In our office, we address neck pain, low back pain, and related spinal complaints mostly by two methods. First and foremost, we deal with the neurological cause of the symptoms through the chiropractic adjustments.
Secondly, we address the muscle spasm that goes along with it by using electric muscle stimulation (EMS), or stim for short. Stim blocks pain messages and helps to reduce the levels of muscle spasm through direct electrical action. Four pads transmit the energy, which feels like an electrical tickle at low levels, and more like an electrical massage at more intense levels.
Many patient find a lot of relief from the EMS therapy, which is why we use it so often. Some people like it so much, they ask us how much one of our EMS machines cost.
The short answer is, too much for the individual to buy just for their home. But, there is a portable version called a TENS unit, which is a battery-operated version about the size of a large cell phone.
They don't have the power or options of the big, permenant devices, but they do a good job of providing temporary relief for people who have chronic pain or problems between chiropractic visits.
For patients who could use that sort of portable relief, we can arrange for a TENS unit for you. A lot of times, these are covered by insurance. Ask us on your next visit and we'll fill you in on the details.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Trying out Accupuncture
Recently, I injured my lower back (which is always ironic for a chiroprator to do), which actually gave me an opportunity to try accupuncture for the first time. Since I'm scared of needles, I've been putting it off, but this time, I had to try it out or risk not being able to see patients that day.
Well, it turns out the needles are pretty tiny. While I was still completely terrified of them at first, after the first one went in and I barely noticed it, the fear went away. To call it a pinch is a big, big overstatement.
After the needle is inserted (through tapping on the back of it) about an eighth of an inch in, you feel a bit of an achy sensation in the area of the needle... I'd say about the size of a dime. Gurneet, our accupuncturist, told me that was the chi, or energy. It subsides after a few minutes.
After that, I had a few other strange sensations, as the needles were left in for about twenty minutes or so. They were difficult to describe, but perhaps pressure, or weight, is close to accurate.
Immediately following the treatment, I had slightly increased mobility and slightly reduced pain. An hour later, I had much more noticeable improvement, and a few hours later, I felt dramatically better. I've also had a faster recovery in the days following the injury then I have with previous, similar problems.
So, despite my continuing fear of needles, I'll be in to see Gurneet again soon for a more comprehensive treatment. In the meantime, if you're having a stubborn time with your condition, talk to Gurneet in our office- she does free consults- and give accupuncture a try.
Well, it turns out the needles are pretty tiny. While I was still completely terrified of them at first, after the first one went in and I barely noticed it, the fear went away. To call it a pinch is a big, big overstatement.
After the needle is inserted (through tapping on the back of it) about an eighth of an inch in, you feel a bit of an achy sensation in the area of the needle... I'd say about the size of a dime. Gurneet, our accupuncturist, told me that was the chi, or energy. It subsides after a few minutes.
After that, I had a few other strange sensations, as the needles were left in for about twenty minutes or so. They were difficult to describe, but perhaps pressure, or weight, is close to accurate.
Immediately following the treatment, I had slightly increased mobility and slightly reduced pain. An hour later, I had much more noticeable improvement, and a few hours later, I felt dramatically better. I've also had a faster recovery in the days following the injury then I have with previous, similar problems.
So, despite my continuing fear of needles, I'll be in to see Gurneet again soon for a more comprehensive treatment. In the meantime, if you're having a stubborn time with your condition, talk to Gurneet in our office- she does free consults- and give accupuncture a try.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Mental Fitness
By Ann Gruber, Triune's Personal Trainer & Nutritional Consultant
Flipping through this month’s issue of Oxygen or Muscle & Fitness, women and men with perfectly sculpted arms and rippling abs adorn the pages, advertising this month’s latest scientific phenomenon that will magically transform us into a body of steel. I have a love/hate relationship with these men and women. I love them because they inspire me. I hate them because they deflate me. The ads fail to detail the hours of hard work they have spent in the gym, the number of ice cream cones they have painfully bypassed, the high-calorie dinners out they have turned down and, not to mention, the mental commitments they have made to get the body they can proudly flaunt in the magazines. Most of us have the desire to get that 6-pack, but become easily overwhelmed when faced with the challenges that come along with it, which inevitably derail us from our goals.
What if we made the commitment to hit the gym and eat healthy just for one day? That feeling of accomplishment and good health upon going to bed at night might be enough to motivate us to get up and do it all over again the next day. Just as in any major goal we set, the result does not happen overnight, yet small accomplishments can happen daily. If your goal is to have a 6-pack that will make everyone in the gym do a double take, it will best be achieved by breaking it down into small, manageable steps. Here are some tips on small goals you can set on a daily basis to help motivate you in the gym and outside of the gym.
1. Just for today….you can do anything just for one day. When that alarm clock goes off in the morning, tell yourself “Just for today, I will stick to my diet and hit the gym. Ice cream and the couch will still be there tomorrow.”
