If you're in the market for a safer alternative to ibuprofen for back pain, you've come to the right place. We have just the answer for you! Upper cervical chiropractic in Farmington is a safer alternative to ibuprofen for back pain.

Ibuprofen, back pain

At Premiere Family Wellness, we provide a variety of approaches that can alleviate your back pain without causing any side effects. Call us at 248 780 8864 or fill out our online consultation form.

Every Farmington upper cervical chiropractor helps people deal with any conditions they have, including back pain. Back pain is a common complaint but sadly surrounded by a lot of misinformation from many sources out there. In this article, we will shed a light on the leading myths about backache. 

Back pain can originate from various sources. It can vary from a dull ache to severe and excruciating pain that may come from nowhere. Separating back pain facts from fiction will help you understand the situation better. Thus, you can have an informed decision to find the right care option for you.

Five Back Pain Misconceptions

Here’s a list of the most commonly misunderstood concepts about back pain. Every Farmington upper cervical chiropractor knows about these misconceptions and proceeds to help as many patients learn the truth.

1. The More Serious The Pain, The Worse The Damage

You may have heard people say, “The worse it hurts you, the more damage there is.” However, this is not always accurate. When people deal with chronic back pain, discomfort and pain can be unbearable. But when it comes to chronic pain, the pain caused can be much more severe than the actual damage present. 

Also, a new or short-lived bout of back pain or acute back pain can be quite different. Severe back pain is frequently due to a particular injury such as a fall or sporting accident. Thus, the back pain severity of this kind is almost the same as the damage inflicted. Thankfully, a Farmington upper cervical chiropractor is well-versed in giving pain relief to patients.

2. Toughing Out Back Pain Is The Way To Go

If you choose to learn how to accept your back pain, it certainly can interfere with your body’s natural ability to self-heal. Thus, prolonged periods of discomfort and back pain can start affecting damage to other body parts. It happens because of the compensations that the body will make to adjust for the pain. 

When you are tired or in constant pain while standing up, you will naturally change your position to favor a less painful stance.  Thus, you begin to favor one side of your body over another. As a result, this puts excessive pressure and stress on the joints on one side of the body. Therefore, chronic back pain can harm your sleeping habits. As a result, you sleep in awkward positions avoiding the pain, but you are causing more stress on the body in truth. Finally, it reduces your ability to heal even further, while more problems are happening in other parts of the body to compensate for the regular pain felt.

Get the pain resolved at the root cause by consulting with a Farmington upper cervical chiropractor to give you proper care.

3. Back Pain Will Not Happen Because I Am Active 

Physically active individuals are less prone to back pain compared to those who live inactive lifestyles. Proactive people are healthier, stronger, and more resilient to back pain as they have stronger back muscles and more robust spines.

However, active people are also likely to get involved in sports or physical activities that can potentially contribute or cause back pain. Here are some of those risky activities:

However, these sports and the risks involved should not be reasons to avoid being active. Having a strong core and back are two of the best things a person can have to be healthy and combat back pain. 

4. My Back Pain Will Inevitably Worsen With Age

Most people are worried that if they suffer from back pain in their 20s and 30s, it will automatically get worse as they get older. The truth is back pain is more common among younger individuals and those aged 30 to 50 years. That statement is only valid for back pain that is due to disc problems like disc herniation. Disc degeneration need not be a regular part of the normal aging process. 

Proper hydration, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and keeping a healthy weight are crucial things to make sure that your discs are kept in good health as you grow older. Healthy people are more energetic individuals.

5. Babying My Back Will Allow Me to Protect It and Avoid More Pain

When people suffer from back injuries, it is a normal reaction for them to rest and not feel up to the task of moving around and doing exercises. However, this has a risk attached to it. Many people with back pain are prone to staying inactive longer than needed to protect their backs from further harm. Unfortunately, inactivity can lead to further injury due to a deconditioning of the muscles that support the spine. 

For the spine to stay healthy and able to heal correctly, it needs normal movement, strengthening, and stretching exercises. In truth, babying your back to avoid pain is counterproductive. Also, you are not required to do vigorous activities to be effective. Choose any of the following low-impact options: walking, swimming, or yoga.

