When you rushed to the stores to stock up on essentials, you didn’t realize you were gathering at-home gym props as well. Now that you might not be able to visit your local fitness center, here are some creative, at-home exercises to keep fit.

Do you need a two to three-pound weight for strength training? Head to the pantry because you probably bought a can or two of beans. The medium bag of rice you totted to your house is an excellent four to five-pound weight. Did you know a gallon of milk weighs eight pounds?

There is no need to lament the fact you can’t travel to your athletic facility or studio. Let’s use that time to sweat and stretch at home.

Cardio

If you live in a high rise, ditch the elevator and start climbing those stairs. If you have a basement at your home, start there and walk to the top floor of your house. Repeat three times, and you’ll feel that heart rate increasing. Try these other quick and easy cardio exercises.

• Remember those jumping jacks from elementary school P.E. classes? Did you know ten minutes of jumping jacks burns 100 calories? It doesn’t require any equipment or skill.
• March in place for five minutes. If you are ready for more, begin jogging in place for another five minutes.
• For a killer cardio workout, try the burpee. Drop your hands to the floor from a standing position, jump your feet to a plank position, and then hop your feet back before standing up with your arms in the air. Repeat. Try this for three minutes to begin, and then look for a towel to wipe the sweat from your brow.

Strength

It’s time to return to the groceries. Be sure to gather your spouse, children, or grandparents together as you gain muscle tone that you’ll show off when we venture outside again.

• Grab the cans of beans for triceps kickbacks. Lean over with a flat back and extend your arms to the floor. Lift the cans like they are a bag of groceries, and then extend your arms behind you. Repeat 12 times for four sets.
• Hold your gallon of milk with both hands behind your head, and then extend your arms until the milk is above your head. Try to do four sets of 12-reps. Say goodbye to squishy arms with these triceps extensions.
• Your bag of rice is perfect for squats. Hold the rice with both hands at your chest and stand with your feet hip-distance apart. Drop your butt down and back and then stand up again. Do this 20 times and squeeze your glutes each time you stand.
• Planks are an excellent workout for your core. Begin with your hands and knees on the floor. Lift your weight and push your feet back until your body is in full extension. Hold the position for a minute, and repeat three times. For an exercise that seems so easy, it offers impressive results.

Be sure your doctor approves of any exercises you plan to tackle. These simeple, at-home exercises to keep fit won’t just tone and strengthen your body, it also releases endorphins – the body’s feel-good chemicals.

We look forward to hearing the creative, at-home exercises to keep fit you chose during this time. As always, Redefine Healthcare remains open to evaluate any pain-related issues of concern. Contact us today to schedule a telemedicine or in-office appointment.

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Redefine Healthcare is excited to announce our new physical therapist, Dr. Bhumi Patel, PT, DPT as our newest addition to the Physical Therapy Division.

Educational Background

While Dr. Bhumi Patel is Redefine Healthcare’s new physical therapist, she is not new to the world of physical therapy. Dr. Bhumi Patel received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Seton Hall University in New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is certified in Blood Flor Restriction Training and LSVT-BIG Program. Dr. Patel has worked in a variety of settings including home-care and outpatient clinics, with prior internships as a student in sub-acute rehab and acute hospital care. She is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Specialties

By incorporating evidence-based literature into her treatment program, Dr. Patel strives to keep her patients engaged and active in the community. Aside from treating musculoskeletal and spine disorders, Dr. Patel has a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation. With a passion for movement science, Dr. Patel has been treating patients with orthopedic, neurologic, gait, and balance diagnoses at Redefine Healthcare. Dr. Patel believes in providing excellent care to her patients with empathy and compassion to help them reach their functional goals in their recovery process. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling.

If you would like more information about our new physical therapist or Physical Therapy Division, please contact us at (732) 313-2610.

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When February rolls in each year, our thoughts often jump to love. Valentine’s Day conjures some of our earliest memories of love, from drawing shapes on red paper in kindergarten to a fluttering heart in anticipation of a first date.

