When you hear the phrase “workers compensation,” do you automatically think of dramatic spills off of rooftops or horrifying accidents involving power tools? While these kinds of events can and do occur in certain industrial environments, workplace injuries often take much less dramatic yet equally debilitating forms. Fortunately, we are experienced with workers comp cases here at Advanced Spinal Rehab and Wellness, and our chiropractic techniques can effectively treat a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries suffered on the job.

Job-related threats to your health may lurk unnoticed for years until you finally manifest symptoms of a painful chronic injury. Repetitive motion injuries commonly occur among office workers who sit at the wrong angle to their keyboard or monitor. Over time, the awkward contortions these workers must use to see and type lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, neck strain, headaches and back pain.

On the more dramatic end of the spectrum, accidents do happen, and some of them can do significant damage to your spine. If you drive for a living and get into a collision with another vehicle, for example, you may experience whiplash. A small slip when lifting a heavy object can cause your lower back to shift out of alignment, leaving you with possible herniated discs, strained muscles or a pinched sciatic nerve. Falling on your feet from a great height can jar and compress your spinal column.

Accident Injury and Workers Compensation Cases

Bring your accident injury or other job-related ailment to us at Advanced Spinal Rehab and Wellness Center. Our chiropractor, Dr. Darr, works with numerous workers comp patients, performing spinal adjustments such as mechanical traction that relieve pain and promote healing. Once your skeletal structure has resumed its correct alignment, we can also serve as your Westlake physical therapy center, prescribing corrective exercises aimed at rebuilding strength and flexibility in the injured tissues. We can even help you maintain your wellness at work by teaching you best practices for a healthy work routine.

Do you currently have a work-related injury? What symptoms did you first notice?

Westlake Chiropractor's Tips to Prevent Back Pain

Nearly 80 % of adults report having suffered from backaches at some point. In fact, our chiropractor, Dr. Darr, has helped many Westlake back pain sufferers achieve lasting pain relief. Our main goal, however, is to help you avoid backaches altogether, so we offer the following three tips for prevention:

Three Tips for Back Pain Prevention

1. Posture—No matter what your daily routine, we can suggest proper ways of sitting, standing, lifting and working. When lifting, always use your legs to bear the weight. Keep your back straight and your abs tight. If you sit at a desk, get a chair with lumbar support, and sit straight up and into it so that your torso and legs form a 90-degree angle. Whatever you do, do not slouch!

2. Strengthen Your Core—A strong, flexible back better resists injury. Exercise regularly and focus on strengthening core muscles in the back and abs. Before starting a new exercise regimen, talk with Dr. Darr and our physical therapy team for a chiropractic evaluation about what exercises would work best for you. We can teach you the correct form, which will help prevent injuries.

3. Bedding—A good night’s sleep is critical to good health, but do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with a sore back? You may need to get a mattress that provides better support for your spine. Also use a pillow that supports your neck in a neutral position. Many find that sleeping with a body pillow tucked between their knees also takes strain off of the back muscles.

These are just a few of our tips. There is no reason to keep suffering. Spinal adjustments, massage therapy and other therapies can make you feel at ease again.

What other things can you do to prevent back pain? What works for you?

Healing Touch Therapy in Westlake

Massage therapy often provides the healing touch for pain patients in Westlake, OH. At Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center, we offer many treatment options, including deep tissue, trigger point and hot stone therapy. Whether you’re recovering from an accident injury or seeking relief from chronic stress and anxiety, Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center can help you conquer your symptoms and get back to the activities you love.

From Back Pain to Stress Relief:
A Treatment that Works

Between work deadlines, financial woes and unexpected life changes, stress is a growing epidemic in America. More than an unpleasant sensation, stress can have disastrous effects on the immune system" width="300" align="right" height="199">, heart and blood pressure. Muscle tension, headaches, neck pain and increased sweating are all physical manifestations of stress. The manual therapeutic techniques offered at Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center target both the physical and mental aspects of stress by relieving tension in the body and calming the mind.

