top of page
Aloe Vera Plant

THE DAILY SPROUT

Your guide to healthier living.

Aloe Vera Plant

By: Dr. Eric Richards


Field with fall plants
Seasonal allergies

If you’re like me, you love autumn but loathe the seasonal allergies that accompany it, generally stemming from ragweed. The congestion, the itchy eyes, the minor headaches, the “allergic shiners”. All these symptoms add up to a pretty miserable experience despite the glorious foliage and beautiful weather.


There are thousands of articles out there about seasonal allergies and home remedies to alleviate the symptoms. We aren’t going to rehash the same tired protocols here. Some of these treatments have anecdotal evidence of their efficacy, but at the end of the day, the best treatments for seasonal allergies are antihistamines, reducing inflammation, and self-care.


This is where chiropractic and massage can benefit you.


What Are Seasonal Allergies, Anyway?


Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to generally harmless substances, such as pollen, bee venom, pet dander, or certain foods. In response, the immune system produces antibodies that mistakenly identify these substances as dangerous. When exposed to these allergens, the immune system's reaction can cause inflammation in various body systems, such as the skin, sinuses, airways, or digestive system.


The severity of allergic reactions varies greatly among individuals and can range from mild discomfort to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. In layman’s terms, allergies are caused by the body’s response to a foreign substance. If you are allergic to that substance, inflammation occurs.

This is where a good chiropractor can help.


Seasonal allergies, and more importantly environmental allergies, can cause significant inflammation and negatively affect your health. When allergens are combined with inflammation caused by other chronic conditions, it can affect your health and quality of life. This makes you more susceptible to other illnesses because it weakens your immune system.


Chiropractic Care and Allergies


Chiropractic care has the potential to alleviate symptoms associated with chronic inflammation and alleviate stress that contributes to the condition. A health study revealed that 9 chiropractic lower back manipulations resulted in the normalization of inflammation mediators.


Chiropractors can offer manual adjustments to the spine to release tension, relieve pinched or irritated spinal nerves, and potentially reduce the production of neuropeptides and cytokines. By influencing cytokines, which are proteins that regulate the immune system's cells and can trigger severe inflammation, spinal adjustments promote better nerve signaling and communication in the body. This, in turn, supports the overall health of the immune system, reducing the likelihood of chronic inflammation.


Chiropractic care offers benefits in terms of immune system functioning by ensuring proper communication throughout the body. Chiropractors can pinpoint elements that may disrupt bodily functions and correct misalignments, creating clearer communication pathways and restoring balance to the immune system.


In addition to enhancing immune system performance, chiropractic adjustments can also regulate the release of histamines, which tend to increase during allergy season. Cortisol, a hormone produced in the adrenal gland, is responsible for counteracting the effects of excessive histamine levels. However, misaligned or blocked nerves in the spine that connect the adrenal gland and the brain can disrupt the production of cortisol, throwing this hormonal balance askew.


How Healthsprout Can Help


Our role goes beyond mere alignment and communication restoration. We can offer lifestyle recommendations and provide nutrition advice, addressing all these aspects comprehensively. We’ll help you devise solutions that consider the interplay of these factors, offering a holistic approach to healthcare.


There is no cure for allergies, unfortunately. Nonetheless, some common sense and good housekeeping practices can alleviate some symptoms. Add chiropractic care to help relieve inflammation and you can get through this allergy season with minimal effects.


At Healthsprout, our commitment is your holistic wellness. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you.

A lot of people suffer from this pain. It's a common problem and there is a lot of misinformation out there about what can and can't be done to help relieve the pain. Chiropractic care is a natural healing art that works to improve the health of the whole body. Chiropractors are able to treat a lot of health concerns through pain relief. This blog will show some of the reasons that HealthSprout Chiropractic & Wellness are the best options for treating your neck and shoulder pain.


What are the main causes of pain?

There are a lot of reasons that this pain can happen. Neck pain is often caused by an injury to the muscles or bones in the area, but they're also may be issued with your spine causing poor spinal alignment. Shoulder problems occur for many different reasons including overuse injuries like rotator cuff tears, dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, and impingement syndrome. It can also be caused by neurological problems like a herniated disc in your neck or pinched nerve that is causing issues with the nerves around this area of the body.


Different types of pain



There are many different types of pain that you could be dealing with. This pain can vary in severity, duration, and location depending on what is causing the problem.

  • Neck pain may occur near the base of your skull or it might radiate further down along your side or upper back.

  • The area around your shoulders can also cause its own set of issues including tingling or numbness in your arms, chest pain that can be felt under the shoulder blades, and even weakness extending down the arm.

