Is it better to sit up straight or lean back? If you are experiencing lower back pain after sitting, it may have to do with your posture. Sit-Slide-Lean is the mantra that you should repeat every time to avoid back pain after sitting.

Sit down, slide your butt all the way back, then lean back and relax.

This will put you in optimal position without activating your postural muscles, allowing you to sit in a safe position without falling into a flexed our slouched posture. Sitting in this position will decrease compression in your low back and decrease lower back pain from sitting.

Two of the most common mistakes that occur with sitting are:

1. Not sliding all the way back.

Failure to slide all the way back will result in flexion in the lower segments of your low back especially at L4-L5 and L5-S1 (Two of the most common discs to degenerate and cause pain).  Sitting in a flexed position will accelerate degeneration and increase pain.

2. Not leaning back and relaxing.

You may experience lower back pin when leaning forward while sitting. Failure to lean back and relax will cause your postural muscles to contract to maintain your position. Excessive contraction will quickly lead to fatigue and more compression through your spine causing pain.

Make sure you always sit-slide-lean to avoid back pain, but it is also important to get out of your chair every 20 minutes (even if its only for a few seconds) and go for short walks around the office every hour.

*Please note that every patient is different. The content and tips displayed on this page are for educational purposes only, and do not substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a medical or healthcare provider, such as Dr. Phipps, for specific diagnosis and treatment advice.
Williamsville, NY 14221 Chiropractor

Patient: Tim, from Williamsville, NY

History: Right shoulder pain, achy all the time and sharp with certain movements. Pain intensity would get up to a 7 out of 10.

Primary diagnosis: Muscle adhesion in the rotator cuff muscles

Treatment: Manual Adhesion Release™ to the rotator cuff muscles.

Outcome: After 4 treatments, Tim’s shoulder range of motion was fully restored. His shoulder range stayed full even after a month of no treatment. Overall, his symptoms were 90% better after his last visit and are continuing to improve.

To evaluate the health of your shoulders try the mobility assessment outlined below at home.

Passing this mobility screen is crucial to have a pain-free shoulder and prevent injury. If you have shoulder pain or have failed this mobility assessment, then contact us today so we can restore this test and fix your pain.

*Please note that every patient is different. The content and tips displayed on this page are for educational purposes only, and do not substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a medical or healthcare provider, such as Dr. Phipps, for specific diagnosis and treatment advice.
Williamsville, NY 14221 Chiropractor

The first step when you have pain, numbness, or tingling in your fingers is to visit a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis so you can receive the proper treatment. It is important that you start with the most conservative approach and then progress to more invasive procedures if needed. This approach obviously doesn’t apply in emergency situations where it is important to get to a hospital right away and is outside the scope of this article.

The only conservative care system in the world that trains doctors in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adhesion and nerve entrapment is the Integrative Diagnosis system. Dr. Phipps of Phipps Soft Tissue and Spine is a full body Integrative Diagnosis provider in the Western NY/Buffalo area that has the skills and knowledge to assess and treat this for you (contact us).

If you live outside of Western NY then go to the Integrative Diagnosis find a provider page to find a provider near you. Most cases will be managed fully with this type of care so you can move on with your life and live symptom free.

In more sever cases, imaging like MRI or nerve conduction studies may be required to grade the severity and exact location of your problem. If your primary diagnosis is carpal tunnel syndrome then you may need to consult with a surgeon, especially if you are not responding to conservative care. Dr. Phipps or your Integrative Diagnosis provider will be able to determine when you need to consult with a surgeon or a neurologist.

Surgery is always the last option and only considered in chronic cases that do not respond to conservative care. The surgeon will be able to answer all your questions about the risks associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and the success rates. When you have been evaluated and conservatively treated by an Integrative Diagnosis provider, you can be confident that the other potential causes of your symptoms have been treated and ruled out, making surgery a good option if it comes to that. Pictured below is what the incision site will look like after carpal tunnel surgery.

Don’t go under the knife until you have been fully managed by Dr. Phipps or an Integrative Diagnosis provider.

GET RELIEF NOW

To schedule an appointment, please call us at (716) 629-3100 or take advantage of our convenient online form.

*Please note that every patient is different. The content and tips displayed on this page are for educational purposes only, and do not substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a medical or healthcare provider, such as Dr. Phipps, for specific diagnosis and treatment advice. Williamsville, NY 14221 Chiropractor

Active Release Technique is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue movement system that has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. It’s the proven method for the breakdown of scar tissue and has become the gold standard in soft tissue treatment. Used by millions of professional athletes, celebrities, weekend warriors, and desk jockeys to stay pain-free.

How it works:

Locate the scar tissue using hands

Make contact with the scar tissue

Brings a muscle through its maximum ROM

Breaking the adhesion down to be absorbed by the body

This will free up the muscle allowing it to perform its job properly

Leading to pain relief

ART can help treat:

Muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves

Headaches

Back Pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Shin splints

Shoulder pain

Sciatica

Plantar fasciitis

Knee problems

Tennis elbow

and many others…

*Please note that every patient is different. The content and tips displayed on this page are for educational purposes only, and do not substitute for medical advice. Please consult with a medical or healthcare provider, such as Dr. Phipps, for specific diagnosis and treatment advice. Williamsville, NY 14221 Chiropractor