lauryn@evolvedstrategicmarketing.com, Author at Natural Health Center

Ultrasound Therapy

by lauryn@evolvedstrategicmarketing.com | Nov 9, 2022 | Blog, Knee Pain

When you hear the word ultrasound most people think about pregnant women receiving the procedure to check on the development or gender of her baby. Ultrasound can also be used to treat things like kidney stones, uterine fibroids, and certain types of cancer. Ultrasound therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions and act as a therapy for those with body pain.

What is Ultrasound Therapy?

Ultrasound therapy is a treatment that helps reduce muscle pain by using sound waves. The high-frequency waves stimulate deep inside muscle tissue to minimize pain, stiffness, and swelling. This promotes proper circulation in the body and reduces painful movement. The treatment is well received because the procedure is a painless and non-invasive way to help people with chronic pain.

The different types of Ultrasound

There are two main types of ultrasound: thermal and mechanical. In thermal ultrasound, the wand makes the tissue vibrate and heat up. This type of ultrasound is typically used to treat soft tissue pain and musculoskeletal issues. The other type is called mechanical ultrasound, also referred to as cavitation ultrasound therapy. Mechanical ultrasound therapy uses waves created by the machine to create pressure differences in tissue fluids, which lead to the formation of bubbles. When these bubbles interact with body tissues they burst and create small shockwaves. The shockwaves can be used to break down kidney stones, making them easier and safer to remove.

How does it work?

The ultrasound machine works by sending an electrical current through crystals inside the ultrasound probe or better known as the ultrasound wand. The wand vibrates, causing waves to travel through the skin, deep into the muscle tissue. The waves then transfer energy to the tissues to provide the needed treatment. Ultrasound can focus on tissues deep within the body without affecting other tissues close to the surface. While receiving your ultrasound therapy your medical provider can adjust the frequency and intensity of the ultrasound and the duration of the procedure to achieve the best results.

What does it do?

Ultrasound therapy can be an effective way to treat the swelling of muscles, joints, and ligaments. The mild heating effect of the ultrasound helps reduce inflammation and heal muscle pain. The ultrasound also aids tissue fluids called lymph and makes it easier to travel through the body. Lymph is a vital fluid in the body that transports white blood cells throughout the body. Due to this ultrasound has been known to promote healing in the body.

What to expect

On the day of your treatment, you should wear loose clothing that can be easily removed, depending on the area in which you will receive the treatment. Before your treatment, the technician performing the procedure will assess the skin to check for any wounds or infections. If your skin is clear, then the technician will begin by applying a gel or cream to your skin. This will form a barrier to protect your skin and help the ultrasound waves reach the muscle tissue. The ultrasound wand will then be lightly pressed onto your skin.

What does it feel like?

Some people may not feel anything, but some people say that they feel a slight warmth or tingle on the skin. If the ultrasound wand is held in one spot for more than five seconds it can bring slight discomfort but it should never be painful. If you’re feeling discomfort let your technician know.

Get help

Natural health center offers ultrasound therapy through our highly trained team of pain management specialists. They will develop a customized treatment plan to treat you. If you are interested in ultrasound therapy contact the Natural Health Center in Clifton, NJ. To schedule an appointment, call us at 973-370-9155 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

National Pain Awareness Month

by lauryn@evolvedstrategicmarketing.com | Sep 29, 2022 | Blog, headaches, Injury, Knee Pain

September is National pain awareness month and aims to raise awareness about people dealing with forms of chronic pain. Nearly 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain – more than the amount of people that have diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined.

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is long-standing pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period or occurs along with a chronic health condition, such as arthritis. Chronic pain may be ‘on’ and ‘off’ or continuous.” This is different from other pain, such as acute pain, which comes from inflammation, injury, or surgery and only stays for a few weeks. Chronic pain can feel many different ways and often comes in the form of aching, burning, shooting, squeezing, stiffness, stinging, and throbbing.

Chronic pain often causes a decreased quality of life for people coping with the ailment. It can cause you to pull away from loved ones, events, or things you’d usually be able to do that you no longer can. Chronic pain can also cause people to need to take off work and abandon responsibilities to cope with the pain they’re experiencing.

People with chronic pain are 64% less likely to view their job as rewarding. Working with pain can also cause heightened levels of stress, which can lead to depression and other ailments. The economic burden of chronic pain is major, it cost United States an estimated $560 to $635 billion in 2010, due to a combination of medical costs and productivity lost.

Treating Chronic Pain

There are many people dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis. Chronic pain is treated in a multitude of ways and the approach often depends on factors like the type of pain you have, the cause of pain, and your age or overall health. There are many medications made for treating chronic pain. Such as anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, topical products, etc.

