Now Accepting New Patients. Call Today.
(503) 489-1998

Posts By: drheath@vipmedhealth.com

The Advantages to Using an Experienced Accident Recovery Specialist

If you happen to be involved in an accident, accident recovery specialists can help your body heal so you can get back to living life on your terms. Accidents can be traumatic for a number of reasons, and it’s hard to recover without the assistance of a trained professional.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, many programs make it possible to heal without surgery. Thanks to the development of natural pain relief resources, you have more options for taking control of your recovery than ever before. In addition to traditional physical therapy, you may also want to explore more unique treatments such as acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a method of healing that uses needles to move and control energy throughout the body. While acupuncture is typically seen as a viable treatment for specific conditions, patients are finding success with acupuncture as a tool for recovery.

Another incredibly powerful tool for injury recovery is massage therapy. Recently International Journal of Preventive Medicine published a study in which researchers concluded massage therapy could serve as an effective intervention in controlling blood pressure in pre-hypertensive women. As shown in the study, the immediate results of lowered blood pressure lasted up to 72 hours after massage. This is just one of the primary benefits of massage therapy. There are many others that include the promotion of tissue regeneration, stress reduction, and an overall lifting of mood. More and more researchers are discovering the diverse and long-lasting negative health effects that stress hormones such as cortisol can have on all parts of our bodies, from blood pressure to digestion. When you consider the severity of conditions related to stress, it may be wise to pursue massage therapy as one potential solution for you and your family.

When you’re dealing with an accident, it can be scary, daunting, and confusing. Trying to handle your recovery process on your own only makes things that much more complex. By consulting with accident recovery specialists, you are decreasing the time it will take for you to heal and get back to the things and people you love.

Top 6 Benefits of Drug Free Healing

More people are wanting to go vegan. Cosmetic companies are integrating more natural ingredients into their products. There is more of a push to live a healthy and natural lifestyle, now more than ever.

 

This philosophy also applies to natural healing as well.

 

Drug free healing options cab help rid the body of stress, toxins, and diseases.
Drug free healing options include:

 

  • chiropractic care

 

  • regular massage

 

  • acupuncture

 

  • improving your diet

 

  • exercise

 

Here are the top six benefits associated with some of these drug free healing options:

1. Natural pain relief

 

Ninety-two percent of individuals surveyed have been reported that massage therapy significantly reduced their pain. Professional therapists can work out all the knots and points of tension in the body. People of all ages can benefit from regular massage therapy. Since about eighty percent of people will experience lower back pain in their lives, it’s good to know this natural option is available to you.

2. Reduces insomnia

 

If you struggle with falling or staying asleep, you’re probably no stranger to certain sleeping medications. They do, unfortunately, come with many risks. They are habit forming and can lead to erratic behavior and memory loss. Taking a more natural approach can erase all of these negative and long term risks.

Chiropractic care can help by relaxing your muscles and leveling out chemical imbalances in the brain, allowing you to rest easy after a long day.

 

3. Recovery from sports injuries

 

Athletes can benefit greatly from meeting with a massage therapist regularly. Massages can help improve the elasticity of their muscles, help them with their athletic performance, and improve their range of motion. A qualified massage therapist or chiropractor can also help alleviate the pain from sports-related injuries and help speed up the healing process.

 

4. Reduced levels of stress

 

If you struggle with stress, you could be an excellent candidate for massage therapy. During a massage or acupuncture session, the feel-good hormone, dopamine is released, meaning you’ll feel less stress, anxiety, and depression.

 

5. Boosts your immunity system

 

No one loves being sick. If you find that your immune system is weak, consider chiropractic care to help improve your health and strengthen your body’s defenses.

 

6. Increased energy

 

Natural healing can help elevate your mood and help you feel more energetic. So if you’re done with feeling fatigued, natural healing could be the answer. Many people take caffeine for that necessary boost of energy. But too much caffeine can lead to headaches, insomnia, and rapid heartbeat. If you don’t want to risk these side effects, you’ll be happy to learn that chiropractic care can help increase your energy levels by lowering your stress and improving your overall wellbeing.

