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. 

Neck Strain

By looking at our phones every minute of the day, neck strain isn’t hard to develop. A neck strain is not a serious injury, but it can cause discomfort and limit a person’s range of motion. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. offers a variety of services to treat neck strain. Some may include spinal manipulation and/or therapeutic exercise.

Neck strain is defined as an injury to the muscles and tendons that support and move the head and neck. Though neck strain isn’t associated with fractures or dislocations, it can be associated with nerve pain if not careful. If you feel a symptom of a pinched nerve, you should contact us immediately for a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options. It’s important to visit a chiropractor to treat neck pain to rule out a serious condition.

If you have questions or concerns about neck pain 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. 

Abnormal Gait and Back Pain

Gait is a medical term for how a person walks. Abnormal gait can stem from certain conditions like whiplash, herniated discs, muscle strain, and/or arthritis. Regardless of the cause, an abnormal gait can lead to pain in the lower extremities such as the lumbar spine, legs, and feet. As a treatment option, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center may suggest custom foot orthotics.

When a patient's gait is altered and left untreated, it ultimately weakens the muscles and joints, causing pain, arthritis, and increased susceptibility to injury. Foot orthotics are beneficial to help those with walking and alignment issues because they help realign the bones within the foot and ankle to take pressure off of the back, and hips. Additionally, orthotics help distribute weight evenly to take pressure off parts of the foot.

If you have questions or concerns about back pain 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. 

Spinal Manipulation

If your body feels tense, or if your back feels like it needs to be cracked, you may be a candidate for spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is a gentle, hands-on technique used by Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center to remove subluxations. A subluxation occurs when the vertebrae become misaligned. Allow us to explain the benefits of spinal manipulation.

Spinal manipulation therapy combines moving and jolting joints back to their correct position. It’s designed to relieve pressure on joints, reduce inflammation, and to improve nerve function overall. To perform a spinal manipulation, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. will have the patient lay on a table and apply firm pressure on the vertebrae that is causing discomfort. This method is completely safe but is not recommended for those who suffer from severe osteoporosis or an unstable spine.

If you have questions or concerns about spinal manipulation, 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. 

Whiplash

Questions that run through a person’s head after a car accident are typical, “Who is going to fix my car,” and “What will I drive in the meantime?” A substantial amount of people who suffer from an auto accident are more concerned about their vehicle than they are about themselves. Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center makes his patients a top priority even when they may not when it comes to auto injury.

One of the most common injuries from an auto accident is Whiplash. Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person’s neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that causes unrestrained, rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. Fortunately, whiplash is not a life-threatening injury but it can lead to a prolonged period of disability when not treated properly. Whiplash destabilizes the spine and causes severe pain as well as blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness and low back pain.

It is critical that chiropractic care is sought immediately after an automobile accident because allowing the effects of whiplash to go untreated can induce long-term pain. Any body part that is jarred or thrown forward unexpectedly and beyond normal limits can sustain stretched ligaments or even tears. Since Dr. James Huggins, Jr. specializes in the care of bones, muscles, nerves and connective tissue, he is essential to see after an auto injury has occurred.

If you have questions or concerns about spinal manipulation, 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. 

Cupping Therapy

Cupping is one of the oldest methods from traditional Chinese medicine that we utilize at Carolina Chiropractic Center.  Cupping therapy is performed by placing cups on the skin to create suction. The treatment can be used to treat respiratory conditions, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, and is recommended for sore muscles. The cups can be made of a variety of materials, and are most commonly glass.

During a cupping treatment, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance soaked in alcohol and placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup uses all the oxygen it contains, which creates a vacuum on the skin. The suction of the cups mobilizes blood flow to promote the healing of a broad range of medical ailments. Cupping therapy helps release rigid soft tissue, lifts connective tissue, and brings blood flow to skin and muscles.  Depending on the patient and their condition, cups can be left in place for between 5 and 10 minutes.

To learn more about cupping therapy and all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Diapulse

Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center has a pain solution for everyone, and diapulse therapy could be the one that’s right for you.  Diapulse is a device that directs pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) to an area of injury.  Injuries interrupt a body’s natural electric current, and this treatment substitutes the electrical component a body needs to function at its best. The treatment improves blood flow, reduces pain and inflammation, and promotes overall healing.

