Peterson Chiropractic

Don't Rush Off to Surgery! Call a Chiropractor!

Until recently, individuals suffering from chronic neck pain, back pain, or spinal conditions would undergo invasive spinal surgery as a first course of action. Fortunately, advances in the field of alternative medicine have led to the development of a number of effective yet non-invasive treatment options. Keep reading to learn why you should contact a chiropractor before turning to spinal surgery.

Why Physicians Suggest Surgery

Most spine doctors and spinal surgeons will recommend open surgery when conventional treatment methods such as joint injections, nerve blocks, and medications are unsuccessful. This is not unusual, as most medications only work to cover up the symptoms rather than target the underlying cause of pain. Unfortunately, some spine doctors are quick to suggest invasive surgery without considering the benefits of alternative modalities such as chiropractic care and massage therapy.

Risks Associated with Spinal Surgery

Spinal surgery is associated with a number of complications and health risks including but not limited to uncontrolled bleeding, postoperative infection, deep vein thrombosis or blood clots, sepsis, nerve damage, and failed back surgery syndrome.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care focuses on treating various neuro-musculoskeletal and general health issues without the use of prescription drugs or surgery. Instead, chiropractic care utilizes adjustments and manipulation to lessen or eliminate spinal conditions, as well as conditions affecting the nervous system. Some of the most common treatment methods used include traction, strength training, exercise therapy, massage therapy, and table adjustments. These treatment modalities can be used to alleviate chronic back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, headaches, scoliosis, and sciatica.

Don’t increase the risk of further health complications by turning to spinal surgery. Let our chiropractors with Peterson Chiropractic diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your back pain by contacting our New York City office at (212) 242-3210. We are your number-one resource for comprehensive chiropractic care.

Uneven Hips Can Lead to Running Injuries – Learn How Chiropractic Care Can Help!

Each year on the first of November, tens of thousands of runners take over New York City for the iconic ING New York City Marathon. With race day just around the corner, board certified New York City chiropractor Dr. Louis Peterson reminds all marathoners to visit a chiropractor to ensure their running posture leads them to their goals – NOT to some all-too-common injuries.

“Running a marathon is an incredible accomplishment but it is also a profoundly taxing experience on the body. Chiropractors literally work to keep runners in top shape by ensuring they’re properly aligned,” explains Dr. P, the nickname most of his patients use. “Our main concern are the hips, which during everyday life and marathon training often become uneven. That lack of balance makes them prone to injuries and also slows down their running time.”

• Uneven hips are often the cause for the most common of all running complaints – knee pain/injuries.
• The overuse that results when one leg is favored over the other as a result of having a set of uneven hips places great strain on the favored knee, shin, foot and even back up to the hip.
• The resulting poor form also leads to a slower running time since the runner isn’t performing optimally.

“Regardless of whether or not theirs is associated pain, a runner can evaluate his or her body to check for uneven hips simply but doing a belt check,” says Dr. P. “Take a look at your belt and if it’s sitting on a bias across your body then your hips are uneven.”

According to Dr. Peterson, this common issue is successfully treated with regular chiropractic treatments that will keep a runner’s form in top shape to fend off injuries and to help them achieve the best time possible.

Contact the experienced chiropractors with Peterson Chiropractic by calling our New York City office at (212) 242-3210. We also offer massage therapy services in the Manhattan and East Side areas.

Why You Don't Have to Live with Chronic Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain is one of the most common conditions suffered by individuals in the United States. In fact, studies by the American Academy of Pain Medicine show that neck pain is the third most common cause of chronic pain after back pain and migraine headaches. Read on to learn how your chiropractor can help you say goodbye to persistent neck pain.

General Chiropractic Techniques

A qualified and experienced chiropractor will generally offer a number of treatment methods to help combat neck pain that results from stress, poor sleeping positions, poor posture, or physical injury. These general chiropractic techniques include traction, strength-training techniques, exercise regimens, and various holistic methods.

Adjustments and Manipulations

In addition to the aforementioned general treatment methods, an experienced chiropractor can relieve chronic neck pain through specialized adjustments and manipulations. During an adjustment or manipulation, your chiropractor will use several techniques to literally align the vertebral bones within your spine. These techniques include but are not limited to lumbar rolls, manual pressure, table adjustments, toggle drops, and activator treatments.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a great way to alleviate chronic neck pain, reduce overall stress, boost your immune system, and maintain your joint and muscle flexibility. Your chiropractor may offer customizable massage therapy methods to treat neck pain, including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, Shiatsu massage, and reflexology.

The best way to determine which treatment option is best suited to your condition and lifestyle is to consult your chiropractor. For more information on adjustments and manipulations, massage therapy, or other treatments, contact Peterson Chiropractic at (212) 242-3210. You can also visit our website to learn more about our services or to set up an initial consultation at our East Side New York City office.

Chiropractic Care - Cure for the Common Cold

Your Guide to Creating a Comfortable and Ergonomic Home Office

Today, many companies are allowing their full-time employees to work from home; while this is a great way to work at your own pace and save such much-needed money on travel expenses, sitting for prolonged periods of time can have a direct effect on the health and integrity of your spine. Fortunately, there are several easy changes you can make to your home office in order to improve your spine health and make less-frequent trips to the chiropractor. Check out this guide to creating a comfortable and ergonomic home office:

• Most individuals who work from home spend the majority of their days in front of a computer. Help prevent repetitive stress injuries and neck strain by positioning the computer monitor so that the center of the screen is at a 15-degree down-angle from your eyes, with your neck only slightly bent. You will also want to keep the monitor at least 20 inches away from you at an angle that minimizes glare. Your monitor should have a minimum refresh rate of 70 Hz in order to limit flickering.
• Choosing the right chair is essential when it comes to creating a comfortable yet ergonomic workstation. Consider investing in a chair that provides arm rests, offers high back support for your shoulder blades, and enables you to adjust the height so that your feet can rest comfortably on the floor.
• It is also important to practice proper posture when seated for long periods of time. For example, you will want to position your hips so that they are slightly higher than your knees. Make sure your upper arms can hang naturally at your sides. Consider placing a rolled up towel against your lower back for extra lumbar support.

For more tips on avoiding back and neck pain while working at your computer or workstation, contact the experienced chiropractors with Peterson Chiropractic by calling our New York City office at (212) 242-3210. We also offer massage therapy services in the Manhattan and East Side areas.