As a parent, we often do everything in our power to ensure that our children stay healthy and that our student-athletes have all the support they need. We stand as their advocates to give them the best possible chance of succeeding, from encouraging daily vitamins, to sports camps, and more. However, many parents have not considered the potential benefits of bringing their child to a sports chiropractor. If you are raising a student-athlete, you should know the eight reasons why every student-athlete should receive chiropractic care to improve their game.

1. Maintain Optimal Health

Missing a game due to a cold, flu, or other illness can be frustrating. Yet, when we consider that many school children come down with seasonal illnesses throughout the school year, it's not hard to imagine that sickness may always be lurking around the corner. Especially as we consider the capacity viruses such as Covid-19 have had to shut down athletic functions, it is essential to keep your student-athlete's digestive health and immunity in optimal condition. Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective way to naturally boost the immune system, assisting your child in fighting off potential illnesses and keeping their head in the game.

2. Support Bone Development

Bones are the essential foundation for a young athlete’s developing body. Bone development during adolescence and childhood is largely dependent upon nutrition and health. Bone mass attained during childhood is a crucial determinant of lifelong bone health. Around 90% of bone mass will be acquired by the time your child reaches adulthood. Sports trauma can become a detriment to developing bones. Chiropractic care keeps the bones healthy and supports healthy bone development.

3. Fast Assessment of Injuries

If your child is suffering from a sports injury or is suffering from symptoms such as tight muscles, muscle soreness, or radiating pain, you should ensure that your child's injuries are identified, assessed, and treated immediately. A sports chiropractor will be able to ensure that your child has the treatment they need to be on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

4. Prevention of Future Injuries

It is not uncommon for athletes to suffer from sports-related injuries due to stress or overextension of the body. Regular treatment with a sports chiropractor will allow your child to address any aches or pains as they arise before an injury develops. A chiropractor will be able to spot any misalignments in the joints and spine and will be able to identify when something has gone awry. Next, a treatment plan will be developed custom-tailored to address your child's specific symptoms and goals to ensure they are feeling at their best.

5. Healthy Warm-Up Tactics

Generally, all student-athletes will warm up before a practice or game. Yet, these generalized warm-ups will not consider each student's individual physiology, level of flexibility, and whether or not they are experiencing any tightness or pains. However, with a sports chiropractor, a custom fitness and stretching routine can be developed to benefit their body and get them in great shape before a game.

6. Sports-Specific Treatment

Most student-athletes will undoubtedly push their body to the limit. General doctors may commonly address issues such as colds, fevers, rashes, or broken bones, but they do not address sports-specific positions. Sports chiropractic treatment delivers a targeted approach to sports-specific therapy that addresses specific muscles, bones, and joints with specific sports-related functions. A sports-specific treatment plan can help promote recovery, loosen tight muscles, and decrease swelling related to sports injury and intense training. If you notice that your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact Atlas Total Health Chiropractic to receive an evaluation:

• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Knee or leg pain
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Tingling in upper or lower extremities
• Trouble bending or stretching

The above symptoms are all sports-injury symptoms that may benefit from chiropractic care. However, this is not an exhaustive list. If your child is experiencing any adverse symptoms after practice or a game, contact one of our experienced chiropractors to see what we can do to help.

7. Enhance Hand-Eye Coordination

Studies indicate that athletes report a 30% increase in hand-eye coordination after 12 weeks of chiropractic treatment. This is due to the impairment that can occur when an injury or subluxation damages nerve communication from the brain to the body. Chiropractic treatment frees these blockages and improves nerve flow, thereby improving reflexes and hand-eye coordination. So, if you want to give your child an edge, sports chiropractic treatment just might do the trick.

