Life is Just a Bunch of Berries!!!

Chiropractic is all about health. And when healthy food is proven to be super-healthy, Chiropractic Care wants to share the news!

 In 1989, researchers began studying 93,600 young and middle-aged women nurses aged 26-42 years. They examined the dietary intake of anthocyanins and other flavonoids and the risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) in these women. These researchers discovered that women who ate the most blueberries and strawberries had a 32% reduction in heart attack risk when matched to those who only ate them once a month or less. Eat more strawberries and blueberries!

Anthocyanins are types of dietary antioxidant flavonoids found in the food you eat, especially in the red, purple, or blue foods. Chocolate, grapes, red wine, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries teem with dietary flavonoids. Check out the blueberry-strawberry smoothie recipe Chiropractic Care found. It’s pretty and tasty!

These flavonoids help by dilating blood vessels and by offsetting the plaque build-up in coronary arteries that may cause blockages and eventually heart attacks. In this new study, mixed strawberry and blueberry consumption really stood out.  Not only is Chiropractic Care here for your spine but your heart, too!

Beginning early in life to lower the possibility of plaque build-up is key. So start eating your berries!
Contact Chiropractic Care for your healthy Chicago chiropractic appointment, too.

Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie

Nothing says summer like the season's best sun-ripened berries - slightly tart, juicy and sweet blueberries. This smoothie recipe is great for breakfast or a refreshing summer afternoon snack.

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup fresh or slightly thawed frozen strawberries
• 1 cup fresh or slightly thawed frozen blueberries
• 1 cup milk
• 6 oz. pineapple juice
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 1-1/2 cups ice cubes

Preparation: 

Combine everything except ice cubes in an electric blender and puree until smooth.

Slowly add ice cubes and blend until finely crush. Serve immediately or chill until serving.  

Makes about 4 portions.

                             

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556

Is Your Computer a PAIN in the NECK???

Do office employees get neck pain? You bet they do! Just like small business owners and apprentices and scholars and receptionists and executive assistants and content writers for websites! Even the family bookkeeper and chief bill payer experiences neck pain! Why? We all work over computers and at desks and in chairs that aren't very neck friendly. Chiropractic Care soothes neck pain and has tips for how to prevent it as well.

Now we don't want to badger just the desktop computers; the laptop computers are not so hot for our necks (and wrists!) either. A current study on notebook computer usage found that a 12 degree incline under a notebook placed on a desk improved neck and head postures while only slightly increasing wrist extension which seemed to be acceptable.

So what should we do about all this neck pain suffered by Chicagoland computer users?

A review study currently propose muscle strengthening or endurance exercise to treat neck pain and muscle endurance exercise for decreasing pain-related disability.

 Muscle strengthening includes improving the quantity of force you can exert against resistance. Push-ups and working with free weights are instances. For the neck muscles, working with a neck exerciser or against your own hand resistance produces results.

Muscle endurance exercise builds muscle over time with more repetitions and such to get the muscles to work longer.

While Chiropractic Care appreciates these recommendations, our Chicago chiropractor will likely combine chiropractic spinal manipulation with exercise (and maybe throw in a few hints for a more ergonomically friendly workspace!) for your neck pain relief, best clinical outcome, and future neck pain prevention. Our Cox Technic system tells us to look for relief of at least 50% in 30 days. So many of our neck pain patients report relief in just a visit or two while some take a little longer. But our 50% Rule sets your expectation and guides our chiropractic treatment plan for your relief.

Make your chiropractic appointment today. Contact Chiropractic Care for a full examination, diagnosis and gentle, safe neck pain treatment and relief.

For more information, please contact our office or visit our website. 

                       

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605  Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556  Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430  Phone: 708-798-5556

 

Back Pain Tips: Help with Housework

Back Pain Tips: Help With Housework 

 

Follow these five simple rules to protect your back while you do housework. Simple household tasks can turn into trouble for people with persistent back pain. But following a few general rules can help minimize the risk of injury and keep your back healthy.

