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

April 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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

 

 

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Freehold Chiropractor Informs Low Back Pain is NOT Just for Adults Anymore

January 17, 2012 by 2 Comments

Back pain is usually thought of as a problem in adults.  Research shows up to 80% of all adults will suffer low back pain at least once in their life.

Back pain is becoming more prevalent and an increasing problem for children and teenagers.  Many factors are leading to the increase in the symptoms.

A study done in Israel questioned more than 10,000 Israeli schoolchildren in grades 1 thru 6 regarding their average weight, average weight of backpacks, if there were on-campus facilities to store backpacks, the height of chairs and desks in relation to student height, seating arrangements, and physical activity during recess.

The results showed that between 30 percent and 54 percent of the students carried bags containing 15 percent or more of their body weight; almost 15 percent of the 1st graders and 20 percent of 6th graders sat in chairs of “inappropriate” height; in 74 percent of the classes, students sat chiropractor freehold Freehold Chiropractor Informs Low Back Pain is NOT Just for Adults Anymorewith their sides facing the instructor and in another 35 percent, students sat with their backs to the teacher; 30 percent of the schools did not have storage facilities for backpacks; in 48 percent of the schools, there was no organized play activity during recess and in another 6 percent there was no provision for any type of physical activity during recess.

Parents, your children are at serious risk of developing low back pain.  Not only the above risks mentioned in the research, but from the time of birth when the doctors twist the neck and shoulders to deliver a baby, the amount of times a baby falls when learning to walk, playing sports and other activities, children rough housing …just to name a few,  accumulate and cause the spine to misalign. There are  several steps you can take to maintain your child’s health:  Monitor the weight of your child’s back pack; talk to school administrators about repositioning desks and physical activity; and of course, have your child examined regularly by a doctor of chiropractic – it could prevent years of unnecessary back pain and spinal degeneration or arthritis.  Chiropractors will not put your child on harmful medications that have many side effects and can cause other health issues.  A chiropractor that works with children, does a thorough examination and use gentle techniques to correct the cause of the pain.

Our office in Freehold, NJ, Hometown Family Wellness Center has been helping children and adults get out of pain, but also to help them prevent and maintain a healthy spine and optimally functioning nervous system for natural health and wellness without drugs or surgery.  For more information on Dr. Russell Brokstein, DC go to www.chiropractorfreehold.com and check out our current specials, blogs and patient testimonials.

Reference: Limon S, Valinsky LJ, Ben-Shalom Y. Children at risk. Risk factors for low back pain in the elementary school environment. Spine, March 15, 2004;29(6):697-702.

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Chiropractor in Freehold Recommends Nutritional Support for Your Joints

December 19, 2011 by 1 Comment

Over the past month we have been discussing recommendations on being healthy without drugs and surgery.  Today we are going to discuss nutritional support for your joints!  Previously we talked about the other 4 key steps:  proper sleep, stress reduction, dietary methods to reduce inflammation and pain, and posture.  You can read about these other steps by clicking:  Chiropractor Freehold NJ Blog.

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ I see thousands of people who are chiropractor freehold Chiropractor in Freehold Recommends Nutritional Support for Your Jointsexperiencing different types of joint pain.  From degenerative joint disease, to arthritis to normal wear and tear from not taking care of the joints.

The most common nutritional supplements on the market for joint support are chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine.  Research studies have proven that a lot of people can get relief from these two supplements and they usually see results in about 6 to 8 weeks.

I do recommend them to my patients, but I also know it doesn’t help everybody.  Being an athlete myself, I played competitive soccer for 28 years, I have tried these supplements but unfortunately they do not work for me.  They do not work for everybody but I still recommend on trying them.  You do have to be patient to wait to see if it will work for you.

For everybody, what I do is ask my patients five questions.  If they answer yes to at least two questions, then I can just about bet that they have a mineral deficiency without running a lab test.

The questions:

1) Do you have a repetitive injury like carpal tunnel or tennis elbow?

2) Do you notice you are pulling muscles and tendons more than usual?  (Maybe you notice sore muscles and tendons after a short hike, or after working out in the gym, or some part of your body hurts more than before, as examples)

I’ve had many of my patients say that their knees hurt after kneeling in the garden after five minutes while working with her flowers.  This is NOT normal!