Diapulse is recommended to treat soft tissue injuries because the short intense electromagnetic pulses penetrate into deep tissues.  We also use this therapy for postoperative edema and pain in superficial soft tissue and chronic wounds.  After spinal cord injuries, diapulse is used specifically to enhance blood flow and promote expedited healing.  For each patient, the reason diapulse is recommended may be different.  We understand that even patients with the same condition respond differently to treatments, which is why a plan of care will always be tailored to meet your needs, goals, and your medical and physical condition.

To learn more about diapulse therapy and all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Tailbone Injuries

As part of our practice of providing natural solutions to pain and health problems at the Carolina Chiropractic Center, we’re prepared to help our patients with injured tailbones. Scientifically known as coccydynia, pain in the tailbone is rare but can be severe. In the worst cases, it interferes with patients’ bowel and sexual functions, which makes it all the more important to treat.

The tailbone is actually made up of five different bones. Their position prevents them from getting injured often, but they can suffer blunt force trauma from activities such as bike and horseback riding and childbirth. Of course, it is possible for the tailbone to be the location of spinal stenosis, meaning that the pain is the result of a pinched nerve. This is why our clinic will have to do a thorough diagnostic, possibly including x-rays, before developing a treatment plan.

Fortunately, there are therapeutic exercises for treating tailbone pain. These can involve relaxing the pelvic floor and strengthening the surrounding ligaments. If the tailbone is dislocated, an adjustment may be necessary. Ice is also commonly applied, and the patient may benefit from a specially-shaped cushion to sit on. It may take eight to twelve weeks for a broken tailbone to heal, but it’s more common for the tailbone to merely be bruised.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Spinal Curvature in Older People

Since so many people look to chiropractors to help them manage back pain, at the Carolina Chiropractic Center, we get asked one question a lot: why do people stoop over as they age? Often, the answer is osteoporosis.

Once people are over the age of thirty, they usually begin to lose bone matter in their spines faster than they can replace it, which is what osteoporosis is. Women are especially susceptible to this. As the vertebrae lose matter, they become vulnerable to developing small compression fractures. These fractures can result from everyday activities and, while often painful, usually are not considered significant enough by the victim to be worth investigating. But people who get one compression fracture are at high risk of getting another, and as the spine breaks down, the patient stoops over. This is medically known as hyperkyphosis.

Osteoporosis can be prevented by maintaining a balanced diet, including sufficient calcium intake, and by regularly doing weight bearing exercises. If we suspect osteoporosis in a patient, we can test for it with x-rays and recommend therapeutic exercises, as well as spinal decompression and manipulations to improve the patient’s comfort.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Plantar Fasciitis

As specialists in the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are interested in the relationship between gait and overall health. When people have foot pain, they tend to walk in a manner that is not optimal for spinal alignment. Fortunately, the Carolina Chiropractic Center has a number of ways to help.

The most common form of foot pain is plantar fasciitis. It is the inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the feet which stretches from the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis is the kind of wear-and-tear injury which builds up over years but which causes sudden pain, usually located in the heel. Patients most commonly feel it after they have been still for a long time.

People who have put an unusual amount of stress on their heels are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis, but most people’s feet will wear down over time. Plantar fasciitis is one of the ailments which responds best to electric muscle stimulation. To reduce their discomfort outside the office, patients can be fitted for custom orthotics.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Spinal Stenosis

If you understand the principles of chiropractic, it will come as no surprise to you that at the Carolina Chiropractic Center, the narrowing of patients’ spinal channels is one of our top concerns. Scientifically, compression of the spinal cord is called spinal stenosis, and it is a cause of many of the conditions we provide treatments for.

Spinal stenosis is usually caused by bony spurs growing in the spaces through which the spinal nerves and cord travel. This most commonly occurs in the lower (lumbar) region, in which case the patient may feel leg pain, numbness, or tingling. It can also occur in the neck (cervical) region and cause weakness and tingling in the hands.

The growth of bone spurs is a slow process usually associated with arthritis. Chiropractic therapies are usually aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal column through methods such as manipulations and use of decompression machines. However, other conditions, such as a herniated disc, can also cause similar symptoms to spinal stenosis induced by bone spurs, so Dr. Huggins will need to do diagnostics before determining the best course of action.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Spondylosis

Spondylosis, also known as spinal osteoarthritis is a common condition that develops with age. Patients typically begin to notice symptoms around the ages of 20-50 years, and more than 80% of individuals older than 40 years have X-ray evidence of the condition. Spondylosis is treatable, usually with non-invasive methods, but a proper diagnosis will need to be made by Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center before going any further.

