Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Many people of advanced age are interested in chiropractic and other so-called ‘alternative’ therapies for their purported benefits and low risks. Can the elderly visit a chiropractor? Elderly people, just like everyone else, need to assess the benefit and safety of any treatment they receive and they need to understand what that treatment entails prior to making that first appointment. That said, older people have special needs their doctor must take into consideration prior to applying treatment. Older people probably have more complicated health histories than their younger selves did, they may have more brittle bones and more arthritic joints. The Doctor of Chiropractic knows this and will apply appropriate measures to make sure the treatment corresponds to each person’s unique physical needs.

The answer to the questions is ‘Yes, the elderly can visit a chiropractor.’

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, Dr. Oskardmay will perform a thorough examination prior to creating a treatment plan or performing a spinal adjustment. This examination, consisting of: history, vital sign assessment, range of motion of and palpation of spine and extremities, orthopedic and neurological assessment of involved and connected areas, and necessary imaging and other tests; will give necessary information. Be prepared to also provide your chiropractor a list of medications and supplements you take- many medications and supplements, while helpful may have negative side-effects that need to be considered for your health’s sake.

Following the exam, your chiropractor will create a treatment plan, generally consisting of a plan to adjust vertebral bodies that are irritated and to sooth irritated areas with physical therapy modalities for several visits. The goals of the treatment plan will be to reduce spinal subluxations- spinal vertebral units that are inflamed and/or misaligned sending pain and irritation along their paths. Sometimes these subluxations are new, sometimes the subluxations have been negatively affecting the patient for many years- reducing their vitality and creating pain. The chiropractic adjustment helps reduce that subluxation, reduce the corresponding pain and improve the patient’s vitality.

The Elderly and Chiropractic

For older people who have delicate bones and joints, the best chiropractic adjustment therapy may be the gentle activator instrument adjustor, or another gentle technique sacral occipital technique. Gentle massage and physical therapy techniques such as cold or heat application, transcutaneous electrostimulation (TENS) application, ultrasound application may be prescribed and applied in office to relax and rehabilitate injured and irritated nerves, muscles and tissues.

Elderly people can, and should, visit a chiropractor. In our office, we love working with older patients and look forward to helping them return to greater levels of vitality with less pain- naturally. Call (919) 929-1400, email schedule@acudocnc.com or visit our website acudocnc.com to schedule your appointment today.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

During times of stress and hardship, many people experience abdominal irritation. As a chiropractic physician with over 25 years of experience, Dr.Oskardmay recognizes the vital role the stomach plays in health and the crucial connection between malaise and abdominal function. Whether hardship comes from physical pain such as back strain, headache or acid reflux, or mental suffering such as anxiety, depression, or loneliness, abdominal malfunction should not be ignored or coated with drugs that may have adverse side effects. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, Dr. Oskardmay strives to help each person achieve health naturally. Read more to learn about treatment of stomach pain with chiropractic medicine.

The stomach is the central part of our body and is also the center of the transformation of nutrients. Bacteria in the gut break down nutrients and enzymes assist in the process. Our food choices play a large role in stomach function because each food can benefit or injure these components. Protein and nutrient-rich foods provide many vital building blocks for good health. Probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt and tempeh support gut diversity and assist stomach function. Foods rich in fiber, such as most fruits and vegetables, provide a haven for these beneficial bacteria. Medications such as antibiotics, while sometimes useful, have been shown to reduce healthy gut flora diversity and can create an inflammation-prone gut. Likewise, foods high in sugar, preservatives, trans fats, and other unhealthy substances can also create an unstable digestive system. Dr. Oskardmay will discuss these topics with patients because she recognizes the pivotal role the stomach has in healing and mind-body health.

Chiropractic Evaluation of Stomach Pain Aides in Determining Where Problems Exist

There are three distinct internal areas of stomach control: myogenic or muscle, hormonal, and neural control. Muscles, hormones, and nerves work together to move food through the digestive system, breakdown the food, and absorb or release it from the body. Symptoms such as constipation, bloating, diarrhea, stomachache, even malnutrition indicate problems in the stomach and connected digestive pathways that need attention. Chiropractic evaluation of the spine and nervous system can help determine where problems exist in the nervous system and muscles.

A licensed chiropractic physician, Dr. Oskardmay, can provide chiropractic adjustments to irritated spinal segments impacting nerves that affect the stomach and digestive system to aid in healing. Additionally, she can apply massage and acupuncture where needed to restore vitality and nerve and blood flow. Stagnation from impaired nerve or muscle function or lack of movement impairs energy flow. In combination with rejuvenating massage and meridian therapy, the chiropractic adjustment supports good qi flow.