• Lifting. Avoid bending from the back or twisting while lifting objects. Instead, hold the object close to your body with a good base of support and your legs apart. Then, bend from the knees, lift and turn your entire body from the feet to move objects and avoid putting stress on your back. 
• Build strength as you stand. Try standing on one leg when standing while doing the dishes or brushing your teeth. This will help build strength in the core muscles of your lower back and abdomen. Use the sink to stabilize yourself if needed and alternate your legs every 30 seconds. 
• Change your position. When standing for long periods of time, such as cooking or cleaning, widen your stance or alternate your position to avoid repeated stress on the same muscles. 
• Stand proud when vacuuming. Avoid bending and pushing while vacuuming. Instead, stand upright with your chest pushed out slightly, think military style, and use your legs rather than your back to move forward and backward. 
• Keep weight close. Reach from as short a distance as possible when picking up objects. Keep the weight as close to your body as possible. For example, rather than reaching over the back seat to get an infant, get out of the car, sit next to the child in the back seat, bring the infant close to you and then scoot out of the car. 

 Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD 

Please contact Chiropractic Care for more information, or visit our website. 

                          

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556

Please Welcome Dr. Grant Iannelli

Dr. Grant Iannelli, D.C., D.A.B.C.I.

Born and raised in southwest Michigan, Dr. Grant Iannelli received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the National College of Chiropractic in 1984.

He completed National’s Family Practice residency program and became a board-certified chiropractic internist. Dr. Iannelli began his full-time career at National in 1988 and served for 25 years, rising to Professor of Clinics.

He is certified in acupuncture and taught the Cox Flexion-Distraction technique at National University for many years. Dr. Iannelli was a research clinician for many studies at National, including three that studied the use of Cox Flexion-Distraction technique in the treatment of chronic low back and neck pain. He has received advanced training in nutrition and the use of herbs and natural remedies.

Dr. Iannelli has maintained a private practice in DuPage county since 1986, treating not only musculoskeletal conditions, but also diagnosing and managing chronic pain, complex headaches, allergies, and hormonal and gastrointestinal problems.

He lives in Lombard with his wife, Mary Jo, has two grown sons, and loves to celebrate his favorite collegiate team, the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Go BLUE!

                          

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556

Biofreeze Pain Reliever

Chiropractic Care in Homewood and Chicago are official Biofreeze dealers. Biofreeze products provide temporary relief from minor aches and pains of sore muscles and joints associated with simple backache, arthritis, bruises, strains and sprains and muscle aches.

Biofreeze Pain Reliever may be used up to four times a day - both before exercise or therapy (to relieve painful movement), and afterwards (to soothe muscle or joint soreness). In some cases, Biofreeze products may even be used during exercises or therapy.

Biofreeze Pain Relieving products are the most widely-used and confidently- recommended products by hands-on health professionals for over 15 years. It is the pain reliever of choice for chiropractors, podiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists and athletic trainers.

Chiropractic Care in Homewood and Chicago sell Biofreeze gel, hands-free sponge applicator, roll-on, pump spray and the 360 spray. The new 360 spray can be used at all angles to reach any painful area. The single use on-the-go sizes are perfect to put in your purse of briefcase.

Feel free to stop in or call for a free sample of the Biofreeze gel.

Chiropractic Care, your health and wellness professionals in Chicago's Loop and South suburbs.

                       

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 - Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: 312-269-5556
Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430

Phone: 708-798-5556

Laptop and Briefcase Ergonomics. Pack it light, wear it right!

Laptop and Briefcase Ergonomics
Pack it light, wear it right.

Here are some simple strategies to prevent injury while traveling with work related items, keeping you healthy and on the job.

Heavy laptop bags or briefcases can take their toll on your back, neck, and shoulders. Poor posture as an over loaded bag, or one that is carried improperly, can cause the carrier to lean to one side.

