Portland and Vancouver Chiropractic Wellness Center
Helps Patients Reduce Diabetes Risk

Did you know that, every year, more people die from Type 2 Diabetes than from breast cancer and AIDS combined? That’s a pretty shocking figure. Even more surprising is that more than 79 million Americans are at risk for developing this deadly disease.

The good news is that basic lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the risk for diabetes. Even individuals who are diagnosed as ‘pre-diabetic’ can reduce or prevent diabetes by making lifestyle changes. It’s never too late to get healthy!

Cut Your Diabetes Risk with Tips from our Vancouver Chiropractor

At Back & Neck Care Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Sports Massage, our chiropractor and wellness team are committed to helping every patient enhance his or her overall wellness. Our services go beyond neck and back pain relief and include nutritional counseling and lifestyle advice. This November, in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, we are helping patients reduce their diabetes risk. Here’s how to get started:

Eat the rainbow. Aim to eat five different fruits and vegetables every day for a wide variety of nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins.

Break a sweat. Get active for 30 minutes each day, whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or a yoga class with friends.

Cut the sugar. Reduce your intake of products that contain refined sugars, corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. Instead, choose a natural sweetener, like a dollop of honey or agave nectar.

Keep your goals realistic and specific. If you are overweight or used to snacking on junk food, making a sweeping lifestyle change all at once can be overwhelming. Instead, focus on small, actionable goals. Keep track of your success and build off each step.

Know your risk factors. Do you have a family history of diabetes? Are you overweight or smoke? Understanding your risk factors can help motivate you to stay active and make healthy food choices.

Our Vancouver chiropractor understands that making a big lifestyle change can be a challenge. We recognize that each patient is a whole person, and our lifestyle advice and counseling can help patients make the shift to a better, healthier self.

Do you know if you are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes? Do you need advice on how to make the change to a healthy diet or regular exercise? Post your questions below!

In this video, Dr. Terry Schroeder, head coach for the US Men’s Olympic Water Polo team and some of his athletes discuss the vital role that chiropractic plays in sport and life. Now the head coach of the team, Dr. Schroeder competed for the US in 4 Olympics himself. He also happens to be a chiropractor.

Elite athletes know that any small difference in preparation, fitness, function or flexibility can make the difference between a Gold and a Silver medal – or no medal at all. In the video, Dr. Schroeder shares how every member of the men’s team now includes chiropractic adjustments in their regime. Although some were reluctant at first, after seeing the results teammates were getting, they all eventually came around.  After all elite athletes are always looking for ‘an edge’.

In the sport of water polo, necks and shoulders take a constant beating from defenders. The shoulders in particular are prone to overuse injuries and hyper-extension. Shoulder injuries will sideline a player completely making it nearly impossible to train in the pool. As athletes of all level know, missing practice while recovering from an injury is vital time lost. Prevention and proactive care is the better route.

In the video you’ll hear Dr. Terry Schroeder’s personal story of how he was first introduced to chiropractic and also see him adjusting players on a portable adjusting table right on the pool deck.

We hope that be sharing examples of Olympic athletes using chiropractic care we can help spread the word among collegiate, high school and recreational athletes. Whatever your sport, we can help you achieve peak performance and prevent injuries.

The holiday season presents plenty of opportunity for weight gain, from cookie exchanges to extra treats in the break room at your office. To avoid weight gain during the holiday season, you'll have to be extra diligent about what and when you eat. If you need further assistance keeping your weight under control, make an appointment to discuss diet and wellness at Back & Neck Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Sports Massage in Vancouver, Washington, just across the river from Portland, Oregon.

Our Chiropractor Advises to Eat Regularly

Although you may be presented with a number of buffets and all-you-can eat situations during the holiday season, your best bet for maintaining your weight is to eat as you normally would. Don't skip breakfast or lunch, thinking that will help you reduce your calorie intake. If you are hungry come party time, you will be more likely to overeat than if you have a healthy, light meal beforehand.

