Blog Archive 

If I had to put the questions I am asked most frequently by my patients in order, near the top of the list would be this one..."If I start seeing a Chiropractor will I have to keep seeing one the rest of my life?"

I like to answer this question with a question.  Do you plan on seeing a dentist every year for the rest of your life?  Most people answer "yes".  Why is that?  Because the Dental field has done an excellent job of educating the public on the necessity of good, oral health and maintainance.  So we don't think twice about seeing our dentist once or twice a year.  Now, consider this...the dentist deals with the upper and lower jaw and their associated structures.  A chiropractor deals with the whole spine, from the top of the neck to the tailbone (and many chiropractors deal with most of the remaining joints as well).  That's quite a bit of difference in surface area. 

Using this analogy, if we think it is wise to see a dentist annually to maintain a healthy smile then YES, I think it is wise to visit a chiropractor annually or regularly, for the rest of your life, to maintain a healthy spine and skeleton.

The Low Oil Light

Most everyone is familiar with having the Low Oil Light coming on when you first start your vehicle.  You turn the key and it stays on for 2 to 3 seconds while the car's computer assesses the systems and confirms everything is functioning normally.  It is when the Low Oil Light comes on and stays on that you need to become concerned and take action.

Now, apply this concept to your body.  We all have "normal" aches and pains that remind us we are healthy or working-out regularly or participating in an active lifestyle.  The exercise gurus call it "productive pain!"  Those "normal" aches and pains are the usual, expected times when the Low Oil Light comes on for the first few seconds when we turn the key.  However, when those normal aches and pains persist for three days or more that is the indication that the Low Oil Light is staying on and you need to become concerned and take action! 

The point being, DON'T IGNORE CONSISTENT BACK AND NECK PAIN!!!  If the "normal" aches and pains don't subside in the expected time, it could be something more serious that Chiropractic could help alleviate.  Chiropractic could also assist in preventing those normal aches and pains from growing into a long-term ailment or condition. 

ICE is Nice!

No, I'm not trying to be a bad poet.  I just am!!!  "Ice is Nice" is a good rhyme to help remember an important concept.  ICE is better than heat on a new injury.

There is an acrostic to help remember how to treat a sprain or strain R.I.C.E.

R. Rest       I.ICE       C. Compresion (wrapping it up tightly)       E. Elevate the injured area

Within the first two days of spraining a ligament or tendon or straining a muscle it is better to apply ICE than heat.  ICE helps reduce swelling and keeps inflammation to a minimum.  Even though heat feels better while it is on the injured area, it does not help the healing process like ICE. 

So the next time you strain your neck or back remember, "ICE is Nice", especially in the first 2 days (48 hours) after the injury.  

Please note, that if the sprain or strain becomes too painful or significantly prevents you from performing the activities of your daily routine...immediately seek professional help from a licenced chiropractic or medical personnel or go to the E.R.

Dr. Parsons is always welcoming new patients.  Please visit the NEW PATIENTS button to easily download the necessary forms to expedite your first visit.

The website has been transferred to a new server, and in the interim all of the old blog entries are no longer available. But to make up for it, the new server should make for a faster website!