We often ignore the first signs of a problem, or the first signs of pain. Slight tooth ache? Pop an aspirin. 6 months down the line you call your dentist up in agonizing pain, and it turns out that you require an emergency root canal. It’s the same thing with your body, and overall health. Not properly addressing these issues can lead to a more serious problem that will require more expenses. If you are in poor health, your work life and home life will be affected. I should know, as I recently went through the exact scenario this past year. As someone in the chiropractic field, I should have known better!

Prevention and addressing the issue when it first arises is the most cost effective way to deal with your health. Spinal problems, neck, and back pains account for the biggest part of unproductivity in a person’s work. If left untreated, it can lead to not being able to perform at all. This drives up the overall cost of not seeking care at the first signs of a problem. As a chiropractic assistant, I have seen it firsthand. We often have patients come in who have had to seriously cut down on their work hours due to pain, or who have stopped working altogether. Much like my tooth pain, it indicates an underlying cause that could’ve been less expensive if I had caught it sooner.

Chiropractic care plays a very significant role in pain relief and prevention. A study has been conducted that showed more and more patients with neck and back pains have turned to chiropractors to alleviate these health concerns. The reason given is the price. Traditional medical care is more expensive than chiropractic care, especially emergency care. The costs are lower since there is no need to purchase any medical equipment or take prescription drugs. Chiropractic works with your own body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic care costs approximately 90% less than the price of an operation, which is also a scary and dangerous alternative. Seaman Chiropractic also offers a free consultation, which will give you an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Seaman and discuss your concerns and symptoms. This will enable us to identify if chiropractic would work for your pain. Give our office a call at 773-545-2233 today.

Most people think they need to be a patient to get a massage. Our very experienced massage therapists do massage for the general public. All you need to do is call the office and book a half hour, 45 minutes or hour massage. They do everything from Swedish, sports, pregnancy, trigger points and deep tissue. Their hours are Monday 8:45am-7:45pm; Wednesday 8:45am-7:45pm and Thursday 3:15pm to 7:45pm. They decrease muscle tightness and give you a light, relaxed feeling to help relieve stress and reduce pain. They are also perfect for gift certificates. Who doesn’t like a massage??

Like celebrity parents of Suri Cruise, and Apple & Moses Paltrow, many parents are turning to alternative medicine for common childhood ailments. One extremely common issue that we see in our office is recurring ear infections. Ear infections (otitis media) are the most common cause of pediatric visits, and the most common reason for antibiotic use during the first two years of a child’s life. In the U.S., the cost of the medical and surgical treatment of otitis has been estimated to be between three and four billion dollars annually. Beside the cost in dollars, there is also a cost in health.

Antibiotics also compromise the immune system, and kill the good bacteria our body needs as well. The use of antibiotics for treatment of otitis media has become quite controversial, and studies also show little difference between the use of antibiotic and a placebo. It also can increase the risk of reoccurrence.

This is where chiropractic as means of treatment for ear infections comes in. Chiropractors like Dr. Seaman correct misalignments (called subluxations) and allow normal fluid drainage from the middle ear. Chiropractic care is simply the art and science of aligning the spine to take pressure off the nerve and ultimately allow the body to heal itself. So, what happens with the adjustment is that it allows for the ear canals to open up and the ears will drain, preventing any ear infection and amplifying the immune system so that it does not reoccur. With the adjustment, the body can function properly. Do you or your child have recurring ear infections? Give our office a call at 773-545-2233 today, and schedule your free consultation.

It is no surprise that snow, ice and freezing weather can create problems for people. Slips and falls are much more common during this season than any other. Those who like to indulge in winter sports and activities, however, are much more likely to injure themselves, especially if they have not stretched properly.

Here are Dr. Seaman’s tips for minimizing injuries this winter sports’ season:

• Skiing: Perform 10 to 15 squats, legs shoulder width apart, knees aligned over your feet. Lower your buttocks as you bend your knees out over your feet, then push up to standing again. Slowly does it.

• Skating: Several lunges, adopting a moderately advanced step forward with one foot, letting your back knee lower towards the floor. Keep your shoulders positioned over your hips, and repeat with your other foot.

• Tobogganing: Sitting or lying on your back, bring your knees to your chest for 30 seconds several times to guard against compression injuries caused by the shocks of bouncing down bumpy slopes.

• Cooling down is also important during and after winter exercise and sport to restore and maintain flexibility.

After all your outdoor adventures, you might have had your fill of the cold, but applying an ice pack to any sore area will ease the pain. Apply it for 20 minutes every couple of hours and it should help any pain significantly. Any pain, strain or soreness that lingers beyond two days indicates that a visit to Dr. Seaman is in order. Give our office a call at 773-545-2233 today!

When we think of the average human body, we think that it is symmetrical, meaning that if you were draw a line down the middle of your body, the left and right sides would mirror the other. In reality, there is some form of asymmetry- one manifestation is Leg Length Inequality (LLI). This is when one leg is either anatomically or functionally shorter than the other, and is classified as a “normal variant”: something that is so common, it isn’t too abnormal.

