Your back handles a lot of heavy burdens. Your back helps you lift, carry, push, and pull things. Your back helps your arms and legs move. Your back helps to hold up your shoulders, neck, and head. When your back hurts, your entire body can hurt too.

Back pain can be caused by:

• Lifting and twisting
• Pushing and pulling
• A back injury
• Poor posture
• A sports injury
• A vehicular accident
• A chronic medical condition
• Standing for a long period of time
• Sitting for a long period of time
• Sleeping on a poorly supportive mattress

If you have back pain and it goes untreated, you may experience unpleasant side effects like these:

• Inactivity, which can lead to weight gain
• Loss of flexibility, which can lead to joint inflammation
• Pain in other areas of your body, from compensating for your painful back
• Feelings of depression and anxiety because you aren’t enjoying activities

There are a lot of steps you can take to help prevent back pain. Remember to:

• Sleep on a medium-firm mattress that supports your entire body
• Avoid carrying heavy objects, including purses and bags
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and avoid high heels
• Avoid remaining in one position for long periods and remember to take breaks
• Stand and sit up straight, without hunching your shoulders or slouching
• Perform regular exercises to strengthen your back and your abdominal muscles

If you have back pain, you can try a few simple tips at home to get relief. Remember to:

• Use heat and ice on your back
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and Tylenol
• Do gentle stretches
• Keep moving

For acute or chronic back pain that doesn’t go away or gets worse, your chiropractor can help. Treatments and services your chiropractor may recommend include:

• Spinal decompression
• Manual manipulation
• Posture exercises
• Massage therapy
• Thermal therapies

You don’t have to suffer from back pain. Your chiropractor can help you and your back feel better. For more information about chiropractic treatments for back pain and other chiropractic services, call your chiropractor today.

Headaches and migraines can make life difficult. The pounding, throbbing pain can make it impossible to think about anything else. Fortunately, your chiropractor has the answers and expertise you need to get relief.

There are many factors which can contribute to headaches and migraines. Certain substances like caffeine found in foods and beverages can contribute to headaches and migraines. Other factors which can cause headaches and migraines include:

• Prolonged exposure to bright light
• Prolonged exposure to loud sounds
• Hormonal fluctuations and imbalances
• Certain medications and supplements
• Allergic responses to substances

When you have a headache or migraine, you might experience:

• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pounding headache pain
• Difficulty concentrating
• Extreme light sensitivity

For mild headache or migraine symptoms, it might help to:

• Take over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol
• Place an ice pack on your head and neck for 15 minutes several times each day
• Lay down and rest in a dark room until the headache or migraine goes away

For chronic, moderate to severe headache or migraine symptoms, it’s best to seek out help from your chiropractor. Chiropractic treatments for headaches and migraines include:

Therapeutic massage, to relax your face and head, and relieve tension and pressure in your head and sinuses.

Gentle manual adjustment of your cervical spine, shoulders, and back, to help relieve pressure caused by poor posture and body alignment.

Biofeedback training, using devices to measure and monitor the level of tension in your muscles. Biofeedback training helps you learn to relax your muscles and relieve stress and pressure.

Relaxation training, using deep breathing and meditation to help with pain control.

Gentle neck, shoulder, and back stretches to relax tense muscles and relieve pressure which can contribute to migraines.

You don’t have to suffer from headaches and migraines when help and relief are just a phone call away. To learn more about the symptoms and treatment of headaches and migraines, call your chiropractor today.

If you’ve ever been in a car accident and experienced severe neck pain, chances are you’ve had whiplash. It’s one of the most common injuries from vehicular accidents. Fortunately, your chiropractor can help you heal and recover.

During a car accident, your head and neck can be suddenly thrown from side to side, simulating the action of a whip, which is how whiplash gets its name. The sudden, violent action can cause muscle, tendon and ligament strain.