Your Back Pain Might Be a Neck Problem

The spine protects the spinal cord. Unfortunately, a problem in one area of the spine can cause pain in other places. Spinal problems frequently happen from the top portion downward, causing a domino effect. 

The first bone in the neck, the atlas vertebra, has the most excellent range of motion compared to any other part of your spine. As a result, it is also the most vulnerable to misaligning when specific conditions occur. Common causes for misalignment include:

When the atlas misaligns, the rest of the spine compensates. Thus, the spine twists and turns to adjust. Also, it keeps the head sitting in a neutral position on top of the neck. An atlas misalignment is frequently the root cause of pain that occurs in the low or mid-back.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Farmington, MI

Visit us here at Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care. Our Farmington upper cervical chiropractor will check your spine if there exists any misalignments. If there is one, you might be surprised to learn that a safe, gentle, and precisely done atlas adjustment can bring long-lasting back pain relief. Find out if this is the right healthcare option for you.  

Give us a ring at 248-478-6203 or send us a message online. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

If you're suffering from upper middle back pain, it can be difficult to know what to do. Here are the top 7 causes of upper middle back pain, including what they are, how they happen, and how you can treat them with Farmington upper cervical chiropractic.

upper middle back pain

Get lasting relief for your back pain at Premier Family Wellness! For more information, consultation, or adjustments, book a consultation session now!

lower back pain reliefAs a chiropractor for lower back pain relief in Farmington, MI, I’ve dealt with almost every kind of complaint from patients with lower back pain. What I’ve noticed is that it becomes more and more regular as a person grows older. To put it in perspective, half of the people aged 60 are those most commonly affected by this condition.  

This raises a frequently-asked question: how does back pain occur? To explain it further, we’ll delve deeper into the types of back pain, the structure of the spinal column, and a form of lower back pain relief to alleviate the symptoms for a long time.  

This article should help you understand lower back pain better, especially if you or a loved one is dealing with it. After reading this, you should be more informed about it and how you can find natural lower back pain relief through upper cervical chiropractic care.  

Understanding the Spinal Column 

The bones that make up the spinal column are called the vertebrae. A thin cartilage covers and cushions these bones with shock-absorbing discs made from a jelly-like tissue. Ligaments and muscles hold these discs and the vertebrae in place while giving them the flexibility to move.

Two erector spinal muscles run along the vertebrae, and several short paraspinal muscles also support the spine and back These muscles are responsible for providing stability to the spine, with the support of the abdominal muscles and other muscles. 

Inside the spinal column is the spinal cord, which consists of various nerves that branch out to all areas of the body. A spinal nerve root is the part of the nerve that’s closest to the spinal cord. And because of this positioning, spinal nerve roots are squeezable and compressible during injury, and this is something that can lead to back pain. 

The lumbar spine of the lower back connects to the chest, pelvis, and legs. It enables the body to twist, bend, and turn. The lumbar spine also provides a solid base for lifting, standing, and walking. It is responsible for every activity you do during the day.  

The Types of Lower Back Pain 

Referred pain

This is pain felt in a location different from the actual cause of discomfort. An excellent example of which is the pain in the left arm felt during a heart attack.  

As for lower back pain, the discomfort is often deep and aching. The location is usually tricky to pinpoint. Sometimes the pain is difficult to locate because a broad area has been affected (as can be the case with muscle strain) or because the lower back pain is referred pain (coming from one area but spreading out to a larger area).  

Radiating pain

This type of pain is usually dull and travels from the lower back down to the leg. It is generally accompanied by sharp, intense pain on one side of the back of the leg.  

The cause of this type of pain could be a compression of a nerve root due to a herniated disc, osteoarthritis, or spinal stenosis. The aches worsen while coughing, bending over, straining, and sneezing.  

Muscle weakness also occurs, along with a pins-and-needles sensation and loss of feeling. In some cases, there is also loss of bowel and bladder control.  

Local pain

Local pain is the most common type of back pain, which happens in a specific spot. Common causes are sports injuries, sprains, or muscle strains. The pain is either relieved or aggravated by positional changes, and the lower back may feel sore to the touch. Muscle spasms commonly occur. 

