As the weather cools and students head back to school, it’s time to start looking forward to fall sports. Football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, tennis, and cross-country are just a few of the many sports offered during this time. These activities can be great for students to learn teamwork and promote physical fitness, but there are some inherent risks involved, including injury to the athlete. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained and how to prevent them.

• Fractured bones. This is more common in contact sports such as football and aerobatic sports such as cheerleading. Bones break or fracture when hit with something stronger than the bone itself, i.e., when slammed with a football helmet or when hitting the ground after a fall.
• Muscle strain. Repeated use of the same muscle can cause strain. This is more common in repetitive motion sports such as tennis, but a muscle can always be stretched or twisted in any sports accident.
• Sprain. Sprains are different from muscle strain in that they affect the ligaments that connect bones rather than the muscles surrounding. A sprain is the tearing or straining of this ligament, most commonly in the ankle, wrist, knee, or fingers.
• Concussion. This is another example of an injury more commonly found in contact sports. A severe blow to the head from a ball, protective equipment, or a fall can cause damage to the brain.
• Splints. Shin splints are most common in sports that require lots of running, including football and cross country. Shin splints are small tears or strains in the muscles, tendons, and bones of the leg. This wear can happen as a result of repetitive abrasive motion such as, in this case, hitting the ground with each step.

How can these injuries be minimized or prevented altogether? There are several preventative measures that athletes may take to protect themselves.

• Warm up. Do some mild cardio exercises and stretches to warm up your body before playing. Staying limber and flexible can help prevent damage to your muscles and your tendons.
• Train. Training before the real thing can help you prepare for any situation. It also helps to build a solid frame, which will protect your muscles and your bones.
• Wear protective gear. This is an easy one! When playing sports such as football or soccer, protect your body in all the most vulnerable places. Use a helmet, shoulder pads, shin guards, chest pad, and other official protective equipment to minimize the risk of serious injury.

Chiropractic care. The spine supports the frame of your body. When it is weakened or misaligned, the risk of injury increases. See a chiropractor to keep yourself healthy and strong as you head into the fall sports season.

Generally when we hear about someone dealing with a disc issue in their back, we either hear the term “disc herniation” or “disc bulge”. Here at DiBella Chiropractic, we have noticed that most people aren't actually aware of the difference between the two, despite them being completely different problems. It may seem like highlighting the difference between them is pointless, as both are painful, but it does make a large difference when it comes to the treatment options. In order to grasp the difference, let's learn a little bit about the spine itself.

The spine has multiple parts that you need to have a basic knowledge of in order to understand the difference between herniation and bulging. The first is the disc. This is the part between the vertebrae that acts like a cushion so the bones don’t rub together. Looking closer, the disc itself has two parts. These are called the nucleus and the annulus. The nucleus is the center, which is soft and jelly-like. The annulus is the exterior part of the disc, which is a bit tougher. The annulus protects the nucleus from the vertebrae, like a hard shell. Sometimes the annulus cracks, or gets a tear in it. When this happens, the nucleus can leak out, which causes pain. If it touches a nerve, it may cause any number of symptoms, including pain or numbness. This is a disc herniation.

Bulges, on the other hand, are caused by normal wear and tear to the disc, and are often seen even if the person doesn't experience any symptoms. The main difference between a bulge and a herniation is the type of displacement that occurs. There is technically less displacement from a herniation than there is a bulge, yet the pain is normally more severe. This isn't to say that disc bulges should be left without treatment, however. Anything that involves your back will need to be dealt with sooner or later. It is always important to get it checked out by a professional quickly.

If you believe you may have a herniated or bulging disc, or are looking for a way to deal with the pain, call DiBella Chiropractic as soon as possible. We know that it can be difficult to find time to see a doctor, but your back is important to everything you do. Come in today and be amazed at how much better you can feel!

Auto Injuries

Far too many of us have been in car accidents or know someone else who was. The odds are unfortunately good that everyone reading this can think of at least one person. It is very common to at least be in a minor accident, or a fender bender, but severe crashes are sadly rather frequent as well. It can be hard to think of yourself as lucky when you're in a crash, but it is important to remember that things could have turned out very differently based on small changes such as the angle you were hit or the speed at which either party was going. It can be terrifying to think that something that most of us do every day can be so dangerous and deadly, but unfortunately it all too often is.

As it is, the most commonly documented cause of car accidents is distracted driving. This can mean anything from taking a bite of your bagel in the morning to adjusting your GPS to texting while you drive. It is dangerous to do anything that could take your attention off the road in front of you, so it is important to do your best to avoid as many of these distractions as possible. Leaving your phone in the backseat or waking up a little earlier in order to eat breakfast at home can be great ways to help reduce the chance of you becoming distracted while you drive.

When you are in a car accident, there is a chance that you won't get injured at all. Most often, however, you can count on at least being sore for the next few days. Even if you don't feel like you were hurt on impact, pain can definitely set in once the adrenaline from the impact itself has worn off. Problems such as whiplash and sometimes even broken bones can go unnoticed for any amount of time depending on how your body and mind reacts to the incident. Even if you don't notice a problem right away, it is important to call a doctor and get checked out regardless of how severe the accident was.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, come into DiBella Chiropractic as soon as you can. Our pain management methods can make all the difference in your injury. We know how frightening being in a crash is, but we know how important your recovery is. Give us a call, and set up an appointment today!

When someone complains about something being wrong with a disc in their back, we often hear the terms “disc herniation” and “disc bulge”. Here at DiBella Chiropractic, we know that these two things are completely different problems, but we also know that not everyone will know the difference between them. It may seem like focusing on the difference between them is silly since both are painful, but there is a large difference when it comes to treatment options. In order to fully appreciate the difference, let's learn a little bit about the spine itself.

The spine has a few parts that you need to be at least somewhat familiar with in order to understand the difference between herniation and bulging. The first part is the disc. This is the element between the vertebrae that acts like a cushion so the bones don’t rub together. Looking closer, the disc itself has two parts. These are called the nucleus and the annulus. The nucleus is the center, which is soft and jelly-like. The annulus is the exterior part of the disc, which is tougher. The annulus protects the nucleus from the vertebrae, like a hard shell. However, sometimes the annulus cracks or gets a tear in it. When this happens, the nucleus can seep out, which causes pain. If a nerve is touched, it may cause multiple symptoms, including pain or numbness. This is a disc herniation.

Bulges, on the other hand, are simply caused by normal wear and tear to the disc. Often times, the person doesn't experience any symptoms. The main difference between a bulge and a herniation is the type of displacement that occurs. There is technically less displacement from a herniation than there is a bulge, yet the pain is normally more severe. It should be mentioned, however, that a bulge in your spinal disc will catch up to you. Anything that involves your back will need to be dealt with sooner or later. It is always important to get any pain checked out by a professional.

If you believe you may have a herniated or bulging disc and are looking for a way to deal with the pain, call DiBella Chiropractic as soon as possible. We know that it can be difficult to find time to see a doctor, but your back deserves the extra care. Come in today and be amazed at how much we can help you feel!