September 4, 2019

Instantly Improve Your Health With Better Posture

Back Pain Post a Comment

Break These Habits To Improve Your Posture

Right now, as you are reading this, how’s your posture? Are you leaning forward, hunched over or are you leaning back with your spine rounded? How about when you stare at your computer or phone screen for hours on end, are you slouched over looking down with your chin almost touching your chest? 

Most people know it’s wise to have good posture but few understand the true implications. Aside from the mental ramifications of exuding poor posture (embodied cognition, look it up!) your sitting and standing habits could play a role in poor circulation, fatigue, muscle pain and strain, breathing issues, neck tension and headaches. On the other hand, good posture can help you maintain the correct alignment of bones and joints, prevent muscle strain, reduce stress and inflammation, conserve energy and decrease wear and tear on the joints. To improve your posture, try some of these quick fixes:

  • Make sure the top edge of your computer monitor screen is level with your eyes
  • Keep your monitor at least 24 inches from your face, directly in front of you
  • If you have two or more monitors, switch the location of the most frequently used to center
  • Adjust your chair to support your elbows, hips and knees at 90 degree angles with your shoulders relaxed and lumbar spine supported
  • Keep both feet on the floor
  • Consider a footstool to take pressure off your lower back and a wrist pad for your forearms 

Other helpful tips for reducing the stress on the musculoskeletal system throughout the day:

  • Take a 2-3 minute break every half hour to stand or take a walk
  • Get a sit-stand desk
  • Use the stairs
  • Print items at the furthest printer from your desk
  • Stretch every hour, even if you can’t leave your chair

When these strategies aren’t enough to keep the pain away, regular chiropractic adjustments, combined with soft tissue release techniques and physical therapy can help. At Integrated Health Solutions our doctors have advanced training in testing and identifying dysfunctions caused by posture and poor mechanics.  If you are looking to make improvements in your posture or are worried about unexplained painful symptoms, making the call may make all the difference. 

Content provided by Dr. Drew Hunt
October 1, 2014

Active Release Technique Alternative Treatment for Muscle and Joint Pain

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Discover and Treat Soft Tissue Abnormalities

Active Release Technique, or A.R.T. for short, is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue technique that uses specific contact on the injured area of the patient, in order to help decrease pain, tension, and adhesion.  In A.R.T, the provider uses their hands in a specific motion with pressure to work out the tightness that is affecting that area.

The people that will benefit the most from this technique are:

  • Athletes, both professional and recreational
  • Patients with chronic pain and overuse
  • Patients who want an unconventional treatment for relief

A.R.T. was created by Dr. Michael P. Leahy when he realized that you could actually feel your patient’s tissue injuries.  He discovered that connective tissue and scar tissue could build up as a result of overuse and stress.  As scar tissue builds it ties down tissues that normally need to move freely, thus reducing the range of motion of the affected tissue. This tissue derangement typically causes pain and alters function.

What can be treated by this technique?  There are dozens of conditions, which include, but are not limited to:

  • Headaches
  • Neck Pain
  • Shin Splints
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Achilles Tendon Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Tennis Elbow
  • Soreness in tendons, ligaments, and nerves

When you come in for treatment at our active release clinic you can expect Dr. Charbel to analyze your soft tissue function to determine the true cause of pain.  The analysis of the soft tissue is done using a technique called “active palpation”, which is a hands on technique used to discover abnormalities in the soft tissue, usually without the use of an MRI or an ultrasound.

At our affordable chiropractic clinic, Dr. Charbel offers A.R.T. to reduce pain that patients feel from the causes outlined above.  He knows that everyone’s pain is different and every patient should be treated as such.  That’s why he takes the time to talk to each patient and understand where the pain is actually coming from, instead of treating everyone the same.  Additionally, Integrated Health Solutions offers other complimentary therapies to A.R.T., in order to ensure the best care possible.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
September 25, 2014

How to Find the Best Chiropractic Office

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FAQs To Help Determine The Best Chiropractic Office Near You

Q: Why do some chiropractors take x-rays and some do not?