The Usual Causes of Back Pain 

In finding effective lower back pain relief techniques, it's helpful to know the root cause of your condition. Most patients report that their lower back stems from sprains or muscle strains after rigorous exercising or heavy lifting. Incidents that cause the body to move an unexpected or awkward way like an accident or sports injury are also common causes.  

Sports, in general, may cause back pain through activities like swinging a golf club or swinging a baseball bat. But other common back pain causes include fibromyalgia, compression fractures, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. Other reasons include a ruptured or herniated disc or lumbar spinal stenosis.  

But there also are rare causes of back pain, such as spinal infections and tumors, digestive disorders like diverticulitis and pancreatitis, as well as urinary tract disorders. Other reasons could be an aneurysm in the large artery of the abdomen, shingles, and disorders of the pelvis such as ectopic pregnancy, and even cancer of the ovaries.  

Lower Back Pain Relief - Natural Options

Think of the vertebrae of the spine as a set of dominoes placed close to each other. Once you tip one over, the rest likely follow. Similarly, if a problem arises in one area of the spine, the other parts are affected shortly thereafter. That usually happens when the top two bones in the neck (otherwise known as the C1 and C2 vertebrae) go out of alignment. 

When it comes to such situations, upper cervical chiropractic care is your best bet.  

Upper cervical chiropractors are specially trained to adjust the C1 and C2 vertebrae using gentle and precise techniques. Here at Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care, I treat every patient as an individual and create a care plan to address each person’s specific health needs. 

After receiving an adjustment to the C1 or C2, a person’s body goes through a process of undoing all the ways that the spine, hips, and shoulders had compensated for the misalignment at the top of the spine. As a result, the body’s natural healing response takes over, and lower back pain often resolves itself. Visit our testimonials page to see how upper cervical chiropractic care has helped my patients find freedom and experience lasting lower back pain relief.  

So, if you happen to be looking for a low back pain doctor near Farmington MI, contact us to schedule an appointment. For any questions, call (248) 478-6203.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins for lower back pain relief, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

is-your-posture-contributing-to-your-nagging-back-painEveryone’s heard that good posture is important – how many times did a parent nag you to stand or sit up straight when you were younger?  Poor posture is associated with poor appearances, such as Dowager’s hump, and can also start to affect how your organs function. Fortunately, a low back pain doctor near Farmington, MI, can help you improve your posture.

Why Does My Back Hurt?

Back pain can originate from several sources.  You’ve got the vertebrae (the bones that make up your spinal column), all the soft tissues that connect the vertebrae (muscles, ligaments, and tendons), discs which act like cushions in between each vertebra, and the spinal cord and nerves that branch off of it.  Some of the most common causes of low back pain include:

What Does it Mean to Have Good Posture?

Taking steps to correct bad posture is one of the best things you can start doing right away to keep back pain to a minimum.   Good posture will help keep your body in proper balance and prevent any one area from being overly taxed. Gravity is always exerting its force upon us, which is why it is essential to have the right posture to place the least strain on the supporting structures, ligaments, and muscles.

The benefits of good posture are many:

Proper posture is a result of a balance of strength and flexibility.  Your muscles need to be both strong enough to bear your weight and flexible enough to accommodate your movements.  Recognizing lousy posture habits and taking steps to correct them can yield beneficial results when it comes to reducing the odds of back pain and problems.

How Do I Stand Correctly?

Proper standing posture will keep the mass of your body correctly positioned over its center of gravity.

How Do I Sit Correctly?

Good sitting posture will ensure that none of your joints and muscles will have to endure too much stress.

How Do I Lay Down Correctly?

Sleeping with good posture can help you get a good night’s rest and wake up with less back and neck stiffness.

Pain Relief with a Low Back Pain Doctor Near Farmington

When you start paying more attention to your posture, you’ll realize how connected your entire back and spine are.  Correcting one area will always have an impact on everything around it. This concept is one that upper cervical chiropractors understand quite well.  Most people know that visiting a chiropractor for back pain can be helpful, but what many people don’t fully understand is that to get to the root cause of back pain, it is essential to make sure that your head is in a neutral position.

