Cody B. Doyle DC, DIANM | Chiropractor Roanoke Tx 76262 | Board Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist

Board Certified Chiropractor Serving Patients in Roanoke, Keller, and Fort Worth Texas

COVID-19 Have You Stuck at Home? It’s a Great Opportunity to Start Taking Care of Your Back!

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While we know this is a difficult time for many, being stuck at home can be a great opportunity to practice self-care. If you’re someone who suffers from back pain, take this time to learn some simple and effective ways to relieve it.

In this blog, Dr. Cody Doyle discusses the best back and shoulder stretches, how to sit and sleep properly, and exercises to improve your back health.

Back and Shoulder Stretches

The proper stretches can relieve pain by helping you maintain flexibility, promote range of motion, and improve blood flow. Choose a few of the following stretches to complete daily and spend 30 seconds on each stretch.

In this list, we’ll tell you the name of the stretch, what type of pain it helps with, and the steps to complete it.

1. Neck side bend and rotation: neck and upper back

  • Sit or stand facing forward
  • Tilt your head to the right
  • Hold for 10 seconds
  • Roll your head to the left slowly
  • When you reach your left shoulder, hold for ten seconds
  • Roll back to the right shoulder

Repeat this stretch two to three times.

2. Shoulder roll: shoulders and upper back

  • Stand up straight
  • Place your arms at your sides
  • Roll your shoulders from the back to the front in a circular motion five times

Repeat two to three times.

3. Overhead arm reach: shoulders and upper back

  • Sit up straight on a chair
  • Face forward
  • Place your feet flat on the ground
  • Put your right arm straight up
  • Reach to the left
  • Bend at the torso—you should feel a stretch in your shoulder and middle of your back
  • Return to the original position

Repeat five times then switch to your opposite arm.

4. Chair rotation: upper, mid, and lower back

  • Sit sideways in a chair
  • Place your feet directly in front of you on the ground
  • Rotate your torso to the right and reach for the back of the chair
  • For ten seconds, hold yourself in that position
  • Use your arms to rotate your torso further

Repeat three times for each side.

5. Cat cow: mid and lower back

  • Get down on your hands and knees
  • Place your palms right under your shoulders
  • Place your knees directly under your hips
  • Inhale and pull your pelvis in while rounding out your mid back
  • Pull your navel into your spine
  • Drop your head
  • Hold for three to five seconds
  • Breathe out and return to the original position
  • Tilt your face upward
  • Allow your back to sink towards the floor
  • Hold for three to five seconds

Repeat this stretch five times.

Other Helpful Stretches

The Cleveland Clinic offers short videos that show what each of these stretches looks like. They also include several other stretches, including:

  • Pec stretch
  • Child’s pose
  • Knee to chest
  • Butterfly
  • Thoracic extension

Best Sitting and Sleeping Practices

Lower back pain makes everything in life more difficult—even sitting and sleeping! It may take between 10 and 20 days for your back to heal, but learning how to sit and sleep properly will certainly help ease the pain.

Sitting

To reduce the pain in your lower back, follow these guidelines:

  • Sit as little as possible and only for 10 to 15 minutes at a time
  • Use a pillow or rolled-up towel for back support while sitting
  • Place your feet directly on the floor in front of you (use a stool if necessary)
  • Sit in a firm chair with armrests
  • Adjust your chair height
  • When turning, turn your entire body

Sleeping

Good, restful sleep is essential to living a healthy life. It’s also a great time to let your back muscles rest and reset. These five tips will help support your back and give you better sleep.

  1. Find the right position.

There are ways to support your back without having to completely change your sleeping position. If you’re a side-sleeper, slightly bend your legs at the knees and pull them towards your chest, then place a pillow between your legs.

Those who sleep on their backs should put a pillow under their knees and head. For additional support, roll up a small towel and place it under the back.

Sleeping on your stomach is one of the worst positions for your back. However, you can lessen the pressure on your lower back by placing a pillow under your lower abdomen and pelvis. Sleep with a pillow under your head as long as it doesn’t cause more strain on your back.

  1. Get a new mattress.

Mattresses today come in all levels of comfort. It can be difficult to decide whether a firm mattress or soft mattress is better for your back, but the best thing to do it try them out. Pay attention to how your back feels after you’ve slept in a hotel bed or at someone else’s house.

Placing your mattress on the floor will give it more support than when it is sitting on a box spring. Try this for a couple of nights to see how the extra support affects your pain. You can make your mattress softer by adding a mattress topper. As a bonus, you’ll avoid the expenses of buying a brand-new mattress!

