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Non-Cardiac Chest Pain & How Chiropractic Can Help

Having pain in your chest can be scary—most people immediately assume the pain is related to a heart attack and rush to the emergency room. While this isn’t a bad idea since it’s better to err on the side of caution, heart attacks typically only cause about 5% of total chest pain. If you experience chest pain that has been confirmed as non-cardiac, it’s important to explore all your options to resolve the pain and get to the root of the problem. Dr. Ronnie Bolar of Vital Life Chiropractic has experience with non-cardiac chest pain and can help you find relief with neurologically-based chiropractic care.

Getting to the Root Cause of the Pain

One of the aims of chiropractic care is to find the true origin of discomfort and dysfunction. Dr. Bolar is not satisfied with just treating symptoms or putting a hypothetical band-aid on a problem for temporary, short-term relief. Instead, he wants to figure out what is causing the non-cardiac chest pain that you’re experiencing so that he can help resolve the issue fully and permanently. Most commonly, the cause of non-cardiac chest pain is related to the ribs. When the rib cage is out of alignment or ribs are displaced, this can bring about muscle tightness and pain in the chest. Lower back problems can also cause ribs to be displaced or can bring about muscle spasms and pain in the chest. Tightness in any muscles or muscle groups near to the chest can also cause pain in this area.

Most commonly, muscle issues that result in chest pain are due to misalignments of the spine. When a vertebra is shifted slightly to one side or another, or if it is a little twisted or turned, the muscles on either side of […]

Slip and Fall Accident

If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident, you likely have a lot of things on your mind. You’re thinking about your physical pain levels, insurance costs, and doctors’ appointments. If your accident happened at work, you’re dealing with workers’ compensation claims, conversations with your employer, and figuring out how to make ends meet while you’re out of work. While many traditional treatment methods are utilized to speed up healing after a slip and fall accident, you may be surprised to find out that a chiropractor can play an important role in your healing as well.

Spinal Subluxations

A subluxation in your spine is simply a misalignment of one or more of the vertebrae. Several of these small bones make up your spine, and any of them can get twisted, turned, or shifted out of alignment from a slip and fall, and this can bring about a lot of health problems, pain, and discomfort. Not only do spinal subluxations cause back and neck pain, headaches, and muscle soreness throughout the body, but they can also cause dysfunction in other systems of the body.

Since the spinal cord travels through the spine and is an important part of the central nervous system, any misalignment of the vertebrae can put pressure on the surrounding nerves and wreak havoc on the proper function of the central nervous system and all the other system it helps to control. For example, a misalignment of the lumbar spine can bring about digestive troubles while a misalignment in the neck can bring about vision problems, sinus issues, or headaches.

When you fall, your body experiences a jolt of impact. Depending on where the impact occurs and how hard you fall, the accident can cause one or many spinal […]

Chiropractic Care Can Help Make VBAC Deliveries Possible

No matter how much planning you do, there is no way to account for everything that can happen when you give birth. In many cases, C-sections and other interventions may become necessary. You may have heard that this means all your future deliveries will be similar. However, having a C-section at one birth doesn’t mean that one will be necessary in any future births. In fact, it’s been shown that C-sections are often performed when they are not needed for the situation and it can be better to have a VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean. One of the benefits pregnant women can experience from visiting a Lithia Springs chiropractor is a higher chance of a vaginal birth in the future, even if she’s had prior cesarean sections.

Why Try for a VBAC?

It has been shown in a number of studies that a large number of interventions during birth, such as forceps, vacuums, or C-section deliveries, can actually be detrimental to the short- and long-term health of a baby. Jaundice and feeding problems are among the top concerns for intervention-related risks, though others can occur. In some cases, a C-section can be a lifesaving procedure and is very medically necessary. However, patients are not often well informed before they are told they need to undergo this surgery, and they are often not aware of the potential risks. For example, a baby born surgically may have a lower body temperature upon delivery. When planning your birth, it is important to balance the risks and benefits of any interventions you are offered and to be in the know ahead of time.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Whatever kind of birth you are hoping to have, the best way to ensure success is to adequately prepare […]

The Webster Technique for Breech Presentation in Babies

We know that chiropractic care can be beneficial for babies as early as right after birth, but did you know that a baby can benefit from chiropractic care before they are even born? In pregnancy, a baby should be head down by a certain point to ensure that he or she can be born safely. When the baby’s head is up, that is known as a breech presentation. A breech presentation can rule out vaginal birth if it is not corrected early enough in pregnancy, making it one of the most common causes of C-sections. One option to help a baby get into the right position is visiting a Lithia Springs chiropractor who is skilled in the Webster Technique.

