Plantar Fasciitis and Flip-Flops

Doctors are well aware that they see more cases of plantar fasciitis in the summer months. This may be that folks like runners are more active in the summer and injure the delicate bottoms of their feet but they are a relatively small population. Flip-flop wearers are a more likely population that induces this painful ailment by their poor choice of footwear.

A study published in 2010 reveals a definite increase in plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and lower leg pain in people who wear flip-flops.   

But what can be done in these situations? A 2000 study suggests that stretching to establish full range-of-motion in the ankle may help or even prevent conditions such as shin splints, Achilles tendon injuries, hammer toes, and ankle sprains.

Using flexible orthotics in shoes to properly support the three arches of your feet is an excellent way to maintain proper ankle motion and give the wearer relief of these extremely painful conditions. Flexible orthotics can even be incorporated into flip-flops for patients who enjoy the freedom this style of footwear offers. Ask your doctor today about options for treating or preventing plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendon injuries, hammer toes, and ankle sprains.

If you have more questions about our services, contact us at 410-256-9650 or sign-up at www.phcpt.com for a free consultation! 

Perry Hall Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

8817 Belair Road 

Perry Hall, MD 21236

410-256-9650

www.phcpt.com

      

Save Your Back When Getting out of Bed

You may think that something as simple getting out of bed in the morning has nothing to do with you suffering back pain but you would be wrong. By keeping your spine stable as you get out of bed you can help avoidinjuring yourself with this simple movement.

The best way to get out of bed is to roll onto your side then drape your lower legs out the side of the bed. Your arm against the bed should be tucked close to your torso underneath your body. Place the hand of your upper arm against the bed in front of your chest and begin pushing your body up with this arm. As your arms are pushing you into a sitting position allow your legs to drop towards the floor so they can act as a pendulum or counterbalance to help swing your upper body into the upright position.  Your arm against the bed can be used simultaneously to help you move upward into a seated position.

This simple procedure has you getting up sideways which will keep your spine more stable instead of bolting straight forward out of bed. Using this suggested maneuver to get out of bed in the morning becomes more important as you age, degeneration has started in your spine, and because you are not as athletic and limber as you once were.

If you have more questions about our services, contact us at 410-256-9650 or sign-up at www.phcpt.com for a free consultation! 

Perry Hall Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

8817 Belair Road 

Perry Hall, MD 21236

410-256-9650

www.phcpt.com

      

Work, Family Finances and Stress

Feeling stressed out?  Welcome to America!  It is not unusual that people have a lot of stress in their lives. Everything from work, family, to finances and other obligations can have a huge impact on how you feel not only emotionally but also physically.  Interestingly, it is intriguing how learning that stress has wide ranging effects on the human body still surprises many people.  

It has been known for a long time that stress can cause physiologic changes resulting in dangerous conditions including higher blood pressure, increased blood sugar, increased cholesterol, increase in the hormone cortisol, and the resultant increase in abdominal fat caused by increased cortisol levels.  Many people feel the effects of stress as increased tension in their neck and upper back areas.

We Face Stress in Life 

Episodes of stress can either resolve quickly or they may become chronic. Your body perceives stress as anything causing a dump of adrenaline. Such a sudden increase in adrenaline may occur from your alarm clock going off each morning or rushing to get out of your house as you scurry to work. A person’s response to these adrenaline dumps is dependent on your individual make up, genetics, life experiences, and personal behaviors. Habits such as a poor diet, smoking, consuming alcohol or caffeine, and lack of exercise can all effect how your body handles stress.  

If a stressful situation is allowed to continue for an extended period of time it results in chronic stress where your body continues to respond as if stress were present even though the stressful episode has passed. Chronic stress may give rise to insulin resistance, heart disease, memory loss, immune system dysfunction, decreased bone density, and misalignment of the vertebrae in your spine.  

Chiropractic Care can Help Relieve Some of the Stress Caused by Your Body

Stress affects your body by causing misalignments in your spine known in the chiropractic field as subluxations. Chiropractic adjusting helps normalize the motion of individual vertebrae thereby relieving nerve interference so the stress cannot create havoc in your body’s organs and systems. In other words, chiropractic care “heads off stress at the pass” so it cannot manifest its detrimental effects allowing your body to return to a more normal, healthful state.

Why do I have Back Pain?

One of the most common questions heard in any chiropractic office is, "Why do I have back pain?"  While there are many answers to this question the bottom line is that each individual is responsible for their back pain by virtue of what they do or do not do while conducting everyday activities. One of the most important factors is a lack of proper physical conditioning that benefits the human spine.

Most people tend to exercise haphazardly (if they exercise at all) and they do so without warming up properly.  A major problem is that people allow themselves to gain too much weight, ride rather then walk, and slump on soft sofas and chairs.  They subject their backs to unnecessary twists and turns by lifting incorrectly and carrying things improperly.

Tremendous Pressure on Your Back can Lead to Pain 

 The pressure and stress on our backs is tremendous.  Standing exerts 100 pounds of pressure per square inch on the lower spine.  Sitting exerts 120 pounds per square inch on the lower spine. Even everyday activities such as sneezing and/or coughing can put a great amount of pressure onto your lower back.

Rules to Avoid Increased Pressure on Your Back 

 A few of the basic rules for avoiding increased pressure on your back includes maintaining the natural curves of your spine, always bend your knees when bending or lifting, avoid twisting from your torso, and have regular chiropractic check-ups to assure your spine is moving correctly.  

A small amount of preventive care can help you avoid a much bigger problem later.