Talk to a chiropractor to help you determine whether a firm or soft mattress is best for you.

  1. Be careful when getting in and out of bed.

So many people throw their backs out while getting in and out of bed. To avoid further pain in your back, make slow movements and avoid bending at the waist.

When getting into bed, sit on the edge of the bed, then as you lie down on your side, bring your legs into the bed. Once your settled, adjust to the proper sleeping position.

  1. Exercise your core.

Strengthening the muscles in your abdomen, hips, pelvis, and lower back eases back pain and lowers the risk of muscle spasms. We’ll discuss some of the best exercises to relieve back pain in the next section.

  1. Do yoga before bed

Yoga doesn’t just reduce your back pain, it also lowers stress levels and encourages better sleep. Your chiropractor can help you decide which yoga stretches and poses are best for your back pain.

Back, Shoulder, and Neck Exercises

Exercising the muscles in your back, shoulders, and neck is essential to reducing and preventing further pain. Complete these seven exercises at least three times a week and always after stretching.

  1. Row for upper back
  2. Face pull for upper back and shoulder
  3. Scapular squeeze for upper back and shoulder
  4. Wall angles for neck, shoulders, and upper back
  5. Reverse dumbbell fly for shoulders and upper back
  6. Lat pulldown for shoulders and upper back
  7. Superman for mid and lower back

Click here for instructions and short videos on how to complete these exercises.

Talk to a Chiropractor

When it’s possible to visit with a chiropractor, schedule an initial consultation. Chiropractors like Dr. Doyle are passionate about helping their patients achieve total wellness through natural and conservative treatments.

To meet with our Roanoke, TX chiropractor, call (817) 767-5430 today.

Should I visit a chiropractor?

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Should I go to a chiropractor

Do you suffer from back or neck pain? Do frequent headaches interfere with your life?

If so, you may wonder what the best treatment option is.

Did you know your local chiropractor offers effective treatment solutions that are noninvasive and drug-free? That could be why approximately 22 million Americans visit a chiropractor each year. With those visits, 35 percent, or around 7.7 million, seek care for relief from back pain caused by sports injuries, accidents, and muscle sprains and strains.

If you are in the Roanoke, TX area, Dr. Cody Doyle offers safe, effective treatment options for your pain. With over two decades of experience, he has successfully brought relief to thousands of suffering patients.

But Dr. Doyle goes above and beyond chiropractic care. He also offers acupuncture and myofascial release therapy, as well as other alternative therapies, such as nutrition counseling, ultrasound therapy, muscle stimulation, and education regarding home exercise.

And he treats a lot more than just neck and back pain. Keep reading to learn the surprising conditions chiropractic care can help.

What is a chiropractor?

A chiropractor is someone licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic, with the initials DC after their name. When you see these initials, you know your provider has received extensive training in disorders of bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments.

Training and education to be a chiropractor include a four-year undergraduate degree (usually a “pre-med” type of degree) and four years of chiropractic school (approximately 4,200 instructional hours). In addition, they have taken and passed a National Board Exam.

A chiropractic program typically looks something like this:

  • First year: Courses in biochemistry, spinal anatomy, general anatomy, and chiropractic principles.
  • Second year: Courses in pathology, imaging interpretation, clinical orthopedics, chiropractic procedures, and research methods.
  • Third year: Courses in integrated chiropractic, dermatology, pediatrics, practice management, clinical internships, and ethics and jurisprudence.
  • Fourth year: Clinical internship, when the student completes rotations in a clinic or hospital and studies chiropractic care under a licensed chiropractor.

In addition, many chiropractors, such as Dr. Doyle, spend a tremendous amount of time learning about various other specialties, such as sports medicine, nutrition, rehabilitation, and acupuncture.

What is chiropractic care

The main treatments chiropractors perform involve hands-on spinal and joint manipulations to achieve proper alignment of the spine and the body’s musculoskeletal structure. When joints are out of proper alignment, it can cause pain in the neck, back, head, hands, arms, feet, and legs.

Proper alignment allows the body to heal itself naturally without drugs or invasive treatments, such as surgery.

These manipulations restore joint mobility caused by tissue injury from trauma, such as a car accident or fall, and repetitive stress, such as from performing the same stressful movements over and over.

What conditions can a chiropractor treat?

Typically, patients go to a chiropractor for pain relief from injury to joints, muscles, and connective tissue, such as ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. While some patients receive chiropractic care as an adjunct to other treatments, many patients find relief from their pain with chiropractic care alone.

