Category: Health & Fitness

Do you suffer from regular back pain? Are you wondering if you need to make a chiropractor appointment?

Home remedies are fine for minor aches and pains. But when joint cream and over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t doing the trick, it’s time to think about enlisting some professional assistance.

What does a chiropractor do, and how do you know when it’s time to see one?

Let’s take a look.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

A chiropractor’s job is to treat conditions related to your body structure. They may manipulate your spine into the right position or restore mobility to your joints.

Visiting a chiropractor is considered an effective treatment for problems such as acute lower back pain. Chiropractors won’t prescribe medication or perform surgery.

A number of symptoms can alert you to your need for chiropractor treatment.

1. Your Range of Motion is Limited

Minor back pain won’t impact your range of motion, but more prolonged injuries will. If you’re noticing that once-simple tasks now seem strenuous, it may be time to see a chiropractor. If the thought of picking up a bag, lifting a laundry basket, or tying your shoes fills you with dread, it may be time to give your local chiropractor a call.

2. You Experience Pain that Shoots Down Your Legs

Sciatica is pain that shoots down your hips and buttocks and finally your legs. It could signal a herniated disc, pinched nerve, or bone spur.

Chiropractors, such as those at https://chiropractors.sg/, can help adjust your spine to take the pressure off of the nerve that’s causing your pain. You’ll want to make sure you get professional assistance with this issue.

3. You Sit a Lot

Many folks work at sedentary jobs where they hunch over a computer a lot. This can eventually lead to joint degeneration, spinal degeneration, and even a potbelly. Posture problems can also cause sleep or digestive issues. 

If you spent a lot of time at your computer and experience discomfort frequently, it may be time to make an appointment with a qualified local chiropractor. They can help mitigate the effects of sitting all day and slow down any damage that has begun.

4. You Have Sinus Trouble

Believe it or not, a misaligned neck can cause sinus problems because your sinuses won’t be able to drain properly. A chiropractor can help relieve sinus pressure and headaches through proper adjustments.

5. You Like to Be on the Go

Back pain can really hold you back if you’re generally active. If you exercise or play sports, your body may react with cute pain when you put additional pressure on it.

Seeing a chiropractor can help to relieve these issues so you can get back to the life you love.

Getting Back to Normal

Ongoing back and neck pain can really interfere with your ability to function properly each day. However, the right chiropractor can get you back on your feet again. With a little research, you could find the right professional in no time.

Don’t stop getting smart about your lifestyle now. For more great advice for busy parents and professionals, read our blog today.

With 20% of children having at least one decaying tooth that hasn’t been treated, it’s important to get trips to the dentist started as early as possible.

Picking pediatric dentists, however, can be a challenge. With your child likely nervous at the prospect of going to the dentist for the first time, you want to pick the best of the best and make sure they’re looked after.

When picking a pediatric dentist, it’s important to bear all of the following factors in mind. If you do that, you should end up with a good one!

1. Their Reviews

The references and reviews are the first things you’ll want to look at for any pediatric dentist you’re considering.

Google, Yelp, and many other sources often have reviews available you can browse through. Avoid dentists with not many reviews, as the practice is either new or they don’t have many clients, and it’s important to pick someone you have confidence in from testimonials.

You can look at the one-star reviews and see if they’re reasonable, or complaining about things that aren’t really a factor for you (such as location).

Overall, they should have a pretty solid rating. 

2. The Price

The price of services is something else you’ll want to look at. Comparing dentist fees is important when picking any kind of dentist, not just pediatric.

If prices for general services aren’t listed on their website, you can give them a call and ask.

However, it’s important to remember not to go with the cheapest — at least not without considering all other factors. While the cheapest may be the best, you have to look into everything and balance it out. Perhaps the cheapest has a two-star rating, and the slightly more expensive one has a five-star.

Still, although balance is necessary, price is an essential factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

3. The Experience and Qualifications

Although every dentist must have certain qualifications, some have gone above and beyond for extra — and experience is also important. Pediatric dentistry experience is sometimes different from the experience of a general dentist, as it requires a little more care and compassion with children.

If it isn’t clear from their website, ask just how much experience they have with children. You’ll want to pick a dentist that has been doing this for a while, as children can be prone to anxiety in the dentist that should be dealt with as quickly as possible so it doesn’t develop into a phobia in adult life. 

4. Referrals

It’s also important to consider the referrals of friends. If you know other parents in the area, or bump into them on the school run, ask them about which pediatric dentists they’ve used. 

Some of them might have a great dentist you can research on your own. Some of them might have had a terrible experience with dentists and be able to advise you on just who to stay away from.

Good referrals and red flags raised by others are both helpful, as you can take them into account while searching. 

5. The Clinic Itself

You can ask if it’s okay to visit the clinic and have a look around to familiarize yourself with it. If the clinic feels cold and unwelcoming, or the front desk staff isn’t helpful, you might want to look elsewhere. 

