Archives for June 2019

How to Reduce the Pain of Scoliosis

Posted on 06.26.19 |

What is scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a genetic condition that causes an “S” curve in the spine. The curvature can be either mild or severe, but it can cause back pain and discomfort. Pain pills, like NSAIDs and opiates, aren’t your only option when it comes to dealing with back pain; they aren’t even the best option. Meeting with Dr. Doyle to talk about chiropractic care and acupuncture is the first of many steps you can take to help improve your life.

Although everyone with scoliosis has a different experience, there are things that you should do, and things that you shouldn’t do, to help manage pain and discomfort.

What You Should Do to Help Scoliosis

1. Work out daily.

Something as simple as walking a mile every day can make a huge difference. Strengthening the muscles in your back will help relieve pain and improve posture. Here are some exercises to start with:

1. Arm/leg raise
2. Pelvic tilt
3. Cat and cow stretch (spine)
4. Latissimus stretch (upper back)

Try these and feel the difference! You can find pictures of these exercises here.

2. Dance and play soccer!

Scoliosis shouldn’t keep anyone from the activities they love. If you love playing sports, find one that is low impact, like soccer or golf. If you love dancing, try to avoid overdoing it with backbends, but keep dancing!

3. Sleep the right way.

What you choose to sleep on matters–especially if you have back problems. If you’re a stomach sleeper, we’ve got some bad news: it’s killing your back! Laying on the bed for 6-9 hours can really help or really hurt your back.

You can purchase special pillows to use under your neck and legs, or between your legs if you sleep on your side. Raising your legs with a pillow will reduce pressure on the low back. Keeping the curvature of your neck intact with a pillow can help relieve morning neck pain.

Many people with scoliosis prefer to sleep on their side with a pillow between their knees because it keeps their spine in a more natural position or on their backs because their weight is evenly distributed across their body. If sleeping on their stomach is inevitable, it is recommended to place a pillow under the pelvis.

Also, try a mattress that is more firm for support. You will eventually find what makes it easier for you to get out of bed in the morning.

4. Try acupuncture and chiropractic care.

All of these things combined with acupuncture and chiropractic care can help stop scoliosis from deteriorating quality of life and can even help retrain the spine. Dr. Doyle is trained and equipped in musculoskeletal manipulation and acupuncture. In some cases, these drug-free, natural therapies help relieve pain. Chiropractic may also improve your comfort by retraining your spine to a healthier curvature.

What You Shouldn’t Do to Help Scoliosis

1. Don’t wear stilettos.

Depending on the severity of your condition, those extremely tall, cute stiletto heels may be the cause of a lot of pain. Opt for low-heeled shoes with good arch support. Going barefoot is also a bad idea. Solid arch support benefits for your feet, as well as your spine.

2. Don’t participate in certain sports.

Competitive swimming and football are two of the worst sports for your back. Swimming laps for hours daily can cause the curvature of the spine to progress. Because football is a high-contact sport, players can experience all kinds of injuries, the effects of which can show up years later. For scoliosis patients, sudden impact can have devastating results.

3. Don’t avoid chiropractic care.

The worst thing you can do is to put off treatment. Chiropractic care has been proven to reduce pain and inflammation and improve flexibility and range of motion. Though some people doubt the effectiveness of chiropractic, its results have been repeatedly proven by medical science. Dr. Doyle has extensive training and continues to study the latest developments in chiropractic care.

One of the major benefits of chiropractic is that it doesn’t just treat the symptoms like pain killers do, it treats the problem. Don’t wait any longer to get the help you need for your back pain. Take the first step and contact Dr. Doyle’s Roanoke, Tx office today at 817-767-5430 to set up a one-hour, comprehensive consultation and evaluation. The office is convenient to Trophy Club, Keller, and Justin.

Muscle Pain? Try Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy

Posted on 06.18.19 |

More and more people today understand the benefits of chiropractic care and massage therapy. In fact, combining these two treatments can actually speed up recovery from muscle pain. In addition to alleviating discomfort, this approach can significantly enhance mobility and facilitate overall wellness. Whether you’re experiencing chronic muscle pain or aches and pains from your workouts, our team at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX can help.

To learn more, schedule an appointment at our Roanoke, TX practice. Give us a call at 817-767-5430.