Fast-forward to adulthood, and hearts still dominate the second month of the year. We continue to give our hearts away, but as we age, we focus on nurturing the hearts inside our bodies so that we can be there for our loved ones in the years to come.

Here are a few things to know during American Heart Month.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number-one cause of death in the United States with one in three people dying from complications each year. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of heart attacks and the most common reason for fatalities.

Prevention

A healthy lifestyle holds tremendous value in preventing heart disease, and there are many ways to become healthier. By making some or all the choices below, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check and lower the chances that you’ll experience heart problems.

• Smoking is harmful to your heart. Avoiding the habit is an excellent first step to a healthier lifestyle.
• Become physically active every day. Walk more and avoid the elevator by choosing the stairs.
• Reduce your weight, especially if you are living with obesity.
• Manage your stress. Practicing meditation or yoga can help to keep your thoughts calm.
• Limit your alcohol consumption. Avoid that second or third drink for better health.

Spinal Care

Did you know that spinal care also offers a pathway to fighting heart disease?

New studies are linking heart health to spinal care. The vertebrae that make up the spine house neural pathways that support almost every system in our body. If one path isn’t functioning correctly, the resulting imbalance may affect the health of other parts of our bodies, particularly the cardiovascular system.

One controlled study explored the connection between high blood pressure and the health of the spine. Participants had hypertension but refrained from taking medication beginning a month before the eight-week study. One group in the study received chiropractic manipulation, and the other group didn’t. The results at the end of the study revealed a significant reduction in blood pressure amongst participants who received the chiropractic manipulations.

Why Spinal Care Affects the Health of the Heart

An aligned spine encourages the body to balance its physiology naturally. When the neurological structures in the spine are in harmony, patients tend to experience improvements as these adjustments reduce nerve interference.

Spinal care may also impact a person experiencing heart palpitations. If the spine is out of alignment, it puts pressure on the body’s nerves, which in turn stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Stress is a significant cause of heart palpitations.

Chronic stress drives a lot of inflammation in the body, and too much inflammation speeds up the aging process, which raises your risk for heart disease.

Staying Healthy

We can’t control which genes we receive at birth or our predisposition to specific health issues. We can, however, make healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent health-related issues from becoming problematic.

If we throw away the cigarettes, avoid excess drinking, and start walking every day, we may add more years to our life. The fresh air that we inhale as we walk will reduce stress, help lower our blood pressure, and encourage us to maintain a healthy weight.

Thanks to modern research, we have an additional tool to stay healthy: when you visit us to align your spine, you can help reduce inflammation throughout your system and decrease the stress hormones released into your body.

You’ve got years ahead to give your heart to the ones you love. Let us be your partner in keeping your heart healthy.

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August is National Wellness Month, a time to focus on self-care, stress management, and healthy routines. It’s the perfect time to create some new, wholesome habits to look and feel better than ever. When you practice self-care, you naturally feel happier and less stressed. These benefits have another unexpected advantage: pain management and recovery from injuries (such as sports injuries). Stress, poor nutrition, and inadequate rest can all make your pain worse and your recovery longer. Instead, try these four healthy ways to celebrate National Wellness Month and manage your pain and injuries better.

1. Drink more water

Drinking more water is a highly achievable goal and one that has almost immediate benefits. Water lubricates your joints, something that’s even more important as you age. It also helps transport the nutrients you need for energy and overall health. Plain water is your best bet, but you can also get water from other fluids such as juice and tea. Just be sure not to consume too much sugar – any sodas or other flavored beverages should be sugar-free, as sugary drinks are packed with empty calories, and excess weight can make pain and recovery from any injury worse.

2. Make exercise part of your daily routine

If you’ve been thinking of starting an exercise program, there’s no time like National Wellness Month to make it happen. Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight and is terrific for your mental health, especially when you exercise outdoors. Furthermore, exercise can help significantly with pain management. Regular exercise improves your pain threshold, reduces mental stress, increases flexibility and strength, and promotes healthy circulation – all aspects that help you manage pain and recover faster from an injury.

