Chiropractic Blog

Blog #2: NFC Chiropractic Coronavirus Updates Blog #1: How Can Chiropractic Care Help Our Elderly?

NFC Chiropractic

Coronavirus Updates

by Dr. Tony Scarlassara As COVID-19 affects our communities, our work as a Family chiropractic physician’s clinic(s) continues. Your health and safety are a top priority and we continue to monitor and uphold all CDC and State mandates/guidelines. We have taken the following precautionary measures as well as have some insightful tips for you on boosting your immune system: Upon Entering the Clinic: Prior to any treatment, we want to know if you are having any of these symptoms: Cough? Shortness of breath? Nasal/sinus congestion or runny nose? Sore throat? Body aches? Fever? We will also take your temperature and ask if you have any reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have you been in contact with someone with known or suspected COVID-19. If the answer is YES, then we will be happy reschedule your appointment to a later date in order to protect you along with other patients and our staff. Increasing Practice Hygiene: All doctors and staff are using hand sanitizer on a FREQUENT basis between each patient encounter, as well as hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds after every encounter. Increasing Routine Cleaning: In line with our longstanding commitment to provide a safe and clean environment, our offices have increased the frequency of cleanings, paying close attention to high touch areas such as adjusting tables, and therapy equi PMent. We have antiviral/fungal/bacterial spray all over the office and will spray equi PMent after use. Please know we will continue to wipe down very frequently between patients. Maintain Appointments: We strongly encourage all of our patients to please maintain your adjustments. We want to make sure you are getting the care you need to function and work. Special Appointments: We understand many of our patients either have compromised immune systems, are over 65 years old, or have some respiratory issues that may limit them from coming into the clinic during busy times. Please call us if you are one of these people so the doctors can make special arrangements for you to get adjusted during this time. Our doctors will work special hours to make sure that our community is well taken care of. There is no additional expense to these special times as our doctors truly want to make sure you are well adjusted and being the healthiest version of yourself. Waiting Room: If you are uncomfortable waiting in the reception area and you prefer to wait in your car or outside the front door, all you have to do is call us when you get into the parking lot. We will sign you into the computer so your appointments will take place in the proper order. We can then call or text you to your cell phone when it is your turn to enter the clinic and we can take your right back to your room. Please be patient with us as we do the best we can to keep everyone safe. Facebook: We will be continuing to add content to help you and your Family members to stay safe and healthy. Please follow us on Facebook, if you are not already doing so. There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our practice members and staff. We will continue to provide information about what steps we are taking to address this evolving situation, but please rest assured, we are on this. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call the clinic at (906) 265-9000 or (906) 874-0111.

How Can Chiropractic

Care Help Our Elderly?

by Dr. Tony Scarlassara The elderly form a large vibrant part of the population here in Iron County and all of Upper Michigan. Many of our elderly suffer from common spinal conditions such as sciatica, arthritis, headaches, low back and neck pain as well as general stiff/soreness with a loss of normal motion. It’s common knowledge that these, and other conditions, can traditionally be helped by chiropractic care. There are many fears and myths out there about chiropractors not being able to treat the elderly. When a patient is thoroughly evaluated, and chiropractic care is done correctly, treatments are very safe and highly effective compared to surgery and medications. Here at Northwoods Family Chiropractic, our doctors assist the elderly with problems ranging from pain relief, headaches, sciatica, disc degeneration and arthritis, just to name a few. In general, elderly people can have more arthritis and bone, joint, and disc degeneration than people in their 20s or 30s. This makes sense as the older we get, the more “miles” we put on our bodies. As we age, our bodies accumulate more damage. This puts put our joints and spine under more stress. Joints and bones become weaker and sometimes the spine starts to break down. This is where chiropractors come in. From a doctor’s standpoint, it is very important that our chiropractors be very cautious and gentle when treating anyone, but especially our elderly. As patients age, they tend to come to our clinic with additional concerns besides pain. Replaced hips and knees, osteoporosis, pacemakers, joints that, due to arthritis, can be weaker, as well as other issues, underline the importance of a chiropractor’s understanding of contraindications to care, as well as any spinal issues that could interfere with a patients’ treatment or make it less effective. Often, chiropractors must use gentle, but effective types of treatment. Using an instrument such as an activator or a “drop-table” to replace manual adjustments, will sometimes allow the joint to respond better. Our doctors use different methods and therapies that are effective, even for our patients with older, weaker spines. Chiropractic care can be effective and life-changing for a range of ages from newborn to a centenarian. Obviously, treatment procedures and techniques vary from person to person depending on a multitude of things, such as age, physical condition and health. One thing is certain, chiropractic care can help everyone!