Bell Chiropractic Boston

Bring proof of participation and your new patient exam fee is waived 4/12 - 4/22

The difference between strains and sprains is just a matter of geography. Where the sprain is an injury to the ligaments (soft tissue structures holding bones together), while a strain is an injury to the muscle or tendon (also connecting bones, but with more contracting power). Symptoms and recovery are very similar, in many cases sprains and strains happen simultaneously 😵‍💫

Are you leaving money on the table when it comes to your Out of Network health services? In addition to accepting Health Savings and Flex Spending accounts we also provide Superbills upon request for Out of Network insurance reimbursement claims.

Has anyone ever told you your discs can herniate like “jelly donuts” if you lift or sit incorrectly? Well this analogy is not very accurate and gives us the impression that once injured, recovery is impossible. This is just not true, with the most severe category of disc injury (“sequestration”) showing a 96% rate of spontaneous regression in systematic review. Read on in the post to learn more about disc herniations.

It’s about more than just pain management.

Another year another view of Back Bay! That’s right we have officially moved to . No need to worry, our new office is only a short half mile walk (or one green line t stop) away from our Park Plaza location. See you Tuesday ✌🏼

How do we know when it’s really an injury or just delayed onset muscle soreness? Of course each case is unique and outliers always exist, but here are a few key symptoms to note.

Memorable Event - a torn soft tissue almost always has a story, usually a fall or impact.

Specific Location - the area of pain will not move or radiate to another location significantly in the case of a sprain or tear.

Consistent Presentation - the pain will be consistently reproducible upon the same movement, with little pain when not active.

Strength Loss due to Pain - the involved tissue will demonstrate a loss of motion when a demand is applied.

"We think that chronic pain develops because of inflammation so we think inflammation is bad and we should stop it. But what this study suggests is that yes, but at the cost of increasing your chances to develop chronic pain"

The debate is on for the efficacy of using NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) for acute pain after an injury. Evidence in mouse models suggests that early implementation of NSAIDs can dampen the natural effect of white blood cells in healing injuries.

A recent Canadian study at McGill university found that patients taking anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac to treat their pain were much more likely to have pain two to 10 years later — a correlation that's consistent with their other findings, but can't determine what caused the ongoing pain.

They also found those who took other painkillers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), were less likely to have chronic pain compared to those who took anti-inflammatory medication.

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Hello FB! I’ve been recovering from a fairly large knee surgery called an OATS Procedure (a condition I can discuss at length in another post). Although each surgery comes with its own specifications. There are some tools that always help. Keep reading for advice on how to prepare for your upcoming orthopedic surgery.

7 Things to Get Before Surgery

1. Help
Particularly if your surgery involves General Anesthesia, the hospital may require you identify a caretaker before you’re cleared for surgery. The last thing a patient needs post op is a trip and fall leading to more damage. Therefore it is crucial to not go it alone.

2. Accessible Clothing
Simply look up post surgical clothing online and you will find options that will help you dress with ease immediately after surgery when your incision may still be vulnerable.

3. Access Tools
Consider your living space before surgery. Will you be able to step into the shower or raise your arm to wash? Many tools are available to extend your reach and steady yourself while using the bathroom. Shower chairs, foot stools, hand rails, and extendable shower heads are all excellent examples of access tools.

4. Ice Packs
Depending on your case swelling may need to be managed. Your surgeon may send you home with a cyro cuff or other device. If instructed to ice at home consider the body part and incision site to choose an appropriate cooling device.

5. Exercise Equipment
Rehab is the much longer part of a surgical procedure. Not only does the surgical area need to be exercised, but the rest of your body must as well to prevent atrophy. Ask your doctor what home exercise program would be appropriate for you.

6. Patience
Many surgical endeavors include a period of rest before returning to full activity. It’s important to fill the time with hobbies, socializing, or planning your next rehab steps.

7. Fitness Goals
Most orthopedic surgeries aim to bring you to a better place than before the procedure. With that in mind select an activity goal before surgery day. You may even need the assistance of a trainer, chiro, physio etc as you reach your goals or a road block (PS. That’s where we come in 😉)

We Need Your Input!

Some of you may know Dr. Bell has been working toward a certification in evidence based rehabilitative exercise. To launch a program that provides the best outcomes and reflects our patient’s needs, we’re asking for your participation in a 6 question survey.

https://forms.gle/tBYHXjtEwfKwSiSz7?_iipp=1

Thank you for your time! This is a brief 6 question survey to gather information on personal experiences with managing back pain at home.

Jaw pain (or “TMJ”) is something many folks don’t know can be managed by a chiropractor. Much like any other complex joint, the jaw tends to fall into a pattern of movement when under stimulated or overloaded with stressors. With nearly 2 years of masks now, it’s not surprising that jaw pain is becoming a more common complaint. Swipe through to see how we approach our jaw pain cases.

We’re coming to Brookline next week for a pop up winter market at with clothing from ! Come shop and maybe even get a demo assessment and theragun session 😉

Are you getting enough movement in your day?

There are many pathways that CBD has been shown to interact with the Endocanabinoid system. Read our beginners guide to understanding how it works!

✨Wedding Season✨

Training needs a goal to be effective. These 6 motions highlight the largest tasks your body performs. We can think of these tasks as your guide to training what needs improvement.
** Always consider talking to a professional before starting a new weight training program **

Swipe through our tips for bike commuting in the city ✌🏼

Chances are if you’re the first patient of the day, and show up early you might catch the whip and I rolling up. I switched to a gravel bike this summer with road obstacles gifting me more than a few flat tires. So far so good! How are you getting to work these days?

Living the suite life

Did you know we treat jaw pain as well as back pain? From soft tissue, to mobilization, to rehabilitative exercise approaches; we can help get you smiling again.

Sometimes being told “it’s your ___ muscle” isn’t enough. A full treatment plan includes spending the time to teach basic anatomical concepts & pain theory.