3. Practice deep breathing

It’s well-known that stress exacerbates pain. It can also interfere with your breathing, and you may not even realize it. When you’re stressed, you may tend to take shallow breaths or hold your breath, which can increase tension in your body and, in turn, pain. There are many ways to practice deep breathing, such as this one: Breathe in through your nose for a count of four, hold your breath for another count of four, and then exhale through your mouth for a count of eight. You’ll quickly notice that you feel calmer and more relaxed.

4. Try massage

Massage is a fantastic way to pamper yourself, reduce stress, and promote overall physical and mental well-being. Ask your doctor about remedial massage or treat yourself to a luxurious relaxation massage at a local spa. If you can’t or prefer not to have a massage at a spa or in a physical therapist’s office, you can still reap some of the benefits by trying your hand at self-massage. Giving your feet, calves, lower back, or neck a rubdown can refresh and calm you and help reduce your perception of pain.

Incorporating wellness into your daily routine is an excellent way to feel better daily and promote overall health. What better time to start than National Wellness Month?

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Redefine Healthcare offers epidural lysis of adhesions for patients with excess scarring in the epidural space. Lysis of adhesions is also known as the Racz procedure. This procedure helps address scar tissue conditions around the spine. Patients may have scar tissue in the area between the spinal cord and the bones that support and surround it, known as the epidural space.

When foreign matter (including scar tissue) appears in this area, it can lead to problems with normal motor or sensory functions. Scar tissue can also pose a threat to the spinal nerves by physically compressing them or by damaging them chemically by releasing inflammatory molecules in the epidural space. Epidural Lysis of adhesions can reduce these risks by decreasing or eliminating the scar tissue.

Conditions Lysis of Adhesions Can Address

Lysis of adhesions is an increasingly popular option for many patients with chronic pain. In particular, it helps manage the symptoms of failed back surgery syndrome. These symptoms are caused by back surgery complications resulting in excess scar tissue. There are other conditions where lysis of adhesions is used, such as spinal stenosis. In spinal stenosis, the nervous tissue is physically compressed by the scar tissue surrounding it. This condition can result in sensory disorders, loss of motor control, and pain.

Most lysis of adhesions procedures is performed on the lower back. However, it may also be helpful in some cases involving the cervical spine (neck). Cervical issues can cause chronic pain in the upper limbs or neck. Lysis can help restore normal function by removing adhesions. It also relieves pain, soreness, and inflammation for many patients. The results of this procedure typically last up to 12 weeks.

How it’s Performed

Lysis of adhesions is performed by administering medications and other tools that help break up scar tissue in a specific area. Your surgeon injects a local anesthetic to eliminate any pain. Then, they’ll use imaging technology to visualize the scar tissue for accuracy. Or, they may insert a probe with a small camera attached for the same purpose. Once they are confident about the precise location that needs to be treated, they’ll deliver special medication such as saline and hyaluronidase, which cause the adhesions to break up. They may also administer drugs designed to inhibit pain and inflammation, such as steroids.

Possible Risks

This is a safe and effective procedure. However, as with any treatment, there are risks. Most of the risks associated with this procedure are related to the placement of the needle and catheter. Other potential complications include temporary discomfort at the injection site or temporary headaches. These risks are small, and the benefits of the procedure will, in most cases, far outweigh them. Be sure to ask your doctor any questions you may have before undergoing this or any procedure.

If you would like more information about epidural lysis of adhesions, please call Redefine Healthcare at (732) 313-2610 or contact them here.

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Redefine Healthcare is pleased to announce that they will now offer same-day interventional spine procedures at their four NJ locations. These procedures include:

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a pain-relief procedure involving an electrical current that heats a targeted area of nerve tissue to decrease pain signals from that area. Pain relief from this procedure typically lasts anywhere from six to 12 months. Occasionally, a patient will experience pain relief that lasts for years. Conditions radiofrequency ablation can help include chronic neck or lower back pain as well as joint pain caused by arthritis. Good candidates for this procedure are at least 18 years of age and have been experiencing chronic lower back or neck pain for at least three to six months.

