No one anticipates getting into a car accident, but almost everyone that has the misfortune to get into one will have some negative physical effect as a result. Whether it is just a minor fender bender or serious, multi-car crash, your body will absorb the force. Chiropractic treatment for car accidents in Sterling Heights is unique to each individual to get the maximum benefit possible.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Neck, shoulder, and back injuries are some of the most common issues chiropractors see after a car accident. Whiplash occurs when your cervical spine is abruptly “whipped” backward and then forward, knocking it out of alignment. This injury often happens as the result of a rear-end collision when the recipient doesn’t know it’s coming. Along with the whipping effect comes muscle stiffness and pain in the days and weeks after the accident. Sometimes, when a driver or passenger sees the impact coming, they will tense up their muscles in anticipation.  This can cause them to end up with strained back muscles, neck muscles, or shoulder muscles.

Chiropractic Car Accident Treatments

While your chiropractic treatment for car accidents in Sterling Heights will be customized to match your specific injuries, some of the more common treatment methods include:

• Spinal manipulation
• Muscle stimulation and/or relaxation therapy
• Specific exercises to address the area
• Lifestyle advice to address ergonomic issues that cause pain

Every chiropractic treatment plan for car accidents will include a thorough consultation to determine the main issues and the best course of action to find a solution. Since everyone’s body is different, and every car accident is different, the treatment must be customized to the individual to achieve lasting results.

Addressing the Cause

Although the specific treatment protocols will vary, the overriding concept of addressing the cause first remains the same. Typically, when someone is experiencing pain as the result of a car accident, the idea is to mask the pain with pain medication. While this may provide immediate pain relief, the problem that is causing the pain is probably still there.

Our Sterling Heights chiropractor will investigate and get to the underlying cause of the pain. Contact our team today with any questions that you have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

One of the most common questions I get asked as a doctor is how do I find a great chiropractor in Sterling Heights?  In some cities, there are dozens to choose from and it can be difficult to know if the doctor you are choosing is right for you.  This article will help to walk you through the steps that I would use to find a great doctor to take care of me.

Most patients choose their chiropractor based on the look of the outside of the office or how nice their website is.  I agree that a doctor that keeps up their office and that has a great website is probably a good choice, but there’s more to it than that.  Chiropractic is a very diverse profession so there are some deeper questions to ask.

The best way to know if a chiropractor is right for you is to sit down and talk to them.  Learn about who they are as a person and why they became a chiropractor.  There are many different styles of adjusting and many different philosophies in the chiropractic field.  When you find a passionate doctor you have found what you’re looking for.

Ultimately you need to find someone that really cares about you and your well-being.  A doctor that is going to be focused on your health and has a plan to get you back on track.  If you feel uncomfortable then do your homework and you’ll find the best choice for you.

If you have been struggling with a health condition and it feels like you’re going around in circles, I encourage you to give us a call today.  If for any reason we feel that we cannot help you we will get you pointed in the right direction.  We are here to be a resource for you in any way that we can.

Today is a great day to improve your health.  If you live in Sterling Heights we encourage you to give Dr. Ryan Boechler a call today.  Our friendly staff will set up a time for you to come in and learn about who we are and what we can do for you.

Although children are smaller than adults, and their bodies are still growing and developing, parents tend to weigh them down with backpacks that are far too heavy and unbalanced. Lower back pain is the most common health issue suffered by Americans and in many cases, it all starts in childhood with those oversized backpacks. No parent wants their child to suffer so listen to the advice of a Sterling Heights chiropractor when it comes to proper child backpacks.

Selecting a Backpack

The first order of business is to select a backpack that will be supportive and won’t put undue stress on any part of a child’s body. Child backpacks should be made of lightweight material and be proportionate to the size of the child’s body. Buying large backpacks with the thought of fitting more into it will only cause problems.

Look for backpacks that have several individualized compartments to help you balance out the weight effectively. Padded shoulder straps that are at least two-inches wide and a strap that goes around the waist are also features to look for when making your purchase.

Packing the Backpack

When packing the backpack, distribute the weight evenly and try to ensure it weighs less than 15% of the child’s bodyweight. If it is too heavy the child will bend forward slightly to try and counterbalance the weight on the shoulders. The heaviest items in the backpack should be packed closest to the body and if it isn’t necessary leave it out.

Wearing the Backpack

When a child is wearing a backpack the shoulder straps should be adjusted so that the pack is close to the body. This will distribute the weight of the pack evenly over the spine and prevent misalignment. It’s important that kids use both of the straps on the backpack so the weight distribution remains equal. You should also show your child how to bend at the knees to pick up the backpack and instruct him not to twist or bend at the waist while wearing it.