Choosing the right bag

1. Select a bag made of lightweight material such as vinyl or canvas.
2. Choose a bag with wheels to help you take the load off your spine.
3. Backpack style laptop bags with wide, adjustable, and padded straps are an excellent option because they distribute the weight evenly.
4. Bags with a single shoulder strap are not ideal. However, if you choose this option, ensure the strap is long, wide, adjustable, and padded if possible. Ensure that the straps do not fit too snugly. Poorly designed shoulder straps can dig deep into muscles causing strain and pinched nerves.

Packing your bag

1. Reducing the weight you need to carry is important to avoiding injury. Take time to check your bag or briefcase each day and remove items that you do not need.
2. Always pack the heaviest items at the bottom of your bag and make use of pockets to distribute weight evenly over the bag.

Carrying your bag

If you choose not to use a bag with wheels, wearing your bag correctly is an absolute must.

1. When using a backpack style case, use both shoulder straps and the waist strap, and adjust them to minimize movement of the bag.
2. If you have single strap bags, place the strap over your head and across the shoulders to distribute the weight more evenly across your back.

Other tips

1. Try to maintain good posture. When standing, your head, shoulders, hips, and ankles should line up, one comfortably above the other. Your knees should be slightly bent and your feet should be shoulder-width apart or more. For good posture, try to flatten your back against a wall or chair. Roll your shoulders back and down and slowly pull your head and chin back.
2. Exercise can help prevent injury. Regular exercise such as walking, swimming, or bicycling will help the body stay conditioned. Stretching before and after activities will help reduce muscle strain.
3. Specific strengthening exercises for the back and abdominal, or core, area will help promote good posture, condition muscles, and prevent injury.

Remember to Pack it Light and Wear it Right

Injuries resulting from improper lifting and carrying of a heavy load can become chronic and can impact your quality of life. If you experience pain that lasts more than two or three days, call for an appointment for an evaluation and / or consultation.

Please visit our website for additional information 

                                                      

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 - Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: 312-269-5556
Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430

Phone: 708-798-5556

 

Therapy...Fire & Ice

Therapy

Hot / Cold therapy - heat or ice therapy - has been around for a long time. Both are quite beneficial when used for the right application at the right time. The key is knowing whether ice or heat is needed.

Ice

In general, cryotherapy slows down blood circulation in an area to reduce pain and swelling after an injury. Inflammation and pain often accompany an acute injury. So in the first 72 hours after an injury, only apply ice.

 

Ice reduces inflammation and numbs the pain in short spurts like 10 minutes at a time once an hour. Be sure to use a towel between you and the ice pack.

Heat

In general, thermotherapy relaxes muscles and joints.  

If you are directed to do so by your doctor, apply heat (A moist heating pad is fine.) for 10 to 15 minutes.  

 

Combination: Heat/Ice

Your doctor may direct you to do the hot/cold/hot routine. If so, apply heat for 10 minutes then an ice pack for 10 minutes followed by heat for 10 minutes.

 

Heat sedates muscles and joints, and cold drives out inflammation. A balance of the two will oftentimes produce the best results.

Use cryotherapy ( ice ) and thermotherapy ( heat ) as directed by your physician. If anything aggravates your condition, discontinue and contact Chiropractic Care. 

                              

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556

GOLF...The Swing of Spring!

THE SWING OF SPRING

The weather has finally started to warm up, and many of us start to think about the great outdoors in a different way. We don't have to worry about staying warm as much and we can start to think about warm spring days and playing golf. It's time to get off the couch, dig out the clubs, and hit the fairways. Well, maybe we can't hit the fairways just yet but we sure can get our bodies ready to hit the ground running. Months of reduced activity can have negative effects on our bodies. Below are some great exercises I came across at SPORTS FITNESS ADVISOR that will help you get ready for golf season. The golf swing can be very hard on your body and it is very important to be flexible to reduce the chance of injury. If you have any questions about any of the stretches or any golf injuries, give us a call.  