Sympathetic Blocks

Sympathetic blocks work by diagnosing and treating pain caused by the sympathetic nerves. These nerves (part of the sympathetic nervous system) are located on both sides of the spinal column and help control the organs by regulating heart rate, blood flow, and other basic functions. They can also carry pain signals from the peripheral tissues. Symptoms of problems with the sympathetic nerves include pain, swelling, sweating, and changes in color. Sympathetic blocks, as the name suggests, blocks these pain signals and help the patient feel better.

Medial Branch Blocks

The medial branch nerves feed out from the spine’s facet joints and deliver pain signals to the brain. Medial branch blocks are procedures in which an anesthetic is injected to a targeted location in a facet joint. Some patients experience immediate pain relief; when this happens, it can be determined that the facet joint was the source of the pain, making this a diagnostic procedure as well. This procedure is often used with success after the patient has already tried other facet joint injections.

Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is a device that the physician implants in the back to relieve chronic pain. This device sends electrical pulses that interfere with the existing pain-producing nerve impulses. Spinal cord stimulators are often used to treat pain associated with sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, failed back surgery syndrome, and degenerative disc disease. Your physician may perform a trial procedure to monitor the outcome for a few days to ensure success before recommending a permanent neuro-stimulator.

Epidural Lysis Of Adhesions

Epidural Lysis of adhesions is a procedure used to remove scar tissue in the epidural area. This area is a thin space between the protective layers around the spinal cord and the spinal column inside. The epidural space is padded by fat tissue, blood vessels, and nerve roots and runs the whole length of the spine. Scar tissue and adhesions can cause pain by restricting the natural movement of the local nerves. During this procedure, a mixture of local anesthetics and steroids is injected into the area to reduce inflammation and provide significant pain relief.

If you think these procedures may be right for you, or you’re experiencing chronic back pain, contact Redefine Healthcare today for an appointment.

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Redefine Healthcare offers nerve conduction studies to help diagnose a variety of conditions and help determine the best course of treatment.

What Is A Nerve Conduction Study?

A nerve conduction study, or NCS, is a procedure that measures the speed with which electrical impulses move through specific nerves. During this test, your physician will attach electrodes to your skin to stimulate the nerves. Two electrodes will be placed over the nerve on your skin, one of which will stimulate the nerve with a mild electrical pulse, while the other records the result. This process may be repeated for multiple nerves to find the source of the problem. Electromyography is a related test that measures electrical activity in the muscles; both tests may be performed at the same time.

Who Needs A Nerve Conduction Study?

NCS is used for a variety of conditions including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Patient’s with carpal tunnel syndrome often experience pain and numbness in the fingers or hand as the median nerve becomes compressed at the wrist by enlarged ligaments or tendons.
• Guillain-Barre syndrome. In this syndrome, the immune system attacks the body’s peripheral nervous system resulting in tingling or weakness in the legs.
• Herniated disc. Sometimes, the fibrous cartilage around the spinal discs breaks down, forcing the center of the disc outwards. This herniation places pressure on the nearby nerves, leading to pain and damage to the nerve itself.
• Sciatic nerve issues. Sciatic nerve problems have many causes. Most commonly, sciatic nerve conditions are caused by herniated or ruptured spinal discs that are pressing against the nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling.

These are a few examples of conditions and symptoms that may warrant NCS; speak with your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness to determine whether NCS may be right for you.

How Do I Prepare For An NCS?

If your healthcare provider recommends an NCS, they will give you instructions to prepare for the procedure. You should follow your physician’s instructions carefully. However, in general, you can expect the following guidelines for preparation:

• Sign a consent form that explains the procedure and provides your permission.
• No special diet restrictions; sedation is not usually necessary.
• Dress warmly; low body temperature will slow the nerve conduction.
• Inform your care team of all medications and supplements you take, both prescription and over-the-counter.
• Dress in comfortable clothes that provide easy access to the treatment area.
• Avoid using any oils or lotions on the skin before the procedure.

What Happens After An NCS?

After the procedure, you or your provider will remove the electrodes from your skin. You may return immediately to your normal activities; no downtime is necessary unless your provider instructs you differently. In some cases, avoiding strenuous activity for the remainder of the day is recommended. If you have any questions, contact Redefine Healthcare and schedule a consultation to determine if NCS is right for you.