3) How bad are your joints feeling on a scale of 1 to 10?  A score of 5 or more is a bad answer and is too much pain and inflammation.

4) Do you have scoliosis?

5) Does it feel as if your condition is worsening?

If I get two yes answers, chances are good that it’s a manganese deficiency.

Not only myself, but other doctors I know that also practice nutrition have seen magnificent changes in patients when we replace the manganese in their diet.  I’ve seen people getting ready for hip replacement surgeries that didn’t need the surgery once they supplemented with manganese.  There have been countless patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, all deficient in manganese.  A manganese deficiency can easily be confirmed by hair analysis!

A chiropractor I know who is also a nutritionist told me:  One woman in her 40s was in tears because her knee pain was so great and she couldn’t walk anywhere for weeks.  After three days on manganese replacement, she was able to do her normal routine again.  Another woman in her 50s was able to jump up and down in aerobics class because her body “told her” through intuition that her knees were more stable after taking manganese for three days.”

Yes, our body gives us signals all the time about whether or not we’re ergonomically correct or if we are strong enough to do certain movements.

So what about the chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine?”

If you are already taking them, the supplements may be doing some good so you can continue.  But what I’m looking for is the decrease in pain and inflammation that results from restoring the proper levels of manganese.  It should occur in as little as three days and as long as two weeks.  When it comes to muscles, joints, bones, tendons & ligaments, manganese is key to your health!

The previous chiropractor told me she starts patients on a level of 20 mg manganese two times daily for six months depending on how low their hair analysis test results are.  “If we don’t have a hair analysis test, then I recommend 10 mg manganese daily for a week.  If there’s no improvement in one week, then it’s probably not just manganese that the person needs.  That person is probably very, very low in many minerals and needs a whole protocol of supplements to take to build up their body.”

She continues:  “The reason why I don’t recommend chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine is that the active ingredient in it is manganese.  You see, there’s so little manganese in the product that it takes two to three months to get relief using that chondroitin sulfate,” she said. “I want my patients to experience the quickest healing possible so I’ll use the real substance that they are missing – manganese.  My patients who have been on manganese for awhile sometimes stop taking it but when they notice their joints start hurting again, it means their manganese levels are falling again. They get back on track and the joint pain disappears.”

Manganese can be a simple solution for a lot of people and help for nutritional support to reduce the pain and inflammation.

My friend shared her protocol with her patients and it’s what I currently use with my patients:

  • A good multiple vitamin/mineral.  I have one that I depend on exclusively because it contains 450 mg calcium, 200 mg magnesium and 350 mg phosphorus.  These three have to be in the proper ratio for joint health.  A joint without calcium is a weakened joint.  Without the phosphorus, you can’t absorb calcium, and calcium and magnesium have to be present together.

• 10 mg manganese up to 50 mg manganese (50 mg is too much to guess on without a hair test; the mineral can be toxic in high amounts unless there is a deficiency.)

      • 200 mcg selenium (another mineral most are deficient in)

• 150 –300 mg germanium (reduces pain, oxygenates the area thereby decreasing Inflammation)

• 400 to 800 IU vitamin E

• 3000 to 6000 mg vitamin C

• 100 mg CoQ 10 (this can be wonderful at decreasing pain and inflammation)

• 3000 to 5000 mg omega 3 oils

These are what I use generally speaking, but every case is a little different. Some-times my patients modify their protocol a little bit, like take more germanium or more coQ 10…

Oh, one more thing… it is utmost important for your joints to receive chiropractic care, too!  Chiropractors find the joints that are restricted and are putting pressure on the nerves.  These restricted joints not only cause neck pain, back pain, headaches and migraines, sciatica and disc problems but can also cause many other healthy problems.  There is also research that shows joints that are misaligned for just 2 weeks start forming arthritic changes.   Your chiropractor will get the joint moving again and help prevent the progression of arthritic changes and help save your joints, but also improve your health, wellness and ability to enjoy your family, friends and normal daily activities.

You can see from my discussion with my colleague how much of a difference something as simple as eating right and taking your nutritional supplements can make in people’s lives.  Using nutritional supplements can speed your progress and even prevent further injury and surgery.  Don’t be afraid of them.

The best news is that approaching your health from a natural standpoint can only improve whatever health issue you are experiencing right now.

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Freehold Chiropractor Educates Your Posture is Important to Maintain Your Health!

