Category: Chiropractic

No Such Thing as a Normal Headache?

Headaches plague almost all people at some point in their life. But did you know that there is no such thing as a “normal headache?”

The answer is “no.”

A headache is a symptom – a way that your body tells you that you’re out of balance. The most common remedy people reach for when they have a headache is an aspirin or ibuprofen – but do you think your body is telling you that you have an aspirin imbalance?

While there are many causes for headaches, including dehydration, stress, and allergies, a group of physical therapists in Australia found the root cause of the majority of tension headaches was a misalignment of the vertebrae at the top of the spine: an Atlas misalignment.

The study, published in the December 2010 journal, Manual Therapy, reaffirms what a specifically trained group of Chiropractors, known as Upper Cervical Specialists, have known for decades. That proper alignment at the top vertebrae in the spine is crucial for good health and well-being.

Drs. Ted and Katy Morter, trained in various forms of Upper Cervical techniques, know that headaches are not the only symptoms that arise when your atlas is out of balance.

“The (atlas) is possibly the most complicated bone in the body, with direct connections to the balance centers of the brain, the subconscious functioning of your body, muscle tone and balance throughout the body, as well as a major contributor to blood flow to your brain,” says Dr. Katy. “Symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, reproductive issues, and even plantar fasciitis and back pain have improved or even disappeared with proper atlas alignment.”

To learn if you have an Atlas misalignment, arrange a visit with one of our doctors by calling 479-268-4477.


Kids & Sports Injuries

Children are playing sports more than ever and younger than ever and their little bodies are put through enormous strain. For them, Chiropractic care is essential. Maintaining spinal and joint alignment helps prevent injuries as well as promoting general health.

Sports can be fantastic opportunities for kids to have fun, learn teambuilding skills and exercise, but there is a downside.

With more and more kids playing organized sports, studies have shown that one quarter of kids in sports develop injuries in areas like the knee, shoulder, ankle and elbow.

The real culprit in these injuries is repetitive actions. The San Francisco Gate reports “About half of sports injuries in children are from overuse – think Little League pitchers or high school swimmers who make the same motions over and over. Adult bodies can often take the strain of constant use, but younger bodies, especially pre-adolescents who haven’t finished growing, are more vulnerable to injury.”

Along with moderation in kids’ sports, a key in staying healthy and in the game is maintaining proper alignment of the joints with Chiropractic care. When the joints are aligned properly, this nervous system (the connection between your brain and body) works more efficiently. Therefore your body operates more efficiently. Your weight distribution and the strain on muscle attachments, ligaments and cartilage is balanced, reducing the chance of injury.

Adult sport superstars like Lance Armstrong, Joe Montana, Evander Holyfield, Barry Bonds and Emmitt Smith all retain personal Chiropractors and credit regular adjustments with helping them succeed.

Smith told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that “Playing in a football game is like being in 30-40 car accidents.”

Dan O’Brien, gold medalist in the Decathalon said, “You obviously can’t compete at your fullest if you’re not in alignment. And your body can’t heal if your back is not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about chiropractic…”