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Spinal Anatomy

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We strive at Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness to help our patients adopt a “health care model” instead of a “sick care model.” In order to do that, it is necessary for people to have a basic understanding of how their bodies work. Different parts of the back are vulnerable to different problems, so we want to explain what makes up the backbone. The backbone is actually dozens of separate bones, called vertebrae. Most of them are separated by spongy discs that absorb shock. In back, they have protruding bony arches. The spinal cord, which transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body, travels through the canal made by these arches, and they are linked together by joints. The neck bones are made up of seven vertebrae called the cervical vertebrae. The atlas is the topmost one and the axis is right beneath it, without any disc between. The upper back is made up of the twelve thoracic vertebrae, which the ribs connect to. The lower back is made up of the seven lumbar ...
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Common Types of Headaches

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A headache can ruin our entire day and make it difficult to perform our daily tasks. There are over 100 different types of headaches, but the three most common are migraines, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. Certain types of headaches have their own unique symptoms and are caused by different environmental or psychological factors. Fortunately, Dr. Paul Hoyal at Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness can alleviate pain caused by headaches. The greatest majority of common headaches have triggers, such as foods, noises, lights, stress, and other physical problems. Research shows that spinal manipulation – one of the primary treatments provided by chiropractors– may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck. Spinal manipulation and/or chiropractic adjustments will improve spinal function and alleviate stress on the musculoskeletal system. If you have questions or concerns regarding chiropractic treatment for headaches, please gi...
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Neck Pain Relief

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The neck has a tough job, as it supports the weight of the head which weighs about 10lbs. If you’re someone who spends too much time on the phone, the neck may become stiff, and if the head is tilted, you are putting more than 10lbs of pressure on your shoulders. The cervical spine is composed of vertebrae that begin in the upper torso and end at the base of the skull. For many people, neck pain will heal with time. If you can’t find relief, seek help from Dr. Paul Hoyal at Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness. Neck pain may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues – the muscles, ligaments, nerves – as well as in the bones and discs of the spine. The most common causes of neck pain are due to wear and tear and may cause aches in the upper back, shoulders, or arms. If you experience weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, seek treatment immediately. Dr. Paul Hoyal will develop an individualized treatment plan depending on the cause. If you have questions or concerns regarding n...
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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As part of our holistic care at Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we use acupuncture to treat pinched nerves. One of the most infamous kinds of pinched nerve injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and it often results from overuse at work. This injury will get worse if not allowed to heal, with potentially devastating results. The carpal tunnel is a part of the inside of the arm made up of the wrist bones and connective tissue. The median nerve branches off from the neck and travels through the carpal tunnel on its way to the thumb and first three fingers. Compression of the carpal tunnel or blockages within it will disrupt signals to the fingers and could cause the patient to feel pain, tingling, or shock along their wrist, arm, and neck. There are a few different injuries which could cause CTS-like symptoms, so Dr. Hoyal will need to do some tests to determine whether a pinched median nerve is truly the cause of the patient’s pain. If it is, acupuncture treatments can provid...
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Is Chiropractic New To You?

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At Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we are happy to welcome first-time chiropractic patients.  New chiropractic patients often arrive frustrated, having tried other treatment methods and not found relief from their pain or discomfort.  Chiropractic takes a systemic approach to care, meaning the whole body and the body’s ability to heal itself are considered in every case. This is why your initial consultation and assessment with a chiropractor is especially important.  We will work to understand your goals for treatment, and take a very detailed record of your current condition using a physical exam and sometimes x-rays.  From there, we can form a treatment plan to target any issues and improve overall health. What surprises most new patients is that chiropractic does not incorporate drugs as part of treatment.  Chiropractic focuses on treating the root cause of any pain, rather than masking symptoms with medication.  Whether you are in serious pain or looking to restore your bo...
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Prenatal Chiropractic Care

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The body goes through many changes during pregnancy, and some women experiencing pain and discomfort assume there will be no relief until the due date. But that’s not true! At Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness, we can help expectant mothers maintain a healthy pregnancy with prenatal chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to care for a woman’s changing body and prepare for delivery.  In later stages of pregnancy when the abdomen begins to protrude, the back and pelvis respond to this change. For some women this can result in a misaligned spine or joints. Maintaining pelvic balance and alignment during pregnancy is possible, and prenatal chiropractic adjustments can help.  A healthy pregnancy benefits the mother and baby all the way through to labor and delivery! To learn more about chiropractic adjustments and all the services provided by Elevate Life Chiropractic and Wellness, visit  www.kcfamilychiropractor.com  for more informati...
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Sleep Positions for Back Pain

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Does back pain keep you awake at night, or do you wake up feeling sore? By making simple changes in your sleeping position, you can take the strain off your back, shoulders, and other surrounding joints. Dr. Paul Hoyal of Elevate Life Chiropractic understands that it may be difficult to change sleeping positions, especially if you’re a creature of habit, but we are here to explain the benefits of being able to do so. If you have low back pain, you can get a better night’s rest by sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees. Sleeping on your side alone won’t provide relief, as this can put pressure on your hips, pelvis, and spine. Putting a pillow between the legs will keep these extremities in proper alignment. Additionally, sleeping on your side in fetal position will open the space between your spine and vertebrae, alleviating disc pain in the lumbar spine. If you have questions or concerns regarding back pain management, please give us a call to discuss your treatment opt...
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