December 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment

My name is Dr. Russell Brokstein, chiropractor and owner of Hometown Family Wellness Center in Freehold, NJ and today I am continuing the blog on Be Health Naturally without Drugs or Surgery.

The previous posts talked about sleep, stress reduction and dietary recommendations.  You can read the other blogs by clicking:  Chiropractor Freehold Blog

Today we are going to discuss your posture.  Your spine is the central support structure of your body.  Your spine carries the neurological lifeline from your brain to all the other parts of your body.  Your health really depends on thechiropractor freehold Freehold Chiropractor Educates Your Posture is Important to Maintain Your Health! flow of energy through an unrestricted nervous system.  When your spine suffers, your overall health can suffer too.  When you respect your spine by taking good care of it, your spine will serve you well by offering its strength and flexibility for a long time to come.

When your posture and spinal alignment are off, it can also lead to pain, back pain, neck pain, headaches and migraines, numbness and tingling, stress, fibromyalgia, sciatica, arthritis, herniations and disc degeneration.

Here are my two top recommendations for taking care of your spine:

  1. Be ergonomically correct when you sit at a desk, stand, bend or reach. “Ergonomically correct” is a fancy term for body posture that doesn’t cause stress to your body.

For example, which three of these postures do you think would be ergonomically correct:

    1. Sitting with your legs crossed at the knees.
    2. Sitting with your legs crossed at the ankles.
    3. Bending straight over to pick up a box with knees locked for support.
    4. Bending over to pick up a box with knees bent.
    5. Standing in a crowd with your weight centered on one leg for a long time.
    6. Standing in a crowd with your weight centered over both feet with your shoulder, back and head centered over your spine.

The answer is 2. 4 and 6.

Ask me to check out your posture. I’ll be looking at you from the side to see if the center of your ear, the center of your neck, shoulder, hips, knees and ankle all form a straight line.  If they don’t, then we need to work more on your posture.

Here’s how I remember how to stand correctly while lifting something heavy or just standing for long periods of time:  I think to myself, “Brace yourself!”  What I mean by this is that if I’m reaching down into the crib to pick up a baby, I must get ready for the act of lifting by bracing myself.  I brace myself by bending at the knees and keeping the weight as close to my body as I can.  The farther the baby is from my body, the more I’m at risk of injury.

Reaching for things far away from you is not a good habit if you want a strong spine.  Instead of reaching out to push or pull something, get as close to the item as you can, then lift it after bracing yourself.

If you have to stand on your feet for a long period of time, don’t get in the habit of putting most of your weight over one foot or on one leg.  Brace yourself by spreading your feet about shoulder distance apart, then stand solidly. You’ll feel better and look more confident as well.

Which of these are ergonomically correct?

a.       Loading up grocery bags in your arms, then trying to open your door with a key while holding all those grocery bags

b.      Sitting at a desk with the computer keyboard more than a foot away from the edge of the desk

c.       Looking at your computer screen that is 2-1/2 feet away by moving your head forward

d.      Sitting hunched in a chair or recliner

e.       Looking down at your computer screen or TV

f.        Doing dishes at the sink on top of a small rug or carpet strip

The answer here is f.  Standing on a carpet decreases stress on the spine more than standing on a hard floor.  That’s why a lot of the multimillion-dollar companies that set up booths at trade shows have carpeting in their booth on the floor.  They want to make you feel more comfortable and reduce the stress on your body that you’ve been feeling by walking for long periods of time.  It also helps their staff at the booth.

2. While I’m treating you, it’s important to NOT do any excessive lifting (over 15-20 lbs.) during the first 4-6 weeks of treatment.  In some cases, vacuuming and other household chores like laundry may be limited as well.  Ask me for specific instructions for your individual case.

So, now that we covered posture, next time we will be discussing your joints and nutritional support, so stay tuned.

Until then, have a chiropractor check your spine, as we are the ONLY health professionals properly trained to analyze, detect and correct subluxations which are misalignments of the vertebra that put pressure on the nerves and spinal cord and will decrease your over health and function.  Give your body the chance to be healthy naturally without drugs and surgery!