The atlas vertebra, or C1, sits at the very top of the neck.  It is the most freely movable vertebra of the entire spine and, because of this fact, it is also the most vulnerable to misaligning as a result of injury or wear and tear.  When the atlas misaligns, it causes the head to be carried off-balance. To compensate, your shoulders and hips will also shift in an attempt to keep the head upright and the eyes level.  Instead of chasing around the symptoms of back pain, whether they be in your mid-back or low back, upper cervical chiropractic care goes straight to the source.

If you’re looking for a low back pain doctor near Farmington, then Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care will be an excellent fit for you.  We offer a complimentary consultation to all of our patients so that we have the opportunity to understand your health history and needs.  Even if you’ve tried chiropractic before, you will see how the upper cervical approach is unique and can help you get rid of your chronic back pain.

References:

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet

https://medlineplus.gov/guidetogoodposture.html

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, a low back pain doctor near Farmington, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

a-non-drug-solution-for-sciatica-painSciatica is a condition in which the sciatic nerve becomes irritated and causes pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, and down the back of the leg. It usually affects one side, and the location of the pain can depend on where the sciatic nerve is being irritated. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. The nerve has branches that come out from the spinal cord in the lower back area and travel around and through the hips on their way down the back of the leg, all the way to the foot.

What Causes Sciatica?

A large majority of sciatica cases are caused by a herniated disc in the lower lumbar area of the spine. When the disc bulges from its normal location, it can irritate the sciatic nerve that is in very close proximity. Other conditions that may lead to sciatica include the following:

In addition to pain that radiates in the lower back, buttocks, and back of the leg, a person with sciatica can experience numbness, weakness, or a tingling sensation. Depending on the cause, sciatica can be an ongoing issue that flares up regularly, prompting patients to seek Farmington, MI sciatica relief, or it can be something that resolves on its own within a few days or weeks.  

Sciatica Symptoms

Risk Factors for Sciatica

Still Not Sure If You Have Sciatica?

An at-home test you can do to figure out if you have sciatica is called the straight-leg-raising test. Lie on your back and raise the leg that has been giving you pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. If you raise your leg and you feel shooting pain below the knee, there’s a good chance you are suffering from sciatica. Visiting a family physician can confirm this. Your physician may check your muscle strength and reflexes and may ask you to perform other simple tests like walking on your heels. Expensive tests using medical imaging machines are not needed unless there are unusual symptoms present in addition to the classic sciatica symptoms.

Ways to Find Relief at Home

Many people have successfully cared for their sciatica at home. Here are a few things you can try to give yourself some relief:

Ways to Prevent Sciatica

Sciatica is not always avoidable, but reducing risk factors and doing the following suggestions can help you steer clear of sciatica in some cases.

A Natural, Non-Drug Solution for Sciatica Pain

Even though the sciatic nerve is located in the lower half of the body, it is possible that the root cause of your sciatica is actually coming from your neck. The upper neck vertebrae can easily misalign. When they are just the slightest bit off kilter, the rest of the spine tries to compensate. The stress that your lower spine is putting on the sciatic nerve could actually be coming from the upper spine. In this case, the best solution is to visit an upper cervical chiropractor.

At Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care in Farmington, Michigan, we have the specialized training and equipment to assess your spinal condition and see if your upper vertebrae are misaligned. Correcting any misalignment at the top of your spine will enable the rest of your spine to heal from the ways that it was compensating. Many patients have found sciatica relief in Farmington, MI after receiving our care.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

low back painWhen children experience low back pain, it can be both disturbing and worrisome for their caregiver, especially since a child’s spine is still developing and is only able to sustain a limited amount of stress without damage being done.

You might be wondering if you should take them to a low back pain doctor near Farmington, MI. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission discovered from a recent study that 75% of children ages 8 to 12 years complained of back pain. Why were these children having upper, middle or low back pain? They found that it was due to the weight of their school backpacks.

Based on a recent estimate, 96 percent of children carry too much weight on their backs from school supplies. In fact, 5,000 children go to the emergency department for backpack injuries every year. And, more than 14,000 children receive relief care each year for similar problems. Approximately 60 percent of orthopedic doctors stated that they are providing care to schoolchildren for upper, mid and low back pain caused by the weight of their backpacks.

Look at it this way, if the backpack a child is carrying weighs 12 pounds, and the child weighs 60 pounds, the child is carrying a load on their shoulders that is one-fifth of their body weight. As children get older, their book load often increases. A 100-pound middle school student might be carrying a backpack that weighs 30 pounds.

