Cleary Family Chiropractic: Blog

Do you suffer from soreness in your upper back? You’re not alone; although the condition is not as common as lower back pain, it is still widespread. Upper back pain is usually a condition that builds up over time. We can treat it safely and quickly at Cleary Family Chiropractic in Woodstock, but we want our patients to understand why preventive care and lifestyle changes are so important for avoiding relapses. The twelve vertebrae of the thoracic region have less mobility than those in the neck or lumbar region. Their connection to the ribs makes them more stable, and the powerful muscles of the shoulder wrap around the upper thoracic vertebrae. Still, they may develop arthritis or degenerative disc disease, and irritation in the shoulder muscles may be felt in the upper back. People also commonly wear out the connective tissues in their upper backs by slouching in cars or office chairs and neglect to keep the muscles there strong. If a nerve root in the thoracic spine is compressed,...

Back pain and neck pain may arise from conditions that build up over time, but are triggered by a particular event. Often, the event that finally strains a muscle or ruptures a disc is an accident while the patient is carrying something heavy. We employ a wide variety of treatments at Cleary Family Chiropractic in Woodstock, but we also highly value prevention. When lifting heavy loads, there are some key safety tips we want our patients to keep in mind. Before you attempt to lift an object make sure the entire path between it and your destination is clear and that all the doors are propped open. Know which way you’ll need the object to face when you set it down, and wear slip-resistant shoes. Before lifting the object, feel it out to determine its center of gravity. To lift it, squat down and then propel yourself upward slowly with your legs. You should carry the thing resting against your chest and at your body’s vertical midline. While walking, keep your head up. When you have to go...