Nelson & Nelson Chiropractic

Raeford Road:
(910) 860-5559
3021 Raeford Rd. Ste.101
Fayetteville, NC 28308

Yadkin Road:
(910) 860-9119
5434 Yadkin Road
Fayetteville, NC 28303

Ramsey Street:
(910) 488-4009
2807 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301

Hope Mills:
(910) 426-9112
3202 N. Main Street St. #112
Hope Mills, NC 28348

Lumberton:
(910) 608-2224
409 East Second Street
Lumberton, NC 28358

Sanford:
(919) 777-9999
1660 Horner Blvd
Sanford, NC 27330

Your body is comprised of several different systems:

Circulatory System
Muscular System
Lymphatic System
Digestive System
Respiratory System
Nervous System
Hormonal System
Skeletal System
Integumentary System

Each system is dependent on two very important organs. The Brain and the Spinal Cord coordinate each and every system. In the healthy individual, the unique balance of each system is achieved. Very few people possess such a complete balance.

Think of anyone over the age of 30. Do they often complain of headaches, stomach or digestive problems, for circulation, inability to sleep, poor eyesight, etc.? The human body can process, coordinate and remain healthy under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, normal circumstances do not exist within our environment today. The food you eat, the air you breathe, the chemicals that are digested, etc. all affect the wellness of each system in the human body.

Chiropractic is the science that attempts to understand this very fine and delicate premise that the human body can respond beyond the interference of such obstacles.

The brain and spinal cord coordinate effectiveness in the human body. The involuntary movement of one's eyelashes, the voluntary movement of one's leg, the ability to breathe, to smell, to taste, to listen all are functions of the Nervous System. The brain and spinal cord are the most important organs in the human body.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation or adjusting is based on the knowledge that proper motion, proper function, proper correlation of such systems can allow the body to heal, to respond to function normally.

There are many things that one can do in order to prevent neck and back pain. The following are some simple tips that you can implement into your daily life that may help you. Of course, if problems persist, you may wish to schedule an appointment at one of our three locations.

Beds:

A lot has been published about proper bedding. We tell out patients that ultimately it is the person who decides what is best for them. Of course, each person is different and everyone does not have the same back. Therefore, if you prefer soft bedding as opposed to a firmer surface, then continue to use your soft bedding. However, if you have problems with your back, you may wish to buy a "Chiropractic Endorsed" Posturepedic Bed. You can look for a specific label on a new bed that reads; "Endorsed by the North Carolina Chiropractic Association". Both labels have been given to those mattresses that are thought to be excellent in their manufacturing and placement of springs and coils. These beds will provide excellent support to your spine and hopefully alleviate any problems that you may be experiencing. One easy tip to utilize if you are having back problems is to place pillows under your legs, if you lay on your back, or place a pillow between your legs if you lay on your side while sleeping. Both positions will allow decreased pressure on the intervertebral disc margins that cushion your spinal nerves in your back. Waterbeds are not recommended unless they are complete or semi-wave less. Waterbeds, although originally thought to provide relief, often do not provide enough structural support to your neck and back. A cervical pillow, often seen on late night commercials, is also an excellent choice for support to your neck. Be careful when purchasing a cheap pillow. You certainly, "get what you paid for" and if the pillow you purchase is inexpensive, it is often not supportive enough for your neck. Any chiropractic office often offers excellent cervical pillows. You can expect to pay $40-$50 for a good neck support pillow. If all else fails then it's time for a Chiropractic office visit.

Car Seats:

Most new cars today have ergonomic lumbar supports. This is the lower back elevation that you can adjust to fit your posture while driving. Truck drivers for years drove trucks with limited to no lower back support. Thus, many truck drivers that drove for years have "chronic" low back problems. In fact, some truck stops along our country's major highways actually have chiropractic clinics that serve strictly truck drivers. If ever there were a group of people who were in need of chiropractic care, it would be our country's truck drivers. However, today most truck and car manufacturers are aware of the importance of comfort and have installed fantastic lumbar supports within many of their new vehicles. If you experience some discomfort while driving, you may wish to purchase a lumbar support pillow and utilize it in your car.

