Speed the Healing with Cold Laser Therapy

More Americans complain of suffering from pain than the number of people who have diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. According to the National Institute of Health, pain is the most common reason Americans seek medical help, and one in every four Americans have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours.

Those statistics are not surprising to us here at Foster Chiropractic Sports & Wellness. Many of our clients come to us for help with pain relief, whether it’s back pain, a sports injury, arthritis, or some other type of pain. We use a comprehensive approach that includes a number of types of treatments in addition to the alignments many people associate with chiropractic care. One of those types is cold laser treatments. 

How Cold Laser Therapy Works

Cold laser therapy uses a low level of light to accelerate healing. It’s called cold therapy because the light is set at such a low frequency that it will not heat the body tissues. The laser is held directly above the injured area and set at a specific wavelength to interact with tissues. 

The light passes through the different layers of skin to reach the muscles that are experiencing pain. Once there, the light interacts with light-sensitive elements in the cell to initiate a series of events that result in the reduction of pain and inflammation. The process can be compared to photosynthesis in plants, how the cells absorb light from the sun and convert it to energy.

Candidates for Treatment

Cold laser therapy is used to treat many different types of pain, including arthritis, carpal tunnel, knee, neck and back pain, as well as tendonitis, tennis elbow and bursitis. This type of treatment is appealing to people who are looking for non-pharmaceutical approaches to pain management. It is non-invasive and painless, and treatments last only a few minutes.

We usually recommend multiple treatments for best results. Patients will see a decrease in pain over time while using cold laser therapy. It may also be used in conjunction with other types of treatments, such as spinal alignments or decompression therapy.

To learn more about cold laser therapy and how it can be used to treat pain, call today to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Foster. 

Spinal Decompression Therapy

At Foster Chiropractic Sports and Wellness we treat a lot of different things, but one of the most common reasons people call to schedule an appointment is - no surprise - for back pain. When you look at the statistics, the reason is obvious. Whether it’s muscle strain, bulging discs or arthritis, more than 31 million Americans suffer from back pain at any one time. 

Spinal decompression is one way to treat back pain for people suffering from bulging, degenerating or herniated discs. Spinal decompression uses motorized traction to stretch the spine, which takes pressure off the spinal discs. This relieves pressure on the nerves and other structures in the spine, and also helps promote movement of water, oxygen and fluids around the spine. 

Foster Chiropractic Sports and Wellness is offers patients this proven non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. The advantages of this type of treatment include:

·     It’s non-invasive. Chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression are avenues of relieving back pain without going through a surgical procedure. 

·     There’s no recovery time. Unlike surgical procedures which can keep patients bed-ridden and out of their normal routine for weeks, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy helps relieve spinal pressure with no pain and no side effects.

·     Safe for all ages. This type of therapy has been proven effective and safe for patients of all ages.

 How it Works

Spinal decompression uses the same principles of traction that have been used by chiropractors for many years to relieve pressure on the spine. Our spinal decompression table is built in two parts which pull apart from each other. Sensors on the table indicate wither a patient’s muscles are resisting the stretch being applied. Once there is resistance the stretching stops, and then is applied again. By taking resistance into account, the chiropractor is able to use the table to effectively relieve pressure in the spine.

 Spinal decompression therapy usually involves a few treatments, each taking about 30-45 minutes.

“This form of treatment has proven to be very successful in our practice,” said Dr. Scott Foster. “We’ve seen patients come in to the office with pack pain so debilitating that they had to be carried in for their visit, and after treatment they were able to walk out unassisted.” 

If you’ve been suffering from back pain and are looking for non-surgical treatment options, spinal decompression might work for you. Call Foster Chiropractic today at 336-778-2242 to learn about your options of treatment.

Protect Against Cold/Flu with Chiropractic Care

The cold and flu season is already upon us. It seems as if we hardly have time to bid farewell to summer before we say hello to sneezing, coughing and runny noses. As always, one of the best defenses against getting sick is to wash your hands often. Be sure to scrub as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song to be sure you’re doing a thorough job.