Whiplash signs and symptoms can take time to develop. Typically, within 24 hours of the accident, you may notice these signs and symptoms of whiplash:

• Moderate to severe pain in your neck
• Increasing stiffness in your neck
• Neck pain that increases with movement
• Headache pain at the base of your skull
• Increasing pain in your upper back, shoulders, and arms
• Numbness and tingling in your arms
• Fatigue or dizziness
• Blurred vision or tinnitus
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

If you think you might be suffering from whiplash, you can try a few simple home remedies like these to get relief:

• Placing an ice pack on your neck
• Placing moist heat on your neck
• Resting and avoiding activity for a few days
• Taking over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medication
• Doing gentle neck movements and stretches

For moderate to severe whiplash signs and symptoms it’s important to visit your chiropractor. There are several effective ways your chiropractor can help you heal and recover from whiplash. Your chiropractor may recommend:

• Manual adjustment to help realign your cervical vertebrae, muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Immobilizing your neck with a neck collar to provide stability so your muscles, ligaments, and tendons can heal
• Therapeutic massage and thermal therapies to relax muscles and boost circulation to help you heal
• Physical therapy, including treatments to reduce stiffness and increase range-of-motion

You don’t have to suffer from whiplash when relief is just a phone call away. To learn more about the warning signs of whiplash and how your chiropractor can help you heal, call your chiropractor today.

If you suffer from the joint pain of arthritis, you already know how arthritis can impact your life. When you have arthritis, you can still live an active life. You can live well with arthritis.

Arthritis is a degenerative condition which begins with inflammation in your joints, followed by destruction of the joints. Your chiropractor can help relieve the pain of arthritis.

There are several types of arthritis, but the two most common types are osteoarthritis, caused by joint wear and tear, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition.

You are at greater risk of suffering from arthritis if you have a family history of arthritis, or:

• You are older
• You are a woman
• You are overweight
• You have suffered a joint or bone injury

You may be developing arthritis if you experience:

• Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
• Inflammation in your joints
• Decreased range of motion
• Pain during movement

Living well with arthritis means making adjustments to your diet and lifestyle and taking advantage of wellness and healing services from your chiropractor. Your chiropractor can help you establish a diet and exercise plan to:

• Limit or avoid inflammatory foods like foods with a high sugar content
• Keep you flexible with stretching, yoga, and other gentle movements
• Keep you active with an exercise program that doesn’t stress your joints

When you experience mild arthritis pain, you can:

• Apply hot and cold packs to your painful joints
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
• Do gentle stretches and exercises to prevent stiffness and maintain mobility
• Use assistive solutions like canes, walkers, and other devices

For moderate to severe arthritis pain, your chiropractor may recommend:

• Manual manipulation to help prevent joint friction
• Therapeutic massage to relax muscles and decrease joint pain
• Topical creams containing menthol or capsaicin to soothe joints
• Bracing and splinting to provide support

You can still live well, even with arthritis. To learn more about the signs, symptoms, chiropractic treatment, diet, and lifestyle tips when you have arthritis, talk with an expert. Call your chiropractor today.

The team at One Source Integrative Medicine in Florence, SC, will utilize acupuncture to treat back and neck pain, menstrual pain, PMS syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome, to name a few.

Back and Neck Pain

This homeopathic medicine is an ancient Chinese therapy that uses tiny, thin needles to stimulate points in the body. 

It affects how the brain releases neurotransmitters and the flow of energy in the body leading to a reduction in the use of medications, reduced inflammation, and improved mobility.

Fibromyalgia

Using homeopathy for fibromyalgia can help alleviate pain and symptoms. The therapy stimulates nerves to release endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals.

Studies show that these procedure reduces inflammation, improves sleep, and relieves anxiety. 

Migraines

Several studies have found that this form of medicine treats migraines. 

It is believed that needles promote blood flow to the brain and spinal cord, helping to relieve pain and relax muscles associated with migraines.

Menstrual pain and PMS syndrome

Women with painful periods have reported relief from this form of Chinese medicine can help reduce physical and psychological symptoms of PMS. 

It can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and may improve the overall health of the reproductive organs.

The One Source Integrative Medicine team in Florence, SC, will perform acupuncture to help alleviate your menstrual pain and PMS syndromes. 

Symptoms of Menopause

Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, memory loss, hair loss, low libido, and night sweats. 

These methods can be a safe, effective, and drug-free approach to treating these menopause symptoms. 

Asthma

Using these methods to treat asthma can prove to be a viable option. There are several reasons why this is the case, including the fact that there are no known side effects. 

Moreover, this is a natural fit for a patient who is already under medical care.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common digestive disorder. It can accompany abdominal pain, bloating, cramps, and gas. 

