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Third Annual Run for Prevention date announced

In 2015 we launched the inaugural Health Missions Run for Prevention 5k, right here in Springfield. As a result, we saw more than 50 runners take part in the AlignLife of Springfield event in Washington Park. Last year the number of participants almost doubled and we raised thousands of dollars for Health Missions.  This year the run will take place on Saturday, September 30th and registration is now open . Health Missions is a non-profit established in 2004 to improve exposure of natural healthcare to underprivileged communities, domestically and around the world. The charity also works to educate the public about natural health opportunities, such as chiropractic care and lifestyle choices to enhance their health and vitality. We not only want to raise money for Health Missions but also involve the community. From young to old and seasoned runners to novices, participants can walk, jog or run the course. Now is the time to begin training for our 5k, while it’s not too hot,...

Expanded services at AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic & Natural Health Center

I am delighted to announce that we have expanded our services at AlignLife of Springfield Chiropractic & Natural Health Center. Born and raised in Springfield, IL, Emily Handley, 29, focuses on massage therapy having graduated in 2012 from Midwest Technical Institute and the Healing Arts Center in St. Louis, MO, in 2012. She has worked alongside chiropractors for the past four years.  When used to compliment chiropractic care, massage therapy can loosen tension in muscles and stabilize joints. Many patients find that, once massage is integrated into their care, their adjustments hold longer in between treatments. Using both therapies simultaneously can result in a much faster recovery time. Massage therapy can also help relieve pain from headaches, soft tissue and joints, fibromyalgia, and muscle tension. It can also help those with anxiety.  Emily is trained in Swedish massage style, but also offers deep tissue, prenatal and hot stone massage. Emily schedules her...

Three Secrets to Weight Loss

Are you sick of yo-yo diets and starving yourself to lose weight? Are you looking for a permanent solution to keep the weight off? Learn the secrets of losing weight successfully and how to keep it off for good at a free workshop with Dr. Bryne Willey at AlignLife Chiropractic and Natural Health Center on Thursday 13th April 6 pm through 7 pm.  Dr. Bryne will be discussing three topics; how PH plays a vital role in weight management , why fatigue, depression, and pain usually accompany weight gain and simple, easy, tools for quick and permanent weight loss without drugs. “Do you constantly struggle with weight loss? Do you make progress only to see it fade away? There are many factors to weight loss that you may not be aware of. This workshop will not only inform you of these factors but teach you how to manage them in order to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle,” said Dr. Bryne. AlignLife is an integrated healthcare organization that focuses using natural measures to obt...

Acupuncture during pregnancy

Alternative methods of healthcare are being explored more than ever before as we enter into increasingly progressive realms of modern medicine. Beyond pain management, the use of acupuncture continues to grow in popularity. Acupuncture is being used as a fertility aid, providing relief during pregnancy and in inducing labor—not only safe, it is also beneficial to mom and baby. Acupuncture stimulates specific points in the body by inserting thin needles through the skin. Practitioners implement acupuncture in a number of different ways. I practice a combination of traditional points, which can be traced back thousands of years in Chinese medicine, coupled with understanding the physiological functions and anatomical structure being treated. In no way is acupuncture a substitute for Western prenatal medical care, yet, it is very safe and offers complementary care with many benefits. Acupuncture can be extremely effective at relieving stress, morning sickness, hip and lower back pa...

How a chiropractor can help after a sports injury

If you’re an athlete or have children that participate in individual or team sports, the chances are you, or they, have suffered an injury at some time. Such activities can result in painful sprains, strains, or even tears. A chiropractor can help if you’ve suffered a sports injury – and prevent it from happening again. Chiropractors are often associated with the treatment of the neck and spine. However, I treat injuries of all natures to the joints, muscles, and ligaments including, but not limited, to the shoulder, wrist, knee and ankle through manual adjustment of the spine and rehabilitation to the surrounding soft tissues. Chiropractors can also help prevent injury by ensuring your bones and muscles are lined up and balanced, which helps relieve tension or compression in the body allowing it to function better and become less susceptible to injury. The goal of our integrative approach of chiropractic adjustments, coupled with rehabilitation, is to first eliminate pain, but m...

Chiropractic is essential for successful older adult healthcare

In the US alone nearly 20% of the population will be 65 or over by 2030. Chiropractic is one of the most frequently utilized care by older adults in America.  The most common reason an older adult might seek treatment from a chiropractor is for musculoskeletal symptoms. Chiropractors also provide a wide range of treatments, which include relief from arthritic pain, headaches, digestive problems, and insomnia.  Older adult patients are often encouraged to engage in exercise. In fact, weight bearing physical activity is essential for preventing weakening of the bones later in life. When bone mass has deteriorated, and the bones become weak and prone to fracture, osteoporosis occurs. Bones become thicker and stronger over time to resist forces placed upon them. If there are no forces to act against bones become thinner and weaker. This is why exercise is so important in leading an active life.  As we age, spinal discs, facet joints, ligaments, muscles and other sp...

Cause and treatment for lower back pain

When it comes to low back pain discomfort often isn’t a back problem at all. For example, if one side of your pelvis is higher than the other, this can result in back pain, hip pain, groin pain or even knee pain. Do you see where I’m going with this? The unevenness of your hips can pull on your lower back, which causes that tightness, especially if you sit for long periods. Every time your feet hit the ground the shock is transferred up your legs to your hips and spine, any irregularity or imbalance could be the culprit. If you have flat feet or over-pronation, where your foot tends to roll inward too much, this may be the cause of your backache. Or, it could be something as simple as one of your legs being ever so slightly shorter than the other. You could even have a curve in your spine. Or perhaps, and more seriously, one of the discs between your vertebrae of your spine could be degenerating. Either way, it’s definitely worth getting it checked out.  Although the causes of...