However, a lot of people are deciding to make lifestyle changes to cope with their newfound ailment. There are basic health and lifestyle changes people are reverting back to in order to take care of themselves. Stress can often hinder coping with chronic pain and it is beneficial to reduce it as much as possible.

Some methods are practicing mindfulness and doing things you enjoy or find relieving. Another factor is exercise, low-intensity workouts are often stress relievers for people and have numerous benefits to your health. Also, eating a healthy and anti-inflammatory diet is beneficial to chronic pain as well as getting good and basic nutrients. Sleep is also a vital factor in health and stress management.

Feel Better

Chronic pain can have a major effect on your quality of life. At the Natural Health Center we will work with you to help relieve your pain. Everyone’s healing process is unique and takes place on a different timetable. However, we’ll look for the root cause of your pain and give you the best chance of recovering and returning to your favorite activities.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, contact the Natural Health Center in Clifton, NJ. Our board-certified doctors have helped people with chronic pain work to alleviate their suffering. To schedule an appointment, call us at 973-370-9155 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Take Care of Yourself After a Car Accident

by lauryn@evolvedstrategicmarketing.com | Jun 7, 2022 | Back Pain, Car Accident, headaches, Injury

Car accidents are unexpected and shocking. It is hard to know what to do after experiencing a car crash, and sometimes people are unaware they have been injured for weeks or even months after their accident.

It’s critical to give yourself enough time to recover after an auto accident. When you allow yourself to heal and process what happened, you will be better prepared to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of an accident.

Here’s our guide to taking care of yourself after a car accident to help you get back to normal life as quickly as possible

Visit an auto injury doctor.

Not all car accident injuries are immediately visible.

Concussion, whiplash, and spine damage can cause pain and symptoms to appear hours, days, or even weeks later.

The longer you wait to seek medical attention, the more likely your injuries will worsen and necessitate a longer recovery period.

Accident injuries such as whiplash and herniated spinal discs, if left untreated, can lead to chronic pain in the future. Untreated concussions or internal bleeding can be fatal or result in permanent brain damage.

Even if you are not in pain following a car accident, you should see a doctor for a checkup. Imaging tests can be performed to look for internal bleeding, swelling, fractures, and soft tissue damage.

After a car accident, your primary care physician is not the best doctor to see. Primary care physicians are trained to treat internal injuries; however, many lack the necessary training and qualifications to recognize, diagnose, and treat common accident injuries such as whiplash, concussions, soft tissue injuries, and fractures. Instead, seek treatment from a specialist who has treated similar injuries in the past.

Listen to and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

The treatment process may be long and slow. The most effective way you can ensure complete recovery in as short a time span as possible is to follow the prescribed treatment plan created by your doctor.

This could include:

Taking time off work and limiting normal activities to allow your body time to heal
Participating in physical therapy
Performing therapist-recommended exercises at home
Setting and attending follow-up appointments with your physician
If you feel like some parts of your treatment plan aren’t effective, don’t just stop following the plan. Instead, talk to your doctor.
Together, you can discuss alternative treatment options that will be more effective for you.

Practice self-care at home.

Sleep and rest are essential components of the healing process. When you sleep, your body increases blood flow to your muscles and repairs and grows tissue and muscles.

Following a major injury from an accident, it’s critical to slow down and frequently rest so your body can heal. A good night’s sleep will also improve your energy, alertness, and mood during the day.

Know your limits and avoid pushing yourself too far or too soon. You risk injuring yourself further if you try to “power through” serious car accident injuries.

Pain can make you angry, hopeless, frustrated, and less motivated to participate in physical therapy and other recovery activities. It is critical that you find ways to manage your pain; suffering in silence will only impede your progress.

Pain management may include taking frequent breaks during the day and applying hot or cold compresses. Massage may also be beneficial for sore muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Exercise and stretching are essential for regaining full range of motion, flexibility, balance, and endurance.

Regular movement will help keep your muscles and joints from stiffening and weakening and reduce the pain and inflammation from your injuries. Gentle stretching such as yoga is an excellent way to incorporate movement into your day.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations for the amount and type of exercise you can do safely.

Eating a nutritious diet can help you stay on track with your recovery. Your body requires good fuel to function properly, and eating well will make you feel stronger and more energetic. Your body requires adequate fluids to repair muscle and tissue damage, so don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Get better.

Continue to move forward by adhering to your treatment plan and taking care of your body.

Everyone’s healing process is unique and takes place on a different timetable. However, by following the steps outlined above, you will give yourself the best chance of fully recovering and returning to your favorite activities.