This type of lower back pillow is easily purchased in most stores. It is shaped like a "half moon" and is lightweight. You can leave it in your driver's seat and use it strictly for driving. Unlike the automobile industry, the "work industry" lags behind in its production of good lumbar support chairs in the work place. Most people today spent a lot of time in a chair at work, hence the importance of a good lumbar support pillow. Again, this pillow looks like a "half moon" and is sold in most stores. Supporting your lower back at work will help alleviate some of the pain and ache you may experience without a good lumbar support chair at work.

Hot Baths Help:

Ever notice how tight your muscles are following a long day at work? How can you alleviate some of this discomfort? If you are like most people, your job requires either physical or mental application. Overloading of any type of stress, whether it is "emotional" or "physical" will result in sore, stiff, achy muscles. Ever noticed following a "stressful" day at work how tight the muscles of the back and sides of your neck can be? These muscles called the "trapezius" muscles do respond to stress. Your body will respond to physical or mental stress in the form of tight muscles. Have you ever been in a frightful situation? What is the first thing your body does in response to this type of threat? It tightens up. The muscular system responds to this type of stress by tightening to protect or defend your body. This is called the "flight or fight" mechanism and is an example of how your body "physically" responds to stress. Of course, having a bad day at work is certainly less stressful that being in the middle of a robbery but the mechanisms that effect our body's muscles tone is very similar. Hot baths are a must. Warm hot baths, with your favorite music, in a dimly lit bathroom will help your body to relax. Every cell in your body is comprised of water. By submerging your body in a warm hot bath after a stressful day will certainly alleviate your stress and allow your muscles to relax. Aqua therapy is commonly used with massage therapists. Of course, by combining a good body massage along with warm baths will help your body to recover from physical and emotional stress. These techniques are not new. Europeans are well aware of the everlasting effects of spring baths, massage and relaxation techniques. Ever seen a stressful French man? Neither have I but I am sure he's happy because of his warm baths...Enjoy yourself and relax!

Massage:

A professional massage is unlike anything your spouse could do to help you relax. However, if you are not able to afford a massage therapist, then invite your spouse to help you by rubbing your neck and back with warm oil. Baby lotions work well and if you have the money to spare you can pick up some professional massage oils at the mall. A professional massage usually is $50-$60 per one hour session. You can make appointments to have a half hour session at half that price. However, if you can employ your spouse to rub your neck and back, have him/her rub towards the heart. If you are rubbing the neck, rub in a downward frequency towards the heart. Massage stimulates the blood flow to the muscle tissue. Offer to massage your spouse on alternative nights. Once you have been massaged, it's hard to be the massager. Alternating nights will make it fair for both of you. Seeking a professional is a great idea. If you need a good referral, simply call one of our offices...Otherwise...be prepared to become the massagee and massager…LOL!

Feet:

One of the most important purchases you can make is a good set of shoes and sneakers. I cannot stress the importance of good footwear. During the 1950's and 1960's women's shoes and fashions had women wearing tight fitting, narrow, high heels. As a result of poor foot ware, many women now in their 50's and 60's have undergone surgery to reconstruct the deformities seen as a result of poor foot ware. Hammer toe, fallen arches, inverted ankles and ingrown toe nails result in of increased pressure placed on the foot by wearing poor footwear. Most important is children. The child's foot grows at a fast rate and the comfort and space of proper foot ware is very important to ensure proper growth. Today's sneakers are like bio-engineered rocket ships. The most popular foot wares provide excellent arch support and strong structural balance. Make sure your feet are comfortable. That's the easiest advice I can offer. "If the shoe don't fit" throw it away. Fashionable foot ware today is also made bio-mechanically safe. Of course, an occasional night out may require high stelleo shoes…enjoy your temporary fashion statement but make sure your daily life includes excellent foot ware.

We often see patients with hip pain, back pain, ankle and knee pain as a result of poor feet biomechanics. The kinetic chain begins at the ankle and pain will move progressively up your leg, back, and even at times into your neck. You can never spend enough money on good shoes, especially if your life demands that you stand for long periods of time. Best of luck! Look for comfort, support and flexibility when purchasing your next shoe or sneaker (tennis shoe if you live in the Midwest).