2. One rep at a time….in the middle of a set, when that burn is setting in and your mind starts to give you a million reasons why you should quit, just focus on one rep at a time – each rep counts and each rep is bringing you one step closer to your goal.
3. Hold the fat….waiting in line at Starbucks, you can practically taste that cheese pastry in your mouth, but are all those calories worth the 3, maybe 4, minutes of enjoyment that it will take you to down that fat trap? Instead, play out the tape and recall how you will feel after eating that pastry – is the guilt worth it? Just think how great you will feel bypassing the pastry and sticking with your coffee or nonfat latte.
4. Small pleasures….it’s important to have rewards sprinkled throughout your day – things that you enjoy and can look forward to that will replace the cookie or happy hour. My favorite reward is coffee, but yours may be a small piece of dark chocolate, a new magazine or a hot bath.
5. Attitude is everything….maintaining a positive attitude and a healthy thought process throughout the day will prevent the self-defeatist in you from sabotaging your efforts. It is easy for us to tell ourselves that we are not strong enough or do not have the willpower that it takes to reach that level of fitness we so desire. This is a lie that we tell ourselves so that we can throw in the towel. A positive mental attitude is 80% of the battle in reaching your fitness goals. Positive thoughts provide positive results.
Ann Gruber is an NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and nutrition consultant at Triune.
Call Triune today at 215.627.6279 to schedule a free training session with Ann.
By Ann Gruber, Triune's Personal Trainer & Nutritional Consultant
Flipping through this month’s issue of Oxygen or Muscle & Fitness, women and men with perfectly sculpted arms and rippling abs adorn the pages, advertising this month’s latest scientific phenomenon that will magically transform us into a body of steel. I have a love/hate relationship with these men and women. I love them because they inspire me. I hate them because they deflate me. The ads fail to detail the hours of hard work they have spent in the gym, the number of ice cream cones they have painfully bypassed, the high-calorie dinners out they have turned down and, not to mention, the mental commitments they have made to get the body they can proudly flaunt in the magazines. Most of us have the desire to get that 6-pack, but become easily overwhelmed when faced with the challenges that come along with it, which inevitably derail us from our goals.
What if we made the commitment to hit the gym and eat healthy just for one day? That feeling of accomplishment and good health upon going to bed at night might be enough to motivate us to get up and do it all over again the next day. Just as in any major goal we set, the result does not happen overnight, yet small accomplishments can happen daily. If your goal is to have a 6-pack that will make everyone in the gym do a double take, it will best be achieved by breaking it down into small, manageable steps. Here are some tips on small goals you can set on a daily basis to help motivate you in the gym and outside of the gym.
1. Just for today….you can do anything just for one day. When that alarm clock goes off in the morning, tell yourself “Just for today, I will stick to my diet and hit the gym. Ice cream and the couch will still be there tomorrow.”
2. One rep at a time….in the middle of a set, when that burn is setting in and your mind starts to give you a million reasons why you should quit, just focus on one rep at a time – each rep counts and each rep is bringing you one step closer to your goal.
3. Hold the fat….waiting in line at Starbucks, you can practically taste that cheese pastry in your mouth, but are all those calories worth the 3, maybe 4, minutes of enjoyment that it will take you to down that fat trap? Instead, play out the tape and recall how you will feel after eating that pastry – is the guilt worth it? Just think how great you will feel bypassing the pastry and sticking with your coffee or nonfat latte.
4. Small pleasures….it’s important to have rewards sprinkled throughout your day – things that you enjoy and can look forward to that will replace the cookie or happy hour. My favorite reward is coffee, but yours may be a small piece of dark chocolate, a new magazine or a hot bath.
5. Attitude is everything….maintaining a positive attitude and a healthy thought process throughout the day will prevent the self-defeatist in you from sabotaging your efforts. It is easy for us to tell ourselves that we are not strong enough or do not have the willpower that it takes to reach that level of fitness we so desire. This is a lie that we tell ourselves so that we can throw in the towel. A positive mental attitude is 80% of the battle in reaching your fitness goals. Positive thoughts provide positive results.
Ann Gruber is an NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and nutrition consultant at Triune.
Call Triune today at 215.627.6279 to schedule a free training session with Ann.
TRIUNE WELCOMES Ann Gruber our NEW Personal Trainer and Nutrition Consultant!