Anatomical LLI refers to a leg which is physically shorter than the other due to unequal growth rates, fractures, or deformities. In functional LLI, both legs are identical in length, but it looks shorter due to the hip being raised on one side. A postural imbalance is unbalanced muscle on one side, or flat feet. This imbalance can cause pressure, stress, and pain in your knees, thighs, hips, pelvis, and spine. This can cause obvious pain, limp, or may go unnoticed until an injury results! Many medical researchers have concluded that even a few millimeters of LLI (a quarter of an inch or less) may be a primary or contributing cause of low back or hip problems, and an obvious stress factor in the hips and knees.

Dr. Cynthia Seaman has protocols which can accurately measure the length of your legs and determine whether your condition is anatomical or functional. If you are found to have an LLI condition which is affecting your postural stability, Seaman Chiropractic Center can offer a tailored treatment plan specific to you. This can correct or prevent any additional problems or pain. Depending on the diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Seaman may recommend a lift or custom fit orthotics. She will select the stabilizers best suited for you based on a variety of factors (lifestyle, health, age, weight, sex, etc.) and correct the spinal imbalances. find out if you have a short leg, or to get to the root of your pain, please give our office a call today at 773-545-2233!

Women are becoming increasingly more active in contact sports. Roller derby, women’s football leagues, and hockey leagues are popping up everywhere and gaining rapid popularity. Everyday women are turning into workout and weekend warriors. Why is this Chicago chiropractor a little concerned? Knee injuries, specifically, tears to the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL are a common occurrence in many sports. Hockey, soccer, basketball and football are all legendary sports for causing these injuries. Recent studies have shown that women playing sports are 4 to 6 times more likely to suffer from knee injuries than men in the same sport. The cruciate ligaments are deep in the center of the knee joint. There are 2 cruciate ligaments, the anterior and the posterior. They are called ‘cruciate’ because they cross one another. Unlike most of the ligaments of the knee, they are tight when the knee is relaxed; i.e. when your knee is bent at a 90 degree angle. This arrangement of ligamentous support provides stability when the knee is most vulnerable. The usual cause of these tears is an abrupt change of direction in which the body moves or rotates while the foot is planted firmly on the ground. The knee only has two motions: bent and straight. Any force from the inside or outside causes trauma Knee trauma in contact sports such as hockey and football is more likely from direct blows, usually from the side, causing the knee to rotate and buckle inwards. This action can also tear the anterior cruciate.

How does this tie into chiropractic? Seeking treatment at Seaman Chiropractic works on improving your balance and your sense of joint position (proprioception), as well as improving other joints in the body. If other joints (specifically in the lower limb) are not working correctly they can put increased stress on the knee joint, resulting in injury over time. Chiropractic adjustments help your body return to neutral position, and rehabilitative therapy strengthens any problem areas, both helping to prevent new injuries. When appropriate, I introduce exercises to improve strength, endurance and stability. This in turn decreases the chances of injury. My approach of assessing and treating the knee includes the evaluation of the other joints and muscles relating to the knee. The best medicine is prevention, especially when playing sports where an injury such as a torn ACL could mean the end. If you’re an athlete, laying a good body foundation is essential in ensuring that you have the ability to play your favorite sport for as long as possible. Give Seaman Chiropractic Center a call at 773-545-2233 today!

It’s winter in Chicago. It’s cold. There are snow days, winter breaks, and days when the kids will be sick. That’s a lot of time spent indoors and together with your family, even if you are the winter sports types. Why not make it a memorable and fun excuse to exercise together?

Here are a few ways you can keep moving while indoors this winter season:

• Play some video games together! But play the right ones. Playing a high-intensity game of DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution) or some other dance game using a step pad can be a great way to get exercise if the cold weather is keeping you inside. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you can still get exercise by playing sports related motion games or an adventure game. There are a few for different consoles, and it’s a way to bond with your kids in a medium they are familiar with, while having fun and moving!

• Turn your living room into a dance party! Throw on a favorite cd, and take turns playing dj. See who can come up with the craziest moves, or the silliest. This does work with kids of any age. When I was a kid, my mother would also incorporate bubbles and props. This got my brothers and I out of any slump.

• Play some old-school games such as duck duck goose, tag, or pretend snow ball fight in the house using crumpled up pieces of paper. You can also play a game by keeping a balloon in the air, having a hula hoop contest, folding paper airplanes and flying them, ‘follow’ the leader’ with exercising and stretching, or making a flash card game with different exercises or dance moves on them. Some of this low-tech pretend play might not warrant excitement at first, but kids of any age will have fun.

• Clean! This is of course not the most popular kids’ activity, but putting some music on and cleaning the house is a good way to work up a sweat and entertain the kids for a while. It also teaches kids good life skills as well, and parents get a bonus of a clean house.

