Gardening is a wonderful way to calm your spirit but all the crouching, bending and lifting can take it’s toll.  Check a few tips from Dr. Dukes to help you reduce your injury risks and while keeping you gardening with fewer aches and pains.

1. Get moving before you garden. If you’re like many of our patients, you may not think about stretching and warming up before you begin gardening. It’s so important that you stretch your spine and limbs. You’ll be lifting and bending and moving differently in the garden and that puts more stress than joints and soft tissues are used to. A quick stretch is a great way to guard against injury.
2. Stay properly hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is so important. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the things patients regularly overlook. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly. Most people are surprised to learn that water is essential for joint lubrication and cushioning. The average person needs 3-4 liters of water each day – more if you’re working hard. Stay hydrated to stay safe and feel your best.
3. Change positions often to avoid stiffness or cramping. Be aware of how your body feels as you work. Pay attention to pain. If a part of your body starts to ache, take a break. Stretch that body part in the opposite direction, or switch to a different gardening activity. For example, if you've been leaning forward for a while, and your back starts to ache, slowly stand up, and gently lean backward a few times.
4. Leverage is your friend. Use a garden cart or wheelbarrow to move heavy materials or tools.  Lift with your knees and always use good posture while moving a cart or wheelbarrow.
5. Give your knees a break.  Use knee pads or a gardening pad. If kneeling or leaning down to the ground causes a lot of pain in your back or knees, try using elevated planters for your garden. If kneeling on both knees causes back discomfort, try kneeling on one and keep the other foot on the ground.
6. Maintain good posture. Use good body mechanics when you pick something up or pull weeds. Bend your knees, tighten your stomach muscles, and keep your back straight as you lift or pull. Avoid twisting your spine or knees when moving things to the side. Instead, move your feet or pivot on your toes to turn your whole body.
7. Take breaks. If you haven't done gardening or other yard work in a while, plan to work in short stints. And set a timer to take short breaks before you start feeling aches and pains.

Gardening should be relaxing and rewarding , not painful. Perhaps the most important tip is to pay attention to your pain. Many of our patients report that they felt a little twinge but didn’t think it was much - only to figure out too late that they ‘over-did-it’.
Severe and chronic pain isn’t normal.

If you find yourself hurting, it may be time to seek help from Dr. Dukes.  She'll help you determine the severity of your issue, work with you to ensure quick recovery and help you prevent ‘over-doing-it’ in the future. Call today (813) 752-2524.

As parents, we all want what’s best for our children—especially when it comes to their health and wellness.  It’s tough to find quality, responsible care that doesn’t rely on dangerous drugs or invasive procedures. As a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Dukes specializes in natural, conservative care that truly compliments each family's wellness journey. In fact, D.C.'s are designated as physician-level providers and considered a 'First Line of Defense Against Pain’ by the American College of Physicians.

Many parents are surprised to learn of all the ways chiropractic can help. Check out these 10 benefits that can help your family stay more active, healthy and pain free:

1. Improve posture preventing/minimizing the risk of long-term musculoskeletal issues
2. Help colicky babies
3. Reduce or eliminate bed wetting
4. Improve acid reflux symptoms
5. Relieve ear aches
6. Reduce stress and anxiety levels
7. Improve immune system response
8. Improve your sleep quality
9. Improve your child's focus and attention span
10. Reduce risks associated with common childhood injuries      

                  
Dr. Brenda Dukes and her team focus on communicating and educating throughout every course of treatment. Call today! ​​(813) 752-2524 Schedule your consultation with Dr. Dukes and experience the difference for yourself.

Are you searching for a non-invasive way to reduce or eliminate your chronic pain? If so, Dr. Dukes has helped patients with a variety of conditions through pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) technology. PEMF is a form of therapy that uses magnetic pulses to help reduce inflammation and improve circulation in the body. A number of studies have found that this technology can be helpful in relieving pain, especially for those suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and sciatica. Let’s take a look at how PEMF works and why it might be beneficial for women seeking relief from chronic pain.

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) technology works by using an electrical device to generate pulsating magnetic fields which are applied directly to the skin. These pulsating fields stimulates your cells, helping reduce inflammation and improving circulation. Dr. Dukes has found this to be a tremendous tool for pain relief with most patients also reporting increased overall energy level and a boosted sense of wellbeing.

PEMF therapy is generally considered safe and effective. It's not for everyone. Certain types of medical implants may not be compatible with magnetic fields. Dr. Dukes will discuss potential risks along with the benefits prior to any treatment. PEMF therapy should only be performed as directed by a trained and experienced healthcare practitioner.                              