8. Walk in the Footsteps of the Pros

It is a fact that 90% of all world-class athletes use chiropractic treatment to treat and prevent injuries and promote health. Since 1980, Team USA has won over 750 Olympic medals since sports chiropractors joined the team. As many world-renowned athletes advocate chiropractic treatment and claim it to be a part of their success, we bet your child will be game to give it a try as well. In addition, many parents know that budding athletes will often do whatever they can to emulate the pros. As a parent, it is our responsibility to make the health and wellness of our children a top priority. Sports chiropractic care will deliver the edge your student needs to own the game and ensure that they are in tip-top health. So, if you are the parent of a student-athlete, now is a great time to try sports chiropractic treatment.

Atlas Total Health Chiropractic

Don't wait until an injury keeps your child from playing their favorite sport to seek chiropractic care. Our team has experienced chiropractors who are ready to help your athlete reach their full potential. We also offer sports medicine and physical therapy, two services popular with youth athletes. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how Atlas Total Health Chiropractic can help improve your student’s health and game day performance. Call (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.

Modern lifestyles are often more hectic than ever, and constant stimulation can easily lead to stress. Unfortunately, when the body is constantly stressed, high blood pressure can develop. Things can worsen when we do not get adequate sleep, exercise, and eat or drink unhealthy foods, all of which can worsen high blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force the heart exerts on arteries when it contracts and relaxes. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80mmHG. When blood pressure is at or over 130/90mmHG, a person will be diagnosed as having high blood pressure. Sadly, high blood pressure affects 26% of the world population, and 9/10 of U.S. citizens are expected to develop hypertension, or high blood pressure, by age 65. Keeping your blood pressure under control is one of the most important things you can do to extend your lifespan and maintain optimal health.

There are several steps you can take to lower your blood pressure, such as:

• Optimize nutrient intake
• Increase physical fitness
• Drink less alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and do not smoke
• Practice stress reduction techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing
• Medication
• Chiropractic care

Chiropractic Treatment Helps with Blood Pressure

Another option that some individuals may choose when they suffer from high blood pressure is chiropractic treatment.  In a recent study published by the Journal of Human Hypertension, researchers found that participants who received chiropractic treatment showed a significant drop in blood pressure.

How Diet Can Help with Blood Pressure

In addition to chiropractic care, diet changes can help or exacerbate high blood pressure. Here is what to consider regarding diet:

Sugar

High intake of sugar, especially sugary drinks such as soda, is associated with high blood pressure. Likewise, reducing sugar intake has been correlated with reduced blood pressure.

Potassium

High dietary intake of potassium is related to lower blood pressure. In fact, many researchers believe that high intakes of potassium are largely why hunter-gatherer tribes have low incidences of high blood pressure.

Cold-Water Fish

Studies have indicated that DHA (found in fish) effectively reduces blood pressure. Taking fish oil or eating cold-water fish several times a week may have a blood-pressure-lowering effect.

Magnesium

Studies have shown that a high intake of magnesium has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Foods such as spinach, beet greens, seeds, nuts, and chocolate are all high in magnesium.

How Lifestyle Factors Can Help with Blood Pressure

Lifestyle has a significant effect on blood pressure. Consider the following lifestyle factors that can have a positive impact on lowering high blood pressure:

• Losing weight can reduce blood pressure. Conversely, excess body fat can lead to elevated blood pressure
• Exercise has been shown to reduce blood pressure significantly.
• Poor sleep quality and short duration have been linked to high blood pressure. Correcting sleep disturbances has been shown to lower blood pressure.
• Exposure to UV light through a tanning bed or sunshine has been shown to reduce blood pressure.
• Several studies have shown that meditation can be effective in lowering blood pressure.
• Deep breathing exercises have been shown to lower blood pressure. Research suggests that 3-4 15-minute sessions per week of deep breathing are sufficient to have this effect.
• Weight loss. Excess body fat can raise blood pressure and reducing it can lower blood pressure.