Chiropractic care can relieve pain that is acute, chronic, or from repetitive stress in the back, neck, head, and upper and lower extremities.

Examples of chronic pain include diagnoses like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or degenerative disc disease.

Acute pain can be caused by things like moving heavy furniture, a fall or car accident, or being tackled too hard. Acute pain typically does not last longer than six weeks.

Repetitive stress can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff (shoulder) pain, and plantar fasciitis (foot pain).

However, many patients also seek chiropractic care for issues not involving pain.

Some surprising conditions chiropractors treat successfully include:

  • Migraine and tension headaches
  • Seasonal allergies
  • Neuropathies
  • Weight loss
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Insomnia
  • Pregnancy-related pains
  • Preparation for labor and delivery to reduce the pain of childbirth
  • Infertility
  • Weak immune system

You may wonder how a chiropractor can help with these conditions. The fact is, nerve impulses travel between your entire body and your brain through the spine, which is the root of your nervous system. When your spine is out of alignment, it puts the body under tremendous stress and can cause a multitude of problems.

Many illnesses and issues are worsened or caused by this stress, with activates the “fight or flight” reaction in the body. This increases your heart rate and blood pressure and redirects your blood away from your digestive system, organs, and extremities.

Over time, this wreaks havoc on your body and increases your risk of diabetes, muscle tissue damage, infertility, slowed healing, and damage to your immune system.

When put back into proper alignment, your body can process and manage stress in a much healthier way, allowing your body to heal itself.

Also, spinal adjustments improve blood circulation and reduce spinal nerve irritation. This helps your brain to turn off the fight or flight response, which also assists the body in healing.

In addition, Dr. Doyle can recommend helpful vitamins and supplements, teach you home exercises and relaxation techniques, and help you improve your posture.

What does chiropractic care involve?

At the first visit, Dr. Doyle will perform a comprehensive examination, which includes any necessary x-rays and gathering information about your medical history, current medications, and lifestyle factors. Next, he will discuss your symptoms, concerns, goals, and desires, and answer any questions you have. Once he has an accurate diagnosis, he will work with you to come up with a treatment plan.

The goal of chiropractic care includes restoring the function of joints, muscles, and connective tissue to align your spine and musculoskeletal system. This will also improve your range of motion, which helps prevent additional injuries.

Chiropractic treatment involves manual adjustments, where Dr. Doyle will manipulate your joints into proper alignment using sudden but controlled force. While some patients fear the adjustments will cause pain, you do not need to worry. Occasionally there is a very quick moment of “pain,” as if you were pinched, but it abates instantly. Then, what you will notice is the relief of pain as the adjustment reduces the irritation of your muscles, joints, and nerves.

At the beginning of your chiropractic treatment, you are in an “urgent care” phase, and more frequent visits may be needed. This is important because the benefits of chiropractic care have a cumulative effect, and repeat treatments are needed to train the body, just like repeat exercise is needed for strength training.

After a few weeks, however, most patients can move to the rehabilitation phase, which requires less frequent visits. Once your pain is well controlled, you go into maintenance. At this point, treatment is pretty much “as needed.”

Are you ready to see how good a chiropractor can help you feel?

If you are in the Roanoke, Trophy Club, Keller, or Southlake area, call (817) 767-5430 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Doyle. He would love to help you get on the road to health and wellbeing.

 

Is chiropractic good for your neck and back pain?

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chiropractic for neck and back pain

More and more patients are realizing the incredible benefits and effectiveness of treating neck and back pain with conservative, non-addictive care.

Chiropractic treatments offer tremendous relief while helping you avoid other costly, invasive care options. It can remove the need for addictive prescription pain medications that come with a variety of side effects and help you avoid painful surgery and recovery.

While chiropractors can effectively treat most things that cause pain, the most common complaints patients seek relief for are neck pain, back pain, and headaches.

Dr. Cody Doyle has over two decades of successfully caring for patients with pain. During this time, he has helped over 100,000 patients find relief from a broad range of dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

How does chiropractic help neck and back pain?

The most common cause of neck and back pain is the misalignment of the bones—or vertebra—in the spine. Chiropractic care involves spinal manipulations—also known as adjustments—to realign the spine. Because all the movements of the human body originate in the spine, misalignment can cause pain in muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves.

Spinal adjustments restore mobility to ligaments, joints, and muscles that are restricted or injured from repetitive stress or trauma. When the spine is properly aligned, the body can heal itself.

What can I expect during chiropractic care for neck and back pain?