If you don’t feel comfortable in the waiting room, chances are, your child won’t either.

Pediatric dentists should go out of their way to make the environment a warm one. Some waiting rooms often have water and toys available to distract your child, which is exactly the sort of thing you should be looking for. 

6. The Needs of Your Child

How important the experience of a pediatric dentist is, also depends on the needs of your child.

For example, you might have a child with autism. That requires more care, as they can be more distressed by the environment and new experiences.

Or you might have a bold child who doesn’t seem phased by the idea of visiting the dentist at all, which means you can be a little laxer when choosing.

The needs of your child are the most important thing, and you know your child best of all. It’s important to advocate for them.

7. How Comfortable They Make You Feel

All in all, how comfortable the pediatric dentist themselves makes you and your child feel is important. If they don’t deal well with any anxiety in your child or seem impatient, it might be time to find another.

Dentists should be cool, calm, collected, and comforting if need be. They should be willing to take the time to reassure you and explain any procedures necessary in great detail.

If they don’t, you shouldn’t feel bad about finding another dentist, especially when the wellbeing of your child is at stake. 

You can learn more about how a great pediatric dentist works by checking out this example. 

Picking Pediatric Dentists Can Be Hard, so Keep These Things in Mind

Picking pediatric dentists can be an intimidating task with dental anxiety so high in both children and adults. It has to be someone experienced, friendly, and good at what they do — and you might be worried you’ll make the wrong choice.

As long as you do your research and bear all of the above factors in mind, you’ll pick a great dentist for your child.

For more tips on parenting and other topics of interest to mothers, check out the rest of our site!

Chronic pain treatments are as diverse as the causes. You can use everything from prescription drugs to over-the-counter medications to try and achieve relief.

However, there’s no guarantee. Chronic pain can be tricky, and getting to know what options are available can help you figure out what you should do.

Some of the best non-surgical treatment options for chronic pain can be found here.

1. Physical Therapy

There are countless documented benefits of Injury Rehabilitation and physical therapy. If you are dealing with chronic pain, this is one of the first treatments to try.

Keep in mind that the exercises you do will depend on the origin of your chronic pain. They should be customized to your condition, symptoms, and areas of pain.

Once you learn what to do, you have to keep engaging in the exercises to help ensure long-term success.

2. Acupuncture

This is a traditional Chinese medicine practice. During acupuncture, a practitioner will place thin needles into specific points on your body.

People are using acupuncture today for multiple ailments, including chronic pain.

3. TENS

TENS refers to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. With this therapy, electrical stimulation is used to help reduce pain.

When TENs are used, a type of low-voltage electric current is delivered using electrodes put on your skin close to where you feel pain. The electricity generated by the electrode stimulates your nerves in the area where you experience pain.

When this happens, the brain receives a signal that “scrambles” the typical pain signals.

TENs therapy is not painful. It can also be used to reduce cases of chronic pain.

4. Meditation and Mindfulness

Chronic pain can impact you physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you want a way to manage the depression, irritability, and frustration that goes with this, meditation and mindfulness may be beneficial.

You may also seek help from a rehabilitation psychologist. This professional may recommend that you begin practicing tai chi, yoga, or meditation to help you relax and to take your mind off the pain.

5. Weight Loss

Your joints, bones, and muscles work hard to support your body as you stand, sit, and move. If you are overweight, it can cause more pressure on your joints and bones and lead to chronic pain.

If you lose weight, it may help to alleviate some of the pain you feel. You can also speak to your doctor to learn more about effective ways to shed pounds. When it comes to alleviating chronic pain, losing weight may be beneficial.

Alleviating Chronic Pain without Surgery

If you deal with chronic pain, you know how debilitating it can be in any part of your body. However, there are non-surgical treatment options to consider.

Finding relief is not impossible. It is a good idea to discuss your options with a doctor.

Are you looking for more information and resources on various topics? If so, check out some of our other blogs.

Did you know that millions of people in the United States never receive a proper diagnosis for their sleep apnea? In order to receive such a diagnosis, patients are required to take part in an overnight sleep study.

And the costs for just one night aren’t cheap.

For these reasons, Americans struggle to know whether they’re just a loud snorer or if they actually have an underlying sleep disorder, like obstructive sleep apnea.

That’s why we’re here to inform you about the signs of sleep apnea. Our guide will answer your most Googled question, “What is sleep apnea?”, and dive into the symptoms you need to know about. Continue reading!

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes interruptions in your breathing while you’re in a deep slumber.

Even if you snore loudly or feel overwhelmingly tiresome after a seemingly good night’s sleep, you should consider learning more about sleep apnea. The disorder comes in three forms:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome

Keep in mind that obstructive and central sleep apnea share many symptoms, which can cause difficulty if you’re seeking a formal diagnosis. Luckily, new treatments for sleep apnea have recently been discovered!

