Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center: May 2017

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Exercising with Sciatica

Though sciatica could be caused by several things, there are some commonalities among the exercise treatments for it. At Dr. Kent Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, we commonly treat, via Chiropractic, the condition of sciatica by adjusting the spine to remove nerve pressure on surrounding hard and soft tissue impingement. We want our patients to be able to distinguish between which physiotherapy regimens will help and which will likely hurt them.

Therapy for sciatica is usually based on removing the nerve pressure to break the pain cycle, then strengthening the core and increasing flexibility. While it may be helpful to stretch, as we’ve discussed before, stretching before or as a warm-up will only put further strain on the muscles and ligaments. In general, it is better not to stretch in a way which compresses the spine forward or to do so only to a limited degree.

Core exercises are meant to strengthen both back and abdominal muscles. This is especially recommended when a herniated disc is confirmed as the cause of sciatica. Because crunches may not be recommended or only done in a modified form, these exercises will often include some form of planking. Aquatic aerobics are also a favorite of people recovering from sciatica.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

How to Lift Things Safely

People whose jobs regularly require them to lift heavy objects are at risk of wearing their backs out over time. On the positive side, they are usually familiar with safety protocol and can avoid the sudden, dramatic injuries people are thinking of when they talk about “throwing out their backs.” For those who do not regularly pick up heavy things, we want to provide some reminders of how to minimize their chance of hurting themselves.

The simplest part is to make inquiries about using a dolly. But if carrying an object is truly required, you would do well to get a feel for the object’s weight distribution before applying force to it. Stand as close to the object as possible, squat down in front of it, and propel yourself upward with your legs. This should be a steady movement, as should all movements made while carrying the object. The object should be kept at rib-level, and you should rotate your entire body while going around corners. It is inadvisable to twist the torso independently of the legs.

When lowering the object, try to place it somewhere it can be picked up again easily. Keep your head vertical when squatting back down, and get back up slowly after letting go.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center offers patients custom foot orthotics that can help improve posture, balance, and alignment. If you experience discomfort or feel unbalanced while walking, custom orthotics could help you. Custom foot orthotics fit into a pair of shoes like inserts you can find in a pharmacy, but are prescribed and custom-made by a chiropractor to target a patient’s specific needs.

When a chiropractor prescribes custom orthotics, a foot impression is taken from the patient. This impression allows the doctor to create a custom product for the patient’s particular needs. Orthotics are made to be worn on a daily basis during almost any activity, and we provide various types of orthotics to adapt to different lifestyles or sports. When worn consistently, custom orthotics help realign bones in the foot and ankle. This can take pressure off of other problem areas like the back, neck, shoulders, and hips. Custom foot orthotics are just one way to care for your chiropractic health. If you think you could benefit from custom foot orthotics, please give us a call.

Auto Accidents

Car accidents that aren’t major collisions are often overlooked by those involved. More worried about a car repair or being late for work, we don’t always stop to assess what damage may have been done to our bodies. Because of the sudden and unnatural movement of a body during a car accident, anyone involved should visit a chiropractor for evaluation. At Summit Chiropractic, we know some passengers feel the effects of whiplash injuries immediately following an accident, while others may walk away not feeling injured and experience pain later. This is why a chiropractor should always be consulted.

Most often, passengers involved in an accident experience either pain or stiffness in the neck and back. A chiropractor can evaluate these injuries, as well as treat damage to both hard and soft tissue. Depending on a patient’s evaluation the chiropractor may perform an adjustment, recommend a massage, or assign exercises to help heal a particular injury.

If you have been involved in a car accident of any severity, always take the time to see a chiropractor. Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Exercise to Reduce Stress

Chiropractic is all about using the link between the neural system and the rest of the body to improve overall health. This not only means adjustments, it means keeping the body in good shape to maintain a healthy mind. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, but it wasn’t always clear what the benefit of this is. Now, scientists are finding evidence that it improves memory and focus.

As people exercise, they stimulate the growth of new neural connections, combatting the effects of dementia and increasing the size of the hippocampus. (This is a crucial difference between increased blood flow due to exercise as opposed to the hormone-driven blood flow caused by chronic stress.) Exercise also boosts the chemicals associated with happiness and contentment while flushing out the ones associated with anxiety. Aerobic exercise has so far been found to be the most promising for improving health and prolonging life. People who practice mindfulness often use walking as a form of meditation.

