chiropractic

Chiropractic and Acupuncture Care for Senior Citizens

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Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

If you are an older person interested in chiropractic or acupuncture treatment and you have questions regarding its safety, we are here to help. At the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill, NC, we love working with people of every age. We believe that everyone deserves the benefits of health-promoting alternative medicine.  Dr. Oskardmay has trained in the most gentle, effective adjusting techniques, such as Activator Methods and SOT. We use modern equipment to facilitate care delivery in the safest, most comfortable fashion.

Dr. Oskardmay is a chiropractic physician and licensed acupuncturist and has worked with Triangle Residents since 1995 providing quality healthcare. She understands the needs of the elderly community and uses diagnosis and treatment methods that are equally gentle and effective. Patient safety is our utmost concern, and Dr. Oskardmay examines patients and reviews goals with patients before applying the treatment.

Our patients, office staff, and Dr. Lisa appreciate the proximity of UNC hospitals and other healthcare facilities. We can share information with them via the Patient Portal and even order lab tests or other diagnostics if needed.  If you have had diagnostic procedures such as MRIs, Xrays, CT scans, and even blood work, be sure to relay this information to Dr. Lisa.  Doing so will help her gain a full appreciation of your healthcare needs. Dr. Oskardmay enjoys assisting seniors in improving their lives using non-drug and non-surgical methods of healing. She emphasizes modalities and techniques that are very safe, gentle, and effective.

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, we have adaptive exam and treatment tables and chairs to provide comfort and facilitate movement. Our office is handicapped accessible and external proximate handicapped accessible parking is available for anyone who needs it. We strive to help everyone utilize complementary medicines chiropractic and acupuncture and help you work with your insurance company to receive the care you need, as well.

Dr. Oskardmay is trained in the art of palpation and diagnosis using both chiropractic and Chinese medicine methods. Palpation is the art of assessing structures beneath the skin using the touch method. This hands-on diagnostic method is a very useful, non-invasive, extremely safe, and low-tech way to gain a lot of information regarding one’s health. In addition to palpating the spine and surrounding structures, Dr. Lisa will assess the range of motion, pain level, and other health aspects of other areas of chief complaint. She examines to understand the individual limitations you experience and to help improve these areas. For instance, shoulder pain frequently relates to irritation of spinal vertebrae in the neck, whereas hip pain may relate to lumbar nerve problems. Treatment of related areas helps the whole body.

Fortunately, both chiropractic and acupuncture have excellent track records regarding safety and patient satisfaction for senior care.  You are in good hands.

For more information about chiropractic and acupuncture care for senior citizens, contact a chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC residents recommend from Acupractic.

Can I Seek a Chiropractor After a Personal Injury Accident?

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Chiropractic

When faced with injuries following a personal injury accident, it’s not uncommon to seek care from a chiropractor. If you are suffering from pain as the result of your personal injury, you may be significantly impacted as a result. Seeking medical treatment from a chiropractor can help to compliment treatments that may already be underway. Additionally, should you choose to take legal action, a chiropractor may be able to provide you with the necessary evidence to help prove your claim should you choose to pursue your case with a personal injury lawyer.

Common Types of Personal Injury Accidents

Personal injury cases are one of the most common types of accidents that may lead a person to pursue legal action against the negligent party. Many injury sufferers may choose chiropractic care to help manage injuries that have been the result of an accident. Common types of personal injuries people may turn to chiropractic care for include:

  • Car Accidents
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Workplace Accident
  • Injury on Someone’s Property (Premises Liability)
  • Slip and Fall Injuries
  • Assault

When facing damages following a personal injury, victims may choose to not only work with a lawyer to take legal action but also chiropractic care to help manage the healing process. As the result of these common personal injuries, victims stand to experience a number of medical issues that require medical treatment, such as:

  • Broken Bones
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Brain Injuries
  • Back Injuries

Obtaining treatment from a medical practitioner will be key to ensuring that you receive the necessary care for your injuries. Additional treatment from a chiropractor can assist in not only managing symptoms, but in providing you with medical documentation to support your case.