A healthy body and mind depend on a healthy stomach and digestive system. This is a central tenet of Chinese Medicine, and Dr. Oskardmay provides guidance and treatment of stomach pain with chiropractic medicine to support the central core. Call (919) 929-1400, email schedule@acudocnc.com or visit our website acudocnc.com to schedule your healthy appointment today. During this time of high stress during the pandemic, we take extra precautions to protect your office’s health. We sanitize surfaces regularly, maintain social distancing, and provide masks for all clients who need them. We care about you and look forward to serving your healthcare needs using natural chiropractic and ac

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

At the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, we appreciate referrals from many local medical doctors and the proximity of many fine medical establishments such as UNC Medical Center, Duke Medical Centers, and others. Many medical doctors understand that the chiropractic adjustment is safe when performed by licensed practitioners. Still, they appreciate the variety of techniques Dr. Oskardmay uses in her office to help people get well quickly and safely. Some medical doctors and patients alike may be concerned that some high-velocity chiropractic techniques would be unsafe or cause patients pain. Dr. Oskardmay utilizes both low velocity and high-velocity adjusting techniques depending on patient needs, so patients and referring physicians can rest assured she will provide safe, effective care to patients experiencing back or neck pain.

Many people over the age of 55 experience back pain and want to avoid drugs and surgery. At our office, Dr. Oskardmay provides hands-on and activator chiropractic spinal mobilization to reduce pain, restore pain-free range of motion, improve nerve flow, and postural integrity. The chiropractic adjustment is a very safe procedure. Patients who receive the treatment experience less pain and improved functionality in the short term and the long run. Patients interested in trying chiropractic can have confidence in their decision to use alternative medicine, which has none of the adverse side effects of traditional medical care such as drugs and surgery.

In fact, in the 2009 Journal of Manipulative and Physical Therapy, a peer-reviewed medical journal, an article entitled A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Two Types of Spinal Manipulation and Minimal Medical Conservative Care for Adults 55 and Older of Adults with Subacute or Chronic Low Back Pain discussed this topic. There are terrific benefits and safety from both high velocity and low-velocity adjustment procedures. Both techniques types performed at our office show marked improvement over other types of medical care for this population with back pain. Medical doctors want the best for their patients and appreciate the research-based conclusions that referral to our office benefits patients.

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, we love taking care of our patients safely and effectively using low-risk chiropractic techniques. Chiropractic helps to reduce back and neck pain naturally. The research highlighted in this JMPT article proves the safety and effectiveness of our treatments that thousands have already experienced.

If you or a loved one is looking for high-quality, safe, and effective acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC residents recommend. Call our office today to schedule an appointment. We are here for you!

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Approximately 9 million epidural steroid injections are performed annually in this country for back pain and other conditions.  Steroid injections appear not to be as safe nor as beneficial as some believe, but many people are unaware of the risks associated with this type of injection. At the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill, NC, we strive to educate patients and potential patients regarding the risk-benefits of different care types while providing effective, safe, and gentle care.  This post summarizes an article in the peer-reviewed medical Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery to clarify some of the severe side effects of epidural steroid injections.

An epidural steroid injection is a technique in which a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic are injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord. The article mentioned above, entitled A Retrospective Analysis of Vertebral Body Fracture Following Epidural Steroid Injections, shows that these injections do not yield long term benefits for patients. Equally problematic, this type of medical treatment increases spine bone fracture risk substantially, as summarized in this medical journal article. The risk of vertebral body fracture increases markedly with each injection received and, since patients frequently get several of these injections over time, this raises many flags. Natural, hands-on chiropractic and acupuncture care may be a better option for many persons.

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center and Acupuncture at Eastowne LLC, Dr. Oskardmay uses low force chiropractic adjustments, thumper massage, and acupuncture with patients who have back pain with the risk of fracture. Spinal mobilization at the hands of a licensed chiropractic physician such as Dr. Lisa Oskardmay improves vertebral motion and function in several important ways. It restores range of motion between vertebrae, reduces adhesions between spinal bones, and removes nerve compression to restore influence to affected organs and muscles. Spinal mobilization also relaxes connected muscles to reduce muscle pain and improve balance while causing the release of endorphins which relax the body-mind naturally.