This problem is even more urgent if a child has scoliosis, a stress fracture, or muscle strain. Extra weight of this type, combined with the conditions of lifting, twisting, or running with the heavy backpack could worsen and even delay their recovery. What should parents do for their children to avoid further damage to their fragile, growing spines?

How Can Children Avoid Low Back Pain?

David Marshall, a medical director of sports medicine at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, explains that the issues related to these heavy backpacks not only cause children to miss school but also affect their attendance to physical education classes, after-school activities, and camps. What does he suggest?

Having a second set of books the child doesn’t need to transport back and forth to school would be greatly helpful. Another recommendation he makes is to bring your child to the doctor to have their core strength, back muscles, and posture evaluated.

One alternative that is growing in popularity among parents, are rolling bags so that children can pull the weight rather than bear it on their backs. They are even starting to be considered cool by school age children. There are a few hazards that these kinds of bags present, though. For example students may need to maneuver up stairways, and the bags are also known for being a tripping hazard in the halls of the schools, classrooms, and while travelling with students.

Tips to Prevent Low Back Pain in Children

Here are a number of tips that Marshal recommends for helping lighten your child’s burden:

This is a safety inspection checklist to refer to help protect against low back pain in children:

Preserving Spine Health to Prevent Low Back Pain

One more area that should be focused on is determining how healthy your child’s spine is. The assumption is usually that most children have healthy spines, but that’s not always true. The upper cervical spine is vulnerable to injury from trips and falls, sporting accidents, or vehicle accidents. Combine that with a developing spine and you could have an injury that leads to lifelong problems over time.

Here at Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care in Farmington, Michigan, we care for many school-age patients, closely examining their neck for possible misalignments they may have in this area. When there is need for a correction, we use a method that is gentle and safe for all ages. We do not need to pop or crack the neck to return the bones to their proper placement. Instead, our technique naturally encourages the bones to move back into place with the slightest pressure.

Maintaining the health of your child’s spine with periodic visits to an upper cervical chiropractor in Farmington can lower the risk of severe injury in the future. Contact us today if your child has concerns with low back pain or other issues related to the back. 

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

back-pain-is-it-normal-can-anything-really-helpPeople often accept back pain as a normal part of life. They may feel like they need to just live with it and try to go on. Other people may feel they will just wait until their back pain gets worse before consulting a low back pain doctor near Farmington, NI. However, pain is never normal, and waiting for back pain to get worse can be dangerous.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people are hospitalized. Back pain is the third most common reason for surgery. Back pain can disturb your sleep, your work, cleaning your home, and just about anything you need to do on a daily basis. In some cases, we may be causing our own back pain. Here are some things that cause back pain and what you might be able to do to alleviate it. Then we will talk about where to get professional help for back pain that just won’t go away.

Causes of Back Pain

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care and Back Pain

If you have made some of the suggestions above and are still having back pain, it may be time to visit an upper cervical chiropractor in Farmington. We focus on helping the top bones of the neck get back into place and remain there. We do this through a gentle method not requiring us to pop or crack the spine or neck. These bones often move out of alignment through simple everyday mishaps such as a trip, a mild car accident, or a sporting accident. By correcting the misalignment, many people have reported seeing great relief for back pain.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

ten-reasons-why-back-pain-happens-and-what-to-do-about-itBack pain is a universal, common condition that will affect nearly every adult at some point in their life.  For many people, back pain might come and go in a matter of a couple of days and be just a mild annoyance. For others, back pain can be so severe that it prevents normal day-to-day activities like going to work or even bending down to pull on your socks and shoes. More often than not, this severe pain prompts them to finally visit a low back pain doctor near Farmington,MI.

Back pain can originate from different tissues and structures in the back and can happen for several reasons.  To help you better understand back pain, which can also help you to get the proper care, we've compiled the following list of ten of the most common sources of back pain:

A Natural, Lasting Solution to Back Pain

There are certainly some lifestyle changes you can make in order to care for and prevent back pain.  Among the most effective are maintaining a healthy weight and fitness level, staying well hydrated, and quitting smoking if you are a tobacco user.  When you are suffering from back pain, it is important to address the cause of the problem if you are to expect any level of relief that is beyond temporary.