 

Natural healing could be the solution you’re looking for

 

Now you know the many benefits attributed to drug free healing. Check with your local massage therapist or chiropractic clinic to schedule a consultation and learn more about your drug free healing options and how they can improve your life.

Uses and Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Accidents happen to everyone and are not always preventable, no matter how careful we are. Children especially are among the most affected as studies have shown that more than 775,000 minors are usually treated in emergency rooms in various hospitals for sports-related injuries annually. Most of the injuries sustained by these children are a result of collisions, falls, overexertion, and being struck by an object during sports activities. After being injured, you can use chiropractic care which is one of the few drug free healing options available to us today.

So, what exactly is chiropractic care? This usually refers to a system of healing treatment that is performed in a chiropractic clinic and is focused on the body structure. After visiting a chiropractic clinic, the chiropractor – a medical practitioner specializing in spinal health and well-being- normally ensures that you recover and maintain maximum health without having to take medicine or undergoing surgery. This is a trend that is on the rise and research has shown that more than 1 million chiropractic adjustments are given to patients on a daily basis all over the world.

Chiropractic care has many uses and some of them include treatment of conditions such as neck pain, repetitive strain, back pain, headaches, and sports injuries, among many others. This means that chiropractic care does not only enable healing without surgery but it also offers excellent natural pain relief. Some of the chiropractic therapies used by accident recovery specialists include physical therapy methods such as ultrasound, soft tissue therapies such as massage therapy, and therapeutic stretches. There are many benefits of chiropractic care and some of them are as follows:

  1. No medication is involved: Even though medication works, it usually has a lot of undesirable side effects, which is why you should avoid using them unless you have no other alternative. Chiropractic care is an excellent drug-free approach with no negative side effects.
  2. It effectively gets rid of pain: Pains such as the ones caused by ear infections, sciatica, headaches are easily and effectively eliminated by use of chiropractic approach. This leaves your body feeling better than before as there are no side negative side effects.
  3. Chiropractic care focuses on the source: This is something that cannot be overlooked as most medicines only deal with the symptoms and not the source of your health problems. The chiropractic approach is very different as it helps to reverse some of the causes of pain.
  4. It offers personalized treatment: If you are looking for customized treatment, you should visit a chiropractic clinic as this something that only chiropractors can be able to do. We are all different but medicines are the same and we are required to take them the same way regardless of our differences. Chiropractors are able to customize treatment processes in order to fit your condition, shape or body size.

The 8 Benefits to Going to to a Chiropractic Clinic

There was a time when people did not see the value of going to the chiropractor for problems with their health. Today, things have changed. It is no longer unusual for people to talk about going to a chiropractic clinic or seek out therapeutic massage therapy for health issues. Here are some reasons you may want to receive help from these practitioners:

  1. They can help with back and neck pain. These are incredibly common all over the world. It has been estimated that it is the second leading cause of people taking their sick days. Respiratory infections top the list. Most people associate going to a chiropractic clinic with back problems. When a professional is able to put a person’s spine back into alignment, one of the first things they notice is a reduction in back pain. A proper alignment of the spine can also help with numbness and tingling.
  2. They can help with headaches. When Duke University looked at the way chiropractic treatments impacted headaches, they found that treatment at a chiropractic clinic is more effective than medications. Some headaches can be cured completely.
  3. They help with fatigue. Millions of people around the world suffer from fatigue. When people suffer from any kind of constant and consistent pain, it has an impact on us. This wears people down and causes more fatigue. When asked, about 92% of people who had received this kind of care saw a reduction in the pain they experienced.
  4. They help with insomnia. This is a very common problem around the world. The National Sleep Foundation has reported that few adults in the United States get the recommended amount of sleep every night. This can lead to a host of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and can increase a person’s risk of having a stroke. By getting rid of the pain that can cause insomnia, people can be healthier and sleep better.
  5. They can help people who suffer from stress. Life today is stressful. It is hectic and chaotic. Devices that were built to save time and work have ended up tethering many people to their jobs so the collective stress levels have gone up. Going to a chiropractic clinic can help with this. When it comes to drug free healing options, chiropractic treatment and wellness care can do a lot to reduce stress. Many liken the experience with massage therapists or at the chiropractic clinic to going to a spa.
  6. They help people recover from accidents. There are thousands of people who are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year around the United States. Many of these people are referred to local chiropractic clinics to help with the soft tissue injuries they experience. Chiropractors can do a lot to help injuries to muscles heal faster. They have a number of modalities at their disposal to help people recover and experience less pain along the way.
  7. They reduce the need for painkillers. Many people turn to pain medications for a number of reasons. Accidents and injuries are the top reasons for this. As was mentioned, when it comes to drug free healing options, chiropractic care and massage therapy are two of the best ways to go. By taking a more natural approach to dealing with pain, these practitioners can use the body’s own healing powers to help people deal with pain. It is almost an automatic response to pain, to reach for a pill, but these methods can work better and are healthier overall.
  8. They can help people with their immune system. Research has shown that going to a chiropractic clinic can help people strengthen their immune systems. Pain causes a lot of problems in the body. The same can be said for stress. Both of these problems can impact and weaken the immune system. By helping people experience less pain and stress, their immune systems also benefit. This means people who receive this kind of care for injuries, pain, and stress will be less vulnerable to a host of illnesses and problems.