A: The best chiropractors use a conservative approach in taking x-rays and applying specific guidelines when ordering x-rays. X-rays are definitely required when a patient has suffered a significant trauma, or when the chiropractor is suspecting an infection is cancer or a tumor, or the patient is over 65 and is suspected to have osteoporosis. In addition, if pain is getting worse or patient is not improving then an x-ray is merited. Best chiropractor knows that there are cases that x-rays don’t make a difference on the treatment plan, for instance if a patient is suffering from a disc herniation.  Because x-rays do not show soft tissue variables or derangements that patient would not benefit from an x-ray and would need an MRI if necessary.

Q: How many visits should a patient expect before they see results when treated by a chiropractor?

A: Typically patients should start seeing results within 6-8 visits. The best chiropractic practices typically recommend 2-3 visits a week for 2-4 weeks after which patients should be feeling about 90% better. If no progress is made, the treatment plan should be changed and/or patient should be referred out.

Related: What You Should Know About Pain

Q: What conditions/ailments do you treat most in your practice?

A: I personally specialize in musculoskeletal pain; this includes headaches and migraines, back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and knee pain, among others.

Q: Other than the top of mind reason, pain, why would people go to a chiropractor?

A: Wellness care is a very good reason for going to a chiropractor. Chiropractic visits are very beneficial in the prevention of musculoskeletal pain. The best chiropractors will also educate you on healthy living approaches, and ways to decrease emotional and physical stress.

Related: 6 Simple Steps to Eliminate Stress, 8 Simple Steps for a Happier Healthier Lifestyle, Trying to Get Healthy, but Not Sure Where to Start?, Your Guide to a Healthier Lifestyle

Q: What is all the therapy?  And do I need it?

A: The best chiropractors use different therapies on different patients.  If a patient is in acute pain in that they cannot move, modalities such as TENS unit, ice and lasers all aid and assist in decreasing pain and inflammation in that situation.  Then, patients move to an active treatment plan, where we use exercise to awaken and strengthen the inhibited muscles. Soft tissue modalities are used to address adhesion and tissue tension.

Related: Achilles Tendon Pain and Active Release Technique

Q: What is the new trend with taping?

A: Kinesio tape is used to provide support and stability to the patient’s joints and muscles without restricting movement or circulation in the patient.  It also expedites healing by reducing pain and swelling.

Q: What are your thoughts on orthotics?

A: Orthotics are prescribed when they are needed.  Orthotics is a good solution when there is a leg length discrepancy that is affecting the rest of the body.  It is also useful when there is an anatomical variance, or a foot pronation.  Ideally, we encourage active care to bring the body into balance.

Q: Do I need Electrical Stem Unit?

A: The best chiropractors recommend TENS in the acute phase of care. In most cases, it is not used for the long-term patient management. We like to see patients being more involved in active care, such as doing planks, proper breathing, being aware of posture etc., as opposed to solely depending on a TENS unit, otherwise, the TENS unit becomes more of a symptom covering tool, as opposed to addressing the cause of the pain.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
July 3, 2014

What is TMJ?

Joint Pain Post a Comment

Symptoms and Solutions to TMJ Disorder

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint that connects your jaws to your skull. Temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise known as TMJD, is a disorder of the joint that may create discomfort and pain not only in the joint itself, but the pain may also be sensed around the ear, in the neck area and in the head, often resulting in headaches.

Many of our patients come into our affordable chiropractic clinic, unaware that their symptoms are caused by their TMJD. They often express that their pain is in their neck, around their ear, and up into their head. In addition, many of them describe a sensation of clinching and grinding their teeth, and a feeling of tightness around their jaw. After a thorough exam, we are able to link their symptoms to TMJD.

There is no direct causality of why TMJD occurs, however in most cases it is contributed by tension in the temporal musculature, otherwise known as the temporalis and the masseter muscle, which are the chewing muscles located in your cheek. This tension, that develops, often in forms of trigger points within the muscle fibers, restricts the muscles and joint from their proper function, making the joint problematic and symptomatic.

What can you do to help reduce your TMJD symptoms?

