CHIROCARELA.COM: Blog

As teenagers test their new strength, they have an opportunity to develop a life-long habit of healthy exercise. But they also need to learn where their limits are and how to build up their strength sustainably. Dr. Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, run a wellness-oriented clinic and are happy to help all patients avoid overuse injuries, as well as recover as quickly and completely as possible. For teenage athletes, there are a few specific concerns that need to be addressed.   Most back injuries in teen athletes are soft tissue strains. They tend to happen when the athlete didn’t warm up properly, which could happen if they weren’t planning on activity or only exercise intermittently. They’ll usually heal well if the athlete refrains from activity for a few days while icing them, and then gradually builds up the intensity of their work-outs. But if they want safe pain relief and to guard against scarring, we can provide electric muscle stimulation such as Acoustic Wave Therapy...

Are you careful to keep good posture while you drive or sit at your desk? If you aren’t, you risk developing a type of deformity chiropractors refer to as Upper Crossed Syndrome. The good news is that Upper Crossed Syndrome is almost always reversible, but the bad news is that it’s often a source of pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders, and upper back. Dr Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, utilize a variety of complementary treatments to help patients recover from the effects of bad posture. Let’s take a close look at Upper Crossed Syndrome and how non-invasive treatments can help.   In a person with Upper Crossed Syndrome, some of the muscles in their upper body have become overactive and tight, while others that are underused have become weak. If you were to imagine a person with Upper Crossed Syndrome as seen from their side, their overactive shoulder and chest muscles would form one diagonal line, and their underactive neck and upper back muscles would form an intersecting diago...

Herniated discs are extremely common and they don’t just cause soreness in the back; they can also compress nerves headed elsewhere in the body. Dr. Alajajian and his staff in Glendale, CA, provide patients with expert holistic treatment for symptoms and work to put the body in the best position to heal itself. But preventive care is also one of our priorities, so we want our patients to know more about disc degeneration.   The spinal discs are the shock absorbers in between the main bodies of articulated vertebrae. They are made up of a gel center, the nucleus pulposus, and a fibrous outer ring, the annulus fibrosus. Degenerative disc disease is different from a disc being injured by an acute injury, although it puts discs at greater risk of being damaged by a sudden blow. It is unclear why the discs lose water as people age, but as their shape changes, they tend to bulge outward and become less springy. When the annulus fibrosus ruptures, it releases inflammatory proteins, and the sw...

Back pain, stiff ligaments, and dislocated joints—this is what we usually associate with chiropractic care. But at ChiroCareLA.com located in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff believe in ensuring all patients’ overall wellness and that includes mental health. Here are four reasons why you should visit our office today for your mental health care.   A Mind-Body Connection Chiropractors believe the entire body is connected and at ChiroCareLA.com, our beliefs are no different. Our multidisciplinary approach to wellness puts a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection. This means no stone is unturned and we look at diet, massage therapies, exercise, and adjustments to provide a holistic treatment plan.   Decrease Pain Chronic pain has a tremendous effect on an individual’s mood and mental health. Your Glendale, CA chiropractor and staff provide non-invasive procedures to relieve pain that clouds the mind and causes mental health illnesses like depression or anxiety.   Relax...

With over a million Americans working from home due to coronavirus stay at home orders, more and more chiropractors are reporting a rise in clients with back pain problems. Located in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff specialize in non-invasive procedures that help alleviate back pain and body aches, but at the same time, believe prevention is key to ensure the overall health and wellness of his patients. Here are some tips that you can practice while working from home to save your body from aches, pain, and long term health issues. Avoid the Bed or Couch While it may seem like one of the perks of not attending meetings in a traditional office, using your bed or couch as a workplace can wreak havoc to your posture and allow for back pain, especially if you’re doing this daily. Instead, try to create a separation from your work and rest spaces by using a desk and chair and mimicking your normal workstation at the office as much as possible. When sitting in a chair, make s...

Whether it’s being able to see no matter where you are in a crowd or having a natural advantage in sports, tall people enjoy many advantages simply because of their physical stature. But according to the American Journal of Epidemiology , a towering height is also a disadvantage with tall people more likely to experience health issues like back and neck pain. Located in Glendale, CA Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff are passionate about treating patients of all shapes and sizes, including those who are tall. Here are three reasons why tall people may need chiropractic care and how we can help today! More Injury Prone Tall people are more likely to face serious injuries from everyday accidents and falls than the average person. With longer limbs and bodies, there’s more distance to the ground when a taller individual falls. This is why athletes who are lankier suffer from hip injuries and have a longer recovery time in contrast to the shorter athletes.  Spinal Injuries The taller you are...

