Have you been suffering from depression which just won’t go away? Are you tired no matter how long you sleep? Do you have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)? You are not alone. It’s estimated  that more than 1 million Americans suffer from CFS. Many people often accept their fate and throw in the towel. But you can control your own well-being.

Chiropractic can help treat your chronic fatigue by aligning your spine and restoring full function to your central nervous system.

We know CFS can be scary. It can be painful and often debilitating. With no known cause, doctors rarely have answers. Patients are frequently subjected to any number of drug cocktails which often treat only symptoms and not the root cause.

Chiropractic approaches CFS in a different way. It provides you a natural, non-invasive option. It allows you to take ownership over your own health and wellness. Chiropractic as a whole focus wholly on the root cause of dis-ease. Symptoms are the outward expression of a impediment of nerve signals. Our doctors use different techniques to treat your spine and restore proper nerve function.

By correcting any misalignment, your chiropractor gives your body its ability to heal itself. How does that work?

Your brain sends messages to the rest of your body through your spinal cord. When the spinal column is misaligned, it can pinch your spinal cord. This disrupts the communication between your brain and the rest of your body. In extreme cases, it can shut down the communication completely.

As your chiropractor works toward correcting your spine, they will use gentle adjustments to guide your spinal column back into place. This isn’t an overnight process. For many patients their spine has been misaligned for years. Correcting those problems overnight is unrealistic. But, with a commitment between doctors and patients, our clinic has seen dramatic changes in the health of member of our community.

As your spinal column returns to its natural alignment and your central nervous system begins to function fully, you will notice a new strength. Many patients rave about finally sleeping through the night and waking up refreshed, experience weight loss, having increased energy and enjoying a general sense of happiness.

At Belltown Spine & Wellness our chiropractors work closely with you, monitoring your improvement and answering any questions you may have. Do you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome? Don’t let this illness control you. Take control over your own well-being and start enjoying life again today.

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For those without chronic fatigue, it can be really difficult to relate. A few years ago, one of my good friends was diagnosed with chronic fatigue. It took me a long time to wrap my head around his sickness because it wasn’t something I could see. Initially, it felt like he was faking it.

Boy was I wrong!

Beyond the extreme exhaustion he experienced, chronic fatigue caused problems with his concentration and short-term memory. He had trouble holding normal conversations, being around large groups of people and accomplishing every day tasks such as grocery shopping.

Occasionally, we went on walks together. After one block, I watched him become exhausted. My friend, the former Division I athlete, became exhausted after a one block walk! There was no faking. He was miserable. He was tired. And no matter how much he slept, it didn’t do any good.

I read a whole bunch about what chronic fatigue is and how it affects different people. Some people with it have extreme joint and muscle pain, tender lymph nodes, sore throats and headaches. Additional symptoms can include:
Inability to calculate numbers
Blurred vision
Depression
Irritability
Anxiety
Dizziness
Mood swings
Personality changes
Sensitivity to heat and/or cold
Alcohol intolerance
Increased PMS symptoms
Weight gain
Sensitivity to odors, chemicals and medication

With time and the right treatments, such as chiropractic and massage therapy, my friend started returning to his old self. He can exercise again. We go for walks around Green Lake and he’s the one who recommends a second loop. (Don’t tell, but I can barely keep up!)

At first, during my “I don’t understand” phase, I was pretty jealous that massage was part of how his chronic fatigue was being treated. But it worked. I saw the miracle.

I saw my friend become my friend again.

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A little bit of stress is normal. It is your body’s natural way of responding to scary or unfamiliar situations. The effects of stress over prolonged periods with no relief or relaxation can cause serious mental and physical problems. Some of these issues include chronic fatigue, depression, digestive issues such as an upset stomach, headaches and back pain.

If you remain in stressful situations these are a few of the things which may be happening to your body:

Your Immune System

While short bursts of stress may boost your immune system, long-term stress can leave you more susceptible to infection and worsen skin conditions such as eczema, hives and acne.

Your Heart

Long-term stress can cause your arteries to narrow and elevate your cholesterol levels. This increases your chances of having heart disease, a heart attack and a stroke.