In addition to washing off germs at the sink, there are some things you can do to help your body fight off illness. Make these immune boosters part of your lifestyle for a healthier winter.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants. It’s a given that eating a diet consisting of many different fruits and vegetables is good for you. But did you know those foods contain antioxidants that can help strengthen your immune system? Antioxidants team up to fight free radicals, which are chemicals that can damage cells and the genetic material inside them. The body makes free radicals as it processes food and toxins, and antioxidants either stop free radicals before they form or break them down so they’re harmless.

The best rule of thumb when looking for foods high in antioxidants is to choose foods that are bright and colorful. Top on the list of super foods are: red grapes, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, sweet potatoes and dark green vegetables like kale and broccoli.

Exercise regularly. Exercise improves your body’s overall health and fitness, and can help reduce stress. Countless studies even show that regular exercise can cut down on the number of colds a person gets. So get out there and take a walk after work, go for a run, ride your bike, or play in the backyard with your kids. Getting outside in the fresh air or spending some time in the gym will do you good.

Make an appointment for a chiropractic adjustment. In research published by the Chiropractic Journal of Australia, patients who received a chiropractic adjustment showed a higher immune response than before treatment. The central nervous system functions at its best when the spine is correctly aligned, and helps the body’s immune responses. If you’re already suffering from a cold, that same research found that people report speedier recoveries after an adjustment!

Stay well this fall and winter by incorporating these healthy habits into your regular routine.

Vitamins: An Important Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle

It’s easy to admit, Johnny Depp made a pretty good looking pirate as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. But as many of us learned in our history classes, pirates probably weren’t Hollywood handsome. For one, they were often plagued by scurvy, a disease that caused bleeding gums, joint pain and fatigue, eventually losing their teeth and suffering from open wounds. Scurvy, which is caused by lack of Vitamin C, was eventually eradicated on ships by packing along oranges and lemons with the other supplies.

Not many of us these days suffer from the bleeding gums of scurvy, but this example shows just how important it is for people to pay attention to what they eat and to maintain a balanced diet complete with the proper vitamins for good health. Here at Foster Chiropractic Sports & Wellness, our focus is on the whole body -- your wellness. It’s so important that we include it in our name. And vitamins are one important part of overall wellness.

The vitamins essential for good health are: A, C, D, E and K, and the B vitamins including thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) panthothenic acid (B5), pyridoxal (B6), cobalamin (B12), biotin and folic acid. Each vitamin plays an important role in the body’s functions. Some of what vitamins do include helping form and maintain healthy teeth and bones, helping form red blood cells, promoting wound healing, maintaining healthy skin, producing hormones and changing carbohydrates into energy.

Getting Vitamins in Your Diet

The best way to get the nutrients your body needs is through food. Unfortunately, a typical American diet is not usually balanced with fruits, vegetables and whole grains that offer a mix of vitamins and minerals that the body needs. Many people lack nutrient-dense foods that keep them healthy. Is kale a regular part of our diet? Kale contains 200% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C, 300% of Vitamin A and 1,000% of Vitamin K, as well as large amounts of B6. You also know from the pirate example that citrus fruits are good sources of Vitamin C, but did you know half a cup of red pepper has as much Vitamin C as 3/4 or a cup of orange juice? Other sources of Vitamin C include broccoli, spinach and tomatoes.

Some other common fruits and vegetables with high vitamin content include:

• Sweet potatoes for Vitamin A

• Leafy greens for Vitamin E

• Cabbage for Vitamin K

• Meat, poultry and fish for B12

If you’re not feeling your best or interested in learning more about vitamins, we offer Standard Process products in our office. These whole-food vitamins (instead of synthetic) are sourced from a family farm in Wisconsin. From detox programs to reset your system to daily packs of multivitamin, minerals and fish oils, we’re committed to helping you live your best life.

6 Surprising Ways Chiropractic Can Help Your Health

Most people associate a trip to the chiropractor with helping relieve back pain or headaches. But chiropractic care is much more than that! At Foster Chiropractic we practice a holistic approach, and our attention to overall health and wellness, coupled with chiropractic care, can help with many different things that affect your health. Here are just a few.

ADHD. As kids head back to school, many who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder find it hard to concentrate. Many times parents resort to medication to help their kids focus. Chiropractic care can also help. Aligning the spine helps foster effective nerve flow, restoring balance the mind and body.