In some people, spondylosis causes back pain and neck pain due to pinched nerves. This nerve compression may be caused by bulging discs and/or bone spurs on the facet joints. Symptoms of spondylosis include localized pain in the back, neck, or lumbar spine. If you experience a tingling sensation that radiates in the shoulder or legs, it is recommended that you visit us for a consultation. During your physical examination, Dr. Huggins will examine the shape of the spine, and search for tender spots, muscle tightness, as well as inflammation and signs of weakness.

If you have questions or concerns about spondylosis, 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. 

Importance of Stretching

Do you consider yourself flexible? If not, you may be able to increase your flexibility by stretching on a daily basis. Stretching is an excellent way to improve your range of motion and keep your muscles in a healthy state. Whether you decide to stretch before exercise, or afterward, Dr. James Huggins Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center wants to explain the importance of stretching every day.

Regular stretching is just as important as daily exercise. This is because without flexibility and a solid range of motion in our joints our muscles will shorten and become tight. Even stretching for a short amount of time can calm the mind, and give your body a chance to recharge. Adding stretching to your daily routine also provides a flexibility that decreases the risk of day-to-day injury. An added benefit of stretching on a daily basis is that it assists in correct posture by lengthening tight muscles that pull areas of the body away from their intended position.

If you have questions or concerns about chiropractic care, 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. 

Your First Chiropractic Visit

Dr. James Huggins, Jr. and the staff at Carolina Chiropractic Center have seen many first-time chiropractic patients.  New patients often arrive frustrated, having tried other treatment methods and not found relief from their pain or discomfort.  What surprises most new patients is that chiropractic does not incorporate drugs as part of treatment.  Chiropractic focuses on treating the root cause of any pain, rather than masking symptoms with medication.

Chiropractic takes a systemic approach to care, meaning the body as a whole and your body’s own self-healing properties are considered in every case. This is why your initial consultation and assessment with a chiropractor is especially important.  We will work to understand your goals for treatment, and take a very detailed record of your current condition using a physical exam and sometimes x-rays.  From there we can form a treatment plan to target any issues and improve overall health.

Chiropractors not only treat damage to hard and soft tissue, but help patients experiencing injury or disease find relief from the stress their body is under.  Whether you are in serious pain or looking to restore your body’s natural balance, we welcome you to experience chiropractic treatment and find the relief you’re looking for.

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Laser Lipo

Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center utilizes lasers in his chiropractic treatment and has seen how effective the targeted treatment they allow for can be.  Dr. Huggins now offers laser liposuction, using the power of lasers to help patients cosmetically improve stubborn areas of fat.

Traditional liposuction removes fat cells and requires a hospital stay.  Laser lipo works by aiming lasers at your lower body and is specifically designed to puncture holes in your fat cells so that they deflate.  The fat cells remain in the body, but once they have deflated they are much smaller.  This outpatient procedure is a way to target problem areas of fat without major surgery.  Just like traditional liposuction, laser lipo is not a fast track solution to weight loss.  It is meant to target stubborn areas of fat that haven’t improved with diet and exercise alone.  A consultation is the only way to know if laser lipo will be effective in achieving your goal, and you must schedule a consultation before proceeding with treatment.

To learn more about laser lipo and all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Auto Accidents

When someone is involved in a car accident that isn’t a major collision, it may seem more like a nuisance than trauma.  We typically worry more about being late for work or an insurance claim, and don’t always stop to assess what damage may have been done to our bodies. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, we know some drivers and passengers feel the effects of whiplash injuries immediately following an accident, while others may walk away not feeling injured and experience pain later. This is why Dr. James Huggins, Jr. should always be seen for evaluation.

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then forward very suddenly with great force, causing the tendons and ligaments in your neck to tear. The most common site of pain and stiffness for passengers involved in an accident are the neck and back.  A chiropractor can evaluate these injuries, as well as treat damage to both hard and soft tissue. Depending on a patient’s evaluation the chiropractor may perform an adjustment or assign exercises to help heal a particular injury.  If you have been involved in a car accident of any severity, please contact us. 

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Healthy Sleeping Positions

If sitting for too long is bad for you, is holding the same position during sleep even worse? It depends on your sleeping posture. We at the Carolina Chiropractic Center treat lots of people who have unwittingly strained their back and neck muscles by maintaining a strenuous posture for hours, and we want to teach people to sleep in a way that will actually help them rest.

The most dangerous position to sleep in is on your stomach. Doing this puts your back out of alignment, forces your head to turn away from your torso, and pushes the neck backward. It also puts pressure on the front of the body, which is not built to support the rest.