Why Combined Treatment Works

In simple terms, chiropractic manipulation focuses on the spine, joints, and hard tissues while massage therapy concentrates on the soft tissues. This treatment approach delivers the best of both worlds so you can recover faster.

Your muscles function by responding to signals sent from the nervous system – via the spinal cord. As a result, reducing inflammation in both the muscles and the nervous system allows for optimal whole-body health. Let’s take a look at each module in a little more detail.

Chiropractic Manipulation

The most common method used by chiropractors is called spinal manipulation – or a chiropractic adjustment. This technique dates back as far as 2700 BC, and involves applying controlled force to affected joints. For example, many patients experience limited range of motion as a result of chronic or acute trauma. Chiropractic manipulations can address issues like poor posture or repetitive movements so that muscle pain is reduced. In addition to the spine, manipulations are often performed on the shoulders, neck, arms, legs, or head.

Following a spinal adjustment, most individuals feel some degree of tenderness. This is a normal side effect and should diminish within a couple of days.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is commonly viewed as a “pampering service”. True, massages can feel incredible – but they also offer significant relief from muscle pain. Today, more and more individuals are seeing the medical value of this type of therapy.

Soft tissue manipulation helps to relieve muscle tension, correct misalignments, and increase mobility and range of motion. It also increases circulation, alleviates stress and anxiety, and even boosts your immunity. Depending on the unique needs of the patient, there are several types of massage techniques used today. These include deep-tissue, Swedish, reflexology, sports massage, cranial sacral therapy, and trigger point therapy.

Combining Spinal Manipulations and Massage Therapy

When it comes to treating muscle pain, this is a dynamic duo. When massage therapy is performed prior to chiropractic care, soft tissues are warmed and tension is relieved. This is a significant advantage because joints can be pulled out of alignment when the surrounding muscles are tight.

Conversely, spinal adjustments support massage. If muscle pain is due to misalignment, adjustments may offer immediate relief. Even better, soft tissue heals faster once the joints are aligned.

Contact Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture Today

Utilizing both chiropractic care and massage therapy is an excellent way to promote holistic health. These techniques complement one another well, resulting in a wide range of benefits. Muscle pain doesn’t have to rule your life. If you are seeking relief from aches and pains, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cody Doyle. With over 20 years of experience, he is equipped to treat a variety of ailments at our Roanoke, TX practice. You can contact us online anytime or call our office at 817-767-5430.

Advice for Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation

Posted on 06.6.19 |

Inflammatory arthritis, commonly known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), causes more than discomfort. The autoimmune disease can feel like an attack on your quality of life as well. At Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture, our number one concern is to restore your body so you can enjoy sports, leisure activities, and life’s pleasures.

Although incurable, many RA symptoms can be managed with traditional medications or alternative, holistic methods, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture. As you begin your treatments under the care of Dr. Cody Doyle, keep these healthy tips for living with RA in mind. Dr. Doyle serves patients in Roanoke, Keller, Southlake, Trophy Club, and surrounding areas.

Tips for Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

After your examination at our Roanoke office, Dr. Doyle may recommend a combination of the following treatments to address your RA symptoms:

Ultrasound
Home exercises
Acupuncture
Chiropractic and myofascial release therapy
Nutritional and herbal therapies

In addition to these proven and effective treatments, patients may benefit from these tips.

Stay active

We understand that the very nature of inflammatory arthritis can leave patients feeling like exercise is not an option. Your overall health plays an important role in controlling your symptoms, though. Patients who do not stay ahead of RA by staying healthy risk losing muscle mass or experiencing other forms of preventable degeneration.

Stretching is a great habit to develop. You will find yourself feeling sprier and nimbler. Many of the positive effects of stretching can boost your energy and motivate you to pursue other forms of exercise. Start each day with a simple stretching routine. Dr. Doyle will recommend several stretches that will be beneficial to your health. Remember to lightly stretch before and after exercising as well. Overstretching before aerobics or physical exercise can be counterproductive, so save any intensive stretching for mornings and after working out.

Low-impact exercises that elevate your heart rate can improve your overall health without harming your joints. Walking, biking, swimming, and cardio machines are all great options. Exercises to build muscle mass are also an important part of any workout regimen. After consulting with a trainer or Dr. Doyle, start by using light weights or resistance bands.

If your workouts are causing joint pain, take a break and consult with Dr. Doyle.

