Wednesday, November 20, 2024

How Spinal Decompression Therapy Can Improve Your Quality of Life?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to relieve back pain and increase spinal health. By gently stretching the spine, this therapy reduces pressure on discs and nerves, helping to alleviate conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease.

How It Works?

During the procedure, you lie on a motorized table while a customized program applies controlled traction. This creates negative pressure in the spinal discs, encouraging rehydration and nutrient flow, and promoting healing.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

  1. Pain Relief: Effective for chronic back pain, neck pain, and sciatica.
  2. Improved Mobility: Restores flexibility and range of motion.
  3. Enhanced Healing: Boosts circulation to the affected areas for quicker recovery.
  4. Non-Surgical Option: A safer alternative to invasive procedures.

Who Can Benefit?

Ideal candidates include individuals with:

  • Persistent lower back or neck pain
  • Sciatica or pinched nerves
  • Bulging, herniated, or degenerative discs

Consult a Specialist: Always seek advice from a healthcare professional to determine if spinal decompression therapy is right for you. By addressing the root cause of pain, this treatment can significantly improve your overall quality of life.

Wondering how can spinal decompression therapy can improve your quality of life? Contact McKim Chiropractic for more information about spine decompression therapy and to schedule a consultation with a licensed and certified chiropractor. Our licensed and certified staff at McKim Chiropractic is committed to helping the families of Nampa, ID live life pain-free!

Friday, July 12, 2024

What are the most common car accident injuries?

Car accidents can result in a variety of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Here are some of the most common car accident injuries:

  1. Whiplash
    • Description: A neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head, often occurring in rear-end collisions.
    • Symptoms: Neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
  2. Cuts and Scrapes
    • Description: Caused by broken glass, debris, or loose objects inside the car.
    • Symptoms: Minor to severe lacerations, sometimes requiring stitches.
  3. Head Injuries
    • Description: Can range from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries.
    • Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory issues, and loss of consciousness.
  4. Broken Bones
    • Description: Fractures can occur in arms, legs, ribs, and other bones.
    • Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, and inability to move the affected area.
  5. Chest Injuries
    • Description: Injuries to the chest can result from the impact of the steering wheel or airbag deployment.
    • Symptoms: Bruising, broken ribs, internal injuries, and breathing difficulties.
  6. Back Injuries
    • Description: This can include herniated discs and spinal cord injuries.
    • Symptoms: Pain, numbness, and mobility problems.
  7. Soft Tissue Injuries
    • Description: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
    • Symptoms: Pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
  8. Internal Injuries
    • Description: Damage to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
    • Symptoms: Internal bleeding, pain, and signs of shock.
  9. Psychological Injuries
    • Description: Mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
    • Symptoms: Emotional distress, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors.
  10. Spinal Cord Injuries
    • Description: Damage to the spinal cord, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
    • Symptoms: Loss of movement, sensation, and function below the injury site.

These injuries highlight the importance of safety measures such as seat belts, airbags, and defensive driving 

Wondering what are the most common car accident injuries? Call McKim Chiropractic for more information about auto accident injuries and to schedule a consultation with a licensed and certified chiropractor.  Our licensed and certified chiropractors are committed to helping the residents of Nampa, ID restore to health wholeness!

Monday, April 29, 2024

What Are The Benefits Of Child Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care for children is a controversial topic, with opinions varying among healthcare specialists and parents. While some proponents claim various benefits, including improved sleep, behavior, and immune function, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. Here are some potential benefits often cited by proponents:

  • Improved Spinal Health: Chiropractors believe that spinal adjustments can correct misalignments and promote better spinal health in children. This may potentially lead to improved posture, reduced tension, and better nerve function.
  • Pain Relief: Children may experience musculoskeletal problems such as back or neck pain due to different factors like sports injuries, falls, or poor posture. Chiropractic adjustments aim to alleviate pain and discomfort by realigning the spine and joints.
  • Enhanced Functioning: Proponents recommend that chiropractic care can optimize nervous system function, leading to improved overall health and well-being in children.
  • Support for Developmental Milestones: Some chiropractors claim that adjustments can aid in supporting children's natural growth and development by ensuring proper alignment of the spine and joints.
  • Management of Specific Conditions: While controversial, some parents and chiropractors believe that chiropractic care can help manage certain pediatric conditions such as colic, ear infections, asthma, and ADHD. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited and mixed.
  • Preventive Care: Regular chiropractic inspection for children may help identify and address any spinal misalignments or imbalances early on, potentially preventing future problems and promoting overall wellness.

