Chiropractic treatment is a viable solution for many different health issues. Whether you have a bulging disc in your back, debilitating back pain, or you suffer from severe headaches several times per week, seeing a chiropractor can help. The key is to find the right chiropractor for your personality and lifestyle. Here are some reasons why you should choose our chiropractic clinic in Westlake Village CA.

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Experienced Practitioners in Westlake Village CA

All chiropractors must complete extensive educational requirements before being able to apply their trade, but the added value of experience is often underrated. Just knowing that your chiropractor has seen hundreds or even thousands of patients with your condition provides peace of mind that you may not have otherwise. Feel free to ask about the depth of our experience at Maximized Life Chiropractic during your initial consultation.

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Searching for the Cause

Conventional medical treatment spends a lot of time covering up symptoms with pain medication and then repeating those methods when the symptoms inevitably return. When you choose chiropractic care, our team will focus on what is causing your aches, pains, and loss of mobility. The pain you feel is not the problem, it is the result of the problem. If you have severe headache pain that is being caused by the vertebrae in your neck is misaligned, fixing those vertebrae can remove the headache symptom permanently rather than temporarily.

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Different Treatments for Different People

Everyone has different body types, personalities, genetic predispositions, histories, and lifestyles. Treating every patient the same is never the best way to see positive results on a consistent basis. When you seek out chiropractic care at Maximized Life Chiropractic you’ll receive customized treatment plans that deal with your specific situation. The treatment protocol and duration may vary from someone else who appears to have the same problem as you, but it is designed to treat you as an individual.

It’s also important to note that you as the patient always have ultimate control over your own treatment. You’ll be given suggestions and recommendations, but the choice to continue is always yours. You’ll be treated with respect and courtesy and you’ll always be made to feel at home. Chiropractic care is about treating the whole person with non-invasive and drug-free techniques and we will always communicate openly about your condition and how you are responding to treatment.

Have you ever heard of a slipped disc? It’s a misnomer. Discs never “slip”, but they can bulge. When they do a Westlake Village CA chiropractor may be able to help.

Intervertebral disc disorders are referred to as "contained" or "non-contained." A bulging disc is considered a contained disc disorder.

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What is a bulging disc?

A bulging disc is actually the tough outer layer of cartilage in between your vertebrae that have not fully broken open - think of squeezing a balloon filled with hair gel. The disc may protrude into the spinal canal without pain or breaking open, instead, a small bubble pops out but remains attached to the disc.

Discs are exactly the right size to fit between your vertebrae so when a disc bulges, it extends outside the space it should normally occupy and can push into nerves in your spinal column.

Bulging is considered part of the normal aging process of the disc making bulging discs an extremely common spinal injury. A bulging disc can stay relatively pain-free and undetected until you twist the wrong way, lift the wrong object, sneeze, or cough. A bulging disc can cause excruciating pain, lead to a diminished range of motion, and can in some cases cause organ dysfunction.

The good news is that even an acute disc bulge can heal itself over time and your chiropractor can likely help the healing process happen more efficiently.

Here are 4 steps you can follow to ease the pain of a bulging disc:

1. Develop a relationship with your Westlake Village CA chiropractor

There are many bulging disc treatments; talk to your chiropractor and ask questions about your MRI or X-ray. Everyone is different and a good chiropractor can help you find the correct wellness path and will not close off any avenue to get you well.

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2. Improve your posture

Reduce or eliminate bending, lifting, twisting, and even sitting for too long. Sleep on your back with your knees propped up, or on your side with a pillow between your legs. These simple adjustments will ease the stress on the disc in question.

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3. Strengthen your core

Your abdominal muscles and leg muscles all support your back. Modified yoga or Pilates routines that eliminate twisting, stooping or bending can help heal your bulging disc or help to prevent further damage.

Contact our team at Maximized Life Chiropractic today if you are suffering from this problem. We look forward to hearing from you.

If you are ever unlucky enough to be injured in a car accident you may experience a strain on your neck muscles and the surrounding soft tissue. The feeling is called whiplash and it can limit your neck movement severely.

When a vehicle is hit from the rear (or the side), the force can cause a sharp movement to your head and neck. It’s important not to ignore whiplash-type injuries and to see your Westlake Village CA chiropractor as soon as possible. Fast and careful treatment is the best defense against whiplash.

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Whiplash symptoms in Westlake Village CA

Symptoms can be felt instantly, or take days or weeks to manifest. They can include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Loss of mobility in the neck and or shoulders
• Upper back pain

Whiplash is the common term used to describe any neck injuries from sudden impact. Your head is thrown to the side or backward violently and vertebrae, discs, muscles, and ligaments can all be damaged.