Chiropractic Treatment & High Blood Pressure

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are several steps you can take. Lifestyle modifications such as not smoking, drinking, or having caffeine can lower blood pressure significantly. Maintaining a healthy diet and ensuring that you receive adequate exercise is also a good place to start. However, chiropractic treatment is another easy, research-backed method for lowering blood pressure. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive option for lowering blood pressure levels. Spinal and joint treatments relieve pain and tension and increase circulation, leading to decreased blood pressure levels. Other methods such as stretching, massage, and acupuncture may also reduce stress on the body. If dealing with high blood pressure feels overwhelming, let us help. Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective, all-natural method of healing and promoting wellness that has been used for thousands of years.

The Atlas Adjustment Study

Multiple studies have confirmed the benefits of chiropractic care in treating high blood pressure. Most notably, in 2007, the director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Hypertension Center, George Bakris, MD, conducted a placebo-controlled study to determine if a specialized chiropractic adjustment could lower high blood pressure. Eight weeks after the procedure, 25 patients with early-stage high blood pressure had significantly lower blood pressure than 25 similar patients who underwent placebo treatment. An average 14 mm Hg more significant drop in systolic blood pressure, and 8 mm Hg more significant drop in diastolic blood pressure, to be exact. All of this, from just one adjustment.

What vertebra could be so crucial that adjusting it could have such a dramatic effect? The Atlas vertebra. The Atlas vertebra is the C-1 vertebra, the first vertebra in the cervical spine. In the 2007 study, 25 patients received no blood pressure medication for eight weeks and instead received adjustments to their C-1 vertebra. X-rays showed that the procedure realigned the vertebra with the spine. Blood tests showed that their blood pressure was drastically reduced in response.

Atlas Total Health Chiropractic

Blood pressure medications can be expensive and come with unwanted side effects. However, there is a safe and effective drug-free treatment for high blood pressure. Minor adjustments to the spine's vertebrae can bring significant results. If you are interested in learning more about all of the benefits of chiropractic care and how we may be able to help you, call Atlas Total Health Chiropractic to schedule a consultation. Call (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. Chiropractic care can bring relief from high blood pressure. Our team has experienced chiropractors who are ready to help you maintain optimal health and alleviate any pain or concerns you may have.

Choosing an experienced chiropractor to develop an individualized care plan can help many fitness-oriented individuals recover faster from injuries, maintain a sense of physical wellness, and improve their game. Whether you follow a regular workout routine to stay in shape, play golf or tennis on the weekends, compete in marathons, or play in a baseball or basketball league, sports chiropractic care can improve your life. Individuals who regularly exercise frequently find themselves in pain at one point or another. Those who maintain an active lifestyle often experience muscle tightness and soreness, or may easily develop a sports injury, such as a sprain or tendonitis. A sports chiropractor can help.

At Atlas Total Health Chiropractic, we assist athletes and those who love fitness to boost their overall health by utilizing a combination of effective therapies to achieve desired results. Whether you love yoga, dance, sports, weight-training, or just staying active, our chiropractic doctors are here to help you. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your goals, relieve any pain you may be experiencing, and receive assistance so that you may reach your body’s full potential. All care plans are tailor-made for each patient, with a focus on that unique patient's individual needs. Our fitness chiropractors are here to assist you with whatever concerns you may be facing.

Sports Injury Pain Relief

Unfortunately, physical activity and engaging in sports can sometimes result in pain or injury. In the case of injury, pain may severely impact an individual's ability to function. Issues such as strains, concussions, contusions, and muscle sprains, although a regular part of playing sports for athletes, can lead to chronic problems or pain without proper treatment. Even minor pain can be inconvenient for an individual who loves fitness. However, no matter what type of pain you are experiencing, a fitness chiropractor can help you to overcome your pain and get back to optimal health.

