Are you experiencing mild to severe pains along the regions with nerves interconnecting with the sciatic nerve? You may be suffering from sciatica. Such pain, tingling, or irritation can extend to the lower back, hips, butts or legs, with some individuals experiencing it as far as on the feet and toes. Treating or managing sciatica entails alleviating the pain or irritation and enhancing mobility. If you are a victim of sciatica, you need not worry because some of the treatment options are easy therapies that you can do on yourself. Such tips include the following;

Chiropractic therapy

This therapy involves performing several spinal manipulations to align the spinal cord. Such manipulations help detect and reduce the misalignments of the spine that may interfere with the sciatic nerve, hence relieving pain. Chiropractic therapy techniques include soft tissue therapy and posture correction, among others.

Decompression therapy

If you are experiencing back pain associated with health conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or herniated discs, there is hope for you. All you need is for the doctor to use a specialized traction table to slowly stretch your spine and create negative pressure within the discs. This allows the compressed discs to retract and relieve pressure on nearby nerves, thus resulting in pain relief and healing. An appointment with our chiropractor will get you the best back pain and sciatica remedies.

Home care

Home care therapy has become rampant in modern society. It is highly preferred because everyone can take good care of their loved ones and monitor their progress. Finding relief from sciatica at home can be effective with a combination of self-care strategies, including stretching exercises, heat and cold therapy, maintaining good posture, staying active, and mindful relaxation techniques such as meditation.

Comprehensive care with movement

You're already covered if you are seeking to relieve sciatica pain through comprehensive care with movement. An appointment with our chiropractor will help you get the proper guidance on the most effective strategies, such as:

• Stretching exercises

Stretching exercises significantly impact sciatica nerve relief because of the relaxation effect of stretching your muscles. Stretches such as the hamstring and knee-to-chest stretch will bring positive results and sciatica relief.

• Strengthening Exercises

These exercises help by targeting muscles that support the spine and pelvis, a good example being the bridges.

• Low-Impact Aerobic Activities

Engage in low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or cycling. These can improve circulation and reduce inflammation without putting too much strain on your back.

• Yoga and Pilates

You can incorporate yoga and Pilates into your routine to improve flexibility, strength, and body awareness. These practices can be beneficial in relieving sciatica pain.

Other helpful activities include posture, body mechanics, and heat and ice therapy. If symptoms persist, kindly book an appointment with Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC to receive the most personalized care based on your needs.

If you have had to deal with back pain at some point in life, you understand how miserable it can make you feel. If left unattended, back pain can become a chronic issue that can lead to disability and hinder your productivity. Fortunately, dealing with back pain does not always have to be surgical. Below are some affordable and easy-to-do tips you can embrace for non-surgical relief of back pain.

• Comprehensive Care with Movement

Did you know that the simple activities we engage in daily, including walking and stretching, can help with back pain? This comprehensive therapy combines physical activities to strengthen the core, improve flexibility, and promote proper posture. Such activities include low-impact ones like swimming, walking, and stretching regularly. However, you must be mindful of tai chi and yoga practices to alleviate back strain.

The main components of comprehensive care with movement to relieve back pain include:

• Exercises that promote flexibility, such as hip flexors and gentle stretches, facilitate different types of motion.
• Core strengthening activities include bridges, stability ball exercises, and planks supporting the spine.
• Activities that correct or improve posture and alignment.

• Low-impact activities, including regular walking, swimming, and stationary or outdoor cycling.
• Mindful motion activities like yoga and tai chi enhance flexibility, balance, and relaxation, minimizing stress.
• Proper lifting techniques, work and home ergonomics, and being aware of standing and sitting posture.

While practising comprehensive care with movement, kindly consider starting with gentle activities and gradually progressing as you monitor pain and adjust accordingly. Additionally, do not forget to consult your doctor or therapist before undertaking any new activity.

• Home Care

Back pain relief doesn't have to be complicated because many home remedies can help. Home care activities for back pain relief include:

1. Heat and cold packs are applied to the affected area during the first 48 to 72 hours to minimize inflammation and relax muscles.
2. Exercises that move the muscles include walking, swimming, aerobics, strength training, stretching, and swimming.
3. Core strengthening and stabilization activities and back stretches to uphold the spine and promote flexibility.
4. Practising good posture by ensuring that the shoulders are relaxed and the back is straight.
5. Simple yoga alleviates pain, promotes mobility, and enhances physical and mental functioning.

You could also try other home remedies such as pilates, tai chi, aerobics, rest, and ergonomics. Always consult a chiropractor in case of severe and persistent back pain with accompanying symptoms like numbness, body weakness, and tingling.