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Redefine Healthcare announced today that they would be offering same-day, minimally-invasive pain treatments at their four New Jersey locations: Union, Clifton, Edison, and Paterson. Patients now have some options for quick pain relief depending on their individual needs. Redefine Healthcare offers the following five minimally-invasive pain relief treatments, among others.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a procedure often used on patients who have sustained compression fractures of the spine. During this procedure, the patient lies face down, and the physician inserts a thin tube into the injured vertebra via a small incision. A special balloon is inserted and inflated, which pushes the caps of the fractured vertebra apart, restoring the structure as carefully as possible to its normal shape. The balloon is then removed, and the space created is filled with bone cement to maintain the shape. Kyphoplasty is most effective when performed within eight weeks of the onset of the injury.

Vertebroplasty

Similar to kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty is used to reduce pain after a compression fracture of the spine. During this procedure, bone cement is injected directly into the interior body of the vertebra. Compression fractures likely to respond well to vertebroplasty are commonly seen in patients with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is most often seen in post-menopausal women, but it can also affect women and men with hormonal imbalances. Tumors are another reason for the weakening and fracturing of the spine. Delaying treatment can lead to the fracture collapsing further and being more difficult or impossible to treat appropriately.

M.I.L.D. (Minimally-Invasive Lumbar Decompression)

M.I.L.D. is used to treat patients with LSS (lumbar spinal stenosis). LSS refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes the nerves to be compressed. This condition can cause pain and numbness, as well as difficulty with standing and walking.

M.I.L.D is an innovative x-ray-guided percutaneous treatment that can reduce pain and increase mobility while preserving the spine’s structural integrity. “The procedure offers people an alternative to open spine surgery that is still effective and allows them to stay active and maintain their independence and quality of life,” says a spokesperson from Redefine Healthcare.

M.I.L.D. is performed under sedation through a tiny incision. The surgeon will guide a unique tool between the bones, scrape out the ligament, and make the spinal canal wider to minimize nerve compression. They will also inject contrast material into the epidural space to help with positioning and ensure precise placement throughout the procedure.

Patients typically recover quickly from M.I.L.D., as spinal mechanics are not disrupted, and the bony architecture of the spine is undisturbed. Most patients return home the same day and begin the rehab program that includes regular walking and participation in physical therapy for optimal healing.

Percutaneous Decompression

Percutaneous decompression is useful for patients experiencing pain, numbness, or other difficulties related to a herniated (bulging) lumbar disc. This condition typically causes pain in the lower back that may radiate down one or both legs and feet. During percutaneous decompression, radio waves are used to dissolve the excess disc tissue, relieving the pressure on the nerves. This treatment can be done on an outpatient basis because complications are unlikely.

Endoscopic Foraminotomy

Endoscopic foraminotomy is used to reduce neural pressure caused by a herniated disc, bony spurs, scar tissue, and other spinal conditions. Many patients achieve pain relief with this procedure, even when other treatments have been unsuccessful. A back surgeon inserts a special endoscope into the spinal nerve canal and removes a small piece of bone to open the nerve canal. During the procedure, any bone spurs or scar tissue can also be removed.

Because these treatments are minimally invasive, they generally have shorter recovery times, and patients can usually return home the same day. For more information, contact Redefine Healthcare.

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The average person may believe that chiropractic care only involves the manipulation of the spine. While spine support is an integral part of the process, chiropractic practice is a holistic approach to medicine—one that considers the entire patient, not merely one disease or a single symptom. At Redefine Healthcare, we celebrate the progress made by individuals in recovery, just as we celebrate our patients who are managing physical health conditions and recovering from injuries.

While pain relief is an essential goal in these procedures, as the Redefine Healthcare team explains, a chiropractor also seeks to help a patient restore his or her body’s natural order. These efforts can have holistic benefits of their own. Redefine Healthcare recently highlighted several of the critical benefits of experienced and comprehensive chiropractic care. We do our part in contributing to recovery by offering chiropractic services, which can help you recuperate faster and better from a variety of injuries. Here’s how.