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The importance of your headrest

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and consumer reports have seen great improvements in the efficacy of headrests to prevent whiplash-related injuries in a crash, however, the IIHS also rated nearly half of all headrests as poor for cars on the road before 2006. To increase your chances of not getting whiplash to follow these rules:

• Your headrest should reach at least as high as the top of your ears
• Your headrest should be no more than four inches (10 cms) from the back of your head

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Other causes of whiplash

It’s not just car accidents that can cause the nasty effects of whiplash though, falling downstairs, being aggressively tackled playing football, or body checked hard into the boards in hockey could also leave you with a case of whiplash. Some comfort can be taken in the fact that most whiplash injuries are not serious and will heal fully with proper care.

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A healthy neck is your best defense

Chiropractors are first and foremost primary caregivers who specialize in spinal health. Your neck muscles, tendons, and bones fall under your Westlake Village CA chiropractor’s area of expertise. Trust your chiropractor and talk about your care with them. Many people suffering from whiplash can heal quickly and be back to their daily routines in no time. Follow your chiropractor’s recommendations and treatments and it's likely you’ll have a stronger neck and better posture that will enable you to withstand injury and bounce back quicker if you ever become injured again.

Feel free to contact our team at Maximized Life Chiropractic with any questions you have.

Chiropractic care at our Westlake Village CA chiropractic clinic can diagnose and treat problems that affect the nerves, muscles, bones, and joints of your body. At a basic level, a chiropractor will gently adjust your spine. At a deeper level, chiropractors are doing much more than just adjusting the spine.

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Visiting a Westlake Village CA chiropractor for back pain

After your initial visit and consultation, your chiropractor in Westlake Village CA will have a good idea of what your treatment plan is going to consist of. During your second visit, you’ll probably be asked to lie on a table and receive the first of your gentle adjustments.

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How many treatments will you need?

Westlake Village CA chiropractic treatments can range from days to several weeks depending on the severity of your condition or the results you want to achieve. Chiropractic care can also be a lifelong choice to keep you on a path of well-being and solid core strength.

Many professional athletes continue to see a chiropractor even when there is no acute pain, as regular adjustments can keep you aligned and in peak form. Chiropractors in Westlake Village CA are not just there when it really hurts; they can be in your corner frequently, keeping your body’s systems communicating at a high level and keeping muscle and bone deterioration at bay.

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What causes back pain?

The back is a complex structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. Damage to any of the structures can lead to back pain. Back pain has a long list of causes and we are all likely to suffer at some point in our lives from poor posture, obesity, or psychological stress. Each of these can lead to back pain.

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Some tips to prevent back pain

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight
• Stretch and exercise (ask your Westlake Village CA chiropractor what is safe)
• Maintain proper posture at work
• Wear low heeled shoes

While this is not an exhaustive list of tips, it’s a good starting point on the road to optimum back health. Contact our Maximized Life Chiropractic team for more information.

There are many causes of headaches, and many types, but the most common headache treated by Westlake Village CA chiropractors is called the cervicogenic headache, typically brought on by poor posture or stress.

Westlake Village CA chiropractic care with gentle corrections, massage therapy, diet change, and postural advice is extremely effective in treating this kind of headache.

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Diagnosis in Westlake Village CA

The American Chiropractic Association suggests that your Westlake Village CA chiropractor ask you to complete a headache diary consisting of:

• Day and time of the headache
• Headache location
• What the headache feels like
• What you were doing when the headache began
• How long does the headache last
• What makes it feel better or worse

Over 150 diagnostic headache categories have been scientifically established. The most common types of headaches are:

Tension Headaches

These are sometimes referred to as chronic daily headaches. Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions and cause mild to moderate pain. Tension headaches come and go over a period of time.

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Migraines

Inflamed blood vessels and arteries literally squeeze around your brain until it hurts. You may feel nausea, increased blood pressure, and sensitivity to bright light or noise. One of the best treatments for migraines is chiropractic care.

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Cluster headaches

The least common (but most severe) headache is often described as located behind the eye region. Cluster headaches can occur one to three times per day during a “cluster” period, which may last two weeks and extend as long as three months. To further complicate matters, a cluster headache may go into remission for months or years only to recur later down the line.

