When Being Bipedal Becomes a Curse: The Problems with Overpronation

Do you pay attention to the way you walk? 

If you are like most people, you get up, put on your shoes and go. The act of walking becomes so subconscious that we never stop to check our gait. But your gait says a lot about you; from a chiropractor’s perspective, your gait also says a lot about your spinal health. Being bipedal means that a large percentage of the shock your body receives on a daily basis is processed through your feet. 

Read more: When Being Bipedal Becomes a Curse: The Problems with Overpronation

Preventing and Treating Pinched Nerves in Dunedin

The “pinched nerve,“ is a ubiquitous blanket term; what exactly does it mean?

Very broadly, a pinched nerve happens when a given nerve is put under too much pressure by the surrounding bones, muscles and tendons. The pressure causes interference in nervous system signaling which translates to pain, numbness, tingling sensations and weakness. The nerve causes pain during movement, limiting range of motion; it can also cause radicular pain In which the actual discomfort is experienced somewhere other than the nerve which is pressurized. The scientific term radiculopathy is used to describe injury or simply irritation to a nerve which causes pain and contributes to dysfunction in the body. 

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Preventing Spinal Misalignment Day by Day

Spinal misalignment is a part of daily life

In fact, your spine is most likely misaligned as you read this. But misalignment does not necessarily need to be a cause for concern if you view your spine through the right lens. Too many people view their spine as a single structure, immutable and rigid. The truth is, your spine is a shifting mosaic of spinal motion segments, each specifically designed for a different type of motion.

• Cervical: provides flexibility and stability for the neck and supports the weight of the head,
• Thoracic: provides for rotation, flexion and extension of the upper body. 
• Lumbar: supports the weight of the upper body, and provides stability to prevent excessive range of motion from damaging the spine 

Despite what it may seem, your spine is designed for movement. But movement, and more importantly, lack of movement, are precisely the forces that help move your spine out of alignment. Misalignment is a natural part of life; it becomes a problem when:

• Musculature develops unevenly
• It causes dysfunction in the nervous system
• It contributes to spinal degneration 
• It contributes to pain. 

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Why Does a Massage Feel So Good?

Massage goes deep with wellness benefits

Nothing feels better than a massage. Whether it comes from the hands of a loved one or from the hands of a qualified professional, the essence of a massage is the same: relaxing your body and mind so that stress and pain pass away. The state of heightened health you attain after massage includes boosted immunity that helps your body fight off illness and injury. At Hayes Family Chiropractic, we are proud to offer professional massage services that provide our patients with more well-rounded healthcare. 

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Putting Posture First: A Roadmap to Feeling Better

Have you ever had your posture checked?

There is a reason why it is one of the first things we do when we see a patient for the first time at Hayes Family Chiropractic. Every physical examination includes an evaluation of:

• Overall movement
• Range of motion
• Balance
• Posture

The outcomes of these tests help describe the overall state of your spinal health. Static postural analysis is a set of simple tests and observations that help us determine how you hold your body in a variety of activities. We then take into account your lifestyle to determine where any postural shortcomings may be taking a toll- for example, if you sit a lot and your sitting posture is less than ideal, this will be a point to focus on.

Read more: Putting Posture First: A Roadmap to Feeling Better