Treatment from a Chiropractor

Chiropractors administer treatments through spinal manipulation to help victims experience relief from the pain they may be experiencing. Through treatments, a chiropractor will aim to align the spine, which is believed to help encourage the healing process for injuries. A chiropractor may also utilize alternative medicines when treating patients. In many cases, victims can experience relief from the pain they are experiencing from an accident. Working with a chiropractor who understands the legal process you may have initiating can help, especially considering evidence that supports your case will be necessary. A chiropractor may be able to help with your accident case by:

  • Reviewing your injuries and determining if chiropractic care is the best course of action
  • Provide you with immediate treatment for your injuries
  • Produce detailed documentation outlining your injuries and treatments
  • Provide a detailed account of treatments and medical costs

Getting ahead of your personal injury through treatment from a chiropractor can assist in a number of ways. Not only may you have the ability to experience relief, but a chiropractor can also help provide you with a better understanding of your injuries, especially when considering taking legal action against the party responsible. In some cases, it may be beneficial to work with a personal injury lawyer to assist in reviewing your case to determine if legal action is an option for you. Contact a chiropractor so that you may begin your care for chiropractic in Rockville, MD receiving the ongoing medical treatments you may be in need of.  

Thanks to Pain Arthritis Relief Center for their insight into chiropractic care after a personal injury accident.

Tips for Snow Shoveling to Avoid Injury

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Shoveling snow can result in back injuries or worse. We all need to get out of the house eventually following a huge snowfall like the one we just experienced here in Durham, NC. Keep a few things in mind, however, prior to going outside to shovel that snow. Back injuries and heart attacks due to snow shoveling are all too common and can be avoided. When shoveling snow, take a moment to assess the situation and realize the job may take more time than you think. Don’t rush the process—hurrying will add to the possibility of falling as well as increase the stress of the situation. Get your warm high traction boots on, suit up, grab your shovel, and head outside once you’ve taken a few moments to consider how to best approach the task. Wet snow is going to be very heavy. When you dig your shovel down into the snow, assess how heavy each shovel full is before trying to lift it, especially if you plan to twist around and pile that shovel full to the side.Twisting with the added weight of snow can injure your back quickly; doing that repetitively can cause spinal joint irritation or even a herniated disc. You may not feel the effects of injury immediately due to the numbing effects of cold so be sure to take breaks periodically. Be aware of the amount of cardiac exercise involved in moving snow, as well. Crouching, digging, lifting and twisting heavy loads repeatedly in the cold puts a lot of strain on your heart, especially if you are stressed in a hurry. Stay safe out there!

Is the Chiropractic Adjustment Safe?

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Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Is Getting Your Back and Neck by a Chiropractor safe? Many people ask this important question before coming into our office. People understand that their spine and nerves are delicate and need to be protected- it seems dangerous to have your spine adjusted (colloquially `cracked` or `popped`) to improve your health- doesn’t it? And what is a chiropractor? Many people have heard that chiropractors `aren’t real doctors` because they don’t graduate from medical school, and they understandably question the hands-on nature of the adjustment when so many other doctors never touch them at all!

Nonetheless, chiropractic is an extremely safe treatment regimen that has helped millions of people worldwide achieve better health on many levels. The cracking noise many hear during an adjustment is the release of energy that was stuck in the spine and has been released. Chiropractors explain this to their patients. Following internship and graduation from a 4 year chiropractic postgraduate program, chiropractors take board exams similar to MDs and DOs. Chiropractors are licensed in every state and most countries worldwide. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is among the lowest in the healthcare industry. Most health insurance plans and medicare have recognized the value and safety of chiropractic care and cover it for their members.

Chiropractic care is a hands-on therapy that emphasizes balance and posture at the spinal level. Following history and examination, your chiropractor will identify problematic, inflamed vertebral units and apply therapy to these areas.  The chiropractic adjustment, when applied by a licensed, professional doctor of chiropractic (DC) mobilizes specific vertebral units with speed and a minimal force using hands-on techniques or with a precise instrument. Therapies such as massage, acupuncture, TENS or ultrasound relax and heal surrounding soft tissues provide additional support. Your chiropractor will provide home exercises and nutrition suggestions to empower you in maintaining your health. Acupuncture may be used to improve the healing response of the chiropractic adjustment, a very safe and quality treatment duo.

