As we get older, staying healthy and active becomes more important than ever. Even though your muscles and bones may not be as strong as they once were, you can still enjoy a full, normal life taking part in the activities that you enjoy. Unfortunately, many seniors experience problems such as chronic pain and other physical issues caused by age-related deterioration of the body. The good news is that chiropractic care offers numerous benefits for the aging population, from a reduced risk of falls to enhanced mobility. Here are some of these benefits.

Pain Relief

Chiropractic care is an extremely safe and effective way to treat the pain that can accompany many age-related spinal conditions. One reason that this therapy is so effective is that chronic pain is often related to abnormalities of the spine itself or the surrounding soft tissues. Chiropractors are trained specifically to identify and treat spine misalignments to address their effect on the body. In addition to causing a range of unpleasant side effects, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs simply mask painful symptoms. Chiropractic care treats the underlying issue, reducing the need for such medications.

Improved Range of Motion

Chiropractic care is known to increase the range of motion, not only in the spine but in the extremities as well. Maximizing a person’s range of motion improves their quality of life in many ways. For example, an improved range of motion may mean the ability to garden without pain, bend down to pick up grandchildren or play golf with the guys again. In many cases, patients experience an increased range of motion immediately following their chiropractic treatments. Incidentally, many pro sports teams have their own chiropractors for this very reason.

Reduced Fall Risk

Falls that result in injuries are extremely common among older individuals. In fact, according to the CDC, 30 million adults fall every year, leading to some 30,000 deaths. One out of every five falls results in a serious injury, and 300,000 adults are hospitalized each year for hip fractures. More than 95 % of these hip fractures are caused by falling. Chiropractic care can reduce these risks through the administration of chiropractic adjustments that normalize the cervical spine. Chiropractors can also prescribe specific exercises and stretches designed to boost strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and mobility.

Reduced Primary Care Costs

Receiving regular chiropractic treatments can help seniors cut down on the number of primary care visits they’ll need, reducing overall healthcare costs. Furthermore, chiropractic care may even help keep patients out of nursing homes for longer by improving strength, mobility, and overall well-being. People who receive chiropractic care are more likely to be active, less likely to be hospitalized, and less likely to require full-time care in a nursing home.

At Redefine Healthcare, we offer a range of chiropractic services, pain management, physical therapy, sports medicine, and more. We happily accept Medicare and help many elderly individuals regain their independence and quality of life. With chiropractic services now available in both our Paterson and Edison facilities, it is easier to get the care you or a loved one deserves. Contact us today for a consultation and to get moving!

The post Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Seniors appeared first on NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center.

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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Redefine Healthcare would like to wish you well during these difficult times. We understand that our patients still need care and will thus be keeping our doors open. We would like to assure you that we are following all preparedness and prevention guidelines established by the CDC to protect our patients and staff. Our patient’s health and wellness are our utmost priority.

Additionally, we are now offering Telemedicine Pain Management appointments to patients who might not feel comfortable coming into the office. During these telemedicine appointments, one of our board-certified physicians will conduct a thorough screening of your symptoms over the phone. To the best of their ability, they will then suggest an appropriate coarse of action for you.

We wish you all safe and well.

Please call Redefine Healthcare at (732) 313-2610 for the most up-to-date news on the status of our practice or to schedule your appointment.

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Great news!

Beginning this March, Redefine Healthcare will now be offering Chiropractic treatment at our Edison location. If you live near Edison, your drive to access excellent chiropractic services will be a lot shorter—but drive safely! The after-effects of a car accident represent one of the leading reasons why people visit their chiropractor’s office. We are an excellent resource for addressing pain management and building strength to decrease recovery time after an accident occurs.

For most people, pain is inevitable at some point in their lives, but taking preventive measures increases the likelihood of recovering more quickly or avoiding injury altogether.

Prevention

Your spinal health is vital to your productive and active lifestyle. Taking preventative steps increases your ability to build strength and flexibility.

• Preventive chiropractic care increases your range of motion by boosting flexibility. When your muscles and joints are tight, you are at an increased risk of straining them, even during your light daily routines. Adjustments improve your joints’ ability to move so that your muscles can do their work.
• Your spine supports your body. A chiropractor’s adjustment will improve your posture, which has a direct effect on the neck, back, and leg areas. The more you stand or sit up straight, the less likely it is that you’ll experience minor aches and pains.
• Have you noticed minor pain? You may think that it isn’t worth addressing unless it worsens, but focusing on the issue earlier means that you can stop it before it becomes problematic.

