 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
0 Comments
 Sports Injuries and Improved Performance
Any parent of a child who plays baseball, soccer, gymnastics, or any other sport, knows that injuries will happen. So how does a parent help ensure the best course of care for their child? Parents looking to ensure their athletes health should consider talking to Dr. Dukes and learning about the benefits of chiropractic treatment of acute injuries, preventative care and to improve performance - all naturally without the risk associated with dangerous drugs or invasive surgeries. Dr. Dukes and her team employ natural, drug-free and non-surgical treatment for many musculoskeletal injuries and preventative care. Athletes benefit greatly from chiropractic care and most professional sports organizations from the NFL to the MLB and the MLS provide regular chiropractic care for their athletes. Kids looking for competitive advantage have found that chiropractic care improves agility, balance, kinetic perception, power and reaction time. Here is a deeper dive into the benefits for athletes: 1. Improve range of motion and performance. Athletes often experience bouts of joint stiffness which reduces range of motion. The results is reduced performance efficiency and increased risk of injury. Typically chiropractic manipulation is employed to improve motion within the joint spacel followed by mobility treatment to improve joint health. 2. Improved recovery and injury prevention. It's critical to address both acute (new) injuries as well as assess the athlete as a whole through musculoskeletal, neurological, and orthopedic examination to prevent chronic issues. By considering the 'whole patient' Dr. Dukes athlete patients often report shorter recovery times and reduced flare-ups of chronic injuries. 3. Healthier gut through reduced use of drug treatment. The risks of opioid pain killers is obvious but did you know that over-the counter pain-relievers and anti-inflammatories cause a host of issues too? Common pain-relievers and anti-inflammatories kill the flora in our gut which causes a host of issues - particularly for athletes. Chiropractic care can allow your body to naturally relieve pain and inflammation so that athletes can find relief without exposing themselves to drug risks and side-effects. 4. The competitive advantage of champions. Champions utilize chiropractic to feel and perform thier best. Here's what a few of the greatest athletes of all time have to say: “Chiropractic just makes you feel so much better. When I walk out of the clinic, I feel like I’m about three inches taller and everything’s in place. And as long as I see the Chiropractor, I feel like I’m one step ahead of the game.” – Tom Brady “Chiropractic gives me the flexibility I need to keep in the game.” – Venus Williams “I didn’t know how much I could improve until I started seeing a Chiropractor. Since I’ve been in Chiropractic, I’ve improved by leaps and bounds both mentally and physically.” – Michael Jordan Chiropractic care helps athletes of all ages. Whether you are a champion athlete or growing to become one, call Dr. Dukes today (814) 752-2524. Schedule your consultation. Learn how Chiropractic can help you improve your performance and feel your best game in and game out.  If you've sought frozen shoulder relief from traditional methods such as drugs or shots, I'll bet you're frustrated. And, I'm sure that you're wondering if you'll ever get back to normal. Chiropractic Care gives you proven relief faster.
For most patients drug treatments fail to work effectively. Why? Because traditional treatments relying on steroids, numbing medications or painkillers mask the pain and fail to treat the underlying condition. The good news is that a natural, non-drug approach such as Chiropractic Care is widely accepted as the primary and most effective treatment method available. Most patients report an 80% pain reduction and at least 70% range of motion increase within the first 4 weeks of treatment. Multiple research studies have shown drugs are less effective requiring significantly longer recovery time and significant risks associated with pain-killers. A recent clinical trial studying the efficacy of Chiropractic methods for treating frozen shoulder among 50 patients revealed impressive results: - 16 of the patients recovered fully - 25 patients showed 75 percent to 90 percent improvement - 8 showed 50 percent to 75 percent improvement - 1 patient showed less than 50 percent improvement Suffer no more. Reach out to Dr. Dukes today. Schedule your consultation and learn how Chiropractic care can help you get back to living your best life.  The foot is one of our most constantly-used body parts. It's no wonder that heel pain can be so debilitating.
If you're feeling a stabbing pain in the heel area on the bottom of your foot, Plantar Fasciitis may be the culprit. For many it's a chronic nagging pain that tough to resolve. The good news is that Dr. Dukes offers proven solutions without risky surgeries nor the need for dangerous drugs. What Causes Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar Fasciitis is most often caused by overuse and under use. It is very common among runners particularly when they change training distance and/or intensity. Other risk factors include wearing shoes that do not provide adequate arch support, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Traumatic injury is responsible for a relatively small portion of complaints. What Is Plantar Fasciitis? Your Plantar Fascia is a thick band of connective tissue spanning your foot arch and connecting your toes to your heel. It stretches during each and every step while protecting your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when this band of tissue becomes inflamed. Treatment Options As most runners that have recovered from plantar fasciitis will tell you, drugs and surgery rarely provide more than temporary relief. Your body has a tremendous ability to heal itself. The most effective treatment plans typically focus on a combination of rest, adjustments, therapy and stretching tailored to your individual symptoms and lifestyle considerations. When you're ready to get back to living life on your terms, call Dr. Dukes. Schedule your consultation and learn about Plantar Fasciitis and your treatment options. DukesChiropractic.com  Dr. Dukes helps people just like you achieve a better quality of life by focusing care on the root cause of your pain, rather than simply treating your symptoms. She believes that helping you better understand what is causing your health challenges is key to successful treatment and recovery.