Potential Issues

For some reason we don’t seem to think that children are at risk for the same types of physical issues as adults when it comes to wearing heavy backpacks. Most Sterling Heights chiropractors will tell you this isn’t true and that children can suffer from many of the same issues as adults. Regular use of a heavy backpack can result in:

• Back and shoulder pain
• Numbness and tingling in the arms
• Poor posture
• Reduced blood flow
• Headache and neck pain
• Distorted natural spine curvature
• Muscle strain caused by overcompensation

Wearing an improper backpack sets the stage for a host of physical problems later in life. If you’re not sure how to proceed or your child is already showing some of the above symptoms contact Dr. Ryan Boechler today.

Among the areas of the body that Sterling Heights chiropractors are able to help, many people are surprised to learn that the jaw is on the list. It’s easy to associate back pain and neck pain with chiropractic treatment, but people who suffer from TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder in Sterling Heights can also find relief.

What Is TMJ?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder refers to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint in the jaw. This joint connects your jaw to your skull, so it stands to reason that if you have issues with the muscles or ligaments that control its movement you may experience problems.

Some common symptoms of TMJ include pain in your jaw, cheek, teeth or front of the ear when you chew or yawn, clicking noises in the jaw, an inability to open your mouth wide or having your jaw lock when you are able to open it. You also may notice that your upper and lower teeth no longer fit together properly when you close your mouth. Some patients experience headaches, hearing issues, dizziness or earaches as part of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

Causes of TMJ

TMJ has a myriad of potential causes that your Sterling Heights chiropractors will explore when you book your appointment. Some of the known causes of TMJ include serious jaw trauma or dislocation, physical or emotional stress, or even sitting in a dentist’s chair for long periods of time with your mouth wide open. The emotional stress doesn’t end up causing TMJ on its own, but if you tend to clench your teeth as a result, this may end up causing it. Statistics show that women are four times as likely to suffer from TMJ as men.

Can Chiropractic Help TMJ?

Once your chiropractor confirms that you do have TMJ, you’ll be given a treatment plan based on the specifics of your situation. Dr. Ryan Boechler wants to get to the cause of your problem so every angle is explored before a thorough plan is created. Usually, a treatment plan for TMJ will include chiropractic adjustments, special exercises, and possibly heat or ice to lessen pain if it is particularly painful.

If you have any of the symptoms of TMJ, schedule a consultation with a chiropractor as soon as possible. It’s also important that you follow any advice or recommendations given during that consultation and subsequent appointments. Every exercise and treatment is designed to remove the underlying cause of the problem and restore your jaw function back to normal.

Dr. Ryan Boechler in Sterling Heights is here to help answer your questions.  Please feel free to contact us today.

Headaches are one of those health issues that can be mild and irritating, severe and debilitating, or one of many degrees in between. They can build up slowly or come on suddenly, and no matter how bad it is, almost everyone wants a remedy as soon as possible. There are several different types of headaches that a Sterling Heights chiropractor can help, so it is important to make an appointment if you suffer from any of the following.

Tension Headaches

A tension headache is probably the most common type people experience. Some of the common characteristics of a tension headache include; a pressing or tightening feeling, bilateral location, mild to moderate intensity, pain lasting from 30 minutes to one week. Tension headaches don’t normally include nausea or vomiting, but they may include light or sound sensitivity.  The presence of tension headaches is not attributed to another health disorder.

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches aren’t as common as tension headaches and they are often mistaken for something else. Quite often, a sufferer will attribute any bad headache pain to a migraine, but this isn’t always the case. Migraine is a condition that can be described as a recurrent headache that lasts up to 72 hours, featuring unilateral pulsating pain of moderate to severe intensity. Migraine pain includes nausea and/or sensitivity to light, and it is often made worse with normal physical activity.

Approximately 20% of migraine sufferers will experience a neurological symptom known as an aura before they get a migraine. Auras take the form of visual disturbances or other sensory disturbances. Sometimes, auras occur between migraine headache attacks. Migraines aren’t typically associated with any other health issue.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are quite different from both tension headaches and migraines, occurring in only about 1% of the population. While most migraine sufferers are women, men between 20 and 40 are the main recipients of cluster headaches. This type of headache produces severe pain around the eyes or along the side of the head. Attacks usually last from 15 minutes up to 3 hours and have been known to occur 8 times in a single day. Tearing, forehead sweating, and nasal congestion may accompany cluster headaches. The intense pain makes some sufferers restless or agitated during the attack.

If you suffer from any of the above types of headaches and want a natural, non-invasive approach to ease your pain, a Sterling Heights chiropractor will take the time to assess every aspect of your lifestyle, medical history, and body to find a permanent solution.

Contact Dr. Ryan Boechler in Sterling Heights to schedule an appointment or learn more.  We look forward to hearing from you.