SF Custom Chiropractic

              

Neck Pain Treatment: Should I Use Hot or Cold Compress

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neck pain treatment sf

We all have those times where we wake up with a sore or stiff neck. This neck pain is never friendly to us as we go through our day-to-day. When we suffer from neck pain, we sometimes will do almost anything to get pain relief. We are here to help you find natural methods to pain relief and neck pain treatment. A couple of easy at home tips consist of hot and cold application to your pain. These remedies will help with pain relief while you wait to see your chiropractor for further treatment.

Should I Use Ice For Neck Pain?

When you ice your pain or injury, you are minimizing the swelling and reducing inflammation. Alternate between your cold and hot applicators. You can wrap ice in a plastic bag and cover with a small towel and apply it to your neck for only about 20 minutes. Rest without any temperature for about 30-40 minutes then apply your heat. Ice packs or your standard bag of peas can also do the trick. Make sure you wrap whatever is frozen with a towel to protect your skin.

Should I Use Heat For Neck Pain?

Applying heat to your pain or injury can reduce muscle spasms and relaxes your muscles that are in trauma. Apply your heat after you have rested from your cold compress. Heating pads, warm showers, or any other hot compress will suffice. The same rule applies here with wrapping a towel around the direct heat source to prevent your skin from being burned.

Whether you are suffering from whiplash from a car accident, lifted something heavy yesterday, or simply didn’t get a good night sleep, refrain from any strenuous activities while you are recovering.

Get Treatment For Neck Pain in San Francisco Today!

No one should have to experience neck pain. If your neck pain has not improved, give us a call to see our chiropractors for treatment. Our experts will help restore balance in your entire body and create a custom plan to treat your neck pain. SFCC is San Francisco’s top choice for chiropractic care and holistic healing.

Schedule a consultation appointment and get back to living pain-free!

Reduce Stress with Chiropractic Care

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There’s no hiding the fact that we all get stressed out sometimes. Whether it is an unforeseen event during your day or maybe something you are thinking about for the future, there are many factors that can cause us stress. As holistic healers of the body, our chiropractors and specialists are focused on reducing the stress of your body and mind.

Stress and Overall Health

Unfortunately, stress has made its way into our daily lives and is one of the most common feelings we express. When we are stressed we often use it as an excuse to choose unhealthy options to help cope. It may be choosing foods that don’t benefit your body and mind, it may be putting off our regular visits to the gym, it may be going back to old habits that are harmful to our system. Whatever it may be, it impacts your overall health no matter what. A big outcome of stress is illness and disease. The important part is how you choose to help relieve that stress and make healthy choices that are beneficial for your overall health.

How does Stress Affect our Nervous System?

When our bodies are faced with stress the autonomic nervous system deploys the infamous “fight or flight” response. We know that this impacts our thoughts and feelings, so here is how our nervous system reacts.

  • A threat to the body is detected
  • The nervous system alerts the body
  • Stress hormones are released from the adrenal cortex
  • Your heart starts to beat faster and harder
  • The cadence of your breathing increases
  • The thyroid gland stimulates the metabolism
  • More oxygen flows through larger muscles

Fight Stress with your Chiropractor

From emotional stress to everyday life, no one should be ignoring signs of stress. While we aren’t able to change your outside and environment stressors, we do offer care of the spine which is the root of your nervous system. The nervous system could be blocked from doing its job to manage stressors.

At SF Custom Chiropractic, we have multiple treatments that work together to restore balance inside and out. Our goal to keep nervous systems health and functioning as best as possible.

Make an appointment to speak with one of our chiropractors, massage therapists, or nutritionist about a custom plan to reduce your stress.

Jumper’s Knee Treatment: Our San Francisco Chiro’s Tips to Ease the Pain

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Jumper's Knee Treatment, San Francisco Chiropractor, SF Custom Chiro

Jumper’s Knee, also known as patellar tendinopathy or also tendinitis, is an injury to the patellar tendon. This tendon is responsible for joining the bottom the kneecap to the shin bone. A pretty important connection. Despite the name of this condition, this type of injury can be caused by more than just the impact of jumping. Our practice is fortunate to have experience with treating athletes and knee injuries.

