the truth? Are you ready to finally take responsibility for your health? Let me help you make the changes to start leading a healthy, active lifestyle you deserve.  I have true change if you really want health care.  If you are in the Freehold, NJ area call 732-780-0044 or go to our website for more info and come in for a consultation to turn your health around without medication and surgery!  www.chiropractorfreehold.com

Freehold NJ Chiropractor Explains the Best way to Prevent Back Pain

Our office, Hometown Family Wellness Center located in Freehold, NJ sees many patients that suffer with lower back pain.  Over 80% of the population experiences back pain and many wonder how to prevent their pain from worsening or reoccurring.  A recent literature review revealed that exercise may be the most effective way to prevent pain.

Previous 20 scientific studies were reviewed that tested various interventions for preventing back pain including exercise, patient education, training in safe lifting methods, stress management, and more.

The only intervention which tested consistently producing substantial relief was exercise.  In one study, active patients had 127 fewer sick days than inactive patients.  Most exercises focused on strengthening back and abdominal muscles.

It’s important that before starting any exercise program to be evaluated by a chiropractor that specializes in sports and exercise therapy.  Many people exercise, but they don’t realize they have joint and muscle imbalances.  When you exercise with these imbalances, your joints and muscles aren’t functioning optimally and you are further enhancing the misalignments or at best splinting the unstable areas.

Exercise is a critical component of chiropractic care.  A combination of chiropractic adjustments and exercise not only significantly relieves back pain for many patients but also helps preventing future problems from occurring.  The adjustments bring the joints to improved alignment and allow for optimal range of motion and more equal contraction of the muscles for best stabilization.

Dr. Russell Brokstein, Chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center helps his patients develop a safe, effective exercise program to prevent and reduce pain.  We start off with chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic stretching to provide for full range of motion before beginning strengthening exercises.  Here is a video of the basics in our home stretching routine for the low back:

This is just the starting point to preventing low back pain and helping those already suffering.  To learn more about natural back pain relief, go to our website www.chiropractorfreehold.com or contact our office at 732-780-0044 to get a full evaluation for spinal problems.

Bigos S, Holland J, Holland C, Webster J, Battie, Malmgren J. High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults. The Spine Journal 2009; 9: 147-168.

Chiropractor in Freehold Shares National Correct Posture Month – Posture and Your Health

Your mom probably wanted you to look confident and proud but the bottom line is, good posture is good for your health and is now recognized as an important factor in aging well.  “We all heard it when we were growing up – ‘stand up straight’, ‘you’re slouching’.

When your back is not properly aligned, your body’s center of gravity shifts, putting more stress and load on your muscles, joints, and ligaments. Poor chiropractor freehold Chiropractor in Freehold Shares National Correct Posture Month   Posture and Your Healthposture is a major cause of neck, back and joint pain. When you slouch, your internal organs may be compressed affecting bodily functions like digestion and even your ability to breathe clearly.

Poor posture can be traced to many activities from sitting in front of a computer for hours, carrying heavy pocketbooks or briefcases on one shoulder all the time, wearing high heals, laying on  a couch unsupported or sleeping improperly and exercising in poor form just to name a few. The muscles tire and the body shifts position, causing some muscle groups to become tight, stretched, and weak.

We are creatures of habit. When we have an injury, our body will move differently to avoid pain. Over time, the body will adapt. Our body will create new habits. The brain adapts and adopts new muscles and joint positions even in the absence of continued pain. We believe we are standing straight because our brain is being told by our senses that we are balanced, even though the mirror shows we are not.

To achieve the best posture when standing, the body should maintain a straight vertical alignment from the top of the head, through the center of the body, and down to the feet. Take a minute and go in front of a mirror in your house and check to see if one shoulder is higher than another, one hip is higher than another, if your shoulders are rotated forward.  From the side, look for an imaginary straight line from the ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. When sitting, the spine and head should remain upright, while maintaining the three natural curves in the back.  Also check these points on your children.  The earlier the spine is checked for imbalances, the easier they are to correct.

Here are some tips to help you reduce the risk of poor posture as you sit in the office:

  • Take frequent breaks – about every 30 minutes.
  • If you cannot get up, stretch your arms and legs as much as possible.
  • Sit in an office chair with a comfortable height to maintain good posture and provide adequate support for your back.
  • Keep desk items – phone, calendar, appointment book – within comfortable reach.
  • Women: avoid wearing high heels. They change the center of gravity and put extra stress on the back”(1)

Chiropractors refer to posture as the “window to the spine.” And, since your spine protects the master control system of the body (your nervous system), you need to pay attention to your posture on a daily basis.

Spinal shifts, vertebral misalignments and structural instability can lead to arthritic changes. They can also cause other health and/or functional problems as well.  For example, did you know:

* Thoracic spine arthritis/spurs indicate accompanying coronary arteriosclerosis 85% of the time. Bone spurs and arthritic changes in the thoracic spine can mimic angina pectoris.(2)

* Upper Thoracic Spine – Children under chiropractic care showed a 96.5% non-occurrence rate of asthma, whereas children under medical care showed a 95% non-occurrence rate of asthma. The authors concluded that the immune systems of children under chiropractic care are better able to cope with allergens which may cause asthmatic conditions.(3)

              * Mid Thoracic Spine – Using radiography, Burchett examined sixty-one hospital patients and found that in 88% of patients with gallbladder disease there was lipping (arthritis) from T7-T10; spinal osteophytes (T9-T11) were found in 82% of those with stomach disease. Many sufferers of pancreatic dis-ease had segments T5-T7 involved and 31% of patients with duodenal disease had osteophytes at T9-L2.(4)

             * Lower Thoracic Spine – Subluxations (vertebral misalignments) of the T6 – T10 vertebrae can cause gall bladder symptoms.(5)

Every aspect of our lives affects posture: nutrition, stress, exercise, mental development, and body fat. Posture is one of the most overlooked keys to better health. “Research studies show the truth in what mothers have always known: standing up tall improves our health.”  May is the perfect time to celebrate a renewed commitment to health, longevity, and new habits.  

Every year in honor of National Correct Posture month in May, Dr. Russell Brokstein, chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ, offers professional posture assessments. Dr. Brokstein will be examining the spines of children and adults using state of the art computerized spinal assessments.  These exams help prevent unnecessary muscle imbalance, structural instability, scoliosis and other health conditions related to poor posture.  We’ve been helping people of all ages in Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville and other towns in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.

To secure a complimentary Posture and Full Spinal Examination, call 732-780-0044 or go to www.ChiropractorFreehold.com for more information about Dr. Brokstein and Hometown Family Wellness Center.

1. By Marianne Favro for NBC11 News

2. J.A.O.A. 1983, 82, 93-94

3. van Breda WM; van Breda JM. A Comparative Study Of The Health Status Of The Health Status Of Children Raised Under The Health Care Models Of Chiropractic And Allopathic Medicine. J Chiro Res 1989; 5:101-3

4. Burchett GD J of the American Osteopathic Association 1968; 67(6): 675.
5. Grail McGinley, Newsday, Melville, NY