The first thing Dr. Doyle will do is perform a thorough examination. This includes a complete medical history, a physical exam, range of motion testing, and x-rays. Depending on your symptoms and his findings, he may want to order additional diagnostic imaging, such as a CT or MRI.

If Dr. Doyle feels you are an appropriate candidate for chiropractic treatment, he will discuss all your options. The goal is to provide pain relief while restoring function and preventing future injury.

The most common mode of treatment is spinal manipulation, which uses controlled but sudden force to joints to realign the spine.

During treatment, Dr. Doyle may utilize:

  1. Hands-on treatment. This involves the use of his hands and arms to massage and apply high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts.
  2. A drop table. This is a special table with sections that Dr. Doyle can drop down during spinal manipulations.
  3. A special device that delivers gentle impulses to the spine.

Depending on your unique desires, needs, and diagnoses, Dr. Doyle will create a customized treatment plan for you. This may include suggestions for additional alternative solutions to achieve optimum results. Some examples of complementary therapy services include:

Who should seek chiropractic care for neck and back pain?

Certain patients may not be a good candidate for chiropractic care.

For example, patients with the following conditions may need to seek other treatment for neck and back pain:

  • Spinal cord damage
  • Vertebral fracture(s)
  • Severe osteoporosis
  • Severe arthritis
  • Bone infections
  • Patients on blood thinners
  • Patients with cancer, especially while on cancer treatment

Chiropractic care is, however, an excellent alternative option for those with acute or chronic neck or back pain.

Some of the most common causes of neck and back pain include:

Trauma, such as from a sports injury, fall, or car accident

Any sudden forceful movement of the head, neck, or back that results in “rebound,” such as with whiplash of the neck, results in injury to the supporting and surrounding tissues.

Trauma can tear muscles and ligaments, also known as a strain. It can also cause muscles to contract and tighten, which leads to stiffness and pain. If severe enough, it can also injure the joints between the vertebra, ligaments, discs, muscles, and nerve roots.

Aging

As we age, degenerative disorders become more common. This can include osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Degeneration puts the patient at a higher risk of bulging or herniated disks. Also, the degenerative changes can cause the body to form bone spurs, compounding the pain.

Spinal stenosis is also more common for older patients. When stenosis narrows the nerve passageways, nerve roots can become compressed and trapped. This usually causes radiating pain, such as down the arms or legs.

Habits of Life

Anything that disrupts spinal balance increases the risk of neck and back pain. This includes things like poor posture, obesity, improper ergonomics, and repetitive stress.

Emotional tension and stress lead to muscle tightening and contracting, which leads to pain and stiffness.

Could chiropractic care give you relief from your neck or back pain?

If you suffer from neck or back pain, whether it is acute or chronic, Dr. Doyle has the experience to bring you relief.

Call (817) 767-5430 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation so you can get started on the road to recovery.

Can a Chiropractor Ease my Chronic Pain?

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Do you suffer from ongoing back or neck pain? Did you know your chiropractor can help with chronic pain? Dr. Cody Doyle treats patients in the north Fort Worth area at Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Roanoke, TX. He has over two decades of experience in reducing pain for patients in Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, and Trophy Club in his Roanoke, TX office, and he can help you too.

Chiropractic care is an effective, safe, and natural treatment option that considers the whole person for patients experiencing chronic pain. While the most commonly known treatment of a chiropractor is spinal manipulation, Dr. Doyle offers several other holistic, natural, and conservative options to rid you of your pain.

chiropractor ease chronic pain

What is the first step in finding relief from chronic pain?

Before Dr. Doyle can do anything to treat your pain, he will need to know what is causing it. The first thing he will do is perform a physical examination. He will also want results from any necessary diagnostic testing. Most often, this means x-rays; however, some patients may require additional testing, such as an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound imaging.

Once Dr. Doyle has diagnosed your condition, he will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan based on your unique needs and desires. This may include a combination of several treatment methods to achieve optimal results.

In addition, he will provide education regarding things you can do to improve health and pain, such as proper posture, exercises, nutrition, and relaxation methods.

How does spinal manipulation improve pain?

Dr. Doyle has an insatiable desire to learn and understand the latest techniques in alternative medicine. He will put this knowledge to work in helping you to be as healthy and pain-free as possible.

Chiropractic therapy focuses on the structure of the body. The most commonly known chiropractic treatment option is spinal adjustments and manipulations. This involves the therapeutic movement of the spine to return it to proper alignment. This is done by applying strong but quick pressure between the vertebrae of the spine.

When the body is properly aligned, pain is reduced, function is improved, and the body is better equipped to heal.

What are other chiropractic treatment options for chronic pain?

