Aug 24, 2021 | Chiropractic Therapy, Exercises
The human body is designed to move. Exercise protects your overall health and prevents a host of ailments and injuries. A healthy body positions you to experience the great things life has to offer, including the sports you love.
Your athletic activities provide exercise packed with physical and mental benefits. Unfortunately, an injury can throw a wrench into the well-oiled machine that is your daily exercise routine. But by following the advice of your chiropractor, medical doctor, or physical therapist, you can gradually work your way back to peak condition.
Seven Benefits of Daily Exercise
What is happening to your body as you perform? Here are seven ways exercise benefits your body and mind, how those benefits are affected by injury, and how exercise and its benefits can help you heal.
Improved Muscle and Bone Structure
Your daily exercise routine strengthens the parts that keep you in motion—muscles, bones, joints, tendons. Resistance and aerobic exercises build muscle tone and improve bone mineralization. As a result, you have greater mobility in your tissues and reduced pressure in your joints. Your cartilage health improves. With increased strength, you are less likely to fall and injure yourself. But…
If You’re Injured…Take Your Time
With a long recovery, you may lose muscle tone and stamina. Give yourself time to heal appropriately; rushing the process will only make things worse.
You will probably go through rehabilitation, “a group of physical methods, procedures, and exercises designed to improve function and stability following an illness or injury. Rehabilitation is critical in remodeling soft tissue injuries and for the alignment of fibroblast (cells that produce collagen) and proper collagen synthesis into properly repaired tissue. Rehabilitation is different from exercise as its goal is to heal and remodel injured tissue as well as stabilize the patient so they can return to a pre-injury exercise or athletic endeavors.”
Your doctors will help you gradually, safely work your way back to fitness.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Your athletic activity accelerates your metabolism. This “delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently.” Daily exercise lowers blood pressure, regulates cholesterol and blood sugar, and helps arteries dilate more easily. As a result, every day, you reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
If You’re Injured…Your Heart Will Go On
Injury can keep you from that exhilarating feeling you get from your workouts. But your new exercise routine can still get your heart rate going, help you feel better, and contribute toward efficient healing.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Disease
Your athletic activity keeps your body in motion. Therefore, muscles and organs gain strength while lingering things that can promote the disease get whisked away.
Research at Johns Hopkins shows that a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training can lower the risk of diabetes by more than 50 percent. You also lower the risk for other conditions, including some forms of cancer and stroke. Besides, exercise reduces comorbidity—the simultaneous occurrence of multiple diseases or conditions.
If You’re Injured…Move!
You won’t be subject to a sudden onset of heart disease and diabetes after an injury. However, moving as soon as possible, even a little, helps avoid less severe illnesses and encourages healing. In addition, a gradual build-up of exercise will go a long way toward a return to your sport.
Better Sleep
With your daily exercise routine, you likely find it easier to fall and stay asleep. That is because deep sleep refreshes your brain and body. However, exercise releases endorphins, which can keep you awake. So give yourself a few hours between exercise and bedtime.
If You’re Injured… Be Still for a While
You may need some time to rest, especially right after your injury. So, increase your sleep time for a while. During sleep, your brain releases growth hormones that generate new muscle, bone, and other tissues that repair the damage.
Improved Sex Drive
Daily exercise can improve your sex life. Exercise boosts blood flow and increases arousal in both men and women. In addition, research has shown that people who exercised vigorously reported improved sexual desire, activity, and satisfaction.
Exercise increases your overall energy level and makes you look great, leaving you with a feeling of confidence and attractiveness.
Weight Control
Weight control depends on balancing diet and exercise. As an athlete, you need to consume more high-quality calories than the average person to fuel your activity level.
If You’re Injured…Seek a New Balance
You may need to reduce your diet; you will burn fewer calories during recovery. Still, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet will encourage healing when combined with your rehabilitation.
Improved Mental Health
Getting daily exercise while participating in a sport you love makes you feel great. A good workout can burn away stress and help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
When you use daily exercise to stay fit, you look good, giving your self-esteem a boost. You also have the social camaraderie of the team and workouts with like-minded people.