What Causes Jumper’s Knee?

It is common to experience pain near the front of your knee after a run or after lifting weights. It is very common among athletes to endure sports injuries like this one. Here are some of the activities that can result in this pain.

  • Overtraining
  • Overuse
  • Jumping improperly
  • Tight muscles
  • Sports that require stop and go motions

Jumper’s Knee Pain Relief & Treatment Options

If this sounds like you there are exercises and steps to take for pain relief and treatment.

  • Foam Rolling: Use a foam roller at home or at the gym to help stretch your muscles and relieve tension.
  • IASTM Treatment: We use soft tissue therapy during treatment to release musculo-skeletal adhesions and promote faster recovery.
  • Stretching: Stretching your quads will help your body release tension around your knee.

If your pain persists give us a call for a consultation. Your body might be needing a professional chiropractic treatment and assessment for the best recovery. Our San Francisco based chiropractors specialize in healing the whole body and will be able to tell you if there is more going on than just your knee pain.

Contact us in San Francisco for an appointment.

Treatment for Low Back Sprains and Strains in San Francisco

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low back sprains and strains in San Francisco

Low back sprains and strains are one of the most common causes of lower back pain. We often see patients seeking treatment for low back sprains and strains at our San Francisco-based clinics. The back is carrying all of your weight from the moment you get out of bed, through your entire day and repeat. We rely on and put stress on our back to help us perform our daily movements and more. A back sprain occurs when the muscle fibers are unnaturally stretched or torn and a back strain is a result of ligaments that are torn from their attachments.  

Symptoms of Low Back Sprains and Strains 

Both low back strains and low back sprains are typically caused by injury or overuse and will generate signs of inflammation and pain. This is also common in athletes and active lifestyles .

Here are some symptoms you might experience.

  • Low back pain – may also radiate into the glutes but not the legs
  • Low back stiffness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Restricting range of motion
  • Persisting pain for longer than 2 weeks

How Can You Prevent Low Back Sprains and Strains?

There is no magic spell to prevent and cure our aches and pains. Chiropractors are specialists of the body, we know how the body can heal itself when we properly give it the tools to do so. Nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits are key to preventing these kinds of sprains, strains, and pains. If you are in pain and waiting to see a doctor, try using a back brace to help support the spine in the meantime.

Chiropractic Treatment for Low Back Sprains and Strains in San Francisco

First off, one our our main treatment suggestions is: rest, rest, rest. This is the #1 recommendation for back sprains and strains for patients that we see at one of our San Francisco locations. Often times people ignore their symptoms, prolong treatment, and make the problem worse. Take a moment to rest until you get your back checked out by a professional. When you visit SFCC we will do a full body health scan to assess your pain point and overall health. Chiropractic adjustments and  massage therapy are a couple of options we might use for your treatment. Every patient gets a custom treatment plan with us to best help heal their body.

Contact us to schedule your appointment with the best chiropractors in the bay.

How to Treat a Pulled Muscle: Advice from a Chiropractor

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If you have experienced a pulled muscle, you know right away that something isn’t right. Straining a muscle can result in sudden pain and inability to move the muscle. The pain is immediate because the strain or pull from the muscle fibers was immediate. The good news is that there is a solution to your pain. Chiropractors are experts in treating pulled muscles and the strains that can come with it.

What to do when you pull a muscle

It is inevitable that you will experience a pulled muscle if you are an athlete, have an active occupation, and if you just live an active lifestyle. Our body is durable but sometimes the smallest movements in the wrong direction or other unforeseen events could aid minor injuries. If this happens to you, here are a few immediate actions to take.

