Helvig Health, LLC

10/30/2024

There are several ways that chiropractic care can benefit the nervous system. When the spine is maligned, vertebral discs can put pressure on the nerves that run through them. This pressure can lead to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling. Chiropractic care can be used to restore alignment of the spine and relieve the pain associated with it.

There is growing evidence that chiropractic care can have a significant impact on the health of the nervous system. Whether through spinal decompression, soft tissue manipulation, ultrasound, or electric muscle stimulation, Dr. Helvig can help relieve your symptoms and restore the function of the nervous system. Some of the key benefits of chiropractic care include improved cognition, reduced pain, better sleep quality, increased energy levels, improved balance, and coordination, and more.

03/04/2022

5 Exercises to Relieve Lower Back Pain

1. Pelvic Tilt
Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Press the small of your back into the floor, making a “scoop” motion with your pelvis. Hold for one count, then relax and repeat 20 to 30 times. Be sure to breathe throughout this and all the other exercises!

2. Supine Bridge
Assume the previously-mentioned start position. Press your arms palms down into the floor at your sides, then press through your heels and lift your hips into the air as far as you can go comfortably. Hold for one count, then relax. Repeat 10-15 times.

3. Supine Twist
Lie on your back. Using your hands to help, bring your knees to your abdomen, and then slowly drop your knees to the right. Scoot your hips to the left to ensure hips and shoulders are aligned. You can leave your arms in a T on the floor, or gently press your knees down with your right hand for a deeper twist. Hold for 30-60 seconds, and then repeat on the other side.

4. Bird Dog
Start in quadruped with your hands and knees on the floor, directly under your shoulders and hips (respectively). Gaze should be down at the floor. Tighten your abs (don’t “suck in”), then slowly extend your right arm forward and your left leg back, keeping them level with your torso. Hold for one count, then repeat on the other side for a total of 10-20 times.

5. Cat/Camel
Assume the previously-mentioned quadruped start position. Drop your belly, pull your shoulder blades down your back, lift your chest, and gently gaze upward for 1-2 counts. Then, slowly round out your spine, pressing firmly into the ground, looking down, and trying press your spine up toward the ceiling. Repeat 20-30 times.

02/09/2022

The Health Benefits of Stretching

Do you greet the morning with a satisfying stretch? Stretching loosens your muscles after a long night in bed and helps you feel alert and ready to face the day. But, if you only stretch first thing in the morning, you may be missing out on the many benefits stretching offers.

9 Reasons You Should Stretch More

Adding a few short stretching sessions to your day is a simple way to stay fit and healthy. When you stretch regularly, you'll enjoy these benefits:

Less Back Pain. You may be at risk of developing back pain even if your job doesn't require anything more strenuous than sitting at a desk. Remaining in the same position most of the day can lead to back pain, particularly if the muscles in your thighs or pelvis become too tight and pull on your back. Stretching every day is a simple way to reduce or prevent an aching back.
Straighter Posture. Slouching when you sit or stand increases tension on your muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments, causing headaches, along with aches and pains. If your muscles and ligaments become too tight, they can even cause misalignments in the vertebrae in your spine.
Better Range of Motion and Flexibility. Flexibility declines as you get older, as does your ability to move your joints through their full range of motion. Luckily, stretching can help you keep your muscles and joints loose and limber.
Fewer Injuries. You're more likely to get hurt if you happen to fall when your muscles and joints are tight. If you play sports, warming up with a few stretches before you start the activity will reduce your risk of torn or strained muscles, bursitis, tendonitis, and other injuries.
Improved Balance. Your balance also tends to get worse with age. If you're more flexible, you'll be able to better keep your balance and avoid dangerous falls. Balance time improved by 11.4% for participants who performed 30 minutes of stretching exercises in a study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
No More Aches and Pains. Aches and pains are an unavoidable part of life, but stretching may make them a little easier to handle. Stretching your legs, arms, back, hips, and neck can work out kinks and soothe your sore muscles.
Less Stress. Increased muscle tension, one of the uncomfortable symptoms of stress, can cause headaches and restrict your range of motion. Stretching can help relieve some of the tightness and may help you feel more relaxed.
Better Circulation. Oxygen and nutrients reach your body's cells via your bloodstream. If your circulation is sluggish, your health can suffer. Luckily, stretching gets your blood flowing and helps you stay healthier.
Reduced Risk of Certain Diseases. Stretching could help you avoid heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious health problems. Researchers at the University of Milan discovered that improving circulation with leg stretches could prevent the arteries from stiffening and help keep them open.
Taking yoga or exercise classes will help you stay limber, but you don't need to sign up for a class to enjoy the benefits of stretching. In fact, you can stretch any time you have a few moments to spare. Make sure you use slow, gentle movements when you stretch, and make stretching a daily priority.