Exercising on a regular basis is more beneficial than occasionally working out to the point of exhaustion. People who work in offices should use their breaks as a chance to loosen up their muscles (and take the strain off their backs). Ideally, people should exercise for at least one hundred and fifty minutes a week. That may sound like a lot, but it’s really only a little over twenty minutes every day.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Effects of Stress

Stress is the result of your brain’s attempt to save your body from a perilous situation. A flood of adrenaline helps you think faster and boosts your body’s performance. However, chronic stress will wear your body’s systems out and is a major contributing factor to much of what we treat at the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center.

In an attempt to supply oxygen to your body, a stressed heart will pump faster, increasing your blood pressure. But this also raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, as arteries harden and thicken in response to the demands put on them. High blood pressure can contribute to a stroke, but it can also contribute to mood changes or memory loss. Your muscles will also tighten up, which is painful and reduces their performance.

Another way in which stress actually hurts by causing the very things which adrenaline normally helps is by compromising the endocrine system. Stress stimulates the creation of cortisol, which causes the liver to produce more glucose. People who are unable to absorb a large amount of excess sugar are at risk of developing diabetes.

This discussion of stress is not meant to make patients feel even more stressed. Rather, it is meant to demonstrate the importance of seeking treatment and caring for one’s own needs.
Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Bulging Discs

In between your vertebrae are gel-filled discs that act as shock absorbers and assist in spinal movement. When a disc becomes damaged, it may bulge, pushing backward into the spinal canal. Bulging discs occur due to the weakening of the outer fibrous containment ring of the disc. Though they won’t disappear without surgery, they are treatable, and Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center can discuss non-invasive treatment options with you once your bulging disc is diagnosed.

Approximately 90% of bulging discs occur in the lower back. Bulging discs usually occur as a result of degenerative disc disease, but they can also arise from injury. There is usually no pain associated with bulging discs, but they can cause discomfort in various parts of the body. For example, if a bulging disc occurs in the lumbar spine, it can press against the sciatic nerve, radiating pain through the buttocks and down the leg. Following the diagnosis of a bulging disc, Dr. Kent Carlomagno will recommend treatments designed to relieve symptoms. Most of the time, symptoms that arise from a bulging disc will subside with conservative treatment such as therapeutic exercises or electrical muscle stimulation.

If you are experiencing pain as a result of a bulging disc, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Workers Compensation Injuries

Whether you’re on the road, playing a sport, or at work, accidents happen. Fortunately, at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, Dr. Kent Carlomagno is trained to handle underlying issues that potentially could be missed by medical doctors. In addition to uncovering underlying issues, he also handles the healing process without the need for addictive pain pills and potentially risky surgery. If you aren’t sure what type of injury is a work-related injury, allow us to inform you.

A work-related injury is an injury that occurs while doing something on behalf of your employer or otherwise in the course of employment. Most injuries that can be classified as work-related are those that occur at the workplace, but also may occur in company-owned trucks and other locations as long as the employee was doing something related to his or her job. Chiropractic is an excellent way of dealing with workers compensation issues. Locating the source of your injury could be the difference between fixing an issue and living with something for a long period of time.

If you’ve recently been injured at work, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

What is a Pinched Nerve?

Pinched nerves are one of the most common causes of pain we treat at the Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center. Though any nerve could theoretically become compressed, it is most common among nerves which lack insulation tissue to cushion them or which pass through the spinal column. The latter of these are often compressed by herniated discs, resulting in pain or numbness in both the location of the compression and the limbs which the compressed nerve travels to.

The nerves in the spinal column are not the only ones which can become compressed, but the symptoms in other parts of the body are similar. The joint are also high-risk areas, as are parts of the body which experience swelling or have internal scar tissue. Besides scar tissue or leaking spinal fluid, disc compression may be caused by normal bone tissue bearing down on nerves which have lost their protective coverings.

Most patients will require pain relief through chiropractic spinal adjustments and education about how to avoid a repeat episode. Dr. Kent Carlomagno is skilled in a number of chiropractic techniques and technologies which reduce irritating feelings associated with nerve compression and can advise patients on making changes to their posture through lifestyle modification.

Neck Pain from Everyday Activities

Generally, neck pain is defined as discomfort in any of the structures in the neck. These include the muscles, bones (vertebrae), and the disks between the bones. Usually, everyday activities are to blame for the cause. Such activities include bending over a desk for hours, poor posture while watching TV or reading, having your computer monitor positioned too high or too low, and sleeping in an uncomfortable position. If you are bothered by neck pain, please give Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center a call to discuss your treatment options.

At Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, Dr. Kent Carlomagno will perform a physical exam and ask about your neck pain, including how often it occurs and how much it hurts. When your neck is sore, you may have difficulty moving it, especially turning to one side. Many people describe this as having a stiff neck. If neck pain involves nerves, you may feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm, hand, or elsewhere.