The major support of your body, the spine, is responsible for balance and posture. Misaligned vertebrae result in postural distortions and vertebral fusion over time resulting in painful immobility.  Additionally, spinal nerves exit between each vertebral unit at inter-vertebral foramen (IVF). Back pain or neck pain indicate a vertebral unit has become inflamed which impacts the spinal nerve at that level. Seemingly distant problems such as indigestion, headaches, shoulder, or knee pain can result from spinal nerve derangement and can be improved with spinal mobilization.

Everyone can benefit from having their spines checked by a chiropractor. Whether you have back pain or neck pain, headaches or discomfort anywhere in the body, or if you have concerns about your posture, you should make a spinal check appointment. Chiropractors appreciate referrals from their friends in the medical community who recognize the safety and value of this holistic treatment. Pain relieving drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgery have their place, but people who choose chiropractic first are relived at its safety and efficacy.

Our chiropractic and acupuncture office has been proudly serving the Durham and Chapel Hill community since 1995. For appointments call Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay

(919) 929-1400       email:   schedule@acudocnc.com          Contact us!

Your spine and nervous system benefit from safe effective chiropractic care.

 

Storms Affect Arthritis

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How does weather affect pain levels?  Many people say that they can tell when a storm is coming on because their arthritis flares up. Studies show that a 10 degree drop in temperature creates a commensurate increase in pain levels. A drop in barometric pressure makes people more physically uncomfortable. When it rains or humidity levels are high people also experience more pain. Arthritis can feel worse around the time a storm is brewing because factors that disturb the weather outside also increase inflammation in your body. Cold constricts already damaged joint surfaces causing more friction, humidity causes more swelling of already swollen areas and decreased barometric pressure irritates joints and muscles.

Arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints. A rheumatic condition, arthritis is associated with many things:  heredity and genetics, viruses, wear and tear, diet, immune system function, and stress. Joints affected may be widespread or limited to specific areas such as the hands, hips, feet, or back. Blood test markers such as ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) or CRP (C reactive protein) to measure inflammation will be elevated in arthritis. While stormy weather may make you want to stay in bed and eat comfort food, this may not be the best approach to reduce pain and inflammation.

When pain intrudes it is important to remember to move your body to reduce stagnation of systems that heal you. Prepare in advance to include a bit of movement in your daily plan on stormy days. This can include walking around the house, attending to chores, or venturing outside if weather permits. Movement will mobilize tissues, detoxify, and warm the body.

If cold worsens pain, try to stay warm. Wear warm clothes and socks and shoes in cold environments. If you can get to one, an infrared sauna can be very healing. A warm Epsom salt bath can deep heat your muscles, joints, and bones to reduce arthritis pain. Warmth will reduce cold in the body and help to detoxify.

When the weather is bad, eating well can improve your mood and mental state and reduce pain. To reduce inflammation, try to eat more naturally occurring fruits and vegetables which will provide you with lots of fiber and vitamin C and A to heal your joints and reduce swelling. Drink warm tea to reduce inflammation and warm the interior.  Increase the consumption of healthy proteins and fats, especially Omega 3 rich fish and flax oil to help improve the inflammation fighting Omega3:Omega 6 ratio.

As always, it is a good idea to drink adequate water throughout the day. Drink water rather than sodas, fruit juices, or alcohol to keep arthritis pain levels down. Especially avoid artificially sweetened beverages using aspartame as these increase inflammation in the body. Stevia is a better choice for non-sugar sweetener.

Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and extremities can help reduce pain and inflammation and acupuncture treatments to the meridians and channels of the body are supportive therapies if you need additional help. These healing treatments can keep arthritis flare ups at bay for the long run.

While preparing for stormy weather keep these tips in mind to help you survive any weather related event. Arthritis may help you predict an oncoming storm, but it doesn’t have to incapacitate you.