The best position to sleep in for spinal health is on your back. Doing this keep the entire spine in alignment and minimizes pressure on the body. However, it also creates a risk of sagging throat tissue blocking your airways. Snoring and sleep apnea are most common in people who sleep on their backs, though they are the least likely to suffer back pain.

Sleeping on your side may be a good compromise position. The main thing you need to be cautious of is not to curl up too much. Ideally, the neck should hardly bend forward at all. Many people also hold a pillow between their knees to maintain skeletal alignment.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Cervicogenic Headaches

There are many different kinds of headaches, and some of them are caused by problems in the spine. At the Carolina Chiropractic Center, we want our patients to know it is possible for them to find relief through safe, noninvasive means such as those we provide to people suffering from cervicogenic headaches.

“Cervicogenic” refers to something which originates in the neck. When the nerves in the neck vertebrae are pinched or the soft tissue surrounding them is put under too much pressure, pain can radiate upwards into the back of the head. From there, it can spread to other parts of the patient’s craniofacial structure, but a cervicogenic headache should not be confused with a migraine.

If we suspect a patient is suffering from a cervicogenic headache, we will investigate with an x-ray or MRI. When the cause of the patient’s pain is confirmed, we can treat it with adjustments, electric muscle stimulation, and cold lasers.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

What Are Custom Foot Orthotics?

If you experience discomfort or feel unbalanced while walking, custom foot orthotics could help you.  Carolina Chiropractic Center offers custom orthotics that can help improve posture, balance, and alignment. Custom orthotics fit into a pair of shoes like inserts you can find in a pharmacy, but are prescribed and custom-made by a chiropractor to target a patient’s specific needs. 

When a chiropractor prescribes custom orthotics, a foot impression is taken from the patient that allows the doctor to create a custom product.  Our orthotics are made to be worn on a daily basis, during almost any activity, and we can provide various types of orthotics to adapt to different lifestyles or sports. When worn consistently custom orthotics help realign bones in the foot and ankle. This can take pressure off of other problem areas like the back, neck, shoulders, and hips. Imagine being able to realign yourself and relieve pain just by walking! If you think you could benefit from custom foot orthotics, please give us a call.

To learn more about all the services we provide, visit www.carolinachirocenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, SC, call 843-665-9192. 

Consequences of Prolonged Stress

Prolonged stress has damaging effects on all the body’s systems. We say this not to add to our patients’ stress, but so that they’ll understand the importance to their health of relaxation and the stress-reducing therapies we offer at the Carolina Chiropractic Center.

Stress is what we feel when our brains signal our endocrine system to produce a flood of hormones and our hearts to pump faster. The hormone in question, cortisol, instructs the liver to raise its production of the simple sugar glucose. This is good for an energy boost but bad for people who do not produce enough insulin to process glucose quickly.

Likewise, an increased heart rate will cause blood to deliver oxygen more rapidly. However, arteries will thicken in response to increased strain, which can cause muscles to tighten up. Strain on arteries in the brain can contribute to a stroke and numerous cognitive failures, such as memory loss and mood changes. This does not mean that increasing your heart rate is inherently bad—a heart rate can also be too low— but the best ways to raise it are through aerobic and resistance exercises which will strengthen other body systems.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Safety Rules for Lifting Heavy Objects

One of the most common workplace injuries is strain on the lower back from lifting heavy objects. A back injury doesn’t have to be due to a single traumatic event; it can also result from a prolonged period of strain. However, because people who lift infrequently are the most likely to not know how to do it safely, we want to provide these guidelines.

Always get an idea of how heavy an object is before attempting to move it and whether its weight is distributed evenly. Make inquiries about getting a dolly or assistance. If you must move an object yourself or feel comfortable doing so, make sure make sure the area is clear and stand as close to it as possible. Propel yourself upward with your legs, and keep the object at the level of your ribs and close to your body. While standing up, keep your head vertical.

Move slowly and smoothly to your destination. When turning, shift your whole body at once instead of twisting your torso independently of your lower body. When releasing the object, try to position it so that it will be easy to pick up if it needs to be moved again.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Here at Carolina Chiropractic Center, we utilize spinal decompression therapy, a non-surgical technique that involves stretching the spine, using a traction table or similar motorized device, with the goal of relieving back pain and/or leg pain. This type of therapy is used to treat disc injuries in these areas using FDA cleared equipment to apply distraction forces to spinal structures in a precise and controlled manner.