Less Stress and Anxiety

Under the guidance of a chiropractor, patients receive not only treatment through physical manipulation but also advice and guidance on how to make positive life changes. These two efforts combine to offer more powerful benefits than either could produce on their own.

For many, this care process means a reduction in the amount of daily anxiety one feels, with stress making less of an impact. Chiropractors often point out that emotional stress can be a cause of subluxations, the vertebral misalignments that can cause pain and disease.

1. Reducing Stress By Reducing Muscle Tension

Stress and muscle tension form a cycle that can be hard to break; you feel stressed, so your muscles tense, which leads to pain and more anxiety. When your muscles are tensed, it can affect your posture and the way you sit, stand, and walk. Over time these changes take a toll on your body. You may experience sleep problems or have trouble concentrating on work because of the tension in your body. Your chiropractor can help soothe this tension, restoring your body’s natural balance and your mind’s focus.

2. Restoring Physical Function Through Spinal Adjustments

Your spine is central to your neurological system. Everything your brain communicates to the rest of your body – including swallowing and breathing – transmits through the backbone. When you are stressed, and your body becomes tense, it affects your spine. Your chiropractor can adjust your spine and restore its natural position as well as the normal function of your body. Many patients report that after regular chiropractic treatments, they have more energy, get sick less often, and feel less stressed overall.

3. A Holistic Whole-Person Approach

Your body and mind are inextricably connected, and this is never more apparent than when you are under a lot of stress. Your chiropractor can counsel you on full-body wellness including nutrition, exercise, physical therapy, and mental processes. All of these lifestyle choices impact your fitness, physical performance, and mental health. Your chiropractor will take your complete medical history and work closely with you to help you develop healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes that will keep you feeling your best.

Better Sleep

A good night’s rest is the natural consequence of lower stress levels. With confidence in your care and the ability to address problems in close consultation with your chiropractor, you may find it is easier to fall asleep. Many chiropractic patients report improvements in sleep quality following an adjustment, but your practitioner can help in other ways, too. Suggesting the right sleeping position for your body, for example, can make a big difference.

A Unified Approach to Your Health

By viewing the body as a series of interconnected systems and not merely breaking down issues into symptoms to treat, chiropractors offer patients a more unobstructed view of their healthcare. This benefit is further strengthened by the close working relationship that develops between patient and practitioner—one that Redefine Healthcare professionals consider a foundational tenet of chiropractic care. Consulting with a professional that can make connections between issues patients are experiencing can increase patient confidence and improve outcomes.

A Reduced Need for Surgery

Perhaps one of the most significant and most well-studied benefits of chiropractic care relates to its ability to aid patients in avoiding the need for surgery. While sometimes necessary to remedy a patient health concern, back surgeries often carry a higher risk of complications than non-surgical care. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, chiropractic care can and should serve as the first line of treatment for back-related issues before surgery becomes an option. Some recent studies found that holistic chiropractic care reduced the need for surgery by more than 60%.

Diet And Nutrition

Nutrition may not be the first thing you think of when you consider chiropractic care, but it’s indeed an important and integral part of your treatment. When you’re injured, you need to shift your perspective to nutrition. Your focus now is on fighting inflammation and fueling repair. When you’re injured, your body sends out an inflammatory response. This reaction is a good thing to an extent – it’s how cuts are healed, and the damage is repaired. However, a prolonged state of inflammation (for example, from a severe injury) can inhibit healing and exacerbate your swelling and damage. Speak with your chiropractor about a good anti-inflammatory diet that includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats and excludes pro-inflammatory foods such as refined sugars, oils, and processed meats.

Increasing The Rate Of Healing

One of the most important ways chiropractic care can help you recover is by increasing your natural rate of healing. Muscle tension can stifle agility while misalignment can hinder the healing process; chiropractic treatment can address both problems. If you have sustained an injury, muscle stress, inflammation, and misalignments can all affect how quickly you recover. Chiropractic adjustments can protect you from these issues, not only helping you recover from an existing injury, but also helping you avoid injuries in the future.