If You’re Injured…Be Kind to Yourself
You don’t like slowing down. Maybe you’re worried about your continued ability to perform your sport. It’s vital to avoid falling into the grip of depression or other mental illnesses. As recommended by your doctors and therapists, maintaining a modified daily exercise routine will keep you feeling empowered and focused on healing. Set goals and document your progress. Most importantly, be patient with yourself.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
As an athlete, you are focused on your performance and maintaining peak physical condition. But when injured, your focus shifts to getting back to normal. Because your pre-injured body is well conditioned, all those exercise benefits will work in your favor. You may lose muscle tone, or your metabolism may slow down, but if you do as the experts recommend, you can return to normal safely and relatively quickly.
Take care of your body, and your body will take care of you. Daily exercise will protect you from the lasting effects of illness and injury, giving you more time to enjoy your sport and a greater chance at a long, healthy life.
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Bibliography
https://bergenchiropractic.com/athletic-injury-treatment/
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/exercise-after-injury#1
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a20527362/how-to-work-out-after-injury/
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/7-heart-benefits-of-exercise
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-many-ways-exercise-helps-your-heart
https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/ss/slideshow-better-sex-exercises
https://www.health.com/sex/exercise-and-sex
Aug 17, 2021 | General Chiropractic
Chiropractors have been treating millions of people worldwide for their lingering back pain, neck pain, and headaches. But it wasn’t until the recent age of social media that the popularity of chiropractors skyrocketed. Videos of chiropractors cracking necks and spines have surfaced online, and more chiropractic myths came with all that added buzz. Seeing these videos of chiropractors looking like they’re about to break someone’s neck often leads people to type on their search bars and ask, “Are chiropractors dangerous?” – but lo and behold, the answer is “No.” Chiropractic care is one of the best things you can do for your spine health, and we’re here to debunk all the common myths about chiropractors so you won’t feel scared to see one.
Setting the Record Straight on Chiropractic Care
Myth # 1: Chiropractors Are Not Real Doctors
Although this chiropractic myth is outdated, some people still think that chiropractors are not real doctors. While it is true that they aren’t medical doctors, they are, however, doctors of chiropractic degrees. Chiropractors attend a four-year doctoral graduate school where they learn to treat bone, nerve, muscle, and ligament disorders. After graduating, they must pass a board exam and earn a license just like any other medical doctor. Chiropractors must also continue to study, learn, and train to keep their licenses updated. And if you still don’t believe us, please check the federal law and Department of Health and Human Services, where you can see that chiropractors are recognized as doctors.
Myth # 2: Chiropractors Are Not Trusted by the Medical Community
There was a time not so long ago that medical doctors didn’t quite understand what chiropractors do. Still, it all changed after a major lawsuit in the 1980s where the Supreme Court of Illinois found that the American Medical Association was guilty of slander and conspiracy against chiropractic. The medical community has now agreed that movement is a type of medicine and that chiropractors know what’s best for musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain. Hospitals are now working hand-in-hand with chiropractors, and medical doctors happily recommend their patients to a chiropractor or vice versa if needed.
Myth # 3: Chiropractic Is All about Back Pain
While it is true that most people see chiropractors for back pain, chiropractic care enhances the overall health and wellness of a person. Spinal adjustments influence the nervous system (including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves), which are crucial to keeping the body functioning properly. Other than back and neck pain, chiropractic care can also treat the following:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Carpal Tunnel
- High blood pressure
- Pregnancy-related discomfort
Myth # 4: Chiropractic Adjustments Are Painful
Chiropractic adjustments may look painful because of all the cracking and popping noises, but the truth is, these sounds are no different than the sound you hear when you crack your knuckles. The sounds are the result of gas bubbles releasing from your joints. And don’t worry! Once you hear that crack or pop, you’re guaranteed to be feeling rejuvenated and relieved.
Myth # 5: Chiropractic Causes Strokes
Because people associate strokes with the nervous system, some believe that chiropractors can cause a stroke. However, 2016 research proved that there is no link between stroke and neck or back adjustments. You might have heard of a few accounts of people suffering a stroke following spine manipulation. Still, in most cases, those patients already suffer from an injury that’s likely to result in stroke, and they sought out chiropractic care due to the pain from their injury. Further movement could understandably make an existing dissection worse. That’s why in the case of a painful injury, it’s best to seek out medical advice first from the hospital before pursuing chiropractic care.
Myth # 6: Chiropractic Always Requires X-Rays
The need for x-rays before seeking chiropractic care is quite a debatable topic. However, musculoskeletal conditions that are simple mechanical dysfunctions and not detected by x-rays are often easily fixed by using manipulative or mobilization treatments. Therefore, it is usually suggested to start with a trial of chiropractic care, and if nothing improves, x-rays should be done. However, spinal x-rays are often categorized as a standard of care during an initial chiropractic evaluation.
And at last, now that you are armed with the facts of chiropractic care, nothing is holding you back from getting the pain relief you need and deserve. So let’s get popping!
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Citations
- Frank M. Painter, D.C. The Chiropractic Antitrust Suit Wilk, et al vs. the AMA, et al. 1998 May 12. Chiro.org. <https://chiro.org/Wilk/>
- R Valente , H Gibson. Chiropractic manipulation in carpal tunnel syndrome. 1994 May, J Manipulative Physiol Ther., 17(4):246-9.
- Todd AJ, Carroll MT, Robinson A, Mitchell EK. Adverse events due to chiropractic and other manual therapies for infants and children: A review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014 Oct 30. pii: S0161-4754(14)00178-X. doi: 10.1016/j. jmpt.2014.09.008. [Epub ahead of print]
- Ephraim W Church, Emily P Sieg, Omar Zalatimo, Namath S Hussain, Michael Glantz, Robert E Harbaugh. Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Chiropractic Care and Cervical Artery Dissection: No Evidence for Causation. 2016 Feb. 8(2): e498. doi: 10.7759/cureus.498
Aug 10, 2021 | General Chiropractic
“How do I become a chiropractor? How long does it take? What degrees do I need? What steps do I need to take?”
You may think it’s hard to become a chiropractor. It certainly is a challenge. You have to master the chiropractic science and techniques and pass exams, certifications, and licensing before you can begin. However, with some research, preparation, and focus, you can have a tremendously rewarding career.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractors optimize the function of the nervous and skeletal systems. They manipulate and adjust the spine to alleviate pain and other symptoms. In addition, a chiropractor’s work addresses disorders in bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues, which affect patients’ overall well-being and contribute to declining health.
“Chiropractic medicine utilizes a natural and drugless approach” as a form of alternative or complementary health care. Spinal adjustments and other physical treatments, not drugs, provide the pain relief patients need. But despite significant differences, chiropractic and medical practices can be combined to produce the best outcome for the patient.
The Steps Toward Becoming a Chiropractor
How long does it take to become a chiropractor? It can take about eight years, from college to job. You will be taking these steps to become a chiropractor:
- Earn a college degree
- Attend an accredited chiropractic school
- Earn a Doctor of Chiropractic Certification (DC)
- Obtain a state license
- Choose a specialty
- Land a job
Make a Smart Early Decision
Once you have decided to become a chiropractor, make a plan. What about money? Your current job? College courses? Support from your family and friends? It’s hard to become a chiropractor, but if you plan well, you can overcome challenges.
Let’s take a closer look at those steps to becoming a chiropractor.
Earn a College Degree
First, you need a bachelor’s degree. Each chiropractic school has its own set of requirements, but most look for science coursework such as biology, chemistry, physics, as well as exercise science, kinesiology, and anatomy. These provide a solid foundation for your chiropractic studies.
What if you didn’t major in science in college? You can take science classes such as organic chemistry, physics, chemistry, biology, and psychology at a nearby university.
Now you’re ready to apply to DC programs.
Attend a Chiropractic School
Apply to accredited schools with programs that appeal to you and can accommodate your needs. Three accredited chiropractic colleges closest to New Jersey are:
- D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York
- Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls, New York
- University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic in Bridgeport, Connecticut
The DC degree can take four to five years to complete, depending on the school and your own timetable. Early years focus on anatomy, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, pediatrics, neuroanatomy, spinal anatomy, and radiology. Later years focus on clinical experience in spinal assessment, techniques, diagnoses, and business management.
Earn a Doctor of Chiropractic Certification
Starting while in school, you will take a set of examinations from the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE):
- Part I – anatomy, physiology and other sciences
- Part II – chiropractic practice, diagnoses, and other specialized topics
- Part III – case history and management, techniques
- Part IV – advanced case management and techniques
Once you have passed, congratulations! You have earned your DC degree! You can now apply for a license.
Become Licensed and Specialize
You must be licensed in the states in which you practice. Armed with your DC certificate and passing scores in the NBCE exams, you can apply for your license. Each state may have its additional exams and requirements, though New Jersey, for example, “recognizes the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners’ four-part examination as their state examination.
You will also need a specialty. What sparks your interest? Specialties include:
- Sports
- Pediatrics
- Occupational health
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Nutrition
- Acupuncture
- Radiology
Keep your eyes open for what interests you most among these and any other specialties you discover. Then, choose what will be most fulfilling.
Furthermore, keep in mind that if you ever plan to open your practice, you will need to learn how to start and maintain a business. This requires knowledge of managing and leading staff, finance, effective communication, marketing, records management, legal matters, state and local laws and regulations, and more. You can take business classes at a local university. Also, look into the Small Business Administration’s valuable, free resources that help you plan, launch, manage, and grow your business.
Our Journeys
The doctors of Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center have traveled their unique journeys.
Dr. Gregory Doerr graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in Biology and from New York Chiropractic College. A Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, he has developed techniques for taping injuries, has lectured nationally and internationally on various topics, and has worked with college and professional sports teams.
Dr. Megan K. Doyle is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport Chiropractic College and has her MBA from Western New England University. In addition, doctor Doyle completed a year of clinical training at various hospitals and community centers. A former athlete, she specializes in sports.
Dr. Alex Farinola is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport School of Chiropractic in Connecticut and received his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University. He spent over five years in the healthcare industry while completing his graduate studies.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
There are many roads on the journey to becoming a chiropractor. If you’re asking yourself, “How do I become a chiropractor? What are the requirements?” A little research on your part will go a long way. Prepare yourself, apply to schools, then apply yourself to the program.
You’re on the road to a fulfilling career!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Bibliography
https://bergenchiropractic.com/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/mobile/chiropractors.htm
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-chiropractor
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/how-to-get-into-chiropractic-school-and-become-a-chiropractor
https://www.acatoday.org/About/Related-Organizations/Chiropractic-Colleges
https://careertrend.com/how-6426378-become-chiropractor-new-jersey.html
https://www.sba.gov/
Aug 3, 2021 | General Chiropractic
Chiropractors are evidence-based specialists in musculoskeletal and nervous system treatments. They use hands-on, non-invasive processes to manipulate body parts to relieve pains and inflammations. However, different chiropractors use different techniques with their patients. The chiropractic field is an alternative to the conventional medical process, and many practitioners have varying beliefs, philosophies, and approaches to treatment. As a patient, understanding what makes a chiropractor different will help you choose the best.
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Chiropractor?
The chiropractic’s hands-on nature and the peculiarities in technique preferences create the need for comfort and close rapport between patient and chiropractor. Unfortunately, this leaves the patient in a tough place when looking for top-rated chiropractors around. Therefore, we decided to jump to the rescue and give you a few constructive tips and advice on how to get a top-rated chiropractor near you.
Seek Recommendations from Experts
Recommendations or referrals are an excellent starting point in looking for the best chiropractor, especially if this is your first time seeking chiropractic services. Health writers advise patients to start by asking their primary care providers, therapists, or spine specialists for recommendations for trusted and competent chiropractors. In this case, the relationship between the medical professionals and the recommended chiropractor is essential. Recommendations could also come from family, friends, and colleagues, especially those who have used the services of a chiropractor. Finally, collect and consider all the recommendations based on your specific needs.
It is advisable to pay attention to how many times particular chiropractors are recommended. The more they are recommended, the more reliable they are. Very closely related to this is the need to check out a few reviews/testimonies from patients. You can gain more insights on what to expect by reading the experiences of others. You would typically find reviews on different aspects of patient experience—fixing appointments, waiting time, the facility’s environment, the receptiveness of staff members, cost, satisfaction, etc. Even though reviews can be tricky sometimes, they are a good source for corroborating what you have from recommendations.
Research Credentials Carefully
Patients need to verify the educational qualifications and licensing of the chiropractors. It would help if you were sure there are no track records of malpractices, quackery, or other disciplinary or criminal cases. Typically, you have to look out for their undergraduate and postgraduate qualification and specialty. Before a chiropractor receives his certification, he must complete the stages listed below:
- 4 years of chiropractic training, including 2 years studying basic sciences followed by the completion of the National Boards, Part 1. After the National Boards, Part 1 completion, intending chiropractors must undergo 2 years training in clinical sciences.
- This should then be followed by the successful completion of the National Boards, Part 2.
- For chiropractors that want to explore physiological therapeutics, they must complete the National Boards, Part 3.
- Successful completion of the National Boards, Part 4.
Additional Background Checks
Beyond verifying qualifications, examine issues like the chiropractor’s clinic process, how open-minded and expressive they are, and their willingness to work with other healthcare professionals.
Ask for an Interview
You probably have a list of referrals or recommendations and your background checks on credentials. Asking for an interview would help you slim down your list as you close into your best choice. The next step will be reaching out (call, email, or text) to each chiropractor, checking if they are currently fully booked or can accommodate new patients at the period. The response determines if you would proceed with an appointment to consult or interview the chiropractor.
Interviewing a Chiropractor
It is essential to learn as much as you can about a chiropractor. This time, in-person consultation or a telephone interview would suffice. The interview will help you understand the chiropractor, their facility, philosophy, and techniques. By now, you are better positioned to decide if they are the best chiropractor for you. It would help if you asked about the chiropractor’s experience. Questions like years in practice, verifiable success stories, and proven expertise in your area of need are indispensable touchpoints the chiropractor must address.
Many people consider comfort, flexibility, and excellent rapport with clients as decisive determinants of a chiropractor’s ability. Are you okay with the communication style? Do you have a particular gender or age preference? Do you look forward to the possibility of using telehealth? Remember, the choice is yours, and you are not obligated to hire a chiropractor after an interview. You may interview several chiropractors until you find the perfect one.
Confirm Charges
It would be best if you considered the cost implications of the service. Factors to consider when determining cost implications include:
- Consultation costs
- The availability of free consultations
- Availability of affordable options
- Insurance coverage
- The facility’s payment policies
Confirming these details saves you a lot of stress and prevents borrowing or suspension of treatment due to financial reasons.
Watch out for Possible Red Flags
Red flags include:
- The chiropractor recommends the same treatment for almost all cases.
- They claim to use techniques known only to them.
- Proposes solutions on issues outside their expertise.
- Has no metric for determining the progress of the client’s health.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
In your selection process, jot down your observations – or make a mental note of everything you see. Always remember that your needs come first, and the chiropractor’s feelings are second; hence, do not be afraid to say no. Interview as many chiropractors as you can until you meet one that ticks all the essential boxes.
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
Bibliography
Kelly Andrew, How to select the Best Chiropractor. In Spine-health. 04/07/2020.
Available at: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/how-select-best-chiropractor
Steven Yeomans, Chiropractor Educational Requirements. In Spine-health. 10/7/2009.
Available at: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractor-educational-requirements
Sarah Lewis, 8 Tips for Choosing a Chiropractor. In Healthgrades. May 11, 2020
Available at: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/chiropractic-care/8-tips-for-choosing-a-chiropractor
Kneeclinic.ca., What does it mean to be a Chiropractic Sport Specialist? Interview with Dr. Arif Karmali.
Available at: https://kneeclinic.ca/blog/2020/01/17/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-chiropractic-sport-specialist/
Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Centre.
See website at: https://bergenchiropractic.com/
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