While spinal adjustments and manipulation are the mainstays of chiropractic care, Dr. Doyle goes above and beyond to offer numerous other safe, effective, and all-natural drug-free treatment options for your pain.

Thanks to his quest to learn everything he can about alternative treatment, his patients experience improved health and decreased pain.

Once he learns the cause of your pain, he will work with you to determine which modalities will help you the most.

Some of the possible treatment modalities he may offer you for chronic pain include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Deep myofascial release massage
  • Hot and cold therapy
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Herbal remedies
  • Muscle stimulation
  • Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
  • Ultrasound therapy
  • Auriculotherapy
  • Weight loss treatments
  • Nutritional and detoxification programs
  • Treatments for allergies

And since Dr. Doyle continually learns more, he frequently adds new techniques and treatments as he perfects his protocols.

Don’t Let Chronic Pain Interfere with Your Quality of Life

If you suffer from chronic pain, there is no better time to begin treatment to change your life for the better. Call 817-767-5430 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Doyle.

Isn’t it time to get on the road to recovery?

Trophy Club Chiro Explains How to Prevent Back Injuries

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woman holding back due to painBack injuries can occur for a number of reasons. Trauma resulting from falls, auto accidents, and sports-related injuries can certainly be to blame. However, in many cases, back injuries are the product of poor habits and posture. Here, Dr. Cody Doyle – your Trophy Club chiro – shares a few tips and tricks for preventing back injuries and stop them from progressing.

Are you suffering from back pain? Schedule an appointment with your Trophy Club chiro. Call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture today at 817-767-5430.

Behaviors That Cause Back Pain

Before we discuss how to prevent back pain, let’s take a look at some common behaviors and habits that can cause the condition:

  • Poor posture: This strains the muscles and places stress on the spine. If left unaddressed, this can cause permanent changes in the spinal structure.
  • Incorrect lifting: A common cause of back injuries, trying to lift heavy objects incorrectly can result in strain.
  • Tobacco use: Though this is not commonly thought of as a culprit for back pain, research indicates that nicotine restricts blood flow to the cushioning disks in the vertebrae. Additionally, tobacco use prevents new bone growth by reducing calcium absorption. As a result, smokers experience slower healing when damage does occur.
  • Obesity: Extra weight around the midsection shifts the center of gravity forward. As a result, more strain is placed on the back.
  • Lack of exercise: Core strength is essential for overall health. Weak abdominal muscles can lead to poor posture, and consequently, back pain.
  • A sedentary lifestyle: If back pain is already present, then a sedentary lifestyle can actually make the problem worse. Lack of activity decreases blood flow to the affected area.
  • Lack of calcium and Vitamin D: Bone strength and density rely on certain nutrients. If you don’t consume enough, it can exacerbate back problems.

Prevention Tips from Your Trophy Club Chiro

While it’s impossible to prevent accidents and certain types of trauma, you can still promote spinal health by making well-informed choices. Modifying your behavior and eliminating harmful habits can improve your overall quality of life. Your Trophy Club chiro can give you recommendations based on your unique needs. In the sections below, we’ll discuss some general tips that can help reduce the risk of back pain.

Practice Proper Lifting

We lift objects every day. From heavy boxes to laundry baskets to a simple pair of shoes – what you lift (and how you lift it) – can have a profound effect on your spine. To lift correctly, bend your knees and keep the back as straight as possible. Remember to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, keep your balance, and avoid any twisting motions. This helps keep the spine in alignment, reducing the strain on your back.

Aim for a Healthier Lifestyle

Improving physical health can drastically reduce the risk of back injury. Here are a few tips from your Trophy Club chiro:

  • Exercise a few times every week.
  • Stretch your muscles before any type of physical activity.
  • Lose any excess fat in the midsection, and strive to be within 10 pounds of your recommended healthy weight.
  • Strengthen your core muscles.
  • Consider sleeping on a firm mattress if you don’t already.

Address Issues Promptly

If you’ve sustained a back injury, it’s important to see your Trophy Club chiro as soon as possible. In many cases, back injuries progress if left untreated. Prompt chiropractic care can help increase blood flow and alleviate discomfort.

Contact Your Trophy Club Chiro Today

Is back pain keeping you down? Schedule a visit at our Roanoke, TX practice. Call us today at 817-767-5430 or contact us online anytime.