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Be Health Naturally without Drugs or Surgery: Step 1 Proper Sleep discussed by Chiropractor in Freehold NJ

November 21, 2011 by 1 Comment

There are many things we need to do to allow our body to be healthy naturally without drugs and surgery.  You can read the first of this series of blog posts by clicking here:  Freehold Chiropractor Shares Health Myths and how you can be Healthy Naturally without Drugs or Surger.

In my chiropractic office in Freehold, NJ, I discuss the 5 tenets to health and wellness:  Sleep, mental well being with limited stress, proper nutrition, exercise and most importantly an optimally functioning nervous system.  Today we are going to discuss how sleep is important to overall health.

We spend about 33% of our life sleeping!  That’s a lot of time and if we “do it right”, our sleep will restore and rejuvenate us like clockwork.

I’ve created a little quiz for you on your sleep habits.  To take the quiz, simply check off your answers, and when finished, simply count the number of true and false answers.

True  False

___    ___        1. My mattress has lumps and bumps in it; it’s not firm.

___    ___        2. My mattress sags.

___    ___        3. I sleep on my stomach: it’s one of the most comfortable ways to sleep.

___    ___        4. I like to sleep with no pillow at all.

___    ___        5. I like to pile up the pillows and sometimes (or often) sleep with more than one pillow underneath my head.

___   ___         6. When I sleep, my head is dropped forward, with my chin towards my chest.

___   ___         7. I don’t use a feather pillow.

___   ___         8. I love to read in bed, and can prop myself up on my elbows to do so.

___    ___        9. I use a regular foam pillow.

___    ___        10. Sometimes I rest on the couch with my head propped up on the arm rest.

___    ___        11. Sometimes I rest on the couch with a pillow and notice that I have to look up at the television set to do so.

Sleeping Score:     ______ True       _____ False

Now total up the number of “true” statements you have.  The lower your number of “true” statements, the better your sleeping score.  How did you do?

Let me explain how to sleep because there’s more to it than just plopping yourself into the bed and covering up with blankets.  There are good sleep habits and bad sleep habits just like there is good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL).

It’s possible to have bad sleep habits for years without bad consequences.  The problem with bad sleep habits is that you could be wearing down the joints in your neck.  The constant wearing down of the joints is risky because once there’s a trauma to the neck; those joints “give out.” In chiropractic, we call this degenerative joint disease.

Why Take a Risk When Bad Habits are Easily Changed?

The good news is that simply by changing some bad habits, you can stop any joint damage from occurring in the future.  The more we can build up your nutrition, the greater chance we have of reversing that damage.

Sleeping on your stomach is a bad habit because it forces your neck in one position – to the side – for long periods of time.  While your neck is turned to the right or left, several of the muscles (and joints) in your neck are working hard to keep your head in that position.  Other muscles are working hard to balance the positioning muscles.  Neck muscles that are tight for several hours can cause pain, inflammation, numbness and tingling and headaches.  It’s certainly no fun to wake up with a headache.

While sleeping on your stomach, it also causes your back to arch, putting pressure on the joints, discs and nerves which can cause muscle spams, sciatica, and back pain.

Here’s another way to think about it:  when you’re working out at the health club, how would your legs feel if you did leg presses for over an hour?  Would you be able to walk home or to your car?  It would be very difficult after stressing them so much.  It’s the same with your neck.

You’re doing something similar when you sleep on your stomach and turn your neck to the side for hours at a time.

Now that doesn’t mean sleep on your stomach and put your head straight down into the pillow!  You’ll suffocate!  So what’s the alternative?

Dr. Russell’s Sleep Instructions

Sleep on your back or side instead.  When sleeping on your back, lie flat with a pillow under your head and neck and a pillow under your knees.  Do not ever sleep with more than one pillow under your head.  Your neck should not be pushed up so that your chin moves down toward your chest.  A pillow should support your neck according to its natural S-shaped curve, allowing your head to rest in a neutral position.

chiropractor freehold Be Health Naturally without Drugs or Surgery: Step 1 Proper Sleep discussed by Chiropractor in Freehold NJ

When you sleep on your side, support your head and neck with pillows in such a way so your spine will remain in a straight line.  Your legs should be at a 35 to 45 degree angle and not drawn up in a knot or in the fetal position.  You may feel more comfortable with a pillow between your knees to keep your pelvis from being tilted.

