chiropractor gently adjusting the back of a middle aged woman post auto injury for pain relief

Top 10 Ways Chiropractic Care Speeds Recovery After Auto Injury

Top 10 Ways Chiropractic Care Speeds Recovery After Auto Injury

Auto accidents can be life-altering events, leaving individuals with a range of physical and emotional challenges. One often-overlooked avenue for recovery is chiropractic care. Chiropractors are skilled at treating auto injury-related issues, helping patients regain their health and well-being.

Pain Relief

Chiropractic adjustments can provide effective pain relief, especially for the neck, back, and spine, which are commonly affected in auto accidents. Through precise adjustments, chiropractors can alleviate discomfort, reduce inflammation, and support the body’s natural healing process.

Improved Range of Motion

Chiropractic care can significantly enhance your range of motion by addressing stiffness and muscle tension. This is crucial for middle-aged individuals seeking to regain mobility and resume their daily activities.

Non-Invasive Treatment

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to healing. This means you can avoid the potential side effects and risks associated with medications or surgical interventions, a consideration especially important for those in their middle years.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Chiropractors create personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific injury and needs. These plans take into account your unique circumstances, ensuring a comprehensive approach to recovery that is well-suited to middle-aged individuals.

Faster Healing

Chiropractic adjustments stimulate blood flow and the release of endorphins, which can expedite the healing process. This means you can get back to your normal life more swiftly, an important factor for those in the middle stages of life.

Prevention of Long-Term Issues

Addressing auto injury-related issues promptly with chiropractic care can prevent long-term complications, such as chronic pain or reduced mobility, which can be more challenging to manage as you age. This is especially true for small children. Even though they might not be in pain for very long following an accident, the injury to their spine can cause significant long-term issues.

Headache Relief

Chiropractic care can provide effective relief from post-accident headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. Adjustments can correct misalignments that contribute to headaches, improving the quality of life for middle-aged individuals.

Reduction in Scar Tissue

Chiropractors can help break down scar tissue that may form around injured areas, improving tissue flexibility and reducing discomfort. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals in their middle years, as scar tissue can become more problematic with age.

Holistic Approach

Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the physical but also the emotional and mental aspects of recovery. This comprehensive approach can assist middle-aged individuals in managing stress and anxiety resulting from the accident.

Enhanced Overall Well-Being

Chiropractic care doesn’t just focus on addressing immediate issues; it promotes overall well-being. Regular adjustments can boost your immune system and improve your quality of life, which is essential for middle-aged individuals seeking to maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

If you’ve experienced an auto accident and you’re seeking effective pain relief, improved mobility, and overall well-being, chiropractic care is a valuable option to consider. With its focus on holistic healing, chiropractic care can play a significant role in helping you regain control of your life after an auto injury.

Click here to schedule a chiropractic visit to relieve your pain.

friendly chiropractor adjusts the neck and back of toddler while he lays on his back and play with a toy.

Kids And Chiropractic

Kids And Chiropractic  

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative and holistic healthcare practices, especially concerning children’s health. One such approach gaining popularity is kids chiropractic, which focuses on promoting wellness, preventing health issues, and enhancing the overall quality of life for young individuals.

Understanding Kids Chiropractic 

Kids chiropractic seeks to address musculoskeletal imbalances, misalignments, and potential issues within the nervous system that may affect a child’s health and development. Chiropractors who specialize in pediatric care undergo additional training to cater to the unique needs of young patients.

Benefits of Kids Chiropractic 

  1. Enhanced Nervous System Function: The nervous system plays a critical role in a child’s development, affecting their cognitive, motor, and immune functions. Kids chiropractic aims to optimize nervous system function, potentially leading to improved coordination, focus, and overall well-being.
  2. Prevention and Early Intervention: By identifying and addressing spinal misalignments and other issues early on, kids chiropractic can potentially prevent the development of more severe health problems in the future. This proactive approach may lead to healthier and happier childhoods.
  3. Support for Common Childhood Issues: Children often encounter various physical challenges during their growth, such as poor posture, sports injuries, and discomfort from carrying heavy backpacks. Kids chiropractic can offer safe and effective solutions for these concerns without resorting to medication or surgery.
  4. Improved Sleep and Behavior: Proper spinal alignment can positively influence a child’s sleep patterns and behavior. Parents often report improvements in sleep quality and overall demeanor following chiropractic adjustments.

Kids chiropractic is gaining recognition as a valuable and holistic approach to children’s health. By focusing on optimizing the nervous system and promoting overall wellness, it offers numerous benefits for children, from improved sleep and behavior to early intervention for potential health issues. As parents seek natural and proactive healthcare options for their children, kids’ chiropractic continues to be a compelling choice for many families looking to provide their children with the best start in life.

Schedule a visit for your kids to see Dr. Pulver today. 