Bedwetting. Chiropractic alignments can help with the nerves that control the organs of the urinary system, helping prevent bedwetting in children. A study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that in a study of 171 children, one quarter of them showed a 50 percent decrease in incidence of bedwetting when under chiropractic care.

TMJ. People who suffer from TMJ have jaw pain that affects their daily life and can lead to grinding teeth and even arthritis. A chiropractor can help align the jaw to alleviate pain, as well as helping give options for daily living that will help decrease symptoms. Many of our patients get their jaws adjusted in the office prior to getting a mouth guard as well. It's important that dental devices reinforce correct jaw positioning. 

Ease the Pain of Childbirth. When women are pregnant, sometimes the weight gain can lead to instability and increased back pain. As medication options are limited, chiropractic care is often turned to, and the alignments can help improve the position of the back and decrease pain. Newborns with colic and gas are commonly treated in our office to provide baby relief, and give parents some sleep.

Digestive Issues. It’s pretty easy to see from the examples listed above that the spine and the nervous system play a part in all bodily systems. Therefore it makes sense that misalignment of the nerves can affect the digestive system. It can cause an increase in acid production that leads to heartburn and indigestion. Chiropractic care will help alleviate symptoms, and consultations with the chiropractor can also help provide healthier lifestyle choices for overall better health.

Boost Immunity. In addition to eating those blueberries and drinking green tea, a trip to the chiropractor can help fight off disease. Aligning the spinal and keeping the nerves in top working order frees up the immune system to fight off intruders.

The list goes on and on as you can see, chiropractic care helps people feel better in many different ways. We’re not here to focus totally on back pain. Dr.  Scott Foster is not only certified to treat extremities as well, but his holistic approach to wellness helps improve the well being of his patients in all facets of their life. Make a consultation today to see how we can help you feel better and stay active. Get adjusted to feeling great!

Treating Injuries: When to Use Heat or Ice or Both

The long days of summer make it easy to get outside and to be active. Weekend hikes with the family, a round of golf at the club, tennis with friends after work, and even a leisurely stroll fill up the hours before sunset. But all of that increased activity can also lead to more chances for injuries or even just stiff muscles. A sprained ankle from hiking, sore muscles from the tennis serve you haven’t practiced since last summer, or a aching feet from a walk in flip flops can have you sitting on the sidelines. The key to getting back out doing the things you love quickly is practicing smart first aid tactics. 

For most simple sports injuries like sprained ankles and sore muscles, we automatically reach for an ice pack or heating pad. But which one do you use when, and what is the proper way to use it?

Cold Therapy

Reach for that ice pack immediately after an injury to reduce swelling and inflammation. Cold therapy works by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the injured area, which can reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as reducing the amount of pain. Cold therapy is recommended for sprains, bruises and muscle tears.

Ice packs work well for cold treatments, but it’s just as easy to use a Ziploc bag of crushed ice or even a bag of frozen peas or corn. Just don’t put the ice directly on your skin. Cover the pack with a towel to make it more comfortable.

Place ice on the injured area about 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes and repeat every hour. Ice therapy is often recommended at the onset of the injury, for the first 24-48 hours.

Heat Therapy

The time to reach for the heating pad is when you’re experiencing pain from sore or tight muscles rather than an acute injury. The heat expands blood vessels, allowing for increased circulation and oxygen flow to the area. This will help relax sore muscles. 

Use heat the same way you would with ice therapy, applying it to the area in pain for limited amounts of time. You can use a heating pad or even just a hot, wet towel to provide relief.

Combining Therapies

Sometimes it works to alternate hot and cold therapies. After the first 3-5 days, when acute swelling has gone down, you might choose to alternate hot and cold, ten minutes each. This has the effect of increasing the circulation to the area when the heating pad is in use, and then the ice pack constricts the vessels and allows the injured area to use the nutrient rich blood to heal the area.

Many times resting from your normal activities and concentrating on proper hot or cold therapy will have you feeling better quickly. If you have questions about whether ice or heat is the appropriate home treatment, call our office for guidance. Chiropractic treatment is often a good option for helping alleviate sports injuries  - from neck/back pain to knee, foot and shoulder pain. If you have an injury or pain that is keeping you on the sidelines, call Foster Chiropractic for a consultation. We can help you get back in top shape to enjoy all the activities you love in the summer.

