Forever fit means different things to different people.  For me, it means things like having a fun and active lifestyle with my wife and young adult son.  And I don’t want to feel my numeric age.  Frankly, I don’t want to feel old and neither do my patients.  At our clinic we are all about challenging the aging process and maximizing quality of life.

Aging doesn’t mean that you have to suffer from aches and pains. Moving freely and with flexibility means that you can retain your health and vitality throughout your life.

There are many components to staying Forever Fit and the neuromuscular system is an integral hub and foundation because of the sophistication of how our systems are constructed and function.  The neuromuscular system includes all the muscles in the body and the nerves serving them. Every movement the body makes requires communication between the brain and the muscles. The nervous system provides the link between thoughts and actions by relaying messages from the brain to other parts of the body.

Our neuromuscular skeletal system is designed to function with movement.  Unfortunately, today’s technological world is often less physical and more sedentary which affects posture and accelerates degeneration.

The body is very forgiving.  It is constantly adapting to function at its best.  The problem occurs when there’s interference with this process.  Forever Fit means that your body is able to manage and communicate without interference.  Your body and brain is constantly sending and receiving signals trying to manage your health.  Anytime this communication is disrupted or diverted it interferes with your overall health.

Many patients come to us originally with an injury or a chronic problem that they have been told to “just live with” or that “it’s just part of the aging process.”  We work with you to eliminate pain and to improve your ability to function.  We teach you how to maintain your improved function and focus on preventative and active living care to maximize your quality of life.

“Age is not a diagnosis.  But, convincing yourself that you are old is a life sentence.”   -Dr. Rorick

ACHES & PAINS

Neck Pain

There are many causes of neck pain.  One of the most common causes of neck pain that we see today is forward head posture and one of the causes of forward head posture is our excessive use of electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and cell phones.  You may have heard of the term “tech neck”.  For every degree that the head moves forward creates a tremendous amount of stress on the posterior muscular trying to keep the head balanced on the spine.  i.e. gravity never loses.

Back Pain

Whether back pain is occurring in the upper back, mid-back, or lower back, the pain can affect the individual’s quality of life.  And left untreated can sometimes progress.  While overexertion or trauma can cause a back pain flare-up, the underlying problem may have gone undetected for years.  The nerve-rich facet joints on the backside of each spinal bone are a common cause of back pain.  If these pairs of interlocking segments aren’t moving correctly, they can cause painful symptoms.  The discs between spinal bones can be a source of back pain too.  These rings of fibrous tissues act as spacers, connectors, and “shock absorbers” for the spine.  Trauma can cause the soft, pulpy material in the middle to bulge or herniate, putting pressure on delicate nearby nerves.

Hip Pain

When hip joint function is impaired, there is reduced range of motion, inflammation, calcium buildup, and scar tissue.  With chiropractic care, we introduce movement into the joint to help reduce inflammation and help lubricate the joint.  It is important to always seek out the root cause of the pain.  We often find that a commonly overlooked cause is that the individual has collapsed arches.  By utilizing 3-D scans of the feet for customized orthotics we can often offer an excellent and affordable solution.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is normally described as physical discomfort of the shoulder, including the joint itself or the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the joint.  Shoulder pain can be caused by but not limited to overuse, disuse, sprain, strain, or sleeping on your side.  The shoulder joint is a highly complex, incredibly mobile structure.  Shoulder pain can occur at any time, sometimes patients report that it worsens at night as the joint stiffens. Pain may feel like a dull ache or burning inside of the shoulder joint. Others may feel a sharp pain when moving in several different areas that could include the shoulder, the middle back between the shoulder blades, the neck, the arm, and the rotator cuff.

Knee Pain

Knee pain in or around the knee may indicate a condition affecting the knee joint itself or the soft tissue around the knee.  Common causes of knee pain include arthritis, heavy physical activity, lack of use, injuries such as sprains or strains, sitting in a constrained area, or sitting on knees for a prolonged period of time.  We work to improve the function of the knee joint itself while simultaneously working to lower and minimize inflammation around the knee. Similarly, to hip pain, knee pain can also be a result of a collapse of the arches in the feet.  By utilizing 3-D scans of the feet for customized orthotics we can often offer an excellent and affordable solution.

Headaches

There are many types of headaches.  A frequent and overlooked cause of headaches is the malfunction of spinal bones in the neck and upper back when bones of the spine lose their normal position or motion, sensitive nerves and blood vessels to the head can be affected.  When spinal nerves and related tissues are stretched or irritated, they can produce throbbing headaches.  Headaches are not normal and not something you should “just live with”.  Your body uses these physical symptoms as a warning sign for you to address the issue.  Aspirin and medications may cover up these warning signs but do not correct the underlying structural cause.  Many people experience correction and relief through proper chiropractic care.

TMJ

TMJ Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be very painful.  Jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and clicking and locking of the jaw joint are some of the symptoms. TMJ pain can compromise the movement of the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles.  The temporomandibular joint or TMJ acts like a sliding hinge and connects your jawbone to your skull. Dysfunction of this joint can lead to tremendous pain and discomfort.  Often overlooked is how the upper two segments of the spine are intimately connected to the function of the TMJ.  The use of splints and bite guards can be very helpful.  But careful attention should also be directed to the atlanto-occipital joint and axis function.  Treatment often includes adjustments of the occiput C1 and C2 segments.  The related musculature should also be treated to help relax and support the correction.