 

Pregnant patient sitting on an adjustment table being examined by the chiropractor for misalignments in her spine.

Three Ways Chiropractic Care Can Make Pregnancy Easier

Three Ways Chiropractic Care Can Make Pregnancy Easier

Pregnancy is a journey for expectant mothers, both physically and emotionally. The body undergoes numerous changes to accommodate the growing baby, it’s crucial to prioritize maternal health and well-being. One safe and effective way to do this is through chiropractic care.

Reduce Pregnancy Discomfort

During pregnancy, as the body is adjusting to making room for the baby, it is likely for the spine to become misaligned. This can cause symptoms like back pain, pelvic pain, and joint stiffness. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve these discomforts by realigning the spine and pelvis. This reduces pressure on the nerves which can provide relief from unpleasant symptoms.

Align Pelvis for Smooth Delivery

Pelvic alignment is important for a healthy pregnancy and a smooth delivery. Dr. Pulver is trained in the Webster Technique specifically for prenatal care and can identify and address any misalignments in the pelvis. By correcting these misalignments, it opens the pelvis and allows for the baby to get into the best position for delivery.

Reduce Complications

In addition to chiropractic care, adding pelvic floor exercises in your daily routine can improve the likelihood of a quick and smooth delivery. Pelvic floor exercises can benefit women who are pregnant as well as women who are postpartum. These exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor which reduces the risk of complications before and after birth.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care during pregnancy offers many benefits including alleviating discomfort, supporting pelvic alignment, promoting pelvic floor health, and preparing for a smoother labor and delivery.

 

For a more detailed explanation of pregnancy chiropractic and pelvic floor exercises you can view the following videos on our YouTube channel. One of the videos includes Renee Przystas, a women’s health physical therapist, who explains the pelvic floor and goes over four exercises to improve pelvic floor health.

 

Pregnant and experiencing discomfort? Find relief today by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Pulver. 

Assistant using tablet to set up a patient on decompression table in wellness room.

Introducing Three New Pain Relieving Treatment Options in Our Wellness Room

Introducing Three New Pain Relieving Treatment Options in Our Wellness Room

We have recently added a wellness room in our office. It has three new pieces of equipment that each have promising techniques that have gained popularity in the wellness world: vibration therapy, hydromassage bed, and a decompression table.

Vibration Plate

Our new vibration plate uses mechanical vibrations to stimulate the body’s muscles and tissues. Vibration therapy has many benefits including improved circulation and blood flow, enhanced muscle flexibility, alleviation of muscle soreness and pain, and increased bone density.

Hydromassage Bed

The hydromassage bed provides a soothing and therapeutic experience by combining the benefits of massage and hydrotherapy. The bed is equipped with strategically positioned water jets that deliver a gentle, pulsating massage. Some benefits of the hydromassage bed include relaxation and stress relief, muscle tension reduction, improved circulation and lymphatic drainage, and relief from aches and pains.

Decompression Table

Lastly, our decompression table is a specialized device used in spinal decompression therapy. This is a non-surgical technique designed to alleviate pain and promote healing in the spine by gently stretching it and relieving pressure on spinal discs. Benefits from decompression therapy can include pain reduction in the neck and back, relief from herniated or bulging discs, improved posture, increased mobility and flexibility, and relief for individuals who struggle with chronic spinal conditions.  Our Back on Trac unit can isolate either the lumbar spine (lower back) or the cervical spine (neck).

Schedule an appointment today to try one or more of these great new additions to our practice!

Chiropractor showing patient why their back hurts on spinal diagram.

Top 10 Benefits of Chiropractic Care

10 Benefits of Chiropractic Care:

Chiropractic care is a natural and non-invasive form of healthcare that focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Chiropractors use manual techniques to adjust the spine, relieve pain, and improve overall health.

Here are the top 10 benefits of chiropractic care:

Pain Relief

Chiropractic adjustments can provide relief from back, neck, and joint pain without the need for medication or surgery.

Improved Range of Motion

By adjusting the spine, chiropractors can improve the range of motion in your joints, making it easier to move freely.

Better Posture

Poor posture can lead to a variety of health problems, including back pain and headaches. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve your posture and reduce these issues.

Increased Flexibility

Chiropractic care can help improve flexibility, which can reduce the risk of injury and improve athletic performance.

Improved Immune System Function

Chiropractic adjustments can help boost your immune system by improving communication between the brain and the rest of the body as well as help with detoxification, circulation and drainage.

Better Sleep

Chiropractic care can help reduce pain & discomfort and open up breathing pathways making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Reduced Stress

Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce tension in the body, which can lead to lower stress levels and a greater sense of well-being.

Improved Digestion

Chiropractic adjustments can help improve digestive function by reducing inflammation in the body and improving nerve function.