Common Sports Injuries

• Broken bones
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Joint injuries and dislocations
• Muscle pain
• Recovery pain
• Sciatica pain
• Shin splints
• Sprains, strains, and contusions
• Tennis elbow

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Chiropractors spend years studying the musculoskeletal system, making them experts when it comes to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. A chiropractor will utilize various treatment methods to reduce your pain, properly align the musculoskeletal system, and improve your range of motion. Your chiropractor may use techniques such as:

• Acupuncture
• Adjustments
• Dietary and nutrition counseling
• Guided stretching
• Home exercises to address pain
• Instrument-assisted treatment
• Massage therapy
• Physical rehabilitation
• Ultrasound therapy
• And more

Call Atlas Total Health Chiropractic today to learn more about how we can assist you. If you have been injured or are otherwise concerned about the time it will take you to recover, speak to an experienced chiropractor today. A chiropractor will help create an individualized plan to ensure that you get back in the game sooner rather than later and help alleviate any discomfort or pain you may be experiencing.

Chiropractic for Wellness

In addition to seeking chiropractic treatment to address injury or pain, a chiropractor can assist an athlete or fitness-loving individual to improve their overall wellbeing. Chiropractic treatment has been shown to help patients improve their range of motion, improve balance, decrease stress, and improve overall mood. Many world-class athletes choose to receive chiropractic care, even when they are not injured to keep them in excellent shape. Chiropractic treatment can assist you with preventing injuries and ensuring that you remain in optimal health.

Chiropractic Care for Fitness & Weight Training

During your consultation, a fitness chiropractor will ask you questions and do an examination to understand you and your unique needs. Next, they will develop a treatment plan unique to you that will complement your lifestyle. If you have been injured, a chiropractor will work with you and your doctors to create a plan and timeline. If you are seeking maintenance treatment, your chiropractor will discuss what types of treatment that will work best for you. Chiropractic care addresses the whole body enabling all parts of the musculoskeletal system to work together for optimal performance. Treatments will often occur over multiple sessions with milestones you and your chiropractor will discuss to measure progress.

While exercise and weight training are great methods to promote overall wellness and build muscle mass, chiropractic treatment serves as an excellent way to ensure that your body is functioning at its best. Regularly seeing a chiropractor simultaneously with your fitness program is a wonderful way to help you achieve your desired results and meet your maximum health potential. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us today, as it would be a pleasure to assist you.

The experienced team of chiropractic professionals here at Atlas Total Health Chiropractic have studied a variety of chiropractic techniques to provide optimal care to patients with various types of conditions. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods to help patients get to feeling better faster. If you are suffering from any sort of fitness-related pain, we are here to help. Contact us today to set an appointment so that we may assess your needs and develop a unique and effective treatment plan for you. Our experienced chiropractic doctors would love to assist you with getting on track to living a pain-free, healthy life.

Atlas Total Health Chiropractic

Chiropractic care can do a lot to assist with exercising and weight training. Strenuous exercise can put a great deal of stress on the body. Here at Atlas Total Health Chiropractic, we understand the desire to push yourself to new heights. We can help you to achieve a positive experience with your exercise routine and help motivate you to continue to work hard and achieve your fitness goals. Chiropractic treatment is a wonderful way to assist your body in dealing with the stress related to fitness and strength training. Your body will be adjusted to benefit from workouts, as opposed to becoming sore and tense. For more information, contact us today at (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.

In recent years, the number of patients entering our clinic with reported neck pain from looking down at their electronic devices has skyrocketed exponentially. It is common for some of our patients to spend hours looking down at their laptops, cellphones, or tablets, whether for school, work, or entertainment. However, the convenience of electronic usage does not come without a price. Often, long hours spent using an electronic device comes with poor neck posture, leading to “text neck”, which refers to pain in the upper back, shoulder, and neck area stemming from electronic usage and poor posture. Chiropractic treatment is one of the most effective treatments for text neck. Contact (866) 668-0108 today to see what we can do to eliminate your pain.

What is "Text Neck"?