The theory of spinal decompression therapy is that this process creates pressure within the disc itself, which is thought to have two potential benefits: pulls the herniated or bulging disc material back into the disc, and promotes the passage of healing nutrients, into the disc and fosters a better healing environment. The patient should never feel never during or after the decompression therapy although they should feel a stretch in the spine. While spinal decompression therapy may be recommended as a potential treatment for a variety of lower back pain conditions, as with all lower back pain treatments, it is the patient’s decision on whether or not to have the treatment.

If you have questions about spinal decompression therapy, 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. 

Cold Laser Therapy: Explained

At Carolina Chiropractic Center, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. harnesses Cold Laser Therapy to reduce inflammatory pain in his patients. Cold Laser Therapy or Low-Level Therapy is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and is thought to help accelerate the healing process and we’d like to explain it here.

Cold Laser Therapy is one option among a variety of treatment approaches that can potentially provide pain relief or pain reduction, especially for patients seeking non-invasive treatment. It can be used for patients who suffer from a variety of acute and chronic conditions in order to help eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms and increase functionality. The goal of laser therapy is to deliver light energy units from red and infrared laser radiation, called photons, to damaged cells. Photons absorbed by the cells through laser therapy stimulate the mitochondria to accelerate production of ATP. This biochemical increase in cell energy is used to transform live cells from a state of illness to a stable, healthy state.

If you wish to inquire about cold laser therapy, 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. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

One of the common ailments we treat at the Carolina Chiropractic Center is carpal tunnel syndrome. Highly debilitating if left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome requires lots of rest to heal from, but people who work with their hands are often in need of pain relief and therapy to regain function and feeling in their fingers.

The carpal tunnel is a passage in the wrist through which the nerves, tendons, and ligaments connecting to the thumb and first three fingers pass. Though these nerves branch out into the separate fingers, they bundle together before separating again in the neck. A pinch on these nerves can result in pain, tingling, numbness, and shocks along the arm.

Inflammation is usually to blame for pressure on the carpal tunnel nerves. Dr. Huggins uses ultrasounds, electric muscle stimulation, and cold lasers to reduce inflammation and help patients manage their pain while healing. However, diagnostics are still necessary to confirm that carpal tunnel syndrome is indeed the cause of a patient’s symptoms, and patients may have to make changes in their lifestyle, or at least, their posture while doing certain tasks, to prevent a relapse.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Pinched Nerves

While people commonly think of chiropractors as specialists of the spine, it is more accurate to say chiropractors are concerned with the nervous system, and the spine is a location which affects nerves throughout the body. At the Carolina Chiropractic Center in Florence, we have a number of therapies available for relieving pain from pinched nerves and helping the body rebuild itself.

A pinched nerve is quite simply a nerve which is being pressured by other parts of the body. This could be the result of inflammation or of soft tissues wearing away and allowing bones to push against nerves. Though pinched nerves are sometimes painful, they can also be numb or tingly, and often interfere with the functioning of whichever part of the body branches away from them. Sciatica is one example of a pinched nerve which people are commonly familiar with.

Which treatment Dr. Huggins will use depends on the cause of the pinch. To reduce inflammation, our office utilizes cold lasers, ultrasounds, and electrical muscle stimulation. For cases of wear, rest is essential, but patients still commonly benefit from EMT as a form of pain relief.

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 CarolinaChiroCenter.com and fill out a contact form.

 

Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy

At Carolina Chiropractic Center, we utilize electrical muscle stimulation as an exceptional way to help the body in the healing process. If you have a spasm in your back or neck muscle, this type of therapy works well in relaxing the muscle and allowing it to return to its normal state rather quickly. Electrical muscle stimulation devices (EMS) have been shown to increase muscle strength, to decrease body weight and body fat, and to improve muscle firmness and tone in healthy individuals.

Short therapy sessions are excellent at facilitating healing from acute and chronic pain. This is accomplished by sending a very small electrical current into the affected soft tissue injury or muscle spasm. The therapy itself utilizes this current in an effort to help reduce swelling and release trigger points that may have tightened the muscle. It does this by guiding the body to release endorphins.

If you think you might benefit from electrical muscle stimulation, 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. 

Chiropractic Treatment for Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms are joint pain and stiffness, which is why the condition may benefit from chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. However, because in some conditions and circumstances, chiropractic techniques can actually worsen the symptoms of arthritis, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. of Carolina Chiropractic Center will need to perform a thorough examination before suggesting proper treatment.