Are your muscles and joints tight and painful because you haven't been stretching? A visit to the chiropractor will loosen your tight muscles, ease your joint pain, and realign your spine. Give us a call if you'd like to schedule an appointment for chiropractic care.

Sources:

Science Daily: Stretching Your Legs May Help Prevent Diseases Such as Heart Disease and Diabetes, 7/2/20

Harvard Health Publishing: The Importance of Stretching, 9/25/19

Self: Benefits of Stretching That Will Make Anyone Want to Move Their Body, 9/25/19

PubMed: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: Acute Stretching Increases Postural Stability in Nonbalance Trained Individuals, 11/2012

01/19/2022

Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions involve being healthier, but ‘getting healthy’ can look different for everyone. The best kinds of resolutions go beyond simply losing weight and focus on implementing long term habits to improve the entire mind, body, and soul.

Because chiropractic care focuses on whole body wellness, visiting a chiropractor can help you maintain those New Year’s resolutions and foster a growth mindset with reflection, change, and self-improvement.

Check out these 10 benefits of chiropractic care according to Healthine!

Chiropractors use hands-on manipulations to realign your joints and relieve discomfort from a wide range of causes. Learn more about the benefits.

04/06/2020

Hello to all of our patients,

In order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, Governor Ducey has issued a Stay-At-Home order. He has also stated that essential services will remain open, including Chiropractic centers.

Helvig Health will remain open to service the needs of our patients. In order to serve you best, we are requesting that individuals with the following conditions please reschedule their appointments:

-Individuals with immunodeficiencies
-Patients with symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, or shortness of breath
-Known exposure to coronavirus/COVID-19
-Patients with recent domestic or international travels

For those with appointments, we are offering hand sanitizer throughout the office, as well as sinks for handwashing. All of our equipment is disinfected before each patient and the schedule is amended to promote social distancing. Please refrain from having additional people accompany you to your appointments. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Dr. Helvig and Staff

08/21/2019

Chiropractic Care and Arthritis Management

Swelling, stiffness, and pain in your joints are just a few of the symptoms associated with arthritis. While many people believe that it is only something older individuals cope with, that is simply not the case. In fact, more than two-thirds of the 50 million Americans that suffer from arthritis are under the age of 65.

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation in the joints. Symptoms may come and go and can range in severity. Often times, severe arthritis may result in chronic pain and the inability to participate in daily activities. This disease can create irreversible joint damage such as knobby fingers or bowing of the legs. The two most common forms of arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, are frequently treated with chiropractic care and can help improve your quality of life.

Osteoarthritis

This form of joint disease occurs when the smooth cartilaginous joint surface deteriorates over a lifetime. Osteoarthritis typically occurs in the knees, hips, or spine and is generally associated with overuse of the joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike Osteoarthritis, this form of arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the tissues lining the joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive and potentially disabling condition. Furthermore, RA is symmetrical, meaning that pain and swelling are present on both sides of the body.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care is a holistic and effective way to manage and relieve the symptoms caused by arthritis. A Chiropractor will deliver a gentle adjustment to correct joint or spinal misalignments which can provide relief of arthritic pain. This will reduce joint restrictions in an effort diminish inflammation that is damaging the joints, as well as improve nervous system function. If you are suffering from arthritic pain and are located in Surprise, Arizona, or Peoria, Arizona, contact Alan Helvig, D.C. to begin resolving your arthritis symptoms. Dr. Helvig dedicates himself to helping people eliminate their pain and return to normal daily activity so they don’t have to be another casualty of arthritis. Please call our office at (623) 933-0499 today to schedule an examination and begin your road to recovery.