Watch what you eat

If you are significantly overweight, Dr. Doyle may suggest weight loss as part of your treatment plan. This can especially help in reducing pain in your knees, back, and hips. It is always a good idea to eat a balanced diet. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, heart-healthy oils, vitamin supplements, and fish should be your top food choices.

Consider cutting back on:

Sugar
Starches
Processed foods
Sugary drinks
Excessive caffeine
Excessive alcohol

Reduce Stress

Stress is a reality of life for many of us. While we cannot prevent stressful situations from arising, we can consciously work to reduce undue stress in our day-to-day lives. If you suffer from periodic stress, try these tips.

Talk to a professional: Dr. Doyle treats his patients holistically, meaning he is glad to listen to your concerns and anxiety about having RA. If Dr. Doyle is unable to fully help your emotional needs, he may recommend a counselor or therapist.
Find time to unwind: Many of our patients forget to take time out to physically and mentally rest periodically throughout the day.
Stay mindful: Activities like medication and yoga are proven to lower stress.
Find support from your community: Your church, friends, family, and co-workers can lend a caring ear to your problems. There are many great local support groups as well. Connecting with other people who live with RA is a great way to learn how to learn coping mechanisms.

Seek Arthritis Relief Today

If you have been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, Dr. Doyle can provide the care you need. Contact Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture today to schedule a consultation. We care for patients from North Fort Worth, including Trophy Club, Grapevine, Southlake, Argyle, Keller, NRH, and Justin.

To reach our Roanoke, TX office, you can contact us online or call (817) 767-5430.

Stay Ahead of Degenerative Disk Disease With These Tips

Posted on 06.1.19 |

Many of our patients come to our Roanoke, TX chiropractic clinic seeking relief from degenerative disk disease (DDD). The condition arises when an individual has a damaged vertebral disc that causes pain. The spinal disks buffer impacts to the body. Over time, the spinal disks can become worn. While many of the causes are often linked to aging, lifestyle, posture, and health-related habits play a key role in when symptoms of this condition arise.

Our team at Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture can help alleviate symptoms at our Roanoke, TX practice. If you were recently diagnosed with degenerative disk disease, many of these tips can help you manage or alleviate DDD-related symptoms.

Tips for Preventing Degenerative Disk Disease

Age is a leading risk factor for DDD. We can’t prevent aging, of course, but we can try to avoid activities and habits that increase the risk for DDD. Injury is a leading cause of this condition. If you engage in sports or weight lifting that puts undue stress on your vertebrae, you may be increasing your chances for developing degenerative disk disease. When playing contact sports, think about the long-term effects the repetitive impacts can have on your joints and back.

Exercises like running, swimming, and biking are less likely to cause injury to your back. When choosing which sports you want to engage in, keep the long-term health of your back in mind. One standard for exercising that we recommend following is set by The American Council on Exercise, which recommends taking a 30-minute walk (or similar activity) five or more times per week.

If you regularly lift weights, learn to use good form. This involves learning about body mechanics (exercises that improve posture, stamina, and coordination). Hiring a physical trainer is one way to learn how to exercise in a way that compliments your body’s natural movements. Yoga also teaches mindfulness about body posture and balance.

Other useful tips include:

Quit smoking: Smoking is linked to a host of health problems, including disk degeneration.
Maintain a healthy weight: Dr. Doyle may recommend diet and weight loss as part of your treatment plan. If he does, take it seriously. Individuals with a BMI of 25 or higher are at increased risk for degenerative disk disorder. Weight loss will also translate directly to lower discomfort and back pain.
Eat a bone-healthy diet: Vitamin D is proven to promote bone health. Calcium, zinc, and iron are also known to help maintain healthy bones. Dr. Doyle may recommend other supplements as well to promote disk health.

If you are diagnosed with DDD, Dr. Doyle will provide comprehensive care to address your symptoms. Dr. Doyle has over two decades of experience in treating pain with alternative medicine and other methods. His treatment options may include:

Chiropractic care
Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Education and information

Contact a Local Chiropractor in Roanoke, TX

You do not have to live with the pain of degenerative disk disease. Unlike other parts of the body, the discs receive very little blood supply, meaning that once a disc is injured it cannot repair itself. Dr. Doyle has more than 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating degenerative disk disease. To schedule an exploratory exam, contact Dr. Doyle at (817) 767-5430 or visit our website to set up an initial appointment.