Dr. Oskardmay is aware that persons who have received steroid epidural injections will be at higher risk of fracture, so she helps patients with pain reduction techniques that promote overall body wellness and pain reduction. As a wellness educator since 1995, when she opened her first chiropractic and acupuncture wellness center in Durham, NC, she teaches patients how to achieve a healthy lifestyle with exercise education, relaxation technique promotion, and nutrition support.

At our new office location at 205 Providence Rd. in Chapel Hill, NC, we are close by and available to help patients looking to achieve a healthier lifestyle with less pain and better overall health and well being. If you or a loved one is considering getting an epidural steroid injection, make sure that you understand the procedure’s risks and benefits. If you choose to receive natural healing treatments, contact our office today to make an appointment with a chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC patients recommend that supports body-mind wellness and reduces pain naturally. Call us at Acupractic.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Back pain afflicts millions of people and is a significant cause of disability. Medications such as over the counter and prescribed NSAIDs do not provide as much benefit as previously assumed, and they have serious side-effects.  Importantly as well, nerves exiting the spine suffer impingement with many types of back pain, contributing to additional problems that NSAIDS do not correct. At the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, we realize the need for effective back pain care because the spine affects so much of our health. A former researcher herself at the NIH, Dr. Oskardmay, understands the benefits of high-quality medical research and uses this to provide better care for patients every day.

Patients seeking relief from back pain look to their medical providers for assistance, and those providers rely on research to guide their decisions. When providers review high-quality news outlets such as Spine journal for information, they will find that the chiropractic adjustment provides safe and practical benefits for patients and feel comfortable referring patients for chiropractic care for back pain and other disorders.

A Spine article published in April of 2013 is called ‘Spinal High-Velocity Low Amplitude Manipulation in Acute Nonspecific Low Back Pain Versus Commonly Prescribed Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs.’ This study is of high value because it was randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled. The study reviewed several NSAIDs, such as Diclofenac, one of the most commonly prescribed NSAIDs for back pain- the first line of defense against back pain in many medical offices. Other standard tools include rest, PT, and surgery and, increasingly, chiropractic referral.

Researchers found that the chiropractic adjustment provides superior symptom relief when compared to placebo and when compared to NSAID use. Results were clinically significant and should provide patients and referring providers another avenue to back pain care besides NSAIDs, which don’t work as well and which have substantial adverse side effects. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center and Acupuncture at Eastowne, Dr. Oskardmay has provided quality care since 1995. She appreciates referrals from other local healthcare providers for situations of back pain and other conditions.

This research and other studies demonstrate the benefits of the hands-on chiropractic adjustment that many people have already discovered. The first research article related to chiropractic of this type is published in Spine journal, surprising perhaps since chiropractic is used by many patients worldwide. Nonetheless, medical research into the benefits of chiropractic is growing, and we look forward to additional research in the future.

For more information about chiropractic care, contact a chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC residents recommend. Call Acupractic, we love helping patients get well naturally, and Dr. Oskardmay appreciates the benefits of research to help her help patients every day.

Nature heals. The conclusion of many types of mental health practitioners is to increasingly recommend outdoor time in nature over medications to relieve stress and anxiety.  Stress and anxiety are significant culprits in many ailments- pain is worse with increases in either of these two troublesome conditions. At our chiropractic and acupuncture office here in Chapel Hill, NC, we incorporate natural themes throughout the facility to relax the mind and body. Dr. Oskardmay makes helpful suggestions to help you incorporate nature in your life, as well. Our goal to help you feel better naturally.

Chiropractic and acupuncture are natural health alternatives- they provide nature-based options to traditional medications and drug therapies. These hands-on therapies have fewer adverse side effects and provide practical, lasting relief for many conditions.  Dr. Oskardmay depends on skilled palpation and observation of the patient and thorough patient history evaluation to diagnose wherever possible.

Chiropractic perceives the flow of nerve energy through spinal subluxations- rocky impediments and teetering blockages that deprive downstream muscles, organs, and other tissues of nourishing energy. Dr. Oskardmay removes obstacles to healing via the chiropractic manual adjustment to restore nerve flow. As an acupuncturist and chiropractor in Chapel Hills, NC she uses massage techniques to relax and smooth taut muscles to relax the body-mind, reduce sympathetic flight-of-flight overload, and restore natural health.