• Chiropractic Therapy

Is back pain giving you sleepless nights and irritation? Worry no more, as this is good news for you. Chiropractic therapy is effective in using spinal manipulation or adjustments to alleviate pain and irritation and realign the spine. A good chiropractor would advise using this method alongside lifestyle modification and posture correction.

• Decompression Therapy

Are you experiencing back pain associated with health conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or herniated discs? There is hope for you. All you need is for the doctor to use a specialized traction table to slowly stretch your spine and create negative pressure within the discs.

Need more support!

Remember, seeking professional guidance is okay; everyone needs a helping hand occasionally. If you would like a more detailed explanation of how to relieve back pain without surgery, we recommend talking to Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.

The work-from-home culture has become popular recently, especially during the holiday season. While it is an excellent way to maintain productivity and achieve work-life balance, it is important to prioritize a healthy posture. Poor posture can result in persistent neck, shoulder, and back pain, tension headaches, and other painful conditions. Maintaining good posture while working from home is essential, especially during the holiday season.
• Importance of Posture
Maintaining a good posture is essential to your overall health and has significant benefits, including reduced back, neck, and shoulder pain, increased energy, and greater confidence. It also helps avoid muscle tension, fatigue, and other painful conditions. A good posture can reduce wear and tear on your joints, especially your spine.
• Ergonomic set up
Are you planning to work from home and enjoy the work-life balance while remaining productive? Good idea! However, don’t think about working from your bed or sofa. Consider setting up a home office by investing in an ergonomic chair and a sizeable desk. A well-set-up home office will help promote good posture, preventing back, shoulder, and neck pain. Experts describe an ideal office chair with armrests and a seat height that allows the feet to rest flat on the floor. An individual’s hips and knees should be slightly above a 90-degree angle. You may also consider investing in a chair that supports the curvature of the lower back. The optimal place for a computer monitor is an arm’s length away, with the top of the monitor at or below eye level. While working, consider increasing the font size as necessary to reduce eyestrain.
• How chiropractic care can prevent pain and discomfort from sitting long hours
Practicing good posture and arranging your workspace correctly is essential for your health. However, regular chiropractic appointments are crucial too in helping to realign your spine, resulting in improved productivity at work. Chiropractic is a natural approach to pain relief without the need for medications. It is an effective and safe treatment that offers several benefits to work-from-home people. Chiropractic care helps reduce pain by identifying and fixing the source of your discomfort. Chiropractic can realign your spine to reduce or remove the underlying causes of neck and back pain.
Chiropractors use natural remedies and non-invasive treatments tailored to your lifestyle to relieve chronic aches and pains. Treatments include hands-on manipulation, massage, electrical stimulation, or other techniques to adjust the spine and neck.
Schedule an Appointment with a Chiropractor!
Are you already experiencing back, shoulder, or neck pain from poor posture? Please don’t wait until it is too late! Dr. Jason Jones Chiropractor Care is here to provide the natural treatment you need to relieve pain and be productive as you work from home. Please book an appointment today with Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.

As we approach the winter, it could be fun to have a cold setting for the holidays with a warm cup of hot coffee or apple cider in the chilly weather. But to be honest, the novelty quickly wears off as most people start complaining of increased back pain. During the winter, many people experience stiff muscles, reduced circulation, or a combination of factors that tend to exacerbate existing back issues or contribute to new pains.
This occurs because cold weather can impact the musculoskeletal system in several ways. The drop in barometric pressure can cause muscles to contract and tighten, leading to stiffness and discomfort. Similarly, reduced blood flow in colder temperatures may increase pain perception after chronic back pain. But the good news is that, with some practical tips, you can comfortably enjoy your winter season. Here are some ways to protect yourself and your spine and reduce winter back pain.
• Exercises and Stretches
Gentle Warm-Up Exercise: A proper warm-up, especially in colder weather, helps kickstart blood circulation and prepares your body for the day ahead. Some activities include brisk walks, leg swings, or stationary cycling to help elevate your heart rate and warm up your muscles. These low-impact exercises help enhance blood flow and promote joint mobility, reducing the risk of injury during more strenuous daily activities.
Flexibility Stretches: Engage in flexibility stretches to help prevent and manage back pain. Consider incorporating a set of dynamic and static stretches into your routine to promote suppleness in your back muscles. Stretches help alleviate tension and contribute to improved posture and overall back health.
Core-strengthening exercises are the foundation for a healthy spine, supporting the entire musculoskeletal system. You can integrate a variety of exercises into your routine, including planks, bridges, and pelvic tilts.
• Lifestyle Adjustments
Nutrition and Hydration: During the cold winter season, incorporate a balanced diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients essential for bone and muscle health. Include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods in your diet to provide your body with the building blocks for a solid and resilient musculoskeletal system. Most of us forget the need to stay hydrated during the cold weather. Staying well-hydrated is crucial for maintaining the elasticity of spinal discs. Therefore, ensure you take adequate water throughout the day, and consider incorporating warm herbal teas to stay hydrated during colder temperatures.
Regular breaks: Whether working from home or the office, ensure you take regular breaks. Stand up, stretch, and walk around to prevent prolonged periods of sitting or standing in one position. This helps relieve stress on your back, promotes overall circulation and reduces the risk of muscle stiffness.
• Chiropractic for Back Pain
Chiropractors are specialists who detect and correct misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, which can contribute to discomfort and pain. Regular chiropractic adjustments ensure that your spine remains in optimal alignment, promoting better nerve function and reducing the likelihood of musculoskeletal issues. Chiropractic for back pain involves using various techniques tailored to one’s specific needs, providing a non-invasive and drug-free approach to addressing the root causes of back and neck pain. Chiropractic care alleviates existing symptoms of discomfort but also serves as a preventative measure against future issues, offering long-term benefits for your overall spinal health.
A proactive approach to your winter back pain can help improve your overall well-being, allowing you to enjoy the colder months without the pressure of persistent back pain. To get started, contact Dr. Jason Jones today at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.