Let’s Check Out Your Pillow

The type of pillow you use at night on Sunday can make a big difference in how good you will feel on Monday.  Do not use a regular foam pillow.  A shaped cervical pillow or a feather pillow is best because the curve of the pillow supports your neck.  In our office I highly recommend a water based pillow called Chiroflow.  When your neck is supported, then all the muscles, tendons and joints can relax.  As they’re relaxing, the blood sends in healing, rejuvenative and restorative nutrients.  You wake up refreshed.

It’s a bad habit to lie down on the couch, especially with your head propped up on the armrest.  Propping up your head results in a cervical curve angle that stresses out the joints and the muscles of your neck.  Every time you engage in this type of activity, you are willingly creating stress in your neck.  Decide that your body wants to be loved and cared for, and never engage in this activity again.

Decide that your body wants to be loved also if you read in bed.  If you prop yourself up on your elbows or lie flat to read, this movement stresses out your shoulder joints and puts undue stress on your neck muscles and joints as well. Don’t do it!

The best way to sleep is on your back.  When it’s time to rest or sleep, sleep on your back or on your side on a firm bed and don’t settle for anything else.

Make these changes and get your sleep score down to 0.  One month of sleeping with a score of 0 will improve your health dramatically.

Now you are ready to sleep better and start living a healthier and happier life.

Make sure you look out for the rest of the series of blog posts which will help you live a healthier lifestyle without drugs and surgery.  If you are looking for a chiropractor in Freehold, or the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville or Millstone New Jersey, or other neighboring towns of Monmouth County, call our office:  Hometown Family Wellness Center at 732-780-0044 for a complimentary consultation.

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Do You Have Scoliosis? Chiropractor in Freehold NJ Shares Current Scoliosis Research

November 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Scoliosis affects 2 to 3% of the adolescent population.  For many people it is just a mild form, but others it is disfiguring and whether mild or severe can cause many health conditions and can even be disabling.  I have had many patients with scoliosis suffering with breathing restrictions, headaches and migraines, neck pain, back pain, sciatica, degenerative spinal conditions, numbness and tingling down the arms and many other symptoms resulting from the curve in their spine.

My name is Dr. Russell Brokstein and I have been helping patients with many conditions for over 13 years with chiropractic and other natural treatments.  I have seen patients with many different levels of scoliosis.  Unfortunately the medical community doesn’t intervene with scoliosis until it progresses to severe limits.  Current research shows early intervention with chiropractic treatment is the best option over bracing and surgery in reducing the scoliosis and symptoms that can result from the curve.  I recently saw a great interview on fox news online that has Dr. Vidan, DC discussing the research about scoliosis:

STLMoms:-Teen-Scoliosis

If you or somebody you know suffers with scoliosis, share this interview and information with others so they can have their scoliosis corrected early with natural, non-invasive chiropractic care.  I offer a complimentary scoliosis consultation at our Freehold, NJ office:  Hometown Family Wellness Center.  We have been helping scoliosis patients in Freehold and the surrounding towns of Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Jackson, Colts Neck, Morganville and other communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.

For more natural health tips and information on obtaining optimal health and wellness without drugs or surgery, check out our website:  www.ChiropractorFreehold.com

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Do you Suffer with Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica, Numbness and Tingling or Headaches…Freehold Chiropractor Advises Not to Ignore or Else…

August 29, 2011 by 1 Comment

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ, I hear many people complain about neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, numbness and tingling or migraine headaches quite often.  Problem is, most don’t do anything about it.  They ignore the symptoms thinking they will just go away, or that they will just learn to live with it.

What would you do if your car’s low oil light or check engine light came on today?  Would you top off with some quality fresh engine oil and get your engine checked or would you put black tape over the bright annoying light so you wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore?

Ignoring the warning signs will cause your engine to eventually fail.  And if you were checking the oil level regularly for maintenance of your car and adding oil when needed, the light might not have come on in the first place.  The same goes for your spine and regular chiropractic check ups.

When you don’t get your spine adjusted, pain is the warning signal.  Unfortunately by the time the pain shows up you have been out of adjustment for way too long.  If that’s the case, don’t just cover up the pain with Tylenol, Advil or other pain killers that just mask the symptoms and have many harmful side effects.  Make sure to get your spine properly adjusted and maintained to avoid catastrophe down the road.