When The Doctor Becomes The Patient

Anyone who has visited our office knows that Dr. Foster and his family practice a very healthy lifestyle. “We’re that type of family,” says Broocks Foster, Scott’s wife. “We eat grilled chicken and lots of vegetables and salads, and stay away from sodas and desserts.” Not only that, but Scott also walks miles each day helping people at his practice, and can often be found out on the golf course in free time.

It was a total shock when, in the middle of the night on July 1, 2016, Broocks awoke to find Scott unable to communicate and realized he was having a stroke. “It was beyond comprehension,” Broocks says. “How could this man, a husband and father, a health provider, and in such good shape, leave the house under the strobe of ambulance light?”

Luckily Scott was taken to the hospital quickly and immediately received stroke care procedures. He initially suffered typical stroke symptoms, being unable to walk and communicate, but after four days in the intensive care unit at the hospital he began showing miraculous signs of recovery. “He went from right-side weakness and slurred speech to walking independently and nearly normal speech in just a matter of days,” Broocks shares.

With no family history or medical history of high cholesterol, initially the cause of the stroke was a mystery. But the doctors were able to link Scott’s stroke to sleep apnea. 

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the airway is blocked briefly and repeatedly. It causes interrupted sleep which leads to daytime fatigue, and oxygen starvation, which can lead to serious issues such as high blood pressure, chronic heart failure and stroke. The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that over 22 million Americanssuffer from sleep apnea, with 80 percent of the cases of moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea undiagnosed.

It is important to get treated for sleep apnea, as treatment will not only help you feel better and be more energetic during the day but can also help with the other cardiac-related issues. Most of the time sleep apnea is diagnosed through a sleep study. Treatment options include using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine while sleeping, or a dental appliance.

Chiropractic care can also help with sleep apnea. Adjustments to relax muscles can help promote proper breathing. And paying attention to a healthy lifestyle will also help with feeling better, both day and night. 

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or feel you might be having symptoms, come in for a consultation with Dr. Foster. As someone who has first-hand experience, Dr. Foster is ready to help address the symptoms and help you find a path to better health. We can help work with you to find the right treatments and get feeling better with more energy to do the things you want to do in your life!

Flip Flops: Proceed with Caution

Now that the warm weather is here to stay, summer fashions are on full display. Guys and girls are moving out the boots and tennis shoes to sport flip flops and sandals. Flip flops used to be relegated to the beach or the pool, but are now footwear staples, worn at work, play and every occasion, everywhere.

As with many shoe choices, flip flops don’t come without a cost. And that cost is a lot higher than the $4 you paid for them at your favorite shopping center. An Auburn study found flip flops alter the gait of the person wearing them. The fact that they’re held on to your foot by just a thin strap between your toes means your toes work harder to grip with each step, and the loose back adds to the feeling of instability. This makes a person’s stride more halted, with smaller steps and more pressure on the ball of the foot than the heel. The change in gait can lead to pain in the feet, hips, and lower back.

Other issues caused by flip flops include:

·      Tendonitis caused by over gripping that leads to overuse of the muscles

·      Stress fractures from repetitive trauma sustained from lack of shock absorption in the shoe

·      Plantar fasciitis from lack of arch support.

Shoes are to the body like tires are to a car. Alignment, support, and ride quality of your shoes are all important in keeping you on the road of health.

Don’t Throw Your Flip Flops Away Yet

While flip flops can cause many problems, there’s no need to completely deny yourself the enjoyment of wearing them. Pick a pair you really like and make sure to wear those to the pool or the beach. Nothing is better when it comes to shoes that you can slip off quickly to jump in the water. 

It also helps to pay a little more to get a good flip flop. Choose something with some arch support to help alleviate foot pain. You could also look for flip flops with leather or other soft materials to alleviate blisters. For small children, choose a flip flop that has a strap on the back to help with stability. For some options search online for orthotic flip flops.

If you love your flip flops but are suffering for style’s sake, take this opportunity to re-think your wardrobe. Come in to Foster Chiropractic today for a foot evaluation and get some recommendations about what’s best.