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Organic headaches

Finally, organic headaches are the result of abnormalities in the brain and can lead to serious consequences. Only 5% of headaches are organic. It is incredibly important to go to your nearest hospital immediately if you feel:

• Sudden, sharp, severe pain
• Sudden lack of balance or falling
• Confusion
• Seizures or difficulty speaking

No one ever plans to get injured, but injuries can happen at the spur of the moment and without warning. It doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete, a schoolteacher, a retired grandparent, or a young child, injuries are just part of life. Some of them are relatively minor and some are severe, but most need the proper treatment if you’re going to make a complete recovery. Injuries respond particularly well to chiropractic care from our Westlake Village CA chiropractic office for a number of reasons.

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Common Types of Chronic Injuries in Westlake Village CA

Chronic injuries that require chiropractic care generally come from one of a handful of places. They may be work-related, the result of auto accidents, injuries from sports, or wear and tear injuries from daily life.

Here is a little more detail about each one:

• Work Injuries – Injuries suffered at work can cover a wide range of both acute and chronic conditions, but two that chiropractors treat on a regular basis are back issues caused by excessive sitting and carpal tunnel syndrome. Both of these injuries respond well to chiropractic treatment and enable you to get back to work without missing much time.
• Auto Accidents – One of the main injuries suffered in auto accidents is whiplash, where the head “whips” back and then forward in a violent motion. This has the potential to cause a great deal of pain and suffering, but the ability of chiropractic treatment to heal soft tissue injuries makes it effective for whiplash and other spinal injuries caused by car accidents.
• Sports Injuries – It’s hard to find an athlete that hasn’t suffered a serious injury, or at least smaller, nagging injuries that affect performance. Many sports-related injuries consist of soft tissue trauma like sprains and strains which is why chiropractic treatment is effective. Chiropractors can also help sports injuries in the early stages when swelling and pain are the main issues.
• Wear and Tear Injuries - Injuries to the neck and back caused by everyday wear and tear are becoming more and more common as the population ages. Years of improper lifting, poor posture, stress, and the force of gravity damage discs, strain muscles and alter the natural curve of your spine. Chiropractors in Westlake Village CA are a great solution to keep your body moving well into your golden years.

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Treating Causes and Not Symptoms

At its core, chiropractic treatment addresses the underlying cause of your pain which is why it is so effective at dealing with injuries. No matter what type of injury it is, once the cause of the pain or loss of motion is treated the symptoms no longer exist. Chiropractic also places less stress on the body than having to undergo surgery or taking pain medications with negative side effects. The entire profession is designed to bring your body back to balance.

At Maximized Life Chiropractic in Westlake Village CA we are happy to answer any questions that you have. We look forward to being a part of your health care team.

Herniated disc. Slipped disc. Bulging disk. Pinched nerve. You may have heard all these terms to describe severe pain felt in the back. The fact is the worst of the bunch is the herniated disc. Our chiropractor in Westlake Village CA may be able to help.

The discs are structures that rest comfortably between your vertebrae, like gel-filled cushions or shock absorbers. A disc can herniate through a tear in the supportive ligaments surrounding one of the discs. This can be caused by:

• Sudden injury
• Constant stress
• Improper lifting or twisting of the spinal column

Once the disc ruptures (or herniates), the disc material (somewhat like a jelly) inflames and exerts pressure on the spinal nerves resulting in pain. In the worst-case scenario, the material can push all the way out from between your vertebrae and press on the nerves that branch off the spinal cord.

Your Westlake Village CA chiropractor will first assess your pain to determine your course of treatment. First, it is important to determine if your reflexes are intact and communicating.

Second, your chiropractor will see if there is any loss of muscle strength and check if you have full sensory communication along numerous paths of nerves.

These important orthopedic and neurological exams can help your chiropractor determine which course of action to take next.

A herniated disc is a serious injury. If at any time your chiropractor feels that a spinal surgeon is needed you will be referred. Your chiropractor will check your posture and may order an x-ray or MRI (if necessary) to help with the diagnostic process.

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Will Westlake Village CA Chiropractic care help your herniated disc?

Chiropractors do not pop a disc back in place using force, nor can a few quick treatments "fix" your herniated disc. With gentle and usually painless adjustment techniques, over time a disc can be repaired.

In 2006, a study was published in the prestigious scientific journal “Spine.” It showed excellent results for chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of disc injuries and sciatica. Go with the experts at Maximized Life Chiropractic and get the help you need.

Children grow so quickly. As they are growing their bones and muscles are susceptible to temporary backaches, joint pain, and muscle strains. Do your part to ensure your kids never start on the long road of back-related problems and choose the right backpack for them. Our Westlake Village CA chiropractic clinic can help.

To be safe, make it a game. The simplest tool is right in your bathroom. Get out that scale and weigh. Your small child’s backpack should weigh less than 10 pounds. For a 150-pound child, 15 pounds is the recommended maximum. For a 75-pound child, 7.5 pounds is the most they should safely carry.

