June:

Hi All!
We are excited about Summer here at Combs Chiropractic!
Nice warm, sunny weather brings people out of their houses to shed their winter skin and get active! Chiropractic goes hand in hand with being healthy and active.

This summer why not try to take a 20-30 minute walk every day?!? it makes you feel better AND its good for you!

There are SO MANY Benefits of walking!
Walking, like other exercise, can help you achieve a number of important health benefits, such as:
Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol)
Raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol)
Lower your blood pressure
Reduce your risk of or manage type 2 diabetes
Manage your weight
Improve your mood
Just to name a few!
(mayo clinic online)

Tip: Why not get a group of your friends together for a walk!? (Try asking a co-worker or someone from your neighborhood or church group.) Enjoy a visit with friends while you exercise. This also gives you accountability partners to keep you faithful to your routine!!

The "Popping" Sound

Another FAQ we answer here: What is that 'popping sound?'

Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound – just like when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in the gas bubbles being released. There is no pain involved!
-american chiropractic association

Is Chiropractic Safe?

A common worry among first time Chiropractic patients is about the risk involved when adjusting the spine. Here is just a little info that might ease those concerns:

Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects.

The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which helps relieve pressure and tension.

Neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure. There have been a few reports that have associated upper high-velocity neck manipulation with a certain kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection, but there is not yet a clear understanding of the connection. The occurrence appears to be very rare—1 in 5.85 million manipulations— based on the clinical reports and scientific studies to date. If you are visiting your doctor of chiropractic with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your doctor of chiropractic offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)(ie: Ibuprofin, aspirin) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.
-American Chiropractic Association (ACA)

Subluxation

The most common thing that Dr. Combs treats is (some form of ) spinal subluxation.

Basically, a subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on the spinal nerve(s).

(if you want the longer definition: Officially, the definition of the chiropractic vertebral subluxation is: "A lesion or dysfunction in a joint or motion segment in which alignment, movement integrity and/or physiological function are altered, although contact between joint surfaces remains intact. It is essentially a functional entity, which may influence biomechanical and neural integrity." -wikipedia)

How does a subluxation irritate spinal nerves? Spinal nerves are the nerves that come out from between each of the bones in your spine. The pain that most people present with is cause from the subluxation interfering with the nerve. Sometimes this is only mildly painful, and sometimes this pain can be excruciating.

The WORST part about a subluxation is that when these spinal nerves are interfered with, then they do not always function properly when signals travel over them.

Your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body. When there is interference with the signals traveling over nerves, parts of your body may not get the proper nerve messages and will not be able to function at 100% of their abilities. Basically, some parts of your body may not be functioning properly.

General Chiropractic Info

*this site is authored and maintained by Ashley Combs*

Chiropractic
The basic concept behind Chiropractic is that the body has an amazing ability to heal itself. Chiropractic is centered around putting the body in the correct alignment, becuase subluxation of the spinal column or joints interferes with the body's proper function.

Here at Combs Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dr. Combs uses manipulation of the spinal column, joints and soft tissue to re-align the spinal column to achieve optimum body function.

Chiropractic is VERY safe, and there is very little risk invovled in Chiropractic!

Besides just adjusting, Chiropractors also use heat and ice therapy, electrical stimulation, rehabilitative exercises, dietary supplements and nutrition (just to name a few) in their treatment plans. Dr. Combs uses all of these facets in his practice.

If you need an appointment, please call 217-345-1010 today!

Welcome!

Welcome to Combs Chiropractic!
This site is authored and maintained by Ashley Combs, Not Dr. Brandon Combs.
Rather than a textbook explanation of Chiropractic, this is an easy to understand, open for questions blog intended to extend Chiropractic knowledge to friends, family, current patients and future patients.