Sleep Better Tonight! Tips for Sleeping with Back Pain

One of the most common complaints I hear from patients with back pain is they have a hard time getting out of bed in the mornings as their pain seems to be at its peak after a night’s sleep. I am often asked what they can do to improve their sleep and if their pillows, mattresses or sleep positions are to blame for their restless nights. So, I’m here to give my recommendations and strategies to help you get a better sleep and roll out of bed feeling a little more functional in the mornings.

Mattresses

When it comes to choosing a mattress, personal preference will certainly play a role. I always recommend a mattress that is supportive yet comfortable. This usually means a more firm mattress with a softer layer on top to provide comfort. There isn’t one type or brand that I recommend. It’s about finding one that will support your spine while also being comfortable enough that you will enjoy your sleep.

Pillows

I have numerous patients who own a dozen different kinds of pillows, always looking for the one that will cure their neck pain. My message is always the same. You want your pillow to support your neck so that it is in a neutral position while you sleep. This means the pillow supports the natural curves of your spine so that your neck is not tilted or twisted in any particular direction while sleeping.

September 29, 2017December 1, 2023

Postpartum Healing | Diastasis Recti

Attention New Moms In Postpartum!

Pregnancy isn’t easy but that bundle of joy in your arms at the end of 40 weeks makes it more than worth the struggles and discomfort that pregnancy brings. At postpartum, once the baby has arrived and the dust has settled, you might take a minute to look at yourself and think, ‘boy that pregnancy did a number on my body’ and wonder ‘how can I get my pre-pregnancy body back?’. We often turn to exercise in order to reach those goals, and why not focus on those abs by starting with a few sit ups? I’ll tell you why…

In the third trimester of pregnancy, our bellies get big – I mean, really big.

Our pelvis goes through some changes in preparation for birth and our abdominal muscles have no choice but to stretch out as the belly grows. Virtually every woman with a full term pregnancy belly will experience a separation of their rectus abdominis muscles, called diastasis recti. The diastasis, or separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, occurs as the linea alba, the connective tissue between the left and right sides of your rectus abdominis, stretches under the strain of a growing belly (see illustration). A normal separation of the rectus abdominis muscles is 2 finger widths or less; anything larger is considered diastasis recti.

August 29, 2017January 16, 2024

Chiropractic for Kids?

Most individuals are familiar with chiropractic and frequently utilize my services when they encounter pain from an injury or feel the strain from their day to day tasks. This is certainly my bread and butter but it may surprise some that a big part of my practice is also treating children. I am often asked why a child would need an adjustment and am thankful for the opportunity to educate.

A newborn baby whose birth process was difficult and who continues to cry despite having all its needs met, is often crying because he or she is experiencing discomfort – often from a spinal misalignment. Chiropractic can help. When treating infants, I delicately palpate the joints of their spine, feeling for a segment that is fixated and whose muscles are tense. The infant will also show signs that this area is tender by fussing until the joint is placed back in its proper position. For those who are cringing at the idea of adjusting a baby, rest assured that it is extremely gentle and performed using a light, fingertip touch and held pressure until the segment settles into its proper position.

There are also times where the baby isn’t crying or showing discomfort, but there is a behavior noticed by Mom or Dad which hints that there may be a dysfunction in the spine. Examples of such behavior are a baby who prefers to turn its head to one side while sleeping or nursing, develops a flat spot on one side of its head, or is having signs of constipation. These are all indications that there may be dysfunction in their spine that can be corrected with a chiropractic adjustment.

Children, toddlers, even newborn babies can benefit from chiropractic care as they, too experience pain from misalignments and dysfunctions in their joints.