  • Stop & Rest: When you strain or pull a muscle you will know it. The pain will be sudden and will surface in a specific area. When this happens, stop your activity and rest your body. This pain isn’t to be confused with muscle soreness but rather a sharper pain that doesn’t belong. Resting for any type of sports injury is recommended.
  • I.C.E Method: Ice Compression Elevation. Try this method to help lower inflammation, keep blood flowing and relieve some pain. You can simply use a bag of ice wrapped in a towel and a compression sleeve or wrap around your pulled muscle.
  • Don’t Stretch: Despite what you may think, stretching after a muscle strain or pulled muscle is not recommended. The muscle is already “stretched” so stretching, even more, will only increase the healing and recovery time.
  • Chiropractic Treatments: Our chiropractors will be able to assess your injury as a whole. Instead of using just one type of treatment like natural alignments , they will use a combination of treatments. Methods including IASTM, a soft tissue technique, will help with improving blood flow, repairing the muscle, and re-strengthening your pulled muscle.

Get treatment for a pulled muscle with San Francisco’s top chiropractors

To keep your muscles strong and flexible, add some stretches and exercises to your daily routine. Body fatigue is the most common reason for injuries. If you have a pulled muscle or are experiencing any kind of chronic pain, give us a call. Our goal is to have you living a pain-free life and our specialists have the knowledge and tools to help you overcome your pain or injury.

Schedule an appointment at any SFCC office!

How to Treat Muscle Knots in Your Back

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Muscle knots in your back is a common type of pain and discomfort.  Some knots can be small and only be a minor annoyance in your life, however, some can be big, stubborn and affect your sleep and movement. Muscle knots are also known as trigger points and can be prevented and treated by a specialist, your trusted SF chiropractor!

How do Muscle Knots in Your Back Form?

There isn’t just one reason or one thing that causes muscle knots in your back. The formation of the knots in your back generally begins when the trigger points in your muscles undergo acute trauma or an extended experience of microtrauma. Acute trauma can be caused by sudden accidents and shocks to your body. Whether it may be from a car accident or even from an everyday exercise where the body is pushed to its limit. People with poor posture, musculoskeletal disorders, or even people who have a lifestyle and occupation that can lead to extended trauma to the trigger point.

Chiropractic Treatments for Muscle Knots in Your Back

It is natural that you will experience periodic muscle knots in your back. Taking care of your body through proper treatment, diet and exercise will help prevent and encourage the body to heal on its own. Our specialists have extended knowledge in treating sports injuries and soft tissue problems, including muscle knots in your back.  

  • Massage Therapy: A common method used to rid your body of muscle knots is to massage them out. Our massage therapists are experts in targeting muscle knots, working them out through a deep tissue massage and restoring your movement. You can pair your massage visits by using a foam roller at home.
  • ART (Active Release Technique): A benefit of visiting a sports chiropractor is that we specialize in healing the body, period. That means we have more than one method or treatment that can help relieve your pain and help your body heal and get stronger. ART, has similar benefits as a massage in that it is used to massage the knots loose. A difference is that this treatment is localized with direct tension and uses strategic movements to work through the knots and promote healing in your tissues.

Get Rid of Muscle Knots in Your Back!

If you are experiencing muscle knots in your back, there is good news! We can treat it help you set a path of prevention. If you have had any kind of injury, feel stiff, or have chronic pain please reach out. Our chiropractic team is here to help you live pain-free.

Book an appointment today or call us at (415) 788-8700.

Kinesio Taping Helps Naturally Heal Your Muscles

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Kinesiology tape is a thin and flexible tape made up of fabric and a non-irritating adhesive. You may have seen some people walk around with this tape in many bright colors and patterns. Those kinesio taping patterns have a purpose to help heal your body and help you continue to live a healthy active life.

How Kinesio Taping Works

It is advised to have this kinesiology tape applied by a trained professional so that it is used correctly and for maximum benefits. This tape is used on soft tissues to promote stability and healing a focused area. Using hot and cold compresses can also be a great addition to using this kinesiology tape to help relieve pain. Once the kinesiology tape is applied it will also increase lymphatic drainage to boost circulation and increases neuromuscular efficiency so athletes can recover fast from an injury. Here are a few more benefits to getting kinesio taping.