During the winter season, millions of cases of the common cold and flu are reported each year. As winter approaches, there is an increased risk of illnesses like colds, coughs, and flu. Although we may not avoid exposure to germs, there are protective strategies to boost our immune system and achieve cold and flu prevention during the colder months. Below, we explore some practical natural tips to boost your immune system and keep you healthy during the winter!
• Eat more nutrient-rich foods.
Ensure your diet consists of nutrients like vitamins C and D and Zinc, which are beneficial in boosting your immune system. Such foods include red meat, broccoli, salmon, oysters, tuna, orange juice, and tomatoes. It's also essential to maintain a balanced diet to help keep your body properly fueled and healthy. A diet incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein helps boost your immune system.
• Take a supplement
Taking supplements helps boost your immune system during the winter season. For instance, zinc and vitamin D prevent bacteria and fungi from entering your body. Vitamin D deficiency results in an increased risk of flu and infection. Vitamin C is another essential antioxidant that helps protect the body from disease and keeps new immune cells growing.
• Adopt healthy habits
Healthy habits can help you boost your immune system naturally and prevent colds and flu during the winter months. Some of the healthy habits to consider include:
1. Enough sleep
Sleep plays a significant role in your overall health. When you sleep, your immune system releases cytokines, an essential protein responsible for immune system cell growth and protection of your body from infection. When you are sick, you need more of the cytokines, so it is essential to have enough sleep.
2. Drink plenty of water.
Water helps your blood to keep pumping, essential for your immune function. Water also assists in transporting nutrients throughout the body, including vital nutrients in fighting off infections. Proper hydration also helps keep all your organs functioning properly, including your immune system. As a result, you are less likely to get cold and flu during the winter season.
3. Exercise regularly
Moderate exercise helps boost your immune system by increasing the circulation of your immune cells. When your immune cells move correctly through your body, they can better protect you from infection.
4. Wash your hands frequently
The importance of washing our hands frequently has always been emphasized, and following the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more apparent. Washing your hands helps minimize the spread of germs. Ensure you frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap to eliminate germs and avoid transferring them to your body through your eyes, mouth, or nose.
5. Reduce stress
When stressed, your body produces fewer lymphocytes (white blood cells) that boost immunity. Stress can also increase your cortisol levels, leading to inflammation and a dip in immune levels. Reducing your stress levels can help keep your immune system functioning properly to fight off any infections.
• Try chiropractic care
Winter weather increases stress levels, and chronic stress can weaken your immune system. Chiropractic adjustment helps reduce stress by promoting relaxation and balancing the body's stress response. As stress decreases, your immune system can operate more effectively, providing a better defense against cold and flu, which is common in the winter season.
Need more support!
Remember, seeking professional guidance is okay; everyone needs a helping hand occasionally. If you would like a more detailed explanation of winter wellness and how to boost your immune system naturally, we recommend talking to Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.