The main goals of arthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life. There are several different types of arthritis and treatment will vary on the type that is diagnosed. Depending on the kind of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and a decreased range of motion. Specific chiropractic adjustments can take stress off your nervous system, allowing your body to rest relax and heal.

If you are suffering from arthritis pain, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com. 

Scoliosis Diagnosis

Scoliosis is a lateral (toward the side) curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt just before puberty. Scoliosis is usually mild and needs no treatment; however, for more severe cases treatments include a back brace or sometimes surgery to straighten the spine.  At Carolina Chiropractic Center, treatment of scoliosis is based on the severity of the curve and the chances of the curve getting worse.

Without an X-ray of the spine, there are several common physical symptoms that may indicate scoliosis. One of the most common tests for detecting scoliosis is called the Adam’s Forward Bend Test, in which the individual bends from the waist as if touching the toes. Dr. James Huggins, Jr. will then observe for one or more of the following signs of scoliosis:

• One shoulder is higher than the other


• One shoulder blade sticks out more than the other


• One side of the rib cage appears higher than the other


• One hip appears higher or more prominent than the other


• The waist appears uneven


• The body tilts to one side


• One leg may appear shorter than the other

If you have questions about scoliosis, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com. 

Chiropractic Relief for Shoulder Pain

Chiropractic care is commonly sought by people seeking relief from neck or back pain, but chiropractors are not limited to only care for the spine. At Carolina Chiropractic Center, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. is trained to adjust and treat extremities including knees, smaller joints such as the toes, and the shoulders. Sometimes shoulder pain is caused by joint irritation, which is why chiropractic relief for shoulder pain can often be achieved through manipulation and other treatments.

The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body. It is surrounded by nerves, tendons, bursa and other tissues which can all be irritated and cause pain. Pain further up the body, for example, in the neck, can also refer pain into the shoulder joint as can trigger points in the muscle, or a “knot.” At Carolina Chiropractic Center, gentle adjustments can be performed to distract the joint or shift it forward or backward depending on symptoms. Massage therapy may also be administered depending on what the patient prefers.

If you have shoulder pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com. 

Sitting Too Long is Bad for You

When we sit for long periods of time, it takes a toll on our health in ways we may not realize. In fact, researchers have reported that sitting for long hours has been linked to a decreased state of mental health, a higher risk of death from heart disease, and a higher risk of disability. Additionally, these studies have proven that even if you exercise regularly, too much sitting is bad. This is why Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center encourages you to get up and get moving.

If you sit more than eight hours a day, it’s definitely not benefitting your health. You may think you’re confined to your cubical, (or your couch) but it doesn’t hurt to get up and take a stroll, even if it’s for just a few minutes. If you have a desk job, taking a quick walk can clear your mind and get the oxygen flowing to your brain. Here are some tips for doing so:

• Never take the elevator when you can take the stairs


• Plan more active things to do after work


• Instead of sending an email or picking up the phone, walk over and talk to that person.


• While enjoying your morning coffee, take a few laps around the office.

To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com. 

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis). It refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. The type of chiropractic therapy that Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center will provide depends on the cause of the patient’s sciatica.

Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases may resolve with chiropractic treatments over a course of a few weeks. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. Symptoms associated with this condition include burning, numbness and even tingling sensations. When it comes to treatment, Dr. James Huggins, Jr. may recommend ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, and/or spinal adjustments. 

If you are experiencing pain in your legs or lower back, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com. 

Cryotherapy: Icing an Injury

An injury benefits from ice days following the trauma. However, if your pain worsens, you should visit Dr. James Huggins, Jr. at Carolina Chiropractic Center immediately. The icing method – cryotherapy – is an essential management skill that is also a cheap, effective, and drugless method for relieving the pain of injuries. Safe application of ice to your skin can relieve symptoms from sprains, strains, bruises, and virtually any situation in which superficial tissues are inflamed by trauma.

Cryotherapy is an excellent way to heal muscle spasms in the body. The method of icing an injury is well known to help numb painful areas as well as provide a cooling relief to affected soft tissues. Applying cold compresses to the skin effectively reduces the temperature of the skin and constricts blood vessels in the area to promote healing. It can be done right at home, or we can offer the service to you right here in the office.

If you’ve recently suffered an injury, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, be sure to contact Carolina Chiropractic Center for an appointment. Our Florence, SC office can be reached by phone at (843) 665-9192 or through our website, www.carolinachirocenter.com.