Chiropractic clinics around the nation are becoming more and more popular as people discover all of the health benefits of this kind of treatment.

Our Pets Can Benefit from Chiropractic Care

Every day, chiropractors perform more than one million adjustments on people all over the globe. As more and more people are seeing the value of going to chiropractic clinics for their own health needs, they are also seeing the good it can do for pets. Veterinarians are quickly embracing this kind of healthcare for animals.

 

A clinic in Arnold, Missouri is one chiropractic clinic that uses chiropractic treatments to help animals. Dr. Miri Logan is a certified animal chiropractor. Every week, she administers adjustments to Blue Belle, a dog who has been a patient of the clinic since she was a puppy.

 

When Blue Belle was still a puppy she broke her elbow and had surgery to fix it. Despite going to physical therapy, she was unable to fully recover from her injury. She needed drug free healing options and found that and natural pain relief from her visits to the chiropractic clinic.

 

Dr. Logan says she looks at the way her patients walks and then examines their spine for any changes to its anatomy. She says that in animals, swelling can be hard to detect. It can also be hard to know what symptoms animals are suffering. She relies on years of training and experience to see and help with issues the animals are having.

 

The law requires certified animal chiropractors work with licensed veterinarians. Dr. Tom Shelton, a veterinarian in Arnold, Missouri says that he has been treated at chiropractic clinics and experienced first hand the benefits of this kind of treatment. After his experience, he decided that his patients could benefit from the healing without surgery offered by chiropractic care.

 

Shelton has said that his patients cannot tell people what problems they are experiencing and that their owners/companions are often on the lookout for non-invasive treatments such as physical therapy and now chiropractic care. He noted that most treatments available for people are available for animals. After he brought Blue Bell to Logan, he noticed she felt better almost immediately.

 

Logan says that pet owners need to pay attention to how their animals behave to see what is wrong with them. She says that often animals tell people something is wrong by not doing things they normally like to do. When they stop playing or jumping, this can be a sign that they are hurting.

 

Logan’s career in healthcare did not start with animals. She started as a nurse but began looking at working with animals when her horse was injured in a competition. She took the horse to a veterinarian when he was seen limping but that did not help the animal. The horse was helped by one adjustment by a certified animal chiropractor and Logan decided to change her work. She said that after one treatment, he was fine. He placed 10th in that competition.

 

This experience inspired Logan to go back to school where she received a Doctorate of Chiropractic. Her studies were on people but she finished another 200 hours of training to become a certified animal chiropractor. Now she works with animals of all sizes. She treats dogs and cats but also show horses. Brilliant Lee, a five-time national champion, also known as “Billy,” is one of her patients. Billy is a 13-year-old Arabian Stallion.

 

Billy receives routine chiropractic adjustments to keep him healthy and happy. His training for competitions runs five days every week and he trains at least nine months out of the year. Logan says it takes less pressure to give a horse an adjustment than a person. She says she believes the adjustments make the horse feel like a rock star.