Drug-Free Treatment

Chiropractic care is a natural, drug-free form of healthcare that can provide relief without the need for medication or surgery.

Improved Overall Health

By improving spinal function and reducing pain, chiropractic care can help improve your overall health and quality of life.

 

In summary, chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for those seeking a natural, non-invasive form of healthcare. By improving spinal function, reducing pain, and promoting overall wellness, chiropractic care can help you feel your best and live life to the fullest.

Schedule your chiropractic appointment today.

Put Spring in Your Step; 5 Tips to Feel Great!

Put Spring in Your Step; 5 Tips to Feel Great!

The days are getting longer, outdoor sports have begun, flowers are budding and you may be wondering how to feel your best to enjoy all these moments. While you’re spring cleaning your home, you can also take the time to make sure your body is ready for a change of season as well. Here are some tips to help you feel great in the transition!

  1. Try a detox or cleanse – Give your body a rest from sugar, grains, alcohol, and caffeine for added energy and better sleep at night. This can be as simple as a 24-hour juice cleanse , a little more intentional with our 7-Day Health Reset or as intense as 14 to 21 days full detox/cleanse. Your body will appreciate the opportunity to rid itself of some toxins and stored fat.
  2. Move – Walking in the fresh air is beneficial for your emotional and physical health. Lace up your shoes after dinner and walk around your neighborhood or check out a local nature trail. Grab a family member or friend and build relational connection or use the time alone to pray and meditate.
  3. Eat your veggies – For the freshest and most economical choices, select what is in season. Spring in Michigan is a great time for asparagus, various green lettuces such as arugula and spinach, beets, and carrots. Incorporate them into lunches and dinners, as snacks, or throw spinach in to breakfast smoothies!
  4. Try something new – Spring brings the feeling of excitement and new beginnings. Find something you haven’t done before and see how it works for you! Challenge yourself with a Couch to 5K program, discover new sights through hiking, discuss the latest reads at a book club, go fishing with your kids, or relax at the end of the day with a gentle yoga routine.
  5. Allergies – Often with the beauty of spring comes the runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. To ease the discomfort of spring allergies, make sure you drink plenty of water, consume a low-inflammatory diet, try a Neti-pot, and schedule regular chiropractic adjustments to help with circulation and drainage.

Bonus tip: Get adjusted to improve alignment, mobility and circulation!

Chiropractor in Spring Lake Michigan, Dr. Levi Pulver

New Year’s Mobility Test and Three Indicators of Early Death

New Year’s Mobility Test and Three Indicators of Early Death. 

This year, I’m (Dr. Levi) starting a New Year’s tradition by taking a mobility test. Sounds exciting, right? Well, working in health care and struggling with my own health recently, I feel the need to check in with myself and identify what changes I need to make. After all, if we’re supposed to do an annual physical looking at blood pressure, blood sugars (and everything else on a blood panel) and body fat shouldn’t we also look at mobility indicators that affect our longevity?

My favorite test for mobility is the Sitting Rising Test (SRT) and guess what? I FAILED it, miserably. I used to be able to do it and score an 8 or sometimes even a 9 on a 10-point scale. But, with holiday weight gain, emotional stress and lack of simple walking and yoga, my old injuries reared their ugly head resulting in diminished pelvic/lower back and core function. Other than being uncomfortable and being limited in my daily functions, why should I worry about this? Simply put, if you can’t move well, you’re not healthy. Immobility leads to injuries, weight gain, susceptibility to illness and metabolic stress. Ultimately, this leads to premature death. There are a couple other indicators as well, so keep reading. The SRT is just the one that I’m struggling with.

Here is a summary of three major indicators that can predict premature death and what you can do about it.

  1. Frequent Falls. Falling a lot suggests that your body awareness is hindered (Being Mortal, Atul Gawande) and leads to significant injuries. Often times this starts with dysfunction in your feet. Try stretching your feet (additional video), reading this book to minimizing foot stress and improving your balance. Additionally, spinal imbalances contribute to falls at any age and are easily improved with regular chiropractic care. If you haven’t been to your chiropractor in a while, now’s a good time to get in for a tune-up!
  2. Poor Mobility. Try the Sitting Rising Test (SRT). Your performance, or lack thereof, can predict your longevity. Did you score less than eight points? Start moving in ways your body isn’t accustomed to. Use these videos as a starting point for adding new movements to improve mobility and perform the SRT once a week.
  3. Grip Strength. A 2015 study found that poor grip strength can be a stronger indicator of morbidity than blood pressure. The reason is simply that people with stronger hands tend to move their bodies more. But don’t go out and buy grip strengtheners. Rather, start raking your own lawn, shovel snow with a shovel (when possible), practice hanging (or even repetitions of pull-ups) for long periods of time, plant a garden and care for it daily or carry your small children on a walk rather than use a baby-carrier. Basically, try to add as much variable activity to everything you do! (Movement Matters)

Want to learn more about how to improve your mobility? Try Chiropractic! If your spine is not functioning optimally, all three of the previously mentioned categories will be hindered. Call us today to improve alignment and well-being to live longer, happier and healthier!