Chiropractic care than gaining simple relief from back pain - it's a natural, whole-body approach to healing that doesn't employ invasive surgeries nor risky drugs. Let's dive into 5 amazing truths about chiropractic care: 1. It's Not Just for the Back A common misconception is that Chiropractic care is just for the back and neck. Not true! Chiropractic Care is effective in treating a host of issues beyond headaches and joint pain such as poor sleep, stress relief, a stronger immune response, better balance, reduced blood pressure, improved digestion and more. Chiropractic even helps treat colic, acid reflux and ear infections in young children and babies. 2. Treating the Root Cause Many pain relief medications will only attack the symptoms and not the source. Chiropractic adjustment services, on the other hand, will aid in reversing some of the causes of the pain. "Is chiropractic care a cure-all?" No, but it can assist in healing a broad range of health and body issues. Your nervous system controls things like the body's reflexive responses, breathing, and even the slightest movements that we make. Good spine health is critical to our overall well-being. 3. Complementing Other Treatment Procedures Managing chronic pain is challenging because there will be what seems like never-ending relief and treatment procedures involved. Different therapies exist to help in the relief and cure of chronic aches and pains like oral medications, nerve blocks, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). With chiropractic care, there is no involvement of drugs and it complements just about every therapeutic care in existence. However, it's always important to get a consultation from your health care or medical practitioner before taking multiple therapeutic and treatment procedures. 4. Non-Invasive, Low-Risk Treatment Perhaps the most common adverse effect acquired from chiropractic services is some soreness in the area of the adjustment.Some might even experience mild and temporary fatigue or headache after a chiropractic procedure. However, these effects are minimal and temporary as compared to the ultimate goal of re-aligning and re-adjusting the body's spinal and nervous systems. Think of it like when you exercise after taking a long time off. Initially, your body is incredibly sore despite the fact you are bettering yourself and heading toward a healthier lifestyle. 5. Drug-free Solutions Medications bring both positive and negative effects, as well as significant risks. Instead of reaching for those medicines, consider scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor. Studies show that chiropractic care can help reduce pain often more effectively than drugs and without the risky side-effects. It can assist in the relief or even the treatment of some health and body issues like sciatica, neck pain, ear infections, scoliosis, lower back pain, headaches, and frozen shoulder syndrome. So what will you do with this information? If you think your overall quality of life can be improved through chiropractic care, reach out to Dr. Dukes today. She'll help you start your journey to a healthier and pain-free life. Call today (814) 752-2524.  Separating back pain myths from facts can be challenging so Dr. Dukes highlights a few myths, facts and spine health tips to help you sort through all the misinformation.
Your back is an amazing part of your body! It allows you to stand and supports your arms and legs. It also protects your spinal cord, which sends messages between your brain and the rest of your body. Knowing what to do when you have back pain is important. A sedentary lifestyle, as well as injuries, arthritic changes and aging can all lead to problems. MYTH: Bed rest is a great treatment for back pain. FACT: At one time, many people believed this to be true. But in fact, bed rest may worsen your back pain unless it is so severe that you cannot move. Consult your health care professional for a diagnosis and treatment options. MYTH: Applying heat is recommended for a sore back. FACT: Applying heat may worsen the inflammation of the joint and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Use ice on a sore back instead. The usual recommendation is to ice – use a commercial cold pack, a bag of frozen vegetables, or ice in a dampened towel – for the first three days of acute pain. Limit cold pack treatments to 10 to 15 minutes at a time, and always place a damp towel or cloth between the sore area and the ice. MYTH: Pain is the main indication that something is wrong. FACT: Pain in your back is definitely an indication that something is wrong, especially if the pain is chronic and stops you from doing everyday chores and activities. But you don’t always feel pain in your back when there is a problem. Restricted movement or discomfort in your arms, legs and shoulders are also indications that something’s up with your spine. If you find yourself hurting, it may be time to seek help from Dr. Dukes and her experienced team of professionals. She'll help you determine the severity of your issue and work to ensure quick recovery. Call today (814) 752-2524.  With fall planting and pruning on the horizon, many of us are eager to turn our gardens and spruce up the yard. Minding your posture as you work will help prevent injuries and ensure that you're able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Here are a few tips I always remind my patients to keep in mind:
If you find that you've over-done-it in the garden, we're here for you. Seek help from Dr. Dukes and her experienced team of professionals. She'll help you determine the severity of your issue and work to ensure quick recovery. Call today (814) 752-2524.  Combine stress, repetitive activities and poor posture, and what do you get? Tension headaches.