Acupuncture treatment has many connections with nature, as well. Yin and yang are essential concepts that, generally, relate to the balance of all energies -hot and cold, fast and slow, hard and soft. Channels or meridians recognized by Chinese medicine acupuncture are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The balance and movement of corresponding energies along the meridians reflect regions of imbalance and stagnation, disease, and impairment. Being in nature builds yin, which reduces stress and strengthens the relaxation response. Dr. Oskardmay, like other acupuncturists, uses energetic channels to heal and incorporates natural themes to facilitate the process.

Beyond the outdoors, there are many local businesses with products that aid natural healing.  For instance, Weaver Street Market is a local Food Cooperative with organic foods and herbal remedies and ointments. Fleet Feet Active Feet in Carrboro is a local store that provides client foot evaluation for the best activewear shoe to enhance the outdoor experience. On a smaller scale, Carolina Cairn Company on Etsy sells handmade rock sculptures and other objects to incite relaxation and balance.

Wherever there is natural relaxation, there is a chance for healing. Choose your favorite natural respite to take the edge off; your mind and body will benefit. Call or email our chiropractic and acupuncture offices in Eastowne Hills of Chapel Hill for more information. Call Acupractic today.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, we heal shoulder and neck pain at its source. A trained chiropractic physician with over 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Oskardmay has helped thousands of Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh residents reduce neck and shoulder pain naturally, without drugs and surgery. We do this as we focus care on the source of the problem. The spine surrounds and protects the spinal cord. When the vertebral column is misaligned and inflamed, the neck and back and distal innervated areas suffer. The shoulder and neck frequently experience pain together because of this connection. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, we heal shoulder and neck pain at its source. A trained chiropractic physician with over 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. Oskardmay has helped thousands of Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh residents reduce neck and shoulder pain naturally, without drugs and surgery.

There are seven spinal segments in the neck and eight cervical nerves. The following discussion relates to the sixth nerve that arises from just above the sixth vertebra. Damage and irritation of this region affect many people. The sixth nerve arising from the lower part of the cervical spine sends nerve input to several vital areas, especially the rotator cuff muscles and muscles of the distal arm. Damage of the sixth cervical nerve from spine subluxation can result in nerve impingement. Subluxation will affect the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves coming from the lower neck to the shoulder, arms, and hands. The sixth cervical spinal nerve contributes fibers to peripheral nerves, including the long thoracic nerve, the medial and lateral pectoral nerves, the upper and lower scapular nerves, thoracodorsal nerve, medial cutaneous nerve, axillary nerve, and others.

Many people suffer from an impingement of this vital cervical spinal nerve segment due to its position in the delicate neck and overbending or twisting. Dr. Oskardmay understands the cause and implications of neck pain and is able to help with a combination of chiropractic adjustments, massage, and acupuncture.

Irritation of the sixth cervical spinal nerve can affect the function of muscles innervated by the segment via the aforementioned peripheral nerves. For instance, the rotator cuff muscle teres minor allows external rotation of the shoulder, such as throwing a baseball.  The triceps muscle enables us to straighten the arm and extend it backward, such as reaching the car’s back seat. The deltoid muscle is involved in flexion of the shoulder joint and rotating the shoulder inward as in reaching overhead or forward. Loss of any of these motions can indicate irritation of the sixth cervical spinal nerve. Be sure to tell Dr. Oskardmay about any loss of muscle strength as this can mean a level of spinal misalignment she can help fix.

Spinal misalignment and subluxation occur from many causes- spinal injury, overuse, twisting too quickly, sitting in a bent posture, sleep postures, to name a few. Pain in the neck and back at the level of subluxation frequently associates with misalignment, although not always. Additionally, there may be altered sensation- pins and needles, numbness, aches, even sharp pain, along the dermatome and other aspects of the distribution of the affected nerve root. The sensory delivery of the sixth cervical spinal nerve root is the anterior shoulder; many people with irritation of the sixth cervical vertebra level experience altered sensation in that region, though not always. Also, pain stemming from the shoulder joint itself transmits via the sixth cervical nerve root.

A licensed chiropractic physician and acupuncturist, Dr. Oskardmay, uses gentle, effective treatment methods to restore the body to health. Trained in hands-on spinal mobilization and the Activator Technique, she puts your spinal health first and can help reduce pain caused by the spinal disorder and other problems. Additionally, she employs beneficial soft tissue massage and other modalities to enhance treatment goals.

Dr. Oskardmay has helped thousands of Triangle residents learn the cause of their shoulder and arm pain. Contact our office today to see how a chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC locals recommend can help you get back to health today.