Keep Healthy Foods in Mind Says Chiropractor

Load up your plate with fresh vegetables and fruit during the holiday season. Aim to eat at least 4 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, including at parties. If a buffet is offered, fill at least half your plate with vegetables instead of foods that are higher in fat and calories. Pick up the smaller sized plate from the buffet table to limit the amount you can eat.

Choose foods that are naturally lower in calories. A piece of fruit will satisfy your sweet tooth, but is much lower in calories than a piece of fudge or a slice of pie. Water has zero calories, significantly less than a glass of soda or wine. Choose zero-calorie sparkling or seltzer water for a more festive beverage.

Nutritious and healthful eating, even during the holiday season, is a key part of pain management and overall wellness. For chiropractic and overall care, talk to our Vancouver chiropractor for more tips and advice.

How do you plan on keeping the weight off this holiday season?

Back pain relief is just one component of chiropractic care, but it is often a patient’s first introduction. Back pain is horribly debilitating affecting all aspects of work and personal life. If you are suffering from back pain, you are not alone. Here are a few facts about back pain that may (or may not) surprise you.

• Back pain is the number one disability for those under age 45.
• In the United States of America alone, there is an expected 31 million people with lower back pain at any given time.
• Back pain runs second, after only the common cold, as the top reason for visiting a healthcare provider in the United States.
• Experts place the likelihood of any person to experience some type of back problem in their lifetime at about 80%. That’s four out of every five people!
• Over 50 billion dollars are spent per year in the pursuit of clearing up cases of back pain.
• Around 30 to 40 percent of all workplace absences are due to back pain.
• Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least one whole day in the past three months, and 7.6 percent reported at least one episode of severe acute low back pain within a one-year period.
• One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.
• Approximately 2 percent of the U.S. work force is compensated for back injuries each year
• Lower back pain accounts for two thirds of all back pain-related cases.
• More than two-thirds of back strains are caused by lifting and other exertions like pulling and pushing.
• Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.

The key to proper treatment of back pain is to understand the cause. Remember, pain is always a sign that something else is wrong and if continually ignored may lead to more serious harm. Chiropractors are experts in assessing the root cause of your back pain and putting you on the right course to recovery.

Carpel Tunnel and Pain Management

Carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a painful hand, wrist and arm medical condition that often becomes progressively worse over time. The condition develops from a pinched nerve located in the wrist, and it is caused by underlying health conditions, pregnancy, wrist anatomy or hand/wrist use patterns. The carpal tunnel is a palm side wrist passage way that protects the main nerve and tendons that allow your fingers to bend. When this nerve becomes compressed, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome appear.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain, tingling, numbness and eventually a sense of weakness as the condition progresses. The numbness occurs on the thumb and all fingers excluding the little finger. The numbness, tingling and pain are more apparent when performing certain activities like driving a car. The symptoms are worse upon wakening in the middle of the night or upon waking in the morning. The pain can eventually extend up the wrist, arm and shoulder.

Vancouver Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel

If you have persistent carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, particularly if they interrupt your sleep or interfere with daily activities, it's important to receive medical care as soon as possible. Left untreated, carpal tunnel can lead to nerve and muscle damage. For this reason, it is essential to receive treatment from Dr. Michael Pettet, DC, our Vancouver chiropractor, as early as possible. Chiropractic treatment and manipulation have been reported as an effective means to treat carpal tunnel. Our chiropractor is experienced in diagnosing issues in the nervous and skeletal system, and uses manipulation of the elbow, wrist and upper spine to treat CTS pain and numbness. Ultrasound therapy, massage therapy and acupuncture are other tools in our chiropractor's toolbox for managing CTS symptoms.

To determine the extent of your condition, our chiropractor will perform an electromyography study or take an X-ray. While some family physicians recommend cortico-steroid injections or medications, they don't treat the underlying carpal tunnel syndrome problem; instead, they only temporarily relieve swelling and pain. Surgery should only be considered as a last resort because it may lead to ligament scarring, weakness and a return of symptoms. Call us today for more information.

What activities trigger your carpal tunnel symptoms the most?