Surviving the Upcoming Holiday Shopping Season

The Halloween decorations barely left the store shelves before Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations popped up, and in many stores all three holidays were being represented. The end of the year suddenly becomes stressful as we try to juggle shopping, family, work and fun.

Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr., DC and his staff at Baltimore Back and Pain Center wants you to relax and enjoy the holidays, so consider some of the following tips to help keep your shopping adventures healthy.

• Stretch before and after a long day of shopping. When you are stressed your muscles are actually less flexible than usual.
• Wear comfortable shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to help absorb the impact of walking.
• Stay hydrated! And we're not talking about holiday lattes (caffeine and alcohol are dehydrators). Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• If you are shopping all day, take frequent breaks. Try to eat light foods and avoid heavy burgers and fries for your meals.
• Take heavy packages to your car. Don't carry more than is necessary at one time.

If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of your holiday shopping, schedule an appointment in our Baltimore Chiropractic Office as soon as possible. Dr. Dorn can help alleviate your pain naturally, so you can enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.

Baltimore Chiropractor Discusses Non-Surgical Treatments for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is a common complaint we get at Baltimore Back and Pain Center. Unfortunately, there are many causes to this particular pain condition. Like any other pain, the sooner you get appropriate treatment, the quicker the pain will be alleviated and allow you to go back to your normal day to day activities. And it is less likely you will get a recurrent and chronic problem if you seek treatment quickly.

The cause of the shoulder pain determines what treatment should be used. Therefore, it's important to accurately diagnose it before any type of treatment can begin. If you are unsure of the severity, you should get professional advice before beginning any self-treatment.

Here are some at-home suggestions to help alleviate shoulder pain, but not all of them are appropriate for every condition. Keep in mind that just resting and taking painkillers is most likely not a treatment that will help long-term.

Rest: Rest the joint and allow the inflammation to subside. However, use caution because prolonged immobilization can cause a frozen shoulder.

Ice and Heat: Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments for shoulder pain.

Stretching: Stretching the muscles and tendons that surround the joint can help with some causes of shoulder pain.

If you are suffering from shoulder (or any other pain), call our office today at 410-662-4476 to set up an appointment so that Dr. Michael A. Dorn, Jr., DC can properly diagnose, rule out more serious medical conditions, and prescribe an effective non-surgical treatment plan that will work to alleviate your pain.

It's Officially Cold and Flu Season in Maryland.

Cold and flu season has arrived in Baltimore, Maryland. So how can you avoid the fever, headache, chills and overall body aches that might be headed your way?

We all know that it's important to keep our body's immune system optimized at all times to fight off viruses and bacteria. Staying healthy includes eating correctly, exercising on a regular basis and getting enough sleep. Did you know that chiropractic care is important, as well? Chiropractic can help you avoid colds and the flu by ensuring that your lymphatic system is working optimally.

Your lymphatic system is actually one of the first things your doctor will check when you visit due to cold or flu symptoms. When functioning properly, whatever your lymph nodes collect will get drained out through your lymph ducts, some of which are located in your neck and along your spine. But when your neck and spine are out of alignment, your ducts can easily become congested or blocked.

If you or a family member are currently battling a cold or the flu, or you wish to prevent getting sick, it's extremely important to keep your immune system healthy and functioning at peak levels. A non-invasive chiropractic adjustment returns your neck and back into proper alignment, and alleviates the pressure on the congested lymph ducts. This allows them to flow more freely to protect you against colds, flu and other illnesses.

In addition to chiropractic care and eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding tobacco and alcohol also help keep your lymphatic system healthy. Frequently washing your hands also helps.

Please contact Baltimore Back and Pain Center by calling 410-662-4476 or schedule an appointment here on our website. Dr. Michael A. Dorn, JR., DC and his friendly staff can help you and your family with colds and the flu and optimize your body’s immune system so that you can enjoy this beautiful fall weather.