Dr. Ali Akhavan Health Blog

Ten Tips on Getting the Most from your Chiropractic Care.

Stay consistent…life is a process and so is healing…What is going on with your spine right now did not happen overnight. It was a process that built up over time. Do not expect to feel better after your first visit! Stay consistent with your care and follow your treatment plan. After your treatment plan is completed, consider monthly routine checkups! It will keep you healthy and make my job easier!
When reading in bed, make sure your spine is flexed from the waist rather than laying flat with a pillow pushing your head forward. Keep your neck supported and your ears directly over your shoulders.

DO’S & DON’T’S WHEN YOUR BACK IS HURTING

SITTING
Avoid sitting. If you sit, get up and move around every 20 minutes. Use a back support and get your knees level or a little higher than your hips. A towel roll or a magazine roll will suffice as an inexpensive back support.
Avoid leaning forward from the waste. When driving, move the seat forward so that your knees are level with your hips. Don’t get so close to the steering wheel that you cannot turn it easily.

Bending

Avoid bending from the waist when your back hurts. This increases the disc pressure.
Kneeling to reach low levels is a good alternative when you are hurting. You can even kneel to make beds and get clothes out of the dryer.

LYING

Good firm support is desirable. The floor is too firm; a saggy mattress is too soft.
When getting up, turn to one side, draw your knees up and drop your feet over the edge. At the same time, push yourself up with your arms and avoid bending forward at the waist.

COUGHING AND SNEEZING

When your back is hurting, stand up if you can and bend your knees. Brace yourself against a wall before you cough or sneeze. If you are seated and cannot stand, lean back in your chair. Always avoid leaning forward at the waist.

RECURRANCE

The next time you feel the warning signs of impending back pain:
Use the first aid techniques - ice massage, anti-inflammatories and movement - to get rid of any back pain. Do the exercises which helped decrease the pain during the previous episode.