Do You Wake Up Feeling Stiff?
You're not alone. Many people have difficulty dragging themselves out of bed these days. Stiff muscles and joints can make it difficult for many people to sit up, stand, and begin moving around.
Morning stiffness is common so many people overlook it, but just because it is common doesn't mean it's normal. If you have trouble with stiffness in the morning, it is a sign that something is wrong.
How to Alleviate Morning Stiffness
Warming up your muscles can help when you're feeling stiff. A warm shower, heating pad, or stretching exercises can help. If your joints or muscles are swollen, try using an ice pack.
Being proactive is an even better way to deal with the problem. Be mindful of your posture in the daytime, making sure to hold your head up and shoulders back if you work for hours at a desk. Try not to sit or stand in the same position for too long.
A regular exercise routine can help keep you limber and may help improve the problem. You may also find relief by seeking upper cervical care.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Morning Stiffness
The upper cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae of the spinal cord. These vertebrae run from the base of the skull and down the neck. They're responsible for holding the weight of the head, moving the head and neck, and protecting the nerves where they go from the brain stem into the spinal cord.
The neck is a vulnerable area that is prone to injury. A jolt, accident, or even poor posture can cause the vertebrae of the upper cervical spine to slip out of place. Misalignments of this part of the spine can cause problems throughout the musculoskeletal system.
When there is a misalignment in the neck, no matter how minute, the body attempts to compensate by shifting the posture. This in turn strains muscles and puts stress on joints going down the rest of the body. Muscles and ligaments may become tight and inflammation can interfere with the mobility of the joints.
Let Us Help
Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This modern technique is much gentler than traditional chiropractic techniques and does not involve jarring snaps and cracks. Instead, Blair practitioners use a light touch guided by state-of-the-art imaging technology to keep patients comfortable and make more accurate corrections.
Dr. Elder's first step in treating the upper cervical spine involves a health screening. During the screening, the doctor will examine your spine with advanced 3D imaging tools that have revolutionized the field of chiropractic medicine. Once the angles of your spine are calculated and any misalignments are detected, the doctor moves on to stage two: the healing process.
With low-force pressure, Dr. Elder will help bring your spine back into proper alignment. This will alleviate the strain on muscles and joints and reduce inflammation. If there were any pinched or compressed nerves, the adjustment will help relieve them as well. Once the spine is properly aligned, the body's natural healing processes can proceed. You will feel a difference after your correction, and improvements should continue as your body's musculoskeletal functions are restored.
The third and final step of Dr. Elder's treatment plan is prevention. The doctor recommends adding chiropractic care to your regular healthcare routine to prevent problems from returning.
If you feel stiff in the morning and it is making it hard for you to get moving, don't put up with it. Upper cervical care may bring you relief. Call Dr. Elder to see if he can help. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.