Dr. Dukes revealed the most common contributors: poor posture, constantly looking down at your cell phone, working on your laptop in your home office all day, driving for hours without rest, playing video games for hours, chronic jaw clenching, and poor sleep posture. Dr. Dukes explained that, “these activities overstretch the muscles on the back of your neck and weaken them, increasing your susceptibility to tension headaches. The second part of the problem is that using any muscle too much leads to pain and, often, results in tension headaches.” Episodic tension headaches come on quickly and are fairly painful. “They are usually associated with stressful events adn tend to be subside once the stressful event is over.” Chronic tension headaches can recur daily. They may come on as you wake up or after a long day of work or activity. “The muscles in your neck and scalp tend to stay contracted,” she says. “Pain and tightness develop on both sides of the head, in the forehead and at the base of the skull.” Dr. Dukes recommends minimizing tension headache contributing factors by: Minimizing stress: Try to avoid or limit stressful events. Taking breaks: Limit the time you spend looking down at your phone. Take breaks on long drives. Adjusting the way you sleep: Try sleeping on your back or on your side with a body pillow and your neck in neutral posture. Exercise and stretch: Use a therapy cane or a hard therapy ball to massage out or stretch your neck and shoulder muscles. Avoid clenching: If you have trouble avoiding this behavior, seek a dentist knowledgeable about temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. What about rubbing your temples when a tension headaches starts to build — does it help? “Muscle tension varies, so rubbing on your temples may not bring relief,” says Dr. Bang. “But rubbing on the tender spots, or trigger points, in your neck and shoulder muscles can help.” If tension headaches don’t go away after trying these suggestions, it may be time to seek professional help from Dr. Dukes and her experienced team of professionals. Call today (814) 752-2524. Reach out to Dr. Dukes. Schedule your consultation and learn how Chiropractic can help you.  Did you know that water is part of every cell in your body? Good spinal health begins with good hydration. Dehydration can cause limited mobility, decreased flexibility, and pain.
From the time you get up in the morning you are putting pressure on your spine, compressing and decompressing the discs that lie between each vertebra. If you don’t drink enough water, your body becomes dehydrated and your discs lack proper fluid pressure resulting in limited mobility, pain, and an increased risk of back injury. You may not even notice the typical signs of dehydrations such as headache and lethargy, but even lower levels of dehydration can cause serious problems in the body, especially if it is prolonged. Soda and other soft drinks do not supply the amount of water that is necessary for the body. Water is the best way to hydrate your body, but it isn’t the only way. Foods like watermelon, lettuce, spinach, and soups are great sources of hydration. Herbal teas can also provide the body with the right source of water as well. Drinks with caffeine are not as effective since the caffeine can have a diuretic effect. If you have constant or frequent back pain the answer could be dehydration and, you can change that. If you’re paying proper attention to hydration and find yourself still feeling aches and pains, reach out to Dr. Dukes. Schedule a consultation and learn how Chiropractic care can help you get back to living life on your terms. 813-752-2524  Prevent Travel-Related Aches & Pains
With many of us traveling once again, Dr. Dukes reminds you to keep your overall health and well-being in mind. Travel can be tough on your body. Altered sleep, long hours in a car or plane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff, sore or worse. Prolonged sitting and lousy sleep can wreak havoc on your body. Keep these tips in mind, they'll help you minimize travel-related aches, pains and strains: - Move Around. Sitting in the same position for a prolonged period puts a great deal of stress on your spine and joints. Get up, move around and stretch frequently. When you're unable to get up, pump (bend and straighten) your legs and feet periodically. - Leg Positioning. Long car and airplane rides can be tight and uncomfortable. Keeping your feet and knees at a right angle helps keep stress off the lower back. - Support your Low Back. Good support for the lower back is vital. Bring a back roll or small pillow to put behind your lower back for support. - Support your Neck. Consider investing in a U-shaped neck pillow to allow your neck to rest, and to keep your neck from being strained if you happen to fall asleep. Be aware of your posturing and try to avoid slouching. - Choose Water. Remember that alcohol, tea, and coffee are diuretics that can encourage dehydration. Water will rehydrate the body and help to prevent circulatory problems. - Schedule Smart. It takes work to get proper rest while traveling. Following these simple tips will help you enjoy more relaxing, healthful travel. If you do find yourself feeling a out-of-sorts, reach out to Dr. Dukes. Schedule a consultation. 813-752-2524 |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2022
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed