	Village Chiropractic Associates

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Spinal Decompression
A new, non-surgical treatment for spinal disc conditions.: This recent medical breakthrough is giving hope to millions of people with severe, chronic low back pain, sciatica and neck pain. Spinal Decompression is a low risk, non-invasive technique, FDA approved for the treatment of bulging disc, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease (DJD), spinal stenosis and pinched nerves. Research indicates this innovative procedure is highly successful for these and other conditions. Spinal Decompression therapy relieves pressure that builds up on the discs and nerves by creating negative pressure within the disc, referred to as negative intra-discal pressure. This creates a vacuum effect to draw the bulging and herniated disc material back into the disc space and relieve pressure on the nerves. Spinal Decompression also strengthens the ligament bands that hold the disc material in place to heal & prevent future recurrence.

Healthy Tips for Activities of Daily Living: WHEN STANDING/WALKING

1. Keep your head neutral and your eyes level with the horizon.
2. Stand tall, stretching the top of your head toward the ceiling.
3. Keep shoulders back and relaxed.
4. Tighten your stomach muscles. This will help stabilize the lower back.
5. Do not shift your weight onto one leg, stand with legs in neutral position
without locking your knees.
6. Wear comfortable, rubber sole shoes. Ladies avoid high heels when possible.

WHEN SITTING AT THE COMPUTER

1. Keep your head level and your chin up.
2. Keep your buttocks to the back of the chair and maintain a slight inward curve in your lower back. Sometimes a small pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back helps. Do not slouch.
3. Your knees should be slightly lower than your hips and your feet comfortably
apart and flat on the floor.
4. Be sure your computer monitor is directly in front of you and level with your
vision, approximately 24” from your eyes so that your head is in neutral alignment.
5. Place your keyboard and mouse at elbow level on a pull-out drawer. If you are using a laptop you must attach an external keyboard and mouse for proper ergonomic use.
6. Do not sit for longer than 30-45 minutes at a time. Set an alarm to remind
yourself.
7. Be sure your wallet is not in your back pocket when sitting.
8. Place your arms on the armrests to distract some of the weight being placed on your spine.

WHEN LYING/SLEEPING

1. Your mattress should be firm so that it supports the spine and does not sink at your heavy parts (shoulders and hips).
2. The most neutral, supportive posture to sleep is on your back. If you are
experiencing lower back pain, place a pillow under your knees.
3. Be sure to use a flat pillow or a contoured cervical pillow under your head to maintain neutral neck posture (contoured cervical pillows are available at our office).
4. If you find you are unable to sleep on your back, sleep on your side with a
pillow between your knees and use an appropriate size pillow under your head
which will maintain neutral posture in the neck.
5. Do not sleep on your stomach.

WHEN LIFTING

1. Keep your head level and your chin up.
2. Keep your back straight, bend at your knees and squat as low as possible,
keeping your feet apart.
3. Lift with the strength of your legs, not your back.
4. Never twist while bending, wait until you are erect and turn your body.
5. Once you have picked up the object, hold it close to you.

Chiropractic History: The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored.

Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice.

Chiropractic Philosophy: The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts:

1) The structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself;

2) The mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes.

Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness.

The ABC's of Subluxations: Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself.

Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting vertebral subluxations and restoring optimal health.

Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care: The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies.

A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year.