Helping you better understand what is causing your health challenges is key to successful treatment and recovery programs. If you're struggling to find relief, ask Dr. Dukes is pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) technology is right for you. She'll take the time to discuss potential treatments without having to resort to dangerous prescription medications nor invasive treatments like surgery. ​That's why you'll find that Dr. Brenda Dukes and her team focus on communicating and educating throughout every course of treatment. Experience the difference for yourself.
Call today! ​​(813) 752-2524 Schedule your consultation with Dr. Dukes and experience the difference for yourself.

The fresh new year gives us all the opportunity to continue your healthy habits. This year, Dr. Dukes encourages you to make meaningful change by adding a few habits that will keep you feeling great and living life on your terms.

When people think of getting fit in the new year, the first thing that comes to mind is a gym membership. Fitness is a great idea but keeping you on a fit year round is a better plan. And, Chiropractic care can keep you there because, gentle manipulation, adjustments and theraputic massage will help tension, reduce pain and improve mobility making exercise more enjoyable. A realignment of the spine and removal of tension can lead to a wealth of benefits, including restoring functionality throughout the entire body so that you can start your new year with a focus on your health goals.

Keeping your immunity in tip-top shape is another way to maintain your fitness goals. And, when your spine is in proper alignment With regular chiropractic care, your body will be better equipped to fight off any illness.

Chiropractic treatment is wonderful preventive care that will help keep you working out regularly by reducing pain and inflammation. Patients who receive routine care report less pain, fewer illnesses, and faster recovery times.

As you begin to work toward new health goals, consider chiropractic treatment to help kick start the year. Make visiting a Dr. Dukes one of your new year goals. She'll help you keep living your best life.

Call Dr. Dukes. Schedule your consultation and learn how chiropractic care can keep you living life on your terms. Call today (813) 752-2524.

Hopefully you've never been forced to think about just how vital spine health is. Everyday activities like playing with your kids, shopping, standing, sitting, sneezing and even reaching to pick up a piece of paper can turn into major ordeals when your spine is out of sorts. Here are a few tips to keep your spine in tip-top shape:

• Lift with your legs; avoid bending over when lifting any object
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stay hydrated
• Strengthen your core
• Stay fit with daily exercise; avoid sedentary lifestyles
• Visit Dr. Dukes for regular adjustments

Following these common-sense tools combined with regular adjustments is powerful preventive medicine. Call Dr. Dukes. Schedule your consultation and learn how chiropractic care can keep you living life on your terms. Call today (813) 752-2524.

  who seek headache treatments have mixed results at best. Patients frequently focus on seeking help through medication because they don’t realize that they have any other choice. The good news is that Dr. Dukes is extremely effective at reducing the intensity, severity, and frequency of various headache symptoms through non-invasive and drug-free treatment.

Specialists like Dr. Dukes address the root causes of many types of headaches. There are three common headache types that people experience: Tension, Migraine and Cervicogenic. A tension headache may feel like someone is “pressing a band” around your head. A migraine headache may create tension or pain in just one side of the head. However, migraines are often accompanied by nausea and light and sound sensitivity. Cervicogenic headaches are talked about less frequently than tension headaches and migraines and typically create pain in one or more spots in the face or head.

'Headaches' is a very broad term. It's important to focus clinically on the root cause. Repetitive stress, physical trauma, poor sitting, standing, or sleeping posture and unsupportive pillows are a few of the common causes allowing your upper thoracic and cervical spine vertebrae to shift out of alignment.

As providers of natural, proactive care, chiropractors like Dr. Dukes are in a unique position to relieve your headache pain.  Dr. Dukes will focus on several treatment objectives such as:

•     Reducing irritation in the nerves that are responsible for sending pain signals to the brain.
  
•     Restoring communication among elements of your nervous system.
•     Getting healthy, normalized blood flow going.
•     Strengthening muscles that provide support to your spine.

What makes chiropractic care such a powerful tool in treating headaches is the hyper-focus on the root cause of your pain.  When you're ready to feel your best and live life on your terms, call Dr. Dukes. Schedule your consultation and learn how chiropractic care can give you the relief you need today and the tools to minimize future pain. Call today (813) 752-2524.

Just like clockwork, the start of school harbors a rise in Mom's calling my office for help managing back and neck pain. I hear them say, ‘I’m just so busy I must have done too much again’.  