 

Massage therapy and the treatment received at chiropractic clinics have been known to help people who suffer from back pain. By some estimates, it can be about 92% effective in alleviating pain. In people, back pain is a serious and common problem that is one of the main reasons people call in sick to work.

 

While our pets and show horses do not call in sick to work or complain about back pain, they do suffer from injuries and pain. Given the number of other kinds of medical procedures they can have, it only makes sense that they benefit from chiropractic medical care.

Exploring 3 Basic Types of Massage Therapy

A national survey of consumers who received massages found that 92% reported it was effective in reducing their pain. That being said, massages come in many forms. From a classic Swedish massage to sports massage, aromatherapy massage, and more, it’s safe to say that everyone can reap the benefits of the right type for their needs. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most basic yet beneficial types of therapeutic massage.

Swedish Massage

A Swedish massage, in many massage clinics, is considered to be the “default” in terms of healing without surgery and providing general health benefits. For example, in a recent study in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers concluded that massage therapy could serve as an effective intervention in controlling blood pressure in pre-hypertensive women. The study showed that the immediate results of lowered blood pressure lasted up to 72 hours after the massage. Swedish massages are available at most massage clinics and are intended to provide pain relief, comfort, and energy to the patient, who can also identify problem areas for extra attention.

Aromatherapy Massage

Similar to Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage uses the addition of essential oils and other aromatics to provide a more sense-oriented experience:

“Extracted from flowers and other plant parts, essential oils offer a pleasing scent and are believed to have healing properties. Lavender and rose, for instance, are known to promote relaxation. Although oils may be selected to address specific needs, the therapist typically uses pre-blended oils to relax, energize, or uplift,” writes Cathy Wong on Very Well Health.

Sports Massage

Finally, don’t be mistaken; massage and natural pain relief options aren’t just for adults. In fact, more than 775,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year. Most of the injuries occurred as a result of falls, being struck by an object, collisions, and overexertion during unorganized or informal sports activities. That being said, sports massages are intended to target troublesome areas to improve flexibility and limit pain.

Ultimately, massage therapy comes in a variety of types, and there’s bound to be a specialty therapeutic massage technique that works best for you. For more information about acupuncture and therapeutic massage therapy, contact Valleyview Injury and Physical Medicine.

Exploring the Top Medical Benefits of Massage Therapy

Contrary to popular belief, massage therapy isn’t just for those who want to pamper themselves. Massage therapy truly has a wide range of medically proven benefits, from pain reduction to increased circulation and more. With that in mind, here are just a few of the top benefits that massage therapy can provide.

Pain Management

Experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in their lives, so it should come as no surprise that massage therapy can help reduce this pain. In fact, a national survey of consumers who received massages found that 92% reported it was effective in reducing their pain. This is especially important to consider if you were recently involved in some sort of physical accident. Many accident recovery specialists recommend massage therapy to their patients.

Improved Blood Pressure

A large number of Americans struggle with blood pressure and circulation issues. Fortunately, therapeutic massage therapy can help. In a recent study in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers concluded massage therapy could serve as an effective intervention in controlling blood pressure in pre-hypertensive women. The study showed that the immediate results of lowered blood pressure lasted up to 72 hours after the massage. That being said, if you’re consistently experiencing stress, massage therapy can help keep you calm and limit the physical risks that come with emotional stress.

Digestive Relief

Finally, massage therapy can benefit those with digestive issues as well. There are many different types of massage therapy, and your doctor can make the best recommendation based on your digestive issues and symptoms.

Ultimately, understanding the medical validity of massage therapy can help you understand why so many accident recovery specialists recommend it for their patients. After all, the Mayo Clinic said it best:

“Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports… Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever.”

For more information about natural pain relief and other types of wellness care, contact Valleyview Injury and Physical Medicine.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is a form of treatment in which a local suction is created on the skin. It has been traditionally used, by providers of alternative medicine, to invigorate the blood and to ‘pull’ metabolic waste (such as lactic acid) from the muscles. Cupping has been used for thousands of years in Asia and recently received attention in the media due to the use of cupping by the American Olympic swimming team. Michael Phelps, a competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals, reported using cupping to reduce soreness and to speed the healing of muscles.