 Your Nervous System

When your brain senses stress it triggers the release of chemicals including epinephrine (aka adrenaline) and cortisol. High levels of these over a prolonged period of time can impair memory and increase your odds for depression.

Your Endocrine Glad

Stress also triggers your liver to produce more blood sugar. This gives you the kick of energy (aka adrenaline). But, consistently high blood sugar also puts you at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Your Lungs

Moments of high stress can make you breath faster and often leave you feeling short of breath or hyperventilating. In the long term, this can make you susceptible to upper-respiratory infections.

Your Reproductive System

Stress can lengthen, shorten or stop your periods. While many women might welcome skipping their menstrual cycle, this may cause problems with fertility. And sometimes, stress can even make your period more painful.

If you are experiencing high levels of stress in your personal or professional life, you don’t have to live with it. Massage and other stress relieving techniques can help you reduce and eliminate the stress placed on your body. By treating your stress now, you can save yourself from the potential long-term side effects.

Contact Belltown Spine & Wellness today to find out how we can help you relieve the stress in your life.

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Below are some tips to help reduce and avoid daily tension headaches:

• Get up at least every 30 minutes and move.  Getting more oxygen to your brain by moving and sitting up straight can significant reduce tension related headache stretch the neck and shoulders every hour, who cares if your co-workers think you look silly, at least you’ll be cutting back on tension
• Have a proper ergnomic work enviroment, make sure your keyboard is at the proper level and line up your monitor so you are looking straight ahead
• Visit a chiroaprctor for postural correction to avoid the triggers of headaches before they start
• Get a massage, deep tissue massage therapy has been shown to be an effective way to alleviate chronic muscle stress and imbalances
• Exercise regularly, this will aid in reducing overall stiffness and tension
• Laugh regularly
• Stay Hydrated

Headaches are something that too many people live with on a daily basis.  There are plenty of steps that can be taken to reduce and often eliminate tension headaches that are due to the daily grind.  Most of us can’t fire our bosses, cut out stress or push back deadlines, but we all have the ability to follow the above tips to help feel more comfortable on a daily basis.

This post was written by Bellevue chiropractor, Dr. Ben Baker of PrimeSpine.

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Will my insurance cover my chiropractic appointments?

Yep! It sure does, most of the time.

Chiropractic care is included in most US healthcare plans.

Chiropractic care is covered by my insurance plans in the US.

This includes: major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare, some Medicaid plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees. Also, at more than 60 military bases, it is available to active-duty members of the armed forces. And, it is available to veterans at 36 major veteran medical facilities.

That’s a lot of chiropractic options, huh? What about your chiropractic care at Belltown Spine & Wellness? I’m so glad you asked. We accept:
·      Aetna
·      BlueCross Blue Shield
·      Cigna
·      First Choice Health
·      Premera Blue Cross
·      Regence
·      United Healthcare

(If you don’t see your provider listed, give us a call.)

How does it work?
As far as insurance is concerned, visiting the Belltown Spine & Wellness clinic is a lot like visiting your traditional doctor. (We’re very different in many other ways, but we’ll save that for another post.)

Unlike many clinics, which leave the insurance paperwork to you, we bill your insurance directly. Just show up with your current insurance card on your first visit and we’ll walk you through the steps.

Will I have a co-pay?
You might. A co-pay is a small fee some patients are required to pay when visiting a US healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor. The amount is determined by your insurance provider and your plan.

Do you accept entire family healthcare plans?
Definitely. We work with a lot of families, sometimes treating as many as four generations at one time. Your family healthcare plan works in the same way as an individual plan. Each member brings their insurance card and we bill your insurance directly.

What if I don’t have insurance?
Healthy bodies and happy lives start from within. To us, this is a universal healthcare philosophy. We work with those who do not have health insurance to create an affordable wellness plan that fits within their budget.

Have any other insurance questions? Leave them in a comment below and we’ll be sure to address them shortly.

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Does chiropractic care work?

Yes, chiropractic care works.

The miracles of chiropractic care happen every day.

What kind of miracles? Great question.

Debilitating migraines, which in some cases have lasted for years, suddenly disappear. Lost mobility that’s kept patients from doing the things they love returns. The bodily stress of working a cubicle desk job is alleviated. Children with back issues discover a pain free life. Adults with chronic illness learn getting sick during the winter isn’t the norm.