Signs of Sleep Apnea

Between the three kinds of sleeping disorders, it’s difficult to narrow down sleep apnea symptoms. 

The most common of the three is obstructive sleep apnea, so if you feel like you’re suffering, continue reading for the warning signs of sleep apnea. 

1. Restless Sleeping

Do you often find yourself thrashing in your sheets and waking up in a pile of your bedding?

Unfortunately, this is a super common sign of sleep apnea – however, there are additional disorders that could be contributing to your sleep interference. These include:

• Insomnia
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Parasomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Hypersomnia

As you can see, these disorders can cause restless sleeping. But if you’re experiencing a night full of constant motion, consider talking to your doctor about sleep apnea.

2. Loud Snoring

Now, it’s quite common for people to snore very loudly. However, loud snoring when it comes to sleep apnea is a completely different story.

This specific disorder involves the throat muscles, which support your tonsils, uvula, throat walls, esophagus, and tongue. Simply stated, when your body is ready to sleep, these muscles relax and cause your airways to narrow.

In terms of obstructive sleep apnea, the airways could narrow too much, and your brain receives a signal saying your body can’t breathe. Then, you wake up from this signal so your airway reopens to its normal state.

If you or a sleeping partner notices a sudden, rapid change in your breathing patterns while you’re snoring, this could be a result of obstructive sleep apnea.

3. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

If you are living in the dark about whether or not you have sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a medical condition caused by sleep apnea.

EDS happens as a result of your nightly awakenings. Since you are waking up so frequently during times meant for sleeping, your brain’s “awake” signals have the potential to change during the day. 

While EDS is caused by sleep apnea, all kinds of people experience it. Whether they have a chronic loss of sleep or are taking medications, EDS has the chance to harm anyone.

Consult Your Doctor Today

If you are experiencing these telltale signs of sleep apnea, you should speak with your doctor. Living with an unknown disorder is scary. Seek the help you deserve!

If you’re snoring louder than usual, experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, and waking up in a mess of your bedding, it’s time to reach out for help. Remember that you’re not alone. 

Did you find this article helpful? Read more content like this on our website.

Ever wondered about the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

If your hormones are perfectly balanced, the better you’ll function mentally, emotionally, and physically. Hormones help keep your body running much more smoothly. Without proper balance, you may feel certain signs in your body. 

In this guide, you’ll learn more about what is hormonal imbalance and signs you need to watch out for.

1. Trouble Losing Weight or Weight Gain 

Hormonal imbalance in women can induce weight gain, including an underactive thyroid. Throughout menopause, women get fat because of metabolism decline. Hormone disorders, such as Cushing syndrome, can make you overweight. 

2. Low Sex Drive and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Low estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone correlate with lowered libido in men and women. It is ubiquitous after age 50, when estrogen and testosterone production weakens.

Estrogen is one of the main hormones controlling a woman’s menstrual period. A reduction in the production of hormones can result in: 

• Hot flashes
• Unpredictable
• Sore intercourse
• Irregular periods that are too short or too long 
• Infertility
• Heavy or painful periods
• Mood swings

Consider testosterone as part of your hormonal imbalance treatment. It can improve your libido as well as boost your mood and energy levels.

3. Skin and Hair Changes

An unexpected increase in acne is one simple means to see if you have a hormonal imbalance. If your body produces too many androgens, sebum can increase your pores and let a pimple out. 

The condition of your hair is also related to your hormones. Thyroid irregularities may make brittle nails, thinning hair, dry hair, or skin. Parathyroid, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism disorder can also cause hair loss.

4. Constant Fatigue

Everybody is weary at times. Though with a healthy diet, adequate rest, and hydration, you will recover fast.

If you look out for yourself and still feel weak, have a hormonal imbalance test. Hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue are common causes of fatigue.

Fatigue is a well-known symptom that may have many possible sources. Low progesterone makes it difficult to sleep, and too much progesterone makes you feel tired. A more simple hormonal imbalance that induces fatigue is hypothyroidism. 

This ailment is easy to distinguish with a blood test. If your levels are low, you can take medicine to make your levels back up to the norm. 

5. Insomnia and Poor-Quality Sleep

Insomnia is a hypothalamic axis dysfunction, your basic stress reaction system. This is where your endocrine system and nervous system mix. It’s capable of controlling the circadian rhythm by releasing hormones.

Melatonin also acts on the brain area that contains our circadian rhythm. A failure to sweat melatonin may result in trouble falling asleep. Also, if your cortisol levels are too high, you may have difficulty falling asleep at night.

Want to know more about hormone imbalance? Read more information here. 

Watch Out for Hormonal Imbalance Signs

Hormonal imbalance can affect your sleep, hair, skin, weight, and so on. Simple steps to support your hormones are to eat anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fats. Get enough sleep and use supplements to fill in any nutritional deficiency. 

If you want to know more about hormonal imbalance symptoms, check out our other guides.