Back pain is something we all experience one way or another. It’s something we don’t necessarily think about until it strikes. Whether it’s caused by improperly lifting or by sitting stationary too long, lower back pain can impair us from doing normal, everyday tasks. The good news? You can take steps to prevent lower back pain from striking at your most vulnerable moments.

5 Preventative Tips for Lower Back Pain

Whether you’re reducing your risk of lower back pain or trying to prevent it from getting worse, these tips will help you find relief, and fast. So while you’re searching for lower back pain relief in Denver, practice these tips daily.

1. Good posture is exceptionally important. Standing up straight keeps your weight evenly distributed between your toes and heels. If you’re at a computer all day, practice sitting at a 90° angle and keeping your computer screen at eye level for  good posture.
2. Don’t carry a heavy load. Bags, backpacks, and purses should all weigh less than 10% of your body weight.
3. Exercise is key to decreasing lower back pain. Swimming, walking, and biking are all considered vigorous activities that keep your body healthy and strong.
4. Rest and relaxation are essential. You know the importance of adequate sleep. Equally as important is having a good mattress and pillows that naturally support your spinal alignment.
5. Regular chiropractic visits are important for lower back pain relief. Find a reputable chiropractor in Denver that specializes in more than just chiropractic care.

The Anatomy of the Back

When you’re looking for lower back pain relief in Denver, it’s wise to have an understanding of the back’s anatomy, so it makes sense to you. Your entire back is composed of muscles that protect your organs and bones. Your lower back, which is your lumbar spine, has a slight curve called lordosis. This natural inward curve balances the weight of your head atop your spine while reducing stresses in the lower spine. It also evenly distributes the weight from your upper and lower extremities. The lower back contains five vertebral bones, stacked with discs between them. Specialized joints are connected to these bones, while the lumbar spine connects to the thoracic spine above and connects to the hips below.  For the most part, everyone has the same structure in their lower back. Although the body can change overtime due to the influence of lifestyle and diet, the anatomical structures in everyone remain the same for the vertebrae, facet joints, and discs.

The Discs – Five intervertebral discs are fixated between the vertebral bodies, and provide shock absorbing cushions that protect the vertebrae during movements of the spine.

The Vertebrae – You may have noticed that the lumbar vertebrae are labeled l1 to l5. This reflects the amount of weight that your spine is able to carry. The vertebrae also protect important nervous system tissues.

Facet Joints – These joints are flexible, especially with side to side movements. The upper lumbar vertebrae are composed of facets similar to the thoracic facet joints. These joints, along with the cartilage that lines them, allow swift and easy back and forth spinal movements.

Your lower back also has five pairs of lumbar spinal nerves. Again, when you’re looking for back pain relief in Denver, you might be tempted to buy an over the counter product that only deals with the pain aspect of the problem. Without getting into too much detail, the nerves in your lower back are widespread and contribute to a lot of undiagnosed back pain.

Lower back pain can happen to the best of us. But, it doesn’t have to, and it doesn’t have to stay! At Peak Health Partners, we specialize in laser therapy, functional medicine, kinesio taping and more for lower back pain relief in Denver. Contact our expert doctors today!

When your body is functioning as it should and your system is aligned, you feel great. For example, your digestive system activates before you even take that first bite; just smelling food activates saliva production to prepare for digestion. In contrast, your body also has a way of letting you know if something is wrong. Your body has an alignment system that can get off balance quickly if you’re not careful. It’s important to know what those malfunctions are in order to live a healthier daily life.

The Endless Headache

Headaches are common in life, as well as back and joint pain. However, chronic headaches, back aches and joint pain are something we shouldn’t experience on a daily basis. If you’re experiencing endless headaches, your doctor may prescribe medication, as well as the help of a chiropractor downtown Denver specialist. Aches and pains should never be dealt with on a daily basis and considered normal. It’s one thing to sprain an ankle or pull a muscle; over time, those problems heal with the right care. However, dealing with lower back pain, for example, could be from a degenerative or herniated disc, or a spinal misalignment.

Stiffness in the Body

Stiffness doesn’t just happen from incorrect positioning while sleeping; this can also be a sign of a misalignment. A chiropractor will make simple movements to relieve the stiffness in your body. Stiffness can also be caused by non-managed stress. Your chiropractor downtown Denver expert will support you with ways to stop the pain and relieve the stress.

You Can’t Seem to Get Enough Sleep

We all know that sleep is crucial, with the average adult needing 6 to 8 hours of complete rest each night. Our eating and working habits tend to dictate our sleep conditions. So, it’s not that you’re drinking less coffee or that you need another energy drink, but may instead be a simple misalignment. Maybe it’s due to an older mattress. Mattresses, after a while, wear out and need to be changed to prevent poor sleep habits. This can actually cause a misalignment that triggers pain in parts of your body. A subluxation is an adjustment that your chiropractor will perform to help increase blood flow throughout your body, in order to enhance relaxation for a sound night’s rest.