It’s the magic of a healthy, properly aligned spine. Does chiropractic care benefit every single patient? We’d be fools to say yes. But for most, it does.

Why does it work?
Your body is this amazing, self-healing machine. That’s right folks, your well-being starts from within. It starts with a healthy spine. We know, this is big. It’s exciting. And it can be a little bit daunting when you don’t know how it all works. So, let’s break it down.

Your brain and your body communicate through an intricate highway of electrical signals. The spine is the main thoroughfare. This amazing nerve system travels through a row of interlocking bones called your vertebrae or spinal column.

When one or more of the bones in your spinal column are out of alignment, the signals become mixed up or shut off completely. Think of being stuck on the Alaskan Way Viaduct during construction without an end date or an alternate route. Sounds pretty messy, huh?

These spinal traffic jams can leave you vulnerable. For example, when a virus attacks, your brain tells your body to react and fight off the virus. Often this means raising your body’s temperature.

But, if the nerve flow is disturbed because of a misaligned spine, the messages don’t get through. Your body’s potential to heal itself is diminished. If you experience one of more of the following symptoms, we strongly suggest you visit your chiropractor for an adjustment:

·      Pain
·      Dizziness
·      Stiffness
·      Weakness
·      Profuse sweating
·      Coughing
·      Diarrhea
·      Fever
·      Upset stomach or vomiting

These conditions are often a result of your body’s attempt to heal itself. Eliminating any nerve interference will help return your body to its full function.

Are you experiencing any of the listed symptoms? Contact Belltown Spine & Wellness for your free assessment.

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*Increased weight gain which increases stress on spinal and pelvic ligaments, increases fatigue on spinal and pelvic muscles, and increases joint stress and thus occurrence of vertebral and sacroiliac joint misalignment.

*Changes in weight distribution which increases the demand on spinal and pelvic muscles, increases stress on spinal and pelvic ligaments, and increases joint stress and the occurrence of vertebral and sacroiliac joint misalignments.

These changes cause strain and sprain of pelvic and spinal structures, as well as alteration of the normal spinal curvatures and spinal bio-mechanics,  leading to pain and discomfort. In a study (Bery G, Hammar M, Moller-Nielsen J et al. Obstet and Gynecol, 72:71-75, 1988), researchers identified the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis as being responsible for the majority of lower back pain issues in pregnancy, and seven out of ten women were relieved by chiropractic adjustments.

Even if you are not experiencing discomfort or complications with pregnancy, it is still vital for a woman to receive chiropractic care in pregnancy. Chiropractors uses very gentle, low force and safe techniques that are designed to deliver alignment, balance and deep relaxation which are all key elements for a good birth. Further, according to data complied by Fallon J. International Chiropractic Association (1994, Arlington, VA), there is a nearly 25% reduction in the average labor time in those receiving chiropractic care versus the average labor time. One of the leading causes of cesarean section is intrauterine constraint, which is the underlying cause of birth difficulties including fetal malpresentation, and cephalo-pelvic disproportion (Chiropractic and Pregnancy: Greater Comfort and safer births, Dr. Jeanne Om, DC).

Space for the developing baby is greatly limited when intrauterine constraint is present, and the baby’s optimal development and position for delivery will be compromised. Receiving chiropractic care will deliver alignment and balance to the mother’s nervous system in addition to her pelvis and ligaments. This promotes a relaxed environment which allows the baby to move into the optimum birth position free of intrauterine or pelvic restriction. Chiropractic reduces interference to the nervous system and allows the uterus to function at it’s maximize potential, both key elements for preventing a c-section. The Webster Technique is a widely practiced chiropractic procedure which addresses intrauterine constraint by releasing the sacrum and balancing the round ligament.

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X-rays allow chiropractors to see your spinal column and discover any misalignments which can negatively affect your health and wellness.

Question: X-rays scare me. Are they necessary?

Yes. X-rays are necessary. They allow me see your spinal column. Chiropractors can discover a lot about your spine’s alignment through palpation – this is when we carefully feel the area around your spine. But, to really see each bone of your spinal column, X-rays are one of the best tools available.