By ignoring your pains, headaches and numbness and tingling, the problems become more chronic.  It has been shown that joints that are misaligned for more than just 2 weeks start to exhibit arthritis.  Arthritic or degenerative changes in the joints are progressive in nature.  It is much easier to correct and prevent arthritis by having the spine and body checked on a regular basis.  If you have low back pain or neck pain, and you ignore the warning signals, the discs can start to bulge or herniate too.  Disc degeneration is also progressive and very expensive to correct if you wait too long.  Your health will be optimized and your health care costs are kept to a minimum by preventing the problem from occurring.

Similar to the car, we are taught to have the oil, lube and filter performed every 3000 to 5000 miles to keep the car performance up and prevent the car from breaking down.  Doesn’t it make more sense to prevent your body from breaking down so you can enjoy your regular daily activities?

You don’t have to live with your back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and migraines, numbness and tingling, Fibromyalgia or other pains you are experiencing.  Gain the pain free life you deserve so you can enjoy your family, social life and other activities you like.  Chiropractic helps prevent spinal degeneration.  Your body and health is worth the investment!

Our office, Hometown Family Wellness Center located in Freehold, NJ has been helping 1000′s of people from around Monmouth County over the past 6 years.  From Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Jackson, Colts Neck, Morganville and many other neighboring towns, patients have seen the full health and wellness benefits of chiropractic.  Watch what they have to say by clicking here.

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Chiropractor in Freehold NJ helps Low Back Pain and Sciatica Patients without Drugs or Surgery

August 17, 2011 by 1 Comment

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ I have seen many patients from the Monmouth County area who suffer needlessly with low back pain and sciatica.  Around 80% of the population complains of low back pain but ignore the pain, think they have to learn to live with it, or go to their medical doctors that just prescribe them one pain medication or anti-inflammatory one after another.  At best, these medications just provide a temporary relief of symptoms, but many times the pain persists and the side effects are numerous.  Also, even if the pain is covered up, the patient falsely feels they are better and start doing their normal activities once again which can further damage the underlying condition.

You have to realize daily stresses accumulate in the spine and the joints get misaligned, making it more difficult to move, therefor straining the muscles, putting pressure on nerves and the discs.  Some research even shows that arthritis or spinal degeneration starts forming after just 2 weeks of the joints being misaligned.

Most chiropractors will analyze the spine for subluxations and perform adjustments to correct them.  But this is just part of the cause.  I have seen many patients over the years who have gone to chiropractors who only adjust and report to me  the low back pain and sciatica were reduced in intensity, but they still experienced it.  The problem being missed is that many of these imbalances occur due to muscle tightness and spasms in the spinal regions but also the muscles of the legs, as well as the joints of the ankle, feet, knees and hips.

Imagine driving your car and noticing the tires are wearing unevenly.  You bring in the car to be checked and the mechanic tells you that you need new tires.  If you just put new tires on and the mechanic doesn’t balance out the wheels, you will notice the car still pulls more to one side and the tires will wear out more quickly.  Same holds for if you just realign the wheels, but not put on new tires too.  You would want the mechanic to take care of the cause by realigning the wheels first, then put on the new tires.

I bring this up as I recently had a new patient, who was a professional athlete, that found my practice online and when he came in he reported low back pain, sciatica and disc herniations which he had micro-discectomy surgery performed 5 years ago while in his mid 20′s.  He told me he’s been to many chiropractors but adjusting didn’t help, physical therapy provided no relief and he also visited one of the biggest sports orthopedic practices in all of NJ with no change.

I explained our course of action is probably different than any other chiropractor he has been to and after performing a full chiropractic, orthopedic and sport evaluation, we address all the contributing factors to the pain:  we not only adjust the spine, but therapeutically stretch the muscles that support the spine, including the hamstrings, quadriceps and piriformis, and adjust the joints of the ankle, foot, knee and hips.  By addressing these instabilities, we can further balance the foundation that keeps causing the spine to misalign.  Upon his first evaluation and treatment, he got up off the table and shockingly said it was the first time he was able to sit up with out low back pain.

Going one step further, we will analyze the arches of the feet.  If the arches are dropping, it will cause the joints of the ankles, feet, knees and hips to keep misaligning, which will make the spine unstable again.

Another thing to consider is most chiropractors and medical doctors attribute sciatica as pressure on the nerves from the lower back into the leg by misalignments or bulging discs.  A condition called piriformis syndrome is missed many times.  This is where the piriformis muscle is actually what is causing the numbness and tingling associated with sciatica.  When properly assessed, the right treatment can also correct this.

