Category: Uncategorized

4 Tips For Preventing Bicycle Injuries

With the rise of stationary biking, spinning classes, and road biking during Florida’s warmer months, cycling can be an amazing way to stay in shape. However, improper bike ergonomics can lead to a myriad of injuries. Impact Medical of Tampa shares four ways to prevent bicycle injuries so you can keep riding.

1. Riding position

Riders can prevent bike-related injuries by ensuring they have proper positioning. Uneven positioning of a cyclist’s body when riding can spark neck and back pain that generally involves neck overextension and lower back hunching. This may occur for several reasons but generally, a lack of hamstring stretching can force the spine to arch and your head to extend backward. Regular stretching pre- and post-ride paired with consistent chiropractic care are two essential prevention strategies.

2. Handlebar height

Often a miscalculation of handlebar height can cause neck, shoulder, hand, and wrist pain. To avoid this, riders should make certain that they have proper handlebar ergonomics. Handlebars should be positioned so that the rider can bend their elbows while using all of the positions of the gears and handlebars. Some riders choose to wear padded gloves while riding to reduce pressure on the median nerve. This allows any shock from the ground to be absorbed by the elbow rather than the forearm or wrist.

3. Saddle placement

Saddle placement is essential for injury prevention. A level seat should support total body weight while also allowing for repositioning. A tilted seat may cause the rider to slide backward and then overcompensate to maintain evenness. This can build stress on the lower back, wrists, knees, and hands. Prevent this by confirming the bike seat is at the right height with this exercise. When pedaling forward, notice if the balls of your feet are over the pedal and there is a slight bend in the knee with every acceleration.

4. Pedal ergonomics

A difference in leg length caused by poor pedal ergonomics can lead to several injuries. Uneven distribution may cause the rider to twist improperly on the bike, stretching one leg over the other to cause hip strain. To prevent this, check on improper foot positioning that can lead to pain outside the knee area. Wearing the correct bike shoes are also critical for even pressure distribution on the feet.

Are you a cyclist interested in learning more about preventative chiropractic care? The Impact Medical Group of Tampa team is a progressive, multi-disciplinary medical practice dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of every patient we have the pleasure of treating. Call us at (813) 283-1910 to make an appointment today!

Are Noisy Joints Normal?

We’ve all experienced it—knees that snap when standing up or bending down, a neck that cracks when we turn our head, or ankles that pop when rotated.

Often, the sound of your joints cracking can be loud, and you might be worried about it. But rest assured, while creaking and snapping joints might be annoying, they are usually nothing to worry about.

Our team at Impact Med Zephyrhills discusses why joints creak and snap and if these noises are coupled with pain or swelling, it could be time to see a doctor.

Why Do Joints Make Noise?

As you get older, you might notice that your joints seem to be making more noise. As you age, the cartilage between the joints wears away as part of the normal aging process. The surfaces get a little rougher and you might notice more noise when they rub together.

Joint sounds can come and go as well depending on how you position your body when you sit or sleep as well as how you use your body when you move or are active.

Bottom line? It’s normal for your joints to make noise.

Where Does the Sound Come From?

There are a few reasons why your joints might pop and crack. If you are at the gym doing repetitive exercise, such as lifting heavy weights or doing pushups, you might notice a soft snapping or clicking when you bend your arm or leg.

This sound is usually caused by tight muscles rubbing and causing friction around the bone. This could also be caused by tendons rubbing over a bone. Try some gentle stretching and over time the snapping should decrease or disappear altogether.

When It’s Painful

If you notice a popping or cracking noise in conjunction with pain, you should see a doctor as you could have a chronic condition or injury.

Arthritis

Arthritis in the joints is a normal part of the aging process and the sounds you hear may be the result of arthritic damage to the bone or cartilage. Various types of arthritis can also cause swelling which can change how the joints of the body move.

Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear type of arthritis that typically affects people as they age. The breakdown of the cartilage in the joints causes swelling and pain.

Meniscus Tears

The meniscus is the thin layer of cartilage that sits in between the weight-bearing joints of your femur or tibia. If the cushion is torn, the shredded or detached edges will get caught during movement causing swelling, pain, and popping or clicking noises.

Other joint problems may signal potential problems including:

• A grinding or grating noise called crepitus is often an indication of arthritis
• Tendons near joints rubbing over bones
• Bursa, the small lubricating sacs of fluid around the joints can become inflamed and cause rubbing or snapping sounds.

If you are experiencing any pain that coincides with popping or cracking joints, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Impact Medical Zephyrhills.

Treating Creaky Joints

If the sounds coming from your joints aren’t causing pain, loss of motion, swelling, or weakness, they are likely not serious. Often these symptoms can be treated with non-surgical care. Physical therapy and chiropractic care can be quite beneficial in strengthening and lessening any imbalances in the joints and muscles.

Further, if you can, be as active each day as possible. Your joints need to move to be properly lubricated, so exercise, stretch, and stay as active as you can.

Relief from Noisy Joints

If you have creaky or noisy joints, our physical therapy and chiropractic teams at Impact Med Zephyrhills can help create a plan to strengthen your joints, relieve joint stress, and set goals to keep you active.

Better health starts here at Impact Med Zephyrhills. Call Impact Med Zephyrhills for a physical therapy or chiropractic consultation today; (813) 706-5156!

How Does Nutrition Play a Role in Chiropractic Care?

Like with exercising, healing and improving your body through chiropractic care isn’t enough on its own. To see the full effects of your regular sessions, it’s vital to maintain a healthy diet. Just as good nutrients can assist your body for the better, harmful foods can revert all of your hard work. The knowledgeable chiropractors at Impact Medical Brandon are here to inform you on how a proper diet can aid your journey in chiropractic care.