If you are suffering from neck pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Spondylosis

As we age, spinal degeneration is almost inevitable, but when pain from spondylosis occurs it can make the degeneration unbearable. With age, the bones and ligaments in the spine wear, leading to bone spurs also known as osteoarthritis. Also, the intervertebral discs (such as those in the lower back) weaken, which can lead to disc herniation. Acute low back pain is manageable, but when it becomes chronic, other treatment methods need to be explored. This is why it’s important to visit Dr. Kent Carlomagno so he can properly diagnose you and develop a proper treatment plan.

Spondylosis is a degenerative spinal disorder that can label itself, “arthritis of the spine.” It can affect all regions of the spine but is common in the lower back and neck region near the sacroiliac joint. This disorder may develop as years of overusing the joints, ligaments and intervertebral discs go by. In some people, spondylosis causes back and neck pain due to nerve compression of the disc that has moved out of place. This pain can become chronic and cause muscle spasms, and trigger points. Dr. Kent Carlomagno may diagnose this condition with X-rays and explore non-invasive treatment options.

If you have chronic lower back pain, stop suffering and give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Although the body can repair most pinched nerve damage on its own, carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the instances in which Summit Chiropractic & Longevity Center most strongly urges sufferers to seek help in. Carpal tunnel syndrome, the system of ligaments, tendons, and bones through which most of the nerves of the hand pass, are incredibly complex and subject to constant pressure. Often, carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of repetitive work activities which patients avoid giving up until they have done irreversible damage.

Like other pinched nerves injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include pain, tingling, weakness, and feelings of shock which radiate away from the wrist and up the arm. The nerves in the thumb and first three fingers all pass through the carpal tunnel, join together, and then divide again in the neck, resulting in a number of different areas which can be affected. If any of the numerous tissues in or surrounding the tissue swell, the nerve will be pinched.

Dr. Carlomagno has a number of diagnostic tools, ranging from physical exams to x-rays, which we can use to evaluate carpal tunnel syndrome and identify where specifically which tissue is pressing which part of the nerve. Nerve gliding exercises are among the most widely recommended treatments, but patients will need a thorough examination to establish the best possible care plan.

Dr. Kent Carlomagno operates Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center at 710 C Street, Suite #12, San Rafael, California, 94901. To schedule an appointment, call 415-721-7520 or visit SummitChiro.net and fill out a contact sheet.

Sports Injuries and Chiropractic Care

Whether you’re a weekend athlete or a professional, there are two things you have in common with your fellow sportsman. All athletes want to have the best performance in their chosen sport, and all athletes can get injured. Many professional athletes are utilizing chiropractic care these days because they realize that it helps them maximize their athletic performance. Here at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, Dr. Kent Carlomagno can help you do just that.

Chiropractic offers a balanced approach to the treatment and the healing of sports injuries. In addition, chiropractic care offers great value in preventing injuries as well. It has been said that chiropractic care closely relates to the needs of the athlete because special attention is given to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves. This is because chiropractors such as Dr. Carlomagno have a longstanding history of treating musculoskeletal sports injuries.

If you think you’ve been injured and are considering chiropractic treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica most commonly occurs when a disc is herniated, bone spur’s on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis). It refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. The type of chiropractic therapy that Dr. Kent Carlomagno of Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center will provide depends on the cause of the patient’s sciatica.

Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases may resolve with chiropractic treatments over a course of a few weeks. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. Symptoms associated with this condition include burning, numbness, and even tingling sensations. When it comes to treatment, Dr. Carlomagno may recommend ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, and/or spinal, cold laser and the primary treatment adjustments to remove nerve pressure.

If you are experiencing pain in your legs or lower back, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

How to Warm-Up

At Dr. Kent Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Clinic, one of our guiding principles is that patients should be educated on how they can prevent problems before they require treatment. A great many of the issues we see with our patients’ soft tissues is due to their incorrect understanding of how to warm-up prior to working out. Often, this is due to an outdated education, so we thought we’d provide the current understanding.

Not every stretch is a warm-up. Static stretches, in which the patient holds a pose for several seconds, do not increase blood flow. Stretching muscles and tendons when they are cold actually causes them to stiffen and contract. These kinds of stretches should only be done after the patient has increased their heart rate through aerobic exercise. There are, however, dynamic stretches, which raise the heart rate and loosen up soft tissues at the same time. These include lunges, arm circles, and the way in which yoga is commonly practiced as a therapeutic exercise.

Other ways to increase blood flow are running in place and using a stationary bike. It will take several minutes of exercise for the body to warm-up, and more trying exercise should not be attempted until then. Patients need to understand that not every hurt is a good hurt; the strain following cold, static stretches is most definitely not good.