Flexibility has Decreased

The inability to turn your head or your hips with ease is not normal, and shouldn’t be an age problem! This is a misalignment issue that can be taken care of with a few simple adjustments. Don’t get used to feeling this way! Full range of motion is imperative to living a healthy and mobile life.

What’s a Misalignment?

Misalignments happened to the best of us at any given time! Because our lives are so busy and hectic, it’s easy for the neck and the spine to become misaligned at some point. Over time, this can impact your well-being and health. The spine is the protective covering that supports most skeletal parts of the body. It protects your central nervous system, too. Misalignments lead to a variety of health issues, such as back and joint pain. You can certainly feel the difference between your spine being aligned and misaligned. When you’re aligned, you feel youth and vigor, and you’re strong and mobile. When your body is misaligned, you feel pain and you can’t move the way you did last week!

Are you concerned that you might be suffering from pain related to a misalignment? At Peak Health, we provide excellence in chiropractic care, as well as functional medicine, laser therapy, and kinesio taping. Our team of experts will help you get back to feeling like yourself again. Book your appointment today!

You choose a doctor not just because they’re professionally qualified, but because you trust them and they’ve been attentive to your needs. So, the same goes for any other kind of alternative doctor, such as a chiropractor. To help you choose the best chiropractor Denver team, you’ll need to do some research before scheduling with the very first one you meet.

How Do I Choose a Chiropractor?

Your chiropractor should have good references and reviews, and their office and staff should have these same qualities. The chiropractic profession allows for each chiropractor to develop their own techniques and style, as well as practice philosophies. This can make it challenging for an individual when selecting the right one. Some chiropractors specialize in functional medicine, where their model is geared towards getting to the root of the problem, not just the treatment of symptoms. You can expect these specialists to treat every ailment with a holistic approach.

First, you can start by asking your physician for a referral. An orthopedic specialist or physical therapist may also have recommendations that are trustworthy. Once you have a list of at least five of the best chiropractic Denver specialists, you will want to conduct interviews. Without a treatment being scheduled, it’s best to have an interview over the phone or request an office consultation. The personal interaction will help you to decide whether they have given their full attention to your personal details, and if they make you feel comfortable with them. You will want the chiropractor to be friendly and courteous, as well as listen to your entire explanation of symptoms and questions about treatments. You should also find out how long they have been practicing. Just because a practitioner has knowledge on a subject, it does not mean they necessarily make the patient feel comfortable enough to receive treatment from them.

Lastly, you should be able to perform enough background research to justify if a chiropractor is right for you. The Council on Chiropractic Education is a great resource that provides information on the college background and requirements. Chiropractors are health professionals too, and selecting the right chiropractor should be done carefully. Don’t overwhelm yourself by feeling pressured to be treated by the first chiropractor you interview. Have a list of chiropractors, and narrow it down to five. Schedule your first appointment with a few of them so that you are completely aware of your options.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Keep in mind that when you search for the best chiropractor Denver team, they’ll have a variety of patients similar to you, but never exactly the same. You and your friends’ conditions may be identical, and their chiropractor may be the best for them, but their chiropractor may not be the best fit for you. Keep an open mind and don’t get discouraged. The important takeaway is that you will find the right one, and recommendations are the best route to start with. Perhaps a trusted MD or OP may have a recommendation for a reputable chiropractor.

Finding the best chiropractor Denver team can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. Friends and relatives may mean well with their recommendations, but you need a chiropractor that’s right for you. That means that they listen, offer sound advice, and have good references. The team at Peak Health not only provides chiropractic care, but they also specialize in Avatar health testing, cold laser therapy, kinesio taping, and other modalities. They are here to help you optimize your health in an alternative way. Contact them today for more information!

Doctors and chiropractors have to go through a certain level of training and education in order to prescribe or treat the patient. Both fields learn pretty close to the same material, and can actually add both professions to their degrees. But they are different in some ways, too. It is possible for some chiropractors to achieve a higher education that coincides with that of your family physician. You can find top chiropractors in Denver that will work with you and your doctor so you can achieve optimal health.

The Medical Doctor

Your medical doctor is a physician that is trained in clinical care and coursework. Again, they are responsible for prescribing you medications, diagnosing conditions, and writing referrals to other specialists (such as chiropractors for focus work. They work to maintain health while promoting healthy lifestyles through proper diagnostic treatments and careful studies.