Turning Breech Babies

By the 34th week of pregnancy, a small portion of fetuses are in a breech position- about 4%. At this point, it is uncommon for the baby to flip before birth due to dwindling space in the uterus for movement. This is the cause of about 13% of the C-sections performed today, and while these interventions can be life-saving in some situations, the invasive nature of a surgery makes them a less optimal choice for most mothers and babies.  To try and avoid this outcome, some doctors will perform something called an ECV, or External Cephalic Version, to try and manually turn the baby. This is done by applying pressure to the uterus externally, which can sometimes work, but can often times be painful and even traumatic. If you have a baby you are hoping to turn but want to avoid the stress and uncertainty of an ECV, there may be other options.

The Webster Technique

Some chiropractors, including Dr. Ronnie Bolar in Lithia Springs, specialize in the Webster […]

Backpack Safety Tips from Your Lithia Springs Chiropractor

In most cities and states, school is already back in session or is starting soon. While times remain uncertain and some schools are still closed and opting for virtual education, kids still have school supplies and books that they need to learn this year. Whether they’re learning at home, going to their school in-person, or doing digital learning from a location other than at home, they will likely be hauling all their school materials around from time to time, if not on a daily basis.

Since back pain is such a common complaint among Americans, especially kids and teens who have a heavy load of school supplies to transport, it’s important that you utilize these backpack safety tips. Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie Bolar is passionate about helping kids and adults maintain health and optimal function of their central nervous systems, and that begins with the spine. Here are his top tips for backpack safety to keep kids healthy and pain-free this school year.

Choose a Quality Backpack

While quality may not be as big of a deal for younger students, middle and high school students who are carrying more books need a durable and supportive backpack. Choose one with padded straps, one that can be adjusted easily for proper fit, and one that has multiple pockets for proper weight distribution.

Wear It Properly

Kids are prone to tossing backpacks lackadaisically over their shoulder and running out the door, but that could be doing harm to their back and overall health. Backpacks should be worn close to the back, not sagging and loosely hanging off of them. Aim to keep the entire backpack on the child’s actual back, and make sure the shoulder straps are even. Avoid wearing it loosely or on just one shoulder, […]

Overcoming Nursing Difficulties with Chiropractic Care

Being a new mother is an overwhelming task, and there’s probably nothing you are more worried about than whether your baby is getting everything she needs to be healthy. For many, this includes breastfeeding, as it is known to be the healthiest option for newborns. But while breastfeeding is extremely beneficial, it can often come with challenges. Many women stop breastfeeding earlier than they would like because of the difficulties, even with the help of consultants and supportive families. One option that is not as well-known is seeking the help of a Lithia Springs chiropractor to ensure the spinal health of yourself or your baby is not impacting your ability to nurse well.

Why Nursing Can Be Challenging

Because it is a natural way to feed our babies, many people think that breastfeeding will come easily to them. While this is true for some moms, in many cases, there are unforeseen issues that can cause issues. Some babies have a hard time latching onto the breast in a way that allows them to get the milk they need. When they do latch, some babies will nurse but still seem to be hungry afterwards, or they may refuse to eat on a particular breast.

It can be difficult to have your baby struggle to eat and not know the best way to help him. But if you are invested in breastfeeding, spending the time to uncover the root cause of these issues can be well worth it.

Breastfeeding and the Spine

While it may not seem intuitive that the spine impacts your nursing, there is actually a strong connection. Your spine is key to the health of your central nervous system, and any misalignments in the spine can affect a variety of processes in the […]

Exercise Myths That Are Holding You Back

Everyone knows that exercise is good for the body and the soul. It boosts your mood, helps you be healthier, and keeps your body working as effectively as it can. It helps you maintain a healthy weight, avoid many common health issues, and reduce your likelihood of injury and sickness. But as more research is done and new techniques are explored, many of us have to alter our perspectives and ideas on what exercises are the most beneficial and how we approach our exercise regimen.

Myth #1: Short, Quick Workouts Are Just As Effective As Lengthy Ones

Some gym rats will spend hours in the gym each day, yet they barely break a sweat. Others will have a super intensive workout that only lasts 15 minutes. Whose method is best? Honestly, neither one is ideal. For exercise to be truly effective, you should aim for high intensity workouts that last at least 30 minutes, and they should happen at least 3 times per week. A vigorous workout will get your heart rate up, get you sweating, and leave you with all the feel-good benefits immediately after a workout. If pain is holding you back from working out, make an appointment with Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie Bolar to help manage your pain and improve your health and activity levels.