Chiropractic Approach to Scoliosis

At Dr. Carlomagno’s Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, scoliosis is one of the most common concerns parents have for their children. While nobody knows how to cure scoliosis, a chiropractic center is the best place to bring a patient. Our treatment approaches are minimally invasive and focus on actually improving the patient’s life, instead of enforcing superficial conformity.

Scoliosis is an unusual curve in the spine which most commonly occurs in adolescents without any apparent cause, though it is more common in girls. While checking for it, a doctor will want a patient to bend over (Adams Test) so that unevenness in the shoulders will be visible, or so that it will be obvious if the patient’s torso bends right or left. X-rays can be done for confirmation if there is visual evidence of scoliosis. However, even if a patient has an unusual spinal curvature, intervention may not be necessary. While scoliosis is more responsive to treatment if caught early, corrective braces have often caused more distress to patients than the condition itself, and in many cases, the braces’ result is not sustained after removal.

Besides causing a deformity which can make patients self-conscious, the biggest risks of scoliosis are that it will inhibit breathing or heart function. This is due to compromise of organ function due to the curvatures compression of the area involved and torsion and impingement to the nervous system. Therefore, a chiropractic approach to keeping the nerves functioning despite abnormalities in the spine is likely to be most helpful to a patient.

Sciatica Stretches

Sciatic nerve pain, referred to as sciatica, is pain that runs from the lower back, down each side of the buttocks, and down each leg. It is often felt with a shooting pain. At Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, CA, we can treat sciatica with adjustments. There are also some at-home stretches you can do to relieve pain. As always, stop these stretches if it makes the pain worse. It is a good idea to first talk about these stretches with your chiropractor if you are receiving treatment for sciatica.
Reclining Pigeon Pose

Lie on your back and bring your right leg up to a right angle. Grasp it behind your knee with both hands.
Bring up your left leg and place your right ankle on the knee of your left leg.
Hold for twenty seconds and then switch legs and repeat.

Knee to Opposite Shoulder

Lie on your back with your legs out in front of you.
Bring your right knee to your chest toward your left shoulder and hold for thirty seconds.
Push your knee back to the starting position. Repeat for a total of three reps.
Switch legs and repeat stretch.

Spinal Twist

Sit on the floor with your legs extended out in front of you.
Bend your right knee and place your right foot on the outside of your left knee.
Place your left elbow on the outside of your right knee as you turn your body toward the right.
Hold for thirty seconds, repeat three times.
Switch positons so your left leg is bent and you are twisting to the left, repeat three times.

Performing these stretches should take pressure off of your sciatic nerve and relieve pain. To schedule your next appointment at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, call our San Rafael, CA office at (415) 721-7520 or visit our website, www.summitchiro.net.

Adjustments

Probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about chiropractic is an adjustment also known as a manipulation. At Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center of San Rafael, CA, we perform adjustments for patients with misalignments, trauma, or just for keeping good spine health.
Adjustments are minor movements to the spine and the joints. When the spine or a joint is out of line, this is referred to as a subluxation. A subluxation can cause pain in itself and the surrounding nerves can also be painful as they are pinched or otherwise hindered. This not only causes pain; the disruption in the nerves then disrupts messages to and from the brain. Each vertebra has nerves that connect the brain to a different part of the body. Depending on where the subluxation is, the disrupted nerves can cause the corresponding body system to function improperly.

Chiropractors use their hands or a chiropractic instrument to move the spine or joint back into place, what we call an adjustment or manipulation. The movement is small and quick, rarely causing any discomfort. A cracking or popping sound may happen during the movement, which is nothing to be alarmed about. The noise is caused when gas leaves the joint. Many patients experience relief right away or soon afterward. Depending on your condition, the frequency of your adjustments will vary.

If you have been thinking of visiting a chiropractor, remember you can never see one too early. To schedule your appointment at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, CA, call our office at (415) 721-7520 or visit our website, www.summitchiro.net.

How Seasonal Mood Disorders Physically Affect You

It seems like just yesterday that our days were staying lighter longer, but due to daylight savings time, our early mornings are dark, once again. Although we gain one hour of sleep, this shift may not be such a welcome change for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a seasonal depression that occurs in the fall and winter and is caused, at least in part, by the lack of daylight during these seasons. Seasonal affective disorder can take a toll on your physical well-being and Dr. Kent Carlomagno is here to help before it reaches that point.

