Call us: 402-884-4774. Or schedule an appointment for Bellevue or Elkhorn online.
Our Bellevue office
3811 Twin Creek Dr #102
Our Elkhorn/West Omaha office
1529 S. 203rd Street #103

Recognizing the signs of scoliosis

Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine of more than 10 degrees. It can begin at any age. However, it most often appears between the ages of 10 and 15, and it most commonly affects girls, according to Dr. Larry Wyatt of the American Chiropractic Association.

It’s easy for chiropractors and other health care professionals to check for scoliosis using the Adams test. Your child will be asked to bend forward until the spine is horizontal. If scoliosis is present, one side of the back may appear higher than the other.

Adams test and x-ray show scoliosis
The Adams test (left) and x-ray show scoliosis in a teenage girl.

According to the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), “it is a very sensitive test for scoliosis; it is therefore the most frequent screening test for scoliosis.”

The SRS also lists these other signs of scoliosis:

  • One shoulder may be higher than the other.
  • One shoulder blade may be higher or more prominent than the other.
  • With the arms hanging loosely at the side, there may be more space between the arm and the body on one side.
  • One hip may appear to be higher or more prominent than the other.
  • The head may not be exactly centered over the pelvis.
  • The waist may be flattened on one side; skin creases may be present on one side of the waist.

“Fortunately, most patients with scoliosis have curves of less than 20 degrees,” says Dr. Wyatt. “These are usually not detectable to the untrained eye and are not a cause for concern, provided there are no signs of further progression.”

Three treatment options are available for scoliosis, Dr. Wyatt says. They include careful observation, bracing and surgery.

“Careful observation is the most common ‘treatment,’ as most mild scolioses do not progress and cause few, if any, physical problems,” he said. “Bracing is generally reserved for children whose skeletons are still growing and who have curves between 25 and 45 degrees.”

Surgery may be necessary if the curve is greater than 45 degrees, or if the scoliosis is affecting the function of vital organs such as the heart or lungs.

Akridge & Akridge Chiropractic can check your child for signs of scoliosis. We can also take x-rays in our office if signs indicate this is necessary.

To schedule an appointment or if you have questions, please call our office at 402-884-4774.

Foam roller yoga helps runners recover

Need a good routine to recover from a run? Dr. Lacey and Dr. Craig suggest “yoga on a roll”. This 38-minute routine, led by instructor Rebecca Pacheco, can give you greater range of motion because it works your entire body.

If you don’t have a foam roller, you can also use a yoga block, or do the routine without the roller.

Let us know in the comments how well this works for you!

More yoga videos can be found on the Runner’s World website.

Chiropractic enhances employee wellness

Employees have spoken and they’re telling their bosses: We WANT to be healthy, both at home and in the workplace.

In partnership with Workforce Management magazine, Virgin Pulse surveyed 361 businesses and 3,822 employees in 2014 on the impact of health and wellness. The survey found:

  • 87 percent of employees said wellness positively impacted work culture, an increase of 10 percent from 2013.
  • 96 percent of employees participate in wellness programs to improve their own health. Improved health was a bigger motivator at work than financial incentives.

Jenn explains the spinal screening results for Akridge Chiropractic.Akridge & Akridge Chiropractic can help you and your employer to integrate chiropractic care into your employee wellness program. Jenn Jorgensen, the practice representative for our clinic, travels to businesses and meetings to explain our philosophy of chiropractic care. She also does health and wellness screenings and talks about “How to Stay Young.”

If you’d like Jenn to visit your office or meet with your management team, please give us a call at 402-884-4774 to set up an appointment.

Does your boss need more encouragement? Here are some other findings from the Virgin Pulse survey:

  • Enhancing mental health is also a priority in the workplace:  52 percent of employers offered services for mental health and depression management in 2014, a 14 percent increase from last year.
  • The top three options employees want in a wellness program include physical activity programs (72 percent), healthy on-site food choices (66 percent), and on-site gyms and fitness classes. The top three offerings by employers are stop-smoking programs, physical activity programs, and mental health services.
  • Wellness programs can be a great recruiting tool: 88 percent of employees describe access to health and wellness programs as an important factor for defining an employer of choice.

June is National Employee Wellness Month. Find more information here:

http://employeewellnessmonth.com/wellness-insights-resources/

Chiropractic Care for Headaches and Migraines

Most people head to the medicine cabinet when they get a headache. A trip to the chiropractor also can help you manage and relieve that pain.

“Research shows that spinal manipulation – the primary form of care provided by doctors of chiropractic – may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck,” according to the American Chiropractic Association.

Researchers at the Duke University Evidence-Based Practice Center in Durham, NC, found that spinal manipulation resulted in almost immediate improvement for headaches that are based in the neck, according to a 2001 report. Chiropractic treatment also had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of tension-type headaches than a commonly prescribed medication, the ACA said.

Psychology Today reports that a study from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington, Minnesota, found that chiropractic healing was about as successful as prescription drug treatment. The study compared chiropractic treatment with use of amitriptyline, an antidepressant commonly used to treat migraines.

Akridge & Akridge Chiropractic can create a treatment plan to help you manage your headache pain. In addition to adjustments, we can offer guidance on posture, exercises, relaxation techniques and other lifestyle changes to keep you pain-free. Please call us at 402-884-4774 for an appointment.

Take care of your back while on vacation

It’s great to pack up the family and take a vacation. Everyone can benefit from the break in routine and exploring something new.

Whether you travel by car, plane, boat or motorcycle, your back doesn’t get a break from work. It just has to adjust to different surroundings, activities and schedules.

If you have back problems, here are some tips for traveling with a bad back.
Vacation Eiffel Tower

  • Check with your chiropractor to make sure your activities will be safe for your back. A trip to the amusement park or mountain climbing may not be the best ideas.
  • Bring along your heating pad, ice bag and other tools for pain relief.
  • Use luggage with wheels and handles that can be pulled easily through an airport or into a hotel room.
  • During a long ride on a plane or train, move around as much as possible. Walk up and down the aisles.
  • If you’re going by car, stop as needed for quick breaks to stretch your back and legs.
  • Pace yourself. Don’t wear yourself out by doing too many things in a day. It might be better to enjoy fewer things and remain pain-free.
  • Don’t be afraid to try. One of our patients was able to climb 300 steps on a spiral staircase to reach the observation deck at a church. She took her time, rested as needed, and persisted until she got to the top.

For more information, check out these tips on traveling with back pain and sciatica:

http://raintree.hubpages.com/hub/back_pain_and_sciatica_travel_tips