You can stay one step ahead of aches and pains if you visit our offices as a preventive gift to yourself. If you do face a sports injury or find yourself rear-ended in an automobile accident, you will have a stronger and more flexible body to begin the healing process with as you pursue care.

Car Accidents

No amount of prevention can protect you from another person rear-ending you in an auto accident. The good news is that chiropractors are an excellent resource to address these kinds of injuries.

When someone hits your car from behind, forces measuring thousands of pounds impact your supporting tissues around the spine and neck. These tissues, ligaments, and vertebral discs stretch and tear, disrupting your joints. Spinal shifting and misalignment add up to the potential for a lot of aches and pains.

Pain from a car accident may not appear for days or even weeks after the accident. Pain medication does a satisfying job at masking the pain. However, a chiropractor will get to the underlying injury, whether it is a spinal issue or whiplash.

The Long-Term Solution to Managing Pain

Chiropractic care will address lost mobility after an injury. Adjustment relieves the pressure on the nerves and muscles as it realigns the spine. There are times when the pain goes away immediately upon alignment. Corrective exercises increase the body’s full range of motion, relieving even more pain.

Your long-term solution to supporting your body’s natural healing process begins with that first drive to your chiropractor’s office. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to relieve pain and build a healthier spinal structure to prepare for the unexpected.

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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.

The post Redefine Healthcare Recommending Chiropractic Treatments for Winter Chronic Pain appeared first on NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center.

If you have a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, your symptoms can be exacerbated by cold weather. Winter temperatures affect pain in several ways. First, patients tend to spend more time staying warm indoors, and this decrease in activity may increase stiffness and fatigue. Muscle tightness and spasms also become more likely. Another factor that can play a role is overly sensitive nerves that may react unpleasantly to even small temperature fluctuations. Whatever the reason, many people report an increase in their pain during the colder months. Here are five tips to help you get relief when temperatures plummet.

Dress In Layers

Dressing appropriately is your first line of defense against the cold. Wear clothes that fit loosely and comfortably but are substantial enough to trap heat. You can also add layers such as wool underwear, sweaters, socks, gloves, and scarves to help keep yourself as warm as possible without sacrificing mobility or having to crank up the thermostat.

Keep Moving

It may be tempting to curl up under a pile of blankets and watch TV, but long periods of inactivity will only aggravate your pain. Staying active does two essential things: first, it helps you stay warm, thereby fighting pain naturally. Second, it keeps your muscles from becoming tight and your joints from becoming stiff. Stretch, walk, and do whatever exercises you can to keep your body moving regularly.

Pay Attention To Your Diet

You can help fight pain-causing inflammation with a nutritious, whole-foods diet. Eating plenty of foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats will ensure that you are doing everything you can to bolster your immune system. Aim to have lots of different colors on your plates for the broadest range of vitamins. For added protection, use plenty of cumin and turmeric in your food and reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of these spices.

Apply Heat (In Moderation)

Warm packs and heating pads can relieve pain in cold, stiff joints. However, use caution. Many people have fallen asleep and ended up with severe burns on their skin. In general, you should use heat for no more than 20 minutes at a time (10 if you have neuropathies such as those caused by diabetes). Also, make sure that your doctor knows that you are using heat and agrees that it’s safe for you.

Skip The Nightcaps

It may seem like an alcoholic beverage or two warms you up, but that toasty feeling is misleading. Alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate, allowing your body to lose heat. Instead of wine or liquor, reach for hot herbal tea or soup to warm you from the inside out and help you relax, sleep better, and enjoy significant pain relief.

At Redefine Healthcare, we see many patients with chronic pain conditions and are familiar with how cold weather can affect pain. If you are struggling with illness, contact us today for a consultation. We’ll help determine the cause of your pain and a treatment plan to get you feeling better.

The post Five Ways to Handle Your Chronic Pain This Winter appeared first on NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center.

Many people with arthritis or other chronic pain conditions dread winter because of how the cold affects their pain. Chronic pain can become much worse when temperatures drop, potentially resulting in fatigue, isolation, and depression. Being aware of this reality and learning some effective ways to fight pain can help you enjoy the season again.

