If you’re focused on living your best life, Dr. Dukes can help you stay on track and keep wellness your families daily practice. Check out 11 reasons why patients love visiting Dr. Dukes and have chosen to make Chiropractic Care a foundational element of their personal wellness:

1. LISTENING
Helping you better understand what is causing your health challenges is key to successful treatment and recovery programs. ​Dr. Brenda Dukes and her team focus on communicating and educating you.

2. BETTER OUTCOMES WITH LESS RISK
Patients feel more comfortable knowing that chiropractic care doesn’t involve dangerous drugs nor invasive procedures. In fact, many physicians and surgeons first refer patients for chiropractic care before moving onto higher-risk choices such as opioids or surgery.

3. THINKING MORE CLEARLY
Enhanced cognitive function: Chiropractic care may help improve cognitive function by reducing stress and inflammation in the body, which can have a positive impact on brain health.

4. MOOD-BOOSTING
Sure patients feel great when they leave the office but the real success is how they're able to get back to living life on their terms everyday.

5. WONDERFUL SLEEP
If you've ever suffered from irregular sleep you understand why people love to regular visits with Dr. Dukes. Here treatments help improve blood flow in the nervous system so you can get back to regular sleep patterns.

6. REDUCED STRESS AND ANXIETY
Many people love chiropractic care since it reduces stress, and can also help with anxiety.

7. IMPROVED DIGESTION
You may not consider the chiropractor as the first place to go for tummy troubles, but Chiropractic adjustments may help improve digestive function by reducing nerve interference to the digestive system.

8. BETTER PERFORMANCE
Whether it’s the sports field or the stage, people love chiropractic care because it improves performance. Chiropractic care has various benefits, including improving flexibility, range of motion, and endurance. No matter what your active lifestyle looks like, chiropractic care keeps your body running like a well-oiled machine.

9. SOOTHES HEADACHES
At some point or another, we all have dealt with headaches. However, chronic headaches or migraines are the worst kinds. Chiropractic care helps alleviate migraines and headaches by improving spinal function and relieving stress on the body.

10. BOOSTED IMMUNE SYSTEM
People love chiropractic care because it doesn’t just strengthen the immune system, it also helps with allergies.

11. WELLNESS AND PREVENTION
Stay strong and flexible through chiropractic care. It's a foundational step in your health and wellness.

If you're not feeling your best, reach out to Dr. Dukes. Schedule your consultation and learn how she can help you get back to living life on your terms everyday.  (813) 752-2524

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.

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.

Your mobility means so much more than walking. Learn how your spine can help—and hurt—your independence.

Seemingly simple acts of body movement, such as putting on your shoes, suddenly become painfully complicated when your spine isn't working properly. Your spine is what allows your body to maintain stability as you move.  

A healthy, strong spine is essential to your mobility, just as neck and back issues can take away your independence. It's easy to take mobility for granted.

What Is Mobility?

Simply put, mobility is your ability to move when and how you want. It’s not just about how well you can participate in sports or exercise — it's how easily you perform simple daily tasks, like putting on your clothes, gardening or preparing meals.  For most of us mobility declines with age but, how much it declines is a choice that most of us can influence. Mobility requires strength, balance, stamina, and coordination—all things that we can maintain as we age through wellness plans that include stretching, exercise and other healthy habits.

Mobility’s Multi-Faceted Effects on Health

What might start off as a minor inconvenience can spiral. The decline of your mobility sets off a domino effect of issues that affect your physical, mental and emotional health that is often associated with increased risk of depression and reduced quality of life. Back or neck pain causes many patients to no longer be able to enjoy thier favorite activities or cut time with friends or family short because they’re in too much pain.  Fortunately, mobility loss can be prevented—and, in some cases, reversed.

Safe, Effective Treatment Options

When you have back or neck pain, movement may be that last thing you want to think about. However, stretching, exercise, chiropractic care, physical theray and massage are essential for good spine health.  These non-invasive drug-free approaches are among the best things you can do for your long-term spine health and preservation of your mobility. 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.

Each of us will experience some mobility loss with age which is why it's so important to recognize that your body was made to move.  Live life to the fullest. Protect your mobility.  Call Dr. Dukes.  She'll listen to you, learn about your needs and goals. Then help you define a preventative wellness plan or find relief if you're already hurting.

Reach out to Dr. Dukes 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.

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

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.