Drug-Free Pain Management for Pregnant Women

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pregnant woman on couch with husband, looking at bellyIt is no secret that pregnancy comes with all types of aches, pains, and problems: headaches, back pain, sleep loss, morning sickness, sciatica, and more. Most women find ways to cope with this, but because drugs only mask pain, they never actually achieve lasting relief. However, there are other options, like chiropractic and acupuncture. These holistic treatments work, whether you’re pregnant or not!

Reasons to Stay Away from Medications During Pregnancy

Your OB may tell you to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) to relieve headaches, back pain, and other aches that come naturally with pregnancy. However, taking medications during pregnancy could harm to both mother and baby. Research shows that some common, over-the-counter drugs taken while pregnant can cause:

  1. Birth defects
  2. Premature birth
  3. Heart complications for the baby
  4. Excess blood loss for the mother during birth

Enduring months of headaches and pains from hormone changes, on top of an enlarging body and fluid retention, would make anyone want to turn to medication. For many drugs, we don’t yet know their effect on fetuses and pregnant women. If you’re pregnant, uncomfortable, and craving relief, talk to your doctor about drug-free, holistic chiropractic or acupuncture or call Doyle Chiropractic and Acupuncture today at 817-767-5430.

What is acupuncture and how does it help?

Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago. It’s a completely drug-free, holistic treatment that can instantly help with a long list of health issues.

If acupuncture is the right treatment ease your pains, Dr. Doyle will insert hair-thin needles through the skin, in specific locations that run along meridians in the body. The needles cause a release of brain chemicals to correct imbalances and restore comfort. Acupuncture procedures are considered safe and come with very little risk.

Acupuncture can help relieve:

  1. Morning sickness
  2. Lower back and pelvic pain
  3. Depression
  4. Headaches
  5. Sleep problems

Although acupuncture can reduce lower back and pelvic pain, Dr. Doyle may want to do more than just treat your discomfort. With chiropractic care, he can provide musculoskeletal manipulation to address skeletal misalignments, which might be an underlying cause of your problems.

What does musculoskeletal manipulation look like for a pregnant woman?

Growing fetuses can cause misalignment of the mother’s spine or joints, as well as incorrect posture. It can even increase curvature of the back. If a growing womb causes the mother’s pelvis to become misaligned, the baby may not have enough space to grow and develop properly.

If you have been to a chiropractor before, this visit will look much like a regular visit but it will take a little more time. (If you’ve not been to a chiropractor, learn more about the first visit here.)

The chiro will ask you to lie face-down on an adjustable table that has cutouts for your belly and face. He’ll rely on techniques that don’t involve putting pressure on the abdomen. Hormones produced in a pregnant woman cause joints to soften, so Dr. Doyle will not need to use a lot of pressure to correct misalignments.

Once your adjustment is completed, Dr. Doyle might provide you with a list of simple, safe stretches that you can do at home.

Focus on having good posture. Use pillows to support your back while lying down or sitting (in a chair, in the car, on the sofa). These few habits can go a long way toward maintaining your adjustment’s results.

Dr. Doyle will let you know when to come in for another appointment, or he may tell you to call the office and schedule when you notice aches and pains surfacing. Your body will change during and after pregnancy, so don’t forget that chiropractic and acupuncture may be a great option for you, even after your child is born.

Is chiropractic care harmful to the baby?

As long as the chiropractor has been trained to work with pregnant women, absolutely not! In fact, treatment will benefit both mother and baby. Read this story about a woman who found significant pain relief by undergoing chiropractic treatments during her pregnancy.

It should not be a secret: musculoskeletal manipulation and acupuncture have been proven to help ease and relieve the pains of pregnancy. Stories like Kelley’s are common, although they are rarely publicized.

No woman should have to endure nine months of discomfort and pain when there is a healthy, drug-free way to find relief.

Discuss holistic pain relief options with your doctor or call our Roanoke, TX chiropractic clinic at 817-767-5430 to set up a one-hour, comprehensive consultation and evaluation with Dr. Doyle.

How to Reduce the Pain of Scoliosis

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woman with scoliosis working the pain awayWhat 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.

Can Chiropractors Help to Treat Scoliosis?

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Spine alignment

If you or your loved one lives with mild to severe scoliosis, you have probably wondered about alternative or holistic treatments. Scoliosis is most commonly treated with bracing and surgery. For patients who suffer from pain, doctors may also prescribe strong pain killers known as opioids, such as hydrocodone. While the drugs usually bring relief, there is the risk of addiction. Also, the longer you take an opioid, the less it works – so the prescription will be increased over time, which only increases the risk of addiction. To reduce this risk, consider seeing a chiropractor to treat your pain. Before you type “Roanoke chiro near me” into your browser, read on to learn about how Dr. Cody Doyle, a chiropractor and acupuncturist, provides treatment for scoliosis pain.