Chiropractors are the only health professionals that specialize in the spine and nervous system.  Finding the cause of the pain and dysfunction is the start of correcting the problem once and for all so you can start living a pain free, health lifestyle once again.  No more complaining of pain while bending over, picking up your children, going out and enjoying the evening with a significant other, etc.  It is important to find a chiropractor that not only adjusts the spine, but helps balance the supporting muscles, joints in the legs and feet, and make sure your arches are properly supported.

We have helped many patients that suffer with low back pain and sciatica in Freehold, Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Jackson, Morganville and Colts Neck, NJ as well as many neighboring towns.  Many have driven up to an hour away, passing by 1000 other chiropractors as they want to experience a full body treatment that addresses all the causes with the multiple pronged approach no other doctor in our area takes.  If you are ready to gain your pain free, active lifestyle once again, contact our office, Hometown Family Wellness Center at 9 Broadway in Freehold, NJ at 732-780-0044

 

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Freehold NJ Chiropractor Shares Studies Comparing Scoliosis Treatment Outcomes

July 18, 2011 by 4 Comments

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ, I have been helping patients who suffer with Scoliosis for the past 13 years.  We’ve helped hundreds of scoliosis patients feel better, get rid of their back pain and return to an active lifestyle.  We’ve also saved many people from the risky option of surgery.

Scoliosis is an aggravating condition.  There’s stiffness, pain and often times a deformed posture.  It can also cause headaches, sciatica, increased stress, limitation of activities and over time increased spinal degeneration, as well as disc degeneration.

Many patients suffering with scoliosis have been told they have only three options — to do nothing, bracing, or surgery.

Bracing is often recommended by medical practitioners in the early stages of scoliosis, but one study conducted at the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Iowa compared bracing to non-bracing. And no difference was noticed in the surgery rates (Spine 2007).

This means bracing was no help with their scoliosis. Their scoliosis curvature advanced at the same rate as those who did nothing.

Studies have also shown that patients felt bracing handicapped their life and left a psychological scar.

Surgery Is Not The Only Option

Scoliosis surgery involves implanting metal rods and screws to straighten the spine.

However, numerous studies have shown that multiple complications, including rusting and corrosion, bending, or breaking completely, prove this method dangerous.

Many sufferers who had the rods implanted, end up  later undergoing surgery to have them removed.

While I was in chiropractic college, I was fortunate enough to meet another chiropractic student that went around to all the other classes to speak about her experience.  When she was 17 years old, her orthopedic doctors told her she had no option but to get rods placed in her spine to correct the scoliosis.  She went into detail of the thickness of the rods being as thick as her pinky, how they cut away parts of her vertebral bones, hook and lock in the rods, then place bone filler for the bones they cut away.  The bigger problem began a year later when she started experiencing more excruciating pain.  Fortunately for her, somebody recommended she follow up with a chiropractor who took more X-rays to find that her scoliosis was starting to bend the rods.  He recommended that she have the rods removed and start under chiropractic care.   This changed not only her life, but lead her to going into chiropractic for her own career and share her experience with other chiropractors and those who have scoliosis.

In addition, thousands of post-surgery scoliosis patients are legally declared permanently disabled every year. Follow up x-rays on other cases have shown that scoliosis can even return years after the operation.

A Less Invasive Treatment Can Help

Chiropractic has a long record of successfully helping people with scoliosis.

A study published in a scientific journal (JMPT 2001) showed patients with scoliosis who went for chiropractic care had an actual decrease in the scoliosis curvature.

The head of the study, Dr. Charles Lantz, DC, PhD stated…

“Chiropractic appears to offer a distinct advantage in the management and monitoring of early stage scoliosis.”

The most useful part of this study was that the sooner a child underwent treatment, the better the change in the curvature.

Another study showed that “the combined use of spinal manipulation [chiropractic care] and postural therapy appeared to significantly reduce the severity of the Cobb angle in all 19 subjects.” (BMC Muscoloskelet Disorders 2004)

Could This Treatment

Help You, Your Child’s or somebody you know who has Scoliosis?

It’s time for you to find out if chiropractic can help your scoliosis.