If you’ve been in an auto accident, contact the Natural Health Center in Clifton, NJ. Our board-certified doctors have treated common car accident injuries such as whiplash, concussions, soft tissue damage, and spine damage. To schedule an appointment, call us at 973-370-9155 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

When Should I See a Doctor for My Knee Pain?

by lauryn@evolvedstrategicmarketing.com | Feb 1, 2022 | Dr. Dan Courneya DC, Knee Pain

By Dr. Dan Courneya, DC

This is a hard question to answer as there are many different causes of knee pain. The unfortunate truth, however, is that most people wait TOO long with knee pain before seeking help. There does come a certain point at which the only treatment available is total knee replacement surgery.

Thankfully, there are many treatment options available before the point of no return. You should seek out immediate care if:

You had a fall or traumatic injury
Your knee is swollen
Your knee pain lasts more than 1 week

Other reasons to seek out a healthcare professional are if you have difficulty or pain with any of the following actions:

Going up or downstairs
Kneeling
Walking
Standing
Getting up from sitting

At the Natural Health Center, we have trained knee specialists to evaluate and assess the exact cause and reason behind your aches and pains. We can provide nonsurgical, helpful treatments to get you back on your feet and doing the activities you want to do instead of planning around your knee pain! For more information on our services or to schedule an appointment, contact Natural Health Center of Clifton today.

Acupuncture for Migraine and Headaches: Treatment and Prevention

by lauryn@evolvedstrategicmarketing.com | Jan 28, 2022 | acupuncture, headaches, Migraines

man having acupuncture done for a migraine

By Austin Davidson L.Ac

Can Acupuncture be the Solution to Solving Your Migraine Woes?

Migraines can put an enormous burden on a person’s quality of life; causing blurry vision, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and not to mention the excruciating pain that they cause in the process.

Everyone experiences migraines differently, some have them infrequently and others can have them up 2-3 times a week or more.

The causes of migraines and headaches are still a subject of research; causes can range from traumatic brain injury, stress, cardiovascular, and hormonal issues to genetic predisposition.

Migraines and Headaches can present as:

Frontal
Temporal (side of head)
Occipital (back bottom of the head)
Vertex (top of head)
Headaches that feel like a vice around the head
RED FLAG – Headaches or migraines that present as “thunder” or the “clapping of thunder” which happen suddenly and intensely within an hour’s time frame should be sought out by a medical professional and are usually a sign of a life-threatening condition.

Many over-the-counter and prescription medications can be effective in relieving these pains but are only short term solutions as well as secondary causes of other issues such as liver damage (Tylenol) and stomach issues (Ibuprofen is known to cause ulcers when taken regularly).

Acupuncture is a great alternative to headache and migraine relief without the negative side-effects. Not only can it help get rid of those pesky head pains but prevent future episodes.

How does acupuncture help with headaches and migraines?

How exactly does acupuncture work with relieving migraines and headaches? Well, acupuncture needles are placed in strategic locations on the body to produce a physiological change in the body that decreases pain and inflammation. Certain acupuncture points specifically target what is causing the headache, as opposed to OTC medications that dull the symptoms but do not address the root cause.

An example of this is a patient I had, let’s call her Ms. Blue. She suffered from long-term headaches in the occipital region of their head and neck. Usually, these come from muscle stiffness of the neck muscles which causes a decrease of circulation from the neck to the head. If these neck muscles are in a constantly contracted state they can push on the blood vessels flowing to and from the head causing these head pains. So with Ms. Blue, the acupuncture treatment plan we did involved releasing the muscles to create a free flow of circulation and a decrease in inflammation. Over the course of treatment with Ms. Blue, we were able to drastically decrease the frequency and intensity of her headaches.

Well what if your headaches aren’t being caused by muscle strain, what if they are neurological?

Studies have shown that when acupuncture is performed during an MRI scan it can activate certain parts of the brain, one of them being the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus has been found to be the source of migraine episodes. Acupuncture has been shown to be able to decrease the signaling of the hypothalamus pain responses through the peripheral nervous system.

So yes, even if the source of your headaches is neurological, Acupuncture can help.

Food Triggers and Diet.

Even though headaches and migraines can be caused by a neurological or physiological reason, certain foods may be the reason why you’re experiencing an increase in symptoms.

Some of these foods include but are not limited to:

Dairy products – Milk, cheese
Gluten
Chocolate
Soy Products
Foods that include nitrates and Aspartame
Tomatoes – Monosodium Glutamate seems to be the culprit

The best way to know if a certain food is affecting how frequent you get headaches is to make a food journal detailing all the things that you put into your body. You may start to see a trend with when you get headaches and which foods you were eating around that time, the results may surprise you.

Where To Start?

The first step is to find out the cause of your headaches or migraines. Is it neurologic? Caused by muscle tightness? Is your diet triggering it? At the Natural Health Center, we can help determine the exact cause of your pain and put together the correct treatment plan to help fix it. For more information on acupuncture for migraines and headaches, or to schedule an appointment, contact Natural Health Center of Clifton today.

« Older Entries