 

5 Reasons to see a Chiropractor After a Car Accident

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If you have been in a car accident and have sustained an injury as a result you may benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Chiropractic intervention is generally recommended to treat injury, reduce acute or chronic pain and increase mobility in joints and bones. Very often, the resulting injury after a car accident is pain in the neck, back and hips. In realigning these areas of the body, most people feel relief after one or more adjustments.

An auto accident lawyer Washington D.C. residents turn to can help put you on the right track on the legal side of things, but in the wake of a car accident, you may feel overwhelmed and concerned about your own health as well. In making the choice to see a chiropractor, you are taking care of your physical and mental health. A chiropractor will also be able to diagnose your injury which may be helpful should you need to pursue personal injury compensation in a court of law. Below are 5 reasons you are better off seeing a chiropractor after a car accident.

1. Diagnose injury- a chiropractor can determine the source of the pain you may be experiencing after your accident. There are some obvious car accident injuries that cause immediate pain and discomfort but other injuries, such as whiplash, may not present with obvious symptoms right away. A chiropractor will know the right questions to ask and can evaluate you to determine a diagnosis and course of treatment.

2. Documents for insurance company- in the event that you wish to pursue compensation for your personal injury, after a car accident, your insurance company and that of the other driver will request written proof of injury. In seeing a chiropractor right away, you are not only increasing your own health and well-being but you will also have your injury documented by a health professional. This will be useful in your case and you can provide the information to your insurance adjustor.

3. Short term relief- Immediately following a car accident, there is a lot to take care of. You will need to have your injuries evaluated and your car may not be operable. There will be many discussions with your insurance company regarding the details of your injury as well as the damage to your vehicle. Additionally, if you are without a vehicle, you will need to figure out transportation. In addition to all of that, you are injured and in pain. In seeking chiropractic treatment right away, you may expedite the healing process, find immediate relief and have better mental focus.

4. Long term relief- In treating any injury right away, you will likely reduce the long term symptoms and discomfort caused by the injury. In seeking the guidance of a professional chiropractor, you may reduce the need for surgery and pain medication. In doing so you will increase your overall health and well-being.

5. Peace of mind- Experiencing a car accident can be incredibly scary and traumatic especially if you sustain an injury as a result. In fact, it can be downright stressful. You are dealing with insurance companies and the medical bills are piling up. That stress not only affects your physical health but also your emotional well-being. In seeking chiropractic help, and dealing with your physical injury, you will also experience better overall health and peace of mind.

The field of chiropractic medicine is gaining momentum in the United States as a holistic form of treatment for injury and general discomfort or pain. The adjustments made by a chiropractor allow the body to better heal without the use of pharmaceutical pain management. The fundamental belief behind chiropractic intervention is that in realigning the body’s bones and joints the body will be able to heal faster from injury. Additionally, proper alignment of the musculoskeletal system enables improved functioning for all other systems as well. If you are in pain, contact a chiropractor today and start the healing process.

Thanks to our friends and contributors from Cohen & Cohen, P.C., for their insight into car accidents.

Chiropractic care is holistic care.

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Most patients coming into a chiropractic office do so to reduce musculo-skeletal pain. Pain is a great motivator and educator; but the chiropractic adjustment does more than just reduce pain; used correctly, the spinal adjustment will improve health on many levels.  Since our nervous system  controls every aspect of the body- from muscles to organs to balance to mentation- the chiropractic adjustment has the potential to improve health, not just reduce pain.

A spinal adjustment is designed to mobilize subluxated spinal segments using specifically applied hands-on or mechanical means. The spine is an extension of the nervous system- bony vertebra protect the spinal cord while serving as attachments to muscles and ligaments to support the body. The healthy spine and nervous system support posture and daily activities without derangement- we normally don’t think about it much until something goes wrong.

The chiropractic examination involves the following procedures:  History, Inspection, Vitals, Palpation, Range of Motion active and passive, Orthopedic testing, Neurological exam, and Imaging. This complete exam provides insight into the condition of the spine- just like when you go to the dentist and have your teeth examined or go to the GP and have blood work performed, an annual chiropractic exam can alert you to the presence of spinal derangement early.  When a subluxation is detected, specific mobilization to that segment can be applied to correct it, thus reducing the local symptoms as well as the far-reaching implications of impaired nerve input to internal organs, muscles and ligaments.