It's essential to approach pediatric chiropractic care with caution and skepticism. While some children may benefit from chiropractic adjustments, it's critical to consult with pediatricians or healthcare providers before seeking chiropractic care for children, especially for specific health situations. Additionally, choosing a qualified and experienced pediatric chiropractor who uses evidence-based practices is important for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of treatment.

Wondering what are the benefits of child chiropractic care? Contact McKim Chiropractic for more information about chiropractic pediatrics and to schedule a consultation with a licensed and certified chiropractor.  Our licensed and certified chiropractors are committed to helping the residents of Nampa, ID restore to health wholeness!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

How do you know when you need a chiropractor?

You may need to consider seeing a chiropractor if you experience any of the following:

  • Persistent or Recurring Pain: If you have persistent or recurring pain in your back, neck, joints, or muscles, it may be a sign that there's an underlying problem with your spine or musculoskeletal system that could benefit from chiropractic care.
  • Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty moving a joint through its full range of motion or stiffness in your muscles or joints could indicate an issue that a chiropractor may be able to address.
  • Headaches: Chronic headaches or migraines can sometimes be related to tension in the neck or misalignments in the spine, which chiropractic adjustments may help alleviate.
  • Postural Issues: Poor posture can lead to strain on your muscles and joints, causing discomfort or pain. A chiropractor can assess your posture and provide treatment to correct any imbalances.
  • Injuries: If you've been involved in an accident, such as a car accident or a sports injury, chiropractic care can help with recovery by addressing any misalignments or soft tissue injuries.
  • Chronic Conditions: Some chronic conditions, such as sciatica, scoliosis, or arthritis, may benefit from chiropractic treatment to help manage symptoms and improve mobility.
  • Nerve Problems: If you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your limbs, it could be a sign of a nerve problem stemming from a spinal misalignment, which chiropractic adjustments may help alleviate.
  • Preventative Care: Even if you're not experiencing any specific symptoms, regular chiropractic adjustments can help maintain spinal health, improve posture, and prevent future problems from arising.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if chiropractic care is suitable for your specific condition. Chiropractors are trained to assess musculoskeletal issues and provide appropriate treatment, but they may also refer you to other healthcare providers if your condition requires additional evaluation or treatment beyond what chiropractic care can provide.

Need to know more about how do you know when you need a chiropractor, call McKim Chiropractic for more information about chiropractic care and to schedule a consultation with a licensed and certified chiropractor. Our licensed and certified staff at McKim Chiropractic is committed to helping the families of Nampa, ID live life pain-free!

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Why is pediatric chiropractic safe?

Adults should seek chiropractic care. However, is it advisable for children to see a chiropractor? Below, you will learn more about whether chiropractic pediatric is safe.

About Chiropractic Pediatric Treatment

Is pediatric chiropractic safe? Yes, it is! Similar to chiropractic care for adults, the main focus is ensuring the spine is well-aligned. The chiropractor generally applies gentle and slight pressure on the spine when treating children.

Should You Take Your Child to a Chiropractor?

Yes! You can take your child to a chiropractor at a tender age. Why? For starters, giving birth is traumatic since the pulling alters the baby’s shape as it exits the womb. The back and neck of the newborn baby will experience some trauma. Additionally, infants should learn how to stand, crawl, hop, run, and walk, which means they’ll experience slight trauma as they try to discover new things.

Each of these pursuits generally affects the musculoskeletal system, thus leading to subluxations. The spinal nerves generally become misaligned, and the nervous system is affected. The baby’s body will be unable to function optimally, which means the child may experience ear infections, asthma, and headaches.

Fortunately, chiropractic pediatric can help to solve the misalignments through spinal adjustments. In the process, the well-being of the child will improve, which means they’ll be protected from various health concerns as they grow up.

