Did you know that each year 50% of working Americans admit to having symptoms of back pain? It’s the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, second only to respiratory infections. Luckily, most back pain cases are not caused by anything serious, but an injury to the muscles or ligaments much like a sprained ankle. This is what many know as a “thrown out” back. Though it may seem like there isn’t much you can do, chiropractic care can be some of the best help to get your spine back into alignment and your muscles healing appropriately. Valley Chiropractic Center in West Des Moines, Iowa caters to the needs of those in the Clive, Iowa and Urbandale, Iowa areas, as well as surrounding locations beyond using natural chiropractic healing methods to help you.

Many searching for natural neck pain treatments and lower back pain treatments often choose reliable chiropractic medicine to help them get their bodies back in proper working order, seeing amazing results in only a few sessions. For many, this pain could have been avoided had they known some injury prevention techniques to use during their spring cleaning. If you’ve been doing your spring cleaning and find that you’re now suffering from neck pain, back pain, and headaches more frequently than before, visit Valley Chiropractic Center and see what their knowledgeable staff can do to help you!

The most common means of injury during spring cleaning are falls, followed by cutting and lifting heavy objects, as well as overexertion. In 2010 alone, 35,500 people were injured on a stepladder and 41,000 suffered injuries while gardening or using gardening equipment. Unfortunately, much of these injuries are caused when we try to take on more than is physically possible and stop thinking of the ways to ensure injury prevention when we’re working on our projects at home. Because of this negligence, more than 21 million people a year visit the emergency room from home injuries. The key to avoiding these injuries during spring cleaning is preparation:

• Make realistic plans for yourself and don’t over exert your body.
• Don’t take short cuts or complete difficult tasks by yourself. This can lead to unwanted injury.
• Carefully read and follow safety recommendations for the materials you plan to use in a project before you begin the task.

By following these basic prevention tips, you can make yourself more aware of the tasks at hand, assisting in the prevention of injury. However, accidentally twisting your torso when lifting a heavy mulch or soil bag can lead to sharp pains in your back, often referred to as “throwing your back out”. If this should occur, there is a quick way to alleviate the damaged tissue:

• Apply an ice pack over a thin t-shirt or for up to 20 minutes.
• Repeat as often as you want but no more than an hour. Ice can cause injury as much as heat, even if it is a natural pain reliever that is known to reduce swelling.
• After 48 hours, switch to heat to increase the blood flow and aide in the healing process of the damaged muscles or ligaments.

Although this method may help, it’s always wise to consult a physician, especially when it comes to lower back pain as it may be a more serious issue. Luckily, Valley Chiropractic Center in West Des Moines offers natural neck pain treatments and lower back pain treatments to help you feel your best again. If you’re in the Clive or Urbandale areas and are looking for natural, chiropractic medicine, consult Valley Chiropractic Center.

When it comes to injury prevention, what is really necessary is proper preparation. If you’re someone often suffering from back pain, consider these factors that can help prevent this problem from reoccurring:

• Losing excess weight.
• Wearing comfortable shoes with low heels.
• Going easy on your back when lifting heavy objects by getting help in moving it or lightening the package.
• Adjusting your computer monitor and work station where you sit can also help reduce the risk of back problems.

Regardless of where we work or live –West Des Moines, Iowa; Urbandale, Iowa; Clive, Iowa— we all want to have a healthy, comfortable life. This is made even more desirable when we’re attempting to do some spring cleaning at our homes. For natural neck pain treatments and lower back pain treatments to get you feeling better after a possible home injury incurred during your spring cleaning, contact Valley Chiropractic Center and get the treatments you need to start feeling better today!

Valley Chiropractic Center
1200 Valley West Dr., Suite 110
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
515-868-0320