Ann Gruber
As an NASM nationally-certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant, I am committed to achieving the health and fitness goals set by each and every one of my clients. I know the frustration of hitting the gym day in and day out, and not seeing the results you are seeking, or following the diet-of-the-month, such as depleting your body almost completely of carbs, and then expecting those last 10 lbs to disappear. Everybody has a unique body type that responds differently to training and nutrition. In working with you one-on-one, I tailor a training program and nutrition plan that will work with your body, your lifestyle and your interests. As a former practicing attorney, I entered the world of health and fitness because I not only have a passion for helping others to derive the benefits of a fit lifestyle, but I live this lifestyle in my everyday affairs. I am a national NPC figure competitor and have received tons of training and nutrition information from the best in the business. I want to share with my clients what I have learned because the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are invaluable. Not only does a healthy lifestyle bring physical rewards, but it leads to an increase in an individual’s emotional and mental health, which ultimately improves relationships, reduces stress and increases productivity and overall happiness. No time better than the present to get started on taking care of your body and improving your life.
Ann GruberAs an NASM nationally-certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant, I am committed to achieving the health and fitness goals set by each and every one of my clients. I know the frustration of hitting the gym day in and day out, and not seeing the results you are seeking, or following the diet-of-the-month, such as depleting your body almost completely of carbs, and then expecting those last 10 lbs to disappear. Everybody has a unique body type that responds differently to training and nutrition. In working with you one-on-one, I tailor a training program and nutrition plan that will work with your body, your lifestyle and your interests. As a former practicing attorney, I entered the world of health and fitness because I not only have a passion for helping others to derive the benefits of a fit lifestyle, but I live this lifestyle in my everyday affairs. I am a national NPC figure competitor and have received tons of training and nutrition information from the best in the business. I want to share with my clients what I have learned because the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are invaluable. Not only does a healthy lifestyle bring physical rewards, but it leads to an increase in an individual’s emotional and mental health, which ultimately improves relationships, reduces stress and increases productivity and overall happiness. No time better than the present to get started on taking care of your body and improving your life.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Springtime and the Wood Element According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
By Gurneet M. Singh, TRIUNE's Acupuncturist
In Chinese Medicine, the spring season is associated with the Wood element. As we look around us, we are surrounded by the essence of the Wood element, the birth and growth of beautiful plants and flowers....a true signal that there has been an end to the quietness and stillness of the winter. As I work in my garden, it amazes me to witness these miracles of growth and of life. I can see life sprouting from the depths of the earth, growth through dead leaves that had fallen and collected on the ground, moving diligently under my fence and even sprouting up in between the bricks of my patio! Even after this rough winter, these plants are ready to move forward, coming forth bursting through the ground with astounding force, and always finding a way to grow. This teaches us a valuable lesson on the spirit of the Wood element...it is full of movement, growth, strength, purpose and vitality. We are reminded that we too can move forth with purpose, ease, and progress.
The spirit of the Wood element not only exists in nature...it is in each and every one of us. In a balanced state, it promotes exuberance, clear meaning, aliveness, moving forward and upward with purpose and hope.
In an unbalanced state of the Wood element, we may feel challenged, confronted, and limited. Feelings of stress, irritability, anger, and frustration that things may not go according to plan arise. It is important to take the time to nourish the Wood element within us. The best ways to support the Wood element all encourage the movement of energy within us, including: body movement like dancing, stretching, walking, hiking, running, yoga, massage, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, acupuncture, tai chi, meditating, and spending time in nature. We can always look to the plants, flowers and trees to remind us of the potential of growth and change welling up inside us, giving us the hope and courage to envision the future. Things in our lives may not always manifest as we have envisioned but the possibilities of growth and change are boundless.
By Gurneet M. Singh, TRIUNE's Acupuncturist
In Chinese Medicine, the spring season is associated with the Wood element. As we look around us, we are surrounded by the essence of the Wood element, the birth and growth of beautiful plants and flowers....a true signal that there has been an end to the quietness and stillness of the winter. As I work in my garden, it amazes me to witness these miracles of growth and of life. I can see life sprouting from the depths of the earth, growth through dead leaves that had fallen and collected on the ground, moving diligently under my fence and even sprouting up in between the bricks of my patio! Even after this rough winter, these plants are ready to move forward, coming forth bursting through the ground with astounding force, and always finding a way to grow. This teaches us a valuable lesson on the spirit of the Wood element...it is full of movement, growth, strength, purpose and vitality. We are reminded that we too can move forth with purpose, ease, and progress.
The spirit of the Wood element not only exists in nature...it is in each and every one of us. In a balanced state, it promotes exuberance, clear meaning, aliveness, moving forward and upward with purpose and hope.
In an unbalanced state of the Wood element, we may feel challenged, confronted, and limited. Feelings of stress, irritability, anger, and frustration that things may not go according to plan arise. It is important to take the time to nourish the Wood element within us. The best ways to support the Wood element all encourage the movement of energy within us, including: body movement like dancing, stretching, walking, hiking, running, yoga, massage, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, acupuncture, tai chi, meditating, and spending time in nature. We can always look to the plants, flowers and trees to remind us of the potential of growth and change welling up inside us, giving us the hope and courage to envision the future. Things in our lives may not always manifest as we have envisioned but the possibilities of growth and change are boundless.
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