Infographic Archives - Back in Shape Chiropractic

Fibromyalgia: Symptoms, Causes, Pain Management


Do You Have Fibromyalgia? Learn About Your Pain Management Options Do you have chronic muscle pain, especially abdominal and back pain? What about overwhelming fatigue? Numbness or tingling in your extremities? Stiffness? Insomnia? Headaches? Anxiety? Do these symptoms constantly shift Read more

7 Negative Effects of Poor Posture


Poor posture is more than just a pain in the neck. Poor posture can affect the body in a number of odd and unexpected ways. Other than the well-known cases of backaches and the serious unnatural spinal curvature, here Read more

What Different Kinds of Back Pain Are There?


Back pain seems like it should be a fairly simple concept—your back hurts, you want it to not hurt, you go to a professional where they fix you up and send you on your way. Except, like with most Read more

7 Negative Effects of Poor Posture

Dr. Leo Potetti Infographic , , ,

Poor posture is more than just a pain in the neck. Poor posture can affect the body in a number of odd and unexpected ways. Other than the well-known cases of backaches and the serious unnatural spinal curvature, here are 7 surprising negative effects that poor posture can cause.

  1. Chronic Headaches
    Poor Posture Back in Shape Chiropractic

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    Poor posture causes muscle strains and poor oxygen flow which will leave you with headaches. Next time you have a headache, straighten up before you reach for the Advil.

  1. Added Stress
    A Harvard study compared the hormone levels of people that developed a strong posture and of those who continued slouching. It was determined that the participants with good posture showed a 20% increase in testosterone levels and a 25% cortisone level decrease. Whereas, the slouchers showed a 10% decrease in testosterone and a 15% increase in cortisone levels. Besides the fact that slouching can lead to a hormone imbalance, it was also shown to lead to poor oxygen flow and increased heart rate. You will ultimately find yourself having lower self-confidence and high-stress.
  2. Constipation
    Continuous poor posture has a huge impact on the digestive system. As you slouch over at your computer desk throughout the work week, you are actually compressing the digestive organs and hindering their job of breaking down food. This could lead to a dangerous long-term issue with processing the food you eat.
  1. Increases Risk of Death and Disease
    Over time, constipation will lead to dangerous metabolic issues possibly leading to death. Other studies from several countries found that those who had consistent poor posture showed a 147% increase in developing cardiovascular disease along with an increased risk of diabetes.
  1. Depression

Researchers directed a study involving over 100 university students in which the students were asked to rate their depression. They were then split up into groups and asked to either slouch or skip down the hall and then after reporting their experience they would switch and do the other. Overall, the results concluded that those who slouched had a negative impact on their mood and the skippers had a positive impact on mood and energy levels. The students who reported chronic depression rather than situational depression showed a much more negative impact. It was determined that slouching leads to low energy levels and depressive thinking. If this is something you struggle with try fixing your posture.

  1. Spider Veins

Slumping over all day makes it difficult for the blood in the body to properly circulate. Poor circulation will actually lead to the development of varicose veins (spider veins).

  1. Appearing Overweight
    Sitting and slouching will cause you to look overweight because you are forcing your organs to squish down into a smaller space. The organs will push forward and make you look fat.

 When we stand rather than sit we actually burn 20% more calories, develop stronger muscles, boost our metabolism, look better and feel better along with countless other benefits. You must practice having good posture – your life depends on it.

Call Back in Shape Chiropractic today to learn more about how chiropractic care can help you to develop good posture.

Back in Shape Chiropractic
4673 Old Grand Ave
Gurnee, IL 60031


Do I Have Sciatica?

Dr. Leo Potetti Infographic , , , , ,

Between the ages of 30 and 50 years old we spend most of our time working. It’s no coincidence that these are the years we are most likely to develop back pain and conditions like sciatica. Whether we are on our feet 12 hours a day or we spend that time sitting in a chair, we are likely to fight the battle of back pain and or nerve damage.

As sciatica is generally self-diagnosable, “Back in Shape Chiropractic” would like to save you the initial trip to the physician by telling you everything you need to know along with the symptoms and causes.

Symptoms

Sciatica pain can affect the lower back, hip and extends through one leg and sometimes down to the toes. Sciatica generally does not affect both sides of the body at the same time.

Common Types of Sciatica Pain

The type of pain or discomfort you feel may vary from mild to severe, radiating, jolting or sharp.

Sometimes you may feel a tingling or numbness throughout one of your legs. Other times you may feel a quick, sharp or burning sensation with an intense discomfort.

Some sciatica patients describe it as an “electric pulse” or “searing pain” from the lower back down through the thigh of one leg.

Other Signs you may have Sciatica

  1. Lower back pain
  2. Weakness or numbness in one leg, knee or foot
  3. Hip pain
  4. Shooting pain down one leg
  5. Pain on one side of buttocks when sitting
  6. In severe cases, loss of bladder control

Causes

Sciatica may be the result of the degeneration of an intervertebral disc which are the cushion between vertebrae. However it is most commonly caused by compression of spinal nerves in the roots of the lower lumbar spine. In other words, a pinched nerve. This may be caused by either a herniated or slipped disc or as a result of an injury.

Things that may worsen sciatica

  1. Being overweight
  2. Lack of exercise
  3. Using a mattress that is not stiff enough
  4. Wearing high heels

Treatment

While you may have heard that sciatica requires surgery, it doesn’t. Chiropractors are trained to help your body heal itself without any medication or surgery, even for sciatica. With a non-invasive and drug-free treatment you can get your back in shape in no time. Depending on the severity of your sciatica, you may require one of the following treatments:

Types of Chiropractic Treatments

  1. Ice/Cold Therapy
  2. Ultrasound
  3. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
  4. Spinal Adjustment
Do I Have Sciatica by Back in Shape Chiropractic

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