Although there is no specific diagnostic test for the illness, it is understood that symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include tiredness, fatigue, depression, irritability, body aches, poor sleep, and overeating as well as an overall decreased activity level. Because we lose an hour of sunlight, the wall clock may tell you it’s time to get out of bed, but your body’s internal clock says you should be resting. Excessive resting, however, leads to muscle aches and your physical functions can be greatly disrupted. When your body is in pain, Dr. Kent Carlomagno can treat your symptoms using non-surgical techniques.

If you are suffering from mood changes accompanied by physical pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Scoliosis Diagnosis

Scoliosis is a lateral (toward the side) curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. Scoliosis is usually mild and needs no treatment; however, for more severe cases treatments include a back brace or sometimes surgery to straighten the spine. At Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse.
Without an X-ray of the spine, there are several common physical symptoms that may indicate scoliosis. One of the most common tests for detecting scoliosis is called the Adam’s Forward Bend Test, in which the individual bends from the waist as if touching the toes. Dr. Kent Carlomagno will then observe for one or more of the following signs of scoliosis:

One shoulder is higher than the other
One shoulder blade sticks out more than the other
One side of the rib cage appears higher than the other
One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other
The waist appears uneven
The body tilts to one side
One leg may appear shorter than the other

If you have questions about scoliosis, please give us a call. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

What is Cold Laser Therapy?

Acute and chronic conditions can both be treated by cold laser therapy. Here at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, CA, we utilize cold laser therapy to help our patients get back to what is most important- life.

There are many different types of conditions that can benefit from cold laser therapy including arthritis, tendonitis, neck pain, and back pain. In addition, soft tissue injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia are also a few conditions that benefit from cold laser therapy.
Cold laser therapy can relieve pain, promote faster healing of injuries, reduce swelling and spasms, and increase functionality. This procedure involves emitting non-thermal light through the skin and into the tissue that is affected. The cold laser can react with all types of cells. The light reacts with elements in the cells and creates a photosynthesis-like reaction. The reaction creates energy and events in the cells that lead to faster healing, reduced pain, and reduced inflammation.

If pain is slowing you down, be sure to find out if cold laser therapy could help you. To schedule an appointment with Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, call our San Rafael, CA office at (415) 721-7520 or visit our website, www.summitchiro.net.

Why Core Strength is Important

A strong core is very important for your overall health. Here at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, CA, we want to give our patients tips for living a long and healthy life. Keep reading to learn why core strength is so important. Then, take a couple of our exercises to start building your core strength!

Why It’s Important
Your core is a very important part of your entire body structure. Balancing it with back strength helps keep good posture and helps keep away back pain. In addition, a strong core helps protect your organs and your spinal cord. One more vital reason for having a strong core is preventing injury. Core stability comes with strength, so while working out or just living everyday life, you will be safer with a strong core.

Sit-Ups
- For this classic ab exercise, start lying down with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keep your hands behind your head.
- Rise up using your abdominal muscles. Do not use your hands to pull on your neck or head.
- Once you reach the top, lie back down.
-Do 15 sit-ups and repeat for 3 rounds.

Circle Plank
- Start in plank position. This is like push-up position, hands under your shoulders, feet out. Support yourself with your core.
- Pull your right knee up to your chest and move it in a circle clockwise, then counterclockwise.
- Place your right leg back down.
- Do this 5 times with your right leg.
- Do this 5 times with your left leg.

Do these exercises two or three times per week to start building a strong core! To learn more about Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center of San Rafael, CA, call our office at (415) 721-7520 or visit our website, www.summitchiro.net.

Acute Pain Characteristics

We’ve all experienced different levels of pain. Acute pain, however, is a type of pain that typically lasts three weeks - three months, or pain that is directly related to soft tissue damage, such as a sprained ankle or even a paper cut. Acute pain is normal and it warns you that you’ve been injured. It has the ability to start suddenly but usually doesn’t last long. If you are experiencing acute pain in your back or your neck, you may have nerve inflammation requiring a chiropractic adjustment from Dr. Kent Carlomagno at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center.

The main characteristic to remember about acute pain is that it doesn’t last long. For example, if you burn yourself on the stove, the pain usually lasts up to a few days, if not a few hours. When the injury heals and you continue having pain beyond the time of expected recovery, that is when pain becomes chronic and that is what you want to avoid. Chronic pain can last for weeks, months, even years. This is why it’s important to let us know if your pain is lasting longer than expected- chronic pain is ongoing due to the inflammation being constantly re-aggravated.

If you are experiencing acute pain in your neck or back, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the conditions we treat and the services we provide at Summit Chiropractic Health and Longevity Center, visit www.summitchiro.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kent Carlomagno in San Rafael, CA, call 415-721-7520.

Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center