How Cold Weather Affects Pain

Although medical professionals don’t exactly know why the cold exacerbates pain, one thing is sure: an overwhelming number of patients report that the weather does have an effect. Elevated pain levels due to cold conditions can be an incredibly frustrating problem as patients constantly try to stay warm with heating pads and blankets. The need to stay near a heat source and the stiffness caused by pain both make it difficult to move around–and, worse still, not moving around can increase pain. Another factor is the oversensitivity of the nerves, which can react intensely to temperature changes.

The good news is that there are lots of things you can do to reduce pain and stay more comfortable throughout the winter months. Here are four ways people living with arthritis can do to manage winter pain.

Stay Active

It’s tempting to stay curled up in bed when pain strikes, but it will only make things worse. Keep your body limber with gentle exercises and stretches. Walking, yoga, and tai chi are all great for relieving pain (and stress). If you have access to a heated pool, light swimming is another great activity to try. Remember to take it easy and listen to your body–overwork can lead to excessive pain and long-lasting fatigue.

Dress Warmly

Your choice of clothing plays a major role in how warm you feel. The right clothes can keep you cozy and warm all day and night. Choose loose-fitting, warm clothes that trap heat next to the body. Some patients even report warm wool clothing works just as well as prescription medications for reducing pain. Wearing layers of warm clothes also allows you to stay warm while you’re up and around instead of stuck under multiple blankets to retain heat.

Check Your Vitamin D

Many patients with chronic pain and depression have low levels of vitamin D because of reduced exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to increased feelings of sadness and fatigue, so put a stop to this cycle by ensuring you’re getting enough. Ask your doctor if a vitamin D supplement could be an option for you.

Skip the Alcohol

It may seem like that nightcap you enjoy so much gives you a toasty warm feeling, but it actually lowers your body temperature. Alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate, resulting in the loss of heat. Instead of turning to booze to warm up, reach for some hot herbal tea instead, which will warm you pleasantly while also helping you relax.

By understanding how cold weather is likely to affect your pain, you can be prepared for the winter chill. If these suggestions don’t do the trick, speak to your practitioner about non-traditional treatments such as acupuncture or massage, which can help relieve pain.

The post Four Ways to Relieve Arthritis Pain in Cold Weather appeared first on NJ's Top Orthopedic Spine & Pain Management Center.

Millions of people live with chronic pain. Pain has a significant negative impact on your quality of life. It can be challenging to find safe, effective pain relief methods for long-term use. The good news is that there are safe, natural, gentle, and effective ways to relieve pain – such as massage therapy.

Massage therapy can be valuable for a wide range of problems including back pain, neck pain, joint pain or stiffness, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal issues. This treatment can also minimize metastatic bone pain, headaches, and postoperative pain. It can be beneficial in back and leg pain in pregnant women as well. It also relieves the tension and mental distress that so often accompany a chronic pain condition.

Massage therapy helps relieve pain in a variety of ways. First, it relaxes muscles, which both improves range of motion and maximizes healing sleep. Massage also improves blood circulation, which helps muscles recover from soreness and injury as well as, massage increases endorphin levels. This gives your mood a boost – an essential part of chronic pain management.

There are so many causes of chronic pain and so many people who live with it that finding a solution is essential. Pain management is an ongoing problem for many people; more people live with pain than with heart disease, diabetes, and cancer combined and is the number-one reason people seek medical care. For those looking for effective treatment without the side effects of many oral medications, massage therapy offers hope. Five common conditions massage therapy can help:

Lower Back Pain

Back pain is widespread in the U.S. Massage therapy can help relax the muscles, improve function and mobility, reduce pain, and even decrease the anxiety and depression that can plague people who live with chronic pain.

Fibromyalgia

Massage therapy can be an essential component of an integrative treatment plan for people with fibromyalgia. Massage can help these individuals by reducing pain and improving quality of life; it can also minimize anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stiffness.

Postoperative Pain

Excessive postoperative pain can lengthen hospital stays, complicate recovery, and delay the patient’s return to their normal daily activities. For patients who have recently undergone a surgical procedure, massage therapy can lower pain levels as well as anxiety about healing.

Tension Headaches

Because massage therapy is such a great muscle relaxer, it has benefits for those suffering from tension headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Massage therapy can help tension headache sufferers by decreasing the perceived pain, duration, frequency, and intensity of their headaches.

Arthritis

Massage therapy can be beneficial in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Not only can it reduce their pain, but it also increases mobility in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Massage therapy can also benefit those with other types of arthritis – even arthritis of the hand or wrist.

Massage Therapy Consultation

Contact Redefine Healthcare today for more information or to schedule a consultation to discuss your pain management needs and goals.

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