Nobody can promise to cure your scoliosis, but chiropractors can promise to use all of their knowledge and techniques to help with your posture, your back and or neck pain, and possibly even improve your curvature if caught early enough.

Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because you (or your child’s) back hurts – and the pain just won’t go away!

If you live in Freehold, Marlboro, Manalapan, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville or other nearby towns in Monmouth County, New Jersey and looking for a chiropractor, contact us for our special scoliosis consultation.

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Wear and Tear Happens explains Freehold Chiropractor

June 27, 2011 by 5 Comments

Every day I hear patients explain to me that they have pain and they don’t know how it happened.  Many medical doctors explain to their patients  that they have arthritis that has formed in their spine and other joints.  The patient is concerned with how it got there, but most doctors say it’s part of aging.

As a chiropractor in Freehold, NJ, it is important for the public to be educated on how this happens.  Seeing people from all over Monmouth County, NJ in the towns of Marlboro, Howell, Colts Neck, Jackson, Morganville, Freehold and Manalapan, NJ, they always ask:  Is it from the stress of their work?  From playing golf for 20 years?  Sitting at desks in school for years on end slouching?  Or maybe the car accident many years ago?

The answer is.. it is more likely to be from the accumulative affects of all of these stresses to the body.  From the time you are born, the medical doctors pulls and twists your neck and shoulders to deliver you.  Then as an infant you start to learn how to walk… how many times do you think you fell?  Do you have brothers or sisters?  If so, did you wrestle or trip each other as a joke?  As you get older you sit in classrooms with bad postures or carry backpacks that are too heavy for the spine.  Did you play any sports and take a hard fall or tackle?  Think of the trauma of just a little fender bender.  Do you carry a pocket book or briefcase on a daily basis?  Have you ever missed that last step or curb?

I think you get the point that every little thing builds up in your body, causing the joints to misalign.  So, the real question with arthritis and spinal degeneration is not what you did, but what you haven’t done!  Joints wear down faster when they are not aligned properly… they are stuck and not moving well.  That’s why it is important to be under chiropractic care to get the joints aligned properly and keep them moving.

A great analogy to consider is your car:  As you drive your car, your wheels become misaligned especially if you hit a pothole or a curb while parking.  If you keep driving with them misaligned, the car starts to pull to one side, the tires wear out unevenly, and other parts of the car start to break down.  You don’t keep driving like that if you want your car to last long enough.  Also, every 3 months or 3500 miles or so we are informed to take the car in for maintenance, oil, lube and filter.  Neglecting your car for this maintenance, you will build up expenses to fix things and the car won’t last as long as you want, your fuel efficiency decreases, you will have to keep replacing tires, etc.

Some research shows that arthritis starts to form after a joint is misaligned for as little as 2 weeks.  Just like a cavity in the teeth, if it isn’t caught early enough it will progressively get worse.  You know that waiting to fix these things costs a lot more money than if you had just prevented it from happening.

Blaming the activities in your life for arthritis is like blaming the sidewalk for scuffing your shoes.  Everything wears down naturally as we use them, including your spine.  If you focus more on prevention with regular maintenance chiropractic care, you can help slow down arthritis and other forms of wear and tear.  Most people get this concept when it comes to their teeth:  their teeth don’t hurt, but they get their teeth examined one to 2 times a year and cleaned, brush their teeth daily and floss to prevent decay.  If you didn’t do this, teeth would decay as part of normal aging too!  But it can be prevented with proper care.

Well your spine is a dynamic system that protects the most important system of your body.. your nervous system!  Your nervous system controls all functions of your body.  Many activities, stress and nutritional choices affect your spine and nervous system!  Your teeth can always be replaced, but your spine and nervous system CANNOT!

In our office we take a different approach to your health than any other health professional in the area!  As a chiropractor, we make sure your spine is aligned and properly balanced so your nervous system functions optimally.  On top of that, Dr. Brokstein, DC also analyzes your body for stress, adrenal function and the toxicity of your body.  We are the ONLY doctor in Monmouth County, NJ to have state of the art FDA cleared biofeedback to analyze your body for over 160,000 sensitivities and stressors.  We educate our patients on healthy eating, weight loss and exercise.   Prevention NOW is more cost affective and helps avoid harmful drugs that at best just cover up symptoms and surgery.  Don’t wait and get your spine and health checked today!

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