5 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season.

5 Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season.
Holiday festivities can derail even the healthiest of eaters. For many people this leads to weight gain, sick days and leaves them more susceptible to injury. Try these simple tips to stay healthy over the holidays and start the New Year on the right track!
1. Watch your liquid calories. A 12-ounce flavored latte can have anywhere from 250 to 350 calories, hot chocolate has 250 calories, a glass of wine has 150 calories, a micro beer has 150 calories and a vodka/club soda with lime has 100 calories. But, did you know that 8oz of kombucha has only 25 calories !?!?! At your next gathering, try serving GT’s Trilogy Kombucha mixed half and half with lime LaCroix. Trust me, your guests will love it! And, don’t forget to drink half your body weight in ounces of pure water per day.
2. Look for veggies and nuts. When snacking or eating appetizers, stick to veggies and nuts. Put them on a plate/bowl and pre-determine how much you’re going to eat. Don’t graze!
3. Stick to your routine. Go for walks, stretch, read, go to bed at the same time, don’t skip or add meals, exercise and take time for yourself each day. This will cut down on emotional eating, stress and help you not completely let yourself go.
4. Do something fun! Go for a winter hike, put together a puzzle, or watch a favorite Christmas movie with family and friends. Relaxation and laughter are good for your emotional health, which in turn benefits your physical health.
5. Bring healthy options to gatherings. Make up your favorite salad, soup or veggie platter to share with friends and family. Or, order this holiday themed cookbook for new, dairy free/gluten free options that are sure to be a hit!
Bonus Tip: Get adjusted to minimize one more stress on your body and to prevent illness and injury!

5 Tips to Stay Healthy This Fall

5 Tips to Stay Healthy this Fall

Don’t let the cooler temperatures and diminishing sunlight hinder your health. Try our top 5 tips to stay healthy this fall so you can enjoy all that the season has to offer!

Breathe: In through the nose until the lungs are full and hold for 5 seconds. Exhale completely and repeat for 3 full breaths. Do this 3 times a day to minimize stress, clear the airways and free your mind.

Walk Outside Daily: There is nothing more healing than connecting with nature and breathing in clean, cool air. Commit to walking 10-15 minutes (or more) at the same time every day.

Eat In-Season Foods: Fall foods are heartier and nourishing while also supporting the immune system. Make your favorite soups & stews and save leftovers for quick meals & easy lunches!

Reorganize, Clean & Donate: Autumn is the perfect time to take stock of things in your life, organize and let go of the old to make room for the new. Clean your closets, cupboards, computers and even your mind of unused, unnecessary items.

Create a Fitness Routine: If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that we need to stay fit and active. Whether it’s online yoga, virtual high intensity interval training, or regular use of a local gym, start your routine now and commit to staying fit this fall and into the winter.

***Bonus Tip: Get adjusted! Regular adjustments improve mobility, circulation, drainage & physical well-being. Don’t let a nagging injury linger into the holiday season!

Learn more about “Living with the seasons.”

5 Tips to Keep You Healthy This Summer

Summer Health Tips

When you live in the Midwest, you live for summer. And dealing with a nagging health issue is the last thing you want to worry about. Follow our top five tips to stay happy and healthy this summer!

  1. Don’t let your sunscreen drag you down. Many commercial sunscreens contain harmful neurotoxins and block healthy vitamin D absorption. Go sunscreen free for limited amounts of time and use non-toxic sunscreens when necessary.
  2. Watch your sugar intake. Cookouts, graduations, weddings, boats, beaches, pools, sports drinks and happy hours are a recipe for excess sugar (and alcohol) intake. Make a plan for what you’re going to eat at social gatherings and outings just as you would at home. Ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable if needed.
  3. Stay Hydrated. Your body needs more water during warmer temperatures so give your body what it needs! Take a full water bottle with you every time you leave the house. If you suspect dehydration in yourself or a child, mix up some honey, sea salt and lemon juice in a class of water to replace minerals and electrolytes more effectively than sports drinks. Also, coconut water and (unflavored) Pedialyte can be effective when needed.
  4. Fats are essential. Healthy fats from coconut oil, avocado, nuts and fish help heal your skin from any sun damage as well as lower inflammation in your joints. Consume as much as you can from food and supplement when necessary with capsules, lemon flavored liquid formula or Rosita’s for those who want the best despite it’s taste ?
  5. Let music boost your mood. Create a mix for the boat, beach or pool and save it for a rainy day or next winter. Music, and associated memories, are a great way to boost your mood when you’re down.

Bonus tip: Get adjusted to improve alignment and mobility!