    • Kinesio Taping Aids in Pain Relief:

      When applied correctly, this tape can relieve minor and chronic pain. The tape slightly lifts the skin which reduces pressure on the pain point allowing for relief and natural healing.

    • Kinesio Taping Reduces Swelling & Inflammation:

      Certain techniques can be used to reduce pressure and increase lymphatic drainage. It will enhance the removal of fluid that collects in the area that was injured. This can benefit athletes and those in post-surgery recovery.

    • Kinesio Taping Speeds Recovery from Bruises:

      Similar to the above benefit, using this tape will lift the skin to help remove blood that accumulates from bruising.

    • Kinesio Taping Aids Proprioception:  

      The tape can be used to help with proprioception (sense of the relative position of one’s own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.) leading to correct posture, and add support.

Get Kinesio taping in San Francisco 

Kinesiotaping is great to use on its own. It is even better when you pair it with other natural healing methods. The easiest thing to do to resolve pain is head towards the medicine cabinet. We want you to know that you have other options. From chiropractic care, massage therapy to soft tissue treatment, our options are healthy for your body, mind, and healing process. At SF Custom Chiropractic, we treat the whole body.

Contact us to try kinesio taping for your pain!

 

TMJ Treatment in San Francisco: How a Chiropractor Can Be Your Answer

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San Francisco, CA

TMJ Treatment in San Francisco: What is TMJ?

TMJ, also known as the temporomandibular joint disorder, is a common disorder that causes pain and discomfort in your jaw. The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone and skull So, when the muscles and nerves get damaged, this connection is compromised which causes you pain. The pain and discomfort from TMJ usually leads to more pain during everyday activities like chewing, yawning, and can cause inflammation and swelling in your face.

Common symptoms of TMJ (which we have seen at your San Francisco TMJ treatment clinic):

  • Jaw pain
  • Aching pain around or in your ear
  • Discomfort when chewing
  • Facial pain
  • Jaw clicking
  • Locking of the jaw

TMJ Treatment in San Francisco: What Causes TMJ?

  • Disc Degeneration: This occurs when the disc wears away over time leaving the jaw bones to rub against each other and irritating the nerves.
  • Misaligned Disc: If you have experienced teeth grinding or are an excessive gum chewer this can lead to a misalignment in your jaw. When those jaw ligaments stretch and tear, it can pull the disc out of position causing you discomfort.
  • Damaged Joint Cartilage: Like all joint point, TMJ can be caused by injury and damage to the joint cartilage.
  • Muscle Adhesion Build Up: There are 4 main muscles that are involved with jaw motion; Lateral Pterygoid, Medial Pterygoid, Masseter, Temporalis muscle.  All can develop adhesions, scar tissue or knots from overuse, grinding or clenching.

Get Treatment of TMJ by a Chiropractor at One of Our San Francisco Clinics

When you visit us at our San Francisco clinic to treat your TMJ, we will assess your symptoms and look beyond just your jaw. We will take a total approach to wellness to help get you on the road to recovery and living a pain-free life. Our treatments may include a series of adjustments to help relieve those irritated nerves and provide relief as well as improve your jaw’s range of motion. We also might include Active Release Technique , a soft tissue therapy, to help break up adhesions and scar tissue surrounding those muscles and ligaments.

If you are a clincher or grinder then a bite guard is recommended. SF Custom Chiropractic uses a variety of holistic treatments to help your body heal itself completely and relieve you of pain. Contact us to treat your TMJ pain or if you have any other pain in your body. We are here to help!

For Leg Pain Relief in San Francisco, Visit a Chiropractor

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San Francisco, CA

Any kind of pain can be debilitating. When it comes to leg pain, there are many reasons why you should seek relief as soon as possible. Aches in your legs can cause a reduction in mobility and have an impact on your daily movement. Chiropractic care is not only meant for back pain relief, it is a thoughtful practice to restore balance in your entire body and treat root causes of pain.