  • Neck and shoulder problems may also cause headaches to occur since there are so many nerves surrounding this area that control both sensory input as well as muscle function.

Risk Factors?

There are a few risk factors that can make people more likely to suffer some of the common ones include:

- Neck Injury

- Neck Pain in the Past

- Neck Tension or Stress

- Neck Whiplash Injuries

If you have any history of these types of issues then you are likely at a higher risk for developing neck and shoulder pain in the future. Neck injury is one of the most common reasons that people develop issues with their shoulders, so it's important to be aware of your own history if you have had an issue before.


What treatments are available?



There are a lot of treatment options available. Neck injuries may be able to heal with time, but more serious problems like herniated discs or bone spurs can require surgery in order to properly treat the issue.

  • Neck osteoarthritis is another major concern that will need an MRI followed by possible surgery or other treatments to help with the issue.

  • Neck or shoulder pain can also be treated through chiropractic care that uses natural methods to relieve some of the problems you may be experiencing.

How does chiropractic care work?

Chiropractors are able to treat a lot of issues by using spinal adjustments to help relieve some of the pain you are experiencing. Neck and shoulder problems can often be related to poor spinal alignment which causes pressure on your nerves, muscles, or even bones around this area.

Our Chiropractors use their hands as well as a special table that allows them to quickly realign your spine so that all parts of it are in proper alignment. This can be caused by a lot of different issues, but chiropractic is an excellent way to get relief from the discomfort you are experiencing.


Why should I choose a chiropractor as a treatment?



There are many reasons that going with a chiropractor for your neck or shoulder problem will help you in getting the care you need. Neck and shoulder problems can be extremely painful, but they're also often very complicated to properly diagnose since there are so many different health concerns that could lead to the pain you're experiencing.

Dr. Eric Richards is a chiropractor who is fully trained in both the musculoskeletal system as well as neurological issues which means they will be able to accurately diagnose your problem and help you get relief from the pain.

Neck and shoulder problems can also be treated with a combination of chiropractic care as well as other treatments like massage, acupuncture, or physical therapy depending on what is needed to help relieve some of the discomforts you're experiencing.


Who should I see for neck and shoulder problems?

There are many different chiropractors that can help with the pain. You should always make sure you are choosing someone who is fully licensed to provide the care you need since this will be important in getting relief from your symptoms.

We have been practicing for years and know what you're going through and how to help provide relief from the pain and discomfort that may be affecting your life right now.

Neck pain can affect people of all different backgrounds, but if this issue sounds familiar then it's important to get the help you need in a timely manner.

Neck problems may also require a little more training than most other kinds of issues, so finding someone who has done their post-graduate training in this area will make it easier to get the treatment you need and deserve.


Who can I trust for my neck and shoulder problems?

There are many different chiropractors that work with this kind of pain every day, so there is no reason not to choose one of them. Neck or even upper back issues may take a bit of time to properly diagnose and treat, so going with a chiropractor who is experienced in both the issue as well as treatment options will be important.

Neck problems can also be very complicated which means you'll want someone that has more training than most other doctors have had.

How long does it take for my neck or shoulder issues to heal? Neck or shoulder problems can take a while to heal depending on how severe they are. If you suffer from any kind of neck or even upper back issues, it's important for you to go with someone who is experienced in both the issue as well as treatment options.


What things could chiropractic care help?

Chiropractors are able to treat many different health issues through pain relief. Neck and shoulder problems can be treated with chiropractic care in a number of ways that may help the issue to resolve itself over time. This type of natural treatment is often able to treat:

- Neck Pain

- Shoulder Pain

- Numbness or Weakness in the Arms and Hands

- Neck and Shoulder Tension

- Neck and Shoulder Stiffness

Chiropractic care is a great way to treat these types of concerns without having to resort to using medications or surgery. It can be debilitating for those who suffer from it, so taking the time out every week for chiropractic care is a great idea if you are suffering from it.


Conclusion

The pain can be very intense and makes it difficult to perform your daily tasks. To help get better relief from such pain, you can visit your doctor and ask them for a referral to a chiropractor.

Chiropractic is a proven and highly effective treatment option for those with neck and shoulder problems. We know that many people want to avoid surgery and the risks that come with it. With the help of a chiropractor, you can feel better and get back to living life again!

Call 770-517-2240 / Text 770 637-4266 for more information. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!


Back pain is a common ailment that can be caused by many things, including injury, obesity, or even just poor posture. Our Chiropractors are experts in back pain management and treatment. Here is an overview of what you need to know about our chiropractic care for your back pain!

If you suffer from chronic back pain that is interfering with your everyday life (for example: preventing you from getting a good night's sleep or making it difficult for you to go about your daily activities), then chiropractic treatment might be something that would be beneficial to you.