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park

312-269-5556  

Chiropractic Care, Ltd.

708-798-5556

We always have time to answer your questions.

STRETCHING GUIDELINES 

• You should be completely warm before starting this routine. Do 5-10 minutes of brisk walking or jogging on the spot to increase heart rate and pump blood to the major muscle groups.
• Perform the stretches in the order below.
• Hold each stretch for 20 seconds, relax and then repeat for another 20 seconds before moving on to the next stretch.
• The muscle group being stretched should feel slightly tight diminishing as you hold the stretch.
• Cease the stretch immediately if you feel any pain or if tightness increases as you stretch.
• Remember to breathe as this promotes relaxation and prevents an increase in blood pressure!
• Perform this routine a minimum of 3 days a week for 6 weeks - ideally 5-7 days is best.

Golf Stretching Program

Dynamic Stretches
Start with some arm circles - perhaps 10 clockwise and 10 counter-clockwise. Next do some twisting from side to side - keep your feet shoulder width apart, place your hands on your hips or at chest height and turn from side to side 15-20 times. These dynamic stretches just help to increase blood flow and loosen joints before moving onto the static stretches.

Shoulder & Chest Stretch
This can be performed kneeling or standing. Clasp hands behind back and straighten arms. Raise hands as high as possible and bend forward from the waist and hold.

Shoulder Stretch
Place one arm straight across chest. place hand on elbow and pull arm towards chest and hold. Repeat with other arm.

Triceps Stretch
Place one hand behind back with elbow in air. Place other hand on elbow and gently pull towards head. Hold and repeat with other arm.

Chest Stretch (Wall)
Place an outstretched arm against a wall or doorway and lean forward with that shoulder. You should feel a stretch in your chest when you lean forward. Hold and repeat for same arm then repeat 2 stretches for other arm.

Back Stretch
1. Start by kneeling on the ground with your arms out in front of you.
2. Slide your arms further away and slowly shift your hips back towards your feet until a comfortable stretch is felt.
3. Now slide your hands to the right until a stretch is felt down the side of your torso. Repeat to the left.

Low Back Stretch
1. Lie on back with right knee drawn toward chest.
2. Slowly bring bent leg across body until a stretch is felt in the lower back and hip area.
3. Remember to keep shoulders squared and flat on ground at all times. Bottom leg should be bent so that your knees are aligned.

Butterfly Stretch
1. Sit in upright position and place heels together.
2. Spread knees apart and pull feet toward groin until a stretch is felt in groin and inner thigh.
3. Remember to keep low back straight to emphasize stretch.

Hamstring Stretch
1. Sit in upright position. Tuck foot near groin with opposite leg straight.
2. Bending from the hips and leading with the chest, reach down until a stretch is felt in back of thigh.
3. Remember to keep the low back straight to isolate stretch in hamstring

Quad Stretch
1. Stand with a shoulder width stance and hang onto an object for support.
2. Bring one foot up and grab with your hand.
3. Pull your foot up until you feel a stretch on the front of your thigh.
4. Hold, relax and repeat before changing legs.

Forearm/Wrist Stretch
Stand with your right arm extended straight out. Pull back your fingers with the other hand until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Hold, repeat and then repeat 2 stretches on other arm. 

These golf stretching exercises, performed regularly will help to promote relaxation in the muscles. This has the added benefit of also increasing body awareness, which is so important for maintaining a consistent swing pattern.

Additionally, the more a muscle group can relax, the more forcefully its opposing muscles group can contract. Coupled with a suitable strength training program these golf stretching exercises will help to increase your power with every club.

Reference: http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/

For additional information, please call our office(s) or visit our website!

We also recommend the personal trainers at Sweat Equity (2413 183rd Street, Homewood - 708.957.4770) who are Golf Conditioning Specialists.