Being active no matter what the environment is, is easy and can be fun for kids of any age, just like chiropractic treatment at Seaman Chiropractic Center! A healthy kid is a happy kid, and to ensure that your children are healthy, we offer free spinal screens to children of all ages. Give our office a call today, at 773-545-2233!

Straight from the FDA, here is some scary breaking news: certain packages of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention are being voluntarily recalled by Novartis Consumer Health because the bottles may contain stray pills of other medicines, or broken or chipped pills.

The Food and Drug Administration announced the recall affects Excedrin and NoDoz medicines with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014 or earlier and Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention medicines with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013 or earlier.

The FDA explains why the recall has the potential to be dangerous:

“Mixing of different products in the same bottle could result in consumers taking the incorrect product and receiving a higher or lower strength than intended or receiving an unintended ingredient. This could potentially result in overdose, interaction with other medications a consumer may be taking or an allergic reaction if the consumer is allergic to the unintended ingredient.”

Popping different over the counter medicines for migraines, aches or pains aren’t a very good idea. When you treat yourself based only on symptoms, the underlying cause is ignored and will only get worse. The chiropractic approach to treating pain at Sauganash chiropractor, Dr. Cynthia Seaman, consists of any number of physical approaches including manipulation to the spine & extremities, deep tissue massage, stretching, exercises, and nutritional and life style coaching.

There are three primary causes for most chronic pain: motion problems (of the joints & muscles), abnormal alignment, and weakness. By restoring motion, alignment & strength, Dr. Seaman’s approach can offer permanent relief of even stubborn chronic pain conditions. According to the research, physical approaches are more effective & safer than taking drugs for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, it’s more cost effective and not toxic like popping pills! It is also a chance at permanent relief because we can actually address & correct the root cause of the problem. If you’re ready to stop treating your symptoms and get to the underlying cause of your pain and your problem, give our office a call today at 773-545-2233.

We know that many people sit for long periods of time, whether it is commuting to and from work, at work, or at home. Besides the stiffness and muscle fatigue that accompanies sitting, many serious health problems, such as increased risk of disease and injury, can develop if sitting is done for too long over many years.

Let’s take a look at what sitting does to our bodies:

Muscle Fatigue

• Sitting for extended periods of time without alternating the body’s position can affect the muscles in the torso, neck and shoulders. Because the muscles in these parts of the body must be held in a somewhat fixed position while sitting, the blood vessels are squeezed and blood flow is reduced to these places, causing fatigue. This muscle fatigue also can contribute to overall exhaustion, stiffness, and muscle tightness.

Lowers Blood Circulation

• Besides increasing muscle fatigue, the lowered blood circulation that accompanies sitting also can lead to a host of other problems. Blood often pools in the lower legs, resulting in numbness and varicose veins.

Decreased Fitness

• Over time, those who must sit for many hours at a time are more likely to experience decreased fitness, and a higher risk for injury and disease, especially those who also have little to no physical activity in their lives. People who sit for too long are more likely to be overweight and have a higher risk of heart attack.

Increased Risk of Chronic Back and Neck Injuries

• Sitting for a long time places a high amount of stress on the spine, specifically in the lower back and neck regions. Over time, sitting can result in compression of the spinal discs that leads to compromised spinal nutrition, pain, and discomfort. Additionally, because muscles in the back and neck become tightened from pressure, decreased range of motion creates stiffness and pain.

We can offer comprehensive treatment and lifestyle counseling for pain and discomfort you may be experiencing as a result of sitting too long. At Seaman Chiropractic, we offer gentle adjustments and have a special table for any disc problems that may have developed. A combination of chiropractic, massage therapy, and strength training can begin to reverse the damage done from prolonged sitting. If you’re at the point of discomfort or pain in your neck or back, give your Niles chiropractor a call at 773-545-2233 and begin feeling better!

As the winter months are steady underway, so are the cold and flus. People often refer to the colder months as the flu or cold ‘season’. In reality, people don’t get sick in any particular season – they get sick when their immune system is weak. With Chicago land weather, the seasons can change every 5 minutes!

The cause of the cold and flu is lack of sun, and therefore, decreased vitamin D in your system. This depresses you immune system. The central nervous system (CNS) controls your immune system. When the CNS is fully functioning, this ability to adapt can overcome outside stresses and keep us healthy. When it cannot keep up, overwhelming stress is like a power surge on a breaker switch. The increased demand causes the breaker to flip. The flip in your body is the spinal segments being pulled out of alignment. When your breaker goes off the power goes off in your house. When the spinal segments go out of alignment, communication between your brain and your body is compromised. Now with the CNS not fully functional your ability to resist the cold or flu is lost.

This is where chiropractic and Dr. Cynthia Seaman comes in. Chiropractic adjustments realign your spinal segment, which ensures that the communication between your brain and immune system functions at its optimum. When your nervous system is working at its best, your body can adapt better to changes in the weather and can fight off illnesses. Chiropractic adjustment s from your North Park chiropractor can optimize your immune system, and keep you free from those winter colds and flus that everyone else gets. Give Dr. Seaman a call at 773-545-2233 today!