Although chiropractic care for children is safe, you should ensure that you have sought such services from a reputable, experienced professional who has worked with different pediatric patients. Chiropractic pediatric can only be safe when executed accordingly.

Final Thoughts

As your child grows, they should continue seeking chiropractic treatment even when they grow old. It will help to increase their way of life and their bodies will function optimally at all times.

Some people wonder, “Why is pediatric chiropractic safe?” Call McKim Chiropractic for more information about chiropractic pediatric and to schedule a consultation. Our licensed and certified chiropractors are committed to helping the residents of Nampa, ID restore to health wholeness!

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Wondering How Often Should You Go to the Chiropractor?

The reasons people seek chiropractic treatment are many.  Some use a chiropractor's skills for spinal manipulation of vertebrae for preventive care. Others want help to manage staid pain conditions, such as scoliosis.  The goal of a chiropractor is to help you return to your optimum state of health, in other words, achieve health wholeness.  

This may involve a regular preventive maintenance program that might range from a visit each week--with an adjustment done only if you want it--to a visit once every month.  The number of treatments required depends on the nature of the condition, how long it has been present, and the desired result of the treatment.

Before performing any type of treatment, a chiropractor will want to know your full and detailed medical history.  They will commonly perform tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans as wanted.  They will discuss the results with you and then recommend a course of treatment prescribed specifically for you.  The number of prescribed treatments will depend on the nature of your condition, how long it has been present, and the ultimate goal for your body.

Treatments may entail as many as two or three spinal adjustments a week, gradually decreasing the number of weekly visits. As stated previously, this length of time will depend on your condition, how severe your body's damage is, and your level of pain, combined with how well you respond to chiropractic care.  The goal will be to reach a maintenance level of treatment, usually a spinal adjustment once a month.  This will keep you free of subluxations so that your spine and discs can move freely without nerve interference.

Wondering how often should you go to the chiropractor?  Call McKim Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation and examination. The licensed and certified staff at McKim Chiropractic is committed to helping the residents of  Nampa, ID achieve health wholeness. 

Do you know Why Do I Wake up with Neck Pain?

If you’re waking up in the morning with neck pain, there may be something you can do to improve your night’s sleep.  Some cause—like the wear and tear of aging, arthritis, like a slipped disk—may be out of your control.  But there are some things you can control.  Take a look at the four problems described below to see if you recognize anything that could be the cause of your “pain in the neck.”  

  • Pillow -- One of the most common causes of neck pain is having your neck twisted or bent too far in any direction for a long time. If you wake up in the morning with a painful neck, it may be because your pillow is not supporting your head and neck in the right situation. If you sleep on your side, pick a pillow that just fills the space between your ear and your mattress without tipping your head. If you sleep on your back, your pillow should keep your head from tipping backward or forward.  When choosing what type of pillow to buy, consider a feather one that molds comfortably to the shape of your neck. Since we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, one of the best investments you can make is a good pillow.
  • Sleeping Position -- A mistake that many people make is not supporting their head properly while reading or watching television in bed. Avoid propping yourself up on some pillows with your head bent forward. If you are reading, make sure your arms are supported and your head is in an impartial position. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, because this forces your head to be twisted into an unnatural position, which can put pressure on nerves. Converting yourself to side sleeping may help you to wake up pain-free.
  • Muscles are Stiff/Weak -- If you still are having issues, find a chiropractor for neck pain.  Learning exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles that support the neck may help improve the quality of your sleep.
  • Sleep Habits -- There are some things you should try to avoid during the evening a couple of hours before going to bed, such as caffeine, alcohol, and your electronics.  If you need help with your pain, take your medication as needed.

Research suggests sleep can play a role in musculoskeletal pain, including neck and shoulder pain.  People who report sleeping issues are likely to develop chronic musculoskeletal pain. One probable explanation is that sleep disturbances disrupt muscle relaxation and healing that generally occur during sleep. 

For more information about neck pain that is robbing you of a pain-free day, we invite you to visit a chiropractor for neck pain.  Call McKim Chiropractic for help with your question, “Why do I wake up with neck pain?”  Their offices are conveniently located in Nampa, ID