Backpack Safety

Our patients span a wide range of ages at the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, and we provide safe, effective treatments to all of them. But we’re also big believers in prevention, and when it comes to children, the most common cause of problems is improper backpack use.

A backpack should not weigh more than 15% of its wearer’s body weight. Lots of children will be starting a new class schedule next semester and will have to figure out when to remove items, but it’s best for them not to be carrying anything they won’t realistically need. Get a backpack that has wide, padded shoulder straps and a chest strap. This will allow the weight to be distributed evenly (a trait which makes backpacks superior to large shoulder bags) without cutting into the soft tissues. It may also be a good idea to stick with smaller backpacks if your child has a tendency to let theirs become cluttered.

Your child should know to lift the backpack by pushing up with their knees, not by pulling with their back. But the backpack shouldn’t be heavy enough to cause strain. It should sit at the center of the wearer’s back, not hang below the waist. Ask your child if they feel numb or tingly in their arms or shoulders. If they do, we have several treatments which can help.

Dr. James Huggins operates the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.

 

Back Pain in Older Men

At the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, we’re dedicated to keeping our patients up-to-date with the latest medical developments. Recently, the first study of osteoporosis in older men was completed, and it found that spinal fractures are a common problem.

Osteoporosis has long been known to plague older women. Bones are constantly rebuilding, but in people with osteoporosis, the bones dissolve faster than new material can grow, causing them to weaken. The vertebrae eventually develop tiny fractures and begin to collapse, causing pain to the patient and a stooped posture. Fragile bones can suffer tiny fractures from ordinary movements and the patient often does not think much of them until they are in frequent pain. This study found that, while men do not have osteoporosis at as high a rate as women, the majority of their spinal fractures go undiagnosed, allowing problems to worsen while the patient seeks the wrong treatments.

People with osteoporosis are advised to increase their calcium intake and their exposure to sunlight, but with chiropractic treatments, we can provide them with pain relief, as well. Our imaging tests will determine the cause of patients’ discomfort, and we’re prepared to treat them through non-invasive, non-addictive means.

Dr. James Huggins operates the Carolina Chiropractic Center at 1627 Suite C, South Irby, Florence, South Carolina, 29505. To set up an appointment, call 843-665-9192 or visit Carolina Chiro Center and fill out a contact form.

 

Headaches and Spinal Adjustments

If you’ve ever had a headache or a migraine you know that when symptoms strike, it’s time to find relief – and fast. There are many different types of headaches that can be experienced, affecting different areas of the head in different ways, with differing intensities for different amounts of time. When a headache strikes, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center can administer spinal manipulation as an effective treatment option.

The greatest majority of primary headaches are associated with muscle tension in the neck. Triggers also may include foods, environmental stimuli, (noises, lights, stress, etc.) and/or behaviors (insomnia, excessive exercise, blood sugar changes, etc.). At Carolina Chiropractic Center, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. can perform spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal function and alleviate the stress on your system. He may also provide nutritional advice, recommending a change in diet and perhaps the addition of B complex vitamins.  

If you have questions or concerns about chiropractic treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Herniated Disc

Each spinal disc has two parts – a soft, gelatin-like inner portion and a tough outer ring. Suffering trauma to any part of the back or neck can cause a disc to slip out of place. Performing daily tasks can be difficult and nearly impossible if the slipped disc becomes severe. It’s best to visit Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center before it reaches this point.

A slipped disc can occur when the disc becomes weak. Certain motions such as bending over to pick something up off the floor, or picking up a young child may also cause a slipped disc. Symptoms of a slipped disc include pain and numbness on one side of the body, pain that extends to the arms and legs, and/or unexplained muscle weakness. Once Dr. James Huggins, Jr. diagnoses your condition through an X-ray, treatment options will be discussed.

If you have questions or concerns about herniated discs or chiropractic treatment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192.