What is scoliosis?

Put simply, scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is greater than a Cobb angle of 10 degrees. Sometimes this is mild, in which case the patient may have very few complications. For others, the curvature is significant, and it causes severe pain. Even routine movements may be difficult. Most patients develop scoliosis during their teen to adult years. Some people may develop scoliosis due to physical trauma, such as being in the backseat of a vehicle during a rear-end collision. Some adults may not even be aware that their back pain is caused by scoliosis.

How can chiropractors treat scoliosis pain?

The first step of treating any disease is diagnosis. Because many adults are unaware of their scoliosis, a visit to the chiropractor may be how they receive that diagnosis. Dr. Cody Doyle may be able to determine not only if your spine has a curvature, but the degree of that curvature. An x-ray will confirm the diagnosis. At that point, Dr. Doyle will work with you to develop a treatment plan.

When a patient with scoliosis requests chiropractic care, Dr. Doyle provides a chiropractic adjustment. Depending on your case, Dr. Doyle may use to deliver an adjustment. Some common tools used in the office include the muscle stim, the drop table, the massager, and acupuncture needles. While acupuncture is not an aspect of chiropractic care per se, combining the two practices may improve results.

What are the reported benefits of chiropractic care?

When it comes to correcting curvatures of the spine, scientists and medical professionals have debated the effectiveness of chiropractic care for decades. While many people continue to question its legitimacy, a 2011 study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine confirms that chiropractic care delivers numerous benefits to patients over time. The study involved rehabilitation of 28 patients and the findings included:

  • Reduction in Cobb angle of curvature by approximately 10 degrees
  • Reduced levels of pain by 36% after 6 months and another 21% at 24-month follow-up
  • Disability scores reduced from 60% to 30% in 6 months, and then dropped to 18% after 24 months

Outside of this particular study, patients who suffer from scoliosis report additional positive results following routine chiropractic care, such as:

  • Better flexibility
  • Reduced discomfort
  • Improved range of motion
  • Reduction in inflammation

Because Dr. Doyle may combine your chiropractic care with acupuncture, the benefits may be even more potent. In fact, another study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2009 confirms that acupuncture aids in pain control for patients diagnosed with mild to severe scoliosis. It also illustrated that acupuncture can help to improve curvature progression for patients, even when traditional medicine has failed.

Perhaps the best benefit of chiropractic care and acupuncture is that it is holistic and drug-free. Some insurances cover all or part of chiropractic visits. Would you like to find out if these treatments may be right for you? Instead of searching for “Roanoke chiro near me,” give Dr. Doyle’s office a call directly at 817-767-5430.

Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

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Male Patient Visiting Doctor’s Office With Back Ache

Our Roanoak, TX clinic offers multiple treatments for patients seeking relief from osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease that disproportionately affects older individuals. The disease affects the joint’s cartilage, lining, ligaments, and bone. Osteoarthritis often occurs in the spine, hips, knees, toes, and hands.  

During your visit to Doyle Chiropractic & Acupuncture, Dr. Cody Doyle will examine your areas of pain before recommending a customized course of treatment for your osteoarthritis.

Cause of Osteoarthritis

Age is a leading risk factor for osteoarthritis. The vast majority of patients who report symptoms of this disease are well over 40.

Possible causes of OA include:

  • Poor diet
  • Genetics
  • Family history of OA
  • Obesity
  • Overuse of joints
  • Trauma
  • Unequal leg length
  • Bowlegs
  • Knocked knees

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

During your visit to our Roanoak clinic, Dr. Doyle will look for symptoms of osteoarthritis. Patients with this condition may experienced increase pain while standing or sitting upright for prolonged periods of time. Some individuals experience discomfort while bending their back. It is not uncommon for the pain to expand to the pelvic areas.

Because osteoarthritis develops from worn joints, the symptoms may not be noticeable at first.

Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Joint creaking
  • Stiffness
  • Decreased range of motion (especially in the lower back)
  • Joint pain
  • Swelling near the joint area
  • Decreased function of spine joint

Treatment Options for Osteoarthritis

Depending on the cause and extent of your osteoarthritis, Dr. Doyle will prepare a customized treatment plan. Weight loss and changes to your diet will be likely recommendations. Obesity is a common cause of wear on the spine.

Lowering your weight can also reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is important to understand that there is no cure for OA, but the symptoms can be effectively treated at our clinic and through lifestyle changes.