What is back pain and what causes it?

The lower back is made up of bones (vertebrae), joints, discs, nerves, and soft tissues like muscles and ligaments. These can all be affected by injury or pressure over time causing chronic pain in the area. This type of pain may also be due to an accident, such as a fall. In this case, there is often more damage that needs repair - which can take time!

This type of pain may also be from being overweight or obese. Carrying around extra weight puts a lot of pressure on the lower back and spine, making it very difficult for them to heal properly.

There are also many other factors that can contribute to back pain, such as arthritis and osteoporosis; accidents; obesity; poor posture (which puts more pressure on your lower back); or even aging.


Back pain can be classified as acute (recent) or chronic (ongoing).

  • Acute back pain is usually the result of a specific event or incident, such as falling on your back. It can also develop after an injury to the lower extremities in which you are not able to move properly for extended periods of time. This puts stress and strain on your spine, resulting in pain.

  • Chronic back pain is usually the result of a more serious injury or event, such as being involved in an accident. It can also develop from long periods of time where you are not able to move properly and this puts stress and strain on your spine, resulting in pain. Chronic lower back pain tends to be persistent because there might have been some damage done to the spine that was not completely repaired.

Is it safe to get adjusted when pregnant or breastfeeding?



The alignment of the spine is important for growing babies as well as those who are breastfeeding. That being said, it's usually recommended that you avoid chiropractic care during the first trimester unless there is a serious issue going on with your pregnancy or birth.

During the second and third trimesters, your doctor will likely be able to help you manage pain through massage, yoga, and exercise. If these measures don't work for whatever reason, Chiropractors may be able to offer support in the form of adjustments- but check with us first!

It's usually recommended that pregnant women avoid chiropractic care during their first trimester unless there is a serious issue going on with their pregnancy.


Can I go to a chiropractor if I have a medical condition?

Depending on what your health issue is, it may be possible for you to see the benefits of natural medicine with professional guidance. You should always tell us about any alternative therapies that you are considering so we can monitor how well things are going!

We recommend that you discuss any health concerns with your doctor before starting a chiropractic treatment plan. This will ensure that we can monitor how well things are going and determine whether or not this form of medicine is right for you!


Is there a Chiropractic treatment option for back pain?

The good news is - chiropractic care offers a natural way to help manage and treat chronic back pain.

Healthsprout has Chiropractors that are trained to help you get back pain relief. We can maximize your body's chances of a full recovery and eliminate any discomfort if possible!

We know how to work with all parts of your spine - from the top down - in order to make sure that everything is functioning correctly and there are no issues in the surrounding areas.

We can also offer advice on what you can do at home to support your recovery, such as: getting more rest; staying active but within your limits (don't push yourself too hard); doing gentle stretches, and strengthening exercises that are appropriate for you depending on where your pain is located; eating a healthy diet, and even working on improving your posture.

Also, we can help you understand what might be causing the pain in the first place, such as poor ergonomics at home or work (which means how things are positioned for comfort); stress which may not always manifest itself physically but takes a toll on your body anyway; lack of exercise; or even an underlying medical condition which you may not have been aware of.

Our Chiropractors will work with your body to make sure that everything is working properly and there are no issues in surrounding areas, making it more comfortable for you - where the pain is located!


How long does the typical treatment take?




The length of treatment will depend on how severe your symptoms are and what is causing them. For example - if you were in a car accident, it may take longer than someone who has poor posture at work.

But most people only need about 12 sessions to help manage their pain without surgery or drugs! You can also attend follow-up appointments if needed to make sure you are recovering well.

It may take longer if you are a chronic back pain sufferer, as there might have been more injury or damage that needs time to heal completely. Chronic back pain sufferers will likely need more treatment because there is often damage that needs time to heal completely. It can also depend on how quickly your spine recovers and what the cause of the problem was in the first place (for example, if you are overweight or obese it may take longer than someone with an underlying medical condition).

The good news is, our chiropractor will be able to tell you exactly how long treatment should last and what results to expect. You can also attend follow-up appointments for support!


Conclusion

Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine that focuses on the spine and its relationship to health. It has been found in studies to be effective for treating back pain, neck pain, headaches, and other related conditions. If you or someone close to you suffers from chronic back pain because of an injury or condition like scoliosis, we recommend seeking out chiropractic treatment as soon as


Visit us at HealthSprout Chiropractic & Wellness, Woodstock, GA. The sooner this Management and Treatment of Back Pain therapy begins working with your body’s natural healing process, the faster it can take away that nagging discomfort and get you feeling better again.


bottom of page