                                          

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556

The Spine: Support System for Your Body

Parts of the Spine

The spine is composed of many parts that function together to allow you to move...and a whole lot of other things! Let's focus on movement for now.

Vertebrae - The Bones of the Spine
The vertebrae are the bony segments of your spine. They are joined to each other throughout the spine by "articulations" that allow smooth movement between the bones. The round part of the vertebra is called the "body" and the pointy part to the back is the "spinous process."

Within each section, there are a number of bones named for their number in the segment: 7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12), 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5), 1 sacrum made of 5 fused vertebrae, 1 coccyx made of 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae. The coccyx is the lowest point of the spine that bends when you sit down and acts like a shock absorber while you sit. It's also known more commonly as the tailbone.

Facet Joints
Facet joints connect the vertebrae of the spine and allow movement. One faces up and one faces down to connect with the adjacent vertebrae.

Disc
The intervertebral disc (or disc for short) acts like the shock absorber of the spine. It holds the bony vertebrae apart and gives space in the spinal canal for the spinal cord and its nerves to pass through on their way to the extremities of the body. Its center is the "nucleus pulposus" which is normally 80% water-filled. The outer part is the "annulus fibrosus" which is made of rubberband-like rings (annular fibers) which hold the nucleus in place.

Curves and Sections
The spinal column has 4 curves - cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral - and 5 sections - cervical (C1-C7), thoracic (T1-T12), lumbar (L1-L5), sacral (S1-S5), and coccygeal.    

• Two curves are concave posteriorly (cervical and lumbar).
• Two are concave anteriorly (thoracic and sacral).

So, what's up with your spine? Contact Chiropractic Care, Ltd. We'll figure it out together, and get you back to enjoying your life!

If pain is preventing you from doing even simple tasks, give your Chicago Chiropractor neck and back pain specialists a call!

                                                      

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556

Gardening and Your Back

 

It is that time of year again and I can hardly wait to get my hands in the dirt. Gardening is hard work and can put quite a strain on your muscles, especially those in your back. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your garden while treating your back with care.

First, be sure to warm up your back muscles with some stretching before you go out, particularly in colder weather. Gardening may involve significant reaching and twisting, so be sure to start slowly and work your way up to longer gardening sessions. Be sure to keep water nearby and to take breaks often. If you start to feel any pain, stop and rest. Otherwise, you risk injuring your back and making it impossible for you to do anything at all in your garden.

Garden Layout

 •Use mulch on the surface of your garden. This should reduce weeds and help the soil retain moisture, so you don't have to water and pull weeds as often.
 •Use raised flowerbeds, which are both attractive and help reduce the need to bend down. You can grow vines and other trailing plants around the edges.

 Plants 

•Remember that slow-growing shrubs are less trouble to maintain than perennials or annuals. •Consider ground-covering plants to keep weeds under control. Weeding is hard on the back due to all the bending and pulling.

Tools 

•Use forks and trowels with long handles, and other tools with extenders to reduce your need to reach.
•Avoid heavy watering cans for irrigation. If you use a can, only fill it half way.

How to reduce digging

If you spread compost and fertilizer or manure over a flowerbed surface in the late autumn, the soil has time to settle before spring planting. Worms will take organic matter into the soil and you won't have to dig so much. This approach requires initial digging to level the soil and remove weeds, but over time you will be able to dig less and less. Many gardeners feel that this method is better than traditional "double digging" because it leaves the soil structure intact. Contact a specialist at your local gardening center for more details on this back-saving approach to gardening.

If pain is preventing you from enjoying your garden, give your Chicago Chiropractor neck and back pain specialists a call.

Please visit our website for more information.

               

Chiropractic Care Millennium Park - 30 N. Michigan Avenue - Suite 605 

Chicago, IL 60602 - Phone: 312-269-5556 

Chiropractic Care, Ltd. - 2417 W. 183rd Street - Homewood, IL 60430 

Phone: 708-798-5556