It is thought that around 75% of the U.S. population spends several hours arched over their devices each week, whether for work, school, or personal reasons. When using these electronic devices, it is typical for individuals to shift their heads down to look at them instead of using the technology at eye level. When the neck is consistently overused and stressed by looking downwards, and pain is experienced, this condition is known as tech neck or text neck syndrome. Text neck has been a growing epidemic as mobile devices have taken such a stronghold over societal functioning. A large percentage of teens have reported incidents resulting from tech neck, with neck pain ranked 8th as the most common medical issue reported across their age bracket, higher than many other commonly experienced conditions, such as asthma. The average head weighs around 10lbs and arching over your center of gravity can cause joint and muscle pain due to the head's weight. Furthermore, hunching over and forward to look at screens causes the body to bend in unnatural positions, creating further havoc on the body. The human body is not designed to handle this weight for long periods, which may result in damage to the discs and nerves. Common indicators of text neck syndrome include headaches, shoulder pain, and a stiff neck.

Relationship Between Text Neck and Forward Head Position

When your shoulders are slightly hyperextended, and your ears are slightly forward and not in line with your shoulders, this is known as the forward head position. Forward head position causes a limited range of motion and can lead to spinal degeneration. In addition, there is a direct link between neck pain and forward head position, which directly results from text neck syndrome.

How to Prevent Text Neck

Correcting poor posture is the first step to healing text neck. The cervical spine shape can be shifted when held in a misaligned position for too long of a period, significantly when misaligned over time. When this misalignment occurs, pain will be experienced. Consider the following tips to prevent and fix text neck:

• First, poor posture should be improved. Raise your screen to eye level, allowing you to sit correctly and reestablish the proper shape of the cervical spine.
• Avoiding excessive use of electronic devices also helps eliminate the possibility of text neck syndrome. If extensive device use is required, take frequent breaks throughout the day, and limit looking at devices for more than a few minutes at a time. It is recommended to keep screen time to around 1-3 hours a day if possible.
• Exercises for neck support can help promote healing and prevent future injury. Our chiropractors can teach you about neck pain and how to properly perform text neck exercises, such as chin tuck exercises, neck rotations, lateral neck flexion, and more.
• Attempt to make time to sit up and stand for at least 10 minutes every hour.
• See a chiropractor. Anyone who spends a lot of time with their head in a downward position should receive chiropractic treatment on a regular basis. Spending a lot of time with your neck in an unnatural position will lead to misalignments in the neck that will need to be corrected in order to avoid future problems and pain.

How Chiropractic Treatment Can Help Chiropractic care can help with headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain which may be derived from text neck. Chiropractic adjustments will alleviate pain, increase joint mobility, and help you to feel better. Our chiropractors can teach you the proper postural form for sitting or standing and will suggest tools to ensure that you maintain the correct posture wherever you are. Good posture is the key to preventing aches and pains, reducing stress, and building a stronger core. Stretches may be utilized in order to avoid muscle strain and increase blood flow.

Atlas Total Health Chiropractic

When it comes to text neck, chiropractors are by far the most qualified medical professionals to correct this ailment and associated symptoms. As text neck develops from misalignment in the neck vertebrae, it is natural to see a chiropractor with specialized training in this field to ensure the vertebrae in your cervical spine have correct alignment. The experienced team of professionals at Atlas Total Health Chiropractic can show you exactly which problems you are suffering from and how far any misalignments may have progressed. Next, we will design an individualized care plan to correct the issue, reverse any issues caused by text neck, and restore proper nerve functioning to halt the pain and issues caused by text neck. Chiropractic care is one of the best means of preventative care and wellness. Having your back and neck properly aligned consistently can stop many issues before they arise. Text Neck is a problem we can correct. Chiropractic care can bring relief from neck pain, restoring mobility and function, and allowing you to live life pain-free. Our team has experienced chiropractors who are ready to help you maintain optimal health and alleviate any pain you may have. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how Atlas Total Health Chiropractic can help improve your health. Call (866) 668-0108 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.