TMJD can be considered a biopsychosocial matter. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we begin by encouraging and educating our patients on the importance of eliminating external factors and stressors, whether emotional or environmental; many are able to do so through meditation, breathing exercises, and journaling.

In addition, maintaining proper mouth posture will help eliminate undue stress on affected muscles. A proper mouth posture is maintained by keeping lips sealed, teeth slightly separated, with your tongue resting just behind your upper teeth. It is important to be aware of your body posture, as well, when driving, eating, and sitting at a desk. We also recommend refraining from chewing gum, and when possible, chew your food equally on both sides.  We do encourage our patients to consult with their dentist, to make sure there is no dental work that needs to be addressed.

An integrated approach to address the TMJD is the most appropriate treatment plan. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we address these symptoms and disorder by administering different soft tissue therapies, and when necessary, we incorporate acupuncture and dry needling into the treatment plan. This approach diffuses the trigger points and the tension that has formed along the jaws and the temporal areas, which will also help reduce anxiety and tension.

If you are suffering from tension in your jaw or neck, are suffering from frequent headaches, or have found yourself clinching and grinding your teeth, call our affordable chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020 to see how we can help.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.
June 19, 2014

How Does Dry Needling Work?

Dry Needling Post a Comment

Reset Your Muscles and Tissues with Dry Needling

I am often asked what dry needling is, and how it works. Dry needling, in a sense, is very similar to acupuncture, when it comes down to the tools that we use. We use very thin filaments, which are inserted into the tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are dysfunctional and deranged. However, with dry needling, our main focus is on musculoskeletal pain, reduction of pain, and enhancement of soft tissue function.

In a simple form, dry needling normalizes and resets the muscles and tissue to its original homeostatic function. For instance, if a muscle is too tight, tense, and has trigger points and adhesion, dry needling resets it back to a normal density with no spasms or tension. On the other hand, if the muscle is inhibited and is not functioning, as it should, dry needling will reset the mechanism in that muscle, helping to reawaken it.

There are several theories about how dry needling works. One of the predominate theories was proven by observing the brain in a functional MRI, while a patient was treated with metal needles that were not conductive to magnetic fields. This study showed, that the brain sensors responsible for pain reduction became more active, and in turn secreted pain reduction chemicals, such as endorphins.

Another theory suggests that the very thin filaments that are inserted into the tissue, even though they are quite thin and unnoticeable in almost all instances, create damage to thousands of cells. The brain perceives this damage, and initiates a healing effect and rejuvenation of the tissue.

In another study, it was shown that the biochemical changes that occur around the needle are favorable in reducing inflammation and pain.  A final theory of how dry needling works is a study that suggests that a properly placed needle in a triggered point of a muscle or tendon, will send a signal to the nervous system in a reflex form, which will reset the muscle and tissue fibers.

Dry needling differs from acupuncture, in a sense that it does not follow the meridian channels, and focuses primarily on musculoskeletal pain. At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, we utilize dry needling for a variety of symptoms, such as runner knee pain, TMJ, and headaches.

If you have been suffering with pain and are looking for an alternative treatment, contact Integrated Health Solutions, an affordable Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, today at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

Headache Treatment
April 28, 2014

Have You Tried Everything to Find Relief from Migraines?

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Relieve Migraine Pain with Chriporactic Therapy

Many of our patients suffer from migraines. If these or other forms of headaches burden you, then you are probably already aware that there are several different medications available. However, did you know that there is an effective alternative? One without the risk of side effects medicine may have.

Dr. Charbel is a chiropractor in Indianapolis, who specializes in acupuncture, which has been proven to help migraine sufferers find relief.

In a recent study by Yang, two groups of migraine patients were given two different treatments. The first group was treated with acupuncture twice a week for 12 weeks, while the other was given migraine medication daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, the acupuncture patients reported a greater reduction in migraine frequency than the patients taking medication. Only 6% of the acupuncture patients experienced adverse effects, compared to 66% from the other group.

For more information on how acupuncture works, and what you can expect during a treatment session, click here.

Contact Dr. Charbel at our affordable chiropractic office if you’re interested in learning more about how acupuncture can help you find relief from migraines and other forms of headaches.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.