Families First of Loudoun

Oiling Your Joints

Sometimes, as you start to move, you feel aches and pain you didn’t expect.

This may be especially common after sitting or standing for long periods of time. Here are some tips to follow to loosen up the joints. Always remember to come and get a spinal tune-up. Our clinic is conveniently located in Leesburg. You don’t have to live with neck or back pain.

Muscles and ligaments are sort of like playdoh, they are both elastic and plastic. This means that our ligaments are stretchable (elastic), but also stay in the position that they are in for long periods of time (plastic). When you’re in pain the lower back ligaments become irritated.

They lose their elasticity, but still maintain their plasticity.When you try and stand up after sitting, your ligaments and muscles don’t want to stretch. In order to help them stretch and regain their elasticity,you must first regain low back motion. Pelvic tilts and hula hoops will help regain motion in the lower back.

Do the following to avoid pain upon standing:
While still sitting, do a few pelvic tilts. First arch your lower back, then tuck your tailbone under (flatten your arch). Be careful when arching as this may increase your pain. Only stay in the pain free range of motion. Notice as you’re tucking your tailbone, that you’re contracting the muscles in your buttocks. Furthermore, notice that as you tuck, you’re also using your abdominal muscles. Arch and flatten your lower back three times. On the third time, tuck your tailbone (flatten the arch) and hold it. Put your hands on your thighs and stand up slowly.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Prevent Falls 

Every year, people injure themselves needlessly in slip-and-fall accidents. One million adults over age 25 will be injured in falls at home this year.1 In serious cases, a fall can cause long-term disability or even death. What can we do to protect ourselves, our parents, and our families?

Here are some facts and tips, courtesy of the Virginia Chiropractic Association. Be proactive. Do a survey, whether it’s for your office, your home, or a loved one’s home.

Safety strategies include: 

• Beware mats and rugs on hard surfaces. Be sure to put a non-slip surface beneath any stepping surface that may otherwise slip.
• In the bathroom, be especially aware (and see the above tip on carpets and mats). Deaths in the bathroom exceed those due to handgun accidents.2 If safety “grab bars” are present, check them (or have them checked) periodically for stability.
• Secure electrical cords. Be sure cords are out of the way when possible, and secure them when re-routing is not an option. Consider hiring an electrician if necessary; or make a simple trip to the hardware store for a conduit strip that mounts to the floor, safely.
• Mind toys and pets. Be sure kids clean up after themselves. If you have pets, walk with care.
• Take an extra moment on the stairs… especially the top and bottom one.

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How to get TechnoHealthy

October is National Chiropractic Health Month! and this year’s theme is ‘GET TECHNOHEALTHY’!

As of 2008 PDA’s and smart phones have exceeded sales of laptops! I found this statistic to be staggering. Technology is a part of every minute of our lives. Look around and you’ll see kids even as young as 7 texting away!

The advantages of this technology are far reaching. We can’t underestimate how it has brought us closer to family and friends and given us the ability to work away from the office. But with technology comes disadvantages as well. Repetitive injuries are on the rise. All ages and generations are affected.

Symptoms of technology overuse include pain in the elbows and shoulders; wrist pain; neck pain and headaches; lower back pain. We’re seeing more of not only carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis, but also ‘blackberry thumb’, and ‘text necks’!

So what can you do to protect yourself and your children from injury? We ask you the question… are you TechnoHealthy or TechnoFoolish?

Here are some tips:
1. Avoid typing more than 3 minutes on small keyboards without a break.
2. Keep messages short!
3. Practice using another finger when your thumb is sore!
4. Don’t slouch.
5. Respect Sundays and keep your device off!
6. Get outside, exercise and enjoy nature…Balance is the key!

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from a repetitive injury, please come by our Leesburg clinic and get it checked out. Chiropractic care is the care of choice for many of the above symptoms. Both Dr. Connor and I are well versed in the suitable treatment and rehab protocols.

- Misty

Spring is Here! Custom photography cards and prints

After many months of winter I finally realize spring is upon us when I see the daffodils and cherry blossoms blooming.  Being a native Washingtonian I try to get to DC each spring to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossoms and (hopefully!) take a few pictures.   In addition to being a portrait photographer, I also sell custom cards and prints.  Custom cards make great Mother’s Day and teacher’s gifts.  Each card is matted on cardstock, packaged in a clear cellophane sleeve, and wrapped with a decorative bow.  I also sell custom canvas and large size prints.  I have many images available — please contact me at www.photographybybethlightbody@verizon.net for details.

Posture (Mom Was Right!)

Sit up straight! Your mother or grandmother may have repeated this to you when you were younger. As it turns out, she had a valid point. How can you keep from looking like a hunched-over grandma or grandpa, before your time? How can you reap the health benefits of good posture? Here are some facts and tips.

When folded up in the womb, we’re shaped like the letter “C.” This is the Read the rest of this entry »

Giving Back – Loudoun County Photographer

I admit it — I have a soft spot for animals.  As a way of giving back,  I am donating a percentage of all print sales to a local animal shelter for all sessions booked in February and March.   This can be any type of session.  Please contact me through my website www.photographybybethlightbody.com for details.   Here’s a picture I took of a  former rescue dog who is now happily living in a permanent home.  He is such a sweet guy!

How to Care for Your Aching Feet

In today’s post I’d like to share some self-care tips for your aching feet:

• Select your shoes wisely – for high heels – less is more. High heels shorten the achilles tendon, stress the bones and soft tissues.
• Rotate your shoes – give your shoes a day off to recover their full shock absorption capabilities.
• Switch up your surface – use a shock-absorbing mat, run on grass or a rubberized track.
• Try ice – icing for 5-10 minutes can cool down the inflammation
• Try heat – if icing does not help, try a warm foot bath or try contrast therapy (read full article for details).
• Take a load off – take sitting breaks when you can and consider starting an exercise program to shed unwanted pounds.
• Numbness, pins-and-needles? Get a chiropractic evaluation – this could be anything from something mild to a more serious condition.

Read the full article here on my website. You’ll learn how the foot adapts to control movement and absorb shock and what happens when this adaptation is poor.

If you’re experiencing foot problems, let me know. I am trained to evaluate and adjust the feet when appropriate and can suggest appropriate footwear or custom orthotics. My clinic is located in Leesburg.

How to tell if your child’s backpack is too heavy

A new school year is dawning.  It’s a time of joy, new beginnings, and new injury risks.  Here are some tips to stack the odds in your family’s favor, courtesy of the Virginia Chiropractic Association.

Healthy school lunches and healthy exercise together are an opportunity to protect your child’s heart, decrease future diabetes and arthritis risks, and create positive self-esteem.  Healthy exercise can be as simple as a daily walk, and innovative communities have established safe walking routes to and from school.ⁱ Read the rest of this entry »

Hypnosis for Fertility

Have you ever heard of the couple who wanted a child so badly but they could not conceive so they adopted and then the new mother became pregnant?  How did this happen?  The pressure is off?  It certainly is not uncommon advice to hear from friends and relatives when you are attempting to conceive “to just relax.”  It’s sound advice but unfortunately it doesn’t quite work like that.  If people could “just relax” on command I am fairly certain that as a psychologist I would be out of a job.

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