To manage your pain and symptoms, Dr. Doyle may recommend:

  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic care
  • Myofascial release therapy
  • Complementary therapies (herbal and nutritional plans or home exercises)

Dr. Doyle may also have a lengthy discussion on how you can manage and live with OA. Many of our patients benefit from understanding how to properly position their neck and spine while sleeping. Individuals with OA may need to avoid repetitive motions and frequent bending. There are adaptive devices that can assist you with daily activities.

While undergoing treatments at our chiropractic clinic is an integral part of recovery, it is also important to reduce or eliminate the causes of your OA. If you are ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle, you may be able to significantly reduce your symptoms while regaining mobility and restoration of your quality of life.

Contact a Local Chiropractor in Roanoke, TX

Dr. Doyle has more than 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating muscle pain. To schedule an exploratory exam, contact Dr. Doyle at (817) 767-5430 or visit our website to set up an initial appointment.

3 Tips to Help Relieve Low Back Pain by Roanoke-Trophy Club Chiropractor Dr. Cody Doyle

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woman with low back pain

Over 80% of people have experienced low back pain in their life. If you experience frequent or chronic pain, there are options. Find out how to reduce your pain by simply improving your sleeping habits and stretching and learn the secret about a powerful all-natural painkiller.

Low Back Pain And Poor Sleeping Habits

Pain can interfere with a good night’s rest, and awkward sleeping postures can exacerbate your pain. Minimize the amount of pressure and stress placed on your back through the strategic use of pillows. Alignment is key. Your ears, shoulders, and hips should be lined up to maintain the natural curve of your spine.

Side-sleepers should put a pillow between the knees to maintain spinal alignment. Another option is the fetal position—drawing your knees to your chest. This increases the spaces between the vertebrae. To continue proper alignment, your head pillow should fill the space between your ear and shoulder.

Stomach-sleepers should put a pillow under the abdomen and pelvis to relieve the pressure and stress off the back. For proper alignment of the neck, try a thin pillow under your forehead so you can sleep facedown rather than have your head twisted to the side.

Sleeping on your back is the best, as it evenly distributes the weight of your body and minimizes pressure points. To keep the natural curve of your spine, place a pillow under your knees. If you have an adjustable bed, a reclined position is best. For neck positioning, you want a flat pillow under your head.

Don’t neglect the importance of your mattress. While a soft bed feels nice, it’s bad for your back. You want a firm or medium-firm mattress with quality springs or foam. If you need a new one and can’t afford it, try a mattress topper. If the mattress is too soft, put plywood under it.

Low Back Pain Relief Stretches

Tight muscles increase tension and worsen pain. For low back pain, the hamstrings are the most common culprit. These muscles go through the back of the thighs from hips to knees. Proper stretching lengthens the muscles, reducing tension and increasing range of motion and mobility.

Consistency is key. This isn’t something you force in a few days. Perform gentle, smooth stretching. Don’t bounce or go for pain, as this can tear your muscles. If it hurts, back off a bit, then hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Perform this one side at a time and repeat four times. Done twice daily, this routine will enhance coordination and reduce pain and stress.

Powerful All-Natural Pain Relief

Endorphins are amazing. They are the brain’s chemicals that, when released, reduce pain and stress and improve the immune system. Endorphins are the naturally occurring “feel good” painkillers we have free access to. When released, endorphins produce euphoria. This happens naturally when we feel pain, such as with an injury, but there are other ways to activate these powerful neurotransmitters.

Studies have proven endorphin’s power in the “runner’s high,” but the stress running puts on the back may not be best for someone already experiencing pain. The good news is, there are many other ways to get the endorphins pumping. Any type of cardiovascular exercise, such as biking or fast-walking, will do the trick. It has been shown that shared experiences are effective. Water aerobics with friends, yoga in a class, or dancing with that special someone are examples.

Other ways to boost endorphins include laughter, music, dark chocolate, and vanilla or lavender. Spicy foods also work. The burning sensation in the mouth triggers pain signals. Go ahead, add wasabi or cayenne peppers to your food for not only a burst of flavor but a boost of bliss. Volunteering and lending a helping hand produce pleasure, connection, and trust. MRI studies have shown the act of giving produces a “helper’s high.”

But My Back Still Hurts

If the above options don’t give the relief you hoped for, additional measures may be warranted. With over 21 years’ experience, Dr. Cody Doyle can help with a treatment customized for you. He provides not only chiropractic care but acupuncture, an effective way of enticing your brain to flood your body with endorphins.

To schedule an exam, contact Dr. Doyle at (817) 767-5430 or visit our website to set up an appointment.