The Chiropractor

Chiropractors hold a doctorate of Chiropractic degree. This degree is accredited by an institution of the Higher Learning Commission, similar to where a doctor gets their degree. They have to pass all of the same parts of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam, and, in some states, are approached as physician level practitioners. Chiropractors are recognized as essential service providers by such national health systems as the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Defense, Federal Workers Compensation, Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, and Medicaid. Chiropractors have a specialized education, in which they earn an undergraduate degree in biology, kinesiology, and exercise science. This 4-year healthcare degree is accredited by a university or healthcare college. Your top chiropractors in Denver will also be required to continue their education going forward. In addition, chiropractors focus on the entire body, pinpointing the different body systems that work together. They use a hands-on approach to treating and diagnosing. Adjustments will correct alignment and restore health to improve the function of the body. Chiropractors are trained professionals, but differ from MDs. Chiropractors are experts in the musculoskeletal system, which helps them perform spinal manipulation and adjustment techniques to help improve body function.

Who Should I See More?

Your local chiropractor can work with your doctor on acute and chronic conditions. These may include neck pain, lower back pain, asthma, osteoarthritis, and even headaches. According to the American College of Physicians, spinal manipulation is used and recommended for those with lower back pain. But that’s not all! Chiropractors are recommended by physicians for simple sinus issues that can accompany your medical treatment.

Your medical doctor will be the one who takes your lab work, prescribed your medicine or maybe even something as minor as a diet plan. They can diagnose and tell you if you need other interventions, such as surgeries or exams. While you wouldn’t necessarily seek your doctor when you have a common cold or flu, you would seek a medical professional if this cold or flu worsened or did not get better over time. They are able to perform examinations and take blood work for determining prolonged sickness and coming to the root of the problem. Chiropractors can also practice functional medicine, too. They introduce healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes that help you grow stronger and live a pain-free life.

Chiropractors are licensed professionals with extensive training who work very well alongside your doctor to provide the utmost care for your condition. Whether you have lower back pain, constant headaches, or sinus issues, your top chiropractors in Denver will make sure you’re on the road to recovery, much like your trusted primary care doctor. Ready to give it a try? Contact our team at Peak Health Partners for more information today!

A holistic doctor is a licensed physician who specializes in treating the body as a whole. Most holistic doctors practice functional medicine, which focuses on the whole immune system of the patient. They believe that by incorporating a variety of holistic methods, such as laser therapy and acupuncture, the body can repair itself. Holistic doctors do more than just promote whole-body healing; they listen and give sound guidance based on your body, lifestyle, and immediate needs. At your holistic chiropractor Denver office, you can be sure you’ll get more than medicines with your visit.

Holistic Care

Holistic care can vary from practitioner to practitioner. One holistic doctor may treat with a different method than another,  based on the environment and what’s available. Others may consult with a surgeon or physician to offer a comfortable and convenient transition from traditional medical practices to a holistic approach. Some patients may be inspired to try a holistic approach but aren’t quite ready to wean completely off of their medications. A reputable holistic practitioner Denver office will recognize this and take great care to bring awareness and understanding to ease the mind of their patients. Holistic care is universal, being helpful to every person in a unique way. Each holistic doctor may practice using a variety of methods, or just a few, depending on their speciality. Here is an idea of the different kinds of specialities holistic doctors use:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine: uses qi (or “chi”) and believes that a good quality life means that your “qi” is in balance. This type of medicine involves Chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture, and lifestyle therapies.
• Osteopathic Medicine: Is derived from the belief that the musculoskeletal system affects the entire body. This type of medical practice uses conventional practices while manipulating the musculoskeletal system.
• Ayurvedic Medicine:  Ayurvedic medicine stems from Indian medicinal practices that teach that our life energies or “doshas” can be off balance. Treatment practices include diet and lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and alternative treatments.
• Naturopathic Medicine: This type of treatment is a basic term for one who practices treating the whole body using alternative methods, while combining Western science. In essence, it’s holistic care accompanied by the expertise of any of the above profiles.

Can My Holistic Doctor Prescribe Medicine?

The only true difference between the holistic doctor and Western medical practices is that one focuses on the body as a whole, not just what ails you. Holistic doctors, like traditional doctors, can prescribe more than just medicines. They can prescribe certain kinds of medicines that are allowed by the state in which they practice. For example, your naturopathic and holistic chiropractor Denver office has to follow laws that allow them to treat and assist with the healing of your body as a whole. Some medicines are under this umbrella, but this is depending on your condition, the state laws, the practice itself, and other factors. Holistic doctors may not be able to prescribe the same medicines and drugs you would receive from a Western medical doctor, but you can be sure that they will find a superior alternative. For example, your holistic practitioner can offer chiropractic care or laser therapy treatment that would coincide with any treatment your doctor would prescribe.

Keep in mind that it’s always important to consult with your current doctor about any changes or concerns you have regarding prescribing new treatments or medicines. The best approach to living your best life is to be upfront, open, and honest when it comes to your health. A thorough naturopathic practitioner and holistic chiropractor Denver team at Peak Health Partners will offer sound guidance and trusted results. Contact them today for a consultation!