Pain may arise from injuries as well as health conditions like arthritis and chronic fatigue. Sometimes, no obvious cause can be found. Unlike mainstream medicine--which relies on medications and surgeries to treat pain--our clinic offers a wide range of holistic therapies proven to safely alleviate chronic pain. Hot stone therapy and trigger point therapy are a few of the treatments offered at Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center. These natural therapies work by triggering the release of endorphins and other pain-relieving chemicals in the brain, resulting in feelings of well-being and relaxation.

Healing touch therapy is more than just relaxing—it has medical benefits too. Evidence suggests that it may be helpful for relieving symptoms associated with depression and anxiety, poor immunity and high blood pressure. Whether you’re an athlete with a strained shoulder or a senior living with lower back pain, Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center offers therapeutic massage to treat your condition. We see patients from Westlake, Bay Village, Rocky River, Fairview Park, North Olmsted and the surrounding neighborhoods.

How long has it been since you've reaped the benefits of a long, relaxing massage?

Arthritis occurs when a person's joints become inflamed and damaged. The damage can take place over time or occur as a result of an auto-immune disorder. People suffering from the condition often benefit from chiropractic care, physical therapy and therapeutic massage. At Advanced Spinal Rehab and Wellness Center in Westlake, OH, our chiropractor and massage therapist can provide relief from the pain associated with arthritis.

Causes and Types of Arthritis

There are two main types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis typically occurs as people get older. The cartilage in the joints becomes worn down, so that the bones rub together, leading to pain and trouble moving. Stiff joints are a common symptom. In some cases, osteoarthritis occurs as a result of injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder. The immune system attacks synovium, the membrane in the joint that is responsible for providing lubrication. A person with the condition has pain in her joints as well as swelling and redness. Over time, the cartridge and bones can be destroyed.

Treatments Include Adjustments, Physical Therapy
and Massage

At our Westlake clinic, our team offers therapy and chiropractic care to help patients with arthritis. Spinal and joint manipulations help adjust and realign the joints, leading to a reduction in pain or stiffness. Over time, regular manipulations and adjustments encourage the body to heal itself, as fluids are able to move more freely through the body.

In some instances, physical therapy is beneficial for patients with arthritis. Exercises can build muscle strength and restore range of motion and flexibility. Certain therapies such as heat therapy or ultrasound therapy can also ease pain.

Our clinic has two licensed massage therapists on staff to help patients heal and feel relief from arthritis. Therapy at our clinic ranges from deep tissue massages to a light touch to encourage the body to heal. If you are seeing our chiropractor for adjustments, our team will work together to develop a plan of massage and manipulations that work well together. We see patients from Westlake, Bay Village, Rocky River, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, and the surrounding communities. 

Do you suffer from arthritis? What treatments have helped you?

Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center Introduces Our New Blog

We are glad to have you stop by to see the initial blog here at Advanced Spinal Rehab & Wellness Center! We are pleased to serve the Westlake, Ohio area as well as the western suburbs of Cleveland: Bay Village, Rocky River, North Olmsted, and Fairview Park. Our chiropractor, Dr. Michael Darr, D.C. is experienced in treating all types of pain and mobility problems.

Physical Therapy, Massage, and Chiropractic Care

Our chiropractor, Dr Darr, and our chiropractic staff provide spinal adjustments, physical therapy, spinal decompression for Westlake back pain, therapeutic massage, and corrective exercises. Each treatment plan we offer is customized to meet your individual needs. We also offer advanced physiotherapy options including ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, microamperage electrical muscle stimulation, mechanical traction, cryotherapy, heat therapy and parrafin baths. We also offer a work hardening rehabilitation program which is designed help injured patients with function and conditioning issues that are impacting their ability to work. This program is geared to help patients meet the specific physical demands of their job as quickly as possible again.

Our patients vary in age and may be suffering from nearly any type of injury. Since so many injuries actually arise from an imbalance within the spine, we are able to rapidly help you on the road to feeling well again. We can help with auto accident injury, workers compensation injuries, the chronic pain of arthritis, headache pain, and general malaise or fatigue.

We understand that physical therapy and spinal care might be a new concept for some of our patients, and we are devoted to making sure our patients get all the information they need via this blog. Of course, please always ask us any questions when you're here in the office, but feel free to post your inquiries right here! We will get back to you in future blogs!

What would you like to know about spine care, physical therapy, or wellness?