Your spine works as a single unit and is connected by a network of muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and nerves.  Each segment doesn't move in isolation, rather your spine functions, moves, and compensates based on what happens elsewhere along the line.  At the very top of your neck sits a vertebra called the atlas. The atlas is shaped very differently from the rest of the bones in the spine because it has a much different job to do – it holds the weight of the head on top of it and provides your head with the freedom of movement it enjoys.  When the atlas misaligns, it can mean major problems for the rest of your back. When the weight of the head is not carried properly over the spine, it causes compensations that can lead to muscle spasm, strain, and increased pressure on nerves, discs, and joints.

Farmington, MI upper cervical chiropractic care is a gentle and effective way of addressing the underlying cause of many sources of back problems and pain.  We use precise methods to detect and correct upper cervical misalignments that can be leading to dysfunction in the rest of the spine. By doing so, we are creating a solution that is long lasting, rather than masking symptoms only to have them return at a later time.

References:

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Lower Back Pain, Lower Back, Back Pain, Back Ache, Pinched Nerve, Numbness, Tingling, Sciatica Pain Relief, Sciatica, injury, back injury, work injury, Disc Herniation, Disc Herniation Relief, Posture, Proper Posture, Back Pain, Back Pain Relief, Back Ache, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain Relief,Sciatica Pain Treatment Farmington MI, sciatic nerve treatment, what is sciatica, lower back pain treatment, lower back pain relief, back pain causes, back pain remedies, severe lower back pain, sciatica symptoms, lower back pain causesSciatica is the most common lower back and leg pain complaint worldwide. It is greatly misunderstood both by patients and doctors. Sciatica is spinally-induced nerve pain which radiates from the lower back into the buttocks, legs, feet, and toes.

It is most often accompanied by low back pain but can exist just in the lower extremities. Each case of sciatica is as different as the person experiencing it. The pain is determined by the location of the pinched or irritated nerve. In order for a diagnosis of sciatica to be given, the origin has to begin in the spine, usually near the lumbar or sacral spinal regions.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve structure in the body. With sciatica, you may experience some of the following.

What Causes Sciatica?

There are a wide variety of reasons for sciatica to happen. Some of the most common ones are:

Getting Comfortable Enough to Sleep with Sciatica

One of the most difficult things to do with sciatica or any low back pain is to find a comfortable sleeping position. Almost everyone has had back pain at one time or another. Some people suffer with it so often that it seems like an ongoing battle to try to find some relief. What many don’t realize, however, is their sleeping position can play a huge role in determining their pain level and whether or not they experience a flare-up. Back pain is unique to each person, and what works for you may not work for someone else.

However, let’s take a look at some suggestions to help you to get a good night’s rest and wake up feeling refreshed instead of still groggy and wanting more sleep. Just keep in mind, it is difficult to change sleeping habits that have been used for many years. So, be patient and keep working at it. It will be worth it in the long run.

When trying these different positions out, remember that along with your low back pain and sciatica, other health conditions may affect the pain you experience. Give yourself several nights of trying one particular position before you give up on it. It will become more and more comfortable over time.

The Side-Sleeper

This is a great choice for those with low back pain if you are willing to make a few adjustments. When you sleep on your side, it is common for the top leg to roll forward to rest on the mattress. This is actually not a good thing because it creates twisting pressure on the lower back and can irritate the sciatic nerve.

To improve side sleeping and help your sciatica, use one or two pillows between the legs. This keeps the body from twisting and adds support, keeping the spine and leg in a neutral position. And, if you happen to like sleeping on your left side, kudos to you as it can alleviate heartburn as well.

Sleeping on Your Back

This can be a good choice or a bad choice, depending on how it is done. If you place a pillow beneath your knees, it can be very good for the low back and sciatica. This is called the supine position and helps you maintain the natural curve of your spine. You may find it even more comfortable if you place a rolled towel under the small of your back.

However, by sleeping on your back with no additional support from pillows, you are putting yourself at great risk for pain. This is due to the fact that you are causing your spine to stay in a flexed position, which can irritate sciatica and low back pain in some people. It is also important to be aware that while it is a good choice for those with back pain using a pillow for support of the knees, it is a poor choice for those who snore or have sleep apnea.