Improving Range Of Motion

You may have heard about football players taking ballet classes to improve on the field. You’re almost certainly aware that stretching before and after a workout is a good idea. In fact, both of these practices can enhance your flexibility and agility, maximizing your range of motion and making it easier to move your body comfortably. Increasing your flexibility can help protect you from the effects of tight muscles – such as an increased risk of injury. Chiropractic treatments can help you achieve the same results. Having an optimal range of motion can contribute to your general comfort, a lower risk of injury, and speedier healing from injuries you may have now.

Correcting Asymmetries

Another way chiropractic can help you recover is by correcting asymmetries in your body. Maybe you’ve heard that everyone has one leg that’s longer than the other? This fact is indeed true of all body parts – nobody is 100 % symmetrical. As a result, the two sides of your body are slightly different, and this can affect your performance and healing. Chiropractic alignments can help condition your body to cope with these differences better along with reducing tension throughout your body. When your body is equipped to function properly as one unit, it can recover faster from an injury and be less likely to become re-injured going forward.

By creating an individual as a complete person, together, practitioners and their patients unlock the opportunity to explore many whole-body benefits. Redefine Healthcare is proud to offer access to holistic chiropractic as one of the many available options for pain management and relief. With trained experts in physical therapy, chiropractic care, and more, the Redefine Healthcare team is ready to aid in finding the right treatment pathway for each patient. Get in touch with Redefine Healthcare today to start a conversation about how chiropractic care could benefit you.

The post Redefine Healthcare Explores Four Holistic Benefits of Chiropractic Manipulation appeared first on NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center.

Redefine Healthcare recommends chiropractic treatments for chronic winter pain. Many people complain of worsening pain during the colder months, and chiropractic care can help.

“People struggle to stay healthy throughout the winter,” says a spokesperson for Redefine Healthcare. “Especially for people dealing with chronic pain, cold weather can exacerbate symptoms and make people much more uncomfortable. However, seeing your chiropractor regularly can make a big difference in how you feel on a daily basis.”

Why Chiropractic Treatments are Ideal for Winter Pain

There are several reasons that chiropractic care makes sense when the temperature drops. First of all, cold weather can cause your joints and muscles to feel stiff. Your muscles are reluctant to stretch out, preferring instead to draw up in an attempt to stay warm. This rigid and inflexible feeling can lead to a higher likelihood of injury. Your chiropractor can help by keeping your spine appropriately aligned and discouraging stiffness.

Another reason chiropractic care is essential in the winter is that cold weather makes regular exercise more of a challenge. If you like working out outdoors, winter can severely hamper your efforts. Even if you usually go to the gym, it can be hard to get out into the frigid weather long enough to make the drive. This lack of exercise can make joints and muscles even stiffer, and chiropractic treatments can help keep your body limber and loose until the outdoor temperatures recover in the spring.

Also, chiropractors do more than just eliminate stiffness and pain. “The central nervous system communicates with other body systems, including the immune system,” explains the Redefine Healthcare spokesperson. “Since the spine is part of the central nervous system, that means that chiropractic treatments set off a kind of chain reaction – the healthy spine bolsters the central nervous system, which in turn helps boost the immune system. And in the winter, it’s more important than ever to keep the immune system strong.”

Physical health isn’t the only reason to see your chiropractor, either; mental health is as important. Depression is a common problem in the winter, especially among people with chronic pain. Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which causes moderate to severe symptoms of depression during the winter months.

“Chiropractors help these patients by stimulating the central nervous system and helping to regulate hormone production, which can significantly improve symptoms of depression,” says the Redefine Healthcare spokesperson.

Chiropractic Treatments at Redefine Healthcare

Redefine Healthcare offers a range of chiropractic treatments, as well as physical therapy and other treatments, for patients dealing with chronic pain. They provide a combination of chiropractic manipulation and physical therapy for a powerful treatment program to fight pain, especially in the winter. When you see a practitioner at Redefine Healthcare, you’ll receive a thorough evaluation as well as recommendations for an individualized treatment plan to help relieve your pain and restore your normal mobility. Contact Redefine Healthcare for a consultation.

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