The Good

When you maintain a healthy diet, you receive a boost to your immune system to fight off any illnesses that can cause wear and tear to your body. By warding off such illnesses, the healing process from your chiropractic visits will go much faster and smoother.

Protein for Muscle Recovery

Most damage that requires chiropractic care has to do with muscle tears. By consuming a steady amount of protein, you’ll speed up your muscle recovery and find relief sooner rather than later.

Calcium for Muscle Strength

While your muscles are in the recovery stage, you lose a good amount of your strength from not being able to exercise them properly. Calcium is the best way to regain the strength that you have lost and your regular physical activities won’t feel as draining.

Vitamin D for Back Pain Relief

As children, we’ve been told that drinking milk for vitamin D will make our bones big and strong. This includes the bones that make up your spinal cord. By strengthening your discs, your back can better support your body thus relieving any pain.

Vitamin B6 for Scoliosis Prevention

An effective way to prevent scoliosis is to incorporate vitamin B6 into your diet. Alternatively, a deficiency in vitamin C8 can also lead to scoliosis. While you can find these nutrients in naturally-grown ingredients, there are also many vitamin pills and supplements that provide you with your recommended dosage.

Antioxidants for a Clean Body

As stated earlier, it can be difficult for your body to recover through chiropractic care if it’s simultaneously fighting off an illness. Antioxidants are a great way to cleanse your body and boost your immune system. Many fruits such as berries, grapes, cherries, and pomegranates are high in antioxidants.

Fiber and Amino Acids for Higher Recovery Rate

If you wish to see a high recovery rate for your injuries, your body needs to be in functioning order. A regular intake of fiber and amino acids will ensure that your body is working as it should, paving the way for a fast recovery.

Water for Easing Pain and Inflammation

Lastly, we can’t stress the importance of water enough. Keeping your muscles hydrated is integral for allowing all of these other nutrients to effectively work their magic. While it’s tempting to add some sort of powder or syrup for flavor, plain water is necessary for maximum hydration thus calming inflammation.

The Bad

While it goes without saying that processed foods and foods with preservatives are counterintuitive to a healthy body, it’s still important to address a couple other factors that many people fail to keep in mind. Don’t let your chiropractic sessions go to waste! Heed our warning when it comes to terrible eating habits.

Increased Calorie Count Causes Stress on the Spine

The importance of watching your calorie intake is constantly overlooked. If you’re seeing a chiropractor for back pains, eating more than your daily allowance and gaining weight will only put more stress on your spinal cord thus making your situation much worse.

Processed Sugar Causes Inflammation

Most people already know to avoid sugar, but mainly for the reason of gaining weight. However, sugar can also increase the symptoms of inflammation. By reducing your sugar intake, you will most likely notice less pain and discomfort.

Get Nutritional Advice from An Expert!

The chiropractors at Impact Medical Brandon understand the importance of a healthy diet while going through recovery. When you begin your sessions with us, you’ll receive expert advice on what you should and shouldn’t eat for the fastest, most efficient results! Give us a call today at 813-522-8885 to set an appointment.

What Should I Expect When Receiving a Chiropractic Adjustment?

It’s common for people to seek out a chiropractor for help, but for what reason would you need to see a specialist and what can they do for you? The professionals at Impact Medical Cutler Bay are here to tell you what you can expect before, during, and after receiving a chiropractic adjustment so you can enjoy a healthier body.

What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the result of a sudden but controlled force of motion to a joint past its range of motion in order to coax it back into its natural position. While most procedures are carried out for spinal manipulation, these adjustments can be done to other joints in the body such as the neck, hips, and limbs.

Why Should I Seek a Chiropractor?

The most common reasons for looking to chiropractic care are for the relief of unpleasant symptoms like pain in the lower back, unbearable neck pain, and headaches or migraines. A visit to the chiropractor will improve your body’s overall physical function as well as your range of motion which may suffer from any impacts during an accident.

Before the Procedure

Before your chiropractor gets to work, they’ll first ask you some questions followed by a physical examination. They’ll ask you about your health history since there are few instances where chiropractic care is not recommended, a major example being a history of severe osteoporosis. A physical examination will consist of an evaluation of your posture and range of motion and in some cases, you may need a full x-ray. This stage is incredibly important because if there’s any reason that the procedure will do more harm than good, it’s best to know beforehand. However, it’s rare for people to not benefit from a chiropractic adjustment.

During the Procedure

Similar to a regular manual, you’ll be placed on a padded table designed specifically for chiropractic care. Depending on the work that needs to be done, you will need to lie face down for spinal adjustments or on your side for limb and hip adjustments. Your chiropractor will locate the problem area and perform a sudden push onto the joint either with their hands or a small tool. While it won’t be painful as long as you seek a professional, you’ll most likely hear a popping or cracking sound. This can sound alarming, but it’s completely normal.

What Happens After?

Although the timing of the results may vary between patients, you’ll most likely notice improvements in your body such as:

• Wider range of motion
• More flexibility
• Less stiffness
• Fewer or less severe headaches and migraines
• Reduced inflammation
• Ease of general pain and discomfort
• Improved posture
• Lack of pinched nerves

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to come back for more sessions in order to see the full results. Maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and getting good rest are also vital in seeing a speedy recovery.

The Best Chiropractor in Cutler Bay

Are you ready to see improvement in your body through chiropractic adjustments? Get your work done by an expert at Impact Medical Cutler Bay for the best results! We’ll guide you through the process and perform the procedure in a way that’s beneficial to your specific condition because we know that not everyone’s the same. Call us today at (305) 748-6020 to schedule an appointment for the best-personalized care you’ll experience in Cutler Bay.