According to People For Bikes, about 47.88 million Americans participated in bicycle riding in 2018. Cycling, a popular sport is only growing with thousands of riders today. Located in Glendale, CA Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff have a number of patients who are avid bicyclists. For more information, visit ChiroCareLA.com today! But first, here are five ways bicyclists benefit from chiropractic care. Correct Posture A biker’s position places more pressure on your neck and back. Your trusted Glendale, CA chiropractic team will evaluate your spine for misalignment and damage. Through a variety of spinal manipulations, we will correct your posture and provide different tips and tricks to maintain good spinal health the next time you get on a bicycle. Relieve Joint Pain Cycling places a strain on your joints, especially around the hip and knee areas. Using treatments like exercise and massage therapies, we loosen stiff muscles and strengthen your joints.  Treat Injuries Like any sport, ...

How to Save Your Back While Driving Your body is subjected to a lot of force in a moving car, especially behind the wheel as the driver. Without proper care and prevention, you may suffer from joint pain and long-term health issues. At ChiroCareLA.com in Glendale, CA, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff are passionate about preventative care, especially when it comes to the bad posture and body aches that come from driving. Here are a few tips and tricks to use the next time you’re on the road.  Adjust Your Seat One of the first steps to preventing bad posture while driving is adjusting your seat. Start by fixing your seat height, making sure you can see the road and dashboard. At the same time, your seat height should not strain your back or neck when bending down or turning towards the side. For shorter drivers, a cushion for more comfort and to reach the steering wheel is recommended. Keep your right foot relaxed on the pedals, with the heel touching the floor. Use the balls of your ...

Do you feel a shooting pain in your limbs or thorax? What about soreness in your back? Either kind of problem could be caused by a spinal spur. These bony growths form in response to inflammation and can compress nearby tissues, causing soreness and dysfunction. We offer a variety of complementary treatments for spinal spurs at ChiroCareLA.com in Glendale, but many of them require patient cooperation and lifestyle changes, so we want them to understand what they’re up against.   Inflammation is an immune system response that restricts the flow of toxin-filled blood and makes tissues more porous to antibodies. Unfortunately, prolonged inflammation can cause problems of its own, including the growth of bone spurs. When a person suffers from osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions and lubricates the joints between their vertebrae wears away. As the vertebrae rub against each other, their joint lining becomes inflamed, and spurs form. Likewise, when the spinal discs are herniated, the...

Although lower back pain and neck pain receive a lot of attention, upper back pain is also quite common.If your job requires you to sit in a chair all day, you may be at particular risk for developing a degenerative condition. Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff at ChiroCareLA.com in Glendale can help you recover quickly and safely, but first, we’ll have to determine the nature of the injury.   The twelve thoracic vertebrae are somewhat better protected than the rest of the spine from acute injuries. They are less mobile due to their connections to the ribs, and the upper thoracic vertebrae are supported by the shoulder muscles. However, the discs between them may degenerate, particularly if a person is older or often dehydrated, and the facet joints between them may develop arthritis. The muscles running between the vertebrae can also be worn down by overuse, or they may shorten from underuse. Nerves branching out of the thoracic vertebrae lead to the chest and abdomen, so a nerve root ...

If your job requires you to regularly carry heavy objects, you’ve hopefully been trained in doing so safely and follow those instructions. But if you only carry heavy things sporadically, you can easily make a mistake that will result in a back injury. People who have already suffered slipped discs are especially vulnerable, and we at ChiroCareLA.com in Glendale frequently see people with preventable injuries. Therefore, we wanted to provide some guidance on heavy lifting. Before you pick the heavy thing up, prop open all the doors between it and your destination. If possible, get a dolly, and wear shoes that have good traction. Make sure you’re not wearing anything that could snag, and that there are no upturned carpets or other walking hazards on your path. You may also want to do a short warm-up. When you pick up the object, get a feel for its center of weight before lifting it, and then use your legs to propel yourself upward from a squat. Keep the object at chest-level and center...

If you’ve got bruising around your tailbone, you may be in agony every time you sit down. But don’t be quick to ask for drugs or surgical treatment. At ChiroCareLA.com, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff regularly treat spinal injuries using safe, non-addictive instruments and therapeutic techniques. Without putting undue strain on yourself, you can receive treatments that reduce inflammation and prevent recurrences.   There are two structures made up of fused vertebrae at the base of the spine: the sacrum, which connects to the pelvis, and the coccyx, which hangs beneath it and tapers to a point. The coccyx is better known as the tailbone, and when the muscles and ligaments surrounding it are sensitive, doctors describe that as coccydynia. The coccyx helps to stabilize the deep muscles of the pelvis and is unlikely to crack. However, a person may still feel pain there if they suffer repeated blows during an activity such as horseback riding or cycling over rough terrain, or if they hav...

Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff at ChiroCareLA.com want the best for their patients. They work hard to greatly improve your quality of life. That’s why your friendly chiropractic team in Glendale, CA, treats Spinal Stenosis. This condition shrinks the spaces between your spine. It’s often painful and debilitating. We recommend you reach out to our office immediately.   Spinal stenosis starts with major spinal shifting. What happens is that the structures are jolted out of their normal positions. This is what causes the majority of the pain. The spine isn’t just out of place, it’s also now compressed in a tighter area. Painful symptoms are now a guarantee. Without proper evaluation and treatment from your Glendale chiropractor, your spine can’t function correctly. You need to see our team right away.   There are a few noted risk factors for developing spinal stenosis. The biggest indicator is age. As you get older, your vertebra naturally narrow. It’s due to your everyday use of the sp...

Maintaining an active life style can lower your chances of experiencing back and spinal pain. There a number of things we advise our patients at ChiroCareLA.com  to do so you avoid spinal pain and stay active. Stretching helps you to stay flexible and helps to increase joint function along with range of motion. Overall, there is a reduced chance of injury when you stretch your muscles before physical activity. Stretching is especially important for patients who work at an office to reduce back pain and prevent poor posture. Remember to keep your feet flat on the floor and your back firmly pressed against your chair. Other tips to a healthier spine include wearing supportive shoes, make sure your pillow supports your neck when you sleep, stand up straight, and hold your phone in your hand while making a call and do not press it against your eat with your shoulder. Following these tips will keep your spine healthier and reduced back pain. For any questions about the services we provide, ...

Therapeutic massages are a great way for patients to relax and relieve pain. During these massages our staff using manipulation techniques on deep layers of your muscles and connective tissue using different techniques to help your body heal and provide relaxation. During your massage, Dr. Jack Alajajian and staff apply different oils to your skin to massage your muscles and decrease muscle reflex activity. Before each massage, we ask our patients what type of pressure they want to be applied during the massage and specific area our staff should focus on. The pressure level varies from light to firm and it is important that you are comfortable with the pressure that is being applied. Because the time is yours, it is important to us that we spend the massage focusing on the areas that you want. We recommend therapeutic massages for patients who are dealing with everyday aches and pains or that just want to relax. After a massage your body will feel recharged and ready for any activity y...

At ChirocareLA.com, we advise our patients who suffer from back pain to reduce swelling by eating a healthier diet. Some fat in your diet is good but too much processed saturated fat can cause inflammation by interfering with the immune system and putting excess weight on joints. We also encourage our patients to limit their sugar consumption to the daily recommended value. Instead of processed foods, we encourage our patients to eat a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. A diet that contains more plant-based foods is less likely to cause inflammation. Reading the label at the grocery store is suggested so you can see which foods are full of processed fats.  If the item says “0% trans-fat” but the ingredients say “partially hydrogenated.” it means there is hidden saturated fat. Don’t forget, the food you eat determines how healthy your body is. The healthier you are the better chance you have of reducing inflammation and being pain-free! For any questions about ...

Having poor posture and back pain often go hand and hand. While back injuries may occur at the gym or doing something as simple as picking something off the ground, years of bad posture may have taken a toll on your back. Over time, putting unnecessary strain on your back adds up and can increase your back pain by up to 50%. Our doctors at Chiro Care LA encourage our patients to use chiropractic treatments to help with back pain and improve your posture. When possible, we encourage our patients who sit at work to stretch every half hour to keep your back loose and your muscles from tightening up. We recommend that our patients sit up straight with their backs to the chair and not slouching. Your computer screen should also be in direct line with your eyes with your feet on the floor. Our doctors want you to be as healthy as possible, which is why we encourage our patients to exercise for at least 30 minutes to an hour a day. Exercising helps to keep you healthy and your body from tight...

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work. It’s also one of the most common problems our patients here at ChiroCareLA.com experience. Dr. Jack Alajajian can help you identify any signs and symptoms of back pain.  Most of these include muscle ache, shooting or stabbing pain, pain that radiates down the leg and limited range of motion. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out for treatment. Dr. Alajajian provides a physical examination along with using imaging technology like x-rays in order to accurately pinpoint what is causing your pain. Don’t wait until the pain worsens.   There are two forms of back pain to watch out for. There is acute back pain, which comes on suddenly. This pain can last from a few days to a few weeks. This pain can become chronic if it lasts continuously for more than three months. When visiting ChiroCareLA.com for your back pain, Dr. Alajajian can examine your back and assess your ability to sit, stand, wal...

Chiropractic enables a body to function comfortably by using noninvasive means of realigning the musculoskeletal system. At ChirocareLA.com, we offer a full suite of treatments for the core and limbs, but since the spine is so important for the body’s overall function, we wanted our patients to understand the basics of how it is built.  Vertebrae are the bones of the back. Most of them are “articulated,” meaning that they move independently. The seven vertebrae that are located in the neck are called cervical vertebrae. They include the atlas, which moves the head up and down, and the axis, which moves it side to side. With the exception of those two, each articulated vertebrae is separated by a spongy disc that functions as a shock absorber. Below the neck are the twelve thoracic vertebrae that make up the upper back. They have additional joints for the ribs to connect to. The five lumbar vertebrae are the bones of the lower back. Below them are two structures in the pelvic region tha...