07/01/2019

While no one ever wants to be involved in an automobile accident, it is important to understand how to proceed with treating your injuries should you ever be in one. Visiting a chiropractor is always one of the first things you should do, as these healthcare professionals are trained to treat many of the most common car accident-related injuries there are.

In Peoria, Arizona and Surprise, Arizona, Alan Helvig, D.C. sees many patients who struggle with pain related to automobile accident injuries. Some of the most common symptoms that Dr. Helvig treats include neck and back pain, whiplash injuries, and soft-tissue damage. Many times, individuals who have been injured in a car accident experience so much pain and stiffness that they are unable to function in everyday life. This discomfort can be a serious issue.

HOW CHIROPRACTORS TREAT AN AUTO ACCIDENT INJURY

After an auto accident, you may experience a multitude of symptoms. While there may not appear to be anything obviously wrong, the force of a car accident puts your body under strain and this may leave you with an injury that has pulled your spine out of alignment. Whiplash occurs when your head is forcefully thrown backward and then forward during the crash. This motion can injure bones in the spine, vertebral disks between the bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and other soft tissue in the neck. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:

+Pain
+Tension
+Dizziness
+Headaches
+Sleep disturbances
+Fatigue
+Inability to move the neck

If you are experiencing any of these indications of whiplash after being involved in an auto accident, it is important to visit a chiropractor so that you are able to heal.

Auto accidents injuries are not limited to only neck injuries. Many of those involved in a car accident also experience low back pain and other joint pain including elbows, shoulders, and knee pain.

In order to recover from any injuries resulting from an automobile accident, Dr. Helvig will do a comprehensive physical examination and determine the course of treatment. Typically, gentle adjustments will take place to move your cervical spine back into alignment. Furthermore, we will provide electric muscle and nerve stimulation in conjunction with ultrasound therapy to aid in muscle recovery. With these techniques, your neck tension and inflammation will decrease and bring about rapid pain relief.

If you have been injured in an auto accident near Peoria, Arizona or Surprise, Arizona, please visit our office or call us today at (623) 933-0499 so that we can help you to recover from your injuries.

06/20/2019

Love Dr. Helvig and his staff. Have been to many chiropractors since car accidents and Dr Helvig is best I've found in Phoenix. Very knowledgeable and caring. He uses several...

06/19/2019

Suffering with lower back and leg pain raises concerns about your health. Whether is stems from an injury or does not have a known cause, treatment for sciatica through natural and non-invasive medicine allows individuals in Surprise, Arizona and Peoria, Arizona to concentrate on long-term goals and heal without using potentially dangerous medications or taking extreme measures.

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back, through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg. Specifically, it means that the sciatic nerve is pinched or has too much pressure for comfort. Typically, sciatica only affects one side of your body and won’t necessarily cause you to experience discomfort in your lower back. Considering the severity of pain that you experience, Alan Helvig, D.C. creates a personalized treatment plan that will assist with your goals of recovery and eliminating pain.

The common symptoms of sciatica include:

Pain that radiates from your lower back to your buttock, and down the back of your leg
Numbing, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg
Shooting pains when coughing, sneezing, or changing positions
Sciatica can be caused by a variety of different traumas. Typically, a back injury often results in the pinched nerve but is not the only possible cause of pain. In some cases, sciatica can be triggered by a herniated disc that causes additional pain and discomfort.

HOW CHIROPRACTIC CARE TREATS SCIATICA

A chiropractor often treats people with sciatica. Dr. Helvig’s treatment plan will aim to realign the spine, taking the pressure off of the nerve which often brings quick relief. Once the pressure is off the sciatic nerve, the body can begin to heal itself. In addition to manual and activator adjustments, we provide electric muscle and nerve stimulation, as well as ultrasound therapy, all of which will increase circulation in the affected area and speed the rate at which you are able to eliminate your pain.



Treating sciatic nerve pain and pinched nerves depends on your personal situation. Chiropractic care provides the tools that you need to address the underlying causes of your condition and focus on accomplishing your personal goals. Dr. Alan Helvig offers treatment for sciatic nerve pain for individuals located in Surprise, Arizona; Peoria, Arizona; and surrounding areas. Contact Dr. Helvig today at (623) 933-0499 to learn more about treatments for sciatic nerve pain and schedule an appointment.