The holiday season is fast approaching! It’s a season that involves holiday gatherings, events and activities. Although most of us look forward to enjoying the festivities, the anticipation and excitement of holiday activities can build up anxiety and stress. Holiday stress is triggered by the inevitable complexities and tensions of family relationships, the pressure of holiday shopping, gift and travel expenses, and the stress of hosting gatherings or managing a packed calendar of holiday events. Good news, it doesn’t have to be that way this year! Instead of running yourself ragged, take a deep breath, slow down and try these natural tips to reduce holiday stress!
• Feel Free to Say No
Although the holiday season is meant to bring joy, it can be stressful, especially when faced with conflicting obligations. Focus on achieving holiday stress relief by having a thoughtful plan and schedule. Don’t overbook yourself! Fitting in family obligations, holiday events and finding the perfect gifts can be overwhelming on top of a busy schedule, triggering stress. Normalize saying no to situations that stress you out, whether missing a party that falls in a week that’s been too intense at work or cancelling travel that is not very important to give yourself time to rest and recharge.
• Eat Healthy
The importance of eating healthy cannot be ignored at any time. Sticking to a healthy diet during holiday celebrations marked with lots of cooking and baking may seem challenging. It’s ok to enjoy some holiday cookies and an extra serving of mashed potatoes, but try to remain mindful while indulging. As you enjoy the tastes of the season, be keen to include a variety of vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your meal. Remember to drink lots of water, limit alcohol consumption, and pay attention to the food portions you eat.
• Exercise Regularly
Physical activity releases endorphins or brain chemicals that act as natural pain and stress relievers. So, with all the holiday stress your body is going through, it’s time to prioritize exercise. Not enough time to exercise? Get creative! Take advantage of any good weather to plan active holiday get-togethers, including walking, sports, or hiking. Regular exercise will help you reduce stress naturally.
• Practice Meditation
Holiday schedules can be hectic and overwhelming. Meditation can be a valuable mental wellness tool during this season. Embrace meditation practices that are focused on helping you develop awareness of stress and learn how to reframe negative emotions, manage anxiety, manage financial stress, and do mindful cooking activities. You can also incorporate gratitude meditation and reset and refresh meditation to help achieve a healthy mind and body over the holiday season.
• Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is comprehensive and goes beyond just bones and joints. As holiday stress builds up, you experience muscle tension, which causes you to feel tense constantly. This muscle tension can lead to aches and pains that take away your holiday joy, not to mention the back pain that may develop as you actively wrap gifts and make frequent movements as you attend parties and gatherings.
An appointment with a chiropractor will help restore your body’s balance while allowing the muscles to relax and feel a sense of relief from aggravating back pain. You will be more energetic and feel jolly throughout the holiday season through New Year’s Day! Book an appointment today with Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC.

Most of us have the desire to stay active daily and in the long term. An active lifestyle is a daily pursuit for many of us, and an essential part of this journey is practicing flexibility and mobility. Flexibility refers to the ability of muscles to lengthen passively through motion, while mobility is the ability of joints to move actively through motion. Flexibility and mobility impact our daily activities like sitting, bending over, climbing stairs, and carrying groceries. Flexibility and mobility have been proven to impact overall physical fitness and health significantly.

As we celebrate the gains in flexibility and mobility, we should ensure regular practice to achieve a healthy, happy body in the long term. To help you, we have explored some steps to uphold while celebrating improved flexibility and mobility. Have a glance!

• Ensure that you practice flexibility and mobility consistently. This can be achieved by setting and sticking with a relevant SMART goal. A SMART goal should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. For instance, you can spend 30 minutes active four days a week. Our strongest belief is that "no program works if we don't do it." Therefore, we encourage consistency, which matters more in achieving and maintaining long-term flexibility and mobility.
• Engage in active stretching before exercise and static stretching after exercise. Active stretching, which is performed before exercise, involves gently moving through a range of motion to increase blood flow and warm up muscles. On the other hand, static stretching, which is normally performed after exercise, involves stretching a muscle to its furthest point and holding that position for a period of time.
• Always move when you get an opportunity. Whenever you get a chance to move, please do it! Whether it's walking outside, working out at home, or playing basketball, every chance of being active matters. Ensure you look out for a fun activity so it will be interesting to do it consistently.
• Consider engaging in diverse exercises. Incorporating a wide range of exercises in your routine will significantly help you achieve overall flexibility and mobility. For example, strength training can help increase the flexibility and balance required for functional movements, while activities like yoga, Pilates, and barre are best for improving both flexibility and strength.
• Focus on improving your posture. Ensure you check in about your body alignment throughout the day. Consider changing positions from sitting to standing as often as possible. You can also engage in stretches that support better posture.

Flexibility and mobility are foundational attributes of being healthy, and we recommend celebrating their gains with regular practice. It is also essential to seek professional support from a chiropractor to diagnose and treat injuries. This is because it is not advised to do exercise or activities that aggravate muscle or joint pain related to an injury.

If you need more guidance on celebrating improved flexibility and mobility, talk to Dr. Jason Jones at our Chiropractic office in Elizabeth City, NC, for assistance!