Who will benefit from cupping?

Anybody with tight or painful muscles would benefit from it. For most people, the change is almost immediate and the muscles relax right after the treatment, but for some people, it might take a few treatments to feel the change.

How do we use cupping differently?

We do not use fire cupping (it might be risky). We use mechanical cupping, which allows us to adjust the level of tightness.

Does it hurt?

Most people describe cupping treatment as a sensation of ‘pulling’ in their back. After removal of the cups, the sensation is usually great and patients report relief from the chronic tightness. Since we use a mechanical pump with the cupping, we can control the strength.

Is cupping dangerous?

Not at all. Cupping, when done by an experienced professional, is very safe.

What to do after the cupping treatment?

Drink plenty of water! Very important. We want to help your body to recover faster and the release and ‘flush’ toxins out of the body.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

Electro Acupuncture

Acupuncture is based on the principles of Chinese medicine and the physiological principles of the human body to promote health and balance. In the U.S., acupuncture is practiced by licensed practitioners with 8 years or more of academic study.

Electro -acupuncture

Electro-acupuncture is a form of acupuncture with a small electric current that is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. The treatment is used to stimulate and increase the effectiveness of traditional acupuncture treatment. In some cases, the improvement is felt right after the first or second treatment. The electro-acupuncture is also used to stimulate the healing of a damaged or ‘pinched’ nerve.

What is it used for?

Mostly for severe pain or nerve dysfunction, with symptoms such as sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or radiating pain. Some studies also showed benefit with patients with joint pain or rheumatoid arthritis.

Is it painful?

As long it is done by a well-trained provider, electro-acupuncture is not painful. We can adjust both the frequency and strength to make sure that you are comfortable.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!

Massage is all about helping you get better, naturally

Massage therapy is not only a great way to relax after a tough week, there are many other health benefits to this therapeutic practice. Massage therapy has a long list of benefits including helping relieve anxiety, headaches, lower back pain, some digestive disorders and insomnia related to stress. A good massage is also great for increasing joint flexibility, treating soft tissue injuries and improving sleep quality.

Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine offers clinical therapeutic massage to help aid in the recovery of injuries due to auto accidents, on-the-job injuries, sports injuries or those old ailments that just need a little help.  Our experienced therapists are trained in multiple techniques to help tailor a treatment plan based on your specific needs.

  • Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax you.
  • Deep Tissue Massage. This massage technique uses slower, stronger, “deeper” strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to help with muscle damage from injuries or chronic tension that has built up.
  • Trigger Point Therapy involves applying deep focused pressure to trigger points (chronically bands of muscle tissue, deep in a muscle belly.) Pressure is applied for a brief moment with long strokes and stretching after. This can be an uncomfortable process, but can achieve great results.
  • Sports Massage can help you maintain flexibility and mobility in soft tissues to minimize muscle strains and tears during workouts and/or training to recover more swiftly after your routines.
  • Relaxation Massage is a great way to deal with stress-related back or neck tightness while promoting a sense of well-being.
  • Other methods i.e. Reflexology, pregnancy, lymphatic drainage, cancer, and geriatric.

Massage treatments can be used treat a whole variety of issues from managing pain, recovering from injuries to general well-being and wellness. At Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine, our massage treatments are combined with chiropractic care, acupuncture, and naturopathic care to provide optimum results. They can also be made on an individual or regular basis.

Is massage for me?

The answer is, YES! Massage is no longer just a luxury. Everybody can benefit from receiving massage. There are more studies coming out all the time proving the efficacy of massage therapy from relieving stress and anxiety to relieving and managing pain from fibromyalgia and migraines. Basically put, if you are in pain, massage can probably help you.

Many insurance plans even cover massage therapy, which can be prescribed by one of our chiropractors if it fits with your treatment plan. Massage sessions can very in duration to fit within your schedule and will leave you feeling reinvigorated, relaxed, and rested.

As a leader in non-surgical injury and wellness care, Valleyview Injury + Physical Medicine looks forward to helping you and your family recover from pain and get back to an active lifestyle. Call us today at (503) 489-1998 or fill out the brief contact form below to start feeling better today!