I understand the hesitation to get X-rays. If you are looking for an alternative to Western medicine, it can seem counter intuitive that an X-ray would be necessary. But, this non-invasive tool is incredibly helpful to restoring and maintaining your spine’s optimal health.

Does X-ray radiation exist? Yes. Is this something you should be aware of? Yes. But keep in mind; chiropractors do not use radiation as a treatment or therapy. We only use it as a diagnostic tool.

Generally, chiropractic radiology exposes patients to a lot less radiation than similar orthopedic and medical examinations. The dangers of radiation is further reduced with screens, shields, and high-speed X-ray film.

One of the things to remember, and I’ll be repeating this again and again, is to ask questions. Chiropractors don’t just write prescriptions and send you out the door. We get to know you. We form relationships. We answer your questions. This is a big part of our role in your health and wellness. If you have concerns, about X-rays or anything else, ask. Yes, X-rays have gotten their bad rap. But when used properly, they’re an incredibly useful diagnostic tool.

Throughout January, I’m going to continue doing an open Q&A where we’ll explore many of the uncertainties, concerns and curiosities surrounding chiropractic. No question is a bad question. If there’s something you would like answered, please leave it in a comment below.

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Question: Why do I feel groggy the day after a chiropractic visit?

After a chiropractic visit your body is working to return to its proper function. This can sometimes make you feel groggy.

Why are you groggy the day after a chiropractic visit? Because your body is returning to its proper function. As your spinal column becomes properly aligned, the stresses and impingements on your spinal nerves are released. Parts of your body, which in some cases haven’t been working properly in years, come back to life. (In technical, chiropractic terms, we healing process is called “retracing.”)

Don’t be scared. Don’t be put off. You’re healing. You’re getting a healthy spine.

Going to a chiropractor is not your typical one-and-done, prescription writing doctor visit. It’s a commitment to your overall health. It’s a time investment into your long-term wellbeing. If you’re groggy or you’re experiencing some of the pain from old injuries, this can be because the parts of your body which shut down are waking up.

Those previously turned off areas, which trapped toxins in your body, are beginning to detoxify. When the poisons leave your system, they can create a headache or slight head cold. You might even experience a fever. As the “retracing” continues and your nerve interference is removed, these symptoms will disappear. Your overall wellbeing will increase. That’s the goal – to make your body a self-healing machine. Remember, true wellness starts from the inside.

So if you feel groggy after your chiropractic appointment, don’t freak out. You’re body is doing its thing. It’s healing!

Throughout January, I’m going to continue doing an open Q&A where we’ll explore many of the uncertainties, concerns, and curiosities surrounding chiropractic. Remember, no question is a bad question. If there’s something you would like answered, please leave it in a comment below.

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“How long does chiropractic care take to work?”

Chiropractic care results your longterm health and wellness.

This is a question we hear often at Belltown Spine & Wellness.  No matter your circumstance, whether you’re a mom or dad, employer or employee, athlete begging to get back on the field or musician chomping at the bit to perform again, you probably want a timeline.

While there may be a rare case of a patient being healed in one visit, this is not typical. Does chiropractic work? Yes. Does it immediately undo a lifetime of nerve impingement?  No. Chiropractic just doesn’t work like that.

Your chiropractor may be able to estimate the number of visits before you see a marked improvement, but this is still an estimation. A chiropractor’s job is to return your spine to its natural alignment so your body can heal itself from the inside out. This process takes time. The secret – as with most changes in lifestyle – is patience and discipline.

Taking ownership of your own well-being is a lifetime commitment. I’ve seen patients find chiropractic through a variety of channels. For some, their medical doctor referred them. Others made a resolution to live a healthier lifestyle. Patients have been referred by family members and friends. They’ve come seeking alternatives to prescription drugs and surgery. The constant factor for all of the patient success stories is their commitment to their own health. It’s their long-term investment.

How long does it take to work? The better question is, how long are you committed to staying healthy.

Throughout January, I’m going to continue doing an open Q&A where we’ll explore many of the uncertainties, concerns, and curiosities surrounding chiropractic. No question is a bad question. If there’s something you would like answered, please leave it in a comment below.

The post How long does it take chiropractic to work? appeared first on Seattle's best alternative healthcare: CHIROPRACTIC.