Myth #2: Cardio Workouts Are Better Than Strength Training

When you think about vigorous, high-intensity workouts, you probably think of doing cardio: running on the treadmill, climbing the stair master, or pumping away on the elliptical. While these are definitely beneficial for many reasons, they should actually be paired with strength training workouts for the most benefits. Strength training is more effective at producing lean muscle, which helps minimize body fat and burn more calories. […]

Healthy Children = Healthy Adults

As children grow, they tend to learn a lot by doing, whether that is a baby mimicking the sounds and movements she sees her parents do or a small child trying to run as fast as his older sibling. These activities are a great way for children to learn and grow, but as we well know, they can end up taking plenty of tumbles and falls along the way to discovering new things. Additionally, children tend to follow the paths of their parents in terms of lifestyle choices and overall health, so it’s important to start them early with making healthy choices and taking care of their bodies. Chiropractic care is a healthy, natural way to address your child’s growing bones and body to encourage and promote healing and growth, both during childhood and well into the future.

Chiropractic Care for Developing Brains

Children’s brains are continuously developing for many years, and as their brains develop, they send out communications through the nervous system, telling the body what muscles to move, what hormones to release, and more. The spine houses the spinal cord, which is where all these communications travel, and regular chiropractic care can help ensure these important lines of communication are open. When blood flow and nerves are functioning optimally, the brain is able to develop properly and complete its tasks effectively, promoting better concentration, growth, learning, and more.

A chiropractor working with children focuses on improving the brain-body connection and helping the nervous system develop and function to the best of its ability. Through gentle chiropractic care, the doctor aims to eliminate interference from the brain to the rest of the body. Dr. Ronnie in Lithia Springs is a pediatric chiropractor who loves to teach kids about how chiropractic works and to […]

Bursitis Relief from a Lithia Springs Chiropractor

Bursitis is diagnosed when the fluid-filled sacs around the joints are inflamed, causing pain in and around the joints. These sacs are called bursae, and they act as cushions for the bones, tendons, and muscles around each joint. When the joints are overworked or moved repetitively in the same way, inflammation of the bursae is often the result. While bursitis can occur at just about any joint in the body, it most commonly presents itself in the most regularly used joints, which include the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows.

Repetitive use of a joint may be unavoidable, but the most effectively your body is functioning and the healthier you are, the less likely you are to experience bursitis. Your body needs proper blood flow and great communication between the brain and the rest of the body in order to alleviate bursitis or avoid it in the first place. Thankfully, a Lithia Springs chiropractor can help with those things.

Identifying Bursitis

So many people suffer from joint pain of various kinds, and it can be hard to differentiate between bursitis and other similar conditions. It’s important to know that bursitis is usually a short-term problem, and it rarely leads to serious damage or requires surgery. Arthritis is another joint condition, but it is caused by long-term wear and tear of the joints. Whereas bursitis is about inflammation of the bursae, arthritis is about the wearing down of cartilage, which is a more serious and long-lasting condition. Tendinitis is another condition that is commonly confused with bursitis. Tendinitis has to do with inflammation of the tendons, which is a soft tissue that connects muscles to bones.

It’s also important to know that bursitis usually affects those over 40, although people with certain jobs may suffer from […]

How to Find a Good Chiropractor in Lithia Springs

Chiropractors are all about reducing your pain, optimizing your health, and improving your quality of life. Whether you’re suffering from recurring neck pain, have a chronic condition that impacts your daily life, or simply want to be as healthy and thriving as possible, a Lithia Springs chiropractor can help. But just like add medical professionals and those in the service industry, not all chiropractors are alike. How do you know you’ve found a good chiropractor in Lithia Springs? Take a look at the best ways to ensure your doc is one of the good ones!

Look for a Focus on Education

All chiropractors undergo similar schooling, but how that education translates to practice varies. You want a chiropractor who is not only committed to their own education, but also yours. A good Lithia Springs chiropractor will teach you all about the science behind chiropractic, including how it works, why it works, and how it can help you. They’ll talk to you about your specific conditions or ailments and how chiropractic can improve your health and life. Dr. Ronnie Bolar and his staff at Vital Life Chiropractic in Lithia Springs will give you a tour of the office, an explanation of how the office works, and a thorough description of what you can expect while under chiropractic care.

Be Sure They Are More Concerned with Function Than Feeling

Everyone wants to feel great and not feel pain, but feeling good isn’t a trustworthy indicator of true health. You might feel awesome but have an underlying issue that is wreaking havoc on your health, totally unbeknownst to you. At the same time, you might be in extreme pain but the actual problem is quite minor. Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie wants you to feel good, but […]

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