When your spine and spinal cord are healthy, you are able to stand tall with improved strength and awareness. Schedule your annual exam today to take the next steps toward a healthier you- inside and out.

Holistic Care

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Holistic care refers to healthcare that tries to integrate the whole person rather than symptom based `comprehensive` care that tends to look at one symptom at a time. Persons with chronic disease often experience an involvement of multiple body systems. A comprehensive care approach to patient care is often used with the belief that a health care team will ensure that a patient’s needs will be covered. Instead, this approach is reductionist in practice and leads to fragmentation of care, and the difficult patients often slip through the cracks of the health care system. However, a holistic theory-based approach puts a patient’s perceived needs first and offers care not only for the body but also for the human spirit.

“The RBG Workout” by Bryant Johnson shows you how to get strong so you can be your best.

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After seeing the movie RBG at a local theatre, I was impressed with this dynamo RBG and wrote to her trainer. He sent me a t shirt and copy of his book. I have referred several of my chiropractic and acupuncture clients to the book, and bought more copies for the office. It is my contention that working out in the manner outlined in this compact book will heal most people remarkably well. When combined with other natural healing methods, exercise is a powerhouse- just like Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

In his book RBG Workout, trainer Bryant Johnson concisely describes how he came to work with the famous Justice RBG following her first bout with cancer 18 years ago. Her husband told her that she looked like an Auswitz survivor and suggested she get a trainer- the rest is history. She worked through that bout of cancer, all the while also working as a Supreme Court Justice; the training regimen Bryant created for her helped her to heal and gain strength, endurance and confidence. Several years later she was struck with pancreatic cancer and she survived this awful diagnosis as well. I have no doubt that her willingness to perform the workout exercises detailed in his book are at least partly responsible for her remarkable ability to heal from cancer as well as to maintain the mental clarity and agility she demonstrates on the Supreme Court.

The book starts out with a nice introduction from RBG herself. Following that, it describes easily performed stretches that work on preparing the body for a workout- the stretches are nicely described using basic home equipment. Next, the exercises are described, first demonstrated on gym equipment, then using basic weights and straps for people who can’t get to a gym or prefer to work at home. As always, timing and repetitions are detailed so that even a beginner can get some idea of how to do the exercises without overdoing them.

Many people would benefit from the workout described in nice detail in the book RBG Workout. It’s a full body exercise regimen that could be done a few times a week in total. If you have any questions,call my office. We are here to help.

Summer humidity affects us all

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As summer approaches, humidity rises especially here in the south. For many people, high humidity makes it harder to breathe, to cool off, and to feel energetic. It is easy to get dehydrated when the humidity is high in the summer because body temperature is higher. Also, a person’s anxiety level can rise, and heart attack risks increase with high levels of humidity.

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, high humidity affects the body as dampness. Many illnesses are associated with dampness: fibromyalgia, a feeling of  heaviness and bloating, nodular masses, sore joints, dizziness, and other conditions.

When summer’s high humidity is here, we turn on the AC. We depend on air conditioning to not only cool off the air, but to also reduce the water level in the air. If we don’t have AC, we open windows or turn on fans to move air, reduce stagnation, and improve our bodies’ ability to evaporate sweat to cool us.

Certain herbal remedies and dietary changes can resolve dampness.  Herbs such as mint, fennel seed, coriander, saffron, dill, and small amounts of cumin or cardamom can be added to cooked dishes or tea to promote cooling and reduce the overheating effects of high humidity. Drinking adequate cool water and electrolyte rich beverages can reduce the risk of dehydration as well as cool the body.

Moderate exercise and yoga postures can help to improve movement of the organs, reducing stagnation, and improve elimination.

As humidity levels rise, take care of at-risk folks and yourself. If you feel high humidity levels negatively affect you, be sure to ask your healthcare provider for help.

 

Serving the communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham, Hillsborough, and the rest of the NC Triangle

205 Providence Rd. Chapel Hill NC 27514 | Phone: (919) 929-1400

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