Stomach Sleepers

This is absolutely the worst way to sleep for anyone. It causes your back to arch in an unnatural position and can contribute to ongoing pain. Sleeping on your stomach causes your back to stay extended, and it also works against gravity. However, if you absolutely cannot find any other way that is comfortable, here is a good suggestion. Make a slight adjustment by putting a pillow under your stomach or a bit lower, under your pelvis. This helps you back to stay in a slightly more neutral position.

Sciatica Pain Relief Farmington MI

Finding Natural Relief for Sciatica

It is important to do all that you can to keep your spine in the best shape possible. One way to do that is to visit us here at Perkins Family Wellness and Spinal Care in Farmington, Michigan. We have seen a connection between sciatica, and strangely enough, a misalignment in the bones of the upper neck. When a misalignment exists here, the spine twists and shifts to compensate for keeping the head at eye level. This causes a number of things to happen along the spinal column, including irritation to the sciatic nerve leading to sciatica. We correct this misalignment by a gentle method that has brought positive results to many people.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Lower Back Pain, Lower Back, Back Pain, Back Ache, Pinched Nerve, Numbness, Tingling, Sciatica Pain Relief, Sciatica, injury, back injury, work injury, Disc Herniation, Disc Herniation Relief, Posture, Proper Posture, Back Pain, Back Pain Relief, Back Ache, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain ReliefSciatica is pain that runs along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and branches off into the hips, the buttocks, and down each leg. Sciatica occurs when there is an irritation or inflammation somewhere along the sciatic nerve. Why does it occur?

It may seem strange that the pain of sciatica often begins in the neck. This has to do with the top vertebrae of the neck, the C1 and C2, which are located at the base of the skull and are susceptible to misalignment due to their shape and location. If they move out of place, it can have a domino effect. The ligaments, joints, and muscles that are attached to the spine can all be affected. This type of misalignment can move other structures out of place, create imbalances in the lower back, and distort your posture, creating the perfect scenario for the sciatic nerve to become pinched or irritated and for sciatica to occur.

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and low back pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

Help for Sciatica Sufferers

In order to find relief for sciatica, it is important to begin at the top of the spine. Here at Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care in Farmington, Michigan, we are specially trained to find misalignments in the C1 and C2 vertebrae. We then employ a gentle method that encourages the bones of the neck to move back into place. This does not require us to crack or pop the spine to achieve results. Rather, the bones reposition themselves more naturally, leading to longer-lasting results.

Once the bones of the upper neck realign, the body can begin to heal from the damage endured. When we gently help the vertebrae move back into place, the rest of the body’s framework can begin to function as it is supposed to. This often leads to a reduction in sciatica symptoms, while some see it go away completely.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area

scheduleanappointment (1)

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

Lower Back Pain, Lower Back, Back Pain, Back Ache, Pinched Nerve, Numbness, Tingling, Sciatica Pain Relief, Sciatica, injury, back injury, work injury, Disc Herniation, Disc Herniation Relief, Posture, Proper Posture, Back Pain, Back Pain Relief, Back Ache, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain ReliefIt may seem strange, but the truth is that sciatica often begins in the neck area. While the effects are felt in the lower back, this is not the place of origin. Let’s take a deeper look at the lower back. The sciatic nerve starts in the spinal cord near the lower back region.

It is made up of nerve roots that branch off of the lumbar spine protected by the five lowest vertebrae. The sciatic nerve goes from the lower back, through the buttocks, and extends down the back of each leg as far as the foot. Sciatica occurs when something irritates this nerve. It can be anywhere along the sciatic nerve and can be a very painful condition. (more…)

At Premier Family Wellness & Spinal Care in Farmington, MI will not only help you get well, but also stay well.

Contact

33966 West 8 Mile Rd. Suite 103
Farmington, MI 48335
248-780-8864
info@pfwspinalcare.com

Office Hours

Mon: 9am - 6pm
Tues: 8am - 12:30pm
Wed: 9am - 6pm
Thurs: 9am - 5pm
Fri: Closed
Sat/Sun: Closed
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