This natural solution may improve the functionality of the gut as it helps regulate the movement of the digestive tract, reducing pain after food intake. 

Arthritic Problems

Besides preventing further damage to your joints, this natural treatment can also help manage the symptoms of arthritis, including reducing the inflammation associated with arthritis.

It is also considered safe and can be used with other medical treatments. 

Nausea Caused by Chemo Treatments

Several studies have shown that these natural treatments can reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Most patients report improved quality of life and decreased nausea and vomiting after receiving acupuncture.

Take advantage of the natural benefits of acupuncture in Florence, SC, by calling One Source Integrative Medicine at (843) 773-1444.

Back pain is a common problem, and so is bad posture. Your posture and back pain may be connected, and your chiropractor can help with both. Your chiropractor is an expert at diagnosis and treatment of back, neck, joint, and body pain, and can help you live a life free of pain.

Standing with a straight back and not slouching can help your back muscles stay strong. Your chiropractor can:

• Evaluate your posture
• Recommend exercises to strengthen your abdominal and back muscles
• Teach biofeedback techniques to remind you to practice good posture

When you practice good posture, it can help ensure:

• Correct alignment of your joints and bones, so they suffer less stress over time
• Reduced strain to your ligaments, tendons, and muscles
• Less acute and chronic pain so you can enjoy your life
• Full range-of-motion and flexibility so you can stay active
• Reduced overall body fatigue to help you stay healthy
• Increased self-esteem because you look taller and more confident

Bad posture is just one cause of back pain. Other causes of back pain include:

• Lifting heavy objects and twisting
• Improper form when exercising
• Degenerative joint and bone conditions like arthritis
• Carrying excess weight and obesity
• A back or spinal injury
• A vehicular accident involving your back

In addition to posture correction, your chiropractor can help relieve your back pain. Some of the back pain treatments your chiropractor may recommend include:

• Manual back and neck adjustments to align your spine and joints and reduce tension in your muscles
• Muscle release techniques to relax and lengthen your back muscles
• Strengthening exercises to create muscle and soft tissue balance
• Therapeutic massage to relax your back muscles and give you a feeling of overall wellness
• Teach you correct body movement to prevent back injuries and back stress

Practicing good posture is the foundation of preventing back pain. To find out more about the role of chiropractic care in improving posture and preventing back pain, talk with an expert. Call your chiropractor today.

Low back pain is a common problem for many people. In fact, the National Institutes of Health states that 80 percent of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. If you have ever suffered from low back pain, you already know how it can impact your life.

Fortunately, your chiropractor is an expert at determining what is causing your low back pain and developing treatment solutions to help you find relief. Your chiropractor can help you achieve and maintain optimal health.

There are many causes of low back pain, including:

• A sports injury, causing stress to your low back
• A vehicular accident, causing trauma to your low back
• Poor posture, causing chronic stress to your low back
• Degenerative conditions like arthritis, causing deterioration to your lower spine
• Work-related injuries, causing damage to muscles in your low back

Mild low back pain may go away on its own, with a few simple tips for relief. You can try:

• Placing ice and hot packs on your back
• Taking over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications
• Doing gentle stretches to help relax your low back

For moderate to severe low back pain, it’s best to visit your chiropractor for professional treatment. Your chiropractor may recommend these effective treatment options for low back pain:

• Manual adjustment techniques to help realign your spine
• Therapeutic massage to relax and lengthen tight muscles
• Thermal therapies to boost blood flow and promote healing
• Biofeedback training to help you learn to relax your body when tension accumulates in your muscles
• Exercises to improve posture and strengthen the muscles in your low back
• Lifestyle modifications including maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet

Your chiropractor can also help you achieve and maintain long-term health goals so you can live your best life, free of low back pain. To learn more about how your chiropractor can help you get relief from low back pain, talk with your chiropractor today.

If you suffer from headaches and migraines, you are not alone. Headache and migraine pain can make you miserable. Fortunately, your chiropractor can help relieve headache pain, so you can enjoy life again.

There are a few factors that can lead to headaches and migraines, including:

• Stress
• Medications
• An illness
• Muscle tension
• Too much caffeine
• A vehicular accident
• A sports injury

Headache and migraine pain can cause throbbing, aching, and pressure which can become worse with different body positions. You may be compensating for headache and migraine pain by taking on the stress in your shoulders, upper body, and back. Soon enough, you may hurt all over.