Over-heavy backpacks can:

• Reduce blood flow
• Lead to poor posture
• Cause headaches
• Disrupt the natural curve of the middle and lower back
• Cause the spine and muscles to lean to overcompensate
• Place undue stress on the lower back

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Tips for choosing a backpack in Westlake Village CA

Try to get your child into the habit of wearing a backpack correctly, i.e., putting it on right and picking it upright. If you and your child follow these rules it’ll go a long way to maintaining good spinal health.

• Squat or kneel to pick up the backpack
• Avoid twisting or bending picking up the backpack
• Lift with the legs (goes for everything)
• Slip it on (use a waist-high table if you can)
• Always wear both straps
• Adjust the straps so the pack fits snugly
• Always use the waist straps

If you are in the market for a new backpack make sure it has all or most of the following criteria:

Two Straps

Single strapped satchels are best avoided. It makes your child uneven and places the load off-center on one side of their body. Two straps balance the load on both of their shoulders.

Realistic Size

We’ve all seen that kid with the bag bigger than they are; funny as it looks it’s no laughing matter. A child’s backpack should be no bigger than the child's back and it should lie 1-2 inches below the shoulders and no more than 4 inches below the waist.

Padded Straps

Wide shoulder straps distribute the load over more surface area and wider is better, with a minimum of two padded inches the best way to go.

Padded Back

A padded back alleviates any nasty pressure points and protects from that pencil case or game system poking the spine.

For more information contact our office at Maximized Life Chiropractic today.

Many parents that want the best for their children’s health are constantly looking for non-invasive ways to boost health and prevent degenerative conditions and pain. Chiropractic treatment provides a lot of benefits to adults, but should kids see a Westlake Village CA chiropractor?

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Is Westlake Village CA Chiropractic Safe for Kids?

To answer the question in a word, yes chiropractic is safe for kids. Several research studies of varying sizes have tested the safety aspect of chiropractic care for kids and they’ve all found it to be safe. Children of all shapes and sizes can receive chiropractic care without any safety issues. Even infants are safe in the hands of a properly trained chiropractor.

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Is Chiropractic Effective for Kids?

Chiropractic treatment has also been proven as an effective treatment method for many childhood issues that range beyond pain management. As your child continues to develop and grow, chiropractic treatment will help keep the joints, muscles, and nerves balanced so the lines of communication between the brain and nervous system remain strong.

As with adults, children that have sustained skeletal injuries from falls or car accidents also benefit from seeing a chiropractor. It’s easy to think that kids are more resilient just because they are kids and while this may be true to a certain extent, they can still develop chronic conditions later in life if the initial injury is not addressed. Kids have the potential for disc misalignment and nerve compression the same as adults, so make sure to bring your child in for treatment after an injury.

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Is the Treatment the Same As For Adults?

The basic premise of chiropractic treatment is the same for an adult as it is for an infant, but the amount of pressure used and the treatment protocol will differ. As an example, the amount of pressure required to adjust an infant has been compared to testing the ripeness of a tomato with your finger. Kids don’t require care for pain the same as an adult would and they tend to respond much quicker to treatment.

Some common clues that might indicate your child could use treatment include walking with a slight limp, being off balance when walking or running, or only wanting to breastfeed from one side. Keep an eye out for these and other abnormalities. Schedule an appointment with our Westlake Village CA chiropractic team at Maximized Life Chiropractic anytime you feel it is warranted.

The human body is designed to naturally repair itself, but it is an ability that is dependent on a healthy nervous system. Our Westlake Village CA chiropractor offers safe and painless corrections that can help your body heal faster and prevent disease.

Your spine is the key pillar of your body and performs the primary function of support, protection, and flexibility. The nerves that branch off the spinal cord communicate with specific organs. If your spine is healthy, your body can function just as it was designed.

From an economic standpoint, it benefits us all to maintain a healthy spine and body. As a society, we save money if we follow good wellness techniques and programs that promote good health. An unhealthy populace is a populace that is not working to optimum levels.

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Evidence-Based Assessment in Westlake Village CA

Lower back and neck pain are extremely common conditions that drain our health system, lead to labor hours lost, and ultimately cost a lot of money. Chiropractic care can halt this waste with careful and individualized care that improves well-being.

Yes, better surgical techniques can extend life, but as you age surgery becomes more and more fraught with danger. Non-invasive and softer approaches have a valid and important place in long-term care as the population grows. The world is getting smaller and we are living longer, Chiropractors are just one of many approaches to wellness.

For more information contact our team at Maximized Life Chiropractic today.