What Can Cause Leg Pain?

  • Wear and Tear

Our legs are the source of our mobility and are put to the test every single day. Over time our muscles and joints are faced with a strain. Overuse or after performing a strenuous activity it is not uncommon to have delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), that why it is important to foam roll and stretch after exercising or long walks.  It is common that as we age, we ignore these signs and don’t treat pain early on. Our leg pain relief treatment in San Francisco treats symptoms like swelling, aches, and immobility, will help your body age better and keep it balanced to heal itself for the years ahead. 

  • Injuries

Like most trauma, our body needs some time and care to help heal. From falls, to sports injuries, any kind of hard impact to your legs can result in an uncomfortable outcome. Injuries that lead to sprains, shin splints, and strains can be treated by a chiropractor. Swelling and inflammation, that causes pain, will be treated with a variety of holistic approaches to help the body relax and heal. Compression sleeves are popular to use for leg pain relief and support while you wait for your treatment.  Injuries to the low back especially the sciatica nerve can present with leg pain. Seeing a chiropractor for leg pain relief treatment in San Francisco can determine the exact root of the symptoms. 

  • Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation or irritation to the bursa (small sacs between bone and other moving parts, such as skin, muscles and tendons). Bursitis can occur with overuse, injury, and can even be seen from bad posture. Exercise and proper posture can help your body avoid this condition. We often provide leg pain relief treatment to sufferers of bursitis at our San Francisco clinics. 

Get Leg Pain Relief Treatment in San Francisco

A chiropractor can help relieve pain in your body. From leg pain felt in your knee, ankle, and foot, to your back and shoulders. Whether you are faced with an injury, chronic pain or wanting to avoid pain, regular visits to your chiropractor offers non-invasive treatments and a holistic approach to healing the body.

Being free of aches and pains is important when it comes to the quality of your life. At SF Custom Chiropractic, we strive to help you live a pain free life.

Give us a call at (415) 639-9166 to schedule your first or next appointment with us!

Treatment for a Stiff Neck in San Francisco & Tips for Better Sleeping Habits

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We have all been there before where we wake up with some level of neck pain. There can be many factors that cause neck pain and waking up with a stiff neck. There are some factors we can’t control like herniated discs , arthritis and simple aging. However, we can control how we lay our head and what healthy habits we adopt for sleeping.

What Can Cause a Stiff Neck When Sleeping?

When you are sleeping, your body is trying to relax and recover in the position you put it in. Your head or neck might slip into an awkward angle when you sleep. This can cause strain in your neck leaving you with an ache when you wake. If you are an active sleeper, you might experience sudden movements that can actually strain or sprain the muscles in your neck. Injuries can also be a cause of improper positioning when you sleep. Ultimately, if you wake up with a stiff neck, it was caused by a strain on your muscles, ligaments, and joints. At this point, take care of yourself with home remedies for minor cases. Try hot and cold therapy to relax your neck and improve your mobility.

Sleeping Tips to Avoid a Stiff Neck:

  • Re-evaluate your sleeping position: is your neck in alignment with you spine
  • Find the right pillow – Try a neck support pillow
  • Consider the temperature in your room
  • Avoid sleeping on your stomach
  • Stretch your neck before bed

Treat a Stiff Neck & Sleep Better with Chiropractic Adjustments from San Francisco Custom Chiropractic

Getting regular chiropractic adjustments are not only conducive to improved health they are extremely beneficial to help treat stiff neck and any other kind of neck pain you may be experiencing.

Book Treatment for a Stiff Neck at San Francisco Custom Chiropractic

Our chiropractors will restore balance to your entire body not just your neck and pain area. Contact our offices to schedule your next appointment if you wake up with a stiff neck or any kind of pain. We are here to help!

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