Fortunately, your chiropractor offers a wide variety of services and treatments to ease your headache and migraine pain, so you can feel better. You can try a few simple remedies like these to get relief for mild headache pain:

• Taking over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medication
• Placing hot or cold packs on your forehead or neck
• Resting in a dark room until your headache or migraine resolves

For moderate to severe headache or migraine pain, or headache pain that doesn’t resolve with home treatments, your chiropractor may recommend:

Spinal adjustment treatments, will realign your neck and spine, relieving pressure on nerves.

Back and neck massage, which will relax muscle tension and promote an overall feeling of wellness.

Facial massage, is an excellent choice for sinus headaches because it helps drain fluids blocking your sinuses.

Biofeedback training, uses an electromyogram (EMG) to monitor your skeletal muscle tension, allowing you to relax tense muscles.

Relaxation training, which uses deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and stress headaches.

Exercising and stretching, will help maintain proper alignment, keeping your muscles elongated and relaxed.

Posture evaluation and correction, to help prevent muscle stress in your head, neck, and shoulders.

Don’t let headaches and migraines control your life. You can get relief. To learn more about how your chiropractor can help with your headaches and migraines, talk with an expert. Call your chiropractor today.

Your knees help you move, and they also help you enjoy many activities throughout your life. So what happens if you suffer from knee pain? Your chiropractor can help.

You may be suffering from knee pain due to strain of the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and other structures surrounding your knee joint. Common causes of knee pain include:

• Sports injuries
• Vehicular accidents
• Work-related damage
• Overuse injuries
• Age-related medical conditions like arthritis

Knee pain can be sharp and come on suddenly. It can also develop gradually, becoming a dull ache. Whatever type of knee pain you have, it can be debilitating, keeping you from staying mobile and active.

For mild knee pain, you can try a few simple home remedies, including:

• Icing your knee, to reduce swelling
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication
• Resting and taking the weight off your knee
• Wearing a knee brace, to help support your knee when you walk

For moderate to severe knee pain, you need to visit your chiropractor, who may recommend:

• Thermal treatments, including placing ice packs or moist heat on your knee to boost blood flow and aid healing
• Manual manipulation, to promote optimal alignment of your musculoskeletal system, to reduce stress on your knee
• Exercise and physical therapy to enhance flexibility, strength, and range-of-motion
• Therapeutic ultrasound using sound waves to apply energy to your knee to reduce inflammation and swelling
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, commonly known as (TENS) to relieve chronic knee pain
• Massage therapy, to increase blood flow, promote healing of damaged tissue, and prevent stiffness

Your chiropractor may also recommend lifestyle and exercise modifications to help prevent and reduce knee pain, so you can live your best life. Your chiropractor can help you get relief from knee pain, and it starts with just a simple phone call. To find out more about the causes and chiropractic treatments for knee pain, call your chiropractor today.

When you’re dealing with shoulder pain, it can be difficult just to do normal daily functions. You might find yourself struggling to put on a jacket or grab something off a high shelf. To treat shoulder pain, you first have to determine what could be causing your shoulder pain. There are many different issues that can affect the shoulder and talking to your chiropractor about your symptoms and the type of pain that you experience can help them determine what is affecting you and what kind of treatment would be best.

Different Causes of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can be caused by different conditions and different injuries. Your chiropractor can help adjust your shoulder to ease your pain, but in order to find full relief, it’s important to determine the cause. Once the cause is determined, it can be treated so that you can be free of pain and get back to your daily routine.

Some common causes of shoulder pain include issues such as:

• Bursitis
• Dislocated shoulder
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tendinitis

Shoulder pain can also be caused if the shoulder becomes dislocated or if there’s a sprain. Your chiropractor can walk you through certain adjustments to ease your pain. You should also be sure to gently exercise at home and stretch on a regular basis. Some conditions might need medications to help ease your pain. You can also ice your shoulder and make sure to rest it and take over-the-counter pain relievers. Your doctor might also recommend putting your arm in a sling for a short period of time to ensure that the joint is able to heal correctly.

Contact Your Chiropractor Today

Find out what could be causing your shoulder pain. Contact your chiropractor to learn more about the common causes of shoulder pain and how it can be treated.