It’s easy for Mom's to let good habits fall by the wayside when you’re focusing on your kids health. Your health and wellness is important too!

Being mindful  is one of the easiest ways to stay feeling your best. Keep these tips in mind:

1.) Drink plenty of water and avoid processed foods. This can be a tall order for busy mom's but it's so important to your wellness.

2.) When lifting, use your whole body by bending hips, knees and ankles to lift with your legs. Keep little ones close to your body and avoid twisting.

3.) Proper posture is vital self-care. Keep your spine straight by keeping your shoulders high whether you are sitting your standing.

• Carry your baby face-out from the middle of your body with your shoulders back. It's often a more comfortable position for you and your baby.
• Avoid neck and upper back tension by pushing your stroller with relaxed, slightly bent elbows and the handle adjusted to belly button level.
• When using mobile devices: steady your device at eye level and keep your back & neck straight to decrease neck and back stress.

4.) Listen to your body. Yes, regular exercise is important but so is rest. It's okay to miss a workout occasionally. Sometimes replacing your HITT workout with yoga or a massage can be better choice.

Building healthy habits is the best way to stay healthy. Dr. Dukes can help you find what works best for you to feel your best and stick to it - for life.

Make health your top priority, call Dr. Dukes at (813) 752-2524 and schedule your wellness consultation today.

Back pain in children is incredibly common. Often it's as simple as constipation. But, if pain persists, you should seek professional advice.

Every year when school starts, Dr. Dukes fields calls from parents concerned about their child reporting back pain. Dr. Dukes advises that, “Quick spurts of back pain aren’t uncommon for children. Often, constipation is the culprit. However, if pain is persistent in a focused area, limits physical activity, affects sleep quality, is associated with fevers, chills or weight loss - it's time to get checked out.”

The six most common back pain complaints are related to:
1. Overuse due to sudden increase in physical activity.
2. Stress fractures
3. Overloaded and ill-fitting backpacks
4. Scoliosis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoliosis)
5. Scheuermann's Kyphosis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheuermann's_disease)
6. Spinal Disc Herniation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_disc_herniation)


Occasional back pain can be common in children, especially if they are age 10 and younger. Persistent back pain is not.

If your child is experiencing any of these issues, Dr. Dukes recommends scheduling an appointment as soon as possible. Our team is dedicated to effectively treating kids in a way that will help keep their growing spines safe and healthy for years to come.

Reach out. Dr. Dukes can help. Call 816-752-2524 and schedule your consult today.

Your independence shouldn't be optional.

For those of us hitting mid-life, now is the time to ensure your future independence. To do this, Dr. Dukes recommends adding spinal stability exercises and regular adjustments to your fitness routine. You'll look and feel better, improve your mobility and build a fitness base that keeps you independent long into your golden years.

When we're young balance is largely an automatic reflex. Gradual changes linked to aging such as weaker muscles, body 'tightness' and slowing reflexes affect our balance and mobility. Confidence dips as muscles essential to balance grow weaker. The result is unsteadiness rises and increased fall risks. 

Shaky balance shouldn't be taken lightly. Falls can spur a negative health spiral. It's more common that you might think. Statistics reveal that at least one out of three people over age 65 fall every year resulting in significant health declines, reduced mobility and dramatically reduced quality of life.

The good news is that Dr. Dukes can help you avoid becoming a statistic. With little work, she'll help you get healthy spine fit helping you prevent falls, feel great and stay independent longer in life.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dukes to start a program to keep you living life on your terms for a long, long time. (813) 752-2524

The American College of Physicians and JAMA agrees with Dr. Dukes that acute and chronic low back pain should first be treated with non-invasive, non-drug treatments. That's why Dr. Dukes should be your first call when you're suffering. She'll listen to you, learn about your struggles and then help you determine the best course of care for you.

Professionals like Dr. dukes focus on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on your general health.

Doctors of Chiropractic (D.C.) practice conservative care that is free from the dangers of riskier treatments, such as prescription opioid pain medications and surgery. DC's are designated as physician-level providers and considered a 'First Line of Defense Against Pain'.

In fact, the American College of Physicians recently released an update to its low back pain treatment guideline that recommends first using non-drug treatments, such as spinal manipulation,  for acute and chronic low back pain. A systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also supports the use of spinal manipulative therapy as a first-line treatment for acute low back pain.

Learn more at https://www.acatoday.org/news-publications/newsroom/key-facts/  then schedule an appointment with Dr. Dukes to get back to living life on your terms! (813) 752-2524